Chapter 170: Health Club
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 170: Health Club
University life has a strange sort of charm.
When you're busy, you're so swamped you try to save every second of sleep, but when you're free, you have leisure to spare.
Especially during the new semester.
In my first year, I was constantly running around, trying to adjust to college life, and everything was a blur. Now that I’m a sophomore, I’ve learned to take it easy, even at the start of the term.
I skipped the general opening assembly and spent my time enjoying the freedom of university life in my own way, like playing games at the PC Bang.
But when the semester starts, people naturally swarm the area around the campus.
"Wow, there are so many people."
Today, Yoo Ah-rin and I were swept up in that crowd and ended up at the gym.
I was starting to feel the limits of home training, and since I was beginning to enjoy working out, I figured it was time to hit a real gym. Yoo Ah-rin said she wanted to start exercising again, so she tagged along.
Choi I-seo was supposed to join us, but she had a meeting with professors and freshmen regarding the upcoming MT. It’s a bit of a drag that even as a sophomore, you get dragged into MT duties if you’re a student rep.
"It's lunchtime, but it's still packed, isn't it?"
We came here planning to skip the school meal and work out instead, but the place was excessively crowded. Looking at their physiques, most of them looked like they’d only been coming for a few days.
"I heard from I-seo it would be like this, but seeing it in person... wow."
The treadmills were almost all full, and I wasn't sure if we’d even get to use the machines properly. It felt like if we finished one exercise, we’d have to wait forever for the next one to open up.
Over by the dumbbells, people had already staked out their spots, leaving the rack looking like a mouth with missing teeth. The barbells were completely out of the question. There was a literal line for those.
"This is the biggest place in the neighborhood, too."
It was disappointing, but what could we do?
"Let's change first."
Even changing into workout clothes was an ordeal. Finding an empty locker was a struggle in itself. After changing into the training gear I brought, I stepped out and waited a moment until Yoo Ah-rin emerged.
A black crop top and loose-fit gray pants.
She looked like someone who actually knew how to work out, and I couldn't help but be impressed. Plus, the crop top left her navel fully exposed, revealing a faint set of 11-line abs—not quite as defined as Choi I-seo’s, but they were there.
"They used to be way more distinct back when I did Taekwondo," Yoo Ah-rin grumbled, stroking her stomach.
Passersby stole glances at her, but she didn't seem to care.
"Choi I-seo usually wears tights and stuff."
I thought Yoo Ah-rin might wear something similar, but she hadn't.
"Because of the fabric, those show everything the moment you get hard. I didn't wear them for your sake."
Look at her, joking around.
"More importantly, is your only comment after looking at me to bring up Choi I-seo? God, I suddenly really want to kill you."
"Are you bipolar? You were laughing a second ago, why are you mad now?"
Just a moment ago, she was mocking me, saying she dressed this way so I wouldn't get an erection, and now she was annoyed because I mentioned another woman. When I asked her what she wanted from me, she put one hand on her hip and the other behind her neck, striking a pose.
"Well? Do I look pretty?"
She was demanding a review again.
How could she not look pretty dressed like that? She probably already knew the answer just by seeing everyone staring at her as they walked by.
"Ah, I can't take it."
Instead of giving her a verbal answer, I couldn't hold back and strode toward her. Startled by the sudden closing of distance, she flinched.
"Wh-what? N-not here!"
When I reached out, she squeezed her eyes shut but didn't pull away.
"Finger Pistol (Jigeon)."
I poked her right in the navel with my finger. I’d wanted to do that since the moment I saw it.
"...What the hell are you doing, you prick?"
Naturally, Yoo Ah-rin's reaction was sharp. Who would enjoy getting poked in the belly button out of nowhere?
"Well, if there's a button, you want to press it, right? It was kind of like that."
"What does 'like that' even mean? Is a Finger Pistol (Jigeon) your review of my workout outfit?"
To be honest, it was.
But if I didn't say something else, she might actually use me as gym equipment.
"You want me to be totally honest?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
"You won't get mad?"
"Nothing could make me madder than that Finger Pistol (Jigeon), Woo-jin."
She sounded genuinely pissed.
A thought crossed my mind, but if I said it, I might get sued. However, if I didn't say it, I might get beaten up and have to be the one suing her.
Let's carry this burden like a gentleman.
"I was thinking I should've licked your abs when we had sex last time."
"You really are a psycho, aren't you?"
"I told you I shouldn't say it! You're the one who told me to be honest!"
"Couldn't you just say I look pretty like a normal person?"
"Dammit."
I regretted saying it, but then Yoo Ah-rin suddenly beamed and linked her arm with mine.
"Did they look tasty? Want me to let you lick them later?"
She didn't seem offended; in fact, she looked quite pleased. I wondered if this was right, but hey, if she’s over it, she’s over it.
"Let's start with cardio. Ugh, with all these people, the smell of sweat is just..."
We headed straight for cardio. There weren't many spots, but we managed to snag two treadmills side-by-side.
