Mischievous Kiss: Love in Seoul ( Yeonbin )

Chapter - 23

"Let's go, let's go. Six, seven, eight," Yeonjun cheered for the other players while slowly picking up the balls on the ground, counting each one.

A fast-speed ball came directly toward Yeonjun, causing him to shut his eyes and cover himself. "Oops." When he opened his eyes, he quickly continued his work. "Nine."

"What are you doing?" Soobin shouted, startling Yeonjun and causing him to drop the balls he was holding.

"Don't close your eyes," Soobin shouted from the other end of the court.

"Don't look at the ground when you pick up the balls. Open your eyes and look at the balls. Move your body toward where the ball is coming from. Understood?" Soobin instructed.

"Yes," Yeonjun replied, even though he had no idea why Soobin was making him do all that.

Yeonjun purposely opened his eyes wide, trying not to blink. "Open my eyes," he muttered.

"Look at the balls," he said to himself, focusing on the balls—some flying through the air, others still on the ground. He repeated these sentences as he continued his task of collecting the balls.

- - -

"That's it! Good work," the captain yelled, blowing the whistle to signal the end of practice.

"Hurry and clean up," he instructed. The players picked up their bags, some drank water, and the beginners gathered the tennis balls to place them in the assigned area. Yeonjun, too, slowly walked towards the place, placing the balls and counting them until Soobin stood beside him.

"You are going to practice now," Soobin said, half panting.

Yeonjun looked at Soobin with disbelief. "I'm exhausted, Soobin. Like you said, I was looking at the balls and got hit by them many times," Yeonjun complained with a pout, gesturing to his body where he got hit.

"We don't have a choice since you can't practice during club hours. I'll be waiting there," Soobin pointed to the court near the bench and walked away, leaving Yeonjun with his mouth open in disbelief.

A few minutes later, Yeonjun sulkily walked towards Soobin, who was already holding a racket. Soobin handed it to him and moved Yeonjun to the middle of the court.

"Now swing your racket one hundred times," Soobin said, folding his arms, oblivious to Yeonjun's sulky expression and side glances. Nevertheless, Yeonjun got into position and started swinging as instructed.

Before he could reach one hundred, Yeonjun felt drops of water on his arms. He stopped and looked up at the sky, which had turned grey with big clouds. He held out his palm, feeling more droplets. "It's raining," Yeonjun said happily to Soobin.

"Keep in mind that we will practice in the morning starting tomorrow too. But for now, do it until seventy and I'll let you go," Soobin said.

"But it's starting to rain, Soobin. Can't we practice more tomorrow instead?" Yeonjun pleaded, clinging to Soobin's arm.

"No, do it before it rains more. Now bring your shoulder forward," Soobin instructed, grabbing Yeonjun's shoulder and turning it.

"Okay," Yeonjun reluctantly complied, taken aback by Soobin's firmness, and slowly began swinging again.

It's already past lunchtime, and there aren't many students left in the cafeteria. He quickly scanned the hall, his eyes landing on a table where three people were eating and chatting.

Strange he thought. They used to be four, not three. He decided to walk over to the table.

"Hey, guys!" he greeted as he took a seat in the vacant chair.