Kiss the Ground

His heart felt like it was about to burst out of his chest. When he looked up and met Misha’s gaze, Jude, caught in between, muttered as if reciting poetry.“Look at you two, acting all dramatic.”***Freed from the locker room, Jude ran home without looking back. Although he grimaced at Chahyun’s plea to keep everything a secret, he didn’t seem likely to spill anything. It probably had a lot to do with the mop handle Chahyun had brandished against his stomach.The next afternoon, they started moving all of Hongsam’s things to Misha’s house. Taking care of a dog at someone else’s house required more preparation than expected. There were cushions, mats, toys, dishes… In addition, Yoon Chahyun had to pack an extra set of pajamas. When he asked why he couldn’t just borrow Misha’s clothes as he had been, Misha replied with a very concerned expression.‘Actually, every time I see you wearing my clothes, I want to take them off you.’

It was a threatening statement. Living together would make it easy to lose control in various ways. Was this really the right decision? Chahyun quietly fretted as he packed his clothes as if fleeing a disaster.Hongsam, who had been left with a sitter for a week, went wild as soon as he entered Misha’s yard. Running around, sniffing the new garden’s grass and flowers, he quickly ran indoors with muddy paws and launched himself at Misha at full speed. Even under the 40-kilogram dog’s love attack, Misha didn’t budge a knee.“Hongsam!”Woof woof… Watching them embrace like long-lost family, Chahyun set up his rice cooker and electric oven in one corner of Misha’s bare kitchen. With the addition of household items, the place felt a bit more homely.However, looking at the still bare interior of the house, Chahyun thought about what else needed to be filled in. It looked like a place that had been stripped by creditors. He wanted to add lighting, rugs, and new curtains. With Hongsam’s cushion, food and water bowls, toys, and a bathroom…‘This is crazy.’He was casually imagining merging their lives together. Chahyun rubbed his face with both hands, his ears turning as red as ripe persimmons.This was the start of a strange and peculiar daily life. With both their conditions and the team’s atmosphere at their peak, and having reached the semifinals, everything seemed perfect on the surface. No one knew about Yoon Chahyun’s peculiar situation. However, someone who might or might not know something was around.“So, did you go back together that day too?”“…”“After the second leg of the quarterfinals, I mean.”Two days later, at lunch, Cahill nonchalantly sat across from Chahyun in the cafeteria. He met Chahyun’s suspicious gaze with ease. But behind his serious, ascetic face was an incongruous curiosity that remained.Chahyun glanced around nervously. Misha had skipped lunch for a test, but it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious. After confirming Misha wasn’t there, Chahyun spoke in a low voice.“You… did that on purpose, didn’t you?”“What?”“After you scored, when you came to me.”“Ah.”Despite the significance of Chahyun’s words, Cahill casually stabbed his fork into his mushroom salad. However, it didn’t take long for a faintly amused tone to slip into his voice.“Your eyes were so intense. Did he get really mad?”Chahyun’s guess was correct. Cahill knew Misha would get jealous and had hugged Yoon Chahyun deliberately. Chahyun’s mouth hung open in surprise, but Cahill’s thin, pale green eyes merely observed his astonished expression with interest.Cahill had worn the same expression when he suggested kissing Chahyun instead of Misha. It was crazy no matter how many times he thought about it. Though Cahill seemed indifferent to others’ relationships, he was actually deeply curious. The only person in the club who understood this odd character was probably Yoon Chahyun.“Anyway, I’m glad things worked out. I was worried you two had grown distant, but now you seem closer.”“…”“Teamwork comes first, after all. I hope I was helpful.”It was an unbelievably shameless comment. If it happened again, Misha said he’d kill you… Chahyun barely resisted the urge to say it out loud and took a sip of his tea. Cahill continued speaking quietly.“Misha Asplund might be a bit troublesome at times, but… he’s really cute.”“What?”Chahyun, who had nearly choked on his tea, looked at Cahill in astonishment. Cahill didn’t even raise an eyebrow.“He loses his mind whenever you’re involved. And you enjoy it.”“I-I enjoy it?”“You kept holding onto me even though you knew he was watching. Didn’t you?”What else could I have done, pushed away a teammate who just scored? That would have been strange. As Chahyun’s eyes darted around, Cahill murmured with a very faint smile.“If you weren’t aware, that’s a bit bad. You never know what might happen if you provoke him like that.”After finishing his sentence, Cahill emptied his plate as if nothing had happened. Chahyun was about to respond to this odd statement when a message alert popped up on his phone, which was tucked into his jersey pocket. He discreetly checked the screen to avoid being noticed by the coaches dining nearby. The sender was Cheon Sungjoo.▶[٩(๑>∀<๑)۶ Yoon Chahyun Documentary Mega Hit٩(๑>∀<๑)۶]***“Hey kid, how are you managing your condition?”