Maybe it was her Taekwondo background, but her running was no joke. She had the steady breathing and high speed of a professional athlete. I’d never seen someone set the speed higher than 10 before.
I thought I’d just be in her way if we worked out together, so I was about to go do my own thing.
"Oh, Woo-jin?"
A familiar voice called out from behind. I stopped the treadmill and turned to see Jeong Chan-woo with a young-looking girl clinging to his arm.
"Ah, right. You work out here too."
Back when we weren't that close, I’d run into him while working out with Choi I-seo.
"Hey, Chan-woo's here. Say hi."
"I'm in the middle of a run."
I told her to stop and say hello, but she just gave a lazy wave, looking annoyed.
"Chan-woo's girlfriend is here too."
Only after I added that did Yoo Ah-rin stop her treadmill, come over, and greet them. I knew Chan-woo's girlfriend was a freshman in the Department of Architectural Engineering, and she had a very fresh, youthful vibe.
I expected a girl dating someone like Chan-woo to be boastful or show him off. It’s easy to feel superior when your partner is good-looking or capable.
However.
"Ah, hello. I'm Heo Jeong-ah, a freshman in Architectural Engineering."
Surprisingly, Chan-woo's girlfriend didn't look very happy, nor did she seem particularly close to him. She kept her arm linked with his, but it felt more like she was doing the bare minimum to maintain the relationship.
"Want to work out together? I can spot you guys."
Despite how he looked, Chan-woo had been coming to the gym for a long time. I would’ve welcomed his help, but...
"No, it's fine. You're here with your girlfriend, I don't want to be a third wheel."
When I politely declined, Chan-woo scratched his head, looking puzzled.
"Really? Why would it be a bother? We're just doing our own thing anyway."
His girlfriend's expression soured even further.
"Hey, just go."
Unable to watch any longer, Yoo Ah-rin waved Jeong Chan-woo away.
"Your girlfriend is meeting us for the first time; it could be uncomfortable for her. How can you be so tactless?"
"...Is that how it is?"
Chan-woo and Heo Jeong-ah eventually left, leaving behind an ambiguous answer. Watching them walk away, Yoo Ah-rin thumping her chest in frustration.
"Ugh, his girlfriend clearly looks uncomfortable, and he can't even tell?"
"Chan-woo is a bit clueless when it comes to dating."
"What's the point of having a pretty face? He's such a dumbass. If it weren't for his face, he would've been dumped ages ago, I can tell."
It seemed Yoo Ah-rin felt the same awkward distance I did. It was like a 'chicken instead of pheasant' situation—or rather, a 'tasty but troublesome' one. Not quite right to date, but too good to give to someone else.
"I should give Chan-woo some advice later."
I resolved to give Chan-woo a lecture on dating, but Yoo Ah-rin was looking at me with a look of pure disgust.
"You? What exactly are you good at?"
"..."
"Forget it. Don't worry about other people's relationships and just work out with me. That machine is free."
A chest press machine opened up, and we headed over. Watching Yoo Ah-rin work out made me want to tease her, but I held back since people can get hurt while exercising.
'Come to think of it.'
I think I downloaded a gym-themed adult video the other day.
As I was lost in useless thoughts, Yoo Ah-rin stared at me and asked, "Well? Do they look bigger?"
"What?"
"I just did chest exercises, so I'm talking about my breasts."
"...Do they really grow that fast?"
It was absurd, but I stared at her chest anyway, letting out a hum.
"Hmm... they look the same."
"Is it because the sports bra is compressing them?"
"But if you want your chest to get bigger, shouldn't you go to a doctor instead of a gym?"
Yoo Ah-rin glared at me. I immediately looked down, pretending I hadn't seen anything.
Ever since the '1 Ah-rin' incident, she seemed strangely self-conscious about her chest size. As someone who had an ex-girlfriend, I felt the need to offer some considerate, expert dating advice. Chan-woo really needed to learn this stuff.
"Ah-rin, sensitivity is more important than size."
"..."
"I like your pathetic little chest that whimpers when I just tap it—"
I couldn't finish my sentence. Yoo Ah-rin immediately raised her fist to hit me, and I was too busy running for my life.
"Sigh, all my rivals have big chests, so I was getting anxious for no reason."
After eventually cornering and pummeling me in a corner of the gym, Yoo Ah-rin grumbled.
"How did Ye-rin get so big all of a sudden? She definitely wasn't like that in the first semester."
"Isn't it because she spends all day having erotic fantasies?"
Just today, she’d posted on the Bamboo Forest about wanting to have sex. She’d even complained to me privately about losing to Anonymous 90.
Anyway, no matter what we talked about, it was just pointless jealousy. We did a few more exercises and then headed to the training room to stretch and cool down before leaving.
"It's quiet here."
"Most people just focus on lifting weights and don't care about cooling down afterward."
Ah-rin muttered as she laid out a mat. Since no one else was there, we followed a stretching routine from Neutube together. Even that was hard enough to make me break a light sweat.
