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‘Workout clothes, workout clothes, huh…’

After returning home using public transportation.

As usual, I had dinner with Si-yoon and sat on the sofa.

Sitting next to me, Si-yoon was staring blankly at the TV.

While my mind was busily wandering elsewhere.

The image of students training in their workout clothes at the schoolyard.

Wouldn’t it be convenient if I get one for going to the dungeon?

Unlike other hunters packing functional combat outfits, I just roam around in comfortable clothes.

If it’s an important battle, I would wear a nun’s outfit.

Surely, leggings would feel much better than sweatpants or jeans…?

The material is different, so they should have better stretch and breathability.

… Though, I’ve never even tried anything that fits that snugly.

It’s not underwear, but it’s outerwear, so thinking about actually wearing it feels a bit embarrassing.

“Hmmm…”

I rested my elbows on the armrest of the sofa and rubbed my upper lip.

While I was lost in thought with my lips fidgeting.

Si-yoon spoke up from beside me.

“Sis, do you have something on your mind?”

“Uh, yeah?”

“You seem spaced out.”

“Was it that obvious?”

As I looked confused, Si-yoon chuckled and replied.

“You really don’t know your own habits? Whenever you’re deep in thought, you fiddled with your cheeks or lips.”

“Really? … Ah, now that you mention it, that’s true.”

I belatedly removed my fingers from my face.

I was indeed fidgeting.

“If it’s not a big deal, I’m all ears!”

“Uh, well, it’s nothing much…”

I lightly explained to Si-yoon.

What the girl students’ outfits looked like on the sports field.

“Ugh, is that it? It’s nothing special.”

“I told you so from the start.”

“When I first wore leggings, it was kind of… like, ‘Is this a bit embarrassing?’ you know?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“But now it’s nothing! When you actually try it on, you realize it’s all unnecessary worry!”

“Is that so…?”

Si-yoon, with all her charms as a girl, saying that feels convincing, doesn’t it?

“Are they really comfortable?”

“Hmm… you’ll find out when you try them on! They’re comfy. Plus, there’s another perk.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

Another perk, huh?

Curiosity piqued, I looked at Si-yoon’s slightly parted lips.

After a pause, my little sister said.

“They’re versatile! Not just for working out, you can wear them casually for everyday play or even when you’re not exercising.”

“Oooh…”

Thinking back again, I recalled seeing those kinds of outfits not just worn by students at the academy but also by people on the streets.

“Wait a moment.”

Suddenly, Si-yoon stood up.

She hurried towards the closet and started rummaging through her clothes.

“Found it!”

Si-yoon turned to me holding a few garments.

It was the kind of clothes the students were wearing earlier.

“I wore these when I worked out before.”

“Before?”

“… I haven’t gone out much lately.”

True, I shouldn’t be one to talk, but Si-yoon also tends to stay indoors.

I nodded in understanding.

“I’m just too busy to go out!”

“…You didn’t say anything.”

I shot her an indignant glance, but it didn’t land.

With a pout, Si-yoon handed me the clothes.

“You were curious, right? Try them on!”

“Wait, hold on!”

I hadn’t even made a decision yet, but Si-yoon forcibly pushed the clothes into my hands.

Caught off guard, I accepted them.

“I just remembered something I have to do, so I’ll be in my room!”

She said that and swiftly vanished.

“……Hmm.”

No matter how I looked at it, she didn’t seem like someone who had something to do.

Sighing deeply, I glanced at the clothes in my hands.

They were a loose-fitting T-shirt and leggings.

The fresh laundry smell of the clothes tickled my nose.

… They’re not the crop tops that come up to the waist; they’re loose-fitting instead.

Should I just try them on? After all, I’m at home, so there’s no one to see.

I’d be the only one enjoying it, right?

I subtly glanced at Si-yoon’s door.

She entered so boldly; there’s no way she’d suddenly jump out and scare me, right?

Having made my decision, I carefully changed into the clothes.

It’s my second time borrowing my little sister’s clothes since returning to Earth.

I haven’t really borrowed any since that first day.

It struck me how much things have changed since then.

Not just gender-wise but even in height, Si-yoon’s taller than me now.

After putting on the outfit, I stood in front of the mirror.

The soft feeling of the T-shirt and the stretchy sensation of the leggings provided a strange mix of discomfort and comfort.

Though it’s a loose fit, the clothes aren’t that baggy, so my chest felt a bit restricted. The shape looked somewhat off.

Hmm, but… it’s better than I expected!

The gentle pressure from the leggings isn’t bad at all.

I alternately lifted and lowered each leg.

I tugged at the fabric of the leggings and adjusted the shirt around my chest while also twisting at the waist.

Lastly, I stretched one leg up and made an ‘I line.’

… I just did it on a whim.

I figured it might work, but wow, it actually worked.

In the full-length mirror, the silhouette of a woman with her legs extended straight was visible.

Maybe it’s because of the pose? My appearance felt familiar yet slightly strange at the same time.

A weird feeling made me chuckle.

