Chapter Text
.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭ ⭑
Hyung-Seok really needed money.
He hadn’t thought much about finances since quitting his convenience store job to become a famous streamer. Under the viral persona of " King Daniel ," he’d risen to fame not as some polished celebrity but as the complete opposite—overweight, unattractive, and utterly relatable. He struck the hearts of people with those who also felt rejected by society. It had been comforting to be surrounded by people who knew what it was like to be him. For a time, Hyung-Seok had truly enjoyed it.
But ever since Jong-Geon had whipped him into shape, he’d lost the very traits that endeared him to his audience. Making being a streamer a unreliable source of income. Now, on top of that, the Workers had him in their sights after he pulled that stunt to save Big Deal, and then proceeded to take down the First Affiliate after that. And then there was his second body—finally returned to him. While he was thrilled to have it back, it wasn’t exactly a steady income source.
He could go back to his convenience store job; but it barely paid enough to cover anything. As he wandered aimlessly down the street, his mind spun with options—none of them particularly appealing. Should he contact the White Tiger Centre? Yeah, no way—what was Hyung-Seok thinking? Those people were nuts. Could he become an idol again? The thought made him cringe; the job wasn’t worth the misery, no matter how good the money was.
Hyung-Seok sighed, frustration bubbling inside him. Lost in thought, he didn’t notice the figure in front of him until it was too late, suddenly bumping into them.
“Ow—!” a familiar voice exclaimed as they collided.
Hyung-Seok blinked, furrowing his brows. That voice…
“I’m so sorry,” he said quickly, stepping back to apologize. “That was my mistake.”
“Oh, it’s alright—wait a minute, Hyung-Seok Park ?!”
His eyes widened in shock.
Was that… Jae-Hye Hong?
“Jae-Hye?” he asked, startled.
Her jaw dropped, a rosy blush spreading across her face. “Oppa, what are you doing here? It’s been forever since I’ve seen you—even though we go to the same school! Wait a minute…why do you look so different?”
Hyung-Seok paused, did Jae-Hye mistake him for his second body?
“Oh, Jae-Hye,” he said, awkwardly scratching his neck. “I’m his… roommate. Remember?”
Her jaw dropped even further—if that was even possible—and she stared at him in disbelief. The last time she’d seen him, he was still the old Hyung-Seok.
“No way! Marshmallow?!” she exclaimed, gaping at him. “Are you guys related?”
“Ah…no,” Hyung-Seok said, scratching his cheek.
“You’re lying,” she declared, her tone filled with suspicion.
“I’m serious!” he protested, chuckling nervously.
“You’re definitely his cuter younger brother!” she announced confidently, tugging at his arm.
Hyung-Seok sighed. At this point, there was no convincing her otherwise. Saying the two bodies were the same person would be even stranger. Technically, they were related…right? Even he wasn’t sure.
“Let’s hang out, Marshmallow!” Jae-Hye chirped, wrapping her hands around his arm. “I know a great place!”
Defeated, Hyung-Seok let out another sigh. This was going to take a while.
──── ୨୧ ────
Hyung-Seok and Jae-Hye were seated at a bustling café, the one Ha-Neul had been hyping up to Hyung-Seok for weeks. The atmosphere buzzed with chatter and the rich aroma of coffee, but what stood out most were the lingering gazes that followed them. People were gawking.
Hyung-Seok tried not to let it bother him, but he couldn’t help the uneasy knot in his stomach. He didn’t get it. Sure, Jae-Hye looked stunning, but him? He was average at best. Plain, if he were being honest. Even after his transformation and the second body, he still wasn’t used to the way people’s eyes lit up when they looked at him. It felt… strange.
He sighed and took a sip of the latte Jae-Hye had bought him, despite his protests. When he’d suggested paying for himself, Jae-Hye had looked downright offended. So, for now, he let it slide—but he made a mental note to repay her later.
