DASH Novel Chapter 56

It would all be over once they crossed the line. However, Jaekyung made it clear that he had no intention of backing down.

"I haven't forgotten. But no kisses," Jihon retorted confidently.

"Why?" This does not go beyond the legal, moral and financial frawork.

- The request has a sexual connotation.

- But this is not indicated in the morandum.

— This is included in the moral aspect, of course.

Jihong remained persistent, and after thinking for a while, Jaekyung quickly changed his stance, "Okay. I know what you an, but why? A kiss is a way to say hello in Australia."

"Really? Then go and kiss Noah as a greeting in front of . And then I'll do the sa."

??……??

Jaekyung was speechless for a mont. Seeing his confused state, Jihong laughed, "You can't, right? You are still far from victory."

For a couple of seconds, he was even proud of himself, but suddenly Jaekyung turned everything in his favor.

"Hmm... So if I kiss Noah deeply, you'll do the sa to ?"

"What...?"

— Can I just film it and show it later? I don't want to do that in front of you.

It seems that Kwon Jaekyung was not joking. Obviously, his right hemisphere has lost the ability to recognize irony. Neither deposit nor withdrawal was possible.

"Then... if I use the language...

"No, stop! Don't!" exclaid Jihon in horror. He was afraid that the guy, without wasting a second, would run to create a ss, and then soone would definitely take them off. Noah is one of those who easily agree to all kinds of fun. Therefore, it was clear that he would willingly put his lips together.

"Hey, seriously, don't even think about it! I won't do that with Noah either, so forget it.

"What?" You said the opposite.

Jaekyung frowned. The annoyed expression on his face indicated that he was really going to go crazy. Jihong felt a cold sweat break out on his back. For a mont, he believed that he had outwitted the stubborn man, but he had never been so wrong.

"I won't. Now hurry up and get so sleep," Jihon repeated, covering him with a blanket.

"I can't sleep...," Jaekyung said, imdiately pulling him off.

"Still, do your best. I'll stay with you until you fall asleep.

"Hyung, are you a fool?" I definitely won't sleep while you're around.

"Yes? Then I'll go," with that, Jihong quickly got up from the massage chair.

"No, stay. I'll sleep, so stay here.

"Then close your eyes quickly," Jihon smiled as he sat back down.

Jaekyung glanced at him briefly, and then turned away and mumbled, "I want... but it doesn't work."

"Why?" Are you nervous?

"No, I'm not nervous.

"Excited?" Are you thinking about the upcoming swim?

"I don't know. I just feel weird. Is this really the end...

"Well, your worries are quite natural.

Jihong fully understood him. He, too, could not sleep until dawn the night before his last day at the swimming center. It was probably much more difficult for Jaekyung. After all, he has reached incredible heights in comparison with him. And consequently, even more regrets have accumulated inside. Jaekyung knew that his skills had not reached their limits. But despite all the questions and mixed feelings, Jihong didn't want to discuss the Olympics. Now this incredible swimr needs to concentrate on the upcoming final competition.

– Try to imagine how everything will turn out after the competition.

— Да, ты прав.

Jaekyung, answering curtly as usual, used his folded hands as a pillow and closed his eyes, but soon opened them again. His mind seed to be in turmoil. In this situation, the best solution would be to narrow the focus of attention on sothing specific. To put aside all distant worries and throw a new task so that one single goal flashes in front of him. If possible, it should be sothing fun and motivating.

What will please Jaekyung? What story should I tell him so that he would be distracted and take the final championship with a happy heart?

Jihong pondered for a while before Lee Yujeong's recent remark flew through his mind: "Mr. Jeong, you're too soft with him. Only with you he behaves like a child... Yes, you have special feelings for each other, but you need to be able to build clear boundaries."

And he was a little embarrassed. Was it a montary weakness or did he really feel differently about Kwon Jaekyung. Until recently, their relationship, based on a ridiculous receipt, was crystal clear: a stubborn bulldozer was forcibly pulling Jihon along. That's why there was a standard explanation that sounded like an excuse: "It's part of my job, there's nothing I can do."

