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Heads turned as Kim Yongsun walked swiftly down the main walkway of Ewha Women’s University. The fourth year tourism student exuded confidence as she took determined steps. Her long black hair swayed in the breeze while her bright, two-piece cheerleading uniform left little to the imagination, showing off her toned abs and chiselled shoulder muscles as she headed towards the sports complex shared by Ewha and neighbouring Yonsei University.
As usual Yongsun was the first one there. Practice wouldn't start for another 15 minutes but as Captain of the Cheerleading Team, Yongsun was always strict with herself and her teammates about punctuality. She was once quoted saying “lazy people have no future” and she stood by that statement.
She also liked to get to the sports fields early to make sure her team had enough space to practise. They often had to share the space with Ewha’s Baseball Team - The Tigers - and the last thing Yongsun wanted was for her team to get too close and get distracted.
The baseball girls loved an audience and were known to be extra friendly (and flirty) whenever they shared the field with the cheer team. Especially a certain effortlessly charming player who had been running through Yongsun’s mind a lot recently.
She pouted at the thought but soon her attention was drawn to the beautiful woman shouting at her from across the field.
“Yah! Stop frowning, you'll get wrinkles unnie!”
Ahn Hyejin playfully berated her captain as she strutted towards the older woman. She walked with a natural confidence and elegance that made her beauty even more apparent. Her ash blonde hair was draped over her shoulder in a loose ponytail while the cheer uniform showed off her curves and sun-kissed skin.
“Are you worried about the big game on friday?”
Hyejin asked as she playfully draped herself around her cheer captain like a koala bear, earning herself a big sigh before Yongsun briefly returned the hug.
“Tsundere”
The younger woman smirked before continuing to question Yongsun with her eyebrow raised.
“Seriously unnie, you looked dangerously deep in thought”
“It’s nothing Hyejin-ah, just an assignment I have due, don’t worry about it”
“Hmm”
Hyejin looked at her friend, not quite believing her explanation but nevertheless replied,
“Well…what does that singer you like say? Good luck babe!”
Her accent was flawless as she playfully blew a kiss at Yongsun and moved away to do some warm up stretches. Yongsun rolled her eyes, earning a mischievous giggle from her younger teammate.
Hyejin truly loved teasing the serious older woman, especially about whatever new singer Yongsun was currently obsessed with.
Recently it was Chappell Roan and Hyejin had ended up hearing the American singer's entire life story and discography thanks to her weekly karaoke outings with Yongsun.
Before she could tease her unnie anymore, the other members of their team started to arrive. They all chatted amongst themselves as they warmed up and went over some notes from their last practice.
They were discussing formations when suddenly some of the girls got distracted by the arrival of the baseball team on the far side of the field.
“OMGGGGGG Player 22 dyed her hair again!!!”
JJ - vice-captain of the cheer team - half whispered half screamed, causing the other girls to turn around and stare at the handsome, pretty, red-haired woman in the distance.
Moon Byulyi, also known as Moonstar or Player 22, was a third year Film & Photography major and Captain of the Tigers. She was also Ewha’s resident girl crush.
“She looks so f*cking hot”
Bibi said shamelessly, eyeing the star player.
“And she looks so much like Chappell Roan”
Chorong made a point of looking at Yongsun with a cheeky smile. Yongsun narrowed her eyes, glaring at her friend in warning.
She was getting ready to firmly remind her team that it was already Tuesday so they only had two more practice sessions before the big game on Friday. They certainly didn’t have time to be drooling over Byulyi, no matter how good she looked (really good).
“How did Moonsexy know you’re obsessed with her…I mean Chappell Roan”
Hyejin teased, only slightly fearing for her life when she saw how Yongsun was staring her down with a vicious look. The blonde woman put her hands up in mock surrender.
“Aww, you can’t go see her perform in the US so she’s come to you Yongsun unnie!”
Goeun, a first year student, said excitedly, directing an innocent smile at her captain so she wouldn’t be on the receiving end of one of Yongsun’s famous glares.
“Who’s Chappell Roan?”
Bomi asked curiously,
“I think she looks so much like BOA these days!”
She continued sharing her thoughts, as Chorong nodded in agreement.
“WHAT?!! NO WAYS!!!”
The whole team froze at their captain’s vicious tone. Yongsun felt herself uncharacteristically snap, her cheeks getting warmer.
It’s not her fault she had a massive crush on BOA when she was in middle school. In fact the only reason she took Japanese as her language elective was so she could translate and follow BOA’s activities in Japan.
And Yongsun was arguably still a massive fan girl. But right now she did not want to be reminded of her crushes. Not Boa, not Chappell Roan and most definitely not Moon Byulyi.
