By Zephyria 
Despite stepping onto his home soil for the first time in several months, he didn’t feel any particular emotion. As Aaron headed toward the tunnel to enter the pitch, he looked up at the stands visible outside the exit. Tavarona’s massive stadium, which could hold up to 70,000 people, was packed with spectators who had flocked to watch the second leg of the Champions League round of 16.
What stood out particularly were banners featuring a severed wolf’s head and a large red X. Some were even shaking torn-up Tavarona jerseys marked with the name ‘Reyes’ hanging from poles.
Mocking chants were also not to be missed. Aaron frowned as he overheard insulting slogans where his name and Je-rim’s name appeared alternately.
‘Still the same.’
Football fans are generally quite rough in nature, but fans based in cities with strong regionalism like Tavarona were especially severe. Moreover, combined with their ill will toward him, they seemed to be cheering with particular intensity today.
Since a player who was born and raised in this region and had been with the local club from youth to pro had suddenly bolted without giving the club a single cent in transfer fees, it was only natural for the fans to hate Aaron. Since there had been an incident where Tavarona fans caused a commotion and were kicked out during the first leg in Sefton, he had expected the second leg in Tavarona to be even worse.
He had expected it, but… the level of insults directed at Je-rim was too high.
Aaron shifted his weight to one leg, glaring out at the stands. Between the fact that Je-rim was also a Tavarona youth product, his position as Sefton’s captain, and his friendship with Aaron, it seemed Je-rim was firmly in the fans’ bad books. Some fans had even spun conspiracy theories that Je-rim had lured Aaron into transferring, seeing how they became close again as soon as he moved to Sefton.
“Aaron, do not act alone under any circumstances after the game.”
Je-rim, walking at the front, looked back and gave a subtle warning. His expression wasn’t great, as he too seemed to be hearing all the curses coming from outside. Aaron nodded obediently and carefully took Je-rim’s hand. He was more worried about Je-rim than himself.
“You be careful too.”
As he squeezed Je-rim’s hand with interlaced fingers, Je-rim’s hand flinched. In the past, he would have started by getting annoyed, asking what on earth he was doing in front of everyone, but the fact that he didn’t pull away—even if he hid their hands between their bodies—was a huge improvement.
After looking down at their joined hands in silence for a while, Je-rim slowly let go only when the Tavarona players and the escort kids began to line up beside them. Then, as his own cheering song, rewritten with mocking lyrics, echoed grandly, he chuckled softly.
“They changed the lyrics so fucking creatively. But why the hell are they giving me shit too?”
“You’re a Tavarona youth product too. Plus, there are quite a few fans who think I went to Sefton because of you.”
“What…”
“Well, because it’s true.”
“……”
Ah, he’s blushing.
Even though he pretended to look away, he couldn’t hide the subtle tightening of his lips or his reddened ears. He had that exact same expression when Aaron had worn the cufflinks Je-rim gave him with the Danbok for today’s away trip and bragged about them to the teammates.
The teammates, of course, had poked at Je-rim’s insides, oblivious, asking if he’d received them from a lover. Throughout the flight, Je-rim had just stared out the window, letting out heavy, hot breaths. That sight was so cute and funny. This was why Aaron kept poking him, even knowing Je-rim hated it.
He didn’t have this habit when they were young… The effort he put in to get Je-rim’s attention had eventually hardened into a habit because watching Je-rim’s reactions was just too amusing. Still, if he touched his ears now, he’d really get angry. Aaron barely managed to keep his hand by his side, resisting the urge to reach out, and stared intensely at the long nape of the neck revealed through the white jersey.
Perhaps because his skin was fair, the snow-white away jersey seemed to suit him much better than the dark navy home jersey, which was almost black. Come to think of it, he wanted a jersey that Je-rim had actually played in; maybe he should ask to exchange jerseys this time.
Because Je-rim had so many close players, he exchanged jerseys with opposing players after every match. Exchanging jerseys was one thing, but the naturally accompanying hugs, handshakes, and kisses always made Aaron’s blood boil immediately after the game.
Furthermore, to exchange jerseys, one must necessarily take off their top, and every time Je-rim’s bare skin was revealed, it was like pouring gasoline on a fire. It was hard to suppress the urge to rush over to Je-rim, who was engaging in skinship with other bastards while shirtless, and wrap him up tightly.
Just as he decided that he must secure Je-rim’s jersey today so he wouldn’t have to take off his clothes in front of other guys, the Tavarona players standing in the next line began to acknowledge Aaron one by one.
“Aaron! You actually came. Aren’t you scared?”
“What’s there to be scared of? It’s my hometown.”
“The word ‘hometown’ coming from the mouth of a free transfer bastard. You’re going to get hit by a stone.”
Once he replied, handshakes and greetings poured in chaotically. While warming up on the pitch, the atmosphere between the fans of the two teams was so hostile that the players intentionally didn’t show themselves socializing. That was why they were exchanging delayed greetings now, hidden in the tunnel.
“The white jersey really doesn’t suit you. This elegant wine color is perfect for you…”
“That line is so pathetic! You should give up your lingering feelings too. What’s so pretty about a traitor like him?”
“It’s only been a month, but why does it feel like it’s been so long?”
“Jerry, long time no see!”
Some of them also greeted Je-rim. In particular, when Jose, a youth teammate who had recently returned from injury, waved frantically, Je-rim greeted him warmly.
“Jose? Man, how long has it been? Is your body okay?”
“Yeah, that’s why I’m in the Starting Lineup. But it feels a bit strange. You and Aaron are wearing Sefton jerseys, and I’m the only one wearing a Tavarona jersey…”
“They say people get sentimental as they get older.”
“You’re really the same, except for the change in jersey.”
“Are you still confused about where the capital of the US is?”
“Hey! I know that much now. It’s Chicago.”
“…Right.”
In addition to Je-rim, who shut his mouth as if fed up, Aaron also narrowed his eyes. That idiot. Even if you don’t know, wouldn’t you usually pick New York? Jose, receiving the collective pathetic gaze from those around him, didn’t even look embarrassed and offered an even stupider answer, “Is it not? Is it Sydney?” before grinning broadly.
“Anyway, I look forward to it. Like the last final?”
The way he winked was a clear provocation. Je-rim responded by clicking his tongue and grumbled softly.
“Every single guy on your team talks so obnoxiously.”
“I’m on the same team as you right now, Je-rim. And you were on that team once.”
“That was a very brief ‘once.’ I never had much affection for Tavarona anyway… but even that little bit of affection is going to run out as of today.”
“……”
The rewritten cheering song that Je-rim had initially laughed off had now turned into lyrics that were even more explicit. It wasn’t overt, but it was a level of racial slur that would be problematic if the Sefton fans or players protested. There was no way Je-rim, who was fluent in Spanish, wouldn’t catch that subtle nuance.
Only after hearing Je-rim’s words did Aaron listen carefully to the changed lyrics and clench his fist. He could overlook the boos and mockery directed at him, but chants of that level should be regulated. Coach Verdi might already be protesting, but just as Aaron was about to step out of line to take action on his own level, Je-rim grabbed Aaron’s wrist and pulled him back into place.
