Kiss the Ground

“Misha. You need to go now. You have to attend the meeting.”He could vividly imagine the innocent coaches searching for the missing scorer. It was time to let Misha go. And Yoon Chahyun also had something to face from now on. Misha said he wanted to win with Chahyun. Then it was only right to fulfill that dream.But as their wet bodies awkwardly parted, Misha grabbed Chahyun’s shoulder tightly and spoke. This might be the last conversation they could have before the game resumed. A quiet whisper penetrated his ear.“How are you feeling, Yuan?”This was a question with an expected answer. He was the person who knew Yoon Chahyun’s secret circumstances best.Chahyun, trapped in Misha’s arms, looked up at him clearly. With the uninjured hand, he gently lifted Misha’s sharp chin. Then, in a low and strong voice, he whispered.“I’ll kill it.”***The rain had stopped.The brightly lit night spotlights illuminated the entire field and stands as if it were daytime. The humid evening air softly wrapped around the stadium, sweeping down to the ground. As the giant scoreboard flashed to announce the start of the second half, tens of thousands of spectators looked down on the historic moment with excited expressions.The game maintained a tense atmosphere because the first half ended in a precarious tie. No one, from Winchester to Ail City, expected Misha Asplund to score an insane wonder goal in the three minutes of extra time. A game that seemed to favor Ail City was suddenly back to square one.Just before the whistle blew, Yoon Chahyun took his position with the other players. Not on the bench, but right in front of the halfway line where he always stood.The sky sprinkled fine raindrops like mist onto the ground. The moist air touched his face, followed by a cool breeze. It was a pleasant, familiar tension.Seeing Chahyun run up to him right after the mid-game meeting, Blue narrowed his eyes seriously while being slightly surprised. He was assessing the situation and examining the suddenly changed state of his player. It was a natural reaction, given that Chahyun hadn’t shown his usual skill and seemed uneasy, avoiding reporters or pretending to be okay.However, seeing Yoon Chahyun earnestly appeal to his determination, Blue finally reversed his decision. Perhaps he didn’t wait eagerly, but he seemed willing to take one last chance. Chahyun’s eyes no longer floated nervously or stiffened.“Just as you said, be careful with handling.”The coach’s pat on Chahyun’s shoulder echoed Chahyun’s joke from the previous night. Clenching his bandaged hand tightly, Chahyun nodded repeatedly. This was an opportunity he couldn’t miss. It might be the last for both the team and himself.“I’ve been waiting, Yuan.”Standing a few steps away from Chahyun in the same line, Cahill greeted him with a casual remark. He was the captain who had argued for Chahyun’s necessity along with him while persuading the coach. But now, his face showed none of the seriousness from before, only his characteristic curiosity.‘It’s obvious why.’To him, who knew Chahyun’s “jinx,” Misha dragging Chahyun away right after the first half indicated something. It might have felt like witnessing someone run away with the bride at a wedding. Though in this case, Chahyun was the one being kidnapped by the bride…Chahyun turned and looked at Misha behind him. Misha, quite far on the other side of the ground, was looking this way as if they had made a promise. When their eyes met, a warm rush surged through his body.‘I really came back up here.’He was standing in the front line before him.Only then did he feel like he had his feet on the ground. With a distant sense of reality, the referee brought the whistle to his lips. There was no more time to reminisce.As the sharp sound of the whistle rang out, Chahyun sprinted forward without a second thought.The sensation of wet grass hitting his feet was astonishingly good. Having played in the first match, Chahyun could clearly see Ail City’s weakness. In simple terms, it was stamina. As the game neared the end of the second half, the performance of Ail City’s relatively older players visibly declined.The coach and assistant coaches unanimously said to exploit that moment. Countless practices and seminars had been conducted for this. His body naturally positioned itself faster than his mind could calculate distances or judge positions.The movement of his teammates also became much more fluid with the well-ingrained strategy. The team’s atmosphere, finding its rhythm, began to draw the momentum towards their side. From that moment, the ball that had been hovering near Winchester’s area started crossing the halfway line.“Feeling good? Did you and Misha do something earlier?”Taking advantage of a brief respite, Jude nudged Chahyun’s side with his elbow. Responding to the nosy question, Chahyun shrugged.