WOPE Ch 9

However, the atmosphere within the Big Whales team was a little distant from that of a team running in first place.

“Bbi-bbi, did you buy a car? You bought a good one. You did well, the clubhouse is far so it’s more comfortable to have a car. Hurry up and take your hyungs for a spin. We need to hold a ceremony for it too!”

This was the reaction from most of the senior players on the team. Even Hojin, who knew about his debt situation, asked how he bought it and if those men had given him permission, but he was genuinely happy for him, saying it was a good thing. All except for one person.

“Hey, you seemed like you didn’t even have money for skill training, and now you’re buying a car? What are you going to do if you’re already getting ahead of yourself?”

It was Taehoon’s remark, who was always a little cynical about whatever he did. There were many who did not hear it, and those who did pretended not to, but the words stuck sharply in his chest. It was not wrong, but the fact that Taehoon was the one who said it felt unpleasant.

Hooyoung, as always, held it in and kept his mouth shut. The world of sports had a very strict hierarchical order. Though it had mostly disappeared in youth sports these days, back when he was a student, group punishments or disciplinary actions were the norm. On days when a violent senior was in a bad mood, you never knew who would get caught and beaten, so there were more than a few times he had been extremely tense in the dormitory.

That was why it was not difficult to endure Taehoon’s provocations. He was not the first or second person to make comments about his family’s financial situation, so he could let that pass as well. When he was younger, he had heard even worse things from thoughtless children. So, that kind of provocative tone really did not bother him at all. However, the biggest problem occurred on the basketball court.

“…Shit, then he should’ve paid for the skill training himself. He bought a car as soon as the draft ended, so what’s this about getting ahead of myself.”

“Stop it.”

Hojin whispered from the side, but Hooyoung shook his head and stopped him, thinking that even this could be seen negatively by the hyungs.

“Honestly, the reason our plays aren’t working properly and things keep getting messed up on the court is all because of that bastard, isn’t it?”

Hojin, who had followed Hooyoung outside, looked around and said in a small voice. He did not bother to reply, but honestly, it was true. The professional world was definitely different from his amateur days when team victory and performance were the top priorities. Team performance was important, but since individual stats were directly linked to one’s salary, the mindset of each individual could not be compared to that of an amateur.

“Can you see it from the bench too?”

“Hey! If you can’t see that, are you even a basketball player?”

Taehoon’s greed, which had started during the off-season, was growing to a point that was becoming difficult for Hooyoung to handle.

“If he wants to hold the ball that much, he should have played point guard from the start, so why is he so hell-bent on picking on you? And besides, his rivals are on other competing teams, so why is he being such a dick to you?”

“Ah, come on!”

As Hojin’s excited voice grew louder, Hooyoung slapped his forearm and told him to be quiet.

“But his dribbling is definitely a lot more stable than before. I guess doing a lot of skill training is effective. In the past, when Taehoon hyung held the ball, I was so anxious that it would either be a steal or a turnover.”

“Hyung, my ass. What’s the point of improving his skills? Compared to your dribbling, he’s still a rookie, and on top of that, he’s a terrible egoist who wants his personality to be the center of everything. Ah, if he wants to set up the team around himself, he should play like crazy, dominate the league, and win the MVP. Look at Yoonsu hyung, they even pick the foreign players to match him. But what’s a third-year bastard who spent all his time on rehab expecting? Honestly, isn’t what he wants just for you to conform to him from start to finish?”

That was the problem. What Taehoon wanted was for the point guard to perfectly cater to him. If his own shooting sense had remained as insane as it was in the opening game, he could have ignored it, but that was impossible while playing a 54-game regular season. Therefore, at this point, having finished the first round of 9 games with 6 wins and 3 losses, the problem was gradually starting to show. As his and Taehoon’s calls kept clashing on the court, he could see that even the foreign players were getting confused.

“Does the coach not say anything?”

“Not yet. We haven’t had time since the season started. We’ve been busy scouting the other teams’ strengths by playing against them one by one.”

However, if things continued like this, he felt it would not be long.

“…Oh, Hojin, go ahead and get your food. I’m just going to make a quick call and then I’ll go.”

When his pocket vibrated, Hooyoung tried to send Hojin to the cafeteria first.

“You little shit, Bbi-bbi, are you really dating someone? The hyungs were saying so.”

“…What are you talking about?”

In truth, he had checked because he naturally assumed it was Junwook, but when he looked at the phone screen, it was not. Besides Junwook or the team’s group chat, there was only one person who would contact him regularly. Hooyoung shook his phone and showed it to Hojin.

