Interlude: That Woman, That Man -1-
My days were still listless, drained by burnout, but ever since I got to know Jae-hyun, things had started improving bit by bit. The unpacked moving boxes I'd left scattered everywhere somehow ended up neatly sorted. I cut back on instant meals and delivery food, and these days I was even making an effort to eat proper home-cooked meals more often. Meeting Jae-hyun had injected a spark of vitality into my routine, or so it felt. Above all, I couldn't bear the thought of my body falling apart from neglect—Jae-hyun might worry, or worse, find it off-putting—so I found myself paying attention without even realizing it.
I'd looked into gym memberships for exactly that reason, but who could've guessed I'd run smack into Jae-hyun there? At first, I embarrassingly wondered, Are we really fated? But then dizziness hit as I imagined him mistaking it for stalking. Of course, this fatally sly yet guilelessly pure younger guy—who has no clue how intimidating women can be—just spouts something like, "I trust you because it's you, noona!" Knowing he trusted me that much, saw me as that close, made me happy. Still, his total lack of caution around women was a little worrying.
-2-
The Jae-hyun I saw at the cafe was neat, upright, and diligent. But when we met casually last weekend, he was way more approachable, full of playful mischief and even a hint of little-devil charm. And the Jae-hyun at the gym... well, it might sound weird to say it, but he was stimulating.
His fitted black shorts and sleeveless tee clung during workouts, exposing his body more starkly. When he focused, that usual soft, amiable smile vanished, sharpening his distinctive deep, wolfish features into something primal and wild. Especially during weights—the bulging veins and muscles in his forearms, his rough breaths...
"Ahem. Member~?"
"Hup! Sorry."
"I get it. Yoon Jae-hyun's got that effect, right? Heh."
My gaze kept drifting his way without fail. My trainer called me out, and I flushed with embarrassment, but her knowing look—as a fellow woman—left me speechless. When she lamented that his sessions had tapered off now that he was used to training, my eyes sharpened instinctively. Luckily, years of heiress-honed expression control kicked in; I smoothed it over before she noticed.
"How was training Jae-hyun?"
"Rewarding. He's got great muscle-building potential, and he was so consistent and diligent."
No ulterior motives in her face—satisfying, but baffling. Wait, was she a lesbian or something?
"Come on! You've gotta push too, member. Even Yoon Jae-hyun—a guy—did more volume than this!"
"...Go easy."
And today, like always, she barked endless "One more!" Jae-hyun was right; gym trainers were merciless. But on days without PT, we'd bump into each other and train cozily side by side, so I gritted my teeth through it. What I couldn't figure out was why he always startled like a deer in headlights when he saw me. Huh? Had I gained that much weight?
"Doesn't seem like it."
Sure, a bit of pudge here and there—mostly up top. Not enough to change cup sizes, but maybe too much for a guy's eyes?
"Trainer, does my body look... bad?"
"Nah, you're fine. Why?"
"Nothing. Should I watch my diet more?"
Yeah, I'd slashed junk food, but daily cafe runs for coffee and desserts added up. Time for stricter management. We were already seven years apart; a sloppy figure would be a disaster.
-3-
Was it this reverse world? Back in my past life, only busty women wore skin-tight leggings like that. Here, they were commonplace. But when someone like Ji-ah noona wore them—with her explosive curves—the impact was hard to get used to. Her black spats and sports bra top hugged every line, laying her figure bare. I'd thought her mid was impressive clothed, but apparently it was the "looks smaller dressed" type. Or wait—no, sports bras compress to prevent pain from jiggling during exercise, so taking it off would make it even more...
"Pervert."
Felt like a lewd demon had possessed my brain. What the hell am I thinking? I shook my head vigorously, banishing the filthy thoughts. Focus. Workout. Just workout.
-4-
To clear my head, I hit weights harder than usual, then cooled down with light cardio. Before long, Ji-ah noona was beside me, treadmill-walking at a leisurely pace to wrap up. Her sweat-slicked body was distracting; I strained not to glance south.
"Jae-hyun, um... mind walking me home later?"
Since that weekend I took her home, she'd often offer post-gym rides. No reason to refuse—we'd chat on the way—but I had plans today.
"Got a thing with a friend tonight."
"A friend?"
"Yeah, high school buddy. She's introducing her girlfriend and wants me to meet her."
I'd warned her: spill salt in front of me, and I'd air her school black history to her girl. Ji-ah noona smirked at my sulky face.
"Can't be helped, then. Have fun."
She looked a tad disappointed. It wasn't even on her way—why bother all the way to my place?
"Noona."
"Yeah?"
"Isn't walking me home a hassle?"
If it was just "womanly manners," I'd be fine...
