So This Is What All the Chaos Was About?
Raul, who had been shielding Ha Sunmoon from the TV crew, led him to a quiet corner of the restaurant. Only then could Sunmoon hear the full story that Vegas had picked up inside.
"So... this is what caused all the chaos?"
"First of all, I have no intention of going anywhere. I've been training with the youth team on purpose, and I've only just started building real chemistry with the first-team players. A transfer? What transfer? I haven't heard a single word from Uncle Felipe."
"Then that's a relief... Wait, no. Isn't it possible you haven't heard anything because you haven't been in touch?"
At Vegas's words, Ha Sunmoon looked slightly flustered.
"We... haven't really been in contact, that's true."
"Then it could all change the next time you reach out."
"Ueeeng."
Annie, still buried in Ha Sunmoon's arms, started crying again.
"Hey... can you do something about her?"
"I don't know how. Even our family can't rein her in when she gets like this. But I've never seen her act this way before. Maybe I teased her too hard?"
"Why? What exactly did you say to her?"
Ha Sunmoon found Annie clinging to him like a stubborn sticker somewhat burdensome. She kept sobbing sorrowfully in his embrace, and since he couldn't bring himself to push her away, he had simply moved to a different spot while keeping her attached.
"She said if you transfer, it'll be all your fault. That if you leave, you should apologize to the other Espanyol fans for abandoning them."
"Ah... um..."
"You were pretty upset back then, weren't you?"
"Extremely upset."
"Upset enough to actually leave?"
"Maybe thirty percent?"
At those words, the sobbing started up again from within his arms.
"Ueeeng. I'm sorry. Please don't go. Ueeeng. Hic."
"Alright, stop crying. My shirt is completely soaked now. I came fresh out of the shower, and look at this mess."
Heh heh heh. Watching these kids is pretty entertaining.
Harrison chuckled quietly at the absurdity of the situation. Ha Sunmoon, thoroughly embarrassed, shot him a silent glare. But knowing there was nothing he could do about it right now, he turned his focus back to Annie and Vegas.
"First of all... as for my current situation, I have no plans to transfer anywhere."
"Then at least make some kind of statement. It's total chaos right now. The fan forums are heating up too."
Vegas pulled out his phone and showed Sunmoon the Espanyol fan forum.
"Hmm... I can't really make sense of it."
"It's all about the rumors surrounding you. Stories that big La Liga clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona are trying to sign you."
Vegas deliberately emphasized Barcelona, mindful of the local derby.
"Is there really nothing from Barcelona? A prominent user mentioned it in their forum. That person's known for leaking credible club sources, so people are taking it seriously."
Ha Sunmoon shook his head.
"I don't know much about the Spanish football landscape. But one thing is certain—I have no particular desire to go to Barcelona. It's not a club I'm especially attached to. If Neymar were still there, maybe it would be different, but..."
"Aha~ So that's how it is?"
"Yeah. Really."
"Hic. Then what about Real Madrid? You actually met Marcelo and he invited you to join them?"
Annie, who had calmed down slightly, pulled back from his chest and asked. But because this part was true, Ha Sunmoon's face hardened.
"Uh... yeah, I did meet Marcelo."
"Wait, you seriously got an invitation from Marcelo to come to Real Madrid?"
Vegas asked as well. Ha Sunmoon gave a small nod.
"This..."
Vegas let out a heavy sigh.
A call from Real Madrid was fatal. Just as German league players would sprint like mad dogs at Bayern Munich's summons, most players in Spain found it nearly impossible to refuse when Real Madrid came calling. And because Real Madrid pulled talent from every league, the pull was even stronger.
Annie looked ready to burst into tears again.
"But this much is certain... It's not happening this winter. Really. No matter who comes calling, I don't want to join another team right now. I like Uncle Raul's restaurant, I like the first team, and I like the current manager. I have zero desire to go anywhere else."
"Food's ready."
"Ah~."
