55 – Opening Ceremony
055
July, which felt long, came to an end, and August arrived.
Though only one page had turned on the calendar, August was a highly anticipated month for soccer fans. In the major European leagues, August meant the beginning of a new season, usually marked by the implementation of the transfer window.
The opening day of the 32/33 Bundesliga season was just a week away on August 7th. Daniel Laut, the captain of 1860 Munich, hosted a home party.
Naturally, the names of the two newbies who had joined the team just a month ago were on the invitation list.
“A home party? Is this something you only see in movies?”
Jo Jae-shin’s initial reaction to the invitation was curiosity. Since it was an unfamiliar culture in Korea, he seemed to have developed a strange sense of anticipation.
“Hey, Juji. We should definitely go, right?”
“Yeah, we should. The captain invited us, and it wouldn’t be good if we didn’t show up right before the season starts.”
For Ju Ji-tae, who had a 10-year career in European leagues, a home party was as familiar as it could get, but that was because he was a former returnee.
From Jo Jae-shin’s perspective, coming to unfamiliar Germany and having done nothing but training for the past month, this cultural experience was a welcome change.
“Wow, it’s my first home party. Is it similar to a housewarming? Should I bring a gift?”
“Yeah. If you’re invited, it’s courteous to bring a simple gift. But not something grand like a real housewarming… A bottle of wine should be enough.”
“Wine, wine… Alright, wine sounds good. And… what’s the dress code?”
Watching their lively discussion, Ju Ji-tae threw in a joke.
“Well, it’s a home party, so it’s formal. Dress up in a full suit.”
“Really? I should buy an expensive one this time.”
“…?”
Seeing him earnestly searching for a suit, Ju Ji-tae wondered for a moment if he was joking.
Of course, Jo Jaeshin was sincere.
“…Real suits?”
“So, real or fake? You’ve got to have a good suit anyway. Take the chance to get a nice one this time.”
“Uh… yeah, I guess so.”
“Hmm, want to get one together?”
“Nah, I’m good.”
A mischievous grin spread across Ju Jitae’s face.
* * *
Daniel Rout was personally greeting guests at the front of the house.
“Oh, you’re here! Come on in, Jan.”
“Why does it already smell so good here? Thanks for the invite, Captain. Here’s a gift.”
“Thanks. Some of the others have already arrived inside.”
At 33, Daniel Rout had been the captain of Munich for the past five seasons, having grown up in Munich’s youth academy since he was 9.
Although there was a minor flaw in his origin – not being the captain of ‘1860 Munich’ but of ‘Bayern Munich’ – Daniel Rout’s excellence as a captain would even be acknowledged by fervent 1860 Munich supporters.
Despite the weakness of being from the youth academy of the rival team, he could hold the captaincy for such a long time.
Daniel’s prowess as a captain stemmed not only from his outstanding skills but also from his conduct fitting of a ‘captain,’ like gathering the team before the season, strengthening bonds.
Except for the first year of his captaincy, this home party before the season had become an annual event, now in its fourth year. Initially awkward, by the fifth year, nearing the sixth, Daniel thought he had gotten used to it, but even he couldn’t help but be surprised this time.
“Dan, aren’t they coming in soon?”
“Well, some of them haven’t arrived yet.”
“You don’t have to greet them at the entrance. They’re not kids.”
At the vice-captain Matthias’s words, Daniel shook his head.
“No. They’re kids.”
“Oh, the Asian kids.”
“Yeah. I heard they don’t have home parties in Asia. So, I’ll show them around.”
“If they’re those kids, they’ll figure it out themselves— Hmm? Looks like they’ve arrived. Is that the car the kids’ translator is driving?”
Sure enough, stepping out of the car were the young players recently recruited for this season, Ui and Muhi.
Apart from looking excessively young, these players of a different race had an appealing appearance—
“…Suits?”
“Wow. Looks like our young goalkeepers are attending an award ceremony.”
Once again, they surprised everyone.
In 1860 Munich, Captain Daniel Lautner and Vice-Captain Matthias were filled with great expectations for the season.
The team, which had fallen to the third division, had finally reached the coveted Bundesliga after surpassing the second division.
It was the Bundesliga they had dreamt of, the league they had longed for.
