Gender Reversed Geum Taeyang - Chapter 47

Chapter 47 – Shopping (3)

Part-time jobs? That’s my area of expertise.

Manual labor? Same thing. No, I’d say I’m even more specialized in that.

My engaging storytelling style, born from those experiences, is what drives the “Just Chatting” time on Geum Taeyang’s broadcast.

But in my opinion, the field where I can truly demonstrate my abilities is… hanging out with people.

When I say “hanging out,” it might sound like I’m trying to make myself seem important, but that’s not it – I literally mean getting along with others.

I’m not particularly someone who finds joy in meeting others. If anything, I prefer being alone.

But from child-level playing house to construction site workers’ level dirty jokes.

I have the ability to carry on flexible conversations with anyone. I’m confident in my ability to draw out people’s good feelings.

Of course, after changing to this appearance, the difficulty level has increased a bit… no, a lot.

Anyway, what I mean is that I have the ability to make others feel comfortable and enjoyable when talking with me.

I don’t particularly want to be close with everyone, and it’s an unnecessary skill with people like Ari who I naturally get along with.

But it’s an incredibly effective ability with people like Jihun who initially distrusted me.

Jihun’s distrust has mostly disappeared while choosing clothes together, but first impressions don’t fade easily.

My smooth-talking abilities shone today too.

“Hyung! Do you and noona want to stop by my house for a bit? I’ll grab some more things for you!”

“Eh.”

The effect was.

Quite definitive.

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.

.

“Wow….. What kind of house is this.”

It’s certainly not like those mansions you see in movies.

But is this what they mean by luxury apartment?

The fact that I’m suddenly salivating… I’m not sure why I’m doing this either.

I knew Ari was well-off, but what exactly do her parents do?

Plus there’s even a housekeeper to help with housework.

Uh… When I greeted her with my usual friendly smile… she seemed somewhat frightened.

Damn. This mouth corner of mine always does its own thing. I still don’t understand why only one side goes up.

Anyway, I don’t plan to stay here long.

I only came because Jihun insisted on getting a few things for me.

Jihun went to his room saying he’d be right back, and having lost my way, I ended up in Ari’s room.

A room filled with a stark desk and books from her student days.

The composition feels somewhat intimidating.

Seeing how there isn’t even dust accumulated, it seems the housekeeper is thorough in maintaining it, but somehow this room’s tidiness really matches Ari’s character.

Looking at other people’s homes is enjoyable. It feels like exploring an unknown world. There’s something that stimulates curiosity.

I especially enjoyed this moment more because I hadn’t experienced visiting a friend’s house since the early years of elementary school.

So with Ari’s permission, I started looking around the room, and that’s when I noticed a book.

No, not a book, but an album.

Ari’s high school graduation album.

This… I can’t resist.

“Ari, can I look at this? The graduation album.”

“Huh? Graduation album?”

She definitely said ‘huh’ so that counts as permission, right?

I know it’s a bit forceful, but that’s what friendship is about.

Being somewhat rude to each other…

At least that’s what they say on the internet.

After taking out Ari’s high school graduation album, I flopped onto the bed.

I’m acting like it’s my own bed… but, well, isn’t this what friends do?

“Yu-Yuhan? Why the graduation album… There must be other fun things to look at.”

“This seems the most interesting to me. Why? Are you embarrassed?”

Ari with a bewildered expression.

She’s rambling on about something, but to summarize, she’s just saying she’s embarrassed to show it.

Come on. Though we’re different genders, aren’t we pretty much like same-gender friends?

I pulled Ari’s arm as she stood awkwardly beside the bed.

Unlike the bed in Ari’s studio apartment, this bed is single-sized.

A tight space for two people of opposite genders to lie on together.

We lay close together with the graduation album in front of us.

I wonder if I made too sudden a move, but… I had no questionable intentions, and Ari wouldn’t think that way either.

“Friends shouldn’t be embarrassed about much. What class were you in? Want to turn the pages?”

“I… I’ll… do it.”

The opened page showed a woman.

Black hair and blue-tinged eyes, a serious but confident smile. Plus a uniform that showed the epitome of tidiness.

A perfect example of a model student.

Grade 12, age 19 versus current Ari at 23. Though not many years apart, the transition from minor to adult brings significant changes.

If current Ari exudes maturity, this Ari in the photo overflows with freshness.

“Wow…. Really cute…”

Though “cute” might not be quite right, after only seeing her strict, solemn, and serious side, anyone would say something like that when seeing this photo.

A slightly otaku uncle-like comment slipped out.

