Kiss the Ground

It rained.Standing alone in the dark and damp city like the deep sea was the massive stadium of Ail City. The round structure, positioned like a humpback whale within the harbor, flickered with a dull light, emitting the heat of anticipation before the match. The hum of the crowd, like the sound of being underwater, became clearer as a battle song as one approached the ground.Semi-final, second match. The day of the showdown.Yoon Chahyun sat on Winchester’s team bench, shaded by a large canopy, wearing a club jacket instead of a uniform.The rain that had started in the morning continued until this very moment. Contrary to the forecast that it would gradually subside, it intensified to a downpour by the time the players entered the stadium. The damp air soaked his throat with every breath, and the soles of his football boots quickly became wet.But no matter how much it rained, football never stops. Chahyun looked up at the densely packed stands.Today, most of the stadium was filled with Ail City home fans. They wore black raincoats, waved black flags, and launched equally black fireworks into the air. The team colors were chosen perfectly. The red of the Winchester fans, less than a third of the stands, was barely noticeable through the rain.The coach and staff on the same bench were busy discussing the final strategy. Serious conversations were happening all around.“The weather is a variable, and it’s concerning.”“Yeah. The sudden change in plans must be hard for everyone to adapt to.”“We need to hold out at least through the first half to have any outlook…”Two coaches, who were discussing seriously next to him, noticed Chahyun’s presence and trailed off. Everyone on the bench was concerned about his condition. The medical team, staff, and even fellow substitute players.Chahyun put his hands in his pockets and looked at the rainy ground.With a grand theme song, the players of each team lined up in the center of the ground. The freshly donned uniforms and football boots were already soaking wet. After the handshakes, the twenty-two players spread out across the field to their positions.As a hazy smoke covered the stadium and the scoreboard flashed white, a massive cheer erupted. The match had begun.The players on the ground burst into motion simultaneously. The coach and staff sitting nearby started to keenly observe the situation. The busy scene was like watching a steam locomotive in action. Clattering and moving, the usually unseen mechanisms worked frantically to push the match forward.‘It’s been a long time since I watched from here.’Lost in his thoughts, Chahyun quietly adjusted his jacket collar. In his teenage years, when he had just started playing in overseas leagues, such moments were frequent. Days when no one believed in his skills, and he couldn’t prove them… he couldn’t believe he had already forgotten those days.Ail City’s fierce momentum was no different from the first match. The attackers quickly pressed forward to find their positions, and the defenders didn’t easily give way. The solid and firm wall pushed Winchester back again.The home game advantage added to it. As time went on, the support from Ail City’s fans grew even hotter. The cold rain seemed to have no effect on their fervor. The grand song sung by tens of thousands sounded like a dirge to Winchester.It wasn’t a good feeling. Having played in the first match, Chahyun could grasp the ground’s situation faster than anyone else on the bench. For Ail City’s seasoned attackers, this place was like their home ground. Winchester’s teammates were putting all their effort into blocking the rapid-fire shots.The ominous feeling did not last past the 30th minute of the first half. An Ail City attacker quickly moved forward, deftly passing a few young Winchester defenders and approaching the goal post. Water splashed everywhere, and feet slipped. As a piercing shot flew in, everyone on Winchester’s bench stood up simultaneously.The goal the Ail City attacker shot was slightly deflected by the diving goalkeeper’s fingers, spinning quickly and burrowing into the net. The surrounding air paused for a moment and then exploded into a huge cheer.It was the moment of conceding a goal. Unconsciously, Chahyun tensed his calves and ankles, pressing hard against the floor as if to jump out. But in the next moment, the strength that filled his body drained downwards.‘Ah…’Yoon Chahyun couldn’t do anything now. He had forgotten that fact.Chahyun pressed his foot firmly under the bench, almost crossing the boundary of the ground. The coach, who had stepped almost beyond the boundary line, took a few steps back and returned to his place. No one among the coaches spoke as he sank back into his seat.The merciless time flowed aimlessly. Ail City’s momentum, buoyed by the first goal, soared. It was understandable since maintaining the current situation would lead them to the finals. Conversely, Winchester’s morale slipped down like it was sliding in the pouring rain.After the fleeting end of the first half, the referee allowed a short three minutes of extra time. The victory was clearly leaning. Everyone in this place realized that fact. It would be nearly impossible for Winchester to score two goals from now on. Instead of scoring, they had to worry about conceding more.