Sports Festival (7): Cheerleading Practice with White Sis Drags On
"You've improved a ton, huh?"
"Really?"
I gave a thumbs-up to my sister, who looked thrilled.
"Yeah, now that you've got the steps and movements down pat, you can tackle the rest with confidence."
"Whoa..."
Kim Hayan watched the video I'd filmed on my phone, looking deeply satisfied. Her skills had definitely leveled up since before.
But her moment of awe didn't last. She soon shrank back again.
"The sports festival's just days away, though... Think I can pull it off by then?"
It was true—less than a week left. We had to debut this in a few days, and she was only just starting to sync her arm movements to the beat. Plenty of rough edges remained.
"Think I can really nail it by then..."
Well, she'd been busting her ass, so a little encouragement was in order. I couldn't just bail irresponsibly now that Seonwoo and the flag event were toast.
"I think you can."
"For real?"
"Just a week ago, you couldn't even match one footstep. You kept mixing up directions. But look now."
More than anyone, I knew—having practiced and guided her every step. Her skills were steadily building.
"Yeah, I believe you'll crush it, so don't doubt yourself."
I meant every word. Love Chain had Seonwoo spouting something similar, but whatever.
"I'll pull an all-nighter practicing with you again tonight. Get ready."
"Okay. But aren't you tired?"
"I'm good. Can't sleep anyway. Let's perfect the moves first."
And so, the siblings dove back into practice late into the night.
Once practice wrapped, the siblings decided to take a break. Taeyang dozed off on the sofa, head nodding.
School relay practice plus home cheerleading with sis had piled up the fatigue.
As his eyes fully shut, Kim Hayan sat carefully beside him so as not to wake him. She gently leaned his head on her shoulder, and he slipped into a comfy sleep.
Her little brother helped despite his exhaustion, never showing a hint of complaint. He put in the effort with her and always lifted her spirits with kind words when she felt down. What sister could hate a brother like that?
Kim Hayan gazed at Kim Taeyang, smiling as she softly stroked his hair.
"Thanks always, Taeyangie."
To repay his faith, she'd redouble her efforts.
"I'll make you proud, little bro."
She laid him flat on the sofa, tucked him in with a blanket, then practiced solo with renewed vigor.
Taeyang entered the classroom and locked eyes with Yuyeong right away.
"Yuyeong?"
"Oh, hey. Morning."
"...You pushing too hard lately?"
"Huh?"
"You look wiped."
"Well..."
"Morning, Taeyang!!"
Before Yuyeong could reply, a bubbly voice rang from the door. Ha Eunju, who'd sniffed him out like a ghost, waved hello.
"Hey, morning."
"Good morning, Yuyeong too!"
"Yeah, morning."
Taeyang turned back to Yuyeong.
"Seriously, maybe hit the nurse?"
"Whoa, Yuyeong, everything okay?"
Taeyang and Eunju's eyes pinned on her.
"It's nothing. Just didn't sleep."
She forced a smile and waved it off as their gazes met.
"Alright... Get some rest then."
Her usually bright, big eyes were dull, dark circles heavy underneath. Even Taeyang, who'd brushed her off before, couldn't help worrying.
But Eunju swiftly changed the subject.
"She's fine, right? Anyway, Taeyang—did you watch that video I recced yesterday?"
"Nah, been busy."
"Busy? With what?"
"Eh... This and that."
"Aww, top secret?"
Yuyeong buried her head in her arms on the desk, listening to their chatter.
She really hadn't slept last night. Not just because her "hidden" otaku secret got exposed—but that was scary enough. What terrified her more was...
She peeked at the two, head still down. They were all chummy. Taeyang played hard to get at first but was totally hooked on Eunju now.
Do all guys like girls like her... Am I gonna lose Taeyang like this? I hate it. Hate suffering alone like this...
Haa~ Gotta confirm the facts first.
But soon, she lost the fight with her heavy eyelids and dozed off quietly. No sleep at all last night.
Is the rumor really spreading? Yuyeong wondered.
Eunju claimed word was out that "Lee Yuyeong's an otaku," but she couldn't buy it. If she were that gullible, she wouldn't have suspected Ha Eunju from the start.
No way she'd trust a fox who lied without blinking.
She'd verify if the rumor was real.
Couldn't ask friends outright. "Hey guys, heard any rumors I'm an otaku?" They'd think she was nuts. Even if true, they'd dodge it.
Test the waters? "Heard anything about me?" Nah—they'd either lie or dig in, potentially spreading it further.
Gotta eavesdrop secretly.
Rumors thrive without the subject around. She chatted with friends, then "stepped out," hiding her recording phone in her gym clothes on the desk.
Bathroom was prime gossip spot too. She took a stall near the sinks, ear cocked for chatter.
That girl did what behind our backs? Thought she was straight-laced... Oh wait, not important.
Tempting distractions, but she refocused. No sign of Eunju's rumor.
Instead, her friends buzzed about the "Taeyang-Yuyeong-Eunju love triangle."
Eunju's pretty and popular, so Taeyang must like her too.
