CHAPTER 377: I MUST LOOK LIKE A ROBOT BEING TAUGHT HOW TO DANCE

"Let’s start with a few stretches, shall we?" Seo-Jun’s voice was calm. He clapped his hands once and nodded toward the mats spread on the floor.

Min-Cheol and I dropped down obediently. He looked almost too eager, bouncing a little on his heels, while I felt my joints creeping like they had rusted overnight.

"Jo-Pil, sit straight," Seo-Jun instructed, moving behind me, his hand pressed lightly against my back. "Your posture’s collapsing already. Relax your shoulders and breathe."

I did as I was told, though every stretch felt like my body was resisting.

"Ugh... why does this hurt so much? It’s just bending forward."

"Because your body’s stiff," Seo-Jun replied matter-of-factly. He reached down and caught my wrists, pulling them gently until my fingertips grazed the mat while my body trembled. "You’ll loosen up the more you do it. Trust me."

This was the kind of line he would usually use to flirt with me, but to think he was actually taking this seriously and not even trying to wink or make intimate gestures.

He was serious.

Gosh, I think I should make these kinds of rewards more often.

"Hyung, I’ll help too," Min-Cheol offered, scooting closer. His hands moved to my ankle, adjusting the angle of my foot. He looked up with a little grin. "See? I’m not completely useless here."

Seo-Jun gave him a look, sharp but not hostile.

"Don’t overdo it, Min-Cheol. If you push Jo-Pil too far, he’ll just end up sore and unable to move tomorrow."

Min-Cheol huffed but backed off slightly.

"Fine. But I’ll still learn faster than Hyung so I’ll help out soon."

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Excuse me?"

How dare you insult me with a fact?

Seo-Jun smirked.

"Wow, competition already? Just save that for the weights. Right now, you need to focus."

He moved with easy precision, demonstrating a side stretch, then rolling his shoulders as if it were second nature. His muscles flexed and loosened with every motion. Watching him made me realize just how... uncoordinated I must look.

I must look like a robot being taught how to dance.

But even robots had flexible joints. I was beyond help at this point.

When it was time for squats, Min-Cheol went down smoothly, his balance perfect, his form naturally steady as if he had done it all his life when this was his first time stepping into a gym.

"See, Hyung? This isn’t so bad."

Save it.

I narrowed my eyes as I lowered myself. After about five seconds, my legs wobbled, and my knees trembled. I knew it would be like this.

"Not... bad? Speak for yourself. My thighs are crying already."

Seo-Jun chuckled, moving to my side. He tapped my knee, correcting my stance.

"Spread your legs a little wider." He whispered and I felt it in my spine.

I was the one thinking dirty now, wasn’t I?

"Keep your back straight and don’t lean forward so much. There, much better."

He stepped back, crossing his arms as he watched intently with those red eyes that seemed to see through everything.

"Min-Cheol, you have a good form. And Jo-Pil," I perked my ears, waiting for a compliment but he simply sighed, leaving me with a disappointed tongue click. "Just keep breathing evenly. In through your nose, out through your mouth. If you stop, you’ll collapse."

I gritted my teeth, heat flushing up my cheeks.

"Why do I feel like you’re enjoying this?"

Seo-Jun’s smirk widened.

"Because I am."

Min-Cheol didn’t laugh but he smiled, tilting his head towards me as sweat began gathering on his brow.

"Hyung, let’s just endure it." He said. "I can do this all day if I just think of the reward you promised," he said and my face went hot instantly.

"You—!"

I groaned, wiping my forehead.

’This is only day two and I already regret it.’ I hate working out, but I must work out. I have a goal to be flexible.

And who knows? I can test my flexibility later when we do...ahem... It.

My face flushed.

"Back straight." Seo-Jun’s voice was firm, almost sharp. He stood behind me as I struggled with another squat, my thighs trembling. "You’re leaning too far forward again. Keep the weight on your heels, not your toes."

"I’m... trying!" I hissed through clenched teeth. "My body’s not listening to me!"

Without a word, Seo-Jun stepped closer. His hands slid around my waist, steadying me, and then pressed lightly against my lower back, adjusting my angle.

"Here. Feel that? That’s the position you want to keep."

The warmth of his palm seeped through my already drenched shirt, sending shivers down my spine. My heart thudded hard, completely unrelated to the exercise.

"Hyung," Min-Cheol called from the next mat, watching with puffed cheeks as he held a plank with ease. "Don’t collapse! But don’t worry if you fall, I’ll make sure to catch you."

"Shut up, Little Min," I muttered, my face flushing from the contact just now and Min-Cheol laughed.

Seo-Jun leaned closer, his breath brushing against my ear as he adjusted my shoulders.

"Relax. Don’t tense your neck. The more you fight your own body, the harder it’ll be."

I swallowed hard.

I know he’s just instructing me and leading me with gestures but... why does this feel like something else entirely?

His tone was calm, professional even, but the way his chest hovered just behind me, the way his fingers lingered an extra second on my hip to correct my stance... it was too much.

"You’re shaking," Seo-Jun said softly.

"B-because I’m sore!" I snapped, my voice a little too high-pitched that anyone would suspect I was thinking of something else entirely.

Min-Cheol dropped from his plank, grinning mischievously.

"Really, Hyung? It doesn’t look like that’s the only reason." He said but I shook my head.

"Don’t say weird things!" I barked, my face burning, but that only made Seo-Jun raise a brow, as if he was completely obvious.

Good, just stay oblivious like that and do what you’re doing now. It’ll only get more awkward if he starts acting like he noticed my behavior.

"Ignore him," Seo-Jun said with a smooth tone, stepping back at last. "Focus on the reps. Ten more. You can handle it."

I exhaled sharply, dropping into the next squat, but I couldn’t stop replaying the weight of his hands on me, the closeness, the heat.

It all felt far too intimate to be normal.