Chasing Gold | (JJK)

Chapter 8

"Ugh, I'm so nervous!"

"You, nervous!? That's new!" Coach Taufik said.

"Come on baby, don't be. You guys have been through many tournaments now, and you always came out victorious. I think you'll do fine." Jimin tried to reason with her.

"Ok, but this is the world championships. Our reputation is settled in tournaments like these. Nobody cares if you won Denmark Open or some meaningless tournament like that. But everyone cares if you were a World Champion or Olympic Champion!"

"I guess you're right..."

They were at the Incheon Airport, waiting for their flight to Malaysia to attend the World Championships. Jimin was with her, hugging her and calming her down as he awaited too.

"Why don't you try being a little more like Jungkook?"

"He isn't worried because he knows he has an amazing partner that'll cover his ass if need be. I don't have that."

"Hey! I heard that! And for your information, I'm nervous too, ok? I just keep it to myself because I don't wanna make you even more nervous than you already are. If anything, I should be more nervous than you, I don't have anyone to calm me, you have Jimin."

"Oh babe, he wants you to calm him down too!" she teased.

"Ha ha, very funny. Is the joke supposed to get here by mail? Because I didn't get it yet." He responded.

The announcement that their flight was ready to board was suddenly heard over the intercom. Coach Taufik looked down at his watch before instructing them to move. "Let's go, time to board."

"Wow, this is very beautiful!" Jangmi stopped with Jimin to admire the resort the Korean Badminton association had arranged for them to stay on. They were in the entrance foyer, looking at the backyard of their hotel, in awe.

"Keep walking kids, remember this isn't a vacation. You'll have time to rest, but right now we need to unpack and head straight to the court!"

"Here Jungkook, this is the key to your bedroom." He said handing Jungkook his keycard. "And Jangmi, here's yours."

"Oh, there's no need to. I will stay in Jimin's room." Jungkook's eyebrow twitched as he could already imagine what would be going down in that hotel room.

"Says who?" coach Taufik asked, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms.

"Uh, me?"

"No, no, no, no, no!" he shook his finger as he laughed. "I know what you two are scheming. You'll be doing everything in that bedroom, but sleep, I know because once upon a time I was young and in love too. No way I will allow that! You need to rest, and you too Park!"

Jangmi let out a groan of both embarrassment and frustration while Jimin laughed embarrassed.

"After the tournament is over, you'll have four days to enjoy the resort and do whatever you want. But while the tournament is going on, I want you well rested and laser sharp focused!"

"Mimi, your coach is right. While the tournament is going on we should be focused on wining. Don't worry, we will relax later, after we're both World Champions!" he winked at her and kissed the top of her head.

Jungkook was thankful their coach wouldn't let her be alone in the same room as Jimin. The last thing he needed to hear was those two going at it like rabbits. It was already bad enough having to see them act all lovey-dovey.

But then again, who was he to judge...

"Faster, faster!"

Jangmi was breathless, and her legs were sore and starting to cramp. She was drenched in sweat, giving her all, while trying to keep her body from collapsing.

"I can't, it's starting to hurt!"

"Just keep going. Almost there..."

"This is too much!"

"It's okay, just keep going a little longer..."

"I'll give you a massage when we're done! Just keep going Mimi!"

"How much longer do I have to keep going?"

"Okay, a few seconds left, you can do this!"

"Five, four, three, two... One!"

As soon as coach Taufik was done with the countdown, she let her body fall to the floor, as her chest heaved up and down. She could hear her heartbeat throbbing in her ears, as she tried to catch her breath. She had spent the last hour doing ladder drills and sprinting exercises. Her legs were beyond sore at that point.

Jimin, who had been standing next to her coach, instantly kneeled beside her and started massaging her legs, just as he promised. He didn't have practice until later that day, so he took the opportunity to watch his girlfriend train and show her support.

Jungkook was there too, focused on his exercise too, but even so, he couldn't help but let his eyes drift to Jimin every once in a while. When he entered the training facility and saw Jimin standing there with Jangmi, he felt his blood boil. Why did they have to do everything together? Why did they have to go everywhere together? Why did they have to rub their relationship on everyone's face?

"You okay Jungkook?" The coach asked. Jungkook was quickly pulled from his thoughts, as he turned to the old men, who was giving him a curious look.

"Uh? Yeah! I'm fine, the exercises were tough, but I can manage."

"Good to know. Tomorrow won't be as tough on your legs, but I need to see improvements on your speed and footwork, understood?"

"I won't let you down coach!"

"Okay, now you guys better go to your hotel and get some rest. And you two-" he pointed to Jimin and Jangmi. "I'm serious, I want you to rest, not to be up all night with your shenanigans. Got it?"

Jangmi giggled while holding onto Jimin's arm. "Don't worry, Jimin still has his own practice session to attend. And I'm so tired I'll probably already be asleep by the time he gets back."

"In that case, see you tomorrow."

They all said goodbyes and started packing their things to leave. Jungkook watched as Jimin whispered something in Jangmi's ear, making her blush profusely and slap his arm. Jungkook simply put his racket inside his bag and left while glaring at them.