DASH

“I’m not kidding.”

 
Jiheon said, running his fingers through Jaekyoung’s bangs.
 

“Truth is, I didn’t like swimming for about ten years, but I started liking it again because of that athlete.”
“Same here.”
 

Jaekyoung said, gently holding Jiheon’s hand.
 
“I like this sport more because of you too, hyung. No, it’s not ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) just liking it more. I find myself thinking about it a lot more than before. I almost wonder what will happen after I retire.”

“If you’re already worrying about that, I think you like it more than I do.”
 
Jiheon touched Jaekyoung’s cheek while holding his wrist.

 
“No, it’s different. I really can’t do it like you, hyung.”
 

Jaekyoung said that and released Jiheon’s hand. Then, he rested his head on Jiheon’s left hand again.
 
“Before, I really didn’t care about anything other than my competition. But when I saw you feeling disappointed about the issues with athlete support and training environment, I thought for the first time that it would be great if this sport became more popular and recognized in Korea too. So, I’ve been… starting to pay attention to other younger swimmers who are good at it.”

“Really?”
“Yes. Well, I just think to myself that they could win a medal at the Asian Games and even make it to the finals if they trained a bit more. But I don’t stick with each one of them and kindly give them advice like you do, hyung. I can’t do that.”
 
Jaekyoung didn’t even seem to recall what he did to Haejung. Or maybe he drew a line within himself, telling himself that this wasn’t like that, and he wasn’t kind enough to give them advice like Jiheon did.

 
Jiheon understood from Jaekyoung’s words that the latter guess was accurate.
 

“Hyung, you told me the other day that I’ve changed a lot, didn’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“It sure feels like it.”

 
Jaekyoung chuckled.
 

“I try to imitate you, hyung, so it might seem that way on the outside. But inside, it’s not like that at all. People don’t change easily.”
 
Jaekyoung closed his eyes, his voice soft.

 
“I’m not a very moral person, and I don’t have a strong sense of justice. Honestly, I don’t think it matters to me, and I don’t care what others do as long as it doesn’t hurt me.”
 

Jaekyoung opened his eyes again, then reached out his right arm, wrapped in the belt, and hugged Jiheon’s waist.
 
“But since you think these things are important, I guess that’s right.”

 
His hand naturally went to Jiheon’s lower abdomen. He stroked his belly, which felt a bit swollen, and spoke in a rough tone, different from his gentle touch.
 

“I’m not good at deep thinking and worrying about stuff. It’s a bother and a hassle. So, I just decided that if you say it’s right, then it’s right, and if you say it’s wrong, then it’s wrong.”
“What the hell? Am I the standard of the world?”
 

Jiheon said jokingly. It was meant to be a joke, but Jaekyoung responded seriously.
 
“To me, you are the standard and the right answer, hyung.”

 
He even went a step further, continuing to stroke Jiheon’s stomach.
 

“So, if you say I shouldn’t compete in the 400m individual medley tomorrow….”
“Then you won’t do it?”
 

Jiheon was surprised by the sudden remark.
 
“No, of course I will.”

 
Jaekyoung looked at him blankly, wondering why he couldn’t do that.
 

“What the hell?”
 
Jiheon laughed in bewilderment.

 
“Hey, you said I’m the standard, the right answer, and the law to you, but you’re breaking the law now? What kind of outlaw are you?”
“I didn’t even mention the law.”

“That’s what it is.”
“Oh, well, yes. Then you’re the law too, hyung.”
 

Jaekyoung said, looking like he’d say, “Whatever you want,” and released Jiheon’s waist.
 
“Anyway, no matter what happens, I’m going to compete. But I’ll feel bad because I broke my standard, my right answer, and my law, which is you.”

“Hey, if you break the law, it’s not just about feeling bad. You need to go to jail.”
“I hate breaking my law more than going to jail.”
 

Jaekyoung said without even smiling. From that serious look, Jiheon seemed to understand what was coming.
 
Just as expected.

 
“So just let me compete, hyung.”
 

Jaekyoung said, lying on the bed and gazing up at Jiheon.
 
“I want to compete in the 400m individual medley event tomorrow in a good feeling. With your cheers.”

 
Because it was right under the nightlight, Jaekyoung’s brown eyes appeared brighter. Staring into the transparent abyss, Jiheon eventually sighed.
 

“What am I supposed to say when you put it like that?”
“Just tell me to do well.”
 

Jaekyoung said it easily, but for Jiheon right now, there was nothing as difficult as that.
 
“Jaekyoung-ah, I….”

 
Jiheon tried to speak several times but then fell silent. After attempting to speak repeatedly, he pulled the blanket over Jaekyoung’s chest and said:
 

“Okay, let’s do well in the 100m freestyle final this afternoon. We’ll talk about tomorrow’s competition for sure, but let’s start by doing well in today’s competition first.”
 
 

 
In the 100m freestyle final later that afternoon, Jaekyoung took second place with a time of 48.89 seconds, falling way below his personal best of 46.55 seconds. The first place finished at 48.87 seconds, just 0.02 seconds faster than Jaekyoung.
Haejung claimed the first spot by touching the pad a fraction of a second before Jaekyoung.

 
It marked the first time in four years that Jaekyoung missed out on first place at the nationals, regardless of the event.
 

 
*****
 

“People’s reactions are alright. It’s not that bad.”
 
Manager Yoon said, sipping on his soy milk as usual.

 
“It seemed like everyone sensed something was off since he withdrew from the butterfly. They don’t think he’s injured; they just figure his condition is not great.”
“That’s because he set a new record in the 200m freestyle the day before.”

