"Stop it!" Jihong slammed the door shut. "Hyung, the competition is only two days away. Why are you rejecting me? What if I get discouraged and mess up?"
"I'm confident in your skills," Jihon replied. "I won't fall for these tricks because I believe in you. Okay?" He pressed a button, and the car doors beeped.
"The machine speaks for you. The answer is wrong," Jaekyung said, smiling as he headed towards the building. Jihong watched his broad figure, a throbbing headache starting behind his eyes. Was this the increased suppressant dosage, or just the stress of Kwon Jaekyung's antics? Right now, the stress seemed more likely. He hadn't been taking his medication long enough, but these past few days of dealing with this stubborn person were enough to trigger a migraine. Jihong rubbed his forehead and followed.
"Jaekyung-ah, we decided to postpone the conversation until after the competition. But it hasn't even begun."
"I know. That's why I'm trying my best to be careful."
"...."
Jihong felt dizzy, the migraine worsening. "Is this his version of caution? What's next? Will he attack me? It's scary to even imagine."
"Hey, you're really going to hurt yourself."
Jaekyung looked around, but didn't slow down. "What are you talking about? How can I get hurt?"
"You're moving too fast. You could injure yourself."
Jaekyung looked confused. "What kind of nonsense?"
"That's from your point of view, Hyung."
"What do you mean…?"
"Only you think my actions are sudden."
Jihon stopped, and Jaekyung stopped in front of the building entrance.
—Hyung, I've permanently shortened the distance from 1200 meters. Over the past ten years, it's dropped to 1100, then to 1000…
Jihon stared, fascinated, from the bottom of the stairs. Was it the angle? Jaekyung, already tall, looked frighteningly huge.
"I couldn't even see you from so far away, but now I can see you clearly. That means I'm getting closer. There are only a hundred meters left. The final distance is, in fact, a snatch."
He entered the building without waiting for a reply.
Jihong followed, calling out, "Who said it's a 100-meter race?"
"I did."
"But not for me."
"You gave up at 1200 meters, but I'll keep moving forward, press the touchpad and win."
A security guard stood at the locker room entrance. Jaekyung showed his ID, then turned to Jihong. "Even if one participant drops out, the competition won't end. A victory by default is still a victory, and it will be mine."
This unshakeable confidence almost made Jihong agree. Fortunately, the guard interrupted, asking Jihong for his ID.
"Okay, come in."
In the locker room, Jihong took off his socks and put them in a locker. Surprisingly, the pool area was empty—no swimmers, no staff. Everyone was likely working, resting, eating, or sleeping according to schedule.
Jaekyung stared at the water, then stepped closer, inspecting the lane lines. He gauged the distance with his hand and looked at the ceiling. After checking the lights, he knelt, rolled up his sleeves, and touched the water, checking the temperature. He looked like he was performing a sacred ritual.
This is his place, Jihong thought.
Whether he swam or not, Jaekyung was at ease in the water, like a creature born there. Jihong suddenly realized this genius would soon retire, and felt a pang of regret. It wasn't about the Olympics; it was that he wouldn't swim at all anymore.
"Why do you want to end your career?" Jihon asked.
"Because the Grand Slam tournament is my goal."
Jaekyung replied as if he'd said it a thousand times. "And I just want to reach it."
"You can always enter another one."
"No, I won't."
"Why? Are you injured?"
"No."
"Then why? You like to swim."
"Yes," Jaekyung agreed, then, pulling his hand from the water, added, "But I like you better."
"Hey…"
Jihong was speechless.
"Jaekyung-ah, I'm serious."
"Me too."
His face showed the truth, even anger, leaving no room for doubt.
"Shouldn't we discuss this after the championship? It's a false start," Jihon muttered, pressing his fingers to his throbbing forehead. "Let's play fair, Kwon Jaekyung."
"Are you going to keep your promise? I think you're planning to run away."
Jihong couldn't argue. Seeing his worry, Jaekyung smiled and stood. "That's what we're talking about… If you play fair, so will I."
He stood, seeming huge again. Jihong watched the approaching colossus.
"Are we really going to talk about this?"
"Why not?"
Suddenly, Jaekyung was right in front of him. He didn't stop, making Jihon curse and take a step back.
"Hyung, did you postpone everything because you're worried about my reaction? Are you kidding me?" Jaekyung's voice was sharp as he closed in.
Jihong backed until his back hit the wall. He felt the cool tiles through his shirt.
"Hey, do you think I'm joking?" Jihong asked indignantly, breathing heavily to hide his nervousness.
"Yes," Jaekyung confirmed, pressing his hands to the tile.
"Okay! Yes, I'm worried about your emotional state, because I'll reject you after the competition. Now you're going to prepare your heart for the upcoming event, huh!?"
Jaekyung retorted sarcastically, "It's obvious you're trying to politely refuse me. Who the hell is going to wait patiently?" Pinning someone against a wall was usually romantic, but this wasn't: the harshness and lack of emotion were exhausting.
"The problem isn't you; I treat everyone this way…"
"Why do you treat me the same way? Am I just like everyone else to you?"
"What's the difference?" Jihon challenged. Jaekyung's brow furrowed, his lip caught between his teeth. Three wrinkles appeared on his forehead. Jihong made a fatal mistake. Before he knew it, he was grabbed by the collar. He squeezed his eyes shut. "Are you really going to hit me? With paws like that, it doesn't matter if it's a fist or an open palm."
Jihong expected the worst, but then something warm and soft touched his lips.
"...!"
Jihong's eyes widened as he looked at his attacker.
"It's different now, isn't it?"
"Hey."
"Wouldn't you do that to others?"
"You just…"
Jihong wanted to be angry, but seeing the athlete's trembling hands holding a cloth, he fell silent.
"...."
He couldn't understand. The 21-year-old's hands were shaking after a brief, awkward kiss. Jihong tried to convince himself the trembling was rage, but Jaekyung's face told a different story.
"Have you kissed other athletes?" Jaekyung, neck flushed, demanded.
"Don't be silent. If you don't give me the answer I want, one of us will actually end up in the pool."
"No…"
"Then stop saying I'm just like them," Jaekyung warned, turning away and roughly running his fingers through his hair. His ears were red.