What Happens When Two Hot-Blooded Youths Collide
Stadium waiting room corridor.
The crowd's roars from outside were already pounding through the walls like they were about to burst in.
I was doing some light stretches to loosen up. That's when Jinu, the national team's baby-faced rookie who'd also made the K League All-Star squad this time, sidled up to me all sneaky-like.
"Hyung."
"What."
"You see the articles? Shit hit the fan over you."
Jinu thrust his phone at me, all hyped up. On the screen was that moment a few days back when I'd ripped into the reporters—blown up huge.
Public Sides with Ryu Rion, Football Fans Cheer 'Refreshing Blast'
"You see the comments? They're calling you Light Lion. Everyone's saying it feels so damn good. But hyung, you sure you're okay? The association bigwigs won't just sit quiet."
His eyes were half worry, half awe.
I smirked at the innocent kid who still didn't know how the world worked.
"Jinu."
"Yeah?"
"Public opinion's like a wave. Feels like it's on my side now, right? But one shitty pass from me, and I'm the traitor. That's how this game goes. You can't play football getting all ups and downs over that crap."
"Ah... Hyung's mentality is on another level. I'd be too scared to sleep at night."
"That's why you're still a kid. Ignore it and focus on today's match. Time to show Celta Vigo what K League tastes like."
"Oh yeah! And hyung, you hear?"
Jinu's face lit up instantly. Eyes sparkling like the worry from seconds ago was a lie.
"Venus is doing the halftime show today!"
Venus.
I knew them. The fourth-gen girl group big-shot agency had hyped up big-time. Swept the charts on debut, and their latest track RUSH was blasting everywhere—even just walking down the street.
In stock terms, they were prime shares hitting the daily limit up.
"So."
"What do you mean 'so'? It's Venus! I'm a huge fan. Especially leader Chaeyoung—she's so pretty, right?"
Jinu was spitting as he ranted on.
I tilted my head.
"Eh. I like that other one."
"Who?"
"The Chinese member. What was her name."
"Oh, Xiaoyao?"
"Yeah. That haughty eye line's got charm."
"Whoa, hyung's got firm tastes. Xiaoyao's got that ice queen vibe. Her shaky Korean's kinda cute too."
Jinu rattled off member traits like a pro. Kid was raising his own stock as the national team's rookie defender, but idols turn his brain to mush.
I nodded half-assedly, thinking to myself. No big idol fanaticism here. Just sizing 'em up as potential lays.
Yeah, that Xiaoyao chick caught my eye. On stage, her expression wasn't some fake grin—it had this subtle, arrogant glare like she looked down on everyone. Suited my taste.
Then an event staffer approached.
"Players, attention please!"
The guy's face was flushed as he continued.
"In a bit, there's a quick photo op and signing with Venus in the lobby. Anyone interested, head over—we'd appreciate it!"
The room buzzed instantly.
Not just the young guns—even the married vets cleared throats and fixed their outfits.
Jinu grabbed my arm.
"Hyung! Let's go, hurry! Gonna get her to sign my uniform!"
"......"
Jinu was half-zoned out already. Fanboy shit? Or thinking like me? Looked fanboy-ish with all the idol hype.
I pondered a sec.
Signing, huh.
Honestly, autographs? Zero interest. Scribble on scrap paper—what's the point.
Old me would've skipped from sheer hassle. But in event matches like this Copa Play series, it's fan service. Players and idols snapping pics? That's buzz for fans, talk of the town. Why else drag idols here—eyes on the event mean hype, cash, repeat gigs. That's why they invited my Celta Vigo.
"Fine, let's go."
Hands in pockets, I followed Jinu to the lobby.
It was chaos—glitzy stage outfits from Venus members, players, camera crews everywhere.
"Hello! We're Venus!"
Cute greeting, flashes popped.
Players shuffled awkwardly for pics or shyly asked for signs.
Beasts on the pitch turned into lambs around pretty girls.
"Whoa... they're really pretty."
Jinu gawked, mouth agape, waiting his turn.
I hung back, arms crossed, watching. Time to be real with my thoughts.
Talented, hot-blooded young guys and girls meet? Eyes lock, sparks fly, hormones rage—nature's law.
Fans wanna delude themselves: 'My oppa only cares about soccer,' 'My unnie doesn't date.'
Bullshit.
This world's a damn Animal Kingdom.
Idol-athlete couples? Plenty under the radar.
Me? Straight up, more into sleeping with 'em than autographs.
Love's a draining hassle, but raw pull to a hot catch? No reason to fight it.
That's when it happened.
Locked eyes with Xiaoyao at the end of the signing line.
Fancy silver hair, cat-like eyes.
Unlike the others over-smiling, she kept it cool—faint smile for fans or players, posture all haughty.
Sensing my gaze, she turned and stared straight back.
"......"
"......"
Three seconds? Nah, five maybe.
Normal folks avert or awkward-smile-wave. Not her.
She scanned me top to bottom, bold as hell.
Like appraising window-shop goods. Or a predator spotting tasty prey.
Interesting.
I curled my lip up.
Jinu finished signing, waved me over.
"Hyung! Your turn—Xiaoyao's line's free!"
I strolled up slow.
Up close, her features were unreal.
She grabbed the marker, looked up.
"Sign for you?"
Clunky Korean accent. Voice low, seductive.
I leaned on the table, dipping close. Eye level.
Cameras zeroed in—I felt it.
Eyed her marker hand, then shook my head.
"Nah."
"......?"
Her brow twitched. What the fuck's this guy? Chinese, Korean—normal reaction. That's my charm.
"Not here for a signature."
"Then?"
"Just."
I stared into her eyes, whispered low.
"Real thing's better. Came to check."
Noise around us faded to a hum.
Her pupils widened, then crescented slim. Not flustered—amused smile.
"You too, player."
She murmured soft.
"Better than screen... rougher."
She shoved the paper aside, propped her chin, stared hard.
Beautiful, eyeing me with intrigue. Provocative glint.
Electrifying.
Way thicker than some fan-service scribble.
"I'll cheer your stuff. Xiaoyao, fighting."
Dropped that, turned clean.
"Huh? Hyung! No sign?"
Jinu sounded baffled behind me.
"Nah. Don't need it."
I slung an arm over stunned Jinu's shoulder, walked off.
Hot stare burned my back.
No need to check. Xiaoyao watching.
Flirt? Dating?
Nah, more like sparks flew. But odds of follow-up? Realistically low. Not 'cause I'm lacking or her. Top-shelf idols like that? Dating rumors explode fan rage. Paparazzi always lurking. Only vets with mileage weather it milder. My spot's no different—hot topic over idols, but scandal shifts attacks to her. With 50 Million Bandwagon Fans sniping, all-out war with Mo Chanhee's faction, now prakchis too—nonstop battles. When direct hits fail, they target my circle to fuck with me. So yeah, low odds. Realistic hookup? Some mid-tier idol I've vaguely heard of, or an actress. That's how it goes for real.