"...Hmm."
I'd planned to sleep in like crazy, but apparently my habit of waking up early had taken hold. My mind was crystal clear even before the sun rose.
Normally, I needed an alarm to pry my eyes open.
Even then, I'd stumble to the bathroom half-asleep from exhaustion.
Unlike back then, I had no worries weighing me down now. Maybe that was why.
Job? Unemployed.
Assets? 500 billion won.
Plus, a perfect setup where no one knew who I was.
The only issue was that this body wasn't mine.
"Still a woman, huh..."
I pushed the blankets aside and sat up, eyeing my body.
What shouldn't be there was, and what should be was gone.
No point dwelling on it.
I rubbed my sleepy eyes and shut down those thoughts.
"Yawn..."
Even my yawns came out elegant now.
This was driving me nuts.
"Let's get it together."
Muttering to myself, I headed to the bathroom.
The mirror greeted me right away.
I let out a short sigh as I took in the fresh, fluffy skin and flawless face, even right after waking up.
"...Guess I'm getting used to it."
It hadn't even been that long, but it already felt like my own face.
Was I just quick to adapt? Or maybe it all felt so unreal it was like a dream.
Who knows.
I squeezed toothpaste onto the brush and started brushing.
After finishing up and doing a light face wash, one dilemma arose.
The shower.
Should I?
I locked eyes with Yeon-bi in the mirror.
My pupils trembled a bit.
It wasn't that I hated washing up.
I'd always showered morning and night anyway.
Just... a little embarrassing.
After a staring contest with my reflection, I steeled myself.
"Gonna shower..."
I had to go out today anyway.
And I'd be living like this from now on.
This woman's body wasn't some stranger Choi Yeon-bi's—it was mine.
Mine, so it'd be fine.
It'd be okay.
Probably.
"Whew..."
I let out a long sigh and peeled off the t-shirt.
Then I slipped out of the ill-fitting underwear I'd tied on with a rubber band.
Eyes half-closed, I stepped into the shower and turned on the warm water.
Heart pounding, I tilted my head back and let the water cascade over my body.
It traced curves down my face.
"...Still feels nice."
The sensation was different from usual, nagging at me a bit. But the warmth enveloping my body felt good, and the awkwardness faded quickly.
Working up a lather with the showerhead was a hassle... but I managed to finish without incident.
I spent ages blow-drying my long hair once I got out.
"No wonder it takes all day."
I finally got why women took so long to get ready.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Lots to do today.
First, buy a car.
The ones I really wanted would take forever to arrive even if ordered, so I decided to grab something basic to drive in the meantime.
Then swing by a real estate office to scout new places.
Starting fresh like this.
Not Choi Min-hoo's life, but Choi Yeon-bi's—with 500 billion in assets.
"...A bit too dramatic?"
I chuckled and glanced around my room.
This place.
Not exactly a house, just a one-room, but still.
I'd moved here for the job, no reason to stick around.
No upsides.
Tiny, crappy. And pretty far from the company.
"Still, nothing better back then."
Memories of hustling around real estate offices flooded back.
The agents had griped that no place matched my criteria.
The relief when I finally snagged this room after all that hassle...
Coming to the city for my first job and scoring a decent spot—indescribable joy.
"...Never imagined that 'family-like company' would turn out like it did."
They say time beautifies memories.
Things were starting to feel a little wistful already.
"Better bail before it gets any rosier."
No matter what, getting attached to a dump like this felt wrong.
I wanted to leave ASAP and bury all the bad memories deep.
"Might as well move somewhere quiet where I won't overthink."
I pondered for a sec, then figured staying near the capital area was smarter. Time to find a nice apartment nearby.
Though, the lease's probably under Choi Min-hoo. Hope that's not an issue.
Maybe it'd auto-switched like my ID and phone registration. If so, no problem.
"Landlord never cared who lived here anyway, even if not."
Guy only showed up ages after the boiler crapped out or the whole building's internet died.
Not even sure he was the real owner.
That little interest in the place.
Yet he'd text if rent was late by morning.
