Chapter 60

<Episode 61> D-1: Regarding the Fact That This Novel’s Genre Was Pure Love

Yu-jin and Rime strolled side by side, glancing around the department store.

The first place they visited was the women’s clothing section.

No matter what, Rime needed some new clothes.

“Hmm… I don’t get why humans produce so many useless things. Isn’t it enough for clothes to just cover the body?”

Despite her words, there was a hint of joy in her gaze as she looked at the clothes.

She kept casting interested glances all around.

Seeing her like that made her seem like any other girl her age—cute.

“That’s because there are so many kinds, so you can try on different outfits. For some people, that’s fun.”

“I don’t need that many clothes anyway. Besides, I wouldn’t even know what suits me.”

“You’re pretty, Rime, so anything would look good on you.”

Yu-jin stated this with certainty.

At his words, Rime froze mid-step.

She stood there, rooted to the spot, completely stiff.

“Rime?”

When he asked, she didn’t reply.

Yu-jin tilted his head in confusion and approached her.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

If that were the case, it’d be a big problem since this was Rime’s first time being out for so long.

With concern in his voice, Yu-jin questioned her.

Rime let out an adorable little sound and shivered.

She couldn’t bring herself to lift her bowed head.

“If you’re not feeling well, we can go back…”

“It’s not that!”

Rime quickly turned her head and answered.

Her cheeks were flushed a soft crimson.

Not just her cheeks, but even her ears had turned red.

Rime fanned her face with her hand, as if she were overheating.

“Would you stop saying things like that all of a sudden?”

“What?”

Yu-jin genuinely seemed clueless about what she meant.

Rime’s face grew even redder as she whispered her response.

“Y-you know… stuff like calling me pretty or saying everything looks good on me.”

“But it’s true—you *are* pretty.”

“Ugh…”

“I think you’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”

Yu-jin truly believed that.

Of course, the average level of beauty in this world was high.

Among them, Young-hee and the class president’s beauty could easily grace the pages of a modeling magazine.

Every guy who saw them would surely be amazed and think they were beautiful.

But when it came down to personal preference…

Rime felt the closest to his ideal.

Well, given that Rime’s body had been tailored to match Yu-jin’s desires, it was only natural.

“And I really mean it when I say anything would look good on you.”

“S-stop…”

Rime finally gave up, raising her palms in front of her.

She couldn’t take the heat rising to her face anymore.

It felt like steam might start coming off her head.

“Alright, alright. I get it. You’ve made your point. I won’t say anything else.”

Honestly…

That was Yu-jin’s problem.

He was utterly clueless about romance, which is why he blurted out such embarrassing things without hesitation.

As a result, all the embarrassment fell squarely on her.

It wasn’t shame or humiliation—it was happiness.

Being complimented by him made her feel good.

The fact that he saw her as a woman even filled her with a sense of superiority.

But that didn’t stop her head from heating up.

“Anyway, if anything suits me, then wearing whatever you want me to wear should be fine, right?”

“Yeah, pick whatever you want. Even if you choose a hundred outfits, it’s fine.”

“What if I buy something super expensive—what’ll you do then?”

“Eh, my family will pay for it anyway, so no big deal.”

By the way, Yu-jin also carried a black card.

Though he was usually frugal, when it came to things involving Rime, it was a different story.

Considering how much she’d helped him over the years, he didn’t mind splurging a bit.

Given Hwagcheon’s resources, buying out the entire department store wasn’t out of the question.

‘Besides, it’s not even my money!’

This was Hwagcheon, where money talk was part of everyday life.

Spending this much wouldn’t raise any eyebrows.

“Um, actually, there’s something I want to try on.”

Rime shyly spoke up, twirling her hair in a way that was uncharacteristic of her.

“Really? What is it?”

“Mm… well…”

A little while later.

Rime peeked out from behind the curtain of the fitting room, showing just her head.

Yu-jin chuckled at her uncharacteristic bashfulness.

“Why are you hiding?”

“Well… you promise not to laugh if you see?”

“I absolutely won’t laugh, so don’t worry.”

Rime cautiously stepped out from behind the curtain.

She was wearing a white school uniform.

Not just any uniform—it was the one from the academy Yu-jin attended.

In the white uniform, her golden hair cascaded down to her waist.

Rime fidgeted with her fingers, unsure of what to do.

“Uh… so, how do I look? Hehe… probably doesn’t suit a monster like me, huh?”

!……

!…

Yu-jin stared at her blankly for a moment.

