My Girlfriend Wants Victory

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One week before the announcement of the squad list.

Han Gwangjong, the coach of the South Korea U-19 National Team, was taken aback as he answered a sudden call from a senior who had taken care of him during his playing days.

“Yes, it’s Gwangjong. I should have contacted you first…”

– No, not at all. I’m the one who should apologize. It must be hectic and busy with the tournament just around the corner…

A calm and pleasant voice echoed in his ear through the mobile phone.

His senior still used honorifics just like back in their playing days.

“I heard you use honorifics to respect your students as well.”

Indeed, he was a senior from whom one could learn a great deal personally.

“Yes… but what’s the reason for your call?”

Once Han Gwangjong was sure it wasn’t a request regarding player selection, he asked with a slightly relieved heart.

– I wanted you to watch one player’s game.

And just like that, his expectations shattered in an instant. He didn’t like it. Having received a call without any request from a senior he respected, had this senior changed too?

“…Yes. But the squad list has already been finalized, and the announcement is just on Monday.”

– You don’t need to pick him right now. Just watch him play once. Then you’ll see the talent he possesses.

He knew he should refuse…

As a good person, he just couldn’t bring himself to decline a favor from his benefactor.

“Hoo… I’ll do it because it’s you, senior. What’s the player’s name?”

Han Gwangjong sighed, granting himself the small pleasure of hearing the name.

– It’s Son Jinho, number 10 from Geumsun High School.

Han Gwangjong was startled by the information ringing in his ears. It wasn’t because it was a name he had never heard before. Son Jinho was a raw talent he already knew well. Due to being a fast-tracked student, they had refrained from selecting him as he was three years younger. That said, there weren’t exactly irreplaceable resources, either. Thus, the reason Han Gwangjong was perplexed was for a different matter.

“Excuse me? Your school is Hanyang….”

– Yes, I called because I believe he would be a pillar of South Korean football after facing him in the upcoming game. He has grown tremendously over the past year, to the point where it’s hard to find an opponent in high school.

“…”

Recommending a player from another school instead of those he coaches? Han Gwangjong felt a tinge of shame for doubting such a senior and began to wonder just how remarkable this player must be to receive such praise.

– You’ll understand as soon as you see him. He’s like Zidane in high school.

‘That seems a bit over the top…’

*

On Saturday, March 13th.

Coach Han Gwangjong visited Madeul Stadium, where the match between Geumsun High School and Dongmyeong High School was taking place.

His schedule was jam-packed with final checks on player selection and tactics ahead of the upcoming four-nation friendly tournament in the UAE. Still, it was hard to openly disregard the request of his senior who had cared for him during his playing days.

‘Hmm. A Zidane of Korea. Just how good can he be to warrant such a comparison?’

And truthfully, he felt a hint of curiosity.

Calling a mere high school student a Zidane…

He knew it shouldn’t be taken seriously, but it felt absurd and almost unbelievable at that moment.

As he entered the 500-seat stadium, he noticed parents watching from the stands.

‘Hmm. There are more students from the same school here than I expected.’

Since he had come to watch Son Jinho at his senior’s request, Han Gwangjong sat in the stands where the Geumsun High audience was located.

And that’s when it happened.

“Oh my, a first-year is already participating in the tournament.”

“I heard it’s because of the chairman’s connections.”

“Shouldn’t someone report this to the media? This is a major issue for our kids’ university placements; it’s ridiculous to determine the starting lineup based on connections rather than skills!”

Han Gwangjong’s expression hardened at the sounds of the parents around him.

“Oh come on, if he’s an orphan, he should just quietly live his life. Why stir the pot by playing football?”

“Ugh…”

Just as Han Gwangjong was about to step in, he heard a loud voice shout.

“Son Jinho, fighting—!! Your sister will cheer for you!”

A girl who looked a bit prickly shouted out cheerfully.

‘Is she family? No, as far as I know, he’s an only child and has been living alone since his parents passed away. Then is she a girlfriend?’

Han Gwangjong glanced at the gossiping parents. They were clearly startled to discover there was someone close to Son Jinho in the vicinity.

‘It would be good if they could apologize and back down at this point…’

It didn’t seem likely, though. He spotted a stern-looking parent moving toward the girl.

“Uh…”

Just as Han Gwangjong was truly about to step forward to intervene.

“Go on, my son! Your future wife is cheering for you here!”

A middle-aged man, presumably the girl’s father, approached her and shouted loudly.

With the entrance of the middle-aged man, the parents gossiping about Son Jinho hastily left their seats.

“…I realize now that Jinho has grown up well. He lost his parents at such a young age but has never gotten into trouble.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t call him my son-in-law for no reason.”

A smile appeared on Han Gwangjong’s lips at the conversation between the couple. They were genuinely kind-hearted, caring for someone who wasn’t even their child. He began to understand why Son Jinho hadn’t gone astray despite losing his parents at such a young age.

‘Ah. This isn’t the time for this.’

While a bit of a commotion was happening in the stands, Son Jinho was warming up on the ground. Coach Han Gwangjong shifted his gaze to check on Son Jinho’s condition.

‘He’s definitely grown a lot compared to before. But won’t that affect his balance?’

He appeared to be about 175 cm tall and had a solid physique. The only concern was that his growth might have altered his balance.

‘Wait. No, he’s well-balanced.’

But that worry was too early to consider.

Son Jinho had good balance.

‘His footwork is impressive too.’

His first touch and ball control abilities were excellent.

‘Unlike the flashy skills kids these days display, his fundamentals are solid overall.’