“Hyung, please stop treating me like a child…”Cheon Sungjoo laughed heartily over the phone. In the round of 16, he called me Yoon Chahyun, in the quarterfinals, it was ‘our boy’, and now that we’re in the semifinals, it’s ‘our baby’. Who knows what he’ll call me if we make it to the finals.“I told you it would be a huge hit. Variety documentary. This is the new format of the new era.”“Stop bragging. Has it already aired?”“It was on last night. How do you not know your own broadcast date? Don’t you use the internet?”“There are so many, I can’t keep track.”“But this one is different. I’m telling you, I have an eye for this. The self-cam segments went viral, and the interviews were a hit. It’s a huge success.”“…Are you sure this is good for me?”“Absolutely!”Cheon Sungjoo’s voice boomed with confidence. Given his shrewdness with money, it must have indeed been a big hit. Messages and missed calls from others always piled up without notifications, so until Sungjoo’s call, Chahyun had no idea it had been such a success.Regardless, it felt good to hear. They had worked so hard since the round of 16. Self-cameras, interviews, filming, quizzes… The cameras constantly following him during matches were a burden. Although he was used to being on video, it was quite embarrassing when the focus was solely on him. He had no intention of watching it himself.After a few more exchanges, Sungjoo’s excited breathing came through the phone.“Anyway, it was the number one show in its time slot. The ratings exceeded expectations by over 5%. The results are really good.”“You worked hard this time, hyung. It’s well deserved.”“But you did great. I believed in you. Really, well done.”The uncharacteristically sincere gratitude and encouragement made Chahyun blush a bit. At the end of their conversation, an unexpected comment caught him off guard.“By the way, are you still living with that… Misha Asplund?”“Oh… yeah.”“Have you settled in for good?”“Why do you ask all of a sudden?”Sungjoo’s tone suddenly became a bit softer, and Chahyun’s voice instinctively lowered in response. They had been having a pleasant conversation, but now it seemed like there was another motive.“Don’t take this the wrong way, Chahyun. Have you considered doing commercials?”“No.”“Just hear me out.”“No, I won’t do it.”As expected, it was a useless suggestion. The moment Chahyun smiled at the good reaction to the documentary, this kind of thing came up. Yoon Chahyun, who could barely force himself to shoot a sponsorship, had no interest in doing a commercial that required a certain level of acting. Cheon Sungjoo hadn’t given up even after over 10 years.“It’s perfect for you. They really want to ask you after seeing the documentary.”“No, hyung, still…”“They want you to do it with Misha. They loved the scene where you played with the dog in the documentary. The plot is exactly the same. You just need to bring your dog, Sansam, and play. The plan I received is very simple.”Cheon Sungjoo, perhaps sensing that this was a long shot, poured out his words. Hearing the unexpected name, Chahyun was at a loss for words. Now he understood why Sungjoo had asked about Misha’s situation. The plan had progressed to the point where they already had a proposal in hand. Sungjoo was as quick as ever.Chahyun sighed. He felt sorry to dampen Sungjoo’s excitement, but he had to refuse. Yoon Chahyun really couldn’t act to save his life. However, Sungjoo preempted him.“And there’s a bonus.”“A bonus?”“They’ll donate part of the proceeds to a dog rescue organization if you participate. You love dogs, right? It matches your image perfectly and it’s for a good cause. Still not interested?”“……”Sungjoo was undeniably skilled. He had pinpointed Yoon Chahyun’s weak spot, dangling it like bait, waiting for him to bite. After nearly a minute of silence, Chahyun spoke first.“…What about Misha? Is he in?”“They haven’t asked him yet, but you can…”Sungjoo quickly interjected.“Just sound him out! You live together, don’t you?”“I knew it!”Chahyun pressed his temple with his left hand. While he was silent, Sungjoo quickly explained the circumstances. The shoot would take just half a day after the first leg of the semifinals, ensuring no impact on the second leg. The filming location would be in London for the players’ convenience. However, the most important detail hadn’t been decided.“So, what exactly are we advertising?”“It’s not set yet… It’s for a sports brand, so it will be one of their products. The plot won’t change no matter what it is, so don’t worry.”“I swear, hyung, you’re going to be the death of me.”“You can’t die; our baby has to win!”The shameless comment made Chahyun chuckle in disbelief. Sungjoo’s laughter boomed through the phone. On reflection, the documentary had been promised in a similar manner. If Chahyun had a fault, it was being too easily swayed.“I’ll call you again. By the way, the stalker investigation doesn’t seem to be making progress. That worries me.”“Yeah, they haven’t said much.”