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Being the number 8 jersey of the Korean National Football Team wasn't really easy. Kim Hyunjung knew this more than anyone. She carried several responsibilities and when composing the midfield, hers was the most decisive: she was the protector, the guard dog, the one who should never let anyone pass her to attack her defense field. She was not obliged, in any way, to be inside the opponent's area to try to score a goal.
But when you're losing 1-0, in the round of 16 of a Women's World Cup, with five minutes left in the game, that becomes unrealistic. The only option is for the entire midfield to enter the area in a corner to try to score a goal. Hyunjung knew this.
So, she didn't hesitate as she pointed for Hyoyeon, the team's right back, to go into the empty position on defense. Hyoyeon was good but too short to enter the area, so it was the way out for Hyunjung to face the big French players.
“What the fuck are you doing?” The captain and shirt 7, Chu Sojung, exclaimed towards her, but Hyunjung just pushed her into the area. The left back of the team was about to take the corner.
Hyunjung braced herself, looking around her, when the left back held up a finger, showing that she would throw the ball towards her. The number 8 shook her face and in the next second, she ran towards it. She could feel the fury taking over her, as well as the adrenaline.
But what hit her wasn't the ball.
Hyunjung backed away as soon as she felt two fists slam against her face, immediately knocking her to the ground. She couldn't make a sound, thinking she had died. It was the only explanation. The bright lights of the stadium above her head were rolling and she wondered if this was where she would know Jesus Christ now.
"Unnie!" A strangled scream sounded behind her ears and Hyunjung really wanted to answer Son Juyeon, her defender, but she couldn't move. She just felt the pain in her chin and promised she would make whoever punched her pay for it.
“Unnie, my God!” Her captain crouched beside her and Hyunjung stared at her with her head tilted to the side, soon after feeling familiar hands touch her chin. “Jiyeon unnie, she—”
“Get out, leave me.” The savior voice of Kim Jiyeon, the doctor of the Korean National Team, rang out and Hyunjung knew she was in heaven.
She looked in the woman's direction and saw how ethereal she looked. How long had it been since Kim Jiyeon had that golden magic aura around her? The woman was beautiful and Hyunjung knew that, she had even sworn to herself that she would ask to go out with her but that wasn't exactly what she planned.
“J-Jiyeon…” She called, wanting to apologize to the woman for the unforeseen.
“Hi, unnie. Calm down, everything will be fine.” Jiyeon replied, catching her face. Hyunjung forgot where she was just to feel the softness of the woman's hand on her face. What did Jiyeon use to have such silky hands?
The doctor helped her up to a sitting position after some tests and Hyunjung frowned briefly, confused. She realized that she couldn't remember what had happened seconds before Jiyeon arrived, but that it had been something important: the entire stadium crowd was booing at the top of their lungs at the situation.
"What happened?" She asked briefly, her hands gripping the grass beneath her with some force, her gaze going straight to Jiyeon. Hyunjung gave a brief smile when she saw how the woman was biting her lip nervously, analyzing something on her face.
"The French team's goalkeeper went to defend the ball but punched you with both fists," Jiyeon muttered, stroking her face briefly before turning her to the side with a disgruntled noise.
"Oh my God," Hyunjung replied with wide eyes, feeling Jiyeon's light pressure under her chin. "And I'm fine? You look too ethereal in this golden light so I believe I am already on my way to knowing God personally.”
Jiyeon laughed in front of her briefly, her eyes disappearing and her mouth forming a heart. Hyunjung stared at her with her mouth slightly open. God, please don't take me, I need to marry her someday. I need to have three kids with that same smile for my mission on earth to be…
Hyunjung's thoughts were suddenly interrupted as Sojung and Juyeon helped her up from the field. A gurney was placed beside her and she was guided to sit on it, still a little nervous about the whole situation. The screen above her head said “France 1 x 0 Republic of Korea” and below it “Round of 16”. Hyunjung immediately swallowed hard, knowing that she had destroyed every chance her team had to gain something from the unforeseen situation she got herself into.
When they reached the side of the field, Hyunjung had the chance to try to walk and, apart from the pain on her face which was extremely powerful, she didn't feel anything else. She wanted to get back into the game, she wanted to help her teammates, but a small hand on her elbow stopped her.
