This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 329

It may seem trivial to say now, but the catalyst for what happened was incredibly minuscule, as it often is with various events.

At that time, we had just arrived at the shopping center and were in the process of gathering items that seemed necessary for the party.

Given that everyone’s personalities were as varied as they come, I had anticipated different shopping styles, expecting to encounter enough difficulties from those differences.

However, contrary to my expectations, there were only minor disagreements now and then, and nothing escalated into a significant issue.

So, I had thought everything would continue smoothly like that…

“By the way, Dogun, don’t you have any interest in clothes?”

Perhaps it was because Bora didn’t like the ordinary atmosphere.

At some point, her casual comment flipped the previously mellow vibe on its head.

Foolishly, I didn’t realize the significance of that moment right then.

“Huh? Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

That was only natural, since I was too caught off guard by the sudden question to think about anything else.

“Well… it’s not a big deal, but you helped a lot with my project, Dogun.”

Did I?

Bora said it, but honestly, I wasn’t sure if my actions had truly helped her creative work.

It was only natural because I enjoyed reading comics but wasn’t an expert.

And, as it should be obvious, enjoying reading comics and knowing a lot about them are two very different things.

In reality, the only feedback I could give Bora was at best amateur-level.

What’s more, given that my tastes were quite different from this world, I had no confidence it was even valid.

“Um… ”

Because of that, the moment Bora’s words echoed in my ears, I could only mumble a vague response…

But I decided not to think any deeper.

After all, if the person involved felt that way, then who was I to argue?

So, I vaguely nodded, but it seemed like I was only waiting for a reaction.

Bora’s face, which had looked a bit anxious, suddenly brightened, and she continued speaking right away.

“So, uh… in return, would it be okay if Dogun bought you a piece of clothing?”

“Uh… right now?”

“Y-Yeah…”

To be perfectly honest, I didn’t particularly mind.

I was fine with it, but as I nodded, I felt the presence of three others weighing on my mind.

So, as I hesitated just a bit…

“How fortunate! I actually wanted to repay Dogun as well.”

I have no idea when it happened, but the senior who had been inspecting some mini light bulbs from a distance smoothly butted in between us, Bora and me.

“While we’re at it, I might as well buy something for myself too, right?”

And that was just the beginning.

With the senior seamlessly joining Bora and me, Yoonseo, who secretly viewed the senior as a rival, probably thought she couldn’t just sit back and let this slide.

“What’s going on? Why are you all chatting without me?”

Yoonseo grumbled with a tone as if she was complaining about being left out and joined us.

Next came Chae-rim.

And just like that, as the four women were shopping together, the atmosphere began to shift in an oddly strange direction.

Up until a moment ago, everyone seemed to be pondering over “What items are necessary to make the party more enjoyable?”

But somehow, that ambiance vanished without a trace and started to plant roots in a direction that seemed to ask, “What style would suit Dogun the best?”

Was that why… ?

From that exact moment, I could feel something indescribably eerie crawling up my spine.

It was to the point that I felt someone was whispering in my ear, “You’re done for.”

“Uh, today we’re here to buy items for the party, right? So it’s best if we focus on that first…”

Thus, I painstakingly laid out my logic, which I thought was quite reasonable, trying to prevent the situation from spiraling this way…

“Well, can’t we do both this and that?”

My attempt was immediately shattered like glass as Chae-rim stepped forward.

Her casual remark surprisingly united the women around her.

“Yeah, that sounds good!”

The first to agree with Chae-rim’s plan was none other than the senior.

“But, um… is that okay? By the time we buy what we need for the party, most shops will probably be closed…”

Following the senior’s words, Bora expressed her worries, albeit weakly.

“If you’re that worried, let’s finish this quickly.”

Yoonseo’s comment, seemingly igniting a fire among the women, sent the atmosphere ablaze.

If I remember correctly, just moments ago, whenever we intended to buy something, debates about what was best would ensue; now, that entire process had vanished.

Thanks to that, the items on the checklist I had written down, with a bit of hope, began to vanish at an incredible speed compared to before.

Perhaps it was because I had witnessed that shocking scene with my own eyes.

‘No, how could it be that we could do this all along, yet hadn’t until now…?’

I thought this instinctively, but refrained from voicing it.

After all, uttering such things wouldn’t change anything, and I certainly didn’t want to stir up any trouble unnecessarily.

‘That aside, wait a moment…’

If that’s the case, does this mean I actually have to…?

Go shopping?

With these four?

Perhaps it was because such thoughts entered my mind.

All of a sudden, my future with the seniors I was about to spend time with felt bleak, just like a rookie soldier who had just received their assignment.

It was unavoidable.

It was unavoidable because, to be precise, what we had been doing until now had not been shopping in its truest sense.

What exactly is real ‘shopping’?

It involves a burdensome and troublesome process.

Let alone if it’s for clothes…

And especially since I had not just one or two women shopping with me, but a full four?

And the only things being bought would be for me?

‘Wow…’

I’d only imagined it for a moment, yet honestly, I was already itching to escape.

However, I couldn’t show it because they all wanted to do this for me.

So, what choice do I have?

I must close my eyes and accept my fate.

The moment of fate arrived far more quickly than I’d anticipated.

“I think we’ve bought most of what we need, so should we put these in the car?”

“Here. I can carry it.”

“No, Dogun, just rest for a bit.”

“But still…”

“You’ve worked hard pushing the cart until now, haven’t you?”

Did what Chae-rim said sound like, “You’ll have a harder time ahead, so rest while you can”?

I hope that’s the case…

‘But, we agreed to buy just one piece each, right…?’

In total, that should amount to merely four items, right?

So it shouldn’t take too long.

…Hopefully.

As I was lost in thought along with Yoonseo and Bora, feeling a bit of hope, Chae-rim and the senior, who had momentarily stepped away to put things in the car, rejoined us.

“Alright, shall we go?”

And so, the one to lead us as we huddled back together was none other than Chae-rim.

“Which floor has the men’s clothing section?”

“I saw that it was on the 5th floor earlier.”

“Really? Then let’s start with the 5th floor.”

Upon hearing Chae-rim’s voice, which sounded slightly excited, the true ‘shopping’ commenced…

“So, since Bora was the first to speak, shall we let her start picking first?”

And just like that, as shopping began, it turned out that Bora, who had spoken that very sentence first, was the one to take the spot as the first chooser.