《The Little Prince of the Field》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Fever rises from thewn of the Pepe Goncalvez practice field on Gran Canaria Ind. The high temperatures on summer days are taking away moisture from the yers'' bodies. My mouth was dry, but it doesn''t feel bad. A position that slightly crosses the center line The ball rolls into a position about two steps away from my right foot. The midfielder''s pass was unkind. I wondered if he was in a bad condition. His name was Pedro, I think ? "Kim!" The yers go forward asking for a pass. The gap between the opposing defender and the midfielder widened. I turn to the centerline chipping with my right foot. Small touches are being made smoothly. If the coach had seen it, he would have been satisfied. There was a little distance to the goalpost, so I have to hit the ball one more time to connect the shot. Hit the ball long and follow it in. Even if the other person responds immediately, the distance gives me priority. The opposing midfielder, who was protecting the front line of the defense, checked the position of the ball, hesitated, but soon rushed in to clear the ball. The trap worked. Kirian Rodriguez, a midfielder with an impressive beard, has previously yed for the Las Palmas B team. I can predict to what extent he will narrow the space. Using the inner side of the foot, I changed the ball''s direction at once. The opponent''s tackle cuts through the air. When I pushed my shoulder against the opponents left shoulder and collided, the way opened without much resistance. Kirian Rodriguez lost his bnce in return for his hasty defense. As the midfielder''s personal defense broke down, the final defenders who fell far away look confused. The striker of my team is on the offside line, and the midfielder is spread to the side, so there is no point in giving the ball. Shooting is the only option left. Both the left and right sides of the goal post are good angles. The space is so open that there is no need to hurry. While maintainingposure, Iplete the shooting motion. The ball flew to the top left of the. Although the defenders stretched their legs near the shooting trajectory, it was a bted attempt. They shouldn''t have allowed shooting space in the first ce. Keeper allows a goal without being able to fly. I felt very good because the training so far seemed to have led to the goal. Good. "Good!" "Kim, you''re in good shape." "It''s only a matter of time before you make it to the first division. Every time I see it, your skills improve." yers who flock around me tap my head and say something. I didn''t answer. I didn''t want to touch them to touch my body. We''re not even close, but people here cross the line too easily. In addition, the yers who talked to me were first-tier yers without vests. The game ended in a 2-3 victory for the first division. This was the best result that the second division could produce. As I started warming up with the yers after the practice game, the head coach called me. "Kim, Pecardt will be absent from the opening game next week due to injury. You''ll be on the opening game list against Uesuka. Prepare for it." "okay." I wasn''t excited by the news. It''s only been a year since I came to Spain, and I''ve been in the second division. The record on the paper was not bad, but there was constant bickering inside the stadium. The coach shook his heads, saying, "I can''t give good reviews every time." In this manner, he said, "I don''t know when you''ll be in the first division," and told me to make efforts to socialize with my colleagues. It was an unfeasible demand. I came to y ser and I didn''te to make friends. So I did what I could, however I wanted. Thus my reputation with the coach became stagnant. The only reason he let me sit on the first-tier bench now was, the person in the reserve was so bad. I took a shower and packed my bags. Training was over at 4 p.m., and I rushed home since I need to put rice in the rice cooker before my dad returns. Red light spreads like paint through the road back home and stone roads with light jogging. I didn''t have any special affection for Las Palmas, but I have no choice but to admit that the sunset of the Canary Inds is the best. The strange residence in the yellow apartment is the house where I live. There is no elevator, so it''s good to go by stairs, since it will be like an exercise. "Buenas tardes." (Good Evening) I silently raised my hand and greeted the red-haireddy with a smile. I want to just walk by without saying anything, but strangely I can''t do that with thatdy. Once I came home, I vacuumed the dusty veranda once, and started preparing dinner. My grandmother''s kimchi, which barely passed the customs at the Spanish airport, is waiting for my father. "Daddy''s home." Dad bought another strange fruit. I shouldn''t have eaten it, but to my father''s eyes, it seemed like I was enjoying the fruit. Dad was blunt and delicate. I don''t talk much with my dad, so after finishing the fruit, I took out a container of side dishes from the refrigerator like I usually do. After divorcing my mother, there was an awkward atmosphere that made things difficult to express my feelings with my father. Tiredness flows from the back of the father who was checking the electric rice cooker. A foreign ind far from Korea. Trusting the agent''s words, my father who came all the way here often seemed solemn. I eat the menu set by the club, and my dad eats side dishes sent by my grandmother. Like that another day passed in the Canary Inds. When I opened my eyes, it was still dark outside the window. I Turned off the rm and went out to warm up my body. Sunday, August 18, 2019. Even if it was a bench, it was my first day as a professional yer. I jogged in briefly and returned home. My voice trembled a little. When I was first notified by the coach, I thought I was okay, but now I was not. It was certainly a far-fetched move. I saw my dad preparing something in the kitchen, went to him and spoke "Dad, I''m going to eat separately this morning." "Why?" I have a game." "What game?" Were ying against Uesca, and they want me to stay on the bench." My father, who was making porridge with a bag of scorched rice brought from Korea, acted like he had heard a shocking news. He spoke in an excited tone, which he uses, when I scored a goal in a practice game. La Liga ? Are you ying in the Seguda division?"" "Yes, but it''s just a bench" "If you had told earlier, I wouldve prepared toe see the match!" "I''m just a bench member." Okay..Ill Come and see the match." "No, I dont think I will be ying. You dont have to do that "No, I''lle and watch it." I think it''s been three months since Ist saw Dad''s smile. My father was delighted at the mere chance of me getting to sit on the bench in an official match. There is a pleasant tension in my heart from my father''s subtle and excited tone. I wanted to y in the game. Estadio Gran Canary. As tourists upied most of the ind, the number of spectators was not enough to fill all 30,000 seats, but today, it was full spectators worthy of the name value of the La Liga League opening game. Uesuka''s yers, who flew for two and a half hours, will not be in the same condition as usual. While helping the starting yers warm up, I entered the bench as the start of the game was imminent. Next to the four children holding the La Liga mark, the yers shake hands. yers from Las Palmas and Ueska were in a fixed position under the cheers of a packed crowd. With the referee''s whistle, the game begins with the first cross of Las Palmas striker Castro. When Pedro''s long pass passes past Castro in the first attack and goes outside, he shouts "Pedri" while sighing. Yes, it wasn''t Pedro, it was Pedri. Despite the disappointing attack failure, the crowd apuded the yers generously. It''s understandable if it''s Pedri. The name was confusing, but everyone in Las Palmas B knows Pedri''s sess story. Pedri was chosen by Barcelona this summer. Sixteen-year-old young talent, returning to Las Palmas after his tenure, Pedri was a promising man to create a Las Palmas genealogy with Manchester City''s David Silva. If I had the right opportunity one day, will I be able to get to that position? I was born in the same year, so I might be able to get there someday. Whether its my excessive optimism about the future that had brought bad luck, or just our team getting pushed back, the flow of the game soon changed against us. Pedri is a great yer, but he could not reverse the entire flow of the game by himself. Likest year, we were not a team that had the power to dominate La Liga. The difference in performance is so remarkable that it makes me think that they are the yers of AT Madrid who only changed their uniforms. The audience''s foreheads were filled with grief, as they reced encouragement with cheers. Uesuka''s No. 21 yer throws a diagonal through-pass into the penalty box, and the ball passes through the bridge of central defender Aitami by a hair''s breadth. The first touch of the Ueska striker, who prated from behind the defender, was rough, but it was not a big mistake enough to miss the opportunity. The ball passes through the left space of the goalkeeper who faced one-on-one. The Las Palmas yers lost a point. It was evident. The ease they showed me inst week''s practice game is nowhere to be found. Even after losing a point, Uesuka''s attacks continued and became sharp every time. Despite myck of Spanish skills, I heard abusivenguage from fans. The atmosphere on our side became dark. As if they had cast a spell, an additional goal went in as soon as I heard swear words about the game behind the bench. It was a header that changed the direction of the ball next to the right post following the cross. Las Palmas'' defense fellpletely down with an additional goal. Ueska''s midfielder line constantly exchanges organic passes, messing with the space between the defender and midfielder created when the central defense falls. It was like watching the highlights of the second division of La Liga from Spanish public broadcasting channel. Trivia. Penalty Box/ Penalty area Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Trivia "Aitami, the defense''s coordination is terrible. Let''s go with what we did in the training, and if we sit down like this, the flow of the first half will continue. One more goal, I don''t care what you do Raise the line, okay?" "Si." "Timor, do what you''ve been doing in front of the defense. If the line goes up, you''ll have less space to support. Show them your ability. Gonzalez should be more concerned about Inigo and the midfield, Castro, in the second half you put more pressure ahead. I''ll rece you in the 70th minute." Castro nodded silently as he changed his socks. The team''s top veteran changed his socks and yed a joke on Pedri, who was undergoing a massage. It was the first time I came into the locker room in the middle of a game and listened to the manager''s instructions. Even though we were losing, the atmosphere that was not heavy was unfamiliar, since it was different from the second division. "What are you doing?" asked Dani Casteyano, suddenly tapping my shoulder. The blue-eyed man grinned and whispered, with his arms round my neck. "I heard you don''t speak much. How are you today?" Huh?" "Didn''t you hear anything. The coach might ask you to warm up.? His blue pupils shook, perhaps bewildered. The color of his eyes was amazing even when I saw it again. I didn''t care much about what Dani said. In the end, Manager decides who has to y. There are many cases where the game ends even after warming up until thest minute. Still, I liked the fact that I seemed to be in the Manager''s n. He coughs, puts his hand in his pants pocket, and disappears somewhere. The second half began, and as Dani Casteyano said, the coach approached and instructed me to warm up. If I was lucky, I might pull off Castro''s absence. Is Dad at the stadium? I wish I could y for a while. Today''s game is for my father rather than for me. "Wow! It''s here!" "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Raising the line certainly had a positive effect. With aeback goal, Las Palmas ispletely overhauled. In ser, the flow of the moment was important. The coordination of Aitami''s defense sometimes brought about a heart-breaking crisis, but at the same time, it creates strong pressure inside the centerline. From Pedri to Castro to Ramirez. It was not until the link between the attackers worked properly that the three Las Palmas strikers were beginning to exert their power. Expectations for my debut decrease as the game goes well. I focused more on the exercise to avoid making it obvious. Someone might see the frown on my face. Yuhan..Hey Yuhan. While warming up, I heard my father''s voice from the stands. Dad walked down the stairs with a crown-carved Las Palmas muffler in his hand. I was grateful and sorry for him at the same time, even though I thought the muffler was ridiculous. I don''t think Ill be in the game. When the game exceeded 65 minutes without additional points, a whistle was heard. "Kim! Come here!" As soon as I heard the Managers voice I waved my hand to dad and went to the coach. Yes coach. Are you ready? How are you?" "Good." "Castro twisted his ankle. You''re going in. Get ready." "Okay." When I looked into the stadium btedly, I saw the opposite side yer with number 17, given a warning from the referee. I took off my green vest and headed towards the assistant referee and the coach . I feel like I''m hearing all kinds of instruments in my ears. The sound of my heart was unusually loud enough to bury the roar of the crowd. I was nervous. Maybe I''m not ready. "Come here, Kim. Get into Castro''s position. Central striker. Do you understand?" "I understand." "Role? Remember what role it is? Press the front as much as you can, link and" "No!" Las Palmas Manager Pepe Mel half-screamed as Pedri missed his free-kick and the crowd cheered loudly. "Do whatever you want!" "Huh?" "Do whatever you want, do what you can." "But" "You were seeing the match earlier, right?" I nodded without thinking. Okay..Go. I lifted my right leg, crossed the rope and entered the field. I felt like I am watching the stadium in an analog TV screen. I''m sweating. Hey Kim, is the one you talking to your Father?" "Yes." "He must be very proud of his son today." Manager Pepe tapped me on my shoulder and nodded his head. While the assistant referee signals a recement, my head turns to the ce where I was warming up. Dad still stands on the stairs and looks at me with his fist clenched. When I looked at the yground again, it looked bigger than it actually was. Looking back, I''ve finally came this far. The first opportunity came only after preparations for the long journey waspleted. It''s a ce where I don''t see anything except my parents'' divorce, my dirty personality, and my ser skills. It''s the moment to be on stage. Muscle tremors abate. More than ever. The world was clear. As soon as the recement signal is heard, Castroes out. I heard cheers from the stadium. Half of it was encouragement, and the other half was worry. The game resumes with Uesuka''s corner kick. The ball bounced off defender Timor''s head is caught by central midfielder Inigo''s foot. Inigo cleared the ball toward the half-line before Uesuka''s pressure began. Pedri, the left winger of Las Palmas, follows the ball flying over the left side of the half-line. It seemed like a good counterattack opportunity would be given if he did well, but his legs seem tense and the ball went out of the line at the first touch. He''s tired. The head coach substituted Pedri with Tony. Now he has used all the substitution cards. As soon as the game started, we were lucky enough to have a chance to score, and we fought quite well. In particr, the opposing team''s back number 17, who injured castro was at war of nerves with Dani Casteyano. Despite the boos from home fans, Uesuka stands firm and does not give up space. All we did for 10 minutes was to drive the ball next to the opponent''s penalty area. The pathes in the way I don''t want it to. It was a long way off to win a race with an opponent''s central defender who was more than 1.8 m tall. I have to think again about what to do. I nced at the bench, but neither the manager nor the head coach didn''t order me anything. In the end, it was no different from ying for Team B. I can''t expect a good pass. Thepetition with the central defender was like gambling, so I''m going straight down to the second line. After seeing my movement, Tony, the left winger who reced Pedri, switches from wing to center-oriented movement. Be, the left wingback, also expanded the ovepping area and came deep into the enemy camp. I was trying to fill the vacancy of Tony, who was moving in the center. Ueska''s central defender focuses on Tony, who is cut into the penalty box, and Ramirez, a right striker. I receive a pass from Dani Casteyano while being marked by the opposing midfielder. The ball came in one step away from the right foot. The opposing midfielder rushed from the back left. The first touch is the sole of the foot, which gently drops the ball''s rotation. Turn the body to the front of the goalpost and switch to a confrontation with the opposing midfielder. Let''s just do what we''ve done. Drag the ball to the left with the bottom of my right foot, and roll it once more to the right as soon as the opposing midfielder''s foot enters to create a space for the ball to pass. Then, the ball was put into the space between the opponent''s feet. Uesuka''s midfielder, who lost his bnce, slips onto the grass and falls while struggling to catch up. When I break through Ueska''s midfielder, Tony near the opposing defense and Ramirez on the right side take an aggressive move. The opponent''s central defender reflexively pulls down the line in response, and the space opens up momentarily after breaking through. Finally, the goalpost appeared. Both left and right were good angles for hitting shots. Every time I scored a goal in every practice game, it was in the same spot. I''m out of breath, but I''m terribly calm in my head. Running on the field was nothing to be afraid of. The heart, which had been eaten away by fear when I entered the field, is now ready to beat using joy as fuel. It was exactly what I had been doing so far. "Argh!" "Tipo loco!"" "Buen chico!" The yellow fluttered as the ball hit it. When the goal went into the upper left, the teammates rushed in to hit my head and hit me with their feet. I''m annoyed. I get out of the hands of the bloody humans and pick up the ball and run to the half-line. The crowd shouted and apuded as the music rang inside the stadium. They looked a little crazy. We still needed one more point to win. The remaining time was six minutes. The match, which started again with Uesuka''s kick, might be the final battle to determine the oue. I ran as fast as I could. The yers ran without hesitation. Before entering extra time, four more yellow cards came out, and Ueska''s number 17, who was warned for tackling Castro, was sent off due to umted cards. While substitutes enter the field Ueska yers protested to the referee. Ramirez calls Tony and I to discuss how to attack. It was like a little war on the meadow. The game resumed. The regr time has passed, and the assistant referee marked the remaining time, but I did not look at it on purpose. It is more important to focus on the game. Uesuka aimed for a draw after one yer was sent off the field. The defense, which had fallenpletely in two rows, seemed difficult to attack. In this situation, it is meaningless to be in the second line. I tried to go up to the front line and make a space so that a pass coulde in between the opponent''s central defenders, but failed repeatedly. The Uesuka yers'' concentration to narrow the space was fierce. The attack failed three times in a row. While the ball continued to spin in the Uesuka camp, there was no profit. At some point, the number of yers looking back at the referee increases. The whistle came to the referees mouth as the time to end the game approaches. Ramirez on the right delivers the ball to central midfielder Inigo, who approaches the back when the cross space is blocked, and Inigo delivers the ball to Dani Casteyano in the center on the left again. ording to the coach''s instructions, Las Palmas'' central defender, Aitami, came up to inside of the opponent''s penalty box. It was important to win the game. I erased the referee from my head and changed my position in hopes of eye contact with Dani casteyano. Even if the pass did note in, I had to keep moving and create a little space. Dani Casteyano was thinking about whether to cross pass the ball to Aitami, but soon gave up and made eye contact with me. He probably thought I had better chance than Aitami, who was caught between the opposing team''s central defenders. It is a low and strong ground ball pass as it delivers the ball in a narrow space. The fierce looks of defenders approaching nearby were burdensome. However, the clean pass under thewn was too wonderful to miss. I pushed myself through the defenders with a forceful determination. My n was to lift the ball with the back of my left foot, turn to the front of the, and connect it directly with a shot. However, the ball bounces too far to the side. The power on the pass was not properly killed. The La Liga official ball leaves my body mercilessly and flies to an area beyond control of my both feet. Near where the ball flew, I can see the head of Gomez, the opponent''s central defender who was running. The ball bounces off the from his reflective bald head. Like a magic just for me, the ball returns diagonally to the front of the. It was like a one-two pass. All I have to do is run. Luck stood by me this time. In just three steps, the pressure of the breathtaking tall defenders disappeared, leaving only the goalkeeper and me. I could vividly feel the breath of the opponent''s goalkeeper and the swelling chest. I could see a naked man standing up screaming from the stands and a little boy waving his yellow uniform next to him. I swing my feet slightly at the center of the ball. The war between Las Palmas and Ueska on the grass field came to an end with the whistle of the referee. Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Dining table was filled with sports newspapers, including local newspaper Canari. There was a picture of me clenching my fist after scoring the second goal. Dad must have been busy, getting up early in the morning and collecting all these newspapers. I didn''t even make it to the first division, but the newspaper was filled with phrases like [emergence of new canaries] [aprici den de losetas] [a new beginning.] Newspapers are excited as if they have discovered a new main striker. Castro was diagnosed with a ligament injury and was asked to take a two-week break. It was never easy topete for the starting lineup. Juan Narvaez from Colombia will probably start in the next game. It was unreasonable to win the starting memberpetition against a 24-year-old striker borrowed from Real Betis club. Immediately after the game, the bruise caused by colliding with the opposing team defenders kept throbbing. My body became a mess in less than 30 minutes. Shouldnt I build up my body? Unfortunately, I can''t increase my exercise without my physical coach''s permission. Las Palmas is also a professional club belonging to the second division of the La Liga, and the Primera Liga, which is one of the best leagues in the world. Naturally, the younger the yer, the more limited the amount of exercise. Additional training without reporting is a shortcut to disciplinary action. I don''t know exactly what the other clubs are like, but this was the rule of Las Palmas. Rubbing my stiff legs, I picks up a banana from a wooden basket on the table. I should have warmed up before the sun came up, but now, since the sun is up, I wont be able to do jogging. The summer of the Canary Inds was next to that of Moro, its a climate that was simr to that of Africa. The average temperature is 82F (28C) and humidity is 60 percent. Unless you go jogging at dawn or at night, you''re just doing something foolish to overwork yourself. "Yuhan, are you ready?" "Yes." I took another banana and pick up my bag. I had to got by drive to my high school. Leaving the beach where the house is located and entering the city, the school was located next to Gran Canaria Stadium. CEIP 7 Palmas. Schools name that sound likepanys names is the best ce to study quietly. In fact, local students did not attend this school. It was close to anguage school. At the entrance interview, 7 Palmas'' management said that many middle-ss local children attend. The atmosphere in the school was strict and rigid, so it provided the best environment for me who didn''t talk much. As we pass through the crowds of tourists pouring out from the morning and enter the quiet city, I can see my schools dormitory buildings. My father was humming an old song, which I could never guess. But strangely it feels good. I closed my eyes and thought about yesterdays game. I felt like I''ve yed my best y for the first time. It seemed to have served as an opportunity to take off the helplessness I felt in the process of my parents divorce. "Be careful and have fun." "Yes, thank you for driving me dad." No one is at the front gate due to the nature of the school that runs the dormitory. When I first arrived at Gran Canary Ind, the club asked the school to allow me tomute from home instead of from the dormitory on the pretext of ying regtions. Therefore, I am the only student whomutes to school. After saying good-bye to my father, I said hello to the security guard whom I always encounter at the gate. When the guard saw me, he smiled brightly and ran out of the security building. "Canaryas de Corea!" "si?" "Ayer viel partido de ftbol." Canary from Korea. That''s a terrible nickname. The security guard happily handed over a pen and paper with his wrinkled hands and asked for my autograph. I wrote down the three letters of my name in Korean. Went inside the school, check the ss schedule, took the book out of the locker, and moved to the ssroom. Even though my Spanish speaking skills are poor, my listening skills had developed to the extent I can understand the Manager''s tactics. During ss, I am tired of listening to geography teacher''s lectures on luxury wines by region. In the end, the Canary Inds will end up with excellent wine taste. Soon it was lunch. Among the students who solve their meals with unidentified food containing sausages and octopus at the cafeteria, I eat protein drinks, bread, and sds brought in the morning in the name of diet management with bananas. After eating, skipped the afternoon ss and walked to the training ground. The streets were quiet in the afternoon. Due to Spain''s unique nap culture, the streets are always empty when going to the training ground. Tourists would be crowded on the beach, but the area near the club''s stadium was home to residents of Gran Canaria Ind. Went inside the training facility and changed my clothes. I don''t know when I''ll go y again, but I''ve been on the first-tier training list for the time being. While changing, Ramirez Benito came into the locker room. I greeted him lightly, and went out first to warm up. Less than a day after the game, team recovery training was scheduled in the afternoon. After taking a break for about two days, my physical condition improves significantly. At the teams tactical meeting on Wednesday analysts said it would be a difficult game for the yers. An away game in Mga was scheduled for Saturday. "Under coach Sanchez''s leadership, Mga is a team that values the strategy based on the 4231 position." The analyst exchanged informations with the yers and talked nonstop. I understood half, and other half I nodded as if I understood. It was roughly about opponent yer Adrian''s shooting angle and how Santos Henatu''s breakthrough habits were. "The Manager has decided to fight back with a customized 4141 tactic. We need to deploy defensive midfielders in front of the four-back, and side midfielders should also be involved in the central fight. Take the lead from the midfielder line and block Mga''s offensive line from Santos to Adrian." Projector moves on to the next page. "Let Mgas attacking midfielder Punta breathe. In the end, the point of this game is how well you smash the opponent''s midfield." Unfortunately, we didn''t do our job properly. August 25, 2019. La Rosale, Mga''s home stadium. We are busy getting beaten up one after another. Can the beginning of the season be this difficult? The failure of yers to control their conditions may be the cause of difficulties. Everyone felt heavy. Manager even put in central midfielder Inigo as a right winger, but he is also being pushed back in the midfield fight. "Back off!" When he lost the lead in the center, defenders lowered the line at the signal of central defender Aitami. Last year, Mnga was a team that did not pay yers'' weekly wages properly, but Mga''s yers ying on the ground now were flying around. "Oh, my!" "That was close. Let''s go again like this!" 3 shots were already shot near the penalty box. The total shot ratio of opponent team and ours is 6:4 or7:3, to put it nicely. The coaches on the other side of the bench talk face-to-face, but there is no clear way right now. We have no choice but to rely on Pedri''s genius. Mga''s central striker Adrian, who received a forward pass, takes the upper hand in thepetition with central defender Aitami and connects the shooting movement from the penalty box. "Ah!" Mnga''s ball hit the tip of our goalkeepers finger and goes off to the right side of the. The 21-year-old young goalkeeper was angry when he swung his arms at the defenders who caused the crisis. He has a very enthusiastic personality. If I were him, I would have just quietly prepare for the corner kick. Next corner kick, Mga''s blue uniform pops out from the penalty box. I couldn''t see the uniform number. Martinez once again misses the header toward the left side of the. "Darn it!" "Darn it!" Mga kicked the ball far into the opponent''s side even before the fans'' exmations were over. It seems to be a rough ball, but it''s a ball that goes along with the tactics. The long diagonal ball fell next to Pedri, who had been waiting in a fixed position. Pedri recovers space from the opposing midfielder who puts pressure on him with a soft touch. His eyes turned to the other side of the stadium. Colombian striker Juan Narvaez was crossing the half-line. Passing Mga''s wingback and center defender, the ball reaches the space in front of Juan. Pedri''s amazing pass made a fool of five defenders came out. He seems to be doing a showcase of why he is a Barcelona yer. Apuse and admiration burst from the bench. Juan takes a long first ball touch and half removes the opposing defender that follows with the unique sticity of the South American yer. In the silence of the stadium, there is a one-on-one chance that is hard to get again, "It''s here, it''s here!" Juan Juan" Shouts from the small number of Las Palmas away fans. It was a good finish that aimed at between the crotches of the Mga keeper. It is the first goal made with the yers'' individual abilities, even though the game did not go as nned. The first half ended without losing a point. When the yers return to the locker room, the coach informs the yers of changes in detailed tactics. In the meantime, Pedri, who was scolded by the coach at thest minute of the first half, looked sullen. The second half is a battle of tactics between the two teams. I didn''t see it properly since I was warming up on one side of the stadium, but it seemed to be blocking Mga''s attack well on the edge. In particr, it was encouraging Aitomi and Mantovani who were defending without cards, and the cheers and apuse of the coaches encouraging the two were heard to warm up. However, in the 80th minute of the second half, an ident urs on the right penalty line. The referee whistled without hesitation at the tackle of wingback Courbelo Dp. It was a penalty kick. The loud cheers of the home crowd shook the earth''s crust. Despite Manager Pepe''s red-faced protest, the referee did not reverse the decision. The judges in charge also reaffirm their fouls. Adrian came in with the ball into the penalty box, sweeping his beard with his hand. "Yay!" Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" It''s aeback goal. I don''t know what they were thinking, but with less than 10 minutes left, Manager Pepe called me. Did they like what I didst week. Manager did not emphasize any tactical moves. It just urred to me that I was being tested to see if I could be a talisman that would bring victory to the coach. I can''t believe I''m ying in two consecutive games. I felt strange, but I approached the assistant referee and prepared for substitution. The central midfielder, who had been exhausted since the first half, was reced by Harvey Casteyano. I don''t remember how old he was, but Harvey Casteyano is old. During a week of training in the first division, I judged him to be a scary person who disciplines himself within the team, but he who was substituted along with me encouraged me to y like I wanted. I''ve never talked to him before, but he seems like a good person. Of course, there was no surprising change in my substitution. The difference fromst week''s game is that this is La Rosaleda and Mga''s home stadium. Mga, who took the lead in the game, shook Las Palmas one after another. Shifu exchanged a one-two pass with Adrian, who was approaching Santos on the side, to cross-pass. Mga''s attack was surprisingly neat. Santos confirmed de Be, the left wingback of Las Palmas who lost his bnce and fell, and sent a pass to Juanti in front of the penalty box. Juanti aims for ae-from-behind goal with no hesitation. "All right!" "Marty, all right." Good job!" Goalkeeper Martinez managed to clear the ball that bounced off thewn into the left post, and Aitami and Mantovani hit him in the back of the head and praised him fiercely. It was fortunate that I wasn''t in such a position. Mga yers are not disappointed. They acted as if they could score an additional goal at any moment, and there was a high possibility that it would actually happen. The ensuing corner kick goes back to nullification with De La Be''s header. The reced midfielder Harvey Casteyano and Mgapete for ownership of the ball in front of the penalty box. The collision of the body using elbows and knees was horrifying. If it were me, I would have bruised at, at least three ces. Harvey, who won the race, kicks the ball straight into the set position. As usual, Pedri does not own the ball, but just takes the foot and turns it in the opposite direction to connect it forward. It was a direct aerial pass over the heads of defenders. Looking at the space, I quickly run to the pass thates in and drop at my feet. Ten steps from the half-line, there is no one in front of me. A pure excitement burst out from my heart at Pedri''s talent. Mga''s desire for an additional goal made the half-line empty. However, it cannot be denied that the level of pass is great. This summer I seem to be strangely lucky. "Wow!" I Run straight to Mga''s goal near the penalty box. Mga''s fans booed andughed. At our end, there were cries andugh. The goalkeeper came out of the penalty box and the ball I kicked reflexively, reaches out into the air. The ball is passing where it cannot reach even with another arm of the goalkeeper. The ball''s trajectory was very good. Chapter 4 Chapter 4 "There was a video of you scoring a goal on the Inte." "Really?" "Read thements. It''s interesting." On the weekend after the second round of La Liga in Mga, Dad was as excited as Captain Hook, who captured a winged fairy floating in the clouds. I feel good looking my father''s excitement, but I wondered if he was still in his adolescence while looking at his enthusiasm as he looked at thements. I''m sure there''s a lot of badments. Yuhan. Eat some fruits. Thedy next door gave me this." "Thedy next door.? "She congratted you on scoring the winning goal." Thedy with short red hair seems to be cunning. It''s not a bad choice to buy fruits for future ser star. No, it''s not. Don''t be conceited. Just because you scored a goal in a match against Mga doesn''t mean you''ll be a first division regr. There is still a long way to go topete at the same level with Castro. Yuhan. What are you doing today?" "I''m going to exercise. The club drew a separate recovery training manual." "Is there such a thing?" "They gave it to me after scoring the goal." Physical coach Juan Naranjo, who said that a science training center would be built in Gran Canaria next year or so, handed over a manual on the ne back from the game. "Well Dad will be at home, so let me know when you have time. Well go somewhere fun again when you get a day off." "Yes," Dad said stepping back when he heard that I had personal training. Before joining the first division, We used to go to Tenerife Ind by boat on Sunday if there was no game, but now I had a greater desire to focus on training as I rode the flow. Even if it''s hard this year, I want to put Castro and I on the same scale and make them think next year in Manager Pepe''s selection of starting yers. By then, Pedri will be returning to Barcelona, so if it''s really difficult to rece castro, it would be good to take away the position where Pedri yed through a change of position. I wear sportswear and left home for a light jog. The unique building style consisting of primary colors is new every time I see it. Some houses were painted with red paint, while others looked like they had just taken Lego blocks and stacked them up. My school 7 Palmas right now looks like a giant beige Lego block. Passing through houses and apartments with unique features and exiting narrow alleys, I can see a group of yachts anchored in the port. Even ifva bursts from the ind, it will be so crowded that I think I cant evacuate without much damage. Isn''t it amazing that so many touristse to sail to this remote area? I wrapped up my random thoughts and started my recovery exercise in the park next to Catalina Hospital. It was time to start jogging. Weekends have ended and weekdays have begun, but there is no change in daily life between school and training ground. The local people asked for an autograph once in a while, but the residents'' sideways nce was not special since my status as the only Asian resident in the neighborhood was already solid. After ss, I headed to the training ground to avoid the crowded student cafeteria. On the way, I was going to find a deserted ce and eat my lunch from the lunch box. When heading toward the training ground from Maxi Pizza House next to the stadium, a car approaches and lowers the window. It''s Dani Casteyano. "Ninoo coreano" Im fine. The ground is right ahead." The car followed me in the back. "I''ll be waiting for you with all my heart until you get on board." Bloody hell, I have to eat lunch before I go into the training ground. As he wasughing and teasing me, the annoyed expression got revealed on my face. "Don''t make such a frightening face, my prince. Im scared. "Stop teasing me and go to the training ground quickly." "Slow down, rx. What did you learn at school today, Prince?" I controlled my emotion considering that Dani is over thirty. After the short but long ride, I asked Dani, who wants to go to the training ground with me, to go first. "Why?" "I didn''t eat." "What meal? Lunch?" I pat on the lunch box in the bag and replied with a sound. "Now, you can leave me alone. He made a strange expression that I couldn''t understand, and walked to the training ground shaking his head. I looked at the grass next to the parking lot. Even when training in the second division, I often sit here in a quiet seat next to the tree and ate. It wasn''t ufortable, but I thought it wouldn''t look good if someone saw me like this, so I tried to eat as soon as possible and enter the training ground. Dani Casteyano. Ill Keep this name in mind your mind. That irritating loser. When I was halfway through the bibimbap packed in my lunch box, I found a familiar-built physical coach and Dani in the parking lot looking around. Our eyes met before I could escape, and Juan Naranjo beckoned to me with broad shoulders and a shining head. I took the food I was eating and followed him into the training center building. Dani, that vicious fellow must have said something about me. I thought people were okay even though I never socialized with anyone, but people are not everything as they look on the outside. Before entering Juan''s office, Dani disappeared, and I sat in a chair waiting for the coach''s disposition. Is it such a big mistake to eat in the parking lot? Is it a crime to eat alone in Spain? I felt wronged. "Kim. God, why did you eat in the parking lot?" "Coach, that''s" "You''re a professional yer. You are a yer in the first division of Las Palmas." "I was just hungry." I wish I could speak Spanish a little better. I have bted regrets. I just didn''t like to eat in the crowded school cafeteria. What''s the word for "crowded" in Spanish? How can I exin this? "I mean, I don''t like lot of people. It''s good to be alone. I ate because I wanted to eat alone. I had no other idea." "Kim, if you have any problems, tell me honestly" Coach said with a serious look. I thought there was a misunderstanding due to my immature conversation skills, but the problem is that I don''t understand what this misunderstanding is. "There is a mistake. It''s hard to understand." "Okay, I''ll speak slowly." "Do you have any difficulties in the first division?" "No, I don''t have." It''s good now. I''m good that Im scoring goals and ying games. "It''s the best." "Instead of ying in the game, what about the training ground? Who are the yers you''re close to?" The coach''s expression, which is getting darker and darker, is frustrating. Suddenly the subject of the conversation seemed strange. How long have I been in the first division? I haven''t had any close friends in the second division even though I was there for a year. To me, who hesitates to answer, the coach says with an expression of understanding. I''m going crazy. "Is there anyone on the team that bothers you? Anyone is fine. I''ll keep it a secret from Manager Pepe." What kind of nonsense is this? Dani, what did that crazy person say? "No, it''s not like that." "Really." Yes. Not at all. I said, half pleadingly, feeling unfair and absurd. Suddenly, in my head, I thought that I could look miserable to the coach as I squatted in the parking lot and was eating half-mixed bibimbap. "I just ate. "Well, take it easy. I won''t tell anyone about this. Instead, promise me." "What promise?" "Let''s eat lunch together before training, okay? Otherwise, I''ll have to contact your parents. You''re a minor, and I''m responsible as one of the teams chief coaches. You promise, don''t you? "okay." Dani, I''ll kill you. I''ll kill you for sure. Coach Juan sighed quietly and asked me to finish my meal in his office before leaving. Coach took an energy bar from his desk and I took out my lunch box from bag, looking at the coach. Coach Juan expression doesn''t look very well. If he had seen my rice before mixing it with red pepper paste, he wouldn''t have looked at it like this, but now I don''t know what he will say. Yeah, it looked a little bit like dog food. Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Due to a serious misunderstanding, coach Juan Naranjo patted me on the back and shoulder until the moment we broke up before training. I have nothing to say to the coach who asked me if there was anything difficult at any time, except nodding. Leaving the coach with a worried look behind, I entered the locker room to change into training clothes. Dani Casteyano was talking to Harvey Casteyano in the corner. Bad guy. David Garcia, the team''s veteran, nced at me in the locker room and stood up to catch the attention of the yers by pping. CLAP Everybody, listen to me. Dani said that Kim has difficulty adapting to the first division." I felt dizzy for a moment. Asking coach Juan to keep it as a secret was useless. Dani Casteyano. From the moment I couldn''t stop that bloody humans mouth, I became the main character of the misfortune of being left out in the squad. "I''m sure you''ve all heard of Kim being unsociable in the reserve. However, Kim is now a yer who made his league debut at the age of 16, especially veteran yers, who are the main yers of the team, should feel responsible for this." I never thought the locker room was small, but when all the yers focused on me, I felt like a goat trapped in a lion cage. It''s the worst. I''m sure it''s the worst day. Harvey Casteyano, who was listening to Garcia silently next to Dani Casteyano, spoke. I had no idea but to hope that this terrible ordeal would end soon. Kim. Do you want to have lunch with me tomorrow?" "No, I''m fine." There''s a moment of silence in the locker room at my reflexive rejection. "I''m going to eat, too. Where do you want to eat?" "No, I don''t." "Shall we meet around 11?" "I think we''d better get some rice. Let''s go to Pae''s ce." Pedri pulls the trigger and the yers'' opinions burst out. All the yers in the locker room seemed to feel pleased. The joy of taking care of a young and immature yer. The atmosphere was very warm, except for me, who felt irritated at the yers for making an unwanted lunch appointment. Manager Pepe reacted sensitively to the news of the promising yer''s mdjustment to the team, which he learned through the team. In the evening after the training, when I went to Managers office thinking I would be receiving some counselling, Manager asked me toe with him for dinner. "I can contact your father separately." "No, I''m really fine." It was a misunderstanding (Pedri told me Spanish for misunderstanding'') "Yes, I know that. I heard from Pedri that the yers spoke to you. I''m just saying let''s have a meal together. You''re okay, aren''t you?" He called my father without asking for my answer. Of course it wasn''t okay. At this point, I am worried that a single lunch box in the parking lot may affect my position within the team. I didn''t want to be seen as a yer with weak mental strength and difficulty in adapting. It was no longer just a dinner table. I had to insist to the coach that I am adapting to the team without any problems. Fur Fur Fur I get on an old model car and heads to the city together with Manager. Is there a ce where you enjoy meal around your house. "Not really." "Really? Don''t you often go to restaurants with your father?" We often go. Still, it''s delicious to eat at home." When I went answering Manager Pepes question about my personal life, it was already near the dock. "How about papas?" "What''s papas?" Papas Arrugadas, potato dish. Boil it with salt and water and eat it with olive oil sauce. There is a traditional Canary restaurant that tourists do not know well." There was no signs or price tags where the car stoped. On the surface, it looked like a family house. It was valid to think that the two simple tables lined up outside the building was not restaurant. As if they knew each other from the beginning, Manager exchanged greetings with the restaurant owner. The white ceiling of the restaurant hangs a three-edged wooden venttor and all kinds of bizarre ornaments, and the walls painted with orange paint are filled with a showcase filled with wine and champagne. "I heard you''re going to eat with the yers tomorrow." "Yeah. They promised without asking me." "Good. Letse out and eat together like today. Okay?" Whether I agree or disagree, Manager fills the table with stories about the match with Santander this weekend before the restaurant''s food is served. Foodes out before I know it, as I respond hard to the Managers words by nodding my head. "Eat a lot. Coach Juan also said he wouldn''t have a big problem with your body care for one dinner." "Yeah. Thank you." There was only two cherry tomato-sized potatoes on the te, but the taste was amazing. Due to salt intake restrictions, it has been six months since I peeled and ate boiled potatoes without kimchi. A sour olive-scented sauce went well with it. "What sauce is this? I want to eat it at home." "It''s made with olive oil and vinegar. Mojo sauce." "Mojo sauce?" "Yes, garlic, pepper, ground well and mix them together." Dad and I didn''t really like strong-scented sauces, but this one was ptable. A row of stir-fried dishes filled with Mojo sauce, followed by meat and potatoes. Although Manager Pepe failed to give me a chance to emphasize my passion and adaptation to the team, it did not bother me much because the food was delicious. It''s ufortable to eat together, and if I go to lunch with the yers tomorrow, won''t they say something about adjusting? I was too full to think about it. September 1, 2019. Estadio Gran Canary. A ck ribbon floatsrge on the stadium screen. After a silent tribute to the daughter of former Spanish national team coach Luis Enrique, the yers stand at the half-line and prepare for the game. Reflecting the upward trend of the team cruising with two consecutive league wins, the Gran Canary was packed with spectators not only under the roof of the cover but also where there was no roof. Santander, who blocked the midfield with 4231 midfielders, gave up attack as soon as the game began and wentplete defense, asionallyunched counterattacks to withstand Las Palmas'' onught. "Oh, that idiot!" In the 14th minute of the first half, the ball Lemos raised from the side passes Santander''s goalkeeper and falls far away near the stands. Lemos stepped on the dented part of the grass and twisted his footing. Lemos was lying on the ground with his left ankle in his hand. "Kim, Fernandez, warm up!" While Lemos was being treated, Santander goalkeepers goal kick falls beyond the Las Palmas camp. Marong and Rodriguez fight. It was a mismatch. African Gambian striker Marong of Santander has the advantage over the ball. Sure enough, the ball that got kicked by Marong''s foot heads toward Sefudo, who follows. It was a chance to counterattack for Santander. Rodriguez loses his bnce, falls, fails to join the defense, and the center is disturbed. Inigo, the midfielder who was the only one left in the midfield was marked the winger of the other side and the ball prates to the left. Pedri was also unable toe down, so the space opened up for Sefudo. Aitami gives up maintaining the copsed defense and runs out in a hurry to give Sefudo a rough standing tackle. Before Aitami''s tackle, the ball bounced with Sefudo''sst ball touch falls in front of Santander''s right striker. The uniform number of the 19th. Karim Yoda, was on the spot from where Aitami ran out and left empty. Karim Yoda overpowered De La Be at a speed and came into the penalty box in two touches to get a perfect shot opportunity. The left wingback De La Be and the center defender Mantovani, who followed btedly, giving up on his mark narrowed the space with a tackle, but the ball passes next to goalkeeper Martinez''s leg and the shakes. In the 16th minute of the first half, the first goal was scored. We''re in trouble again, aren''t we? Every game is a mess, a mess." Fernandez, who was warming up together with me, kicks his tongue. It was a game where we had to take the victory as there was a big advantage as the home team, but that doesnt seems to be the case. Manager Pepe was screaming with a bright red face. Before the game, he urged everyone to be careful of Karim Yoda and not to allow him to own the ball in dangerous areas, but it was exactly the opposite, so he deserved to be angry. In addition, Aitami, who gave Sefudo a rough tackle, received a yellow card. There''s no mess bigger than this. Regardless of the atmosphere of the floating stadium, the game continues. Our total shot ratio was still high, but it was not substantial. As if half of their minds are gone, the yers continued to tackle unreasonable things. The game was getting wilder. "Puta!" "Joder!" Around the 17th minute, Mantovani grabbed the opponent striker''s cor outside the penalty box and knocked him down. Las Palmas and Santander yers exchange swear words and fight. It was such a big sh that the game was suspended for a while. The referee calls Mantovani and pulls out the yellow card again. Less than three minutester, Las Palmas'' central defender received cards side by side. There is another 70 minutes left in the game, and it is doubtful whether he can finish. Fortunately, Lemos, who entered the stadium again, signaled that there was nothing wrong with his body. Fortunately, Santander''s free-kick became invalid, and the game continues with Las Palmas'' kick. If there was a decisive victory like boxing, it would have been Las Palmas'' victory. It was a slow game. Las Palmas yers, who were alerted by the coach''s scolding, did not give up a counterattack space, but that did not mean that the attack worked out well. 0-1. Santander returns to the locker room with half the sess. Before I knew it, the first half was over. In the locker room, Manager Pepe moves the tactical board as if he was a rapper and shouts nonstop. "Be needs to get a little further up the line. You can''t use your strength in a dense space of cedris. If the wingback doesn''t ovep ande up, it''s hard to create opportunities from the left. Pedri and Narvaez focus on linking in a dense space, but if you have a chance, don''t hesitate, connect them with a shot." "In the second half, Drolle will enter instead of Lemos. Drolle, you have to dribble from the right to create space. You don''t have to worry about defense. But don''t ever make a situation where you''re being counterattacked by a turnover, okay?" "Curbello, as much as the Drollees up, you refrain from ovepping and pay attention to defense. Aitami, Mantovani, and Courbelo form a three-back in an attack situation. Do you understand?" "Now, today''s opponent is Santander. I don''t want to lose to the team that barely got promoted to Segunda division. I''m sure you guys are, too. Go out and score a goal quickly. You got it? Right?" Everyone was overwhelmed by the coach''s momentum and shouted together in the locker room. And in the 80th minute of the second half, the game was still Santander''s. Chapter 6 Chapter 6 I stood by the assistant referee and concentrated on the coach''s words. It was already my third substitution this season. I wish I was a starter, but I know mypetence better than anyone else. Just being chosen as a sub is worth a lot. My heart was pounding with pleasant tension. "Kim, Youre going to be in Narvez''s position. You don''t have to move only in the penalty box. Do you understand what I mean?" I understand." ''OK. Do as you usually do. You''re doing great. It''s okay even if you don''t y this game. Don''t feel pressured. You know?" Yeah. Did you like papas. Yes. It was good there. Okay, let''s go again next time. Manager Pepe is hot-tempered but a nice guy. Not only did he give young yers many opportunities, but he also knew how to make people feelfortable, and he was a Manager who knew how to bring the team together. Manager Pepe slightly tapped Narvaez on the shoulder as hees out of the stadium and goes inside. It would be nice to score a goal for the coach, but it was also true that Santander''s two-line defense, which I watched while warming up, was so hard that Icked confidencepared to the previous games. However, even if I doesn''t score a goal, I have to y the role as an attacker. Considering the high prices of the Canary Inds, which is famous for its tourist attractions, I received Papas Aru.from Manager I have to respond to the trust. As soon as I enter, Ipete in the penalty box and got pushed down by the opponent''s central defender. I thought it might be a little hard today, and the tackle overshadow my previous resolution. With less than 10 minutes left in regr time, the attackers, including myself, wandered around outside Santander''s penalty box. Drolle, who came in as a substitute at the start of the second half, fails to dribble fearing counterattack. Fernndez, who reced left winger Cedris, tried to dribble and turned the ball back and made a ridiculous cross. He tries to follow the cross over his head with all his might, but the ball falls into a space that cannot be physically reached in the first ce. While the opposing goalkeeper was preparing for a goal kick, I approached Pedri and talked. "Pedri, change positions again and again." "Keep changing positions?" "Yes. Take the ball into the penalty box." I think it''s only Pedri who can change the flow of the game. Drolle was a mess as if he was not fully adapted from the Turkish league, and Fernandez was the same as he was when he yed together with me in the second division without developing. Hecked destructive power to break through dense defense. The goal kick flies far away, and this time Aitami, who catches the mark properly, runs toward Marong and swings his elbow fiercely. With the whistle, the referee approaches without haste and pulls out another yellow card. Cumtive cards and Aitami exit the field. It''s a pity, but it can''t be helped. It was rather fortunate that he was sent off in the 80th minute. The formation got changed ording to the gesture of Inigo who took over the captain''s armband. 86 mins. Three-back, left side of Las Palmas, Courbelo Dfe''s diagonal ground ball pass hits me right in front of the penalty box. It was a lucky pass, but it was a good pass. With one touch I send the ball to Pedri, who follows, and enters the penalty area. I put the one central defender behind my back and take over the ball again. The ball sent by Pedri was sent directly back to the top of my left foot. I deviates from my first position without resistance to the pushing force from behind. The ball would have been taken away from me if I had not sent it to Pedri. The same was true for Pedri, who was also being pushed. Pedri and the opposing midfielder make eye contact just before the tacklees in. I have to give a one-two pass in the penalty box again. It was very close, so I had to concentrate. I have to fly the ball at the correct height to make it fall at Pedri''s feet. It was slightly short of height, but Pedri easily touches the ball and enters deeper into the penalty box. Is there enough room for a shot? At the moment Pedri was hidden from my eyesight by the opponent defender''s back and I was not able to see in detail. The ball rolls at Pedri''s heel. It was an amazing footwork. Afterwards, Santander''s midfielder, who was entering the penalty box, runs toward the ball at the same time as Pedri kicked the ball. The roar of the audience is soaring. The ball went off the side of the. Damn it. Did he just cross the foot with Santanders midfielder? The tackle came in as soon as I shot, I slipped on the floor together with the defender, so the situation was not properly understood. After the game, I have to review the video data. "Buen trabajo! You''re the best!" Well done!" What? Penalty! Penalty! Pedri lifts me up with a big smile. The Estadio Gran Canary was as loud as a bomb. Santander defenders were seen protesting against the referee. "I think hes going to see Var ( Video Assistant Referee), but it''s a penalty. I saw it right in front." Is it a penalty? Yes Prncipe, the tackle went in with the sole of my foot. A hundred percent." I looked at Pedri''s left ankle, There''s really a stud mark of the opposing midfielder''s football shoes. Without even saying anything, colleagues flock around and tap around. I don''t understand why they''re hitting me, when I''m not in charge of penalties. Can''t we just touch when I score? The referee looks at the var for a moment and points to the penalty area and takes out a yellow card to No. 20. The cheers of the spectators filled the stadium. Inigo''s penalty shootout resulted in a score of 1-1. I felt a little ufortable with my left ankle, but I didn''t tell the coach since there was no problem running. I also experienced this several times in the second division, so it was enough to say after the game. Santander responded by raising the le when we scored aeback goal. The three-back was an unfamiliar Las Palmas, but even in dangerous situations, goalkeeper Martinez helped get out of the crisis with several good defenses. Courbelo Df, who switched from the side to the center defender, repeatedly gave up opportunities on the left side due to hisck of defense, but at the same time, he uses a unique long pass to push Santander, who raised the line. When the opponent''s line came up, Pepe sent me a signal to focus on line breaking in a counterattack situation. Ny minutes. All the regr time has passed, and four minutes of extra time have begun. Santander''s central defenders were slow on foot. Drolle, who seeded in breaking through using speed, falls down by the opponent defender''s grab. Even Mantovani, a tall defender, is struggling topete in a free kick that leads to fouls. It didn''t seem easy to score using heading. The crowd was surprised and feels relieved as Santander''s shot passes over the. I thought it was really going in this time. Theck of one person has brought about a heart-throbbing crisis every time. Martinez''s ground ball pass, which was handed back, releases the pressure from the center by exchanging a one-two pass with Courbelo, Inigo, and Inigo again with Kirian Rodriguez. The yers who were in the field from the beginning seemed exhausted. Maybe the score of 1-1 was the best we could make at the moment, but I thought we could make one or two chances right away. I stopped at the opponent''s offside line and pierced it again by running, but Kirian Rodriguez''s pass flies to the wrong ce. It was vain, but it seemed OK. It can''t be helped that hes physically exhausted. Santander is now conscious of the referee and takes the pace of the game faster. The closing time is not far off. De La B blocks Santander''s right-hand attack with a deep tackle. I ran quickly to the ball that he kicked far away and took control of the ball, but I''m the only one in the offense. Drolle and Juan Fernandez, who came in as substitutes, were also unable toe up since they were participating in the defense, so dribbling was the only choice. I managed to shake off the opponent''s midfielder by swinging my upper body and hit him deep into the left space. There are four defenders. I''m the only one who attacks. It was good to get close to the penalty box, but Fernndez is onlying over the half-line. I''m a little annoyed. The other yers are fine, but shouldn''t Drolle, who came in as a substitute like me, should havee up? In a moment, I was pushed to the side by the cooperative defense that the central defender participated in. I barely hit the ball in the opponents leg and creates thest chance to attack with a corner kick. This was the best y I could make. All the home fans rose from their seats. In order to fulfill the fans'' hopes of winning until the end, Las Palmas follows the signal from the bench to the goalkeeper and prepares for the final attack. The extra four minutes are all over. At 96 minutes, thest corner kick begins at the referee''s signal. Mantovani managed to hit the ball to the head, but it is far from a shot. The ball bounced back rolls on the floor. The yers are busy rushing into a narrow space, fighting, and pulling their opponents. Drolle was the first to touch the ball, but soon fell on the central defender''s tackle, and the ball pops out of the penalty box. The referee would have had the whistle in his mouth by now for the end of the game. I stepped back without participating in a corner kick, and the ball bounces forward and approaches me. I was at a better angle, so I try thest shot without hesitation. I was definitely in a better angle to shoot than Inigo, but whoever kicked it had to kick a drop ball that flew into the air to break through the dense defense in the center. I pushed my leg straight up to the center of the ball. Drawing a neat trajectory that surprised even me when I kicked, the ball goes over the defensive wall and falls down. The opposing goalkeeper didn''t react at all. yers in ck uniforms lowered their heads, and yellow uniform ran through the stadium at the excited cheer. Yay!! Aaah!" It was a cruel day for Santander. Chapter 7 Chapter 7 I felt good after the Santander match, receiving media attention. The day after the game, during recovery training, the pain came up in the left ankle as if a needle had been pricked. Since it was recovery training, I didn''t y too hard and exined the situation to the coaches, and soon the team doctor came running. The expression of the team doctor checking my ankle was unusual. Gran Canaria University Hospital. I was brought by medical staff from the training ground by car. It was my first timeing in person and receiving treatment. I waited for the result of the MRI in the hospital. I was worried because there was a time when a bone fragment inside the ankle was found before joining the team. My father, who arrived after receiving the call, was talking to the doctor in the doctor''s office with a stiff face. The Spanish word operacin sounds clear, although no details have been heard. If I have surgery, I will be absent for at least two months. After having a knife on his body, no yer has returned faster than that. It was physically impossible. Surgery all of a sudden, is there any other way? Dad leaves the doctor''s office with a dark look on his face. My heart sank suddenly. "Yuhan, I think it''s better to have surgery. I talked to the doctor and he said the bone fragments have broken once more in the shock and will cause constant pain. They''re saying we should operate as soon as possible because the pus ising out of the wound." "Do I have to do it?" "It''s a pity, but yes. The doctor was surprised. How have you been working out with that?" Las Palmas'' youngest scorer and the team''s highest scorer were no longer meaningful if I can''t y. Two months for surgery, two months for recovery. It is impossible to be in the first division again within this year. I want to pretend to be okay, but I''m angry. It was going well. I was doing well. The area near my stomach boils up as if someone had started a fire. If I had known this would have happened, I would have stepped on midfielder Santander''s ankle. Its unfair to end it like this. Coach Juan Naranjo approached me after talking to team doctor Bnos. "Kim, I''m sorry." "." "Let''s aim to be back in three months. Now you''re part of the first team, and you''ll get more opportunities." I didn''t want to end up like this. Yes, Manager Pepe and I feel the same way. But this isn''t going to end your football career. We''ll see." Without a moment of despair, the surgery went on two dayster. October 4th. It''s been two months since they''ve pulled out the bone. Rehabilitation training was smooth. As the doctor told me, I have thoroughly devoted myself to rehabilitation. "Let''s repeat one more set." "..Si." After finishing pulling and loosening the rubber band using ankle strength, I look at the status of Las Palmas on my cell phone. I heard about the team''s status through the yers who often visited the hospital, but today was the first time I found out about it properly. 00 draw at Tenerife Lost 0-3 at home to Almeria. 10 home win and so on. Yesterday''s 2-0 win over von Pera Dina was a great achievement for Las Palmas, who is weak on the road. The return of front-line strikers Castro and Pekart from injury seemed to have been the driving force behind the team''s rise. Three wins, one draw, and two losses after I left. It wasn''t a bad result. The team is tied with Cardi, who is ranked No. 1 with 19 points. It is unlikely that the team will lose the flow and fall down sharply. To be honest, I also wanted the team to copse moderately while I was away. I have nothing to say even if I get cursed as selfish, but it was also true that I wanted the coaches to remember the moments when I brought victory. After rehabilitation training, I left the hospital with a doctor''s notification that I can start light exercise. There was a scrap ser article on the wall of the kitchen next to my dad whoes home and prepares dinner. There must have been articles about the injuries after the articles "A fresh start" "A new prince of Canary," and "A great step for promotion," but my father decorated the wall with only three spectacr games. I felt ufortable in the back of my mind. "Eat the cabbage first. Here''s the sauce." Yes, thank you. A strong sea breeze knocks on the veranda door, disturbing the voice of a Korean announcer from satellite TV. Sinceing to the Canary Inds, my father, who only watched local news channels every time saying he had to learn the localnguage, has installed a new satellite TV while I was hospitalized. How''s your leg? There is no pain at all, so starting tomorrow, I will start walking. Then you might get back sooner than I thought. They said it might take less than a month, but we''ll see. Dip it in the cabbage sauce. Through the sound of the TV, the sound of knocking on the window grows louder and louder. It rains in an instant It''s been a long time since it rained. I know. Dad tries to open the window, but he gets hit by raindropsing in from the sea breeze and closes the windowtch. Honestly, it was a bit funny. With an awkward smile, Dades back to the table and eats. "The wind is very strong here because it''s an ind." "Yes, it''s different from Korea." "No, the ind in Korea is very windy." After washing the dishes, I checked the supplies to take to school tomorrow. I entered the room and packed my assignments and notes under the yellow fluorescent light. As I sat at my desk in the isted room, to see if I missed anything, the sound of raindrops came in through the window gap. Tears welled up in my eyes out of the blue. It came in slowly and calmly, a feeling somewhere between anger at the yer who tackled me andpassion for myself. Only at the moment of being alone did I feel unfair and anxious 17 years old in Korean age. 16 years old in Spain. I feel like a boat built with a broken engine in the open sea. It was fortunate that the sound of the rain hid my cry. I''ve been doing great so far. Manager calls every day to check if rehabilitation is going well, and Las Palmas fans asked for autographs at the hospital. I have to ept the fact that I am afraid of the hope everyone has for me. October 25th. Gran Canaria University Hospital Rehabilitation Center. "I''ll pull back to the left. What do you think?" I''m fine. "Number down the pain. 1 is the weakest, 10 is the strongest." No pain at all. All right. The area of the surgery also got filled up by the muscles and flesh well. It would have been better than before." At the hospital, the doctor announced my return to team training, saying he had delivered it to team doctor Bnos. After two months and three weeks, I was able to go back to the grass field. Las Palmas has a 21 record in thest three weeks. It was good to win two games in a row, but it fell to second ce after losing 2-0 to Cardis, who waspeting for first ce. I made it my first goal to show up on the professional stage again after showing good performance in the second division. As the team is performing well, the path to the first division will be more difficult. Everything starts again tomorrow. "Dios mo" "Hido algo?" "There''s no such thing." Second-tier central defender Forte Hesus asks what I ate with a serious look. Hes a jerk. He thinks I''ve been on medication? Of course, it was a little strange. Ball went too well after my return from injury. Fifteen minutes into the 40-minute practice game, I had already scored three goals. The left ankle worked more smoothly than before without any pain as the doctor said. The improvement of the ankle is not the end. In thepetition with defenders, it has be easier to bnce the body, from ball touch to instantaneous speed from a short distance. In body measurement, the amount of muscle decreased slightly, and the body was lighter than a feather. The anxiety is nowhere to be found and the stadium is big. Compared to the experience of ying in the first division, the practice game in the second division was easy, so it was insignificant. The line of the opposing team''s defense, which did not wear a vest, did not settle down properly and was confused. Trapping the diagonally flying ball with the left foot I put it down in front of my feet. I didn''t train separately, but I could use my left foot like my right foot. Maybe it was a little better than the right foot. As the left foot is free, there are also various options to choose from within the game. yers who marked me missed me because they couldn''t follow me. Tony Segura is wary of my movements and tries to defend carefully, but he loses his bnce and gives space. The pressure felt shallow even though two central defenders were lined up in front. Without dy, I try to shoot at the left post. Goalkeeper Dominguez Areandro leaps upte, but it''s toote. He did not react properly to the left-footed shot I made and allowed a goal, which was my 4th goal. Chapter 8 Chapter 8 "Kim, you''re good. I wish you could be in the next game right away. I know. I''m good at ser." Manager Pepeughs out loud as if I had said something funny. After the medical check, I was promoted to the first division without dy. I wanted to show my confidence, but the Manager just keptughing as if he was seeing his grandchild''s cute act. The team was pushed to second ce after losing to Cardis, but the atmosphere of the team was not bad. Throughout the training, the yers are busy exchanging jokes andughing. Theyughed so much that I wondered if they smoked marijuana as a group. "Pass here!" "Monk! Here! I don''t know who''s calling whom because the nicknames the yers call are unfamiliar. Who''s Monk? There is more than one person who is bald. Who are they calling Monk? My question was solved by Pedri, who was warming up by exchanging passes. "Were talking about Aitami." "Hmm. I see. He does look like one." "Tami! Kim says you look like a real monk!" Aitami res at me several times before the team meeting begins due to Pedri''s betrayal. Pedri''s snitching behavior was annoying, but honestly, Aitami does resemble a monk. Tactical analysis room is located on the second floor of the training ground building. I sat down and listened to the analyst''s exnation. The tactical analysis began in preparation for the La Brada match on the 28th. I didn''t think much during the training, but I finally realized that I was in the first division. "Fuebrada is a counterattack-oriented team that uses variant 4 4 2. When youe in slowly it''s less sharp, but in counterattack situations, right-winger No. 7 takes the opponent''s defense hard." "Freile Hugo, our defense needs to focus on the fact that he''s not a typical winger. He''s the best scorer on the team because he has good sense. Do you understand what I mean?" One of the yers answers the coach''s words. You mean, don''t let him mess with us. Exactly. We also have to focus very much on the set-piece situation. The opponent''s central defense scored three goals this season alone. Did you train for set-piece partial tactics again today? It''s a team that we can win if we dont lose focus" The manager said in a confident voice. The chart goes over, and then La Brada''s defender statse out. A rough-and-tumble team There are two defenders with four Yellow cards. And there''s no defender who didn''t take a card. If it worked out well, we would be able to solve it indefinitely, and if we didn''t, the game would be really difficult. "It''s terrible, isn''t it? Strikers have to score the first goal as soon as possible. At the same time, the yer who delivers the ball should be careful not to have a one-to-one confrontation. The scheduled formation is 4 2 3 1." I''ve heard a lot of stories to help the game around, but they''re useless. The possibility of allowing a yer who returned from injury to the first division to y in the match scheduled in two days is close to zero. .me? I''m in the game? You look very good to be excluded from the list, so I made a hard decision after the meeting. Both Manager Pepe and the head coach want you on the list." While getting a massage after team training, the technical coach came into the room and said it was on the list. I thought the coach''s intention to give many opportunities as promised was pleasant and a little hasty. I was rather anxious because my condition was so good. I was anxious and unhappy at the same time. Soon I fell asleep as Iy on the bed. October 28. Estadio Gran Canaria. Aitami shakes hands for fair y with the opposing team''s central defender wearing the captain''s armband. We know that they won''t be able to y fair with each other, so it seems to be just a formality. Sitting between Harvey Casteyano and Curbello, who failed to make the starting lineup, I looked around the stadium. What happened to the ind? There were empty seats in ces, so the audience was less than half full. I heard Castro and Pecardt yed their part in my absence, scoring a total of seven goals, but did they score and raise their middle finger to the stands? Still, the stadium is always exciting. It doesn''t matter. I''m back. "Hijo de Gran puta!" "Hey! Crazy f*ck! As soon as the game starts, FueBrada''s No. 15 yer leaves a stud mark on Pecardt''s shin with his tackle. The abusive words heard from everywhere are quite eerie. Even though they went through VAR(Video Assistant Referee), he ended up with a warning, not an exit, and once again booing and swear words flew throughout the stadium. Pecardt limped. The yers calm down and the game goes on again. The ball that Inigo flew into the penalty box touched Aitami''s head but lost strength and was in the arms of the opposing goalkeeper. It was a disappointing opportunity. FueBrada''s goalkeeper flies the ball to Praile to take the counterattack. Las Palmas'' left fullback, de B, who was wary of counterattacks in advance, cut off the path of the pass. And passes the ball back to Inigo in the center. Inigo identified Cedris''s position in the center from the right-wing forward position. "Argh!" Inigo fails to finish the cross and copses with a puck sound from his opponent''s rough tackle. "Mierda!" "You son of a b*tch!" The yers sh once again with the referee''s urgent whistle. This time, the opposing striker made a dangerous tackle. I can''t believe they''ve been warned almost seven to eight times in the first half. It was so senseless. It was a side tackle, but it was an angle that could be seen as a back tackle depending on the angle, but it is also a pity that the exit did note out. What is the VAR seeing? Even before Pecardt returned to the stadium, Inigo was carried out, and all the opponents received was two warnings. Considering this fact, the majority of Las Palmas yers are unable to control their anger. Martinez, the 21-year-old goalkeeper works together with the bench to calm the yers'' excitement, shouts, and signals but to no avail. The atmosphere falls in favor of the opponent. yers who have lost their minds narrow their horizons, and they start to confront each other with harsh tackles. Although there was no immediate impact, the rough nature of the game expanded its influence on the yers. Pecardt, the central striker, unconsciously lowered his hand to the shin, and Inigo failed to reach the opponent''s camp beyond a certain range. It''s a shame that Cedris, Viera, and Srnich were repeatedly attacking menacingly in the second line, but FueBrada''s eerie counterattacks have already reached Martinez''s hands twice. You idiots. Oooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Finally, the first goal was scored by FueBrada. In a set-piece situation, the ball that hit Lemos Miuricio''s head fell into the box, and Fraile Hugo finished. In the 29th minute, some yers bow their heads as if we have already lost. Las Palmas fans boo at the stadium. The bench became busy, losing a point in the early hours. Pecardt, who scored four league goals, kept touching his shin, so Castro had to prepare urgently at the fear of injury. In the first half of the game, which was dragged to 0-1, a recement card has already been exhausted. Rodi..! Come down and warm up!" Manager Pepe even prepares Kirian Rodriguez to rece Inigo one after another. Despite theck of understanding of the tactics, the atmosphere on the bench alone was enough to see that Las Palmas was in a very bad situation. Harvey Casteyano abandoned his silent image and continued to mutter curses next to me, and I was very scared when the usually charismatic person was angry. "I want to go out." Pedri, who was sitting in the front seat of the bench, grumbles. He said he would do well in rough matches like this. Yeah, well, the Las Palmas yers were so messed up that they wanted to y. The crowd kept shouting "Mierda! Defiendan cancha!" at FueBrada''s sharp counterattack Afterward, the game was interrupted by Manager Pepe''s angry water bottle throw. The yers who were moving around as if they had food poisoning must have made him frustrated, but it was silly. In the 41st minute, Manager Pepe left the bench following the referee''s order to leave. In a chaotic atmosphere, FueBrada''s yers focused on what they were good at. Games resumed on the sidelines. On the left side of the Las Palmas camp, Nteca and Gomes stole the ball from Las Palmas wingback Alvaro through pressure. The screaming of head coach Roberto Rios was also useless. The pass that Gomes kicked without dy fell neatly at the feet of Riera, the right side running between Aitami and Inigo. Riera didn''t get greedy and passed to Nteka who strode into the box. Lemos, Las palmas'' central defender, cleverly narrowed the right side of the, but it rather blocked the goalkeeper''s view. Nteka makes a kick with a light faint while filling the ball with a rotation towards the left of the. Martinez, the young gatekeeper, couldn''t even fly. Inside the stadium, it was so quiet that only the voices of away fans from FueBrada could be heard. "Oh, Were in trouble. Damn it." "Were screwed." 44 minutes into the first half. Nteka''s extra goal leads FueBrada 0-2. It was the first time in the season we let the opponents score two goals in the first half, so it was really a big deal. Cedris!! You bloody fools! Fuebrada''s central midfielder Bayejo trampled Cedris'' ankle. Srnich gets a yellow card together. I don''t know what he said to the referee. Doctor''s hands cross came. Cedris can''t y any more. He just got back from injury. He scored two goals. Kim is the only yer on the bench who can score." But there is still 45 minutes left! You want a two match old yer to y 45 minutes? Wing forward?" Heard an altercation between head coach Roberto Rios and technical coach Momo. I jumped out of my seat and went to them. An unexpected opportunity hase. I''ll do it! I''m d that chief coach Roberto Rios decided to put me on the field. Coach Momo''s counter argument was forced to bend and I got instructions to warm up. Soon after, the referee whistled, ending the first half of Las Palmas and Fuebrada with a score 0-2. If I knew this would happen, I would have listened to the analyst''s words more carefully during the team meeting. What should I do for 45 minutes? Chapter 9 Chapter 9 At the start of the second half, I entered the field with the yers. As I entered the field, fans cheered with apuse and cheers. The sun was setting and the yellow light of sunset fell over the stadium. It is a good day to run around in low humidity under a clear sky without clouds. The second half begins with the kick of Fuebrada. "Hazloque quieras!" (Do whatever you want) Chief coach Rios didnt put any pressure on me. Pecardt, who was diagnosed with minor injuries, was reced with Castro, and Inigo was reced with Kirian Rodriguez, to save his strength since there were no more recement cards avable. Las Palmas sank the defensive line deep back for an offensive that would start in the 70th minute. Las Palmas'' tactics prepared in the locker room hit the mark from the beginning. Fuebrada''s attackers were quite confused by Las Palmas''s downed defense. Mickel and Antonio, both fullbacks of the opponent, did not cross the half-line and did not participate in the attack, while Liera, the striker, lost the ball to Srnich''s defense. Srnich''s simple grounder pass reaches Castro''s feet just over the centerline. "Castro! Ball!" Castro''s skill in protecting the ball was an ability recognized by everyone on the team. He is not pushed by the pressure of the central defender who has lost his mark, and turns his head and makes eye contact with me. Ipeted with the opposing full-back, approaching Castro for a pass from the end of the right sideline. I hit the hand holding the jersey, put my shoulder in front of the iing shoulder, and did not give up my position. The harsh breathing of the opponent''s fullback can be heard. It wasn''t far, but it wasn''t close. This distance was just about that much, and you can say he had the upper hand. I tried to remember all the information I heard from the manager, including Fuebrada''s left fullback Antonio''s left-footedness. First, I changed the position slightly to Antonio''s right and created an angle that cannot be immediately rushed. As soon as Castro takes over the ball, he ps it by Antonio''s leg, which is about to take over the defensive position, causing it to get stuck in a dynamic motion, and then jumps back into the sideline. I can''t believe the stadium is this big. In a hurry, the central defender moved to fill Antonio''s vacancy, but the response and speed were slow. The space on the right was empty. As I drove the ball to the right side, I suddenly thought the game was easy. Unlike in previous games, I didn''t feel any pressure from the opposing defenders. Is it simply that I''m in good condition? Or maybe Cedris was ying in an easy position. If not, maybe, a small chance my skills have improved. "El prncipe des Canarias! Mustrame ms!" (Prince of Canary!! Show us more) "Ttch! Destryya!" "Tira!" There are cheers from the audience that was not heard before. It''s not that I can''t concentrate, but I cant rx. After narrowing the space, there was Fuebrada''s central defender, who wore the captain''s armband on his forearm. When I didn''t give him the distance to tackle, he gave up space and stepped back little by little. Diagonally, I went further in. I could feel the pressure on him. Feels good. The Center defender''s receding space was the penalty box and I could see the corner where the line meets. I had to choose whether to go into the left line and make a shot kick from the center, or put in a feint and go straight along the right line of the penalty box. Castro needs time to enter the penalty box. Srnich is alsoing in the middle, but was too far away. Should I choose the direction where I can make an angle to shoot? I don''t want the ball to be taken away again. The defender in front of me probably thinks I''m going in. Oh, he is very indecisive. My biggest drawback as a ser yer is that I don''t make the right choices. So I decided to let things slide. The ball touched with the back of the foot slips forward. One-touch dims my advantage. From here, if the defender''s left footes out, I can go left, and if the right footes out, I can go to the right. It suddenly urred to me that the Korean chess that I yed with my grandfather when I was young was simr to ser. If an opponent rushes in without thinking then the fight is already half won. That''s what happened now. As soon as I saw the left-footed thigh and upper body of the central defender of Fuebrada shake, I scraped the ball with the sole of my left foot to regain the upper hand. The opponent''s left foot steps on the grass instead of the ball, and I can exit to the right where the defender''s stepping foot is located. I didn''t need a shy talent to do that. As I pass through the opponent using my main strength, I feel open. Castro had reached near the penalty box before I knew it. The left central defender, who was checking him, hurriedly approaches me after confirming that the shot angle was open. Therefore, Castro waspletely free. Eyee-! Gol! Gol! Gol! Castro hit the ball that I had pushed and fired a shot with terrifying intensity. Fuebrada''s goalkeeper also knew that he was aiming for the direction on the left side of the, but it was too fast for him to stop. Gracias, Kim! Yes, good job. 51 minutes into the second half. 1-2. I exchanged light greetings with Castro, who had picked up the ball right away without an after-party. Las Palmas fans love the fire of hope that has risen again, and screamed. Many people were dancing while shaking their bodies to the sound of music ying from the speakers. Before the game resumed, Aitami delivered the bench''s instructions with praise. "Kim, that was a good pass. Rios wants you to drive the ball." Good choice. Give it to me." "Make a tie goal, too. I think youre in good shape." Before answering anything, the attack by Fuebrada begins with Whistle. Aitami hurried back to his position. Fuebrada acted as if the cause of their loss was fair y. They seemed to think that they would not have let us score a goal if they had yed rougher. The referee whistles again. The main character of the foul was No. 16, Bayeho, who had a warning in the first half. He protested against the second yellow card, as if there was no elbow contact, but the referee refused to ept it. Hes a jerk. Kirian Rodriguez, who was hit by Bayeho''s elbow on the forehead, was checked by the doctors. To be exact, it was to find out whether he was mentally stable enough to continue to y. "It''s alright. It''s nothing." How many? Three. Team Doctors go towards the bench, and in the distance, chief coach Rios was greatly relieved. 