YHP 16

The video’s view count was approaching an impressive 2.5 million. Roughly one in every twenty South Korean citizens had watched it.

As expected, the video had thousands of comments. While most of them were messages of support for Yoo Ho-jin, as is typically the case in public opinion, there were occasional baseless and snide remarks mixed in as well.

However, what truly made Jung-in frown were other aspects.

There were comments that implied to be concerned for the athlete, using flowery language to show their exaggerated sorrow, words that could only result from the solid assumption that the athlete’s career was over.  People began to fabricate stories centered on the tragedy of a young athlete who had been ahead of everyone else.  These comments, which were considerably more subtle and malicious than out-of-context criticism, bothered him.

Jeong-in quietly played the next video. The date indicated it was from just a few months ago. This time, the competition appeared to be slightly smaller in scale.

[Yoo Ho-jin is competing in his first match since the injury. Many media outlets will be paying close attention. The pressure must be significant.]

[That’s right. Since he just finished his rehabilitation program, his performance might not be great. What’s important is for him to not worry too much and focus on getting back into the rhythm of competition.]

The commentators’ tone was slightly subdued compared to the previous video. However, Ho-jin’s expression didn’t look too bad. He smiled nicely as he raised his head to respond to the spectators’ enthusiasm. It was the same strangely reassuring expression he had given in the previous video, when he had advanced to the lead and generated a big commotion.

Jeong-in thought it probably wasn’t a severe injury since the commentators had said that Ho-jin had successfully completed rehabilitation. The whistle blew as that thought crossed his mind. The athletes, who had been warming up in their respective positions, stepped onto the starting blocks. Jeong-in fixed his gaze on Ho-jin.

“…”

He wondered if he had seen that viral video. Had he seen the comments below it?

Had he felt the malice behind those words, hoping he would collapse so that the perfect tragedy would be complete?

Jeong-in hoped that such a thing would never happen. He wished that Ho-jin would fully recover, tucked away on some remote island, without knowing such a thing existed in the world.

Like the overwhelming spurt that only burst out at the last 400 meters, Jeong-in secretly hoped that Ho-jin would once again turn everyone’s worries and concerns into nothing.

After all, Jeong-in understood how difficult it was to give up sports. He knew all too well how horrible it was to stand helpless in the face of a long, empty life as the previously imagined future vanished without a trace.

Even if it had been someone other than Yoo Ho-jin, the outcome would have likely been the same. Unlike himself, who had no choice but to give up the track, Jeong-in genuinely hoped that this person’s misfortune would be nothing more than a brief episode in a long history. He truly wished it would remain only as a story that could be reflected upon without any pain in the distant future.

[Take your marks.]

Then the buzzer sounded. A splash erupted across the lane.

[Oh…. Something’s wrong with Yoo Ho-jin.]

[What’s going on here?]

However, the camera didn’t move. Jeong-in’s gaze remained fixated on the screen as well.

While everyone was cutting through the water and moving forward, Ho-jin’s figure was seen left alone at the starting block. He stood there blankly looking down at his feet, like someone who had forgotten everything. Finally, he fell into the water when a staff member came to check on him and tapped him on the shoulder.

By then, the other athletes had already turned at the halfway point, and they were pushing off the wall for the time, heading back toward the end of the lane. However, Ho-jin sank lifelessly and didn’t surface for a long time. The medical team then rushed in, and once again the competition was suspended.

There was no video footage following that.

It seemed that Ho-jin hadn’t participated in a single competition from that day until now.

“…”

So that was the reason why the reporter had insisted on sneaking onto the campus.

Jeong-in stared at the black screen and lay down looking at the ceiling, his mind heavy. At that moment, the phone rang. It was an unknown number. Jeong-in almost decided to ignore it, thinking it would pass, but…

“Hello.”

Even if it was a spam call, Jeong-in thought it would be better than lying alone in this mood, so he just answered it. After a moment of silence, a familiar voice came through.

– Hyung.

Coincidentally, it was the voice of the person he had just been watching a moment ago.

Jeong-in checked the phone number again. Judging by the area code, it seemed like the call was coming through a landline from somewhere.

“What is it?”

-You didn’t return the towel.

The voice, mixed with a hint of laughter, was low and weary.

“I’ll give it back.”

Jeong-in was planning to ask his aunt for help early in the morning. Installing the washing machine and dryer wouldn’t take long. So, he figured he could probably return it by tomorrow even. He was about to say that when Ho-jin offered to meet first.

-Can’t you give it to me now?

“…I haven’t washed it yet.”

Ho-jin laughed softly.

-You don’t have to do that.

“…”

-I have plenty of towels. Since I’m going to throw them all in at once anyway, just give it to me as is.

Jeong-in quietly listened to him, but then he suddenly asked, “Then, there’s no need to give it to you right now, right?”

-Huh?

“You said you have plenty of other towels. Can’t you just use another one?”

-Ah… what?

There was a momentary trace of embarrassment in the voice that had been sluggish.

