Kiss the Ground

The first thought that came to mind as soon as I entered the dressing room was, “What should I wear?”It was a serious question.In a temporary residence in South Korea, Yoon Chahyun stood straight with his arms crossed in the spacious dressing room that spanned over ten pyeong (approximately 33 square meters).Before him stretched a rack several meters long, endlessly extending to both sides. The hangers were packed densely without a gap, with over hundreds of clothes hanging like a forest, categorized by type. Below, a long display case showcased a variety of accessories that sparkled brilliantly.Sneakers, shoes, bags, accessories, and colorful neckties coiled like snakes… The scene resembled a high-end boutique at first glance, but most of the items were sponsored products filled by stylists requesting he wear them just once.Chahyun, who was staring down at the shamelessly gleaming shoes, sighed for the umpteenth time.“Haah…”What on earth should I wear to hear that I’m dressed well?It had been thirty minutes since he started his endless dilemma. But wasn’t this a moment where he had no choice but to worry? A suit would be too formal for the occasion, while training clothes would feel too casual. He couldn’t dress in a way that would stand out too much in a place where soccer fans gathered like clouds. Although he had never gone to a place to welcome someone, he could fully anticipate the disaster if he went there in standout clothes.Something that doesn’t stand out, something that blends in with the crowd, something like a soccer fan…He hovered around the hangers that his fingertips had skimmed over several times and finally picked one.“After all, simple is best.”After much deliberation, he chose a plain black hoodie, the epitome of ordinary. Chahyun slipped his body into the top and chose similarly plain denim pants to wear underneath. Then he donned a black snapback from a popular brand and covered half his face with a large mask.Finally, he put on sunglasses to block both ultraviolet rays and other people’s gazes one hundred percent, and approached the wall-sized mirror.“Oh… not bad.”A natural yet impenetrable defense. With this kind of outfit, no media would suspect he was last season’s champion. Chahyun glanced around the mirror and pulled the hoodie over his cap once more. He did look a bit like a street thug, but it was a hundred times better than being recognized.Without having time to admire his excellent coordination, an alarm went off on the cell phone placed on the console, signaling it was time to leave. There wasn’t much time. After checking his outfit one last time, Chahyun stepped outside the entrance.The journey to the airport was long.***142253: [I swear, I almost turned into a stone waiting for Misha to come to Korea.]I feel like I’m going to have a nosebleed. Is this a dream or reality? I don’t care if I die banging my head.└ You fool, we promised to meet alive.└ Waaah Mishaㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ142260: [Wow, finally it’s todayㅜ]I waited so longㅜ… I almost cried thinking he wouldn’t come forever.142289: [There are so many people at the airportㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]The flight arrives in 20 minutes, no delays, arriving on time, so those coming should take note. I’m super nervous, oh my godㅠ142390: [All the Koreans are here lolololol]Feels like we could have a reunion at the airport lololol└ Seriously, this isn’t Incheon Airport, it’s Incheon Flea Market.142344: [Wow, there are so many people at the airport.]I’d be lucky to see Misha’s elbow at this rate,.,└ Try licking that at least.└ This guy is on Interpol’s Red Notice;142356: [I bet Chahyun knows Misha’s coming tooㅠㅠㅠㅠ]He might be too busy with training to seeㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠStill, thinking about them together makes me happy. The Winchester Derbyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I’m kinda looking forward to them bonding and being friendly.└ Agreed└ Agreed, I want to see them exchange jerseys.└ But they should keep work and personal life separateㅋㅋㅋ142375: [So jealous of those who went to the airport today.]Take lots of national treasure photos,,,ㅠㅠ└ Yes, I’m ready to confiscate Misha’s passport.