Chapter 18: The Star and the Sibling
Eun Ha and Yeong Gu glanced at each other, their expressions a mixture of concern and pride. "We're honored by this recognition of Jae-il's abilities." Eun Ha said, both hands on her lap. "But we're also cognizant of the potential challenges. Is it typical for an eight year old to join the U-12 team? We don't want him to feel isolated or overwhelmed."
"We understand your apprehension." The Academy Director responded. "But let me assure you, we've carefully considered this. We believe that not only is Jae-il capable of competing at the U-12 level, but that he'll thrive in that environment. His maturity, both physically and mentally, is far beyond his years. He's not an ordinary eight year old, by any means."
Yeong Gu, silent until now, spoke up. "It's a huge leap. Are you sure about this?" His question was directed at me. His gold-rimmed glasses couldn't conceal the pride and encouragement in his eyes.
I nodded, my expression calm. "I'm ready."
He turned to the Academy Director and Coach Park. "If this is what he wants, and if you think it's best for him, we won't stand in his way."
"Thank you, Mr. Cha." The Director replied. "We'll do our utmost to support him and ensure his transition is smooth and successful." He then looked at me. "Jae-il, are you prepared to take on this new challenge?"
"I am." I replied confidently.
He smiled. "Excellent. Coach Park, do you have the documents?"
Coach Park pulled out a stack of papers and placed them on the desk. "These are the necessary forms. We'll need your signatures."
My parents took the forms and began reading through them. Yeong Gu, mostly. Eun Ha usually deferred to his judgment, and in turn, Yeong Gu deferred to mine. He glanced at me once in a while, as if checking to make sure I was okay with all of this. But I wasn't worried; I was eager to move forward.
As they signed the forms, the Academy Director turned to me. "You'll be training with the U-12 team from next week. Use this time to say goodbye to your current teammates, as well as to get yourself mentally and physically ready for the change."
I bowed politely. "Thank you for the opportunity, Director Lee."
"You should be proud, Jae-il." The Academy Director said. "This is a rare opportunity. We don't make this kind of promotion lightly. You've earned it through hard work and talent. We're eagerly anticipating your performance in the U-12 league."
"Thank you, sir." I replied, a small smile on my lips. Yet another significant milestone was reached.
xXx
The following days after that were uneventful, until the weekend. The club had organized a 'farewell party' for me, to celebrate my promotion to the U-12s. It was a bit of an overstatement to call it a party, really. In reality, it was more like a team lunch, a small gathering of my teammates.
Sung Hynwoo's eyes shone with sadness and determination. We hadn't been teammates for that long, but the kid still had some sort of bond with me. "Jae-il." His voice was soft and sincere. "I'm going to work really hard to catch up to you. I'll be in the U-12s in no time."
"Keep your head down and your mind on the game." I gave him a small, encouraging pat on the shoulder. "You've got the potential. Just remember, don't chase me. I'll wait for you. And if you're good enough, you might find me in the same team as you."
He nodded, a fierce determination burning in his eyes. "I won't let you down."
"Make sure you don't." I said, a hint of a smile on my face. Sung Hyunwoo, despite his young age, showed a surprising level of maturity, and a certain amount of self-awareness. He was a good kid, with a lot of potential. I'll likely meet many more like him on my way to the top.
I was going to miss him, just a little bit.
From the corner of my eye, I spotted Kim Jee approaching. His face was a mixture of pride and sadness, his lips trembling slightly. "Jae-il." He began, his voice unsteady. "I'm going to miss you. You've taught me so much." He paused, swallowing hard.
I didn't know how to respond to that. To be honest, I didn't teach him shit. Just nudged him into the right direction during practice and games.
"Group hug!" Sung Hyunwoo suggested with big, crocodile tears.
"No." I responded immediately. "Wait—"
"Too late!" Kim Jee exclaimed and threw himself at me, wrapping his arms around me in a tight embrace. Soon, Sung Hyunwoo followed, and the other teammates joined in, surrounding me in a massive, suffocating group hug. My eyeballs were about to pop out of their sockets.
I was starting to wonder if being a footballer in this life was the right call. My last one was simpler, at least in terms of social interaction. I'd never hugged anyone in the BOPE.
"Okay, okay, let him breathe!" Coach Park's voice rang out, and the group reluctantly disengaged. I gasped for air, trying to regain my composure. I shot a look at Coach Park, who wore an amused grin. "Sorry, Jae-il. I couldn't resist." He chuckled. "You're a part of the team, even if you're moving up. We're like family here."
"Gee, how sweet." I said dryly, adjusting my shirt.
Coach Park adjusted his cap. "Alright, everyone. Let's let Jae-il enjoy the rest of his day. He has a lot of work ahead of him." His gaze turned to me. "You're going to kill it out there, kid."
I smirked, a glint of mischief in my eyes. "Of course I will, Coach. That's what I do."
He smiled.
The conversation and lunch went on for a while. My teammates wished me luck, shared some memories, and teased each other. I mostly stayed silent, observing. I had little to add, and I wasn't feeling particularly emotional about leaving this team.
We'd won all our matches, and it had gotten quite boring towards the end. I'd had to hold back to avoid embarrassing the other teams too much, which was a challenge in itself. Even then, the victories were overwhelming. The other teams had barely put up a fight, and it had become increasingly difficult to stay motivated.
Now, the prospect of playing against older, more skilled opponents... didn't exactly make me that eager since it was still a league for literal children, but it was a welcome change. It meant I could push myself a little harder, set higher goals, and not feel like I was participating in a rigged wrestling match.
...
Su Ah's POV:
Dad didn't hold back with the news, or the beer.
It was the first time she'd seen him drunk, and it wasn't exactly a pleasant sight. He was sitting on the floor in the living room, his head leaning against the sofa, an empty bottle in his hand.
"Jae-il! My son, the star player!" He hiccuped, his cheeks flushed. "U-12, can you believe it? And he's only eight! Hahaha!"
Mom sighed, rubbing her temples. "Dear, please. You're setting a bad example."
Dad laughed, waving her away. "Nonsense! This is a celebration, Eun Ha! Our son, the little prodigy!" His voice was slurred, his words blending together. "I always knew he was special. Didn't I tell you? Didn't I say he was going to be big?"
"Yes, dear, you did." Mom replied, a tone of resignation in her voice.
"Big, I tell you! Bigger than the stars!" Dad's laughter filled the room, his eyes sparkling with a mix of pride and drunkenness.
Su Ah didn't know what the deal was, or why he was getting so worked up, or why she should care. She was sitting in the corner of the living room, a book in her hand, trying her best to ignore her drunk father. She was used to his business trips and long absences, but this version of him, loud and inebriated, was new and quite pathetic.
Then again, what did she know about football? All she knew was that her little brother was better at it than most boys his age. And apparently, that was a big deal. A very big deal, according to their father.
He waved a newspaper around, constantly pointing and reading out loud what the local media was saying about Jae-il, about their team, about the U-12 promotion.
Su Ah tried to focus on the words on the page, but they kept slipping away, replaced by her father's voice echoing around the apartment.
"'The youngest ever to be promoted to U-12 in our club's history... a genius forward with vision beyond his years…'" He read aloud, stumbling over the quote with theatrical flair. "Watch out, Europe!" He shouted, raising the bottle like a trophy.
"Watch out, liver failure." Su Ah muttered.
Their mother shot her an exasperated look but said nothing.
It wasn't that Su Ah hated her brother—far from it. She just wasn't used to all this noise surrounding him. Until a year or so ago, Jae-il had just been a quiet, serious kid who barely talked unless it was about football or what he wanted for lunch.
