"Are you sure your family's fine with you staying with us?" Anya huffed, arms folded neatly as she leaned against the edge of the table. "Don't you think they'd want their scruff back?"
I looked up slowly.
"…Call me a scruff again and I'll German suplex you on this table," I said, slamming my hands down just enough to make a point.
"How threatening," she replied flatly, not even blinking.
She didn't move.
That somehow made it worse.
"Chill down, kids," Carlos cut in, walking in with a phone still in his hand, like he'd just finished something important. "I've contacted all the local clubs, Gabi."
I straightened slightly.
"Flamengo don't want you," he said plainly.
"…But," he continued, "Fluminense, CR Vasco da Gama and Botafogo FR all want you."
I exhaled slowly, leaning back in my chair.
"I kinda had to lie my way into making them want you," Carlos added with a shrug. "Since you have no official youth games played."
Anya sighed. "Of course you did."
"That's called opportunity," he shot back.
I barely heard them.
Flamengo.
My boyhood club.
The one I grew up watching. The badge I imagined wearing. The place I thought I'd belong without even needing to prove it.
Didn't want me.
I stared down at the table for a second, jaw tightening slightly.
I leaned back, running a hand through my hair.
"…Good," I muttered.
Anya glanced at me. "Good?"
I looked up, a faint smirk forming.
"Yeah," I said. "Now I don't have to follow anyone else's story."
Carlos grinned slightly. "That's what I like to hear."
I stood up, resting my hands on the back of the chair.
"So," I continued, "what do I need to know?"
Carlos leaned against the counter, folding his arms.
"Each club has its history," he said. "Botafogo FR, two league titles, strong tradition. Fluminense FC, four titles, big name, big expectations. And CR Vasco da Gama. One of the most passionate fanbases you'll find."
He kept talking, but my mind drifted.
Not far.
Just… sideways.
Noa.
Him bursting into my room. That stupid hairband. The way he looked at me after that shot, like I'd just done something impossible.
We came up together.
Same streets. Same pitch fights. Same stupid bets.
He was there for everything.
So why did this feel like something I was walking into alone?
I frowned slightly.
"…Will any take him as well?"
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Anya blinked. "Him?"
I scratched the back of my head. "Noa."
Carlos paused.
Just for a second.
Then he pushed himself off the counter. "I didn't ask."
That answer didn't sit right.
"Can you?" I said.
He looked at me.
Really looked this time.
Then gave a small nod.
"…Yeah. I can."
He turned and started walking out of the room, heading into the hallway, already pulling his phone out again.
The house went quieter the moment he left.
Anya leaned back slightly against the table, watching me.
"You're serious about that?" she asked.
I shrugged, trying to play it off. "We play well together."
"That's not what I asked."
I didn't answer straight away.
Because she already knew.
I exhaled lightly.
"He deserves a shot too," I said.
Anya studied me for a moment longer.
Then nodded, just once.
"…Fair enough."
Silence settled in for a few seconds.
From the hallway, I could hear Carlos talking, low voice, pacing slightly. Couldn't make out the words. Just the tone.
Working something out.
I stared at the floor, my foot tapping lightly without me realising.
This suddenly felt bigger than just me.
Footsteps.
Carlos came back in, slipping his phone into his pocket.
"Well?" I asked.
He looked between me and Anya. Then gave a small smirk.
"Depends," he said.
I frowned. "On what?"
He crossed his arms again. "On whether your boy can actually back you up."
A small pause.
"Some of them are willing to take a look at him," he added. "But it's not guaranteed."
I nodded slowly. I let out a small breath, a grin creeping back onto my face.
"Good," I said.
Carlos crossed his arms again, glancing between me and Anya like he was deciding how to say it.
"Due to this fact," he began, nodding slightly toward me, "Fluminense FC have pulled out…"
A small pause.
"…but Botafogo FR are heavily into you."
Anya tilted her head slightly. "That was quick."
Carlos shrugged. "Big clubs don't like uncertainty. Especially when you start adding extra variables."
"Noa," I muttered.
"Exactly."
I nodded slowly, letting it sink in.
Fluminense. Gone.
Vasco still there.
Botafogo pushing.
I looked up at Carlos. "How serious are Botafogo?"
He smirked slightly.
"Serious enough that they're willing to overlook your lack of official games," he said. "Serious enough that they want to see you in person."
A pause.
"Soon."
I felt that same spark again.
That pressure.
But this time it didn't feel overwhelming.
It felt… right.
Anya folded her arms. "And Vasco?"
Carlos waved his hand slightly. "Still interested. But not pushing like Botafogo."
I exhaled, nodding once.
Then a small grin formed.
"Good," I said again.
Anya sighed. "You're really sticking with that, aren't you?"
I glanced at her.
"Yeah."
Then back at Carlos.
"When do we go?"
"Tomorrow morning. Tell your friend to come along."