Love for Love's Sake - Chapter 33
Chapter 33
“Sangwon, don’t like brother too much and just go to your class. You show too much interest in me, spreading rumors and whatever. No matter how you act, I have no interest in you.”
“That’s strange. If brother is gay, you can’t help but fall in love with me.”
Cheon Sangwon grabbed the desk and leaned his head towards me. What was this guy saying now?
I thought about denying it, but I held back. I didn’t want it to sound like I was disgusted with the children in our class, and I felt like denying it was pointless.
Anyway, there were already plenty of rumors about me. Like how I had fought seven to one in middle school, or how I was a mad dog that would beat you to death if you even glanced at me, or how I had run away from home and almost ended up in a juvenile detention center.
I had never been in a relationship with another man even by the age of 29. Nonetheless, I became more open minded after hearing from a junior in the military who expressed his interest in men. I thought such relationships could naturally happen.
“I have no disadvantages over Cha Yeowoon. Looks, qualifications, physique.”
“Personality.”
“He has a shit personality too.”
“Yeowoon is a bit rude, but you’re just trash. Go away. Class is starting.”
“I will. I’m going to join the track and field team and step on Cha Yeowoon.”
It was a one-sided declaration. My head briefly didn’t process what he was saying. Step on what?
“Come watch practice after class today.”
Cheon Sangwon cheerfully said and left the classroom.
Outside, a dusty wind blew and flipped the curtains. A coughing fit ensued.
Holding my neck, I stared at the classroom door for a moment.
Why was he always like this? That crazy debuff.
* * *
New Leaf High School’s track and field team had its own tradition and prestige. Maybe.
It was evident from the fact that Cha Yeowoon, a promising athlete since middle school, was able to enroll based on his athletic performance. A plaque with the achievements from the track and field team was on display in the school lobby.
So, I had hoped they wouldn’t just let any mediocre 2nd year student apply for admission.
And even if they did accept their application, they would probably make them watch or something. Similar to when a newcomer of a soccer team was assigned to collecting soccer balls.
But Cheon Sangwon was standing there next to Cha Yeowoon.
“What’s going on?”
I sat down in the stands bewildered, staring at the incomprehensible scene.
Cha Yeowoon was a national track and field prospect. He was the pride of New Leaf’s track and field team.
But now, he seemed to be preparing for a race against a newcomer who had just joined the track and field team?
“I’m going to step on Cha Yeowoon.”
Cheon Sangwon’s declaration had been irritatingly ringing in my head, prompting me to visit the schoolyard after school. It was already like this when I arrived.
It was a situation where Cha Yeowoon and Cheon Sangwon were about to have a one-on-one match.
“Does that even make sense?”
Cheon Sangwon suddenly waved his arm at me as if he heard me muttering.
“Oh! Brother Myeongha! You came to see me!”
Stop pretending to know me. Everyone was staring.
Despite disrupting practice, no one said anything to Cheon Sangwon, who was acting as if he owned the place. Not even the teacher with the whistle reacted.
“Cha Yeowoon, fighting!”
I responded with a spirited cheer for Cha Yeowoon.
Cha Yeowoon looked up.
His expressionless face completely changed the moment he saw me.
“…Handsome.”
Suddenly, he started smiling. If it was someone else they might have fallen over.
Hey, heart, stop that. That was Cha Yeowoon. I struck the person next to me who had suddenly tried to run over and calmed him down.
Cha Yeowoon and Cheon Sangwon placed their feet on the starting blocks and assumed their positions.
Beep.
The sound of a whistle was heard.
[ Buff triggered due to positive favorability. ]
Accompanying the whistle was a message.
This was the second time I had seen something like this.
Last time, it had appeared when I was treating Cha Yeowoon with the ointment, so I had wondered if his feet would heal incredibly fast. In the end, nothing much changed.
“Wow.”
Now, even I couldn’t help but be amazed.
It felt like there was a dazzling effect that followed characters who had purchased effects in a game.
Of course, I was talking about Cha Yeowoon.
Rainbow-colored ripples spread with each step as if he was stepping through shallow water. A halo of light followed his footsteps.
Cha Yeowoon ran as if he was weightless. He seemed like he could really run on water.
My attention was stolen. It probably wasn’t just me. Other track and field members watching from the sidelines also glanced at Cha Yeowoon. I could feel it.
It was a landslide victory for Cha Yeowoon.
Of course, it was expected, but my heart still pounded. This time, it felt like my heart was punching me.
As Cha Yeowoon turned at the finish line, he looked for me.
“You did well.”
Instead of speaking loudly, I made a trumpet with my hands and smiled brightly. Cha Yeowoon concentrated on me and then smiled brightly.
In that moment, the vivid lights that had appeared while he was running illuminated him. It was a radiance that gave the impression that only he existed.
I couldn’t see anything else.
[ Calculating Cha Yeowoon’s favorability. ]
[ Favorability: 15 ]
* * *
[ Favorability: 15 ]
Cha Yeowoon was in good condition.
His body felt light. It was refreshing to run after a long time. It was the first time he had felt this invigorated since his grandmother was hospitalized.
“You ran well.”
ohho👀