Ball-Boy Tactics Chapter 10 - Special Extra

The host country for this year’s Asian Games, held every four years, was Thailand.

The basketball stadium, built specifically for this event, was massive, visibly reflecting the significant financial investment put into it. Its seating capacity was far beyond that of most other venues.

Inside that grand stadium, half the audience was waving Korean flags, creating a breathtaking sight. Watching the beautiful wave of white flowing through the stands, memories of my own days as a player, which now seemed so far away, kept coming to mind.

As I gazed at the sea of flags, I clasped my hands and prayed.

“Please, let no one get injured.”

I earnestly prayed for the players racing across the basketball court, especially Kwon Jungwoo, Byun Seungjin, and Yang Euno, hoping they would stay safe. I don’t follow any religion, but in that moment, I wished for every god listening to my prayer to help me.

It felt like just yesterday that the three had joined a professional basketball team, but now they had shed their rookie labels and become key players, even achieving the honor of being selected for the national team this year.

When Kwon Jungwoo first heard the news of his selection, he reacted nonchalantly, as if it were expected. Yang Euno, on the other hand, estimated how much his market value would increase, while Byun Seungjin excitedly photoshopped himself next to an old picture of me in my national team uniform. The photoshopped image, proudly posted on social media, garnered an overwhelming number of likes and comments, but was soon taken down under pressure from Kwon Jungwoo. Spending time with them, who were always full of energy no matter how much they trained, was still both enjoyable and exhausting for me.

Watching those three, who still seemed more like playful kids than national representatives, I sometimes wondered how young I must have seemed when I wore the national team title as a teenager.

And now, those who seemed like eternal college students to me were dominating this grand stadium.

When I graduated from university, I thought the three would never play together on the same court again, but seeing them now shaking up the basketball arena made me feel emotional. I didn’t turn down the offer when Kwon Jungwoo sent me a ticket to the finals because I wanted to see this with my own eyes. Normally, I avoid going to games to prevent my presence from affecting Kwon Jungwoo, but this time I allowed myself to be a bit selfish. And throughout the game, I constantly thought how glad I was to have come.

“Woaaaah—!”

Suddenly, a cheer erupted from the Korean section. An Australian player, unable to get past Kwon Jungwoo’s tight defense, hesitated, giving Byun Seungjin the chance to successfully steal the ball. Our players quickly repositioned and launched a counterattack. Dribbling down the court, Byun Seungjin passed the ball to Yang Euno, who was closest to the hoop, and he made the shot. The atmosphere was so heated that I could feel the indoor temperature rise compared to the beginning of the game.

The reason for such excitement was partly because this was the finals.

The match was a constant back-and-forth, fitting for a showdown between powerhouses. Just when it seemed like one side was pulling ahead, the momentum would shift, and the lead would change in an instant. Basketball is one of those sports where you can never let your guard down, no matter the score difference.

Although there wasn’t much time left in the game and we were trailing by seven points, the recent goal narrowed the gap to five, giving Korea another chance to turn things around. I didn’t know how many times I had nervously wrung my clothes, my palms sweating as I clasped them tightly in front of my chest.

The Australian players seemed equally anxious. As they passed the ball between themselves, a miscommunication occurred, and our team successfully stole the ball again. The momentum had already shifted in our favor, and the players seized the opportunity to launch another counterattack. The time dropped below a minute. 53 seconds, 52 seconds, 51 seconds… We were racing against the clock, but a miscue between the players caused the ball to slip out of bounds, almost rolling out of play.

Then, Kwon Jungwoo threw himself after it. Snatching the ball mid-air, he passed it to Yang Euno before tumbling out of bounds. His determination to get the ball was palpable, and the crowd erupted in thunderous applause. Kwon Jungwoo’s fearless style of play was both his strength and the pride of his fans.

Yang Euno, who received the pass, didn’t get greedy and safely shot a 2-pointer. About 40 seconds remained, and we were now just three points behind Australia.

Kwon Jungwoo quickly shook off his fall and rejoined the team as if he felt no pain. He immediately focused on the game again, shouting and communicating with the other players. I wished he would at least check himself for injuries, but it seemed like that wasn’t even on his mind.

Kwon Jungwoo never holds back during a game, and that worried me. There was no way he wasn’t hurt after that fall. No matter how strong his stamina was, if he wanted a long career, he needed to learn how to take care of his body. If he kept pushing himself like this, problems were bound to arise later on.

He always insisted he was fine, but whenever I saw the occasional blue bruise on his body, it felt like my heart was being torn to pieces.

Even now, his knees were visibly red and scraped from the court, but Kwon Jungwoo seemed unfazed. Relentlessly sticking to an Australian player, he successfully drew a foul, forcing the referee to blow the whistle.

Kwon Jungwoo was awarded two free throws, and the clock stopped.

While the Korean crowd fell silent, the opposing side erupted in boos, trying to break Kwon Jungwoo’s concentration.

