Summer Vacation - 2
The Champions League final had wrapped up, and contrary to plans, I had to rush back to Korea.
After wrapping up the Golden Boy award ad shoot, Korean companies' offers were enough to scrap the original schedule.
His laughter—bursting through messages and calls, mouth split ear-to-ear—still echoed in my ears.
"Hey, Son Jinho. You better not cry 'cause noona's not there?"
"Jinho-ya, text when you land in Korea."
"I'll let you know when I arrive. Gyeowol-ah, keep in touch often—no sulking under the covers 'cause I'm gone!"
"Ugh, I'm not gonna cry!"
I exchanged goodbyes with Gyeowol and Mother-in-law at the airport, then boarded the plane.
Thanks to Jurgen Klopp and the coaching staff's consideration, I was set to join preseason in Korea in July.
If things had gone as Dortmund planned at season start, I'd have toured Korea and Japan with them.
But the day I watched the Champions League live...
Tottenham Hotspur officially offered Dortmund €20m (287 billion KRW) including options, speeding up Kagawa Shinji's Premier League transfer talks.
Naturally, the Japan tour got scrapped.
In original history, he'd have gone to Manchester United for €22m including options.
Whatever.
Might be a better shot for Kagawa Shinji.
After Man U, with Van Persie joining, he often played left wing—not his spot.
Tottenham missed Champions League, but less competition for starting spots.
Preseason schedule changed abruptly, but Dortmund fans weren't too shocked. Kagawa had always voiced Premier League ambitions.
Dortmund fan forums had some brutal posts... probably that dry German humor.
"Hoo-ooo-ooo-ooo-!"
"Sign this, please!!!"
Anyway, back in Korea after so long, things had changed a lot.
Handshake requests unchanged, but Hoo bros greeting at Incheon International Airport had noticeably grown.
I chatted with the airport welcomers, doing fan service.
The attention wasn't burdensome. I'd gotten plenty as a national team mainstay in my past life.
Hmm.
Anti-fan attention counts as attention too, right?
Over the short two weeks back home, I hustled through ad shoots.
Definitely on club vacation, but busier than the season.
Truth be told, coins had me set financially—no need to grind ads.
But seeing Gyeowol light up at the videos motivated me more.
Whatever.
Unlike jealous Gyeowol's worries, being underage meant no major incidents—almost.
"Jinho-ya, come to noona's for dinner?"
Some adults ignored my minor status with tempting offers...
'Small-time.'
Too narrow-minded to grasp me. I firmly declined.
Anyway, all schedules done—last was Nexon meeting.
"Can we give my card to pre-order folks?"
I pitched at the Nexon meet.
Nothing beats gamers using my card.
"Oh. That's solid?"
Unlike expected rejection, they accepted readily. Suspicious, I double-checked.
"Not zero-cost, but tradable on transfer market, right?"
"…."
Seeing their silence, I nodded.
No wonder they agreed so quick.
These guys.
Planned to dump Son Jinho zero-cards as pre-order rewards.
Sangam World Cup Stadium, Korea soccer's holy ground.
"Hoo-ooo-ooo-ooo-!"
"Son Jinho-ooo-ooo-!"
Pre-kickoff chants of my name had me swallowing hard.
'How the hell did Ronaldo no-show this vibe, that mad bastard?'
Ronaldo.
The guy had nerves of steel.