Strategic Mating Partner Chapter 84

“While there are still many areas where I am lacking, I would be grateful if you could believe in my potential and cheer me on.”

There were reporters who asked Sejin questions about his training process or the source of his confidence(?), but most of the questions were about the team competition. As Sejin was already aware, the team competition’s strength was, frankly, at a level where it was difficult to expect a medal. The only one expected to be a medal contender in the individual competition was Sejin. However, as Taehyun had proven until now, medals were not always given according to world rankings, so they had hoped for a possible upset, but even that was not going well. Even securing a spot in the team competition was, in reality, a result led by Sejin as the main player, so the primary goal for now was just to avoid elimination in the preliminaries. Regardless, Sejin finished the interview with a calm demeanor.

“……”

Taehyun suddenly found that Sejin unfamiliar. The Sejin he knew was an immature, whining, and ill-mannered brat who was hard to communicate with, so seeing him stand before the reporters with a rather serious and mature attitude, answering questions, felt very awkward. Of course, Sejin must have seen and learned things while being dragged around here and there during the past four years that Taehyun did not know about, so it would be natural for him to know how to speak appropriately for the situation. Still, it felt strange, as if Sejin had grown up so much while Taehyun had remained in the same place.

“……”

Did he perhaps feel Taehyun’s blatant stare? Sejin, who had just taken his mouth off the microphone, glanced in Taehyun’s direction. Taehyun immediately turned his head, lest he be caught on camera. That’s enough. Let’s not think strange thoughts and just mentally prepare for the introduction video we have to film later. Thinking this, Taehyun looked at the reporters with a serene smile.

“Alright, then, shall just athlete Sung Taehyun-nim and athlete Joo Sejin-nim move separately now?”

As soon as the press meeting ended, the filming crew, who had been waiting in advance, escorted Sejin and Taehyun. The filming time would be about an hour or two at most, and it would not take that long since it was in a format where they would visit the public facilities used by other athletes for training and give a simple introduction. Taehyun stood in front of the camera and naturally led Sejin.

“Was this athlete Joo Sejin-nim’s second time entering the Jincheon National Training Center?”

At the neat yet calm formal language, as if addressing a stranger for the first time, Sejin’s heart pounded without him realizing it. It was a side of him he had never been shown before, one he had only seen on television. Perhaps noticing that Sejin almost showed a dazed reaction for a moment, Taehyun quickly drew the camera’s attention.

“Ah, that over there is the visitor center. The athletes’ village is fundamentally a facility for the training of national athletes, but sometimes when there are events, it is also opened to the general public, and there are also facilities where the families of training athletes can rest.”

In the meantime, Sejin, who had barely come to his senses, followed behind Taehyun with short steps. Fortunately, it was only awkward at the beginning and he fumbled a bit; Sejin soon adapted to the proceedings without much difficulty.

“This is where the ice rink training facility is located. This year is the Summer Olympics, so the winter sports are not being held this year, but there are still people training right now to prepare for numerous international competitions such as the World Championships.”

Just as they opened the door and went in, figure skaters preparing for an upcoming international competition could be seen. Taehyun naturally waved and exchanged greetings with the athletes. Sejin watched the seamless process that flowed like water, and feeling as if his expression might stiffen without him knowing, he forced the corners of his mouth up. In addition to that, throughout their tour of various facilities such as the rowing training center and the outdoor tennis courts, Sejin had to go through a crisis of managing his expression several times due to the endless stream of acquaintances who recognized Taehyun.

‘Why on earth does he know so many people.’

It was genuinely astonishing. But still, it had been okay so far. It was because he felt that he was, after all, the one with the closest relationship. No matter how strong a friendship Taehyun had with them, it could not compare to a relationship where they had slept together. He had ignored it, confident in that thought, but. The moment they entered the physical training center to show off its new equipment, a problem arose.

“Gasp, it’s Taehyun hyung! What are you filming?”

