Chapter 9: Unexpected Exposure

A little girl happily smiling with a candy in her mouth. She looked to be no older than a kindergarten student. Her mother, who seemed gentle, made it unlikely that I would fail in my approach.

Gulp.

I swallowed and walked over to the mother and daughter.

“Um, excuse me…”

“Yeah?”

The girl’s innocent eyes looked up at me, rolling a small hard candy in her mouth.

“Can I have some too…?”

I felt nervous about talking to a stranger and the pressure of my mission. I shyly tugged at my clothes.

“Do you want some candy?”

“Yes, yes!”

The mother asked, her kindness evident in the way she spoke, something only someone with experience with children would show.

“Nara, the big sister wants some candy.”

“Yeah!”

The girl rummaged through the candy bag.

“What flavor do you want, big sister?”

“Oh, any flavor…”

“Here, big sister! My favorite flavor!”

It was a strawberry-flavored candy wrapped in pink packaging. She handed it to me.

“Th-thank you…”

As I reached out to grab the candy, the girl said, “Nara, you have to give it to her!”

“Ah! Okay!”

It seemed she realized something and started unwrapping the candy with her tiny hands, struggling a bit.

Rustle, rustle.

Through the awkwardly unwrapped packaging, a light pink candy peeked out.

She offered it to me.

“Here, big sister!”

Was I supposed to take it with my mouth? It felt a bit embarrassing, like a baby bird being fed. But I was the one feeling a bit sad.

Open.

As the candy entered my mouth, she exclaimed, “Cat sister!”

Ruffle, ruffle. The girl started to pat my head and even touched my ears a little.

As an adult, it was a bit humiliating. But being in her position, I couldn’t tell her to stop.

I couldn’t help but enjoy her gentle touch for a while. My face turned warm with embarrassment.

“Goodbye, cat sister!”

“Thank you!”

I thanked the mother and daughter before entering the clothing store.

“Welcome!”

The store employee froze like a statue the moment they saw me.

I wasn’t clueless; I knew it was probably because of the authority that Jinhyang had given me for a month.

Hunteress Manager / Kang Harang.

Why did Jinhyang give me a title that didn’t suit me at all?

Is she trying to mess with me…?

Giving me power and then taking it away once I got used to it—the feeling of loss was indescribable.

Who would’ve thought I’d be the one to suffer?

I promised myself not to get used to this power. After all, I was just an incompetent fool.

I had no talent or abilities.

I decided not to forget this mindset until the contract ended.

Ugh.

I kicked the floor in frustration and turned to the store employee.

“I’d like to buy some clothes.”

“Ah! Yes!”

The employee dashed off somewhere in a hurry, not even giving me a chance to stop them.

Huh.

It must be because of me.

I wished they wouldn’t react that way. Why would they do that for someone as incompetent as me?

Sigh.

I exhaled and looked at the tablet.

Chorong-Chorongmat has donated 10,000 won!

Chorong-Chorongmat. He was annoying but kept his promises.

I had a 10,000 won bill in my hands.

I would have to settle up later, but money had come in, which was a fact.

“Hehe.”

Seeing the 10,000 won made me feel a bit better.

It’s so hard to earn money in this world.

Giving it away so easily… It’s not like he’s a fool.

Maybe Chorong-Chorong in reality is as wealthy as Jinhyang.

Of course, I still had my work to do.

“Chorong-Chorongmat, could you please leave now?”

[Sigh.]

No, seriously.

“I’m not playing; I’m working. Please leave.”

[Wow, I donated 10,000 won and you want to kick me out? That’s cold. Is it really you, Jiyang?]

Jiyang is Jinhyang’s nickname.

It was probably a typo.

I stayed silent, waiting for Jinhyang’s reply.

However, time passed and there was no response from her.

What’s she doing?

I was thinking of how to explain receiving the 10,000 won.

It was an unexpected gain.

I made money without being scolded by Jinhyang.

Indeed, life doesn’t always turn out badly.

Feeling inexplicably cheerful, I was about to hum a little tune when suddenly a voice interrupted.

“Excuse me.”

“Y-yes?!”

I was startled by the sudden intrusion.

Who is this…?

It was a man I had seen before—the one who had been scolded by the annoying woman, Park Youngja.

His name tag read Choi Tae-hyun.

“If you’re looking for something, I can help you.”

Ah…

His kindness felt excessive.

The reason was obvious; he probably thought I was someone important.

Hmph.

I was sure his attitude would change once he realized I was just an ordinary person.

I spoke to Choi Tae-hyun with a bittersweet feeling.