Now? Now he was the future. A future that went hand-in-hand with reporters, and, apparently, their father turning into a drunk cheerleader.
She sighed and stood up, tucking her book under one arm. "I'm going to my room."
Her father, lost in his own world of alcohol, didn't notice her leave. She could still hear his voice echoing down the hall.
Once in her room, she closed the door behind her, muffling the sounds from outside. Her space was her sanctuary, a quiet haven amidst the noise and chaos.
She let out a sigh of relief, placing the book on her desk before flopping onto the bed.
She wasn't jealous of her brother's achievements, nor did she resent the attention he was receiving. But the whole spectacle was overwhelming. Why couldn't everyone just calm down a bit? Football was a sport, not a religion.
As she lay there, staring at the ceiling, a soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
It was a familiar pattern, one that she had come to recognize.
"Come in."
Predictably, Jae-il opened the door and stepped inside. "Hey."
She sat up, her gaze meeting his. "Hey."
For a moment, none of them said anything.
Then...
"Sorry about that." Jae-il gestured vaguely towards the living room. "I didn't think father would go that far." It must've been one of the reasons why he and Mia had left earlier, no doubt.
Su Ah shrugged, sitting up. "It's fine. It's not your fault he can't handle his drink."
"Yeah." Jae-il leaned against the door, his expression thoughtful. "Still, it must be annoying for you."
"It's not..." She hesitated. "Okay, it is a bit annoying. But I'm not blaming you for it." Her voice softened, a trace of amusement in her words. "You're my little brother. I'm proud of you, even though I don't understand what's so great about a U-12 promotion."
"Nothing's great about it, don't worry. Anything related to children's football is ridiculous, at best." Jae-il said dismissively. "The hype's stupid, too."
Su Ah's eyebrows raised at that. She thought along the same lines as him, but it seemed he put his achievements on a lower pedestal than even Su Ah herself did.
"Well." She cleared her throat, changing the subject. "How are you feeling about it, then?"
Jae-il paused for a moment, considering her question. "... Excited, I guess. But not for the reasons people think."
Su Ah tilted her head. "Then for what reasons?"
He shrugged, but didn't elaborate on that any further. Instead. "Here." He held out a platter with cake on it. "Saved you a piece before Mia Noona could eat it all." He said, chuckling. "I saw you reaching for it earlier. Mia Noona's going to go crazy for the rest, and that'd be bad. You know how she is."
A smile tugged at her lips. "Thank you."
Jae-il nodded and handed her the cake. She took it, their fingers briefly brushing against each other. "Make sure to eat that quickly, Mia Noona's got a sixth sense for this kind of stuff." He warned her. "She'll sniff that out."
Su Ah rolled her eyes. She knew how chocolate-obsessed that Unnie of hers was. "Don't worry, I will."
"Alright, then." Jae-il said, stepping back. "Good night, Noona." He paused, his eyes softening. "Enjoy the book."
"Hmm."
She nodded, her growing bangs falling over her eyes.
As he left, closing the door behind him, Su Ah looked at the cake and then at her book.
Indeed, how could she ever be jealous when her little brother behaved like this? Like ReplyReport Reactions:SquirtleTurtle, PassingBy, Demon_queen and 144 othersNneeilSep 6, 2025Add bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks Chapter 19: U-12s View contentNneeilKnow what you're doing yet?Sep 6, 2025Add bookmark#23Chapter 19: U-12s
The transition to the U-12 team wasn't as smooth as everyone had hoped.
At the beginning, the older kids had given me the cold shoulder, probably thinking of me as an intruder, an upstart who thought he could walk in and take their spots. It wasn't an unreasonable reaction—they'd been playing together for a while, and I was a newcomer, a few years younger, and with a reputation that likely preceded me.
The new rising star. An eight year old kid playing in the U-12 league. For a bunch of entitled little shits, it was a blow to their overdeveloped egos.
I didn't expect to be welcomed with open arms, but I wasn't prepared for the outright hostility either.
My patience was tested from the get-go.
During the warm-up, I ran laps alongside my new teammates. The coaches and fitness instructors, most of them new to me, were keeping a close eye on us. Or me, perhaps.
Likely me.
But my physical condition was top notch; always been. More than talent, I had discipline. To be at the top, you needed both. I'd had both in my last life, and I had them now.
The first real issue arose when we started to do some passing drills. A routine, basic exercise. However, that was the point where the friction started to become palpable.
I was paired up with a boy named Lee Hyuk, one of the starting midfielders. He had a stocky build, short-cropped hair, and a perpetually sullen expression. His eyes, dark and sharp, were fixed on me with a mix of contempt and annoyance.
When the drill began, he barely passed the ball to me, opting instead to kick it as far away from me as possible. When I tried to pass to him, he either ignored the ball or returned it with excessive force, as if he was trying to hurt me.
It was a juvenile tactic, but effective in its own way. It slowed down the flow of the practice. And it wasn't until one of the coaches, Coach Kim, intervened that Lee Hyuk grudgingly started to pass the ball more reasonably.
That, unfortunately, wasn't the end of it.
"Alright, kiddos. Let's do one match. Bibs versus no bibs." The lead coach, Coach Jeon, announced. He was a middle-aged man, with a chubby build, a receding hairline, and a perpetually serious expression. "Teams will be..." He pointed to each of us in turn. "Jae-il, Lee Hyuk, Joo Young, Seok Woo, and Min Ho, you're on one team."
We were all handed a bib. I slipped mine over my head. Lee Hyuk was on my team, and his scowl deepened when he heard the coach's decision. He shot me a look that was anything but friendly. I could only sigh. A kid's hostility was anything but intimidating, and it was something I could easily handle.
It was just a hassle, and I was getting tired of it fast.
After assigning the rest of the teams, Coach Jeon blew his whistle. The match began.
I started in the midfield. Lee Hyuk and I were supposed to play as a duo. However, it quickly became apparent that Lee Hyuk had no intention of playing as a team. He avoided passing the ball to me whenever possible, opting to either force his way up the field or pass to someone else. When I managed to intercept a pass, he'd often chase me down and literally steal the ball from my feet.
The rest of my teammates said nothing. They merely snickered as they ran past me.
There was not a single attempt from anyone to build any sort of connection, to create a flow, a rhythm. It was all disjointed, individualistic. I understood that my presence there might have made some of the older players feel insecure, but this was just absurd.
...
The first half ended around fifteen minutes later, and it was obvious from the coaches' gazes that they were highly unsatisfied with the performance. After all, it wasn't exactly what they had been expecting when they decided to promote an eight year old to their ranks.
They hadn't expected a bunch of ten to twelve year olds to act like, well, kids.
"Hey, midget." One of the boys, taller than me with a shaved head, shoved me aside as I drank some water.
His name was Jinsoo. He was the team's top striker and, apparently, its biggest asshole.
I stumbled a bit, catching myself before I fell.
"What's the matter, kid?" Jinsoo sneered. "Too small to play with the big boys?" His cronies laughed, their voices grating and mocking.
I straightened up, my eyes narrowing. "No, I'm fine." I replied, my voice steady. "But you'll be the small one once I'm done with you, you prick."
"What did you call me?" He growled, taking a step forward, his fists clenched. "You little shit, I'll—"
"Boys!" A sharp voice cut through the air. It was Coach Jeon. He gathered us around. Both teams. His voice was unusually sterner than usual. "Listen up, everyone. We need to make some changes. We're going to switch up the teams a bit."