“No need to get angry. We just have to make them shut up.”
It wasn’t a tone of soothing an excited teammate, but rather a tone that suggested the time spent being angry was a waste. The crookedly upturned corners of his mouth held a look of ridicule. Soon, the sound of drums and cheers began to ring out, drowning out all other noises. A noise that made the air vibrate and the ground beneath their feet shake covered the stadium.
Even in the midst of that, only Je-rim’s voice pierced clearly into Aaron’s ear.
“Let’s go.”
The overwhelming pressure that washed over his entire body just before entering the pitch was a sensation he had experienced so many times that he had become completely accustomed to it. Until late last spring, Aaron hadn’t even felt a tremor from it, nor had he harbored any pressure to perform well or any particular interest.
To think that the presence or absence of a single person could change one’s life this much… He had come to Sefton because he knew this, but still. Following Je-rim’s back, Aaron made a small sign of the cross. It was a routine he always performed before entering, but today’s prayer was far more desperate than usual.
Please, let this proof be successful.
Having finished his prayer, Aaron stepped onto the deep green grass.
Sefton wasn’t usually lacking in possession, but it was still difficult to gain the upper hand against Tavarona. True to a club that emphasized organic passing play, their tightly knit organization left no gaps.
When Aaron was with Tavarona, they had dominated the league by using this overwhelming possession to keep the ball away from other teams, passing it around until an opportunity arose, and then finishing it immediately.
But now, they weren’t called a “toothless tiger” for nothing. What was the point of maintaining high possession when the frequency of shots on target had decreased significantly? Furthermore, the aging of the squad, which had been a constant point of criticism, had only worsened.
Coach Verdi, digging into these weaknesses, instructed the team not to waste stamina in the first half, but to block scoring opportunities and look for counterattacks; then, in the second half, once the opponent’s stamina had drained, they were to aggressively steal the ball through high-intensity pressing. Because of this, the first half inevitably dragged on.
From the spectators’ perspective, it was naturally boring. However, the continuous showers of boos and insults seemed to have nothing to do with whether the game was entertaining or not.
≪Hmm… I can hear some insults with very malicious meanings here and there. The atmosphere on-site doesn’t seem very good.≫
≪It seems the situation has overheated because the teams that faced each other in the last final are meeting again immediately in the Round of 16, and both Reyes and Ban Je-rim are from Tavarona. Still, it’s definitely a bit…≫
≪I really hope Sefton files a formal protest. For Ban Je-rim’s sake, at least.≫
≪Yes… we have to remain neutral, but it doesn’t feel great to watch.≫
Whenever the Sefton players ran, hoarse jeers filled the dark evening sky. It was even worse when Aaron or Je-rim had the ball.
Sefton’s fans tried to drown out the negativity by screaming cheers and chants at the top of their lungs, but since it was an away game, they were far too few to compete. Aaron grit his teeth at the insults, which were gradually increasing in intensity.
‘Fuck, are they really not going to stop this?’
Mocking chants, models waved like threats, and placards written with curses. If those arrows were aimed only at him, he would have ignored them without a second thought, but the problem was that they were flying toward Je-rim as well. Aaron suppressed the urge to scream insults back at the stands, waiting for the chance to vent that anger on the Tavarona players.
The opportunity came quite unexpectedly. A ball kicked by Robin simply rolled absurdly into the goal. At this unexpected field goal, not only the Tavarona goalkeeper and the referee but even Robin, who scored, looked bewildered.
≪Uh… what was that?≫
≪Regardless, a goal is a goal. It seems Sefton is lucky today.≫
As soon as the score changed on the electronic board, Robin acted as if he had never been bewildered, stuffing the ball under his jersey and puffing out his stomach proudly. He seemed to be bragging about having a “third child.” Beside him, the other Sefton players joined in the teasing.
“Anyone watching would think you did that on purpose.”
“Shut up. Anyway, I scored the first goal at Tavarona Stadium!”
Although it wasn’t a magnificent goal, he thought the momentum would shift toward Sefton starting with the opening goal. However, as a team that held the title of last year’s Champions League winners, Tavarona did not go down without a fight.
Just before the end of the first half, Tavarona finally managed to equalize, and the crowd immediately broke into a festive mood, blowing horns and singing chants as if they had been waiting for this moment.
Throughout halftime, Coach Verdi repeatedly urged them not to get caught up in the opponent’s pace and to focus on maintaining a physical advantage.
In the second half that followed, the protagonist who created the upset was, as expected, Je-rim.
It started with a ball cleared by William. Marshall and Jose fought a fierce aerial battle for the ball, which had simply popped up high without a set direction. The ball hit Marshall’s forehead and flew in a somewhat inaccurate trajectory, but Je-rim dashed forward as if he already knew where it was going.
Aaron was the same. This was the attacking opportunity he had been waiting for. The Tavarona players, who still had stamina since it was the start of the second half, immediately closed in, but Je-rim and Aaron kept the ball, mocking them by exchanging short passes.
Tiki-taka. Since they had been trained in this kind of passing play to the point of nausea since their youth, they were accustomed to it—both he and Je-rim. Soon, near the final third, Je-rim, who didn’t push all the way up but instead drew two defenders toward the right flank, sent in an early cross.
It was a fast and accurate cross that the opponents had to concede to even if they saw it coming. The defenders dragged along by Je-rim were flustered, unable to find their positions. Only Aaron, who had been watching the space while calculating the offside line in advance, moved with a precise understanding of his role.
≪Wow, the Je-Ron combo’s joint goal has been activated after a long time! With this, Sefton takes the lead again!≫
It was a goal that was too easy to slot in. Instead of cheers, insults and boos poured down from the stands, but Aaron didn’t care and ran to Je-rim to hug him. As a bonus, he beat his chest toward the Tavarona stands as if to say, “Look at this.”
The other Sefton players also rushed to Aaron and Je-rim’s side, surrounding them in a circle, showering them with ecstatic praise or imitating Aaron’s signature Ceremony in his stead.
“Whew, that feels refreshing.”
“I want to do my Ceremony too. Do it with me!”
“Edson, did you score? Besides, yours isn’t cool.”
≪The Sefton players are absolutely thrilled. We’re seeing a Reyes Ceremony without Reyes.≫
≪They shouldn’t be this happy yet. Ah, the captain is calming them down.≫
“Hey, hey, that’s enough. There’s still one goal left.”
Je-rim pushed away Aaron, who was hugging him, patted the shoulders and heads of the other teammates, and stepped out from the center of the circle. As he said, the game wasn’t over, and since they needed a two-goal lead to advance to the quarterfinals, the Sefton players quickly dispersed.
From that moment, Aaron began high-intensity pressing based on the stamina he had conserved. Tavarona gradually began to show signs of exhaustion. Their movements became noticeably sluggish, and their passing accuracy dropped. In that state, there was no way they could overcome Sefton’s pressure.
Tavarona’s manager used all five substitution cards to try and revive the exhausted team, but Coach Verdi also timed his substitutions perfectly, so it ended up being a wash.
