Chapter 58: The First Time is Always Nerve-Wracking

The thought of Castillo’s cooking ignited a fire in the players’ eyes, and they all charged at Arsenal as if their lives depended on it.

Guerrero and Matias each scored a goal, sealing the victory.

‘They should’ve done this from the start… Phew, that was a close call.’

I had shouted in the heat of the moment.

But after calming down, I was sweating bullets on the inside.

If we had lost, we would have had to eat that dreadful food.

After the match, Coach Peter Guardian patted me on the shoulder and smiled.

“It would’ve been tough without you today.”

As he said, my save show became the turning point of the match.

Naturally, the Man of the Match award was mine.

The penalty kick save and the subsequent save from the rebound shot were decisive.

In the post-match interview, I humbly gave credit to my teammates.

But everyone knew that I had the biggest share in this victory.

However, what caused the biggest stir in Korea that day was something else entirely.

It was the interview with Arsenal’s manager, Michael Brown, after the match.

“Manager, you lost the match against City today. What do you think was the reason?”

Hearing that, Michael Brown thought for a moment before speaking.

“In football, tactics are important. Some try to win with possession, others with counterattacks. An outstanding striker can sometimes show play that transcends tactics.”

He glanced around at the reporters and continued with a serious expression.

“But today… today was different. It’s the first time I’ve seen it in my 20 years in football. A single goalkeeper dominating the entire match. Jeong Tae-woo… he is not just a goalkeeper.”

“So, you’re saying that you believe Jeong Tae-woo’s presence was the reason for the defeat?”

“Didn’t you reporters see it too? He neutralized all our tactics and turned all our efforts to nothing. The manager who gets to coach him is a truly blessed person. I’m really envious of Coach Peter Guardian.”

This statement from the manager of a prestigious Premier League club instantly sent Korea into a frenzy.

The interview, which evaluated an 18-year-old goalkeeper as a player beyond world-class, greatly boosted the pride of Korean football fans.

In particular, his words, “first time I’ve seen it in 20 years,” were reproduced as countless memes and dominated the internet.

Domestic sports news outlets scrambled to headline with ‘Jeong Tae-woo’s skills acknowledged by a prestigious Premier League manager.’

Overseas football experts also began to release their analyses of my performance one after another.

Notably, on the popular UK football talk show ‘Monday Night Football,’ Manchester United legend Michael Henderson and Manchester City’s eternal captain Leo spent nearly 20 minutes analyzing my play.

“Now, look at this scene.”

Henderson paused the screen and drew an arrow as he spoke.

“Look at Jeong Tae-woo’s actions. He’s slightly leaning his body to the left while spreading his fingers to the right.

At first glance, it’s a simple motion, but from the kicker’s perspective, it’s immense psychological pressure. It subtly sends the message, ‘I know which way you’re going to kick.’”

Henderson paused the screen on my expression at the moment of the penalty kick and continued.

“Look here. His gaze is already fixed to the right, and his body is ready to move. He was planning to dive to the right no matter where the opponent kicked.

It was a victory of incredible prediction and psychological warfare. Not to mention the super save that followed.”

After finishing, Henderson turned to Leo next to him.

“Leo, as a legend of City, please give us your assessment of this young goalkeeper. Your words would be a great source of strength for him.”

Leo gave an embarrassed smile and waved his hands.

“What meaning would the words of a retired player have now…”

“Can you believe it, everyone?”

Henderson turned to the audience.

“The man who brought us to despair in the Manchester Derby is acting so humble… Do you know how many sleepless nights I’ve had because of this man?”

As the studio erupted in laughter, the two legends exchanged meaningful glances.

They were once rivals in Manchester.

But now, as football experts, they were comrades watching over the growth of their juniors.

“If Henderson is going this far, I suppose I should say something too.”

Leo was lost in thought for a moment.

He knew it well.

The status he held at City and the impact his words could have.

If he were to criticize any of the current City players, that player would face immense criticism from the fans.

Of course, he had no real intention of criticizing them.

But he was well aware of how great his influence still was.

That’s why he was always careful with his words about City players.

However, he saw something similar to himself in Tae-woo, so he opened his mouth.

“Henderson’s analysis is good, but let me explain that scene from a goalkeeper’s perspective.”

“Oh, does it look different from a goalkeeper’s point of view? I was speaking from a striker’s perspective.”

“If I were in that situation, doing that would have one meaning.”

