Shooting Trajectory is Visible - Chapter 44



Only Krnovel

I returned to Suyang High School.

I had been away for a few days because I was going to Germany for a while, and now that I think about it, it’s really goodbye here too, so I have new feelings.

I found the director’s office with familiar steps.

dripping-

Knock twice.

“Come in.”

A broken voice.

I gently grabbed the doorknob and turned it. Inside the director’s office, Yoo Jin-ho was talking to someone with bloodshot eyes.

Eugene Ho, who saw my face, glared at me for a moment with his sharp eyes, then made a gesture telling me to wait a moment.

‘Looking at your eyes, I think you’ve already figured out that I’ve been to Germany.’

Director Yoo Jin-ho exchanged short answers like “yes” and “okay” with someone on the other end of the phone before hanging up.

And then he nodded with a deep sigh.

“Do you like the color?”

“Shall we sit down?”

Eugene Yoo scratched the bridge of his nose and nodded.

I sat across from Yoo Jin-ho. It seems like it’s been almost a week since I saw Yoo Jin-ho. I saw him only once after the King of Kings match, and I’ve been so busy since then.

While I was thinking about this and that, Yoo Jin-ho’s gaze was fixed on me. It seemed like he wanted me to say something.

I did as you wished.

“I went to Germany and came back.”

“What the heck? Even though I tried to stop you?”

Eugene Ho bit his lip and glared. His face was full of resentment.

And the words burst out.

“What do you want to say?”

“Thank you for everything.”

Director Yoo Jin-ho was speechless for a while after hearing what I said. When he finally opened his mouth, a sigh came out before the words.

“Have you already signed?”

“yes.”

“What’s the contract? Are you going to Youth?”

“It’s a professional contract.”

“uh?”

Eugene Ho blinked his eyes widely. I said it again.

“I signed a pro contract. I’m a pro now. Thanks to you, coach.”

“A pro?”

“Yes. It’s not like the second team or anything. It’s the first team. I knew it would be very competitive, so I went there. The starting goalkeeper there is also the captain. There are three goalkeepers, excluding me. I know. It’s a thorny path. But after going there and coming back, I felt I had to go there.”

I kept mumbling as if I was making excuses. Director Yoo Jin-ho didn’t say anything and just searched through his pockets. What he found was a pack of cigarettes. As always, it was empty.

“Arai.”

Yoo Jin-ho crumples up a pack of cigarettes and throws them across the director’s desk. The pack of cigarettes ends up in the trash can.

“Yeah. I’m a pro…”

Director Yoo Jin-ho with a bitter expression. I looked at Yoo Jin-ho, who seemed less happy than I thought, and told him what I was thinking.

Anyway, we were going to break up soon. That was my feeling.

“Is there any other reason why I should work in Korea?”

“what?”

“No, I guess there are some circumstances that adults have. Even though you signed a professional contract, your expression doesn’t look good.”

At my words, Yoo Jin-ho snickered and answered.

“There’s no such thing, you punk.”

“is it so?”

“Yeah. He’s just upset because his favorite student is going overseas. Anyway, congratulations. Wow, we have a European goalkeeper in Korea. Huh? As far as I know, there was another Korean goalkeeper who played in Europe. Where was it? Sweden or Norway?”

“Is that person still active?”

“No? He’s my age. He probably retired last night. Anyway, you’re the second. It’s rare for a domestic goalkeeper to jump into the European league.”

I nodded and answered in a conventional manner.

“Good.”

“Anyway. Congratulations. Since you’ve already gone, I hope you succeed. Make a legend.”

“yes.”

“The world of football will soon be in chaos again. You will soon be called Korea Neuer in the media. A great feat for the Korean football system! What kind of nonsense is this?”

I answered with a snicker.

“Actually.”

“Huh? What?”

Actually, I didn’t say anything before the contract because I was afraid the director would interfere.

“no.”

“What the heck, kid? So bland.”

“I hope I made the right choice.”

