Four days later, he found himself in Tokyo.
Not the bustling, neon-drenched version you see in movies, but a serene little spot tucked away near Shibuya. The rain softly tapped against the café windows, filling the air with the rich aroma of fresh matcha. Laurence settled into a corner table, his notebook open and pen poised.
Here, far from the island's sweltering heat and the grind of boardroom politics, he felt time slow down. People moved with purpose, unhurried. The café buzzed gently, just enough to let his thoughts drift freely.
He started to sketch.
For months, he had been following a system inspired by Flick—high pressing, quick transitions, and overloads. It had worked well, but in Europe, things would be different. The depth of his strategy would be put to the test. Opponents would analyze them closely.
He scribbled a line of three on the page. A 3-4-3.
Not a defensive bunker with five at the back, but a true back three designed for possession. Center-backs capable of passing under pressure. Two wingbacks ready to push high. Kikoto and Ricardo León holding down the middle, disciplined yet flexible. Joel and Neymar drifting in from wide positions to create overloads.
And then there was Griezmann.
Antoine, free to roam between the lines, slipping into spaces where defenses faltered.
Laurence leaned back, gazing at his rough sketch. The rain outside blurred the city lights, and the page was dimly illuminated by the café lamp. He wasn't entirely sure yet. But it felt like something.
Something fresh. Something worth exploring.
_______
As Laurence strolled through the serene backstreets of Tokyo, savoring bowls of ramen and sipping on matcha, Mauro Pérez found himself entrenched in a completely different reality.
His days were a blur of relentless phone calls, back-to-back meetings, and tough negotiations. The excitement from Tenerife's Copa del Rey victory had changed the game. The club was no longer just fighting to stay afloat; they had become a target. Every agent, rival club, and scout hovering around the island could feel the shift in the air.
The biggest question looming was about Antoine Griezmann.
The French forward had truly been a standout player. On loan from Real Sociedad, he fit perfectly into Laurence's dynamic style—pressing, drifting to the flanks, and creating space when it seemed like all hope was lost. As the season reached its climax, fans were chanting his name right alongside Neymar's.
But Sociedad wasn't oblivious. They were well aware of his value now.
One long afternoon, Mauro found himself in his office, the blinds half-closed against the harsh sunlight, speaking firmly into the phone with Sociedad's sporting director.
"Antoine is looking for regular playing time," he stated calmly. "And with Vela returning, we both know you can't promise him that."
A heavy silence fell on the other end of the line. Mauro waited patiently.
Finally, the voice returned, sounding hesitant. "I can't."
"Then let him go," Mauro shot back.
And just like that, the negotiations kicked off. Sociedad was eager to up the buyout clause, hoping to cash in on Tenerife's unexpected windfall. But Mauro stood his ground. "The clause is there for a reason," he stated firmly. "We won't pay a penny more."
Griezmann's agent, on the other hand, made things a bit easier. Antoine had been straightforward: he wanted Tenerife. He wanted Laurence. He craved the freedom of a team that thrived on bold ideas instead of rigid structures. That determination helped easing the process.
After days filled with tense phone calls, contracts being shuffled across desks, and late-night texts flying between lawyers, the deal was finally sealed. Tenerife activated the clause. Antoine Griezmann was officially Tenerife player.
Mauro didn't throw a party. He simply highlighted the name on his depth chart, jotted down "Here we go" in tidy handwriting next to it, and moved on to the next task.
Joel's situation was just as crucial.
The young talent from La Masia had come in quietly, just another academy player in a system that churned them out by the dozen. Yet, Mauro had made plans early on, once he recognized what Laurence saw in the kid. And hence he had negotiated for a buyout clause.
By the time the ink dried, Joel was officially a CD Tenerife player, officially.
AN: SHORT CHAPTER BUT NEXT ONE WILL BE LONGER