[Chatroom with Lee Ga-yun]

• Lee Ga-yun: Feels like it’s been a while since we last talked.

• Lee Ga-yun: Looks like we have some things to discuss, don’t we?

• Ah… yes. I’m sorry for lying.

• Is this about Gawol or Camellia?

• Lee Ga-yun: Both. But there’s no need to apologize.

• Lee Ga-yun: Actually, Eun-chae wants to apologize.

• Lee Ga-yun: Ah, Camellia, that is. I also have something I’d like to discuss.

• Lee Ga-yun: If you’re okay with it, I’ll bring her along. But if you’re uncomfortable, feel free to decline.

• I don’t think there’s a need for her to apologize.

• But I’m okay with meeting.

• I’ve mostly come to terms with things now.

• Lee Ga-yun: Then, are you free on Friday?

• Yes, I am.

• The time doesn’t matter either.

• Lee Ga-yun: Great. I’ll see you Friday evening.

• Lee Ga-yun: Dinner’s on me.

In Korea, the word "massage" doesn’t have the best connotation. It often carries an impression of something sleazy. But, of course, not all places are like that, and massages themselves aren’t inherently improper.

During my time as a kendo athlete, I constantly dealt with muscle pain. There was always some part of my body aching from the previous day’s training. While my family wasn’t exactly poor, we weren’t wealthy enough to afford luxuries like massages regularly.

So, I had never really experienced a proper massage during my athlete days. Sometimes, my coach would give my shoulders a quick rub, but that was about it. It was more of a customary gesture—adults seemed to have a habit of massaging shoulders for no particular reason.

In short, massage was an unfamiliar culture for me.

“We’re really going in?”
“Are you embarrassed?”
“A little… yeah.”

Actually, a lot.

“This isn’t a weird place. You’ll probably like it once you try it.”
“I don’t know…”
“It’s okay. It’s normal to be nervous the first time.”

Anyway, I wasn’t the type to judge the word "massage" through a negative lens. Especially since the place Elderen had brought me to was clearly upscale. It wasn’t some shady establishment, but a place where people offered legitimate services.

I knew this in my head.

But… would I be okay? Letting someone else touch my body felt like a huge hurdle. And of course, I’d have to undress, right?

“We’re really going in?”
“We’re already here. You can’t back out now, I’m paying.”
“Ugh… fine. I’ll go.”

We had talked about various things on the way here. Elderen had said she wanted to help me in any way she could.

She’d even mentioned lending me her studio or helping with streaming equipment if I needed it. In return, the conditions she set were things like: no more gloomy thoughts, granting three wishes, and appearing as a guest on her stream. But honestly, those weren’t really conditions at all… none of it was unreasonable for me.

Even this meeting had all been covered by her. I just had to show up and spend time with her. If I looked at it objectively, I had every reason to be grateful to her.

So, I couldn’t exactly refuse. But as soon as the staff led me into the changing room, I froze.

“Please take a quick shower and wear the disposable underwear inside the cabinet. I’ll be waiting outside.”
“Do I… change here?”
“We’re both women. It’s no big deal. Didn’t you say you went to an all-girls high school?”

Actually, no. I went to an all-boys middle and high school, and a sports university.

A wave of guilt washed over me, and before I realized it, I was holding my breath. Next to me, Yuserin started undressing.

I always thought Elderen seemed more girlish compared to Sanse. But seeing her well-maintained body up close quickly made that thought disappear. The sight of her black lingerie under her white blouse gave me a very mature, grown-up vibe.

Embarrassed, I quickly turned my head, feeling my face heat up.

Come to think of it, Elderen was quite popular as a streamer. She was recognized for her beauty by countless people.

And then there was me—a shut-in who spent years swinging bamboo swords in a gym, now stuck as a recluse. I had been too caught up in the warmth of things to notice before, but now that my eyes were confronted with the sight, I felt distant.

“Aren’t you going to undress, Da-eun?”
“I’ll undress after you go in first.”
“Alright. Let me know if you need any help.”

