Unstoppable Guys (1)
Recently, Kim Min-seok's attention as a Sports Korea reporter had been entirely fixed on Cha Tae-oh. He'd just checked the result of the match between AD Alcorcon B and CD Badajoz, and he couldn't help but click his tongue in quiet admiration. Another multi-goal game. Seven goals, no less. A hat-trick? That was child's play for Cha Tae-oh.
'Climbing to the top of the league scoring charts in just seven games, then adding one more for 39 goals and 8 assists...'
It was semi-pro, and not even the top semi-pro league in Spain, but the second tier. So it wasn't strange for a player who'd competed at pro level to put up good numbers. But Cha Tae-oh was shattering the very benchmarks everyone used for "good performances," blowing past them into another realm entirely.
'Still, it's semi-pro...'
Whenever Cha Tae-oh had the ball, the opposition somehow looked less like semi-pros and more like rank amateurs—the kind who hadn't even trained in elite youth academies as kids. Every opponent he'd faced so far had come up through proper youth systems. None were casual players. Yet Cha Tae-oh was turning these Spanish semi-pros, with their elite pedigrees, into everyday Joes.
"Whoa..."
On the monitor, highlights of Cha Tae-oh's goals from today were playing. Kim Min-seok couldn't tear his eyes away, his mouth agape as little gasps escaped him. The fourth-division footage was grainy, the broadcast quality poor, but Cha Tae-oh's play shone through like a beacon of beauty amid the muck.
'Great power, top-tier technique... his finishing, his runs into scoring positions, his movement—unreal.'
Sometimes he'd barrel through defenses like a tank, his explosive acceleration and sticky dribbling feeling almost alien in combination.
'Feels different from our Korean strikers.'
Fast, powerful, with crisp touches and dribbling to bulldoze forward. Add heavy shots and sharp off-ball runs to create chances and convert them.
'I know Coach Cha Bum-geun was something like this...'
Kim Min-seok hadn't been born when that legend played, but among the Korean central forwards he'd seen, none matched Cha Tae-oh's style.
As the highlights ended, questions bloomed in his mind—doubts that cropped up every time he watched the guy. No answers in sight, though.
'Something's off...'
After hearing about Cha Tae-oh's pro contract with AD Alcorcon, Kim Min-seok had dug in immediately. What he found only deepened the mystery.
'His physicals and speed were always good, sure...'
People from his college days and coaches at Gimpo United all said the same: Cha Tae-oh wasn't technically gifted. Rough touches, poor decisions, inaccurate shots. Great tools, they said, but no skill or basics to use them. Low potential, so released after one season.
For that player to fix every flaw in months—not just fix, but elevate several times over? Unthinkable.
'No way he learned all that in such a short time.'
Kim Min-seok figured he must have had massive untapped potential that finally bloomed in Spain by sheer luck. It didn't fully explain things, though.
"Oh, Cha Tae-oh footage?"
A colleague peered over, spotting the screen.
Kim Min-seok finally looked away, glancing at him. "This guy's no joke. Seven goals today. 39 in 8 games. Believable?"
"He does score easy... but is Spanish fourth division that weak?"
His colleague tilted his head. Most reacting to Cha Tae-oh's rampage felt the same. The image of "the guy released after one season from a K League 2 basement team" lingered.
But Kim Min-seok was different. He'd watched the tapes himself.
"Oh, right. Cha Tae-oh's been a topic among reporters... not great vibes."
"Why?"
"He's ghosting everyone. No replies. You try?"
He had—indirectly, asking old Korean contacts politely to inquire. No word yet.
"Heard he cut off all his friends too. 'I'm making it in Spain now,' that vibe."
"Hm."
"Even I think ditching everyone suddenly is sus. Not like he's tearing up Segunda Division. Fourth tier's just semi-pro, right?"
Kim Min-seok, who'd been listening quietly, spoke up. "Maybe he just wants to focus on soccer."
"Huh?"
"Think about it. Flies to Spain right after release to chase his dream. Pro deal doesn't mean attitude flip overnight. And ignoring reporters? Not necessary."
