Twilight had begun to consume the world. The biting cold was a silent warning of the night to come.
Noa was washing himself, scrubbing away every trace of dirt. He stood before the mirror, checking for any scars on his body. As he turned to walk away, a faint reflection lingered for a moment a smile. Sly. Cunning.
Noa sat on the edge of his bed, idling with his phone. A message popped up.
--
"Oi bro... what's up?"
"Nothing much... just sitting around."
"I see... you down for a game later?"
"Not today... my body feels wrecked."
"Alright, alright..."
Noa closed his gadget and reclined on his bed. He imagined something, a thought that made him smile.
Should I return to football? Am I still worthy?
He was actually contemplating it. Yet, he smiled. Sullenly. Noa stood up again and opened a closet. Inside, he reached for a ball. He stepped out of his room and began practicing his passes once more.
His parents were shocked. Their son was finally holding his beloved ball again. He practiced his distribution on the family's private field, under the curious gaze of his parents. He passed well, though mistakes were frequent. His parents simply smiled at each other; their son was returning to the world he loved.
After a while, Noa went back inside to the dining table where his parents were waiting. No one mentioned his return to football. Once finished, Noa returned to his room to rest.
"Pah... is Noa playing again?"
"Haha... I don't know either... but it's good."
"Yes... I'm happy he's back. It was always his hobby."
They talked late into the night.
...
Ring! Ring!
The alarm blared, waking Noa. He stretched and drank the water that had been prepared for him. He headed to the bathroom to shower. Afterward, as usual, he checked his fitness in the mirror.
After putting on his uniform, Noa stepped out. The dining table was empty; his parents were meeting with foreign investors.
"Young Master... what would you like for breakfast?" a maid asked.
"Oh... just toast. I want to leave early."
The maid prepared the toast on a plate. Noa took it. "Thanks," he said as he ate.
Once finished, he hurried to his motorcycle. He started the engine, warming it up. When it was ready, he sped off toward school. Along the way, he saw numerous banners:
NATIONAL STUDENT CHAMPIONSHIP
Noa accelerated, eager to reach the school. Upon arrival, he headed straight to class where Vincent and Alvean were waiting. School was the same as ever. Nothing had changed.
"Oi Noa... don't you want to join a school club?" Alvean asked.
"What for?" Noa shot back.
"To build connections, you idiot," Vincent answered for him.
"Too lazy."
"Figures... that's exactly the answer I expected."
Suddenly...
"Teacher! Noa, Vincent, and Alvean are being noisy!"
The three of them snapped their heads toward the voice.
"Noa, Vincent, Alvean, go help your group!"
"Yes, Ma'am..." they replied in unison.
The class erupted in laughter, well-acquainted with their antics.
Someone tapped Noa's shoulder. He turned.
"Um... could you help for a bit?"
"Sure, with what?" Noa asked.
"Do part two."
A sharp gaze pierced through. "Song, don't ask Noa for help... he won't do it," Evelyn interjected.
"Oh, stop it, Evelyn... I'm sure he will," Song said. "Do it, okay?" she said to Noa.
"Okay..."
The school day ended. Nothing special... as usual. But perhaps, it was special for Noa. Maybe.
Noa walked toward the school football field again. This time, he was going to join the practice. Joe was already there waiting. Surprisingly...
"Alright! We're having a sparring match today. Men's division versus Women's division!" Joe announced loudly.
"Yes, Coach!"
Noa was startled. Why so sudden?
"Since the men's division has a new player... you all better show your worth, or you'll be replaced," Joe told the male players. The boys nodded.
The whistle blew. Noa started on the bench. The game was tight; neither side wanted to give an inch. The halftime whistle blew.
"You need to be more aggressive! Don't be afraid to penetrate!" Joe commanded.
"Yes, Coach!"
The second half began. The game remained a stalemate, but the women's division was under heavy pressure.
"Keep pressing! Don't let anyone through!" Joe shouted from the sidelines.
And then...
Goal!
The women's division scored. Elen had successfully bypassed the men's press.
Elen 63'
"Noa... you're in," Joe said.
Noa stood up and began to warm up.
Men's Division Substitution:
<--- Chulan (6) 63'
---> Noa (19) 63'
The women's national coach approached Joe. "Who is he?"
"Oh... you're about to find out."
Kick-off resumed. Guiro passed to Noa. Noa dribbled fast. Guiro raised his hand, ready to receive a pass, but Noa kept the ball himself until it was stolen from his feet.
"Hey, pass the ball!" Guiro barked.
Belta intercepted the ball and passed it back to Noa. Again, Noa dribbled until he reached the corner and the ball went out of bounds. Suddenly, Guiro's teammate tapped Noa's shoulder.
"Pass it, bro. You can't play solo."
Noa lowered his head.
"Ugh... who did you bring? His skills are trash... and he's selfish," Victoria remarked.
"Oh, just wait, Victoria," Joe replied.
"Why are you so stubborn? It's obvious he's a ball hog."
"You might not know who he is... but I believe in that kid. He's a perfectionist."
The girls' comments were biting:
"Does he want to look cool?"
"Is he trying to impress us?"
"Maybe he's just trying to impress you."
"Isn't he that rich kid?"
"Figures... he probably paid his way in."
"Your boyfriend is just a show-off."
Noa kept his head down, their words stinging. Suddenly, the male players approached Noa to encourage him. "You can do this!"
As they returned to their positions, Noa lifted his head. His face was devoid of expression, save for a tiny smile. Sly.
A corner kick was taken. The ball was cleared by the defense and landed right at Noa's feet. Noa moved as if to dribble; his body bent low. The female players moved to intercept the drive... but then.
Boom.
The ball was launched. A "sweet" pass—unseen and perfectly weighted.
Goal!
The ball suddenly appeared over Guiro's head, and he headed it home perfectly. Noa froze, surprised that he still possessed that technique. His breathing became heavy, lost in his thoughts. Unexpectedly, Guiro hoisted him up in celebration, stunned by the sheer quality of that pass.
Everyone was shocked, including Joe. When Guiro finally set him down, Noa smiled. It wasn't a smile of pride. It was something else. Something hidden.
The game continued until the final whistle. Noa was showered with praise, but he simply dismissed it as a fluke. Maybe.
Noa smiled again and left the field, glancing at a jubilant Joe.
"Haha."
Up in the stands, Song, with her black-and-silver hair, had been watching with Evelyn.
"Oi Song... let's get to the volleyball court."
"Oh, let's go..."
Song thought to herself.
Who is this Noa?