Chapter 20
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 20
Chapter Title The Eldest Son Craves Soccer 20
Ah, its really over.
After the match ended, we returned to the dorms, packed our bags, and gathered in the conference room.
It was for a sort of closing ceremony.
Nothing fancy about the closing ceremony.
We all just got together, reviewed everything, celebrated a bit, and went our separate ways.
Team dinner?
No such thing.
What kind of team dinner do you have with middle schoolers?
Plus, since Fukuoka was so close, more parents than expected had come, so there wasnt really a situation for one anyway.
The kids eyes were all a bit glazed over.
Yeah, at their age, wearing the national team jersey, battling players from another country, and even winningit must feel like a dream.
Ah, but come on, even for an exchange tournament, no winners trophy?
I heard theyre making one starting next time. Theres even talk of it becoming the East Asia Cup Junior instead of just an exchange event?
I could hear the kids murmuring.
Yeah, thats how it turned out.
In my previous life without me on this national team, we had no connection to this tournament.
Meaning we didnt win.
But we took the inaugural title.
In a way, because of me.
No, definitely thanks to me.
Whatre you thinking about?
I was lost in thought when Bae Sanghyun sat down next to me and asked.
Just... this and that.
So what exactly, man.
Ah, just this and that.
This guys been talking shorter to me lately, huh?
I chuckled at Bae Sanghyuns words. Just a twoyear age gap, and hes acting all high and mighty.
Decided from now on, Ill only call guys better at soccer than me hyung.
You little... got nothing to say to that.
Bae Sanghyun stared at me blankly for a moment like it was ridiculous, then let out a chuckle.
Yeah, just two years older whats the point of hyungdongsaeng? The best players the boss.
Ooh, European mindset alright.
Yeah, but you got no plans to go to Europe?
Europe? Gotta go.
Absolutely have to.
At first, I thought about family finances and figured Id go to Europe later, once I could earn money myself.
But now I realize thats not the way.
I need to go to Europe as young as possible.
I felt it desperately after the Japan match. This stage felt too small.
Not just KoreaAsia as a whole.
Even Japan, boasting with eight Europebased players, was too easy.
If gradeskipping was freer, maybe, but unfortunately, Koreas soccer system doesnt allow it to higher agegroup teams.
Age limits, school ties, the whole system.
Europes different.
Pure skill decides gradeskipping.
Perfect for me, with my impatience.
Yeah, go to Europe. Europes the best. Cant do shit here. Coaches just say no, seniors squash you.
That why you went?
Not gonna say it wasnt a factor. My elementary school was especially bad.
Started back in elementary? Id lose motivation too.
Hey, why you two talking without me?
Gong Sehwan plopped down in front of us and asked.
Europe talk.
Oh, for real? Why Europe? You going, Taeyang?
Wanna go. If they call.
Whoa, then what about our Seoul?
Not my problem?
Fair. I wanna go to Europe too.
Bae Sanghyun chimed in.
You... probably cant.
Huh? Why, hyung? I did good.
You did good.
But no merit to take you to Europe right now.
Skills and passing are lacking. All youve got is stamina and reading the game to cut passes not enough to compete in Europe yet.
Youre kinda common.
Bae Sanghyun said bluntly.
Me? Im a rare item.
Gong Sehwan took it as a joke.
Maybe this guys a real talent freak.
Kid from megarich parents with tons of buildings and land, only child, no desperationyet he earns a national team spot through skill and lasts modestly in Europe.
Or maybe he just loves soccer that much.
Taeyang.
Lee Sungho called me from behind.
His eyes were burning intensely.
Whats with that heavy gaze.
Top scorer... congrats.
That about the top scorer?
Looks like hed started seeing me as a rival without me knowing.
Yeah, thanks.
I deliberately looked away.
Getting targeted by this soccerobsessed guy with nothing else in life would be exhausting.
Alright, kids, pay attention.
While we were chatting in little groups, Director Lee Junghoo came in and got the kids focused.
He stood in the middle, looked at them with a pleased smile, and said,
You all did great. Youre the best in Asia.
Technically East Asia, but what do these soccermad kids know.
Director says Asias bestthey cheer like it is.
Honestly, felt pretty good to me too.
Crushed China, humbled the arrogant Japanwe did that.
But no slacking off. You know youre just the U15 team, right?
...Yes!
To climb step by step to the Ateam, no complacencywork hard. I want to paint Koreas soccer future with all of you. You get what I mean?
The kids all looked determined.
Wonder how many of these kids will make senior national teamor even pro.
Youth national team doesnt guarantee a pro career.
Satisfied with this? Probably wont see them again.
Thats how it is.
Even breaking into K League is for the chosen few, let alone Ateam.
Alright, kids heading back together, follow Coach Kim here. Kids whose parents came this far well send you off when they arrive. Dismissed!
The U15 national team disbanded with those words.
Kids leaving right away in groups followed the coach, grabbing their bags.
In the chaos, Sehwan asked me.
Taeyang, you heading back next week, huh?
I nodded at Gong Sehwans question.
Id applied for experiential learning at school to travel Japan with family.
You, Sehwan?