“Yes. So, even trolls can’t claim he’s in a slump. He just broke the record the day before, so slumping in just one day is just absurd.”
 
However, some non-media sources made a commotion, using all sorts of exaggerated expressions, such as Kwon Jaekyoung losing his title as champion after four years or kneeling down to a junior in his main event. Most of the titles might’ve been clever attempts to stir up public anger and get more clicks, but there were probably some reporters who wrote more provocative titles at Kavva’s request.

 
“How’s Kwon Jaekyoung doing? Is he feeling down a lot?”
 

Team Leader Lee asked with a concerned look.
 
“Not really.”

 
Jiheon shook his head.
 

“He doesn’t dwell on races that have ended. He’s the type who thinks he’s done as much as he can whether he wins or loses.”
 
Maybe it could have been more so because he competed in multiple events during the short competition period. As soon as this race was over, the next race was waiting, so there was no time to fret over the results.

 
Yesterday, Jaekyoung was the first to congratulate Haejung, who was staring at the electronic board with his mouth hanging open. Even though he only tapped his arm once without saying anything, Jaekyoung left the pool with a surprisingly relaxed look. He seemed satisfied that he finished the race safely without withdrawing and thought his record wasn’t too shabby. His shoulder was in bad shape, and he could hardly sleep because of the pain, so it made sense that his condition was completely messed up.
 

Because of this, Jaekyoung fell asleep as soon as he got back to the hotel and only woke up in the evening. After having dinner and taking some painkillers, he lay down on the bed again, this time hugging Jiheon. He hugged Jiheon from behind, caressing his abdomen for a while without uttering a word.
 
Jiheon wondered if Jaekyoung was feeling depressed, so he tried to cheer him up with various words, but even then, Jaekyoung spoke in a normal tone.

 
‘I’m okay, hyung. And I’m quite happy with today’s result.’
‘Really…?’

‘Yes. Taejung is always a hard-worker and did great.’
 
His name is Haejung.

 
Jiheon silently corrected him.
 

‘Actually, since he beat me like that, I chased after him as fast as I could. If I were in a lane far from him, I would’ve finished a second later.’
 
Despite feeling relieved by those words, Jiheon felt even more heartbroken by Jaekyoung’s next words.

 
“Why? What did he say?”
 

At Team Leader Lee’s and Manager Yoon’s insistence, Jiheon crossed his arms and clicked his tongue.
 
“Painkillers.”

“Painkillers?”
“Yes. He said taking painkillers definitely makes him sleepy.”
 

Team Leader Lee and Manager Yoon sighed simultaneously.
 
“That’s true for people who don’t usually take medications. The reaction will be strong.”

 
Team Leader Lee clicked her tongue and then asked Jiheon again.
 

“Kwon Jaekyoung never took painkillers right before the race, did he?”
“Right, he never did that.”
“How’s his shoulder pain now?”

“I think it’s okay as long as he doesn’t move it.”
“Then it definitely doesn’t seem to be inflammation.”
“Maybe it’s just starting to happen.”

 
Jiheon said, sweeping his face down with his hand.
 

“I don’t know. Perhaps he’s in pain but he’s not being honest about it. He’s afraid I’ll tell him to withdraw.”
 
Team Leader Lee and Manager Yoon stood there with crossed arms, looking like they were thinking, “It’ll be okay if it’s Kwon Jaekyoung.” But then the person in question showed up.

 
“Hyung, here.”
 

He said, handing the locker key to Jiheon before heading into the pool for a quick warm-up. Not long after Jaekyoung started warming up, Han Yuseong arrived with Kim Giseok, who was sitting next to him for the first time in a while.
 
As soon as these two appeared, Team Leader Lee and Manager Yoon kept their guards up. Ever since the incident with the vice chairman, they got tense around them. Today was the final day of the selection round, and with Jaekyoung and Han Yuseong participating, they had deliberately rushed to Incheon early in the morning for the warm-up.

 
Even in the waiting room after the warm-up, Team Leader Lee and Manager Yoon remained vigilant. They watched with wide eyes as Jaekyoung got a massage, and when Han Yuseong and Kim Giseok left the waiting room, they sighed and went out into the hallway for a while.
 

“Haa, my goodness. It’s not even the Olympics, just an Olympic selection. I can’t believe I’m this nervous already.”
 
Manager Yoon said, fanning himself with his hand. Team Leader Lee responded:

 
“That’s how it is. Incidents don’t happen in the Olympics. Bribing people, beating up rivals, drugging the drinks—all these incidents happened during the selection. It’s actually like a war.”
“No, you would think that way if the competition for rankings was that fierce, but that’s not the case at all. Even if Jaekyoung swims with his eyes closed, he’ll still win.”

 
Manager Yoon clicked his tongue and turned to Jiheon, who seemed lost in thought with crossed arms.
 

“What’s the matter? Why are you so pensive since earlier? Are you worried about Kwon Jaekyoung?”
“No, sir. I do worry about Jaekyoung, but….”
 

Jiheon thought for a moment.
 
“Why did Han Yuseong choose to participate in the 400m individual medley this time?”

 
JAEKYOUNG’S COMPETITION RECAP
DAY 1

400m freestyle (#1) — 3:40.76
 
DAY 2
50m freestyle (#1) — 21.54
200m individual medley (#1) — 1:57.xx
 

DAY 3
200m freestyle (#1) — 1:41.88 (PB)
200m backstroke (#1) — (not mentioned)
 
DAY 4

200m butterfly (withdrawn)
100m freestyle (#2) — 48.89
 
DAY 5
400m individual medley