Going up to the second floor, they ran into Lucas, who, judging by his clothes, had just arrived.

"Oh--! He exclaimed, uncertainly raising his hand in greeting.

However, as soon as he opened his mouth, Jaekyung resolutely ignored him, instantly disappearing into the locker room. The next sound in the form of a disappointed "A" burst out of Lucas. As unsociable as Jaekyung was, he had never been so rude to anyone he knew.

"Is it because Lucas likes him? After all, I shouldn't have told him," Jihon scolded himself. And, feeling a little guilty, he greeted the guy twice as warmly.

"You're early." Slept?

Thanks to this, Lucas immediately cheered up:

"Y-yes!" I slept well! O'Oliver said he wanted to check, uh... «water temperature»... That's why I...

Lucas seemed to be at a loss for words, switching from Korean to English. At some point, there was an awkward pause between them, causing the guy to suddenly laugh to somehow relieve the tension. Smiling in response to his sweet reaction, Jihon noticed that Lucas seemed to be starting to get nervous.

"Hani, was Jaekyung at your house yesterday?"

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Jihong blurted out, "Why are you asking...?" But he quickly faded, worrying whether his tone sounded harsh and defiant.

Lucas was no less excited, and began to make excuses: "I saw Mrs. Shim yesterday. We had dinner together.

"That's right. Jihon muttered quietly. Surely, he had heard that Mrs. Shim was going to meet Oliver in the evening.

"O-Oliver asked why Jaekyung wasn't there, and she said he sometimes stayed at Hani's house...

More embarrassed than before, Lucas somehow extracted phrases from himself. Which Jihon couldn't help but notice. He felt extremely sorry for this unfortunate young man, because it was absolutely clear that it was very difficult for him.

Gathering his thoughts, Jihon replied as restrained as possible: "Ah, yes. Sometimes, if training ends late, Jaekyung stays with me. Because I live near the gym. In the morning, I still have to pick it up, so we decided that it would be more convenient for both of us.

"I see...

— It doesn't happen often, really. He doesn't spend the night at my place every day. Jihon repeated, emphasizing his emphasis. "And getting up early is too tiring for me, that's all.

Jihong couldn't help but wonder why he was so desperately making excuses. But when he saw Lucas's face brighten a little, he realized that he had not explained himself in vain.

"Hani and Jaekyung are close..." And you have a strong friendship... I'm jealous, I want it too. Lucas's voice was filled with anguish. Wrapped in his coat and stooped, he looked even younger and even smaller.

Because of this, Jihon's heart pierced with sadness, which is why he deliberately exaggerated, changing his even intonation to a more frisky one: "What are you talking about! If you are already having lunch together, then you are close enough. There aren't many people on Earth who ate with Jaekyung."

To which Lucas laughed, but quickly lowered his eyes again, and the redness on his ears added another hundred points to his cuteness. Jiheon suddenly remembered how Jaekyung, after the first kiss in the pool, also blushed. Then the stubborn man at first pressed on him, as if he was going to devour him with his guts, grabbing him by the collar, and Jihon even prepared for a blow. And then Jaekyung's lips clumsily touched him, which surprised him greatly. But what was more striking was the violent reaction of the seemingly unscrupulous bulldozer.

Suddenly, Lucas brought him back to reality: "Wh-why... Why are you smiling?

Jihon stared at him uncomprehendingly, "Huh? A what?

"You... You look at me like that and smile," he babbled a little embarrassedly.

"Oh... You just reminded me of someone.

"Who?"

After a moment's hesitation, Jihon replied, "I'll tell you sometime when we get closer."

"Ahhh...

"I'll go," Jihong said and headed for the waiting room located next to the pool, feeling a timid look on him.

Lucas probably thinks that this "someone" is the "guy." Jihong, deliberately repeating his yesterday's answer, subtly hinted at the fact that he had a relationship. And whether he will connect one with the other is already Lucas's personal business.

"Wasn't it too childish for me?" a wave of slight regret washed over Jihon. But, on the other hand, he himself promised Jaekyung. Although, in truth, this was not the only reason it was said.

