Love for Love’s Sake - Chapter 65

Chapter 65

“We can meet again tomorrow.”

“That’s tomorrow. Senior doesn’t know how I feel.”

“How do you feel?”

“Although we can meet again tomorrow, I feel sad when we part.”

Cha Yeowoon, whispering, looked downcast, so I turned and faced him.

He shouldn’t be too sad.

“Gosh. What should I do when my child is sad?”

“Haa…I shouldn’t have said that. Don’t tease me.”

“Should brother give you a kiss?”

“…”

“Is that a no?”

“…Come to think of it, I’m a kid.”

This child was really unbelievably cute.

“Close your eyes.”

I couldn’t endure it. As I came closer, Cha Yeowoon’s eyelids twitched weakly.

“I don’t want to.”

Cha Yeowoon said boldly, before lowering his head obediently.

The kiss was brief.

Nevertheless, we still had time.

We could be together a bit longer through the winter.

* * *

[ Favorability: 65 ]

Cha Yeowoon was jealous.

“Athlete Cha Yeowoon, congratulations on your new high school record.”

Cha Yeowoon, who was watching the smooth red lips curve into a smile, sipped his iced water.

Neither the lavish spread of an expensive barbecue restaurant in a private room nor the beef cooking on the grill registered in his eyes.

The only thought on his mind was the person smiling in front of him.

Choi Jinseo, someone he had met last year but had almost faded away in his memory, was now a memorable figure that couldn’t be forgotten. Was she attractive even last year? In the vague memories like mushy dough, her features became clearly carved.

“Yes.”

“You’ve set records in two events, so I’m looking forward to next year’s Asian Championship. Isn’t there also an international competition at the end of next year?”

A person with a pretty smile. As Cha Yeowoon recalled Tae Myeongha’s conditions, his mood worsened. Was Choi Jinseo kind?

“Yes.”

“Since the following year is the Olympics, it’s possible for you to earn the title of national representative by the age of 20. I heard the association praised you a lot, mentioning that you have the potential to not only qualify for the Olympics but also to compete for a medal.”

“Yes.”

“…Yeowoon.”

Tae Myeongha, who had been listening from the side, finally spoke up.

“If someone talks to you, you should respond.”

“I am.”

“Just nodding and making sounds like ‘yes, yes’ as soon as someone finishes talking is just being rude. That’s not having a conversation, is it?”

Cha Yeowoon glared at the grill resentfully. He felt it was unfair to be scolded. He had thought he would be meeting Tae Myeongha alone, but it turned out there was another person joining.

“You said you wanted to eat with me.”

“We’re eating now.”

“Isn’t calling someone out, making it seem like it’s just going to be the two, and then bringing another person a form of deception and not a genuine invitation?”

“Why are you talking back?”

“You two are cute.”

Unlike the busy two people, Choi Jinseo was relaxed. A bright smile had never left her face. Cha Yeowoon frowned. Was her smile pretty? He wasn’t sure because other than Tae Myeongha, he had never seriously considered anyone else pretty.

Tae Myeongha cleared his throat and pulled on the hem of Cha Yeowoon’s sleeve.

“Stop being stubborn and listen to the Team Leader. And I never said we were going to eat alone. I mentioned there was another person joining us.”

Tae Myeongha earnestly persuaded Cha Yeowoon. Once Tae Myeongha said that much, Cha Yeowoon thought it couldn’t be helped. He reluctantly relaxed his forehead.

“What did you call me for? Let’s cut the small talk and get straight to the point.”

“Cha Yeowoon. Talk nicely.”

“Thank you for congratulating me. What did you want to talk about?”

Choi Jinseo, who had been silent, chuckled and handed over her business card.

“I would like to reconsider my proposal about being a Flight model that you had declined last year.”

“As I mentioned back then, I’m not interested in that.”

“Cha Yeowoon. Why don’t you listen slowly while you eat?”

“I… ”

Well-cooked beef came into Cha Yeowoon’s mouth. Chew thoroughly. Chew while listening. Tae Myeongha diligently tried to persuade Cha Yeowoon.

Cha Yeowoon, despite being frustrated at the inability to speak, chewed harder on the meat, conscious of Choi Jinseo watching him. He wanted her to notice what kind of relationship he had with Tae Myeongha. He knew it was childish, but nevertheless…

“The Asian Championships will be held in China, right? I heard that the World Championships is scheduled to take place in Kenya. With the current support you’re receiving, wouldn’t it be burdensome in terms of cost?”

Choi Jinseo smoothly took the lead in steering the conversation.

It wasn’t easy to train without a proper facility at home. No matter how fast someone was domestically, without support, it was impossible to achieve good results at international competitions. There were limitations.

That was why Cha Yeowoon couldn’t participate in some international competitions last year. It was partly due to his grandmother’s hospital care, but competing abroad came with various burdens.

“We’re willing to support you according to the contract terms.”

“…”

Cha Yeowoon silently listened. Even if he wanted to speak, every time he opened his mouth, Tae Myeongha would put meat in it.

He recalled hearing a similar proposal last year. It was when Choi Jinseo came to the hospital, but he had passed it over.

His grandmother was already in a state where she couldn’t undergo surgery. Drug treatment was also difficult. She was dying every day, and perhaps he was similar.

It was a time when everything was falling apart.

“Cha Yeowoon, consider your situation. It’s not a bad choice when you think about your future as an athlete.”

“…”

Cha Yeoowon opened his mouth and waited. Tae Myeongha, who was putting salt on the meat without interrupting because he thought Cha Yeowoon was going to answer, belatedly understood and fed him the meat.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying your meal.”

