episode_0003

What I newly realized is that adapting to Joo Eunhye’s body is not as easy as it seems.

Her hair wasn’t extremely long, but it took quite a while to wash and dry it after using conditioner, and once it was all dried, the bangs covered my eyes uncomfortably.

Moreover, while there were plenty of comfortable clothes to wear indoors, the only suitable outfits for going out were empty skirts, which posed a considerable dilemma.

No matter how much I’ve become a woman, wearing this without any resistance might make me want to die…

“Should I go buy some clothes? I also need to cut my hair and check out some accessories.”

One of the most shocking things I encountered while cleaning the uncle’s house was the issue of food.

I had a feeling of dread when I opened the dismal contents of the refrigerator in the morning, but I never imagined that the entire pantry would be filled with instant noodles. And there were so many different kinds, it felt like a ramen festival!

Oh, but what should I wear to go out? The only pair of jeans I have got a bit roughed up yesterday… Should I borrow the uncle’s?

“As long as I tighten it with a belt around the waist, everything should be okay~ I’ll just borrow it for a moment.”

This is not stealing; it’s just borrowing. Since we live in the same house, he’ll probably turn a blind eye, and even if the length doesn’t match, I can just fold the hem and wear it.

– Click

I decided not to intrude on his privacy, so I haven’t cleaned this room yet, but surprisingly, it feels quite organized. The bed is neatly made, the floor is clean… But why hasn’t the trash can been emptied until it’s overflowing?

“Even so, it’s being used cleanly, right? It’s definitely different from my brother’s… Huh!?”

This smell… the uncle’s scent!! With the smell emanating from everywhere, it’s undoubtedly spread throughout the room.

“This is… unbearable…!”

I can’t stay in this room anymore. No, I shouldn’t be here any longer!

I instinctively covered my nose, opened the window wide, and hurriedly left the uncle’s room, closing the door behind me.

I shouldn’t go back in until the smell dissipates. Or maybe I should leave the cleaning of the uncle’s room to him…

I’ve had a dreadful experience since the morning.

Eventually, I left the house wearing the pants I wore yesterday, draped in a beige tteokbokki coat, and went to a nearby large mart to visit a hair salon. Even though it felt uncomfortable, I couldn’t bear to step foot in that room again.

“I hope I didn’t smell like that too? Ugh… But back then, I was just a high schooler, surely not…”

As I recalled that dreadful smell, I suddenly remembered the face of my ex-girlfriend who furrowed her brows on our 100th day anniversary, and felt a small sense of unease.

“Do you have any concerns?”

“Oh, it’s nothing… haha.”

The hair designer sister, who sent me a strange look while nodding, started to style my hair again.

Although I wanted to get a down perm due to the excessive frizziness, I ended up choosing a volume magic style due to the sister’s insistence. If there was a problem, it seemed like my hair condition was so messy that it would take quite a long time.

“Your hair is already so nice, but there’s something really regrettable, right? Please come again next time! I’ll make you look really pretty then!”

After not stopping for about two hours, the sister, who had become covered in cut hair, finally freed me by taking off the apron.

Unfortunately, it was too early in the day, and there were no other customers, so enduring the two hours of chattering made me feel like I was melting.

“There was never such empty talk like that~ But I should come here often.”

However, the well-groomed older sister was skilled despite her chatty mouth. She swept her bangs to get rid of the gloomy impression, and her tangled hair now had a fuller feel to it. Although she had cut it shorter from her shoulder-length hair, it was more convenient to move around, and her tension rose.

“Should we start by looking around the market?”

Feeling refreshed, I brushed my hair back and boarded the escalator to go downstairs to see the market.

“I wonder what uncle likes?”

I used to enjoy cooking, but I couldn’t find the time due to part-time work. But now, I have both time and money, so everything is OK! I can try anything!

“I think meat would be good. Pork belly is too common, so maybe I should check out marinated ribs? Or maybe sirloin? It’s better to cook it at home, but today, I feel like indulging, so let’s try something prepared here!”

Imagining enjoying a feast I haven’t had in years, I quickly passed through the food section and before I knew it, my basket was full to the brim, with no more space left.

“It’s so heavy. Joo Eun-hye, you’re so weak!”

No wonder my weight was barely 44kg when I weighed myself at home… I’m not sure exactly how tall I am, but I can confidently say I’m underweight.