However, the situation took a different turn, especially when Jaekyung confessed to him.

??... Wait, have I really gone too far? Was the problem really with

and not with Jaekyung?"

The first ti he heard Lee Yujeong's words, he imdiately threw all the bla on Jaekyung. But... Now he really needs to think things through carefully: "If it was another athlete and not Jaekyung, would I have reacted the sa way? For example, Yeonho? If he got too excited before the competition, would I empathize with him as much? Will I offer my help?"

Comparing these two guys, Jihong imdiately found the answer: obviously not. After all, it is too troubleso and in general, he does not have to harness himself for soone. Whichever way you look at it, all of Jihon's actions are outside the scope of his job duties.

Suddenly, a nervous laugh burst out of Jihon. He crossed his arms over his chest and sighed softly. Jaekyung wasn't the only one who crossed the line.

"Well, isn't it inevitable? I have known him for a long ti, even before he ca to our company. Because of , he started training in the sa pool. He really liked my style, although there was nothing special about it. He accomplished an incredible feat at a Grand Slam tournant thanks to a few passing words I once tossed, and because of , he even signed with our humble agency on ridiculous terms. This alone is enough to treat him completely differently," Jihong continued to convince himself. "But now he's complicated things by saying he likes . Whether it was a reaction to pheromones or sothing else, he ended up having inappropriate feelings. I can't reciprocate, but I still want to do as much as possible for him. And this is quite logical, since I am not so irresponsible. In this case, it would not hurt to dot all the i's. I must give a clear refusal. And intrigues: they will lead to nothing. Everything will only get worse after the breakup. And it's better to get along like brothers than to throw yourself into the whirlpool with your head."

After thinking for so more ti, Jihong decided to take the first step, without making excuses. Jaekyung will definitely understand him: "Jaekyung-ah."

Jaekyung imdiately turned to him.

– Do you plan to go ho imdiately after the championship? Or will you have to stay in the camp until the closing ceremony? Did the coach say anything?

"I just need to show up at the final event.

"Really?" Then let's have a drink as it all ends. It's my treat.

Jaekyung's eyes widened as if he was asking, "Are you kidding?"

For a while, he stared at Jihon, not answering, apparently trying to understand what was happening. Jaekyung reacted as if he couldn't believe it and, showing his determination not to jump to conclusions, clarified, "Will other Spoin employees go too?"

"What makes you think so? Well, if you want, I can arrange it," Jihong playfully suggested.

??......??

Initially, he believed that the guy would imdiately reject the idea, muttering, "No, why should I?" Instead, Jaekyung frowned slightly, "Hyung, sotis you give yourself up. Your rich experience in relationships is imdiately visible. And it's so frustrating that it's maddening."

Jihong couldn't help laughing, "Hey, why would you think that?"

"How from what? Because of your words, everything becos clear at once."

Jihon laughed again. After all, Jaekyung, in fact, revealed himself. Every sentence he uttered made his heart flutter, then sink into disappointnt, and then tremble again. Looking at things like this, it was clear that Jaekyung had never t anyone. He did not know how to play any tricks and did not know how to play the ga of push-pull. When Jaekyung hid his feelings, Jihong thought that this guy was acting strategically, forcing him to write a morandum and such. But as soon as he opened his heart, he threw away all his tricks and just rushed forward. It was as if he had exhausted his last patience while keeping everything a secret. He said what he wanted and acted as he felt. It was like swimming: he confidently threw himself into the water and swam without knowing the techniques. This fearless stubborn man seed to want to do the sa with love. Whenever Jihong saw this clumsy but insanely cute side of Jaekyung, he felt sothing bubbling inside.

It would be better if Jaekyung t soone more normal. After all, he will face unnecessary difficulties, because soone like Jihon will definitely deceive him. But perhaps this is exactly what Jaekyung wanted.

But, unfortunately, there is no choice. Therefore, Jihon needs to sort things out without causing additional pain.

As he pondered this, his pounding heart gradually cald down. Yes, a second before the desperate act, he managed to pull himself together.

Smiling, Jihong spoke as if he had sighed.

"Hah, it doesn't matter. Go to sleep quickly.