#the match

Oneshot!

Pairing: Cho Hun-hyun x female reader.

Fandom: The Match (승부)

Summary: She was just a teenager when he called her incapable. Five years later, she returns as his opponent, ready to take back everything — including the pride he once shattered. But behind their Go board rivalry lies years of unspoken tension, buried emotions, and a fire neither of them were prepared to reignite.

Warning: Age gap (23x40 cause I love this trope), heavy angst, obsession, emotionally intense scenes, unresolved feelings, explicit content (18+), teacher-student dynamic (past), rough intimacy, jealousy, guilt, power imbalance, smoking & alcohol mentions.

Author's Note: Hey everyone! I know The Match is based on a real-life figure and is all about the game of Go. Also I hadn't seen any fic on Lee Byunghun's this character so I thought to write one with my own twists and ideas. I hope y'all will enjoy and love it. Your reblogs and comments mean a lot! 🫶🏻

Words Count: 8K

Tag list: @salesmancarddd @marymun @astronomicalastro-blog1

The afternoon sun streamed softly through the windows, casting golden light across the quiet living room. The only sound that echoed was the clicking of Go stones being placed on the wooden board.

Y/N sat on the couch, legs tucked beneath her, eyes fixed on the game as her father (Yun-sik) and his friend (Cheon Seung-pil) played in focused silence, seated cross-legged on the rug below.

Her father sat frozen, squinting at the board as he struggled to make his next move. The room was quiet, thick with concentration. Then, without a word, Y/N leaned forward from the couch, picked up a white stone, and placed it gently on the board. Two of the black stones were instantly cornered—out of the game.

Yun-sik and Seung-pil’s heads snapped toward the eighteen years old girl, eyes wide in disbelief.

“How did you do that, kiddo?” her father asked, his voice laced with both surprise and curiosity.

Y/N shrugged casually, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “It was right there.”

Seung-pil let out a soft whistle, clearly impressed. “Woah. This girl is a genius, Yun-sik.”

Yun-sik nodded, a proud smile tugging at his lips as he watched his daughter act all nonchalant.

Seung-pil broke the silence with a laugh, clearly impressed. “How about we send her into this field, huh? I bet she’d master the rules of Go in just a few days. She’s already better than most beginners.”

Y/N’s eyes widened, completely unimpressed by the suggestion. She shook her head firmly.

“What? No way. I’m not interested at all.”

“I think he might be right,” her father added, trying to sound casual. “Maybe we should think about it, Y/N.”

But she was already on her feet, marching toward the stairs.

“NEVER!” she snapped stubbornly before storming off and slamming her bedroom door behind her.

⚪⚫⚪⚫

Y/n woke up late next morning — it was the weekend, after all. After a quick change into jeans and an oversized sweater, she tied her hair into a high ponytail and made her way downstairs, expecting to find the table filled with the usual weekend spread of delicious breakfast.

But her steps halted at the bottom stair.

There, seated on the couch with her father and Seung-pil, was none other than Cho Hun-hyun — the legendary Go player of South Korea, the man who had recently taken home the international championship.

Her brows furrowed. What is he doing here?

Before she could say anything, her father looked over his shoulder and beamed.

“Oh, here she is. Come on in, Y/n.”

She stood frozen for a moment, completely thrown off, before slowly stepping toward them — still unsure of what exactly she was walking into.

“Y/n, this is Mr. Cho Hun-hyun. I’m sure you know who he is already, don’t you?” Seung-pil said as she took a seat beside her father.

“Of course I know Mr. Cho,” she replied casually, her eyes flickering toward the man across from her.

She caught his gaze — just for a second — before quickly looking away. Not because she was trying to eye him or anything… she just didn’t want him thinking she was.

Cho gave her a brief nod as her father introduced them. He was confident—cold even—with no trace of hesitation or discomfort. He sat like he owned the place, posture straight, expression unreadable.

Y/n, on the other hand, sat quietly with her hands clasped neatly in her lap, gaze lowered. Still, her curiosity—or maybe something bolder—betrayed her, stealing glances at Cho every now and then.

Cho politely excused both himself and Y/n from Yun-sik and Seung-pil, expressing that he wanted a private word—and a quick game—to assess whether the girl he was about to train truly had potential.

Y/n clearly didn’t want any part of it. But with her father playing host and Cho being an honored guest, she had no choice but to nod and follow. On the surface, she played the role of the obedient daughter, but just beneath it simmered her quiet stubbornness, clashing with every step she took behind the man who was about to test her.

They sat across from each other on the leather couch in the quiet study, the Go board resting neatly on the table between them. The silence was thick—almost tense—as Y/n finally allowed herself to really look at the man in front of her.

He sat there with one leg propped up casually on the couch, hunched slightly over the Go board like it was an extension of his soul. His suit—steel gray and a little loose on the shoulders—looked dated but dignified, like he didn’t care to keep up with the times because he was the standard. Beneath it, he wore a simple dark shirt, the kind that clung slightly to his frame when he moved, just enough to hint at strength beneath the quiet.

His face was unreadable, sharp and lean—cheekbones carved clean, lips pressed in a line that neither smiled nor frowned. His hair was thick and dark, parted to the side, brushing his forehead with boyish stubbornness, a strange contrast to the cold stillness of his demeanor.

A gold watch peeked out from his cuff, every time he moved his hand. His presence filled the room. Calm, silent, and unshakably confident—he looked like someone who didn’t just play Go.

He was Go.

