Chapter 40

“Wouldn’t it be better to secure a filming location while we’re at it? Because of the pandemic, many entertainment programs have had their filming canceled, and a lot of movies have had their releases postponed. We might be able to get a filming studio at a good price.”

Arin coolly analyzed the situation, suggesting that now would be a good time to get a filming studio on the cheap.

It was quite a reasonable analysis.

Hayeon doesn’t know everything about it, but because of the situation, there are hardly any people trying to rent filming studios.

In situations like this, businesses usually host discount events to try to attract customers.

If we were to leverage this pandemic-era special situation correctly, we would surely be able to find both a filming studio and an editing team on good terms.

However…

“I do know a decent filming studio…”

Hayeon knows.

She knows the name of a studio where people would take her pictures for free if she asked for it.

“Oh, really? Where is it? Is it in Seoul?”

“Yes, it’s in Seoul.”

Just mentioning this studio required a significant amount of courage from Hayeon.

The idea of earning money as a cosplay model wouldn’t be viewed very positively by the older generation.

Especially considering the protective nature of Yusoohee when it came to Hae-yun after she had visited AGC…

‘Hmm, this might not go well…’

Still, before looking for another filming studio, having a conversation with Yusoohee didn’t seem like a bad idea.

Eventually, Hae-yun’s efforts to build her reputation would likely catch the attention of her parents.

While the live streaming side might be manageable, letting her cosplay photos spread online without telling anyone seemed a bit tricky.

“Um, there’s a studio called Studio Yoon in Hongdae?”

“Studio Yoon? Will it show up if I search for it?”

“Yes, it should. If you’d like to check out the details, take a look at their homepage.”

Arin was informed about Yusoohee’s studio first, so if Hae-yun eventually wanted to film there, Arin could be counted on for support.

“But how did you come to know about this filming studio? Do you usually take pictures at a place like this?”

“Ah, well…”

Arin unknowingly stepped on a landmine.

“Our mom runs that studio.”

“Whaaat…?”

Apparently, Arin hadn’t anticipated this kind of response because her voice was absent from the speaker for a while.

“It’s not like you’ve made any mistake. It’s just that my mom works in that field.”

Hae-yun quickly chimed in to help Arin, clearly flustered.

After a moment’s silence, Arin spoke up again.

“Do your parents know about cosplay? I sort of know that you’re doing something…but…”

“I don’t know how to say it, really.”

“So how do you take pictures at your mom’s studio?”

“To be honest, I’m not exactly sure. I think I need to talk it over with my mom.”

“Eh…ah…”

This was awkward.

It’s a family matter, so it felt weird to butt in, and at the same time, changing topics now would be uncomfortable.

“Good luck…? I’ll log off now. I’ll think about cosplay while you find a studio, so don’t worry too much.”

“Yes, you can go now.”

Hae-yun ended the call, using planning her cosplay as an excuse to escape.

And, thus left alone in her room, Hae-yun muttered:

“This is maddening…”

Honestly, she lacked confidence.

She truly believed Yusoohee wouldn’t look kindly upon cosplay.

But…

“Still, I have to do it.”

In the pandemic season,

Yusoohee’s studio had closed down due to the inability to sustain the expensive monthly rent in Hongdae under the ‘planned studio move’ guise.

Since then, until Hae-yun turned twenty-two, Yusoohee’s studio had never received any customers.

“Who else but me will take care of mom?”

Hae-yun thought it was right to bring up the subject to Yusoohee, no matter what she might hear.

Initially, she considered filming silently at another studio for fear of making Yusoohee feel betrayed later on, but ultimately decided she had to have the conversation.

The more her chaotic thoughts cleared, the more reasons mounted for shooting at Studio Yoon.

To stop the closure of Studio Yoon and for Hae-yun to continue her desired work while helping Yusoohee continue hers.

“I’m going.”

After swallowing nervously, Hae-yun made her way to her parents’ room.

With Min Jeong-kyun at the gym, this was the perfect time for Hae-yun to have an honest conversation with Yusoohee.

“May I come in?”

“Is that Hae-yun?”

“Yes.”

“Sure, come on in.”

…

After a quick knock, the door opened soundlessly, and Hae-yun’s and Yusoohee’s gazes clashed in mid-air.

“What is it?”

“Hehe, not everything requires a reason to come in, you know.”

“Is that so? Recently though, you haven’t exactly been venturing out of your room.”

“Ah, that’s…”

Hae-yun felt her breath caught as she bit her tongue inside her mouth; otherwise, she might have lost her mind.

“Let’s get straight to the point?”

