Knowing Brother-Chapter 2

Lane 3! Korea, Won Daeyoung.

With a smile, he lightly waved his fist at the camera. Seolwoo, who had barely eaten breakfast or lunch, stuffed Daeyoung's smile into his empty stomach.

"He's so relaxed by himself. Some of us can't even eat because we're so nervous."

After the camera shifted to the next athlete, he glanced toward the distant coach's bench. It seemed like he was briefly looking at Seolwoo on the video call, so he gave the camera a moment's attention.

— Hey, that’s not possible. There’s a reason he spent so long on rehab. Even if he’s fully recovered, how could he break the Olympic standard in a big competition like the Asian Games all at once?

— But it’s Won Daeyoung. What if he loses to Joo-bin? How embarrassing would that be? Isn’t it ridiculous for Daeyoung, ranked 2nd in the country, to get 3rd? If he messes up this time, I don’t think he’ll ever race again.

— It's not that he won’t race; he just won’t want to. His pride is shot, so how could he run?

— He’s been nothing but an athlete, so he’ll probably run. But man, falling from grace after being at the top... it really happens in a split second.

Seolwoo had a vague idea of what kind of gossip had spread inside and outside the federation during Daeyoung's two years of rehab. His rival, who had always been second place, had been soaring, while Daeyoung had been completely pushed aside. While Joo-bin had been invited to exchange events by the Athletics Federation and the Sports Council, dressed in a suit, competing at the World Championships, and standing in front of media cameras, Daeyoung had been sweating alone on the track.

No one cared about an athlete who couldn’t produce results due to an injury. What people wanted was the glory of victory, not endless rehab training.

Twenty-nine years old. With the Olympic cycle in mind, he was nearing the end of his career as a track athlete. If he couldn’t produce results in today’s final, Daeyoung might never regain his former glory.

Lane 6! Korea, Eom Joo-bin.

“Ugh... I’m nervous...!”

“......Is Daeyoung really fully recovered from rehab? Has he really come back completely?”

Joo-bin’s relative, who also worked in the federation, asked, trying to probe. Everyone seemed to be talking about his rehab. Seolwoo was getting tired of it, and Daeyoung himself must have been even more annoyed. How burdensome would today’s competition be for him? Thinking about it made it hard to breathe.

“Ask him directly, don’t make me play spy.”

At Seolwoo’s sharp response, the man’s expression stiffened. Soon, faint muttering escaped his lips.

“Well... if he’s fully recovered, then I guess that’s why he’s competing. It’s exciting, a chance for revenge...”

He had said it to get under Seolwoo’s skin. The office fell silent right before the start, drawing everyone's attention. Seolwoo ignored it and threw a question at the man.

“Revenge?”

“No, I mean, Daeyoung’s last race before rehab... it was shocking when the country’s top prospect came 7th.”

“It wasn’t 7th, it was 6th. KBS National Athletics Competition.”

“Oh, right? It’s been so long since I’ve seen him on the track, I got mixed up. Been a while for you too, huh?”

Seolwoo, turning indifferently to the TV, replied.

“Yeah, it’s been a while since I watched the broadcast. It wasn’t fun without Daeyoung-hyung. He dropped out of the World Championships qualifiers.”

“......”

When the man stiffened, the general manager of the sponsor company loudly shouted, “Fighting!” The cheers broke out everywhere. Won Daeyoung! Eom Joo-bin! Let’s go! The intense atmosphere of support drowned out the tension between them.

Now, the start is about to begin.

Under the bright lights, Daeyoung raised his chin high and looked far down the track. Then his gaze briefly crossed over to the coaching bench. He was definitely looking at Seolwoo, as was his custom before the start. Seolwoo stared at the phone camera lens.

400m Final, it’s starting.

The starter’s voice rang out loudly.

On your mark.

The eight athletes pressed their feet against the starting blocks. Their shoulders and arms bore the weight. The stadium on TV felt eerily quiet, like it had been splashed with cold water.

The office, too, was enveloped in a suffocating silence. As the starting gun pointed to the sky, even the live commentary went still. The overwhelming tension had everyone silent, eyes locked on the starting line.

Get set.

Seolwoo’s heart raced. The moment Daeyoung raised his waist, a deep breath escaped Seolwoo.

Go!

Bang, the starting signal rang.

The sound of the shot echoed in Seolwoo’s ears as his breath fell away.

The reactions of those who couldn’t contain their tension were varied. Some covered their mouths, others clenched their fists and focused on the broadcast screen. Seolwoo, though acting indifferent, couldn’t stop his heart from pounding. He deliberately clenched his jaw and hid his expression.

They’ve started! Yes, start! A good start, they’re moving fast! Eom Joo-bin, Won Daeyoung!

“Hey, come on, Daeyoung! It’s okay if you lose, really. I’m proud of you no matter what place you get. You’re here today because you didn’t give up for two years. I bet Joo-bin couldn’t do that.”

“I know how hard you worked on your rehab. So it’s fine if you lose. Should I tell you to keep losing? Well, then win. Whether you win or lose, I’ll think you’re amazing.”

No matter what anyone else said, Seolwoo’s thoughts were different. His whispered support was unlike the others in the office, who cheered for personal gain. What Seolwoo wished for was one thing only: Daeyoung’s happiness, regardless of the result.

The athletes’ feet pounded the track with blinding speed. Their powerful feet pushed against the ground with force, propelling them forward.

— Right after the start, if you straighten your back, you won’t accelerate. That’s why you look like you’re running with your back hunched in the first few meters, right?

Seolwoo remembered the words Daeyoung had once explained to him on the subway.

