Bring It On! - Side Story 2

Side Story 2. 

“I’ll park the car and come later, so you go on ahead.”

Thankfully, we arrived at the competition venue without being late. But with all the participants, journalists, and spectators from various countries, there weren’t many parking spaces left.

Suho hopped out of the car, and I grabbed one of the bags. Just as I was about to open the door, Cha Yoon called out, “Wait a second.”

When I turned, he reached over and rubbed at my right cheek.

“Did I drool?”

“You snored, too.”

Cha Yoon never spared me even the smallest courtesy, always pointing out things I didn’t ask. 

How grateful. He unbuckled his seat belt, leaned closer, and pressed a kiss to my lips.

“I’ll call you after parking.”

“Mm.”

I hurried out of the car before we could get any more delayed. Suho, in the meantime, had already found a friend and was chattering excitedly, his face lit up. I’d worried he might be nervous, but luckily there wasn’t a trace of it.

As soon as we entered through the athletes-only gate, the distinctive scent of the pool hit me. Down a tunnel-like corridor, other kids who looked like competitors walked together with serious expressions.

Everyone was so tall.

Suho was lanky and tall for his age, but mixed in among kids of all different nationalities, he looked almost ordinary.

“You’re Lee Suho’s guardian, correct?”

“Yes.”

“We’ll do a quick check-up before he enters.”

Because of Suho’s medical history, a health check before the competition was mandatory. While I was waiting for him, a message came in from Cha Yoon.

 

[Just sit in the stands. It’s too crowded here, you won’t find me easily.]

[—Found you already.]

 

“Huh?”

I looked up, and there he was immediately. His tall figure stood out as he strolled calmly forward, guided by formally dressed staff.

“This way, please.”

“Thank you for your efforts.”

“Not at all. Thanks to you, Director Cha, we’ve got a brand-new lane installed, and the young athletes can compete under the best conditions.”

Even as a middle-aged man spoke to him in near reverence, Cha Yoon never once took his eyes off me.

“Aren’t you busy? The competition’s about to begin.”

“Oh dear, you’re right. Of course, I’ll contact you again.”

I must have been staring blankly, because before I knew it, Cha Yoon was striding over on his long legs.

“What is this?”

“Your husband.”

“No, I mean those people. Aren’t they from the federation? Why are they bowing and scraping like that? Don’t tell me you bribed them?”

“This isn’t a national team qualifier. I wouldn’t do that here. I just sponsored the event.”

The way he said it, as if he would have done it if necessary, made me uneasy.

“Just so we’re clear…”

“I won’t. The kid’s fine on his own.”

Not long after, Suho finished his checkup and went into the waiting room for athletes. I cupped his cheeks in both hands.

“After this, let’s go eat pork cutlet.”

“Really?!”

Delighted, Suho stole a glance at Cha Yoon and added,

“But hyung doesn’t like that.”

“Then he can just stay home.”

“Hey, I can hear you.”

A large hand grabbed my wrist. The bag I’d been carrying was taken from me and thrust into Suho’s arms instead.

“If anything happens, grab any adult and say my name. Call if you can.”

“Okay.”

“Good. Now go on.”

Cha Yoon gave Suho a light swat on the backside. A coach, who’d been watching from a distance, led him inside. Once the door closed, a wave of fatigue hit me.

“Want me to carry you?”

I shook my head vehemently. Cha Yoon had worn me out until morning, but it wasn’t like I couldn’t walk. And even if I couldn’t, there was no way I’d let him haul me around like that in public.

As it was, attention was already fixed on us. The eyes were mostly on Cha Yoon, but because I was at his side, I became a subject of curiosity too.

“Let’s go already.”

“How do you even manage work and take care of the kid with that stamina? I’ll have to change your tonics.”

“The tonic’s not the problem. Stop changing it.”

“You can’t change your husband, after all.”

“Who’s a husband? Quit talking nonsense and come on.”

I walked a few steps ahead, but didn’t hear him following. When I turned, he was standing there, looking genuinely hurt. With a sigh, I went back and tugged his hand.

We had barely sat down when the announcement came that the competition was starting. Suho’s first event was the 800-meter freestyle.

“Anyone would think you’re the one competing, Sun Woori. Why are you so nervous?”

“I’m worried he’ll get hurt.”

“The hospital checkup last month showed no problems. With that heart, he survived even on a deserted island. He’s no ordinary kid.”

I couldn’t help but laugh softly. In the past, even hearing the words “Jay” or “deserted island” would set Cha Yoon off, but now he mentioned them himself, almost casually. 

His change surprised me, though deep down, I knew the truth. He was only pretending to be unfazed.

