Kiss the Ground

The days of the fortnight disappeared in the blink of an eye. As the finals approached, the increasingly shorter match schedules seemed to make not only the players but also the fans’ hearts flutter. Every day, dozens of fans gathered beyond the edge of the center building to watch the players practice. Even if they looked tiny like ants, it was a good sight.At this time, with the game just around the corner, maintaining condition was more important than intense training. If they got nervous or overexerted themselves and got injured, all the formations and tactics they had practiced would be for nothing. However, even after finishing short but substantial final training sessions, the accumulated fatigue was no different from usual. Adding to that the tension of an upcoming major game, it was common for even the club’s players, who were supposed to have great stamina, to be half-exhausted.It was late in the evening when Hong Sam, who had been lying down in front of the entrance, greeting the owners who had just come home. They picked up the dog, who was wagging its tail and jumping like a rabbit, and carried it like a sack of rice as they walked down the long hallway into the living room. Chahyun threw the team bag carelessly onto the wooden floor and collapsed onto the sofa, stretching out long.“Ah… I’m so tired. I didn’t even do much, so why am I this exhausted?”“It’s probably the pressure. Your position is especially important in this game… Yuan, don’t fall asleep on the sofa.”“I’m not sleeping.”“You are sleeping right now.”“I’m just closing my eyes.”Misha, who had pulled out a dry snack from the cupboard and given it to the dog, still seemed to have energy left despite running around. Chahyun folded his legs and leisurely massaged his calves while squinting at the sight of his pet circling around his companion. The large dog, showing its belly and acting cute at his second owner’s feet, would at times leap into his arms and lick his cheek as if bewitched.When did they become so close? Though they were born human and animal, they were truly soulmates brought together by the heavens. Should it be called friendship or love that transcends species… Moreover, it seemed as though Misha could really communicate with dogs, just like Snow White.“Ah….”At that moment, what naturally came to mind was the impulsive incident in the piano room yesterday. Since then, Hong Sam had been acting strange every time Chahyun and Misha were together, startled and coming between them whenever they sat close. It seemed to think that the humans had fought, as large dogs have the instinct to mediate pack disputes.With a complicated feeling, Chahyun smacked his lips for a moment, then slowly spoke.“Misha, come here for a moment. I have something to say.”“What is it?”When Chahyun pointed to the seat next to him on the sofa, Misha immediately came over and sat down. Now was the right time, as the dog was preoccupied with its snack. After staring at Misha’s puzzled face for a moment, Chahyun spoke of the resolution he had made yesterday.“Shall we hold off for a bit?”“Hold off on what?”At the vague expression, Misha’s eyebrows twitched slightly. It certainly had a bit of an odd nuance. Before he could misunderstand, Chahyun quickly continued.“It’s not that I don’t want to, but I think we need some mind control. The first game is coming up, so we need to stay focused and avoid being late.”No matter how big a margin Chahyun won by in today’s team game, his simple-minded teammates were just happy he had to pay a fine. Thinking of the faces of those who teased him when he checked the tardiness list with a grim face, Chahyun clicked his tongue, and Misha unexpectedly spoke up.“…Yuan, is your body tired?”Ah, is this a physical issue… Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Chahyun quickly responded.“I’m fine, I’m not tired.”“But you’re overexerting yourself because of me. Even yesterday morning, because I acted on my own….”“No, it’s manageable… I know the trick now. Anyway, I… really enjoy it.”I don’t even know what kind of confession I’m making. Blurting out words carelessly, Chahyun was engulfed in an endless feeling of embarrassment.Despite having been so impatient before, Misha, now sitting opposite with a somewhat subdued expression, looked at Chahyun’s face and then spoke with genuine self-reflection.“I’m sorry. When I see you, I can’t hold back, and once is never enough….”