As soon as Kang Tae-hoon left the hospital, the first place he headed to was a nearby bar.
Dim lighting and soft jazz music played in the backdrop. It was the typical scene one could expect from a cocktail bar.
Clang.
Kang Tae-hoon sat at the very end of the counter and drank alone.
Clang.
The speed with which he emptied his glass was phenomenal. His hand didn’t rest once. It was more like he was aggressively forcing drinks down rather than savoring them.
“Having a drink even in the middle of the day? Not a bad choice at all.”
At that moment, someone sat beside him. It was Shin Yoon-seong, whom he had encountered at the hospital entrance not too long ago.
…
Despite having so much to say, Kang Tae-hoon decided to ignore him. Engaging with this guy never led to anything good.
Getting entangled with this fellow usually results in nothing but trouble.
“I’ll have the same; put the charge under this friend’s tab.”
…
Breathe. I must breathe. Let’s pretend he doesn’t exist.
Let me just keep drinking.
“Thought I’d bring you something to munch on. Do you want some?”
Shin Yoon-seong placed something on the table. It was a black plastic bag, and inside was freshly bought warm tofu.
Ignoring Shin Yoon-seong’s presence lasted less than a minute.
“Hey, you! What nonsense are you doing in someone else’s restaurant? Hurry up and shove that stuff in!”
“Sir. Do you have any leftover kimchi? I’d like one serving of stir-fried kimchi. The tip will be covered by this friend when he pays.”
“Is this place a makgeolli joint? Asking for stir-fried kimchi! You’re totally out of your mind!”
Kang Tae-hoon ended up yelling as usual. In contrast, Shin Yoon-seong remained calm while making absurd suggestions.
“Since we’ve met after such a long time, let’s have a drink together.”
Shin Yoon-seong raised his glass towards Kang Tae-hoon as a toast.
Kang Tae-hoon let out a smirk, completely baffled.
“What a load of nonsense. Did I get shot in the head or something? Do you think I’ll toast with you?”
This guy might actually be insane. Could he have forgotten what he’d done in the past?
Not only did he nearly cripple someone with a single spoon, but he also falsely accused them in front of others. Plus, he dodged payment and ran away.
And now…
He acts as if nothing ever happened and casually suggests having a drink together.
What is this guy’s deal anyway?
“You, what’s your agenda? Why are you showing up in front of me again?”
As unpredictable as this guy is, there’s no way he’d approach Kang Tae-hoon without a reason.
He’s undoubtedly plotting something strange. That’s just the kind of person Shin Yoon-seong is.
“Let’s talk about that after I’ve had a few more drinks.”
“Don’t bullshit me. Spit it out now.”
Kang Tae-hoon firmly gripped his glass. If this guy spouted nonsense, he’d bash this glass into that infuriating face.
“Hmph.”
Shin Yoon-seong let out a sigh before taking a sip of his drink and began to speak.
“Because of the international friendship evaluation match.”
“Evaluation match…”
Kang Tae-hoon raised an eyebrow.
The international friendship evaluation match. It was just yesterday that he received a message from the school regarding this. They were requesting him to participate as a representative in the evaluation match taking place during the event.
“So what about this evaluation thing?”
“I’d like to be included as well.”
“What?”
Kang Tae-hoon momentarily doubted his hearing. What had he just heard?
“I’m saying I want to be included in the international friendship evaluation match.”
This time around, the competition was to be held as a team event. Three students form a team and participate in three rounds of individual matches.
As of now, Han-yul Military Academy only has Kang Tae-hoon as confirmed. They were still in need of two more participants.
Of course, selecting additional students was Kang Tae-hoon’s responsibility, so that’s what the school had informed him about.
“Do you even know who you’d be facing?”
“Yes, I do. They’ve mentioned it’s the NCAA championship team.”
“Knowing that, you still want to participate? You’re not even close to matching their skill level!”
“But I’ve already gone against you in mock evaluations, so I think an international match like this will be no issue.”
“Skipping out without paying but still mouthing off…”
Anyway…
This didn’t seem like a mere joke. Shin Yoon-seong genuinely and desperately wanted to participate in the evaluation match.
…
Truthfully, Kang Tae-hoon didn’t particularly care who was chosen. This was just a one-off event, wasn’t it? He didn’t have any particular attachment to winning or losing either.
He was simply bowing to the school’s request, nothing more.
“Ooh, I love this place! It looks exactly like the bar in Browns Stadium! So great!”
At that moment, three foreigners entered the bar. They were young men with sturdy builds.
They were all fairly proficient in Korean.
“Huh?”
One of the foreigners glanced at the counter where Kang Tae-hoon was sitting. Upon noticing a familiar face, he quickly approached.
“My goodness! Who’s this? Tae-hoon!”
At the call, Kang Tae-hoon turned to look at the approaching figure. He had reddish-brown hair and a sharp jawline. His appearance wasn’t exactly inviting, though his expression smiled faintly, it carried an air of sharpness.
