Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Chapter 12: Teaching Self-Defense Techniques
Ever since the Dojang Raising program appeared, I'd gained a lot more mental and physical leeway.
For a while, I'd been busy running around with the dojang renewal, but once that settled down to some extent, there wasn't much left to do. Especially since I still only had one member, Jeong Ye-sol.
A bit of online shopping, some personal workouts, pondering what to teach Jeong Ye-sol that would let me naturally grope her here and there—that pretty much wrapped up my daily routine. Sometimes I'd take a stroll outside to scout for cute girls. It was a leisurely life to the point of boredom, but I didn't hate those times at all.
After discharge, I'd been constantly on the move, and especially over the past year, the mental strain had led to burnout. So now, everything from training Jeong Ye-sol to the rest felt like pure healing time. Thanks to that, even today...
Whiiiirrr...
I was spending a relaxed morning lightly jogging on the treadmill that had arrived. It was a random exercise machine I'd bought with Dojang Points. When I came in the morning, it was already neatly installed in the corner where it wouldn't be in the way. It was more ordinary than I'd expected, which was a bit disappointing, but still plenty usable, so I was satisfied.
And while I was at it...
"You still pulling overtime at the company these days? Isn't that illegal?"
"As long as they pay properly, it's not illegal. They even give dinner. Feels like I'm back in high school self-study days."
"Ooh, big corp perks. Dinner any good?"
"Of course it's good. If it wasn't, I'd have bolted."
I'd called an old friend for the first time in ages.
"Hey, anyway, let's grab a meal sometime. I'm gonna forget what you look like at this rate."
"Tell me when you're free. I'm good anytime. Gopchang?"
"Gopchang, whatever you want. Can't do it soon, maybe next month... Oh, I'll bring Ye-na then."
"Lee Ye-na? Bring her. Haven't seen her in forever."
"Ye-na won't feel awkward, right?"
"Why would I? You'd be the one uncomfortable. You barely let her out 'cause you hate her getting chummy with other guys."
"Can't trust other dudes. But I trust you."
"Shut up. Anyway, marriage treating you good? Crazy bastard tying the knot at 26 right after discharge?"
"Haha! How could I not? You know Ye-na and I've been together 20 years. If anything, we waited too long."
"Yeah, yeah. We've known each other 12 years too, and you only properly introduced her right before I enlisted. Damn, and you say you trust me? That pisses me off."
"Hey now, isn't our Ye-na a total babe? You got it the moment you saw her—my feelings make sense, right? No game, huh?"
"Hm, yeah, no clue. But your back's probably foldable by now?"
"Sorry... Anyway, sounds like things are really getting better for you. Your voice sounds way brighter."
"...Yeah, I was a bit on edge the last few months."
"More than a bit. That's why I barely hit you up."
"Sorry about that. But I'm good now. Things are finally looking up."
"Glad to hear it. Oh, when we eat, show me the dojang again. You said you totally renovated it?"
"Come anytime. Register if you wanna build stamina too. Friend surcharge—entry fee times ten."
"......?? Surcharge instead of discount? Your conscience... Anyway, gotta head in. I'll text dates."
"Cool. Take care."
The call ended.
The guy on the other end was Yoon Jae-min, my closest friend since middle school. A total success story you can't help but envy. But he's such a good dude human-wise, no room for jealousy. That kind of friend.
Even after high school sent us to different schools, distance never diluted our bond. I went to a regular liberal arts high school back then, while he hit Meister High. Excelled there too, graduated and jumped straight into a big corp. Smart as hell, rakes in the cash.
And on top of that...
"Lee Ye-na really is pretty."
Lee Ye-na, who'd been with Jae-min since elementary and was now his wife—my sister-in-law—was the epitome of ideal childhood sweetheart and perfect wife. Not just her pure, lovely looks, but her gentle personality made her so feminine, and her unwavering love for Jae-min over twenty years was heartwarming just to see. I was genuinely envious. Marry a girl like that, and you'd be happy till the grave. She was that great. Lee Ye-na.
If she were some stranger's wife, I'd have seriously plotted something bad with this dojang system. But Jae-min's wife...
"Can't do that to my sister-in-law, no matter what."
I wasn't denying I'd become trash already, but I hadn't fallen that far. If they came to visit the dojang, I'd just give 'em a quick tour. Though Jae-min seemed busy these days, so next month at earliest.
"Wonder if the treadmill buffs are kicking in? Hard to tell."
Slow pace, but I'd jogged about 30 minutes during the call. It said workout effects greatly increased, but since I'd been consistent with exercise forever, it was tough to feel the stamina boost. Hmm, trying to gauge effects from a casual phone jog—too shameless?
"Need new members... Or have Ye-sol run a bit too?"
Mulling that over, I cranked up the speed. Nothing to do right now anyway—might as well grind my own workout.
But then.
Ding!
The door chime hit my ears. I killed the treadmill and hopped off in 0.1 seconds. Hoping the internet ad had worked. But no.
"Seong-hyeon here?"
"Oh, landlady."
It was Lee Da-mi stepping into the dojang. Wearing a tight top that made her chest stand out especially today. I fought the urge to stare and asked her business.
"What brings you to the dojang?"
"Oh? Do I need a reason to visit? Makes me sad."
"N-no, you're always welcome, landlady. Just... you don't come here often."
"Hehe, true?"
With a face mixing playfulness and mischief in equal parts, she stepped closer, one foot at a time. Last time with the diet slip-up, I'd buttered her up every meeting since to barely smooth things over. So she approached with her usual smile.
'Teasing every time she visits.'
Maybe 'cause her outfit highlighted her chest and hips, but even her walk felt sexy. Swallowing hard as I watched, she arrived at my side. Close enough our forearms brushed.