The person he had thought had managed to skip out on this training session because he was not seen at the rowing training center was lying in wait at the physical training center. It was not just that he suddenly cut in front of the camera, but his unreserved attitude of casually slinging an arm around Taehyun’s shoulders—grab—flustered Taehyun as well. Then, his arm naturally came down to the waist and held Taehyun’s body firmly. On the surface, it looked like a trivial contact between two men, but to Sejin, the blatant personal interest was clearly readable.

“Uh, it’s media day today, so we were filming a video introducing the facilities.”

“Ah, right! It was today, wasn’t it? Whoa, I’m sorry. I didn’t suddenly interrupt, did I?”

Ahn Jimin asked as he took a startled step back. He could not bring himself to say yes to his face, but that was the case. Taehyun glanced slightly at Sejin. The guy who had been continuing the shoot with a quite calm and composed attitude until just a moment ago was now staring at Taehyun with eyes blazing as if he would devour someone.

‘Gasp.’

Taehyun quickly moved away from Jimin and tried to manage the situation.

“We don’t have much time for filming, so we need to wrap this up a bit quickly, you know? Could you just give a simple word of introduction about the facility?”

Let’s finish this and tell him we have to leave quickly. Taehyun made up his mind and handed over the microphone, but what was this. It seemed his intention was conveyed incorrectly to Sejin, as his gaze burned even more fiercely. Jimin, unaware of Sejin’s state, grinned from ear to ear and slung his arm over Taehyun’s shoulder again, greeting the camera.

“Hello, this is a training facility equipped with weight machines and cardio equipment, where athletes can build their basic physical strength. Numerous national athletes, including myself, are shedding blood and sweat here, laying the foundation for our event-specific training!”

As soon as Jimin took the microphone for that brief moment, Sejin cut in and snatched the camera’s attention.

“We can’t interrupt the athlete’s training, so let’s move over there. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Then, he calmly took the cameraman and went to the opposite side where Jimin was not visible. Taehyun, going ‘uh, uh,’ quickly brushed off Jimin’s arm as he moved his feet to follow the staff who were moving in a group. He had left it awkwardly because they were in front of the camera; if they had not been, he would have immediately knocked it away. Surely he is not misunderstanding because of this, right? Taehyun wanted to believe so, but Sejin’s expression had subtly changed.

‘Hah…’

Why did it have to overlap with the time Jimin was training. What bad luck. Taehyun ignored the throbbing headache that was already starting and continued with the filming.

🤺

Fortunately, after that, everything went smoothly without any further unexpected situations. It was not a shoot that required great hosting skills, so thankfully, it wrapped up smoothly. The problem was… that Sejin’s attitude seemed to have become very subtly chilly since Jimin’s sudden interruption.

‘Is it just my imagination…’

Taehyun wanted to believe that he was just being overly conscious, but unfortunately, by the time the filming was nearing its end, he became certain that it was not. As if to get revenge for Taehyun starting his comments as if addressing a stranger, he finished the shoot with a distant attitude and left the training ground without any particular goodbye. Of course, this was after he had seen off the filming crew. So, this was purely a display of dissatisfaction towards Taehyun.

“……”

No, what am I supposed to do if you get sulky over there. A crooked thought came to Taehyun’s mind again, but he soon shook his head. No…. The relationship had already become a mess, but they had agreed not to look elsewhere while they were mating partners, so even if it was Jimin’s one-sided skinship, it might have been a situation where Sejin had a right to be displeased. That is, if Jimin and he really had that kind of vibe between them. Hah…. Taehyun made a displeased face again.

Would I date him? In this situation? Honestly, if there was a possibility, it would be more with him, so it was absurd who was getting jealous of whom. In the end, considering his current pheromone levels and the necessity to meet Sejin, talk things out properly, and do that thing…, Taehyun quickly sent a message to Sejin.

3:41 PM

I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I’m not in any special relationship with that guy from earlier.

However, no reply came from Sejin even after an hour. Is he protesting against me right now? Taehyun, feeling resentful, drew his lips into a straight line and glared at the screen before sending another message.

4:58 PM

Do you have any plans after training this evening?