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+*___________*+
The realization hit me like a wave crashing against the shore - both Jungwon and I were about to face the consequences together. Coach Park called me over, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of apprehension and curiosity as we prepared ourselves for what lay ahead.
"Both of you have disappointed me today. You will run twenty laps around the field to learn the importance of discipline and responsibility, and Ji-yoon, you will run an extra lap for not wearing your jersey." Coach Park's stern voice rang out, leaving no room for negotiation. Our eyes widened as we heard the punishment we got assigned. We both slowly turned our heads to each other, making eye contact. He looked just as nervous as I was.
And so, side by side, Jungwon and I embarked on the grueling punishment. With each step, the scorching heat seemed to seep into my very bones, my legs protesting against the strain. Exhaustion threatened to overwhelm me, but Jungwon, true to his nature, couldn't resist his usual teasing.
"Having fun, Ji-yoon? Maybe next time, you'll think twice before landing us in detention," he jested, a breathy laugh escaping his lips as we ran side by side. His playful demeanor only fueled my determination to prove him wrong. He knew he was the reason why we got detention but wanted to see how I would react if he blamed me.
"Me landing us in detention? You got us into this mess. You're not exactly a model student yourself. I have to run an extra lap thanks to this uniform, Let's just get through this and be done with it," I retorted, my voice laced with a mixture of annoyance and determination.
With each lap, the ache in my legs grew more pronounced, and my lungs burned with each desperate breath. But I pushed forward, focusing on the rhythm of my breathing, on the steady beat of my heart, as I fought to complete the laps. As we continued to run, there would be moments where we would unintentionally try to race each other, trying to outdo one another in speed. However, we soon realized that this immaturity only made the punishment more grueling and exhausting.
As we hit the 20th lap, Jungwon stopped in his tracks, panting as he bent over, his hands on his knees, hoping to get refreshed with some air.
I sighed as I ran, getting envious of Jungwon since he had finished already. My steps began to increase in strength and speed as I was determined to get it over with.
Finally, I finished the punishing laps, collapsing onto the ground next to Jungwon, gasping for breath. Our bodies were drenched in sweat, our shirts clinging to our skin. Jungwon handed me his water bottle and I immediately grabbed it from his hands, drinking from it, the cool liquid offering a momentary respite from the scorching heat.
"Ugh, that was brutal," I moaned, stretching out my legs in front of me, feeling the dampness of my shorts against my skin, and gave Jungwon his water bottle back.
Jungwon nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on the grass beneath us. "Well, at least we survived it. You owe me one, by the way," he said, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he took a long sip from his water bottle.
I scoffed, a playful glint dancing in my eyes. "I owe you? Please, Jungwon. You're the one who got us into this mess." I took the water bottle from his hands and took a sip from it, savoring the refreshing taste.
And so, even in our weary and depleted state, the banter continued. We exchanged sassy remarks and playful teasing, a reminder of the underlying tension between us. But beneath it all, there was a shared understanding, a camaraderie born out of the challenges we faced as team captains.
As Ji-yoon and Jungwon sat there, breathing heavily and recovering from their arduous ordeal, Ji-yoon couldn't help but acknowledge that maybe, just maybe, there was more to Jungwon than met the eye. Perhaps, in time, they could set aside their differences and find a way to work together, not only on the soccer field but also off it. The path toward camaraderie might be a rocky one, filled with ups and downs, but it was a journey they were willing to embark on.
+*______________*+
I stood up, grabbing my sports bag with Jungwon beside me, doing the same thing. As I threw the bag over my shoulder, I noticed some of Jungwon's teammates approaching us.
With a mixture of anticipation and nervous excitement, I took a deep breath as I stood before Jungwon's soccer team. The group of guys, Jay, Jake, Heeseung, Niki, Sunoo, and Sunghoon, were gathered closely together, their camaraderie evident in their playful interactions. It was clear that they shared a strong bond, making me feel both eager and slightly apprehensive about joining their dynamic.
Summoning my courage, I stepped forward, wearing a polite smile as I introduced myself. "Hello, I'm Shin Ji-yoon, the captain of the girls' soccer team. It's a pleasure to meet all of you." To show my humility, I offered a slight bow, acknowledging their presence.
+*___________*+ 22nd chapter
Hello my loves, how are you guys? I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please vote, comment, and follow to show appreciation. If you've already done that, kisses go out to you.
Question of the chapter: What's your dream job?
Alright, goodbye pookies! Leave a sweaty emoji for this chapter in the comments.
