Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: The Debut Hat-Trick Phenomenon
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Countless requests for handshakes poured in.
The Roses Rivalry.
Even though it was an EFL Championship match, it drew more attention than your average Premier League game.
Thanks to that, plenty of people witnessed the emergence of the EPL's new powerhouse.
Posts marveling at the prospect's performance, praising Ban Yeager to the skies.
He'd only played one debut match, but in an instant, he became one of the team's most beloved players.
The hype was the same in South Korea.
A world-class talent holding South Korean nationality.
His position was an attacking midfielder who could get involved in goals.
And as shown by bagging three in one game, he was the type who could rack up big goal tallies.
With Son Heung-min leaving Tottenham, Korean fans had lost the one team they all rooted for.
Now, signs of a new Manchester United fever were starting to brew in South Korea once more.
Ban Yeager had instantly amassed a massive fandom.
His playstyle, scoring prowess, mindset, looks—countless factors made it impossible not to stan him.
And even before Ban Yeager blew up worldwide, the streamer who'd bought low on him became a huge topic too.
Streamer Bban-ye.
Ban Yeager's little sister, Ban Yerin, shot to fame as the top ManU fan streamer in just one day.
Her streams were three or four times a week.
She told viewers it was for school, but the real reason was something else.
Tak-tak-tak-tak-tak...
"Ah, shit..."
Today too, Ban Yerin was locked in fierce keyboard battles with Ban Yeager haters.
She was a legendary named poster on the soccer gallery, and countering Ban Yeager hate posts was her top priority.
"I'm home~"
"Gasp..."
South Korea's hero, Manchester United's hope, our family's pride. Big bro was back home.
Ban Yerin, sprawled on her bed, jumped up and peeked out the door.
"Yerin-ah~ Did you watch bro's game today?"
Ban Yeager, who'd suddenly unlocked enlightenment and shown overwhelming soccer skills.
Had he realized the value of family too?
He'd been doing too well lately.
"Yeah, I did. You were great."
"That's all the reaction I get? Aigoo~ I raised my sister wrong~"
"What're you saying..."
"Aigoo~ Wanna sleep together like old times? Not scared at night anymore?"
Of course she didn't hate it.
She wanted to respond cutely like a little sis...
"Pfft, that's ancient history~ Go wash up already."
But she just couldn't.
"Heh heh... Got it~ Play with me after you shower?"
Ban Yeager stripped naked and headed to the bathroom.
Swish—
"Hnggg..."
Big bro's debut match-worn uniform...!
Leaving something this precious tossed aside—he only knew soccer, didn't realize how important stuff like this was yet.
"Unngh...!"
As his little sister, she'd treasure it for him.
The day after the Leeds United match.
In the morning, the team gathered at the training ground for recovery sessions.
Having won the previous day's derby rivalry, the mood was better than any time I'd seen.
This was only my fourth time at the training ground, but still.
He'd shown skill in pre-match training, but performing in a real game was a whole different story.
A hat-trick on debut in a derby? Impossible not to respect that.
Plus, his post-match MOM interview showed rock-solid mentality.
Players who truly loved Manchester United couldn't help but like me.
"Ban. Sleep well last night?"
"Eh, fine."
"Really? If I'd scored a debut hat-trick, I'd be up all night staring at the ceiling. Even scoring one kept me awake."
Shea Lacey, the golden youth who re-signed despite relegation when he could've gone elsewhere.
"Ban's on another level. Maybe he sees it as just the expected performance."
"Tyler, that actually makes sense... Ban, you're not really like that, right?!!"
The Fletcher brothers—opposites in personality but both friendly to me.
Plus Sheshko, Collier, Maguire, Mazraoui—plenty of teammates I could already call friends.
'Time to head out.'
Since it'd been a match day, today's recovery session was light jogging, stretching, etc., before quick wrap-up.
"Player Ban Yeager! Coach wants you!"
Coach calling right before I could clock out.
Almost cursed, but I held it in since I was grateful to Coach Fletcher.
"Yeager, thoughts on your debut?"
"Perfect."
"Heh. Figured. Everyone in the club sees you as ManU's future. They were so worried when I put you on the squad list."
"Haha... Normal to worry, yeah."
No matter the talent, debuting after five days—let alone starring in a losing 3-0 debut game—is insane.
Only possible because I had tons of match experience already.
"Your gamble paid off big. Best performance in the worst conditions. Earned trust from the club and fans equal to that."
Exactly.
That's what I wanted, and Fletcher's cooperation made it flawless.
"Since you trust me, give me a bit more backing."
"What do you mean?"
Darren Fletcher leaned in, intrigued.
"Let me join U-18 training once or twice a week."
"Hm... That's not hard, but..."
"I'll scout talent worth promoting to first team."
"...Hahahahaha!!!"
He pondered briefly, then burst out laughing.
"That's what you meant. True, first team lacks players your age."
"Not hard at all. Club would welcome it."
My pre-planned scheme fell into place easily.
My business was done.
He'd set up this meeting.
"Ahem... With you here, promotion odds are way up. I'm half-convinced."
'Contract talk.'
My contract was just one year.
Freshly signed, but renewal talks needed to start soon.
"Let's talk renewal after the season."
"Sure, no rush... You're key to my plans."
End of this season.
Half a year left on contract.
My goal: Promote to first division and secure top team treatment.
"Ahem... Everything went positive today. You're free to go."
"Yes, see you tomorrow."
Leaving the coach's office, I headed straight out the training ground.
'No way...'
Waaaaaaaaah—!!!
At the exit, fans waited for players, hoping for autographs.