“You are not going back to the field, Kim Hyunjung-ssi,” Jiyeon exclaimed, a little harshly. Hyunjung was ready to say something, to retort, when she saw the referee run towards the VAR. She frowned, fearing she would get a yellow card for the confusion, but the scenes on the big screen showed otherwise.
The goalie had intentionally gone in her face. The ball passed within a few meters of Hyunjung and the whole play unfolded far away, there was no chance for the goalkeeper to defend the ball like that. It was a clear penalty for Korea. Hyunjung opened her mouth in a shocked gasp and looked at the referee, who had made her decision. The woman ran into midfield and, after fending off both Sojung and the French captain, she aimed for the penalty spot.
Hyunjung felt her legs give out immediately and fell to the ground, feeling Jiyeon fall with her. The doctor examined her again, but it wasn't the pain that dominated number 8's senses. It was the tension. She shivered nervously, wondering who was going to take the penalty. Tiffany Hwang, its starting captain, was injured and out of the World Cup. Sojung didn't like taking a penalty, she was always bad at it, and mixed with nervousness was a recipe for disaster. Hyunjung, one of the options, was outside the field and couldn't even get up properly.
And the one who took the ball was Yoo Yeonjung.
Hyunjung sighed heavily, the ground beneath her turning to mud. Her young maknae, the future of her national team, the 17-year-old girl had caught the ball. Yeonjung had walked in less than five minutes ago and looked resolute as she pushed Juyeon and Sojung away. She gave them a persistent, hard look and muttered something Hyunjung couldn't understand from this far.
Number 8 closed her eyes when she saw Yeonjung position the ball and walk away. She couldn't see that, she lowered her head and felt Jiyeon's arm around her. The stadium was silent and the only thing she heard was the referee's whistle, allowing the penalty to be taken.
A deadly silence stretched out.
Hyunjung felt goosebumps run all over her body. She took a breath as she felt her head spin and then heard screams in the distance.
Frantically opening her eyes, Hyunjung just felt when Jiyeon's arms tightened around her even tighter. She gasped in shock and then realized too late that Yeonjung had managed to score. She had tied the game. They could still go into overtime.
Fuck.
"I'm glad I took that punch." Hyunjung joked with Jiyeon who laughed deeply in her ear, something that made her heart race. Kim Hyunjung wanted to get up and go jump with her teammates, but she saw how they were keeping a safe distance out of fear of her injury.
However, Yeonjung came to her anyway. The team's maknae gave the eldest a high five and the last laughed happily, muttering a soft "fighting!" for her to keep the same focus. A goal was something that probably no one expected. They were already heroines for that.
"Come on, let's take you off the field," Jiyeon called and even though Hyunjung wanted to complain and stay there to watch the overtime, she knew it would be useless to her team and would only cause more concern.
With support from Jiyeon and Hyunwook, the fitness coach, she managed to get to the locker room safe and sound. Her face hurt even more from the adrenaline rush and her head felt heavy, something Jiyeon noticed and immediately placed her on a stretcher. The doctor had the sensitivity to turn on the TV so that Hyunjung could follow the game, although she was still preparing medication and ice to apply to the midfielder's face.
Hyunjung's heart ached a little to see her teammates gathered in a hug and even more when the punch scene was repeated. She was lucky to be conscious, to be alive. Even though on TV, the commentators were also showing the way Hyunjung kept looking at Jiyeon, something that made her blush deeply.
If her face was red before, then it was on fire now. Jiyeon seemed to ignore all that and put an ice pack on her face after applying an ointment and also delivering a medicine. It was important for Hyunjung to go to the hospital later, but they both knew that Kim would not leave the stadium before the final result. Even if she die first.
The game started again without any more problems and Hyunjung could barely contain her nervousness. Jiyeon looked as nervous as she was, the woman with her hand glued to her elbow and squeezing it every few seconds. The French team was absolutely overwhelming. There were no other words to define them, even all the talent in the world couldn't stop them.
But willpower does. Hyunjung noticed that her team seemed three times more determined to win that game, with strong and accurate tackles and spectacular saves by young Wonyoung, her goalkeeper. She could read Sojung saying “Keep it up, damn it!” for her defense at the break of extra time and was not surprised when the woman was the one who initiated the most dangerous move of the game.
