Ball-Boy Tactics

The long yet short two weeks came to an end today.The weather was sunny. Not too hot, not too cold—just the right amount of dazzling sunshine.Yesterday, I wasn’t feeling well. It wasn’t that I was sick, just drained of energy. I got overwhelmed by thoughts and ended up knocked out, which rarely happens. Because of that, I skipped two classes, including Understanding Architecture. Finals are in two weeks, and it feels insane.Still, lying down all day gave me some time to sort through my thoughts. That’s also why I easily agreed to Byun Seungjin’s call to come to the basketball court, even though it was just about a memory card. Kwon Jungwoo had been asking me to visit every chance he got, but I hadn’t gone. Now that I was going on a day like today, it felt strange. A mix of guilt and excitement stirred inside me.I arrived at the basketball court around 5 PM.The energetic sounds could be heard even from outside the building. Peeking through the entrance, I saw the place was full of heat. With no crowd in sight, it seemed like they were having a practice game.…Was it okay for me to go in? Byun Seungjin said it didn’t matter when I came, but I still felt hesitant.Maybe I should just ask him to call me when they’re done.While I was pondering, one of the players stretching nearby caught my eye. The moment he noticed me, he raised his hand high.“Oh! It’s fine to come in. This way!”“Ah… okay.”“Jungwoo hyung is still in the middle of the game, but it’s almost over.”Speaking as if he was certain I had come to see Kwon Jungwoo, he led me toward the team bench.It seemed like wearing a hat here made me stand out more, so I mustered up the courage to take it off. Knowing Kwon Jungwoo and his friends were in the same space gave me a surprising sense of reassurance.I gave a slight nod to the players sitting on the bench and unfolded the metal chair I had sat in before. Neither the coach nor the players on the court, focused on the game, paid any attention to me.Kwon Jungwoo was on the court with Byun Seungjin and Yang Eunoh. It had been a while since I’d seen him in person. Maybe it was because he was so tall, but it felt like he had grown even more since the last time I saw him.I wonder if Kwon Jungwoo remembers that today is the day we promised.Even though the MVP interview we had been looking forward to was still fresh in my mind, seeing him so focused on his game made me feel timid again. I had been thinking about Kwon Jungwoo all throughout class and had practically given up on my finals, even though they hadn’t even started yet.Lost in thought, with the sounds of bouncing balls and sneakers squeaking on the court as my backdrop, one of the players approached me.“What are you doing later tonight?”It was a player I had met at a drinking party before and had run into a few times after that. The fact that he asked me without any greeting made me think he felt pretty familiar with me. I wasn’t quite as close to him, but he wasn’t uncomfortable to be around either—not that I minded.“I have plans… why?”“After the game, the coach said we should have a team bonding session. We’re going out for some barbecue. I was going to invite you. I think the coach would be happy if you came too.”“I’m too much of an outsider for that.”“Oh, come on. Drawing such a clear line, calling yourself an outsider—it hurts, you know. Honestly, I’d love to ask you to join us for our training camp.”“Training camp?”“Yeah. Wanna come?”I shook my head and laughed at his absurd suggestion. He quickly followed up with a playful offer, as if it had all been a joke.“Why not come visit for a day or two? We’re going to Jeju Island, and there are plenty of places to explore.”“I’ll think about it… but when are you going? If it’s training camp, you’ll be gone for a while, right?”“We’re leaving right after finals and will be training for a month. The schedule just came out yesterday. Didn’t the others tell you yet?”Instead of answering, I just smiled awkwardly. It wasn’t that I felt left out for not hearing about it; I was already starting to miss Kwon Jungwoo, knowing I wouldn’t see him for a whole month.There wouldn’t be any official games during training camp, so no live broadcasts. I was already worried about whether I could go a month without seeing him. And his scent… I’d probably forget it completely.