“They contacted me because today is the deposit day. Hurry up and go first. I’ll just send a few messages and be right there.”

“Ah, really?”

This was why old friendships were good. Hojin, who understood after a rough explanation, said okay and ran off to the cafeteria first.

[Hooyoung-ah~ The money came inㅋㅋ Are you already running out of stamina? You guys lost yesterday, right?]

Hooyoung’s brow furrowed as he wondered how to reply. He understood that they would be concerned since his performance was their source of income, but the man’s recent attitude had a somewhat disquieting aspect to it. Send the money, it’s in, do well, you need to raise your salary. Usually, that was the extent of it, but lately, he had been trying to act friendly a lot. Frighteningly so.

After a moment of thought, Hooyoung’s fingers moved.

[Yes. My stamina is fine. Thank you.]

He thought that would be the end of it, having sent a reasonably polite message, but a reply came back right away. This time, it was a phone call. Why is he really being like this? Hooyoung answered the call with a reluctant face.

“Yes.”

—Hey, you know you’re fucked if your stamina drops, right? When I see you on screen, you always look the smallest and weakest. Are you taking your red ginseng?

Ah. He had received red ginseng. He had been eating the one he got from Junwook first, so he had completely forgotten about it. The last he remembered was bringing it in his arms that day and putting it on his desk. After that, he was flooded with various nutritional supplements he received from Junwook’s house and had not even been able to open it. With a sudden surplus of supplements, he had even forgotten about the red ginseng. It was the first time that had happened.

“Ah, yes. I am taking it. Thank you.”

That red ginseng and this red ginseng were all the same red ginseng anyway. Thinking that perhaps the man had called because he wanted to hear more words of thanks, Hooyoung politely said thank you.

—Yeah, yeah. Hey, make sure you take it, you have big things to do.

“Yes.”

Since when was his basketball a big thing? He was now truly out of things to say. He had never even had a personal phone call like this with this man before.

“Sir, I have to go inside now.”

—Yeah, yeah, okay. Let’s grab a meal sometime soon.

The man, having said his piece, abruptly hung up the phone. Why would we see each other soon, and why would we eat a meal? Hooyoung repeated to himself as he looked at the disconnected call. He really did not know why this person was acting like this. With a bewildered expression, Hooyoung quickly ran to the cafeteria. It was a game day, so he had to eat a hearty meal.

Today was the first game of the second round. Since it was a weekday game, there were not as many people as on the weekend, but considering the last few years, the stands were quite full. Among the 54 games in a season, which one would not be important, but the start of the second round was more crucial than anything. Because the analysis of each team’s strengths was finished by the first round, the leading teams that formed during this period usually maintained their position until the end of the season, conserved their stamina, and went to the playoffs.

“The things that haven’t been working for us lately, let’s not miss them today!”

Right before the start of the game, during the time for a final strategy check while standing in a circle, the coach shouted. He even made eye contact with Hooyoung. It carried the meaning that the game management was Hooyoung’s responsibility, so he should do well. Hooyoung jumped up and down lightly to release his tension and nodded his head. Today was also the day he would finally meet Junwook. I have to play well and see him with a smile. And get praised.

As always, he ran hard. He moved and jumped ceaselessly. He also tried his best on defense, which was always pointed out as a weakness due to his lacking physique. However, the opposing team exploited the Big Whales’ sand-like teamwork. Hooyoung, Taehoon, and even the foreign players had the upper hand in a one-on-one matchup against anyone from any team, but they struggled when the opponent dug in with tight teamwork and defense.

By now, there was no teammate who did not know that Taehoon wanted to have the ball as much as possible and wanted to break through the opponent with his individual skills. The important thing was that he often succeeded while doing so. When this happened, Hooyoung’s role of holding the ball and distributing passes naturally diminished, and the foreign player responsible for scoring would hesitate even for a brief moment on whether to prioritize Hooyoung or Taehoon. A team with good teamwork did not miss that gap. They exchanged calls and attempted steals, and they would double-team the foreign player who was choosing between Hooyoung and Taehoon, preventing him from doing anything.

“These bastards!”

As they were dragged along for the whole game, the coach also got angry and started with curses during every timeout. He was usually the type to watch according to the flow, but today he did not, instead giving very detailed instructions on who should set a screen, who should run to receive a pass, and who should receive that and take a shot. It meant he no longer trusted the players, or Hooyoung who was running the plays.

Somehow, they managed to scrape by and win the game. But even after winning, the team atmosphere was not very good. They had used up all their timeouts early, so towards the end, Hooyoung also just said, “screw it,” and played the game with just a 2-on-2 with the foreign player. The stamina consumption was huge, but perhaps because that was effective, they were able to end with a victory.

