Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Gym Job Interview
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#210
I barely managed to wrap up Tuesday's lecture, gasping like a mummy who'd had his life force sucked dry.
...I'm gonna die.
Halfway through, Seo Sae-rom and Kim A-ri seemed to catch on to what was happening with me, their piercing stares nearly making me break out in cold sweat. But anyway.
I finally finished the lecture, took Seo-ah home, and now I was heading to the spot Kim Seung-hyun had sent me.
Logistically, it would've been closer to go straight from school to the gym.
But leaving Seo-ah to go home all lonely by herself? No way.
Seo-ah had seen the gym's location and told me to just head there right away, but I stubbornly insisted on walking her home first. She let out a sigh like she couldn't talk me out of it.
But.
I saw it.
The corners of Seo-ah's mouth were curving up even as she sighed.
That sigh she let out was probably laced with satisfaction.
She meant it when she said she wanted me to go straight to the gym so I wouldn't tire myself out, but she also wanted me to walk home with her. Both feelings were genuine.
Still, I could tell without asking that my choice was a perfect 100 for her.
On the way home together.
That smile never left Seo-ah's lips.
That was enough for me.
#211
💕 [Jun-woo's ♥] -Good luck with the interview, Jun-woo! Thanks for walking me home♡ (Rabbit drawing a heart emoji) -Of course~ I'll get it, no doubt. Be right back! (Puppy running emoji) -Okay! I'll be good and wait at home! Hmm.
It was just casual chit-chat, but something about Seo-ah saying she'd wait at home made my heart tickle.
...We feel like a married couple.
Coming home after a long day to the delicious aroma filling the house, greeted by the sight of Seo-ah's back as she cooks dinner.
Seo-ah in an apron waiting at the door, beaming at me with, "Bath first? Dinner first? Or...?"
The future scenes playing naturally in my head had my lips curving up without me realizing.
Gotta marry her soon. Yeah. Definitely.
I replied to her adorable message with "Got it," then opened my chat with Kim Seung-hyun. My smile instantly dropped back to neutral.
Just seeing those three letters—Kim Seung-hyun—pulled my mouth right down.
What a talent for ruining my mood.
That damn... no, he hooked me up with this job, so today he's a great friend.
[Kim Seung-hyun] -Yo, I'm almost there. Where you at? -Almost there lol -Where? -Told you, almost there lol -So where exactly? He dodged my question about the location, and when no reply came, my hands started shaking in frustration.
This motherfuc—
-Be honest and I'll let it slide. Where are you right now?
-Oh. Just left the house lol. Heading there now lol
-You son of a bitch.
Is this guy insane?
I showed up on time for the meeting he set, and he's brazenly late? I was speechless.
Hold it in. Just hold it.
This jerk set up the job for me today...
Engraving "patience" in my mind, I kept walking and soon arrived in front of the gym.
[Rear GYM]
...It was real.
When Kim Seung-hyun first told me the gym's name, I told him not to mess with me. Seeing the sign up close was shocking.
Definitely a name you won't forget after hearing it once.
True to its new build, the shiny sign and the banner out front showcased the trainer credentials of Kim Seung-hyun's uncle—no, the boss I'd soon meet.
Holy crap, that's a lot.
Looking at the credentials packed onto the banner, I couldn't help but let out a "wow."
Certifications, competition wins, and a sculpted physique listed in detail.
Even my biceps were fluttering in excitement.
As I was taking it all in, I spotted an ugly mug approaching from afar.
"Lee Jun-woo, long time no see?"
"...Can I kill you?"
"Chill, chill. We met up, that's what matters, right?"
"You're saying that with your own mouth, you running bastard."
Before meeting, my head was full of ways to murder him on sight.
But seeing that familiar student face after so long brought a wave of fondness instead.
Seemed the same for Kim Seung-hyun; we kept grinning through even the most casual greetings.
"Yo, it's on the third floor. Let's head up."
"I know. Thanks to some asshole who set the meet and showed up late, I got a good look around."
"..."
