Tucked far away from the chaos of deadline-day rumors, squad rebuilds, and transfer leaks, Adriano and Kate had disappeared into the lush, green sanctuary of Yakushima.
No paparazzi. No photographers hiding in shrubs. Just towering cedar forests, the rustle of wind through ancient branches, and the soft murmur of distant waterfalls.
Their arrival on the island was quiet and understated. Sunglasses, beanies, and face masks did the trick. Nobody gave them a second glance as they boarded the small ferry from Kagoshima, and not once during the journey did anyone even ask for a selfie.
"Did we finally pull off incognito mode?" Kate whispered as they stepped onto the wooden dock.
Adriano smirked. "Don't jinx it. Let's just pretend we're two random tourists . No football. No Marvel. No press."
"Agreed," Kate nodded, looping her arm through his. "Although I can't guarantee I won't bring up your goals against Barça again. It still lives in my head rent-free."
He laughed. "Only if I'm allowed to talk about your red dress from the premiere."
Kate grinned. "Deal."
They were staying in a cozy traditional ryokan nestled between the forest and the shoreline. Tatami mats, sliding paper doors, and soft futons. Their room opened to a private garden where fireflies danced at night and the scent of hinoki wood drifted through the air.
On the first morning, they woke early—Adriano stirred by the soft calls of morning birds, Kate by the faint light seeping through the paper screen. They padded barefoot to the engawa, where breakfast was already laid out: miso soup, grilled fish, rice, pickles, and tamagoyaki.
Kate squinted at the fermented soybeans. "That's… the natto thing, isn't it?"
Adriano poked at it cautiously. "I've seen this in anime. They always grimace when they eat it."
"Should we try it together?"
"Like a trust fall," he muttered.
They each took a bite at the same time.
Kate gagged slightly. "Okay. That is a unique experience."
Adriano was chewing in slow agony. "It's like glue with a side of socks."
They ended up trading the natto for an extra helping of tamagoyaki. The old woman running the ryokan chuckled and brought out a bowl of fresh fruit, her face glowing with grandmotherly amusement.
That afternoon, they set off on a forest trail, their backpacks light and their spirits lighter. Yakushima's ancient cedar groves were surreal—like stepping into a painting or some forgotten world. Towering sugi trees, some over 2,000 years old, reached up like wise old sentinels. The forest floor was thick with moss, and the air smelled green, damp, and alive.
Kate took photo after photo, stopping every few minutes to admire the shafts of light streaming through the canopy.
"This feels like Miyazaki made it up," she said, spinning slowly beneath the trees. "Like we're about to see a kodama pop out."
Adriano chuckled. "If we see one, I'm running. You can stay and do your Hollywood dialogue."
"I'd survive. I'm the lead."
He rolled his eyes. "In football, we pass to the lead and let them score. So technically I'd be your assist."
She smiled at him, reaching to squeeze his hand. "Then I'm lucky I've got the best playmaker in the world."
They hiked for hours, stopping at waterfalls to splash their faces and dip their feet into the cold water. At one point, they found a secluded spot with a mossy boulder and lay back against it, sharing a water bottle and a rice ball they'd packed.
Kate nestled into his side. "This is the happiest I've felt in a long time."
Adriano glanced at her, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. "Me too. Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if we never had to go back."
"You mean like move to Japan and raise goats?"
"Hey," he said defensively, "goats are low maintenance."
She giggled. "Fine. But only if we name them after our teammates. I want one called Ronaldo."
He laughed. "I'd give anything to see that."
Later, they visited a natural hot spring by the ocean with open air, with waves crashing just beyond the rocks. Adriano booked a private room for them. They soaked in the warm, mineral-rich water as dusk rolled in and the sky turned every shade of gold and rose.
A few locals were also at the bath, but no one recognized them. Or if they did, they respectfully looked the other way.
Kate leaned her head on his shoulder, her voice soft. "Do you ever feel like this… us… is too good to be true?"
He tilted his head, thoughtful. "Sometimes. Then I remember how hard we both worked to get here. And how badly we fought for it."
She nodded slowly, closing her eyes. "We should come back here every year. Like a reset button."
Adriano kissed her temple. "Then it's a tradition now."
The evenings were quiet and peaceful. They wore yukatas and padded down to the dining hall for kaiseki dinners—tiny dishes of grilled fish, seasonal vegetables, clear soups, and plum wine. Kate got tipsy after two cups and spent the night trying to convince Adriano to do karaoke.
"Come on, just one song!"
"No."
"I'll sing with you!"
"I said no."
"Fine. Then I'm going to sing Taylor Swift solo."
"You wouldn't."
