Shooting Trajectory is Visible - Chapter 19



Only Krnovel

On the way to Gangneung, where the finals of the Geumgang Banseok Competition were held, both my parents were very excited.

It was because of the articles sent by her older brother, who was currently doing very well in the competition.

The articles described her older brother as a ‘goalkeeper who is being watched by officials’, a ‘star to watch’, and ‘the best goalkeeper among the players participating in the competition’, and after reading the articles, her mom and dad······.

“Hey! Chief Jeong! How have you been? Oh, it’s nothing else. Our son, right? Yes?”

During mealtimes, my father would call his acquaintances dozens of times, bragging about his accomplishments.

“Yeah. That’s right~ I also thought my son was a special kid, but seeing an article like this come out after only a little over a month of starting to play soccer······.”

Likewise, my mother was bragging to people around her about it, using it as an excuse to say hello.

Not only that. Even now.

“Auntie! How are you? Hey, it’s been a while since I called to say hello. Oh, Minwoo? Actually, it’s Minwoo~ Hehe~”

As we were speeding down the highway, my mom was connecting her phone to the car via Bluetooth and showing off to her relatives along with my dad.

If this continues for a week, everyone will probably know.

“Oh···.”

Shin-ah sighed and looked at her parents with tired eyes.

Why is that?

No, I understand that you’re proud and happy, but do you really have to go this far?

Of course, Shin-ah herself read the original text of the article her brother sent her dozens of times.

What’s more, I searched for ‘Geumgang Banseok Competition’, ‘Suyang High School’, ‘Suyang High School Kim Min-woo’, and ‘Goalkeeper Kim Min-woo’ on portal sites, found articles, and read them for hours, feeling proud.

And to her friends, our brother······.

‘Huh? What the? I’m no different, right?’

If you think about it, Shin-A also bragged a lot to her friends as if it was nothing special.

I felt so proud and happy when I heard the envy of my friends and their words of encouragement telling me that I was doing well.

So that’s why parents brag about their children like that.

‘It was the same thing, just with a difference in degree.’

Kim Shin-ah, who is feeling a little dizzy.

But no matter how much I think about it, my parents were just too harsh.

If things went on like this, I would have taken out my great-grandfather from the coffin and bragged about my son, saying, “Grandpa, this is my son. This time…”

Shin-ah shook her head and put on her earphones and went on YouTube.

The Geumgang Banseok competition was even broadcast live on YouTube and provided replays, so I was able to watch Suyang High School’s game.

I should kill time by watching this on the way.

*

We arrived at the stadium where the finals were held.

It looked like a citizens’ playground.

Anyone can use it normally.

“Wow. There are so many people.”

They said it was a pretty prestigious competition, so there were quite a few spectators gathered to watch the finals.

When I saw the number of cars parked near the stadium, I thought, ‘No way?’ and it turned out to be true.

“Yeah. I think it’s at least over a thousand.”

It was Dad. Shin-A added, looking at the people.

“This time, the opposing team that made it to the finals is a Gangwon-do team. The competition is held in Gangwon-do, and the final team is a local team, so maybe the residents came to cheer them on?”

“Well, I guess so? Look at those banners over there.”

I followed the finger my father was pointing at.

There were banners with messages of support for Taebaek Jeil High School, a Gangwon native team that made it to the finals, banners congratulating Taebaek Jeil High School on its victory, banners sent by Taebaek Jeil High School alumni, congratulatory banners sent by local figures, and so on. All kinds of banners were scattered about.

None of them were for Suyang High School.

‘I’m being treated like a complete stranger.’

Among the crowd gathered here, there were only a few who were rooting for Suyang High School. Almost all of them were rooting for Taebaek First High School, and the atmosphere seemed good.

“I’m already excited, Dad.”

“Huh? What?”

“My brother is going to turn this place into a library, right?”

Dad blinked for a moment and then laughed out loud. Mom, who was quietly listening from the side, covered her mouth as if she found it funny too.

“Look at that. The game hasn’t even started yet, but they’re already excited as if they won. If someone saw that, they’d think Suyang High School was the sacrifice.”

It was true. Some of the older people who were excited were dancing some kind of dance in the audience.

Shin-ah hoped that Suyang High School would defeat Taebaek Jeil High School and silence Gangneung like a library.

“But, surely there isn’t such a thing as biased judgment?”

“Even if it’s home ground, there’s no way that would happen···.”

Our family moved to find a place to cheer on Suyang High School. To be honest, we didn’t like the discriminatory words and actions of the Suyang High School parents, but we didn’t want to sit in a corner and cheer quietly either.

But if you’re going to cheer, it’s more fun if you cheer from the side.

*

Shin-ah, sitting in the stands, anxiously checked the time.

At the podium, there were cameras filming the stadium to broadcast the game live. When I went on YouTube, I saw that this game was also being broadcast live.

‘Are there a lot of people watching?’

What is this? 1500 people came in.

The comments being broadcast in real time were lined up with comments like “~Player so-and-so, fighting!” and “Cheering for player so-and-so” or comments wishing Taebaek Jeil High School victory.