57 minutes into the second half. Now the game is an 11Vs10 fight. Fuebrada reces striker Riera and Nteka with defensive yers. It meant they would y defense openly. In the 63rd minute of the second half, Kirian Rodriguez, returned to the field after throwing the ball from outside due to the opponent midfielder''s touch mistake, bringing back the lost attack flow. The ball delivered to attacking midfielder Viera is directed to right-wingback Alvaro. Then it''s my turn to receive the ball. Fuebrada''s fullback, winger, and central midfielder are pressing me like one body, but they have already established their position. The point at which the ball was received was the right end of the half-line. At the same time as receiving the ball, I turned my body in the front direction and waited to rush in. It''s a short moment, but I can predict how the wingback and central midfielder will behave. I don''t have to pay attention to the opposing winger running from behind. Just as the ball''s right path is blocked by the touchline, it''s enough to think that I can''t go back. Damn it!'' I rotate the ball and send it between the Fuebrada yers. The problem is that my body cannot pass the path that the ball was passed. If I follow it there, my uniform will be torn to pieces like a hyena snout. In that case, I just have to go out of the line and run, to the ce where the ball can''t go but the person can go. I turned towards the three who had been chasing like idiots and pushed them all away. Once again, there was a hole in the right space. Before the defense repairs, I took half a step and ran with full force. I went deep into the side of the penalty box As I came in, I could see the crowd behind the rising from their seats, holding their breath. There are Castro and Viera in the penalty box. I want to kick a cross but the pushed-back Fuebrada''s central defenders don''t give me space. So this time, I took a step to the right by taking advantage of the speed It''s not a tap, it''s a squeak. With my right foot, I took a step forward, pushed the ball over the line, and turned 90 degrees with the back of my foot towards the goalkeeper. To keep the body from straying behind the goal post, I put my weight on the right foot. I left the line slightly, but it was not enough to lose the ball. Castro and Viera rushed to the front of the to receive the pass. "Stick! No. 21!" The keeper''s left shoulder, wary of Cross, stood out exceptionally. But I was greedy for goals. It was impossible to use the right foot now. Would it be wise for me to use my left foot to shoot when I just started training? As Manager Pepe said I did what I wanted to do. "Eyeeee!" "Aye-!" There are times when you know the result before you kick it, whether you made a mistake or you made the best shot. Fans roared and shouted to the tune of the song. "Hay unprncipeen Canarias~ El prncipe vino de Corea! ( Prince of Canaries! prince from Korea.) "Ledar el Honor a Canario~ prncipe de corona deoro!! (He will give the Honor to Canary~ prince with the golden crown) Don''t.. Don''t sing weird songs Chapter 10 Chapter 10 2-2. The scores got leveled I passed the ball through a narrow gap and it was blocked back by a savage in yellow uniform. The people on the bench were flustered as they prepared the next tactical instruction and called out for Aitami. The head coach ordered him to be on the defensive until the 70th minute, but it was 64 minutes into the second half. It was up to me, Castro and Srnich. The score was tied without the participation of the midfielders in the attack. Furthermore, FueBrada had sent one out, so it''s an 11 Vs 10 fight. Las Palmas yers stopped blocking them and went back to the half-line. Castro approached me and praised me in a low voice. "You''re good every time I see you. At this rate, my seat will be taken away by you soon." There is still, Pecardt. Thats right. You still need to work harder. Haha. Castro seemed to havee to his senses by what I said. Yes, Pecardt will be the biggest obstacle to snatching the starting position. We have already scored two goals! Let''s hurry up and add more. Okay. I''ll push the ball. Head coach Rios is raising his voice and I think he''s going to pull up the line, and there''s going to be a lot of opportunities. "Yeah. It will be easy to defend. Im feeling good today so pass me more balls." "Easy to defend?" The 37-year-old man opened his eyes wide. Did it seem a little cheeky to say that it was easy? I''m in good shape, so it''s easy to break their defense anyway. Yeah haha, that''s great. It''s a weak team. Hahahah, FueBrada is in fourth ce. It''s not a weak team. " 4th ce? They''re worse than us. Yes, Thats right. They are worse than us." After crouching close, Las Palmas pulled the line high against FueBrada. The central defender also came up near the half-line, and the contents of the game started to flow unterally. Strangely, the Las Palmas yers were rather out of their minds when they began to attack. Viera''s pass was caught by the foot of the opponent''s full-back Antonio. It was already the third time. It was true that FueBrada was blocking well, but ultimately, the pass didnt connect smoothly. "Kim! Move to the center!" Head coach Rios ordered from the bench. After the game, he will have a sore throat, because he has been shouting several times to the point his voice was hoarse. More than 75 minutester, De La Be''s cross, which passed to the side, hit Castro''s head and flew towards the left end of the, but was blocked by the goalkeeper''s wonderful defense. Blocked? Haaaaaaa The stadium was mixed with exmations of regret. Castro, who apuded De La Be, turned his head, made eye contact with me and gave me a signal. It meant that I should vacate the center position at the next attack opportunity. The opposing goalkeeper''s kick made the ball roll around and went straight to FueBrada''s right fullback. FueBrada, who had no reason to attack excessively, passed the ball between the defender and midfielder. "Press!" "Castro! Right!" Meantime, I tried to save my physical strength, while the strikers worked together with the midfielder to put on a strong forward pressure, the ball brushed Castro''s toes and went back to the opposing midfielder. It was a waste. The No.27 yer, who regained possession of the ball, got relieved from the pressure and sent the ball to Praille Hugo, the only one who crossed the half-line. De Be and Kirian Rodriguez went for a cooperative defense in a narrowed space, Praille Hugo moved the ball on both feet and neutralized the defense with just two touches. De La Be turned and followed behind Praille Hugo, but the distance between the opponents widened as he elerated. Feeling anxious, I went down the half-line and tried to join the defense, but I ended up preparing to switch positions with Castro at the head coach''s scolding. "RODI! RODI! Mark Martinez, number 9! Watch 9!" Aitami made a mistake while coordinating the defense, and gave a shot angle to praille. Just outside the penalty box, Praill''s shot skipped Aitami and moved towards the center, which was deflected by Lemos and rolled out of the line. With a Whistle sound, the referee pointed inside the penalty box. Damn, Praille Hugo''s shot hit Lemos in the arm. A ball touching the tip of one''s arm without touching their body, Its a handball foul that can be seen at a nce even from a distance. Even Aitami who was protesting knows that the decision won''t be reversed. Will Goalkeeper Martinez be able to save Las Palmas again? No, he couldnt "Eyee-! Guardameta estar ocupado (The goalkeeper is busy.) "It''s okay, we can still win." yers could be seenforting Lemos who had his head down. The score now was 2-3. FueBrada took one more step forward. The positive thing is that it hasn''t been 80 minutes yet. Castro''s pass headed for Aitami. Aitami swapped the ball with De La Be and Lemos, lifting the line up and handing it to Kirian Rodriguez, who approached. He waster dribbling through the center of FueBrada, and Castro shifted to the right nk but he was still inside the penalty line. Alvaro, the right-wingback, received a long pass that changed the direction of Kirian Rodriguez''s attack. "Alvaro!" Seeing Castro and Srnich raising their hands, Alvaro connected a diagonal cross towards the penalty box at once. The ball appeared in the air with a bang. The trajectory of the ball was directed towards Castro. However, the ball was a little high. If it was left as it is, it was clear that the ball would pass Castro and go straight to the opposing goalkeeper. My body reacted before I even finished thinking. I mixed a faint and moved to the left to shake off the defender who clings to me, then turned to the side and slipped into the space between Castro and the goalkeeper. The ball went into the penalty box and passed through Castro and FueBrada defenders without hitting anyone''s head. The ball that appeared in my field of view was ced on my thigh because the position of its fall was high. Later, the dense space in FueBrada blocked the yers'' view and slowed the defenders'' reaction. Thanks to it, the goalkeeper appeared one-on-one in a very narrow ce. If I miss this opportunity, then I will be so mad that I can''t even sleep properly. I kicked the ball with my right foot and it passed between the legs of the opposing goalkeeper who was running towards me. After checking the referee''s call and the assistant referee''s g, I can say with confidence that It''s an equalizer. It''s so unfair to lose to a team that had sent one yer off, and to a team that''s a rank lower than us! Good job! Hey, That was nuts! Don''t hit me! Go away! It''s a big drawback to be exposed to violence every time you score a goal, but there''s nothing great like scoring a goal. It is good to see the faces of the crumpled opponents, and it is good to see the Estadio Gran Canaria full of music and cheers. "Est loco! You crazy canary! You are the best!" Sing a song! Song!" "Hay unprncipe en Canarias El prncipe vino de Corea!" Why did theye up with such lyrics? Fans of Las Palmas sang excitedly for a long time even after the game resumed. Castro, I''m going to the right again. Yeah, take it easy, we still need another goal. I got a pass back in the 82nd minute. In front of the ball from the top right, there were four hyenas waiting for me toe in. It was a foolish choice to go into space just by insisting on chances. To be exact I don''t have the confidence to get through them. While I was hesitating for a while, the wingback Alvaro pops out from the side and runs straight into the offensive camp, and signals for the ball. It was an unreasonable request. I shook my hand and turned the ball to Lemos, while pretending not to know Alvaro, who was angry. "What should I do?" I thought while switching positions with Srnich, but the game was too one-sided. In a situation where a wing-back reces the role of a wing, it will be one thing to change the position near the penalty box. However, moving out of the box does not mean that the yers of FueBrada should only be in that position and not move. I want to think patiently, but I don''t have much time. Outside the penalty box, Viera''s shot hit the defensive wall once again and moved sideways. De La Be received the pass and dribbled the ball around the penalty box. I was wondering if there was a ce to poke. Castro is also fighting hard, but his touch was clunky and it is impossible to connect in a narrow ce. Srnich is busy panting like a car with a broken engine, and the same is true of Viera, an attacking midfielder. Move a little more! Kim! The yers'' cries for a pass were annoying. Head coach Rios told me that I could attack after the 70th minute. Castro and I have done all the attacks before, but there is no yer topete and make space when necessary. "Oh, damn f*ck." It was a swear word I used after a long time. There was a long line of hyenas awaiting me. It was my innate destiny to have blood bruises all over my body even before myeback. I picked on one of the two opposing midfielders who mumbled curses and waited for me as if they had drawn a line in the middle. I thought No. 8 would be better than the yer who came in after being reced. I Speeded up towards the front. If you pass between the opposing yers slowly, you will suffer twice. It was most important to move quickly in an ambiguous range where the No.8s leg could not reach and to break through before cooperative defense. "Ahh!" As soon as I entered the ambiguous distance, the opponent''s hand grabbed the uniform on the shoulder. That''s what it looks like in the eyes of the audience. But, Half of the uniforms that the opponent No. 8 grabbed are my flesh and muscles! Apart from the degree of grip strength, the opponent also entered a fight of bnce by pulling me with a moderate intensity so that the foul whistle would not be blown. I rather went inside of my opponent''s side to shake off his hand. As I started to lead little by little with force, the opponent''s hand holding my uniform got released due to the limitations of the joint. In the meantime, the speed of the ball also must be adjusted to prevent sliding tackles from entering. Strong, medium, medium. Sometimes what I learned in the Traditional Korean drum ss is helpful. It also blends in tricks into turning with shing thigh and shoulder muscles. There we go. Number 8''s right thigh muscles are weak. It moves in response to the trick of tucking the shoulder to the left. When a sudden brake is applied on the muscle to move to the right, No. 8 loses his bnce on his own and falls. When the mark was removed, the opponents'' defense line reacted more nervously to the point of attempting to prate the penalty box. In a battle of concentration, a moment of hesitation will lead the ball to be taken away. Gestures and eyes are also used as tricks. You have to use everything you can. I pointed to Castro with my hand and saw the penalty line and saw the space in front of Srnich, who was standing dimly on the left. At that moment, the central defender with the captain''s armband reacted. "Flores! derecha" (To the right) Yeah, it''s empty on the right, isn''t it? But I''m not going there. I have a good feeling. Chapter 11 Chapter 11 When I was in Korea, I hated fighting. The reason why I wanted to be a central striker was that it is the only position where I could do my part with minimal fighting with the opponent. And doing what the team expects from me with a clean shot. It''s really not my cup of tea to force my way through the small space, but I can''t help it since I don''t have much time. Four defenders speed up again closing the narrow space. I did not run either fast or slow, but to the point where I could control the ball. I can''t control the ball properly at my maximum speed. I have not yet reached that level. I was close enough to the point where I could hear the breathing sound of the opposing defenders clearly. Before their legs reached the side of the ball with a puck sound, I hit the ball with the back of my foot and moved my center of gravity to the left foot. I avoided them, but the collision of the body made my side ache slightly. Still, if I can maintain my dribbling speed even after a collision, then it was not a loss. I avoided a standing tackle from a yer approaching from the right, but the left central defender immediately hit me like an 8-ton truck. Before he tried to tackle again, I reduced the speed of the ball by scraping the back of the ball. The rhythm of the rushing defender got disturbed. I slowed down for a moment, and I also looked for the reaction of the right central defender, who started to catch up again. Can I slip through the gap between central defenders? I can tell that there is great power in the hand of the right-center guard, because of my experience when he got hold of my right shoulder. I can''t break through with speed. My uniform will be firmly held so that I can''t elerate properly. "Kim!" Srnich, who squeezed in from the left, beckoned me to pass the ball. The opponent''s full-back, No. 19, was closely behind Srnich. I can''t give him a pass, but I can use him. My gaze toward Srnich created doubts about a pass, and seeing me bncing the upper body for the movement to the right, the left central defender flinched again. Alright. The left-center defender loses his judgment on these two faints and bes stiff. It was just a brief moment, but there was enough time for me to execute a faint and escape to the left. When I slipped to the left after passing both the central defenders, I opened a shooting angle from where I could shoot for the first time. After seeing that I had passed through all the central defenders, the midfielder who followed attempted a bold sliding tackle. When I saw the shadow at the bottom of the front, it seemed that even the goalkeeper had jumped out. With the right shoulder uniform still being pulled, it has be difficult to break through with speed. The shooting angle is too narrow, and there is not enough time to take the position for a shot. I''m a little nervous, and I decided to leave the possession of the ball in the air for a while. I ced the ball between my feet and lifted it sideways with my knees bent. I can''t believe I''m going to use this technique in a real match. The trick I used to pick up the ball for fun during practice made the tackle from the midfielder and the goalkeeper meaningless. Not only did the left-center defender struggle to catch up, and also the right-center defender lost the grip of my uniform when the yers bumped into each other. FueBrada''s No. 19 wingback came running leaving the mark of Srnich but it was already toote. The angle to shoot was narrow, but there was no one on my way to the goal. As my foot hits the ball As if raising the speaker''s sound button, the sound of the stadium went max. The score became 4 3. The game time was 86 minutes into the second half. Now we''re leading the game "Uh-huh!" "That was a crazy goal !" "Tres Goles!" Third goal! Crazy!" I''m not crazy, you guys are crazy. The yers who ran after me forced me to fall and started hitting me hard, and soon fell on me crushing me with their bodies. What a bunch of annoying people. The game ended 5-3 with a volley from Castro, who received a pass from De La Be. After the defeat, FueBrada''s yers looked dejected, but soon exchanged uniforms with Las Palmas'' yers. For me, number 5, the opponent''s right-center defender came up to me after taking off his uniform. "Eres muy bueno para el futbol." "Yes, I''m good at ser." The yer wearing the captains armband smiled bitterly as he held out his jersey, Number 5. He was the one who grabbed my shoulder and kept pulling my uniform until thest minute. Hes FueBrada''s captain, also the right central defender, his name was Juanma. How old are you? 16. Are you the same age as Pedri? Yes. I whispered in a low voice. "You were really good. Still, it wont be easy from now on." Before answering, Manager Pepe, who returned to the bench from the ground, called me. After finishing the conversation with a light handshake I started running toward Manager Pepe. As soon as I reached him, he said that an interview has been scheduled. "You know we''re having an interview after the game, right? You are going to make a short speech." I can''t speak very well. I know, I don''t want to do it either, but we don''t have anyone to interview other than you today. You are the one who did a great job today!" "What if I end up saying something strange?" "Tell them that you don''t understand questions or you cant speak Spanish. It''s okay because the interview is going to be broadcast only on the Canary Inds. It was Las Palmas'' fault for not being able to find an interpreter yet, well, don''t feel pressured. Everything will be fine today, hahaha." Guided by Manager Pepe who walked like a waddle, we arrived at the Interview hall set up in a simple manner. I saw the sponsors'' marks and La Liga stickers that were pasted on the transparent stic wall. Before going under the bright lights, Manager Pepe showed me the questionnaire that he received from a broadcaster and told me to ask him anything if I dont understand. Manager Pepe drew a line on some questions saying not to answer. "Felicidades p Victoria. Kim." "Gracias." The interview began with congrattions on Las Palmas'' victory. It is amazing that the microphone is much bigger than the one in the karaoke room. I never had an exclusive interview when I yed for the Las Palmas B team, which belonged to the third division, so I was a little nervous because it was my first time. It didn''t seem real. "First of all, I can''t help but ask this question. You have scored three goals in today''s game. How do you feel?'' Good. I always feel good when I score a goal." You have scored a lot of goals in today''s game, how did you feel mentally when FueBrada scored their third goal? It wasn''t hard. I thought that it was a win-or-tie match. The middle-aged man with a tinge of gray hair asked a question again with a mischievous smile. Manager Pepe was sent off in the first half. How was it? He was just like that. Manager Pepe is like a volcano. I always thought it would happen one day. He giggles at my answer. Like a volcano? Did he get angry a lot?" "Well, he doesn''t get angry a lot. Manager Pepe is also a good man. He even bought me food. He is also the one who taught me how to make Mojo sauce." "Since he taught you how to make a mojo sauce, you think Pepe''s a good person." That''s right. I had a slight doubt about whether I was doing the interview properly. The yers were giggling while eavesdropping on the interview behind the camera. As my eyes turned towards the smiling yers, the coach nearby sent a signal to focus on the interview. "It''s already seven goals in the season. You are scoring goals in every game you y. What do you feel is great about your recent performance?" I think I have been lucky. It''s not like a 16-year-old yer can be ignored just because theyre young. Don''t get me wrong. You are now the team''s top scorer. Despite your unfortunate injury and limited ytime, you were evenpeting for the league''s top scorer. You cant just say that you are lucky?" "Some goals were really due to luck. I think the rest benefited from the league schedule." "Oh, Dios Mio. How did the league schedule help you score goals?" "It was partially due to my injuries, but also due to avoiding strong teams. The FueBrada team we yed today was also in fourth ce." The smiling announcer''s question went easier than I thought. FueBrada was fourth, but I think it was a really high-quality team. As the league progresses, it will reveal where the real strong team is. Do you know which team has the least goals?" I don''t know that. Is it Cadiz?" It''s Ueska. Remember?" "Uh" "The team you yed in the opening." After the interview, I walked out of the locker room ignoring the yers who were imitating me and my way of speaking. I smelled a lot of sweat, and I didn''t want to take a shower with the yers unless it was an away game. Well, I got used to their way of making fun of the interview. "Kim! Give me your autograph!" "Kim!" Before I left the stadium, I had to do the fan service for about 20 minutes before I got into the clubs official car and went home. The good thing about home games is that you can go home right after the game is over. "You did a great job today. It was really a good game." "Yes. Thank you for taking me home." The car dropped me in a narrow alley in front of the house, I climbed the familiar stairs and inserted the key into the hole. The room was dark without lights. Dad hasn''t seemed to havee back yet. Considering the fact that he didn''t say he wasing to the stadium, it means he will beingte after watching TV at Uncle Bari''s house. While the boiler is preheating, I pour water into the kettle to brew tea. Btedly, a feeling of intense excitement and happinesses up. Not Las Palmas B. It was a real hat-trick in the second division, with nothing attached to the club''s name. The cheers of the audience and the echoes of the cheering song that was sung for me still lingered in my ears. Inside the bathroom. Hot water poured from the hose, passing through the hair and falling down the chest and spine, the trembling heart sound faded. I finished showering and changed my clothes as I heard the steam leaking from the kitchen kettle. I walked out of the bathroom with a towel around my neck and grabbed a cup of warm ck tea. "You did pretty well. It was good today." I came into the room while sipping the tea and sat in a chair as I encouraged myself again and again. The room was very quiet, except for the sound of windows shaking in the sea breeze. "Let''s do it just like today, Kim Yuhan. You did a great job today." If I don''t keep saying it out loud, I''m afraid today''s match at Estadio Gran Canaria will disappear like a dream. I murmured to myself in the room a few more times, hoping that the voices and excitement of the spectators I heard in the stadium would not fade until I fell asleep. It was lonely. Chapter 12 Chapter 12 I was confused until thest minute. I couldnt be sure. "No way!" "Yeah, he didn''t teach him how to make Mojo sauce!" Leaving behind the horde ofughing savages, I concentrated on recovery training. Those mentally crippled kids aren''t worth talking to. Among them, Dani Casteyano was the most vicious person. Pedri, who giggles and ps Dani Casteyano''s back, is also the worst and disappointing in many ways. Next to the stretching mat, Castro talked to me with a smile. Kim, would you like to have lunch together tomorrow? "No, Tomorrow I am going to Teide park with my dad. Are you going to y? NO, I am going to Teide National Park for school work. As the recovery training proceeded sequentially following the coach''s instruction, Castro continued to speak. Teide National Park? Thats a good ce, isn''t it?" "Yes." There is a ce that cooks mejilln well, do you want me to tell you? "What is that? I dont know what mejillon is. Um you dont even know mejillon? It''s like a m. m that has red flesh and the ck skin." Castro''s exnation itself was like a puzzle. Maybe I should go home and refer to a Korean dictionary. Even in Korean, I don''t think I could understand the types of ms. "Tell me first. Where is that ce?" The next day. We woke up early in the morning and took a boat from the port of Las Palmas to the port of Santa Cruz. We had to drive for an hour and a half to reach the Teide National Park. I handed a slice of banana as breakfast to my dad who was in the driver''s seat. I wish we could see the sea of clouds today. Do you remember the clouds covering the bottom of the mountainst time? "Yeah. I don''t know if that kind of weather will be there today. "We''ll have to go and see it. It''s a high area, so it must be visible from there." Talking with my father while driving out of the city in a rented car, the ind''s unique palm trees seem to be disappearing little by little. The higher you go, there will be more small trees and stones that reach up to your knees. We could have taken the cable car to reach the top, but my dad and I have decided to go up on foot. There is no separate parking lot, so we parked our car on the roadside and we prepared to climb the mountain. When the morning sunrises, the roadside of Teide National Park, where the morning sun raised, was filled with people who came to ride the cable. Shall we start walking up? "Yeah." Unlike me, my dad really liked mountains. I followed my dad with a light smile on my lips and started climbing the mountain. It''s a ce where I''ve been once eight months ago, but it looked entirely new now. The closer you get to the top, the more red soil and rocks are filled. I can also see strange red nts that I have never seen in Korea, and sparse bushes between gravel are also seen. Qu sorpresa encontrarte aqu! The guide in Teide National Park recognized me, and he left the bewildered tourists behind to get my autograph. Pretending not to see the happy father next to me, I moved my feet again and started to climb up. By evening we had to get down in time to return the ferry back to Gran Canaria. After finishing the hike faster than expected, I had an early dinner with my dad near the Santa Cruz Port. What Castro rmended as a m-like thing was a mussel that tasted very good. Do you like it, Dad? "yes. What about you, Yuhan?" I think its good. "Mussel dishes are delicious. Eat more. Did Castro rmend this one to you?" "Yeah. Its a restaurant that he often stops by whenever hees to Teide. Dad liked Castro''s rmended menu, but more than the served food he was more pleased with the restaurant owners request for my autograph. After eating in the city, I got a lot of requests for autographs and photos from local residents. It wasn''t this bad before, but now, I couldn''t tell if the mussel was going through my nose or my mouth. Cell phone cameras clicked from all sides. I just want to eat and go. Yeah. They''re taking a lot of pictures. Yuhan, you are now a celebrity too. I still have to work harder in the future. We arrived at the port of Las Palmas only at dusk. When I reached the front door, I thought that it would be good to get a good night''s sleep because I was moderately tired. I went to the bathroom and took a hot shower when I heard my dad answering a phone call. It was Uncle Bari. Hey Yuhan, Uncle Bari wants to see you for a moment. Shall I tell him toe home? "Sure. I dont mind. I was a little tired, but experience has shown me that I''d better make time for my uncle if he''s going toe home. Uncle Bari was a close friend of my dad and also the agent who signed me for Las Palmas. Hey, Yuhan!" Hello, uncle. Uncle Bari can speak well in Korean and has been a big help to my father and me. He was the first person to rush in every time whenever there was a difficulty or injustice in the local area. I can''t be friendly with him because of my personality, but he''s a person I''m really grateful for. Amigo! Im here because I have some things to tell you. "Yeah. Speak slowly. Can I get you a cup of tea?" Give me a mix of coffee. Uncle Bari loved the mixed coffee. I only rmended tea out of courtesy, but Uncle Bari was a person whoined quite often, saying that his stomach began to protrude from the moment he encountered mixed coffee in Korea. I''m tired of saying this again, but something came up because Yuhan had yed so well. Whats going on? I Have talked about the renewal of your contract with Las Palmas. The conditions they gave are very good, but I''ll put this matter aside for now, because a transfer offer came in for the second time. It wasn''t through the club, but they wanted to know Yuhan''s intention, whether he would like to transfer or not." The sudden transfer story was confusing. I stillck the stamina to be a starting member, but I can''t believe there is an offer for transfer. "We''ve been getting offers behind the scenes even before you got injured, but since you''ve been doing well since you came back, a few teams have made serious suggestions. Don''t take this seriously, since Im an agent, it is my duty to report the ces from where you got the offers." Where? Three teams in the first division of La Liga. Celta Vigo, Vadolid and AT Madrid. It was nice to hear that the proposal came in from the first division, but it wasn''t an easy decision. I also have to consider the changes in my father''s life and my environment, which I have just managed to settle down. If I go there, Will I be able to get a steady chance to y there? Can I y properly? Celta Vigo is tough. Their team is in the relegation zone, so they are not going to wait patiently. Vadolid is 12th, I don''t know anything about them. It''s not even half the league, so it''s not good to say anything about Celta Vigo or Vadolid." AT Madrid would be more difficult, right?" Its not a contract that guarantees the first team. If you go, you will start ying in the Segunda B league. You have to start with Team B at Madrid. If you don''t like it, you can go back to Las Palmas on loan and y like Pedri did. If you look at the name value of the team, it is right to go, and I dont think you cant do it, but it will be a big challenge. Dad doesn''t say anything, he just listens quietly. What do you think, Dad? This is not my business. You have to choose. "Si is right. Yuhan, its you who has to make a choice." It''s too difficult for me to make a decision. Uncle Bari burst intoughter, saying I don''t have to decide right away. Im doing well in Las Palmas, so there won''t be much trouble. Are the terms for the renewal contract good?" Just. It''s not too bad It''s a bit higher thanst year''s Pedri standards. However, the contract period is an additional one year, so its not a good condition. I have to choose between the two. Yes, haha. It doesn''t matter if you don''t renew your contract. I just gave you a choice and it''s not my business to make a decision. That''s all. Don''t make it tooplicated." As if he had been here to y for a while, Uncle Bari no longer talked about the contract, and just had a conversation with my dad about the Teide National Park. "I''ll be on my way. I have to go home. "Thank you." Yeah, oh my. Grande Kim, look at this." Grande Kim is a nickname for my dad, coined by Uncle Bari. Uncle Bari took his magazine out of his arms and handed it to my dad. It came out this morning. Yuhan was in a special article, it''s a nationwide magazine, haha. Your son is Spain''s next superstar!" Uncle Bari, who spoke in an excited tone even though he didn''t have any alcohol in his coffee mix, disappeared from the front door in an instant without even receiving my dad''s greetings. The magazine handed by Uncle Barrie was folded in the middle. My dad gave me the magazine half-heartedly, asking me to look at it first. I forcefully grabbed the magazine. I was frankly curious. What kind of yer would I look like in other people''s eyes? An ind 1,400 kilometers from southern Seville. The Estadio Gran Canaria is located closer to the Sahara Desert than the maind. Anyone who watched the yoffs of La Liga in the 14-15 season would apud the dramatic promotion to the first division, and anyone who has experienced two seasons of Las Palmas away games since 2015 will shudder at the horror. Here is a yer who appeared like aet on this faraway ind. Last year, if Pedri captured Barcelona''s heart by showing off his splendor, Kim Yuhan from South Korea is amazing at the substance of the y. Seven goals in just four games with one assist and one PK induction seemed like a bonus. It is even greater if you check the ying time and detailed indicators In all four games, he yed as a substitute, and the time on the field was only 90 minutes. It should be taken into ount that the time was insufficient, but Kim recorded eight offensive points in one game. There are zero turnovers for four games, eight out of nine shots were effective shots which makes the shooting efficiency approximately 89%. Of course, this astonishing figure will gradually drop over the course of the game. But Kim was born in 2002. He is 16 years old! This amazing neer, who was at the same age as Pedri, burns La Liga dos on a field in Estadio Gran Canaria. Futbol Deporte prepared an interview with Las Palmas Manager Pepe Mel for this episode to satisfy the people. Let''s predict whether Las Palmas will be able to maintain the sensation thats caused by Kim Yuhan. Q. First of all, congrattions on your victory over Fuebrada, although it iste. A. Thank you. Q. You have won, but there are a lot of things I want to ask. Many things happened in thest match apart from Kim, like yellow cards, red cards, and even the Manager was asked to leave the stadium. It was fun to watch, but wasn''t it a bloody game for Las Palmas? A. Yes ughs). First of all, it seems I got excited because I was trying to make up for a tactical mistake. I am satisfied with the results, but the process has a lot to reflect on. We need to make up for it through training. Q. Las Palmas was the first to reach the 30-goal range with Cadiz in La Liga. While Las Palmas yed until the 13th round, Kim won four games and scored 12 goals. From the start to the details of the game, Kim''s performance is amazing. Did you expect this as a Manager? A. To begin with, yes. Kim came to Gran Canaria a year ago. We tried to give him some time to adjust because he was so talented, but Kim also consistently produced results in Las Palmas B. He wasn''t shy, but he scores goals when the team needs. How can I, as a manager, leave such a yer like that alone? Q. Although it was great to score a goal, the experts praised Kim for his dribbling skill against Fuebrada. Did you know he was good at dribbling? A. Kim has a great number of abilities. His ability to score goals alone is great, but what I value the most is his ability to deal with situations. Based on his understanding of team tactics, he also knows how to switch to individual tactics through his judgment instantly. Q. I heard that there were a lot of fans worried about Kim''s injury. How is he now? A. Las Palmas was lucky. Kim has recovered quickly and is now ying morefortably than before. Q. What about within the team? Is Kim adjusting well to Gran Canaria? A. At least in my opinion, Yes. Kim is trying, though he doesn''t speak Spanish well yet. I know he is a yer with a warm heart. Team veterans like Castro, Aitami, and Dani also like Kim. Q. In an interview after the match, Kim said that he had dinner with you, which became a topic of discussion. Do you often eat with the yers or spend special time with Kim? A. We do not set up meals for specific yers. After Kim joined the first team There was a time when he ate alone before team training. I was wondering if there was a problem with the first team, so we had dinner together that day, and now it seems like Kim liked the meal I rmended. Q. Is it mojo sauce? A. Yes ughs). Chapter 13 Chapter 13 The grass was wet from the morning rain. In early November, before the 14th round match against Zaragoza, Manager Pepe began intensive set-piece training with the defenders. I was paired up with Pedri in order to practice shooting. I don''t know if I''ll be able to y in the next game. Why do you say that? Something doesnt feel right. Pedri said with a slightly darkened expression on his face. Recently, the number of appearances for Viera has started to increase, to the point that he might be pushed out of his starting position. Viera is so good. Do you know hes the second most goalscorer after you? How many goals did he score? Five goals. It was a little surprising, but I don''t think its enough to drop Pedri. Viera was an experienced, attacking midfielder who was at his peak. But by my standards, that was natural. "You''re from Barcelona. You''ll be back in the game soon." "If I don''t y for Las Palmas then being a Barcelona yer doesn''t mean anything." "Kim! Pedri! Focus!" After a short conversation, Jose Yepes, the goalkeeper''s coach, screamed. We started to continue the shooting practice, which was paused by the coach''s urging. The ball, kicked by my foot curves, flies to the left goalpost, hits the goalpost, and bounces off with a THUD sound. The sense of shooting is definitely good. Im in perfect condition. Next, it was Pedris turn. The ball, which flew briskly, hit Domingue Arejandro''s arm and bounced off in vain. Pedri. Yes. Your form is a mess. Pedri sighed and ran towards the penalty box at Jose Yepes'' call. The movement of kicking the ball itself was unstable. Castro approached from the side while Pedri was pointed to go out by the coach. What''s wrong with him? He can''t y ser well today. Hmm, thats always a difficult problem. Thats right, Castro? Yes? Did Viera score five goals while I was away? Yeah, he was in a good shapetely. "What about you, Castro?" There might be something wrong with my Spanish since I felt a stinging gaze from Castro, who seemed to be angry. I don''t think I said anything rude, but still, I''ll ask Uncle Bariter. Next was a practice match. Manager Pepe and Head coach Rios had serious expressions on their faces. I felt that the defenders were in a mess. It''s not someone''s mistake that caused a loss, but the line ys separately and gives up a series of opportunities without properly using the defensive line. "Aitami! Focus!" Lemos!, whether you are keeping the line or making a personal mark!, just do one thing at a time "It''s empty again!" The Head coach''s sighs sounded like background music. I ran through the broken line defenders and only put my foot on the ball. Goalkeeper Martinez jumped out, but it was harder to stop the ball I kicked perfectly. There was no cheer as the defense hadpletely copsed. Everyone who yed the practice game started to get worried about the 14th game against Zaragoza. November 4, 2019 at Estadio de Romareda, the home stadium of Resumen de Real Zaragoza. The open stadium, painted blue and sky blue, was filled with spectators. I was in good condition after the three hours flight. We lined up and took the seats behind the waiting room of the Las Palmas team. It was my first time as a starting member in La Liga Division 2. yers in the front line escorted the children into the stadium, moving away from view one by one. yers of Real Zaragoza said something next to me, but I couldn''t hear well because their sound got mixed with the roaring cheers of the crowd. The weather was good. After exchanging handshakes, I got ready and headed to my starting position for the start of the game. Near the half-line, Viera stood in his position and spoke briefly. "Let''s win." "Yes." Today''s Las Palmas tactic was 4-4-1-1. Four defenders and four midfielders. There is Viera and me on it. My position was a central striker, it was my originally desired position. Manager Pepe told Viera to change positions freely and stir up their defense. As he did not n to raise the line significantly, he seemed to have expected a simr attack development like the match against Fuebrada. Game 14 of La Liga 2 began with the referee''s whistle. The pass went to the opponent striker, No. 26. Suarez, the striker of Zaragoza who was loaned from Watford, also had seven goals and eight assistsst year. The scream of the analyst, vividly telling us not to let our guard down to the young 21-year-old striker, could be heard. I hope Aitami and Lemos, the central defenders, would block him well. "Inigo!" Fabio Gonzalez, who yed as a left-center midfielder, steals Zaragoza''s ball. Gonzalez swung his foot just in time as I went near the half-line to receive the ball. A rough pass narrowly passed through before my foot could reach. There was a feeling of touching the tip of my foot, but it was unfortunate. As Manager Pepe ordered, we didnt rush forward blindly. When the opponent crosses the half-line, the key is to put strong pressure on them. "Gutty!" "Gonzales!" At the beginning of the first half, each other''s calls to intersect their opponent echoed throughout the stadium. We were fiercelypeting to gain control of the midfield. I marked Zaragoza''s wingback, Nieto, who started to ovep as the ball came over to our camp. Las Palmas wing-back Alex had to join me to stop him from taking possession of the ball. The shoulder bones collide with the opponent, causing pain to rise. Obviously, the yers who came out as starters had more rtive physical perfection than me. The shoulder that I put in instinctively got pulled back. It was fortunate that the opposing midfielder who got hold of the ball did not pass immediately. "Alex! Look at Mark!" I screamed at Alex, and sent hand signals when our eyes met. Perhaps he was not concentrating on the game properly, he passed it dryly and moved to a new defensive position following the ball that flew to the other side. Srnich, a right-winger, participated in the fierce fight in the center, while the mark of the opponent''s left fullback was still free. When I thought about the counterattack, it was impossible for me to just go down and stop it. What choices should I make? Kirian Rodriguez cuts the ball flying to the left of the Las Palmas camp. De La Be''s long ground ball pass reached me through Viera''s touch. Before Guti and Eguaras of Zaragoza tightened the space on either side, I sent a through pass to Viera again. Fortunately, in the midst of misfortune, all the attackers seemed to be in a good condition. As Viera passed through the opposing midfielder and approached the penalty box line, the defense suddenly rushed to Viera. Kirian Rodriguez, who came up, approached Viera''s side and took the ball. Soon after receiving a back pass from Kirian Rodriguez, De La Be''s cross made the balle into the penalty box. The attack seemed to be in vain because of my tight mark even though the attack progressed like flowing water. Sure enough, a cross flowed back past me, trapped between the central defenders. Zaragoza''s full-back made a long pass toward the Las Palmas camp. Ah. The ball, which bounced back after hitting Inigo''s head, fell behind the final defensive line. As Zaragoza striker Suarez ran, Aitami raised his hand, but the g of the assistant referee did not rise. It''s on the side. In a difficult situation, goalkeeper Martinez rushed out of the. The left side of the goal was greatly emptied because of the wrong judgment of the defense. The crowd of Estadio de Romareda, the home stadium of Zaragoza, jumps up. It felt like the blue waves were waving. "It''s okay! Let''s take it slow!" Aitamiforted the yers on the defensive line. The first goal was scored 11 minutes into the first half. While Suarez was having a celebration with his teammates after scoring a goal, the yers of our team pulled themselves together. 