“Just talked.”“Talked? You mean with your bodies?”“…”“Really? Is that right?”He was indeed an imaginative guy. What kind of physical conversation could happen in 15 minutes? Conversations are had with lips. Without any response, Chahyun dashed towards the other end of the ground, and Jude murmured quietly behind him.“In my opinion, you guys are really out of your minds.”That was true. Even after being teased, Chahyun laughed like a madman as he ran across the field.The exhilarating feeling was like having wings on his back. Chahyun received the flying ball and struggled to break through the pouring defense. During the 30 minutes that passed, Winchester’s effective shots gradually increased.Despite the clearly shifting momentum, the one who matched Yoon Chahyun’s rising spirit was none other than Joshua Hartman.‘Is he really a bear or what?’He ran across the ground like an enraged beast, blocking Chahyun, who was digging into the penalty area, with his entire body. It meant that Yoon Chahyun, the striker, had to bear the brunt of the anger Misha had stirred up. The sight of his massive frame blocking Chahyun seemed to eliminate any escape route. However, to Yoon Chahyun, who knew his habits well, the situation was different.Reading his slightly slower movements quickly, Chahyun slipped past his heavy defense. He felt a bit sorry, but the world of competition was ruthless.With the momentum building, Winchester’s attackers began to speed up. The sharp-angled shots narrowly missed by the goalkeeper or bounced off desperate defenders repeatedly.And then, the opportunity came when no one expected it.A rough skirmish in midfield left Ail City’s goal wide open. The ball bounced near Misha’s feet as if deliberately placed there. He placed the ball under his feet and swiftly glanced at Yoon Chahyun’s position. In less than a second, their eyes met electrifyingly.Ah, how could he forget this feeling?Despite the distance, he could see clearly what Misha was thinking. It was as if their minds were connected.The sharply kicked ball flew precisely to Chahyun’s feet, just seconds before the defenders rushed in. Chahyun received the ball with his thigh as it bounced high off the ground. Feeling the thrilling sensation of the ball against his body, he spun towards the goal.In front of him were the minute raindrops hanging in the air. Once again, time seemed to stand still in this infinite moment that only a player about to score could understand. Among the surreal scene of glistening, ripening water droplets, Chahyun fiercely swung his leg.The thought that crossed his mind just before his foot struck the ball was a leisurely one about what kind of celebration he should do.As his shot rippled the net, Chahyun didn’t even watch it. He immediately turned around.Standing at the farthest edge of the field, he took in the entire world around him. The stands packed with people, his teammates and opponents on the field, the coach and staff on the bench ready to jump out, and…And… Misha Asplund.He was still standing where he had passed the ball, looking at Chahyun. The person who gave Yoon Chahyun the pass he needed most and liked best. The person who knew his weaknesses and how to make him stronger.Before he knew it, Chahyun was sprinting across the field towards Misha. Misha’s face, surprisingly, looked a bit startled as if he hadn’t expected this. Really, didn’t you see this coming? Chahyun leapt into his awkwardly open arms.“Yuan.”Misha caught him in a wide embrace as Chahyun wrapped his arms around Misha’s neck and his legs around his waist. The deafening cheers seemed to fade into silence, leaving only Misha and Yoon Chahyun in this space.Chahyun cupped Misha’s face with both hands. The overwhelming feeling in his heart was simple and clear.Ah, I want to kiss him right now.Now he understood. On that day on the field, this was how Misha felt. This was what he couldn’t resist wanting to do, no matter what happened next.As an irresistible urge filled Chahyun’s heart, he leaned down toward Misha’s face, ready for the only celebration that made sense.***But Chahyun, being a responsible adult who knew how to separate personal and professional matters, didn’t make the same mistake as Misha.With cheers pouring down, Chahyun, clutching Misha’s cheeks, pressed both thumbs firmly against Misha’s lips. At the unexpected move, Misha widened his eyes, and Chahyun pulled his face in and planted a kiss firmly on his thumbs, right above Misha’s lips.It was a kiss with just a pair of thumbs in between, delicately balancing between intense camaraderie and a crazy football scandal.With only a few centimeters apart, their sweat-drenched gazes met. Misha looked genuinely shocked, as if struck by something. Chahyun, feeling his heartbeat pound like mad, closed his eyes tightly, which were turning bright red.Whatever, let it all happen. Most of it already has.