[Kim Saehyeon]

I still can't believe one's career can potentially end because they can't live a normal life without having to hide or worry about being pestered by nasty sasaengs. Lira has claimed another victim of her paranoid obsession over bullies. The problem is, neither of the people she pointed her finger at are actually bad people.

She needs to look herself in the mirror and seek help. Her attitude is likely to be her biggest downfall unless she changes her ways. I'd like to believe her mindset derives from a past trauma she has struggled with. However, others, especially Saeyi, are skeptical and maintain that Lira is simply a mean spirited person.

Anyway, there's no time to wallow over that asshole's schemes. It's match day. After our successful comeback versus Miryeong High, it's time for us to face another high school team with a lot of potential: Raewon Technical Institute.

Their captain, Kim Jeongheun, is a pile of physical strength and a bolsterous personality, a center back who won't hesitate to use strong methods to mark rivals. This means our attacking phase must be impeccable.

Unlike the previous match, I get a chance in the starting eleven. Coach Hyun is confident my physical endurance has improved and strongly believes my past injury is no longer a hindrance. Since this is an away match, we have to start off on the right foot—thus, we must be in perfect shape.

I want to make a good impression on supporters, especially Byeonghee. I invited him to come and cheer for the team as a way to distract him from the fact that he lost his career because of someone who can't keep her mouth shut for goodness' sake.

As expected, the first half is incredibly tough and it ends in a draw. 0-0. Raewon doesn't relent when it comes to defending despite our incessant pressing. The home side has also committed several fouls. No, a lot of them.

At our assigned dressing room, Coach briefs us. "We need a change of strategy. We need someone as physically strong as Kim Jeongheun to fight his man marking in the second half." For this reason, he replaces Baram with Kang Segeon.

Because of this move, our scheme changes. We now play with two strikers instead of one: Byeonggi and, indeed, Segeon. If this strategy works, we can eke out a win, no matter when we score. We return to the pitch with a newfound energy.

Raewon's pressing is incessant, almost hammering, throughout the second half as well. The turning point comes in the first minute of the overtime: one of their midfielders is sent off after his second yellow card, leaving Raewon in numerical inferiority.

This is our chance to bag it. I sprint to our rivals' side of the pitch and serve Byeonggi, who then passes the ball to Segeon. The latter wins his duel with Jeongheun; all he has to do now is push the ball in the goal post, with some unwarranted help from Raewon's goalkeeper, who's shockingly unprepared.

Two minutes later, the home side's in for another bad surprise as a defender scores an own goal. 2-0 for us and game over. Although he's shaken by the searing defeat, Jeongheun comes to congratulate us. "Great job. You really gave us a hard time," he says.

I answer on behalf of the entire squad, "No, it's you who made it harder to us. But, yeah, it was a close call." Jeongheun and I shake hands before his coach calls him back. I let him go, then I reunite with my teammates.

I suggest gathering together to celebrate this second straight win; however, most of the others have to decline due to previous commitments. "I can come, though," says Junbeom, who drips enthusiasm even though he hasn't been granted a single playing minute today.

"Fine. Let's go, then." Junbeom and I head to the lockers and change quickly so that we can leave with Byeonghee. As we catch up with him, he has nothing but praise for us. "Guys, it was brilliant! Like, have you seen that guy, Kim Jeongheun? Is he a footballer or a rugby player? He's so strong!" How Byeonghee is still in awe doesn't come as a surprise.

As a matter of fact, this is confirmed further when we jump on the bus bringing us back home. In an unexpected move, Jeongheun is also here. He greets me and Junbeom; then, his focus quickly shifts on Byeonghee. "Oh, my God! Aren't you the X-FILE maknae? I can't believe I get to meet you in person! It's an honor to me."

Byeonghee corrects him. "Actually, ex maknae. They kicked me out without a statement." His tone is terse, tense, in contrast with the cheerful atmosphere surrounding us.

Jeongheun piles it on with his comment. "Fuck them! They stabbed you in the back for no proper reason. Why should you be sad?" He inadvertently raises his voice, for which he apologizes and bites his tongue.

I try to defuse the situation. "I'm sure Byeonghee will have another chance later on." In an attempt to revive the good mood, I change topic. "Let's go to the arcade, shall we?" The others accept the suggestion, so we get off the bus at the next stop instead of continuing until downtown.

At the arcade, Byeonghee offers to pay for everyone, but Junbeom stops him. "No way! You're our special guest along with Jeongheun—how about you let me and Saehyeon pay instead?" I agree with Junbeom. We're not freeloaders. I'm sure Byeonghee has dealt with many of those so far; we're not here to give this impression.

Our first two rounds of games go on quite smoothly. Besides being an amazing center back, Jeongheun is also great at Shoot-Out Slam. He wins with a staggering score of 25670 points. In second place, there's me, with 8000 points. This is embarrassing.

We move to a new game at the exact moment when Sara shows up unannounced. She couldn't come for the match due to previous commitments, which is why I'm incredibly happy she's joined us. She's out of the gate running as she asks, "So, what are you up to? How was the game?"

She notices Jeongheun and turns to greet him. "Oh, hey! You're the powerful center back from Raewon, the one everyone feared. Kim Jeongheun, right? How was Saehyeon?"

I answer on Jeongheun's behalf. "Let's say we put up a fight, but we still came out stronger!" I don't brag loudly out of respect for my opponent on the pitch. The others burst into laughter.

Byeonghee suggests. "Let's let Sara decide what we should play next."

She scratches her chin. "Hmm... How about Mx. Perfect Idol? I'd love to see how you boys fare with it—I'm sure I'll win, though."

"Ouch! That's a low blow!" It's clear from how Byeonghee says these words that he's joking. Mx. Perfect Idol is a simulation game where one can create their ideal group and make it grow to stardom. After how things with X-FILE turned ugly, one may think Byeonghee could be uncomfortable playing this game.

However, it ends up being an easy walk in the park for him. The imaginary group he created is a reflection of him as a person: creative, introspective and mysterious. But, most importantly, genuine.