Promotion to the B Team
"I think we should promote Sunmoon to the B team soon," the U19 coach told David, Espanyol B's manager. David looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Didn't you say last time that we'd take it slow?"
"The situation has changed. I thought his strong ego would make adaptation difficult, but because he's still young, he adjusted much faster than expected."
"Is that so?" David nodded, accepting the explanation that Ha Sunmoon had adapted quickly.
"Besides, the first team needs a left-back more than anything right now. It would be wise to prepare a high-potential player and bring him up quickly."
Espanyol's first team currently had two left-backs: Pedrosa and Vila. Vila was getting on in years and serving only as a backup; it was time to move him on. The club had been searching for a replacement, and given their chronic lack of funds, promoting a youth player was far more stable than buying one. Of course, Ha Sunmoon's price tag was steep for his age, but if his potential allowed him to become a long-term starter, the investment was worthwhile. Though the players didn't know it, the B team had already concluded there was no left-back ready to step into the first team, making Ha Sunmoon's promotion even more anticipated.
"That much, huh? Enough that you're openly pushing for it? I don't remember the last time you changed your mind this quickly."
"There's a reason. I also wanted to take it slow at first. But if you watch this, you'll see what we've been overlooking."
The U19 coach played footage from recent matches. Since U19 games weren't high-profile, the cameras weren't the best, but the recordings were clear enough to identify the players. Most of the clips focused on Ha Sunmoon's defensive actions.
"He's excellent defensively. Very intelligent."
"Exactly. Everyone focused on his dribbling because of his time in Brazil, but his real strength shows in defense. He hasn't made a single defensive error in U19 matches."
"Because he reads the play so well and steps in early, it looks like opponents are simply making mistakes and giving the ball away. That's why we missed it."
"You're right. He really is a strong defender."
"His crossing still needs work, but he's ready to be called up for B-team cup matches. Of course, we'll only know for sure once he faces adult teams in the B team rather than U19."
David nodded thoughtfully. "Thanks for the insight. We'll bring him up right away. The way you're talking, you must be eager to see him in the B team yourself. I'll speak to the club about this. We made the right call signing him."
* * *
"Yessss! The B team!"
I told you it would happen, didn't I?
Ha Sunmoon shouted with excitement the moment he got home. Harrison nodded in satisfaction.
"Yessss! I'm never doing that suffocating stuff again!"
It had been a calculated move. Ha Sunmoon had found his playstyle incredibly frustrating, but Harrison's promise that one month would be enough had kept him going. The strategy had worked. That morning, he received word he was moving to the B team.
"You were right, Harrison hyung! I really only had to endure it for a month and now I'm in the B team! Goodbye to that stupid square zone!"
Still, don't forget the method we used. There was a reason we emphasized it. If the B team or first team uses that tactic, you'll have to do the same.
"We'll decide that when the time comes!"
Ha Sunmoon looked overjoyed to have escaped the stifling U19 environment.
"Today calls for something delicious!"
Hm? Where are you going?
"I'm heading to Uncle Raul's place for some paella."
Ha Sunmoon set off for Raul's restaurant to celebrate his promotion to the B team.
"Oh! Look who it is!"
"Hello, sir."
"Felipe isn't with you today?"
"No, I came alone."
Whenever Felipe was away on business, Ha Sunmoon ate at Raul's, so he had grown quite close to the owner.
"What would you like to eat?"
"Paella. Yours is the best."
"Is that so? Thank you for saying that. Would you like to sit over there?"
Ha Sunmoon took the seat he was shown and waited for his meal. Then a small voice came from the next table.
"What? He came here alone? Must not have any friends."
Ha Sunmoon, who had been waiting for his food, turned his head. Sitting there was a girl about his age with slightly reddish hair, staring at him with open disgust.
"What did you say?"
"I asked if you came alone because you have no friends. Doesn't look like you're here with family either."
Family. The word struck a sensitive nerve. Ha Sunmoon's expression darkened.
"What the hell is your problem? A girl like you ought to watch her mouth before she gets herself hurt."
Unable to hold back any longer, Ha Sunmoon stood up and walked over to her.
Sunmoon, calm down. Why are you talking to a girl like that?
"Got some pride left, huh? Ugh, you're short too. And ugly. No wonder you have no friends. Girls probably don't like you either. Obviously."
"What are you going to do about it? Sounds like there's something wrong with your tongue. If you don't want to get hit, shut your mouth."
After giving her a final warning, Ha Sunmoon returned to his seat, glaring at her.
Well done. At least you didn't lay a hand on her. I'm proud of you.
Harrison spoke sincerely. Given Ha Sunmoon's free-spirited nature, things could have escalated much worse, so he gently tried to soothe him.
That girl has issues. Picking a fight the moment she sees you? You did the right thing. And if you become a professional player, you'll face plenty of provocations like this. Today's experience will be useful.
"Haa..."
Ha Sunmoon was still angry, but Harrison's words helped him calm down. Just as he was sipping water to cool off, Raul fortunately arrived with his food.
"Here you go, kid. Paella's ready. You've worked hard, so you deserve this."
"Thank you, Uncle Raul."
Raul then moved to the girl's table.
"Ah, hello. Oh! Look who it is—Annie's here too?"
Annie?
So the rude girl's name was Annie. Ha Sunmoon committed it to memory. Annie's parents, who had been in the restroom, had returned and were chatting with Raul.
"Your son is doing well in football, right?"
"Haha, he is."
His son plays football? Then...
"You said he's talented?"
"He still needs to improve. To go from the B team to the first team, he'll have to work very hard. I'm a bit worried, actually. He was a left winger, but the coach keeps moving him to left-back."
Left-back?
At that moment, Harrison's eyes widened, and a spark lit in Ha Sunmoon's. Starting tomorrow, Ha Sunmoon would be in the B team. That meant the son of the family at that table was his rival.
"Uncle, I have a question."
"What is it?"
Annie raised her hand as if she had something to ask Raul.
"Does that boy sitting alone over there even have money to pay?"
Crack.
Ha Sunmoon felt his anger rising again.
Good grief... Hold it in, Sunmoon.
But he didn't want to leave delicious food behind, so he began scooping large spoonfuls into his mouth.
Nom nom.
"That boy doesn't have to pay here. So don't worry about it. I gave him permission."
"Uncle Raul, you're too kind. Feeding someone like that. And look at him eating so crudely. He looks like he's trying to get kicked out. Am I wrong?"
"Annie! Watch your words."
Raul looked shocked, and Annie's parents scolded her.
Okay. She's crossed way too many lines.
Harrison could only imagine how furious Ha Sunmoon must be. But in moments like this, an adult needed to teach him how to handle anger—more precisely, how to strike back cleverly.
Sunmoon... I know how angry you are. She's a teammate's family member. If you fight here, it could cause serious trouble. You have the moral high ground, but if you want to become a great player, you need a different approach.
Ha Sunmoon nodded. After finishing his meal, he wiped his mouth with a napkin while listening to Harrison's advice. Then he stood up.
"Uncle Raul, the paella was delicious as always."
He turned to look at Annie's table.
"Hello. My name is Ha Sunmoon."
"Ah... I see. I'm sorry. My daughter has a bit of a sharp tongue."
"It's fine. She was like that earlier too."
"Good heavens."
Annie's parents frowned.
"I warned her that if she did it again, I wouldn't let it slide. But I'll let it pass this time. It's a bit awkward when it's a teammate's family, after all."
With that, Ha Sunmoon gave Annie a light smile.
Alright. That girl's going to get torn apart at home. She's already half-dead.