Chapter 59
Chapter 59
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Fear of Desperation - 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I've realized something recently.
After the match against Juventus, the next day.
Today was the day we were scheduled to return, but thanks to the flight time, I was given free time until the afternoon.
I used that free time to visit the department store for a bit.
I wasn't alone; I was with the captain.
Following the captain's warning that it might be dangerous, I went out fully armed with a hat and a mask.
"I'm done shopping. Let's go."
"Wow..."
"Why are you so surprised?"
"Huh? Ah. It's just, you bought so much..."
"'Much'?"
"Ah, hahaha."
Seeing the shopping bags overflowing in the captain's hands, I was startled, and the captain laughed heartily.
"What, do we look like we have no money? We just don't have time. We buy everything at once when we have the time."
"Is all of that for gifts?"
"This and this are for me. The rest are all gifts."
The captain said it so nonchalantly. Is this the kind of spending power you need to be a captain?
While the captain was paying, I secretly checked the price tags on some of the clothes and gasped.
My god. I never knew clothes could be this expensive.
And the captain just casually tossed those expensive items into the cart like he was buying socks at a market and paid for them all at once.
Honestly... it was kind of cool.
Back when I was on the U17 team, my weekly wage was a huge amount to me.
Coming here, I can't help but feel a little intimidated...
"What's with you? Why are you looking at me with those envious eyes?"
"No, it's just... I can't afford to buy like that yet..."
"Tsk, take a look at this kid. When I was your age, I couldn't even get 20 euros a week. And you, in a few years, are going to be making several times what I make. If you're envious of me, what does that make me, huh?"
I scratched the back of my head at the captain's words.
More than the captain?
Hmm. Will that day really come?
"Anyway, let's go buy your stuff now. The vibe here is too old for you. You said your girlfriend is the same age as you, right?"
"...Yes."
"Let's go. Follow me."
I followed the captain, who set off confidently.
Last night, I had wondered what to get Ji-woo for a gift, but the only things that came to mind were clothes.
However, I was troubled because I knew nothing about women's clothes. I don't even know much about men's clothes, so how was I supposed to know about women's clothes?
So, the captain offered to help me choose.
I said it was fine at first, but he insisted, saying it wasn't to his uncle's taste and that he knew teenage tastes well since his first relationship was at age 12, so I just agreed.
...But honestly, I still have my doubts.
I'd probably have better taste than a 30-year-old uncle.
"Oh, this place looks good. Let's take a look."
"Yes."
In any case, I followed the captain into the store.
We decided to browse separately, so I took a lap around the store. While pretending to look at the clothes, I checked the price tags first, and thankfully, they were within my budget, so I let out a small sigh of relief.
I can afford this much.
"What's up, have you picked anything out?"
"Uh... not yet. I'm not sure."
"What's so difficult about it? You must have a style you usually wear, right?"
At the captain's question, I pictured Ji-woo for a moment.
Hmm. Her usual style.
Aside from the occasional exception, Ji-woo seems to have a style where she dresses comfortably...
"I don't know what she wears in the winter..."
"Ah, right. You said you haven't been here long."
The last time I saw her in winter clothes was three years ago, so I really don't know.
Well, for me, it's fine to just wear the padding jacket the team gives me, but that wouldn't be the case for Ji-woo.
"Hmm, let's see here."
The captain, who had been watching, took out a few pieces of clothing and showed them to me.
"This one seems to suit her more, or maybe this one suits her more."
"Hmm..."
One was a thick gray hoodie zip-up, and the other was a cardigan. I pictured Ji-woo's face and compared the two...
Hmm. I really can't pick just one.
"Don't you get the vibe? Then how about this and this."
The captain showed me other clothes this time.
But it was the same.
I shook my head again.
Then the captain sighed and asked.
"Why can't you pick? Is it not her style?"
"It's just..."
Exactly.
Why can't I pick?
I was pondering the reason when it finally hit me.
"...They all look like they would suit her well, so I can't choose."
"...What? Look at this kid."
At my words, the captain looked at me with an exasperated expression.