“…”In the gloomy atmosphere, Chahyun clenched his fists white in his pockets. The bubbling emotions in his stomach had been coldly consuming his heart since last night.It was frustrating. Resentful and unfair.It wasn’t arrogance, thinking he could surely win if he played. It wasn’t recklessness, thinking he could lead the unfavorable situation like a general. He just wanted to be with them. Victory or defeat, it only had meaning when experienced together. When winning, to lead more; when losing, to chase. Running until he was out of breath and his vision blurred was the life and goal Chahyun chose.But at the highest point so far, with the goal almost within reach, Chahyun was made to sit out. He could only watch the end unfold.It might be the end here. Such thoughts crossed his mind. It was a cold conclusion.Most people would be satisfied with this result. They did their best, so it’s okay. They finished well. Winchester did well to get this far, that would be true.But Yoon Chahyun couldn’t be satisfied with such thoughts. He had never taken his life’s goals lightly. Sitting at the edge of the field, watching his team lose, was nothing but torture. The suffocating helplessness wet his eyes, and Chahyun raised his hand to rub them.At that moment, through his blurred vision, he saw a tall player with brown hair dash out. Misha, receiving a sharp pass from Cahill on the opposite ground, sprinted forward. His legs, moving so fast they left an afterimage, struck the wet grass fiercely.It was a breathtaking sprint. Crossing the halfway line and cutting through the penalty line happened in the blink of an eye. Misha, firmly planting the studs of his football boots on the wet ground, swiftly charged toward Ail City’s goal.However, the defenders of Ail City were not just standing by. Joshua Hartman, a large defender, blocked Misha’s path and moved in closer. Every time Misha tried to turn and pass the ball, Joshua was there, persistently attempting to steal it. In that intense moment of struggle, there was a brief instant… Misha’s foot flicked slightly.The ball slipped right through Joshua’s legs. The crowd gasped in astonishment at such an unbelievable technique. Chahyun found himself gaping in surprise.“A nutmeg…”It was Misha’s crazy specialty.He had tormented his friend Hong Sami with it countless times. Memories of Misha teasing his dog in the garden by skillfully passing the ball between its legs came rushing back. Of course, the dog probably just thought the handsome man was playing with it.But Joshua, who had just experienced one of the greatest humiliations for a defender, was not so fortunate. He froze on the spot, stunned like a bear stung by a bee. Meanwhile, Misha quickly retrieved the ball that had slipped past and launched it straight into Ail City’s goal.It all happened in mere seconds. The goalkeeper dove in the wrong direction, completely misjudging the play. The net bulged as the ball struck it, waves rippling through.It was truly a magical equalizing goal.A deafening roar filled the dome, shaking the entire world within it. The laments of Ail City fans and the cheers of Winchester fans blended, turning the vast space into a vortex of sound. Everyone on Chahyun’s team bench stood up, swept up in the storm of noise.“Ha…”Chahyun couldn’t help but laugh.Misha had paved the way. Perhaps even a path to follow next.The first to reach him was Cahill, who had made the initial pass, pulling Misha into a hug. Then all his teammates on the field rushed to him without hesitation. In the flood of bodies, Misha soon disappeared from sight, buried under pats, hugs, and kisses of praise. The whistle signaling the end of the first half cut through the chaos.Unexpectedly, a deep loneliness washed over Chahyun.Everything before his eyes seemed like scenes from a movie, with all roles cast except for him. He wasn’t even an extra. Yoon Chahyun sat alone on the bench, watching the beautiful spectacle as if he were just another spectator.The rising pain burned his throat. It felt like he might die from the agony. The more beautiful Misha was on screen, the sadder Yoon Chahyun felt. Because he wanted to be the first to embrace him, to hold him, to praise him, to kiss him… and to stand beside him.It was then that his eyes met the figure on the screen directly.“Huh?”A foolish sound escaped his dry throat. Chahyun stared, dumbfounded. Misha had emerged from the crowd, heading straight for Yoon Chahyun. Pushing through the throng of people, he walked with the determination of a rhinoceros.Three meters, two meters, one meter… As Misha broke through the screen and approached him, Chahyun could only stare, wide-eyed.“Yuan.”With wet curls hanging over his forehead, Misha looked down at Chahyun. They were so close that drops of rain from Misha’s long eyelashes fell onto Chahyun’s knee. In the humid air, his eyes were clearer and more direct than ever. And simultaneously, he looked as beautiful as a mermaid who had emerged from the sea.Amidst the gazes of thousands and the focus of countless cameras, a wet hand reached out toward Chahyun. Amid the roaring cheers and the sound of rain, Misha’s voice pierced through clearly.