episode_0276

“Player Jimaengho! Congratulations! You’ve successfully advanced to the Super Round with this game. How do you feel?”

“To be honest, as I mentioned in the previous interview, I’m not particularly happy or anything like that. It’s just the expected outcome.”

“But you ended all three group stage games as cold games, didn’t you?”

“Yes. It’s the expected result. In fact, there are many good players on the national team besides me, so if it hadn’t ended as a cold game, it would have been even more surprising, right?”

“As expected of Player Jimaengho. So, hitting three home runs in today’s game without any signs of injury, how did you recover your condition?”

“I was in pain at the time, but since the test results showed nothing abnormal and there was no specific area of pain, I just proceeded as usual.”

“I see. Oh, and I’d like to ask this question: we often saw you at the women’s volleyball arena during off-game hours. Is there any special reason for that?”

In the midst of a normal interview, the reporter suddenly threw a non-game-related question.

‘Why is he asking such a question out of the blue?’

“There’s no special reason. Since the organizers couldn’t use the baseball field, I just went to watch during the free time.”

“Oh, then what do you think about the rumors of a relationship with the women’s volleyball national team setter, Choi Hyeon-ah?”

‘Ah, this is why. I was worried because there were quite a few reporters at the dorm. Did I meet Hyeon-ah too often?’

There was a reason behind the reporter’s question. I had met Hyeon-ah quite a bit during meal times or in the evening, and it seemed like rumors were circulating among the reporters. There was even a time when I tried to go for a night walk, but Rossby informed me that a reporter was following us, so I couldn’t have a proper walk and just returned. Lately, there were many reporters following me around.

“Good friends. I went to cheer her on because Hyeon-ah and I are high school alumni. Ugh… Why am I saying this? If you’re going to ask such questions, I’ll leave.”

The camera was rolling, so I did answer, but if it had been a print interview instead of video, I would have almost stormed out.

‘If this were Korea, Soyoung would have filtered out these kinds of reporters….’

“I’m sorry. Then finally, could you share your aspirations for the upcoming Asian Games?”

“Winning.”

“A bit more detail…”

“The gold medal.”

“Ah, I see. Thank you for the interview, Player Jimaengho.”

The interview concluded, and the camera turned off. Although I was slightly annoyed by the personal questions from the reporter, I was still curious about how much the reporters actually knew.

“Reporter?”

“Yes?!”

“Why are you surprised?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Your voice sounded angry.”

“I’m not angry. What else would you like to ask? Off the record.”

“Oh, sure. Please ask.”

Sensing that it might be difficult to get another interview if things went wrong here, the reporter answered very politely.

“There have been many reporters following me around lately. Have you found out anything about me?”

“Well, rather than me telling you, it’s better if you see this article…”

The reporter then turned on their smartphone, searched for something, and showed me. It was an article from a third-rate internet newspaper.

“Sports Star A labeled as a playboy? The current sports star A, who is shining in South Korea, has sparked controversy after being caught entering foreign athletes’ accommodations during the Asian Games. Rumors suggest that A entered the room due to a promiscuous lifestyle. With stories circulating about moans coming from the room A exited, disturbing the sleep of many players, A is… What kind of nonsense article is this?”

There were no photos or such, but the content was quite accurate.

“In fact, we know everything there is to know, but since it’s an international competition, there are issues with the players’ conditions, and such articles weren’t being published. People might start criticizing Maengho for not performing well just because of an article.”

“Where did you hear that from?”

They probably couldn’t conduct direct investigations. It would be difficult for reporters to enter the players’ accommodations.

“Just rumors circulating within the Korean team, and some people have seen Maengho heading towards the foreign players’ residence.”

The journalists knew all about it.

“Is that so? But why ask about Hyeona?”

“Hyeona is quite popular in Korea these days, isn’t she? She’s pretty and plays volleyball well.”

That was true. Even though I didn’t know much about volleyball, Hyeona stood out to me when watching the games. The women’s volleyball team barely made it to the quarterfinals, facing tough circumstances, but Hyeona’s performance in the winning matches caught the public’s attention.

“So, many people in Korea are curious, which is why they asked. The birth of a sports star couple! Such content gets high views. But are they really not dating? They seemed quite close.”

“Well, think what you want. But how’s the response to this article?”

“This one isn’t getting many views, and some people just see it as gossip, right? And there might not be many who actually consider Maengho famous, right? You know how it goes – if an article mentions a famous singer ‘A,’ they’re not that famous; the real famous ones have their names out there.”

While it wouldn’t matter even if it got out, if rumors about sex or scandal started spreading, it could get annoying. However, according to the reporter, there didn’t seem to be much to worry about.

“Well, thank you for letting me know.”

“Sure. Good luck with the remaining games.”

“Thank you, and you too.”

After the journalist left, I checked my phone to see if there were any other articles mentioning me, but as the reporter said, most of them seemed like gossip or low-quality internet articles, so there was no need to pay attention.

“Still, I should be more careful now. Have I been too careless all this time?”

