Half-Line

Bang!The only sound reaching the ears was the cheering of the audience, but it seemed as if such sound effects were added to the scene. The mid-range shot, kicked from near the halfway line, flew like light over and between the players, lowering its altitude to shake the net, leaving the goalkeeper’s quick defense looking futile.The scene of scoring such a magnificent shot didn’t end with just one; it continued successively. Every time the man, who looked almost angry with his intense concentration, banged in goals, the audience cheered.Suddenly, the screen paused on a close-up of the sharp-eyed man’s face, then the camera angle pulled back dramatically. The two anchors, a man and a woman, seated in front of the screen capturing the man’s face, looked straight ahead before starting their conversation.“Oh, no matter how many times you see it, that shooting power is truly impressive. Just watching it feels like your guts are going ‘bang!'”“Yes, indeed. Today is the first day of Kim Mukyeom’s activities in Korea, the star you just saw.”“It has been the biggest talking point among football fans lately. Usually, when a player returns from abroad to a domestic team, it’s because their skills have declined or they’re nearing retirement, but isn’t Kim Mukyeom in his prime?”“Yes, there hasn’t been a Korean player who was a regular starter for a big club for several seasons consecutively before Kim Mukyeom.”As the screen changed, the boisterous atmosphere captured Mukyeom, who had just entered the country.Surrounded by journalists, his tall stature allowed him to walk without his view being obstructed even by the crowd. With each step forward, people naturally parted to the sides, making him look like a racehorse or a tank.Wearing sunglasses, he didn’t open his mouth despite the barrage of questions from the reporters, just walking silently. The anchors continued their conversation.“Returning isn’t quite the right word since it’s a one-year loan. In simple terms, it means borrowing the player for a while. It’s said that Kim Mukyeom strongly requested this move, agreeing to forfeit one year’s salary from his current team, Greenford, as they weren’t keen on the loan and City Seoul couldn’t afford the transfer fee.”“His current salary from his team is known to be in the hundreds of billions, so why go to such lengths?”“It’s speculated to be because of Park Junsung, the new coach of City Seoul. It’s well-known that Park discovered Kim Mukyeom in middle school and nurtured him into a football player.”“Even so, for a player from a big club to insist on domestic activity to the extent of negotiating with his team is unprecedented, isn’t it? Isn’t this rare worldwide?”“Yes, though there was a case long ago with Denmark’s Laudrup returning to his home league due to homesickness, this case is somewhat different.”One of the anchors laughed, genuinely amused.“Kim Mukyeom has always been a maker of unprecedented stories.”At that moment, the screen changed to a press conference scene. A caption appeared indicating it was from three years ago during the World Cup.“Kim Mukyeom, what do you think was the reason for the defeat against Uruguay?”A reporter asked. Mukyeom was shown in close-up, looking at the questioner. His handsome, stoic face seemed emotionless. He brought the microphone closer to his mouth, and a calm, low voice flowed out.“I don’t understand why you’re asking me about the cause of defeat.”He paused for a beat before continuing.“I also have a busy schedule, so if there are complaints, tell the association not to call me up.”The footage stopped there, and the anchors looked back at the camera.“Yes, Kim Mukyeom certainly brings a lot of attention. Although it’s just for one season, it seems there will be more fans watching the K-League than ever before.”“Here’s the next news.”As the screen transitioned to another story, the team’s captain and goalkeeper, Lim Jungkyu, switched off the TV with the remote and chuckled, giving Mukyeom a playful tap on the shoulder. Mukyeom didn’t even glance at the TV.Even in sports programs not specialized in football, Mukyeom was at the center of attention, but for him, it was nothing but a nuisance.“That press conference clip is still airing.”“They should milk it for a hundred or a thousand years.”He answered indifferently, pulling up his socks to finish getting ready for training. He stood up, clasped his hands, stretched them out, and did a light stretch while glancing around.The locker room was quiet yet somehow bustling. Only a few like Jungkyu were talking loudly; most players were silent, occasionally stealing glances at Mukyeom.From debuting in England’s second division at seventeen and securing a starting position in a Premier League big club within two years, leading his team to championships for years, and being mentioned as a future Ballon d’Or candidate, Mukyeom was truly an unprecedented phenomenon in Korean football, or even in all of Asian football.Even among his teammates, unless they were like Jungkyu, who had known him since school or played together in the national team, many were seeing him for the first time. So, for a while, he had to be prepared to feel like an alien here. Though it would only be for a week or so at most.