Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 116



Only Krnovel

Episode 116: Returning Home

That evening.

Her agent, Alex Pasek, was escorting her from the advertising shoot to Frankfurt am Main Airport.

It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes by car.

Because it was a night flight, only streetlights and lights from oncoming cars could be seen outside the window. He checked his passport and ticket again, but still couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

That would be the case, because Sung Ha-neul’s suitcase reflected in the rearview mirror was too small.

“… … Wouldn’t it have been better to pack more luggage?”

“It’s better to go light. Three or four changes of clothes will be enough. The national team will give you the clothes you changed into.”

“I’ll just give you a training suit.”

“Then I can just buy it when I get there. I have a lot of allowance. I don’t really have anywhere to spend it anymore.”

“I don’t think I have time for that. My schedule is full… … .”

Considering his status as a ‘national team player’, he swallows the meaningful remark that he will not be given the luxury of leisurely shopping.

Sometimes, you need to experience something once to truly understand it, rather than hear a hundred words about it.

“You can ask Grandma.”

“grandma?”

“Yeah. Mom told Grandma. She said she could go for a bit. Grandma’s house is in Seoul, and the first game is at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, right? If it’s urgent, she could have called and asked.”

“Hmm, Hanul. I’m sorry to say, but I won’t have time to stop by Grandma’s house.”

“why?”

“It’s a rule not to leave the accommodation during the training period, and the second match is in Dubai. I heard that they will be leaving on the evening of the 26th. In short, they will be playing against Iran on the 24th and against UAE on the 29th. It won’t be easy to take time off in between. I’ll tell Lee first.”

“Lee?”

“He’s the one who’ll help you in Korea. He’s got a dedicated Asian department in Cologne, and our agency has a close relationship with him, so I asked him to do it for me. He’ll follow you all the way to the UAE and take care of you. If there’s anything that’s inconvenient, just let me know right away. That’s why I hired him.”

“… … .”

The boy remained silent for a while, but then raised his head and revealed the aforementioned face.

“So you’re taking the plane a total of three times?”

“yes?”

“Okay, very good.”

“Do you like flying? Is it because of the excitement of traveling?”

“No, they serve in-flight meals. Food in the sky? I can’t stand that.”

“……ha ha ha.”

I tried to laugh it off, but I was worried at the same time.

Sung Ha-neul had no idea what it meant to play a game right after a long-distance flight or what kind of physical strain it would put on him.

Alex Pasek, on the other hand, knew very well, because the Act Sports Agency included players of Japanese nationality.

‘I hope I only receive positive influences.’

Knock, knock.

Whether he knew this or not, the boy sitting in the back seat was busy tapping away at his cell phone.

“If they’re my parents, tell them not to worry too much. I stopped by before I left for the airport to explain things, but it’s not as good as my son reassuring me in person.”

“Not my parents.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. Sophie Hertz, a friend from school. I heard she also did some modeling during the holidays. She was telling me how much I struggled with doing clothing commercials and how great she was at her given role.”

“Hmm… … You had a model friend too. Actually, what you said is true. The person in charge seemed very satisfied as well.”

“right?”

“Yeah. I heard it captures the rebellious spirit very well.”

“… … .”

“Of course, I also added that the subject was great.”

“Ah, I guess so.”

He muttered to himself, “That’s obvious,” and it seemed like he had finally come up with the right answer. He thought this was the right time to say something more.

“Do you get along well with your friends? How is school life? Is anything difficult?”

“… … .”

“… … Hanul?”

“Well, it’s the same every day. Even so, I only take classes in the morning. If there’s anything inconvenient, it’s that I have to take supplementary classes during vacations?”

“That’s something I can’t do anything about.”

“Yeah. I know.”

Although the silence seemed puzzling, Alex Pasek did not delve any further.

Seong Ha-neul was a player with a strong ego, was very confident, and was not the type to hide problems (in fact, he couldn’t hide them).

For now, the first priority was to prepare for my trip to Korea.

* * *

I enter the airport, complete the check-in process, shake off the agent’s worried gaze, and board the plane.

Direct route from Frankfurt to Incheon.

iced coffee.

How long has it been since I returned to my home country? … No, this is a return home.

As soon as I sank into my airplane seat, a deep sense of satisfaction washed over me.

Although it is not first class, where is the business class seat? Of course, I heard that the airfare is also paid by the football association.

I need to adjust my condition so I can’t overeat, but I plan to enjoy it as much as I can without my stomach complaining.

Knock knock.

Of course, there will always be troublemakers.

[Mad Meerkat: I’m bored. I’m so bored without you. My precious doll, why did you leave me and go to a faraway place?]

“… … .”

Mark Utt has a real knack for turning my outfit upside down with just a few sentences, and sending it out to the players via a group messenger.

[Mom: Did you have a good flight?]

[Yes, we’re leaving soon.]

But anyway, I ignore it cleanly and reply to my mom’s text.

This is the moment when your sense of accomplishment is doubled.

How complicated it is for a minor to go through the process of returning home alone. After going through all sorts of hardships (although the agent took care of everything), such as adjusting school schedules and preparing documents for a visa… … I’m going to Korea.

All alone, me!

Ding ding.

“Oh my, why do you keep… … .”

Then suddenly, the emotions subside due to the continuous vibrations.

When I looked into it, thinking it was another clumsy meerkat, I saw that it was messages sent one after another by other team members, including Elis Skiri.

[Choco Cookie Man: As I said last time, congratulations on your first gathering. I think this will be an opportunity for you to develop further. Take care and have a safe trip.]