Aaron relentlessly tormented the newly substituted Tavarona midfielder. Since it was a team he had been part of since he was young, he knew the individual weaknesses very well. This guy was young and had stamina, but his footwork was poor and he tended to be impatient.
Therefore, if the opponent clung to him even slightly, he would quickly lose the ball or try to stop the play with a reckless foul. Although Aaron had been running since the first half, he was confident he wouldn’t lose in a battle of stamina, making it a fight worth taking. Before long, Aaron’s strategy paid off.
“Ah!”
Unable to withstand the pressure, the player let the ball slip and let out a frustrated exclamation, appearing more surprised than anyone. Aaron immediately sprinted and gave the ball a light touch. Quickly calculating that it would be difficult to break through with a dribble or score from this position, he scanned the front. The moment he spotted Je-rim subtly penetrating the half-space, he delivered the pass without hesitation.
Je-rim was also slightly far from the goal, but Aaron knew that a fantastic long-range shot was his specialty, and he also knew that he himself had the ability to successfully deliver a pass of this difficulty, even if not as perfectly as Je-rim.
And indeed, Je-rim did not betray expectations.
≪Ban Je-rim’s specialty, a long-range wonder goal! It’s here! The Je-Ron combo is absolutely in sync today!≫
≪They’re both recording 1 goal and 1 assist. Truly, the two players from the Tavarona youth are in peak form!≫
≪Huh? Wait a moment. Ban Je-rim is putting his hand…≫
In many ways.
“Anyway, these uneducated brats are so fucking noisy, chatting away.”
Raising his right hand, Je-rim mimicked digging in his ear and tapped his earlobe. As if everyone had read the meaning of the gesture, the stadium became as silent as if water had been thrown over it. Only then did he grin with satisfaction and perform his signature Ceremony toward the Tavarona stands.
“Waaaaah! Boss!”
The Sefton players, who had been frozen for a moment, flew toward Je-rim and piled on him. Frederic and Jesus ran right up to the fence of the stands to provoke the Tavarona fans who had been showering them with boos until just now. A horrified William grabbed them both by the scruff of their necks to drag them away, but then suddenly became more excited himself and shouted curses at the stands.
As a result, William, who had tried to stop them, received a yellow card, but he didn’t seem to regret it. Je-rim just smirked this time. Then, seeing Aaron standing there blankly, he gestured to him.
“What are you doing? Come here. I’ll acknowledge your share as thirty percent today.”
Under the dark night sky, the dazzling lights of the stadium created an illusion as if it were bright daylight. Aaron approached as if possessed and stood beside Je-rim.
“Only thirty? You really have no conscience.”
“Thirty is enough—”
Je-rim, who had wrapped an arm around Aaron’s shoulder, stopped mid-sentence. Looking to the side, Je-rim’s face was colored with shock.
“…You crazy bastard…”
Aaron gazed at Je-rim with eyes that had gone beyond dreamy to shining intensely, lifted his jersey, and kissed the Sefton emblem. All the players from Sefton and Tavarona, including Je-rim, watched the scene in speechless silence.
Usually, it is an unspoken courtesy not to perform a goal Ceremony against one’s former club, especially a team one belonged to since youth, but this time, he felt no need to observe such courtesy. He was already being cursed for the transfer issue; by performing a Ceremony that meant “I love and respect Sefton,” he would now be treated as a traitor in Tavarona, but he didn’t care.
Why did they keep scratching and irritating him? Je-rim’s expression of “chatting away noisily” was exactly right. Having shaken off the last remnants of affection and apology toward the Tavarona fans as of today, Aaron kissed the emblem once more with a distinct smack sound.
The moment Je-rim heard that cheerful sound, he patted Aaron’s shoulder and burst into a bright laugh. And the match ended without any further upsets.
Final score 3 to 1. The Sefton fans, who successfully advanced to the quarterfinals, sang their cheers loudly so that the Tavarona fans, who were storming out of their seats, could hear them.
Along with the thrill of a triumphant victory, he even got Je-rim’s jersey, which he had won by beating Jose in a competition. The reward was sweet.
* * *
[He’s not going back to his hometown anymore?]
[Is he actually a crazy bastard? lol]
⤷ Sigh,, let’s give Aaron honorary Sefton citizenship
⤷ Why give him Sefton citizenship; we should give him South Korean citizenship
⤷ Aaron said he wants to ride a Ttareungyi (city bike) with Jerry, hurry up the naturalization process
[The Aaron Reyes Emblem Kiss Incident]
An incident where Aaron Reyes, a Tavarona youth product, gave Tavarona fans a massive shock of “Tavarona-phobia” with a sudden Sefton emblem kiss Ceremony at Tavarona Stadium.
⤷ They deserved to be hated
⤷ Who wouldn’t be pissed when they openly curse him and his husband
[Why does he love Sefton so much…]
Honestly, from our perspective, he hasn’t done much for us, but he came on a free transfer… and in less than a year, he’s already kissing the emblem… I’m grateful, but… isn’t doing it to this extent a bit? Isn’t it…
⤷ The emblem kiss is truly insane. Doing that Ceremony against his home team lol
When Aaron was at Tavarona, he was hated by reporters for being rude in interviews, but he always walked around with that defiant and smug vibe lol. Since coming to Sefton, his mouth has become modest.
⤷ I don’t think it’s “modest”…
⤷ Just stopping at 7 when he wants to say 10…?
[How could he love Sefton more than Tavarona, where he was born and raised…]
He probably loves Ban Je-rim…
⤷ I want to laugh, but I can’t
⤷ A man crazy for love, that is our Sefton striker
⤷ Honestly, I think he’s holding back in interviews because he’s mindful of the captain lol,,
⤷ Wait, was there no captain at Tavarona?
⤷ Of course there was haha. And Aaron was the vice-captain.
⤷ He’s the type to go full throttle without hesitation even in the national team where he’s the captain.
[Global warming is fucked]
Tavarona fans are apparently having a jersey burning ceremony for Aaron right now.
⤷ Only now?
⤷ They should have done it when he did the free transfer, tsk
⤷ I guess they believed he would come back… but now they know he won’t
⤷ Tavarona’s fine dust levels will be “Very Bad” for a while. Let those primitive bastards breathe it all in lol
⤷ I support Tavarona’s “Purify by Breathing” project ^^!
[Are there any Tavarona fans here??]
Tell us your current feelings in detail!!
How does it feel to get knocked out in the Round of 16, lose your home-grown youth, and get beaten 3-1 at home!!
⤷ Fuck off, you dog-like piece of shit. Is this guy a psychopath?
⤷ The level of Sefton fans is just—the definition of petty lol. How did it feel to get absolutely crushed in the Champions final?
⤷⤷ Are you guys’ brains synchronized with the local fans who commit racism, so you’re acting like this here??
⤷ Last year’s final—crushed~ Today’s Round of 16—crushed~
⤷ A fresh Round of 16 exit, seasoned with the title of last year’s champions, has arrived.
[How did it feel to get absolutely crushed in the Champions final?]
