This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 239

Dogun’s Perspective

Is it because it’s not downtown but out in the suburbs?

After searching, I discovered that this was the only photo studio in the area, and it had a strangely nostalgic vibe.

Not that it looked completely decrepit, rather it had an oddly warm charm.

You know those little neighborhood photo studios that every town seems to have, filled with cute baby pictures and cheerful family portraits?

It felt just like one of those places.

So, I figured the owner must be quite elderly, but—

“Welcome!”

Not quite!

As soon as we opened the door, a young woman, probably in her early thirties, emerged from the back room.

“Are you here for a photo shoot?”

“Yes, but do you happen to sell frames here?”

“Of course! Would you like something small enough to fit in a columbarium?”

“Oh, yes.”

I wondered if she had enough experience dealing with customers like us.

Once the conversation started, it flowed effortlessly like water.

Thanks to that, before I knew it, my Senior’s photo shoot had begun.

The sound of the flash filling the studio echoed all around.

It might seem like the shoot was going smoothly just from hearing that noise, but unfortunately, reality was a different story.

Was it because of the unplanned nature of the shoot?

Or perhaps it was the embarrassing awareness that there was someone else behind the camera watching?

The expression on my Senior’s face was awkward enough that even someone with no knowledge of photography like me could tell.

Maybe that’s why.

The owner kept saying “Smile,” but nothing seemed to change.

“Hmm… this isn’t going to work…”

Was my Senior feeling embarrassed because her expression wasn’t cooperating?

With the owner muttering in concern, my Senior’s face began to blush slightly.

“This isn’t working. Let’s take a three-minute break. It must be hot under the lights, so take a moment outside.”

Maybe it was indeed the lights making it uncomfortable.

Anyway, the shoot was temporarily paused, and as soon as it stopped, I turned and hurried over to the owner, who was checking the photos taken so far, while walking towards my Senior, who had momentarily escaped from the bright lights.

As I approached her, I suddenly heard—

“Sorry, it must be boring waiting…”

It was my Senior’s apology.

“No worries. It happens.”

As I replied, I thought to myself.

Could I maybe help lighten the mood somehow?

Perhaps find a hilarious video to show her and ease the tension a bit?

Or maybe sneak in a clever joke while she let her guard down…

I had quite a few ideas swirling in my mind, but unfortunately, due to time constraints, I wouldn’t be able to try them all.

“Um… if my staring is bothering you, should I step outside while you take the shots?”

So, I hesitantly suggested the most plausible idea I could think of, only for my Senior to shake her head vigorously.

“No, it’s not that. It’s cold outside!”

Then what should I do?

I was lost in thought when suddenly—

“Um… how about this…?”

How about?

“Could we take just one photo together? It might help ease the tension a bit…”

Just one photo together.

If that could help ease my Senior’s nerves, I could certainly do it, but would it actually work?

I had my doubts, but I decided to go along with my Senior’s suggestion.

Of course, I first had to explain the situation to the owner.

Whether it was fortunate or not, it seemed that none of the photos we had taken so far were particularly usable.

“If that’ll help, shall we give it a try?”

After brief negotiations, seeing how readily the owner agreed, it must’ve meant there were indeed issues with the earlier shots.

“Okay then, could you two sit down, please?”

So, just like that, I found myself seated next to my Senior unexpectedly, and it was clearly an unplanned situation.

As a result, just like my Senior earlier, I felt an involuntary tension in my face.

And with that, I suddenly understood why my Senior was struggling so much.

“Ah, look, your boyfriend’s gone stiff.”

Well, it wasn’t without some payoff for the trouble I had gone through.

Whether it was because of my stiff expression or the owner’s lament over it, my Senior’s face finally relaxed, which made me breathe a sigh of relief internally, and as soon as I stood up, what do you know?

All my tension came flooding back.

“Um, owner? Sorry, but is there a bathroom around here…?”

“Oh, the bathroom? Just head out of the shop, then go into the building, and you’ll find it.”

“Thank you!”

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Baeksulhwa’s Perspective

Proposing to take a photo with Dogun was, quite frankly, a desperate last-ditch effort.

Of course… I had a tinge of annoyance at how Dogun just stood there watching with his arms crossed.

Still, as I had undertaken it, I thought maybe it might backfire, but thankfully, that wasn’t the case.

Actually, it had a far better effect than I expected.

Perhaps startled by the sudden turn of events, I found myself laughing as I watched Dogun stiffen uncomfortably.

While it was a bit disappointing that he promptly bolted for the bathroom, having broken the tension like that was still pretty good.

“Shall we finish up the photos then?”

That was fine by me.

Thanks to Dogun stepping out, I could promptly act on the idea that popped into my head.

“Yes, yes. Oh, but about the photos we just took…”

“The photos just taken?”

“Yes, um… the one where we’re together…”

“Oh, sure.”

“When you print, could you develop that one with it as well?”

Of course, I cautiously added that it should be a secret from Dogun, who had temporarily left.

Suddenly, the photo owner’s expression shifted from confusion to realization, and a knowing smile appeared on his face.

“Oh, I thought you two made a lovely couple, but you’re still in the ‘maybe’ stage, huh!”

With that came eyes sparkling with mischievousness, making me feel quite embarrassed, but I could tolerate that awkwardness considering the reward at the end.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to slip it in without anyone noticing.”

“…Thank you.”

With that negotiation complete, we resumed the shoot, and unlike the earlier struggles, it ended swiftly as soon as Dogun returned from the bathroom.

“How long will it take for the photo to be ready?”

“Um… about 20 minutes, so feel free to roam around and come back around 10:30.”

“10:30? Got it.”

Twenty minutes, huh.

What should I do to pass the time?

As I pondered that while stepping out from the photo studio, Dogun suggested where we should head next.

“Shall we go buy some flowers then?”

“Sure!”

Even though the flower shop isn’t too far, it might not be enough time to fill those twenty minutes, but it was a place we had to visit anyway.

So, unlike when Dogun led the way, I took the lead this time towards the flower shop where I always stopped by whenever I came here, and there I faced another misunderstanding similar to the one at the photo studio.

Clearing that misunderstanding wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t unpleasant either.

“Should I get you yellow chrysanthemums again?”

“…Yes.”

Honestly, I was struggling to maintain a straight face as it kept wanting to break with giggles.

And then, just as I was about to pull out my wallet for the payment, Dogun, perhaps having prepared beforehand, swiftly took out his card and paid before I even knew it.

“Wait, why…?”

“Hey, it’s only natural for me to buy flowers on our first meeting.”

Startled, I turned my head to see Dogun smiling as he reclaimed his card.

His attitude, caring for me as if it were his own business… left me feeling a little choked up.

“…Thank you.”

So… that was all I could muster.