A Striker of a Different Class (1)
The dressing room atmosphere was nothing short of a festival. They'd locked in World Cup qualification, and on top of that, they'd smashed Iran 3-1—a team they'd always struggled against in past matchups. The national team players couldn't hide their joy.
"Our Tae-oh! Get over here!"
The moment I stepped inside after my interview, Kim Min-woo playfully locked me in a headlock. Then the teammates swarmed, slapping my head and back.
It hurt like hell, but it didn't bother me one bit.
"A real monster's a real monster. Hat-trick on your A-match debut."
Captain Im Tae-han gave me a thumbs-up. The others chimed in.
"Damn. Has anyone on the national team scored a hat-trick since I joined?"
"Can't even remember. It's been years, right?"
"A hat-trick against Iran? That's rare as hell. Congrats, Tae-oh."
I felt a little embarrassed by the seniors' praise and just grinned awkwardly. It felt way different from getting props from my AD Alcorcon teammates. Maybe because these were the players I'd looked up to last year, and now they were praising me.
I checked my phone on the sly—tons of congratulatory messages from friends and contacts. As I went through them, replying one by one, Jeon Se-hyeon sidled up.
"Tae-oh, let's go shower. Got something to talk about."
I had a pretty good idea what it was about, but I couldn't exactly say no. Gotta shower anyway.
"Days like this call for a celebration, right?"
On the way to the showers, Jeon Se-hyeon grinned and poked my side. My solid obliques flicked his finger away effortlessly.
"Today?"
"Yeah. I know Joao Martins well—he gives us free time in the evening as a reward on days like this. If we'd drawn or lost, we'd be stuck in the hotel until the airport tomorrow."
I nodded slightly, and he probed gently.
"Thought any more about what I mentioned last time?"
"Thought?"
I played dumb, and he chuckled.
"Doesn't seem like you're asking 'cause you don't know."
"Ah... that Vesta Sohyun girl..."
"Yeah, that. You knew and asked anyway."
Jeon Se-hyeon stripped off his pants right there in front of the showers.
"Gonna sneak out tonight to meet my girlfriend—she texted earlier. If you're cool with it, wanna grab drinks, the four of us? What do you say?"
I hesitated, then spoke slowly.
"Sorry, but... I wanna rest tonight."
"Come on, man—gotta celebrate a day like this. Don't stress. It's not like meeting Sohyun means you're dating or anything. She's just a fan who wants to see you. Loves soccer."
"Still feels awkward. Especially with your girlfriend there..."
"Ah, then just you and Sohyun alone..."
Jeon Se-hyeon trailed off mid-sentence. His eyes dropped to my crotch. His pupils dilated visibly.
"...Ah, sorry."
He yanked his gaze away, flustered, and ducked into the showers first.
We'd showered in our rooms at Cheonan NFC after training, so this was the first group shower. Jeon Se-hyeon had just learned about my monster today.
Hmm. From his reaction, seems his girlfriend never told him about my old size.
Well, yeah. Girls might gossip among themselves, but telling your boyfriend? Awkward.
These situations used to make me uncomfortable, but now I'm brimming with confidence. Even soft, my beast commands respect.
I strode into the showers boldly and bumped into Jo Jun-seop just finishing up.
And he... reacted the same.
"Whoa, fuck. Scary."
He didn't stare outright, but glanced from my crotch to my face and grimaced faintly.
"...Fucking jealous."
I could feel the genuine envy in his tone.
Back inside, I heard Jo Jun-seop muttering outside, "Guy's got it all, got it all," as I told Jeon Se-hyeon,
"If the coach gives free time tonight, I wanna spend it with my parents. Don't see them much since I'm in Spain."
"Ah... yeah, didn't think of that."
He nodded without looking at me.
"Hit me up if you're ever interested. She's dying to meet you."
"Got it. Sorry, tell her that."
"He seemed totally uninterested?"
Late night, just before dusk settled. While most national team players rested or went out in groups to celebrate, Jeon Se-hyeon met his girlfriend Han Ji-hye.
"Kinda, yeah. Makes sense, though. Long-distance from Spain? Not ideal."
"Sounds like you hate it too?"
"Eh... not thrilled."
"Hmph. So you'll dump me when you go back to Europe?"
Han Ji-hye pouted, and Jeon Se-hyeon chuckled, stroking her hair softly.
"We'll go together, dummy. But seriously—would you come if I asked?"
"Hmm... lemme think?"
"Oh really?"
"Heehee."
Jeon Se-hyeon pillowed his head with laced fingers and blurted,
"Oh, by the way."
"Yeah?"
