Second Half Chapter 15

Cielo, Spanish for sky. It was a nickname Aaron used to call him quite often. While it was a common endearment between lovers in Spain, even before they started dating, Aaron would often mutter that he looked like the sky whenever he saw him. What he said back then was exactly the same as now. That his smile looked just like the sky.

At this point, Jerim began to get confused as to whether Aaron was intentionally bringing up the past to tease him and gauge his reaction. It wasn’t as if he wanted to get back together with someone he had denounced as trash just yesterday.

And aside from the cringeworthy description about the sky after the rain, the sentence was closer to sarcasm. What crazy person in this world would tell an ex-boyfriend they wanted to win back that he’s handsome as long as he keeps his mouth shut, and call that a compliment?

Even if anyone else heard it as a compliment, it wasn’t as if Jerim was twisting a perfectly fine compliment just because he hated Aaron so much. Han-sung’s expression, which looked like his common sense had left the building, said as much. Han-sung, barely pulling himself together, gave a big thumbs-up.

“Haha! Th, Hyung… ah, no. Mr. Ban Jerim’s smiling face is indeed cool. I’m not sure about the sky part but… wow, you two seem so, clo, kkhm! You two seem to get along so well.”

Han-sung, did you stick a microphone in your brain? If the cameras hadn’t been there, he would have asked exactly that. But this was a video that would eventually be subtitled in seven languages and broadcast worldwide. Jerim constantly reminded himself of the cameras’ presence and suppressed the profanity threatening to burst out.

Several more questions followed after that. During that time, Jerim suffered three more electric shocks, while Aaron slipped through them all like an eel. As the filming showed signs of winding down, Jerim, filled with a petty spite born from not wanting to be the only one suffering, clung to Han-sung.

“Ah! It’s unfair for me to be the only one suffering. Ask him just one more question that can show him the bitter taste of an electric shock.”

“That’s only because Mr. Reyes answered everything honestly…”

Glaring at Han-sung with chilling eyes, Jerim mouthed the words: No monetization for my video. To that, Han-sung quickly changed his attitude and replied politely.

“Yes, sir! Then would you like to ask the question yourself, Mr. Ban Jerim?”

Jerim, finally getting the opportunity he wanted, rubbed his palms together. What kind of question should he throw to make this guy taste a jolting shock? Should he ask a question intended to screw him over? Something like… I have cheated before.

If he answered yes, he’d be criticized, and if he answered no, the red light would show, and he’d be criticized for that too. Since he could also show him the taste of the electric shock, it was killing two birds with one stone.

However, he eventually reached the conclusion that it would be like spitting on his own face and changed his mind. If a teammate got caught up in a scandal, it was a loss for the team as well. Besides, even for a variety show, it was obvious that asking such a private question would only result in Han-sung and the staff struggling to clean up the mess.

Then what question should he ask? An impulsive question flowed from Jerim’s mouth as he agonized over it. A headline he had read until his eyes felt like they would pop out on the way to the airport had suddenly come to mind.

“…There really was no particular reason why you decided on this transfer?”

That question, which he had put off because asking it seriously would hurt his pride, was brought out under the guise of variety while pretending to be lighthearted. He was also being kind after intending to openly mess with him. But Aaron actually clicked his tongue.

“I don’t think that’s a topic to ask while playing a game. You’re still so lacking in seriousness—Argh!”

While he was speaking, a loud buzzer sounded and Aaron’s smooth forehead creased. Watching Aaron pull his finger out in surprise, Jerim made a mysterious face. Judging by the way Aaron kept his mouth firmly shut as if displeased, he didn’t seem to have any intention of continuing the answer.

“Ah, time over! Still, our Mr. Ban Jerim got his wish fulfilled.”

So is there a reason or not? He asked, but he didn’t even get his money’s worth. Even though the original goal of “showing Aaron the bitter taste of an electric shock” had already been achieved, a sense of lingering regret welled up for some reason. It was a hollow feeling similar to what one feels when a match ends in a draw.

