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Jungwon has heard the most ridiculous thing in his life. On a random Monday, at that.
It was 6 a.m., and as usual, he was on his way to school, his hands buried in the pockets of his red sweatpants. One earbud rested in his ear while the other dangled freely, much like the duffel bag hanging from only one shoulder.
The morning breeze wasn’t too cold, but it was chilly enough for most people to wear jackets and wrap scarves around themselves. The sky was still so blue as the sun hadn't fully revealed itself yet, giving that right warmth and cool weather, and the usual sounds of passing cars and blaring horns were nowhere to be heard.
This was exactly Jungwon’s kind of morning.
A blue sky. Chilly breeze. The sound of nature.
A perfect picture of a good "Jungwon morning."
Speaking of Yang Jungwon, he is the PE teacher for high school students and the coach of the same school’s Taekwondo varsity team. With that, he had become widely known for it after leading the team to multiple championships since replacing the former coach three years ago.
Despite only being twenty-six, he was well-respected by both students and teachers alike, his reputation among the student body especially admirable.
That was why he never expected to hear those very same students talking about him so openly on his way to school.
He was only two blocks away from the school gates when some students noticed him, greeting him with wide smiles and polite bows that he returned with a small smile of his own. The sight subtly reminded him of what he had once been like as a student.
However, two particular girls he recognized as students from the school he taught at, their brown and red uniforms making it obvious, were walking slowly in front of him. Their voices were hushed, though not quiet enough to keep Jungwon from overhearing their conversation, even with one earbud still in place.
“Do you think Coach Yang and Mr. Park will bicker again today?” the girl with the bun asked, her tone far more excited than usual.
“They probably will. Honestly, it’s fun watching them like that,” the other girl with the braids replied, making Jungwon’s brows lift in unintentional confusion.
‘What did they mean by that?’
“Right!” her friend, the girl with the bun, responded, clasping her hands in agreement before urging her closer, as if she were about to share a secret. Though clearly, they weren’t whispering enough, considering Jungwon could still hear every word.
“I kinda think they look good together too.”
Just as her friend let out a squeal, Jungwon stopped in his tracks.
“Omo! Seriously? I thought I was the only one who noticed!”
The girl chuckled. “I swear, Mr. Park likes seeing Coach Yang all riled up. He probably likes Coach Yang.”
“Exactly my thoughts.”
“It’s like Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo, right?”
“Omg, yes!”
Yang Jungwon hadn’t realized it, but his cheeks were beginning to warm as embarrassment and humiliation slowly crept through him. Like he’s one of those raccoons who just got caught stealing from a suburban house.
He watched the two girls grow smaller in the distance as they walked farther away, while his own feet remained glued to the asphalt.
Never in his life had he imagined hearing something like that from anyone… especially getting shipped!
To be honest, it wasn’t exactly new to him. He had overheard teachers making bets on whether he and Park Jongseong would bicker again, and students talked about it just as often. Like it’s some trending variety show.
Basically, everyone at school knew about their constant arguments and sometimes Park Jongseong’s attempts at flirting with comments like: “Your irritated face is cute” or anything that implies he’s cute.
Despite Park Jongseong being the Literature teacher and Jungwon the PE teacher and Taekwondo varsity coach—completely different fields—Park Jongseong always seemed to go out of his way just to tease him.
Still, it was embarrassing hearing people talk about them, especially so openly.
The fact that people were even making bets about it only proved how noticeable their bickering and Jongseong’s constant flirty remarks in between had become enough for Jungwon to witness it firsthand.
He doesn’t remember how he managed to move and continue walking toward the school gates, with the growing number of students becoming increasingly obvious. He only realized he was already surrounded by students continuing to greet him, weirdly overjoyed considering it was just past six in the morning.
He could only wish he had the same enthusiasm as these students.
“Yang Jungwon-ssi?”
He stopped. The unfamiliar feminine voice and the use of honorifics made him turn toward the source, only to see a woman with long black hair tied up, wearing a button-up under a trench coat paired with black slacks and an odd choice of Sambas. A respectful smile rested on her unfamiliar face.
