My Girlfriend Wants Victory

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After returning to my country, I spent time meeting with acquaintances.

Well… if I say “acquaintances,” it’s really just the members of the Geumsun High School football team, including Kang Chan, and my father-in-law, Chairman Hwang Geum-soon.

“O! It’s Son Jinho!”

“Jinho, let me get your autograph!”

“Geez, looks like Germany suits you well. Your face is all bright!”

“My face has always been bright. I’m just good-looking, you know.”

Anyway, today was the day to meet with the members of the Geumsun High School football team. Kang Chan was busy with the J-League season in Japan, so he couldn’t join us. Thanks to that, I could have slightly deeper conversations with the other players.

“Honestly, you guys are even better looking than me!”

The faces of the Geumsun High School football team were generally bright. They had managed to win the championship last season, and most of the seniors were either going to college or heading straight to the pros.

According to Chairman Hwang Geum-soon, they were also performing well this season.

“It’s all thanks to you. It’s been a short time, but I’ve learned a lot; thank you.”

Center-back Kim Jae-hyun, who got drafted to go pro in Jeju this year due to his excellent performance last year, said with grateful eyes.

“Me too! Thanks to you, I got into the university I wanted!”

“Honestly, at first, the training was tough, and I cursed a lot in my head… Now that I think back, that was the day my football skills improved the most. I really appreciate it.”

“I think I don’t have any talent for football, so I’m planning to train as a coach!”

After that, other players also expressed their thanks.

“…Uh, sorry. I think I misunderstood something.”

Among them were a few awkward humans awkwardly mumbling something that sounded like an apology or maybe just nonsense. They were the children of parents who had been spreading all sorts of baseless rumors.

At first, I thought about not accepting the apology, but since we weren’t exactly close, I just accepted it.

“Are you scared of the poop, or are you avoiding it because it’s dirty?”

Besides, if I held a grudge over this incident and ended up spreading false facts online, it would just tarnish my image.

“Anyway.”

I coolly accepted their apology, but I hoped they wouldn’t end up making bad comments later and winding up at the police station.

I didn’t want that, either.

*

As the call-up day for the Olympic national team approached, I moved to the national training center located in Paju.

Even just four days before the second Olympic qualification match, only six of us, including me, had joined.

“Hello!”

“Oh, Jinho, is that you?”

Before the other players arrived, I chatted with Coach Han Myung-bo about various topics. We actually connected quite well.

“You won’t be able to join the final qualifiers, right?”

“They probably won’t let me go from Dortmund during the season.”

There seemed to be no change in his facial expression, so others didn’t seem to notice, but maybe because I had spent so much time with the cold-looking Gyeouri, I could see the emotions clearly.

Coach Han Myung-bo began to look at me more amiably, unlike the other players who were having a hard time.

After all, it’s usually the case that younger players who try to get close to the seniors receive a lot of affection.

“A football player is not just someone who plays well; you have to show respect to the fans supporting you and those helping you.”

I nodded while listening to Coach Han Myung-bo’s words. He seemed to regard etiquette as quite significant.

Additionally, he had a tendency to take responsibility for those he deemed to be on his side.

Consequently, it seemed he became symbolic of connection football.

“But now I’m included in that network, right?”

That felt reassuring.

Well, that didn’t mean there were no issues at all.

“Uh… I can’t play as a striker?”

It wasn’t a huge problem.

“Don’t worry; it’s just a test, so don’t feel pressured.”

“No, if I play as a striker, I can’t score any goals.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Coach Han Myung-bo looked at me, while I stared back at him with wide eyes. We were having a casual conversation, but it was strange how everyone around us looked anxious.

“Coach, if you put the youngest as a striker, he’ll really not score. I’ve heard before that it’s too much pressure to score.”

Dong-won Chamchi, who was also called up to the national team after an A-match, jumped in to testify to Coach Han Myung-bo.

“Is that true?”

For the first time since meeting me, a reluctant expression appeared on Coach Han Myung-bo’s face.

I looked confidently at Coach Han Myung-bo.

So, you’re not going to use me, huh?

“…Hmm. Where do you feel most comfortable?”

“I’m fine with midfielder.”

Of course, nothing like that actually happened.

*

Finally, the call-up of players for the Olympic national team was complete. Since there was no mandatory obligation for being selected, most of the team was comprised of domestic players, excluding me.

“Not being cocky, huh?”

“Yeah, no wonder the coach likes you.”

“He jokes occasionally, but he never crosses the line.”

