"The more often I see him, the more I realize how big the loss will be," Group Leader Lee Yujong sighed as she stirred the cold noodles. She hasn't brought up the topic once in the last 10 days, but as the end of the championship approaches, she's probably starting to feel some regret.

Although she was not particularly interested in swimming, and when Kwon Jaekyung took a leading position in the sports arena, she only politely supported the conversations of her colleagues, agreeing: "Oh, he is really good." However, since she practically lived at the venue during the competition, the team leader Lee Yujeong couldn't help but admire the stunning skill. Watching the games from the best angle, it was only natural that she would turn her initial comment into a question: "Why did he decide to leave?"

"He just doesn't want to do it anymore.

"yes... Then we won't be able to change his mind," Lee Yujeong nodded, expressing regret. And after tasting the cold noodles, she suddenly remembered something: "Kwon Jaekyung will postpone his resignation announcement, won't he?"

Sighing, Jihong replied with a hint of guilt: "We are in the process of discussion."

"Why haven't you done it yet?"

Lee Yujeong took a dumpling from her plate with a somewhat puzzled look, "I understand that Kwon Jaekyung can get away with it?"

"He's quite sensitive...

"What are you talking about?" Kwon Jaekyung is not like that at all

Lee Yujong said, cutting the dumpling in half and bringing it to her mouth, "He's well aware of his own superiority, so he's not worried. And where does this sensitivity come from? He doesn't even react to provocations from rivals."

It's true. Jaekyung's second skill after swimming was the ability to consider everyone around him invisible. Truly sensitive people can't always stay calm, especially in an environment where they're under tremendous pressure. Consequently, the conflict itself would be inevitable. But no unpleasant incidents have occurred. However, there is an exception: the guy seemed nervous when it came to matters related to Jihon.

"Mr. Jeong, you're too soft with him. Only with you, he behaves like a child," Lee Yujeong commented as she enjoyed her meal.

Jihong was a little surprised and asked wide-eyed, "He... behaves like a child... with me?"

— Yes, it's obvious. The way he interacts with other employees is globally different from your communication. And you, Mr. Chung, treat him very differently than other athletes.

«.......»

Jihon was speechless for a moment. In the meantime, my colleague moved on to cold noodles.

— Is it because you have been friends since childhood? And he's like a little brother to you, isn't he?

"Yes, I suppose...," Jihon muttered awkwardly.

— When I first took up my position, it was difficult for me to balance between emotions and business communication. Mr. Jeong, you are primarily an employee of the agency, not his hyung. Yes, you have special feelings for each other, but you need to be able to build clear boundaries. Otherwise, there will be no problems later. Kwon Jaekyung is young and stubborn, and if you don't observe at least a modicum of subordination, he will just twist ropes out of you. And the one who takes on this responsibility after you will also have a hard time.

"You're right. Maybe I'm being too kind

"I'm glad you understand

Jihon nodded and finally picked up his chopsticks, trying to untangle the hardened noodles. And whispered softly: "After the competition... I need to figure it out."

After lunch, Jihong informed Lee Yujeong of his future plans.

"I've got an appointment with the MCST people at 4 a.m. with Mr. Kahn. Before that, I would like to look at the athletes on campus.

When Jihong said that he needed to check the swimmer's condition and make sure there were no problems, Lee Yujeong suddenly asked, "By the way, are you okay?"

"What?" Ah, yes.

— For the past few days, you have looked extremely tired and depressed, and you have hardly touched food

"Oh... I did it again," Jihon muttered to himself.

Despite the fact that he almost always behaved cautiously, his facial expressions betrayed his true mood as soon as he let his guard down.

"Oh, the heat is exhausting," Jihong explained with a belated smile. "I really want to work in a cool, air-conditioned office, and I'm outdoors all summer."

Team leader Lee Yujeong nodded understandingly, "yes... It's too stuffy this year."

And then, laughing at the inconvenience, she added: "In any case, we have a little patience left."

Jihong headed towards the campus. The last competition is coming, after which Jaekyung will no longer be a national swimmer. In truth, Jihong desperately wanted the guy not to give up his career. But this stubborn man cannot be persuaded. As he walked, deeply confused in his worries, suddenly someone called out to him, "Mr. Jeong."

