Luella fell into a cross legged position on Kyong’s floor, eating a Choco Pie, “So did you manage to make a scene with that teacher?” She said around a mouthful.

Kyong laughed, “I’m getting there. She’s definitely noticed me.”

“Kyong,” Louella rolled her eyes, “Every girl in Korea has noticed you. You need her to do more than that.”

“Don’t worry, I have a plan.” He said knowingly.

“A plan?” Her mouth was still stuffed with chocolatey goodness. 

He narrowed his eyes, a grin spreading across his cheeks as he bit his lip to contain it before jumping up from his seat on his bed to get closer to his friend. She pulled her head back slightly in unease at his sudden closeness.

“Today I had her tutor me in algebra during her lunch break.” Kyong blurted.

“But you’re great at algebra…” Louella said, confused.

“Exactly…” he mused and Louella looked confused.

“It’s a chance to get closer to her, for her to notice me, and she can think she is helping me with algebra. I play dumb at first, and then over the week, I will become great at it, and she will credit herself, and in turn, be proud of me.”

“Why do you need her to be proud of you? You just need her to want you… not be your mother.” Louella winced when she realised her choice of words, biting her cheek.

Kyong stared at her for a moment before shaking it off and continuing, “There is a swimming competition tomorrow. I will be in a speedo… she will be there…” his voice was suggestive as he waved his hand in the air.

Kyong saw the second Louella got his meaning and her face screwed up. “Be careful. It’s one thing for her to notice you, but it’s another to actually seduce her…” her eyebrows knitted together in concern. 

“Lou,” Kyong put his hands on her shoulders, looking her in the eyes, “It will be fine.”

“I’m just worried your father will do more than pull you out of schoo-” she started before he stopped her. 

“It will be fine. Come on, help me play it.” He grinned, and Louella swallowed… hard.

The competition was in full swing. Students had been swimming for the last hour, and Kyong waited eagerly for his turn. He looked up at the box seats from his place on the diving block. He didn’t see Veronika as he scanned the rows. He bit his cheek in angst; that was until he looked behind him. There she was, standing at the entrance to the change rooms, looking. Right. At him. That was all the confidence he needed. The whistle blew and he dived into the water, arms pointed above his head. He moved swiftly through the water, each arm pushing against his side and coming out above his head before diving back in. Breaststroke, it was his favourite - easy to glide, easy to win. He had been preparing for this moment all his life. His father was standing in the crowd. So was Courtier. His brother was absent - kyong didn’t care. He didn’t need to hear his gloating. He hit the wall of the pool, pulling himself out of it. Watershed from his body as he slid out of the pool, looking behind him to see the other swimmers climbing out. He was first. He looked up at his father, who was clapping, smiling wide. He had made him so proud, but he was about to make him so disappointed. He wondered momentarily if it was worth shredding any fond feelings his father had for him, just for a chance at being back home, or something more serious. Maybe Louella was right. Maybe he should leave it at that. But then he looked at Veronika, who was smiling proudly at him, and then she was all that mattered. His freedom. That was the point of all of this. He felt the droplets of water grow warm as they tricked down his body. Crowds clapped for him, the trainer rushed over, playing a first place medal around his neck but he didn’t care, it was all background noise. He walked straight across the pavement, around the pool and to the change rooms. “Kim, Kyong, first place!” was announced across the speakers as he reached her. He was panting, standing way too close to be appropriate. “Kyong, what are you…” She began before he breathed, and she stopped talking. He stared into her eyes. “You won, congratulations.” she said barely above a whisper. 

Kyong didn’t speak. He just stepped back, just two steps - enough for her to look at him. He knew she had already been. She had watched the race, he felt her eyes on him as he dived in. Now she was looking at him, really looking. She looked at his face, and then let her eyes trail to his chest before quickly fleeting them upward. He heard footsteps behind him. That was all he had to do. He knew that running over to her was enough to cause a scene, and the way she had looked at him had only helped. He was pulled backward, roughly. “Kyong.” His father spat. “Why are you here with your teacher?” His question was answered straight away as Kin-Woo noticed Veronika’s gaze. He was a man of Fifty after all, he had had affairs, he was experienced in gazes. He gasped, dragging Kyong by the arm roughly across the pavement and away from Veronika.