“Bbi-bbi-ya!”

Still, they won, and it was the day he was supposed to see Junwook, so the coach called out to Hooyoung, who was trying his best to smile.

“Yes?”

“The coach is calling for you!”

Ah… Hooyoung, who had just picked up his phone to tell Junwook he was leaving, put it back down again. He had not even turned it on, so he could not see if a message had come or not. It would be a bit more reassuring if I could at least check it before going. Hooyoung, on his way out, dawdled as he looked back at the phone he had left in his locker.

“Oh, come in.”

When he knocked on the coach’s office door, the coach’s characteristic booming answer was heard.

“Coach.”

“Oh, Bbi-bbi, come and sit down.”

The coach was holding a few sheets of paper, as if he had been looking at the post-game stat sheet.

“Do you know why I called you?”

“I’m sorry.”

Hooyoung bowed his head. It was a relief that they won, but it was true that he had acted on his own at the end of the game. Considering the coach’s preference for sophisticated basketball, it was something worth being scolded for.

“No, we won, so it’s fine. We had no timeouts left, and you handled it well. The coach from your high school told me you were such a genius, and it’s true that the way you handle things in a pinch isn’t like a rookie. You did well.”

Hooyoung bowed his head deeply. He knew the coach had not called him just to praise him, but it was true that he felt much better.

“The team’s been a bit off lately, right?”

The coach revealed his true intention. It was so direct that he was flustered, but Hooyoung also braced himself.

“I can see you guys fumbling on the court. Because you, the point guard, are like that, the foreign players also go back and forth, and when it doesn’t work, they just try to do it themselves. Then they get blocked under the basket.”

“…Yes.”

He had nothing to say in the face of such an accurate insight. Hooyoung just lowered his head.

“I know it’s hard being the youngest. How can it be easy to lead a team when you’re just getting used to the pros. I know, I was a player too.”

Did he call me just to comfort me? Probably not. Hooyoung fiddled with a loose thread on his uniform shorts that he could see. He had not showered yet, so his body felt sticky, and he thought of his un-checked phone again.

“I’m thinking of creating a few plays for Taehoon.”

“…Ah.”

Hooyoung let out a small sound. In his head, he knew this was a rational choice. He knew, but what was disappointing was disappointing. It was natural because Taehoon was his senior and also a key player, but still, his personal feelings took precedence.

“I know Taehoon is greedy for the ball. But if we do nothing and just let it slide now, Taehoon will try to play basketball even more by himself. It’s obvious, isn’t it? He’ll get the ball and not pass it, he’ll drive in on his own. The important thing is, by the time we try to fix it, it’ll be too late. As you know, our team is really good this time, huh?”

Hooyoung only nodded his head.

“If we wait and see and then try to fix it in the third or fourth round, it’ll be difficult. Then the playoffs will come in a flash and we’ll mess up during that most important time. Whatever the players say among themselves, as a coach who has to build teamwork first, this is the best I can think of. What do you think, Bbi-bbi.”

“…There’s nothing wrong with what you’re saying.”

Hooyoung chuckled awkwardly and fiddled with the back of his neck, and the coach reached out and ruffled Hooyoung’s hair messily.

“Hooyoung, you’re a point guard with scoring ability, so you’re a guy who does well anytime, anywhere. In that case, as a coach, it’s right for me to push Taehoon first, whose pace isn’t bad right now. Even if you’re a bit disappointed.”

“Yes.”

If they created plays for Taehoon, his own role would inevitably be reduced. That was the nature of a team. Besides, he was a rookie who had only debuted a year ago.

“Let’s make the plays, push him to try them, and see if he swallows or spits it out.”

His stomach churned. He did not know the specifics yet, but in the plays that would likely be created, he would be playing a role that helped Taehoon a lot. For the team, for good results and the championship, he naturally had to accept it, but he could not deny his churning stomach. It was disappointing. If he had just had more years under his belt, if he had been a more established ace who had consistently produced results for several years, perhaps Taehoon would have been the one receiving this talk, not him. With words like, I know you want to do well, but please try to restrain your greed for the team.

It is the fate of a professional athlete to seize an opportunity when it is given. If additional plays are made for him, there is no way Taehoon will not do well.

“I will be leaving now.”

“Yeah, rest well for two days and I’ll see you.”

Hooyoung, who bowed to the coach and came out, let out a deep sigh in front of the closed office door. He should not feel this way, but he felt defeated and it was disheartening. If Taehoon had at least been a good senior and hyung to him, he would not feel this way, but because he was someone who constantly got on his nerves, he could not shake the feeling that he had been completely pushed aside. It was as bitter as the time he did not make the youth national team despite his overwhelmingly good performance in high school.

