Chapter 228

Once upon a time, I lived in a world where I couldn’t live as I wished.

If it was something Jin-hyeok decided out of his own free will, it might’ve been enlisting in the military.

If we include the act of refusal as a choice, the list might grow longer.

But this life is different.

I stood at the center of everything.

Whether it was accidents or festivals.

After calculating and planning what he needed to do next year, Jin-hyeok called Yoo Se-ra to share his thoughts. Though they were in the positions of chairman and athlete, their relationship was close enough to allow such conversations.

– You don’t have to push yourself.

“I really want to participate.”

– If that’s Jin-hyeok’s choice, then I, as a mother, should support you. It’s good for the company too.

Despite Yoo Se-ra’s subtle discouragement, Jin-hyeok participated in the November competition held in Chuncheon. He wanted to somehow boost his condition and secure an Olympic spot by meeting the qualifying record next year. If he couldn’t make it next year, he could aim for the 2000 competition, but he also wanted to push himself while he was on a roll with improving his records.

“Congratulations on your consecutive wins.”

“Thank you.”

The middle-aged man who hung the medal around Jin-hyeok’s neck looked more sour than if he’d bitten into a lemon. It wasn’t because of the cold Gangwon-do wind.

In response, Jin-hyeok flashed a bright smile, as if to spite the man.

‘Our bald friend must be feeling sour, huh?’

It wasn’t surprising, given the tension between Yoo Se-ra and the federation, which was still as tense as U.S.-Russia relations.

Even Jin-hyeok himself was surprised by the change.

Not because of the smile he gave the man, but because of the stubbornness he showed toward Yoo Se-ra. Despite being someone who didn’t care much about records or competitions, he had shown an unusual level of determination.

‘It’s cool to take the lead, right?’

Perhaps the strong influence of Hong Soo-jung, the Seoul kid who threatened to beat him up if he went to the military, played a part.

{Hey, Son Jin-hyeok! If you go to the military, I’ll beat you up! Got it? I’ll come after you with a knife and a gun!}

‘Did she really say that?’

The exact words might’ve been different, but the tone was definitely similar.

And let’s not forget the lovely younger sister Yoo Jin, who expected her brother to be dazzling.

{My brother is a dazzling beast.}

She probably said that after a trip to the dentist.

‘What’s with these kids?’

Jin-hyeok, who hated company dinners and entertaining clients, would drop everything and run to Hong Soo-jung’s call when she was drunk. It wasn’t just attachment or affection that defined his actions back then. The fact that someone desperately needed him was shocking enough to explain his behavior. There must’ve been a reason why he grew fond of and curious about Hong Soo-jung since their days as shooter and assistant.

Of course, even now, he’d run if called, but the mature Hong Soo-jung hadn’t acted spoiled in a while. If her maturity felt like she was keeping a certain distance, maybe it was just Jin-hyeok’s imagination. It could just be indifference from someone living an ordinary life.

‘There are people who urge me to make choices. They guide me naturally.’

Of course, the current Jin-hyeok doesn’t live just to meet others’ expectations. It just so happened that his desires aligned with the expectations of those around him.

Would someone who got a second chance at life be swayed by others?

That’s no different from a pig being raised for slaughter.

“You did well, you did well.”

Jin-hyeok nodded half-heartedly at the words of the chubby Min Yong-rak, who patted his back. This tadpole would probably turn into a bull-like Min Yong-rak after metamorphosis.

“Hoo-, the record’s a bit disappointing.”

“It’s fine. It’s a record only you can set.”

The average human body couldn’t perform at its best in strong headwinds and low temperatures. Even after warming up to the point of his thighs turning red, he had to be satisfied with a performance worse than the last competition. What else could he do? The competition was almost over.

“It ended normally.”

“Yeah. Some days are like that. Let’s go home.”

The competition ended without any ceremonies or fireworks. It seemed like the definition of “normal” was being redefined, but maybe it was just his mood.

“Jin-hyeokaaaaa-!”