A post left by a Tavarona fan… it’s heartbreaking and pitiful. To think a team that once devoured the Champions League got knocked out in the Round of 16… And I thought for a long time, I’m a truly lucky guy. Even though Sefton was the runner-up last year, they didn’t get knocked out in the Round of 16 this time. Fighting!
⤷ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
⤷ + We have Aaron now, so,, Fighting!
⤷ + Including Jerry lol
[Humans only need to live for today]
It means you only need to remember the fact that Tavarona fell in the Round of 16.
⤷ You piece of shit
⤷ Thanks for the pro tip
[Tavarona suffered an honorable death]
They had the skill level to be knocked out in the Round of 16 anyway, but it just looks like they were eliminated early because they happened to face Sefton and the formidable Je-Ron combo. They’re lucky.
⤷ Tavarona fans: Ouch!
[Lift your head, Tavarona.]
It is not a shameful thing to be beaten in the Round of 16 by a future championship team.
⤷ Don’t be so extra ㅜㅜㅜ if we don’t win, the mockery will come right back ㅜㅜㅜ
⤷⤷ Then just don’t lose
[They talk a lot for a team that wouldn’t even make it to the Europa League without Aaron and Ban Je-rim]
This is why people call them “Sift-on” (shitty Sefton)
⤷ You guys are the ones who plummeted to Europa level because Aaron disappeared ㅠㅠ
⤷ Last season league rank: Sefton 2nd (Jerry O, Aaron X), Tavarona 1st (Jerry X, Aaron O)
Current season league rank: Sefton 1st (Jerry O, Aaron O), Tavarona 5th (Jerry X, Aaron X)
Hmm,, where exactly are you attacking?
⤷⤷ I guess it means they can make it to Europa even without Aaron ㅜ They’re exactly at the rank to go to Europa
⤷ I guess they don’t even have Ban Je-rim and Aaron in the team. How pitiful..
⤷ Fact: They had them, but both were stolen
⤷ Even more, one was a free transfer and one was a youth donation lol Thank you!
⤷ We will use them frugally and let them retire at Sefton. Thank you.
[Sefton released a statement against racism]
Thank goodness. Honestly, Je-rim doesn’t seem to care much, but I was the one getting furious watching it ㅠㅠ
⤷ I love that Sefton is clear about these things
⤷ I hope Tavarona’s culture changes through this. Just how many times has there been a racism controversy ㅡㅡ
[Sefton really treats Je-rim well]
That’s why I think Je-rim likes it too ㅜㅜㅜ Now it’ll be perfect if he just buries his bones at Sefton until he’s 50.
⤷ 50 is too much, that’s elder abuse. Let’s settle for 40.
⤷ I heard Ban Je-rim will play at Sefton until he’s 60. Aaron too.
⤷ They could just have their wedding at Sefton Stadium. Free venue fee! Can accommodate 70,000 guests!
⤷ If there are 70,000 guests, just how much would the wedding money be ㄷㄷ
[Ugh, you damn Tavarona. You should have held onto Je-rim tightly during his youth]
The karma of sending him to the PL after hesitating is coming back like this lol
⤷ If they had held onto both Aaron and Ban Je-rim, Tavarona would have dominated the global football scene for 15 years
⤷ What can you do? Their insight was just trash lol
⤷ What can you do 22. Their reputation was so bad that a home-grown youth who played for 20 years fled on a free transfer.
Is it because it’s a racist Karma Beam?
I’m so satisfied I could die lollll
⤷ Did you see that, you primitive Tavarona bastards? This is the skill of a Great Man of the Republic of Korea.
Ban Je-rim’s Selb is insane.
Every time he keeps his mouth shut and does a cool Selb, my National Pride just surges. Our Great Man.
⤷ I hoisted the Taegukgi after seeing that.
⤷ Please, Je-rim, let’s just do that every time. Use your face a bit more.
But honestly, seeing Jerry and Aaron’s Ceremony totally cheered me up ㅠㅋㅋ
I was shaking with rage, but then I became possessed by Jerry and went, “Okay, you primitive bastards~”
⤷ Even the other players’ reactions were just pure, unadulterated satisfaction.
⤷ William was funny too ㅋㅋㅋ He was desperately trying to stop Sussderick and then suddenly just started shouting at the stands.
⤷⤷ For real, a total mood killer. Suddenly just dumping all his anger.
I thought Will’s temper had been sealed after he had a daughter.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen his old temper.
⤷ But what did he say?? His lip movements didn’t look like the F-word.
⤷ Bollocks! They say it’s the swear word William spat out every time he opened his mouth before marriage.
⤷ The dictionary says it means… testicles…
⤷ It means “stop talking bullshit” ㅋㅋㅋ He must have lost it for a second because of the racist chants.
I wish he’d just wear the Danbok every day.
Wow, seriously, whoever designed the All-Black Suit Danbok, may you be blessed ㅠㅠㅠ It’s just a Semi-Runway…
⤷ Honestly, even before the match started, Sefton completely overwhelmed them in terms of Visual.
⤷ It’s also fun seeing them all dressed up like peacocks ㅋㅋㅋ
⤷ True. Aaron’s Cuffs were pretty. They don’t look like off-the-shelf productsㅜ They must be crazy expensive, right?
⤷ Probably? The watch Ban Je-rim wore is worth 200 million won.
Jerry is so freaking extravagantㅡㅡ
⤷ Ban Je-rim’s weekly wage is 550 million KRW + alpha. If calculated based on an office worker’s weekly wage of 700,000 won, he bought a watch worth 250,000 won.
⤷ Jerry is so frugal…
⤷ Fuck, Je-rim, just give me 50,000 won.
That thing Aaron has.
Isn’t that a gift from his lover?? Lately, he wears those Cuffs every time he wears a suit.
⤷ Seems so. Last time, a guy who would never do that suddenly started beaming at the press conference, bragging, “Isn’t this pretty?” I thought he’d gone crazy;
⤷⤷ For real, the reporters were stunned and were like, “Ah… yes, yes!” while taking a ton of photos of the Cuffs, ffs ㅋㅋㅋ
⤷ Aaron Reyes’ precious companion Cuffs.
⤷ Look at the lineup of gems embedded in them. All diamonds ㅋㅋㅋ Did he get proposed to?
⤷ Wow, Jerry must have spent a lot of money.
⤷⤷ No ㅋㅋㅋ Is it confirmed that the lover is Je-rim-ssi?
With how much he shows off their relationship,
the fact that he doesn’t have scandals with women means it can only be that.
“In-House Romance”
⤷ A romance where “In-House” refers to both this man and that man.
⤷ I didn’t know the term “In-House Romance” carried such a complex meaning.
Why is Aaron still a Football Saint?
If it were me, I’d hold Ban Je-rim’s hand and go to Hollywood;;
⤷ Right? Being an actor would be physically easier.
⤷ A Noir movie like The Godfather… I wish Aaron would film one… hung ㅠ
⤷ There were a lot of people saying that to Je-rim-ssi since his youth, asking why he didn’t debut and became a Football Saint instead ㅋㅋㅋ
⤷ The fact that they chose the profession of football player with those faces makes them even more of a GOAT.
Pick your Visual preference.