But, unfazed, Kwon Jungwoo confidently sank both shots, shifting the crowd’s energy dramatically. Even though we were still one point behind, the entire Korean crowd erupted as if we had already secured the gold medal. Meanwhile, Kwon Jungwoo, remaining calm in the midst of the excitement, urged the other players to stay composed. That moment would later be remembered as one of the iconic scenes of the Asian Games.

As soon as the game resumed, Australia called for a timeout. With only 19 seconds left, their intention was clear: to break the momentum Korea had built.

During the timeout, the big screen in the stadium showed the players focusing on the coach’s instructions. When the camera zoomed in on Kwon Jungwoo, cheers erupted from various parts of the stadium. He stood there, eyes locked on the coach, occasionally wiping the sweat dripping from his chin with the back of his hand.

The game quickly resumed. An Australian player dribbled forward slowly while our players closed in to apply pressure. There was no room for rash moves; one wrong step and a foul whistle could widen the score gap and eat up precious time.

It wasn’t just our players who were hesitant to make any sudden moves—the opposing players were equally cautious, afraid they might lose the ball and get counterattacked.

Time passed relentlessly. 8 seconds, 7 seconds, 6 seconds, 5 seconds…

And right at that moment, Kwon Jungwoo stole the ball.

He cleanly snatched it without giving the opposing team any chance to complain and immediately turned around, sprinting toward the Australian side. Time was running out. As soon as Kwon Jungwoo crossed the half-court line, he leaped into the air. His hand released the ball as he soared high. Every eye in the stadium followed the arc of the ball, flying toward the hoop. The entire scene felt like it was unfolding in slow motion, except for the scoreboard rapidly counting down.

3… 2… 1… Beep.

Swish.

Just as the buzzer sounded, the basketball was sucked into the net. The arena, which had been deathly quiet, exploded with cheers in an instant. It was a thunderous roar, unlike anything I had ever experienced before. The stands, filled with people passionately waving the Korean flag in joy, turned into chaos. The fact that the game-winning moment was a buzzer-beater made it impossible not to be excited.

Kwon Jungwoo, who had scored from half-court, clenched his fist and roared in triumph as his teammates rushed to embrace him. Above the celebrating players, the scoreboard displayed the final score of 88-86. It was the moment South Korea secured the gold medal and the moment Kwon Jungwoo earned his military exemption.

I was immensely grateful that this thrilling match, which kept me on the edge of my seat, was the Asian Games final. The entire nation must have watched Kwon Jungwoo’s outstanding performance live. Of course, the other players did exceptionally well too, but today’s game showcased that Kwon Jungwoo was undeniably an indispensable part of the team. I was overjoyed that he had proven his dedication to so many people through this game.

“Kwon Jungwoo is the best!”

“Please, make sure to tell him he did amazing today and congratulations on the gold medal!”

People around me, still waving the Korean flag with teary eyes, asked me with heartfelt enthusiasm. One person gave me double thumbs up, and the people seated nearby reached out for high-fives. Even though I was just an ordinary Korean citizen like them, they treated me as if I had raised and nurtured Kwon Jungwoo, which made me feel incredibly awkward.

“Oh… uh, yes, thank you.”

At first, no one realized I was sitting here. I was able to watch the game comfortably without attracting attention, but during the first quarter, I was caught on the big screen, staring blankly into space, and my location was broadcast to the entire nation.

I was startled to see myself suddenly on the screen, but unfortunately, Yang Euno had noticed. Still on the court, he pointed at me and burst into laughter, which only drew more attention. I could bet everything I had that the clip was already circulating on social media by now.

As the medals were awarded on a makeshift podium, the national anthem played, the players received their gold medals, and commemorative photos were taken. While the opposing team’s supporters left the stadium, our country’s fans remained, proudly watching the athletes who had brought honor to Korea, savoring the moment.

I was no different. I couldn’t take my eyes off Kwon Jungwoo, the most impressive figure among the tall players, whose striking looks were obvious even from behind.

At some point, Kwon Jungwoo broke away from the group of players and began walking in my direction. He easily hopped over the LED advertisement boards around the court, and the crowd erupted in cheers as if they had been waiting for this moment. Waving kindly to the audience, Kwon Jungwoo finally stopped in front of me, his neck adorned with the shining gold medal.

Even though all eyes were on us, we only looked at each other. He was drenched in sweat, radiating intense heat, and I wanted nothing more than to pull him into my arms right then and there.

I wondered if Kwon Jungwoo felt the same way… Surely, he wasn’t thinking of hugging me here, was he?

Knowing his tendency to act unpredictably, I felt both excited and nervous at the thought.

Kwon Jungwoo smirked, raising the corners of his mouth, as if he had no idea about my concerns.

“Thanks for coming.”

