WOPE Ch 14

There are many virtues an athlete should possess, but the competitive drive for victory was, above all, the most crucial element. Especially in team sports with opponents, the fighting spirit to win and the tenacity to perform better were often brilliantly displayed.

Even Hooyoung, who was usually described as gentle, naturally possessed such qualities. However, if there was something slightly different about him compared to other athletes, it was that his desire for achievement was far stronger than an unconditional drive to win. Perhaps it was because of his debts, or perhaps it was an ambition—bordering on obsession—such as, “I have to achieve a certain goal to avoid being cut from the basketball team, to become a starter, and to be selected for the national team.” That’s why, now that his debts had disappeared overnight, Hooyoung was feeling an odd sense of emptiness.

After a fulfilling two-day weekend spent at Junwook’s house, the morning of his return had arrived. Waking up early in the morning, Hooyoung lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Inside the covers, his body was completely bare, not even wearing underwear, with Junwook’s arm draped over his waist and Junwook’s leg hooked over his. It was a position of complete encirclement. Come to think of it, he vaguely recalled snuggling closer to Junwook in the early hours, half-asleep because of the cold.

The past two days had been perfectly peaceful. While listening to Junwook handle matters regarding the illegal gambling report, Hooyoung had stayed by his side without a single worry. When he answered calls from the front office long after Junwook’s conversations, he simply did as Junwook instructed. It was so easy. Perhaps too easy, and that might be why he was feeling this emptiness.

If he had achieved first place as originally planned and then made contact, maybe he wouldn’t feel this way. Ah, what a pity. That thought kept lingering. Someone might say, what difference does a few days make? But for an athlete, relentlessly chasing a goal was part of their grit, and there was no helping it.

Checking the time, Hooyoung slowly disentangled himself from Junwook’s embrace. He carefully extracted one foot, then shifted his hips to free the other. Gingerly lifting Junwook’s arm and placing it aside, he finally got out of bed. Brr. The moment he slipped out from under the covers, a chill wrapped around his body.

“Where is it?”

Hooyoung’s eyes darted around as he searched for his pants. For an athlete, catching a cold was poison. Ah, he had definitely tossed them under the bed yesterday. Then he spotted the crumpled pants right below. They were the ones Junwook wore at home, slightly too big at the waist and requiring the ankles to be folded once or twice to fit.

“Ugh!”

As he bent down, his hips were suddenly grabbed. Startled, Hooyoung straightened up, only to feel someone firmly squeeze and knead his backside. It was, without a doubt, Junwook’s hand.

“…I was trying so hard not to wake you.”

“I’ve been awake since you started wiggling your toes.”

Smack, smack! Junwook, now fully approaching, playfully slapped Hooyoung’s hips with gusto. Why couldn’t he leave his backside alone? Smack, smack, smack! Smack, smack! What was today’s rhythm? Hooyoung mentally followed the unpredictable beat.

“Bouncy ball.”

Bouncy ball? Hooyoung tilted his head, slipping one leg at a time into the pants and quickly pulling them up. As he bent to adjust the waist, a hand nearly slipped in, but his own hand was faster. Phew, using his athletic reflexes for this felt like a waste.

“Why won’t you let me touch? It was nice.”

“…It’s not like it’s anything that impressive.”

He’d seen black mercenaries or super muscular sunbaes with butts that looked like they were sculpted for the heavens.

“Ah!”

His hips were grabbed again, hard. He’d spoken carelessly, recalling those memories, and it seemed to have irritated Junwook.

“You’re thinking about other guys’ butts in front of me? After I poured my heart and soul into serving you all night, you wake up and think of someone else.”

Hooyoung turned to Junwook with a shocked expression. Serving?

“…You kept going even though I said my legs had no strength and I had practice starting tomorrow.”

“And that’s why I fed you ginseng and every kind of vitamin in between. How’s the new vitamin? I heard it’s the hottest thing in the States right now.”

That was true. He’d obediently taken everything Junwook gave him. Junwook’s supplements, probably because they were expensive, felt like they worked better on his body. Nodding emphatically, Hooyoung shut his mouth and searched for a shirt to put on.

“What time do I need to be there by?”

“By 1 p.m. What about work?”

“I’ll head in slowly, I guess.”

Hooyoung’s curious gaze followed Junwook. When he was busy, he seemed so busy, but when he wasn’t…

“You looking at me like that?”

