Sports Festival (2)
The day after roles were assigned, sports festival practice kicked off in earnest after school.
"Alright, relay team, gather at the track on the field."
We changed into our gym clothes and assembled at the athletics track. It was already packed with kids from other classes and grades—competition was fierce. They must've decided to rotate practice turns.
"Let's time everyone first and then figure out the order."
"Sounds reasonable."
Things were off to a smooth start. But my heart was pounding. Sorry to the others, but I really needed this to wrap up quick...
One day wasn't enough for cheerleading practice. We'd drilled hard yesterday, but there were still tons of rough spots. At this rate, it was gonna be tough to help Hayan noona out. Sure, in Love Chain, if Seonwoo builds flags like he does, he suggests practicing together and it's fine even if she can't dance... but I had to take the lead as much as possible. That way, Hayan noona would rely on me more than on Seonwoo.
"Next up, Taeyang."
"If I post a good time, can we wrap this up early?"
I tossed it out playfully.
"Hmm... We still gotta work on baton passes and strategy, but yeah, good times would help."
I nodded and stepped up to the starting line.
"Ready!"
Thinking about it, this felt a bit unfair. School rules barred club athletes from class competitions in the sports festival. They competed in inter-club events instead. But up until last year, I'd been on another school's soccer team. No one knew except Yuyeong.
Maybe I should've been upfront after signing up for relay and bowed out. Too late for regrets now, though—with everyone so fired up, speaking up might just hype them more. So I kept quiet.
Anyway, one fact: to compensate for my short stature back then, I'd honed my speed.
"Go!"
In an instant, the air whooshed past me. It wasn't the wind—it was my body slicing through it at full throttle. I hit the end of the track in a flash.
"...Is this for real?"
The kid with the timer was stunned, so I checked the mark. Eh... No training for a while had tanked my record. Bitter, but I wasn't itching to push it higher, so I moved to brush it off—until everyone swarmed me.
"You were in a club?!"
"Before transferring..."
Figured it'd leak. I glanced around; kids from other classes stared in disbelief. One group was already yelling about protesting "club cheating."
"Not at this school, right?"
"Nah, transferred just two months ago. No plans for clubs here."
"Ugh... If we wanna avoid drama, we gotta tell the class rep ahead of time."
"Should I sit this out?"
"Absolutely not!"
Tch, so much for heading home early. Anyway, I got picked as the anchor leg—the classic strategy where the last runner covers for any deficits and overtakes. The class rep said she'd bring it up with the festival prep committee tomorrow. Better to disclose than hide and tank the class's rep.
By tomorrow, word would spread that I was ex-soccer. Whatever. No point hiding it when Yuyeong already knew. No worries about clubs recruiting me either. By third year middle school, it's too late for that—they prefer fresh blood to train for next year's seniors. And displacing starters for a transfer? Nah.
Oh, Yuyeong's a freak exception, though. No clue why she'd drag a third-year like me into soccer, but she claimed Pullyip Middle and Pulkkot High clubs linked up, so middle school experience smoothed the high school path. Blabbed about aiming for nationals—ignored her. Looks like even she's given up now, so no more club drama for me.
That was what I thought, at least.
————
With a rough plan set, relay practice went self-directed. Those needing more laps kept at it; others bailed when done. My current time wasn't my peak, but plenty for class comps. I made excuses about being busy, said bye, and they let me go—no complaints at my level.
"Head home and see noona in her cheer outfit, all hyped up."
Now for the real priority.
"I'm home!"
"Welcome back!"
"Taeyang, welcome home~"
As expected, Gahee noona was here too.
"Taeyang! Taeyang!"
As I stepped into the living room, an excited noona rushed up.
"Taeyang, how do I look?"
Hayan noona spun dramatically. White frilly sleeve cuffs, flashy red vest fluttering, and a shimmering red miniskirt—way too short?—exposing a bit too much thigh.
I gave my honest take.
"You got bloomers on properly, right?"
"That's your first reaction?"
She'd just flashed the outfit yesterday, but seeing it on? Didn't realize the skirt was this short. I get it's a guy-targeted dating sim, designed to appeal... but on my actual sister? Not thrilled.
Hayan noona looked disappointed at my lack of hype.