“…!”A loud shout from the coach snapped me out of my thoughts, making me look at the court.It turned out he wasn’t angry, just giving instructions as he continued shouting commands. Kwon Jungwoo nodded as if he understood. His gaze had grown sharper, focused entirely on the game.Then, at one moment, his eyes shifted slightly to the side and met mine.For a second, the intensity in his gaze softened into confusion. His stride faltered, and at that exact moment, someone passed the ball to him. Missing the catch, the ball ended up in the hands of the opposing team, who immediately launched a fast break.Fortunately, Kwon Jungwoo quickly chased after the opponent and drew a foul, but he missed both of the free throws that followed. As the basketball bounced off the rim twice, the bench stirred.“What’s wrong with Jungwoo? It’s the first time I’ve seen him miss both free throws.”Even the player who had been lingering beside me looked surprised and returned to his spot.The coach, seemingly unable to watch any longer, substituted Kwon Jungwoo. He returned to the bench, drenched in sweat, sitting with his back to me as he silently listened to the coach’s instructions.His back, as he wiped his sweat with a large towel and drank water, felt close enough to touch. It was clear that he knew I was sitting behind him, yet Kwon Jungwoo didn’t turn around even once.Before long, he was back on the court, showing incredible focus and leading the team to victory. Though it was just a practice match, it must have been an important game since the players were particularly ecstatic.“Great job!”“Good work-, good work-.”“You were amazing today.”As the players who had been on the court returned to the bench, they exchanged high-fives one by one. Byun Seungjin and Yang Eunoh, who came in first, even extended their hands to me, and before I knew it, I found myself high-fiving the players that followed.“Why am I…?”“Because it’s fun.”“…”It was a very awkward and uncomfortable moment.Kwon Jungwoo, too, was high-fiving the other players as he gradually got closer to me. Still full of energy despite all the running, he smiled playfully and slapped the hands of the others so hard it looked like he was going to break their palms. I began to worry that if he hit me like that, my smaller hand might really break compared to those basketball players.Finally, Kwon Jungwoo stood before me. A wave of warmth radiated from him. Strangely, even the scent of his sweat didn’t smell bad. Instead, it felt like his familiar scent had grown stronger, stirring my heart.“Han Jiwon.”He called my name softly and pressed his palm against mine. It wasn’t quite a high-five but rather a light and gentle touch. Instead of pulling away, his hand stayed, holding mine and slowly lowering it. Startled, I looked up at Kwon Jungwoo’s face, and his eyes were filled with amusement.“Isn’t it a bit much to suddenly show up like this today?”He let go of my hand, leaving it in a way that, to others, might have just seemed like he had gently lowered it. I clenched my hand in the air, trying to hold onto the warmth he left behind.“I had something to do with Seungjin…”“Must’ve been really important. You never came when I asked.”“…”“I wanted to show you something cool, but all you saw was me messing up.”His lips, flushed red with frustration, pouted as he grumbled, clearly disappointed.Seeing those bright lips on his fair skin reminded me of that rainy day. Ignoring the awkward pounding in my chest, I cleared my throat to ask the question I had wanted to for days.“How’s your injury? Are you okay?”“Injury? Oh, you mean when I busted my lip?”“Yeah.”“It’s almost healed. Since I haven’t had to use my tongue, it didn’t get worse. Should I thank you for that?”I laughed dumbly along with his playful words, but then, realizing the meaning a bit late, I straightened my expression. I couldn’t find the right words to say, but just then, Byun Seungjin conveniently called me from the entrance.“Jiwon! The memory card’s in the locker room. Let’s go together!”“Ah, okay!”At the moment when my so-called important business was revealed to be just a memory card, I glanced at Kwon Jungwoo’s reaction. He merely raised his eyebrows, as if unsurprised, and didn’t say anything.“Well… I’ll be going.”I was about to head toward the entrance when Kwon Jungwoo grabbed my wrist.“We have something to talk about today.”Don’t say you forgot.His voice carried a certain weight with those added words.“How could I forget? I’ve already made up my mind, Jungwoo.”“…”Kwon Jungwoo, unusually, was at a loss for words. With the bustle of players leaving the court and staff cleaning up around us, I quietly asked him,“When and where should we meet today? I’m fine with whenever, so I’ll go with your time.”