This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 472

Listening to it, I realized it was true.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if it was due to the height difference between the original owner and Yoonseo or if it was simply designed that way from the start.

But judging by rough visual comparisons, it was clear that if I wore that without making any alterations, the thigh-high slit would inevitably reveal things that were meant to stay hidden.

Maybe that’s why I suddenly became aware of that fact.

Before I knew it, Yoonseo’s face was as red as the cheongsam she was holding.

“Uh…then how about this instead?”

Naturally, I couldn’t help but be concerned about Yoonseo’s reaction, so I suggested the hanbok hanging right next to it instead of the cheongsam… yet, she still didn’t let go of the cheongsam.

“I’m good. I just want to wear this one.”

“…Are you sure?”

“Honestly, I want to see it.”

“Ahem, well… that’s…”

I couldn’t exactly say no.

If I did, it would be a lie.

No, to be fair, how can a man resist something like that?

Even if you brought someone who generally wouldn’t care for that kind of thing here, the moment they looked, and then a spark of imagination bloomed in their head, it would be uncontrollable.

So without realizing it, I stumbled over my words, but perhaps my flustered reaction was secretly pleasing to me.

“Fine, I’ll wear this, so pick something for yourself.”

“Uh… me too?”

“Of course! You didn’t think I’d wear that while you sneak away, did you?”

“No, it’s just that…”

“If it’s tough to choose, should I pick for you?”

“Huh?”

What did you just say?

“Just say the word if you need it. I’ll pick something that perfectly suits you.”

Something that perfectly suits me, huh?

Hearing that made my neck itch for some reason.

“No, I’ll choose myself.”

“Really? Then hurry and decide.”

This is what they call being backed into a corner.

When it came down to actually choosing, the men’s options were either absurdly over the top or nonexistent, and if I didn’t pick quickly, I might end up letting Yoonseo make the choice.

So I shut my eyes, reached out toward the presumed men’s clothing.

Since they all looked about the same anyway, I thought it wouldn’t be bad to just leave it up to fate.

I managed to pick something by blindly poking one out, but…

“Wow… you really plan to wear that?”

What ended up in my hands looked suspicious—was that even considered clothing?

More like a rag, really.

You know those costumes extras wear in historical dramas?

It felt like one of those was in my hand.

The problem was… there were a lot of ripped parts?

Especially on the top, it was a sight to behold.

For something that’s supposed to keep you warm, it was practically useless, as it had holes everywhere… and that made me realize.

This was no time to calmly worry about others.

So I tried to quickly pick something else, but…

“Well, I’ll change into this, so you hurry up and change too.”

I was cut off immediately by Yoonseo.

*

‘I didn’t come to do this…’

Who would have thought I’d be in this kind of situation?

At least the Yoonseo from yesterday wouldn’t have imagined it.

Perhaps that’s why my face started to flush again, but I still kept fidgeting with my hands.

“Ugh…”

I guess this wasn’t really meant to be worn for a long time.

Contrary to the pleasantly soft exterior, the inside felt rough enough to give me chills.

Thanks to that, my body shivered involuntarily, but despite it, I stubbornly finished putting it on…

‘Whoa…’

As expected, the image that unfolded in the mirror was exactly what I had anticipated.

No, I should say it was even more than I had imagined.

The glimpse of my white thighs peeking through the fabric mimicking silk was one thing… and the sight of the black cord tied around them was another.

And that black cord pressing on my pale thigh flesh was truly…

‘Why does this feel so indecent…?’

It was far more embarrassing than I thought.

Just quietly looking at it made my face burn.

The knot holding the cords together was unfortunately shaped like a ribbon, which made it worse.

I’d tied it carefully so it wouldn’t come undone, but maybe because it looked like a ribbon, it had that precariousness just waiting to unravel at any moment.

If I could tell that much, how must Dogun be seeing it?

He’d probably be glued to it the moment he noticed.

Honestly, it was like a classic case of “you don’t have to see it to know it exists.”

And it did make sense; he wasn’t exactly the type to avoid this kind of thing.

‘Well…’

In terms of all that included, he probably liked it.

Anyway, if the embarrassment was settling down, it was about time for Dogun to come out in his new outfit, so I thought I’d step out.

As I exited the dressing room made of partitioned walls and curtains, there stood Dogun, still holding that rag-like outfit, looking lost just like when I walked in.

‘What…?’

I told him to hurry up and change, so why was he still standing there?

For a moment, that question crossed my mind, but it didn’t linger for long.

It was obvious as soon as I saw Dogun standing there why he couldn’t move.

‘…Ah.’

It’s probably because of his left arm, right?

Right now, he was covered completely by the coat, shirt, and even the armwarmers and gloves beneath—yet once he changed into that rag, his left arm would inevitably be exposed.

Of course, he could throw on the armwarmers and gloves too, but… then that Hyeyoung girl would definitely find it strange.

Dogun had to be paying attention to that part.

Sigh… really… what an idiot…

That wasn’t directed at him.

That was aimed at myself.

How could I only just realize something so obvious…?

Truly… being overly excited for no reason…

While I was internally regretting, I quickly composed myself and approached Dogun.

I tried to sound as casual as I could when I spoke to him.

“What are you doing? Still not changed?”

“Uh, huh?”

“Honestly, even you can see that’s a bit much, right?”

“Uh, um…”

“So you should’ve chosen better from the start. Oh, forget it! Just stay still. I’ll pick for you.”

Acting as nonchalant as possible, I took that rag he was holding and casually put it back where it belonged… then carefully pulled out something I’d been eyeing.

So… a butler outfit, I suppose?

It had long sleeves that would cover Dogun’s left arm entirely, and it even came with gloves—this seemed perfect for him.

Also… there was a part of me that wanted to see Dogun in a butler outfit.

That rag wasn’t bad, but with other girls around, honestly, clothes with so many holes were a bit much, right?

Well, that Hyeyoung seems to be more interested in Dogun than the other girls, but you never know.

It doesn’t hurt to be cautious.

Even if she appeared to be interested in this now, once she saw Dogun in something that showed a lot of skin, naturally, her attention would shift towards him.

That’s also why I chose the butler outfit.

Anyway…

Now that I’ve picked out something fitting for Dogun, I thought it’d be best for him to hurry and change before that Hyeyoung girl came back, so I gently nudged him inside the dressing room.

“Uh, um… this feels a bit tight…”

“Tight? Really?”

“Um, it’s not that bad, but…”

“Then?”

“Uh… could you take a look?”

The moment I caught sight of Dogun stepping out of the dressing room, I couldn’t help but seriously wonder.

‘…Should I get him a mask too?’