Chapter 104
Chapter 104
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: The One Who Keeps His Word - 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The train that departed in summer arrives at its destination as the next summer begins, having passed through autumn and winter, and spring.
The journey from departure to arrival spans a full year.
During that long journey, the train never stops, pushing ever onward toward its destination.
Even if someone gets off, or someone new boards, even if a wheel falls off... the train runs on, whether with or without them.
The train's destination is the 38th station.
The train we're on, named Fiorentina, has finally arrived at that 38th station.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Nice—!!"
"Nice!"
"He's peaking right at the end of the season. He's such a funny guy, I tell you."
"Still, we have one more game left. Guess we have a place to use him."
While sitting on the bench in my coat, I clapped for Sotil's goal, which had come just before the end of the match.
Looking at the time, this is probably our team's last goal of the season.
This is the 38th and final round of the league. We've brought Cagliari to our home, and right now, as we approach the 90th minute, we're leading 3-1, including the goal that just went in.
I started the match but was substituted after playing only the first 45 minutes, and I've been watching the game from the bench since the second half began.
Since it was our last home game of the season, I wanted to play longer... but I was coldly substituted for the mere reason of having scored a goal.
If you ask what that has to do with scoring a goal... well, it has everything to do with it.
I absolutely had to score one goal.
Truthfully, I didn't think much of it.
But the seniors were more concerned about it.
They said today's goal wasn't victory, but for me to score a goal.
Thanks to that, everyone forced passes my way, even going to absurd lengths.
Well, whatever.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Doesn't it feel weird? It's the last league game, but we still have one more match left."
"Right? It's partly due to the schedule, but it's been so long since I postponed my vacation to June."
The bench is noisy with the chatter of seniors waiting for the final whistle.
The fact that the atmosphere doesn't feel like a final is probably because of the Coppa Italia final coming up in a few days.
The fact that everyone looks thrilled about having one more game to play shows just how much they love soccer.
I'm the same.
It's a relief to know that today isn't the end.
You can see it in the faces of the fans filling the stadium; the atmosphere at Artemio Franchi was cozy again today.
"It'll be even longer next year. Everyone needs to be prepared."
"Of course. I'm planning to train a bit this summer."
"Haven't you been until now?"
"I took a solid month off."
"Honestly, that guy over there is the real genius. How does he manage to survive every time with that kind of self-management?"
"Anyway, let's all prepare properly for next season. If we slack off, we'll collapse halfway through."
Everyone nods at Captain Biraghi's words.
Although this season isn't over yet, everyone is already preparing for the next.
We've secured our spot in the Champions League for next season.
Though we failed to finish second and had to settle for third.
Considering our first team finished 13th last season, and thinking about how we've made it back to the Champions League, it's not a bad result.
Of course, I'm already starting to worry.
Struggling among the geniuses of Italy wasn't enough; now I have to struggle to survive among the geniuses of Europe.
It feels like things have gotten way too big for a lie I told without thinking, just to avoid getting caught.
However... it's different from before.
Considering that a part of me even feels excited about it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Okay, nice!"
"It's over!"
"Let's go, let's go!"
As I was lost in my own solemn thoughts, the seniors sitting on the bench poured out onto the field.
The final whistle must have blown.
"Great work!"
"You worked hard."
I also went out in my coat, exchanging hugs with the coach, the coaches, and my teammates to commemorate the final match.
Usually, I would have taken a lap around the field to greet the fans, but today, there was an event prepared by the club, so everyone gathered in the center of the field.
I heard it's an event to celebrate the end of the season, but I don't know exactly what we're doing.
"Over here, please line up in a row. Yes, just like that."
As the Cagliari players left the field and the fans remained in their seats, we lined up in a row as guided by the staff.
Soon, several cameras and microphones came in, and a large advertisement board was set up behind us.
In the midst of all the commotion, I just stood there with my arms crossed, watching the scene like a bystander, for a few minutes.