Choi Jinseo chuckled lightly. Tae Myeongha cleared his throat awkwardly. Only Cha Yeowoon was calmly chewing on the meat.

“Senior eat too.”

When Cha Yeowoon held up his chopsticks to Tae Myeongha’s mouth, Tae Myeongha closed his lips in surprise. As Cha Yeowoon persistently waited, Tae Myeongha gave in and opened his lips.

It was similar to when they kissed. If Tae Myeongha discovered his thoughts, would he despise him?

Unexpectedly, Tae Myeongha’s earlobes became red as he was eating the meat. It was cute.

Consider my situation.

Cha Yeowoon murmured to himself.

At the moment, he didn’t have any great ambitions or goals for track and field. Despite the coach and tournament officials offering enthusiastic congratulations after the competition, there wasn’t much excitement.

Only Tae Myeongha, who was always busy working part-time, was on his mind. Like the weight of the medal hanging on his neck last night, it sweetly pressed on his chest.

“Is it delicious?”

“Yes. So, respond to the Team Leader quickly.”

Cha Yeowon also wanted to buy something like that for Tae Myeongha. He looked at Tae Myeongha’s cheeks, bulging from chewing meat, then shifted his gaze to Choi Jinseo.

“I’ll do it if I can earn money.”

When Cha Yeowoon said bluntly, Tae Myeongha hurriedly tapped Cha Yeowoon’s foot under the table.

“It’s good to be certain.”

Choi Jinseo readily agreed this time.

“Does that mean only the financial requirement has to be met?”

“No, of course, we need to consider the other contract conditions. We’re just talking today. It seems too hasty to decide on the contract right away. Right, Yeowoon?”

Tae Myeongha quickly took the opportunity to speak. He had a tendency to treat Cha Yeowoon like a child that needed constant attention.

“…Yes. I would like to discuss it again after the competition ends.”

Cha Yeowoon said as maturely as possible. Only then did Tae Myeongha looked relieved.

He wanted to become someone who could do something for Tae Myeongha.

Neither being fast nor the fastest was enough.

He wanted to be someone Tae Myeongha could rely on. As soon as possible. Even if just slightly.

Choi Jinseo, who had been silently observing Cha Yeowoon, smiled as if she understood something. Cha Yeowoon found the strange glow in her eyes uncomfortable.

If he was an adult like her, he probably wouldn’t have to worry about where Tae Myeongha would go after graduation. He emptied his water cup. For some reason, it tasted lukewarm.

* * *

The soft serve ice cream I had for dessert was delicious, but I was feeling troubled.

“Do you really want to do it?”

“Didn’t you call me out this time to agree?”

Cha Yeowoon asked, biting into his milky ice cream cone.

We had just left the BBQ restaurant. Unlike near the stadium, there were quite a few people in the commercial district. Nevertheless, the quiet atmosphere still remained.

Choi Jinseo had offered to drive us back to the lodging because it was hot, but we declined.

Cha Yeowoon only participated in the 100m and 200m races, so there was no schedule for the remaining day. As a result, there was no rush to hurry back to the lodging.

Furthermore, it was only a 20-minute walk, and there were things to talk about while walking.

“I asked you to listen because she asked me for a favor. If you’re doing it because of me, think about it again.”

“You don’t want me to do it?”

“Hey. It’s not like that.”

“I know. Senior is telling me not to decide based on what you think.”

“Why twist my words if you know?”

“Senior, your ice cream is melting.”

It was true. I reflexively licked the milky liquid flowing down outside the cone. After licking even the back of my hand, I looked at Cha Yeowoon, wondering if it was too much.

“Was it dirty? Sorry.”

“…No.”

While I was answering, Cha Yeowoon’s eyes seemed to soften slightly. It wasn’t the posture of someone disgusted by some messy act. If anything, it was the opposite.

“Yeowoon, stop having dirty thoughts. It’s bone-chilling.”

“Senior, really, don’t talk like that.”

“What do you mean?”

Cha Yeowoon shot me a look, then averted his gaze.

“Nothing. And that person is right.”

“The Team Leader?”

“Yes, about money.”

I listened quietly, wondering what Cha Yeowoon was going to say. As the path extended to one side, he naturally took the direction of the street.

“The scholarship for promising track and field athletes awarded through the recommendation of the school principal is for 5 years, so it’s until next year. I don’t know yet whether I want to be an unemployed or professional athlete, but even if I join an amateur team in the future, I’ll be on a temporary contract and the annual salary won’t be much because track and field isn’t a popular sport. It’s lower than marathons. It would be advantageous to continue to win points at national competitions.”

“…”

“If I win a medal at the Olympics, I’ll get a pension, so it’s better. And then I can increase my income through things like TV appearances. Although my results at the national championships are good so far, I’ve already received quite a few offers to be a student brand model…Why? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You…you had everything in mind.”

Cha Yeowoon had rejected being an advertising model simply because he didn’t want to do it. Additionally, he had neglected to pay his electricity bill until it was cut off. As a result, I had thought he had no worldly greed.

“How much of a child does senior see me as?”

“That’s not it. I didn’t think you were considering both temporary and permanent situations.”

“I kept looking into what I should do so I could live with my grandmother.”

After Cha Yeowoon’s grandmother passed away, it seemed like he had lost interest. Then, the reason he had become interested in future plans again was probably…

“It melted again.”

Cha Yeowoon leaned toward me. Before I knew it, his tongue was on my hand that was sticky with the ice cream.

“Hey…”

Only a single word came out. I tried to pull away, but my wrist was already caught. As Cha Yeowoon licked the ice cream flowing down the back of my hand, only his eyes moved to look at me.