Chapter 14: Want to Take Your Clothes Off First?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 14: Want to Take Your Clothes Off First?
"A formal member?"
"Yeah, like I mentioned last time. I thought we could do it when the timing was right..."
I hesitated, letting the words out one by one.
"E-exercise... if you take too long of a break, the effects drop. It's better to keep going while you still have the momentum..."
At those words, Miju’s face lit up. But soon, she began to fidget with her fingers, looking flustered.
"I’d love to. But like I told you before, I don't have the money."
"It’s fine. I’m not taking money from my first customer. I mean, if you want to, that is. But you don't have to if you don't want to."
"I’d love to!" Miju exclaimed, her face brightening instantly.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course! Honestly, I was worried. I wondered if it was really okay for me to learn like that. It seemed so professional, you know?"
"Did it?"
"Thank you, Oppa!"
Miju suddenly threw her arms around me, pulling me into a hug.
It was a light embrace.
But the soft sensation of her breasts pressing against me as she held me made my heart melt and flutter. Without realizing it, I instinctively pushed my hips back.
"I'll treat you to a meal soon. Thank you so much."
"Haha, it’s nothing... I need customers too, to build up my level—I mean, my career."
I scratched the back of my neck, laughing awkwardly. I thought I’d improved my conversation skills, but situations like this were still unfamiliar.
"When do you want to come?"
"Can I go as early as tomorrow?"
"Sure. I have sneakers and gym wear ready, so don't worry about that."
"Of course!"
Nod, nod.
Miju shook her head up and down vigorously.
"Then I’ll head back to the kitchen. I have some work to do."
"Ah, yes!"
After saying goodbye, I practically bolted toward the kitchen.
"Huff, huff, huff."
Thump, thump.
My heart was pounding wildly. It beat so hard it felt like it might explode, making my chest ache.
Calm down, heart.
I was breathless. It was just a hug. Why was I shaking like it was some world-altering event?
Of course, for someone like me who used to find even talking to women difficult, this hug was a massive step forward. It felt as if the world I knew had been turned upside down.
"S-she didn't notice, right?"
I looked at my reflection in the stainless steel kitchenware. My face was flushed deep red—far redder than an apple.
"She definitely noticed."
She must have seen how embarrassed I was from just a hug. But there was one silver lining.
"At least she didn't catch this."
I looked down at the bulge in my pants. If she had seen that, it would have been social suicide.
"Whew..."
I let out a sigh of relief. Let's stay calm. Just stay calm.
[Miju has become an official member.]
*
"What were you two talking about?"
As soon as Jae-ho entered the kitchen, Yeojin, who had been watching, approached Miju and asked.
"Huh? Oh, it was nothing." Miju waved her hand dismissively.
"Really? Hmm..."
Yeojin watched Jae-ho’s retreating back and whispered in a low voice.
"Miju, why are you hanging around that guy?"
"Who? Jae-ho Oppa?"
"Yeah. Don't you think he's kind of... off?"
"What?"
When Miju asked back in surprise, Yeojin’s face crumpled in distaste.
"He smells."
"He smells?"
"Don't you smell something weird? There's this pungent, strange odor whenever he's around. Is it grease? I think it's because he's always doing the dishes."
"Really?"
Miju tilted her head. She hadn't noticed anything like that at all.
Did he smell?
Well, there was a scent. It was the smell of a man's sweat after a workout, lingering somewhere between the fragrance of body lotion and soap. She didn't think it was a bad smell. If anything, she liked it.
I must be going crazy.
Liking the way a man smells? What was wrong with her all of a sudden?
Slap!
Miju slapped her own cheeks to snap out of it.
"Anyway, Yeojin-unni, it's not polite to tell someone they smell."
"What?"
"It's rude to Jae-ho Oppa."
"Is it wrong to say someone smells when they actually do?"
"You're just trying to find reasons to pick on him because you don't like him. I don't smell anything weird from him at all."
"Hey, what's wrong with you?"
The atmosphere turned icy in an instant.
"Maybe there's something wrong with your nose, Unni?"
"Ha! You're unbelievable. Since when did you get so close to that guy?"
"What does me being close to him have to do with anything? You're the one being rude."
"Miju, have you actually lost your mind?"
Yeojin huffed, her face turning red with anger.
"The boss is coming soon. Do you want to fight in front of him? Because I will."
Miju wasn't the type to back down from a fight either.
"Ha! Seriously, wow..."
Just as Yeojin was about to snap back, the other part-timers stepped in to pull them apart. Continuing the argument would only be a waste of energy. Miju ignored Yeojin and went back to cleaning.
It's just because they don't know how good of a person Jae-ho Oppa is.
If they knew, their attitude would change.
Miju wiped the tables, thinking of Jae-ho teaching her how to exercise.
He was cool.
She found herself attracted to the way he had corrected her posture and helped her with such serious eyes. The frail, weak image she usually had of him was nowhere to be found. Moreover, Senior Jong-nam, who used to hit on her incessantly, hadn't even looked her way since he went outside with Jae-ho.
Did Jae-ho Oppa say something to him too?
Miju looked up toward the kitchen. Jae-ho, focused intently on cleaning, looked different to her than usual.