"Heard you got some members signing up? Quiet today."
"Like I said last time, I'm only doing reservation PTs. No bookings means... and numbers-wise, still pretty low."
"Rent next month okay?"
"Of course. I can prepay a year if you want."
"Love the confidence. Hehe... I'll trust you. Anyway, hubby and I..."
Mid-convo, her eyes narrowed. More seductive, more intense. And she slyly slipped her arm inside mine... Huh? Arm in arm?
"If a solid tenant like you sticks around long-term..."
Smoosh...
Lee Da-mi linked arms, gently pulling my arm in. At the same time, my forearm sank into her plush chest. Insanely soft, unbelievable texture. But something even more gripping than that sideboob held my eyes.
Her top had a deep neckline, and from my downward view, her cleavage was blatantly visible. Deep, deep valley, the slight upper swell, her lush body scent different from Jeong Ye-sol's. It captivated me.
"Feels nice and comfy, right?"
"......"
Her words didn't register. My body froze like a fuse had blown in the unexpected situation. Then, belatedly, like an idiot...
"...Y-yeah... r-right... got it..."
I stammered a reply.
"Hee..."
She giggled cutely at my reaction, then let go.
"Gotta run for work."
"...Huh? Oh, y-you just came to chat...?"
"Hehe, yep. Wanted to talk to you a bit before heading out. See you next time."
"......Yeah."
Leaving those cryptic words. She sauntered out, hips swaying seductively—definitely more provocative than before.
"......"
Alone again in the dojang, I was dumbfounded. Why the sudden change? Over the past year, she'd been kind as a punctual renter, but never touched me like this once. With dojang stuff consuming me, I hadn't even glanced her way despite her appeal. Partly 'cause she's the building owner's wife, deliberately avoiding stares. But now, since the system appeared, her reactions felt off.
Really weird. She's not a member, so no Dojang Raising effects. Even if, this makes no sense.
"What the? Why's she suddenly like this with me? Fuck, those tits were so soft... No, that's not it."
Felt good with the plush breast on my arm, but the vibe was too weird to fully enjoy. What the hell...
Ding!
As I spaced out trying to process, the door chimed again. Landlady back? But no, someone else entered.
"U-um... I... w-want to... t-try the... t-trial..."
Hat pulled low. Trembling like a scared herbivore, voice shaking too.
"......!! Come on in!!"
My second member had arrived at the dojang.
"Ah~ Stamina's dropped too low, so you want to work out?"
"Y-yes..."
I sat across the new prospective member at the office desk. The Dojang Raising program had already updated with her info.
[Member Management]
Name: Ha Yu-na
Age: 23
Training Satisfaction: Stage 0 [ 0 / 100 ]
Allowed Touch Areas:
Sexual Sensitivity: 10
Physical Arousal: 0
Aside from the sensitivity up from achievements, everything was blank slate. Like a game, grinding XP to level up and unlock—already exciting. I swallowed my lecherous thoughts, flashed my kindest smile, and gave her a quick once-over.
A bit under 160cm, petite height. Equally small head. Long black straight hair. Round eyes, tiny nose and mouth. Slim build, thin limbs and body overall, chest and hips proportionally small. But overall, undeniably pretty.
'Like a bunny.'
Herbivore vibe. Shy, standoffish personality obvious at a glance, the stuttering too. As a trainer, I was thrilled. Despite knowing her personality, she'd mustered courage to work out. Starting's half the battle, after all.
"Don't exercise much usually?"
"W-well... I w-work from home..."
"Aha. Then, Yu-na, could you give a rough idea of your current fitness level?"
"Uh, um... that..."
"Tons of folks like you feel out of shape from remote work these days. No need to be embarrassed—be honest. That way I can help without pushing you too hard."
Her pale face flushed red at my question. Paler than Jeong Ye-sol, barely sees sunlight. She slowly started talking.
"L-last year... I tried an app... that schedules... 30-min runs..."
"Oh, that one? I know it. 1 min run, 2 or 3 min walk, right?"
"Yes... First time was five repeats..."
Even stuttering like this seemed tiring; she looked down, caught her breath, then continued.
"I-I finished... but it was so hard... after..."
"Dizzy and nauseous?"
"Ah! Y-yes... exactly..."
"Hm."
Serious case. Classic overexertion symptoms. Feeling that from just five cycles of 1-min run/2-min walk... Wrong approach partly, but still bad. I get those symptoms sometimes too, but from high-intensity stuff. Once taught my friend Jae-min workouts; he struggled with the same.
Because...
"That nauseous feeling sucks, right? Worse than the physical fatigue sometimes? Scary knowing you'll deal with it post-workout."
"Y-yes! Then for like 30 min, stomach's off... can't even drink water 'cause it feels like puking..."
Dizzy, short of breath, queasy with dry heaves—awful. Can traumatize you into avoiding exercise. Ha Yu-na nodded vigorously, face lighting up in agreement. Good start with some rapport. Now, show I can fix it. High-intensity guys grit through or self-regulate, but for cardio newbies building base stamina, solution's surprisingly simple.
"Yu-na, instead of signup details, since you're here for the trial event, mind if I guide a quick session?"
"W-workout? I... didn't bring anything..."
"Saw the free trial ad, right? First day's a short free class."
"Yeah but... thought just explanations today..."
"Won't make it grueling. Based on that app last year—30 min? Promise: no bad feelings like before."
"Hmm......"
"Oh, and whether you like the trial or not, no sales pitch today. Try it, like it? Come back to sign up. Hate it? Oh well."
"I-if you're that sure... yes... I'll try..."
"Thanks. Let's head out then?"
Zero downside for her. I led the hesitant Ha Yu-na out of the office.
Slide.
My hand lightly on her waist.