Normally, when heading to an away venue by plane, we take a small plane from a small airport.
Not some huge international airport or a large aircraft, but basically something only a little bigger than a bus terminal.
Thanks to that, the boarding process is practically nonexistent, and since only the players and team staff take the plane, there’s no worry about being hassled by people.
How should I put it? It’s not a private jet, but the moment we board, it feels like one.
It was incredibly comfortable.
And, admittedly, it gave me a bit of a swelled head.
A plane flying just for us.
I couldn’t help but feel like I was someone special, you know?
Of course, it was true that receiving such treatment came with the pressure of having to perform even better.
Anyway, we had planned to fly to the away match against AC Milan as well.
But I couldn’t take that plane.
Because of the words I had let slip to Jiu.
If I asked her to come with me, then took the plane alone while telling Jiu to come by bus or train… that would be ridiculous.
So I thought I should take a bus separately with Jiu, and I told the coach as much.
But the coach flew into a rage, asking if that made any sense.
“That’s out of the question! How could you go separately? We’ll just make room. What’s the problem with one extra person?”
“Well… the club policy is…”
“Policy? What, that only players can board? Tell them to scrap it. There’s always an exception. What wouldn’t be possible if it’s your request!”
“Still… I feel like I’d be overstepping…”
“Overstepping? Is anyone giving you a hard time? Who is it? Just say the word. I’ll put them on the release list right now.”
“No, that’s not it…”
When I said it was fine because I felt like I’d be causing unnecessary trouble, the coach only got angrier.
“Ah, are you anxious because you’re worried the other guys will complain? Then I’ll make everyone else take the bus. You two take the plane.”
“Ah, no…”
“Or should I ask them to fly a separate plane for you?”
“…I’ll just do as you say, Coach…”
And so, that’s how it happened.
Jiu would be flying with me.
The coach was so adamant that I had no choice.
Still, even though the coach had said that, it could be a nuisance to the other players.
I had to ask the seniors for their understanding first.
But the seniors’ reactions weren’t much different.
“Ooh! Lover boy!”
“Look at this guy. I thought he knew nothing but soccer. Was he a step ahead of me?”
“What do we need to understand? And don’t ask us for favors. Just command us. That’s easier.”
“Should we prepare a red carpet or something?”
All the seniors readily—what understanding?—told me it was no problem.
No, rather, they somehow even looked excited, which actually made me feel more burdened and worried.
They were already a mischievous bunch, so I was afraid they’d play pranks in front of Jiu.
So I didn’t forget to ask them about that.
“Um, when we’re together, could you avoid girlfriend talk…”
“We know, we know.”
“You mean to be careful because it’s not official yet? Got it.”
“…Yes. And, um…”
“What? Just say it.”
“Could you please not baby me quite so much…”
“Hmm? Ah, hahaha! Of course! We’re all men here; you think we’d do that? You cute little thing!”
…Yeah. Like this.
I had asked them to please refrain from things like pinching my cheek like they are now.
No, I know this is their way of showing affection…
I just didn’t want to show myself being treated like a baby in front of Jiu.
“Sigh…”
I had asked them, but I still couldn’t shake the worry. Things had gotten strangely out of hand because of a misunderstanding I’d had on my own.
I wondered if it was right to be worrying about this when we had a match against the league leaders ahead of us.
...
I didn’t know why, but I was incredibly nervous.
It felt almost like when I had played my debut match.
The moment I entered the airport with Jiu.
I didn’t know the reason, but my hands were sweating from nervousness. Jiu even asked what was wrong.
Well.
Thinking about it, I supposed it might be because it was the first time the people I knew were meeting Jiu.
But I still didn’t know why that was such a nerve-wracking thing.
Anyway, I had to enter the airport with a gulp, and…
“Welcome!” “Please, come in!” “We’ve been waiting!”
The moment I opened the door and entered the waiting room, I lost my words at the sight of the seniors bowing in unison.
*
“Please board. We will see to your comfort on the way.”
“Ah, th-thank you…”
As Senior Saponara guided us like a flight attendant, Jiu bowed deeply and boarded the plane.
Wink—
After nodding at Senior Saponara, who sent me a wink as if to say, “I did well, right?”, I followed behind and boarded too.
