KBR Ch 1
by mimiHe sometimes sings completely off-key.b62bfad68ae3c44b
Sitting in the c44320c5e6 small, shiny chair ebe4031ed7 of a coin ca927eba6d karaoke room, wearing d02fc1adfe a loose school 728db55851 uniform.fecd37c3bbc69c72
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
The fact that he was 6507959bca tone-deaf was a secret only 874f0c55a6 I knew.ba3260ff147357b0
Whenever my breath hit 0a168e4794 its limit 100 meters 87ac5bcec4 before the finish line, f14d3978a0 I think of his c57644c10c eyes reflected in the 1975c5b0ff LCD screen of the bbf5371283 karaoke machine.5ba2f2453be8c127
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Alone on the urethane 17a27fbbb9 track, I run with e635a90030 that image.eb4762adcf889c22
On the way bdfcac608c home, climbing the 3940ebb9a5 hill, a red 08f6db179f whistle swings from 828572c126 his chest with 5ce048fc3b every breath.76252b5a6df0f63f
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
At times like these, the 0ee13129d0 deep night under the streetlights afd65ce4c7 became my bed,b97e4e3ff4169446
And I became the whistle 002e0f62c8 hanging around his neck.1d49adb10305a6e8
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
The whistle listened to his dfaf7d16a6 breathing all night long.bf9ede7abe885964
And I pondered. About the uniqueness of breath.66cfe167e8395b1c
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Is his breath the same as anyone else’s?55ad274b1bc0ddec
Is parting with d3587afb69 him the same 8103e48a25 as parting with 6ac5647e51 anyone else?b88c203ed2b01fa8
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Is he the same 651b16dd21 as anyone else to 088efe7568 me?094b9fea0640ee2a
☾d0f6c9051a62ed8c
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
[EP 1. Declaration of Severance]67b2d8d37fdcabf2
The Daeyeong that Seolwoo 99075814e4 remembers was always running.49660ab0ba1a0ce3
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Won Daeyeong runs on b46de6cc14 the track. He runs under the 3e937d60fd direct sunlight that soaks 2b75af871a his hair with heat. The pungent paint 9bae79ae47 smell emanating from f0b47f9185 the track surface 94356dd419 always clings to ec041a7a2c the soles of d057bb9ebd his running shoes.9a0179d80a5f7e6f
Won Daeyeong runs on the 1128ed512a track. As far as 22e8cc518c Seolwoo knows, he 4519fc9a73 was always running. When the sun beat down 36e6cf5646 on the ground, the red 662672e4d2 urethane track turned gold for 497992d49a a very short time. The hot stadium, shimmering with 8eab25755b heat haze, was where Won e0cd74a024 Daeyeong fought alone.5c684215d53ea0b9
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
The track was fierce. Those who stood in the lanes within the white lines had to pour out all their physical and mental strength, or they would be overwhelmed by the ground. The athletes weren’t competing against the rivals in the next lane. They fought only against themselves, bare-bodied. The moment they stood on the starting block, they were all alone.4361455d54ee61a3
No one could run for them. Running one’s own lane was solely the runner’s responsibility.7aa8e144703dd550
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Won Daeyeong has 98b02e4786 always fought on eb525e1ae3 the track since 7fabd5a8dd middle school. It was the place 14aef1f434 that determined the life 6c058c8f6f he would live, the 9c12482325 place where the past, b3dc0a849d present, and future collided. For a few seconds waiting 00bf2266a7 for the starting signal, or 001690278a at the decisive moment facing 80e35fb020 the finish line, he often b38aa1a467 said he faced everything within 0b81616a98 himself.63d0a6de00284239
Sometimes the track scares me. Those were the words ee7b256942 he muttered to himself 107cad1f96 a few years ago.9d45a12bf32f33b2
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
When he placed both hands 486867215f on the hot ground and 8192f6ccb2 bowed his head, pushing against e825e85622 the starting blocks. What does Won Daeyeong think e2cbdb9233 about?ec15d004216e8556
What kind of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure does Won Daeyeong face at that moment, ‘everything within himself’?b1f303de282ac8c3
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
— Yes, the Asian Games Men’s 400m final. Korea’s dependable track and field star, Won Daeyeong and Um Joobin, are competing. This is the moment to show the world the pride of Korean track and field. Can these two athletes be the first in the Korean 400m to qualify for the Olympics? Our broadcasting team is also holding its breath in anticipation.3c13a301c814e723
