SPW 22

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, player Kim Sarang. My name is Lee Jaehyeok. I’m the CEO of LK Sports, which will be handling your management in Korea from now on.

“Hello, Mr. CEO.

Sarang, who looked up at Jaehyeok with bright, clear eyes, greeted him politely. On the pitch, he was like a crazed border collie, but just by looking at him, you could tell he was well-mannered. Even so, seeing the bewilderment in his expression, it seemed they hadn’t given him a proper heads-up over there.

“Hello, Mr. Wellington. I’m Lee Jaehyeok.

“Please call me Florian.

Florian, who glanced at the reporters still in a state of pandemonium, smiled brightly and added.

“Quite a welcoming crowd.

“I received the report of your arrival time a little late. It’s a real relief that I was able to make it, even if just barely.

At last, Jaehyeok looked at Bailey and offered a greeting.

“Mr. Bailey Jones?

“Yes, Mr. Lee. Shouldn’t this be called late, rather than just barely making it?

“Haha, you’re right about that. My English is still a bit clumsy… Welcome to Korea.

Jaehyeok, who responded nonchalantly with a smiling face, threw in a belated welcome.

“Player Kim Sarang! Player Kim Sarang! Florian! Florian!

Jaehyeok, who smiled awkwardly at the shouts coming from all directions, whispered quickly.

“I’ve prepared a simple photo line. Would you be willing to do an interview?

The question was directed at Florian, but Florian himself did not answer. Bailey Jones also just stood by and watched as if it were someone else’s business. Ah, only then did Jaehyeok realize his mistake and redirect the question to Sarang.

“Player Kim Sarang. Would you be willing to do an interview?

“…Is it okay if I don’t?

“Of course, it is. But I recommend that you do. There’s nothing to be gained from being on bad terms with the media. Especially in this small land of Korea.

The answer was already decided, but Jaehyeok, who had asked as a courtesy, waited for a response. Sarang once again looked up at Florian. Florian, who had been standing one step back, met his eyes and raised the corners of his mouth.

“You can do as Sarang wishes.

Sarang, having received permission, seemed to ponder for a moment, then opened his mouth.

“Yes, I’ll do it.

Good, his decision was quick.

“But.

Jaehyeok, who hadn’t expected Sarang to set a condition, was about to lead the way but was stopped in his tracks and turned back to Sarang.

“Yes, player Kim Sarang.

“Excluding questions about my private life.

“…

At the unexpected proposal, Jaehyeok looked at Sarang again and smiled with an amused expression.

Should I call this sassy, or should I call it smart?

Having taken a liking to Kim Sarang within three minutes of meeting him, Jaehyeok responded warmly.

“Of course, player Kim Sarang. I’m always on player Kim Sarang’s side.

As if the sky would fall if they waited another three minutes, the reporters were clamoring beyond the guideline, and Jaehyeok stepped out in front of them first.

“One moment, please be quiet. Reporters.

“Who are you?

“You! Are you related to player Kim Sarang?

“If you’re not an official, don’t interfere and get out of the way!

The reporters, who had become even more on edge from jostling with each other, threw out comments one by one.

“I’m Lee Jaehyeok of LK Sports, in charge of player Kim Sarang’s management in Korea.

“Oh? I know Lee Jaehyeok!

“A while ago, with the snowboarder…

Only after the gossip was mentioned did the reporters who recognized Lee Jaehyeok pretend to be polite.

Word sure travels fast. No, wait, they’re the ones who spread it.

While he was laughing inwardly, protests erupted from here and there.

“We’ve been waiting here for over five hours! You should at least say a word for the sake of us reporters who have worked so hard!

Who asked you to wait.

“No, seriously, did you plan to make us suffer from the start without even a guideline!

Don’t reporters know what confidential information is? To think that the audacious employee who leaked the private jet schedule works for our country’s airline, which is said to be the best in the world. How sad.

“So are you going to do an interview or not?

Even amidst the storm of protests, the sound of shutters and flashes went off endlessly, and the interest of the general public began to gather. Jaehyeok, who had noticed this early on, hurriedly made an announcement.

“Of course, an interview is possible. It will be for ten minutes, and no questions related to his private life. Player Kim Sarang has entered his home country for the first time in a very long while as a member of the national team. Besides, isn’t he still young? I ask you reporters to please look upon him kindly.

Sounds of dissatisfaction erupted from here and there, but this was the first time Kim Sarang was being exposed to the Korean media since the rumor about his guardianship with Florian. The protests from the reporters, who one by one had been grumbling, lest they miss out on a scoop that would make money and become gossip, died down.

“Thank you, reporters.

“Let’s just get on with the interview!

“Yes, here is player Kim Sarang.

