It is Easiest to be Obsessed by Everyone

[Me] Hey, Hyena, I found a gym for us.

[Me] The facilities are really nice, and it’s free for both of us.

[Me] Plus, they pay 100,000 won for every hour we work out! Can you believe that?

[Hyena] They’re paying you a modeling fee, right?

[Me] Oh? You knew?

[Hyena] Yeah, I have a few friends who’ve done that kind of side job.

[Me] There’s one condition, though—they want us to pretend to be siblings at the gym.

[Me] They say if we’re openly a couple, we lose the “totem” effect, lol.

[Hyena] That’s fine! We can just focus on working out!

[Hyena] Honestly, I was starting to feel like I needed exercise because I’ve been reaching my limits. I can’t keep up with you.ㅠㅠ♡

[Me] Think you can pull off the act?

[Hyena] Of course! I’ve taken acting lessons, so I’m totally confident! ㅎㅎ♡♡

[Me] I’m going to act just like I would with a real younger sister, so don’t take it to heart if it’s too realistic, lol.

[Hyena] Do you have a sister?

Oops.

I got too excited and made a slip.

I quickly sent another text.

[Me] I mean, I’ll act like you’re my real sister.

[Me] I don’t actually have a sister—no family at all, really.

[Me] You’re my only family, Hyena.

[Hyena] ㅠㅠ♡♡♡♡♡♡

[Me] Let’s work out together for two hours every day starting tomorrow.

[Hyena] Okay, ♡

[Me] And don’t get shocked—I’m really going to be in “big brother” mode.

[Hyena] Haha, I’ll be in ‘serious little sister’ mode, so don’t get mad at me, ㅠㅠ ♡

[Me] If I were a real brother, I’d naturally get annoyed.

[Hyena] Ahhh, ♡

So, there really are a lot of women who love working out.

It made me reflect on how little I cared about fitness before.

Even middle-aged women wete so committed to staying in shape.

I tried pulling the lat pulldown and focusing on engaging my lats.

As my body worked, I scanned the status board.

1. Path of Wealth

2. Path of Intelligence

3. Path of Health (acquired)

4. Path of Appearance

5. Path of Sex

The Path of Wealth was definitely the least useful.

I didn’t plan on becoming a billionaire.

Even if I modestly estimate a daily incentive of 500,000 won, working 22 days a month would bring in around 115 million won, including my base salary.

Even assuming customer numbers drop over time, I could probably still earn several million per month.

That was more than enough.

Then there was Appearance and Sex.

It made sense to strengthen my destiny along one of these two paths, but since both were already at a high level, it might not make much difference.

I’d let it sit for a while and think it over since the perks weren’t going anywhere.

“Do you live nearby?”

A woman who looked to be in her 40s suddenly spoke to me.

‘Friendly, friendly.’

‘I’m the totem right now, after all.’

“No, I just got a job nearby, so I’m starting here today.”

“Oh, so you work nearby. But wow, you’re really strong despite how you look! How many weights are you pulling right now?”

I was currently pulling with three-quarters of the weight stack, but honestly, I wasn’t feeling much resistance.

That +500% strength boost was pretty incredible.

“I live right over there in the Étranger Apartments.”

“Oh, so you’re local.”

“But you’re really good-looking. I’ve seen a lot of star celebrities, but I’ve never seen anyone as handsome as you. Why don’t you do something with that face?”

This made me a bit nervous.

I hoped she wasn’t trying to hit on someone young enough to be her son.

She might have been a beauty in her youth and still had a figure as fit as someone in her twenties, but please, let’s keep it in check.

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

“Excuse me?”

“No, no, nothing like that! I was thinking of introducing you to someone.”

Oh, thank goodness. You really scared me there, ma’am.

“My friend’s daughter, here—what do you think? Isn’t she pretty? She’s 21 and goes to Yeonseong University.”

“Yes, she’s beautiful.”

She was stunning, but compared to Hyena…

“I thought you two might look good together, so forgive me for being nosy and asking this. If you’re interested, just let me know. By the way, what time do you usually come?”

“I think I’ll come before work and after work, like now.”

“I’ll bring her around then to check it out. You can pretend you don’t know and give me your opinion.”

“She’s your daughter?”

“Yes, my daughter. She’s pretty, right?”

Well, this was a new experience.

Having a middle-aged woman try to set me up with her daughter.

——-

9 p.m.

After working out, I headed over to pick up Hyena as she got off work.

No joke, every woman in the gym, regardless of age, came over to talk to me.

Just politely declining all the number requests wore me out more than the weights.

“Oppa!”

Hyena saw me and walked over with a big smile.

Seriously, she was like a beacon of light.

Look at how everyone was glancing her way.

“Shall we grab dinner before heading home?”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

“So, what do you feel like eating?”

“I’m planning on eating a happy, full Hyena afterward.”

“Eek!”

This route took us far from the café.

