Gender Reversed Geum Taeyang - Chapter 68

Chapter 68 – Different from Back Then

Look at Yuhan’s expression. He clearly doesn’t understand why I’m acting this way.

While I like that innocent side of his in strange situations… sometimes it worries me. I wonder if he’s like this with others too…

I had heard about Yuhan’s preferences before. It was the result of me creating the right atmosphere and carefully probing.

Though I’m not sure if “preferences” is the right word, but simply put, Yuhan’s answer was harem. He wanted to meet multiple women.

Even if it’s legal, it’s not common. Some people might look at it strangely.

For me… it’s none of my business. If that’s what Yuhan wants, I’ll help him achieve it and support him however I can.

Because Yuhan deserves that.

What worries me… is whether he might end up meeting just any woman.

Yuhan calls me his only friend. In fact, when I recently saw Yuhan’s KakaoTalk friend list, there were only about 20 contacts.

Since finding a partner is an important matter, I worry that Yuhan, who’s never dated before, might become impatient. What if strange people are drawn to him because of his appearance?

I worry that he might be deceived, being more innocent than his appearance suggests.

Even now, seeing how easily he throws around such words, I honestly think it’s a reasonable concern…

Damn. This isn’t something that’ll be resolved by just thinking about it alone. I should just help Yuhan as much as I can by his side. That’s what a ‘friend’… is for, right?

I shook my head to clear away the stray thoughts.

Glancing sideways, I see Yuhan in his lewd outfit, eyes sparkling as he looks out the window. In the distance, the amusement park Everworld can be seen.

An expression pure as a child filled with anticipation.

A smile forms on my lips too. When Yuhan is happy, I become happy as well.

I’ll make today the best day ever.

I’ll give Yuhan the best experience.

###

When we finished parking and got out of the car, it was 9 o’clock. One hour remained until Everworld’s opening.

I heard that even though it’s crowded on Sundays, with this much time left, there’s no need to worry too much. We won’t be late for entry.

So…

What I mean is, I need to suppress this excitement a bit.

Actually, maybe because I’m facing a truly new experience, my heart feels quite urgent.

To be more precise… it’s like the excitement of seeing a robot dinosaur?

Anyway, I moved forward holding Ari’s hand as she adjusted her clothes beside me.

I know it might not look good to just grab and lead someone’s hand like this… but since Ari seems to be enjoying it too, it should be fine, right?

After leading the way for a while, I realized I didn’t know anything about this place and started walking side by side with Ari.

There was a small accident where my hand went out of control and interlocked fingers with hers. But that’s just a minor thing.

While I should be suspicious of everything Geum Taeyang’s instincts do, being too sensitive about something like this would just be troublesome.

Interlocking fingers with a woman who has a boyfriend? Objectively speaking, it’s definitely problematic behavior.

But this is Ari. Even though Ari has changed a lot externally these days, her basic personality hasn’t changed.

She’s not the type to have strange thoughts about something like this.

Just look at that face, firmly staring ahead with a stiff expression. This is the same Ari as always.

Honestly, even though I said that, I was a bit embarrassed… but I thought that might be an overreaction too. It’s not that big a deal. I’m being too self-conscious.

Anyway, we were able to reach the ticket booth quickly.

And… it didn’t take long for me to experience culture shock.

A day pass costs 62,000 won, what kind of corporate exploitation is this?!

Sure, I have some financial leeway, and donations have been good lately, but.

…I can feel my fingertips trembling. Since we’re holding hands, Ari must have felt that trembling too.

Damn, how embarrassing.

The male employee in front of us delivers the shocking news.

“…So that’ll be 124,000 won total for both of you!”

The employee’s bright smile is so irritating. His expression is cheerful but his words are absolutely horrific.

Do memories also have to be purchased as goods? As I took out my card with trembling hands.

“Ah, and there’s an event right now where couples get an additional 10% discount! Perhaps…”

“What, what?!”

Before the employee even finished speaking, Ari raised her voice in surprise.

No, reacting like that is basically advertising that we’re not a couple.

Of course, we’re not really a couple… but there’s a saying that if something’s not possible, make it possible. Well, it’s just for a moment anyway.

Ari sends me a bewildered look.

Is she hesitating? This isn’t something that needs hesitation?

With delicate expression management, I opened my mouth. This talented body can even handle casual acting.

“Wow! Really?!”

I squeezed Ari’s hand slightly harder. It means to play along.

Of course, since Ari has a boyfriend, she might feel a bit uncomfortable, but with just 10% discount, it’s 111,600 won. 55,800 won each.