“I’ll head out first.”Mukyeom left Jungkyu, still changing, behind and went out to the training field, taking a deep breath. Being alone was more comfortable than being with the team at this point.Everything felt awkward – the people, the stadium, even playing football under Seoul’s sky again. Since moving to England at seventeen, he hadn’t played in Korea unless called up for the national team.People asked why he was going back to Korea. Mukyeom understood their concerns and questions well. Even he thought it was a crazy decision. Each day is precious for an athlete’s body, and a year at the peak like now is too valuable to waste in a fringe league. Football isn’t an individual sport; playing for a better team sharpens your skills, while the opposite can lead to decline no matter how hard you work alone.A waste of time. That was the phrase he heard most often after making his decision. Everyone either criticized or worried about his choice.“Can you go straight into training?”While trying to shake off his slight unease by looking up at the sky, a familiar voice came from beside him, making Mukyeom turn his head. A short, friendly-looking middle-aged man in training gear with the team’s emblem was smiling. Mukyeom chuckled back in response.“It’s only two days until the holiday; you can rest then.”It was Coach Park Junsung. Wasting a year at the peak of his career as a player was regrettable, but giving a year to his disciple, who had taken on the role of a professional coach for the first time with Jungkyu’s league, was not a waste.Thanks to Coach Park Junsung, they could bring Kim Mukyeom over. The fact that his former student came running to support his mentor starting a new career was the best gift one could offer at the start of his coaching journey and an honor few coaches could ever enjoy. Reminding himself of his purpose, his unease also subsided.“The sooner we start, the quicker you’ll adapt.”“Right.”Junsung patted Mukyeom on the arm.“I’m really grateful, and I feel sorry too. You didn’t have to go this far.”“You told me not to come, but I insisted because I wanted to.”Walking alongside the coach, Mukyeom stood among the players, and the coach blew the whistle. The players, who had been scattered about joking around, quickly gathered, and training began.It was his decision, but it was indeed radical. As the anchor had said earlier, an unprecedented decision. Although he wasn’t without worry, since it was already decided, Mukyeom was trying to think positively.🏀After finishing the morning session focused on physical training, the players gathered at the dining hall within the training facility. Sitting at a table with Jungkyu and a couple of players he knew, ready to eat, the atmosphere from the locker room continued more openly.Looks like I won’t be eating comfortably for a while. Mukyeom sighed to himself under the scrutinizing gazes when Jungkyu waved over a few passing players.“Woojin, Seongmin! Come here. Let’s eat together.”At those words, the young-looking players, seemingly around twenty, were startled but didn’t refuse, rushing over with their trays. Not daring to sit next to Mukyeom, they sat beside Jungkyu, exchanging glances and grinning. Mukyeom watched this with a slight smile. Jungkyu instructed them:“Look, if you’re curious about Mukyeom, you should act friendly and polite. Do you think he’ll take on the role of a senior with you just watching from afar? He’s not the type to do that.”“Talking about someone right in front of them…”Despite the introduction not sitting well with him, Mukyeom slightly frowned but nodded to the new players. The two players quickly bowed in greeting. One of them quickly spoke to Mukyeom.“Hyung-nim, are you really staying with our team for a year?”“Unbelievable…”It’s just the first day; they’ll believe it soon enough.Mukyeom finally picked up his utensils to start eating. At least one big advantage was that he could have proper meals every day.The meals at Greenford weren’t bad, but facing a Korean meal with rice, soup, and side dishes made him feel satisfied from deep within. Even after nearly ten years in England, the eating habits he’d learned as a child didn’t change easily.“Oh, by the way, hyung-nims. Have you heard about Hajoon hyung? He’s supposed to join our team the day after tomorrow or the next day.”“Ah, right. Hajoon’s coming. Time flies.”At the mention of Hajoon, many players, including Jungkyu, acknowledged it. Mukyeom raised an eyebrow and asked:“Hajoon?”“Lee Hajoon. You know him, right? You played together in the last World Cup.”“Oh.”Lee Hajoon. Lee Hajoon… Mukyeom nodded vaguely, recalling the name. He didn’t remember every player he’d only met briefly during national team call-ups without personal acquaintance, but they had spent considerable time together during the World Cup.However, all he could recall was, “Yeah, I think there was such a guy,” and his face didn’t come to mind clearly.“Kind of remember and kind of don’t.”“You’ll recognize him when you see his face. He even assisted you in one of the matches, remember?”“Is he transferring from another team?”Jungkyu shook his head, frowning.“No. He’s coming as a coach. He retired early due to some circumstances. Right after retiring, he studied hard to get his certification and was with the youth team last season as an intern. He’s coming here this season.”“How old is he?”“Same age as us.”At twenty-six, retiring and becoming a coach was certainly early, but it wasn’t unheard of. He might be the youngest in the coaching staff here. Mukyeom nodded without much thought.