The rain drizzled softly outside the training facility as Nei sat alone in the locker room, lacing his boots slower than usual. The others had already filtered out, laughing, throwing banter, pretending they weren't all just a little nervous. But Nei couldn't fake it—not today.
He could still hear Lujin's voice echoing in his head.
"Chon really is a hothead."
"Penalty in the last minutes."
It wasn't just that Chon Bayek had scored the winning goal—it was the way he celebrated. Arms wide, smug smirk, like he owned the world. That was the Chon Bayek Nei remembered. Brilliant. Ruthless. Personal.
Nei tightened the last lace. He stood, staring at his reflection in the mirror. There was a fire in his eyes he hadn't seen in a while.
Coach entered, catching sight of him. "Still here?"
"Yeah," Nei replied, voice steady. "Just... thinking."
Coach gave a slow nod. "You'll need that focus. Bavaria doesn't forgive mistakes."
"I know."
"You're not just playing for the badge now, Nei," Coach said, his voice dropping low. "You're playing for your future. Scouts will be watching. Some from Spain."
That made Nei pause. Spain.
Barcenola.
Maybe even Chon.
Coach walked out, leaving Nei with that final thought.
Match Day – Bavaria FC vs. Liverpile FC
The roar of the crowd thundered like a storm. The stadium was a sea of blue and red, but Nei only saw the black and white kits of their opponents—Bavaria. Big, structured, efficient. Like machines.
Nei stood at the halfway line, heart pounding as the whistle blew.
The battle had begun.
And somewhere in the stands, a pair of sharp eyes watched him with burning intensity.
Chon Bayek had come to see the match...