Second Half Chapter 53

“…Then how are you going to get back after dropping me off? Borrow my car again?”

“Jerim, there is such a thing as a taxi in this world.”

Are you sure you don’t have dementia? At the follow-up question, Jerim kicked Aaron in the buttocks. His feelings of apology had vanished without a trace.

✲✲✲

Ahead of the first league match against Molden FC—commonly known as the Compshire Derby—the Sefton players were burning with more fighting spirit than ever before. Since Molden and Sefton were adjacent to each other within the same county of Compshire, separated only by a river, the two clubs representing each region had been long-standing rivals since ancient times.

Not only were the fans in a hostile relationship, anxious because they couldn’t devour each other, but the relationship between the clubs was so bad that they wouldn’t even trade players. On the day of a derby match, police were deployed everywhere from the stadium to the streets, so that says it all. The fact that both were big clubs with similar levels of strength was also one of the elements that fueled the competition.

Above all, because Molden FC won the last match of the league last season, defeating Sefton—who was originally in first place—to take the championship, it was safe to say that the Sefton players, the manager and coaching staff, the board, and the fans were all gnashing their teeth.

“If we lose this time, let’s walk all the way back to Sefton…”

To the point that they were seriously making such a ridiculous suggestion. Jerim immediately rejected the proposal.

“If you’re going to do it, do it by yourself, Marshall. My legs are precious.”

“I think I’ll just take the bus too…”

Lehmann, who was riding a cycle next to him, agreed with Jerim in a timid voice. At that, Marshall pounded on the handlebar of the cycle and delivered an impassioned speech.

“Shouldn’t we have at least this much determination to win? Sometimes these extreme methods have an effect…”

“It’s a forty-minute drive from Molden Stadium to here. Do you think your body will be intact if you walk that distance after playing a match? Especially after losing? Ugh, I hate it. Just imagining it, the atmosphere would be killer.”

Walking for hours in a gloomy atmosphere where it wouldn’t be strange if the whole group jumped into the river while crossing the bridge? When Jerim gave him a scolding, Lehmann also laughed along quietly. Only Marshall raised his voice as if it were unfair.

“Jeri, you walk that much when you drink!”

“Then should I play a match after drinking? You’re talking nonsense.”

Since it was an argument not even worth considering, Jerim maintained a cold attitude. He had simply forgotten that Marshall, contrary to his rugged, gangster-like appearance, was the owner of a quite soft and emotional inner self. Sure enough, Marshall, whose spirits had quickly dampened, muttered in a mournful voice.

“I only said that to mean that I’m that desperate for this match…”

“I know. There’s no one here who isn’t desperate.”

Only after seeing his dreadlocks droop like blanched spinach did Jerim realize his mistake and quickly added more. Flattery to revive Marshall’s spirits was a bonus.

“Just think that the option of losing doesn’t exist in the first place. Then there’s no reason to walk back. And honestly, Marshall, you’re several times more excellent than their fullbacks.”

“Jeri…!”

“Yes…!”

An impressed Marshall and Lehmann—who for some unknown reason was also overwhelmed with emotion—answered at the same time. Jerim turned his head toward Lehmann after confirming that Marshall’s dreadlocks had started to shake excitedly again. Now that one guy was revived, it was time to take care of the other.

“Lehmann, how is your condition? You’ve been doing so well lately, though.”

“It’s good. The manager even hinted that I should get ready to start in a few matches soon.”

“That’s great. Then do you want to do some individual training with me this afternoon for the first time in a while? Is your time okay after lunch?”

Since the schedule was about to get tight, Manager Verdi’s plan was to send Lehmann out as a starter for relatively less important matches for Aaron’s injury prevention or stamina management. In the long term, he seemed to be considering tactics to use Aaron and Lehmann together. After all, Lehmann was too wasted a talent to let rot on the bench.