Then, the owner of a familiar voice took the microphone, and the event began.
"eeeeh, Forza─!"
VIOLA─!!
"Forza─!"
VIOLA─!!
The arena announcer, who cheers our name every time we score, hypes up the atmosphere with his powerful voice.
As dusk begins to fall and darkness descends, it seems as if the fans have an unspoken agreement, as they turn on their phone flashes. The sight looks like a swirling Milky Way.
My eyes must be sparkling as I gaze upon it.
As I stare, mesmerized by that beautiful sight, the arena announcer continues his eloquent speech.
He details how many wins we achieved this season, how many goals we scored in total, and what memorable moments there were.
Thanks to the announcer recapping the past season in detail, as if he had prepared for days, we look back on the season with quite moved expressions.
We burst into laughter, frown, and applaud.
It really feels like so much has happened.
And so, a rather pleasant journey through time unfolds.
"And now, our legendary manager! Please welcome Manager Italiano Vincenzo to the front!"
Next, the microphone is passed to the manager.
At the announcer's gesture, the manager steps forward amidst cheers. He takes the microphone as if he's at a karaoke, blows into it, "Hoo, hoo," and begins his speech as he looks around the stands.
"First, I'd like to express my gratitude to the great fans who have supported us all season long. Forza, Viola!"
Starting with his thanks to the fans...
He talks about what our goal was this season, what difficulties we faced, and how we overcame them.
With the league over, the manager frankly poured out the thoughts he had to hold in for the past year.
"It's long, it's long!"
"It's boring, Manager!"
As the speech seemed to be dragging on a bit, some of the seniors started enjoying a bit of rebellion.
They booed, something they wouldn't have dared to do during the season, which made everyone burst out laughing.
The seniors who got scolded the most by the manager had the loudest voices.
Among them, I covered my mouth and laughed quietly.
"The league is over, but our season is still not done. We must surely grasp our final goal."
Finally, the rather lengthy speech came to an end.
As the manager was about to pass the microphone back and return to us, the arena announcer held him back for a moment.
He showed the manager a small piece of paper and whispered something to him.
After looking at it intently and listening, the manager nodded and took the microphone again.
"Ah, yes. I was about to go in, but I'm told we have a guest who has visited Artemio Franchi after a very long time, so I'd like to introduce them before I go."
With that, he openly reads the paper he received from the announcer.
"A guest who has returned after a whopping 16 years. Where could they have been wandering for that long? After that long wandering, they have finally returned to our Florence, to Artemio Franchi."
A guest who returned after 16 years.
Who could that be?
Whoever it is, I'm sure it's a face I don't know.
As I tilt my head, the manager, having found a new purpose, extends his arm to one side and shouts.
"Let me introduce them! The Capocannoniere who has returned to our embrace after 16 years!"
The side the manager extended his arm toward was the entrance we use to enter the field, and all the lights converged on that spot.
At the same time, a massive welcome cheer and applause erupted from the fans...
And the seniors pushed me from behind.
"Go on!"
"Stand in front, maknae!"
I was pushed forward and ended up in front of the manager, and he laughed heartily as he hugged me.
Then, with the manager's arm around my shoulder, I welcomed the guest walking in from the entrance.
It was a rather heavy and shining guest.
It was... a trophy the size of my forearm.
🏆 TROPHY ACQUIRED 🏆
🏆 Award: Capocannoniere (Top Scorer) 📅 Season: 2021-2022 Serie A ⚽ Total Goals: 28 Goals
"Congratulations! For the 2021-2022 season! The best attacker in Serie A! The trophy symbolizing this season's top scorer has returned to Fiorentina! Everyone! Let's shout the name together!"
As I awkwardly received the trophy, the arena announcer's powerful voice rang out again...
And tens of thousands of fans shouted the name.
"JIAN─!!"
LEE─!!!
"JIAN─!!"
LEE─!!!
"The 21-22 Serie A Top Scorer! LEE!"
