“To sum it up, you want to run a clothing store and use my older sister as a model?”
“Yes, that’s right. I operate an offline store and an online shopping mall, and I’m looking for a model to feature there.”
Ji-yeon nodded as if she found it reasonable and looked at me.
Has she received such proposals often?
It had the gesture of asking how I felt about it.
It seemed she wasn’t particularly inclined to stop it.
In this sense, she wasn’t overly protective.
A model…
I heard an unexpected word.
The woman who introduced herself as Eun-ha started her pitch with bright, sparkling eyes.
“The new stock has been released, but there’s no model. My pride doesn’t allow me to use an amateur.”
“I’m also an amateur…”
Could Ji-eun have worked as a model in the past?
I carefully spoke while watching Ji-yeon’s reaction, but it seemed Ji-eun had never done modeling.
Eun-ha looked surprised at the mention of ‘amateur’ and her eyes widened.
And whether that remark touched something in her, she began to appeal even more passionately.
“It’s even more surprising that you’re an amateur with that face, but I actually like it more. Your image hasn’t been used yet, and above all, you would be my first collaboration.”
“I don’t have experience, so it might be tough for you to do the shoot…”
“I’ll take full responsibility! Please trust me with this!”
Eun-ha said, patting her chest.
No, she wasn’t this bold originally.
Where did the clueless and innocent woman who was guiding me go? A masculine presence sat instead.
Trying to give me a dependable image, Eun-ha continuously patted her chest and exhaled with determination.
It was somehow awkward…
“But is it really necessary for me to be the model? It feels like I’m downgrading myself by saying this, but I’m not particularly good at smiling.”
“No, no! It has to be you, Ji-eun! I decided that.”
“You fit my style perfectly.”
As she said this, she grabbed my hand and made eye contact with me.
I instinctively flinched, showing my embarrassment.
Just a moment ago, she couldn’t even meet my eyes.
Are all artists like this?
Once they get fixated, they don’t look back but just push forward?
That crazed look in her eyes was intimidating.
It was a look that unabashedly shot out that she wanted to own me.
So that feeling I had earlier of mistaking her for a stalker was this.
“…Could you let go of my hand? My older sister is uncomfortable with physical contact.”
It was then that Ji-yeon spoke up, respecting my feelings as she had been quiet beside me.
While I was flustered and lost for words with my hand still held, she grabbed Eun-ha’s wrist.
“Oh, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I wasn’t trying to pressure you.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Eun-ha withdrew her hand flustered, as if anxious that I might have been upset.
From this, it was clear that she was the same person from earlier.
She was a person whose mood changed too quickly.
Eun-ha cleared her throat and spoke.
“So! If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask you to model for me?”
As I didn’t react, Eun-ha’s voice grew a little louder.
“Of course! The clothes you try on will be given to you for free. And of course, there will be separate pay.”
“How could I possibly decline…?”
Since I wouldn’t have much opportunity to wear clothes anyway, I planned to go shopping with Ji-yeon.
Going to Eun-ha’s store seemed more advantageous than wandering through multiple clothing stores.
I decided to think about whether or not to become a model later.
Watching the two of them waiting for my answer, I finally spoke.
“Shall we head to the store first?”
Eun-ha’s store wasn’t far.
It was about a ten-minute walk from the café we were at.
Since she was familiar with the area, she could guide me.
Arriving at Eun-ha’s store, I found myself in a somewhat awkward situation.
“Here, try this on first.”
“Oh, and after that, could you please try on this one?”
“Wow! This one is pretty too. There are so many beautiful clothes. It would look great on you, sis.”
“Right? I thought immediately that it was perfect for Ji-eun when I saw it.”
It felt like some sort of doll-dressing game…
I grumbled quietly as I took the clothes into the changing room.
I had already tried on several pieces, but thankfully, they didn’t insist on dressing me.
If that happened, I would have really felt a sense of worthlessness.
Still, there were some clothes I needed help with, such as those with zippers at the back.
This outfit was one of those.
After loosely fastening the front, I walked out and asked someone to zip up the back.
Once I was dressed, I did a little turn to show off the outfit.
Then, I received applause.
“Wow, you look so pretty!”
“When I saw you at the café, I was unsure, but you aren’t wearing any makeup. And yet, you look this good… You won’t need any retouching.”
This wasn’t a fashion show model; what was I doing?
From casual everyday wear to flowing styles, there were plenty of options.
I refused to wear skirts…
Seeing Eun-ha pouting tears because most of the outfits had skirts was a bit pitiful, but it was unavoidable.
My mind just couldn’t handle that yet.
Fortunately, Ji-yeon respected my wishes.
