บท 15: Chapter Fifteen: The Unveiling
Jiwon walked into school the next morning, his heart racing. After the confrontation with his parents, he had barely slept. He felt the familiar anxiety creeping back as he approached the entrance, but today, there was something different.
He had lost weight rapidly, his face now sharply defined with cheekbones that hadn't been visible before. His eyes seemed to sparkle, and even his skin had taken on a healthier glow. The transformation had been so drastic that he barely recognized himself in the mirror. And now, he was stepping into school, unsure how his classmates would react.
As he crossed the threshold, whispers filled the air like static electricity. Jiwon's stomach twisted with nerves as he made his way down the hallway. It started slowly—a few stares, a couple of gasps. Then, as he passed his locker, the whispers grew louder.
"Is that Jiwon?"
"No way! He looks incredible!"
"Did he really lose all that weight?"
He couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and discomfort at the attention. Jiwon had wanted to become an idol, to be admired, but this scrutiny felt overwhelming. He tried to keep his head down and move past the crowd, but curiosity was magnetic, and students began to cluster around him.
"Jiwon! Is that really you?" a girl from his class exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief. "You look so handsome!"
Jiwon offered a weak smile, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks. "Thanks," he muttered, trying to brush it off.
"Seriously, what's your secret? You look amazing!" another classmate chimed in, his voice laced with genuine admiration.
Jiwon's heart sank as he recalled the truth he couldn't share. The system. The fasting. The relentless exercise. He felt like a fraud, living a lie that was far from the glamorous life he envisioned as an idol.
As he made his way to his classroom, he couldn't shake the feeling of being an imposter. He finally took his seat, hoping the attention would fade, but whispers continued to ripple through the room.
His teacher, Mr. Park, entered and paused as he scanned the classroom, his eyes landing on Jiwon. "Well, Jiwon, it seems like you've had quite the transformation over the break. Good to see you healthy and focused!"
Jiwon nodded, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on him. He forced himself to pay attention as the lesson began, but the chatter in the back of the room kept pulling him out of focus.
"Look at him! He should try out for the school play!" one girl whispered.
"He's practically an idol now. I wonder if he can sing?" another responded.
The idea struck a nerve. Could he sing? The thought reminded him of the system's assessment, of his current vocal skill at level E. He had a long way to go before he could truly stand on a stage, performing like the idols he admired.
As the lunch bell rang, Jiwon hurriedly gathered his things, trying to escape the attention. But as he stepped into the cafeteria, it was even worse. Students pointed and whispered, a wave of admiration washing over him that felt both exhilarating and suffocating.
"Hey, Jiwon!" a group of boys called out, waving him over. "You've got to tell us how you did it!"
Jiwon hesitated, knowing he couldn't reveal the truth. Instead, he forced a smile and shrugged. "Just working out and eating right, I guess."
The boys laughed, slapping each other on the back. "You need to show us your workout routine! Maybe we can get as ripped as you!"
Jiwon laughed along, but his heart wasn't in it. He felt trapped in this new persona, the 'handsome' Jiwon that everyone was suddenly enamored with. They didn't see the sweat, the hunger, the grueling hours of exercise that came with it. They didn't know the price he was paying.
As he grabbed his lunch—a meager salad provided by the system—he spotted a group of girls staring at him from across the cafeteria. One of them, Suji, approached him with a shy smile.
"Hey, Jiwon," she said softly. "You look really good. I didn't recognize you at first."
"Thanks," he replied, his voice almost a whisper.
"Are you going to try out for the talent show this year?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Jiwon felt a knot in his stomach. "I... I don't know," he stammered, unsure how to respond. The thought of performing terrified him, but the idea of being an idol was tantalizing.
"You totally should! With your new look and everything, you'd steal the show!" Suji said enthusiastically.
Jiwon forced a smile, but inside, he felt a clash of emotions. The pressure to live up to everyone's expectations weighed heavily on him. The system's demands felt unending, and the fear of failure loomed large.
As lunch came to an end, he made his way to his next class, the murmurs and stares still following him. It was both exhilarating and terrifying to be the center of attention, to be seen as attractive for the first time. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling of isolation that accompanied it.
When the final bell rang, Jiwon stepped outside, breathing in the cool air. He longed for the freedom to be himself, to not constantly worry about appearances or expectations. But as he looked around, he saw groups of friends laughing and enjoying the moment, and he felt a pang of envy.
The system buzzed in his mind, a reminder of his next task.
[Task Update: Prepare for 10-Hour HIIT Training. Maintain Fasting Mode.]
He clenched his fists, the familiar tension returning. There was no escaping the system. No time for friendship or self-reflection. The path to becoming an idol was steep, and he was determined to climb it, even if it meant sacrificing everything else.
As he made his way home, he glanced in a shop window and barely recognized the handsome face looking back at him. The transformation was undeniable, but it was bittersweet. He couldn't help but wonder if this new image would ever feel like the real him.
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