Since I Became a Woman, I’ll Do Cosplay

“Really? Money? How much? How?”

Min Jeong-kyun’s question itself was simple and clear, and it clearly showed what he was curious about.

Hayoon carefully chose her words before starting her response.

“Well, I earn money by uploading illustrations to an illustration site. It’s a system where I provide exclusive illustrations for patrons.”

“Exclusive for patrons… Some kind of monthly subscription service, isn’t it? Even I tried games like this back in college…”

Min Jeong-kyun empathized in his own way and showed support for Hayoon.

“A monthly subscription system can indeed be like a real money-eater. But how many patrons do you have?”

“The number changes often, but I’m maintaining at least a hundred patrons consistently.”

“100 people… And the fee?”

“About ten thousand won per person. The site is overseas, so the patronage comes in dollars, which fluctuates according to exchange rates.”

“Dollars… the dollar is good. Over time, having more dollar assets will definitely be beneficial…”

Min Jeong-kyun didn’t forget to praise Hayoon’s judgment when it was worthy.

Hayoon, even when she was a boy, started dabbling in American stocks at a young age, thanks largely to Min Jeong-kyun’s broad perspective.

And summed up succinctly…

“Isn’t it good?”

“Is it?”

“It’s good and more. You’re heading to Meister High School this time, right?”

“That’s right?”

“Meister High School is essentially a school for employment purposes. You’re already earning money as part of the industry. In a way, you’re building professional experience 3 years faster than your classmates who’ll be entering together with you.”

Min Jeong-kyun’s conclusion was quite favorable towards Hayoon’s path.

Min Jeong-kyun believed that the ideal time for his child’s independence was when they could stand on their own financially, regardless of whether Hayoon was a boy or a girl.

“And it’s your major, and it seems like you’re making quite a bit of money. Personally, I don’t have any objections. Though, I’m not sure what your mother thinks.”

True, how Yu Soohee would think about this was unknown.

Nevertheless, Hayoon’s expression brightened significantly, as it felt like she had crossed a major hurdle. She immediately moved on to the next subject, which was actually the real reason she had come to find Min Jeong-kyun today.

“In fact, I have a trip to Ilsan this time.”

“Ilsan? Weren’t you there last week?”

“Yes, I plan to sell game goods based on illustrations I’ve drawn there.”

“Something like a flea market? A marketplace where collectors gather and sell various things?”

“Yes, well… targeting a specific audience is somewhat similar, I guess.”

“Hmm…”

Min Jeong-kyun tried his best to understand from his daughter’s perspective while exchanging questions and answers with Hayoon.

Min Jeong-kyun is forty-two this year.

Both Min Jeong-kyun and Yu Soohee had children at a relatively young age, hence the age gap between them and their daughter isn’t as large as some parents. However…

Even though the age gap is smaller compared to other parents, there are undeniable differences between the viewpoints of someone in their forties and teenagers.

Aware of this, Min Jeong-kyun asks various questions in an attempt to judge from a perspective closer to his daughter’s.

“Is selling there already determined?”

“Yes, I have already applied for a booth on Saturday.”

“Since you mentioned it’s a week away, are the goods all prepared?”

“Yes, the orders are completed and they’re stacked as boxes in my room.”

“You’re thorough. So, why are you talking to me about it?”

“Because of Mum…”

“Ah…”

Min Jeong-kyun thought that his judgment might not be too important after all.

His daughter was already planning to go to Ilsan with boxes of goods all on her own, and the reason why she came to him now was purely to reassure her mother. So if it’s this way…

“Hmm…”

As sweet and broad-minded a father as Min Jeong-kyun might be, respecting Hayoon’s wishes…

“It bothers, right?”

“You?”

“If you just come out asking me to adjust to your wishes like this, even though I’m your dad, I can’t necessarily feel happy about it.”

It’s bound to hurt his feelings.

This isn’t negotiation through dialogue but rather a notification.

Of course, Min Jeong-kyun had no intention of disputing Hayoon’s decision to participate in the market.

If goods are made, it means production costs were covered, and if parent’s help wasn’t used, it means it was funded by Hayoon’s earnings from patrons.

Taking away the daughter’s opportunity to sell goods she made with her own earnings didn’t seem like something a good father should do. Therefore…

“You said the goods have already been ordered, right?”

“Yes, they’re in my room.”

“Then, how about this.”

Min Jeong-kyun suggested an alternative.

An option that would preserve their relationship but also soothe his wounded feelings.

“Your mom doesn’t know what goods you’ve made, right?”

“Yes, well… I didn’t plan to tell her?”

“Then, let’s make a little secret with just me. Show the goods only to Dad and not to Mom, what do you say? If you do only this, not only will I deliver the goods to Ilsan, but I’ll also treat you to lunch.”

What a considerate father.

