Unexpected

Part 16

The remaining days of testing pass with each day resembling another. Along with updating my professional social media, I text with Sangil often. When the two weeks are over, I fly directly to Seoul. Sangil is meeting me at the airport, and has planned the itinerary for my trip, which I'm looking forward to. I spot him before he sees me, and have a desire to hug him, but I restrain myself.

He rushes over to me when he sees me. "Where's your luggage?"

"This is it."

"Just a carry-on?"

"And a backpack."

"You travel light."

"I'm used to it." I give him a big smile. "How are you?"

"Great, great. And you?"

"Haven't been better in months. Can't wait for Australia."

"I bet. Here, let me take that." He gestures to my lemon yellow carry-on. I give it up without a fight.

"What's the plan for today?"

"My parents do want to meet you, so we'll be eating dinner with them at my childhood home. I think you'll want to go to the gym tonight, and maybe some karaoke. And tomorrow is WGM."

"Sounds fantastic. Lead the way." We stroll out of the airport and climb inside a van that his manager has prepared. "Anyoeng," I greet him. He nods in response.

"He'll drive us to the train station," Sangil explains. "And my dad will meet us at the other end."

I don't know if the manager knows Japanese, but err on the side of caution and keep the conversation to topics I wouldn't be embarrassed if he overheard. "How close is the nearest gym?"

"I think it's a twenty minute drive from my house. My brother knows better. He practices boxing there."

"I love boxing! Though I've never practiced with anyone besides my trainer. Maybe he and I can spar a little."

"You box?" Sangil asks in disbelief.

"Like I said, not really. Just for training. We train so much that I like to keep it varied so I don't get sick of it. And several exercises are the same, so it's nice when I can do something different."

"Sangmin would love that."

"His name is Sangmin? That's cool. But I like Sangil better."

He smiles and turns his head away. I manage to carry on a conversation in the van, but fall asleep on the train. Sangil wakes me up when we arrive. I realize that I'm nervous to meet his family. Especially with a language barrier.

But his dad is extremely nice and Sangil gladly translates for us, putting me perfectly at ease. At the house we barely have time to open the front door before his mom is there and ushering us inside.

"Welcome," she tells me. "It's so nice to meet you."

"Hello," I reply as I bow. "It's a pleasure."

"Come in, come in."

I take off my shoes and follow Sangil into the living room, where we all sit down.

"This is Gunin Sochi," Sangil introduces me. "And this is my dad, whom you've met already, my mom, and my younger brother, Sangmin."

Greetings are exchanged among us. They ask about my trip, and let me know that dinner will be ready in a half hour. "This is for you," I say as I hand over a gift. "I bought it in Spain. A small thank you for opening your home to me."

"Oh, you didn't have to, but thank you," his mom says. "I'll go finish the last minute details for dinner."

"How can I help?" I ask.

I think she said that there's nothing to do, but then she seems to change her mind when Sangil answers her instead of translating. "You can set the table. Sangil dear, help her out."

His parents go in the kitchen while the three of us set the table. "Sangil says that you box," I comment to Sangmin. "Are you free tonight to practice with me?"

After a wide eyed stare he admits that he is.

"What else do you do in your free time?" I ask.

"I play instruments. Piano, guitar, and bass."

"Nice. I can play a little bit on the piano."

"I didn't know that," Sangil butts in. "How well?"

"I'm okay. I took seven years of lessons."

"I'd like to hear you sometime."

"Sure."

Dinner was fantastic. Not only was it delicious, but the Shims were hospitable and had a great sense of humor. We had a wonderful time, but I think Sangil was getting tired from the constant translating, even though Sangmin and I tried to communicate in English as much as possible. I started to help with the cleanup, but then his mom shooed us out of the kitchen.

"Let's go to the gym now," Sangil suggests. When we arrive we quickly get a move on, warming up and stretching so we can box. Sangmin and I go over rules so we don't hit each other too hard, then start. It's obvious that he is unsure of how strong to hit, but I tell him to be a bit more serious, leading by example.

"Get a video of us, Sangil. I want to post this on social media."

After our bout, I am drenched in sweat. So attractive. But we continue working out and hit the machines.

"How much can you bench press?" asks Sangil.

"Seventy kilograms. I've never tried to find out my limit, since I cannot risk getting injured."

"Can I see?"

"Why not." We find the bench press and I adjust the weights and lie down. "Spot me," I command Sangil.

"Do you need spotting?"

"My trainer will kill me if she finds out I did this without a spotter." I lift the bar and bench press it ten times before resting. "Good enough?"

"Yeah. How many push-ups can you do?"

"Sangil, what's with this fetish?"

He shrugs. "I'm just amazed."

"I think I can do about eighty in a row." I drop and start my push-ups. I manage to do eighty-three before I stop. My mantra is not no pain, no gain. "Some other day you can see something else amazing. But I think I'm done for now."

"Want to go to karaoke?" he suggests.

"Actually Sangil, I'm jet lagged and would prefer to go to bed, if you don't mind."

"Not at all." 

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Sangil and Sangho sharing a cheese stick.