The moment everyone shouted my name, the manager pushed me from behind...
And I took one step forward, holding the trophy in my hand.
The spotlight shines on me.
And everyone looks at me.
My teammates, the manager, and the coaches, clapping with proud expressions.
And tens of thousands of fans...
It's an incredibly embarrassing situation, but maybe it's because of the strong lights.
My vision goes white, and no thoughts come to mind.
I just lift the trophy in my hand above my head and slowly turn around, showing it to the fans in detail.
It's funny, but this is the reason everyone tried to set up a goal for me today.
If I had just scored one more goal today, I would have been the sole top scorer with 28 goals.
I've scored 28 goals?
I don't feel it at all that I've scored that many...
LEE! LEE! LEE! LEE! LEE! LEE!
Hearing the fans chant my name, I can't help but puff out my chest.
Dad and Jiu must be in there among them...
I try my best to put on a dignified expression and lift the trophy above my head.
The cheers get even louder... showing no signs of dying down.
This isn't good.
My arm hurts...
"Jian, you've had an incredible season."
Just as my arm started to go numb, thankfully, the arena announcer put his arm around my shoulder and spoke.
Oof, my arm.
"Let me ask you honestly. This isn't an official interview, just a chat between us, so feel free to speak freely. Did you ever imagine it? That you would be awarded the Top Scorer in your debut season?"
Considering my situation where both my arms weren't free, the announcer kindly held the microphone up to my mouth.
Imagine...
"I did."
"You did? Oh, so geniuses really are different from the rest of us. He says he imagined it."
I did imagine it.
Lifting the trophy in front of Dad and Jiu, with everyone's attention on me.
I probably did it every night before going to sleep.
But I never thought it would become a reality, not just a delusion.
"It must feel great for that imagination to become a reality. Could we hear your thoughts?"
Hmm... my thoughts.
To be honest, my head is a bit empty, and I don't really feel it yet.
I could say I have no thoughts, but the expressions on my teammates' faces are filled with too much expectation.
Hmm.
I pull out every word I can think of to answer.
"I'm just grateful. I'm grateful to the teammates, manager, and coaches who took care of me even though I was just a youth player. I'm grateful to the fans who taught me the power of support. And I'm glad I can bring this trophy to Florence, where such wonderful people are."
I answered a bit hesitantly, pausing to think in the middle, but it seems I answered well enough, judging by the fans' cheers growing even louder.
Feeling a bit proud for no reason, I smiled without realizing it, and the arena announcer smiled along and nodded.
In his eyes... for some reason, they seem to be welling up with tears.
"Damn it. It's touching. A top scorer our Fiorentina produced after 16 years. We raised him. It's beautiful. It's beautiful."
It's not wrong to say that, having eaten good food in Florence, I grew tall and strong.
As I was struck by a random thought, the arena announcer cleared his throat and spoke.
"Well, I'd love to throw a full-blown party, but we still have one game left, so I'll hold back for today. That remaining game is for the trophy, and our opponent is the Nerazzurri."
The Coppa Italia final, and the opponent is Inter.
"As a player representing Florence and Fiorentina, please say a word. Your resolve for the final!"
My resolve for the final... is simple.
I just want to win, that's all.
But I know this isn't the mood for such a deflating answer...
So I thought for a moment and answered.
It suddenly reminded me of the fruit shop owner.
"I think... you'll need to prepare quite a bit."
"Prepare for what?"
"You gave a welcome ceremony like this for a trophy that returned after 16 years... To welcome a trophy that returns after 22 years, you'd have to do something like that, wouldn't you..."
As I spoke, the stadium, which was already loud, began to reach an unbelievable level of noise.
Fearing my voice would be drowned out by the sound, I quickly added one last thing.
"I'll bring it to Florence."
I'd rather have a trophy that we can all hold together than a trophy I receive alone.
That would be... a little less embarrassing, after all.
[The One Who Keeps His Word - 1] End