“I just mean Byulyi looks nothing like either of them”
Yongsun clarified sheepishly before turning away, her cheeks still warm with embarrassment. The rest of the team followed, largely ignoring her outburst as they went back to practising. They just assumed it was due to stress about the upcoming game.
Hyejin, however, wasn’t so convinced. She narrowed her eyes, studying her friend’s back. The Kim Yongsun she knew never let pressure get to her.
She also prided herself in how she led the cheer team so it was very unusual for her to snap like that, especially over something so silly.
Hyejin decided that she would have to get to the bottom of this herself, preferably before Friday.
***
“Wow unnie nice hair!”
Minari complimented her captain as she arrived to practise. Moon Byulyi smiled and winked playfully at her junior.
“You look like a total celebrity unnie”
Chayeon joined in, giggling with Mimi.
“So can I get your autograph Moonstar?”
Moon Byulyi smiled as her best friend Jung Wheein threw a baseball at her. The younger, dark-haired woman was smiling widely, her deep dimple on full display.
Aside from being teammates, Byulyi and Wheein had spent most of their summer holiday together with Byulyi job-shadowing Wheein’s mom at her photography studio in Jeonju.
They’d grown closer and despite being younger Wheein wasn’t shy to endlessly tease the Tiger’s captain.
She had quickly realised that behind the mysterious, sporty girl crush image that everyone drooled over, Byulyi was just a goofy, creative, romantic woman who cried during sad movies and liked to get drunk on makgeolli with Wheein when it rained.
“Seriously, what’s with the new look unnie?”
Wheein interrogated her friend, suspicious of the captain’s sudden change in appearance since she had last seen her on Saturday.
“It’s for the game on Friday. Lucky red”
Byulyi explained, casually swinging a baseball bat while the others did their warm ups.
“I thought that fortune teller said it had to be red underwear”
Wheein questioned the older woman.
“Oh yeah, I got lucky with those already”
Byulyi smirked, turning to wink at Wheein who just shook her head in mock disapproval. She allowed her friend to deflect but didn’t quite believe what the newly red-haired woman was saying.
As they started some catching drills Byulyi mentioned to Wheein,
“The cheer team’s routines look great”
“Do you like their new uniforms, unnie? I helped design them”
Wheein boasted proudly, posing dramatically like she was ready for a photoshoot with Vogue.
“Of course you did.”
Byulyi chuckled, unsurprised but still in awe of her younger teammate.
When her nose wasn't glued to her textbooks, Jung Wheein was known to be a talented artist, often designing things for the university's sports teams and clubs.
“Wow you know Hyejin can really dance”
Wheein changed the topic of conversation suddenly, looking over to the other side of the field where the ash blonde woman was retying her hair. Wheein was totally captivated, barely moving her eyes away as Byulyi threw a ball at her, she relied on her sixth sense to help catch it.
“Wheein-ah focus! You can go dancing again with Ahn Hyejin after Friday”
Wheein dragged her attention back to her captain and the drill they were meant to be doing. Not ready to stop teasing the older woman just yet, she continued,
“Seriously, her rhythm is no joke, unnie. But you wouldn't know since you left so early on Saturday.”
Wheein poked her tongue out at the red-haired woman.
“I told you I drank too much and got tired”
Byulyi defended herself sheepishly.
“Lightweight”
Wheein taunted but soon got distracted again by the cheerleaders. Hyejin looked over and saw her staring, she waved before nudging Yongsun.
Byulyi and Wheein waved back as the older woman turned around.
Yongsun could see the baseball captain’s goofy smile in the distance and it was enough to have her swiftly turn back around, forcing herself to continue the cheer practice despite the blush creeping across her cheeks.
“Ouch, guess there won’t be any jock x cheerleader action here”
Wheein muttered after the cheer captain gave them the cold shoulder.
“Huh?”
Byulyi looked wide-eyed at Wheein like she was speaking a foreign language.
“Although maybe there’s still a chance for enemies to lovers?”
Wheein continued despite Byulyi’s deep frown
“Enemies to WHAT?!”
The red-haired woman stuttered. Every nonchalant bone in her body vanished. Her unusually panicked tone made Wheein even more suspicious.
“Unnie, we’ve barely started practice, why are you sweating?”
Byulyi wiped her forehead, ignoring Wheein’s comment and proceeded to call the team into a huddle. The dark-haired woman watched her captain closely as her cheeks were slowly turning the same shade as her hair.
“So weird”
Wheein muttered as she moved to join the huddle. She would need to investigate her unnie’s strange behaviour but first, all her energy would be dedicated to their practice.
***
The rest of the session went by without any issues, for both the cheer and baseball team.
Aside from Moon Byulyi trying to wave at her, Yongsun would categorise the practice as a major success. Her team had worked extra hard rehearsing their routines again and again until they were perfect.
