episode_0068

After enduring a difficult weekday due to losing a lot of blood at once, finally, Sunday afternoon arrived.

Forcing my still heavy eyelids open, I got up from bed and, after a light wash, began to fill my hungry stomach with cereal.

“…This is tough, seriously.”

Although I had recovered significantly compared to the beginning, my body still wouldn’t move properly.

Feeling a subtle fatigue all over my body, I leaned against the back of the chair instead of eating cereal.

“Sigh, stop sucking so much… What will happen if you keep draining this much?”

When I used to donate blood, I would recover in a day, so how much did he suck to make my recovery this slow?

Taking a deep breath, I glanced towards his direction, only to see the pathetic vampire deeply asleep.

Feeling irritated just by looking at him, I approached the defenseless guy and mercilessly pinched his soft cheek.

“The victim is struggling to survive, while the perpetrator is just chilling, right?”

“Ugh…”

Perhaps disturbed by the interruption of his peaceful sleep, Jee-woo furrowed his brows and vigorously waved his arms.

At that moment, it felt like I might meet my ancestors in heaven if I continued holding his cheek, so I quickly let go and rolled onto the floor.

And then…

Thud!

A part of the bed creaked as if bending, and the metal frame was dented in the shape of Jee-woo’s hand.

What if my head had been in the path of his swinging hand?

Just the thought sent shivers down my spine, so I quietly left his room and resumed eating cereal.

“By the way, the gym…”

I reluctantly accepted the invitation to go together.

Cursing my past self who used to enjoy dates, I sighed heavily.

“Why on earth did I agree to that… idiot.”

He, who previously hesitated to go to the gym saying it wouldn’t help at all, suddenly suggested going together with a bright smile. What could that possibly mean?

Yes, it probably means he’ll torture me at the gym. All under the guise of caring for my health.

Should I decline now?

I hesitated for a moment but couldn’t refuse when I needed all the help I could get.

Finishing my cereal, I prayed towards the sky slightly opening the blackout curtains.

“Please, let me return safely to my studio today.”

After finishing my prayer, I got lost in the world of XTube shorts until dinner arrived swiftly.

As I pondered whether to research cocktail recipes or not, Jee-woo woke up and slowly started preparing to go out.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yeah… But did something happen while I was sleeping? Why is the bed slightly tilted now?”

“I don’t know, I heard a breaking sound and found the metal frame already bent. What kind of dream did you have to thrash around like that?”

“I didn’t have any strange dreams… What could it be?”

Seeing him scratching his head with a puzzled expression, it seemed he wasn’t aware of the cheek-pinching incident.

Pretending not to notice, I breathed a sigh of relief internally and immediately prepared to go out with him.

Our outing was simple and quick—just going to the gym and grabbing a meal.

After getting ready, we left the studio and soon arrived at the gym.

“It’s fortunate that it’s close by. Phew, I can’t stand this humidity and heat.”

“It’s the rainy season, so the humidity is unavoidable. But there’s only about ten days left. Hang in there.”

“I have no strength… Even the effects of drinking human blood are gradually weakening, so it’s getting harder to even walk.”

“Even if you look at me with those pleading eyes, I can’t give you two months. You should have been more moderate, kid.”

“…What’s with the alcohol, ugh.”

As we were chatting for a moment, we heard the sound of someone approaching from afar, walking briskly towards us—a burly orc trainer.

He looked us over as we arrived at the gym, then greeted us warmly with a bright smile.

“Welcome… Oh, you’ve brought your colleague, the bartender, too?”

“Yes, I thought he might need it more than me. If it’s not too much trouble, could you transfer the complimentary session to him?”

“Haha! Oh, that’s nothing. I’ll let both of you use the facilities for free for a day. Enjoy yourselves, and if you need anything, be sure to call me.”

“Thank you. Oh, sorry, could you also show us where the changing rooms and indoor shoes are? We didn’t bring indoor workout shoes…”

“Oh, the men’s and women’s changing rooms are next to the restroom over there! The indoor shoes are at the bottom of the shoe rack before you exit the changing room.”

After briefly stating what was necessary, the orc returned to his original position and began observing the posture of a male member.

