Ball-Boy Tactics

Yang Eunoh: I’m the group leader, so why are you creating the chat room?Byun Seungjin: Ah, my bad.Yang Eunoh: Wanna play Winning?Byun Seungjin: Yeah, come out to the living room.Yang Eunoh: Okay.Yang Eunoh: Hahaha!Yang Eunoh: Hahahahahaha!Yang Eunoh: Haha!Yang Eunoh: Don’t act tough if you don’t have the skills. I’ll stop here today since I don’t want to make you cry.Byun Seungjin: Dude, let’s admit what needs to be admitted. Scoring when I left to take a call was totally unfair.Yang Eunoh: Yeah, but it’s still 3-2~Byun Seungjin: You’re such a sneaky bastard.Byun Seungjin: [Message deleted.]Byun Seungjin: [Message deleted.]Byun Seungjin: [Message deleted.]Yang Eunoh: Can’t win by skill, so you resort to swearing? Crying in your room?Byun Seungjin: Also, I’m righteous and good-looking, so I’m like Korea—envied by surrounding countries.Han Jiwon: Hello.Byun Seungjin: And you, you’re…Byun Seungjin: Argh!!!Byun Seungjin: <emoticon>Yang Eunoh: Jiwon, do you play Winning?Byun Seungjin: <emoticon>Byun Seungjin: <emoticon>Han Jiwon: No, I’m not good at games… haha.Byun Seungjin: <emoticon>Yang Eunoh: I’ll teach you. Let’s hang out more often, like we used to.Byun Seungjin: What are you saying, you idiot? Jiwon is shy and doesn’t like pushy people.Han Jiwon: It’s okay, haha.Byun Seungjin: Ah, here we go again. Our star can’t refuse, can they?Yang Eunoh: One more round?Yang Eunoh: I’ll go easy this time.Yang Eunoh: Jiwon, want to join? Green Park Hill is close to our dorm.Byun Seungjin: Don’t make it awkward. Jiwon’s not even replying.Han Jiwon: Sorry… there’s a scratch on my car I need to fix. I was just about to head out, so I can’t make it. Sorry, and thanks for the invite.Yang Eunoh: It’s all good.Byun Seungjin: Who’s the idiot that scratched Jiwon’s car?! If you can’t drive, stay at home! Damn, this pisses me off.Han Jiwon: Ah… I scratched it myself while parking. I’m still a beginner, so I’m not very good yet…Byun Seungjin: No one’s perfect, right? Who hasn’t had their rookie phase? Honestly, I think of those scratches as badges of honor for your car.Byun Seungjin: You’re not hurt, are you? Should we come help?Yang Eunoh: We’re the same age, so stop being so formal. How long are you going to keep using honorifics?Byun Seungjin: You should wait until we’re closer to drop them. What are you, a kid?Han Jiwon: Oh, should I?Byun Seungjin: Yes.Byun Seungjin: Hell yes!Yang Eunoh: Come out to the living room.Yang Eunoh: Should we livestream for Jiwon? So they can watch you getting owned in real-time.Han Jiwon: It’s okay, haha. Have fun with your game~ I’m heading out now.Byun Seungjin: You can ignore stuff like that^^ Good luck with the repair, and good night, Jiwon♡Byun Seungjin: Damn, living the fan’s dream life.Han Jiwon: Thanks^^Yang Eunoh: Bye.Byun Seungjin: What’s Kwon Jungwoo doing that he hasn’t come back yet? He’s not even checking his KakaoTalk.***The group chat created on the day we exchanged phone numbers has been active every day since. I check every conversation, thinking they might be talking about our group project, but so far, not once have they mentioned it.Paying attention to the group chat helped me get through the stressful self-introduction photo assignment in my major class. I mumbled a short introduction while my photo was displayed, then returned to my seat to check the messenger again. The chat, filled with trivial chatter, made me obsess over my phone.From the messages, I guessed that Kwon Jungwoo, Byun Seungjin, and Yang Eunoh lived in the dorms last year but moved into a shared place as juniors. I’m not sure why they still communicate through messenger despite living together.Byun Seungjin and Yang Eunoh dominated the conversation, making up 99% of the chat. The remaining 1% was my replies whenever they reached out to me. They never seemed to tire of inviting me to play games with them, asking almost every other day.Kwon Jungwoo never appeared in the chat. Even Byun Seungjin and Yang Eunoh, who occasionally mentioned him, have stopped asking about him in the chat.Maybe he doesn’t like me.It was a self-centered thought, but considering the mistakes I’d made with Kwon Jungwoo so far, it seemed possible.What kind of expression and words did Kwon Jungwoo have when he heard he had to do a group project with me? I didn’t know him well enough to understand how he dealt with people he was uncomfortable with. It probably wasn’t a positive reaction. He might be questioning why we keep running into each other… Is this much interaction normal in college life? I wasn’t sure about that either.It had been almost a week before our group chat, which thrived without Kwon Jungwoo, finally mentioned the group project. It was clearly because the *Understanding Architecture* class was approaching. I was relieved, as I was about to muster the courage to bring it up myself if nothing had been said by tomorrow.Yang Eunoh: Jiwon, let’s meet tomorrow at 7 PM at the BBQ place near the back gate.Yang Eunoh: You forgot we’re meeting for the group project, didn’t you? hahaYang Eunoh: Last one to arrive has to grill the meat.Yang Eunoh: By the way, we don’t have practice tomorrow, so we won’t be late~~Judging by the message, it seemed like we were meeting for the project, but the location made it ambiguous. Do people do group projects at a BBQ place?The next day, I headed to the restaurant near the school’s back gate with some doubts. I was about ten minutes late because my class ran long, but everyone else had already arrived.