If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my P-Tang12!!!
_____________________________
(A/N: Don't forget to give those power stones to Skyrim everyone!)
...
He knew something important, because the next challenge had already begun.
The television continued playing quietly in the living room.
Francesco sat forward on the couch, elbows resting loosely on his knees, his eyes focused on the screen with the same concentration he normally carried onto a football pitch.
The replay had shifted to another attacking sequence.
Midfield rotation.
A winger drifting into the half-space.
The striker checking his run to create a passing lane.
Francesco paused the video again.
The screen froze on the moment just before the through ball.
He leaned closer.
Not watching himself this time.
Watching the defenders.
Two center-backs.
One stepped slightly forward.
The other hesitated.
That half-second difference created the opening.
Francesco nodded to himself.
"That's the trigger," he murmured quietly.
Cheddar lifted his head sleepily beside him.
The corgi had no idea what tactical revelation had just occurred.
But he wagged his tail anyway.
Francesco reached over and scratched behind the dog's ears.
"Yeah," he said softly. "You saw it too, huh?"
Cheddar blinked.
Then returned to sleep.
Francesco resumed the video.
The goal played out.
The striker slipped between defenders.
The pass arrived perfectly.
One touch.
Finish.
Net.
The stadium roared through the television speakers.
Francesco paused again.
Then rewound.
Watching the entire movement from ten seconds earlier.
Where the run started.
Where the defenders shifted.
How the midfield triangle created the passing angle.
Football looked simple on the surface.
But the deeper you studied it, the more layers appeared.
It was like chess played at full sprint.
Every run mattered.
Every decision shifted the board.
And Francesco loved understanding those layers.
The video eventually ended.
The broadcast cut to post-match analysis.
Former players stood around a digital tactics board discussing positioning.
Francesco watched for a minute.
Then muted the TV.
He leaned back into the couch and stretched his arms across the backrest.
For the first time since turning the television on, he allowed his mind to relax slightly.
Outside the tall living room windows, the afternoon sun had shifted higher in the sky.
The backyard pitch glowed bright green under the light.
Completely quiet now.
Earlier that morning it had echoed with the sound of football strikes.
Now it looked peaceful.
Almost inviting.
Francesco glanced at it for a moment.
Then chuckled quietly to himself.
"No," he said.
"Enough training for today."
Even he knew when to stop.
Cheddar shifted beside him, stretching his short legs before hopping down from the couch.
The corgi trotted toward the kitchen, probably continuing his lifelong mission to locate food.
Francesco grabbed the remote and switched channels again.
More match footage.
More tactical breakdowns.
This time he watched clips from different leagues.
Spain.
Germany.
Italy.
Not because he would face those teams every week.
But because football ideas traveled across leagues.
One tactical innovation in Spain could appear in England months later.
Understanding those trends mattered.
He watched a team in La Liga using inverted fullbacks during build-up.
He studied a Bundesliga side pressing with a narrow front three.
He noted how a Serie A club defended deep with a compact five-man line.
Each style offered lessons.
Each match revealed something new.
Hours passed quietly like that.
The afternoon slowly rolled into early evening.
Eventually Leah wandered into the living room carrying a glass of water.
She stopped when she saw the screen.
Another football match.
Another tactical replay.
Francesco leaned forward again, focused.
She smiled.
"You've been watching matches all afternoon, haven't you?"
He glanced back at her.
"…Maybe."
Leah raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe?"
He shrugged.
"Research."
She laughed and walked over to the couch, sitting beside him.
"Research," she repeated.
"Yes."
"Not obsession?"
"Absolutely not."
She took a sip of water and glanced at the paused tactical screen.
"…You rewound that play four times."
"Five."
Leah shook her head, smiling.
"You're unbelievable."
But there was admiration in her voice.
Because she understood something important about him.
Francesco never stopped working.
Even when he looked relaxed.
Even when he was sitting on a couch watching television.
His mind was always studying the game.
Always preparing for the next challenge.
The rest of the evening passed peacefully.
They cooked dinner together.
Walked Cheddar around the neighborhood as the sky turned orange with sunset.
Watched a movie later in the living room while the corgi slept between them.
Eventually the house grew quiet.
Night settled over Richmond.
And the day slowly came to an end.
Soft morning light filtered through the bedroom curtains.
Birds chirped somewhere outside among the tall trees surrounding the property.
