Formation (3): A Locker Room Embrace
Tae-il had stepped away briefly to use the bathroom when his pocket buzzed with a vibration.
"Hm?"
He paused while washing his hands at the sink and hurriedly checked the caller ID. It was Sakuya.
Tae-il answered immediately. "Hello?"
"Haha. Hearing your voice makes it way better. Whatcha up to?"
She hadn't sounded like this yesterday, but today Sakuya's voice dripped with a sultry sweetness that made Tae-il wonder. He kept his tone neutral, sticking to the facts.
"In the bathroom."
Hearing that, Sakuya smirked mischievously on the other end.
"Bathroom? Ahh, no wonder. You were surrounded by all those girls... Must've been tough holding it in, huh, Tae-il?"
At the pool, Tae-il had stood out—not so much himself, but the flock of girls around him. Even in the athlete waiting area, the female competitors weren't the only ones buzzing; the guys were grumbling too, wondering just who that kid was.
Sakuya found it fascinating. Seeing Tae-il swarmed by girls should've irked her as a girl herself, yet her smile never faded.
Maybe that was why?
"What're you talking about? It wasn't like that."
"Wasn't like what~?"
Sakuya teased right back at his serious tone.
"…."
Tae-il fell silent. Answering would only play into her trap.
When he didn't bite, Sakuya switched tactics.
"How 'bout this? Guess what I was thinking."
"No thanks."
He shut it down flat. Whatever he picked, it'd end with him getting roasted.
Tae-il could already predict her pranks just from that playful lilt in her voice.
"If you guess right, I'll grant any wish. Still no?"
"Like I'd wish for something you'd actually grant."
"I'd grant anything if it's your wish~?"
"Not falling for it."
"Boo, you're no fun. Have you finally figured out my patterns?"
Tae-il chuckled. He could perfectly picture her pouting, lips pursed in mock complaint.
"Obviously. Humans learn, y'know. Didn't you know that?"
"Hey! Don't learn, then. You're killing my vibe."
"Zugiyo~?"
Tae-il teased back playfully at her whining, and Sakuya burst into laughter.
He shook the water from his hands and gripped his smartphone tighter.
"You guys on break right now?"
"Yeah."
"Eaten yet?"
"Nah, about to."
Sakuya planned a light calorie-controlled meal before prepping steadily for the afternoon finals. Her voice carried the easy confidence of someone who'd breezed through qualifiers in first.
"You sound super chill. Feeling good about winning?"
"Duh."
Sakuya puffed up with pride, her voice brimming with self-assurance.
"Just sit tight and prep to celebrate my win."
"Got it. That's the plan."
Tae-il trusted her completely—no doubts needed. Just like every Interhigh before, Sakuya would claim victory today too.
"Oh, right. Anything you wanna eat? Rena was asking."
"Hmm. Something I wanna eat?"
At his question, Sakuya's voice suddenly turned buttery smooth, like she'd slathered it on thick.
"Funny you ask... One thing just popped into my head~."
Her tone was so syrupy, anyone would've assumed something naughty. Tae-il couldn't help picturing the owner of that voice—a voice actress famous for her sultry roles, maybe? He tried treating them as separate, but the association stuck.
As if reading his mind, Sakuya amped up the seduction on purpose.
"All that intense training got me craving something... hard and... thick~?"
It was blatant sexual harassment. Instead of playing dumb, Tae-il deftly dragged Rena into it to change the subject.
"Yeah, well, if there's something you really want, tell Rena. She's all fired up to stuff you full."
Sakuya's voice deflated noticeably.
"Ehh. No fun…."
"Why not?"
Tae-il stonewalled her shamelessly, and she grumbled.
"You've turned into a total slick operator, Tae-il."
"All thanks to your expert training."
"Just you wait. After Interhigh, I'll train you hard."
"Huh?"
Sakuya pivoted.
"Nothin'. Anyway, got time lately?"
"Hold on…."
Tae-il mentally sorted his schedule. Animal Husbandry Club, Light Music Club, short-term part-time gigs—including a rehearsal room job he'd snagged as his finances bottomed out. Add personal lessons and meetups with members, and it was packed tight. If he squeezed….
"Tomorrow afternoon's totally free. No plans, probably."
"For real?"
He'd expected it'd take longer to clear time, but tomorrow worked—and her voice perked up.
"Then wanna go on a date with me tomorrow?"
"A date?"
The sudden invite surprised him less than worried him. "Won't you be wiped from Interhigh?"
