Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 148



Only Krnovel

Episode 148: Aftermath

The next day, at FC Köln’s training ground.

Since the accident was an accident, I got everyone’s attention as soon as I arrived at the training ground.

“Hey, Hanul. Good day.”

“Yeah, good day.”

I greeted every single person, from the coaching staff and the club administration team to the physical therapists and players.

Just when the excessive attention was starting to feel slightly uncomfortable, a small event was held before the official training and they were comforted.

“Okay, let’s take a picture! Look here!”

The camera is set to continuous shooting mode, and a snapping sound rings out for a moment. I remain motionless with a smile on my face.

The trophy in his hand was a small one. The sleek, long silver body was engraved with the red mark that symbolized the Bundesliga.

I won the Player of the Month award.

“I finally got on.”

“I should have gotten three or four more. I was so unlucky in the first half. There was Lewandowski and other strong competitors.”

“Didn’t he do anything? He was really good.”

“… … It’s not funny at all.”

“No? The corners of your mouth are already up.”

The reactions from those around me were sharply divided.

Mark Ut was forcing a hollow laugh on Skeery, while Jonas, Tilman, and Ehijibue were quietly celebrating.

Meanwhile, Modeste was talking to starting goalkeeper Timo Horn far away, near the goal.

I bet you’re cursing at me.

But the jealousy of a loser only makes me feel better, so I soon give in to the hand stroking my head.

Everyone from the club came out and even Steffen Baumgart came over to offer his congratulations.

I hate having my hair out, but this is different.

Thud thud.

“Well done. Is this your first award?”

“Yeah. But I’ve received many rookie of the month awards.”

It was a process of trust, faith and bonding between players and coaches.

Yeah, that’s right.

“That’s different. The Player of the Month award is given to only one person in the entire team. You deserve the praise. It’s proof that you did a good job. I’m proud of you.”

“……i think so too.”

“Hahaha, okay. Since it’s come to this, I should get it in May too, right?”

“of course.”

As always, the good times pass quickly.

He hands the trophy over to the equipment manager (who said he would leave it in the locker room) and heads towards the bench to prepare for real training.

Then suddenly, I noticed Rempel sitting at the edge.

The guy with his nose buried in his phone was so weird that I quietly approached him from behind… …and he was watching some kind of video.

[… … Story of this week! We’re talking about Cologne. Cologne has some players who have been the reason for their incredible performance this season and deserve to be ‘dissected’, like Sung Hanul, Anthony Modeste, Florian Kainz and Mark Uth, but today’s main topic is none other than Tim Remperle.]

[You scored multiple goals in the last game, right? You received a warm applause from the fans. You’re proving yourself by being a starter in the second half of the season.]

[Yes. Even in the first half, he barely had a chance. Considering that his position within the team was precarious, his recent performance has been a good thing for him.]

What else did I say?

With slicked-back hair, brown eyes, tattoos on both arms, and beards, these young commentators or analysts were chatting away happily.

[He said in a post-match interview: ‘It’s really fun to play in Cologne and it’s great to have the opportunity to do my best in a different environment.’]

[Steffen Baumgart was also very satisfied. He said, ‘Timmy was a threat throughout the game. We had no choice but to start him today, and he faithfully fulfilled the role he was given. His determination showed through his play.’]

[I watched the game too, and it definitely seemed different from before. Was this a result of the change in role?]

[That could be true. Personally, what I liked was that Rempale was no longer playing as a striker. He was deployed as a right-wing attacker, so he had more room to deal with the opponent’s pressure, and I think there may have been some psychological changes or an accumulation of experience.]

Then, naturally, Remperle sensed the presence and turned his head back. When their eyes met, he flinched in surprise and smiled awkwardly.

“What, when did you come?”

“a moment ago.”

“Just now? Don’t speak. Why were you just watching?”

“I was curious about what traitors usually do. Is that good?”

“… … No, I told you I was going to go out to the suburbs on Sunday? I couldn’t get there on time because of the distance. It’s really unfair.”

Ah, your tongue is long.

“Anyone can talk around. It’s just hard to prove.”

“Oh, please believe me! And why are you only saying that to me? The other players didn’t come either! Schmitz or Ozkan-”

“You couldn’t come.”

“… … Do you believe what they say?”

“No. But they’re not my confidants.”

“Confidant? Confidant? Since when have I been your subordinate?”

Timely enough, the answer comes from the men on their phones.

[However, it is true that there are still many things to prove. In particular, collaboration with Hanul is essential for Rempel.]

[That’s right. I agree 100%. First of all, Hanul is fixed as a starter. That’s an immutable fact. Not only Baumgart, but any manager would make the same choice. That’s why he needs to see Hanul as a collaborator rather than a competitor. To be exact, he needs to prove that he is the best partner.]

