episode_0319

(This is before the end of the Asian Games and the start of the postseason.)

“Am I really going alone?”

“You’re going alone.”

“I want to go in together though.”

“It’s not like we have anything to promote to people, right? Besides, these days, journalists are getting on my nerves.”

As we tried to park and get out of the car, Hyuna strongly objected. It seemed like she was under a lot of stress from becoming quite famous during the Asian Games.

“Oh, and I told Jihee that I’d see her briefly before meeting up. I’ll meet Jihee at the cafe in front and then come back. Okay?”

“Jihee? You mean her? The fencer?”

“Yeah. I’ll be there in about 5 minutes. Wait for me first since there might be journalists around.”

“Does she think she’s some celebrity or something? That’s a case of celebrity disease.”

“Oh, no, it’s not like that!”

After Hyuna shouted, she got out of the car. Her angry expression was quite cute, so I just watched her leave.

The reason I came here with Hyuna in the car was simple. It was because of the promise with the classmates who were selected for the Asian Games today. Every time we met at the athlete village, we talked about meeting up, but only now, after the Asian Games ended, did we have time.

“Maybe I should go in too.”

As I left the parking lot and looked around, fortunately, there didn’t seem to be any journalists. It was a bit uncomfortable when there were too many journalists during the Asian Games, but now, it felt a bit disappointing that they weren’t around. It meant I wasn’t yet at a level where I would be followed around.

“Oh, you’re here, hyung?”

When we arrived in front of the store, a man smoking a cigarette greeted us warmly. Looking closely, he was Park Seungwoo, the boxing national team representative and my high school classmate.

“Yeah, long time no see. Congratulations on the gold medal.”

“Congratulations on your gold medal too, hyung.”

I greeted Seungwoo who came to meet us, and as we entered together, there was no one inside the room.

“Why, am I the only one here? Did these guys bail on us?”

“But Wonho hyung said he’s coming soon, and I don’t know about the others.”

“If I knew this, should I have come in with Hyuna?”

Honestly, during high school, I was only involved in baseball and digging the ground, so being alone with him felt a bit awkward.

“When is Wonho coming?”

“Man, I never even thought you’d succeed in baseball like this. People really don’t know what will happen, huh?”

“You were scouted since high school and ended up winning a medal. Congratulations on the military exemption.”

“Damn, that’s why I couldn’t go pro. Well, boxing probably pays more. Anyway, now I’m thinking of preparing for MMA properly.”

“MMA? Like UFC? What weight class are you in?”

“Flyweight. Thinking of moving up to bantam or featherweight. Ah, hyung, I envy your physique. I wish I had something like yours.”

“But isn’t it better for Asians to be in lower weight classes?”

“Well, that’s true. By the way, hyung, when I quit baseball, the coach here asked me to bring you along, but I ended up not quitting and made it to the national team. Funny.”

“Is that so?”

“You were famous over here. They were wondering why someone with your physique was playing baseball.”

Was that how it was? Back then, I was so focused on baseball that I didn’t even think about whether other coaches wanted me. Well, I never thought changing sports in high school would turn out well. Anyway, despite not being that close, chatting with him did ease the awkwardness.

“Do you want to order something?”

“For starters, a few appetizers and some drinks. Shall we get started?”

“Sure thing, hyung.”

As we chatted and had a few drinks with Seungwoo, the door opened, and Wonho entered with fencing national team member Dohyun Lee.

“Oh, Wonho’s here? Came with Dohyun?”

“Mangho hyung, hi.”

“We met earlier. Hi, Seungwoo.”

“Hi.”

When Wonho entered, Seungwoo’s face brightened. It seemed like even this guy was feeling a bit awkward. Compared to me, Wonho had quite a few friends at school and was the ace of the baseball team, coming from a well-off family. Moreover, he was decent-looking and had a good physique befitting a pitcher, so it was understandable why he was popular at school, which Seungwoo could comprehend.

“You were drinking first?”

“Yeah. Have a seat.”

“Dohyun, it must have been disappointing to get the bronze medal.”

“Seriously. I should have been exempted too. Ah, I’m so envious, really. Oh, Park Seungwoo totally aced it in boxing.”

“Man, boxing must be tougher. But isn’t baseball more prestigious? Baseball guarantees a gold medal.”

“It’s because I did well. We struggled too.”