16 minutes into the first half, in front of the penalty box. Viera''s shot glided over the. The game was tight after losing a point. The Las Palmas attack was sharp. The problem was, that it was the same for Zaragoza. A handful of away fans apuded enthusiastically for Martinez''s save. Martinez''s reflexes bring a surprise every time. The opponent''s midfielder, Eguaras, made the cannonball-like mid-range shot slip the post with his fingertips. "Wake up! Mark''s empty!" "No.27! Who''s Marking 27?" A corner kick followed before the defense''s confusion cleared up. The ball which the midfielder of Zaragoza tried to take was cleared by Lemoss head. It fell a little further from the penalty box. Inigo and Gonzalez tried to fill the gap. The ball hit by Gonzalez''s leg bends and rolls in front of the box. Among the yers who were just out of the penalty box, number 17 and Zaragoza''s left wingback Nieto tried to take possession of the ball in the middle while the defense had not been established. Lemos and Aitami rushed for the defense, but Nieto entered the penalty box and swung his foot after two touches with incredible calmness. "Eyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" "Good job!" Nieto outstretched his arms and ran to the corner of the g. The faces of our yers turned pale. 19 minutes into the first half. The game was 2-0. Zaragoza''s attack was fierce to dismiss as luck, and Las Palmas'' defense was a mess. TRIVIA Ovep If a yer oveps, they pass the ball to another member of their team and then run beyond that yer so that they are ready to receive the ball again. Chapter 14 Chapter 14 I kept a moderate distance from the defender while exchanging a one-two pass with Viera who followed me closely. While creating space and buying time, Srnich, who came out as a winger, slipped into the gap next to the penalty box from the right side. He lifted the ball by the bottom and kicked it up. The ball spun while it flew over Zaragoza''s wingback head and fell into a space about three steps away. It was a little long, but fortunately, Srnich seeded in maintaining possession of the ball. Viera crossed me as he cut into the space near the, and I went back to the back of the penalty box while checking Viera''s movements. Before Zaragoza''s wingback''s tackle came in, Srnich kicked the ball for a quick pass. It was a pass sent to Kirian Rodriguez, who was conscious of the defender attached to Viera and me as he followed us through the penalty box. "Joder!" "It''s okay, good job." Zaragoza''s no.14, who caught onto the jersey, sessfully broke Kirian Rodriguez''s shooting posture in thest minute, which made the ball fly over the goal post. When returning near the centerline for defense, Viera approached and talked to me. "Kim, let''s make it shorter. Pass it to the center. As many times. Do you understand?" "Well, that''s good. Alright," A counterattack opportunity came up when Aitami managed to clear a pass from the Zaragoza winger. A ground ball pass from Bended in our camp and reached Kirian Rodriguez, who started running forward. Kirian Rodriguez approached the penalty area while dribbling the ball from the left side, immediately attempted a one-two pass and passed Zaragoza''s No. 22 who was blocking the front. Kirian Rodriguez, who reached the penalty box, paused when he saw Viera, who was out of his position among the central defenders. "Give me the ball!" I followed him to the front of the penalty box and asked for the ball, and Kirian Rodriguez sent a pass that passed before Zaragoza''s No. 22. The ball came in with a force that was too strong to receive at a close distance. Can I even touch that kind of ball? I instinctively let the ball slip between my feet. Considering the strength of the ball, I was convinced that it was not a pass sent to me. The yer who received the pass was Las Palmas right-winger Srnich, who ran hard to get into the Zaragoza area. A shot opportunity connected without dy from the middle of the penalty box, "Ah" "Good! Good job!" Manager Pepe''s encouragement could be vaguely heard from the bench. Zaragoza goalkeeper''s amazing save made Srnich''s attack fly off to the left line. The ball bounced out of the left line. 38 minutes into the first half. The process was good, but the results of the harvest are insignificant. We added three more shots, and the score was still 2-0. "Mark, do it right!" Once again, the ball rolled into the chest of Martinez. If it wasn''t for the Zaragoza striker''s miss, it would have been a crisis that could have cost us a goal. After lying down for a while, as soon as he got up, Martinez shouted and cursed at the defenders. "Alex! Alex! How many times do I have to tell you that your mark is constantly getting pierced!" Martinez shoots fire out of his mouth, Fully filling the six seconds while keeping the ball which was allowed by the regtion for the goalkeeper. Martinez''s kick delivered the ball to the left wingback Be, and our attack continued again. Since Zaragoza''s defense was in ce, we had to pass the ball several times before creating space. Gonzalez passed to Inigo in the center, and Inigo passed to Srnich in the right. Looking back, I also participated in the linked y and exchanged several passes, and in the meantime, Be, the left wingback, kept sneaking up. The ball went through central defender Aitami and Lemos to goalkeeper Martinez and then back to central Inigo. When Srnich dribbled into the right side, Zaragoza''s defensive line distorted momentarily. As soon as the defense line was distorted, he quickly turned to the left and made a long pass to Be who then participated in the attack. It was a good pass. Zaragoza''s wingback stuck in front of Be who received the ball, but the defensive line inside the penalty box had not been positioned yet, and it revealed the space between defenders. Be puts a strong spin on the ball to avoid Zaragoza''s defenders legs. The ball''s movement leaves a curve that resembles a banana in the air, whichnds near the goalkeeper, and soon breaks out of the box. It''s a long cross. Even if it was close to the goal, it was a ball that even I couldn''t react to, because of which I soon started rushing towards the center. The ball, curved at a distance and easily went over to the right side and connected in Srnich''s head, which then went over the penalty box. Srnich''s direct header pass helped to bring the ball back to the other side. As the ball flew from a distance with strong sticity, Viera and the opposing defender began topete, but at a nce, both the physique and height of the opponent were inferior to Viera. I put a strong brake on my movement from going in forward towards the goal and rushed out and jumped back. The distance between me and defender No. 27 widened because the one who was marking me failed to respond in time. Srnich''s head pass, as expected, bounced back by the head of Zaragoza''s central defender. It would have been nice if I could connect it right away and turn it into a shot. Two stepster, the ball hit the floor and bounced more than expected. If I were to wait for the ball to fall moderately and kick it stably, it would most likely get caught by the foot of the central defender. Focus. Let''s focus, Yuhan.'' A good finish requires a high level of concentration. As if erasing with an eraser, I erased the disturbing shouts from the stands of Zaragoza. Erased yers who were not involved in the shooting course, goalposts, and keeper. I only have a central defender running toward mepeting for the ball. The rest of them need not be considered. I considered the balls rotation and moving speed in order to find what kind of shooting postures should be taken. I''ll try an overhead kick. I thought it was the best decision because of my instinct. It is 100 times better to kick the ball ording to the movement of the ball than to try to match the movement of the ball. No, it was 10,000 times more difficult and dangerous, but I thought it would be fine. I can leave it to my instinct just like I have done so far. As soon as the ball reaches the peak, the ball should be kicked concisely with the foot. If I try to give vague strength, I will miss the timing and the ball will leave floating in the air, or on the contrary, the ball will hit the floor and lose its speed. Based on the sticity of my thighs, I pushed my lower body up into the air at once. As there was a certain distance from the goal,I first turned my body upside down at an angle, then twisted my upper body to add strength at thest minute of hitting the ball. The world turned upside down. The central defender went toward the trajectory of the ball, and the goalkeeper is already taking steps in anticipation of where the ball willnd. The ball narrowly escapes the head of the central defender who threw his body and flew straight towards the left goal post. My body in mid-air fell due to gravity, and the trajectory of the ball was secured. As I lost all my concentration, I started to feel the grass around my mouth. Pfft The savages nearby came running towards me and patted my back. "It''s a goal! A goal! You''re crazy!" Did you take any drug! You crazy punk!'' Shut up. When did you learn that word? That''s a bad word, kim!" I grumbled, as I got up from the ground, pushed Rodriguez and Srnich away, and walked towards the to pick up the ball. "trabajo!" "Buencico!" The stadium was filled with shouts due to the celebration of fans. Some of the fans who were wearing blue stripes near the goal pped along with shouts. Soon, the sound of pping filled as if the entire Estadio de Romareda got a pping disease. What are you doing? What? Theyre pping for you. Why are they pping for me?" Because you scored a great goal. At least say thank you to the other team''s fans. Come on~" Aitami came up, took the ball from my hands, and pushed my back to the stands near the goal. No matter how great the goal may be, for it to be congratted by the other team''s fans was unexpected. To be honest, I didn''t understand them. When I put both palms together and slightly bowed my head to express my gratitude, arge number of people sitting in the stands copied my movements to express themselves. On my way back to the half-line, Zaragoza''s striker, who made eye contact with me, raised his thumb with a blunt look on his face. There seem to be a lot of strange people in Spain. It would have been nice if I had scored an additional goal following the momentum, but the first half ended without an additional goal after my score. When the referee''s whistle rang, the yers walked into the locker room one after another. The score was 2-1. Lemos, the central defender, was warned for making a rough tackle on Zaragoza''s striker, but except for the warning, Las Palmas regained its stability. In the locker room, everyone was breathing heavily while drinking water, Manager Pepe came inside and modified the board with the formation written on it. He said he would use three strategies. "Mesa will go in on behalf of Alex, and I will put him as the fullback. Mesa will be positioned on the right side, refrain from ovepping with him and focus on defense. Mesa, do you understand?" "Yes." "The left is Be''s. Be, you have to go to the right side and refrain from ovepping. If Be fails to join the defense in a counterattack situation, Mesa and the other three center backs join together instantaneously and prevent the opponent from attacking. Mantovani, are you listening to me?" Alex is the fullback who copsed from the start of the game, Alex''s absence was good news, but can Mesa y the role on Alex''s behalf? I was a little skeptical. Our team has no side defense except for Be. Even Michael Mesa''s original position as a substitute was as a midfielder. "Now, everybody, focus, it''s true that we''re ying a difficult game from the start, but we''re the second-best team in La Liga. Kim scored a greateback goal, didn''t he? Did you all see Suarez overdoing it after being aware of Kim''s goal at the end of the first half?" The yersugh calmly at Manager Pepe''s rare joke. Let''s make it a good match. As the coach finished his speech, I stood up to leave with the yers. At that moment, coach Juan Naranjo came up and put his hand on my shoulder Kim, how are you doing? " It''s okay. good. If you feel that your body is heavy, that means your stamina has already been exhausted, so be careful not to get injured. If there are a lot of misses in the field y situation, I will rece you immediately. It''s good to do your best, but don''t overdo it. Do you know what I mean?" " I know. Still, I can run till the end of 70 minutes of y. " Leaving behind coach Juan Naranjo''s worries, I walked into the field of the Estadio de Romareda, which was filled with 30,000 home fans. I wasnt in a good condition, but it is not bad enough for my body to send a warning signal. Rather I was concerned about the area around my right rib which was hit whilepeting with the central defender. Chapter 15 Chapter 15 "What are we going to do now?" " Hey, man. If you continue doing this, I''ll break your leg next time. What would you do then?" What! Opponent No. 8 who was tackled by Las Palmas central midfielder Gonzalez suddenly grabbed his knee and fell. yers from Zaragoza and Las Palmas intertwined and exchanged a war of words. The referee took a yellow card out of his chest pocket without hesitation, but the yers'' ruffle did not subside. While taking a breather from afar, Zaragoza''s striker Suarez approached me and talked. " So, whats happening? Did youe out after hearing something? " No. No, you mean you havent heard anything about it. I''m not good at Spanish.. Suarez nodded his head while twisting his lips like a fish. The yers'' shes continued along with the boo from the stadium. How long have you been in Las Palmas? A year. You''re good, Are you from Japan? "Im from Korea." Suarez was not Spanish by his name and appearance, but he spoke fluently in Spanish and non-stop. Hes a bit annoying. Oh, it''s another card. It''s Rodriguez. Haha, I guess he got the card due to protesting. Marcos is really a great artist. His act has earned two cards. "Is that acting?" "Of course. He often falls down even during practice games." "Look at their hands. Your team doctor says he can''t y?" "." Suarez was slightly stunned by the recement due to his teammate''s injury. I sneaked away before he regained his attention. By the way, it''s not good to receive two cards, not long after the beginning into the second half. Of course, it wasmendable that Aitami stopped Lemos, who already had a card, from going near the sh. However, it is clear that the left-center midfielder Gonzalez and left-winger Kirian Rodriguez collected cards one after another, which might have a detrimental effect on the defense. There''s no way Zaragoza yers didn''t know what was infeasible which even I could infer with my limited ser knowledge. WHISTLE! The game resumed, and Be''s sliding tackle caused Zaragoza''s No. 9 yer to roll down the ground while holding his leg. Due to the countless yellow cards towards the left line, the wingback Be started to feel the pressure to keep up the defense. The referee looked sternly at him and said, "I won''t let it slide twice." Fortunately, it was not a card. If Be had got another card, the left would have be apletely horrible sh*t line that matched the color of the Las Palmas team uniform. The free-kick that followed was saved by Martinez and the ball went past the penalty box before falling down. Viera, who went all the way down, put the ball down with his instep. As soon as I confirmed Viera''s possession of the ball, I started to continuously switch positions between the opposing defenders. I had to make a gap to get the forward pass. "Alright." Viera responded to Zaragozas right-center defender''s vague moment, and in the half-line, he made an overhead pass. It was a little long pass, but if he kicked with all his might, the ball would have gone into the goalkeepers hands. It was better because it was far from the central defender following from behind. It was thanks to maintaining a distance that my uniform was not caught. I followed the ball that bounced on the floor right in front of me. The moment I got the ball, I was more than two steps away from Zaragoza''s goalkeeper. But I was more rxed than I thought. I don''t even have to use my feet for this opportunity. I raised the ball to the top of my head and used my forehead to urately hit the ball, the ball bounced beyond after touching the fingertip of the goalkeeper''s finger drawing a parab. The rushing central defender attempts a final sliding tackle, but the ball that meets the goal calmly settles on the grass. As soon as the referee''s whistle blew to announce that Las Palmas had scored a goal, I quickly ran straight to the and returned to the half-line with the ball. I made a High-five with Viera, who has a gentlemanly heart, unlike his appearance. He seems to have noticed that I don''t like getting myself patted. Well, I''ll remember him as the second nice guy. I felt sorry for Pedri, who ispeting for the same position, but Viera is a decent guy. At least ording to my standards. Good job! Try one more goal. Hahaha." "Are you nning on another hat trick?" "You are not normal." Viera is definitely different from the barbarians who came running to me and started patting me on the back, shoulders, and the back of my head. Are you going to score another goal? I don''t know. Before Zaragoza''s attack began, Manager Pepe pulled out the second recement card. Gonzalez, who received a card in the second half, got swapped for Cedris. Kirian Rodriguez, who yed on the left wing was reced by a central midfielder, while Cedris, who has entered, moved to the left-wing. I nced at the side of the bench and saw Pecardt and Narvaez warming up and preparing to rece me. Manager Pepe will rece me as scheduled in the 70th minute of the game. Before scoring the second goal, the backside of my right thigh was slightly numb after sprinting. It was a sign that my body was getting tired. But to reach the 70th minute, there''s less than 10 minutes left. I thought about giving my everything for a short time left for me on the field since I still had some stamina. Through the cheers of Zaragoza fans, the shouts of the yers burst throughout the stadium. "Mesa! Mark!" "Mark, number 26! Mark! It''s empty!" "Guti!" Zaragoza, who switched the formations to 4-4-1-1, tried to y the game by focusing on nk y through a central fight. Zaragoza''s No.14, central midfielder Guti''s passes in, to the left. It was a good pass, but Mesa, who entered the right wingback position on behalf of Sanchez, upied the side space and the cooperative defense with Srnich returned Zaragoza''s attack to nothing. I must admit that I was wrong. Mesa was a yer who could show above-average skills even in the wingback position. Mesa''s pass was delivered to Kirian Rodriguez, who moved towards the center through Aitami. It was an attacking opportunity for Las Palmas. "No.22! Come on! Toss!" When Zaragoza''s defense failed to properly control Cedris who prated to the left and gave up the space, the central defender''s shouts soon burst out. Kirian Rodriguez''s ground ball pass falls at Cedris'' feet. Cedris cleared the pass and dribbled into Zaragoza''s left side of the camp, and the opponent''s fullback cleared the ball with his toes. The home fans burst out apuse. In the following throw-in situation, Cedris, who received the ball from Be, endured the pressure of the Zaragoza defense and delivered the ball to Kirian Rodriguez, who came up to a close position. The central defenders lower the line and narrow the space between them, so there is not enough space to move. Rodriguez got down to the white line that marks the penalty box and reached out. "Inigo!" The ball was passed by Kirian Rodriguez to Inigo, who stopped the ball without hesitation. With the opposing midfielder approaching behind him to mark him, he exchanged short passes to and fro the center in the way Viera liked. When the mark got shaken off with a one-two pass, it revealed a space in the front. In an instant, Zaragoza''s central defenders approached the square of the goalpost. The goalkeeper is quite skilled in blocking the balls from any shooting angles. Viera could try a wind-up shot, but it seemed difficult to avoid a sliding tackle from the opposing midfielder, who wasing towards him. Viera, who went inside the penalty, was also reluctant to pass because of those who were marked. "Kim!" As Viera ran into the empty space of the penalty box, Srnich deceived the opponent''s wingback, leaving his original right position, and ran towards the center. There is no time for any other choices. Srnich rolled the ball weakly on the soles under his feet, and at the same time had a fearful power fight with the central defender who came in to narrow Srnich''s shooting angle. "Whew!" "Maldicin!" To be exact, it was more of a struggle than a fight. I was d that he didnt get thrown off like he was in a car ident. I rushed towards the central defender like a wolf rushing to the back of the Siberian brown bear. There was no need to hold out for a long time since Srnich immediately made a move to connect with a shot. But he couldnt. The central defender throws me aside and starts marching towards Srnich. Did I hold out for about half a second? It''s not even that much. But it was the best I could do while trying not to lose my bnce and fall violently. "Kim! Look ahead!!" The moment I finally recovered my bnce and corrected my posture, the ball dropped in front of me. I don''t know what kind of magic Srnich used, but all the defenders nearby were all staggering in reverse movements. Srnich, you lovely guy! I may be weaker than a Siberian brown bear, but I''m still a wolf. I wont let go of the prey that fell in front of me. Zaragoza''s goalkeeper, who fell right in front of the penalty kick point, could not even rush in. "Jodette!" "Maldito chino!" "Woooooooooooooooo-!" Zaragoza supporters boo and cursed from the crowd. Yes, this is it. I did not fly all the way back to Spain to get apuse from where the winner and the loser are divided. Fans of Zaragoza shouted while raising their middle fingers. "Hahaha." Slowly, and not too fast, I turned around while watching the Zaragoza stands. Rather than feeling aplished with the second hat-trick of the season, I felt more joy in hearing the abuses of Zaragoza fans. I know it sounds weird, but it was just my honest feelings. To me, it''s better to be pointed at, than apuded by face-saving people. In the stadium filled with anger and irritation, I get back to the half-line to the crowd of savages of Las Palmas. The score was 2-3. The remaining regr time was 22 minutes. Chapter 16 Chapter 16 "Great job." "Yes." 71 minutes into the second half. Narvaez, who entered the stadium on my behalf, showed good performance just like he did in the practice games. As it was a one-goal match, I thought it would have been better to put on a defensive stance rather than using the central striker, but I soon gave up my thoughts. The tactical part, well Isn''t it the Manager''s area? However, it was only that I was concerned that it was not possible to score an additional goal even if the striker was changed. To be honest, I think Narvaez is a yer who can show off his ability only in practice games. He is simr to me for the team during practice matches, but he bes strangely weak when he enters the official game. 0 goals in 7 games. In addition, the defense, which had regained its stability, twitched to and fro on the ground as if they had a nervous attack after scoring aeback goal or as if the final defensive line had been electrocuted. Atami gave instructions to the line at the top of his voice andmitted the atrocity of leaving the line by himself, and Mesa, the right wingback, who was confused by the instructions, slipped on thewn and fell while trying to join the line. In the meantime, Inigo switched positions from the central midfielder to the right position of the wing-back in the second half. The opponents striker nearly fainted after getting hit by Inigos iron-like forearm, which would have resulted in him getting a card and then getting a free-kick. Why didn''t the coach use the central defender Mantovani for the recement card? Now the defense is in a mess. "You did a great job. Be careful not to let your body temperature drop, also tell me if you need more clothes." "Thank you." My thoughts were interrupted briefly while thanking coach Juan Naranjo. I entered the bench and sat down shoulder-to-shoulder with yers such as Courbelo, Harvey Casteyano, and Descartes. Oh, Joder. What the hell''s wrong with him? In the meantime, an ident urred. The referee with the whistle in his mouth points to the inside of Las Palmas'' penalty box. Lemos, the central defender, protested with the referee, and he took out the yellow card. "You''re out." "What?" "You''ve already received one." Apparently, when the mark of Be broke out from the left wingback of Las Palmas, Lemos, who lost his patience, seemed to have made a radical sliding tackle. Manager Pepe didn''t evenin to the referee. The atmosphere on the bench became heavy which made me slightly annoyed. I don''t want to lose. More than the penalty, the bigger problem was how to stop Zaragoza''s attack which would be followed in the remaining time. Maybe I feel this way because I''m not a fully grown adult. Most of the yers on the bench were only looking at the goal post of Las Palmas as they were praying. "E-aaaaaaaaaaa! Great job!" "Martinez! Great! Great!" Martinez tiptoes off the ball that Zaragoza striker Suarez kicked hard into the center and Martinez kicked off the ball with his tiptoe. It was a kick done by lifting his leg in response to the trajectory of the ball and kicking it to the right. Everyone shouts together from the bench of Las Palmas. It was a cheer for Martinez, who showed an amazing defense, and gave encouragement to his teammates ying on the ground. Of course, I was sitting quietly. I''m tired, but aren''t all the yers on the ground, are mypetitors anyway? At least that''s what I thought. I wish they could do well, but it would be even better if they dont. I felt a little contradictory when I thought like that. I don''t want to lose the game, but I don''t want mypetitors to do well. "Rodri! Rodriguez! Get down!" "Viera!" After 80 minutes into the second half, Manager Pepe and Head coach Rios shouted and chewed the midfielder linepletely inside the camp. The attack seemed to be left to Narvaez, who entered as a substitute and to spend the rest of his time in two lines as a midfielder and defender. With Lemos sent off, the number of yers became 11 vs. 10. Mesa and Aitami formed a back four, while Kirian Rodriguez came down for the defensive midfielder role. Inigo switched to right fullback. It is because of his short height that they left the central defense alone to him. I hoped that Mesa, who had changed his position to the center, would do well. Fast apuse rang three times in the stadium, as the home fans of Zaragoza shouted Suarez''s name in a loud voice at the signal of the stadium announcer. "Oh, that was too dangerous." "It could be hard to hold out." Harvey Casteyano and Courbelo, who were sitting on the bench, exchanged conversations in a heavy tone. There is no talk about the draw or defeat, but everyone felt that the atmosphere has be weird. Zaragoza''s No. 19peted with Kirian Rodriguez in front. He did not push his back to the opponent''s striker. Viera, who soon came down to the central midfielder position, rushed to cooperate with the defense. The referee''s whistle sounds with a beep sound. Just outside the penalty box. No warning was given because it was not a stud, but still, Viera stepped on the opponent''s striker''s feet. After decisively defeating the protests of the Las Palmas yers, a white line was drawn on the ground. It was about 24 meters away. Narvaez, who is tall, returned back to the Las Palmas camp to stand as the wall. "Destroy, perish," Courbelo chants a spell of prayer next to me. With the referee''s gesture, Zaragoza''s dedicated kicker began to step on his feet, and the yers in the box rushed to move. It was a trick. The ball rolled straight to the right side. It was a pass that shook the defensive rhythm of Las Palmas. Zaragoza''s No. 19 hits the ball that rolled in front of his feet and entered the penalty box. Apletely free strike opportunity without a single mark. Be ran out to the boxte for a Mark, but Zaragoza''s No. 19 kicked the ball into the box without hesitation. The referee put the whistle in his mouth again. WHISTLE With the whistle sounded, the referee''s finger pointed to the inside of the penalty box. Again! Penalty again? What the heck! What the heck! Mierda! El juegoes ms du The bench went wild as a bomb detonated. Manager Pepe sends a strong protest to the waiting assistant referee by sshing his saliva like a machine gun, and the referee immediately starts checking VAR as we waited with a little hope for the decision to be withdrawn. "Ah" The words penalty kick popped up on the electronic disy before the referee''s beckons were finished. The ball hit Aitami''s hand in thepetition. 87 minutes into the second half. The ball passed Martinez to the side of the. The yers on the bench were disappointed, but the coaches encouraged the yers who were disappointed on the ground after losing a point. I agree that this is not a desperate situation. The game was not over yet, and the game was still tied at 3-3. The game resumed, and as if to make up for the mistake, Las Palmas'' defense rushed back and forth. Zaragoza''s shot hit Aitami''s back and bounced off, and the shot he tried again also bounced off Mesa''s body. "Wow, Mesa is on fire. Look at him pping around. Hahaha, that''s right. "Curbelo doesn''t do that." Courbelo''s fierce stare is annoying, but I pretend not to know. Every time Zaragoza''s yers shot, the mentality of defenders who put their bodies and heads in the center was amazing. The stadium heated up due to a series of offenses, but Las Palmas had blocked better than expected. They used everything and blocked it desperately. Time flies slowly even in the sluggish game. The yers of Zaragoza were eaten by the anxiety created by the decreasing time. Las Palmas narrowly secured a point. WHISTLE! In the 94th minute of the second half, the referee''s end whistle turns off all the yers who y on the field. "Phew, We survived." "It was a tie. I don''t think it''s a big loss." "It''s not a loss." Right. Its 3-3. A draw. It was the result of a VAR goal cancetion and Martinez''s countless good defense. I don''t know what happened to Cadiz'' results, but there will be no problem with the second ce. Slowly I walked to the ground and greeted the yers. Despite the disappointing draw, most of Zaragoza''s home fans remained in their seats to apud and cheer. After a while, before going into the bus, I thought I should take care of the fans who traveled a long distance from Las Palmas. Uncle Bari also said that I should always be kind to my fans. "Hey!" I looked back and saw Zaragoza''s striker, Suarez. A talkative fellow "You were good. Do you think you''ll be up in La Liga in any minute?" We''ll have to wait until the end of the season to see. Se Ha Mudado a La Liga?'' What do you mean? I don''t understand. "Um arent you going to change the team?" What do you mean by changing the team? "Didn''t you get an offer?" "No." "I see" Suarez shakes his head as he patted his head in understanding and then he asked to exchange uniforms. Was it frustrating for him to talk to me? I should go to the school and ask the teacher more about the words that I dont understand. After Sunday''s game, the next day, November 5, I finished all my regr sses and had lunch at the school cafeteria. I had to eat at the restaurant if I didn''t want to be taken away by coaches or yers. Kim, do you have training today? Yes. Then, you cante and y with us, right? I don''t minding, but today I can''t. When I honestly answered my ssmate, who had a chubby body and a dark skin color, lowered his head with a slightly withered look. Either way, I want to eat quickly and go to the training ground. These days, I feel that the attention around me starts increasing as I spend more time ying games. It wasn''t too much of a burden, but it was very ufortable, even during the time I ate. I threw away the leftover food from the lunch box into the trash next to the toilet and rushed out before anyone talked to me. It''s good for each other if we do not talk. When I entered the training ground, everyone was sitting on thewn one by one as they were doing recovery training. Iid the mat as far away as possible from the ce where Dani Casteyano and Ramirez Benito were chatting. "Can I lie down here?" If I say no, then will you go? No. The goalkeeper, Martinez, approached before I knew, and spread the mat. Well, this may be some kind of side effect. Maybe they''re more curious about me because I don''t talk much. However, it is frustrating because I have to suddenly start using extra Spanish words that I hadnt used before. Are you feeling well? Not very well. Cause I''ve yed a lot. That''s right. The conversation with Martinez abruptly ended. That made sense because we had never talked to each other properly, so we didn''t know what each other''smon interests were and what to talk about. "Kim" "Yes!" Did I answer too brightly? In fact, it''s such a terrible thing toe up with a topic for conversation while sitting on the mat. It was such a terrible thing that I unconsciously spoke in a loud voice. It was Head coach Roberto Rios who called me. "I had a consultation with Pepe. They want you toe up after the recovery exercise." Why? You''ll find out when you go. Now focus on recovery training. It wasn''t a scheduled call, but why is Manager Pepe suddenly calling me? I dont know whether it was good or bad, but the good thing was that I now had a topic to talk about with Martinez. "Why are they calling me out all of a sudden?" "Hmm. You''re good these days. You may have got a transfer offer." "" It was a really worthless piece of conversation. Chapter 17 Chapter 17 A room from where the palm trees and the training ground can be seen from the window. When I knocked on the door and entered, Manager Pepe was sitting with a document in his hand. Did you warm up? Yes, sir. Sitfortably. Do you want a cup of tea? I''m fine with just water. Okay. Manager Pepe took a ss bottle out of the refrigerator and mixes it with warm water from the water purifier to make lukewarm water. "I called you today to talk about a few things." In life, you may naturally encounter a moment of silent hesitation that cannot be hidden from the other person, which is usually a sign for a bad or burdensome story. That''s what Manager Pepe is showing now. Why? Is something wrong, Manager? No, well. It''s nothing serious. You had a checkup at the medical center before you got back from an injury, right? We got the results." Manager Pepe took out some papers. Is he trying to tell me that I have a problem with my ankle again? Do they want me to do another surgery? I didnt even have any pain. "Your body is very healthy. After removing the bone pieces, it actually got better. However On the paper that Manager handed me, there were many words that I didn''t understand, but there were many words that I could understand too. Introverted and less talkative,ck of trust in a person, fear of failure, loneliness, disconnection, etc. "Are you saying that my psychology test is a problem?" "I never said it was a problem. Dont skip anything and read more." I have mild trauma symptoms and fear of dying decisions and making choices. How can they write down such bad things? "Don''t frown. It''s okay. It''s not a big deal.'' I think it''s a big deal. If I were a Manager, it would bother me." "Kim, it''s only been a year since you came here Is there anyone else except your father with whom you can talk to?" The sunlight entering through the window is dazzlingly bright. Manager Pepe continued while stroking his bulging belly. "I have been a coach for a long time. I''ve met a lot of yers with various personalities not all of them are perfect. I have met many people with more unique personalities than you." Manager Pepe showed a variety of facial expressions. He looked annoyed as well as happy. "Everyone has different ideas and concerns, so I wouldn''t easily advise anyone, but I always rmended getting counseled by an expert. And most of the time, it has worked out. Sometimes even strong-looking athletes need counseling. In the river of life" "You want me to get counseling?" "Well, yeah. I want you to go for counseling. I''m not forcing you. Because I don''t want to. Even if you refuse, there will be no problem in our rtionship. The same goes for the game." Manager Pepe pats the top of his head and looks at my reaction like an owl observing food. What should I say? It was too sudden to decide right away. "I think it would be nice to think about it over. What do you say? Just think