That nearly made her explode, but no malice—just chatter. No otaku buzz in the girls' room either.
Ha Eunju, that lying bitch!!
That shady girl!! Yuyeong ground her teeth.
How'd she find out? Taeyang tell her? No, he was tight-lipped. And how she knew wasn't the point now.
The rumor was fake, but Eunju knew she was an otaku. She could spill anytime if pissed. Maybe the rumor was just a warning pretext: Stay away from Taeyang or I expose you.
Coming from the school's idol, it'd stick.
"She's making me choose."
Hide her otaku life and ditch Taeyang? Or face her head-on and own the rumor?
"Hoo~ What should I do, sis?"
Frustrated, she perched by the window, muttering to herself. Memories flooded back—of that serious talk with Hayan sis...
It was at the amusement park, when Min Iri and Yuyeong nearly fought. After separating them, Kim Hayan took Yuyeong to a café.
"Pick whatever—my treat."
"Th-thanks."
Seated, her head cooled. Once calm, Hayan spoke softly, more curious than accusatory.
"So why push Taeyang into soccer club?"
"Well... He still loves soccer but avoids it due to trauma."
"Trauma?"
"Yeah. Told me he hates it. But he seems to love it deep down..."
She'd hoped convincing him might reopen his heart.
"Hmm..."
Hayan knew nothing of his trauma, naturally. Grasping the gist, she pressed.
"So basically, you like Taeyang?"
"Huh?! How'd it jump there?"
"Duh? You don't go this far for a guy you're meh on."
"I just..."
"No need to waste time on someone you're not into, right?"
"Uh..."
Yuyeong's face flushed. The logic cornered her.
She realized her feelings: snapping at him over the breakup misunderstanding, lunging for his notes—all bids for attention. Even soccer push might've been to get closer.
"..."
"Be honest—I can help."
"...Yeah, I think so."
She admitted it.
"I like Taeyang."
"Good girl for being straight."
"But... he avoids me."
"Hmm... I think I know why."
"Really?"
"Yeah, from what you said about trauma..."
Hayan paused, then answered.
"Asked him his type once."
Yuyeong perked up at "Taeyang's ideal type."
"He hates clingy, obsessive girls."
"What? Oh..."
She finally got it—her crazy moments.
"Asked for fun, but he got dead serious."
"...Something happen to him?"
Not that serious, but Hayan amped it up.
"Didn't say, but there's a reason."
"What reason..."
"Dunno. Not like I know everything as his sis."
"..."
Yuyeong figured she'd triggered another trauma. No wonder he recoiled...
"Since you're peers getting close, as his sis, I just don't want him hurt."
Don't cling to my brother. Gentle version.
"Worried some weirdo might latch on... So, Yuyeong."
Can you help make sure Taeyang doesn't get hurt?
Hayan saw through her instantly. Yuyeong hyperfixated on one thing, blind to surroundings—a classic "tunnel-vision" type.
Easy fix: Give her another fixation. Framed it as Taeyang struggling with "opposite-sex relations," maybe due to "obsession" trauma.
Obvious—Yuyeong, immersed as the "heroine," would dial back clinginess. And she did.
Can you protect Taeyang from getting hurt?
Hayan's plea echoed. Yuyeong peeled from the window.
Right—no obsessing, but couldn't just sit idle.
"Gotta protect Taeyang."
That liar, wedge-driver—shady girl would hurt him for sure.
"Can't leave him to a creep like her."
She stormed out, spotting Eunju and Taeyang chatting in the hall.
"Yuyeong! Check this!"
Eunju grinned, pointing at the bulletin.
Dodgeball semifinal tomorrow—Yuyeong vs. Ha Eunju, both entrants.
"We're up in semis. Let's do our best."
Yuyeong stared stone-faced; Eunju beamed cutely.
"Oh, don't throw too hard~ Scary, y'know."
"Ha Eunju."
"Yeah?"
"Step aside. Talk."
Left Taeyang, faced off alone.
"Haha, what's up suddenly?"
"Sorry, can't help you."
Eunju twitched, but smiled innocently.
"Huh? No idea what you mean."
"So block my rumor or not—no need. Spread it if you want."
"........."
"........."
Chilly silence, broken only by spring breeze through the window.
Eunju's smile faded slowly.
"Playing it like that?"
"Don't wanna lose Taeyang. Especially not to you."
Tension peaked; Eunju snorted.
"Fine. Bring it if you can."
Now openly looking down on her.
Yuyeong glared up fiercely.
"Give it your all~ Got it?"
Next day. Yuyeong's class vs. Eunju's—dodgeball players awaited semis.
"Players, prepare to enter."
Teams lined up; lead girls locked glares.
"Yuyeong, no hard feelings—fair play?"
She cocked her head: What bullshit is this?
"Duh?"
"Not the game—Taeyang."
"What?"
Eunju smiled sweetly, proposing.
"Loser of this dodgeball cleanly gives up Taeyang."
"So you're forfeiting?"
Irked by her smug grin, Yuyeong smiled back and took the bet.
Thus began the semis where Taeyang rooted for neither.