Francesco woke slowly, blinking against the sunlight.
For a few seconds he remained still.
Just listening to the quiet sounds of the morning.
Then Cheddar jumped onto the bed.
The corgi landed with the enthusiasm of a small missile.
Francesco groaned.
"Morning to you too."
Cheddar wagged his tail furiously.
Apparently the day had officially begun.
Leah stirred beside him, half asleep.
"…Why is there a dog on my ribs?"
Francesco laughed softly.
"He's enthusiastic."
Cheddar licked her hand happily.
Leah opened one eye.
"…Traitor."
But she scratched behind his ears anyway.
Eventually they both climbed out of bed.
The morning routine began.
Coffee.
Breakfast.
Cheddar running laps around the kitchen like a tiny race car.
The calm domestic rhythm of a quiet day off.
Francesco poured coffee into two mugs and handed one to Leah.
She leaned against the kitchen counter, still waking up slowly.
"So," she said.
"What's today's training schedule?"
He sipped his coffee thoughtfully.
"Gym later."
"Backyard pitch?"
"Maybe."
Leah nodded.
Then he added something else.
"…Actually."
She looked at him.
"I was thinking about something."
"Oh?"
Francesco leaned back slightly against the counter.
"You know preseason is starting soon."
She nodded.
"Yeah."
"Once that starts…" he continued, "things get busy again."
Training sessions.
Fitness tests.
Tactical meetings.
Preseason tours.
The full intensity of preparation for another long season.
Leah understood immediately.
"So you're saying this is the calm before the storm."
"Exactly."
She took another sip of coffee.
"So what's the plan?"
Francesco looked at her for a moment.
Then smiled.
"I was thinking we could go somewhere today."
Leah tilted her head slightly.
"Where?"
He shrugged casually.
"Maybe the zoo."
She blinked.
"…The zoo?"
"Yes."
"The actual zoo?"
"Yes."
She laughed.
"I didn't expect that answer."
Francesco grinned.
"I thought it would be fun."
She leaned her elbow on the counter.
"Why the zoo?"
He shrugged again.
"Because we haven't gone."
"…That's your reasoning?"
"Also because," he added, "once preseason really starts, I'm going to be fully focused on getting my body back into peak condition."
Which meant less free time.
Less spontaneous days out.
Less quiet adventures together.
Leah studied his expression for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"You're asking me on a zoo date."
"Technically yes."
"With animals."
"Lots of them."
She pretended to consider the idea very seriously.
"Hm."
Francesco waited patiently.
Finally she nodded.
"Alright."
"Yes?"
"Yes."
He pumped a small fist.
"Perfect."
She laughed.
"You're weirdly excited about this."
"Of course."
"Why?"
"Because it's a day off."
"That's fair."
Cheddar barked excitedly.
Francesco pointed at him.
"Sorry buddy."
"No dogs allowed."
The corgi looked personally betrayed.
Leah crouched down to pet him.
"You'll guard the house."
Cheddar accepted this responsibility with dignity.
By the time they left the house, the sky over Richmond had turned bright and clear.
Francesco grabbed his car keys while Leah locked the front door.
Cheddar watched them from the window like a tiny security guard.
"Don't destroy anything while we're gone," Francesco told him.
The corgi barked once.
Promise unclear.
They climbed into the car and pulled out of the driveway.
The drive toward London felt relaxed.
Music played softly through the speakers.
Morning traffic moved steadily along the roads.
Leah rested her elbow on the window, watching the city slowly grow busier as they approached central London.
"You know," she said.
"What?"
"You're probably the only footballer in the world who schedules a zoo trip before preseason."
Francesco shrugged.
"Balance."
She laughed.
"Balance."
"Yes."
"Football genius and animal enthusiast."
"Exactly."
They crossed the river not long after.
The skyline of London stretched around them.
Historic buildings.
Busy streets.
Tourists walking along sidewalks.
Eventually Francesco pulled into a parking area near the entrance of ZSL London Zoo.
Leah stepped out of the car and stretched slightly.
"Alright."
Francesco looked around.
Families walked toward the entrance.
Children pointed excitedly at signs showing animals inside.
It felt… normal.
Refreshingly normal.
No stadium crowds.
No reporters.
Just a regular day out.
They bought their tickets and stepped through the gates.
Immediately the atmosphere changed.
