Ballon d'Or

Jesus's Fat Man remark was captured perfectly by the broadcast cameras and aired live across the nation. Netizens who heard it burst into laughter, rolling with the meme fodder among themselves.

While the memes kept rolling, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the match pressed on. Before long, the referee's whistle blew for halftime. With four goals already in the first half against Japan, the stadium atmosphere naturally heated up.

The crowd's wave cheers, full of excitement, were caught on camera. Fans who couldn't snag tickets for the sold-out stadium left envious posts.

While netizens joked around, halftime ended before they knew it. As players returned to the pitch, post speed on the communities slowed.

The second half unfolded much like the first. Japan tried to shift momentum with subs,

The somber faces of the few Japanese fans at the World Cup stadium were caught on camera. The Japanese broadcast booth emphasized that Japan still had a shot at World Cup qualification.

After I slotted in the extra goal, Coach Utilke called me to the bench.

With me ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠off, the game got even fiercer. Watching from the sidelines, I realized I was like an adult crashing kids' playtime.

"Ooh—!"

Japan gnashed their teeth, desperate for a consolation goal. In the dying minutes, Tanaka Hideyoki's long-range shot ripped Korea's net.

"Nice one! Great shot!"

I clapped and cheered Japan's goal. Netizens spotting the clip branded me a pro-Japan traitor.

. . .

Full Time

South Korea 5 : 1 Japan

Back in Madrid, shocking news awaited me. "Japan's not filing with FIFA."

The Japan FA said they wouldn't make an issue of my Fat Man comment. I shot a confused look at Dusik-hyung.

"...? They're not filing? Why?"

"They got their asses kicked in the Korea-Japan match, so World Cup hopes are on the line. No complaint if you play Iraq and win big."

I nodded at Dusik-hyung's explanation.

Is this a plea bargain?

As I quietly nodded to myself, convinced, Dusik-hyung added,

"Plus, your cheering Tanaka Hideyoki's goal got aired in Japan too— they said the Fat Man line wasn't malicious. Oh, and you got an ad deal from Japan."

Money rolling in? I shot up from my seat. My endorsement rates were sky-high, so fewer Korean deals were a headache. Problem solved.

"Lose an image, gain the bucks. Soccer players of the world, unite under Little Boy and Fat Man!"

Phew... Was gonna yell 'Great Leap Forward Number One' at Chinese reporters for that China cash. Dodged a bullet.

Hayun and Seoyun shot up like weeds, day by day. Yohan stuck by his siblings whenever he wasn't training.

"Baa— when can I play with Hayuni and Seoyuni?"

No jealousy even with parents' attention on the babies.

"When Yohan's five, you can play together?"

Yuna and I felt proud of him. I ruffled Yohan's hair with a smile.

"Whose kid is this? Yohan's such a good boy."

Yuna puffed her chest at my question. Yohan sticking out his belly must've come from her.

"Who else? My son!"

We chuckled. Seeing Mom and Dad laugh, Yohan grinned toothily too.

Happy day passed, and next morning,

I headed to the training ground early with Yohan.

Dropped him at the soccer academy in Valdebebas, then walked to the first-team pitch.

La Fabrica prospects swarmed with greetings.

"¡Hola, Jesus!"

I waved back with well-wishes for seeing them in the first team someday. Kids really softened me up.

At the first-team ground, familiar faces greeted me—the Kimchi Pirates crew lit up.

"Hey! Jesus!" "Saw the match, killer stuff."

I greeted them warmly too.

"¡Hola, hope lunch tastes good, you idiots."

They launched into debating godfathers for Hayun and Seoyun the second I arrived.

"Real talk, none of us got Jesus money, so table that."

"Si, so what's priority?"

"Personality?"

I chimed in,

"Personality? You're all out."

Brushed off easy.

"None of us are worse than that bastard, so scratch that too?"

"Agree."

"Me too."

Debate ended with a showdown to pick godfathers. Excuse to skip training, if you ask me.

"¡Puta! Madre!"

Anyway, Luka Savic got Hayun's godfather spot. Roberto Fabian snagged Seoyun's.

Not long after Jesus returned to Real Madrid training,

the Ballon d'Or ceremony loomed.

His treble and scoring titles in every tourney made his win a given. But Koreans fretted over possible racial bias blocking it.

As the Ballon d'Or ceremony rolled, Lionel Messi took the stage as presenter. Viewers' chats exploded.

As Korean viewers prayed desperately for Jesus's win, Messi's mouth slowly opened.

"Congratulations to the winner. Jesus!"

Jesus, already standing before his name was called, strode up to the stage.

Light hug with Messi,

then to the mic. He glanced at Messi and bellowed,