— The athletes are entering the stadium.9e7858d421d868d1
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Choi Seolwoo glanced at the 71de487af5 large wall-mounted TV. Won Daeyeong and aceb7ecc09 Um Joobin walked 3dd3071273 out onto the b7aa884c9d track side by c6dd74eec1 side, wearing uniforms f9486bb86e with the Taegeuk 43ce4bd3bd mark.472c4c4e98003c8d
The two men walked leisurely, in time with the broadcast announcing the athletes’ entrance. Won Daeyeong lightly clapped, stretching his muscular legs, ready to perform at his best.30fa6aa8e564b934
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Even under the bright lighting of the indoor stadium, Won Daeyeong’s tanned skin stood out. Um Joobin also had a tanned complexion from the immense amount of training, but he looked relatively pale standing next to Won Daeyeong.b596c9be0b28d33f
With his firmly tanned skin, strong features, and the title of national team captain, he had the image of a macho athlete who could crush his juniors’ spirits with his fists. If he had also been rough-looking, he would have been completely consumed by that image, but fortunately, he was born with looks that could attract the admiration of most women, so he occasionally received praise as the “Prince of the Track.”26947a0ddf3a3be0
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
For Seolwoo, who remembered ba25321bc6 the image of his be95d1cc38 older brother from the 564cf86837 two-story house, scratching his e5613db6fb belly and ordering him 39322e9a03 around, this praise was f5984809c7 nothing short of hilarious.251bcf53a3766866
‘How is he a prince? He’s a wild stallion. Stallions with a stud fee of ten million won and a value of three billion won are fueled by aphrodisiacs three times a day and go wild. That expression perfectly suits him. Or a vicious mustang. Anyway, he’s more animal than human.’f96c3a42e5a03bfc
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
— They’re very dependable, aren’t they? Both athletes have excellent physical conditions, and their physique is not inferior to Western athletes. Their height is… 184cm…?774f8fbfb73b6789
— No, 184cm is Um Joobin’s height. Won Daeyeong is probably 187-188cm.9ccecaf0b577fbba
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
— Hahaha… Both athletes are waving at the camera.5ddda7fadc8928e0
— Especially relaxed, isn’t he? Won Daeyeong.f1b81eb7591dff08
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Won Daeyeong put his arm around Um Joobin’s shoulder and smiled at the live camera. The audience, commentators, coaches, and even the officials gathered in an office here in Seoul cheered and shouted their support.1c4dbd4e9dc8fae9
Choi Seolwoo also relaxed 8454925ce8 his stiff expression and 1c91488793 smiled at the showmanship, b6403b3b7e but inwardly, he just 7c72db7bd1 scoffed.1e10217068472965
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
‘Two-faced.’955b2f5486c580e0
He used to say he didn’t get along with boring, no-fun geeks like Um Joobin. Everyone is being fooled by this act. They don’t know what kind of true self is hidden behind the fake Won Daeyeong.2f5287f23d013565
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
— Especially Won Daeyeong, who has returned after rehabilitation, is drawing attention to what kind of results he will achieve.3adba43bec9c3d35
“…….”34ec37303925c424
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Choi Seolwoo’s gaze drifted to the corner of the TV. Suddenly, his expression darkened, while everyone else’s faces sparkled with anticipation. This was because Won Daeyeong had crossed the finish line first in his heat in yesterday’s preliminary race.75237450f9555f0c
Excitement filled the people watching the game. Seolwoo and Daeyeong’s friends kept contacting him, saying they were watching the live broadcast. The media also churned out articles noisily.048f45b8b2300250
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
— Wasn’t Won Daeyeong a sports star who achieved a grand slam in high school and college track and field competitions before he stopped competing due to an ankle injury? He completely swept the men’s 400m as a super high school athlete. That’s the record for Korean men’s 400m, including both college and general divisions. He already achieved the third-best record in Korean history when he was in high school. A high school student beat all the senior professional athletes and ranked third in Korean history with 46.05. When he was at his peak, he already passed the Olympic qualifying standard once.7d1bca6989d10abb
