I Hate Exercise
Hunter Association Vice President Kim Seonwoo approached Yeonghyeon in a friendly manner.
'Whoa, the Hunter Association Vice President?'
Yuha, who had kept her cool upon recognizing the face she'd seen so often on the news, showed a startled reaction. Yeonghyeon, on the other hand, responded with utter indifference.
"...Keep on your way."
"It's cold out. Fancy a cup of coffee together? You busy?"
"Yes."
"Got it. Take care, then."
Yuha didn't know the details of Yeonghyeon and the vice president's relationship. But watching from the side, she could tell he wasn't someone Yeonghyeon welcomed. Otherwise, there'd be no reason to treat him so coldly.
"Time to head home. I'll walk you to the bus stop."
"Yeah, thanks."
Yuha had questions burning inside, but she held them back. No point poking at sore spots.
Yeonghyeon escorted her to the bus stop and didn't say much while they waited.
"That's my bus."
"Get home safe."
"Yeah. You too."
Yuha boarded the bus and headed home. The date had been enjoyable, but Yeonghyeon's demeanor today lingered in her mind. She tossed her clothes aside and grabbed her smartphone.
'Mom might know something.'
She'd chatted plenty with Im Mother, so she dialed right away.
"Hello?"
"My daughter~ How was the date?"
"I just got home. But I've got something to ask."
Mom was tight with Im Mother, so she might have the scoop. Yuha recounted the vice president encounter from earlier.
"Hmm, you know he used to be a hunter?"
"No clue. But as an awakener, it figures he might've been."
"Maybe he didn't wanna talk about it? He got unfairly booted back in his hunter days."
"What? Booted?"
"Mom doesn't know the full story, but yeah. Don't pry directly, though. It's gotta be a sore spot."
It was all hearsay via Im Mother anyway. Yuha wrapped up the chat and hung up.
'...So that's why he acted like that toward the vice president.'
Everyone had their hang-ups—she got it. Yeonghyeon had even handled it with remarkable poise.
Two days later. Yuha typically slept through the morning, waking around lunchtime. Unemployed layabout. No real obligations, but she made the most of her days. Today, cold snap be damned, she'd ventured out to a café.
'There they are.'
She adored sweet desserts, and new items had just launched—five in total. Trouble was, only one per customer.
'Wanna taste-test each one, but no dice.'
Buying all five? Wallet couldn't handle it. One was practical, but her greed said otherwise. She agonized by the cake display.
That's when a man in a suit walked in.
'That guy...'
Vice President Kim spotted Yuha pondering the cakes. First glance had been iffy, but up close, he clocked her as Yeonghyeon's acquaintance.
'What's eating her?'
She didn't look thrilled, but cake dilemmas were real. He pondered briefly, then strode to the counter.
"Two hot Americanos, and those slice cakes over there—one of each, please."
Yuha shot him a startled glance. How loaded do you have to be to snag all these pricey cakes?
'Wait, that's...'
Another news-face sighting. What were the odds?
'Good thing Yeonghyeon's not here.'
Together, it'd recreate that frosty vibe from before.
"Your coffee and cakes."
"Thanks."
Vice President Kim balanced the tray piled with coffee and cakes, heading straight for Yuha. With shameless flair, he said,
"Ordered too much—way more than I can handle solo."
"...Talking to me?"
"Mind a chat? Time for Yeonghyeon-ssi’s friend?"
Caught off guard, Yuha thought fast.
'Why me?'
Obvious guess: Yeonghyeon recruitment. But he showed zero interest in hunter life. Not her place to meddle.
'Turning him down for Yeonghyeon? Two birds, one stone.'
Still, free cakes tempted. Spill Yeonghyeon's stance mid-convo, done.
"Need more time?"
"Nah. Sure."
He led her upstairs to a table.
"Cold out—coffee first. It's hot."
"Thanks."
Yuha slurped the warm brew. Eyeing the cakes next, but he took a bite first.
"Dig in. Pairs great with coffee."
"Appreciate it."
A twinge of awkwardness, but one bite exploded with bliss. Midway through cake heaven, he spoke.
"Belated intro—Hunter Association Vice President, Kim Seonwoo."
"Seo Yuha."
"Nice to meet you. As you guessed, it's about Yeonghyeon-ssi."
