A Brazilian Remedy
After the cup competition, the coaching staff including Pablo Machín were quite taken aback the next day of the winter break. Ha Sunmoon's condition upon arriving at the training ground did not look good.
"Sunmoon? Is something wrong?"
"No…."
"Were you hoping to play in the cup competition?"
"That's not it."
Pablo Machín's head ached at the sight of him looking as though he had fallen into depression. When the manager saw that his new key asset was showing mental issues, he sought opinions from David, the B-team coach, and the youth staff.
"What could be wrong with a young player like this?"
"Well… hmm… maybe he's just homesick?"
"Homesick?"
"Yeah. It happens to young players sometimes. Perhaps giving him a short holiday during the winter break to send him home…"
"So we should send him to Korea?"
"Uh… hold on a second."
The youth staff member paused, suddenly remembering that Ha Sunmoon had no contact with his parents.
"We might need to ask someone else about that. It could be better to check with his agent Felipe or Naldo. Sunmoon might prefer Brazil over Korea."
"Ah… right. Pablo, even though Sunmoon is Korean by nationality, he's practically a Brazilian player."
"Hmm… all right then. I'll talk to Naldo."
Still uncertain, Pablo Machín approached Ha Sunmoon again.
"Sunmoon."
"Yes, Manager."
"Do you… have any holiday plans? The winter break is coming up."
"Holiday?"
"Yes. It's normally a rest period, but I want to give you some extra time off as a reward for your performance against Real Madrid."
Ha Sunmoon tilted his head at the unexpected offer.
"But I don't really have any plans…"
"Is that so? Then, if you were to take a holiday, would you go to Korea?"
Pablo Machín finally got to the point.
"Korea? No. If I go anywhere, it'll be Brazil."
"Hmm~ I see. Where did you say you were from again?"
"Rio de Janeiro."
"Right, got it. Anyway, just so you know."
"Yes. Thank you."
Having heard a clear answer, Pablo Machín went straight to Naldo and explained the situation.
"I see… so that's the problem. It's understandable for a young player."
"That's why I'm asking you. A veteran like you should look after the younger ones."
"Understood. I'll figure something out."
However, since Naldo did not know much about Rio de Janeiro, he first asked a Brazilian national team teammate about the current situation.
- So he's planning to spend his break in Rio? I wouldn't recommend it. It's too far to travel during the season.
But his colleague's response was not encouraging.
- Then what should we do? He says he'll go to Rio if he goes anywhere.
- That's not necessary. He doesn't have to go all the way to Rio. He can just relax at a nice beach.
- Barcelona has nice beaches too, doesn't it?
- Come on, what are you talking about? Leave it to me. Tell Ha that I'm inviting him…
Naldo thought his colleague had come up with a pretty good solution.
"Sunmoon? Do you have any plans for this winter break?"
"Plans? I don't have any."
"Then how about coming on a trip with me?"
Ha Sunmoon tilted his head.
"Where to?"
"I don't know the details yet. Marcelo invited us."
"Marcelo?"
Ha Sunmoon's expression, which had been slightly doubtful, brightened.
Huh…? Is it getting better?
Harold felt that Brazil really was the answer after all. He sensed that Ha Sunmoon, who had not recovered no matter what they tried, was finally improving.
"So, are you going or not?"
"Of course I'm going! Sounds great. Should I head to Madrid?"
"Just wait. I'll contact you."
"Yes! Got it."
After the Copa del Rey ended, the winter break arrived. Espanyol faced Alcorcón in the cup and secured a comfortable victory, after which the players each spent the winter break in their own way. Ha Sunmoon arrived in Mallorca, a resort town in Spain, at Marcelo's invitation.
"Hey~! Ha!"
Marcelo greeted Ha Sunmoon warmly, and Sunmoon responded just as enthusiastically.
"How do you like it? Pretty awesome, right?"
"Yes. It looks like an amazing place. I think I'll need the whole day just to look around."
"Hahaha! You can sightsee while partying. Come on."
Thanks to Marcelo renting a luxurious villa in Mallorca, they would be able to enjoy beautiful scenery and proper rest. On top of that, there was even a small football pitch, so they could play football whenever they wanted.
There's even a pitch. This place is really great.
Harold also felt that this was an excellent spot.
"So, shall we have some fun? Some other players will be coming soon too. There's a big festival on the beach, so let's enjoy ourselves there."
Ha Sunmoon nodded.
Quite some time later, late at night, Ha Sunmoon, Marcelo, and Naldo returned to the villa Marcelo had rented.