“If you notice anything strange, contact me immediately. Our legal team is top-notch. Whoever it is, if we catch them, they’ll never see the outside world again…”Sungjoo’s serious tone was unexpectedly comforting. Having someone angry on your behalf was surprisingly reassuring. The person who had first taught Chahyun this was none other than Misha Asplund.There was no need to worry about the CF proposal. As soon as Chahyun mentioned it, Misha nodded and said,“I’ll do anything with you. Just no Cahill love.”It was an expected answer. Everything was going according to Sungjoo’s plan. Chahyun let out a dry laugh and got out of the passenger seat, stepping into the center parking lot.One week before the first leg of the semifinals, there was a club interview today.Winchester’s semifinal opponent was finally decided to be Ail City FC. In the quarterfinals, Ail City defeated the Spanish powerhouse Pamplona with a score of 7:2. Ail City, based in a large port city in the north of England, was a storied big club. For nearly 30 years, they had rarely fallen out of the top four in the league, a club synonymous with victory.Few in the media or public opinion circles predicted Winchester’s advancement to the finals. Even the third-rate sports tabloids that loved risky predictions were doubtful. The general sentiment was that Winchester United had done well to get this far, a mix of admiration and dismissiveness that was subtly pervasive.Unexpectedly, however, this attitude worked in Winchester’s favor.The club and its fans, fueled by successive victories, were burning with fierce determination. Winchester had already far exceeded expectations, and their momentum was soaring. Those who already held the throne were busy defending it, but those rising from below had nothing to lose.At the heart of it all was Yoon Chahyun. In the lobby, bustling with preparations for the interview, Blu, already dressed sharply in the club suit, put his arm around Chahyun’s shoulders.“It’s an honor to sit next to you today, Yoon. Don’t worry about any weird questions; I’ll handle them all.”Blu laughed heartily, his appearance as warm and welcoming as a baker with 30 years of experience. In reality, Chahyun would have to cover for Blu, who would tear up and stumble over his words at the first tough question.As the coach had said, this time the ace interview spot belonged to Yoon Chahyun. It was a burdensome role, but he couldn’t refuse. Aside from Alois, who had dressed up flamboyantly like a peacock hoping to land a commercial deal, no one else wanted the spot.Since Winchester’s open training sessions had been entirely canceled, the journalists’ interest was solely focused on this interview. Reporters from various media outlets crowded the center, having overcome fierce competition to be there. The only escape from their barrage of questions was the players’ preparation room.Almost running, Chahyun hurried down the corridor and burst into the preparation room. Several teammates who were nearly ready were already there. Chahyun’s eyes roved around the room and stopped at the mirror on the far side.“Misha! Sorry, I got held up by Blu…”“Yuan.”Misha, who was tying his tie alone in front of the mirror, turned to look at him. He was already dressed in black pants and a shirt. Chahyun briefly admired Misha’s slender figure before quickly moving to stand beside him.“There are so many people outside. I almost got trampled to death on the way here.”“It’s the last interview before the final… They’re all here to see you.”“Come on… that’s not true.”Chahyun responded nonchalantly and pulled his suit off the hanger. He placed the perfectly set outfit, including shoes, on the table and started taking off his training gear. There wasn’t much time since the interview with the coach was typically scheduled first.“Are you interviewing with the coach today?”“That’s how it turned out. Who are you going in with today?”Chahyun asked as he slipped his legs into his pants. But Misha didn’t respond. Noticing the unusual silence, Chahyun turned around to find Misha, who had stepped closer, looking serious.“I was supposed to go in with you, but it got taken away.”“It’s not like it was stolen; it can’t be helped.”“…I don’t like it.”“Don’t like what?”“You getting all the attention. I don’t like people only looking at you.”Misha was becoming increasingly honest. His face, looking at Chahyun up close, was as beautiful as a princess’s. It was amusing and somewhat endearing how Misha suddenly pouted about something that seemed so normal to Chahyun.“It’s not just me getting the attention… Blu and I are doing it together. It’s not like I’m doing it alone.”Misha turned his head slightly, still looking serious, and delivered a line straight out of a drama.“…Don’t talk about other men in front of me.”“What? Blu is an old man!”“Don’t talk about other old men.”“Ugh…”Chahyun couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the absurdity, causing Misha to pout. He was serious. Unless it was an extremely sophisticated joke… Feeling his tension dissipate, Chahyun wiped the corners of his eyes and replied gently.“Alright. I’ll finish up as quickly as I can.”“Actually, I’d prefer if you didn’t wear this suit either.”You look too good in it. Misha mumbled, lightly touching the hem of Chahyun’s shirt. That’s really something he could say to Misha. Chahyun was well aware of the media frenzy every time Misha wore a suit. Glancing around, Chahyun saw their teammates scattered around the room.Lowering his voice, Chahyun whispered.“Want me to tie your tie for you?”