DASH

The morning after visiting the hospital, Jihong called Director Kang first. Since he had a good understanding of the nature of their peculiarities, Jihong did not hide the situation. He honestly explained everything and asked for consent to a two-week vacation. As expected, the man was visibly surprised at first, but soon calmed Jihon down, telling him not to worry and get a good rest.

"Oh, by the way. Kwon Jaekyung also wants to take a short break after finishing training with Oliver," Jihong added casually.

Fortunately, Mr. Kang took it without question: "Well, since Kwon Jaekyung decided so, then okay.

The director had always tried not to interfere with the training process, and he had a strong belief that Jaekyung would do a great job on his own.

"By the way, Deputy Yang called again yesterday.

Jihong, of course, did not want to elaborate. Deputy Yang is a member of the coaching staff of the Korean Sports Association. If he contacted at this time of year, there could only be one reason: to send Jaekyung to the upcoming winter training camp of the national swimming team.

Of course, Mr. Kahn had politely made it clear two months ago, when the issue had just begun to come up, that it was hardly possible. After that, he refused three or four more times. However, the Association, it seems, was not going to give in and continued to exert pressure, even to the point that it called two days before leaving. They even suggested that Jaekyung join later, in the middle of the training camp, if it didn't work out right away, clearly intending to get his way.

"The association knows very well that he has never gone yet," Jihon said.

"That's why they're so persistent. They want to show that Kwon Jaekyung, who ignored all the demands of the Federation, respects their events," Director Kang replied ironically.

Both the Federation and the Association, as always, cared more about their reputation than about the interests of the athletes.

Jihong clicked his tongue silently, and Mr. Kang, as if remembering something, added, "Oh yes, by the way, Han Yoosung will also miss the training camp.

"Really?" Jihong asked, surprised.

That's what Deputy Yang said. That's for sure.

"And the reason?"

"The same as Kwon Jaekyung. He says that he wants to choose a more effective training method for himself. It looks like Kava is going to bring in a foreign coach for him.

Jihon couldn't help laughing.

"What, did you decide to imitate even this?" Jihon joked, but Mr. Kahn replied unexpectedly seriously.

"That's not the right word. Even Deputy Yang immediately noticed that Kava seemed intent on making Han Yoosung the "second Kwon Jaekyung".

"What kind of 'second'?" thought Jihon. As long as the main indicator, that is, sports achievements, was far from the level of Jaekyung, all these attempts to imitate only caused laughter. Simply ridiculous.

Previously, due to the fact that Jaekyung ignored all events, people always criticized him: they say, a young boy thinks he knows what about himself. However, as soon as he began to achieve stunning results, everyone quickly jumped in.

"In any case, don't worry about the company's affairs. If anything happens, call immediately," Director Kahn sternly reminded before ending the call.

Jihong put the phone on the sofa and went to the kitchen. There, Jaekyung was just laying out the McMorning's menu that had just been delivered on the table. When he saw Jihon, he asked, "What's there?"

"Nothing special," said Jihon, sitting down across from him. "The Association is still trying to send you to the training camp.

"What nonsense," Jaekyung frowned, as if he had heard something unbearably annoying. Usually he ignored this, but now he was clearly seriously angry.

Jihong had rarely seen such open hostility in him, and it piqued his curiosity.

— Why don't you participate in the training camp? For the sake of efficiency?

"Efficiency has nothing to do with it," Jaekyung said. – In any case, I have individual training. Everything that is lacking can be compensated for by them.

"Then what's the matter?"

"The atmosphere is disgusting, that's all," Jaekyung replied without a shadow of a doubt.

"The coaches always left me without attention, and if I practiced myself, those who were next to me only mocked and joked. The elders, taking advantage of their position, turned up their noses and looked for new ways to prick," Jaekyung said, frowning. The memories seemed to disgust him.

"That's right," Jihon muttered quietly.

When he himself was a member of the national team, the elders sometimes tried to establish their own rules, but nothing particularly serious. Jaekyung probably got into an unsuccessful period. And given that he was still a schoolboy then, younger than everyone else, but with better physical characteristics and results, it is not difficult to imagine how this could hurt the pride of some.

– Now there is almost no one older than you in the national team. Only a couple of people, and the rest are all younger. And it is unlikely that anyone will think of pointing you out.

"I don't want to anyway," Jaekyung snapped flatly. "I just don't like it.

However, even if there were no more picky "seniors", it is difficult to imagine that this antisocial guy would agree to spend three weeks in the company of strangers.

"What if I don't go, the association will start complaining to Spoin again?" Jaekyung asked, pouring syrup over the pancakes.

"Yes, of course they won't like it. But what's the difference? I don't see the point in wasting three weeks on unsuitable training just to please the association," Jihong replied, not taking his eyes off the stream of syrup dripping onto the thin pancake.

– In any case, they are more interested in you preparing on your own and showing good results than in you ruining your performance because of participation in the training camp. And the director politely refuses them, referring to this reason.

"Participating in the training camp for three weeks will not affect my results in any way," Jaekyung put in sharply. His tone clearly said, "Don't underestimate me."

"I know," Jihon replied calmly. "But if you say that, they'll start insisting even more. Otherwise, they will have no arguments left.

Jihon smiled, propping his chin on his hand. Jaekyung stared at him for a moment, then opened another package of syrup and said, "But then why are you so sorry that I won't go?"

How did he understand this? Jihon was inwardly surprised. It seemed to him that he had perfectly concealed his feelings. This guy is really psychic.

"Hmm... Probably because the Olympics will most likely be your last," he finally admitted.

After all, the end of his career after the Olympics was the most reasonable option. Jihon also did not plan to persuade him to continue further.

"I just thought that before you left, you should have participated in the general training camp at least once. I think it's a good experience not only for you, but also for the younger ones. This opportunity to watch the work of a world-class athlete like you would be a real lesson.

"Come on. It doesn't do me any good," Jaekyung replied curtly, and finally cut open his pancake.

Jihong watched as Jaekyung, deftly folding a huge piece in half, threw it into his mouth entirely.

— I agree. At this stage, it makes no sense for you to waste time for someone else's good," he concluded.

Jaekyung nodded curtly, confirming.

Jihon, looking at him attentively, suddenly asked cautiously:

"By the way, how do you like it?"

"The same as always," Jaekyung said casually, as if it wasn't even worth discussing.

"Is everything all right?" No oddities? Taste and smell as usual?

Only after these words did Jaekyung realize that he was worried about the side effects. A mixture of surprise and annoyance appeared on the stubborn man's face.

"You'd better worry about yourself.@@novelbin@@

"I'm fine," Jihon said, grinning.

His side effects appeared quickly, but as soon as he stopped taking the drugs, everything immediately returned to normal. Hearing this, Jaekyung breathed a sigh of relief.

"And the appetite?" he specified.

— Within normal limits.

"Then here, eat," Jaekyung suggested, and cut off a piece of his pancake.

He was obviously trying to choose a place with less syrup, but it was useless: he poured two whole packages on one pancake, so that the piece was literally drowning in sweets.

"No, I'd rather eat this," Jihon refused, reaching for his chicken roll.