However, what truly made him pause was the ID she held out, as if it alone was enough to introduce herself — which it was.
Oh Haewon from Decelis National Sport University – Seoul.
He found himself sighing before he could even process the reality that the same university had sent two different people to recruit him and ask for a formal meeting in the span of two weeks, this being the second time after he had already clearly expressed his lack of interest in joining them the first time.
In fact, this university wasn’t the only one that had approached or tried to recruit him, but none of the others had been this persistent, even going as far as sending a second person to recruit him again.
“I’m Oh Haewon. Do you have a moment?”
What a way to start his morning.
—
Mondays are important to Park Jongseong.
He believes that Mondays determine how the rest of your week will go. If your Monday starts badly, then the rest of the week will most likely turn out the same, but if it starts well, the week will be positive. It was an odd philosophy, really.
That’s why he always made sure to leave a good impression on his students every Monday and carry that same energy throughout the rest of his classes for the week, hoping his students would have a good week despite the academic pressure they might be carrying by starting their Mondays on a light note.
But being the person who provides light and serves as a source of happiness for his students, whom he treasures dearly, can be exhausting, and thankfully, Jongseong had his own source of happiness and energy.
And that source of energy is in the school’s gymnasium.
Jongseong practically knew Jungwon’s whereabouts no matter what. It was always either the gymnasium, the faculty lounge, or the football field. Those were the places Jungwon usually rotated between whenever he was on school grounds.
And Jongseong believed—no, knew—that Jungwon was in the gymnasium, so he headed there.
Jongseong practically smiled to himself as he already imagined how much of a delight his presence would be to Jungwon. Seeing the younger every Monday always gave him a great week, and deep inside, he hoped he did the same for Jungwon.
And what was the most practical way to make sure that Yang Jungwon is delighted? Be annoying.
“Ah, my arms hurt!” a feminine voice interrupted Jongseong’s thoughts as he got closer to the gymnasium, stopping him from looking weird and almost laughing to himself.
“You’re so dramatic,” a second voice said, this time a boy’s.
The same girl from earlier sighed. “Coach Yang seems out of it today, though. I wonder if he’s okay…”
“I wasn’t gonna mention it, but you’re right.”
‘Jungwon wasn’t feeling okay?‘ That alone was enough to make Jongseong’s brows knit together.
He quickened his pace toward the gymnasium’s large doors, only to be stopped by the same students, who subtly blocked him from touching the handles.
As if they already knew exactly what would happen if they let him in.
“Oh! Good afternoon, Mr. Park!” the girl greeted. He now recognized her as Moka, one of Jungwon’s athletes. Along with her were Yeo-jin, Jae-hyun, and Woo-jin—all members of Jungwon’s team.
He found himself slightly intrigued by how determined the students were to stop him from entering, especially since they were clearly trying to prevent him from worsening their beloved Coach Jungwon’s mood. Still, he eventually gave in and flashed them a smile.
He loved seeing these same kids respect and care so deeply about their coach, even if it meant inconveniencing him.
Most especially, he loved seeing students be this carefree, silly, happy, comfortable, and genuinely enjoying their youth while they still could, because he truly wanted them to experience high school the same way he did.
Memorable, refreshing, youthful.
The same kind of high school experience he had spent with the person currently sitting inside that office, who definitely needed Jongseong’s presence if the students were right about him being unwell.
“Good afternoon,” he said with a blinding grin, the kind that could make anyone squeal.
Honestly, the athletes might have given in already, but the thing was, they were practically raised by Yang Jungwon. Just like Jungwon, they won’t budge just like that.
“Is Coach Yang inside?”
Yeo-jin answered, though the sigh she let out beforehand already told him enough. “Yes, he’s in his office, though I don’t think he’s in the mood for your teasing, Mr. Park.”
Jongseong chuckled, clasping his hands behind his back like an old man, paired with a gentle smile. “Okay, okay. I’ll try not to tease him. Just let me in.”
The athletes looked at each other, clearly unsure whether they should allow Mr. Park inside when all Park Jongseong ever seemed to do was tease Jungwon and give the younger even more reasons to make them run laps around the gym out of irritation.