“Hey, you crazy guys!”Barely distinguishing between intense camaraderie and something else, their kiss was interrupted by several teammates rushing towards Yoon Chahyun and Misha. In the flurry of hands, they were shaken and jostled.Even as they were pulled apart by the celebratory teammates, Misha’s face was still dazed with disbelief.The mingling of teammates’ heat and the dampness of the rain intertwined. Amidst the clamor of unknown languages, the only thing comprehensible was Jude’s English.“What do we do! What do we do!”He joined the pile of bodies, looking almost faint from excitement. His previously critical demeanor had disappeared, replaced by a dazed look at the unexpected goal. Most of the teammates were in the same state.“You really don’t seem to be hiding anything, but we need to cover it up somehow.”Cahill, arriving late, wrapped his arms around both Chahyun and Misha’s necks. Without warning, he kissed both on the cheeks, trying to downplay Chahyun’s impulsive celebration with a few extra kisses. Truly, he was a madman.“Ugh…”Misha’s expression, resembling a sulky cat, was so amusing that Chahyun finally burst into laughter.It was a dreamlike moment. They had stepped into a future that seemed unimaginable just an hour ago.“Look at Blue, he’s going to pass out.”“He wouldn’t be the first.”At someone’s words, all the players turned to look at the bench. The coach, collapsed halfway between standing and lying down, was bawling like a child, surrounded by staff trying to calm him. The sight of Blue, who had turned from a calm leader into a doting grandfather, made Chahyun smile wryly.Amid the euphoria of scoring, Chahyun felt a long, slender hand touch his. Hidden among their teammates, Misha and Chahyun held hands, sharing a quiet moment of eye contact.In the vast expanse of the field, it was a private, intense connection between the two.Yoon Chahyun’s goal in the 45th minute of the second half led Winchester to a glorious victory. Realizing they had lost their momentum, Ail City failed to recover even by the end of extra time.The Champions League semi-final concluded with an unexpected result, defying all predictions. It was an unbelievable defeat for some and a shocking victory for others.The extraordinary outcome set the league ablaze. Not only was the stadium electrified, but the entire country trembled with excitement over the unpredictable turn of events. The media was in a frenzy. Right after the game ended, Winchester’s interview booth was swarmed with reporters eager for a scoop.And within that crowd, there wasn’t a single person now bringing up the rumor about Yoon Chahyun’s doping.“This is how it ends up, huh?”Responding to the flood of questions from all directions, Chahyun felt a strange sense of astonishment and emptiness. If it could be resolved so easily, why had it clung so persistently and tormented him, trying to drag him down?But all those issues were ultimately reduced to trivial matters as Chahyun scored the winning goal. Under the dazzling light of a splendid victory, every shadow lost its significance. And the one who truly pulled Chahyun out of the abyss, even at this very moment, was still by his side.“…Misha Asplund, you scored the equalizing goal in the added time of the first half. What do you think was the decisive factor for today’s victory?”Upon hearing the interviewer’s question, Misha glanced at Chahyun. When their eyes met as if on cue, Misha gave a faint smile before turning back to the reporter with a composed expression.“I believe it was thanks to my teammates who remained calm despite the difficult circumstances. Above all, Winchester has an outstanding striker.”“Are you referring to Yoon?”“Yes. There were malicious rumors about him during this match, but in the end, they had no effect on him. The goals speak for themselves.”Listening to Misha’s composed yet sharp response, Chahyun fell into a peculiar sentiment. When did he become so mature? It was hard to believe there was a time when every word he spoke made Chahyun anxious and fretful. He had thought Misha was just young and adorable, but recently, he had been showing a subtly different aura. Just now, during halftime…Lost in thought, Chahyun realized belatedly that Misha was glancing at him in confusion. He must have been staring at Misha too intensely.