“Mangho-hyung is impressive. He played so well. Wow, I never thought Mangho-hyung would excel in baseball like this. Weren’t you just a benchwarmer in the baseball team, hyung?”

“I was flying high in my third year. Man.”

“Really? Oh, right, that’s how it was. I remember when we won and the whole school went crazy. Both you and Wonho-hyung received commendations and all, right?”

“It was high school level. Whatever.”

“Well, the baseball coach is damn weird. Why didn’t he use Mangho-hyung? Isn’t he the MVP of this season?”

“Is that so? I’m not into baseball.”

“You didn’t know? What are you, living under a rock? Not even watching baseball. Hyung is almost like Ohtani in Korea.”

“Ohtani? I know Ohtani. Mangho-hyung is at that level? No wonder there are so many articles about him.”

Dohyun, who usually had a keen interest in baseball, seemed quite interested in my recent activities. Although we rarely had time to meet due to different sports, it felt good to have someone gushing over me just because we were in the same class. Well, he was always a talkative guy anyway.

“But aren’t the girls coming?”

While praising me, Dohyun subtly asked. There were a total of 7 people gathering today: me, Wonho, Hyuna, the boxer Seungwoo, the fencer Dohyun, another fencer Yoo Jihee, and the tennis player Lee Sooyeon.

“Are you still after Jihee? She hasn’t accepted your confession yet?”

“Oh, damn, it’s tough to meet now that we’ve graduated. Different teams and all. I tried to woo her this time, but she says she still likes someone. She’s been like that since high school. Who the heck is she into? Our school is pretty small… Anyway, if she shows up today, give me some space.”

“Sure thing.”

“But Wonho, are you still dating Hyuna noona? You two looked good together. I saw that article. Rumors about you and Hyuna noona dating. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it.”

“…Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden? I’m not dating Hyuna. We’re not like that.”

Surprised by Dohyun’s sudden words, Wonho looked at me for cues.

“Oh, really? I thought you were dating. Oh! Right. So, is that article true then?”

Seemingly aware of his gaze, Dohyun turned to me and spoke up.

“Well?”

“Oh… What’s with the reaction? Are you really dating? I’ll ask Hyuna noona later when she comes.”

“Are you close with Hyuna noona?”

“No? I just know her face.”

“Damn, what a crazy guy… Alright, let’s stop here and play some games.”

As a few more drinks were consumed, Dohyun, whose face had turned red, spoke up.

“Hyung, before the girls arrive, spill the beans. Why did you go to the foreign athletes’ village from the athletes’ village? Is it true that you got caught up in a scandal?”

“Man, I was curious too. Korean athletes usually can’t pull that off.”

“He really hit the jackpot.”

“Damn, I envy you. If I make it to the Olympics next time, I’ll follow Mangho-hyung around.”

“You can make it to the Olympics?”

“Man, I have more potential than you. Oh, but then what about Hyuna noona? Aren’t you two dating? Does Hyuna noona know about you seeing other girls?”

Do Hyun’s question was met with Wonho’s gaze. He had heard the story about how Wonho shielded Hyuna when she got involved in a scandal with a celebrity, so he was genuinely curious.

“You handle everything on your own, right?”

“Of course, they say you pay for it with your face, Manho hyung. I’m so envious.”

“Manho, still, don’t let Hyuna find out.”

Wonho seemed concerned, probably because he knew I was worried. It’s true that I made friends well. Later, I’ll introduce Wonho to a good and virtuous girl. A truly virtuous one.

“Let’s stop talking about Hyuna noona. Let’s talk about the Asian Games.”

“Later, buddy. I’ll tell you when we meet alone.”

As we drank, the door opened, revealing Hyuna and the others.

“What? Everyone’s here?”

“Nunim! Hello.”

“Oh, kids. Hello.”

“Everyone came together?”

“Suyeon was able to reach us. We waited and then came to meet.”

“Oppa, hi.”

“Welcome.”

After exchanging greetings, Hyuna naturally sat next to me. Tennis player Suyeon sat beside her, and in front of Hyuna and next to Wonho, fencer Jihee took her seat.

“Why did you come here talking like that? We were waiting.”

“Just a moment. Jihee said she has something to discuss. I’ll tell you later.”

“Okay.”

“Oh, what are you whispering about? Are you really dating?”