“What meaning?”

“He was right that I intended to dive to the right. But that also means I was confident I could block it even if the ball went to the left.”

“What? But his body is completely leaning to the right.”

Leo smiled slightly and leaned forward.

“This is how I see it. The reason he leaned his body as far left as possible was…”

“Even if his prediction was wrong, he wanted to leave a chance. The right side…”

He shrugged with a relaxed smile.

“Well, you can just dive and catch it.”

His words were imbued with the composure of a veteran who had guarded the goal for decades.

And the unique confidence that only a genius goalkeeper could possess.

“Hah… this is why geniuses are…”

Henderson said, shaking his head.

“No, Henderson. You’re a genius too, aren’t you?”

“Hahaha.”

“So, Leo, do you think Tae-woo can break your record?”

When people talked about Leo’s legendary records, they mentioned many things.

But at this moment, the record the host was talking about was just one.

The Premier League record for consecutive clean sheets.

An incredible 16 consecutive matches without conceding a goal.

This near-impossible record set by Leo had remained unbroken for over a decade, a legend in the Premier League.

“Haha, I’m not so sure about that. You need a lot of luck as well as skill.”

“It is a pretty unbelievable record, after all.”

Leo was lost in thought for a moment, then spoke in a serious voice.

“But… if anyone is to break this record, I think it will be Tae-woo.”

Watching the broadcast, I couldn’t help but let out a wry laugh.

Leo’s prediction of my intention was completely different from reality.

‘I just thought if he kicked left, it would go in anyway…’

Between the two of them, Henderson had accurately pinpointed my intention.

But thanks to Leo’s interpretation, I had become a genius goalkeeper who had calculated everything perfectly.

‘Well, I guess there’s no harm in that, right?’

***

At that moment, in the waiting room of an SBS music show, the members of Queendom were waiting for their first stage.

Although they were rookies, they were able to get a mid-show slot thanks to the power of a large agency and a successful debut showcase.

This was quite good treatment, as rookie groups usually perform at the beginning of the broadcast.

Of course, being rookies, they had to go around greeting their seniors.

But they were filled more with excitement than hardship.

“Are we really going on a music show…”

Excitement was evident in Mina’s voice.

“S-so… let’s not be nervous! We… we practiced hard… so if we just do what we’ve been doing… we’ll do fine!”

Jimin, as the eldest, was pretending to be calm for her younger members, but…

“I think you’re the most nervous one here, unni.”

Yuna wasn’t wrong.

Jimin was trembling more than anyone else among the four.

Anyone would think she was having a seizure.

“I… I’m fine! It’s just a little cold…”

Jimin said, rubbing her arms as an excuse.

“The air conditioner isn’t on.”

“…”

Jimin shut her mouth.

Her clumsy excuse only made her more embarrassed.

“Jimin unni said it well. It’s our first music show, so let’s do our best. We worked hard, right?”

Everyone nodded at Yuna’s words.

“I’m jealous… I wish I wasn’t nervous like Yuna.”

“I’m nervous too.”

“Huh? Really?”

Mina said, surprised.

She couldn’t believe that Yuna unni, who always maintained her composure, was also nervous.

“Of course. The first time is always nerve-wracking.”

Everyone fell silent for a moment at Yuna’s words.

The weight of the word ‘first’ settled deep in their hearts.

Years of trainee life, endless practice day and night, the time spent in the sweat-drenched practice room…

All those moments were for this ‘first time.’

“Queendom, standby in three minutes!”

At the PD’s shout, the four of them looked at each other.

Jimin’s trembling, Yuna’s nervousness, Mina’s anxiety, and Damin’s excitement were all directed toward the same place.

“Let’s just do what we’ve been doing.”

Jimin said, calming her trembling voice.

Now, her voice held the firmness of the eldest member.

“Let’s go.”

As the members left the waiting room one by one, Damin stayed behind for a moment.

With a trembling hand, she took out her phone and looked at the background screen.

It was a picture taken with Tae-woo.

The picture she would sneak a peek at whenever she was exhausted from practice, whenever she was nervous.

“Tae-woo, I’ll do well. Cheer for me.”

After whispering softly, Damin put her phone in her bag.

She checked her reflection in the mirror one last time and took a deep breath.

This was really the beginning.

The first music show.

The stage she had dreamed of for so long was right in front of her.

“Damin, we’re going to be late!”

“Yes, unni, I’m coming.”