Chaebol Games 9: Women's Sports Sponsorship - Do You Know What "Pet Sports" Means for 191cm Moon Sae-rom?
Pet sports—do you know what that means? It's not some wholesome activity where you throw a frisbee and have animals fetch it. No, it's a nickname slapped on unpopular sports that desperately need massive corporate backing to survive. It usually gets tacked onto women's sports that draw zero crowds. Ever since the possession, I've been steadily hooking up with women. After fully indulging in my playboy life, fucking a different one every day, even average pretty girls started to bore me. I craved something more exotic. That's why I jumped in. Following my hobby of raising idols, I went all-in with this huge sponsorship.
"Excellent. Next up, the new sponsor chairman for the Stardust team—and the man rolling up his sleeves for women's volleyball—Hwaryeong Card CEO Cha Do-yeon will declare the season opener!"
The volleyball arena was decently packed. The caster hyped the crowd, then politely handed me the mic. I sauntered out to center court like I owned the place, catching all the sycophantic faces buttering me up.
Hmm... They hate the playboy, but money's just too damn sweet.
Spending what you earn hits different. As ad sponsor and dropping massive cash under my company's name, the volleyball execs bowed and scraped like whipped dogs. Trashy rumors be damned—the sponsor's king, so they slapped on their social masks without hesitation. Whatever. I'd seen it plenty at my own company; it didn't faze me. I don't crave the spotlight anyway, so no principal-style sermon. I tapped the mic and kept it short.
"Let's all do our best!"
Ultra-condensed announcement delivered, I handed the mic back to the stunned caster.
"Th-thank you for those short, concise words of encouragement from CEO Cha!"
Claps erupted from the caster's hype squad behind him. I ignored them, eyes flicking to the women's volleyball team lined up and waiting for the opener—my money-built squad.
Damn... Look at those long legs and thighs.
That was my reward for this massive investment. I'd rolled up my sleeves proper for women's sports development; now it was time to reap the sweet juice. Heh. Like picking your favorite treat from a chocolate box. My gaze especially locked on the tallest one.
"Sae-rom."
"Coach?"
After the match. In the locker room, stripping off my pads and wiping sweat with a towel, the coach approached. He rarely came in here out of respect for privacy and gender differences, so I wondered what was up.
"Actually, we got another call today."
"Ah..."
"You saw the guy who gave that short speech today, right? Our new sponsor rep. Hwaryeong Group's son—you've probably heard of him too, Sae-rom..."
"......"
"The rumors are a bit wild, but he's surprisingly gentlemanly. Anyway, the sponsor's a huge fan of yours... What do you think? No pressure vibes, so should I tell them you're busy again?"
He phrased it as "fan," but I'm no kid with my head in the clouds. Not in high school anymore—the reason for setting up these meetings disguised as fan meets was obvious.
"No, I've made up my mind. If he wants it that bad, I'll meet him."
"Y-you will?"
"Yeah, just text me the meeting spot photo. I'll change and head right over."
"Alright... Th-thanks, Sae-rom."
I grabbed a nearby water jug and chugged instead of answering, sucking it down with a thick straw till my gut filled. Then I let out a small sigh.
Who should really be thankful here...?
I thought that for a second. Then...
She slipped off her sweat-soaked uniform.
Women's volleyball in Korea is pretty popular. Top-tier among women's sports, solid salaries too. Still, it all boils down to sponsorships. In this busted domestic market, sports survive on corporate cash from above and betting from below. That's why my voice as the big-money sponsor rang extra loud.
"Whoa, a real fan, huh? Thanks for making time, player Moon Sae-rom."
"No, the honor's mine, sir."
I had to greet him looking up admiringly. Because that half-head-taller height was straight-up intimidating.
