Our Youth 17

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#017

After lunch, celebratory performances by clubs continued. Jiwoon killed time while enjoying the fan that Yechan had given him.

“Jiwoon-jiwoon, want to go to the class after-party?”

Jukyung asked as he sat next to Jiwoon.

“Not going.”

“You’re not going to the sports festival after-party either? Jiwoon-jiwoon, you’ve been too neglectful of us lately.”

“Lee Jiwoon, this bastard only hangs out with Seo Yechan these days.”

Kyungjun said, putting his arm around Jukyung’s neck.

“But he is pretty though. If I had to choose between Kyungjun and Seo Yechan, I’d pick Seo Yechan too.”

Jukyung offered a lollipop to Jiwoon, who was frowning. Jiwoon put the candy in his mouth and said.

“How many times do I have to tell you? You guys are fucking boring.”

“Jiwoon-jiwoon, when were we ever fun to hang out with? We hung out because we had nothing else to do.”

“Jiwoon’s not going to the after-party?”

Choi Min, who had brought carbonated drinks, asked belatedly. Jiwoon roughly nodded.

But are you really not coming? They said we’re eating meat! Even when Park Kyungjun asked again with a shocked face, Jiwoon firmly refused. Kyungjun even had to hear Jiwoon ask if he was possessed by a ghost who died from eating, just for adding an unnecessary comment.

And when they got tired of the meaningless conversation, the performance ended.

* * *

It was around the time when the kids who had been energetically enjoying the sports festival were starting to get tired. A broadcast announcing the end finally echoed across the playground.

“This is the last event. Relay race, relay race is starting. Each class’s athletes, please come out.”

“Oh, Jiwoon should go out. For this.”

“Jiwoon-jiwoon, do well! I’ll cheer for you!”

“Hold this.”

Jiwoon, who entrusted Yechan’s fan to Choi Min, got up. Jiwoon crunched the candy in his mouth and threw away the stick.

I want to wash up. As he walked out to the playground, the organizers guided Jiwoon, telling him to stand here.

That’s when it happened. Jiwoon’s eyes widened when he saw Yechan walking over from the other side while stretching.

“You’re running the relay?”

“I got drafted because I’m tall.”

In the relay race where two people were selected from each grade to compete between classes, Jiwoon was the last runner for Class 4. And Yechan was the second among the second-years.

Due to the nature of the relay race where they ran half a lap around the playground, even though the running order was different, they had to receive the baton at the same place.

“I saw hyung run the short distance. You got 1st place, right?”

“I said I’d win the championship.”

“Haha, our Class 4 is in 2nd place right now. Class 2 is in 4th place.”

Yechan smiled, lifting the corners of his mouth. Jiwoon clicked his tongue at the smile that was clearly teasing.

“Don’t you know the relay score? It’s 500 points. Whoever gets 1st in the relay definitely wins the championship.”

“Ah, that damn comeback. Hyung, can’t you just come to Class 4 for a moment?”

Yechan, who had an “oops” moment, asked with a quite serious face. Jiwoon snorted and shook his head.

Don’t talk nonsense. Yechan, who twisted his lips crookedly, suddenly hugged Jiwoon’s waist from behind.

Jiwoon flailed at the sudden contact.

“Hey!”

And Yechan lifted Jiwoon up and spun around in place. Jiwoon’s legs floated up in the air due to centrifugal force.

“What are you doing! Put me down!”

Yechan, who spun a few more times while holding the struggling Jiwoon, lightly set him down on the ground.

His head was dizzy like his swaying body. Yechan grinned while firmly supporting Jiwoon’s back with his hand so he wouldn’t fall.

“Dizzy, right? I hope it’s effective.”

“You’re dead.”

“Haha, I’m dizzy too, so go easy on me.”

Yechan, who soon took his hand off Jiwoon’s back as he regained his balance, smiled brightly and took off Jiwoon’s cap.

A hot hand brushed his forehead and pushed Jiwoon’s bangs back. The hand that grabbed the cap brim and put the cap back on tidied Jiwoon’s side hair before finally letting go.

“Watch carefully and run. Don’t fall.”

Fuck, really. Jiwoon turned around and pretended to stretch while jumping in place.

If he didn’t do that, it felt like his heart would pop out somewhere.

* * *

Kyaaaah! Taehyun, startled by the sudden screams of some girls that echoed across the playground, looked around. And he spotted Yechan lifting Jiwoon and spinning him around.

“What is Seo Yechan doing?”

Taehyun asked.

“Acting crazy.”

Minho answered. The two watched Yechan with their mouths agape.

Kyaaaaaaaah! The screaming got louder. Seeing Yechan put Jiwoon’s cap back on, Taehyun and Minho exchanged meaningful looks.

The relay race started. Class 1 among the first-years did well. The first runner of the second-years received the baton after running half a lap around the playground.

Yechan got into position, confirming his turn was coming. Jiwoon was watching Yechan from inside the line.

Class 4 came in 3rd place. Yechan, who received the baton, started running with his long legs stretching out.

His arm muscles tensed under the mint-colored t-shirt sleeve that Jiwoon had rolled up for him. The wind blew Yechan’s bangs back, revealing his neat forehead.