“Ah, one of those Yankee dudes. Not familiar with you from recent encounters, though.”
Even someone like Kang Tae-hoon, who doesn’t remember faces easily, could tell that.
“What, are you serious? Tae-hoon, you’ve forgotten me?”
Clack!
Lloyd grabbed the glass sitting on the table. It was the one Kang Tae-hoon had been using.
“I haven’t forgotten your name a single day.”
Slosh!
With that, Lloyd tilted the glass, pouring the drink onto Kang Tae-hoon’s head. The cold, sour sensation flowed down from his scalp to the tip of his jaw.
…
Under normal circumstances, Kang Tae-hoon wouldn’t have stayed calm. He would’ve likely torn the Yankee’s mouth apart with his bare hands.
Today, however, he decided to tamp down his anger. With his head drenched in alcohol, he began to reminisce.
Lloyd Hintz. Where had they met before? Their past interactions didn’t seem friendly.
When exactly did they cross paths?
“Hmph.”
Realization struck Kang Tae-hoon, and he burst into quiet laughter.
“So it’s you, that junkie punk.”
Clunk!
Kang Tae-hoon kicked his chair and stood up. Despite Lloyd towering over him in both height and build, Kang Tae-hoon boldly met his eyes.
“Long time no see, junkie. Still doing that ice stuff?”
Kang Tae-hoon glanced at Lloyd’s arm but didn’t see any black bruises or needle marks.
“Amazing, you’ve kicked the habit, huh? How’d you manage that? I seem to recall you stealing your mother’s underwear and selling it to get your fix. Eh?”
“Wh- what?! You… bastard!”
Maybe it was a past memory Lloyd wasn’t proud of. His previously confident face instantly paled.
Immediately, Lloyd swung a punch at Kang Tae-hoon.
Clang!
However, the punch never made contact. A large spoon emerged mid-swing, blocking Lloyd’s fist.
“AAAAH! My hand!”
Lloyd groaned in pain. Naturally, hitting a piece of metal bare-handed hurt.
The owner of the spoon stood up and spoke.
“Didn’t you see we were in the middle of a conversation? I’d prefer it if you didn’t interrupt.”
“What the hell are you doing here…!”
Lloyd, eyes bloodshot, glared menacingly at the spoon’s owner—Shin Yoon-seong.
Upon sensing the hostility, Shin Yoon-seong hastily ducked behind Kang Tae-hoon’s back and peeked out from behind.
“Me? Well, you might regret knowing that.”
“That’s not something you should say from behind someone, is it?”
Kang Tae-hoon couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh. His mouth and body language were completely out of sync—Shin Yoon-seong was definitely an irritating guy.
“Damn kimchi bastards…! I’ll crush all of you and make pancakes out of you!”
“Hey, Lloyd.”
At the moment Lloyd bared his teeth, another foreigner stepped in to block him. It was one of the group who had come with him.
“Fighting here isn’t good. We’re guests here, remember? The press is focused on us, you are aware of that, right?”
“Guest?”
While listening, Kang Tae-hoon tilted his head in confusion, wondering why these Yankees showed up here. That was the case.
“By chance, are you the one participating in this evaluation match, punk?”
“Of course! Only I, Lloyd Hintz, can stand equally against Arna Kristin Dotir!”
“Huh? Arna? Hahaha…”
Looks like he hasn’t heard the news. Kang Tae-hoon started laughing uncontrollably, clutching his stomach.
“What’s so funny!”
“Hey, punk, you seem to be mistaken. Arna won’t be showing up this time. She’s not participating.”
“What?”
Lloyd’s eyes widened. “Then who?”
Kang Tae-hoon pointed at himself with his hand.
“Unfortunate for you, your opponent is me. And.”
Next, he nodded towards the person hiding behind him.
“This guy too.”
“Wha—!”
Lloyd stared in shock at Shin Yoon-seong hiding behind Kang Tae-hoon’s back. He couldn’t believe it.
After traveling all the way from the U.S. to Korea, was this what they meant? That the mighty Arna wouldn’t make an appearance, and instead someone insignificant would take her place?
How dare they insult an NCAA championship team like this? They should’ve sent their top players!
“You…!”
Lloyd’s face turned crimson with rage, ready to explode. A few veins popped out on his forehead.
His pride took a sharp blow.
“Get lost, punk. Your stench of armpits has been irritating my nose since you got here. Did you spill some pickled juice in your pits or something?”
“Hmm. Your alcohol-laden breath from that greasy head of yours might be what’s really stinking up the place.”
“…”
“Almost said that.”
Unable to bear it any longer, Shin Yoon-seong piped up. Kang Tae-hoon turned around sharply and glared fiercely at the rat hiding behind him.
And then said one thing.
“You piece of trash, whose side are you on? Are you with me or against me?”
