My deep soul

Chapter 14

The three of them-Jidiwi, Jinyeon, and Sunwoo-were just stepping out of the woods when Sooho and his men appeared. Sooho's eyes widened in relief the moment he spotted Jinyeon. Without hesitation, he ran to her and wrapped her in a tight hug.

"I'm glad you're fine, little sister," he said warmly, his voice carrying both relief and affection. Then, with a mischievous grin, he added, "It's a bit sudden to say this now... but would you like to play a game with us?"

Jinyeon leaned back slightly, raising a brow. "Another football match with Banryu?"

Sooho nodded eagerly. "Yes. But this time it's not just men playing. We are Hwarang." His pride made his words sound almost ceremonial.

Jidiwi and Sunwoo exchanged disinterested glances. Neither looked tempted to join. Jinyeon smirked and slipped into the space between them, her tone playful but decisive.

"Of course, Sooho. They'll play."

Sunwoo frowned. "Wait-what?"

Then Jinyeon turned those puppy-dog eyes of hers on him, her lips curving into the sweetest smile. She clasped her hands together in mock pleading.

"Please, play... for me?"

Sunwoo sighed, already defeated. The corners of his lips twitched in reluctant amusement. "You really don't fight fair, do you?"

But he nodded, because how could he refuse her? Jidiwi, though silent, agreed as well. His gaze lingered on Jinyeon-how effortlessly she bent Sunwoo to her will, how brightly she smiled for him. A pang of jealousy pricked his chest.

Sunwoo followed Sooho to the field, looking around uncertainly. Jinyeon leaned close and whispered, her eyes glinting with mischief.

"Good luck."

He raised his brow. "Are you alright? You seem... unusually cheerful."

"I'm perfectly fine," she replied, nudging him toward the field. "Now go and help Sooho win this game."

She went to sit on a bench beside Sooyeon, her skirts rustling as she settled in. Her eyes never left the game.

The match began with a rush of shouts and pounding feet. Sunwoo sprinted after the ball, only to be knocked flat by one of Banryu's men. Groaning, he reached for balance-only to find Sooho's hand pulling him up.

"Stay on your feet," Sooho said, grinning. "You'll get used to it."

The two fell into rhythm quickly, and Sooho soon scored the first goal.

Jinyeon leapt from her seat, clapping and cheering, her voice ringing with excitement. Sunwoo turned his head and caught sight of her-her face flushed with delight, her eyes sparkling-and he smiled despite himself.

When he scored his own goal, Jinyeon clapped louder, almost glowing with pride. The sight sent warmth through him.

But on the sidelines, Jidiwi's eyes darkened. His fists clenched unconsciously. Why was Sunwoo the one basking in Jinyeon's laughter and smiles? Why not him? He burned with the need to prove himself.

In the final round, the ball sped across the field. Banryu's man seized it, but Sunwoo gave chase and stole it back with a clean move. Instead of scoring himself, he hurled it toward Jidiwi.

Jidiwi seized the chance-his foot struck true, the ball slammed into the goal. Victory.

Jinyeon clapped for him, her eyes crinkling with joy-but Jidiwi didn't notice. His eyes were fixed elsewhere.

Because Jinyeon had already rushed forward, her joy spilling over. She leapt into Sunwoo's arms, hugging him tightly.

"You did it!" she laughed. "Sooho finally won against Banryu!"

Sunwoo blinked down at her, surprised by her warmth, then allowed a small smile to slip. His arms hovered awkwardly before settling gently around her shoulders.

From the sidelines, Jidiwi froze, a bitter ache twisting inside him. He had scored the winning goal-yet it was Sunwoo who held her, Sunwoo who received that radiant smile.

---

That night, Jidiwi sat alone at Okta. The laughter and cheers of the day replayed in his mind, but every image seemed painted with Jinyeon's smile for Sunwoo.

He clenched his jaw.

"What does he have... that I don't?" he muttered bitterly.

The memory of her hugging Sunwoo burned in his chest like a cruel fire.

"She didn't even... smile at me," he whispered to himself.

The weight of it pressed down, and for the first time in a long while, Jidiwi felt truly small.

---

The streets buzzed with excitement as the people of Silla gathered for the grand Hwarang ceremony. Bright banners waved in the breeze, and the air hummed with the sound of drums and chatter.

Jinyeon walked briskly beside Sunwoo, her hand firmly on his arm as though she feared he would wander off.

"Come on," she urged, tugging him forward. "If we're late, you'll never hear the end of it."

Sunwoo gave a small sigh, though his lips twitched into the faintest smile. "You sound more nervous than me."

"I'm not nervous," Jinyeon shot back, glancing at him. Her sharp gaze swept over his outfit, straightening the collar and brushing off an invisible speck of dust. "I just want you to look perfect. This is your first official step into Hwarang, Sunwoo. Everyone will be watching."

He blinked at her fussing, warmth flickering in his chest. Before he could say anything, Jinyeon suddenly paused, her eyes narrowing.

"Wait."

"What now?"

She tilted her head, scanning him critically. "Something's missing. You need... something to complete the look."

Before he could protest, she darted toward a small shop stall lining the street. Sunwoo shook his head, muttering under his breath. "She really doesn't know how to sit still."

Inside the shop, Jinyeon's eyes landed on a finely crafted accessory-a small, elegant ornament that would fit perfectly with Sunwoo's outfit. She reached out to take it-only for another hand to snatch it away at the last second.

Her eyes snapped up.

A man stood before her, taller, with a long scar cutting across his cheek. His smile was sharp, unsettling.

"My dear," he said smoothly, tilting the ornament in his hand. "Sorry, but I like this too."

Jinyeon's brows furrowed. There was something about his tone that made her skin crawl. But she forced a polite smile.

"Oh... alright then. Take it." She turned, ready to leave.

But the man's next words froze her mid-step.

"Are you Chang Jinyeon?"

Her breath hitched. Slowly, she turned her head back toward him, her eyes narrowing.

"...How do you know my name?" she asked carefully, her voice lower now, guarded.

The scarred man smirked, his gaze glinting with something dangerous.

Before she could react, another figure appeared from behind-a man carrying a folded cloth in his hands. His steps were quick, deliberate.

Jinyeon barely had time to widen her eyes in alarm before he lunged at her, the cloth flashing through the air. Strong hands seized her arms, yanking them behind her back.

"Wha-! Mmmph!"

The cloth pressed tightly over her mouth, silencing her cry. She thrashed, but he was stronger, binding her wrists with rough efficiency.

The scarred man stepped closer, his smirk widening as he watched her struggle.

"No need to fight, Lady Jinyeon," he murmured. "We've been looking for you."

Her heart pounded in her chest. Sunwoo-she needed to get back to Sunwoo.

But her muffled cries went unheard as the men dragged her deeper into the shadows of the alley.