“The bathroom here is amazing…”
I had assumed it would be like the shower rooms in other gyms, but when I actually saw it, it far exceeded my expectations.
The bathroom, which was vastly larger than even a public bathhouse, was filled with various types of bathtubs, and in the corner, there was a complete set of bathing supplies, making it look incredibly convenient to use.
At this level, it didn’t even feel like it should be part of the gym—it could easily be a standalone facility.
If there were a bathhouse like this near my home, I’d probably visit two or three times a week.
“…A mirror.”
As I walked toward the shower, slightly excited, I caught sight of my reflection in a large mirror and instinctively stopped to stare.
“This is the first time I’ve been naked outside my home.”
I still had my glasses on as my last line of defense, but aside from the white towel wrapped around my body and the talisman, I wasn’t wearing anything.
And even the towel would be gone once I started bathing—just a temporary cover.
There was some nervousness about being naked in front of someone else for the first time, but considering how Eugene had acted so far, I wasn’t too worried.
If anything, I should be more concerned about whether I could control myself around her.
“It’s so cold… But right now, this is just what I need.”
Normally, I wouldn’t bathe in anything but hot water, but just for today, I wanted to cool my head with cold water.
After all, I couldn’t get the image of Eugene’s sexy figure from our workout out of my head.
And soon, I would see her completely naked.
Until now, she had still been wearing some clothes, but once everything was off… just how seductive would she look?
“…Gulp.”
Even though my body was already soaked, I was hesitant to move deeper into the bath area where Eugene was waiting.
I felt like something inside me that I had been desperately holding back might break, and a part of me wanted to turn and run away.
…No, I have to move forward.
Life will throw countless challenges my way, and I should consider this a good practice run.
If I can’t even handle seeing Eugene naked, how am I supposed to deal with Seyoon in a swimsuit?
“Alright.”
I took off the towel—my only shield—and placed it in the basket before walking deeper into the bathroom.
The sound of my wet footsteps echoed through the quiet space, in sync with the pounding of my heart.
Thump, thump—.
And then, I saw it.
A pair of pale, bare shoulders submerged in the bath.
The moment I laid eyes on them, my heartbeat intensified, to the point where my entire head was filled with the sound of it.
She must have noticed my presence, but instead of speaking, she simply raised a hand and gestured to the spot beside her.
She wants me to get in.
Right next to her.
There’s no escape now.
If it’s come to this, I have no choice but to face it head-on!
Splash—…
“…Thank god.”
It seemed like she had added a special bath additive, making the water milky and opaque enough that I couldn’t see the bottom.
That meant both my body and Eugene’s naked form were hidden beneath the water, making the situation far less mentally overwhelming than I had braced myself for.
Of course, it wasn’t like the tension had completely disappeared.
After all, there was a stunningly beautiful, naked woman sitting close enough that I could touch her with just one reach of my hand.
How could I possibly stay calm?
The fact that I was managing to keep my head turned away from her at all was nothing short of a miracle.
“Miro.”
Flinch—.
Eugene called my name softly.
I tensed up, my shoulders twitching, unable to even respond properly.
The moment I heard her voice, I became hyper-aware that we were completely alone in this enclosed space, and my heart started racing uncontrollably.
“Thank you for today.”
“…Huh?”
Her words were so unexpected that I turned to face her without thinking.
As if she had predicted my reaction, she was already smiling, our eyes meeting directly.
“It’s my first time, you know. Working out with someone all the way to the end.”
“…Your first time?”
“Yeah. Everyone else always gives up halfway. That’s actually why I had this place built so big.”
…Well, considering how brutal the workout we did today was, it wasn’t surprising that people would drop out.
I only kept going out of sheer stubbornness, but for most, there wouldn’t be much reason to push themselves that hard.
Still.
“Um, Eugene.”
“Hmm?”
“I… I had fun today.”
“I really had fun.”
“…What?”
“It was fun working out because you were by my side helping me the whole time, Yujin. I’ll do my best again next week!”
I had said the same thing before we entered the bath, but this time, I made sure to convey my sincerity as much as possible.
Today had been exhausting in many ways, but this was the first time since being reborn that I had pushed my body this hard.
And the bath after all that effort felt amazing.
“…Thanks for saying that.”
“I mean it.”
“…Haah.”
Eugene, who had been gazing at me in silence, let out a small sigh and lifted her head to look up at the ceiling.
Naturally, I also fell silent, bringing my knees together as I absentmindedly stared at the rippling water.
“Let’s get out. If I want to send you home before dinner, we should start getting ready.”
Splash….
“Ah.”
Without any warning, Eugene stood up.
I didn’t even have time to close my eyes.
In an instant, I saw everything—her entire naked body.
Her toned, beautiful stomach with well-defined abs, and the smooth, hairless curve that followed.
Everything I had been desperately holding back came crashing down all at once.
My head, which had been slowly melting into the hot water, suddenly spun.
“Miro!?”
Her panicked voice was the last thing I heard before my head dunked into the water.
“Where… am I?”
As I gradually regained consciousness, my senses became sharper.
Something soft was supporting my head—a warm, blissful sensation that made me hesitate to open my eyes.
And then, I saw it.
Round.
White.