"I'm already queuing up 'Love Story.'"
He sighed. "...Fine. One song. But I pick it."
The next five minutes featured a very off-key, overly dramatic rendition of Enrique Iglesias' "Found you"—with Adriano holding a hairbrush and Kate wiping tears from laughter.
By the third night, they had memorized the winding paths of the nearby forest, had favorite snacks from the local konbini, and even learned the name of the neighborhood cat who roamed the area and always ended up outside their room.
They named her "Yuki."
Adriano asked Kate, " You ever wanna get a pet ? "
Kate thought for a while and replied, " It sounds fun, but with both of so busy, it'd be hard to take care of it."
Adriano grinned, " I always wanted a pet tiger, or an ocelot. I'd name it 'Baboo'.
Kate groaned , " Why are you like this! Get a cat or dog like a regular person. You're not a cartoon spy."
Adriano grinned even wider, " Who says I can't be one. We'll then always be living in the...wait for it... 'Danger Zone!'"
Kate covered her face ," I give up. I need to go check on Rowanie after this. My horse is the only pet I'll need."
Their final morning on the island arrived too quickly.
They packed in silence, neither ready to leave. Outside, a drizzle tapped gently on the wooden deck, the kind that felt like a soft farewell from the trees.
Kate stood at the doorway, looking out into the mist. "I don't want to leave yet."
Adriano came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Me neither. But Maldives is next. That's at least a good consolation prize."
She leaned her head against him. "Promise we'll come back here again. Maybe even bring our families."
He smiled against her shoulder. "We will."
And with that, they left Yakushima behind—souvenirs packed, hearts full, and memories etched into the quiet corners of their minds.
The next leg of their vacation was calling, and paradise waited once more.
****
By the time their seaplane skimmed to a gentle stop over the crystalline waters of the Maldives, Adriano and Kate were already barefoot and grinning like children. The villa waiting for them wasn't just private—it was paradise tucked into the folds of the Indian Ocean. A wide teak deck stretched out over the water, connected to a glass-walled bedroom and an open-air bathroom with a tub big enough for two. Palm trees swayed lazily nearby, and waves whispered against the shore like an eternal lullaby.
Kate dropped her duffel on the bed and ran straight to the edge of the deck. "Adri," she called, "this isn't a villa. This is a Bond villain's lair. I feel like I should be sipping champagne and threatening the world."
Adriano stepped behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. "You can sip champagne. But the only thing you're threatening tonight is my ability to walk tomorrow."
Kate burst out laughing. "You're incorrigible."
"You love it."
"I do. Against my better judgment."
That first evening, they simply stayed in. Adriano uncorked a bottle of red wine while Kate slipped into a flowy sundress, and they lounged on oversized cushions on the deck watching the sunset dissolve into the sea. The sky blushed in hues of orange and lavender, and the stars came out one by one, like confessions whispered to the dark.
Their dinner was served by a quiet but smiling local chef, who arrived by boat and laid out fresh seafood grilled with spices, garlic butter lobster, and mango salad. The man said little, but Adriano tried his best to thank him in Dhivehi anyway, which came out awkward and got him a confused look and a laugh from Kate.
After dinner, they ended up in the infinity pool, lazily floating with just the moonlight on their faces. Kate swam over and wrapped her arms around Adriano's neck.
"You're lucky I love you," she murmured. "You keep dragging me to these romantic places, and it's going to start raising expectations."
"Good," Adriano grinned. "Next time we'll just buy the island. Rename it Adrikate."
"Sounds like a shampoo brand."
"Exactly. For couples who smell like adventure and sin."
Kate burst out laughing, splashing him. "You've officially lost your mind."
And that was how most of their days in the Maldives passed—laughter, teasing, long swims in turquoise water, reading side-by-side in hammocks, and eating whatever the chef left at their door each morning. Occasionally they went sailing, just the two of them on a traditional dhoni boat, gliding over coral reefs and waving to dolphins leaping alongside.
But even with the breathtaking beauty around them, Kate couldn't resist complaining after their fifth day.
"Okay," she said one morning as she pulled on a bikini, "can we talk about how I haven't gone scuba diving, paddleboarding, or done literally any of the activities I booked?"
Adriano lay on his stomach, sheet only covering half his back, and peeked at her through sleep-heavy eyes. "Not my fault you can't survive past midnight."
Kate picked up a pillow and whacked him with it. "You've been ambushing me like it's a World Cup final. My legs need rest days!"
He rolled over, laughing. "You didn't mind last night."
"I did this morning."
"Maybe you should take that up with your boyfriend."
"I did. He's a menace."
