As promised, here is another installment. Again, so sorry to keep you guys waiting. You don't know how much I appreciate that you did not forget about this story and even have empathy (thanks dear Faithling) for my writing struggles.
Choi Young was still confused after his first ever phone conversation. Talking on the phone with Eun Soo was both frustrating and soothing, it also made him excited and sad. He can hear her, yet can't see or touch, it was too short and impersonal, however, it eased the wait that he hated so much. When he was stuck at home, she was on his mind, while she was going about her day at work and probably too busy to even think about him. Her voice alleviated the sadness of separation. Choi Young was learning the harsh reality of modern life – women and men go to work, so they actually spend less time together, than with strangers. He never thought about these things before, he never considered what it would be like for a woman to wait for him while he might be gone for days on his missions. Now he was even more determined to get a job, so that at least, he can keep himself busy.
"Ready, dude?"
"Where are we going?"
Hee Jun was very proud to be a guide to his Heung once again. He took him to a popular store that carried all the hottest brands at a reasonable price, catering to the more edgy college clientele. Choi Young critically looked at the display of brightly hued hoodies, pants colors of the rainbow, shirts and jackets. "I want something less bright, cleaner, but comfortable."
"Jeans, you have to have a good pair of jeans. For you," Hee Jun looked him over, "we need the 'right skinny.' Since you are a classy guy, we need to go to a classy store. There is one at the mall."
Choi Young followed obediently, having learned that if Hee Jun said he knew something, he actually did. They were followed by a saleswoman, who looked at them with a critical eye, until Choi Young, bothered by her breathing down his neck, turned and blinked at her.
"How can I help you, sir?"
"Actually, my friend is showing me around," he said pointing at Hee Jun.
"Oh, let me know if you need help then," she said leering at his towering figure from over the frame of her glasses. Hee Jun picked a pair of jeans and unfolded them.
"See, dude, this is the right skinny." Choi Young watched the item and wondered where it should be worn, he could not tell whether it was a bizarre type of jacket or a weird pant. The width of the sleeves was obviously for the arms, but the length was for the legs. It looked too tight and uncomfortable, but Hee Jun was determined to have him try it on.
"Hee Jun, what type of a garment is it?" he asked in low tone, embarrassed to show his lack of knowledge.
"Jeans, pants."
"Are you sure they will fit on my legs? I like clothes that allow me to move easy."
"Oh, no man! If you hate skinny jeans so bad you should try this brand they are really comfortable." He demonstrated by stretching the fabric, making Choi Young eyes pop. "What is wrong with it?" he asked, quite frightened at the prospect of having clothes grow on him at touch.
"Don't worry dude, it's cool."
"I don't want cool clothes, I like them to be warm."
"Dude, it is an expression. Cool means - good."
"OK," Choi Young nodded, filing the new word in his mind.
"What is your size?"
Choi Young was visibly perplexed.
"Let's see." Hee Jun asked the saleswoman for a measuring tape and putting Choi Young in front of him he ordered, "Don't move, don't giggle and..." catching the man's suspicious glare, "don't hit me." Despite his short memory, the fact that the general was quick with his hands and sharp with his aim etched in his usually quite empty mind. As the guy's arms came around Choi Young's waist, his first instinct was to slap and throw him down, but thanks to the prior warning, he closed his eyes and clenched his teeth thinking about how surprised Eun Soo will be when she sees him in a new pair of jeans. He could not help, but cringe as Hee Jun's cheek stuck to his ass, while his arms wrapped around his hips in attempt to take the right measurement. Choi Young never imagined that buying pants would require such effort and composure. "I'm going to count till three and if you do not remove your head off my behind, I can't promise that..."
"Dude, I told you not to move," Hee Jun glared at Choi Young as if he was the one at fault, making Choi Young suddenly feel sorry. "OK," and he lowered his head, "only if you promise Eun Soo will like these jeans."
"Not only will she like it, she will probably try to take them off right away. Guarantee. I'm going to make sure they are so tight, she will have to work hard for it."
"Shut you mouth," and Choi Young finally found the satisfaction of smacking the back of the guy's head.
"Sorry, Heung - dude," and Hee Jun cowered, looking with adoration at his role model. "I really wish I had it as easy as you. I have to work for my ass, really hard."
"I never worked for mine, wait what are you talking about?" he was sucked into a dimwit's world after all.
"How do you tone it? I mean, what is your routine?"
"I don't tone anything, I think it tones itself. I never thought about it. What does tone mean?"
"It means that I'm not the only one wondering, look."
And Choi Young turned to notice the saleslady staring at him with a stupefied smile.
"Can we help you?" intervened Jee Hun on his behalf.
"I wanted to see what items you will be trying on."
"He needs something classy with a modern twist. I'm thinking skinny cords and dark wash jeans, maybe, straight cut. I also want him to try this brand." Jee Hun was obviously knowledgeable about the latest trends, getting a respectful nod from the woman.
Choi Young waited patiently, looking at clothes displayed in neat rows in front of him. "I like suits, like the one Eun Soo got me. And I also would like to get something like the shorts you gave me, but normal length. They are comfortable."
"Sportswear, cool and sophisticated vibe, got it." And he snapped his fingers, "Of course, what else!" and already having something in mind, he ran off to tell the saleswoman what was needed.
Choi Young's eyes landed on a pair of navy colored slacks and a simple cut jacket of the same hue. He pulled them off the hanger and went toward a small room with the curtain where he was supposed to try on his clothes, remembering that's how it worked from his last shopping excursion.
He was not sure about the size, but it looked OK. He was already undressed, when Hee Jun's face showed from a side of the curtain, checking him out. "Wow, dude. Right on! Turn around!"
"Come here," Choi Young firmly grabbed the annoying talking head, pulling the boy in. "Are you looking at my body now?"
"Noooo, NOOOO, Dude, I would never be that disrespectful. I'm just admiring how well toned your muscles are, not the body, just muscles."
Another smack followed and Choi Young looked at Hee Jun almost with pity, "You really have a problem learning, don't you?"
"Then stop hitting my head!" whined the man.
"I don't think there is much to damage there."
"Even if you are right, you said you would not hurt me and will protect me."
"I'm trying to protect you, from myself! Believe me, I'm really trying here."
"I do, I believe, just don't throw anything..." but his voice drowned as the jacket landed on his head, in attempt to quiet him.
"Get out, let me get dressed."
"Excuse me sir, I have the items you requested." The girl handed over a pair of jeans and he took them, turning to Choi Young with a big grin. "OK, dude, now it's time for you to try these on."
"I already told you..."
"Just for fun! Come on, try them on."
"I don't see the fun in these..."
"I think Noona would like to see these on you."
Choi YOung stared at him, amazed at how quickly this brainless boy could convince him. "Fine," he growled, taking the jeans from his hands, "Get out."
"But what if you need help?"
"To put on a pair of pants? Get out!" And the boy was thrown out, to stumble on the saleswoman, who smiled nervously at Hee Jun, covering her mouth with timid fingers.
"He never let's me help," complained the man, pointing at the curtain, behind which Choi Young was hidden.
"You must have helped him a lot then, right sir?"
"Yes, of course, ever since he arrived at the apartment, I've been taking care of him."
"Really? Are you close?"
"Sure! I taught him how to cook. He wears my clothes, even underwear."
"What a close and beautiful relationship," the woman averted her eyes.
"Yeah, its awesome being together," admitted Jee Hun, gleaming.
The woman freaked out, turning to look at her coworker, as if confirming something, she nodded, mourning yet another loss for all the women to the "other side".