"Don't worry about it. I've been managing my condition this whole time. A good morning sleep, and I'll be fine."
"Well, sure, I'd love that. Actually, there's something personal I wanna tell you."
"Great minds, huh? Tomorrow afternoon it is, then. Cool?"
"Yeah."
He needed to ask about her joining the band. It was way later than in the original, but Interhigh's impact on her career made timing tricky.
Explain the band's perks, and if push comes to shove, sell out Rena….
I want to make music with you.
Tae-il took a light breath and resumed walking. Rounding the corner past the hallway led to the low stairs toward the spectator seats and exit. He reached for the door handle.
Just before pressing down.
"And, um…."
Creak. The door rattled.
Tae-il froze, listening quietly for what came next.
"It's a bit pushy, but…."
Tae-il's eyes softened. Asking carefully like that was hardly pushy.
"Could you come here now? If the girls make it awkward, no biggie…!"
"Where are you?"
Without hesitation, he turned from the exit.
Huff. Tae-il's ears caught the faint tremor in her breath—something others might miss. But Sakuya? No way she'd shake like that without reason.
Tap-tap-tap! Hurrying down the stairs to the first-floor lobby, her voice came again.
"In front of the changing room?"
Tae-il's steps faltered. "…That okay for me to show up?"
"Kh-huh! Why not? You strutted right up confidently last time~?"
"Yeah, but that time I wasn't alone…."
Plus, back then the changing room wasn't pool-related, so less mental baggage. This was different.
Apparently not to Sakuya. She pressed him.
"Don't chicken out. Like last time, hang at the end of the hall—you'll see me."
"…Got it. First floor?"
"Yeah."
Tae-il hung up and searched for the changing room. Following signs, he soon reached the women's hallway—thankfully sparse, probably everyone at lunch.
At the quiet end, Sakuya leaned against the wall, her wavy hair loose from the swim event.
"Phew."
Tae-il steadied his breath, then stomped lightly to announce himself.
Click. Her head snapped up at the echo in the empty hall. Their eyes met, and he waved.
"Wait long?"
"Nah."
Sakuya smirked and shook her head.
"I just got here too—hardly 'waiting.'"
"Good."
As Tae-il strode up to lean beside her, Sakuya grabbed his arm.
"Sakuya?"
Without warning, she yanked him into a tight hug.
Tae-il's eyes went wide. He instinctively inhaled—the thick, chlorine scent of the pool hit him.
"Uh…."
Embarrassment flushed his face red. His hands hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure.
"Sorry."
Sakuya apologized—and hugged tighter. More than the soft press of her chest or her warm body heat, he felt the tremor and anxiety she'd hidden so well.
"Just wanna stay like this a bit. That okay?"
"Y-yeah…."
Tae-il gently patted her back. She wasn't bawling or even tearing up, but to him, she looked utterly drained.
Makes sense, thinking about it. She's still a minor….
Sakuya was a girl chasing one dream. Defying family, throwing a bit of a tantrum to bolt from her comfy Okinawa home. Sure, parental consent as her guardians smoothed it, but facing family head-on must've been awkward with her impulsive teen heart.
And the distance….
Guilt, regret, fragile teenage pride, and that intense adolescent ego—all tangled in Sakuraba Sakuya's reality, tormenting her every moment.
Unlike Rena, her conflicts lingered unresolved till the original story's end. Her only line: Once I'm more successful than now, I'll have the guts to contact family proudly.
Tae-il knew that feeling. He'd clung to the delusion that music success would win back his family, enduring alone till he crumbled in failure.
Sakuya wouldn't.
She'll succeed.
Tae-il stroked her back soothingly.
Faster than the original. I'll make it happen. And get her to march home head high.
He vowed silently. Failure was fine. No success? Okay. But he'd ensure no one regretted the band. Make it something to boast about.
Sakuya regained her calm from him; Tae-il renewed his resolve from her.
Only after a long while.
"Phew."
Sakuya let go with a short sigh.
"Sorry. Caught you off guard?"
Tae-il gave her a soft smile, no words needed.
"Got a bit down."
"No biggie."
Everyone had weak sides words couldn't capture. Sakuya was no exception.
Tae-il actually cherished this human side of her—and that she'd let her guard down with him.
"If it's tough, hug more. I got you."
"For real?"
"If I'm not enough, want me to call Rena? She's smaller—easier to hold~?"
Tae-il joked lightly, and Sakuya giggled.