└ He might have come as Swedish, but he’ll leave as Korean ^-^ㅋ└ “Deulsinako”***Three days before the friendly match between Sweden and South Korea.The country was abuzz with the rare international match as the unusually bright summer passed, giving way to early autumn. Not just soccer programs or online communities but also magazines and TV unrelated to sports were filled with match stories for days. News programs counted down to the match, and tickets priced well over hundreds of thousands of won sold out as soon as they were released. It was such a fervent interest that it could be called a social phenomenon.Although it wasn’t a crucial match to determine victory or defeat, there were valid reasons for this game’s excitement. For instance, two main reasons. First, all the Korean players playing worldwide had gathered in their homeland to form a complete team. Second, the opposing team in this match.And today was the day the representative team of that “opposing country” was entering Korea.Chahyun entered the entrance of Incheon International Airport. The massive dome with a glass ceiling was teeming with a procession of locals and foreigners, leaving no space to step. The ant-like crowd became denser as he approached the arrival area. Listening to the loud announcements in various languages, Chahyun scanned the endlessly sprawling lobby.‘I might get trampled to death if I’m not careful.’Even though it was always a busy place, today was especially crowded. Chahyun first stood in a corner of the lobby close to the arrivals hall.The angle of view toward the gate felt very strange because he was usually the one coming out from there. As he wandered to find a good spot, a woman assembling a camera the size of his forearm glanced at him irritably. Chahyun pulled up his mask and lowered his head.‘If I get recognized, it’s all over.’Because… he had come secretly!No one knew Chahyun was at the airport—not his family, colleagues, coach, manager, agency, or even Cheon Sungjoo, who oversaw his every move in Korea.‘If Sungjoo hyung finds out about this, I’m dead.’He would probably smack him, asking why he bothered to sneak to the airport when they would meet at the game anyway. That intimidating face with eyes like a gangster… But Yoon Chahyun had no other choice.Who in this world could pretend not to know about their partner’s arrival?The crown of winning the Champions League brought Yoon Chahyun great glory, but it also came with numerous attachments: interviews, photoshoots, fan service, and paparazzi. Fans and journalists swarmed from the training ground to his way home, and Chahyun, after being hounded for a whole month, eventually had to move out of his home and find temporary accommodation. It was ridiculous. He had to hide like a fugitive.However, what troubled him more than the media fuss was the long-distance relationship.It had been a whole month since he was separated from his partner at the start of the pre-season. There was no abstinence like this. How could it make sense to be parted when he should be clinging to his partner all day? They exchanged dozens of messages and video calls daily, but his patience was reaching its limit. So, the news of the Swedish team’s arrival felt like rain after a drought. It was enough to make Yoon Chahyun sneak into the airport.‘I must be crazy.’Yes! This was madness. If he got caught, who knows what they’d say? But only those who have not been in a relationship can throw stones at Yoon Chahyun. Only those without their own cute nightingale…“Hey, the team’s coming out now.”Someone rushed over and urged the woman fiddling with the camera next to Chahyun. At the same time, the crowd surrounding them grew more restless. Soon, the tightly shut glass doors swung open, and people began to walk out one by one.Finally.The fans nearby surged forward to the gate line. Should he follow? As Chahyun hesitated and wavered in the crowd, someone jostled his back and shoulders.“Hey, stop blocking the way, move!”“Get out of the way! Move forward!”“Uh, no…”The jostling shoulders from all directions were reminiscent of body contact on the field. Hey, folks, I’m your very own Yoon Chahyun… He couldn’t even make that plea. As Chahyun, pushed to the back row, stuck his head out, he could see people pulling their suitcases through the crowd.The first to appear were the Swedish national team’s coach and captain. Led by them, the large players started coming out in a line. Though he recognized familiar faces, Chahyun quickly turned his eyes to scan the end of the line.‘Where is he? Quickly…’And soon enough, he found him in an instant. He couldn’t not find him.‘Misha!’The person Yoon Chahyun loved the most, his only partner… his fiancé.It felt as if light was pouring out from behind him. The silhouette he had pictured in his mind all month was now stepping into the gate with a large suitcase.A tall and handsome man. A beautiful face with classic features, like someone straight out of an old royal portrait.His partner in person was many times more lovely and farther away than in the video. As he squinted, as if focusing on something distant, he saw the curly brown hair softly framing the pretty forehead and nape. His hair has grown. Has his muscle increased, too? The broad back and strong arms wrapped in a taut T-shirt caught his eye.He shouldn’t call out. But, unconsciously, his lips parted.