Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: I'm Younger Than You - 1
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I might feel a bit sorry for most European soccer fans. To be honest, the image they project through the media isn't exactly the best.
They're seen as ignorant, rough, violent, and so on.
Of course, not all fans are like that, but naturally, those kinds of fans are in the minority.
The vast majority of other fans simply love the culture of soccer itself.
There are even fans with enough grace to applaud the opposing players.
Clap, clap, clap, clap—
Applause echoes through the Stadio Olimpico.
It's for a young boy walking off the field.
The Roma fans were applauding Lee Ji-an, Fiorentina's number 20, who was being substituted.
"He's so young, but he plays so well."
"He was impressive."
"I wonder where a kid like that came from. I'm envious."
"If we paired him with Pellegrini, he'd be a huge threat, don't you think?"
"If he were our player, we would have already reserved a spot for him among the 'Five Emperors'."
It might be a given, but Roma fans have immense pride in their club.
To them, the best team in Europe is Roma, the best fans in the world are Roma's fans, and the best stadium in the world is the Stadio Olimpico.
If you rephrase that a little, it becomes this:
In their eyes, the most difficult team to face in Europe is Roma, and the most difficult stadium for an away team is the Stadio Olimpico.
The applause just now was something that could only come from such pride.
To be able to play at that level against the best team in Europe, in the most difficult stadium.
And he did it at the young age of 16.
Respect.
"I would have been trembling. What a brave kid."
"With a mentality like that, he'll be a headache for us to deal with in the future too."
"We should just bring him over."
Of course, after the boy left the field and the game resumed, the Roma chants started flowing again.
But the 16-year-old boy's audacious challenge was a beautiful thing, enough to ignite a fire in the hearts of his enemies.
*
"Ji-an?"
"Yes..."
"In a situation like this, you didn't have to run to get off the field."
"Huh? Oh..."
"Haha. You did well. Go sit on the bench and rest quickly."
I head to the bench, tidying my hair that was ruffled by Director Vincenzo's rough hand.
Ah, that's right.
I should have taken my time coming off, even if it was just a little.
I ran off because I wanted to sit on the bench quickly.
No wonder the opposing fans were clapping.
I unintentionally became a fair-play player.
"You did well."
"Good job, you're the youngest."
"Aw, you cute thing."
After high-fiving my sunbaenes, I collapse onto the bench.
Phew.
I scored a goal and got congratulations from my sunbaenes.
I immediately raised my hand.
It seems I'll have to stop playing for today.
I wanted to play more. I really did.
I wanted to play more, but I was afraid I'd be a burden to the team if I stayed on the field, so I had no choice but to raise my hand.
Because of that, I'm not satisfied.
With my performance today.
I only played for 55 minutes, and thankfully, I managed to score one goal, but that was the only thing I did well.
If only I had managed my condition a little better.
I still can't help but regret the first half.
If I had realized what I did during halftime, back in the first half, maybe I could have created another goal.
If that had happened, I could have left the field with peace of mind...
"..."
Hmm.
As I sat on the bench, chewing over my regrets, I suddenly had a thought.
I came to a tough away game in Roma, played for a full 55 minutes, and even scored a goal.
And it was me who did it.
And yet, my first feeling is regret... I find that amazing, now that I think about it.
If it were the old me, I would have thought I did well just by not passing out.
Suddenly, Ji-woo's voice seems to ring in my ears.
- Our Ji-an, you've really grown up a lot, haven't you?
...Maybe so.
I still have a long way to go before I'm a real adult, but still, at this level... maybe I'm standing on the path to becoming an adult too.
"..."
I don't know.
For now, the feeling of regret is bigger.
*
When the game ended, my regret turned to remorse.
Because we didn't secure the victory.
Around the 30th minute of the second half, we conceded a goal to the opposing striker, Abraham, allowing them to equalize.
In the end, it was 1-1.
The game ended in a draw, and our winning streak came to a temporary halt.
"..."
My heart felt heavy as I headed back to the locker room.
My other sunbaenes seemed to be in a good mood, but I couldn't bring myself to be.
The streak was broken right after I made my first start.
