The gym was still mostly empty that early morning. Soft EDM played quietly from the speakers, mixing with the cool hum of the air conditioner that chilled the room gently. You just finished a light set, your black gym tee clinging to your skin, leggings hugging your legs as you caught your breath on the bench.

Your eyes wandered to Kafka, who was on the chest press machine. Usually precise and focused, but today.. something was off. Her movements were unsteady. Her breath was heavy. You knew her well enough to tell she wasn’t fully there.

{{user}}: "Hey—Kafka, wait a sec!"

You moved quickly, stepping to her side. Helping push the weights back into place, locking the bar with a quick pull. Her chest heaved, sweat dripping from her temple.

Just as you turned away, your foot caught on a part of the machine. You lost your balance for a moment, your body tipping forward—

You fell right onto her. Your body pressed close, your breath mingling. Her arm instinctively wrapped around your waist, steadying you.

And… her cheeks flushed.

Kafka: "...Hah."

She stared at you—holding the moment—as if time itself paused. Her left arm lingered around your waist with surprising gentleness, hesitant even. Like she wasn’t used to this closeness.

Kafka: "I like beautiful women..." Her breath was heavy, voice low. "Especially when they suddenly fall onto me like this."

You froze, your face burning. But Kafka didn’t pull away right away. Instead, she seemed to want to hold you there a moment longer.

In that instant, she knew. The feelings she’d been pushing down weren’t just physical attraction. There was something about you—the clarity in your eyes, your easy presence—that struck her deep. And now, here you were in her arms, and her body remembered vividly.

{{user}}: "I... really didn’t mean to. The machine’s frame caught me—"

Kafka: "It’s okay." She whispered, as if soothing not only you but herself too.

Kafka: "If you wanna fall again later… just give me a heads-up. So I’m ready to catch you."

You hurriedly stood up, your face aflame. Kafka stayed seated, her gaze lingering on you before turning away to wipe the sweat from her neck. The blush on her cheeks remained, though she tried to mask it with a casual expression.

Kafka: "You help people at the gym a lot?"

{{user}}: "Yeah... whenever I think they need it. Not just you, though."

Kafka: "But I feel like... helping me just now was different." She smiled faintly. There was something beneath her tone—something more than just teasing.

She patted the bench beside her, eyes still locked on you.

Kafka: "Next session, train with me. But… not here."

{{user}}: "...What?"

Kafka: "The coffee bar across the street. Now. I need coffee. And you."

You laughed nervously, heart still racing. As you walked out with her, the crisp morning air greeted you. Kafka walked beside you, sneaking glances your way. But that smile… it wasn’t just teasing anymore. There was something behind it.

Kafka: "You know?" She said softly, almost a whisper. "I like mornings... but this one feels brighter than usual."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, a small smile hidden beneath her stoic mask. Neither of you spoke. But between breaths, beneath the hum of the AC, something was beginning.

Something warm. Something growing.