I glanced over at Lee Hyuk, who was still scowling, his arms crossed over his chest. Beside him, Jinsoo was grinning, a smug look on his face. The other players seemed equally indifferent.
"Let's see..." Coach Jeon put on a thoughtful expression. His eyes swept over us before he turned towards the reserves—the benchers. "I want to try something different. Jae-il." My name was first. "You're going to play as a striker. You'll have Kim Jonghoon as your attacking midfielder and Park Chulsoo as a winger. You'll have the rest of the benchers as defense. Jinsoo, you're on the other team."
Lee Hyuk and Jinsoo in one team? I smirked. Oh, boy. I wondered if I could make 12 year olds cry too.
I looked back at my new team. The benchers were quite nervous, but at least they were nice enough to introduce themselves without sounding like they were doing me a favor. Kim Jonghoon and Park Chulsoo—Jinsoo's previous teammates—opted for an indifferent approach.
Well, as long as they at least made an attempt to work together, I was okay with it.
Coach Jeon blew the whistle.
xXx
Coach Jeon's POV:
It was like watching a trainwreck in slow motion. The new team was a disaster from the moment they stepped onto the pitch. The kids, most of them on the bench for a reason, didn't know how to work together. Their passes were off, their runs ill-timed, and their positioning was atrocious.
Yet...
Jae-il was like a shining light in the darkness. He was everywhere, covering every gap, making up for his teammates' mistakes. He was a one-man army. Slippery. Fast. Unbelievably skilled for his age. It was unreal. Coach Jeon had heard from Coach Park, and Director Lee. Jae-il was supposedly a special talent, but the man hadn't expected this.
Even the best kids in the U-12 leagues didn't have the kind of coordination, vision and sheer skill that Jae-il did.
It didn't matter if two of his teammates didn't want Jae-il to succeed.
It didn't matter if the benchers were out of their depth.
Jae-il simply made it work.
An overstep here, a feint there, and he was past defenders twice his size.
He would then dribble past the keeper and score. Over and over again.
By the time Jae-il's team had scored their fifth goal, that's when they began to foul him. The older boys, led by Lee Hyuk and Jinsoo, started to resort to cheap shots. Trips, pushes, even outright tackles from behind. One had even grabbed a fistful of his shirt.
But Jae-il? He didn't flinch. He didn't whine. He just picked himself up, placed the ball, and buried it from a free kick. Then a penalty. And finally, with an almost casual defiance—a goal straight from a corner.
A corner.
Coach Jeon had seen enough. "That's it!" He called a halt to the match. The score was 9-2, with all of the goals on the winning side coming from Jae-il. "Let's take a break, boys."
Jae-il was sitting on the grass, a bruise on his cheek, his jersey torn, and his legs covered in grass stains. He didn't seem to care, though. He was smiling, a satisfied grin that bordered on cocky. He'd just schooled the entire team, and he knew it. "What do you think?" Coach Kim said, his voice low as he approached him.
Coach Jeon sighed, running a hand through his receding hair. "What do you want me to say?"
"Look at him." Coach Kim gestured towards Jae-il. "He's eight, and he's already better than most of the U-14s, skillwise. I've never seen a kid with such natural talent. It's almost unfair."
"I know, I know." Coach Jeon rubbed his temples. "He's going to be the death of me."
"What now, then?"
"We do what we have to." He glanced at the rest of the team, many of them sulking or shooting envious glares at Jae-il. "We let him play where he wants. Besides, I don't think he'll stay with us for long..."
"Hoh?" Coach Kim hummed, eyes narrowed. "You're thinking about it, aren't you?"
Coach Jeon gave a slow nod, eyes still locked on the boy. "Maybe it's too early to say. But honestly… South Korea might be too small for him." Like ReplyReport Reactions:PassingBy, Demon_queen, mac_&_cheese and 150 othersNneeilSep 6, 2025Add bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks Chapter 20: A Ball of Controversies View contentNneeilKnow what you're doing yet?Sep 6, 2025Add bookmark#24Chapter 20: A Ball of Controversies
Lee Hyuk and Jinsoo's faces were a sigh to behold and immortalize; I wished someone had been recording the slaughter, or at least taken a couple of pictures. I'd have enjoyed looking back at them one day, once I was in the Premier League and the likes of them were playing in a third-rate league.
It was a bit cruel, and perhaps even petty, but I was only a child. I was allowed to be petty.
It was also a great lesson. Never underestimate your opponents, especially when you're a child. I wasn't a child, but they were.
They were red, frustrated, and furious.
Lee Hyuk, in particular, looked like he was going to burst a blood vessel, his face a mask of rage. Jinsoo, on the other hand, was seething, his fists clenched tightly, knuckles white.
The rest of the team looked just as shattered—battered bodies and bruised egos strewn across the field.
Meanwhile, the benchwarmers sat wide-eyed in stunned silence, caught somewhere between disbelief and secondhand embarrassment.
The second half never truly reached its conclusion; Coach Jeon stepped in before the final whistle, striding onto the field with a tight-lipped expression and a forced calm. "Good work." He muttered here and there. "Well done..." He offered to the slumped shoulders and downcast eyes, but the words landed like lead.
They all knew the truth—no amount of hollow praise could soften the sting of a 17–3 scoreboard.
As for me?
I was slumped on the grass, a fresh bruise blooming on my cheek, my jersey torn at the shoulder, and my legs streaked with sweat and grass stains.
Some of the scratches on my knees were even bleeding a little, and I had a cut on my elbow. The harder I scored, the more aggressively and frequently they'd tried to foul me. But that was par the course. It was the same as the last life.
When the game is everything, it's normal to see people cheat to get ahead.
I'd seen that a thousand times over.
I exhaled, standing up and dusting myself off.
Coach Jeon was behind me.
He cleared his throat. "Jae-il." His voice was firm yet surprisingly calm. "Let's get those cuts cleaned up."
I nodded, not saying anything. I followed him towards the bench.
He sat me down and pulled out a first aid kit. He wiped my cuts with an antiseptic, his touch surprisingly gentle despite the stern look on his face.
"Jae-il." Coach Jeon spoke again as he wrapped a bandage around my knee. "You're quite something."
"Thanks, Coach." I said, not looking at him. I didn't feel like gloating. I was just tired.
"You're going to have to get used to this kind of stuff." He continued, his voice steady. "There will always be people who will try to bring you down." He taped up my elbow, his eyes focused on my wound. "When you're the playmaker, you're the target. That's how it is. Opponents won't try to foul the guy who plays it safe. They'll go after the one who can change the match."
I glanced at him, and he met my eyes.
"It's not easy. Especially at your age." He paused, looking up at me. "But you've got something special. Don't let anyone take that away from you."
I didn't respond immediately. I looked down at my feet, then back at him. "Thanks, Coach. I'll try not to."
He finished taping up my elbow and stood up, patting my shoulder. "Good. Now, get up. Go home, get some rest. You'll need it."
"Will do, sir."
"Oh, and Jae-il."
I turned towards him one last time.
"Good job today."
"Thank you."
I gave him a nod and walked off the field.
The sensation of being watched didn't fade until I was a long distance away.
xXx
My debut in the U-12 team was, for the lack of a better term, explosive. A national monthly football magazine—Best Eleven—had caught wind of an eight-year-old prodigy in the U-12 league. The news had already been covered by a previous news outlet, but Best Eleven had more of an influence, so to speak. That's how my story was featured on the news.