about it. "I understand." "Okay." I sat on the chair while looking at the psychological diagnosis report, written in a way saying the fact that I am messed up. "And one more thing. Look at what it says here. Do you know this word?" fracaso. Opposite of sess FAILURE." "Yeah, it says you''re afraid of failure. Hahaha. Look at the expression on your face." Coach Pepe approaches the desk, turns theputer monitor sideways, and pulls a file from the bookshelf. He then approached me and sat next to me. In Manager Pepe''s hand, there was a file of documents that said "Kim KY" in capital letters. "Flores arranged it for you. You know our analyst, right?" Um, yes. Flores is a big fan of yours. Lie. Did he not show it? Ha-ha. Manager Pepe, whoughed with a strange nasal sound, raised his hand and pointed to the monitor. You''re afraid of failure. Let''s talk more about this. What''s on the monitor right now is before Fuenrada, thest game. Remember? The game that waspleted by a hat trick with your dribble." "Yeah." Inside the monitor was me in a yellow uniform. I can''t help but notice. After the game, I received the video from the analyst and watched it at home every day. It''s 4 minutes and 30 seconds with only a ball touch. Do you see the whole stadium at a nce?" "Yeah." "Let''s talk after seeing everything." A ball from the back, drops to Castro who made a cross with two touches, and then it rolled towards me as I dribbled into the center from the right. Fuebrada''s defender passes into the front space of Srnich, whoes up before entering a cooperative defense, at least the first scene has no problem ording to my standards. No one could do better than that. The video got cut off, and in the second scene. I exchanged a one-two pass with Alvaro, who came up while ovepping. With one touch, the pass went into the right space, Alvaro''s cross went into the penalty box, and Castro and Srnich tried to own the ball, but the opponent''s central defender cleared it with his head. "If you look at each scene, there''s no big problem." Third scene It was me dribbling. In the center, I break down the opponent''s midfielder''s center and prate the space. As I broke the opponent''s bnce, I advanced more than 10 meters without any resistance and passed the ball into Castro''s space. Castro''s shot slightly deviates from the left side of the. "Now thats a goal scene." Thetter part of the video consisted of the processes through which I recorded a hat trick. Thest goal was a dribble goal that forced the center defenders into the penalty box. Manager Pepe stops the video and turns around to make eye contact. Kim, what do you think of your y? I don''t think it''s bad. Yeah, you''re doing great. But all I''m saying is, how can you y better? Have you ever thought about it? "I think about it every time after a game." A wrinkled hand approaches the knee and opens the document file. "There will be a record for each game. Let''s see what kind of stats you''ve got in each game." Si." "Pass including both recements and starts = 96 percent sess rate, 100 percent sess rate for dribbling, 12 dribbling attempts. opportunity creation 10 times There are 13 shots out of 14 shots. Scored a total of 10 goals." It sounded pretty good. But I didn''t understand the Manager''s attitude, who had a serious expression on his face. I think that''s a pretty good indicator for a league debut. Recognizing my vague expression, Manager Pepe opened his mouth with a small smile. How''s the record? Well. Honestly, I''m not sure what''s wrong. You like it too much. That''s the problem? No. It''s good that you scored 10 goals, and it''s good that you have a high pass sess rate and dribble sess in the front line. And the ability to create chances and have effective shots." Why is that a problem? I don''t understand. Instead of answering, Manager Pepe got up and yed the next video on theputer. "Let''s talk while watching your goal against Zaragoza. You''re avoiding offside and scoring a goal by breaking the line, Right." "Yeah." "Why did you go so far?" "Because if the uniform is caught, it will slow me down." Manager Pepe''s ck eyes were facing me as if he could see through my lies at any time. I wanted to distance myself from being fouled. Is that all? Yes. Look at this record. Five games, four times you''vepeted directly with the defender in the penalty box. It''s lower than Castro or Pecardt''s one-game number." Only then did I realize what the Manager was trying to say. Was I afraid ofpeting with opponents? Is that what he wanted to say? It is true that there has been an unconscious avoidance of contention so far. "I will actively fight from now on." "Kim, I don''t mean a physical fight. You saw it in the psychological test results earlier. You are afraid of failure." "I don''t understand what you want to say. What do you want me to do?" Manager Pepe didn''t answer right away but took out a candy from the aluminum can on his desk. "Don''t make yourself altruistic due to the fear of failure." Am I altruistic? "I want you to be a little more selfish. I wish you were a yer who was more greedy on the field. Taking risks is something everyone fears. But you don''t y in central midfield like Inigo. As a front-line striker you have to make full use of your talent, and I think you''re not just a yer who ys like this." .. "Considering thest dribble in the match against Fuebrada. Kim, You are not afraid ofpeting with the opponent. You are afraid of losing the ball because of yourck of confidence in the physical. Thats what I think? Was there a misunderstanding in this?'' no, I think its as you said. To be honest, I had no excuse for this, I felt aplex feeling that was upsetting and refreshing. "There are many good yers on the side. You know?" Yeah. On the other hand, there are only a few yers who are good in the center field throughout the era. I want you to be that kind of yer. No, it''s definitely gonna happen. Be more active! It''s okay to fail. If there is no choice but to make a set of mistakes in every game, you should make a mistake as a front-line striker instead of a defender or midfielder." Manager Pepe continues his passionate persuasion as if his earlobe was on fire. And surprisingly, the persuasion seems meaningful. It wasn''t wrong. If someone has to make a mistake, it might be better for me to make a mistake as a front-line striker. "You''re the Prince of Las Palmas, aren''t you? Why does a prince care about people in the lower ranks? y your game. Boldly! Arrogantly! It doesn''t matter if you stay silent outside the stadium. But not inside the field. Don''t be timid. You choose first. If you can''t, at least make the other person choose the way you want." "Yeah. I know what you mean." "Okay! That''s how you do it! Selfishly! You know! Well, that''s it! I''m done talking!" Manager Pepe smiled as if he was satisfied with my answer. Was he done with what he wanted to say? Manager Pepe, who stoppedughing, nced at his watch and said he will give me a ride in his car, saying it was toote. The sun was falling below the horizon. "Wait a minute. Let''s quickly scan and send the document and go. I''ll take you to the front of your house." "Si." Next day I wish I could have changed my style as Manager asked me to, but my y habits can''t be magically changed overnight. Haha, I blocked it again! Do it again. Aitami said with his arms folded with a cheerful expression. As the desire to y as a team cannot be suppressed, the level of individual tactics naturally decreased. Coaches can''t be unaware of this unless they feel it for themselves. A training ground goal post is chartered, and the 3:1 training continues. There were coaches on both sides and in the center wearing yellow vests was me, but what I had to do was breakthrough. Shoulder and arm bumping, uniform stretching and bruising on shins and insteps. It was easy to dribble through three people, but on the contrary, it was not easy to pierce through three people. Before Aitami''s standing tackle enters, I change the direction to create a space and take a shooting action near the box. David, who was ying cooperative defense, moves his body to the front. I was fooled. I tried to elerate the ball to pass, but my ser shoes suddenly came under my feet and I lost my bnce and fell. F*ck. No swear words, haha. Well done Mantovani." It was Mantovani who tackled. The Argentine veteran is ying with my personal tactics with as much detail as the actual game. Doesn''t the word "experienced" exist for that person? I raised my body while spitting out the grass in my mouth. You have too many thoughts. Its not like that. That''s not the speed of the canary prince I knowUh, don''t stare." Aitami said an unfortunate thing but he was not wrong. I didn''t organize my mind well. If it''s going to be a difficult fight, I always try to avoid it. Throughout my short life, Ive always been like that. (To be Continued) Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Sunday morning. As soon as I opened my eyes, I felt like my body was broken. If you are an athlete then you will definitely have a day like this once in a while a day when you feel like you can''t do anything. " damn it." Today was such a day for me. It was the day of the league''s 15th match, Las Palmas against Alco. I had to jog and warm-up for the afternoon game, but I didn''t want to get up. A bed bought from a furniture store two blocks away seems to have be a coffin that fits into my grave. I wish I could sleep more. The mind is as clear as a fresh bucket of water. As Iy nkly, buried under a nket, I heard a sound from the living room. My dad has started to prepare breakfast. It''s already past seven o''clock. I tried to force myself to get up. I got up from the bed, opened the door, and came out. Even if I can''t cook, I should at least help to try to open the lid of the side dish. Are you up? "Yes. Are you making curry? "Oh. It''s tastes good to eat for breakfast. The sound of the kitchen knife hitting the cutting board seems to say that today is my memorial day. Even trivial things that were normally nothing have be ufortable and unpleasant. I took out the side dishes from the refrigerator and ced spoons and chopsticks on the table. How''s your condition today?" Well, its a little bad." Little bad? Thats a big deal." Dad''s face is getting worse. I shouldn''t have told him honestly, but I wasn''t rxed enough to take care of my dad''s feelings. Should I tell Manager Pepe that I''ll sit on the bench? From what I felt, even if situations are different, human emotions are simr. There is nothing more foolish than a promising yer who has just started, talking about not being able to y. Even if the Manager is okay, I can''t say that. "But it''s something that usually happens, so I''ll be fine." Good. Let''s eat. Hurry up." I put curry and stir-fried eggnt into my mouth. Then I took a carbohydrate bar as a snack and left the house with my dad. "Buenos das!" "Que pases un buen da." I greet thedy next door and go down the stairs. My body screamed nonstop until the moment I got into the eight-year-old used car. I should skip the workout today. Tourists walk around the entrance of a narrow alley with arge bag on their back, while palm trees and bulging rocks are stuck between the roads. The scenery reflected from the car window felt ominous. "Do your best today! You can do it!" "Yes, Dad. Thank you. See youter." Las Palmas fans came running with uniforms as I got out of the car with a smile that I didn''t want to put on my face and said thank you. Even taking pictures with fans and managing my facial expressions is difficult. I got inside as fast as I could and headed to the locker room. When I looked back at the sound of someone calling my name, it was Castro, who approached me with a smile on his face. "Are you feeling better? Aitami was worried." I''m not worried about Aitami. Hahaha, that''s true. Let''s say I worry. You trainedte yesterday, how are you feeling?" not bad. "Are you going to do a hat trick again today? Give me a pass." Castro ys coy as if he thought we had gotten a little closer. As he said, I thought I might have to pass a lot today. Okay, I''ll pass. Really? Promise? "Yes," Castro grabbed other yers in the locker room and spread rumors around saying that I would assist him. As expected, the snout is the source of all evil. I''ll just shut that damn mouth permanently one day. Prior to the game, the team focused on training ording to the coaches'' lead. It was an afternoon match, so I had to start warming up in the morning. We gathered in a circle and rxed the muscles of the body in order. Certainly, the condition got better than it was in the morning, but the ufortable feeling still remains. "Kim, your face is scary today." "Well, it''s because I''m focused." "I thought it was due to the lunch menu." Dani Casteyano''s useless voice got filtered out in my ear and I focused on the detailed movements of my muscles. I had to prepare as much as I could before the game started. November 10, 2019, 18:30 Estadio Gran Canaria. Ahead of the kickoff, the yers who were warming up on the ground returned to the locker room. Manager Pepe brought a ckboard and set it in the middle of the locker room. 4-2-3-1. Manager Pepes usual two midfielder style. What has changed is that I have entered the offensive midfielder position and Descartes has entered the front-line striker position. "Today on the starting list. First, defense. From the left, Be, David, Aitami, Courbelo. I paid a lot of attention to coordinating the defense. Aitami and David haven''t been on the same page a lot." "Okay." "The two central midfielders are Harvey Casteyano and Inigo, and today we''re going to raise a lot of lines, so we need to be mindful of the gap between the defense and your mark first. You got it?" "Yes, Sir." "Narvez on the left-wing forward, Cedris on the right, Narvez ys center-oriented, so Cedris doesn''t have to move into the side. You can change positions, or you can both dribble into the center. Move ording to the situation." Every time I hear this I feel that Manager Pepe loved transformative tactics. In a good way, it seemed like a transformation tactic and in a bad way, it seemed like momentary tinkering. But would it be a good choice for David toe out as a recement for Lemos? Manager Pepe seems to havepletely lost faith in Mantovani. He has received cards in every game, but at the same time, I don''t think there''s any kind of threatening defender like him. "Kim is a central attacking midfielder in tactics, but you can actually think of yourself as a free-roll. You can move flexibly with Narvaez or Cedris. If you think you have an opportunity on the attack,e up to the box and move in one-two or solo. Well, What I mean is take care of yourself. Do you understand?" Yes. Let''s get this over with and go home. Go score a goal." When thest tactical instruction was over ahead of the start of the game, the yers exchanged jokes with Head coach Rios and burst intoughter. It was a formality to relieve tension. Manager Pepe''s confusing instructions echoed in my head. It''s been a while since I started focusing on tactical training after receiving counseling, and now I was openly given a free roll. If I was in good shape, it wouldn''t have been a problem. Kim, your face has been stiff since morning. It''s no big deal. "Are you in bad condition?" Other yers would have ignored it, but he didnt, I wonder if I should just confess to Inigo''s question, who looked like a model student. Or are you like this because it''s not your original position? both." Both? Its a little more serious than I thought. I don''t feel well. Well, then just do what you can. How can you be in good condition every time? You can''t keep your best condition throughout the league. I feelfortable when I go in thinking that I''m just doing the basics." "Yeah, thank you." "What''s wrong with the position? What are you worried about?" It''s my first time moving in an attacking midfielder position. If I were to make a mistake, the game would be ruined in the defensive situation." Inigo was lost in thought for a moment and then soon grinned bitterly at me. "You damn little thing. Do you think your team will copse if you leave the defense alone? You shouldn''t say something like that just because you are popr these days." No, I didn''t mean to say that. Haha, it sounds like you''re saying that you can''t trust the defense. If I had told Castro this then I''m sure it would have gone to Atami''s ear. He will be mad if he heard you talk about this around, won''t he?" I chose silence instead of answering. I thought my pride would be hurt no matter which way I answered. "Okay, I won''t tell him. You just do your job Attacking. Isn''t that what you''re good at? You dont have to think about the defense since there are seven people behind you. If you have time left, you cane behind and help us." "What are you talking about? Castro entered the room as we were talking. "Oh, Kim wants to do a hat trick again today." "Really? He promised to assist me though." "Castro, you are not a striker." Inigo giggles at Castro''s speechless expression. I was slightly satisfied that he blocked Castro''s words with the right response. If you''re ready now, let''s get out. Let''s go! The stadium, which was only half fullst time, is full of people. A small number of Alco supporters screamed at the top of their voices even before the game began, but Las Palmas fans seemed to have no time to care about it. We stood in a row on the grass and shook hands with the Alco yers. It didn''t feel real when I saw them in the video, but the four-back defenders were really very tall. Suddenly, I wondered if Manager Pepe gave me a free roll because of this. The game began with the kick-off of Las Palmas with a beeping sound. Pecardt pushed the short ball straight to central midfielder Inigo. Pecardt''s forward ball missed Inigo''s head, and the tall Alco central defender won the race and got possession of the ball. The opponents right fullback received the ball. Las Palma''s defense checked their respective positions and pulled up the defensive line. Left-wing forward Narvaez actively tries to press forward in line with the defense''s movements. Inigo picked up the ball from Alcorcon''s defender and hurriedly kicked. "Kim!" As I was moving between Alcorcon''s back and midfield, Inigo''s ground pass came in. I was going to catch it with the inside of my foot at once, but two or three more touches were needed. It was a moment when recalled the fact that my condition was f*cked up, once again. There''s no time for swearing inwardly. In addition, because of the touch, the distance from the opposing midfielders was also decreased in an instant. Ah. An exmation bursts out of my mouth. Because I had to touch the ball a few more times so I couldn''t look around beforehand, and I couldn''t see the path to make a pass. I can''t give it back to Inigo. Alcorcon''s midfielders have been narrowing the space by intelligently blocking the pass path. Can I get over it? Two from each side came at me at the same time, while one from our camp. Even the task of turning the body in the direction of the goal is not possible due to the narrow space between the opponents. How long has it been since the game started? I give up on breakthroughs. In my current condition, It seems better to wait for the Las Palmas yers to approach my sight. As long as I don''t lose it, while just holding on to it and I will be able to do something It was an irresponsible thought. The two opposing midfielders rushed toward me in an instant. I tried to hold on to the ball by leaning to the side to avoid getting pushed straight ahead, but also pushed a few steps back with the ball. Again, it is impossible to endure the attack purely by force. Alcorcon''s attacking midfielder approached from the front and I twisted my upper body back and forth as I rolled the ball in my feet to buy time before he could stretch his feet toplete a cooperative defense. Four people cling together at a very close distance where we can hear each other''s breathing clearly. While keeping on moving the ball and reaching out my right hand to push out anything that caught in my hand. I somehow temporarily managed to stop Alcorcon''s attacking midfielder. It''s been a few seconds since the match started, and my breath is getting rough already. It felt like a mosquito was sucking my stamina. In an instant, the right hand that pushed the opposing attacking midfielder bounced off, and one foot in ck ser boots came in towards the ball. As a temporary measure, I used the sole of my right foot to send the ser ball to the heel of my left foot. I managed to avoid the opponent''s feet well, but at the same time, I noticed a contraction in the thigh muscles of the Alcorcon midfielder, who was standing next to me. Opponents ganged up and tried to tackle me. I couldn''t see it with my own eyes, but I could feel it. The index toe of my right foot tucked under the ball and brought back the ball in front of my body. The Opponent''s attacknded where my right foot was originally located. So it was best to let the ball float in the air with the insteps and take it. The left foot turns inside the ball and the right footes back with the ball on it. Before the ball was pulled up, the instep went out of control, so I turned my ankle wide and dropped it in the left direction. I wanted to move out, but I turned around and held on. It was clear to me that they are going to try to pull the uniform from behind. I can''t stay long in one ce between three people. I had to make a quick decision before I could run again. Is it best to induce a foul as soon as the uniform is pulled? However, I cannot decide whether the referee will blow a foul card or not. I had to keep going in the direction while keeping the ball. The yellow jersey of Las Palmas is still not visible on my sight. Maybe it''s because I''m not feeling well or my vision is blurry, I can''t tell if they are reallying or not. Alcorcon''s attacking midfielder stood up. He regained the bnce of his body that he lost during the tackle. He wille back soon and I didn''t have much energy to spare. The uniform on the left shoulder is stretched longer. The pulling force is stronger. The opposing midfielder on the left prepares to elerate to prevent me from falling to the side. The other midfielder, who pulls the uniform from the waist, moves slowly. Seeing the force that pulls the uniform is still there, it seems like a move to make me not move after his fellow yers. Something shed in my head, and soon I decided to dig between the two midfielders. First, I have to deceive them using my upper body as if I was going to elerate. As soon as the faint was put in, the defender on the left, as if he knew what would happen, hit the ground sharply in the direction of the side. Before he could even react, I moved the ball to the left foot and twisted my upper body greatly. It was more important to shake off the hand that was holding the jersey, preventing me from turning. When I turned the upper bodypletely, the surrounding environment came into my view clearly. The opposing midfielder who deviated to the side was caught in the reverse motion and stopped in ce, and the offensive midfielder who tried to follow me also lost the defensive position. Now, there is only one left, the midfielder who grabbed my waist from behind, who was located left to the front of the goal. Alcorcon''s midfielder stretched his left leg a little as soon as the hand holding the jerseys waist was released and he made a standing tackle trying to close the gap. But the gap between us was toorge to be caught by a sloppy tackle. From the inside of the left foot, then again to the right foot. The opponent''s leg entered the spot where the ser ball previously was. Obviously, I wasn''t in good shape to score a goal, and I was just trying not to lose the ball. Still, I felt a little strange. As the path opened in front of me, I could finally see the defenders lined up in a line in front of the goal. TRIVIA Free Roll The mostplete and versatile ymakers are often known as advanced ymakers, or free-role ymakers, as they can operate both in central, attacking midfield positions, and in wider positions on the wings. (To be Continued ) To read ahead ?Paid Chapters Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Alcorcon''s number 19 and Pecardt ran straight towards the penalty box. Our eyes met, but I missed the timing for a perfect pass. I didn''t have the confidence to make a proper pass. From behind, two midfielders came in as soon as they regained their stance, and from the front, the left central defender blocked my shooting angle. Kim! Cedris, who shouted loudly, climbed to the sideline from the right and entered the long-range. My brain waspletely nk. My Instinct beeps repeatedly saying that the ball should not be passed. It seemed like a warning not to even think of making a long pass, so I hesitated until the moment I was surrounded again by the opposing midfielders who came running from behind. Alcorcon yers were trying to scratch and pinch not only with their feet but also with their hands, while they were trying to prevent me from entering the penalty box by any means they could. The moment I lose speed, my lower bodys center of gravity will be messed up, and at that moment I think I will definitely lose the ball in my possession, so the two midfielders next to me followed along and entered the penalty box. The opponent''s central defender quickly got closer. With the left and right being blocked, there is nowhere to go. Being caught between the midfielders, it was very difficult to disy a faint using the upper body, let alone keep possession of the ball. The momentum of the yers who were blocking the front is horrendous. I now regret ever promising to give a pass for Castro to score a goal. Now there''s really nowhere to give a pass. However, finishing with a shot is also too difficult, since the midfielders on either side are too close. Tackles wille in from both sides as soon as I take the shooting stance. Still, if I were to think about it the other way around, it would really take a long time. Having reached the inside of the opponent''s penalty area, the chance of a fatal counterattack is slimming down. Since I''vee this far, I can only take it to the finish line. As soon as I thought that I felt less burdened. Soon my change in strategy turned out to be a good move. However, the problem was the shooting angle, which waspletely blocked. The keeper''s fingertips were barely visible. The reason I didnt think about passing the ball between the legs of the defenders is that I can''t kick it without a proper posture, so I''m going to try shooting the ball quickly with my toes with a short movement. My eyes secretly passed between the legs of Alcorcon''s central defender. Oh, I am such an idiot. In the professional world, there is no easy ce, even if it is a second division. Alcorcon''s central defender already noticed that I was going to shoot between his legs. It was intuition. With even thest option blocked, there are only two steps ahead for me to collide with the opposing central defender, my steps on both feet had a different movement. Now even I can''t help it. F*ck. Lets go for it. Using the inside of my left foot I caught the ball between both feet and moved it over to the heel of my right foot. Before the ball went out of control, I bent the knee of my right foot and pushed it straight behind my body to send the ball straight into the goal. This was the best way I could choose right now. I just hope that the goalkeeper whose sight was blocked doesnt react to it quickly. The official La Liga ball flew into the sky like a dragonfly, avoiding three opponents. Alcorcon''s midfielder on the right and the left got tangled and fell on the grass, but my head still followed the track of the ball. As if it was creating a rainbow, the ball traces a parabolic trajectory toward the left corner of the goal. It seemed to float too high, and it seemed to move too slowly, so I got anxious that the goalkeeper might catch up to it. Regardless of my fear, the goalkeeper''s gloves did not appear until thest moment as I saw the disappearance of the rainbow from my vision. It''s at that moment the cheers of Las Palmas fans began to fill the gaps about the result of the ball that had disappeared from my vision. Eyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-!!!!! "A~!!!!" My heart sank deep when I felt the battle was over, my body felt as heavy as cotton that got soaked into the water. Some of the Las Palmas fans are stomping on their seats and cheering, while others are hugging each other on the ground and running around in ce, but this goal is just really lucky. It was just luck that had nothing to do with my skills. "What are you doing! You madman!" You scored a goal!! "I was Lucky." Before I could say anything, Las Palmas yers approached me and crushed me below. I thought I had graduated from the crushing games since elementary school, but I was wrong. By the time the yers returned to camp, Inigo came to me and patted me on the shoulder, and teased me for saying that my body was in bad shape. I answered with a small smile without saying a word. Naturally, there is nothing like a miraculous change in rhythm that has happened with a lucky goal. There had been five touch mistakes in nearly 30 minutes. The number of failed passes came out beyond the count of one hand. Except for scoring one goal, it was the worst match I have ever yed since my debut. What''s worse than not being able to pass the ball is that I''ve almost provided Alcorcon with a good starting point for a counterattack. When I should be celebrated for scoring a goal, the Las Palmas yers often looked at me with resentful eyes due to my mistakes. "Kim, Manager Pepe is screaming." Im sorry, I didnt hear him. Be more active. Cedris, who ys on the right side of the stadium, received the bench''s opinion and came to inform me. I can''t bear to look at the Las Palmas bench. The scene of the Manager''s screaming passed in my head. Was it a stupid choice to make a drastic change in the training? For the first time since the game began, Alcorcon''s winger managed to gain some space from Be. Based on his physique, the opposing winger pushed Be out on the shoulder fight and connected it for a cross. That ball sessfully bounced back far away due to Aitamis header. That ballnded on the half-line, about three steps from where Alcorcon''s midfielder took possession of the ball. As soon as the opponent received the ball, I boldly rushed in and attempted a sliding tackle. It wasn''t a back tackle, nor did I enter with my feet up, but the opposing midfielder screams and falls. "Get up. Are you okay?" "Yeah." Harvey Casteyano grabbed my outstretched hand and I got up from the ground. The referee sees VAR and passes a verbal warning. There is no attack, no defense, nothing to unravel properly. Alcorcon''s free-kick. I jumped into the Las Palmas camp as if I was going to stick with the opponent''s central defense in the penalty box. But I ended up watching from a distance, due to my small height, which makes it difficult for me topete with others for the air ball. The spinning ball went into the penalty box in an instant. Aitami and David missed to stop Alcorcon''s No. 14 yer from jumping to the front, but with a fine difference, the ball popped into the grass without reaching anyone. Goalkeeper Martinez is also concerned about the opponent''s striker, so he can''t just follow the trajectory of the ball properly. The ball, which flew without any refraction, hit the inside of the left goal post and returned to the right of the goal post. Alcorcon''s No. 6, who was in the penalty box for the set-piece, kicked with his foot and put the ball lightly into the goal. Aitami and David raise their hands to im offside, but the decision is not overruled. The score is 1-1. I wanted to spit out a swear word, but in the end, I didn''t say it. It was like spitting in my face. It was around the 40th minute of the first half when the equalizing goal came in, and the game became rather sluggish. Except for Be being warned for using the elbow, both teams spent time exchanging offensive stances without anything special. When the referee whistled at the end of the first half, I realized that I have been more exhausted than I thought. On the way back to the locker room, my legs were shaking so much that it became so hard to walk properly. As soon as I open the door and enter, I ask the therapist for a calf massage. I covered my head with a towel to keep the guilt from leaking onto my face. , Soon Manager Pepe entered the room, "Okay. 1-1 is not bad. Alcorcon is also a mid-tier team, right? David and Aitami are doing well. We were a little unlucky with the goal, hahaha. The manager said as if it was nothing special, but the atmosphere in the locker room was not good. If not, It''s probably because I''m not in a good mood. Not being able to do my part is the worst. It''s annoying to the extent that I felt the yers staring at me, but I think I''m the greatest asshole, as I was looking for excuses back and forth in my head. I felt extremely tired. I pushed away Curbelo''s hand, which was handing out the energy bar and drinks. But you guys, arent you too harsh? "why?" Mark is focusedpletely on Kim, the youngest member of the team. Why didn''t you guys go and help?" Manager Pepe''s words were outrageous. All mistakes are ultimately my responsibility. Excusing, resenting, and criticizing here and there are only words thate out of the mouths of people I don''t like. I know in my head that the Manager is trying to conceal my mistakes, but what I felt in my heart was something different from gratitude. Where did the forward press at the beginning of the first half go? If the line doesnte up, the strikers will inevitably be isted. I got up from my seat before the Manager had finished speaking. All I could do was mumble to go to the bathroom in a hoarse voice. I sshed the water on my stretched head in the bathroom. If it wasn''t for a substitution, I would havee back to the ground with my mind straight. After a while, there was a knock on the bathroom door. Kim, you have to leave now. "Okay." Head coach Roberto Rios walked forward without saying a word. The yers have already headed to the ground, so only Manager Pepe remained in the locker room. Head coach Rios followed the Manager''s nce and left the locker room. There are only empty beverage bottles and shin guards left behind by the yers. Manager Pepe and I were the only ones in the room now, "Let''s talk for a minute." I had nothing to say even if I heard the reprimand. I was disappointed in my own performance, I even avoided my seat during the halftime of the meeting. It was a stupid thing I did because I couldnt control my own emotions. I always regret one stepter. Lo siento. Manager Pepe apologizes. "I was too impatient. I must have gotten greedy because you were so good. I should have approached you with a more delicate and leisurely time. I''m really sorry." "I don''t know why you''re apologizing. This is my problem." "no. This is not your problem. You showed the best you could do in a chaotic situation. Kim, raise your head. Don''t look down. What should I say? I was worried that the words will jump out without thinking. You scored an amazing goal. Have some confidence. Any of your opponents will be upset and will not be able to sleep properly if they see you like this. It was just luck. Hahaha, luck is also skill at the professional level. Dont say that in front of other yers, because if they hear that, they will be repenting it countless times. Manager Pepes thick hands rested on my shoulders. Are you tired? "little." Would you like me to rece you? "What do you think, Manager?" I wish you could run a little more. Despite my broken condition and low self-confidence, the Manager''s words sounded sweet. There was no doubt that this person was really taking good care of me, as he says, and at least he doesn''t want to get rid of me. Sometimes this is an experience. It''s also important to know what to do when youre not in good shape." I want Las Palmas to win. "Okay." Honestly, Im not sure. "right. You could ruin this game. I won''t rece you though. At least not unless you raise your hand first. I believe in your potential and skills. There are things that only you can do, even in the worst circumstances. "What is that?" You have to go and find it yourself. Manager Pepe lets out his characteristic chuckle again, "Go and be free. Everything I put on the ckboard over there is bullshit. I just put you in there because the attacking midfielder''s seat is empty. Don''t put yourself in that ce. Go where you can do it well. Yeah, Ill try. Do you remember what I saidst time? Manager Pepe burst intoughter once more at my bewildered expression of not knowing what to say and then opened his mouth. You choose. If you can''t choose first, at least let them choose the way you want them to. Except for this, you can forget everything I saidst time. "Si I think I have to leave now." "Okay." After full 15-minute halftime, I returned to the ground. My body was still heavy, but my heart felt slightly lighter. My head is full of worries. What should I do? How can I do my part? Que? [Apologizing to an adult.] Speak Spanish. What are you saying. When I mumbled in Korean, Pedri couldn''t understand and grumbled. As my attitude changes, my mind bes clearer. Manager Pepe''s words were more effective than the water poured over my head. (To be Continued ) To read ahead ?Paid Chapters Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Central defender David''s cross missed the mark. The opponent striker had a good opportunity, but luckily he didn''t get a good hit with his head and the ball flew towards the goal without power. As the goalkeeper Martinez received the ball straight into his arms, the crowd sighed in relief and gave Martinez fierce apuse. Dani! Martinez called Dani Casteyanos name and threw the ball to Be. As soon as Be''s pass went to Inigo, the opponents around him flocked together to block the Las Palmas midfield. Inigo moved sinctly. Pedri approaching from the left, they exchanged triangr passes by using Pecardt, who went down to the second line. I didn''t react in time, so Inigo made a pass to Pecardt which was returned, and then he made a straight shot from mid-range. The shot was far beyond the right side of the goal. "sorry." Take it easy. Inigo went back to the midfield, waving his hands at my apology. As the offensive of the two teams continued, 10 minutes had passed since the start of the second half. The good news is that the Las Palmas yers are operating normally in line with Manager Pepe''s instructions, and the bad news is that I''m still not able to get in the right position, although I swapped positions with the forward-line striker Pecardt several times. I wondered if I was more confused about my position than the Alcorcon yers. Me asionally owning the ball by chance disturbed the rhythm of the team. Even though the number of errors got reduced, I still couldn''t find my path as a forward. In addition, the act of receiving the ball with my back to the goal post every time, the Las Palmas hardcore fans may mistake me for Juan Narvaez, who has be shorter and now ying. Suddenly, I thought it wouldn''t be bad to y in a way that protects the ball and moves forward, like Juan Narvaez, who yed as a left-wing forward in the first half. On the half-line, Pedri avoids the Alcorcon midfielder''s tackle and retains possession of the ball. I ran up to the left-wing forward position where Pedri was originally. Pedri! Checking the defensive position and positioning my feet, the ball went straight in. The defender who was stuck in the back was Alcorcon''s right full-back. There is more room to bnce my body than to pierce the center. Normally I would have admired Pedri''s reaction speed and quality of passes, but I don''t have time for that today. Before releasing the ball with a shallow touch, I used my back muscles to trick the opposing full-back who was pressing me down with his upper body. Turn right and give a signal as if Im going to get out, and then try to get out to the left. It was important not to use exaggerated muscle movements too much. Naturally, the opponent was notpletely deceived. Although he had lost some of his body bnce, his thighs blocked my path, and his hands reached out to the top of my uniform to buy extra time to react. The ball is already passed between the legs of the opponent''s fullback. I changed the direction of my feet to offbeat even with the risk of instantaneous slowdown. If my left foot does not cross the opponent''s thigh first, then there is a high probability of losing the ball due to a battle of strength. Done. The tip of the left foot passes under the opponent''s knee. Now that I have secured a way out, I have to strike the opponent''s hand that is trying to grab my jersey. If I don''t hit his hand with my right palm at the right time, then I will eventually be caught, or the referee will call me the attacker and give me a penalty card. It''s something that I have experienced countless times while in Team B of Las Palmas. When the opposing defender''s finger is snapped off close to my body, my hand reflexively shrugs. Midfielders ran after me, but they were at least three steps away from each other. It was a sessful breakthrough. As I entered the left line of the penalty box, Alcorcon''s central defender greedily approached and hurriedly filled the empty space. Kim! Pecardt, who entered the penalty box, and Pedri, who ran after him from outside the box, shouted almost at the same time. While I was concentrating on dribbling, I nced at both of them and noticed that there are marks on them. I erased both of them from my mind in an instant. A teammate with a mark is meaningless if I can''t make a good pass. Once again, I should concentrate a little more before I run out of energy. Without slowing down, I closed the distance between the central defender and went head-on. I quickly got close to the opponent who was standing apart from the path I chose. I was afraid that the ball would be taken away by a ball touch mistake, so I kept pushing forward with the thought of giving more pressure on my opponent. Alcorcon''s central defender did not expect this oue until the very end. Would he have thought I''d just crash at him like this? Two steps to one step. From one step to another half a step. As soon as the opposing yer twitched, I touched the ball with my left foot and bent it towards the edge of the goal. The defender''s right foot was lightly missed. The shooting angle was not good, but the distance was close, and above all, there is only the goalkeeper in the diagonal direction in front of my eyes. Pecardt is offside. If he had gone deep into the right of the goal post, I would have passed the ball. The situation where the angle for the pass did not ur. I made a shot without any hesitation. The right foot kick was ufortable, and it was a better angle to shoot with the left foot. The ball hits the goalkeeper''s right elbow and bounces back into the goal. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!" I shouted after a long time and clenched my fists to express my joy. It was amazing to be able to produce such results with a poor body condition, and at the same time, a sense of aplishment came rushing in. Fans sang the strange Prince Canary song which felt a little touching today. "You damn bastards! Don''t hit me!" Why are you so good when ites to scoring goals? It''s no use screaming. Pecardt kicked me in the ass, Pedri tickled me, Inigo and Cedris hit me in the back as soon as they came running. Laughter flowed from the crowd as I fled to the centerline to avoid Courbelo and Aitami, who camete. Damn it As we waited for the match to resume at the half-line, my eyes met the Manager''s eyes, he smiled with satisfaction and raised his thumb in silence. I was embarrassed and grateful. It''s great to live up to the expectations of the person who believed in me. As the yers settle down in the stadium, the game resumes with the referee''s whistle. The yers of Alcorcon ran around on the grass with heavy expressions. With a goal in the 50th minute of the second half, the game was 2-1. Las Palmas has the upper hand, and time was not on my side. My body is getting heavier and it is getting difficult to y the defense, so neither forward pressure nor the cooperative defense can be properly carried out. From now on, there is only one chance. There will be no second chance. Courbelo, the right fullback, wins the shoulder fight and steals the ball. Although the touch was rough, he shook off the opponent''s forward pressure through a one-two pass with Harvey Casteyano and soon jumped up near the half-line. Courbelo! En marcha! Courbelo exchanges triangr passes with Cedris, the right-wing, in the vicinity while trying to approach Pecardt. Alcorcon''s No. 8 yer momentarily missed Pecardt, who he was marking. Opponent No. 8 seems to have forgotten Pecardt''s existence, as he was trying to follow Courbelo going up to his side, but btedlyes back to his senses at his teammate''s cry. But it was a little toote. Approximately 24 meters away from the goal post, Pecardt gained shooting space in the center. The opponent''s central defender, who was pulling my jersey behind my back in the penalty area, as I moved forward to narrow my shooting angle. Pecardt sent me a ground pass as if he knew. Kim! Watch your back! Alcorcon''s left center-fielder sticks close to the area to support the defense. I Passed the ball through the crotch before the opponent''s speed slowed down. It''s already terrifying for the ball to go out of my control, but everything worked very well. I overcame the resistance of the central defender and entered the penalty box. It would be nice to go in more, but I can already feel my strength is falling. I dont have the confidence to score a goal by shaking off the opponent midfielder who came rushing to join the defense. Icked stamina. I bent my ankle wide and kicked at the bottom of the ball. It was the most aggressive pass since the game started. The ball has been rotated to the right as it leaves my foot and rolls. Assuming that Pecardt continues to run, the ball will reach his feet. "yeeeeeeeeeee-!!" I can see the waving yellow shirt and the back of Pecardt running to express the joy of scoring a goal. This was it for today. After receivingpliments from Inigo, I signaled to the bench for a substitution. In the 63rd minute, I was reced by Srnich and left the field. Without an extra goal, the match is 3-1. Las Palmas yed the remaining time well without losing a point, mainly due to defenders Aitami and David. The rest of the time went well with no goals scored. Martinez, the goalkeeper, was reced due to a minor finger injury, which created a brief disorganized atmosphere, but we were able to continue thepetition for the lead by scoring three points in the 15th round of the League. Kim, here! "Can''t someone else do it?" No matter how tired you are, you must do media interviews and take care of your fans. Head coach Rios said with a stern expression on his face. Leaving behind the yers exchanging uniforms, I approached the middle-aged announcer with a familiar face. Kim! Congrattions on your victory. "Gracias." My voice cracked, probably because I was very tired. Apologizing for a moment and I made my voice return through a series of coughs. "You look very tired. Are you okay?" "Just a little. Its not that hard. Has your health been affected by the fact that you recently started ying as a starter? What do you think?" I dont think its because I particrly ran for a long time. It''s because I dont have energy in general. The announcer listens to me andughs so much that he reveals all his white teeth. Whats so funny? Before I knew it, the yers of Las Palmas, who gathered together and listened were alsoughing. "Oh, Kim, let''s go with fuerza fisca instead of energy. You can''t put it bluntly, and energyia sounds a little weird. "okay." I don''t know what''s weird about it. Should I ask about this at school? I was a little annoyed because my nerves became sharp from tiredness. That''s why I said that I didn''t want to be interviewed. "I know it was hard, but you scored 2 goals and 1 assist today. The goal was great, while the assist was beautiful. 12 goals and 2 assists until the 15th round. You are closest to the top scorer in the La liga league. So, Do you have any goals in mind? Like I want to do this." "Well, I don''t have a goal. I''ll try to put what Manager Pepe tells me into practice. There are a lot of stories about you and Manager Pepe. Do you talk often to each other? We dont. He''s the Manager. He has been a great help to me for making up for my shorings." The announcer, who was nodding his head, as he moved the big microphone back and forth and continued with the next question. You got 12 goals in 15 rounds, but you have yed only 6 of them. That''s two goals per game. Considering that Las Palmas didn''t get such a good rating before the season started, a lot of fans say that half of the team''s current standing is due to Kim. That just sounds stupid. "yes?" I cant y ser alone. It is true that you are contributing greatly to the team. I dont want to exaggerate my role. Dont do that. Yes, yes. Hesitation shed across the face of the announcer who said it was thest question. There is nothing worse than doing an interview, so I hope it ends sooner. This is probably the question that fans are most curious about. Rumors about your transfer poured out this week. Ahead of the winter transfer market, I heard that not only La Liga but also foreign leagues such as Germany and Ennd made suggestions." "I don''t know. I''ve never heard anything about it." When I thought about what kind of question it was, it was nothing. If it had been a proper transfer proposal, Uncle Bari would have informed me earlier. Didn''t any offerse in through the club? No. I dont know. And Im not interested. Before they start asking this and that, I took the lead. I wanted to finish this quickly and go home to wash my body in warm water. "When I switched to a contract with Las Palmas, it was extended to three years. There''s still over a year and a half left. It''s meaningless to go somewhere else without taking proper responsibility for the starting position. I''m just gonna prepare for the next game. Yes. Thank you for agreeing to the interview. Gracias. (To be Continued ) To read ahead ?Paid Chapters Chapter 21 Chapter 21 The humidity in Gran Canary rose in a short time. Even if you don''t watch the news, you will notice the soggy feeling in the nket as soon as you wake up. Even if it rains, it is clear that the temperature will rise for a while due to the nature of the ind. Now, based on my experience, the weather on this ind is at a level where it can be inferred. "Yuhan, let''s eat." "Yes!" I put down the quilt at my bedside and went out to the living room. I was a littlete, and the table was already filled with food. I heard you have a check-up today. Yes, They will do aplete checkup, and they''ll do a few more things while I''m at it. It won''t be a problem, right? Yes. Today''s breakfast menu is normal bread, fat-free beef rump, spinach juice, andctic acid pills. I know it''s good for the body, but it wasn''t very good food for a father and son to sit face to face at the table without saying a word. Of course, my father ate Korean-style side dishes with nurungji porridge. Do you have any appointments in the afternoon? I told youst time, the I said I would have to go downtown for a field trip. It''ll be done before three." Are you going downtown? Yes. They told me toe to Santa Ana Cathedral." "It''s nice to be close." "I am not going inside the cathedral, instead they said that we are going to a museum which is next to it." Dad, as if he understood, kept his mouth shut. "Uncle Bari asked me to let you meet him in the afternoon. I guess the club wants to talk about the transfer issue." The manager didn''t say anything, so I don''t know if something has changed. "He said he''d contact you through your cell phone. Don''t forget to take your cell phone with you." "Yes." "I usually carry my cell phone with me. So its worth the money." "You don''t use it much." After breakfast, I went on my way to the Gran Canaria Hospital at Gran Canaria University. Even though it was November, tourists dressed in light attire filled the alleys. The temperature drop below zero is something that can be experienced only in Korea, so merchants in Gran Canary were preparing to wee the ind''s heyday, which begins in December. "Buenos dias" "Long time no see." Juan Naranjo, the physical coach, who was waiting in front of the hospital, greeted my dad lightly. They were not friendly, but they had met several times face-to-face, so they know each other. As I stand, my dad''s car disappears over the hill, and Coach Juan moves his feet first as we enter the hospital. "There''s no abnormality in your body, right?" "Yeah. I am very good." "Today, I want to examine the ankle area that you had surgery on once more, and I want to do growth tests and muscle tests." "Growth test?" "Well, we''re trying to figure out how big your kidneys are." "How do you do that?" Measure the elbow joint with a radiation test. I did it the other day, don''t you remember? It will take only a while. The team doctor told me to check as much as possible. Just as the coach said, the test was over soon, but I had to wait a little longer in the waiting room to hear about the results from the doctor. I was not so bored as I had been responding to the autograph request of some local fans. The nurse beckons toe in. It was my turn. Kim,e in. Good morning. Good morning. I felt happy when I heard that you have recovered from your injuries and you are doing well." "I feel happy too. Maybe I''m getting better." Hahaha, yes. The doctor looks at the x-ray photo with a smile. It was a good sign that the wrinkles in the eyes did not move. "Okay, first of all, you don''t have to worry about your ankle. As I said before, it''s healed well, and there''s no inmmatory response." Coach Juan nodded his head from the side as if it was natural. The club and I can now rx. If I had known in advance that my injury was so worrisome even after my recovery, I would have stepped on the football shoes of the Santander midfielder who tackled me. Every time I think about it, I regret it. I returned the frowned eyebrows back to their original state. "Kim, let''s see. ording to tests, you will grow from 5.7 to 5.9 feet." "How many centimeters is that?" "Hmm?" Coach Juan pulls his phone out of his pocket and tells me it''s 174 to 179 centimeters. "It''s about 0.1 to 0.3 feet bigger in the future. Haha, you don''t like it much, do you?" "It''s smaller than I expected?" The doctor and coach Juan justughed without knowing what I was thinking. Considering that my dad was less than 170 centimeters tall, it was not as bad as it seems, but there was a desire in my heart to cross 180cm. Is there a way to get bigger than that? "There''s an injection. But. "No" A stern voice intervened and restrained the doctor''s words. It was coach Juan. "Anything that''s not natural is always a problem. Even if you have an abnormality in your bones, you can''t just do it. There are yers who miss two or three seasons to get their bodies back in bnce after rapid growth." "." "5.9 feet is big enough. Think of the results you''ve created with a height of 5.6 feet (170 cm). It''s important for professionals to make up for their shorings, but it''s more important to maintain and develop their strengths." "Okay. To me, who reluctantly epts, the doctorpliments coach Juan for not criticizing me about my body bnce. Coach Juan uttered a moan as if it were natural. I''m the one who kept my diet, I''m the one who exercised. I felt strange because I felt like coach Juan was getting the praise. "Do you want to get off at Santa Ana?" "Yes." Before lunch, the check-up was all over. The time was a little vague. I answered coach Juan in the car, but I don''t want to go fast. Eating along with people in the school was almost like a punishment for me. Do you know where Santa Ana Cathedral is? I don''t know. I have to call the teacher after arriving at the ce." I arrived at my destination in less than 10 minutes from the hospital. On the outskirts of the alleyway, Coach Juan points beyond the building. "You see the cross? That''s Santa Ana Cathedral." "Okay. Thanks for bringing me here." "Haha, see you tomorrow." I walked for a while in the direction coach Juan told me, but soon turned in exactly the opposite direction as his car disappeared from sight. Even if I went, I was just going to eat. As long as I don''t get caught, it won''t be a problem, will it? As I enter the walking alley, which is not essible by vehicle, stone buildings line both sides. There was no sign that could be recognized at a nce, so I had to look at the menu board set up at the entrance of the building one by one. There was no food that I couldn''t eat, but I didn''t like the crowded restaurant atmosphere, so I wandered around. I thought I had walked deep into the alley. When I began to get confused about where the cathedral was located, I saw a cafe sprinkled with sky blue paint on the outer wall of the building. "Fraggi." There are not many people around the cafe, so I walk around for a while and go inside. "Bienvenidos." ss showcases are lined with food. Food mixed with beans and asparagus, risotto, pie, sandwiches, etc. If it wasn''t for dieting I would have thought of eating these, which are high in calories. The store itself was so cramped that you have to order quickly and go inside and take a seat from the few tables. If you can''t get a seat inside, you will have to eat among the tourists at a roadside table that has a red hat painted with palm trees over the head. It was so terrible just to imagine. Is this a baguette? Si. It''s a baguette with Hamons, tuna, pickled fish, cheese, and avocado on it separately. The one on top is olive." Maybe because it''s near the cathedral, the tip of the toothpick that fixes the ingredients in the baguette is cross-shaped. Its price was 1 euro, which wasn''t that expensive. "Give me that, too. A mix of beans and asparagus." Si, anything to drink? Banana juice, with no sugar. "It''s 3 euros." I opened the zipper of my pocket and took out the coins I have brought. It may look a little overcautious, but there are a lot of pickpockets in the neighborhood, so when Ie out with money, I always wear zippered pants When I finished ordering and entered the store, I saw three small tables. Fortunately, one seat was empty. The clock hanging on the cafe wall has just passed 12 o''clock. The people sitting at the table in the middle must be tourists who came on a family trip. The little boy was wearing a yellow T-shirt with a panoramic view of the ind, so it was recognizable at a nce. "Kim?" My eyes identally met with the man sitting at the opposite table, who suddenly called myst name. The eyes of the tourist family sitting in the middle were drawn toward me. What, it''s really Kim!" If you don''t mind, can I ask for an autograph and a photo?" The small cafe felt like a mole hole with the movement of the people. "Si. Give me a pen." "Oh, wait a minute." The gaze of the tourist family sitting in the middle is stinging. To be honest, I was a little embarrassed. I just wanted the food toe out soon. After I came to the second division, more and more people started to recognize my face, so I should have changed my lifestyle ordingly. I may have acted too poorly. Next time, I should consider eating quietly along with the people in the school. One of the uncles took out Pedri''s uniform from his bag and asked me to sign it. I don''t know why he is getting my signature on Pedri''s uniform, but I wrote my name in Korean without saying much because I thought he would have gotten angry if I didnt sign. Next came napkins and bags. He seemed to want my autograph on everything he had. I was going to take a picture with the three uncles and go back to my seat, but in the corner of the cafe, a blondedy secretly looked around with her son holding a pen and paper. Thedy pushed her son''s back and sent him towards me. "Hi. "H." Unfortunately, I was so vulnerable to English that except for signing my autograph, I couldn''t continue making any conversation. It was fortunate that the food was served just in time. I ate the beans and asparagus with a fork and sucked the banana juice with a straw. The food was salty, and the drink was nd, so thebination went well. Marinated fish was not to taste, so it was filtered separately Aside from the smell, it was because I thought it would be more beneficial to eat kimchi than to eat this. I wish I could continue my own food reviews, but the orange-haired girl, who was ncing inside the cafe, approached my table and my thoughts were interrupted. I had an ominous feeling. Finally, the girl pulled out a table chair and sat down, then she murmured. "I barely found you. How did you know this ce?" Should I tell this person that she was being rude? I kept silent until the moment the girl spoke again. ..I couldn''t remember the Spanish word for rude. (To be Continued ) To read ahead ?Paid Chapters Chapter 22 Chapter 22 I just stared at her without speaking a word. Confusion preceded the feeling of displeasure. Due to the nature of Las Palmas, there was no way for me to know whether she was a ssmate or not, as I had attended fewer sses than when I was in Korea due to which I didn''t remember many students. In the first ce, it was too much to expect me to remember a person''s face. "You are looking at my face as if there is something scary on my face." "Who are you?" "Guess. I''m not daunted. Now I started to feel bad. This girl was definitely rude. As I frowned slightly, the uninvited guest raised her palms and showed an exaggerated surprised look. "Calm down. I just came to pick you up on Julia''s orders." "Who is Julia? Our teacher." Hmm. First of all, it was right to assume that we are ssmates. I think she was clearly on the lookout for the surroundings, but how did she know I was here? The girl sitting in front of me smiled as she looked out of the cafe with her head out and said. I''m the only one here." "How did you find me?" "Anna saw your picture posted on social media. Anna is also a student at our school. I thought you wouldn''t know.." "I just took a photo. How can youe so quickly." "Not here, it was taken in the alley outside. When Julia asked us to see if you got lost, someone told me to go, so I beat the crowd first and found you." I was notpletely convinced, but there wasn''t much to find fault with. You''re not going right away, are you? Can I have a drink too? My ssmate ordered a grapefruit juice which came soon. I put my baguette in my hand down on the te. I observed the girl sitting in front as I rummaged through the bean dish with a fork. Just like her hair, her eyebrows are also orange, her cheeks have few freckles, her nose isrge, and her front teeth are a little big. I don''t know. No matter how hard I rumbled through my head, I don''t remember her. Don''t feel too bad. I came because I was so courageous. I came hard to break through the other kids'' containment." "What containment?" "You''re sort of a star. You are a football yer who yed in La Liga. You have been on TV, and everyone wants to be friendly with you, not only girls but boys. The ssmate who breathed for a moment while drinking grapefruit juice which was brought by the waiter leans over and whispers as if she was going to tell me a great secret. But you don''t speak much at school. Do you know how curious the kids were even before you debuted!" To be honest, I felt a little pathetic. Unless they were fans of Las Palmas, I was not obliged to satisfy the curiosity of other people. "Well, you don''t seem to be interested in the food." "Yeah. If you finish drinking, let''s get up. I''ve had enough food." It''s a lie. To be exact, some of my words are sort of lies. I think I can''t eat anymore because I''m burdened, so let''s just get up quickly unless you''re going to leave first. There''s still a lot of bread left." "I have eaten my fill." Then can I eat it?" " "That''s bad. That girl nced at me while stuffing the baguette in her mouth, still, she didn''t stop talking. My eyes were constantly on the floor tiles, and somehow I didn''t like it "I''m sorry if you''re offended by me. I was just wondering what you were like. My dad talks a lot about you. . Is your dad a Las Palmas fan?" "Uh, rather than being a fan, He works there. Flores Parker, have you ever heard of him?" I upgraded the rating for my ssmate. Flores Parker was an analyst in Las Palmas. It would be foolish to judge someone based on their background, but I couldn''t help it. "Yeah. "Dad always talks about you. Saying that you were the youngest debut of the team, also the youngest person to score a hat-trick h h h .. "Half of my dinner time is filled with your story, so it is natural for me to be curious about you?" " Si " Under the premise of being the daughter of an analyst, it was eptable to listen to the chatter of the little freckled girl. So far. "Yesterday, he said that you were so good at the interview, that he kept making a fuss over the meal. He even said that you have a good rtionship with the team yers? Well, I was a little worried because he asked me if you were different at school." "What did you say?" "Huh?" "What did you say about me at school?" "Just He''s less talkative, he''s quiet, he doesn''t say much." I lowered this ssmate''s rating. This girl is dangerous. It may be an exaggeration, but it seemed certain that Las Palmas had an indirect influence that would adversely affect me. "Don''t say that in the future." "Sorry, did you feel bad? I''ll keep my mouth shut in the future! I don''t trust freckles who make fun of me beforehand, I would like to zipper her mouth. Yeah, I''ll name this girl Freckles from now on. It was past 1: 00 p.m when we left the cafe. I followed Freckles through the alleyways where tourists flock. Freckles, who moved without a single hesitation, stopped in front of a building called the Museo Canario. On the white gate, which looked like the entrance, had a drawing of a huge skull gourd. "Right here?" "Yeah. In the morning, I was in the Literary Cab, and I was told to take you here if I were to find you." When I opened the door and stepped inside, I saw the earthenware shining brightly behind the ss showcase. The positive thing is that the exhibition hall was notrge, and it was quiet because there were no tourists since it was an old prehistoric museum. The strange thing is, there is no one inside except the staff. "Are you sure they told me toe here? There''s no one. Iined to Freckles as she wandered through the disy case, smelling suspicious. "Well, They told me toe back to the Literary Cab, to be exact, if I haven''t eaten. But we came early because we had lunch." "You only ate the leftover baguette." ""it''s okay. Actually, I''m someone who is not adjusting well to school, haha. Rather than eating steak from Literary Cab''. I chose to walk around the museum which had an awkward and strange atmosphere." Are you Tonto(Stupid)? "Can you express it as bobo instead of Tonto?" "What a difference." "Bobo means idiot." "It''s the same thing as being stupid." I snorted loudly at her who seem to have gotten offended by my words. I sigh, but I can''t help it so I took Freckles out and fed her before the museum was filled with students from Las Palmas. It was fortunate that I brought enough coins because I didn''t know the exact price. When I returned after buying her some additional food, Julia, who had led the students, was hanging around at the entrance to the museum. "Kim! Ste! Where did you guys go? You didn''t answer the phone call, I thought you guys went missing." "It took me a while to find Kim, and we got lost while returning. Lies trickle out of the mouth of Freckles. Julia didn''t seem to believe what Freckles said, but she didn''t say anything more. I avoided a group of ssmates as I climbed to the second floor. It was not a pleasant thing to keep seeing prehistoric skulls. It was unusual to dig a cave between the cliffs of a huge volcanic ind and build a house, and in the end, it was destined to be merged after the Spanish colonial period. It was a trivial ending that I had heard countless times from a wine-loving history teacher of the Canary Inds. When I lost interest in the museum, I became interested in the ringing cell phone in my pocket. I remembered that Uncle Bari would be call me. The liquid crystal disys an unknown number, One seems to be Julias, and there are two more missed calls. There were over a hundred unread text messages on the phone, and I didn''t even think about opening them in the first ce. I went down to the first floor to make a call outside, and Freckles who have been hanging around me came down with me. "Why are you following me?" "Well, things areplicated. Looking at the situation, I think shes being bullied. However, the best I could do for Freckles was to draw a line, so I no longer questioned her. Freckles chased me all the way out of the museum. As I tried to make a call, ignoring the presence of my ssmate, a familiar voice came over to my earpiece. It was the voice I heard every time in the training field, so I could notice it in a short time. "H?" "Pedri?" "Si! You finally called me on the phone!" I hang up the phone in a daze and check the next missed phone number. I''m not going to panic this time because it was saved as Uncle Bari. Pedri If it''s really urgent, he''ll call me back. H, Kim. Are you enjoying your day well?" "It''s terrifying." Uncle Bari giggled in a low tone. He loved my sarcastic way of speaking. At least he spoke what he felt openly. "Dad asked me to call you. He told me that you got a call from the club." "Its nothing. Let''s meet and talk, as usual, I have something to say. Call me after school. I am overflowing with time." "All right. I''ll contact youter. I hung up the phone and thought of going back to the museum, but Freckles was looking at me with a curious expression. It was strangely annoying that I hesitated without asking a question. If the assumption that this child is being bullied is true, then it seemed to me that I knew the reason. What?" "I''ve never seen you speaking in a foreignnguage. Are you from China?" "I''m Korean." "Oh, sorry. Was it your Papa?" Agent. It was cumbersome to answer every single question, but I couldn''t turn her away. The thought of being bullied because of freckles was disturbing my mind. As an adult, I need to know how to deal with it, but I''m still very soft. "Uh! Agent! I heard about him from my dad. Was it Berry?" Bari." "That''s right! Bari! He said his personality wasn''t normal." "What are you talking about?" "Was itst week? He fought so much to the point that the Owner yelled. My dad was worried since the atmosphere there looked bad all day." It was the first time I heard it. Why didn''t Uncle Bari tell me about it? "Uh, it''ll be fine." Freckles, looking at my face, said in a slightly subdued voice. "My dad was relieved to see you in the interview, was it a renewal? He said it would work out. That''s something to leave behind. Difort rose like smoke. Rather than the fact that there was something Uncle Bari didn''t tell me, I was angry at the owner for yelling at him. After a while, I had something to ask Uncle Bari. However, I had to take care of other important things now. Stupid and talkative, but good freckles. "You, what''s your name?" "Me? Ste. Ste Parker. I decided to issue Freckles a temporary visa to chat with me. She seemed to have sprouted from a good source. (To be Continued on June 27{MON} ) To read ahead ?Paid Chapters Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Its not that serious. After the field trip, I was on my way to the house of Uncle Bari, who invited me for dinner. He was steering the wheel with a kind smile on his face. Its not that Im crazy, its just that I don''t like it when I have something in my heart and talk as if there is nothing. I just got anxious. Its a good thing for you. "Is that a good thing?" I was going to tell you over dinnerter. I had a lot of good suggestions to the point where Miguel lost his patience. You said you didn''t like it before. "Yes. It was then. Uncle Bariughs cheerfully, but I can''tugh. The unpleasantness lingered in my mind for too long to act as if nothing happened. The conversation was naturally cut off as I was only looking at the pier outside the car window next to the beach road. Uncle Bari waits for my feelings to subside without trying to talk to me. This is what I like about Uncle Bari. He doesn''t rush. He gave me enough time to let me return to my good mood when I felt bad. We were respectful of each other. Three minutes after entering the alley, a white apartmentes into view. Uncle Bari lives in a neighborhood not far from our house. He liked the 12-story high residence, which had no opponents in the neighborhood. It''s perfect except for the fact that the security is not very good. There are events held at Ins Park right next to the apartment, which uncle Bari used to say was good. It was a word that my father, who is a silent sleeper, would never understand. The parking area is full. In a narrow alley near the apartment, Uncle''s car moved around looking for a ce to park. The Canary Inds have no underground parking lots, so local residents usually have to search for vacant ces along the streets which were marked with dotted lines in the evening. Before long, Uncle found an empty lot near the corner of the building. I have to park here. Putting the back wheel on the edge of the crosswalk, I took the luggage out of the trunk and went up to the apartment. Huge apartments are good because they have lifts. There were times when things were taken for granted in Korea, which sometimes felt special here. "Wait a minute. I''ll cook for you right away." "yes." Soon the house got taken over by the savory smell of caramel. It''s obviously maple syrup. Take one bite. Aren''t you going to eat again anyway?" Not in the evening. If you dont eat now, you will regret it. It''s a real exhaust that I brought directly from Canada." "Are you bragging about the grade again?" Kim, it''s an insult to just eat it without saying that it was rated AA. You can''t even find it here. Its a Canadian treasure that doesnt even get exported. Uncleined that I didn''t understand its true value, but half of it was a joke. He''ll probably pack some maple syrup for my dad on the way home. After a while, the food was brought to the table one by one. Light Caesar sd, steak, and cod dishes topped with yellow sauce. "The dessert is a blueberry canapes." It looks delicious. Humans are so cunning and fragile!! The cod meat pushed out by the knife and the sauce that danced in the mouth was so good, that the faint anger that remained, quickly disappeared, leaving no trace. Was my will so weak? Stuffed with satiety, I almost forgave the owner of Las Palmas. I have to pull myself together. I can forgive him, however, it was impossible to forgive all at once. Moreover, as I was sipping chamomile tea, everything in the world felt meaningless, except for ser and my anger towards the owner. "It was good, right?" "Yes. thank you for the food." Uncle Bari was a great cook. He took the beer out of the cupboard and drank it instead of tea since uncle Bari liked beer more than tea. "Now let''s talk about business, shall we?"" "Okay." In the drowsy atmosphere, under the orange light, the serious talk was about to begin. Uncle said that he received a lot of good offers. Uncle Bari was an intuitive person. If he said its a good offer'', then it has to be a great offer. Three teams from Ennd, four from Spain. Is it official team? "Yes." Thats too many. Considering my indecisiveness, it doesn''t seem like a good thing. From Ennd, the best offer is from Manchester City. They offered a guaranteed y option. 15 games of the season. Since it''s a professional contract, the weekly wage is 20 times higher than the current one, so there''s nothing wrong with that. Everton and West Ham are also rtively short, but their offers are not a bad one either. I listened to uncle Baris words while fiddling with the mug. From Spain, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad, Via Real. "It sounds good." "Yes. But, as you know, Spain cannot sign a professional contract before the age of 18 ording to EU rules. You are going to get paid more than double the weekly sry, but you are still in a youth group. Ennd is in the same EU, but the rules are different, dont you think? "Its okay. Since they might soon being out of the EU, right?" Uncle''s words were so funny that I couldn''t helpughing. The person who threw the words, whether they were joking or serious, shrugged his shoulders and continued to talk as if nothing was wrong. Instead, The offer from Ennd is a little tricky. Work visa... Uncle Bari stood up and folded his fingers one by one. They need a certain guarantee or transfer has to exceed a certain amount, and it''s not easy. Uncle Bari sips the Beer and then takes the macadamia out of the ss jar on the table and chews. In the Premier League, if you dont have experience of being in the national team, you will be judged. No matter which team you go to, your sry must be within 75% of the league as a whole, and your position in the current team is also important. The problem is that Las Palmas doesn''t even have a first-division, and there''s no record of Europeanpetitions. Then, the judging is halfway through the water, so you wont get any guarantee, and unlike Spain, Ennd needs you to get it from a really influential person. A blush rose on the cheeks of Uncle who was pouring out words without stopping. Maybe because of themp that was spitting out orange light, it looked red. Then is this the end? Haha, no.. no. There are many cases where a visa application is rejected after signing a contract. If that happens youll be thrown out of the main leagues on loan in a hurry. Where? If it''s a city, Belgium. Everton or West Ham were good too. British clubs prefer to sign contacts with clubs with which they have agreements." You said Manchester City would give guaranteed appearance. Whats the use if you dont get a visa? They will just rece you with a penalty. It''s terrible, isn''t it? But it''s undeniable that it''s an attractive offer. As long as you take risks, you can get a lot of money. It''s 20 times bigger. It is not a small amount of money. Ennd is out Hmmm, I thought I shouldn''t go. Rewards are insignificant for taking risks. Just because you earn less than others doesn''t mean you''recking. My dad works, and I''m also making a money. One day, earning a lot of money may be the reason for the transfer, but not yet, I didn''t find the offer attractive. "What do you think?" I have to listen to my dads opinion, but to be honest, I dont think its that good. I''m sorry for telling you like this." "What are you talking about? It''s all something you need to know. Just think about it a little more. They''re clubs that are so good that it''s hard to say which one is better." "Yes." Lets go back to Spain. Uncle Bari said about the all four clubs, like Pedri, they want a loan from Las Palmas. Short term: 6 months, in the long term it''s 1 year and a half, "Barcelona is the only one who asks for a year and a half, and when you turn 18, you will return on release and offer a professional contract based on your results." Its cold. "What can we do about it? Thats the reality." Uncle smirks and scratches his head. Uncle said that the La Liga team''s offer was to put on hold until the winter transfer window, saying that there is no rush as it is an offer that includes a release use. "Oh, I should also tell you the story of Miguel''s anger. I came out of the restaurantst week after finishing the conversation with the officials, and I got a call as if he knew about the meeting." Uncleughs haphazardly, saying it would be strange if he didnt know since all the contract managers of each team showed up on this small ind. "I went to the club''s office the next day, and Miguel Alonso, the old man, came first and was waiting, and he said he wanted to renew the contract with you. Since its been less than a year since you signed an extension." So? "I said theres no need to think much about it for now. So there is no need to be in a hurry. He said, Let''s put a professional contract as an option and add a one-and-a-half-year extension. It felt absurd even for me, who had no professional knowledge about contracts. No matter how urgent it was, they''re making their intentions so transparent. Uncle Bari deserved to get angry. There are such idiots in the world. hahaha, I thought of that. They make up and talk about it, but in the end, they''re saying they want to sell you at a high price after signing a professional contract. He worked very hard to make me agree, but I refused in the end." Then he shouted? "Right, it happened because he couldn''t control his anger. You''re making such an excellent result that the transfer fee that he can get from the other team during the renewal of the deadline will be huge. He yelled at me, saying I''m too greedy while turning a blind eye to his own greed." When I saw Uncle''s expression, I understood a little. It was really not a big deal, so there was no emotional agitation on his face. It wasnt even worth being angry. When Uncle Bari''s calmness moved my heart, the anger towards the ownerpletely subsided. But the mind getsplicated on the contrary. It seemed too risky to go to Ennd, and the Spanish First Club''s offer did not appear to be on a great level. Honestly, I don''t know what''s good. "Then why don''t we renew it as Miguel said? He raised my weekly wage a lot. I''m sure it''s the same as ying for Las Palmas on a release." "No, renewing a contract with Las Palmas is a lot different from returning to after the transfer. As soon as you sign with one of the teams I mentioned earlier, you are 99 percent first-division yer from next season. Barcelona may be a little different." Well, thats right. On the contrary, Las Palmas is a club that sells promising yers. It''s less likely to go up to the first division and even if it did, it is less likely to survive. Lets say you renew your contract and switch to a contract that runs three years from now, the first division teams don''t fall apart. Not only do I know that Las Palmas is a club that sells young talent, but I also know that Las Palmas wants to get a bigger transfer fee through the extended contract period. Uncle Bari looked at my head with a sharp eye and snorted. Is your head gettingplicated again? .I dont want to say anything. "I have to talk about calling up the under-20 national team, but let''s quit here. I don''t want to see you having a stomach upset after dinner." Maybe it''s because he''s more mature than me, he has amazing insight. But for me, this whole issue was a pain in the ass. (To be Continued ) To read ahead ?Paid Chapters Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Saturday, a day before our 16th match of the league, Las Palmas against Mirandes. A vibration rises from the bottom of the chair with a rattling sound as the nends on a runway covered in grass. Small airports are nice because you don''t have to wait to collect your luggage. yers descended the ne through the stairs while chatting and crossed the runway with earphones plugged in. The bus waiting outside made a sound and urged the yers. After a while, the bus carrying the team departed for the hotel. We passed the alley as we watched the scenery of Miranda de Ebro through the window. It was a small town in the north. The buildings were simr in height to those buildings of Gran Canaria. The bus stopped in front of Hotel Sercotel Ciudad de Miranda''. I walk up the stairs after being assigned the 4th floor as my amodation. It was not my style to wait for the elevator along with the yers. When I opened the door, the interior decorations were all red From the linens on the bed to the paintings on the walls. While I was walking around to the bathroom after roughly throwing the bag on the bed, someone opened the door and entered the room with a creaking sound. It was Castro. "what?" What what? I will also be staying here. Why are we two sharing? It''s never been like this before. No, there are two beds in this room. So if you dont like it, ask the coach to change your room. I muttered a little inwardly and showed my displeasure, but in the end, said nothing. Castro, who had unloaded a trunk full of luggage, took out his clothes and shoes and organized them. What if Castro snores a lot? The possibility of adversely affecting my physical condition should be blocked in the early stages. I''ll keep an eye on it and if there''s a problem, I''ll have to talk to coach Juan immediately. Arent you going to unpack your luggage? There is no luggage. What about your clothes? In the bag. Seeing the school bag ced on the bed, Castro frowned and gave advice. Even if the only thing you have to do is get on a ne for three hours, you still have to keep the habit of using the usual item as everyone. "Usual item as everyone? What is that?" "Deodorant." When I got the answer, I realized why the yers always carry their luggage with them. People here sweat a lot. They carry three times as many socks and underwear as normal people do. Which bed do you want to use? "I like the bed on the left side, but what if Castro snores? I can''t sleep with an animal. I may have to change rooms. My physical condition is important." I wontI will be careful so that I dont turn into a real beast. Watching Castro''s small growling, I sat on the bed. When I get out of the bathroom after a quick wash, the hour hand starts to point to 7 PM. "Let''s go and eat. I took out my personal lunch box and shook it in front of Castro. In principle, I eat only what I bring a day before the game. It is uneptable not to be able to y due to an upset stomach. Is that a