Parents couldnt come, so back to Korea with the team.
Thought youd get luxury trip searching for parents.
Moms sick of Japan. Honestly, me too.
First Japan trip for me.
Lucky guy.
Yeah, see you at school.
Yeah! Heading out first!
After seeing Sehwan off, I turnedand Choi Jiwoo blocked my path.
What, man.
Was fun, Taeyang.
...Yeah, we had fun.
Heh heh, now well meet as enemies again. Next time...
I cut off his nonsense.
Level up first. Fix that dogshit passing.
...Heh heh... Talking big now, but youll miss my passes back in Seoul. Heh heh heh.
Crazy bastard.
But not entirely wrong, so nothing to say.
Anyway, Seoul wins next time. Got me.
Heh heh heh...
...Gonna watch when this middle school syndrome ends.
Late into the night.
Friedel Mayer, whod been sorting scout reports until late, grabbed snacks and beer from the convenience store for a late dinner, then quickly answered his ringing phone.
Did you watch the footage?
The man on the other end of the smartphone dove straight in.
Is Asias level just that low? Or is that boy in the video just that good?
Friedel clenched his fist without realizing it.
At least hed hooked their interest.
Now, time to convince.
Friedel spoke calmly.
The Japanese opponents had eight players in Europe. Three from bigclub youth teams.
Not a level to take lightly, then.
At least from Koreas view, with just one Europebased player.
That kids the one and only from a European club youth team?
No. Hes from a Korean league youth team. Soccer career...
Something Friedel had learned investigating the boyhe relayed it to the man.
Just over a year.
What...? Youre not messing with me?
Would I?
Right. Of course not.
After a silence, the man spoke.
Approach the kid. Seems like a fit for our clubs ideals.
Got it.
Friedel hung up and started digging through his phone to contact himbut paused.
Nothing he could do this late.
Hmm.
Forgetting his food, he lit a cigarette and stared anxiously out the window.
Felt impatient for some reason.
Like if he was even a bit late, someone would snatch the boy.
Even for a rich club, this is a shame.
Back in the day, hed have used shady contracts to get him.
Now impossibleyouth market now hinges on fame and legitimacy.
Sighs escaped him, a worry hed never had at Bundesliga giant Bayern Munich.
If not for that damn money...
Moneys the enemy.
Friedel gave a bitter smile and downed the rest of his beer.
Dreamlike time passed.
My first family overseas tripshort, but truly dreamlike.
We toured Fukuoka spots like Dazaifu, Momochi Beach, Fukuoka Tower, shopped at Canal Citypure fun.
Back at Seoul UTD dorms.
Haa.
First, a sigh.
While I, Gong Sehwan, and Jin Yujun were gone a month, Seoul played five, lost three, drew one, won once.
Barely, against weakest Gangwon.
Dropped to third instantly our first place went to Suwon.
Ah, feels like I can hear Choi Jiwoo laughing from here.
Were number one, heh heh.
Bet hes saying that.
At least not in my face.
Taeyang!
Dragging my feet to unpack, Jin Yujun greeted me.
Feels like ages though only days, huh. Wheres Sehwan?
Yeah, washing up.
Gotcha.
I nodded, unpacking into my cabinet.
Then.
Oh, Taeyangs here?
Hello, Coach!
Coach Jo Bongsu entered the firstyear dorm.
Guy never comes into dormswhats up?
Praise for national team performance?
But his face looks off.
Like he bit into shit?
Uh, Taeyang.
Yes, Coach.
Um... got a visitor for you.
Me?
Coming all the way to the club for me?
I looked at Jo Bongsu puzzled, and he said,
Scout from Europe.
Ah.
Guessed it, but someone scouted me at the East Asia Youth Exchange.
Hes in the office. Go see. Nah, lets go together.
I hurriedly finished unpacking and followed the coach.
Office.
Where from?
Heart pounding, I peeked over the coachs shoulder as he opened the door.
Eh.
Expectations dashed.
Friedel Mayer.
Everyone into Korean soccer knows him.
The guy who scouted Park Minkyun from some rural village to Bayern Munich main squad.
Bayern Munich.
Oh, Die Sonne!
Friedel Mayer beamed and approached when he saw me.
Heard that before?
Ah, back when I went to Champions League in Spain, played Leipzig.
First time I got Champs MOM.
Die Sonne.
German for the sun.
Hi, Taeyang. Im the interpreter here. You know this guy, right? The one who took Park Minkyun to Bayern and made him a star.
Ah, yeah... Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich.
Club name value and youth levelnot bad.
Problem is...
Stingy on wages.
Big reason I dont favor Germany.
Careerwise, maybe perfect, but Germany doesnt pay like England or Spain.
Plus, once youre in, hard to leave Munich.
Munich...
I trailed off, and Friedel said something to the interpreter.
English.
Not German interpreterEnglish one.
I know English.
Hey, didnt you just say Bayern Munich? Im not a Bayern scout.
Not?
Well, aside from Park Minkyun, I know nothing about him.
Then where?
If not Bayern, which club?
I asked in English coach startled, both men stared.
What, never seen someone speak English?