Episode 5: A face genius is good at soccer

Episode 5: Crazy Girl (1)

"Yeah! Hell yeah, this is it!!"

"Wow~ Just as the coach predicted, Hong Min-jun pulls it off."

"I told you! Players with that kind of personality are strong in real matches!"

"Man~ It's so strange. Why is actual play so different from training?"

The coach and assistant coach chuckled in delight as they watched the breakthrough that led to a shot attempt.

Although the shot didn’t score, Hong Min-jun’s powerful breakthrough naturally intimidated the opposing team.

The existing players of Hojin University, motivated by the outstanding performance of the fresh-faced new recruit who still looked like a high schooler, also began moving more energetically, elevating the play of the entire team.

"Yeah! Go! Good!"

Hojin University had taken control of the game, but against a team with similar strength focusing on defense, breaking through easily wasn’t an option. Besides, Hojin University’s main tactic was defense first and counter-attacks later.

While their defensive organization was well-trained, their offensive training, especially in attacking strategies, was lacking. This meant that even though they held the initiative, they couldn’t create any truly threatening attacks.

As Hojin University's players aimlessly passed the ball around, they naturally started giving the ball more frequently to the most threatening player—Hong Min-jun—who showcased sharp breakthroughs each time he had the ball.

"Damn, kid! I say you're doing well, and you start dribbling there... and it works?"

"Holy..."

Even the coach and assistant coach were left speechless as Hong Min-jun, after dodging one tightly marked opponent with his footwork, sped past two more incoming players with a sudden burst of acceleration.

"Is he Messi? Or Mbappé?"

"...Seriously."

Dribbling breakthroughs may look exciting and flashy, but they aren’t something you see often.

Not only is the success rate not very high, but at the professional level, even if you beat one player, there’s usually another player backing them up.

That’s why dribbling breakthroughs need the right situation to maximize their impact, and when attempted recklessly, even if you get past one player, you’ll soon lose the ball to the backup defender, or at the very least, waste time leading to ball-hogging or turnovers.

But if you can get past not one, but two, or even three players consecutively, then what could be a more powerful individual tactic than dribbling breakthroughs?

"...Damn. How many times has he done that now?"

The coach muttered, and the assistant coach looked over his notes.

"He's attempted dribbling breakthroughs seven times and succeeded six. Plus, every time he tries, he gets past at least two players."

"See, I told you! My eye for talent isn’t wrong! I said it! Kids with good footwork and a fiery personality explode like this when the time comes!"

* * *

Whistle! Whistle!!

The whistle blew, signaling the end of the match.

45 minutes each for the first and second halves, making it 90 minutes total.

Even with a halftime break in between, running around for an hour and 30 minutes is no easy task.

Players known for their work ethic are said to lose more than 3 kg after just one game, so there’s no need to emphasize how important stamina is in soccer.

And I tasted the humiliation of getting subbed out 10 minutes into the second half because I ran out of energy after the first half.

...Damn.

‘I got too excited and didn’t manage my stamina.’

Whenever I showed off my skills, they worked, and whenever I ran, I got past the defenders, so I got overly excited and started running around like a madman from the first half, only to completely run out of energy.

It’s not like my stamina was great to begin with.

Even in the high school league, my stamina was rated below average.

So after running crazily in the university league, where the players are physically more developed and the overall level is much higher, and not avoiding any intense physical battles, there was no way I wouldn’t get drained.

I was tearing up the left side like Mbappé or Messi during the first half, but around the 35th minute, I started running out of energy, and my usual skills stopped working. By the start of the second half, I couldn’t even receive the ball properly and ended up being subbed out.

When the coach muttered, ‘Phew, I thought this kid was weaker,’ as I was subbed out, it seemed like I really did tear up the flank. Even if it was just a short burst of performance, it left a big enough impact that it wasn’t bad at all.

The real problem is whether I can maintain this kind of performance.

‘I didn’t gain any points.’

Despite playing brilliantly in the friendly match, I confirmed that my points hadn’t changed, which further supported my theory.

‘So the only answer is... sex?’

It can’t be helped.

It’s not that I 'want' to have sex.

I mean, sure, I don’t 'hate' it, but... it’s not like I’m going around hooking up with every woman just because I like it. This is an unavoidable evil to win the Ballon d'Or!

‘Once I win the Ballon d'Or, that’s patriotism. What’s better for my country than this?’

I could let my fellow citizens enjoy some national pride, boost the status of Korean soccer... Anyway, that’s why I need to start having sex as much as possible.

“You’re really good at soccer. What’s your name?”

“Hong Min-jun.”

“Min-jun? Nice name. How old are you? Are you a freshman? Aww~ So cute. You’re just a baby. No wonder your skin is so smooth.”

“Min-jun, be honest. You have a girlfriend, right?”

Is this heaven?

As soon as the game ended, while I was shaking hands with the opposing team, a group of cheerleading girls barged in and surrounded me.

The subtle skinship—lightly brushing against my arms and tapping my cheeks—felt surprisingly nice.