Y/n swallowed hard. She didn’t know why, but something about him unnerved her. Maybe it was the way he sat like nothing around him mattered—or maybe it was how, even without looking at her, he made her feel seen. He was probably in his mid-thirties and she wondered how such a handsome man like him is still single.

“So,” he began, his voice calm and direct, “why do you want to learn Go?”

Y/n hesitated for a second before replying honestly, “Actually… I didn’t. My father thinks I have potential. He says I can do magic in the world of Go, just like you.”

Cho let out a faint smirk at that — brief, unreadable. He nodded slowly, then leaned forward and unfolded the board between them with practiced ease. The soft click of the stones echoed in the quiet room as he handed her the black set.

“Let’s see what you’re capable of, then.”

The game began — quiet clicks of the stones, deep concentration, and a thick layer of unspoken tension between them. Y/n sat across from him, stealing quick glances every now and then. Cho’s gaze, though calm, was sharp. His lips curled into a faint smirk each time she hesitated over a move, as if he already knew the outcome.

The match was nearing its end. Y/n was just one step away from winning — but her mind was foggy. She wasn’t sure if it was the game or the man sitting across from her that was truly distracting her.

Finally, she made her move — and it was the wrong one.

Cho let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. It wasn’t mocking, but rather something else. Amusement. Maybe even pride. “You lost, little girl.”

She met his gaze, cheeks flushing with embarrassment and from something else when he called her by that nickname. Whether it was from the pressure or the way he looked at her, she didn’t know.

“I’m not a kid,” she mumbled under her breath.

“No?” he asked, tilting his head slightly. “How old are you, then?”

“Eighteen,” she replied softly, voice nearly caught in her throat.

That made Cho pause. A flicker of something crossed his face — surprise, amusement — and then he chuckled again, leaning back against the couch as he gave her a proper look. Big, curious eyes. Silky dark hair pulled into a ponytail. An oversized sweater draped over her small frame. And then his eyes paused — just briefly — at the curve of her neck.

Something stirred inside him.

He clenched his jaw and looked away.

Just then, Yun-sik and Seung-pil stepped into the room, cutting through the lingering tension.

“So,” Seung-pil asked with curiosity, “what do you think of her game?”

Cho glanced at Y/n before replying, his tone composed but honest. “I’m impressed. I didn’t expect her to be this good already. She has sharp instincts — just needs some refining. With proper training, she could be exceptional.”

“Really?” Yun-sik beamed, eyes wide with pride. “That would be an absolute honor, Mr. Cho. My daughter’s lucky to have a mentor like you.”

Y/n stood quietly beside them, offering a small, polite bow. “Thank you,” she said softly.

Cho returned the gesture with a nod and a faint smile.

But in that short moment — as their eyes met — something shifted. A mutual awareness. A flicker of something deeper than the game. Neither of them said it aloud, but both knew: This wouldn’t just be about Go.

There was something else unfolding — something neither of them was ready to name.

⚪⚫⚪⚫

Days passed, and so did her training. A month had gone by now. Y/n was improving steadily — learning new strategies, mastering the rules, becoming sharper with every move on the board.

But it wasn’t just about Go anymore.

There were stolen glances across the table. Accidental brushes of their hands. Teasing jokes that lingered longer than they should’ve. Their bond had shifted — no longer just teacher and student, but something softer, something warmer. Friends, perhaps. With an age gap, yes — but neither of them seemed to care.

Y/n felt herself being drawn to him in ways she didn’t know how to explain. Her eyes lingered on him longer than they should. Her cheeks warmed every time he praised her gameplay. And every accidental touch — every flicker of contact — made her heart skip a beat.

Cho wasn’t much different.

He found himself noticing her too often. The curve of her smile. The way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was focused. Her quiet intelligence, her laughter — everything about her stirred something in him he hadn’t felt before.

He told himself it was just an innocent attraction. A phase. A passing feeling.

But he knew that wasn’t the truth.

He was starting to see her in a way he shouldn’t — not as a student, not as a kid, not as someone temporary. And that terrified him more than anything.

Because she was young. Too young.

And he wasn’t supposed to feel this way.

⚪⚫⚪⚫

It’s late afternoon. Rain is tapping softly against the windows, and the sky is gray. They’re in the study, Go board between them — but the game is forgotten now. Y/n had just made a brilliant move, one that even caught Cho off guard. He’s quiet, eyes on the board. She looks up at him, waiting for his reaction.

Instead, he leans back slowly, studying her in silence.

“You’re not a student anymore,” he says, voice low, almost unreadable.

Y/n blinks. “What?”

Cho’s eyes meet hers — sharp but unreadable. “You’re starting to play like an opponent, not someone I’m teaching.”

Y/n leans forward, tilting her head slightly. “Is that a bad thing?”

“No,” he replies. “Just… dangerous.”

The word hangs in the air, heavier than it should.

Silence settles between them, thick with unsaid things. Then, Y/n reaches for a black stone — her fingers brushing his hand by mistake.

Neither of them moves away

His eyes drop to her fingers. So close. Too close.

Y/n’s breath catches in her throat. “You said I’m dangerous,” she whispers, “but I think you’re the one who’s losing focus, Mr. Cho.”

A faint smirk flickers at the corner of his lips — then vanishes just as quickly. He leans in a fraction, enough for her to feel the tension in the air thicken.

“You’re playing with fire,” he murmurs.

“And you’re the one who lit it,” she fires back — soft, bold, breathless.

They both freeze.

Then suddenly, Cho stands up — stepping back, putting distance between them.

“Training’s over for today,” he says, voice flat now, masking the storm behind his eyes. “We’ll continue tomorrow.”