“No, there aren’t any kids cheering for Suyang High School here either···.”

As soon as I posted a comment with a sad heart saying, ‘Suyang High School Kim Min-woo potting~’, sniping comments were posted.

[Yeah, you guys can never win lol]

[It’s a miracle that Gaedeutbo Suyang High School made it to the finals~]

Shin-A, who was about to write a comment when her anger rose for a moment, sighed and turned off YouTube.

‘Let’s focus on the scene.’

There’s nothing more useless than fighting with strangers on the Internet.

Shin-ah decided to focus only on the scene because she didn’t want to waste her emotions unnecessarily.

“Now, audience members. Please welcome the players with a loud round of applause as they enter the stadium. Players, enter!”

It looks like the game is finally about to start.

With cheers of “Wow!”, players from both teams walk into the middle of the field, accompanied by six referees.

This was followed by a salute to the national flag (the national anthem was omitted), handshakes with dignitaries, handshakes between players, and commemorative photos with dignitaries.

It was interesting rather than boring.

This was my first time watching a proper sports game.

‘I went to the baseball field with my dad a few times when I was young···.’

I was too young.

Afterwards, the captain and goalkeeper of each team exchanged some important words with the referees, and then the referee flicked a coin with his thumb.

“Oh. Is that a coin toss?”

“That’s what determines the right to preemption.”

“I know, Dad.”

I blocked my dad early on, who pretended to know. My dad smiled awkwardly.

The mother next to him was quietly watching. She was so quiet that it was almost reverent.

Finally, we shake hands with the judges and take another photo.

‘There’s so much to do before a game.’

And now, for the very last time, the players from each team gathered in a circle and talked before the game.

“Hhhhhhh!”

“Wow! This is a surprise!”

Shin-ah screamed in genuine surprise.

The players were talking about something and then started screaming.

“It’s usually done by shouting before going into battle to boost morale.”

“I know, Dad!”

I felt embarrassed for no reason and screamed.

It was even more embarrassing because people around me were looking at me.

“Hey, by the way, those guys are really cool. Why are they bringing in cheering tools that look like they would be used in an actual stadium?”

Dad pointed to the opposite stands.

All of them were Taebaek First High School supporters, and they were holding balloons that are usually used at baseball stadiums.

Beep-!

And with the whistle the game began.

The first goal was scored by Suyang High School, but somehow they lost the ball just 5 seconds into the game.

Shin-ah muttered in genuine bewilderment at the sight.

“Is this right?”

The defender kicked the ball forward, but to Shin-A it looked like he just passed the ball over.

And then the opponent’s ball control begins.

Something already seems to indicate that this match will not be easy.

***

Even before the finals began, I expected this match to be tough.

It is true that many people were surprised by Suyang High School’s performance, but this final was actually a battle between David and Goliath.

Taebaek First High School was a famous soccer school in the Gangwon region and was a monster that played every year against Taebaek Central High School, which was managed by Gangwon FC.

It’s true that they didn’t receive youth selection from professional teams, but in fact, their high school soccer team is one of the best in the country, and Suyang High School… uh, um… it’s just one of the many high school teams that have soccer teams.

And it was because of that level that I was able to get in.

If it had been a prestigious soccer school, I would not have been able to set foot there in the first place.

And the flow of the game.

Somehow it doesn’t deviate even an inch from expectations.

“Hey! Subi! Come closer!”

This is the biggest crisis since the round of 16.

The defense wasn’t completely breached, but it was being breached little by little.

I had to stop that leak.

I ran towards the opposing attacker with one guard. Even if the trajectory is visible, the possibility of blocking increases if the shooting angle is reduced.

As I got closer, a shooting trajectory appeared right away, and I immediately blocked that trajectory.

Liar-!

He never missed a ball that hit his left hand.

I held on tight and lay curled up.

In the stands, people were excited and chatting.

It’s been about 10 minutes since the game started, but Suyang High School’s offensive developments have been blocked before they can even attempt them, and Taebaek Jeil High School’s offense continues to show its sharp side, so you might think that winning is a given.

‘I can never see that sight again!’

No, I came.

It was so annoying.

It’s so annoying that they’re celebrating as if they’ve won before the game even starts.

So I was desperately trying.

‘There’s a terrorist behind me. He’s pointing a gun at me. If the ball goes into the goal, he’s going to pull the trigger on the back of my head.’

We must stop it, even if it means surviving.

I thought so and made up my mind.

Only then will we be able to avoid conceding a single goal in this match.

If you eat it, you die.

Approach the game with that mindset!

And the KakaoTalk message my younger sister sent also helped me strengthen my resolve.

==

[Kim Shin-ah: It’s annoying that people here are already so happy as if they’ve won. Build a Gangneung library. For sure.]

==

I have to make it. I definitely have to make it.

Before that, I gave a warning to my colleagues who were showing ridiculous defensive organization.

“Come closer! Hey! Youngjun!”

When I gestured loudly and got angry, Go Young-jun, who was one year older than me, nodded his head as if he was sorry.

I’ll give you a ride on the bus, so please don’t open the window and try to jump out. Please.

End

ⓒ Doctor Am

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