Chapter 5: Unexpected Encounters

“Me, give it? Why are you giving this to me?”

“No, it’s not like that…”

At Woo-joo’s absurd response, Yoon Jae-yeon’s lips twitched, then he burst into laughter.

Woo-joo was completely preoccupied with thoughts of Won Ji-tae and couldn’t think straight.

“How can you take it that way? Clearly, they’re asking for your number.”

“Why would I give my personal info to you?”

“Think about it, we play the same position, right? I didn’t say it before, but I’m actually a fan of yours.”

“What?”

Wonjang High and Daehyun High were the top two high school volleyball teams.

Both were prestigious, and nearly every skilled middle school player went to one of these two schools.

Naturally, they had a strong rivalry, and whenever they faced off, audiences were captivated.

Yet here was someone from a rival school, playing the same position, claiming to be a fan.

It was so absurd that Woo-joo furrowed his brows.

“I think your play is awesome.”

Hearing that, Woo-joo flinched slightly, but his expression gradually softened.

Indeed, he was quite sensitive to compliments.

Moreover, hearing such praise from a rival player he often clashed with and competed against made it even more effective.

“Let’s share info, watch each other’s training when resting, that kind of stuff. As fellow setters. After all, it’s not easy for you to find someone at your level around you.”

Woo-joo hesitated.

He wasn’t keen on joint training, but considering they played the same position, knowing the number seemed sensible.

Just as he reached for Jae-yeon’s phone, a hand suddenly shot in and slapped it away.

Woo-joo naturally turned to see who it was, immediately narrowing his eyes.

“Oh! It’s that Won Ji-tae bastard!”

“That’s harsh, calling him a bastard at first sight.”

“Where have you been? I thought I’d die looking for you.”

Forgetting about exchanging numbers with Jae-yeon, Woo-joo now steamed toward Won Ji-tae again.

“To the bathroom. But Jae-yeon, the coach was looking for you earlier.”

“Uh, yeah.”

Jae-yeon awkwardly put his phone away, waved a goodbye to Woo-joo, and left.

“Hey, you just now, served that jump serve on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Wow, you noticed? I’m glad.”

Won Ji-tae smiled brightly, clearly teasing.

“Are you trying to get killed? Why do you keep provoking me?”

“But I saw you hit a home run with your serve, and I thought maybe you didn’t know how to serve properly. I was just showing you.”

“Home… run…”

Woo-joo’s ears reddened slightly.

He had been practicing serves intensely lately.

The one thing he considered weak was serving.

At that age, one wants at least one play that looks impressive.

A serve ace that scores without a rally—how cool was that?

“Earlier, I was distracted. I’m not usually like that.”

“Woo-joo, why not switch to baseball? You might be surprisingly good.”

“I’ll die.”

“Want me to teach you?”

“Don’t get cocky. You’re losing in practice matches, 47 games, 25 wins, 22 losses, right?”

Won Ji-tae’s eyebrows twitched.

Woo-joo’s provocation had landed perfectly.

“I hit a home run, but our team still won easily. Step up your game.”

“Sorry, I wasn’t at full power today. Maybe 80% of my real skill?”

“Oh, really? Me too. I only gave 70%, yet I won?”

“This is…”

“What?”

The two growled and started a spirited quarrel.

As usual, teammates from both schools came to intervene, but Woo-joo and Won Ji-tae glared at each other as if trying to kill, then went their separate ways.

“Next time, I’ll win.”

It was a standard exchange between them.

Whether practice or real matches, they always gave their all against each other.

And afterward, as if by agreement, they would reconvene and exchange petty arguments.

Always ending with a promise for the next time.

For both Woo-joo and Won Ji-tae, it was natural.

They assumed this cycle would continue indefinitely—even after graduating high school and becoming professional players.

They never imagined that belief could shatter so easily, so suddenly, and so one-sidedly.

Now, Woo-joo faced Won Ji-tae again.

Everything had changed.

“Kang Woo-joo.”

Woo-joo’s eyes wavered.

The person he hadn’t seen in so long now stood before him, unchanged.

Memories of that last day in the gym, the atmosphere, the exchanged words, all resurfaced.

It was the scene he had often dreamt of.

Almost simultaneously, the two raised fingers, pointing at each other.

“Why… are you here?”

The first words they both blurted.

<Season 4: Back to Living Together! Exclusive Pre-Interview with the Cast!>

Views: 450,000 Trending Video #9

Pre-Interview – #Kang Woo-joo

[Before the main filming, we have a few questions. Do you prefer an apartment or a house, Player?]

• I’ve lived in an apartment, but I prefer a house. A spacious house with a yard.

[Do you have any particular sleeping habits?]

• My teammates say I hug someone next to me while sleeping. But I don’t know. I sleep anywhere, and nobody could even carry me off without me noticing.

[What do you usually do on your days off?]

• Um… I guess I shouldn’t say exercise? I don’t have hobbies, but I go out a lot. Meet people, go to cafes, visit nearby places.

[Can you drink alcohol well?]

• People probably assume athletes drink well, but I don’t. I’m a light drinker.

[Favorite food? Can you handle spicy food?]

• I’m not picky, but mostly like Korean food. I like spicy food and can eat it well.

[What kind of movies or music do you enjoy?]

• I don’t watch movies or dramas much. Music-wise… I like indie or band music.

[Last question! Any advice for the person you’ll be living with?]

• Um… do I really have to say it?

[Feel free to answer casually! You can even mention traits you don’t like.]

• Maybe because of my job, I’m a planner by nature. So ideally, I’d like someone who’s similar. And also tidy.

Pre-Interview – #Won Ji-tae

[Do you prefer an apartment or a house?]

• I prefer an apartment. Houses need too much maintenance.

[Sleeping habits?]

• Not sure if it counts, but I’m a light sleeper. I also have mild insomnia.

[What do you do on days off?]

• If there’s no filming… I mostly stay home. Total homebody.

[Can you drink?]

• I’ve been told I handle alcohol well. Uh, is that dangerous to mention?

[Favorite food? Spicy food?]

• Maybe because I lived abroad, I like Western food. Spicy food… not really. I get scolded for eating the mild version of tteokbokki.

[Movies or music?]

• Movies: sci-fi or noir. Music: pop songs mostly.

[Advice for your housemate?]

• I can adapt to anyone, but I’m messy at home. I hope my housemate doesn’t interfere with that.

[Comments: 956]

• Wow, Kang Woo-joo is really coming out? This isn’t a dream, right? We can see Woo-joo on a variety show?

└ Glad I’m a Woo-joo fan…

• Is he even addressing the controversy properly? Another variety show?

└ This is his first time filming…

└└ Mind your own business? He’s an athlete and people care…

└└└ Others are filming fine, just give Woo-joo a break.

• The second cast member? He’s crazy handsome. Was he always there?

└ How old are you? You don’t know Won Ji-tae?

└└ Won Ji-tae is super popular. That movie he filmed recently passed ten million viewers.

└└└ Could you tell me the movie name?

└└└└ The movie is Rail! He played the lead, Kang Hyun, and the production, story, and acting are flawless. Highly recommend it!

└└└└└ Just Google it yourself, don’t be lazy.