[Kim Saehyeon]

The day has come. The one that can shape my immediate future in the team. The one that will establish if Coach Hyun, my other teammates and I are confident enough about my recovery. The big game versus Miryeong High.

Usually, I'm my cheerful self, always ready to encourage the rest of the team. However, for some reason, I'm as tense as a violin string. Some of the others are even more nervous at me. Junbeom has thrown up out of stress twice within the past fifteen minutes.

As I expected, I'm not in the starting eleven. I'll have to impress as a substitute. It's not a bad thing, though. To defeat Miryeong, we as a team have to be on our best. I can't afford to let my ego take over the team's common goal.

Cheers erupt at the bleachers when the two starting teams are introduced. Chants for either side alternate while being interrupted by insults at the other one every once in a while. I won't let negative remarks get the best of me, though. I'm not here to run away from trouble.

The referee's whistle signals the start of the first half. Miryeong gets the first possession, which means my teammates already have to intensify the pressing. Any missed shot, any defensive mistake can prove costly. There might be time to fix an eventual disadvantage, but this possibility shouldn't be taken for granted.

Their center striker, Lee Seongjae, is their most dangerous attacking player, as well as an extremely valuable asset. I see him take the pro route quite soon. I wonder how many scouting teams have lined up for him so far.

Other players on that side to keep an eye on are Jeong Kyeongjun, their goalkeeper, Lee Hoin, their right back and Im Hyeonjun, a versatile midfielder who plays as a right inside forward. They're all really talented.

There's one player I look forward to facing, though: Ha Jeongwook. The same one who took me out of the pitch when I tore my ACL the last time we faced off. Today, he's in Miryeong's starting eleven. I hope he doesn't get subbed early so that we can play opposite one another again.

He's in perfect synergy with Seongjae and the other winger, whose name I forgot, honestly. The way the trio eludes my teammates' pressing shocks me in its display of power. Their coach must've worked them intensely over the past few months just to prepare this game.

The first goal, courtesy of Seongjae, is a walk in the park for Miryeong. The way he averts my teammates' man marking and their pressing makes them look like fools. As much as I like my team as it is, I wouldn't mind having Seongjae in the roster.

We need the equalizer goal before the break. Now. The more we wait, the worse. Miryeong restart pressing as hard as they did in the first minutes. They don't relent until they regain ball possession. On the bench, many of my teammates try to cheer to get the ones on the pitch back in track.

I catch Junbeom biting his nails. He admits. "I'm nervous as fuck. I hope Coach lets you in as soon as possible... I can't stand the idea of losing to Miryeong again." As much as I acknowledge our rivals' strength, Junbeom is right. We can't lose to them for the second time. This is the time for redemption.

Unfortunately, the other team scores again. 2-0 for them. A comeback is going to be even harder, especially now that the first half is almost over. Cheers become less and less, leaving room to a gloomier atmosphere. I can even hear some boos. "Get back in track or go back home!" yells a supporter at the top row of the bleachers.

The referee whistles twice, meaning it's time for the break. Coach Hyun gathers us in our locker room for the usual half match briefing. "Guys, what's going on? Possession in vain, inaccurate passes, sloppy defensive phase... There's a lot of fix in the next 45 minutes, and we need to do it quickly." He's right. Too many mistakes at a time.

The squad's captain, Ju Seokwon, tries to pump us up for the remainder of the game; however, his words and the tone he uses seem to suggest otherwise. "Be on the lookout, Coach is going to sub someone. We can fix the outcome of the game. We can come back, but it's time for only the best to be on pitch," he says indeed.

In particolar, Jo Sunho, who was deemed responsible for Miryeong's first goal, takes offense at Seokwon's statement, which comes with a glare in his direction. "Are you for real, Captain? What about the 'no pointing fingers' policy you talked about? Have you already forgotten."

I try to calm him down. "Listen, Sunho hyung, he didn't mean that. He just said that Coach might-"

He sharply interrupts me. "Save it. I don't need reassurance. If Coach wants to bench me, it's his decision." He turns back to Seokwon. "I know you think I'm a problem in this squad. Just tell me straight away and that's it."

Sunho bursts into tears, but barely anyone steps forward to comfort him. The few who try, including myself, get pushed away. Junbeom intervenes. "Maybe we should just leave him alone. He's already under a lot of pressure." Spot on.

As the team scatters for the rest of the break, I look for my family for reassurance. However, I can't find them. They must've gone to the toilet. On the other hand, I notice Sara and Byeonghee's presence. I wave at them, and they reach me.

Byeonghee, who hasn't followed through the area's sports events, asks, "Are Miryeong that good? God, their top striker could already be at pro level!"

"Well, they defeated us last time, but usually it's us winning," replies Sara in an expectant tone. "I think we can come back and bag this game. Right, Saehyeon?"

I nod. "Yeah, kind of." I hesitate, before revealing the falling out between Sunho and Seokwon. "It could be better. I don't think Sunho will play the second half. Most of the team have blamed only him for Seongjae's score."

"But football is a team sport!" exclaims Byeonghee in shock. "Why should only one take the blame for a loss?"

"Byeonghee, we may be down two goals, but it's not over yet. Don't take for granted we're going to lose." I advise, something Byeonghee accepts without making a fuss. Then, I continue. "Trust the process. We can do it."

I give both him and Sara high fives when I hear someone calling me. "Come on, Saehyeon, come back in!"

"Sorry, captain, I'm coming! Wait!" I rush back to the locker room, following Seokwon, who has already stepped inside by the time I no longer see Sara or Byeonghee.

Coach Hyun singles me out for a set of instructions. "Saehyeon, you're entering now. I expect you to guide the midfield like you've always done. I trust you, so-" He doesn't finish the latest sentence, much to my surprise.

Therefore, I conclude for him. "I won't let the team down. I still believe we can win. Don't worry, Coach, I'll give my all, like always."

"Don't get injured again, though. We really need you." This time, Coach's statement comes off as a joke—anyway, I have good reasons to believe he's still worried because of my previous injury.

"No, no, it won't happen again. I'll be okay." I let out a sigh of relief. The showdown isn't over. On the contrary, it's safe to say the best part is yet to come.