Green pathways wound through carefully designed habitats.
Tall trees shaded the walkways.
The distant sounds of animals echoed through the air.
Leah smiled.
"Okay, this is already a good idea."
Francesco grinned.
"Told you."
They followed one of the main paths deeper into the zoo.
The first enclosure they reached housed giraffes.
Two tall giraffes moved slowly across their habitat, their long necks swaying gently as they reached toward tree branches.
Leah tilted her head upward.
"They're taller than I expected."
Francesco nodded.
"Imagine defending a corner kick against that."
She laughed.
"That's your football brain again."
"Everything relates to football."
They continued walking.
Next came the penguins.
A large pool where dozens of penguins swam and waddled across rocky platforms.
Children gathered along the glass watching them dive underwater.
One penguin slid dramatically into the water.
Leah laughed.
"Okay that one's my favorite so far."
Francesco nodded approvingly.
"Strong technique."
"You're evaluating penguin technique now?"
"Always."
They moved through the zoo slowly, enjoying the relaxed pace.
Lions.
Monkeys.
Zebras.
Each enclosure brought a different reaction.
Sometimes laughter.
Sometimes quiet fascination.
At one point they stood watching a group of gorillas lounging peacefully in the shade.
Leah leaned slightly against the railing.
"They look so calm."
Francesco nodded.
"They're strong though."
"You'd probably try to race one."
"…I would not."
"You absolutely would."
He smiled.
"Maybe."
Francesco and Leah stood at the railing a little longer, quietly watching the gorillas.
One of the large silverbacks sat with his back against a rock formation, massive arms resting loosely on his knees while a younger gorilla clambered around nearby, occasionally tugging at his arm like an impatient child.
The silverback barely reacted.
Just calm.
Patient.
Leah rested her forearms on the railing.
"They look so peaceful," she said softly.
Francesco nodded.
"But you know they could flip a car if they wanted."
She glanced sideways at him.
"Why do you always escalate everything to violence?"
"I'm just saying," he replied with a grin. "That one definitely lifts more than me."
Leah studied the gorilla again.
"…Yeah. Probably."
They shared a quiet laugh.
After another minute they stepped away from the enclosure and continued down the shaded pathway.
The zoo was beginning to grow busier now.
Families wandered through the walkways with strollers and backpacks. Children darted between their parents pointing excitedly toward animal signs. Somewhere nearby, a zoo guide spoke through a microphone giving a small educational talk about reptiles.
The entire place carried that gentle buzz of a weekend outing.
Francesco inhaled slowly.
Fresh air.
Trees.
Animal sounds.
No stadium noise.
No training whistles.
No cameras.
It felt strangely refreshing.
Leah nudged his arm lightly.
"You hungry?"
He thought for a second.
"…Actually yeah."
She pointed ahead where a small snack stand sat beneath a cluster of umbrellas.
"Perfect timing."
They walked over together.
The stand offered simple zoo food: soft pretzels, popcorn, bottled drinks, and small snack boxes.
Francesco leaned slightly toward the counter.
"What are we thinking?"
Leah scanned the menu board.
"Pretzels," she decided. "And maybe popcorn."
"Balanced diet," he said approvingly.
The employee behind the counter handed them a warm pretzel each and a small bucket of popcorn along with two bottled drinks.
They stepped aside to a nearby bench beneath a tree.
Leah tore a small piece from her pretzel and popped it into her mouth.
"Okay," she said after chewing. "That's actually really good."
Francesco nodded while taking a bite of his own.
"Everything tastes better outside."
"Scientific fact."
They sat there for a few minutes, eating slowly while watching visitors pass by.
A group of children ran past holding penguin-shaped plush toys.
Leah noticed immediately.
"Oh."
Francesco followed her gaze.
"Penguins."
She pointed down the pathway where a sign stood decorated with cartoon penguin graphics.
Penguin Beach – Humboldt Penguin Habitat
Leah's eyes brightened.
"We should go there."
Francesco chuckled.
"I had a feeling that would be next."
They finished their snacks and stood up.
Leah carried the popcorn bucket while Francesco held the drinks.
The walk to Penguin Beach wasn't far.
As they approached, the distant sound of splashing water became noticeable.
Then the enclosure appeared.
Penguin Beach was one of the larger attractions in the zoo.
A wide open habitat designed to mimic a coastal environment with rocky ledges, shallow sandy areas, and a large curved pool of bright blue water.
