Slump (1)
091
Camp Nou, famous as Barcelona's home stadium and the world's largest football-only stadium.
The press room, which had been empty for a while after finishing recruitment early, was bustling with reporters today.
"I'm Leonardo from Sport. Hong Min-jun-ssi, congratulations on entering the great club, Barcelona."
"Thank you."
"How did you feel about your first impression of Camp Nou, the home stadium of Barcelona, which claims to be Més que un club?"
As expected of a pro-Barça media outlet, they're asking for some 'national pride' right from the start.
"As befits its reputation as the world's largest football-only stadium, I felt its overwhelming majesty. It's a stadium any football player would want to play in, so the feeling is quite special."
I gave them some appropriate lip service, and the pro-Barça reporters applauded as if satisfied.
On the other hand, the pro-Real Madrid reporters just watched with expressionless faces; it's easy to tell who's pro-Barça and who's pro-Real.
"I'm Josep from Marca. Hong Min-jun-ssi, you rejected Madrid's offer and chose Barcelona. What is the reason?"
Like a typical pro-Real media reporter, they ask why I dissed Real first.
It's common courtesy to give a prepared answer to a question you've been waiting for.
"It's an honor as a player to receive interest from two clubs with such great history. Both teams are dream clubs that any player would dream of. However, the reason I chose Barcelona is because Jorge is at Real Madrid."
"Does that mean you have bad blood with Jorge-ssi?"
"Not at all. Personally, I like Jorge-ssi."
For some reason, the reporters murmured for a moment here.
"However, while playing against each other in the Olympics, I realized the joy of competing against Jorge-ssi. That's why this time, I look forward to facing Jorge-ssi, who wears the white uniform, while wearing the striped uniform that blends red and blue."
The aggro I planned with Oh Ha-rin and Yoon Da-ye.
The reporters were all typing away on their laptops, laying the groundwork for forming a rivalry with Jorge, the top prospect in Spain.
Surprisingly, there are many ways to connect us, and since we each transferred to the fated rival teams of Real and Barça this season, it wouldn't be awkward for a rivalry to form.
A rivalry with Jorge, the top prospect the whole world is watching, is the best move to skyrocket my brand, which still lacks name value... or so Yoon Da-ye said.
You know, like how Samsung got the challenger image by forming a rivalry with Apple in the early days of smartphones.
Even now, Apple, which has the image of the number one smartphone, boasted tremendous name value in the early days, adding a pioneer image, and it's said that Samsung greatly increased its brand value by forming a rivalry and building an image as the number two aiming for the number one spot.
We decided to benchmark this.
First, create an image of a player who can aim for the top prospect spot by forming a rivalry with Jorge.
Although I raised my awareness rapidly through the Olympics, perhaps as a reaction, the evaluation is stingier than existing players who have consistently made a name for themselves. The evaluation is that I'm not even as good as the many number two prospects aiming for that spot, let alone Jorge, who is the world's best prospect.
To overturn this in a short time, the method we thought of was to build a rival position to Jorge and create an image of a number two challenging him.
And after achieving that number two image?
We can gather fans who support the underdog. Strangely, people tend to be enthusiastic about underdogs.
After fully enjoying the underdog effect by combining the concept of a number two challenging the number one with the disadvantage of being an Asian (at least in the eyes of Europeans), I'll devour Jorge.
By then, I'll have the skills to overwhelm Jorge.
The sound of the reporters' laptop typing was cheerful, as if Jorge's name value is indeed huge.
"It is known that Hong Min-jun-ssi's contract period is only 3 years. What do you think about some claims that Hong Min-jun-ssi is using Barcelona as a stepping stone?"
"Not at all. If I were to use Barcelona as a stepping stone, I would need a club to step up to, but where is such a club?"
I paused for a moment, waiting for the translation to finish, and then,
"Does anyone know? No? Yeah, there isn't one! As you can see, Barcelona is not a stepping stone, but the final destination. So it's a dream club."
Before the pro-Real reporter could raise their hand, and before the interpreter could even translate, I shot it out quickly.
While the pro-Barça reporters cheered and clapped in unison, the pro-Real reporters glared at me expressionlessly. Oh, damn, look at that fierce atmosphere.
Well, should I say Real is a bigger club at a Barcelona introductory press conference?
"Then is there a reason why you set the contract period short at 3 years? I heard that Hong Min-jun-ssi's side even gave up a huge salary to shorten the contract period."
"Because I'm confident."
"Confident?"
"Confidence in my skills. After proving my skills, I will receive a higher salary through a contract renewal."
I went for it.
Now, if I underperform, I'll get cursed at several times over, but... well, it'll be fine, right?