Without any hesitation, he took off his jersey. Though he was wearing a tight black undershirt underneath, which hid his bare skin, his muscular upper body became more defined without the jersey covering it. As the crowd screamed so loudly it seemed the stadium might collapse, Kwon Jungwoo took a step closer to me and draped the jersey over my shoulders. Locking eyes with me, unable to speak, he then kissed the gold medal hanging around his neck.

“It’s really tough trying to get matching items with Han Jiwon.”

“…”

“I’ll call you later. Get home safe.”

Before I could say anything, completely frozen from the overwhelming display of affection, Kwon Jungwoo ruffled my hair, lightly tapped my cheek, and walked away. As he followed the team off the court, the warmth of his body and the scent of his sweat lingered on the loose jersey he had placed over my short-sleeved shirt.

Just before he left the arena, Kwon Jungwoo turned back and waved. Unlike the other players, who were fully dressed in their uniforms, his defined upper body was visible in just the black undershirt. It was so distracting that I had to resist the urge to grab the live-streaming camera and shout to the world that this incredibly sexy man was my boyfriend.

Looking at Kwon Jungwoo’s confident expression, I suddenly had a strong feeling. With his talent and determination to succeed, that basketball prodigy would undoubtedly rise to the top of the world.

No one would be able to stop Kwon Jungwoo on the court.

…Or so I thought…

The certainty was shattered not long after.

No matter how hard Kwon Jungwoo tried, there was one person he could never beat in basketball.

It was truly unbelievable.

***

“You practiced so hard in Korea, and even here in Thailand, you’ve been on the court every day. Don’t you get tired of holding a basketball even during breaks?”

It was the day after the final game, and we were on a date, with a few days of free time before the closing ceremony.

Byun Seungjin and Yang Eunoh joined us for a sightseeing trip, and we stumbled upon a small outdoor basketball court. I thought we’d just pass by, but when we found a stray basketball, they suggested a 2-on-2 game, including me.

Since it was only the day after the final, they should have been tired, but the three players were already excitedly bouncing the ball.

Kwon Jungwoo was no exception. After pressing down on the ball a few times, he laughed, saying he felt up to it.

So I asked if he ever got tired of basketball, and Yang Eunoh tilted his head as if my question didn’t make sense.

“A game is a game, practice is practice, and this is just playtime.”

“Is it really that different?”

“Of course. Just because you handle cameras for work, does that mean you don’t take photos with your phone when you’re off?”

“I do. Oh…”

“Exactly, it’s the same.”

“Wow, great analogy, Yang Eunoh.”

With Byun Seungjin’s praise, the four of us gathered in the middle of the court. We were simply dividing into teams, but their towering heights already made me feel overwhelmed. There was no way I could outplay them and score a point. I already felt sorry for whoever would end up on my team.

We put our hands together and flipped them to decide the teams. The poor player who ended up on my team was…

“Ready to serve, Captain Chick! Chirp chirp!”

It was Byun Seungjin.

Clearly still thrilled about his military exemption, he would salute every chance he got, bringing his hand to his eyebrow and playfully waving.

Yang Eunoh gave Kwon Jungwoo, who was now his teammate, an approving look, nodding as if this was a teammate he could accept. Meanwhile, Kwon Jungwoo glanced at me with a shrug, as if to say it couldn’t be helped.

“Jiwon, sorry, but I don’t know how to go easy on someone when it comes to basketball.”

He scrunched his nose mischievously, and I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. I liked this shameless side of Kwon Jungwoo. His sportsmanship, refusing to take it easy on an amateur in his professional sport, made him all the more appealing.

His recently trimmed bangs danced at the edge of his eyelashes. How could Kwon Jungwoo be so lovable in every little way?

“It’s fine. I don’t intend to go easy either.”

We were probably going to lose, but sports were all about attitude.

When I hinted at my competitive streak, the three basketball players laughed and exaggerated their reactions. Especially Kwon Jungwoo, who laughed so hard his eyes scrunched up tightly. It was clear from his expression that his laughter came from genuine affection for me.

Byun Seungjin, who had been clapping and laughing beside me, suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke up. His eyes still glistened from laughing so hard.

“Ah, seriously, Han Jiwon, you’re so cute. Ugh, I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt. So, what should we bet? Just playing isn’t fun.”

“How about the losing team buys mango sticky rice?”

“Whoa, yeah! I’m in.”

And so, our 2-on-2 game began.

Despite the bold start, I ended up just standing around on the court. The players were so fast that by the time I tried to move, the ball had already gone somewhere else. It just happened again. I was chasing after Kwon Jungwoo, who was dribbling towards me, but he changed direction in an instant, leaving me standing there alone.

By the time I blinked, the ball was already going through the hoop, and by the next blink, someone else had it. I was too busy admiring their quick reflexes to keep up.

“Jiwon, what are you doing? Don’t just stand there, bite their arms off if you have to!”

