Gym (2)
Fuck, gotta get the hell outta here fast. No exaggeration—I seriously thought about bolting without even looking back. I put the dumbbells back in place and hightailed it to the locker room as quick as I could. At least the men's locker room was the one place I could be alone, so I sprinted there full tilt.
"Um... where are you rushing off to? Why not stick around a bit longer?"
"Oh, I overdid it today. I'll come back next time."
I pushed through the crowd of women trying to stop me as I headed out, then dove straight into the locker room.
"Ah... he's gone."
"What a shame."
As I slipped inside, I could hear the women outside sounding disappointed. For real... I nailed the escape. If I'd stayed in that demon cave any longer, who knows what would've happened to me. I'd signed up for six months—maybe I should get a refund? Right now, all I could think about was getting out, so I changed clothes and bolted from the gym.
Now I got why they said it's tough for a guy to go to the gym alone. Before, I figured wandering around outside was no big deal. Even when I got surrounded by women at the hair salon, it didn't seem dangerous, so I thought it was fine. But that "horny scent" line? Turns out it's not just some bullshit. The thought of what might've gone down if I'd stayed made me run nonstop back to the goshiwon.
Bzzz—
On my way back to the goshiwon, my smartphone vibrated.
I had no clue what to reply to Seo-ah's message. So much crazy shit had happened—how the fuck do I even explain this? Could I even explain it? My brain was fried trying to come up with something when...
I tapped the DC Inside link Seo-ah sent. The title and photo made my jaw drop.
Holy shit... Bolting was a godsend. The post went up while I was still working out inside. So everyone was eyeing me like that and chatting me up...
"Fuck, I better not go out much anymore."
After today's gym fiasco, I vowed not to step outside unless absolutely necessary. For real... now I totally get why guys in this fucked-up gender ratio world turn into hikikomori.
I half-fled back to my goshiwon room.
"Man, my head's burning up."
Nothing scary actually happened at the gym. It was just... hearing them straight-up call it a "horny scent" was so absurd I bailed. Plus, if I'd stuck around, more women would've come at me with that line. Instead of enjoying the workout, I'd just get swarmed again, so I split. Thought it'd be a cheap way to exercise, but this penalty...
I really hadn't thought much about this world. Gotta be more careful. I sat on the bed, stewing over it.
The gym? Just cancel and get a refund. The real issue... holing up in this room all day makes my body feel like lead. Original goal was to build some muscle, maybe learn basic self-defense. And gym seemed perfect to loosen up this stiff bod.
Short outings seem okay... but workouts? Home training? Nah... impossible in this tiny room. Isn't there a way to move without prying eyes?
I pondered for ages until it hit me. Day labor exists here too, right? Even saving this month's subsidy, next month's rent leaves me short on food. Maybe snag some manual labor gig to work the body?
Can a guy get day labor here? At least it'd stretch the muscles. I grabbed my phone and opened Alba Hell.
Searched "day labor" or "male preferred."
Male preferred should mean they'll hire a guy like me, right? This world sees men as weak, so maybe not. But hits popped up.
"What the fuck is all this shit."
One was labeled VIP. Description: overseer gig.
Male Preferred: 20s Guys Welcome
Outgoing guys who vibe with girls, good talkers preferred. 20s only, pour drinks.
Fuck, that's straight-up hostess work? Pouring drinks for women, playing along? Me? Even if I'm a beggar with no pride... no way in hell. And I'm not that sociable anyway. Pass.
Scrolled forever looking for something doable when...
One Love Moving Center: Male Preferred, Hard Labor, Beginners Welcome
Moving center gig caught my eye. Sounds good for working the body, decent pay, meals provided. Solid conditions. I shot off a contact.
Wait for reply with date and place—no big issues. I was about to close my eyes when...
Knock knock—
What? Who's that? Nobody comes to my room. Landlord? Or Jeong-ah dropping by? She usually calls or texts first, though. No word makes me uneasy.
"Who's there?"
"Oppa... it's Seo-ah. Can you open the door?"
"Ah... got it, hold on."
I asked who it was, heard Seo-ah, and opened up.
"Um... oppa, you okay?"
"Huh? With what?"
Door opens, and she starts scanning my body, face full of worry.
"That DC Inside post... I feel bad for recommending a weird spot."
"Ah... it's fine, you didn't know."
Guess she felt guilty since it was her rec. Nothing for her to sweat, though.
"Eh... if you're sorry, buy me a meal next time."
"Ah, got it! I'll treat you to something yummy and pricey next time!"
"No need for pricey..."
She seemed super sorry; it was just polite chit-chat, but seeing her like that... next time, gukbap or jeyuk bokkeum it is.
Three days after that. Luckily, the moving center replied positively with place and time via text.
"Did I find the right spot?"
Apartment area looked deserted—wrong place? About to call when...
"You Oh Seonghun?"
"Ah, yes! Hello—"
"Yup, that's you. Been waiting right here."
Turn around—a middle-aged ajumma stepping out of a mid-size car. In this gender-fucked ratio world, even construction workers and hard laborers are women? Next thing you know, women'll be drafted. Wait... maybe they already are. I might get exempted without knowing. Check later when I got time.
"Um, Oh Seonghun? Here for the moving center job, right?"
"Yes, that's me."
The ajumma approached slow, eyeing my resume and face back and forth.
"Huh... looks a bit different from the photo, but should be fine."
"Yeah, that was before I shaved and cut my hair."
Quick check done, waiting for the ladder truck or whatever when...
"What're you doing? Seonghun, c'mon for work."
"Pardon?"
She beckoned me over quick. Something urgent? I approached, and...
Clunk—
"Huh?"
"Hurry up and get in."
She opened her car door, telling me to hop in. This... safe gig, right?