Love At First Kick

117

'Can you two please tell me how you manage all of this? Like, no matter what we do or how hard it is, you're always going for more. Where do you get the strength and will for it? I genuinely want to know. Because all I can think about after a tough class is how to go to bed. And you only add more training. That's not normal.' JinWoo asks

Jimin and I finished our little sparing session and took off our shields and helmets.

'It's hard to explain.' Jimin starts off. 'Ever since I got into competing, I wanted to do my best, so I always trained hard, and it took me a good way ahead. And then I met her. That's when I trained even harder, just because I was trying to show off. I was like a damn child trying to be all cool in front of their crush and all that.' Everyone chuckled and giggled at that, Jimin included. I kind of knew, but he never really told me. So it was a bit of a surprise.

'But it really got to me once I realized that she truly believes in me and believes I can do a lot more. That's when I decided to turn all those beliefs she had into reality. That's why I keep pushing myself. She is by far my biggest motivation.'

'You're- you're doing all of this... for her?' IyeShi mumbles

'No, not exactly.' Jimin chukles. 'I am doing it because of her. Because she believes in me. I want to justify that. To give her a reason to keep believing in me. But I'm doing this for myself. I'm also proving it to myself that I can go further than I thought.'

'I don't wanna be rude and cut you off, but, Rin, are you okay?' IyeShi must have noticed my bright red face.

I knew that I pushed him forward, but to find out all of this is a bit crazy. And I'm fully aware of my face burning up.

'Damn. She's red red!' Chen found it funny

'Baby, are you okay?' Jimin, on the contrary, sounded concerned

'Yeah. Sorry. I just... you never told me this, so it took me by surprise. I knew some of it, but I didn't realize the extent of it.' I admit

'Is it really that surprising?' He smiles at me

'A little, yes.' I admit again. 'I don't want you to think that you have to do any of this because of me.'

'I know. You told me this once before. But honestly, every time after I accomplish something, my first thought is about how proud and happy you're going to be. Not about my win or my medal or whatever it is. At some point it became a normal way for my brain to work. I don't try to think thay way, it just happens. And seeing you happy means more to me than winning any of it.'

'Man, you're making even me blush...' Chen kind of mumbled to himself, but we all heard him

'You do know that I'd be proud and happy even without you doing all of that?' I just want to make sure he is aware of my feelings

'I know. I'd be stupid not to. But if you believe I can do it, then I sure as hell will try. Even if I fail, at least I'll know that I gave it a shot. And I know you'd still feel the same even if I did fail. You would probably just push me into trying again and again until I succeeded.' He smiled gently at me. I know he meant every word. He also got everything right. That's exactly what I'd do

'Is it the same for you, Rin? The reason you got so far?'

'Well, I wanted to get on the team. That is about as far as my plan went. I never in a million years dreamed of going to World's, let alone winning a medal there. But once he came along, and I saw how hard he was working and how amazing he was, honestly, ever since then, I've just been trying to keep up with him. I feel like I have to sprint after him to not get left behind, in a way. I'm afraid that if I fall behind even a bit, I'll get lost all on my own. I'm struggling sometimes to try and keep up because he is so incredible, and I know the day will come when he will be out of my reach. And that petrifies me. I feel like I found my partner in all of this, and I'm just trying to hold on to it as much as I can. So, yes. He is the reason I'm training like crazy. I just want to kind of run next to him for as long as I can. Not behind him. I'll push myself as far as I can until I can't do it anymore. And then I'll move aside not to drag him down.'

'What are- Is this really how you think?' Jimin asks me, just looking at me with his eyes wide open. I guess I get it. I never told him this either.
'I think I'm the one struggling here. I can barely keep up with you. You have no fear jumping into anything, and you always pull me along. Do you even know how many times you helped me get over my fears? Every time I get worried or scared, I just look at you. You always have a smile on your face. You're always calm, collected, and relaxed, no matter the situation. You don't get scared. And that is scary. So don't even dare to think that you're gonna drag me down because it can only be the other way around. You're not allowed to move anywhere. I need you by my side. I can't do any of it on my own. Who would help me then?'

I was so close to crying that I couldn't utter a word.

He pulled me by my arm gently, pulling me almost on his lap. His fingers slid under my ear, lifting my face to his.

'Promise me you're not going to think like this again. Promise you'll stay right where you are. And, please, promise me you'll get rid of this pointless fear  because I'm not going anywhere either.'

'Okay. I promise.' I give him a small smile

He wrapped his pinky around mine and pulled my hand to his face, kissing the back of it, smiling lightly.

'That is extremely scary. You do realize that, right?' IyeShi asks, eyeing both of us

'What is?' We both ask

'To have someone believing in you so much is a scary and dangerous. You pretty much dragged each other to where you are, and both of you still think it's not enough. Where is the end to this? Because it has to be somewhere.'

'I do not see that end just yet. Wherever it is. As long as she has that faith in me and that smile on her face, I'll keep going. I don't know how far it will take me, but when I can't do it anymore, that will be the end. I just hope I'll be able to look back and be happy about what I've done till that point.' Jimin answered that hella fast

'That will also be the end of that line for me as well. I don't want to do this without him. I don't think I can. So if he feels like it's too much for him, I'll be taking the bench seat next to him. I've already done enough for myself. I never imagined getting this far anyway.'

'You're- you're going to retire from it together?' JinWoo asks in horror

Jimin looked at me with a beautiful smile on his face, holding my hand firmly. 'We got into this together. We are getting out of it together.'

'Exactly.' I smile back, squeezing his hand a bit. 'But that's not going to happen for a while yet, so you're still stuck with us.'

*growl*

'Sorry. Terrible timing.'

Chen's stomach made the loudest sound in the world. I swear it echoed through the gym.

At least it made everyone laugh like crazy. The subject got a bit heavy for me anyway, so it might be better to leave it at that.

'Okay, let's go eat something. This man is on his last breaths.' IyeShi was still laughing as he patted Chen on the shoulder

Chen laughed along, but agreed to the plan.
'Even if you were joking.'