Since Park Jisong had retired from the national team, and due to Coach Park Gwang-rae’s love for overseas players, many domestic players were feeling disgruntled. So there were quite a few players who were wary of me.

But I had played in the K-League for 15 years. My identity was closer to domestic players than overseas players.

“What’re we having for dinner today, hyungs?”

“Isn’t that something the youngest should know?”

And since I was the only overseas player selected, I actively approached them, trying to lead conversations to ease their wariness.

“I told you, Jinho is different! I’ve never seen Jinho memorize the menu before.”

Thanks to Dong-won Chamchi’s help and this effort, the atmosphere began to lighten up and we were ready to start the full-fledged training.

“…Is the atmosphere in the national team really that bad?”

I cautiously approached Dong-won Chamchi, my training partner, to ask about the senior national team.

“….”

Seeing Dong-won Chamchi say nothing, I quietly patted his shoulder. It seemed like the atmosphere in the national team was worse than I thought.

*

June 19, 2011.

The match between the South Korean Olympic national team and the Jordan Olympic national team was being held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

“South Korea, fighting!!”

The stadium was filled with so many fans, it felt like it was a senior national team match.

“Yaaay! Son Jinho, fighting─!!!”

These were fans who had come to see Son Jinho, who was playing in the Bundesliga for Dortmund.

“…So jealous.”

“Wow… look, even a white person is cheering for Son Jinho.”

“There’s a black guy over there too?”

“…He’s worldwide, huh?”

Seeing people with exotic appearances chant Son Jinho’s name made the domestic players realize once again how amazing he was.

“Well… he’s that good.”

“He’s good, but not arrogant.”

“The other day, he carefully explained how I should move, you know?”

After spending the last three days with Son Jinho, the domestic players who had quietly accepted him nodded in agreement.

He didn’t want to be treated specially because he was famous, approached them without reservation, and shared his experiences from the Bundesliga.

“Hyung, when you come to Germany later, let’s have a meal together. Seriously think about coming to Germany sometime.”

“…Do you think I’ll do well in the Bundesliga?”

“What are you talking about? I’m just saying I’ll buy you a meal when you come over.”

“Guys, I guess I’ll have to train the youngest. Grab him!”

Sometimes he’d tease and poke at them, but it was never to the extent of ruining anyone’s mood. Laughter always surrounded Son Jinho.

When Son Jinho was grabbed by the leg and fell to the ground due to a foul from the Jordanian team.

“That damn bastard!”

The national team, including Cha Dong-won, became furious.

“Nice!”

Coach Han Myung-bo looked on with a satisfied expression. The Olympic national team was becoming the one team he emphasized so much.

*

[Oh! Son Jinho is down on the ground due to a foul by Jordan.]

[Oh? The national team players are rushing towards Al-Jabbarat who committed the foul!]

[Even the Australian referee Peter Green, who is overseeing the game, and Son Jinho, who was on the ground, are now getting up to calm down the excited players.]

└ LOL, seeing our hyung getting up after being hurt is hilarious, haha!

└ But seeing that makes me feel relieved. I was worried there would be hierarchies since there’s a big age gap, but it seems like he’s adjusting well.

└ Who would even think he’s Jinho’s mom?

└ It’s actually his sister though?

└ Seriously? Most of Jinho’s family is aware of that; aren’t you trying to tell a silly lie?

└ It’s his girlfriend! I’m actually one year older than him!

└ Just block that famous stalker up there!

└ Ugh, I can’t believe a stalker is following Jinho around; he’s really going through a lot, huh?

*

Once the excited players calmed down, the match resumed with a free kick for South Korea.

[South Korea has a free kick, and Son Jinho is preparing to take it. He’s known for his kicking power even in the Bundesliga!]

Son Jinho stood in front of the ball to take the free kick. It was an advantageous position for a shot with his left foot, but it didn’t really matter.

[That’s right! He’s known for his right foot, but he can use his left just as well.]

Due to the South Korean football scene’s tendency to emphasize using both feet, Son Jinho was also a player who utilized both feet effectively.

The referee blew the whistle, and Son Jinho slowly ran towards the ball, striking the upper part of it with considerable force.

Swish—!

The low shot passed through the feet of the Jordanian players, shaking the goal net.

“Waaah─!”

The crowd, who had been shouting for joy at Son Jinho’s goal, prepared to celebrate with excited expressions as Son Jinho spun around and approached the corner flag.

And the moment Son Jinho took off into the air.

“Ho-woo─!”

Regardless of age or gender, everyone united in a chant of “Ho-woo!”