Even during the e-mail correspondence, Jihong realized that Oliver is really a wonderful coach. Although, to be more precise, it is a real professional, the basic principle of which is quite simple: if you get money, then work one hundred percent.

Therefore, this time, upon arriving at the gym, Oliver immediately went to the second floor to the pool to check Jaekyung's physical fitness. He did not postpone the training, justifying himself with a long flight or fatigue. The man immediately took out his stopwatch and gave Jaekyung the task of completing 200 meters freestyle, 100 meters backstroke and 200 individual medleys. And Lucas was taught to record everything on the phone camera.

The 200 meters freestyle passed without problems. Jaekyung spent 1 minute 43 seconds 98 hundredths per lap, which was significantly lower than the world record he set at the Asian Games last year, but since there was no goal to break it, Oliver took it calmly. Jaekyung coped with the 100-meter backstroke in 52 seconds 57 hundredths - which is also assessed as satisfactory.

The problem manifested itself in the 200-meter complex swim. As soon as he started, Oliver was already slightly furrowing his brows. And as soon as Jaekyung finished the last 50 meters, he asked without further ado, "Do you understand what the problem is?"

To which Jaekyung, taking off his glasses, nodded: "The number of strokes in the butterfly, right?"

— Yes. It increased by one.

A stroke is simply a swing of the arms. If there are too many of them while swimming on your back, it leads to excessive energy consumption. If there are not enough of them, then, accordingly, the speed inexorably decreases. Therefore, every athlete strives to find the optimal amount for themselves and trains to maintain it.

In the first 50 meters of butterfly, Jaekyong usually had 16 strokes. He had a particularly low score among the prize-winners, and the fact that he could reach such a speed with such a small value was of course due to his incredible strength of shoulders and arms. But upper body strength alone is not enough. In order for the strokes to be supported by powerful kicks, the work of the body, the technique that minimizes water resistance, and the rhythm honed to the absolute are important. Like a perfectly tuned mechanism, the combination of all factors made Jaekyung one of the fastest swimmers.

However, this time, too, something went wrong.

"Did you intentionally increase them?"

— No, I don't.

"When did they become seventeen?"

"Today."

When Jaekyung explained that there were sixteen of them last week, Oliver crossed his arms over his chest and chuckled thoughtfully.

"How do you feel?"

Jaekyung, thinking for a moment, replied, "Well... Not bad. I would even say excellent.

"Really?" I think you're a little today.

Oliver went to Dr. Gleeson. As if expecting this, he immediately took out a blood sampling device that he had brought with him from Australia and took a sample from his finger. Soon the results of lactic acid levels were obtained.

- 5.7 millimoles.

"As expected," Oliver gasped, narrowing his eyes. "But don't you feel your condition getting worse?"

"yes

"Probably, he was worried... It's been a long time since we've been tested, or maybe he's too glad to see us," Mr. Gleeson joked to defuse the situation.

And Oliver, as if agreeing, concluded: "Rest for twenty minutes, and we will try again."

Twenty minutes later, the situation did not improve in any way. Although the number of strokes returned to normal, but instead the speed dropped significantly.

"You deliberately reduced the number of them, which caused the upper body to tense more than usual, the muscles to overload, and the overall balance of movement to be disrupted," Oliver explained.

Jaekyung nodded, acknowledging that it was true.

"It's pointless to continue in this state," the man added and advised him not to swim anymore today.

While Dr. Gleeson examined the athlete's muscles, Jihong dragged Inyeop to the waiting room.

"Don't put it on the air.

"What?" How did Kwon Jaekyung's stats fall ? The producer asked.

"And the initial part, too," Jihon added.

When he suggested just cutting out the entire 200-meter swim, Inyeop stared at him dumbfounded.

"Come on, it's not such a big deal to cut everything out. Hey, something like that could happen any day. Staying in perfect shape all 365 days a year is unrealistic, almost on the verge of fantasy.

