"Cheers!"
The sound of clinking cans filled the small bar as my teammates and I celebrated our victory at the 2026 World Championship Archery.
Music blasted from the speakers. Laughter echoed around our table. The atmosphere was warm, loud, and alive.
I sat between my teammates, holding a can of beer in my hand, when Seo Kyung — my best friend since middle school and fellow archery teammate — suddenly leaned toward me.
"Biny! Why are you not drinking your beer properly?" she slurred, already flushed from six cans. "You won the championship! Drink it, girl! Let's celebrate!"
I stared at her in disbelief.
"Kyung," I laughed, "if you get any more drunk, don't expect me to carry you. Should I call your boyfriend to pick you up?"
The moment I mentioned him, she gasped dramatically and began lightly hitting my shoulder.
"Don't talk about him!" she shouted. "We fought! I'm not going back tonight. Can I sleep at your house?"
I hesitated for a second — but honestly, my family adored her.
"Fine," I sighed. "But you're explaining yourself tomorrow."
She cheered again, nearly spilling her drink.
Later, after a few more laughs and too many silly toasts, I stood up and grabbed the microphone. I wasn't much of a singer, but that didn't matter. I sang loudly, off-key, and carefree. Everyone joined in.
For a moment, I wasn't just a national athlete.
I was just Biny.
Around 1 a.m., I glanced at the time and knew it was getting too late.
"Kyung, we're going home," I said firmly.
She groaned dramatically.
I wrapped her arm around my shoulder and carefully helped her stand. She kept slipping and nearly dragging both of us to the ground.
"Stop laughing! You're heavy!" I muttered, trying not to fall.
That was when I heard it.
A deep voice.
Cold. Low.
"Can you move?"
I froze.
"Ah—sorry!" I said immediately, trying to step aside while holding Kyung steady.
I wanted to turn and see who it was, but Kyung nearly slipped again, forcing me to focus on keeping her upright.
Still… something about that voice felt strange.
Not angry at me.
Just… angry.
At something else.
I quickly called for a ride and left the bar without looking back.
Meanwhile...
Ryuk and his teammated were also celebrating their win at another room.
Confetti still clung to their jackets. Drinks lined the table. Cameras flashed.
But the mood shifted when their manager approached with a thick file in his hands.
"After two days, you'll be flying to Thailand," he announced. "You'll be staying there for a month. There's filming scheduled — and you've been invited to attend a short archery competition event."
The three members exchanged tired glances but forced smiles.
Except for Ryul.
He flipped through the file once… then tossed it onto the table.
"So this isn't a holiday," he said flatly. "We're being sent away so the junior team can win next month's awards?"
The manager's face paled.
"It's not like that—"
"What about the archery competition?" Ryul interrupted coldly. "Why are we attending that? It's a waste of time."
The manager stood straighter.
"It's an opportunity," he said carefully. "Han Yi Joo — the president of DM Company — will be judging this year's MMA Best Team Award. She personally invited only selected groups to attend the competition in Thailand."
Silence filled the table.
"You need to make a good impression," the manager finished.
Ryul's expression darkened.
Without another word, he stood and walked out of the lounge.
He needed air.
As he pushed open the door, he almost bumped into someone blocking the exit.
A small figure.
Swaggy jeans. Red bandanna tied in her hair.
She was struggling to carry another girl who looked completely drunk.
For a split second, he wondered—
She's that small… how is she strong enough to carry someone?
He quickly dismissed the thought.
"Can you move?" he said, voice cold and impatient.
She apologized immediately.
He didn't look at her twice.
And yet—
As he stepped past her, something about that bright red bandanna lingered in his mind.