The next day, Ji-Won woke up eagerly and headed straight to the university campus. The morning light was soft, enveloping everything in a gentle glow. She walked briskly, fueled by excitement, to reach her destination – the comedy club room.
As she arrived, a mailman stood outside there, holding a large package that needed her signature. After a quick exchange, she had the heavy parcel on the ground. She dragged it carefully into the room, humming.
Inside, Ji-Won carefully opened the package, revealing a red-colored sandbag with a heavy chain attached. JI-Won smirked at the sight and laughed creepily as usual as she set her sights upon a drill machine.
Bzzzzz
The drill whirred in Ji-Won’s hand as she grabbed it preparing her next steps. She rose up determined to finish this work, since having done similar jobs before, it wouldn’t take her too long.
A Few Moments Later…
The comedy club remained the same with its bashful decorations and signs hung up on the wall, except now having Ji-Won in the club had brought significant changes to the club room. The room now had a giant sandbag in the corner of it, which also had boxing gloves placed beside it. Ji-Won sank in a chair relieved that this was done with, she even sweat from the heavy lifting though her back is now killing her. Sighing a sigh of relief, she couldn’t help but be proud and motivated to have a place to practice using the sandbags even though it was limited compared to the gym it was better than nothing.
Ji-Won looked around making sure no one was there, and she reluctantly put on her boxing gloves and approached the sandbag. Since it was the weekend there was a good enough chance that there was no one nearby. Ji-Won had to make sure since she didn’t want people complaining about the loud noises of the sandbag.
Therefore, Ji-Won stood before the sandbag letting loose and forgetting about the bothering thoughts roaming her mind. She with immense focus took a stance tightening her core and twisted her hips deeply as she threw a heavy punch toward the sandbag.
A loud clunk sound was heard as the sandbag rattled swinging backward. “Whew, I still got it. Even after not practicing for a few days”, commented Ji-Won internally proud of herself. However, this reminded her of how urgently she needed to enter a boxing gym. She knew she had only one chance to try and go pro even if it were against her mother’s wishes. Since graduation was in a few months she had to find a boxing gym by then.
Ji-Won, deep in thought, was jolted by a rattling sound emanating from behind a mannequin near the door. "What is that noise? Perhaps a rat?" she pondered aloud.
Suddenly, Min-Joon emerged from behind the mannequin, wearing a disappointed expression. "To think the club member of the comedy club would think of her boss as a rat, how disappointing."
Ji-Won, dumbfounded by Min-Joon's unexpected appearance, wondered if he had seen her punch. Her surprise grew as Min-Joon spoke, "Though I've got to say, my boxer is talented with her skills, and because of this, I'll forgive you for greatly altering the room to your wishes. Anything for my sweetheart," he replied cheekily, punctuating his words with a wink.
‘What permission? This guy thinks just whatever he wants, doesn't he?’ Ji-Won thought, her frustration fueling her motivation to land a hit on the excuse of a boss. Perhaps, she mused, this was the reason the comedy club struggled to attract members—Min-Joon was unexpectedly lacking in a few departments. Ji-Won smirked, narrowing her eyes; he wasn't as perfect as she thought.
"Then did you complete your part of the deal for your sweetheart?" Ji-Won inquired, crossing her arms nonchalantly, her tone challenging.
Min-Joon hesitated for a moment, his expression shifting. "Ah, the gym issue. Well, you see, I've been kicked out of my house," he confessed finally, looking somewhat sheepish. As soon as he confessed, he felt immensely relieved as if he let out something that was heavily burdening him.
"I promise to fulfill the deal no matter what I have to do, I know I can’t go back on my word, and I’ll find you a boxing gym using my connections, but my father didn't like me pursuing comedy. So, I was kicked out."
Ji-Won, a mix of anger and confusion on her face, retorted, "Kicked out? What kind of excuse is that?"
"I'm not going back," Min-Joon asserted, his eyes determined. "But trust me, I can do this without my father’s connections."
Ji-Won sighed, the intensity of her frustration softening into understanding. She knew the complexities of family dynamics, and having her own struggles. "Fine, but you better keep your word. I'm not joining this club just for laughs," she warned.
Min-Joon nodded a sincere glint in his eyes. "Absolutely. I may have been kicked out, but I've got a mission. To assist you to become a pro where you can unleash those killer punches" There’s no way he was giving her a chance to be apart from him, not until he fully takes this chance for her to fall for him. He can’t give up before even starting.
Ji-Won sighed upon hearing the news. She now had to take things into her own hands yet again. She was going to go gym hunting herself, it would be great if Min-Joon could keep his part of the deal, but she couldn’t rely on something this unreliable. Especially, with the graduation date coming closer she couldn’t help but feel uneasy every second. This was her only chance! She didn’t think anyone could understand her point of view except her.
