"Jungwon!" Sunghoon shouted, kicking the ball towards him with precision. The crisp air of the practice field buzzed with energy, the scent of freshly cut grass mingling with the anticipation of the upcoming match.
But something was gnawing at Jungwon's focus, a cloud of distraction hovering just above him, heavy and suffocating.
"Huh?" He replied absently, too late to react.
The ball sailed past him, rolling off the court and into the distance. A collective sigh of disappointment swept through his teammates. The rhythm of their game disrupted, they paused, frustration etched on their faces as they realized Jungwon's lack of focus was becoming a liability.
The whistle blew, signaling a break, and the energy dissipated into awkward silence.
"What's wrong with you?" Sunoo asked, placing a supportive hand on Jungwon's slouched shoulders, concern evident in his tone.
"I don’t know, man. I have a lot on my mind," Jungwon admitted, his voice barely a whisper, as if speaking louder might shatter the fragile mask he wore.
"About wifey?" Ni-ki chimed in, raising an eyebrow.
"No, not exactly," Jungwon replied, a weight settling heavily in his chest.
He didn’t want to shift the blame onto Sana; she wasn’t the root of his problems. She had every right to be upset after everything that had happened. But it wasn't just about her; his mind was cluttered with a mix of worries that felt insurmountable.
He had made up with Sana anyway although there was still this tension around them. This was about something else.
Jiyeon had been relentless, texting him about rekindling their relationship. The pressure to respond, to alleviate her feelings, sat uneasily on his shoulders.
He had spent enough time trying to balance his marriage and the demands of his past. The thought of going back to Jiyeon felt like stepping into a cage he’d just escaped from.
“If you want to tell us anything, don’t be shy,” Jay urged, noticing the storm brewing behind Jungwon’s eyes.
As the other players gathered to strategize for the next round, Jungwon caught sight of Heeseung on the far side of the court.
Heeseung was warming up, radiating confidence and determination. Normally, Jungwon would have felt a rush of competitive energy, eager to best his rival. But today, that spark felt extinguished. He was hollow, a shadow of the driven athlete he used to be.
His thoughts wandered to the upcoming match against the Korea Republic, a pivotal moment that he once looked forward to with zeal. Now, it felt like a distant dream.
His coach, Dongwon, usually a source of motivation, was now just another voice pushing him harder, glaring at him with an intensity that made Jungwon’s skin crawl.
“You better not embarrass me,” Dongwon warned, the pressure mounting.
The game resumed, but Jungwon's heart wasn’t in it. He felt like a marionette whose strings had been cut, flailing aimlessly. The ball came to him, and he found himself facing Heeseung, who stood like an impenetrable wall.
Jungwon squared his shoulders, aiming for the goal, but doubt crept in. With a feint, he tried to maneuver past Heeseung, but his rival was quick, tackling him back. The unexpected force sent Jungwon sprawling to the ground, embarrassment flooding through him like ice water.
The whistle blew again, and his teammates surrounded him, concern etched on their faces.
“I’m sorry,” Heeseung said genuinely, extending a hand to help Jungwon up.
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Unfortunately, I Need You
Fanfiction[Minatozaki Sana] A forced marriage was hardly the recipe for happiness, especially when every conversation between them turned into an argument. From the very beginning, they seemed worlds apart, their differences clashing as often as their persona...
