Ho Dongsaengs - 1

Son Jinho browsed through various posts beyond the ones Han Gyeowol had recommended.

Was it because they were talking about him? Contrary to his negative view of online communities, Son Jinho found them surprisingly interesting and fun.

'Did Gyeowol write this one?'

And among them was a post that seemed to be from Han Gyeowol.

Son Jinho left a comment on what he figured was Han Gyeowol's post, a mischievous smile playing on his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠lips.

It was a joke no one would get now, but when the Mourinho era hit, this comment might get reevaluated. "Anyway, should I leave a thank-you note?"

After finishing his comment, Son Jinho pondered while checking out the gallery where his fans gathered. The Hoo Gallery didn't have a ton of users, so posts were sparse. But these were people who'd started a whole new gallery just to cheer on an unknown like him.

The moment he decided and started typing a thank-you post, a new one popped up. Instinctively, he clicked it.

Just like that, any thought of a thank-you post vanished. His seasoned veteran midfielder instincts were screaming danger.

Monday morning. Normally he'd be rushing to school, but today was the school's founding anniversary holiday, so things were relaxed.

The soccer team trained as usual, but since he'd flown back yesterday, he got the day off.

"Joining back up for weekend league games starting this week?"

Gyeowol asked, nestling into his arms. He gazed at her long eyelashes and replied.

"Probably. Why?"

"Well... I have amusement park tickets. Thought if you're not busy, we could go Saturday. If you are, next time."

Dates trumped matches. He shook his head at her awkward smile.

"I can play next time. Perfect chance to recharge anyway."

"Really okay?"

Her face lit up in that cute way. Guess that's the right answer. He'd been neglecting her the past two weeks with that friendly tournament.

'Dumbass.'

Don't forget: Gyeowol comes before soccer. After regressing, all the "genius" hugs had gone to his head.

He pinched her happy cheek gently, affection sparking her own smile.

"Come on, I'd be starter right away anyway. Other guys need game time too if they wanna go college or pro."

Like he told her, he didn't need high school games anymore.

He was already on the U-19 national team, with Coach Han Gwang-jong taking note. Smooth sailing to youth team, then A-team debut.

'Then shine there for a straight shot to Man U, or hop a few clubs on the way.'

Yeah, no rush. Best case: Ferguson's Man U. But realistically...

More importantly, preventing Man U's dark age without Ferguson would be a national treasure.

"Don't you need games to catch scouts' eyes for pro?"

Gyeowol looked worried he'd miss out because of her.

"Psh, my skills go straight pro. Might even head overseas right away if I play it right."

"Ooh, confident."

He flashed that confidence at the girl who'd later get teased as ManUProfessor. "No worries."

"So, amusement park this Saturday."

Only issue: Coach Choi Gi-hyeon might balk at benching him. No biggie.

He had Chairman Hwang Geum-sun. Hit him up as "uncle" now? Casual greeting, ask for future chill vibes and a favor.

Hwang shot back allowance money too: Worry not, leave Coach Choi to me. Have fun with my niece, 'nephew-in-law' ^^

The emphasis on "nephew-in-law" showed he'd wanted casual vibes ages ago.

This was the goal, huh. Whatever. No Arsenal for him. Gyeowol's promise aside, by then Van Persie'd be yelling "child inside me" at Man U, with Olivier Giroud as Arsenal's starter.

...Yeah, straight to Man U it was. Loved Giroud personally, but his Arsenal scoring? Better if he played striker himself.

Anyway, permission secured. Time flew to Saturday. He and Gyeowol dove into amusement park bliss.

"Jinho, what first?"

"Haunted house?"

He grinned mischievously. She'd feared ghosts since childhood.

"..."

Predictably, her face stiffened.

"Still scared? Arm in arm?"

"No! Not scared at all!"

Defiant, she strutted in.

"Waaah—! Told you not scary—!"

She clung like a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cicada, sobbing out.

"...Gyeowol, something else ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now."

"No! Keep riding!"

Penance: Carousel with her till closing.

While Son Jinho and Han Gyeowol carouseled, the Hoo Gallery echoed with Ho Dongsaengs' cries for their hyung.

Laments dragged on till sunset. Then, a Son Jinho sighting hit the Hoo Gallery.