Gender Reversed Geum Taeyang - Chapter 60

Chapter 60 – Piercing

Looking at it objectively now, I don’t think it was that pleasant of an experience.

After all, a date isn’t something that ends with just one person enjoying it.

I could understand that reaction. We’re adults now, so coming to a place like this might not evoke any special feelings. It’s normal.

But the problem was…

The aquarium was a location chosen on Junhyuk’s recommendation. I wasn’t even particularly interested in aquariums before coming here. And this was an appointment we’d barely managed to squeeze into our busy schedules.

On the day I had a “date” with Junhyuk here… I vaguely knew he didn’t seem particularly interested in this place.

I let it slide.

Because he wasn’t not focusing on me. Because I knew he could be a bit moody sometimes.

And because I ended up having decent fun when we actually came.

Of course, there were limitations. It wasn’t very pleasant when only one person was enjoying themselves while two people were present, and there was a difference in the tempo of viewing the aquarium.

So…

I can guarantee that back then.

I never felt the emotions I’m feeling now.

“Wow… damn. Ari, look at that. It’s just insane!”

Raw, vivid impressions straight from the heart.

I’ve heard similar expressions quite a bit already. Though now the emotions seem even more intense.

Anyway, I feel my tension rising along with his.

The feeling of enjoying something together hits differently.

“What is it?”

“This is my first time seeing a shark in real life…”

Why does a guy like sharks this much? Such a peculiar taste, no matter when I see it.

So if asked whether I like or dislike this situation… I can definitely say the former.

It’s too enjoyable.

Walking through the aquarium with a compatible guy.

Seeing those innocent reactions.

Sharing Yuhan’s first time…

Now Yuhan’s linking arms with me, observing the shark with a serious face.

“Do you like sharks that much?”

“Of course. For guys, sharks, crocodiles, and dinosaurs are just divine. Oh, and robots too.”

Isn’t that more applicable to girls, if anything?

He keeps saying unusual things today… but well, it’s not particularly important.

When I look to the side, cyan light illuminates Yuhan’s face.

It creates somewhat of a dreamy atmosphere.

His eyes, which sometimes appeared clouded, are now shining clearly.

My heart is racing.

Of course, it’s because I’m having fun. This is happening because I’m having fun.

Yuhan suddenly turns his head to look at me. He mouths the words “what’s wrong?”

My face is heating up. I don’t know why. It just is.

I can only hope the darkness of the aquarium helps hide my face a bit.

He looks at me with eyes that have somehow clouded over again and smiles.

My body freezes. Female pride is useless in front of Yuhan. I just can’t take the lead with this man.

Yuhan reaches out and interlocks his fingers with mine.

“Let’s go over there next. That looks fun too.”

“O-okay…”

“There are lots of people, so hold my hand properly.”

“…okay.”

I gripped his hand tighter. I did it as if it was the most natural thing.

Because it was a request from a ‘friend’.

Because it was a request from a very close friend.

###

“That was seriously amazing, Ari!”

“Y-yeah.”

Damn. To think the day would come when I’d see a shark in real life. As a man, this joy is unbearable. This feeling of life quality improving.

Earlier, when I was setting the mood after seeing the broken selfie stick, I was only thinking of getting light revenge on Ari, who seemed more playful than usual today.

The subsequent date comment wasn’t my intention at all.

At least… today’s impulsive behavior was relatively mild, and since plans had already gone awry, I just came along thinking we might as well have fun.

Who would’ve thought I’d end up feeling grateful for my instinctive choices?

NewTube? When I’m experiencing supreme happiness from this simple outing, isn’t it okay to consider that secondary?

After all, the reason for broadcasting earnestly is to live enjoyably.

If I could have my way, I’d want to change the Everworld amusement park schedule into just us going there for fun too.

Though that’s just wishful thinking…

Anyway. While Ari seemed quite happy at the aquarium, now her expression is somewhat subtle.

No, rather than subtle…

It’s like she wants to say something? Restless?

“Ari, what’s wrong? Are you okay? Is something making you uncomfortable?”

“W-well… it’s not that I’m uncomfortable…”

“Your expression shows every…”

…

No.

Following Ari’s wavering gaze…

Since when have I been holding her hand? Why was I doing this in the first place?

It felt so natural that I hadn’t even noticed.

I can feel the point of contact growing hot in real-time.

I quickly pulled my hand back.

No matter how close friends we are. Even if we’re the same gender. This definitely crossed a line…

I wanted to blame it on Geum Taeyang’s instincts… but if that were the case, I would have noticed, wouldn’t I?

I got caught up in the mood. Made a mistake.

