CR | Chapter 7.1

“……He’s really good.”

Wi Woori muttered dryly. The sports festival had finally kicked off. Despite being told not to, Kim Donghwa had stubbornly entered the soccer match and was energetically kicking the ball across the dusty field.

He was definitely good. It was almost uncanny how the ball seemed to stick to his feet as if it had a magnet attached. The warm sunshine, the cool breeze, and the handsome Kim Donghwa—all of it was harmonious except for one thing: the countless eyes coveting Kim Donghwa.

“Damn…”

Wi Woori grumbled and propped his chin on his hand. He was sitting a bit away from where his classmates were gathered, cheering enthusiastically, up in the high stands.

He didn’t want to be surrounded by people cheering for Kim Donghwa. He didn’t want to hear his name being tossed around by everyone, so he chose a spot a bit further away, which only made the scene clearer. It made his insides boil for no reason.

I should’ve just gone home.

He scrunched up his face in frustration but then shook his head vigorously. Wi Woori recalled Kim Donghwa, who had subtly asked about his intentions a few days ago.

“You’re coming to watch my first match, right?”

“You make it sound like it’s some big deal.”

He had replied indifferently, but he couldn’t ignore the expectation in Kim Donghwa’s question. So, even on his way to school today, he had agonized over whether to go or not.

Now that he was at the field, he was determined to watch until the end, no matter what, and was intently watching Kim Donghwa.

“Why is he looking around like that?”

Next to him was Kim Chanyoung. And with him was Jang Yujin, whom he hadn’t seen in a while. After exchanging a brief nod with her, Wi Woori replied indifferently, “I don’t know,” and looked back at Kim Donghwa.

Just as Kim Chanyoung said, Kim Donghwa would suddenly look around while running. He scanned the crowd, and whenever he scored a goal, he blatantly searched for someone.

Who is he looking for like that?

Thinking he might be looking for him, Wi Woori stood up slightly, but it was just wishful thinking. Kim Donghwa’s searching gaze never landed on him, and he only scanned the area where his classmates were gathered, eventually smiling bitterly in disappointment.

“……Who is he looking for?”

As Wi Woori awkwardly laughed again, a mischievous chuckle came from beside him. There was no need to respond to the laughter teasing him. Wi Woori pretended not to hear and just focused on Kim Donghwa.

Is there really someone else Kim Donghwa would be looking for?

He even wondered if Kim Donghwa had asked if he was coming to the first match, hoping he wouldn’t come. Feeling annoyed for no reason, he frowned just as the net shook again, and the ball rattled the goalpost.

“Wow—!”

“Kim Donghwa’s on fire today, he’s insane.”

Kim Chanyoung’s intense reaction was understandable. Even someone like him, who had no interest in soccer, thought the goal just now was pretty cool. Kim Donghwa, who had kicked the ball perfectly at the right angle, ran towards the opposite goalpost with a bright smile.

As his teammates gathered around him, ruffling his hair and high-fiving, they all seemed genuinely happy. Seeing Kim Donghwa’s charming smile among them, Wi Woori couldn’t help but smile too.

Then his expression hardened again. Once more, Kim Donghwa’s gaze swept through the air. His expression, openly scanning the crowd, seemed almost anxious.

Seriously, what’s up with him?

As he furrowed his brows and tilted his head in confusion, it happened.

“Wi Woori!”

Kim Donghwa’s shout echoed from the field. Startled, Wi Woori stood up with an “Uh, uh?” It was almost a reflex. As he blinked in surprise, he saw Kim Donghwa’s face bloom into a radiant smile, like a flower in slow motion.

It was so wondrous and enchanting. Wi Woori felt his heart suddenly drop, and he instinctively covered his mouth. His heart pounded wildly, as if it would leap out of his chest.

Kim Donghwa, basking in the hot sunlight, smiled at him, having shed all disappointment, and it felt like a bolt of lightning had struck, making his eyes widen.

No way… was he looking for me all along?

Realizing that the person Kim Donghwa had been anxiously searching for during his moments of glory was him, Wi Woori felt himself being swept away by an uncontrollable wave.

“I scored a goal! Did you see?”

“Yeah, I saw! You’re freaking amazing!”

Strangely, it felt like they were the only two people in this moment, in this space. Certain they were in perfect sync, Wi Woori found himself waving his hands above his head and smiling brightly at Kim Donghwa.

With a grin, Kim Donghwa gave him a thumbs-up and rejoined his teammates, running across the field. Until the game ended, Wi Woori had to endure the rapid fluctuations of his heart.

The warm summer breeze blowing, the sound of leaves dancing in the wind, the cheers filling the field, and the sunlight brightening the clear sky—all of it was a perfectly harmonious caprice.