But considering how satisfyingly carefree I had been, there was little regret.

“Hmm, I wonder why reporters like Hyuna are sticking around. I should meet her and ask.”

—

“…So did the reporters ask you about that?”

During dinner that evening after finishing all the qualifying matches, when I asked Hyuna about the incident during the interview, she responded as if it was trivial.

“Yeah. Some reporters were curious.”

“Well, some asked, but I just brushed it off.”

“Anyway, why are people so interested in others’ business?”

“But more importantly, I made it to the quarterfinals, and you’re not congratulating me?”

“Oh, out of 5 teams, 4 advance, so what’s there to congratulate? I’ll congratulate you when you make it to the semifinals.”

“…You jerk. You’re not going to congratulate me?”

“Why? You could make it to the semifinals.”

“We’re facing Japan in the quarterfinals.”

“That’s good. If you beat Japan and come back, I’ll congratulate you intensely.”

“…Isn’t Japan currently Asia’s number 2?”

“Well, maybe you met someone else after doing well.”

“Do you think volleyball is only played like baseball in your country? It’s the same when playing against other countries.”

I wanted to retort, but I couldn’t. If it were before the Asian Games, I would have argued with Hyuna’s words, but having faced other countries, the awkward level of joy after winning was so different that it wasn’t even fun.

“It was somewhat enjoyable when we crushed the Chinese kids. Well, they’ve fallen apart now, so there’s nothing to watch anymore.”

Just to note, China won their last game against Thailand, but Hong Kong secured 2 wins and 1 loss, advancing to the super round along with our country and Hong Kong, who both had 3 wins and 0 losses in our group.

It was a disappointing match, but one could say it was unfortunate. Well, thanks to the fact that I didn’t have to see Strike Zone, who made jokes about China’s never-ending training time from the super round onwards, I felt relieved.

“Ha, if we lose to Japan, we’ll get a lot of flak…”

“Well, it is a Korea-Japan match after all.”

Hyuna seemed worried as she mentioned her memories of receiving a lot of criticism after losing to Japan during the WBC tournament. Her expression seemed pitiful.

“But still, people aren’t really expecting much anyway. They know you guys are doomed.”

“Pakshi! Are you trying to comfort me with that?”

“…Sorry.”

“Sigh… Anyway, I’m worried. Japan has Eison as their setter, so we might be at a huge disadvantage, right?”

“A setter? Who’s that?”

“Do you know if I mention the name? Ugh… It’s Mori Ichika. She’s…”

Mori Ichika? Where had I heard that name before? Where did I hear it from? I’m not familiar with women’s volleyball, but…

“Hmm, could it be?”

“And besides her, there are other talented players…”

As Hyuna excitedly talked about the Japanese national team regarding her field of expertise, I turned on my phone to confirm where I had heard the name Mori Ichika before.

“Ah, hey. Are you listening? You’re just staring at your phone while someone is explaining…”

“Of course, I was listening. But is the quarterfinals match tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“Tell them thank you for me tomorrow.”

She wasn’t my type, but for Hyuna’s sake, I decided to support her this time.

“…What are you suddenly talking about?”

Seeing Hyuna’s puzzled expression, I stood up from my seat.

“Do I have to say it out loud? Can’t I just go?”

“We should save every bit we can for now. For your sake.”

“Just tell me so I can understand.”

“You don’t need to know.”

“…What? Seriously.”

That’s how Hyuna remained puzzled and failed to understand my intentions until I left.

Mori Ichika was a Japanese national team setter playing in the Turkish league. She was also the woman who gave her contact information to Jimaengho while she was doing the jockeying on the opening day.

Jimaengho had become a hot topic among the athletes participating in the Asian Games, having been selected as the number one ‘sexiest male athlete chosen by players’ in the 2023 Asian Games according to a survey conducted by a media outlet. His popularity stemmed from his handsome face, towering height of around 190 cm, solid physique, and outstanding skills in his profession.

Moreover, according to rumors circulating among female players, he was said to possess incredible sexual prowess. Therefore, among the female athletes competing in the Asian Games, Jimaengho’s popularity was such that he could be considered an idol.

“To think Ji Sang contacted me…”

Thus, Ichika couldn’t control her fluttering heart upon receiving the message from Jimaengho. Although she had practically given up on meeting him since there had been no contact since she gave him her number on the first day, she was taken aback by the unexpected timing of the message today.

Upon receiving the message asking if they could meet, Ichika quickly agreed, and it didn’t take long for her to seek permission from her roommate.

“Phew, I’m glad I helped Yuko avoid that situation last time.”

Praising herself for accommodating Yuko, her roommate who had asked to switch places, Ichika waited for Jimaengho, having prepared herself.

And then,

Knock, knock…!

“Ji Sang?”

“[Is this Ichika? It’s Jimaengho.]”

“Hi! [I’ve been waiting!]”

Without anticipating what fate awaited her, Ichika warmly welcomed Jimaengho, who knocked on the door using the English she had learned through her long stay abroad.