Hooyoung quickly shook his head. Get it together.

“I’ll go out there. Should I make coffee?”

“Yeah, please do. I’ll make a quick call and head out.”

Probably to say he’d be late. That secretary must have it rough. Hooyoung slipped out of the room. For him, being able to spend more time with Junwook wasn’t a bad thing. With a light, almost fluttery feeling, he bounced into the kitchen and stood in front of Junwook’s coffee machine.

I have to do well. I have to win the championship. That was Hooyoung’s new goal. He couldn’t repay everything Junwook had done for him, but he wanted to do his best to meet Junwook’s expectations. To follow along without causing trouble and to listen well. Winning the championship was an extension of that resolve.

These days, searching Junwook’s name brought up about a third of the results related to the sports team. Articles said that Eun Junwook, the third-generation HG heir, was transforming the sports team’s culture, and the success of HG Big Whales was the fruit of that effort. That made Hooyoung feel even more that basketball was his way to repay. He didn’t want to cause any more trouble and aimed to win with basketball. That was his new goal, one he wanted to achieve with more focus than ever before.

Hooyoung pulled out a frying pan and cracked some eggs.

“Ah, smells good.”

Junwook came out of the room and wrapped his arms around Hooyoung’s back. Hooyoung, who had been intently watching the eggs cook, turned his head and rubbed his face against Junwook’s.

“The coffee smells good, right? They say athletes can benefit from some caffeine. It improves performance, and some hyungs drink it before games. I don’t really know the taste of coffee, so I haven’t tried it, but I should give it a shot sometime.”

“The coffee smells good, and Lee Hooyoung smells good too. I like that we smell like the same shampoo and body wash.”

Junwook buried his face in Hooyoung’s neck, making him shrink with a giggle. It tickled. They used the same products, so of course they smelled the same, but why did it tickle so much? His toes curled on their own again.

“…Sit down and eat.”

Hooyoung pushed his hips back as he spoke. The constant touching all over his body was starting to make him self-conscious.

“You sit. You can’t even fry an egg properly.”

…Glaring doesn’t make it better. Hooyoung was pushed aside by Junwook, his face subtly sulky. He had wanted to prepare breakfast this morning. Come to think of it, every time he came to Junwook’s house, he just sat and ate what was served. Junwook might only fry eggs or heat up something simple from the fridge, but still, Junwook was the one moving while Hooyoung just sat.

“Should I get the bread and juice? Or maybe the plates?”

Junwook glanced at Hooyoung, who was bustling about, and gave a small chuckle.

“Just sit down, please. I’m scared you’ll break a plate.”

Is it that bad? Feeling awkward, Hooyoung sat down.

“You’ve never cooked, have you?”

“I can make ramen.”

Cup ramen, just adding water. For some reason, getting the water right for boiling ramen was hard. Back in school, his grandmother cooked for him, and in college, he lived in a dorm. As a pro, he lived in team housing, so he rarely had to cook. Food expenses were low, so he managed with a small allowance.

“…But I can at least set the table. I can use a microwave too.”

Junwook just laughed, not taking him seriously. He deftly plated fruit, fried eggs, and bread, setting them in front of Hooyoung.

“Juice?”

“Yes.”

Junwook brought water and juice for Hooyoung and coffee for himself before sitting down.

“Why’re you sulking?”

“Huh?”

“Your face is totally sulking. What, because I said you can’t cook?”

“…It’s not that.”

Caught off guard, Hooyoung hurriedly started eating the bread. It wasn’t about cooking—it was because he couldn’t even be a small help to Junwook. He wanted to do well, to be helpful in even the tiniest ways.

“What’s your schedule this week? One weekday, one weekend?”

“This week’s one weekday game, and the weekend is a back-to-back, so two games. Three total.”

“So if you leave today, when will I see you?”

The weekend back-to-back games are away, so he’d get back to the dorm early Monday morning.

“Next Monday’s a day off, so I’ll come by when you’re done with work. Oh, if you’re in Seoul, I’ll drive there.”

“Oh.”

Junwook, spreading jam on his bread, looked at Hooyoung with exaggerated surprise.

“Pretty proactive, huh? Driving all the way to Seoul. Do you like me that much?”

Junwook tilted his chin up slightly, smiling as he asked. His face was playful, but his eyes locked onto Hooyoung’s. Hooyoung, mid-bite of fruit, looked back in surprise.