“I’m just looking at some clothes.”

“What kind of clothes?”

“Um, something for work… office wear, I guess?”

“Ah, office. I can help with that.”

Choi Tae-hyun took the lead, motioning for me to follow.

“From what I see you’re wearing, it looks like you prefer slim fits…”

Slim fit.

He started talking about fabric, stretch, and other details that I couldn’t understand.

I simply nodded along.

“This brand’s jackets are comfortable for work.”

“Yes, I’ll take it.”

“And this one too…”

“Yes, I’ll take that as well.”

I kept saying “yes” and ended up buying everything he recommended—about eight pieces, a full set of tops and bottoms.

I wanted to buy more, but there was a limit to what I could carry.

…When did I choose the skirt? I definitely shouldn’t wear that.

It wasn’t my money anyway, so I didn’t feel guilty.

“Um, can I change into these now?”

“Of course. The fitting room is over there.”

Before changing clothes…

I should turn off the broadcast.

I couldn’t show them my underwear.

“Jinhyang, are you there?”

[oo]

“I need to change clothes; can I turn off the broadcast?”

[Cover the screen.]

“Ah.”

That will work then.

“Alright, I’ll just cover the screen for a moment.”

As I said this, I lowered the tablet but didn’t immediately start undressing.

I wanted to practice something first.

I turned around, lifting my shirt to expose my belly.

I wanted to allow a view of my lower back.

“Hmm.”

I wasn’t trying to admire my own figure like some pervert.

I simply wanted to practice moving my tail in this place where no one was watching.

Huff!

With my will, my tail swayed gently.

Left, right.

Forward, backward.

It’s working…!

Somehow, confidence surged within me.

I felt like I could try more advanced techniques.

Here goes.

Swirl.

I wrapped my tail around my thighs.

It was long enough to reach my heels, so I could do two full twists.

I’m getting the hang of this.

If Jinhyang tried to grab my tail, I could just move away.

I placed my hands on my hips and stood in front of the mirror, feeling proud of myself for being able to move my tail.

Now that the tail is done…

I should change my clothes.

As I lifted my coat to take it off, I accidentally kicked the tablet that was resting on the floor.

“Ah.”

I considered going out to pick it up, but since this was a luxury store, I figured no one would steal my tablet in a place frequented by wealthy customers.

I decided to just change.

I undressed and put on a white shirt and formal pants.

They fit snugly, accentuating my figure, and I began to understand what Choi Tae-hyun meant by slim fit.

As for shoes…

Formal boots.

They had a high heel, being women’s shoes, but they were better than wearing stilettos.

I put on the boots and walked a few steps.

The sound of the heels clicking on the floor felt luxurious.

It somehow felt addictive.

Click, click, click.

Finally…!

The formal jacket.

Choi Tae-hyun had said not to wear it but to drape it over my shoulders.

I didn’t know the reason, but since he told me to do it, I followed his instructions.

Is this good?

After putting on all the clothes, I stood in front of the mirror and turned my body this way and that.

Given my immature appearance, I thought the formal outfit wouldn’t suit me.

But that wasn’t entirely the case.

Maybe it’s because of my proportions?

My developed hips and chest gave off a relatively mature vibe.

Even though I was a man.

“Aah.”

I let out a small sigh and stepped outside to pick up the tablet.

During the time I changed clothes, nothing seemed to have happened, but when I checked the chat, I was surprised.

[Waaaaaaahhhh!]

Something seemed off with Choi Tae-hyun’s status.

“…What’s going on now?”

[You have no belly fat! Your waist is so slim!!]

“How do you know that? I covered the screen!”

[You should have covered the camera instead~~]

“O…?”

I had definitely set the tablet down facing the wall when I was in the changing room.

So it should have been…

It should have…?!

“Wait, what?!”

I mistakenly thought that if I blocked my screen, the other person wouldn’t be able to see me either.

The camera was on the back, though…

“Oh no…!”

I had shown my stomach to someone whose face I didn’t even know.

And the image of me moving my tail alone.

Thank goodness I had kicked the tablet when I was changing; otherwise, if I had shown my underwear, I would have been too embarrassed to show my face.

[This lewd cat is swinging its tail to seduce me!]

“W-wait! Just a moment!”

[I’m going to upload the clip I just recorded!]

—Choi Tae-hyun has left the chat.

“Clip…?”

If it’s a clip, it must be a highlight video.

But where would he upload that…?

I stared blankly at the tablet.

“Ah.”

It was my first day on the job.

It seemed like I had already caused some trouble.