Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

Chapter 38

38 – Alliance

038

Currently a successful YouTuber known as Kim Soccer, Kim Ssakka originally dreamed of being a soccer player under his real name, Kim Sagyeong.

Like most dreamers, Kim Soccer, too, was unable to realize his dream due to the harsh reality. However, his experiences so far had greatly contributed to Kim Sagyeong’s success as Kim Soccer.

And that remained true even now.

“I started playing soccer seriously in the second grade. Right from the start, I stood out and rose as a promising talent. I went through all the elite teams of my age group.”

Although he couldn’t become a pro, his experience of dreaming of becoming a pro until high school was Kim Soccer’s biggest asset.

It wasn’t just because he knew how things worked on the field firsthand. It was crucial to have the pass that allows entry into the narrow fence called the soccer world.

Regardless of the field, the narrower the fence, the more solid the wall separating the inside from the outside.

The soccer world was no different.

No matter how much you want to report or get close, a wall is bound to form if you’re not an ‘insider.’ However, once you’re inside, you can access countless pieces of information that outsiders can’t know.

“The coach in elementary school was Kim Eunjoong. People didn’t speak highly of him. During our school years, we did quite well, but judging by the recent troubles, he must have been a typical player-favoring coach. The interview content… nothing special. Still, I praised him a lot as it was the only output.”

Interviews with coaches of age-group national teams that both had attended in middle school, high school, and even interviews with coaches who had led them.

Although he already knew the information, Kim Soccer calmly reviewed the interview contents.

Gradually, the images of the two became clearer in his mind.

Of course, he knew their faces. However, faces didn’t explain everything.

“He worked hard in training and practice, and his attitude towards life was impeccable. Surprisingly exemplary.”

No matter how different their appearances on television and their real selves were, the true identities of the two were quite surprising, as elucidated by the testimonies of those around them.

Both of them gained their popularity during the Asian Cup.

Through the Asian Cup, they made a name for themselves among the public, and they were gaining quite a bit of popularity in this youth World Cup. However, it had been less than six months since they became known, so there was too little information available to truly know who they were.

They weren’t particularly active in engaging with fans or on social media, so ultimately, the brief interviews after the games were all that could be used to get to know them. According to Kim Soccer, even if he didn’t know Jo Jaeshin, he expected that Ju Jitae would be quite an interesting guy.

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“Ugh. If both of them have a boring personality, it won’t be fun. Maybe they should involve some women after all.”

While contemplating various thoughts about the interview, a smart knock on the door echoed.

Kim Soccer quickly got up and scanned the two people entering the room.

“They are quite good-looking. Jo Jaeshin has an idol-like charm, and Ju Jitae has the charisma of an actor.”

Just by featuring them in the thumbnail, the views were guaranteed, and the corners of Kim Soccer’s mouth curled up.

* * *

“Wow~! The hope of Korean football! The ace players Jo Jaeshin and Ju Jitae are welcomed!”

“Wow! Is it really Jo Jaeshin… He’s really handsome.”

“Wow, I’m a real fan of Ju Jitae.”

As soon as they entered, the “Football in Life” team overwhelmed the two with excessive hospitality.

Jo Jaeshin, who had followed along with a light heart, shook hands with a surprised expression.

“Why are there so many people? Is this for YouTube?”

“They are a major player in the YouTube world.”

Ju Jitae whispered to Jo Jaeshin and then shook hands with Kim Soccer.

“Nice to meet you, Ju Jitae. I’m Kim Soccer, and this is Kim Sakyung from ‘Football in Life.'”

As Kim Soccer greeted him with a smile, memories of the first interview in Season 1 flashed briefly before Ju Jitae’s eyes.

[This guy’s talent is insane. You all know that, right? He’s really talented. But… why is he living like this with such talent? It’s such a waste. Seriously.]

“Yes, hello. I’m Ju Jitae, who plays for the under-20 national team.”

“Oh, I know, I know. Korea’s Beckenbauer, Ju Jitae! Please have a great interview today.”

“Of course.”

But that was a future that would never come.

Ju Jitae superimposed Kim Soccer’s face over his memories from back then.

The interview proceeded quickly.

Initially, the time was set quite tight at 1 hour and 20 minutes, and both Ju Jitae and Jo Jaeshin were relatively unknown compared to the public’s interest. There was an endless stream of questions the public wanted to know.

“I heard that you’ve been together since your childhood. When did your connection begin?”

“In both my club team and the national team, I play as the youngest member, yet I’m active as a regular player. Were there any difficulties due to your age?”

