Half-Line

“What if I use it anywhere?”“Report the card lost, report you to the police. What’s the big deal?”Hajoon exhaled in disbelief but seemed to have no more interest in arguing. He gave a short farewell to Mukyeom.“I’m going. See you tomorrow.”“Yeah.”After that, it was awkwardly silent. Maybe this is why one-night stands with guys are not a good idea. Watching Hajoon leave with a stiff expression, Mukyeom felt a moment of real regret, but he quickly shook it off once Hajoon was out of sight.🏀“Hyung, Hyung! Aren’t you going to wake up?”A clear, loud voice that seemed to awaken his consciousness made Hajoon struggle to lift his eyelids, which felt like they weighed a ton today. While still half-asleep, nothing made sense, but the moment he became slightly conscious, the urgency of oversleeping hit him like cold water.Hajoon jumped up but immediately collapsed back down without even managing a groan. His younger sister, Min-kyung, who had come to wake him, urged him.“It’s already 7:40.”“Uh, yeah. I’ll get up.”“Did I wake you? Hurry up and come eat breakfast.”After Min-kyung left, his younger brother, Hakyung, peeked in with a towel on his wet face.“Mom says to come eat breakfast quickly.”“Yeah, I’m coming.”Lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling as he listened to his twin siblings bickering, Hajoon realized he was going to be late. Although he thought so, he couldn’t immediately get up. Trying to turn over was a struggle, so he covered his face with a pillow and stayed like that for a while.His back hurt terribly. His buttocks too. And somewhere inside his stomach, where you couldn’t pinpoint exactly, ached as if it had been bruised from a beating.In front of Kim Mukyeom, Hajoon had barely managed to act normal, leaving his house and walking the unusually long distance from the building to the entrance of the complex in a daze. He had intended to take the bus or subway but ended up taking a taxi as Mukyeom suggested.He paid a painful 20,000 won for the taxi to get home, and despite his mother’s urging to eat, he said he wasn’t feeling well and needed to sleep, immediately crawling into his room and collapsing. Even then, the pain prevented him from falling asleep until he took a painkiller.It hurt so much… more than he expected. When Mukyeom suddenly thrust into him, he thought he might pass out. How could something be that big? Even now, after everything was over, it was hard to believe that such a large thing had been inside him.However, being drunk on the fact that he was having sex with Mukyeom, he could endure the pain. At the end, when Mukyeom touched him down there and kissed him, it felt good even amidst the pain…Above all, when Mukyeom said that sex with him felt good. At that moment, he felt a slight giddiness.But by the time he got home, those feelings had almost evaporated, leaving only the emptiness of a hangover and the pain in his body. The dull throbbing pain was somewhat similar to the chest pain he felt whenever he saw Mukyeom, making him feel not quite settled in his own body.“…But no regrets.”Hajoon muttered to himself as if talking to himself. This amount of pain was worth it. Even if it had been several times more painful, Hajoon would have made the same choice as yesterday.From the moment Mukyeom kissed him after they showered and left the building, all the events that followed were filled with an unreal feeling as if something impossible had happened. If it weren’t for the lingering pain in his body, he might have thought it was a dream.He doesn’t expect anything from that event. It was well-known among those even slightly interested in him that Mukyeom casually met women here and there for one-night stands.Yesterday, by some twist of fate, he got to play that role. Mukyeom had said it was his first time with a man. Why he suddenly wanted to do it with Hajoon, he didn’t know, but although the sudden sex was scary, it was clearly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity he couldn’t miss. He didn’t regret it in the slightest. Seeing Mukyeom’s face today might be difficult, but that was always the case; time would solve it.He forced his heavy body to move towards the living room. In the narrow living room that also served as a kitchen, his family was gathered around the table eating breakfast.“Good morning.”“Hyung’s up? Hurry and eat.”Min-kyung, who was eating, pulled out a chair for him, urging him on. Hajoon sat down at the table and hastily picked up his spoon.“You seemed tired; if you’re not feeling well, can’t you take a day off?”Se-young, Hajoon’s mother, sitting across from him, asked with concern. Deep down, he desperately wanted to, but missing work today of all days, he wondered how it would look in Kim Mukyeom’s eyes. Hajoon answered with a smile.“No, I’m fine. I think I was just tired from the rain yesterday. I accidentally overslept.”“Must be tough working for a new team?”“Not at all. Everyone is nice, and it’s so comfortable.”