Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Relegation Derby
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(Yoo Ji-na)
"KakaoTalk!"
Lately, it's the notification sound that makes me happiest.
I'd become friends with that kid who only ever exchanged brief greetings with me.
It was a situation I'd always dreamed of, so my satisfaction with life lately had been a solid five out of five every single day.
Lee Si-eon, who's been playing for Espanyol these past few months.
So what if he has a ton of friends!
Si-eon alone is more than enough for me.
Today's happy chime rang out too, and I snatched my phone, flopping onto the bed.
They called it Pavlov's dog, right?
Now, just hearing the KakaoTalk sound fills me with joy.
But once, a KakaoTalk from someone other than Si-eon had come in.
I'd leaped onto the bed as usual, heart pounding, turned on my phone... but there was no change in the chat with Si-eon.
That day, I turned off notifications for every KakaoTalk room except Si-eon's.
'Sorry, Mom, Dad...'
I'd told my parents to call if it was urgent, so it wasn't a huge betrayal.
Anyway, having been burned once, I'd prepared properly this time. The owner of that KakaoTalk just now was definitely Si-eon!
Lee Si-eon: Ji-na, you busy with school these days?
Si-eon suddenly asking about my schedule.
Yoo Ji-na: Nah? I'm totally free lately, why...?
I do go to school, but skipping a few times doesn't matter, so yeah, I'm free.
As expected, he replied fast, and the 1 vanished right away.
Once, I'd taken five minutes to reply because I was in the shower when it came in, and his response had taken a whole day.
Ever since, I'd been keeping my replies lightning-quick.
Lee Si-eon: Wanna come watch the game then? You know about it, right? Copa del Rey final.
!!!
I wasn't sure if I'd read it right, so I read it over and over.
Copa del Rey final.
Espanyol, Si-eon's team, had made it.
And their opponent? Real Madrid, no less.
I was more hyped for this game than any other.
It was Si-eon's first shot at a title, against Real Madrid of all teams.
Even fans of neither side, anyone into soccer, had to be buzzing for this.
Lee Si-eon: I'll set you up with game tickets and a flight. Come watch if your schedule's clear—I'd love that.
Yoo Ji-na: Hell yeah, count me in!
Lee Si-eon: Cool, I'll send 'em as soon as I get them. Night~
Yoo Ji-na: Night...
...
"What do I do!!!"
This is too good.
I never thought Si-eon would look out for me like this.
Copa del Rey final tickets were already impossible to snag.
Not only would I get to see Si-eon's game, but I'd get to spend time with him too.
It was the best, most unexpected gift ever.
I'd designate the flight and tickets from Si-eon as treasures number two and three.
Treasure number one was, of course, the jersey with Si-eon's first autograph, gotten straight from him.
...
"Aaaah!!"
Such happiness made me forget something important.
"What am I gonna do..."
I replied right away that she could come. Even though she's busy with school, it's a relief she'll make it. I rely on Camila for managing my schedule and all that, but emotionally, Yoo Ji-na's my rock. My first personal fan, the one who rated me highly and cheered me on when I was still a nobody. I decided to join Espanyol because of her, too. And the results? I'm thrilled. The connections I've made at Espanyol are great, and I've built a good image without even trying. Above all, playing for Espanyol is just fun. If Ji-na's watching, I could even beat Real Madrid. I can't promise victory, but I know I can play without regrets. Before the Copa del Rey final kicks off, there are three league games scheduled. Rounds 35, 36, and 37. I need to win all three to carry the momentum into Real Madrid. I want to win so bad it's filling me up.
> That'll give the league race a boost too.
> 'My Ji-na's the best~'
>
> Rounds 35, 36, and 37 in the league are against
> Mallorca, Racing Ferrol, and Zaragoza.
> I can pretty much count on wins against Racing Ferrol and Zaragoza.
> But round 35: Mallorca.
> RCD Mallorca.
> The Mallorca that spent the last few years in Primera (La Liga top flight).
> They'd always been in the relegation scrap there, and sure enough, they crumbled last season and dropped to the second division.
> Currently, they're third in the table.
> They're gunning for promotion too, and naturally craving direct promotion, so they'll come at us sharpened up—us being second place and all. 📰 Breaking News Watch today's League Round 35 Espanyol vs Mallorca live. Lee Si-eon starting! 💬 Comments — User What? When did Espanyol get promoted? — User Mallorca's the one that got relegated, no? — User Espanyol: You came to save me!
>Mallorca: Nah, I got caught too. — User Lmao, it's basically a top-flight matchup. Worth tuning in. — User Relegation derby lol
>Winning this proves we're not just second-division scrubs. — User Didn't they already beat Valencia's kids? Mallorca's a fairly well-known club, so this league match is drawing more attention than usual.
Of course, it's huge for us too.
Putting third-place Mallorca in their place early would all but lock in direct promotion.
Sure, we're chasing first, but securing second and then gunning for first is a different ballgame.
It's like how scoring a second goal when you're up 1-0 is easier than breaking a 0-0 deadlock.
Lock in that direct-promotion second spot, and we can chase first with a clearer head.
Not that we can afford to get complacent, of course.
Me and my trusty trio are all starting this one too.
Lorenzo Torres, Paul Hernandez, Adam Dolan.
Paul's got some miles on him, but nothing to sweat yet.
His position's center back, anyway—one with a longer shelf life than most.
Early on, he was all physicality, which would've burned him out quick, but now he's finally developing some savvy.
The bull that used to charge at any red rag is starting to think.
That said, spotlighting them doesn't mean the rest of the squad is lacking.
But looking far ahead.
When we're in the top flight, battling for titles, shining in Europe.
Not everyone's gonna be there for that—not realistically.
And poaching top talent for that? Espanyol's still just a strong second-division side.
Too soon to dream of first-division title-winners.
That said, having me and three others already? Pretty lucky.
Bottom line: No second-division team can stop Espanyol.
"Segunda División round 35, Espanyol vs Mallorca is underway!"
"Yeah, the club names carry some weight, huh?"
"Exactly. Two names more familiar from the top flight clashing in the second. Both sides rolling out their best elevens, as expected."
"And Espanyol's on a tear lately. At the heart of it: South Korea's pride, Lee Si-eon!"
-Nice plug!
>-Second division and he's getting the shoutouts lol, drink up
>-Si-eon top-tier in Korea yet?
>-Not quite. Needs to prove it in the top flight.
>-Gotta stay consistent post-promotion first.
"While we chatted, the game's moved along nicely."
"Yep~ Mallorca's got a corner kick chance."
Mallorca's known for long-ball attacks.
Not always a compliment, but they can create golden opportunities in one go, so we have to respect it.
Sure enough, right after kickoff, they lofted it to their frontline striker, who nodded it perfectly past our forwards and mids.
Sergi Darder took it cleanly, controlled it sharp, and unleashed a mid-range rocket without hesitation.
Struck with the instep, it flew fast... but the keeper read it and dove early to parry.
It all happened in under a minute.
The save sent it over the line for a corner.
The hot attack fired up the stadium vibe too.
Sergi Darder with the quality long shot.
Another big reason this game's crucial.
Espanyol fans might say he's the real draw.
Mallorca's current ace...
Used to be Espanyol youth and their star player.
Until the team got relegated.