“Damn it…”To think he had been staring at Misha’s face, lost in thought, in front of so many eyes, it made the restraint on the field seem pointless. Chahyun quickly lowered his gaze, feeling his face flush deeply. He hoped it would just look like lingering excitement from the match to everyone else.By the time all interviews and post-game duties were done, it was almost midnight. Despite the late hour, Winchester United’s limousine promptly started their journey back home. Had it been an away match in another country, they would usually stay an extra day, but with the center being in the same country, there was no need to dawdle. Especially with the media swarm expected in the morning.Misha sat beside Chahyun. It was thanks to Jude, who suddenly gave up his seat with a sage-like smile. Whatever strange thoughts were going through his mind, it was welcome since Chahyun wanted to be close anyway.The ride back to Winchester was filled with the still warm afterglow of victory. It was hard for anyone, from players to coaches, to believe they had beaten the promising Aile City and made it to the finals. Amid the lively chatter about the match, occasional screams or bursts of team songs erupted, creating a scene of madness.Yet, at some point, the noisy bus became quiet as if by magic. As time passed, most players and coaches dozed off, unable to stay awake after the exhausting day. This was true even for Yoon Chahyun, who scored the team’s final goal. When Chahyun began to nod off, his head falling forward, Misha gently pulled his head to rest on his shoulder.“Mm…”“Sorry, did I wake you?”“No… I was just dozing.”Blinking his heavy eyelids, Chahyun tilted his head to look at Misha. Through the blurry vision, Misha was gazing at him with gentle eyes. Wasn’t he tired? Misha’s large hand slipped into Chahyun’s, interlocking their fingers.“Sleep comfortably, Yuan. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”“Yeah… I hope we get there soon.”“Yes, when we get to the center, let’s quickly go home. I’ll drive.”“Resting is good, but there’s something else I’d like to do.”Chahyun’s suggestive words made Misha blink as if caught off guard. He acted so assertively on the field, yet now he seemed innocent enough to tease. Even in his drowsy state, Chahyun lightly tickled Misha’s hand within his palm.“To be honest… you were really cool today.”“…Really?”“Really. The equalizing goal, and during halftime, too.”Speaking softly so no one could hear, Chahyun’s words made Misha’s face subtly twist between embarrassment and joy. Probably, Chahyun was the only one who had seen Misha make such a face. Leaning in closer, Chahyun brought his lips to Misha’s ear.“And during the interview, you were really amazing. You said you’d protect me… and you meant it.”“…You remembered that?”Misha’s voice raised slightly in surprise. It seemed Chahyun’s words were unexpected to him.“Of course. Did you think only you remembered?”Did he think he was the only one who remembered their late-night conversation, where Misha had confessed so passionately while holding Chahyun before he drifted off to sleep?“So, let’s finish what we couldn’t do on the field when we get home.”Chahyun lifted his head just enough to plant a small kiss on Misha’s cheek. In the dim light filtering through the windows, he could see Misha’s face warming up. Despite everything, Chahyun was still by Misha’s side. The overwhelming realization wrapped around Chahyun like a soft blanket, and his eyelids slowly began to close again.“Yuan, sleep well.”He wanted to respond, but his body was already half-asleep. Misha’s fingers intertwined with his felt like an anchor, grounding him like a ship docked in a harbor. The affectionate presence acted as a sedative, lulling him into a short but deep sleep.***With Winchester’s advancement to the Champions League final confirmed, the entire city was in a celebratory mood.The fact that they had made it to the finals, which people had supported half-believingly, felt like an unbelievable myth to the citizens of Winchester. It had been so long that they doubted whether it really happened or if it was just a fabricated story. However, the miracle they thought would only happen in dreams became an everyday reality for Winchester overnight.Those who expected dramatic failures or falls to mishaps were nowhere to be seen now. People who once made careless remarks like “It’s Winchester, what do you expect?” had vanished as if they had never existed. The fact that their home club was one of only two clubs in all of Europe to make it to the finals, after a long and grueling tournament, revitalized the hearts of those who had half-given up due to the club’s prolonged slump.Local newspapers and football-related media were also in a frenzy. Words like victory, finals, and championship were prominently featured, filled with hopeful content. Who will lift this year’s big ear trophy? The unprecedented interest from all sectors was solely focused on Winchester United F.C. and their final match opponent.Naturally, what increased exponentially in proportion to this attention was the quality and quantity of training.