“Yeah, buddy.”

“Hey, don’t go around telling everyone. It’s annoying enough as it is.”

“Got it. Nunim.”

“Now that everyone’s here, let’s cheer. Cheers!”

“Manho hyung, since you’ve been the most successful, shouldn’t you give a toast?”

“Toasts are bullshit.”

“Woo! Jimaengho! Jimaengho!”

“Ha, damn it. Embarrassing. Alright. The center of Korean sports!”

“Go, Hanchego, fighting!”

It felt a bit awkward shouting slogans from high school days after a long time, but as everyone responded, it reminded me of those days.

“…Damn it, Yigicheol bastard.”

“Wow, it feels so awkward doing this after a long time.”

“That’s true.”

“Wow, it’s been a year since we graduated already.”

“Let’s have a reunion with our classmates later.”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

As the drinking session continued, various stories about the team, exercising, the Asian Games, and more were shared, and the atmosphere calmed down for a while.

“Hyung, want a cigarette? Smoking?”

“Oh, I’ll smoke.”

“Eh? Wasn’t Wonho hyung a non-smoker? Let’s go together.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Manho hyung, not coming? You’ve become a heavy smoker, okay.”

Wonho, Seungwoo, and Dohyun went out to smoke, leaving only Hyuna and the other girls to go to the restroom. Inside the room, it was just Hyuna and me.

“So, what was that conversation all about?”

“Oh, Jihee… Oh, hey! Don’t touch my chest!”

Taking advantage of everyone leaving, I put my hand inside Hyuna’s clothes, to which she reacted strongly. Of course, verbally. Since Hyuna didn’t intend to remove my hand, I left it inside her bra, where her shy nipple greeted me.

“Oh, it’s not standing yet?”

“I’m not a pervert. How can I stand when there are people around?”

“A pervert… No?”

“…I said no.”

“So, what did you talk about with Jihee?”

“Jihee liked Wonho. Since high school.”

“Eh? Jihee?”

It seemed like Dohyun had mentioned something similar earlier… There was someone Jihee had liked since high school. Was that Wonho?

“But why did she talk to you about it?”

“Jihee thought I was dating Wonho. But with our dating rumors and all… she wanted to confirm, I guess. If we’re not dating, she plans to make a move tonight.”

“…Really? So that’s why she sat next to Wonho.”

Jihee likes Wonho? This was a story that couldn’t be overlooked. Because Wonho was my precious friend, I had to choose a patient woman for him. I couldn’t stand any woman approaching Wonho, who was my close friend. To date Wonho, she had to prove to me first that she was a patient woman.

“…Why is your expression like that? Touching someone else’s chest.”

“No. I need to check something.”

“What?”

“If Jihee is a good girl.”

“What are you thinking? Ugh. And it’s time for the kids to leave, so keep your hands off?”

“Got it. Got it.”

When Hyuna removed her hand from her chest and went to the bathroom, Jihee and Sooyeon entered.

“Oh, you two seem close. Are you a couple after all?”

Jihee sat down and spoke, and looking at Jihee’s expression after hearing Hyuna’s words, she definitely seemed happy. Was it because she knew Wonho wasn’t dating Hyuna?

“It’s not like that.”

“But weren’t you not very close in high school?”

“Well, high school is different.”

“Anyway, you look good together. A perfect match.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“Oppa, but are you closest with Wonho oppa?”

“That’s right…?”

“Is Wonho oppa seeing any girls these days?”

“I don’t think so?”

Although we used to go to clubs together, since I hadn’t heard such stories, I answered truthfully.

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“Do you like Wonho?”

“Huh? Hyuna unnie! What if I say that?”

“Um… sorry.”

“Seriously…!”

“Jihee. I know Wonho well. Didn’t he come to me for advice?”

“Ugh… then can you help me out today, Oppa?”

“Hey. Wonho doesn’t really like it when you suddenly approach him like that.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. I’ve been hanging out with Wonho for 4 years. I know him well. I’ll talk to him after I’m done.”

“Really…? Okay.”

Alright. Transitioned over. When this gathering ends today, I definitely needed to confirm whether Jihee is the girl who will be with Wonho.

“I should charm her today. If she turns out to be some annoying girl, Wonho wouldn’t be seen dating someone like that.”

…In my own way.