'•.,¸¸,.•'¯ 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘺 ¯'•.,¸¸,.•'

Prologue

The moon shining bright above, casting its silver glow over the quiet landscape, I felt a chill in the air. The cold breeze slapping my skin reminded me that the night had settled in deep. Each gust seemed to carry whispers from the world around me, stirring the trees and sending a shiver through my bones. Yet, beneath it all, the moon remained constant, a silent witness to the fleeting moments of the night.

I come across a football field, the wide expanse of grass stretching out under the fading light of the day. My teal eyes observe it all—the empty goalposts, the crisp air, the distant hum of life beyond the field. And then, I spot something that makes me pause. A figure, hunched low to the ground, sitting there like a dog, their back slightly arched, hands resting on their knees. The posture looks odd, almost unnatural, and something about it tugs at my attention.

I slowly approach, my footsteps tentative, unsure of what I might find. The person doesn't seem to notice me at first, their gaze fixed on something only they can see. I want to ask if they're okay, to break the silence and offer help if they need it, but there's a hesitation that lingers.

As I get closer, I take a deep breath, gathering the courage to speak. "Hey," I say softly, unsure if they'll even hear me. "Are you okay?"

The figure slowly looks up at me, and my eyes widen in disbelief. "Rin!" I whisper, my voice catching in my throat. My heart races as I take in the familiar  face before me. 

he looks back down 

"What are you doing here? It's late and cold... Come on, let's get you home," I spoke, my voice gentle but firm, as I stepped closer. But there was no reply.

The dim streetlights flickered above, casting long shadows across the empty road. I waited, hoping for some sign that he had heard me. But he just stood there, staring into the distance, his shoulders hunched against the chill.

I took a step forward, the crunch of gravel beneath my boots the only sound in the stillness.

"Hey," I called out again, softer this time, "It's not safe out here. Come on, let's go."

Still nothing. Just the sound of his breathing, steady but distant. I could feel the weight of the moment pressing in on me, like something I couldn't quite understand, but couldn't ignore either.

"He changed his dream," Rin finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Who?" I asked, confusion flickering in my chest.

"Who do you think?" he hissed, his eyes narrowing, fixing me with an intense gaze that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

I flinched instinctively, and as soon as he noticed, his expression softened. The sharp edge in his voice dulled, replaced by something more vulnerable. he looked away, almost as if he regretted the words he had thrown at me.

"I didn't mean to—" he began, but I cut him off.

"No, it's okay," I muttered, my voice still a little shaky. I wasn't sure what was worse—the sting of his words or the quiet ache behind them.

I was now thinking about his words in my head, replaying them over and over, and my eyes widened when I did. It felt like something heavy had shifted inside me.

"What did he do?" I asked, my voice trembling as the truth started to sink in. Now, I knew exactly what he meant.

Rin's gaze dropped, and his voice broke a little as he answered. "He decided to become the best midfielder instead of the best striker."

The weight of it hit me harder than I expected. I had seen the fire in Sae's eyes when he talked about being the top scorer, the glory of leading the team. But now... now he was choosing a different path, one that seemed so much quieter, yet somehow just as important.

I didn't know what to say, the silence between us stretching out as Rin's words hung in the air.

Something inside me broke , he took over just like that. He promised—he promised me that we'd rise together, that I'd be the one to lead, to make the difference. I promised him, too. I promised him I'd become the best midfielder in the world. I gave everything to that promise, every drop of sweat, every ounce of my focus, every sacrifice.

And now... now he just takes over? Just like that? No questions, no fight. My jaw clenched, and my fist tightened as I stood there, the weight of it all crashing down on me. The field, the game, the promise—it all felt like it was slipping through my fingers. I couldn't let it go, not without a fight.

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