Even though I have some extra money now, this amount is still a major consideration for me.

This time, it’s acting with attention to detail. Using the difference between middle school and high school uniforms.

“Ari noona! This is great!”

“Uh, uh, yeah!!”

Given how I look, they probably wouldn’t think I’m a student anyway, but good acting comes from the details.

The term “noona” is common anyway. Especially among guys in the reverse world, many seem to use it.

Hmm. But.

Ari has frozen while tightly holding my hand.

No, what’s wrong with her today. Just trying to get a discount here.

###

If asked to pick the most tiring day of my life, I can confidently say it would be today.

Because of Yuhan who’s been overwhelming me at every turn today… I haven’t had a moment to catch my breath.

In the car he pulled that crazy middle school student act, then here he interlocked fingers, and earlier he called me ‘noona’…

Every time I look his way, there’s that tight shirt with a couple buttons undone and loosely tied necktie.

This isn’t good, I want to show only my best side to Yuhan, but my head is spinning too much.

“Ari, try some of this too. It’s really delicious!”

Yuhan tore off a piece of his cotton candy and brought it to my mouth.

As I opened my mouth, still not having gathered my senses, Yuhan’s finger brushed my lower lip due to poor distance control.

“Ah, sorry about that mistake.”

“No, no! It’s fine!”

Answering like that, I unconsciously licked my lower lip. Maybe because of the cotton candy that entered my mouth, I taste something sweet.

…

Somehow… I feel self-loathing rising.

This is really driving me crazy.

Right now we’re walking around the amusement park as Yuhan requested.

Yuhan, who was enjoying the leisurely atmosphere with a pleased expression, soon discovered something and spoke to me.

“Ari, let’s go there just once.”

Where his finger pointed was… a souvenir shop. A place selling headbands and masks.

“Since we’re already wearing school uniforms, we should make a few more memories.”

Saying that if we’re a little embarrassed today it’ll be a lifetime memory, he took my hand and led me there.

Come to think of it, the last time I came to this amusement park was the day I received Junhyuk’s confession.

I remember Junhyuk leading me to that store then too.

Actually, didn’t I wear a school uniform then too? Of course, it was a completely different looking uniform than now.

Hazy memories I had forgotten start coming back as the situation overlaps in many ways with that day.

But. Unlike back then.

An unknown feeling was rising inside me.

###

Looking forward, I can see a man browsing headbands while wandering around the souvenir shop.

Though I remember Yuhan, who is quite feminine, isn’t the type to like such things, it seems he values memories more than money or embarrassment.

After entering the souvenir shop and looking around a bit, he suggested we each wear a headband.

I turned my gaze to the side again.

What catches my eye is a cute animal ear headband. Looking at its shape, probably dog ears.

This is… the headband I wore together with Junhyuk when we came here.

No, it would be incorrect to call it a date. Since we only started dating right before going home that day.

You don’t call hanging out between friends a date, though calling today’s meeting a date is… a special case.

That evening. When it got dark after sunset. I heard Junhyuk’s confession in front of the brightly lit carousel.

I gave a positive answer. Since we had been together for so long, I had somewhat favorable feelings, and I just naturally thought we would be together forever.

Was it the right choice?

Well. I don’t think much about it.

Quite some time has passed since we had an argument and cut off contact. It probably hasn’t been a month, but I’m not sure. Honestly, I haven’t been paying much attention to it lately.

The emotions from when we argued have already dulled significantly, and I think if he asked to reconcile, I wouldn’t refuse. Though I have no intention of making the first move.

But if asked whether I could treat Junhyuk the same as before… that’s also something I can’t be sure about. These days it’s difficult to objectively understand my emotions.

Somehow it feels like our passion has cooled… but maybe it’s just that my heart hasn’t settled yet.

Damn, just thinking about this makes my head confused. I’m afraid to look into my own psychology.

I held the dog ear headband in my hand. While looking at it, Yuhan’s voice comes.

“Hey, Ari. Doesn’t this look good?”

What Yuhan wore on his head was… a headband with devil horns.

A man with a fierce, intimidating impression looks at me with an indescribable smile. Even though I know there’s innocence in that eerie smile, somehow it gives me chills.

Just looking at the headband might make you think of a little devil… but wouldn’t great devil be more fitting?

Yuhan approaches me.

He picks up a headband identical to his and puts it right on my head.

“Wow. You really look good in everything. Take a look in the mirror.”

Turning my head to the side, I see myself wearing the devil horn headband.

My reflection in the mirror.

Was wearing an expression of happiness I had never seen before.

(End of Chapter)

T.N. Yuhan the incubus.