Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Victory
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After wrapping up dinner with the family, I headed back to my room.
'Ceremony...'
It was a bit embarrassing, but performing the ceremonies they wanted made me proud too.
And there was one more person who somehow made me feel that way.
Victoria Smith.
She was the woman who'd come to the stadium and training grounds with her family before, cheering me on and even getting my autograph.
At Old Trafford, I'd told her to get in touch if she wanted to take a photo together.
Back then, it felt like just something I wanted to do.
That truly happy moment.
Whenever I recalled it, Victoria came to mind.
We hadn't talked much since just exchanging photos, but today, there was something I needed to ask.
——
Yeeeeaaaah!!!—
I crushed Panderpen with pure speed and slotted home a clean goal.
Having notched my third goal, I immediately bolted off to perform the ceremony Victoria had requested.
"Yeager, where are you going!!!"
It was only natural, really.
The Smith family never missed a big match like this—they were die-hard fans.
And they were seated right near the center of the stadium.
Right after scoring, I spun around, faced the crowd, and sprinted across the pitch.
The moment I got closest to where Victoria was sitting...
I extended my index and middle fingers to flash a proud V-sign.
Of course, palm facing outward, back of my hand toward me.
A simple gesture, but loaded with clear meaning.
For something Victoria had wrung out of her after I'd asked twice—insisting she must have an idea—I was pretty pleased with it myself.
It meant Victory, but it could also stand for Victoria.
Even amid the sea of spectators, her beauty stood out crystal clear.
As I basked in the afterglow of that third goal, the ceremony dedicated to her, and the fans' adoration...
Peep!!—
The referee's whistle signaling it was time to get back.
"..."
Part of me wished we could end the match on that beautiful note, but there were still five minutes left.
No choice—I jogged back to the pitch, and since I was already near the center line, it didn't take long.
The restarted match wrapped up feeling like barely five minutes later.
Tottenham, down 4-1, had neither the time nor the momentum for a comeback.
Waaaaaaaaah!!!—
The Manchester United fans who'd practically sealed the win in their minds after my third goal.
But with the final whistle, an even bigger roar erupted.
FA Cup final berth secured.
Just one step away now.
——
Being named MOM was a given—me, with the hat-trick.
And the reporters' questions were even more abundant than usual.
All thanks to my three different ceremonies.
"After your first goal, you looked like you were praying or something. Could you tell us exactly what that meant and what you were thinking?"
This was a topic that demanded careful handling.
Players expressing personal faith isn't explicitly banned by the rules, but it always stirs controversy.
"I was thinking of my father—the one who nurtured my dream of becoming a footballer."
"Ah..."
The mood turned solemn.
The reporter sister either had great empathy or top-notch professionalism—her eyes started welling up right away.
Worried about a deep misunderstanding, I hurriedly continued.
"Last night at dinner, I asked the family if they had any ceremonies they wanted. The first one is what my dad used to do back in his playing days."
"I... I see. What a harmonious family! So, the other ceremonies..."
"Yeah, the second was my little sister's request."
"Haha, no wonder you looked so embarrassed out there, Ban Yeager."
"Yeah, really..."
The atmosphere flipped back to warm and cheerful in an instant.
The reporter, recovering her usual energy after nearly going somber again, asked me:
"Then, the last ceremony was fr—"
"My mom passed away a long time ago."
"...My deepest condolences."
I cut in quick to spare the reporter any slip-up.
Might've been too late, but I'd helped a lot already.
"So, who requested the third one?"
"A Manchester United fan, obviously."
——
Manchester United beat Tottenham 4-1 to advance to the FA Cup final.
Ban Yeager achieved a hat-trick in the process, showcasing three different ceremonies.
And the meanings behind those ceremonies were so heartfelt and special—they were perfect fodder for the press.
A bit tame for the reporters' tastes, but squeaky clean and flawless.
Meanwhile, football fan communities chasing edgier thrills zeroed in on something else.
Mom really being gone is the legend... but we can't say that, right?
Playstyle's straight-up insane already lol
Ban Yeager getting flustered in the interview hehehe...
What you gonna do if you're Ban Yeager, bro? lololol
Especially ridiculous: out of the three ceremonies, the second one—sis's hand-heart—got the best reactions.
"Heh heh..."
"Feels good, huh?"
"I'm only doing it occasionally 'cause I promised, okay?"
"Sure, sure... whenever I feel like it."
No official polls or stats, but even a quick skim showed Yerin's ceremony topping the charts.
Videos of fans failing to hold back laughs or straight-up exploding at my ceremonies trended for a good while too.
Not sure if the algorithm knows it's me or just torturing me on purpose.
'Bban-ye?'
Pretty sure I'd heard that was the most famous Man U fan YouTuber lately... and she's a VTuber, huh.
"Hm...?"
——
With the Tottenham match done, only three games left this season.
The finale: FA Cup final.
Opponent... to be decided soon.
Exactly one day after Man U vs. Tottenham in the semis.
The second semi for the other final spot.
Manchester City vs. Chelsea kicked off.
"Dad, hurry up!"
"Comin', comin'~ Alright, let's go!"
For the first time since regressing, the whole family was watching a match together.
Adapting to England right after arriving had kept us busy, and anyway, I'm always the one playing, so no time to watch others.
But today, after yesterday's game, I only did morning training and headed home to rest.
Plus, the winner here would be our FA Cup final opponent—had to scout 'em anyway.
And there was one more reason we could all watch together.
"Yerin, you're rooting for Man City, right?"
"Uh... no..."
"That's why I got you a gift."
"...What is it?"
What do you need for watching soccer?
Couldn't go to the stadium, but jerseys are a must for the vibe.
"Here."
Manchester City kit.
Picked out Erling Haaland—figured his manly look would appeal to the ladies.
"Whaddya think?"
"Woooow!..."
Yerin putting on her best fake excitement.
Hands trembling as she took the jersey from me.
"Got one for you too, Dad."
"Thanks, son~"
Dad didn't have a fave between Chelsea or City, and he had plenty of my kits already, so I gave him a Lucas Cruijdijk one.
Luckily, he was thrilled and put it on right away.
"What're you waiting for? Put yours on too, Yerin."
"O-okay!..."
She grabbed the shirt, dashed to her room, took forever, then finally emerged in the uniform.
"Ughhh..."
"That happy, huh?"
Wonder when she'll finally admit she's a Man United fan.
Worried she'll turn into a real City supporter at this rate, but teasing her's way more fun right now—no helping it.
And that day's match? City won 3-2.
"Yerin! Looks like City won 'cause you were cheering for 'em!"