Vacation (1)
I opened my eyes at 3 p.m. the next day.
"Aigoo, my head..."
Memories of the previous night flooded back vividly. After securing our promotion to Division 3 league, we'd all ordered a ton of food we craved and thrown a party in the players' dorm. What came after was pure chaos of excitement and revelry.
Seona, chugging soda and claiming she was drunk, going wild; Eunjae next to her dancing her heart out; Yuna strumming an air guitar for backup; Hayoung clapping like a seal and cheering them on; and Sera, right beside me, smiling nonstop as she munched sushi and waved to the others...
We'd celebrated our victory with food and drinks all night until we passed out, and somehow I'd made it back to my room... or had I?
Rubbing my eyes, I finally noticed the room looked different from where I usually slept.
A huge table in front held half-eaten pizza, chicken, and pig's feet. Empty soda bottles rolled across the floor. And crucially—on the sofa behind me, Yuna was asleep; Seona and Eunjae sprawled on the floor hugging pillows and each other, snoring away; Sera dozing with her head on my shoulder. Everyone except Hayoung, who'd apparently gone back to her own room, was crashed out here.
This is insane... Even if they're my team, crashing in a room full of girls like this?
Careful not to wake Sera, I shifted, supported her head, slipped out, and laid it gently on a fluffy cushion.
The only sounds in the room were the girls' soft breathing and occasional snores.
It was already late afternoon, so I considered waking them but decided against it.
It's vacation anyway.
Our summer season had ended yesterday. Starting today, we had a long two-week break.
Mid-August marked the end of domestic leagues everywhere as global Eternal Combat shifted to TIC mode. For the roughly two weeks of TIC, everyone took time off.
Then came the fall stove league period, with winter season kicking off after. That left us with nearly four months of downtime. Sure, excluding this vacation, rest days would be scarce.
"Coach?"
"Gah!"
Daydreaming about the schedule ahead, I'd just grabbed a slice of leftover pizza when a sudden voice made me jump, nearly dropping it.
Turning toward the sound, I saw Sera sitting up, blinking her round eyes at me.
"Oh, hey. Sera. You're up?"
"Whatcha doing?"
"Nah, go back to sleep. Sorry, I crashed out here with you guys... This is ridiculous. I'll head out, so rest up nice and—"
"You rest too, Coach."
"Me? I'm fine. Was just about to leave—"
"Rest."
Her stubborn gaze made me groan and slump back onto the sofa. Sera scooted over and leaned her head on my shoulder.
"Coach, we really made it to Division 3, right?"
"Yeah, that's your achievement."
"...Thanks."
With that, she slyly looped her arms around mine in a hug.
"This is the first time I've properly accomplished something on my own. You're the first one who showed me I don't have to fight everyone just to avoid being trampled or ignored. Thank you."
She buried her face against me.
I started to pat her head like usual but hesitated.
Lately, I'd felt her growing unusually close—subtle touches, constant glances my way.
I'd chalked up the touches to training accidents and the stares to focus on my words. But now, watching her, it hit me clear as day.
Sera saw me as a man.
A beauty like her liking me? Instinct screamed in joy. But my rational side flickered with unease.
I'd deliberately kept boundaries strict—no casual speech with players, always formal titles. To avoid getting too close and hesitating when tough love was needed.
Before regression, sure, fans adored me—but only after fame and fortune.
Here, with nothing to my name, a girl like Sera initiating hugs? If that didn't thrill you, something was wrong down there.
Honestly, I was over the moon, dying to hug her back... but superhuman restraint kicked in, reason overriding instinct.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
...Damn right I'm a man.
I ignored the incessant status window beeps. No way was I kissing her or anything here.
Dumb thing can't read the room.
I dropped my hand from her head and gently pried my arm free from her grasp.
"Managing players' mentality is just part of a coach's job. No need to overthink it."
I clearly saw disappointment shake her eyes. Undeterred, she reached for me again.
"Guys, wake up! It's vacation—wanna waste it sleeping in the dorm?"
Her hand fell. Dodging her glare, I woke the others.
"Up! Anyone heading home, go now! Stuff your faces till dawn and sleep till now? You'll turn into pigs!"
One by one, they rubbed their eyes, yawning hugely. Smiles lingered—either from the Division 3 high or relishing real rest since going pro.
"Seona, get up."
"Huuuuh—"
Seona alone snored louder than most guys, still out.
"Hey, Kim Seona. How long you gonna sleep?"
"Coach, words won't work on her."
Hayoung, emerging from her room, nodded at Seona.
"She won't? But she's never late for practice."
"We wake her up."
Yuna chimed in.
"How? You hit her?"
"What do you take me for? Hayoung, demo it."
"Ugh, no. It's pervy."
"You've done it before."
Yuna groaned, stood from the sofa, and approached sprawled Seona. She wiggled her fingers.