“No, no! That’s not it, really, it’s not.”If there was a mouse hole, he wanted to hide in it. But there was no choice but to soothe Misha. Lowering his head slightly, Chahyun slowly explained.“I… feel like I can exercise better now.”Whispering in an embarrassed tone, Misha’s eyes widened slightly. Without further explanation, the person who knew Yoon Chahyun’s most intimate circumstances came up with the correct answer.“…A jinx?”“Hmm, it’s probably something like that.”Chahyun nodded vaguely. Fortunately, Misha wasn’t the type to condemn him as a pervert, but the genuinely surprised expression and the blinking eyes were much more embarrassing. I’m sorry for being weird… Chahyun slightly held Misha’s shoulder and pulled him a little closer.“Still, after doing that… I do need a bit of rest. So, I was thinking we could hold off for about two days. What do you think?”“Two days, until the first game is over?”“Yeah, just until then… Just for about 50 hours.”“50 hours….”After saying the specific number, Chahyun immediately regretted it. It felt as if he had created a countdown. Instead of holding off for 50 hours, it seemed like they had to do something after 50 hours… Seeing Misha’s eyes subtly heat up, it seemed he felt the same way.Their gazes grew heavy in an instant. This is the real problem. In moments like this, if either of them made a sudden move, there would be no going back…“Alright. I’ll do as you say.”Surprisingly, Misha nodded with a face as delicate and innocent as a lily. The gentle, understanding expression, with downcast eyelashes, was unbearably pure.‘So cute?’As soon as he thought that, Chahyun marveled at his own wise decision just moments earlier. Thinking like this, if there were truly no restrictions, he would want to push Misha down onto the floor multiple times a day.“…Then, just one last time.”When Chahyun beckoned with his finger, Misha obediently approached and nestled into Chahyun’s arms. Wrapping his arms around Misha’s broad shoulders, Chahyun gave him a final kiss on the forehead before their 50-hour abstinence. The gesture of leaning his head against his chest was so endearing that Chahyun’s lips, pressed against Misha’s soft skin, grew hot.At that moment, a notification sounded from Chahyun’s phone, which had been carelessly thrown into his team bag. The fact that the ringtone was on meant it was someone he couldn’t delay responding to. Glancing down with a feeling of interruption at a critical moment, Chahyun let go of Misha briefly and bent down to pick up the phone. His expression hardened slightly as he checked the screen.“Who is it?”“…The detective.”At Chahyun’s low response, Misha straightened up. Even without words, they both could guess that this sudden late-evening call was related to the reason Chahyun was staying at Misha’s house. Making eye contact with the now-serious Misha, Chahyun tapped the screen and answered the call.“Hello, Yoon Chahyun speaking.”“Hello.”Even exchanging ordinary greetings, Chahyun could sense a subtle urgency in the detective’s voice. Had they found a lead in the case, or had the imprisoned culprit given a new testimony? Holding his breath while waiting for a response, he heard words that seemed to read his mind.“I have some information regarding the perpetrator we’ve been interrogating.”“Did they confess?”Misha’s gaze sharpened at Chahyun’s question. Chahyun switched to speakerphone, and the detective’s voice rang clear in the quiet living room.“Well… suddenly, we can’t continue the interrogation. It seems the situation has been postponed a bit. I called to inform you about that.”“What do you mean?”“The inmate is currently in critical condition. They were attacked by another inmate.”“…….”Chahyun froze with the phone in his hand. What he heard was completely unexpected, far removed from what he had anticipated. It was out of the blue. In this period, suddenly… Exchanging silent glances, Chahyun and Misha absorbed the ambiguous report.“It seems there was some trouble, and it’s quite serious. They are receiving treatment, but their life might be in danger.”“I see…”“Since there hasn’t been a proper interrogation yet, we will need more time until the inmate recovers. I’m really sorry.”“No, it’s okay. There’s nothing that can be done…”He didn’t know what to say. It was a world completely unfamiliar to him. With a subtle feeling, Chahyun quietly responded, and the detective hurriedly continued.