“Mi…”“Aaagh—! Ahh!”As Chahyun murmured the name he owned, a waterfall-like scream reverberated through the airport lobby. While he stood blankly amidst the tremendous noise, people crowded close to the line and reached out toward Misha.“Huh?”What… what’s going on?Chahyun stumbled backward, pushed by the crowd. He had heard Misha was a big hit in Korea, but the fervor felt in person was on another level. Korean security guards in suits stepped in to block the people about to hug Misha with their whole bodies.“Misha! Misha, aah—!”“Please look this way—!!!”The screams were like being amidst a flock of pterodactyls. Despite the cheers erupting from all sides, Misha’s gaze remained fixed on his phone.“Misha! P, please sign….”After tapping away diligently on his phone for a while, he paused upon seeing a Winchester United jersey thrust from the crowd. Expecting him to ignore it, as he usually did with fans, Misha accepted the shirt with a gentle gesture. Amid the high-pitched cries, he bit off the marker’s cap handed over with it.Yoon Chahyun watched Misha’s form, sometimes visible, sometimes hidden among the people. While signing, several more jerseys popped out. In the chaos, someone grabbed Misha’s wrist. The smile he gave the fan, who clung on like they might faint, was tender.Isn’t he a total celebrity?After signing a few more, Misha turned his body at the captain’s call in front. Then, he quickly passed by the people. As the cheers gradually faded, Chahyun stood there as if nailed in place.‘He’s gotten much better at fan service, too.’It was a strange feeling. Was it because of the long-missed yearning or the regret of not being able to talk? With his heart fluttering inexplicably, Chahyun smacked his lips under the mask.However, this is as far as it goes. There’s no other choice. Anyway, the earliest opportunity for Chahyun to officially greet Misha would be at the game. It wouldn’t do any good to be caught meeting him secretly now. As Chahyun swallowed his strange feelings, a short vibration came from his pants’ back pocket, signaling a phone call.An emoji of a familiar dog popped up on the caller ID.▶[♡♡♡Yuan, I’m here♡♡♡]“Ha ha… this is driving me crazy.”He couldn’t help but laugh at the adorable message. So, that’s what Misha was typing so intently—his arrival notice. Here he is, unaware that someone is secretly watching him. Chahyun raised his head to spot the sender’s back as they moved toward the limousine.“Huh?”That was when Misha suddenly turned around, scanning the crowd behind him. It seemed like he had sensed something, as if they were telepathically linked.Could he possibly be looking over here?That brief suspicion turned into certainty as Misha’s searching gaze landed squarely on Chahyun’s eyes from afar.But Chahyun was wearing sunglasses and a mask. It should be impossible to recognize someone from such a distance, hidden among a crowd, with their identity completely concealed. Yet, as if dismissing such doubts, Misha abruptly broke from the line and started walking.“Oh, oh…”Murmurs spread among the people as the sudden actions of the star caused a commotion. The Swedish team also halted in their tracks, watching the scene unfold.Misha, without any hesitation, began weaving through the bustling security personnel, heading straight towards Chahyun.Startled by his bold approach, the crowd slowly parted. As expected, Misha stood right in front of Chahyun. The bustling atmosphere around them instantly turned to silence. Staring up at the mirage-like figure standing before him, Chahyun widened his eyes.“You…!”The next moment, strong arms opened wide and enveloped Chahyun in a tight embrace.“Yuan!”“Agh!”As he was suddenly lifted into the air, Chahyun found himself drawn into the large embrace. His feet dangled off the ground as multiple screams echoed from a distance.“Mi, Misha!”How on earth did he know I was here?It was unbelievable. Although it had been months since their last hug, he never imagined it would happen right now, under these circumstances.The people encircling them seemed to finally notice the presence of the national icon, Chahyun. Amidst the crowd retreating like a wave, he noticed the guy who had roughly shoved his shoulder earlier was now staring in shock, whispering under his breath.Yet Misha remained unconcerned by anything else. His voice, filled with a yearning that seemed to tear his chest apart, poured into Chahyun’s ear.“Yuan… Did you come here just to greet me?”“Uh, yeah, uh-huh…”“I’m so happy. Really happy. I’m overjoyed…”Chahyun’s hat was knocked off as he was lifted high into the air, eliciting gasps of shock from those around.I’m doomed… Chahyun thought, staring up at the high ceiling.“I missed you so much, I thought I might die. I’ve been waiting only for today since a month ago.”