Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 111

< Sir Yohan Van (1) >

Even after the awards ceremony, Yohan’s newfound freedom was hard-earned.

“Euro 2028, Tournament MVP! Congratulations again, Yohan Van!”

The announcer’s voice boomed, listing his achievements. “Group Stage: 2 goals against Hungary, 1 goal against Sweden, 2 goals against Ukraine. Round of 16: 2 goals against Serbia. Quarter-finals: 3 goals against Germany. Semi-finals: 2 goals against France. And today, the final: 3 goals. Yohan Van scored 15 goals in 7 games. Who else could possibly receive the MVP award?”

The announcer gestured grandly. “Everyone in the stadium is bowing their heads, arms outstretched towards Yohan in adulation. Shouldn’t we do the same?”

A teammate chuckled. “Haha, should we?”

“Worship him!” another yelled playfully.

First, Yohan had to endure another round on stage for the individual awards.

He swept both the tournament’s top scorer award and the MVP award with ease.

While the entire England team had performed exceptionally well throughout the tournament, no one could deny that Yohan’s contribution was the greatest factor in achieving victory.

When Yohan received the MVP trophy, not only the England fans but also his teammates made exaggerated gestures of worship.

“Come on! England!” The crowd roared.

After the awards ceremony, he had to greet the throngs of spectators who had come to the stadium, their support unwavering.

Of course, he also had to pose for countless pictures with his teammates.

Everyone wanted a picture with Yohan, often disregarding the other teammates, which only served to irritate Yohan further.

To be honest, they were all being quite clingy.

“Hey, kid. How about we head back to the accommodation and play a game of futsal [a variant of soccer played indoors on a hard court] or something?”

“…Are you serious?” Yohan asked, surprised.

“It’s a shame, isn’t it? Today’s the last time we’re playing on the same team for a while.”

“I’m not sad at all, though,” Yohan retorted dryly.

“Geez, you’re so heartless,” the teammate replied, feigning hurt.

Shay Bellamy was the clingiest of them all.

Honestly, it had been a really fun tournament… for Bellamy, anyway.

Watching the opposing defenders struggle against Yohan was hilarious, not pitiful. It was just plain hilarious.

But, the thought that today was the last time he’d be playing alongside this guy gnawed at him.

And the prospect of facing him as an opponent again filled him with a sense of regret and trepidation.

“Haa, should I just transfer over?”

“To where?” Yohan asked, raising an eyebrow.

“To your team! Haha!” Shay Bellamy joked, patting Yohan’s shoulder.

Yohan shrugged, unimpressed.

He was tired, but it was undeniably a beautiful night.

For now, it was all over.

That was enough for Yohan.

—

[EURO2028 FINAL] England 3 : 0 Spain… England’s first-ever win

└ I’m glad I could witness this moment before I die

└ The world’s strongest, the home of football, England!!

└ The trophy has finally come home

└ It’s back… it’s come a long way around…

└ It went around and around and around and came back. Anyway, I’m glad it’s back now

└ The national team is awesome!! Let’s aim for the World Cup win too!

[EURO2028] Yohan Van scores England’s first and last goals… Hat-trick in the final, Yohan Van selected as Tournament MVP

└ The most impactful performance in a single tournament ever. Just looking at this Euro, he’s not inferior to Pele, Maradona, or Messi

└ He might be even better if you only look at one tournament

└ Don’t forget, everyone. This player is 17 years old

└ We might be watching the birth of the GOAT [Greatest Of All Time] in real-time

└ I don’t care if those damn football experts or South Americans try to argue. At this moment, the greatest player of all time for me is Yohan

└ Agreed

└ No one’s arguing.

-Ballon d’Or [an annual football award presented to the best male player] odds fluctuate wildly after the final… The gap between 1st and 2nd place widens significantly. Yohan Van 1/20, Fernando Viega 17/3

-The Euro trophy returns home… Will the Ballon d’Or come too?

-West Ham aims to win the league next season… Will do everything to keep Yohan

-Man City targets Yohan again this summer… Will they pull out a blank check?

-Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain interested in Yohan… Unlikely to happen

-Yohan Van, ranked #1 most desirable man to marry by British women… First minor to achieve this

The long 2027/28 season finally came to an end with the Euro 2028 final.

However, it seemed that Yohan would have to wait a little longer for a comfortable rest, as he had hoped.

Since they had won their first-ever championship, there was no way the country would leave the national team players alone.

The day after the final was designated as a special public holiday, and the whole country, the whole city, was in an uproar.

People rushed out into the streets to enjoy the lingering excitement of the victory.