“Right. Your lips are all swollen, dear.”Cough, cough. As Hajoon started eating and coughed, she quickly handed him a glass of water. Hajoon drank but couldn’t lift his head properly.Feeling like he had done something wrong, he couldn’t look her in the eye. He hadn’t felt this guilty in front of his mother since he was very young. Hakyung, who was eating, suddenly remembered something and asked:“Oh yeah, Hyung. You’re on the same team as Kim Mukyeom now, right? You must be getting closer? You like Kim Mukyeom, don’t you?”“What? What do you mean by ‘like’?”Surprised by Hakyung’s words, he asked back, and this time Min-kyung looked at him as if it was nothing new.“You’ve got files full of Kim Mukyeom’s data, and you say you don’t like him?”“That’s for player analysis. Did you forget I’m a coach?”“I don’t like Kim Mukyeom. No matter how good a striker he is, he doesn’t help with defense when he should. That’s why defenders struggle.”At that, Hajoon laughed and gently pushed Min-kyung’s head with his index finger. Min-kyung looked up at her brother, grumbling, “Why?”“Are you defending me because I was a defender? Still, the best thing a striker can do is score when needed. To do that, they need to manage their energy over 90 minutes, so they do less defending.”“For me, you’re the best.”Min-kyung shot back. Although it had been three years since he retired, to his siblings, he was still the great brother who played in the World Cup for the national team. Since his promising days weren’t that long ago, it was natural for his family to still hold onto that time. This was both a joy and a burden.With Mukyeom becoming a topic at the breakfast table with his family, Hajoon’s feelings became complex. At twenty-six years old, no one would believe it, but he had never properly kissed, let alone had sex, until now. The only kisses he had were the ones passionate fans had forced on his cheeks. Yet, he had managed to check off both items from his list like completing overdue homework, and that too with Kim Mukyeom.The mere thought made Hajoon’s ears feel hot, so he hurriedly moved his spoon a few times before standing up.“Why? Not eating more?”“I think I might be late. Sorry for leaving food.”His back, stomach, and various other places still hurt, suppressing his appetite. She seemed like she wanted to say more, but the conversation was interrupted by Hakyung asking, “Mom, is there more stir-fried fish cake?” Hajoon hurried to the bathroom, and while washing his face, he looked up to see his reflection in the mirror.He had his first experience. With the person he had secretly admired for about ten years.However, the face of Lee Hajoon reflected in the mirror was the same as yesterday. Only the dark circles under his eyes suggested fatigue. Hajoon rubbed the mirror.When Mukyeom asked if this wasn’t Hajoon’s first time, Hajoon had to think quickly. Mukyeom, who had kissed him to test him, wouldn’t have asked such a question without some intention. He was looking for a light one-night stand. His tone when asking if Hajoon had other feelings for him clearly indicated he didn’t want that to be the case.How many people in the world would have their first experience in such a one-night stand? Saying it was his first time would have been the wrong answer. Mukyeom might have felt burdened or lost interest in the situation and decided to stop.Hajoon concluded this and gave the answer he guessed Mukyeom wanted. Fortunately, it seemed Hajoon’s guess was correct; Mukyeom, satisfied, put his arm around Hajoon’s shoulder. Unfortunately, the “much guidance” Mukyeom expected was something Hajoon, who was experiencing sex for the first time, couldn’t provide.After breakfast, the family was busy preparing for school and work, while his mother was cleaning up in the kitchen alone. Although he felt sorry, there was no time to help with the cleanup. Hajoon asked in a lowered voice:“Mom, when are you going to the hospital again?”“Next Thursday. Don’t worry about it; I’ll go by myself.”“You should at least tell me when you’re going.”“I’ll let you know before I go. Don’t worry.”“If I have time, I’ll take half a day off.”“I told you, it’s fine.”After quickly getting ready for work and heading to the entrance, Min-kyung was standing awkwardly, bending over with her back hunched. Hajoon, about to put on his shoes, asked:“What are you doing?”“My shoelaces are loose.”Hajoon slung his bag over one shoulder and kneeled in front of Min-kyung. Min-kyung tried to stop him.“It’s okay, Hyung. I’ll do it.”“You always tie them so they come undone.”“Hmm, that’s true. Why do they keep coming loose even when I tie them tight? They last when you tie them.”Hajoon chuckled and tied the laces of her much smaller sneakers into a neat bow with his long, slender fingers.“There, done.”As he stood up, Hakyung came out to the entrance, frowning.“You can’t even tie your shoelaces properly, so you’re making the busy brother do it for you?”