Main topic at last. Yuha swallowed her bite, steeling her expression.
"Want me to convince him?"
"Not yet—your take first."
"My take?"
"I've begged for his return nonstop, but no dice. Time for a new angle."
Yeonghyeon now played it cool and irritable, but back then? Scowling rejection loud and clear.
"He's past regrets, no real itch for glory or cash hikes. Figured he chases something else."
"Hmm..."
She felt it too. Powerhouse, yet idle unless needed. Even facing beasts, those eyes stayed vacant.
"Just my two cents,"
A hunch hit; she treaded carefully.
"Hunter refusal ties to the past, sure—but deep down, it was never his dream."
"Dream like career goal?"
"Yeah. Always wanted to teach. Lost the spark for hunting, or maybe it never fit."
"Makes sense... Some quit 'cause it straight-up doesn't suit 'em."
Awakener phobia of monsters cropped up sometimes. Kim mulled, then inspiration struck.
"Great insight—lights a path."
"Hold up. Path meaning make him a teacher?"
"Who knows. Better than hunter grind."
He'd pitched the talk as a hail mary. Might glean unknown intel. Unexpected gold? Profit.
He drained his coffee and stood.
"Sorry, gotta run. Box up the rest if you want."
"Yeah. Safe travels."
Yuha fretted over his scheme inwardly. But a bigwig like him screwing up? Self-sabotage. Had to be harmless. She packed the cakes.
Next day. Second meetup time. Yeonghyeon's pick this round—a secret spot.
'Where to?'
Yuha dressed casually, pondering. Guy spots? PC bang, tops.
Plus, meeting nearby sealed it.
'But do we even have games together?'
Meet first, see. She stepped out.
Arrived early. Spotting Yeonghyeon approach, she waved lightly.
"Calling me local—where we headed?"
"No need for far."
"Fair."
Pre-departure, Yeonghyeon cut to it.
"You always holed up home?"
"Pretty much. Too chilly to roam."
"Got a rec for you then."
"Rec?"
Her words had sparked action from mere musing. Yeonghyeon led the way.
Arrival flipped Yuha's frosty face.
"W-wait. Hold on."
"What's up?"
"Why here all sudden?"
Gym. Fitness haven for health nuts. Yuha? No exercise, no love. Zero appeal.
"You stay in, skip workouts—figured."
"I'm healthy sans sweat."
"Nonsense. Exercise builds health."
"I hate exercise."
"More like PE class, right?"
He recalled her gym class gripes.
"Don't sweat—easy mode only."
Inside now, no bolting. Even if, couldn't ditch him.
Like a cat dragged to vet, she entered.
"Eh? Yeonghyeon-ssi? That you?"
"Long time."
Gym owner lit up spotting him.
"Man, ages! Heard you train home now."
His old haunt. Heavy use, but magic practice? Gym limits hit—quit.
"Who's the lady?"
"Uh, female friend."
"Gotcha. Trainer?"
"Intro today—I'll handle."
Yuha'd dressed gym-ready. Yeonghyeon, prescient, rocked tank and sweats. Gear stowed, prep time. Yuha eyed his arms.
'Clothes hid this... muscles.'
Masculine build, natural—not bulky. Captivating.
"You..."
"Hm?"
"You grind hard. Awakener perk?"
"Started hunter dreaming. Now maintenance."
No more gains possible. But slacking? Risky. Magic sustained hunter physique sans grind.
"Anyway, here to train you."
"One Q. Spur-moment or planned?"
"Mused it—today felt right."
"Fine. Let's roll."
Warm-ups first. Limbered, her session kicked off.
"Sit here."
"Wait—me, this?"
"You got it."
Leg press for legs. Beginner-tuned. She pushed, straining.
"Th-this... beginner?"
"Yup. No whining."
Tougher than thought, but doable. Weights, treadmill next—no disasters.
"Fun creeping in?"
"Nope."
Cold verdict. Doable ≠ enjoyable.
"Water cooler?"
"Far. Hold up."
Yeonghyeon magicked a water orb.
"Try this."
"Magic water safe?"
"Duh."
Sip quenched instantly. Yuha gawked, amazed.
"How?"
"Simple—compressed droplet."
No bloat either. Break-chat flowed till a woman approached.
Eyes met—Yuha and the woman froze, staring.
"Seo Yuha...?"