Moo-gyeom left the embarrassed Jeong-gyu behind and went outside. Still, aside from Jeong-gyu, it was at least fortunate that no one was trying to joke around with him about this scandal. For now, everyone was still figuring Moo-gyeom out, so they couldn’t rashly talk to him.
To Moo-gyeom, life was something dynamic—something where one constantly seized things, changed form, and moved toward the future. It was not the kind of thing where one settled down somewhere and enjoyed stability. Stagnant water was bound to rot, and above all, it was boring.
Sex was similar to a game. One-on-one, hiding what each person wanted just enough to show and not show, secretly exchanging signals and testing whether to take the shot or not—that was fairly interesting. When his intentions and the other person’s matched perfectly, he even felt a small sense of achievement, like kicking a ball into an invisible goal.
It wasn’t as much as football, but it was one of life’s pleasures he couldn’t leave out, and more than anything, it was a good way to control overflowing energy or stress before and after matches. But that was where it ended. He didn’t want to be tied down to one person, nor did he want to give another person any meaning beyond a physical relationship.
When meeting people, there were occasionally those who tried to cross that line, but the more they clung to him, the more tired of them he became. And if they went so far as to bring up love, then even his human affection for them seemed to disappear. Just because they liked each other’s looks, interests, or circumstances enough to sleep together a few times, they called it love? People put that word in their mouths far too easily.
It was ridiculous. If he had known they were that kind of person, he would have avoided them from the start, but at first, there was no way to know someone’s true feelings. Everyone pretended to be cool in the beginning, but at the end, there were often cases where they were not. At times like that, it felt exactly like stepping on a landmine. Still, every game always had traps. Moo-gyeom understood even sudden variables as a kind of rule.
It wasn’t as if he was so desperate he’d die without it and was buying people with money. What was wrong with young men and women in their prime naturally being attracted to each other, agreeing, and spending the night together? The fact that it happened frequently was not solely Moo-gyeom’s fault either. He didn’t understand why the world denied women’s desire.
Well. Perhaps someday he too would grow old and tired and want some peaceful settling down, like stroking someone’s hair, but at least for now, that was far off.
While he was briefly caught in reflections on life that had begun with Lim Jeong-gyu’s nagging, the phone in his hand vibrated shortly. Looking down at the screen, he saw an unknown number. After a moment of hesitation, Moo-gyeom switched the screen to call mode. It might be a call related to this scandal.
“This is Kim Moo-gyeom.”
—Ah, hello. It seems I’ve called the right person.
It was an unfamiliar voice. Moo-gyeom frowned lightly.
“Who is this?”
—Allow me to introduce myself again. I’m Producer Cho Hyun-chul. I’ve made several proposals to your agency regarding filming a documentary.
“…Did the agency give you my number?”
—No, that’s… I heard it from someone I know. Since you kept only expressing refusal, I wanted to speak with you directly at least once….
The crease between his thick eyebrows deepened.
“Do you not understand what it means when I say to talk through my agency? Do you think I have an agent so anyone who knows my contact information can call me?”
—Yes. I’m truly sorry about that. But I really wanted to once….
“Among the bastards who work in broadcasting, the ones I hate most are rats like you who dig around behind people’s backs. I don’t know what makes you think I’d work with you, but I’ll answer you directly like you wanted. I’m not interested, so get lost.”
Before hearing a reply, Moo-gyeom tapped the end-call button. He had already been displeased since morning because of the scandal. And now, at a time like this, someone had the nerve to call his personal number that he had never given out.
He clicked his tongue, and then—beep! A whistle signaling the start of training rang out. The players who had come out of the locker room lined up on the training ground in two rows. Beside the coach and training coach stood someone who hadn’t been there before the day off.
A navy short-sleeved shirt with the team emblem, a thin jersey, and long pants. Around his neck hung a whistle and timer, and in one hand he held a notebook. At the sight of him, looking like a rookie PE major or a student-teacher gym instructor, the corner of Moo-gyeom’s lips lifted slightly.
Jun-sung cleared his throat once and introduced the student-teacher-like man.