When he returned to the locker room, most had already left for the day, and there was no one there but Hojin.

“Why haven’t you left yet?”

“I’m about to leave now. What did the coach say?”

“…I’ll tell you later. I want to shower and leave quickly.”

Hojin seemed to want to pry more, but seeing that Hooyoung’s expression was not good, he backed down with a look of disappointment.

“Alright. Are you going straight home from here today? To your grandma’s?”

“Huh? Ah, uh…”

At Hojin’s words, Hooyoung decided he should go to his grandmother’s, since it was a day he was supposed to go to the dorms. Hooyoung saw Hojin off with an awkward smile and entered the shower room. After the talk, I was thinking it was a relief I get to see Junwook today. It was strange, until a year ago, on days like this, he would have thought he must go to his grandmother’s.

Hooyoung suddenly turned his head and looked at the calendar on the wall. It was already early November. Soon it would be almost a year since his grandmother had collapsed. As time passed, he was facing the reality that it would be difficult for his grandmother to wake up. Yes, even if my grandmother eventually closes her eyes for good someday, I don’t think I’ll be as shaken as I was last year. It will be sad and my heart will break, but still, still, because Junwook is here. …Even if he’s not my boyfriend.

“It’s unfair.”

In the empty shower room, Hooyoung muttered quietly. It was unfair that he lost to Taehoon, and it was unfair that he was not Junwook’s boyfriend.

After getting into the car, Hooyoung turned on his phone and looked for the message Junwook had sent. He saw Junwook’s unanswered message. At first, it was the address of the house he had to go to today, and next was a proof shot that he was watching the game.

[Watching. Do well.]

The photo was of a tablet placed on his lap. It seemed to have captured the scene of him standing during the national anthem. His nervous pre-game appearance was a bit embarrassing, but he liked the thought that Junwook had deliberately waited for him to appear before taking the picture.

[I just got out. I’m on my way.]

It was not far from the home stadium to Junwook’s house in Samseong-dong. Since it was approaching 10 p.m. on a weekday night, the traffic would not be too heavy. Hooyoung gently pressed the accelerator and set off.

The place the navigation guided him to was a tall apartment building that made him wonder just how many floors it had. As the entrance to the apartment came into view, he worried for a moment about how to get in, but he figured Junwook, with his personality, would not have called him without having it sorted out, so he just drove straight. As expected, his license plate was already registered, so he could enter without any trouble.

“…Wow, it’s really high.”

Hooyoung, who had entered the number for an apartment floor he was going up to for the first time in his life and pressed the call button, gulped and watched the camera. The call tone did not ring for more than a few seconds before it was answered, but there was no reply. The door did not open either. What? Is this not the place?

“Uh…”

Completely flustered, Hooyoung quickly checked his phone, but the unit number was not wrong. Should I hang up and call again? Or should I just call him on the phone? As he was fumbling around, he heard a familiar short laugh. It was definitely Junwook.

—Ahem, who is this?

Junwook cleared his throat and suddenly asked who it was. Who do you think it is… His face would be visible on the screen. Hooyoung could not hide his bewildered expression.

“…It’s me.”

Hooyoung glanced back at the underground parking lot to see if anyone was coming.

—Who is ‘me’?

“Well, it’s me…”

I am me, so what am I supposed to say? Hooyoung, at a loss, pursed his lips and touched his hair. He did not know how he could be so flustered every single time Junwook played a prank.

—Who is ‘me though’.

Along with the words filled with laughter, a click sound was heard. It seemed he had taken a picture of his foolish face on the screen because it was funny.

—Ah, hurry up, who are you?

“It’s…”

—It’s?

“…It’s Hooyoung, Lee Hooyoung.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a loud burst of laughter was heard. He never knew saying his own name could be this embarrassing. As Hooyoung gave an awkward laugh along with Junwook, the door opened. The gentle words, Hurry up and come up, were heard as well. Hooyoung worked hard to catch his breath in the elevator heading to the highest floor. His heart began to pound rapidly. He did not know if it was normal to be this thrilled to see him after a long time, but it felt like all the stress he had been under would be relieved today.

“You’re here?”

As soon as the door opened, Junwook was there. Junwook was waiting with the door open today as well. He was in the comfortable clothes he liked, his hair un-styled. Strangely, tears welled up in his eyes as soon as he saw him. Besides basketball, the thing he thought about most was Junwook and his concerns about their relationship, but right now, things like whether they were lovers or sponsor and sponsee did not matter at all. He only remembered that Junwook was the only person with whom he could laugh when they talked, and with whom he did not think about anything else when they were together.

