Kiss the Ground Chapter 1

The thought that occurred just before the ball touched the foot was a leisurely one, ‘What ceremony would be good?’ It was a moment as if even a wide-angle lens was looking in, with an unusually broad field of view. A teammate from the same team, who had side-stepped and entered near the goalpost, preparing for an early cross, appeared vividly in slow motion. Soon after, the ball, about half a beat fast, flew like a laser under Chahyun’s foot and slowly bounced up in front of his eyes.

With a clear opportunity for a valid shot in front of him, it’s a common experience for any forward to gather their words as time seems to slow down. However, in this moment, Chahyun truly felt the flow of time coming to a halt. Even transparent droplets clinging to the soccer ball were visible. Perhaps it was the sweat of someone desperate or the dew on the lush grass of the ground.

The angle and position were exactly as anticipated. It felt like playing the role of a character in a script written by someone, performing the role assigned for a moment like this. Making the heart beat or breathing seemed unimportant at this moment.

Caught off guard by the swift attack, the defenders of Italy’s Umbertide FC stumbled backward like newborn giraffes, and the goalkeeper didn’t even glance this way. The shooting space that would lead Chahyun to an honorable comeback goal crossed straight through the midst.

It’s going in. Chahyun kicked with his left foot instinctively.

The perfectly kicked ball flew as if sucked into the right side of the goal net. A half-volley shot! Along with a momentary silence, a deafening roar, like an avalanche, covered the ground as the spectators poured down from the stands.

The dramatic turnaround goal that Winchester United FC scored in the 96th minute, maintaining the agonizing flow of 1-1 from the first half, was enough to move the old fans who had been thirsty for Champions League Round of 16 for nearly three years. The red wave in the Winchester stands began to roar like rough waves. Chahyun ran along the edge of the field, chasing after the foot that had kicked the shot.

Fantastic goal!

With a record of finishing fourth in the domestic league last year, Winchester United FC secured a spot in the Champions League with this goal and would advance to the Round of 16 a month later as the leaders of Group E.

Receiving the cheers of the Saint Briton Ainsworth Stadium, Chahyun ran backward on the field. Heat rose through his spine, reaching his neck and face. His chest was filled with a bursting sense of excitement. The consideration for the ceremony seemed pale in comparison to running aimlessly on the ground.

A fireworks display celebrating the home club’s goal and the end of the game adorned the evening sky above the stadium fantastically. The flash of the camera flickered like a star.

“Yoon Chahyun Season 25th Goal Imminent,” “Personal Season All-time Highest Goal for South Korea,” “Possibility of Asia’s First Ballon d’Or Award”… 

Exciting headlines from the homeland’s sports dailies raced through my mind. By now, as the early dawn approaches, the home country, currently active at the forefront of overseas leagues, will be in a frenzy over the news of the young Korean player leading an English club thirsty for victory to the Round of 16 with a wonder goal. Even the family members who chose not to go to the UK, not wanting to burden him, are likely watching this moment.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Chahyun stopped his legs and stood tall on the ground. Even thinking about it himself… it was indeed a perfect shot.

“Yuan!”

In the thunderous shout, Chahyun turned around at the familiar voice calling him. His teammate Jude Ingram rushed in and wrapped his arms around Chahyun’s shoulders.

Shaking his head in bewilderment, Chahyun realized too late that the person who lifted the ball to him was Jude. They had become close friends since Jude transferred to Winchester United FC, and now they were the kind of friends who understood each other without words. Before Chahyun could say anything, Winston and Alois, the midfielders, rushed towards him like hungry wolves.

“I knew it! Leroy bet 200 pounds that Yuan would score the comeback goal. He’s really a crazy guy.”

“He did it in the end, so he’s not crazy!”

“The way he’s running towards us crying, he does seem a bit crazy.”

Despite being jostled by the towering figures of European giants exceeding an average of 6 feet, Chahyun received each punch from his teammates one by one. The players who ran towards him from their positions formed a unity, celebrating the dramatic victory, raising cheers and shouts. Amidst the clapping and hitting hands, Chahyun swayed like a scarecrow, but the joy shaking the ground showed no signs of subsiding.

After goalkeeper Luga, who had been restraining his teammates with his long and strong arms, let them go, the view of the stadium began to come into focus for Chahyun. The coaches of Winchester FC, just as excited as the fans and players, were not holding back in sharing the joy of the dramatic victory.

“Look at Blue. He’s gone crazy.”

“Well, can you blame him?”

Jude echoed Chahyun’s words. Blue, Maximilian Blaifroy, Winchester FC’s coach, was lying on the ground, overcome with emotion, not entering the field but lying down, shedding tears. Given his naturally tearful and emotional nature, it was natural for him to achieve the triumph of reaching the Round of 16 after three years and lose composure.

Watching Blue sprawled with outstretched legs, surrounded by sports journalists with buzzing cameras capturing the scene, Chahyun and Jude burst into laughter.

“Yuan.”

