He was about to pretend it was just talking to himself when the guy tapped Jiwon’s shoulder.
“You recognize me, right? How are we meeting here of all places.”
It was the young substitute driver customer he’d met at Gangnam Station.
In these cases, it was customary to ask ‘Have we met before?’ but the customer was openly confident that he would recognize him.
“Nice to see you.”
The customer smiled brightly.
“If it wasn’t for this, I almost wouldn’t have recognized you.”
He pointed to his own right pinky finger.
He meant the scar on Jiwon’s hand that extended to his pinky finger.
“Ah, …yes.”
Jiwon smiled awkwardly.
“Just call me Number 3 comfortably. Sailor-nim.”
Number 3 tapped Jiwon’s name tag with his finger and walked to his locker with only his important parts covered by a towel.
Those who had already been mocking Jiwon seemed to regard him even more as a thorn in their side after seeing Number 3, the hottest one in the group, acknowledge Jiwon.
He worried the atmosphere might turn strange, but fortunately they were lumps of desire. They were too distracted voyeuristically observing Number 3’s ecstatically perfect body rather than Jiwon’s worthless genitals.
“Did you see? It’s fucking huge.”
“Really? Ah shit, I didn’t see. How big?”
“Not just big—fucking huge.”
He must have a big dick too,
“His thighs are as big as my face.”
“Not just his thighs? His calf thickness is no joke either. Look.”
His muscles seemed extraordinary too.
Jiwon also stole a glance at Number 3’s back.
It really is no joke. Tsk.
He felt envious for no reason.
Then his eyes met Park Geonwu’s. Park Geonwu showed a meaningful smile and said, ‘Amazing.’ It seemed he thought Jiwon was interested in Number 3 in a different sense.
Well, maybe that’s better.
Jiwon smiled awkwardly.
“Hyungnims, let’s stop and go eat.”
Son Geonwoo put his hands on Jiwon and Park Geonwu’s shoulders and practically dragged the two of them out of the physical training room.
The gagged ones wearing pants that weren’t pants—which inevitably exposed their genitals and balls—were quite a sight since they wore no underwear. But they giggled among themselves saying it was fun.
“Those bastards, what an eye assault.”
Though Son Geonwoo grumbled, his gaze toward them looked amused.
The young men’s steps toward the cafeteria were lively. Naturally, since it was their first meal two hours after waking.
Jiwon was the exception. Rather, his stomach felt completely blocked as if weighed down. He wondered if it was really something to be this stressed about over those genitals, but he couldn’t help it.
I’m also a man.
It was instinct.
But skipping meals wasn’t allowed.
I’ll just pretend to eat.
Jiwon’s resolution couldn’t be fulfilled.
Trainers were blocking the entrance to the cafeteria. They held tablet PCs and decided the menu each entering crew member had to eat. It wasn’t just words—they’d prepared meal trays.
For Jiwon, who had to gain 7kg, not only three meals but two snack times were also planned.
The meal that should be enjoyable will be close to torture, his energy drained.
But the meal tray he received was surprisingly ordinary. Since it was right after exercise, there was a lot of protein, and it was mostly clean food with a balanced mix of carbs, protein, and fat, but that didn’t mean there was no stimulating food either. He’d worried it would be too much, but it was an amount he could eat sufficiently, and dessert was pudding.
“Wow, I’m jealous. I want to switch.”
Park Geonwu, sitting next to him, was sincerely envious.
Understandably so, because Park Geonwu’s meal tray had only about half the amount of Jiwon’s.
Unlike Jiwon who had lost weight, Park Geonwu, who had entered having gained 3kg, was ordered to diet.
“Do I have belly fat? Just because a tiny bit of fat sticks out from my sides, does it make sense to starve me like this?”
Park Geonwu, who had also done mostly aerobic exercise, was thoroughly upset.
“Still, 77kg is a bit…”
When Jiwon trailed off and took the trainer’s side, Park Geonwu pretended to be serious but soon laughed.
“Kim Jiwon-ssi saying such things. I guess I’ve gotten comfortable.”
Unlike his first impression, he was quite a good person.
“Thanks for earlier. Hyung.”
Jiwon, who belatedly expressed his gratitude, awkwardly shoveled food into his mouth.
Then Park Geonwu thrust his head in front of Jiwon,
“Oh my. Just because I took your side, now you’re even calling me hyung.”
