The second game was the obstacle course because of Si-dong. He was supposed to climb up a rope to go over a wall, but he was so heavy that he couldn’t get himself up in the first place.
When I suggested that he should lose some weight, he told me to mind my own business. The third and final game was a relay race. With that, I started to worry about Si-dong again. Would he be able to run with a body like that?
“And now, it’s time for the final match! The relay race!” Si-dong said. Hey, someone’s still got to be the MC.
“Everyone will run five laps, 500 meters in total. The six members on each team will divide the distance amongst them. It doesn’t matter how much each team member runs, as long as each team member runs at least once. Okay?”
“Okay!” we all shouted. Not long after, both teams split up to discuss tactics.
“We need to choose the order,” Dongmin said. To me, he smiled, but to Si-dong, he sighed.
“Oy, Dongmin. What was that?” Si-dong demanded to get an answer from him, looking a bit offended.
“Nothing.”
“You better watch yourself,” Si-dong said, smiling all of a sudden. This made Dongmin feel uncomfortable as he began to speak to the group.
“Okay, I’ll be choosing the order. I’ll go first and run a lap and half. Hyun-soo can go next and run one lap. Christine will be third and run one, then fourth is Ham-sung who will run one as well. Si-dong will be fifth who will run one lap while Sian can go last and run the last half of the lap.”
“Okay,” everyone answered in understanding…except me. Why do I only get to run half a lap?
“Why can’t I run more?”
“It’s harder than it looks. For a girl, running half a lap should be enough. Otherwise, you could get hurt. Especially you, Sian. Your legs are so skinny…if I make you run too much, your fans will come after me,” Dongmin said. To his credit, he did sound sincerely worried, but that didn’t really do anything to alleviate my annoyance. Only half a lap? Then again, he was the leader, so I conceded.
“Alright, guys, hands in! 1, 2, 3! Go team!” Dongmin shouted. We all yelled the last part with him.
Dongmin and the first runner from the other team took their places at the starting line. Mr. Yoo pulled out a starting pistol and held it high up in the air. He then started to shout.
“One…two…”
Geez, his voice was tiny. Anyways.
Bang!
And they were off. Dongmin took the lead as he ran a little faster than his opponent. When the opponent passed on the baton to his teammate after one lap, Dongmin picked up his pace. After all, he agreed to run a lap and a half. Hyunsoo then grabbed the baton and began to run, with us still in the lead. Unfortunately, when it was Christine’s turn, it was then that we began to lose ground. And when it came to Ham-sung’s turn, we definitely fell behind. Then, it was Si-dong’s turn. Poor Si-dong really tried his best, but he was really slow. It almost looked like he was walking, his belly jiggling everywhere. The other team began to get more and more ahead as I actually ended up walking towards Si-dong. He passed the baton after barely finishing a quarter of a lap. The moment the baton was in my hand, I took off.
Whoosh!
That was the sound of dust flying behind me as I immediately began to close the distance between me and the current runner, Gi-chun. He was simply jogging at a leisurely pace when I started running. At the sound of dust flying, he looked around, trying to find the source. When he saw me sprinting towards him, his jaw dropped and he bolted not long after. We were about half a lap away from the finish line when I finally caught up with him. To be honest, I could’ve easily surpassed him, but I was trying to run rather slow because I didn’t want to be called an alien again. When we were about 10 meters from the end, I finally allowed myself to pass Gi-chun and cross the finish line.
Yaaaay!
And that concluded the final match.
***
“For Sian, the MVP,” Si-dong said, handing me my prize. It was just a certificate that said MVP on it, and a gold ring.
“I’ll give it to Jinwoo.”
To be honest, the fact that I lost Jinwoo’s golden necklace had been weighing heavily on my mind. I just couldn’t forget about it. I’m so sweet, aren’t I?
“Dream Team. Invincible Team. Good job, everyone!” Si-dong shouted. We all shouted it back. And finally, they turned off the cameras.
As soon as the cameras were off, the ones on the opposing team came over to get my autograph, all the while praising me and telling me that I did a great job. I thanked them politely, and also joked that I might come out on the news again. Hope I didn’t jinx it…
“Sian!” Si-dong called out to me. Ugh. He can’t help but be really loud.
“Yes?”
“Great job today!”
“Thanks. You too.”
“Eh, it’s nothing. You did a lot more.”
“Right.”
Hey, it’s true. I mean, it wasn’t all me, but I played a pretty big part in my team winning.
“But I hear you’re really good at eating as well”
“I mean, yeah. When it comes to eating, I’ve never lo…”
I wanted to finish the sentence, but I couldn’t. Because I just remembered that I lost one time when I was with Nayoung. Eating 9.5 million won worth of food…that was the first time I felt like I had eaten too much and wanted to throw up. Even now, the memory of it still haunted me…
“Oh, really, you’ve never lost? Me too. Let’s have an eating competition someday. No…wait. They’ll start the Food League in Seoul soon. Let’s both enter.”