[As you said, the real contender for the position would be Ryubicic. Ryubicic is by no means a player who lacks experience or skill.]

[Yes. But the situation isn’t all that bad, because he and Hanul have been working together since their days in the 2nd team, and there have been many injuries within the team. You have to grab the opportunity when it comes. Hanul is probably testing out his free role, and he has his own unique use in the right space… ]

Did you hear?

“… … .”

“… … .”

I heard.

“Isn’t it easier to play on the right flank?”

“… … .”

“Actually, I’m like that too. I can’t play in the center. Just go to Baumgart and ask him to let me play as a winger again-”

“Oh, really!! How petty!”

“Keep going. I’m listening. Be petty, and then what?”

“I, I mean… … I really was petty! That’s what I meant. Yeah.”

“I thought so.”

“… … .”

Am I feeling better today?

The way he structured his sentences and the sharp ending. It was truly amazing how he could strike a fatal blow without even thinking or saying anything.

After that, Remperle complained to those around him.

“Wow, it’s poisonous.”

“Right? Isn’t that too much?”

While he was lightly stretching, Mark Ut bowed deeply and nodded.

“Yeah. But it seems pretty effective?”

“… … .”

“… … Hey, you little brat! You little brat. Why are you threatening your own teammate?”

Where has the seriousness he showed at the hospital gone? He displays the same lightness as always.

Why am I like that?

“I did it as I was taught.”

“Who taught you to do such a terrible thing?”

“You.”

“… … Me? To Mark Uth, the veteran of veterans and the psychological pillar of Cologne? That I taught him such terrible things?”

“Yeah. Did you learn it properly?”

“Not really… … No, no. That’s not it-”

“That answers the question.”

Today is no joke.

The form is crazy.

Beep!

“Everyone, gather together and take your seats!”

However, the training gets into full swing and soon moves on to simple passing games with groups of five or six people.

What this meant was that there would be no interruption in the conversation.

“Hahaha, I know what you’re thinking, but being a traitor is a bit too much.”

“… … Is that so.”

“You’re saying that since we’re that close, why didn’t you come? Isn’t that just a way of expressing your disappointment?”

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump.

As Jan Tillman and Remperle huff and puff after the ball, I pass the ball back and forth between the players lined up in a circle.

Thanks to the use of the left and right feet, the inner and outer sides of the instep, or the tips of the toes, there was no chance of becoming a tagger.

Talking to Elias Skyri was more difficult than that.

“Maybe so. I didn’t have a very pleasant day yesterday. I might have let off some stress without realizing it.”

“Was it so?”

“Yeah. I was fine until lunchtime, but I didn’t go home and wandered around, so I ended up getting caught… … I went to get some psychological counseling late in the afternoon.”

“You skipped school?”

“huh.”

“That would have been fun.”

“… … That’s right. It was actually fun.”

Of course, he is a good person.

Look at that cool, yet gentle smile.

But that’s why it was difficult to deal with.

Because I couldn’t just act as I pleased.

So I’m taking advantage of the gap between Jan Tillman and Luca Killian switching roles to once again tackle image management.

How did I end up going to the Rhine River instead of going home?

How did you end up with Sophie Hertz as your companion?

How did I end up just lounging around so comfortably, etc.

It brought up everyday stories as topics of conversation.

“You didn’t say anything else?”

“Yeah. He just said that he heard the news about me from his grandfather and that was it. Maybe it’s because he’s a model student, but he’s usually a boring person.”

“He’s a good person.”

“……good?”

“I feel like I prefer quiet comfort when I’m having a hard time. Especially when it comes to problems that don’t have clear answers.”

Now that I hear it, that seems to be the case.

I never asked him any more questions about my brother.

“That’s right. He’s a nice person, but he’s also a very generous person. Don’t nice people usually meddle a lot?”

“Haha, why are you meddling like that?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Yesterday, he gave a long speech about how we should tone down our swearing.”

“Really? How? I’m curious about that too.”

“It’s something like this, Ut!”

At this moment, the meerkat’s head suddenly turns, and I raise my thumb with an artificial smile.

“You are such a flowery person!”

“… … ?”

“It looks like a huge flower!”

“… … .”

There is no need to add anything about the results of speaking kind words.

Eliye bursts out laughing and misses his pass timing, and Beno Schmitz and Jonas can’t help but laugh along with him.

The meerkat, who had been quietly chewing on my words, soon rushed at me with an angry expression.

“You, you little punk… … . Come here!”

“I spoke nicely, but why-”

Even as we run away and our conversations become sparse, a few facts become firm convictions.

The condition of my tongue was no joke. And at the same time, my body felt heavy for some reason.

This was evident from the fact that he was caught by a crazy meerkat after not running very far, and this was soon proven through practice matches.

I have plenty of stamina, and I’m not injured… …but my legs feel heavy.

okay.

The laughter disappeared in an instant.