Still, they eventually let him pass.
Mostly because Jongseong bribed them with money for the snack bar.
After dismissing the students and receiving countless warnings not to tease Jungwon from the same athletes who happily accepted his humble bribe, he found himself torn between continuing with his original plan of annoying Jungwon or stopping altogether.
Well, he’d decide once he saw the younger’s condition.
As he knocked on the white door leading to Jungwon’s office, no sound came from inside, nor were there any signs of Jungwon planning to open the door for him.
Well, if Jungwon wouldn’t open it, then Jongseong would.
And the very first thing that greeted him was the sight of that very source of energy sitting so seriously on the couch inside the office, which didn’t sit right with him at all.
Jungwon was seated on the couch facing just a bit near the door and across from his desk, his legs spread apart and his head lazily resting against the backrest, not even bothering to look at the person who had just entered.
“Oh? Yang Jungwon-ssi,” he said with mock honorifics, one hand tucked into his pocket while the other closed the door and locked it, careful not to make a sound, as he casually walked further into the office. Jungwon didn’t even bat an eye. “Tired, are we?”
When the younger let out a sigh, Jongseong already knew something had happened.
Jongseong had also noticed that the office was unusually cold today, and maybe it was because of the open window allowing the chilly breeze to send a slight shiver through him.
An open window and a cold breeze meant it was intentional.
Jungwon needed it somehow, as if to cleanse himself.
The last time he had seen Jungwon this dissociated from reality—which was very unlike Jungwon, by the way—was whenever various people approached him and tried to convince and recruit him to join various universities as a coach for their team, relentlessly following him around and waiting for him outside school to the point that the younger had to call Jongseong for backup.
So he already had a hunch that the same thing had happened again.
“I’m not in the mood for any of your antics right now, Jongseong.”
That response alone was enough for Jongseong to know he was probably right.
“Is that so? That’s new,” he joked, though Jungwon only rolled his eyes in response. Even so, Jongseong already felt satisfied and decided to ditch his plan and not annoy the coach.
As he sat down beside Jungwon, who had already started dissociating again, he reached out to give the younger some form of affection, maybe a side hug or at least a pat on the shoulder, but ultimately settled on holding the younger’s hand.
Speaking of Jungwon, the younger still hadn’t changed his position or expression. His face remained blank, staring at God knows what, his presence barely there.
“Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
Jongseong watched how Jungwon looked so… unreadable yet so obvious.
Obvious in the sense that something was bothering him enough to make him look so dissociated, yet still unreadable in a way that made it impossible to tell whether Jungwon would actually talk to him and give him an answer.
But that didn’t matter.
Whether Jungwon answered or not, as long as Jungwon allowed him to, he would stay right beside him…
…or at least until his last class for the day started, which wouldn’t begin for another hour.
Jongseong knew almost everything about the younger, enough to notice little things like this, considering the latter was someone he had known for more than a decade.
They were strangers, then classmates, then friends, then something more complicated than friendship, before eventually becoming co-workers and, somewhere along the way, lovers.
Scratch that — they currently are lovers.
Was it unexpected? Maybe. But for them, it wasn’t.
Jungwon had always been someone Jay considered special, someone he couldn’t envision a future without.
High school had started as a time when Jay felt like he never truly belonged anywhere. He had grown up in the capital before transferring to a small town because of his father’s job. Being someone from the capital, he became the talk of the town, the center of attention, yet never truly anyone’s friend.
Until he ended up in the same class as Yang Jungwon, who also happened to be from Seoul.
Naturally, they became friends, and Jungwon became a constant presence in his life.
Jungwon was mostly the reason why high school was memorable, refreshing, and youthful for him.
It wasn’t the university events that made those years feel youthful, nor was it the endless hours spent sitting through classes that made them refreshing. And it most certainly wasn’t the ridiculously difficult tests and quizzes that made them memorable.
Instead, it was the constant warmth, the endless bickering and jokes, the most random conversations about life, and the shared smiles and laughter that made you want to risk it all just to keep those moments forever.
It was all Jungwon.
