Heart-Pounding First Sight
My name is Hwang Ji-yeon. I'm 26 years old, and my job is as a gym trainer. The place I work is none other than You & Na Fitness Center.
Honestly, I think I got really lucky. Like, extremely lucky. Right after getting my certification, I applied here on a whim—this place with its stellar reputation in the industry—and who would've thought I'd actually get hired? Even I, when submitting my resume for the interview, wasn't dreaming of passing; I just hoped to catch a glimpse of those famous senior trainers.
Now, four months into the job, I still can't quite figure out how I made it, but hey, good things are good things. I've been giving it my all.
There's just one thing I can't get used to, and no more, no less: manning the front desk like this.
Sure, every company has its quirks, but usually, front desks are staffed by men. They leave a better impression on visitors. And that logic applies perfectly to places like fitness centers. Actually, gyms feel it even more acutely than regular offices.
If there's a decent-looking guy at the counter, even if the PC bang's specs are subpar, women will flock there first. That's just how we are. If a simple few hours at a PC bang sways us, imagine deciding on a gym membership.
Obviously, putting a man at the front desk is a win for customer acquisition. It's proven by the numbers—days when male trainers handle the desk see way more new sign-ups.
Logically, in a capitalist sense, it makes sense to have men specialize in front desk duty or at least hire some handsome ones. But You & Na Fitness Center has a unique policy:
- No pretty boy tactics. That's for women insecure about their skills.
- We're top-tier, managing people's bodies and health.
- So, give future members trust, not fleeting attraction.
That's the philosophy of our director, Na Ye-ri, who handles the "Na" in You & Na. And that's why I'm stuck guarding the desk right now.
It's a valid point... totally valid, but...
After stumbling through explanations and sales pitches to a few new prospects, that thought vanished.
Dealing with other women was fine. The first few times, I fumbled since explaining programs and facilities wasn't second nature yet, but now I could rattle them off with my eyes closed.
The problem? Not everyone who comes here is a woman.
Influence from Yoo Ji-na, who runs the "You" side, means tons of celebrities and models on our membership list. And that draws no small number of men—members or hopefuls—crowding in daily.
Having gone through the worst possible track—girls' middle school, girls' high school, college phys ed, and military service—I'm just not used to men. Hell, the very existence of men feels alien.
And now I have to talk to them? Sales pitches, even? It's tough with average guys, but the men here? Their looks are on another level. Not all, but most.
Membership isn't cheap, so most come for aesthetics over health. That filters for the good-looking.
So, facing handsome guys wanting to sign up, I've fumbled countless times. Instead of closing deals, I've sent them away empty-handed more often than not.
For someone living off a salary, it gnaws at my conscience. The stress has been immense.
But lately, I've felt a glimmer of hope. Humans really are adaptable creatures. Just months ago, those pretty faces left me flustered, but around my third month, they started feeling... normal.
Maybe it was practicing sales lines at home, staring at photos of handsome celebs taped to the wall. Anyway, a month later, I can chat with idol trainees or aspiring models without tripping over my words. No more sending away hot prospects in defeat.
Or so I thought.
The moment the door swung open and the man stepping inside entered my view, reality hit.
All that confidence? Pure arrogance.
Holy shit—
His looks were unreal. Once, a famous pretty-boy actor stopped by to extend his membership, and I panicked then, but this? This was next-level.
He could crush any average hunk, make top idols look like fish heads just standing next to him. And he was right here.
Felt like he'd chugged some drug. Not that I've touched anything beyond painkillers and cold meds, but still.
Just having that face in my sight made my heart pound, cheeks burn like crazy. Was it gonna explode?
I hadn't even panted this hard after cardio...
A-arrhythmia?
How can a human look like that?
Wait, is this a dream? Yeah, must be. No way that perfection exists in reality.
If it's a dream, better wake up soon. Doze off and get caught by the other trainers? Mortifying.
But first, just a bit more staring... God, I wanted to screenshot this and take it back to reality. Impossible, of course.
He's so damn handsome...
This must be love at first sight.
No, no! Falling for a dream guy? Regret waiting to happen.
But...
"Heh heh heh..."
Any straight woman would melt. Couldn't help the giggles leaking out. His face just warmed the heart like that.
Her behavior left Yuhan a bit flustered. Understandably.
From his view: he'd fled a barrage of crude catcalls outside, only to find a total stranger grinning at him like a flower-crowned idiot.
What's her deal?
Food poisoning? She looked downright dumbstruck, eyes locked straight on his face.
Unlike the weird vibe from outside, though. Maybe the lack of jeers and stares? Nah, probably her face.
Unlike the plain or worse women out there, this one beaming at him had that classic puppy-like cuteness.
And her outfit? Super light.
Not cold? Indoors, sure, but the door kept blasting in cold air.
Couldn't see below the desk, but the top was plenty skimpy. Just a crop top, exposing arms, shoulders, and abs with clear effort etched in.
Do women in this world have cold-resistant genes? Maybe.
Thinking that, he approached the still-dopey-smiling woman. Her condition looked iffy, but business was business.
As he closed in, her expression grew dreamier, like wandering in a haze.
Climax when he reached her: the grin vanished, replaced by a puzzled tilt of the head. Then, out of nowhere, she pinched her own cheek.
"Ow!"
Scream erupted. Must've pinched hard—tears welled in her eyes.
"Uh... you okay?"
"Eh? Uh...? E-eh?"
What the hell? Cheek first, now knee.
Right after he spoke, she jolted in her seat, slamming her knee into the desk with a catastrophic thud.
Ouch...
Sound so loud his own knee twinged.
"Aaaahhh..."
She writhed face-down on the desk, then snapped to—hurriedly straightened up.
"A-a-ah, hello! This is You & Na Fitness Center, always striving our best! H-how may I assist you?"
Asking if she's okay again would be rude. Now, what to say? Mention Yoo Ji-na's referral? Or just drop her name simply?
"I'm here to sign up for membership. They said just mention Yoo Ji-na..."
"...Yes?"
Wrong approach?
"...Ah, a-ah! Yes, yes!"
Lights on finally. The woman—name tag reading Hwang Ji-yeon on her chest—nodded frantically. Her neat ponytail swished every which way.
Like a puppy wagging its tail.
Cute face, cute antics. Bet her moans would be little puppy whines.
Hmm.
A naughty thought flashed, but he shelved it. This was Ji-na's workplace, after all. One slip from lust, and he might blow his shot with that alluring woman forever.
So, for now...
Hold back. She had no clue what he'd just imagined. That's why she could flaunt that legging-clad ass so casually.
Well...
Given her reactions, even if caught, she'd probably welcome it with open arms. That face screamed smitten at first glance.
"F-first, please fill this out."
"Ah, sure. One sec..."
Before diving in, he unwound the scarf from his neck. Hadn't noticed outside, but the blasting AC indoors made it stuffy.
How tightly wound was this thing?
Draped it over his arm, leaned forward comfortably to fill the form—then heard a loud gulp by his ear.
Glanced over: Ji-yeon, staring laser-focused at his chest, gulping again.
He clocked it instantly. What she was ogling so intently.
Figures...
Over-wrapped for this, huh.
As thanks for the revelation, he played oblivious, intently filling blanks.
Probably then.
"Eek?!"
A weird squeak from Ji-yeon, mid-stare at his chest...
"How'd it go?"
Ji-na's voice echoed from behind.