He leaves the room before she can say anything. But even as the door shuts behind him, Y/n knows something irreversible has shifted between them.

⚪⚫⚪⚫

It had been a week since that moment — since the air between them had changed, thickened with something unspeakable. And since then,

Cho had made one thing clear: Distance.

There were no more lingering glances. No more teasing remarks. No more subtle shifts in his tone that only she could catch.

He kept his voice even now, his posture strict, and his gaze fixed solely on the board during training. Y/n noticed it immediately — the sudden wall he’d built between them — but she didn’t question it. Maybe he wanted her to focus, she told herself. Maybe he realized the distraction they had both become.

But it wasn’t just focus.

Cho felt himself unraveling.

He was Cho Hun-hyun — the undefeated, the master, the national treasure of Go. His name meant strategy. Precision. Control.

And yet, lately, all he could think about was her.

The girl who wasn’t a girl anymore.

Her voice — that soft, defiant tone — haunted him: “I think you’re the one losing focus, Mr. Cho.”

She had said it to tease him, maybe to provoke a reaction. But she had no idea how right she was. He was losing focus — not just during games, but everywhere. He would sit before the board and all he could see was her face across from him. Her fingers brushing the stones. Her eyes studying him, not the game.

It was infuriating.

He clenched his jaw every time he thought about it. This wasn’t supposed to happen. He was supposed to guide her, train her, sharpen her into a player that could rival anyone.

Not feel anything.

And certainly not this — not the burn in his chest when she smiled. Not the ache in his gut when she laughed at something her father said. Not the guilt that clawed at him when his eyes lingered too long on the delicate line of her neck, the way her t-shirt slipped just slightly off one shoulder.

He needed to stop it.

He had to stop it.

Because if he didn’t — he knew he’d lose far more than just his title.

He’d lose himself.

⚪⚫⚪⚫

It was a quiet evening. Both of them sat cross-legged on the rug, the Go board between them, eyes fixed on the game — or at least, that’s what they told themselves.

Cho had been keeping his distance, maintaining a cold professionalism that felt more like punishment than discipline. It was hard for him — harder than he admitted — but he told himself it was necessary. For her sake. For his.

But Y/n had had enough.

She’d spent weeks confused by his sudden shift. The warmth between them had disappeared, replaced with cool silences and curt instructions. And tonight, she had made up her mind. After this game, she would confront him. Ask if she had done something wrong. Ask why he’d changed.

The end of the game neared. Cho was stuck, frustration simmering just beneath his sharp features. He ran a hand through his hair, lit a cigarette, and took a long drag, letting the smoke settle in his lungs before exhaling slowly. He couldn’t believe it — he had no way out.

Across from him, Y/n sat calm and composed, just like he used to be. Confident. Steady. Her eyes gleamed with silent determination.

It stung.

Eventually, Cho placed his stone on the board, and a small, amused chuckle escaped Y/n’s lips — barely more than a breath, but enough.

“You lost, Mr. Cho,” she said softly, a proud smile touching her lips. It was the first time she had ever beaten him, and after months of brutal training, it felt like a victory she had earned.

But instead of pride, his eyes darkened.

“You think winning once makes you a champion?” he snapped, his tone sharp and clipped. “Don’t forget the days you cried over every mistake. And this—” he gestured to the board, his voice rising slightly, “—you misplayed here. I let it slide. So stop acting like a child over one small win. Grow up.”

He didn’t wait for her reaction. Didn’t look back. He stood and walked out of the house without another word.

Y/n sat frozen, the sting of his words hitting harder than any loss she’d ever endured. She had expected praise. Maybe even a smile. Instead, she was left with the echo of his anger. Her hands trembled as she lowered her head, and silent tears slipped down her cheeks, falling into her lap.

Meanwhile, Cho walked briskly through the cool evening air, the cigarette burning down between his fingers. Guilt twisted in his chest. He knew he had crossed a line. He knew she didn’t deserve that. But he couldn’t ignore the truth he refused to say out loud.

She was rising. Fast. And it terrified him.

Not just because she might take his place someday — but because the thought of losing her in any way was something he wasn’t ready to face.

He shook his head and told himself it was fine. She’d recover. She always did.

Didn’t she?

Y/n had had enough.

Wiping her tears with the back of her hand, she stormed out of the house, heart pounding in her chest. She spotted Cho walking just a block away, his back to her, hands buried in his pockets.

“Mr. Cho!” she called out, voice sharp and broken at the same time.

He halted. The sound of her voice froze him in place. Slowly, he turned around — and the sight of her hit him like a punch to the chest. Her eyes were puffy, red-rimmed from crying, but it wasn’t just sadness he saw.

It was rage.

“Why are you doing this?” she demanded as she marched up to him. “What did I do wrong? I won! Isn’t that what all this training was for? Then why did you scold me like that?”

She stood in front of him, stubborn, proud — but her voice trembled with the effort of holding herself together.

Cho didn’t answer right away. His eyes searched her face, the guilt clawing at his insides. She had no idea how close she was to the truth. How much she had stirred things in him he couldn’t control.

Finally, he exhaled and shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Y/n. Go home.”

He turned to leave, but her hand shot out and grabbed his arm. Her grip was tight, almost desperate — as if she needed to anchor herself to something solid, even if it was him.

“You owe me an explanation,” she said fiercely. “You don’t get to just walk away after that. You don’t get to humiliate me and pretend nothing happened.”

Cho looked down at her hand on his arm, then slowly pulled himself free. His expression shifted back to that cold, unreadable calm he wore so well — the one that drove her crazy.