We walked hand in hand through the streets of Gangnam at night.

I was wearing a mask, so if people were staring, it had to be because of Jung Hyena. Or…maybe it was a little because of me, too?

“Even with a mask, I think you’re still glowing, oppa. My eyes just naturally find you. I could spot you from far away.”

“That’s exactly what I think when I look at you. Did you read my mind or something?”

“Ah, oppa, you’re the one who came in and out of my mind.”

She suddenly got shy, and I didn’t get it right away—then it clicked.

Whoa, did Jung Hyena just make a dirty joke?

It made me want to skip dinner and find the nearest motel.

“You know I’m going to be all over you the minute we close the front door tonight. Are you ready for that?”

“If that’s what you want, then I’m ready.”

She looked so cute, blushing like that.

We headed to a small pub, and I could feel the eyes on us as soon as we entered.

The women were checking me out, and the guys were looking at her.

As soon as I took my mask off, I could hear gasps from other tables, which made me feel a little awkward.

I leaned in, speaking quietly.

“Everyone’s staring.”

“Because it’s you, oppa.”

“This is embarrassing. Should we go somewhere else?”

“Wherever we go, it’ll be the same. Let’s just eat here.”

At least Jung Hyena was an unintentional blocker, so no one dared to approach.

Maybe we were mutually protecting each other from admirers.

After quickly downing a bottle of beer and finishing our food, we headed home.

“So now that you’re happy and full, it’s time for me to have my delicious Hyena.”

“Eek!”

“Bon appétit, then.”

“Please…enjoy.”

I played the video we filmed yesterday, set up the camera for tonight’s session, and from then until 1 a.m., we were inseparable.

Neither our lips nor our bodies parted for even a moment.

———

The next morning, we left an hour early to fit in some exercise before work.

“How’s your stamina holding up?”

“Compared to my singing days, it’s definitely down. I’m older now, and working in an office, I don’t exercise as much as I used to.”

“Let’s build it up little by little. That way, I can keep savoring you for a long, long time.”

“Eek!”

“Alright, we need to get into character now. Hmm. Hey, Lee Hyena!”

“Hyena Lee? Is that me now?”

“Yep, you’re my little sister from here on out. And I need to stay in character.”

“Oh, right! Sorry… I mean, whatever. Running a little late isn’t a big deal, so why the fuss?”

Wow… That was really convincing; she gave me such an authentically annoyed look that I was stunned speechless.

She immediately panicked, though.

“Oppa, was I too rude just now?”

“No, you nailed it. Just like that.”

“Should I play the nice, sweet sister role instead?”

“No way. If things start looking too cozy, the other members will start judging us for being a ‘questionable pair of totems.’ We’re lucky enough to work out here for free, so let’s take it seriously.”

We took on the role of a bickering sibling duo.

It would seem strange to act too friendly since there wasn’t much of an age gap between us, and people might suspect we were a couple if things got too cozy.

It was still that early phase of living together where just a brush of the fingertips makes your heart race.

“Got it. I’ll play along.”

“Get it right. I’m only bringing you along because Mom made me.”

“Yeah, well, if Mom wasn’t forcing me by threatening my allowance, I wouldn’t be here either.”

She’s good at this!

Her lines flowed naturally, and her tone was just sharp enough to be convincing.

Strange—this sibling act shouldn’t be so…intriguing.

By 7:30 a.m., we arrived at the gym.

An hour workout, shower, and then straight to work.

Perfect timing.

“Oh, welcome, members! Your sister is quite the beauty too.

The gym manager greeted us warmly with a big smile.

He didn’t even flinch when he saw Jung Hyena.

Impressive self-control. He was definitely a pro.

“What do you mean ‘beauty’? She’s got hidden flab for days. Just know that until that’s all gone, she’s not eating anything but Mom’s cooking at home.”

“Oh, shut up. If Mom didn’t threaten me, I wouldn’t be here.”

“Then move out if you don’t like it.”

“Yeah. You move out first.”

The distance and banter were perfect.

Hyena might actually have a shot at acting—she was so natural!

I couldn’t understand why she was not interested in it.

“This way, please.”

“Make sure to train this little pig into a human, okay?”

“Oh, she’s already slim and beautiful. Isn’t that a bit harsh?”

“She’s got a lot of stealth fat. You can’t see it now because it’s all wrapped up, but at home…sheesh.”

I’m tempted to boast about her, knowing how great she looks underneath.

As Jung Hyena came out dressed in workout gear, I could feel all eyes from the male members snap to her.

I could practically read their minds.

She was tall with long legs, and the fitted leggings highlight her lines in a pretty provocative way.

Damn! This wasn’t the time to be admiring her. Stick to the totem role.

“Look at all that extra flesh. I told you it would all catch up to you from those late-night ramen binges, didn’t I?”

“Oh, whatever! I’m the slimmest among my friends!”