A contractual promise
# Chapter 10 - Something that keeps coming to mind, so confusing
(Baekhyun's perspective)
I lay down on my desk, exhausted from working out late into the night for an upcoming competition.
Then, a few minutes later, I felt someone tap my head, and as I abruptly sat up, I saw the coach standing there with his arms crossed.
민석
Is that a look of discontent?
나
Ah, ah- no way~
민석
I have two pieces of good news, two pieces of really good news. Which one do you want to hear first?
나
Good news!
민석
The competition date has been set. Manage your weight. I'll increase the intensity of your practice. I'll do my best, but—you love to eat.
나
...I heard it was good news...
민석
And next - more good news.
나
What is it?
민석
The Return of the King.
I paused for a moment, then asked the coach, still shocked. He firmly replied, "Yes, that's right." In our gym, the terms "king" and "queen" refer to just one person.
as soon as,
Kim Lee-hyun.
(Still from Baekhyun's perspective)
As soon as I heard that story from the coach, I looked for Kim Lee-hyun and met him at the stadium stands.
나
Hey, Kim Lee Hyun!
이현
Ah, Byun Baekhyun I-..
나
You said you were working out again. Really? Are you okay now?
이현
Still, I'm not sure. But I'm going to try to get better. I'm going to work hard and get closer to the position I once enjoyed.
나
..back to the gym?
이현
Isn't that right? I'll talk to the coach more first. If I want to get the title I earned at the gym, I have to start working on it again from now on.
종인
Take a break so that it doesn't get worse
A tall boy appeared out of nowhere and relayed what I was about to say. I was suspicious of the man's affectionate words, and Lee Hyeon-i, aware of my gaze, quickly introduced the boy.
이현
He's a friend who helped me a lot mentally in America. He's the only person I can rely on, besides you and Kim Jong-dae.
종인
I know, that- that noisy kid you were talking about. I've heard a lot about him from Lee Hyun- he said he's your only friend.
백현
Oh, we became really close while working out. I'm Byun Baekhyun.
종인
Kim Jong-in. Nice to meet you.
Contrary to her impression, she has a kind side. I thought to myself, if it were her, I could trust and leave Lee Hyun in charge.
After school, Chanyeol and Lee Hyun were chatting while walking home from school.
찬열
Congratulations on getting back into working out.
이현
Thank you. Ah, don't worry about the security guard. I'll do better.
찬열
You used to hate my bodyguarding so much, but now you're okay with it?
이현
Yeah, actually, at first I really hated it. Why do I have to protect someone like this? After the accident, I became traumatized and scared of dealing with people, and it became difficult, so I hated it even more.
이현
But you know, not now. Just as Kim Jong-in is comfortable and nice, you're comfortable too. You want to be comfortable and close.
찬열
Well then, let's get to know each other - I really wanted to get to know you.
이현
Okay, let's get to know each other. Nice to meet you. Take care, Chanyeol.
"Chanyeol." Was that name so pleasant to hear? Chanyeol felt his mind shut down for a moment, startled. Lee Hyun's characteristically soft tone kept lingering in his ears. He wanted to hear it in that voice again and again.
찬열
...
이현
Hey, Park Chanyeol! What are you doing, embarrassing someone's hand?
찬열
Ah, sorry - I was startled for a moment. It's been a while since I've been called Chanyeol-ah.
이현
Oh, really? Then I'll call you often. When we become close, I'll call you by your last name.
As Lee Hyun smiled and shook his hand, Chanyeol felt the same strangeness he had felt a few days ago. His heart pounded, his whole body felt weak, and his voice felt like it would tremble if he spoke now.
It wasn't just a bad sense of alienation, but a special, ticklish, pleasant feeling. Lee Hyun's smile was Chanyeol's, the one he longed to see. For Chanyeol, who had never felt the urge to see someone's smiling face before, he was confused about what this feeling was.
Lee Hyun's laughter made Chanyeol dizzy and made him smile brightly.
Even after arriving home and going up to his room, Chanyeol couldn't help but smile as Lee Hyun's smile and the words he used to call him affectionately kept lingering in his eyes and ears.
Even then, Chanyeol was frustrated and confused, not knowing what this feeling was or what it meant.
To give you a hint, Chanyeol will be in a lot of pain as the story unfolds^^
Of course, my heart^^ The reason is that in the upcoming episode of Chanyeol's past,
(Coming Soon)