Jiwoon thought the sight of the light brown hair fluttering in the wind looked like slow motion.

He runs well. Yechan’s legs accelerated from the middle. Yechan passed one person and then handed the baton to the next runner.

Although Jiwoon was satisfied with Yechan’s good running, he couldn’t be completely happy.

Unfortunately, the runner Yechan had passed was from Class 2. The baton was exchanged once more. Jiwoon watched the runners coming in 1st, 4th, and 2nd place order, shook his hands a couple of times, and moved forward.

Only after the first two received their batons did Jiwoon receive his baton. When his turn came, Jiwoon gripped the baton and shot out like a bullet.

“Waaaaaaah!”

With the start of the last runners, the playground filled with frenzied cheers. Dust rose from under Jiwoon’s sneakers.

Jiwoon’s heart rapidly heated up as he moved his arms and legs quickly with wide eyes. Before long, Jiwoon was able to easily overtake the runner in the mint-colored t-shirt.

A twisted smile spread across Jiwoon’s lips as he gauged the distance to the remaining runner. This is doable.

“Look at that bastard’s expression.”

“Jiwoon-jiwoon is fucking sexy.”

Kyungjun and Jukyung giggled and laughed.

The last runner had to reach the finish line at the end of the playground after passing the starting line. Jiwoon ran with all his might. His accelerated legs showed maximum elasticity on the straight course.

His lungs, having used up oxygen in a short time, pushed his breathing up to his chin.

“Waaaah!”

Right before the finish line, Jiwoon overtook the leader. See, I told you it was doable. Jiwoon, who broke the tape first, was pushed by inertia to run a bit more before stopping in place.

“Whoa!”

And the runner who had been running right behind crashed into Jiwoon’s back. Jiwoon’s body fell forward.

Since he fell without being able to break his fall, Jiwoon’s hands and knees were scraped raw against the sand. The pain was more severe because he happened to be wearing shorts.

“Jiwoon!”

Choi Min ran out and Kyungjun and Jukyung followed. The runner who had crashed into Jiwoon turned pale and trembled while helping Jiwoon up.

Jiwoon, who was frowning, examined his stinging palms. It was better than expected. The problem was his knee. Did he get cursed on his knee this year? His expression naturally became fierce.

“You fucking bastard, don’t you have eyes?”

Harsh words burst from Kyungjun’s mouth as he ran straight to the finish line. While Kyungjun scolded the flustered runner who didn’t know what to do, Jukyung and Choi Min examined Jiwoon’s knee as he sat.

“What should we do? Jiwoon-jiwoon’s knee is like a rag.”

“I think he needs to go to the hospital. Should I call a driver?”

Jiwoon shook his head at Choi Min’s words. Blood rushed up as throbbing pain rose.

“What hospital? But it fucking hurts. What are you?”

Jiwoon’s eyes sharpened at the opponent who just fidgeted and watched Jiwoon’s mood without even apologizing.

It was the exact moment when Jiwoon was about to raise his hand toward the runner who had pushed him.

“Over there, are you okay? Don’t move and stay there!”

The health teacher from the booth came running. Choi Min, who glanced at the health teacher, pulled down Jiwoon’s hand. Jukyung stopped Kyungjun who was cursing.

“Ah, ah. The relay race has ended. Announcing the relay race results. 1st place Class 2, 2nd place Class 1, 3rd place Class 4. All class representatives please gather at the platform.”

Jiwoon watched the award ceremony and the sports festival wrap-up while receiving the health teacher’s caring treatment at the first aid booth next to the platform. At the award ceremony, Jiwoon’s class president received the championship certificate as representative.

It was Class 2’s victory. Having achieved his goal, Jiwoon suddenly felt fatigue washing over him. The gauze and band-aids rubbed against his skin every time he bent his knee.

Jiwoon took out his phone.

Me: Yechan

Me: The victory is so sweet

After sending the message, Jiwoon headed to his class. Despite winning the championship, perhaps because they were third-years, participation was low so the after-party was canceled, and he could see kids more enthusiastically devouring the chicken sent by the parent association to all students.

As Jiwoon took a bite of the chicken wing that Choi Min had saved for him, someone entered through the back door.

It was the runner who had knocked Jiwoon down. He didn’t have the energy to respond to the runner who bowed his head and repeatedly apologized. Jiwoon just told him to go.

Choi Min looked secretly relieved.

“Jiwoon-jiwoon, you’ve become gentle. You’re really nice these days.”

Yoon Jukyung said admiringly while patting Jiwoon’s cap. Jiwoon shook his head to remove the hand.

“Ah, that guy. Should have beaten him up.”

Kyungjun said while crunching on a chicken neck.

“What about the injury? Don’t you need to go to the hospital?”

“The health teacher says it’s okay.”

Jiwoon replied to Choi Min’s words.

“Wow, but Lee Jiwoon ran really well. It was like when he was actively doing sports.”

“Jiwoon-jiwoon who burned out in the relay and died gloriously. Thank you for bringing us victory.”

“I’m not dead.”

Jiwoon ate a few more pieces of chicken and soon put down his chopsticks. When he checked his phone, there was already a reply from Yechan.