Across from him, Jae-Hye was grinning, the straw of her strawberry milkshake nestled between her lips. The whipped cream was piled high, topped with a bright red cherry.
“How have you been?” Jae-Hye asked, her voice light and cheerful.
Hyung-Seok couldn’t help but smile back. “I’m good. How about you?”
Jae-Hye’s grin widened. “Great! All the magazines are chasing after me these days. I’ve got a shoot tomorrow with Vogue—can you believe it? I’m flying to New York!”
Hyung-Seok blinked in surprise. “Wow,” he said, genuinely impressed. “That’s amazing. Congrats, Jae-Hye.”
Her excitement was infectious, and he felt a swell of pride for her.
“Thanks, Marshmallow,” she teased, using her old nickname for him. “What about you? What have you been up to? I asked Oppa about you, but he’s always so busy these days.”
Hyung-Seok chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. “Not much, really. I’ve been thinking about getting a job, but… definitely nothing like modeling. I need something low-key. No social media, no public attention. Just… quiet work.”
Jae-Hye tilted her head, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Hmm…”
Her eyes lit up suddenly. “Oh, I know! There’s this maid café that just opened up. They’re paying really well! I stopped by for a promo event, and it was actually super fun.”
Hyung-Seok froze, his cheeks flushing crimson. “A maid café?”
Jae-Hye laughed. “You don’t have to be a maid, silly! You could work as a receptionist or something. It’s not as bad as it sounds.”
He stared at her, wide-eyed, unsure if she was serious.
“C’mon,” she said, holding out her pinky. “Promise you’ll at least think about it? Pretty please?”
Hyung-Seok cleared his throat, looking away to hide his embarrassment. It did pay well… and he did need the money. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, as long as he wasn’t in costume.
Finally, he glanced back at her. “Do you have the address?”
Jae-Hye beamed, pulling out her phone. “Of course!”
Hyung-Seok doesn’t know what he’s getting into.
──── ୨୧ ────
Hyung-Seok couldn’t actually believe it.
Standing right infront of him, he looks at the shop. It seems to be extremely popular.
The maid café sits tucked between two bustling shops, its exterior painted in soft pink and white stripes with delicate lace curtains framing the large windows. A cheerful wooden signboard stands outside, hand-lettered in curvy script: “ Welcome, Master & Mistress! Come Inside for Sweet Treats & Service ~” The glass door is adorned with pastel heart and cat stickers, and through the clear panes, you can see glimpses of staff in frilly uniforms moving about.
Hyung-Seok clears his throat, with his resume at his hand. Tugging it closely to his heart, he makes the decision to go in. Right, he did promise Jae-Hye after all…
The faint sound of upbeat J-pop music seeps through the door, mingling with the light chatter of patrons. Inside, a bell jingles as Hyung-Seok immediately step in, immediately greeted by a chorus of high-pitched voices: “ Welcome, Master! ” The air smells of sugary desserts and freshly brewed coffee. Hyung-Seok makes a mental note to buy some of it later.
The interior is cozy, with round tables draped in white cloth and ribbons tied around each chair. Plush pink cushions dot the seating, and the walls are decorated with framed illustrations of anime-inspired artwork, interspersed with string lights and paper cherry blossoms with some of the seats divided with the cutesy wall. A counter in the back showcases intricately decorated cakes and parfaits in glass displays, alongside a row of handwritten menu cards with cutesy doodles of hearts and stars.
Hyung-Seok had no idea what to expect from this encounter.
“Master! Do you need anything?” a maid asked cheerfully, her bright smile as polished as her customer service tone. Ah, ever the professional.
“Ah…” Hyung-Seok scratched his cheek, glancing away. The sugar-sweet energy of the café was already overwhelming him, but he mustered his courage. “Do you know if I can speak to your manager? I want to get a job here.”
For a moment, the cheerful hum of the café faltered. A strange silence spread among the other maids, who exchanged wide-eyed glances. Hyung-Seok could feel their stares prickling against his back.
