Chapter 68: Promising (8)

Part 15

“Man, I’m jealous. Some of us stick around for two hours to get one drawing, while others breeze in and have a dozen lined up,” Seokyoon grumbled.

“When someone offers, you don’t say no. Jealous? Get famous then,” Bonfire shot back.

“Oh, so you’re aware you’re a big shot now?” Seokyoon teased.

Drawing took longer than I’d expected. I’d seen Bonfire whip up a sketch in a flash on stream, no prep needed, and thought, It can’t take that long. But professional, paid work clearly wasn’t that quick.

“Send me the emotes later,” Seokyoon said.

“Nope. Subscribe and use them,” Bonfire replied.

I lifted my cap slightly, flashing a mischievous grin. Seokyoon’s exasperated chuckle was satisfying, and I burst into laughter too. The two pretzel-shaped hair loops, left in because I liked them and they weren’t too noticeable tilted back, brushed my neck as they swayed.

“Some friend you are,” Seokyoon muttered.

“It’s about separating work and personal. Some people pay for this stuff,” Bonfire said.

“It’s not like getting an image file means you can use it in chat,” Seokyoon countered.

“Whatever,” Bonfire dismissed.

The sky, not quite sunset-orange yet, peeked through the cityscape. The sinking sun silently marked the day’s passage. Days are getting longer—winter’s really fading. The thought hit me suddenly.

“…You looked nervous earlier, but you seem fine now,” Seokyoon said.

“I wasn’t that nervous,” I replied.

“In the fitting room. Did something really happen?” he asked.

Was it tactless to ask, or kind to have waited this long? Neither of us stopped walking. Did he get that it’s no big deal?

“It kept slipping, so I thought something was wrong,” I said.

“Don’t mess around,” he pressed.

“I’m serious. There was a strap inside the chest part you hook to the tight waistband to keep it from falling,” I explained.

“I didn’t need to know that,” he groaned.

“Isn’t it interesting?” I teased.

“What am I supposed to do with cosplay outfit trivia?” he retorted.

Our giggles filled the air. Should I ask what happened while I was in the fitting room? The thought didn’t linger. Whatever it was, today’s connections would stay good ones. Ignoring potentially painful truths wouldn’t hurt anyone. This is fine as is.

“…Honestly, I wondered at first if this was okay,” I said.

Our steps didn’t falter. Glancing at Seokyoon, I saw a faint smile. He’s not worried. He’ll accept me as a friend no matter what. That felt comforting.

“Really, no one has the right to judge me,” I said.

“Exactly,” he agreed.

“No need to suffer in a life forced on you,” I added.

“Exactly,” he repeated.

“I’ve decided to live like that,” I said.

Seokyoon’s steps slowed slightly. His figure, blending with the passing scenery, drifted to the back of my vision.

“Today… was it fun?” he asked.

Two more steps, then I stopped at his voice from behind. Turning, I saw him bathed in sunlight, glowing like a lightbulb. The image made me chuckle.

Fun? Yeah. It was childish excitement, a bit embarrassing to admit fully. Not completely honest, but…

“…It was alright,” I said, fidgeting with my fingers, trying to sound casual. Nothing special, right?

“Fun’s fun. Why play it cool?” he teased.

“Don’t curse,” I scolded.

“You curse when you drink,” he shot back.

“I barely curse even then,” I said.

“I’ve cut back too,” he replied.

“Because of me?” I asked.

“Nah. My boss said one more complaint and I’m fired,” he admitted.

“Idiot,” I laughed.

“Jerk…” he muttered.

Borrowing a car until late seemed too much, so I’d opted for public transport. To get home before evening, time was tight. Without a word, we started walking again. Our soft laughter melted into the city’s noise. Maybe life’s about chasing these moments of laughter.

Part 16

“I’m back… not that anyone’s here,” I muttered.

Exhaustion hit hard. It hadn’t felt so bad on public transport, but once home, with tension gone, my body groaned. Arms, legs, abs—strained from holding poses—ached. Gotta look up stretches before bed.

“Ugh… hot shower first…” I said.

I hadn’t been this physically drained since army promotion tests. Should I start exercising? Shuffling to my room, each step sparked pain, making me wince.

I hadn’t sweated much, but my clothes felt clammy. Tossing the “gift” paper bag aside, I grabbed fresh clothes, then realized the bag might not survive my carelessness.

“…Ugh,” I groaned.

The Traveler outfit, a gift since “no one at Flying Rabbit fits it,” reeked of sweat. Didn’t notice earlier. Someone—probably one of the four—had said cute girls’ sweat smells sweet. Ideal vs. reality, huh?

Crouching, I sniffed a piece, then recoiled, stuffing it back in. I grabbed underwear, a t-shirt, and shorts from my wardrobe, then hauled the bag to the bathroom. They said it’s fine to wash without decorations, just no quick-dry.

“Shower… then Sanghyeon’s stream…” I mumbled.

Should I watch? In the bathroom, I turned the shower to hot, shoved the head into the tub, and let it run. Stripping off my shirt, jeans, and underwear, I tossed the Traveler outfit into the washer… then yanked the jeans out. White clothes and jeans? Too risky.

I threw the jeans into the laundry basket with other darks. Testing the water with my fingers—hot, but good for tomorrow’s muscle pain—I stepped in.

“Ughhh…” I sighed.

Plugging the tub, I crouched, letting the shower pour over me. As the stinging pain faded, a soothing warmth relaxed me. Ten minutes like this? I adjusted the showerhead, hung it, and let the water hit me, dazed.

“Modeling’s glamorous but tough…” I murmured.

Twisting my body, I warmed up. My pale skin flushed pink in the heat, visible through my hazy gaze. I never cared before, but my skin’s pretty nice.

“…So happy,” I giggled.

Good is good. No need for complex thoughts—just live happily. I’d been too caught up before, but now I’d strive for joy, loved by many, sharing laughter and happiness.

“The future’s bright. School, streaming—bring it on,” I declared.

No idea who I was talking to, but it felt right. I burst into giggles again.

I’m getting stronger, getting used to it. That thought was deeply satisfying.