Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: A Little Permission to the Hardworking, Skilled Masseur Senior
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Up until now, to Bae Yuri, Jang Hyunwoo had just been a comfortable coworker—a senior part-timer she got along with easily.
He wasn't without those subtle glances her way, but he never crossed into creepy territory. He kept appropriate boundaries and taught her the job well.
He didn't force fake smiles or exaggerated disgust at her dad jokes—two reactions she usually got from guys. Instead, he played along in a way that made teasing him worthwhile, reacting with genuine fun.
So she had some fondness for him, but not enough to date. Hyunwoo wasn't particularly handsome or overflowing with special charm.
'He's smart at work and tall, which I like! But senior's about 180 cm, right? A bit short?'
Excluding his reliability as a coworker and his height, there was nothing that really drew her in romantically.
Just the vibe of a close guy friend. That was how Yuri saw Hyunwoo.
It had been at that level, and Hyunwoo never seemed interested in pushing past it.
But then—was it sudden ulterior motives or a prelude to confession?
'Hand massage? No way senior's thinking...? Please don't! It'll make coming to work awkward!'
The day before, he'd offered to massage her hands, even calling it a paid service like he was hiding something.
Yuri immediately pegged it as 100% romantic interest. He's gonna confess soon, right?
Still, she couldn't coldly reject Hyunwoo, whom she liked as a person, so she'd playfully agreed—on the condition he never hold her hand again.
'Whoa, he's actually really good?'
Surprisingly, his skills were impressive. And afterward, he treated her the same as always—no changes.
Yuri relaxed.
If he'd confessed, she'd have turned him down flat. One of them probably would've quit by now.
Luckily, she could just enjoy discovering this new side to her coworker.
And the next day.
On her way to work.
"Ow ow ow..."
She twisted her ankle while walking and staring at her phone.
'Not again, Yuri! I hadn't done this in ages!'
She had a natural clumsiness—prone to little injuries and mishaps when alone.
Even at the café, she made Hyunwoo facepalm-worthy mistakes every 2-3 days.
Running had reduced her injuries lately, but here it was again after so long.
—Throb, throb.
"That's a bad one... What do I do?"
The pain was intense—bad enough she'd be better off skipping work.
But suddenly calling out and burdening everyone wasn't her style.
So she pushed through.
Minimize movement, tough it out just for today. She'd have two days off after.
"Hello!"
"Yuri! Come on in. Early today?"
"Yep! Got bored, so I came ahead!"
"Yuri, rest up and come out on time. Fold some cup carriers when it quiets down."
"Got it, boss!"
She greeted naturally, hiding everything, and slipped into the office. The morning shift and boss noticed nothing off.
Smiling as usual, enduring the pain, walking normally—who'd suspect?
She changed into her café uniform.
"...It's fine, Yuri! You can tough it out!"
Ignoring the worsening throb.
—Click!
"Ah, senior! Good afternoon!"
She greeted her slightly late coworker, Jang Hyunwoo.
But.
"What's 'good afternoon'? You twisted your ankle."
"Huh?"
Hyunwoo spotted it instantly—under 10 seconds.
Not just that—he dropped his usual smoothness for a firmer, more commanding tone today.
"How're you gonna work like that? We've got... maybe 10 minutes. I'll loosen it as much as I can, so give me your foot quick. Done in 10."
For some reason, Yuri couldn't refuse. She hesitated, then slipped off her shoe and sock.
Sitting in the chair, she tentatively extended her small bare foot toward Hyunwoo.
Her face burned.
'B-barefoot to senior... I just left home, so no smell... right?!'
Yuri half-jokingly called herself old-fashioned, but it was sincere.
Aside from family and relatives, she'd never even held a guy's hand. The hand massage had an excuse.
Showing her bare foot? Total first.
Normally, she'd refuse.
But his firm voice carried kindness and worry—she couldn't say no.
Plus, yesterday proved his skill. Any pain relief would be huge.
—Tap.
Hyunwoo knelt before her, heedless of floor dust, and gently cupped her foot with both hands.
"Mm..."
Warm, large hands.
Just holding it eased the throb a bit. The unfamiliar touch of another on her foot made her swallow.
"I'll be gentle, but speak up if it hurts."
"Ah, y-yeah! Got it... B-but isn't touching a college girl's foot a total reward?! Shouldn't I get yesterday's money back?!"
"Sure, sure. Total reward. No refunds."
She tried hiding her embarrassment with silly talk, but he brushed it off casually and began.
—Knead... squeeze, press...
"Hng...! Ugh..."
"Hurts?"
"N-no... Doesn't hurt..."
"Feel better?"
"...Yeah. Totally... hng...!"
His hands pressed from instep to sole, then toes.
Nothing fancy, yet her breath quickened oddly.
She blamed shyness.
First time a guy outside family massaged her bare foot.
—Squeeze!
"Eek!"
A tingle shot from her toes deep inside with the cool relief.
