My Girlfriend Wants Victory

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“Hmm… have they given up on a draw?”

Gwanghwa High didn’t drop their 10-man formation even after conceding to my fantastic long-range shot.

After Hojin High, who had secured the second place, fell apart due to the coach assault incident, the battle for the third place, which grants entry to the King of Kings tournament, was reportedly fierce.

It seemed like they were trying to avoid losing as much as possible, anticipating that goal difference could determine the rankings.

Well, that’s their problem.

“Ugh—! Are they playing anti-football even while losing? What will the kids learn! Damn this coach!”

Naturally, the spectators in the stands who were unaware of Gwanghwa’s situation let out their jeers.

I thought they would loosen up now that they’ve stopped hiding like turtles and put on an entertaining match.

If the losing team keeps curling up like turtles, it’s bound to be frustrating.

“Hey! Stop booing! You’re gonna affect my brother!”

Still, it didn’t take long before the stands quieted down. Since the players on the field were minors, another fan cautioned the crowd to avoid causing unnecessary controversy.

“By the way, they really aren’t showing up.”

I smiled at the sounds coming from the stands while looking over Gwanghwa’s territory.

All I could see were the Gwanghwa players watching us pass the ball in a dazed manner.

They could leisurely take the win while passing the ball at the back.

But the rebellious spirit within me whispered to smash a righteous cannonball into the goal they were desperately trying to protect.

“Who am I?”

A legend who played in the K-League for 15 years in defiance against fans shouting to get lost overseas.

In fact, the fans and executives of the club I used to belong to, Seoul, were begging me to go anywhere in the league for any offer that came, asking me to represent both Korea and Seoul.

That’s how much excellent talent I had, different from the others. So, Leva Mun must’ve strongly wanted me too.

They consistently sent me offers every season, and the coach (president) even contacted me personally to persuade me.

To express it in our It’s Me Coach Choi Gi-hyun style: “A player that Real Madrid is obsessed with, FC Barcelona is calling DNA, and Bayern is begging for? It’s me.”

But even with the fans’ demands, I didn’t leave Korea. Saying that I didn’t go because I rebuffed the fans would be a joke.

Am I crazy? Does it even make sense to not go to Leva Mun just because I resisted the fans’ words?

Rather, I didn’t want to go overseas and leave Gyeouri alone in the Columbarium.

Honestly, when the offer from Leva Mun came, I wavered too. But in the end, I rejected all proposals.

I felt as if departing from Gyeouri would make me forget her existence over time.

Therefore, I turned down all offers from abroad. Fans disappointed by my decision came to the stadium, hurling insults.

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t hurt by their words. But well, just as much as those who were cursing, there were colleagues and fans who respected my choice, along with my father-in-law and mother-in-law, so I managed to hold on.

And as time passed and their disappointment turned into curiosity, people started to wonder why I wasn’t moving abroad.

In a way, it was quite natural. If I were after money, I would’ve played in China or the Middle East, not in Korea.

Anyway, was it because of the public’s curiosity? One day, TV program “I Want to Know” aired a segment titled “Why doesn’t Son Jinho go abroad?” featuring my story.

The K-Car incident, where I had to part ways with Gyeouri due to a sudden accident, was revealed to the public, and public opinion flipped in an instant.

After that broadcast, I got nicknamed “The Romantic of the Era.” (Before, I had the mockingly nicknamed “Non-Flying Kimchi Man” because I couldn’t fly and thus didn’t go abroad.)

I was named an ideal type by many female celebrities.

But I really hated this nickname.

I’d rather be called Non-Flying Kimchi Man.

The name Romantic felt like I had benefited from Gyeouri’s death.

“Phew…”

I shook my head, pulling away from past memories. Now, let’s focus on the game.

After all, isn’t that past now?

Next to me was Gyeouri.

Though some memories from the last life with Gyeouri had faded, we still shared many memories.

And we could create even more new memories together, far surpassing the ones that vanished.

While I was momentarily distracted with other thoughts, it was obvious the players’ focus had wavered.

We weren’t attacking, and the opposing team wasn’t pressuring, leading to the situation.

“Give me the ball!”

I raised my hand to pass the ball from center-back Kim Jae-hyun, who was spinning it at the back.

Normally, I would keep the ball close to my foot to shield it from the opponent, but since I was about to break through, I placed it on the outside of my right foot.

Honestly, since this wasn’t the dribbling I was used to, it felt a bit awkward.

But it didn’t hinder me from getting through the opposing team players, who were merely high school students.

Starting with a nutmeg on the Gwanghwa midfielder who rushed in with a tense expression to block my long-range shot, every time I dribbled past Gwanghwa players—

“Hoowww!”

Cheers erupted from the stands.

“My boyfriend Son Jinho is so cool!!”

And, it might be a misconception, but among them, Gyeouri’s voice sounded unusually clear in my ears, putting a smile on my face.