Moon Sae-rom. 22 years old, 191.7cm tall. Ace middle blocker for my acquired Stardust team. The tallest on the squad—a total physical beast. Turns out she'd debuted pro, got drafted to a weak team, and was carrying them solo to wins. Worth top pay, a real star in women's volleyball. Not just tall; insane work ethic too. The kind who'd regret not being born a man. Expression stiff and unfriendly, but killer looks and physique made her SNS-famous.
She really showed up just like that.
Moon Sae-rom rocked baggy shorts and a hoodie—loose and casual. Too chill for a sponsor meet, but somehow it fit her 22-year-old vibe. Made her bolder, which I liked even more.
"It's close, so shall we walk to the reserved spot?"
"Yes, sir."
Flat tone, trying to play it cool. Obvious tough-girl act to not seem intimidated by the sponsor boss.
"Tasty, right?"
"Yeah? Good."
At the fine dining spot I'd booked, I stuffed her full. Maybe the height, but she devoured everything without complaint. I'd soured on this fancy grub, but watching her tear in like a starved stray felt oddly satisfying.
"Don't get to places like this much as an athlete?"
"Nah, practice eats all my time."
"Figured. Coach said you dump every free minute into training."
To thaw the stiff vibe, I pivoted. "So, no dating scene either?"
"Some experience, but training's too brutal."
"Anyone you like or seeing now?"
"Well..."
Clink. She'd been politely responding, but now the fork hit the plate—uncomfortable. Tomboy short hair, ears exposed on the sides but longer bangs brushing under her brows to hide her face. She used it now, ducking her head and slipping away like bowing out.
"Excuse me, restroom."
She stood and strode off quick. Hands jammed in hoodie pockets, back fading. I got up too.
Hmm... Time to push things?
I shamelessly tailed my cute player into the women's restroom.
Whoosh...
"! Sir...?"
Women's restroom. Not peeing—just washing hands, lost in thought, it seemed. I barged in bold as brass and locked the door.
Click!
"!"
Then crept up, craning my 181cm neck to meet those eyes closer. Stroke♥
"!!!"
Straight-up groped her. Brushed that plump thigh under her shorts like no tomorrow. Soft yet springy—the delicious texture of a tall girl's body, finally mine.
"You're just taking this blatant move lying down?"
"......"
Yet Moon Sae-rom didn't stop me. I steamed a bit, but her bold front confirmed it.
"Moon Sae-rom, young but precocious in all the right ways."
"What... do you mean?"
"This dinner. You knew exactly what sitting with your sugar daddy sponsor meant, right?"
"......"
"You've heard the rumors about me, but you came anyway. Pretty brave."
She hid her flushed face with her hand. Thigh twitched faintly, but she didn't pull away. After holding out, she bowed her head and whispered.
"......Because I owe you, sir."
"Huh?"
"The new contract terms." Eyes half-lidded slyly. "Salary jacked up, bonuses added. Treatment like top male stars in popular sports... All thanks to your capital, right?"
"......"
"Plus, ratings spiked meaningfully today with you as sponsor. They watched 'cause who knows what scandal you'd pull."
She sighed.
"Look, you might know this, but even if I carry the team here, women's volleyball has limits. It can't grow big. If I dominate too hard and wins get lopsided, interest dies. Sports markets die without money and eyes on them."
Quietly adding, "So,"
"Taking this fat cash and extra attention now? All thanks to you. That's why I came, knowing full well."
Broad-minded beyond her years. Top prospect with record height, and that precocious brain to match.
Makes sense when you hear it.
Yeah, probably. Blasted to the top on raw talent, seen the view—and the ceiling. Peak achieved, limits spotted.
"So you accepted, rumors and all, to repay the material favor?"
"......"
Silence. I chuckled inwardly—but my lips twitched up anyway.
Damn, fresh catch♬
Her mindset was adorable. Adorable enough to match her boldness with my own.
"Mind if I ask a favor?"
"What... favor?"
Even as I groped her thigh openly, she braced for some weird play, face hardening wary. I grinned.
"Invite me to your place from now on?"
"......!"
That cracked her stiff mask. First flustered look since we met.