Chapter 7
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 7
Chapter Title The Eldest Son Craves Soccer
Abroad.
Where?
I know an agent whos connected in Germany.
Germany, of all places?
But why me...?
Your talents too good to waste. Itd be a shame to leave someone with your gifts stuck in Korea.
In a way, you could call him a pure soccer man.
Guiding anothers talent to a bigger stage than his own club.
But.
Im not going.
I didnt want to go.
No, I couldnt.
...Why? This is your chance, Taeyang.
Our family doesnt have the money.
......
Sure, if it was just me, I could probably go right now.
The problem is, what parent sends their firstyear middle school kid off alone?
At the very least, one of my parents would have to come along.
Heres the thingour family doesnt revolve around just me.
Moms a fulltime housewife, but she has to watch the little ones, so she cant come with me. If Dad went, our livelihood would be at risk.
And we cant exactly have Dad live like a goose dad on his ownour income isnt high enough to support him comfortably in Europe.
Honestly, without the houses bought for us by both sides of the family and their quiet financial and moral support, we mightve struggled just to get by.
On top of that, my siblings who just started elementary school adapting to Germany? Thats another issue.
Financially and practically, there were too many problems.
Of course, Im not saying Ill never go to Europebut not now.
When Im old enough to sign pro contracts without being an adult.
Thats when Ill make my move to Europe.
Until then, I plan to become such a hot prospect that European clubs are dying to sign me, driving up my transfer value.
Coming to Seoul UTD was part of that plan.
Academy soccer focuses too much on resultsthey cant develop me properly. But Seoul, a pro club youth team that brought in Germanys advanced youth system, should let me grow more freely.
Uh, um......
Faced with the harsh reality of money, Coach Jeong Hanyul stammered, at a loss for words.
I looked at him and said,
Then Ill be going now.
Yeah, sorry for bringing it up out of nowhere, Taeyang.
No, thank you.
I bowed to him and headed out of the field, then paused and glanced down at my legs.
They didnt hurt at all.
Before, even a single sprint would leave my knees aching and ankles throbbing.
After a full game, my knees would swell up so badeven in my early twentiesId have to drain the fluid myself with a syringe.
Even in middle school, I lived with pain relief patches every day.
Thanks to those damn orphanage brothers.
But not anymore.
Back then, Id run in pain and still be slow. Now, Im shockingly fasteven to myself.
At this rate, when I grow up, no player from any race will outpace me.
Yeah, as long as my body lets me play the way I envision, my plan wont go off track.
Beep!
Huh?
Son! Whatre you standing there thinking about?!
I looked up at the car horn. Mom had come to pick me up.
Shed told me to head to Maternal Grandfathers on my own this morning.
Ungah!
Ppa!!!
Oppa!
The siblings were in the car behind her.
Gaeul waved from the open window, while Yeoreum and Gyeoul bounced wildly in their car seats, waving too despite being strapped in.
Guys!
Yeah, how could I leave these adorable siblings and go anywhere now?
Ill stick around until theyre old enough not to need their big brother.
Grinning naturally, I ran to my family.
Life at Maternal Grandfathers house had ended, and three weeks had flown by.
Intense training kept boredom at bay, but unlike academy soccerwhere overwork rumors popped up constantlythe youth team didnt push players that hard.
With my body at rest, it started itching for action.
Taeyang, wanna grab some burgers?
No money.
Ill buy!
Then sure.
Today, like always, I was lounging around when Gong Sehwan and the other kids came over.
After a few weeks together, Id gotten pretty close with my teammates.
It wasnt just about them buying me food without spending my moneythough that helped. It felt like the kids were gathering around me because I was good.
But can we even eat burgers? Didnt Kasama swear them off?
Hanging with the kids, talk turned to pros playing in Europe, as expected.
Kasama was the Portuguese star whod moved from Benfica to PSG this seasonthe one dubbed the second Cristiano Ronaldo.
He idolized Ronaldo more than anyone and was famous for his obsessive selfdiscipline.
Igor Deloia eats whatever he wants, though?
Igor Deloia was the top Brazilian midfielder of this era.
A classic Brazilian, he indulged in booze, smokes, women, foodyou name it. Yet unlike his seniors, he kept his insane skill into old age.
Three years from now, hed fight with his manager, move from Liverpool to Chelsea, and stay a starter until 34.