The fervor was so great that the car parade scheduled immediately after the final was temporarily canceled.

If they held the car parade now, it seemed certain that an accident would occur.

However, even though the car parade was canceled, many other events remained.

Interviews with various media outlets, attending a luncheon with the Prime Minister.

After finishing the tedious events, Yohan was finally able to return home with great difficulty.

The house he returned to after a month felt incredibly cozy.

The family welcomed Yohan like a son returning from military service, and he ate his mom’s cooking, as it was a special day, and slept as much as he wanted, something he had been longing for throughout the tournament.

He slept so much that he woke up with a sore back, and a whole day had passed.

“Umm…”

“Oh, you’re awake. Are you hungry?”

“Yeah… um? What’s that?” Yohan asked, noticing something new in the living room.

“Ah, that. I thought we’d need one, so I had it made,” his mother replied.

Yohan rubbed his eyes and came out to the living room, where a strange, large piece of furniture came into his sight.

It was a display case, prominently placed in the most visible spot.

“Dad’s was full. Now we have to fill it with only yours. This is custom-made, you know?” Lohan said, grinning, as he came out of his room, hearing Yohan’s voice in the living room.

The custom-made display case was already filled with the medals and trophies Yohan had received during the past season.

From the numerous PL [Premier League] Player of the Month awards to the league’s top scorer trophy, the European Golden Shoe, the PFA [Professional Footballers’ Association] Player of the Year award, the FA Cup winner’s medal, the Golden Boy award, and the brand-new Euro trophy and MVP trophy.

Looking at it like this, there were so many.

Because these were all the awards he received in just one season.

There wouldn’t have been enough space to display them together in Ban Seok-ho’s display case.

“But, do you know why I specifically had it custom-made?” Ban Seok-ho asked.

“Why?”

“Here, the top shelf. The most shining trophy will go here now.”

“…What is it? Is there still a tournament left? Do I have to go to another tournament?” Yohan asked, a hint of dread in his voice.

“No, not that,” Lohan replied, chuckling.

Lohan and Ban Seok-ho grinned.

“The Nobel Prize of the football world. The Ballon d’Or will soon be displayed here, that’s what I’m saying.”

“The Ballon d’Or in our house. You’re really… the son I gave birth to…” Kim Ra-hee said, overcome with emotion.

“Yohan. You’re really the pride of our family and the pride of West Ham,” Ban Seok-ho added.

Lohan and Ban Seok-ho were making faces as if they were dying of excitement.

Yohan, on the other hand, grabbed his stomach, which was making rumbling noises, with an indifferent expression.

Ballon d’Or? Who cares.

“Ballon d’Or or whatever, I’m going to eat,” Yohan declared.

“Okay. Wait a minute. Dad will make it for you. Oh, but wait. Yohan,” Ban Seok-ho said.

“Yes?”

“We got a call. They’re inviting you to the palace this weekend. It seems they’re going to hold an investiture ceremony [a formal ceremony conferring knighthood or other honors].”

“This weekend?” Yohan asked.

At Ban Seok-ho’s words, Yohan’s face, which had shown no interest even at the mention of the Ballon d’Or, finally lit up.

“…Okay.”

Now, it was time to receive the rewards for all the hardships he had endured.

—

July 18, 2028.

London, Buckingham Palace.

“…Ugh. I’m nervous,” one of the players muttered.

“Um, we can just follow what the older guys do, right?” another asked.

“I don’t know, you idiot. This is our first time too,” came the reply.

“Look at the coach being nervous too,” someone pointed out.

“Hoo. This is the most nervous I’ve ever been in my life,” Coach Lanister admitted.

“Why are you all so nervous? It’s nothing compared to the final,” Yohan said dismissively.

The England national team players, gathered in the palace banquet hall where the investiture ceremony was to be held, were checking their attire and preparing for the ceremony with excited expressions.

Certainly, the England national football team’s first-ever victory was a great event for the country as a whole.

Today’s ceremony was a special one.

A ceremony solely for the national team players.

All the players who participated in this Euro were selected as recipients of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), 5th class, and Shane Murray, the team captain, was to receive the 4th class Officer of the Order (OBE), and Coach Lanister was to receive the 3rd class Commander of the Order (CBE).

“Mr. Yohan, please stand separately over here,” an aide instructed.

“Yes? Just me?” Yohan asked, surprised.

“Yes. That’s right.”

And Yohan, in recognition of his outstanding performance in this tournament, was to receive the same Officer of the Order (OBE) as Murray, and in addition, the title of Knight Bachelor, the lowest rank of knighthood.

Knight Bachelor.

