🗂️ Scouting HQ – Temporary Office, Two Days After the Match
The room smelled of paper and coffee. Dozens of player profiles were taped to the walls — faces of boys barely in their teens, stats scribbled underneath, names circled or crossed out.
A few laptops hummed quietly on a long table. Stacked folders, match footage, and talent reports cluttered the room like evidence in a high-profile case.
The scouts were working overtime.
At the head of the room, Mr. James Lampard, lead scout for A.F.C. Bournemouth, leaned back in his chair, eyes sharp behind thin glasses. A former pro turned talent evaluator, he was known for spotting potential before most even noticed it.
He turned to his assistant.
> "Did you shortlist the five standouts like I told you to?"
The assistant nodded. "Yes, sir. Just finished organizing the report."
He turned his laptop toward Lampard and clicked open the files.
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🔍 Top 5 Talents – Matchday 1 Report
1. Hwan Jin-Woo – Blue Flame FC – Centre Forward
Age: 10 (registered)
Strengths: Tall, powerful frame. Exceptional acceleration. Clinical finishing.
Composure: Ice cold in front of goal. Rarely wastes a chance.
Spatial Awareness: Knows exactly where to be, and when.
Summary:
> "A natural-born striker. Raw instincts with a predator's timing. Ultimate CF prototype. 3 goals in one match. Looks like he was made to score."
Lampard gave a small nod. "He's got the striker's sixth sense. Not many kids do."
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2. Jin-Ho – Seoul FC – Attacking Midfielder
Age: 10 (registered)
Strengths: Elite ball control. Glides between lines like he's floating.
Style Comparison: Prime Iniesta with a Korean flair.
Composure: Untouchable under pressure.
Summary:
> "Footwork that belongs in La Liga. Already sees passing lanes most adults miss. Effortless genius."
Lampard raised an eyebrow. "He'll be our priority if he keeps this up."
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3. Cho Tae-Kyung – Daegu Academy – Goalkeeper
Age: 10
Stats: 13 saves in one match.
Reflexes: Razor sharp. Full-stretch dives like a veteran.
Command of Box: Loud, disciplined, brave.
Summary:
> "He's a wall. Period. Shot-stopping instincts way beyond his years."
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4. Min Son – Blue Flame FC – Playmaker / Winger Hybrid
Age: 9
Strengths: Ambidextrous. Rapid acceleration. Creative vision.
Passing IQ: High. Loves unlocking tight defenses with deep, angled balls.
Concerns: Struggles under physical pressure. Poor decision-making in final third. Over-relies on long curlers from flank — hit-or-miss.
Summary:
> "You don't teach his vision. And his first assist was textbook manipulation. But he needs emotional control and cleaner execution in front of goal."
Lampard muttered, "Could be elite if polished right. He's got something in him. It's just… raw."
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5. Kim Dae-Hyun – Ulsan Sparks – Central Midfielder (Box-to-Box)
Age: 10
Strengths: Tireless engine. Reads play like a seasoned pro. Tackles, transitions, presses.
Passing Range: Wide — from switches to through balls.
Summary:
> "Does the dirty work without needing praise. Every great team needs a player like him. The type to go unnoticed until he's gone."
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📋 Closing Remarks
The assistant leaned back. "These are the five for now."
Mr. Lampard studied the screen, then looked up at the pictures on the wall again.
> "It's just the first match. We'll see what stays, and what fades."
He stood up, picked up a photo of Jin-Woo, then of Jin-Ho.
> "Talent's easy to spot. But consistency… that's what makes stars."
He put the pictures back on the board, but not before pinning red stickers to their corners — the scouts' unspoken code for priority watchlist.
> "Let's keep watching."
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⚽️ Training & Tension
Training continued in the heat of the afternoon sun.
Most of the kids were performing well — focused, sharp, determined. But something wasn't quite right with Jin-Woo. He was passing less, forcing solo runs, and ignoring open teammates. A few players muttered under their breath, and even the assistant coach gave him a few sharp looks.
Coach Park finally blew the whistle.
"Jin-Woo!"
The boy froze mid-run.
"You're the striker, not the whole team!" Coach barked. "We pass. We play together. You want glory? Earn it with teamwork!"
Jin-Woo clenched his jaw and gave a small nod. But anyone watching closely could see the tension in his shoulders.
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🌙 After Training
The day's session ended. Kids packed their bags, laughing or dragging tired feet. One by one, they left.
But Min Son stayed behind.
Alone on the empty field, he set the ball down again and again. He was obsessed now — not just with scoring, but with the perfect Blitz Curler. He'd gotten the body lean right. He'd studied the angle, the balance, the follow-through.
Now it was just the strike.
He hit the ball again — too much power. Again — too little spin.
Again.
The sun dipped. The field lights buzzed to life. Still, he practiced.
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🍲 A Quiet Night at Home
By the time Min Son got home, the sky was dark. But for once, the house was quiet — peaceful, even.
His mother greeted him at the door, wiping her hands on a towel.
"Your father's out with friends," she said with a soft smile. "You're just in time."
She served him a warm meal — something simple, but full of care. Min Son sat down and started eating. He was quiet, but smiled when she ruffled his hair.
"I'm sorry I missed the match," she said gently.
"No, Mommy, you were sick," Min Son replied, shaking his head. "You're the best — even if you don't come, I'll still play like you're watching."
His mother blinked quickly, hiding the tear in her eye.
"Such a sweet boy."
After dinner, she tucked him into bed herself, like old times.
"I'll always cheer for you," she whispered.
---
🍻 Meanwhile…
Across town, at a noisy street-side beer parlor, a table of five men laughed like boys again.
Beer bottles clinked. Cigarette smoke curled into the air.
"Ten bottles — I'll pay!" one slurred proudly.
"Hoo!" the others cheered.
The table was packed with snacks, wrappers, and enough alcohol to sink a ship.
Min Son's father sat among them, not as loud as the rest, but drinking steadily.
Do-Yoon Appa — one of his oldest friends — raised his bottle.
"Those kids' league matches, huh? I saw white people in the crowd! From England!"
"Scouts," another added. "Real ones."
"They've got a bright future… unlike us," someone laughed.
Min Son's father chuckled. "We drank our future away."
More laughter erupted.
"I went to watch my Do-Yoon," Do-Yoon Appa said proudly. "He was subbed in late, but — damn — what a shot! The keeper robbed my boy! Should've scored!"
He thumped his chest, half-crying, half-smiling.
"But that Jin-Ho kid?" he added, shaking his head. "That boy is something else. He'll take Korea far, you'll see."
Then he pointed at Min Son's father with a drunken hand.
"Your boy's good too… could have been better if he didn't have a trash father like you."
The table went silent for a second — then erupted in wild laughter. All but Min Son's father laughed. His jaw tightened. He wasn't fully drunk. Not yet.
"I swear," Do-Yoon Appa mumbled, slurring now, "if that boy were mine… I'd sell my father's land to send him to England."
Then he vomited on the ground.
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🏚 Back Home
Sometime later, the door slammed open.
Min Son's father staggered in, breaking something by the entrance.
"Where's my food?!" he barked.
His wife jolted awake from where she'd fallen asleep beside their son's bed. She quickly stood, wiping her eyes.
"Yes. I'll bring it now…"
She moved quietly, already used to this routine.
Min Son stirred slightly, sensing something — but didn't wake.
Just another night.
Just one more reason to rise again tomorrow.
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