Chapter 50: English Cuisine

Manchester City has perfectly completed its preparations for the new season with a dazzling performance in the preseason matches.

They showcased their solid team strength by winning all matches against Preston North End, Liverpool, Bournemouth, and Leicester City.

In the match against Liverpool, who finished fourth last season, they won 3-1, demonstrating their superior performance.

In the subsequent matches against Bournemouth (2-0 win) and Leicester City (4-0 win), they proved their perfect defense with clean sheet victories.

The performance of the new recruits also stood out,

And Coach Peter Guardian’s tactics have become even more sophisticated.

Fans are already eagerly awaiting the start of the new season.

It remains to be seen whether Manchester City’s overwhelming performance will continue in the regular season.

-Manchester Evening News, Akanji Reporter

Just as the article stated, I finished all the preseason matches with clean sheets except for the Liverpool game.

I proved that I could become Manchester City’s new guardian.

“Ha… but the Liverpool game was so unfair.”

That moment came back to me vividly.

The ball kicked by the Liverpool midfielder.

It was a ball I could have definitely saved by diving in the right direction.

If only that ball hadn’t deflected off the striker’s butt and flown in the other direction I had dived…

‘No, but this is really just bad luck.’

Still, everything else was perfect.

The Bournemouth game, the Leicester City game… I kept a clean sheet in all of them.

And the coach now seemed to see me as the definite number one over Ederson.

‘Ederson must have felt it too, he had a gloomy face all day.’

He must have felt it from the atmosphere.

I started all the preseason games while he always sat on the bench.

Objectively, Ederson is a goalkeeper with enough skill to play in the Premier League.

It’s just that his competition for the starting spot is me.

“Hahaha, I’m just too good.”

At my sudden laughter, Sanchez and Guerrero looked at me with puzzled expressions.

“Taewoo, why are you laughing all of a sudden?”

“Hey~ Taewoo, have you finally gone crazy?”

If you’re wondering why I’m gathered with Sanchez and Guerrero,

We were currently gathered at Castillo’s house to build camaraderie among those of similar age.

Where did Castillo go, you ask?

That guy is currently in the kitchen cooking, saying he’ll make us food.

In reality, how many things can football players do when they get together?

Naturally, when men get together, there’s nothing like gaming.

“Alright Taewoo, I’m not losing this time.”

Guerrero said confidently.

“Guerrero, you can’t beat me.”

I replied with a smirk.

Our gaming skills are world-famous, to the point where foreigners call Koreans the ‘nation of gamers’.

Before starting the game, Guerrero, with his characteristic laugh, looked down on me, calling himself the king of football games.

As a Korean, I couldn’t just let this slide.

I didn’t hold back and played the game with all my might.

And the result, of course, was 4 to 0.

“How about that, Guerrero? This is the gaming skill of a Korean.”

When I said that, Guerrero shook his head with an incredulous expression.

“I can’t believe it. How can a game character pull off such individual skills?”

“Taewoo, let’s play this time. I’ll do better than Guerrero.”

Guerrero retorted.

“What did you say, Sanchez? Are you saying I lost this time because I went easy on you? You think you can be a match for me?”

Guerrero, who had regained his spirits by beating Sanchez and challenged me again, of course, couldn’t beat me.

“Ugh, why is my player so slow?”

“Guerrero, this is the difference in our level.”

“This can’t be!!!”

Just then, at the perfect timing, Castillo’s call was heard.

“Guys, let’s eat!”

We all headed to the dining room.

And everyone was shocked by the food on the table.

“Holy sh*t, what the hell is that?”

“I-it’s for eating, right?”

‘Should I run away now?’

The table was filled with truly grotesque English dishes.

A Stargazy pie with the fish heads and tails still visible, a grayish mashed pea puree, and a pressed tuck that looked like meat and vegetables floating in jelly.

And on top of that, a black pudding that looked like black pudding…

It was enough to bewilder our eyes and noses.

Castillo said with a proud expression.

“Well, enjoy the true taste of England!”

I realized it in that moment.

England was a country known for its bad food.

And Castillo was a true Englishman.

‘Damn it, I should have realized sooner.’

But surprisingly, Castillo was eating the food with great relish.