Eunjae, Hayoung, and Sera averted their eyes knowingly.
"Wake up, you big-boobed cow!"
Yuna grabbed Seona's ample chest over her clothes.
"Huuuuh—Kyaa!"
Seona jolted up with a weird yelp.
"Argh, I told you not to grab my boobs when waking me! They're sensitive! You're not a perv, why—Mommy!!!"
Covering one side and rubbing her eyes, she spotted my flushed face and leaped again.
Her face burned twice as red.
"C-Co-Coach? Why are you heeeere?"
"Guess we all passed out here after eating and drinking yesterday."
Calm Yuna's reply left Seona stammering, glaring at her.
"Y-You did that... in front of Coach?!"
"Yeah, demoing how to wake you since you wouldn't budge."
"Y-You... bitch!!!!!!"
Seona shrieked, hurling a cushion; Yuna caught it casually.
"Cha Yuna, you punk—how am I supposed to do that?"
"Huh? Coach can't do everything? Need help?"
Yuna darted behind, slipped her arms under Seona's, and pinned her lightly.
She nudged Seona's back, thrusting her chest forward. Those impressive assets asserted themselves boldly.
"Like this?"
"Wh-Wha-What are you... You! Cha Yuna, I'll kill you!!!"
"Heh heh, you love it usually."
"Cut the crap and let go. And you're getting punched."
I flicked Yuna's forehead for her pervert line.
After the rowdy wake-up, before heading home, we grabbed a super-late lunch in the team cafeteria.
"Aigoo, you lot are late. Was about to clear up—perfect timing. Eat up. Rice cold? I'll heat it."
"Heard you won and moved up? Good job, kids. Hustle while young."
"Heehee, thanks, aunties!"
"No need—we're good! Thanks for the meal!"
The cafeteria aunties congratulated our match results. We ate somewhat cold but heartwarmingly tasty food in high spirits.
"Rest fully on vacation, but adjust back—no more sleeping in like today. Early bird gets the worm, but we slept late and ate cold rice."
"Huh? Bird? Got a funny joke!"
"Here we go."
"This one's gold, trust me. What's the heaviest, dumbest bird?"
"Seona, please no..."
Yuna and Hayoung cringed.
"Why the faces?"
"Seona does dad jokes every night in the dorm. Ignore her."
Sera answered for me.
"Huh? Know it? Heaviest, dumbest bird! Coach, what~?"
"No clue."
"Owl! All-Femi! Lmao! Owl! Puhahaha! Ow!"
Eunjae flicked Seona's forehead and pinched her cheek.
"Ow! Why hit! It hurts!"
"Must've caught Yuna-unnie's disease of slapping lame joke tellers."
"Beneficial disease."
"Coach, too mean!"
After the team dispersed home, Seona hailed a taxi.
"Where to?"
"Namsan Seoul Park Hill entrance, please."
The cab arrived at her destination in about 20 minutes.
Seona stepped out and entered the complex.
Passing vast lawns and grand houses, she swiped a security card at a flashy mansion's gate.
The gate opened to a 3,000-square-foot lawn garden—dozens of trees, parasol benches, manicured flowerbeds and pond, even a pool. Finally at the entrance, she swiped another card. A beep, the door unlocked, and she entered the palace-like home.
Inside, Seona locked eyes with a middle-aged woman dusting a vase near the entry.
"Auntie, I'm home!"
"Oh my! Miss Seona! Months since last time!"
The woman dropped her work, rushed over, and gripped Seona's hands excitedly. Seona glanced around quietly.
"Dad's not here, right?"
"No, Chairman's swamped lately."
"Mom?"
"Madam's on vacation today, in her room. Tell her you're here?"
"Nah, I'll go."
"Aigoo, look how thin! Food there that bad?"
"No way! Way better than Chef's. Shh—don't tell him!"
"Pfft, of course. Go up— she'll be thrilled."
"Thanks! Keep up the good work~"
Seona dashed past the orange chandelier-lit first floor, up the stairs to the third.
Several rooms there, but she bolted straight to one in the corner.
"Mom, I'm home!"
"Oh, Seona!"
Her mom, knitting inside, beamed and ran to her.
"Mom! Did you watch my match yesterday?"
"Of course—how could I miss my pretty girl's game? Good job, baby. Took days off knowing you'd come."
"Heehee, thanks. Cheer me on forever. I'll win Division 3, climb to 2 and 1, even internationals. Then shove it in Dad's face—he'll be speechless!"
"That's my girl. What wanna do on break?"
"Lounge, game a bit... Shop tomorrow, been ages."
"Um... Seona. About that..."
Her mom hesitated, peeking at her face. Seona tilted her head.
"Yeah? What?"
"The capsules... Your dad found them days ago and tossed them all. I tried stopping him, but..."
"...Huh?"