“I told you already,” he said, voice clipped. “You won — but with a flaw. You misplayed, and I let it slide. Come talk to me when you win without any mistakes.”

Her lips parted, trembling now. The burn behind her eyes came back with full force, but she blinked it away. She didn’t want to cry again. Not in front of him.

But a few tears escaped anyway.

“You don’t mean that,” she whispered. “There’s something else. I can feel it.”

Cho’s jaw clenched. His fists stayed at his sides, but every part of him screamed to pull her close, to tell her the truth — that she was brilliant, that she was rising fast, and that he was scared.

But pride was a bitter thing.

And fear, even worse.

So instead, he stood silent as the wind moved between them, carrying her pain and his regret with it.

Y/n took a shaky breath and stepped forward, closing the space between them. Her voice was softer now, almost pleading. “If I’ve done something wrong… just tell me. But don’t keep pushing me away like this.”

He didn’t move back. He didn’t stop her either.

She looked up at him, eyes glassy but steady. “I didn’t just want to make you proud. I wanted to matter to you.”

That hit him hard.

His gaze dropped to her lips for a split second — too fast, but not unnoticed. Y/n’s breath caught, and for a moment, neither of them moved. It was quiet. Too quiet.

Cho’s hand lifted on instinct, fingers brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek. His touch lingered — longer than it should have. His warm breath fanning her face.

Their faces were just inches apart now.

She didn’t step back.

And he didn’t either.

Everything was still — the world had faded, and it was just them. Just one moment away from falling into something they couldn’t undo.

But then Cho blinked — like something snapped inside him — and he took a step back, his hand dropping to his side.

“No,” he said hoarsely, almost to himself. “This… can’t happen.”

Y/n stared at him, her breath still caught in her chest, the sting of rejection settling in like a chill.

He didn’t look at her again. Just turned and walked away, leaving her standing alone under the quiet evening sky — her heart aching not from the loss, but from what almost was.

⚪⚫⚪⚫

Three days.

That’s how long it had been since he walked away. Since she stood there—heart wide open—only to be left behind in silence.

Cho hadn’t shown up at her house for their usual training. And when her father called to ask why, he gave a simple answer: He had a match out of town.

A half-truth. Part lie, part escape.

They were both suffering, trapped in the same storm—only from different sides. And neither knew what to call it.

Y/n was lost in confusion and hurt, her focus shattered. Even during her solo training, her hands would hover mid-air, mind blank. She needed answers. But he wasn’t showing up. He was pushing her away.

Cho, on the other hand, was tangled in guilt and fear. He knew exactly where things were heading—but he also knew the weight of the consequences.

His career. His name. His future.

And hers? She had her whole life ahead of her. She needed clarity, not chaos. A future built on discipline and dreams—not feelings they couldn’t afford to name.

⚪⚫⚪⚫

It was a rainy afternoon. Y/n sat in the living room with her father, chatting about casual things—her training, studies, and whatever else filled the quiet spaces between them—when the doorbell rang.

Y/n rose from the couch and walked toward the door.

And froze.

Cho Hun-hyun stood there. Calm as ever, posture straight, expression unreadable—as if the last few days hadn’t happened at all.

Wordlessly, she stepped aside to let him in. He greeted her father with a polite nod, informing him that he was back and ready to resume her training. Her father smiled, relieved.

He had no idea what had passed in those days of silence, but Cho did. He knew hiding wasn’t a solution. It never was. So he’d made his decision: return, but strictly as her mentor. The man who had crossed a line would now pretend there had never been one.

Y/n led him to the study and excused herself for a moment.

While she was gone, Cho’s gaze drifted across the room and landed on a cluttered table. Sheets of paper were scattered—handwritten notes, strategy maps, rule breakdowns. He picked one up, brows drawing together. These were advanced strategies. Ones he hadn’t taught her yet.

She had been training on her own.

The realization made his chest tighten. She was already advancing quickly. Winning matches. Gaining recognition. The fear he had buried resurfaced: She’s going to surpass me.

He hastily placed the papers back as Y/n returned.

They sat down across from each other on the rug, the Go board between them, silence stretching like a chasm. Without a word—or a glance in her direction—Cho began the game.

Y/n clenched her jaw, holding back everything inside her. She wanted to scream, to demand answers, to ask him what the hell happened between them—but she didn’t.

Not yet.

The game progressed. Smooth at first—until she froze. Her eyes scanned the board, fingers twitching, unsure of the next move. She bit her lip and looked up at him, hoping for a hint like he used to give.

But all she received was a cold, unreadable glare.

“I… I’m stuck,” she finally admitted. “I don’t know what move to make.”

Silence.

“At least help me out,” she added, a little softer this time.

Cho leaned in slowly, eyes locked on hers.

“Help?” he scoffed, then gave a humorless chuckle. “Why don’t you use your brain like you used your mouth that day? Fast.”

The words hit her like a slap.

She blinked at him, stunned. Was he really throwing that night in her face like this?

“You know what, Y/n?” he continued, voice sharp. “Maybe you should stop playing Go and try gonggi. Might suit your level better.”

Tears stung her eyes, but she held them in. “I was just—”

“I don’t want to hear it,” he cut her off, standing abruptly. “You can’t focus because you’re distracted. You thought I was softening, laughing with you, letting you win—and that night?”

He shook his head. “That was a mistake. Don’t get delusional.”

Her breath caught.

“I shouldn’t have agreed to train you,” he said coldly. “You’re not ready. Not for this game. Not for what it takes. You’ll never make it just by memorizing rules. Forget Go. I’ll speak to your father.”

And just like that—without a glance back, without letting her speak—he walked out.

