Club Roadmap
The moment I took a deep breath and tried to get up.
Ttallang!
"Oh, Seora-ssam?"
Someone came in.
And I froze, still in my face-down position.
"Mi, Mi-mi, Minji-ssam! You came to stretch?"
"Yeah, it's been a while. But what are you up to? Is the person lying facedown a client?"
I could hear Seora noona's flustered voice and an unfamiliar woman talking.
"Yes, yes! He's a client, and also a younger guy I know. I was just giving him a quick massage after his workout today."
"Ah. Seora-ssam's massages are great."
Luckily, it seemed like they hadn't caught on to the situation.
"Oh, it's been a while — want me to give you one too, Minji-ssam? Hey, Cheol-jin, get up! It's done!"
Only then, pretending I'd just drifted off and woken up, I groggily moved to get up.
"Ah, nuna. Sorry. I was tired and dozed off for a second."
"Ahem. What's there to be sorry for? I told you, you could sleep."
"Still. Thanks for the massage."
I pulled down my pants, which had ridden up, and got to my feet.
But oh shit.
My fully erect cock was putting on a show, practically about to burst through my pants.
Seora noona flinched when she saw it and averted her gaze.
"Oh my."
My eyes met the person called Minji-ssam. Her gaze was openly fixed right on my crotch.
Panicking, I covered my crotch with my hands.
"Th, this is. I'm sorry. God...."
"Pfft. It's fine. You just woke up, so I guess it can't be helped."
"Haha... W-Well, I'll see you next time, Seora noona! Goodbye to you too, ssam!"
I fled the stretching room like I was escaping.
*
The erection subsided.
Once the lust had cooled somewhat, the reason that had been paralyzed by excitement returned as well.
Lying in bed, I replayed what had happened at the gym.
'Actually, it was a relief that Minji-ssam came in.'
At first, I'd been a little resentful.
Because I'd gotten excited, thinking I might be able to have the same kind of deep relationship with Seora noona that I had with the other girls.
But now that I was thinking with a cool head, Minji-ssam's arrival had been a blessing in disguise. Thanks to her, I hadn't made the stupid mistake of jumping Seora noona.
'If I'd tried to pounce on her there, things might've gotten awkward with nuna.'
Of course, she had touched my package first, but there was a difference between touching out of curiosity and actually having sex. What if I'd tried to make even a slight move and been rejected?
It would've been uncomfortable seeing each other after that. I wanted to maintain a good relationship with Seora noona if possible. And thinking I could just casually end up as sex partners like with the others was way too optimistic to begin with.
Most importantly, if I'd jumped her even a little bit faster, Minji-ssam would've walked in and seen something even more embarrassing. Then I probably could never set foot in that gym again.
However.
'...Will I get another chance, though?'
It wasn't like the hopeful part of me had completely vanished. There was no rule saying Seora noona couldn't be the one to make the first move, like the other girls had.
Maybe it was a bit of a pathetic thought.
But at this point, I didn't have the guts to actively seduce anyone myself.
*
The weekend passed.
And a small change came to my daily life of going back to school. Namely, after lectures ended, I'd head to the anime club, 'Toons.'
Today was a club meeting day.
Areum, Seongju Hyung, Ahn Seong-hyeon, and I all headed straight to the clubroom the moment lectures ended.
The only person in the clubroom was Han Saebyeok.
The other members apparently hadn't finished their lectures yet.
"Hello. Has no one else arrived yet?"
Seongju Hyung greeted her with his usual easy sociability, but Han Saebyeok just sat on the sofa, barely nodding her head. She was even less approachable than me.
Except for one person among us.
There was someone who could go right up to Han Saebyeok without hesitation.
"Saebyeok unni, what're you watching?"
Areum, who'd trotted over, pushed her face right up close to Han Saebyeok, who was looking at her phone.
At that, Han Saebyeok subtly made room beside her and answered.
"Fullmetal Alchemist."
"Fullmetal? Kkangcheol's favorite?"
"Yeah."
"Didn't you say it was boring? I thought you said you dropped it after episode 1."
"I did, but......."
Han Saebyeok glanced over at me.
I flinched and smiled awkwardly when our eyes met. Why are you glaring at me so scary-like.
"Because that guy said something."
At those words, I remembered what I'd said at the last club dinner.
'Y-You fashion otakus! You say that without even watching it properly? Is there even one person here who's seen all of Fullmetal? Especially you, how can you say it's boring when you only watched one episode?!'
My favorite work had been called boring, so I'd had a full otaku meltdown. I'd even pointed a finger at Han Saebyeok and gone off on her.
Heat rushed to my face as the memory resurfaced. Bringing up my dark history the second I walked in!
Feeling a little wronged, I spoke.
"No, that was... because you said it was boring after just one episode......."
I can say for certain that Fullmetal truly begins from episode 4. Once you get past that hurdle, the immersion totally changes.
I tried to counter with that in mind.
But Han Saebyeok just looked at me with cold eyes and said,
"So I'm watching it."
...Which meant she was going to finish it and then rip it to shreds, right?