“……”“I kept wondering when I would see you, when I could hold you. I thought about only you, all day…”Click, click. The sound of camera shutters echoed all around as Misha lowered his head, nuzzling against Chahyun’s neck. As the familiar breath touched him, his heart pounded as if it would explode. The fact that they were among a crowd seemed to vanish from his mind like smoke.“I wanted to see you, Yuan.”He should stop this. He should push him away, push him away…“I, I did too.”However, Yoon Chahyun instead raised his trembling hands and hugged Misha’s neck.“I missed you, too, so, so much… Misha.”Their bodies clung tightly together. Their chests touched, and through the contact on the nape of the neck, their breaths mingled. Running his hand over Misha’s back, Chahyun finally buried his face in the familiar embrace he had longed for.It was a reunion hug amidst the crowd that felt like their bodies might break.And at the same time, it was one of the biggest incidents in Yoon Chahyun’s life.It was only natural that the airport was buzzing with excitement over the warm embrace that transcended national and competitive boundaries. The sight of Yoon Chahyun, who had come to greet his rival at the arrivals hall, and Misha, who dashed over to offer a passionate hug, seemed like the epitome of a heartwarming story (fortunately, it appeared so). It would probably cause a commotion if people found out, overturning Chahyun’s naïve expectation. The public’s reaction was indeed causing a different kind of commotion.As soon as the news of Yoon Chahyun’s presence spread, a film crew with a huge camera appeared out of nowhere. They were a small sports channel team from a cable network. Initially here to cover the arrival of the Swedish team, they seemed overwhelmed by the unexpected stroke of luck with Yoon Chahyun’s appearance. An impromptu interview began, with a reporter whose cheeks were flushed red bombarding him with endless questions.“Just a month ago, you both were playing for the same team, right? It must feel very different meeting a former teammate as an opponent now.”“Uh, yes.”“In this situation where everyone is focused on the upcoming showdown in three days, how do you feel about competing for victory against each other?”“I guess I’m quite nervous.”“It seems like you have a very strong friendship, considering you came to the arrivals hall to meet. Was today’s welcome part of your plan?”“Uh, yes.”“I see. Could you share your feelings about the upcoming match against Misha, your close colleague…?”“I must admit, it’s nerve-wracking.”Caught off guard by the unexpected interview, Chahyun could only manage to give a tape-recorder-like response. Yet what flustered him more was Misha Asplund, who clung close to his side, smiling brightly.Misha seemed oblivious to the crowd gathering around them, hugging Chahyun’s shoulder into his embrace and swaying side to side. He nodded or flashed a smile, not understanding the questions being asked. Oh my…. Buried halfway in Misha’s arms, Chahyun quickly wrapped up his answers.“…Anyway, I will do my best. I hope to show you a great game. Thank you.”“Alright.”I wish they would wrap this up. However, the reporter seemed to expect something warmer and more special than the standard responses Chahyun was providing.“Then, could we have a word from Misha as well?”Sure enough, the reporter turned the microphone toward Misha, firing off a question in fluent English.“The two of you are well-known for your close friendship within Winchester United. Is there a particular nickname Misha uses for Yoon Chahyun?”Ha ha…. Amused by the cheeky question, Chahyun chuckled. He knew what they were getting at. Recently, Misha had caused quite a stir by confidently using a Korean curse word during an interview, thinking it was something Chahyun had taught him. Chahyun whispered into Misha’s ear very quietly.“Just answer quickly with something normal.”‘Yuan, Yoon Chahyun, or Chahyun, any of those would be fine. As long as it wasn’t ‘crazy bastard.’However, without hesitation, Misha pulled Chahyun closer and used another term he had once taught him.『Hyung!』Well… that certainly was a uniquely special answer.***“Wow…. So what happened next?”“What do you mean?”“After he called you ‘Hyung,’ what happened? The internet went crazy yesterday.”Amid the bustling atmosphere right after the press conference, Chahyun kept his mouth shut. Choi Namwoo’s gaze was irritating, as he looked at him with a smirk, seemingly delighted by his find of such a juicy topic.“What happened next? Nothing. He got dragged back to his team, and I went off to training.”“Did you really part like that? It’s like Romeo and Juliet.”“Isn’t Prince Hodong and Princess Nakrang more appropriate?”Out of nowhere, Park Jung chimed in. He, too, was hanging heavily on Yoon Chahyun’s neck, grinning from ear to ear.“Getting caught watching the rival team’s arrival. This guy is such a nutcase.”