Chapter 4
Kim Tae-woon was about to ask, “You didn’t help Seo Igeon, did you?” but closed his mouth instead. He had concluded there was absolutely no way that could be true. When would Han Taekyung ever help Seo Igeon?
“Yes?” Han Taekyung asked when his instructor didn’t continue speaking. Kim Tae-woon waved his hand and opened the book he’d been looking at.
“Nevermind. Just a silly thought. So, are you going to practice more today?”
“Yes. I should.”
Han Taekyung was a relentless practice bug who could have taken things more leisurely, but he loved taekwondo and had the talent to match his passion. He was Kim Tae-woon’s best student. Having such a disciple was a blessing from heaven, and Tae-woon needed to be the best practice partner he could be. He told the driver to head to the gym, and the car promptly changed direction.
â—†
With a test score of 62 points, Seo Igeon had barely passed, and now he, Instructor Jin, and his father were having a samgyeopsal party to celebrate. The mood was as if he’d already been accepted to the National Sports University. Well, that was a given. Having passed the written test, which had been the biggest hurdle, the practical test ahead would be no problem at all.
“The test is divided into exactly three parts!”
Unlike Seo Igeon, who was drinking cola since he was still a minor, the two adults were already drunk after several bottles of soju. And so began Instructor Jin’s lecture.
This signaled the start of an endless cycle. Igeon was already tired and wanted to escape to his room, but knowing his father would just drag him back, he simply poured soju into their glasses, hoping they’d pass out soon.
“Yes, yes, I know.”
I’ve heard this countless times since I was little.
“This disrespectful kid! Your instructor is talking!”
“Ow! That hurts!”
His father erupted in anger and slapped Igeon’s thigh with all his might. Igeon groaned and rubbed his painful thigh.
“First, the pheromone control test. This is mandatory for both alphas and omegas. You know that, right?”
The pheromone control test. Whether alpha or omega, athletes receive pheromone control injections when they start training. This prevents them from being affected by pheromones for at least half a year. The most instinctual differences—rut and heat cycles—don’t occur. However, since unexpected situations can happen anywhere, the pheromone control test is included as the first basic qualification. To pass, one must perfectly control their pheromones to below 0.3pg… or in beta calculation terms, if your pheromone concentration exceeds 0.3% of the 100% total, you fail; if you maintain below that, you pass. It might sound strict, but people who’ve consistently trained in pheromone control since childhood can control their pheromones so well they could completely pass for betas. The same was true for Seo Igeon.
“Yes, I know. You know how good I am at pheromone control, Instructor.”
“I know, I know! World champion in pheromone control!”
Instructor Jin proudly slapped Seo Igeon’s back repeatedly. It was fortunate he wasn’t drinking cola at that moment.
“And second! The fundamentals test.”
The fundamentals test for each discipline. This was to confirm how well one’s basic skills had been refined. In some ways, it seemed like either a confirmation of one’s beginnings… or perhaps an unnecessary process. One might wonder why they needed to check fundamentals when anyone applying to the National Sports University was already at the junior national team level, but thinking about it, there were many who relied solely on their talent while neglecting the basics, so it was a necessary step in its own way.
“That too! Our Igeon has no problem with. When it comes to fundamentals! He learned from me, Jin Cheol-woon!”
“Of course. Our Instructor Jin is unbeatable when it comes to fundamentals.”
“Oh my, when Igeon’s father praises me like that, I don’t know where to put myself.”
Good grief, these drunkards, really.
Seo Igeon quickly refilled their empty glasses.
“And third! The tournament.”
Instructor Jin Cheol-woon’s playful, drunken, slurring tongue was suddenly gone, and he set down his glass, looking at Seo Igeon with a very serious expression.
“And there, only 10 people, only the top 10, are admitted to the National Sports University, and only the top 5 can take the senior national team qualification exam. And scholarships start from second place. Seo Igeon, what’s your goal?”
“First place.”
“That’s right! First place!! Han Taekyung is there, but! In my opinion, you’re just not as handsome as him! Your taekwondo skills are much better! Got it?!”
“You could at least say I’m better looking than Han Taekyung too. It’s not like he’s here, and no one else is listening. Can’t you be a little biased for me, Instructor?”
“Ah… no matter what, I can’t lie. What’s not true is not true.”