-Well, it’s because it’s something I care about. Without it… I feel a bit uneasy. I, um… That towel is the whitest and prettiest among the ones I have, and it’s also the cleanest.

Jeong-in glanced at the towel he had tossed near the front door. It was literally white, but he wasn’t sure if it was as “special” or “clean” as this person was describing. Still, since everyone developed some sort of superstition when it came to sports, he couldn’t help but think that it made sense.

-…Sorry.

Jeong-in found himself chuckling involuntarily.

“Where are you?”

–Huh?

Jeong-in stood up and grabbed the car keys that were carelessly placed on the nearly collapsing desk.

“I’ll give it to you. Let’s meet now.”

-Really? Then I’ll come to you.

“Just tell me where you are.”

-I’m still at the swimming pool. I’m at the payphone next to the big tree…

“A payphone?”

Jeong-in was truly surprised that such a thing still existed. Anyway, since it was on campus, there was no real need to drive. Jeong-in put the car keys back down.

“Just come toward the TH Building.”

-I’ll be there in 10 minutes.

“Uh…”

He was about to say it wasn’t necessary, but the call had already been disconnected.  Jeong-in rolled up the still damp towel that hadn’t dried yet, held it to his chest, and left the building.

The campus at night was quiet. Although the weather had warmed up significantly, a strange chill lingered in the spaces left behind by the crowds that had filled the area throughout the day. Occasionally, groups of heavily intoxicated people passed by on the dark, silent streets. Every now and then, bursts of laughter rolled through the streets like fallen leaves. Thanks to the laughter filling the otherwise desolate space, the air seemed to soften a little. Feeling somewhat lighter, Jeong-in absentmindedly watched them go by.

“Hyung!”

From a distance, the sound of quick, rhythmic footsteps could be heard. Before long, the figure of Ho-jin running came into view. Stretching his long legs with each stride, he reached Jeong-in the blink of an eye, breathing heavily and he placed his hands on his knees to catch his breath. Then, checking his watch, he smiled brightly.

“8 minutes and 55 seconds. I’m not late this time.”

Jeong-in was secretly impressed. The swimming pool and other athletic facilities were all located at the northern end of the campus, while the TH Building was on the opposite side. Covering that distance in under ten minutes would have been difficult without an all-out sprint.

“…Here.”

However, instead of showing any outward reaction, Jeong-in handed him a damp towel. Ho-jin took it, felt it a few times, and then looked at Jeong-in with eyes like a surprised rabbit.

“Did you carry this all the way here like this?”

Carelessly tossing the towel he had claimed was precious onto the ground, he hurriedly took off his outer jacket and draped it over Jeong-in’s shoulders.

“Oh no, your clothes are all wet…”

In response, Jeong-in glanced down and noticed that his chest was stained with moisture that had seeped through. No wonder he had been feeling a bit cold.

“Sorry, it’s my fault.”

“It’s fine,” Jeong-in said as he took off the jacket and handed it back to Ho-jin. “Wear it. You’ll get cold once your sweat dries.”

“I’m fine. You wear it, hyung.”

Jeong-in sighed. “You’re going to call me later asking for it back anyway.”

“Well, that’s true…”

Ho-jin peered at Jeong-in cautiously and said, “Still, just keep it on. Since you went into the water today, you should stay warm.”

“…”

“I’ll ask for it back much later—when you’ve forgotten about it, hyung.”

Ho-jin took the jacket from Jeong-in’s hands and draped it over Jeong-in’s shoulders. Then he asked, “Where do you live? I’ll take you home.”

“Don’t bother, just go your own way.”

Ho-jin’s jacket was much larger than Jeong-in had roughly estimated. Jeong-in had a considerably smaller build compared to an active swimmer, so when he put the jacket on, he looked like a kid playing dress-up in his father’s clothes. Still, with the wind no longer seeping through his wet clothes, it felt warm. Thus, Jeong-in turned away without another complaint, keeping the jacket on.

“It’s dangerous this late at night…”

Picking up the towel from the ground, Ho-jin naturally fell into step beside him.

Ho-jin added, “There was even a random murder case recently, you know.”

“Where?”

“Kentucky, USA.”

Jeong-in thought Ho-jin had a knack for delivering nonsense with a straight face.

Ho-jin said, “But it’s not like such incidents never happen in Korea either…”

Jeong-in snapped, “Stop talking nonsense and go home.”

When Jeong-in cut him off coldly, Ho-jin’s expression twisted into a slight pout.

He protested, “It’s not easy to take on an armed murderer alone.”

“I don’t think it’d make much difference if there were two of us.”

Ho-jin replied without a hint of humor, “I’ll take the hit. You run far away and call 119 for me.”

Jeong-in gave Ho-jin a long, exasperated look before shaking his head and continuing to walk.

“Stop following me already.”

“…Okay.”

Ho-jin’s footsteps came to a halt behind him. Pulling the jacket that smelled of fresh forest air closer around him, Jeong-in took another step.

Should I look back or not?For some reason, it bothered him, but in the end, he didn’t turn around.