Regional

After breakfast, Rafael gathered all the boys once again. With a firm and clear voice, he went over the game strategy one more time, emphasizing the 4-3-3 formation and the specific roles of each player.

— Kelvin, your role is to fully exploit the left wing, look for depth, and create plays every time you get the ball — Rafael said, looking straight at him. — I want to see you cutting inside when there's space, but also going wide for crosses when needed. Keep an eye on the flanks, but don't forget to help defend when we're without the ball.

The players listened attentively, absorbing the final instructions before heading to the stadium.

With their gear ready, the boys grabbed their backpacks and walked together toward the municipal stadium. The morning air brought a freshness that helped ease the lingering tension.

Upon reaching the pitch, Rafael called everyone for warm-ups. The players left their bags on the bench. The grass was still slightly damp from the night dew, but the sun was beginning to warm the field.

They started with a light jog around the field, breathing deeply and loosening up their bodies. Kelvin felt his heart racing, but also a good energy coming from the adrenaline.

Then came stretching — arms, legs, hips — always paying attention to the coach's instructions to avoid any injury.

Rafael divided the warm-up into small drills: short passes, ball control, dribbling through improvised cones. Communication among them started to flow, and the team seemed more united with every movement.

Kelvin made a point to glance at his teammates, exchanging a smile with Kazana and Dante, feeling like they were all there with the same goal.

Kelvin took each movement seriously, focused. With each touch on the ball, he felt his muscles warming up and his mind narrowing in on the game. He controlled, passed, sprinted between the cones. His body felt ready, though his mind still swung between nerves and excitement.

Then, in the middle of a pass exchange with Felipe, an unexpected voice called out.

— Hey, you're Kelvin, right?

Kelvin turned his head, curious. A tall guy, curly hair tied in a low bun, wearing the tracksuit of the opposing team, was walking toward him with his hands in his pockets and a sideways smirk.

— I am — Kelvin replied, cautious but polite. — Why?

The guy stopped in front of him, still smiling, and asked in a lower tone, like it was a secret between them:

— That viral video… that was you, right? The one-on-one with Takumi?

Kelvin paused for a second, surprised. He didn't expect to hear that right before his first official game. The video had been posted by someone a few days ago, after their match, showing Kelvin going head-to-head with Takumi — full of dribbles, feints, and the now-famous double cut that "broke" his rival. The footage had made its way through student groups and gone viral on local social media.

— Yeah… that was me — he finally answered, trying to stay calm.

The guy chuckled lightly and shook his head.

— I knew it! Man, that cut you pulled off… was nasty! Takumi even started acting all quiet after that.

Kelvin raised an eyebrow.

— Really?

— Really. He's here, by the way — the guy said, discreetly pointing to the side bleachers, where a few people were already finding seats. — Takumi. He's watching.

Kelvin followed his gaze and spotted him. Takumi was sitting in the second row, arms crossed, wearing a white T-shirt and a black jacket. It was clear: he wasn't here to play. He came just to watch.

Even so, his eyes were locked on Kelvin, as if every step, every touch on the ball during warm-up was being analyzed.

— He came just to see you play, huh — the guy added with a nervous laugh. — Word is, after that video, he was pissed. Didn't take it well being humiliated like that.

Kelvin stayed silent for a moment. He felt the pressure rising a bit. But he also felt something else — a strange urge to show even more than he had in the video. To prove that it hadn't been luck.

— If he came to watch, he'll get a show — Kelvin said finally, adjusting his wristband and going back to passing the ball with Felipe, trying to stay focused.

But Takumi wasn't the only one watching.

Nearby, still in the stands, a girl in the Sanu uniform was observing closely. It was Júlia, from Class 1-C. She had a closed notebook on her lap and a bottle of water in her hands, but her eyes were fixed on only one thing: Kelvin.

Kelvin didn't notice.

Felipe did, and gave him a light shoulder bump.

— Everyone's watching you today, huh? — he said with a grin. — You better play beautifully, bro.

Kelvin chuckled, trying to hide the nerves with confidence.

— Then they better pay attention. Because today... there's gonna be a show.

And he went back to weaving through the cones, lighter now, more fluid — like he was exactly where he was meant to be.

The warm-up ended with a quick shooting drill. Rafael guided positioning, shouted corrections, and praised those who hit the target cleanly. Kelvin hit two shots into the top corner, earning a solid "Nice one!" from the coach.

His body felt ready, blood pumping lighter, and the rising noise from the stands only sharpened his focus.

After the last touches on the ball, Rafael blew his whistle and raised his hand.

— That's enough! Locker room, fifteen minutes!

The boys gathered their training bibs and jogged back to the sideline. The mood had changed.

In the locker room, which resembled a professional team's setup, Rafael gathered the team one last time before the kickoff.

— Listen up — he said, firm. — I've said this before, but I'll repeat it: trust in what you've trained. Keep your heads up. Play simple when needed, and if there's space… create. Enjoy it. But play seriously. This match means a lot.

Kelvin sat in the corner, breathing deeply. His uniform stuck slightly to his skin from the warm-up sweat, but he didn't mind. His heart was pounding fast, mind buzzing with thoughts — training, the Takumi video…

Maybe more people had seen it than he thought.

He closed his eyes for a moment. And in that moment, the system interface flickered in his vision, like it was part of a deeper thought.

[Active Mission]

[Name: Regional Impression]

[Objective: Score 4 goals.]

[Reward: +1 in Finishing, +3 in Game Reading, and 250 XP]

Kelvin opened his eyes slowly. The butterflies were still there, but now it was different. It was fuel. It was hunger.

Rafael clapped his hands.

— Let's head out. It's time.

The boys all rose together. Kelvin walked with his teammates through the tunnel leading to the field. He could feel the vibration of the stands, the mixed voices of the crowd, the muffled sound of drums and cheers. The sun now blazed across the pitch, lighting the path ahead.

As he stepped over the sideline onto the field, he looked again at the bleachers. Takumi's eyes were still locked on him. Júlia was also there, now with her notebook open on her lap, as if taking notes.

Kelvin found it odd to see her there, but he knew his focus had to stay elsewhere.

The referee stood at the center. The assistant ref adjusted his flag. Both teams took their positions.

Then, the whistle echoed through the air.

The ball was in play.