Then he shook his head repeatedly and laughed.
"You little, you're smooth? I've got something to learn from you. I'll acknowledge you as an Italian man."
"I'm Korean..."
"In that sense, I'll buy these two for you. Go buy the other two."
"Huh? Ah, no. You don't have to go that far..."
"Ahem. It's a gift, so take it. And don't forget this later. Ah, forget it. I'll just buy all of them. Buying just two feels a bit cheap."
With that, the captain gathered the clothes he had taken out and headed straight for the checkout counter before I could even stop him.
"...Ah."
I watched the captain's retreating back and thought.
That man is truly cool.
I want to be that kind of adult someday...
······
"Son! Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Hey! You're not hurt anywhere, right?"
The moment I opened the door, my dad's and Ji-woo's voices rang out at the same time.
What a heartwarming first greeting.
It's not like they're the team doctors...
"...I'm fine."
"Really? Thank goodness! You worked hard!"
"Thank goodness! You worked hard!"
At my answer, both of them sighed in relief at the exact same time, and I couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
"By the way, what's all that stuff you're carrying?"
"What's that?"
"Ah, this is..."
As I stepped into the entryway and set down the heavy loads in my hands, my dad and Ji-woo asked.
I scratched my head and answered.
"I found it on the way..."
"...Where did you have to go to find something like that?"
"Where is it? I want to go too!"
"Uh, actually, I had some time left, so I went to the department store, and they were having a sale. So I bought some clothes for Dad."
"For me?"
Dad pointed at himself with his finger, his eyes wide open.
I nodded and offered him one of the shopping bags, and he opened his mouth wide, completely unexpected.
My dad scratched his head as he took the contents out of the shopping bag, and his eyes went wide again.
"Huh? It's really for me?"
...What? Did he think it was for Ji-woo?
Have I been living like such an unfilial son...?
I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.
"Wow, this looks expensive. Is it okay for me to wear this?"
"Of course, who else would wear it if not you, Dad?"
"Oh, dear... Seriously... You don't need to get me something this nice..."
He says that, but the corners of his mouth are twitching upward.
It's just a padding jacket, but it was easy to pick one for Dad. After all, our tastes are similar.
The moment I entered the store, I saw one for him and bought it right away.
...I didn't just pick it randomly. I really didn't.
"How is it, Ji-woo? Does it look okay?"
"Wow- It looks great on you!"
See? It's a perfect match.
Dad tried on the padding jacket and struck a few poses, looking around at himself. At Ji-woo's compliment, his cheekbones went up.
He was trying to hide his smile, but it didn't seem to be working.
"Whoa, look at this. I'm already sweating. This isn't a padding jacket, it's a sauna."
"Wow, really...?"
"The size is just right for me."
Dad laughed contentedly, and Ji-woo looked envious.
"I wonder if it's okay that I'm the only one getting something like this. Is there something for Ji-woo too?"
"Ah, no. Mr. Kim. I'm fine."
At Dad's words, Ji-woo waved his hand dismissively, but anyone could see he was lying.
He had been nodding along blankly while glancing at the other shopping bags since earlier.
I smiled and said.
"There is something for you too."
"...Really? Why did you get something for me too? I really don't need it... Hehe."
Even though he says he doesn't need it, the corners of Ji-woo's mouth are going up.
I suddenly feel like teasing him.
"You really don't need it? Then I'll return it..."
"Hey, hey. Don't be a pain. I can't let you waste your time!"
Ji-woo quickly grabbed the shopping bags as if someone was going to snatch them away.
His eyes went round as he confirmed the contents inside.
"Why are there so many!?"
"Uh, actually, I didn't buy them. My senior bought them for me."
"Your senior?"
"Yeah."
The captain had told me not to say he bought them, but to say that I did.
But it felt a bit like lying to say that.
Especially since it's not just a few pennies.
"But why would your senior give me something like this...?"
"Huh? Well, just because."
Ji-woo tilted his head and looked at me.
When I met his gaze, he suddenly grinned.
"Ah, I get it. I'll pretend it was from you, then."