“Don’t worry too much. Once we get a confession, we’ll resolve it quickly. Whether the person is connected to the second incident or if it’s a false confession for show… We’ll find out as soon as possible.”“Understood.”“You must be busy with the season in full swing… I regret this has happened.”After a few more words of apology and assurance, the detective ended the call with a final farewell. The actions of trying to reassure Chahyun and lay out future plans were undoubtedly driven by a sense of responsibility. It wasn’t anyone’s fault; it was an unforeseen event, so Chahyun couldn’t say anything. Even after the call ended and he lowered the phone, Misha continued to look at him.“All sorts of things happen, don’t they?”For some reason, he felt he should act nonchalant. It was true he wasn’t greatly shaken. Shrugging his shoulders, Chahyun mumbled to Misha, whose expression softened a bit. The eyebrows and mouth, previously set in seriousness, relaxed, and a gentle yet firm voice emerged.“Yuan, it’s okay.”“……”“It will be alright. Don’t worry too much.”Suddenly hearing comforting words left him speechless for a moment. He thought he wasn’t really affected. As Chahyun’s lips twitched, Misha placed a hand on his arm.“Come here, one last time.”“Uh…”Without waiting for an answer, Misha pulled Chahyun into his arms. When had he ever nestled so docilely into someone else’s embrace? Long arms enveloped him deeply, as if to imprison him within. Thinking he wasn’t so small in stature, Chahyun found himself like a doll, chest to chest, lips pressed against Misha’s shoulder. In an instant, Misha’s body heat transferred to his.It was warm. Both his mind and body felt hot. An anxiety he hadn’t realized he had melted away like ice and soon evaporated into the air. As he wrapped his arms around Misha’s broad back, Chahyun understood what kept him steady. Being with Misha made his footing firm. Living in this house meant he wouldn’t be shaken no matter what happened.Chahyun rested his forehead on Misha’s neck and took shallow breaths. Fifty hours, probably the longest restriction of his life. Even as the dog, having finished its snack, rushed over to wedge itself between them, they remained tightly embraced.***The match was the next day.The first game at 7 p.m. the next evening was at Winchester’s home stadium. The players, who had to get up early in the morning to warm up and practice, prepared to go home a little earlier than usual. Chahyun, who had finished cooling down early, slung his team bag over his shoulder and walked to the center lobby entrance, intending to wait for Misha to go home together.“Yuan! Someone’s looking for you at the club entrance.”At the sudden call, Chahyun looked up to see a staff member waving from the bottom of the wide stairs. Lowering his phone and tilting his head, he responded.“For me? Who?”“They said they’re your friends. Two people.”“I didn’t get any notice about that.”The staff member walked up the stairs, pointing towards the entrance. Friends? All the people Chahyun could call friends were gathered inside this building. Usually, he wouldn’t think much of it, but recent experiences had made him more cautious. The staff member waved a reassuring hand as if sensing Chahyun’s unease.“Don’t worry. They passed through security, so their identities are confirmed. They’re not suspicious. In fact, security has been tightened a lot because of the incident last time.”“Ah, right… I understand.”“It took an hour just for the inspection. There’s a security guard with them now, so you should be safe to go.”They had a lot of luggage, too. With that added comment, Chahyun stepped outside the glass doors. Even though he had regained his composure living with Misha, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy whenever something strange happened.Approaching the security area outside the center, he spotted two figures. If there were two, they must be the people the staff mentioned. Instead of approaching immediately, he stayed at a distance. One of the people noticed him first and raised a hand high, shouting loudly enough to shake the entrance of the center.“Chahyun! Idiot! Why aren’t you saying hi when you see people?”“Why is it so hard to see your face? Are you that precious here?”