“Oh, you’re here?”“Jiwon!! Over here!!!”Next to Yang Eunoh, Byun Seungjin stood up and pointed to the seat beside him. I was glad I’d carefully pulled down my hat before entering, as I had a strong feeling that Byun Seungjin might shout my name.My seat was between Byun Seungjin and Kwon Jungwoo, around a round metal table. When I arrived, Kwon Jungwoo was pouring soju into his glass, apparently having already had a few rounds.Even in a nearly full restaurant, the table with three basketball players stood out. Despite their gray department jackets, their height made them impossible to miss. Among them, Kwon Jungwoo was especially eye-catching. I couldn’t understand why he didn’t cover his face with a hat or mask. As a famous person, he must have a lot to worry about.For a moment, my eyes met Kwon Jungwoo’s. For some reason, I felt like he would get angry if I hesitated any longer, so I quickly approached them.Then I noticed the bowl of soybean paste stew on my chair.As I got closer, Byun Seungjin picked up the stew and placed it back on the table.“I was keeping your seat warm.”“Such a damn fool.”Despite Yang Eunoh’s scolding, Byun Seungjin kept gesturing for me to sit, and I took my seat with a smile that was more of a grimace. Sure enough, the seat was warm as if it had a heated mat underneath.“Did you bring your car?”Kwon Jungwoo asked as he tilted the soju bottle toward my glass. I, unsure where to put my bag, quickly placed it on my lap and held up my glass.“Uh, I did, but it’s fine. I can just call a designated driver.”“I can’t drive you today either, since I’m drinking too.”At first, I didn’t understand what he was saying. It wasn’t until I caught a faint whiff of his scent through the distinct smell of grilled meat that I recalled that night not long ago.“Of course, this time I’ll definitely ask a professional driver! I won’t speak to them until I’m sure, and I’ll even ask to see their business card.”“Okay. Just sit tight.”The clear liquid filled my glass as Kwon Jungwoo poured. As I stared at the liquid, I glanced at his hand. Holding the soju bottle effortlessly with one hand, even the knuckles of his hand looked impressive. You’d think at least one part of him wouldn’t be perfect….Then I suddenly noticed that, unlike him, who was pouring with one hand, I was holding my glass with both hands.So I quickly removed one hand from the glass.“Sorry.”Maybe because of the earlier conversation, I apologized without thinking, and Kwon Jungwoo chuckled at my awkwardly floating hand.“Why? It was polite and nice.”I couldn’t find the right words to respond, so I just smiled awkwardly. Then Kwon Jungwoo muttered to himself.“Guess I thought we were closer than we actually are.”Before I could react to his words, the server approached with the raw meat. While Kwon Jungwoo accepted the plate, my mind was racing. It was hard to tell if Kwon Jungwoo was joking or serious.Close, he said. I had worried he might dislike me, but I had never considered us to be close. Should I lie and say I felt the same? Or was it just a joke after all?Lost in thought, I noticed Kwon Jungwoo placing the raw meat on the grill.“Let me do it. I was late, so I’ll cook.”I hurriedly reached out to take the tongs from him. But Kwon Jungwoo grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. His grip was so strong that, for a moment, I felt like I understood how a basketball must feel in his hands.“Just eat.”With that, Kwon Jungwoo placed a spoon in my open hand, and my foolish hand obediently held onto it.At that moment, I really was like a basketball, being tossed around by him.“Yeah, let’s just eat. Cheers!”As Yang Eunoh raised his glass and shouted, everyone lifted their glasses.I too put down the spoon and raised my soju glass. Feeling uneasy about being in Kwon Jungwoo’s debt again.“It’s an honor, really.”I had barely lifted my glass when Byun Seungjin thrust his right in front of me, gathering our glasses together. The heat from the grill made Yang Eunoh grumble as he reached over it.The sound of glass clinking echoed as the four of us pulled our hands back.“We may be speaking informally because we’re the same age, but that doesn’t mean we’re friends,” Byun Seungjin said. “I just don’t want to show you my shaky hands.”