ETP Ch 8

Bokseung kneaded the kitten a few more times before handing her back to Yoohyun. As if waiting for this moment, the kitten gleefully began to scratch Yoohyun’s hand and forearm.

“Ouch. That hurts, stop scratching.”

A pained sound escaped Yoohyun’s lips. However, contrary to his words, the corners of his mouth remained upturned. It was obvious he was finding the kitten’s tantrum endearing.

Sungyeon, watching the scene, also smiled at the heartwarming and cute sight. A handsome man and a kitten – it was like a scene from a commercial.

Meanwhile, scratches were appearing on Yoohyun’s skin wherever the kitten’s paws went.

Knowing how sharp a kitten’s claws could be, even at a young age, Sungyeon winced, feeling a phantom stinging on his own skin.

The kitten had climbed up Yoohyun’s arm and was now scratching his shoulder and nape.

“Stop it! You’ll draw blood. Stop being grumpy!”

Sungyeon reached out and quickly removed the kitten from Yoohyun’s nape. As soon as Bokseung’s white hand touched her, the kitten obediently retracted her claws.

“Senior? No matter how cute she is, you can’t spoil her too much. You know how sharp a cat’s claws get as they grow. You’ll end up with holes in your skin!”

A steady stream of nagging poured out of his small lips.

For Yoohyun, Bokseung, who was nagging him despite knowing what had happened, was more troublesome than the grumpy kitten who didn’t know any better.

It was even more disconcerting because this nagging didn’t seem like his usual playful teasing.

Why does he only become talkative when it’s just the two of us? He was as quiet as a mouse in the lecture hall.

To hide his flustered inner thoughts, Yoohyun hardened his expression and turned away.

Staying here any longer would only result in him being seen as helplessly tormented by a kitten.

Sungyeon shook his head as he watched Yoohyun, who entered the animal hospital without responding to his advice.

Busy rolling around all night, huh? Now that I see it, he’s covered in scratches from that tiny kitten.

He recalled the group members gossiping about Yoohyun’s scratches this morning. It seemed they had completely misunderstood the situation. He wondered whether he should tell them or not.

However, seeing Yoohyun turn away without a word, Sungyeon also hurried on his way without a second thought.

As someone born in the land of the East, where courtesy is paramount, even a small piece of advice was wasted on someone so lacking in manners as to not even offer a simple greeting.

Even if that someone was Hwang Yoohyun, handsome, pretty, and smiling sweetly while looking at a kitten, there were no exceptions.

🍑‧₊ ⋆˙

[Sports Group Project – Lee Harin: Game this Sunday at 2 PM, please gather at the central gate of the baseball stadium by 1:30 PM.]

Sunday, 1 PM. As instructed in the group message, Sungyeon was at the central gate of the baseball stadium.

Looking at the baseball stadium, which felt like he hadn’t visited in ages, Sungyeon snorted in excitement.

He had made the bold decision to skip a day of his weekend part-time job for this. It was an investment well worth making.

Today was a rivalry match between two teams that shared the same stadium, and it was the decisive game for a direct entry into the Korean Series.

Even though the meeting time was still 30 minutes away, he had arrived early on purpose to soak in the lively atmosphere.

Even though the game was still a while away, the stadium was already packed with people dressed in the uniforms of each team, gathered in groups.

Just last year, he had been among them with Hyungseop, but now he felt awkwardly alone.

Still, he wasn’t lonely, probably because he was with other RJ Triples fans.

Yes! Sungyeon exclaimed inwardly. Affection for his team welled up from deep within his heart.

However, less than 30 minutes later, a depressing reality washed over Sungyeon.

It started when he realized that today’s home team was not the RJ Triples, but their rivals, the Hoseon Polar Bears. The Hoseon Polar Bears’ cheer songs were blasting throughout the stadium.

Just as he was pouting at this, the seniors from his group project arrived. Even though most of the members had gathered, they weren’t moving, and they all looked expectantly at someone, and he instinctively knew that someone was Hwang Yoohyun.

No way, no way is Hwang Yoohyun’s family the Hoseon Corporation, right? Right? The tickets for today’s game must have been bought by the seniors, right?

As Sungyeon anxiously tried to think positive, a sedan parked right in front of the central gate, and Hwang Yoohyun got out of the driver’s seat.

With his long legs, he strode confidently towards where the group members were huddled together.

People’s gazes were drawn to Hwang Yoohyun, who was dressed in a white shirt and slacks even at the baseball stadium.

Sungyeon couldn’t help but look at him as well. With every movement, the man exuded excellence. How could he look away? Focusing on him was a natural instinct for anyone.

Anyway, the fact that Hwang Yoohyun was a handsome, stylish Alpha who smelled good was separate from today’s game.

Sungyeon looked at his face anxiously.

Please, tell me they’re not Hoseon Polar Bears table seats!