Leaving her alone.

With her tears.

With her shame.

With hands that trembled, and a heart that was breaking for reasons she still didn’t fully understand.

━━ ❍ 𝘍𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘓𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 ❍ ━━

Y/n stood outside the door of the room where the final round of the National Go Championship was about to begin.

She was no longer the teenage girl who once clung to hesitant moves and stolen glances.

Now, she was a woman—poised, grown, and breathtaking in a way that turned heads the second she walked into a room. Confidence radiated off her like a second skin. Fierce. Focused. Still just as stubborn.

Her name echoed through the speakers, announced as one of the finalists. She took a slow breath and stepped inside.

Eyes turned toward her as soon as she entered, but her gaze scanned the room for only one person—and found him instantly.

Cho Hun-hyun.

There he was. Still composed, still cold, still every bit the legend. He sat on the couch with one leg crossed over the other, cigarette balanced between his fingers, that same calm arrogance etched across his face.

But the moment she entered, something shifted.

Cho’s head lifted. His eyes landed on her—and they didn’t move. For the first time in five years, he faltered. The cigarette trembled slightly before he crushed it into the ashtray, almost on instinct. He sat up straighter, as if trying to confirm what his eyes were seeing.

She was real.

Not a ghost.

Not a memory.

Real.

And she wasn’t the girl he left behind.

She was a storm.

Y/n walked toward the table slowly, every step intentional. Her eyes never left his. There was no softness, no hesitation. Only satisfaction at the look on his face—the disbelief, the flicker of guilt, the crack in his composed mask.

She took her seat across from him, calm and unreadable.

She didn’t flinch. She didn’t smile.

She had no interest in breaking down in front of him ever again.

If anything, she was here to make him fall apart.

The game began with the sharp click of the timer, and both players made their opening moves.

Y/n didn’t spare him a single glance. Her eyes were locked on the board, her focus unshakable. She hadn’t trained for five years just to fall apart now. She told herself she was different—colder, stronger, untouchable. Maybe that was true. Or maybe she was just better at pretending.

Cho, on the other hand, kept stealing glances at her. He didn’t need to focus much—he was already a legend. Calmly lighting a cigarette, he leaned back slightly and let the smoke curl into the air above them. But his eyes never truly left her. She had changed, yes—grown into a striking, confident woman—but some things hadn’t changed at all. The way she bit her lower lip before placing a stone. The way she tucked loose strands of hair behind her ear when she was thinking. The fire in her eyes that always spoke of quiet rebellion.

And then there was her neck—that same damn delicate curve that had caught his attention the first day he saw her.

The urge to touch her, to taste her skin, to know what it felt like to have her lips against his—it hadn’t faded. If anything, the years had only sharpened it.

But he also remembered exactly how he’d shattered her five years ago. And now…he wasn’t sure if he was even allowed to look at her that way anymore.

The game was nearing its end, and Cho found himself in a tight corner. No matter how many possibilities ran through his mind, every path led to loss. For the first time in years, he felt helpless at a Go board.

His eyes lifted toward her, almost instinctively—as if silently begging for help.

And in that moment, a memory struck him like a punch to the gut.

Five years ago.

She had looked up at him just like this—lost, searching for a hint.

But all he gave her was bitterness.

Cruel words.

A closed door.

Now, Y/n didn’t even flinch under his gaze. Her eyes stayed fixed on the board, her next move already forming in her head. She was calm. Collected. Unreachable.

Reluctantly, Cho moved a stone.

And with a faint, satisfied smirk, Y/n placed hers—decisive, brilliant.

Gasps rippled through the room.

The timer stopped.

The judges spoke.

“The winner and new National Go Champion: Y/n.”

That’s when she lifted her eyes—and met his.

Cho sat frozen, stunned by the outcome. That move… that damn move—where had she learned it? She was just a newbie once, a kid with too much confidence. Right?

He watched her rise from her seat as cameras flashed and reporters swarmed. She held the trophy in her hands, expression calm, poised, untouchable.

And no one—no one—looked at him.

No camera turned. No voice called his name.

The very thing he had feared most… was happening right before his eyes.

She had taken everything—his spotlight, his legacy, his place.

His jaw clenched.

Y/n made her way toward the exit when one reporter finally turned to her.

“Is it true that Cho Hun-hyun once trained you?”

The question cut through the noise.

Y/n’s steps faltered—just for a second—as a flicker of the past danced through her eyes.

But she said nothing.

Didn’t stop.

Didn’t turn around.

She stepped outside, got into the car, and drove away—leaving him behind this time.

The sky outside was dark, swollen with storm clouds. Rain lashed against the windows in steady sheets, the sound like static filling the silence of the room.

Cho sat in a leather armchair, a glass of whiskey resting in one hand, a cigarette slowly burning between the fingers of the other. The smoke curled lazily toward the ceiling, but his thoughts were anything but calm.

He couldn’t stop replaying the events of earlier. The loss. The silence.

But failure wasn’t the only thing haunting him tonight.

She was.

Where had Y/n been all these years? She hadn’t made a name for herself in any of Seoul’s Go academies. No whispers. No mentions. Nothing.

And then, like a ghost, she appeared—silent, sharp, deadly—only to vanish again without a single word. No glance. No goodbye. Just the sound of the closing door behind her.

He took a slow sip of his drink, eyes closing as the burn slid down his throat. But it did nothing to quiet the storm inside.

Her face still lingered behind his eyelids—five years ago. The night he walked out. Her trembling hands. The tears she tried to hide. The way she stood in front of him, demanding answers.