"Obviously. That skirt flips easy during cheers."
"Aww, worried about me?"
"Don't need you dragged into hassle."
"Taeyang's so sweet~"
Maybe my concern got through—she beamed and ruffled my hair. Quit treating me like a kid. Glancing aside, Gahee noona fidgeted, hand twitching up then down. Bet she wanted a head pat too, squirming.
But priorities: block Hayan noona's flags first. Gahee later. Even as a potential yandere, she wouldn't snap to Stage 2 just for a pat or cuteness now.
"Anyway, minus the exposure, it looks good."
"Hehe, don't worry. Bloomers are on proper."
She nodded happily at my praise.
"But noona, you like dancing?"
"Huh?"
"Never seen you dance, let alone cheer."
Living as siblings, zero memories of Hayan noona doing choreography. Doesn't suit her vibe anyway.
"Haha... Got nominated on a whim. Moves are simple, though—no biggie."
Gahee noona smiled awkwardly beside her. Probably knew how bad Hayan noona was.
"Show me."
"Haha... Haven't mastered it yet."
"Play the video and follow along."
"Can I practice more first?"
"How you gonna perform if you can't even show your brother?"
"Ugh..."
She wasn't budging. Before Gahee noona could intervene, I upped the ante.
"Even if it's bad, show me and I'll handle dinner prep through dishes."
"...That eager to see?"
She looked flustered—rare for her little bro to push like this.
"Just curious since you're cheering."
I gazed up pleadingly.
"Please, noona?"
"Ughhh..."
Ignoring Gahee noona's anxious whine, I pressed.
"Fine, guess I have to."
Blushing hard—shy to dance for her brother—she mumbled,
"Don't laugh if it's bad."
I know, no worries. More like I'd stifle a sigh at the disaster. Kept that to myself.
She fired up the video and started following—sorta.
"Mm..."
Worse than her timid practice yesterday. Moves unfinished, unlike the pros. Timid arms barely spreading, steps tangling—precarious to watch. Off-beat from watching, plus lost direction from nerves.
"You can stop."
"Hnnng..."
She buried her face, groaning in shame. Rare sight, and it worried me—how would she nail cheers like this? Game says she pulls it off eventually, though.
That's my noona—I trusted and offered tips. Had to beat Seonwoo to helping.
"Overall, too timid."
"R-really?"
"Yeah, video arms go wide; yours shrink from nerves. Overthinking steps shows."
"It's my first time..."
"Right, Taeyang. Hayan's just starting."
Gahee noona stepped in, like don't be harsh. I dodged casually, refocused on Hayan noona.
"Still, you'll nail it, noona."
"Really?"
Her face brightened at my encouragement.
"Yeah. I'll help however I can, full effort."
"Then you dance too, Taeyang."
"Me? Suddenly?"
"Feels unfair if it's just me."
"Great idea!!"
Gahee noona... slipping into formal speech from excitement? She clamped her mouth, calming down.
"If our Kim Taeyang teacher demos, she'll follow better, right?"
Now Hayan noona's doing it too? Situation roleplay? Teacher bit's fine, but...
"How am I supposed to dance this? Just saw it."
"I just learned today too."
She puffed her cheeks.
"Not gonna embarrass just me, right?"
"Hmm..."
Whatever, in for a penny. I'd dial back Gahee noona's affection post-festival. In Love Chain, Stage 1 yandere drops with effort. Scary, but not unpredictable like Yuyeong. Just stickier than pre-onset.
That's why I avoided, but dancing once wouldn't spike her to 2. Calc: slight affinity bump worth securing my spot as Hayan noona's cheer support.
"Fine. Anything to help your practice."
Gahee noona sighed dreamily. Please stay Stage 1. Fixable, but scary.
Risk accepted, I stepped up.
"Hey, to give proper feedback, better record it, right?"
Gahee noona's transparent ploy.
"Eh... No need for mine."
"Oh?"
"Record Hayan noona if anything."
"Ugh..."
I shut it down sharp; she deflated, pocketing her phone.
I played the video and danced—awkwardly, but earnestly. Less rusty than yesterday. Embarrassing, but for noona.
"......Taeyang. Why are you good at this?"