***I arranged to meet with Kwon Jungwoo a few hours later. He said he had to show up at the team’s gathering first since the coach was leading it.Despite my bold words earlier about having made up my mind, I was now feeling uncomfortable at my apartment. As the time to meet Kwon Jungwoo approached, I kept doubting my decision.What kind of expression would Kwon Jungwoo have, and what would he say to my answer? From the moment I spoke, I wondered if I’d regret it, unable to take my words back.I kept repeating the conclusion I’d already made, trying to convince myself that time hadn’t changed anything.As I went down to the first floor after receiving a message from Kwon Jungwoo saying he’d soon arrive, my heart raced as if I were a professional athlete. When I saw his car parked in front of my building for the first time in a while, my heart nearly stopped.Kwon Jungwoo greeted me, wearing a black sweatshirt, looking just as he always did. As I got into the passenger seat, he, as usual, turned off the music that had been playing.“Are you not wearing hats anymore?”“I just came out to see you for a bit… but didn’t you drink? You shouldn’t be driving.”“Today’s an important day. I haven’t had a single drop.”He asked, “Where should we go?” while shifting gears as if he was ready to drive off any second. I quickly answered to stop him.“Let’s just talk here. I mean… it’s not like we have a long conversation ahead, so it would be awkward to go somewhere else.”Kwon Jungwoo looked surprised by my suggestion. His hand, which had been gripping the steering wheel, dropped, and he tilted his head slightly. Then, noticing I hadn’t fastened my seatbelt, he let out a low, “Ah…” as if he had guessed what conclusion I had reached.“I should’ve just taken you far away without asking. Could’ve gone for a long drive.”“…”“Don’t start talking yet. Let me park the car properly first.”Kwon Jungwoo’s expression remained calm as he drove the car to a parking spot. Every time he turned the wheel, the muscles in his wrist flexed under his black watch. Even in such a serious moment, the movement was so sexy I found myself wanting to touch it.He parked in a quiet corner of the garage, and the sensor lights flickered off one by one as we passed. The garage’s usual orange hue turned into a romantic glow, simply because it illuminated Kwon Jungwoo.“These past two weeks felt way too long, Jiwon.”He unbuckled his seatbelt and looked straight at me. Just that gaze alone was enough to heighten the tension. I quickly broke eye contact. I heard him let out a long breath. I didn’t want to drag this out any longer.So, what was the excuse I gave him last time…?“As I said before, we’re both men and somewhat known, so I’ve been thinking a lot. Sorry to make you wait, Jungwoo. We’ve spent a lot of time together, but also enough time apart that I’ve managed to come to a conclusion.”“…”“I didn’t want to cause you any harm, especially since you’re always so dedicated to basketball. I know how hard you work, and I didn’t want to jeopardize your career. But ironically, the more I admired that side of you, the more I found myself conflicted. It didn’t make sense for me to decide on a relationship that could only hurt you if it was exposed—”“Jiwon.”Kwon Jungwoo cut me off by taking my hand. Apparently, I’d been pinching my skin without realizing, and my hand was red in several places. I hadn’t placed my hand on my thigh for him to hold, but here we were.His usually confident eyes now held only tension, none of the usual self-assurance.“You can tell me the reasons later. Just give me the conclusion. Skip the complicated parts and tell me what you want to do.”“I… well…”No matter how much I thought about it, this relationship would only put you at a disadvantage, but even so—“I like you, Jungwoo. I want to be with you.”“…”“Let’s date.”The conclusion had been clear from the start. Like a traveler who finally gives in to the sun and removes his coat, I had no choice but to surrender to my emotions. I was the last to realize it, and it had only just hit me.Kwon Jungwoo didn’t avoid my gaze. Even under the orange lighting, I could see his ears turning red, his eyes fixed on me like I was the only person in the world.“How can you be so bold?”With a voice that was gentle yet full of warmth, Kwon Jungwoo reached out. His graceful fingers brushed my bangs aside. His hand, which smelled faintly of soap, lingered near my face.“You’re not going to take it back, right? You didn’t say that by mistake, did you?”Kwon Jungwoo frowned slightly, asking repeatedly, likely because of all the unclear signals I had given him up until now. I met his eyes, filled with guilt, and nodded. Finally, a smile spread across his handsome face.