Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Push-ups and Overnight Plans
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#75
"Huff... huff... gasp..."
After sending Han Seo-ah home first since she had plans with a friend today, I started exercising the moment I got back to the house.
I went straight through that classic routine the bald guy from some manga swore by as the secret to strength: 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats. By the end, I didn't have the energy to wiggle a single finger. I just collapsed on the floor, gasping for breath.
Man, this is tough.
I'd always laughed it off in the comics, thinking, Yeah, right, like that's gonna make you strong. But trying it myself? Yeah, no wonder it's called the secret to strength.
Still, when I felt around the muscles I'd worked, they felt nice and firm. There was definitely an effect.
Two weeks... maybe I can pull this off?
Confidence surging, I stripped off my clothes and struck a few poses in front of the mirror—flex! pose! flex!—when suddenly the door flew open.
"Whoa, damn!"
"Oh my, what's my son doing stripping naked alone in his room? And what's with that sweat smell?"
I'd closed the door because I didn't want to get caught exercising, but apparently the sweat stench gave me away. Mom wrinkled her nose, then her expression shifted to one of apology.
"Oh... did I barge in at a bad time? Sorry, sweetie~ Just let me know when you're done~"
I waved my hands frantically for her to leave, but then it hit me what she might be thinking. Realization dawned: I'd just been hit with the most ridiculous misunderstanding.
"No, Mom!!! What are you talking about? I was exercising!"
I grabbed Mom, who was closing the door with a sorry look, and protested my innocence. She nodded knowingly, like she got it all.
"I know~ My boy was just working out~"
Her teasing tone, complete with that grin—it was exercise, right?~—had me on the verge of losing it.
"I'm going insane. Not that kind of exercise—real exercise! Building muscle!"
Mom finally seemed satisfied after having her fun and stopped teasing.
"But seriously, what's with the sudden workout kick? You're already in great shape, looking all nice and fit. Did Seo-ah tell you to?"
"...No, she didn't. And she's not the type to anyway."
Mom nodded like, fair enough~, and since she'd already caught me, I decided to ask for help.
"Mom, I'm planning to go hard for the next two weeks. Can you help me with meal prep?"
"Huh? Two weeks?"
She tilted her head at the timeframe, then a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes, like something had clicked.
"Trying to impress Seo-ah?"
"...Yeah, pretty much."
Mom's proud gaze scanned me up and down, making my face heat up. I turned away.
"Hmm~ You don't have to push yourself that hard, you know?"
—I know.
I knew Han Seo-ah wouldn't be disappointed by the lack of washboard abs on me.
I knew that better than anyone.
Because it would've been the same even if our roles were reversed.
I just—
"I want to do it."
To become someone even a little more worthy of you.
"My boy's all grown up, huh?"
Mom approached with a pleased smile, reaching out to pat my butt, so I backed away.
I ignored her hurt puppy eyes and pressed on.
"Ahem, just protein-focused for two weeks, please. I'll buy the chicken breast myself."
"Let me pat that butt, and I'll think about it."
This woman, seriously.
"...Just once."
That day, for the sake of future happiness, I tearfully offered my rear to the beautiful middle-aged woman.
#76
After scheming our secret plan with Ji-ah and getting home.
Jun-woo energy depleted, I flopped face-first onto the bed.
More than yesterday.
Tomorrow even more than today.
I'd thought my love for Jun-woo had filled me to the brim, that it couldn't grow any bigger.
But as if mocking that notion.
Every day, my love for him swelled endlessly.
To the point where I wondered if anything would have meaning without him.
—Can't have that.
I need to recharge at Jun-woo's place—even a little. As I sat up, my phone buzzed.
It's Jun-woo!
[Junoo♡]
-Where are you?
Jun-woo must've seen my message saying I'd parted with Ji-ah in front of my house and should be home soon.
-Just got home!
-Whoa, that was fast? Next time you come home late at night, text me.
-And if I do? (🐰 sparkling eyes emoji)
-...I'll come pick you up. It's dangerous.
-Even super late at dawn?
-Anytime.
Even though I couldn't see him, I could picture Jun-woo's flushed face through the messages.
Shy, but bringing it up first because he worries about me.
And even amid my teasing jabs, he earnestly agrees one by one, like he won't yield on this. It was unbearably cute, and a smile spread across my lips unbidden.
—I can't hold back.
-Junoo-ya, can I come over now? (🐰 peeking from behind door emoji)
-Hmm... I'm wrapping up some studying right now, might be tough. Sorry (🐶 kneeling with paws up emoji)
Sigh—
Just reading the message drained all strength from my body.