Of course, I sighed internally.
I had predicted this would happen.
Somehow I had felt the seniors wouldn’t let this pass. I had made them promise not to joke around, but as if they would.
I didn’t know whose idea it was, but the seniors seemed to have adopted a mafia group concept.
And I was the boss.
No, I had asked them not to baby me so much, but I didn’t ask them to go this far.
There’s no middle ground. No middle ground.
“Can I sit here…?”
Jiu, walking ahead, whispered to me.
I didn’t know why, but Jiu had shrunk into herself. Just a while ago she had been so excited about going to Milan, but now she couldn’t even speak properly.
It was my first time seeing her like this, so I was amazed too.
“Please sit wherever you’re comfortable! Two seats, no, you can use four seats! Jian’s word is law here, so do as you please.”
“…He says sit anywhere.”
“Ah, ah. Then here…”
“I’ll sit here.”
Anyway, the two of us broke into cold sweats and barely managed to sit down.
Was taking a plane always this difficult?
I had caused unnecessary trouble. How was this the atmosphere of a plane carrying a team going to play the league leaders…
I shook my head and was organizing my luggage when a commotion broke out from the front.
I turned to look…
“L-let go…!”
“Uh-huh, uh-huh. This friend. Heh heh heh!”
Luca Romero was being dragged away by the captain with his mouth covered.
What was he up to now?
“I want to sit in the next seat too…!”
“Ah, you want to sit here? Good boy.”
“Geniuses with geniuses… mmph!”
I didn’t know what was going on, but the captain seemed to be handling it well.
He was a friend who talked a lot of nonsense…
He was so annoying during training that it made me want to sigh.
Let’s combine our genius powers and lead the team to victory, what’s your daily routine, the struggles of a genius this and that…
Since the captain was taking care of that guy, we could at least go in peace.
“Were you this big of a deal?”
“…What?”
Having finished organizing her luggage and sitting down, Jiu asked.
“No, I mean, how do you usually act that everyone is so intimidated by you?”
“…They’re all just joking around.”
“It doesn’t look like a joke. Don’t tell me you scold the seniors for being bad at soccer or something? Or do you gather them up and yell at them?”
I looked at her incredulously, and Jiu let out a small laugh.
I guessed imagining it was funny.
“Anyway, wow. You seem different? Our Jian was this big of a deal?”
“What big deal…”
“I was worried you’d get bullied wherever you went. Wow, it was completely the opposite. Those intimidating-looking older men can’t even budge in front of you?”
Instead of answering, I sighed and reclined Jiu’s seat.
“What. Why are you reclining it?”
“Since we’re the only ones on board anyway. Just sleep.”
“Then at least give me a blanket. How can I trust you.”
“…Wait.”
What was she even talking about.
But would there even be a blanket?
I got up from my seat to look, and witnessed a shocking sight.
The coach was coming with a pouch containing slippers, earplugs, and a blanket.
“C-Coach…?”
“Excuse me—”
When the coach appeared, Jiu, who had been half-lying down, sprang up.
The coach smiled benevolently and held out the pouch and blanket.
“I hope you have a comfortable flight.”
The coach even bowed his head before leaving, and I had to sit back down with another sigh.
Jiu asked with a bewildered expression.
“Isn’t that the coach…?”
“…Yes.”
“Oh my. Don’t tell me even the coach…”
“It’s not like that.”
Just how serious were these people about their pranks.
Was teasing me that fun?
I shook my head and reclined my seat.
…Still, I was grateful at heart.
*
It had been two days before departing for Milan that Biragi, the captain of Fiorentina, had gathered the players.
Having gathered everyone except I Jian, Biragi made a proposal.
“Let’s properly boost the youngest’s pride for once.”
For some reason, word had come that I Jian’s girlfriend would accompany them on the trip to the away match in Milan.
On the same plane.
They were all men, so they knew. They knew how much boys that age lived and died by looking cool.
Wasn’t a sixteen-year-old boy capable of anything in front of the girl he liked?
So they planned it.
Project: Boost the Youngest’s Pride.
Biragi suggested the overall concept, and the remaining details were filled in through a brief meeting.