Raul arrived with the dishes at that exact moment. Ha Sunmoon stared at the plates with an almost enchanted expression.
"Thank you, Uncle Raul. I was already starving after training, and then all this happened on top of it. Eating now is going to feel amazing."
"Should I bring some sangria too? Ice-cold?"
"Yes, please. I really need it right now."
Raul, having heard that one of the reasons Sunmoon wanted to stay at Espanyol was his restaurant, broke into a delighted smile and went to fetch the sangria.
For now... let's eat, then head back and call Felipe.
"I'm sorry, Sunmoon."
Felipe's voice, heavy with exhaustion, came through the phone.
"Uncle? Are you okay?"
"Huu... To think something like that happened. I should have contacted you beforehand. It's my fault for leaving you unprepared."
"No, it's fine. It sounds like you're the one struggling to keep up with everything. Is there anything I need to know?"
"Actually... there's nothing concrete. No serious offers have come in yet. But the inquiries about you are flooding in like crazy. The previous interest wasn't interest at all. I feel like I've taken a hundred calls today alone."
"A hundred calls?"
Ha Sunmoon was genuinely shocked.
"Good grief... After the Eibar match, the emails had already doubled from normal. Once the Real Madrid and Barcelona rumors exploded, it jumped to five times that. My phone is still ringing nonstop, and the emails keep pouring in."
"Uh... so what should we do?"
"I want to follow your wishes. An agent usually pushes for quick transfers to maximize profit, but I want you to do what you want. Give me three directions for what you're hoping for."
Umm... how should I put this?
"First, I don't want to transfer right now."
"Good. Option one confirmed. No winter move, correct?"
"Yes. And... if I do end up transferring, I think Real Madrid, where Marcelo is, would be ideal."
"An excellent choice. Following in Marcelo's footsteps wouldn't be bad at all. Of course, Real Madrid will be the ones evaluating you. Understood."
"And..."
Ha Sunmoon glanced up at Harrison for a moment.
"If it's another league, I've been considering the Premier League. But that's my third choice."
Harrison's eyes widened. It was clear Sunmoon had thought of him after all. Even with his connection to Marcelo, he was still willing to consider the Premier League as a secondary option.
"Premier League? Got it. Just so you know, Championship clubs are showing massive interest. Some are already offering three times your current salary. It's the second division, but that seems a bit crazy, doesn't it?"
"Haha... yeah, it does."
"Right. In my opinion, the best move is to negotiate a contract renewal with Espanyol first."
"A renewal?"
"Yes. Once we secure that, other clubs won't be able to poke around with vague inquiries, and the Espanyol fans will feel reassured."
Since Ha Sunmoon genuinely had no intention of leaving Espanyol at the moment, he agreed immediately.
"Then let's do that."
Huu... What a mess.
Having heard Harrison's input, Sunmoon felt exactly the same.
"I'm so tired... Wow... There's a match tomorrow... It's nonstop..."
Lying in bed, Ha Sunmoon ran through the upcoming schedule in his head.
Espanyol's next match was at home against Osasuna on January 19. Sitting in twelfth place, Osasuna desperately needed the points to stay out of the relegation zone. Villa was scheduled to start, so Sunmoon could afford to take that game a little easier.
The real problem was the cup match on the twenty-second against Villarreal. Espanyol had drawn the short straw. It was still the early rounds, yet they were already facing a top-flight side. Villarreal, currently ninth in the league, was a formidable opponent. A loss there could drastically reduce Sunmoon's playing time, so he intended to give everything he had in that match.
Just then, his phone buzzed.
Kid, snap out of it. What you're doing now is simply exploring another direction in football. You don't need to feel so intimidated. Remember Marcelo's words.
Ah... that's right.
Diola had nearly seized the upper hand, but Harrison's reminder helped Sunmoon regain his composure.
His hands were still trembling slightly as he tossed the phone onto the bed.
"Then what now?"
Just go to sleep early.