-Tomorrow we can hang out lots instead, okay?
A follow-up message, like he'd anticipated my reaction.
Hiiing... I miss you.
It sucked, but with our Saturday plans, it made sense, and I didn't want to bug him while studying. I hid my disappointment and replied.
-Okay! Study hard and... can you text me like yesterday when you're done, Junoo-ya? (🐰 sparkling eyes emoji)
-Duh, of course. I'll hit you up when I'm free.
Hee—
No need to ask why—just a casual "of course" that warmed my heart, bringing a smile to my face.
This fluttering at even his smallest words felt amazing, like my body was tuned perfectly to Jun-woo alone.
#77
Figuring I should study too if I couldn't see Jun-woo, I reached for my workbook—then remembered I hadn't told my parents about the trip.
Perfect timing since they were both home. I opened my door and stepped out to find Mom and Dad at the dining table.
"Seo-ah-ya, here for dinner?"
"Yeah, no. I have something to tell you and Dad."
"Huh?"
I sat down abruptly, announcing I had something to say. They both looked tense, wondering what was up.
"Everything okay?"
"It's nothing bad. Just... I'm going on a trip."
The mood visibly brightened at "trip."
"A trip? Whew, had me worried. Where to?"
"Thinking West Sea after midterms."
"West Sea sounds great. Ye-rin-ah, should we go too?"
"Why not? Been ages since I saw the ocean~."
They got into chatting about the sea, all smiles after hearing my plans. Then Mom suddenly turned to me like something clicked.
"But Seo-ah-ya, how many going? You, Jun-woo, and that Ji-ah friend you mentioned?"
"Four's perfect for the beach, right? Jun-woo's friend coming too?"
What? No.
I shook my head firmly to clear the misunderstanding.
"No... just me and Jun-woo."
The moment the words left my mouth, they both froze like ice cracking.
"...What?"
"Just me and Jun-woo. One night, two days."
"One night, two days?!"
Dad yelped like he'd heard some unbelievable horror story.
Mom went "Oh my oh my~" and eyed me with keen interest.
Just need to convince Dad, then.
"Absolutely not! Even if it's Jun-woo, a whole night with a boy—"
"Dad."
"Seo-ah-ya, Jun-woo's a teenage boy in his prime. Boys that age are wolves, wolves!"
"Dad."
I kept calling him until he finally looked at me, eyes trembling with worry.
"Y-Yes...?"
"For me..."
Even I felt a bit shy saying it in front of my parents, so I cupped my heating cheeks and continued.
"Even if Jun-woo's a wolf... I like it. No... I'll make him one..."
Just imagining it set my body aflame.
If Jun-woo wanted me, I was ready to give him everything, anytime.
Dad looked shocked, face drained white, mouth agape in a daze.
He blinked rapidly, as if denying the reality before him.
Sorry, Dad, but that won't change my mind.
—Sorry, Dad.
Mom, on the other hand, seemed delighted, beaming ear to ear.
No worry in her eyes—just pure curiosity and amusement at the situation. What a relief.
"So, anything you need to pack or whatever?"
"Hmm... Jun-woo's mom and dad are covering the lodging, so can you help with the rest?"
"Jun-woo's mom... dad...?"
As Mom and I dove into trip details, I caught Dad muttering "mom... dad..." beside us.
Neither of us paid him any mind.
"Oh~ If they're covering lodging, we got the rest, obviously. Where'd you book?"
"Not picked yet... We decided on the spot yesterday..."
Mom wagged her index finger sharply at that.
I gave her a puzzled look, and she beckoned me close, like it was top-secret info. I leaned in.
"Seo-ah-ya, peak season trips? Book fast or no rooms left. You wanna shack up somewhere rundown with Jun-woo?"
"...!"
She whispered right in my ear, like Dad couldn't hear. A lightbulb flashed in my head.
—Can't let that happen...!
"Mom, help me look for lodging now?"
A mental alarm blared; I asked urgently.
"Sure~ Why don't we book first on our end, tell Jun-woo's folks later?"
"...! Yeah, better. Let's do that!"
Choosing the place where Jun-woo and I would spend the night—my hands picking it—lit a fire of motivation in me.
As I downloaded the app and scrolled, a sudden thought hit. I glanced back, then beckoned Mom over.
She came close, curious. I whispered carefully.
"Mom... one room okay...?"
"Oh, Seo-ah-ya."
"Yes...?"
"Rooms and beds... you only ever need one."
Watching Mom wink with a grin, I realized I still had a long way to go.