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IN WHICH manuel falls for a fan at the game
The roar of the crowd filled Old Trafford as Manchester United battled it out on the pitch. The energy was electric, the sea of red and white jerseys a testament to the unwavering loyalty of the fans. Among the thousands in attendance was Mia, a diehard United supporter. She'd saved up for weeks to make it to this game, her first-ever live match, and her excitement was almost too much to contain.
Mia stood out from the crowd in a way she didn't realize. Her long dark hair fell in soft waves over her United jersey, but it wasn't her jersey that caught attention. It was the scarf she held up, bright and unmistakable, bearing the name Manuel Ugarte in bold letters. She'd bought it just days earlier, a show of her admiration for United's new midfielder, whose skill and dedication had made him a fan favorite almost overnight.
As the game neared its final minutes, with United leading 2–1, the players on the field pushed hard to secure their victory. Ugarte, a powerhouse in the midfield, was tireless, intercepting passes and driving his team forward with precision. Every time he touched the ball, Mia cheered louder than she thought possible, her heart racing every time he looked her way, though she was just one face in the massive crowd.
When the referee blew the final whistle, sealing United's win, the stadium erupted in celebration. The players began their customary lap around the field to thank the fans, clapping and waving as the supporters roared their approval. Mia, still buzzing from the excitement of the match, lifted her scarf high above her head, holding it tightly with both hands.
It was then that it happened.
Manuel Ugarte, walking toward the section where Mia was seated, scanned the crowd with a grateful smile. His sharp features softened as he waved to the fans. But then his gaze landed on her, on the girl holding the scarf with his name, her face lit up with pure joy. For a moment, he stopped in his tracks, his smile faltering before growing wider, more genuine.
Mia froze as his eyes locked with hers. Was he looking at her? She almost lowered the scarf in disbelief but kept it raised as her heart pounded in her chest. Manuel raised his hand, clapping toward her section and winking at her, but his smile was unmistakably aimed at her.
It felt like time stopped. He looked at her for a moment longer than necessary, his beautiful eyes holding hers in a way that made her knees weak. She could hardly believe it when he nodded subtly, a small, almost imperceptible gesture that sent her mind spinning. Before she could process what had happened, he moved on, continuing the lap around the field with his teammates.