“Mm. Well, you all probably already know, but this is Lee Ha-joon, who will be joining us as physical coach starting today. As you know, he used to be a football player like you. I don’t need to tell you that professional physical management is becoming more important these days, right? He’s an excellent coach, so listen well to Coach Lee. Coach Lee, say a word too.”
Ha-joon, standing beside him, bowed and lifted his head. A clear, modest smile filled his face.
“I’m Lee Ha-joon. I look forward to working with you. A body that’s well managed on a regular basis won’t get injured where it doesn’t need to. I’ll work hard, so I hope you’ll trust me and help me a lot as well.”
His tone was gentle yet firm. As soon as his greeting ended, the players cheered and applauded. Standing with his hands behind his back, Moo-gyeom couldn’t sincerely join the welcoming atmosphere since he didn’t know Ha-joon, so he belatedly clapped halfheartedly.
Training began, as always, with light running and stretching. Compared to the previous training, however, the form had changed somewhat, because Ha-joon’s arrival had altered the stretching routine. The players seemed to accept the fresh change happily.
“It’ll take a little longer than usual, but since it’s the first day, I’m checking everyone’s physical condition, so please cooperate.”
“Yes—!”
When Ha-joon said it with a smile, the players chorused like kindergarteners once again. At the oddly cute atmosphere created by a group of grown men, Moo-gyeom’s brow furrowed on its own.
Ha-joon had the players form a wide circle, then gave stretching instructions. Holding his notebook, he took notes while carefully examining them one by one. He lifted the legs of the player stretching this way and that, palpated around the pelvis, near the tailbone, and the inner thighs with his hands, and tested various movements by having them bring their legs together or spread them apart. His profile looked quite serious. Moo-gyeom chuckled.
‘He’s obviously a newbie. Overly enthusiastic.’
As a player, an enthusiastic coach was always welcome. Moo-gyeom faithfully performed the instructed movements and warmed up. Meanwhile, Ha-joon, who had been checking each player one by one, finally approached Moo-gyeom. He bent his knees, placed the notebook on his knee, held his pen, and gave Moo-gyeom instructions.
“First, sit with your legs stretched out.”
Moo-gyeom did so.
“Mm, can you bend your body forward? Keep your legs together. Good. Now spread your legs a little.”
As Moo-gyeom moved faithfully according to his words, Ha-joon diligently wrote something down. The requests continued.
“I’ll check your ankle for a moment.”
Ha-joon lightly held Moo-gyeom’s ankle. He pressed a few times over his sock and asked whether it hurt. When Moo-gyeom said it was fine, Ha-joon nodded and wrote something again.
“Lie face down and lift only your right leg. Mm. The left too. Just a little more.”
The scratch of writing continued. Lying face down, then sitting, then standing again, he was told to lift and lower one leg alternately, or bend his waist or arms. Whenever Moo-gyeom obediently performed the movement, Ha-joon scribbled notes several times.
“Good, that’s enough. Thanks.”
Apparently having checked as much as he wanted, Ha-joon spoke with satisfaction and moved to the side to check the next player.
‘…What was that?’
Even while examining each individual, Ha-joon continued instructing all the players on the next stretch. Moo-gyeom stood and followed the instructions, but felt a strange sense of incongruity. How should he put it? He didn’t feel like a player stretching in front of a coach, but like a cow or horse being inspected by a livestock examiner.
But the physical check Ha-joon performed was basic, and this kind of test was done anywhere. Throughout the stretching, Moo-gyeom followed Ha-joon with his eyes as he coached the other players. But there was nothing special. He gave similar movements to the other players, checked their conditions, and took notes. With no particular reason to feel displeased, Moo-gyeom only felt a vague dissatisfaction he couldn’t put into words until stretching time ended. Ha-joon stood before the players.
“Today’s stretching took twice as long as usual, so it must have been tiring. Please understand that this is all for creating individual training programs. I’ll observe through afternoon training, and starting tomorrow, individual program instructions will begin.”
“Yes!”
The players answered again like newly hatched chicks. The atmosphere throughout training was very good. Only Moo-gyeom occasionally frowned slightly for reasons he couldn’t explain and glanced at Ha-joon.
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