In the waiting room, the other team members sat on the sofa while Hyeonu started talking.
“I want to say thank you. Everyone, thank you so much. Yuri, Hoon, and Sunny noona. Mason and Dwayne as well. Thank you so much.” Hyeonu was full of deep emotions because it was the end of the Winter League. Still, there was Arena Week as the bigger destination, so the emotions were temporary. He continued, “I will think of today as a very small stopover. It is a rest stop before going to Arena Week. So... I look forward to your kind cooperation.”
No one rose from their seat until Hyeonu’s words were over. Once they were, the other five other people left the sofa and slowly approached Hyeonu. Lee Hoon stepped forward first and talked to Hyeonu: “Hyung is my savior. You saved me from rolling around in that field of poop.”
Then Yuri and Sunny came in front of Hyeonu at the same time.
“I wouldn’t have come here anyway if it wasn’t for Oppa.”
“Yes, I think so as well.”
Behind them were Mason and Dwayne.
“I think you should say this after it is all over. So... after winning Arena Week?”
“That’s right, Mister Gang. You are already speaking like we’re breaking up... Your ability to grasp the atmosphere is too poor. This is why you’re still single even though you are popular with women...”
Mason and Dwayne relaxed the atmosphere that was on the verge of becoming heavy with their joking words.
Hyeonu also regained his smile. “Yes, it isn’t too late to say this after it is all over. Then let’s get ready for the last match.”
***
“Hello, audience members who are visiting Arena Stadium and viewers watching on various devices. This is your announcer, Jang Junhyung. Today is Week 8 and the long-awaited final match of the Arena Winter League,” Jang Junhyung said with his mouth to the microphone. He sounded like he was screaming.
Jang Junhyung was more excited than ever. Simultaneously, he felt more regretful than ever.
‘He is retiring after one season...’
He was excited because this would be Alley Leader’s first and undefeated championship, but he felt regretful that it was Alley Leader’s last match in South Korea.
Lee Wanghoon picked up from where Jang Junhyung left off: “Today is a very important day. It is the end of the Winter League!”
His voice was also livelier than usual.
Chae Yunho smoothly continued, “It isn’t just the end of the Winter League! It is the day that will decide if Alley Leader can win the championship undefeated or not!”
Based on the sound of his voice, it seemed that Chae Yunho had many expectations. This was the thrill Alley Leader’s presence caused.
“In fact, the rankings already have a certain outline. For the most part, the team rankings are fixed. Amongst the 1st to 8th places, there are only two rankings that can switch—the 2nd and 3rd places. Only two teams are likely to fluctuate,” Jang Junhyung stated.
It was as he said. The Winter League rankings were very solid. Crescent Moon was overwhelmingly in first place with 6 wins and 0 losses. After that, UK Heights and JT Telecom were chasing with scores of 5 victories and 1 loss respectively. Of course, even if a natural disaster were to occur today resulting in Crescent Moon’s defeat, the two teams were already behind in the raid time attack and couldn’t finish first.
The remaining five teams had already formed a mutually binding relationship between themselves. No matter who won or lost, it was very difficult to change the rankings. The possibility of such an unexpected event converged at zero.
“The first game is between these two teams. The two teams who are competing for second place! They are UK Heights and JT Telecom!”
The players of UK Heights and JT Telecom appeared on the stage along with Jang Junhyung’s cry.
“The captains of both teams will come to the center of the stage to decide on their positions.”
Jung Jinnam, the captain of UK Heights, and Kim Jinyong, the eldest member of JT Telecom, faced each other from less than a meter apart.
“Our Jinyong is so pitiful. What should we do? You won’t be the runner-up this year. You will be third,” Jung Jinnam provoked Kim Jinyong with a smiling face.
“Third place? Wasn’t the team that came in second last year UK Heights? Second place will become third... Now you can’t even use that reputation? What should I do?” Kim Jinyong was also formidable. He smiled as he stabbed Jung Jinnam in the chest.
The two people continued to criticize and slander each other until the staff member spoke.
“Both of you, stop it. How can you do this every time you meet? Do you want to be disciplined? We have more than 10 million viewers right now. Do you want to be disciplined by the association?” The staff member also smiled like Jung Jinnam and Kim Jinyong. The corners of his mouth seemed to creep up, but his gaze was sharper than ever.
“No. I’ll pick heads.”
“Then I’ll take tails.”
Jung Jinnam and Kim Jinyong immediately stopped. Disciplinary action was really scary. Both of them were the pillars of their teams. It would be a big deal if they were suspended for a day.
The staff member delivered Jung Jinnam’s and Kim Jinyong’s decisions to the headset in his ears before saying, “Then I’ll toss the coin now.”
The huge holographic coin was thrown and flew high into the air. The quickly spinning coin reached the peak and fell, bouncing on the ground several times before stopping. It was tails.
“Tails. JT Telecom is defending, and UK Heights is attacking.”
Jung Jinnam and Kim Jinyong returned to their teammates with two different expressions—sadness and joy.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login