Broken & Ruined | TAEKOOK

twenty-four

It was 11 am and everyone was about to go home, except for Jungkook who would have to attend his training for aquathlon. Juseok went to him and said, "I'll stay with you and you can't say anything against it."

Jungkook gave him an asking look. "Why would you?"

"Because I don't wanna go to the dorm and see that jerk's strong face," he replied with a straight face. Jungkook grabbed his backpack once he was done placing his towel and bottled water in it.

"I don't wanna be the reason for the team to break up," he told him as he wore his bag on his shoulder. "You already said it- we shouldn't be fighting."

"But it already happened," Juseok asserted, "There exists the tension between the vote for making you leave and making you stay. And obviously, I'm on your side, bro," he grinned.

"But I have given my word already."

"Damn, don't tell me you're still gonna do it!"

"Unfortunately, I'm a man of my word," Jungkook chuckled and began to walk outside the hall.

"Hey!" Juseok called him and followed. "Do you want me to enumerate all the reasons why you need to stay?"

"Yes, please," Jungkook responded, chuckling.

Juseok laughed, "You want to fish compliments, don't you?" Jungkook laughed. "You know damn well how good you are!"

"Nope, I don't," Jungkook said, "To be honest, I'm not sure if people were being honest with me. I don't know if they're being good because they're good, or they're just taking it easy because I'm a son of a politician."

Juseok let out a breath, "Listen, first of all- I have already said this earlier- you are an asset. Not only for our team, but also the school, consensusly. Everybody knows that! You're not only popular, but you're very talented. There's almost nothing you can not do," Juseok explained. They turned to reach the elevator. Jungkook remained silent and pushed the up button.

"You have good sportsmanship and leadership skills, Jungkook." They went in once the door opened. Jungkook was about to push the 3rd-floor button when Juseok preceded him. Their gazes match and Juseok said with all sincerity, "You need to stay. No, it's not about your connections. It's about your skills."

A block of silence was thrown between them. Until the elevator dinged. "Hey," Juseok called him. "You know that it's just normal to have fights or arguments in the team."

"Yeah, okay. You can now shut up," Jungkook said.

Juseok's face lightened up, "So you would no longer leave?"

"I'll think about it. Thanks, Juseok," he smiled and went inside the hall first. They signed a manual first before they proceeded inside the main training area.

There was a swimming pool, of course, with a depth ranging from 6-8 feet and a length of at least 1 kilometer. There were floating parameters that divided the pool into 4 lengths. There were benches on the side, training equipment, tables, and chairs. They sat on one of the benches there and dropped their bags.

Minutes later the coach arrived. His coach in aquathlon is the same in their athletics. So when Mr. Park saw Juseok inside, he was surprised. "Juseok, what are you doing here? I thought everybody already left," Mr. Park inquired.

"Ah, coach. I was just curious how you train Jungkook to be a great swimmer," Juseok chuckled.

"Oh? Are you planning to join aquathlon too?" Mr. Park dropped his bag on the table and was finding something there. He turned to Jungkook to tell him to get changed into his diving suit: a stretchable dark one-piece that has a long sleeve and above-the-knee shorts, a cap, goggles, and the lids to protect his nose and ears. Jungkook grabbed his bag and headed toward the restroom.