Ban Je-rim vs Aaron vs Reman vs William (no beard)
I’m on Team Reman, a blonde pure beauty with a body that doesn’t match.
⤷ I’m for Cutie-Hot-Guy William (absolutely no fucking Jaw Hair).
⤷ Is there even a point in choosing? It’ll be completely split by preference… So my preference is unconditionally Aaron.
⤷ It’s just like a pride battle between Korea, Spain, Germany, and the UK. I’m a patriot and a lover of white Cold-Handsome Men, so it’s unconditionally Ban Je-rim.
Why do the cute-faced Football Saints
all start growing Jaw Hair right when they’re at their prettiest? It’s seriously fucking annoying.
⤷ It’s in the same vein as cute male idols suddenly getting “man-disease” and bulking up…
⤷ Why is this plague spreading to men all over the world, for fuck’s sake.
⤷ Please, someone give Will a razor Sseut, please!!
⤷ William said his wife and daughter like the beard, so he has zero intention of shaving it;
But what’s up with Reman??
Everyone else is going crazy sucking up to Ban Je-rim, but he’s just staying quiet. Wasn’t he usually quite clingy with the captain?
⤷ Right? Did he get scolded?
⤷ He probably congratulated him somewhere the cameras couldn’t see. Gungye—
⤷ It’s not Gungye ㅠ I’m just worried ㅠ He’s so timid, unlike a Football Saint…
Give Robin some praise too ㅜㅁㅜ
Our Center Back made the opening goal…
Our precious left-footed Center Back, Robin…
I heard he’s having his third child…
⤷ I just left a comment on his Insta to help with the formula costs ㅇㅇ
???: Ah, it was just because it was too noisy.
As for my mood… I felt bad too, you know? But what can I do. I guess that’s just the level of their education.
ㅋㅋㅋ Je-rim-ssi’s talking in interviews is starting to resemble Aaron’s more and more.
⤷ No, he can’t catch up to Aaron’s level yet. This bastard’s level of talking today was insane…
⤷ What did he say?
⤷ Aaron: The difference in the crowd’s level is disastrous, so I was simply showing respect to the Sefton fans.
⤷ Holy… is he really naturalizing to Korea?
⤷ Our Football God went full no-filter and tore them a new one today ㄷㄷ
1 goal and 1 assist each in the same match.
Just say you’re getting married.
⤷ They already did, you know? Aaron gets pouty when he sees things like this.
⤷ OP Ah, right. Sorry. Sorry, Aaron, Je-rim is already yours.
This is football.
Delivering the ball perfectly to the head or foot.
And putting the delivered ball perfectly into the goal.
⤷ It’s strange. Why can’t most bastards do this simple thing while taking weekly wages of hundreds of millions?
⤷ I’m happy to be a fan of a team with two football wizards. I am happy.
I thought Jerry Hyung’s form was a bit shaky lately.
It turns out it was just my eyes that were shaky.
Hahaha Your eyes were right. He was a bit shaky lately. Both Je-rim and Aaron ㅇㅇ
What’s with them? Did they fight and make up again??
Someone please tell them that a couple’s fight is like cutting water with a knife.
⤷ I’m going to send a DM to Edson.
⤷ Why the hell do you always send it to Edson?
⤷ Edson: ✲•.¸♡ ♡¸.•✲
Holy shit, these bastards are showing off on their Stories again.
Why are you swapping jerseys when you’re on the same team, huh??
⤷ Where?? I can’t find it even after scouring Jerry and Aaron’s accounts ㅜㅜㅜ
⤷ Edson’s Insta Story ㅋ
⤷ At this point, Song-i is probably enjoying the DM bomb.
⤷ Song-ah, I’m packing Choco Pies right now. Just you wait.
The Ban Je-rim jersey Aaron is wearing is on the verge of bursting.
Did he swap it to rip it ㅋㅋㅋ
⤷ Boyfriend’s shirt… but now the size is reversed.
⤷ Ah… your dream was too big, Arong-ah.
Jerry’s expression.
Full of contempt.
⤷ ㅋㅋㅋ cute
⤷ ʕ •᷄ ⌓•᷅ ʔ.oO(Fuck, why is that bastard wearing someone else’s jersey?)
⤷ The cute expression paired with the not-so-cute semi-naked state is very nice ^^✲
What is up with Ban Je-rim and Aaron’s bodies?
No, fuck… life is fuck… I hope their dicks are small. Please be small.
⤷ ㅋㅋ? If those two have small dicks, what are you going to do about it?
⤷ Even if their junk was 0cm, they’d still be more popular than OP.
⤷ Sorry for saying this while getting beaten up, but I’ve seen Jerry in person during basic military training… it was huge. Bye.
⤷ OP ㅋㅋ thanks. I’m currently looking for a spot to move into at the Han River.
⤷⤷ If you’re going, give me your assets before you go.
But Jerry isn’t small either (in height).
There’s quite a difference with Aaron (in build). Still, both are insane, really (shoulders, chest, abs).
⤷ The parentheses make it look more erotic.
⤷ The magic where it still makes sense even if you put other words in those parentheses.
Stop talking about dicks, you crazy bastards.
Both have Korean nationality, so they can sue you.
⤷ Ah right, they naturalized.
⤷ I didn’t say they were small, I said they were big, so what ㅎㅎ
I’ve been hugged by Jerry, and I’m 175cm tall.
But he was so firm, wide, warm, and fragrant… anyway, he was big. Then what on earth is Aaron…
⤷ Firm… warm… fragrant…?
⤷ How did you get hugged? ㅠㅠㅠ
⤷ OP I waited on the way home from work in the dead of winter, and he got out of the car… He said, “Oh, you suffered in this cold,” and hugged all the Korean fans there one by one.
⤷ Fuckiiiiiiiii, from now on, I’m definitely waiting in short sleeves and shorts in the dead of winter.
⤷
I heard the emblem kiss looked like a photoshoot.
Even Jerry smiling next to them;; Did the cameraman just come back from filming a romance movie?
⤷ It looks like that because those two are handsome.
OP No, it’s not a matter of faces, the atmosphere is just strange, seriously.
⤷ Are you the guy who did a detailed analysis of the live video saying Aaron slammed a kiss on Je-rim’s neck?
⤷ OP ^^1 Fuck, I’m caught. But seriously, it’s really strange, okay? Just listen to me.
⤷ Even if it’s strange, let’s just bury it…
⤷ Right, I don’t think we should dig too deep.
⤷ As long as the Football Saints are good at football, that’s all that matters…
✲✲✲
Ahead of the A Matches at the end of March, a stronger tension than usual hung over the club. This was because a grueling journey awaited them after the A Matches, with league matches, the first and second legs of the Champions League quarterfinals, and the FA Cup semifinals all in succession. In other words, it was a period where getting injured was absolutely out of the question.
Therefore, some players had reached agreements with their respective associations to not be called up for these A Matches at all. Aaron had also reached a tacit agreement that even if he were called up, he would only play as a substitute. Je-rim was likely in a similar position. Normally, more players valued national team matches over club matches, and Aaron was one of them, but this time he planned to be as cautious as possible.
