Love At First Kick

137

'WONHU FASTER!'
'MOVE THOSE LEGS!'
'BLOCK THAT, IMANU!'

Coaches were yelling over their instructions and scolding us the entire session. By now, we were used to it. Besides, this is not just any tournament. We are supposed to be grilled to death with practice and training.

It's a month in, and everyone is giving their best. Just watching everyone, you can clearly see why they are where they are. Every single one of us here is crazy talented. Of course, they still find things they need to change with our fighting.

'Rundown in two minutes!' Coach Darby says

Every class, they tell us everything they think we did wrong and what we need to improve. Most of the time, it's just small things anyway.

Everyone sat down on the tatami, drinking water and waiting for their turn in silence.

'Imanu, you're up first. You've improved on the speed department, but your head coverage is not the best. The more you work on speed, the more you keep forgetting about your head. That can't happen. Tomorrow, you have a training at 9 on your own.'

She nodded and sighed deeply, but quietly.

'Wonhu. You need to be more aggressive. You wait too long, and you end up losing points. Start attacking more.'

'Sool, you need to attack less. At times, you run in like a headless fly, and I'm afraid you're going to lose your head one of these days.'

'That's it. You're free.'

Hinhyuk, Jimin, and I looked at each other, then at them. They haven't given us any pointers.

'The three of you, keep it up as it is.'

Jimin was visibly excited when I looked at him. His eyes were practically sparkling as he fought to keep that gloating smile in. Hinhyuk just nodded, smiling at the ground.

This is the biggest possible compliment you could get. I just gotta keep it up.

The coaches left soon after, leaving us to ourselves.

'Shit. I keep getting worse, I swear.' Imanu growls in frustration, throwing herself on the ground

'I'm gonna be honest, I have no idea what the hell he meant by "be more aggressive.' I thought I was fine.' Wonhu complains

'You three must be happy as a pig in shit.' Imanu clicks her tongue

'I'm not gonna lie, it feels pretty good. But it doesn't mean it will last forever. We have to work just as hard to keep it up.' Jimin was trying to be considerate, but Sool wasn't having any of it

'Easy for you to say.' Sool huffs. It left everyone a bit shocked. Jimin didn't say anything cocky to deserve that response.

'Sorry, did I say something wrong?' Jimin asks him, trying to figure this out

'It's easy to be cocky when the coaches favour you.' He mumbles

'I'm sorry, what?' Jimin asks, raising his eyebrow at him

'What's with you, man?' Even Wonhu, who is usually quiet, spoke up, talking to Sool

'He is what is with me.' He huffs, talking a bit louder and confusing everyone even more

'What did I do?' Jimin asks again, keeping his voice calm and steady, not wanting to argue

'Got here based on his relationship and is acting like a fucking peacock. Must be nice being Korea's golden boy.' He grit his teeth through the last part, but that wasn't what got to me