After ruminating on emotions he didn’t need to feel, Jerim realized that he was more curious about Aaron than he thought. Naturally, it was an unwelcome realization. Because he and Aaron were no longer in a relationship where they should be curious about each other. This was all just going to be a waste of time anyway.

‘…I shouldn’t have asked.’

Even the rush of familiar regret was a repetition of the past, so he once again suppressed and killed his curiosity.

Busy schedules continued even after the filming ended without hearing a proper answer. Thanks to the schedule that continued without even a moment to catch his breath, the unpleasant aftertaste was forgotten immediately.

Jerim, who had dinner earlier than usual for the open training starting at 7:00 PM, was dragged away again, saying he had to film a promotional video to be posted on the club’s SNS. Only after repeating a ridiculous motion—clinching both fists and shouting—several times was he finally released.

When he changed into his tracksuit and came out, his colleagues who had returned from finishing their respective schedules also began to gather one by one. Although everyone was soaked in fatigue, the atmosphere was good. Since it was an open training held before a light friendly match, no one seemed particularly nervous. Manager Verdi also encouraged the players, saying they shouldn’t train excessively and should just have fun focusing on fan service.

Before setting foot on the pitch, Jerim, standing at the very front, rotated his ankles and sneakily glanced behind him. The sight of Aaron wearing the same design tracksuit felt utterly foreign. When he ended his youth days at Tabarona, he thought he would never play in the same league as that guy again…

“Please prepare for entry.”

Just then, along with the announcement marking the start, a thunderous cheer began to be heard from outside. Jerim quickly cleared his stray thoughts and ran out onto the pitch. Even though it wasn’t an official match, the stands were packed with people. He often saw fans holding embarrassing banners.

Jerim expressed his sincere gratitude to the spectators chanting his name while waving both arms. Although the Korea tour itself was burdensome, he liked these kinds of events. Unless it was for an A-match, he didn’t get to meet fans from his home country often. Even in the middle of training, he often went near the stands to show himself warming up or to drink water.

Going out to drink water frequently was partly for fan service, but more accurately, it was a matter of survival. Even if it was evening, exercising in the sweltering heat and humidity caused his body to sag naturally. Water was essential even if only to prevent dehydration. His colleagues also panted and looked for water whenever they had a spare moment.

“It’s hot even though the sun went down.”

“Hey, I’m dying…”

“Take it easy. Drink a little water frequently.”

Jerim encouraged those colleagues while also being careful not to overdo it himself. It wasn’t even an impressive workout, yet sweat flowed like rain after just a few shooting practices. Clicking his tongue, Jerim stepped out of the line to drink water again.

He took the water bottle offered by a staff member and brought it to his mouth when a heavy forearm was placed on his shoulder again. A warm breath blew into his ear.

“Water for me too.”

“Ask the staff for it.”

He could guess who it was just by the shape of the tattoos on the arm, so he didn’t bother turning around to check. Jerim touched his unusually itchy ear and replied brusquely in a voice small enough not to reach the stands. Even then, his lips maintained a cheerful arc for the sole reason that the fans were watching.

When the two most popular players in Sefton shared a friendly shoulder-to-shoulder hug right near the stands, a hot reaction poured out. Jerim and Aaron, as if they had planned it, smiled brightly and waved their hands before continuing the conversation in ventriloquism.

“I’m not going to drink much. Didn’t you say to drink a little frequently? Just give me what you were drinking.”

“Now you’re even coveting my water?”

“Now you’re being stingy with water of all things? Captain-nim, please show some love to the newcomer.”

Saying so, Aaron glanced toward Manager Verdi. Judging by the way his eyes narrowed mischievously, it was a clear threat that he would tell the manager the captain was bullying him if he didn’t give him water. His ideas were more childish than a kindergartner’s, despite being nearly thirty.

“Fine, fine. Drink it. Drink your fill.”