This time, however, it didn't necessarily come with a positive spin, necessarily. Nothing over the top or harsh. Just a critical question of whether the supposedly eight-year-old prodigy was worth all the hype, and whether he truly belonged in the U-12 league. The short article ended with a call for the boy to prove his mettle, and the magazine's promise to keep an eye on him in the upcoming match against the U-12 squad of Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
Yeong Gu had promptly thrown the magazine in the trash, loudly declaring that he'd cancel the subscription until they published a more positive piece.
"Look what you did to dad." Mia said, a half-smile on her lips. She'd just come out of the bathroom after a long bath and kitchen break. "All riled up because someone criticized his precious son."
I rolled my eyes, taking a sip of water. "It's not that big of a deal. You'd be surprised by how many talented people have been ignored or mistreated before they became successful." I paused. "And that's not even touching on the subject of racism, sexism, and all the other isms. Not to mention the people who never made it despite all the talent in the world."
Mia plopped down beside me on the couch, popping the straw into the bubble tea. "I know, I know. But still, you're not a nobody. You've got enough talent to get people's attention. That should count for something."
I shrugged. "I don't deal in maybes. I'm going to make sure they know who I am."
Her eyes glinted as she kicked off her loafers to curl up on the sofa, making sure her back rested against me as she took a sip of her drink. A pleased sigh escaped her lips. "What are you going to do then, little bro?"
"I'm going to win the match." I said simply.
Mia poked my cheek with the straw of her bubble tea, leaving a wet smudge on my perfectly clear and beautiful skin. I frowned as she laughed. "You're so cute when you get all aloof and cocky." She teased, shaking her drink. The bobas twirled inside. "Want some?"
I wiped the liquid off my cheek. "I'm not cute." I said, getting up and away from this Noona of mine.
"Wait! Don't gooo!" Mia whined as she dramatically stretched a hand towards my retreating form, her drink swaying in her other hand.
I wasn't in the mood to deal with a clingy, spoiled sister right now. It didn't help that Mia had been acting like a particularly obnoxious kitten.
Sometimes she'd just hang around. Sometimes she'd ask something that made me feel awkward. And sometimes she'd just sit there and stare.
It didn't seem like anyone else noticed it, or if they did, they didn't think anything of it. Maybe I was the only one who felt uncomfortable. After all, it wasn't exactly a bad thing to have a sister who seemed to be more physically affectionate than the average.
I shook my head.
Sunday couldn't come fast enough.
xXx
The day of the match dawned clear and cool.
I arrived at the pitch with Coach Jeon and the rest of the team, and we were led to the locker rooms. I eyed my teammates. Ever since that first training session where I'd shown them what I was capable of, they'd been walking on eggshells around me. Some still looked at me with resentment, others with curiosity, and the benchers with respect.
Regardless, thanks to Coach Jeon and Coach Kim putting down their foot, no one was actively antagonizing me anymore. However, the tension was still palpable, and I knew it wouldn't take much for things to escalate again.
This shit actually made me miss my previous teammates. Who'd have thought?
I sat on the bench, tying my cleats. The rest of the team was doing their thing; some of them were stretching, others were having a chat, and some were sitting silently. People poured into the bleachers. More than usual. If the U-10 had a trickle of people, the U-12 had a small stream.
My parents were there as well.
Eun Ha. Yeong Gu. Mia and even Su Ah.
Mia, that pesky brat, literally bent over the railing, waving a manicured hand in my direction with a grin.
Her butter-yellow hair swayed in the wind.
She cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled. "Good luck, little bro!"
"Ah! Mia!" Eun Ha's hand shot out, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. "You're going to fall off!"
"But Jae-il's about to play!" Mia protested, her voice a mixture of excitement and indignation.
Yeong Gu just sighed and took a seat.
I chuckled and gave them a brief wave.
My attention was soon pulled to the other side of the pitch, where the Suwon Samsung Bluewings, bedecked in their classic blue and white jerseys, were warming up. Their team, renowned for its youth academy, was one of the most successful in the K League 1—the top tier of professional football in South Korea.
The Bluewings were a force to be reckoned with.
I looked at my teammates. As much as I didn't get along with most of them, I had to admit that, at least, they were burning with determination and a longing for revenge. It was obvious, after all—all misgivings aside—that they were a step above the U-10s.
Compared to me, they were all older, taller, and bigger.
A gap that I'd bridge and overcome with speed, intelligence, and skills.
Coach Jeon gathered us around him, his face set in a grim expression. "Alright, boys. This is it." He began, his voice low and serious. "We've trained hard for this moment, and now it's time to show them what we're made of." His eyes swept over the team, and I saw some of the boys straighten up, their faces set in determination. "We're not going to let them intimidate us. We're not going to back down. We're going to go out there and play the best football of our lives. Got it?"
"Yes, coach!!"
We all chorused. Like ReplyReport Reactions:SquirtleTurtle, PassingBy, Demon_queen and 140 othersNneeilSep 6, 2025Add bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks Chapter 21: Making the First Mark New View contentNneeilKnow what you're doing yet?Sep 7, 2025Add bookmark#31Chapter 21: Making the First Mark
Eun Ha's POV:
Here they were again, in the stands of a football field, their eyes glued to the pitch. Eun Ha couldn't help but marvel at how quickly Jae-il's football journey had taken flight. Just a few months ago, he was playing in the U-10 league, and now, he was already taking on the U-12s.
She glanced around her. Yeong Gu was beside her, his hands clenched into fists, his eyes fixed on Jae-il. Su Ah was next to her, her expression one of curiosity and mild interest.
And Mia...
Well, Mia was the most animated of them all, her face lit with excitement, her hands clapping in anticipation.
The whistle blew, signalling the start of the match.
Eun Ha exhaled softly, her eyes tracking Jae-il as he moved across the field. He looked so small compared to the rest of the boys. But then again, he always did. It was easy to forget that he was only eight years old.
She bit her lip. This wasn't just a game. This was her son, out there, competing against older, bigger boys. It was a strange mix of pride and anxiety that she felt. Then again, she'd had this talk with her husband. One day, it'll be a different country, not a different age group. She just hoped that she'd have a little more time with him before that happened.
By the time Eun Ha turned to the match, Jae-il was already in the thick of the action. He had the ball at his feet. A feint to the left, a quick turn, and he was past the first defender. Another feint, a burst of speed, and he was past the second. Two more came, but Jae-il gave a no-look pass to his teammate and sprinted past them.
The teammate was smart enough to pass it back to him.
Jae-il smoothly received and controlled the ball right at the edge of the penalty area—
Then a much bigger Bluewings defender slammed into him.
Eun Ha gasped, nearly standing up from her seat. Her heart skipped a beat, her eyes locked on her son's prone form on the ground. He didn't get up immediately, and the worry gnawed at her. "Oh, no... Jae-il!" Her voice trembled, her hands clenching into fists.
The referee blew his whistle, signalling a foul. Eun Ha's eyes were fixed on her son, her breath caught in her throat.
Yeong Gu's arm was around her shoulders, his touch comforting. "Relax, honey. Jae-il is strong."
But Eun Ha couldn't relax. Not until Jae-il got up. Not until she knew he was okay. Not until he was safe in her arms.
Slowly, Jae-il rose, dusting himself off. Eun Ha's relief was palpable, a soft sigh escaping her lips. She watched as he shook off the tackle.
The referee beckoned the players to their positions, ready for the free kick. Jae-il, still looking a bit wobbly, took the ball and placed it on the ground, his face a mask of nonchalance.
