My Girlfriend Wants Victory

---

The match between Geumsun High and Hojin High has begun.

I’m sitting on the bench, looking out at the field. It’s not that I’m injured or anything.

It’s just that I visited the U-19 national team, so I decided to play only in the second half for management reasons.

Was it the consideration of Coach Choi Gi-hyun?

Of course not.

I asked for it.

The coach wanted to start me in the match against Hojin High, but when I brought up Park Jisong’s chronic knee injury, saying I need to manage it if I am to become the superstar who surpasses him—

“A coach training the next-generation superstar while ensuring his health? It’s me!”—he readily accepted.

That endless circuit of happiness.

People really are consistent.

“Press him!”

Anyway, I was lost in thought as I watched the players of Hojin High compete against Geumsun High.

Hojin High is a strong team, currently second in the northern region of Seoul, right after Geumsun High.

It’s not just the coach’s ability; the Hojin High soccer team has been well-known as a prestigious place from the past, so many talented youths go there.

Yet, just ten minutes into the game, Hojin High allowed five shots and was being completely dominated.

Well, it’s unavoidable.

Generally, everyone has a decent plan until they get hit. When that plan goes awry, their mental state crumbles.

Hojin High assumed Geumsun High would naturally engage in buildup play and came out with a gegenpressing strategy to deliver a counterpunch.

But unfortunately, Geumsun High brought not a buildup strategy but a long-ball style for this match.

Hojin High, who confidently prepared for a counterpunch, got hit by Geumsun High’s own counter and completely lost their composure.

“Block it—!”

And it’s the same now.

Geumsun High’s number 7, Kang Hyun-seok, just as trained, dashed into the opponent’s back space as soon as their defense took the ball.

Geumsun High’s defenders immediately sent a long ball back, and Kang Hyun-seok evaded Hojin High’s center-backs and found himself alone with the goalkeeper.

Calmly, Kang Hyun-seok struck the ball hard toward the near post.

Swoosh—!

“Ah!”

The net trembled, and gasps came from the audience and the bench of Geumsun High. It was only the side netting.

Though it wasn’t a goal, Hojin High players’ expressions stiffened as if it were a conceded goal.

“Hey! You guys! Get your act together!”

At this point, Hojin High’s coach had to calmly rally his shaken players. But instead, he only yelled at them harshly.

‘Is the coach himself not panicking and shouting…?’

I shook my head at that sight.

Hojin High’s defensive line kept getting torn apart at the back, and with the coach shouting, they didn’t push up, naturally widening the gap between the midfielders and defenders.

“What are you doing! The line is spreading! You idiots!”

Hojin High’s coach pointed that out, but unfortunately, it was already too late.

Into the space opened up between the midfielders and defenders, Kang Hyun-seok burrowed in once again.

Geumsun High’s center-back, Kim Jae-hyun, passed the intercepted ball straight through to the penetrating Kang Hyun-seok.

Kang Hyun-seok quickly dashed into the wide open space right in front of him. On the opposite side, Huang Ho-hyun, wearing number 11, appeared.

As Hojin High defenders rushed in and tried to block him, Kang Hyun-seok faked a pass to Huang Ho-hyun, deceiving the defenders and advanced right into the penalty box.

He then shot immediately.

Wham—!

And, predictably, the guardian of balance descended.

This time, it was a shot sailing into the air.

“Argh—! How can you not score that!”

I could hear the lament of Doctor Han Gyeouri from the stands, who looked like she could facepalm.

– Come on—! Rashford… No, what are you doing!!

It sounded like a voice that would resonate at Manchester United’s home ground, Old Trafford one day.

‘By the way, how the heck are these guys on an unbeaten streak? Did they just dig out draws?’

Anyway, the first half between Geumsun High and Hojin High ended 0-0 thanks to the guardian of balance.

***

As soon as the second half began, I was substituted in. The moment I stepped onto the field, cheers erupted from the stands with a ‘Woo—!’.

Turning my head to the sound, I saw the fans who had provided fan service just before the game, while the parents in the stadium looked at my fans with expressions saying, “What are those kids?”

Hmm. Honestly, it’s a bit odd. They don’t look like parents at all.

‘But they don’t look like scouts either.’

Maybe the parents thought the unemployed were out here watching soccer.

Squeak—!

Well, anyway, with the referee’s whistle, the second half started.

Did Hojin High make some tactical changes during halftime? They gave up on gegenpressing and lowered their line.

Seeing that, I adjusted the players’ positions myself and became the focal point of the build-up, starting to play short passes.

