The devil incarnate witnessed everything
The team erupted in cheers as they celebrated their second goal.
Kai's teammates rushed to Edouard, patting him on the back and congratulating him on his goal. Kai himself was overwhelmed with joy. He had finally found his rhythm and was now playing to his strengths. He looked up at the scoreboard and saw that there were only a few minutes left in the game. He knew that they had to hold on to their lead and secure the win.
Gacha however was left wordless.
Impossible, Impossible. In only one session, Kai had already rebuilt the attack. Edouard, Nkunku, and Kai created an offence, an attacking pattern that he could only dream of coaching into these pathetic and idiotic teenagers.
Gacha doubted if the trio realised what they had accomplished. In just one match together, they had rebuilt the triangle offence. This wasn't something Gacha can just coach, this was something that the players must develop amongst themselves. Not only do they need to reach an astounding understanding of each other's roles, they also need to develop a sentient trust and chemistry between one another.
In other words. The trio have reached a prominent understanding between themselves.. They incessantly read one another's thoughts and they have... the perfect relationship on the pitch. How long did the three play together? An hour?
Did Nkunku and Edouard have this relationship before? Or was this little playmaker the one that weave them together? Gacha would never know. The youth manager carried this question all the way to the afterlife.
The whistle sounded under the unwillingness from the more established PSG graduates. There were celebratory sounds from Kai's side as they congratulated one another in their victory.
Beckons of sweat drizzled down Kai's forehead as his lungs repeated inhaled and exhaled. There was a satisfaction he couldn't hide. The scoreline was his doing, and he felt he was on top of the entire world. He was certain the world would tremble by his presence. He alone would dominate the world of football. He would be next superstar. His journey would begin here.
The coaches reprimanded the individuals on the team. Each staff member had different ideas and perspective on the game as they consoled each player on what they did wrong and how they could improve. The discussion lasted whilst the players sat in a circle in the dressing room.
Gacha was busying drawing lines and making wild gestures in front of a whiteboard. His frantic yet detailed explanation for everything was causing an overload on everyone's consciousness.
Kai approached the 'old geezer' when he had the opportunity. Kai expected warm faces and welcoming enthusiasm from Gacha as he faced the u19 manager. Yet he was faced with a hesitant football coach that only kept sighing.
"I was told after this game you'd tell me how my trial went?" Kai uneasily asked the Gacha.
The manager looked away as he scratched his chin. "Look, I have to be honest. You're performance tonight wasn't up to the standards we expect from our players. You struggled to keep up with the pace of the game and made several mistakes that led to turnovers."
His once idealistic future broke into a million pieces as Kai listened, rooted to the spot. His shoulders dropped as he felt an unbearable weight that sent on him. His eyes unfocused on the surroundings as everything started to blur. He couldn't bring himself to accept it. He couldn't.
"Football is changing. The physical demand on footballers are only ever growing and luxury players who don't contribute on defence are a liability. How old are you, 18?"
Gacha shook his head. "You only have a few years of development before you hit your upper limit. You're incomplete. A one trick pony. If we found you a few years earlier, we could have eliminated many of your shortcomings. It's much too late for us to mould you."
"But.. but"
"You're not quite there yet. It's never easy to tell a player that they're not going to make the team, but ultimately, we have to make tough decisions that are in the best interest of the club."
"I can still improve. My ceiling is unimaginable!" Kai pleaded, trying anything to persuade his verdict. He couldn't fail this trial. He mustn't.
Gacha sighed. He eyed Zagadou as he pointed at Kai's friend. "You're 18. Look at Zagadou, how old do you think he is?"
Stunned. Kai didn't know how to answer. Zagadou was almost a head taller than himself. He had the build of a wrestling champion and he could knock Kai off his feet easily. "The same age as me?" Kai replied in a low voice.
"15."
It was like lighting that struck him. There was a dismay that he suddenly felt, like an hourglass as he realised time was short. It was then he realised he was never equal to those around him, instead he was himself that mistakenly believed he was their equal.
He felt ashamed, foolish for believing he could just become one of Europe's top talents without dedicating his heart and body towards his ambitions. He thought [ De Bruyne Vision ] was all he needed to become a wonderkid. Such ignornance.
"You don't have many years left to grow. We don't have a spot on the team for you..... Good luck." Gacha consoled him as he left the dressing room.
Kai sat alone on a bench in the locker room, staring blankly at his football boots. He can hear the distant chatter of his teammates, who were all celebrating their victory in the previous match. But for Kai, the joy and excitement of the win was completely lost.
He can't help but replay the conversation he had with the coach in his head. The words, "we don't think you're ready yet," kept echoing in his mind. He had been working so hard to improve his skills and prove himself to the coach, but it all seemed to be for nothing.
As he sat there, Kai felt a heavy weight of discouragement settle over him. He wondered if he will ever be good enough to play for PSG or any other team. Doubts and insecurities flooded his mind, and he can't shake the feeling of disappointment and rejection.
He looks down at his football boots and noticed a scuff mark on one of them. It felt like a metaphor for his current situation. No matter how hard he tried, he can't seem to make any progress. He doesn't know how to move forward from here, and the thought of giving up crossed his mind.
Kai didn't know how long he sat there, lost in his thoughts. He replayed every moment of the game, every mistake he made, every missed opportunity. He felt like he had let himself down, let his team down, let his dream down.
Suddenly, he heard a voice behind him. "Hey, you okay?"
Kai turned around to see Nkunku standing there, looking concerned. He didn't know what to say, but the Frenchman didn't seem to need an answer. He just sat down next to Kai and put a comforting arm around his shoulder.
"I know it's tough, man. But don't give up. You have the potential to be great, I can see it in you," Nkunku said, looking at Kai with a reassuring smile. How much of those words were true, Kai didn't know. But it was still comforting to hear encouragement from a friend.
Kai felt a glimmer of hope in his heart. Maybe he wasn't completely hopeless. Maybe he just needed to work harder, train smarter, and improve his skills. He looked at Nkunku with gratitude and said, "Thanks, man. I really appreciate it."
"No problem. Friends always look after one another, remember? We're in this together," the left winger replied, patting Kai's back.
Kai nodded, feeling a newfound sense of determination. He was going to prove to himself and to everyone else that he had what it takes to be a great footballer. He was going to work hard and never give up on his dream.
~~~
Before Kai could even leave the grounds, a sight twisted his heart inside out as he witnessed the devil incarnated before him. His fists tighten as he eyed her with pure horror.
How?
When?
For how long was she there?
Kai's heart sank as he saw his mother standing outside the gate of the football field. He knew she disapproved of his dreams of becoming a professional football player, but he had hoped that his success in the trial would change her mind.
Instead, his mother's expression was one of pure disgust as she looked at him. "I knew it was a waste of time," she said, shaking her head. "You should have listened to me and focused on your studies. Look at you now, all sweaty and dirty, chasing a dream that will only bring you disappointment."
Kai felt a surge of anger at his mother's words, but he knew arguing with her would only make things worse. He silently walked past her, feeling defeated and deflated. "The sooner you realise how cruel the world is, the sooner you would stop these pointless obsessions."