“You, me, and Hajoon are all the same age. When Hajoon comes, let’s have a drink together. You come, Hajoon comes, we all have our circumstances, but I like it.”“Are you close to him too?”“He’s friendly with everyone. He has a good personality. Unlike you.”“Then he must be different from you.”Mukyeom, annoyed by Jungkyu’s constant jabs while acting like the nice guy, retorted and resumed eating.He then focused on his meal silently, finishing faster than the others, and regardless of whether others had finished, he stood up and walked briskly between the long tables to return his tray.“Thank you for the meal.”“Oh, Kim Mukyeom! Eat more. Shall I give you more?”The chef who took his tray looked at him with warm eyes as if he were a son on leave from the military.“Thank you, but I’m fine.”“Next time, eat more. What do you like? Just tell us! We’ll make it for you.”In response to the chef’s genuine kindness, Mukyeom smiled without a word, and the affection continued.“How can someone be so handsome and well-built? I’d love to match you with my daughter. If you’re interested, just say the word. These days, young people think it’s okay just to meet casually once, right?”“Stop it! Why are you being so forward on his first day?”Without giving Mukyeom a chance to respond, the chefs bickered among themselves, creating a small commotion as he left the dining hall. The food was good, and he liked the kitchen atmosphere. With a somewhat comforted heart, Mukyeom headed back to the training ground.There were still about 20 minutes until the afternoon training session started. To get used to the new training ground, Mukyeom walked across the grass like he was on a stroll. Looking around, he saw Coach Junsung standing on the opposite side.In front of him, a man with his back turned was talking to him. Mukyeom smiled and walked towards them.“Coach, have you eaten?”“Ah, Mukyeom. Did you finish eating?”“Yes.”At that moment, the man with his back turned looked at Mukyeom. Their eyes met.Mukyeom thought he might be one of the coaches from the morning training, but he was unfamiliar. The man had a calm demeanor. Junsung gestured as if it was perfect timing.“It’s good to introduce yourselves early. You’ve heard, right? Kim Mukyeom, who has decided to play for our team this season.”“Yes. Who wouldn’t know?”The man answered, turning his body towards Mukyeom. Facing him properly, his impression seemed a bit different.The man’s eyes, with relatively large black pupils, were round but slightly sharp at the edges, directed at Mukyeom. He seemed gentle yet had an air about him like thin paper that could crumple at any moment.He didn’t look weak or lacking in energy, but perhaps because of his pale skin and delicate features, he appeared that way. He greeted Mukyeom.“It’s been a while. Good to see you.”Who is this? He seems to recognize me, like we’ve met before somewhere.Mukyeom, while inwardly curious, extended his hand for a greeting rather than asking first. The man looked at his hand, briefly shook it, and let go. Junsung introduced the man.“This is Lee Hajoon, who’s joining us as the new physical coach. He’s supposed to start in a few days, but he came today to submit some documents.”“Ah.”Mukyeom let out a short exclamation without realizing it. This must be the person Jungkyu and the others were talking about earlier. He thought he would remember him upon seeing his face after hearing Jungkyu’s story, but it was neither completely familiar nor entirely strange. Clearly, he had seen him before, but the memory wasn’t vivid. And it wasn’t that his impression was so faint either.However, Mukyeom soon chuckled to himself. During the last World Cup, he had been in a very sensitive state and hadn’t mingled much with others, so if they had mainly faced each other then, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’d forgotten.That was three years ago. After playing with top-tier teammates at Greenford 365 days a year, he had to train with a haphazardly assembled national team for just a month, leading a struggling team through matches which was tough to endure. He didn’t hide his discomfort. Being overly enthusiastic for his first World Cup, the gap with other players only deepened.The media and public criticized Mukyeom for being arrogant as an overseas star. That’s why, even though he scored the most goals, he was pointed out as the ‘reason for defeat.’ It was not a World Cup he wanted to look back on, which might explain why his memories of the teammates he played with then were blurry.Now, he wasn’t as reckless as back then, but whether then or now, Mukyeom didn’t actively approach people unless he was trying to charm someone, nor was he the type that people could easily approach. He believed he wasn’t particularly unfriendly, but perhaps due to his somewhat gruff appearance, his tendency not to hide his emotions, or his large build, it had always been that way.Because of this, even among Asians, only a few reserve players were familiar, and he had some struggles at the beginning in a foreign country where language didn’t connect, but his personality didn’t improve much. After all, time solves these problems eventually.“Hey, you. What do you mean by ‘knowing’? You should greet him.”With the coach’s somewhat embarrassed scolding, Mukyeom, who had been lost in thought, looked at Hajoon standing in front of him again. What should I say? After a brief consideration, he decided to keep it simple.