*
"Whew, everyone's making a fuss."
The Boss walked into the kitchen, clicking his tongue.
"Did something happen?"
"You didn't hear?"
"Ah, no. I was busy tidying up in here," I said, pointing to the now-spotless kitchen.
Thanks to cleaning the kitchen just now...
[You have earned 10 Health Points [HP].]
I had completed a simple quest. I could work and earn points at the same time; I couldn't afford to get distracted.
"Don't worry about it. It's nothing good. Anyway, Jae-ho, you really are a workaholic."
"Haha, I can't do the serving, so I should at least be good at this."
"I'm already worried that this kitchen won't be managed properly without you."
"Boss, as we agreed, I'll only work until next week."
"I saw you arguing with Jong-nam earlier. Is it because of that? I'm sorry. I should have managed the staff better."
"No, it's just time for me to go back to school."
"Has it been that long already?"
"Yes. Classes start the week after next."
"Time flies."
The Boss smacked his lips.
"It's a shame. I've never had a worker as diligent as you... By the way, you said you started working out, right?"
"Yes."
"Here, take this."
He pulled out a small paper bag.
"What's this?"
"I put in some protein and supplements I usually take. It's a gift since you said you're working out. These are essentials when you're training. Make sure to take them."
Inside were a large tub of protein and carefully wrapped supplements. It was clear he had put thought into it.
[New Quest]
[Protein and supplements are essential for high-quality muscle growth.]
[Consume Protein: 0/1]
[Consume Supplements: 0/1]
[Reward: 10 Health Points [HP]]
A new quest popped up immediately. I could earn points just by drinking protein? What a win.
"Oh, thank you so much!"
"There's a shaker in there too, so mix it well. You know how to take it, right?"
"Of course!"
I looked at the Boss's muscular forearms. He was a total gym rat and took exercise very seriously.
"Let me know if you ever need help. I can give you workout routines or pass along any used equipment I'm not using."
"Equipment?"
"Didn't you know? I run a gym along with this meat house."
"You run a gym too?"
"I guess I never told you."
"Boss, are you a 'silver spoon'?"
"Silver spoon, my ass. It's all debt."
The Boss clicked his tongue. At that moment, a thought flashed through my mind.
"Then, by any chance, if there's any equipment you don't use at your gym, I'd like to buy it second-hand. What do you have?"
At my question, the Boss's eyes sparkled as he looked at me.
"You rascal, Jae-ho! You're serious, aren't you?"
It was the look of a veteran seeing one of his own—or more accurately, a veteran seeing a total newbie. This was getting a little scary. Was I about to get kidnapped or something?
After finishing work, I left a message saying I’d visit the Boss's gym tomorrow morning and headed home.
[It is recommended to invest HP into the Protein.]
Following the system's helpful advice, I invested points into the protein to add an effect.
[Additional Effect: Vitality – Exercise efficiency increases by 50%.]
"Shall I give it a try then?"
I mixed the protein powder with water and shook it up.
Gulp, gulp.
"Mmm..."
The tub clearly said chocolate flavor, but I couldn't taste it at all. It was more like... bland chocolate-flavored water? Why do people drink this?
I popped the supplements the Boss gave me one by one.
Gulp!
[You have earned Health Points [HP].]
This quest was incredibly easy. It was just a matter of consuming them, after all. However, the taste was quite memorable.
"I don't think I can do this often."
I smacked my lips and looked at the empty bottle. Still, it was a necessary process to earn points and build muscle. Just as I was comforting myself...
[Vitality is surging.]
[The fatigue recovery effect of the Gym Wear is amplified.]
My body grew hot.
Thump, thump.
My heart pounded wildly, and my breath grew shallow. I felt like I couldn't just sit still.
"What is this? What's happening?"
Vitality. It must be the additional effect from the protein. I couldn't stay still.
"Exercise... I need to exercise."
I immediately grabbed the barbell.
[Starting Squats.]
At the same time, I began my workout under the system's guidance.
"Huff, huff, huff!"
Driven by the feeling that I might die if I didn't move, I completed several times my usual workout like a man possessed. I kept going until I collapsed from exhaustion.
That’s when I realized something.
Until my body is ready, I shouldn't drink protein while wearing the gym wear.
It was practically suicidal.
*
"Oppa, I'm here!"
Miju arrived. Having dressed up a bit again today, she walked in naturally and changed into her gym wear. I had prepared a set specifically in her size.
"The fit is really nice."
It was the B-grade gym wear I had summoned last time. I believe it had a strength-boosting effect. Of course, she wouldn't be getting the full benefits of the gym wear today.
"I've prepared some equipment for upper body exercises today."
"Upper body?"
"Yeah, upper body."
I had brought in the equipment I bought from the Boss's gym for cheaper than the second-hand market price. Miju was the first customer to use them.
"Will it help with belly fat?"
"Of course. This exercise will help burn that off too."
Miju nodded. The hypnosis had already begun.
"Then what kind of exercise is it?"
"Before we start the PT in earnest!"
I pointed at Miju's body and declared.
"Want to take your clothes off first?"
Miju looked at me.