The primary goal of lifting the Big Ear with Je-rim, and the feeling that they could even aim for a Treble if things went well, had reignited a competitive spirit that had been dormant for the past few years. Aaron, blending in with teammates who were clearly taking it easy, also completed his training sessions more carefully than usual.
It was the final training session before departing for the A Matches. While it would be troublesome to get injured after going back to his home country, getting injured during training would be even worse. Perhaps conscious of this, many players continued to move their bodies to loosen their muscles even during the short breaks.
As soon as he got a break, Aaron considered going to Je-rim to play a prank, but he changed his mind upon seeing Je-rim stretching with a frighteningly stern face. If he tried something like that now, Je-rim would surely be genuinely angry.
‘…Maybe I’ll just go wash my hands.’
Because it had rained until morning, wet soil and grass were smeared across various parts of his body. Since a practice match was scheduled after this break, he figured it would be better to visit the restroom first and moved away without a word. As soon as he entered the restroom inside the building, he ran into Reman.
“…….”
“…….”
Through the mirror, Aaron saw the man washing his hands immediately contort his face. Aaron scanned the inside of the restroom and casually stepped up beside Reman. Judging by the silence and lack of presence, it seemed only he and Reman were in the restroom.
“It’s disappointing when you make a face like that, between teammates.”
This was the first time they had been left alone in a place with no one else since the scene of him kissing Je-rim had been revealed. The training sessions that were similar to private tutoring, which he used to do whenever Reman requested them, had stopped recently as Reman had been silent. However, Aaron turned the faucet of the sink without any sign of concern. It was Reman who was restless.
“…Reyes…”
Unable to watch Reman just fluttering his lips while water dripped from his hands, Aaron spoke first.
“If there’s something you want to ask, don’t hesitate and just say it clearly. Doesn’t Je-rim point that out?”
“Jerry hasn’t particularly… pointed anything out to me.”
“Ah, I told you he tends to be soft on you.”
If Reman had been his junior on the national team, Aaron would have pushed his private training much harder and scolded that frustrating attitude long ago. Unfortunately, in Sefton, it was Je-rim, not him, who was the captain. Deciding there was no need to overstep his authority, Aaron got straight to the point.
“So, why?”
“…Why did you help me with my private training?”
To think that this was all he asked after hesitating so much. As the atmosphere, which he expected to be exciting, completely collapsed, the corners of Aaron’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
“An unexpected question. I naturally thought you’d ask about the relationship between me and Je-rim.”
“Would you tell me if I asked?”
“It’s not like I can’t.”
Aaron chuckled, shaking the water off his hands. The kid in front of him, who could hardly hide his irritation, was simply endlessly amusing and cute.
Je-rim dismissed this guy as a gentle and timid youngest member, but in Aaron’s eyes, he was a guy with a quite hot-tempered nature. The fact that he had many worries, a weak mental state, and frequently shed tears while blaming himself for his mistakes was an indicator that he had a very emotional personality.
In the first place, if he were truly timid, he wouldn’t be able to openly show he was pouting just because he felt bad that the captain he loved spent a holiday with another teammate and lied to him. He certainly wouldn’t be able to argue back and reveal his feelings in a situation where the captain had called him out to scold him, claiming he had been in a bad mood for such a trivial reason.
‘Well, it’s probably more so because he’s still young.’
Honestly, it was rare to find a football player who didn’t have a temper. Especially for those who played as starters in big clubs of the Top 4 Leagues, they generally had strong egos and high self-love, so there were many emotional types. Because of that, they lived by lashing out according to their personalities when they were young, and then gradually corrected it upon realizing it only harmed their reputation or performance.
In that sense, although he was still unskilled at emotional control, Aaron highly valued Reman’s capacity for realizing his shortcomings and asking for help from someone he hated.
“To answer your question first, I have quite high expectations for you. I’m just guiding you because I see potential. There’s nothing as helpful as receiving direct training from a Sunbae in the same position, right? You probably asked for my help because you knew that.”
Despite the very positive answer, Reman’s complexion grew even darker. His blue eyes, which looked like a miniature lake, wavered.
“Aren’t you anxious or afraid that I might take your spot someday?”
“What are you talking about? The starting spot, or Je-rim’s side?”
“Both.”
“Aha… so you had such big dreams.”
It seemed the ambition and aspiration he harbored were larger than Aaron had thought. Yes, it had to be at least this much to make it worth having expectations. Regardless of whether it was realistic or not, Aaron liked this aspect as well. Except for the presumptuous part of aiming for Je-rim’s side.
Leaning obliquely against the sink, Aaron wiped the smile from his face.
“As for the starting spot, well, I’m also looking forward to the day I lose it to you. But looking at it coldly, unless I suffer a major injury, I think I’ll be dominating for another 4 or 5 years.”
“…….”
Strikers are among the positions with longer player longevity, and it was a position where building match experience was more important than anything else. If the sense for scoring goals dulled, it was safe to say they were finished as a striker. There was no value in an attacker who couldn’t score. Aaron gave serious advice as a Sunbae.
“Next season, go to a club where your starting spot is guaranteed and build up your match experience. Don’t waste your precious time staying here just to try and compete with me. I’m telling you this for your own sake, so you’d better take it to heart. And if you’re thinking of staying at Sefton because of Je-rim…”
Aaron, who had already received a confirmation that Je-rim would unconditionally reject any confession, and a miracle-like mercy—given Je-rim’s personality—that he would lose if the person succeeded in proving themselves, shook his head.
“If that’s the case, leave even more. There’s no hope.”
“Why? I heard last time that you and Jerry dated when you were young. …That means men are okay too.”
Je-rim should have heard that last part. It would have been fun just imagining the horrified expression he would make and how he would have snapped, asking if he was crazy. Moreover, this kid’s terrible luck was pitiful yet somewhat funny.
“…You really are something. Out of everything, you missed the part you needed to hear most and only saw the scene of me and Je-rim kissing and the part where we confessed our love? You definitely seem to have a constitution where luck doesn’t follow you.”
“…Before that, did Jerry… say something about me?”
‘I have no interest or curiosity in men. The only reason I could date you was because you were special to me.’ Aaron considered telling him to give up since he had clearly heard Je-rim’s ticklish confession with his own two ears, but he stopped at just shrugging his shoulders.
He didn’t seem like the type to listen even if told, and usually, the more you try to stop these things, the more counterproductive it becomes. Anyway, the probability of Je-rim accepting Reman converged to 0… no, the probability itself simply didn’t exist.
That he would lose… a man whose pride pierced the sky and whose Competitive Spirit rivaled the top among football players would lose… A man who was stubborn and never took back once he decided something would overturn his decision and give a chance…
The moment those words came out of Je-rim’s mouth, it was as if all other competitors had already been evicted. Thanks to that, Aaron was able to be a bit more generous. Because the person Je-rim liked was him. Because the person Je-rim called special was him. Even without rushing, Je-rim’s side would be his.
There was no need to be uglily jealous of a Youngster on the same team. With a smile returning to his face, Aaron patted Reman’s head.
“Reman, if you really can’t give up, just do whatever you want until the end.”
