Physical Education (2)
The physical education class had ended. On the way back from the sports field, I walked slowly with my school uniform jacket zipper pulled up halfway. Thanks to moving my body properly throughout the entire third period, every muscle felt refreshingly loose. Despite my small frame, breaking a sweat left me feeling clear-headed and light for the first time in a while.
Before falling into this world and even after, I had almost nothing that could truly be called a hobby. Studying had been a strict means of survival, and things like music or painting were nothing more than faint memories from childhood—brief interests I'd quickly abandoned. Exercise, at least, had been different.
At first, I'd started for purely calculating reasons: 'If my body hurts, hospital bills will pile up, so I should take care of it in advance.' I'd wake up at dawn for a light jog and hit the gym after work, keeping at it for nearly ten years until it became a natural part of my life. The pleasure of sweating, the refreshing feeling of a shower afterward, and the small sense of accomplishment when checking my gradually building muscles in the mirror. Right up until I was about to turn thirty, I'd maintained a fairly solid physique—broad shoulders, well-defined arms, even abs.
But that damn regression had taken everything away. Reborn in this small, delicate 162cm body, my old physique had vanished completely. The body I'd built and maintained until nearly thirty was gone, but the daily secret training I'd done since arriving here hadn't been in vain. Even with my small frame, continued exercise had made my body surprisingly light and elastic. Of course, it was still soft and touchable all over, and my overall impression definitely leaned heavily toward 'extremely cute,' but... at least when I looked in the mirror, I could think, 'This isn't so bad, right?'
In this world, I'd never have a reason to show it to anyone, but I wanted to keep maintaining it for my own sake.
Of course, today's PE class hadn't been as refreshing as I'd hoped.
"Siwoo, wait up."
A bright, confident voice came from behind. It was Han Seoa. She'd slightly rolled up her PE shirt and tied her long straight hair into a high ponytail. Her height over 170cm and the firm leg lines honed by exercise showed clearly even through her uniform pants.
I frowned slightly and didn't slow my pace.
"...I'm going ahead."
"Let's go together. We're in the same class—what's the big deal?"
Han Seoa quickly caught up and stuck right beside me. After PE, a faint mix of sweat and fresh shampoo scent wafted from her, brushing past my nose. In this world, it seemed completely normal for girls to approach guys so naturally, but I still hadn't fully adjusted to the atmosphere.
"You were throwing the ball really well earlier. You're actually pretty athletic. Is it because you're the PE Manager?"
"...It's nothing special."
"It's not nothing—you were really good. I've never seen someone with a body like yours throw that well. Your form was pretty too."
Han Seoa laughed as she lightly bumped my shoulder. I shrugged her off and took a step away.
"Don't touch me."
"Why? Your shoulder felt firmer than I expected, so I wanted to feel it."
...Hearing something like that definitely doesn't make me happy. Not at all.
I swallowed a sigh. Throughout the entire PE class, she'd persistently hovered around me. Whether we were passing the ball, when she brought me the water bottle first, or during every break—she kept talking to me. Now that subtle, strange feeling mixed into the annoyance made it even more irritating.
We climbed the long staircase leading into the school building. Han Seoa looked down at the top of my head and spoke softly.
"Siwoo, you sweated a lot. Your face is all red."
"...Of course it is. I was exercising."
"It's a cute kind of red. Your cheeks are all puffy, and even the tips of your ears are bright red."
Han Seoa playfully reached out to touch my cheek. I quickly turned my head away.
"...Are you crazy?"
"Aw, I can't even touch? Just a little."
"...No, you can't."
She burst into laughter again. That bright, cheerful laugh echoed loudly down the hallway. A few passing female students glanced at us and whispered among themselves. Han Seoa didn't seem to care about those looks at all.
When we reached the washroom, I turned on the cold water full blast and splashed my face several times. Han Seoa washed her hands right beside me, staring at me the whole time.
"It's lunchtime. Want to eat together?"
"...I'm eating alone."
"Let's eat school lunch together. Today's menu looks delicious. If there's any good side dish, I'll give it to you, Siwoo."
"...I said I'm eating alone."
Han Seoa crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly. Her long straight hair flowed smoothly over her shoulder.
