Love At First Kick

129

We were both kind of shaken awake by our phones buzzing like crazy, and it was about 10 in the morning.

'We need to get rid of these things.' Jimin murmurs, still half asleep, hugging me a bit tighter

We decided to ignore it, but it truly wouldn't stop buzzing.

'What the hell is going on today...' he mumbles add he tries to reach for his phone. He unlocked it and was silent for a few seconds as he was reading through whatever came in. Then he finally spoke up in the most pissed-off voice, 'You must be fucking kidding me.'

I was still comfy and not moving, but hearing him like this I had to move.
'What's wrong?'

He didn't say a word, he just passed me his phone.

It was a million articles talking about how Korea's taekwondo federation was corrupt. I sat up a little, reading further.

It's been a few days since the Olympic Committee announced the contestants. Of course, the taekwondo federation posted it as well, announcing Korean contestants. Same for every major taekwondo outlet and page. It's normal.

But people seemed to have a lot against it. Particularly me and Jimin. It seems that people think our relationship is the reason we got to be in the Olympics, and that Korea is using us for their PR strategies. Taekwondo is Korea's national sport. I sincerely doubt they would ever need us to promote the sport. It's become one of the most popular martial arts in the world way before we got into the spotlight of it. But I see why he is angry. I am too. We worked our asses off to get to where we are.

'I really wonder how stupid people can be sometimes.' I scoff. 'As if the Olympics would let you compete purely because you are a cute couple. What the hell is wrong with people?'

'I was thinking the same. If it was that easy to get there everyone would be in relationships.' He sighs deeply. 'I'm just not sure what to do right now.'

'Neither am I, but I think we should stay out of this for now. If we say anything, it's only going to be worse. Maybe it will go away in a few days.'

'Not sure if it will go away, but I agree with staying out of it. We should let the federation and the committee deal with this.' He still looks pissed off, though

'Oh, Chen is calling you.' I passed him back the phone as it started ringing in my hand

He didn't even pick up properly when Chen started yelling through the phone so loud that it sounded like he was in the speaker. He was talking so fast that we didn't pick up a single word.

'Chen, Chen, calm down, man. I can't understand a single thing!' Jimin yells over him

Suddenly, silence hit, then the deepest possible sigh from the other line.
'Right. I'm okay.' It's like he's calming himself down. 'I have no idea if you saw anything yet, but it's about the Olym-'

'Of course, we saw. Our phones wouldn't stop going off.' Jimin sighs

'How are you holding up? Anything I can do?' Chen asks

He's been such an amazing friend since day one. Sometimes I feel like him and Jimin have been separated at birth.

'Unless you want to help me beat all of them up, not much we can do.' Jimin chuckles

'I'm down. Anytime.' He might have taken him a bit too seriously

Jimin finally laughed a little. Thank you, Chen.
'Don't worry. There's not much we can do. There are always going to be people like those. It's to be expected I guess. Rin and I are going to stay out of it unless we're asked to do something. We could only make it worse if we meddle.'

'You are way too calm about this. I would already be on TV going on a rant.'

Jimin laughed a little again, 'That does sound like you. But I'm afraid that would be the worst-case scenario. We're just gonna wait it out and see what happens. I'm not going into it unless it threatens our participation or unless they ask it of us.' He repeats

'Damn you, all smart and grown up.' Chen teases. 'How's Rin? She okay?'

'Yeah, she's good. You know what she's like.' Jimin chuckles. 'She's next to me, so she can hear you.'

'Hiya, Chen. Thanks for checking up on us.' I know he can't see me, but I am smiling. It's nice to have such an amazing friend

'Bubbly, don't worry about these dicks. You could KO all of them anyway.'

'Thanks.' He made both of us laugh

'Right. I'm happy you two are okay. I guess I'll see you later then. I was gonna pop to the club tonight anyway.'

'No worries, see you later man.'

We had a lot more messages and missed calls. That explains the buzzing.

'Oh, coach Ishijo called me.' Jimin's eyes opened wide. We all had his number, but he never once called anyone.

He called him back right away.

'Ooooh, now you answer mister world star.' Cosh Ishijo was chuckling on the other line

'I'm sorry, coach. I didn't see you called me.' Jimin says

'Don't even worry about it. I just wanted to tell the two of you not to worry. I assume you saw what's going on at the moment. The federation is already on it. It will all be cleared up within 2-3 days. You might get contacted, but you may not. Just keep going as you were.'

'How do you know all of this coach?' Jimin asks. To be honest, I'm curious, too

'Who do you think suggested the two of you for the Olympics in the first place?' He laughs

'Sorry, what? You did that!?' Neither one of us saw that coming

'Every time the Olympics come around, the head coaches, along with the federation are always asked for their input and opinions. It doesn't always mean the Olympics Committee will go along, but they take in the opinions and evaluate them. So, I was asked for my opinion on who I thought should represent the county. As a head coach who runs one of the best teams in the world, I'd say my opinions matter a lot. I suggested both of you because of your outstanding performances and because I know how talented and hard-working you are. Of course, I couldn't know if they would take it into consideration or not, but I could hope.'

'I... I don't even know what to say, coach. I'm at a loss for words.' Jimin mumbled in shock. I didn't know that's how it worked.

'Nothing you need to say. I didn't suggest the two of you because of you're relationship, I'll tell you that right away. That is completely irrelevant in this. But because of everything you achieved and that you continue to achieve. You deserve it.'

'Thank you, coach. Truly. We had no idea.' Jimin speaks again

'You were not supposed to. I'm only telling you this because of this situation. I just don't want the two of you to worry unnecessarily. You've done nothing wrong. It will all be sorted soon.'

'Thank you, coach. Please let us know if there's anything we can do.'

'Will do. Talk soon, kiddos.'

'This morning is just getting more and more unbelievable.' Jimin scoffs in disbelief

'I think we are about to get hit by turbulence for a while. This is going to be a fun one.'

And boy, was I right.