‘Really, among the transfer students, I’m the only normal one.’

I missed the pineapple hamburger.

I had become addicted to its taste since Smith University and would eat it occasionally.

But now, I longed for a more normal dish like a pineapple hamburger.

***

While Jeong Taewoo was struggling with English food at Manchester City,

On the other side of the world, his girlfriend Jang Damin was facing a completely different challenge.

In a practice room in Seoul, Jang Damin stood in front of a mirror, doing a final choreography check.

As a member of the girl group ‘Queendom’, she was concentrating all her nerves on the upcoming debut showcase stage.

“Damin, shall we go from the top one more time?”

The choreographer’s voice was heard.

“Yes, I’ll go again.”

As soon as those words ended, Queendom’s debut song “First Crown” echoed through the practice room.

Put the First Crown on me

Look at me, who will be tomorrow’s Queen

The dazzling Spotlight is my turn

Like First Crown, First Crown

I’ll become a name everyone remembers”

With a strong yet sophisticated beat, Damin’s body began to move naturally.

“First Crown” was a song that embodied Queendom’s ambition to wear the crown and dominate the stage, with its confident lyrics and addictive melody.

It was a considerably difficult song with high-level choreography and high-pitched singing,

But if she could pull it off perfectly, she would receive great attention from her debut.

In her eyes, along with the tension of her upcoming debut, there was a confidence as if she would conquer the world.

With the powerful chorus of “First Crown”, Damin’s dance was heading towards its climax.

Sweat dripped down her forehead, but her expression became even more intense.

“Good, intense gaze there! One, two, three!

Fly higher (Fly high)

Run towards my dream (Run now)

I’ll shine forever like a star that lights up the stage

Put the First Crown on me

Me, opening a new era

The dazzling Spotlight is my stage

First Crown, First Crown

I’ll become a name everyone remembers

As the song ended, Damin was so exhausted that she collapsed on the floor.

“Ha… ha… ha…”

Her rough breathing echoed in the practice room.

The choreographer said with a smile.

“You’ve completely mastered it now. You’re amazing, Damin.”

Damin slowly got up and swept her sweat-soaked bangs.

Her face was full of pride along with fatigue.

“Thank you, teacher.”

Damin replied, catching her breath.

“I still think there are parts I’m lacking in. If I practice just a little more…”

The choreographer shook her head.

“Don’t overdo it. Your condition is at its peak right now. It’s important to maintain this state.”

Just then, the practice room door opened and the manager came in.

“Damin, that’s enough practice for today. I have something important to talk to you about.”

“Something important?”

“Yeah, all the members are here, so follow me.”

‘What is it?’

Damin got up from her seat, puzzled.

The other members of Queendom had already mastered the choreography and were concentrating on singing practice.

As Queendom’s main vocalist, Damin had perfected the singing,

But she had been investing more time in choreography practice to perfect the high-level choreography.

Damin followed the manager into the meeting room.

Inside the room, the other members of Queendom were already gathered.

Yuna, Mina, and Jimin were sitting with tense expressions.

“Alright, everyone’s here. I have important news.”

Jang Damin sat down in a chair and exchanged glances with the other members.

“It’s good news. Queendom’s debut date has been confirmed.”

Upon hearing the manager’s words, Damin felt her heart beat faster.

“You’ll have your debut stage in exactly one week. Music shows, showcases, all schedules have been set.”

A mix of joy and tension flashed across the members’ faces.

“Wow… finally…”

“Are we… really ready?”

Mina asked cautiously.

The manager replied with a warm smile.

“Of course. You guys are already fully prepared. Now it’s time to show the world Queendom.”

Jimin suddenly stood up and shouted.

“We can do it! We’ve prepared so hard for this!”

Damin nodded in agreement.

“That’s right, we’ve prepared really hard.”

The manager, seeing their expressions, smiled and suggested.

“Shall we all do a ‘fighting’ cheer together?”

The members looked at each other and nodded.

Everyone formed a circle and put their hands together.

“One, two, three!”

“Queendom, fighting!”

Their voices merged into one and echoed through the meeting room.

It was a voice full of hope and anticipation, even amidst the tension.