She held her breath as he took a few steps back, his eyes locked on the ball. The whistle blew again, and Jae-il ran towards the ball, his foot connecting with it in a swift, powerful kick. The ball soared through the air, over the heads of the Bluewings players, and dipped just before the crossbar. The goalkeeper stretched out his arm, but it was too late—the ball sailed over his fingertips, landing in the back of the net.
The spread out spectators erupted into applause, and Eun Ha's heart soared.
She could even hear the praise from some of the onlookers.
"That's the new kid, right? He's amazing!"
"Did you see that? What a shot!"
"I've never seen a player with that kind of skill before. He's a prodigy!"
Yeong Gu was on his feet, pumping his fist in the air. "That's my son! That's Jae-il!"
Eun Ha smiled, a sense of pride swelling in her chest. Her eyes flicked to her son on the field. Jae-il's teammates, who had initially kept their distance from him, were now surrounding him, slapping him on the back and cheering.
He was smiling, a rare sight on his usually stoic face.
…
What's this?
Now some of the spectators wore frowns.
The first few goals were met with applause, the next ones with surprise, and now, the latest ones were met with silence. Even Eun Ha found herself unsure of what to think.
He was tearing through the Bluewings' defense like they were nothing more than practice cones. It was hard to believe that this boy, barely eight years old, was playing against kids years his senior—and dominating. It was a stunning display of talent.
But it was also... too much. Too overwhelming. Too absurd. The crowd's initial enthusiasm had slowly turned into a mix of awe and unease.
How could someone so young play like that?
How could someone so young be so good?
As Jae-il continued to score, the silence grew. The Bluewings' defenders were left in the dust, their attempts to stop Jae-il futile. The midfielders couldn't keep up with his pace, the forwards were left out of the match, and the goalkeeper was simply a spectator.
Eun Ha glanced at her husband, who was sitting beside her, his eyes wide with shock.
The referee had lost count of how many times he blew his whistle for fouls. A kid, after continuous fouls, was eventually given a yellow card. Another kid was given a straight red card. It had reached a point that the Bluewings were resorting to cheap shots and dangerous tackles to try and stop her son.
Jae-il, however, didn't seem to mind.
A cut here.
A bleeding knee there.
He just kept getting up, shrugging it off with mild annoyance at best, and scoring.
By the time the second half had started, it was apparent to everyone that the match was a foregone conclusion. The score was 7-0 in their favour. It was a rout.
Whilst not all of the goals were from Jae-il, the actions and passes that led to it certainly were borne from his tiny feet.
He was always at the right place, at the right time. And even if he wasn't, he'd make it happen.
xXx
Jae-il's POV:
You know how there's a saying, about how when you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back? Well, I felt like I was the abyss and everyone else was staring into me. And what they saw, what they felt, was a deep, yawning void of disbelief. The crowd, which had started out with a mix of curiosity and anticipation, had slowly turned into a sea of stunned, silent faces.
Parents, coaches, journalists—they all sat in a kind of dumbfounded awe, their eyes glued to the field, their mouths slightly agape.
I low key enjoyed it; I've never enjoyed being gawked at like a circus monkey, but this was the first step towards stardom. It was like I was the magician, performing a magic trick, and everyone was waiting to see how I did it.
Except I wasn't going to reveal my secrets.
And, honestly, I loved proving myself. There was no reason for me to hold back, no reason to let up or allow the other team any chance to recover. I knew that a more mature person or player would've stopped there. Coach Park had said something about it; I'd done my part, I should let the others play.
This was straight out humiliation. It always ended like this.
I felt bad, a bit. Really. But there were people watching. Journalists. Potential scouts.
What could I do? If I saw an opportunity, I'd take it. If I saw a glaring weakness, a clear hole in their defense, I'd slash the ball through it and into the feet of my teammates.
So, I kept pushing, kept running, kept scoring. I played like the devil was on my tail, like the world was ending in the next ninety minutes, like there was no tomorrow.
Kids or not, who cares? If I held back, the world would pass me by.
I'd been given a second chance at life, and I was going to take it with both hands, and I wasn't going to let go until I'd squeezed every last drop out of it. Even if it meant that I'd make the sport bad for others.
I owed it to my previous mother, who never saw me lift the biggest trophy for our nation.
I didn't know if it was the sheer awe of my skills or the fact that the other team was just so outmatched, but the Bluewings seemed to lose their fighting spirit. They were still running, still trying, but it was clear that they were running on empty.
It was towards the last few minutes, when the score was a staggering 14-0, that I decided enough was enough.
"Coach Jeon." I spoke as I walked to the bench. "Let me rest."
He looked at me, surprised. But nodded regardless. "Okay, kid. You've done enough. More... than enough." He gave a brief nod, staring at me with the same incredulous eyes of the Bluewings' players and the spectators.
He had stopped shouting and handing instructions around... ten goals ago. Then he merely let the match unfold in stunned silence.
The substitution was quickly announced. And as I walked off the field, I received a standing ovation, albeit a rather muted one. The crowd's reaction was mixed; some were clapping, others were just watching with blank stares, while the Bluewings' parents and coaches looked like they'd seen a ghost.
I collapsed on the bench, feeling a sense of satisfaction and fatigue. So what? I was still an eight-year old kid. Give me ten years, and then we'll talk.
As it was, I was physically exhausted.
The rest of the game went by in a blur, with the other players on my team doing their best to keep the score as it was. And when the final whistle blew, the silence was deafening.
The scoreboard read 15-0.
It was a record-breaking victory, one that would go down in the annals of Korean youth football. And it was all thanks to me, an eight-year-old kid playing in the U-12 league. Best Eleven was going to have a field day with this news—and I already knew Yeong Gu would sing praises for it in the next edition, as if he had never threatened to cancel the subscription.
Slowly, the spectators filed out of the stands, some of them shaking their heads in disbelief.
My team gave me a wide berth wherever I went. I single-handedly carried out their revenge for them and, in a way, saved them the embarrassment of a second defeat to the same team. But I was no hero. To them, I was a monster.
I was okay with it.
At least, they weren't antagonizing me anymore. Not openly.
As I walked to the parking lot, I could hear the murmurs and whispers from the few stragglers who remained.
I almost forgot what it felt like having your name on everyone's mouth.
"That's him."
"The boy wonder."
"He's a prodigy, alright."
"He's a freak of nature."
"Did you see how he danced around them? It was like they weren't even there."
"Where did he learn to play like that?"
"I heard he's been trained by a European coach."
"Nah, I heard he's been playing since he could walk."
I rolled my eyes. For some reason, South Koreans loved to exaggerate and make up the most outrageous stories.
Thankfully, I wasn't famous enough to be swarmed. My stroll towards the parking lot was mostly leisure and unbothered. The rest of my family, of course, was already there, waiting for me.
"Well done, Jae-il!" Yeong Gu's voice boomed across the parking lot as soon as he saw me. His face was a mix of pride and excitement, his eyes twinkling. "You were amazing out there!"
I gave him a tired smile. I didn't know what to say. I was used to this. It was nothing new, nothing to write home about. At least, that's how I felt. Everyone else, however, seemed to think it was a big deal.
Eun Ha, my mother, was equally ecstatic, but with a subtle hint of apprehension. I tilted my head, smiling up to her. She smiled back, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "You did great, honey." She said softly, her hand patting my head.
I nodded. A mother's recognition was still one of the best feelings in the world.
Still, Eun Ha opened her mouth, clearly wanting to say more, but thought better of it.
She ended up shaking her head.
"...?"