Byun Seungjin was yelling out of frustration, urging me to foul them if necessary.

I knew we were unlikely to win, but I hadn’t expected not even to touch the basketball.

I had to do something for Byun Seungjin, who was struggling alone, but what could I do against national team players? As Kwon Jungwoo dribbled towards me, I anxiously watched him and, without thinking, extended my hands. It was like a child silently asking for the ball.

And then…

Kwon Jungwoo, who was charging at full speed, passed the ball to me.

“Huh?”

“What the…?”

“Huh?”

“…”

Why is this in my hands…?

I stood there staring at the basketball that had somehow landed in my hands, and then I threw it to Byun Seungjin. He easily scored with it.

As Byun Seungjin started celebrating behind me, Yang Eunoh walked over to Kwon Jungwoo.

“Hey, what was that? Why did you give them the ball?”

“…Did I just do that?”

Kwon Jungwoo looked bewildered, glancing back and forth between his empty hands and me. Byun Seungjin, having finished a lap around the court, saw this and started laughing.

“Nice steal! That was a great play. If you get the ball again, pass it to me right away! Got it?”

“Uh-huh.”

I agreed, but I didn’t think Kwon Jungwoo would make the same mistake again. Still, I figured I had nothing to lose, so during the next play, I extended my hands toward Kwon Jungwoo again…

And…

“……”

“……”

Kwon Jungwoo, who had been sprinting, passed the ball to me once again.

All I did was raise my arms, yet somehow the ball naturally stuck to me as if drawn by a magnet.

“Kwon Jungwoo, are you seriously flirting while playing basketball?”

“Does this look like flirting to you?”

Yang Eunoh was the one getting annoyed, but Kwon Jungwoo scolded him instead. Yang Eunoh, looking incredulous, rolled up his short sleeves to his shoulders.

“So, passing the ball to the opposing team isn’t flirting? What is it then? Why do you keep giving him the ball?”

“Jiwon asked for it.”

“What?”

“How could I not give him the ball when he’s looking at me like that, asking for it? Are you a psychopath or something?”

It wasn’t a very convincing argument, but his serious expression suggested he meant it.

Yang Eunoh, sensing this, shook his head in disbelief.

“This guy’s completely lost it. He’s turned into a love-struck fool. This is the worst.”

I couldn’t hold back my laughter at Yang Eunoh’s muttering. While laughing, I passed the ball to Byun Seungjin, and thanks to that, our team managed to score two more points.

“Nice, Han Jiwon!”

While Byun Seungjin celebrated his second victory dance, the two tall opponents silently stared at the bouncing hoop. Looking at the back of the one I loved, I was sure. It seemed I might be the only person Kwon Jungwoo couldn’t beat at basketball.

Despite claiming he didn’t know how to go easy on people, his instinctive actions to fulfill my requests made my heart race.

What am I going to do with this adorable man?

While I seriously pondered that, Byun Seungjin, done with his celebration, tossed the ball back to Yang Eunoh.

“You guys start. Hurry up.”

“Are we really going to keep playing like this? There’s kind of a problem, don’t you think?”

Yang Eunoh stood with the basketball tucked under his arm, gesturing toward Kwon Jungwoo with his chin. It seemed like he was addressing him, but Kwon Jungwoo was just looking at me.

“What problem? I don’t see any.”

Kwon Jungwoo, who had been shamelessly passing me the ball, asked with a straight face. A moment ago, he had been confused, but now he seemed to be enjoying the situation.

“I’m fine, so let’s keep going. Can we play until midnight? I kind of want to keep going forever because you’re so cute when you ask for the ball. How are you so adorably childlike?”

“…”

“Han Jiwon, just ask if you need the ball again. Even if I’m dunking, I’ll pass it to you.”

“Hey, should we get his brain checked or something? How is the national team doing with him like this? He probably needs some kind of treatment.”

Yang Eunoh mocked, nodding towards Kwon Jungwoo, but it seemed his words didn’t reach him at all. His eyes, filled with pure love, were embarrassingly focused solely on me.

So, I awkwardly apologized to Eunoh.

“Sorry, Eunoh. I’ll play fair from now on, no more cheating. That was pretty cheap of me.”

“No need for such a serious apology.”

I was just kidding.

He whispered slyly, winking as he spoke. Even if he had been serious, I doubted Kwon Jungwoo would’ve reacted any differently, but I nodded, feeling relieved.

As we resumed the game, I kept my promise not to reach out to Kwon Jungwoo. At first, he seemed disappointed, but soon, he began scoring fiercely. The only one struggling was Byun Seungjin. Though he was a national team player, it was a challenge for him to face both Kwon Jungwoo and Yang Eunoh alone.

I couldn’t even think about getting involved in any physical play, so I just stood back and watched them. All I could do was wait for the ball to somehow roll my way—though that seemed unlikely.

At some point, though, Byun Seungjin, who was struggling to break through the two of them, called out to me.