“Pleased to meet you, Coach Lee.”Then Junsung laughed heartily and asked:“Oh, you’re using formal speech for a coach? Aren’t you guys the same age?”“Right. Just call me by my name when we’re not in training.”Hajoon answered with a smile. He seemed quite familiar, but with Mukyeom’s memory being hazy, it was somewhat awkward. At that moment, an exclamation like “Oh” was heard, followed by other people’s voices from behind.“Brother Hajoon!”“Hajoon!”“I thought you were coming in a few days.”The surroundings suddenly became lively. It seemed that Lee Hajoon was a star in a different sense from Mukyeom. Players who hadn’t dared to approach Mukyeom out of respect quickly gathered around Hajoon, showing their delight. Hajoon, with a smile all over his face, was answering their questions.He looked somewhat lacking in energy for a football player, which would be less surprising if he were just a coach. With his eyes that seemed to laugh easily and his pale, almost saint-like face.Well, there’s no specific face for a football player. That’s why people jokingly suggest other professions that might suit the face of a football player.“Have you greeted Mukyeom?”“Yeah.”To Jungkyu’s question, Hajoon answered with a laugh.“But he doesn’t seem to remember me.”“…”He noticed.Well, since he let out a foolish “Ah” right after hearing the name, it would be odd if Hajoon hadn’t noticed. Not knowing how to respond, Mukyeom kept silent, and as expected, Jungkyu, looking slightly embarrassed, took over the situation.“He doesn’t remember much stuff. He only knows me. Do you know what he said after meeting me ten times in middle school? ‘Were you in the football club too?’ That’s what he said.”Haha. Hajoon laughed out loud. Anyway, now that he knew Hajoon was coming as a coach, there would be no reason to forget him. That’s settled then.One of the coaches announced the start of the afternoon training. The younger players quickly scattered, leaving only Jungkyu, Mukyeom, and Hajoon. As Hajoon prepared to leave, adjusting his bag, he said:“I’m also new to being a first-team coach, so I’ll count on you.”“Yeah, see you soon. We’re all the same age, let’s help each other out going forward.”“Yeah. Nice seeing you both. Go on.”Hajoon waved his hands, urging them to go to training. After Jungkyu gave another greeting, Mukyeom turned around. The players had gathered in a circle in the center of the field. As Mukyeom was receiving instructions for the training session, he suddenly looked up to where Hajoon had been standing.Surprisingly, Hajoon hadn’t left but was still standing there.🏀Four days since entering Korea. Mukyeom had only rested the day he arrived and joined regular training the next day, doing the same workouts as the other players, then spending one day off.Since he hadn’t been in Korea for long, there hadn’t been anything special. He had signed a lease for a house in London to live in for a year, and his agent had taken care of the move-in and interior preparations before his arrival. He had to go in and out of public offices for some document procedures that required his presence, and had one meeting regarding a business contract discussed before coming to Korea. That was all.“Have you seen this?”On the training day following the sweet day off, his teammate Jungkyu, with a stern face, thrust his phone in front of Mukyeom as soon as they met. Mukyeom had just entered the locker room, still with his bag on his shoulder.The phone was so close he couldn’t make out what it was. Mukyeom, frowning, pushed the phone away with his finger. There were single-line comments lined up on the comment section of a portal site.****Human LTE, are you crazy???****Scoring goals before even making his debut lol****Such a mess down there, no matter how well he plays, can’t feel attached****I’m a City Seoul supporter, I didn’t want this guy to come****Pretending to be a Seoul supporter lol, what does an athlete’s private life matter if he plays well?There was no need to ask what article these comments were under. Mukyeom’s expression didn’t change as he pushed the phone away with one hand.“Why are you showing me this crap first thing in the morning?”“Starting as soon as you arrive?”“I like the last comment. An athlete just needs to play well.”Mukyeom spoke nonchalantly as he took off his jersey and t-shirt. His large frame revealed muscles tightly packed over a sturdy bone structure. Just by taking off his shirt, the broad latissimus dorsi and the muscles running down his back moved like mountain ranges.It was a body that could evoke both intimidation and admiration even from another man. Jungkyu, along with the players nearby, momentarily lost for words, watched Mukyeom before turning their eyes away as he began to put on his training uniform over his head.“Hmm. No matter what, this is about the team’s dignity. Show some restraint. You know the atmosphere here is different from abroad.”Jungkyu cleared his throat and offered a mild reprimand. Mukyeom also furrowed his brows slightly. He hadn’t expected to be photographed right from the start.Just a few years ago, it seemed like paparazzi weren’t as rampant in Korea, but that felt like a distant memory now. While they might not be as notoriously aggressive as the British tabloids, in terms of sheer annoyance, it might even be worse here.As Jungkyu said, unlike in the UK, Mukyeom wasn’t a foreigner here. While that made things more comfortable in some ways, it also brought its own set of inconveniences. He understood, but discomfort was still discomfort. Mukyeom deliberately furrowed his brows in protest.