Her eyes widened briefly, then she chuckled soundlessly, brushing sweat-matted hair from my forehead.
"Not at all. Being with you is comfy, fun. Am I bothering you?"
Ooh— My heart skipped. Thump! Was this what they called heart-fluttering?
"Not even a little. I like heading home chatting with you—never boring."
As I answered, a thought struck: Was this her standard reverse-world courtesy? Or genuine affection?
"Hupcha! I'll head out first. See you next time, Jae-hyun."
"Yeah. Get home safe."
She left without lingering. Watching her back, I snorted. Right. Why would a woman like her pine for a kid like me? Just a friendly neighborhood dongsaeng. That's why the extra care. No delusions—don't ruin things with Ji-ah noona.
-5-
How does summer break heat records every year? High humidity made the muggy tropical nights brutal. I hate taxis usually, but nothing beat them in this weather. My meetup spot was far—bus or subway would've dragged—so I showered at the gym and called a cab.
"Hey! Yoon-zzai!"
Daehak-ro's rowdy beer hall. No sooner had I stepped in than a familiar voice boomed. Lee Yoon-ju waved wildly; I chuckled dryly.
"You're here? Babe, this is the high school buddy I told you about."
Her girlfriend—first time meeting—nodded my way after Yoon-ju's intro.
"Hi. Thanks for putting up with this one. Yoon Jae-hyun."
"Pfft. Hey. I'm Yoon-ju's girl, Han So-eun."
"She looks tough, but she's sweet... You didn't blackmail her or anything, right?"
I'll take responsibility and put this punk behind bars. So-eun burst into girlish giggles at my deadpan threat. Her sharp bob and cat-like features made her a refreshingly pretty sight laughing.
"She's too good for me, honestly. Heh."
"Yoon-ju. Did you eat something you shouldn't, or skip what you should?"
"Hah! Jealous? Just say it."
"Super jealous."
I overplayed the trembling, but it was genuine. Yoon-ju aside, So-eun's gaze and gestures toward her dripped thick honeyed affection—even a solo like me could see it.
"Pfft! You two are as tight as she said."
"Thicker than thieves. Mom likes her more than me."
"Just be a better daughter to her."
Burning filial daughter talks big, friend. Beer and snacks arrived; light drinking kicked off. So-eun was outgoing, bantering freely despite first meet. Yoon-ju was extrovert supreme, and I'm no introvert—we three same-agers clicked fast, vibe soaring.
"Ahahaha! For real? She said that?"
"Hey, you bastard. Why spill that?!"
I slyly dropped Yoon-ju's high school dirt. Nothing major: sophomore trip, she smuggled booze. I refused; she and a few mixed makgeolli. Small stash split among many—not much. But high-soju mix, plus noise got us pushups from the teacher (no drinking caught). Booze hit late.
During sentimental campfire chats—missing it would've sucked—one drinker welled up and bawled.
"That's how we got busted big-time."
"Nooo! Babe, listen—in all that, Jae-hyun was the only one not scolded?!"
"Duh? You orchestrated it; I got dragged. Didn't touch a drop."
I'd even fake-protested once, warned about noise. All on them.
"Plus my rep—teachers wouldn't punish me."
Few guys in school? Lucky not disciplined for dragging innocent boy into girls' booze-up. Teachers nearly committee'd it, but I shielded; we were school's unofficial couple, so they dropped it.
"Spot on. Damn."
"Shouldn't you thank him? Dodged a bullet."
"Well... I bought full snacks next day. Right?"
"Yeah. Blocked your mom from whooping you after school call. Sigh, So-eun. Rethink—dating a silver-tongued snake okay?"
You're a hundred times worse. Same-age, Yoon-ju link, booze loosened casual speech.
"Hmm~ Really? High school you two were basically official couple. No feelings at all? Jae-hyun's type could spark new tastes."
"Babe. So-eun. Not even joking."
"Euk. Chew. Crazy Yoon-ju."
Her puppy-dog eyes and slumped shoulders—gag-worthy aegyo to me, but So-eun melted, face gooey with adoration. Mind-blowing.
"So-eun. You like that? Ugh, nearly puked my beer."
"Heh. Cute, right?"
"Yeah. Live happily ever after."
"We will~"
So-eun, mind punching your girl once? Dead serious, in hanja font.
"Nooo! Where would you hit her? Even BFFs don't do that!"
Bean filter on tight. No wonder solos scream couple hell, solo heaven, pitchforks up.
"Should've just gone home after gym."
Then no this. I'd be strolling night streets with Ji-ah noona, iced drinks in hand, chatting idly!
"But seriously, nothing?"
"If there was, would I be here?"
Enough salt, friend. Push it, this mug might meet your thick skull on a blind date.