Of course, I wasn't about to let the tardiness slide that easily.
#212
Stepping inside the gym, I could feel the pristine cleanliness of a brand-new building.
Unlike my expectation of it being empty since it just opened, there were actually quite a few people working out.
"...Yo, Seung-hyun. Didn't you say it just opened?"
"It did, yeah."
"Then why so many people?"
"Ah, my uncle's kinda famous? I don't know the details, but he said so. Apparently got big training celebs and YouTubers... Anyway. Plus, they're running an opening event."
"Oh..."
Nodding at Seung-hyun's explanation as I scanned the interior, my eyes locked onto one spot.
That had to be the boss.
"Uncle!"
Yup.
Seung-hyun called out toward him, and a giant presumed to be the boss strode over toward us.
"Why're you so late, you punk."
"It just happened... haha."
"Hello, I'm Lee Jun-woo, Seung-hyun's friend."
"Ah, the guy starting work here? Nice to meet you. I'm Kim Yu-seong, the trainer here."
His hearty voice came with a handshake extended my way. I couldn't help but gasp as our hands met.
...Is this a human hand?
My hands aren't small, but his made mine feel tiny. I wondered if this was even human.
"Yes, looking forward to working with you. Oh, feel free to speak casually."
"Hah, really Seung-hyun's friend? Quick on the uptake. We'll do the interview over there, and I'll let you know the start date. It's just formalities, so no need to stress."
"Yes, sir."
I felt like "yes, sir" fit better than "sure" as we moved spots.
No sooner had I sat on the cushy chair than he cut straight to it.
"Jun-woo, right? What's your big three?"
"...Pardon?"
I'd expected questions about my resume or something.
Caught off guard by the unexpected one, I asked for clarification.
"What, you don't know the big three? You don't strike me as clueless."
"No, I know it. Just surprised for a sec. Deadlift, bench press, squat—the three lifts, right?"
"Knew it. That's why I asked."
"I've only done home workouts, so not sure. Guess I'd have to try."
"Only home training...? With that frame?"
Hearing me, the boss grinned and muttered something like "jackpot," sending chills down my spine.
It was the glint of a predator spotting fresh meat...
"Favorite body part to train?"
"Uh, lower body for me."
"Lower? Why?"
"After lower body days, your whole body just pulls—that's the appeal..."
"Nice! Spot on. Upper body doesn't hit the same. You get it, kid? You're hired."
"Pardon?"
For some reason, his affinity shot up at my answer, nodding vigorously.
Is that really it?
Worried it was too casual, I double-checked. Reading my mind, he chuckled awkwardly.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm staking my life on this place—no way I'm hiring lightly. Heard some stuff from Seung-hyun, and you like working out, so I'm trusting that. We'll learn the rest on the job."
What'd Seung-hyun say?
Curious, but figuring it was positive friend talk, I just nodded.
No need for me to nitpick when he's willing to hire on trust.
One screw-up and I'd probably get pulverized by those gorilla fists anyway.
"Schedule's weekends, both days, 8 hours including lunch... Hourly pay, well... Since you're Seung-hyun's buddy, a bit above minimum. Main duties? Cleaning, machines, barbells, gym management for members. You'll pick it up. Free time after? Use the gym as you like. Done."
Listening intently to the straightforward rundown, his last words made my chest—nah, my biceps—bulge with excitement.
This is it.
Hourly was already more than minimum expectations, whatever "a bit" meant thrilled me inwardly with pledges of loyalty.
As I basked internally, he suddenly added as if remembering.
"Oh, forgot one thing. Everything's flexible except one rule."
A rule?
What could it be.
Don't strut like a gorilla and end up squealing like a deer?
"...What is it?"
Whatever it was, his serious face and raised index finger had me swallowing hard, waiting.
"Don't hit on female members or trainers. If that causes issues and you can't come back, we're both dead. Got it?"
"...?"
"...Uncle, you don't need to worry about that with this guy."
Eh? Me?
First time hearing anything like it, I just sat there clueless.