MLFIOH | Chapter 3

Episode 3

Yeorae got up and began to tidy the bedding but paused to glance at Leandros.

He was inspecting the phone with such a serious expression, as if it were a bomb, and the deep shadows under his eyes suggested he hadn’t slept a wink the previous night.

It made sense. He must be feeling troubled too.

“Breakfast of the 21st-century modern human.”

Yeorae placed a bowl of cereal with milk and a banana in front of Leandros.

It seemed bananas existed in his world too. For the first time, he looked genuinely pleased to encounter something familiar—he picked up the banana, and his sculpted lips curved into a smile.

While he ate, Yeorae, preparing for school, searched for something in her wardrobe.

She was sure she had bought it when she moved in…

Ah, found it.

“Sorry to interrupt your meal, but could you come stand over here for a second? I want to measure your height.”

With her long curly hair tied up and now dressed in her going-out clothes, Yeorae held a measuring tape.

Because he was so tall, she had to climb onto the bed just to reach high enough to measure him.

Leandros’s eyes persistently followed Yeorae’s face as it reached his eye level.

“I want to ask why you’re suddenly measuring my height.”

“I’m going to buy you some clothes.”

Yeorae shook her head as she noted the overwhelming number on her phone.

Wow, I’ve only ever seen heights like this on celebrity profiles—never in real life. Though, can I even call this person ‘real’…?

“You might leave soon, but even so, you can’t keep wearing those clothes. They’re too elaborate—they’ll definitely get caught on things in this cramped space. And honestly, it’s like you’re wearing cosplay at home.”

“Cos… hmm?”

“If you’re not going back today anyway, you’ll need a few changes of clothes.”

Yeorae got off the bed and wrapped her arms around Leandros’s waist. She could feel him hold his breath.

But no matter how many times she tried, the clothes were too thick to measure his waist properly.

Leandros kept his eyes wide open, staring straight ahead the entire time.

Looking up at him, Yeorae gently asked,

“Um, sorry, but could you lift your shirt for a moment?”

Still stiffly holding his head high, he reluctantly lifted his top piece by piece.

Yeorae burst into a dry laugh as she wrapped the tape around his firm, bare waist.

She never thought she’d understand the saying too much of a good thing.

This man was so flawlessly built, it felt like she was hugging a mannequin.

“Um. Is… is there anywhere else I need to measure…?”

“That’s enough. Height and waist are all I need.”

As soon as Yeorae’s hands left him, Leandros quickly pulled his shirt down.

He gave a sidelong glance at her as she casually entered the measurements into her phone, then cleared his throat for no reason.

Afterward, Yeorae went to the bathroom to fix her hair and then peeked her head out the door.

Leandros was eating cereal, staring out the window. Luckily, the food seemed to suit his taste.

“If you’ve finished eating, could you put the bowl in the sink and come over here for a moment? I want to show you how to use the shower and a few other things before I go to school.”

But Leandros didn’t respond. Instead, his mysterious eyes started darting around, as if searching for something.

Yeorae watched him for a moment before slapping her forehead with a laugh.

Oh, right. He doesn’t know what a sink is.

As soon as her classes ended, Yeorae headed downtown.

‘I mean, I’ve never bought men’s clothes before…’

Because she had rashly declined assistance, the staff was now helping other customers. With no choice, she picked out four tops and four bottoms, judging by eye.

They were a bit expensive, but since she didn’t have to pay for phone repairs, it was fine. If they didn’t fit, she could always return them.

She stopped by one more shop after that.

She’d never imagined in her life she’d have a reason to buy this kind of item, which made her feel utterly miserable—but it was also a necessity.

Doing her best to act casual, she bought the item and took the subway home.

‘He hasn’t gone back, has he?’

The thought of a completely empty house behind the glowing keypad made Yeorae’s heart sink.

How strange. She’d been living alone for years, and it had become the norm. If he had returned to where he came from, that should be a good thing…

But something felt oddly unsettling. Yeorae entered the passcode as slowly as possible.

When she opened the door, the golden-haired man poked his head up like a meerkat from the window and looked directly at her.

“I waited for ages!”

Yeorae let out a laugh before she even realized it.

“Here are your clothes. Don’t tell me I have to explain which part is the top and which is the bottom?”

“I can tell that much by looking. Don’t insult me.”

Receiving the paper bag, Leandros gave her a pouty side-eye.

Yeorae dug deep into her backpack and pulled out another box, holding it out to him.

“And this is… um… underwear. You can’t wear just one pair forever, right…? You get what I’m saying, right?”

Oh, dear god. Her face was on fire.

Looking down at the top of her bowed head, Leandros let out a quiet laugh. But the smile vanished the moment he pulled out the underwear from the box.

Holding up a pair of thin men’s drawers right in front of Yeorae’s eyes, he exclaimed in horror,

“This is underwear? It looks like something perverts would wear!”

“T-this is what everyone wears around here… Look, don’t hold that up in front of my face, just go put it on already! Go, now!”

With her face as red as a beet, Yeorae shoved him toward the dressing room.

“…I’m not sure if I’m wearing this right.”

They say the face completes the fashion. Leandros reappeared in a plain shirt and trousers, and still looked like a model.

The pants were a bit short, exposing his ankles—that was the only flaw. But it had been the largest size available.

Just as Yeorae nodded in approval, Leandros’s stomach let out a loud growl, breaking the awkward silence.

“Huh?” Yeorae’s eyes widened in surprise.

“It’s just… I haven’t eaten anything all day…”

Blushing, he rubbed the back of his ear in embarrassment.

Yeorae rolled up her sleeves and headed to the kitchen sink.

“I showed you how to use the fridge and microwave.”

“It was still too difficult for me…”

She set a pot on the induction stove and turned on the TV for the first time in a while.

“Okay, I’ll cook you something. Want to sit and watch a movie while you wait?”

“Movie?”

“Yeah, it’s like a play that moves on screen. Pick something you like from the menu. Who knows, maybe you came from one of those worlds.”

She laughed at her own absurd suggestion.

Leandros quietly stared at her, then smiled softly in return.

While the water boiled, Yeorae sat beside him and they watched the movie together. It was a romantic period drama set in 16th-century England.

After a while observing the bickering couple on screen, Leandros commented,

“It’s fascinating and fun. But I don’t think I came from that world.”

“Mm.”

Yeorae nodded in agreement. Then, sensing something off, she turned toward him.

“Hey, by the way, how old are you exactly that you keep speaking informally to me?”

“Me? I just had my nineteenth birthday. I was born in March, when the flowers bloom.”

When she didn’t respond for a long time, Leandros finally tore his eyes from the screen.

He looked at Yeorae and smiled warmly once again.

“…Why are you smiling like that?”

Yeorae’s smile deepened.

“……”

This guy…