He stretched, pulled her down beside him, and whispered against her cheek, "I love you, menace and all."
Kate sighed dramatically. "I love you too. But if I get pregnant, I'm naming the kid after whichever night you did the most damage."
Adriano snorted. "Then I hope it's the night after mango mojitos. That was my peak performance." He then winked, " What do you call a factory that makes good products?"
Against her better judgement, Kate asked," What?"
"A satisfactory."
She groaned," are you seriously pulling dad jokes?"
Adriano shrugged, " I'm just prepared for the future."
They eventually did go paddleboarding—after Adriano promised to behave for 48 hours. They drifted over the reefs while sea turtles floated beneath them and flying fish darted past. Kate kept trying to race him, only to fall into the water every time she looked back.
"Stop cheating!" she yelled, splashing him.
"I'm literally paddling," Adriano protested. "You fell off because you were too busy looking at your own hair in the reflection."
Kate huffed. "My hair is magnificent. It deserved admiration."
"I'll frame it. But you still lost."
Later, while they sat drying on the beach sipping coconut water, Kate leaned against him and murmured, "You know, I could do this forever."
"Travel? Beach? Paddleboard bruises?"
"Be with you. The rest is just details."
He kissed her temple, his voice soft. "Same. I've never been this… peaceful. Not even after a hat-trick."
They made it a rule not to check their phones unless it was for photos or music. The transfer chaos swirling around the football world was completely ignored. When Raul texted Adriano with an update on a new boot endorsement deal, Adriano just replied, "On island time. Ask me in Chile."
By the sixth day, they were already teasing each other about how much they'd eaten.
"I swear I've gained like six pounds," Kate said, examining herself in the bathroom mirror.
Adriano appeared behind her, hands on her hips. "You look better than ever. Stronger thighs, better grip."
Kate turned and smacked his chest. "You're incorrigible."
"You've said that. It's becoming a theme."
"I'll print it on a shirt. 'My boyfriend is incorrigible but hot.'"
He kissed her neck and grinned. "I'd wear the matching one. 'My girlfriend is violent but flexible.'"
He then winked, " Wanna hear another joke?"
Kate sighed , " This better be good."
Adriano cracked his knuckles and spoke with mock seriousness, " I thought the dryer was shrinking my clothes. Turns out it was the refrigerator all along."
Kate tried to glare at him, but couldn't hold her seriousness when he made a silly face. She broke out laughing, " You are insufferable."
They laughed until their stomachs hurt.
But, as all beautiful chapters do, the week came to an end.
On their final evening, the staff arranged a farewell dinner on the sand, lit by dozens of lanterns strung between wooden poles. The waves lapped at their feet, and a soft breeze carried the scent of roasted fish and tamarind chutney.
Kate looked out at the ocean. "You ever think about the weirdness of our lives? Like, five years ago, I was in acting workshops praying someone would cast me in anything. Now I'm in the Maldives with the best footballer in the world."
Adriano shrugged, pulling her closer. "Five years ago, I was on the bench behind three other strikers in Brazil. You and me? We earned this."
She smiled. "Damn right we did."
They clinked their glasses and toasted to everything—the peace, the madness, and the love they stumbled into.
And the next morning, as the boat came to pick them up for the airport, Adriano stood on the deck looking back at the retreat one last time.
Kate stepped beside him, sunglasses on, hair pulled back in a ponytail. "Ready for Patagonia?"
He reached down and took her hand. "Let's go freeze after all this sun."
She smiled. "From bikinis to beanies. I love it."
And just like that, their island chapter ended, and the adventure moved on to South America.
****
The Maldives sun still clung to Adriano's skin as he stood barefoot on the wooden jetty, a breeze tugging at his T-shirt. The boat that had carried them from their villa had just docked at the small seaplane terminal, and Kate was inside picking up their passports for the flight to Chile.
Adriano's phone buzzed in his hand—unknown number, but the +44 country code was a giveaway.
He accepted the call and brought the phone to his ear, his voice warm but curious.
"Hello?"
"Adriano, it's Manuel."
Adriano straightened a little. "Hey boss! Good to hear from you. I thought you'd be buried under ten thousand transfer reports by now."
A low chuckle came through the line. "I wish. But I wanted to speak with you directly. Nothing urgent—just some planning for the coming season. I discussed my plans with you before you left. We've had meetings with the board, and they want to hear your input regarding the squad. Do you think we're strong enough, or do we need to bring in more reinforcements?"
Adriano leaned against the wooden railing, gazing out at the ocean. His mind shifted gears, the casual bliss of vacation giving way to tactical thought.
