𝖧𝗒𝗈𝗆𝖺 𝖢𝗁𝗂𝗀𝗂𝗋𝗂⁰¹

He was sitting on the ground, his gaze fixed on that scar on his right knee, remembering how that crack echoed through the stadium, his whole world came crashing down in that instant.

— Hyoma, let's eat!

Your voice came from the kitchen, but he didn't respond instantly.

• I'm coming…

He answered but was unable to move. Noticing that he was taking too long, you went to see him. When you arrived at the room and saw him like that, you approached him.

— Hyoma… What's wrong?

— The thing is, I'm afraid I won't play again, I won't be the same, I'm afraid I've lost my speed.

— That's not going to happen, I know you'll stay the same and play the same, even better.

He started to cry. Years of effort, he'd dreamed of being the best, but he was afraid he wouldn't achieve it because of his injury. He was trembling, and without thinking, you hugged him.

— I'm terrified of going back, just as I am of not going back…

She said between sobs.

— If I don't manage to return, everything will have been in vain, all these years of effort, everything will cease to be a goal, it will be a simple dream.

You gently stroked his cheek; he loved it when you did that. It calmed him.

— Your talent is still there, I see it every day, when you unconsciously move your feet as if you were dribbling. Football is no longer something you do, it's part of you, it's who you are.

That night, he couldn't sleep; he just stared at the ceiling. You were beside him, breathing calmly, your hand resting on his chest.