Jeongguk leans against the wall, drenched in sweat. "If it weren't for my knee..." He laments but only for a moment as he lifts himself up to face the approaching figure. The familiar approaching sound of familiar voices fills the air.

"Did you see the way he flinched if a foot even got near his knee?" Sungjin's voice rings out in Jeongguk's earshot.

Kwontae laughs along with him, "That's probably why he lost today. Does he really not know his own body? He's supposed to be an athlete..."

"Well, that's what the doctor said. Would you agree with someone with a medical degree?"

Jeongguk's heart aches overhearing their conversation.

*Timeskip*

The field is empty since it's after school hours. Repetitive, concentrated shouts cut through the air.

(Y/N) overhears the familiar shouts as she passes by, 'Isn't that Jeongguk's voice?'

"One, two! One, two!" Jeongguk is shown practicing his kicks. His breathing has gone ragged and he's drenched in sweat, but he doesn't show any signs of shopping.

Time passes by and (Y/N)'s still standing in her spot watching Jeongguk practice, 'It's two hours already. What happened?' Anxiety spreads across her face as she keeps observing him. 'Watching him feels agonizing somehow. And...'

"One, two..." Jeongguk's legs continue to slice powerfully through the air, even if tired is written all over his face.

'His knee doesn't look injured at all.'

"Ha...hah.." Chest heaving, Jeongguk finally lies down on the ground.

'It's so clear that Jeongguk doesn't want to give up Taekwondo. He wants to start practicing again. I need to find a way for him to do that.'

*The next day, after school*

(Y/N) calls after Jeongguk as he leaves campus. "Hello!"

"Ah..." Jeongguk replies, his face looking dry and weary.

"Did you manage to handle that emergency?" (Y/N) asks.

"Ah...Yeah."

"I left after you did yesterday."

"Ah...sorry."

Another opportunity goes through (Y/N)'s head. "If you're really sorry... Do you want to go eat something with me? And today, we finish the food!"

"No, I don't think I'll be able to."

"Ah..um...Then...how about some ice cream?!"

Jeongguk looks tired, but a small smile appears on his face. "I'll treat today...partly as an apology for yesterday. Let's go."

*Timeskip*

Jeongguk opens the ice pop package and hands it to me. "Are you sure you're okay with this? I wanted to buy you something tastier..."

"No, this is fine!" (Y/N) says enjoying her (F/F) flavored popsicle, like a little kid. Making the male smile slightly by her child-like aura.

They both go silent for a while.

'The topic may be slightly uncomfortable, but... I made up my mind to find out in any way to help, after all.' (Y/N) brings out a question in mind. "Do you ever think about starting up taekwondo again?"

"Taekwondo?"

"I was wondering why you quit. You're so good at it and you seem like you love doing it." (Y/N) smiles in admiration at the silent boy sitting next to her.

Jeongguk doesn't respond.

'This won't do. I'll have to be more direct!'

"Um, is your knee injury still bothering you? If your injury is what's stopping you, why don't you get it re-evaluated?"

Jeongguk turns to the female in a shocked look.

"It just doesn't make sense to me. You're really talented. I saw you last time... besides, you might be okay now." (Y/N) says hoping to persuade him a bit. 'Your dancing looked totally normal, too. And if I have to admit, it was really awesome!'

"How would you know?!" Jeongguk snaps in anger surprising the (H/C) girl. He's surprised by his own outburst- he sneaks a look in her direction and drops his voice. "Thanks for worrying about me, but why are you doing this?"

(Y/N) looks down bashfully before picking her head back up to look at him with a sweet smile, "Well...it's because I like you!"

"...Huh?" The sudden words shock Jeongguk, causing his entire face up to his ears to flush completely red with his heart beating so fast it feels like it'll burst out his chest. "Y-You l-like...me?"

(Y/N) still keeps her adorable smile, showing off her dimples, "Yeah! I'm your fan, Jeon Jeongguk."

"My fan...?"

'Yeah, your fan! I'm going to need to tell you some white lies, but they're totally necessary!'

"I've watched you complete since your junior high days. You're tenacious, and your movements are fluid but exact." (Y/N) says excitedly like the devoted fangirl she was, her (E/C) eyes full of admiration for her Golden Maknae. "You don't rashly go on the offensive and you're careful about protecting your space. I was able to learn the tenets of Taekwondo from watching you."

"...What? Really?" Jeongguk mumbles in disbelief, not believing that a girl like her would watch him, not to mention be his fan.

"I was so happy to see you at the sports complex." The girl says as she smiles cheerfully at him. "Actually...I also saw you dancing at school."

Jeongguk scratches his head awkwardly as his face is still somewhat pink from the compliments she gave him.

"I've been thinking about this for a while. What if- What if your injury's all healed now?"

"I know my own body." Jeongguk replies in a calmer voice. "I can't do Taekwondo anymore. I'm even more sorry now that I know you were my fan. I'm sorry you had expectations, but I've let you down." Jeongguk hangs his head- it's like more weight has been added to his shoulders.

(Y/N) looks guilty as she sees his state.

'My heart hurts to think I've hurt him. But, Jeongguk...'

"Are you sure you're not just afraid." (Y/N) questions a little bodly.

Jeongguk shudders slightly at the sudden question.

"I saw your wallet. I wasn't digging through it on purpose, I had to find out whose wallet it was- Anyway. You didn't collect all those clinic business cards just for fun."

"..."

Jeongguk's silence makes (Y/N)'s slightly anxious, but she continues.

"Were you planning to get it checked out? After all, you know your body than anyone else."

'I think I caught him off guard, but I can't see his face.'

"...Th-"

His voice is small when he finally responds, and it almost sounds like he's holding back tears.

"Those are just regular clinic business cards...I got them on the street and didn't have anywhere to throw them away..."

(Y/N) looks at him with sympathy, 'I can't push him any farther.'

"I'm sorry, you must feel terrible already and I keep talking like I know what's going on..." She hangs her head low in guilt for a second but brings it back up, "But, please know this one thing. You watch Taekwondo matches, practice kicks alone, and no other club can hold your interest...It's because your heart still longs for Taekwondo."

"..."

"I should go." (Y/N) walks away, taking his silence as a sign believing she has already said enough. But she gets the feeling that Jeongguk is still standing where she left him.

*Timeskip*

A while after leaving Jeongguk, (Y/N) has been processing through her thoughts not sure whether she made the right choice or not.

'...I did what I could. Now Jeongguk has to decide.'

Suddenly, a voice behind her stops her from her tracks.

"Excuse me..."

She turns back towards the owner or the voice, Jeongguk.

"Tomorrow..." Jeongguk says timidly.

(Y/N) tilts her head, "Huh?"

"The clinic. I can't go today, but..." Jeongguk pauses with a slight flush to his face. "Let's go together tomorrow."

(Y/N)'s eyes widen from his sudden request, "What...?"

Jeongguk leaves almost immediately after asking the question, proving that he must still be feeling shy.

"Uh- Okay! This time tomorrow in front of the main gates! See you tomorrow!!" She doesn't see him anywhere in her sights, but still shouts after him anyway.

.

.

.

She feels so touched by Jeongguk's brave decision that she feels her sinuses tingle with tears.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

A/N: Hey guys! I know right now the story doesn't seem that into the romance right now but I promise it will come soon. But thank you all to you readers who still read this story, it mean a lot to me. Anyway as always, I purple all you beautiful ARMY and have a safe and happy day 💜🌸🦋