Someone called Chahyun with that nostalgic voice. Both Jude and Chahyun turned their heads towards the source of the sound. Approaching with arms wide open towards Chahyun was Misha Asplund, a midfielder for Winchester FC. Shaking his sandy-colored hair, he was the hero of the late equalizing goal in the second half of the unfavorable 1:0 game.

“Misha! Seeing you come late, did Leroy bet 200 pounds that Yuan would steal the spotlight? Seems like he’s hurting.”

While hearing Jude’s teasing remark, Misha, who had approached, suddenly wrapped Chahyun’s neck with his extended arms.

“Oh…”

With a sudden embrace from Misha, Jude, who let out a playful sigh, stepped back a few paces. Chahyun met Misha’s shoulders, which were a few centimeters higher than his own.

Even with a thin rash guard and uniform in between, the contact of their chests still felt the palpitations of the heart that had not completely calmed down. Like lace just finished, the hearts of the two thumped out of sync. In the midst of the reporters rushing to them, sensing some meaning in the hug between the hero of the equalizing goal that changed the flow of the game and the dramatic hero who led Winchester FC to the next game with a comeback goal, Chahyun and Jude chuckled.

“Misha, well done. Today’s victory is thanks to you.”

Chahyun whispered in Misha’s ear, and it seemed like he wouldn’t miss a single sound. His words were sincere. If Misha hadn’t leveled the playing field, the same result couldn’t have been guaranteed. With the flash firing continuously, capturing the scene around them, Chahyun’s words were heartfelt. Misha, like a big dog, rested his head on Chahyun’s shoulder.

“Yuan.”

A soft voice that ironically suited his tall stature flowed from under Chahyun’s arm. Despite the significant age difference, the brotherly relationship between them didn’t carry much meaning here. However, Misha, who was several years younger, always managed to make himself seem younger to Chahyun. Praising Chahyun’s broad back like a younger brother, Misha received the compliment with pride.

“You did really well.”

Unexpectedly, Misha released Chahyun from his embrace. Despite being fellow players, the difference in stature pushed Chahyun aside mercilessly. Surprised, Chahyun looked at Misha’s neck and chin, and Misha firmly held them with both hands. The reflection of the stadium lights in his eyes sparkled for a fleeting moment.

And then, unexpectedly, Misha pulled Chahyun’s neck and kissed him.

Oh… Unlike before, Jude’s astonishment, which was as scarce as a speck of dust in playfulness, echoed. The surrounding noise instantly subsided, and a stillness flowed. While Chahyun was unable to react to the unexpected situation, the cameras for the shoot mechanically rotated around the two. Good heavens. Only an unintentional exclamation from a journalist cut through the silence.

I did contemplate what kind of ceremony to have, but a kiss is a bit much.

Still unable to shake off the heat from the enthusiastic crowd and the shocked faces of fellow players, Chahyun closed his eyes and let the cameras snap away. The continuous sound of shutters filled his ears like thunder.

In the central area of the 107×71 square meter stadium, time seemed to stretch into eternity as the two men kissed.

On that evening, it goes without saying that the passionate kiss ceremony of the key figures who led Winchester FC to victory had become the focus of the media.

***

“…We’re sending you greetings from a special booth set up at Incheon International Airport. We are currently welcoming back Yoon Chahyun, who returned to Korea after finishing the match against Ubertide FC and is soon to have a friendly match with Ivory Coast. He’s the hero who achieved Winchester’s long-awaited advancement to the Round of 16, isn’t he?”

“Oh, it’s exaggerated.”

“Yoon Chahyun has always maintained a humble attitude, but the last wonder goal must have garnered a really enthusiastic response even locally in England. As much anticipation was placed on this season’s league victory, your impressions must be fresh. Can we hear a few words?”

“Yes. Since Ubertide FC has been a long-time rival, we knew each other’s strategies and situations well, which was both an advantage and a disadvantage. So, we needed tactics that surpassed the opponent’s expectations…”

“It seems like the fantastic half-volley just before the end of the game was part of a strategy to pierce the opponent’s defense!”

“Well, actually, that part wasn’t intentional before the game…”

“So, you mean it wasn’t something you practiced in advance?”

“That’s right.”

“Amazing. Until the early hours of Tuesday, scenes that shook Korea across the sea must have been unforgettable. If you have a few words for Korean fans who supported Yoon Chahyun until late at night?”

“Yes, thank you for the unwavering support. I’m proud that I could repay it with the game’s performance.”

“Yes, thank you, Yoon Chahyun, for taking the interview right after returning home. Oh, and finally…”

The short-haired female reporter, despite being on live broadcast, paused for a moment and fumbled with the paper on her lap. Yoon Chahyun, sensing her blatant hesitation, lowered his head and closed his eyes, realizing that the extensive interview so far was merely a prelude to this final question.

“After the game, the ceremony with midfielder Misha Asplund was quite impressive. Do you have any comments on that?”

It had come. The first hurdle to return to his homeland.