Monday morning. School hallway. The moment Jae-hyun steps through the gate, he knows everything’s changed.

Phones flash. Students part as he walks. His name is everywhere — not just in whispers now, but online.

> Headline 1: “Who is Kim Jae-hyun? Daehan’s Phantom Striker Turns Seonhwa Inside Out”

Headline 2: “From Benchwarmer to Game-Changer: The Rise of Korea’s Next Football Prodigy?”

A clip of his second goal has gone viral on social media. Over 300k views. The caption reads: “Is this Korea’s Isagi?”

Jae-hyun (thoughts):

So this is what it feels like. The recognition I used to dream about... But why does it feel so loud?

---

Scene 2: Coach’s Warning

Coach Park calls Jae-hyun to his office after practice. The room is quiet, blinds drawn. On his desk, scout cards are stacked in a neat pile.

Coach Park:

"You're on fire, Jae-hyun. And the scouts are circling."

Jae-hyun:

"Isn’t that a good thing?"

Coach Park (serious):

"It is. But fire burns fast when it spreads too wide. You're drawing attention. From rivals. From media. Even from your own teammates."

Jae-hyun:

"If they can’t keep up, they’ll fall behind."

Park raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t push.

Coach Park:

"Then make sure you don’t burn yourself out first."

---

Scene 3: Shifting Shadows

At lunch, the team sits together. But there's a new distance. Fewer jokes. Fewer shared laughs. Some players now speak behind hands. Jae-hyun eats alone on the end of the bench.

Soo-kyung notices.

She sits beside him and quietly pulls out her phone. She’s got a clip paused — his viral goal.

Soo-kyung:

"You looked like a pro in this. I watched it five times."

Jae-hyun (half-smiling):

"Only five?"

They laugh. Then her smile fades a little.

Soo-kyung:

"You know… you don’t have to carry everything by yourself."

Jae-hyun (quiet):

"That’s what second chances are for. To do what I didn’t before. Even if it means walking alone."

Soo-kyung (soft):

"Well… if you ever get tired of walking alone, I’m right here."

Her words hang for a moment — not romantic yet, but genuine. Supportive. He nods, and for the first time that day, something softens in his expression.

---

Scene 4: The Interview

A local sports blog interviews Jae-hyun after school. They set up on the field, camera lights glowing.

Interviewer:

"Fans are calling you the Korean Isagi. Some even say you could be national-level. Thoughts?"

Jae-hyun:

"I don’t care about comparisons. I’m not Isagi. I’m Kim Jae-hyun. And I’m just getting started."

Interviewer:

"What’s changed for you this season? Your playstyle’s completely different."

He pauses. Then smiles faintly.

Jae-hyun:

"Let’s just say I opened my eyes. And I won’t close them again."

---

Scene 5: Rumors and Resentment

Later that night, messages start circulating in team chats.

> “Coach is building the whole squad around him.”

“He doesn’t even pass unless it’s to Soo-kyung.”

“If this keeps up, he’ll be gone before nationals anyway.”

Jae-hyun sees the screenshots — someone forwards them to him anonymously.

He doesn’t reply. Just goes back to training.

---

Scene 6: Breaking Point

Late night. Rain falls lightly on the empty field.

Jae-hyun trains alone again, perfecting his ball control in the wet grass. His body is aching. Eyes burning. But he won’t stop.

Suddenly, a voice cuts through the dark.

Soo-kyung:

"You’re soaked. Are you trying to destroy your body?"

He turns. She’s holding an umbrella, her school jacket soaked from running through the rain.

Jae-hyun:

"I have to keep going."

Soo-kyung:

"Why?"

Jae-hyun (finally breaking):

"Because if I slow down… I might go back to who I was. A benchwarmer. A ghost."

She walks up slowly. Her voice is quiet, but firm.

Soo-kyung:

"You’re not that kid anymore. You’re Jae-hyun. The one who got back up. But even warriors need breath, you idiot."

She tosses him a towel.

---

Final Scene: Rise or Break

Back in his room, Jae-hyun stares at his reflection.

Jae-hyun (thoughts):

I’ve got the spotlight. The numbers. The pressure. The whispers.

He clenches a fist.

Jae-hyun (aloud):

"Then let them watch. I’ll show them what a second shot really looks like."

He picks up his phone. The screen shows the National Youth Qualifiers – 3 Weeks Countdown.

End of Chapter 6 – “The Weight of the Spotlight”

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