Three days later, Yoon Shik sat in a classroom, studying alone. She felt a presence and glanced up to see Jae Shin sitting on the desk in front of hers. Her breathing quickened as she scanned his honed features.
"Senior! How are you feeling?" She asked, closing her book and laying her shaking hands in her lap.
"Fine," he grunted without looking at her. He picked up her book and flipped idly through the pages. "Yong Ha says you want to learn how to fight."
Yoon Shik inwardly grimaced. She had hoped Yong Ha had forgotten. Now she was trapped! "Yes. I thought it might be a useful skill."
Jae Shin plopped the book down on her desk and rose. "After dinner, come to the tree."
He left and Yoon Shik's forehead hit the book on her desk. She could hardly control herself around Jae Shin during the few moments they saw each other everyday. How would she manage to endure hours and hours of time alone with him?
She groaned into her hard pillow. "What have I done?"
***
Sun Joon caught up with Jae Shin outside of the East gate. "Senior. I heard that you have given up your precious time to teach Kim Yoon Shik martial art skills."
Jae Shin raised a brow at the other man. "So?"
"I wish to offer my assistance. Kim Yoon Shik can be a slow learner. He will probably require hours and hours of training to manage even the simplest of forms. As I was the one to bring him to Sungkyunkwan, I will take responsibility for the laborious task of teaching him to defend himself." Sun Joon finished his gracious offer and waited for Jae Shin to quickly accept.
But the older man merely said "No," and stalked off through the gate. Sun Joon glared after him, eyes narrowed in consternation. What could he possibly gain by helping Yoon Shik?
***
She waited nervously at the base of the massive tree Jae Shin enjoyed perching on. This is a good spot to practice, she thought. It was full dusk but the setting sun offered plenty of light, the wide expanse of grass appeared soft, and the remote location assured they wouldn't be disturbed.
"Daemul."
Yoon Shik spun around to find Jae Shin leaning against the massive tree trunk. Her heart began its usual frantic pace. "Hi, Senior. Thank you for meeting me."
"You need to work on your awareness. It's too easy to sneak up on you."
She gulped and nodded vigorously. "Yes, sorry about that."
He began to slowly move around her in a tight circle, his eyes restlessly moving over her body. "Lesson one: when in doubt, run. Do not attempt to fight anyone unless you have no choice. Understand?"
Yoon Shik nodded, craning her neck to watch his progress.
"Lesson two: run to me. I will deal with whatever is chasing you."
She frowned. "But, Senior. What if I can't find you? What if I can't run fast enough?"
He stopped in front of her and placed both hands on her shoulders. She couldn't help but tremble like a leaf at the feel of his hot skin through her robes. "First, you must always stay near me. And second, you must develop your leg muscles."
"My…leg muscles?" She asked in confusion, her thoughts on his slightly parted lips.
He nodded. "Let's start now."
Yoon Shik spent the next hour in agony as Jae Shin put her through a punishing workout of jumping jacks, squats, and lunges. He made her stretch thoroughly before and after. When he finally called it quits, she collapsed on the grass in relief.
"Good. Tomorrow, we will continue training," he grunted, settling onto the grass next to her.
"I never knew training was so hard!" She panted, feeling aches and pains in muscles she didn't know she had possessed. "Is what you did when you were young?"
Jae Shin's eyes shuttered and he got to his feet. "Sleep well."
He helped her up and led the way to their room.
***
"I hurt all over!" Yoon Shik grumbled at breakfast.
"Massage is useful for times like this. I am skilled in healing massage due to my sojourn at a medical college. I will massage your muscles tonight." Sun Joon offered from beside her.
Yoon Shik's eyes flew open and she choked on her rice.
"Massages are for the weak," Jae Shin commented from across the aisle, catching Sun Joon's eye. "No massages."
Sun Joon bristled, sitting up straighter. "Therapeutic massage happens to be an excellent way to increase blood flow, flexibility, and encourage good muscle development."
"Hot water and rest work fine. Massages are for old men."
"I disagree-"
Yong Ha waved a multicolored fan in front of the feuding men. "Gentlemen, please. You're effectively spoiling my appetite with this silly conversation."
The two men continued to glare at each other while Yoon Shik looked between them with wide eyes. What was going on here?