“Park Jung and Namwoo hyung?”The familiar smiling faces looked like they had just stepped out of a video call from a few weeks ago. A friend waving with a smile and a gentle, kind senior. They were colleagues from Korea whom he hadn’t seen in months and Yoon Chahyun’s friends.For a few seconds, he couldn’t believe his eyes, but then joy filled his chest. Without hesitation, Chahyun ran to them. The two people he hadn’t seen in months were indeed carrying large suitcases, as the staff had said. Watching Chahyun run across the parking lot, they smiled knowingly.“You didn’t think we’d actually come just because we said so, did you? We said it out of courtesy, right?”“What? How did you really get here?”“You have a game tomorrow, right? We’re here to live vicariously through your victory.”“And what’s all this?”Seeing Chahyun’s wide-eyed surprise, Namwoo chuckled.“We brought some tteokbokki and sundae. Why? You were craving them last time, remember?”“What… did you rob a store to bring all that in suitcases?”“Don’t get me started. We nearly died getting through customs. We only got through because we dropped your name.”Park Jung waved his hand dramatically. The familiar tone of exaggerated seriousness brought a sense of closeness. The homesickness built up from living abroad melted away like butter, replaced by joy. A big smile spread across Yoon Chahyun’s face.“Why didn’t you give me a heads up? I could have picked you up from the airport.”“With you looking like you’re starving from busyness? It’s better to come ourselves than wait for you and risk fainting.”“Still…”“We timed it to your training schedule on purpose, man. So we wouldn’t take up too much of your time.”Park Jung grabbed Chahyun’s shoulders and shook him playfully. Chahyun grimaced, swaying like a toy under his friend’s grasp. The scene was so typical of their meetings that Namwoo laughed as if he were watching something amusing.“Let’s go to Chahyun’s place to continue. We’ve been standing here for who knows how long. The security is really tight.”“Yeah, there’s time for a meal, right? World star.”Hearing this, Chahyun was suddenly at a loss for words. The two looked curiously at the silent Chahyun.On a day like today, it was better to relax and have a normal routine rather than stay tense. The coaches always emphasized composure before a game. Having dinner with these two was an excellent choice in that regard. For Yoon Chahyun, who had few friends due to living abroad from a young age, his national team peers were like his closest friends.So, inviting them home would be natural, but his home… right now… Just as he struggled to find the words to explain, someone called his name from a few steps behind him.“Yuan.”From the familiar voice alone, Chahyun knew who it was. A voice with a familiar ring, calling him in a language different from what he had just spoken. Misha, carrying his team bag in one hand, walked towards the parking lot and stopped when he saw the three of them. The two friends in front of Chahyun turned their gaze to the tall foreigner. Misha, meeting their gaze, also narrowed his eyes. Only then did Chahyun remember that he had been waiting for Misha to go home together.“Oh… Misha Asplund. It’s my first time seeing him in person.”“His physique is impressive.” Park Jung whispered, and Namwoo nodded in agreement. Chahyun glanced at Misha standing a little distance away. Misha’s glassy gaze was fixed on Park Jung’s hand gripping Chahyun’s arm. Feeling a sudden urgency, Chahyun quickly spoke.“Misha, these are my friends from Korea. You might know Park Jung from Strausberg.”As Chahyun introduced each friend, Misha finally stepped forward. Park Jung and Namwoo naturally extended their hands. Although Chahyun worried momentarily about Misha’s reaction, Misha lightly shook their hands, just as he had with Ilya.“Nice to meet you.”He even managed a slight smile. Despite his generally aloof nature, Misha had learned to adopt a more sociable demeanor. Chahyun watched this ordinary yet moving interaction with a touch of emotion.Truthfully, Chahyun wanted to bring Misha along. He didn’t want to be apart from him.However, what made Chahyun hesitate was the peculiar silence Misha had kept when Ilya and Chahyun had a conversation in a language Misha couldn’t understand. Having lived abroad for years, Chahyun knew better than anyone how isolating it felt not to share a common language. Given his friends’ tendencies, tonight’s dinner conversation would likely revolve around intimate matters from Korea. The fear that Misha might feel left out outweighed the desire to be together.There was no way around it. Chahyun spoke, though the words came out slowly.