Yet, it wasn’t just a rosy future they envisioned, especially considering they were now veteran players. In the face of harsh reality, dreams and hopes seemed futile.
Nevertheless, they had vowed to give their best since the third division, climbing up to the first division. This determination was not only theirs but shared by the entire club. However, the excitement faded when they realized that the crucial signings for the promotion season were just two relatively unknown players, aged only 17 and hailed as promising talents from Asia.
The disappointment was palpable for Daniel and Matthias, especially as they had hoped for players with more skill or a renowned reputation. Transferring to a Bundesliga team was not an easy task for two players with average abilities. Moreover, in their mid-30s, they wondered which team would sign them, considering their age.
Disappointment in the club, frustration in their player careers, and doubts about the future – all negative emotions swept over them, leaving only acceptance.
They pledged to find satisfaction in experiencing the Bundesliga, even if it was in the twilight of their playing careers, until promising talents from Asia arrived.
No, more precisely, until they witnessed the newcomers’ skills in a practice match.
Reluctantly, they had to admit that the two young players possessed a different level of talent.
Watching these rookies barely stepping into the professional world dominate players who had experienced as much as their entire lives was a humbling and awe-inspiring experience.
This is what genius looks like.
These are the prodigies everyone talks about.
Every time they trained together or played in practice matches, these players never ceased to amaze and astonish Daniel and Matthias. However, they never expected today to be so astonishing.
Jo Jaeshin, walking confidently, felt something was amiss.
“Good lord… What the hell is with that attire?”
There was a significant backstory behind the use of disrespectful nicknames instead of proper names – a result of mutual animosity and ill will.
“This isn’t an awards ceremony. Seriously, where’s your formal wear… Wow, how much is that worth?”
Seeing the organizers and attendees dressed comfortably but neatly, Jo Jaeshin slowed his pace. By the time he realized the situation, it was too late.
But it was okay. If he were alone, he might have felt embarrassed, but Jo Jaeshin had a comrade to share the embarrassment.
“Hey, Juji, you idiot. This isn’t formal wear!”
Ju Jitae grinned broadly in response to Jo Jaeshin’s loud complaints.
“…What’s with that grin? Seriously…?”
“Idiot.”
As Jo Jaeshin tossed aside the suit jacket he had been wearing, a comfortable hoodie emerged. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the pants he thought were part of a suit were just dark denim jeans.
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“Why bother getting into the car so early when there’s still plenty of time…!!”
The shoulders of Jo Jaeshin, who was now feeling deceived, were comforted by the trembling of the team leader and assistant team leader.
* * *
After exchanging greetings with the host family and presenting gifts, Ju Jitae, the host of the party, was quickly engulfed by his colleagues.
“Oh, who do we have here! Our savior, Ju Jia!”
“Hey, Asian superstar! Counting on you this season!”
The interpreter stuck close to Jo Jaeshin, but that was fine. After three years of experience in the first round, the past month had made him proficient enough in basic conversation.
“Your hair looks great today. Oh, is this the girlfriend you’ve been talking about? Nice to meet you, I’m Ju Jitae.”
“Hello, you’re Yan’s daughter, right? You don’t resemble your dad, but you’re cute like your mom.”
…It was beyond simple conversation, approaching the level of a local.
Before they knew it, Ju Jitae had naturally become the center of the party.
“Hey, friends! Drink beer moderately! I don’t want to lose from the opening game!”
“Haha! Our little one wants to win from the opening game. What do you all think?”
“Of course, we have to win!! Well said, little one! Let’s start winning from the opening game!”
The training of the past month was enough time for the new player from Asia to integrate into the team. Moreover, it was clear that this player possessed skills not just as a promising talent but enough to be the core of the team, surpassing even the main players.
“That’s why it’s hard to keep up.”
Watching from afar, sipping beer, Jo Jaeshin could only let out a bitter smile.
Just a month since joining the team, the rookie who had just signed his professional contract—
“Does anyone here think we’re going to lose to Werder Bremen in this match!?”
“No!!”
“Then, does anyone here want to draw against Werder Bremen, a coward who just wants to tie against them!?”
“No!!”
“All right!! Let’s win the first game easily, friends!”
The sight of him rallying the players… even to Jo Jaeshin, who considered himself a friend, it was incredibly impressive.
