Jihong couldn't remember his reaction. Perhaps he said with a grin something like, "Hey, you swim the same way," or with a straight face, "Try to improve your technique," or maybe he didn't say anything at all. The unexpected warmth that the child gave him with his compliment is the only thing that stuck in his memory. That is why on that day he failed to give a letter to the coach, which said he intended to quit the sport.

In the end, Jaekyung didn't change anything. He still turned his shoulders wide, moving his arms vigorously. Which caused a whirlwind of emotions in Jihon, because the guy was completely different from him. Jihon felt a wide range of emotions from embarrassment at daring to give advice based on his own standards, to envy of a boy who was still on top of the world and hadn't suffered the same injuries as him, even though he had studied in a similar way. His naturally powerful body, long limbs, strong arms and legs, and the ability to advance a few meters with a single stroke were astonishing, as was the tidal wave of bitter feelings.

But the child's eyes, which were solely aimed at Jihon, reflected admiration, which made his heart beat faster.

"Maybe you'll try it, Hen?"

Before he knew it, Jaekyung had already covered 400 meters. Instead of answering, Jihong just smiled. And the guy took off his glasses and sighed.

"Seriously?" Am I asking too much?

Jaekyung had particularly long eyelashes. When the water droplets gathered, they clung to them, resembling precious stones. Blinking several times and still not getting rid of them, he rubbed his eyes with his hand. His childlike innocent look is really cute, which is rare for an adult.

— Хён

"It's against the rules to look the same way as ten years ago," Jihong thought. As he put on his glasses and headed towards the starting line, Jaekyung was somewhat surprised.

"What's wrong with him, after all, he's the one who started all this fuss?" He thought it would be great if he could strike at least a half-correct posture. As soon as he lowered his waist, both of his hands grabbed the front of the support, his left leg moved back. And he naturally jumped at the right moment. The body sank deeper. He had lost count of how many times he had had such dreams in the past ten years, but now he did not feel the same heaviness. Rather, what was happening was more like flying, weightless and light.

After he surfaced, the situation did not change. For the first time in a long time, he felt like this. It didn't hurt when he shook his shoulders, and his elbows held up normally. Jihong had already passed the 50-meter mark in just a few strokes, and when he turned around, he began to move his arms more vigorously. He hasn't raced and doesn't need to set any records, but his body has picked up the pace on its own. He liked the very moment of moving forward. Cutting through the cold stream, he could not stop, because he did not want to miss this pleasure. Suddenly, Jaekyung's face appeared in his field of vision. Jihon thought about stopping for a moment, but his hands kept moving, regardless of his thoughts. In the end, he reached the end and touched the wall with his hand as if it were a touchpad.

Suddenly, Jaekyung asked, "Are you checking the weather? Why turn your neck so sharply?"

"Oh, stop it, huh? Coach Lim kept shouting the same thing," Jihong mumbled.

The guy laughed, finding Jihon's reaction amusing. Jihong had never heard him laugh so sincerely before. Which made my heart beat treacherously. Like then, ten years ago, it trembled only at the guy's words. He wiped his wet face with both hands in embarrassment and added, "Coach Lim used to say that even when the kids were doing well."

"He's a real nitpicker

- Yes, he is one of those who consider it normal to raise his voice.

"I really hated him

"Because he drank a lot?"

"And that, too

Jaekyung didn't give any specific reasons, although there were plenty of mistakes behind this mister.

"He was never an outstanding coach. Teaching is not his strong point at all. But he is not a bad athlete.

Jihong nodded his head before continuing, "He won the silver medal at the Asian Games. And he took a break for several years due to injury, but he managed to win the championship after rehabilitation. I think he was a tough and tough athlete

Jaekyung, who had been listening quietly, suddenly said, "Hyun, you always find the positive side of people."

When Jihong clarified with the appearance that it was not about him at all, he barked: "You are always looking for something good in people."

"Is it?" Rather, professional deformation. In order to do my job successfully, I need to notice people's strengths and weaknesses

"You've always been like this," Jaekyung concluded seriously.

"Oh, really?"

"At any rate, I was joking about turning my neck. You've got great technique, you're on top

"Well, that's because I started slowly

Jaekyung made a face that screamed, "I think it's okay."

"Hyung, you haven't sailed in ten years?"

"Yes

"Why?"

— Because of employment? I didn't go to the pool with anyone, as I figured my friends would eventually ask me to "show the class."

"But you could have demonstrated to them, right?

— No, I don't

"Why not?"

"I didn't want to brag

"But you're still good at it

Jaekyung's voice sounded like he didn't understand. When Jihong grinned, the guy replied with childish pouting, "You could swim alone."

But Jihong slowly shook his head, showing his true attitude: "I haven't practiced for many years."

"Are you tired?"

— Maybe. In high school, I studied for exams, and then I went to college.

"It looks like you've been having a good time," Jaekyung commented with a chuckle.

"Yes, I liked those days. But it seems that somewhere in my third year, I went with friends to a villa with a pool.

"Did you swim?"

— No, I don't. I've never gone into the water

"Why not?"

"If I did, I would definitely want to come back...

Jihon leaned on the dividing cable, causing it to sway and create ripples as he dangled his legs.

"I used to think that former athletes avoid talking because of painful memories of training and pain. But no, the whole reason is in the emotions that they experienced afterward.

The water enveloped his toes, knees, and thighs. The same water that he had cherished, but from which he had tried to escape, now covered his whole body again.

"Thoughts like 'what if I had endured a little longer' or 'what if I had given myself another chance'... the most painful. The result would probably remain the same, but such reflections are the most difficult.

— Hyung

The sudden conversion caused Jihon to raise his head, "Hmph?"

When their eyes met, Jaekyung asked in a hushed voice, "Did you hate watching me swim?"

Jihong decided to remain frank: "At first, yes, but not now. And the hatred was not so great. I've been watching you, thinking about how amazing you are. You reminded me of the past, and of who I used to be.

But the more he looked at him, the more he realized that anger and feelings of inferiority were meaningless. Kwon Jaekyung is Kwon Jaekyung. He is the best in the world for a reason, the guy worked harder than many. Those who have not made the same effort have no right to be jealous. Jihong gave up his sports career, and his current task is to take care of and support athletes. They had different roles, and he wasn't going to suffer comparing himself to him. Jaekyung is someone he needs to cooperate with, not compete. And the competitors are not swimmers, but agencies. Now he has Kwon Jaekyung. He got what other companies only dreamed of. Whether he will leave the management team is unknown. In the present, he must do everything in his power for Jaekyung while he is around.