Passion and Power

Chapter 56

Hanni and Minji continued kissing as the shocked reporter looked on. Eventually, they had to come up for air. Hanni kept a grip around Minji's waist. They leaned their foreheads together as they caught their breath.

"That was phenomenal, Hanni."

"Well, I was inspired." Hanni said, grinning happily.

"You know I was talking about the match, right?"

"Not the kiss? Well, let's see if I can do better..."

"Well, the kiss was pretty phenomenal too." Minji admitted. Just as they moved to kiss again, the reporter spoke up.

"Ms. Kim, Hanni, can I have a word?" She asked, sounding like she was in shock, and a bit desperate.

Hanni rolled her eyes at Minji. "Is this the non-stop press coverage you've been warning me about?"

"It's only the beginning. Buckle up, Cherry." Minji couldn't help leaning in for a quick kiss. "Anyway, you have a lot of celebrating to do."

"How long have you two been together?" She tried to break into their reverie. Then, after finally overcoming her surprise and organizing her thoughts. "Is this the reason KCorp got in the business of sponsoring women's soccer?"

"Well, that didn't take long." Minji glared over at the reporter. But then Hanni kissed her cheek and she couldn't bring herself to worry at that moment. She was too happy about the win and being in Hanni's arms. She knew she would eventually need to answer to her Board about all of it, but that was later. And her heart was in the now, at last.

Just then Ava came up and grabbed Hanni around the waist and lifted her from behind. Hanni kicked her legs out in surprise as she finally broke her eye contact with Minji.

"Hey, Captain. You're wanted on the stage." Ava said, shaking her tightly before putting her down. Both women turned to see the stage that had been rapidly built following the match.

"Right. Guess we better go get our Cup." She said, beaming at Minji.

"They can't get started without the star of the show." Minji encouraged her to go with a wink.

"See you at the party?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

Hanni reluctantly turned and then quickly disappeared, running to the opposite side of the field where the team was beginning to line up for the awards.

The award ceremony was a bit of a blur for Minji. She watched with joy as the team and seemingly the rest of the world cheered and danced on the field. She saw various officials and coaches take the podium and to talk about the team and success of the tournament. Kazuha and others were careful to thank the sponsors, including KCorp, and Minji couldn't help but beam that her company was receiving yet more publicity mileage from the team.

Let's see if the Board dares to comment about Hanni and I, in the face of this huge boon to the company, not to mention the capture and hopefully end of the trouble from Taehyung. Minji thought to herself, taking a minute to look around to see whether any Board members had come down to the field to celebrate. She waved at a few she noticed.

Near the end of the speeches, they read all the names of the team, followed by announcing the Player of the Match. To no one's surprise, especially not to Minji, she heard them announce Hanni's name. She beamed from ear to ear as Hanni came up to accept her trophy. She tried to listen as Hanni gave a gracious acceptance speech. She couldn't hear clearly due to the distance and so many people surrounding her, but caught the last bit.

"Most of all, I want to thank my sister and our team doc, Danielle. No doubt, without all her support and care, I wouldn't be here today."

After that Hanni went straight to Danielle and pulled her into a long hug as the team and the crowd went wild. Next Hanni went on to hug Kazuha, followed by many others lining the stage before walking to the edge of the platform. She paused for a bit as her team rushed to get close, then she spun around and let herself fall off the stage backwards. A gasp went up around the stadium, but her teammates were there surrounding her. They easily caught her and she crowd surfed for a bit before yelling for them to put her back on the platform as she laughed uproariously.