“What?”
“Try confessing, and since Je-rim finds you quite cute, crying might be effective too. Do everything you can. Until you have no regrets.”
Fine blonde hair scattered softly between his fingers. So this was why Je-rim-ssi stroked Reman’s hair so often. Well, it was still less frequent than how often he rummaged through his own hair during sex or kissing. Aaron gave Reman’s bangs a light pat with his palm.
“If you like someone while leaving regrets behind, it’ll be hard for a long time. Take it as a piece of advice from experience.”
“You….”
The sound of teeth grinding echoed, but Aaron ignored even that and beamed.
“I think I’ve answered all your questions more than enough, right? I won’t get in the way like I did at the start, so feel free to act however you want.”
“You’re that confident?”
“Yeah. I’m not at a level where I’d be anxious over a Youngster like you.”
Having said his piece, Aaron turned around first and waved his right hand as a greeting.
“Give it your best shot.”
✲✲✲
Wearing a yellow vest, Je-rim waited for Aaron and Reman to return. In his hands, he held two pieces of clothing with the same design as the vest he was currently wearing. One was yellow, the exact same color as Je-rim’s, and the other was mint.
Since there was no sign of the two returning even as the break was coming to an end, Je-rim had drawn the lots on their behalf. Even for a practice match, the teams had to be divided.
‘Where did they go?’
He hated both wearing and holding these tacky fluorescent vests. Irritated sighs leaked out as he wished he could just hand them over to their owners quickly.
No wonder there had been no touching hands throughout the break. He looked around, wondering why the guy who usually clung to him with skinship under the guise of playing pranks was suddenly so quiet, only to find that neither Aaron nor Reman were in sight. If only one of them had disappeared, he would have assumed something came up, but…
Feeling an unnecessary sense of worry, he kept glancing at the entrance of the building connected to the training ground. Since mobile phones were banned during training, there was no way to contact them.
After waiting helplessly for a few minutes, just as the designated return time was precariously ending, the guy who had been making Je-rim anxious appeared, strolling through the door. As soon as that smooth-faced bastard stepped onto the training ground grass, Je-rim interrogated him.
“Where have you been?”
“The restroom.”
“And where did Reman go?”
“He went to the restroom too.”
“…….”
At the answer that turned his worries into reality, Je-rim’s gaze instinctively sharpened. He couldn’t imagine Aaron and Reman spending fifteen minutes in the restroom having a quiet chat. Something about them being on good terms. Aaron shrugged at Je-rim, who was scanning him with a suspicious look.
“Why are you looking at me like that? We just happened to run into each other.”
Give me a break. Even if running into each other was true, it was obvious that he had spent the time teasing Reman relentlessly with that obnoxious mouth of his. Considering how he had hounded the other like a trapped rat, asking if he was really going to dump him for a younger guy, it would be stranger to assume he hadn’t said anything to Reman.
“…Stop bullying him, seriously.”
“I told you, I didn’t bully him. I actually just gave him some advice out of the goodness of my heart.”
“Advice? What advice?”
“Well… everything from career paths to this and that. Reman happened to ask first.”
Recalling that while Aaron did mischievously tease Reman, he tended to take Reman’s individual training seriously, Je-rim accepted it without a word. He wondered why Reman had consulted Aaron instead of him, the captain, but since things had been somewhat awkward between him and Reman since that incident, that was also understandable.
Je-rim tried to treat Reman as if nothing had happened, but Reman seemed to find that difficult. He understood, as the boy was still young and their positions were different. Regardless, since the behavior of a rebellious adolescent had vanished, Je-rim didn’t comment on Reman’s awkward attitude.
“Put this on. Give this one to Reman.”
With his curiosity satisfied, he threw both tacky vests toward Aaron. Aaron looked back and forth between the mint vest that was thrown first and the yellow vest Je-rim was wearing, pouting his lips. He was merely showing a slight sign of dissatisfaction, but in Je-rim’s eyes, it looked like a plump chick’s beak poking out.
“Why are you and Reman on the same team? I want to wear yellow.”
“Stop bullshitting and wear what I give you. Stop acting cute.”
“I wasn’t acting cute. Your eyes are really starting to….”
Reman slowly appeared behind the grumbling Aaron. Je-rim let Aaron’s nonsense go in one ear and out the other as he shouted.
“Reman, you come here too, quickly! The practice match is starting.”
At that, Reman came running hurriedly. Aaron handed the yellow vest to Reman and sneered.
“Here, congratulations on being on the same team as Je-rim.”
“…….”
Taking the vest, Reman glared at Aaron with that familiar look. A look that said he wanted to kick Aaron’s head like a soccer ball. Catching that sight, Je-rim realized those two had definitely not just discussed career paths and pressed his hand to his forehead.
“…Just in case, I’m telling you now: don’t fight. It’s a practice match, so don’t play rough. Do you both understand?”
“You worry too much.”
“…Yeah.”
They certainly know how to give the right answers. Fuck, how did I end up in a position where I’m being courted by two of my same-sex teammates…?
Since one was waiting for acceptance and the other for rejection, Je-rim felt awkward looking at both of them at the same time. Rubbing his throbbing temples, he turned around to see his teammates gathered on the field, setting up a betting pool.
“How about a bet on dinner for the winning team?”
“Sounds good. But with no price limit.”
Edson, who boldly accepted Frederic’s proposal, ran over and threw his arms around Je-rim and Reman’s shoulders. He looked as if he were trying to have a secret conversation among the yellow-vest team, but his voice rang out loudly in all directions.
“Jerry, Reman, you heard, right? This is our chance to bleed Aaron dry. Let’s give it our all.”
“I wonder why you don’t consider the possibility that you’ll be the one bled dry.”
Hearing this, Aaron openly sneered and walked across the halfway line. There, the guys in bright mint-colored vests were gathered, shouting words of encouragement. As soon as Aaron joined the fray and they cheered each other on, the coach blew the whistle.
Immediately after the whistle, Aaron shoved Robin, who had been lingering near him, with his shoulder and kicked the ball into the goal. He kicked it so hard that there was an explosive sound, as if the soccer ball had burst. Craig, who was guarding the goal, could only shake his head with both hands up. Standing before him, Aaron smiled brightly and finished what he had just been saying.
“From where I stand, that possibility is much higher.”
“He’s seriously so obnoxious…”
Je-rim stroked Marshall’s drooping dreadlocks to show he fully agreed with his sentiment.
After that, the practice match proceeded in a playful atmosphere. Since it was a simplified match lasting only 30 minutes and the final training session before an A Match, no one seemed particularly obsessed with winning or losing, despite the bets. Cursing, jeering, and committing fouls indiscriminately, they looked exactly like middle schoolers during lunch break.
“Stop firing rockets, Liam. Are you planning to make a satellite out of the ball?”
“Jesus, are you playing volleyball? Why are you using your hands like that?”
“Robin, are you an automatic door? Stop playing it so safe!”
“Try colliding with that bastard Aaron. It’s like a car accident!”
Unable to watch any longer, Coach Verdi clapped his hands to shift the mood.
