One Hundred Hoos - 1
Having safely passed the tryouts, Kang Chan joined the Geum-sun High soccer team, and time flew by until the end of the EPL 2009/2010 season.
Hard to believe, but three months had already passed since my regression.
Winter was upon us. With each family member rooting for their own soccer club, the group chat exploded with a bizarre fervor as soon as the season wrapped up.
Mother-in-Law, the die-hard Chelsea fan, was especially hyped.
Meanwhile, Gyeowol was clearly disappointed.
It was the season Cristiano Ronaldo transferred from Manchester United to Real Madrid, and "King of Flops" Michael Owen joined Manchester United.
Manchester United finished second in the league by a single point, managing to lift only the Carling Cup (League Cup) trophy.
"Argh, seriously! A pathetic League Cup—what the hell is that! We don't even need the damn League Cup."
Han Gyeowol buried herself in my arms with a frustrated look, spouting words that future Man U fans would faint over.
...She has no idea how precious trophies are.
I stroked Gyeowol's hair and swallowed a wry smile. She probably needed to endure Moyes' dark era at Man U to truly appreciate the League Cup.
Maybe then she'd get it.
I recalled the future Gyeowol from 2016, excited over the news of Mourinho joining Manchester United, and shook my head.
Hmm. She still hadn't wised up by then.
Anyway, speaking of Mourinho, his Inter had just beaten Bayern Munich to claim the treble.
The master was a master indeed. But Mourinho hadn't reached his peak achievement yet. Hands down, his greatest feat was Man U's league runner-up finish.
And the guy who replaced that Mourinho... Solskjaer....
Ed (Wood)ward, true to his name sharing that of Edward Newgate from pirate comics—the man who sacrificed himself to usher in a new era—led Manchester United into the "even more pathetic league laughingstock" era.
Back then, I'd just tease Gyeowol about it, but knowing it's my future now? Feels like shit. And Woodward's bad enough, but the real villain's Glazer....
Unfortunately, His Majesty Sir Alex Ferguson was sympathetic to the Glazer family, making it tough to oust them.
While I pondered Ed Woodward, the Man U version of the "Worst Generation" conspiracy with the Glazers, Gyeowol wriggled in my arms, typing away in the group chat.
Hmm. No Big Ear yet, maybe? Mother-in-Law bristled at Gyeowol's words.
Not able to top Man U's three Champs League wins, Mother-in-Law targeted Arsenal, who lacked a Champions League trophy.
Our poor Gunners Chairman brought up Arsenal's unique EPL invincible season record, since like Chelsea, they had no Champions League title.
Arsenal's massive weakness: trophyless for five straight years.
In the end, Hwang Geum-sun GG'd and dipped from the chat temporarily. Mother-in-Law basked in victory.
I smiled at the rowdy group chat. Had it ever been this lively since Gyeowol's accident? I buried my face in the nape of her neck and whispered softly.
"Gyeowol."
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
"...Why so sudden and scary."
Even as she said it, Gyeowol's lips twitched. She liked it but played hard to get sometimes.
Well, that was her charm.
"...I love you too."
I burst out laughing at her barely audible mumble, and thinking I was teasing, Gyeowol puffed her cheeks and shot me a side-eye.
"Man U is the strongest, and City has no roots!"
That day, I had to work hard to cheer up the sulky Gyeowol.
Meanwhile, at that moment, the Hoo Gallery was suffering growing pains from steadily increasing users since the Ho-jin High coach assault report.
June 12, 2010, Saturday.
We took the team bus to Madeul Stadium for the match against Gwanghwa High.
"Hey? It's Hoo! Hoo—!!"
"Kyaaah!! I'm a Son Jinho fan!"
From the moment the bus pulled into the parking lot, the stands at Madeul Stadium were packed with more spectators than expected.
"...Insane. How many are there?"
Kang Chan gawked at the crowd, his voice laced with shock.
"...Looks like at least 100?"
"All Jinho fans, huh."
"Damn, jealous."
The Geum-sun High players buzzed with envy at the roughly 100-strong crowd.
"Last time I made that sick save, some fan asked my name and got an autograph. Wonder if they're here today."
At center back Kim Jae-hyeon's casual remark, the players' expressions shifted instantly. Realizing it was a chance to get their names out, even to a small crowd.
Well, more motivation was good. Just had to watch they didn't overdo it and get injured. Felt less like a field general and more like a babysitter, but hey—teammates from the same school succeeding? Great. The seniors who'd eyed me warily at first now approached awkwardly, asking questions and grinding hard. Made me wanna teach them more.
Hmm. Like master and disciples? That's why I want them to succeed?
Probably. Without regression, post-retirement life might've been like this—coaching high school or pro academy kids.
Anyway, the current Geum-sun High squad was improving fast under my training regimen.
Unlike my first life, some might even go pro now.
The pace proved it: childhood training was key. Peak for soccer players was around 25-28. Teens were priceless for athletes.
Impressive that despite the backward system, guys like Son Heung-min, Hwang Si-chan, Kim Min-jae made it world-class.
I was curious—and a bit scared—about how my butterfly wings would change the future.
But with Gyeowol always by my side, it had to be better than before.
"Jinho—! Sis is here!"