Hmmm...
I wonder what the fans' reactions will be.
The faces of the local fans who said they were expecting great things from me flashed through my mind.
It feels like a heavy weight in my chest, as it seems I couldn't meet their expectations today.
"Phew..."
I arrived at the locker room, took off my uniform, and rested for a bit... then took out my phone with a slightly trembling hand.
The fans' reactions are secondary.
Ji-woo's reaction is my first concern.
"..."
I can't bring myself to look at it directly, so I use my peripheral vision to turn on the phone and bring up the messages.
As expected, Ji-woo's message is at the very top.
...There are over 10 unread messages.
I suddenly feel anxious. Should I open it or not? I hesitate...
But I can't not look.
Ji-woo: [Photo] ⓬
How am I supposed to stand this.
"..."
I squint my eyes and tap the message.
I check the very first message...
Hmm.
Thankfully, there don't seem to be any bad words, so I open my eyes wide and check the messages.
Ji-woo: Hey hey, don't overdo it
Ji-woo: What if you get hurt, you idiot!!!
Ji-woo: If you come back hurt, there's no food!!!
Ji-woo: Seriously, what's with their number 7??
Ji-woo: Why does he keep pushing with his body -_- So cheap
Ji-woo: Find out that guy's phone number
Ji-woo: I need to tell him not to play soccer like that
Ji-woo: Tell him you have a scary older sister, so he shouldn't mess with you
...These were from the first half.
Ji-woo: Heyyyyyyyyy
Ji-woo: I'm going crazy for real
Ji-woo: You did great you did great you did great ㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜ
Ji-woo: [Photo]
This must be from when I scored the goal.
There's a crazy-looking person in the photo, so I looked closely... Dad?
How much did he have to jump around for a photo like this to be taken? It's like it was captured during an out-of-body experience, leaving only an afterimage.
"...Pffft."
I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
After checking the messages, my heart felt strangely at ease.
Right.
That's all that matters.
As long as Dad and Ji-woo aren't disappointed, that's enough for now.
I picked up my phone again and sent a reply.
Me: I want to see your photos too
I sent the reply without much thought... Wait. This could be misinterpreted, so I tried to quickly add another message...
A reply came right away.
Ji-woo: Oh my
Ji-woo: You want to see your sister?
Ji-woo: Our Ji-an, you've become so honest??
No... What are you talking about.
I meant I wanted to see a funny picture of you too, because Dad's was so funny...
Ji-woo: I'll send you one later
Ji-woo: But I'm not wearing any makeup right now, so no
Ji-woo: You got it?
Grrr.
I don't know.
It seems the timing to explain myself has already passed, so I just replied "Okay."
It's not like I really wanted the photo or anything.
Really.
"Hmm."
But it wouldn't matter even if she wasn't wearing makeup...
···
"You ate five meals a day?"
"Huh? Yes."
"And you trained on your own until late at night?"
"Ah, that was just to break a light sweat..."
"Oh, you. What did you say to make the kid so impatient? This won't do. I'll call..."
"Ah, no. It's not like that."
I barely managed to stop Director Toni, who was getting worked up and reaching for his phone.
It seems I must have misspoken.
"Sigh. I'll have to go visit again soon. I told you so many times..."
"...What did you tell him?"
"Huh? Ah, nothing. Just something. Anyway, how are you now. Your physical condition."
"Ah, I'm fine now. It's just that the game was tough, so that's to be expected..."
After returning from Roma.
I finished a simple recovery training and visited the U17 team's training ground.
To see Director Toni and Coach Luca.
They had crossed my mind a few times while preparing for the last game.
Thinking about it, the only reason I could lie without getting caught was thanks to them, so I wanted to see them.
Thankfully, both the director and the coach welcomed me enthusiastically.
"Anyway, that was cool. That goal. I had a lot of work to deal with yesterday, so I stayed late and watched the game with the director. We were both shouting together. 'That's my student!' 'My proud student!'"
"Haha..."
"No, how did you think of hitting that volley? Was it just instinct?"
"Well, you see... I worked really hard on my shooting training with the coach. It's thanks to you, coach."