“There are no right answers in life. You have to make your own. It’s going to be so hard. Go fuck yourself. Don’t even come near the K-League. Got it?”

“Phehheh. Yes.”

“Go and fuck what the hell. Should I fight with Kim Min-je?”

“Yes, of course!”

“Okay, Imma.”

I have nothing to say now.

I looked closely at director Yoo Jin-ho.

The director just shrugged his shoulders as if he had said everything he wanted to say.

“Can I say goodbye to the soccer club kids before I leave?”

“Oh, well then. Of course it’s okay if you leave.”

“Where are all the kids now?”

“Where are you, you little punk? You must be taking classes.”

“ah.”

Right. Is vacation over?

*

It was practically my last day at Suyang High School, so I went back to class and reminisced with my friends for the last time.

In a way, these kids were the ones who made me who I am today. If I hadn’t been a goalkeeper back then…

‘I would have been studying right now, sitting here.’

Time passed by quickly, lunch time passed and it was time for regular classes to end.

And after school.

Suyang High School, which won three competitions, was quite stretched out.

If we really had to look for something, there were competitions to participate in, but since it was right after a big competition, Suyang High School was in a break period.

Before the exercise began, coach Yoo Jin-ho called the soccer team members together.

“Okay. Attention. We have some very important news for our soccer team.”

Coach Yoo Jin-ho opens his mouth again as all the players’ eyes are focused on him.

“Kim Min-woo! Come up to the stage.”

I walked up slowly and stood next to Eugene.

“We are pleased to announce that our Minwoo has successfully entered the professional ranks. Now, applause!”

“Huh? Wow!”

At that sudden news, all of my Suyang High School teammates applauded. I could see their expressions clearly as I was looking down at them from above.

Some people envied me, some nodded as if it was natural, and some frowned as if they didn’t like it.

“Don’t think that you’re joining the K-League. This guy is going to the Bundesliga!”

“···omg.”

“No! Really, Director?!”

“Then you’re kidding me, you little shits!”

Groan, groan.

“Okay. Minwoo. Should I say something?”

“Yes. Director. And coaches. And my Suyang High School colleagues. There was no one who was not important to me, and I think it was thanks to them that things turned out so well. I’m going to Germany now. Thank you so much for everything!”

As I bowed my head, applause poured in again.

“Okay, get down. Go and give everyone a hug!”

When Director Yoo Jin-ho pushed me from behind, I went down, making a noise. My colleagues surrounded me and hugged me.

“Hey! Get in here, everyone!”

It was Go Young-jun’s cry.

“Wow!”

Wait a minute. What are you trying to do?

“Congratulations, you little punk! I knew you’d be this successful!”

After Go Young-jun gave the signal, my colleagues who were carrying me started to wash me down.

At first, I was worried that I would be thrown in, but fortunately, my public sentiment didn’t seem to be that bad.

I flew through the sky, whooshing.

‘I’m getting all the rinsing. Wow.’

It’s satisfying and scary at the same time.

I raised my left hand toward the sky.

The sun still high in the sky is blocked by my hand.

Although it was just a congratulatory message for becoming a pro, I felt like I had everything in the world.

I came down soon and shook hands or hugged each player.

“Do well in Germany! Don’t forget us!”

It was Seungmin Lim who was in charge of one axis of the triangle formation.

“I’ll follow you. Stay where you are.”

It was Han Seung-woo. He always makes chic claims.

“Life is about making it! I played soccer like crazy since I was little. You’re in the Bundesliga after a few months. Damn it! I’m so jealous!”

It was Youngjun Shichi. He hugged me tightly and tapped the back of my head.

“Go and do well. Honestly, with your skills, you can even beat the Bundesliga.”

“Thank you, bro.”

“If you are grateful, don’t forget it even when things go well. Keep in touch often.”

“yes.”

So, so, so, so, so last.

Running mate Kim Jun-young.

He was even crying.

“Huh!”

Kim Jun-young hugged his teammate and started crying. The other players around him burst out laughing.