His philosophy about Mondays determining the rest of your week almost faded away. He had originally thought it would be a good way to encourage students to start their Mondays right by making the most out of them, something like motivation, which he still applies until now.
Back then, though, that philosophy had almost stopped mattering because any day spent with Jungwon would always be a good day, no matter how his Monday went.
He saw the younger through his highest highs and lowest lows, through every competition, and throughout his journey to becoming the person he is today.
As if to snap Jongseong back from his trip down memory lane, Jungwon moved and settled himself on the older’s lap, the younger’s face buried in his neck, his legs settled against the side of Jongseong’s thighs. With a soft smile on his face, his hands had already found their way to Jungwon’s toned back, encircling the younger’s familiar figure.
The younger still hadn’t made a sound, but the slow and steady rise of Jungwon’s chest was enough to let him know that he was comfortable, that he was at ease.
Jongseong placed a lingering kiss on the younger’s hair, one hand moving from Jungwon’s waist to gently caress the hair of his beloved. He could smell the younger’s faint, breezy water-lotus-scented shampoo mixed with traces of musk and sweat, none of which bothered him at all.
In fact, it only served as proof of how tired and active Jungwon had been today.
“I’m proud of you,” Jay says, his voice low and soft.
Jungwon’s breath hitched. He swallowed hard and clenched his jaw as the exhaustion he had long tried to keep buried, yet constantly found resurfacing every now and then, began to return once more, becoming impossible to hide.
That was the Jongseong effect.
With just one touch, one word from Jongseong, everything came crashing down.
The walls Jungwon had built and the facade he wore to get through the day and appear like a functioning, independent adult somehow always crumbled whenever Jongseong was around, bringing out Jungwon’s vulnerability in a way that felt healing rather than painful.
Jungwon sighed, eventually leaning further into Jongseong’s chest before finally speaking up.
“I just heard the most ridiculous thing this morning.”
Jongseong hummed, urging the younger to continue. His hands continued caressing Jungwon’s hair, while the lips once pressed against Jungwon’s hair were now replaced by his cheek resting gently atop the younger’s head.
“Yeah? What is it?”
There was a brief pause before Jungwon finally let out a soft chuckle.
“Students compared us to Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo.”
“What?” Confused was an understatement for Jongseong, followed by a breathy chuckle.
“It’s so ridiculous, right?” Jungwon smiled, though the glint in his eyes remained. “These kids…”
Jongseong hummed in amusement, chuckling softly, the vibration sending a faint shiver down Jungwon’s spine as they remained in the same position, his hand still gently caressing Jungwon’s hair.
With the older’s lack of response, Jungwon knew that Jongseong could tell he wasn’t being completely honest or telling him everything, but that was just how Jongseong was.
He waited.
He didn’t push, but he waited.
“I guess… other than that, something else happened.”
Jungwon inhaled deeply, his breath shaky as he chewed on the inside of his bottom lip, bracing himself. Jongseong could feel the younger’s warm breath against his skin, a faint smile slowly creeping onto his face.
“I got another offer from the same university in Seoul. Again,” Jungwon said in such an exhausted tone that Jongseong didn’t move, only hummed softly.
“Really?”
Jungwon nodded against Jongseong’s shoulder, another sigh escaping him. “They’re trying to recruit me to become the coach of their Taekwondo team, just like last time.”
“Well, that’s great, isn’t it?” Jongseong asked, this time lowering his arms wrapped around Jungwon’s waist. “I mean, Decelis is a great university. Them being this persistent means they see potential in you.”
“I mean, I know how big of an opportunity this is,” Jungwon trailed off, his eyes shifting uneasily.
“But…?”
Jungwon sat up straight, still seated on Jongseong’s lap, fully revealing the worried expression on his face as he looked down at Jongseong, who immediately softened at the sight.
“You know me, Jongseong. I don’t do things on a national scale,” Jungwon chuckled, sarcasm and annoyance lacing his voice. “Let’s say I do well and make it to the Olympics or something, the expectations on me will just get higher and higher until it’s taller than me or taller than the tallest skyscraper in the world! ...That’s why I chose to stay stuck in this town in the first place. I don’t want that life.”