Fortunately, there was no particular reaction from beside me. Her face being red had been continuous since earlier, so no need to worry about that.

No, but this is the reversed world, right? Could calling a woman cute be somewhat offensive?

Was her lack of reaction actually because she felt offended?

“Um… Is it offensive if I say you’re cute…?”

I carefully turned to the side and asked.

Well, no answer needed.

The distance was so close that I could see Ari’s face clearly, and her expression wasn’t particularly bad.

“Ah, no. It’s fine!”

Ari, who had been wearing a slightly dazed expression, answered in a loud voice.

As expected, my eyes are accurate.

Hmm.

That aside.

Earlier, I definitely thought it would be fine. And it actually was fine.

But just now when I turned to look… isn’t this too close?

Trying to turn my head back to look at the graduation album like before, but I can’t take my eyes off Ari’s face.

I’m nervous.

I always think of her as a same-gender friend so I forget, but Ari is basically a beauty of rare caliber.

When hanging out with Ari, sometimes my forever-single cells work overtime.

This is exactly one of those moments.

This awkward moment continues…

Ah.

Here it comes.

This feeling of mind and body separating.

Geum Taeyang has taken control.

###

Yes, if only it would always come out like this.

Since we weren’t even having an intense conversation, Geum Taeyang probably won’t throw out any weird lines that don’t match the context.

Borrowing this confidence, I can easily get through this extremely awkward situation.

My body, which had been staring at Ari, suddenly took out my phone and started taking pictures of Ari’s graduation photo.

… Huh? What’s this?

“Um, Yuhan? The photos are a bit…”

“Can I take them?”

“Well, that’s…”

“Can I. Take them?”

“Y-yes…”

Well. I didn’t expect this.

Though I had some expectations… this body always exceeds my predictions.

Staring intently at Ari’s eyes while making a request that’s not really a request.

With a vile smile like a school bully.

The already awkward atmosphere is becoming even more awkward.

Somehow today these actions feel more unsettling than usual.

This won’t do. I’m not sure why but this won’t do. I need to regain control.

Fortunately, the page has turned forward again.

I’ve bought some time. Today I’ll definitely succeed, I don’t plan to be dragged along by Geum Taeyang’s instincts.

Focusing my mind…

…

Uh…

The album turned to a page showing a man’s photo.

An appearance that’s above average but just barely so.

Everything else is the same. Not ordinary, but ambiguously in-between.

In the space for the name, three characters spelling Lee Junhyuk.

Ari’s boyfriend.

It’s clear.

… So this is what he looked like.

Well, I don’t particularly want to evaluate him.

Though I feel like Ari could do better, who am I to say.

I shouldn’t carelessly judge other couples. That would be wrong.

Right. I don’t feel anything special.

Really, just the feeling of “oh, so that’s what he looked like.”

If I had to say something else… “Have a beautiful love life”? Something like that?

While I’m saying such things, why am I staring at Lee Junhyuk for so long?

Because this body simply won’t move.

Creeping up. A strange energy rises in the body that was busy looking at photos.

Laughter.

Laughter is rising.

Why suddenly like this? Are you crazy? Well, Geum Taeyang always chose to do crazy things.

“Heh…”

“Yu… han?”

A male friend looked at her boyfriend’s photo and laughed strangely.

If I were her, I’d feel quite upset.

What kind of rudeness is this.

Lying on someone else’s bed without permission isn’t very polite either, but this is a whole different level of problem.

Air leaks out from the sideways-split mouth.

Damn.

Today I won’t back down. I concentrate all my mental energy. I can feel my mind and body slowly connecting.

“Khehe… *gulp*”

Using the little bit of body control I’ve regained, I try my best to move my mouth.

It works when I try hard. Ari looks at me with a confused expression.

I clench my teeth so hard they hurt.

After waiting a bit in that state, control soon returns to me completely.

“Phew…”

“Yuhan? Are you okay?”

“Hehehe… I’m fine. Just felt dizzy for a moment.”

I succeeded! Finally! For the first time!

It’s truly a crucible of happiness.

All this struggle just to hold back one laugh, and now I feel like laughing again for no reason.

This won’t do… Hehehe.

If I succeeded once, wouldn’t it be easier next time?

Surely Geum Taeyang won’t take stronger control, right?

Surely.

Anyway, the important thing is that I succeeded at least once.

I signaled to Ari, who was looking at me worriedly after hearing I was dizzy, that I was fine.

Let’s finish feeling this emotion when I get home.

It’s time to return to reality.

Looking ahead, I still see Ari’s boyfriend Junhyuk.