Much of his sharpness had worn away, and sometimes I could almost see Jay in him. In those moments, I clenched down hard on my mind not to let Jay’s name slip out. 

I knew Cha Yoon wouldn’t explode like before, but he was holding himself back too.

And when the ache of missing Jay overflowed, I would secretly rewatch that documentary video. I only hoped that his last memory wasn’t being captured by natives. 

Suho and I had already left the island, returned to normal life, to freedom. But if Jay was still there alone, that would be unbearably lonely.

“Sun Woori.”

His voice pulled me out of my thoughts. The announcement of Suho’s event followed, and Suho stepped up to lane one. On the huge scoreboard, his surgery scar was clearly visible across his small chest.

As he took his stance, sweat pooled in my palms. Holding my breath, I watched until Cha Yoon covered my hand with his own. His warmth spread over me and then the starting buzzer sounded.

***

“A new star is rising in Korean swimming! Competing for the first time in the International Youth Swimming Championships, Lee Suho has announced his dazzling debut by winning gold in both the 800m freestyle and the 100m butterfly!”

“Even though it was his first international stage, he showed steady control and a stunning finishing sprint to take first place! Especially in the 800m freestyle, he pulled off a dramatic comeback in the final stretch…”

Because of his outstanding results, scout offers poured in from all directions. And with his heart condition and history of being stranded on a deserted island now public, interview requests flooded in as well.

Because Suho’s schedule had suddenly gotten busier, there were more days when we had to go up to Seoul. It wasn’t sustainable to keep hitching rides with Cha Yoon forever. 

He was the head of a company too. He couldn’t keep skipping out on work.

I checked my savings account and made up my mind.

“I’m going to buy a car.”

“Do you even have money, noona?”

“Why?”

The two of them, sitting side by side on the sofa watching a survival documentary, turned their heads toward me at the same time. I answered in the order the questions came flying at me.

“I’ve got enough for a car. I can’t just keep taking the bus around with Suho.”

“Noona, don’t use your money. Let’s just use Hyung’s car.”

Suho tugged at my hand like he was begging. I gave a small laugh and messed up his jet-black hair with my hand.

“Then what’s Hyung supposed to drive?”

“He always comes in a different car anyway. Giving us one or two shouldn’t matter.”

Not just one car, he was planning to take two. Thanks to Cha Yoon’s reckless, almost careless generosity, Suho seemed to think spending his money was no big deal. 

And he still didn’t know that each car Cha Yoon drove cost more than the price of our entire apartment.

“No. What’s Hyung’s is his.”

When I firmly put my foot down, Suho pouted.

“Fine, then we’ll get our own car.”

Cha Yoon, who had been listening quietly, suddenly stood up.

“Going home?”

“You said you were buying a car.”

He pulled his phone from his jacket pocket and started calling somewhere. A chill went down my spine. I shot forward like a bullet and snatched his phone away.

— “Yes, sir?”

“Sorry, wrong number.”

I hurriedly hung up. The corners of Cha Yoon’s eyes crinkled in irritation.

“Don’t interfere. I’ll look into it and buy it with my money.”

“You can at least come look with me. If you’re short on cash, I can help a little.”

“I won’t be short. I’ll only choose within budget.”

“What are you planning to buy with sixteen million won? These days, do people buy cars in kits? Planning to get just the tires first?”

I flinched in surprise. This bastard, how did he know my bank balance?

“Hey. Did you snoop in my account?”

“That’s not what’s important here, is it, Woori?”

Cha Yoon pulled me into the bedroom. Click. The door shut, and his hand slid down my side in a slow caress.

“When it comes to cars, bigger is always better. It has to be wide and spacious.”

“Parking in Seoul is already a nightmare.”

“I’ll hire you a driver.”

“I don’t need one!”

“You know I’m tall, right, Woori?”

He tilted his head toward me, his lips hovering just short of mine. His lashes fluttered playfully, and for a moment, I almost gave in.

I snapped out of it and slapped away his hand that was sneaking lower.

“I’m going to ride with Suho. What does your height have to do with that?”

His brows drew together. He let out a short breath, raked a hand through his hair, and straightened up. His large frame cast a shadow over my face.

…Maybe I was too cold. Only after the words left my mouth did I realize how curt I’d sounded.

“I mean, when I’m with you, we ride in your car, so…”

Before I could even finish, he suddenly scooped me up. Sitting down on the bed, he pulled me onto his lap between his legs. When I came back to my senses, there was a tripod set up in front of me.

He tilted my chin up toward it. Instantly, memories of the countless things we’d done in that very spot flashed through my mind, and my toes curled.

“Think about it, Woori.”

His low voice slid into my ear.

“Do you really only need a car for driving?”

