Chapter 29
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 29
Chapter Title The Eldest Son Desperately Wants Soccer
Newcastle U16s 51 thrashing of the TyneWear Derby had the pubs buzzing about the young Toon for a good while.
But before long, a year had passed, June rolled around, and the 3132 season wrapped up.
The Newcastle United Youth Director found himself deep in thought once again as the season ended.
It was all because of Yoon Taeyang.
Taeyang, who had joined late, played 19 games and racked up 37 goals and 11 assists.
Thats 2.52 points per game, 1.94 goals per gameinsane stats from a kid who was only 13.
Now turning 14 15 in Korean age, he was still young for U16, but at least in Europe, there was no one like him.
Friedel Mayers prophecy that hed be Newcastles Messi had come true, at least within U16.
And that was where the dilemma came in.
This kid...
Should we move him up to a higher class? Or leave him where he is?
Lost in thought, Kalsen pulled up Yoon Taeyangs info.
Maybe it was the change of environment since coming to Europe, but Taeyang was growing at a frightening rate.
Current height 171.3 cm.
Hed shot up so fast in such a short time that you might expect adaptation issues, but this was no ordinary kidhe was handling the growth without a hitch.
With that physique, promoting him shouldnt be a problem.
In this world, saying that height was more than enough wouldnt be an exaggeration.
Messi became a legend at under 170 cm, after all.
Come to think of it, its silly to even hesitate.
Hadnt Taeyang already dominated U16 with his small frame?
To fuel his growth, a jump to U18 was essential.
And if the test didnt go well, they could always drop him back to U16.
Kalsen called an immediate meeting.
Thats how the youth staff gathered, and the discussion on promoting Yoon Taeyang began.
From a sports science perspective, Yoon Taeyang can handle U18 with no issues at all. Hes growing fast, nearing 170 cm. He might look a bit scrawny with less muscle mass, but his core strength is toptierno way hed get pushed around.
The sports science team was all for the promotion.
What about you, Aiden?
Aiden watched Taeyangs footage and smacked his lips before speaking.
Honestly, the only regret is that I cant coach this phenomenal player anymore. Taeyangs losing motivation in the team right now. The levels too low, and hes losing interest. I think moving him to a higher class where he can stay motivated will help his growth more.
After hearing from Aiden and the coaches chiming in, Kalsen turned to the U18 coach.
He was even younger than Aiden.
What do you think?
...The numbers are perfect. Its weird this conversation isnt happening already at this level. Well have to test him, though.
The young coach checked his tablet PC for the teams schedule and said,
Looks like we have joint training with the first team and the youth kids coming up. Lets check him out then.
The youth director nodded.
Alright. Thats what well do.
The year turned, and I was now 15 in Korean age.
Nine years had passed since my return.
Come to think of it, itd been about ten months since we came to England.
In that time, my family had adapted faster than expected.
Ah, got it. Ill call the Korea branch and tell them to secure the goods. Yes, yes. No problem.
With Newcastle Uniteds help, Dad had landed a job at a company exporting British beer and canned foods like conch to Korea, where they werent common. He was thriving as the middleman.
Trade between Korea and the UK was more active than Id thought.
British companies never did overtime, but the time difference meant Dad often worked nights.
At least the overtime pay was better than in Korea.
Soninlaw, pub?
Yeah, sounds good.
The biggest surprise was the two grandpas.
Id figured theyd take the longest to adapt, having lived in Korea their whole lives, but they settled in the fastest.
All thanks to the pubs.
Englands senior center, living room, and neighborhood salon rolled into onethe pubs had hooked them. They showed up every day.
Chatting in broken English built their vocab, and piecing words together improved their conversation skills.
Out again? Drinking every day? Think about your health!
Kid, Brown Ales not booze. Its a soft drink. Right, soninlaw?
Exactly. Daughter, beer isnt alcohol. If it wrecked your health when you got buzzed, your inlaws and I wouldve dropped dead by dinner.
Dad, Father! Is that how you talk? And its not just beer? You downed whiskey till your nose was crooked the other day, gin before that, vodka the time before! Every kind!
That wasnt us askingTaeyangs fans bought rounds. How do you say no?
Yeah, our grandsons a star. Cant turn down free drinks.
The soccercrazed Toons at the pub had learned the grandpas were my family and kept buying them drinks to stick around longer.
Who else treats a youth players family to drinks like this?
Newcastle fans passion and sincerity for their team was unmatched.
Anyway, were off!
Dont worry about dinner for us! Right?!
Sigh!
Mom let out a sigh, then chuckled.
Mom, should we head out too?
Out? Hmm... How about a walk?
Walkies?
Lets go for a walk!
Nice weather today. Come on, Mom.
Umm...
Surprisingly, Mom was adapting the slowest.
She wasnt bad at learningjust her method was wrong.