Dozens of Humboldt penguins waddled around the rocks.
Some stood in small groups chirping loudly.
Others dove gracefully into the water, darting beneath the surface like underwater missiles.
Children crowded along the glass viewing area laughing whenever a penguin zipped past underwater.
Leah stopped immediately at the railing.
"Oh my god."
Francesco grinned.
"You like them."
"They're adorable."
A penguin hopped clumsily from one rock to another before sliding belly-first into the water.
Leah laughed.
"That one is dramatic."
Francesco leaned his elbows on the railing beside her.
"I respect the commitment."
They watched quietly as one of the scheduled attractions began.
A zoo staff member stepped onto a platform near the pool holding a bucket of fish.
A small crowd gathered quickly.
Children pressed closer to the glass with excitement.
The staff member spoke through a microphone.
"Welcome everyone to Penguin Beach! Today we're going to learn a little about our Humboldt penguins…"
Leah leaned slightly closer to Francesco.
"…You definitely planned this," she whispered.
He smiled.
"Maybe."
The demonstration continued.
The keeper explained how Humboldt penguins came from the coasts of Peru and Chile.
How they were excellent swimmers.
How they used their wings like flippers to glide underwater.
Then the feeding began.
The keeper tossed small fish into the water.
Immediately the penguins sprang into action.
One after another they launched themselves from the rocks into the pool.
Water splashed.
Penguins zipped beneath the surface chasing fish with incredible speed.
Children cheered loudly every time one caught a fish mid-dive.
Leah clapped quietly.
"That's amazing."
Francesco nodded.
"They're fast."
"Understatement."
One penguin shot past the underwater viewing glass so quickly it looked like a torpedo.
Leah shook her head.
"Okay that one definitely trains more than you."
"Impossible."
"Look at that acceleration."
He laughed.
They stayed there through the entire attraction.
Watching the penguins dive, swim, and waddle around their rocky habitat.
It was strangely hypnotic.
After the feeding ended, the crowd slowly dispersed.
Leah pulled out her phone.
"We need a picture."
Francesco raised an eyebrow.
"With the penguins?"
"Yes."
"Obviously."
They walked over to a designated photo area near the enclosure where visitors could stand with the penguin habitat visible behind them.
A zoo staff member offered to take the picture.
Leah stood beside Francesco, one arm around his waist.
The bright blue pool and several penguins waddling along the rocks filled the background.
"Ready?" the staff member asked.
Francesco nodded.
Leah smiled brightly.
Click.
The photo was taken.
But as soon as the staff member handed the phone back, something shifted nearby.
A teenage boy standing a few meters away stared for a moment.
Then his eyes widened.
"…Wait."
Another person looked over.
"…Is that—?"
Recognition spread quickly.
"Francesco!"
Within seconds a few fans approached hesitantly.
One young man held a football jersey.
"Excuse me… are you Francesco Lee?"
Francesco smiled politely.
"Yeah."
The reaction was immediate.
"Mate, can we take a picture with you?"
Another fan stepped forward holding a notebook.
"Could you sign this?"
Leah stepped slightly back, watching with an amused expression.
Francesco had experienced this countless times before.
Fame came with football at that level.
But in a public place like the zoo, word spread quickly.
Within moments several more people noticed.
Phones appeared.
More fans approached.
"Francesco! Big fan!"
"Can we get a selfie?"
"Please sign my shirt!"
The small group quickly turned into a crowd.
Francesco signed a few quick autographs and posed for a couple photos.
But the gathering continued growing.
More visitors nearby began recognizing him.
A few children excitedly ran over holding footballs.
Leah leaned closer to him quietly.
"…Your cover is blown."
He chuckled softly.
"Yeah."
At that point zoo security staff noticed the situation and approached.
Two uniformed guards stepped forward calmly.
"Alright everyone," one of them said firmly but politely. "Let's give them some space please."
The crowd hesitated.
Fans still held phones up hopefully.
Francesco raised his hands gently.
"Hey guys," he said.
The crowd quieted slightly.
"I really appreciate all of you coming over."
A few fans nodded eagerly.
"But today I'm actually here on a date," he continued, glancing toward Leah with a small smile.
Several fans turned and noticed her.
Leah gave a polite wave.
"So I'm really sorry," Francesco said. "But we're just trying to have a quiet day together."