“Like me or not?”

In truly embarrassing moments, heat rose slowly from his toes to the top of his head. Hooyoung was burning up from his toes to his hair. His face was probably bright red, obvious to anyone.

“Answer quick. Do you like me?”

But Junwook showed no sign of backing off.

“…Ah!”

Something touched his foot under the table. It was Junwook’s slightly cooler foot.

“Ugh.”

Junwook’s foot brushed over Hooyoung’s, gliding from the top to each toe. Goosebumps rose, and when Hooyoung looked up, Junwook just mouthed “What?” as if nothing was wrong. Ah… why is this, no, why is it like this? Hooyoung sat up straight. Junwook’s toes pressed into the arch of his foot, circling softly, making his stomach tingle.

“Naughty.”

“…I’m not.”

That was a bit unfair. Junwook kept making him think other thoughts, then blamed him for being naughty or perverted. Last night, he’d even teased Hooyoung for clinging tightly when Junwook touched him deeply.

“So, like me or not?”

Hooyoung couldn’t keep meeting those intense eyes. Still feeling the ticklish, warm foot, he looked down.

“…I like you.”

His voice was small and quiet, but Junwook, sitting right across, couldn’t have missed it.

“Yeah, me too.”

A smile spread across Hooyoung’s face. Junwook grinned back.

Feeling shy looking at Junwook, Hooyoung busied himself stuffing food in his mouth. Though after this breakfast, he wouldn’t see Junwook until next week, knowing their relationship was already promised for the next time, and the time after that, felt good.

“Anything you need?”

“Huh?”

“Anything you want. Something you’ve envied seeing others have.”

“Nope?!”

Junwook pouted, looking displeased.

“Even as your boyfriend, you don’t ask for anything. That’s kind of hurtful.”

“Hurtful?”

Don’t be hurt. Really, he didn’t need anything more. What he’d already received was more than enough.

“You don’t even come running to ask for stuff.”

“I don’t have anything to ask for. You paid off my debt, and you’ve done so much for me already. I don’t need more.”

Hooyoung got serious, and Junwook, who’d been teasing, turned serious too.

“Why wouldn’t you need more? You should ask if you need something.”

Hooyoung shook his head.

“I’ve been thinking.”

“What’ve you been thinking?”

“I’ll win the championship. I can’t do much else for you, but I’ll definitely give you the championship trophy as a gift.”

What a mountain to climb. Junwook let out a small sigh and said softly.

“Why? I’m really going to do my absolute best…”

“Do it, do it. Who’s stopping you? I’d be thrilled. Do it, do everything.”

Junwook ruffled Hooyoung’s hair, letting him focus on eating. Watching Hooyoung eagerly clear his plate, Junwook muttered to himself about how cute and adorable he was, wondering if he’d ever start chattering, a storm of quiet thoughts.

With a feather-light heart, Hooyoung headed to the training facility. He briefly met with the team president and coach in the office. As Junwook had said, there were no major issues. The website created by the man who’d threatened him was already defunct, and the creditor for his debt wasn’t that man, which helped.

“You might even get a reward for reporting it first, Bbi-bbi!”

The president said with a beaming smile, but Hooyoung waved it off, not wanting a reward. It wasn’t something to be rewarded for. If it weren’t for Junwook’s help, he might’ve been framed as the main culprit in a match-fixing scandal against his will.

“Bbi-bbi’s here!”

Entering the training court, Hojin and the teammates already there raised their hands high in greeting. Hooyoung paused at the door, looking at the basketball court and the players sitting on it. Things he’d almost lost.

“Hey! Hurry up and fold the towels!”

“I’m folding!”

At Hojin’s shout, Hooyoung dove in enthusiastically.

🏀

As the fifth round passed and the sixth began, HG Big Whales climbed to sole first place. The fifth round was pure chaos. HG Big Whales and Daesong Rhinos battled fiercely for the top spot. For nearly a month, one team would rise, the other would fall, and then they’d tie for first again in a frenzy.

Usually, as the season nears its end, attention shifts to the lower ranks fighting for the top-six playoff spots, but this year was an exception. With first place changing every other day, all eyes were on the leaders. After a long, tenacious battle, Big Whales held onto first. They won both direct matches against Daesong Rhinos, creating a three-game lead. Unless a key player got injured or they went on a losing streak, it was unlikely to be overturned.

“Hey, superstar Lee Bbi-bbi!”