"Pass. She'd blow up."
"Hm…."
Would Rena? Tae-il pictured her shamelessly clinging to him despite being a guy, and smiled ambiguously.
Sakuya gripped his shoulders one last time, stepping back with a sigh, head bowed.
"Haaah. Sorry for worrying you. I'm good now. Fully recharged on Tae-il essence."
"What's that supposed to mean…?"
"The nutrient that makes me mopey and pissed if I'm missing it?"
Did that exist? Hunger did make you grumpy, though.
Tae-il interpreted loosely and scolded her. "What'll you do without me?"
"Right?"
Sakuya grinned and slid down to sit against the wall. Tae-il joined her side by side.
"Why else would I act up without my Tae-il?"
"Gotta take responsibility?"
"Duh. You've sinned deep, mister."
"Mm."
His shoulders suddenly felt heavy; Tae-il rolled them out.
"Hey."
Sakuya tilted her head onto her knee, gazing sideways at him.
"Don't you have someone like that? Makes you anxious if they're not around."
"Mm. Kinda do."
"Who?"
"Ayane? Childhood friend, and yeah, I get uneasy without her in sight…."
"Ugh. Minus her. She's cheating."
"Minus Ayane? Ngh…."
Sakuya's glare at Ayane's name made Tae-il groan. Post-vending machine incident, their rift had deepened—far from the original dynamics. Tae-il scratched his nose bridge awkwardly.
"Sorry. Seems like Ayane's it for now."
"Reaally…?"
Her disappointed look hit hard. Tae-il stayed cool, adding casually,
"But there's someone whose presence just calms me."
"…Who?"
Sakuya leaned in, skeptical yet hopeful.
Tae-il stifled a laugh at her face, then pressed a finger to his lips dramatically.
And shushed her theatrically.
"Secret."
"Hey!"
"Ahahaha!"
"Took you long enough?"
Iris shot a glare at Tae-il, who arrived panting with drinks clutched to his chest.
"You're late, Shin!"
Rena, who'd been leaning on Iris, jumped up too, eyebrows arched as she closed in.
"Don't tell me you actually did that in the bathroom…?"
"Heyheyhey!"
Tae-il bellowed to drown her out. He wanted to clamp her mouth, but the drinks blocked him.
"Don't say that stuff where people can hear, you girl!"
"Eww. You sound like some boomer, Shin? Straight outta old-man bingo."
"This ain't about boomers!"
"Puhahaha!"
Not wrong. It was about his public rep first.
Iris caught the urgency in his voice and cracked up.
Tae-il sullenly glared at her before calling Ayane.
"Ayane, help me out a sec?"
"Mhm."
Ayane—the one he'd expected to grill him—approached without fuss.
"Heavy, right? Gimme. Ayane'll carry."
"Thanks."
Ayane split the drinks from his arms, then slyly buried her nose in his chest.
And.
Sniff sniff.
"…."
Like a puppy, she inhaled his scent.
"Ayane?"
"Hm? What, Shin-nyang? Something for Ayane?"
"No, uh… why sniff me all sudden?"
"Just did."
Tae-il stared blankly; Ayane straightened with an innocent smile.
"Checked if Shin-nyang smelled like night-blooming flowers or perfume. Why?"
Did she even know what night-blooming flowers smelled like?
"…."
Tae-il went quiet. Ayane suddenly scared him.
"Yup. Just pool smell. Safe!"
"Oh?"
Self-proclaimed scent detective Ayane vouched for his innocence, and everyone nodded in relief. Proof she was reliable on this stuff, at least.
Tae-il was dumbfounded by their reactions.
"My, uh, trustworthiness that low?"
"Ahaha. It's fine. Not your cred—they lack trust."
Ayane subtly dissed the others.
Rena scoffed.
"Like you're innocent. Who's the biggest suspicion machine here?"
"Ayane trusts Shin-nyang, though?"
Ayane glared back, sidling closer to Tae-il.
Rena shrugged—Flirting again—and lost interest, chatting with Iris.
Ayane seized the gap, whispering in his ear.
"Shin-nyang."
"Y-yeah?"
"I'll let it slide this time?"
"…Huh?"
His face paled fast.
"Hehe. Oh, this one's mine. Thanks, Shin-nyang!"
"S-sure…."
Maybe Ayane knew everything.
Tae-il swallowed hard, tugging his stuffy collar.
"Can't win with you guys…."
He shrugged with a rueful, laughing sigh.