Gym Date

The importance of exercise in dieting is so well-known that I hardly need to elaborate on it.

That said, if there’s one thing I’d emphasize…

“Hayashi, are you interested in hitting the gym?”

“The gym?”

Hayashi tilted her head cutely.

“…Well, it’s not like I’m totally against it. But isn’t walking enough?”

“Not really ideal.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, they say cardio alone doesn’t build muscle.”

“…And that means?”

“I was just telling you about the relationship between calories consumed and calories burned. Do you know what the biggest factor in calorie expenditure is?”

“…Metabolism?”

“Exactly, metabolism. At our age, the daily basal metabolic rate is about 1,500 kilocalories for guys and around 1,100 for girls. Considering our eating habits, we probably take in about 2,000 kilocalories a day. That means nearly half of our calorie intake is covered by our basal metabolism.”

“Whoa.”

“But dieting is essentially about creating an energy deficit to burn body fat, which naturally lowers your metabolism.”

“Got it. So, to keep metabolism up, we should hit the gym for strength training, right?”

“Exactly. A drop in metabolism is the biggest obstacle to weight loss. That’s also why extreme calorie restriction isn’t a good idea. When you cut calories too much, your body automatically lowers its metabolism.”

“Huh… you’re seriously knowledgeable about this.”

“Yeah, I did my research.”

“You got this detailed just from research?”

“Hey, who do you think I am?”

“Aside from how annoying it is when you talk so smugly, your words are pretty convincing!”

Hayashi flashed a cheerful smile.

Right?

“…But do we really need to go to a gym?”

Suddenly, Hayashi looked down.

It seems she’s still hesitant about going to the gym.

“You still short on cash or something?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Hayashi shook her head.

“It’s just… it feels like such a high hurdle.”

Haha, I see.

“Like, won’t the regulars scoff at a newbie trying to lift a barbell or something?”

“What’s that? That’s not like you, worrying about stuff like that.”

Back in high school, Hayashi was called the queen—noble, loud… really loud. And now, this same girl is intimidated by gym buffs?

This could be kind of amusing.

“Don’t worry. That’s just the amateurs.”

“Amateurs?”

“Yeah. The pros will just watch you from a distance.”

“I’d rather they come closer and give me some advice.”

“Oh, come on, Hayashi! Don’t you get it? That’s exactly why they’re not pros! Haha!”

“I seriously don’t get your sense of humor.”

Hayashi shot me a cold look as I laughed loudly.

“Relax. I’m not saying you have to go alone.”

“Hm?”

“I’ll go with you.”

I gave Hayashi a reassuring thumbs-up.

“…Oh, I get it.”

Hayashi seemed to catch on.

“You want to get back to the gym yourself, so you’re using my diet as an excuse to drag me along, huh?”

…Oof.

“That’s not it.”

“Fine, then. I’ll go by myself. I wouldn’t want to burden you when you’re already busy with university.”

I fell silent.

Man, she can be so spiteful sometimes.

When I narrowed my eyes at her, she was grinning at me.

“…Alright, fine. You got me. I’ve been feeling out of shape lately, so I thought it’d be a good chance to hit the gym with you.”

“You could’ve just said that from the start.”

“Yeah, well, it felt kinda annoying to admit.”

“You’re surprisingly emotional sometimes, aren’t you?”

Hayashi laughed, haha.

I had something to say to that laughing Hayashi.

You’re just as emotional as I am, you know?

“Anyway, it’s settled. For now, we’ll focus on calorie control and building exercise habits. Not just walking, but hitting the gym too.”

“Got it.”

“In that case, should we shop for some workout clothes instead of just hitting the supermarket?”

“Oh, nice idea!”

Hayashi snapped her fingers.

“Then this isn’t just shopping—it’s a date!”

I grimaced at Hayashi’s nonsensical declaration.

“That makes no sense.”

“Oh, come on, it totally does. When two close people of the opposite sex go shopping for clothes together, what else would you call it if not a date?”

“What’s the definition of a date? The criteria?”

“Shut up.”

“My perfectly logical question got shut down with a single phrase.”

What a power move.

“…You’re okay with that kind of logic?”

I said, exasperated.

“What do you mean?”

“For someone like you, going shopping with a guy must’ve happened all the time, right? If that’s the case, you’ve been on dates with tons of guys.”

“Hah.”

Hayashi snorted. It kinda pissed me off.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but you’re only the second guy I’ve ever gone clothes shopping with. The other was my dad.”

What about that abusive ex of hers?

I wanted to ask, but… bringing it up now felt wrong, so I kept my mouth shut. Probably, back then, Hayashi was so controlled by that guy that she never got the chance to go shopping with him.

“Got it now? When two people of the opposite sex go clothes shopping, it’s undeniably a date.”

“…Fine, I get your point.”

I said to the smug-looking Hayashi.

“Whether shopping with the opposite sex counts as a date depends on the person, right? You can keep thinking that way. I don’t.”

“…You’re as stubborn as ever.”

Shut up.

“…Well, if you say so, I guess that’s fine.”

Hayashi backed off surprisingly easily. Normally, she’d dig in harder…

“How about this, then?”

But… it seems Hayashi had a bigger point to make than just claiming shopping together is a date.

“Two people of the opposite sex, working out together, keeping an eye on each other. At a paid gym. Just the two of them.”

“…”

“That’s undeniably a date, right?”

What Hayashi was really getting at… was a gym date.

She was framing the gym workouts I suggested as a date.

…I was at a loss for words.

Is going to the gym together a date or not?

It’d be easy to just say no, but… the reason I said shopping together wasn’t a date was because I assumed Hayashi had plenty of chances to shop with guys.

If every shopping trip with a guy was a date, it’d never end. That’s why I said it wasn’t.

But… Hayashi probably hasn’t ever been to a gym, not just with a guy, but at all in her life.

“Oh, I’m so looking forward to it. Our gym date.”

Hayashi deliberately emphasized the “gym date” part.

“Why do you keep insisting on calling it a date?”

I said to her, exasperated.

Why is Hayashi so hung up on emphasizing the date thing with me? What’s the benefit for her? If anything, I can only think of downsides.

That said, a few possibilities did cross my mind.

Like, maybe Hayashi’s just teasing me.

Or maybe she’s trying to put me down.

…But Hayashi’s probably not the type to act on such petty motives.

After these past few months of living together, I’ve come to know her.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Hayashi probably…

“I just want to go on a date with you. That’s all.”

With a bold, tomboyish smile, Hayashi declared.

“…Is that so?”

“What? Are you embarrassed?”

“…Does it look like I am?”

“…I don’t know.”

I don’t know, huh.

…That’s the right answer.

I wanted to talk about diet theories because I’ve been dieting, but summing it up made it feel kinda half-baked.

Still, if you want to lose weight, you should definitely keep the concept of calorie expenditure and intake in mind.

That’s how I lost weight.

Even after writing all this, I can’t help but feel this isn’t the kind of story to write right before the second volume of the book!

Haha!