“Come here.”He grabbed Chahyun’s hand, the latter still forgetting to respond.***Amid the clamorous noise, the two of them crossed the dark corridor. More accurately, Misha was dragging Chahyun along. The few staff members they encountered parted in shock like the Red Sea, but Misha, firmly holding Chahyun’s hand, didn’t care.When they reached a deep, unknown corner of the labyrinthine passage, Misha pushed Chahyun into an empty room. The dark, empty space seemed to be a seminar room. As his back hit the hard wall, Chahyun took a breath and looked at Misha.In the dim light, Misha was thoroughly soaked from head to toe. His brown hair dripped as he caught his breath, the aftermath of the game still evident. Staring at his mud-splattered face, Chahyun finally managed to voice a protest.“Hey, what are you doing…!”But as Chahyun’s mouth opened, Misha abruptly pressed his lips against Chahyun’s. A hot tongue darted into his mouth, cutting off his breath. As his head hit the wall, Chahyun’s eyes widened.This guy really is crazy…His heart dropped, and Chahyun pushed against Misha’s chest with both hands. But Misha, pinning him against the wall, lifted his chin and continued the intense kiss. As Chahyun tried to pull away, Misha’s large hand gripped his waist, pulling him even closer.“Ugh…”Misha drank in everything from Chahyun like a man dying of thirst. The unrelenting kiss sent Chahyun’s heart pounding wildly. Where are they… What time is it now…But the sensation of skin melting together was inevitable. The wildfire-like desire ignored time and place. The contrast of Misha’s cold, rain-soaked body and Chahyun’s warmth quickly generated a steam-like excitement.“Ha…”As he squeezed his eyes shut, a distant noise reached him. Engaging in such forbidden contact, hidden away during a game with thousands of spectators, echoed memories from months ago.It was the second half of the round of 16. Desperately short on time, it was Chahyun who had dragged Misha into the restroom and done the same thing. In front of everyone, he had practically kidnapped Misha, not explaining anything before sealing their lips together. It was a distant yet unforgettable memory, the beginning of their relationship.Did Misha feel like this back then too? The coldness of his wet body, the heat of his own, the blurred mind, the confusion… and the incredible feeling… Did he feel this good? With that thought, Chahyun grabbed Misha and forcefully pushed him away.“Seriously… what’s wrong with you…”His face and heart felt like they were about to explode. The breath of the person in front of him was too familiar. He knew this warmth from holding each other naked all night long.Misha looked at Chahyun, who was still in shock, and then bent down to whisper softly like the sound of rain.“Yuan, are you still scared?”Chahyun flinched and met his gaze. His eyes were more intense than ever, flickering like blue flames.“What?”“Even now, are you still afraid and in pain?”Chahyun’s lips parted in astonishment. He clearly remembered saying those words. He couldn’t forget his confession soaked in pleasure and tears.“Ah…”Last night, Chahyun’s mind and body were consumed by something close to fear. The distrust that he couldn’t trust anyone, the efforts of others to tear him down from all sides, the sense of disgust, betrayal, and despair were like acrid smoke painfully penetrating his lungs. Finding Misha was a desperate act to breathe amidst this suffocation.But could he still call this overwhelming feeling fear? The kiss that drained his strength had taken many things from Chahyun. The stifling loneliness that had filled his body just moments ago was stolen by Misha’s hands. It vanished absurdly, washed away by the pouring rain, leaving only the presence of the person before him and an infinite sense of peace.“I… I…”Chahyun stood dazed, leaning against the wall. Misha placed his hand beside Chahyun’s body, as if trapping him. His eyes, beautiful as wet hydrangeas, held Chahyun’s bewildered face quietly.The confession that tore at Chahyun’s heart followed.“Yuan, the truth is, I don’t like this job.”Chahyun blinked blankly. The sudden statement stirred a suspicion he had been secretly harboring deep down. Perhaps Misha’s presence here wasn’t purely his own choice… Chahyun had unwittingly entertained that thought.Unconsciously, Chahyun raised his hand to grasp Misha’s uniform.“Misha, that…”“To be precise, it wouldn’t have mattered what the job was. As long as it was something you chose.”“…”“I like you. That’s why I chose this. Because it was the only way I could be with you.”Chahyun’s eyes trembled at the piercing words. But Misha continued with unwavering gaze.“But being with you makes this job meaningful to me.”A sudden sparkle appeared in Misha’s blue eyes. The shimmering aurora, like a cluster of stars, was an unfamiliar light Chahyun had never seen in him before. Like witnessing a natural phenomenon for the first time, Chahyun couldn’t tear his gaze away from that light.