“Seems a bit crazy to me, too. Why’d you go there alone in the first place?”Park Jung spoke loudly enough for Choi Namwoo and the other colleagues nearby to hear, teasing Chahyun. He animatedly recounted the events of how Chahyun, despite his disguise, had his cover blown.“This guy, who’s been featured in biographies, goes nuts and runs around…. Hyung, have you seen Yoon Chahyun’s biography?”“Of course. It’s quite famous. Apparently, it’s a must-read for elementary students these days.”“It was a bestseller, so I bought two copies myself. Planning to get the hero’s autograph later.”“Haa.”These tattle-tale punks. Chahyun rested his elbows on the table and buried his face in his hands. His eyes, touching his palms, felt overwhelmingly hot. Even without them stirring things up, he’d been bombarded with questions all through the press conference about the guerilla event yesterday.He could roughly guess the reason for this buzz. The affectionate term from a foreign player with gray eyes towards a Korean player was enough to evoke the dormant Confucian spirit in the nation.“Hyung.” It was a perfect title that satisfied the traditional hierarchy between the young and the old, as well as friendship. The reporters with their microphones, as well as the surrounding crowd, were thrilled. Kyyaaah…! Recalling the screams that echoed through the airport, Chahyun swept his hand down from his face to his chin.‘When did I teach him that, and how does he still remember?’He remembers everything taught to him during intimate moments as if by magic. Misha always had that talent. Watching Chahyun with a sealed-off expression, Park Jung snickered.“Still, you’ll sign my book later, right?”“Keep on acting up, see what happens.”“Aha, really, when it comes to causing a scene in front of people, our Chahyun is just the best….”Before he could finish his sentence, the large doors of the interview hall swung open. At the sudden commotion, both of them turned their heads. The bustling crowd entering was a mix of staff wrapping up the conference and players from the Swedish national team, who had just completed interviews in another hall.Chahyun immediately spotted Misha among them. His presence was unmistakable, even among the tall people. The moment Chahyun looked at Misha, Misha also turned his head toward Chahyun on the podium. His expression lit up like a light bulb.“Heek.”Park Jung, who had been resting his arm on Chahyun’s shoulder, quickly withdrew his arm. As if burned, he recoiled and turned his head sharply. He wore a different, serious expression compared to the cheeky attitude moments ago.“Why are you suddenly acting like that?”“No. It’s nothing.”“What is it?”Park Jung turned his gaze away completely, eyes darting around. When Chahyun turned back, he saw Misha, who had been watching them, lower his eyes and smile brightly. With a smile as bright as a sunflower, Chahyun’s lips loosened, curling into a gentle smile. Well, whatever….“Smiling?”Then someone came up beside him and slapped him on the back with a hand as wide as a pot lid. Chahyun winced, scrunching his face as he bent forward.“Ah, come on… that hurts! Why are you doing this!”“To hurt you. Look at you giggling like you’re in love.”Cheon Sungjoo, dressed in a suit, stood with his hands on his hips, looking down at Chahyun. His hair, usually worn casually from being in the field, was now slicked back with pomade.“When did I laugh?”“You seemed like you were over the moon. You were grinning during the interview too. It looked so natural, huh?”At the teasing remark, Chahyun deliberately shrugged his shoulders.“I’m a veteran now; I don’t get flustered easily.”“Yeah, right. You were just captured as an android the other day, and now you’re putting on airs.”Cheon Sungjoo laughed suddenly like thunder after reprimanding Chahyun’s shameless response. From the way he laughed so heartily, it was clear he had no intention of scolding Chahyun for his spontaneous actions the day before.“Anyway, today’s interview was mostly about you and Misha. There weren’t many questions about the match itself.”“Uh… yeah.”“Well, you did make a scene yesterday, didn’t you?”Even without a detailed description, it was an obvious fact. Chahyun himself knew best what kind of chaos his personal actions and the ensuing ripple effect had caused, including the impromptu interview. As Chahyun kept his mouth shut, a peculiar silence settled between them.Unable to hold back, Chahyun glanced up at Cheon Sungjoo’s face. The manager, who had been laughing out loud, was now gazing at Chahyun thoughtfully, his hand on his chin. At the moment their eyes met, Chahyun had a hunch, but Cheon Sungjoo seemed to have been waiting for this and promptly spoke.“Being in the spotlight is the best. Along with attention, this comes along too.”His thick thumb and forefinger formed a circle in front of Chahyun’s eyes. It was at that moment that a strange suspicion began to form.Of course, he wasn’t angry…. Chahyun narrowed his eyes. Having worked together for nearly ten years, he could claim to be more sensitive to Cheon Sungjoo’s subtle nuances than anyone else.