Jihon probably wanted Lucas to guess for himself. So that he understands and mentally agrees: "Oh, that's how it is, after all, they are together."

Probably, Jihong hoped that the guy would leave his unrequited love for Jaekyung. As long as Lucas shows affection, Jaekyung will continue to act cold, hurting him badly. Other people's suffering and the collapse of self-esteem cause only discomfort, even if you have nothing to do with it. Especially if you are a participant in the unfolding drama.

But are these really all the reasons? Is it because of a desire to protect Lucas from pain? Then it was necessary to hide everything more carefully, to zealously deny it, so that he would calm down. But Jihong did none of the above.

Jihon sat down on the bench with his hand pressed to his forehead. If it had been a couple of days ago, he probably would have found a way out of it. But since he realized his feelings for Jaekyung, things had become much more complicated. And these implausible explanations looked like an attempt to hide their own jealousy. And his alleged concern now seemed feigned, which was very depressing.

Jihong looked at Jaekyong through the glass with a heavy heart. He was standing in his swimming trunks, warming up, and talking to Oliver. Soon, training began, and fortunately or not, Ji-hong had no time to engage in self-flagellation: Jaekyung's condition deteriorated dramatically.

"Don't think about the number of strokes. You're in too much of a hurry. Because of this, you begin to work faster with your legs. In general, your movements do not coincide with breathing at all. It seems as if the rhythm is slightly offset.

Jaekyung nodded silently, agreeing with Oliver.

"Well, let's taste your blood." Dr. Gleeson said conspiratorially, like a vampire, and took the sample for analysis.

The lactic acid level was 5.9 mmol/L, which is 0.2 mmol/L higher than yesterday.

"You didn't pull iron yesterday after dinner, did you?" Oliver asked.

"No, I've been resting all day."

"Hmm..." the man crossed his arms over his chest and snorted in displeasure.

"How are you feeling?" Mr. Gleeson joined the dialogue.

"It's fine. There is no heaviness, the muscles do not hurt.

"An increase in the content of lactic acid and its metabolites can be caused for various reasons," he added, taking his tablet at the same time. And, checking the medical history, he clarified: "What about the diet lately?" Quantity, composition...

— Almost the same as in Australia.

"And it's probably the same with sleep?"

Jaekyung nodded, and then, as if remembering something, said, "I've woken up a couple of times in the middle of the night recently.

"Just like that?"

— Yes. It was mostly due to a sudden rapid heartbeat, and then I passed out again.

— This can really happen sometimes for no reason... But several times in a row," Dr. Gleeson said thoughtfully. - Perhaps because of a change of scenery? After all, the difference in climates and environment between Australia and America is significant.

"But if that's the reason, then during the Pan-Pacific Championship the effect should have been even more powerful, because then the environment changed, the environment changed much more dramatically. It's been four months since I came to Korea, and it will be five soon. And if such problems have begun now, it is somehow strange. Jaekyung objected.

"You're taking medication, aren't you?"

As soon as the word "medicine" left his lips, Jihon's chest felt an unpleasant prick. He knew that it could only be about one drug - the one that reduces sensitivity to pheromones.

"Yes," Jakyon replied.

"Apparently, you didn't change the type of medication either?"

— Of course not.

Absorbed in the search for problems and solutions, Dr. Gleason shook his head from time to time as he scrolled through something on the tablet screen.

"For now, let's watch," Oliver said at last, patting Jackon on the back in a friendly way. "We still have plenty of time, nothing to worry about.

"I'm not worried.

"Good. You've had such hesitations before. And since there is no heaviness or fatigue, this is already not bad. Perhaps you are just tuning in to a new rhythm for yourself. Today, try not to think about the number of strokes.

Despite his positive attitude, Jihong knew that this was nothing more than a consolation. If everything rested on the so-called "new rhythm", then Jakyon's speed would have returned to normal.

When Jaekyung re-entered the water, Jihong soon turned to the doctor, "I need to go away for a while on company business. If there are any problems, call me.

"Of course, don't worry.