“Then…”

The thought that struck me made me flinch. I bit my lower lip, but he pulled it free with his fingers and slipped one lightly into my mouth.

“Let’s get a big car. I’ll make sure you enjoy it.”

His thumb traced slowly along the inside of my cheek.

“Hiding your voice because of the kid is exhausting, isn’t it?”

“……”

“I want to hear you.”

Still whispering against my ear, Cha Yoon slipped his hand into my pants. His long fingers stroked me expertly up and down. The wet sound became embarrassingly loud.

The sudden stimulation made my heels lift off the ground and my head fall forward. He pressed his lips to my neck, chuckling low.

“You’re wet. Guess you’re looking forward to it too.”

Just as one of his fingers began to press slowly inside….

“Noona, there’s a phone call for you!”

Suho’s voice came from outside. My head shot up. I scrambled out of his arms. Cha Yoon, looking disappointed, licked his wet fingers. He then pulled down his zipper, freeing his thick length and stroking it.

“Want to watch?”

I quickly pulled on clean underwear and pants, then threw the damp ones at him.

“Knock yourself out.”

His laugh followed me, but I didn’t look back as I walked out.

***

“Well then, drive safe! Thank you very much!”

In front of the dealership, Cha Yoon stood frozen. Suho circled him, poking at him with his finger, but he didn’t budge.

I glanced at him nervously. All I could hope was that the tightly sealed mouth of his wouldn’t open. Because if it did, a string of words far from suitable for under-twelve ears would surely come spilling out.

Cha Yoon just stared blankly, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. I gave his back a couple of pats.

“Still, it’s a new car.”

It wasn’t much of a consolation, but it was all I could offer.

His fierce eyes slid downward and fixed on my tiny compact car. Next to him, it looked like nothing more than a toy. 

The rounded little body seemed like it could roll away with just one push of a hand, and the oversized headlights in front looked almost like a puppy’s eyes. Cute and innocent. 

Even the door handles were small, and the wheels were tiny compared to an ordinary car’s.

Suddenly, Cha Yoon raised his leg high. I quickly grabbed his arm and pulled it toward me.

“Don’t break it!”

“Baby, this car must’ve been made wrong. I swear to fuck, I’ll go back and raise hell.”

“No, this is right. Just accept it already.”

Beep-beep. When I pressed the car key, my khaki-colored compact sparkled as the side mirrors unfolded. I even courteously opened the passenger door for him.

“Get in.”

Before Cha Yoon could, Suho happily scrambled into the back seat. Cha Yoon, looking suffocated already, undid two buttons of his shirt.

“You want to just take a taxi instead?”

I asked carefully, and with a deeply scowling face he got into the passenger seat.

For someone over 190cm tall like Cha Yoon, the car was way too cramped. He was practically folded in half. Even with the seat pushed all the way back, his knees still hit the glove compartment.

“Haha! Noona, hyung’s neck is all squished!”

“Shh, Suho. He’s in a bad mood right now.”

“I’m never gonna grow that freakishly tall, ever.”

Suho shook his head as he added the remark. In truth, at the rate Suho was growing day by day, he’d probably end up as tall as Cha Yoon. But there was no need to tell him that yet.

Suho’s cheerful humming made the veins stand out on Cha Yoon’s forehead. This was why he’d originally said he’d just go alone. God knows what kind of fantasies he’d had, but in the end I hadn’t managed to stop him when he insisted on coming along. 

I really should’ve told him the car model beforehand, but with him so excited, it was hard to bring it up. Casting a sideways glance at Cha Yoon’s twisted expression, I started the engine.

The moment we got home, Cha Yoon dragged me straight into the bedroom.

“Scrap it. Now.”

I knew that was coming. Scratching my forehead, I looked up at him.

“But it’s brand new…”

“You got wet too!” 

He protested, pointing at the bed like it was proof.

“That was only because you were touching me… Ugh. Just because I got wet doesn’t mean I need to buy a bigger car.”

“No. That’s the law. You should be locked up. Damn it, I got wet too!”

The man who had been so eager to convince me to get a big car “so I’d enjoy it” was now utterly devastated by the reality of my compact. He started accusing me, asking how I was going to take responsibility for his car sex, as if I’d ever promised him such a thing.

“Anyway, don’t raise your voice too much. Suho might hear.”

There was no point trying to reason with him. He wouldn’t listen. So I carefully steered the fuming Cha Yoon into the bathroom, hoping a cold shower would cool him off.

But it was never going to be solved by just a cold shower. When he came out dripping wet, his face still sagged with disappointment. He didn’t even bother drying his hair, just sat on the sofa radiating menace while scrolling on his phone. 

Peeking over, I saw him messaging Director Park, telling him to steal a car.

I silently took the phone out of his hands.