[Cologne captain Jonas: Congratulations to you too. Go and tell them why you were chosen. In return, don’t cause trouble. Be as humble as possible. You understand? First impressions determine half of human relationships.]

[My right foot: I congratulate you too. However, you are very active, but take care of your physical condition. I looked it up and found that the league match was just two days after the second match. As you know, our teamwork is pretty good, right? I think it would be disappointing if we couldn’t play.]

[My right foot’s right foot candidate: Gl?ckwunsch (Good luck)!]

In that order, Schiri and Jonas, right-back Benno Schmitz and Ehizibue.

yes-

[Whibus: This, it’ll be a problem if you become too famous. Just do well and come back! Haha.]

[Salih Ozkan: That’s right. I’d like to go play with you. Since you’ve been called up, why not go to the World Cup?]

[Gorilla Kaints: Congratulations to you too. Enjoy yourself.]

[Gorilla Ryubicchi: I agree 100 percent. Right now, enjoyment comes first. Don’t stress and just run comfortably. That suits you.]

[Just Rempel: So you ended up going to the national team (laughs). Tell me what happened later and what it was like. Congratulations.]

From Andersson to goalkeeper Schwabe, Timo Horn and Jan Tillman, almost all of his teammates, except Anthony Modeste, poured out congratulations.

If this is the case… … how can I possibly feel bad?

“Would you like me to sign it for you?”

At this, I immediately turned my head to the person next to me and spoke.

From the moment I sat down, I could hear people whispering around me, so what could I do? I had no choice but to gladly extend my hand.

“… … Oh my, really? I was already thinking about whether or not to ask you. You’re going with the national team, right? I saw it on the news. I didn’t know we’d be on the same plane, but I’m so excited.”

“Yes, I’m excited too. It just doesn’t feel real.”

“Oh my, hohoho.”

There is no need to explain what happened next. Requests for autographs came in not only from the seat next to me, but also from all sides.

Although it was a fifteen-hour ride, I didn’t think it would be boring.

* * *

To say that it won’t be boring is to take it back.

The pure flight time is a whopping 13 hours and 50 minutes.

The joy of the new experience completely wore off after about 8 hours, and after that I tossed and turned in my sleep – I began to wonder if something was wrong with my spine, and just before arriving in Korea… …I literally felt like a walking corpse.

What a feeling.

Even though I clearly slept, I was in a worse state than not sleeping.

This is not it.

According to my plan, by this time I should have been chatting away in a wide-awake state. Instead of nodding off, waking up, and reflexively stopping my steps.

“Player Seong Ha-neul?”

“… … Yes? Yes. What did you say?”

“I look forward to your great performance.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Do you see the guy wearing a vest over there? Just follow him.”

From landing at Incheon Airport, submitting a health questionnaire, to going through immigration, about 30-40 minutes passed in a flash.

Finally, I head to the arrival hall, guided by airport staff.

“You can just go out there.”

“yes.”

It didn’t seem like it would be as grand a welcoming ceremony as I had expected, but considering my physical condition, I rather liked the quiet atmosphere.

Slurp.

That was until the entrance door opened.

Click, click, click-whoa!

Even in a wide space, the camera flash shows its unique presence, and the sound of the shutter being pressed is quickly buried in cheers.

A crowd of perhaps a hundred, if not thousands, stood precariously beyond the blue cordon.

“uh…….”

It was something I had experienced a lot in Cologne, but, well, what can I say.

It felt a little different.

The screams of fans mixed with the voices of reporters calling my name are making me feel a little dizzy.

Where is the person who was supposed to come pick me up?

“Player Seong Ha-neul, over here! Let me do a quick interview!”

As I stood there in bewilderment, the voice that had been muffled together took shape and pierced my eardrums.

Interview? I have to.

But if I had known this would happen… I should have at least fixed my hairstyle. I was so out of my mind that I couldn’t even think about looking in the mirror.

Then, all of a sudden, a large man walked out of the crowd and spoke to me.

“Seong Ha-neul, you came from Act Sports Group.”

“Oh, yes.”

At first glance I thought he was a gangster, but he turned out to be someone from the agency.

“I’ll say hello later. As for your luggage… Is this all?”

“yes.”

“I was told that since this is my first entry into the country, I would like to have a brief interview. Is that okay? If you don’t feel like it, you can just leave. The car is parked over there.”

“… … I have to do an interview. I’ll do it in a moment.”

I won’t lie.

The feeling of being dazed was still there, but the sky must be the sky.

While the official tells the reporters to wait a moment, I try to act calm and approach the ribbon-like cordon and devote myself to fan service.

They sign autographs, shake hands, and exchange pleasantries. They cover up their fatigue with a different kind of happiness, then head to the prepared seats and stick their faces in front of the cameras.

I’ve become famous in Korea too.

Now that the verification is complete, there is nothing more to hesitate about.

“Shall we begin?”

“… … Seong Ha-neul, how do you feel about being called up to the national team for the first time?”

“I like the unique Korean atmosphere. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt it.”

“Is there such a thing as a uniquely Korean atmosphere?”

It’s all true.

The fact that the conversation was all in Korean, the natural formality was used, and everyone around me had black hair. It was a mysterious yet warm feeling.

This is it-

“Oh, of course. It has a very local flavor.”

“… … .”

The mysterious expressions and strange eyes are neatly ignored.

What do you want me to do?

You know how that feels.

Just kill me.

I can’t do this, really.