Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 189

< A Midsummer Night's Dream >

Johann was purely happy.

It was all over.

And beautifully so.

He had reached a beautiful conclusion that satisfied everyone.

“We won…!”

“We did it…! We really did it…!”

His fellow teammates were overcome with emotion, having achieved the great feat of winning the Champions League.

“Waaaaaaaaah!”

The fans were going wild, cheering like crazy.

His family would be among those fans, rejoicing with them.

‘Now… I don’t have to do anything anymore.’

And, for himself as well.

The moment the whistle blew, signaling the end of the game,

Everyone was able to accept the satisfying result.

There couldn’t be a better ending than this.

Johann stood in the middle of the field and shouted with all his might, feeling a sense of relief wash over him.

“I’m freeee!”

*

Real Madrid players are receiving their medals. The result of today’s match must be disappointing, but Real was definitely a strong team. They will undoubtedly remain the strongest contender for the title next season.

After the atmosphere in the stadium had calmed down somewhat, the awards ceremony followed.

Real players received their runner-up medals with gloomy expressions.

Comfort and applause poured out for those Real players.

“Hold your heads high! Being runner-up is still a great achievement!”

“Yeah! You just couldn’t stop the natural disaster named Johann! It’s not your fault!”

“Still, you were a pretty strong opponent!”

Whether the consolation from the West Ham fans was comforting or not, it was true.

Being runner-up was still a great achievement.

Though it might not be satisfactory for the defending champions, Real.

Next up, the awarding of the championship medals and West Ham’s Big Ear [Champions League trophy] ceremony will follow!

After Real’s turn, it was West Ham’s turn to receive their awards.

The players headed to the podium one by one, amidst thunderous applause.

“That was an impressive defense, full of determination.”

“Thank you.”

“We gave it our all, you know.”

Starting with Jeff Hurrichel, followed by Martin Petrovic, Dani Guimarães, Mikael Jenkinson, and Shay Bellamy, the defense that held Real to just one goal received their medals.

It was widely predicted that it would be difficult to stop Real’s attacking trio with individual skills alone, but they showed what true fighting spirit was.

Without the tenacious defense of these four, Real would not have been forced to become impatient, and the game might have exploded in the early stages.

The contribution of these players to West Ham’s victory today could not be ignored.

“I was really impressed by your tireless running.”

“Haha, thank you.”

“Well, this is all I know how to do.”

Next, Team Gordon, Daniele Capello, Jonathan Naison, and Jacob Buckley, the midfield, received their medals.

Like the defense, they also showed great fighting spirit.

Gordon, Naison, and Buckley played their midfield roles while also contributing an enormous amount to the defense, and without them, the defense would have been overloaded.

Thanks to them, they were able to effectively block Real’s attacks.

“You seem somewhat disappointed. Don’t be disappointed. It was a great performance.”

The UEFA [Union of European Football Associations] president patted Capello on the shoulder, who seemed happy but still had some regrets.

Today, Capello didn’t particularly stand out as an individual.

However, Capello played a big role in preventing Real from completely dominating possession.

If Capello hadn’t been there when the ball came over, there would have been no one to hold onto the ball in the back.

Even though he didn’t have any attacking points, Capello definitely did his part.

Capello knew it too.

In fact, his disappointment wasn’t just because he couldn’t assist Johann.

“That was a really amazing goal. I’m so proud that you decorated the end with joy.”

“Thank you.”

And then, Johann received his championship medal.

“So… your thoughts on retirement haven’t changed?”

“Yes.”

“It’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. I enjoyed watching your wonderful performances all this time.”

“Thank you.”

The UEFA president, seemingly regretful, shared a light hug with Johann.

It’s a shame that today’s game is the last game of the biggest star in football.

Since Johann appeared, all the tournaments Johann participated in have recorded better-than-expected success.

That was the case with the Euros [European Championship], and it’s the same with this Champions League.

I hope this success will continue in the future, but it’s his choice.

I guess it can’t be helped.

“Congratulations. You’ve created a wonderful team.”

“I didn’t do anything. Thank you.”

Finally, Coach Schmidt received his medal.

It wasn’t humility, but sincerity.

Coach Schmidt believed that he contributed less than 5 percent to receiving this medal today.

The remaining 95 percent was entirely due to the players.

So he was just grateful to the players.

Now, the Big Ear will be handed over to the captain of the winning team, Team Gordon!

After the medal ceremony, it was time to decorate the final page of this season’s Champions League.

The UEFA president smiled and handed the Big Ear to Gordon.

“It’s heavy…”

Gordon received the Big Ear, engraved with ‘West Ham United,’ as if it were a precious treasure.

This trophy, symbolizing the European champion, is theirs.

Just two years ago, no, even a year ago, what they could never have imagined came into their arms.

“Here.”

Gordon handed the precious Big Ear to Johann.

When Johann tilted his head, Gordon urged him to take it quickly, saying his arm was hurting.

“Hold it for a bit. It’s too heavy for me to hold.”

“Me?”

“Yeah.”

Johann reluctantly took the Big Ear.

Soon, many hands pushed Johann’s back, and Johann came forward with the Big Ear.

“Hold it up nicely!”

“Oooooooooh-”

The players waved their hands down, raising the atmosphere.

Johann looked at his fellow teammates once, then bent his knees and powerfully lifted the Big Ear.

“Waaaaaaaaah!”

“Champion!”

The 2028/29 Champions League title belonged to West Ham United.

*

After all the schedules for the final were over, the night in Berlin was madness itself.

The players, who had returned to their lodgings, enjoyed the party to their hearts’ content, as if there was no tomorrow.

