Chapter 25: Excuse me... What department are you in?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 25: Excuse me... What department are you in?
I was drained.
"Whew."
Morning had arrived before I knew it.
I had been intertwined with Heo Da-young until nearly three in the morning.
Satisfied, she had headed home with a smile.
Even when I asked if she’d be okay at such an hour and told her to just sleep over, she simply laughed.
'I can't exactly sleep at the gym, can I?'
With that, she left.
Wait, so having sex in the gym is fine, but sleeping isn't?
I suppressed the urge to say it out loud. After all, I was a willing participant.
My legs were shaking from the excessive sex, and I wondered if I’d be okay.
Well...
It’ll work out somehow. There was no way the system hadn't accounted for something like this.
"Ouch."
My lower back felt stiff.
"I can't keep doing this every day."
No matter how many times I satisfied Heo Da-young, she kept clinging to me. If she were my actual boss, I might literally die from having my energy drained while working together.
"I need a plan."
SP.
It was great. Everything was great, but my physical stamina had its limits if I was going to earn SP solely through sex—even with the gym wear's fatigue and stamina recovery effects.
What if I got more customers in the future?
No matter how much stamina I have, I can't have sex with every single customer.
I’d surely end up dying of exhaustion mid-act.
"I can't even jerk off anymore."
At this point, it was more beneficial to catch an hour of sleep than to waste energy on masturbation.
As I fumbled to put on my clothes and stood up—
Ding!
[Conditions met.]
[Due to the high satisfaction of the guest, the Gym Level has increased.]
[Gym Level 3 -> 4]
[A new promotional method has been unlocked due to the Level Up.]
[Pyramid Scheme]
What? Pyramid Scheme?
A new way to promote. It seemed to mean I could do something other than just sending texts now.
[Promotion: Pyramid Scheme – 0 Points Required]
[Activation Condition – Only for members who have reached 100 Satisfaction]
[Effect – Recommends the gym to the member's closest acquaintance.]
[Success rate is 50% higher than Text Promotion.]
If it’s this...
Could I register Ye-seul as a member?
Come to think of it, was today the day Miju was coming in to work out?
*
Today, I spent my time wandering around campus alone.
A major course for the Computer Engineering Department.
Even though I was a sophomore, to be honest, I had never really talked to anyone much at school, nor did I have any close friends.
I had tried to be active in my own way. To fix this timid personality of mine, I went to the MT (Membership Training) as a freshman and attended general assemblies, but all I ever got back was:
—I wish we could be closer.
—I don't think I've ever heard your voice.
—Hey, why don't you ever say anything?
Regardless of age or gender, everyone just told me they were curious about my voice. I couldn't even strike up a proper conversation.
"Memories."
That’s how I used to be. People would ask where I was even when I had been standing right next to them the whole time. Miju, who noticed me first and greeted me, was a rare case.
I thought I’d spend today alone as well, but...
"Excuse me."
Someone tapped me.
"Who is it?"
I turned my head to find a female student I didn't recognize looking at me.
"By any chance... what department are you in?"
Huh?
Is this that famous 'getting hit on' thing? I’d heard it was rare for a woman to approach a man first.
Was spring finally blooming for me too?
"Me?"
"Yes."
"I'm in Computer Engineering."
"Ah..."
"Is something the matter?"
The woman looked flustered, fidgeting and twisting her body.
Is she really going to confess?
Just as that thought crossed my mind—
"I'm so sorry!"
The woman who had approached me bowed her head deeply.
"Pardon?"
"I didn't recognize you, so I thought you were from another department. I'm sorry."
What?
What kind of situation is this? I thought things like this wouldn't happen anymore after getting close to Miju.
I was being too greedy. I was used to this kind of treatment from the start. It wasn't anything new.
"It's fine. I'm a returning student."
"Ah, so you're a senior. I'm truly sorry."
A junior, then. Seeing as she asked like that, she was probably part of the student council.
"I'm sorry, but could I ask what year you are? Um, it's just that it's my first time seeing an undergraduate I don't know..."
"Ah, I'm Choi Jae-ho, Class of 2017."
"Choi... Jae-ho?"
The woman met my eyes, her own blinking wide. She furrowed her brow and tilted her head, scrutinizing me carefully.
"Are you... really the Choi Jae-ho from the Class of 2017?"
"Yeah. Want me to show you my student ID?"
"If it's not too much trouble, could I see it?"
This was getting quite unpleasant. Why was she acting like this when I already told her it was me?
I clicked my tongue and pulled out my student ID from my wallet.
—Usan University, Computer Engineering Department, Class of 2017, Choi Jae-ho.
It was my student ID, with my face clearly printed on it.
"Huh? It really is him."
Even after seeing the ID, she still looked doubtful, tilting her head.
"Excuse me. Do you not know me?"
"What?"