“But… I called Mom earlier. Everyone’s telling me I should go…” He paused briefly before speaking again. “Since you’re here, I want to know your thoughts. Should I go?”
“Well, a normal person would say yes. I mean, who are we kidding? That’s a huge deal for someone as gifted as you.”
Jay softly laughs at how Jungwon’s brows creased together, showing how he did not expect those words to come out of Jongseong’s mouth.
“But… too bad I’m not a normal person.”
Jongseong laughed half-heartedly, his gaze drifting from Jungwon’s eyes to the hem of Jungwon’s unzipped red jacket that matched his red sweatpants, playing with the zipper like it’s the most interesting thing in the world.
“I don’t want you to go. Is that too selfish?”
Jungwon felt his heart skip a beat. Jongseong’s voice was soft and velvety, almost vulnerable that it traveled down Jungwon’s spine.
A small smile formed on Jungwon’s face. His tense, tired expression turned into an eased, gentle expression. He reached out to Jongseong’s chin, lifted his head, fully revealing the face he’d never get tired of looking at.
“Too bad I’m not a normal person either.” The younger chuckles, his teeth fully displaying themselves for Jongseong to admire.
Without wasting another second, Jongseong holds both Jungwon’s hands, kissing the back of it, his lips lingering on the younger’s pale hands, eliciting a giggle from the younger.
“Alright then. I won’t accept any offer and stay here with my beloved team.”
Jongseong stops, lifting his gaze towards Jungwon’s, his brow lifted. “Just for your beloved team?”
“Okay,” Jungwon playfully rolls his eyes. “Maybe for you too.”
Jongseong admitted that he felt a sense of relief, though an underlying feeling of guilt still lingered beneath it.
He knew how much Jungwon would thrive if he accepted the offer. He knew just how talented his boyfriend was and how much potential he held. Jungwon could have achieved incredible things.
Opportunities came and went, yet they always found their way back to Jungwon, just like Decelis National Sport University did. They never stopped pursuing him and had remained persistent all this time.
He couldn’t help but feel like he might be holding Jungwon back—that he was one of the reasons the younger couldn’t leave for Seoul.
With a subtle, shaky sigh, Jongseong traced circles on the back of Jungwon’s hand with his thumbs, his gaze lowering from the younger’s eyes to the skin his own hands could never seem to get tired of touching.
“Make sure you do it for yourself. As much as I want you here, you have to listen to yourself.” His hushed tone carried a vulnerability Jungwon rarely got to witness. “What do you really feel?”
Jungwon hums. “I really don’t want to leave. Maybe in the future I’ll accept it, but… right now, I don’t want to leave. I’m happy here.”
“Okay. Then don’t leave. Continue being happy here…” Jongseong paused briefly. “With me.”
With Jungwon looking down at him like this, he was reminded again of how beautiful Jungwon is.
So goddamn beautiful.
Jongseong swallows, his lids getting heavier as he continues staring at Jungwon’s face, as if he’s in a daze he wouldn’t dream to get out of.
Jungwon on the other hand doesn’t plan on only staring at Jongseong. He pulls the older’s crisp collar, their lips crashing together and suddenly, they forget where they are with how passionate the kiss has become.
The cold breeze coming through the open window was beginning to feel ordinary compared to the heat slowly building and spreading through the couple’s bodies. Jongseong’s soft, hydrated lips against Jungwon’s dry yet still addicting ones felt good—too good, too right.
The older lifted his hands and pulled Jungwon closer, earning a soft moan from the younger as he tilted his head, allowing Jongseong to suck gently on his lower lip. A faint tang of iron lingered on his tongue, but it didn’t stop him from continuing.
Jungwon’s hand finally loosened from Jongseong’s now-crumpled collar after clutching it so tightly, moving instead to cup the older’s face and properly adjust the angle of their clashing lips.
Unconsciously, Jungwon started shifting against Jongseong’s lap, earning a low, dangerous growl from the latter that sent vibrations against his lips and straight through his senses.
Every touch and every quiet sound traveled straight below Jongseong’s hips, a growing bulge forming that Jungwon could feel against himself.
