The Resting Duo
After securing the Spanish Super Cup, there was that draw against Espanyol away, but then came the wins over Granada and the away game at Valencia that kept us in first place in La Liga. We kept rolling in the Copa del Rey, advancing to the quarterfinals with a string of victories, and January came to a close on a high note.
The February start was even better. We crushed Levante 5-0 at home, and that set a perfect tone for the month.
“So, about this Bilbao away game, Ha-neul is going to be left out.”
The next day after training, Angela pulled me aside quietly and spoke to me.
Honestly, hearing the word “excluded from the roster” from Angela didn’t hit me hard at all. After all, the Bilbao match was only two days away, and I’d already played a full game yesterday.
“I’m fine.”
“I knew you’d say that if it was you, Ha-neul. But as one of our key players, you should at least know why you’re being left out.”
That kind of thing could have been said casually, but seeing Angela treat me like a core player like this made me feel how important I’d become within the club.
Back in my previous life, if the manager had simply excluded me from the lineup without even a word after I hadn’t asked, I would have declared unhappiness and leaked the transfer rumor to the press the same day. But Angela was someone I could understand, so her fair treatment that separated work and personal matters moved me a little.
“But why exclude me from the roster at all? Just having me sit on the bench would be better, right? It would put pressure on the opponent.”
The only thing I was curious about was that even if I didn’t play, sitting on the bench would clearly help the team more, so there was no need to exclude me.
“Well, since we don’t know how the match will go, you’re right, Ha-neul. But if you’re sitting on the bench, as the coach I’d have no choice but to fidget with the ‘Ryu Ha-neul’ card. I wanted to give you the most comfortable schedule possible before the Champions League starts again. Don’t worry too much though. Bilbao is the kind of team you can beat even without you.”
Hearing Angela’s explanation, I finally understood why I was being left out. She simply wanted me to rest as much as possible.
As Angela said, we weren’t the kind of team that would be eliminated in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, and February was followed by Champions League matches, so it made sense to rest as much as possible when we could.
Our goal wasn’t just winning one competition but dominating every single one, after all.
And to do that, we’d probably have to take three days off per season.
Angela was managing me as much as she could, but in this season where we had to keep running, I was definitely going to strongly demand to be included even if Angela left me out.
Still, we can win up to the quarterfinals.
This time there was no need to push myself hard.
“I believe you understand what I’m saying, Ha-neul.”
“Yes. I’ll rest as much as I can.”
Seeing my answer pleased Angela, she smiled faintly and ruffled my hair.
The next day after our conversation with Angela, the players headed to Bilbao and I was given complete rest. But I wasn’t left completely alone.
“So, Ha-neul. Are you really going to rest today?”
Because Camila, who had been injured against Espanyol and given three weeks of rest, was right beside me.
When I glanced down, I saw Camila’s right foot wrapped in bandages and her crutch. Honestly, it wasn’t a serious injury, but they’d taken safe measures to ensure quick recovery. Seeing Camila like this made her seem a little spoiled, which was oddly cute.
“Well, resting is important.”
“That’s true. Then since there’s nothing to do, want to go out with me?”
“…With that leg?”
“It’s the day to remove the cast.”
Has time already passed that much? Right, the Espanyol match was two weeks ago.
Removing the cast and doing only light training was necessary to be able to play in a match, so it would probably be the next game or the one after that before I was ready to play again. But thinking about poor Camila who had only shown her toes this winter, even just removing the bandages felt like a blessing.
“Okay. I’ll go with you. But do you need a coach for removing the cast?”
My only worry was whether the coach would come along?
“Hey, it’s not a big injury.”
But Camila didn’t seem worried at all.
“Still, the coach should come along, right?”
“I was told yesterday that you’d come with me.”
“But?”
“But it feels embarrassing to go with an adult when I have an injury. I’m an adult too. Well, what the coach says is obvious, right? The coach just needs to go to the hospital to remove the cast. If there’s anything special, tell him.”
As Camila said, her injury wasn’t serious. It was just a mild one-degree ankle sprain, and as long as she rested properly, it was no problem. Moreover, it was a common injury among football players, so the team doctors were quick to respond to it.
But seeing Camila talk about her pride, I thought, As expected, kids are kids. Was it the spirit of youth showing?
Well, at Camila’s age, she was old enough to chew iron. As long as she ate well and slept well, her bones would heal. I didn’t want to say anything harsh.
“So, how is the condition?”
“Well, same as before. But since I’m sleeping too, I’m always uncomfortable, so I don’t know what it’s like.”
It was good that it didn’t hurt. As a friend, I didn’t want Camila to be in pain, but as a teammate, I needed her.
“Then let’s go.”
“How? By bus?”
“What bus are you talking about with that leg. Wait.”
I left Camila at the seat and went to find the car in the administrative room.
“Coach!”
“Oh, it’s Ha-neul.”
“There’s a car left in the dorm, right?”
“Oh, there is, but… why all of a sudden?”
“Ah, today is the day Camila needs to remove the cast, so I decided to go with her while resting.”
“……Do you have a license?”
“Of course.”
“Tsk, but if an accident happens.”
“Hey, Coach. I’m not a kid.”
“Not a kid, but… I wonder if this is okay.”
“I’ll take full responsibility. Please just lend me one car.”
“Hmph. …Then sign where the car type is written and go.”
There were a few cars in La Masia for the coaches or official business, but luckily most of the teams were away today, so they were still there. I looked at the hanging car keys and picked one with a logo of several circles drawn on it.
“…You’re going with that? …Hmm…”
“Are you worried about an accident? I have a lot of money, so you don’t have to worry.”
“N-no, it’s not that. I’m worried that if an accident happens, you might get hurt. What about this car?”
The coach held up the key to a compact car. But with Ryu Ha-neul’s ego, I couldn’t ride something like that, so I shook my head.
“Hey, you should ride a bigger car for safety. I really don’t need you to worry.”
“…Alright.”
Holding up the key to a medium sedan, Camila looked at me.
“…Where did you go?”
“I borrowed a car.”
“How did you know it was there?”
“Well, experience, I guess.”
Camila’s curiosity was natural. I probably couldn’t have known if I hadn’t had the experience of borrowing cars in my previous life. Well, asking the coach for a car was quite noticeable for young players, so it was difficult to even bring it up, but as long as the procedures were followed properly, borrowing a car wasn’t that difficult.
After learning that fact, I had used it many times before leaving La Masia.
Back then, it was used as an excuse to guide Korean friends and go on a date.
When I was about to leave the dorm, Camila’s voice came from behind, hesitating.
“But are you okay?”
“I’m really okay. I borrowed it after talking about it.”
“No, it’s about driving.”
“Eh, didn’t you hear from Yuri? I’m the best driver.”
“I heard, but I don’t believe it.”
I should have shown my driving skill at last Christmas. Grandpa strongly opposed it, and I couldn’t take the kids for a drive, which was a pity.
Grandpa was probably worried about burdening the club if an accident happened, so that was why. But it was still a pity.
“Good. Today I’ll show you what driving is. Camila, you should tell the other kids too?”
“Rather, I’ll drive…”
“With that leg? Don’t joke, follow quickly.”
“…Yes.”
Camila followed me limping.
“Won’t you come soon?”
“…Because of the leg.”
Duh, usually you’re fast. I approached Camila, took her hand, and led her to the parking lot.
“Wait! Wait! Me, leg! Leg!”
Even so, Camila held my hand tightly and walked as slowly as possible.
Ha, I didn’t want it to be like this…
“You really won’t ride? I’ll drive.”
I looked at Camila with a slightly disappointed expression. Having practiced expression acting since childhood, this was easy. Camila eventually nodded.
“…Okay.”
Now Camila was matching my stride. As a man, this expression slightly hurt my pride, but since driving skill was one of the irreplaceable prides, this was an unavoidable choice.
“Sigh…”
In the passenger seat, Camila took a deep breath, fastened her seatbelt, and held the overhead handle.
It had been a long time since I held the steering wheel, so I wanted to show my skill, but I couldn’t accelerate with a woman trembling in the passenger seat.
Tsk, I should go slowly today.
After searching today’s destination in the navigation, I put my hand on the passenger side head as usual and slowly reversed.
When I glanced at Camila, she was looking around everywhere, apparently impressed by my skill.
Doing this made me feel like I was a real man for the first time in a long while?
“Camila, don’t be too impressed.”
“……”
Ha, was it too stimulating for a kid?
“But, did you wash your foot? It smells weird.”
“What are you saying! This is a cast, so I wash it every day! Smell it.”
Camila suddenly lifted her foot. The rolled-up uniform pants showed Camila’s firm thigh boasting reddish-brown skin. Surprised for a moment, Camila showed off her flexibility and tried to put her leg on my arm, so I raised my voice.
“Ya! Ya! I’m driving! Stay still, stay still!”
Fortunately, Camila stopped at my raised voice and sat up properly.
Sigh, kids are girls… No, why are the girls in this world so lacking in caution?
While bickering, we headed toward the hospital.
“Um… Now you can start gentle exercise. Of course, you should be careful for the next few weeks, but since you’re players, that’s hard, right? First, the test results show no special problems. Ah, the data will be sent to the club office as usual, right?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Fortunately, Camila’s test results were perfect.
After removing the cast and leaving the hospital, Camila stretched. She had been unable to use her foot, so she must have felt heavy.
Duh, that active one was forced to rest…
Glancing at Camila’s expression, it looked like she wanted to walk outside a bit.
“Then what will you do now? Go in and eat? Or eat and go in?”
To fulfill Camila’s unspoken wish, I subtly asked, and Camila smiled brightly with her unique innocent expression.
“Sure? I like it!”
If she had a tail, would it be wagging?
Duh, an easy-to-understand guy.
I looked at Camila and laughed inside.