The Secret Workout
The gym is a five-minute walk from my place. It’s a small, local spot, mostly frequented by office workers in their thirties and forties. Since most of them just drop by on their way home from work, the place is usually empty during the day. That’s exactly why I chose it. I wanted to avoid the crowds. There are a few people around on weekend afternoons, but compared to the massive sports centers nearby, this place is practically a ghost town.
12:50 PM. I’m waiting for Su-a on the first floor of the gym building. Is she really coming? I’m half-doubting it. The idea of working out with Su-a on a weekend just doesn’t feel real. Is this a dream? I don’t know how many times I’ve pinched my own cheek, doubting the reality of the situation. I was busy bouncing my heels and checking the time on my phone every five seconds when—
Tap, tap. Someone poked my shoulder with a finger. I turned around instinctively.
"Did you wait long?"
A petite girl. She had a black cap pulled low and a black mask covering half her face. She was wearing an oversized windbreaker—sky blue with white accents—that emphasized her cuteness. Even with her face covered, I knew instantly that it was Su-a. Ironically, she was the only woman who would ever approach me in front of a gym. And how could I possibly fail to recognize her voice?
I don’t know how she figured it out, but she had entered the building through the back door.
"Oh, no. I just got here."
"Oppa."
The eyes visible above her mask narrowed, looking dissatisfied. Ah, right.
"I... I just got here."
Only then did Su-a’s eyes crinkle into a smile, and she nodded, looking satisfied. It’s real. It’s really Su-a. I’d been waiting with the feeling that I might be getting scammed, but she actually showed up.
"But is it okay for you to be walking around like this?"
"I’m on vacation until next week."
"I know you’re on vacation, but..."
"I told the company, obviously. My manager unni dropped me off here."
Su-a puffed out her chest triumphantly, as if asking for praise.
"You actually got permission?"
"I added a few little lies, but..."
She laughed innocently, avoiding my gaze. She looked just like a student making up excuses for not doing their homework. "What did you say..."
"Anyway, let's go up!"
Just as I was about to ask how she managed to get permission, Su-a grabbed my wrist and dragged me toward the second floor.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Don't worry about it. Our CEO is a super nice person, so as long as I don't cause any trouble, I'm free to go out during my vacation. Hana unni went on a trip to see her family, and Mio unni and Iroha said they were going shopping today."
"And you?"
"Me? Well... hehe."
Su-a brushed it off with a cute laugh. Uh-oh? Is this going to cause problems later? I’m worried, but considering how she used to stalk me late at night while deceiving her company, I don’t think I need to worry too much. She really has a calculating side to her, despite looking so cute.
I entered the gym with Su-a. I had hoped it would be empty, but there were a few people working out.
"Hello."
I grabbed my gym clothes and greeted the trainer at the counter.
"Oh?"
The trainer, who had been fiddling with his phone, looked at me and his eyes went wide. To be precise, he wasn't looking at me, but at Su-a standing next to me. He didn't recognize her. She had her cap pulled low and her mask on, hiding her identity perfectly. It was a suspicious look, but ever since the pandemic a few years ago, it’s common to see people wearing caps and masks, even if it looks a bit shady. Still, Su-a radiated that unique aura that celebrities have. You could tell at a glance that she wasn't an ordinary girl.
"Is that your girlfriend, member?"
The trainer looked surprised that I had brought a girl with me.
"No, no."
I waved my hands dismissively. The trainer, who usually chattered away about how bored he was while I worked out, had the most intrigued look I’d ever seen on him. Considering he always talked about women, he really is a guy obsessed with them.
"She's just a younger sister I know."
I couldn't exactly introduce her as my favorite idol. Gotta protect our idol! Would an idol who constantly draws public attention want to be an idol in her private life, too? No way. It’s the fate of an idol to have fame follow them everywhere. People recognize them when they eat at a restaurant, and they recognize them when they shop at a department store. Even if they try to go for a leisurely bike ride, they run into fans while waiting at a traffic light. For a popular idol, that intensity is even higher. What about the leader of the hottest girl group in Korea? It goes without saying.
Of course, 4th-generation idols aren't all household names yet. Since most of these groups have debuted within the last year or two, only people who are into idol fandoms or enjoy listening to idol music know them; most ordinary people don't. Even if they do, they might know the song or the group name, but not the individual members. Anyway, I didn't want to reveal Su-a’s identity and put her in a difficult position. A female idol at a gym alone with a man? Regardless of the relationship, it’s prime gossip material.
"How much for a one-day pass?"
"15,000 won."
I paid for the day pass and headed to the farthest corner.
"Wait here."
"Okay."
Su-a replied curtly. I couldn't see her expression because of the mask, but I could tell by her voice that she was pouting.