Instinctively, he pushed himself away from Jongseong’s chest, breaking their kiss. The sudden distance made Jongseong lean forward slightly, his eyes confused and still hazy, chasing after Jungwon’s like a patient puppy.
“Whoa there. I think we should stop here before your pervertedness gets more undeniable.”
Jongseong was momentarily stunned, but his confusion slowly shifted into something slyer, an annoyingly attractive smirk forming on his face.
“Undeniable is an interesting word choice, Coach Yang.”
The coach laughed softly before giving Jongseong a quick peck on the lips and climbing off the older’s lap.
Now the cheeky Jungwon is back.
The younger settled beside him on the sofa instead, wrapping his arms around Jongseong’s waist and resting his head on the older’s shoulder, his eyes slowly closing as he felt lighter than he had before Jongseong stepped into his office.
Just like he always did, Jongseong’s arms found their way around Jungwon’s broad shoulders. Sometimes, he forgot how much more toned Jungwon’s body was compared to his own, and moments like these made him appreciate the younger’s dedication to constantly improving and disciplining himself, setting an example of what a true athlete should be.
“How are you now?”
Jungwon remained still, his eyes shut, yet a smile slowly formed on his face. “Other than satisfied, my decision feels more solidified now,” the younger said as he lifted his head to meet Jongseong’s gaze. “I won’t ever leave.”
He laughed at how Jongseong’s face visibly turned confused. “Wait, if you were already so sure about your decision, did you just ask me that so you could hear me say I didn’t want you to leave?”
“Maybe.” He chuckled, resting his head back on the older’s shoulder, his dimple fully revealing itself.
Jongseong laughed heartily, completely allowing himself to feel the happiness bubbling inside him.
Jungwon wasn’t dissociating because he was torn. He was dissociating from exhaustion from the constant recruitment offers he had grown tired of.
The coach had already made up his mind the very first time they tried recruiting him, and yet here Jongseong was, doubting the younger and thinking he was holding him back, when it was obvious Jungwon had already weighed every pro and con before deciding what he truly wanted for himself.
Jongseong couldn’t help but sigh and shake his head, his hand finding its way to Jungwon’s cheek as he poked the dimple he had already memorized.
“You’re really the cutest.”
Jungwon laughed, still unmoving, his eyes remaining closed. “You should cut that out.”
“Cut what out?”
“That. Being flirty and teasing me all the time on campus.”
Jongseong playfully raised a brow. “Why?”
“Students are shipping us.”
“To where?”
Jungwon immediately lifted himself from Jongseong’s shoulder and broke free from the older’s hold, playfully pushing his shoulder, only for Jongseong to respond with a dramatic wince of pain.
“You’re unbelievable!”
“What’s wrong with that? We really are dating.”
“I mean, it’s just…” Jungwon stuttered before eventually huffing in defeat. There was simply no winning against Park Jongseong from the Literature faculty when it came to teasing and flirting.
“Ugh! I’ll call that Oh Haewon back and accept her offer so I can escape you.”
Jungwon reached for his phone, only for Jongseong to grab his wrist and pull him back onto the couch, caging him once again in his arms. The older closed his eyes and smiled so cheekily, as if he already knew Jungwon would eventually give in—which he did, only sighing in defeat despite the smile betraying him.
“You can’t. I’ll make sure you can’t. I’ll follow you wherever you go…” Jongseong murmured, leaving a soft peck on Jungwon’s hair.
“…no matter where…” Another peck landed on Jungwon’s nose, then on his dimples.
“…no matter what.”
Then came a soft, chaste kiss against the younger’s lips, and Jongseong could feel Jungwon smiling into it.
Somehow, everything right and wrong that had happened that day faded into the background and was quietly forgotten.
What truly mattered was how they ended up here. Living in the present, giggling and holding each other close as if they didn’t have classes waiting for them in half an hour.
Sometimes, all it really takes is one constant presence to turn Monday blues into something a little more colorful.
And perhaps that was what made them so lucky.
They had found someone they could always run to whenever their Mondays started feeling too blue.