“Ah, just kill me…”“If you’re going to die, die on the ground. That’s honor.”“No, ah… I must be crazy.”Looking at Jude sprawled out on the mat in the middle of stretching, goalkeeper Lou made another serious remark. The teammates, who had become quite accustomed to his seemingly manufactured words of wisdom, continued their stretches silently. Yoon Chahyun, sitting in the same row and warming up, was no exception.“It actually feels like I might die before we even reach the finals.”The muttering of someone nearby spread among the players. But since everyone was looking equally exhausted, the culprit couldn’t be identified. Lou furrowed his brow and silently scanned the weary players. Chahyun averted his gaze and pressed down on his knee.He genuinely felt like he might die. That statement was accurate.The final match of the Champions League was scheduled for two weeks from now. While the semi-finals were split into two legs, held at home and away, the final would be a single match at a venue chosen by the league organizers. It was the only and final game without any room for mitigation.Therefore, it was obvious that the remaining period would involve more intense and grueling training than ever before. Like horses running a rugged path, the players were each pushing themselves. Their bodies, heavy with persistent muscle aches and lingering fatigue, would recover and then wear down again repeatedly.Time was steadily passing. It felt both too fast and too slow, in a paradoxical way.The end was truly approaching. The final chapter of this long journey.“Yuan, should we go to the infirmary when we’re done?”The one who brought Chahyun back to reality from his reverie was Misha, who had come over to his side. Despite the grueling training from morning till night, Misha was looking at Chahyun with a refreshed face, showing no signs of fatigue.“Ah, yeah… I should probably go.”“Let’s go in five minutes. I think we need to check with the doctor about your progress.”The progress he was referring to was the condition of Yoon Chahyun’s hand, injured in the second leg of the last match. Despite the club’s excellent medical technology and staff, Chahyun’s hand had not healed well. The hand had been exposed to intense rain during the match and frequently clenched into a fist, making recovery difficult. It seemed that the day when the sturdy protective gear would come off was still far off.“I’d rather you check it yourself. Could you take it off and redo it for me?”At Chahyun’s whispered request, Misha, without a word, pursed his lips and gently brushed his hand over Chahyun’s bandage. His ears turned bright red, clearly embarrassed by the teasing. Chahyun grinned mischievously, watching Misha’s back as he abruptly stood and left. He eagerly anticipated their private time.A quiet summer breeze blew into the infirmary. In contrast to the tense atmosphere leading up to the decisive battle, the air was soft and slightly moist. Misha and Yoon Chahyun knelt on one side of the large medical table.“You’re getting better at this. Is it because your fingers are nimble? There’s nothing you can’t do.”Watching Misha skillfully replace the bandage, Chahyun clicked his tongue in admiration. After persistently begging the reluctant Alana for training, Misha had become adept at first aid, with his bandaging skills almost reaching the level of a professional medic. His hands moved with precision and care, replacing the gauze and securing the wound. However, the sole beneficiary of his growing expertise was Yoon Chahyun.“It’s not healing as well as I hoped… You’ll probably have to keep it immobilized during the final.”“I’m not a quick healer like you. It can’t be helped.”“It’s serious… I was worried during the last match too. We need to improve it as much as possible.”“If you touch it every day until then, won’t it heal?”At Chahyun’s cheeky remark, Misha gave him a sharp look. He always reacted in this cute way when Chahyun teased him outside. But in the end, when they returned home, it was always Chahyun who ended up stripped and pouring out apologies and tears. Anyone else would find the situation absurd.As Misha replaced Chahyun’s bandage, he softly whispered something slightly melancholy.“I wish I could be the one in pain instead.”“That’s a mean thing to say.”His long, beautiful fingers gently brushed over Chahyun’s firm hand. It was a sweet sentiment, but unacceptable. Misha’s hands were too skilled at too many things, so it was far better for Chahyun to wear a bandage instead.Among those skills, there was one he excelled at. Chahyun cautiously asked while watching the sunlight on Misha’s lowered eyelashes.