Min Jeong-kyun, with a smug look, tilted his head and made a gesture that seemed to urge a response.

“Um, but…”

Instead of the expected brightness, Hayoon’s face showed nothing but discomfort.

Show this, you want me to?

It was utterly awkward.

…

Hayoon considers herself an avid otaku but still has good judgment.

She wouldn’t show her parents half-naked illustrations or post illustrations with graphic situations on her Pixiv account.

And yet…

“Aah, Dou-ya…”

With Min Jeong-kyun making such a request, she felt she had to show something.

Yu Soohee would make a deal if they had a shared secret that wouldn’t trouble others, judging by the slightly sullen expression on Min Jeong-Kyun’s face…

This might count as a bargain, and in order to mend the relationship with a slightly offended father, Hayoon had to endure a little bit of embarrassment.

Thankfully, Hayoon at least had the option to choose which illustration to show Min Jeong-kyun.

And naturally, in a situation like this, Hayoon’s choice was obvious…

“There’s nothing else.”

An HK-M4 acrylic stand dressed in a vibrant red hanbok.

First, the overall content of the other goods was too risqué to show, so selecting one in traditional Korean clothing like hanbok seemed much more favorable to the older generation. Plus, since it’s a little less explicit, it seemed alright to at least show this.

And although it would be shown briefly…

Using the excuse that it’s a pre-order product, Hayoon didn’t unwrap it, showing only a glimpse and then taking it back.

“Ah, is this it?”

Min Jeong-kyun gazed at the hanbok-wearing M4 acrylic stand with visible curiosity, nodding repeatedly.

“So, this is something the kids these days like, eh…”

He acted as if he had understood another piece of modern teen culture.

With a pleased expression, Min Jeong-kyun handed the acrylic stand back to Hayoon…

Now, it was Hayoon’s turn to be surprised.

“Eh… Aren’t you going to see more?”

“Even if I see it, I wouldn’t understand much anyway. I was just curious about what was being bought and sold. That thing you’re showing me is called an acrylic stand, right?”

“Yeah…”

“One form of interior design, it seems. Maybe later look into jobs in interior design. It’s good that you’re doing well.”

“Can I really go?”

“Of course. What’s university compared to this? Gaining real-life experience while you’re young and building a resume for potential employment is important. Anyway, I approve.”

“Thank you.”

Back when Hayoon was a boy, Min Jeong-kyun had resisted much more fiercely than he does now.

No, it wasn’t really opposition.

He had attempted to understand more actively what his child was trying to do.

Recalling Min Jeong-kyun’s behavior back then, Hayoon had felt a certain level of nervousness. However, when it came to his daughter, he didn’t seem as insistently curious, as he had been back then.

“So, can I return this? It’s a pre-order product…”

“Ah, yes, yes. If I touch it and it gets dirt marks, you’ll only get complaints later. Anyway, I’ll take you to Ilsan next week, so don’t worry.”

“Yes, thank you.”

In the end, Min Jeong-kyun’s persuasion was concluded much more peacefully than expected.

There was a moment when Hayoon thought she might play into some emotional manipulation, but even that seemed likely to pass well.

‘Now it’s really soon.’

If she waits just one week, the point where her long-awaited work bears fruit will be upon her.

…

A week.

Short as it may seem and long as it might be, for Hayoon, it felt much too brief.

She went to middle school, an unpleasant obligation, rubbing her eyes as she went, and sketched illustrations for Pixiv in her spare moments, completing them at home and checking the number of patrons.

Her days passed without rest, and soon December 28 arrived.

Hayoon woke up around 5 a.m., much later than when she went for AGC, and had breakfast.

She then took a shower, cleaned herself up, and tucked her cosmetics into a pouch she bought online, placing it carefully in her bag.

Since today, she will travel with Min Jeong-kyun.

She planned to change into cosplay attire at the scene.

She had practiced it, so she believed she could effortlessly recreate her AGC appearance, even if not at home.

“Yaaaawn, did you sleep well?”

“Yes, I just woke up.”

“Okay, Dad, let’s go when you’re ready…”

Min Jeong-kyun, clearly still tired, waved a sleepy hand as he made an appearance.

After finishing some leftover curry from the previous evening as breakfast, and splashing cold water on his face to wake up, he put on his padded jacket and came out…

“6:30… With this timing, we should arrive by 8. The booth event starts at 10, right?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, I’ll just help move your things. Then I’ll go back home, take a rest, and come back to Ilsan in the evening.”

“Yes, do as you like!”

With this, the preparations for going to Ilsan were complete.

The pre-ordered goods meant to be distributed to online and on-site buyers had already been moved to Min Jeong-kyun’s car, and cosplaying equipment Hayoon had carefully packed into a large backpack.

She left the entrance with a determined face.

Today, she would sell goods worth millions and become a legend in the doujin circle.

---