RE: Keep it in the Family (Secret Class) 177 — The German Proposition

Director Lee's POV:

A solemn hush enveloped the executive lounge of the Westin Josun Hotel, where the future of a nation's top prodigy hung in balance—destined either to ascend into a brilliant constellation or erupt in a spectacular supernova.

From Director Lee's position by the towering floor-to-ceiling window, Seoul lay spread out below. Atop his table sat a forgotten cup of chilled tea beside a leather-bound notebook flipped open to pages scribbled with urgent notes from his recent Bangkok journeys.

He glanced at his watch. 

The elevator pinged gently.

Right on schedule, the doors parted with a soft hiss, and a man stepped inside.

Tall in stature, he possessed eyes like chips of ice—slightly bloodshot and weary, suggesting a sleepless night—and tousled dirty blonde hair. His navy suit was impeccably tailored, far too precise for off-the-shelf, and he clutched a weathered leather briefcase that seemed to have logged more miles than a frequent-flying pilot.

"Director Lee." The man announced while extending his hand upon nearing. His clasp was strong, his skin rough and dry. "Markus Weber. Borussia Dortmund. Chief of Scouting."

"Mr. Weber." Lee rose to his feet, clasping the hand and observing the strain etched on the German's features. "Please, have a seat."

They took their seats. Weber brushed off the menu with a quick hand gesture, opting for sparkling water instead. Rather than reclining into the cushioned armchair, he perched on its forward edge, back straight and tense.

"I won't waste your time with pleasantries about the weather or the flight, Director." Weber started, his English carrying a precise accent. "I haven't slept in thirty hours, and I assume you are a busy man."

Lee nodded deliberately, valuing the straightforward approach. "I figured you'd show up. It seemed half of Europe was at the final. Word spreads quickly, doesn't it?"

"No." Weber shot back firmly, eyes sharpening. "Half of Europe dispatched their junior regional scouts to the final to compile reports that will languish on a Sporting Director's desk for weeks, collecting dust." His eyes rolled at the thought of such overlooked promise. "I have been in Asia for three weeks. "

Lee hesitated briefly. "You observed the group stages?"

"I watched ." Weber affirmed. "I stood in the stands as South Korea crushed Iraq. I witnessed their demolition of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. I viewed the Yemen clash from the touchline. And naturally, I was present when they systematically dismantled Australia. Your South Korean squad is quite the outlier."

He bent forward, voice dropping to a hush.

"Anyway... I didn't attend to draft a report. I came to verify what I suspected. To check if the boy could deliver consistently—under fatigue, on poor pitches, against foes aiming to snap his legs."

"......"

Weber unlatched his briefcase with a sharp click. Across the table slid a tablet displaying a paused frame: a figure twisting airborne, expertly controlling a chested ball. Jae-il, hemmed by three white jerseys. Three against one.

Defying those odds, Jae-il had triumphed before netting the goal. Lee had viewed every match.

"I have been doing this for twenty years." Weber declared, jabbing the screen with a neatly trimmed finger. "I was the one who found playing barefoot in the streets of Montevideo before Madrid even knew his name. I scouted in Norway when he was still lanky and awkward. I know what 'good' looks like. I know what 'great' looks like."

Locking eyes with Lee, his face turned solemn.

"This kid? This Cha Jae-il? Oh, he's beyond that."

Lee maintained a neutral expression, concealing the surge of pride within. After all, Jae-il shone as the academy's treasure. "We recognize his talent, Mr. Weber. He stands as our academy's pride."

"With respect, I don't think you fully comprehend its magnitude." Weber retorted, scoffing lightly without intending offense. "You view a Korean prodigy. I see someone a mere half-step from greatness, maybe even legendary status. A figure who could lead a dynasty's revival and restore a waning institution's glory. Do you realize how exceptional this kid is at present? Can you fathom the caliber of individual you possess?"

"You offer quite the lofty assessment of Jae-il, I must admit."