“What the?”

Junwook, who stumbled for a moment as Hooyoung’s steps quickened and he suddenly threw himself into his arms, soon regained his balance and properly caught him.

“Is this your display of affection because we haven’t seen each other in a while?”

Whatever Junwook said, Hooyoung just buried his face in his chest and stayed still. Instead, the hands holding his waist tightened.

“I do like aggressive skinship, but are you not going to show me your face?”

Junwook, as usual, patted his butt chap chap twice, then squeezed it hard once before letting go and tried to move his body this way and that to see his face, but Hooyoung absolutely would not lift his head.

“If you bury your head that hard, can you even breathe?”

Let’s just go inside. Junwook dragged Hooyoung inside the entryway and closed the door.

“Ah, so I have to take off your shoes for you too?”

At those words, Hooyoung took off only his shoes while maintaining the posture of having his face buried in his chest, and Junwook let out a disbelieving chuckle. Hooyoung took off his shoes, but Junwook was the one who unslung the bag he was wearing and placed it under the sofa.

“What is it, did something happen?”

“…Nothing.”

It was not that there was nothing, but this was not a problem that could be solved by complaining to Junwook. What would change if he told Junwook about the problem being that he was not good enough at basketball, that the team’s teamwork was bad?

“Then why are you hugging me. You didn’t do this kind of thing.”

“I just felt like it today…”

The realization that there was at least one person who was on his side hit him hard, and he could not hold it in. The thought that he should look around the house he had never been to was scattered and gone, and he only wanted to be held quickly.

“I was waiting with something to scold you about, but now that you come out like this, I’m at a loss for words. Why is the neighborhood yapper being such a fox at a time like this?”

At the mention of being scolded, Hooyoung cautiously lifted his head.

“What is it? Why are you scolding me?”

“It is something I was thinking while watching the game today…”

As soon as Junwook’s words ended, Hooyoung closed his eyes and crashed his lips onto Junwook’s. For today at least, any more talk about basketball was unwelcome. Junwook, who had flinched for a moment, soon cupped Hooyoung’s face and deepened the kiss. As if he had been waiting for this moment, he acted like he was going to devour him, stripping off Hooyoung’s shirt.

“Did you shower before you came?”

Junwook’s hand, which had been stroking his soft belly and back, slowly crept up under Hooyoung’s armpit.

“Yes, I brushed my teeth too.”

Hooyoung, whose eyes had already glazed over just from the kiss, pressed his lips against Junwook’s again. Usually, when he was stressed, he liked to abuse his body by practicing more, but sex did not seem bad either. No, it seemed much better. The hand that was digging into his pants and kneading his butt was something he was very much looking forward to.

“Shall we go to the bed?”

Junwook grabbed Hooyoung’s shoulders, turned him around, and hugged him from behind. Usually, when hugging from behind, one would hold the waist, but Junwook’s hands were up by his chest. Junwook placed Hooyoung’s nipples between his fingers and caressed them as he moved his feet. Only then could Hooyoung properly see the house, but it was difficult to look around in detail because of his chest and nipples being squished like clay.

The pants and underwear Hooyoung had been wearing were left hanging precariously at the end of the stairs. By the time they entered the bedroom, Hooyoung was already naked.

“What should I do for you first.”

As he walked to the bed, Junwook quickly took out gel and condoms from a drawer. Hooyoung, curious about what might be in that drawer, stretched his neck out and tried to reach for it, but Junwook’s hand was faster.

“What are you going to do being curious about that. It is all for you to use anyway.”

The words that it was all for him to use were nice, but he was curious about when and why he had bought them. I must ask later. He wanted to ask right now, but he did not want to break the mood with Junwook, who was softly kissing from his ear, down his neckline, to his shoulder from behind. Both Junwook and he only wanted one thing right now.

“Hurry. What should I do for you first.”

Even without doing anything, the pit of his stomach was already hot. Junwook’s playful hands on the way up to the bedroom had been effective. Perhaps because it had been a while, he became easily aroused just by having his nipples touched a little.

“…Anything.”

When Hooyoung turned around and stretched out both his arms, Junwook, who had taken off his shirt, smiled and hugged him.

“Do you know you act incredibly clingy when we have sex?”

“That is not true.”

Although he said it was not true, Hooyoung pressed his body tightly against Junwook’s, leaving not a single gap.

“It is absolutely true. Let’s lie down.”

Hooyoung, lying comfortably on the bed, pulled Junwook to get on top of him.

“I need to take off my pants.”

“Let’s do this first.”