"Alright, let's go celebrate!" Yeong Gu announced, clapping his hands together. "I know a great place that serves the best chicken in the city. What do you say, Jae-il? Want to feast like a king tonight?"
"Why feast like a king when you can feast like a football player?" I asked, a small smirk tugging at my lips. "I need carbs, dad."
Yeong Gu laughed. "That's my boy!"
"Can't we just go home and eat there?" Su Ah said. "I'm tired."
"Come on, dear." Yeong Gu said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as he tried to coax the youngest daughter. "It's a special occasion!"
Su Ah merely gave him a complete disinterested look.
Mia, who was leaning against the car, her eyes glued to her phone, suddenly spoke up. "I agree with dad. Let's go get chicken."
Yeong Gu smiled. "There you go, see? Someone agrees with me."
"Chicken-obsessed idiots..." Su Ah muttered, shaking her head.
I nudged this reclusive sister of mine. "Come on, Noona. I promise that when I get filthy rich you'll get to eat what you want wherever you want. Let's go grab some chicken, yeah? I'm hungry too."
She sighed and relented, and that was that.
As I got into the car, I saw a group of journalists huddled outside the stadium, probably discussing the match. Some had their cameras, others had their notepads. And they were all talking animatedly, their voices a mixture of awe and disbelief.
News certainly travel fast.
Yeong Gu saw them too, scoffed, and drove off.
I sighed, looking out the window.
And, just like that, time flew by. Like ReplyReport Reactions:PassingBy, Demon_queen, Sairicu and 145 othersNneeilSep 7, 2025NewAdd bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks Chapter 22: Intermission ~ Eun Ha's Inner Turmoil New View contentNneeilKnow what you're doing yet?Sep 7, 2025Add bookmark#32Chapter 22: Intermission ~ Eun Ha's Inner Turmoil
Eun Ha's POV:
It was late in the evening, the sky painted in hues of deep blue.
Eun Ha found herself staring at the ceiling, her thoughts fire dumpster.
Beside her, Yeong Gu's snores echoed through the room, a sound she had long since become accustomed to.
She turned on her side, her gaze falling on her husband's sleeping face. He looked peaceful, his features relaxed. Once, a smile would have flitted across those lips of hers. Maybe she'd have reached out and caressed his cheek. Now, she simply stared at him, her eyes searching for something in his face that she couldn't quite define.
Oh, how she wished she could be so at ease. To sleep so soundly, without a care in the world.
But her mind wouldn't quiet down.
Truth certainly was a strange thing. It had a way of sneaking up on you, of catching you off guard. And when it did, it hit you hard, leaving you reeling. Eun Ha, for once, came to learn how to control the flow of her tears. They no longer came unbidden, like a sudden storm. Instead, she'd have to search for the pain, to will it into existence.
She closed her eyes, her hand reaching for her husband's arm. She traced the lines of his skin with her fingers, her touch light, barely there.
And then, she exhaled, her breath a whisper in the dark.
"Why did you do it...?"
She didn't want it to be a question, for her voice was so low it couldn't have possibly been heard.
But she really wanted to hear it from him, the reason, the motive that pushed this family man, always so kind and caring, to seek another woman's touch. Not just any—it wasn't a sudden attraction that had her husband's eyes wandering, not even an old flame.
The worst of the worst.
Prostitues.
Girls that were barely past adulthood.
Eun Ha, despite not being as young as these girls, was still regarded as a highly beautiful woman. She took care of herself, and she knew it. She was attractive, as pale and soft as she'd always been. Her body was slim and her curves were still there, even after birthing three children.
So... why?
Why did he do it? Why did he throw everything away?
She'd been a good wife. She'd been a good mother. And yet, here they were.
Yeong Gu, her husband, the man she'd loved and trusted, had broken her heart, shattered their family. Hell, at least he could've hidden it better. Delete the texts. The calls. But no—
Oh, god.
Yeong Gu stirred in his sleep, turning over onto his side, his back now facing her. Eun Ha let out a sigh, a mixture of frustration and resignation.
She'd been going through the motions for weeks now. Pretending everything was okay. Because, it didn't matter as much as the kids. The family. The one she'd spent her whole life building.
She shook her head and clambered out of the bed. She padded out of the room, moving quietly, the floor creaking ever so slightly under her weight.
A trip to the kitchen, then a trip to the bathroom.
Eun Ha somehow found herself in the living room, staring out the window, vacantly.
Sad thing she didn't smoke. She wondered if a cigarette now would've made her feel better. Eased her pain. Gave her lungs something to do other than fill with grief.
Mother always told her that smoking was unladylike. But then again, mother also told her that a woman who couldn't keep her man wasn't a woman at all. Maybe if she'd done things differently, Yeong Gu would have remained faithful.
Eun Ha scoffed at the thought. She'd been a fool. She'd given everything to this man, and he'd repaid her with betrayal and deceit.
"Mother?"
She started, turning her head to find her youngest son standing in the doorway, his hair a mess, his eyes heavy with sleep. "Jae-il...? What are you doing up so late?"
He stifled a yawn. "I'm thirsty."
She blinked, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Walking over to the fridge, she grabbed a bottle of water, then handed it to him as she took a seat at the counter. Propping her chin in her hand, she watched him quietly.
Her smile widened—this time out of pride. Her son was surely growing up to be a strikingly handsome young man.
A face devoid of any flaws. A well-defined jawline. A sharp nose. Eyes that seemed to hold all the wisdom in the world. Purple, just like hers. And messy hair that framed his face perfectly.
At just fifteen, he was already considerably taller than anyone else in the household, and with a lean and muscular frame.
Eun Ha's heart ached as she stared at him. It was almost unbelievable, how quickly he'd grown. It felt like only yesterday she'd been cradling him in her arms, watching him take his first steps, hearing him speak his first words, and scoring his first goal.
And now... now he was a rising star.
No, a rising star meant that he'd already established his fame. But Jae-il was a comet. His trajectory wasn't one that was easily predicted, and he burned so brightly that everyone was watching with bated breath.
Eun Ha's eyes flicked to his arms, noticing the prominent outlines of muscles.
He had worked hard.
He had worked himself to the bone.
And she was proud of him, prouder than she'd ever been of anything else in her life.
A stray curl of hair fell over the side of her face. She eyed him up and down, smiling. "You'll always be special, Jae-il. Don't forget that."
He paused, his gaze meeting hers. A small, almost imperceptible nod. Then he resumed drinking, the water disappearing quickly.
"You'll go so far, Jae-il. So far..." Her voice trailed off, and she swallowed hard, her throat tight with emotion.
After all, she'd heard the rumor. Academy Director Lee, The Club Board, and the Head Coach. They all wanted her son on their team. He'd be the first to make the leap, a straight promotion to the big leagues. Or the closest thing to it, anyway. She didn't quite understand it that well.
All she knew, as well as everyone else, was that that it was only a matter of time before he was whisked away to the bright lights of Europe.
Hard not to when even Best Eleven made a worshipping article about her youngest.
Eun Ha wasn't sure if she was ready for that.
And she'd be lying if she said she didn't wish she could keep him close. But that's not how things worked. She couldn't cage him, couldn't clip his wings. "Huh?" When she snapped out of her daze, Jae-il was sitting in front of her. Quietly, at least for a moment.
Finally seeing some sort of clarity returning to her eyes, he tilted his head, blinking slowly. "Are you alright?"
Eun Ha smiled softly, reaching out to softly palm his cheek. "I'm fine, honey. Just thinking about things." A pause. "Why would you ask that?"
