Chapter 9: Embracing the New Normal

2: Hello, I’m an Angel

Sparrows chirp in the morning.

I wake up with messy hair.
Greet the rising sun’s rays.

I want to linger in bed, soaking in the sunlight.
But my body passes out at night, so sleeping in cuts my active time short.
I rub sleepy eyes and get up.

“Ughhh…”

I stretch my arms and legs.
Flap my wings once.
The cool sensation shakes off my drowsiness.

Today’s breakfast is ramen again.
A broke student can’t afford fancy cooking.

Learning from yesterday’s failure, I grab the pot I’d placed lower.
Cook the noodles.
This time, they’re perfectly done, not soggy.
I move the pot to the table and scarf it down.

Brush my teeth.
Shower.
Ready to go.

Showering is always a hassle with my wings.
They get drenched, looking like a wet rat.
I have to wring out the water.
The dense feathers don’t dry easily, so I use a hairdryer carefully.

They say girls spend ages drying their hair.
Why am I stuck drying wings?

At least my hair’s a breeze.
Just dry it roughly and brush it, and it stays perfect.
I don’t know why my hair’s so flawless.
But managing just wings is better than both wings and hair, so I’m grateful.

I wonder about physics sometimes.
But turning into this body already defies physics.
No point questioning it.

“… Teddy bear panties.”

Ugh.

I really need new underwear.
Might as well get other clothes too.
Can’t keep wearing just T-shirts.

… Probably women’s clothes.
That thought feels so weird.

I know nothing about women’s clothes.
I considered asking Mom for help.
Then I remembered Jimin’s words before we parted.

‘If you need to shop for clothes, call me. I’ll do my best to help!’

Her tone was oddly excited.
I don’t know why.
But I decided to contact Jimin.

I type a message asking if she’s free to help me shop for clothes.

Five seconds later, a reply.

– I’m coming right now!

Why so fast?

“HowdoIdoGaramIreallymissedyousocuteandsoftandfluffyIwanttopinchyourcheeks!”

“Jimin, calm down!”

I stop Jimin as she rushes to hug me.
Her dragon tail wags like a puppy’s.

Two transformed people on the street draw a lot of stares.
Ignoring them, I start talking to Jimin.

“Anyway, I need to buy some clothes.
Uh, underwear too.
Since I was a guy, I don’t know much about women’s clothes…”

“Don’t worry!
I’ll do my best to help!”

“Thanks…”

Jimin’s strangely hyped up.

I follow her and spot a fancy-looking car.
Even I, who know nothing about cars, can tell it’s expensive.

“You have a car, Jimin?”

“Oh, yeah.
I got my license after college entrance exams.
My parents gave it to me as a gift.”

“… They gave you a car?”

“Haha… Not to brag, but my family’s kinda wealthy.”

Whoa.

Shocking news.

Jimin is super rich.
I had my suspicions, but hearing it from her feels different.

She never hid her wealth.
But she didn’t flaunt it either.
Like, she spends money but doesn’t need to show off.

Is this the mindset of the truly rich…?

The car door opens with a luxurious sound.
I climb in, feeling the plush comfort.

“Wow, this is so comfy…”

My wings sink into the seat.
I can lean back without discomfort.
Amazing.

Is this why expensive things are expensive?
I can’t help but marvel, eyes sparkling as I look around.

How often do you ride in a fancy car?
Gotta soak in this moment.
Gonna brag to my friends later.

Wooow.

As I gush like a kid with a new toy, Jimin holds up her phone.

“Garam, can I take a picture?”

“Huh?”

“You’re just so cute, just one—”

“No way.”

The door opens smoothly.

I step out, spread my wings, and stretch my arms forward.

Jimin unfurls her tail, coiled from driving, and stretches her long arms skyward.
… Her pose really highlights her chest, but she doesn’t seem to care.
It’s pretty big.

We take the elevator from the underground parking lot.
Rows of stores come into view.
Crowds of people milling about, a bonus.

And in the middle, my halo glows brightly.

People stare.
Even if I shrink myself, the glowing halo draws attention.
Eyes filled with curiosity and questions lock onto me.

My face scrunches under the countless gazes.
I glance at Jimin, wondering if she’s okay.

“Hm?
What’s up, Garam?”

She walks confidently, unbothered, as if it’s nothing.
Chest out, strides bold.

“No, it’s just… everyone’s staring.
Doesn’t it bother you?”

The stares get to me so much.

But Jimin walks proudly, like it’s no big deal.
She looks so impressive to me.

How can she walk so confidently?
How?

I was curious.
So it was only natural my inner thoughts spilled out.

“The stares don’t bother you?”

“I’m used to it.
Even before my transformation, I was pretty gorgeous, you know?
People always turned to look.
Pfft.”

“But isn’t it different?
Like, being pretty gets friendly stares.
These are…”

Jimin turns, her red eyes meeting mine.

“I think it’s fine.
Friendly or hostile, who cares?
They’re not gonna hit me.
Stares are just stares.”

She taps the floor with her tail as she speaks.

“You don’t need to mind others’ gazes too much.
Stares are just that—stares.
Ignoring them completely isn’t good either, though.”

…

Is that how it is?

Was I just too conscious of the stares?

Maybe I was scared for no reason.
Flinching and shrinking without needing to.
Assuming it was frightening without really looking.

I lift my head and look around.
Countless eyes still turn toward me.

My body flinches with each gaze, whether I want it to or not.
Even if I’m told not to mind, changing my mindset right away is hard.

But that’s okay.
These things take time.
I’ll try to get used to the stares, little by little.

With that small resolve in my heart, I follow Jimin.

*

“Should we look for a kids’ clothing store?”

“Uh… probably?”

I’m 142 cm tall.
A regular store might not have clothes that fit.

“Then let’s find one!
We’ll get underwear too.”

“Haha… yeah, underwear too.”

Jimin walks ahead, grinning ear to ear.

Is shopping for someone else that fun?
I don’t quite get it.
Maybe it’s a girl thing, but I wouldn’t know, never having dated one.

My all-boys school life weeps in the background.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I see Jimin already far ahead.
Her height, horns, and tail make her stand out.

She waves me over.
I scamper to her side.
A kids’ clothing store stands before us.
Never thought I’d shop for my clothes in a place like this.

“Here it is.
Ready to go in, Garam?”

“… Give me a sec to brace myself.”

“It’s just a kids’ store, why so serious?
Pfft.”

A grown man buying children’s clothes—girls’ clothes, no less—feels like a crime.
And underwear too?
The guilt is overwhelming.

… But I have no choice.

Just this once, eyes shut, and in I go.
I won’t have to come back after this.
Right.

With a deep breath, I step into the store.