“Captain!”

Then, he passed me the ball. The throw was so accurate that it landed right in front of my chest.

Was he expecting me to take it all the way to the hoop…?

It was a reasonable expectation, but it felt like an overwhelming request. As I dribbled a few times, unsure of what to do, Kwon Jungwoo approached me. Yang Eunoh stayed back, marking Byun Seungjin. I found myself in an unexpected one-on-one situation with Kwon Jungwoo, and my nerves shot through the roof.

Kwon Jungwoo, now fully focused on the game, locked eyes with me, but I knew he wasn’t just watching my eyes—he was reading all of my movements to predict my next move. Even though it was just a friendly game with mango rice on the line, his sharp, intense gaze showed that he was in serious mode. How was I supposed to get past this towering figure who seemed as imposing as Baekdu Mountain?

“What do I do…?”

I muttered without thinking.

Instantly, the intensity drained from Kwon Jungwoo’s expression. His sharp eyes softened, his eyebrows relaxed, and eventually, he smiled brightly.

“What do you mean, what do you do? You just go right past me. Was that really so hard?”

With that, he even stepped aside, clearing a path for me. The tension that had been radiating from his whole body disappeared, leaving only love.

Seeing him not only make way but even guide me, I hesitantly followed the path he opened. Kwon Jungwoo kept matching my pace, offering verbal support.

“One step, two steps, bounce the ball, yes, that’s it. Another step, two steps, bounce it again—”

“I’m done with this.”

Yang Eunoh grumbled as he left the court, but Kwon Jungwoo remained fixated on me, while Byun Seungjin, arms crossed, kept a wary eye on him. Yang Eunoh stopped short, realizing no one was trying to bring him back, and reluctantly returned.

“If this keeps up, why don’t we just give Jiwon a handicap? Like letting him play with his feet or even use a weapon!”

“No, no, that’s unnecessary. I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me earlier, but now I’ll behave properly. Jungwoo, let’s stop fooling around.”

I extended my hand to Kwon Jungwoo, offering a handshake. He grinned and eagerly grabbed my hand tightly.

“I wasn’t joking though.”

“…But still, you have to follow the rules. This isn’t fair play.”

“It’s fine. Jiwon, if it’s you, you can break all my rules.”

“Jungwoo.”

“Alright.”

While we reached a dramatic compromise, Byeon Seungjin approached Yang Eunoh with a displeased look.

“Yang Eunoh, are you just being this difficult because you don’t want to buy us mango sticky rice? We’re already more than 20 points ahead, and you’re acting so petty over losing a few points. It’s really annoying and pathetic.”

“You think I want to act like this? Why do you think I’m even here in Thailand?”

Yang Eunoh brushed his hair back, looking serious. His expression hinted at something more important than just playing in the Asian Games, drawing the attention of the three of us. Then, as if he had been waiting for this moment, Yang Eunoh put on a dramatic, sorrowful face.

“I came here… to eat mango sticky rice that someone else bought for me.”

“I knew you’d say some nonsense.”

Byeon Seungjin grumbled without even bothering to laugh. I started to worry another argument might break out, but fortunately, when the game resumed, the lighthearted atmosphere returned. As Yang Eunoh charged forward with the ball, Byeon Seungjin blocked his way and, just like I had earlier, held his hands out politely.

“Please.”

But Yang Eunoh was merciless.

“No, get lost.”

He easily bypassed Byeon Seungjin and scored. As Kwon Jungwoo and Yang Eunoh exchanged high fives, Byeon Seungjin stood off to the side, sweating and leaning on his knees, looking exhausted. He hadn’t done anything wrong except for being stuck with these teammates, and seeing him struggle in a foreign country made me feel guilty. Could he have been upset earlier because of me?

Feeling bad, I decided I should stop watching and finally jump in to help. It seemed like the least I could do to support him.

At that moment, Kwon Jungwoo was dribbling the ball forward. With Byeon Seungjin on defense, I saw a chance to sneak in and steal the ball while Jungwoo hesitated. I ran toward him, knowing he was unaware of my approach. He was probably assuming I was still just standing off to the side. Confident, I closed the gap, waiting for the perfect moment to swipe the ball.

Byeon Seungjin reached out to steal it, prompting Kwon Jungwoo to switch the ball to his other hand. That’s when I made my move — I was close enough to grab the ball, just as it passed through his blind spot.

But then—thud.

Kwon Jungwoo, instinctively protecting the ball, shoved me away with his shoulder. It was a reflex. Just because I went for the ball, his body reacted as if on autopilot, pushing me with enough force to send me sprawling to the ground.

“Han Jiwon!”

As I rolled on the court, Kwon Jungwoo yelled, quickly tossing the ball aside and kneeling next to me. He cupped my face in his hands, worry plastered all over his face.

“Are you okay?”