Back then, he thought pushing her away would protect them both.

Now, he wasn’t so sure anymore.

Y/n stepped into her house to the warm embrace of her father. His arms wrapped around her tightly, pride shining in his eyes.

“You made me proud,” he whispered, voice thick with emotion. “I’m sorry… for everything I did five years ago.”

She gave him a small, reassuring smile — the kind that said she had long since stopped needing an apology — and then quietly made her way upstairs to her room.

The door closed behind her with a soft click.

She stepped into the shower, letting the warm water cascade over her tired body. But her muscles didn’t just ache from the match — they ached with a memory she had tried so hard to bury.

For the past five years, this had been her quiet ritual. Whenever the world grew too loud, whenever the weight of it all became too much — she’d retreat to the silence of the shower, sink down onto the cold tile floor, knees drawn to her chest, arms wrapped around herself like a shield.

And she would cry

Tonight was no exception.

She had won.

She had proved herself to the man who once told her to play gonggi instead of Go. She had taken the trophy — and with it, her revenge.

She should have felt proud. Relieved. Triumphant

But success wasn’t the only thing she carried home tonight.

Somewhere beneath the layers of victory and silence, the ache still lingered — the same old love she had once buried so deep, hoping it would die there.

But it hadn’t.

It had grown quiet, yes. But never gone.

And when she saw him earlier across the Go board — the same sharp eyes, the same careless cigarette between his fingers, the same silence she once found comfort in — she had wanted to break.

To scream. To fall into his arms and demand answers. To ask why he left her that night, why he chose ego over her.

But instead, she stayed still. Just like she had trained herself to.

Silent.

Unshaken.

Unseen.

✦ 𝐅 𝐋 𝐀 𝐒 𝐇 𝐁 𝐀 𝐂 𝐊 ✦

The moment he walked out of the study room, his words lingered in the silence like a curse.

“Forget about Go. I’ll talk to your father.”

He left her sitting there—alone, humiliated, hands trembling and tears falling quietly down her cheeks.

Outside the study room, she heard his voice. Low, cold, distant.

“Mr. Yun-sik, I’m sorry. I can’t continue with Y/n’s training anymore. I don’t think she’s capable of playing at this level. It would be better if you let her focus on her studies.”

A lie.

He said it and left — not just the house, but her world. Carrying a heart full of guilt, regret, and something unspoken: I’m afraid your daughter will surpass me someday.

Moments later, the study room door flew open. Her father stormed in, eyes burning with disappointment. He took one look at her—sitting on the rug, silently crying—and his expression twisted into rage.

“You disgraced me! I thought you had talent. You used to help me with my games—solve moves I couldn’t. I believed in you. I asked the country’s greatest champion to train you, and this is how you repay me? With failure? With shame?”

Each word felt like a slap across her face.

She didn’t speak—just cried harder, silently, lips trembling with words that wouldn’t come out.

“Enough! I’m sending you to Busan. You’ll stay with your aunt. Don’t come back until you’ve finished your studies.”

Her eyes widened. Disbelief washed over her. She scrambled to her feet and reached for him, voice cracking.

“Appa… Appa, please—don’t. I don’t want to go. Please…”

But her father didn’t even look at her. He pulled his hand away from hers and walked out, leaving her in the same silence Cho had.

The next morning, Y/n was sent to Busan.

All night, she’d tried to convince herself it was for the best. That maybe, just maybe, distance would heal her. That she’d forget him.

But deep down, she knew she wouldn’t.

And as she stepped out of the house that day — a suitcase in hand, heart in pieces — she vowed: One day, I’ll come back stronger. And I’ll make them regret ever giving up on me.

✦ 𝐏 𝐑 𝐄 𝐒 𝐄 𝐍 𝐓 ✦

Cho had woken early the next morning, though sleep had barely touched him last night. Over and over, he told himself he wasn’t at fault—that what he did five years ago had been for the best. But deep down, the truth gnawed at him. He had lied to her. Not because she wasn’t capable… but because he was afraid. Afraid she’d surpass him. And last night, that fear became reality.

She had beaten him.

He made his way to a small coffee shop, one tucked away in a quieter part of the city, where Seung-pil was already waiting. A longtime friend of both his and Yun-sik’s, Seung-pil greeted him with a simple nod. They sat for a moment in silence, the weight of unspoken things settling between them like thick fog.

Then Cho cleared his throat.

“I need to know something,” he said, voice low.

Seung-pil glanced at him, a brow raised. “About?”

“Where has Y/n been all these years?” Cho asked.

That made Seung-pil pause. His tone was colder now. “Why? Why do you care about that girl now?”

“Just tell me,” Cho pressed, something in his voice caught between pleading and command.

Seung-pil looked away, exhaled through his nose. “Busan.”

“Busan?” Cho repeated, quietly.

“Yun-sik told me what happened that night,” Seung-pil went on. “Said you refused to train her any further. Said she couldn’t keep up now that the difficulty was rising. He believed you. Got disappointed. Sent her away to live with her aunt in Busan. She was devastated, Cho. But she built herself back up. Brick by brick. Last night when she walked through that door with the trophy in her hand… I saw something in Yun-sik’s eyes I hadn’t seen in years.”

Cho absorbed every word like a blow to the chest.

Now he knew why her name never came up in any Seoul Go academies.

Seung-pil looked at him with narrowed eyes. “Why are you asking now? What—did she bruise your ego, Cho?”

Cho didn’t respond. He simply stood from the table, nodded faintly, and walked out of the café.

The city streets felt heavier under his steps. He wandered without direction, each thought dragging him deeper into regret. She had every reason to hate him. Everything she endured—every tear, every wound—was because of his fear.