“Ah, I didn’t make him do it. He offered. You do it, then.”The atmosphere quickly turned tense as if they were about to fight. Hajoon quickly opened the door. The entrance was too narrow with the three of them, the grown twins and himself.“You’ll be late if you keep this up. Hurry up and go.”“We’ll be back!”His siblings in matching school uniforms bowed in greeting at the same time before dashing out the door. Watching them bicker as they walked down the hallway together, Hajoon just smiled.“Hyung, take care!”“See you later, bro!”“Be careful on the road. Don’t fight on your way.”Parting from his siblings at the apartment entrance, Hajoon headed to the bus stop on the opposite side of their school route. He was a bit later than usual but still made it just in time. Fortunately, the bus wasn’t crowded, and there was always an empty seat during his commute, which was a small relief.Only after sitting down did Hajoon sigh lightly, feeling relief in being alone. On days like today, even the voices of his beloved family could feel slightly burdensome.He leaned his head against the window, watching the scenery slowly pass by. Sometimes, passing familiar signs, he would see that a familiar name had disappeared, replaced by a completely new one. When encountering a shiny new sign, Hajoon would naturally try to remember what had been there before, but when he couldn’t recall despite seeing it every day, he would feel momentarily downcast. Things that disappear are forgotten so quickly.The trees were now lush green, and people’s clothing had become lighter. It was full spring. From now until mid-June would be the best season for playing football. The training ground was a 10-minute walk from the bus stop where he always got off.Since he was late, he needed to walk faster than usual, but his back and stomach ached, making it difficult. By the time he finally reached the office, he was sweating a little. Still, Hajoon greeted brightly as he entered the office.“Good morning.”“You’re here?”“I’m a bit late. Sorry.”“No worries. You’re right on time. We’re heading out first.”Hajoon hurried to his desk, put down his bag, and prepared to go out to the training field. He had already changed notebooks several times, used for checking players’ physical conditions and organizing training schedules. He gathered his notebook, pen, whistle, and timer before leaving the office. As he was about to open the door to head to the training field, Hajoon paused to take a deep breath.Lee Hajoon, you know? Nothing’s changed. Nothing.Just act like usual. Like usual.Opening the door, the vivid green of the grass hit his eyes. The same scenery as always seemed to reassure him that nothing had changed. The players were already assembled on the field. Hajoon quickly moved to stand beside the newly appointed interim coach.“Good morning.”“Good morning.”Scanning the players lined up in front of the coach, Hajoon’s gaze met Mukyeom’s. Mukyeom looked at him briefly without changing his expression before turning his eyes away as someone spoke to him. Hajoon also shifted his gaze.Such an indifferent look, as if nothing had happened. He hadn’t expected anything, but still, it was as he thought. Hajoon consciously pulled down the corners of his mouth, suppressing a bitter smile.…When Mukyeom kissed him, he thought his feelings had been discovered. Thinking that, he couldn’t help but reveal all the emotions he had harbored alone for years.No, revealing them was just his own illusion. Mukyeom was just looking for a one-night stand, testing his intentions with a brief kiss. Recalling the moment he couldn’t control his emotions and rushed at Mukyeom, he felt anew how embarrassing it was. How fortunate that Mukyeom took that kiss merely as consent to his proposition.“We’ll start with the morning training. Begin with running, and those whose names I call, stay back for special training.”“Yes!”Another day began, just like yesterday. The only reminder that last night wasn’t a dream was the lingering pain in his body. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t disappointed, but Hajoon decided to consider yesterday’s event as a sudden stroke of luck and put it away in a drawer in his heart.Even though the end was a bit sad and painful, it was like an unexpected gift that could only be described as luck. Hajoon wanted to be grateful for Mukyeom’s whim. Although moving around was harder than usual due to the pain in his back and stomach, and the stinging inside, he hoped this pain wouldn’t fade away too quickly.Throughout the training, Mukyeom didn’t mention the night before, nor did he after it ended. Hajoon had secretly hoped Mukyeom might call out to him or acknowledge what happened, but Mukyeom treated him with an even more businesslike attitude than usual. Thanks to that, Hajoon could focus on training without being overly conscious of Mukyeom.After the schedule ended, watching Mukyeom leave without a word, Hajoon understood his message clearly.Days passed without change. As the pain in his body faded like a bruise, just when it was almost gone, a new scandal involving Mukyeom broke out. This was the clearest evidence that the sex with Hajoon was nothing but a fleeting one-night stand.Though he hadn’t expected anything from the start, perhaps there was just a tiny bit of hope left, but that small expectation, which had been hidden in his heart, fluttered like a severed lizard’s tail before completely disappearing.