episode_0031

“What’s going on?”

I asked first.

I couldn’t figure out why Shin Soeun called me first, no matter how much I thought about it.

The only connection we had was attending a class together once a week.

If I had to find another connection…

“Did we have a little disagreement the other day?”

It wasn’t a big deal, just a minor argument.

Could it be because of that?

“It’s nothing. The professor asked us to check if students have purchased the textbook.”

Professors can be quite something.

Trying to sell their own books to students…

Although I said that, as an undergraduate, there was no way to avoid it.

“If that’s the case, I’ve purchased it.”

“I see.”

Sometimes, there are professors who hope that a student will organize materials and assignments for them.

Some even give bonuses for doing miscellaneous tasks instead of the professor.

Judging by the fact that she called me, it seems like Shin Soeun has taken on the responsibility of handling trouble in the major I am studying.

“She doesn’t seem like the type to do this kind of thing.”

Now that the matter is settled, I should end the call.

“You’re not going to hang up?”

“I have something to ask.”

“Something to ask?”

“Yes.”

What is it?

“When did you return to school? I don’t think I saw you in the first semester this year.”

“I started this semester. Is there a problem?”

“No, it’s nothing. I just haven’t seen my classmates in a while, so I was curious.”

“Is that so? If you have nothing else to say, I’ll hang up.”

“Just a moment…”

I hung up on Shin Soeun.

She seemed like she wanted to say something at the end, but I didn’t feel the need to call her back.

If she needs something, she’ll call me.

Anyway.

“Talking to girls is quite nice now, isn’t it?”

There was hardly any hesitation or stumbling in my words.

Could it be because I often talk to the girls who are called goddesses in the department?

Talking to girls didn’t feel awkward.

“Can I become popular now too?”

***

I thought I wouldn’t run into Shin Soeun until next week.

Even if we met in class, I planned to ignore her.

“Why did you hang up on me yesterday?”

In the hallway leading to the lecture hall, Shin Soeun stood in front of me with her arms crossed.

“Yes?”

“You suddenly hung up the phone. There was more to say.”

Shin Soeun looked down at me with a stern face.

How dare you interrupt me?

That kind of expression.

She was a woman with a strong sense of pride who wouldn’t call back.

“Oh, this kind of woman.”

Princess.

No, Queen.

She was once the queen of the computer science department.

Everyone followed her lead, making the world feel like it was all hers.

A colleague who would do assignments if she acted cute.

A senior who would pay for drinks and act pretentious.

And didn’t the new juniors also fall under her spell because of her beauty?

Me?

I wasn’t one of them.

As I emphasized before, I didn’t try to get close to her.

Maybe I still haven’t changed my old habits.

Her condescending attitude was still there.

If I were the old me, I would have stammered an apology.

I might not have even apologized properly.

I asked Shin Soeun.

“Was it important?”

“What?”

“I asked if it was important.”

“…Yes. It was important.”

“Then you should have called me back.”

“If it was something related to the professor or this semester’s class, you should have called me back. You can’t just start something without that sense of responsibility.”

Her arrogant attitude made me angry.

So my voice naturally became cold.

“It, it wasn’t about the class.”

She didn’t expect this reaction, and Shin Soeun stepped back in confusion.

“Really?”

“We were planning to gather the 2017 classmates, and I was going to ask you to join.”

“It doesn’t seem important.”

“Why isn’t it important? It’s about classmates interacting, sharing information…”

As I continued to speak, Shin Soeun’s expression softened, and she took a step back.

“Is that so?”

“Why isn’t it important? It’s about classmates interacting, sharing information…”

“I’ve never had a separate space with my classmates before.”

They were all from the 17th class.

I didn’t have any close friends among them.

There was no reason to go to the class gathering and pretend to be close with anyone.

“It’s not that important. If you’re done with your business, could you step aside? I have something to do.”

“Huh!”

Shin Soeun chuckled as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Hey, Choi Jaeho.”

“Is your business not finished yet?”

Shin Soeun asked boldly.

“Is he gay?”

What nonsense is this?

“Gay?”

“Yes.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Ah, my thoughts just slipped out of my mouth.

“If it’s not that, then I’ll ignore what I’m saying…”

I looked at Shin Soeun belatedly.

Dressed up nicely, her outfit was dazzling.

She wore a blue dress that accentuated her figure without looking cheap.

She was quite pretty.

Quite, literally.

“But Miju and Ye-seul are much better.”

Unconsciously, I compared Miju, Ye-seul, and Shin Soeun.

“I’m not gay. I’m just a normal heterosexual. And I didn’t ignore Shin Soeun. I just clearly stated my intentions.”

As I looked at her in silence.

“Eek!”

Shin Soeun bit her lip as if she was frustrated.

Thinking that this couldn’t go on, I was trying to figure out a way to push her away.

“Senior, what are you doing to Jaeho oppa?”

It was Miju’s voice.

Suddenly appearing, Miju stood between me and Shin Soeun.

Since when was she watching us?

“I hope the freshmen could leave. We have something to talk about with the 17th class.”

“Jaeho oppa doesn’t seem to want that.”