“Hyung, what are you thinking…?”“This is good.”But the athlete was too late.“This is good money.”As expected. Chahyun’s jaw dropped.“Money? What are you talking about now?”“Our Chahyun.”Cheon Sungjoo called his name softly. That was a very ominous sign. Nonsense quickly followed.“You need a vacation, don’t you?”“Come on, we have a match the day after tomorrow, so what do you mean vacation….”At Chahyun’s question, Cheon Sungjoo suddenly furrowed his brows in concern. He looked worried to anyone watching.“You haven’t had a proper rest lately, have you? With all the interviews and paparazzi, you haven’t had a moment’s peace. You haven’t even had much chance to see your parents since coming here, right?”“Well, that’s just part of the job.”“I should have given you some rest, but I made a mistake.”Chahyun’s eyes darted back and forth as he stared at the manager’s earnest expression. It seemed suspicious, but he had no clue what this was about. Knowing he shouldn’t get sucked into whatever it was, Chahyun finally spoke up.“…Why are you being like this? What do you want to say?”“I was thinking of giving you some free time, even if it’s late. You don’t have any more training scheduled today anyway.”Free time…. As Chahyun shot a wary glance at Cheon Sungjoo, a few seconds later, the manager finally revealed his true intentions.“So, why don’t you take Misha and go have some fun, like it’s a vacation?”He was dumbfounded. What kind of unprecedented suggestion was this?“Are you crazy? Why does the conversation suddenly jump to that?”“Why? Isn’t it an offer you can’t refuse? You two made a splash yesterday too.”“Hyung! That was just a quick visit. I didn’t know it would turn out like that.”“Yeah, you got caught sneaking around without telling me. It was wrong, wasn’t it?”Chahyun’s mouth gaped open like a fish as Cheon Sungjoo struck a weak point.“No, I was just going to have a quick look and leave. It just kind of happened….”“It was a big hit.”Cheon Sungjoo replied smoothly. It was a tone that suggested he had already made a deep-rooted conviction in his heart. That this was really something, that they could create something show-business-like and entertaining…. His voice, honed by years in broadcasting, carried a clear conviction about the current situation.Now, he was starting to understand. After the unexpected public display of affection and interview, social media had gone wild. He was surprised at how quickly the news spread after getting caught, but thinking about all the phones and cameras surrounding them at the time made it understandable. In such a connected age, secrets can’t stay hidden.Chahyun, who had been speechless for a while, voiced a worrying suspicion he had been harboring.“Don’t tell me you want to… film us? Me and Misha?”“Film? I’m not that obsessed with work.”His voice and expression were as slippery as melted cheese.“Then what?”“Just take Misha around, have some fun, eat some good food. You know, take him to places like Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, dress him in hanbok, feed him spicy food….”At the examples he could easily understand, Chahyun’s eyes sharpened like needles.“I’ve heard of that route before.”The so-called Hongik Ingan variety shows. As someone who is often asked about his foreign colleagues’ visits to Korea, Yoon Chahyun could not be unaware of their existence. Those programs that exploit foreign friends as a sacrifice for viewership!Honestly, spending a day with Misha was what he had been hoping for. His thighs were already bruised from weeks of being poked every time he missed Misha since the preseason began. Spending time together would be sheer bliss. But being entangled in a broadcast was a completely different matter. Where they went, what they ate…. He couldn’t have their precious time together monitored like that.As if reading Chahyun’s mind, Cheon Sungjoo calmly explained.“Don’t feel too pressured. I told you there won’t be any filming. You hate that kind of stuff, right?”“Then what do you mean by it being profitable?”Seeing Chahyun’s suspicious expression, Cheon Sungjoo added gently.“Instead, we’ll rely on people’s sightings or photos. Just being mentioned online can have a branding effect. It’s called social media marketing… sort of like an invasion of privacy plan?”Invasion of privacy. The explanation was brief but honest. Chahyun muttered.“Is that really a vacation?”“If you manage not to get caught, then it is. Though I kind of hope you do get caught sometimes. Anyway, it’s all up to you.”After seeing Cheon Sungjoo’s shameless face that showed no intention of making excuses, Chahyun lowered his gaze toward Misha. Until just moments ago, Misha was smiling at him like a puppy, but now he was having a cozy conversation with the captain of his team.