⛧⛧⛧

Thanks to Kim Donghwa’s performance, the business department scored their first victory. I don’t know when the next match is, but anyway, Kim Donghwa was in high spirits and quite drunk for the first time in a while. Normally, Wi Woori would be the one eagerly drinking, but today he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

It’s been a while since he realized his feelings for Kim Donghwa, and today, just facing him made his heart pound so hard that he felt intoxicated. So instead of actively drinking, Wi Woori poured drinks into Kim Donghwa’s glass, sharing in his joy.

“You seem different. Why are you drinking so much?”

“I’m in a good mood.”

“What’s making you so happy?”

Wi Woori asked with a chuckle. Even back in middle and high school, Kim Donghwa always participated in soccer or futsal during sports events. His team always won, and each time, Kim Donghwa ended the day in a good mood.

Today’s victory wasn’t anything new. Yet, Kim Donghwa was grinning like it was something special. He looked so cute that Wi Woori couldn’t help but want to kiss him. Unconsciously, Wi Woori swallowed dryly.

He’s drunk anyway, should I just go for it? Just as he was sneaking a glance, his eyes met Kim Donghwa’s. Those dark eyes, which seemed to hold a certain depth, were fixed and clear.

Just meeting his gaze and exchanging looks stirred a strange thirst. Wi Woori tried to quench it by gulping down soju instead of water. But since it was alcohol, it only made his thirst worse, leaving his lips dry.

“You came to see me.”

At the sudden drop of his voice, Wi Woori licked his dry lips.

Is it really that nice just because I came to see you?

Feeling a bit confused, he slowly tilted his head, and Kim Donghwa added with a leisurely smile.

“You always get annoyed when I play soccer.”

“Yeah, it’s annoying.”

“But when I score a goal, you get really happy, even though you didn’t score it yourself.”

“It’s nice, because Kim Donghwa is good at it.”

“Then why do you hate it? When you keep telling me not to do it, it makes me want to show you how good I am, like a kid trying to get approval.”

“…”

It’s annoying because I know you’re good at it.

Instead of mumbling more, Wi Woori just closed his mouth and stared at Kim Donghwa. He didn’t understand why he needed his permission. They weren’t even dating, and Kim Donghwa wasn’t his child. What’s wrong with a grown adult doing what they want?

Feeling bad was his own issue, and worrying that others might fall for Kim Donghwa’s charm was also his own problem. But why was Kim Donghwa seeking his approval so much?

It was confusing. It made his head hurt.

If he were drunk, he could just brush it off as a casual conversation. But today, Kim Donghwa’s gaze was especially intense. It felt like he could feel the path of his gaze on his skin.

“Why are you trying so hard to get my permission? Just do what you want. It’s not like you always listened to me.”

“…I try to listen to you. When have I not?”

There was nothing to say to that heavy response. Wi Woori swallowed dryly again, feeling the weight of his growing thirst. He tried to divert his gaze, which kept landing on Kim Donghwa’s lips.

Those red lips kept bouncing in front of his eyes.

Ah, damn, am I really going crazy? Wi Woori tightly closed his eyes.

Of course, it’s hard the first time, and once you get a taste, it’s natural to want more stimulation. But wasn’t Kim Donghwa the one who suggested holding hands first when he said he wanted to kiss? Since he had drawn a line, rushing in might ruin everything. So even though he knew he had to restrain himself, his lips kept twitching.

I want to kiss Kim Donghwa.

The honest thought made him anxious. It felt like he had to kiss him right now.

“I don’t know if it’s because I’m drunk, Wi Woori.”

“Yeah.”

This time, Kim Donghwa couldn’t be seen. There was a hint of hesitation in the voice that was subtly passed over. The thought that maybe Kim Donghwa was thinking the same thing as him made Wi Woori’s heart flutter. Wi Woori scanned the edge of the table with his eyes, waiting for Kim Donghwa’s next words.

“I want to… kiss you.”

Joy burst forth like a fountain.

There was no reason to refuse. Okay, as soon as he answered, their lips gently overlapped. As if he was bewitched or had become a beast with only instincts left, Kim Donghwa approached with a dazed look, grasped Wi Woori’s chin, and pressed his lips firmly against his.

Even though they had only done it a few times, his kissing skills had improved remarkably. Kim Donghwa sucked strongly as if he was going to pull out the root of his tongue, slightly tilting his head to avoid their teeth and noses from bumping. Meanwhile, he pushed his tongue through the gap between Wi Woori’s parted lips, offering him a hot breath.

It was just a kiss, but it felt like his head was getting hot and cooked. Unconsciously, Wi Woori grabbed Kim Donghwa’s forearm that was holding his chin, closing his eyes tightly and stiffening his tongue.

Even though it was a mutual kiss, he somehow felt overwhelmed. His mind was in a daze as if his soul was being sucked out, but the gentle caress on the roof of his mouth and the intertwining pressure on his soft flesh made him feel like his body would melt away at any moment.

“Hoo..”