Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: The Starting Lineup
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"Well, at least it wasn't a lie?"
"...What lie?"
"I mean, all that talk about you being a soccer genius. I thought you were just saying that to get on my good side."
"...Why would I lie about something like that just to get on your good side?"
I was taken aback.
Feeling a bit called out, I retorted, and Ji-woo just laughed.
"Of course, you need to get on my good side. I'm the one who raised you up."
"...What are you talking about."
"Anyway, wow. I didn't expect you to score the moment you came on. Our Ji-an, so this is what you're capable of?"
"I told you. Scoring isn't that hard."
"Wow, you're the worst..." Despite saying that, Ji-woo kept snickering for some reason.
Watching him, I let out a small laugh myself.
After the game.
I met Ji-woo in front of the stadium, and we were walking home together.
'Phew...'
Anyway, it was a relief. Truly.
I got to play, even if it was just for a bit, and I even scored a goal.
Thanks to that, at least for today, my lie wasn't exposed.
To be honest... I got lucky.
If our opponent today had been a strong team instead of Sassuolo, or if we hadn't taken an early 3-0 lead...
I probably wouldn't have been able to play.
But everything just happened to fall into place, allowing me to score. I really got lucky.
Thanks to that, this "soccer genius" charade could be extended for another week...
"We have a game every week, right?"
"Yeah."
"Who are we playing next week?"
"Next week? I think it was Napoli."
"Napoli? Are they a good team?"
I nodded at Ji-woo's question.
Next week's opponent was SSC Napoli.
I heard they were a strong team.
If I recall correctly, we're currently 3rd in the group, and Napoli is 2nd.
1st is some team from Turin.
In any case, Napoli is a stronger team than us.
"So you'll be starting next week?"
"...Huh?"
"You said you might not play today because the opponent was weak. So doesn't that mean you have to start next week? You said they were a good team."
"Yeah... That's right."
Ah... He's right.
I was the one who laid that groundwork.
"Ooh, then I'll look forward to it. You scored one goal in 10 minutes today. So that's 9 goals next week?"
"...You really know nothing about soccer."
"It's a joke, a joke. Anyway, you can score more than you did today, right?"
"Well..."
As I hesitated, Ji-woo stared intently into my eyes.
His large pupils seemed to pierce right through my thoughts.
Today was just luck...
But next week is a real crisis.
I only managed to play for 10 minutes against Sassuolo, a lower-tier team. How could I possibly play against Napoli, who's 2nd in the group?
No, maybe I won't even make it to the bench.
But...
"What? No confidence?"
Looking at Ji-woo's crescent-moon eyes, words I didn't even mean to say slipped out of my mouth.
"No confidence? What's the point of just talking? You'll see when you watch."
"Ooh. Is that the confidence of a genius?"
Why am I puffing my chest out again?
I really don't get myself sometimes.
I sighed to myself.
I thought I could just get through today and everything would be resolved.
That was my delusion.
I realized that a lie just keeps growing bigger and bigger until you confess.
Things are getting bigger and bigger.
At this rate, who knows, maybe I'll end up saying the Ballon d'Or is no big deal.
"Well, I'll be looking forward to it. I wonder what kind of celebration our Ji-an will show us next time."
Ji-woo said that, then made a mock salute and giggled.
...My face feels hot.
Ah, seriously.
I shouldn't have said anything.
*
"Dad, you're home-"
"Welcome back."
Dad got home after dinner time.
He always does on weekends, but he was home earlier than usual today.
Sometimes he doesn't get home until after 9.
Maybe because he left work on time for once, Dad's expression seems quite bright.
"Did you eat? Did you take out what I put in the fridge?"
"Yes, I ate."
"Laundry? Is that all? If you have anything to wash, get it all out. I'll run the machine."
"That's all."
Actually, Dad doesn't get much of a break even after work.
He comes home and immediately takes care of my meals, and he even does the laundry before changing his own clothes.
Since I'm a soccer player, I need to eat well, and I go through a lot of clothes.
Dad ends up being busy with all sorts of things.
He's always busy because of me.
He has to work hard outside, and then he has to do housework when he gets home.
That's why, back when I was struggling to adapt at the beginning of my study abroad, I couldn't bring myself to tell him.
Dad was already struggling because of me; I felt pathetic complaining about trivial things.
But because of that, I got an earful later on.
I couldn't stand it anymore and got into a fight with the guy who was bullying me, and my face got messed up. When I tried to explain what happened, everything came out.
Dad, who kept asking why I didn't tell him sooner, apparently went straight to the team and caused a scene, saying he wanted to terminate my contract.
The last time I saw Dad that angry was... after he fought with Mom.
Thinking about it, both times were because of me.
Anyway, at that point, it felt like we were going back to Korea, but I said I wanted to stay.
Because I knew Dad hadn't come to Italy lightly.
I don't know the details, but he had to quit his job, sell our house in Korea, and sort everything else out.
He even had a hard time finding a new job here, and it just didn't feel right to go back right after he started.