He pulled his face closer and their lips met again. This time, Hooyoung put his tongue in first and led. He could feel laughter escaping from Junwook, but from the hand pulling his body closer, he could feel that Junwook was enjoying his actions.

“Hooyoungie is good at basketball and his kissing skills are improving too.”

As Junwook spread his legs and settled himself in between them, Hooyoung smiled shyly. The compliment about being good at basketball was nice, and the comment about his kissing skills improving seemed like something he just said, but he decided to delude himself into thinking it was true anyway.

“What is wrong with this?”

Junwook poked the nipple that was standing up sharply from the continuous stimulation with his index finger and asked.

“You kept touching it.”

“That is right. It is because I touched it.”

Junwook, who readily admitted it, stared intently into Hooyoung’s eyes and touched his nipple again. He pressed down with his index finger and rubbed it, then pulled it out slightly and gave it a sharp pinch. It was definitely painful but also erotic, so Hooyoung tried to look away, but each time he did, the pressure in his hand grew stronger.

“Did you come here thinking about having sex?”

Hooyoung thought for a moment. What was I thinking on my way here? First, he came with the thought of seeing Junwook quickly. Hmm, sex… He had not thought of it right away, but he seemed to have assumed they would do it as a matter of course.

“Hmm? Did you think about it?”

“…Yeah. I did.”

As Junwook unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants, the waistband and front of his black underwear were revealed. As if mesmerized, Hooyoung reached out his hand, finished unbuckling the belt, and pulled the pants down.

“Then you should answer what you want me to do for you first. What do you want to do first?”

Hooyoung, who had been focused on taking off the pants, looked at Junwook and carefully opened his mouth.

“Touch, touch me…”

“Where?”

“…Everywhere.”

Junwook smiled, took off his pants completely, and grabbed Hooyoung’s knees, slowly spreading them. So slowly that it was embarrassingly slow, he spread them as wide as possible. Both his knees almost touched the bed.

“So flexible.”

Junwook was using the flexibility he had developed as an athlete to his own liking. Between his spread legs, his clean, hairless penis stood semi-erect.

“Touch you, and then?”

Junwook drew a few small circles on the head of his penis with his index finger, then lowered his face over Hooyoung’s twitching body.

“Kis, kiss me too. Heut!”

Junwook took Hooyoung’s nipple into his mouth. Just by rolling it a little with his tongue, Hooyoung’s hips moved on their own. His legs were still spread wide open. He could not hold it in.

“Give you kisses, and touch you, hmm… Ah, so you want to do it by the book today? Like it is the very first time?”

Junwook came up to Hooyoung’s face and kissed him. As if it were truly their first experience, he meticulously placed his lips in order, from the lips, to the neck, to the collarbone.

“Ah, is touching the armpits a bit much for a first time?”

He only said that, but both his hands and mouth passed through his armpits.

“Heuu, this, I do not like it.”

“Why don’t you like it?”

Even after hearing he did not like it, Junwook seemed to have no intention of stopping, as he kneaded his left breast as if to squeeze it, and sucked relentlessly on his right one. No, only the order of things was like the first time; the intensity was not. That was why it was difficult. It was taking too long because he was touching and sucking every nook and cranny. His body, which knew sex, was already getting impatient.

“Lee Hooyoung’s body says it does not dislike it, it says it likes it.”

Junwook squeezed gel onto his hand and brought it down below. Hooyoung, who flinched at the cold sensation on his skin, let out a small moan.

“Do you remember what I said last time? When you get surprised and shake your body or scream.”

His finger rubbed over the tight wrinkles, as if about to enter but not quite.

“When I look at it from behind with your ass spread open, it is really to die for. It clenches up tight and then slowly relaxes.”

“…Do not say things like that.”

Junwook’s middle finger slowly invaded his inside. Hooyoung clenched his teeth tightly and forced back a moan. He also tensed his body to keep from flinching. He had just heard that if he moved his body, his bottom would move too, so he could not help but hold it in.

“You’re not going to relax?”

Junwook, who was blocked while trying to delve inside, slapped the side of Hooyoung’s butt. Slap.

“…It is too, heu-eut, slo, slow, ah!”

“It is better.”

He could feel too vividly which finger was coming in, and how many it was increasing to. It felt like he could draw a picture of where it was rubbing and stretching him.

“Should I put it in?”

“…Yeah, quickly.”

“Do you want me to put mine in? Inside here?”

As three fingers poked deep inside him, Hooyoung let out a high-pitched moan and shook his body. His spread legs dangled and his penis, dripping with pre-cum, felt ticklish.

“Tell me. Should I put it in?”