Yoo Se-ra, despite her business attire, ran over like a giddy child. Anyone would think she was his girlfriend.

Yoo Se-ra smiled, saying she saved 15 million won, which could be used for the next competition.

“Are you really going to the Thailand competition in January?”

“Yes. That’s why I participated in this competition.”

As a student and an athlete, nothing is more important than managing your condition.

Most athletes regularly participate in competitions to maintain their rhythm and gain experience. It’s even better if the records follow, but if not, so be it. How many athletes are sweating in obscurity, unable to even qualify?

“I’ll go without a training camp.”

“Okay! That’s how I’ll feel motivated to fight too. Don’t worry about costs and schedule management. Manager Min Yong-rak will also come.”

He planned to apply as an individual, not as a national representative, to the competition committee.

It was for the same reason as the last competition, where the tension between SI and the federation over learning rights and athletic rights was quite intense.

It would be nice if there were no conflicts, but he thought it was important to support Yoo Se-ra now. Jin-hyeok’s impressive performance had led to a surge in athletes knocking on the foundation’s door, and he felt a sense of responsibility.

“Me, me too? Chairman, are you serious?”

“Of course-. You’re our core talent, so you should fly on a plane too. A doctor will also accompany us, so Manager Min, please prepare.”

“How could I refuse!”

SI Sports applied on behalf of the athlete, and the participation was smoothly approved.

The news of his participation reached the media before Jin-hyeok, who was in class.

“Sports bureaucracy, prioritizing face over athletes’ rights?”

“Is SI Sports the only organization truly concerned about athletes’ futures?”

The media was on Yoo Se-ra’s side, while athletes and coaches stood by as bystanders. There were mixed views, with some seeing Son Jin-hyeok as exceptional and others indifferent. Ultimately, it was a matter of whose side you were on.

‘This article is interesting.’

While Yoo Se-ra was staking athletes’ futures on political actions, news came around December that Daejeong had decided to sponsor the athletics federation. Jin-hyeok sensed it wouldn’t stop at sponsorship, and he was right.

“The mistress of Saein Group, trading athletes’ lives for profit.”

“A rolling stone ignoring long traditions.”

“The limits of a record holder, why?”

“What does capital know, polluting pure sports with Saein.”

The media’s tone split into two, and the spark Jin-hyeok had thrown long ago grew into a bonfire where former athletes and administrators pointed fingers at each other.

In that mud fight, Yoo Se-ra became a lioness, battling other lions.

– I’m fine. No blood’s shed. The cubs are the future. Protecting the future is, what’s it called-, anyway, that’s what we’re doing.

What’s that?

Worried about Yoo Se-ra, Jin-hyeok was prepared to hold a press conference if necessary. He thought that if an athlete spoke out logically, public opinion could back them and change the federation. But Hong Ki-jun shook his head.

“Just leave it. She needs to let off some steam. Se-ra’s having the time of her life right now. I’m enjoying the show too. Don’t worry. Lose and forget.”

The email strongly hinted that something was in progress.

Hong Ki-jun said not to worry, but Jin-hyeok, sensitive to text, couldn’t help but be concerned.

‘There’s a typo.’

It must’ve been really bothering him.

Anyway, from that short message, Jin-hyeok couldn’t shake the thought that Hong Ki-jun was preparing to step in actively. Though he’d been a henpecked husband in the past, he was now a new model with unmatched power and decisiveness.

Then, the counterattack would come soon.

You’re all dead.

*

“Eung-ah! Bibbaebbo ttu-ddae hahae-ittae-ao? Tang-gu tongsi ttyeo-ttyeo-ttyeo aijju-ddaeddae-. Ae-appa baboong-.”

What is he saying······.

His sister pulled his teeth, but Jeong-won’s pronunciation is even worse.

“Take care, our eldest son. Even if the food doesn’t suit your taste, make sure to eat well. We packed gochujang, kimchi, seaweed, and what else?”

One suitcase is full of side dishes, so there’s plenty.