Watching him discreetly, Jiwoo nodded in satisfaction and handed me workout clothes.

“Did you hear the instructions? Just put these on in the changing room and come out. The facilities are good, and they should have lockers there too.”

“After putting them on, just come out here?”

“Yes, let’s meet here in 5 minutes. See you shortly?”

Waving my hand lightly, Jiwoo disappeared into the changing room.

I stared blankly at where he had vanished, then slowly made my way into the changing room.

“…Maybe because he’s experienced, he seems to know a lot.”

He said he used to bench press up to 350 pounds in his prime, so if there’s something I don’t know, it might be okay to ask him.

After taking off my sweat-soaked clothes and placing them in the locker, I took advantage of the empty changing room to stand cautiously in front of the mirror.

The reflection in the mirror showed a body that wasn’t too bad, looking reasonably firm.

But was it because I had seen such perfectly sculpted muscles? My body, which had been completely content until today, felt somewhat inadequate now.

“Should I work out?”

I pondered while touching my arms and belly, but soon realized it was an unnecessary desire and shook my head.

…If Jiwoo likes muscular bodies, I might consider it, but without that incentive, is there really a need?

Perhaps bringing me to the gym this time was just to tease me about my sorry state.

Thinking nothing significant would happen, I quickly changed into workout clothes and stepped out of the changing room.

Upon exiting the changing room, I noticed that the gym had somehow become quieter.

Not even the regular sounds of clashing weights could be heard, so I looked around with a puzzled expression.

A little later, I understood why the gym had become so quiet.

“Why did you take so long to come out when you said let’s meet in 5 minutes? Were you fighting inside?”

An endlessly beautiful face that never failed to amaze.

And the slightly loose white t-shirt she always wore at home.

Up to this point, that was fine; since I saw her every day, I just nodded and passed it off as normal.

However.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t just pass over what was below that.

A breathtaking figure that any man would admire, showcasing a perfect hourglass shape.

It was because Jiwoo was wearing peculiar clothing that accentuated her lower body even more.

Black leggings contrasting with her fair skin.

Enchanted by the strong allure of the outfit, I quickly averted my gaze and let out a sigh.

…I don’t know what will happen, but it’s definitely going to be a tough day.

Really, though.

Where should I focus my eyes?

The lost gaze began to tremble.

—–

Leggings purchased on Hyeeun’s recommendation, with the idea that someday they would be worn. They were brought along to the gym, not to be left unused and forgotten, but upon emerging from the changing room, it was clear they had been a mistake.

The attention and interest felt from those around me were much more intense than I had anticipated.

“…They’re comfortable to wear, but there’s something about them that doesn’t sit right with me.”

Should I change into proper gym clothes now?

As I pondered for a moment, Jaehyuk, who was late in changing into his workout attire, emerged from the changing room.

…!

Seeing me in leggings, Jaehyuk blushed, unsure of what to do.

His usual flustered appearance made me chuckle as I crossed my arms.

Oh well, if he’s like this with me, how will he ever handle other girls? He’s got a long way to go if he wants to date someone.

His comical reaction of rolling his eyes was so amusing that I thought about teasing him a bit more, but this wasn’t my apartment—it was the gym, not just the two of us.

To snap him out of it, I lightly smacked his back and gestured for him to follow me towards the bench press area.

Just as he finished his routine, a man stood up and headed towards the water dispenser.

I tapped the unoccupied bench, instructing Jaehyuk to lie down.

“Lie down here.”

“…I suddenly don’t feel like doing this. Can’t I just go cycle for a bit?”

“No, even if you leave later, you have to try lifting once! Come on, give it a try!”

A sturdy adult male, with muscles honed through practical training, struggling to lift a mere 20kg.

However, just in case, I decided to assist him to prevent any accidents.

Though it seemed unlikely, there was a chance his chest muscles were lacking.

After showing him the proper technique, we began the bench press with complaints.

As he lifted the barbell effortlessly with textbook form, I couldn’t help but admire him, but soon…

“Aaaahhh!!!”

…Watching him struggle under the weight, begging for mercy, I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

He was.

This weak?

Something seems off.