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Oh my goodness.

I never thought a day like this would come for me.

I didn’t have a girlfriend, and it’s not like I had a guy friend to go to the beach with either.

I’ve been to the beach with friends before, but back then, I didn’t really care about wearing a swimsuit. I was just focused on eating and drinking.

…Come to think of it, what are minors supposed to do at the beach?

If we were adults, we could just drink all night and grill meat. So is it just the drinking that needs to be taken out?

While I was spacing out thinking about all this—

“Ji-eun!”

With that voice, Ha-yoon’s face suddenly popped in through the curtain.

“Ah!?”

I screamed a bit late and tried to cover myself up, but all Ha-yoon did was tilt her head.

“Oh, you’re fully dressed!”

Wait, did she peek in at a time when I might not have been fully dressed?

No, upon further reflection, I might have just been in there for too long.

This is a shop. If I stay in the changing room too long, it could become a nuisance for others. It’s not like there’s only one changing room, but still.

However, I had my reasons.

What I was currently wearing is basically the same as underwear.

…Yeah, I know. Thinking about it rationally, calling a swimsuit underwear is a bit strange. It’s not that one is completely blocked ahead and behind, but it seems like it’s the people who swim in swimsuits that are weird.

But still, even though they serve different purposes, isn’t the degree of covering up almost the same when viewed objectively? Or maybe, the swimsuit might actually show even less skin. After all, it’s that kind of clothing.

“Can I come in?”

Ha-yoon asked, but at that very moment, she was already stepping into the changing room.

…Shouldn’t two people not be allowed to enter the changing room?

I’m not kidding; I remember hearing such a thing when I went shopping for clothes before. It wasn’t something I tried, but someone went in saying they would help the person pick out clothes, and the staff shouted with an expression of horror, “The changing room is for one person at a time!”

I don’t know if anything strange has ever happened in there, but clearly, something must’ve gone down.

Plus, Ha-yoon and I are already somewhat famous, and our kissing moments have even made it to the news or newspapers. There’s always a possibility that something ‘weird’ could happen inside a changing room.

Even in the worst-case scenario, it would just be us kissing, but still.

“No need to be overly cautious.”

Noticing my thoughts, Ha-yoon chuckled softly.

Her cheeks were already flushed pink. It’s definitely because she came in with strange thoughts.

“Other girls are changing clothes, and more importantly, this shop—we rented it out.”

It’s not like we rented it with money; it’s because Dalia’s parents own this franchise.

Still, knowing we rented it, wouldn’t we be more careful? If the others are changing, it means someone else can’t change too.

…The only ones left outside must be Rose, Dalia, and Delphinium. So, Ha-yoon probably wouldn’t be stopped.

However, unlike me, who was already having strange thoughts after just a little while of Ha-yoon entering, she appeared quite calm.

“Alright, can you lower your arms and relax your shoulders? I can’t see with you like that…”

“Can’t I just pick one out myself? We’ll end up seeing each other at the beach anyway.”

“No way.”

Ha-yoon said, her expression a bit stern.

“If the size is off, it could be a huge problem while swimming.”

“…”

That really could be a disaster.

I mean, the place we’re going has no other people, but still, it’s a big deal. No matter what, I didn’t want to show that kind of sight to my friends.

I pondered a bit, exhaled softly, and slowly lowered my arms.

It’s not like I’ve never been in my underwear in front of others. Sometimes, you have to change into gym clothes, and above all, haven’t I spent my entire life living with Ji-hye? I feel oddly embarrassed about my relationship with Ji-hye now, but still, it’s not like it’s my ‘first time.’

No, more than that, I’ve even bathed with the others. Of course, I’ve never seen them directly.

But still, for some reason, the swimsuit felt a bit embarrassing.

Maybe it’s because I think a swimsuit and underwear are entirely different. Honestly, there’s no reason to look at someone in their underwear for long, but a swimsuit…

It’s like saying, “I’m going to play in front of you wearing this.”

As I straightened my shoulders—my figure in the black bikini was visible to my eyes. There’s a mirror right in front of me.

