[Kim Saehyeon]

The last five months have been rough for the football team. Not being able to take part in any activities with the rest of the squad due to my injury has been frustrating on one part; on the other hand, this has allowed me to realign my focus on myself.

I've mostly counted on support from my family and friends, my biggest supporters. Without them, I don't think I would've overcome the mental block stemming from months without being able to play football.

Fortunately, the Fall Tournament is about to start, which means I'll have to put even more effort than before to prove my worth. I believe the team can still count on me. May I be damned if it were the opposite.

***

When Coach Hyun gathers the entire squad for the training session marking the effective start of the warm-up to the tournament, he's glad to welcome me back. Although he and the team were able to make up for my absence, they have missed me over this time.

Of course, my teammates cheer for my return. "Welcome back, Saehyeon!" they say in unison. One of them, Shin Junbeom, the starting right winger, has even brought pastries from home. As much as I appreciate the gesture, I don't think Coach Hyun finds it appropriate.

So, I try to defuse the situation without sounding impolite. "Look, Junbeom, how about we gather at the end of the session and try your sweet treats later?"

He accepts my suggestion. "That's fine for me. Fighting!"

Coach gains our attention with a simple hand gesture. "Team, listen carefully. As you know, the Fall Tournament will start in ten days. I need you all to be at your best, both physically and mentally. I won't play anyone who's unfit. Is that clear?" Everyone nods, including myself. Unless I regain my shape in record time, I'll be a substitute at best for these coming games.

"Now, let's start. Our first match will be against Miryeong High. We can't make a poor figure like last time. Make me proud." The last three words sound like a threat. While Coach Hyun means to encourage us and push us to do even better, some of my teammates are already scared.

They fear being cut if they underperform, which is perfectly understandable. However, I don't think failure should be the defining factor for their high school football career. I mean, we aren't even professionals just yet.

The training session starts and finishes on a high, with each of us giving our all to impress in this crucial match. This is our chance at redemption. It's not just the team's, it's mine as well. I'll prove I can bounce back after that terrible injury.

As we head to the showers, Junbeom stops me on my tracks. "Don't forget my little presents. I mean, am I or am I not your favorite dongsaeng?" I try hard not to laugh too loud. He's so stubborn. The more I try to ignore him, the more he insists.

I reply in a playful tone, "You're right. Sorry, I was distracted." Maybe it's true, maybe it's not. What's certain is that I don't want to disappoint Junbeom and, most importantly, pass off as rude.

"Then, I'll wait for you when we're both done changing, okay?"

"Fine. See you later, then." I can't wait to get over this ordeal. As much as I find Junbeom likeable, he can be a little overwhelming. I don't know whether this stems more from his enthusiasm and positive demeanor, or his tendency to become stubborn until he attains a certain goal.

As I start changing back into my regular uniform, I overhear Baram and another team member, Taejun, giggle behind their back. What's as quiet as a whisper erupts into bolsterous laughter. I wonder what they find entertaining to the point that everyone in the dressing room hears them cackling.

I take notice of their behavior. "What are you two doing? Is there anything wrong?"

"Oh, no, nothing serious." Baram's answer, instead of reassuring me, baffles me. What are he and Taejun hiding? Is it such a trivial matter that they can laugh it off? Or is it serious enough for them to be actually worried and need to mask it under a layer of giggles?

I insist. "Define 'nothing serious.' Please, Baram, I mean it."

This time, it's not Baram who answers, but Taejun. "For real, it's not a pressing matter. You don't have to worry. We were just telling each other jokes." I believe him. I can see why Taejun and Baram are so prone to laughter. They're two pranksters, as well as the most likely to tell bad puns to the rest of the team.

Anyway, I leave them be and finish changing. I can't have Junbeom keep waiting for me because I'm slow. Well... It looks like I don't have to look for him anymore. He has just come to the dressing room instead. I point out, "I thought you'd wait outside."

"Well, it's getting late and I have other stuff to take care of later, so, at this point, why not just look for you?" He isn't completely wrong. Dealing with Baram and Taejun has taken up quite some time.

Junbeom hands me a pink paper back, shut with duct tape and adorned with a nice yellow ribbon. I take it and thank him for the gift, but he just bows before bolting out. At times I can't understand him. Maybe it's for the better, but I truly wish I knew why.

I carefully place the bag in my backpack, which I zip. Then, I check if I haven't left anything unattended and leave the dressing room. Since neither Baram nor Taejun follow me, I walk straight home. I'm sure the bag contains the pastries Junbeom promised he'd gift me earlier.

***

At home, Mom notices I'm smiling and states, "I take it as a good sign. Do you think Coach Hyun will let you be a starter for the first game of the tournament?"

"No," I explain. "He thinks I have yet to find my best form. I'll start from the bench and be a sub at least for the first games."

"That makes sense. We'll be there to cheer for your return to the team, no matter if and how much you play." She realizes I'm opening my backpack to pick the pink bag. So, she asks, "What are you hiding there?"

I come clean. "Pastries. Just a little gift from Junbeom."

"Oh, what a surprise!" Well, she doesn't seem to know Junbeom very well. Only God knows how long he has waited just to hand me the sweet treats. Mom clears her throat to snap me out of my thoughts, then continues, "Let me bring a tray. They're perfect after dinner!"

She calls the rest of the family for the occasion: Dad, my three sisters and Grandma, who has joined us tonight. Expectations rise as Mom tells them about the upcoming game between Duckyoung and Miryeong. I'll have to live up to them in order not to disappoint my family.

For a moment, I set the thought of the showdown aside. I prefer living in the present as of now, and it's a sweet one. The pastries taste so good. I wonder where Junbeom bought them, or if he or any of his family members made them from scratch. Oh, never mind. I have to keep myself from finishing them all in one sitting.