Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

78 – The One Who Walks On Top of Someone Walking, and the Woman on Top of the One Running

078

Except for a few exceptions, most European leagues have entered the winter break.

Of course, the start and end of the break vary from league to league; while the Bundesliga has started its break, many other leagues still have ongoing schedules.

…Honestly, only the Bundesliga has entered the break; the other leagues are playing matches diligently.

“That’s why I like the Bundesliga. Look, other leagues are cramming in matches, calling it the last schedule of the first half of the season. Playing matches every 3-4 days… Ah, how can they endure that.”

He talks as if he has experienced various leagues all over the place, but in reality, didn’t this guy play his whole life in Germany?

Unlike the awkward expression of Juji-tae, who seems to have played in most big European leagues, the players enthusiastically respond to Vice Captain Matthias’s words.

“That’s why the Bundesliga is strong in European competitions.”

“Playing in the cold winter often leads to injuries. Taking a break to recover condition and training for the second half. How great is that.”

Listening to the players’ sudden praise for the break, Coach Wilhelm burst into laughter.

“I’m really happy because we’re going to hold this training camp in Italy.”

The fundamental reason for having a winter break.

It’s to avoid the coldest period. If you’re training while avoiding playing in the cold weather, there’s no point in introducing a break.

Naturally, most Bundesliga teams used to set up their break training camps in warm places.

If it’s a wealthy big club, it tends to head to the Middle East, Turkey, or the south of Spain, while a team with less money would set up camp in southern Germany or Austria.

And the cash-strapped 1860 Munich had been digesting training camps domestically until now.

Even though Munich, their hometown, was considered part of southern Germany, they often remained there.

But this time was different.

Contrary to expectations of struggling in the promotion and relegation zone, they were not just contending for the championship but leading. The rubber-clad Boardjin even exerted some effort this time, urging the team to embrace the warm breeze of the Mediterranean.

The base camp was set up in Naples, located in southern Italy.

Players who had run for a long time in Munich unpacked their bags in Naples with excitement.

“We’ve escaped from Germany and even set up a camp. As expected, going up to the first division changes things. The treatment is different.”

Ju Ji-tae passed by, pretending not to hear Daniel Rout’s excited mutterings.

‘A really ambitious club.’

The training camp schedule lasts about two weeks, precisely a fortnight.

The first week is dedicated to training, and from the second week onwards, the schedule includes sparring. But… it seemed like they were letting loose on the first day.

Players, who were excited about playing in the southern Italian resort, disappeared like a swarm of ants as soon as the first day’s gathering ended.

‘Anyway, they all went out. Did they come here to play?’

“Ju, why are you still here? If you don’t have anyone to play with, come with me!”

Tsk, in front of Ju Ji-tae, who clicked his tongue, appeared Coach Wilhelm in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts.

Even Ju Ji-tae, who was quite composed, couldn’t hide his bewilderment at the sight of the coach smiling with his sunglasses raised.

“No… Coach, it’s still winter.”

“But my body is hot.”

“…I’ll go back to the lodging to rest.”

“Well, resting is good, but enjoy life, young friend. Otherwise, you’ll regret it from tomorrow. Play when you can play.”

It made sense… maybe.

Is the coach really a coach?

Nodding to the coach’s words predicting rigorous training, Ju Ji-tae headed towards Jo Jae-shin’s lodging.

* * *

As soon as he opened the lodging door and stepped in, voices could be heard.

“—Hae. Uh, Nuna, okay.”

“Sis?”

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Seeing Juji-tae tilting his head, Jo Jae-shin was startled and quickly hung up the phone.

Witnessing that scene, Juji-tae grew suspicious.

“Could that brat still not forget and be calling?”

How much he had struggled to reveal Lana Formel’s identity to him that day. Especially answering the question of how you knew about it, he even ended up owing a debt to the reporter. Suddenly calling and responding appropriately to the out-of-the-blue statement “You told me about Lana Formel” from the reporter, who was quick-witted enough not to write it carelessly.

“Ha… Hey, damn it. Are you going to keep doing this?”

“You suddenly come and say what?”

“Is your football career over just because you debuted as a pro? You’ve scored goals, played as a starter in games, and now you think you’ve secured your position? No. This is just the beginning. The football life is starting now, and it’s the period of most rapid growth. But right now, at this crucial time, a woman?”

Staring blankly at Juji-tae, who was pouring out his emotions, Jo Jae-shin unconsciously muttered.

“Wow… You were just freaking creepy right now. Like a senior who used to come to school occasionally before retirement. Creepy… No. Come to think of it, this brat has been strangely creepy lately…”

Somehow taken aback, Juji-tae quickly concluded his words.

“Uh, anyway. What kind of woman is there during this crucial time? A blonde older girlfriend? And she has a big chest? Absolutely not.”

“And what about you?”

“Me? What about me?”

“You’re in a relationship too.”

Someone’s face flashed through Juji-tae’s mind as he reflexively tried to answer solo.