And ruffled Jiwon’s hair.
I had no intention of making friends at all…
Anyway, Jiwon was thoroughly alone in this place.
It was no different from a deserted island where he couldn’t send an SOS for help or escape.
Then wouldn’t it be okay to have at least one or two people on my side?
For now, he thought positively.
***
Starting tomorrow, wake-up time was moved up one hour to 6 AM.
Complaints erupted from all sides, but as long as they’d decided to stay here, they had to follow unconditionally.
“Isn’t this completely like the military?”
Park Geonwu, who hadn’t served yet, grumbled while looking at his tablet.
6 AM wake-up. Assembly at the physical training room within 15 minutes.
20 minutes stretching, 60 minutes exercise according to individual schedules, 20 minutes closing aerobics, 20 minutes closing stretching. After a total of 2 hours of exercise and showering, breakfast was provided.
Then from 10 AM to 1 PM, education time was scheduled, and after lunch and rest time from 1 PM to 2 PM, education continued again.
Then at 5 PM, ‘swimming’ appeared for the first time.
After swimming, dinner was served from 7:30 PM, and there was education again from 8 PM.
After that, from 9 PM to 10 PM, each individual’s schedule differed. For example, if Jiwon had a full-body massage booked from 9 PM to 10 PM tonight, Park Geonwu had skin care scheduled. Tomorrow would be the opposite.
The Team Leader informed them that only two days’ worth of schedules were disclosed to the crew, and future schedules could change at any time.
“Haa, fuck. What kind of education is there even in the evening?”
“Right.”
It only said education, but there was no information at all about what kind of education.
“If we get education like yesterday, I might really commit suicide. I’m serious.”
Park Geonwu made a motion of choking himself and was disgusted.
Jiwon chuckled.
“But how do you know that guy?”
In the middle of talking about the schedule, Park Geonwu suddenly asked.
“Who?”
“Who else. Mr. Incredibly Handsome.”
Park Geonwu looked around the auditorium and jerked his chin toward one spot.
It was Number 3, sitting right behind Son Geonwoo.
Even with his police cap pulled down deep, he definitely stood out.
“Ah. He was a customer when I was doing substitute driving.”
“Did you do it?”
His asking face was quite coy.
“I just drove.”
“Hey, what? Be honest. You did it, right?”
He asked again with a suggestive expression.
“I really only drove.”
“You met a guy like that and just drove?”
His expression said he couldn’t believe it.
Jiwon didn’t know how to respond, so he just smiled.
“Okay. Let’s say that’s true. But him? What did he do? He just left you alone? He saw you and just sat there?”
“Hyung. I really looked pathetic back then.”
It was sincere.
“Hey, don’t you look in mirrors?”
Jiwon was grateful that Park Geonwu thought well of him, but honestly, given his personality, he figured he was exaggerating.
Since he resembled that kid, naturally his face was good-looking. But compared to the other guys gathered here, especially compared to Park Geonwu, he belonged to the ordinary category. That is, if he had to compare.
Park Geonwu, fixated on the connection between Number 3 and Jiwon, would have gone directly to Number 3 to ask about what happened then if the instructor hadn’t come in. In any case, the person was really unnecessarily proactive.
Beeeep-.
After the unpleasant electronic sound rang, the instructor entered. He was different from yesterday. Like yesterday, he wore a suit and a black mask, but his build was more robust and his voice was younger. In his ear, he wore an in-ear radio, or earpiece, like a bodyguard.
The instructor was what’s commonly called in this world a man overflowing with vigor. He was so skillful it seemed he must have given this kind of lecture hundreds of times.
“Beautiful, so beautiful.”
“I’m in a flower garden. Can I smell the fragrance? I’ve been starving for young blood lately.”
“Is it because you’re all carrying healthy semen? Your skin is just honey too.”
“Ah, looks delicious. Slurp.”
Except for the vulgar old man remarks, the lecture was quite interesting.
After throwing joke-like words for nearly 20 minutes and bringing laughter, the instructor made a serious expression.
“We’ve had good fun, so now we should get into the lesson properly, right?”
The instructor threw off his jacket. The jacket that fell to the floor was picked up by the assistant who came with him.
“Now, everyone. What is sex? Anyone want to answer?”
“Sex is sex.”
At the indifferent answer,
“Don’t state the obvious.”