She must have been watching us for a while.

The growing voices attracted the attention of people around us.

“What are you doing?”

“Are they fighting over love?”

“Why are they fighting in the hallway?”

“Hey, take a picture of that.”

Conscious of the stares, Shin Soeun bit her tongue.

“Let’s talk later.”

With those words, she left with the last words of a third-rate villain.

The attention that had briefly focused on us soon faded away.

“Phew.”

Miju, who had shouted loudly, let out a deep sigh.

“Jaeho oppa, are you familiar with that senior?”

“No.”

“Why were you fighting with that person?”

“We talked on the phone because we’re in the same class.”

“On the phone?”

“It was about buying textbooks.”

“Oh…”

Miju nodded for a moment, then lowered her voice.

“Oppa, be careful.”

“What for?”

“That senior is really dangerous. There are quite a few male seniors who were enchanted by her and ended up ruining their grades and going to the military.”

“Is that so?”

“So be careful. Especially when you’re in the same class!”

After warning me several times, Miju hesitated for a moment.

“Um, do you… have feelings for that senior?”

After hesitating for a while, Miju asked me with difficulty.

“Of course not.”

That kind of woman is not my style.

No matter how pretty she is.

“Thank goodness.”

Miju breathed a sigh of relief.

“Anyway, pay attention in class. But did you finish the PT with Ye-seul? Did she make any mistakes?”

“Yeah, I received it very well. Why?”

“Well, Ye-seul said she’s taking a break and resting at home today. She said she has muscle pain… Isn’t it a bit too much?”

“Oh…”

I felt a little embarrassed.

Maybe it’s not muscle pain, but exhaustion from excessive orgasms.

There was no need to bring up that topic.

“I should send her some medicine for muscle pain.”

Just circling around like this.

But why is Miju following me in the same direction?

***

“You did great.”

Ha Dae-young arrived at the office with a blank face.

Today, I felt a bit out of sorts.

It’s been like this since yesterday.

I couldn’t focus on anything.

Whenever I tried to concentrate, memories of the training sessions with Jae-ho came to mind.

Riding on top of him, moving my waist up and down while he held onto the wall behind me.

It was an intense workout.

Every time, it felt like all the toxins in my body were being flushed out.

The fatigue was gone, my body felt refreshed, but my mind kept wandering.

Today was no different.

After working out, for two days my body and mind felt clear and refreshed.

But by the third day, it was like this again.

I’ve been working overtime for the past few days, getting busier with work, unable to exercise properly.

I kept thinking about it.

I wanted to exercise.

I could feel my nipples hardening.

My body became sensitive.

Why did all the words on the computer screen look like Jae-ho and exercise?

Lost in thought, staring blankly at the computer screen, Haedangyeong.

“Manager Heo.”

I snapped back to reality at Manager Jung’s voice.

Despite rejecting him several times, this persistent man kept pushing.

“Yes?”

“How about we leave work together today? It’s hard for me if you keep brushing me off.”

“Manager Jung, I’m working right now. Please ask me later.”

Manager Jung’s advances were getting tiresome.

Honestly, a month ago, I might have welcomed his advances.

But not now.

There’s someone more important.

“Don’t be like this.”

“This is harassment. I’ve clearly told you I don’t like it!”

“We’re going the same way, so why not grab dinner together on the way back?”

“I said no.”

“Ah, I see.”

Haedangyeong’s sharp words made Manager Jung back off.

That’s when a message came in.

– Trainer Jae-ho♥

It was from Jae-ho.

– Member Haedangyeong, you haven’t been coming to the gym lately. It was your scheduled visit yesterday, is everything okay?

Her face flushed with worry from the message.

“Ha ha ha.”

Haedangyeong chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand without realizing it.

The irritation from working late with Manager Jung vanished in an instant.

The memories of working out with him were still vivid.

She wished every day could be like that day.

With a tinge of regret, she sent a message.

“I couldn’t come because of working late these past few days. ㅠㅠ I want to visit tomorrow since it’s the weekend, is that okay?”

A reply came immediately.

“Of course. I’ll be waiting. Noona.”

Jae-ho sent a cute bear emoticon with a thumbs up.

“How cute.”

Calling her ‘noona.’

Is this the power of being younger?

Her lips curled up unknowingly.

‘Black underwear… He liked that, right?’

Maybe I should try a similar design again later.

But…

“Why did I bother wearing special underwear to the gym?”

It’s not a date.

She felt a slight sense of embarrassment.

It was strange.

Something was off…

In that moment, her mind became foggy.

Like she had just woken up from a nap.

For a moment, Haedangyeong’s vision blurred.

“Why did I do that? It’s always been a thing to wear lucky underwear to the gym.”

Get it together.

You look tired from overworking.

Haedangyeong pinched her cheeks to focus.

“Pull yourself together.”

To work out tomorrow, she had to work hard today.

But memories of yesterday’s workout kept coming back.

Trainer, no, Jae-ho was amazing.

‘Is that what being a pro is?’

Even after several days, my lower abdomen was throbbing.

‘I’m already looking forward to it.’

The next personal training session.