"Hmm."
"Plus, Yoon Jong-cheol at Gimpo said he was the most passionate player he'd coached."
Kim Min-seok knew about the cutoffs.
'He took congrats calls and thanked them. If he wanted total ghosting, he'd have ignored those too.'
His colleague pressed: "Still, total radio silence?"
Kim Min-seok agreed, but had a hunch. "Just a guess... maybe pride."
"Pride? Why?"
"Talked to some Gimpo players. Not glowing reviews. All 'release, release, release.'"
Online communities were mocking the "K League 2 castoff signing pro in Spain." Teammates likely thought similarly.
"Huh... yeah, that tracks."
"So I'm gonna meet him myself."
"What? You got through?"
Kim Min-seok shook his head slowly at his surprised colleague. "Nah. Covering El Clasico this time. Gonna try seeing him too. If he says no, oh well. Maybe chat a bit."
"Land a solo interview, you'll grab headlines."
His colleague smirked. "Get it, take tons of pics. That debut article? Women ate it up. Viral in ladies' communities."
"...Yeah, maybe that's part of it."
"Part of what?"
"Nothing."
Suddenly, Kim Min-seok thought he knew why Cha Tae-oh was dodging reporters.
"Does your arm hurt just from signing a few...?"
I parked in the garage and muttered under my breath as I headed into Aunt Han Mi-ju's house. My knuckles ached faintly. But I didn't hate it. Hell, it felt good. Aftermath of holding a pen to sign for fans after so long.
"Nah, first time like this."
College and Gimpo had occasional requests, mostly women. Today? Way more guys. First time seeing men fangirl so hard, eyes full of admiration. Kinda weird.
Honestly... signing for male fans felt more thrilling. They wanted it for my skills, not looks.
...Or so I like to think.
"Whew."
Empty house. I flopped onto the living room sofa and grabbed my phone. A text from Yuko topped the itsApp notifications.
I chuckled softly and replied. Her response was lightning-fast.
Not full ninety minutes, so I had some energy left. But time was off for sex with Yuko tonight. Sun was down; couldn't head to her place. Aunt and Uncle home in two hours. Pay's good enough for a hotel, but we'd planned tomorrow anyway. I'd hold out.
Teasing me like that. I grinned and texted back.
I stood to change clothes—and that's when the door clicked open.
Clunk!
"Huh?"
Aunt and Uncle Adrian. Too early for closing up shop. I was caught off guard.
But something else shocked me more.
"...A cat?"
A kitten nestled in Aunt's arms. Uncle lugged in bags of cat supplies behind.
"Where'd the cat come from? Adopted?"
Aunt gently set it down, shaking her head. "Stray."
One leg bandaged tight. It limped cautiously, then darted under the sideboard.
Everything still scary, on guard.
"Found it while cleaning behind the shop. Leg's hurt bad. Mom probably ditched it. Shivering so much, heart broke. Took to vet."
"Ah... fixed up?"
"Not yet. Might limp forever. No one wants it. Everyone wants perfect ones."
"So you brought it home."
"Yeah."
I smiled at her. "Good call. Kind thing."
"Whew... feels good, but heavy responsibility too."
She gave an awkward smile. No kids. Don't know why, didn't ask. Too old now anyway. Pet could ease loneliness, especially with me not forever.
"Not scared of cats, right?"
"Nah. Had a dog as kid."
"Right! Poodle!"
"Love pets."
The scared kitten was adorable. I approached slowly. No hissing or fleeing. Just hiding. Offered my hand; it sniffed, then rubbed its forehead on me.
I stroked its head gently, careful not to startle.
"Whoa... so cute."
"Right? Adorable, huh? Hehe."
"Name?"
"Not yet. We each have ideas, but clash."
"Lemme hear and pick?"
"Ooh, yeah?"
"Sure, later... Achoooo!"
Sudden sneeze. Blinked, pulled hand back, rubbed eyes. Itching like mad.
Achoooo!
"Ah..."
First time realizing: severe cat allergy. Learned the hard way.