So, after today’s ceremony, the title ‘Sir’ would be attached to Yohan’s name.

“Please move without any mistakes as explained. Everyone, please prepare,” the aide instructed.

“Hoo,” the players sighed, steeling themselves.

Under the guidance of the aide, the players stood in a row in the hallway.

Soon, the door to the banquet hall opened.

“Forward, march!”

Under the escort of the British Royal Guards, the players began to enter in order.

“It’s Yohan’s turn,” Kim Ra-hee whispered.

“Oh my goodness. I can’t believe this is happening,” Ban Seok-ho replied, equally nervous.

Ban Seok-ho and Kim Ra-hee, who had been invited as Yohan’s guests and were watching the ceremony while sitting in the banquet hall, looked nervous as Yohan’s turn approached.

Even when their son goes out to receive an attendance award at school, parents get nervous.

But what he was about to receive now was an award from the British Royal Family.

They could only hope that Yohan wouldn’t do anything foolish.

“Next. Yohan Van,” the announcer proclaimed.

As Yohan’s name was called, Ban Seok-ho and Kim Ra-hee held each other’s hands tightly.

“The above member participated in the European Football Championship held this year as a representative of England, swept the top scorer and MVP awards, and made outstanding contributions to England’s victory. Therefore, the Royal Family bestows upon the above member the Order of the British Empire and the title of Knight Bachelor.”

Contrary to their worries that he might come out with a bothered expression even in this kind of setting.

Yohan’s figure, walking out in a neat suit, was dignified.

At that sight, Ban Seok-ho made a touching expression, and Kim Ra-hee covered her mouth, tears welling up.

Also, although it was a place that should be very solemn.

Small exclamations even burst out from various parts of the banquet hall.

In old-fashioned terms, England’s victory was like a victory in war, and Yohan was the number one contributor to that victory.

It was only natural that all the attendees looked up to Yohan.

Also, the Crown Prince, who was known as today’s award presenter and a football fan, was also looking at Yohan with a pleased expression.

“…”

Unlike the other players, Yohan was the only one to receive the title of knighthood along with the medal, so he knelt on one knee in front of the Crown Prince, and the ceremony of touching both shoulders with a sword followed.

Then, after getting up again and shaking hands with the Crown Prince.

“You were great,” the Crown Prince said.

“Thank you,” Yohan replied.

The Order of the British Empire was placed on Yohan’s chest, and a medal was hung around his neck.

“Sir Yohan, please exit this way,” the aide said, using the title of Sir as he guided him.

As he did, Yohan thought.

‘What should I do first?’

Now that he’s become a nobleman, what should he try to do first?

It was a happy dilemma.

“Now, you can’t just tackle me recklessly,” Yohan declared.

“What?” Bellamy asked, confused.

“I’m a ‘Sir,’ you know,” Yohan said with a straight face.

“Hahaha! That’s right!” Bellamy laughed.

“I can’t call you ‘kid’ anymore,” another teammate chimed in.

“Of course. How dare you call Sir Yohan ‘kid.’ That’s an insult to the Royal Family,” a third joked.

“You can’t just commit fouls either. That’s a challenge to the British Empire. Haha!” a fourth added.

After the ceremony, the players, who had been relieved of their tension, joked and laughed.

Except for Yohan, of course.

Because Yohan was serious.

“This is the last time we’re gathering like this, should we play a game of futsal or something before we go?” Bellamy asked.

“Bellamy. You’ve really grown fond of us,” a teammate said.

“To be exact, I’ve grown fond of Yohan, no, Sir Yohan. But, from tomorrow, we’re enemies again,” Bellamy clarified.

“Yeah. We’re enemies again now,” another agreed.

“Geez. You guys have no blood or tears,” Bellamy lamented.

This national team would be officially disbanded today.

Now, they would return to their respective teams to prepare for the upcoming new season, and when the season started, they would try to defeat each other as they always had.

This national team, which had an unusual level of camaraderie, couldn’t help it.

Now, they were just enemies fighting for the championship trophy.

Even if that opponent was Yohan, who was revered as a god within the national team during the tournament.

However, Yohan’s thoughts were a little different.

“Enemies?” Yohan questioned.

“Yeah. Unless you’re coming to our team, you’re an enemy too,” Bellamy confirmed.

“So, are you saying that you dare to have a member of the Royal Family as an enemy?” Yohan asked, his expression unreadable.

“…Huh?” Bellamy stammered.

Looking at Yohan, who was speaking without a hint of a smile, the players made blank expressions for a moment.

Then,

“Hahahahaha!”

“This guy suddenly got humorous?”