Follow the journey of Haneul, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, as she battles not only her opponents in the quest for victory but also the conflicting emotions of a budding romance with her fellow athlete, Sung-Bin. Amidst the adrenaline-fueled rac...
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WAITING GAME ════ ⋆★⋆ ════
HANEUL HAD had emerged victorious in the one-on-one Death Match, clutching the precious bust that stayed intact which symbolized her triumph. The staff's comment drew her attention away from the intricately crafted sculpture, prompting her to relinquish her hold. "You know you have to let go of it at some point," they remarked, gently reminding her of the inevitable parting from her treasured trophy.
Reluctantly, Haneul patted her victorious bust one last time before finally detaching herself from its beauty. She refreshed herself briefly before ascending to the balcony, where she was greeted with warm embraces from Euddeume and a newer friend, Eun Sil. Their joy was infectious, and Haneul couldn't help but smile. "That was so good!" Eun Sil exclaimed, her eyes shining with admiration.
"Yeah, and you looked so cool doing it. I was so impressed," Euddeume chimed in, giving Haneul's shoulder a friendly pat.
As their conversation unfolded, Haneul couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. These were the moments that made the competition worthwhile – the bonds of friendship that formed amidst the fierce challenges and shared victories.
Eun Sil, however, had her own upcoming battle to prepare for. "Your fight is soon, right?" Haneul inquired, genuinely curious about her friend's upcoming challenge.
Eun Sil nodded eagerly, her determination evident in her expression. "Yes, I need to get ready for it now. I'll catch you guys once I win," she declared confidently, leaving Haneul and Euddeume to wish her the best of luck.
With Eun Sil's departure, Euddeume turned her attention back to the subject that had been on her mind. "So, you want to talk about lover boy?" she asked, her voice slightly raised as she teased Haneul. The reference to "lover boy" was unmistakable, a nickname that had arisen from Sung-bin's protective behaviour during Haneul's match.
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Haneul's eyes widened, and she glanced at Euddeume as if she were speaking a different language. "What do you mean, lover boy?" she replied, genuinely baffled. She hadn't anticipated that Euddeume had already sensed the underlying emotions that had recently begun to emerge between the two.
"Well, from the way he watched your fight, I would say he was about to jump down there and tear the guy away from you," Ee-ddeum quipped, her words punctuated by a playful smile.
Haneul felt a sudden heat rise in her cheeks as she redirected her gaze toward Sung-bin, who was engaged in conversation with his skeleton trainer. The idea that his feelings might run deeper than mere camaraderie had certainly crossed her mind, but she hadn't yet shared this realization with anyone.
Euddeume leaned in closer, her tone hushed and conspiratorial. "So, are you going to tell me what's up, or am I gonna have to make up wild stories in my head?" she inquired, her teasing eyebrow wiggling suggesting that her imagination was already concocting tales of romance and intrigue.
The two friends were genuinely pleased to have something new to discuss. The long hours of filming and the tiring fights they had to sit through often left them in search of distractions on the soundstage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, that will be all the fights for tonight. We will see you in 12 hours," the staff announced, signalling the end of the day's events. Euddeume, who had been patient throughout the evening, allowed Haneul to fall asleep on her shoulder an hour or so ago. She now contemplated gently waking up her friend so they could both head home for some much-needed rest.
Just as Euddeume began to shift, a shadow approached and blocked the harsh stage lights from blinding them. Haneul stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open to find Sung-bin's comforting presence.
"Here, let me," he said softly, bending down to scoop her up with surprising ease. Sung-bin extended his hand to help Euddeume to her feet, and she gratefully accepted it.
As Sung-bin held Haneul securely in his arms, she couldn't resist snuggling closer to him, her head finding a comfortable spot against his neck. She nestled herself in, her warm breaths grazing his skin as she let out contented sighs. It was a simple yet intimate moment that left Sung-bin's heart racing and a soft smile playing on his lips.
Euddeume couldn't help but grin at the scene before her. "Well, aren't you two just adorable," she teased, her playful tone breaking the silence. Haneul stirred and mumbled something incoherent, her grip on Sung-bin tightening slightly.
Sung-bin chuckled softly and looked down at Haneul, his expression tender. "I guess she's comfortable like this."
Euddeume laughed as she walked alongside them, her friend's cosy embrace not going unnoticed. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. It can be our little secret."
As they made their way toward the exit, Sung-bin felt a warmth in his heart that went beyond the exhaustion of the day.
- Interview room -
Interviewer: We've noticed your closeness to a fellow competitor, are things developing between the two of you?
Sung-bin: Haneul and I have indeed been friends for many years. We met at the 2018 Winter Olympics, and I think I've always had a soft spot for her. However, due to her intense training schedule, we spent a considerable amount of time apart when she trained in America for six months. Seeing her here on Physical: 100 brought all those feelings rushing back.
Interviewer: That sounds like quite the journey. Do you think your feelings for Haneul might impact your performance in the competition?
Sung-bin: Not at all. In fact, if anything, she motivates me to perform better. Having her here is a source of strength for me. Even when I don't do as well as I should, she always pushes me to go further and be the best version of myself.
- End of interview -
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