Chapter 82: Dressing Up

“Me… not good at dressing?”

“Yes.”

“…….”

Seung-hyuk stared blankly at Hyun-woo, who nodded without hesitation.

No matter how he looked at him, the truth didn’t change.

Yes.

The main character of the novel, Seung-hyuk, really did dress poorly.

The only reason no one ever pointed it out was because, in the end, the finishing touch of fashion was his face.

But that only worked back when he was a college student and could get away with dressing casually.

If he continued dressing like this as a working adult, it would become a problem.

Hyun-woo’s eyes slowly moved down, once again scanning him.

A black T-shirt with a stretched neckline, jeans so faded and worn that no one could tell how long he had owned them, and even torn in places.

And to finish it off, overgrown messy hair.

No one had criticized him only because of his handsome face.

If Seung-hyuk had dated someone before meeting Hyun-jin, his partner would have nagged him endlessly about his clothes.

“Friday this week is really important, isn’t it?
You should dress properly for that.”

“…….”

“Come on, I’ll buy you some clothes.”

Hyun-woo spoke casually.

In the previous timeline, Hyun-woo had done many things to win Seung-hyuk’s favor.

One of those things was buying clothes.

He used to hand him expensive clothes that normal people could never afford.

But, of course, that kind of material approach only made Seung-hyuk hate him more.

Hyun-woo had learned that the day he saw Seung-hyuk throw the clothes he gave him straight into the trash as if in protest.

Maybe that’s why his voice trembled slightly.

Even though the past should mean nothing now, his body reacted at the memory.

Even if the current Seung-hyuk hated him again, it shouldn’t matter.

So why was he nervous?

Hyun-woo forced himself to act like nothing was wrong.

“Okay.
Then I’ll gladly accept.”

“…….”

“I still don’t agree that I dress badly though….”

Surprisingly, Seung-hyuk accepted it calmly.

Hyun-woo stared at him, a little taken aback.

“Why aren’t you moving?
You said you were buying me clothes.”

“Ah, right… yeah.”

Hyun-woo nodded, dazed.

He thought Seung-hyuk would be insulted and get angry over being looked down on for having no money.

Instead, he accepted it without hesitation.

Hyun-woo blinked in surprise, then hurried to follow behind Seung-hyuk who had already started walking.

They had met in one of the busiest districts in Seoul.

Everywhere around them were famous restaurants, luxurious department stores, and large multiplexes.

Hyun-woo walked straight into the department store.

He had already chosen the store beforehand, so there was no need to look around.

Since it was the evening rush hour, they didn’t take the elevator and instead rode the escalator.

Hyun-woo glanced at Seung-hyuk standing silently beside him.

“…….”

His expression didn’t change at all, uninterested in everything around him.

Nothing in this place was likely to attract his attention anyway.

Which was exactly why he dressed like this.

Hyun-woo looked again at his clothes and clicked his tongue inwardly.

“……?”

But something felt familiar.

The black T-shirt Seung-hyuk was wearing looked oddly recognizable.

The worn neckline, the plain fabric…

Even Seung-hyuk wouldn’t normally wear something that shabby outside.

And the shirt looked terribly similar to the cheap T-shirt Hyun-woo had given him at the hotel not long ago.

‘No way.’

But he quickly dismissed the thought.

Even if Seung-hyuk was acting strangely these days, there was no way he would choose that shirt to wear out.

Cheap T-shirts like that were everywhere.

Hyun-woo himself bought a bunch of them to wear at home.

It was impossible that Seung-hyuk would wear one as his going-out outfit.

“We’re here.”

“This place….”

They stopped in front of a high-end men’s clothing boutique known for suits.

Seung-hyuk suddenly froze when he saw the brand name.

“……?”

Hyun-woo tilted his head, unsure why.

This was a shop that both the real Ju Hyun-woo and the Hyun-woo before regression had visited often.

The real one was practically a loyal customer.

The clothes Hyun-woo had given Seung-hyuk in the previous timeline had also come from here.

But Seung-hyuk shouldn’t have known that.

Yet his expression darkened.

“Why?”

“No reason….”

He shook his head.

“Let’s go in.”

“…Yeah.”

Hyun-woo followed him inside.

Maybe he was simply shocked by how expensive the place looked.

For Hyun-woo, this price range meant nothing.

“Welcome— Oh! Director Ju Hyun-woo!”

“Hello.”

The store manager recognized him instantly and approached with a bright face.

“If you were coming, you should’ve called first!”

“Calling or not won’t change much.”

“Oh please.
If I knew you were coming, I would’ve cleared the store for you!”

“Haha….”

Her tone was overly familiar.

The real Hyun-woo had liked that.

But for this Hyun-woo, it was simply awkward.

“But it’s been a while.
I thought of you every time new arrivals came in.”

“Ah… I’ve been busy with work.”

“But today isn’t about clothes for me.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, please find something that suits this friend.”

The manager finally looked at Seung-hyuk.

Her eyes traveled up and down his body.

It was a bit rude, but he didn’t react.

If anything, his gaze toward her was cold.

“Your friend is very tall.
There’s something from the new collection that would look perfect on him—”

“Show everything first.”

“Of course. One moment.”

The staff began loading outfits onto rolling racks.

Hyun-woo studied them carefully.

“This color won’t suit you….”

Seung-hyuk had cool-toned skin, so vivid cool shades were better than warm ones.

Hyun-woo narrowed his eyes, evaluating.

“Try this one.”

He handed him a deep navy suit—lightweight, summer fabric, elegant.

The manager exclaimed.

“My, you have such a good eye!
This is one of our featured pieces this season!”

“Haha….”

Hyun-woo ignored the flattery and nudged Seung-hyuk.

“Hurry up. Go try it.”

“Alright.”

Seung-hyuk took the suit and went into the fitting room.

Hyun-woo waited, ignoring the manager’s chatter.

Then—

“I’m done.”

“……!”

Hyun-woo froze.

Clothes really do make the man.

Just by wearing a well-fitted suit, Seung-hyuk looked completely different.

No—this was actually the familiar version of him.

The one from the future.

The one Hyun-woo had fallen for.

“How does it look?”

“Ah… um… that is….”

Hyun-woo’s words caught in his throat.

He wanted to answer casually, but couldn’t.

Because his heart was pounding uncontrollably again.