The Ghost in the Attic
That next morning, when Ha Sunmoon opened his eyes, he trembled with fear. “Uh… that’s right! I saw something weird and passed out, didn’t I?”
Ha Sunmoon immediately scanned his surroundings. A small, cramped room. The place he had lived in for the past three months. It was familiar.
“Was it… not real? Did I see it wrong?”
[No. You saw it clearly.]
“Uh…”
Ha Sunmoon’s body stiffened at the voice that suddenly rang out.
[What an interesting kid.]
When Ha Sunmoon turned his head toward the source of the voice, the foreign ghost he had seen before came into view.
[A kid writing a suicide note? Pathetic.]
When Ha Sunmoon had collapsed, the envelope containing his suicide note had slipped from his hand, and the paper inside lay scattered on the floor. The foreign ghost, having read every word, stared at him with clear disapproval.
“Uh… uh…”
[Calm down, young friend. I’m not here to hurt you.]
When Ha Sunmoon remained wary, the foreign ghost tried to soothe him.
[I don’t know why I can appear to you, and I don’t understand why I’m stuck like this as a ghost. Right now, I’m the one who wants answers.]
Only then did Ha Sunmoon truly look at the foreign ghost. On closer inspection, the handsome man in a sharp military uniform appeared to be in his late twenties.
“Hello… My name is Ha Sunmoon.”
[Right. I’m Clive…]
The ghost paused, seeming to ponder something, then spoke again.
[Harrison. Clive Harrison. I was with the British Army. I don’t remember exactly what I did, though.]
After the awkward introductions, Ha Sunmoon and Clive Harrison stared at each other in uncomfortable silence. Eventually, the soldier ghost spoke first.
[Hmm. Kid, what do you like?]
Ha Sunmoon had expected the ghost to bring up the suicide note, but Clive Harrison changed the subject entirely.
“What I like… I don’t really have anything.”
[There must be something. Like that ball over there!]
Clive Harrison pointed at the football in the corner of the room. Ha Sunmoon nodded.
“Ah! I used to like football. I even went abroad to study it. But none of that matters anymore.”
[Forgetting the joy of football? What nonsense!]
When the ghost in front of him grew visibly agitated, Ha Sunmoon quickly looked away.
[Kid, is there anywhere nearby where you can play football?]
“I’m sixteen now. I’m not a kid, okay? I finished middle school, so I can attend high school.”
[Sixteen? Then you’re still a kid. Anyway, is there a place nearby where I can watch you play? Kicking a ball around might lift your spirits.]
Being constantly called “kid” was a little annoying, but Ha Sunmoon thought of a place.
“There is one. We can go to the elementary school I used to attend.”
[Then shall we go together? I want to see how good you are. You said you studied abroad, right?]
Ha Sunmoon stared at Clive Harrison for a moment.
“By the way, what should I call you? Clive? Harrison?”
[Call me Mr. Harrison.]
“Hmm… I’ll just call you Listen-hyung.”
[Why do you have to twist it like… Ah… Fine. I’ll keep calling you kid, so you can call me whatever you want. Now, shall we head outside?]
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
Since a ghost causing trouble was better than being alone with his thoughts, Ha Sunmoon decided to follow along. He grabbed the football and headed to the playground of Suseok Elementary School with the ghost.
It was a Saturday, so the field was empty. On a weekday it would have been off-limits.
[Oh! It’s all dirt, but otherwise it’s pretty decent.]
Without a word, Ha Sunmoon began bouncing the ball with his feet in response to Harrison’s comment. He started with basic trapping, but his movements looked somewhat stiff.
Thump. Thump! Ting? Rattle…
[What are you doing? You can’t even do the basics properly?]
When Ha Sunmoon fumbled a simple trap, Harrison tilted his head.
“It’s been a while, that’s all.”
Ha Sunmoon started bouncing the ball again. Thump! Thump! Thump! Alternating between both feet, he gradually grew more confident. He let the ball settle on his chest, then bent forward and rolled it across his back, sending it dancing freely around his body.
[Oh… Not bad at all.]
Harrison offered praise, but Ha Sunmoon didn’t seem to hear it. He continued juggling the ball with effortless control. Finally, he lofted it high into the air and brought it down gently with his left foot.
[Your ball touch is incredible too?]
Harrison’s eyes widened at the boy’s astonishing skill.
“I told you I studied abroad, didn’t I?”
[You did? Ah! Where exactly did you—?]
“Brazil. I studied in Brazil.”
At the mention of Brazil, Harrison’s mouth fell open and he stared at Ha Sunmoon in stunned silence.
“Whoa! Whoa! Hyung, you’re amazing!”
“That was the best!”
Harrison wasn’t the only one who had seen Ha Sunmoon’s skills. The Suseok Elementary School football club members had come to the playground for weekend practice.
