?


    Upon hearing the worries of his friend, Gabriel couldn''t help but frown. Having known him for a long time, Gabriel naturally knew how hard-working his friend was.


    In fact, during their early years, he often dazzled everyone who watched him.


    Due to such a dazzling performance, many people had spected Thiago would make it grand on the world stage once he debuted.


    But contrary to their expectations, he had turned out to be an average yer.


    The expectations on him were great but he failed to fulfill them. Rather he was outdone by his friend whoter went on to be a starting yer of the national team while he struggled to get a call-up.


    So, it was only natural for him to feel frustrated.


    Gabriel looked at him deeply before responding, "You are doing well, Thiago. So, you shouldn''t feel burdened about it."


    Thiago was well aware that Gabriel was merely trying to cheer him. Even so, he was in turmoil. After all, he was well aware that performance was all that mattered on the pitch.


    Effort doesn''t matter if it can yield results.


    It doesn''t matter if you perform well if you don''t get your hand on silverware. People might remember you for your performance for a while. But they''ll eventually forget about you because of yourck of achievements.


    Just from hisck of response, Gabriel could figure out he wasn''t convinced. So, he tried to change the topic of conversation in an attempt to shift his attention elsewhere.


    "Ahh right! I heard that there''s an amazing youngster in the Japanese squad. Just some days ago, he slotted three goals against Georgia despite ying with the reserve squad."


    Thiago''s eyes perked as he heard him.


    It seemed that this topic was to his liking. Gabriel who had been watching him closely immediately caught his interest.


    Just from his eyes, Gabriel could tell that he had hooked him.


    Gabriel walked close to him, closing the distance between the two. Then he revealed a grin on his face before continuing, "And do you know what''s the best part? I heard that it was his debut and he''s only sixteen."


    Just how good was he to score a hattrick on his debut?


    There''s been only a handful of yers who have managed to do so. And you''re also telling me that he''s only sixteen?


    Also, it wasn''t against an unknown team but a full-fledged squad with a solid foundation. Just what kind of ridiculous talent was he?


    Thiago was stunned by the revtion.


    Here, he was having trouble registering a goal for his nation. But there a sixteen-year prodigy had already managed to score three goals on his very first game.


    For a while, he could only look at him without being able to open his mouth. Then he acted mesmerized as he said, "Damn! Even the youngsters from our squad weren''t able to have such an impressive debut."


    Then he paused as he calmed himself before continuing in a calm tone, "Georgia must have yed their reserve squad for them to get scored three goals by a debuting teenager"


    Thiago wanted to dismiss the topic.


    "But the fact that he scored three goals on his international debut that alone is praiseworthy. So, he must be a talented individual...," Saying so, he walked towards the ball close to him.


    "I heard that it was the opposite. The Georgian squad yed with their starting yers but the Japanese side started their reserve yers. Many of their star yers were absent in the match," Gabriel said.


    As Thiago heard him, he stopped on his track. He couldn''t believe the words he had heard just now. After all, by no means was Georgia a weak team.


    Their recent performances had been quite impressive. But apletely unknown kid demolished their squad?


    Disbelief clouded his eyes as he rolled it towards Gabriel. Was he trying to y a prank on him?


    Inside a hotel room, Hiro was seated right beside the window, his gaze fixated on the smartphone in his hand.


    The smartphone screen disyed the chats he had with his mother.


    His expression appeared a bit dejected.


    It had been quite a while since hest talked to his mother. Previously, during his abroad stay, she''d call him every day. Buttely, she hadn''t called him much.


    And even if he tried contacting her, she wouldn''t answer. It''s not like she didn''t return the call. But by the time, she tried contacting him back, he wouldn''t be avable. Then again, it could be attributed to the time difference.


    Going through their conversation, his brows knotted as a thought popped inside his head, ''I hope father''s doing well''


    Hopeful, he called her again.


    Ring! Ring! Ring!


    The more the phone buzzed the more desperate he got. He desperately wanted her to pick up the call. Subconsciously, he crossed his fingers as he clung to the tiniest hope of her picking up


    the call.


    But it seemed that she wouldn''t pick up again.


    Right when he had thought of giving up, she answered the call.


    "Hello..., Hiro," she said, her voice sounding a little unusual.


    Even so, it had been quite some time since hest heard her. So, upon hearing her familiar


    voice, he couldn''t help but rejoice.


    The knot in his brows eased as his expression lightened.


    Sounding a bit shaky, he answered, "Hello..., Mom. How are you doing?"


    There were many things he wanted to ask. But for some reason when he heard her, he couldn''t


    bring himself to ask those pre-prepared questions.


    "I''m good... How about you? Are you eating well?" she responded in a low whisper.


    Usually, she was quite loud.


    In normal times, she''d bombard him with her worries. But recently, her voice had lost its liveliness. But the concern she had for him, even at such a time hadn''t diminished.


    "Yes, mom. I''m eating well..." Hiro paused for a while before getting to the main topic,


    "Dad..., How''s he doing?"


    At this moment, Hiro''s eyes reflected deep concern.