Chapter 25
Chapter 25: Jiu-Jitsu (7)
Exercise ended and I changed clothes.
I returned the damp uniform and packed my bag to leave, but Master Lim Chae-yang was standing in front of the office looking at me.
But her condition was a bit strange.
Biting her lip nervously and being restless, she looked like someone urgent for the bathroom or someone chased by debt collectors.
Her gaze was fixed on my sneaker laces, but her pupils were shaking as if an earthquake happened.
'What is it? Have something to say to me?'
When I tried to put on my shoes, she approached as if determined.
"Um... Jin-hyuk-ssi?"
"Yes?"
I stopped tying my shoelaces and looked up.
"That... how was the exercise today? Was it okay? Any inconveniences?"
"Ah, yes. Good to sweat after a long time. Everyone is overflowing with passion too."
Passion was overflowing to the point of being burdensome, but I complimented out of courtesy.
Then the Master's eyes sparkled. She carefully brought up the main topic while gauging my mood.
"Then by any chance... do you have thoughts of registering?"
Her voice trembled minutely. Behind her back, I felt the movements of members packing bags near the changing room and punching bags stop all at once. Dozens of ears perked up, and the air settled heavily.
As if the gym's survival depended on my answer.
But I made a troubled expression.
Honestly, exercise was fun. Facilities aren't bad either... The problem is people. Too many people.
30 women staring only at me, talking whenever there's a gap, trying to cling... I get drained of energy so I can't exercise properly.
'Exercise every day in a place like this bustling market? I like quiet.'
I took out the prepared excuse.
"Ah... No. That is..."
I scratched the back of my head awkwardly and sighed.
"I really want to, but I'm a college student just entering school. Economic conditions are a bit tight... and trying to balance studies, I don't think I'll have time, so it seems difficult to attend regularly."
Perfect defense.
Poor college student cosplay with no money and no time. I know male support funds come out fat, but who can say anything if I say it's a waste to spend it here.
"Ah..."
The Master's expression crumbled. Wondered if Kim Gu teacher's expression losing the country was exactly like that.
But that was momentary. Something flashed in her eyes. If money is the problem, she calculated that it's the easiest obstacle she can solve.
"Um... Jin-hyuk-ssi. If that's the case."
She glanced around slyly, then whispered in my ear with a very secretive voice.
"If you register at our gym this time... we won't receive membership fees. We'll make it free for life."
"......Yes?"
Did I hear wrong?
"And you don't have to come every day. If burdensome... once a month? No, even if you just stop by occasionally when you think of it, we'll maintain membership permanently. We'll provide top-grade uniforms for free too. Give you the best locker spot too."
"......!"
Instantly, my heart dropped with a thud.
Wow... Free? And life-time free? Even uniform and locker? And can come just once a month?
Honestly speaking, f*cking tempting.
To a prospective jobless person living on male support funds, the word 'free' is like a drug. Moreover, facilities are good, and exercise was fun. Should I just accept gratefully and attend?
But... 3 seconds later, my reason put on the brakes.
'...No, that's not right.'
There is nothing free in the world. The bigger the benefit, the bigger the trouble later. And above all, it's embarrassing.
Look at the members sweating over there. All people who paid their own money, split their time to come exercise. But I free-ride just because I'm a man, just because I'm a rare animal?
No matter how shameless I am, my pride (Gao) doesn't allow that.
"Ah... That's a bit..."
I stepped back with a troubled expression.
"I really appreciate the offer, but that goes too much against fairness."
"Yes?"
"Other members pay legitimate fees and sweat to attend, but if only I suddenly receive special treatment and attend for free... that's not right. I'd be too uncomfortable to attend."
Then the Master was startled and waved her hands.
"No, no, no! Absolutely not! Nothing to feel uncomfortable about!"
She rolled her brain urgently and poured out excuses.
"This is not special treatment but... that... 'Male Special Scholarship Promotion'? Right, something like that! A concept like a campaign to promote male physical activity... encouraged by the state! No one will complain! Rather they'll like it?"