Honestly, sending Lehmann to another club that needed him would have been the best choice for both parties, but since he himself refused a transfer or loan, well… While players usually express “unhappy” status and look for a transfer when they are pushed out of the starting lineup, Lehmann was a unique case. Since he transferred last year, there was also the issue that his contract period still had a lot of time left, making it hard to transfer again right away.

‘It’s good for me that he stayed, though.’

Thanks to Lehmann staying with the team, the attacking depth became solid, and since he was a younger brother whom Jerim quite adored, there was nothing bad about it for the team or for him personally. Usually, no matter how close people were, they tended to become distant once they transferred.

The problem was that he hadn’t been able to play matches often with that adored younger brother lately. If Manager Verdi’s personality was such that he even gave a hint about using him as a starter, it meant it would be very soon, so Jerim made a suggestion, thinking they should match their coordination individually before then. At that, the eyes of the originally gentle Lehmann curved almost like crescent moons.

“Yes! I have plenty of time today—.”

“That training, I want to join too.”

It was then. At the voice heard from behind, Lehmann was startled. Jerim also turned back toward the wall where the cycles were lined up. At the only entrance to the gym, Aaron was standing in a slouching posture with his shorts rolled up halfway.

“What. Is your massage over already?”

“I just got a quick one. I’m going to get another one from my personal trainer in the afternoon anyway.”

He replied while pulling down the hem of his pants that he had rolled up to get the massage. Jerim’s eyes sparkled as he quickly caught the words “personal trainer.”

“Is your personal trainer still that person? The one who is killer at giving massages…”

“That’s right. Do you want to get a massage from Juan later too?”

“Can I?”

Jerim cheered inwardly. Even though they had bickered and fought again on the day they cleared up the misunderstanding. Even though he had been extorted for two more fines for verbal arguments since then. Still, perhaps thanks to the long-standing ill feelings being resolved, he had certainly become more comfortable with Aaron. To the point where he could make such a request without hesitation.

It was the same for Aaron, as he nodded readily without much hesitation.

“There’s no reason why not. Lehmann, why don’t you try getting one too? I can just tell Juan to come to the training center this time.”

“Lehmann, you definitely should. I only got it once when I was young, but it was really the hand of God.”

When Jerim encouraged him, Lehmann answered reluctantly.

“…If you’re okay with it, Reyes.”

“I’m recommending it because I’m okay with it. More than that, I told you not to call me by my last name.”

“I’m still more comfortable with the last name. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t force me.”

At the prickly response unlike Lehmann, Jerim had a surprised face for a moment. This kid isn’t usually like this… But he quickly hid his expression after reflecting on the relationship between Aaron and Lehmann.

No matter how gentle Lehmann was, he was an athlete who lived and died by competition; there was no way he didn’t have innate competitive spirit. It would be harder to treat a competitor in the same position who pushed him out of the starting lineup nicely. Whether he intended it or not, Aaron had also embarrassed Lehmann a few times…

‘It would be stranger if they were on good terms.’

While a tense staring contest was going on, Jerim lowered his body perceptively. The only relief was that, for once, Aaron was the one to leave first. To be precise, it was more correct to say he had no choice but to go because a coach called him. Anyway, he simply shrugged his shoulders at the young teammate’s impudent answer and disappeared.

Judging by that shitty personality of his, it was an obvious reaction that he had held back quite a lot. Since he was a guy who always paid back the tackles or fouls he received, and even added mockery as a bonus. Moreover, seeing him offering minor favors like a massage or giving various advice during training sessions, it seemed that Aaron at least didn’t have ill feelings toward Lehmann, which made Jerim feel strange.

Mediating relationships between teammates must be the captain’s duty too… Even if the captain himself is the person who fought with his teammate the most in the team… Jerim, having confirmed that Aaron had completely left, whispered secretly to Lehmann.

“Lehmann, if possible, just call him by his name. He hates being called by his last name.”

[…Then I should call him by his last name even more.]

Then Lehmann suddenly muttered in German. Jerim stared at Lehmann with puzzled eyes.

“What did you say? I don’t know German.”