“Misha, I’ll probably be with my friends tonight. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them.”But Misha showed no sign of disappointment. He looked at Chahyun softly and asked,“Are you having dinner outside too?”“Probably. Do you want to go home first? I’ll take a taxi later.”“Will you be okay alone tonight?”It was a kind and mature question. Despite the uneventful routine that had continued since they started living together, the words that still showed concern for Chahyun’s safety and whereabouts were heartwarming.“It’s okay. I won’t be out long anyway. My friends are all here to watch the game tomorrow.”“Be careful.”“I know, don’t worry.”“Contact me right away if anything happens. I’ll come and get you.”Misha lifted his hand as if to hold Chahyun’s but then awkwardly lowered it again. It seemed like he was trying to hold back in front of others who didn’t know their situation. Feeling a surge of pride, Chahyun deliberately placed his hand on Misha’s shoulder.“I’ll be back soon. Get ready for bed.”As he whispered, Misha nodded. Chahyun heard Park Jung and Choi Namwoo whispering behind him. Misha glanced at them once more before slowly turning towards the parking lot.But it was Chahyun, who had reassured him with those words, who couldn’t take his eyes off Misha. He stared blankly at Misha’s tall figure, forgetting the presence of others until Park Jung nudged him in the ribs.***“Yoon Chahyun is really good at English.”“And he’s good at soccer too. Chahyun’s team has to make it to the finals. Look at this.”Park Jung and Choi Namwoo murmured as they looked down at the fancy plates. The table in the restaurant near the center was filled with a variety of dishes they hadn’t even ordered. It was common for such situations to occur when a player visited a local restaurant. Suddenly, a chef emerged from the back, took a photo with Chahyun, and poured them free drinks, wishing them luck in the game the next day. Though they had expected this, they didn’t have time to find a more distant restaurant.Even though they couldn’t bring out the Korean food their friends had brought, just seeing them in person made Chahyun feel a bit more at ease. Choi Namwoo pushed aside a glass filled with clear liquor and spoke softly.“No matter what people say now, don’t worry, Chahyun. From what I see, you guys are really good.”“Whether it’s a success or failure, we just have to try.”“Right, don’t you remember what Senior Juik always says? A soccer ball is round, so you never know where it’ll roll.”It meant that the outcome of a game couldn’t be predicted until it was played. But the senior’s kind words implied that Ail City, Winchester’s opponent, had a strong advantage. Since Senior Juik wouldn’t offer such gentle encouragement unless the situation was serious, it was a reflection of the difficult situation. Park Jung added with a grin.“Still, the ball usually rolls to the stronger team, right, senior?”“It’s hard to defy the statistics.”A little comfort followed by a joke. They were skilled at teasing. Chahyun, who had been spooning food into his mouth, said seriously.“We’ll just have to roll it our way.”“Wow, senior. Did you hear that? We’ll roll it our way.”“That’s right. Since Chahyun scores goals and assists by himself, he has every right to be confident. If he becomes a goalkeeper, it’ll be a grand slam.”“Oh, come on…”As Chahyun put down his spoon, Namwoo laughed and patted his arm. Am I really that easy to tease? Thinking this, Chahyun recalled the countless simulations he had run against Ail City. Although they had faced off many times in the same English league, Ail City was never an easy opponent. Their win rate in the Premier League wasn’t something to boast about either.As Chahyun fell into thought with a serious expression, Park Jung spoke up to change the atmosphere.“By the way, are you that close with Misha Asplund?”“Huh?”Chahyun’s eyes widened like saucers. Namwoo chimed in.“Exactly. You guys seem really tight. Just now, you looked so happy talking… It was like a world of your own. I don’t know what you were saying, but…”“Did you feel it too? Even during the quarterfinals last time. Hugging and twirling each other around…”“Soon you’ll have a scandal with him too, our scandal-maker.”At the playful comment, Chahyun picked up his fork again. If there was going to be a scandal, it would’ve happened already. The media back home would probably label any close interaction between Yoon Chahyun and Misha as a display of strong camaraderie. As Chahyun remained silent, his friends continued their light-hearted banter.