From what he had seen so far, he could definitely pass him with flying colors.

‘What matters now is to see how he performs in the match.’

But more than anything else, what was crucial was his performance in the game.

Having good hardware didn’t guarantee good software as well.

‘Still, I hope he does well.’

Coach Han Gwangjong silently wished for Son Jinho to have a remarkable performance.

Before long, with the referee’s whistle, the match began. Coach Han Gwangjong stayed in the stands, keeping an eye on the future stars of South Korean football.

“Penetrate!”

Not long after the game started, Son Jinho, having possession of the ball, glanced at the penalty box, tapped the ball, and delivered a clever pass.

‘Ooh… If only the striker were a bit better, that would have been a goal!’

Sadly, the ball landed in the goalkeeper’s arms, but Han Gwangjong’s eyes lit up with excitement at the sight.

‘Is the coach incredible? No, it’s just that Son Jinho is positioning the other players on the field.’

The game seemed to be quite one-sided, with Geumsun High School pressing heavily, but even just watching their passing work made the game entertaining enough.

Then, five minutes into the first half.

Son Jinho dashed into the penalty box and slotted the ball into the net after it bounced off the fingertips of the Dongmyeong High goalkeeper.

“Ho-woo─!”

And just like that, Son Jinho pulled off his signature Ho-woo celebration.

“What the hell is that bizarre….”

Initially, Coach Han Gwangjong thought what a ridiculous celebration it was, but after witnessing three single ho-woo shouts and six double ho-woo’s, he couldn’t help but swallow a feeling of disappointment as he saw Son Jinho being substituted out and heading back to the bench.

‘It’s definitely not at the youth level.’

And that evening.

In his dreams, Coach Han Gwangjong envisioned himself scoring during the final match of the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship that was soon to be held in China.

– Ho-woo─!!

He saw Son Jinho shouting ho-woo.

*

At the National Team Training Center located in Paju.

“Thank you. I’ll be on my way!”

“Yeah, take care of yourself. If anyone bothers you, you need to tell me?”

“Don’t worry! I’ll do my best and definitely make the team!”

After thanking winter’s parents, who had brought him here with concern, he casually walked inside.

– Gyeouri: ㅠㅠ I’m so lonelyㅠㅠ I didn’t get to say goodbyeㅠㅠ

– Gyeouri: Jinho, don’t be discouraged! Work hard! If anyone gives you trouble, tell your sister!

– Me: Didn’t you submit your phone again today?

– Gyeouri: Mlhhdzmlgrgh!!!

And once again, unfailingly, Gyeouri shed tears of anguish in the group chat after arriving at school.

“This kid is a promising newbie considering his young age, so please take good care of him.”

Having said goodbye to his family, Coach Han Gwangjong suddenly called over the newly assembled player to introduce him to the team.

With a playful smile on his face, he seemed to be anticipating the other players’ reactions when they witnessed my skills.

‘Well. I suppose it’s only natural to reciprocate with some enthusiasm?’

Well, that’s a matter for later. For now, I bowed my head at a 90-degree angle and greeted my seniors.

Perhaps due to my notably youthful face.

I could see the team members wearing expressions that seemed to say, ‘Who’s this kid? Why’s a brat here?’

After all, most of them were college students or pros, and due to the age gap of four years, such reactions were understandable.

I slowly took in the faces of the U-19 National Team players.

The youth national team is made up of the most talented players from their generation.

As such, they were a star-studded lineup. Most of the players here had continued successful careers in the pros, and some had even been called up to the senior national team to perform in the World Cup.

‘Ah. Dongwon and Bihyun were on the youth national team during this time.’

Regardless, Coach Han Gwangjong announced that out of the 28 players, 20 would be going to the UAE.

Originally, there were 27 players targeted for selection, but due to my unexpected addition, the count increased to 28.

Even though the number of competitors had risen, the previously selected players didn’t seem to view me as a threat and were quite welcoming.

“Which high school are you from, our youngest?”

“I’m attending Geumsun High School.”

“Wow… isn’t that the place only rich kids go?”

“My parents left me a bit of an inheritance.”

“Oh… I’m sorry. And you’ve had a tough time at such a young age.”

“It’s okay. They passed away when I was really young, so it doesn’t bother me anymore.”

“Hah… You’re really mature. Hey, just call me hyung from now on.”

“Yes, hyung.”

“…Are kids nowadays really this adaptable?”

“I can be a bit charming.”

“…Not charming, though. Anyway, are you a first-year?”

“Yes, I’m in my first year and born in ‘95.”

“’95? How come you’re in high school… Ah, you’re a fast-tracker?”

“Wow. Our youngest is totally a baby.”

“Yup.”

“Pff─. Crazy.”

“It’s even funnier because he’s built like a mountain yet acts all serious.”

That made sense. Having entered school early due to being a fast-tracked student, I had just turned 15 last month.

“Youngest! Let’s go eat! You don’t know the restaurant’s location, right?”

Maybe because of the age gap, the older players took it upon themselves to guide me around.

‘I already know everything.’

Well, since I had frequented places this often until moving to Cheonan, I was already aware of most, but I went along with them.

Isn’t this all part of socializing?

However, this warm atmosphere soon dissipated.

During training the following day, I struck the ball hard, sent it soaring into the corner of the net at the goal the coach rolled toward me.

“…What the hell? No way that’s a skill, that’s a monster.”

From then on, they began to see me not as a talented junior but as a competitor.

“Ho-woo─!”

The swift turnaround in the seniors’ attitude, who had seen me as a polite and talented junior just the day before, was exhilarating.