“I had so much I wanted to say, but I forgot everything. Now what do we do?”At first, I thought he was just brushing my hair, but Kwon Jungwoo had moved closer. My face burned with nerves, and every place his hand touched tingled. As our noses got closer, the heat between us rose, making it hard to look at him straight on.“Aren’t you going to give me an answer?”Hesitating, I finally asked the question I had been holding back. I was biting my lip so hard I couldn’t feel anything, while Kwon Jungwoo stared intensely at them.“What answer?”“To my confession… about us dating.”“Do I need to answer that?”Kwon Jungwoo gently tilted my chin up. Seeing the tension on his face, similar to my own, made the heat between us flare even more. Even though we hadn’t touched yet, we both knew how fast our hearts were beating.“If you want, I’ll tell you as many times as you need.”“…”“I want to be with you too. I want to be led around by you in this relationship.”I like you so much.With that whisper, his head tilted, and his soft lips touched mine. What started as a light kiss deepened as he held me closer. His warm breath was so sweet it caused a sharp pain in my chest.As excitement made it hard to breathe, I couldn’t help but remember the real reason I had hesitated to start a relationship with him.…I hope this was the right decision.Having made an irreversible choice, I found myself longing for reassurance.After an incident in my youth, I had a habit of easily giving up when things got overwhelming. I’d always been conservative in relationships, and the only reason I was able to muster the courage this time was thanks to Kwon Jungwoo’s relentless affection.Now a new chapter with Kwon Jungwoo was beginning. My fear of us becoming strangers remained, so I resolved to do everything I could to prevent that.My plan was simple. Since Kwon Jungwoo’s last relationship ended because of his ex’s jealousy, I decided I wouldn’t be possessive. With that one vague rule, I threw myself into this relationship with him, fully aware that I wouldn’t know the outcome until the end of time.Would I be able to do this well?Despite my anxiety, the excitement in my chest convinced me that my decision was the right one.“Jiwon, open your mouth.”As gently as he asked, a soft piece of flesh entered my mouth. Cradling my face as if holding a bouquet, Kwon Jungwoo kissed me deeply. Despite his delicately lowered eyelashes, the tension in his furrowed brows only made me feel more anxious.“Mmm…”Following his lead, I wrapped my arms around Kwon Jungwoo’s neck and tilted my head. Our tongues intertwined between lips that pressed against each other, endlessly craving more with wet, smacking sounds as we devoured each other.With every breath that escaped through my teeth, Kwon Jungwoo pressed in even closer. His hands, which had been holding my jawline and neck, began to venture lower, trying to slide down my nape. Even as we kissed, the urge to hold him even tighter overwhelmed me. Though the SUV had plenty of space, the obstacles between the driver and passenger seats felt like they were in the way.“Hah, Jungwoo…”Overflowing with energy, Kwon Jungwoo kept pushing gently, kissing me without pause even when I called his name. Lost in his tender kisses that seemed capable of melting everything, I momentarily forgot why I’d called for him, but when I found myself entangled in his tongue again, I called his name once more.“Jungwoo.”When I pulled away, he immediately tried to close the distance, pressing his lips back to mine, but I shook my head slightly to refuse. His earnest eyes, which stared at me directly, were filled with longing.“Can’t we kiss just a little more? I feel like I’ll die if we stop.”“It’s not that, Jungwoo. It’s just… it’s too cramped in here.”It was hard to pull away because I knew exactly how he might interpret what I was about to say.I stared silently at Kwon Jungwoo, who was gazing at me intensely. After a moment, I swallowed hard and asked, “Should we… go up to my place?”Nervousness caused my voice to come out hoarse.His eyebrows shot up slightly in surprise, his gaze faltering. When he narrowed his brows and spoke, I could hear the hesitation in his voice.“Are you serious?”Instead of speaking, I pressed my lips together and nodded. He studied my face intently, scanning every corner for a sign of what I was thinking. Then, without protest, he pulled back from me. His voice that followed was sweet beyond words.“Go ahead up first. I’ll stop by the convenience store and come up.”