Knowing Brother-Chapter 15

Eom Hyeongjin had been ranting about Won Daeyoung for several minutes. Holding a popular philosophy book, Eom Joobin shot back with a stern tone.

"People see only from their own perspective, get angry, and become obsessed. Daeyoung is someone who makes clear distinctions between public and private matters. Personally, he might have a damaged personality, but in public, within the national team, he is so precise, never makes mistakes with his words, keeps his promises, and gets things done."

Watching his cousin, who was now in second place in the team rankings, after the glorious return of Won Daeyoung, Eom Hyeongjin was burning with frustration.

"So you're saying he's a sociopath? He's too precise, never makes mistakes, and keeps his word, right? After all these years in athletics, is it even possible for him to only develop public connections with his teammates?"

"You know full well that I, his long-time rival, feel inferior. Isn't it even more unreasonable not to keep his promises?"

"......"

"Daeyoung and I could never be friends in private, you know."

With nothing more to say, Eom Hyeongjin continued to criticize Won Daeyoung.

"That guy ran away from home for a year, had a bullying controversy, but why did everything get swept under the rug and he’s doing well, not falling into the gutter? He didn’t even write an apology letter. Is his family that influential?"

When the past controversy, which had once made headlines, was brought up, Eom Joobin sighed deeply.

"The facts are all out. The runaway was just a brief period of confusion, and the bullying was mutual self-defense. What's there to apologize for? He didn’t bully anyone or commit a crime."

"But still, what about his character? His personality?"

"I don’t think there’s even a personality issue to talk about. People might think he has a strong personality. Those who were disappointed by his past are long gone. His past wandering, overcoming injuries, and return—it's all full of personal drama, and it’s just perfect for a story."

Recently, Joobin’s acquaintances had been praising Daeyoung, saying, "I want to be ruthlessly trampled by that bad boy," which only made his mood worse. With nothing left to say, Eom Hyeongjin muttered irritably.

"Is he really that amazing?"

"His posture, balance, technique, left-right coordination, muscle mass, physical ability, lung capacity—all flawless. He changed his technique because of an ankle injury, but I’m sure ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) he pushed himself hard during rehab to make it stick."

"You're so wise, it must be easy for you to live your life."

"You should let go of your attachment. You’ll get there if you keep trying. I’ve been practicing that since middle school."

Eom Joobin lazily observed his cousin, who was in a frenzy over Daeyoung. Eom Hyeongjin sneered.

"Is this the excuse of a loser?"

"No matter how much you criticize, I don't see it that way. Like a tree standing firm in a storm... I’ve learned how to be happy with second place. I've mastered how to remain unshaken by your provocations. And I’ve also figured out how to make you even more frustrated."

"......?"

"I'm satisfied with second place."

Stretching his body as he lay back on the recliner sofa, Joobin stuck out his tongue. Eom Hyeongjin continued to bite at his words.

"Isn’t it human nature to want to win and feel superior? Doesn’t that mean you don’t have any nature at all?"

"As Master Beopjeong said, comparing oneself to others only brings unhappiness. To be happy, one must understand poverty."

Eom Hyeongjin, who had been shaking his head and covering his ears, finally spoke.

"Joobin, I know you’re deliberately pretending to be the concept of a bookish athlete. Everyone in the industry knows about it."

"Do you think that if Won Daeyoung didn’t exist, I would’ve been first? Maybe. Without him, my record might not have risen as much."

"This is exactly why Daeyoung doesn’t bother being friends with you. You’re no fun."

"There are people who are needed in this world even if they’re boring. They make quiet but significant contributions. Loud people like you contribute just as much as they’re loud."

Finally giving up on changing Joobin’s mindset, Eom Hyeongjin let out a short sigh.

"Just rationalize it like this. He doesn’t have any connections with the federation, so he has to fight hard with his skills. But even if I get second place, I’ll eventually secure a coaching position in the national team, so I’m not jealous."

He had thought about it. In fact, that was how he had managed to hold on at times. He knew it was bad, but it turned out like that. Sometimes.

Joobin swallowed those words and chose to attack his cousin instead.

"The moment you rationalize it like that, you just look more pathetic."

"You infuriating little brat!!"

"Infuriating? I’m having fun."

Eom Hyeongjin, who was about to give up on the conversation and leave the room, suddenly turned around as if he had forgotten something.

"Oh, about Choi Seolwoo."

"What about him?"

"Is he really a medalist routine?"

"It’s more of a placebo-like mental effect."

"I think he’s Daeyoung’s Emmental cheese hole. What do you think? Haven’t you heard anything from Daeyoung about it?"

"What cheese hole?"

Joobin tilted his head. Eom Hyeongjin patiently explained again.

"Emmental effect. It’s a weakness that comes out when profiling violent criminals. You know, Daeyoung is really hard to shake. He’s tough. If you’re away from sports for two years because of an injury, most people would break down, but he didn’t flinch at all. But."

"But?"

"If you shake Seolwoo, he reacts. It’s clear when you think about it. When he’s involved, he becomes like a rabid dog, growling."