“Vacation…”The point was that they were allowed to openly have fun, not to worry about others’ eyes, and to enjoy freely. As Chahyun stared into the distance, the last argument drifted into his ears.“You should strike while the iron is hot. They seemed to like it too. It’s more beneficial economically.”“… So you’ve already discussed it with each other?”“Of course. This is true friendship, isn’t it?”A quick-footed person. Cheon Sungjoo shrugged his shoulders proudly. Meanwhile, people started dispersing from the hall as the event wrapped up.“They’re leaving. What are you going to do?”Listening to the persistent urging, Chahyun finally opened his mouth after having kept it shut tightly like a clam.“… I don’t know. I can’t give a definite answer.”“Yeah, you’re not someone who would say yes right away.”Cheon Sungjoo shrugged his shoulders and lowered his eyebrows. He spoke as if he had just thrown bait. Smacking his lips in disappointment, he patted Yoon Chahyun’s shoulder.“Let me know if you change your mind. Think carefully, so you don’t regret it later.”He then slowly turned around and disappeared toward the reception area. His slow steps somehow seemed annoying.Glaring at his broad back, Chahyun got up from his seat with such force that the chair almost broke. Then he quickly descended the stairs toward the hall. He knew it was an obvious trap, but the cheese inside was strangely tempting.“Misha!”“Yuan!”As Chahyun suddenly appeared among the Swedish team who was dispersing, Misha’s eyes widened. Responding briefly to greetings from all sides, Chahyun raised his arm high. Misha, who had been mingling with the crowd, rushed to Chahyun and grabbed both his hands tightly. Seeing the cute face of his boyfriend for the first time in 24 hours, questions fired off like a machine gun.“How was the interview? Did it go well? Was it hard?”“I didn’t do well. Why didn’t I do it with your team? I was so focused on thinking about you that I couldn’t even hear the questions.”Cute! At the adorable complaint, Chahyun’s mouth stretched into a broad smile like a well-cooked dumpling.“So you messed it up?”“I only talked about you. It’s okay, right?”Misha answered seriously. Given the situation, he couldn’t scold Misha for the unexpected action yesterday. If it had been the other way around, Chahyun would have probably hugged him too.“Actually, I only talked about you too. I kept missing you so much during the interview.”“Me too. Hehe.”Hehe…. Misha added the unfamiliar sound, then suddenly asked as if he remembered something.“Yuan, what about Hongsam?”“He’s staying at my parents’ place now. My brother missed him a lot.”“I see… I miss him too.”In the video calls they had whenever they had time, the two of them expressed their longing for each other. There was no love like this love. However, Hongsam, who used to flip his belly at the sight of Misha on screen, couldn’t hide his gloom when he realized Misha was just pixels. Smiling bitterly, Chahyun quickly changed the subject.“Our schedule is done for today, what about yours?”“We’re done for today too.”“Rest?”“Yeah. We’re going back to the hotel to rest. Training is tomorrow.”“Ah…. Is that so?”Cheon Sungjoo’s bold claim of having coordinated with Misha’s team came to mind. It must have been the idea to take advantage of the break time on both sides. Vacation, my foot…. As Chahyun clammed up, Misha played with his hands and whispered.“Yuan, is there something going on? You seem worried.”“No, it’s not that… um.”He seemed unaware of the plan.Upon hearing the proposal, Misha would definitely agree without a moment’s hesitation. However, with a match coming up the day after tomorrow, rest should be his priority.“It just hit me how far you’ve come. Was it hard?”“It wasn’t hard at all. You came to meet me yesterday.”In the noisy crowd, the two faced each other. Touching a picture sent through a message was different from facing each other directly. How much had he wanted to feel this warmth, this breath…If he didn’t take Cheon Sungjoo’s bait, this would be the last meeting before the match with Misha.Being able to be alone together was both a dangerously tempting and seductive proposal. However, there were too many complicated circumstances to accept it easily. In the midst of hesitation, Chahyun’s eyes caught a player standing at a distance.The Swedish team’s captain.He was the one who had been having a pleasant conversation with Misha until just now. He did the same yesterday at the airport. The scene where he casually called Misha, who was doing fan service, and whispered to him while laughing together was still vivid.The captain, surrounded by staff and fellow players, was looking this way and gave a small nod with a smile when his eyes met Chahyun’s. Then he turned and quickly disappeared in another direction.The hesitation bubbling inside him turned into a clear decision right at that moment.