“Misha, are you really going to give up the piano?”Misha raised his face and blinked, looking somewhat surprised by the unexpected question. Chahyun continued slowly, aware of how sensitive the topic was for Misha.“You like playing the piano.”“…….”“I don’t think you need to give it up if you enjoy it. Though we will need to get a new bench.”Since the ruckus a few weeks ago, the poor piano bench had lost three legs. Considering that over 150 kg of men had thrashed about on it, it was a miracle it held up at all. However, unlike the unfortunate bench, the piano itself remained in perfect condition. It seemed too valuable to be relegated to a ‘room for things that can’t be thrown away.’It felt strange to collect things that couldn’t be discarded. It was as if he might take them and leave suddenly one day. Chahyun wanted to make his entire house irreplaceable. He wanted to decorate the living room with Misha’s piano, place his scary doll on top, and fill the kitchen with boxes of Choco Sand.“Also, Hong Sam and I… sometimes want to hear you play the league theme song.”When Chahyun added this, Misha quietly fiddled with Chahyun’s fingers, slightly chewing on his lip. Chahyun clearly heard his faint, whispered response.“Then… I’ll think about it.”As he spoke, the clock signaling the end of the day blinked. They quickly got up. It was time to go home.***“Ugh, I’m so tired… I feel like I’m going to collapse.”“Just now, you said you wanted to do something else, Yuan.”“That’s a different kind of stamina.”Engaging in light conversation, the two of them exited the garage and walked through the garden towards the front door. Every time Chahyun’s legs wobbled, Misha naturally supported him. Who would have thought leaning on someone could become such an everyday thing? Chahyun took leisurely steps, feeling pleasantly relaxed.The match was just around the corner. His plan was to get inside, take a shower, and rest well to prepare for the next day’s training.But an eerie sense of déjà vu struck Chahyun as they approached the large door.A strange feeling rang in his ears. What is this? An unidentifiable sense of incongruity wrapped around his legs, making Chahyun stop involuntarily. Misha, standing next to him, stopped as well.His weary eyes slowly regained their clarity. Chahyun raised his head to look at the door. His gaze swept along the door crack and instinctively went downward, finally locking onto the source of his unease. Sitting on the doorstep like some prank was a thick piece of mail wrapped in a yellow envelope.“…….”He had completely forgotten. Chahyun still had unresolved issues.As Chansung-joo had said, staying in someone else’s house was a stopgap measure. Trying to hold back a flood with his hands, it only took a moment for the unsettling feeling to break through and come right before him again.Chahyun blinked. It was a sight he never wanted to see again. The sense of stability that had governed his body vanished like dust, replaced by a familiar sense of discomfort stuck in his throat like a thorn. He felt as if a cold sensation was seeping under his feet. The vivid, spine-chilling sensation was close to trauma.Holding onto Misha’s collar, Chahyun unconsciously took a step back. A weak voice escaped from his slightly parted lips.“Why is this… here?”They were standing in front of Misha Asplund’s house. A place where another ‘envelope’ should never have arrived.After all, hadn’t he fled to this house to escape that very thing? Seeking safety and protection from someone’s persistent obsession. Yet the fact that it was now at the front door meant that whoever it was had completely uncovered Chahyun’s whereabouts.However, what mattered more to Chahyun at this moment was Misha’s safety. The thought of Misha being involved in the same ordeal was horrifying and painful even in his imagination. Suppressing the eerie feeling, Chahyun reached out and pulled Misha by the waist. Protecting him took precedence over fear.But the person beside him was different.Without a moment’s hesitation, Misha stepped forward to his front door, bent down, and picked up the mail with his elegant hand. As Chahyun stood dazed and unable to stop him, Misha quickly scanned the front of the envelope with his eyes.“Haha.”It was then that an inappropriate laugh escaped him.“Mi… Misha?”Chahyun looked at him with wide eyes. His light-hearted laughter shattered the tense air around them. The fear seemed to fly away, replaced by a sudden flood of questions in Chahyun’s mind. Still feeling bewildered, Chahyun took a step towards him, and Misha, holding up the envelope, narrowed his eyes.“Yuan. It seems we’ll have to postpone resting for a bit.”Then, with a look suggesting he was contemplating a mischievous prank, he added,“I think we need to seek advice from an ‘expert.’”