After being seen off by his mom and Jeong-won, he got in the car.

‘Wow, it’s Gimpo Airport!’

End of admiration.

Though he’d often used it for domestic business trips in the past, being back felt fresh, but not deeply moving. The parking lot is spacious.

“We’re this way.”

Min Yong-rak, carrying a backpack and pushing two suitcases, led the way, followed by the doctor assigned to Jin-hyeok.

The bustling crowd suddenly quieted.

“Hey-, go national team, fighting-.”

The carefree Min Yong-rak waved like a neighborhood uncle.

There was a brief exchange of glances with the national team athletes waiting to depart. There wasn’t hostility, but no goodwill either. They must’ve been exposed to federation-friendly logic.

‘One of them looks envious.’

Maybe a lower-ranked athlete who took Jin-hyeok’s spot.

The other athletes are a year older than Jin-hyeok, high school seniors. One is a physical education college student.

‘They might make it to the final B.’

With their records, they might barely make it to the semifinals.

According to Min Yong-rak’s research, that was the reality.

Still, it would be nice to grow together as competitors and training partners, but the blatant hostility left a bitter taste. Whether their feelings toward Jin-hyeok were by choice or external pressure, they were athletes who’d walk the same path for a while.

‘No matter how much I want to live among humans, I won’t go that way.’

One-way streets are only needed on roads.

It was a moment.

The national team athletes’ eyes filled with emptiness.

“SI staff and athletes, please follow us for separate assistance.”

They swiftly completed the departure procedures and exited the gate.

A passenger plane with a design he’d never seen in his past life was waiting.

It resembled the planes tycoons or agents boarded in spy movies, but nothing else was familiar.

“It’s a chartered plane provided by the chairman. It’s a bit smaller than a passenger plane but faster and more luxurious.”

“Yes. Nice.”

“Why so lukewarm? I couldn’t sleep thinking about boarding this.”

“No, I’m just surprised.”

Surprised?

Given Hong Ki-jun’s current status, a chartered plane is nothing.

Jin-hyeok’s information access level is beyond Min Yong-rak’s imagination.

‘Who knows where he’s stockpiled nuclear warheads.’

A submarine might already be built.

Drones have completed prototype development and are being tested over the West Sea. One semi-submersible that crossed the Northern Limit Line was sunk by a drone, but no one knows the cause. Not the NIS, the Navy Intelligence Command, or even North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau. Not even the U.S.

‘That’s what you call classified.’

If Min Yong-rak knew what was happening at the research institute and deep underwater, his jaw might drop. He probably knows about the new research institute being built in Yeouido.

Thus, Hong Ki-jun was racing through time several times faster than Jin-hyeok.

“Don’t you want to finish high school early? Read and delete.”

Whether he had many plans or lacked trustworthy people, Hong Ki-jun kept sending tempting messages.

“Block”

He almost clicked it but held back out of nostalgia.

“For now, I want to live the life I’ve chosen.”

Croak croak-.

While Jin-hyeok was lost in thought, Min Yong-rak kept shouting, his voice resonating louder than a bullfrog in the rainy season. He seemed to use his belly as a resonance chamber.

“······So, huh? Hey, are you listening? Make a good impression on me. I’m a core talent, that’s why we got a chartered plane.”

Yes, yes. Of course.

“Is this your first time on a plane, Jin-hyeok? Other planes are different, but when you board this one-.”

“I’m not falling for it.”

He must be about to say you have to take off your shoes.

Even if it’s the mid-90s, what era’s joke is that?

That’s not even a joke.

It’s just a lame, unfunny prank that Jin-hyeok hates.

He thought about playing along for a moment. The result would only differ in whether he gave a laugh or caused embarrassment.

But the thought of how pathetic it was made him close his eyes and shake his head.

Dori dori-.

Thud-.

“Ouch!”

“Bow your head-. You’re tall. Don’t shake your head there-. Tsk tsk-.”

Ah, this guy, you should’ve said something!