Jin walked down the street, clutching his wallet like it might explode at any moment.
He'd shouted "Let's spend some money!" with the confidence of a billionaire earlier…
Now he looked like a broke college student who'd lost his bus pass.
His oversized shirt flapped in the wind like a defeated flag, and his pants — three sizes too big — dragged across the sidewalk.
Every time someone looked his way, he lowered his head even more.
Don't make eye contact. Don't look rich. Don't look poor. Just… disappear.
But people stared anyway.
Some with confusion, some with pity.
"Is he homeless?" one lady whispered.
"Looks like he's cosplaying as an unemployed superhero," a guy snickered.
Jin's ears burned.
He hunched his shoulders, walking faster. He'd dealt with this kind of attention before — back when he was that guy in school.
The bullied one. The forgettable one.
His body might've changed, but his reflexes hadn't.
He slipped into the first clothing shop he saw, more to hide than to shop.
The place was small and smelled faintly of detergent.
"Uh… I need… clothes," Jin mumbled, pointing vaguely at a rack.
The clerk blinked. "What kind?"
"Ones that, you know… fit. Anywhere."
After ten awkward minutes, Jin emerged wearing the first outfit that didn't threaten to fall off — a random T-shirt, black jeans, and sneakers.
He had absolutely zero fashion sense, but at least he didn't look like a wandering scarecrow anymore.
He paid quickly and exhaled in relief. "Okay… decent enough to exist in public."
Then, he looked up — and froze.
The giant glass building loomed ahead, sunlight gleaming off its surface.
"Seoul Grand Mall," the sign read.
Jin's mouth fell open.
"Holy… it's so big…"
He took a hesitant step forward.
Automatic doors slid open with a soft chime.
He jumped. "It—It opened by itself! Technology, you scary witch!"
The inside was like another world — bright, polished floors, designer stores, perfume in the air, people walking like they were born rich.
It was his first time in a real mall.
His eyes darted around like a kid in an amusement park.
"So shiny… so many… things…" he whispered.
Then, he stopped in front of one store.
Mannequins in perfect suits and expensive shoes stared back at him from behind the glass.
They looked godly. Majestic. Cool.
Everything Jin wasn't.
"Whoa…" he muttered. "So that's what real-life main characters wear, huh?"
He was still staring when —
BUMP!
Something hit his shoulder, and he stumbled forward, losing balance.
He fell to his knees.
"I-I'm sorry!" a girl's voice cried.
But Jin's panic reflexes kicked in instantly.
He dropped into a full apology position, head bowed so low it almost hit the floor.
"S-sorry! I didn't mean to! I swear! Please don't sue me, I'm fragile!"
"Huh? No no— I bumped into you!"
Jin froze. Slowly, he looked up.
A girl was kneeling before him, holding out her hand.
Her long brown hair glimmered under the mall lights, her eyes bright and gentle.
She wore a casual skirt and a light cardigan, her smile so warm it could melt butter.
"I'm really sorry," she said softly. "Are you okay?"
Jin blinked rapidly, dazed. "I-I'm fine… I just… fell. On purpose. For safety reasons."
She giggled. "Still dramatic, huh?"
His eyes widened. "Eh? Do… do I know you?"
"Of course," she said, tilting her head. "You saved me that night — remember? Those two guys who cornered me near the alley behind the convenience store?"
Jin froze. His brain scrambled for words. "W-wait… that was you?!"
She smiled softly. "Yeah. You just jumped in out of nowhere, like some awkward hero… then ran away before I could even say thank you."
He rubbed the back of his neck, flustered. "W-well, I thought I was gonna die, honestly."
"You looked terrified," she laughed. "But you still helped me. That's what matters."
Her voice was light, warm — the kind of tone that could melt years of self-doubt.
"You look… different," she added, eyeing him curiously. "Did you lose weight or something?"
"Uh… you could say that," Jin mumbled. "Lost… a bit of myself."
She laughed again — and for a second, everything around him faded.
The noise, the crowd, even his embarrassment.
Her laughter was that bright.
"Oh! I didn't even introduce myself properly," she said. "I'm Soojin."
"S-Soojin…" Jin repeated under his breath like he was saving it to memory.
"What about you?"
"Jin. Just Jin."
"Well, Jin," she said cheerfully, "what brings you here?"
"I, uh… came to buy clothes," he admitted shyly.
Her eyes sparkled. "Perfect! I'm great at that. Let's go!"
"W-wait, what—AHHH!" Jin yelped as she grabbed his wrist and started dragging him toward the nearest store.
Before he could protest, Soojin was already circling him like a stylist analyzing her project.
"Hmm… you have good proportions now. Nice shoulders, decent height. Bad clothes."
"Wha—hey!"
"Shhh. Let no one hear your crimes against fashion."
And just like that, Jin's shopping spree began — or, more accurately, Soojin's full makeover operation.
She picked shirts, jackets, jeans, and sneakers faster than he could breathe.
Every time he tried to say something, another outfit landed in his arms.
At some point, she was holding his hand, dragging him from one store to another.
His brain short-circuited completely.
A pretty girl… is holding my hand. And spending my money. Wait, whose money is she spending?
He tried to pay, but Soojin stopped him every time.
"It's okay," she said with that dazzling smile. "Think of it as a thank-you gift."
"But—"
"No buts! You saved me once, so I get to repay you properly."
He stood there, speechless, as she bought everything.
Shirts, pants, even accessories.
Then she grinned. "Next stop — salon!"
"W-wait, what?!"
She didn't wait. Ten minutes later, Jin found himself sitting in a barber chair while stylists surrounded him.
They trimmed, styled, brushed, and sprayed.
When it was over, he looked into the mirror and almost didn't recognize himself.
"Whoa…"
His messy hair was gone, replaced by neat dark waves. His jawline looked sharper, his eyes brighter.
He looked… good.
No — dangerously good.
Even Soojin blinked in surprise. "Wow… You're… actually handsome."
"Actually…?" he said weakly.
She laughed again, the sound like music. "Come on, let's go show the world."
They walked around the mall, side by side.
Every head turned.
People whispered — some taking pictures, others simply staring.
"They look perfect together…"
"Are they models?"
"Is this a K-drama filming?"
Jin's face turned red.
He wasn't used to people looking at him for good reasons.
By the time the sun began to set, they'd spent the entire day together — laughing, trying food samples, talking about random things.
Finally, Soojin turned to him outside the mall.
"Let me drop you home," she said.
"N-no, it's fine! I can walk!" Jin waved frantically. "I live nearby, I swear!"
She smiled softly. "Alright, if you say so."
He fumbled for his wallet, taking out his card. "A-at least let me pay for everything—"
Soojin giggled. "Nope. I told you, it's my thank-you gift. So don't argue."
She leaned forward slightly, eyes warm. "But you can repay me by staying in touch."
"H-huh?"
She held out her phone. "Your number, please. Unless… you don't want to."
Jin's face turned red instantly.
He typed his number in with shaking fingers.
When their phones chimed with the "new contact" sound, she smiled. "Now we're even. See you soon, Jin."
She waved as she walked away, her figure fading into the evening crowd.
Jin stood there frozen for a long moment… then let out a tiny laugh.
He touched his cheek — warm. His heart — pounding.
"…She's… really something," he whispered.
He walked home, replaying every moment in his head — her laugh, her smile, her hand pulling his.
When he finally collapsed on his bed, he couldn't stop smiling.
His face turned red as he muttered to himself, "Soojin… huh…"
Then, like a happy idiot, Jin fell asleep —
Still smiling, dreaming about the girl who turned his first shopping trip into something unforgettable.