𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟 𖥻! seonghwa

( 7 ) the first game

THE STAKES WERE higher than ever. they were at a tie with little time left in the game. the team's best two players were both getting progressively more aggressive, wanting that win badly.

chaerim was on offense with the ball, nearing the goal step by step, but not alone; not one, but two players on the other team ran with her to guard her from taking a kick.

her leg reared back, toned muscles tensing. however, before contact was made, no one could tell what exactly happened, but they ended up in a tangle of arms and legs on the grass.

seonghwa stopped dead in his tracks. why was chaerim still down while the other two guys were easily getting up? why was she so still? why did the two guys begin to panic and call for a medic? seonghwa's breath began to hitch. in an instant, he bolted off into a dead sprint until he was by her side.

was it really only because it's his job to worry as the captain, or was it something else?

"back the hell up," he demanded them, and they immediately did, following up with some, "we're sorry! we didn't realize she was a girl, otherwise we'd be gentler!"

he ignored them. chaerim was his only focus, with her closed eyes and slightly agape mouth. she was knocked out cold, like a limp doll laying in the grass.

"chaerim?" seonghwa ever-so-gently brushed her damp hair out of her face. he didn't want to touch her in case he would hurt her more. he cooed, "are you okay? please wake up."

the medics had arrived and sternly told seonghwa to get out of the way. he didn't, not until one of the medics had to grab him himself and pull him away from her.

chaerim was put onto a stretcher and carried off. it felt like the whole city went silent.

𖥻

chaerim's teammates sat on the bench or stood around in a still fashion, all anxious for an update on her condition. seonghwa was next to coach joon, and he hadn't said a word to anyone since he had talked to chaerim's motionless, unconscious body.

she wasn't dead, obviously; it was just that all the boys felt guilty in a way, especially coach joon. it should've been them to take the hit, not their chaerim. she's tough mentally, but as tough physically as those huge, muscular dudes. and what the hell were they doing anyway?? they were so reckless, double-manning her and playing rough.

"hey, watch out kid," warned coach joon. seonghwa's hands were shaking so bad that his cup of water was spilling over the top, a few drops landing on his coach's thigh.

"sorry," he muttered, then got up again to walk around. it was unbearable, just sitting in silence with his own thoughts.

and miraculously, one of the chief medics returned to talk to the team.

he addressed coach joon, but seonghwa, too, looked as attentive as ever, "i know you're all relieved to hear that chaerim's okay. however, she has a severe concussion. she'll be completely fine with time, but it was quite serious, so the doctor is gonna keep a close eye on her during her recovery. of course, she's gotta take it easy. she won't be able to play soccer or do anything physical for two to three weeks."

seonghwa let out a breath and coach joon winced, "she's alright though? no long-lasting shit? no other injuries?"

the medic nodded, "yeah, she's alright. as far as we know, no other injuries except for the concussion a few bruises and cuts on her.

"can we visit her in the infirmary?" hongjoong asked, and a few other boys nodded along with him.

"sure," he said, "anything else? okay, you guys stay safe for the rest of the night." he left the field.

the two teams continued to play after a long while and a lot of stress. it was quite dark outside. they tried their best to win for chaerim, but the fact that their star player seonghwa wasn't in the right mindset was a big setback.

he couldn't stop thinking about it, even if she was okay and even if nothing could be changed now. he was angry, taking deep momentary breaths to try and diffuse. he was confused. for once he couldn't care about the game going on. how did his enemy have such a strong influence over him? these feelings of constant confusion and doubt were taking a toll on him.