Clash

Ji-won fell heavily to the floor. Min-hyuk’s voice cut through the air, sharp with panic. "Hey, Ji-won-ah!"

​Park Tae-oh stared down at Ji-won in disbelief. After a heartbeat of hesitation, he bent down, reached out, and gently lifted the unconscious boy. With a quick movement, Tae-oh swung Ji-won onto his back and rushed toward the infirmary, Min-hyuk trailing anxiously behind.

​Dizzy and disoriented, Ji-won half-opened his eyes. He could sense the rhythmic motion of being carried, but the world was spinning too fast. Overwhelmed, he let his eyelids flutter shut again.

​Tae-oh laid Ji-won carefully onto the infirmary bed just as Min-hyuk burst through the door.

​The doctor performed a quick examination before looking up. "It’s a minor injury. I’ll treat him for the swelling on his cheeks," she announced calmly. She began to tend to his wounds with practiced ease.

​Since Ji-won remained unconscious, Min-hyuk turned to his friend. "Tae-oh, you should go. I’ll take care of him from here."

​Tae-oh, his gaze still lingering on Ji-won, finally looked at Min-hyuk. "Huh? Oh, alright. I’ll head back to practice. Remember, we have an important match next week. See you later."

​With a final glance, Tae-oh left for the field.

​Ji-won woke up shortly after. "Min-hyuk? Didn’t you go to the teacher’s office?" he asked hoarsely. He reached up to touch his head, wincing as he struggled to sit up.

​Min-hyuk’s face was a mask of concern. "Hey, are you alright? How’s your head?"

​"Yes, I’m okay. But... how did I end up here?"

​"You were carried to the infirmary by Park Tae-oh," Min-hyuk replied.

​Ji-won’s eyes narrowed in confusion. "Park Tae-oh?"

​"You know, the star player? The 'hot-headed ace' of our team," Min-hyuk elaborated.

​Ji-won stood up, testing his balance. "Oh, Park Tae-oh. I didn’t get a chance to thank him."

​"Hey, you should rest, man," Min-hyuk advised, reaching out to steady him.

​"I’m fine. Let’s head to class," Ji-won insisted.

​When Min-hyuk and Ji-won arrived at the classroom, Noel met them with a look of pure shock. "Hey, where were you guys? Ji-won, what happened to your face?"

​"I just got hit by a football," Ji-won replied nonchalantly.

​Noel’s worry didn't fade. "Are you really okay?"

​"We'll talk after class," Ji-won said, gesturing toward the door as the teacher entered. "Class is about to start."

​The moment the bell rang, Noel was at Ji-won's desk again. "Are you sure you're okay? Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"

​Ji-won chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Hey, it’s just a minor injury. No need to fuss. A man’s got to be strong," he said, giving Noel a playful wink.

​Noel sighed and shrugged. "Okay, let's go then."

​Ji-won held him back. "Wait, I have some plans. You go ahead; I’ll join you later."

​"Huh? Okay, see you at the academy," Noel said, waving goodbye with a puzzled expression.

​Ji-won made his way to the playground, watching the soccer practice with growing interest. Suddenly, a hand tapped his shoulder.

​"Hey, what's up? Enjoying the show?" Min-hyuk asked, grinning.

​"Yeah, just watching."

​"Think you could do better?" Min-hyuk teased.

​Ji-won smirked. "They’re pretty good. You, on the other hand, are terrible."

​Min-hyuk feigned outrage, laughing loudly. "Hey! Do you want to die?"

​Ji-won chuckled, then his expression turned serious. "Actually, I came to meet him. To thank him."

​"Thank who? And why?" Min-hyuk asked, momentarily confused.

​"Park Tae..." Ji-won trailed off, the name slipping his mind.

​"Park Tae-oh?" Min-hyuk finished for him.

​Ji-won nodded. "Yeah, Park Tae-oh. I want to thank him for helping me."

​Min-hyuk’s smile turned a bit awkward. "Oh, you want to thank him? Do you really think that’s necessary?"

​Ji-won frowned. "What do you mean 'necessary'? Isn't it right to thank someone who helped you?"

​"I know, I know," Min-hyuk laughed nervously, composing himself. "Alright, I'll tell him to meet you."

​"Thanks. I'll wait over there," Ji-won said, walking toward the benches.

​A sharp whistle blew, signaling the end of practice.

​The coach beamed at the group. "Excellent work today, team! Let’s reconvene here tomorrow, same time."

​"Bye, sir!" the boys chorused.

​Park Tae-oh headed toward the wash basin to clean up, but stopped when Min-hyuk called out to him.

​"Hey, Tae-oh! Ji-won said he wanted to meet you. He’s waiting right over there," Min-hyuk said, pointing to the bench where Ji-won sat. Before Tae-oh could ask a single question, Min-hyuk started backing away. "Bye then, see you tomorrow!"

​Tae-oh shook his head and approached the sink. He splashed water over his head and face, the droplets highlighting his chiseled features.

​Ji-won watched him, mesmerized by the sight, before quickly snapping his head away as Tae-oh noticed him.

​"You're Ji-won, right?" Tae-oh asked, pulling his shirt up to dry his face.

​Ji-won’s eyes widened. "How did you know my name?"

​"Min-hyuk told me you wanted to see me," Tae-oh replied. As he wiped his face, his shirt lifted, revealing his toned abs.

​Ji-won’s gaze drifted for a second, his eyes sparkling with surprise. He quickly composed himself and offered a sweet grin. "I heard you carried me to the infirmary. I just wanted to thank you."

​"Oh, is that why you're here?" Tae-oh said nonchalantly. "It was nothing, really. You just got hit by the ball I kicked. No big deal."

​Ji-won froze. The gratitude drained from his face as the realization hit him.

​"Actually," Tae-oh continued, "it wasn’t even that hard of a hit. I'm surprised you passed out."

​He patted Ji-won’s shoulder patronizingly. "A man should be strong. Bye, then."

​Ji-won’s face darkened. His own words were being thrown back at him, and they tasted bitter. "Hey... so you're the one who hit me with the ball," he growled, his hands clenching into fists.

​Tae-oh feigned innocence. "What? I didn’t 'hit' you. I was playing. It’s your fault for wandering onto the field during a game."

​Ji-won stood there, seething and speechless.

​Tae-oh just brushed past him, muttering, "What a crazy guy."

​Min-hyuk, watching from a distance, winced. "You're gonna be dead meat..."

​Ji-won snatched up his bag, his blood boiling. "What a rude jerk!"

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