"That... ex of Tae-oh's. Know why they broke up?"
Han Ji-hye frowned at the sudden question. He waved it off hastily.
"Ah, forget it if you hate thinking about her. No need to answer."
Ever since falling out with Jeong Ha-yoon, just recalling her made Han Ji-hye's blood boil.
"Broke up clean. Honestly, every time I saw her with him, I thought: guy's too good for her."
"Why?"
"Promise you won't tell. For real."
"Obviously."
"That bitch... had a fuckbuddy while dating Cha Tae-oh."
"...What?!"
Jeon Se-hyeon bolted upright, shocked.
"She's that kind of slut?"
"Yep."
"Damn... Tae-oh's got the worst luck with women."
"That's why I cut her off. Didn't wanna be friends anymore."
She'd told him about finding out but not the juicy details.
"Tae-oh doesn't know?"
"Probably not."
The reason for the fuckbuddy? Cha Tae-oh's dick was... too small. Han Ji-hye knew even that from Jeong Ha-yoon.
But no way she'd tell Jeon Se-hyeon that.
"Can't wrap my head around it. Why? Horny as hell, maybe... but leaving a guy like Tae-oh for some other dude? Too frustrating?"
Han Ji-hye just gave an awkward smile, silent.
Probably saw it once on the team.Cha Tae-oh's... little dick.
"First time I've seen one like that in my life. Oh, don't spread this. Tae-oh wouldn't care if it got out, but..."
Jeon Se-hyeon trailed off. Han Ji-hye mulled it over and tilted her head.
He wouldn't care if it got out? Is he nuts?
She knew dick size was sacred to guys.
But... no shame even if exposed?
"First time seeing a monster like that."
"...?"
"Like a sweet potato or something. Fuck... that face, that cock... guy's got it all. Jo Jun-seop said the same."
Han Ji-hye doubted her ears as he stuck out his tongue.
...Monster? But that bitch Jeong Ha-yoon called it a 'fake dick'...
"Surgery?"
She asked incredulously, and he laughed, shaking his head.
"No modern med can make that girth and length. If it could, I'd get one."
Han Ji-hye blinked blankly. Then pointed at his erect cock in her hand.
"Bigger... than this?"
He smiled bitterly.
"A bit smaller soft... but hard? Way bigger. Jealous as hell. Mine's not small, but..."
She stayed dazed.
"What?"
"...Nothing."
"Suck it already. Just stroking's no fun."
"Ah... okay."
As she took him in her mouth for a soft blowjob, she suddenly snorted in disbelief.
Calling a monster like that a fake dick and getting a side piece? Unreal.
He said keep quiet, but she itched to tell mutual friends who'd been close with Jeong Ha-yoon.
Lies just roll off her tongue.
Then it hit her.
...Sohyun would lose her mind if she knew.
I took my parents to a fancy hanwoo beef spot nearby for a late dinner. With masks on, no one recognized us. The private room let me relax and enjoy intimate family time.
Slept at the hotel. Home's in Seoul, but with an early flight to Incheon Airport tomorrow, better to just chill here.
Next day, everyone showed up on time—no tardies. We headed to Incheon and boarded the flight to Doha, Qatar.
World Cup spot secured, so the Qatar match meant little.
Makes sense why, a few days later in the final third-round qualifier against Qatar, Joao Martins started Ryu Sang-heon up top instead of me.
Not just me. RW Moon Tae-seong and CM Kim Min-woo sat too.
Changes in every position except backline and GK.
Pweeeong!
Clang!
Motivation gap? Iran needed a draw to keep hopes alive, but Qatar went all-out, desperate for a win. They hit first at 17' for 1-0.
We lacked fire—couldn't match their urgency.
Joao Martins shook his head in disgust throughout the half.
Lee Hyun-jun created chances with bursts of dribbling, but Ryu Sang-heon was shut down by Qatar's physical naturalized CBs.
Missed Kim Min-woo's vision. Ha Sang-yoon tried key passes but coughed up two turnovers under pressure.
This is why motivation matters.
"What results do you expect at the World Cup with this shit? Think Korean fans will respect this? Focus! You're national team players! Never forget the weight of that Taegeuk mark!"
The dressing room froze under Joao Martins' tirade. Players looked slack.
We improved post-concession, matching them, but he wanted dominance.
Piiiik!
No subs at half. Second half, we pressed harder, possession quality up.
But.
Pweeeong!
Couldn't finish. Ryu Sang-heon was off—lacking confidence in the box.
Finally, around 55', assistant Luis Miranda called.
"Theo, get ready."
I knew instinctively: until my form dips, no more bench for A-matches.