Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 158



Only Krnovel

Episode 158: The Crossroads

“Can I ask you for a picture?”

The entrance to the Köhler Bar, located in the southwestern corner of Ubierring 22, 50678 K?ln., Jonas’ hideout and meeting place.

Even the moment I park my car and enter the store, requests from fans start pouring in.

Click, click.

In some ways, it may feel negative to have no privacy, but now I think it’s actually a good thing.

The boy who was taking pictures with fans was not able to leave the house because he was given a month-long vacation right after the season ended.

If I could feel the interest, expectations, and love of those around me like this, that would be good too.

“By the way, did you see Langliste’s appearance this time? He was promoted to the IK (INTERNATIONALE KLASSE: international level) class and also rose to 5th place overall. He’s after Lewandowski, Nkunku, Schick (Leverkusen), and Holland.”

“I saw it.”

“Sorry, did I say something rude? You don’t look very happy. But you’re still better than Modeste! You’re only in 6th place!”

“Okay. I feel a little better now.”

“Hahaha, I’ll be counting on you next season too. Do you have to stay?”

“huh.”

Although the conversation with the fans did not go the way Jonas had hoped, he said that it was good – he looked at the now-arrogant Sung Ha-neul and smiled bitterly.

The story of transfer shouldn’t be answered so easily.

I already had a lot to say.

“We’re closed. Don’t come in. I told you not to stick your foot in there!”

After a while, while the shop owner, Kohler, stops the people trying to come in, Jonas and the boy sit down without hesitation.

Since the store only opens in the late afternoon, I’ve become quite accustomed to seeing the empty store.

“You’ve never been to the training grounds before?”

The first topic of conversation was decided to be something light. The seventeen-year-old boy looked over the menu and answered in a nonchalant tone.

“I went out twice. The first time, I was called in to explain myself because I was going through disciplinary procedures, and the second time, I went to meet with the director.”

“What about the calling… … No. I asked a pointless question. Don’t answer.”

“I don’t care.”

“… … I’m worried, that’s why. Anyway, what did the director say?”

“You’ve worked hard for a year. Take a rest, recharge, and come back.”

“Aren’t you talking about anything else?”

“What are you talking about?”

“… … .”

Even though he had thought he would postpone the heavy topics, when the conversation got twisted again, he brought up some really light topics with an awkward smile.

What song did the head coach sing at the end-of-season party, how is your child growing up, etc.

These are great as a side dish between meals and drinks.

Just as I’m almost done with my plate of sausage, eggs, and salad, there’s a knock on the store door.

“Who are you?”

[Oh, who am I? I am the pillar and cornerstone of FC Köln, the key striker who connects the third and first lines, and the one who is loved by the coaches and players… … .]

“Mark Utgumman.”

Suddenly.

“That’s correct. You got it right.”

“You’re the only one with a noisy voice.”

“There is also a positive expression called ‘confidence.’”

“under.”

Mark Ut jokes around with the store owner, as if he’s decided to do a skit with him, and then strides over to the table where the two are sitting.

Naturally, Seong Ha-neul’s face is distorted.

“Why did you call?”

“Umm… … .”

“Isn’t that Jonas calling you? It was because of a tip from my personal resources. He told me that he had sneaked into the hideout to avoid the paparazzi.”

Then, the store owner quickly escapes into the kitchen to avoid the cold gaze.

“Don’t say too much. If he’s wrong, it’s that he’s wrong in evaluating Mark Ut correctly.”

“… … Correct evaluation?”

“This body is the team’s lubricant, the olive oil in the salad, and the ketchup in the hot dog.”

“I’m going to… … .”

“Keep going. I’m holding it (your fist).”

“… … .”

It was difficult for Jonas to find the time to come here and have a serious conversation.

I can’t help but sigh as I look at Mark Ut’s playful expression, his fist raised in front of my face.

It looks like today’s meeting was a success.

“… … Even if I heard it from Kohler, how did you get here so quickly? It hasn’t even been 20 minutes since I got here.”

“Ah, I have something to cheer up my girlfriend for nearby. It’s the summer festival season, so there’s an art gallery exhibit going on and on… … It’s so cute to hear her whine so much.”

A brief Q&A for a moment.

Then, Seong Ha-neul opens his mouth with a suspicious expression.

“Is your girlfriend angry?”

“That’s right. That’s right… … If you’re going to attack my family, do it carefully. That’s a very difficult joke.”

“You don’t intend to attack me? I was just curious. What do you do at the art gallery?”

“Okay. I feel quite threatened right now. It’s a secret, so don’t ask. I won’t tell you.”

“Then another one. Which one is it?”

“what?”

“Which girlfriend is this? You said three? You said you were seeing them at the same time.”

“… … .”

“I just had a thought, it’s similar to the Olympics. Is it a gold medal, a silver medal, or a bronze medal?”

Oh, please.

Wow!

Mark Ut rushes at him with a reddened forehead, and the boy struggles to stop the grip that is trying to strangle his neck… … Jonas can only sigh and hold on to the violently shaking table.

That was when.

Knock knock knock!

“We are not open for business!!”

At the sound of another knock on the door, the shop owner, Kohler, raises his voice, but at the sound of repeated knocks on the door, he grumbles and moves his feet.

Within moments, the door opens.

“sorry.”

“No, there’s nothing to be sorry about… … There are a lot of people coming.”

