Return

Baraja led him down a quieter hallway, away from the music and chaos of the locker room.

Then, he turned, facing Izan fully.

For the first time since the match ended, Baraja's eyes softened.

"I just wanted to say… thank you."

Izan tilted his head slightly. "For what?"

"For giving everything. For pushing yourself beyond what anyone thought possible. For—" Baraja hesitated, exhaling. "For making this happen."

Izan looked at him for a long moment before offering a small grin. "You left me on, coach. You believed in me."

Baraja chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't know if it was belief or recklessness."

A pause.

Then, he placed a hand on Izan's shoulder.

"But I don't regret it."

And neither did Izan.

"Well I've said all I had to say. Lets go back now" Baraja said, Izan nodding to it as he was wheeled away.

......