The honesty in his tone softened the mood immediately.
One fan grinned.
"Fair enough, mate."
Another laughed.
"Respect."
A younger kid still holding a football looked disappointed.
Francesco crouched slightly and signed the ball quickly.
"There you go," he said.
The kid's face lit up.
Zoo security gently guided the remaining fans back, allowing the crowd to disperse.
Within a minute the walkway cleared again.
Leah looked at him.
"That escalated quickly."
He exhaled.
"Occupational hazard."
She smiled.
"You handled it well."
Francesco shrugged.
"Fans are part of the job."
They walked away from Penguin Beach together, moving toward a quieter path through the zoo gardens.
After a few minutes Leah nudged him lightly.
"…You still got recognized at a penguin enclosure."
He grinned.
"Penguins are famous too."
She laughed.
By the time they reached the central plaza area of the zoo, the sun had climbed higher in the sky.
The morning had slipped away without them noticing.
Francesco glanced at his watch.
12:47 PM.
"Wow."
Leah looked at him.
"What?"
"It's almost lunch."
She followed his gaze toward a nearby building with a large sign.
Terrace Restaurant
Perfect timing.
"I'm starving," she admitted.
"Same."
They walked toward the restaurant entrance together.
The Terrace Restaurant overlooked a landscaped garden area with outdoor seating shaded by umbrellas.
Visitors filled many of the tables already.
Families sat eating burgers and salads while children compared stuffed animal souvenirs.
Francesco and Leah stepped inside to order first.
The menu offered a mix of casual lunch options.
Sandwiches.
Salads.
Grilled chicken.
Pasta.
Leah scanned the board.
"Okay… I'm thinking grilled chicken sandwich."
Francesco nodded.
"Solid choice."
"What about you?"
"Burger."
"Of course."
"Professional athlete cheat meal."
She laughed.
They placed their order and received a number for their table.
Outside they found a small table beneath an umbrella overlooking the garden.
Leah sat down and stretched slightly.
"Okay," she said.
"This is a great day."
Francesco leaned back in his chair.
"I told you the zoo was a good idea."
She smiled.
"You were right."
A light breeze moved through the trees surrounding the terrace.
Birds chirped nearby.
The distant sounds of visitors walking along zoo pathways drifted through the air.
It felt relaxed.
Unhurried.
Leah rested her chin in her hand.
"You know preseason is going to be intense soon."
Francesco nodded.
"Yeah."
Fitness tests.
Double training sessions.
Tactical drills.
Preparation for another long campaign.
She studied his expression.
"You're already thinking about it."
He didn't deny it.
"That's how it works."
But he gestured around them.
"Which is why days like this matter."
Leah smiled softly.
Their food arrived a few minutes later.
A large burger and fries for Francesco.
A grilled chicken sandwich with salad for Leah.
They both immediately started eating.
Francesco took a bite and nodded approvingly.
"Good burger."
Leah laughed.
"You judge everything like a food critic."
"Important skill."
She took a bite of her sandwich.
"…Okay yeah this is good."
They ate slowly, talking casually between bites.
About the penguins.
About Cheddar waiting at home.
About the upcoming preseason schedule.
About nothing in particular.
Just enjoying the afternoon.
For a few hours, Francesco wasn't the Premier League's top striker.
He wasn't studying tactics.
He wasn't thinking about scoring records or training sessions.
He was just a guy having lunch at the zoo with the woman he loved.
For a while, the world shrank to the simple rhythm of lunch.
The soft clink of cutlery.
The rustle of leaves overhead.
The distant laughter of children somewhere deeper in the zoo.
Francesco leaned back slightly in his chair after finishing half his burger, wiping his hands with a napkin while watching a group of ducks wandering through the grass beyond the terrace.
Leah followed his gaze.
"…You're thinking about adopting another animal, aren't you?"
He blinked.
"What?"
"You get that look whenever you see animals."
"I do not."
"You absolutely do."
She pointed toward the ducks.
"That one has your attention."
Francesco studied the duck very seriously for a moment.
"…He walks with confidence."
Leah laughed.
"You're analyzing duck body language now."
"It's important."
"Is it tactical?"
"Everything is tactical."
She shook her head, smiling.
Moments like this made it easy to forget the scale of Francesco's life outside quiet afternoons like this one.
The packed stadiums.
The roaring crowds.