“Who, on their first time, heuu, just, asks things like that…”

“Why wouldn’t I ask.”

Junwook put on a condom himself and got into position. Hooyoung wanted to put the condom on for him with his own hands if possible, but he did not have the mind to sit up.

“Should I do it? Do you want to? I’m putting it in, okay? You have to ask things like that.”

The thick head gently rummaged around the opening and filled him up inside. He had thought it was only difficult when it was thrust in suddenly, but coming in carefully was also difficult. The feeling of being filled up from the outside to the inside was too vivid.

“…Ah, I think it came all the way here.”

Hooyoung fiddled with the area below his navel with his hand. It felt like his entire lower abdomen had been pierced through.

“And you did not ask things like that when we did it for the first time.”

Junwook, who was giving him a moment to rest before moving, giggled and responded to Hooyoung’s words, which he had muttered as if to himself.

“I was too busy devouring you.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Junwook began to thrust his hips. As if exploring, he moved softly, delving deep, and deeper.

“Ah…”

Hooyoung closed his eyes. It was not on purpose; they closed on their own. As the deep inside was stimulated, his eyes unfocused and saliva pooled in his mouth. He could not open his eyes and look at Junwook.

“You’re not going to open your eyes?”

“Because I am embarrassed…”

He felt particularly more embarrassed today, so he was about to turn his head away completely when Junwook suddenly slammed his hips down hard. Thump.

“Heut!”

Hooyoung’s eyes flew wide open and he gripped both of Junwook’s arms tightly.

“See, it is good to look.”

That was right. It was good. The vein slightly visible on Junwook’s forehead and the bulging veins felt under his hands were so erotic that it added to his excitement.

“You should not be clenching already.”

Even if he said not to, he could not help it. Hooyoung could feel his inner walls tightening immensely himself, so he gave up on everything and just clung to Junwook’s arms. Every time they started having sex, he would think to himself, I should not get too loose today, I should not be too lewd, but it always ended like this. Just clinging on, swaying as Junwook shook him, and then pouring everything out.

That moment when his own intensely aroused moans mixed with Junwook’s low groans leaking through his gritted teeth was always really good.

🏀

Hooyoung, completely drained, showered and came out, then went back to bed and collapsed as if fainting. Junwook, who came out with a refreshed face after applying toner and lotion, saw that and laughed loudly.

“Where did the athlete’s stamina go? You brag about it every day.”

“I do?”

Junwook, who came with lotion on his hand, lay down next to Hooyoung and dabbed lotion on Hooyoung’s face. At the question, “Should I rub it in for you?” Hooyoung shook his head and spread it with his own hands. Junwook’s naughty hand naturally slid between his chest and armpit. He said the smooth texture of his skin was so good and would stick his hand in whenever he had the chance, so Hooyoung had a hard time avoiding it, but he tended to leave it be when he had just come out of the shower like now. He did not even have the energy to avoid it now. It was even more so today.

“When did I ever brag?”

“Who is the one who says, while groaning and moaning, let’s do it a little more, let’s do it just one more time.”

“No, that is…”

Hooyoung mumbled, feeling wronged. It was not that he had not done that, but doing that during sex was not bragging about stamina, was it? It was just because he could not control himself in that moment.

“What did you eat for dinner today?”

“Ah?”

At Junwook’s question, which naturally changed the subject, Hooyoung’s eyes went wide and his mouth opened.

“Why ‘Ah?’ Didn’t the club buy you something delicious?”

“It is not that…”

He had starved. If he went home on his own without taking the team bus, the club did not provide him with a meal. To say he forgot because it was his first time going home separately, he was someone who paid extreme attention to nutritional replenishment after a game. How could I forget that? Hooyoung himself was surprised at himself.

“I did not eat.”

“Hmm?”

“Well, not yet…”

At those words, Junwook checked the time. It was just past midnight.

“Oh my, isn’t Lee Hooyoung just too lewd?”

“What?!”

How is not eating being lewd? Hooyoung looked at Junwook.

“You, who is always going on about food, food, did not even think about food today and just wanted to have sex right away, is that it?”

Ah-ah? Is that how it works? Hooyoung touched his bare neck. It was the neck he had barely managed to protect by vehemently opposing Junwook’s attempts to bite and suck it earlier. He had to absolutely protect the parts that were not covered by his uniform. If he was not careful, what he did yesterday would be immortalized on broadcast. Just imagining it was horrifying.

“I was wondering why you were acting extra erotic today.”

“…When did I.”