“Huh?”Misha blinked at the sudden offer. Without waiting for a response, Chahyun pulled at the tie around Misha’s neck, causing him to step closer.This was the closest they could get in this setting. Adjusting a younger teammate’s outfit wouldn’t be seen as unusual. As Chahyun skillfully tied the club’s luxurious black tie, he glanced up into Misha’s eyes. A gentle warmth was rising in Misha’s eyes as he looked down at Chahyun.“All done.”Chahyun finished with a complex knot that took the most time, then patted Misha’s chest. Misha whispered regretfully, “Already?” His downcast face tickled Chahyun’s heart. It was a self-destructive act.Is this what they call an office romance? Chahyun absentmindedly thought, clenching his fist. I must be going crazy.Dressed in their suits, Yoon Chahyun and Misha stepped into the corridor, heading to the waiting room. They walked through the crowd of staring eyes. When they moved to a relatively quiet landing, someone called out in clear Korean from the stairs below.“Yoon Chahyun!”Instinctively reacting to his native language, Chahyun spun around to see a tall man with curly black hair and glasses. A press pass hung around his neck.“Oh? Mr. Illya?”It was a familiar face he hadn’t seen in a while. Chahyun’s eyes widened.“I’m lucky to see you before the interview starts! You’re such a central figure now… I didn’t expect to meet you.”“No…! It’s been so long. How have you been?”“Great! Really glad to see you.”Illya, whom he hadn’t seen in weeks, smiled broadly and extended his hand. It was only natural to meet him on such a day, given he was a journalist for a major newspaper, but it was still surprising. Chahyun shook his hand with a matching smile, and Illya clasped it with both hands, shaking it warmly. Illya started chatting amiably.“Actually, I’ve been following all of Winchester’s matches. It’s understandable you didn’t notice. You’re the biggest news right now.”“Haha, please keep cheering for us.”“It’s hard to cheer for one team as a journalist, but I’m always rooting for you, Chahyun-ssi.”Because we’re both Korean, right? Illya finished cheerfully. His eyes naturally moved to the person standing next to Chahyun. Misha had been quietly observing their conversation. Realizing this, Chahyun quickly spoke up.“Oh, Misha. This is Mr. Illya, a reporter I know. This is your first time meeting, right?”“Thanks to Chahyun, I get to meet Asplund too!”Illya extended his hand first to the silent Misha. Misha glanced down at the outstretched hand before slowly shaking it. The handshake was a bit awkward.“Hello.”“Hello! I’ve always wanted to meet you personally… Didn’t expect it to happen like this. I’ve been following your performances closely.”“Thank you.”Despite Misha’s brief response, Illya didn’t seem offended. His sharp eyes quickly noticed the scar under Misha’s eye. Most people would be distracted by Misha’s beauty up close, but Illya was different. He let go of Misha’s hand and flashed a sociable smile.“It looks like you’re preparing for an interview. Seems like you’re busy… I apologize for catching you at a bad time.”The conversation switched to English. It felt like Misha had been squeezed in from the middle. However, Misha stood by their side without any noticeable change in expression.A brief chat ensued among the three. They talked about the outcomes of the recent matches, the direction of the league, compliments on Yoon Chahyun’s condition and the team atmosphere. Illya even shared a tip that at Ailcity, performance often peaks after the 70th minute due to their many senior players. After various discussions, Illya lowered his voice and asked quietly.“So… Chahyun, nothing out of the ordinary these days?”“Ah… no.”It was clearly concern over the stalking incident involving Chahyun a few weeks ago. After dining together and even taking photos, Chahyun still felt guilty about it. He didn’t want to unnecessarily bring up the second incident.“Thank you. Nothing has happened since then.”“That’s a relief. I was quite worried. With the terror incident that followed… it was really a series of unfortunate events.”“I was a bit careless about that.”Illya gently placed his hand on Chahyun’s arm. Even without looking, Misha could clearly feel his gaze fixed on them. Chahyun nodded, and Illya continued in a soothing tone. As he felt during the previous incident, Illya had a knack for comforting people.“It’s natural to feel relieved when someone familiar recognizes your face. Chahyun-ssi, you have a particularly warm personality towards fans.”“Oh, no, it’s nothing.”“I hope you’re not still upset about it. Stay strong.”After bidding their final farewells, Illya picked up a large duffel bag beside him. Both athletes and journalists alike had tight schedules. Realizing a few minutes had passed, Chahyun belatedly said his goodbyes.“See you at the interview room, Mr. Illya.”“Yes! See you then. Please secure a good spot.”Illya bowed to Misha one last time before turning away. Time was pressing. Chahyun checked the time on his phone from his pocket and placed his hand on Misha’s shoulder.“Let’s go too. It’s already like this.”“Yeah, sure.”Misha quietly watched as Illya disappeared into the distance. Feeling like he had kept Misha waiting unnecessarily, Chahyun felt a bit sheepish for some reason. He reached out and gently wrapped his arm around Misha’s waist, pulling him closer. Misha slowly moved closer to his side. It felt like he was walking with a large puppy.