Thankfully, Elderen only smiled without pressing me further. I turned my back and waited until I heard the sound of the shower booth door closing. Only then did I start undressing, hastily folding my clothes.

I quickly hopped into the booth and locked the door, relieved no one could see me. The interior was surprisingly clean and luxurious.

‘This really is a rich person’s hobby, huh. Come to think of it, even her underwear looked really expens—no, stop!’

I needed to focus. I slapped my cheeks twice and began washing myself. Thankfully, as the water hit my skin, my scattered thoughts began to fade.

There wasn’t much meaning to it. It was my first time getting a massage, so I didn’t know much. But the disposable underwear for massages turned out to be a lot smaller than I expected.

Was I really supposed to wear this? Seriously?

A cold draft hit my skin. Maybe it was because the air conditioning had been turned on with summer approaching, or maybe it was because my body was still damp, but it felt a bit chilly to me.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to walk around completely exposed. There was a beige-colored lounge robe waiting for me in the cabinet. While it didn’t cover me completely, it was enough to avoid feeling too exposed.

“Ma’am, you asked for no pressure below your left knee, is that correct?”
“Yes. It’s fine if you touch it lightly, but no pressure, please.”
“I’ll inform your assigned therapist.”

I would’ve preferred it if they didn’t touch my body at all, honestly. But I couldn’t say that to the smiling staff member, and it would’ve been rude to Elderen, who brought me here.

Money really does make the world go around.
The service in an expensive place really is different.
Instead of using my crutches, I was guided to a plush chair by the staff’s hand.

In front of the chair was a small footbath, with a soothing scent of cypress wood. Elderen and I each placed our feet in one. As the staff bowed and left the room, I felt the warmth of the water.

“Oh, this is nice.”

The water was infused with herbs, emitting a subtle, relaxing fragrance that immediately eased my mind. Even though my hair was still slightly damp, I was feeling much better. My bangs were sticking to my forehead, so I brushed them aside.

As I did, I noticed someone’s gaze on me.

Specifically, on my chest.

“Why… why are you looking at me like that?”
“I was just thinking… you’ve got a better figure than I thought, Da-eun. Maybe you’ve been wearing the wrong clothes?”
“…”
“Can I touch it?”
“Absolutely not!”

I didn’t hear that. I definitely didn’t hear that. And my face definitely wasn’t turning bright red.

Thankfully, before things got too awkward, two massage therapists entered the room. One of them gently touched my right foot, making sure to avoid my left.

As their fingers glided through the warm water and pressed against the sole of my foot—

“Ahh…!”

A sound escaped my mouth before I could stop it. While the massage therapist remained professional, the problem was Elderen beside me. I could see her lips twitching, as if she was holding back laughter.

I wanted to hide my face in shame. But that would make it too obvious. So, I only covered my mouth slightly and averted my gaze.

“Stop laughing.”
“Okay, I’m sorry.”

It didn’t sound like a very sincere apology. I wanted to say more, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It seemed like my body was much more sensitive than I’d realized.

I could feel every movement of the therapist’s fingers between my toes.

They pressed into my soft, callus-free skin, kneading gently. Each time they applied pressure, it felt like something inside me was being released. It was like happiness was melting into my veins.

‘Oh, wow. What’s going on? This feels really good…’

Was it really possible to feel this much relief just from pressing the sole of my foot? I started to resent my left foot for being in pain and unable to enjoy this. As the therapist continued, my tension slowly melted away.

The hands that were massaging my foot started to move upwards, pressing my heel, Achilles tendon, and lightly running along my calf. I could tell this was the work of a professional—it felt so good, I couldn’t help but gape in awe.

I don’t know how long I sat there in a daze. But by the time the therapist was drying my legs with a towel, I had to compose myself. I wiped a bit of drool from my hand as I realized I had been spacing out.

The therapist smiled at me, and I awkwardly smiled back. They gestured toward the bed in the middle of the room, indicating it was time to lie down.

Oh, right. The foot massage was just the beginning.