“Well~ We can’t just skip this topic, can we? Joo Ji-tae, Cho Jae-shin. Right now, both of you are incredibly popular online for your looks. Did you know that? We hastily confirmed the interview and started collecting questions, and there were really a lot of questions about your appearance. First, Cho Jae-shin! The term ‘flower boy’ really suits you… Do you have a girlfriend?”

“If we talk about Cho Jae-shin’s strengths, undoubtedly his excellent goal-scoring ability stands out. What other strengths can you mention?”

From light-hearted fan-curiosity to soccer-related questions that hardcore fans would want to hear, Kim Soccer pulled everything out as if determined to cover it all. Joo Ji-tae and Cho Jae-shin constantly responded with well-prepared and fluent answers.

Among them, the most interesting response for Kim Soccer came from Joo Ji-tae.

“Since I’ve been hanging out with Jae-shin for so long, I’ve become like him. I’m single.”

“Oh~ You look so good, how can that be true?”

“But it is. Just playing soccer, I haven’t had a chance to date yet. Oh, this is a secret… But still, even though I haven’t dated, there’s a bit of liking, you know?”

“Oh! Something’s there! Something!”

Excited by Joo Ji-tae’s shy smile, Kim Soccer shouts “something.”

The expression on Cho Jae-shin’s face sitting next to him deteriorates in real-time due to Kim Soccer’s disgusting attitude.

“Rather than something, it’s just that I keep noticing? It’s just a bit of liking.”

“Oh~ That’s something! Hey~ Who could be the lucky one to receive Joo Ji-tae’s heart? Do you know, Cho Jae-shin?”

It wasn’t Cho Jae-shin who was going to yield to Kim Soccer’s subtly provocative question.

“There’s always someone who guesses right. Lately, I’ve noticed someone secretly texting at night and giggling alone… Maybe it’s that person?”

Moving on to another question.

Caught off guard by Cho Jae-shin’s teasing, Joo Ji-tae hastily attempted to negotiate.

“Cough! M.O.M Cough! M.O.M? What’s M.O.M…? Mind Of Match?”

While others couldn’t understand, kindred souls had a way of understanding each other perfectly.

After that, despite Kim Soccer’s subtle attempts to poke more, Cho Jae-shin skillfully evaded, providing no further information. In fact, he probably had no intention of meddling, especially since it involved his own younger sister.

“Oh~ I’m really curious about this. By any chance… have you known each other for a long time?”

In response to Kim Soccer’s leading question, Joo Ji-tae just smiled and responded cryptically.

“I can’t reveal the details. Instead, I’ll give you a hint.”

“A hint? What is it?”

“Next game ceremony preview.”

“What? Is this perhaps a goal prediction before the game? The next opponent is definitely… China… right?”

“That’s right, China.”

Korea’s quarterfinal opponent had risen by defeating Japan in the 16th round, the host country China.

Right now, amidst the uproar of controversies surrounding the Round of 16 judgment, it was China that stood out.

“In the next game against China, I will score with a mid-range shot and celebrate.”

“Is that for someone special?”

In response to Kim Soccer’s question, Ju Ji-tae looked into the camera and smiled as brightly as possible.

“Yes. It’s for that person.”

* * *

2031 U-20 World Cup quarterfinals.

Even with the Korea-China match just a day away, the controversy showed no signs of abating.

『Japan Football Association plans to file a complaint with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)?』

『Was there biased judging behind China’s dubious victory?』

『Unending controversy! Let’s delve into the points of contention in the Round of 16 match between Japan and China』

『Japanese football hero Honda Keisuke declares, “The biased judging is true”!』

The controversy over biased judging against China was not limited to the Round of 16 match against Japan.

Starting from the group stage, with decisions subtly favoring China, the controversy over ‘biased judging’ practically began simultaneously with the tournament, if one were to consider it that way.

The group stage was somewhat acceptable.

Occasionally, there were controversial judgments, but the result of finishing third in the group was somewhat acceptable.

However, the Round of 16 was different.

Perhaps due to the relentless nature of the tournament, the biased judging against China displayed in the Round of 16 was too explicit.

Post 461 Followers 1.494M Following 54

I’m sorry, friend.

I was looking forward to facing you again, but we fell short and ultimately kneeled in the Round of 16.

But our friendship remains unchanged!

I implore you.

Please, in my stead, pass judgment on the evil! So please show that justice is alive!!>

#JuJiTae

The SNS post by Hitaru Daijo, the ace of the Japan national team, sealed the deal.