Every year, at the Seoul stage of the championship, it was virtually a competition among those in the national team. This was the real fight while everything that came before was simply filler. It was almost the same this year as well. The television commentator was familiar with the national team. When the athletes entered the rink, the commentator would introduce the person's past results and current condition if he or she was from the national team. If the person was not, unless they used to be in the national team, the commentator would only give a brief one-sentence introduction.
When she entered the quarterfinals, there where two athletes from the national team in the same heat as her. While introducing everyone, the commentator noticed her age and emphasized, "She is still young. Today would be an excellent learning opportunity".
What he meant was that she should simply learn from the more experienced athletes in this competition and not be overly mindful of the result.
The result was that Lisa managed to charge into the semi-finals by coming in second.
There was a total of eight contestants in the semi-final, out which seven were from the national team. Among them, Lisa was like a spy that had infiltrated them.
At the start of the semi-finals, the commentator re-stressed how impressive it was for Lisa to have made it so far....In the end, the national team spy once again made her way into the finals.
Having been made to eat his words twice, the commentator felt that Lisa indeed had some skills. Thus, during the finals, he expressed his confidence in this outstanding newbie. The outcome was that Lisa gave a stable performance and came in fourth.
After all, none of the top athletes in the country were here to play.
The commentator was made to eat his words thrice in a row and felt that Lisa was simply here to Jinx him.
Meanwhile, the audience watching the broadcast had long erupted into laughter.
Lisa did not manage to win a medal but had no regrets. After all, with everyone's calibre, it was already not bad that she managed to fight her way into the finals.
After the competition was over, she went to look for her father and Jungkook. The scene of them standing together outside the stadium as they waited for her seemed quite harmonious?
She walked over in front of them and Jungkook passed her a bottle of beverage.
Principal Manoban said, "Let's have dinner together. What do you two want to eat?"
"Anything". Lisa replied. She twisted the cap open and gulped a mouthful.
Principal Manoban turned to look at Jungkook. "Bunny boy, what about you?"
Pffff----
Lisa was like a watering can as she sprayed out the beverage she just drank.
She held the bottle and peeked at Jungkook but of the corner of her eyes. Though he looked slightly sullen and aggrieved, he showed no signs of protest and even the feelings on his face were muted and hidden.
Just how afraid was he....
Lisa wiped her mouth, "Dad, just call him by his name. Jungkook, do not speak of bunny but it's suits your identity".
Principal Manoban nodded. "I think 'Jungkook' sounds better than 'Bunny boy' as well".
Jungkook exhaled in relief. So Principal Manoban did not do it iintentionally.
Principal Manoban took the train back to Lake City after dinner. Lisa and Jungkook send him off to the station. On the way back, Jungkook was puzzled. He asked Lisa. "Does uncle knows what is my pet name?"
"If you ask him, he know everything"
"Oh" Jungkook rubbed her head and narrowed his eyes. "Then how did he know about it?"
Lisa blinked, "How would I know? With your reputation, he must have searched it online himself".
Jungkook dent down and nipped her lips. "You can't even lie properly".
____
The third day that Lisa returned from Seoul was New Year's Eve.
At night, she went out with Jungkook to ride the Ferris wheel. She planned to ride the Ferris wheel first before going over to sound the bell. However, the queue was long and they got onto the Ferris wheel quite late. When midnight arrived, they were still hanging in the Ferris wheel cabin.
It was not possible to sound or knock any bells. She could only knock Jungkook's dog head symbolically.
When the Ferris wheel turned to the highest point, large fireworks suddenly blossomed in the night.
"How beautiful...." Watching the fireworks while hanging from the sky made them felt extremely close to it. This made the fireworks seem even more beautiful than usual.
Jungkook interlocked his fingers with hers. He raised his head and looked at the sky, the shining lights from the fireworks reflected in his clear eyes. "First", he whispered.
"What first?"
"It's our first New Year after getting together". Jungkook shifted back his gaze and looked down at her. "There will be countless more after this".
Lisa looked at him and smiled. Jungkook kissed her.
The light kiss lingered, as if the countless things he had to say had all dissolved into unspoken gentleness.
"Jungkook, will you continue to love me for the rest of your life?"
"Yes".
"How are you so sure?"
"Because....You're someone even more dazzling than fireworks".
....
After they got off the Ferris wheel, Lisa wanted to mingle with the crowd at the mall. Worried that the overwhelming crowd might cause a stampede, Jungkook led her away.
It was late and the dormitory buildings were locked. The two of them could only stay in a hotel. They had a mini disagreement in the hotel lobby. Jungkook wanted to book only one room while Lisa insisted on two.
There was a slightly apologetic look on the receptionist's face. She said, "My apologies, as occupancy is tight, we----"
Jungkook grinned. "Only have on room left, right?"
The lady at the counter was thrown off by his smile. She replied after a slight pause, "Ah? No....we have a 20% surcharge on our rooms".
Jungkook: "...."
This was different from how it usually played out in dramas.
Unsurprisingly, they booked two separate rooms in the end.
In addition, their rooms were on different floors due to tight occupancy. Lisa stayed one floor higher than Jungkook.
When she came out of the shower, she saw that Jungkook messaged her.
Jungkook: "Lisa, my head hurts".
Jungkook: "It really hurts".
Worried, Lisa rushed down to find him.
She pressed the doorbell and Jungkook opened the door. Standing in the doorway, he was back-facing the porch light and she could not see how he looked.
"Jungkook, does your head still hurt?"
Jungkook did not speak. He suddenly pulled her into the room and pressed her against the door for a kiss. The kiss was too intense and the heavy exhalation against her face caused her mind to go blank.
Lisa used her might to dodge away. Jungkook started kissing her neck instead. He stretched out the tip pf his tongue and licked her skin. Feeling her body soften into a puddle, Lisa fumed, "Jungkook how dare you pretend to be sick?"
"I didn't".
"I thought your head hurt?"
"It hurt earlier. It's no longer hurting now".
"Scoundrel".
"It's true". Jungkook raised his head and looked into her eyes. He licked his lips and explained, "It only hurt for a bit".