The Adult Ceremony (2)
After finishing the Ballon d'Or ceremony, we returned to the dorm, and before we knew it, the time had grown close to midnight.
Of course, it wasn't time to sleep just because it was midnight. Well, the dorm's curfew had passed, but that was for the young players.
“Ah, Coach. Just this once.”
We, the late-night crew of La Masia dorm and those on the first-team roster, received special treatment within the dorm. Such requests were usually granted.
“We went to the Ballon d'Or award ceremony. And Ha-neul's birthday, so let's play a little and sleep. Or shall we sneak out?”
The coach on duty today showed hesitation at Camila's coquettish voice.
Whether coquetry between women was effective was unknown, but Camila's actions suited her appearance perfectly.
“...Sigh, absolutely no going out. And no drinking either. Even if you all have become adults, rules are rules.”
“Ehh, of course.”
Camila flashed a V sign behind her back. That settled today's preparations.
There were quite a few empty rooms for classes in the dorm, so with the coach's permission, we opened the door to the empty room. It was a bit regrettable to drink in a room where classes would be held tomorrow, but if we cleaned up, it would be as if nothing had happened, right?
...Probably it would be fine.
We made space and took out the cake that had been brought directly from Paris on the table. The other kids also took out the various snacks they had prepared while we were in Paris.
“Play a bit and go. Okay?”
“Yep.”
“And, Ha-neul. Congratulations on receiving the Ballon d'Or.”
“Thank you. Coach.”
“Enough. Okay? Enough.”
“Ahaha...”
Well, even though we weren't supposed to drink, the coach seemed to sense the atmosphere. Well, since we were adults anyway, there wasn't much to touch on.
“Yep. Coach.”
After the coach left, Yuri peeked and pulled out two bottles of soju from under the gifts.
“What? You brought two bottles?”
“Just in case it's not enough.”
Not enough... Well, that was a possibility. Among football players, there were those who didn't like alcohol, but those who couldn't drink were rare. Especially thinking of tall Valentina or Bruna from South America...
“Why are you looking at me?”
“Bruna, don't you drink well?”
“No, this is my first time trying it.”
“In South America, you drink often, don't you?”
“That's racism, Ha-neul.”
“Sorry...”
Yeah, Bruna, who was crazy about football, wouldn't have tried drinking. So who would be the one to challenge here? Probably Valentina?
Honestly, I didn't think Yuri or Camila would drink well. Especially Yuri, who had a record of getting drunk on one beer when she was young.
'Then I should be careful today. To clean up this, I need to stay sober.'
With the party ending, while thinking about taking care of the kids, drinks were placed in front of each person's glass, and the real party began.
“Then, let's celebrate Ha-neul's birthday and the Ballon d'Or!”
“Ha-neul! Say something.”
“Umm... First, it's good that we can have this party, and thanks to you guys, I was able to win the Ballon d'Or.”
“Really?”
“...Actually, I did well to win it.”
“Uuuu!”
“Well, anyway, until the day we all play as starters!”
After my toast, we clinked our glasses.
This is the first alcohol in a while.
Actually, drinking during the season was bad for any player, but since players are human, a light drink was fine. Plus, the next match was in four days, so no problem even if I drank today.
So today...
After drinking the alcohol in the glass, the bitter taste made my expression scrunch up on its own.
“Crue.”
And the others did the same, grimacing and groaning. Of course, I didn't make such ugly sounds because I was familiar with the taste.
“U, bitter. What taste are adults drinking this?”
Valentina nodded at Camila's words too. Their reactions showed they really hadn't drunk much.
“You guys have never drunk alcohol?”
“Yeah. We decided to drink with Ha-neul today.”
Cr, there are still such kind kids in Europe who follow laws and promises well. We could say Europe's future was bright. And Brazil's future too... Future?
Looking at Bruna's side, Bruna's glass was empty. She had downed the whole thing in one shot.
Oh my god. This isn't a shot drink...
“Bruna, are you okay?”
“Uh...”
Bruna's voice came out slurred, something never heard before.
“Why drink all of it at once?”
“Uuu... Isn't this how it's done?”
Feeling the burn, Bruna started picking at things.
'...Should be okay?'
“Umm. Pretty okay?”
Bruna's hand naturally moved toward the bottle. The steady movement suggested that my expectation that she could drink well was correct.
“Bruna. But from now on, you shouldn't drink all at once?”
“Okay, okay. Ah. Need to sing. Birthday song.”
The word "song" made me think the DNA for drinking songs had awakened, but it wasn't. After singing the birthday song, we blew out the candles on the cake, and friends started giving gifts one by one.
From new electronic devices to scarves or coats. I thanked the friends giving gifts, and we began to have serious conversations.
“Ah, did you all get your driver's licenses?”
“Holchok.” Drink a sip and ask the friends.
“Me and Kami, Tina went together.”