— Yes, but people do not always reason rationally. They'll start saying that Kwon Jae-kyung has slipped because he spent two months in commercials and playing the role of a celebrity instead of training.

"Well, yes, someone will think so for a moment. But failure will be followed by resounding success. It is enough just to change the order of the episodes during editing," Inyeop noted.

"No, just cut everything out," Jihon insisted.

"What are you talking about! Other companies, on the contrary, ask to include such moments," Inyop stamped his foot in indignation. "Judge for yourself. Let's throw in dramas: as if something didn't go according to plan, create an atmosphere, and then demonstrate how Jaekyung overcomes difficulties. And don't forget, and you and the agency will also be in the black. You support the athlete, help him maintain psychological balance, and this pays off.

"Don't. What does the company have to do with it? Jihon barked sharply. "He can do it without us. I don't want his only bad day on TV.

Inyeop was taken aback by the stubborn tone of his interlocutor, scratching his head: "Oh, what is this! I promise we will edit it well so that such conversations do not arise. Listen, even idols who care about their image don't take care of themselves like that. Moreover, this is Kwon Jaekyung. Even if he is slightly criticized, as soon as he wins a medal at the Olympics, everyone will immediately forget, and the negativity will be replaced by admiration. What is the disaster?

"I don't want him to be judged at all

"Is this cabinet so sensitive?" Apparently not. He doesn't seem to care about public opinion," Inyeop continued to insist.

"I don't like it, I do," Jihon blurted out harshly.

"Oh, damn, that's it... You and Kwon Jaekyung are two boots in a pair! Inyeop cursed. And then, crossing his arms over his chest, he sternly strained: "Listen, I don't care at all, but... Jihon, I beg you, don't behave like that with everyone. Otherwise, you will be misunderstood or thought that Jaekyung is arrogant if you are running around with him like this.

"I'm sorry," Jihon apologized, bowing his head.

Still in total bewilderment, Inyeop grinned, "Okay, as you say. Anyway, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't have acted at all. But instead of what we cut today, we will add additional shooting. We planned to air the material in a New Year's special, so we have plenty of time. Let's make an appointment for next week or early December.

"Good.

"Well, look at him, why are you frowning," the producer grumbled playfully, reminding Jihon that he shouldn't be here to bite.

Already turning around to leave, Inyeop suddenly remembered and shouted after him, "Hey, and don't forget to make a video today!" I got it?

– We have a training session in the gym, right? I think it's better to abstain," Oliver said as he walked out of the sports complex. "Have a good rest, and tomorrow we'll check the lactic acid level again." According to Mr. Gleeson, the reasons can be different: from excitement to muscle strain.

"Yes, I will," Jaekyung replied curtly.

Minu agreed to take Oliver and Mr. Gleeson back to the hotel. Prior to that, Jihong had mentioned that the headmaster would like to invite them to dinner, but both politely declined.

"We'd better sleep now," the doctor complained, smiling, and asked for a discount for their old age. And then, pushing Lucas, he added, "Could you take this young man with you?" I think he's hungry.

Embarrassed by the sudden support, the guy did not refuse. Be that as it may, it was Jihon's main task to make sure that Oliver and Dr. Gleason did not have any inconvenience. This means that you need to take care of their companion.

And naturally, Jihon did not hesitate to offer Lucas a ride in his car.

— Do you have any preferences in food? Maybe you would like to visit a certain place? Jihon asked, starting the car.

Fastening his seat belt, Lucas blurted out insistently, "No! Simply... where Jaekyung usually dines... That's enough.

"It turns out that we are going to McDonald's.

Obviously, Jihon proposed this not because he was eager to fulfill children's whims, but because he was not going to rack his brains over where to go and what to treat, because of his own laziness. Although everyone had their own reasons, the outcome was the same - everyone agreed.

And he typed into the navigator the address of the nearest institution located near the old building of the city administration.