Even after retirement, hed stand shouldertoshoulder with Pelé and the legends as the only midfielder in that class.
Were not at Igors level, but at our age, anythings fine.
I nudged the kids debating whether burgers were okay.
Burgers are greatas long as you skip the fries and cola.
Of course, I dont skip them.
Just limit to once a month.
That was a typical day.
Gong Sehwan rounds up the kids, we head out for snacks, play around, sleep, morning workout, school, soccer, shower.
It got so boring I considered sneaking in personal training.
Right around then.
The league starts this weekend. You all know that, right?
Yes!!
Everyone shouted energetically at Director Jo Bongsus words.
The league he meant was K League Junior.
Youth teams from K League 1 and 2 split into A and B teams. For middle schoolers, theres U15 and U14 leagues.
Why U15 and U14?
Call it consideration from the association.
If it was just U15, most firstyears and some secondyears wouldnt play.
No room for them against 16yearolds with years of chemistry and physical growth.
So U14 exists to give loweryear players game experience and growth.
Time to split the teams.
With the league looming, everyone tensed up at Jo Bongsus words, eyes on him.
But the flower of middle school youth teams is U15.
Some first and secondyears had given up early, but the ones bouncing between starters and bench held hope.
U15 or stay in the lower league?
Even clearing that hurdle, lineup spots were uncertainbut who thinks that far?
Just want in.
Id be the same.
Yang Wongi, Im Seolyoung, Ji Woojun, Choi Taewon, Kim Sunghan, Kim Jimin......
Unlike the excited kids, Director Jo Bongsu called the U15 roster emotionlessly.
Gong Sehwan.
Woo!
Gong Sehwan jumped up, fist pumping when his name was called.
Whoa, unexpected for Sehwan.
Thought his passes were too poor.
The U15 names kept coming.
Alright, one left.
And finally.
Jo Bongsu looked at me, grinned, and said,
Yoon Taeyang.
Halfexpected it, but yeah.
With our teams weak attack line, theyd miss me.
You all know the drill. U14 goes with Coach Kim for training. U15 stays here.
Once the U14 kids left, Jo Bongsu addressed the remaining U15.
Our first opponent is Seongnam.
Seongnamcounting U15 and U18, a team that had never won the league.
Faces loosening up? Think Seongnams a pushover?
Everyone stiffened at Jo Bongsus tigerlike glare.
He was right.
We couldnt take even that winless Seongnam lightly.
The socalled valley generation.
Thats what they called our cohort in the Seoul youth teamthe last four years drought.
Lets give it our all. Got it?
Yes!
The disciplined players roared in unison.
Good. Trainings over for today!
As Jo Bongsu left, Gong Sehwan shot up.
Im playing U15!! Yes!!!
A senior whod been droppedsitting quietly nearbyglared and snapped.
Hey, quiet down?
Hyung! I made U15!
...This guys nuts.
Say that in front of someone who didnt?
The seniors face darkened ominously, trouble brewing.
Sure enough, he stood, raising a handthen Sehwan grabbed it.
To celebrate U15 registration, my treat!
......
Sushi buffet, anyone? Hyung, sushi buffet?
Huh? Yeah. Sounds good.
The guy who looked ready to swing mellowed at sushi buffet.
Money really does solve everything.
Burgers yesterday, sushi buffet today.
Hope I dont turn into a pig.
But free food? Cant pass.
Wont Yujun get turned away at the door?
All eyes on Yujun.
Firstyear middle schooler, but 184 cm tall.
This guy, who transferred late from Yeosupractically Lands Endin Kwangju due to moving issues, was someone Id played with in my past life, like Gong Sehwan.
I... I dont eat much.
Jin Yujun mumbled shyly, no social game.
Dont lie! Look at you!
NNo... I really dont eat much.
Stuttering total asocial type. Far in the future, hed become national team keeper and Seoul UTDs guardian deity.
Dont fall for the shy act.
In goal, his personality flipsearning him nicknames like Yaksha or Janus.
Anyway, with three future national teamers, our teams got some firepower.
Of course, Im the core.
Looking forward to the Seongnam match.
Yujun, hide in the back if we go? No entry ban?
No, guyslets all wear casual clothes! No training gear!
Oh, smart.
The kids, more prepared than for games, headed to the sushi buffet together.
An hour later, we were halfforced out, begging them to let us leave.