Cramps

While he was well-acquainted with gym exercises, standard strength training didn't necessarily translate to body elasticity.

"Good. As a beginner, the first thing you need to do is let your body relax completely," Natasha explained softly, reaching out to guide his forearm and hand while effortlessly holding her own posture.

"Let your mind relax right alongside your body."

"Are you sure you're okay with helping me while doing your own stretch, Ms. Natasha?" Carl was genuinely amazed at how calmly she guided him while holding a complete split so deep that her mound was practically touching the mat.

"This is easy-peasy once you're proficient, Carl. Don't worry about me at all."

[ Quest Progress: 15% ] [ Natasha's Affection increased to 10%! ]

'Now this is what I call real progress,' Carl thought, satisfied that his subtle moves were steadily advancing his goal.

"Then how about you teach me a bit more, Ms. Natasha?" Carl said, gently clasping her hand.

"What do you have in mind, Carl? Are you that eager to learn?"

"Only if it's from you," Carl whispered softly, his deep voice meant for her ears alone. The soothing background music played at just the right volume to mask their quiet conversation from the rest of the room.

"Haha, well aren't you playing a dangerous game, Carl?"

[ System Notification ]

Natasha's Mood Updated: Shifted from Happy to Interested.

Natasha's Affection increased to 13%!

"How am I playing games, Ms. Natasha? I will never play around when it comes to a beauty like you," Carl murmured, his thumb gently brushing against the back of her hand.

"A playboy, aren't you? I'm far too old for those kinds of lines, Carl," she whispered back, playing along. The physical distance between them was practically nonexistent as their mats rested side by side.

[ Quest Progress: 32% ]

"I'm not playing at all, Ms. Natasha. You really are stunning," Carl murmured, slowly letting his fingers trace a path up her forearm toward her shoulder.

[ Natasha's Affection increased to 20%! ] (She is genuinely intrigued by how bold this young boy is acting.) (Probability of touching her chest: 45%)

"Ahh... stop that, Carl. I'm supposed to be the one teaching you," she murmured softly. She could clearly feel the masculine intent behind his touch, leaving no doubt that his mind was on things far beyond basic yoga stretches.

"My apologies, Ms. Natasha... but it looks to me like your body needs a little extra attention down here," Carl whispered, casting a quick glance toward the back of the room. Fortunately, no one else had noticed their low-toned exchange.

"N-No... you're touching a sensitive spot..." she stammered, her voice slightly catching in her throat.

"Oops, my bad, Ms. Natasha." Carl immediately pulled his hand back from heading toward her bust as a bright red warning screen flashed in his vision.

The system indicated a high probability of failure if he pushed further right now.

'I know she likes the touch, but doing it right here would make too much noise,' Carl concluded rationally. It wasn't that he lacked skill—the setting was just too risky at that exact second.

"T-That's alright... keep working on your stretches. I'm going to step out of the restroom for a quick moment." Natasha couldn't believe how flustered and warm she had suddenly become from a single intense interaction with a young boy.

"Do you need any help, Ms. Natasha? I can accompany you if you'd like." Carl offered to follow her, but she quickly held up a hand to stop him.

"I can manage on my own, don't worry. I'll be back shortly." She hurriedly walked out of the studio, heading straight for the privacy of the restroom to cool off her surging body heat.

'Wow... look at that damp spot on her mat.' Carl chuckled inwardly as he noticed a subtle wet imprint left behind at the center of her mat right where her mound had rested.

...

A few minutes later, the restroom door opened.

"Sorry about that, everyone! I just needed a quick moment to refresh my mind," Natasha announced with a warm smile, though her cheeks still carried a faint, flushed red tint after taking care of her sudden urges.

"Take all the time you need, Ms. Natasha. I've been practicing while you were gone," Carl replied, watching her return. Having observed the other participants, copying the proper forms was second nature to him.

"Shall we pick up where we left off?"

[ Natasha's Affection increased to 35%! ] (Having fantasized about being touched by a young man to relieve her lingering frustration, her affection surged.) [ Quest Progress: 46% ]

"Sounds good to me."

"Wonderful, let's... ahh!" Natasha suddenly gasped out loud in pain the moment she sat back down on her mat, clutching her leg tightly.

The sudden cramp was an obvious result of the intense tension and quick relief she had just experienced in the restroom...

"What's wrong, Ms. Natasha?" Carl immediately stood up, while several other women in the room opened their eyes and looked over after hearing her sharp cry.

"It's just a sudden leg cramp! My aging body must be catching up to me..." Natasha lied quickly, trying to save face.

Silvia and a few others rushed over to check on her.

"Does anyone here know the best way to relieve a muscle cramp?" Silvia asked, kneeling beside her out of concern.

"Ahh! Oww..." Natasha grimaced as the sharp, shooting tightness in her leg flared up badly.

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Carter... I don't really know much about physical therapy..." Silvia admitted helplessly.

"I know how to handle this—" another woman started to say, but Carl stepped forward and spoke over her.

"Let me handle it, Ms. Natasha. I know exactly what to do for muscle cramps." Carl dropped to his knees right beside her leg, placing his hands firmly over the cramped calf muscle.

"You know how to fix cramps, Carl? How is that possible...?" Silvia asked, looking at him in surprise.

"Yes, Step-Sil. I learned proper muscle recovery techniques back in school."