“Now, now, a fun atmosphere is all well and good, but a match is a match. That’s enough chatting; get serious.”
From then on, it became something more like an actual match. Though, at best, it was like moving from middle school to high school.
Of course, there were those who remained serious. Reman, who by nature wasn’t the type to joke around, and Aaron, who could be sly but transformed the moment he touched the ball, were the protagonists. Watching the clash between the two, which resembled a real game, Je-rim whispered to William.
“Shouldn’t we stop them?”
“Well, the coach told us to take it seriously.”
“Still…”
“Aaron will handle it. More importantly, you and I are on the opposing team, right? You shouldn’t be talking to me, Jerry.”
Simultaneously, William used his hand to push Je-rim’s chest back and dashed away. By the time the stumbling Je-rim regained his balance, the timing was already too late. Je-rim sprinted at full speed to catch William, who already had the ball at his feet.
“You cowardly bastard, I’m going to pluck all your beard hairs!”
“Leave my beard alone! Aaron, pass!”
As Je-rim closed in at a terrifying speed, William quickly passed the ball to Aaron. Aaron then bypassed Robin, who was subtly trying to avoid him, and quickly reached the goal. As if he had expected this, Reman, who was up front, dropped back in an instant.
In a real match, it would be rare for Reman, the center forward, to drop back to the goal, but since everyone was playing almost for fun, no one pointed out Reman’s position. Furthermore, compared to Robin, who was small for a Center Back, the larger Reman was certainly capable of matching Aaron in a physical struggle.
Reman, trying to steal the ball, and Aaron, keeping his back to Reman to protect it, collided violently. Around the small ball, four ankles tangled and overlapped, with the soles of soccer cleats studded with sharp spikes appearing and disappearing repeatedly.
‘This is too intense.’
It was the moment an inexplicable ominous feeling flashed through Je-rim’s mind. As Aaron planted his left foot to push off the ground, Reman’s foot was positioned between Aaron’s legs. This was a natural movement since Reman was sticking to Aaron’s back during the physical struggle. The problem was that at the same time, Reman also moved his right leg.
The legs of Aaron and Reman overlapped, their center of gravity shifted to one side, and both of them tumbled sideways. Aaron’s left ankle, which had become caught on Reman’s right leg, went with them.
“Ugh!”
Unable to withstand the weight of the two falling, Aaron’s ankle twisted at a horrific angle—a sight that played out vividly before Je-rim’s eyes as if in slow motion. For a moment, Je-rim froze in place, even forgetting to breathe.
His shaking pupils captured the sight of the two fallen players, specifically, the groaning Aaron. It felt so surreal that his mind went numb.
“What on earth are you doing!”
It was Coach Verdi’s shout that snapped Je-rim out of it. The coach and coaching staff, who had been standing outside the line, rushed over and surrounded the fallen Aaron and Reman. The players, who had been full of mischief, also ran over with frozen expressions and pulled the tangled Reman and Aaron apart.
Reman quickly stood back up on his two feet, but Aaron remained slumped on the ground, clutching his ankle. Only then did Je-rim push through the gathered crowd to approach. Reman, who had been pacing beside Aaron in a state of panic, muttered with a pale face as soon as he saw Je-rim.
“Jerry, I…”
“Move.”
Je-rim pushed Reman aside without even looking at his face. His gaze was entirely fixed on Aaron. Cold sweat was pouring down the forehead of the man with his head bowed. His messy bangs, falling in strands, were also damp. His jaw was clenched tight, and blue veins stood out aggressively on the back of the hand gripping his ankle.
Seeing that, Je-rim’s lips tightened. Quickly kneeling down, Je-rim gently took Aaron’s hand away from the ankle and asked.
“Aaron, look at me. Can you get up on your own? Try touching the ground? Do you need help?”
“No… I think I sprained it.”
Aaron replied with slurred speech, gesturing toward the ankle that had begun to swell. Coach Verdi, who had been kneeling beside them examining Aaron, first calmed Je-rim down.
“Jerry, I’ve called the medical team, so just leave him as he is for now. Fortunately, it doesn’t look broken.”
Only after hearing that did Je-rim take a long breath. Without realizing it, his breathing had become ragged. After a few more deep breaths, Je-rim regained his composure, swept back his bangs, and asked Craig for a favor. First, they needed a cold compress.
“…Craig, bring me a water bottle. A frozen one. And a towel.”
“Wait a second.”
Nodding, Craig ran toward the ice box. With his nearly two-meter height and long strides, the requested items were delivered in the blink of an eye. Je-rim wrapped the frozen water bottle in a towel and pressed it against Aaron’s ankle. Seeing that it had already begun to swell to the size of a fist, the prognosis looked quite bad.
William patted the back of the still-restless Reman and comforted him in a soft voice.
“Reman, come here and get your bleeding stopped too. I thought you seemed a bit too excited.”
“I, I… I’m sorry, Reyes. I… I’m sorry, Coach, Jerry…”
Despite this, Reman couldn’t leave Aaron and Je-rim’s side and continued to apologize haltingly. His voice trembled piteously, as if he were also overwhelmed. Right now, Je-rim didn’t even want to hear that voice. It was because an uncontrollable anger was surging within him, even though he knew it wasn’t Reman’s fault.
“Shut up.”
Unable to contain his anger, Je-rim finally glared at Reman and spoke harshly. The chaotic atmosphere, filled with surprised players, froze at the cold reprimand.
It was clearly an emotional outburst, but the other teammates only watched the situation, unable to readily stop Je-rim. Even if it wasn’t intentional, injuring the ace responsible for the team’s scoring at a time when they were facing their hardest journey was something that deserved a scolding.
Moreover, it happened during a practice match. This was an issue that could even affect the coach’s reputation. Reman, who likely knew this better than anyone, repeated his apologies with a face that was beyond pale—it was practically blue. Marshall, who was naturally soft-hearted, found it hard to listen to the youngest’s almost pleading tone and forced a smile to defend Reman.
“Jerry, Reman didn’t do it on purpose, so don’t be too angry…”
“There are mistakes that are acceptable and mistakes that aren’t. Are you kidding me? He’s not some kid who doesn’t know where he is. Reman, you’re a pro. What kind of pro does this to a teammate in a practice match—”
The one who placed a hand on Je-rim’s shoulder and silenced him was Coach Verdi.
“Scolding Reman is my job. You take Aaron to the infirmary.”
As if agreeing, even Aaron gripped Je-rim’s hand tightly and soothed him in a voice that sounded less pained than before.
“Je-rim, calm down. It’s not that badly injured.”
“How do you know if it’s badly injured or not…!”
Only after scanning the medical team rushing in with a stretcher and the teammates looking at him with bewildered eyes did Je-rim barely manage to lower his rising voice.
Only then did he realize he had become excessively agitated because the injured teammate was none other than Aaron. And that he shouldn’t have scolded Reman so emotionally.
“…I’m sorry. I’ll excuse myself first.”
Swallowing regret and shame, Je-rim stood up to stay by Aaron’s side as he was transported on the stretcher.
< Continued in Volume 5 >
A game tactic of quickly exchanging short and concise passes.