“Take as long or as little time as you want. It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to talk properly.”

Still, it was easy to guess why Yusoohee was acting coldly.

Over the past couple months, Hae-yun had entered crunch mode, spending almost all her time alone in her room except for meals.

‘And emphasize that I want to do this together…’

She lightly moistened her parched lips and began again.

“Would mom be okay if I told her I’m modeling?”

“Modeling? What kind of modeling?”

“Just…a photo model, you know? You’d often take photos, so you understand these things, right?”

Still, it’s always nerve-wracking to discuss one’s aspirations with parents, especially when you expect opposition.

However,

“I’m all for it.”

“Really?”

“You don’t remember when you were really young? When you were a baby, I entered photos I took of you into contests, and you became a baby formula model.”

“Really, is that true?”

“Of course. Do you think I’d lie?”

Turned out, Yusoohee was quite favorable towards the idea of modeling.

“How fun is it to take pictures of my lovely daughter and then further enhance her beauty with editing? Oh yes, when you were four…”

Afterward,

Yusoohee went on to narrate how Hae-yun was a shoe billboard model at four and participated in a sofa advertisement as a kid’s model at seven, laughing as she reminisced about her childhood stories.

Of course, for Hae-yun, whose memory only began clearly at sixteen, these tales felt distant, but nonetheless, the important fact was that Yusoohee had a positive outlook on Hae-yun’s modeling aspirations and taking photos.

‘She didn’t take many photos before…’

Hae-yun’s lips puckered slightly at what she perceived to be her mother’s obvious preference for her as a daughter over Min Jeong-kyun but reined herself in and returned to the main topic.

“What about my current self?”

“Huh?”

“At the moment, not as baby formula or kid’s model, how about seventeen-year-old Min Hae-yun as a model? Are you considering using me?”

“…”

Then, looking intently at Hae-yun asking for evaluation, Yusoohee said:

“Are you honestly unsure?”

“I guess I am.”

“I’ve always wanted to raise you as a model. Your father lets you do what you want, but you’re too busy with your own thing to even come out of your room. Don’t you realize how much my heart burns? Look how quickly you’re growing at your age. Just looking at you now…”

“Uh, er…”

Yusoohee stepped out of bed, came closer, and lifted Hae-yun’s chest area through the silky pajamas.

“Gee, why the chest…”

“Hasn’t it grown?”

“That, well…?”

“Let’s be honest, it has, hasn’t it? Last year, you were definitely an A-cup, but now, it’s definitely a B-cup, right? Growing so fast during puberty.”

“That…”

Suddenly startled by Yusoohee’s proximity,

[Remarkable growth underway!]

└ Your chest size has changed.

└ Progressed from A-cup to B-cup confirmed.

The status window confirmed what the system had quietly adjusted—no wonder Hae-yun had recently felt a little tightness.

“Recently, I’ve noticed my bra feels a bit tight…”

“Yes, see? These days, kids grow so fast.”

Upon understanding the situation, Hae-yun, overwhelmed by her mother’s charisma, averted her eyes and replied.

She then realized that this is how others might see her when she was trying to convince people about modeling—indeed, she was just like her mother.

“Mama and I haven’t been talking much, so even your lingerie size doesn’t match. You should go shopping for bras with Mama this weekend.”

“Understood…”

There was no resisting Yusoohee’s authority.

However,

“That…”

“What is it?”

Without being able to silently accept being swayed,

“The modeling…”

“Why are you so persistent? Mama regrets not being able to set up and take pictures of you when you were an A-cup? I’ll set it up right away, so please stay as you are for a few days and don’t let your chest grow.”

“Understood…”

Her attempts at a direct response seemed futile now.

‘But does this include cosplay modeling?’

Moreover, she hadn’t even brought up her interest in cosplay modeling photos yet…

“Phew, what clothing should I try on you…”

She was honestly feeling quite scared to say it.

‘My mother… isn’t just a doting parent.’

To this degree, she isn’t a doting parent but a downright pervert.

A pervert.

Where else in the world would a mother lament not being able to document her daughter’s breast growth in photos?

Are photographers this sensitive to changes in their subjects?

‘I’m starting to understand where my personality came from…’

“Oh dear.”

Hae-yun covered her face with her hands and trembled, feeling like she was receiving mirror therapy, and Yusoohee, believing her daughter had worked up the courage to talk to her, embraced her with pride.

Thinking about how this adorable daughter had grown, now with a height almost matching hers.

‘This is her reaction just to modeling. How am I supposed to bring up cosplay?’

Hae-yun’s tribulations had yet to reach their peak.

---