TIME STOP! Hold Back Your Laughter and Screams Since Time Has Stopped!
After visiting the spa club with Ji-ah, I hadn't seen her for a while. I was pretty busy myself, and it seemed like she was too.
I'd meet up with Ji-yeon after work for short dates. We couldn't spend a full day together like before, indulging in a night of madness. Since we'd been seeing each other for such a short time and I'd already stayed out overnight several times, it felt like her parents were starting to get suspicious.
"Uncle. If you really want to, I don't have to go home."
"And get yelled at like crazy when you get there?"
"If I get yelled at, so be it. It's better than you holding back with me and blowing off steam somewhere else. What if you dump me because of that?"
Women really are women, huh? Was she onto something? "Still, things are good right now. Don't ruin your relationship with your parents over nothing—you'll regret it. And why would I dump Ji-yeon? You'd have to dump me first."
"Never! You won't dump me, right?"
Ji-yeon not fully trusting me was all my fault. So I did my best to reassure her.
"Haa... You're really good at this, Uncle..."
Once her carnal desires were satisfied, Ji-yeon stopped pressing me. Wait—did that mean she was the one with the flesh slave, and I was more like her flesh slave?
With Bora, things stayed Bora-like. She was getting quieter and quieter. When she came to my place, she barely spoke. It seemed like Bora had figured it out—that I got a twisted thrill from her contempt-filled insults and the way she looked at me with those eyes.
To deny me that pleasure, she kept her mouth shut, avoided eye contact, silently stripped, and offered her body in service. But that didn't mean I wasn't pleased. How could I not be? Her behavior was proof of how much she hated me, right?
Still, I was looking for ways to torment her more. I wanted Bora to hate me even deeper, despise me, maybe even harbor murderous intent. Of course, I could think such perverted thoughts because I had my safeguards.
Time passed like that, and the weekend approached again.
The message from Eun-hee came on Friday, one day before the weekend.
She needed promotional photos for the yoga academy she ran. They'd hired a photographer for the opening, but she wasn't happy with the results compared to what they'd paid. She sent me a few samples.
Even to my eyes, they were lackluster. Not a lack of effort, but a lack of skill. They were clean brochure shots, sure, but missing that magnetic pull to grab people's attention.
It wasn't a technical issue. The photographer just didn't understand their subjects. As I always thought, photography is as much about capturing the essence of the subject as it is about technique.
I wouldn't call myself an expert. If I were, I'd be making a living from it. But still, this was subpar.
- They're better than back then.
I had no intention of charging full price, but shooting for free wasn't smart either. Give away your skills for nothing too often, and you'll end up worthless. But money wasn't why I agreed to help her.
Sure, spending a day helping a friend and getting some pocket money was nice, but there was another reason. I'd gotten my hands on it last time but hadn't used it yet: the Special!! Card . This was my chance to finally try it out.
The next morning, I arrived at Eun-hee's yoga academy on time, buzzing with excitement.
"This is our head director, Seol Eun-ji, who handles flying yoga."
The woman Eun-hee introduced looked a couple years older than her—refined, about the same age as my neighbor Bora. But shorter, with an incredibly toned body. Over ten years of training would do that.
"And this is Chae Song-ah, in charge of pilates."
The other was even shorter, with a balanced figure. Not a stunning beauty, but quite alluring.
With Eun-hee, that made three directors. Apparently not uncommon here. Partnering up like this helped with scale and recruiting students compared to going solo. Traditional yoga, flying yoga, and pilates—no overlap, and they could cross-promote classes.
They hadn't hit big success yet, but all three were passionate and content with the partnership. Eun-ji seemed to have invested the most, with Eun-hee and Song-ah matching each other.
"Thanks for coming. Must be busy, but you still made time for us."
Both women greeted me warmly. They'd seen the photos I'd taken for Eun-hee and liked them. Flattery or not, it was nice to hear.
"I checked out your site and SNS—photos are decent. Not sure mine will be any better."
"Hey, it'll still be better than a pro's touch."
"We saw the pics Eun-hee showed us. The subject looks so pretty."
"Yeah, everyone loved the ones you took of me before. Way prettier than the real thing."
"Glad you think so. I'll do my best to make you all look stunning."
We started shooting. Individual profiles, a group shot looking friendly. Poses in yoga, flying yoga, pilates—several each. About two hours passed.
Students would arrive soon.
"Definitely feels good."
"Gotta post these on SNS first."
All three were pleased, even without edits. Sincere or polite? Who knows.
"Still a bit lacking, though."
I pointed out flaws seriously.
"The models' best features aren't fully captured."
Finding nitpicks in photos, mine or others', was easy.
"Ah... I see."
The women nodded, getting it.
"But they look pretty... Way better than before."
Of course—I'd framed their faces prominently. A little editing, and they'd look like beauties. But I stressed this wasn't enough for professional promo.
"What do we do?"
"I'll observe from behind first. Think about angles, get familiar with your classes. For me, understanding the subject is key to great shots."
My prepared excuse.
"Won't that take too much time? Sorry."
Eun-ji from flying yoga smiled. Apologetic but glad I'd commit more.
"No problem. It's the weekend—I've got the whole day."
"Wow, thanks. Eun-hee's friend is a gem."
"Told you he's great."
Good first impressions.
"Students arrive soon for my class. Don't shoot them without asking me first. I'll handle permission."
"Got it."
"We'll get back to our rooms. Wander freely, let us know when you're ready."
"Will do."
Now I could roam the academy, watching their classes freely.
They headed to their rooms after telling me to make myself at home. I sat on the lounge sofa, peeking into the rooms.
Separate studios for each class, all with floor-to-ceiling glass walls visible from the lounge. Probably to show off to visitors and other students.
Watching fit women in revealing leggings sweat it out was plenty enjoyable.
Hmm... Not bad...
Gazing leisurely, I pondered. Eun-ji and Song-ah weren't the knockout beauties from their SNS—those had heavy edits for promo. Still attractive, popular with guys. And their bodies? Perfect balance, as expected from yoga and pilates instructors. Who'd sign up if they weren't hot?
Perfect for today's goal. Ample subjects for my first Special!! Card trial.
But only one card, no guarantee of another soon. Had to choose wisely.
The Special!! Card in my hand—use it today, and who knows about tomorrow.
So I waited. Students would come after our scheduled time. Academy-goers were almost all women. Might as well hit more targets. Bonus if some hotties showed.
And sure enough, students trickled in. I pretended to review shots on my camera, but scanned each new woman with an eagle eye.
The Master Card <Eagle Eye>—damn useful. Great for checking out women.
Far-off details crisp as up close—like low-mag telephoto. But the real perk? Peripheral vision. Humans focus centrally, periphery fuzzy. Now, I could focus ahead and still clock someone beside me.
Subway example: Admire the woman across without staring, leisurely. Big deal? Huge. She goes no-panties under skirt once a week or so, sits right opposite my spot. Used to be too conspicuous. Now, thanks to <Eagle Eye>, I feast freely.
Men are weird. Bang all sorts daily, yet eyes wander at new chances. Never satisfied, us guys.