"Not without reason, Director." Weber pressed closer. "We're talking about a talent whose very existence shifts an entire league's financial landscape. Do you grasp the value of what lies within your grasp right now, Director? He is the next . The next . And I am not departing Seoul without his signature."

Lee sipped his cooled tea, steadying the faint tremble in his hand. He had anticipated this moment. Yet its intensity and timing caught him off guard.

"You want him."

"I want him yesterday." Weber fired back without pause. "And I want Kim Jun-hwan today."

Lee arched a brow, surprised internally—though logically anticipated. "You want Kim Jun-hwan too?"

South Korea's most promising young stars, ripe for the German's taking.

"The midfielder comprehends Cha Jae-il." Weber clarified casually, like basic math. "Jae-il serves as the spear, but Jun-hwan wields it with precision. Their synergy dazzles. They form an unbreakable system. The manner in which they operate, how Cha Jae-il spots the ideal chance in split seconds, his accuracy, his skill in delivering Kim Jun-hwan the perfect ball at the precise angle and speed for a sure assist —that defies duplication with others. Only they achieve it. It's their innate synergy and sharp foresight. Remarkable, to understate it. I haven't witnessed such since..." He drifted off, gaze distant in recollection.

Lee breathed out quietly.

"Look, I am no fool. Their partnership has proven... extraordinary, mildly stated. The outcome of two elite players syncing flawlessly, intuitively uniting as one. Finding one such talent proves challenging; securing both? Any expert recognizes that South Korea's ascent to dominance stems entirely from those two."

"......"

Lee waited silently as Weber caught his breath and sipped his sparkling water. Naturally, he understood as well. Jae-il and Jun-hwan had propelled the U-17 South Korean side to unprecedented heights.

They outclassed all peers in their age group, surpassing even the senior squad.

Their fame grew daily.

"The club demands both." The German pressed, accent thickening with urgency. "Separating them would prove disastrously inefficient. We both."

Director Lee recognized Borussia Dortmund's thirst for new talent after narrowly escaping relegation to Bundesliga's second tier. The concern made sense, yet felt inevitable. Their star midfielder had retired seasons back, leaving a void in stability.

"A package deal, then." Lee pondered aloud. "That adds complexity."

"It streamlines matters." Weber countered. "Adapting to Europe proves brutal. Culture clash, language barriers, unfamiliar cuisine, immense pressure, vast distances, profound loneliness... young players must deliver elite performances almost immediately." A brief smirk highlighted the madness. "Untested prospects often crumble swiftly, a wonder more clubs haven't gone bankrupt chasing overseas high-potentials. It's roulette for those European powerhouses, lacking insight to select enduring stars fit for top global leagues."

"Mr. Weber." Lee reclined, legs crossed. "You overlook a vital point. They're fifteen and sixteen. FIFA's Article 19 bans international minor transfers absent strict conditions. Parents must relocate for non-football motives, or..."

"Or..." Weber cut in, a predatory grin curling his lips. "We leverage the new '' exception under FIFA Council's pilot."

Lee froze momentarily. He knew the initiative—a divisive trial enabling elite federations in football or basketball to seek 'exempted' under-18 transfers, bending child labor norms.

Contingent on assured schooling, elite welfare, and pro pathways.

Aimed at curbing illicit youth trafficking to dubious academies, yet a boon for industry titans in reality.

"That's a treacherous regulatory path." Lee observed wearily, tinged with anticipation. "The documents alone demand months. And it lacks full approval for Asian talents yet."

"Approval hits next month." Weber stated assuredly, backed by key connections. "Our lawyers prepare guardianship docs now. We'll enroll Jae-il and Jun-hwan in Dortmund's elite international school. Complete accommodations, tutors, full support team. Families relocate if needed. FC Seoul gets an unprecedented compensation windfall."

Weber inched nearer, fingers forming a steeple beneath his chin, grin broadening and chilling Lee's core.

"Director Lee, grasp the pressing need. It transcends our desire. Far greater forces approach."