And now, he knew what he had to do.

He had to face her.

The sky had turned a deep grey, clouds gathering above the city like a warning. It was past afternoon, and the air was heavy—restless.

Y/n was alone at home. Her father had left town earlier that morning for a business trip. The silence inside the house matched the silence in her heart, until the doorbell rang.

She descended the stairs casually, assuming it was a parcel or a neighbor. But the moment she opened the door, her body froze.

Cho Hun-hyun.

He wasn’t standing tall like before. His shoulders were slightly slouched, his eyes unreadable but hollow. The same man who once walked like he owned the world now looked like a ghost of his former self—uninvited, unannounced, and clearly ashamed.

Y/n’s jaw clenched as her heart pounded with rage. Without hesitation, she began to shut the door.

“Y/n—wait, listen to me—” he stepped forward and stopped the door with his hand.

The sound of her name from his mouth after five long years sent a jolt through her chest. But she shoved that feeling deep down where it couldn’t betray her.

“I don’t want to listen to anything,” she snapped, voice sharp.

But Cho stood firm in the doorway. “Just a minute. Please… let’s talk.”

Y/n let out a bitter scoff. “Talk? About what? There’s nothing left to say. You’re just another name to defeat on my list now. That’s all you are.”

She went to close the door again, but then—

“I lied.”

She froze, her hand still on the doorknob. Her brows furrowed in disbelief.

“I lied that day,” he said, stepping inside before she could stop him. He shut the door behind him slowly, as if trying not to shatter the air between them.

“I told your father you weren’t capable. That you didn’t have what it takes to play Go. But the truth is… I knew you were brilliant. I saw your talent. I saw it growing every day. And it terrified me. I was afraid you’d surpass me. That I’d be forgotten.”

He lifted his gaze, his voice almost a whisper. “And last night, you did. You proved it. There’s no point in hiding anymore.”

Y/n’s vision blurred with hot tears, her chest heaving. She stepped forward and grabbed his collar tightly, eyes blazing.

“You what?” her voice trembled with rage. “You lied because you were afraid?”

Her hands tightened around his shirt as tears rolled freely down her cheeks. “You destroyed five years of my life! I was sent away from everything I knew—because of you!”

“I’m sorry,” he said, brokenly. “I just—”

“Shut up!” she snapped. “You’re a liar! I hate you!”

Her words were sharp, but her voice cracked under the weight of heartbreak. Her hands trembled where they still held onto him, unable to let go.

And that was when he moved.

Without warning, Cho leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss—deep, fierce, unapologetic. A thousand unspoken words poured through it. Regret. Longing. Pain. Apologies.

Y/n’s mind screamed to push him away.

But her body—

Her body betrayed her.

She kissed him back—desperately. Angrily. Furiously. Her rage tangled with his guilt as their lips clashed like the last pieces in a storm.

It wasn’t love.

It was war.

And then—like a snap—reality returned. She shoved him back, eyes wide.

“How dare you—” she gasped, chest rising and falling. “How dare you kiss me?!”

Without another word, she stormed to the door, threw it open, and pushed him out.

“Get lost! I hate you!” she screamed, slamming the door shut behind him.

And then… silence.

Y/n leaned back against the door, her body trembling. She closed her eyes, pressing her lips together as more tears escaped. She hadn’t meant a single word.

She wanted to hear him out. To yell at him. To let him explain. To scream and cry in his arms. But if she did—she knew she’d forgive him.

And she wasn’t ready to do that yet.

Outside, Cho stood motionless. The door closed behind him like a final note. He exhaled sharply, feeling the tightness in his chest. He opened the top buttons of his shirt, as if to breathe better.

But the air still felt suffocating.

And so, without a word, he turned… and walked away.

Cho stumbled into a dimly lit bar and drank until he lost count. Whiskey, soju—whatever burned the fastest. He thought drowning in alcohol might ease the fire clawing at his chest, but it only ignited it further.

Hours passed.

Rain began to fall outside—heavy, relentless. Cho staggered out of the bar, soaked instantly, his feet dragging beneath him. His breath reeked of alcohol, his eyes glassy. He walked a few steps before pausing near a trash bin, doubling over as nausea overtook him. He threw up, body trembling from the cold and everything he’d kept buried for years.

But none of it made it better.

Y/n’s face haunted him—those eyes full of betrayal and hurt. The tremble in her voice. Her tears.

He had seen that look once before, five years ago. And now, once again, it was because of him.

He wiped his mouth, rain mixing with the sweat on his forehead. He wanted to go back. To knock on her door again and say what he should’ve said years ago. But he knew she needed space.

And this time, he wouldn’t take that from her.

Across town, the silence inside Y/n’s house was broken only by the sound of her soft, broken sobs.

She was curled up in bed, a blanket wrapped around her like armor. But nothing could keep the ache out. Her pillow was damp, not just from tears, but from every word she wished she’d said to him.

How could he lie like that? How could he throw her away—discard her dreams—just to protect his own reputation?

Her father may have sent her to Busan, but Cho was the one who gave him the excuse.

And yet—

Her fingers touched her lips unconsciously.

The kiss.

Why had she kissed him back?

She should’ve pushed him away. Slapped him. Screamed at him. But she didn’t.

And what haunted her more than his lies… was that single moment. That kiss. That desperate, aching kiss that felt like he’d been waiting five years to give.

Like she was the only thing he ever wanted.

Her tears started again, silent and endless.

And as the storm outside raged on, so did the one inside her heart.