“No, Igeon! In my eyes, my son is much more handsome! Han Taekyung doesn’t even compare to the dirt under your toenails!”
Ah, Dad, that seems way off. That actually feels worse than what the instructor said.
“Yes, yes, I understand. Please, both of you, keep drinking. I need to go to school tomorrow.”
“Oh my, school? Hahaha, how cute.”
And that was the end of it. Both men had no interest in Igeon’s school and just kept drinking until they eventually collapsed face-first onto the table. The cleanup was left to Seo Igeon, who humbly accepted the task. First, he put Instructor Jin to bed in his own room, then his father in the master bedroom, cleared the table, and lay down in the living room. Then he noticed a stack of papers in front of the old TV and got up. The neatly gathered papers were various utility bills including electricity and water. The electricity bill was overdue for two months, and the water bill was also overdue. They had moved from a single-room semi-basement to a two-room rooftop apartment with prize money from competitions, but life was still far from comfortable. The junior national team gold medal had only provided a one-time pension for about five years, and the amount wasn’t that substantial.
‘Dad, you should use that money.’
‘No need. Why would I use your hard-earned money? I’m putting it all in savings for when you get married, to give to your partner. To thank them for joining our lowly family.’
Hearing those words, Igeon had laughed bitterly inside. As if any omega or beta would marry him.
Whenever Seo Igeon suggested getting a part-time job, his father strongly opposed it. He kept telling him to focus on his training. What if he got injured while working? Not wanting to worry his father, he hadn’t taken a job, but… seeing his father’s declining health lately, Igeon thought he should secretly work weekend shifts. He put the papers back in their place, covered himself with a thin blanket, and closed his eyes. He hoped the selection tournament would come quickly.
â—†
“Welcome. May I take your order?”
“Yes, one Americano please.”
“Would you like that iced or hot?”
“Iced, please.”
“That will be 4,900 won.”
As he took the card and processed the payment, Seo Igeon checked the time. It was 5 PM. He had been working non-stop since the cafe opened at 10 AM, and though his legs ached, he didn’t feel particularly tired, perhaps because it had been so busy. This cafe was located directly across from the NI Group headquarters. It had first opened more than 20 years ago, starting as a single-floor cafe, but now occupied the entire building—a true success story. The best thing about this cafe was that the drink prices remained the same as they were years ago. Also, the owner had rejected all franchise offers and still roasted the beans personally to maintain the quality, which explained its popularity.
“Hmm? Where did Yeonwoo go?”
The manager was looking for a part-timer who wasn’t visible.
“Ah, she said she wasn’t feeling well and needed to rest a bit, so I told her that was fine.”
Seo Igeon quickly responded, and the manager nodded.
“And you’re unable to take a break because of that?”
“It’s okay.”
“She didn’t look well when she came in for her shift. If you see her, tell her she can leave early.”
“Yes, I’ll ask when I see Yeonwoo.”
“Huh?”
The manager, who had been talking with Igeon, looked toward the entrance and rushed over in surprise. At that moment, the atmosphere in the cafe became slightly agitated. Everyone was looking at the entrance. Naturally, Seo Igeon’s gaze followed.
“Welcome.”
“Hello, Manager.”
A low voice with a gentle resonance. A familiar voice. And a familiar face.
Han Taekyung… Why is he here? Oh, right. Han Taekyung was the son of the NI Group’s CEO. That’s right. I forgot about that. Seo Igeon scratched his cheek and turned his attention back to work. It had nothing to do with him anyway. Meanwhile, others who recognized Han Taekyung began whispering among themselves.
“Did you come to buy coffee for Mr. Jaekyung?”
“Yes, this is his favorite coffee.”
“I understand. I’ll prepare it right away. No need to pay.”
“No, please don’t do that. I’ll pay for it. Please let me.”
“Alright. This way, then.”
Guided by the manager, Han Taekyung stood in front of the counter. He took out his phone and opened the card app.
“Welcome. May I take your order?”
Seo Igeon recited his usual greeting to customers. But the hand operating the phone in front of him stopped. Something seemed off, so he looked up and found Han Taekyung staring intently at him.
“Sir?”
“…Ah, one Americano please. Hot.”
“That will be 4,500 won. You can tap your phone here.”
“Yes.”
The payment was completed and the order sent through. But the man standing in front of him didn’t move an inch.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
