Climbing Up to You - Minsung

Chapter 25

Jisung let out a yell as he fell off his boulder problem for the fifth time in a row. His mind was racing, and he couldn't even solve one single problem. In fact, he hadn't topped a boulder problem in two days. He could see See-Yung watching him closely as he set up for the slab problem he had to solve. Usually, the more technical and accurate problems were his easiest. But he couldn't do anything. He couldn't keep a hold of any of the crimps and his stupid feet kept slipping off the stupid jibs.

Scratching his cheek Jisung knew he should have a break. His fingers were stinging from the constant slips and graze from holding onto the tiny holds.

"Ji, you need a break," Changbin told Jisung as he was gritting his teeth as he lined himself up to reach out to the tiny crimp hold which ripped his skin earlier.

"Leave me alone, I need to top at least one boulder problem today." Jisung rolled his eyes at his teammate who was distracting him.

He just needed some peace and quiet, all the chattering and laughter around him was annoying him to no end. The shrill of Miihi's laugh made him let out a loud huff before he slipped off the jib again.

Kicking off his shoes Jisung collapsed onto the mats and grabbed his water. Shutting his eyes tightly to try and block out the loud chattering of the girls who were working on a boulder problem beside him.

"Have you even had a break today?" Changbin asked as he plopped down on the mat beside Jisung.

Jisung glared at the older climber, "Why would I have a break when I haven't even managed to top a single problem."

Changbin scoffed before tutting slightly," Have you thought that maybe cause you haven't taken a break that's why you keep messing up? You've been here since the early morning and it's nearly the evening." Changbin watched as Jisung grabbed out some tape to wrap his fingers up, so they didn't get any worse.

Jisung let out a small grumble and shifted away from Changbin, he didn't want anyone breathing down his neck right now and watching his every move. It was bad enough that See-Yung had banned him from using his headphones because he needed to 'work as a team' even on training days.

Before Changbin could make another comment on Jisung's ridiculous schedule the climber jumped up, slipped his shoes back on and headed back to the wall where his current bouldering problem was. Minho was currently climbing it, it looked like he was struggling slightly which put Jisung's mind at ease.

"Ah dammit." Minho huffed as he fell off the zone hold," I swung my hips out too much and lost balance."

"You solved this one Hannie?" Minho looked over to the climber who was now chalking up and brushing off some of the holds.

"No, the Jibs are getting on my nerves." Jisung blew the chalk off his hands and set himself up on the starting holds.

"Well, you do moonboards and kilterboards often so just imagine it's that rather than a move to get to the next section." Minho shrugged as Jisung pulled himself up onto the first move. He tentatively placed his foot into one of the tiny jibs and placed his hands into one of the crimps imagining he was just at a normal conditioning practice.

He would've scowled at Minho for calling up advice, but it almost calmed his mind and cleared his head as he let Minho's words float into his ears, he felt his racing thoughts slow down and he could suddenly read the boulder problem like he normally would. As he slowly traversed through the tiny crimps, he brushed his hair out of his face and twisted his hips inwards just like Minho had complained about just moments earlier. Reaching for the zone, Jisung let out a small breath. The next move was slightly dynamic, and he had to balance on the small jib and rock over to the top of the problem.

As his hands came in contact with the top move Jisung let out a small cheer and jumped off the climb. Finally, he hit the top.

"Nice." Minho nodded as Jisung let out a sigh and stuck his tongue out breathing deeply.

"I can take a break now." Jisung huffed rubbing his face with his chalk-covered hands and reached down to grab a banana out of his bag. He should've eaten it earlier, but he had been so frustrated and pent up on the climbs that he didn't want to break.

"You haven't had a break yet?" Minho stretched beside Jisung as he watched the younger peel the banana.

Jisung shook his head as he took a big bite, his cheeks filling out immediately as he chewed on the fruit.

"Hannie..." Minho sighed lightly and crouched down in front of the boy, making him lean back slightly from the sudden proximity.

Jisung tried to avoid eye contact as he munched away on his banana and ignored Minho's stare, it was only once he took his last bite that he rolled his eyes and glared lightly at Minho's constant look.

"What?"

"You have some chalk on your face," Minho mumbled as he reached up carefully and cupped Jisung's cheek. Jisung felt his face heat up under the fingertips of the older climber. There was a small brushing movement from Minho's thumb as he pressed lightly into Jisung's cheek to rub off the chalk that had managed to get there.

Jisung gulped loudly and ducked to look away from Minho.

"Th-thanks."

"I don't have any on mine, do I?" Minho asked as he pushed Jisung's head upwards as he tried to look away from the climber.

Jisung shook his head despite seeing some just on the top of Minho's forehead, probably getting there from him brushing his hair out his face.

Jisung watched as Minho grabbed his hand into his chalk bag and chucked a load of chalk all over his face, "Now?"

Jisung let out a small laugh as Minho pretended to look like he didn't have any chalk on his face, "Why you laughing? I thought I didn't have any chalk on my face?"

Minho raised an eyebrow as Jisung covered his face pretending not to laugh.

"Well..." Jisung giggled softly as he clutched his stomach slightly hunching over from laughing.

Minho stifled back a chuckle, his eyes closing slightly.

"Yo-you may have a bit." Jisung wiped his eyes lightly, his eyes watering a bit from how hard he was laughing. It was obvious the pair's antics had drawn the attention of the other teammates.

"We are here to climb...not to chuck chalk all over our face." See-yung let out a small chuckle, as he approached the pair.

"It was Jisung!" Minho pretended to point and blame Jisung who just tsked slightly and shook his head.

"Yeah, yeah, sure it was Minho." See-Yung shook his head and shoo-ed Minho away to wash his face and take a break.

"Jisung. Momo is ready when you are, I saw your message yesterday and contacted her and she has a free day for the rest of today, as well as tomorrow and the day before we fly if you want me to book anything for you." See-Yung explained as he nodded over to the door which led up to his therapist's room.

"I thought I didn't have one today?" Jisung frowned as he watched See-Yung raise one of his eyebrows.

"Well, luckily for you a spot opened up and thought it may be good for you to get a couple of sessions in before we leave for Paris." See-Yung jotted some notes down on his clipboard. "I also need to book you in to check what you want to do for the next week of training, if there are any last things you want to work on let me know and we can get it set up for you. See-Yung glanced at Jisung who had begun to slip off his climbing shoes and found his shoes that were in his climbing bag.

"I'll send a message to Momo to let her know you will be on your way up soon."

Jisung nodded and grabbed his bag before heading over to the doors to exit the climbing gym, he hadn't asked for more sessions. He had his set one on Friday. Momo had complained to him that she was fully booked for the next couple of weeks. Why was she suddenly free?