━━ ❍ One Week Later ❍ ━━

The crowd whispered as the rematch was announced — a special exhibition match between the reigning champion and the legend she once trained under.

Everyone showed up not just to watch Go, but to witness tension… history… and maybe a storm.

The room was smaller than the national stage, but packed to the edges. Cameramen. Reporters. Go enthusiasts. Friends. Even her father was there, sitting quietly.

And then — she walked in.

Y/n.

Clad in black — sleeveless blouse tucked into tailored slacks, hair tied up tight, lips pressed into a line of calm fury.

She didn’t scan the crowd.

Her eyes went straight to him.

Cho Hun-hyun was already seated. One leg crossed over the other, a cigarette burning slowly between his fingers. He was dressed in his signature grey coat, collar popped, jaw tight.

He looked older — five years of regret could do that. But still too beautiful. Still too dangerous.

The moment their eyes met, the air turned heavier.

Without a word, y/n stepped across the room, sat down across him, and placed her hand on the board.

The timer clicked.

The match began.

Cho was composed… outwardly. But his thoughts were fractured. The last time they met, she didn’t speak to him. Not one word. Not after that kiss. Not after she slammed the door in his face.

Now here she was again — not crying, not weak. But cold. Brilliant. Unreachable.

Her moves were ruthless.

His fingers hovered over the bowl of stones, indecisive — something the old Cho would’ve mocked in another player.

She didn’t even glance up at him. She just played.

Until—click.

The final move.

Cho’s eyes darted across the board, disbelief sinking in. He couldn’t see a path forward. Again.

And then—

“Match over,” the judge announced. “Winner: Y/n.”

The room exploded.

Cameras flashed. Applause erupted. Y/n rose gracefully from her seat. No smile. No bow. Just the same icy expression.

She turned and walked out of the room.

Cho stood quickly and walked behind her tok and called out— “Y/n.”

She didn’t stop.

He took two long strides and caught her by the wrist.

“Come with me.”

He dragged her into a quiet hallway just outside the main room. His grip was firm but not hurting.

“Let go of me,” she hissed.

“No,” he said flatly, and pressed her gently against the wall. His hands caged her in on either side. His voice dropped. “I can’t lose you again. Not out of ego. Not because I was too proud to say I was wrong.”

Y/n stared at him, jaw clenched, breathing uneven. “You think a little regret will fix what you did?”

“I don’t care if it fixes it,” he whispered, eyes locking onto hers. “I just need you to hear me out. Please.”

A long silence passed between them.

“Fine,” she said at last. “Talk. But not here.”

The city passed by in a blur as the car drove them through the drizzle. Neither of them spoke. The silence was loud — full of every argument they didn’t have, every moment they missed.

Cho’s house was the same — minimalist, dimly lit, cold with steel and dark wood. But the tension between them made it feel fever-hot the moment the door closed.

Y/n stepped inside first, arms crossed, eyes scanning. He followed, slowly peeling off his coat and tossing it on the armchair.

She turned to him.

“Start talking.”

He faced her, hands in his pockets. “You were right that night… about everything. I pushed you away because I saw your potential. It terrified me.”

He paused, stepping closer.

“I told myself it was for your own good. That I was protecting you from distractions. But the truth is, I couldn’t handle the idea of you surpassing me. I didn’t want to admit that you already had.”

Y/n scoffed. “And the kiss? Was that ego too?”

Cho’s jaw clenched. “No. That was the only honest thing I’ve ever done with you.”

A beat passed. Heavy. Raw.

“I loved you,” he added, voice rough. “Maybe I still do.”

That was the crack in the dam.

Y/n surged forward, fists slamming into his chest. “You don’t get to say that! Not after what you did to me.”

He caught her wrists. “Then stop me. Say you hate me, and I’ll walk out. But if you don’t—”

She didn’t let him finish.

She kissed him.

It wasn’t sweet. It wasn’t gentle. It was everything they buried for five years — rage, pain, guilt, obsession.

He slammed her against the wall as her hands tangled in his shirt, yanking the buttons loose. His lips found her neck, the one part of her he had always wanted to taste, and she gasped.

“Still arrogant,” she muttered.

“Still stubborn,” he growled back, lifting her by the thighs, walking blindly toward the bedroom.

They fell into the sheets like enemies on the battlefield. Clothes flew. Fingernails scratched. Teeth grazed.

He pinned her down, forehead against hers, breathing like a man starved.

“I should hate you,” she whispered, voice cracking.

“Then hate me,” he whispered back. “But don’t leave me.”

He didn’t make love to her.

He fought her.

And she fought back — every kiss a slap, every moan a challenge.

Until the war quieted… and they were still. Tangled together, breathless, flushed, skin against skin in the darkness.

The room was quiet now, lit only by the city lights outside the window. Cho’s hand lazily traced circles on her bare back as she lay against his chest, hair a mess, both still recovering from the storm they just survived.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, again. “For every second I made you feel less than what you are.”

Y/n didn’t say anything at first. Just rested there, listening to the beat of his heart.

Then—

“I forgive you,” she said. “But only because I destroyed you twice on that board.”

Cho smirked, eyes closed. “I don’t want trophies anymore.”

She looked up.

“As long as I have you for the rest of my life” he finished, opening his eyes, brushing his thumb along her cheek.

Y/n rolled her eyes. “Still dramatic.”

He kissed her again, slower this time.

Like surrender.

He pulled back slightly, just enough to look in her eyes and whispered

"I love you"

(i can't believe i missed his bday) Happy birthday, A2! A1 tried his best with the pbj cake

Totally not gay at all 🤭