"No celebration party or anything?"
"Nope."
"Why not? It was such a huge fuss."
"Well… because it's not over yet?"
At that answer, accompanied by a shrug, Jiwoo shakes her head.
"Such greedy people. Well, I mean. It's not like this is Fiorentina, right?"
I snicker and nod.
It's the truth.
They really are greedy.
How greedy are they? They aren't satisfied even with winning the league.
These crazy people.
After finishing the final round of the league—though of course, the league title had been confirmed in the previous round—anyway, after wrapping up the league with a win.
What scared me the most was that everyone quietly went home.
There was no raucous celebration party.
They simply gathered in the locker room, hugged each other, and shouted to express the joy of winning.
Then, just as they did every week after a victory, they briefly enjoyed the joy of winning before disbanding and heading home.
Because the season wasn't over yet.
The Champions League semifinal second leg was still left, and the FA Cup final was also remaining.
And since both of those were challenges for the trophy, they were more important matches than anything.
In the end, these are people who can't be satisfied with just one trophy.
"Whew. Then should I give you your gift later, too?"
"…What gift?"
"Huh? Nothing."
"Why, what is it?"
"Nothing, just… you worked hard. I was thinking of giving you a gift to celebrate the win."
…A gift?
"So what kind of gift?"
"It's nothing much."
"Give it to me now, then."
"No. You said it's not over yet. I'll give it to you after it ends."
"What is it that you're like this?"
"I told you it's nothing much."
What could it be, acting like this.
I'm dumbfounded by Jiwoo, who says she was going to give it but refuses when I ask.
Anyway, she's such a contrarian.
But the more she says no, the more I want to get it out of her.
I have to figure out what it is, at the very least.
"Just show me."
"No."
"I can't even look?"
"If I just show you, what kind of gift is that? You have to receive it without knowing for the emotion to be doubled."
"Then you shouldn't have said anything in the first place."
"Ah, whatever. No."
"What is it, really?"
"I keep telling you it's nothing much."
"If it's nothing much, you can just give it to me."
"Ugh, seriously."
Unlike usual, when I persistently dig in, Jiwoo shakes her head.
Then she sighs and soon nods.
"Fine. Just wait a moment."
Jiwoo suddenly heads toward the refrigerator.
And takes something out, setting it down on the table.
I wondered what it was, and…
"…A cake?"
"Yeah. I made it. I was thinking of, you know, a modest little party. But you said it's not over yet."
"Ah…"
At a glance, I assumed she'd obviously bought it from a store, but looking closely, it seemed she really had made it.
On the white background coated with whipped cream, the words "Congratulations on the Championship" were written in chocolate.
When did she even prepare something like this?
"I told you. It's nothing much…"
After observing the cake intently and looking at Jiwoo, she scratches her head and speaks.
She looks a little embarrassed.
…Hmm.
It's nothing much, my foot—it's way too well-made.
It looks like something you could sell at a shop.
But, mmm.
It's definitely not what I had expected.
"What, what's with that disappointed expression?"
"…Huh?"
"Wow, unbelievable. That's why I said it was nothing much. What were you expecting?"
"Ah, no."
"Tch, if you're going to ask someone to show you, at least react properly. The air's all leaked out, all of it."
No, that's not it.
It's not that the cake is bad; it's just not what I expected at all.
And this is more than enough to surprise me.
Was my reaction that bad?
In the past, it wouldn't have mattered however I reacted, but now that our relationship has changed, I realize even trivial things can become points of hurt.
Soccer is easier, frankly.
Dating is too hard.
"No, that's not it. Uh… I mean, I'm angry."
"Angry enough? Was it that badly made?"
"I'm angry because it's so well-made. I want to devour it in one bite right now, but I can't eat it now, so I'm angry."
Since she said she didn't like my reaction, I fix the situation with an over-the-top display that isn't in my nature.
Like a puppy that has meat in front of it but can't eat because its leash is too short.
I stare at the cake, drooling and pounding my chest with a thud-thud.
"Argh, I can't just gobble it up."
Only then does Jiwoo burst out laughing.
"Why, then just eat it."
"…No. I have to hold back. It's not time yet. This won't do. I'll at least take a picture."
"Why a picture on top of everything… It didn't even take an hour to make that."
"But in my memory, it'll last a lifetime."
I quickly take out my phone and snap a photo.
And when I sneak a glance at Jiwoo, her cheeks twitch even as she pretends otherwise.
"Got it. Then eat it at the party when everything's really over. No, maybe that'll be a bit weird by then. I'll just make you a new one. Good?"
"Yeah."
"Ugh, I told you it was nothing much. I let the air out for nothing."
Jiwoo pouts her lips, and without realizing it, I look at them before turning my gaze away.
…It's not that the cake is bad.
Honestly, when I heard "gift," there was just something else I'd been expecting.
I don't know why I suddenly had that expectation, but.
Hmmm.
…Why does she keep pouting like that?
It keeps drawing my eyes.
"…When it's over."
"Huh?"
"I'll eat it when it's over. I'll hold back for now."
"Okay, okay."
This won't do.
I was already planning to do it anyway.
I have to do it all.
Win.
...
May 22, 2024.
Etihad Stadium.
[They are certainly in a favorable position, Manchester City. Because they secured a one-goal victory on the road. And more encouragingly, it was a come-from-behind win. That resilience must have felt frightening to Paris Saint-Germain. Like a wall.]
The day of the Champions League semifinal second leg between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
It was an evening match, and the sky was slightly overcast, but.
The faces of the fans filling the stands were swollen with anticipation.
[Manchester City's momentum is fully up. Just a few days ago, they achieved the feat of four consecutive league titles, and they've also reached the FA Cup final. If they advance to the Champions League final now, they will be just two steps away from back-to-back Trebles.]
There are players who have personally achieved back-to-back Trebles, but no team has accomplished back-to-back Trebles.
If Manchester City pulls it off, it will literally be unprecedented, a first in history.
Amid soaring expectations that they could become the greatest team in English history.
[Moreover, if Manchester City achieve the Treble, there is one more historic first. That is, the first Ballon d'Or winner from Manchester City could emerge.]
There is more than one element worth anticipating.
[If Paris Saint-Germain's Mbappé is eliminated in the semifinals, he will inevitably drift away in the Ballon d'Or race. One of the strongest competitors falls away. Of course, if City complete the Treble, the Ballon d'Or will inevitably go to someone from City. Whoever it may be.]
The broadcast camera shines on the faces of the players preparing for the match.
The faces of Phil Foden, Rodri, De Bruyne, and Haaland flash past.
Given their contributions this season, it wouldn't be strange for any of them to win the award—they are players who have performed at the highest level in their respective positions.
[Of course, the player currently closest to it is this one.]
However, right now.
Among these, there is one player who stands lofty and apart.
The camera focuses on Lee Jian.
As always, he is preparing for the match with a face that looks slightly nervous, as though deep in thought.
When his head seems complicated somehow.
Every time he had that expression, Lee Jian had produced performances that surprised everyone.
But since that was the case in nearly every match.
He stands closest to the Ballon d'Or even among the outstanding Manchester City players.
[Perhaps it could become an internal battle. But all of this is only a story for if they win today. In 90 minutes, it could become a laughingstock. If there is a player over there with the Ballon d'Or looming in their mind right now, an accident might happen today.]
There is nothing as meaningless as being the closest.
Because it means he hasn't reached it yet.
The moment your interest goes elsewhere, your focus is bound to scatter.
But in that sense, there doesn't seem to be much to worry about.
Because that pure desire, looking toward nothing but victory alone, was flickering in the Manchester City players' eyes.
[The match begins!]
With Manchester City leading by one goal after a 3-2 victory, the semifinal second leg began.
*
[The reason today's match is tricky for Paris Saint-Germain is, after all, the fact that they are trailing by one goal, making it difficult to sit back and counterattack.]
Not long after the match began.
As always, a familiar sight was unfolding on the pitch.
The Manchester City players were passing the ball around, controlling the match, while their opponents sat back and waited.
As was already the case in the first leg, Paris was no exception.
[City must also be terrified of the counterattack led by Mbappé and Dembélé. They conceded two goals from it in the first leg. So if Paris openly goes for it, City won't let them in easily. Time is on City's side, after all.]
Time is on City's side.
Of course, 90 minutes is long, and a one-goal lead isn't comfortable enough to say time is truly on their side.
But scoring one goal against City isn't that easy either.
And it's not like City won't be going for more goals during that time.
[But don't heroes always emerge in troubled times? This is when you have to believe in Mbappé. Even after the first-leg defeat, Mbappé said the responsibility was his. He is a player who isn't satisfied with a multi-goal game. He'll want to show something today. After all, he is also a leading candidate for the Ballon d'Or.]
Anyway, it's tricky in many ways, but Paris is still at a level where they can compete.
Even though it's the opponent's home, they are trailing by one goal, and they are forced into a defend-first, counterattack approach.
Conversely, the opponent won at their home too, and they scored two goals in the first leg, so one goal is no problem, and it's absurd to think not a single counterattacking chance will come in 90 minutes.
For now, while preparing to counterattack at any moment, first and foremost, they need to tighten up their defense so the score doesn't widen further…
[Lee! He turns beautifully! He escapes the tight space!]
But plans are always just that—plans, no matter how plausible.
No matter how meticulously made, if an unexpected variable occurs, what follows becomes useless.
Just as everything goes awry if the first button is buttoned wrong.
[Lee, Foden, De Bruyne—the pass threads through! Space opens up!]
Lee Jian, who had carried the ball from midfield, gave it to Foden on the right, and Foden carried it toward the center before passing to De Bruyne.
De Bruyne immediately threaded a pass into the right flank, into the space between the opponent's center-back and full-back.
Diving into that space and receiving the ball was Lee Jian once again.
[Tackle! But he gets past it!]
As Lee Jian cut into the box, a desperate sliding tackle came in as if to deny the entry, but he dodged it lightly.
And with all eyes on him, he cut it back.
That cutback landed precisely on the foot of Foden, who had been waiting in support.
Whooooosh—!
Thwack—!
[It goes in! A perfect team goal that completely broke down Paris Saint-Germain's flank!]
The goalscorer Foden points at Lee Jian and runs over, jumping into his arms.
Soon all his teammates gather, and the players, sharing their joy with each other, cheer toward the stands, eliciting an even greater response.
Then the Etihad Stadium becomes the noisiest place on earth.
[Emergency for Paris Saint-Germain! The gap widens by another goal just 8 minutes into the first half! Time takes another step toward City!]
While maintaining a one-goal difference.
Paris Saint-Germain's plan was to bring the contest back to square one with a counterattacking opportunity.
But the first button was buttoned wrong.
Then all that remains is for everything to fall apart, one by one.
[In the first leg, City also succeeded in overturning the match while trailing by two goals. Right in front of Paris's home fans. Can Paris and Mbappé possibly do the same?]
A moment requiring superhuman strength.
In a situation where the stadium had become the opponent's festival, Mbappé had his head bowed.
*
Even after the gap became two goals, Paris Saint-Germain could not easily push forward.
Yes, two goals is still within reach.
But if it becomes three, it's truly over.
They must have thought that, and since they had been breached easily even while focused on defense, they wouldn't have had the courage to rashly step out.
More than anything, Manchester City simply didn't give up the ball.
Whenever they tried to apply even a little pressure, City escaped with passing work that was almost mocking, and if a crack appeared in the lines, they dove in like ghosts, making heads snap to attention.
The midfield battle wasn't happening at all.
When De Bruyne and Lee Jian looked at the same place as if they were one body, spines chilled, and no one could even think of challenging them.
If there was any fortune, it was that no additional goals had been conceded by the time the second half began, but the problem was that Mbappé was invisible.
Someone who started watching midway wouldn't have even known if Mbappé was playing or not.
The ball barely reached him to begin with, so he only touched it once or twice.
In the silence of their ace, as time passed, Paris Saint-Germain was gradually eroded.
The stadium was entirely Manchester City's, not yielding even a sliver of space to Paris Saint-Germain.
It simply showed in the quality of play.
It spoke to who truly deserved to advance to the final.
[De Bruyne! A fantastic long-range strike! A mad cannonball sucked into the net as if to tear it apart!]
It was De Bruyne's right foot that stopped the already dying heart of Paris Saint-Germain.
The moment Paris Saint-Germain's concentration wavered slightly, a thunderous long-range shot was driven right in.
That was in the 66th minute, and the match seemed to end then and there.
And indeed it did.
[Full time! Manchester City are headed to Wembley! Back-to-back final appearances! They are now one step closer to the Treble!]
Manchester City have advanced to the Champions League final.
.
.
.
Champions League Semifinal Second Leg
◆ Manchester City 2 – 0 Paris Saint-Germain
◆ Real Madrid 1 – 1 Borussia Dortmund
Aggregate
◆ Manchester City 5 – 2 Paris Saint-Germain
◆ Real Madrid 3 – 2 Borussia Dortmund
Champions League FINAL
June 2, England, Wembley
◆ Manchester City FC v Real Madrid CF