His wide eyes and stiff expression showed just how much he had panicked. I’d never seen him so shaken before. From his shocked face alone, I could tell he hadn’t meant to push me. It was just his natural aggressive playing style — the kind of hustle you’d expect from a basketball player like Kwon Jungwoo.

Just as his instincts kicked in during the play, my body reacted too, shielding my head as I hit the ground, so I wasn’t badly injured. Although my body was sore, I figured I might have a few scrapes here and there.

Still, the way the three guys stood over me, all looking horrified, was a bit overwhelming. They were acting like something much worse had happened.

“Sorry for making it hard for you to focus on basketball. Jungwoo, you’re really strong, though. I flew pretty far, didn’t I?”

“Don’t move. Stay still.”

I tried to lighten the mood and started to get up, but Kwon Jungwoo gently pushed me back down and began inspecting my body for injuries. His face grew more serious every time he found a scrape, so I didn’t need to look to know where my wounds were.

Yang Eunoh, who had rushed over in a panic too, stepped back once he saw my injuries weren’t serious. Byeon Seungjin, on the other hand, was so fired up he couldn’t calm down.

“Are you insane, Kwon Jungwoo? Who do you think you are, shoving Jiwon like that? Huh? You’ve scratched our country’s treasure! You want to go to jail? How are you going to fix these wounds? Damn it, you better take responsibility! No, you know what, don’t! Just break up! Right here in front of me, break up!”

“Hey, it’s just a couple of scratches. Not even enough for a bandage. Stop overreacting and pack your stuff. We’re in public, you’re embarrassing us. Jiwon! Get up already.”

“Eunoh… I want to, but Jungwoo won’t let me….”

“We need an ambulance.”

Kwon Jungwoo muttered quietly. This made Byeon Seungjin, who had been yelling at the top of his lungs, cover his eyes, saying he couldn’t bear to look at the injuries. Meanwhile, Yang Eunoh sighed, resting his head in his hand. Amid the chaos, I lay there, staring at the sky, feeling incredibly awkward. Yet somehow, I was relieved that Byeon Seungjin no longer seemed upset with me.

The commotion was so great that more tourists and locals gathered, increasing the number of onlookers. After a long time spent lying down, persuading the basketball players that they weren’t here just for sightseeing but representing South Korea, they finally stood up.

Byeon Seungjin and Yang Eunoh returned to the national team’s lodging, while Kwon Jungwoo helped me back to my hotel. The mood was so somber that he even offered to carry me all the way to my room, which I refused with much difficulty. Ironically, I felt fine—so fine that I almost forgot I was injured during the taxi ride, but Kwon Jungwoo couldn’t stop fussing over me.

“I’m sorry, Jiwon.”

Inside the elevator on the way to my room, Kwon Jungwoo apologized for what felt like the 72nd time. He kept saying sorry, and not once was it playful. His words carried weight, making me feel how deeply he meant it.

So, I continued to reassure him with all my heart.

“It’s really okay. You know this happens in games sometimes, right? It’s proof of how focused you were on basketball. I’m not in pain at all anymore, so don’t worry. Honestly, I feel sorry for the other players who have to go against you. Is there anyone who can actually get past your defense?”

“What do you mean? Who do you feel sorry for? One of the players who played with me?”

Because the hotel hallway was carpeted, there wasn’t even the sound of footsteps. Maybe that’s why I could so clearly sense the slight change in Kwon Jungwoo’s tone. His jealousy had already begun to grow, so I quickly answered before it could get out of hand.

“I mean, anyone who tries to steal the ball from you has to be prepared to take a hit, right? I wasn’t singling anyone out, just saying… I think it must be intimidating to play against you.”

Standing at my room door, I swiped the key card, and the light blinked, signaling it was unlocked. Just as I grabbed the handle to open the door, Kwon Jungwoo apologized again.

“Sorry.”

“…”

I paused for a moment, then took his wrist and pulled him inside.

The suite I’d been staying in for a few days had a large living room with floor-to-ceiling windows, making the room bright. It felt like the clearest, cleanest sunlight was shining directly on Kwon Jungwoo. The soft light bathed his handsome face, making him glow with innocence. Even after apologizing, his eyes still held guilt as he looked down at me. This was the first time I’d ever seen Kwon Jungwoo, who was usually so bold and cheeky, looking like this.

It wasn’t intentional, and I wasn’t even in pain anymore—so what was the big deal? Why was Kwon Jungwoo making such a fuss over this small injury?

“I wasn’t saying all that to make you apologize. I just wanted to tell you… that you were really amazing. You were so cool, Jungwoo.”

I cupped his face with both hands and looked into his eyes. Responding to my gesture, Kwon Jungwoo lowered his head, bringing his lips to mine. We kissed softly at first, but as our lips opened more, his tongue gently slipped in. Our kiss deepened as we tilted our heads, exploring each other more passionately.