By the time they had finished, the cheerleaders were all gasping for air and sweating copiously despite the cool evening breeze blowing across the field. Everyone was relieved to finally head to the locker room to shower, get changed and go home.
“That Wheein is such a cutie”
Hyejin said dreamily, eyeing the baseball player who had just entered the far side of the locker room as the blonde cheerleader pulled on her sweatshirt.
Yongsun nodded absentmindedly, a fluffy towel wrapped around her body and another on her head. She had just returned from the shower and after being jump scared seeing the baseball team across the room, she was now desperately trying not to look up or down or anywhere.
She had forgotten, since they were all women, both teams sometimes had to share the locker room when the sports complex was extra busy.
“I wonder if she works outs”
Hyejin continued with her admiration.
It was no small secret that the stunning cheerleader thought player 17 was a “total hottie” (her words specifically). She had been making an extra effort the past few weeks to playfully flirt with the dark-haired girl when their practice times aligned.
Despite being the same age Wheein was actually her senior. Dubbed as Wheenius by Hyejin, the two women had attended the same high school in Jeonju but due to her academic genius, Wheein was already in the third year of her sustainable chemistry degree whereas Hyejin was in the second year of a music and performance major.
The ash blonde woman turned her attention away from Wheein and hummed to herself as she continued changing.
“I could eat that girl for lunch hm hm hm hm hm hmmm…”
As she took the towel off her head and ran her fingers through her dark wet hair, Yongsun briefly recognised the tune as something Hyejin had sung at one of their recent Saturday night karaoke sessions.
“Unnieee you’re frowning again!”
Yongsun was pulled from her thoughts as Hyejin scolded her. The younger woman had her hand on her hip and a look on her face that screamed “unnie did you hear anything I just said?!”
“Sorry Hyejin-ah”
Yongsun mumbled, looking over at her friend apologetically as she ran her fingers through her hair again.
“I was saying, I can’t believe Moon Byulyi really got Wheeinie away from her textbooks this season!”
Hyejin was referring to the fact that Byulyi had practically got down on her knees and begged her younger friend to join the baseball team since they were short of members.
Of course, besides her insane academic and artistic talent, Wheein was also a naturally gifted sportswoman.
“She’s a great player”
Yongsun admitted, turning to look at the baseball player across the locker room. However, instead of Wheein, she saw Byulyi first or rather…her abs.
The red-haired player was laughing, her white baseball shirt hanging open revealing only a sports bra underneath. Yongsun found her eyes drifting down across Byulyi’s toned stomach, she didn't notice she was holding her breath as she bit down on her bottom lip unconsciously.
Hyejin watched her friend, narrowing her eyes suspiciously as she kept up the conversation, eager to observe her captain more and figure out why she was so on edge during practice.
“Well the Tigers really need all the help they can get this Friday”
Friday was the big game. It was not only the first match of the season but also the most anticipated. The Ewha Tigers would be up against their biggest rivals SWU - Seoul Women’s University - and this year it would be a fiercer competition than ever before.
Usually Ewha came out on top however the season was off to a disastrous start with two of the team's star players missing due to injuries or personal issues.
“I can’t believe Sooyoung sunbaenim is actually pregnant and engaged?!”
JJ joined in the conversation as she pulled on her sweatpants. The cheerleading co-captain was still in disbelief over the recent news of the baseball senior’s sudden departure from the team.
“Pity it's such bad timing for our Tigers”
Bibi replied with her head tilted to the side as she dried her hair with a towel.
“Yeah since Yubin sunbaenim broke her leg they’re really in a bad spot”
Bomi said worriedly from the opposite bench as she laced up her sneakers.
“At least we still have Moonstar!”
Goeun chimed in with admiration in her eyes as she spoke about the red-haired player.
Yongsun looked up, rolling her eyes at the young cheerleader’s statement. Hyejin met her gaze with an unimpressed look, her eyebrow raised questioningly.
“Unnie, as captain of the cheer squad for the baseball team shouldn’t you be supporting said baseball team’s captain and believe in her abilities?”
She whispered at the dark-haired woman, keeping her voice low enough so the other girls wouldn't hear. Yongsun huffed, frowning as she responded.
“Firstly Hyejin, we cheer for all Ewha sports teams, not just the Tigers. Secondly of course I can’t deny Byulyi is a talented player…”
Hyejin interjected, sighing
“I feel a but coming”
Yongsun pouted slightly at the interruption,
“No...it’s just…she’s a bit full of herself these days!”
Hyejin laughed in disbelief, she was worried Yongsun had fallen and hit her head during one of their routines. She couldn't understand her sudden, bizarre change of behaviour.
“Unnie, are you being serious?”
“Yes. She’s…she’s rude and arrogant”
Now Yongsun was just lying through her teeth and she wasn’t really sure why.
