THREE YEARS LATER

“Come on! Yeonjun’s serving!”

(Can Yeonjun ace it this time?)

(Choi Yeonjun never had service error since their team enters the FIVB in men’s world cup! Truly a great representative of South Korea!)

(And whoever wins tonight will qualify a challenger spot in VNL! Will South Korea, Kairos, will make it through this time!?)

The whistle sounds for serve, Yeonjun throws the ball high up and jump as high as he can then hit the ball forcedly. “Service ace Choi Yeonjun!”

The crowd went lively when Kairos scores. Fans inside the huge arena is screaming their chant for Yeonjun and the team had a quick group hug after it. Two more consecutive aces from Yeonjun and the whole crowd stand up to celebrate.

“South Korea for the first time in forever has entered the FIVB semi-finals! They secured a spot in VNL!” the commentator announces that made the fans go crazy.

“You never had any failed investment, you know that?” the man comments.

Beomgyu just laughs at it. “I just knew this is bound to happen,” he proudly said and shrugged his shoulders. “You should greet them as their major sponsor,” he said.

“Should I? He probably already know who I am though?” the man replied.

“Ay,” Beomgyu hit his side with his elbow. “You’re just ashamed buy what you did to him before,” he teases him.

“Exactly! That’s why I can’t face him for two years now,” the man agreed and they laugh. “You’re the one who should meet him.”

“Then let’s go and meet him,” Beomgyu confidently speak and lead the way but the other held his wrist.

“Hey, are we really going to meet him?” the man blinks in waiting for response.

“Afraid?” Beomgyu smirks.

“Of course not! Let’s go! Let’s face him!” the man confidently walk and Beomgyu intertwine his hand on him as they walk towards the center arena where the team is having interview and some cooling down.

“So are there any loopholes that you want to improve more for the semis?” the sports media interviews Yeonjun.

“Ah yeah, of course there are still—”

“Beomgyu!”

Yeonjun pauses when he heard how the team rejoices when someone said Beomgyu’s name. He tried to maintain his composure and ended the interview. That’s the only time he looks back and he wasn’t even surprise anymore that Beomgyu is beside someone and they are even holding each other’s hand. It’s like he has the right to care, right?”

“Yeonjun!” Beomgyu called his name and approaches him together with the man. “Have you been well?”

“Of course! Just look at where we are right now,” Yeonjun brags and they laugh. He looks at who’s beside Beomgyu and he bent down for a second for respect. “Thank you so much for your overwhelming support,” he grateful.

“I’m sorry if this is the only time I meet you personally. I’m Choi Soobin,” he introduced and extended his hand.

“Right,” Yeonjun chuckles and their hands shake.

“Congratulations on the newlywed couple!” Hueningkai suddenly shouted and appeared together with Taehyun. “Hey, I really thought you two won’t end up with each other,” he laughs after.

“Why would you even think about that? We’re dating since college and for what?” Beomgyu stated and laughs then he saw how Yeonjun looks away after hearing that.

“Anyway, this isn’t about me and Beomgyu. This is about Yeonjun and the Kairos. I’m really proud of you guys!” Soobin applauses and Yeonjun smiles.

“This is also thanks to you and your husband,” Yeonjun replied.

“No worries,” Soobin chuckles. “Ah Kai, should we talk about things together with Taehyun?” Soobin said and they walk away from the two.

Yeonjun just stood there, staring at Beomgyu’s ring finger that’s already occupied. “You really came back… and it’s totally different,” Yeonjun stated and stares at Beomgyu.

“Told you,” Beomgyu laughs. “You did so well while I was gone,” Beomgyu said and smiles. “You made me so proud, Yeonjun.”

“Were you really able to watch all of my success and failure?” Yeonjun asks.

“I was watching you from afar since the winter cup, since you failed to qualify in FIVB, since your match with Japan, since your team finally qualifies and won every single game, since you got your girl to support you, and until now that you qualified for semis. I saw it all— everything,” Beomgyu smiles as he answered.

“And you didn’t even show in front of me, so mean,” Yeonjun acted sulking before they laughs at each other. “Anyway, congratulations for getting married,” he smiles.