Before I knew it, Kwon Jungwoo’s arms were around my back and the back of my head, pulling me closer. My body leaned backward slightly as his intensity grew. At one point, I lost my balance and stumbled, but it was just a small step backward. Still, Kwon Jungwoo quickly pulled away.

“Did that hurt?”

“No, not at all.”

I answered quickly, trying to kiss him again, but he held me by the shoulders and shook his head.

“Go wash up. We need to put ointment on those injuries.”

“I think I’ll be fine without it for now.”

“Hurry.”

“Jungwoo, how about we shower together then?”

I subtly lowered my hands to pull his off my shoulders and asked.

It had been ten days since Kwon Jungwoo and I had last been intimate. The last time was before he left for the Asian Games, when we stayed up all night together. I didn’t expect it to start in the bathroom this time, but since I had been waiting for this moment, I thought Kwon Jungwoo would be just as eager.

But his response was cold, despite the way he tenderly held my shoulders.

“Hurry up and wash. I want to disinfect those wounds as soon as possible.”

“…”

Even though our bodies had been pressed against each other during the kiss, and I knew he was aroused, Kwon Jungwoo still made that decision.

This wasn’t like him at all. Without saying anything more, I let him push me toward the bathroom. During the game, he had been smiling the whole time, but now, just because he accidentally pushed me, he was wallowing in guilt. I couldn’t understand it.

When I came out of the shower, dressed in a robe, Kwon Jungwoo didn’t even give me a kiss. He simply handed me the hair dryer and walked into the bathroom. Normally, when I came out dressed like this, he’d strip me in seconds, teasing me about why I even bothered putting the robe on in the first place. His change in behavior left me feeling disappointed, so I sat quietly on the bed until he finished his shower. I had purposely booked a suite with a whirlpool for us to enjoy together, but at this rate, we wouldn’t even touch the water by the time we checked out.

Wearing a robe like me, Kwon Jungwoo came out of the bathroom and, instead of drying his hair, grabbed some ointment and sat in front of me. His large body hunched over as he gently applied the ointment to the scrapes on my legs with a cotton swab. Despite using the same shampoo, his scent wafted over to me, more fragrant than usual.

“I’m sorry for hurting you. I’ll repay this debt over my entire life.”

“…….”

Kwon Jungwoo applied the ointment with such delicate care, moving his hands as gently as possible to avoid causing pain. Every time the cotton swab brushed against my skin, I felt a strange ticklish sensation across my body.

He applied the clear ointment to the wound that had left only a mark, with no blood drawn.

It was in this quiet, careful atmosphere that the tension thickened. Kwon Jungwoo muttered, almost as if speaking to himself.

“I never wanted to hurt you, not even a little.”

Ah…

It finally dawned on me why Kwon Jungwoo was reacting so sensitively.

He was bothered by the wounds from my childhood. The distant memories that once haunted me, though now I could barely even recall them.

That’s why he felt so guilty for accidentally hurting me.

I couldn’t believe it took me this long to realize. I felt foolish for not understanding sooner, especially since Kwon Jungwoo’s unusual behavior was always connected to me.

With this understanding came not just relief, but a pang in my chest. I also felt a surge of anger. It was unbearable to think that Kwon Jungwoo was equating himself to someone like the man from my past, the source of my childhood trauma—whether he was alive or dead, I didn’t care. It had been a long time since I’d felt such rage toward that man.

And I felt sorry.

Sorry that Kwon Jungwoo was feeling guilty about something so trivial, all because of my past. Sorry that my history was so far from ordinary, making him feel burdened as my lover.

“…….”

I quietly watched Kwon Jungwoo, now seated by my side, carefully applying the ointment to my elbow with complete focus. It wasn’t the ointment that sped up my healing, but his concern, his tenderness. I loved him so much at that moment.

“Jungwoo.”

I held back all the words I wanted to say until Kwon Jungwoo finally put the ointment down. I tugged on his robe, pulling him into an embrace. His damp hair grazed my ear, cool and soft, while his bathrobe brushed gently against my chin.

“Hmm?”

His deep voice vibrated through his chest, pressed up against mine. His warm, broad embrace was more comforting than any hotel bed sheets.

“I’m not hurt anymore, Jungwoo.”

“That’s good. But let’s still keep an eye on your elbow for a few days; there might be a bit of bruising.”

“Not just physically. Emotionally, too.”

“…….”

“You’ve healed everything for me. I don’t hurt at all anymore.”

The arms that held me loosened slightly. He seemed to want to say something or perhaps check my expression for sincerity, but I didn’t want to let go. I held him even tighter.

And I finally said the words I had been holding back for so long.

“Thank you. Thank you so much for healing me.”

Thank you, Jungwoo.

Thank you.

I wanted to say it more times than he had apologized to me. I wanted it to carry even more weight than his apologies. So I sincerely and earnestly confessed.