“Hey! You didn’t even cheer for our team. Why did you even come?”

“What’s he saying? We cheered, didn’t we?”

“Exactly. Now go away, you’re all sweaty and annoying.”

One of the players from the opposing team, who seemed frustrated, angrily walked off. It was a bit sad to see, but what can you do? Speaking of which, I’m sweaty too after playing in the game.

“Uh, excuse me. I should go shower. I sweated a lot.”

“Huh? Oh~ It’s okay, it’s okay. You don’t smell bad at all.”

“What? That can’t be right...”

Although I had been subbed out earlier, and my sweat had dried by now, there was no way I didn’t smell.

I sniffed my arm, but all I could smell was a nice fragrance.

“Huh? Why do I smell good?”

The girls burst into laughter.

Ah... No wonder it smelled sweet. It turns out their perfume had rubbed off on me. I guess from all that touching, their scent had transferred onto me.

“Min-jun. The game’s over. Are you guys going out for dinner?” 

“Oh... I’m not sure about that.”

“Ah~ Come on~ Let's have a drink together with your big sister too~”

If I could, I'd want to. Seriously.

"Alright, Hojin University, gather up!"

"Everyone did a great job today. The gameplay was good, and the teamwork was satisfying. I'm happy to see the results of our training."

Everyone beamed at the coach's words.

Though I was subbed out early, thanks to the goal I scored, our team managed to net 3 goals in total, and we kept a clean sheet.

3:0.

A result that satisfied both offense and defense.

We completely dominated a team that was considered evenly matched, so both the coach, the coaching staff, and the players were all in a happy mood.

Hmm... I'm seeing an opportunity here.

If I play this right, maybe it's possible?

I cautiously raised my hand.

"Oh! Our handsome star Min-jun! Do you have something to say?"

"Coach! Is there any chance we could have some free time?"

The atmosphere immediately turned chilly as soon as I finished speaking.

It was a bit much for a rookie who had just joined the team to make such a bold suggestion, especially when not even the captain or the veterans had spoken up... I knew that, but what could I do?

Those sisters are waiting for me back there.

It's not like I'm obsessed with women or just looking for a chance to have sex.

This is all to improve my soccer skills, I swear.

So please, just this once!!

"Huh... Well, fine! Alright, I'll allow it since I'm in a good mood! Go have fun today! But, no alcohol. You all know we’re still in camp, right? We've got another friendly match the day after tomorrow. Anyone who drinks will be off the roster!"

"Woohoo! Thank you!!"

Fortunately, the coach granted his permission in a good mood.

Of course, once the coach and the staff left, the fierce seniors remained.

"Hey, rookie. What do you think you're doing?"

"You little brat... How can a rookie speak up when even the captain and seniors haven’t said anything?"

I knew this was coming.

But I had a plan.

"Uh, seniors. The sisters over there asked me to hang out... If you don’t mind, maybe you could join us?"

"Sisters?"

The seniors looked back, and the cheerleading squad waved at them.

"...Ahem."

"Kid... good job."

Phew.

With that, the seniors were on board too.

After quickly telling the sisters that I would join them after showering, they asked for my number.

Is this what they call getting a girl’s number...?

It looked like the opposing team's players were heading back by bus, but the cheerleaders said they were staying behind.

Vroooom— As the tour bus's engine started, I saw the defeated expressions of the other team’s players through the window.

‘...Wow. That’s really sad.’

Not only did they lose the game, but they were also abandoned by the cheerleading sisters.

Life really is all about looks.

* * *

After narrowing down the seniors who wanted to join, it was just 10 of us, including me.

With 9 cheerleaders, the numbers didn’t match exactly, but this was still within an acceptable range.

"Min-jun-ah~ Give me your number too~"

In the midst of a group of 19 people heading out, creating a noisy atmosphere, I stuck close to the prettiest sister, Ha-yeon, but then Ji-kyung, the one with the best figure, clung to me.

Having two flowers in each hand, I started fumbling through my pockets, but something was missing.

"What? Ah... I must've left my phone behind. I'll be right back; I’m going to the school to get it."

"Wait."

Ji-kyung pulled out a notepad and wrote her number in neat handwriting.

"Here. You said you're a freshman, right? Do you know your way around here?"

"...No."

"When you find your phone, call me at this number. I’ll guide you."

As she said that, I felt a soft sensation brush against my arm.

Holy...! So this is what a woman’s chest feels like!

Nodding quickly, I ran towards the school.

Isn’t this a green light?

…Forget dinner.

As soon as I get my phone, I’ll call Ji-kyung and head straight to a motel.

Smiling brightly at the thought of finally losing my virginity... I mean, earning some points, I was about to enter the locker room when I heard a strange sound.

"Haa, haa."

A husky yet alluring female voice... but it felt strangely off.

'What’s going on?'

Curious, I flung the locker room door open.

"…Who are you?"

"Heek!?"

There stood a woman, pressing my uniform against her nose.

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