“Misha, you know.”“Yeah?”Misha blinked his long eyelashes with a puzzled expression. His silver eyes, shining like mirrors, sparkled at Chahyun.“Shall we go on a date?”“A date?”Yes. It would be foolish to back away after seeing these beautiful eyes.“Yeah. Just the two of us on a date today.”His red lips slowly parted. A faint gap silently formed syllables. Date, date. His lips moved silently and then opened wide as if he realized the meaning of the word.“Okay!”His hair swayed on his forehead like it was dancing. It was such a lovable reaction that it blew away all the previous worries. Feeling his heart pounding, Chahyun grabbed Misha’s hand tightly.The first mission given to the two of them was to get out of the interview venue. Journalists filled the seminar room, lobby, and hallways, watching the two of them with eagle eyes, ready to ask questions.Pushing through the people eager to hear more, Chahyun sprinted to the main entrance of the conference room. As soon as he stepped onto the street, he raised his hand high. A taxi stopped with a flashy sound at his urgent signal, and Chahyun quickly shoved Misha’s large body into the back seat. Misha hit his head on the top of the door as he tumbled in.“Ouch…”“Ah! Misha!”Misha clasped his forehead with both hands. Meanwhile, journalists were approaching from afar. There was no time to hesitate. Hugging Misha’s head, Chahyun quickly squeezed himself into the car.“Please start the car!”He shouted like in a noir film, and the middle-aged taxi driver lifted his head. He looked startled as he checked Chahyun’s face in the rearview mirror but then solemnly nodded. It was concerning that he had shown his face, but few people in this country didn’t know Chahyun. At this point, hiding it would be impossible. The taxi driver began driving with the face of someone who had suddenly become a secret agent for the government.▷ [I’m on vacation now. I’ll do what I want, no more whining about marketing.]As soon as the taxi got on the road, Chahyun sent a quick message to Cheon Sungjoo.▶ [Yeah, just get away safely. Treat your friend to lots of delicious food.]A frustrating reply came back as if he had been waiting. It was a message as if he knew Yoon Chahyun would take the bait. Chahyun immediately deleted the message from his sight and held Misha’s crumpled body beside him.“Come here, let me see if you got a bump.”“I’m fine.”“Fine my foot! What if your head’s cracked?”Chahyun pulled Misha’s face closer, which was wedged into his side. Parting his curly, silky bangs revealed a bright red bruise on his forehead. He exhaled warm air over the bump and gently rubbed it.“Mmm…”Even though he had rushed out, he was all over the place. So he asked the most important question first.“Did you have a meal?”“I ate before leaving the hotel.”“You call the hotel breakfast a meal?”It’s just eggs and some greens! While fiddling with Misha’s forehead, Chahyun racked his brain.Where should they go? Bulgogi, galbi, bossam… Many options swirled in his head, but none seemed right. Realizing that he was being petted like a puppy, Misha grabbed Chahyun’s hand.“Really, I ate a lot, so I’m full.”Chahyun looked down into his puppy eyes. With his head stuck in Chahyun’s arm like a headlock, he looked back with a strangely sparkling gaze. Countless emotions swirled in his eyes: longing, happiness, joy… and excitement. Come to think of it, Misha said he had never been on a date before.Misha’s first date. Thinking of those words, he couldn’t hesitate any longer. Chahyun lowered the hand that had been stroking Misha’s forehead and cupped his cheek.“Then, have you had dessert?”“Not yet…”So he had eaten, but not dessert yet. Among the faint options swirling in his mind, one emerged clearly.“Driver.”The driver perked up at his serious voice. With a solemn face, Chahyun finally gave the destination.“Please take us to Myeong-dong.”“Yes, sir.”The taxi driver nodded once and turned the steering wheel sharply. With a skillful drift, the vehicle smoothly left the road. As the speed gradually increased, Yoon Chahyun tightened his arms around Misha.To hide a tree, you must hide it in the forest, and to hide a foreigner, you must hide him there.- Chahyun taking Misha to Myeongdong makes sense because it is a popular tourist destination in Seoul known for its bustling streets filled with both locals and foreigners.

- Deulsinako: 들어올 때는 스웨덴 사람, 나갈 때는 코리아 사람 (He might have come as Swedish, but he’ll leave as Korean).

- It refers to a famous Korean legend involving Prince Hodong of Goguryeo and Princess Nakrang of the Nakrang kingdom. The legend centers around a romantic and tragic story of love between the two, which is marked by intense emotions and ultimately a sad ending due to political and military conflicts.