“For the first time, I thought… everything is enjoyable if I’m with you.”“Misha…”“Meeting people who don’t matter, spending time with teammates, training, practice, matches, the league.”Misha recounted memories with a gentle, calm voice.“Even annoying interviews and silly commercials. I found it all really interesting and strange.”Standing in the dark, Misha seemed to be slightly smiling or expressionless. As Chahyun slightly raised his head to read his expression, Misha, who was piercingly meeting his gaze, lifted his hand to hold Chahyun’s.“So now, I want to win.”It was electrifying. Despite the intimate setting and their closeness, the touch of a few fingers sent a shiver through Chahyun’s heart.“I want to see how it ends. I’m curious about what lies at the end. I want to see it with my own eyes.”“…”“But for that, you need to be with me.”Misha was speaking of victory. It was so out of character for him to talk about the future, yet the sight was brilliantly beautiful. His intense warmth and firm grip enveloped Chahyun, preventing him from escaping his overwhelming brilliance.But… Chahyun was now burdened with another weight. Realizing this, his head drooped heavily. Misha’s wet chest touched his forehead.“But… Misha, you know… this time, I…”“This time, you’re a substitute player with the right to play. Even Blue is probably thinking of you now.”The near-assertive statement was followed by a slightly forlorn sound.“Honestly, I don’t want to share you with anyone else, but you need more than just me…”Chahyun couldn’t help but smile at the quiet, crazy voice. Sharing with someone else? Was he supposed to beg the coach to let him play in the second half? After making such a scene, how could he… But Misha, gripping Chahyun’s hand tightly, delivered the final blow.“Yuan. Get on the field. And stay in front of me.”“…”“Then I’ll be behind you. I’ll pass and cross to wherever you want. You just play the way you want.”Chahyun’s heart contracted fully and then expanded instantly. To hold back the overwhelming surge, Chahyun clenched his fist until it turned white. Misha’s palm covered it.“Win, Yuan. In front of me.”The suffocating support and affection drenched Chahyun’s heart like rain on parched soil. It wrapped around his torn wounds and wounded heart, lifting the fallen Chahyun with strong hands.What had he been so afraid of? Why did he think he was alone and lonely? He had a crazy teammate and the only lover who declared he had staked his whole life to be here.The refreshing feeling enveloping his body was a sense of liberation he hadn’t felt in a long time. It felt as if all the emotions that had trapped him like a glass barrier were shattering and scattering into the air. The immense pressure that had been weighing him down now seemed trivial.Misha was all he needed. That belief was right.“Because of you… I’m really going crazy.”Chahyun reached out and hugged Misha. The away uniform of Winchester was dark gray and clung to Misha’s body, wet. As he pressed his cheek against Misha’s chest, he could hear the thumping heartbeat. It was the blood flow that kept Chahyun, who was prone to drifting, grounded.“You always do such wicked things… How will you explain this to others if you run away right after the first half ends? What about the mid-game meeting? How will you face the coach?”Even as he quietly scolded Misha, Chahyun realized he felt strangely calm. It was as if the ground that had always been soft beneath his feet was slowly solidifying. On this solid ground that firmly supported him, Yoon Chahyun could stand up straight again.However, whether Misha understood these serious thoughts or not, he hugged Chahyun and whispered something entirely different, as if he was being playful.“Yuan, wasn’t I awesome?”“What?”“My goal earlier. So, don’t scold me and praise me.”It was so hard doing it without you. The voice breaking against his nape was Misha’s characteristic cuteness. The fierce and sharp light from earlier had already disappeared without a trace. Along with the cute whine that he probably showed only to Chahyun, he added a sulky remark.“And today, I even went easy on Joshua Hartman. Because you asked me not to bother him.”Chahyun opened his eyes blankly and then unconsciously let out a small laugh.“Kuh…”The laugh that escaped his lips soon turned into hearty laughter. Misha’s shameless face, pretending to be serious with his lips pouting, was absurdly funny. No matter how much a person changes, their core never really changes.“Hey! You call that going easy? That’s enough to give someone trauma! It’ll be a miracle if he doesn’t retire.”“Still, I didn’t get a foul or sent off…”“That would’ve been better! If it were me, I’d have packed my bags and gone home.”Poor Joshua. Just for being in the same cohort as Yoon Chahyun, he always got into fights with Misha. The thought of the ball slipping between his legs made Chahyun chuckle again.As they stood there facing each other and laughing like fools, they could hear the busy commotion of people passing through the corridor.