Chapter 83: I See You as a Man-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 83: I See You as a Man-2
Swaaaaa—
The rain poured down in a refreshing torrent, and the umbrella shielding Garam and me stood firm against the heavy downpour.
Pitter-patter, pitter-patter.
The sound of rain drumming against the taut fabric of the umbrella.
That rhythmic drumming helped Garam as she gritted her teeth, trying to swallow her sobs.
"Ugh... huff..."
Whimpers escaped through her tightly pressed lips.
Seeing her struggle so hard not to look weak, not to break down, I saw reflections of my past self in her.
Though the sentiment has faded over time, didn't someone once say?
That youth is painful, and being an adult means being constantly shaken.
As both youths and adults, it seems we have no choice but to be hurt and shaken by the world.
That was why I couldn't say anything to her.
Her pain belonged entirely to her, and I knew my empathy would be nothing more than cheap sympathy.
The only thing I could do for her was hold the umbrella.
That was all.
"Ugh, hic..."
Garam wept quietly like that for a long while.
"......"
After what felt like ten minutes, her breathing stabilized, and the sobbing stopped.
I had been trying to look cool and composed, but in truth, the temperature had dropped significantly, and it was freezing.
"Aren't you cold?"
I was cold enough, but I was more worried about Garam. She was soaked to the bone, looking like a drowned rat; she had to be freezing.
She was already shivering. If I left her like this, she was bound to catch a cold.
"Garam, aren't you cold?"
When she didn't answer, I asked again. Only then did she react.
"...I am."
She muttered in a voice no louder than a mosquito's buzz.
"Should we head to the car for now? I drove here. If it's uncomfortable, I can just drop you off at the bus stop."
I gave her options so she wouldn't misunderstand and think I was hitting on her. If she were truly uncomfortable, she’d take the bus.
Swaaaaa—
The rain intensified. Now the wind was blowing too, making it hard for the umbrella to keep the rain out.
Since the direct approach from above wasn't working, it seemed the elements were trying a flank attack.
Sniff. Garam wiped her nose and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.
Whether from the tears or the rubbing, her eyes were bloodshot.
"Then... I'm sorry, but... may I ride in your car?"
"Of course. Honestly, it would be wrong to send you off on a bus in this weather anyway. Your clothes are soaked."
And so, we headed to the parking lot. Slowly.
Once inside the cozy car, things felt much better.
The raindrops that had been drumming on the umbrella now beat against the car roof.
The sound was even clearer now.
"Achoo!"
When Garam sneezed, I turned on the heater.
Warm air began to heat the interior.
"......"
"......"
A long silence followed.
It wasn't just that we had nothing to say; it was because silence can often convey more messages than words.
I followed the streaks of rain on the window with my eyes, while Garam stared blankly ahead with her reddened eyes.
"Aren't you going to ask?"
Garam broke the long silence.
"Ask what?"
"Why I'm like this. Why I was crying."
Sniff. She wiped her nose again.
I turned my gaze toward her. She was looking at me too, as if curious about my answer.
Since we had been laughing and exercising together just this morning, this serious atmosphere felt a bit awkward.
"Well, I don't think there's a need to ask. It's your business, Garam. It would be strange to pry when the person involved doesn't want to talk about it."
My answer seemed unexpected, as her eyes widened.
She pursed her lips as if she wanted to say something, but couldn't find the right words.
Only after choosing her words carefully for a long time did a voice emerge from her parted lips.
"You don't really seem like an 'adult,' President In-ho."
What, does she mean I'm like a brat?
"I suppose I am a bit immature, aren't I?"
"Oh, no! I didn't mean it like that... It's just that it feels like I'm talking to someone my own age. It might be a stereotype, but... most adults older than me usually say things like, 'What's the problem?' or 'Tell me, I'll fix it for you.'"
"I can't say I don't have a bit of that in me too. Or maybe I'm just uninterested in other people's business."
Feeling embarrassed, I scratched the back of my head and looked back out the window.
For some reason, I felt Garam’s gaze fixed on the back of my head.
"I see."
Silence returned.
I tapped my fingers on the top of the steering wheel, aimlessly scanning the parking lot.
"Do you feel any better now?"
After more time passed, I spoke to her again.
"A little bit."
Her voice definitely sounded brighter than before.
When I started the engine, a smooth vibration hummed through the car.
"Where should I take you? Home?"
"No, I don't want to go home."
I flinched slightly at her firm tone.
"Then... I'll take you to the center. Even though it seems you've already clocked out."
"Yes. Thank you."
I stepped on the accelerator, and the car smoothly pulled out of the parking lot.
*
The lights in the 6th-floor hallway of the Myeongseong Building were still dark.
"I've requested repairs, so it should be fixed soon. Please bear with it for a bit."
Once Ho-cheol returns from vacation, that is.
She smiled softly and thanked me.
Garam turned the lights back on in the center and headed for the showers.
I sat in the chair at the desk and waited for her, looking out at the empty gym.
Ah, man, the lack of people is a real problem.
I'm getting free PT, but this is Garam’s livelihood. It's not good for it to be this empty.
Is there some way to attract more members...?
While I was worrying about the future of a fitness center that wasn't even my own business, Garam returned, having changed her clothes.
The bedraggled look from the rain was gone; she looked like her usual self, now clean and dry.
Growl—
Stomach growls erupted from both Garam and me at the same time.
Well, I hadn't eaten dinner either.
"Want to grab something to eat?"
"Yes, well... do you have chicken breast here too?"
"No, let's just order something today."
"Eh?"
Is this woman really the Garam I know? Suggesting we order in?
When I looked up at her with a dazed expression, she puffed out her cheeks and grumbled.
"Do you think I only eat chicken breast three meals a day? I don't go that hard unless it's competition season."
That's unexpected. I thought she even ate chicken breast for snacks.
She opened a delivery app and placed an order at a familiar chicken place.
"We shouldn't overeat, so... how about one can of beer each? And one chicken? Half-seasoned, half-fried."
"Sounds great. I have no reason to refuse."
If it's a "cheat meal" authorized by a PT trainer, then it's perfectly legal.
"I'll pay."
I didn't feel right letting her treat me when she was struggling with money.
But she didn't seem to like my offer.
She sat down across from me and held out her arm.
"Then let's do this. An arm-wrestling bet."
"Arm-wrestling?"
"Yes, that makes it fair. I'll take you on with just two fingers, President In-ho."
She spoke confidently, holding up her index and middle fingers.
"Uh... even so, I'm still a man. Just grab my wrist normally."
"Really? No take-backs?"
"Man, have you been lied to your whole life? I'm actually pretty strong."
I placed my arm on the table as well.
Her hand gripped my wrist firmly.
Hmm... she is a bit strong.
"Okay, then we start on three?"
"One."
"Two."
"Three!"
"Nggghhhhhhh!!"
I put every ounce of strength I had into trying to pin her!
"...President In-ho. Stop joking around."
Thinking I was teasing her, Garam’s face hardened.
Hey, if you react like that, it makes me look pathetic...
Heat rose to my face, which was already turning bright red.
"I-I'm not joking!!"
Nggghhh. Even as I gripped the table with my other hand and tried to push, my arm wouldn't budge, as if it were caught on something solid.
"Heh... so this is you using all your strength."
Garam’s voice sounded low.
Thump!
And just like that, my arm was pinned.
In the blink of an eye, it was over.
"I'll enjoy the meal."
Garam narrowed her eyes and licked her lips.