designated diet? "yes. Coach Juan prepared it. Didn''t you get one, Castro?" I got one. Ha, so that was the reason why Juan always called my name at the end of every session. With a slightly tired expression on his face, Castro clicked his tongue. Why did Juan call your name? He made a fuss about eating like you and showed how you were able to bnce your body as you want. It has be famous among the yers, didnt you know? Besides, its gotten worse since you came back from injury. I''m guessing you would havee back sooner orter whether you followed your diet or not." Well, I guess thats true. I looked behind Castro''s back as he left the room while shaking his head, soon the door was closed with a loud sound. What, isn''t it basic for a professional yer to work hard like this? I almost felt a little offended, but that''s all right. Because today is the eve of the game, as carbohydrates filled the lunch box, a high-calorie party awaited me. I yed music on the Bluetooth speaker and forgot about my lunch box. There is a side dish of meat seasoned with white rice. Pickled radish was also included, but it didn''t taste like kimchi. Is it a jade tea? It took me less than 30 minutes to finish the meal. I simply washed the lunch box in the bathroom and enjoyed the feeling of satiety that slowly rose from the bottom of my stomach. On the day before the game, there is nothing to do except roll around in bed or nce at the tactical papers given to me by the Manager. As I got tired from boredom, I started looking around the alley outside on the terrace, and thats when I heard the sound of the door opening. In the chilly weather, the raindrops that started to fall little by little wet the tiles of the footpath in the alley where the hotel is located. Castro, who was fiddling with his cell phone in bed, asked me a question as I entered fearing that I might catch a cold. Are you confident about the game tomorrow? To some extent. "You said you''d help me with a pass. When will you give it to me? Its an unfair promise. It was you, who couldn''t get into the position, what does it have to do with me? The beast showed its head as the conversation heated up, but Castro, who soon regained his sanity, told me the story as if he had be a news reporter. Pedri and Rodriguez were excited. The article said that the Manchester City and Barcelona scouts wereing to watch the match tomorrow. Did you know? I heard it while talking to the agent. There has been something that was bugging me these days, can I ask just a few questions? "It doesn''t matter, ask whatever you want, because if I don''t like it, I won''t give you an answer." Did you even get a formal offer? Instead of answering, I nodded. It wasn''t something we could talk about, the day before the match, but it wasn''t something I couldn''t answer either. There are a lot of things I want to ask, but they all cross the line. Well, have you made up your mind? No, itsplicated. I guess so. Have you been transferred a lot? Yeah. I have been going around a lot. Deportivo, Huesca, etc. The ce where I stayed the longest was Betis, but I also went to the Super League in China for a while. I can even talk in Chinese. I guess I shouldn''t judge a person carelessly, based on the first impression. I could feel the difference in experience. As we were talking, I wanted to ease my worries a little bit by asking for advice. The thought of being able to listen to good advice and the hesitation of ending up being made fun of shed again and again in my mind. How was China? "The record came out well. But I couldn''t adjust to my daily life there, and my family didn''te with me, so I couldn''t hold on any longer and canceled my contract in the middle. That was in 2017, and I think I learned a lot of things outside of ser." "I didn''t mean to tell you this for you to listen. Do not misunderstand me. My ying career is short, and I''m not going to beg you to stay in Las Palmas while you feel sorry for me." "There is no use in begging." Avoiding Castro''s fierce gaze, I climbed onto the bed and sat down. Castro raised his upper body and sat at the edge of his bed. It may have been a bit rude, but I can''t help but get nervous before I talk about my worries. I don''t know. Since I''m a minor, my dad also has to go to the ce I''m moving to. I don''t want him to go and live in another ce because of me. He says it''s fine but this problem always weighs on my heart." .. "I don''t mind renewing the contract but the owner had been rude to my agent. Well, it''s something simr to an argument. The agent also says it''s okay, but I don''t like it." What about release? I dont like the idea of making a promise to work a few years from now. I think it''s the best option right now, but I think I''ll regret itter. In fact, I keep on examining each option one by one, And the bottom line is that I am an idiot. I can''t make a decision and I just keep getting worried, and the process continues like a loop. At my words, Castro giggled andughed, ignoring what I had to say. I didnt understand what was funny. I was indeed full of worries, but is that enough to make himugh? "Sorry. I didn''t mean tough at you. You take care of yourself like an experienced yer, but hearing you, I thought you were still a young yer. Are you offended?" "I am not that young." Castro wiped the smile from his lips and stood up straight. "If you don''t like all three How about Las Palmas? Are you satisfied here?" To some extent. I am learning a lot. Okay, then dont make a decision right away. I think it would be good to watch a little more. It''s not you who should be in a hurry, it''s the team that wants to take you. Leave your worries alone. If there is an offer that you cannot refuse, then it will not be toote to answer it. Even Uncle Bari told me to think about it slowly. Are you talking about the agent? Yes. Okay, its okay for now. Dont let that trouble you because you are still young, being young is really a big weapon. It guarantees the fact that you still have enough time to show a better side of yourself in the future. Castro stared at the air for a moment, then spoke in a low voice with some hesitation. "Butter, if at some point in the futurees a time when you must leave, at that time, don''t hesitate." How do I know when to leave? You will find out naturally. It was a vague statement. Castro smiled bitterly at my puzzled expression and added a few words. "When you have nothing to learn from the team, when you''re hesitating to explore the world outside of football. When your goals start to disappear or be unattainable. When you get older and realize your limits. These are the signs. Forget it. It was just my useless babbling. I don''t know what to say. I wanted to have a serious conversation, not a heavy atmosphere. Castro looked sad. "Hey, kid. Don''t look at me like that. I''m not dead yet." "I think youre half dead." Castro choked hearing my reply. Nov 18 2019 Estdio Municipal de Anduva. The stadium is nestled amidst lush grass. It looked so small that when I first got off the bus, I wondered if the bus had dropped us off in the two-story factory building by mistake. I did not know that La Liga would take ce in a small stadium with a capacity of 5,000 seats. In the midst of the crowd''s murmur, I exchanged light chatter with Pedri to get prepared for shooting practice. Narvaez and Pedri, who were scheduled to start, along with me formed a group. In front of the goal, Vales stood in ce of Martinez, who suffered a minor injury in the previous match. The condition of the grass is not bad. Pedri''s shot hits Vales'' fingertips. Next, Juan Narvaez, the ball went straight into the with a pop sound. It looked very good. Narvaez, nice shot. Si. Next, it was my turn. Near the penalty box, to the top left of the goal. I pushed the ball straight through with the instep of my foot, just like Narvaez had kicked it. Vales reaches out for the ball, but it''s a littlete to stop the ball that was flying in a straight line. There was the sound of the waving. It feels good to strike the ball with my foot. I feel like I can do whatever I want. The second shot is rotated so that it bends inward from outside the goal. The destination is the same. The ball bends sharply inward. The trajectory of the well-kicked shot seemed to cut through the space. Valles couldn''t stop it. Im in good shape today. "okay. Scouts will love it. "Shut up." I bruised the yful Pedri and concentrated on my training again. Third shot. Strikes the center of the ser ball dropped by the coach. Well done. The ball that seemed to leave the goal loses moderate speed and sinks downward. Again, it fell on the upper left corner of the goal. It was the same location. "what?" I feel very good today. "Since when did you use your left foot like that? (To be Continued ) To read ahead ?Paid Chapters Chapter 25 Chapter 25 The stadium was so small that the shouts of the people could be heard so clearly. Sanchez! Vicente! Rey!" The home crowd chanted the names of the Mirandes squad one by one. Byparison, Las Palmas'' away fans are only around 20. There were only 20 fans who followed and cheered for us,ing all the way to the north of Spain. Saying they were a small number was an insult to their sincerity and effort. Kim! Prncipe! Es mi canario! If it wasn''t for the yellow canary doll clothes, I would have waved my hand towards them at once. The appearance of four fans that were dressed in doll clothes gathered in one ce and cheered while leaping and jumping which was beyond the standard of fan service. To be honest, it looked so ugly. The referee sends a hand signal to the assistant referee and checks whether the VAR is working properly. The yers have alreadye out to the ground and stood in their position and waited for the whistle. The referee made eye contact with Mirandez''s center striker, number 22, and made sure he was ready, then he ced his whistle in the mouth. The 16th game of the La Liga league began with a beep. Today, both teams deployed a 4-2-3-1 strategy. Las Palmas was formed by Curbello, Lemos, David and Martin. It''s a pity that Be was removed from the team due to his poor condition, but Martin can also be considered a talented yer. If he could only do as much as he showed when he yed for Las Palmas B, he''ll definitely get a passing grade from the manager. Dani Casteno and Inigo, who wore the captain''s armbands, yed as central midfielders, while the yers in the second line were Juan Narvaez, Kirian Rodriguez, and Pedri. I was the forward striker, and Vales, who reced the injured Martinez, stood in the goalkeeper position. On the bench, Manager Pepe was busy encouraging and urging young yers to do their best. In the first half, Manager Pepe wanted to apply strong pressure from the front when we had some stamina. After 3 minutes. The ball bounced back to Narvaez who extended his foot. Narvaez and the opponent''s right fullback are tangled in a narrow space. A fierce battle started to take ce in a situation where the shoulders collided while they were trying to retrieve the possession of the ball. Penome. When the referee calls for a foul, Narvaez spits on the floor and returns to our half. He looks like a good-natured neighborhood uncle, but once he entered the arena, he ran like a wild beast. Hes a friend who doesnt know how to y it safe. Focus on the game. Juan is like that. When I wandered around the central defenders, I unintentionally interrupted their conversation. This is why you shouldn''t make it a habit of talking to yourself. It would have been quite confusing. Before the Mirandes yers could say anything, I ran down to the half-line. "Kim! Watch the line! Why are youing down!" The timing is really bad too. Head coach Rios wavered his right forearm, signaling me to press from the front. I looked at the opposing defenders and came back into the attacking camp and hung around nearby. At the beginning of the game, the fortunes didn''t seem very good. The match was restarted with a free kick taken by Mirandes No. 15. Lemos kicked the ball off which flew near the penalty box in a single stroke. Kirian Rodriguez, who ys as an attacking midfielder, possessed the ball below the center line and hesitated. It was a wrong decision. He should have connected the pass quickly. The opposing midfielder No. 15 who was nearby didn''t miss the chance, speeds up and tucks his shoulder in. Rodriguez was soon pushed out and stumbled. Rodriguez stretches out his hands and tries to appeal to the referee with an exaggerated expression, but the whistle didnt blow. The midfielder of Mirandes swung his foot without dy. "ah!" Buen trabajo! La prxima vez! Do more! more! great!" The shot went far above the goalpost, and Mirandes'' fans cheered and rejoiced. Cheers and apuse pour out behind the opponent midfielder''s back, who is returning with an awkward expression. Kirian Rodriguez raised his hand to show his condolences to his teammates. Vales, the goalkeeper, kicks long to the right, and the ball that touches Narvaez''s head falls at the feet of Inigo, the central midfielder who was advancing. As I hung around the final defensive line, Mirandes'' No. 5, the right center defender, who was right next to me suddenly reacted. The central defender on the left was not really paying attention to his line. When I turned my head slightly, the ball fell right next to Pedri who was on the left side. With full-back Martining up to help him, it seemed like there was plenty of time to make something. Kirian! I called Rodriguez to change positions. The central defender of Mirandes who was marking me falls off. I have to move quickly before the opposing midfielder cares about the defense. Pedri was able to withstand the opposing pressure with Martin, a left full-back, who crossed the half-line and joined in the attack. I approached Pedri, as I narrowed the space between us. I didn''t have a lot of faith in the yers of Las Palmas, but if I had to pick one person I could trust, then it would be Pedri. Technically the inexperienced central midfielder Inigo will be the one to have the lead, but it''s Pedri who always gets his feet right. In particr, we are used to running in a narrow space. Give it right away! Instead of answering, the ball came under my feet. Pedri, who has escaped the grip of the Mirandes midfielder, passes by, but if I give the ball now, it is likely to get caught by the foot of the yer No. 23, the person who followed me from behind. Number 23 is in a state where the bnce of his body had copsed because he kept paying attention to the left side of Pedri passing. All I had to do was to pass the ball to the right without any special fighting. An aerial pass that falls into Pedri''s front space once again before the opponent''s fullback''s footes in for cooperative defense. As Pedri opened up the space, Mirandes'' central defender gave up on maintaining the line and jumped out. All I have to do is figure out where to shoot and how to follow. After that, Pedri will take care of it. As expected, the ball rolls out of Pedri''s heel and reaches me in front of the penalty box, 25 meters away. As long as I am in good physical condition, I can connect with confidence. The target is the upper left corner of the goal. The shooting sound wasn''t as loud as I thought. The ball pushed all the way to the end of my leg flies into the air, soon loses its speed, shakes, and sinks. It would be strange if it went near the goalkeeper of Mirandes, but it is even more strange if it ends up not scoring a goal. The electronic disy indicates that 14 minutes have passed since the start of the match. Pedri was the first to run next to me and stuck my back, and then the rest of the Las Palmas yers arrived one after another and started attacking my back. For some reason, It doesn''t feel too bad today. "Well done. Thanks to your goal, it will make the game easier. Kim, lets keep this up. "Si." Martin, please continue ovepping. Okay. Maybe it''s because the fans of Mirandes went silent, which made the entire stadium be quiet. It''s good to have a conversation with the yers. As I was about to return to the half-line after the short celebration, I heard the voice of Mirandes'' central defenders arguing. They seemed to have been offended by each other while trying to determine the end responsibility. "I have the right to go out. Do I have to exin everything? Should I bring a video?" "Why are you beckoning me to block the shooting angle?" The argument was quickly over due to the reluctance of the surrounding yers, but there was still a chilly air between the defenders. 20 minutes into the first half, Pedri, who broke through the opponent''s fullback with the sess of his personal tactics, crossed from the side of the penalty box. The height of the central defender was so huge that he failed in thepetition and lost possession of the ball. The ball bounces off the defender''s head and falls on the right of Juan Narvaez. Without dy, Narvaez attempted a volley shot using the outside of his right foot. A shot from near the corner on the right side of the penalty box curves to the left side towards the goal. It winds up so well that it is hard to believe that it is rotating even though it was kicked using the outside of the right foot. It was a trajectory resembling a curve on the side of the pottery. Not only the yers of Mirandes but also the yers of Las Palmas seemed as if they were possessed, and then raised their hands with excitement. Juan Narvaez scored his first goal after moving to the team on loan. I did it today! I scored!" "Look at the crowd booing! Great goal!" "Gracias." He smiled modestly. It was a smile that echoed the time he had struggled with not being able to score. Instead of congratting myself, I held his hands for a moment. The score was 0-2. In the resumed game, Mirandes had a noticeable gap between the midfielders and the defenders. It may be due to the pressure of an additional goal, or the psychological impact due to the crowd''s booing which was also great. Most of the swearing words in the stadium were directed toward the Mirandes yers. They praised them so much earlier, but now I don''t know how can a person''s heart can change quickly like this. " Can I get you guys an adult diaper? You bastards (Desgraciado)! Stop being sloppy and do it right!" Although it was unfortunate for the opponents, it was a great opportunity for Las Palmas. Pedri and Narvez switched positions six times in five minutes, and the two jumped excitedly between Mirandes'' wide lines. The one-sided offensive by Las Palmas showed no sign of ending. "Atrpenlo!" Kirian Rodriguez''s mid-range shot bounces off the opponent''s goalkeeper''s palm and goes off the line. It''s a corner kick. The opposing defenders gave off a ferocious atmosphere, I dont know whether they were frustrated by the previous fight they had between their teammates or their poor defensive tactics. Behind the goalpost, Mirandes'' fans swarm and swear at them, like a fire dragon Desgraciado te vas pa verga! Chinga tu madre!! Words that were never taught innguage schoole out one after another like sausages. Let''s pretend I didn''t hear it. Taking a position in the penalty box ahead of a corner kick, I made eye contact with the opposing central defender. Even if they couldn''t live up to the expectations of their fans, I felt pitiful because I thought it would be insulting to get cursed to such an extent. "Are you okay? Don''t listen to cursing." Who is cursing? Uh, didnt you hear it? Are you talking about Oday? Is he cursing me? I was referring to the crowd''s abusivenguage, but the Mirandes defender res at his partner, number 5, and fires sprouts from his eyes. It seems that they didn''t get along well even before the argument. I had a hunch that something serious had happened. I should have cleared up the misunderstanding right away, but the time passed as I was feeling confused. The yers began to move in unison with Pedri''s corner kick. Right now, I decided to focus on the game. Before the spinning ball enters the penalty box, Narvaez clears the middle and falls back. The ball hit Narvaez''s head and bounced off the grass, but it was close to the front. The goalkeeper reacts reflexively by raising his hand. The ball hit the floor and lost power, but the distance between the keeper and Narvaez was too close. The ball that he couldn''t catch is bouncing on thewn and rolling in from the front, where I am. There are some defenders who block the shooting angle, but Im in a good shape today, so I don''t have to worry about missing. I aimed at the space above the face of the goalkeeper of Mirandes. The ball passed, as the goalkeeper''s hand raisedte. It was a good y. Hahaha, you are really great. How many goals have you scored until today? 13 goals? 14 goals? With the swear words of the home fans in the background, I humbly epted the congrattory remarks from the Las Palmas yers. Rather than scoring a goal, I was more satisfied with the fact that we were the leading scorers in the first half. If the flow of the attack is controlled well, mass scoring will be possible. As we were about to return to the half-line, there was a loud noise in the stadium. The home fans booed a lot. Some threw their food into the arena. Mirandes'' yers gathered at the ce where the problem urred, and it was immediately clear why the disturbance urred. The opposing team''s central defender is holding his teammate by the cor with one hand. It was Mirandes'' No. 21, with whom I was talking right before the corner kick. (To be Continued ) Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Mirandes'' yers quickly separated the two. yer No. 5, who looked confused when he was grabbed by the cor, is also beckoning and swearing with a flushed face. What''s wrong with them? I was silent at Inigo''s question. I have too many things to think about. There might be a little misunderstanding between them. Should I be honest? But I don''t have the courage to go through those Mirandes yers and speak. Of course, it may be wise not to say a word. Even though it was morally wed, it was also helpful inside the game. In my mind, I tried making various excuses ording to the various situations here and there, but no matter what the reason may be, the difort I felt didn''t go away. If Castro was in the stadium, I would have asked for mediation, while the disturbance in the stadium is slowly getting cleared up by the referee. The number 5 yer who used abusivenguage received a yellow card, and yer No. 21, who caused a physical collision was sent off. Checking out the red card that came from the back pocket of the referee''s pants, the Las Palmas yers smiled, but I felt very strange. I trampled the grass near the center line and pondered with hesitation, but I couldn''t even open my mouth. Mirandes yer No. 21 disappears near the stadium entrance. Now it''s a 10-11 fight. The game resumed once again. Until the end of the first half, Las Palmas moved as smart as possible under Inigo''s direction. I made several threatening shots with two or three touches, sometimes exchanged balls for a long time in the center, and waited for the opponent''s gaps to be revealed. The first half ended without any additional points, but the Mirandes yers were not able to hide their tiredness. I had a hunch that the 16th match of the league has virtually be Las Palmass victory. When I found a seat in the corner of the locker room and sat on the bench, Castro came to my side and started to talk with me. You were weirdly lucky. The only thing that is left is to make a hat-trick in the second half." Instead of answering with my mouth, I just gave a small smile. I also added a slight snort because I felt like I wascking in expression, but Castro narrowed his eyes as if he was a detection dog and shot back immediately. What happened? Why? You are not the kind of guy whoughs like this. What happened? Pedri!" Huh? What happened during the game? NoNothing? Why are youte in answering? Did you two fight!? The yers who were resting in the locker room looked at the same time. "What is it?" A sigh came out of my mouth. I didn''t do anything wrong. Are you sure? Then Kim, did you do something wrong? No. I snarled and went straight to strangle Castro with my arms. Please shut up your mouth you damn human being. I dont have a thin nape like you, so its no use. What, what''s going on? Whisper it to me. I won''t say anything to anyone else." "Really?" "Hey, I''m 37 years old. I am old enough to take responsibility for my own words." Castro has a talent for making people feel confused. He even wields his age as a weapon. It''s not a big deal. So what''s the big deal? For a while, I even started to hate the obsessive old man in front of me. While hesitating about how to handle the situation, the sound of Castro''s tongue clicking spreads through the locker room. The yers, who were listening while pretending not to listen, also smirked. He''s a moron. Why? Its also my fault. "If Lemos grabs David by the cor for that, then it''s Lemos'' fault. In the field, a mentally unstable person was destined to lose, how can it be your fault, idiot?" I know what he means, but those words didnt really touch my heart. Seeing the ufortable expression on my face, Castro sighed deeply and continued to talk as if he had made up his mind. "The world of professionals is cruel. You really don''t have any idea of how to defend against dirty people, do you?" When I was doing well as a defender in the first division, an incident happened while ying against Vallecano. At that time the opponent''s defender who had been pushed out in the fight suddenly grabbed my pants and stretched." The old yers of the team put a smile on their lips as if they couldn''t stop it. Even Manager Pepe and Head coach Rios entered the locker room with a smile on their lips and waited for Castro''s story to end. I struggled through it and finally scored a goal, and then I ran to the camera, and the cameraman gestured. What? Well, the front was fine, but the backside had a problem. There was a hole in the ce where my underwear was ripped, and my butt made a debut in the national broadcast." The yers around startedughing, but I alone shuddered with horror. I don''t even want to imagine such a thing happening to me. "I got teased for that for Seven years? Did I hate that defender? Yeah, it was close to hatred. But what can I do? That''s football. You do everything you can on the field." "." "So, dont worry about weird things and score more goals. One more goal is required for me toe in as a substitute, so do your work." When the story of Castro''s unfortunate experience ended, Pepe added some more instructions to the yers with a smiley face. "The opponent may curl up until the second half. Speed and line, remember. Even if you attack, always pay attention to the line, with Inigo as the center, just do what you did till the end of the first half. It''s okay to speed up the attack, but you can''t give it to your opponent like a sacrifice. It''s a rxed game, but let''s not let our guard down." When Pepe''s speech was over, there was not much time left to rest. As we were about to leave the locker room after drinking water, When yers started to stand up Harvey Casteno opened his mouth. "If Kim scores one more goal, it''s a hat trick. Let''s get it over with and put an end to the game." "That''s a good idea." "I have to go to school tomorrow, so let''s finish the match before I get tired." Leaving theughing yers behind, I left the locker room. Their nosiness goes beyond the bounds. Even if everyone else said it was okay, it felt very offensive to see Pedri, someone of the same age as me,ugh. 20 minutes into the second half. The score goes up to 0-5 before I know it. More than half of the home crowd have already left the stadium, leaving more empty seats. The extra goals were scored by Pedri and Lemos. Both goals were scored with a corner kick, which is because of a tall central defender Lemos. However, It was quite astonishing that Pedri was able to score a goal with his head. Mirandes haspletely lost their will to y. Their stamina also began to reach the bottom, and naturally, they showed a rough appearance. Due to theirck of strength, the number of tackles that came decreased excessively. Either their feet were high, or they grabbed the ball when the ball was passed. Mirandes also collected cards uniformly, regardless of defender or midfielder. "Juan!" The ball delivered by Narvaez leads to Inigo''s mid-air pass. I responded to his movement and dribbled into the deep ce of the penalty box. The opponent''s central defender, who followedte, grabbed my clothes and arms. If it was outside the penalty box, he would have earned a foul, but I persevered and moved forward because I was already inside the penalty box. "Ah" The ball touched the tip of my toe and headed towards the. Unfortunately, the touch was shallow, and the ball started to lose its speed. It would be greedy of me if I were to hope for a goal at that speed. A nearby defender clears the ball that got bounced by the Mirandes'' goalkeeper. Fortunately, Harvey Casteyano was the first one to reach the drop point and regained possession of the ball. The attack continues. The ball was passed back to Pedri on the left. In order to break down the opponent''s strong defense in such a narrow space, Pedri moves from left to center. Kirian Rodriguez fails to control the speed of the fast pass from Pedri. Since it was a narrow space, it was difficult to kill the power on the ball. "Kirian! Catch up!" Mirandes'' counterattack soon followed, but the opponent''s dribble was cut off by Lemos with a sliding tackle. When the ball rolled out of the line and the game came to a halt, a yer in a Las Palmas jersey came out of the bench. It was Pecardt. Kim, do whatever you want. Okay. I thought I''d be reced, but instead, Manager Pepe called the attacking midfielder Kirian Rodriguez. Pecardt came up to the front position which gave me a great amount of freedom. From now on I can do whatever I want. For now, I thought it would be good to move from the offensive midfielder position. The 194-centimeter-tall real giant'' has an extraordinary presence. When Pecardt entered, the opponent''s central defender was confused and marked him even though he didnt posses the ball. I can''t see it, but he is probably good at pinching, hitting, and making a fuss. Every time hees out to the field, I would always feel grateful. Vales, the Las Palmas goalkeeper, kicked the ball. Pecardt, who got the ball in the air due to his superior height, delivers the ball to me from over the center line. "Inigo! Come forward!" I passed the ball to Inigo, who acts as themander of the offensive operation, and I moved around in the center again, peeping for an opportunity. Right full-back Courbelo, who came crossing the central line, receives Inigo''s forward pass and dribbles into the side. Courbelo, who confirmed that Pecardt had entered the penalty box, then raised the cross high to increase the flight time of the ball. Mirandes'' central defenders seeded in pinching Pecardte''s skin but failed to secure the ball in mid-air. They may be tall, but he was too tall for them to reach. The ball hit by Pecart''s forehead falls down. Itnded right in front of the penalty box. I arrived slightly ahead of the Mirandes midfielder with my right shoulder in contact with him. The movement must be continued in the forward direction from the line where the ball is not taken away. I raised my concentration to the limit so that, I didn''t lose my bnce. Suddenly, the touch on my shoulder disappeared, and I felt like my thighs collided with the opponent. The opponent was trying to make an unreasonable tackle outside the penalty box once again. Will I be able to hold on without falling? The tackle was rougher and deeper than I thought. In an instant, the bnce of my lower body copsed. I used my right foot to send the ball to the left ording to my instinct, but it was impossible to make a bnced shot. After finishing my judgment I quickly decided to take the follow-up action. I could see the ball rising from the grass. I tried to make a shot using the copsing posture and tried to connect it as naturally as possible. The ball was kicked by the tip of the left foot and flew across the field of view in an instant. Immediately after the shot, I regretted that I was too conscious of the ball rising and aimed at the top. The ball that passed the defender, hits the grass in front of the goal and bounces. Mirandes'' goalkeeper flew with all his might and seeded in brushing the ball at the end of the glove, but the trajectory of the deflected ball still headed into the. The blurry cheers of more than 20 Las Palmas fans are mixed with the yers'' voices, buzzing in my ears. I can''t believe the ball kicked from the tip of my left foot went in. I think there''s more to opponent''s bad luck than my skills today. (TO BE CONTINUED) Chapter 27 Chapter 27 November 19, Tuesday, Las Palmas. The advantage of away games is that you can miss school for a day. For Saturday games we departed by ne on Friday afternoon, and after the end of the game, we returned on Monday morning. So today, Tuesday, I have no energy to even move my limbs. Wandering around the beach with a banana in my hand, yesterday afternoon seemed to be a pretty stupid choice. Still, It was nice to walk in the sea breeze. In the midst of fatigue, bted regrets rushed in. Can you sign me? I bought a uniform. "Si." On the way to the school cafeteria, some children asked for my autograph. I wrote my name in Korean under the letters marked KIM on the yellow uniform. I have never signed unless it was a Las Palmas uniform or a club product such as a scarf. "Thank you. I saw you when you scored a goal in thest game. It was a great match. "I see." Wow, Im so nervous that I cant believe that Im talking to you in person. I snorted inwardly. The boy who was making a fuss is a kid whom I had met several times in the school cafeteria sincest year. I ced the textbook in my personal locker and took out a heavy lunch box. After the bibimbap disaster, an aunt from a restaurant near the house was preparing my lunch ording to the requirements of Juan Naranjo, the fitness coach. After the end of the away game, it was necessary to prevent weight loss, so it was like a magic box that was filled with overly luxurious contents. "Well." I think I told the restaurantdy to make as little as possible after returning from the expedition to Zaragoza, but the weight gain thates up through her food was formidable. I had doubts about whether Coach Juan had paid extra money to the restaurantdy. As I entered the Cafeteria, a huge, decorated ckboard greeted me. It was like Michngelo''s mural reinterpreted in a very hideous way. As long as my brain isn''t seriously damaged, I think it wasn''t like thisst week. What kind of idiot''s idea was it to draw monsters on the ckboard facing the entrance? Fortunately, at the corner seat near the window where the sunlight wasing, a stupid but kind friend who could solve my doubts was waving her hand. Of course, she is also one of the prime suspects. Hey, Freckles. My name is Ste. "What is that? It wasn''t therest week." Didnt you know that we were going to volunteer service during the weekend? I think the service you mean is different from the service I think. I heard the sound of giggling and a row ofughter could be overheard from the people around me, and Ste, no Freckles, turned a little red, quickly exined. "On Monday, Mr. Wagner asked me to decorate the ckboard of the Cafeteria, and I just did it because no one objected. It wasn''t such a convincing exnation, but I wasn''t too interested in detail, so I just nodded and sat down. The four-tiered lunch box fell heavily. Fortunately, there was no shortage of space on the table because there was only one untouched stic bowl in front of Freckles. Look at this. I soon started to unpack the lunch box and weighed the contents insideyer byyer, at the same time Freckles also pulled out a bundle of newspapers and magazines that I didn''t know where she had stored. "I brought it for you to read. What is this? Its scrap. I slipped my fingers on a bunch of papers and found a picture of me shooting a goal against Mirandes. There are a lot of them? How much trouble did you go through to collect them all? I didnt suffer much. Freckles stuck out her snout and stared at it, but I desperately looked at the grandeur of the lunch box. From meat to fish, the amount of food in the middle of thepartment was out of bounds. Who would eat all of this Why, it looks delicious. "Uh, then you eat. Good idea." A piece of heavy fish crosses over to the te of Freckles. It was really a very good idea. Its not that I am giving anything away, I''m just going to feed the team analyst freckle daughter! Who would dare say it was my fault! Eat some meat, too. "No I''m fine." Youve been stealing food in the cafe before, so why are you refusing when I''m giving. No, It wasnt stolen. It was you who said I could eat it. She looked around and protested in a small voice. The heaviest lunch box transformed into a morefortable one. The nutritionist who was sitting in a corner of the Cafeteriaughed when he saw a huge piece of fish that had covered the food bowl of Freckles. Well, do it as you please, and now listen to me. The more you read this, the more fun it gets, right? Freckles read the first page of a notebook covered with magazine and newspaper articles about me. I can''t stop her actions as she starts stuffing her mouth with the roasted eggnt and red onions. I just want to empty my lunchbox quickly and leave for the training ground. ording to The Guardian, a Manchester City official who watched a Las Palmas game over the weekend was fascinated by Kim''s style of y. Having received the report, Pep Guardi wants Kim to join the team as early as January next year and does not want to lose him to Barcelona. Radio media Cadena COPE reported that Real Madrid officials had contacted Kim''s agentst week. Madrid recognizes the reality that a professional contract is not legally possible, and is approaching it in a way that guarantees participation in the first team. "Okay.." Listen to this too. It''s an article from Mundo Deportivo'', Barcelona has fallen behind in thepetition for young talent! Manchester City is using their strength of a professional contract to entice Kim, and AT Madrid and Real Madrid have offered bold first-team guarantees to please Kim''s agent. Despite maintaining a positive connection with UD Las Palmas owner throughst year''s move, Barcelona is clearly behind thepetition, and Next is the magazine review! The chatterbox''s words flow out to everyones ear. The press reports narration by Freckles didn''t stop until a feeling of satiety tapped her throat. I dont know when she is going to eat her own meal because the piece of fish I gave her earlier was still covering her entire bowl. This is from El Confidencial, and it''s a really interesting article, so I really wanted to read it to you." "UD Las Palmass owner, Miguel Ramirez Alonso, has denied rumors saying that he and Kim''s agent were on bad terms. Renewal talks are going well, he said. But despite his words, Las Palmas coaches are worried about Kim''s departure. A close associate from the club said, Miguel yelled at Kim''s agent,'' and refuted Miguel''s words saying that the contract renewal was not going smoothly." " " "What do you think about it?" You are close to the clubs officials, right? Freckles smiled brightly as I grabbed the important point. Its you, right? Did you report it? "no. It was my dad. Flores? why? Unless the team analyst has gone crazy, there is no reason for him to go against the owner. It was a rtionship where even the word "fighting" doesn''t fit because of different positions on the team. That day my dad drank a lot of alcohol and talked to me, he said that the atmosphere in the club these days is not usual. The owner called the manager and brought up your contract issue. He said it is important to receive a transfer fee or renew a contract by the end of this winter. Then he secretly asked him, if he were to find that you seemed to have no intention of renewing your contract or transferring, then he told the manager not to let you go into the game!" "If you don''t get to y, then they''ll be able to transfer you somehow. Fortunately, when the Manager heard this he refused right away, but anyway, after hearing this story, my father''s colleagues agreed to put pressure on the owner. ording to my dad, it won''t mean much though." I stopped eating my lunch for a while. I wasn''t as angry as I thought I would be. Was it because I already had bad feeling towards the owner? Rather, it felt good, that I somehow felt confused. The fact that Pepe refused, and that the people at the club value me so much, made me feel the gap in my heart filled with warmth from their love. "Manager is in trouble, too. I''ll just say I''ll do it." I was half-serious because if I hadn''t been able to y for no good reason, it would have been easier for me to make the decision to transfer. "You can''t say that! Freckles made a loud voice, soon she became more startled than I was, then she nced around and gave a puzzled look, and the fading voice came back again. "I even risked something for you." You? For me? "Yeah, even though my dad wrote it down, I mean, this was reported under my name." "Well, maybe you did this not for me, but for your dad." "Uh, you can see it that way too Anyway, for you, I made a report thats all you need to understand " Okay, lets just eat. Here, eat my fruit. As we were talking, the lunch box started to show its bottom. Freckles who picked up the cherry tomatoes showed her palms and thanked me, and even while eating, she did not stop speaking. From now on, things will be a littlecking in terms of credibility. Director Sanllehi of Barcelona wants a youngster from Gran Canaria who has scored a hat-trick. Although Arsenal''s offensive line is saturated, the 16-year-old will be very attractive to a London-based club." "Speak after you finish your meal. It''s dirty." "sorry." It sttered again. She puts her hands together to make an apology and swallows the remaining tomato in one breath. My brain did not seem to ept the premise of talking while eating''. Either her manners are very awful, or simply she''s stupid. Listen a little more. You''re going to run away when you finish that lunch, right? "Yes." It''s an article from AS yesterday. . . . . That was a pretty sharp point. I will leave the Cafeteria as soon as the lunch box gets emptied. It was fun to hear the news, but it wasn''t my top priority. If I don''t have the skills, the world''s interest in me will leave as quickly as it came. A longing for training spreads through my heart. As the speed of my fork increases, so does the speed of Freckles, who pours out her words like a machine gun. It was an odd picture. "[He can go anywhere,] said Kim''s agent. He also said that courtship from prestigious clubs is attractive, but the person concerned doesn''t really care" (TO BE CONTINUED) Chapter 28 Chapter 28 November 21, 2019, Thursday. Gran Canaria, Calle Don Pedro Infinito. We are