"Gets on my nerves thinking about it."
I toyed with using my cash to screw him over, but nah.
Waste on a landlord I barely saw, unlike the Team Leader.
Anyway, busy day ahead.
Showered and itinerary sorted.
Just waiting on the delivery now.
I tore open the last coffee mix packet into a paper cup.
Plugged in the hot pot and zoned out waiting for the water to boil.
'Should grab a coffee machine.'
So much to buy.
Keep splurging like this, and I'd burn through 500 billion before I knew it?
"Nah, even I couldn't pull that off."
Shaking off the idle thought, the pot started bubbling right away.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Ding-dong— ding-dong—
Delivery arrived.
"Ah, said no doorbell."
I nearly spilled my fresh morning coffee in shock.
Why couldn't they read the notes?
Doing it on purpose?
Frowning a bit, I opened the front door.
A mountain of packages.
"...Kinda get why now."
The sheer stack made me forgive them a little.
I'd gone ham on clothes shopping at dawn.
Couldn't snag the ones I'd bookmarked, but I grabbed pricey unisex stuff instead.
Online shopping without budget worries.
Nothing more fun.
Started with the smallest box.
"Oh, shoes."
The loafers I'd always wanted.
Not super expensive, unisex casual ones.
"Hope they fit..."
I measured my foot with a ruler just in case. 235mm. Shoes were 240.
If not, exchange or buy new.
Hassle was the issue.
Slipped them on hoping for the best.
"Ah, perfect."
A tad loose, but fine.
Same size sneakers should work too.
"Shoes later."
Eyes shifted to the big boxes.
Today's stars.
First, the tracksuit box.
Three-stripe jersey and plain pants.
For casual lounging.
Grocery runs or quick errands.
Peeled off plastic and tried them on.
"So awkward..."
Size seemed okay, but everything felt off.
First, the chest—most obvious.
No bra, so it bounced freely.
Obviously awkward since it was new.
And down there... the groin.
"...Problem here too."
Here, something missing felt weird differently from the chest.
This was maddening.
"Gotta do underwear."
Good thing I'd grabbed some just in case.
Hunted down the box and ripped it open.
"Feels weird."
Buying women's underwear for myself was surreal.
I stared blankly for a moment before snapping out of it.
Busy day ahead.
No time to fuss.
Unpacked and examined it.
Plain white, no frills—safest choice.
'Feels a bit big, but measurements should be right.'
Followed the sizing guide solo. D cup, I'd measured.
But it looked kinda big...
"Uh... how does this go on...?"
Fumbled forever, watched a video online, barely managed.
"Done."
Definitely secure now.
A little snug, but that's normal, right?
"Bottoms are..."
Bottoms were straightforward.
Shut eyes and pulled them on.
Standing in front of the mirror in just underwear felt off, so I hurried away.
Threw the tracksuit back on top.
Still awkward, but way better than before.
"This'll do for now."
Checked my outfit, then grabbed sneakers from another box.
Outfit complete.
"...Whew."
First time stepping out as Choi Yeon-bi.
Brain freeze from nerves—couldn't think of what to do.
Whatever.
Head out and figure it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Car dealer Min Song-i.
She welcomed an unusual customer today.
A stunning woman entering hesitantly.
'She's gorgeous.'
Taller than her, porcelain skin.
Long black straight hair gleaming.
No makeup, yet radiating aura.
Min Song-i felt a bit overshadowed, greeting awkwardly.
To give off this vibe so casually.
Min Song-i had decent dealer experience, but this was a first.
"Welcome. Do you have a reservation?"
She startled and shook her head.
"Reservation... needed...?"
Soft voice, worried she'd messed up.
Min Song-i tilted her head, then inwardly smirked—looks weren't everything.
"No, just checking if you reserved. Here for a consult?"
"Uh... yeah. Looking to buy a car..."
"This way."
Min Song-i guided the seemingly socially awkward woman to the consultation area.
And then.
"Something ready today... just pick one."
"Pardon?"
She blinked in shock.