I had no retort for that and shut my mouth.
"Unni, what episode are you on now?"
"About to watch episode 4."
"Oh. Can I watch with you? I'd seen up to episode 3 a long time ago."
"Let's watch it on the tablet, then."
Han Saebyeok suggested watching on a bigger screen and started the anime on the tablet. Oddly, she seemed kind to Areum. Was she actually just a nice person who happened to have a cold way of speaking?
Just then, the sociable Seongju Hyung walked over and spoke.
"Mind if I watch too? I'm curious."
"No."
"......."
He was shot down instantly.
Seongju Hyung, looking unusually dejected, crumpled into the corner of the sofa.
"H-Hyung. Watch it with me."
While Ahn Seong-hyeon consoled Seongju Hyung.
I secretly watched Areum and Han Saebyeok from a little ways off. It was because I was eager to see their reactions, since they were watching my favorite series.
'About where in episode 4 are they?'
If it's episode 4, *that* scene is coming up.
I waited patiently to see the two of them react.
And sometime later.
- Ed...ward... big brother?
"...Huh?"
"Wh-What? No way?"
The eyes of the two watching the screen flew open, their pupils trembling.
The scene where the daughter, experimented on by her own father and turned into a chimera, calls out to the protagonist. The protagonist's expression changes as he realizes, and a heavy atmosphere settles over the story.
A scene that had shocked countless viewers into disbelief when it first aired live.
"Wh-What is this... how is this...."
"Oh, oh no. What about her?!"
Hella sad, right? Me too. How you supposed to not get immersed at that part?
"Waaah! What is this! How can this be here! I feel so bad for her, what do I do. Heu-eung......."
Areum was sobbing.
"Fuck......."
Han Saebyeok cursed as a single tear rolled down her cheek.
I watched their expressions, smiling contentedly. Yeah, that's the face right there. The reactions are just perfect.
As I was nodding to myself and watching, my eyes suddenly met Areum's. Han Saebyeok also looked my way, following her lead.
I gave them both a thumbs-up and said,
"How about it. Good, right?"
There's no way it isn't good. Go on, say it's good.
But the two faces looking at me soured more and more. Why are they looking at me like that?
Then Areum said, trembling with rage.
"Cheol-jin, are you a psycho? You heartless bastard!"
"...Areum-ah, don't play with that guy."
Areum cursed at me, and Han Saebyeok, hugging her protectively, looked at me like I was a bug.
"No......."
I felt fucking wronged.
*
I've just gotten numb to it because I've seen it so many times.
Honestly, I was horrified too the first time I saw that scene. I'm a sentimental guy too, you know. I mean, I didn't cry, but still.
'Anyway, they're more sentimental than I expected.'
It was one thing for Areum, but I never imagined even Han Saebyeok would shed tears. I'd thought she was just a scary person, but maybe that's not all she is.
The problem was, after that, Han Saebyeok seemed to be trying to keep Areum away from me. Han Saebyeok held Areum in her arms like a doll and turned her back toward me.
Watching that somehow pissed me off.
'It's, something about it is annoying?'
I'm the one who's closer to Areum, you know?
Why is she acting all buddy-buddy with *my* Areum?
After silently watching the two of them for a moment, I gestured to Areum.
"Areum-ah, come here."
"Huh? Why?"
"Hurry up. It's urgent."
At my call, Areum smoothly slipped out of Han Saebyeok's arms and came running. Han Saebyeok looked my way with a desolate expression, mouthing an "Ah."
Feeling oddly superior, I stroked Areum's hair as she came close. Then I raised the corner of my mouth as I looked toward Han Saebyeok.
'I'm closer, right?'
I knew what this feeling was. It was possessiveness over the first friend I'd made in five years. I used to do this a lot when I was little: a childish sentiment of 'I'm closer than that kid. I'm the one who's best friends with them, not you.'
Childish, but infuriating to be on the receiving end of.
Han Saebyeok's expression hardened, and she glared at me, biting her lips as if she were frustrated.
...It was a little intimidating, but it was fine. Because despite how she looked, she probably wasn't really that scary of a person.
That was when.
Peok!
A fist connected.
"Huhk?!"
It was a pillow-soft punch, but it landed right in my liver, and a scream burst out involuntarily.
"Geez, you messed up my hair! I set this up this morning!"
"...Can't you see I'm in pain, Areum-ah?"
"Don't care. Just tell me why you called me."
"...It was nothing."
"Ughhh!"
Tak. I blocked the second fist. She'd gotten into the habit of throwing punches because I kept just taking them since they didn't hurt.
Areum yelled with an indignant look on her face.
"Why'd you block it!"
"Of course I blocked it! You think I'm just gonna take it?"
"Yeah, just take it! You heartless psychopath!"
"Why you—!?"
"Waaah!"
I flicked a honey chestnut on her head.
"Saebyeok unni, he's bullying me!"
Areum ran off to tattle.
Han Saebyeok gathered the tattling Areum into her arms and then looked at me with what seemed like a sneer.
That's fucking irritating.......