“Well, what are the odds? Who knew I’d run into you here?” the vice president said, throwing his arms wide with a grin.
Naturally, Jaekyung ignored him. Without a single word of greeting, he gave a slight nod and dropped onto the sofa across from the vice president. Still looking dazed, the other man quietly moved to the seat beside the vice president.
The vice president slowly lowered his arms, then turned his attention to Jiheon.
“Jiheon! You should have told me in advance if you were coming with Jaekyung.”
Jiheon was about to say something when Jaekyung took off his cap and cut in.
“Why? Am I not supposed to be here?”
“No, not at all,” the man quickly replied, sitting back down.
“If I had known you were coming, I’d have arranged lunch somewhere nice.”
“No. I don’t have time for that,” Jaekyung clipped off, running a hand through his hair.
The vice president stiffened. Jiheon had a bad feeling—this could go south fast. Jiheon quickly took the seat beside Jaekyung.
“Maybe next time. We’d love to share a meal with Korea Aquatics at some point.”
Jiheon smiled and gently placed a hand on Jaekyung’s thigh. Thankfully, Jaekyung seemed to take the hint and stayed quiet.
The mood was already ruined, so Jiheon figured he’d just say what he needed to and wrap things up. He bowed his head as he sat.
“ProEdge will manage Mr. Gwon here from now on. We thought it would only be right to stop by and thank Korea Aquatics for all your support.”
“The hard part’s just beginning, though I’m sure you know that already,” the vice president murmured. He looked at Jiheon and Jaekyung with clear disapproval, then clicked his tongue before continuing.
“I’m already nervous, judging by the way you’re behaving yourselves. You listening to me, Jiheon?” he said threateningly. He didn’t wait for an answer.
“The championship’s just around the corner. You can’t bring an athlete who should be training all the way out here. Not just to drop in and say hello. That’s not important enough to warrant skipping training.”
“I’ve already trained for the day,” Jaekyung said, cutting him off again.
“We’re on our way back from Gwacheon. My hyung here offered to drop me off first at the hotel, but I told him I would come with him.”
“I see. Well, how could I have known that?” the vice president muttered.
He turned and gave the man beside him an awkward smile. The man returned it, then said, as if just realizing something.
“But the way you just addressed him... Do you call Mr. Jung hyung, Mr. Gwon?”
“Yes,” Jaekyung said gruffly.
“I see...”
The other man was still smiling uncomfortably. Jaekyung stared at him in the eyes, then leaned all the way back into the sofa.
“Why do you ask? Is there a problem?”
“Of course there isn’t a problem. I was just thinking you must be closer than I thought,” the man said, confused.
Jiheon quickly intervened before Jaekyung said something biting.
“He used to call me that back at the swimming center. Changing it now just felt strange, so we’ve stuck with it,” Jiheon said.
“Oh, right. You were both in the same swimming center in Ilsan. Were the two of you close back then, too?” the vice president asked, nodding as he recalled.
“Yes.”
Jaekyung said again. His tone wasn’t just gruff, but edged with irritation. The vice president gave a dry chuckle, unable to say anything more.
“So that’s why you chose ProEdge,” he eventually said, nodding to himself.
He exchanged a glance with the man beside him, then exhaled slowly through his nose. Leaning in slightly, he continued.
“To be honest, Jaekyung, we had hoped you’d go with a bigger agency. They can offer better support, more resources... and years of experience mean they have got the systems in place. All that know-how for managing athletes—”
“I will not choose Kavva,” Jaekyung said suddenly.
The man stammered, clearly not expecting Jaekyung to name it out loud.
“Well, I mean, yes, I guess I was talking about Kavva, but... So what you’re saying is, you wouldn’t have chosen them anyway?”
“Yes.”
“Why not...?” the man asked, genuinely puzzled.
“They’re too greedy.”
“Is that so...?” came an uncertain reply.
The vice president cautiously glanced at the man beside him. Jaekyung crossed his legs and went on, voice unhurried.
“And they couldn’t be trusted. They told me I could do whatever I wanted at first, but when push came to shove, they started making all sorts of demands. They even asked for a written oath on top of the contract. How could I trust someone like them?”
“Excuse me, Mr. Gwon, but you seem to be misunderstanding something,” the man beside the vice president cut in, clearly eager to explain, and went on.
“Kavva wouldn’t do something like that. They are the foremost in the industry, you see. If there was a problem with the agency, all those athletes wouldn’t have chosen—”
“Do you work for Kavva?” Jaekyung asked abruptly.
“No... But I know a bit about the company.”
“Then do a little more research before you talk about it.”
“I’m sorry...?” the man said, his face blank.
“You’re only saying that because you only know a little,” Jaekyung replied flatly.
“So do your research first. Then you’ll understand why I’m saying this.”
The man looked a loss for words. Jaekyung grinned at him, then put the cap back on. As he pulled the bill low over his face, he muttered.
“Misunderstanding, my ass.”
Well, this meeting is dead in the water.
“In any case, it was my decision to work with ProEdge. I have my reasons for choosing them,” Jaekyung said, now addressing the vice president. The cap hid most of his face, but it was clear from his tone he was scowling with maximum irritation.
“I’m sure Korea Aquatics will be rooting for a successful partnership between us,” he added, his voice suddenly polite in a way so unlike him, which only made it more obvious how annoyed he really was.
The vice president gawked at him, then replied with barely disguised sarcasm.
“I’m sure you’re old enough to make your own decisions. You do you.”
He wore a distasteful frown as he turned to Jiheon.
“You’re in for a hard time,” he said—more insult than encouragement.
“Well, I look forward to your support,” Jiheon said, bowing politely.
Jaekyung immediately shot to his feet.
“I have physical therapy at five. If you’ll excuse us.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out.