Chapter 93: Unsecured network (7)

Part 13

“They seem close,” Youngjin said.

“Yeah, something like that,” I replied.

His offhand comment clearly referred to Sihyun. The guy who’d been teasing me under the guise of “observing” earlier proved his smarts by memorizing the basic tasks that took me a full day to learn in just a couple of hours. The auntie even said, “He could work alone starting tomorrow.” That’s who Youngjin meant as he left the bakery.

Thinking about it now, it’s annoying. God’s unfair.

“How’d you meet him?” Youngjin asked.

“Why the sudden interest?” I countered.

As I grumbled, picturing that insufferable guy’s face, his question caught me off guard. Now, of all times? When no answer came, I paused from cleaning the front of the shop for closing and glanced at Youngjin, standing idly by the wall.

He’d been out of the baking room for a while, neither helping nor talking, just staring blankly. Was he debating whether to ask?

“Just…” he trailed off.

The moment he opened his mouth, I realized any explanation would inevitably touch on the condition Sihyun and I shared. That meant possibly revealing Sihyun was originally a woman. Met at the hospital, somehow? Just… circumstances? What else would I be at the hospital for but the gender swap? Oh, crap.

“…A mutual acquaintance. I don’t only have you guys as friends,” I said.

“Does he know you were a guy?” Youngjin asked.

I shrugged, dodging the question. A vague response wouldn’t be taken as a yes or no. But his unreadable stare persisted, so, feeling this could drag on, I sighed lightly and continued.

“Someone I met after becoming like this,” I said.

A faint pang of guilt pricked my chest. It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t far from one. Still, I didn’t think it was right to spill someone else’s secret, especially one like mine. If someone who knew my secret blabbed, I’d be… deeply disappointed.

Not now. Not from my mouth. I might later hint to Sihyun that these people are trustworthy, but spilling his story myself felt wrong. I resolved to keep quiet. As my eyes slowly blinked, I hoped they didn’t look suspicious.

“…Just in case,” Youngjin said.

“Yeah?” I replied.

“I’m really worried, so don’t take it the wrong way…” he started.

“What?” I asked.

I set the rag, wiping stray crumbs, carefully on the table, frowning. What’s with him? A creeping suspicion grew that something might’ve happened between them. Youngjin wasn’t the type to pick fights, even if he wasn’t overly friendly, but I wasn’t sure about Sihyun. I hadn’t been glued to his side, and we’d taken breaks, switching with Youngjin. Maybe Sihyun said something harsh then.

The thought made me tense. Youngjin’s hesitant lips, quivering as if holding back, seemed like a surreal Pandora’s box, ready to unleash danger.

“Is he after your body or something?” he asked.

His words were… beyond my expectations, in many ways. How do I even respond? I wanted to snap, Don’t joke, but his serious gaze stopped me from brushing it off.

“…Sigh,” I exhaled.

Brushing back stray hairs behind my ear, I slowly lifted my head. Better laugh it off. What was that guy even saying?

“Stop reading dirty comics,” I teased.

“No, I mean—” he started.

“He probably prefers guys over girls,” I cut in.

Youngjin’s voice halted abruptly. I wondered if I’d accidentally dropped a hint, but realistically, people would assume “he’s into guys” rather than “he was a woman.” A slight misunderstanding, maybe, but it’s his fault for saying something suspicious.

“…What?” Youngjin said.

“He’s kinda pretty, right?” I asked.

“Well… I thought he looked refined,” he admitted.

I chuckled at his stunned tone, resuming my slow cleaning. It was almost time to clock out.

“Then why say that? Unless… his target isn’t me but…” Youngjin muttered.

“What’re you mumbling about? If you’re free, wipe a table,” I said.

“Wow, you have no idea how deep my thoughts are right now,” he protested.

“Auntie! Youngjin’s slacking and telling me to do it all!” I called.

“You sneaky jerk!” he shot back.

Part 14

I’d considered it, but I didn’t expect Youngjin’s call the very next day, saying I didn’t need to come in. Apparently, Sihyun showed up early, not wanting to forget what he’d learned. I was getting ready for work, planning to stop by the hospital, when the call came. Feeling deflated, I sat at my computer in my work clothes and started streaming.

I’d texted Dr. Kang asking if noon was okay, and soon felt a faint buzz from my thigh. Checking my phone, his reply said time didn’t matter—just come. Classic doctor. Smiling faintly, I turned back to the monitor.

“So, I got a pay cut,” I announced.

• Very sentimental phrasing lol
• Why not open donations to make some cash?

“Cosplay photoshoots pay pretty well. If someone calls, I might go for it,” I said.

• Confidence;;;

Come to think of it, the clothes I’d been gifted were still in my closet, unworn. Something simple like a nun outfit could work without extra flair. Mentioning money sparked memories of Flying Rabbit, triggering a cascade of thoughts.

“Speaking of, I’ve got some gifted clothes. Should I try them on?” I asked.

• ?
• ??????
• Yoonseo?
• Where’d you get cosplay clothes?

“Flying Rabbit said my photos turned out great and gave them to me for future collabs,” I explained.

• Traveler?

“Hmm… I’ve got a few outfits. Hold on,” I said.

The thought that Sihyun might be watching crossed my mind, but he’s probably busy working. No way he’s lounging at the counter watching my stream. Shaking off the thought, I stood from my chair.

“I’ll be right back,” I said.

• Wait, for real?
• What’s happening?
• Yoonseo, you drunk?

Last time, they begged for this, so why the shock now? I shrugged—maybe visible on cam, maybe not—and left the room. Come to think of it, is this the first time I’ve offered to show myself in women’s clothes?

“If I said, ‘Are you gay?’ he’d definitely say no,” I muttered.

As my resistance fades, will I just… become this? It’s a short time compared to a lifetime, so maybe I don’t feel it yet. Maybe one day I will. A worry that once would’ve consumed me now felt oddly neutral. I’ve changed, for better or worse.

“Speaking of, if I watch adult stuff now, which kind should I pick?” I mused.

As a guy, I checked in every three days, but since becoming this, I haven’t thought about it. Maybe I’ll experiment—normal stuff, other stuff, see what clicks.