(Caption) Bride in the Window

It was late at night. The streets were silent, with only the wind occasionally stirring signs and leaves. He crept over the fence of the bridal shop and slipped in through the back door. This shop was famous for the incredibly lifelike mannequins displayed in its windows, each one as beautiful as a real bride. Rumors said the store was rich, with some even claiming the mannequins were special bio-models. For him, stealing something small from here would be enough to live off for a while.

Inside, it was pitch dark, but he switched on his flashlight and quickly found an unworn wedding dress in a fitting room. It looked freshly arranged, with white lace neatly draped on the hanger, the gemstone embellishments shimmering faintly. For some reason, he paused. Under the beam of light, the dress seemed to whisper to him. A thought suddenly popped into his head: try it on. He wanted to laugh at himself, but his body moved on its own.

He found a makeup table, opened a drawer, and saw an array of neatly arranged cosmetics. He picked up a bottle of foundation and began carefully applying it to his face in the mirror, smoothing it out bit by bit. Then he used contouring to soften his jawline and nose. He chose a light pink eyeshadow and blended it gently, followed by eyeliner that made his eyes look rounder and more lively. After applying false lashes, he looked down into the mirror and could hardly recognize himself. Next came a soft gloss on his lips, giving them a smooth, shining finish. He then spent even more time on his hair, curling it strand by strand with an iron, tying up the sides with pink ribbons, and adding a few small pearls as decoration. Finally, he placed a tiara-like headband on top of his head.

With makeup and hair done, he began dressing. A wedding gown isn't easy to wear. He unfastened the hidden clasp at the waist and carefully spread out the skirt, layer upon layer of tulle and embroidery. Stripping off his original clothes, he put on a white one-piece lingerie bodysuit—soft and snug. Then came the white thigh-high stockings. He gently pulled them up, smoothing every wrinkle so they clung perfectly to his legs. The lace trim hugged his thighs, delicate and precise.

Next was the main dress. He slid his body into the fitted bodice and zipped up the back. The gemstone at the chest sparkled under the light. Standing upright, he held onto the mirror as he slipped on a pair of white high heels. The shoes were adorned with crystal accents, matching the decorations in his hair. The heels were tall, but he felt surprisingly steady in them. He tiptoed a few steps and then looked down to check the transition between the heels and his stockings, making sure there were no creases. Every detail looked tailor-made for her.

He looked at his reflection. That wasn't him anymore—it was a perfect bride. He picked up the bouquet from the table and slowly walked to the display window. Several mannequins stood in a row, with one empty spot in the middle. He stepped into it, facing the street. Outside, neon lights glowed in waves of color. He didn't know why he did this, only that something inside was pulling him forward. He straightened up, holding the bouquet with poise, one toe delicately lifted, his body gently tilted.

Suddenly, the air froze. A green light rose from the floor, swirling around him. Petals, ribbons, and sparkles floated in the air. He couldn't move. His thoughts faded. The last thing he saw was his feet—secure in those high heels—standing firmly on the display stand. The wedding gown shimmered softly under the lights. People kept walking past the shop, never knowing that the new mannequin had once been someone who broke in during the night. She had become a part of the window's eternal scene.