3. Coach

 

  'Listen, Jongin, I really adore you and you have proven that most of our victories from the previous season are based on your exemplary effort, your ability to adjust quickly to transformations and to integrate everyone during the play.'      Kai wanted to punch someone, let out his anger on an innocent person, just to distract his mind. Unfortunately the school hallway was empty and it would probably elucidate and affirm the thesis of his coach. He wasn't aggrssive.      'But I won't tolerate your behaviour any longer. You have changed and not for the better. You are not the boy I met a couple of years ago. Your character traits will soon affect your abilities and it is my job to render the disease.'     Buck-wild, he slugged his locker. The thin skin above his knuckles dehisced and blood flowed down his forearm. A dent was visible on the surface of the locker due to the strong impact. He clenched his teeth and tried to calm down.      'You can see it as a disciplinary measure I never thought I would have to embrace. You will be the Coach for the junior 'The Eagles' Team from now on. Who would be a better trainer, than an active player himself? Today is your last game you attend as the Quarterback for our team. Hopefully the youngsters will bring you back to your senses.'      The surface of the cold metal was covered in his own blood. The red substance mixed with the charcoal grey, creating an almost noir colour, represented his current mood the best. He was furious, mad.  A fire was burning inside of him.      'When you will return? Hm. I'm going to reconsider my decision in two weeks, our substitute Quarterback Hongshin will replace you, that guy seriously lacks of experience. Jongin, this is your last chance. Your bad temper will destroy your future.'    Hongshin?    He was dull, tardy, tedious and clumsy.   Even if Kai had broken both of his legs, he would have been a more valuable player on the field, than his inane substitution. Hell, he wouldn't be surprised if Hongshin mistakes his own team as the hostile unit.      'As an outcast in Busan you will automatically learn to build a proper friendship with the students, you have to rely on your social skills, unless you want to be sealed off from the society. The headmaster is an old friend of mine, so everything is settled. Even your own mother was concerned by your change. We only want the best for you, Jongin. We are your friends. I managed to get you a sleeping place, too.'      The Quarterback pressed his bleeding knuckles against his plump lips, parting them so the tip of his tongue could caress the injury. The metallic taste of his blood was disgusting. Nausea filled him. The blood wouldn't stop flowing, despite his .   He would have appreciated if it wasn't his own.   Hongshin, for instance, deserved a punch.    Perhaps a kick too, just to make sure he understood the hidden meaning.    'When you are in Busan - You should take a leaf out of Kyungsoo's book. He is a decent student and was offered to play for the national team, but declined it, because he would only accept it, if his friends receive an invention, too.'    He is going to take something from Kyungsoo, but not a leaf out of his book. He aimed for a completely different matter.    More intimate.    That boy will remember his name and he will make sure he is in Kyungsoo's vocabulary and will turn into the only word he knows.    'Kai, you forgot that a pro was once an amateur. Every champion was once a contender that refused to give up.'    He flinched away from his locker, the charcoal grey became oppressing, devastating. The murals constricted him - his mind, his actions.  Clouds were covering his sanity drastically.    'Every expert was one a beginner. No one is born perfection. The master has failed more times, than the beginner even tried.'    The sleeve of his blazer was soaked with his blood by the time the wounds finally stopped bleeding.      He his boot hooks and headed towards the exit - he needed daylight, immediately. With every step his pace increased, until he was running down the hallway. His shoulder collided with the door,