Also, while I hated most things about life in Italy, there was one good thing.
I got to spend more time with Dad.
Even now, he's incredibly busy, but back in Korea, he was even busier. Back then, we barely saw each other; there were more days we missed each other than not.
There's one memory that's still vivid in my mind. I think I was in the fifth grade?
I was asleep, and Dad quietly opened my door, came in, sat by my side, and muttered softly to himself.
'You've grown so big...'
That's how busy Dad was.
Thanks to that, to be honest, I haven't been close to Dad for very long.
It only started after we came to Italy and began spending more time together than before.
I liked that, which is why I said I wanted to give it one more try.
Luckily, just around that time, my current team found me, so it was possible.
...Looking back now, it's funny.
I really was immature.
If I had been like this back then, I would have gotten my act together and worked harder from the start.
I wish I could make a ton of money quickly.
Thinking about it, I feel like my contract negotiations with the team are coming up soon... time really flies.
"Is this really all the laundry?"
"I told you, that's all."
"How was your game?"
Dad asked casually as he passed by with the laundry basket.
I nodded and answered.
"It was good."
"Was it fun? The match."
"It was fun, but it was a bit nerve-wracking."
"Nerve-wracking? What was?"
"I played in the match."
"...Huh?"
At my words, Dad, who was loading the washing machine, turned his head to look at me.
I shrugged, pretending to be nonchalant.
"It was only for 10 minutes, though."
"You played? In the match?"
"Yes. Well, I even scored a goal..."
"......I see."
Dad nodded, then turned his attention back to the washing machine.
"You've been working hard lately. It's nice to see."
"I have to work hard."
"Hmm. But don't overdo it. Whatever happens, you can't get injured."
"Okay."
As I answered, I glanced at Dad's back and saw the corners of his mouth were turned up.
···
I thought I'd be able to breathe a little easier once the weekend game was over.
But here I am, still at the training ground with my heart in my throat.
"Phewww..."
The saying that you're halfway there just by staying put is proving to be true.
You said I might not play because the opponent is weak? Ugh. Why did I even say that?
The groundwork I laid just to be safe is coming back to haunt me.
In any case, to make things consistent, I have to start the game this week, no matter what.
But would they really start me in such an important match against the 2nd place team?
The chances of me even coming on as a substitute are slim to none.
This is why people need to think before they speak. Because when it really matters, my mouth just moves on its own.
In any case, this week is the real turning point.
"Hup..."
Well, worrying won't change anything, so all I can do is focus on training.
Today is Monday. The starting lineup is doing recovery training, and the rest of us are training as usual.
Since I played yesterday, I have the privilege of doing recovery training with the starters.
It's a bit embarrassing to be doing stretches on a mat next to the other guys who are sweating their hearts out, even though I only played for 10 minutes.
But what can I do?
The coach told me to do it, so I'm doing it.
...To be honest, it feels kind of good, like I've made it. It feels like I'm actually a starter?
Of course, the reality is far from it.
Anyway, I was just getting into my recovery training when...
"Guys!"
Everyone turned their heads at the familiar voice. It was Gino, but he wasn't in his training gear; he was in civilian clothes.
"I stopped by to say goodbye."
"Hey, Gino. You're leaving?"
"Congratulations, Gino!"
Huh... What's this about?
Everyone got up and started saying something to Gino.
From what I could gather, it sounded like some kind of farewell...
Ah, is he leaving for the U19 team today?
"Keep up the good work wherever you go."
"I will."
"Do I have to say something too? We'll be seeing each other again soon, won't we?"
"Maybe. But by the time you move up, I'll be on the first team."
Gino exchanged goodbyes with the guys one by one.
Some friends, who had grown quite close to him, gave him a tight hug, while others, thinking they'd see him again soon, gave him a casual goodbye.
Hmm... But should I say something too?
I've never really talked to Gino privately.
As I stood there debating whether to say goodbye or not, Gino, who had been saying goodbye to everyone else, came over to me.
Gino, standing in front of me, held out his hand.
"Ji-an."
"Ah, yeah."
As I awkwardly shook his hand, Gino smiled and said,
"It's a shame we didn't get to be closer."
"Yeah, it is."
"Thanks to you, I'm moving up early. See you around."
Gino said that, patted my shoulder, and turned away.
After saying goodbye to the guys one last time, Gino left the training ground with the coach.
"Ah, I'm so jealous."
"I wouldn't be if I thought about having to start from the bottom again."
"So you'd rather stay here until you're too old?"
After Gino left, the guys started stretching again, and I sat back down on my mat.
But... what did he mean by that?
'Thanks to you, I'm moving up early?'
No matter how many times I think about it, I don't get it.
Anyway...
It feels like the world is on my side for once.
If Gino goes to the U19 team, then the only second forwards left on our team are me and Andrea.
If I can just get past Andrea... doesn't that mean I might get a chance to start?
That means I, Lee Ji-an.
I'm ready to put everything on the line in this week's training.
Andrea!
I won't confront you head-on...!
Just go easy on me...!