Chapter 300
It reminded me of the time of the practice of the old
"Gasp, gasp! How long do we have to do this?"
"It hasn't even been 20 minutes yet. The trainer said at least 40 minutes, so we're halfway there."
"We're only halfway there?!"
With the help of our company staff, we met the trainers who would help us train for the
We started with basic physical training right away, and we started with running, the most basic of the basics.
Huh Yu-bin, who chose badminton, which was likely to be a physical battle, had to endure particularly intense practice.
"Ka, Karis hyung-nim! My legs won't move!"
"But you're still running. Just hold on a little longer."
"No, really! It's too much! It's the limit, the limit!"
Thanks to the concerts and the physical strength improvement project with our own content, I thought that Heo Yu-bin's weak physical strength had improved a little.
It seems that it really only improved a little.
I shook my head as I watched my younger brother running with his whole body posture out of whack, staring at the time set on the treadmill as it ticked down.
"That's right, why on earth did you write badminton and choose this difficult path?"
"I, I played badminton during physical education class back then! Gasp, gasp! I wrote it without thinking! Gasp!"
"Isn't there another reason? I think you said before that you wrote it because it was a simple tournament where you would lose in the first round and it would be over right away."
"Hahaha! That's a misunderstanding, gasp! It's a misunderstanding! Gasp, gasp!"
As if his conscience was pricked at saying such weak words in front of me, who had a strong competitive spirit, Heo Yu-bin took a deep breath and choked on his breath.
"This won't do. You have to run for another 20 minutes."
"Oh, please, hyung-nim! That's not right!"
"Oh, Yubin! You shouldn't run with that posture!"
While I was jokingly threatening Heo Yu-bin, the trainer who had come to see the other members caught Heo Yu-bin's collapsed form.
The trainer lightly nags him not to slump his shoulders like that and mercilessly increases the treadmill time by 20 minutes.
"......This is all because of you, hyung-nim."
"I did nothing wrong."
"It feels like you set the flag in advance!"
In addition to basic physical training, Sigma Entertainment even arranged lessons where the members could learn in detail about the sports they had decided to compete in.
Thanks to this, Ji Yoon-chul and I were able to participate in a basketball class taught by a retired professional basketball player for the first time in our lives.
"...... Our company's recruiting ability is amazing."
"That's right. I know. Sometimes they do amazing things naturally."
Heo Sung-min, who retired at a relatively young age due to injury, explained the basics of basketball to me and Ji Yoon-chul and then conducted a basic skills test.
He praised us so much, saying that we were born with great physiques.
"That guy can dunk, too."
"Can you dunk? Really?"
When Ji Yoon-chul said it as if it was nothing, Heo Sung-min asked me seriously with his eyes wide open.
"Have you ever formally learned basketball before?"
"No, I've never learned it. I just watched videos or played lightly with my friends......"
"But you can dunk?"
I thought he didn't believe me at all, so I decided to let out some strength here.
-Bam!
The moment I took a light step from the free throw line, flew up with a big stride, and successfully dunked with both hands, I heard exclamations from behind.
"That's ridiculous. Wow....... No, you've never really learned basketball?"
"Yes."
"If you're 185cm tall and have this much athletic ability....... You could just play professionally right now, right? Your height will be a little problem, but judging by your jumping ability, I think you'd be okay. Your physique is really amazing."
"Haha, that's too much praise."
"I don't usually give one-sided compliments like this. Mr. Karis is really amazing."
Heo Sung-min, who had been showering me with compliments, soon gleamed in his eyes.
It was like a scientist who had discovered an interesting topic.
"The hardware is already sufficient, so if we just install the software, it'll be really fun."
"... Karis hyung, you're not going to sweep it all away by yourself, are you?"
"I can guarantee it, if you learn a few techniques from me, you'll definitely win that competition."
You'll definitely win.
Sportsmen are different, after all. You said exactly what I wanted to hear.
The competitive spirit that was dormant inside me was properly ignited.
"My personal goal is also to win. Losing really doesn't suit my constitution."
"If you have the motivation, it will happen quickly. Is our Yoon-chul ssi okay? Doing it hard?"
"...... I think it will be okay."
"Okay! Then let's work hard for a week starting today!"
Today was the first day, so we had basic lessons such as the basics of dribbling and shooting stance.
For me, who had only learned basketball by sight, it was very effective to have a professional instructor teach me in detail one-on-one.
As I quickly followed the basics lesson, Heo Sung-min first taught me a useful technique, the post-up.
"When the opponent sticks close to you and you play defense like this, you have to use your arms, shoulders, and back as much as possible. If Mr. Yoon-chul sticks like this."
"It means to push forward like this without committing any fouls."
In particular, my solid frame was excellent at breaking through the opposing defender's tight defense.
As I pushed my arms and shoulders in and dribbled while moving, Ji Yoon-chul, who was marking me, had no choice but to be pushed back more and more.
"...Isn't that too strong for a human?"
"Was it that much? I adjusted my strength to some extent because it was you."
"Hyung."
Ji Yoon-chul looked at me with a serious face.