“What?!”
Hyejin was ready to call the police and report her friend missing because the woman in front of her was acting nothing like the Kim Yongsun she knew.
“Is this about that one time she talked down to you last year?”
She continued questioning the older woman
“Cause I thought you guys sorted it out, she apologised and you were talking just last weekend–”
Yongsun cut off Hyejin who was genuinely baffled with her captain’s sudden animosity towards the leader of the baseball team.
“No she’s insufferable Hyejin-ah! Just because all the freshmen have a crush on her…”
Yongsun trailed off as she noticed the ash blonde woman’s attention was fixed on something just behind Yongsun. When they locked eyes again she saw that Hyejin had paled slightly and her eyes widened like she’d seen a ghost.
“What Jinie? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Yongsun huffed out with exasperation but suddenly felt her heart stop as she heard a warm, deep voice come up behind her.
“Who has a crush on me?”
Yongsun jumped at the question, losing her balance slightly as she ended up with her back pressed against Byulyi’s front. Her fluffy towel was the only thing between her and the red-haired player’s abs.
She gulped as Byulyi gently brought her hand to rest on Yongsun’s waist, steading the older woman in case she decided to topple over.
“You didn’t think I was so bad last Saturday”
Byulyi whispered against Yongsun’s ear, her soft breath sending a shiver down the cheer captain’s spine. Yongsun’s eyes widened in shock as she turned to meet the baseball player’s starry gaze.
Yongsun felt herself slipping again but instead she pulled herself from the red-haired woman’s hold and rushed back to the showers, this time she needed to drown herself in cold water.
Byulyi watched the older woman closely as she raced away, her playful smirk replaced with a sad smile.
Hyejin was simply dumbfounded, looking between Byulyi and the shower area as she felt a million questions swarming in her mind.
***
Yongsun’s head was still spinning 10 minutes later as she returned from the showers. She was relieved when she noticed that Byulyi was nowhere to be seen and Hyejin seemed too deep in conversation with Wheein to try and question her as she got dressed and raced out the door at the speed of light.
As she walked back across campus in the fading purple of the twilight sky, Yongun sighed deeply lost in thought.
“Last Saturday…”
She muttered to herself thinking back to the previous weekend.
Instead of their usual weekend karaoke excursion, Yongsun had found herself in the middle of a nightclub near Ewha that was hosting some sort of university event.
Hyejin had somehow convinced her to go, promising the DJ would play Chappell Roan (he did eventually play After Midnight but Yongsun suspected it was at Hyejin’s request after she threatened to leave early)
Despite her chronic shyness around strangers, Yongsun had chosen to wear a stunning red dress that showed off her toned legs and matching red lipstick. Half the club was drooling over her, although Yongsun was largely oblivious to this.
She did however, notice some of the Ewha baseball players as they arrived, specifically a certain captain who looked incredibly charming in her sleeveless dress shirt that showed off her tattoos and a loose necktie.
Yongsun soon found herself standing at the bar wedged between Byulyi and Wheein as Hyejin called for shots from the bartender.
25ml of tequila was all it took to let out Yongsun’s inner demon. She really wasn’t good at handling her alcohol or maybe it just truly showed her real personality and feelings.
One way or another she somehow ended up on the dance floor. A sultry reggaeton song was playing, the deep bass causing Yongsun’s heart to beat wildly.
Byulyi wasn’t helping either dancing in front of her with the most intoxicating smile, the corners of her mouth turned up into a cute smirk while her eyes were glazed over slightly from the alcohol.
Maybe it was the club lights or the moonlight or Moon Byul. Yongsun wasn’t quite sure but she couldn't take her hungry eyes off the baseball captain. Byulyi looked so good, the twinkle in her eyes daring Yongsun to do something. And she felt she might.
In the dark club amongst the strobing lights, the cheer captain looked ready to devour the younger woman.
But eventually the incessant thrumming of the base and the crazy partygoers around her got too much for Yongsun.
Hyejin and Wheein were off buying more drinks while Byulyi went to the bathroom. Yongsun started coming down from her tequila high and decided to go outside to get some air. On the way she met Byulyi who offered to accompany her.
Yongsun wasn’t sure how or why, but it only took one look and a quick exchange of whispered words and suddenly she felt drunk all over again as she passionately kissed the baseball captain, pinning the younger woman against the red-brick wall outside the club. She only stopped briefly to give Byulyi her address as the younger woman ordered them a taxi back to Yongsun's place.
They barely made it through the front door before Yongsun was ripping off Byulyi’s shirt as the younger woman peppered kisses along her neck. The two women stumbled through Yongsun’s apartment into her bedroom.
Their heavy breaths quickly filled the room as Yongsun pushed Byulyi onto the bed, her dress riding up her thighs as she straddled the baseball player, pulling her tie playfully to bring her back into a hungry kiss.
