Chapter 8

8

3. If you're going to act like that (1)

There's a hooligan family.

Is this their backing?

Naturally, I couldn't find any information about it through an internet search.

Beep.

A notification popped up on the screen, indicating that Harry had called. I stopped searching, pressed the call button, and slowly walked towards the training ground while holding the phone to my ear.

-Did nothing happen yesterday?

While I was debating whether to tell him about what just happened, Harry started talking rapidly.

-I have an urgent matter and won't be able to come down for a while. I've already sent the necessary documents via email. I sent them to the email address Katie gave me, but should I send them to a different one?

"No, that's fine."

-Okay, then I'll tell you what you need to do. In addition to interpreting, you'll have to assist with a few other tasks. It's not a big deal.

"Really?"

I welcome the work. I had too much free time just filming and interpreting.

-Our Customer Service team needs to compile the player's training data and send it to the Football Consultant team (most of whom are former players or coaches who provide advice to the agency's players). Usually, we check it once a week, but since Seba needs to transfer at the end of this season, we need daily data.

"Ah, I see."

So, the Football Consultant team will give the player the necessary advice and check his physical condition. They need to evaluate him to recommend him to a club. I see.

So, I need to create that training data. Do I just send the videos?

-You'll be creating the training data.

I thought I had it right, but Harry wasn't finished.

-There will be a daily report form in the email. Fill in Seba's training log, diet, relationships with other players, and the coaching staff, and compress the videos you take each day. Send them to me once a week.

"Really?"

He just said it wasn't a big deal.

-If there's an urgent matter like an injury, contact Katie immediately. The operations team will take the necessary actions.

I'm not just hired as an interpreter but as an agency employee to handle interpreting duties, so that's why I'm getting this pile of work.

Well, they won't be too strict with a new hire. I'll give it a try. Maybe the high weekly pay is because of this.

"Got it. But..."

I decided to bring up Liam Grant and talk about Seba.

Seba doesn't seem to eat breakfast well.

And then I continued.

"When will you assign a new person? Shouldn't the agency hire someone? He's been eating cereal for a month."

-...

Harry, who was speaking confidently, couldn't answer properly.

After about ten seconds, Harry's cautious voice came through.

-Can you possibly take care of his meals? I'll cover the expenses. Just taking care of breakfast would be fine. The agency has some issues and can't find anyone.

Harry's voice sounded gloomy over the phone.

I said half-jokingly, half-seriously.

"Will you raise my weekly pay?"

-Well, well... I can try to give you a small amount from my own pocket... if you can cut down on eating a bit...

"It's a joke."

Harry was speechless.

I walked through the corridor and out to the training ground. Seba, who was stretching alone, waved at me.

I waved back and said to Harry,

"I can eat breakfast with him. Do you have a diet plan? I saw Seba eating quite healthily yesterday."

-Yeah, I'll send it to you after the call.

Alright, that's settled. Second matter.

"By the way, do you know a hooligan group called ...?"

-Why do you want to know?

"I overheard it and was just curious."

-It's a bad place. The biggest gang in Brighton & Hove. They only act as hooligans during matches, but they're just a gang otherwise.

"Really? They... shoot guns and stuff?"

-Yeah. They're even more dangerous because they're from the seaside.

Huh?

I glanced at Liam Grant and two other players coming out of the dressing room and ended the call with Harry.

The image of me glaring at Liam Grant and speaking firmly flashed through my mind.

Hmm.

I need to be careful and gather information step by step.

Yeah, I need to gather information first.

This isn't because I'm scared. I need to know to do anything, right?

*

The weekend passed without any significant information, and it was now Monday.

For six days, the Nuclear Waste Trio did nothing as Liam Grant had said. I tried to tail them, but the club didn't give me their home addresses.

The club officials didn't talk to me beyond what was necessary, and the players avoided me.

Since I could only rely on the Helper, I gathered their information every day, but...

-He has a hole in his sock.

-He's exhausted after a vigorous night.

-He has a slight masochistic tendency.

I only got useless information. Thinking about it now, it's ridiculous what they tell me. I feel dirty learning strange things I'm not even curious about. I even found out about Seba's secret hobbies, making it hard to look him in the eye in the morning.

I couldn't help but gather information when I got within about 10 meters of them. It was convenient but also a headache.

I tried to gather information on the Nuclear Waste Trio like a spy in a movie, but being a beginner, I could only gather the Helper's information during the weekdays while preparing the agency's reports.

There was a lot to record while filming Seba's training, and I spent a lot of time buying fresh ingredients at the supermarket every evening, making reports, and editing videos. I also had to take care of Seba's breakfast.

Thinking I couldn't just sit idly, I followed the game on Saturday and added the Helper's information. On Sunday, I tailed Liam Grant and gathered information for the whole day.

-He'll be hungover for a day.

It was frustrating that the information was useless. I hoped Liam Grant had gone to an illegal place, but it was just a regular club, and he didn't do any drugs. He went straight to a hotel after leaving the club.

I went to Seba's house early in the morning to prepare breakfast. I thought he was going for personal training, but he said it was his day off and would stay at home. So, I borrowed his car and parked in front of the hotel.

I planned how to deal with the Nuclear Waste Trio in the car. Liam Grant didn't come out all day, not even last night. Damn.

The only achievement so far is realizing that the Helper doesn't always give useful information.

"Missed you! Blue Falcon."

When I opened the door to Seba's house to prepare breakfast, Seba, who was drying his hair, ran out and carefully checked the blue Audi I had just parked.

Satisfied that there was no damage, he leaned on the hood and rubbed his body.

"Hey, you'll catch a cold."

"I'm fine."

"Is that its name? Blue Falcon?"

"Yeah, isn't it cute? Hey?"

Seba turned his gaze from the Blue Falcon to me and asked playfully.

"What did you do all night? Your eyes are so puffy. Did you meet someone?"

I touched under my eyes. They were indeed a bit swollen.

"I wish I had someone to meet..."

"Really? Maybe a guy?"

I frowned, and Seba chuckled and went back inside. He's been laughing a lot lately, and seeing him like this made me feel good too.

After breakfast, we headed to the club for the morning training.

I rolled down the window and enjoyed the familiar sea breeze of Brighton. Tomorrow is the last day of the one-week period the trio mentioned and the day Katie Coovert said I could terminate the contract without any conditions.

Hmm. I'm getting nervous again. I hope I get some useful information today...

We arrived at the training ground early, and a coach spotted us and told us the manager wanted to see us.

"Has he ever called you before?"

"No, this is the first time since I transferred..."

We followed the coach to the manager's office.

Why did the manager, who usually just sits with his arms crossed during meetings and training, call Seba? The only time the manager took action was when Seba used his elbow, and he was happy about it. I was puzzled.

The confusion was quickly resolved.

"I've been putting up with this for months, but I can't take it anymore. Do you know that the team can't gel because of you? Decide now: are you going to try to adapt, or will you stop coming to training for the rest of the season?"

What?