Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Hard on the Outside, Soft Within
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ This was the first time meeting Park Ji-su alone.
'It's a little scary, though...'
Her expression barely changed, locked in that default stoic face.
And she didn't talk much, which gave her this overwhelming presence just from the vibe alone.
Still, I knew she was a good person.
I also knew, if you looked closely, that she expressed her emotions more than most.
But even so, I felt a bit nervous.
'I hope we get closer. Is this how the people filming the same show felt?'
I quietly chuckled to myself, recalling that variety show I'd done before it ended.
Well, I wasn't forcing a friendship like they were, so my situation was probably better.
Even thinking this way about someone kindly offering to teach me yoga was rude in itself.
I nodded to myself and slowly made my way to the spot marked on the map.
As I walked, I started to see why Ji-su had said there was no good parking nearby and to just park close and come up.
'The roads are a mess... and nowhere to park.'
The whole area was a disaster, just like she said.
Illegally parked cars crammed every inch of the roadside.
No parking lots in sight anywhere.
'...Was this the place they planned to redevelop but canceled?'
Seeing it like this jogged a memory of protesters from back in the day.
Anyway, no wonder the land was cheap.
'What do I care.'
I shrugged and kept walking down the main road until I reached my destination.
'The building looks so rundown.'
Maybe that's why I kept getting scared—Ji-su's chosen spot was just so gloomy.
The road was wide, but hardly any people around.
And in the middle of it all, this lone, dilapidated building.
The sign at the entrance said 'Geumho Building,' but it was so faded only 'Hoding' was legible.
Hoding? What the hell is a hoding? I'm not a kid.
Gripping that petty complaint, I slowly climbed to the third floor of the elevator-less building.
And just like that, all my complaints and nerves vanished the moment I arrived.
"Wow. It's really nice inside."
The entrance drew an involuntary gasp of admiration.
Clean and simple design, no trace of the dreary exterior.
[Health Yoga Studio - Permanently Closed. Please contact here for refunds.]
Closed, huh.
I eyed the bittersweet sign and cautiously pushed the door open.
"Uh... hello."
I gave an awkward greeting as I stepped in, and there sat Park Ji-su in the most perfect posture imaginable.
She wore ivory leggings and a thin white yoga top that lightly draped her upper body.
The outfit hugged her curves so perfectly that I instinctively looked away.
I never used to find this kind of thing embarrassing.
But Ji-su's figure was so stunning, it sparked some impure thoughts before I knew it.
Whether I did or not,
she rose fluidly, her black bob swaying, and met my eyes with casual ease.
"...Come on in."
Dry as ever, but brighter than her usual tone.
Well, yeah. Looking at us now, both women, no reason to feel embarrassed.
'No, wait... that means I have to wear something like that too...'
Maybe skip the yoga.
But unfortunately, I missed my chance to back out.
"There's spare clothes in the changing room. Go put those on."
She blocked my escape right away.
Of course, I wasn't seriously planning to bolt over something like that.
Just a tiny, tiny bit of regret.
I headed straight to the changing room and changed as she said.
The pants clung so tight, even though I was wearing them, it felt like nothing at all.
Everything was covered, but still embarrassing.
And the top was a size too small—I couldn't even get it on.
It caught right at my chest.
"Ji-su."
"Yes."
"...The top's a bit small and tight... Any bigger size?"
She just said no.
"You wearing a light tee underneath?"
"Yes."
"Hm... Then just come out in the leggings. No sports bra prepared, right?"
Nope.
Never even thought to buy one.
Even after living as a woman for a while, stuff like this doesn't come up unless I search it out or someone tells me.
Relationships really do matter, I thought with a twinge of guilt.
"Yes..."
"I should've explained first instead of just telling you to come... It's fine. I'll focus on poses that won't make you uncomfortable."
Luckily, she was a yoga pro.
The type who could handle any difficult customer perfectly.
'Thought I was used to this, but I'm still far off.'
Sorry and grateful at once.
Blaming my own ignorance, I cautiously stepped out of the changing room.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ What is yoga?
Searching online, it's one of the methods for training mind and body, improves flexibility and strength, an effective exercise that boosts health and vitality, and...
A long explanation like that.
But my impression after a short session with Ji-su?
'This is torture.'
Pure torture.
Maybe it was some ancient Indian interrogation method for criminals?
"Stretch. Not from the waist—fold from the hips... Hold it."
"Can't... fold more..."
"I'll help. One, two."
"Ack... thighs... my thighs!"
Folding my body like paper, but it wouldn't budge.
Even with Ji-su pushing from behind, my body stayed stiff as a log.
