37 – Fluttering
037
It took Ji Tae Joo two hours to grasp the situation after receiving the first contact from Cho Yeoshin.
[Joo, Jooji. What now?]
“What’s up? Did something happen again?”
Startled by the urgent voice of Jo Yeoshin over the phone, Ju Jitae adjusted his smartphone.
Just thinking about what kind of trouble this fool might have gotten into makes his heart pound, even in moments when he was unscathed on the Asian Cup final stage or receiving the MVP.
[You won’t get mad when you hear it, right?]
“I’ll listen.”
[You won’t get mad? I mean, it’s like~]
He endured the frustration and listened for a while.
Only then did Jo Yeoshin spill the beans.
“Yeah, I looked it up, and the subscribers exceeded a million~ maybe 1.4 million or 1.5 million? Anyway, so this person is begging me to appear. Honestly, I didn’t care much~ but since they insisted that they really need me~ I agreed, you know?”
‘Get to the point…!’
Just for a moment, he wanted to shout out his frustration about the unnecessary TMI.
Ju Jitae’s head started to ache.
[So, they said a simple survey is needed before the interview~ and they keep asking if Jooji and I are dating?]
“You can’t be serious…”
[No! I said no at first!]
“At first? Then what about later? Did you say we’re dating?”
[Oh, come on~ No! Not at all! It’s just~ they say it looks good in pictures~ and we look good together. Heh, but still, people have eyes, right? And it’s said that it gets more views that way. So, just a kind of a thing? That’s what I said. Hehe~]
“……”
What is she even talking about right now?
Unaware of the seriousness of the situation, Ju Jitae involuntarily sighed deeply at Jo Yeoshin’s giggles.
“What’s that! Did you just sigh?”
“So, what did they say?”
[What did they say~ They said it’s worth it because I’m in it~]
“Ha…”
[Hey… Are you mad? We promised not to get mad.]
“You better get ready for trouble.”
[Oh, what are you saying! I’m not mad!]
Angry, yet not showing it.
Contradictory, but this was Ju Jitae’s honest feeling at the moment.
I’m burning with anger, and yet, listening to the idiot’s whining, I can’t help but think, “Well, maybe the Snake Goddess would act like that.”
“Wait a moment. Can’t we use this situation to our advantage?”
At the sudden thought, Ju Ji-tae hesitated for a moment.
Could this work? It seems like it could… but do I really have to go this far?
[People don’t lie and break promises, right? If she promised not to get mad—]
“Hey.”
[—promised not to get mad… huh?]
“You clearly said you were interested in her.”
[Umm, yeah. No, it’s not like I specifically want to have something with Joo-ji, it’s just that she keeps getting involved—]
“Cut it out.”
Click.
As Ju Ji-tae hung up, Cho Jae-shin, who had been leaning in close to listen, discreetly averted his gaze.
“I don’t know~”
“Yeah… just pretend you don’t know.”
Cho Jae-shin is too much of a schemer to share plans.
It would be chaos if he told him now.
What’s needed at the moment is not sweet talk but clear evidence.
Ju Ji-tae looked down at his smartphone.
[Hello, Ju Ji-tae player. This is Kim Soccer, the football YouTuber of Football in Life, boasting the highest number of subscribers in the country. Well, the reason I—]
Even if they’re naive little kids, if you can use them, you should.
“Hey. Follow me.”
“Huh? Where to? Why are you suddenly going somewhere?”
“To the coach’s office.”
“Why there all of a sudden?”
“I’m scheduling an interview.”
“Interview? What interview? You better not… really reveal it!”
“Reveal? What?”
Looking at Ju Jae-shin, who only rolled his eyes, Cho Jae-shin chuckled.
“Yeah, deceive the one you can deceive. Even if you fly and crawl, your older brother sees it all.”
“So, what’s the point?”
“Ah~ Do I really have to say this with my own mouth?”
“What’s up, you idiot.”
Jo Jaeshin’s mouth twisted at Joo Jitae’s urgent tone.
“Ha. I know everything about you dating a goddess.”
“…What?”
“Kid, if you’re going to hide it, hide it properly. Did you really think I wouldn’t know, making it so obvious?”
“Is this guy crazy…? Where does it hurt? Why would I date someone, you moron.”
“Hyung knows everything. I’m not trying to reveal it through an interview this time. ‘We’re dating~’ and all that.”
Joo Jitae, who was watching Jo Jaeshin act all pleased with himself, shook his head incredulously.
“Siblings are both crazy.”
“Ah~ Don’t be embarrassed. Since everyone already knows.”
“Isn’t it not true?”
“Ah~ Ah~ Lies.”
“I’m really not.”
With Joo Jitae’s serious expression, a smile slowly faded from Jo Jaeshin’s face.
“Then who’s the person you text every night before bed? A guy shouldn’t be sinisterly chuckling like that.”
“…”
“Is it not the goddess? Really not?”
“…No.”
At that, Jo Jaeshin grabbed Joo Jitae’s shoulders.
“You, you can’t be… Did you get a girlfriend when you have a goddess!?”
“No, it’s not like that.”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Hey! You can’t do this! Having another girl when you have a goddess, absolutely not! This is completely trash. You, seriously, you might really end up in big trouble. Huh? A guy who abandons a goddess is not a man. Truly a bastard.”
“Talking nonsense like abandoning a goddess. Get a grip, idiot.”
