Chapter 18: Is she a model or a mannequin?

“So, to sum up, you run a clothing store and want my sister as your model?”

“Yes, that’s right. I manage both an offline store and an online shop, and I’m looking for a model to feature on the site.”

Ji-yeon tilted her head, glancing my way as if to say it made sense.

Maybe she figured I’d had offers like this before, as her gesture seemed to ask how I felt about it without any intention of stopping me.

So, modeling, huh… An unexpected proposal.

The woman, who introduced herself as Eunha, began to enthusiastically sell herself with bright, eager eyes.

“We’ve launched new designs, but I don’t have a model. And frankly, my pride won’t allow me to settle for an amateur.”

“Uh… but I am an amateur.”

Ji-yeon looked at me, half-wondering if I’d done modeling before, but I hadn’t. Eunha looked genuinely shocked, her eyes widening.

Apparently, her enthusiasm was only spurred on by my lack of experience.

“It’s actually better if you’re an amateur—it means your look hasn’t been overused. Plus, this would be my first project with you!”

“I don’t have experience, so it could be hard for you to direct the shoot…”

“I’ll handle everything! Just leave it to me!” Eunha replied, pounding her chest with an air of confidence.

Wait, wasn’t she shy and gentle just a minute ago?

Now she was radiating the boldness of a warrior, beating her chest and breathing out with determination, trying to appear reliable.

It felt a bit forced…

“But does it really have to be me? I don’t want to put myself down, but I’m not exactly a smiley person.”

“No, no, it has to be you, Ji-eun. I’m set on that.”

With that, she grabbed my hand, locking eyes with an intense look.

Startled, I stiffened.

Just moments ago, she couldn’t even make eye contact.

Are all artists like this? When they latch onto an idea, they’re relentless?

That fierce gaze… it was as if she were telling me she wanted to claim me as her own.

So, *this* was the feeling that made me mistake her for a stalker.

“Um, could you please let go of her hand? My sister is uncomfortable with physical contact.”

Finally, Ji-yeon stepped in, speaking up on my behalf.

As I fumbled, lost for words, Ji-yeon gently but firmly took Eunha’s wrist.

“Oh, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I didn’t mean to be a bother.”

“It’s okay,” I replied.

Eunha hastily released my hand, looking flustered, as if afraid she’d upset me.

This quick shift reminded me it was still the same person from before.

Eunha cleared her throat and spoke again.

“So! If you don’t mind, would you consider being my model?”

Noticing my hesitation, her voice grew a bit louder.

“And, of course, you can keep any clothes you try on for free. And, naturally, you’ll be paid, too.”

“How about it…? Would that be alright?”

I was actually planning to go shopping with Ji-yeon anyway, considering my wardrobe is so sparse.

Instead of visiting multiple stores, it seemed more convenient to go to Eunha’s shop.

I could decide later whether to accept the modeling offer or not.

Looking at the two of them waiting for my answer, I spoke up.

“Shall we head to the shop?”

Eunha’s shop wasn’t far.

It was about a ten-minute walk from the café.

Since she was a regular in the area, she was able to help me with directions.

Upon arriving at Eunha’s shop, I found myself in a slightly awkward situation.

“Sis, try this on first.”

“Oh, and after that, could you try this one?”

“Wow! This one’s so pretty. I think it would look amazing on you.”

“Right? The moment I saw it, I thought it was perfect for Ji-eun.”

It felt like I was part of a dress-up doll game…

Grumbling quietly, I took the clothes and went into the changing room.

I had lost track of how many outfits I had tried on, but at least they weren’t insisting on dressing me themselves.

If they had, I might’ve died of embarrassment.

For clothes that required assistance, I couldn’t help but ask for a bit of help.

For example, when there was a zipper in the back.

This outfit was one of those cases.

I roughly pulled the front together and stepped out, asking them to zip up the back.

Once I had the outfit fully on, I did a slow turn to show it off.

It earned me applause.

“Wow, you look beautiful, Sis.”

“When I saw you at the café, I wasn’t sure, but you’re not wearing any makeup.

And you still look like this… We won’t need any retouching!”

It felt ridiculous—like I was on some fashion show runway.

From casual wear to flowing, elegant styles.

The variety was astounding.

I… avoided skirts no matter what.

Most of the outfits seemed to have skirts, so Eunha looked disappointed, but I couldn’t help it.

I wasn’t ready to go that far yet.

Thankfully, Jiyeon respected my preference.

Eunha, too, nodded understandingly, as if it were great that I had a personal fashion principle.

A fashion principle? I didn’t have one.

