Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 043 My Body Hurts
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I'd made it back to my room, but there wasn't much to do.
Since I'd be wearing the basic training clothes provided by the gym anyway, I hadn't packed any extra outfits.
I pulled my major textbook out of my bag, grabbed a fresh pair of underwear to change into, and stepped back into the hallway.
There was Yoon Hye-yoon, wearing a slight smile.
She seemed pleased that I'd come out faster than expected.
"Yeah. If you rested over the weekend, you need to get back to working hard. It's fine to take breaks after staying consistent, but not right from Monday."
"Ah... I didn't think that through. I just suddenly felt like working out."
I chimed in vaguely, figuring I needed to at least pretend I was up for some exercise at the gym to shake her off.
Wanting to finish quickly and rest, I brushed past her and pressed the elevator button first.
Clunk!
"Come on, let's go."
"I like this proactive attitude."
And so, the two of us headed amicably to the gym.
The moment we stepped outside, the hot air hit me like a wall, choking the breath from my lungs.
It had been torture coming home earlier, but going straight back out doubled the agony.
Walking quietly to conserve energy, she struck up a conversation first, probably bored.
"What classes did you have today? You said Electrical Engineering, right? So... electrical stuff?"
"Obviously electricity. Mostly semiconductors, designing this and that, building circuits."
"Just hearing about it gives me a headache. Engineering majors are no joke."
"What about you? English Literature, wasn't it?"
"Mm... here it's basically just learning English. Pronunciation, translating books and such. But I'm only a sophomore, so I haven't learned much properly yet."
"Your English pronunciation must be killer."
"I practice by watching American dramas. Repeating sentences right after hearing them."
"You're putting in the work."
Before I knew it, our chit-chat had carried us to the gym building.
Being only a five-minute walk away was a godsend in this weather.
We entered the building, pushed open the gym door, and the usual female staff member greeted us.
"Hello."
"Welcome. Oh!? You two came together today? What's this... no way?"
"No, sis, it's not like that. I was heading to the gym and ran into him by chance, so we came together."
Like I'd noticed before, she always loved stirring things up.
I'd have to avoid her to save myself the hassle.
After changing in the locker room and heading inside, I spotted Yoon Hye-yoon waving from in front of a treadmill.
As I approached, she hopped on first and started pressing buttons.
Honestly, I'd already broken a sweat just walking there, so I cautiously asked,
"Um... we walked here in this heat, and now we have to run?"
"This is basic. We barely walked anyway, right? At least ten minutes to get the blood flowing. Run with me."
Thorough overkill.
But if I kept the speed low, I could probably last ten minutes, so I got on the treadmill next to hers.
"Haa... haa..."
It had only been four minutes, but my body was already screaming in protest.
A glance sideways showed Yoon Hye-yoon running effortlessly, not a hint of strain.
Sticking with her all day would land me in the ER for sure. Time to bail.
Beep.
The belt stopped. I wiped my sweat and stepped down, prompting her to speak.
"Already done? It feels like it's only been about five minutes..."
"The heat got to me earlier, so my body's heating up fast. I'll go try something else first."
"Mm... well, I dragged you here, so I'll spot you today. I'll show you some new machines too."
She stopped her machine and hopped down, looking around before heading off.
"Ah! That one's perfect. Easy even for beginners, no pressure."
I stood there dazed, and she turned back.
"Hurry up and follow. It's rare for me to spot someone, you know?"
Escape plan foiled.
Nothing to do but endure.
She led me to a machine with a cable attached.
Stepping up front, she grabbed the rope and launched into an explanation.
"This is called a pushdown. Just grab the rope and pull down. Looks easy, right?"
"Yeah, the motion seems simple enough."
"But you need proper form for it to work, so listen closely and memorize the posture."
Thrusting her chest forward and pushing her hips back slightly, she looked like a duck.
She began pulling down the rope, her arms revealing toned, healthy muscles.
"Keep your elbows tucked to your sides. Fix them there and pull down. Go ahead, try it."
It looked easy enough at first glance—'Thank goodness,' I thought—but gripping the cable proved otherwise.
Surely I'd pulled it lightly, but it felt so heavy?
"Chest forward more... Tense your back hard so it doesn't move, pull all the way down!"