Large.
A chest.
“Eugene…?”
First Seyoon, now Eugene—why does everyone keep giving me a lap pillow?
It feels good and makes me happy, but my self-control is wearing dangerously thin…
“Yeah. Are you feeling okay? Do you need me to take you to a hospital?”
“No, I’m fine… Uh, how long was I unconscious?”
“Not long. About three minutes? Looks like your body overheated from staying in the bath too long.”
“I see…”
I had been in there for quite a while, but no matter how I looked at it, the real reason I fainted was…
Eugene’s naked body.
Of course, there was no way I could admit that.
“Here, your clothes. Let me know if you need help putting them on.”
“I-I can do it myself!”
“Alright. I’ll wait outside, so come out when you’re ready, okay?”
“Okay…”
With a soft swish, Eugene patted my head a few times before carefully helping me sit up and leaving the room.
Left alone in the changing area, I stared blankly at the wall before finally lowering my head in embarrassment.
I’m such an idiot.
I passed out just from seeing someone naked.
Thank god it was Eugene—if this had happened in front of someone else, who knows what kind of disaster would’ve followed?
That was seriously dangerous…
Sighing, I scolded myself repeatedly as I changed into my clothes.
And when I finally stepped out of the changing room, Eugene, who looked a little anxious, greeted me with relief.
“Alright, let’s head back.”
“Huh…?”
Without hesitation, Eugene grabbed my hand and led me outside the building.
Unlike her usual cool and fearless demeanor, she kept glancing around anxiously as we walked, as if she were afraid of something.
Even after we got into the car, started the engine, and hit the road, she remained silent.
I debated whether to say something first, but seeing her biting her lip nervously made me stay quiet as well.
Why was she acting like this all of a sudden?
She had seemed completely fine in the changing room—did something happen in that short amount of time?
“Uh, Miro.”
“Yes!”
Lost in my thoughts, I was startled when Yujin suddenly called my name.
I felt like a kid caught doing something mischievous.
“…You’re really not being threatened or blackmailed at that convenience store, right?”
“Huh? I told you before, I’m fine.”
“Yeah, you did…”
She hesitated for a moment before finally taking something out of her pocket.
“Miro, I want you to take this.”
At a red light, she handed me a small button, barely the size of my pinky joint.
It looked completely ordinary, making me even more curious about why she was giving it to me.
“This button directly contacts the nearest police station, sending out a loud alarm and your location. I’ll also get notified immediately, so if you’re in danger, press it right away.”
“…This tiny thing does all that?”
“Yes. If you lose it, let me know. I’ll buy you another one, no matter how many times it takes.”
The moment I heard her explanation, my heart pounded.
I had never seen one in real life before, but I instantly recognized it as one of the things I had desperately searched for.
This little device costs at least 300,000 won—why was she giving me something so expensive?
“Um, Eugene… This is really too much—”
“Stop.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t say anything. Just take it.”
“…Okay.”
Overwhelmed by her tone, I reluctantly accepted the button.
I had no idea why she was giving this to me, but she still looked uneasy as she stared at me.
“If anything happens at school or work, call me immediately, okay?”
“O-okay…”
“Good. Miro, you’re such a good kid.”
After that, we made small talk for the rest of the ride, but every time I tried to bring up the button, Eugene skillfully changed the subject, leaving me without an answer.
What was this all about?
I had told her she could just drop me off at the convenience store, but she insisted on taking me all the way home.
No matter what, I had to return this button next week.
There was no way I could accept such an expensive gift for free.
“Sigh…”
Only after seeing Miro safely enter her home did I finally feel at ease.
I had tried to act normal, but even I could tell that my behavior had changed at some point.
Miro.
At first, I just thought she was a diligent student, and I wanted to help her a little.
That was all—really, no ulterior motives.
“…She looks just like her.”
When she fainted in the bath, I accidentally saw her face without her glasses for the first time.
Behind those thick, round lenses was a face so stunning that I had never seen anything like it before.
Not even among the celebrities I worked with.
No—there was only one person I could compare her to.
The one person who had been in the industry long before I entered it.
The person I had admired for so long.
Han Miyun.
A legend.
A national treasure of beauty.
An actress who had once stood at the pinnacle of the entertainment world, captivating fans with her overwhelming looks, acting skills, and singing talent.
She ruled the industry for over four years—until she mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
And yet, Miro didn’t just resemble her—she was identical to her.
Like… her child.
No, that can’t be.
Han Miyun already has a child.
“…What should I do?”
There must be a reason why Miro hides her face.
After working in this industry, I’ve seen a lot, and someone with Miro’s appearance would attract dangerous attention.
Giving her that emergency button was a start, but it didn’t feel like enough.
Wasn’t there something more direct I could do to protect her?
For now, I’ll just watch over her a little longer.
She’s managed to keep her identity hidden this long, so I should trust that she can handle herself.
At least while she’s working at the convenience store, I’ll arrange for some quiet security.
“…Still, I need to teach her to be more careful.”
The moment I closed my eyes, I recalled the sight of Miro’s bare body in the bath, and my entire body heated up.
I already found her adorable and endearing—now she even happens to be exactly my type?
…I need to control myself.
At least until she graduates.
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