The athletes’ muscles swelled as they unleashed maximum energy. Their arms and legs surged with determination. The spikes dug into the ground, their arms cutting through the air, adding force to their speed. Their wind-blown hair showed how fast they were moving.

— The 400m requires full effort the entire way. You have to push your muscles to their limit for one full lap. If you use all your energy in the first 100m, you won’t be able to sprint in the final stretch.

The roar of the crowd filled the stadium. The athletes had already passed the straight section and were entering the curve. Daeyoung, starting in lane 3, was behind Eom Joo-bin and a few other athletes. His head spun. Seolwoo, biting his lip, covered his face with his palm.

“Come on, Daeyoung! You’ve already passed 100m!”

“Go, Korea! Please!”

Desperate voices cried out from all directions. Seolwoo didn’t even glance that way. His eyes never left the broadcast screen. Every blink felt like a waste. The athletes were pushing forward, meters ahead in an instant.

Daeyoung, with his broad stride, began catching up to the athletes in the adjacent lanes. The lead group, rounding the curve, entered the second straight section.

The leaders are Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Eom Joo-bin! Behind them, Won Daeyoung! The gap increases as they pass the curve. Daeyoung still looks like he’s recovered well from his injury. Now’s the time to push through...!

Seolwoo felt his eyes burn. He sighed quietly, watching Daeyoung push ahead with wild energy, his shoulders and legs showing his darker side.

In the distant straightaway, the athletes pushed their bodies to their limits, increasing their acceleration. They had to close the gap before entering the curve. The Saudi and Japanese athletes, maintaining their speed, kept their 1st and 2nd positions.

Daeyoung’s head pushed forward beside them. Roars and growls filled the air. At the same time, the sounds of people slamming chairs and desks exploded. Even the producer was shouting. Everyone watching the track was headed toward a crescendo.

He’s catching up, he’s catching up! Won Daeyoung moves into 3rd place!

The stadium’s stands had turned into a fierce jungle, full of cheers, shouts, and encouragements. The two athletes in the lead were getting closer to the curve.

The lead group is strong. They’re fast. They won’t give up their positions easily, right?

Eom Joo-bin’s making his move! He’s pushing ahead!

Ah, they need to pace themselves! They need to manage their speed for the final sprint. Both Daeyoung and Joo-bin are going too fast; they need to be careful of overpacing! At the 200m mark, if they keep up this speed, they’ll be exhausted!

Eom Joo-bin! Won Daeyoung! Eom Joo-bin! Won Daeyoung! The shouts mixed together, filling the office. Even those who had been indifferent were now clenching their fists in excitement. On the track, the racers pushed forward, the brutal speed tearing through the lanes and attacking their rivals.

Daeyoung bit into Joo-bin’s pace. His silent, fierce determination felt like a wild animal devouring its prey. Midway through the curve, Daeyoung surged next to Joo-bin.

“No! Joo-bin!!! Run! Run, Eom Joo-bin!”

Someone yelled with a voice that sounded like it would tear apart. The two men were running side by side, battling for 3rd and 4th place. The leading athletes, maintaining their speed, kept charging toward the finish line. Joo-bin’s head slightly pulled ahead. His face twisted in pain.

Seolwoo, matching the intensity of the cry, cupped his hands near his mouth and shouted.

“Won Daeyoung! Fight!!”

Though it could never reach him in the distant stadium, though he couldn’t hear it, Seolwoo gathered all his strength and shouted.

“Daeyoung-hyung!! Run!!”

“Go Korea!”

The atmosphere in the office was ignited, united by the hope of entering the medal zone.

As the 300m mark approached, the pain on the athletes’ faces became apparent. Their bodies were almost out of oxygen. They had to dig deep within themselves and pour out their strength and explosiveness.

Daeyoung and Joo-bin entered the final straightaway, and the stands were drowned in a tidal wave of noise. The people screamed. Roars erupted everywhere.

Ah...! 2nd place, 2nd place. He’s moving up!! Eom Joo-bin...!

Eom Joo-bin passed Daeyoung again, and Daeyoung was pushed to 3rd place. Seolwoo couldn’t stay still in his seat, his body swaying with anticipation.

The winner will be decided in the final sprint of the 400m! Who will win this mental battle?

At this critical moment, those in front of the screen jumped around, blocking Seolwoo’s view. He shouted at them.

“Ah, sit down! Sit down!!”

For a brief moment, the screen was blocked, but the first thing Seolwoo’s eyes caught when it cleared was the short black hair and the sharp forehead.

Won Daeyoung, here he comes!!

Won Daeyoung, in the final 100m! What a sprint! Look at his breathing, he’s maintaining his speed! He’s speeding up...!

Seolwoo’s fingertips felt dry. Both Joo-bin and Daeyoung, under their fluttering hair, breathed rapidly, their arms cutting through the air with desperation.

“You crazy bastard. Look at the time. Damn. Look at the time!”

Someone muttered in disbelief. The commentators’ voices became louder.

Yes, he’s passing! He’s moving ahead, maintaining his speed all the way to the finish line...!

Daeyoung ran with all his might, his body upright, his face contorted with the pain of his muscles as he pushed forward toward the finish line.

He slammed his feet into the ground with great force.

Watching Daeyoung soar, Seolwoo knew. After crossing this finish line today, his future would explode and soar as well.

It was a feeling of exhilaration.

The injury and the weight of the past that had held him back for over two years were «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» finally falling away.

The past had submerged, and now, it was falling off.

Won Daeyoung is crossing the finish line! First place! Korea, first place!!