The headlines.
Here, he just looked like a guy enjoying lunch.
Leah took another bite of her sandwich, then leaned back in her chair.
"So," she said.
"What's next on the zoo tour?"
Francesco glanced around thoughtfully.
A large map of the zoo stood near the restaurant entrance.
He pointed toward it.
"Let's check the map."
They stood and walked over together.
Leah traced a finger along the paths.
"Okay… we've done Penguin Beach."
"Correct."
She scanned further.
"Ooh."
"What?"
She pointed.
"Land of the Lions."
Francesco raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds dramatic."
"Exactly."
She looked at him with a playful grin.
"Let's go see the king of the jungle."
He shrugged.
"Lead the way."
The path toward Land of the Lions curved through a section of the zoo designed to resemble an Indian village landscape.
Stone walls.
Rust-colored buildings.
Decorative temple-style architecture.
It created the feeling of stepping into another part of the world.
Francesco looked around appreciatively.
"Okay… this is cool."
Leah nodded.
"They really committed to the theme."
As they approached the viewing area, a low rumble rolled through the air.
Not loud.
But deep.
Powerful.
Leah stopped.
"…Was that—"
Another rumble followed.
A lion's roar.
Francesco grinned.
"That answered the question."
They stepped toward the railing.
Below them stretched a wide habitat filled with rocky outcrops, dry grass, and scattered trees.
And resting beneath one of those trees lay a massive Asiatic lion.
Golden fur.
Heavy mane framing his face.
His enormous paws stretched lazily in front of him.
Nearby, two lionesses walked slowly along the rocks.
Leah leaned slightly closer to the railing.
"…Wow."
There was something about lions that commanded silence.
Visitors around them had instinctively lowered their voices.
The big male lifted his head slowly.
Amber eyes scanning the habitat.
For a moment those eyes seemed to sweep across the viewing platform where visitors stood.
Francesco folded his arms.
"That guy definitely lifts more than me."
Leah smirked.
"You said that about the gorilla too."
"Well I'm not fighting either of them."
"You'd try."
"I would not."
She glanced at him.
"…If someone said you'd score ten goals if you wrestled a lion."
He considered that.
"…We're not having this conversation."
She burst out laughing.
The lion shifted slightly, stretching before settling back down in the shade.
Despite their power, there was something strangely peaceful about them.
Like watching living statues.
Leah rested her chin lightly on the railing.
"They're beautiful."
Francesco nodded.
"Yeah."
They stayed there for several minutes, quietly watching.
Eventually the lionesses wandered toward a rocky ridge, climbing gracefully while the male remained lounging beneath the tree.
Leah finally pushed away from the railing.
"Okay."
"What?"
"That was impressive."
Francesco nodded.
"Very."
She glanced at the map again.
"What's next?"
He pointed.
"Rainforest Life."
Her eyes brightened.
"Oh yes."
The entrance to Rainforest Life looked like a glass greenhouse rising above the surrounding trees.
Warm air spilled out every time the doors opened.
The moment Francesco and Leah stepped inside, the environment changed completely.
Humidity wrapped around them.
Thick green plants climbed along artificial tree trunks.
Vines hung from above.
The air buzzed with the quiet sounds of insects and tropical birds.
Leah wiped a tiny bit of condensation from her phone screen.
"…Okay, that's humid."
Francesco laughed.
"Feels like preseason training in Florida."
They followed the winding pathway deeper into the building.
Above them, colorful birds flitted between branches.
A bright blue butterfly drifted lazily past Leah's shoulder.
She gasped softly.
"Did you see that?"
"Yeah."
"Gorgeous."
Further along the path they reached an enclosure filled with sloths.
One of the animals hung upside down from a branch, barely moving.
Francesco stared at it.
"…That's me on rest days."
Leah laughed.
"That's you after double training sessions."
The sloth slowly lifted one arm and scratched its head at the pace of geological erosion.
Francesco nodded.
"Respect the energy conservation."
"Professional sloth analysis now?"
"Yes."
They continued walking.
Colorful poison dart frogs sat inside glass terrariums like tiny living jewels.
Small monkeys leapt through branches overhead.
At one point a pair of tamarin monkeys scampered across a rope above the walkway, stopping briefly to stare at the visitors below.
Leah pointed.
"They're judging us."
"They definitely are."