Because of Ari’s outfit that I’d never seen before, because of her appearance that stood out more than usual today, because of the somehow shortened psychological distance.

An unexpected situation.

As someone responsible, my choice was…

“Um… Ari. That, well… I need to go to the bathroom real quick?!”

In vulgar terms, a pants run.

Escape.

Well. I didn’t know what I was doing, and since she didn’t say anything until the end, maybe she enjoyed it too?

Thinking thoughts similar to those of a sexual harasser, I walked quickly toward the bathroom.

In the distance, I could see Ari covering her mouth and nose with her hand, deep in thought about something.

Well… we’ll get past this awkwardness somehow. As we always have.

###

Why did I smell my hand after holding Yuhan’s…

Hmm. It must have been because my hand was sweaty and felt uncomfortable. That must be why I instinctively brought my hand to my nose.

That must be it. Probably…

The awkwardness after the hand-holding incident didn’t last long. As always, we naturally started conversing again.

And today, as always when I’m with Yuhan, I’m continuously encountering new experiences.

The most notable was going to a soup restaurant for a meal.

Even for Yuhan, I thought eating soup on broadcast must have been somewhat of an act.

When Junhyuk and my male friends were asked about their favorite foods, most answered pasta and tteokbokki.

I never thought he’d actually pour radish kimchi juice into his soup…

‘Ari, aren’t you going to pour it in?’

‘People don’t usually do that, right…?’

‘Construction site unc-, aunties all eat it like this.’

Well, it was tasty though.

Despite the off-putting visual, how could I not do that one thing to be more like Yuhan.

Anyway, now I’m alone again.

While we were walking around the busy street, Yuhan left saying he needed to use the bathroom again.

As I wander around the area, all sorts of shops catch my eye.

From noisy game centers to fortune-telling shops with lines of people waiting. A diverse composition worthy of being called a busy street.

But what caught my attention first was somewhere else.

An accessory shop.

Going inside, there were numerous ornaments, and several people were browsing the store.

Brushing off the clerk offering help, I stared at the display case as if enchanted.

At the end of the display case was a piercing with a dull silver color, different from other accessories.

Identical to the one on Yuhan’s left ear.

“Ari, you were here?”

“Huh?! Oh, y-yeah! How did you know…?”

“I wonder… I just came here because of a feeling, but you really were here. Hehe. I’m telling you, we have something that connects us.”

I was startled. How did he really know?

Can intuition be that accurate?

To begin with… saying we have something that connects us… he says such shocking things so casually.

“What brings you to a place like this? Were you looking at this piercing? Were you interested in piercings before?”

“Ah… I just came in without thinking much.”

“I think it would suit you if you tried it.”

“…What?”

“Even today, when you changed your style a bit, your looks really stood out. You could dress more flashily. It’s too wasteful to always stay modest with a face like yours.”

“R-really?”

“Yeah. Really.”

A few days ago, when Yuhan stayed over at my house. When we were lying down together to sleep, Yuhan complained about his tanned skin. Saying it made him look like a bad person.

But he was quite positive about his dyed hair and piercing.

Said he kind of liked it after seeing it. Though it’s a bit of an odd thing to say.

My eyes go to the piercing in the display case.

Yuhan’s advice echoes in my head.

“Customer, are you interested in the piercing? Are you matching with your boyfriend?”

“What?! No, boyfrie-”

Yuhan puts his arm around me as I try to explain.

“Wouldn’t it be fine to try it? I’m telling you it’ll really suit you. If you don’t like it, you can always take it out.”

“That’s right! Your boyfriend has such good taste!”

A relationship like lovers isn’t something to be taken lightly.

I have a… lover… so I should say it’s not like that, it would be better for both Yuhan and me.

The words won’t come out. Yuhan seems unbothered by that title as he keeps looking only at me.

My mind is confused.

If I get this piercing… could I get a little closer to Yuhan?

Since Yuhan said it would suit me… could I look better in Yuhan’s eyes?

Could I hear Yuhan call me pretty again?

If all that’s possible… isn’t this a profitable deal?

A piercing as an accessory.

I feel it’s not quite appropriate for an elite, someone who stands before everyone, as I had thought.

But now I don’t feel such aversion to it.

I point my finger at the silver piercing.

Just stepping away a little from the neatness I’ve pursued all my life. Just a little bit.

“That one… in my left ear…”

Despite the unfinished sentence, the employee quickly responded and started preparing the piercing.

And Yuhan, perhaps pleased with me adorning myself more flashily.

Had an expression of genuine joy.

I too.

Started feeling an inexplicable happiness filling me up.

(End of Chapter)