It was a nice season with Xhota, Xhota got 3rd place in their league, and it was time for Neto to return to I. Land, whom had one last game in their league. 'We hope you take care', Fujiwara said to Neto. "Thanks for all you have done", Meng added. Xhota was glad for Neto, and weren't happy seeing him leave. He was really a good replacement for Blake in their last few games. "Well, I guess I'll see you some other time", Blake said to Neto as he as about leaving. "I don't know when that will be bro, but same here", Neto responded, shaking his hand, "Take care with your leg too. Make sure it heals next season." He would make sure of that, Blake responded.
"Well, I'm off", Neto said. Yoo parted him with words of advice, telling him to go with his calling, and stay safe, as he returned. Neto promised he would.
Neto left Japan back to I. Land. It would be a long journey back. He really played well, Neto thought. Then, he remembered Don Felix's thoughts of him, and wondered, "Have I gotten better or was Japan a cheap league?"
Finally, Neto was back
His first stop was his parent's place. They welcomed him whole heartedly, and asked him how Japan was. After some laughs, his dad asked him if he would be going to I. Land's stadium that day. Neto thought about it, and decided to go to I. Land the next day.
That night, Neto sat in his pajamas, listening to news about Division B nearing its end. "And I. Land doesn't seem like they can make it. Being tied at 72 points with Toutland and Vikeenz FC, only goal difference can determine who will join the Elite Frontiership-major series."
CLUBS
MP
W
L
D
GF
GA
GD
PTS
Cradle city
38
29
7
2
63
53
10
89
Klux
38
26
10
6
51
49
2
84
Toutland
38
23
12
3
55
48
8
72
Vikeenz
38
22
10
6
50
32
7
72
I.Land
37
22
9
6
49
43
6
72
Cradle city were already the champions- elect of the Division B of the Elite Frontiership series.
Land were draw on points with Vikeenz and Toutland.
The next day, Neto went to I. Land's stadium. They only needed 3 straight goal lead to enter Division A – Elite frontiership series, Neto thought; in fact, that was all he could think about. As he got to the foot of I. Land stadium, he wondered what would've have changed, what new players would have come; if I. Land would be happy to see him, or would he be another pawn, that got in the way- as earlier?
"I'll face whatever lies behind this door", Neto thought, taking deep breaths in and out. "Dude, why are you staring at the door?!"
"Huh?"
Neto shifted his gaze, seeing Jolar coming up. "It's been a while man", Jolar said, bringing his hand for a hand shake- the type bros would do always when they had seen each other for a long time. "You think?" Neto responded, receiving the handshake.
"Soooooo, how was Japan? Is the environment serene? Were they speaking Japanese? Did you eat sushi? How many hyper fast trains did you use there?" Jolar had a rally of questions for Neto.
"Dude, don't know", Neto said. "What do you mean you don't know? What did you do there then, just training?" Jolar inquired. "First of all, almost everything there is done in Japanese; chatting, talking, even the TV language. I mostly relied on Xhota's hotel services. Oh! But there was free Wi-Fi."
Jolar looked unimpressed. "Yep, lots of Wi-Fi. I would play Mobile Legends for as long as I wanted", Neto said with an awkward face. Showing his phone, a notification popped up: Solo Levelling s2 episodes have been downloaded.
There is literally Wi-Fi here man; taking a disappointed face, Jolar continued, "Mmph, I thought you would tell me about stuff there, even the guys." Neto looked startled.
AS Jolar walked up the door, he added, "You didn't even learn how to speak Japane...... ""Rusuchu, nanika kawatta koto wa arimashita ka? " Neto said. "Huh? ", puzzled Jolar.
" Kega o shite iru hito?" Neto continued. "But how do I know you're not just blabbering words ", Jolar said, shifting his lip in a funny ways as a suspicious person would. " Hah, Robo . T. app, identify and translate what this guy said in English, Neto asked, "Oi, masaka ore o rokuon shiteta no ka?" "Now we'll see if you're telling the...….."
Jolar was interrupted by his phone app. "The language is Japanese."
"Huh?!"
"The first he said was that what new things have happened since he was away? The second: Is anyone on injury? AND THE THIRD: Dude, have you been recording me this entire time?
Shocked, he looked back at Neto, "Guess you do know Japanese." There was a brief moment of silence, with eye- to – eye contact between them before Neto broke it saying, "Soo??"
"Yeah, no one's on injury. We've been playing really good in our last few games. Oh! And we finally have a manager."
"By name?" Neto asked.
"Guess man", Jolar said. "Enzo Gorezta, Bruno Maginos, Pep...… "The disappointing look on Jolar's face already told Neto that he wasn't anywhere close.
"Suckers, you've been outside for too long. Just get in the damn building, and stop talking to urselves, a crooked- voiced old timer said, passing by."
"Antonnie Moz of Sweden."
"He's right, we've been outside for long. Let's get in", Jolar requested.
They got in the building, and Neto asked about the Elite series Club Cup. "Yeah, about that, we got knocked out a long time ago, but that was not our concern. Our concern is trying to get back on track in Division B, but we might remain here it seems." Jolar stopped, while Neto continued, and stopped, noticing this.
"I wanted to hope that we could actually get to the bigger leagues, but I guess next season is another season", Jolar said, moving pass Neto.
"Man, I did my team bad", Neto thought, paused for a while, and continued thinking, "I hope I'll still get a chance to play here."
He moved down the hall to the team's locker room. He stopped, took a deep breath, and the entered inside. "Welcome back!!!!" Shouts from every I. Land player welcoming Neto back. "How was the place? I hope my boys did nothing to you", Samba said, "Oh! I do hope you can speak little Japanese."
"I need a marriage update when the time's right. Come on kid."
"I never thought they'd be happy to see me", Neto thought.
The crew chatted themselves up.
After a while, Samba directed the crew for practice sessions while Neto should go renew his contract with Don Felix.
Neto went to his office, on reaching the door, he could here Don Felix speaking to Samba. Samba told Don Felix, that Neto had returned. On hearing this, Don Felix was choked of his coffee: "That nubby?"
"As we agreed, he is going to come back to I.Land FC", Samba reminded. "I still wonder what you see in that guy; that nubby. I am taking my own decision on this." Don Felix said, as Samba walked out.
Neto, again hid himself, and after a few seconds, he came into Don Felix's office to renew his contract.
"About that contract", Don Felix said, "Between you and me, I don't want you on this team, but since the folks here seem to care much about you, you'll stay."
"On one condition"
"Huh?" Neto was puzzled. "If you prove that you're worthy (he crossed his legs) to be on this team, you won't be sold, but if you don't I don't need to say the outcome", Don said.
Neto put down his head in sadness to what Don had said. "For now, let's just keep it simple that you've renewed your contract. It's between us both, (he paused) you can leave", Don Felix said.
Neto left the room; putting his hands in his pockets, he thought, "Proving I'm worthy, huh?" He walked down to his locker room, geared his training jersey, and moved up to the pitch.
"If this is my last time in I. land, I'll make it worth it."