"...?"
"Tell him I said thanks. I'll believe you."
...What is he talking about?
It really was the captain who bought them.
But seeing Ji-woo so happy, I didn't really feel the need to correct him.
Then, I happened to make eye contact with my dad...
Dad's expression soured a little as he alternated between looking at Ji-woo's pile of clothes and the padding jacket.
Ah, no...
The amounts might be different, but Dad's is more expensive.
I scratched my head.
······
In the Italian Serie A, there are no matches from late December to early January, for about two weeks.
It's called the winter break, but in reality, it's a break only for the players. The clubs are even busier during this time.
Because on January 1st, the winter transfer window officially opens.
Especially this year, Fiorentina was expected to be even busier.
They had quite a few players to offload and several positions that needed strengthening.
On top of that, Fiorentina was the team holding a hot commodity that was receiving inquiries from all over Europe.
"So, for now, it looks like Chiesa's transfer will be finalized as long as there are no major issues..."
With all of Fiorentina's high-ranking officials gathered, Director Paolo said while reviewing documents with a frown.
"The next matter is about Vlahovic."
As the name that had caused a stir in the team and all of Europe for the past few months came up, everyone leaned forward.
They had attempted to renew Vlahovic's contract several times, but all had failed, so the decision had been made to let him go.
Director Paolo spoke.
"There might be a slight change. As you all know, the most advanced negotiations so far have been with Juventus..."
"What, has a better offer come in?"
"No, a completely different offer has come in."
"A completely different offer?"
Director Paolo nodded.
"We received a subtle inquiry about acquiring Lee Ji-an in place of Vlahovic. They said they'd like to offer a sum similar to the amount we had set for Vlahovic."
"...A similar amount?"
"How much is that?"
"Yes. To be precise, it's a slightly lower level, but."
At Director Paolo's words, everyone made surprised expressions.
An offer similar to Vlahovic's?
For a player who hasn't even been on the first team for six months?
Well, it's true that age is a huge factor in the transfer market. If two players have similar skills, the younger one will get the higher price. That's just how this world works.
But there are limits to that.
Ji-an is 16, a rookie among rookies who hasn't even played half a season yet.
To make an offer similar to Vlahovic's to such a rookie...
"They must be in a real hurry."
"They must be on the verge of getting their heads chopped off."
Everyone muttered with wry smiles.
Juventus really seemed to be desperate. The situation had become serious after their last match.
"So, we're sending Ji-an to Juventus and Vlahovic to England? That seems right."
Someone raised their hand and said.
Juventus wasn't the only one interested in Vlahovic, so even if Juventus gives up on him, there are plenty of other places to send him.
But Director Paolo shook his head.
"We absolutely cannot let Ji-an go. Not now."
"Not now...?"
"Yes. Well, isn't it obvious? His contract isn't about to expire. There's no reason to sell him at all."
At Director Paolo's words, everyone nodded in agreement.
Ji-an was effectively an NFS (Not For Sale) player. They could sell Vlahovic, but they couldn't sell him. The fans had huge expectations for him and loved him.
If they sell such a player carelessly, it could cause a huge backlash.
But...
"Still, for that amount of money... shouldn't we at least consider it?"
At someone's words, everyone nodded again.
"It's practically a panic buy. An opportunity to sell a prospect for that price isn't common."
It was certainly not a normal offer.
Even if he was showing sensational performances, to assign a value similar to Vlahovic, who had been the best striker in recent years, to a rookie who just debuted...
It was only natural to think this was an offer made possible only because Juventus was cornered, and it was also natural to think that an opportunity like this might not come again if they didn't take it now.
"No."
But Director Paolo shook his head firmly.
"Absolutely not."
"You don't have to say 'absolutely'..."
"No. Right now, it would be a guaranteed loss for us. Why? Because Ji-an's value will only continue to rise from now on. This means the peak is not now. Money will just copy itself if we stay put. Here's the plan I have in mind."
Director Paolo began to explain his thoughts. Since he was the one who had recognized Ji-an the fastest and secured his contract, everyone lent him their ears.