"I know a quiet spot by the window. You seem to dislike crowded tables. It'll be much better if we sit there and eat slowly. Should I go ahead and save us seats?"
Han Seoa smiled and took another step closer. Our reflections appeared in the washroom mirror. The composition made it look like I was almost completely hidden by her.
"I'll buy you a carton of milk on the way to the cafeteria too. You like milk, right, Siwoo? You sweated a lot during PE, so it'd be perfect to have together."
...!
My body froze completely for a moment. Milk. That single word struck my mind hard.
Even before my regression, I'd loved milk like crazy. One glass right after waking up, two after working out, and a warm glass before bed. Chocolate milk, banana milk, strawberry milk, low-fat, unsweetened—I didn't discriminate. Especially that cold milk right after intense exercise; it was the ultimate reward for me. The way it instantly quenched my burning thirst, that moment when the smooth, sweet flavor filled my entire mouth—I loved it.
Even after regressing into this small body, that preference hadn't changed at all. My studio apartment fridge was always stocked with at least two packs of milk, and on days I exercised, I craved it even more.
...How does this girl know? I've never told her I like milk.
Han Seoa was looking down at me intently. Her eyes were so bright and confident that it only made me feel more embarrassed and annoyed. At the same time, the intense thirst in my throat after PE kept bringing up images of cold milk.
I can just say no. I can just go home and drink it later... so why am I hesitating like this?
I kept gripping and releasing the towel tightly. I could feel saliva pooling in my mouth. How desperately I'd been craving that cold milk right after exercise. Today was especially bad because I'd sweated more than usual during PE. The burning thirst in my throat, that sweet and smooth taste to soothe my tired body, the refreshing swallow.
The problem was money. I'd rushed out this morning and left my wallet in my studio apartment. Extra drinks like milk had to be bought with cash or card at the convenience store. So ever since PE ended, I'd been thinking about milk nonstop—but I couldn't buy any.
...I want to drink it right now.
That thought dominated my mind. Since Han Seoa was offering to buy it for free, refusing in this situation felt stupid. Standing in a long line at the cafeteria by myself was annoying, and I didn't want to sit at a noisy, crowded table either... In the end, even if it was because of the milk, I had no choice but to accept.
Just today. It's only because I really want milk right after exercising that I'm accepting this. If I weren't in a situation where I couldn't buy it myself, I absolutely wouldn't go.
Finally, with a deeply furrowed brow, I spoke as grumpily as possible.
"...If you just buy me milk, I'll go with you. I don't need anything more than that."
Han Seoa's face instantly lit up. Her smile was so bright that I awkwardly avoided her eyes and walked toward the washroom door first.
"Really? Great! Let's go then. I'll head ahead and save us seats."
Han Seoa followed behind me, speaking in a cheerful voice. Her long legs caught up to my two steps with just one of hers.
Even as we walked down the hallway, I kept muttering to myself inside.
It's because of the milk. I'm only going because I want to drink milk after exercising. It's definitely not because of Han Seoa. Absolutely not because of that girl. It's just... my throat is dry, and I want milk, so I have no choice.
As I descended the stairs toward the cafeteria, I glanced out the window. The soft, warm sunlight of late March was settling over the sports field grass. Han Seoa kept chattering loudly beside me about today's lunch menu, which side dishes would taste best, what was the most delicious thing we'd had last week, and even the sports festival next week. I barely responded, but inside I was already swallowing hard while imagining cold chocolate milk.
...I really didn't expect to waver like this just because of milk. Still... today is a special situation, right? I exercised a lot, my throat is really dry, and I'm tired...
Han Seoa gently tugged at my sleeve.
"Siwoo, let's hurry. I'll buy the milk right away. Chocolate milk? Plain? Strawberry?"
"...Chocolate milk."
"Okay! Wait here. I'll get everything ready."
In the end, I followed her into the cafeteria. It felt like my small body was stepping into the shadow of her much larger one. Even though it was annoying, the burning thirst in my throat and the strong anticipation for milk made my feet refuse to stop.
Just today. Really, just today...
I repeated it to myself, but with Han Seoa's bright, cheerful laughter ringing right beside me, it was getting harder and harder to deny that something deep in my heart was slowly, slowly beginning to shake.