0 – Regressing Even with Jealousy
000
Everyone experiences regret.
There is no one who doesn’t regret, unless they are a god.
If we were to describe Ju Ji-tae, he was once a man revered as a god.
However, perfection is a distant concept for everyone. It’s the flaws that make one problematic, rather than being flawlessly perfect.
Perhaps that’s why.
Ju Ji-tae, a professional soccer player with a 16-year career on the brink of retirement, was deeply immersed in regret.
“Ah, damn it… regretting like crazy.”
Usually, a retiring player would regret the missed opportunities in their career or the lack of effort.
But not Ju Ji-tae.
Career? Not at all.
Three years in Germany, three years in England, two years in Spain.
With half of his 16-year professional career spent in the top four leagues and over 80 appearances for the national team, Ju Ji-tae had a remarkable career.
Effort? Not at all.
Even though Ju Ji-tae was a player far from hardworking, he was once labeled as a ‘god’ due to his overwhelming natural talent.
Despite the widespread speculation in society about the ‘hardworking Ju Ji-tae’ accompanying his overwhelming talent, Ju Ji-tae himself had no regrets.
Truly.
Sincerely.
…Maybe just a little regret.
However, the thing Ju Ji-tae, on the verge of retirement, regretted the most was something else.
It was in a TV commercial that Ju Ji-tae saw it.
A handsome man, Jo Jae-shin, holding the latest smartphone from Osung Electronics and smiling brightly on the TV.
“Ah~ Ah~ Damn, I envy that son of a bitch! What’s so bad about me compared to him? Why am I broke, and he’s doing commercials!”
Watching Jo Jae-shin’s hearty laughter on TV, Ju Ji-tae grabbed his aching stomach and rolled on the floor.
Jo Jae-shin.
A great soccer player who left a mark on the history of Korean soccer.
The best soccer player in Asia, shining with the glory of almost winning the Ballon d’Or three times and securing the second place three times in a row, Jo Jae-shin.
Career and skill alone were staggering, accompanied by a distinct humility, diligence, exemplary character, and strikingly good looks.
Undoubtedly, the shining sports star that Korea has produced!
Naturally, even after retirement, his popularity hasn’t waned, and he continues to thrive to this day.
And Ju Ji-tae was precisely this embodiment of talent, a companion to Cho Jae-shin, and a soulful rival.
Jae-shin was the forward, Ji-tae the playmaker, both dominating the youth leagues from elementary through high school, part of the same school soccer team.
In age-specific national teams, they performed as a dynamic duo, both making stunning professional debuts in Europe around the same time.
As national representatives, the ‘Cho Jae-shin – Ju Ji-tae’ duo took on the roles of aces. If Jae-shin was renowned for his tender, boyish looks, Ji-tae, with a more rugged handsomeness, stirred significant attention for his appearance.
They were indeed soulful companions and rivals.
However, their outcomes diverged.
Ji-tae, relying solely on talent and living recklessly, found himself preparing for a pitiful retirement, marked by public disfavor. Meanwhile, Jae-shin, who was exemplary in many aspects, retired amidst everyone’s applause in Europe during his peak and continues to enjoy nationwide popularity.
Ji-tae was envious.
Envious to the point of agonizing jealousy.
Why couldn’t he have worked hard like Jae-shin? Lived diligently and exemplarily?
It was nothing of the sort.
“Damn it! I wish I had done a bit of image-making like that bastard!!”
There’s a reason your closest friend is your closest friend.
They get along well, that’s why they’ve been best friends since childhood.
Simply put, Jae-shin was sensitive to his public image, while Ji-tae lived as he pleased. That was the difference.
And this difference loomed so large.
That’s why Ji-tae felt unfairly treated to the point of despair.
“He’s just like me! He’s just the same guy, so why is it only me!!!”
That’s when it happened.
“Hey, Ju Ji!”
A familiar voice echoed from somewhere.
“Damn, now I’m even hearing things. Have I drunk too much?”
Though I hadn’t taken any drugs, I turned around, only to find Jae-shin standing there for real.
But something seemed different.
“It’s not just something, it’s for real! What on earth did you do to your face?”
“What are you saying? Let’s get back to our seats.”
“…Is this a dream?”