Her appearance was breathtakingly beautiful.

It wasn’t just the outfit.

Rime’s current demeanor, so girlish and lovely, was incredibly endearing.

Yu-jin couldn’t tear his eyes away.

“Yu-jin?”

“Huh? Oh, uh-huh!”

Only after Rime called out did he snap out of his daze.

“Um… does it look weird?”

“No, you look amazing. It really suits you.”

“Hehe, thank goodness…”

Rime smiled with genuine relief.

Seeing her smile, Yu-jin felt his heart skip a beat again.

Who would’ve thought Rime would want to wear a school uniform?

Even though it was the most familiar outfit to him, seeing her in it made it feel entirely different.

“So why the school uniform? There are so many other options.”

“Ah, well…”

Rime scratched her cheek, embarrassed.

“Just… everyone around you wears this, right?”

“That’s true.”

Of course—the academy’s designated uniform. In a way, it made perfect sense.

Especially the uniform from Yu-jin’s school, which was praised for its convenience, functionality, and design.

There was no need to wear anything else.

“So I wanted to try it on too. Plus, it’d naturally make us a cute couple outfit.”

After saying that, her face heated up even more.

Yu-jin couldn’t help but swallow hard at her adorable expression.

“Alright, let’s get this one then. Oh, and I want to check out some other clothes too.”

“Other clothes? Like what?”

Yu-jin’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked.

Truthfully, he’d planned to buy her a variety of outfits anyway.

But now, seeing her in casual wear had changed his mindset entirely.

He simply wanted to see Rime in different outfits purely for the joy of it.

“We’re still a bit far from our destination, so maybe I’ll go alone?”

“No way! I’m perfectly fine! Where to?”

Yu-jin replied, and Rime grinned mischievously.

…

They ended up at a store displaying bras and panties.

The mannequins in the window had strategically placed fabric covering their private areas.

The models on the posters flaunted their curvy figures in seductive outfits.

In short, it was a lingerie shop.

“Rime?”

“Yes, what is it~ Yu-jin~?”

“Can I… just wait outside?”

“Nope~ I won’t let you go~”

Rime giggled and turned to face Yu-jin.

“Aw~ I was going to spare you the embarrassment and come alone… but since Yu-jin *really* wants to come along, I guess I have no choice~”

Lies.

Look at that sly, teasing grin.

There’s no doubt she planned this from the start.

She clearly brought him here to enjoy watching him squirm in embarrassment.

The very definition of a demonette.

If Rime had a tail, it would be wagging happily right now.

‘I’ve been had.’

Yu-jin was dragged inside like a cow heading to the slaughterhouse.

They entered a slightly larger, empty fitting room.

Was it designed for couples to use together?

The room-sized space had mirrors and a long bench.

Yu-jin was forcibly seated there.

“Tada! What do you think of this?”

“Aah, Rime, please…”

Yu-jin’s face turned red as he bowed his head.

He didn’t know where to look.

He couldn’t bring himself to lift his head due to sheer embarrassment.

And that was because Rime was currently wearing a translucent lace slip.

“I think this is inappropriate. Girls shouldn’t dress like this.”

“Hmm~ So you do think it’s sexy?”

Of course.

The semi-transparent fabric barely covered her.

Or could you even call it “covering”?

It was so thin that her skin underneath was clearly visible.

You might question whether this could even be considered clothing.

The secretive allure of it all felt even more provocative than nudity.

“…What? Aren’t you going to properly look?”

“Why would I suddenly need to see your underwear?”

Rime pouted cutely.

Then she leaned closer to Yu-jin.

“It’s punishment. For leaving me behind on the island to chat with those other girls. It annoyed me.”

As much as Yu-jin wanted to argue that point…

He decided to keep quiet here.

No need to say anything that might upset her further.

Rime spun around.

The transparent lingerie and her golden hair swayed together.

Even such a simple movement felt strangely enchanting, almost magical.

“…And who knows, we might need these someday.”

“Need them? For what?”

“Dunno, you dummy.”

Rime said that and began inspecting the pile of lingerie she’d brought.

Surely she wasn’t planning to try them all on… right?

Rime’s expression hinted at slight disappointment.

“Hmm, it’s a shame there aren’t any sexier ones…”

“That’s because your chest isn’t—”

Wham!

She kicked him in the shin.

Apparently, that was a comment best left unsaid.

Ultimately, Rime’s “punishment” only ended once she’d tried on all the lingerie she’d brought.

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