Exchanging the ball with my teammates, I approached the opponent’s penalty box.

Maintaining the balance of power, Kang Sadin called my name as he penetrated into the penalty box.

“Jinho—!”

I slid a through pass to Kang Sadin, who was invading the penalty box.

Honestly, I didn’t want to pass it. But I had to admit, this guy finds space better than he finishes.

Anyway, I passed to Kang Hyun-seok, and as soon as I did, I started to sprint like my life depended on it. The reason was simple.

‘That guy. His finishing is rock-bottom.’

Even while passing to him, I thought he wouldn’t score at all.

And just as expected.

I saw his shot hit the goalpost and bounce out.

I smashed the rebounding ball strongly into the goal.

***

“Argh—! How can you not score again!”

When Kang Hyun-seok’s shot hit the post and bounced back, Han Gyeouri was furious. I had elegantly set the table and handed him the spoon, but he just couldn’t score; it was an absolute mystery.

‘Huh? Son Jinho?’

Just then, as I reached for the water in frustration, I suddenly saw Son Jinho pop out and push the ball into the goal after it ricocheted off the goalpost.

“Waaaa—!! Jinho!!”

The net shook, and at the same time the referee signaled a goal, Son Jinho immediately spun his arms and dashed toward the corner flag.

Han Gyeouri’s mouth started to itch. As Son Jinho raised both arms over his head, lifting off the ground—

“Woo—!!”

Han Gyeouri, along with a few fans in the stadium, inadvertently shouted out loud.

‘Huh? Why did I scream?’

The shout was the undeniable magic of Lucifer.

***

As the match concluded, the coach of Hojin High gave a stern smack to the head of their center-back.

“Hey, you idiot! Can’t you stop even one first-year? Huh? With that kind of skill, do you think you’ll go pro? Huh? If you’re going to play like that, just get out and don’t bother the team! There are plenty of kids who can fill your spot without you!”

Hojin High’s center-back, Kang Chan, just stood there with his arms crossed, not resisting the coach’s rage. It was just everyday life for him, as his family was too poor to slip him any bribes.

And he knew this was also a warning aimed at other parents.

If they didn’t want their kids to end up like him, they better start slipping money too.

Though it was miserable, it was tolerable. No, it had to be.

Since starting soccer, there had always been a time of patience, so this much was bearable.

‘Maybe the first injustice I felt was when I was switched to center-back, right?’

At least, he was thankful for having good physicals, which avoided him from being a fullback.

‘No, I should’ve just quit back then.’

What on earth was it about soccer that made me not want to give up?

‘But it’s too late to study now.’

While Hojin High’s center-back Kang Chan endured the coach’s violence.

“Ugh, what an ignorant fool. What era is it that he’s still acting like this?”

Seeing that, coach Choi Gi-hyun shook his head and clicked his tongue.

The reason Jinho at least rated coach Choi Gi-hyun as a good coach is that, despite being incompetent and a bit power-hungry, he didn’t resort to hitting.

Every time he grumbled that the kids wouldn’t listen due to the chairman’s educational policy—

Coach Choi Gi-hyun had never laid a hand on or abused the players he taught.

“Oh my, if you made a mistake, why not call them aside and scold them instead of in public…”

“Isn’t it saying, if you want your kid to not get hit like that, don’t skip bribes?”

“Ugh, how can a scumbag like that be a coach?”

The parents in the stands frowned and clicked their tongues.

While they clicked their tongues, the parents didn’t think of stopping the coach. In 2010, corporal punishment was still not officially banned.

They could see the coach’s intention, and it wasn’t because of corporal punishment that they clicked their tongues.

They also knew that if they bulged in for no reason, not only would Hojin High’s center-back be in a tight spot, but their own kids’ futures would also dim.

If a controversy erupted in the soccer team, the football association from that school could be shut down.

However, unfortunately for Hojin High, there were not only players and parents present.

“…What? Isn’t that center-back the best performer on the team?”

“I heard from my military buddy who quit soccer. If you don’t slip money, they hit people like that.”

“Damn it. Is that a coach? That’s a thug.”

“No wonder our country’s soccer isn’t developing…. Huh? Kurre, what are you doing?”

“I’m recording a video. Damn it. We should publicize stuff like this.”

“When did you start recording?”

“Since our hyung went in during the second half.”

“Then everything’s been recorded?”

“Yep.”

While my younger brothers were filming ragefully, at that moment.

“Hey? What’s going on? Why is my brother approaching that coach who is hitting people?”

Son Jinho reached for the violent Hojin High coach to pull him away.

“Wow…. Damn. That’s our hyung!”