On the other hand, Min-Joon couldn't help but admire Ji-Won as he reminisced about the powerful punch, she had thrown at the sandbag moments ago. In his mind, that moment should be painted and displayed in a museum for everyone to see. That's how much he loved her. He wiped his drool off, a mischievous idea forming.
"It’s a deal then," Min-Joon agreed with a wink. "But you know, I could throw a mean punch too. Not as good as yours, obviously, but enough to impress." Deep down, he acknowledged he could never top his boxer. But the joy of teasing her was too irresistible.
Ji-Won raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh really? Let's see it then."
Min-Joon, embracing the challenge, reared back as if preparing to throw a powerful punch. However, just as he was about to strike, he lost his balance, stumbling backward.
In a swift move, Ji-Won caught him in a princess pose, preventing him from falling. The unexpected closeness made their hearts race, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.
Min-Joon, looking up at Ji-Won, couldn't help but admire her strength. "Well, maybe I need a bit more practice," he joked, trying to mask the fact that he was enjoying the closeness more than he should.
Ji-Won couldn’t help but chuckle at the joke, her laughter echoing through the club room.
A sudden cough was heard from the doorway interrupting their shared moment. The cleaner, who usually tidied up the rooms during weekend afternoons, couldn’t help but miss his wife witnessing such a youthful sight.
“I…I need to clean the room. Sorry if I interrupted something”, mumbled the cleaner with a slight blush coloring his cheeks.
Ji-Won and Min-Joon startled couldn’t help but exchange embarrassed glances being caught in such a position. They quickly separated leaving a large distance between them. On the opposite sides of the room, Min-Joon and Ji-Won grabbed their belongings running away outside the room.
Min-Joon bolted out the door without a word and Ji-Won greeted the cleaner embarrassed with her burning face. Ji-Won shut the door as she left leaving the cleaner inside who was still smiling at the youthful sight he had witnessed.
Outside, Ji-Won took a deep breath, still blushing. She glanced at Min-Joon who was dashing toward the elevator in front of her. “Oy, Min-Joon, wait up!”, she called out hurrying behind him.
The elevator doors opened, and Min-Joon stepped inside and before the door could close Ji-Won followed behind. An awkward silence hung in the air.
“Well, it was unexpected for the cleaner to be here today, huh? Let’s pretend just it never happened, okay?”, Ji-Won suggested.
Min-Joon amused nodded enthusiastically. “Agreed Let’s make it our little secret”, he added with a wink.
The elevator doors opened, and Min-Joon walked out grinning leaving the speechless Ji-Won. As the doors closed yet again, Ji-Won rolled her eyes at his comments. Although a subtle blush betrayed the lingering impact of the earlier close encounter. ‘What is wrong with you, Ji-Won? What is even happening?’, she thought her mind scrambling.
Unbeknownst to Min-Joon his attempts to make Ji-Won fall for him were starting to have a subtle effect, though Ji-Won remained blissfully oblivious to his intentions.
Later in the day, Min-Joon lay face down on his bed, feeling stuck. “What are you sulking for this time? We have to prepare for exams, and you need to get a job. Why are you acting like you are free”, Seung-ho scolded from the chair beside him.
“I told Ji-Won about me getting kicked out. She took it better than expected but…”. Min-Joon mumbled; his mind still clouded by the morning’s encounter.
“But what?”, Seung-ho prodded.
Min-Joon blushed heavily as he hid his face, this morning’s moment kept appearing in his mind again and again. Every single feature of her face was highlighted in his mind. After seeing the vivid memory, he realized he was in too deep now.
Min-Joon turns over, covering his face trying to calm down.
Seung-ho sighed, “Honestly, this is my first time seeing you like this. Do you like that girl that much? How is she any better than Park Eun Ji—“. He covered his mouth instantly knowing he shouldn’t have mentioned her.
Min-Joon glared menacingly. “Don’t ever talk about her again…she doesn’t deserve to be named in front of me”.
“S…Sorry man. I forgot about it”, Seung-ho apologized, sensing the tension.
“…How about you learn Boxing for Ji-Won and also while you’re at it get a part-time job if you don’t want to be kicked out of this apartment”, Seung-ho suggested changing the topic.
Min-Joon’s face instantly brightened. “How come I didn’t think of that? If I’m going to help Ji-Won become a pro boxer, I have to learn all about it for her”, he said as he began searching about boxing on the internet.
Seung-ho chuckled awkwardly, unable to keep up with Min-Joon’s rapid change of expression.
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