Whether she sensed my struggle or not, coaching poured out nonstop with every rep.
Managing ten somehow left my arms numb.
A glance showed the demon firing off 'not enough' vibes.
Half out of my mind, I forced another set before collapsing on the floor.
"First time, it's too much. That's enough for today."
"Mm... using unused muscles can do that. Arms hurt? Shall we switch to legs?"
It felt like a trap, but better than more upper body, so I followed.
Next was a chair with a weight plate attached.
I'd seen people use it before, so I had a rough idea.
"This is the leg press. I'll demo first, so watch closely. Press your butt all the way back against the seat."
Legs on the plate, knees bent.
Perfect chance to ogle since she'd given permission, so I massaged my sore arms and admired her figure.
Focusing on her firm thighs and perky chest seemed to halve the pain.
"Lift your lower back a bit and spread your feet slightly wider."
Her arched lower back reminded me of a certain position, making me smirk inwardly.
Oblivious to my gaze, she did a few more reps before stepping down.
"Okay, your turn. I'll spot you."
Climbing on, I was hit with lingering warmth and a faint, pleasant scent.
Mimicking her form, I slowly extended my legs.
"Don't fully lock your knees. That's hard on the joints—bend just a little... Yeah! Good job."
Praise after just a few reps.
Worth the close look.
"Alright, let's add some weight. Enough for ten reps without strain?"
"Huh? Ten reps? And heavier?"
"Ten is basically the minimum. Gotta do at least that."
My horrified protest was dismissed instantly.
Soon, she finished adjusting and smiled.
"This should be fine even for a beginner. Take it slow, feet a bit wider, go!"
"Ugh...!"
The increased pressure made my thighs quake.
Normal me could've handled it, but in my weakened state, it was pure torment.
"Um... I'm really wiped today. Could you lower the weight a bit?"
"That again? Fine, I'll drop it a little. But no complaining."
"Okay..."
Finally, the hellish set ended, and I sprawled on the seat to recover.
A bit of self-massage helped, but nowhere near enough to soothe the muscles.
Sweating buckets and groaning softly, she noticed I seemed off and asked carefully,
"You seem extra beat today. Feeling under the weather?"
"My whole body's sore and aching."
Now grasping the situation, she helped me off the machine and laid me on the floor.
She massaged my legs and thighs while apologizing.
"Sorry. I thought you were faking it earlier. If it was real, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed so hard..."
Her soft hands eased the trembling noticeably.
Her workout knowledge let her hit the sore spots precisely, and it worked wonders.
"Haa... I'm good now. A little rest and I'll be fine."
"Really okay? Sorry. Let's call it for today—go home and rest up."
"Yeah, I will. See you later."
Guilt over dragging me here had her repeating apologies.
She probably worried I'd quit working out over this.
I said goodbye again, but she lingered, hovering nearby.
Suddenly inspired, she dashed off somewhere.
"Stay put, I'll spray this on."
She held a bottle labeled pain relief spray.
Unscrewing it hastily, she coated my entire legs, the cool sensation bringing instant relief.
She slathered it on generously before asking,
"Can you make it home alone? Or want me to call a taxi?"
"It's five minutes away—no need for a cab. I've got enough stamina left for that."
"Then I'll walk you back. What if you collapse on the way..."
A bit overprotective, but her sense of responsibility won out, so we went together.
Her remorse was plain as day in her fidgeting.
"Come on, no way that'll happen. Mind giving me a hand?"
Leaving the gym, on the way home.
She supported me by looping her arms lightly around my back.
"Really okay? I'm so sorry. I didn't realize how rough you felt..."
"I'm fine, truly. If you apologize more, I'll feel worse, so please stop."
I meant it literally, but she took it as 'don't fuss over me.'
After that, she fell silent, dejected all the way home.
"Um... take care. Rest well..."
"Yeah. Thanks for the support. See you."
"Sure..."
The door locked, and I hit the bathroom to wash my hands roughly before crashing into bed.
Closing my eyes, I fell asleep before I knew it.
Ding-dong!
The bell woke me.
Probably the package I'd ordered last time. I shut my eyes again.
Ding-dong!
It rang again.
I tried ignoring it, exhausted, but the knocking that followed forced me up.
Knock knock knock!
"Woojin? You there? Woojin?"