"If this is easy, other people would fly away in 3 seconds."
Was Ji Yoon-chul's words really true?
As if he couldn't resist his curiosity, Heo Sung-min himself stood in front of me and closely defended me.
"Do you want to try really hard?"
"Are you sure it's okay?"
"Even though I look like this, it's only been 5 years since I retired. I have to block it no matter what."
However, Heo Seong-min's confident smile flew away just 5 seconds after the competition with me began.
As expected, a pro succeeded in holding his ground without being completely overwhelmed by my strength, but Heo Seong-min stuck out his tongue and turned his shoulder.
"Wow, it must be hard for idols like this to hold out."
"Am I doing well? Should I adjust my strength appropriately so that a foul isn't called?"
"You have to be careful of pushing fouls, but since it's not an official game, I think they'll be somewhat lenient. But seriously... If you keep pushing like this, no one will be able to stop you."
Heo Seong-min ended his first lesson by boasting that I could do great things if I played as a power forward.
When I came out of the gym with Ji Yoon-chul, I felt somehow refreshed and invigorated.
"...It feels different from when I sweat while practicing dancing."
I guess I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Ji Yoon-chul lifted his bangs and wiped the sweat away, smiling faintly.
"I feel tired after exercising, but I feel better."
"Isn't it refreshing? After all, people need to always move their bodies and live healthily."
"I think it was a good idea to sign up for basketball with hyung."
***
For the time being, our schedule is a repetition of the same day.
In the morning, they send out their personal schedules for practicing for
Everyone must have been exhausted from the stage practice that lasted until dawn, but contrary to my concerns, surprisingly, positive comments came and went often.
"If I keep exercising, isn't it not so hard?"
"I definitely feel like my stamina has improved compared to when we first started our activities."
The members' overall physical strength improved due to repeated exercise.
However, muscle pain cannot be avoided no matter how strong one's body is.
Song Hyung-bin announced to all members while putting a patch on my shoulder.
"Guys, it's good that we're all working hard, but you really have to be careful not to get hurt. If you get hurt before the concert, you'll really......."
"Don't be ridiculous, hyung. Man, it's so horrible to even imagine."
"Be especially careful of your ankles and knees. You have to be especially careful, Karis."
Chae Eun-gyu handed me a bottle of water and gave me a strong order.
"You play basketball and soccer. It's good to win, but you have to do it without getting hurt. Okay?"
"Of course."
"...Don't worry, hyung."
Ji Yoon-chul, who was stretching while looking in the full-length mirror, spoke to Chae Eun-gyu in a nonchalant tone.
As he stretched out his arms and legs, it seemed like a cat was stretching its body.
"If you bump into Karis hyung, it hurts more."
"No, there's something wrong with this. He's just a human weapon even if he doesn't exercise, so what if he gets professional training?"
"So is there a problem, Siyoon? We're on the same side anyway, so we won't have any chance of meeting each other."
Kang Siyoon smiled mischievously and gave me a thumbs up after hearing what I said.
"Of course, what about the people we're going to meet as opponents? Ah, I'm already excited just thinking about riding the Karis bus!"
"...you can really look forward to it. Karis hyung is even practicing dunking."
"Hey, but it would be really exciting if he could show off his dunk in front of all the fans. Wasn't that a professional thing? Dunking in front of your opponents."
"Ah! That's In Your Face!"
Yoo Min-ha, who was cooling off in front of the air conditioner, quickly ran over as soon as he heard the basketball story.
"Hyung, is it really possible to do In Your Face?"
"We still practice without a defender....... I don't think it's completely impossible."
"I definitely have to film it with my phone."
"...... I have a personal wish."
When the In Your Face dunk topic came up, Ji Yoon-chul sat right next to me as something had occurred to him.
Then, with his eyes sparkling, he said one wish.
"If possible, I wish the opposing basketball team had Haillight."
As soon as I heard Ji Yoon-chul's half-innocence, half-malice words, I understood the meaning behind them.
However, the members who didn't know about the conflict between Go Yoon-seok and Ji Yoon-chul were just slightly bewildered by Haillight's name that suddenly appeared.
"Here, the seniors are suddenly showing up?"
"Ha, haha. I guess Yoon-chul wanted to beat the seniors in a match like this. Right, Yoon-chul?"
"...Ah? Ah, yes."
Since I couldn't explain further that Ji Yoon-chul wanted to hit Go Yoon-seok here, I quickly laughed and muddled the story.
Then, while the members were slowly starting to prepare for the next stage practice, I quietly said to Ji Yoon-chul.
"That story is something only we know, so next time, you'd better be careful not to suddenly mention Haillight."
"...I forgot. I'm sorry."
"There's no need to be sorry."
I chuckled and tapped Ji Yoon-chul on the shoulder.
"And if Go Yoon-seok really comes out as an opponent, then I'll send him flying to the other side of the court without mercy, so watch closely."
"Haha!"
Ji Yoon-chul let out a laugh that I don't usually hear.
There was a strangely playful light in his eyes.
"......I'm looking forward to it."
-