***Once I got back to the apartment, I started tidying up the messier areas.I hadn’t planned to bring Kwon Jungwoo over. It hadn’t been long since I last cleaned, so I felt a little relieved. I tried to figure out whether spontaneously inviting him over was a good idea or not. The anxiety twisting in my stomach made it hard to think clearly.My scattered thoughts were completely erased when the doorbell rang. Kwon Jungwoo stood there, empty-handed.“Couldn’t find the convenience store? There’s one in the building on the first floor.”“It’s in my pocket.”Before I could ask what he had in his pocket, Kwon Jungwoo stepped into the apartment, grabbing my shoulders. The door hadn’t even fully closed before his lips found mine again.“Mmm… ah…”Kwon Jungwoo expertly used his tongue, disarming me instantly. He pressed in so tightly that I could barely breathe. As I backed away step by step, I managed to push against his chest just enough to stop him.“Your mouth, the cut—”“Check for yourself.”Before I could say more, his deep kiss returned. Kwon Jungwoo didn’t give me any room to resist this time, kissing me so thoroughly that I couldn’t even retreat. Before I knew it, I was pinned against the wall near the shoe rack, gripping his muscular arms.Without allowing me any time to check the supposed cut in his mouth, he seemed determined to melt me completely, pulling me in with his persistent kisses. His lips lightly bit down on my lower lip before grazing my cheek and trailing down my jaw to my neck, leaving soft kisses in his wake. Even though his chest was no longer pressed against me, the hot breath on my neck left me just as breathless.There was nowhere left to retreat, and I found myself standing on my toes as Kwon Jungwoo slipped his hand under my shirt.“Hngh, ah!”His large hand grabbed my ribcage without hesitation. I let out a short sound, unsure if it was from the ticklish sensation or the sheer intensity of his grip. Kwon Jungwoo exhaled long and slow near my neck, and his broad thumb began to slowly trace my bare skin.Though his grip was firm, his hand, tracing up my side, was gentle. When Kwon Jungwoo’s fingers found the tender skin on my chest, as if he remembered it from before, he tried to lift my shirt. I quickly grabbed his hand to stop him, and he looked up at me. His eyes, filled with heat, seemed to be asking for permission.Not wanting him to misunderstand, I reached for the nearby switch and turned off the light. The room went dark instantly, and his face became a faint silhouette.“Do you want the lights off for this?”His soft voice sounded especially sultry. We were so close that even a small nod was enough to convey my answer.I was afraid to show my bare chest to Kwon Jungwoo, who had lived his life as a heterosexual until now. It made sense for me to feel this way, but Kwon Jungwoo was likely more accustomed to something more rounded and prominent. I was scared that he might feel something negative when he saw my flat chest so plainly exposed.However, Kwon Jungwoo just tilted his head and teased me.“I want the lights on.”Then, he switched them back on. It wasn’t the main light but the dim ambient lighting. The halogen bulbs embedded in the ceiling softly lit up the room, casting our figures in a gentle glow. It wasn’t as bright as the main light, but in the now subtly illuminated room, I couldn’t help but lower my head.“Let me leave this on, at least. It’s scary when it’s too dark.”He pouted as if he wouldn’t back down this time and pulled off my t-shirt. Even though the room was warm, I felt a small chill run across my skin. Kwon Jungwoo seemed to notice, pulling me into a tight hug and pressing his lips against my shoulder. He bit down, marking my skin as if he wanted to leave red bruises all over me.“Ugh, Jungwoo…”When I called his name, Kwon Jungwoo chuckled softly. I slipped my hand inside his black sweatshirt, feeling the solid muscles of his back. His body was as toned as an athlete’s, even without seeing it. His body temperature was so high that it felt like heat was radiating from him into me. As I traced the deep curve of his spine, Kwon Jungwoo’s hand moved down to my waist.With long fingers, he easily unfastened the buckle of my pants.“Mmngh!”The sound that escaped me was instinctual, but it was swallowed up by Kwon Jungwoo’s mouth. Even as my startled eyes locked onto his, he didn’t stop kissing me. In fact, without hesitation, his hand slipped into my underwear, touching skin that no one else had ever touched before.“Ahh, w-wait!”My body jerked instinctively at the hot sensation of his hand gently grasping the sensitive flesh. There was no room to escape, and Kwon Jungwoo held me steady by the shoulders. The large hands that had once held a basketball now deftly moved, stimulating me with delicate precision. My lungs felt full of air, but every time I tried to breathe, Kwon Jungwoo’s lips met mine as if to control even my breathing.