“Oh?”
That was the best thing I’ve heard all day.
“Is there really going to be a Food League in Seoul?”
I don’t think I’ve ever been interested in anything this much before, but I was definitely interested now.
“Yep. I think next week. All the eating champions in Korea will be there. If you win at the competition, you’ll go to the Asian Food Leagues. And if you win there, you’ll compete in the championship.”
“Wow!”
How could I have not known about this?
“The food is free, right?”
“Of course!”
“Nice!”
I don’t think I’ve ever felt this happy before.
“So you’ll enter, right? Do you want to enter right now?”
“Oh, wait. I have to ask my agency president first.”
That’s right. I have to check my schedule, since I can’t arrange that myself.
“Oh, right. Ask him right away. No time to waste!”
“Okay! I’ll ask him right away and let you know.”
“Okay!”
With my heart pounding in excitement, I ran towards my van.
“Hey, Sian! Didn’t you forget something?” Christine said to me.
“Oh yeah!”
In all my excitement, I completely forgot to say goodbye to Christine. So I gave her a hug. Christine was still pouting, and I was sorely tempted to kiss those lips, but I held back. With a wave, I headed for my van.
“Manager Lee! Hurry!”
“Huh? Where you going?”
“I need to see Jinwoo!”
“Mr. Park? Do you need to ask him something?”
“Yes, I do. It’s urgent! Hehehe…”
It really is, you know. Extremely. Eating was one of my most important skills. At the moment, I wanted nothing more than to enter the Food League and win. Then Asia! Then, the world championships!
“Hurry, hurry!”
“Oh…okay.”
Hak-gyu obediently stepped on it.
***
Knock knock.
“Hey, Jinwoo! Oops. Sorry.”
I didn’t mean to call him by his first name. Really! But I guess Jinwoo heard and was shocked, because he was silent for a second before he finally answered.
“Come in.”
I opened the door.
“Mr. Park!”
“….”
“Hello,” I said with the most polite bow possible. I walked over to his desk and sat on the other side.
“Go ahead. Call me by my first name again. I don’t mind.”
“Oh, sorry about that. I just…hehe…”
“….”
Jinwoo didn’t answer, looking rather offended.
“The thing is, I wanted to ask you something.”
“Ask me something?”
“Yes.”
“Is it the…you know…” Jinwoo said.
I raised an eyebrow.
“You mean…you know?”
“The article just came out this morning. The Food League. Am I right?”
“Yep,” I answered. I quickly continued.
“I guess you know why I’m here then.”
“You…want to enter…?”
“Yep.”
“Alright. Go ahead.”
“Really?”
Well, that was easier than I expected. I began to see Jinwoo in a completely new light. He was a bit cooler than I thought. More handsome as well. I seriously considered kissing his cheeks at that moment.
“It’s not going to clash with anyone, is it?”
“There was something else, but we can put that off since you really want to do it. Also, this is the first time you’ve asked me for anything. Besides, putting you in the Food League could you take your fame worldwide.”
“You’re so smart. You won’t regret this.”
And as I said it, I gave him my middle finger. The gesture the Samaran people use to indicate something’s good…
“Oh, I’m sorry!” I quickly apologized.
“That was a little harsh, don’t you think…” Jinwoo said, looking deeply hurt this time.
“The Samaran people use it to mean something good…I got confused for a moment,” I said, looking apologetic.
“Be more careful next time…”
“Sorry.”
“Fine.”
“So I’m entering, right?” I asked again.
“Yes! Go out there and represent your group!”
“Okay!”
And with that, I confirmed my slot in the Food League. Finally, I took out the gold ring.
“Here, Mr. Park.”
“What’s this?” Jinwoo asked.
“I was selected as MVP and got this gold ring as a prize. You can have it.”
“Why are you giving it to me?” Jinwoo said, unable to hide the smile on his face.
“I lost your necklace, remember?”
“Oh.”
I guess he forgot. The memory of it flooded back as Jinwoo’s face fell.
“That still ticks me off.”
“That’s why I’m giving this to you.”
“Alright. Thanks,” Jinwoo replied. The big smile was back on his face as he took the ring. He clearly had no plans to reject. Really. Not even once.
“Seems like you do have a conscience after all, Sian.”
“Of course,” I said with a firm nod. Then, I continued to stare at him.
“What?”
“Is that all?”
“Huh?” Jinwoo said, looking confused. I continued to stare. Then, I looked down at the wallet in his back pocket. Realization dawned on Jinwoo as he gulped.
“Do you want the ring back…”
“Are you trying to return my gift to you?”
“Oh, no…here…”
Jinwoo took out his wallet and gave me the whole thing. As he did, I heard him muttering under his breath.
“It’s not like I didn’t pay you…”