"Is something wrong?"
"Nothing."
"If I did something to upset you, please tell me."
"There's nothing."
Su-a pushed my back. "The younger sister you know will wait here quietly, so go change quickly, 'oppa'."
Why is she angry? I don't know. For now, I decided to just go change into my gym clothes.
"Alright, I'll be back soon."
I quickly changed in the locker room. The gym-provided t-shirt and shorts. Ugh. The clothes smell worse than usual today. They always have a funky odor, but today it smelled like mold. I should have bought my own gym clothes. No, who would have known? If I’d known I’d be working out with my favorite idol, I would have prepared some cool workout gear.
"Sigh..."
I sighed and left the locker room. Su-a was sitting on a bench in the corner of the gym. She really has an incredible presence. Even with her identity so thoroughly hidden, the atmosphere she exuded was different. A beauty is a beauty, even when covered up. The other men working out nearby were glancing at Su-a. I jogged over to her.
"Did you wait long?"
As I approached her, the men who had been debating whether to talk to her quickly looked away.
"Whoa~"
Su-a looked at me and exclaimed.
"Why?"
"Oppa, you’re actually in good shape."
"Me?"
That’s a first. Well, no, I’ve heard it a few times from female students at the academy, but I always thought that was just young students flattering their teacher. I’ve been going to the gym consistently since I got out of the military. I have solid muscle, but I’m not training seriously—it’s just for health—so I don’t have the kind of visceral, shredded muscles a trainer has.
"Flex your arm!"
I followed Su-a’s instruction and lifted my arm, flexing my bicep.
"Wow! It’s hard!"
Su-a poked my bicep with her finger, looking fascinated. Is this really that interesting? Still, it felt good to hear. I flexed even harder, making the muscle bulge. Su-a, who had been poking my arm, started to knead my bicep with her hand.
"Do you have abs, too?"
"I do, but..."
They aren't the kind of six-pack abs that are carved out like a male idol's. Oh, you have abs! They were just faintly visible.
"Show me."
"Here?"
"Can’t you?"
"No, I can't."
There are other people around, and it’s not like I have anything worth showing off.
"...I want to see."
Su-a tilted her head and looked up at me. The pretty eyes visible beneath her cap were shimmering, demanding that I show her my abs. ...That’s unfair! When she looks at me with that kind of cuteness, I can’t refuse even if I want to.
"J-just a little bit..."
I lifted my gym shirt and showed her my stomach.
"Whoa..."
Is it my imagination? I heard a sound like someone gulping down saliva.
"That’s enough."
"Aww! 10 more seconds, show me for 10 more seconds!"
"No."
Stripped of the "idol" frame, Su-a just looked like an ordinary girl. The way she whined and begged was exactly the same as the students at the academy begging, "Teeaaacherrr, please don't give us homework." Come to think of it, just a few months ago, Su-a was a 19-year-old high school student. That must be why she still has that youthful air.
"If you show me, I’ll take a selfie with you."
I lifted my shirt immediately. The price was too high to refuse.
"Whoa."
Without warning, Su-a started stroking my stomach with her fingertips. Her slender fingers tracing my abs tickled so much that my body shuddered.
"W-wait...!"
"Stay still."
When I tried to pull my shirt down, she grabbed my wrist to stop me. In that state, Su-a began to slowly stroke my abs like a researcher observing a test subject. I could have stopped her if I really wanted to use my strength, but... I’ll be honest. It tickled and felt good, so I just stayed still.
Su-a’s hand, which had been stroking my abs, started to dig deeper and move upward. It was the moment her fingernails poked my chest.
"Ahem! Member, please refrain from excessive displays of affection in the gym."
I was warned by the trainer, who was looking at us with eyes full of envy. "I-I’m sorry." I didn't think of it as a display of affection. It seems that to everyone else, it looked like a couple lost in their own world, flirting. It wasn't just the trainer; other men were sending me looks of envy and jealousy. Those gazes gave me a sense of superiority I’d never felt before. But I didn't get carried away or let it go to my head. This sense of superiority is disposable.
"It seems like other people thought we were a couple," Su-a whispered. The curtness was gone, and she was in a good mood, her voice light and excited.
"A-alright, enough joking around. Let’s work out."
"Okay."
Su-a zipped down her windbreaker. At that sound, the eyes of every man in the gym, including me, were drawn to her. Su-a took off her windbreaker. White leggings that revealed her slim waist and the curve of her hips. A white bra top that held her chest like a pouch. A gray bolero crop sweatshirt that I didn't understand the purpose of. A female body that boasted excellent development despite her young appearance, stimulating carnal desire.
"Today is leg day, right?"