"Well... the core is strong. We've got a title-winning squad, no doubt about that. But if we're talking long season, injuries, and cup runs—we could use more depth. Quality depth."
Pellegrini hummed. "Do you have specific positions or names in mind?"
Adriano nodded to himself, already picturing the rotations. "Well, I believe in your original plan on focusing on youth players."
He began, "In attack, we're covered well. Aguero's world-class, but Kane's proven he can rotate in. He's been clinical, especially late in the season.
Son Heung-Min—he can swap with Salah on the right. Very flexible, always running, and great instincts in the box. For Hazard on the left, I'd say Rashford from the youth squad can be good enough. Kid's got pace, and he's fearless. Could be explosive in the right environment."
Pellegrini didn't interrupt, letting Adriano speak.
"In midfield, we've got me and Dybala for attacking , who can rotate depending on tactics.
Yaya's still got that physical edge, and Casemiro's been a monster in defense. De Bruyne and David Silva—we'll need backup for them. Mac Allister from the youth system can be eased into that role as you said. He's got the vision, and he works hard."
Adriano took a moment, then continued, "In defense, Robertson is solid on the left, but he'll need rotation. Theo Hernandez can slot in perfectly. You said he's ready for first team minutes.
Kompany and Hummels are both leaders, but Virgil van Dijk can start rotating for them lin case of injuries. Mangala as well if he stays. He's more experienced now, and his passing has improved."
"Only gap I see is Kimmich on the right. No clear backup for him. Maybe look at signing that young right-back from Liverpool's academy—Trent Alexander-Arnold. I know he's unproven, but I've watched him. Confident, great delivery. He's got something."
Pellegrini wrote down the name. " I have to let the analysts monitor him."
Adriano paused.
"In goal, Joe Hart's still solid. Donnarumma is the future, but he's only sixteen, soon turning 17. He'll need time."
Pellegrini finally cut in. "That's actually why I'm calling. We received an offer from PSG—20 million euros for Hart. His contract talks have stalled. He wants a higher salary, and the board's hesitant. They're thinking maybe it's time to move on. But I wanted your thoughts before we decide anything."
Adriano exhaled, thoughtful. "I've got a good relationship with Joe. He's been with the club for years. I don't want to step on management toes, but... if I may—give him the raise.
He can still play well for a season or two more. Donnarumma will be ready soon, maybe sooner than we think. But tossing him into first team now? That's pressure. Maybe... loan Jordan Pickford from Sunderland as insurance. He's got potential, and he'll accept a backup role."
"I'll pass that along," Pellegrini said. "Now, there's one more thing. A name that came up during academy reviews—Kylian Mbappé."
Adriano's ears perked up. "Mbappé? I've seen him train. Fast as hell, smart movement, and confident for someone his age. What about him? I was wondering why you didn't promote him."
"Well, the concern is that with Aguero and Kane ahead of him, he won't get enough minutes. We were planning a loan."
Adriano was already shaking his head. "Don't loan him. Promote him."
"Even with thr strikers we have?"
"He can play wide too. Let him rotate with Salah or even me if needed. He's explosive. If we give him minutes, trust me—he's going to become one of the best in the world. Not just City—world football. And playing with us can shape his mentality. Don't let him slip through the cracks."
There was silence on the line for a moment, then a soft hum of agreement. "Alright. I'll speak to the board. If you back him, we'll bring him in first team."
"Thanks, boss," Adriano said sincerely. "Appreciate you trusting me with this."
"You've earned that trust, Adriano. Rest up. See you in training soon."
As the call ended, Kate emerged from the small terminal, sunglasses on and a cheeky smile on her lips.
"You were smiling way too much. Who was that?" she asked, handing him his boarding pass.
"Pellegrini. Wanted my opinion on the squad."
Kate raised a brow. "So you're assistant manager now?"
"Apparently, I'm building the next galácticos."
She smirked. "Did you tell them to sign me? I'm great at press conferences."
Adriano grinned, draping an arm around her as they walked toward the plane. "Tried. But you're too expensive. Also, a little too violent with your post-match interviews."
They climbed aboard the seaplane, the engines already rumbling. As they took off, Adriano looked out at the endless blue below them, but his mind was already moving between strategies, players, and the feeling of responsibility.
Kate nudged him with her elbow, pulling him back to reality. "We still going to Patagonia or did you just mentally transfer us to Manchester?"
"Patagonia," he said, smiling. "Cold air, mountains, and no football meetings."
"Good," she said, resting her head on his shoulder. "Because if one more person tries to make you their tactical advisor, I'm charging consultation fees."
Adriano laughed softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead as the plane climbed into the sky.