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"Enjoy your ice creams, everyone! You've earned it!" our coach announced proudly, his voice filled with joy.
"Thanks, coach! This is awesome!" Niki exclaimed, barely able to contain his excitement as he devoured his ice cream. I glanced over at Sunoo, who had chosen the same mint chocolate chip flavor as mine. We exchanged a knowing look before proudly displaying our ice creams, delighted by our shared preference.
"This ice cream is delicious! It's even better when we're all together," Hanni, who sat next to me, declared happily, her spoon dipping into her strawberry ice cream. She leaned against my side like a clingy koala, and I smiled, nodding in agreement.
As the sweet treats melted on our tongues, we engaged in lively conversations with our teammates. It was a moment of shared joy and celebration, bridging the divide that had existed on the soccer field. The ice cream served as a sweet symbol of unity, bringing us all together, even if only for a fleeting moment.
After devouring our ice creams, our group decided to explore the nearby park, enjoying the night sky. Jungwon and I found ourselves walking side by side again, the playful banter between us continuing. He recounted a funny incident from our soccer game, and I couldn't help but laugh, feeling a sense of ease and comfort in his presence.
As we strolled through the park, we stumbled upon a small pond with a picturesque wooden bridge. The setting seemed straight out of a fairytale, and the shimmering moonlight reflected off the water, creating a magical ambiance. We decided to pause for a moment, leaning against the bridge railing, and gazing at the tranquil scene before us.
At that moment, a sense of vulnerability washed over me, and I found myself opening up to Jungwon about my fears and dreams. I spoke of my ambitions beyond soccer, my desire to travel the world, and the uncertainty that lay ahead. To my surprise, he listened intently, offering words of encouragement and genuine understanding.
In turn, Jungwon shared his own aspirations and the challenges he faced as a soccer player with a secret. He spoke of the constant fear of exposure and the pressure to perform while concealing his true identity. It was a rare glimpse into his world, and I felt honored that he trusted me enough to share such personal details.
"You know," I said, a teasing glint in my eyes, "sometimes I wonder if your secret is just that you're secretly terrible at soccer."
Jungwon raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, really? And what makes you think you're any better? I've seen you trip over your own feet enough times to doubt your skills."
I playfully nudged him with my elbow. "Hey, watch it, soccer boy. Just because I have a few clumsy moments doesn't mean I can't outshine you on the field."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "I'd like to see you try. But remember, I've got my secret weapon. The element of surprise."
I rolled my eyes, unable to resist a comeback. "Please, your secret weapon is probably just an extra pair of lucky socks. I've seen you wear the same ones for every game."
Jungwon chuckled, shaking his head. "You really think you know everything, don't you? Well, I hate to break it to you, miss know-it-all, but there are some secrets you'll never uncover."
I crossed my arms, a mischievous smile playing on my lips. "Oh, is that a challenge, secret keeper? I'll have you know, I'm an expert at unraveling mysteries."
He laughed, the sound ringing through the night air. "We'll see about that. But for now, let's just enjoy this moment, secrets and all."
And so, as we leaned against the bridge railing, the moon casting a gentle glow upon us, our playful banter continued. It was a dance of insults and teasing, our words laced with affection even if they weren't always kind. But beneath it all, there was an unspoken bond, a connection that grew stronger with each passing moment.
"You know," I said teasingly, nudging Jungwon's arm, "I never thought I'd see the day when you actually listened to someone other than yourself."
Jungwon rolled his eyes, but a mischievous grin tugged at the corners of his lips. "Well, don't get used to it. This was a one-time thing. I wouldn't want you to think I've gone soft or anything."
I scoffed playfully, crossing my arms. "Please, like you could ever go soft. You're as tough as they come, Mr. I-Don't-Need-Anyone."
He laughed, the sound carrying in the night air. "And you, Miss I-Know-Everything, finally admitting that you have fears and dreams? Miracles do happen, it seems."
I pretended to be offended, poking him in the side. "Watch it, soccer boy. Just because I'm opening up doesn't mean I won't use my newfound knowledge against you on the field."
Jungwon raised an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling with a challenge. "Oh, really? We'll see about that. Just remember, I have secrets too. Secrets that might just give me the upper hand."
I smirked, feeling the familiar banter between us resurface. "Bring it on, secret keeper. I'm not afraid of your tricks."
As we continued our walk, our conversation shifted to lighter topics, and we found ourselves lost in laughter once again. The tension that had once defined our interactions had dissipated, replaced by a newfound connection and friendship. Our differences no longer seemed insurmountable, but rather something that brought us closer together.
*___________* 32nd chapter
Hello my loves, how are you guys? I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please vote, comment, and follow to show appreciation. If you've already done that, kisses go out to you.
Question of the chapter: Sun or moon? Me: Moon
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