Nonsense. Obvious it's improvised.
But I shook my head firmly. My conscience pricked so no.
"Still. I have no shame so I can't attend. I'm sorry."
"No, that is..."
The Master looked like she would cry. Expression of a fisherman just about to lose a big fish almost caught. Saw her stamping her feet.
She seemed to be racking her brain desperately. Then as if a brilliant idea came up, she grabbed my hand abruptly with sparkling eyes.
"Th... Then! How about this?"
"Yes?"
"Jin-hyuk-ssi said you were Purple Belt earlier. Skills are tremendous too."
The Master's grip strength became stronger.
"When you come occasionally... how about helping as a concept of technical instructor or assistant instructor? Then it's not free, but calling it even with Jin-hyuk-ssi's talent donation, so there's nothing to be ashamed about!"
"......"
I was speechless.
Technical instructor? Me? No, giving an instructor title to a mere college freshman?
"No, I'm not skilled enough to teach anyone... and I'm just coming to exercise occasionally so instructor title is a bit..."
"It's okay! Just sparring together, and throwing one tip like today is enough! Please... I beg you..."
The Master hung on almost crying. The moisture welling up in her eyes proved her sincerity.
'...Why is she doing this, really.'
I grabbed the back of my neck in trouble. No, I get that male members are precious, but is it something to come out this low posture for?
'Not like I'm a celebrity.'
Looking around, the situation was more spectacular.
Members packing bags stopped all at once, and were staring intently at our side sweating in their hands like spectators watching a World Cup penalty shootout.
Felt like telepathy was coming from their eyes.
'Master, stay strong...!' 'Must catch him... can't miss him...' 'If money is the problem I can pay for him...'
Burden rushed in like a tsunami.
'Ha... F*ck.'
If I refuse one more time here, feels like I'll be treated as a bad guy, no, a traitor of the world and get stoned. Atmosphere is already like that.
I let out a deep sigh and scratched my head.
"Ah... Understood. Then..."
I drew a line as much as possible and proposed a compromise.
"When I come later, I'll help with technical demo or partner. Calling it even for membership fees with that..."
"Really?!"
Color returned to the Master's face. But I poured cold water immediately.
"But telling you in advance, I really can't come often. Have to go to school, do assignments... busy. Once or twice a month? Maybe even that might be hard. Still okay? I'll just become a ghost member with only name hung."
Honestly with this condition, it's normal to say 'Then forget it'. Since it's a condition of absolutely no help from the gym's perspective.
But.
"Yes!!! Of course!!!"
The Master nodded without 1 second of hesitation. No, she headbanged.
"Even once a year is fine, no you can just leave your name registered! Thank you just for existing! No, welcome!"
"......"
Don't know if I came to sign a slave contract or to exercise.
"Phew... Understood. Then please register."
"Yes! Here is the form! Please write immediately!"
The Master took out the registration form from under the counter at the speed of light, as if prepared in advance. Even uncapped the pen and put it in my hand.
Among the members watching breathlessly from behind, sighs of relief and suppressed cheers burst out, albeit small.
"Master nice..." "Caught him..." "Gotta come again tomorrow."
Gazes stabbing the back were hot beyond stinging.
I roughly scribbled name and phone number only, and left the gym as if fleeing.
Jingle—
Door closed and cold night air hit my cheek.
"Haa..."
I stood under the streetlamp and let out a long sigh.
Drained. Really drained. Not hard because of exercise, but mental power hit bottom due to that sticky and burdensome air.
'...Still well, got a place to exercise for free so gain I guess.'
Won't go often anyway.
When body really itches, or feel like going crazy from boredom, just go hit a punching bag occasionally.
I trudged home.
But I didn't know.
That before the ink on my registration form even dried, the Master was posting a notice in the gym group chat saying:
And that from tomorrow evening, the attendance rate of this gym would hit the highest peak since opening.