The instructor scolded coyly.
“What does sex mean to you all?”
When everyone just gave simple answers about sucking, fucking, and getting fucked, the instructor sighed deeply and shook his head.
“Just like that, fuck and get fucked and suck and it’s over? That’s sex? You all like that?”
“Mutual communion.”
It was Gwak Hyeseong’s answer.
“Smart as you look. What else?”
“Give and take.”
“Half right, half wrong. What else? Have you all not had sex?”
The instructor said this much and then glanced around the hall.
“Acting innocent. You think nobody knows there’s a fucking pervert coiled up inside each of you?”
He pointed at the crowd.
“Everyone, sex is about giving. Unconditionally giving.”
Jeers burst out at those words.
“Oh my, look at these kids. It’s true. If you devote this one body and give everything, you’re destined to taste the ultimate climax. Can’t believe it? Really can’t believe it? Now then!! That’s why we started this project.”
The instructor spread both arms.
“Welcome to the Paradise Project. Everyone.”
The instructor was moved, making eye contact with each crew member one by one.
“It’s the second day since you were admitted, and you know that masturbation is also prohibited for the next 6 days including today, right? That’s all for you.”
He didn’t mention the chastity belt and electric torture from yesterday.
“Our Department Head Kim doesn’t have a way with words, but he’s more sincere about this project than anyone. How well does that man work?”
He even praised Department Head Kim.
The instructor emphasized that we were their precious assets, just as Department Head Kim had mentioned.
“Everyone, have you ever heard the biblical verse about the land flowing with milk and honey? It’s okay if you haven’t. What I want to talk about is milk, honey, and land, not God.”
According to the instructor, this very place was the promised land.
“You all are special people chosen to give very gracious water to this promised land. The chosen ones. I know you all came here thinking sex parties are all the same. But! This time you’re wrong. Whatever you imagine, you’ll taste something beyond that. Why? Because that’s why we’re paying you that much money and providing the highest level of food, clothing, and shelter during this training. That meal you ate today? It was made by a Michelin chef whose name alone you’d recognize. The water you drink? One bottle costs over 5,000 won. And what about that bracelet on your wrist? It’s not plated. It’s made of real 18K gold. After the project ends, go to a gold shop. Just selling that, you’ll pocket at least a few hundred thousand, right? And the cubic zirconia embedded there—it’s not cubic zirconia, it’s a real diamond.”
The auditorium, which had been stirring from real gold, erupted in cheers as soon as the word diamond ended. Everyone examined the bracelets on their wrists.
Jiwon felt strange hearing the word ‘best’ coming from the instructor’s mouth.
“Do you know why we treat you like this? Why? Because you’re the best! Because you’re the most beautiful in the world, that’s why. We’re investing because you’re worth it.”
The instructor repeated words like ‘best’ and ‘beautiful’ several times.
“Do you remember the first thing I said when I stood here? Yes! Beautiful. Fragrant. It’s true. You all are beautiful and fragrant. On top of that, the strongest weapon. You even have youth. The saying ‘age is king’ didn’t come from nowhere, did it?”
The instructor’s praise was endless.
I’m jealous to death. I’m going crazy. Just looking makes me smile.
The instructor praised and worshipped us.
At first, it gave goosebumps and felt repulsive, but listening continuously made it seem sincere. It felt as if I was truly a special person.
Me, the chosen one who has no choice but to receive top-class treatment.
Me, young and beautiful.
Me, special.
Perhaps because it was praise, it didn’t sound entirely bad, so emotions stirred unknowingly.
The instructor exalted us as if about to bow down.
Did that kid hear these words too?
Did that kid, barely twenty-one, who didn’t know the ways of the world, fall for these words completely?
Probably so.
He must have lost his mind eating and drinking all the delicacies he wanted while wearing the finest clothes and accessories in a villa boasting the highest price. At some point, such treatment must have felt natural, and when abandoned, it must have felt like the whole world had turned against him. Unable to accept that his value had fallen to rock bottom, he must have gone to the brink of madness.
He felt both sympathy and pathetic.
That he fell into ruin chasing pleasure.
That it was ultimately his own doing.
Still, because he was my younger sibling, my arm bent inward.
How lonely must he have been.
How frightened must he have been.
Twenty-three.
Too young to die.
Jiwon swallowed the indignation boiling up inside.
