Chapter 31: Spilling the Story of Having S*x with Choi I-seo
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 31: Spilling the Story of Having S*x with Choi I-seo
Yoo Ah-rin, who had been drinking heavily at the pork belly restaurant, slowly opened her eyes.
“…….”
Her eyes were so sharp and clear that it was hard to believe she was the same woman who, until moments ago, had been drooling while leaning on Kim Woo-jin’s shoulder.
“Oh? You’re awake?”
Choi I-seo had put Yoo Ah-rin and Min Ju-hee to sleep in her own bed, intending to sleep with Min-ji instead. She had just stepped into the room to grab something and looked surprised to see Yoo Ah-rin awake.
“Yeah, I’m up.”
With that, Ah-rin stood up from the bed. Just a moment ago, she had been so drunk she couldn't even hold herself upright, but now she felt like a completely different person.
How should she put it?
“You……”
Choi I-seo wondered if she had even been drunk at all, but she couldn't bring herself to ask.
“A quick nap really cleared my head.”
“It’s only been ten minutes since we got to my place, though.”
The lights were off, so she couldn't see her expression clearly, but Yoo Ah-rin was smiling. However, it felt more chilling than friendly.
“Ah, I’m getting a call.”
She casually lifted her phone to show the screen; the name ‘Jeong Chan-woo’ was displayed on it.
“Thanks for lending me the bed. I had a good nap. I’ll be going now.”
Choi I-seo stared intensely at Yoo Ah-rin’s back as she walked past her and headed for the door. Finally, unable to hold back, I-seo spoke up.
“Were you faking it?”
“…….”
“Why? Were you curious to see if Woo-jin would try something weird?”
She had acted completely wasted and clung to Kim Woo-jin while they were together, yet the moment he was gone, she was perfectly sober. Even though I-seo knew she was Seo Ye-rin’s friend, she couldn't just let it slide.
For some reason, she felt like her classmate had just been testing the man named Kim Woo-jin.
“Who’s faking what?”
Yoo Ah-rin dodged Choi I-seo’s direct confrontation as smoothly as a snake.
“I just woke up because I slept for a bit. You’re funny.”
After letting out a slight scoff, Yoo Ah-rin grabbed the front door handle and pulled it down.
“I’m leaving. Thanks for the bed, even if it was only for ten minutes.”
Creeeak.
Thud.
Yoo Ah-rin left without waiting for an answer. For some reason, Choi I-seo found her strangely unpleasant.
Once outside Choi I-seo’s house, Yoo Ah-rin walked with a stoic expression. Her blonde hair made her stand out even in the dark of night, and passersby stole glances at her.
A few drunks even tried to approach her.
“Hey there! Are you a Gahyeon University student? Me too!”
“Heh heh, this guy’s gonna get her number!”
Since they were near Gahyeon University, it was only natural that there were many students around. Yoo Ah-rin looked at them with cold, disgusted eyes and tried to keep walking, but—
“Hey, I asked if you’re a Gahyeon student!”
The drunk man grabbed Yoo Ah-rin’s wrist, acting aggressive for no reason.
“Ah, fuck off.”
When Yoo Ah-rin cursed at him in annoyance, the man flared up, but—
Thwack!
Yoo Ah-rin’s foot slammed directly into his solar plexus.
“Gah!”
Not only was he kicked squarely in the stomach, but because he was drunk, he immediately doubled over.
“Blegh!”
He began to retch and vomit onto the pavement.
It was a clean kick. Her form was so perfect it was clear she had been trained, a sight almost too good for the dim light of a streetlamp.
“Haa.”
Yoo Ah-rin gritted her teeth, turned around, and headed toward her own home.
* * *
“So, I’m gonna spill the tea on how Choi I-seo asked to have s*x.”
At my words, Choi I-seo, who was standing next to me, wore a blank expression. It was as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard.
“I said, I’m spilling the tea on how Choi I-seo asked to have s*x.”
When I pointedly repeated it, Choi I-seo’s face turned bright red, and she immediately punched my shoulder.
“When did I ever say that?!”
“Ow! You really hurt!”
This girl has a tendency to hit with full force when she’s worked up. Usually, it doesn't hurt that much to get hit by a girl, but she really packs a punch. Why is someone who exercises so much using her fists so recklessly?
“I’m spilling the tea on how Choi I-seo asked to hit the gym together. What were you thinking? We’re standing right in front of the health club.”
Even though I was currently digging my heels in because I didn't want to go in.
“……Why are you calling the gym ‘s*x’?”
I gave Choi I-seo a big thumbs-up as she asked.
“This is how you draw aggro.”
Being a Bamboo Forest Manager is the only thing I’ve learned.
“Anyway, let’s go in. Usually, there aren't many people in the morning, but we’re here now because of you.”
“If only I hadn't told you I was buying running shoes, this future wouldn't exist……”
As I muttered wistfully, Choi I-seo told me to stop talking nonsense and dragged me inside.
I was going to pay for a day pass, but since I was I-seo’s friend, the PT Trainer was kind enough to let me use the facilities for free today.
After changing into the gym clothes provided, I stepped out toward the equipment and saw Choi I-seo, who looked much more professional than me.
Wearing tight black tights, a tank top, and a sleeveless shirt, she looked like a pro.
“Why am I the only one looking like a scrub?”
I muttered to myself, feeling inferior, which made Choi I-seo laugh for some reason.
“No, it looks good on you.”
“I’m wearing a black shirt and black pants. What am I supposed to say to ‘it looks good on you’?”
“That it’s a good thing. Come on, let’s go. Treadmill first.”
“I walked on the way here, though?”