“Is… anything wrong?” he asked hesitantly, his worry growing with each passing second.
One of the maids, a petite girl with pink ribbons in her hair, shook her head before bursting into a fit of giggles. “No, no, it’s just…” She clasped her hands together, beaming at him. “You’d be such a cute addition to the team!”
Eh ?!
Hyung-Seok’s cheeks flared, and his eyes dart away. “Ah, I’m just enrolling—”
Before he could finish, a soft cough cut through the chatter. The manager had arrived. She was sharp-eyed, her smirk carrying just enough mischief to unsettle him.
She approached Hyung-Seok, her sharp gaze traveling from head to toe, as if sizing him up. The intensity made him more nervous than he already was, his palms growing clammy.
“Give me that,” she said sharply, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Realizing she meant the paper in his hand, Hyung-Seok quickly thrust the resume toward her. She snatched it without hesitation, scanning it briefly before giving it a more thorough read. The silence stretched, the seconds dragging on like hours, until finally…
“You got the job,” the manager declared.
Hyung-Seok’s jaw dropped slightly, his eyes wide. “Wait—seriously?!”
The manager nodded, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Yes. You’ve got the looks! And besides…” She crossed her arms with a confident smirk. “We need more male maids on the team. If we hire you, you’ll be extremely popular with the customers. Think of how much money you’ll bring in.”
Heat surged to Hyung-Seok’s cheeks, a rosy hue creeping up his face. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Ah—sorry,” he stammered, desperately searching for a way out. “But are there any other positions? Receptionist? Cook?”
He thought back to the time Jong-Geon had practically yelled at him for his terrible diet of takeout every single day. That intervention had led to cooking lessons together—lessons Hyung-Seok had found more traumatic than getting beaten up by the guy. Still, at least he’d learned.
The manager fell quiet, her gaze piercing through him like a knife. The longer she stared, the more the air around her seemed to grow heavier.
“No one will know,” she said at last, her voice low but brimming with determination. Her expression carried a certain finality that sent a shiver down Hyung-Seok’s spine.
That probably didn’t mean anything good.
“Uh…” Hyung-Seok managed, but the words stuck in his throat.
"Think about it," the manager said, smirking. "The maids here make a lot of money."
Hyung-Seok hesitated, cheeks heating. He hated that he was actually thinking about it. "And if I… agree?" he asked slowly. "No one will know, right?"
"Of course," the manager replied smoothly. Then, with a flourish, she held up a frilly black dress with a white apron and bows.
"Just wear this and greet your customers with a sweet 'Welcome, Master !' Easy money, right?"
Hyung-Seok stared at the dress in stunned silence. "You're joking."
The manager grinned. "Not even a little."
Hyung-Seok stares silently at the manager, his thoughts a tangled mess.
“Besides…” the manager leans closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, “you’ll be making this much.” She slips him a figure, her tone practically dripping with temptation. Then she tells the exact amount of money she makes.
Hyung-Seok’s jaw drops. “Seriously?” he blurts, his disbelief escaping before he can hold it back.
The manager rolls her eyes with a smirk. “If I was lying,” she tuts, “do you think I’d still be here?”
Hyung-Seok hesitates, the weight of her words settling over him. His thoughts drift to his empty wallet, his growing list of expenses, and the mountain of problems he can’t seem to climb over. The idea of steady cash flowing in feels like a lifeline.
Still, he shifts on his feet, unsure. A maid? The mental image makes his face heat up again. But the money…
The manager’s smirk widens as she watches him wrestle with his decision. “So?” she presses, her voice light but insistent. “What’s it going to be?”
After a long pause, Hyung-Seok exhales. “Okay,” he says, his voice quiet and reluctant. He still can’t believe the words are leaving his mouth. “I’ll do it.”
The room erupts in cheers. The maids around him clap their hands and laugh, their excitement filling the air with an infectious energy.