It would have been a big problem if he had answered according to his first instinct as a solo.

“That… Well. Love… No. But I’m different, stupid.”

“What’s different?”

“My goddess is blonde?”

“Why suddenly blonde? Our grandmother isn’t blonde.”

Jo Jae-shin and Jo Yeoshin siblings, with a French grandmother. Although there was no significant difference in appearance due to being a quarter, they still had Western features somewhere, like Eastern Asians with Western features. Well, they looked like Eastern Asians with a Western mask, like a celebrity.

“Then is she older?”

“What does that matter now?”

“It matters. Don’t you know fundamentalism?”

“Fundamentalism? Do I know that fundamentalism you’re talking about?”

“It’s probably right. If you’re a promising talent, you must always be aware of the principles of gold and jade.”

“Is this guy really crazy…”

With a bewildering expression, Jo Jaeshin suddenly asked what was on his mind.

“So, what makes you different? Other than a blonde, well-endowed girlfriend, that is.”

In the midst of this, Ju Jitae couldn’t help but entertain thoughts even as trivial as his brother not being able to appreciate the concept of a well-endowed chest.

“Don’t you know that? Childhood friends are the foundation.”

“Hmm, really? What’s the foundation?”

“Do you not know the route from childhood friend to girlfriend, and from girlfriend to wife?”

Nodding his head, Ju Jitae suddenly stopped.

“Oh, I see. The route from childhood friend to marriage is indeed the foundation. So, when do you plan to get married?”

“…What?”

“Well… I’m not doubting your relationship. I know you still see her a bit like a younger sister, and the physical aspect isn’t quite there yet, but it’s not like your relationship is too shallow, right? Still, if you make us wait too long, it’s a bit awkward as your brother. If it’s too fast, that’s also a concern… maybe in your mid-20s? How about that?”

“No, well… Jaeshin, marriage is, you know, not something you just do? There are family issues and…”

“Do you think our parents would oppose?”

“……”

“I’m counting on you, brother.”

What?

Why did the conversation take this turn?

At that moment, Jo Jaeshin checked his smartphone.

“Oh, Yeojin noona has arrived. Let’s go out.”

“…Yeojin noona? Why is she suddenly here?”

“Why? I invited her to hang out.”

…?

—

Jo Jaeshin looked at his friend laying out absurd claims in front of him.

“That woman is a prostitute. Got it?”

Lana Noona is a prostitute?

So what if she is?

Can’t you support a prostitute?

Jo Jaeshin was at a loss.

It seemed like his friend perceived something between himself and Lana Formel, but it was absolutely untrue.

Of course, he wasn’t disinterested. If such a beautiful and charming woman approaches, one cannot be indifferent, not if he’s a man.

But for Jo Jaeshin, soccer was more important than the woman in front of him right now.

Certainly, there was no intention of dating, so why this sudden acceleration?

Rather, his suspicions about Ju Jitae were becoming more intricate.

“What? Did you hear rumors from a close reporter?”

Is he using that as an excuse now?

No way… I really don’t want to think about it, but could this guy be calling for a call girl…?

Come to think of it, Yeo Misae has been quiet for a while.

Certainly, now that she’s dating my younger brother, she can’t act like she used to. But in truth, I knew that Ju Jitae still sees Yeo Misae as a sister rather than a girlfriend.

So, he wouldn’t have touched my sister already.

It’s clear. You can tell just by looking at his reaction and my sister’s reaction.

“And since he’s far away, there’s no physical contact to feel like a woman compared to my sister… Is there really another woman?”

Once Jo Jaeshin started doubting, everything became suspicious, and he fell into serious contemplation.

Since it was a problem that couldn’t be rashly revealed to anyone, he felt even more frustrated.

Contemplating, Jo Jaeshin, on the day he arrived in Italy, called Chaeyeon, who happened to be traveling in Italy.

“Hey, noona. It’s Jaeshin. Are you doing well? Oh, you’re on a trip to Italy. Um, it’s not that… Noona, do you know that Jooji and Yeoshin are dating? Yeah. It’s just that… it’s a bit awkward to say, but… Jooji, this guy seems a bit suspicious. Ha… That’s… It feels like there might be another woman, but I don’t want to ask directly. Can you check for me, noona? Huh? You’re coming back? Okay. Let’s contact when you arrive. Oh, noona, okay.”

* * *

After spending some time, Jo Jaeshin stood up from his seat.

“I had some beer, and I’m a bit sleepy. I’ll go in first.”

“Huh? Then I’ll—”

“No, no. You stay with Yeojin noona. She came to have fun, and I can’t just send her away. I’ll go first, so you two have fun.”

Jo Jaeshin stood up, secretly signaling Chaeyeon with his eyes.

‘If she’s that fox-like sister, she should be able to dig out Jooji’s true feelings.’

Or maybe not.

Surely, he doesn’t have a real woman.

With a heart half in belief and half in doubt, Jo Jaeshin headed to the lodging.