“Stop exaggerating. We’re just talking informally because we’re the same age, not because we’re friends.”“To Han Jiwon.”Byeon Seungjin raised his glass and drank, facing away from me. In a fluster, I brought my glass to my lips and turned my head in the opposite direction, only to find myself facing Kwon Jungwoo. Even from the side, his sharp nose stood out, but he didn’t pay any attention to me, whether I was staring at him or not.I began to slowly sip my drink, quietly observing Kwon Jungwoo. My gaze shifted gradually from his downcast eyelashes to his red lips. As the clear liquor flowed into his mouth, his Adam’s apple moved deeply, and his thick lower lip clung to the glass before reluctantly letting go. That sight, even amidst the tantalizing aromas of the restaurant, made vision the most provocative sense.Watching Kwon Jungwoo, I drank the last drop of my liquor. Reality snapped back when the glass, held by his graceful fingers, gently touched down on the table.I felt like a perverted old man, using a person as a side dish, and I despised myself as I hurriedly looked away and placed my glass down.The atmosphere quickly became lively. I had wondered what doing a group project in a barbecue restaurant would be like, but the project wasn’t even mentioned; all we did was drink. These basketball players had definitely forgotten all about the project after making plans to meet up.“Remember those coffee trucks that came to the practice room on your birthday every year? Some of that was my money! Don’t ask how much I contributed; I don’t want you to feel burdened, Jiwon.”“Oh… thanks. I enjoyed it every year because of you. So, when’s your birthday? I’ll make sure to celebrate it too.”“Right now, Player. My birthday is officially March 24th, 9:03 PM. It’s drinking time.”“Whoa, time flies. It’s already 9? How about we go to the arcade for some claw machines and then head to the third round with some Winning Eleven?”“I need to head home early, so I’m afraid I’ll have to skip the second round. Sorry….”“Why are you leaving early? Something going on?”Byeon Seungjin asked, visibly disappointed. Kwon Jungwoo, who had been staring at his phone the entire time, tilted his head and glanced at me. I felt embarrassed, as if I’d unintentionally drawn all their attention to myself, though it wasn’t anything special.“It’s not that anything’s going on… I have a major class before the architecture class tomorrow.”“Oh right, we do have that architecture class tomorrow, don’t we? Just thinking about sitting there for two hours is making my butt itch.”“You’re still as diligent as ever, Jiwon. Even back in elementary school, you never forgot your supplies, and the homeroom teacher used to really like you.”“Hmm, really?”“Anyway, I guess you have to be this diligent to succeed. You’re probably going to win that competition too, right?”Yang Eunoh shrugged his shoulders and praised me. He had a knack for making me seem like a better person than I was, something he’d always been good at.“Are you entering a competition?”Kwon Jungwoo asked as he set his phone down on the table. Although the screen was off, notifications of messages kept popping up and disappearing. I consciously avoided looking at his phone, not wanting to give the wrong impression.“Yeah, they said first-years can participate if they want.”“You must really be into it.”Kwon Jungwoo replied with a shrug, as if surprised. Yang Eunoh, whose face was flushed from the alcohol, frowned in annoyance.“Seriously, check the group chat. You’re missing all the important stuff.”“It’s only important to you. Call me when we’re actually talking about the project. It’s annoying.”“You seem to check your girlfriend’s messages just fine.”“That’s because she’s my girlfriend.”Kwon Jungwoo said as he extended his glass. Yang Eunoh and Byeon Seungjin quickly started refilling their own glasses. I absentmindedly fiddled with my half-full glass, watching them.So, he has a girlfriend.Of course, he would. It would be strange if a guy like Kwon Jungwoo was single. There must be plenty of women interested in him. I was the weird one for assuming otherwise.It seemed Kwon Jungwoo wasn’t the type to show off his relationship. His messenger profile picture was just a generic photo of an American basketball player, and his long fingers bore no ring.…Well, it made sense that an athlete wouldn’t wear rings. Come to think of it, I hadn’t even spoken to him enough to notice whether or not he had a girlfriend.Given how popular he was, it made sense that he would have a girlfriend, yet for some reason, I felt strange. Was it because I had learned something new about Kwon Jungwoo? But that didn’t make sense; there was still much more I didn’t know about him. Maybe it was the realization that he managed to find time for a relationship despite his busy schedule that surprised me. I wasn’t sure. I just suddenly felt awkward and couldn’t even pick up my small glass of soju.After clinking glasses with them, I finally spoke up. It was the first time I had initiated a topic of conversation.