"How was it? Fun, right?"
"Yes! Playing really is different."
The beach had practically turned into a club, and Ha Sunmoon had enjoyed himself with various other players. Honestly, at some point he had not known where to look because of the women in thin bikinis that barely contained their ample chests. Still, thanks to the bold older women's physical affection, he had experienced quite a happy time. As time passed and men and women began heading to their lodgings for more intimate moments, the two married men and the one minor did not join the procession and instead returned to the villa.
"Whew~ that was exhausting."
Marcelo handed drinks to Naldo and Ha Sunmoon. Marcelo and Naldo received light alcoholic beverages, while Sunmoon was given a non-alcoholic sangria.
"All right, time to talk about what's bothering you! Naldo told me there was some kind of problem?"
Perhaps because he had spent the entire day enjoying himself, Ha Sunmoon no longer felt so sad when he thought of Diola.
"Uh… there was, but I'm fine now."
"Then you can talk about it, right? Naldo was pretty worried."
"Oh! Was he?"
"Of course. You're a player the club has high expectations for."
Ha Sunmoon, still unaware of the attention he was receiving, felt slightly confused.
"Wait a second! Let me guess."
Marcelo stepped in, taking a sip of his drink.
"From what Naldo said, he thought you were homesick. But I don't think that's it."
Marcelo paused for a moment.
"It's a girl, isn't it?"
Hit right on the mark, Ha Sunmoon froze for a moment before nodding.
"You little rascal! I was wondering why you were suffering from homesickness, but it was girl trouble all along?"
Naldo reacted loudly, as if feeling slightly betrayed.
"Hahaha! I knew I was right! Homesickness, my ass! Look how quickly he recovered once he was surrounded by women in bikinis on the beach."
"Kekeke. That's true."
The sight of a teenage player struggling with girl problems was highly entertaining to the players in their thirties. Naldo and Marcelo laughed heartily as they looked at Ha Sunmoon.
"You're a real Brazilian kid. Why don't you just naturalize?"
"Uh… I've thought about it, but…"
"Is our country's naturalization process complicated? Hahaha. Come on over quickly."
The sight of a teenage player struggling with girl problems was highly entertaining to the players in their thirties. Then Marcelo stopped laughing for a moment and spoke seriously to Ha Sunmoon.
"Is the girl problem what's bothering you?"
"Yes… Honestly, there was a girl I wanted to meet, but… it didn't work out. She said she didn't like that I lacked professionalism."
"Ha!"
Marcelo burst out laughing.
"Listen carefully. The girl you met is going to regret this big time. Because you're going to become an incredible football player."
Then Marcelo tapped Ha Sunmoon's head as if to make sure he remembered.
"Never forget this. You're a football player. If you excel at just one thing, everything else will fall into place."
"One thing?"
"Yeah. Football. You just need to be good at football. Performing well on the pitch comes first."
Marcelo looked at Ha Sunmoon more sharply.
"Whether you're usually foul-mouthed, drink every day, or smoke ten cigars a day, it doesn't matter. Professionalism can go to hell. Overwhelming skill comes first."
"Overwhelming skill."
Harold had something to say about this opinion, but he did not dare voice it. At least when it came to football, the advice of a world-class player was far better.
"You're one of us. Following professionalism and having a winning mentality and all that? Throw that to the dogs. Enjoying the moment you score a goal and dominating opponents with overwhelming performances during matches comes first."
Ha Sunmoon nodded as if entranced.
"If you're good at football, your girl problems will solve themselves. Once you reach the level of attending the Ballon d'Or ceremony, plenty of women will want to meet you. Honestly, you already have some qualifications. You might not know it, but there are probably quite a few girls who already want to meet you. I guarantee it."
Ha Sunmoon felt slightly embarrassed at Marcelo's words.
"But I still… lack the skill."
"Lack the skill! After playing that well against our Real Madrid? No matter how tired we were, it's rare for us to get completely dominated like that. Have some pride."
At Marcelo's words, Ha Sunmoon's confidence gradually rose.
"But there's something I'm definitely not good at… could you teach me?"
"Teach you? No problem. What's the issue?"
"I'm a left-back, but I still can't deliver crosses very well…"
"It's late and we've been drinking, so it's difficult today. I'll show you tomorrow. How bad can it be that you're asking?"
"Cough cough. It's a bit lacking."
Naldo, who had seen Ha Sunmoon's crosses before, coughed as he spoke.
"Uh… is it that bad?"
Ha Sunmoon and Naldo both nodded at the same time.