“Hngh, mm… ah…”Without realizing it, I was holding onto Kwon Jungwoo tightly and letting out soft moans. His hands on me were unbearably pleasurable, sending me into a state of bliss that was almost overwhelming. Even though I was embarrassed and wanted to look away, Kwon Jungwoo’s gaze stayed fixed on my face, close enough to kiss.“S-stop. I’m… I’m gonna come.”“Go ahead. I’ll make you come again if you do.”“That’s not… what I meant… hngh!”When I took care of my own desires, I could control it, but not this time. Did Kwon Jungwoo use this much strength when he touched himself? The pressure in his hand was immense. His steady, relentless rhythm made it impossible for me to maintain any composure.As much as I didn’t want to dirty his clean, soap-scented hands, Kwon Jungwoo showed no signs of stopping. I should’ve pushed him away, but instead, I clung to him even tighter. I knew that doing so only put me in a better position for him to keep stroking me, yet I couldn’t help myself.“Ahh, please… hngh!”At the peak of my gasping moans, the tension finally released. Warmth spilled out, coating Kwon Jungwoo’s fingers.“When was the last time you came? There’s a lot.”Even as he teased me about my embarrassment, Kwon Jungwoo didn’t stop. He gripped the tip of my length and gently rubbed, as if determined to draw out every drop. The added slickness to my overly sensitive skin made my body tremble, nearly convulsing.“Hngh, stop… stop, Jungwoo!”His pretty lips, both frustrating and tender, left soft kisses all over me as if to soothe me. Just when I thought I could finally relax under his soft, bird-like pecks, his hand crept down again, this time pulling off my underwear and pants. Before I realized it, I was left standing there, naked, with my pants bunched around my ankles.Kwon Jungwoo silently took in the sight of me like this. From my face to my toes, his gaze moved slowly, deliberately, lingering especially long on my erection still slick with release. I tried to cover myself with my hands, but he easily pushed them away, leaving me feeling only more foolish.“…With this body, Jiwon.”The small whisper that finally broke the silence was unbearably sweet.“How did you manage to do gymnastics with just these soft, lean muscles?”“…”“It’s… even better than I imagined.”For once, Kwon Jungwoo couldn’t finish his sentence, his gaze locked onto me. It felt like he was scrutinizing every tiny detail, every small mark on my body, and I felt my face heat up with embarrassment. Standing there, naked except for my socks, I felt utterly pathetic.It wasn’t long before Kwon Jungwoo pulled me into a fierce embrace.His strong scent, a mix of body wash and his natural smell, seemed to seep into me. Kwon Jungwoo caressed the back of my head with firm strokes, nibbling gently on the edge of my ear.“I want to be gentle, but it’s so hard, Jiwon.”“…”“I guess I really like you a lot.”It felt like my heart was going to burst.With those final words, he lightly kissed me on the ear. I heard the sound of a belt buckle being undone, and then I felt something hot touch me below.I instinctively looked down and couldn’t help but gasp. My mouth fell open without me realizing it. How had he managed to hide something like that in his pants? Even though he was clearly aroused, the size was still unbelievable. If he was this big now, his regular size must be something else entirely. It was so massive that I wondered how he even played basketball without it getting in the way.“…Jungwoo, you’re really…”“You look good down here too. It’s bigger than I thought.”In a gentle voice, Kwon Jungwoo complimented me, though he was the one deserving of such praise. He wrapped his hand around his own length, and the white fluid that had come from me earlier smeared onto him. The sight of him slowly stroking his large penis with his equally large hand was more intense than anything I’d ever seen in an adult video.Thick veins bulged along its surface, making it look even more imposing. Just watching it stirred a strange sense of satisfaction, and an overwhelming urge to touch it came over me.“…Can I touch it?”At my request, Kwon Jungwoo stepped closer. He then took my hand and placed it on his length. The thick penis, as solid as his broad chest, stood even taller the moment it made contact with my hand, displaying its full power. I was astonished that it could still grow larger, but at the same time, I couldn’t believe that I was actually touching Kwon Jungwoo like this. The surreal sight made my head spin.