“But aren’t we going to divide up the project tasks?”“Oh, today’s just, like, an orientation or something. We can finish researching Western architecture in a day.”I nodded as if I agreed, but secretly thought this was a wasted trip. Whether it was because he wasn’t interested in the gathering or had something else on his mind, Kwon Jungwoo was back on his phone, busy texting someone. He sighed occasionally, which made me think it was probably the latter. He wouldn’t be drinking alone if he didn’t want to be here.I wanted to sneak a peek at Kwon Jungwoo’s expression, but for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to look in his direction. He seemed comfortable with me, but I felt like he was becoming more difficult for me to understand.Just then, Byeon Seungjin called out, drawing everyone’s attention. Well, just mine and Yang Eunoh’s.“Since we’re here for the project, let’s do as Jiwon said and assign roles first. It’s better to get it done now than to scramble later.”“I’ll do the research!”Before Byeon Seungjin could finish, Yang Eunoh shouted. Reflexively, Byeon Seungjin echoed, “Me too, I’ll do the research!”In an instant, it turned into a quick game of who could claim their role first, and they settled on their tasks just as quickly. Byeon Seungjin, perhaps a bit embarrassed, shrugged his shoulders.“Hmm, that just leaves organizing the materials and presenting them.”“I think I need to head out. I just got a message from Yejin.”Kwon Jungwoo, who had been fiddling with his phone, sighed and interjected. Byeon Seungjin and Yang Eunoh both looked surprised.“What? Now? Why?”“I’m going.”“Hey, decide who’s going to present before you leave. One of you two has to do it.”“He’s doing this for Han Jiwon.”Byun Seungjin turned his back on me and drank. Following suit, I raised my glass to my lips and turned my head the other way, only to find myself face-to-face with Kwon Jungwoo. Even from the side, his sharp nose was striking, and he didn’t even glance my way, whether I was staring at him or not.I subtly eyed Kwon Jungwoo, slowly starting to drink. My gaze traveled from his lowered eyelashes down to his red lips. As the clear liquor flowed into his mouth, his Adam’s apple moved deeply, and his plump lower lip clung to the glass before reluctantly parting. The sight was as visually stimulating as the smell of appetizing food in a restaurant.I savored the last drop, watching Kwon Jungwoo until reality snapped back when his elegant fingers set the glass down on the table.Feeling like an old pervert who ogled people like appetizers, I quickly averted my gaze and set my glass down.The atmosphere quickly warmed up. I was curious about how a group assignment at a barbecue restaurant would go, but instead of discussing the assignment, we only drank. It seemed these basketball players had completely forgotten about the assignment once the meeting was set.“Remember the coffee trucks that came to the practice room on your birthdays? My money was in there too! Don’t ask how much I contributed. I don’t want our Jiwon to feel burdened.”“Oh… Thanks. I enjoyed it every year because of you. So, when’s your birthday? I’ll return the favor next time.”“This moment right now, player. My birthday is now March 24th at 9:03 PM. It’s drinking time.”“Wow, time flies. It’s already 9 o’clock? How about we go to a claw machine arcade for the second round and then play Winning Eleven for the third?”“I have to head back early, so I don’t think I can make it to the second round. Sorry…”“Why are you going back early? Got something to do?”Byun Seungjin asked, a bit disappointed. Even Kwon Jungwoo, who had been engrossed in his phone, tilted his head and glanced my way. Feeling awkward with all the attention, I replied, though it wasn’t anything significant.“It’s not that I have something to do… I have a major class before the architecture class tomorrow.”“Oh right, our architecture class is tomorrow too, isn’t it? Just thinking about sitting for two hours makes my butt itch.”“You’re still so diligent, Jiwon. You were like that even in elementary school. You never forgot your supplies, and the teacher loved you for it.”“Really?”“Anyway, you probably have to be that diligent to succeed. You might even win an award in the competition.”Yang Eunoh lifted me up with a shrug. This was just like the old Eunoh, always inflating small things to make me seem more impressive.“Are you entering the competition?”Kwon Jungwoo asked, putting his phone down on the table. The screen was off, but pop-up notifications kept appearing and disappearing. I deliberately avoided looking at his phone, not wanting to be misunderstood.“Yeah. Freshmen can participate if they want.”