“That’s different.”
I’m sure it is.
The health club was quite large, so there were plenty of treadmills available. As I walked beside Choi I-seo, I got straight to the point.
“But why did you bring me here? Does the PT Trainer give you a discount if you bring a friend?”
“……Is that why you think I brought you? I just felt uneasy for some reason and wanted to make you work out. You told me before that you were going to start exercising.”
“When?”
Did I say that?
When I asked back, Choi I-seo’s mouth hung open for a second before she looked at the treadmill screen and muttered sheepishly.
“Y-you know, back on the trail when those thugs showed up.”
“Ahhh! When I hugged you?”
“……Do you have to say it out loud?”
“How do you even remember that?”
When I told her I had completely forgotten, Choi I-seo’s eyebrow twitched. Apparently, she didn't like my answer.
“Increase the speed.”
She suddenly reached over and cranked up the speed on my treadmill, forcing me to run.
Still, since I had been doing some light running with Choi I-seo lately, it wasn't too difficult, so I kept pace.
Then, I felt a presence beside me.
Despite there being so many empty treadmills, someone had chosen the one right next to mine.
“Hello.”
It was a cool-looking, handsome guy.
It was Jeong Chan-woo, the good-looking part-timer from Zero PC Bang and Yoo Ah-rin’s childhood friend.
“Oh? Hello.”
Unlike me, he seemed quite familiar with the place, as if this wasn't his first time. Moreover, he was wearing a sleeveless shirt, and the way his arm muscles rippled was very impressive.
“Do you usually come here?”
Look at him, not even breaking his breath while running. Finding it hard to talk while running, I slowed down my pace before answering.
“No, I’m just here for the day.”
“Ah, I see. Is the lady next to you your girlfriend?”
I shook my head at Jeong Chan-woo’s question as he looked at Choi I-seo.
“No, we’re just in the same department. She just dragged me along because she was bored and wanted a workout buddy.”
I glanced at Choi I-seo, and she looked a bit flustered. It was as if she hadn't expected me to know someone like Jeong Chan-woo.
Well, we don't really know each other.
“I see.”
Jeong Chan-woo’s expression darkened slightly at my answer that she wasn't my girlfriend.
“By the way, did Ah-rin get home okay yesterday? She wasn't answering her phone……”
“Ah!”
I immediately realized why he was anxious and answered with a smile.
“She got wasted yesterday and slept over at her place. I just dropped her off and left.”
“Yoo Ah-rin said she sobered up and went home as soon as you left.”
“Huh?”
I wondered why she hadn't picked up Jeong Chan-woo’s call then, and I stole a glance at him.
Jeong Chan-woo didn't look particularly happy either. Still, he seemed relieved to know that nothing had happened and that she and I weren't in any kind of relationship.
“Let’s go. we didn't come here just for cardio.”
Choi I-seo wanted to move on to strength training, so I gave Jeong Chan-woo a quick nod and followed her.
“Do you know that guy?”
Once we were in front of the weight machines, Choi I-seo glanced toward Jeong Chan-woo and asked.
“No? Not really. I was just introduced to him yesterday at the PC Bang as Yoo Ah-rin’s friend. That’s it.”
“Hmm. He’s pretty famous at this gym. For being handsome.”
Figures.
I nodded as I looked at Jeong Chan-woo’s back while he ran on the treadmill.
“Even as a guy, I have to admit he’s cool. I feel like I look even worse in these scrubby gym clothes by comparison.”
When I spoke self-deprecatingly while looking at my reflection in the mirror, Choi I-seo let out a chuckle.
“Forget it. You’re better.”
“If you’re going to flatter me, at least try to make it believable. Who would believe that?”
“It’s true……”
Choi I-seo grumbled.
Not wanting to make her feel more awkward, I started the workout.
“But aren't there some gyms where teaching others is banned?”
“Not here. I asked before I brought you, and they said it was fine.”
“Oh.”
Well, that’s good then.
“Today is leg day for me. You’re doing legs too.”
“Sure, whatever.”
I agreed without much thought, but I honestly regretted it deeply. The workout that followed for the next hour and a half was nothing short of the agony of my legs being torn apart.
Since I wasn't completely lacking in muscle, I used the machines with a decent amount of weight.
“Ooh, look at Kim Woo-jin!”
Apparently liking what she saw, Choi I-seo kept increasing the weight, making my life miserable.
She touched my body quite often to correct my posture, and while that made my heart flutter a bit at first, later on, I just wanted to break her fingers.
“F-fuck! Why are we even doing this?!”
As I lay sprawled in a corner of the gym complaining, Choi I-seo, who was also dripping with sweat, answered with a laugh.
“Doesn't it feel good? I started exercising to get away from Min-ji at first, but now it’s just fun.”
“Are you crazy? I think everyone here is insane!”
“Sigh, you’re overreacting again.”
“Overreacting? Are you kidding me? Can’t you hear those guys over there cursing while lifting weights? Why are they volunteering to lift that stuff and then swearing about it?”
“That’s…… like a kiai, I guess?”
“I don't get why they lift it when they’re just going to put it back down anyway.”
“You’re a mess. Anyway, go hit the showers. It’s a bit early for dinner, so should we hit a cafe?”
“My blood sugar is crashing. Let’s go.”
With a towel draped around my neck, I was heading toward the locker room with Choi I-seo.
Then, a familiar face entered the gym.
Seo Ye-rin was walking in with her bag over her shoulder, looking like her classes had just ended.
Come to think of it, I did hear she started getting PT on Choi I-seo’s recommendation.
“I-seo and…… Woo-jin?”
By pure chance, we ran right into each other.