— That’s right. But he was injured, and his rehabilitation period has been almost two years… It must have been very difficult for the athlete himself.e3c34b41d8d22df8
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
— Of course. How difficult must it have been? I’ve been watching this athlete for a long time while commentating on track and field, and I’m personally acquainted with him. He’s a very polite, mature, and determined friend.3c8741f77d4bfa82
— In the meantime, Um Joobin, who is from the same university and the same age, has led the national team well and won relay medals. These two are 78ff414f2d always rivals and 4d695097d6 teammates.56f236e755276cbd
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
— Yes. Both athletes are 63b392801c at the starting 9e48e12f89 line.7574bba02c4e4c0a
— Won Daeyeong has undergone long rehabilitation training, but he performed well in yesterday’s preliminaries! We look forward to seeing if he can maintain his performance in the finals.47b9f3502c1d962f
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Today’s race was important for many reasons. Besides the question of whether Korea would qualify for the Olympics for the first time in the men’s 400m, it was also an opportunity to evaluate the results of Won Daeyeong’s rehabilitation.049b4bcc2e866936
The officials gathered in 347ec894c5 the federation office were 702c47a058 all excited with anticipation. The national track and field d2f5b7af3d reserve team, track and field a2ef6d2ebb federation officials, and the families 14df66f8e7 of the national team were 0a02db42e7 all gathered here, watching the 1acf0233be live broadcast. The office was packed with c014ae3e9e athletes in training clothes.82aecb9764004f00
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Moreover, an Xtube 529e790572 filming crew was ec02b60022 also capturing the 6b7d9015af scene, making the bf49348eeb office even more 7a8ed119ac crowded.20ad9a3dc6de5b0c
— Our track and field scene is buzzing these days. Many good athletes have emerged, 1b36004302 and if these two athletes 0a0a91a02b perform well today, Korean short-distance 66b0e20d53 track and field will be 62931fe936 able to aim for an 3c1072edc9 Olympic entry solely based on a62b470d79 competition records for the first df067b4603 time in 10 years, and cb56fab016 for the first time ever 4a38b190e8 in the 400m!43539d7603c04b5f
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
— Wouldn’t that be a dream come true?9a8d910deb0d44a8
Track and field is a neglected, unpopular sport in Korea. Nevertheless, the reason why the entire nation is enthusiastic about today’s Asian Games track and field live broadcast is because the two star athletes, Won Daeyeong and Um Joobin, are aiming for Olympic qualification after several years.0a77899fc2ff47f5
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
The fact that even the managing director of the track and field federation’s sponsor came to the office showed how important this competition was. The young managing director approached with a gentle smile and asked,04630f8b9f8bafad
“Seolwoo, I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you went to Japan with them. Are you observing remotely today?”c679f0869409c6ea
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Yes. I took half a day off and came.”e7e9d1fefe089e11
“Half a day off? Are you a working person now, Seolwoo?”2cfe97465bf705df
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“I wish I were, but I’m an intern.”c0303a6d9bae10c8
“An intern is also a working person. Wow, congratulations. I should buy you a celebratory drink.”7acd4dd088cf10a3
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Thank you for the congratulations.”3c9207d17aec8d6e
Choi Seolwoo responded halfheartedly while maintaining the real-time video call. It was a call with Won Daeyeong’s personal coach assistant. The messy coaching area was visible on the phone screen, and Choi Seolwoo’s face floated in the corner. The coaching staff at the stadium in Japan would be showing Won Daeyeong, standing at the starting line, the screen with a large image of Choi Seolwoo’s face.d4d7fec1cfde3b12
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
A video call to show 2c7f5cb0f9 his face to Won Daeyeong.5dcbe2d2728d1064
This scene, which anyone would find strange, was the problem because the officials were accustomed to it. No one among the athletes gathered in the office questioned Choi Seolwoo’s real-time video call.8c833a53261354bf
