Realities

The world is filled with great talents that died insignificant, stars that never got the chance to shine and artists that died hungry. If the world doesn't acknowledge you, then no matter how good you think you are, in reality, you are worthless. 

"I am giving you one more week to pay off the rent, or I will kick you out and lock the doors." Sung Min's landlord threatened as he walked out of the house. It was a Wednesday morning and Sung-Min was yet to complete his daily training. 

[Daily training: Preparation to become a legend.]

Press-up, 150 times: complete (150/150)

Sit-up, 160 timed: complete (160/160)

Squat, 150 times: complete (150/150) 

Running, 20km: Incomplete (0/20) 

He put on joggers and set out for the run outdoors, after some minutes he completed his run. 

[ Bonus Points: +10 ]

As he walked back home, he saw a group of 6 people playing football using two mini goal posts as the goal. 

He sat down at an empty spot and started to watch them play. 

'Damn, they're good, their excellent teamwork shows that they have been playing together for a long time.'

He licker on the ice cream he bought earlier as he enjoyed the entertainment. 

"Hey, can I join you?" Sung Min turned to see Kim Na-na, the coach's daughter and their assistant coach standing beside him. She was holding a girl of eight by the hand, the little girl too was licking an ice cream. 

"Sure you can have a seat," Sung Min said while pointing at the spot next to him. 

"So, this is the secret behind your sudden physique change?" Kim Na-na asked with a gentle smile. 

"Yeah, the ice cream has always been good to me." 

Kim Na-na started to giggle, "I'm talking about the fact that you exercise dummy."

"Yeah, that too..." 

"This is my baby sister." She gestured the little girl by her side. "I love bringing her out here for sight seeing, staying indoors 24/7 feels like being in a prison sometimes." 

"Yeah you could say that." Sung Min said while taking his focus back to the people playing football. 

"I heard you will be leaving the club after our next game." 

"Yeah." He's still focused at the game. 

"I've always wanted you to stay."

"Oh really, why would want that? I have never actually contributed anything meaningful to the club." 

"You inspire me."

"What do you mean?"

"You are the reason why I haven't given up on my dream of being a coach, and coaching a Premier league team one day." 

Sung-Min turned to her in surprise, "That's your dream?" 

"You can laugh if you want, a Korean girl coaching in the biggest league in the world. Sounds delusional, I know." 

"I am never going to laugh at you, it's a crazy dream and I want you to achieve it.," 

Kim Na-na smiled, "Why?"

"So I can brag to all my friends, and tell them that i knew the greatest coach in the world!." 

Kim Na-na tried to hold in the laughter, "that will be fun."

"Yeah, you said I inspired you, how did that happen?" 

"Watching the way you always worked hard, despite lacking in talent always inspired me. I always said to myself, if Lee Sung-Min could keep fighting, then Kim Na-na will fight too." Kim Na-na glanced at Sung Min, realising that she might have offended him by calling him talentless. "No offence..." She said covering her mouth. 

"None taken, hearing this is a big honour to me, I am happy I got to impact something positive in you."

She smiled heartily, "Let's always keep in touch Mr Lee Sung Min." 

"Excuse me bro," one of the people playing football earlier said to Sung Min, after getting his attention, he continued, "I noticed that you've been watching us play all this while, one of my teammate just went home and we'll like you to replace him and come play with us." 

"I'll love to join you but I am currently with someone, so I'll have to decline." Sung-Min replied politely.

"No," Kim Na-na tapped Sung-Min gently on the back, "Join then, I want to watch you play for the last time." 

"Okay..." Sung Min got up to his feet, wearing a smirk on his face, "I don't think this will be the last time after you watch me play." He then walked to the playing field with his new teammate. 

The game began and Sung Min recieved a pass, he then proceeded to dribble past the entire opposing team and score. 

Kim Na-na's jaw dropped to the ground, "what the heck just happened?"

Sung Min then began to run riot on the field, his speed, ball control, Dribbling power and shot power blew his opponents away. He was scoring from every direction. 

Kim Na-na's eyes almost left it's socket as she watched Sung Min play. 

"Nah I'm done, this is too much." One of the opposing player said after collapsing to the ground. 

"Man, it's illegal to be that good." Another added while trying to catch his breath. 

"Please tell me you are a professional footballer."

"Actually, I am." Sung-Min replied with a smile. 

"No way we just played football with a pro!"

"But I watch the Korean league and I've never seen you." 

"Lee Sung Min!!" Kim Na-na yelled out as she ran towards him, "How, how did you do all that?!" 

"I just tried some new tricks I learnt over the break." 

"What?" Kim Na-na stared at him in disbelief, "I have never seen anyone play like that before! Where have you been hiding all that?!!" 

"All those years of training finally paid of, I guess." 

"That's crazy...." Something Immidiately struck her, "you're leaving... no you can't leave yet!" 

"I don't want to..." 

"I am going to convince my dad to play you in our next match, we cannot lose you." 

 Kim Na-na her younger sister and they started running towards the park's exit. "See you on Saturday!" She yelled out right before she left the park. 

"Hey man can you give me your autograph?" One of the players said to Sung-Min. Whose cheeks turned red at the request, 'How do I tell him that I do not have one?'

Sung-Min walked into the team's dressing room on the matchday to a round of applauds from everyone in the room. 

"This is to thank you for all you have done for the team," the coach paused for a bit, and then he continued, "this will be your last game for this team, and we all want you to know that we appreciate everything you've given to this team." The coach started to clap and everyone else joined him. 

Sung Min watched the majority of the game against Osake Fc from the bench once again, by the 60th minute, the team was down by two goals. 

"Hey, did you speak to him?" He asked Kim Na-na as she walked by.

"Yes I did, he promised me he'll play you."

"Okay."

85th minute and he was still seated at the bench. 

'Damn, I guess this is it for me."

Then at the 90th minute, one of his team mate was fouled just outside the opposition eighteen yard box. The referee blew his whistle and play was paused. 

"Get ready, you are being subbed in now." Kum Na-na said to him. 

Sung Min Immidiately wore his Jersey and rushed to the changing spot. His coach drew closer to him and said, "I don't know what you did to my daughter that made her put her career on the line for you, goodluck to you though, you'll be playing as a right midfielder." 

'Midfield?'

The assistant referee raised up the changing board, and Sung Min's Jersey number appeared in green.