Everyone participated more seriously and actively than during tactical meetings.
Coach Vincenzo, passing by, clicked his tongue, but asked for a role himself.
They each faithfully played their roles, and though there were a few close calls where they almost burst out laughing.
The plan proceeded smoothly, and the plane was flying safely toward Milan.
“Did you see earlier? The way he tensed his shoulders.”
“He likes it while pretending not to. Cute guy.”
“Seeing him like this, he really is just a kid. How does he change so much on the field?”
The players whispered while watching I Jian buried in his seat, sleeping. Kim Jiu beside him, too—they didn’t know why both were so cute.
Some of the players were feeling their age.
Because the two of them looked like a son and daughter.
Captain Biragi also smiled as he looked at the two and the players secretly peeking at them.
In truth, it was a time when a very important match was approaching.
It was a match against AC Milan, who were running first in the league. It was a match where they had to pour everything in, and if they lost, it would clearly become a match that brought not just a single defeat but aftershocks as well.
Because the momentum riding a rising current could be dampened.
That was why the training atmosphere had been very solemn this week. Perhaps because the thought that everyone had to do well was strong, everyone looked like they had heavy shoulders.
The air at the training ground was heavy.
If it were like the old days, this wouldn’t have happened.
When facing a strong team like this, the atmosphere had been more relaxed.
Probably because they had thought it was okay to lose anyway.
But now, having somehow kept winning, with their rank gradually rising and the fans’ expectations growing hotter, they couldn’t do that.
Everyone was likely feeling the pressure, though they didn’t say it.
So he had wanted to lighten the mood once. Thinking this was a timely opportunity, he put on a little performance for the youngest.
Thanks to that, everyone was heading to Milan with smiles.
They were traveling in such a good atmosphere that one might wonder if the match was even on their minds.
‘Cute guy.’
Biragi looked at I Jian with a fatherly smile. He was a friend with truly human charm. Even if he had been worse at soccer than he was now, he would have been popular.
It was a feeling of really wanting to cheer him on, so to speak.
With such a guy as the youngest, the team felt like one. In the past, he had struggled quite a bit as captain, but these days there wasn’t much to do.
The team had become one, and the center of that cohesion was that cute little guy.
Even a veteran overflowing with charisma probably couldn’t change the atmosphere like this; perhaps what changes the world isn’t charisma but cuteness.
“…I can hear everything.”
“Ah!”
“Mmph!”
The players secretly watching the two little ones flinched in surprise and covered their mouths.
Because I Jian, whom they had thought was sleeping, had opened his eyes and spoken.
I Jian sighed and sat up.
“You weren’t sleeping?”
“How could I sleep when everyone is staring at me so intensely…”
“…You felt it?”
“It’s because of you, man. I told you to lower your voice.”
“Why is it my fault? It’s your fault.”
Honestly, looking at this, you wouldn’t know who was the cute youngest and who were the seniors.
Biragi smacked the loudest of them, Saponara and Bonaventura, on the back of their heads each, and asked I Jian.
“But why is she coming with you this time? Can I ask?”
“Huh? Ah… well.”
I Jian scratched his head for a moment.
And then answered shortly after.
“It’s kind of like a jinx, I guess.”
“A jinx?”
“Yes. She’s never lost a match she watched in person… We won all our home games, right? Since it’s a very important match this time, so…”
At I Jian’s answer, they all looked at each other and clicked their tongues.
Bonaventura spoke.
“Wow, then we’ve got nothing to worry about. What’s there to worry about when the Goddess of Victory is with us?”
“Ooh, so she’s not just a girlfriend but the Goddess of Victory!”
“No wonder I thought we always won when Jian played. We were under the Goddess of Victory’s protection!”
“Shh… be quiet…”
I Jian put a finger to his lips, but he couldn’t stop the burst of laughter from the players.
And Gim Jiu also had to struggle to hold back her about-to-burst laughter.
‘Goddess of Victory…?’
Gim Jiu had been pretending to sleep but couldn’t fall asleep, keeping her eyes closed.
Gim Jiu pretended to toss and turn, turned her body toward the window, and raised the corners of her mouth.
‘Not bad…?’