While listening to Eom Hyeongjin’s words, Joobin didn’t take his eyes off the book. He absentmindedly muttered to himself as he traced forgotten memories in his mind.

...Ah. Maybe that’s it. He might be Daeyoung’s Emmental cheese.

Eom Hyeongjin’s rapid-fire words interrupted his thoughts.

"I told you I suggested to Seolwoo about appearing as an ordinary guest on XTube, right? Daeyoung told me not to give him those snake-like eyes. You get me? The gist is. They definitely did it. I’ll bet my fortune on it."

"What? Huh..."

"They definitely did it. My intuition tells me, something’s off, you know?"

"Please leave, man."

Then, Eom Hyeongjin lowered his voice, and what he said froze Joobin’s relaxed expression.

"It’s not just me. Friends and industry insiders are asking too. They wonder if those two aren’t more than just friends. You know the people in the industry have an exceptional intuition, right? Daeyoung? His dating rumors have come up, and we’re sure he’s straight, but Seolwoo? Not so sure, right?"

"Seems like your neighborhood is pretty open-minded about love diversity. How can you jump to conclusions like that?"

"Seriously? Haven’t you seen anything, anything about those two?"

"No."

Joobin stared at Eom Hyeongjin as he answered, then finished the conversation before Eom Hyeongjin could argue further.

"They’re just friends. I’ll vouch for it. Don’t bring up Daeyoung to me again. I’ve tolerated it for Aunt’s sake, but I can’t listen to it anymore. Leave, don’t interrupt my reading."

Defeated in his attempt to criticize Daeyoung, Eom Hyeongjin slouched out of the room. Left alone, Joobin closed the book.

Yeah, back then...

After a brief reflection, a worry appeared.

Won Daeyoung, Choi Seolwoo. I don’t know their relationship in detail, but I need to warn them to be careful about being too close. If any rumors about homosexuality spread, it could be troublesome, especially with the Olympics coming up, there’s not enough time already.

Joobin sincerely hoped that Daeyoung would manage his condition well and win a medal in the 400m at the Olympics.

That was something he could never do, no matter what.

Lost in thought, Joobin picked up his phone. He checked that Eom Hyeongjin was making noise in the living room and dialed Won Daeyoung.

Won Daeyoung finished his call with Eom Joobin and got out of the car. Even without wearing the national team uniform with the Taeguk mark, many recognized him. As he walked into the hotel’s private restaurant in his suit, requests for autographs came from all directions.

The coach, who had known Daeyoung since he was very young, showed concern when he heard that Daeyoung was meeting his relatives today. He knew that, especially with the people on his father’s side of the family, they would never treat Daeyoung the way they would treat others.

"Are you sure you're okay? Isn't this going to stress you out unnecessarily?"

"That stress has been there for a long time. See you tomorrow."

But Daeyoung had to hear what his uncle, who had arranged this family meeting, had to say. It was supposed to be a reconciliatory dinner for a family inheritance dispute. There was no way to avoid it.

He sat down at the table, intending to just hear the essentials and leave quickly. After the meal, there was a meeting with the mayor and the head of the sports federation, and after that, he planned to persuade Seolwoo and get to the bottom of the strange dating rumors.

During the meal, Daeyoung checked Seolwoo’s whereabouts through Mrs. Choi. He quickly responded to Mrs. Choi’s messages, which gave him Seolwoo’s real-time location and contact updates.

Mrs. Choi: [He’s at the company. He’ll leave around 9 PM.] Mrs. Choi: [Why are you so interested? What's going on?] 7:33 PM

[He’s upset because I didn’t tell him about the dating rumor. Don’t worry, I’ll meet him and fix things. Please just stay quiet about it.] 7:35 PM

Mrs. Choi: [He’s really something... He told me not to accept your gifts last time.] Mrs. Choi: [Just tell him you’ve been checking in on him.] 7:46 PM

[Yes. Please just say that if he asks. Let me know when he gets home, and thank you.]

He was relieved to hear that Seolwoo was still at the company. His uncle, however, seemed discontented with Daeyoung focusing on his phone, but didn’t speak up about it.

"You’ve been busy lately, huh? Sitting here with a medalist, must be quite an honor, huh? You’ve changed so much, I hardly recognize you. A true athlete with a great physique, huh?"

Daeyoung responded with a dry smile. When his uncle saw the wallet on the table, he tried to make another small talk attempt.

"Did your girlfriend buy you that wallet? It suits you."

"No, it’s from Choi Seolwoo. He’s an old friend of mine, gave it to me as a congratulations gift for my medal."

"Oh, the friend who was with you for three days at your father’s funeral? His name’s so unique, I remember that. He had those big eyes when he was little, does he still have them?"

"No, they’ve gotten bigger."

"Ha-ha..."

Daeyoung was using the wallet that Seolwoo had given him. Meanwhile, his uncle had brought a luxury pair of shoes worth around 2 million won as a congratulatory gift. Choosing a place like this for the meeting, where a single meal costs a fortune, was also one of their ways to suppress Daeyoung’s family.