“European guys are really like that. So much physical affection. Right, Jung?”“Don’t even get me started. When I score a goal, I know I have to run. They keep kissing me, those crazy guys!”Of course. This is a perfectly stable atmosphere. As he resumed eating, Chahyun added casually.“He’s a good guy. Cute… kind and cute.”“What kind of explanation is that?”Why say the same thing twice… Park Jung looked at Chahyun with a puzzled expression. But then, as if another question popped into his head, he changed the subject.“Come to think of it, why can’t we go to your house? You have a nice yard and everything. I want to see your dog too.”Curious gazes fixed on Chahyun’s profile. Namwoo also leaned forward, intrigued. Chahyun looked down at the dishes for a moment, lost in thought.Only he and Misha knew about the second letter. It was an unspoken agreement to keep the details from spreading within the club for Chahyun’s safety. However, they were in dire need of allies. The warmth of friends close by and advice to navigate the frustrating situation. His voice came out just after he had these thoughts.“Well… actually, there’s been something going on.”“What? Seriously, what’s up?”Namwoo leaned in closer as Chahyun opened up. Looking at their serious faces, Chahyun hesitated briefly before pouring out the recent events.With each revelation, from the first letter to the terrorist act, the second letter they received recently, and the news about the suspect just yesterday, his friends were increasingly shocked. By the end of Chahyun’s story, they were practically wielding their chopsticks like knives.“Whoever it is, they’re a real lunatic! Yoon Chahyun, you’ve been keeping this a secret all this time?”“Well, stalking and hidden cameras are unfortunately common. It’s just that this guy is particularly vicious. It’s not Chahyun’s fault.”“So, you’ve been enduring all that crazy stuff alone this whole time?”It wasn’t true. Yoon Chahyun was not alone. There was always someone by his side, someone who worried about Chahyun’s safety, responded willingly to his desperate requests, and only focused on Chahyun. When he fell silent about the unspeakable circumstances, the two people sitting opposite tilted their heads as if it were their own concern.“I’m not sure if the police can handle this properly. The suspect’s condition is unclear and there’s no evidence.”“If the only evidence is the secretly taken photos, it’s best to consult an expert, right? The police will investigate, but it might be good to ask someone who knows about this personally.”“Where can you find an expert? That would just make things worse. If it gets out in Korea, it’ll be chaos.”As they discussed, Namwoo stroked Chahyun’s shoulder, implying it’s tough enough to focus on the game without such troubles. The warm comfort made Chahyun’s heart ache instead. Feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude, he deliberately shifted the topic to the first match of the semifinals the next day.“Right now, I just need to focus on the game in front of us…”No matter Yoon Chahyun’s personal situation, the match would proceed as scheduled. Though he hadn’t given up or been frightened beforehand, he hadn’t expected to make it this far either. He tried to forget by dining with close friends, but the sense of responsibility and tension lurking beneath the surface was hard to erase. Feeling a sudden thirst, Chahyun grabbed a glass of water from the table and gulped it down.Perhaps because of the rising pressure, his insides felt hot. No, specifically, his esophagus did. It was at that moment he noticed Namwoo’s wide eyes and the rare serious look on Park Jung’s face, both directed straight at him.“Uh.”Simultaneously, a pungent smell of alcohol filled his esophagus and climbed up his nasal passages. As Chahyun spat the liquid into his hand in the sharp stimulus that brought tears to his eyes, Namwoo grabbed the glass from him without any scolding about the mess. A truly shocked exclamation followed.“Hey! This isn’t right!”