“Oh my gosh, welcome to the team!” one of them squeals, practically bouncing on her heels.
“You’re going to be so cute!” another chimes, her eyes sparkling with delight.
Hyung-Seok forces a small, awkward smile, their enthusiasm washing over him like a tidal wave. He feels the heat rising to his cheeks again, his nerves twisting into knots.
“Uh, thanks…” he mutters, scratching the back of his neck. He glances around, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the sudden attention.
This is just a job, he tells himself. A weird one, sure, but I can handle it.
──── ୨୧ ────
He gets the dress mailed into his shack a few days later.
He looks over it more in detail. The dress has a white apron that ties neatly at the waist and flares out into an A-line silhouette, with ruffles along the edges. It’s structured, with three petite black bows at its center. Puff sleeves trimmed with matching white ruffles. The skirt is full and voluminous, accented by white frills and black bows and finally a large black bow at the neckline.
Hyung-Seok’s blush as he glances to the side, his eyes falling on a selection of accessories waiting to be added. Black lacy stockings, a black choker, and chunky black Mary Jane shoes—his usual “maid” ensemble, worn when he went out. However, apparently the cafe had different days and special occasions where the maids would change their clothes and mix it up for the occasional “fun.”
Hyung-Seok’s gaze drifts toward the two boxes filled with dresses and accessories, each more elaborate than the last. His manager, Cha Lee, had mentioned that there was more yet to come. Hyung-Seok didn’t have the heart to tell Cha that, at this rate, he might run out of space to store all the outfits his job seemed to be piling on him.
He sighs, a mix of exhaustion and resignation. The outfit, though unexpectedly comfortable, was shorter than he anticipated. It barely covered his bottom, but the lacy stockings helped make up for the lack of coverage. Hyung-Seok spun around, feeling the light fabric swish around him, and immediately regretted it.
This is so ridiculous.
But… at least it’s not illegal, right?
He shakes his head, trying to shake off the discomfort, but the absurdity of it all lingers. Whatever, at least it’ll pay the bills and would be enough to send money to his mother. And on top of that, get some pretty expensive gifts from time to time.
He can… do this.
──── ୨୧ ────
After school, Hyung-Seok successfully switches bodies and heads to the café. He’s more mindful than usual about his appearance, brushing his hair into a less messy state than he typically does. Normally, he doesn’t pay much attention to how this body looks, preferring to keep things low-key compared to the effort he puts into his second body. But today, it’s different. It’s his first day in this role, and he wants to make a good impression.
He slips into his outfit, a black dress and lacy stockings, carefully pulling on a long brown trench coat to cover everything—nothing about what’s underneath should be visible. The last thing he needs is for someone to notice and give him those strange, lingering looks as he walks down the street.
With everything in place, he walks into the café, flashing a bright smile and gleaming with excitement. As he steps inside, the familiar blend of aromas—freshly brewed coffee, baked pastries—fills the air. He feels a surge of confidence, a brief moment of relief that his plan has gone smoothly so far. He looks around, taking in the atmosphere: the soft murmur of conversations, the clinking of cups and plates, the hum of the espresso machine.
But as his eyes scan the room, his smile falters for just a moment. There are a few maids in the back, chatting in their uniforms, preparing for the next shift. He realizes, with a sudden pang of anxiety,. He’s never done something like this before.
He straightens up, squaring his shoulders. There’s no turning back now. If he’s going to do this, he has to embrace it fully.
“Welcome to the café!” one of the maids greets, smiling brightly. Hyung-Seok nods, offering a polite but unsure response. Deep down, he’s still unsure about everything—about how this day will unfold, what his new role will bring, and whether he can truly fit in here. But for now, he takes a deep breath, ready to face whatever comes next.
He smiles brightly, plastering on a fake confidence around him. Taking his jacket off and now ready for the job—he’s got this.
After all, he’s made it this far. What’s a little more?
.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭ ⭑