Yongsun would have loved to continue like that. She had imagined a steamy night with the hot player before. Afterwards she would pretend to still be asleep as the younger woman slinked out of her apartment and in the morning Yongsun would be left to blame it all on the alcohol.
Just a drunken one night stand. That’s what people usually did right?
Yongsun had been so preoccupied in her frenzy of pleasure. Her lips pressed against Byulyi’s, their tongues intertwining as their hands roamed across each other’s bodies, pleasure rising, electricity pulsing up and down her spine.
Yongsun barely noticed as she started slumping slightly more against the other woman, her kisses getting less precise as her body protested in tiredness.
Byulyi, who had been caressing up Yongsun’s side, occasionally sneaking her hand across to tease the cheer captain's breasts through the thin red fabric of her dress, also felt herself faltering, her touches getting messier as tiredness overcame her.
Yongsun heard herself fail to stifle a moan as Byulyi’s teeth gently grazed her earlobe. The excitement Yongsun felt in her core desperately fighting against her will to pass out from exhaustion.
But Yongsun didn't have to keep fighting as Byulyi’s teeth were replaced by her lips and soft breath. Some of the sex-charged air melted around them as the baseball player shyly whispered.
“Yong…can I stay the night?”
Yongsun felt the words slip off her tongue before she even thought them through,
“Of course”
So instead of a crazy drunken night, Yongsun found herself wrapped in a sensual atmosphere being gently helped out of her dress as she collapsed onto her bed, followed shortly by Byulyi.
She didn't protest as the younger woman pulled her close, burying her nose into Yongsun’s dark hair while she spooned the cheerleader as sleep quickly overcame them both.
When Yongsun woke up the younger woman had made her coffee and breakfast. She stood blushing profusely as Yongsun had kissed her on the cheek, whispering in a husky voice still thick with sleep,
“Thank you Byul-ah”
They stayed enveloped in a cosy atmosphere and without realising the morning slipped away as they spent hours lounging on Yongsun’s couch getting to know each other more.
Yongsun was usually introverted and guarded her emotions closely, but she found herself opening up to Byulyi so easily. They found they agreed on many things and also disagreed but the playful banter that followed made Yongsun’s heart warm.
At some point Byulyi went looking for her bag that she’d hastily dropped the previous night. She returned to the living room holding an old film camera. Looking at Yongsun, she silently asked for permission. Yongsun nodded, looking at the younger woman with stars in her eyes.
She was surprised when instead of snapping a photo, Byulyi had placed the camera on the coffee table and come back to the couch, leaning down and taking Yongsun’s face in her hands.
She kissed softly along the cheer captain’s cheek, her lips meeting Yongsun’s as the older woman leaned into her touch and returned the kiss. Unlike the previous night, this kiss was soft and slow. Filled with the promise that it wasn't just a one time thing.
When they pulled away both women were smiling like fools. It all felt so right, so comfortable being together. So comfortable that Yongsun barely flinched when her sister Yonghee came home to their shared apartment in the early afternoon.
She found her little sister lounging on the couch, her legs draped across the lap of a very attractive but unfamiliar woman. The apartment was practically bursting with domesticity.
Yongsun didn't hesitate to introduce Byulyi to Yonghee, although she faltered slightly on how to refer to her, opting for “captain of our baseball team”.
Yonghee chuckled seeing how her little sister gazed at Byulyi with so much affection in her eyes. She decided to leave them in peace, putting the kimchi she had picked up from their parents house in the fridge before gathering some things and heading for the door.
“I’ll leave you two love birds in peace then”
Yonghee said with a cheeky smile as she headed off to her boyfriend's place.
Yongsun had rolled her eyes at her older sister's words but secretly felt excitement and warmth fill her chest. Byulyi wasn’t just some sporty playgirl, she was really sensitive and caring and passionate about her photography and capturing the world around her.
And Yongsun felt so safe when the younger woman was holding her. She swore she hadn't slept so well in years.
They continued chatting over cups of tea and sharing the occasional kiss. Yongsun wanted to fall into Byulyi’s arms and never get up but she suddenly remembered the list of errands she had to do.
With a pout, the cheer captain had explained to the baseball player what she had to do so she could start the week properly. Amongst other things she needed a new pair of sneakers for the big game on Friday.
She almost expected the younger woman to wish her good luck with her boring chores and head home for the day.
Instead she found herself shrieking with laughter as Byulyi did her best rabbit impression for the older woman with two long socks for ears as they stood side by side hanging out Yongsun’s laundry together.
The fun didn't stop as they spent the rest of the afternoon ticking off the errands on Yongsun’s list, ending the day picking up a new pair of new balance trainers for Yongsun.