🏀Jungkyu’s expression was stiff. Mukyeom’s was no different. The two were facing each other in an empty conference room with the door locked. Jungkyu shook his head with a sigh.“I told you to take it easy, that it’s a matter of team dignity.”“Jungkyu. I’m a victim too.”Mukyeom furrowed his brows as he looked down at the smartphone screen between them. Today, the three letters ‘Kim Mukyeom’ were ranked number one in portal site searches and showed no signs of coming down. This wasn’t because of any soccer-related issue.Mukyeom, being human, would occasionally fall asleep right after sex, despite it rarely happening. Shortly after arriving in Korea, there was a day when he was so tired that he fell asleep for about 30 minutes, during which time the other person must have taken a photo. It was probably meant as a prank.Whether it was intentional or accidental, a photo of Mukyeom, half-naked with only the important parts of his lower body and the upper thighs covered by a white blanket, sleeping on the bed, was leaked online this morning.He must have done it again.He’s so damn handsome, even I’d fall for him if I were a woman.He just looks good, lol. Just enjoy the view, especially men, stop being jealous and go work out instead.Who was the woman he slept with, lol?It’s just like an ad… noise marketing.The photo, which looked like a piece of art with its chiseled nudity, clearly taken right after sex, was so well-shot that even if it were claimed to be part of a photoshoot, it would be believable. As soon as the photo went online, people were busy discussing the act, praising his handsome face and perfect body even with his eyes closed and chin slightly tilted, and speculating about who the woman was. Despite the photo being taken secretly, it was so good that it sparked suspicions of noise marketing, with keywords like “Kim Mukyeom blanket” and “Kim Mukyeom bedding” even making it to the real-time search list.Despite the uproar, Mukyeom had been somewhat quiet lately. Since his encounter with Lee Hajoon, he hadn’t been with anyone else, so it was frustrating to face such criticism for something that happened long ago. Above all, he was indeed a victim since someone had taken and leaked his photos without consent.“Would anyone call you a victim?” Jungkyu looked at Mukyeom skeptically, but since the photos were published without his consent, he couldn’t criticize further and concluded the conversation.“You really can’t let this happen again, right? Think about the team’s morale. If this keeps up, we all get bashed.”“Got it. I really understand this time, so don’t worry.”“What are you going to do about this? You must know who leaked it.”“It’ll die down if we leave it alone.”Since Mukyeom had only fallen asleep once after sex in Korea, it was clear who the culprit was, and he could confront them if he wanted. He could demand compensation, but he didn’t want to escalate the matter.Since coming to Korea, Mukyeom’s partners had always been celebrities or similar public figures, except for the night with Hajoon. Although he hadn’t always been with famous people from the start, he learned that being with someone who had much to lose led to cleaner endings, so he stuck with that choice.If things got bigger, it would be more troublesome for the other party than for Mukyeom. If the leak was intentional, the other party should have gained something, but given the silence without any contact or media exposure, it was probably an accident. If so, they might be feeling quite anxious by now. Considering that, Mukyeom didn’t want to be too harsh.“If people want to look, let them. What more can they see, just my upper body?”Mukyeom stood up, speaking as if annoyed.“Man, if they had seen everything, damn, that might have been better! Then it wouldn’t have made the newspapers like this.”“You talk without knowing. Even with the mosaic, everything’s out there.”Mukyeom intended to heed Jungkyu’s advice to be more careful in the future. Scandals were troublesome, especially in Korea. Such privacy invasions and noise were not something Mukyeom wanted either.After the short meeting with the team captain, he headed to the locker room. Some players looked at Mukyeom with curiosity but refrained from asking details. They were probably curious about who the woman was. Mukyeom had no intention of satisfying their curiosity and changed his clothes silently.As he was about to leave after packing, his phone vibrated. He almost left but decided to check it in the deserted hallway. The call was from an unsaved number, and as expected, it was an apology.