“I can manage if I lift it with both hands, right? Let’s stop here for today.”

Buying more would be too much. I think I’ve bought enough for two or three days with uncle, so I’ll have to use Coupang for the rest. It’s just not possible otherwise.

I should start running and try home training from tomorrow… What is this…

“Joo Eun-hye?”

As I struggled with the heavy basket, a woman called my name, and our eyes met. She looked about the same age as me, but slightly taller and somewhat flashy, with dyed blonde hair that cascaded down to her shoulders in waves.

The important thing is that this woman knows Joo Eun-hye’s name, which means she at least has some acquaintance with her, but I can’t remember who she is. Well, from Joo Eun-hye’s memory, she doesn’t remember making friends after middle school, so she was either in the same class or…

“Wow, long time no see. You’ve changed a bit since graduation, huh? Well, the loser vibe is still the same, huh?”

It was the latter. Yeah, I didn’t recognize her because of the dye, but looking at that smug face, I remembered. She was the girl who relentlessly bullied Joo Eun-hye to the point of contemplating suicide. I don’t know her name, but…

“Yeah, long time no see.”

As I put down the basket, I faced the blonde woman. Despite being shorter than me, unlike in Joo Eun-hye’s memory, I didn’t feel any sense of fear from her.

“Ha, trying to act tough? Whatever, I need to collect some money. I’m short on cigarette money these days.”

Getting mentally harassed by this b*tch… Joo Eun-hye was really a weak girl… Or maybe she was even more scared because of the gang she was hanging out with.

But seeing her wandering around alone like this, it’s clear that the usual gang she hangs out with is not around here.

“Talking about collecting money, you’re really a pain in the a**.”

“…What? What did you say?”

“I said you’re a pain in the a**. Why, are you hoping I’ll give you some sh*t to eat instead?”

Why would someone want to do this even in a crowded place? I felt annoyed, feeling a similar irritation to my ex-girlfriend who had no thoughts. Moreover, because of Joo Eun-hye’s memory, I felt like I could snap at any moment.

Without a hint of confusion, the blonde woman grabbed my collar with a scowl on her face. But as if something had occurred to her, she let go and took out her smartphone.

“Is this how you’re going to come at me? Well then, what if I were to share this on the internet? Ta-da~”

She showed me a video on her smartphone screen, laughing chillingly as she did so.

– Eek!

[Bingo! So it was in here after all?]

[Did the door break from a light touch? That’s even funnier!]

[But why is she so stiff? Did she freeze up from a little water?]

[Hey, Joo Eunhye. Say something, you coward!]

“You… this…”

“Hahaha~! How’s that? Didn’t it turn out well~?”

The video she showed me depicted four female students, including herself, in the bathroom, spraying menstrual blood on Joo Eunhye, pulling her hair, slapping her cheeks, or dunking her head in the toilet… a video filled with all sorts of torment.

“You wouldn’t want this to be shared on YouTube, would you?”

The blonde woman chuckled smugly. If this were to be shared, not only would this woman but also the other three accomplices be in big trouble, yet she seemed completely oblivious to that fact.

But if it were to happen, I would be in a difficult situation as well. Suppressing my anger as best as I could, I reached into my pocket and handed over my wallet.

“I should have given this earlier~ Now, let’s see how much is in here, shall we?”

*Inhale… exhale…*

Keeping my distance from the woman, I took a deep breath, exerted force on each finger of my left hand, slowly wrapped them around my fist, and aimed for the woman’s right torso, extending my fist with all my might.

– Oof!

“Cough-!”

“Oh~ I missed by a bit.”

As the blonde woman’s balance faltered, I seized the opportunity and snatched her smartphone. Although I dropped my wallet, it had landed in the basket, so there was no rush.

It was fortunate that she didn’t turn off the screen. Now I could delete the data without worry.

#

From today, Yeongae’s behavior has been peculiar, but I witnessed an unbelievable scene just now. The usually quiet Yeongae throwing a punch at another woman… it felt like watching a scene from a movie.

“Madam instructed me to report regularly, but… I must have seen it wrong, right?”

It all happened so quickly that there was a good chance I misinterpreted it. Even though that woman stumbled and leaned on Yeongae, the youngest daughter-in-law of the Taebaek Group chairman, turned out to be a violent woman? This could spell trouble… For now, I must continue to keep an eye on Yeongae.