“Do I really have to manage my personal life at work too?”“You know why. Just consider the public’s sensitivity, that’s all I’m saying.”Mukyeom let out a small sigh, barely noticeable to others. Ever since the news broke that Mukyeom was moving to Seoul on loan, the number of offers that came through his agency even before his arrival was overwhelming.It wasn’t just sports-related work; there were countless requests for product endorsements, interviews, variety shows, and documentary appearances. The coffee advertisement he was currently working on was one of those offers. The instant coffee, which claimed to preserve the authentic flavor of Guatemalan beans, was said to perfectly match Mukyeom’s rugged image.Although Mukyeom didn’t usually drink coffee, the mutual needs aligned, and as soon as the contract was finalized, the company arranged a meeting with Ha Eunwoo, another model for the advertisement.The concept of the ad was a romantic getaway for a newlywed couple. The meeting concluded with a briefing on the product and the storyboard for the ad. Once the business discussion ended, the clients left first. Ha Eunwoo sent her manager away, leaving just the two of them, and they continued to chat.Ha Eunwoo, who mentioned she enjoyed watching Mukyeom’s games as a soccer fan, said she hadn’t expected to meet him through a coffee ad. She shared stories of her travels to Mexico and Guatemala, and Mukyeom responded with his own experiences from away games in Mexico. After exchanging light conversation, they soon found themselves sitting together in Mukyeom’s Bentley.What followed was, predictably, straightforward. Already, portal sites were reporting Ha Eunwoo’s statement explaining that they were “colleagues who met for work and are on good terms,” and Mukyeom’s agency was also releasing a similar statement.“You should find a good person and settle down soon. Stop messing around with this woman and that.”Jungkyu, already married for two years with a child, spoke with genuine concern. Mukyeom scoffed.“Am I you? What’s there to regret?”“Don’t you find living like that exhausting? Settling down brings stability to both body and mind. Seriously.”It wasn’t entirely off-base advice, as athletes, both domestic and international, often marry early to build families. Stories of players who lived recklessly but found mental stability and improved performance after marriage weren’t uncommon. Even Mukyeom’s current team, Greenford, had such players.But this time, Mukyeom genuinely couldn’t understand Jungkyu.“That sounds boring.”“What does?”“I’ve never wanted stability, so stop nagging. I don’t think you’re in any position to lecture me about life.”“Hey, it’s not a lecture.”“And that word ‘messing around.’ We’re consenting adults dating each other. Even if you’re showing off because you’re married, talking like an old man already is just pathetic.”“Ah, you little brat. That hurts. Fine, fine. I’ll stop nagging.”Mukyeom left the embarrassed Jungkyu behind and stepped outside. At least, aside from Jungkyu, no one else dared to tease him about the scandal. For now, everyone was still trying to figure Mukyeom out, so they hesitated to approach him carelessly.To Mukyeom, life was about constantly striving, transforming, and moving dynamically toward the future—not about settling down and enjoying stability. Stagnant water rots, and above all, it’s boring.Sex was like a game. The back-and-forth of subtly revealing and hiding what each wanted, the secret signals exchanged, and the thrill of deciding whether to shoot or not—it was all somewhat interesting. When both parties were perfectly aligned, it felt like scoring a goal in an invisible net, giving a small sense of achievement.While it wasn’t as fulfilling as soccer, sex was one of life’s indispensable pleasures and a great way to manage the pent-up energy and pre- or post-game stress. But that was it. He didn’t want to be tied down to one person, nor did he want to assign any meaning beyond physical relationships to others.Occasionally, some of the people he’d been with tried to cross that line, but the more they clung, the more he grew tired of them. And if they started talking about love, it completely drained any remaining goodwill. Just because they found each other’s looks, interests, or conditions appealing and hooked up a few times, they called it love? People throw that word around too easily.It’s laughable. If he had known they were like that, he would’ve avoided them from the start, but you can’t know someone’s true intentions at first. Everyone starts off acting cool, but often, they can’t maintain it by the end. When that happened, it felt like stepping on a landmine. But every game has its traps. Mukyeom understood even that as part of the rules.It’s not like he was paying people for sex because he couldn’t live without it. When young men and women naturally click and decide to spend the night together, what’s wrong with that? The frequency wasn’t entirely Mukyeom’s fault either. Why do people in this world deny women’s desires?Well. Maybe someday, when he’s old and tired, he’ll want the peaceful stability of patting someone’s head or something. But for now, that’s far off.Lost in these life reflections sparked by Jungkyu’s nagging, Mukyeom felt his phone vibrate briefly. Looking down, he saw an unknown number on the screen. After a moment’s hesitation, he answered. It might be related to the recent scandal.