Jihon immediately turned around to see a man approaching him, smiling dazzlingly. Oddly enough, he looked suspiciously familiar, and Jihong immediately remembered that he had seen him about a month and a half ago at the federation office.

"Hello," said Jihon, bowing. "It seems that I interfered with you then."

"Oh, no, no, it's my fault," the man interrupted, taking out his business card. "It's a bit late to introduce myself, but I'm Kim Giseok from JFX."

"Jeong Jihong, nice to meet you.

Putting the business card away in his wallet, Jihong graciously handed him his own.

JFX is a small agency that is rumored to merge with Kava soon.

"That's why he sided with them," Jihon mused. This man proudly declared that he was not an employee of Kava, but that he would soon be one anyway.

"Which way do you go?"

"Oh, I'm in the medical office

"Great, we are on the same path," Kim Gi-seok said.

It seems that the doctor has some questions for him. And Jihong escorted him to the therapist's office. However, the doctor was not on the spot.

Instead, they found Jaekyong and another swimmer talking to each other in the room. No, correction: the other guy on the mobile massage bed was chatting while Jaekyung listened silently. But, in fact, he was just looking at his mobile phone, ignoring everything.

"Oh, the two of you became friends!"

At the words of Kim Gi-seok, the athlete exclaimed: "Oh, the head of the department." And noticing Jihon standing nearby, he quickly got up in surprise.

It was Han Yusung. Among the national team, he demonstrated one of the best results. More precisely, he is the only one, besides Jaekyung, who took a medal. He competed in the 800 and 1500 metre freestyle events and won a bronze medal in the 800 metres. Han Yoosung is also very good-looking, and probably many companies will want to sign a contract with him. But JFX was the first to do so.

"As expected, they're nimble," Jihon chuckled quietly.

"I'll introduce you to each other: this is Jung Ji-heong from Spoin..."

"Hello, I'm Han Yusung!"

— Nice to meet you

Jihong exchanged polite greetings and casually glanced at Jaekyung. He tried to telepathically signal him to stand up and say hello, but it seemed that the message did not reach the addressee. Jaekyung didn't even raise an eyebrow, let alone show a modicum of respect. And he just continued to stare at Jihon.

"I wonder if this is how parents feel when their child plays with a neighbor kid who is polite to his elders, while their own is not well-mannered?"

"My name is Jung Jihong. I work with Kwon Jaekyung

"Oh, yes! I know you are my songbae

"Huh?"

"I started to get interested in sports thanks to you, songbae!", the guy said with exaggerated respect.

"Well, Yoosung is now the age you once were

Kim Ki-seok quickly intervened, to which Jihong only laughed: "Well, I also watched your performance, Han Yoosung. You have surpassed me in many ways."

— Not at all. Oh, please feel free to talk informally

"Oh, okay. By the way, Yoosung, you've done well

"Thank you

Han Yusong replied with a proud smile. It was nice to see a man who openly appreciated compliments.

It's just that Jihon was used to one grumbler who reacted indifferently to such words, as if it were a matter of course. To boost morale, Jihong added, "Korea has mostly won medals in the short distance, and the 1500m swim has received little recognition. And it seemed to everyone that our athletes could not cope with long distances. Your accomplishments at such an important event are a great way to change that stereotype. You've done a really good job, Yoosung."

"S-thank you very much

"Keep up the good work

– He plans to take part in the complex swim at the Olympic Games next year

"Oh, I see

The choice of competition usually remained with the athlete himself. The duties of the national team included encouraging the guys to participate in various championships and increase their chances of winning the championship. However, Jihong did not consider this conversation appropriate at the moment, especially in the presence of Jaekyung, who had been specializing in the all-around for many years. If he does not resign, the two of them will have to compete for the right to compete in individual medley at the Olympics. In addition, Jae-kyung's departure had not even been officially confirmed yet.

"Who the hell is he?"

"I've watched the World Championships in Berlin countless times, Seongbae. It's like my bible. I studied your signature stroke for a long time and adopted the experience.

"Really?"

Jihong replied with a smile as many questions swirled through his mind. After all, their styles were very different, which is quite natural. Han Yoosung specialized in long distances, while Jihong specialized in short distances. And the techniques, accordingly, are also different.

And, of course...

"If you swim 800 meters with this image, you'll break your shoulders," Jaekyung commented without taking his eyes off his phone.

[1] MCST - Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea