Once again, Sebastian was on the outskirts even during training. There were no players joking around like you often see on the internet. From the start, no one came close to Sebastian.
It was my first time watching training from the touchline, and I wanted to enjoy it and take a look around, but I couldn't do that because I was worried about Sebastian.
"Seb! Are you not paying attention?!"
It seemed that neither the coach nor the coaching staff was aware that Sebastian was being isolated. They only communicated training details and tactical movements through me, and they also asked me to pass on complaints about why he wasn't syncing well with the other players.
I fumbled a bit with Sebastian and gave a fake translation to the coaching staff that we would try harder.
It seemed like he was mentally struggling a lot, and hearing those comments would only make him more depressed.
After completing fitness, passing, and tactical training, we decided to have an internal match. Sebastian was the right winger on the B team, which was made up of the second-string players.
Right before the internal match, I was worried about Sebastian, so I handed him a drink and asked, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Sebastian replied calmly and then ran onto the field. The A team, made up of first-string players, included Liam, who had previously picked a fight.
As the internal match started, it seemed like the three scoundrels were saying strange things every time they faced off against Sebastian. Each time, Sebastian's face tightened.
Those scoundrels... No, just looking at what they've done so far, I think it's safe to call them scum. They attempted rough tackles on Sebastian whenever the coaching staff's attention was diverted.
Just like now.
"Coach! That's a red card! When does a player tackle like that in a team's internal match?!"
I yelled out in frustration. One of the three scoundrels, Kevin McGregor, threatened Sebastian with a tackle that came just below his knee.
I didn't care if others looked at me like I was crazy. As I threw a fit, it seemed that the rough behavior of the scoundrels slightly diminished.
The coach, who had been watching the referee, seemed to pay a bit more attention.
Although I had only known Sebastian for a short time, he seemed like a decent guy, and I hated to see him being bullied like that.
I took out my phone to check the information I had earlier.
At first, I just wanted to verify the truth, but seeing the behavior of those scoundrels made me change my course of action.
If all went as planned, I had information in my hands that could lift Sebastian's spirits.
[Daniel Knight]
Current Ability: ★★★★
Date of Birth: January 22, 1994
Suitable Position: CB (Center Back)
Information about the Black player wasn't particularly useful. However, Kevin McGregor's information was different.
[Kevin McGregor]
Ate expired pizza for breakfast.
Stomach is starting to hurt. He won't be able to tolerate the stomach ache in four hours.
Enjoys bullying Sebastian.
The one who just made that rough tackle was this guy.
I put my phone back in my pocket and thought.
Alright, let's go for it. I'll also verify the information while I'm at it.
The first half ended, and we were given a break. I translated the coach's encouragement for Sebastian to enjoy the physical play and then asked Sebastian, "Are you angry?"
Sebastian, with a dumbfounded look, narrowed his eyes.
"How did you know that?"
Who wouldn't be angry after being treated like that?
"The mystery of the East."
This guy really is the mystery of the East, I thought, as I accepted that. He seemed so naive that it was easy to tease him.
"Don't you want to get back at them? At least one of those guys?"
"···."
"If you want, I can help."
Sebastian glanced at the three of them.
"Using the mystery of the East, without anyone knowing."
To be precise, it would be disguised as a mistake.
After contemplating for a bit, Sebastian thankfully nodded. His fighting spirit wasn't entirely gone. I whispered information about Kevin McGregor into Sebastian's ear.
Sebastian's face began to light up. His eyes sparkled like a child who had just received a new toy.
About three hours and forty minutes had passed since we started. Soon it would be four hours.
As the second half began, Sebastian eagerly charged at Kevin McGregor. The elbow strike he attempted while pretending to clash was so impressive that it could have been said to have been taught by Fellaini from the Premier League. Using his small stature to target the abdomen, he avoided injury while delivering a solid hit.
"Good job! Well done!"
I could hear the coach praising Sebastian. Now that I think about it, he did say to enjoy the physical play earlier.
Even though the language was different, he could understand a compliment like "good play," so Sebastian seemed even more excited and cleverly hit Kevin McGregor in the abdomen. Kevin, who had been complaining of stomach pains since the break, kept contorting his face.
One hit, two hits, three hits...
He had seemed silent and reserved during training, but now Sebastian had transformed into someone fiercely combative. It seemed that being a soccer player meant being a soccer player after all.
Ignoring Kevin McGregor, who had just turned red with anger after a deliberate clash, Sebastian headed back to the B team's area.
Wait, where is that guy going?
"Hey! Stop him!"
Kevin McGregor, unable to control his anger, charged at Sebastian. Fortunately, one of the coaches near the touchline grabbed Kevin McGregor by the waist.
Kevin McGregor, with a bright red face, was shouting not to play like scum.
How ironic for scum to say not to play like scum.
And so far, everything was going according to plan.
I took out my phone to check the time. About two minutes remained.
Sebastian was looking scared, his head bowed, but he smiled at me when he saw me. Still anxious, he mouthed to me, 'Is this the right thing to do?'
I gave him a thumbs-up and nodded. Then I subtly moved toward the exit for the next phase of the plan.
And then, the signal came.
"Ugh!"
Kevin McGregor groaned as soon as his face returned to its normal color. The stomach ache that he had momentarily forgotten due to anger was now making its presence known.
I stood next to the exit, pretending to film Sebastian with my camcorder, amazed at the information from Helper.
"Bathroom... I think something's wrong from breakfast."
The gathered players and coaches burst into laughter at Kevin McGregor's comment.
Sebastian was looking back and forth between me and Kevin McGregor as he stepped away from the group. Kevin McGregor, unable to bear it any longer, was wobbling toward the exit — my direction.
Ten steps.
Five steps.
Two steps.
Okay, get ready.
I intentionally stepped on my left foot with the heel of my right foot. It was a classic clumsy fall.
And I fell in the direction of Kevin McGregor.
"Ugh!"
Kevin McGregor let out a strange scream as he fell over me. The attention of those who had been about to return to the practice match was drawn toward us.
I quickly jumped up and yelled, "Oh no! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"
Look! The more they look, the better!
Kevin McGregor glared at me while sitting on the ground, but suddenly clutched his stomach.
I had planned to fall as soon as I hit the ground. I guess the shock or time wasn't enough. Indeed, the strength of a professional soccer player's sphincter is amazing.
Kevin McGregor couldn't even curse and was trying to get up slowly.
I couldn't let it go like that. I grabbed his shoulder to keep him from moving and asked, "Are you okay?"
"..."
"Is it so painful you can't even speak properly? Oh no, what do we do?"
"Get... off..."
"What did you say? Doctor! Doctor! I think Kevin is hurt!"
"Get off me!
People started to crowd around after hearing Kevin McGregor was hurt. The team doctors rushed over as well. And then, Kevin McGregor slumped down.
He crapped himself.
"What's that smell?"
I remarked, stepping back to the edge of the circle that the crowd had formed.
Kevin McGregor, who had just shat his pants, wore a briefly satisfied expression, likely due to instinct. He had finally released what he had been holding in.
Naturally, his face turned pale soon after.
I added, "Oh my, how much must it have hurt for him to shit himself..."
Hahaha."
So this is what kind of person he was.
Sebastian was driving me away from the training ground, looking delighted.
He couldn't stop talking about how satisfying it was to see Kevin McGregor whining in the shower room.
"I was already planning to buy something, but I'll buy something even more expensive."
Sebastian said with a grin as he turned the steering wheel.
This smooth feeling. This is nice; so this is why people like expensive cars.
I'm not very knowledgeable about cars, but I at least recognize the Audi logo. This car must be incredibly expensive.
I rolled down the window and let the wind blow in. The salty sea breeze felt refreshing.
Thinking about buying something expensive made my mouth water... suddenly, I remembered the fish and chips I had eaten in the morning.
I let out a sigh of relief as I looked at Sebastian, who had a distinctly Latin appearance, grinning beside me.
He was Spanish. His taste buds couldn't possibly be numbed.
I recalled hearing from friends about Spanish food at Spanish restaurants in Korea, which tended to be on the salty side, but they said it suited the Korean palate.
That must be true, right?
Harry, the player responsible for the problem, turned the steering wheel and headed to the agency. Harry, visibly upset, called Katie into the VIP lounge.
And then he yelled.
"Leon wasn't supposed to have any issues! Are you messing with me right now?!"
"Of course."
Katie responded so brazenly that Harry was momentarily taken aback.
Even though he had been working at the agency for over ten years, Harry still couldn't get used to Katie's dry way of speaking.
"Why are you lying..."
"It's obvious he dragged it out. You're too nice of a person."
Harry immediately understood why Katie was acting that way. Anger bubbled up, but he held back the torrent of words and spoke slowly, word by word.
"I mean... even so, basic handover protocols should be followed. How can you leave a rookie in this industry without explanation for a player? Is that agency policy?"
Katie nodded without hesitation. Harry noticed his voice was getting louder but couldn't help it.
"Are you kidding me?! EW Agency was supposed to take care of players so that we wouldn't have to worry about anything outside of football! If we treat players like this, what player would sign with our agency?!"
"It was an unavoidable choice. Sebastian broke the contract first."
"Director?"
"I just came for some coffee."
William Boyle, the agency's director, suddenly intervened. He immediately turned on the coffee pot, and after briefly locking eyes with Katie, he spoke.
"Reactions from Spanish clubs regarding Sebastian Rodriguez's return have been lukewarm. They know we and Brighton are in a hurry. When Sebastian declared he wanted to challenge England, we lowered our contract fee because we believed in his potential. But what has Sebastian returned to us? How do you plan to cover this loss? Is it you, Harry?"
"However..."
"We will take care of him. At least, to the minimum."
"Wait... ha! Seriously."
Harry let out a heavy sigh.
The agency would only care for Sebastian just enough to avoid legal issues.
This was a message as well.
"If he doesn't achieve results as a player, we will reduce our support accordingly."
It was a purely business-like approach, but Harry was fed up with the agency's actions every time they did this.
Harry yelled.
"If Sebastian is being racially discriminated against, isn't that the reason his performance has suffered, that he doesn't want to adapt, and that he keeps sending away the interpreters assigned by the agency... and singing every day about wanting to go back to Spain...?"
"What?!"
Katie interrupted Harry's words. William Boyle also said nothing, simply widening his eyes.
"Are you serious about this?"
In response to Katie's question, Harry nodded.
"I don't have evidence, but... Sebastian said the same. He asked if he was being racially discriminated against, and Hyunseok was shocked, asking how he knew... Anyway, shouldn't we take immediate action?"
With each word Harry spoke, Katie, who had been speaking confidently, fell silent. The space filled with silence. Then the director began to speak.
"Evidence?"
"There's no such thing..."
"Isn't it a sensitive issue?"
The director spoke leisurely as he took a sip of his tea.
"If we care for him, will his performance improve? He probably lost his affection for England a while ago, so is it really true that he won't return to Spain regardless?"
Harry had no words, simply staring intently at the director.
"More importantly, he didn't request anything from us. It seems inefficient."
The director took another sip of tea and firmly stated, "Stay out of Sebastian's business. And make sure the handover is done appropriately."
"...Understood."
After hesitating for a moment, Harry slumped his shoulders and stepped outside.
Even after the big Harry left, the lounge still felt cramped. The director spoke to Katie.
"That Hyunseok, he's the new recruit who joined today, right?"
"Yes."
"Can you bring me his paperwork?"
A little later, Katie brought Hyunseok's paperwork.
The director read the documents while muttering to himself.
"Hyunseok, huh..."