Should I give him a compliment? Wouldn’t it make her happy to hear her partner being praised?

“Pfft… Is this your boyfriend? Well… he’s handsome?”

Though mixed with laughter, this counts as a normal compliment, right?*¹

“Well, yes… That’s… right.”

Ari with an expression that seems somewhat embarrassed. No, shameful? Anyway.

Even if it’s not about oneself, compliments are always effective actions.

As expected, my choice wasn’t wrong.

Just then, Jihun entered the room with the things he said he’d give me.

While I was chatting with Jihun, Ari’s face as she remained lying on the bed.

Looked somewhat complicated.

Why, I wonder.

###

When I was in the original world, my body was the very definition of practical compressed muscle.

Made up of muscles gained from manual labor and all sorts of part-time jobs.

And my head was the same way.

‘Just cut it moderately.’

Of course, objectively my face was on the handsome side so it didn’t look particularly strange, but I wasn’t someone who paid much attention to my hair. A purely practical hairstyle that only pursued comfort.

But even though it’s been a month since I came to the reversed world, I still haven’t had my hair cut separately.

Though my face is working hard, I can’t go meet Sehee with carelessly grown long hair.

Finally, based on Jihun’s advice, I found out about what they call an ‘insider haircut’.

And here. An insider with one friend was born.

An insider who looks a bit dangerous.

These days the sponsorships are coming in well, so I went to an upscale place to get my hair done, and when I mentioned I had something important today, they insisted on doing my makeup too.

Being conservative… I didn’t have the confidence to accept such culture yet and tried hard to escape.

But in the end, I had to accept simple makeup.

Well, actually, even in the previous world, men who did simple makeup were abundant…

Though I feel somewhat uneasy because it’s a new experience, I’m fairly satisfied with the results, and if I can show a good image to Sehee, I can endure this much.

Besides, won’t it boost her confidence if her brother who came to the parent observation class happens to be handsome too?

If it helps, it’s right to accept it.

I walked out of the hair salon.

Me, complete with a black dress shirt and suit pants.

Maybe because I came to this busy street, but the gazes on me seem to have increased several times compared to usual.

Getting this much attention feels somewhat strange… but I suppose that means my current state is good.

Good things are good. Especially today.

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.

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During the 5-minute walk to the bus stop, three people asked for my number.

No way… Was I on this level?

When I first became Geum Taeyang, I experienced reactions I couldn’t adapt to, and now I’m feeling that again.

While waiting for the bus, I even heard camera sounds nearby. Isn’t that secret photography? Well, since they’re taking it anyway, I hope it helps with broadcast publicity.

Anyway, after that arduous march, I arrived at Haram High School. Sehee’s school.

Parent observation classes are held during 3rd and 4th period, and there are no particular restrictions, so parents can enter the classroom anytime to observe classes.

When I was in elementary school, parents would sometimes participate in observation classes, but I guess that doesn’t happen in high school.

Still, parents are naturally curious about their children’s school life.

Now during second period break time, there are quite a few cars around the school.

I never thought I’d come back to school, but it feels quite different coming here in this position.

Entering the school building, I walk through the corridor with my hands in my pockets.

The third floor corridor where Sehee’s class is located was noisy as expected during break time, but the area around me maintained silence.

Students, teachers, and even parents who came early.

Everyone stopped talking and stared at me.

Well… why react so much as to make someone embarrassed like this.

As I quickened my pace due to embarrassment, various voices could be heard from behind.

From wondering about my identity to sexual jokes. My superior body hears unnecessary information too well.

After various difficulties, I arrived at Sehee’s classroom.

Opening the back door and entering… as expected… the atmosphere instantly freezes.

Female students blushing while looking at me and male students slightly frightened upon seeing me. The same reaction as before.

Only briefly paying attention to such reactions. Sehee enters my sight.

Sehee, who alone was studying with earphones in while everyone else held their breath.

… I told her not to study during break time.

Walking with big steps, I sat in the seat next to Sehee and pulled out her earphones.

“Ha… Park Si-jun. I told you not to disturb me when I’m study…ing…”

Well, you should have just rested during break time.

It’s too late to be surprised now. Time for revenge for that one-hour lecture I got last time.

Putting Sehee in a light headlock, I said.

“Sehee… can you look at me for a moment?”

“Wh, what?! W-wait a minute!!”

Though her face turned red, I know it’s all acting.

Come on, I didn’t even do it that hard, why exaggerate?

I pulled Sehee out of the classroom like that.

This happened 5 minutes before the parent observation class.

(End of Chapter)

T.N. 1. Lol No!