“You must have a knack for it.”Kwon Jungwoo responded nonchalantly, shrugging as if it was unexpected. Yang Eunoh, his face flushed with alcohol, frowned in annoyance.“See, this is why you should check your messenger. You’re missing all the important conversations.”“They’re only important to you. Call me when we’re talking about the assignment. It’s a hassle.”“You’re quick to check your girlfriend’s messages though.”“Because she’s my girlfriend.”Kwon Jungwoo said, raising his glass. Yang Eunoh and Byun Seungjin quickly filled their empty glasses. I fiddled with my half-full glass, watching them without much thought.So he has a girlfriend.It made sense. It would be strange if a guy like Kwon Jungwoo was single. There must be plenty of women interested in him. I was the strange one for thinking he wouldn’t have a girlfriend.Kwon Jungwoo didn’t seem like the type to flaunt his relationships. His messenger profile picture was just an ordinary American basketball player, and there was no ring on his long fingers.…Of course, athletes don’t usually wear rings. Come to think of it, we hadn’t talked enough for me to notice if he had a girlfriend.Given how popular he is, it’s no surprise he has a girlfriend, yet I couldn’t help feeling something I couldn’t quite name. Maybe it was because I learned something new about Kwon Jungwoo, but there’s still so much I don’t know. Or maybe I was just surprised that he managed to maintain a relationship despite his busy schedule. I wasn’t sure. I just suddenly felt out of place, unable to even lift the small glass of soju.After finally making a toast with them, I spoke up. It was the first time I initiated a conversation.“So, are we going to divide up the assignment?”“Ah, today is just like an orientation. We can knock out the research for Western architecture culture in a day.”I nodded as if in agreement, though I secretly thought it was a waste of time to come. Whether it was disinterest in the drinking session or something else, Kwon Jungwoo was back on his phone, intensely messaging someone. Given the occasional sigh, it seemed to be the latter. If he disliked the gathering, he wouldn’t keep pouring himself drinks.I wanted to sneak a peek at Kwon Jungwoo’s expression, but I found it hard to turn my head in that direction. The more comfortable he seemed, the more difficult he became for me.Just then, Byun Seungjin grabbed our attention with a “Hey, hey.” Only Yang Eunoh and I were paying attention.“Since we did come here for the assignment, let’s divide up the roles like Jiwon suggested. It’s better to get it done early than to be rushed later.”“I’ll do the research!”Before Byun Seungjin could finish speaking, Yang Eunoh shouted. Byun Seungjin reflexively echoed, “Me too! I’ll do the research!”Like a quick-witted game, their roles were decided in an instant. Byun Seungjin shrugged awkwardly.“Hmph, so all that’s left is organizing the research and presenting it.”“I think I have to head out. Ye-jung just arrived.”Kwon Jungwoo, who had been disinterestedly fiddling with his phone, sighed and interrupted. Both Byun Seungjin and Yang Eunoh looked surprised.“What, right now? Why?”“I’m heading out.”“Hey, before you leave, decide who’s going to present. One of you has to do it.”Despite the scolding from Byun Seungjin and Yang Eunoh, Kwon Jungwoo silently slung his bag over his shoulder. He moved with such urgency, as if he had something pressing to attend to, without any unnecessary actions.I couldn’t even look at Kwon Jungwoo’s face, but I bent down slightly to make way for him, thinking I was being helpful. It seemed like Kwon Jungwoo didn’t even notice.“I’m leaving. See you at the dorm.”He said his goodbyes rather unilaterally as he stepped away from the table. Then, as if out of habit, he turned back to check the table.Our eyes met in his indifferent gaze. It seemed he suddenly remembered that I wouldn’t be at the dorm, causing him to pause briefly and mutter something. I avoided his gaze, but then, fearing it might seem strange, I forced myself to look at him again. However, in less than 0.1 seconds, I instinctively averted my eyes again, making the situation even more awkward.At that moment, Kwon Jungwoo returned to the table. With long strides, he approached and picked up the bag that had been resting on my left knee, placing it on the chair where he had been sitting.“You’re not supposed to put strain on that foot, right?”“Huh…?”“Take care of it.”He threw the words at me carelessly, almost like a reprimand, then said, “I’m really leaving,” and walked out of the restaurant for good.It took me a moment to realize that he was referring to my injury.Even if I couldn’t manage a proper farewell, I should’ve at least thanked him for his concern.I comforted myself by pretending that time had been too short to say goodbye. But I couldn’t stop thinking about Kwon Jungwoo’s retreating figure, hands stuffed deep in his pockets, and the lingering regret stayed with me for a long time.