She watched me fondly, kindly gripping with her hands.
Really grateful.
But maybe a little less kindly?
"Hm... You'll definitely need to come often. Never seen anyone stiffer than Eun-a."
So there was a vanguard.
Why no warning, though?
Well, I never asked, so my fault.
Is "self-inflicted" even a thing for exercise?
"Can I... rest a bit first?"
"...Okay, that's enough for today. But rest like this."
She lay comfortably on the yoga mat.
I followed suit.
"Close your eyes. Breathe slowly. Inhale and exhale on my cue. Inhale... exhale..."
I matched her rhythm, breathing deeply.
My muscles, shocked from the unaccustomed workout, finally settling.
'Gonna be sore tomorrow morning.'
Good thing no job, I sighed in relief.
After a not-too-long rest,
I jotted notes on my phone, reviewing the poses.
"Manageable?"
Ji-su effortlessly held an advanced pose, asking with bright, lively eyes.
Manageable?
Honestly, yeah. Pain aside.
"Come every day, practice poses together, and you'll improve fast. You're stiff now, but your understanding is solid."
Classic veteran line to recruit a newbie.
"So... let's do it together from now on. I'll help."
Ji-su hesitated, then spoke honestly, a shy flush on her face.
I smiled back softly.
"Sure. Tell me the times, I'll come. Oh, and... where should I buy yoga clothes?"
"I use this site a lot— they give discounts if you buy here..."
And just like that, yoga lessons from Ji-su joined my daily routine.
A short yet long time passed.
We sat awkwardly in the now-silent room, words spent.
She poured water from the dispenser and handed me a glass.
I thanked her and slowly scanned the interior.
A spacious room like the taekwondo dojang from my old days.
Changing room, bathroom, and lounge in the corner.
Classic yoga studio vibe.
'Was Ji-su an instructor here?'
The "closed" sign bugged me, but I couldn't ask.
Not a pleasant word for a self-employed person.
I sipped the water quietly, and she spoke first.
"...You can come alone when I'm not here. I can give you the door lock code."
"Ah, thanks."
I nodded.
Then silence again.
No awkwardness during yoga.
But now? Intensely so.
Like playing games with a friend's friend, then the friend leaves, leaving you two alone.
You bantered during the game, but never really talked one-on-one... that awkwardness.
"Yeon-bi."
"Yes?"
Lost in random thoughts to ease the tension, she suddenly looked at me and called out.
Her face set with resolve.
"...I feel like I dragged you here and made you do all this forcefully..."
One thing I learned about Park Ji-su today.
Unlike her intimidating, prickly exterior,
'She's so fragile...'
Her thoughts and heart were incredibly delicate.
Hard on the outside, soft within. Tough shell, tender core.
The textbook traits of a timid person.
To ease her needless worry, I spoke clearly.
"It was fun today. I'll keep coming... You even helped me shop for clothes earlier."
"...Yeah."
"If you're okay with it, I'd love to keep learning yoga from you. I probably won't do it alone..."
"...Yeah."
Her face brightened step by step with my honesty.
Like a bulb dimming up.
'Yeon-a was right.'
Her expressions show more than she thinks.
I finally got it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Learning yoga from Ji-su gave my days a new routine, unlike before.
"Morning, huh..."
11 a.m.—barely morning.
I headed straight to the kitchen, brewed coffee, and popped bread into the toaster.
The one I bought after seeing it online was performing perfectly.
Way better than that dumb robot vacuum.
Though, thinking that, I still turned on the robot vacuum while waiting for coffee and toast.
[Starting cleaning.] Expensive buy—gotta use it.
After setting the vacuum, I half-squinted at the coffee cup and golden toast, heading to the egg chair.
Set them on the table in front, spread jam on the toast.
"Mm..."
Warm coffee woke my brain.
Toast filled my stomach.
This was my new pre-yoga routine.
Leisurely brunch.
Savoring the relaxed time, I checked my phone.
I'd picked up a light webtoon lately.
Fantasy about a protagonist endlessly regressing, hunting for escape conditions.
Reading a bit daily, I'd caught up to the end of part 1.
Figured it was on hiatus before part 2.
"...Huh?"
No part 2 announcement.
Just "Complete."
A straightforward afterword, full of the artist's mixed feelings.
I closed my eyes immediately.
'Early ending, huh.'
Heartbreaking.
Not just pity for the author,
"Now... I'll never know the true ending..."
It hurt more that I'd never see the conclusion to what I'd read.
A short sigh, then off went the phone screen.
My face stared back from the black glass.
And seeing it,
"...Maybe give it a shot."
A good idea popped up.
Money's for times like this.