Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 6: Jeong Ye-sol's Trial
A bright spring day.
Jeong Ye-sol was on her way to meet a friend at a café after her lecture ended when she unexpectedly nodded to an invitation for a self-defense trial. It wasn't a pressing appointment. They'd just agreed to study together at the café. So she followed him.
The young Dojang Master had a somewhat rough-looking face and a solidly built body that was obvious even under his dobok. She'd never been interested in self-defense before. But since he offered to teach her, she felt a spark of curiosity for the first time. In this rough world these days, it might come in handy someday, she figured. A free trial was worth it.
Normally, she would've ignored him completely. But she felt like being impulsive for once, and there was a practical reason too.
'Ever since starting college, more annoying guys have been bugging me.'
Men had approached her since she was young. She couldn't help being popular. Her jet-black straight hair, which she'd worn long in middle and high school even though it was short now. Her sharp eyes that made her look a bit fierce, but on her small, pretty face, it just added to her charm. Her cute, straight nose and plump lips with a hint of red. Her 165cm height, slim yet curvaceous figure.
Men couldn't resist.
'Some of them are so persistent...'
No real threats to her safety yet, but no guarantee crazy guys from the news wouldn't show up nearby.
'Back in middle and high school, idiots would hit on me and act all stupid. Now in college, horny seniors try to get me drunk at every chance...'
Being pretty had its perks. But it also attracted plenty of morons. Not just college seniors and classmates—same since middle and high school.
'So annoying.'
Back then, if she had to label herself, Jeong Ye-sol was a bit of a delinquent. But she didn't get into dirty trouble. No boyfriend, never bullied anyone or stole stuff, barely even drank. Only cigarettes—she tried them in high school because her older sister-friend looked cool smoking. She still sneaked some but had only smoked properly a few times. She'd shorten her uniform skirt, bend minor school rules, but studied hard enough to get into a top university.
In a way, she was just a normal student. But to her peers, she seemed like one type of delinquent, so bad-boy types swarmed her. Of course, to her, those approaching guys were just dumb kids. She'd curse them out and keep her distance every time.
Back then. And even now.
In that situation, the chance self-defense invitation caught her interest perfectly. With all sorts of creeps sticking around, one might go crazy and charge at her someday. So she followed him to the self-defense place—which also did Hapkido, judging by the sign: Hapkido Dojang.
It was nicer than expected.
'No one's here. Thought it'd be full of kids.'
Jeong Ye-sol didn't like crowded, noisy places. The quiet dojang atmosphere suited her. It looked clean overall too. Though leaving her alone briefly while he came from the office late, and scanning her up and down when he arrived—that Dojang Master's gaze rubbed her wrong.
Then came.
Thud.
"How's that? Feel how I didn't use any force?"
The Dojang Master's practical self-defense techniques were intriguing and fun.
"What? Why's it so easy? You didn't just flop on purpose, did you?"
"No, it's not... What is it? Why am I doing this so well? Have you trained before?"
She picked it up so easily, like she had a talent for it. At first, she thought he was faking to hook her. But his dumbfounded face erased her doubts. If that was acting, he'd be a star already.
Thump.
"......"
"It works?"
With such a simple move, technique. Throwing a man 1.5 times her size to the mat gave her a thrill. Self-defense was surprisingly fun, she thought.
And during the next technique.
Grip...
The moment his thick body pressed against her from behind. Honestly, she felt intimidated. By the unavoidable male-female size difference and the solid muscles even without full force.
Squish... knead.
Overwhelmed by his body covering hers, hand even grabbing her chest.
'Annoying...!'
Her fragile female body pissed her off. Her body heated up a bit too. She blamed anger. First time letting anyone touch her body, her breasts. Even through bra and sweater, her perky chest crumpled in his hand. But it was a natural class touch, so she ignored it. She was just mad.
Maybe because of that feeling.
"Give it a try. Remember how I did it? Keep your upper body straight or you might get lifted, so lower your center of gravity and twist sideways..."