Thanks to you, I no longer have nightmares. I poured my heart out, unaware that tears had formed.

Kwon Jungwoo gently stroked my back. As he whispered words of comfort, I realized the healing power didn’t come from the ointment he applied, but from the love and care with which he treated me.

In his warm embrace, all my wounds finally healed.

***

Seduction wasn’t an easy task with Kwon Jungwoo.

As my mind cleared, the suppressed desire lurking inside me started to stir. I hadn’t planned on using tears to entice him, but in the middle of our tearful kisses, that familiar yearning flared up.

I clung to him, still aware of my damp eyelashes, and pushed him gently until he lay down on the bed. I climbed on top and kissed him deeply.

I caressed his cheeks and neck gently, and carefully opened his bathrobe. My hands trembled as if it were my first time, perhaps because it had been a while. I traced the line of his collarbone, then spread my hands wide to feel his chest muscles, my fingers lingering over the hard bump in the center.

Despite the way I seductively touched him, Kwon Jungwoo remained calm, only returning my kisses. Even when my hand brushed against his now fully erect penis, pressing against his abs, he simply cupped my cheeks and continued kissing, as if nothing was happening.

Would he give in if I took it in my mouth?

As I swallowed hard at the thought, Kwon Jungwoo suddenly chuckled. It was the first smile I’d seen in a while.

“Jiwon, are you trying too hard to seduce me? You were so intense; I thought I was watching the Olympics or something.”

“…Don’t you want to?”

“How could I not?”

Kwon Jungwoo pulled me close again and gave me a quick kiss.

“Even during a game, if I think of you, I get hard.”

“W-What…!”

Flustered, I pushed against his chest, but he wrapped his arms around me, refusing to let me pull away.

As I lay flat against him, I could feel his erection twitch between us. Clearly, he was holding back too. And as I suspected, he explained why.

“So don’t try too hard to seduce me. I’m struggling. I hate seeing you hurt, and right now, I don’t want to risk hurting you again.”

“Jungwoo, it doesn’t hurt at all when we’re together anymore. You know that.”

“Jiwon?”

Still lying down, Kwon Jungwoo tapped my lips gently with his fingers.

“Not ‘being with you,’ but ‘having sex’ is what you should say. It’s not like I’m the only person you’ll ever have sex with in your life. If anyone heard, they’d misunderstand.”

In the hotel room, where it was just the two of us, Kwon Jungwoo pointed it out.

Instead of arguing that no one else could hear us anyway, I grabbed his fingers, which still lingered near my mouth, and kissed them. Kwon Jungwoo laughed and quickly hid his hand.

“And I can’t make the person who was just crying cry again.”

“No, Jungwoo. I’m not crying anymore! I’ve gotten used to you.”

“Used to?”

That word kept bothering him.

His muttered words, spoken almost to himself, sent a chill across my skin. Whether he noticed or not, Kwon Jungwoo started patting my back slowly again, and that’s when I realized I was still wearing the bathrobe.

As he tapped the soft material of my robe, he continued speaking.

“Don’t get used to it. And we haven’t done it for ten days. You’re definitely going to feel sore.”

“So what? You can just heal me again, right?”

I had no intention of backing down either. Even though Kwon Jungwoo had turned me down multiple times, I didn’t feel the slightest bit embarrassed. I was confident he wanted me too.

I brushed off Kwon Jungwoo’s hand, which kept treating me like a child, and sat down on his thighs. Then, I let my bathrobe fall. The thick towel-like fabric slipped off and dropped to the floor as Kwon Jungwoo’s gaze slid from my eyes to my now-erect penis without resistance.

“Jungwoo. I’ve always…”

I grabbed both his and my swollen, hot penises with my hands. As the sensitive, soft parts touched, Kwon Jungwoo let out a sharp breath and furrowed his brow. His chest expanded rapidly.

Seeing him react so strongly to even the smallest touch stirred a powerful desire to release within me as well.

“I’ve always wanted to have sex with a gold medalist. Haven’t you?”

“Hah… Han Jiwon.”

Kwon Jungwoo called my name, barely breathing, and sat up. His eyes, now so close, were filled with desire. The composed look he usually had, even during finals, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he gazed at me with an intense, fiery expression—one that no one else knew, a look only I would ever see.

“I guess I’m just destined to never beat you. I thought basketball was the only thing I couldn’t win at.”

He leaned in, so close that our noses almost touched, and shrugged off the robe hanging on his shoulder. His upper body, now fully exposed, looked even more sculpted after the Asian Games.

“If I was going to give in this easily, I shouldn’t have bothered resisting. What a waste of time.”

His large hand wrapped around mine, which was still gripping his penis. The heat and pressure from that touch made me gasp sharply, and Kwon Jungwoo lifted my chin. His eyes burned hotter than any Olympic flame as they locked onto mine.

“You win.”

In the very next moment, I was consumed by him.