Wonyoung had once again defended spectacularly and, with the ball in hand, looked around the field to find Sojung on the left wing with an open space. She didn't hesitate before launching the ball powerfully across the field, causing it to land on Chu's feet who touched the ball gently before starting to run. The young woman with the captain's belt crossed the entire field until she reached the area, where the French defender was already waiting.
The French defender expected Sojung but not Nam Dawon, who had come on after Hyunjung's injury. Sojung saw her approach and, with eagle eyes, kicked the ball at her feet as if it was an easy touch. Dawon didn't hesitate, her foot didn't even meet the ground one last time before she kicked as hard as she could into the goal, too far for the goalie to be able to catch.
Korea goal. 2x1.
Hyunjung felt tears welling up in her eyes and she groaned softly in the effort to get up. Her team cheered in tears on the field, all falling on top of Dawon, who was screaming along. The emotion was similarly shared by Hyunjung, who cried even more as the team stood up and Juyeon lifted the number 8 reserve jersey.
"Let's go!" Hyunjung cried out in excitement, feeling her throat ache with exertion and nervousness. Jiyeon hugged her again and pushed her down, and as if she was in a nervous lapse, Hyunjung grabbed her arm. “Jiyeon-ssi, when this is all over, do you want to go out with me?”
She barely recognized the words that came out of her mouth, feeling awkward about saying them. She didn't even know she had the courage to say that, much less organize her thoughts to ask for what she's wanted for so long.
"When you don't have a facial injury and you're okay, you can ask me again," Jiyeon replied with a big smile, which made her dimples appear and her eyes disappear. Hyunjung felt her heart skip a beat and nodded, leaning back and returning her attention to the game.
It was in the final seconds. Commentators looked crazy, appalled that a small team was taking down one of the great promises of women's football. Hyunjung smiled when one of them said that they had literally given their blood in search of that spot. No one else could take that away from them.
In the next second, the whistle blew. The entire stadium booed at them, but the Korean team ran across the field crying and cheering, jumping on top of Dawon and Sojung. Hyunjung couldn't stop the tears even though she felt the big headache behind her eyes. She wanted to be on the field, but she contented herself with hugging Jiyeon and the other team doctor, who ran screaming into the locker room.
They were in the quarterfinals. They had made it. Hyunjung whimpered on Jiyeon's shoulder every time the thought crossed her mind. She had never been so happy in her life.
“Unnie, what are you doing here?” Juyeon's voice rang out and Hyunjung opened her arms to the defender, who hugged her hesitantly. "Come on, you have to go to the hospital!"
Juyeon looked like she was about to lift Hyunjung onto her lap when the rescuers showed up with a stretcher. Hyunjung was gently placed on her, although her neck didn't hurt anymore, just her face that throbbed with pain. But even so, she didn't stop crying with emotion. She wanted so badly to stay inside the stadium, but she knew it would only get better once she was in the hospital.
The way there was fast and Jiyeon didn't stop helping her, staying by her side, murmuring in quick French with the hospital doctor. Something that surprised Hyunjung a lot, who was staring at her in absolute shock. Then, she remembered that Jiyeon had started her sports career there. It was understandable.
After several tests, it was finally found that Hyunjung had not suffered any injuries and was perfectly fine. She was left for observation and had to take a shower and lie in bed. Jiyeon was by her side the whole time, calming her about her nervousness in that unfamiliar place.
Hyunjung wanted to stay awake and text all her teammates, but she couldn't do it as she felt extreme fatigue hitting her. Jiyeon guided her to the bed and helped her to lie down. Hyunjung wanted to say thank you, but less than two minutes later, she ended up falling asleep, dreaming of being among the top four teams in the world.
x
Hyunjung woke up the next morning with a deep headache, wondering where she was and what had happened. The white ceiling above her head startled her a little and she stirred a little until she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Good morning, unnie.” Sojung's soft voice caught her attention and Hyunjung turned to the side where the young captain of her team was.
"What happened?" Kim asked in a low tone, taking a deep breath as she saw how nervous Sojung was.
"You do not remember? We qualify for the quarterfinals!” The number 7 said in a high, excited tone.
The memories came back in full force and Hyunjung placed her hand on her head, groaning low in phantom pain. She suddenly remembered the punches she'd taken, Yeonjung's penalty, Dawon's comeback goal. She shivered then when she realized what she had done to Jiyeon in front of the entire stadium. She closed her eyes in shame.