Byulyi couldn't believe so many hours had passed. Everything felt better with Yongsun even the most mundane tasks. The baseball player decided then that as long as Yongsun was smiling she would be happy.
Byulyi had known the confident cheer captain Yongsun for a while and she had briefly met the incredibly sexy and dominant Yongsun the night before but seeing the dark-haired woman sitting on her couch, coffee cup in hand and a soft smile on her face (making her cheeks look so cute and squeezable) had made Byulyi’s heart soar.
Their time together felt so domestic, so comfortable. They eventually parted ways after walking back to Yongsun’s apartment as the golden light of the setting sun gave way to a gentle twilight breeze.
Byulyi had kissed Yongsun on her cheek shyly and thanked her for the day before heading off. Yongsun was left standing outside her apartment building, shopping bag in hand, trying and completely failing to hide the huge smile spreading across her face.
It was only later that night that both women realised they didn't even have each other’s phone number. It didn't matter since they would see each other at the sports complex soon.
But then Yongsun had found herself overthinking, worrying about everything and nothing. About how this would impact her team and Byulyi’s, about the fact she had never been in a relationship, about how scared she was to end up disappointing the younger woman one day.
Amidst her panic, Yongsun had stupidly decided to avoid Byulyi, which proved more difficult when they had joint practices and especially when the (newly) red-haired woman had come over in the locker room and made her heart flutter all over again…
As she walked home from practice, Yongsun couldn’t deny the pull she felt towards the charming baseball player. She knew she needed to speak to Byulyi and she honestly really wanted to see her again. She just needed to stop overthinking everything.
Somewhere across campus, Byulyi was also walking home. She looked up as the first evening star was shining faintly in the darkening sky.
The baseball captain felt hurt that Yongsun seemed to be ignoring her. She hoped it was mainly the stress of preparing for Friday but she was worried Yongsun regretted the time they had spent together.
But Byulyi was resolved that she wouldn’t give up without a fight. She decided that since Yongsun had made the first move at the club on Saturday, now it was her turn to show the older woman how she felt.
She just needed to find a way to approach Yongsun without the cheer captain running away again.
***
On Thursday afternoon the cheer team was practising on one of the smaller fields in the sports complex. It was their penultimate practice before the big baseball game the following evening.
As they were finishing up Wheein wandered over from where she had been sitting on the sideline benches studying.
Yongsun, who had been totally focused on her team, was surprised to see the dark-haired girl approach her, especially since the baseball team’s practice didn't start for another two hours.
Wheein was dressed in loose jeans and an oversized t-shirt rather than her team uniform. She carried a few textbooks in her arms and was wearing her reading glasses.
Hyejin muttered something about wanting to eat her cheeks as she watched the adorable woman walk across the field towards her and Yongsun.
Wheein saw the look of confusion flash across Yongsun’s face and smiled knowingly as she greeted the cheer captain and the gorgeous ash blonde woman beside her.
“I needed some fresh air, so I decided to study out here”
Wheein explained, trying to ease the stress she could see creeping across Yongsun’s face.
The younger player looked to Hyejin smiling widely,
“You guys look great…your routines I mean”
“Well we gotta be at out best for our Tigers”
Hyejin almost purred in response.
“Your support is all we need to secure a win”
Wheein’s dimple was on full display as she beamed back at the cheerleader.
Yongsun had to blink and ask herself if she was stuck witnessing the two younger women flirting or if this was just how people talked these days.
Narrowing her eyes a bit as she continued observing them, Yongsun questioned,
“Did you need something Wheein ssi?”
She felt an elbow nudge her side as Hyejin whined,
“Unnieee”
Wheein just chuckled and put her hands up in mock surrender.
“I’m just the messenger, Captain”
She opened one of her textbooks and pulled out a pale coral coloured envelope. Yongsun eyed it suspiciously while Hyejin looked at the older woman, slightly confused but more than anything, intrigued.
“Unnie wanted to deliver it herself but she got delayed developing film in the darkroom”
Wheein explained with an innocent look. This was mostly true since Byulyi was busy with assignments but also she had asked the younger woman for help delivering the letter since Yongsun seemed determined to avoid her.
The cheer captain looked unimpressed but took the envelope anyway.
“Thanks”
She offered Wheein a curt smile and said goodbye to Hyejin before quickly leaving.
As she marched off towards the locker room, Yongsun could hear the ash blonde woman in the distance asking Wheein all about her textbooks and laughing at something the younger dark-haired woman had said.
Yongsun avoided opening the envelope. Ignoring her growing curiosity and the butterflies in her stomach. Instead she opted to shower and get changed first.
It was only when she was leaving the sports complex for the evening that the cheer captain couldn't hold back any longer, reaching into her bag to retrieve the envelope from where she had safely stored it.