“How did you do that?”
“Teach me too!”
Nearly twenty excited boys came sprinting over after watching Ha Sunmoon perform his tricks with the ball.
“Wait… guys? I’ll show you one by one, just slow down…”
“Everyone here?”
From a distance, someone was calling the students over. It was someone Ha Sunmoon knew.
“Uh… Coach?”
“Hmm? Who is this? Could it be Sunmoon?”
It was the football coach from his elementary school days.
“Um… kids? Give me a minute. I need to talk to that hyung over there. Warm up while you wait, okay?”
“Yes!”
“Okay~!”
The Suseok Elementary coach listened as Ha Sunmoon told him everything that had happened.
“My god… I had no idea something like that occurred…”
The coach looked at him with trembling eyes.
“It’s my fault too.”
“Why would it be your fault, Coach?”
Ha Sunmoon found the statement a little strange.
“First of all… I have classes to teach. Unlike before, I now coach on weekends too. Half of that is thanks to you.”
“Ah, I see…”
“If you have time, want to play a bit? It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper run. We can split into two teams—you and me as captains.”
“Of course. Anytime.”
Ha Sunmoon nodded.
“Listen up! This friend here is your senior!”
“Huh!? Really?”
“Yes! He was so good in elementary tournaments that he went to Brazil on a football scholarship.”
“Whoa! So that’s why he’s so good!”
Thanks to the elementary school boys, Ha Sunmoon’s expression brightened considerably.
“So today we’re splitting into two teams—me and this hyung.”
“Whoa! Sounds fun!”
“I thought we were just doing boring drills again! Awesome!”
“Hyung, be on my team! Coach sucks at football.”
Since playing a real match was far more enjoyable than basic drills, the Suseok Elementary players looked absolutely thrilled.
“Huff… Huff…”
“You really are frighteningly good.”
The football coach was left speechless by Ha Sunmoon’s ability.
“Haa… Haa… I thought I was going to die. Even playing against kids, I nearly dropped dead.”
“Stop acting weak. You were basically toying with them.”
When the coach glared at him, Ha Sunmoon averted his eyes.
“I was only playing defense…”
“Your defending was smooth, but the way you burst forward and nutmegged three kids in a row? Really?”
“I didn’t go too far… It’s just a habit. It comes naturally.”
The subtle implication that he could have done much worse made the coach shake his head in disbelief.
“Anyway, thanks to you, I got a good workout and the kids had fun.”
“I’m glad.”
“Ahem. That aside…”
The coach’s expression turned serious again as he looked at Ha Sunmoon.
“There’s something I need to tell you. It’s about your scholarship.”
“My scholarship?”
“Do you remember? You were the best in school, but there was one friend who was almost as good as you.”
“Ah… yes.”
“Originally, he was supposed to go to Brazil, and you were going to England. Your grades were better.”
[What did he just say?]
Ha Sunmoon’s eyes widened, and Harrison, who had been listening nearby, drew closer.
“What? Then why did it change?”
“His parents didn’t want to send him to Brazil. They said it was too dangerous.”
“Too dangerous… Yeah. I know all about that…”
The moment Brazil was mentioned, Ha Sunmoon’s eyes darkened.
“So… at his parents’ request, I met with his mother and your mother privately.”
“So that’s when Mom received the money?”
“Yes… But I hope you understand there were practical reasons too. Living in England costs a lot. The more money you have, the better. It was supposed to be a family trip.”
“For Brazil, I could go alone and stay in a dorm, so it didn’t cost as much.”
Ha Sunmoon nodded, his eyes still hollow.
“Sunmoon… I’m sorry. I’m the one who drove a wedge between you and your mother.”
“It’s not your fault… It was bound to happen eventually. I gave them the excuse.”
“No… I’m truly sorry…”
The coach looked at him with difficulty before continuing.
“So, where are you planning to play from now on? You said you returned to Korea in December and haven’t joined any team since?”
“I just… don’t feel like doing anything.”
“After seeing the footwork you showed today, it’s clear you learned properly in Brazil. In that case, there’s a place I can recommend you to.”
“Recommend? I haven’t played in so long. I can’t.”
When Ha Sunmoon showed a lack of confidence, the coach pressed him.
“Can’t? You were more than good enough just now. And there’s an opportunity right in front of you—why say you can’t? In three months, in June, several Spanish clubs will be holding open tryouts here in Korea. Scouts from various La Liga teams are coming.”
“Spain?”
“Yes. You have more than enough experience to pass. Your profile is strong enough to apply. Not just anyone can get in. Who else has played under a professional Brazilian team like you? I’ll put in a recommendation for you. All you have to do is show up for the test.”
Ha Sunmoon nodded slowly.