I thought we were about to leave when Yoo Ah-rin, who was fiddling with her own chest, asked me seriously.
"Hey, I really think they got a bit bigger."
"Bullshit. They don't grow that fast."
"No, for real. Feel them."
Ah-rin stepped forward, thrusting her chest toward me. I warned her about not knowing how scary men could be, but my hands were already moving toward her breasts.
"See? They feel bigger, right?"
"Hmm? Do they?"
"They grew just a little—don't squeeze them, you prick!"
"It's instinct."
I had squeezed them without even realizing it.
"You pervert."
She swatted my hands away but then turned around and leaned back against me. Since we were both sweaty, it could have been unpleasant, but instead, it felt strangely intimate. My hands naturally wrapped around her from behind as if I were hugging her, but they landed right on top of her breasts.
"I learned how to massage."
As I kneaded them through her clothes, Yoo Ah-rin's legs seemed to lose their strength, and she slowly sank to the floor. We ended up sitting there, with her leaning back against my chest.
"I bet you learned that from an adult video."
"..."
"Look at you, unable to even talk. Honestly, you and Chan-woo both. You guys are lost in some weird fantasy—hngh?!"
Ah-rin couldn't finish her sentence because I’d slid my hand right under her clothes. Since she was wearing a crop top, it wasn't hard to reach her damp sports bra.
"You, if you do it here—!"
She said that, but she clearly enjoyed the firm pressure. She covered her mouth with her hand, twisting her body as she tried not to let any sounds out.
"Pathetic Yoo Ah-rin."
"St-stop it!"
Since I had her completely trapped from behind, she couldn't escape. It felt like I’d caught a fish. She was flopping around in my arms but couldn't actually get away.
"Sweat! I'm all sweaty! It's embarrassing!"
My hands were definitely getting damp. The inside of her crop top was sticky with sweat. I told her not to worry and licked her neck once, which caused her tensed body to go limp.
"Hieek?!"
"It's not dirty. It's tasty."
"You're the worst, seriously!"
Lately, both Choi I-seo and Seo Ye-rin had been making me horny without giving me any release. Perhaps my barely contained libido was finally exploding. When I applied a bit more pressure to my hands to keep the weakly resisting Yoo Ah-rin from leaving, she couldn't hold back a moan, and her back arched.
The way her legs kicked at the floor was strangely erotic.
Vibrate!
"I think you got a text."
"Ah, st-stop!"
"Check it."
Yoo Ah-rin was surprisingly obedient. Leaning the back of her head against my shoulder and breathing heavily, she pulled out her phone.
"Haa... it's the... sophomore group chat. They want to know who's going to the MT."
Choi I-seo, who couldn't make it to the gym, was sending out notices to everyone.
Seo Ye-rin replied immediately. I remembered her suggestion that we go together since we missed it in our first year.
"Wh-why is she including you in her reply?"
Yoo Ah-rin shot me a jealous look. Not only that, but the atmosphere in the group chat was getting weird. Some people seemed to be reacting sensitively to the fact that Seo Ye-rin had specifically singled me out.
"She asked me to go with her the other day."
"Phew, she didn't even tell—st-stop rubbing them!"
As Yoo Ah-rin tried to push my hands away, I slid them right inside her sports bra.
"You... you son of a—!"
She dropped her phone and twisted her body, trying to escape, which I found adorable. Just as I was about to pull her closer, a name caught my eye on the screen of the phone she’d dropped.
"..."
My stiff cock immediately lost its strength. As I slowly withdrew my hands from her chest, Yoo Ah-rin, who hadn't expected me to let go so easily, stared at me blankly while catching her breath.
"Wh-what? Are we going to a hotel?"
"No, I should go home."
"...Why is it so hard to follow your lead? You got me all worked up and now you're just leaving?"
Sigh, I wasn't going to do this, but...
"Ah-rin, I haven't finished sorting out my relationships yet—!"
My world flipped.
I was hit by the same leg sweep (wasabari) Yoo Ah-rin had taught me before. As I fell to the floor, she straddled me with her back turned.
"Just die."
She grabbed me there and started pulling.
"Aaaargh! It hurts! It hurts!"
"For the sake of Ye-rin and I-seo, you deserve to be crippled right here! You piece of trash!"
"I'm sorry! I'm really sorry! It was a joke! It's gonna get ripped off—urk!"
"Let it rip! Just let it rip! How can I like a guy like this?!"
"I'm sorry for being trash! But it was really just a joke!"
"Do you really love me?"
Yoo Ah-rin asked, loosening her grip slightly. Seeing the corners of her mouth turn up as she looked back at me, she seemed to be enjoying this.
"Hey, hey! Don't do this for fun—gaaah! I-I love you! Lady Ah-rin!"
"It sounds good, but you still crossed the line. You've been getting cocky lately because everyone says they like you, haven't you?!"
"Gwaaaargh! You crazy bitch!"
As I was drooling and screaming in pain, Chan-woo walked in after hearing my voice, and I narrowly avoided being castrated.