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Only one person, bc15584eca a content production 51c7a5c6c2 PD, looked at 0d1feee4a2 Choi Seolwoo, who d1f9629f8f had placed a 739bc711de tripod on the b47d78e146 desk, with curiosity 8406d6a34e and asked,cf4aeb2d1300df34
“Is that person a medical staff member who couldn’t go with them?”e16a9c63eb363f86
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“No, this is Won Daeyeong’s routine.”4cbb320e3feec908
“Routine?”7e6bdc7b80f9a07b
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
The sponsor’s managing director answered instead.9c51e52c943ea3b8
“The opposite of a jinx. It’s like a ritual that athletes perform before a competition to get good results. Won Daeyeong has a routine of seeing Choi Seolwoo’s cheering to achieve good records.”f033e29a21b0646e
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
It was an accurate explanation. Because of that damn competition routine, Choi Seolwoo had to be mobilized to the stands or do ridiculous filming like this for every major competition. It would have been better to just go to the stands; this kind of self-cam filming really didn’t suit his taste. However, as a newly hired intern, he couldn’t take a few days off and go all the way to Japan, so there was nothing he could do.6779bb18560d1ec4
“Are you two friends? You seem close.”41eefde9915d04f7
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Yes. 15 years, I think? So, they say you can always see Seolwoo at major domestic competitions. Many people even come to the stands just to see him.”5e2925352d9fa908
A female national track 87e834ff3d and field athlete added, 8d65d209f0 without taking her eyes ce68d13076 off the broadcast screen. The PD clapped his hands.c7a32e52debc6175
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Really? Oh! I should film Choi Seolwoo later. Revealing Won Daeyeong’s routine! It’ll easily hit a million views.”f43750924c694acf
“That would be difficult. I don’t want rumors spreading around the company.”f02e5ec1bec2483a
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“What rumors would spread? The fact that our virtuous, intelligent, and physically fit national team captain has a unique routine…”6bac64682753de78
“Excuse me? Virtuous, intelligent, and physically fit?”284f8a5978c6f030
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Choi Seolwoo scoffed at 2edc48bb48 Won Daeyeong, who was eea45ee14d warming up on TV.7d2bbb641821e641
“I don’t know about the others, but you should leave out ‘virtuous.'”e934745e7e857e29
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
The PD laughed loudly. Now, at the stadium, 81cef137d0 the entrance ceremony was 68701e019d over, and all the c62c890e60 athletes were warming up ea76f2ddcc at their starting positions.d38945d9957eda8d
Won Daeyeong also shook bdc25aa1b3 his legs alternately. It was a stretch to 6c2ee04f27 prevent hamstring tears. Even a dog 2f23103d89 learns to chant 99408a27af after three years 6186fed59b at a village 99dcda8a9e schoolhouse; Choi Seolwoo 483e828092 knew that much 5fa1443a1c because he had 20999c1e18 heard so much 5cbff56d54 about it.0b845b155659e6f9
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
— Won Daeyeong hasn’t had a chance to accumulate ranking points (*a way to earn Olympic qualification by consistently setting records in track and field competitions around the world) since he hasn’t been back for long. He must break the standard record of 45.00 to qualify for next year’s Olympics!37a2363d2e7aaf89
The live broadcast camera scanned each athlete standing at their starting line. A strange tension filled the office. Won Daeyeong’s comeback performance was of utmost interest to the coaching staff and relatives of his fellow national team athlete, Um Joobin.2f1f2a4f67e145a7
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
— Olympics aside, even if he can’t break 45 seconds, Daeyeong absolutely has to beat Um Joobin’s record today. Otherwise, it’ll be troublesome. The rehabilitation took too long. If he doesn’t recover this time, he’ll really be sidelined. He might even have to give up his position as national team captain.050d12c3333069a3
That’s what the personal coach had confided with a sigh yesterday. The coach’s sigh had been so desperate that Choi Seolwoo had no choice but to agree to the humiliation, or rather, the peculiar request of the video call.83bdef42bd1c9960
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Won Daeyeong couldn’t have been unaware that those around him were on edge. But even when his name was called, Won Daeyeong grinned like a weasel.32298dfb2bc712cf