He hummed, his expression unreadable as he played with the empty bottle. "It's been a while that I've noticed, but you've been... looking at the world through a foggy lens, lately."
She frowned, her hand dropping to her side. "I don't understand."
"You have the face of someone who's not really here, mother. You're physically present, but your thoughts are somewhere else. Hmm. Does it make more sense?"
Eun Ha swallowed thickly. "Oh, that." She waved her hand dismissively, forcing a laugh. "It's nothing, honey. Just a bit tired, that's all."
"Well... I've noticed a bunch of other things as well." He continued, his tone casual. "You're not talking to dad as much. You're not laughing as much. You're not eating as much."
"Jae-il, dear, I'm fine." She insisted. "You don't have to worry about me."
He stared at her for a moment, his gaze intense. She srunk a little, looking away. Finally, he nodded, though his expression didn't change. "Okay. But, I'm always here for you if you need to talk. I may not have all the answers, but I can at least listen. And... if father did something bad to you, I can always punch him in the teeth." He ended with a laugh.
Her eyes widened. "Jae-il! Don't say such things."
He rolled his eyes, standing up and tossing the bottle in the trash. "Well, it's true." He looked at her. "He's not hurting you, is he? You'd tell me if he did, right?"
She shook her head, her lips pressed tightly together. "No, of course not—!! And why do you think your father's hurting me, anyway?"
"I've seen you two so happy for so long." Jae-il said. "So, for things to suddenly change like this, I can only assume the worst."
She sighed, rubbing her temples. "Honey... I appreciate your concern, but I promise you, it's nothing like that. We're just... going through a rough patch." She wasn't lying, exactly. Just bending the truth. She didn't want her son to worry about her, not when he had his own dreams to chase. She would handle this, in her own way. She didn't want to burden him with her troubles.
Jae-il leaned against the opposite counter, crossing his arms. The posture was casual. He was observing her, the way he likley observed an opponent's defense from the halfway line, seeing the structure, the weaknesses, the inevitable point of collapse.
Eun Ha's breath hitched. She felt a sudden, absurd urge to cover herself, though she was perfectly decent in her nightgown. It was the way he was looking at her.
Not with the sleepy concern of a son, but with an unnerving, analytical stillness.
The way a wolf might watch a struggling rabbit, not with malice, but with a simple, terrible understanding of the situation.
"Going through a rough patch." He repeated, mostly to himself. "Right."
He stared at her, head tilted, as if he was diagnosing a problem, but not with her at the root of it.
And for a second, a long, stretched-out second that felt like a rubber band pulled to its snapping point, he wasn't Jae-il. The low-wattage kitchen light carved out the planes of his face, making him almost a stranger at that moment. He wasn't his father, Yeong Gu, whose features had grown soft and chubby with easy living and easier lies.
This was her son, who was becoming someone she'd never known. A man with a career, with a life of his own, with a mind and will of his own. Not just her little boy anymore. Not just the baby she'd cradled and rocked and fed at her breast.
This young man, he had his own battles. His own demons. His own truths.
She could feel a hot, shameful blush creeping up her throat. Gosh!
"Oh well, if you say so..." He finally said, breaking the tension. "But don't forget what I said, mother. I don't understand the full story, and that's not my place. But I can see how it's affecting you—and I won't pretend it doesn't matter. Whatever your choice is, know that I'm more than willing to talk it out, or punch it out. Though I'm pretty sure that's not something you'd like to see. I'm a room away, if you need me."
Eun Ha let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you, Jae-il. I really appreciate it. Now off to bed with you. Seriously! Shoo! Shoo!" She waved her hands, herding him out of the kitchen, a playful scowl on her face. "It's late! You have school tomorrow!"
"Alright, alright, I'm going." He chuckled, allowing himself to be pushed towards the stairs. "Goodnight, mother."
"Goodnight, honey. Sweet dreams." She said softly, watching him disappear into the shadows of the upstairs hallway.
She exhaled slowly, leaning back against the wall, her heart racing.
Her son.
He was her pride and joy, the light of her life. And yet, he could be so...
Eun Ha shook her head. She wasn't sure what that had been about, but she wasn't going to dwell on it. Her family was her family, her problems were her problems, and Jae-il was... well, he was Jae-il. Unnervingly smart and mature. She had long stopped questioning it.
She made her way back to her room, and slipped quietly under the covers, careful not to stir Yeong Gu awake.
"..."
Yet sleep did not come easy, as it wouldn't for more nights to come. Like ReplyReport Reactions:SquirtleTurtle, PassingBy, Demon_queen and 165 othersNneeilSep 7, 2025NewAdd bookmarkView discussionThreadmarks Chapter 23: Growing New View contentNneeilKnow what you're doing yet?Sep 8, 2025Add bookmark#39Chapter 23: Growing
I looked at myself in the mirror, and what stared back at me was the visage of a young man in the throes of puberty. I'd just turned fifteen, and I could see the changes in my body—the broadening of my shoulders, the muscle definition, the all too frequent morning woods.
It was a strange feeling, to be on the cusp of manhood again, but also... it was a feeling of strength, of potential, of a future that seemed limitless.
I ran a hand through my hair, noting the way it had grown longer, falling just below my ears. I'd have to get it cut soon. I exhaled. Shit, I was slowly forgetting what I used to look like. I could recall the broad strokes, but the details, they were fading. It felt like I'd always been this way.
In the back of my mind, there was a weakening nudge of the life I had once lived, the one where I'd lived in Europe, where I'd played for some of the biggest teams in the world. That life, it felt like a dream now, a dream that was getting harder and harder to remember.
I wasn't sad; it was where life took me. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little melancholic.
Perhaps I was merely getting too old.
I scoffed, shaking my head. "You're only fifteen. Don't be dramatic." I mumbled to my reflection. Hard to feel like an old man in this body, but it is what it is.
I finished toweling myself off and walked out.
The bathroom door opened to reveal a cross-armed rebel Noona, standing there with an impatient tapping of her foot. She wore her usual uniform of ripped jeans, a tank top, and free flowing hair. "You done admiring yourself in the mirror?" She muttered, shouldering past me and into the bathroom.
Mia.
Now nineteen, she was still as fiery as ever—now more than ever, in fact. Her hair had grown even longer, almost reaching the small of her back. It was a silky cascade of butter yellow, and it suited her, somehow. Everything suited her, I'd begrudgingly admit. A chameleon of beauty. Any color or outfit. It didn't matter. In the right light, she was a goddess. In every light, she was a stunner.
I watched as she slammed the door shut, the sound reverberating through the hallway. I couldn't help but chuckle. I knew I'd taken my sweet time in the bathroom, but she could've at least asked me to hurry up instead of just barging in and giving me attitude. Then again, I grew used to this attitude, as of late.
Mia wasn't always like this.
For some reason, she grew aloof, and oftentimes, distant. If I didn't know any better, I'd have thought she hated me. But I knew her well enough to know that there was something else beneath the surface, something she wasn't telling anyone.
Maybe she was dealing with her own demons, whatever they may be.
I walked down the hall to the kitchen, the smell of breakfast greeting me as I entered. My stomach rumbled in anticipation.
Eun Ha, my mother, was busy at the stove, her back to me. I watched her for a moment, noticing the way her hair was pulled back into a messy bun, the way her apron was slightly crooked, the way she hummed a tune under her breath.
My mind slowly drifted back to the other day, where I'd caught her in a particularly vulnerable moment. She was still acting a bit strange, and I didn't like it one bit. But what could I do? She didn't want to talk about it.