“When? Why didn't you tell me? I was going to go with you during this break.”
“You guys got them during that A match.”
“Tsk.” I was trying to show my driving skill to the kids. Probably I would have to get the license like Yuri. Feeling a bit sorry, I had another drink.
“But you all will stay here until the end of this season, right?”
“Should be. Why, are you leaving, Ha-neul?”
“Well, probably not? Driving a car here makes you stand out a bit.”
“What, why does a guy like a car so much?”
“This one's body is guy, but it's not different from girls.”
“Hahaha.” At Tina's words, the other friends laughed. They all seemed to agree. Well, in my past life, if I had heard this as a man, I would have felt annoyed, but here it felt a bit good.
The reason was, of course, not because of the drinking, but because I was proud that I had protected myself.
Even though I had tried to look like a guy to others, it was also happy that friends knew my true appearance.
Feeling happy, I had another drink.
“Then, if we go out, shall we look for a place to live together?”
“Together? I don't mind, but are you okay?”
“No, it's not about living in one house, but living next to each other. Near the training ground for easy commute.”
If friends like this, gathering near wasn't a bad idea. Could visit anytime. Well, we see them every day at training, but eating dinner together is a different story. Thinking about the salary we receive, getting a house near the training ground isn't that difficult.
And, because of the drinking, I don't want to leave these guys. We've been eating together for years, so suddenly without them would be empty.
“I like it!”
Camila too,
“...Not bad?”
Valentina too,
“Clearly, taking the bus to commute stands out lately. Me too like it.”
Yuri nodded at my words. And Bruna as well...
“Bruna? Eh? Eh? Hey, where's the kid?”
Bruna who had put her head on the table from the first shot probably wouldn't refuse my suggestion.
“Wa... This one fell after one drink?”
Friends laughed looking at the fallen Bruna. And cheers. The alcohol that seemed to burn the throat now went down smoothly.
And the others also felt good, refilling their glasses.
So one sip, one sip, one sip.
“So that time Yuri's kick...”
“Remember when Kami cried then?”
“Ah, why are you bringing that up again. Tina too...”
With the accumulated years, memories burst out every time alcohol entered.
That was fun too, another drink.
Feeling good.
Took a photo. Camila put her finger on Bruna's temple to make a horn while she was down. I didn't know the meaning of such a pose, but since it didn't matter, we laughed.
We decided to title the photo 'Good People and Good Times.' If posted on SNS, followers would probably laugh heartily. But I didn't want to post it on SNS.
After taking the photo, had another drink.
The friends' voices were echoing, and the heavy eyelids were relaxed.
Well, for today, this was fine.
Because we had run hard until now.
Because we had won the Ballon d'Or.
Because it was my birthday.
I thought it was okay to be drunk today.
*
Knock.
While talking, a loud sound made Valentina, Camila, and Yuri turn that way. And there was Ha-neul with her head on the table.
“Hehehe, this one really can't drink.”
Camila, with her tongue out, laughed at Ha-neul. And Yuri, sitting next to her, stared silently, propping her chin with her hand to fix her messy hair.
The emotions in their eyes were more than friendship, which Valentina already knew well. And her own eyes looking at Ha-neul now.
Probably the others felt the same. A close but uncomfortable relationship. Maybe because of the drinking? Feeling the urge to cut this uncomfortable relationship, Valentina used the alcohol's courage.
“But... Ha-neul doesn't date girls?”
“...”
“...”
The noisy room fell silent at Valentina's words. All probably had the same thought.
Valentina stared at Ha-neul.
Ha-neul's dreams were well known. Since childhood.
Always said the goal was to become the best football player. And when talking about romance or looking for interviews, she knew she had answered that she didn't have time to think about it until achieving the goal.
But now, wasn't it okay?
The Ballon d'Or was the mark of the world's best football player. And Ha-neul had reached the top of the world best football player by receiving it.
So now...,
...Isn't there a bit of leeway? Enough leeway to allow close approach.
“Well, yeah. Hahaha.”
The silence was broken by Camila's usual words mixed with laughter.
“...Probably won't date.”
And in the club and national team, Yuri who was always together added her words. Valentina didn't like the friends' hiding of their feelings. After all, watching the friends' behavior had been quite difficult for her personality so far.
So Valentina spoke.
“I like Ha-neul.”
As always, girlishly.
Camila's smile disappeared, and Yuri's eyes turned toward her.
“So, if unsure, back out.”
Valentina, who revealed her heart, smiled at the friends.
“Who, who is unsure!”
“Well, saying a known fact so seriously?”
And Camila and Yuri reacted to Valentina's declaration.
The three's eyes intertwined. But no surrender was in any of the eyes.
“Want to blame?”
“You too.”
“...Still, our relationship is the same, right?”
“Obvious words.”
Clink. The three glasses clinked.