The moment Jaehyeok stepped aside and introduced Sarang, a flash of cameras, incomparable to anything before, went off all at once.

Neither the security team nor the airport security team was of any use against the endlessly surging crowd. Just when they thought they had escaped the reporters, they were surrounded by citizens who didn’t even know who Kim Sarang was but were thrusting their cell phones at him, which drained them for a good while. After almost an hour, Jaehyeok, who had barely managed to get out of the airport, slumped back in the passenger seat and then looked back.

“Are you alright, player Kim Sarang?

“Yes. I’m fine.

Saying he’s fine when he looks like he’s been plucked at from all sides. Not only is his physique excellent, but his character is also truly excellent.

Sarang, instead, looked at Florian sitting next to him with worried eyes. No, if you’re that worried, why don’t you ask if he’s okay, why just stare at him intently?

Jaehyeok, muttering to himself, belatedly looked Florian over. We escaped the same crowd, so why is that human, no, why is that person the only one who is perfectly fine? He hadn’t slipped away to the back by himself like Bailey Jones either. Florian, who had been protecting Sarang’s side the whole time, had naturally cleared away camera lenses that popped out from somewhere or hands or cell phones that were suddenly thrust at them, protecting Sarang.

A Duke who seems skilled at protecting others. If Jeonghun heard that, he would have made a comment asking if he was spouting nonsense like ‘a warm iced americano.’

Is he really an omega? He looks like an alpha male at a glance.

“Are you alright, Florian? I wasn’t aware the crowd would be this large, so my response was inadequate.

“Yes, Mr. Lee. Had this been the Commonwealth or the United States, it was a situation where one could have easily been shot or stabbed.

“…

Florian’s voice was as handsome as his looks. However, the content of the voice that flowed out low and soft was not at all positive. A short silence fell. During that time, Jaehyeok, who had quickly racked his brain, apologized politely.

“This won’t happen again, Florian.

“I’ll look forward to it.

Florian, who replied with a faint smile, opened his mouth again.

“Sarang, is that for me?

Sarang, who was holding a bottle of water he had taken out from the mini-bar, nodded his head, saying, “Yes.” The cap was already open.

“You drink too, Sarang.

“…Yes, Lian.

Sarang, who felt sorry that Florian had gone through something he wouldn’t have had to if it weren’t for him, was about to take out another bottle of water.

“…

“Do you dislike it because my lips have touched it?

Sarang, who was staring at Florian blankly, hurriedly shook his head.

“No, Lian. It’s absolutely not that.

Sarang, vehemently denying it, took the water bottle Florian offered and idly rubbed the back of his neck.

“How does it feel to be in your home country?

At Florian’s question as he looked out the window, Sarang, who was just holding the water bottle, answered slowly.

“It’s hot.

“Hmm… it is. The autumn in Korea is hot and sunny, Sarang.

Sarang’s cheeks, which had been fine even when escaping through the reporters and citizens, turned slightly red. Jaehyeok, who was sneaking a glance at the back seat through the rearview mirror, unintentionally saw that sight.

Oops.

Jaehyeok, thinking he had made a mistake, quickly averted his gaze and frowned slightly.

What on earth is their relationship? Those two.

Sarang, who finalized the management contract with LK Sports while on the move, did read the documents carefully, but he didn’t ask any particular questions. It was understandable. The contract had already been meticulously drafted after going through Bailey Jones and Florian before it reached Sarang’s hands.

“When does training start?

“From tomorrow. Lian, are you going back to Canton right away?

“Of course not. I came as your protector, so how could I leave Sarang behind and go?

“Ah.

As if it were an unexpected answer, a dimple formed on the cheek of Sarang, who responded slowly.

He’s pretty when he smiles, too. He’ll land a lot of commercials.

Jaehyeok, unable to resist the temptation, stole a glance at the back seat in the rearview mirror and cheered inwardly. Then, he pretended to look away and pricked up his ears.

“Where will you be staying during your visit?

“That’s a secret.

“…

Florian’s lips touched Sarang’s ear as he hesitated. Soon, the sight of him whispering something was slightly reflected in the rearview mirror.

“Call me if you want to see me. You know my number, right?

“Yes, Lian.

Florian, who had whispered the name of a hotel where he had decided to stay, leaned his upper body back to create a reasonable distance.

“Sarang, your hair is messy.

Only then realizing that his appearance was a mess, Sarang felt embarrassed and shook out his hair, tidying his disheveled clothes. The setting autumn of Korea brushed past Florian’s blue eyes as he waited for Sarang’s fussy movements to end. Sarang, who happened to see that scene, was at a loss for words. It was always like that in front of Florian. Like an idiot.