Eun-ha nodded, as if to say it’s great to have her own fashion principles.
Fashion principles? I didn’t have any of those.
As someone who found shopping annoying, I preferred to rotate a few outfits that were comfortable to wear.
The less they were constrained by place and activity, the better.
At home, in restaurants, and even on rare outings.
I preferred versatile clothing that wouldn’t look out of place anytime or anywhere, and there were very few of those in Ji-eun’s wardrobe.
So I intended to buy some useful clothes through shopping.
“Shall we try changing the color a bit? No, if it’s too bright, it might overwhelm you. How about we change the material—?”
“Let’s go a bit more minimal. You haven’t tried that one on yet.”
The chances of my wishes being fulfilled appeared very low.
From thin summer clothes to winter outfits to wear right now.
I was trying on whatever they offered regardless of the season.
I still hadn’t said I’d model.
Considering I hadn’t even done a shoot, I was already feeling fatigued.
At first, it was okay when I arrived at the store.
Eun-ha’s shop, which specialized in women’s clothing, had many pretty outfits even I could see.
I thought it wasn’t a bad choice to come straight here instead of wandering around elsewhere.
However, that thought changed in an instant.
I had clearly come out to shop with Ji-yeon, yet I was the only one trying things on.
How many outfits had I already worn that Ji-yeon had eagerly suggested would suit me?
I watched my younger sibling rummaging through the pile of clothes with a satisfied face.
Right, my sister is a mannequin…
As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters.
Still, before it got too late, I had to say this.
“Shall we take some pictures?”
Eun-ha, who had been glancing at the camera while handing me the clothes, beamed at my suggestion.
“Great! Could you twist your body a little more to the left? Just a bit more! Yes, great!”
The flash went off.
The smooth camera lens pointed at me.
A clicking sound echoed, like an announcement that it would be captured.
Though I titled it a photoshoot, nothing fundamentally changed from earlier.
I put on the clothes Eun-ha provided, stepped out, and struck a pose.
It was about choosing a concept that matched the outfits and expressing that.
Up to this point, nothing felt particularly difficult.
Poses didn’t require any particularly high-level movements.
I got stuck on just one thing.
“Could you smile a little? Just the corners of your mouth… Yes, just a bit more!”
The corners of my mouth trembled.
My face had awkwardly stiffened.
I desperately tried to move my rigid facial muscles.
The result of me attempting to smile was this.
It perfectly matched the image I anticipated at the beginning.
This body—I mean Ji-eun—just isn’t good at smiling.
Whether there’s an issue I was born with, a naturally smiling face just wasn’t in the cards.
I realized that on the first day my body changed, while messing with my face in the bathroom.
I often called a face that smiled a lot a “smiling face.”
I wasn’t even close to that, but Ji-eun was much further away.
Aside from smiling, performing other poses and expressions wasn’t particularly challenging.
Confident and subtly showcasing expressions, everything was given an okay sign with just a little effort.
Outside of those, the haughty expression… they said it was fine to simply remain expressionless, which was a relief.
Currently, I was wearing casual clothes in bright colors.
I had to create a bright atmosphere suited to the outfit.
Of course, that meant I had to smile to give off a bright feeling.
Ji-eun’s expression of neutrality was far from bright, making it even tougher.
I wondered what kind of expression I was making now.
From the way Eun-ha’s eyes were shaking aimlessly, it seemed quite strange.
I had previously mentioned this and she had said it didn’t matter, so could I not point it out?
She revealed her confidence, but I didn’t think it would be like this.
I’m not someone who can lie.
Since I was also receiving some outfits and payment, I had no intention of being uncooperative.
It was the final moments of the shoot.
I wanted to create a smile and finish.
My strength had nearly drained.
Was there any way to change this?
As I pondered, Eun-ha suddenly looked at me with a serious face and spoke.
“Ji-eun, do you know what land is filled with people who do things half-heartedly?”
A sudden quiz.
I was puzzled but thought briefly.
What could it be?
“Well, what’s the answer?”
“The answer is ‘suddenly’! Anything done half-heartedly—suddenly.”
Once Eun-ha finished her quiz, Ji-yeon gazed at her with a look of disbelief.
“…Do you seriously think that kind of joke will work? What do you think of my older sister?”
Snort
A laugh escaped me involuntarily.
That kind of joke was unfair.
It seemed Eun-ha was unexpectedly gifted with a sense of humor.
Oh, we were in the middle of a shoot.
My smile was momentary, and I quickly collected myself, redirecting my gaze back to the camera.
There, Eun-ha stared at me in surprise.
Ji-yeon looked as if she felt betrayed.
I tilted my head in confusion.
…What’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?