“Kim Mukyeom speaking.”— Ah, hello. You’ve reached the right person.The voice was unfamiliar. Mukyeom’s brows furrowed slightly.“Who is this?”— Let me introduce myself again. I’m PD Jo Hyuncheol. I’ve made several proposals through your agency regarding a documentary.“…Did my agency give you my number?”— No, not exactly. I heard it from someone I know. Since you’ve been declining through the agency, I wanted to speak to you directly….The crease between Mukyeom’s thick brows deepened.“Do you not understand what it means to go through the agency? Do you think just because you have my number, you can contact me directly, even though I have an agent?”— Yes, I’m truly sorry about that. But I really wanted to—“Out of all the people in broadcasting, I hate rats like you who dig into others’ lives the most. I don’t know what makes you think I’d want to work with you, but I’ll answer you directly. I’m not interested, so get lost.”Without waiting for a response, Mukyeom ended the call. He was already in a bad mood because of the morning’s scandal, and now this? Someone had the nerve to call his private number, which he hadn’t even shared, at this timing.As he clicked his tongue in annoyance, the whistle blew—! signaling the start of training. Players streamed out of the locker room and lined up on the field. Standing next to the coach and training staff was someone who hadn’t been there before the holiday.Dressed in a navy-blue short-sleeved shirt with the team emblem, a thin jacket, and long pants, the man wore a whistle and timer around his neck and held a notebook in one hand. He looked like a fresh-faced physical education student or a trainee teacher, and Mukyeom’s lips twitched into a slight smile.Junsung cleared his throat and introduced the new coach.“Right, I’m sure you all already know, but this is Lee Hajoon, who’s joining us as a physical coach starting today. As you know, he used to be a football player like you all. You don’t need me to tell you how important professional physical management is becoming these days, right? He’s an excellent coach, so listen to him well. Coach, please say a few words.”Hajoon, standing beside him, bowed slightly and then looked up. His face was filled with a calm smile.“I’m Lee Hajoon. I look forward to working with you all. If you take good care of your bodies, you’ll avoid injuries. I’ll do my best, and I hope you’ll trust me and support me.”His tone was gentle yet firm. As soon as he finished his introduction, the players cheered and applauded. Mukyeom, standing with his hands behind his back, couldn’t genuinely join in the welcoming atmosphere since he didn’t know Hajoon, so he half-heartedly clapped a bit late.Training began, as usual, with light running and stretching. However, compared to previous sessions, the routine had changed slightly due to Hajoon’s involvement. The players seemed to enjoy the fresh variation.“It might take a bit longer than usual today, but since it’s the first day, I’d like to assess everyone’s physical condition. Please bear with me,” Hajoon said with a smile.The players responded in unison, “Yes—!” like kindergarteners. The oddly cheerful atmosphere among a group of burly men made Mukyeom’s brows furrow involuntarily.Hajoon had the players form a wide circle and began leading them through stretches while taking notes, meticulously observing each player. He lifted legs, checked hip and tailbone areas, and tested various movements with a serious demeanor.‘He’s oozing newbie energy. Way too enthusiastic.’Mukyeom chuckled to himself and followed the instructions to loosen up. Eventually, it was his turn, and Hajoon approached him. Kneeling down, Hajoon balanced his notebook on his knee and held a pen, giving Mukyeom instructions.“First, sit with your legs stretched out.”Mukyeom complied.“Now, bend forward as far as you can. Keep your legs together. Good. Now, spread your legs a bit.”As Mukyeom followed the instructions, Hajoon diligently took notes. The instructions continued.“Let me check your ankles for a moment.”Hajoon lightly held Mukyeom’s ankles, applying some pressure over his socks and asking if it hurt. When Mukyeom said it was fine, Hajoon nodded and jotted something down. He then moved to Mukyeom’s legs.“Lie down and lift your right leg. Now the left. A bit more.”He continued to take notes. Mukyeom followed the instructions—lying down, sitting up, standing, lifting one leg at a time, bending his waist and arms—while Hajoon recorded everything.“Alright, that’s enough. Thanks.”Seemingly satisfied, Hajoon moved on to the next player.‘…What’s this?’While assessing each player individually, Hajoon kept giving instructions for the next stretches. Mukyeom followed along but couldn’t shake a strange feeling. It was as if he wasn’t a player stretching in front of a coach but a cow or horse being inspected by a livestock examiner.However, Hajoon’s physical assessment was basic, and this kind of test was common everywhere. Throughout the stretching, Mukyeom kept an eye on Hajoon as he coached the other players. Nothing stood out—he gave similar instructions to everyone, assessed their conditions, and took notes. There was no real reason to feel uncomfortable, but Mukyeom couldn’t shake a vague sense of dissatisfaction. By the time the stretching session ended, Hajoon addressed the team.