Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Gym Job Secured
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"No need to worry, kid. I've seen more than one gym go bust for exactly that reason. When people work out, guys and girls start, y'know, scanning each other's bodies up and down? Do that a few times, and next thing you know, eyes are locking and sparks are flying. But employees? Can't have that. If I catch wind of it, you're done for."
I'm in a real pickle.
Not about whether I should take the job here or not.
It's figuring out what to say to the boss—who's going on passionately about how working out inevitably leads to guy-girl drama—to convince him it'll never happen on my watch.
At first, I thought Seung-hyun must've pitched me without mentioning I had a girlfriend—no, Seo-ah—but then it hit me: no need to bring it up. Made perfect sense.
"Boss, but I do have a girlfriend, so no worries..."
"Hah! Whether you've got a girl or not isn't the point. You said you've only done home workouts, right? Listen up, Jun-woo. Gym folks aren't the only beasts out there."
"...!"
"Someone might come onto you. And when they do, you can't just shut 'em down harshly. Gotta be tactful. Why? They're a member, you're staff. Got it?"
I let out a groan at the boss's add-on: You strike me as the type who'd cave after a few tries.
All I wanted was to work out. Oh, and make some cash on the side.
Ah, part-time gig. Whatever.
"You might think you're leaving no room for it, but those sweat drops you're shedding? They're the opening. That's the gym for ya..."
"Then."
Seung-hyun cut in like a lightbulb had gone off over his head, interrupting the boss mid-sentence.
But the boss didn't mind, just shot him a go ahead look.
"Why not have his girlfriend come here too? If everyone knows they're a couple, no one'll approach... well, maybe some weirdo would, but anyway. Wouldn't that ease things up?"
Seung-hyun trailed off, voice getting quieter like he was second-guessing himself.
The boss's eyes lit up like that was exactly it.
"Jun-woo, your girl work out at all?"
"Yeah, she actually just started recently, following my lead..."
"And she's a gym newbie? Perfect! Here's the deal: on your shifts, she works out with you. Both free of charge."
"For real?"
This is legit?
I couldn't close my mouth at the boss's jaw-dropping perk. This was straight honey.
"Wait, but will your girl be cool with it? She might wanna chill at home."
"...At least these two won't have that issue, Uncle."
"Jun-woo's been quiet this whole time, so why're you chiming in nonstop, punk? Heard you got a girlfriend too. Why don'tcha try acting like it?"
"Argh, theirs is a 14-year childhood-sweethearts couple! Comparing me is just cruel, seriously."
"I'll ask my girlfriend and let you know. Thanks for looking out."
I awkwardly piped up between the two bickering, and finally, they simmered down.
Will Seo-ah be cool with it?
God, I hope so.
Imagining sweating it out at the gym side-by-side with Seo-ah already had my biceps—no, triceps—flexing in anticipation.
"Guess Seung-hyun's got a point."
"Huh?"
"The second I said bring your girl, that smile's glued to your face. Looks like you're thrilled."
"They both do that."
"...Shut it, Kim Seung-hyun."
Did I?
Their fond stares made my cheeks burn for no reason.
I rubbed my mouth sheepishly, feeling my lips curved up without me realizing.
"Alright, that's settled. Come in Saturday, I'll fill you in on the job. Jun-woo, no plans after today? Feel free to work out here before you go."
My biceps twitched at the offer.
-Yeah! I'll be good and wait at home!
But picturing Seo-ah waiting all alone at home killed the vibe. Couldn't do that to her.
I'd told her I'd be home early for the interview—probably skipping dinner, just waiting.
Call it a hunch, but I knew it.
That's what I'd do. What Seo-ah would do. Wait for dinner together.
"...Sorry, but my girlfriend's waiting at home, so I gotta head out. See you Saturday."
"Yeah, go on then. You two shacking up?"
"Yep, started living together when we got into college."
"Damn, Seung-hyun! Your buddy's out here dating like a pro and hitting the gym—what're you doing?!"
"Aaaah! No, Uncle, they're the weird ones, I'm normal...! Ow, stop hitting!"