Yongsun found a bench along a quiet tree-lined campus path and sat down. She ran her fingers across the envelope where her name was carefully written.
She sighed and finally opened it. Inside was a folded piece of pastel coloured paper as well as another slightly smaller envelope that matched the larger outer one.
Yongsun opened the letter first. She immediately noticed the warm, deep scent topped with a hint of freshness that wafted off the page. She brought the letter to her nose and inhaled deeply. It smelt just like Byulyi.
Yongsun couldn’t help the smile that was creeping up at the corners of her mouth when she saw the attentive handwriting across the page. Yongsun had seen Byulyi’s writing before on sports forms and sign-up sheets and she knew it was usually atrocious, a largely illegible scrawl of characters.
But the baseball captain had clearly taken care in writing this letter, wanting to make sure that Yongsun could read and understand her words clearly. The cheerleader tried to hold back but she couldn’t help chuckling at the way Byulyi addressed her in the first line of the letter.
Captain Yongsun ssi!
I know you're avoiding me. But I had a really great time this past weekend…and I think you did too.
Yongsun sighed but appreciated the younger woman’s directness. She did have a great time and she wasn’t entirely sure why she was going to such lengths to avoid Byulyi.
I know you’re a serious person so I want to make it clear that I’m serious too - about us.
Yongsun felt her heart stop and then start beating again furiously. But soon enough she couldn't help relaxing and laughing as she rolled her eyes in mock annoyance at Byulyi’s words.
Seriously, I’m so serious unnie, look how serious this letter is!
(btw you’re so cute when you frown and roll your eyes like you just did)
“Aish” Yongsun muttered but smiled like a fool at the thought of Byulyi knowing exactly how she would react. As she sat on the bench reading, the evening breeze picked up but Yongsun felt warmer than ever reading the baseball player’s confession.
Yong, you're so amazing and talented, and I’ve fallen really hard for you.
I always look forward to our joint practices, even if you're glaring at me or straight up ignoring me ㅠㅠ
Yongsun pouted thinking of how she might have hurt the red-haired woman the past few days. What was she so afraid of? Byulyi clearly liked her too.
Also, for the record it’s not my fault the freshmans like me so much, but truly they’re no match for you unnie.
Once again Yongsun felt her pout turn into a laugh at Byulyi’s antics.
Anyways, please let me take you on a proper first date after the game.
How about dinner and karaoke?
I heard you have the voice of an angel…and the face to match ;)
See you tomorrow!
Love Moonfart
PS: Here are some photos from Sunday <3
Yongsun was still smiling as she reached for the second envelope. Inside she found photos from Byulyi’s film camera that she barely remembered the younger woman taking.
The first one was a picture of Yongsun cuddled up on her couch looking over at Byulyi from behind her coffee cup. A truly blissful expression spread across her face as the morning sunlight could be seen filtering in through the window behind her.
There was another one of Yongsun sitting in the apartment complex's laundry room. She was perched on a counter beside the washing machine, scrolling through her phone as she waited for her laundry to finish. The dark-haired woman let out a chuckle as she looked closer and saw the squirtle slippers hanging off her feet that Byulyi had captured.
There was another shot, this time of her and Byulyi together. It was a mirror selfie she briefly remembered Byulyi taking in a cafe when they had stopped to get drinks while running errands.
The cheer captain felt her heart fluttering seeing how the photography student had draped her arm around Yongsun’s shoulder so casually causing her to blush. Even on film her cheeks could be seen looking more rosy than usual.
The final photo was one of Yongsun dancing along the street as the sun set, swinging her shopping bag around happily after she had bought her new shoes. She couldn't describe the pure feeling of happiness and love that she felt seeing the picture and being transported back to that moment again.
Yongsun hadn’t noticed that she was tearing up as she looked through the photos. She had always thought the concept of an artist and muse was stupid, even objectifying but for Byulyi, Yongsun wanted the younger woman to take photos of her forever. She could feel the love and care in each shot so much that it almost overwhelmed her.
Yongsun realised then that the fear and worries that had been keeping her from Byulyi paled in comparison to what she felt for the younger woman and to what Byulyi clearly felt for her.
Yongsun felt a shiver of excitement race down her spine at the thought of a first date with the baseball captain as she walked away from the bench, clutching Byulyi’s letter to her chest.
But Yongsun, being the realist that she was, knew they both needed to focus on the game tomorrow first. Then they could celebrate together.
***
The local stadium was packed with hundreds, maybe even thousands of students and faculty members from both Ewha, Seoul Women’s University and other nearby institutions coming to watch the epic showdown. The lights shone down on the baseball field, illuminating the players as the sun had set, welcoming the transient dusk.
The Tigers had started strong, winning the first few innings but had taken a hit in the latter half of the game with SWU scoring numerous runs as well as consistently getting the Ewha players out when it was their turn to bat.