“Oh, you did. You were so aggressive, I was so surprised. You got on top and started grinding and…”

Hooyoung quickly covered Junwook’s mouth. But even under his hand, Junwook chattered on endlessly. About how when he did this or that you liked it so much you twisted your hips and then your inside was all whatever whatever…

“But it is a bit, strange.”

Junwook wrapped his hand around Hooyoung’s and brought it down, speaking in a low voice. He also made direct eye contact. The teasing was over, and he was serious, as if this was what he really wanted to say.

“Why, why…?”

No, I did not do anything wrong, so why do I feel guilty? It felt like being scolded along with friends who had slacked off, even though I had not joined them.

“Something’s up.”

“…There is nothing.”

Hmm. Junwook’s suspicious gaze followed him. Hooyoung again gently scratched the area around his neck and collarbone. Thinking about it again, it was not something to tell Junwook. He could never say that he heard from the team owner that the team atmosphere was not good.

“Get up for now. Let’s eat something. I do not want to hear that you lost weight because of me.”

Hooyoung quickly got up to follow. He decided not to refuse if he was offered.

“Hooyoung-ah.”

As he followed him down the stairs, Junwook called out to Hooyoung.

“Yes?”

“I will not know if you do not tell me.”

He had nothing to say. When Hooyoung stopped walking, Junwook, who had been going down first, also turned around and faced him. Since Junwook had gone down one step, their eye levels were perfectly matched.

“I will not know.”

His voice and the eyes that met his steadily were firm.

“Do you understand what I am saying?”

He understood the words, but he did not want to comprehend the meaning. Was the person Junwook wanted someone who whined about every little thing, this is hard, that is hard? He was no longer a college student, but a proper adult.

“…Yes.”

Junwook’s head tilted sideways. The air of suspicion still remained.

“I do not think so.”

“I understand. I will tell you if something comes up that I need to talk about.”

“Promise.”

“Yes, I promise.”

Anyway, when Hooyoung wanted to vent about something, the only people he could seek out were his grandmother, who was lying in bed, and Junwook. If I just want to unload what’s pent up inside, I’ll go to my grandmother; if I want some kind of comfort, I’ll come here. Hooyoung created his own set of standards. It was something Junwook would have been very displeased with had he known.

The refrigerator in this house was also full, just like the one in the house at the training institute. Hooyoung’s face beamed as he stood right next to Junwook, looking at the refrigerator.

“What do you want to eat.”

Without a word, Hooyoung took out the beautifully arranged sandwiches and held the plate in his arms. Junwook, who was watching his actions quietly, smiled, took a step back from the refrigerator, and wrapped his arm around Hooyoung’s shoulder.

“And juice?”

“…Do you think that is fresh-squeezed juice?”

What Hooyoung saw was a cup on one side of the refrigerator. Inside the sealed glass cup was a delicious-looking orange-colored beverage.

“Probably?”

“Then that and that over there too.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Junwook took out the container with the salad that Hooyoung had gestured to, placed it on top of the sandwiches, and picked up a drink for himself. Then, he grabbed the nape of Hooyoung, who was about to sit at the dining table, and made him go out to the living room.

“Go eat outside. I have something to talk about.”

“Talk about?”

“Yeah, something very serious to talk about.”

Junwook had Hooyoung sit on the sofa and placed the food side by side on the table. He even put a sandwich in his hand, telling him to eat first, then looked for the remote and turned on the TV. Hooyoung, who was watching Junwook’s actions quietly, was about to put the sandwich in his mouth but stopped and furrowed his brow slightly. He remembered what Junwook had said when he arrived at the house. That he had noticed something while watching the game, that there was something to scold him about.

“Why this…”

Junwook put on the replay of today’s game on the TV.

“I noticed while I was watching.”

“I know I did not play well today.”

Hooyoung said hastily, as if he were being chased by a thief. His mouth suddenly felt dry and rough, so he could not bring himself to bite into the sandwich.

“Who said you did not play well today? And what do you mean you did not play well. At the end, you were the one doing everything and scored. Why are you not eating?”

“…I am eating.”

At his urging, he quietly put the sandwich in his mouth, but although it was full of delicious toppings, he could not taste what it was. Junwook seemed to be fast-forwarding, looking for something. Hooyoung knew this kind of situation well. It was the same as when the coach or a coach would try to find the scene to point out what he did wrong.

“You’re not chewing properly?”

He did not know how he knew he was not chewing when he was only looking at the screen. What on earth was he trying to talk about? He could not even tell if this was a sandwich or ramen and was just chewing when Junwook said, “Here,” and pressed the remote.

Huh? Hooyoung blinked his eyes. It was a free throw scene.

“I did not miss any free throws today.”

“Do you even miss free throws? And that is not what is important.”