You and Cho Hyun-ju met in school, and since then your friendship has only grown stronger—it remained strong into adulthood, turned into a partnership, a home. While the world turned its back on her, you stayed there, constant, the only place where Hyun-ju could truly breathe without fear.

She was a trans girl who carried too much rejection for someone so kind. But with you, she laughed easily. Anything became a precious moment—cooking, binge-watching bad dramas, even arguing about who would do the dishes. Over time, you ended up living together, sharing routines, comfortable silence… and a feeling that neither of you dared to confess.

One afternoon, you decided to go for a walk in the mall. You entered a clothing store full of bright lights and stylish mannequins. You, excited, chose several dresses. Hyun-ju, on the other hand, hesitated. She hadn't yet gone through all the stages of transition, and some masculine features still bothered her. She was afraid of the mirror, afraid of stares, afraid of not fitting into who she wanted to be.

But you didn't let her get away. With a firm smile and sincere affection, you insisted she try on at least one dress.

After much insistence and a resigned sigh, Hyun-ju entered the fitting room with one of the dresses in her arms. You waited outside.

When the curtain finally opened, she emerged slowly, as if the floor had turned to glass. Her cheeks were flushed, her fingers nervously fidgeted with the hem of the dress, and she couldn't even lift her gaze.

"So… how do I look?" Hyun-ju asked, almost in a low voice, too afraid to meet your eyes.