Both teams were at four innings each as they started the final inning of the match. Things were looking bad as SWU pulled ahead in the first half with some solid runs. Then when it was the Tigers turn to go on the offensive they struggled.
Yongsun and her team kept the crowd cheering for the players but even the pragmatic cheer captain was starting to feel disheartened. Especially when both Chayeon and Wheein were caught out before they could make the most of their runs.
The only thing that could save the Tigers now was to score well with their last batter or even better to get a home run. The game's result lay on the shoulders of their captain Byulyi.
The red-haired woman was known for her powerful hits and fast running but even she was worried it might not be enough.
The crowd surged into a roar as Byulyi approached the batting plate. She got into position, ready to swing as the SWU pitcher glared at her, punching the ball into her baseball glove menacingly as she got ready to throw.
The ball raced through the air but Byulyi timed her swing perfectly, smashing the ball towards the far corner of the field as she started sprinting.
The left fielders raced for the ball, thinking they would be able to get it quickly but instead it bounced off a divot back towards the centre which was completely unmarked. While the SWU fielders scrambled to get the ball, Byulyi kept running, passing first and second base at record speed.
But as the Tiger’s captain approached third base, the SWU third baseman stepped forward, pretending to be waiting to receive the ball from the outfielders. Without the referee noticing she stuck her leg out just as Byulyi passed her, sending the red-haired woman flying into the air.
It felt like time froze, even the fielders trying to retrieve the ball seemed to slow down as the stadium watched in shocked silence as Byulyi came crashing down, sliding face first through the dirt past third base.
Yongsun stood in horror as she felt her breath knocked out of her chest seeing Byulyi hit the ground. Her cheerleaders’ voices dyed out as they all stopped their routine, wide eyed with shock.
For a moment no one knew if Byulyi would get up. But Yongsun knew. In that split second she knew the baseball captain could do it, she needed to do it.
Without realising it Yongsun was screaming, she heard her voice echo across the field.
“YA Moon Byul-ah! You better get up and start running if you want that date!!”
Byulyi, sprawled out flat on the floor, smiled as the words reached her ears. She pulled herself up with such speed it didn’t seem humanly possible. The SWU player who had fouled her blinked rapidly as somehow the red-haired woman was up and sprinting away.
Shouts were heard as the fielders raced to throw the ball back to their catcher and get Byulyi out. But there was no stopping the Ewha captain. She was on a mission to get home safely and secure her team the win (and herself a date).
Yongsun’s bright red cheeks went almost unnoticed as Hyejin started cheering again, with the other cheerleaders quickly joining in. Soon the whole stadium was screaming,
“H - O - T - T - O - G - O PLAYER 22 LET’S GOOOO!!!”
Yongsun couldn't help laughing as she joined in the reworked cheer. She looked over at JJ and Hyejin who winked playfully before turning her attention back to Byulyi.
The Tiger’s captain had never run faster in her entire life. She felt her lungs stinging as she approached the final base, trying to outrun the fielders’ throw. She managed to dive for the home plate just before the catcher received the ball, ironically, once again ending up face first in the dirt.
But Byulyi couldn’t have been happier. She didn’t even care about the bruises and pain she would no doubt feel tomorrow. The referee blew the whistle and the announcer shouted of their victory through the speakers as the spectators cheered, their voices thundering around the small stadium.
Her teammates came running to pick their captain up off the ground, shouting wildly in celebration. The cheer team was celebrating too as Yongsun turned around to see Byulyi looking for her amidst the chaos of the celebration.
She locked eyes with Yongsun on the sidelines. Her white baseball uniform was completely covered in red dirt and dust while a goofy smile was plastered across her handsome pretty face.
Yongsun couldn't stop herself as she started running towards the red-haired player, almost knocking the younger woman over as she jumped into her arms.
“Congratulations on your victory Byul ssi”
Yongsun said shyly, before burying her face into the baseball captain’s neck.
“Thank you captain Yongsun ssi. But the only win I’m interested in is winning your heart”
Byulyi said smoothly as she caressed Yongsun’s hair. The older woman pulled back muttering but failing to hide her smile.
“Aish, so greasy…we’ll see”
Yongsun’s cheeks were blushing a nice shade of red to match Byulyi’s hair as the baseball captain kissed her on the cheek.
They were soon joined by Hyejin and Wheein, followed by the entire baseball and cheerleading teams, melting into a massive group hug.
As Yongsun felt herself once again embraced by Byulyi, she could feel fireworks go off in her heart (as well as in the stadium around them).
She took the younger woman’s face in her hands and kissed her passionately while the cheers and whistles of her and Byulyi’s teammates filled the air around them.
They had so much to celebrate tonight.