The doors of all the rooms were open, and the players and staff enjoyed the night of victory in their own ways.

Dad: Enjoy yourself to the fullest. You’ve worked so hard.

Johann, with his dad’s permission, enjoyed all the delicious food to his heart’s content.

He devoured it as if he were going to devour all the hotel food.

Now there was no one to stop Johann.

Diet control? Why would he do that?

Now it’s freedom.

“Hoo, hoo.”

“No, why are you controlling your breathing like you never do during a game? Stop eating when you’re full.”

“But it’s delicious.”

“You’ve been holding back a lot.”

Gordon shook his head as he watched Johann cramming food into his mouth.

He’s working harder than when he’s playing a game.

What a guy.

“What? You’re still eating?”

“You’re going to explode.”

The players, who had begun to gather in the lounge one by one, also clicked their tongues as they looked at Johann.

Before they knew it, all the players had gathered in the lounge.

“It still feels like a dream to me. It doesn’t feel real at all.”

“It feels like a dream, but it’s real. That’s right there.”

The players smiled as they looked at the Big Ear, which was proudly placed on the table.

It’s so surreal that they still can’t believe why it’s here.

They’ve done something so wonderful.

“Everyone’s worked hard. It was a really great season.”

“Yeah. It was probably the best season of my life.”

“I don’t think we’ll ever have a season like this again.”

The players spoke their minds frankly.

They had a truly dreamlike season.

They won the league undefeated, and in their first Champions League appearance, they defeated giants one after another and lifted the Big Ear.

“It was something I couldn’t even imagine, but a lot has changed since this guy came in.”

Gordon smiled as he put his hand on Johann’s shoulder.

Gordon, who had been with this team the longest of anyone here, couldn’t help but feel particularly moved.

Gordon was probably the last person to imagine that this day would come.

Just a few years ago, West Ham was a team whose goal was to advance to the Europa League, let alone win the Champions League.

That team is now a team that enjoys parties with the Big Ear standing on one side.

“It’s all thanks to you, kid.”

Gordon, who had been through the process with them, could say for sure.

There are many reasons why the team has grown so much, but all those reasons were created by Johann alone.

All the changes began after Johann joined the team, and the snowball he rolled had become a landslide, causing a cataclysm in the football world.

With the power of one boy, a mediocre mid-table team became the top team in Europe.

“I was happy thanks to you, kid.”

“Me too. It was fun.”

“To me, you’re the best player in history, Johann!”

“Man, it’s the greatest pride of my life to have been your teammate!”

The players smiled and said a word to Johann, who was still burying his nose in his plate.

It’s over today.

Playing with Johann.

It’s a shame, and it’s sad.

But, since we’re parting at the top, there’s no need to be too sad, right?

We’ve achieved everything we could.

So, we can part with a smile.

“…Burp-!”

“Ugh, jeez.”

Johann patted his stomach, unable to eat any more.

What a guy.

The older players poured out their hearts, but he must have been so focused on the food that he didn’t even listen.

I don’t feel it at all on the field, but I realize it every time this happens.

That this guy is only 17 years old.

But, in fact, Johann was listening to everything.

“But…”

“Yeah?”

“Kid? You?”

Johann frowned as he spoke.

Come to think of it, everyone’s suddenly become so informal?

The players all laughed heartily.

“What, man! I’m calling a kid a kid!”

“There’s no reason to be polite anymore!”

“Are you upset? If you don’t like it, reverse your retirement!”

“…”

How dare these guys!?

Johann clenched his fist.

However, he was too full to move.

Tch. I’ll let it go this once.

…

“Waaaaaaaaah!”

London Heathrow Airport.

As soon as the West Ham players, who had returned from Berlin, appeared, a huge cheer erupted.

It was the cheers of the West Ham fans who had come to the airport to greet the players.

“Johann Van! Johann Van!”

“Awesome! Everyone!”

“Hey! Hey! European Champions!”

Literally a triumphant return.

The players, who were slightly tired from the flight after the great event, smiled as they faced those fans.

European champion.

“Man! That’s right! We are the European champions!”

“Waaaaaaaaah!”

Buckley, excited, shouted at the fans, and the fans cheered even louder.

“Thank you for welcoming us!”

“Fans of the European champions!”

The other players also smiled and greeted the fans.

Could soldiers returning from war receive this much of a welcome?

“Johann.”

“Yes?”

Coach Schmidt, who was smiling and watching the scene, called Johann.

Then, he opened a large bag and took out something heavy.

Then he handed it to Johann.

“Show it to everyone.”

“Yes.”

Johann stepped forward in front of the fans, holding the heavy trophy.

It’s the Big Ear.

“Waaaaaaaaah!”

“It’s a perfect fit!”

“A trophy made for you!”

“Johann God! Johann God!”

When Johann lifted the Big Ear, the fans screamed as if they were fainting, and Johann smirked.

This kind of welcome wasn’t unpleasant.

*

“You’ve worked hard.”

“You’ve worked hard, our youngest!”

Johann’s family gave him a warm welcome when he returned home with a wonderful result.

“You’ve really worked hard, Johann.”

Johann could also feel it.

There was a lot of meaning in his dad’s hug and the words that he had worked hard.

So Johann hugged his dad tightly too.

“Go into your room. Your dad went to great lengths to prepare a gift.”

“A gift?”

Mom smiled and patted Johann’s butt.

A gift? What gift?

Johann opened his door.

And,

He stared at his dad with a dumbfounded face.

Dad, are you serious?

“Do you like it? I really went to great lengths, literally.”

The room was filled with Nutella jars, filling one wall.

Do I like it?

Are you even asking?

“I love you!”