Dr. Seo Taeyang didn't sleep that night.
After returning from the club, he'd done what he always did best, research. And it didn't take him long to find the key.
The next morning,Taeyang took a sip of his tea, eyes flickering up to meet Hyungjin 's as he set the cup down with a soft clink.
"I asked around. Got something useful," he said calmly. "Felix Park. Semi-professional street baller."
Hyungjin raised a brow. "Basketball?"
"Mm-hmm." Taeyang nodded. "He plays pickup games at Cheongdam River Court."
"Seriously?" Hyungjin leaned forward. "Exactly," Taeyang said with a hint of amusement
Hyungjin blinked, surprised. "What time?"
"Between five and seven p.m. weekdays. Like clockwork." Taeyang's lips curved slightly. "Man of habit. But it changes with games too."
Hyungjin let out a short breath and leaned back in his chair, a smile creeping up his face. "So... he's just out there, sweating and dribbling in public, like some regular dude?"
"Yep." Taeyang gave a slow nod. "No pretense. No drama. Just him and the court."
Hyungjin 's smile sharpened. "Perfect."
Hyungjin blinked. "Wait… basketball?"
Taeyang nodded, sipping calmly.
From that day on, Hyungjin was there at the edge of the court, hoodie low, black joggers hugging his hips just right. He didn't play at first. Just watched. Let Felix get used to the sight of him.
Then one day, he joined.
He didn't say a word. Just stepped onto the asphalt and passed the ball cleanly. Felix quirked a brow but didn't object. From then, it became routine.
Pickup games. Bodies colliding. Sweat dripping. Breath ragged. And every time Felix left, there would mysteriously be a candy or sweet gum tucked into his pocket. He'd find it later sugar-sweet without a note, sometimes just the scent of Hyungjin's cologne lingering faintly.
One afternoon, as they were mid-game. Hyungjin dribbled past two defenders, tossed the ball to Felix, and smirked as it landed effortlessly in the net.
"Nice," Felix said, breathless.
"You too," Hyungjin murmured, wiping his forehead.
As they turned back to reset, Felix paused.
"Your lace is untied."
Hyungjin glanced down.
"Where?"
"Left foot."
He bent to tie it.
And in one sharp move, Felix's hand smacked his butt. Hard. Clean. Loud.
Hyungjin froze.
The sound echoed. Someone even chuckled nearby.
He slowly stood, mouth ajar. "What the hell ?"
Felix was already dribbling again, cool as ever. "Are you cold?" he called out, tossing the ball behind him without looking.
Hyungjin didn't respond. His face was burning. His palms itched. The rest of the game passed in a blur of flushed thoughts.
That night, he stormed into the clinic.
"He hit my butt!" he yelled.
Taeyang, midway through organizing scalpels, blinked. "Wait, what?"
"He smacked it. Just…" Hyungjin gestured violently, "Whap! Right there on the court!"
The doctor stared, then burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"You said you were ready for this!" he said between gasps. "Didn't expect that kind of physical attention?"
"I didn't think he'd go for that first!"
Taeyang wiped tears from his eyes. "You sure you're not the one being seduced?"
Hyungjin folded his arms and grumbled, "This wasn't part of the plan…"
But it was working.
Meanwhile, in a quiet mansion nestled near the edge of the Han River, Felix Park poured himself a drink.
His mother was watching from the lounge, flipping through an interior design magazine.
"When are you bringing someone home?" she asked casually, not looking up.
"I'm not in the mood for marriage interviews," Felix replied.
"You need to stabilize your image. That scandal with Song Jay is enough. Your dad handled that and you owe him. Do you even know he's a politician's son?
Felix sighed. "I have nothing to do with that. Also, dad is holding my snakes hostage."
And the next evening, Jenny was at the Park estate.
She wore soft pinks, her voice syrupy sweet, her laugh perfectly timed. She asked about his childhood, complimented the interior, even helped his mother fold laundry just for the gesture.
Felix's mother beamed.
"She's a darling."
Felix raised a brow unbothered.
Jenny leaned close as they walked to the garden. "See? I told you I fit perfectly here."
The next day, back on the basketball court, Felix was once again ruling the game , collarbones glistening under the sun.
Hyungjin sat on the bench nearby, pretending to scroll on his phone.
Then, just before the break, Felix's phone buzzed.
He walked to the sidelines and picked it up.
"Jenny?" he said.
Hyungjin's heart twisted.
No way he was letting that call go smoothly.
He stood, sauntered toward Felix as if by accident, and "stumbled" into him just enough to knock the phone from his hand.
CRACK.
The phone skittered across the concrete.
And in the collision their lips brushed. Just for a second.
Hyungjin froze.
Hyungjin blinked in shock then started to pull back.
But Felix didn't let him.
He slid his hand around Hyungjin's neck and pulled him in, intentionally this time. And as Felix leaned closer, Hyungjin covered Felix's mouth with his hand, cutting the kiss short.
Felix pulled back with a smirk.
And then his hand shot out and grabbed Hyungjin's ass, pinching hard, fingers sinking in.
Hyungjin's breath caught.
Felix leaned in, lips brushing against his ear. "You like playing these games, huh?"
Hyungjin stepped back, heartbeat thunderous.
Felix turned away, retrieved his phone, the screen cracked but still glowing.
He walked off without looking back.
Hyungjin stood there, stunned.
That night, Taeyang was waiting with herbal tea, but Hyungjin just dropped onto the couch.
"Well?" the doctor asked.
"His lips touched mine," Hyungjin muttered. "And then grabbed me. Like fully. No shame."
Taeyang choked on his tea. "You kissed him, you mean."
"Hell No!"
"It ended with me covering his mouth?"
"I panicked!"
Taeyang was laughing again. "You're a mess."
Hyungjin groaned into a cushion. "What if he really likes Jenny? What if they get married ?"
"Then make her lose," Taeyang said calmly. "Not with your lips. With your presence. Make him want you more than he understands."
Hyungjin looked up slowly. "What's next, mentor?"
Taeyan
g leaned forward. "Now… we go personal. Find out what he hides. His soft spots. Everyone has one. Find out more about what he likes"
Hyungjin's eyes glinted. "Time to dig."