As Sungyeon desperately wished, Yoohyun walked past the group members and spoke to a staff member waiting at the central gate.

“Yes, please come this way.”

The staff member, after a brief conversation with Hwang Yoohyun, led the group members with a practiced smile.

I’m doomed.

Despite Sungyeon’s fervent wishes, they were headed towards the home team’s cheering section, the Hoseon Polar Bears’. Sungyeon repeatedly chanted “I’m doomed” inwardly. In contrast, the other group members were grinning from ear to ear as they headed towards the table seats.

Meanwhile, even amidst the staff’s attentive treatment, Yoohyun’s attention was entirely focused on Kim Bokseung, who was walking behind him.

Unlike the cheerful group members, Bokseung looked extremely displeased, like a cow being led to the slaughterhouse.

He wanted to grab the small head and ask what was wrong, but he barely managed to restrain himself.

Even after arriving at the table seats, Yoohyun made Bokseung sit next to him, almost by force. Bokseung’s small lips, now seated next to him, showed no sign of opening.

The group members, having successfully offloaded Bokseung onto Yoohyun, began preparing to enjoy the game with beer and chicken. Some of the more considerate members brought chicken and beer to Yoohyun, expressing their gratitude.

Yoohyun, looking at the chicken and beer offered by the group members, turned his gaze sideways.

“Kim Bokseung.”

At Yoohyun’s call, Bokseung’s shoulders jumped. He looked quite flustered, as if he hadn’t expected Yoohyun to speak to him first.

“Yes?”

“Aren’t you grateful?”

At Yoohyun’s provocation, Sungyeon’s eyebrows furrowed.

I’m not grateful! Not at all! I’m stuck cheering for our team in the middle of enemy territory, would you be grateful?!

Lee Sungyeon, the 33-year-old man who had been a die-hard RJ Triples fan for 14 years, screamed internally.

Of course, only internally.

The 33-year-old Lee Sungyeon, disguised in Bokseung’s shell, put on a social smile and replied.

“Oh, Senior! Of course, I’m grateful. I’m so happy to be able to enjoy the game from such good seats. I’m so glad to be in the same group as Senior Hwang Yoohyun. I’m so lucky!”

The breathless reply was somehow even more suspicious. Yoohyun narrowed his eyes and looked at Bokseung.

But Bokseung’s smile was an equally impenetrable wall. He maintained a gentle smile, as if expressing gratitude for Hwang Yoohyun’s dazzling background.

It was quite the poker face, so Yoohyun let out a short sigh and turned his attention to the chicken.

🍑‧₊ ⋆˙

I knew it.

Yoohyun chuckled, looking at Bokseung sitting next to him.

What?

‘I’m so happy to be able to enjoy the game from such good seats.’

Despite saying that, Bokseung’s face was now flushed crimson.

The score was 7:2. The Hoseon Polar Bears were beating the RJ Triples by 5 points.

As Bokseung had said, the Hoseon Polar Bears were happily winning, but his reaction was the opposite.

He even witnessed Bokseung cursing at the RJ Triples’ seventh batter, who had just hit into a double play.

Considering Bokseung’s behavior so far, there was only one conclusion.

“Kim Bokseung. Are you an RJ Triples fan?”

Sungyeon gulped, startled by the sudden question.

He seemed to have been secretly observing him, even though he’d appeared completely uninterested. Sungyeon reluctantly nodded. It was impossible to deny it; his earlier actions had been more than obvious.

“For a long time?”

Yoohyun asked, seeing the affirmative nod. This time, a more definite answer followed.

“Yes, that’s right. I’ve been a Triples fan for quite a while.”

“How long?”

Just accept the answer.

Despite Bokseung’s confirmation, Yoohyun didn’t back down, persistently pressing for a specific timeframe.

“Since my senior year of high school!”

Sungyeon declared, widening his eyes. His history of supporting the RJ Triples was nothing to be ashamed of. The team’s performance was a little embarrassing, though.

From his senior year, at 19, until now, at 33, Sungyeon had been a devoted, die-hard fan of the RJ Triples, never wavering in his loyalty.

“Senior year?”

However, Hwang Yoohyun’s expression, after hearing Sungyeon’s answer, wasn’t one of “That’s impressive!” but rather, “You’re kidding, right?”

Annoyed by his reaction, Sungyeon spread out his small fingers and argued.

“Hey, why that look? I told you, since my senior year? So, that’s 14…!”

“14?”

“14 ye… Ah, no. Wait, it’s been 14 months.”

Sungyeon slumped in defeat, his fingers still folded.

Come to think of it, he wasn’t 33, but 20-year-old Kim Bokseung. If he said he’d been a fan since his senior year, it had only been a little over a year.

So it wasn’t strange that Hwang Yoohyun scoffed at his answer.