Let's Go, to Europe (3)
"I should have called you first... Things have just been so hectic for me...."
Fair enough. Forget it, man. Who cares who calls first? Right?
"Haha... yeah, you're right."
Yoon Jong-cheol, senior coach. He'd looked out for me ever since I first joined the team. He didn't always sugarcoat things—those whips cracked my way were tough love, born of real care and attention. Looking back now, I'm grateful for them.
That's why getting released stung a bit. He wasn't the head coach, so he didn't have much pull... but still, couldn't he have pushed for just one more year? I know that's bullshit. I got cut because I sucked—blaming others would be pathetic.
Got any plans for what's next? Have you thought about Spain? I almost spilled it, but held back.
"Right now, I'm just focusing on getting my body in shape."
Got it. So no other offers yet?
"No, not yet...."
Perfect.
"Huh?"
Yoon Jong-cheol cut straight to the chase.
A buddy of mine just took over as manager at Nowon FC, and he's looking for a striker. Good physique, high work rate. Someone who holds up the front line and tracks back diligently on defense.
"Ah...."
You popped right into my head, so I recommended you. He knows you too. It'll be a light trial, but as long as you're not in a slump, you're a shoo-in.
Yoon Jong-cheol kept going.
They're overhauling the squad right now, so if he likes you, the club might even offer a salaried contract. Win bonuses too, so you could make decent living money.
It was semi-pro, not full pro level, but even in K3 League—third division—some guys pulled 5 million won a month. That was base salary plus win bonuses, usually for aces on top-table teams. Vets with pro experience mostly.
But like you know, Nowon barely avoided relegation this year, so don't bank on fat bonuses. Still, a salaried deal means no immediate money worries, right? And if you kill it, you could climb back to pro. Even if the sky falls, there's always a way out.
Just when I thought it was all over, lifelines started trickling in. The goblin's was the thickest, of course.
Interested?
I hesitated. Honestly, in my current form, I'd ace the trial and snag a salaried deal no sweat. If not, it was either the goblin skills fizzling on the pitch somehow, or the manager being blind as a bat.
"Thanks for the hookup, Coach. Looks like a great shot, but can I sleep on it and get back to you?"
Of course. Pros might call too, so waiting a bit for a trial's fine. But there's a deadline—wait too long, and the meat burns up. Get me?
"Loud and clear. Thanks again, Coach."
Cool. Hit me when you decide.
"Will do! Get some rest."
You too.
I hung up. I'd just sorted my head and was prepping for Spain when this drops in—welcome, but sticky. Felt like it was yanking at my ankles just as I geared up to leap farther.
Hated how wishy-washy I felt. Like having a max-level cheat but scared of headers on bare dirt.
"...Nah."
Time to reframe. If I joined Nowon FC, I'd bomb K3 into oblivion. Total domination. Pros would come calling, I'd rocket through second division to first, dominate there too—national team spot, then Europe raining offers. Clubs footing work visas, housing, treating me like royalty. No student visa hassles.
Safe path. Cash, solid future. Downsides: missing cutting-edge European soccer early, longer grind to the top.
Spain would take time too, but nail it and I'd vault to La Liga-level clubs fast.
"What's not?"
Lost in thought, Kim Hyo-jin slipped onto the bed. I just stared, still mulling.
"Sounds like someone's trying to snag you... What's the holdup? Money? Treatment?"
"...Aren't those the same?"
"Treatment includes money, sure."
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. I eased my lips apart slow.
"Got something to tell you, noona."
"What? You're making me nervous...."
Perfect timing.
"I'm heading to Spain for a study abroad."
"...Huh?"
Her eyes went wide.
"Sudden? Or planned?"
"Thought about it before the release. Better to be free—go experience advanced soccer."
"Ohhh...."
"Aunt's in Spain anyway. She's helping big time with the study abroad setup."
Kim Hyo-jin blinked like she'd taken a hammer to the head.
"But that K3 team just offered a trial? Sounds like a lock, and if you shine, salaried deal for steady living...."
I trailed off. She snapped out of it, lips twitching before she ventured carefully.
"Torn between reality and dreams?"
I nodded. She chuckled suddenly, sliding her hand onto my chest.
"Don't overthink—just see where your heart pulls stronger?"
"Huh?"
"Guys dream big on challenges, probably."
She grinned.
"Where my heart pulls... my heart...."
I whispered it tiny, testing. Following her advice, I tuned in.
No need, really. Answer was set from jump.
Deliberate before deciding. Swift once done. My motto.
"Thanks, noona. Decided."
She smiled like she knew without asking.
"Spain it is. Heart's there."
She chuckled again.
"Knew it."
K3 was solid, sure. But destined for success anywhere? Spain's the smarter play, a hundred times over. Early Euro soccer, culture dip. My legend writes on European soil anyway.
"...Disappointed?"
I probed. She waved it off.
"No, no! We're just fuckbuddies. Can't be bummed wherever you go."
I eyed her steady, hitting the mark.
"Voice and eyes say different."
"...That obvious?"
"Yup. Very."
She pouted a touch.
"Truth is... these past days were amazing. Sex can be pure bliss... first time feeling that."
I almost said me too, but held.
"And first with a real looker like you...."
Fair. Without this face, fuckbuddies with her? Jailbait odds 99.9% if I flashed the goods.
"Studies slipping, stress piling... Tried everything for release, nothing stuck. Then you—total refresh."
"Glad I helped. Worried I was just mooching meals."
"But... you jetting to Spain feels like losing something I had...."
She flailed her hands frantic.
"No, not mine— I mean...."
I pulled her close, sealing her ramble with my lips. Eased back, met her eyes.
"No girlfriend for me, no boyfriend for you. No one for me, no one for you."
"...Yeah."
"Till Spain, you have me then. Right?"
She stared deep, silent—then yanked off her top. Straddled me against the wall, half-reclined, pupils loose as she murmured down.
"Fuck me."
Morning round already, but my dick surged full. She landed the killshot.
"...I'm wet."
Two more weeks flew. Prep wrapped.
Aunt's full support: student visa smooth, enrollment set, housing locked. Listed the place via realtor, crashed at parents'. Sold quick—boosted my travel fund with deposit.
Farewells with buddies. Shocked at the Spain bolt, but mostly cheers.
"Tomorrow, huh...."
Met Kim Hyo-jin. Last time, probably.
Post-fuck heat thick in the air, we lay bare, bodies overlapped, sharing warmth.
"One favor?"
Her eyes misty, pleading. I just nodded.
"Both single... meet up next time you're in Korea?"
I fished gentle.
"Fuckbuddies, or lovers?"
"...Dunno."
I chuckled soft.
"Fuckbuddies suit me better than dating?"
Joke, but she took it heavy.
"No! Not what I meant!"
"I know. Why so serious?"
"Just... hope sleeping together doesn't feel like a burden then...."
"Got it."
Grinned, stroked her cheek.
"I'll call when I'm back."
Added one more.
"Focus on studies now, noona. Nail that civil service exam."
"Thanks for the cheers. Hope you crush it there."
Short, but bonds are bonds. First for my reborn self's precious tool, too.
Parting left regrets.
"Hey...."
"Hey...."
Eye-locked, both spoke at once.
"You first."
"No, you."
Yielding synced. Felt like we were both aiming same.
Guy steps up.
"...One more round?"
Nailed it.
"Yeah."
Our fuck stretched till sunset. First and last. Fierce.