Chapter 22: Entangled Hearts
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 22: Entangled Hearts
I was dozing off when I felt a gaze and opened my eyes.
Ye-seul, who had leaned in right in front of my face, was pulling up the blanket that had slipped down.
I flinched, startled by the sight of her face the moment I woke up.
“Are you awake?”
“Ah, Senior.”
“When did you get up? Oh boy…”
I forced my bleary eyes open and sat up.
“You must be hungry. It’s not much, but do you want something to eat?”
“Senior, don’t tell me you haven’t slept at all?”
“Haha, I just couldn’t fall asleep.”
Ye-seul’s face turned beet red, as if she had finally remembered what she did last night.
“Oh my gosh, Senior, I’m so sorry. I must have been crazy.”
Did she remember everything? Clinging to me while drunk, rubbing her chest against me, and sticking close to take photos?
She covered her face with both hands.
“It’s okay. Haha, it was fun. It’s all a good memory now.”
I hadn’t slept a wink all night, but it was fine.
It wasn’t entirely because of Ye-seul, anyway.
I just couldn’t sleep because I was nervous about the fact that two girls were sleeping in my house.
‘Two campus goddesses are sleeping right behind that wall.’
Thinking things like that made me too restless to sleep. It definitely wasn't just because of Ye-seul.
On the bright side, I had spent the night exercising to try and tire myself out, which resulted in a steady accumulation of points.
“By the way, are you okay? Coming out without your makeup on.”
Only then did Ye-seul look for a mirror.
Realizing she was bare-faced, her face flushed even deeper, and she scurried back inside.
“I-I’m sorry!”
She dashed into the bedroom, and I could hear her frantically rummaging through her bag.
“Ah.”
Maybe I should have told her she looked pretty even without makeup.
Even with her makeup gone, her skin was fair and firm, her features were sharp, and her deep double eyelids were striking. She wasn't called the Computer Engineering Goddess for nothing.
I could tell her later.
In the meantime, I headed to the kitchen. I should prepare something simple before they head to school.
They had to eat breakfast, after all.
I used the leftover rice to make Kimchi Fried Rice.
Sizzle!
It was a mouth-watering dish, topped off with a fried egg as the finishing touch.
Before long, Ye-seul and Miju, who had washed up and fixed their makeup, came out.
They looked shocked when they saw the Kimchi Fried Rice on the table.
Though, in Miju’s case, she seemed more shocked by my dark circles.
“It smells amazing. I didn't know you could cook, Oppa.”
“Every student living alone has at least one signature move.”
I shrugged.
“Give it a try. It’s pretty good.”
The moment they took a bite, the look in their eyes changed.
“This is delicious!”
“Wow!”
This was why I cooked—to see reactions like this.
[Affection building complete.]
[Hwang Ye-seul’s affection has risen above a certain level.]
[Additional advantages will be granted during promotion.]
The hard work had paid off.
*
Ye-seul left for school with Miju.
Senior Jae-ho, saying he didn't have classes today, saw them off and went back inside.
“What do you think? He’s a really good person, right?”
Miju asked. Her face was strangely full of life.
“Yeah… Honestly, I was surprised. I didn't think he’d be that considerate.”
At first, Ye-seul had kept her distance because she was shy, but he was a better person than she had expected.
They had similar hobbies, he was good at taking photos, and they communicated well. It was also Jae-ho who had rescued them when they were cornered by the seniors from their department.
He was a good listener, and even his occasional dad jokes were exactly her style.
It wasn't that she had always liked dad jokes, though.
It was just that when Jae-ho told them, they were funny.
She’d had such a good time that she’d had one more drink than usual and ended up being a burden.
She wondered what would happen, but not only did he give up his home for them, he didn't even sleep properly on the couch. He even made them breakfast.
She had never received such selfless kindness before.
She felt incredibly sorry and grateful.
“I want to repay him somehow…”
“Should we buy him a meal?”
“Maybe a gift would be better.”
While discussing what gift to give with Miju, Ye-seul asked.
“Miju.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you… happen to like Senior Jae-ho?”
“Wh-what? Why are you asking that?”
Was it too sudden? Miju asked back, flustered.
“Just asking. I was curious.”
“Uh, well… It’s not like I like him, you know?”
“Really?”
“B-but why are you asking?”
“Just because you’ve been talking about Senior Jae-ho non-stop since yesterday.”
“I-I did?”
Miju looked at Ye-seul, startled. She looked like a cat caught trying to steal something.
“Yeah.”
“You must have misheard. Like him? No way.”
Miju answered awkwardly, tucking her hair behind her ear. Her ears were bright red.
However, Ye-seul, lost in her own thoughts, didn't notice.
“Right?”
Ye-seul found herself strangely preoccupied with Jae-ho.
How should she put it?
She felt herself being drawn to him.
‘This is a first.’
They had only met yesterday. In Hwang Ye-seul’s twenty years of life, Jae-ho was the first man to capture her interest like this.
‘It’s just… it’s just because he took such good photos of me.’
She comforted herself with that thought.
Ye-seul quickly pulled out her phone and looked at the photos Jae-ho had sent her.