"Huh? Hahaha! This kid's learning how to talk nicely now too."
"There are a lot of grumpy guys on the first team, right? He's learning how to deal with people too. Ji-an. They're not easy to deal with, are they?"
"...A little bit."
"Haha!"
It's not like it's been that long, but being here feels nostalgic.
It's like my heart feels at ease, as if I've returned home.
Thinking about it, it was comfortable playing here.
There was no one who knew me, and there weren't tens of thousands of spectators like in the matches.
Even if I played poorly, no one would say anything.
Of course, at the time, even that was nerve-wracking and scary, but looking back now, it was.
In retrospect, it was really nothing.
So, I suddenly had a thought.
When time passes and I look back on this moment, maybe it'll seem like nothing as well.
Well, I don't know.
Anyway, my thoughts seem to be changing.
I was thinking for the past few days that I wanted to grow up quickly, but now, maybe it's not so necessary.
I got the feeling that there are privileges that can only be had when you're young.
"Anyway, Ji-an."
"Yes."
The director, who had been smiling, turned serious and spoke.
"I don't think you need to be so extreme with your diet. The same goes for training. If you rush anything, you're bound to fall."
"Yes..."
"The most important thing to be careful about is injury. You're at an age where you're growing a lot, and if you get greedy about bulking up, you're likely to get hurt."
As I nodded, Coach Luca also chimed in.
"Just relax. There's no need to rush. Hey, even after 10 years, you'll still be 26. What's the rush? Take it slow. Honestly, even now is too fast."
"I'll keep that in mind."
I didn't just let their words go in one ear and out the other; I took them to heart.
They're right.
Looking back now, it's a bit dizzying.
What was I thinking, forcing food down until my stomach was bloated and training until late at night?
So it's natural that my body felt heavy... and to play a game on top of that.
It's a miracle I didn't get hurt.
If I had gotten hurt, I wouldn't have been able to play for a while, and I might not have been able to get lunch from Ji-woo either.
In many ways, I'm really glad it worked out.
I need to become an adult slowly.
"Hey, anyway, I'm so glad we drew yesterday."
"A point from an away game in Roma, that's precious."
"Haven't we played one less game than the others?"
"Oh really? So can we expect to make the conference this season?"
After our serious conversation was over, the mood became relaxed again, and as expected of two people who only know soccer, they started talking about soccer again.
From the current league standings to how certain teams are doing lately, and who's playing well...
Then Coach Luca spoke up, as if he'd just remembered something.
"Ah, isn't our next game against Lazio?"
"That's right."
"Director. You know, that guy? Was it Raki or Rika?"
"Rika Romero?"
"That's it. Romero. He's with Lazio, right?"
"Yeah, that's right."
As Director Toni nodded, Coach Luca made a frustrated face and said to me.
"Ji-an, it's not really something I should say, but if you play in the next game, you have to play better than that Rika-whatever guy."
"...Why?"
"I have a coach I know on the Lazio youth team. He was bragging so much about that Rika-whatever. He's also 16, and I think he made his first-team debut around August. He's scored about 3 goals so far, I hear."
"Ah..."
"I wasn't even curious, but he kept bragging so much, I ended up blocking him. So this time, you show him. Who the real genius is."
...He must have really been annoyed.
I was about to say I understood, but Director Toni scolded him for saying such things.
I smiled and said.
"I will. I'll show him. Whose student is the real genius."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm counting on you. Ah, he said he'll show us. Why are you telling me off?"
"Sigh..."
Seeing the director click his tongue and the coach grumble made me laugh.
They can expect as much from me as they want.
It doesn't feel like a burden at all.
"Um, but..."
"Yeah?"
"Is he also 16 years old?"
"That's what I heard."
"Do you happen to know... when his birthday is?"
"His birthday?"
At my question, Coach Luca took out his phone, searched for something, and answered.
"March 14, 2005. Why?"
"Ah..."
March 14th, so he's three months older than me.
I'm June 20th.
"I'm younger."
Just yesterday, I wanted to be an adult, but now I feel proud that I'm younger.
It's a bit fickle of me, but... well.
It's okay to be young.
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