“Today’s stretching took about twice as long as usual, so it must have been tiring. But it’s necessary to create individualized training programs, so please bear with me. I’ll observe the afternoon training and start assigning individual programs tomorrow.”“Yes!”The players responded like eager schoolchildren again. The atmosphere during training was great, except for Mukyeom, who occasionally frowned and glanced at Hajoon, feeling an inexplicable unease.🏀It didn’t take long for Mukyeom to figure out why Lee Hajoon was so popular among the players.Like everywhere in Korean sports, football players undergo strict—or more accurately, violent—training from elementary school. It’s not just coaches or managers who wield petty power; the seniority system is even harder to endure. Seniors often bully juniors based on age and tenure rather than skill or experience, driving many to quit.Mukyeom was lucky to have met Coach Park Junsung, who had strong educational values, and he started his overseas career early. His skills, personality, physique, and appearance also shielded him from much of the domestic hierarchy, but he knew what it was like. Even at Greenford, his home ground, the locker room wasn’t exactly peaceful.In such a world, a kind person who listens and smiles is naturally someone you’d want to lean on. Anyone would.“Hyung—I mean, Coach. Do you have a moment?”“Sure. Let’s go to the lounge.”Mukyeom watched as a player approached Hajoon, who was organizing his notes on the bench, and sipped from his water bottle. This had become a common sight since Hajoon’s arrival. Players seemed to seek him out for advice, though it was mostly about training concerns.It was unusual. In Mukyeom’s experience, football players rarely sought advice from coaches or seniors, and even rarer was someone who listened so readily. Most men in sports weren’t the type to lend an ear, and even if they did, their advice was often useless, driving people away.While European teams, including Greenford, had sports psychologists and mental health professionals, domestic teams like City Seoul completely neglected this aspect.‘Is it the physical coach’s job to do all that? He’s probably not even getting paid extra.’Mukyeom thought this but didn’t voice it. He had no reason to go out of his way for Hajoon’s convenience.In any case, several days had passed since Hajoon joined the team. Mukyeom and Hajoon maintained a distant relationship—no clashes, but no closeness either.“Hello, Mukyeom hyung.”“Hmm.”As Mukyeom passed by Hajoon, who was surrounded by players, one of them greeted him. Mukyeom, with no intention of interrupting, simply acknowledged the greeting and tried to walk past. But Hajoon’s exit was quicker.“Well, I need to stop by the office, so I’ll head out now. Let’s talk later.”“Oh, are you busy? Alright, see you, Coach.”…Maybe they weren’t as distant as Mukyeom thought.Watching Hajoon suddenly leave as soon as he appeared, Mukyeom tried to suppress a rising suspicion.The unease he felt on the first day persisted. It was hard to pinpoint, but Mukyeom couldn’t shake the impression that Hajoon wasn’t entirely comfortable around him. Why? Well, it was things like this:But since both had only been with the team for a few days, it was easy to dismiss these as coincidences or overthinking.Honestly, even if Hajoon was uncomfortable around him, Mukyeom didn’t care. It wasn’t unusual for people to feel uneasy around him—it happened more often than not.So, whatever. Mukyeom muttered to himself and ran to the center of the training field as the whistle signaled the end of the break. It was time to move to the indoor training facility for the newly introduced drills.Following Hajoon’s suggestion, the City Seoul players decided to do Pilates twice a week. At Greenford, Pilates had already been adopted through the Jungkyu program, and depending on the players’ condition, they also learned yoga, so it felt natural to Mukyeom. However, for most City Seoul players, this exercise was unfamiliar, and they were awkwardly moving their bodies in the indoor training facility under Hajoon’s guidance.Mukyeom liked the new program. The basic fitness training at City Seoul was significantly lacking both in quantity and quality compared to Greenford, so he was already looking for a place for personal training. Even with the introduction of a new program, this facility lacked aquatic training setups, jacuzzis, and even the weight training or the Pilates equipment they were about to use wasn’t upgraded. Still, it was better than doing nothing at all.Coaches were busily attending to the men who were awkwardly navigating through various equipment and small tools. Among them, Hajoon, who had advocated for the new program, seemed the busiest.“Move your leg a bit more to the left. Good. Your pelvis shouldn’t be misaligned when doing this move.”“Like this?”“Good, that’s much better.”“Really?”“Yeah.”Hajoon helped one player adjust his posture while chatting amiably with him. Since he hadn’t been retired for long and wasn’t much older than the players, they found him approachable even without formal consultations. This wasn’t limited to just the younger players; he was polite and considerate in giving instructions even to those older than him, ensuring they didn’t feel uncomfortable.