“Crazy…”Park Jung covered his mouth with his hand. Still in shock from losing the glass, Chahyun belatedly made a surprised face, but by then, the glass in Namwoo’s hand was almost empty. What had scorched Chahyun’s throat was the side drink served generously by the overzealous chef for a toast. The burning feeling wasn’t just in his imagination.Feeling his heart drop, he placed his hand on his chest, but what was done was done. His esophagus and stomach burned in turn, and the unshakable unpleasant taste lingered in his mouth like strong smoke. Chahyun asked a futile question, still dazed.“…Is it alcohol?”“Yes, man! Why’d you touch what was put away?”“Are you okay?”Namwoo checked Chahyun’s complexion in disbelief, while Park Jung’s eyes darted around. It was common sense and a personal rule for Yoon Chahyun to avoid alcohol the night before a match. If it were just a single drink, it might have been okay, but the problem was that the enthusiastic fan of Winchester had filled the glass to the brim. Chahyun, deep in thought, had mistakenly downed it as water.“What do we do… this is a real mess.”Someone clicked their tongue, but it wasn’t clear who. As he wiped away the last drop trickling down his chin, Chahyun felt his face growing hot. The alcohol content was too high. His mind became foggy in an instant.***Just before his speech slurred, Yoon Chahyun gave an address on the outskirts of London.Park Jung walked through the quiet evening neighborhood with a tipsy Chahyun. Though he had only consumed a single drink, Chahyun wasn’t entirely unconscious but seemed overly cheerful and touchy, making it wise to escort him home.‘It’s my fault for not taking care of this valuable guy.’Although Chahyun had found and drunk it himself, sitting at the same table meant Park Jung couldn’t avoid responsibility. Holding onto the staggering Chahyun, Park Jung glanced at his flushed face.The one fortunate fact was that the game was scheduled for the next evening. Choi Namwoo, who had packed Chahyun’s team bag, said that if they got him to sleep soon, it wouldn’t affect him much. Or at least it shouldn’t… Hopefully. After all, despite years of living together, they’d never heard that Chahyun suffered from severe hangovers, so if they followed Namwoo’s advice, everything should be fine.Honestly, many players partied hard even before important matches. European leagues were full of players who posted photos from parties on social media. But Yoon Chahyun was the complete opposite of such people. Though it was an unplanned and not humorous mishap, it was still shocking for someone known for his professional self-discipline to get drunk.The address led to a house, more like a mansion. Entering the garden, Chahyun staggered a bit.“I’m fine, really…”“Your face is red.”Despite his efforts to stay alert, his mind was as fuzzy as cotton candy. Supporting his friend, Park Jung rang the doorbell without hesitation. As the low chime sounded, a shadow moved closer inside, as if waiting.As soon as the heavy door swung open, Park Jung squinted at the bright light spilling out, then looked up to see the homeowner.“What?”It was a familiar face. Misha Asplund, midfielder number 18 of Winchester United FC.Though tall players were common in European teams, what stood out to Park Jung was Misha’s striking looks. A face you couldn’t forget once you saw it up close. The unexpected re-encounter left Park Jung’s mouth slightly open. Were they so close that Misha would let him stay at his house for a few days?“…”Misha’s dark gaze, backlit by the house’s lights, was fixed on the sagging Yoon Chahyun in Park Jung’s arms. The way he stared, devoid of any movement, made it clear. Misha had no interest in Park Jung.It felt very strange. Like he wasn’t welcome.“Um, how are you?”In such moments, the only foreign languages Park Jung could muster were fluent German and broken English. He greeted awkwardly, but Misha just turned his head to look at Park Jung. No response like ‘fine, thank you, and you.’ His black, stony eyes scanned Park Jung from top to bottom like a laser.‘Wow… what’s this?’It was absolute disdain. Could someone’s demeanor change this drastically from when Chahyun was around and when he wasn’t? Just a few hours ago in the club center’s parking lot, Misha had been smiling softly while shaking hands. Unable to explain this ridiculous situation due to his limited language skills, Park Jung readjusted Chahyun in his arms.“Hey, snap out of it, Chahyun.”“I’m here… Where is this?”