Not pain... but something...
—Slide...
"...! Mmph...!"
His gliding palm made her thighs clench involuntarily.
Itch and pleasure mixed; her face flushed hot.
Yuri clamped a hand over her mouth, shivering at her senior's masterful touch.
'Why's he so good? It hurt when I tried, but his doesn't... A-and why does the sole feel so good... Eek!'
She'd always admired his dexterity, but feeling it firsthand was another level.
Her heart pounded wildly.
Was it awe at the massage turning relief into something sensual?
Or the older guy kneeling earnestly, eyes only on her foot, no lust—just dedication?
It thumped so loud she worried he'd hear.
"Ha... Th-thanks, senior. Feels way better... Huh? Yeah, it's already improving...?"
"Don't thank me. I'm doing it so I don't suffer if you're messed up."
"Pfft... Why so tsundere! I'll repay you with my secret morning and night dad jokes!"
"Quit now and maybe? Please..."
She suppressed the tickle in her heart, bantering as usual.
But his warm hands still worked her foot, stirring unknown sensations amid the laughs.
Yuri couldn't look away from how he never lifted his head—total focus on her foot.
His sincerity, trying his best to ease her pain.
A fluttering sincerity she couldn't hide behind jokes.
How could anyone not feel fondness seeing this?
Too early for romance, maybe.
So when the massage ended.
"That should do... Not fully healed, so be careful today. Nah, just stay behind the counter and pour shots. Got it?"
"Yeah! But shouldn't I pay for this? Way better than yesterday! No joke!"
"Nah. Service today. Like it? Book again. Foot massages are 5,000 won, FYI."
"Pricey~ Anyway... Thanks so much! Oppa!"
Yuri permitted it.
A little.
"Wha... Huh?"
"What?"
"No, you just..."
"What, senior?"
"...Go ahead. I'll change and be right out."
"Okay!"
The "oppa" title, just a bit.
'...But can a sprain heal this much from massage? Barely hurts now... Senior—no, my oppa's really good.'
Forgetting his warning, she wiggled her much-improved foot normally, thinking.
'Next time, shoulders? Or thighs from running lately...'
Hyunwoo was reliable not just as a senior, but as a masseur too.
Customer: Bae Yuri Satisfaction: 68% | Arousal: 11%
> Payment Received
- Massage: 0 won - Tip: 0 won
Total: 0 won
> MP Gained
- Massage: +0 MP - Tip: +0 MP
Total: 0 MP
"What the fuck?"
Free massage for Yuri got me a warning. Absurd, but... not serious.
"So if someone skips out after 'pay later' massage, warning too? That's harsh."
The reply:
Key: Don't do freebies.
So the freebie for Yuri had meaning.
Learned a rule I missed, and—even once—she called me "oppa."
Back to senior after, though.
"Still, feels like Yuri's warmer toward me now."
Not imagination. Definitely.
Her puppy-like "senior, senior" more than usual... Damn, so cute.
Plus, as she said, fiddling her pale little foot was reward enough.
Damn.
Pretty, cute feet...!
Even her moans were adorable!
Thanks to that, I finished work refreshed body and soul.
Back home, I considered buying uniforms and mats with saved MP.
"Wait till tomorrow's points. Can't get top stuff, but who knows."
Items delivered same-day, so no rush—watch and see.
That night.
Replaying Im Haeun's moans and Yuri's "oppa," I jerked one out and slept soundly.
Friday.
Early to uni again.
"Finally here, Jang Hyunwoo! Line's forming for your massages!"
"What?"
First class—Moon Seokho waited in the lecture hall, somehow knowing.
"I hyped you a bit, but remember Kyungmin yesterday? Arm massage."
"Min Kyungmin? What's he got to do?"
"He blabbed to every group chat. My phone blew up—'Can I get Hyunwoo?'"
"......?? Why you? Only two messaged me."
"Dunno? Figure I introduced? I hooked Kyungmin up. Plus, many don't have your number."
"Jeez..."
Can't take everyone anyway; less spam's good.
Still, demand for massages? Great news.
Need constant MP.
But Seokho scratched his head, broaching more.
"And uh... Thanks to me, you got more clients, right?"
"Credit where due. Book appointments? No freebies on principle—or schedule. Lunch later maybe."
"Nah, can you do house call after class?"
"House call?"
I blinked; he continued apologetically.
"My sister-in-law's chronic shoulder knots are brutal. Tried physio, chiropractic—temporary relief, no real fix."
"Your sis-in-law? If that didn't work, what makes you think mine will?"
"Different, man! Have confidence! Puppy's knots? Gone in one go—no one's heard that before!"
"Hm, true."
"Please. Good pay, taxi both ways."
"Sigh... Annoying, but you promoted. After 4 PM."
"Knew it! Thanks, Hyunwoo!"
Thanks my ass.
I'm thankful.
Seokho, you my employee or what?