“… Yeah, this isn’t bad. Pass!”

Lowering my legs, I nodded in satisfaction.

Besides, I’d already promised Ji-a that I’d take things slow.

Using this outfit as the starting point doesn’t seem like a bad idea at all.

My reflection in the mirror beams a fresh smile.

After a brief glance at that sight, I turned my body.

I approached Si-yoon’s door and knocked.

Knock, knock—

Immediately, as if she had been waiting right next to the door, it opened.

“…How does it look? Does it suit me?”

“Hmm.”

Si-yoon was assessing me from head to toe.

“You look great! But…”

“Yeah?”

At the compliment, Si-yoon frowned slightly.

In a voice filled with discontent, she said.

“You know… what is… the chest?”

“Uh, well…?”

I replied dazedly to Si-yoon’s hollow question.

… I feel like I’ve heard that somewhere before?

Hmm, maybe it’s just my imagination? It’s a common internet phrase.

“It’s not weird, right? I’m still a bit embarrassed…”

“…Yeah. If anything, it suits you too well, that’s the issue.”

Feeling suddenly deflated, Si-yoon and I sat down on the living room sofa.

As we browsed my laptop together, we looked through shopping sites and picked out new clothes to buy.

Si-yoon shared all sorts of new knowledge with me.

From one-mile wear to athleisure looks. I had never heard of those terms until now.

There were many types of leggings, from hip-emphasizing to skirt leggings.

Feeling awkward, I stroked my thighs while trying to remember the clothing jargon.

The texture of the leggings was strangely addictive.

Anyway, I ended up ordering a few items, but I’m not sure if I’ll be buying more.

Isn’t it enough to wear just a few things that I’ve gotten used to…?

That’s what I thought about this day.

* * *

The next day, during the afternoon.

I was looking at my laptop on the table while having the Momo Bean live show playing on the TV in the living room.

How should I teach Ah-reum efficiently?

Ideally, I’d like to roll her down a cliff like a lion does with its cubs, but I’m worried that I might just traumatize her personality by being too rough.

Oh, was the lion story a bad example? Well, whatever.

I’m pondering how to find another method.

“Hmm…”

Should I show off a cool and flashy appearance first?

I could do that, but that seems more like a bragging point than an effective teaching method.

Should I pile on physical enhancements and buffs and just throw her into a goblin crowd?

No, that’s just like my initial thought.

Is it better to teach matters step by step?

Ask what she learned from her recent major and provide additional deep learning myself.

I noticed when Eun-byeol read a book at the library, it was E-rank, and the content she was learning was really not substantial.

Hmm, that’s good. This way seems the most straightforward.

I’ll teach her the basics in the academy curriculum, and I’ll take charge of the advanced studies.

There’s no urgent need for Ah-reum’s growth, either.

I’ll need to keep brainstorming finer plans, but finally, a solid framework has taken shape.

I’ll raise our Ah-reum to be a proper support capable of standing on her own! Hehehe…

“Ugh—!”

Stretching my arms wide, I yawned.

I gazed at Momo Bean’s broadcasted game playing in the background.

The game for today was a platformer.

A simple form where players defeat enemies, obtain items and equipment, progressing like an action-adventure game.

The tight time limits made players anxious and prone to mistakes.

The more I watched, the more I found it a surprisingly well-made game.

“Ugh…”

– ?????????

– You die from this?

– Noob.

– Died again? Died again? Died again?

– Hahaha!

As soon as Momo Bean’s character died, the chat surged with comments.

I should join in on the fun too.

– Just avoid the attacks and hit back, lol.

I typed in a line I remembered from somewhere.

It got buried under the flood of messages, but that’s okay.

I like that feeling of everyone enjoying together.

“If you’re bored, why not try playing it yourself? Dodging and hitting may look easy but it’s hard…”

– Hahaha!

– Nope, not doing it.

– For real, lol.

– Hahaha!

Momo Bean, unable to regain her composure, yelled out.

…Should I give it a try myself?

Momo Bean usually speaks softly and elegantly.

But whenever she plays a brutal game, she loses grip like that once in a while.

I became curious about how it would actually go if I tried it.

I searched the game that Momo Bean was playing online.

It’s only a few thousand won.

I hadn’t played any games lately, but I already had an account.

I went through the recovery process, purchased the game, and installed it.

The installation didn’t take long due to its small size.

“Phew, watch closely. This time, I’ll clear it.”

Hearing Momo Bean’s voice, I started my gameplay.

I had seen all the basics from her broadcast, so I just had to experience it myself.

I played the game for about an hour or two, completely engrossed in it.

It was quite enjoyable to play again after so long.

After that, while casually rotating my wrists to loosen up my muscles.

“Ah, right.”

An important schedule popped into my head.

At the same time, I thought of a way to use my time more efficiently.

It suddenly came up, but it’s an opportunity to give Ah-reum advanced learning.

I briefly set my laptop aside and took out my smartphone.

To contact Manager Jang Han-soo from the management office.