The photos were so well-taken that she couldn't help but admire them.
From the case and the phone to the composition of how she held it and his use of lighting…
It was surprisingly excellent.
“Yeah. This is why.”
Ye-seul posted the photo of the case Jae-ho had taken on Starstagram.
The photo was truly great.
But.
Why did she keep thinking of Jae-ho every time she looked at it?
*
—Senior! The photo you took hit 300,000 views! It’s insane! My other photos usually get 30,000 at most…
I received a text from Ye-seul, who was thrilled that the photo had ten times the views of her others.
The reaction was that good?
I had just taken it the way I always did.
Hearing that it got a good response made me feel relieved.
However, my expression wasn't bright.
I was conflicted.
It was a dilemma as great as choosing between Jajangmyeon and Jjamppong, or whether to dip or pour the sauce on Tangsuyuk.
I frowned, staring at my phone.
“Hmm.”
The source of my worry was this:
“Should I contact her or not?”
The message floating before my eyes kept bothering me.
[Affection building complete.]
[Hwang Ye-seul’s affection has risen above a certain level.]
[Additional advantages will be granted during promotion.]
It meant the probability had gone up significantly…
I looked at Ye-seul’s contact info saved in my phone.
—Hwang Ye-seul: 010--8472
[If you have a saved number, you can target them specifically.]
Hmm.
Should I try?
But sending a promotional text just a few days after getting close felt a bit wrong…
I was worried I might lower the affection level I had worked so hard to raise.
Besides.
[Probability: ???]
It didn't even tell me the success rate. It was basically telling me to just go for it and see what happens…
“Ah, whatever.”
I squeezed my eyes shut and sent the text.
[♚♚New GYM☆OPEN♚♚]
…
I sent a promotional text full of clickbait.
I couldn't even open my eyes.
How could I? My heart was pounding with nerves.
Please.
If this succeeds, it’s the first step toward registering an official member.
So please.
—Ding!
The message notification rang.
I slowly opened my eyes and checked the text.
—I’m sorry. I’m not really in the mood to start exercising yet…
A clear rejection.
“Of course.”
I didn't think it would work on the first try.
—That’s okay. See you in class later.
I closed my phone, regretting sending the text.
Right. Let’s not rush it.
The semester is long, and there’s still plenty of time.
If I keep raising her affection, an opportunity will surely come.
“Whew, it’s a shame, but nothing I can do.”
Having finished my day, I was about to wash up and get ready for bed.
Ding-dong!
“Who is it at this hour? I’m right in the middle of washing up.”
I hurriedly wiped the water off my body.
Who could it be? It was already past 11 PM.
It wasn't a time for anyone to visit.
Was it someone from the management office?
Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
“Yes, I’m coming!”
I rushed out, wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around my waist.
The moment I turned the doorknob.
‘Ah.’
I remembered who would be coming at this hour.
‘Member Heo Da-young?’
I was supposed to greet a female member like this, fresh out of the shower with only a towel covering my privates?
But it was too late to turn the knob back.
The door swung open.
And standing in front of the door…
“Hello, Trainer.”
As expected, it was Heo Da-young.
“Ah, Member. What brings you here?”
“I came to the gym to work out. Do I need a special reason to come?”
Heo Da-young looked at me with a smile.
“Oh my, were you in the middle of washing up? I’m sorry. Was I a bit too early?”
She turned her head shyly.
However, I could feel her eyes stealing glances at my body.
“N-no. Please, come in.”
“Ah, yes…”
I had forgotten.
I had forgotten that today was the day Heo Da-young was supposed to come.
I had been so focused on school and registering Ye-seul as a member that I had completely forgotten an existing member’s schedule.
‘You idiot.’
I wasn't even properly prepared.
“You’re in better shape than I thought, Trainer. And for some reason, your aura seems a bit different than usual.”
Heo Da-young placed her hand on my chest.
“A-ahahaha, is that so?”
I checked Heo Da-young’s profile.
[Heo Da-young: Resolves fatigue through exercise.]
It seemed fine. The hypnosis that had temporarily changed 'exercise' to 'sex' seemed to have reverted to its original state.
‘Wait, something new appeared?’
A new entry had been added.
[Member feels deep satisfaction.]
[Feels strong sexual desire and goes into heat whenever she sees the trainer.]
When did that get there?
“Trainer, don't you feel a bit hot?”
Heo Da-young, dressed in an office look, fanned herself with her hand.
Come to think of it.
“You’re not wearing your glasses today?”
“Of course. I realized they’re quite cumbersome when exercising. So…”
Heo Da-young looked up at me and asked.
“Do I look bad?”
“No! I was just surprised because your image changed so much.”
“I’m glad. I was also surprised because your image seemed to have changed, Trainer. Does this mean we’re on the same wavelength?”
“Is that so? Haha.”
The scent of Heo Da-young’s perfume hit my nose.
My heart began to race uncontrollably at the heavy, seductive scent.
“Ah, since I’m at the gym, I should change into my workout clothes. That’s only common sense, after all.”
And then.
Heo Da-young began to take off her clothes.