— Mukyeom, I’m sorry.A woman’s voice, tense but firm, apologized first. She called him in a familiar tone as that night, but they had only shared one night together. Mukyeom gave a silent, wry smile.— It wasn’t intentional. It was really a mistake.“Why did you take the photo?”— I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have from the start… I just wanted to keep it for myself.“It turned out well. And if you’re worried about me spreading rumors that you took it, don’t worry about that.”— … Thank you so much, and I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you somehow next time.“No. We won’t see each other again, so there’s no need.”After finishing his response, Mukyeom hung up and put his phone back in the locker.Today was an indoor training schedule. Coaches were in the gym, and Mukyeom’s gaze naturally went to Hajoon, who was discussing something with his notes among them.Given what happened, Mukyeom expected Hajoon to mention something or at least show some sign the next day. However, Hajoon acted as if nothing had happened for days. Mukyeom, who had deliberately ignored him to see his reaction, was inwardly impressed.Cool, if not professional enough to warrant praise. After that awkward and embarrassing night, Mukyeom had some concerns on his way to work the next day. He regretted involving a teammate and worried about how to cut things off if Hajoon showed signs of wanting more than just one night.That day when he first kissed Hajoon, he had a clear and firm intuition. Hajoon, who had never shown interest, spoke at length as if to console, but there was an underlying unease in his words.Despite appearing the least interested in Mukyeom in the team, Hajoon knew quite a bit about him. Even if not for that reason, various cues like Hajoon’s different demeanor and expressions made Mukyeom wonder if there were feelings involved.…But with a clear head over time, Mukyeom realized that most of what Hajoon said that day were things Mukyeom had said in interviews or on broadcasts. Even without personal interest, these were things a soccer coach should know. Mukyeom knew Hajoon was a passionate new coach. Just by looking at him now, deeply focused on his notes with furrowed brows, he could tell.Of course, that kiss he poured on me, pushing me against the wall, was ten times more passionate than his coaching. Saying it was just because he liked men wouldn’t quite explain it. Maybe he had other kinds of feelings…Even so, Mukyeom had no intention of acknowledging it. It was best for both of them to consider it an act driven by momentary desire.“Take your training positions as instructed last time. I’ll check on you.”“Yes!”After finishing group stretching, running, balance training, and speed training in sequence, the players dispersed to carry out their individual training as instructed. Mukyeom headed to the reformer to do the ankle and core strengthening exercises that Hajoon had directed.Hajoon seemed particularly concerned about Mukyeom’s ankle imbalance, checking it every time without fail. Even when Mukyeom was in England, he had been pointed out a few times, but no coach had focused on it this much. Football is a whole-body sport, but since players mostly use one foot predominantly, without conscious effort, the body’s balance can deteriorate. Mukyeom was aware of this and usually took care.“Nothing hurts, right?”“Yeah.”Lying on the board with straps on his feet, Mukyeom extended his legs alternately, right then left, following Hajoon’s instructions. Hajoon watched the movements closely before murmuring “Wait a sec.” and reaching out to touch Mukyeom’s right knee.Hajoon almost wrapped Mukyeom’s calf around his waist, narrowing his brows slightly while firmly pressing and stroking the inner thigh. The touch that tickled his skin almost made Mukyeom laugh.“Is it okay here? Doesn’t it hurt when I do this?”“It feels a bit tight.”“It’d be good to get a massage here. You have a physio you visit, right? I’ll write you a note, take it and get a massage.”Based on the days he had observed Hajoon recently, Mukyeom made his judgment. He wouldn’t get clingy or bothersome. With this conclusion, a slow sense of defiance rose in response to Hajoon’s strictly professional attitude.If they both enjoyed it, why not do it again? Although he had thought it was fortunate that Hajoon acted nonchalantly as if nothing had happened, desire, like a swaying reed, can change from day to night.“Can’t you do it for me?”“What?”Mukyeom expressed it more politely.“Could this coach do it for me?”“…I can, but it’s better to get it from a professional.”“Why not come to my place and do it there?”Hajoon turned to look at Mukyeom. Mukyeom smiled and leaned close to Hajoon’s ear.“Do you need to play innocent now?”As he watched for a reaction, Hajoon’s face showed a hint of shock. His trembling eyes seemed both surprised and accusing, asking ‘Are you crazy?’ His eyes near the whites began to redden slightly, not just from surprise.Seeing his face change color, he does remember. I thought he’d completely forgotten since he’s been so indifferent. Mukyeom was about to add another comment with a cheeky smile.“Ah!”But the next moment, Mukyeom let out a short cry. Hajoon’s hand, which had suggested getting a massage, pressed hard somewhere between his waist and navel. It was so painful that Mukyeom grimaced; it must have been a spot where the muscles were really tight. Hajoon, pressing firmly, spoke through gritted teeth.“This is like your muscle release point. I’ll write a note, so go to physical therapy and tell them to work on this a lot. Got it?”“Don’t lie. That’s more like a death point.”“Stop whining. Do twenty reps on each side for three sets, then two more sets of twenty on the left. Continue with what I showed you last week. I’ll check on you again.”“Understood, coach.”Mukyeom complied, slowly moving his strapped legs up and down, while Hajoon turned away to check on another player. Lying there, Mukyeom silently stared at the ceiling, sorting through the thoughts that had just crossed his mind.What he just did was an impulsive prank, but upon further reflection, it was actually a pretty good idea.As Jungkyu suggested, he planned to refrain from night activities for a while. He was tired of hearing complaints, and getting caught up in trivial scandals was bothersome. Even in London, there were annoying incidents, but the attention in Seoul made it several times more frustrating.However, he didn’t want to give up one of life’s pleasures just like that. What if his performance drops because of it? Even for ordinary people, sudden changes are hard to adapt to, and for athletes, daily routines aren’t something you can just switch on and off.What if he made an arrangement with Lee Hajoon and stuck with just him for a while?Hardly anyone would suspect if he brought Hajoon to his place. They’re both men and teammates. Who would think they’re having sex?Jungkyu would probably welcome the idea too. He hadn’t noticed Hajoon avoiding Mukyeom, but he seemed uncomfortable being caught between them not getting closer as he’d hoped. Jungkyu had always been the type to feel like he was sitting on pins and needles when there was discord among people since childhood. Although it often made things troublesome for Mukyeom too, he had also benefited from Jungkyu’s meddling, so he didn’t blame him.He never thought he’d want to do it again with a man.Hajoon, engaged in a serious discussion with other coaches, caught his eye. He seemed to be referring to past records while discussing something.Even without trying, his appearance was clear and neat. He was diligent and hardworking in whatever he did, yet there was something about him that seemed like he would collapse if you touched the wrong spot. Mukyeom wondered if others felt the same way, or if it was just him, especially after seeing Hajoon collapse in bed.He didn’t know what Hajoon was like during his playing days, but now he didn’t dye his hair in bright colors or get fancy haircuts, keeping it simple. From what Mukyeom had seen, he didn’t have tattoos either, though he did have a more striking scar.Perhaps because of his appearance, he gave off a slightly ascetic vibe when he was expressionless or seriously looking at something, but after seeing him in disarray beneath him once, Mukyeom kept thinking about that moment, like a vivid afterimage from a dream. It was hard to believe Hajoon didn’t remember, given they had gone to the World Cup together.“Coach, let’s have lunch together.”During lunch, it was Mukyeom who called out to Hajoon as he was heading to the coaches’ table with his tray as usual. Jungkyu, who was sitting next to him, looked surprised. Mukyeom thought Hajoon might try to avoid him, but Hajoon paused, then quickly changed direction towards Mukyeom’s table.In the locker room, the topic had not come up, but at the table where Mukyeom sat, it was being discussed quietly as a jest. Even so, the more friendly guys couldn’t suppress their curiosity. One of them brought it up to Hajoon.“Coach, did you see that?”“See what?”“Mukyeom’s photo that was posted.”Hajoon furrowed his brows.“Why bring that up in front of him?”“Why not? What’s there to be embarrassed about? He’s so good-looking that these things happen.”Among the snickering, Hajoon glanced at Mukyeom with an awkward expression before continuing to eat without answering. Mukyeom shook his head.“I got scolded a lot today, so I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”“Did I say something? People might think you listen to others.”“Even the chefs didn’t talk to me today. It’s the first time that’s happened since I came here.”“So, it’s not my words that got to you?”Jungkyu chuckled. Mukyeom weakly frowned.“I was surprised this time too. To have a photo leak, it’s not just any incident.”“Who was it? They’ve got some guts.”“That’s not for you to know.”When Mukyeom cut him off sharply, the guy who asked quietly shut his mouth.