I didn't like forcing things, especially considering that I was fifteen, and she probably didn't take me as mature and experienced enough to understand whatever she was going through.
She turned around, a smile spreading across her face as she spotted me. "Morning, honey." She said, her voice warm and soothing. "Breakfast is almost ready." She gestured to the table, which was already set.
"Thanks, mother." I replied, taking a seat. I glanced around the empty room. "Where's everyone else?"
"Your father's at work; he won't be coming back for a while. Mia should be here soon, and Su Ah... well, you know Su Ah." Eun Ha laughed softly, bringing over a plate of eggs. She set it down in front of me, her hand brushing against my cheek as she did.
"Hah, she's probably still sleeping."
She must've been writing or something. Hard not to when she typed so loud.
Eun Ha nodded, her eyes twinkling.
We sat in silence for a while, the only sounds coming from the clinking of utensils and the occasional sigh. It was comfortable, familiar.
And then, the sound of footsteps. Mia walked into the room, her eyes locked on her phone. "Morning." She mumbled, barely glancing up as she took a seat next to me. She continued to tap away at her screen, her expression one of boredom.
"Good morning, dear." Eun Ha said, placing a cup of coffee in front of Mia. "Breakfast is ready when you are."
Mia grunted in response. She didn't look up, didn't even acknowledge me. What was going on with her? It was like she was trying to ignore me, but... why? I'd done nothing to offend her, at least not that I could remember.
I glanced at Eun Ha, who gave me a sympathetic smile and shrugged. She didn't seem to know either.
"Hey." I nudged her with my elbow. "Everything okay?"
She looked up at me, her eyes narrowed. "Why wouldn't it be?" She snapped.
"Well, you just seem... a little off." I replied, keeping my tone light.
"I'm fine." She said sharply, turning her attention back to her phone. Then, bothered by the pangs of guilt, she sighed. "Sorry. I just... a lot on my mind." She mumbled.
"Anything you want to talk about?"
"No, I don't." She snapped again, this time with more venom. "Just leave me alone, please."
"Okay, fine." I held up my hands in surrender. "I was just trying to be nice."
Her eyes softened, but only slightly. "I know, and I appreciate it." She paused, her lips pursed in thought. "Just not in the mood right now."
I shrugged, turning back to my breakfast. Whatever. Maybe she was on her period? In that case, it was better if I kept myself at large.
The rest of the meal passed in silence, save for the occasional sound of a fork scraping against a plate.
And then, the sound of more footsteps. Su Ah walked into the room, her hair a mess, her eyes half-closed. She looked at me, blinked, then shuffled over to the table, taking a seat. "Morning." She mumbled, her voice hoarse.
"Good morning, sweetheart." Eun Ha said, placing a cup of tea in front of her. "Breakfast is ready."
Su Ah nodded, her head lolling back as she yawned. "Thanks, mom." She reached for the plate of eggs, scooping a spoonful onto her plate. "So, what's going on?" She asked, her voice still thick with sleep.
"Jae-il is getting ready to go out, and Mia... well, Mia is just being Mia." Eun Ha replied with a small laugh.
"Hey!" Mia protested, looking up from her phone. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You know what it means." I said, trying not to let the amusement bleed through.
Mia glared at me, but there was no real anger behind it. "Hmph." She turned back to her phone, but not without lightly kicking me underneath the table.
Well, at least she wasn't ignoring me anymore.
The rest of the meal was relatively uneventful. Su Ah ate in silence, her eyes still half-closed, while Mia continued to tap away at her phone, occasionally glancing up at me with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. It was a strange look, but I decided not to question it.
"So." Eun Ha started as she stared at me, chopsticks still in her hand. "The tournament you're in. The finals are coming up, aren't they?"
I nodded. "Yes, we're playing against Jeonbuk Hyundai."
The K League Youth Championship. Compared to Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, this tournament wasn't much of a challenge. The only reason I wouldn't outright call it 'easy' was because my teammates weren't quite on my level.
Were they good? Yes, for a localized, domestic tournament, but nothing worldwide 'outstanding'.
"Ooh, scary. You're up against the big dogs, then."
Big dogs. Yes. slightly bigger Chihuahuas.
I looked at her with slight amusement. "You're starting to sound like father."
She laughed, waving a dismissive hand. "Your dad can't stop talking about it." She said. "He's so excited for you, you know. He's always bragging about his famous footballer son." Her voice was light, teasing, and yet, it made me smile nonetheless.
"He's just happy to have a conversation starter." I joked.
She nodded, a knowing look in her eyes. "He does like to talk a lot, doesn't he?"
"That's an understatement." I snorted. "He never shuts up."
She chuckled. "Well, that's your father for you." Then her smile fell slightly. She must've thought of something unpleasant.
I cleared my throat, taking liberty to add more food to her plate. "Don't forget to eat, mother. You've been looking a bit thin, lately."
She stared at me. "Oh, I... I didn't realize." She said, her voice soft. "Don't worry, Jae-il."
Didn't realize, huh?
I couldn't smile, not when subtle signs like this kept popping up. But I gave her a brief nod. If she continued down this path, I'd confront her about it, whether she liked it or not. This self-destructive behavior was something that could affect everyone—not just her.
"You think you can win?" It was Su Ah who'd spoken, her words coming out in a slow, sleepy drawl. "Against Jeonbuk, I mean. They're pretty good, aren't they?"
I shrugged. What was I supposed to say? The U-18 team I was recently promoted to was actually really good, compared to our peers in the same category. And unlike the U-12s, I wasn't treated as an outcast. In fact, everyone seemed to highly respect me—even the seniors. Our defense was solid, our midfield was tight, and our offense, well, it was me. Overall, I was pretty satisfied.
"We'll see." I said. I was confident, but not cocky. Anything could happen at this level. Jeonbuk was a balanced team, with only one outlier being a top-tier midfielder. "But yeah, I do think we can win. We've been doing well so far."
Su Ah hummed, her eyes drooping. She yawned again, stretching her arms over her head. Her breasts pushed against her top, straining the fabric. "Well, I hope you do." She said, her voice trailing off. "It would be nice to see you lift that trophy." Then she leaned forward, her chin resting on her hand. "When's the match, again?"
"Next Saturday." I said.
She nodded slowly, her eyelids fluttering. "Right. Next Saturday."
"Are you coming to watch?" I asked.
She closed her eyes. "Who knows?"
I rolled my eyes. I was used to her lethargic indifference by now. She was the most laid-back person I knew, and she didn't care what anyone else thought of her. She was just... Su Ah.
"Well, it's up to you." I said, pushing back my chair. "I'm gonna get ready." I stood up, grabbing my dishes and bringing them to the sink.
Mia was still staring at her phone, but her fingers had stopped moving. She was watching me out of the corner of her eye, a strange expression on her face. I couldn't quite place it, but it made me feel... uneasy.
xXx
The U-18 team was an entirely different beast than the U-12s.
Everyone was bigger, stronger, faster. They were all talented, and they all had a hunger for victory. It was a far cry from the immature kids who would rather bully the new guy, but that didn't bother me.
Of course, the word 'talented' was used generously here. If you were to give them the FIFA ratings, the average would probably be around 50.
"Jae-il!" A familiar voice called out.
I turned to see Park Jong-su jogging towards me, a big grin on his face. He was one of the defenders, and a quite good one as well. Honestly, I couldn't ask for more. "Hey, man." He said, reaching out to bump fists with me. "Ready for the big game?"
I smiled, returning the fist bump.
"Reborn ready."