Chapter 20 : Day out

As the media buzz continued, the Trio decided to explore the local town together (tough it was mostly Wakabayashi's idea while the other two was 'persuade' to come along.) Wakabayashi wanted them to relax a little while also blending in with the locals as best as they could. They strolled down the cobbled streets, drawing curious stares from townsfolk who were both awestruck and amused to see Luton Town's new football stars out and about.

Barou led the way, his intense gaze making people either look away or stare in admiration. He walked with a certain swagger, his mind seemingly always focused, as if already envisioning his next goal. Wakabayashi trailed close behind, wearing a friendly grin and occasionally nodding in greeting to those who recognized them. Aoyama, true to his nature, kept to the side, carefully avoiding physical contact and discreetly scanning his surroundings for any potential "unclean" hazards.

As they passed a street market, the aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, immediately catching Barou's attention. He turned to the others. "I'm starving. Let's find something good around here. I need fuel if I'm going to keep dominating."

Wakabayashi laughed, clapping him on the back, causing Barou to scowl momentarily. "Barou, all you ever think about is food and goals. You know, you might want to enjoy life outside of football a bit!"

Barou shot him a challenging look. "Enjoy life? The only thing worth enjoying is winning. If you're not aiming to be the best, then what's the point?"

Aoyama observed the exchange with his usual quiet demeanor, tilting his head slightly as he considered Barou's words. "But winning is only one aspect of life. Sometimes, you need to find balance… and cleanliness," he added, glancing down as he sidestepped a puddle on the street.

Barou rolled his eyes. "Balance and cleanliness? That sounds like a distraction."

As Wakabayashi's arm moved toward Aoyama's shoulder, Aoyama instinctively flinched, his reflexes kicking in to avoid any contact. But Wakabayashi was ready. With the same lightning-quick reflexes that made him the New Wall of Luton, he adjusted mid-motion, precisely predicting Aoyama's reaction. In a split second, he managed to land his arm around Aoyama's shoulders without triggering his friend's meticulous cleanliness barrier.

Wakabayashi smirked, amused by his success. "Hey, Aoyama's right! There's more to life than just football," he teased, throwing a sly glance at Barou. "And besides, you wouldn't last a day trying to keep up with him in the 'cleanliness' department.

Barou scoffed, crossing his arms. "I don't have time for that. As long as I'm the king on the pitch, nothing else matters."

Aoyama sigh from the touch and looked at Barou still maintaining his deadpan expression. "You can still be the king, Barou. But a little cleanliness doesn't hurt. Sometimes, small routines help clear the mind."

Wakabayashi laughed, clearly entertained by the banter between his two teammates.

---

As they continued exploring the market, locals approached them with a mixture of curiosity and admiration, some even asking for photos or autographs. They were surprised to find that Aoyama, usually reserved, politely agreed to take photos as long as he could avoid physical contact. He even nodded appreciatively when a woman offered him hand sanitizer after the photo, something he accepted with genuine gratitude.

One older man approached Barou, clearly impressed by his ferocity on the field. "You remind me of a young warrior, Son. Always pushing forward. You've got the fire, I'll give you that."

Barou grinned proudly. "Damn right I do. There's no point in doing anything if you're not aiming to be the best."

Wakabayashi chimed in, playfully nudging him. "Yeah, but don't burn out before your time, Mr. Warrior. Sometimes it's the calm before the storm that makes the strike deadlier."

Barou scowled, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "As if I'd ever burn out."

While they walked, Grizelle a friend of Aoyama's who had become something of a fan spotted them with a small group of her friends, who immediately started giggling and nudging each other. One of her friends, eyes wide with excitement, whispered, "Oh my gosh, isn't that Aoyama? He's even cuter in person!"

Grizelle chuckled, rolling her eyes at their excitement. She caught Aoyama's gaze, giving him a small wave. "Aoyama, it looks like you've got a fan club."

Aoyama glanced at the group of girls, offering a polite nod but keeping his distance. One of Grizelle's friends, too starstruck to hold back, squeaked out, "Aoyama, we're your biggest fans! We came to every match!"

He gave them a small, courteous smile. "Thank you for your support."

Wakabayashi nudged him, grinning. "Looks like Mr Clean has his admirers."

Barou scoffed, clearly unamused by the attention Aoyama was receiving. "Tch. Admirers or not, focus on the game is what matters."

Grizelle chuckled as she watched them interacts, realizing that Aoyama and these boys, are fun and interesting even outside the field.

---

As evening fell, they headed back toward the training ground, where Rahmat was waiting for them with a smile. They hadn't expected him to be there, but there was something in his expression that seemed particularly warm.

"Did you boys enjoy your day off?" he asked, his tone affectionate.

Barou shrugged. "It was fine. But I'd rather be training."

Wakabayashi laughed, shaking his head. "Of course, you would."

Rahmat chuckled, looking at the three of them with a softness that hadn't been there before. "Well, I'm glad you're finding your place here. Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you about."

They exchanged curious glances as Rahmat gestured for them to follow him. He led them down a quiet street, stopping in front of a small but charming townhouse. The building had two floors, with warm lighting glowing from the windows and a cozy front garden.

"This," Rahmat began, "is your new accommodation. I thought it would be good for you to have a place of your own, somewhere you can call home while you're here."

The three of them looked at the townhouse, surprised and a little touched. Aoyama, in particular, seemed almost moved by the thoughtfulness behind the gesture.

"And there's something else," Rahmat continued, looking at them each in turn. "I know football is important to you, but I think it's also essential to keep learning, to grow beyond the pitch. I've spoken to the local college, and they're open to enrolling you if you're interested in continuing your studies."

Wakabayashi's eyes lit up. "School, huh? That could be fun. I always enjoyed learning new things."

Barou grunted, crossing his arms. "I'm not interested in anything that doesn't help me be the best striker in the world."

Rahmat chuckled, unbothered by Barou's reaction. "Think about it. Education isn't just about books—it's about learning skills that might help you in unexpected ways. Besides, you might find something you enjoy."

Aoyama, ever calm, nodded thoughtfully. "It could be… a good opportunity."

Rahmat placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "Look, I brought you here from unexpected circumstances but i like you guys not just because you're talented players, but because I see potential in each of you, not just as athletes but as people. and I want to make sure you have every chance to grow, both on and off the field."

The three players exchanged glances, a quiet understanding passing between them. Despite their differences, they each felt a sense of gratitude toward Rahmat, and in that moment, they knew he wasn't just their coach. He was someone who genuinely cared for them, someone who was starting to feel like a father figure.

As they turned back to look at their new home, a warmth settled over them, each of them feeling, perhaps for the first time, a sense of belonging.

Rahmat gave them a gentle smile.

"Welcome home, boys."