“Anyway, I’m thinking of changing my lifestyle. As Jungkyu said… maybe I need some stability.”“What?”Jungkyu, who always nagged about finding a partner and settling down, looked shocked and skeptical when Mukyeom said that. Hajoon also looked surprised, staring at Mukyeom. Mukyeom continued seriously while tilting his water cup.“I don’t like the noise, but I also don’t want to be alone. It might not be bad to find a good partner this time.”“That’s a good decision. You keep talking about having fun, but that gets tiring over time. Don’t you know how comfortable it is to be with someone you love?”“Jungkyu, you must be really happy with your wife.”While Jungkyu went on about the benefits of marriage and stable love, Mukyeom observed Hajoon. He seemed uninterested in the conversation, silently continuing his meal. Jungkyu nudged Mukyeom with his shoulder.“Do you have someone in mind? Or should I introduce you to someone good?”“I do.”“What? Wow, since when? If there was someone, you should have told me first.”“I haven’t talked to that person yet. It’s just in my mind.”“Really, hyung? When did you meet? Are they from England? Or a Korean woman?”The table became noisy, drawing attention from other tables. Then, Hajoon, who had been eating silently, stood up, cutting through the excited atmosphere.“Thanks for the meal. See you at afternoon training.”“Oh, uh, okay, Hajoon.”While Jungkyu was hastily saying goodbye, Hajoon walked away. One of the guys sitting next to Hajoon lowered his voice.“Seems like Hajoon, or Coach, doesn’t like this kind of talk.”“He’s not the type to enjoy gossip. You guys should be careful around him, especially with backtalk.”Watching Hajoon’s back, Mukyeom grew more satisfied. He was tight-lipped and disliked gossip.So, whatever happened between them would not leak out. There would be no more incidents like the photo leak. The more he thought about having a long-term relationship with Hajoon, the more perfect it seemed.Afternoon training began, and Mukyeom diligently participated. Players lined up for sprints from start to finish, dribbled through obstacles in a zigzag, and immediately passed the ball. Strikers, including Mukyeom, did separate speed training, and at the end, they had a practice match. During this, Hajoon recorded data or gave instructions, fully involved in the training.“Coach.”After training, players scattered to leave, but Hajoon stood there with his notebook, seemingly to review something. Mukyeom approached, and Hajoon turned his head expressionlessly.“What?”“My ankle’s been bothering me since the dribbling training.”Mukyeom feigned pain, and Hajoon’s eyes widened.“What?”“Can you check it out?”“I should. No, wait, not me, the medical team.”“Check it first. You know my ankle best.”At those words, Hajoon seemed to compose himself and nodded.“Sit down.”Mukyeom sat on the grass with his legs stretched out. Hajoon now touched Mukyeom’s leg without much hesitation. As his white hands gently pressed around the ankle, Mukyeom felt the same satisfaction he had felt before.“Coach.”“Yeah?”Hajoon responded mechanically without turning his face, focused as he was. Even though Mukyeom didn’t continue speaking, Hajoon didn’t seem to mind. Mukyeom narrowed his eyes, watching Hajoon’s profile.“Is the knee the problem…?”Hajoon mumbled, pressing along the long muscle on Mukyeom’s shin. Whether there was an issue or not, it was always painful there, making Mukyeom wince slightly. Hajoon’s hand reached the knee, and his thumb lightly pressed the inner thigh. His eyelashes fluttered silently as he concentrated on examining the leg.Could a simple palpation by a coach feel this sensual?“When someone calls you, look at them.”“Huh?”Only then did Hajoon turn his head to meet Mukyeom’s eyes. It seemed he suddenly realized Mukyeom was faking it before Mukyeom could say anything.Hajoon’s eyes widened in anger as he slapped Mukyeom’s thigh. A low scream escaped from Mukyeom.“Ah!”“You faker. Are you going to keep playing these games?”“If I don’t do this, you keep avoiding me.”Hajoon looked at him incredulously and retorted.“Why would I avoid you?”“That’s what I want to ask.”“We had lunch together earlier.”“I came close to avoid making it obvious I was avoiding you. It’s a kind of camouflage tactic.”“I’m by your side right now.”“That’s because you said you were in pain, and as a physical coach, I had no excuse to avoid it.”Hajoon sighed as if he was tired of this and brushed his hair back.“You, from the beginning, you said I wouldn’t touch you… You’re too paranoid about being a victim.”“Is it because of what happened that day?”Hajoon, who had lowered his head, looked up at Mukyeom with a similar accusatory gaze as before. Mukyeom continued undeterred.“You don’t have to act like nothing happened; it just makes it more awkward.”“What do you want me to do then? There’s no need to bring that up again now.”Hajoon stood up abruptly in anger and started walking. Mukyeom quickly got up to follow.