“I will work hard so I can see you again, hyung.”

“I will come to Korea once or twice a year.”

“No, not that! I’ll see you on the field! Just wait and see. Since you’ll definitely wear the Taegeuk mark, I’ll work hard and wear the Taegeuk mark too.”

I feel a little sad. What a cute kid.

I patted Kim Jun-young on the back of his head, just like Young-jun Shichi did to me.

“I believe.”

“Yes! Ugh.”

I guess I’m feeling a lot of emotions because we’ve been through hardships together since we were at the bottom. In fact, I wanted to be with Kim Jun-young, but this was a golden opportunity for me, so I couldn’t help it.

I can only hope that this guy keeps doing well so we can meet again.

‘This leaves me without a running mate.’

Do I have to find a new running mate again? Hmm…

I left Suyang High School’s soccer team with a farewell from everyone. Now I really had to leave for Germany, so I had to prepare for it.

***

After another separation from my family, I headed to Hanover alone.

It wasn’t difficult since I had done it before.

On the way from Korea to Paris and then to Hanover. It took a very long time, but my heart was pounding the whole way.

It was an exciting feeling.

And finally, I arrived at Hanover Airport. The immigration officer was the same person. He was surprised to see me.

“Oh! You, that guy from last time?”

With my limited vocabulary, this was all I could hear of what he was saying.

“hello.”

“How, did the contract come to be? Hannover 96?”

“Yes. I signed the contract.”

“ah!”

The immigration officer briefly checked his phone, then showed it to me with a surprised expression. It was an article in German.

“You’re a knight!”

“Ooh. Wow. Good. Good.”

Shit. My mom can speak five languages, so why am I like this?

“Good luck.”

“Yes. Thank you. Thank you for your service.”

The immigration officer nodded and smiled. That’s how I got through Hanover Airport. Konglish is understandable.

“Let’s see where···.”

As I was walking out of the airport and looking around, someone tapped me on the shoulder.

“Kim.”

“···Sophie?”

It was Sophie I met last time.

Tall German woman.

I think I would have been overwhelmed if he had been so big, but fortunately he is quite slender.

“We warmly welcome you to Hanover!”

Then he grabs me gently and kisses me on the cheek.

“!”

Ah. Is this the European greeting, Bijou or something?

I was afraid that I would feel embarrassed if I just stood there stiff, so I roughly followed along.

Sophie cleared her throat and grabbed my arm.

“The car is over there.”

“Ah. Yes!”

This time, Sophie was alone.

Sophie sat in the driver’s seat and I sat in the passenger seat. This is the norm in Korea, and I guess it’s the norm in Europe too?

‘But do club officials usually come out to greet players like this?’

I’m not sure, but I think Hanover assigned Sophie to be their chaperone because I’m a minor and my guardian can’t come with me right away.

Perhaps Sophie will continue to take care of him until his mother, who is his guardian, comes home. Also, it seems like there is no other club official who can speak Korean besides Sophie.

“First, I’ll unpack. There’s a place designated by the club.”

“Are you going straight there?”

“yes.”

Ahem.

“And then I’ll go straight to the training ground and meet people. Players, staff, coaches, managers, etc.”

“Aha. Yes.”

Come to think of it, I haven’t even had a single conversation with the director.

‘It seems like my recruitment wasn’t the manager’s intention. There are already three goalkeepers, so it seems a bit strange to include one more.’

Isn’t there something like a power struggle here? Even if it looks perfect on the outside, there’s bound to be politics in any group.

“So are you going to start training today?”

“No. I’m just going to say hello today. Then I’ll get some rest today, and I’ll have a press conference tomorrow. And I’ll get to know the club’s geography, and…”

I want to put on my uniform and start playing soccer right away, but there’s a lot to do before that.

‘There’s no need to rush things.’

Still, my body was ticklish. I want to quickly find out how effective the upgraded trait ‘Yasin’s Eye’ will be on Bundesliga 2nd division players.

End

ⓒ Doctor Am

=======================================================