It feels a bit off to say this while looking at my own body, but it’s without a doubt a rather embarrassing outfit. At least a magical girl costume covers up some areas, but a swimsuit exposes quite a bit of belly, thighs, and butt.

Plus, the swimsuit that Ha-yoon chose for me was an extremely ‘standard’ bikini. It was one made entirely of triangles, showing a bit of underboob and making the cleavage quite apparent.

To be honest, it looks nice. It definitely suits me. It was picked out by Ha-yoon, who has been looking at me for a long time.

But still.

Thinking about how it would get all dirty with water and sand feels oddly shameful.

“…It looks good on you.”

After a long silence of examining my body, Ha-yoon finally spoke up, her face flushed.

“Hey, why are you being all shy now that you’re here yourself?”

I said in disbelief, and Ha-yoon covered her face.

“No, more importantly.”

She deliberately started speaking boldly, trying to hide her embarrassment. This habit has now completely taken root in her. It’s the best way for her to deal with those who keep invading my personal space.

Besides, feeling shy is usually strongest before you act.

Once you’ve shown it, it becomes less of a concern.

As I took a step closer, Ha-yoon quickly stepped back.

But how much room is there in a changing room anyway? Ha-yoon couldn’t even take a step back before her back hit the wall.

I went close to her like that. My body brushed against hers, but I didn’t really care.

I grasped Ha-yoon’s chin, looking directly at her face, which was reddening like it was about to burst.

“But why didn’t you change? I picked something out for you.”

Before entering the changing room, we had obviously chosen swimsuits for each other. Although the selections made by Ha-yoon, Ji-hye, and Jua were all quite similar to the one I was wearing now.

Still, it wasn’t just me who picked swimsuits for her, so naturally, Ha-yoon must have been holding a swimsuit in her hands.

In this store, there are three changing rooms. It’s not a large store, so you can say the number of changing rooms is just right, but at the same time, we couldn’t all change clothes at once.

Ha-yoon was waiting for the moment when we all changed clothes.

“Why, did you want to come in this way? Waiting for a moment when no one else is around, hoping to see me in a swimsuit? Come on, wasn’t sneaking in without saying anything because you wanted to come in?”

As I whispered, Ha-yoon didn’t say a word, merely closing her mouth tightly. The tips of her lips trembled, and her eyes began to glisten. Sweat started to bead on her forehead.

“Did you want something like this?”

While I brought my face closer to hers—

Swish.

Suddenly, the curtain at the entrance of the changing room was pushed aside.

The lights were on inside, but it was still a bit dim compared to outside, and as soon as the curtain disappeared, the room brightened up.

I turned sharply to see Ji-hye and Jua, both changed into swimsuits, standing outside. Behind them were Rose, Dalia, and Delphinium.

Rose was just about to burst into laughter, while Dalia and Delphinium were covering their faces with their hands. Dalia looked incredibly embarrassed, and Delphinium seemed to be showing annoyance.

Ah, and in the back, I could see Pang-pang. She had a bewildered expression, seemingly confused about whether to be happy or shocked, frozen stiff with a swimsuit in her hands.

“…”

I felt my face heat up again. No, it was already so red it felt like it was about to explode.

I turned my body and rushed to the corner of the changing room to crouch down.

And then I bumped my head against the wall where the two walls met.

Right, after all.

Curtains are just curtains, and there are gaps at the top and bottom, so the sounds from the changing room can almost be heard perfectly outside.

The others outside definitely wouldn’t have any reason to wait for me to change. They must’ve known exactly what was going on inside.

“I wanted to see it.”

Ji-hye said as she stepped inside.

“I’m not saying I wouldn’t want to see it either,” Jua chimed in.

Ha-yoon had already been leaning against the wall with her face covered by her hands the moment I retreated.

“Huh? Huh? I’m in a swimsuit, so what? If you want to continue, I can fill in as a substitute.”

“Well, let’s decide it fairly. I’m a little bit interested too.”

No, you guys shouldn’t say that.

And why do all four of you need to be in the changing room?

I wish they would just go out for a moment.

And I’d appreciate it if they could give me a good five minutes of alone time.

If this is what’s happening a month before we go to the beach, I can only imagine what might happen when we actually go there.

…Am I going to be able to handle it?

 

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