“Did you hear what I said earlier?”“What?”“About wanting to settle down soon.”“Yeah. Good idea. If articles like this keep coming out, it’ll be a nuisance to the team.”Mukyeom blocked Hajoon’s path. Hajoon sighed in annoyance, looking away into the air. Ignoring this, Mukyeom asked his question.“About me having someone in mind?”“I heard because I have ears, but why keep bringing it up?”“Because you know the person.”At those words, Hajoon finally met Mukyeom’s eyes. There was a flash of undisguised curiosity in his eyes, but it was fleeting. He then furrowed his brows, looking as if to say, ‘Don’t mess around.’“I don’t know any women we both know well.”“It’s not a woman.”With Mukyeom’s short answer, Hajoon’s eyes widened in slight shock. He unconsciously licked his lips and, after a moment of silence, asked:“…Someone from our team?”“Yeah.”“You, with a man…”Hajoon cut himself off, but Mukyeom heard the unspoken words: ‘You said I was your first man.’At this point, he should understand, but Hajoon still didn’t seem to think Mukyeom was talking about him. The frown he had from not believing Mukyeom’s words earlier had now turned into a sort of gloomy expressionless face. Mukyeom was getting frustrated.“Aren’t you curious?”“About what?”“Aren’t you curious who it is?”“…I’m not interested. If you want an introduction, tell Jungkyu. He’s good at that stuff.”Mukyeom caught up beside Hajoon as he kept walking.“Are you being dense, or is this an act?”“What?”“Think about who from our team I might have in mind.”“I have no idea.”Have you ever seen such a liar? How can he not know after what we did a few days ago?Mukyeom, feeling a bit of anger rise, quickly called out to the man in front of him.“Lee Hajoon.”“What.”“It’s you.”“What?”“Get it. I’m talking about you.”At that, Hajoon’s steps halted abruptly. Mukyeom stopped too.By now, all the players and coaches would have gone inside, preparing to leave. They were the only ones on the empty field. Even though it was broad daylight, the surroundings felt eerily silent, as if all noise had ceased.Mukyeom was curious how Hajoon would react, but Hajoon just stood there looking ahead before he started walking again. Mukyeom was the one who was flustered. He chased after Hajoon, pressing him.“Why aren’t you answering?”Hajoon didn’t answer and walked faster, saying:“Don’t follow me.”“Coach, you’re too paranoid about being a victim. I have to go this way too.”They walked in silence, almost in competition, and even inside the building, they walked down the corridor side by side. Not far, Hajoon stopped in front of the coaches’ office. To get to the locker room, he’d have to walk further.Hajoon quickly reached for the door handle, but Mukyeom was faster. Mukyeom grabbed Hajoon’s wrist, and Hajoon pushed back, reaching for the handle again. Despite being an athlete, he didn’t yield as easily as expected. Mukyeom tugged at his arm again, speaking in a low voice:“Come with me while I’m being nice. You’re going to get hurt.”“You let go before you get hurt.”“Who said I’d do anything? I just want to talk. Why are you being so resistant?”Their breathing grew heavier. Like a battle of pride over a doorknob, one hand reached for it while the other tried to stop it.“…What are you guys doing?”Ironically, the door opened from the inside, and a coach came out. He looked at Hajoon and Mukyeom, who were now in a sort of arm-wrestling stance in the air, and scoffed.“I see you’ve gotten close, being the same age, but you’re not kids… Don’t play around in the hallway; go inside.”“Yes, you take care, Coach.”Hajoon quickly shook off Mukyeom’s hand and bowed. He then slipped into the office through the open door.“Lee Hajoon!”Mukyeom called out, but the door had already closed. Having missed his target right in front of him, Mukyeom furrowed his brows, made a frustrated sound in his throat, and headed towards the locker room. He had to change his clothes anyway.Once inside the office, Hajoon didn’t go to his usual spot but leaned against the door. Coach Jung, still there, looked at him curiously.“Coach Lee, why is your face like that?”“Huh?”“It’s not even summer, but your face is all red. Though, I guess the weather’s getting warm.”“Ah, yeah. Sometimes it’s like this.”Hajoon hurried to his spot, packing his bag with notes, files, pens, and other items. He realized he was stuffing everything from his desk into his bag in a frenzy.Shaking his head, he pulled out the misplaced items and took several deep breaths. Breathing is important for calming down. It’s something he learned while attending coaching classes and various rehabilitation classes for his own recovery and future teaching. When you need to calm down, whether it’s for yourself or a player, start by breathing properly.…It must be a joke or some other meaning. To talk about settling down with me when there’s a scandal with a woman today. It doesn’t make sense.Nothing was said after that one night until today, suddenly. It doesn’t make sense.