here. "You don''t have to give me a ride, Uncle." Yuhan, from now on, You should always travel by car. Uncle Bari''s nagging lengthens at my polite answer. It was a story that he repeated constantly on the way, but still, I made a mistake due to my instinctive words. Korean media is swarming for your interview, I turned them down, you remember, right? Dont say anything if they contacted you." "yes." ording to what Uncle told me,st week, countless transfer rumors arrived in Korea, on the other side of the globe. My dad liked it when he saw me on the Korean evening news, but Uncle Bari''s reaction was very different. Last time, I didnt say anything, but there are a lot of people who want to try and get something out of the U20 national team selection. I am not kidding. "I know." I''m not just talking about the national team. There are a lot of difficult problems in Korea too." "Yes, I understand. Ill get going now." "Okay. Call me when you''re done!" I cut off Uncle''s nagging and got out of the car. Even though I didn''t want to be rude, it wasn''t something I wanted to have a long conversation about. The ce where Uncle Bari dropped me off was Calle Don Pedro Infinito. Today''s destination is this building that looks like a ce where yellow paint has been poured instead of being painted. It was the ce where I promised to receive my psychological counseling along with Manager Pepe. After the promise with Manager Pepe, I regretted my choice. It was stupid of me. I shouldn''t have made a rash promise. It was an emotional choice. The business card that Uncle Bari gave me had the name BENJAMIN'' and the number 201 written on it. As I went up the stairs following the written address, a wooden brown gate appeared. Seeing that the house next door has an ordinary iron gate, I thought they had intentionally set up the cabin concept to stabilize visitors psychology. Still, It was a terrible choice. When I knocked on the door, a human figure appeared from the inside along with the sound of footsteps. The counselor was a skinny, brown-haired, middle-aged male. The deep wrinkles around his eyes looked impressive. "Come on in." Si. "Want some tea?" Just give me some warm water. I watched around the house while the man was boiling water in the kettle. There was a yellow curtain hanging from the window, a sofa in the corner of the room, and a TV in the cab. Fist-sized statues were ced all over the furniture in the house, giving the house a tasteful look. There is also a study in the back. I didnte here to read. "That''s true. Sit wherever you feelfortable. I''ll get you some warm water." I nced at the man and looked inside the study from outside the door. In that room, there was a lying couch'' that I have only seen in movies. I really dont want my counseling to be conducted there, but I eventually gave in to my curiosity and entered the room while sneakily looking around. Iy on the couch and discovered that it was harder than I imagined. Before I could even get up, a man with a mug in both hands walked into the study. "Ithank you." Didnt it take long for you to find this building? My agent took me here. The man naturally sat down on the chair next to me, and the cup he was holding smelled of raspberries. "Is he the one who called me?" Probably. He sounded like a good guy. He must have worried a lot about you. What did he say? He''s a mature and strong boy, but he doesn''t look back on his wounds. The beautification was severe. Considering Uncle Bari''s personality, he would not have used such an expression. Ah, my name is Benjamin Saul. Feel free to call me any way you like. You can call me Kim. "Okay." We exchanged our basic personal information and the time passed by relying on the warmth of a mug. Benjamin just waited quietly and didn''t say anything. I must confess that this atmosphere is far away from the image of counseling'' that I had envisioned. I''ve been thinking about a few things that I revised to answer. I just couldnt stand the awkwardness and finally asked the question first. "How old are you?" Benjamin answered 52 with his fingers. If I was in Korea, I would have bowed my head as soon as I entered the gate to greet him. He was older than expected, I thought he was about forty. How old are you Kim? "sixteen." When did youe to the Canary Inds? Its been a little over a year. Didnt the agent tell you about these? Well, I didnt ask for any detailed information. The conversation gets cut off again. I felt a little awkward. Even if I looked everywhere in the study, there was nothing special to see because all of them were filled with books with strange titles. Have you ever received counseling before? No, Ive imagined it a few times. Benjamin smiled sharply, "Then you can take it easy. If you don''t have anything to say, just close your eyes andy down, it''s okay to pass the time." What about counseling? Counseling is when you have a story that you want to tell. Its kind of, likenot professional um, are you not working? Haha, you can see it that way too. With a smile on his lips, he gets up from his seat without answering and leaves the study. Benjamin returned while holding on to an object believed to be a stove in his hand. "I forgot to bring this before. The wind blew into the wall of the study. Turn it on when you feel cold." "Okay, thanks." So are we going to continue what we were talking about? "Si." I don''t know if you''ve heard my hourly cost, but my time is quite expensive. And one of the most expensive things is keeping secrets. Isn''t it important to listen and advise? Yes, it is important, but for the process to go smoothly, a trusting rtionship must be established between the counselor and their client. You have to be able to believe in me. How do you make me believe that? If you paid a lot of money, then trust me. Most counselors trust money more than people. So for 99% of the money what I can give you is secrecy. Benjamin makes aical face, making a circle with his thumb and index finger. He kept his dignity in spite of his yful expression. Do you know what I mean? You just being here is already worth 99% of your money. "Well." "If you have something you want to say, just say it. I like to hear the worries of the present and the stories of the past. If you don''t say anything, it will cost you money, and it''s your choice whether to use the remaining 1% privilege or not." He shrugs his shoulders and speaks sympathetically. It''s a lie. The thing about keeping it a secret was a lie. If Juan Naranjo were to knock on your door right now, I am sure he''ll hand over the psychiatric report as soon as he sees the thickness of his forearm. If not, how can I be sure that he won''t sell my medical records to my team doctor, Bnos? I wouldn''t trust him. Nevertheless, there was a point. Just for his confidence, I have to respond. Yes, I have to consult. One way or another, Pepe will get the report on me, so by analogy, Benjamin Saul, along with team doctor Bnos, is the cochlear and lymphoid that made up the hearing organs of Las Palmas Manager Pepe. (I could have used a worse analogy.) "It''s already been 30 minutes. The session is about halfway through." Youre making good money. Haha, everyone who was being consulted said that. Once again, the conversation was cut off. An awkward atmosphere came once again. I finished thinking for a second and broke the silence. Then the bundle of my stories was carefully unpacked. Stories that don''t matter to strangers. My name is Kim Yuhan. And my age is sixteen. I was born in Seoul and lived in Daejeon when I was young, and I came to Mok-dong when I was an elementary school student. "Okay." Speaking is not as difficult as I thought it might be. Speaking of my story, many may think, isn''t it just a 16-year-old short story? However, when I opened my mouth, it felt like I was speaking from a third person''s point of view, so it felt very strange. Now I am ying as a football yer for a club called Las Palmas, and I am the one who kept scoring most of the goals in the second division of La Liga. I started doing pretty well. Much more than I originally thought. Actually, I wasnt been exposed to football when I was a kid. When I was in 5th grade, my mom bought me very expensive ser shoes out of anger after fighting with my dad. My mom told me to go to the ser ss because she had bought those ser shoes. It was a good choice in the end. So far. I lean back and turn on the stove that Benjamin brought since the room was cold. Did you have fun during the ser ss? To some extent, rather than ying ser itself, it was more fun to spend some time with my schoolmates. I waste on purpose and that was fun too. The ss just repeated basic training. Yeah, it was fun back then. I wonder what my friends who went to the ser ss with me were doing now? Now I can''t even remember their name. "Just before entering middle school, Mom and Dad got divorced. Their personalities didn''t match very well. "I won''t talk about this anymore. It''s their problem, not mine. But I can''t deny the fact that the divorce of my parents changed my life. There was a ser club in the middle school that I transferred with my dad." Yes, that''s an old story. "Kim?" I was just thinking about something else for a moment. What were you thinking? When I was in the Las Palmas B team. I was struggling not to be eliminated from middle school. I had a hard time adjusting while getting transferred between schools. Since I am a non-social person, my personality is not normal and I am not good at reading others'' feelings, so I guess my ssmates never liked me. He didn''t respond to my words. It wasn''t that serious. They just sprinkled some eraser powder on my head, spit out chewing gum, or spit from upstairs when I went down the school stairs? Ummm. Still, I was able to solve most of it on my own. It was a little risky when I got caught with saliva on my bag. I made an excuse that it was ice cream that got spilled, but it worked. Did your father not know? "I hope he didn''t know. If he did, I wouldn''t have been able to go to school every day. He" I paused. I replied reflexively. A mass of negative emotions flowed into part of my brain. I forcibly closed my mouth. The stories I had spoken as if they were insignificant began toe back to my head one after another as if they had gained new life. I dont want to express them. I couldnt control my emotions properly, and my expression got distorted. Kim. I silently lifted the mug and drank the contents. The warm water had cooled down over time. Benjamin Saul Quite a sly, dog-like man. I grind my teeth, while I made a note in my brain that I hate him. (TO BE CONTINUED) Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Sunday evening at the 17th round of the league against Oviedo. There are no major changes to the lineup. Mantovani, who has the team''s highest yellow card record in the position of central defender, returned along with Aitami, while the central midfielder was the familiarbination of Inigo and Harvey Casteyano. Pedri on the left-wing and Srnich on the right-wing. The forward striker position was upied by Juan Narvaez, and I was ordered to do whatever I wanted in the attacking midfield position. If there''s anything I''m worried about, then its about the full-back. As the league approaches the middle stage of the season, the range of changes in the lineup decreases, and only the full-back position keeps on changing from game to game. There is no reliable full-back defender. Right full-back Curbelo has a brazen personality, so he''s an easygoing person, while left full-back Ramirez can''t even hide his anxiety and his legs keep shaking before the start of the game. How can I trust them when I see them like that? I don''t know if there''s any other reason, but it wasn''t my business. De Bes recovery is taking longer than expected and will return only in the next game. Benito, dont be so nervous. You did well during the practice. "Um, it''ll be alright." Hahaha. You have to do well, whats going to happen anyway? Aitami tried to relieve Loris Benito''s tension, but he was not in a state that can be changed by just a few words. The yers in the game lined up and walked into the arena. Slowly, a slight tension rises up my back. Holding the hand of a child who was standing in the stadium, I walked into the stadium. Nov 11 2019Estadio de Gran Canaria. In December, in Gran Canaria, the night temperature starts to decrease below 20 degrees Celsius. From now to February is the best time for tourists and athletes. In Korea, you would mistake this for the cool spring weather. It''s just right. The body rhythm that was raised through warm-up exercises is being maintained well. Aitami loses the coin toss, and the first half begins with Real Oviedo''s kick. Beep. Opponent No. 15 turns to pass the ball back when the beep sound is heard. Having yed in several games as a starter, I was already getting used to the rhythm of the game starting from the center line. Home fans cheer by lifting a few mufflers because in their point of view the other team is considered very weak. The fans see it as a game that can be won easily. We have attained 1st ce in the league. Although we continue topete for the championship along with second ce Cadiz, we are 10 points away from third ce Almeria. Personally, I think it''s a little too hasty to have an opinion, but some of the sources say that we''re already in the safe zone of promotion. If we can hold the lead until January, we''ll probably do what they expect. "Pressure!" A rough contention took ce in the center at the cry of Harvey Casteyano. Las Palmas yers were trying to induce mistakes through pressure, and Oviedo, on the other hand, releases the pressure and tries to advance with the ball. Looking at the situation, it is a situation where I need to help in thepetition. I don''t know if it''s a scoring opportunity, but I hate to bump into each other in the center line area. In fact, the tactics of the two teams are simr. It was 4-2-3-1. They openly told me to fight in the midfield and spread the board. "Kim! Come down!! Inigo beckoned. If Oviedo'' s 7th and right striker keeps continuing their dribble, a dangerous scene woulde out in the space left a little empty. I reluctantly went down. Not because of Inigo''s request, but to fill the space of the danger zone. I would have gone down even if he hadn''t told memaybe. Las Palmass wing-back Pedri and Srnich also moved to the center and joined the fight for possession. The ridiculous thing is that Oviedo''s two-sided attackers also moved. The stadium is wide open!! They are acting as if there is andmine on the nks. At the sound of the whistle, the referee announces a foul. Harvey Casteyano kicked the opponent''s striker''s foot. If four or five people were to get entangled in a small space, of course a foul will ur. Kim! Kim!! As Oviedo prepared for a free kick, I heard the voice of Manager Pepe from the bench. He points toward both sides of the opposing camp. He spread his palms on both sides as if telling me to target them from the side. Position change instructions are given before the game. He was nervous because he thought I had forgotten his instructions. It wasn''t a false guess. I was hit in the side by Oviedo''s central midfielder, and I was wondering how to get revenge. The referee blows his whistle and raises his hand. The yers entered the penalty box following the trajectory of the ball kicked by Oviedo''s midfielder. Mantovani, the central defender, jumps and shoots the ball with his head. Oviedo''s yer No.15, screamed while grabbing the back of his head and copsed. If the forensic team investigates, they will be able to find the opponent''s hair on Mantovani''s right hand. He turns his head and looks at the referee. The Argentine defenders seem to have such a y as their default skill. The game didn''t stop because the referee didn''t check it properly. Thankfully Inigo kicks the ball right away, then Pedri on the left side catches the ball. While Juan Narvaez catches the attention of the opposing central defenders at the forefront, I busily run towards the space near Pedri. It was still early in the first half, so my feet are light. "Pedri!" "pados uno!" I exchanged one-two passes with Pedri. Thest midfielder remaining in the opponents half-field had been stripped. Pedri crossed the center line through a dribble and connected a ground pass to Narvaez''s feet. The space is momentarily empty to keep the prating Pedri and Narvaez at the forefront in check. As I move diagonally back to the left side so that I don''t ovep, Narvaez gives the ball at the right time. It''s a good development. Whether I connect with a pass or use individual tactics, the current advantageous situation should continue. Four defenders and three strikers. As we approached the opponent''s penalty box, the full-back and central defender reacted and rushed at the same time. They seemed to have forgotten the existence of Pedri who was infiltrating earlier? I send the ball flying with a kick to the bottom of the ball. If the opposing central defender didnt rush in, Pedri would have directly made a shot, and if he doesnt take a shot, Juan Narvaez''s mark wouldnt have gone. Either way is not good. I ran past the defenders through the side of the penalty box. I had to be prepared for the moment when Pedri couldn''t send the ball straight to Narvaez. As the only remaining central defender blocked Pedri sessfully, the ball rolled to the side. Without any hesitation, I made a pass with the ball that rolled through the ground. At this moment Narvaez was free. 3 minutes into the first half. Narvaez scores the goal through a neat kick. All he needed to score was to move near the right side of the post and put his foot on the ball. Nice goal. Eyee-! Good! Two goals in a row! Buen trabajo, Juan. Narvaez responded with a sly smile to his colleague''s congrattions. There was nothing to say even after scoring a goal. He gives a small thank-you to the cheering crowd and returns to the center line. Kim, Gracias. It was a good pass. You were in a good position. Despite the blunt answer, Narvaez only giggles and smiles a little. I was confused about whether he had a good personality or was simply stupid. After an early goal, Oviedo raised the team''s rhythm and started an onught. The two central defenders Mantovani, Aitami of Las Palmas maintained their defense and effectively blocked Oviedo''s attack. Opponent No. 19 moved away from his original position and suffered several times, but fortunately, it didnt lead to a goal. Get Sanchez! Aitami yells at me, asking me to pay attention to my interpersonal defenses. However, his shouting did not stem from a sense of crisis. It is true that Oviedo was attacking one after another, but it was only a temporary advantage. Las Palmas is waiting for the right time to rearrange their attacking rhythm. Oviedo''s offense continued for about 10 minutes, and Las Palmas persevered. Inigo! left!" When Oviedo''s attacker hits Aitami''s foot, it goes to nothing, and a proper counterattack situation develops. 19 minutes in the first half. The ball flies over the centerline, aiming at Narvaez''s head, which was standing on the front line. Oviedo''s No. 3 and the central defender are attached to Narvaezs back to stop him, but the Colombian striker does not give up until thest minute and puts his forehead on the ball. It was not a good Header, but it went in the right direction. Pedri, who changed his position to the center, controls the ball under his feet and turns his head towards Srnich, who moves to the right side. The opposing full-back recognizes Pedri''s gaze and follows Srnich. The central defender also showed signs of moving to the side for a cooperative defense. As if it doesn''t matter, Pedri swings his feet in a way that looks irresponsible at first nce. Thanks to his ankle and trick, the ball bent to the left and came to me smashing the defense. I was in the opposite direction to where Srnich was and Pedri was looking at me from the beginning. Oviedos left full-backes in with a tackle. At thest minute I put the ball down and I changed the direction of the ball straight away without putting my right foot on the ground. The left foot will be overloaded by inertia, but it can''t be helped. There is no gain without paying a price. I put the body bnce of the opposing full-back and the tapping that puts a lot of pressure on my left foot on a scale and wait for the result. Expressing it in words feels like a long time, but in reality, it just passes by in an instant. The fight ends with the opponent''s fullback, who has lost his bnce, falling to the ground. As I stepped inside past the corner of the penalty box, a limited shooting angle greeted me. Oviedo''s central defender narrowed the angle well. Kim! I tilted my head towards the yer who followed me and tried to shake the mind of the opposing defender. The opponent''s defender''s psychology is shaken by my head toward the yer who followed me. Pedris defense is thin If I give him a pass, it can lead to a good shot, but I don''t like it. This time it''s mine. "La izquierda! " Even if the goalkeeper shouted, it was already toote. The opposing team''s central defender''s feet follow the trick of shaking my upper body. I rapidly changed direction to the right side and avoided the opponent''s thick shin. It''s a slow reaction as usual. There was a space for shooting, so it would be neat to finish with the right foot kick, but at that time, the opposing central defender, who was close to Juan Narvez, narrowed the shooting angle. It is best to kick the ball fast. I adjusted the angle of the upper body to create a trajectory that is difficult for the goalkeeper to block. The ball touched the top of the footfortably and got pushed away. Ummm. Since I kicked the ball from outside the penalty box, it takes a lot of rotation to the extent that it feels like it will go to the arms of the goalkeeper. Fortunately, the opposing goalkeeper was not able to react in time because his view got blocked by the defender, and it was Las Palmas'' second goal. (TO BE CONTINUED) Chapter 30 Chapter 30 yers from Las Palmas chat frequently. If the match gets dyed for any reason, some yers gather around and exchange their opinions on detailed tactics. I think that such actions will be the driving force behind the team''s rise. That bastard is not good. Who? Number 20, would you like to bet on it. I bet Maybe it was just my delusion. Overhearing the conversation between Aitami and Courbelo felt like a huge waste of my time. They''re like a perfect example of pathetic humans. Despite the presence of team members who aren''t as good as dog shit, we''re ying the game nicely. Center, the pir of the team, overwhelmed the opponent overall, while the side rear, which was considered a weakness, entered a stable phase. In particr, Ramirez started tough out loud at the two points difference. A personal question arose. Are there only crazy people in Las Palmas? Except for that, the team is doing pretty well on the left line. Okay! In the 35th minute of the first half, Ramirez''s bold sliding tackle cut off Oviedo striker''s dribble. Unfortunately, the ball was still possessed by the opposing team, but we blocked any decisive opportunity throughout the first half. Finally, in front of the penalty box, Mantovani wins thepetition, and the offense and defense got switched. Unlike Oviedo''s strikers, Pedri and I kept on shattering the opponent''s central and left defenses. The attempt to break through with the use of coborative y and personal tactics was so effective that it forced two opponent central defenders and a left fullback to defend too much. The referee kept on drawing out yellow cards one after another. Under the premise that Oviedo''s manager does not use a recement card, the second half will be advantageous for Las Palmas strikers. Beep~! At the end of the first half, the crowd apuded as we walked into the passage of the stadium. It was a great performance. Las Palmas definitely gained momentum. When will you help me? Arent you tired? I get annoyed at the repeated requests every game. You dont even answer me now. I''m not going to help until you are not doing well in the game." "Did I ask for it? No, You said you''d give it to me, but you didn''t keep your promise." To be honest, it was a pretty good answer (damn!), but still, I don''t want to admit it. Castro made an absurd expression and spoke to the yers sitting nearby. Did you see them allughing? I am retiring, aren''t I? Still, you don''t listen to an old striker just because you''re popr. Jesus! What should I do with the child?" Shut up. I reflexively touched my earlobe in embarrassment. The yers in the locker room observed my reaction as if they were watching an exciting drama. Hes not joking around with Pedri like he used to, and I don''t know why he keeps sticking to me. Fortunately, Pepe and the coaches came into the locker room and the bloody situation came to an end. Come on, you''re good. It''s a very good game. How should I put it? You..you yed like the guys in the Primera Division. The yers smiled a little and nodded their heads. Honestly, it was above my expectations. The first half turned out very well, so let''s do the same for the rest of the match. Ramirez, I don''t want to ignore you, but honestly, it''s more than I expected. You''re doing great. Gracias. Thank you I am grateful. Courbelo is also great. Pepe focuses on encouraging yers who have shown better performance than expected, rather than encouraging good yers. You have to be aggressive even if you dont have the ball. Pay attention to the forward press as you do now, and the defenders try not to miss the opposing yers while maintaining the position in the second half. "Number 19, Sanchez, make sure to never let him move freely in the second half." Si! The yers pped vigorously, ending the break with apuse. In the second half without substitution, Las Palmas still had the upper hand. Srnich''s cross hits the goalkeeper''s hand and falls onto my chest. Oviedo''s midfielder, who ran from the side, grabbed a handful of flesh from the side. Tears welled up as I endured the pain. If possible, I feel like I want to go out wearing a belly band. "Kim! Forward!" Narvaez''s cry to put a forward pass into the central defense space could be heard. Unfortunately, the ball was deflected to the left by the center defender''s toe and went straight into the opponent goalkeeper''s arms. Narvaez raises his right palm saying it was a good attempt. Should I have sent it a little faster? It was very unfortunate after Narvaez prated awesomely. It would have been sessful if I had sent the ball with a reverse rotation. However, I could not have seeded in such a difficult pass with my opponent next to me. In the 50th minute of the second half, when I tried to blow the regret out of my head, Inigo tried to tackle the opponents yer with his soles raised in the midfield. The referee took out a yellow card without hesitation. As if it was a mistake, the referee firmly warns Inigo with both hands outstretched. This foul is uneptable. Yes, I will be careful. Oviedo''s number 19 grabs his leg and can''t get up from the grass. It was Sanchez who Pepe told us not to let go. I don''t think he meant it like that. The game was suspended for a while. The opposing team''s bench was preparing for a substitute in a hurry. Sanchez was a threatening Japanese yer, and now Oviedo Manager seems to have aplicated mind. I checked the condition of my body and the time. I have plenty of stamina. Even if it''s not full-time, I think I can hold on for quite a while. There are no problems with joints or muscles. After a while, Sanchez limps out of the arena. It doesn''t look like he''s seriously injured. The home crowdforted the injured opponent with apuse as they also weed the substitute yer. Mantovani walked without evenpeting for the ball, which resumed with Oviedo''s free-kick. Today, Argentina''s wild men were ying like an angry sea elephant, which is far from enough to be described as violent. In terms of being in the right mind, they were now enjoying the power of invincibility. Srinich, who was on the right side, got possession of the ball by intervening in the opponent defender''s dribble and he connected it to Narvaez with a single touch. The entire crowd stood up and cheered. I was dazed for a second beforeing back to my senses. The final defense of Oviedo was only three steps away from the center line. With three strikers intact, while there are only two opposing defenders, I started running without reserving my stamina. With his back to the opposing defender, Narvaez went near and rolled the ball to Pedri. I thought it would be better to move slightly to the left and dribble. After thinking about it for a while, I realized that it was a useless concern. As the space in the back was vast, I had to match the timing rather than the direction. That''s good, Pedri and my eyes met signaling for a forward pass. The ball soared into the sky and rolled back onto the grass. As if on fire, the opposing defenders started chasing them. I sprinted up at a moderately long pace. When I approached the pole, I took a moment, then elerated towards the side and kicked. The home fans are cheering before the ball even passes the goalkeeper. The opposing defender who followed behind me made a final sliding tackle toward the goal, but the ball evaded his feet and went straight into the goal. 56 minutes into the second half, the bounced and the referee pointed his hands to the center line. As an additional goal is scored, the movement of the bench gets excited. Oviedo made an aggressive substitution to score a goal, while Las Palmas added Viera and Fabio Gonzalez to bnce the stamina. I came out of the field as a substitute for Viera in the 69th minute. Yeah. After a light hug from Manager Pepe, I changed my jersey. I ignored Castro and David beckoning from the corner of the bench and walked over to Pecardt. You worked hard. Si. Are you okay? I grumbled at his question. Pecardt smiled slightly at my grumbling and held out a water bottle. I grabbed the bottle and sat down. At the end of the game, when the opposing center defender cleared a corner kick from Pedri, the referee''s whistle blew to signal the end of the match. The final score was 3-1. Las Palmas remains number one in La Liga League segunda division. While the yers were exchanging uniforms and talking, I was being dragged somewhere by the hands of the head coach Rios. Interview, Interview, Interview. The stic advertising board behind me made me feel bad. While the coach was drawing a red line on the question paper, I just stood there in a daze. The umted fatigue in the body started to make me feel tired. I just hope I can finish it quickly and go home. Kim, the interview today is going to be the same asst time. I think I hear that too often." The excessive lighting that disturbs my eyes feels so annoying. I didn''t even go to the stage, yet my peace of mind was already about to shake. The announcer''sughter stops and the scheduled questions begin. "You look great in today''s game. How do you feel after scoring? Well, good. I''m happy to score a goal, but I think the overall game is more satisfying. I think we''ve proved ourselves to be the leader of the league. Yes. Las Palmas is getting better and better. What is the reason? Is there any differencepared to the beginning of the season? I dont know why, Im just happy with the situation. Las Palmas is on a good track. As I imagined a shower with warm water, the inside of the coat was soaked in sweat in real-time. The defense index of Las Palmas has improved significantly, and did you feel it today? Who''s the most reliable yer?" Well, today Ramirez, who we worried about a lot before the game, did a great job today. Courbelo was also good, and Aitami showed a goodeback." "What about Mantovani? How was he?" I might as well have a cup of tea after done washing up. Citrus tea or jujube tea with a lot of sugar would be nice. Isn''t it hot sugar water that you should drink on a day like this? Kim? "Oh, sorry. Mantovani did a good job, too. He had effectivelyid down the strikers. He was as sharp as an owl''s ws." It seems to be a more urate expression to say that you need skills rather than talent like the owl which has a natural talent of sharp eyes but without its skill of honing its ws it cant catch its prey. The announcer is showing his chin and smiles. "You are right. Mantovani''s hands were a bit sharp." The announcer''s answer was not well understood, but it was clear that something was wrong when I saw Mantovani''s face reddening on the far side of the bench. The yers around him are making fun of him. Yeah, now I know for sure, that I made a mistake. (TO BE CONTINUED) Chapter 31 Chapter 31 After the end of the 17th-round match against Oviedo, Las Palmas added seven points with two wins and one draw in three weeks. December 2. In the 18th round of the league, I scored 1 goal and 1 assist in the away match against Extremadura in the relegation zone to win 0-3. December 9th. In the 19th round of the league, I scored a goal to win 1-0 against Numancia. December 15. In the 20th round of the league, It was a 1-1 draw against Elche. It was disappointing that we could not continue our winning streak, but still, the results were good considering that we managed to widen the point gap with Cadiz, second in the league. The day after returning from Elche. Tuesday, 17th December. I got into Uncle Bari''s car and went to the training ground for recovery training. As if he had drunk alcohol yesterday, he made a grunt and pressed his temple without saying anything. Are you okay?" "Well, I have a headache today." "You must have had too much alcohol, haven''t you?" No, I didnt drink alcohol. I just have a headache. Ill be fine if I take some headache pills. The car stopped in front of the training ground. When I told him that I would take a cab after the training, he nodded and answered with a hand gesture. "I''ll see you tomorrow. Please go to the hospital." Maybe he has a severe headache, the way he drove through the parking lot resembled a distorted cow. I felt sorry for Uncle Bari. "Kim, Please sign. Approaching the entrance to the training ground, the fans of Las Palmas held out their jerseys. It was a lot more crowded than I thought, so there was a sense of threat. "Don''t touch my body." My voice was low. Fortunately, the fans returned to stand in order, but my heart was still pounding without a break and disyed a sense of exhration. Apart from personal feelings, fan service continues without stopping. I have to do something even if I don''t want to. The person who stopped me from this unwanted sign event was Ramirez Benito. He quietly approached and asked for the fans'' understanding and opened the way to the training ground. "Thank you." "Well, that''s all I can do today. Haha! Yeah." Ramirez Benito greets with a few words in English and disappears among the yers preparing for training in the locker room. He is close to Toni Segura and Kirian Rodrguez, so maybe he wants to talk to them. During a moment''s pause, Inigo came next to me and said hello, while pping my shoulder with his hands. H, Kim." H. Do you know what happened to Ramirez?" "Yeah. Hes in high spirits, right? He said his son was discharged yesterday." I nodded my head in response to Inigos answer and acted awkwardly as if it was a really good thing. I had no idea that his son was sick. "That''s great." "Yeah. You''ll be on schedule tomorrow, right?" "Yeah." "All you need to do ise. The gift is prepared by the club." "I know. I have done it a few times while I was in Team B. What Inigo meant was the team''s volunteer work, which takes ce once every quarter. Visiting the hospital,forting patients, giving gifts, and takingmemorative photos. Tomorrow (Wednesday, 18th) there was a Copa del Rey 128th match against Gastelwan, and the opponent is only a 5th division team belonging to Division B-Group 3. In response, Pepe announced that he would give promising and prospective yers an opportunity to y, and the owner of the club said, It was just as he said'' to the manager''s words, and discussed the event date with the hospital. Well, if I want to leave, this is good timing. When the Copa del Rey schedule starts to get tangled with the league, then you won''t be able to afford this kind of time. When I changed my clothes in the locker room and went inside the training field, I saw a group of mats lining the yground. The yers who arrived early took their seats and sat down. I pick one of the lined mats and drag it to the back. I will be able to maintain peace of mind and body only by creating a suitable isted ce. Arent you falling too far behind? I like being quiet. "Just say you''re tired of people." Pedri, who is the same age as me, spreads a mat in front of me and is busily looking back to see if there are anyints. In such a case, the best policy is to just ignore it. Iy down on the mat and closed my eyes. When I saw the still empty seats, I felt that there is still time left until the training starts. "Are you sleeping?" "Isn''t he dead?" "He doesn''t die easily. He should be good at pretending to be dead." A voice I hated to hear was heard in stereo. One was Dani Casteyano and the other was Aitami. Considering only ''emotions'', it seems more like mono than stereo. Ha. "Hes breathing!" He notices a small sigh like a ghost, and trembles next to me again. Aren''t they not ashamed of doing this while being over 30? Even Pedri, who used to stand in the victim''s position at all times, is now watching with his eyes shining next to them. I''m sure it''ll be Pedri next. a fool who can''t see the future. You can''t die here. You''re our superstar." "My little canary prince, please get up and sing." "Can you both shut the f*ck up?" Speaking roughly has the opposite effect. I had to control my emotions, but the old people who heard my swear words were out of their minds as they keptughing. .Do you like me swearing? Well, it stimtes the peripheral nerves. Makes me feel alive. If I knew this would happen, I would have arrived a littlete, but I cant do that now, so I drag the mat and move to the front seat. It would be better to suffer from the hustle and bustle of normal people than to feel lonely among crazy people. Today, I am learning the wisdom of life. After an hour of recovery training, the yers moved to the analysis room on the second floor at Pepe''s request. They''re trying to make up for the teams weaknesses after the match against Elche. As the yers sit in their seats, Flores enters and disys a video on arge screen. The position of defenders, the space of midfielders, and the process of development of strikers. Based on his excellent brain skills, Flores has sessfully dismantled the contents of the 20th round of the League. In contrast to the contents of the video, which deals with the weaknesses of the team as a whole, the documents provided by the coach have details about the yer. How individual habits conflict with the team''s tactics, where they should share their opinions to solve certain problems, etc. It was a draw, but the game against Elche was terrible." Head Coach Rios grabbed the microphone. The process was more important than the result. In the long run, I think it''s very important that we recognize this problem and struggle to find a solution." He points to the report on the desk. The personal report I gave you is based on data from Round 3 to Round 20 of the League. Flores had a hard time collecting them." There is a smallugh in the room. Flores, sitting in the corner of the analysis room, is looking down the floor as if he was embarrassed by the Head coach''s words. Head coach Rios continues the story without waiting for theughter to die out. I''m not saying we should change the style of y right now. After the 21st round, there''s only half the league left." "Ruben Castro. A familiar voice from the front seat cuts off the coach''s words. "Strengths. The maximum speed is gradually slowing down, but the speed is still fast. Creativity is mediocre, but the sense of experience is good. He has enough physique and mental strength topete for superiority. However, it is ambiguous to consider him a top resource due to his small stature. Is this apliment or an insult? How much practice did the Head coach Rios do for a little talk? I don''t know the exact number, but I''m sure the effort is no longer useful. Most of the yersughed at Castro''s joke. Some yers who wanted a serious atmosphere raised their eyebrows, but there are no people who sincerely hate it. In some situations, it was Las Palmas'' own way to have a yful atmosphere mixed to feelfort. "WowI can''t do mine." "What does it say?" "Im too old for this sh*t." Upon hearing Aitami''s reply, the people around him burst outughing. Pedri, unable to put a smile on his lips, beat him not to lie. "It''s real Look here. The strength of his physique is good. However, as his age progresses, his natural physique will also weaken, and the preparations should be made topensate for his weak physical conditions." "Hahaha, that''s right. If you''re 33, you''re old." Pedri who barely escaped from the grip of the angry Aitami was grabbed by the nape of the neck by the 37-year-old Castro who suddenly ran from the rear. Pedri used his forearm as a cradle and fluttered in the air. Well, it does seem like someone else''s business, so I''m feeling sleepy. Fortunately, the one sitting next to me was a serious person. He focuses on the report without being caught up in the atmosphere within the room. I followed him as I read the report and inadvertently asked a question. "Inigo. Que?" "I''m sorry, I don''t understand this word. Astante?" "Yeah." "This word is simr toparing me to Zidane or Sabi. The difference in skills is so big, right? That''s called Astante. Do you understand?" .Uh." "Overall, you have an overwhelming ability that doesn''t fit the average of the league, I think so too." "Well, thank you. I touched the earlobes. I didn''t ask him to agree with Flores praise. As the uproar calmed down, the yers started to focus while looking at the charts and visual data in the report. Pedri managed to escape from Castro''s forearm and escaped to the back. "Oh, really. Kim, are you going to write it down?" "Yes." "Do you want to change with mine?" "No. I rejected Pedri''s proposal. The majority of them are good content, but I don''t want to show them to others. The report started with strengths and ended with weaknesses, and most of the pages were used for weakness analysis. This is a report that is difficult to refute, and that has been carefully prepared. The tendency to prefer a specific yer when starting an attack. I don''t know how to take advantage of my strengths. I''m atrophied in the defensive situation, and I still have a sense of rejection of the tough body fight. During the game, I do not ask team members to cooperate. It even states why it is a disadvantage, and how to change it. I hate the analyst, Flores Parker. His solution contained things that I could not do now. (TO BE CONTINUED) The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!