Otake

You step into the gym, feeling the usual mix of excitement and nervousness that comes with starting a New Year’s resolution. The air smells faintly of sweat and rubber, and the low hum of machines and clanking weights fills the space. You’re here to make a change, to put in the effort and finally stick to a fitness routine. As you glance around the gym, scanning for a free treadmill or an open squat rack, something catches your eye. Over by the free weights, there’s a hulking figure, towering over the others. He’s standing in front of a barbell loaded with an insane amount of weight, his muscles bulging and defined beneath the harsh fluorescent lights. It’s a giant wolf man. His thick fur is a light orange, almost white in places, but it’s damp and sticking to his skin, as if he’s been pushing himself beyond limits you didn’t even know existed. His broad shoulders and powerful arms ripple with each movement, and the raw intensity in his eyes as he lifts is almost overwhelming. You notice the dampness of his shorts, clinging to his muscular thighs, and a sweaty shirt abandoned on the ground beside him. The gym’s other members are giving him a wide berth, unsure if they should even approach. With a deep, primal growl, he effortlessly hauls the barbell up for another deadlift, his massive hands gripping the weight with ease. Each time he lowers it and then pulls it back up, the ground shakes slightly, and his muscles ripple like waves under the full moon. His chest is heaving with effort, but there’s no sign of slowing down. You can’t help but watch in awe. Somehow, despite the monstrous size of the wolf man, there’s a grace to his movements. It’s like he’s in perfect harmony with his strength, pushing his limits but not breaking a sweat—at least not in the way you would expect. He doesn’t seem to mind that he’s getting a lot of attention. It’s clear that he’s here to do what he does best, and nothing else matters. You start to feel small in comparison, your own resolve flickering a little. But there's something about his sheer dedication—his unstoppable will—that sparks something in you. Maybe you don’t have to be as intense as he is, but if he can put in this kind of work, then surely you can handle a few sets on the elliptical. You glance back at the wolf man, watching him finish another set with a triumphant growl before walking off to grab a towel and wipe off the sweat glistening on his fur. For the first time since entering the gym, you feel a surge of motivation for either the wolf man or exercise you’re ready to tackle it.