Hooyoung, the first to shower and ice his ankle, entered the locker room to a loud shout from a sunbae. He’d shone in today’s game too. His performance improved as games progressed, and today he achieved a double-double: 15 points, 10 assists. He was hailed as the perfect guard for modern basketball, with stable scoring and assists.

“How many double-doubles this season, Bbi-bbi?”

“Four, I think?”

Veteran Donggyu asked, and Hojin chimed in. Hooyoung smiled shyly, bowing in thanks. Assists required teammates to convert his passes into points, so gratitude was due.

“Isn’t your record getting close to Yoonsoo’s?”

“Me? I’m still far off.”

Hooyoung laughed as he answered. Last season’s MVP, Yoonsoo, was racking up dazzling stats this season too. Despite his team dropping to the lower ranks after their mercenary’s injury, his individual stats remained unmatched. In fact, carrying the team alone had boosted his numbers.

“But if we win the regular season, who knows? Bbi-bbi might snag MVP.”

“No way, that’s crazy.”

Hooyoung waved it off, laughing. He thought he was doing great, but objectively, he wasn’t at MVP level yet. He just regretted missing last year’s Rookie Award a bit.

“Yoonsoo sunbae is just too good, probably back-to-back MVP. And our team’s got him for MVP. Foreign MVP.”

Hooyoung gestured at the foreign mercenary chugging a drink, who looked up with a “What’s up?” face.

“You! MVP!”

At Hooyoung’s words, laughter erupted from the mercenary and everyone else. It was a snapshot of Big Whales’ teamwork. With a top-tier mercenary and a stepped-up Hooyoung leading the offense, other teammates threw themselves into defense to shut down opponents. When Taehoon was on the team pre-trade, they were an ultra-offensive team, outscoring opponents 101 to 100. Now, they scored less but relied on tight defense and sharp attacks as their identity.

“Hyung, have this.”

Hooyoung pulled two recovery supplements from his bag, handing one to Donggyu. They were pricey drink mixes, but athletes swore by their effectiveness. Junwook’s supplement cabinet was a treasure trove, always stocked with better supplements and health foods. Honestly, Hooyoung’s eyes sparkled every time he saw it.

“Oh! Thanks. Not sure if this’ll make recovery easier, though.”

“Hyung, don’t say that. We need you to win the playoffs.”

Lately, Hooyoung had been paying extra attention to Donggyu. Though a journeyman who’d played for multiple teams, his basketball skill was undeniable. But as retirement loomed, his stamina waned, and his stats dipped in the season’s latter half. Scoring only two or three points a game drew criticism from fan communities and articles. Hooyoung felt uneasy that he got praise while Donggyu, who contributed significantly behind the scenes, took the heat.

“Hyung, I’ll throw you a lot of passes in the weekend games.”

“You’re such a maknae sometimes. Don’t pass to me when my shots aren’t falling. Pass to others and lock in the regular season win, kid.”

“Hojin and I aren’t the maknaes anymore. We’ve got two rookies now.”

“Rookies who don’t make the roster? The one carrying the icebox on the court is the maknae.”

Donggyu and the other hyungs laughed together. Hooyoung joined in, feeling good as he got ready to leave.

“Bbi-bbi! Don’t take off your icing yet!”

The locker room door opened, and the trainer poked his head in with a stern warning.

“Got it!”

“And keep taping up at home if you can!”

Hooyoung nodded. His bruised ankle had mostly healed, but on days he pushed too hard, it still swelled and ached faintly. He couldn’t rest during this critical time, though. He and the coach agreed to secure the regular season win quickly to reduce his playing time.

“Kid, take care of that ankle. You break down in the playoffs, we’re in trouble.”

Donggyu patted Hooyoung’s back.

“Yeah.”

It was bearable. No athlete played without some injury. Hooyoung rotated his iced ankle and grinned. Winning the game helped, but he was especially happy today, probably because he’d see Junwook. During the fifth round’s many away games, they barely met, and in the sixth, Junwook’s busy schedule limited them to brief calls. Today was their first meeting in nearly ten days.

Hooyoung neatly folded the functional clothing Junwook gave him, popped a supplement from Junwook’s house, and grabbed the keys to the car Junwook bought him. He left the locker room. Junwook was the reason he could play basketball so freely.

I have to do well. I have to win. Hooyoung reaffirmed his resolve as he stepped forward.