“My God, Jiyeon…” Hyunjung exclaimed, barely able to feel happy about her team's ranking. She heard Sojung's loud laugh and looked up at her friend, who was mocking her.
“Yes, it was embarrassing! I felt like the third wheel, I thought you were going to try to kiss her in front of everyone.” Sojung exclaimed still laughing, smacking Hyunjung's arm hard. “The good thing is that now you no longer have to be afraid to come out to your family.”
Hyunjung groaned again, already fearing her mother's reaction when she returned home. Sure enough, the woman would kick and yell at her, then curse at her. Most likely, she would also end up accepting Hyunjung, who she knew was nothing new to her family. After all, Hyunjung was already in her thirties and had never dated any man.
"Why didn't that punch make me pass out?" Hyunjung whimpered making Sojung laugh. The woman really liked the idea of Hyunjung being so embarrassed and slapped her thigh one more time before getting up to hug her.
“We did it, unnie. We will make it only for you.” Sojung whispered excitedly and even though she rolled her eyes, Hyunjung hugged her back with a big smile.
“I'm proud of the captain you are. And also from Yeonjungie and Dawonie. Tell them I'll be at the hotel soon to beat them up for being so good at football.” Hyunjung exclaimed with a sideways smile. Sojung nodded and was about to say something when someone knocked on the door before entering.
Hyunjung immediately blushed when she saw Jiyeon on the other side of the door, looking calm. The woman's gaze hardened when she found Hyunjung already awake and her steps became slow, even fearful. The two Kims felt intimate and Sojung, the third wheel, chuckled.
“One day you're flirting on national television and the next you're ashamed of it? Wake up, your bitches!” She exclaimed and got up quickly, moving away from Hyunjung's hand that was ready to punch her. “I will let you two talk, but I would like to make it clear that I will be godmother to your first son.”
"First son?" Jiyeon asked from the doorway, her tone covered in doubt and extremely nervous. However, she had a smile on the corner of her face that mesmerized Hyunjung right away.
“You will have three children, don’t you remember what Hyunjung said?”
Hyunjung turned to face her immediately, blushing fifty shades of red. Had she said that out loud? She bit her lip in shock, turning around to see Jiyeon's reaction, who now had a soft smile on her face. The woman walked past Sojung and sat beside her on the bed, touching her hand gently.
"Are you feeling better?" Jiyeon asked in a low voice, a soft tone. Hyunjung looked at her delightedly, with a slight smile appearing to see how beautiful the woman was up close.
“I feel a slight pain in my face, but other than that everything is fine,” Hyunjung replied and felt Jiyeon's hand grip hers tightly.
The woman looked at her softly, flashing a small smile that still made her eyes disappear. Hyunjung felt her stomach lurch at the sensation, the world plummeting down like she was skydiving. Jiyeon moved closer until she was beside her, touching her bicep gently.
“What did you say yesterday…” She paused and cleared her throat and Hyunjung knew well what she wanted to know. She didn't feel ready to say any of that.
"I meant every word... even if I don't remember what I said detail by detail." She muttered embarrassed and fearful. She didn't realize she lowered her face until Jiyeon lifted it gently, her hands caressing her bruised cheeks.
Hyunjung closed her eyes briefly and then felt soft lips connect with her own, making butterflies fly in her stomach furiously. She grabbed some of Jiyeon's hair in return, pulling her into an even more forceful kiss. She wanted the kiss to last forever, but a thin ache in her jaw made her pull away.
"It's hurting a lot?" Jiyeon murmured, softly kissing her cheek. Hyunjung sighed softly, nodding. The doctor smiled and tried to walk away, but Hyunjung pulled her close again.
“What will we will be now?” She asked softly, a little nervously.
“We can decide everything when the tournament is over,” Jiyeon said softly, kissing her softly. "And I'll take you to dinner."
"No, I'll take you to dinner!" Hyunjung disagreed with a pout, which made Jiyeon laugh.
“You were the first to confess, let me be the one who organizes our first date.” The doctor asked with sure and Hyunjung gave a small smile, nodding. She was still blushing a lot, but this time she was more happy than scared.
Everything would be fine, she supposed. She wouldn't have to fight the French goalie over the concert of her nose, which she knew was crooked. She would buy a dinner for the woman who, unintentionally, ended up causing the best moment of her life. Never has a punch ended so happily in the history of the world.