“Thank you,” Beomgyu smiles. “I’ll have a week-break before going back to US and I’m planning to spend it in the province. Do you want— ah!” Beomgyu flinch after feeling the hit of Yeonjun’s fingerflick on his forehead. “Ah why!?”

“You’re already married, stop doing silly things already,” Yeonjun laughs.

“I’ll still go,” Beomgyu stood firm.

“This kid,” Yeonjun laughs.

“Beomgyu? Let’s get going!” Soobin called from afar.

“Go now, your husband’s looking for you. We’re going to rest as well,” Yeonjun said. “It’s nice seeing you here again,” he smiles and taps Beomgyu’s shoulder.

“Yeonjun,” Beomgyu called him. “It’s summer soon, let’s enjoy it once more, okay?” he said before leaving him with a sweet smile.

“Don’t let him get into you, okay? You still have your game in two days,” Taehyun warned.

Yeonjun sighs, “Let’s head outside.”

THREE YEARS AGO, A WEEK AFTER CHOI BEOMGYU LEFT TO SEOUL

“Okay gathers up! That’s all for today have a rest everyone!” Yeonjun shouted and grabs his water to drink. “How was today?” he asks Taehyun.

“The newbies are now good at receiving. I am training Lee for jump serve, he has potential,” Taehyun reported.

“Good,” Yeonjun nods. “I’ll get going now,” he said and walks ahead than Taehyun and the rest of the members but he saw Hueningkai talking to someone over the phone outside of the gym.

“Oh, Yeonjun! Done practice? I received a call from another district, they accepted our practice match,” he said and Yeonjun smiles. “Ah, you have time? Wanna have some walk?” he invited after.

“Sure,” Yeonjun casually agreed. With his T-shirt on and volley shorts and shoes he walk with their manager around the area. “Why? Do you have something to tell me?”

“I know I shouldn’t mention him since it’s almost a week already but aren’t you curious about who Beomgyu is?” Hueningkai asks. “You never asked ever since he left…”

“Well, I am curious but I don’t really want to find out who he really is,” Yeonjun replied. “I mean… for what? He’s not in here anymore,” he casually replied. “But okay, since you insist, then why not tell me?”

“Uhm,” Hueningkai hums. “Beomgyu doesn’t have a boyfriend,” he started that piqued Yeonjun’s interest. “It was his fiancé,” he added and Yeonjun totally paused. “He went here for vacation because in fall, they are going to get married.”

Yeonjun scoffs, “I know,” he laughs and they continue walking. “I saw his lockscreen wallpaper. Though it was a silhouette type of photo, it was clear that one of them is kneeling and inserting a ring on Beomgyu’s finger,” he stated.

“And you still go for him?” Hueningkai frowns.

“He let me,” Yeonjun answered. “So, how can I say no?”

Kai sighs, “And his fiancé is the owner of Dal Global Group… and he knows you, Yeonjun. He knows everything and what Beomgyu is doing. He’s aware that Beomgyu’s cheating but he let him as Beomgyu’s last enjoynment as a single man,” he continued.

“That’s so fucked up,” Yeonjun commented. “Marrying someone he knows he cheated,” he added.

“I already warned Beomgyu about it but you know him… He’s carefree— he doesn’t care about anything unless it's about business,” Hueningkai stated.

When Yeonjun arrived at the apartment and decided to lie on the living’s rug, he thinks of Beomgyu while staring at the ceiling. Yeonjun knows how ass Beomgyu is but he can’t argue with it because he liked his company. He also knows that his boyfriend could be something bigger than him but it didn’t stop him from having fun.

Yeonjun look for his phone and open his Naver search. He typed “Dal Global Group” and when the results came out, he quickly gets up and froze in there. He felt his palm sweating and his throat dry out.

He laughs at himself as finding things so absurd. “Maybe I don’t really know you, Choi Beomgyu. You total wacko,” he laughs again and throws his phone on the couch. “So that’s why he never asks for Soobin’s name… because he knew him from the start. He was his fiancé afterall.”