"Hng!"
Following his instructions, she escaped the pressure. A rush like pleasure surged. A natural smile bloomed on Jeong Ye-sol's face. It was fun. Overcoming lack of strength and innate size differences with technique. Really fun.
"Yeah? Well... even if you get good at Hapkido, I'd advise against fighting men if possible. Even similar builds, men have more strength. Against someone way bigger like me, you could get seriously hurt."
His blunt facts stung a bit, but she appreciated the honesty over empty flattery.
"You can also smack the back of their hand with your phone or something to break free. Hands are surprisingly vulnerable. Or from a grab, bend your leg back to knee the groin... but situations vary so much. Hard to cover everything now."
And he didn't say it was impossible. She was curious. What else? Could she pick up more as easily? Still, she couldn't commit on the spot. It'd lock in weekly schedules.
"No need to decide now. Think it over at home."
"...When are the classes?"
"We tailor to your schedule. Like PT, once a week for an hour is fine."
"That's good. I'll think about it. Thanks for teaching me."
"Thank you!"
After the free trial, clutching his business card, she left the dojang.
'...Kinda hot out.'
Her body felt oddly warm. Had she enjoyed it that much in such a short time? A soft smile slipped out.
And that evening. After finishing assignments and studying with her friend at the café, she got home.
"Hey, pig. Study hard?"
Poke, poke.
Her twenty-two-year-old immature brother poked her tired body annoyingly with his finger.
"Fuck off."
"Look at you talking to your oppa like that. Oh, I ate your yogurt from the fridge. Helping you not gain weight, no need to thank me. Next time get strawberry. Grape's gross."
"......"
Poke, poke.
Jeong Ye-sol's irritation boiled over. Him eating her yogurt, poking her—it wasn't new. But today it grated extra. Probably why she'd never dated: men were all childish like this blood-related idiot.
Slap!
"Cut it out and fuck off."
"Whoa, hitting your oppa? Hit me more! Hoo, hoo!"
Poke, poke, poke!
"Fuck...! Stop and fuck off!"
Finally, Jeong Ye-sol swung her arm wide to the side.
Grab!
"Gotcha? Can't hit me now?"
Poke, poke!
One hand grabbing her wrist, the other poking her body again. Her body reacted instinctively.
Swing...!
Rotating her wrist down sharply, naturally pressing down on her brother's raised elbow.
"Gah!"
His unexpected counter made him scream as she slammed him to the floor. Staring down at her brother—oppa—pinned with his arm twisted, even she was shocked.
Honestly. Even with the Dojang Master's praise, she thought real fights would be tough. Yet she'd nailed the self-defense move she'd just learned today. Partly lucky positioning, but still.
"Y-you crazy pig... fuck, where'd you learn that..."
"Shut up? Want your arm broken?"
Squeeze...!
"Ow, ow, ow! I surrender! Let go! It hurts, fuck!"
"Behave for once. You're annoying."
Jeong Ye-sol released his arm. He bolted to the kitchen like fleeing.
"Mom! The pig just broke my arm!"
Smack!!
"Ow! Why hit me!"
"Stop bullying your sister! She came home after studying hard—why bother her! Ugh, the eldest son just games all day!"
"No, I got hit... Aak! Hurts! F-fine, I get it!"
"Set the table! Ye-sol needs dinner!"
"Why me..."
Smaack!!
"O-okay!!"
Jeong Ye-sol ignored her brother to the end with his pathetic antics.
Just.
Thump, thump.
Her heart raced. He'd bullied her since childhood using his superior male strength, acting all oppa. For the first time, she'd dominated the idiot in an instant.
Her resolve to join the dojang, hovering at 75%, This moment.
'I'll drop by this weekend. Schedules are up to me anyway. Looked reservation-only, no crowds, so weekly depending on my plans...'
Hit 100%.
She wanted to learn more. From that Dojang Master whose name she didn't even know yet.