She needed immersion through conversation, but she studied English like the Korean SAT great at reading and writing, terrible at listening and speaking.
Time would fix it, but she was embarrassed about it.
Why?
The kids were picking it up faster than expected.
Kids learn quick.
At this rate, theyd be in school instead of homeschooling next year.
Oh yeah, I had to start school this year too.
Just thinking about it was annoying.
Better than Korean middle school?
Nah, school being boring and tedious was universal.
Son, why the long face?
Just had a terrifying thought.
Anyway, it might be tight for you to join our walk.
I checked the time at her words.
Yeah.
Training was soon.
Mom pondered, then said firmly,
Ill drop you at training and walk with the kids. Or maybe hit the market?
...You sure?
It was a huge step for Mom, whose English was still shaky.
The kids could help if needed.
Screw it, Ill do it. I adapted to drivingEnglish is nothing!!
Mom clenched her fist with resolve.
Did grocery shopping need that much determination? For her, it was an epic quest.
Ill cheer you on, Mom.
Thanks, son. So, ready to go?
I checked the time and nodded.
Yeah, gotta head out early today anyway.
Oh? Something up?
Training with the first team today.
First team? Whoa, entering the senior squad already?
I shook my head with a laugh at Moms words.
Nah, just... motivation for the kids. Like, an event. Training with their idols to fuel their dreams?
Oh, that kind.
It works better than youd think.
Hmm, shouldnt our son be included in those kids?
Im the exception.
Im not a middle schooler inside.
Cant say that, so I just smiled.
In the car Mom was driving, I checked my smartphone.
Kim Hyojun Everyone alive? Not dead, right?
A message in the East Asia Youth Exchange U15 group chat after ages.
Jeonbuk striker Kim Hyojun.
Bae Sanghyun Wtf you not sleeping? Its night in Korea?
Kim Hyojun Nah nah nah hyung Im not in Korea
Bae Sanghyun ?
Kim Hyojun Im in Germany fr
Bae Sanghyun ???
Naiel He went to Germany for studies, at Leverkusen now. Test go well?
Bae Sanghyun Lol wtf
Kim Hyojun Pretty sure Ill sign
Lee Sungho wasnt first to EuropeKim Hyojun beat him?
Leverkusen scouts Korea often, so Germany wasnt hard, but ahead of Sungho was unexpected.
Ryu Junseo Shouldve been me not him
Naiel Better than you two tbh, clubs blind fr
Ah, Jeonbuk sent him.
Bae Sanghyun What about Sungho? Heard he went to Germany too
Lee Sungho, who went to Europe past 20 in my old life, had gone earlier in this timeline.
Lee Sungho Im doing well,,,,,Germany,,,,
Bae Sanghyun Talks like a total boomer lololol Germany good?
Lee Sungho ,,,,,,,Not sureKids,, talking,,,cant,,understand,,,tough,,,
Bae Sanghyun Youll adapt. Btw whatre you up to Taeyang? No word since UK
Me Doing great no worries
Bae Sanghyun Hit us up lol we worry
Ryu Junseo Yeah contact us
Naiel UK adaptation rough? Lol
Kim Hyojun Lmao probs struggling eating fish n chips 3x a day
Me Im good af worry about urselves
Bae Sanghyun Look at this punk lol still no manners, guess hes adapted fine
Me lol
Honestly, they shouldnt worry about me.
Most of the East Asia Exchange buddies played U18 World Cup and bombed out before the tournament.
Too bad.
Would it have been different if Id gone?
Nah, they were young and benched mostlyId probably have warmed the bench too.
Coach let me adapt in England, but Id love to join for U21 World Cup.
Even if no one watches the kids World Cup, its an elite path Ive never experiencedI wanna try it.
Son, were here.
Id been chatting, and we pulled up to training.
Mom, see you later.
Good luck.
Have fun!
With Mom and the siblings waving, I got out and headed to the training ground.
As soon as I entered the U16 clubhouse, the coach called to me.
Sunny, go see the youth director.
Huh? Whats up?
Good news waiting.
Good news? What?
I visited Youth Director Kalsens office after a while.
Youre here?
The guy whod been indifferent before now dripped honey from his eyes.
Yeah, you wanted me?
Yes. Wanted your thoughts on something.
Like what?
After internal meetings, we decided to promote you to U18. What do you think?
Promotion.
The team hated skipping grades, so Id figured next season at earliest. This bold move was uncharacteristically aggressive.
Im good with it.
You think you can handle it?
Who knows. Ill just give it my all.
Good attitude. Show well in training today, and itll happen faster.
He meant todaytesting with the first team.
Our team never told kids straight they babied the youth.
Dont push too hard. Just observe how adults play.
I smiled at his loaded words.
Adults soccer?
Shouldnt I be the one teaching that?