“Brother, you have a slight scoliosis going on. So, you need to work more on your left side when doing this exercise to keep the balance.”“Right, the hospital said so not long ago. Maybe that’s why my back sometimes hurts?”“Probably. Look, does it hurt when I press here? Since your balance is off, you use these muscles more, causing them to stiffen. If you keep running like this, it’ll strain your body.”Mukyeom watched Hajoon guide the players one by one while doing core exercises on a gym ball. Hajoon was gradually moving closer to Mukyeom. He instructed one player on pelvic balance using resistance bands, another on core exercises with a reformer.Finally, it was Mukyeom’s turn today. Hajoon looked down at Mukyeom lying on the gym ball and then shifted his gaze to the notebook he was holding.“You don’t have any major issues, but you tend to put more force into your right ankle. Since you use your right foot more for support, that’s probably why. It would be good to reduce the burden on the right and strengthen your left ankle for balance. That way, your kicking power will increase too. Of course, you need to strengthen your core as well.”“I know.”“Come over here. First, we’ll use bands, then the reformer. Here, put this around your ankle.”The exercises Hajoon suggested were ones Mukyeom was already familiar with. Following Hajoon’s instructions, Mukyeom did various strengthening exercises like walking in place with the band around his ankle, lifting his legs, and pushing the reformer board with one leg. Hajoon gave a small smile at Mukyeom’s familiar demeanor, unlike the others.“You know all this without me saying, right? Do double the reps on your left side for strengthening.”“Sure.”“Since the upper and lower body are connected diagonally, when doing core exercises, try to consciously engage your right upper body more. Lower your tailbone a bit more.”As Hajoon was about to move past with a smile, Mukyeom called out to him.“Coach.”“Yeah?”“That’s all? Nothing else?”“Nothing else?”Mukyeom, now on the reformer, looked down at Hajoon with an almost scrutinizing gaze. Hajoon met his eyes with a ‘Why?’ expression, his eyes wide.“Never mind.”When Mukyeom waved him off, Hajoon just gave an awkward smile and turned to check on the next player. Watching Hajoon guide the other player, Mukyeom realized what was gnawing at him on this day, several days after the new physical coach had arrived.It wasn’t just a matter of feeling uncomfortable. Lee Hajoon doesn’t touch him.When correcting posture, Hajoon always placed his hands on the players, giving direct instructions. It seemed more like a habit than a necessity. He was not hesitant about muscle palpation and almost always touched the players when giving instructions, and he was doing so now as well.Of course, it wasn’t that Hajoon never touched Mukyeom at all. But there was a palpable atmosphere where Hajoon was consciously trying to minimize contact with him. Mukyeom was certain that in the days since Hajoon arrived, no other player except him had been this untouched.He seems subtly cold despite his appearance. Was he upset because Mukyeom didn’t remember him from their first meeting?Even so, this wasn’t right. If correction was necessary, it should be done, and if palpation was needed, it should be done. That’s the duty of a physical coach. Maybe he judged it unnecessary for Mukyeom, but it was strange that only he was treated this way. It only strengthened the speculation that this had more to do with interpersonal relationships than necessity.“Coach.”Mukyeom called out to Hajoon as he passed by again. Hajoon looked at Mukyeom with wide eyes.“Yeah?”“My back has been hurting lately. Could you take a look?”“What? Since when? I didn’t notice any factors that would cause that.”“Well, it’s been about a couple of days.”Hajoon nodded and quickly laid out a mat on the floor.“Then it could be acute pain. Lie down here for a moment.”Mukyeom followed the instructions but internally, he was puzzled. He’s surprisingly compliant. Was it just my imagination or a misunderstanding?“Coach Jung!”“Yeah? What’s up?”At that moment, Hajoon called over another coach nearby. Mukyeom heard footsteps approaching. The conversation continued behind him.“Kim Mukyeom says his back hurts. Could you help with the palpation? You’re better at it than me.”“Oh, sure.”Coach Jung and Hajoon knelt beside Mukyeom. Mukyeom turned his head to look at Hajoon, who was now seriously preparing to take notes.“Which side hurts?”“…It doesn’t hurt anymore.”“Huh?”“I’m fine, Coach Jung.”As Mukyeom sat up, Coach Jung, without much question, just repeated, “Really?” and went back to what he was doing. Mukyeom and Hajoon, who were now sitting on the mat with Hajoon kneeling next to him, looked at each other. Hajoon, looking confused, pointed at the mat.“You said it hurt. Lie down again. We should check it thoroughly.”“Then I’d like Coach Lee to look at it personally.”“What?”“Personally. Without asking someone else.”Hajoon blinked, not fully understanding Mukyeom’s intention. As he sat there silently, Mukyeom, without waiting for an answer, lay down on the mat again. After a brief silence, Hajoon moved closer on his knees. Hajoon placed his notebook and pen on the gym floor.Mukyeom turned his head to sneak a look at what Hajoon was doing. Hajoon was staring intently at Mukyeom’s lower back and asked.