"Stop it!" - Jihong deliberately slammed the door with some force.

"Hyung, there are only two days left before the competition, why are you rejecting me?" What if I get disappointed and mess it up?

"I'm confident in your skills!" I won't fall for these tricks because I believe in you, okay?

Jihon pressed a button, and the car doors beeped.

"The machine speaks for you. The answer is wrong

Jaekyung said with a smile and headed towards the building first. Looking at the broad figure ahead, Jihong felt a throbbing in his head. It's hard to determine if these are the side effects of increasing the dose of suppressants or just the stress caused by Kwon Jae-kyung's antics. But at the moment, the second option seemed more likely. Not enough time has passed since taking medications, but this number of days of communication with a stubborn person is enough to cause a migraine. Jihon rubbed his forehead dejectedly and followed him.

"Jaekyung-ah, we've decided to postpone the conversation until after the competition. But it hasn't even begun

"I know. That's why I'm trying my best to be careful right now

«…….»

Jihong felt dizzy, and not just from the migraine: "Is this his version of caution? And what's next? Will he attack me? It's scary to even imagine."

"Hey, you're really going to hurt

Jaekyung looked around without slowing his pace, "What are you talking about? How can I get hurt?"

"You're too nimble. This is speeding, because of which you can get into an accident

Jaekyung's face showed confusion, as if he was asking, "What kind of nonsense?"

"That's from your point of view, hyung.

"What do you mean......?"

"Only you think my actions are sudden

Jihon inadvertently stopped, and the guy did the same right in front of the entrance to the building.

– Hyun, I permanently shortened the distance from 1200 meters. Over the past ten years, it has dropped to 1100, and then to 1000...

Jihon stared at him fascinated, standing down in front of the stairs. Was it because the angle of view seemed unfamiliar? Jaekyung, who was already big, now looked frighteningly huge.

"I couldn't even see you because you were so far away, but now I can see you clearly. That means I'm getting closer. There are only a hundred meters left. The final distance is, in fact, a snatch.

Without waiting for an answer, he entered the building.

Jihong followed him, throwing after him, "Who said it's a 100-meter race?"

"I

"But not for me

"You gave up at 1200 meters, but I'll keep moving forward, press the touchpad and win

A security guard was on duty at the entrance to the locker room. Jaekyung showed him his ID, then turned to Jihong and explained, "Even if one participant drops out of the race, the competition will not end. A victory by default is a victory, and it will be mine."

This unshakable confidence almost forced Jihon to agree. Fortunately, the officer interrupted them, this time asking him to show his documents.

"Okay, come in

In the locker room, Jihong took off his socks and put them in a locker. Surprisingly, there was no one in the pool: neither swimmers, nor employees who conducted preliminary checks. Most likely, everyone was now working, resting, having lunch or sleeping according to the schedule.

Jaekyung stared at the water for a while and then stepped closer, inspecting the gap between the ropes of the track. He estimated the distance with his outstretched hand and turned his attention to the ceiling. After checking the lights, he knelt down and, rolling up his sleeves, touched the water, taking the temperature. Jaekyung's posture gave the impression that he was performing a sacred ritual.

As expected, this is his place, Jihon thought to himself.

Whether he swam or not, Jaekyung was cool just by being in the water. As if he were a creature born and raised in a swimming pool. Jihong abruptly realized that this genius would soon retire, which made him feel regret. The sadness is not related to the Olympics, the fact is that he will no longer swim at all.

"Why do you want to end your career?", Jihong finally asked.

– Because the Grand Slam tournament is my goal

Jaekyung replied as if he had said it countless times, "And I just want to reach her."

"You can always put on a new one

"No, I won't

— Why? Do you have an injury?

— No, I don't

"Then why?" You like to swim

"Yes

Jaekyung immediately agreed, and then, pulling his hand out of the water, added, "But I like you better."

"Hey...

Jihong was so stunned that he was speechless.

"Jaekyung-ah, I'm serious

"Me too

His face expressed the truth of his statements and even anger, leaving no reason for further doubt.

«.... Shouldn't we discuss everything after the championship? It's a false start," Jihon muttered, pressing his fingers against his throbbing forehead. "Let's play fair, Kwon Jaekyung."

"Are you going to keep your promise?" I think you're planning to run away

Jihong couldn't object. Seeing how worried he was, Jaekyung smiled and stood up, "That's what we're talking about... If you play fair, so will I."

As the kneeling figure stood up, he became huge again in the blink of an eye. Jihon looked at the colossus approaching him.

— Are we really going to talk about it?

"Why not?"

Suddenly, Jaekyung was right in front of him. He didn't stop and made Jihon curse to himself and take a step back.

"Hyun, did you decide to postpone everything because you're worried about my attitude?" Are you kidding now?

Jaekyung rushed after him, approaching, and his voice was stern.

Jihon backed away until his back hit the wall. He felt the coolness of the tiles through his thin shirt.

"Hey, do you think I'm joking?" asked Jihong indignantly, exhaling heavily to hide his nervousness.

"yes," the guy confirmed, pressing both hands to the tile.

"Okay! Yes, I'm worried about your emotional state, because I'll reject you after the competition. Now you're going to prepare your heart for the upcoming event, huh!?

Jaekyung snapped back sarcastically, "It's obvious that you're trying to politely refuse me. Who the hell is going to wait patiently?"

Usually, when you pressed the person to whom you confessed to the wall, it created a romantic atmosphere, but here it did not even breathe anything of the kind: the inexpressiveness and harsh tone only exhausted.

"The problem is not with you, I behave the same way with everyone...

"Why do you treat me the same way?" For you, am I the same as everyone else?

— And what is the difference?

Jihon immediately challenged. Jaekyung furrowed his brows deeply, biting his lip. Well, not one or two, but as many as three wrinkles appeared on the forehead. Jihong made a fatal mistake, and before he knew it, he was grabbed by the collar. Which made him close his eyes tightly: "Is it really going to hit? Well, with paws like that, it doesn't make much difference whether it's a fist or an open palm."

Jihong suggested a worse outcome, but at that moment, something warm and soft touched his lips.

«……!»

Jihon's eyes widened as he met the attacker.

"It's different now, isn't it?"

"Hey

"Wouldn't you do anything like that to others?"

"You've just ...

Jihong would have liked to be angry, but when he saw the athlete's trembling hands holding a piece of cloth, he fell silent.

«…….»

He simply could not do what was happening. The 21-year-old's hands are shaking after a short kiss, which was more like an awkward peck. Jihong tried to convince himself that the trembling was caused by uncontrollable rage, but Jaekyung's face screamed a lot.

– Have you kissed other athletes?

Jaekyung, whose neck was pretty red, continued to demand.

"Don't be silent, if you don't give the answer I want, this time one of us will actually fall into the pool

"No...

"Then stop claiming that I'm just like them," Jaekyung warned, turned away and roughly ran his fingers through his hair.

Even his ears turned red.