I should've known something was off the moment the incense smelled like temptation.
Not lavender. Not chamomile. No, this was something spicier. Like sandalwood mixed with subtle judgment and a whisper of I dare you to stay focused.
Eun Hae stood in the center of the common yoga room, barefoot, perfectly poised, somehow making a basic black sports bra look like forbidden scripture.
"You're early," I said.
She arched a brow. "You're late. Spiritually."
Right. Spiritually. Of course.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
PRIVATE SESSION REQUEST DETECTED
YIN COMPATIBILITY: STILL DANGEROUSLY HIGH
CURRENT OBJECTIVE: Survive without becoming a yoga mat yourself
"Ms. Seo usually—"
"This isn't Ms. Seo's class."She turned, raising her arms in a stretch that should've required an 18+ disclaimer."This is my class. More advanced. More intense. And unlike your landlady…"Her eyes flicked toward the window."I don't fear sweating."
Was that a jab? That was definitely a jab.
"I thought yoga was about control," I muttered.
Her smile curved like a dagger. "Oh, I control plenty. Now… get on the mat."
I obeyed.
Not because I was brave. But because I feared that glint in her eye more than I feared dying via boner-induced Qi backlash.
The poses started innocent enough—Breathing. Warrior. Bridge.
Then came Pigeon Twist. Otherwise known as: how to snap a man in half while making him question his sexuality and his spine.
"Focus," she said.
"On what?" I grunted.
"Balance. Posture. How not to embarrass yourself in front of someone who could fold you like a fitted sheet."
"Got it."
I didn't.
And then—she moved behind me.
Kneeling.
Close.
"Your posture's off," she murmured.
[SYSTEM WARNING]
DANGER: HER HANDS ARE TREACHEROUSLY HELPFUL
"POSTURE ADJUSTMENT" LIKELY A LIE
BRACE FOR CONTACT IN 3… 2…
Her hands slid down my shoulders. Slower than necessary. Firmer than any yoga instructor handbook would allow.
She leaned in. Breath against my ear.
"Relax," she whispered. "You're too tense."
"That's because you're—"
"Helping," she interrupted sweetly.
Her fingers moved lower. Down my back. Paused.
Then kept going.
Lower.
And then—
Contact.
I jolted.
"Wh-What are you doing?" I asked. Not angry. Not loud. Just… baffled.
"It realigned your energy a little," she said with a smirk. "Didn't it?"
"That's not the iss—"
Before I could finish, everything changed.
My body lit up like a Spirit Festival float. My soul tried to ascend—but got stuck in my pelvis.
Because her hand was now very firmly—
on me.
Over the thin fabric, thank the Heavens. But still there.
"Don—"
She didn't let me finish.
Her fingers curled.
Grip tightened.
A pulse of spiritual energy surged.
[SYSTEM EMERGENCY]
QI BUILDUP DETECTED – SPIRITUAL EXPLOSION IMMINENT
RECOMMENDATION: RESTRAIN THE DONG OR FACE DIVINE REPRIMAND
"You've got quite the reaction," she said calmly. "This is just yoga, you know. So why the boner, Min-jae?"
"Because you're you," I hissed through clenched teeth. "Now please… remove the hand before I spiritually discharge all over this mat."
"I would. But I'm curious."
My fingers twitched. My willpower screamed. My dignity begged for mercy.
"If Yura senses an outburst from this room…"
"Then I guess we both get to see if her heart is really as stabilized as she claims," Eun Hae said with a dangerous grin.
"You're evil."
"Flatterer."
She finally let go.
Too slow. Too precise. Too late.
My body nearly betrayed me on the spot.
I exhaled so hard I saw a brief flash of the afterlife.
"You did that intentionally," I croaked.
She wet her lips with her tongue—slow, deliberate, devastating.
"I don't know what you're talking about, boy."(Translation: I absolutely did and I'd do it again.)
I wanted to yell. I wanted to revolt. I wanted to file a spiritual harassment complaint to the Heavenly Bureau of MILF Affairs.
Instead, I said:
"Fine!"
As soon as I could walk again, I stumbled out of the room like a broken disciple.
My legs were jelly. My Qi was chaos.
But I knew one thing:
I had to get to Yura.Fast.
If I didn't help stabilize her core soon, she'd shatter.And somehow, this yoga session had... helped.Sort of.
It was like grabbing a devil's hand to escape drowning…
Only to realize you're now dancing in hell.
Somewhere across the complex…Hye-Ra sat by her window. Watching.
She sipped her wine.
Licked her lips.
And smiled.
"Interesting," she murmured."Looks like it's my turn soon."