Joo Jitae thought to himself.
It’s better to be misunderstood like this than to be caught in the truth.
“Hey! Hey, Joo Jitae! Is it really you!? Really!? I’m going to tell the goddess!!”
Is this really better…?
“I’ll tell our parents everything!!”
“…It’s not like that, you damn idiot.”
“Really? Is it true?”
“Yeah. No.”
“Sigh. Again. Escaping being single before me.”
That jerk…
* * *
Originally, interviews during tournaments were not uncommon.
Professional sports exist ultimately because of fans. This applies to soccer as well; without fans, a soccer player is just a guy who kicks a ball well, akin to a local unemployed guy.
Of course, not doing some interviews and neglecting fan service doesn’t make fans leave. Although individual players have become more idolized in recent times, it mostly affects the individual player’s fanbase rather than the overall popularity of soccer.
But always, ‘fan service’ is the right thing to do. Unless there’s something unusual, teams and coaching staff generally allowed interviews.
At least by European standards.
“I’ll keep it short. 1 to 2 hours at most.”
“Hmm… Well, the next opponent is China again… This time only, okay? Got it?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Okay. And your reputation there is not bad, and since we got approval to release the final version, we’ll allow it. Make sure to keep your promises. We’ll provide a meeting room for the interview.”
In the Asian region, which emphasizes team cohesion, interviews during tournaments were generally not welcomed.
“Oh. And, you guys should know, don’t go boasting about being the only ones interviewed. Don’t mess with the team atmosphere. Understand?”
Especially if it’s an interview targeting the team ace.
“Coach. I’m Ju Jitae. How should I address you?”
“Yeah. Jitae, control Jaeshin well too.”
“…!?”
But this time, it was different.
Even the ace wasn’t acting like the usual ace, and Ju Jitae, practically the team leader, brought Jo Jaeshin to request the interview. It was a role he couldn’t refuse.
Jang Giseok allowed the interview with the condition of only this time.
“Why are you so serious? What’s the big deal about an interview? I heard Yeosin made a little mistake, but why are you being so sensitive.”
As Jo Jaeshin complained about being forced into the interview, in reality, Yeosin hadn’t done anything significantly wrong.
Yeosin, being quite innocent, had a sunny disposition, so even if someone tried to criticize, it wouldn’t stick. Naturally, there were no significant problematic statements or mistakes… well, at least from a general perspective.
What might seem like an ordinary statement to others could be different for someone who is ‘extraordinary.’
‘Because the future has changed, who knows how stalkers have changed. Normally, there would be time to spare… but if a dating rumor breaks out, it will surely be stimulating.’
Where would a stalker be in their right mind to engage in stalking?
The problem is that dealing with a stalker is genuinely difficult.
The police? If a stalker is determined, the police are of no help. This was proven in the first instance.
During the first encounter, after the stalker had started to seriously follow, there were several reports to the police.
But the effectiveness was only temporary. No, the police even worsened the situation. They said they couldn’t punish based on suspicion alone, and when the soft punishments were repeated, it only fueled the stalker’s momentum. Moreover, now the stalker isn’t actively engaging in activities.
“Well, it’s better this way. I never had any intention of solving it through reports anyway.”
So, Joo Ji-tae decided to make use of this opportunity.
A YouTuber obsessed with views had asked about this material, and rather than letting it pass as something futile, it would be better to use it.
“Can the guy who saw the dating rumor really endure it?”
Logically, he shouldn’t get caught, but for some reason, Joo Ji-tae was convinced.
Considering that terrifying obsession, the guy would definitely get involved.
—
*Ding—*
With a stern voice and the sound of a call ending, the noise signals a hung-up call.
“Hello? Hello? Joo Ji? Hey! …Did he really hang up?”
Joo Ji-tae’s mom clicks her tongue at the sight of Joo Ji-tae sprawled on the sofa, waving his arms and legs.
“What’s wrong with Joo Ji, saying something like that to his brother? Didn’t I tell you not to say that?”
“I don’t know! Joo Ji is Joo Ji!”
“So, what did Ji-tae say?”
“I don’t know~! He’s just being annoyed with me for no reason!”
“Ugh, this is why Ji-tae won’t marry you.”
“Ah, Mom!! Why would I marry Joo Ji!!”
That’s when it happened.
The buzzing sound from Jo Yeoshin’s smartphone announced a notification.
Not a typical notification, but a special one designated for just one person.
[Joo Ji: I’ll send you the finals ticket, so make sure to come.]
“Huh!? Mom! Joo Ji says he’s sending the finals ticket!? I must go!!”
“If you make it to the finals, you must go, of course.”
“What about school?”
“You can take a break then, what else can you do?”
“Assa!! Jooji, make it to the finals for sure!!”
Tirong—
The arms and legs, which had been enthusiastically flailing, came to an abrupt halt at the sound.
[Jooji: And I’ll score a goal in the China match, and when I score, put a heart and upload it to the Star Channel]
“…Huh?”
“Why??”
“Mom, Jooji seems crazy…”
Upon hearing Jooji’s indifferent voice, the mom, glancing at the phone screen, covers her mouth in amazement.
“Oh my, my. The goddess must be pleased?”
“Aaah~ No, it’s not like that! Absolutely not!!”
Flap flap
Flap flap
Jooji’s arms and legs began to flap restlessly.