"I'm also from the Class of 2017."
"..."
Who are you? I’ve never seen that face before.
"You really don't know me?"
"I don't."
There was someone like this in the Class of 2017?
"Ha, this is a bit flustering."
"That's what I was going to say..."
No, if we’re being technical, I’m the one who should be offended. At least I gave my name. But she hasn't even given hers and is asking if I know her—how am I supposed to know?
"I was the class rep during our freshman year in 2017, and I'm pretty sure we went to the MT together. How can you not remember someone like that?"
The 2017 class rep?
Class rep... Class rep...
"Ah."
Only then did it click. Back when we were freshmen in 2017, there was one classmate in the Computer Engineering Department who monopolized the affection of both peers and seniors.
A classmate who knew she was pretty and knew how to use it as a weapon.
Was her name Shin Soeun? Or was it Shin Sogeum?
"Shin Sogeum?"
Probably not.
"I-I was joking. Soeun."
"I'm not in the mood for jokes. Anyway, your vibe has completely changed. Back then, it felt like you had zero presence."
That’s why even the class rep couldn't recognize my face.
"Well, your vibe has changed a lot too."
In our first year, Shin Soeun always had a smile on her face, cleverly flitting about to stay in the seniors' good graces.
But now...
She seemed a bit sharp and exhausted, resembling many of the female seniors who used to dislike her in the past. Since she hadn't taken a leave of absence, she’d be a senior now. It was a busy time with assignments, exams, and job hunting.
"Did you work out while you were in the military?"
"I don't think that's any of your business."
Was it because our first encounter was so unpleasant? My voice came out sharp. To think I could speak so firmly to a woman.
Choi Jae-ho, the man, has grown.
"Ah, I see."
It was just as she nodded.
"Jae-ho Oppa!"
From outside the door, Miju saw me and waved her hand vigorously.
"Let's go home together later!"
At those words, the eyes of every other student fixed on me.
The Computer Engineering Department was famous for being overwhelmingly male. There were very few female freshmen this year. On top of that, Miju was even being called the department goddess.
Because of Miju's suggestion to go home together, gazes filled with jealousy, curiosity, and envy were directed at me.
Whether she knew this or not, Miju just threw the words out and dashed off to her own classroom.
"You've got skills. Already hitting on the freshmen."
What exactly had offended her so much? She kept coming over to pick a fight. Shin Soeun frowned as she looked at me.
I felt like I’d seen that look somewhere before.
Back when Shin Soeun was a freshman, the female seniors had that exact same expression.
Jealousy and hysteria.
"Relax your brow. You'll get wrinkles."
With that, I turned to my book, making an effort to ignore Shin Soeun's piercing gaze.
It seemed I had made quite a few enemies today.
*
"Huh? What did you just say?"
Miju turned to Ye-seul and asked.
"You mentioned it before, Miju. That Senior Jae-ho is also working as a trainer."
"...I did, didn't I?"
Why was she asking this?
"You said you hated exercising."
"I did. But, you know, looking at Starstagram, I feel like I need to do a little bit..."
In Miju's mind, the conversation Ye-seul and Jae-ho had when they were together flashed by. The way they got close while he took good photos of the phone case Ye-seul liked. The way they laughed and talked together. The way they spoke so naturally while drinking.
And didn't Ye-seul lean into Jae-ho?
Wait, why am I worrying about this? It's not like Oppa and I are dating.
It wasn't her place to interfere. There was no guarantee the two would hit it off, and even if they did, it was something to be celebrated.
I'm not his girlfriend.
Miju nodded.
"Yeah, that's right. Jae-ho Oppa is really good. My belly fat disappeared quickly recently, too. He's an expert at weight loss."
"Really?"
"Of course!"
"Then, can't you introduce me too?"
"I'd like to, but... I heard he does private training, so I don't know if he'll do it."
"I can just ask the senior myself."
"I guess so..."
"We're going home together today anyway. I have something I want to tell Senior Jae-ho."
"Y-you have something to tell him?"
"Yeah."
Miju swallowed hard. It couldn't be a confession, could it?
"The MCN I signed with saw Senior Jae-ho's photos and liked them. They said they want to give him a personal commission."
"Ah..."
What a relief. Miju felt the tightening sensation in her chest slowly fade away.
"I-is that so?"
"You can introduce us today, right?"
Miju hesitated for a moment before answering.
To be honest, she didn't want to tell her. She felt uneasy. There was a subtle intuition that Ye-seul shouldn't find out.
Wait, am I jealous?
Miju shook her head violently.
Get a grip! Kang Mi-ju, you're not this kind of person.
They were friends. Both Ye-seul and Jae-ho Oppa were just close friends.
Therefore...
"Of course! I'll ask Jae-ho Oppa today."
For some reason, Miju felt a heavy weight in her chest.