When I snapped back to reality, I realized I was already entering the penalty box.

And as if the shot were the last pass, I attempted a lowering shot, passing to my teammate with the inside part of my foot.

The ball flew to the corner of the goal, evading the goalkeeper’s hands and rippling the net.

“Gyeouri!”

As the net swayed, I dashed toward Gyeouri, crossing my ring finger.

“Ho… huh?”

I heard the confused voices of fans preparing the Hoou celebration.

Though I felt sorry for the fans who had been waiting with anticipation.

Right now, I wanted to show this celebration in front of Gyeouri.

Perhaps, due to thinking of the past, I became slightly more sentimental.

“Oh! My daughter is lucky, huh? I couldn’t expect such a romantic side from our boy.”

“Ahem. How embarrassing.”

Seeing Gyeouri looking down with a shy face at her father and father-in-law’s words made me smile.

“Ugh—! What does a student know about romance!”

And then, in response to our sweet display, playful jeers erupted from the stands.

Hmm. Some looked genuinely upset.

Well, most of the crowd still had smiles on their faces.

***

The moment Son Jinho’s shot shook Gwanghwa’s net.

“Hey, you bastard…”

Gwanghwa’s coach lost focus and nearly cursed at the players who provided the opening for the goal, but he swallowed his anger upon seeing the spectators in the stands.

‘…Damn, stupid Hojin High coach.’

Recently, perceptions of the football club coach had hit rock bottom due to the Hojin High coach incident.

In this social climate, Gwanghwa’s coach knew that if he berated the players, he would become the next Hojin High coach.

While Gwanghwa’s coach was suppressing his anger, the first half ended.

“…You all worked hard. Let’s endure the 40 minutes of the second half well.”

Even while trying to harshly scold the student players, the Gwanghwa coach, recalling the guillotine looming over him, coaxed the players with an awkward smile.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘What’s up? Mom. I’m scared.’

The Gwanghwa players, who expected to receive a reprimand from the coach and bowed their heads, could only be taken aback by his warm words.

And similar things were happening nationwide.

***

As the second half began, Kang Chan was substituted in. Chan is not a starter, but he often came into games showing excellent scoring instincts.

‘What if he had continued as a striker without changing positions since childhood? I’m curious.’

Anyway, after Kang Chan’s entry, the flow of the second half remained unchanged from the first.

We kept pressing, and Gwanghwa curled up like a turtle.

Perhaps, most of the opposing teams we meet will be teams that curl up like Gwanghwa.

“Up the line! Press hard!”

I instructed to pull up the line and apply strong pressure against the turtle-like Gwanghwa players.

Under the intense pressure, Gwanghwa hastily cleared the ball. The ball that wasn’t cleared properly headed toward the center-back.

After being battered for a while, Gwanghwa made a mistake around the 30th minute of the second half.

The moment Gwanghwa’s midfielder sent a lateral pass to avoid the pressure, I successfully intercepted it and immediately slipped a through pass as my eyes met Kang Chan.

Though the first touch was rough, Kang Chan somehow managed to secure the ball.

Kang Chan glancing at the goalkeeper’s position in front of the goal calmly pulled off a turning shot in the opposite direction.

Frozen in shock, the goalkeeper couldn’t react to Kang Chan’s sudden shot.

Wow. If he tidies up just a little more, this guy can make it into the U-19 national team, right?

The only problem with the current U-19 national team is the strikers’ goal-scoring ability.

‘If anything, Hwang Gwangjong, the best box-to-box midfielder in South Korea, tried to use me as a striker.’

The more I thought about it, the more I regretted that Kang Chan had to change positions due to poverty during his childhood.

***

After the match against Gwanghwa concluded.

Head Coach Choi Gi-hyun opened his mouth to the exhausted players.

“Kids, you all worked hard today, and I’m really thankful for your efforts.”

After the Hojin High coach incident, the authoritative demeanor of the coach quickly disappeared, and with an unparalleled kind expression, Coach Choi encouraged the players.

The look of Coach Choi moved the players deeply.

Except for me.

‘A true humanitarian of this era, leading young players down the right path? It’s me.’

I oddly felt like I could see Coach Choi’s inner thoughts.

As Coach Choi called each player’s name and consoled them for their hard work—

“Uh…”

A man approached.

As Coach Choi moved forward, protecting the players, I looked at him with a ‘Did this guy have this side?’ expression.

“Who are you? If you’re a scout, you can come to our school later…”

“No, I’m not a scout. I’m SBK PD!”

The man shook his hands at Coach Choi’s words and pulled out a business card from his wallet, handing it to him.

“Aha! I’m Choi Gi-hyun, the coach of Geumsun High, the best coach in South Korea!”

Seeing Coach Choi’s face split into a huge smile at the mention of the broadcasting station PD, I couldn’t hold back my laughter as I looked at him with cold eyes.