"Shut it—you're coming with me this weekend too!"
I burst out laughing at Seung-hyun yelling No way! only to get another solid smack on the back.
Boss, that's right. Hit him more.
#214
I saw Seung-hyun off as he grumbled he'd think about the weekend invite.
Punk's stubborn. Bet he'll show.
Heading home alone after.
Paths I used to walk without a thought now felt empty on my side.
Like something that should be there was missing.
Texted Seo-ah I was on my way—no reply. Probably dozed off.
Gotta be quiet going in.
She's adorable awake, but...
Sleeping Seo-ah, breathing softly like an angel? Staring made time vanish.
Though sometimes she'd catch me and jolt awake.
Thinking of her asleep sped up my steps. Wanted to see her now.
Home sweet home.
Slipped in quietly—and sure enough.
The dim early evening light filled the place.
There she was, curled up in the bed's center, hugging my pillow, sleeping soundly.
Why my pillow?
Pheasant swapped for chicken—no, me for a pillow?
That longing hit hard, tickling my heart.
Do I mean that much to her?
Every glimpse into her feelings like this made my chest swell to bursting.
Suddenly recalled the boss's dead-serious warning about other women. I chuckled.
No chance of that, boss.
I was too busy responding to Seo-ah's heart.
Wanted to watch her sleep forever, but she'd toss and turn at dawn if I let her crash too long. Time to wake her gently.
Hand on her cheek, stroking that impossibly soft skin—like milk, fitting for a 20-year-old? Teased it lightly.
Brushed the fine hair from her face.
Ticklish? Her delicate brows twitched, a soft mmph escaping.
Then, her eyelids fluttered open.
Still half-asleep, unfocused and puzzled.
Then she spotted me—relief and joy washed over those eyes.
"Mmm... you're back, Jun-woo...?"
"Yeah, I'm home. Good sleep?"
"Not really..."
"Why not? You were hugging my pillow."
"That's not Jun-woo..."
The pillow she'd clutched so dearly? Casually tossed back.
Arms outstretched like hug me now, lisping sulkily in her drowsy voice. All I could do was...
"My bad, huh?"
"Yeah..."
Pulled her close, patted her back.
Lie there till she was content. Nothing else.
#215
As expected.
Seo-ah hadn't eaten dinner.
Didn't ask why. No need—obvious, and prying's lame.
Normally, I did breakfast, so dinner's her shift.
But nitpicking? Lame.
Whipped up a quick meal for my hungry girl. She pecked my lips with a soft thanks.
This right here.
Familiar now, but no less sweet.
Chatting over food about the day's events.
"Work out...?"
Told her the boss said she could join me.
"Yeah, boss hooked us up—if you wanna, we can gym together."
The reason? Guy-girl drama dodge. No need to spill that. Kept it buried.
Tell her, and she'd come from insecurity, not interest. 100%.
If she wanted to? Cool. Forced? No thanks.
"Hmm..."
Prayed inwardly as she pondered.
Please say yes...!
"Sounds great? Weekends without you are boring anyway—gym time and Jun-woo time? Perfect. Right?"
Relief flooded me at her grin.
"...Yeah."
"You like me there while you work?"
"Duh. Muscles pumped, eight hours fly by. Easy."
"What even...?"
She laughed, amused and pleased. Weekends suddenly lit up.
Han Seo-ah, spot on.
"Jun-woo, should we buy workout clothes?"
"Gym probably has some."
"Those are shared. Better bring our own, no?"
"Maybe."
Unlikely they'd be gross, but ours sounded better. Browsed online.
"This one's cute!"
"...Seo-ah."
"Hm?"
"Public ones for you."
"Whyyy?!"
The women's section? Plan for personal gear? Scrapped.
Her in that? Gym chaos incoming. Obvious.
Ban lifted her pout only after my confession: Hate others eyeing you in it.
Cost? My face on fire.
We settled on max-coverage couple sets that day.
Jun-woo's imagined workout clothes. ( _ _ )