Chapter 15

〈Chapter 15〉 You Should See Things in Person

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There's a term called the Dunning-Kruger effect.

It's a type of cognitive bias where the less you know about a specific field, the more you tend to overestimate your abilities, and conversely, the more you know, the more you tend to underestimate yourself.

I'm telling this seemingly irrelevant story because I was in exactly that situation.

In the past, I had once rummaged through online shopping malls and fashion sites due to my mother's and sister's insistence.

Thanks to that, although I wasn't an expert, I thought I knew enough about women's clothing.

I was arrogant.

What on earth is this piece of fabric for, and what's the point of the excessive frills on the shoulders?

I don't know.

I have no idea at all.

"Look at this."

"Wow..."

My mother and sister repeatedly marveled, were moved, and delighted as they tried various clothes on me.

It was a happy experience to share such positive emotions just by changing clothes, but unfortunately, the direction was quite one-sided.

"You look so beautiful. You look like a doll."

"Hehe, I hear that a lot."

I'm hearing it for the first time today.

Despite the strange rumors that even I didn't know about, I felt like I had become a doll.

Whether it was because the salesperson's flattery made her feel like a queen, or because she genuinely liked it, my mother's hands didn't stop.

"Try this on too."

"And this one."

"How about this dress? You can wear it, right, with this length?"

It wasn't just my mother who was enthusiastic about suggesting various clothes.

"Sis! Try this one, and this one too."

While my mother mainly recommended very feminine clothing like dresses, my sister mostly suggested casual outfits suitable for my age.

"What about tying your hair up?"

"Hey... Should I dye my hair too?"

My sister, who initially stuttered, quickly got used to calling me "sister" as the clothing session progressed.

I had always thought that a day like this would come, but I never imagined it would be in this form.

"How can everything suit you so well?"

As my mother marveled, my sister chimed in.

"Exactly. I'm starting to feel jealous."

"Look at her? You're beautiful too. Whose daughter are you?"

"Right?"

They were having a good time.

"Hey, those clothes over there are pretty."

"Should we go check them out?"

"Sure!"

Of course, no one asked for my opinion.

"Sigh..."

This too shall pass.

Thinking this, I practically toured all the clothing stores in the department store, and before I knew it, my mother and sister had their arms full of shopping bags.

"Here."

"Huh?"

"Take them. They're your clothes."

"Uh... Oh, okay."

Since it wasn't exactly wrong, I obediently took the shopping bags.

It felt strange to hold a shopping bag for the first time in my life.

Noticing something odd in my expression, my mother's face stiffened slightly.

"Are they heavy?"

"No... It's fine."

The reason I felt strange.

Until now, my mother or someone else had always done everything for me.

I had never even opened a car door by myself, let alone carried a bag.

I had never thought this was strange before.

I had lived a life confined to a rigid routine, where I couldn't even move properly, and for me, the help of others was never a choice.

Perhaps, my mother was going through all this trouble to let me experience these everyday things.

To make up for the parts I had missed out on and to help me experience a normal life.

Like others.

Like ordinary people.

Only now am I gradually learning the everyday things that others take for granted.

*

After that, we finally visited the shoe and accessory stores, and this long shopping spree began to come to an end.

"Seems like we've bought enough, right? Including your clothes."

"Should we head home then?"

Finally, we're going home?

After all, we had been wandering around the department store for three hours.

No matter how much stamina you have, you'd be tired after carrying shopping bags and walking around this much.

'At least they didn't suggest going shopping again after putting the bags in the car.'

While I was preparing to go back with a happy heart, my mother asked.

"Is there really nothing you want to buy?"

"No, there isn't."

"Why don't you take a look around?"

"There's no need."

I had already bought everything I wanted through online shopping.

I didn't want to waste time coming all the way to the department store.

"Really?"

"Well, I don't need to buy anything..."

Just as I was about to refuse again, I couldn't finish my sentence.

By chance or fate, a store that caught my eye appeared right in front of me.

[Electronics]

Of course, I wasn't interested in televisions, washing machines, or refrigerators.

Further inside.

[Computers and Peripherals]

There, everything from computer components like graphics cards and motherboards to input devices like keyboards and mice was laid out.

I felt it instinctively.

Here.

This is the place where I belong.

"Mom."

"Hmm?"

"I'll be right back. I just want to check something out."

"Really? Where?"

Until now, I had only shown signs of wanting to go home, but my mother was intrigued when I said I wanted something.

Of course, that didn't last long.

"Over there."

"...It's the electronics store?"

My mother looked bewildered.

After all, we came to the department store to buy clothes and accessories, which are now in the shopping bags.

So, it's no wonder she had that expression when I suddenly said I wanted to go to the electronics store.

"I'll just take a quick look."

"Since you're going, let's go together. Yuli!"

At her call, my sister, who was carrying a pile of shopping bags, came over.

"What? We were about to go home, right?"

"Sis wants to check something out."

"Really?"

I wanted to say something sharp about the "sis" thing, but I held back.

If I showed that I cared, I might never get my old title back.

"Please come in."

As we entered the electronics store, a store clerk greeted us.

"Is there anything specific you're looking for?"

"No, just browsing."

"Understood."

Among the items, what caught my eye were the keyboards and mice.

The computer specifications were always the latest, as they were the basics, but keyboards and mice were purely a matter of personal preference.

"Wow..."

The keyboards and mice were organized by brand, and there were separate spaces to try out different types.

­Realforce R7LL.

­Keychron K2 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard.

­Apex Optical Switch Keyboard A880.

.

.

.

­Logitech L PRO X Gaming Mechanical Keyboard.

Actually, I wasn't particularly picky about equipment.

It wasn't a display of confidence, but rather because I could perform well with almost any equipment.

But not anymore.

After becoming a woman, I gained a level of physical freedom that couldn't be compared to before.

There were significant differences in reaction speed and other aspects.

That's why I had carefully read reviews online and even bought several pieces of equipment.

However, those were based on others' reviews, and I still didn't know if the keyboard and mouse I used truly suited me.

'Amazing.'

Each keyboard and mouse felt completely different when I tried them out.

I wanted to have several types on hand and switch them based on my condition.

'Hmm.'

After carefully examining several pieces of equipment, I put a few keyboards and mice in my cart.

I finally understood why my mother and sister were so enthusiastic about shopping.

Shopping is this enjoyable.

"Mom was right. You should see things in person."

"...What?"

My mother shook her head in disbelief, then looked at my sister and laughed lightly.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Our sister is still the same."

"Exactly. I never thought she'd choose those things at the department store."

Although there was a slight eye roll, it was a very satisfying shopping experience.

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