Just before the transfer market closed, with only 3 days left, I joined Barcelona.
The squad had already finished their vacation and started pre-season training.
I also had to join the training as soon as possible, but there were still paperwork procedures left, and above all, considering the tight Olympic schedule, the club gave me a few days of vacation.
It probably doesn't mean to just laze around, but to use this time to find a house and adapt to the neighborhood.
However, I decided to rest well today.
Even if a press conference doesn't seem like much, talking in front of dozens of reporters was more mentally draining than I thought.
I returned to the hotel provided by the club and headed straight to Oh Ha-rin's room.
Barcelona seemed to have put some thought into it and got me a good room in a luxury hotel, but even so, it's not as good as Oh Ha-rin's room, which uses a premium suite.
"I'm back."
"Why is your expression like that? Are you sick?"
As I walked in, massaging my stiff body, the sharp-witted Yoon Da-ye asked immediately.
"Sick, what are you talking about. It's not that... just, my body is a bit stiff."
"I'll schedule a physical therapy session for tomorrow."
"No, it's okay. It won't be solved by massage."
Because this is growing pain.
Of course, I didn't tell the two women looking at me with concern. Even if I told them, they wouldn't believe me anyway.
They'll naturally find out when I grow taller.
I smiled contentedly to myself and called up the status window.
【Height 175cm ▶ ??cm｜63kg ▶ ??kg】
【Points Held ▶ 0P】
『Applying...』
『Point usage is restricted while applying.』
I literally dumped all 112 points I had into upgrading my body.
I tried to aim for the low 180s and keep some points, but a warning popped up saying there might be a problem with the balance, and it took all 112 points, saying it would adjust the balance by using the points.
Damn it. My precious points.
"Huh? What are you doing?"
I was massaging my increasingly throbbing arms and legs when Yoon Da-ye was packing her carrier.
"I have to go back."
"Where?"
"Home."
"You haven't found a house yet. You have to find one from now on."
"That's your house."
At my dumbfounded question, Yoon Da-ye glanced at Oh Ha-rin.
"You and that woman should live here. I'm going back to Korea."
"That's too sudden. And what's with that way of speaking?"
Yoon Da-ye's hands, which were organizing her luggage, stopped for a moment.
"...You don't need me anymore."
"What?"
"I followed you here by chance, but I thought you were living alone, so I just wanted to help with the housework. Then, when you had to transfer immediately, I was just temporarily hired because that woman, the agency representative, didn't seem to know anything. ...Well, even without me, the experts would have done a good job."
Then she opened her mouth again immediately.
"Ah. In the first place, the housework didn't need my help either. That woman was doing everything."
As she said that, she looked up at Oh Ha-rin.
Oh Ha-rin, who had been looking down at Yoon Da-ye packing her luggage while leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, snorted.
"Hey. What's with that way of speaking. What do you mean you're not needed."
"It's the truth."
It was a calm voice, but having been with her for a long time, I could tell.
That she was not okay at all.
"Hey. Yoon Da-ye. Look at me. Did I do something to upset you?"
"It's not like that."
"Then what is it? I can only know if you tell me!"
When I shouted in frustration, only then did she look at me.
"I just realized reality. You don't... need my help anymore. So I'm saying I'm going back."
"How can you say that..."
"I'm 20 too. School will start soon, and I have to study. I can't waste time meaninglessly here."
"Meaningless? Are you saying being with me is meaningless right now?"
I was shocked because I didn't expect her to think that way.
That the time with me is meaningless. That it's a waste of time.
After finishing the variety show filming, the conversations we had then, the strange atmosphere, the exchange of feelings we shared implicitly—was that all my misunderstanding?
Or... are you going to give me hints like that again and turn away?
"Because nothing changes just because I'm here. ...It's already a game that's over."
"...Yeah. If that's what you think, fine. I won't stop you."
"......."
Even though I clearly did as she wanted, at those words, Yoon Da-ye looked at me with hurt eyes.
What the hell. You said you'd do as you wanted. Did you want me to hold you back now?
...Forget it now.
I'm tired.
There's a woman looking at me, and I'm too tired to care about such a selfish woman.
"Hmph. Is it all over?"
Oh Ha-rin, who had been watching quietly, uncrossed her arms and said triumphantly.
"I told the front desk. I have a car waiting downstairs, so if you take that, it will take you to the airport."
"...Thank you."
"Don't mention it. Still, since you were my subordinate for a while, I should do at least this much."
"......."
Yoon Da-ye, who was looking at Oh Ha-rin quietly, headed to the door.
That day, my chest felt heavy for some reason.