To make matters worse, there are more than just one person entering the store. Rempel, Schiri, and Beno Schmitz.

“… … Ut.”

“Oh, why? Since we’re already meeting, why don’t we all meet up?”

It was all called out through messenger.

* * *

As the number of people increases, the flow of conversation also goes beyond Jonas’ control.

“What about Ehijibu?”

“Netherlands.”

“Did you go see your family?”

“That’s right. I think you’ve been there a few times during the season, but it feels different when you go during the vacation period.”

“I heard that Lubicic and Kainz went to Italy.”

“Italy is nice too. Maybe it’s a family trip?”

“Hmm.”

The way of meeting was divided into two.

The former belongs to senior players.

Skiri and Schmitz had a family-oriented conversation, and Jonas added in from time to time, making time pass quickly.

On the other hand, the cases of Rempel, Sung Ha Neul, and Mark Ut, who had less iron, were very different.

“Why did you come?”

“If you hadn’t come, there would have been chaos.”

“Yeah. I survived this time.”

“… … .”

[betrayer.]

“… … Ut, would you stop whispering in my ear? And even if you say he’s a traitor, he should be the one to say it, why should Ut talk?”

Although they are still young (let’s make an exception for Mark Ut), they are engaging in childish bickering and talking about school life, hobbies, and future plans, etc., which are easy for people their age to relate to.

“Aren’t you going to college?”

“Why should I go to college? If only my older brother knew.”

“… … No, what I mean is, Gymnasium itself is a place to study more. I’m not going to a specialized school, and the Abitur (German college entrance exam) is just around the corner. I should probably make a decision soon.”

“well.”

“But I’m personally curious. What’s it like going to Kimnasium? Is it very different from a specialized school?”

“I haven’t been to a specialized school, so how would I know? Did you go to a specialized school?”

“Yeah. Usually, you get in through a connection with a club during your youth. When I was very young, just getting into Cologne was my goal, but once I got older, I went through the set system. By the way, I was really fucking bored.”

“You were elite.”

“Hehehe.”

“When I was young.”

“… … .”

The first topic was, of course, school.

“Did you watch the Champions League final?”

“No. I know Madrid won.”

“Nonsense. Liverpool had the intensity of the pressure, the defense, and the overwhelming number of shots, but they lost because they couldn’t stop just one.”

“You were a Liverpool fan?”

“That’s not it, but I feel like I learned what soccer is like? It’s not that the strong team wins, but the ones who win are strong, that kind of thing.”

“… … Are you telling me to listen?”

[Ugh.]

“… … ”

“You guys became weak because of me?”

“No!! Wow, I’m really speechless. No!”

[Oh my god.]

“Stop it, seriously!!”

The second is a hobby and a main job.

And the third is… … which ultimately becomes each individual’s future.

“… … So what are you going to do?”

“What.”

“You know what I mean. Every single day, rumors about your transfer are spreading.”

“What is that… … .”

“Of course, it’s not just you. There are rumors that Lewandowski will leave Munich, and Erling Haaland has confirmed his move to Manchester City. To be honest, our team’s situation isn’t much different.”

“Have you heard anything?”

“Yes. It seems that Louis Schaub is definitely leaving. They said it out loud. Ostrak is also a free agent. His contract is up, but it seems like the team won’t keep him. It seems like he’s also considering whether to stay in Ehijribüro… … That’s all? Luka (Luka Killian, central defender) is about to end his loan, but negotiations for his permanent transfer with his home team Mainz are dragging on. Aray Mby, who came on loan from Munich, didn’t do well and returned. But in reality, there are two players that fans are paying close attention to.”

“… … ?”

“I will live with you.”

“Salih Ozkan?”

The key may be electronics, but the boy’s attention is drawn to a name: Sali Özkan.

“Yeah. I think they’re talking to Dortmund. I heard they got a pretty good offer. Not from the person involved, but from the news.”

“… …Isn’t this fake news?”

“It can’t be fake.”

“Do you know Utdodo?”

“There are rumors coming out of the training ground. I don’t know if he’ll really transfer, but if he doesn’t confirm or deny it, it’s usually considered to mean that he’s in negotiations.”

“Hmm. Hmm.”

“It’s not strange to be worried. Borussia Dortmund is a much bigger club than us in terms of its size.”

Then, suddenly, Ut takes on a very serious expression and asks a profound question.

“But what are you?”

“me?”

“Okay. What are you going to do?”

“What about me… … .”

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you shouldn’t go. But if you’re going to transfer, you need to prepare in advance. Your studies are also on the line. And you’re still young, so if you’re going to transfer to the UK, you need to make sure you can get a work visa. I heard from my agent that they’ve been really picky since they left the EU. And-”

“You have your own problems, hyung. I know that.”

“… … I won’t keep my mouth shut with a troubled expression. This is the right thing to say realistically. In any case, you should consider… … Hmm, no. It’s something you’re ‘reluctantly’ considering.”

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy, and Jonas, Skiri, and Schmitz’s gaze flew in.

Ut tries to appease him by making a forceps shape with both fingers, but is met with a reaction from the person sitting across the table.

“#$.”

From the drooping eyebrows and corners of the mouth, to the slightly trembling eyes, to the soft Korean swearing.

In the end, Seong Ha-neul couldn’t hide his displeasure.