The performances are over and there is a break before the prizes are given out. I walk towards the bleachers and spot Seungwoo. "Seungwoo!" I call out and he looks up from his phone. "Yeseul, you did great! I'm sure you're going to be able to move on to the other competitions, you're the ace after all." I chuckle a bit at his compliment. "Thanks." "After the competition, let's drive back to campus together, okay?" He asks just making sure even though that's what we always do.
After around thirty minutes, the gymnasts all walk back onto the floor where the podium stands with a long table alined with trophies and medals. Our team sits in front of our coach and we listen to her words of encouragement. "You all performed well so I don't doubt that you won't get a prize, Yoona you were good but you made a small mistake which took some points off your final mark. Girls, fighting!" We all out our hands in and shout out the word of encouragement together.
"We will start with the awards for group performances and after we will do the duos." The announcer starts announcing the fifth, fourth and third place and I start to get nervous. "Hyejin, I'm scared." She grabs my hand and squeezes it to try and reassure me. "Coming in second place is the group team from Sports University of Korea! Congratulations, please come to the podium and receive your prize." We all give each other a hug and step onto the second place before receiving a silver medals and two bouquets."
A bit of time passes and finally the most important moment of the competition arrives. "The solo performance award will begin now." Once again, the announcer lists off all the prizes from fifth and Yoona came third while my name still hasn't been called. Wether or not I did a good job and I'm aware, there is always this painful feeling in my stomach from the stress. "Coming in first place is... Kang Yeseul from Sports University of Korea! As the winner, your accommodation and transport will be paid by the organisation. Congratulations!" I look at my group in surprised. This has never happened before despite already coming first place a few times. "Kang Yeseul, congratulations!" My coach gives me a side hug with a big smile and my team mates pat me on the back and from a distance, I hear Seungwoo shouting my name. After hugging Yoona and bowing to the other winners, I stand on the top, with a gold medal, a trophy and a bouquet.
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"Yah, you aren't called the ace for nothing." Seungwoo praises me as I go to him after the ceremony is over. "Stop~ You keep on praising me and it's making me feel bad." He rubs my back and takes out his phone. "Seungyoun kept on messaging me and freaked out when I sent him a picture of you receiving the prizes. How about I take a picture of you in front of the wall to send to you and him." I grin, hearing his story about the young man. "Here, give me your bag so that it doesn't bother you. Okay now smile." Seungwoo lets out a smile of his own as he takes a picture of me, holding my awards.
"You know, I've been meaning you ask you this." Seungwoo starts with a smirk, "What's going on with you and Seungyoun?" I roll my eyes and try to hold back the small blush that tries to tint my cheeks. "There's nothing going between us, we're just really close. I think." "What about Byungchan, he seems to have an interest in you. Who's it gonna be." He teases me and I slap his arm, "Stop making this a competition. We'll just see what happens." I say, "We'll see."
We arrive back on campus around five p.m, a lot later than expected but we had to stop because we got hungry. Our trips together back from competitions are always memorable, Seungwoo having the presence of a best friend and brother. "Bye, Seungwoo. Thanks for the ride back! Tell me when your next game is so I can get ready for it." I say with a friendly wink. He nods and we hug each other before going our separate ways.
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Entering the room, I see Hyejin in her bed watching our performance. "Hey." I greet her, sitting on my bed. "Hi, I keep on watching our dance and honestly, I'm surprised we didn't come first, we aced it." She says and shows her phone screen. "Don't worry, we'll come first next time. Did you see the way coach complimented you? I have a feeling someone will be getting a solo~" I sing and Hyejin puts on a dreamy face. "Out of all three years here, I've never had a solo. Only duos and group performances." I give her a small, sad smile. It's true that not a lot of the gymnasts were able to get solos which makes a lot of them dislike us. "You'll get one. If not this time then next. I'm sure getting one for nationals will be pretty cool." She nods and gets out of bed to go to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, I go on my phone and decide to post a few pictures on Instagram before going to text Seungyoun.
I exit the app and go onto snapchat to continue talking to Seungyoun.
Me
I look great on the pics Seungwoo sent, don't I ;)
Seungyoun
So amazing, I got a nosebleed
Me
Oof I'm flattered
Seungyoun
Now send me the videos of your performances, I'm curious
Me
Okay fine two seconds
Me
You sent two videos to Seungyoun
Seungyoun
Holy shit
Seungyoun
That's hot
Me
iugfqefpiuqefu huh
Seungyoun
Next time I'm coming, I need to see that shit live
Seungyoun
Who's the blonde one next to you in the beginning
Me
Seungyoun
Let's go drink to celebrate
Me
How about we take a small break from drinking, yeah? RIGHT SEUNGYOUN?
Seungyoun
It's been already a month but ok wanna go for a walk? I'm feeling Han river
Me
It's really hot though
Seungyoun
You can jump in the river, I'm sure it will be refreshing
Me
haha.
Seungyoun
is 7 p.m. good?
Me
yes
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"Seungyoun, how are you out here looking this good. Are you trying to find your blonde girl?" I nudge him, after giving each other a quick hug. "You even styled your hair what's going on?" "I always style my hair." Seungyoun says, subconsciously reaches for the top of his head to fix a few strands. "You never do your hair, I'm pretty sure you only styled it once. The first time we met I think." Seungyoun lets out a mumble, whining about my teasing.
We drive to the park because it's pretty far from the campus and getting out of the car, I breath in the fresh air. "We should go to the beach one day. Before it starts getting cold." I suggest. "The two of us?" He asks, getting out of his side and joining me as I wait for him in from of the entrance. "I-uh, if you want to...?" "We can have a little get together with a few other people." He adds, liking the idea of going to the beach.
"A little birdy told me that you've been getting real close to Kim Minhwa. Is that her last name?" I ask, still unsure of her surname. "It's Lee Minhwa." Seungyoun chuckles. "Are you jealous?" I let out a 'pff' and a grimace, "I'm not jealous, I just strongly dislike her and I know that you deserve better. Anyway, little birdie also told me that you will end up together." Seungyoun laughs, "Is the little birdy Minhwa by any chance?" "Was it that obvious?" He nods. "I don't see Minhwa that way. Sure she's hot and knows how to talk to a guy but I never thought of actually being in a relationship with her. Maybe like one night." I slap his arm, "Even though I don't like her, don't use girls like that when you know they like you." "Don't act like you never had a one night stand." I open my mouth to object but a vivid memory of that exact situation appears in my hand making me cringe. "Ooh, you did? Spill the details." Seungyoun says with a knowing smirk. " I will literally cut your dick off if you continue." He lifts his hands up in defeat. "I'm teasing. Or am I?" I raise my hand and Seungyoun bolts away from me and I start following him.