Shopping is a hassle, so I usually just wear a few comfortable outfits on repeat.

The more versatile, the better.

Whether at home, a restaurant, or on an occasional outing.

I preferred multipurpose clothes that could be worn anywhere, anytime.

Ji-eun’s wardrobe, however, had very few of those kinds of clothes.

That’s why I was here, planning to buy some practical outfits.

“Should we try changing up the color scheme? Wait, maybe too bright would be overwhelming for you. How about switching the fabric…”

“Let’s go for something more minimal. We haven’t tried that yet.”

The chances of my wish coming true looked slim.

From light summer clothes to cozy winter wear for now.

Regardless of season, I was trying on whatever they handed me.

I hadn’t even agreed to model yet.

Despite not actually taking photos, I was already this exhausted.

At this rate, maybe an actual shoot would have been easier?

When we first arrived at the shop, everything seemed fine.

Eunha’s shop, which specialized in women’s fashion, had a lot of cute clothes, even to me.

Skipping other stores and coming straight here felt like the right decision, and I nodded in agreement with myself.

But that thought quickly changed.

I had come to shop with Jiyeon, yet I was the only one trying on clothes.

I’d lost track of how many outfits I’d put on, all because Jiyeon kept bringing clothes that she thought would look good on me.

Looking at my sister rummaging through the pile with a satisfied smile, I sighed.

Fine, Sis is your mannequin…

If you’re happy, that’s enough.

But before it got too late, I needed to say something.

“Shall we start the shoot?”

Eunha, glancing at the camera as she handed me an outfit, lit up.

“Great! Could you just turn your body a little to the left? A bit more! Yes, perfect!”

The flash goes off.

The smooth camera lens is aimed directly at me.

The click sound echoes, indicating that a shot has been taken.

Although we called it a “shoot,” it wasn’t much different from before.

I put on the clothes that Eunha brought over and stepped out.

Then I struck a pose.

It felt like I was setting a concept to match the clothes and expressing that concept.

Up to this point, there was nothing difficult.

The poses didn’t require any challenging movements.

There was just one thing I struggled with.

“Could you smile a little? Just lift the corners of your mouth… Yes, a little more!”

The corners of my mouth tremble.

My face stiffens awkwardly.

I try my best to move my rigid facial muscles.

This is the result of my attempt at smiling.

It was just as I expected.

This body—Ji-eun—didn’t smile well.

Maybe there was some congenital issue, but a natural smile was difficult to form.

On the first day I found myself in this body, I discovered this fact while trying to play with facial expressions in the bathroom.

I’d heard that I naturally had a neutral expression.

I wasn’t exactly smiley myself, but Ji-eun’s case was more severe.

I could easily handle any pose or expression aside from smiling.

An expression of subtle arrogance, a confident look.

All of these earned me an “okay” with just a bit of effort.

As for the aloof look… Eunha said it was fine for me to stay expressionless, so that was convenient.

The outfit I was currently wearing was casual and brightly colored.

I needed to create a light-hearted atmosphere to match the outfit.

Naturally, a smile would best convey that cheerful vibe.

Ji-eun’s blank expression didn’t exactly give off a bright feeling.

What kind of expression was I making right now?

Judging by the way Eunha’s gaze was darting nervously, it must’ve been pretty strange.

Maybe because I’d already mentioned it, and she said it didn’t matter, she didn’t bring it up.

She’d been confident, but maybe she hadn’t anticipated it being this bad.

She wasn’t someone who’d lie.

Since I was already receiving several outfits and even a fee, I wasn’t planning to be uncooperative.

This was the last stretch of the shoot.

I wanted to somehow manage a smile and wrap it up.

My energy was almost completely drained.

Was there some way to make this work?

Then, Eunha looked at me with a determined face and spoke up.

“Ji-eun, do you know what land all the people who do everything half-heartedly gather in?”

An unexpected quiz.

I briefly wondered what she meant.

What could it be?

“I don’t know. What’s the answer?”

“The answer is Half-a-land. Where everyone does things half-heartedly~ Half-a-land!”

As Eunha finished her joke, Jiyeon looked at her with an incredulous expression.

“…Do you really think that kind of joke would work? What do you think my sister is?”

Pffft.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

No way, that joke was cheating.

Apparently, Eunha was surprisingly gifted with humor too.

Oh, right, we were in the middle of the shoot.

As I composed myself and directed my gaze back toward the camera,

Eunha was looking at me in surprise.

Jiyeon, on the other hand, wore an expression of utter betrayal.

I tilted my head in confusion.

• Why are they reacting like that? Did I do something wrong?