The rainforest exhibit felt alive in a different way than the rest of the zoo.
Dense.
Layered.
Every corner seemed to hide another small creature.
Eventually they reached the exit corridor where the humidity slowly faded.
Leah stepped back into the open air and exhaled.
"…That felt like visiting another planet."
Francesco stretched his arms slightly.
"Or a preseason training camp."
She rolled her eyes.
"You relate everything to football."
"It's a lifestyle."
She checked the map again.
"Next stop…"
Her finger moved across the path.
"Reptile House."
Francesco grinned.
"Snakes."
"You sound excited."
"I am."
"…You're weird."
The Reptile House sat inside an older brick building with tall arched windows.
It had a quiet, museum-like atmosphere when they stepped inside.
Dim lighting.
Rows of glass enclosures.
Soft informational displays explaining different reptile species.
Leah immediately slowed her pace.
"…Okay I'm a little nervous about this one."
Francesco looked amused.
"You're scared of snakes?"
"Not scared."
"…Concerned."
The first enclosure contained a large boa constrictor coiled around a thick branch.
Its patterned scales shimmered under the exhibit lights.
Leah instinctively stepped half a pace behind Francesco.
"You're using me as a shield."
"I'm using you as a buffer."
He chuckled.
"You realize there's glass between us and the snake."
"Yes."
"But the snake doesn't know that."
The boa slowly flicked its tongue, sensing the air.
Leah leaned forward cautiously.
"…Okay that's actually kind of cool."
Further down the hall they found a massive Komodo dragon lounging across a rocky platform.
Its thick body looked prehistoric.
Francesco folded his arms.
"That thing looks like it could play center-back."
Leah nodded.
"Very aggressive defending style."
They moved from enclosure to enclosure.
Colorful lizards.
Geckos clinging to glass walls.
A hypnotic green tree python curled perfectly around a branch like living jewelry.
At the far end of the building they reached the crocodile enclosure.
The animal inside barely moved.
Just floating in shallow water with its eyes above the surface.
Leah whispered.
"That one definitely eats people."
Francesco nodded.
"No doubt."
They stood there for a moment watching the crocodile remain completely still.
Predator patience.
Leah finally exhaled.
"Okay."
"What?"
"Let's go somewhere less… bitey."
Francesco laughed.
Their final stop before leaving the zoo was the Aquarium.
The building felt cool and dark compared to the sunny afternoon outside.
Blue light reflected across the walls from the large tanks.
Inside the first chamber, tropical fish swam through coral reefs glowing with color.
Bright yellows.
Electric blues.
Stripes and spots.
Leah leaned close to the glass.
"Look at that one."
A clownfish darted through a cluster of sea anemones.
Francesco nodded.
"Fast little guy."
"You're scouting fish now?"
"Future midfielders."
She shook her head laughing.
They wandered deeper through the aquarium halls.
Massive tanks held schools of fish moving like synchronized clouds.
Moon jellyfish drifted slowly in glowing cylindrical tanks, their delicate forms pulsing gently with the water currents.
Leah stood there watching them for a long moment.
"…That's hypnotic."
Francesco agreed.
"Feels like slow motion."
In another tank a sleek shark glided past the viewing window.
Leah crossed her arms.
"Okay that one definitely eats footballers."
Francesco raised an eyebrow.
"Why specifically footballers?"
"High protein diet."
"Fair."
They moved through the final tunnel where fish swam above and around them through curved glass panels.
It felt like walking beneath the ocean.
Leah tilted her head upward.
"Okay this might be my favorite part."
Francesco nodded slowly.
"Yeah."
Moments like that had a quiet magic to them.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just peaceful.
Eventually they reached the exit of the aquarium.
When they stepped back outside, the sun had already begun its slow descent toward evening.
Golden light filtered through the trees.
Leah glanced at her phone.
"…Wow."
"What?"
"It's almost five."
Francesco blinked.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah."
They looked at each other.
The day had passed faster than either of them expected.
Leah smiled.
"Well."
"That was a successful zoo date."
Francesco nodded.
"Definitely."
They slowly made their way toward the zoo exit, walking along shaded pathways that were now beginning to thin as visitors started heading home.
A few children still ran past carrying stuffed animals.
Somewhere behind them a lion roared again.
The distant sound echoed across the zoo.
Leah glanced back briefly.
"…Goodbye lions."
Francesco added quietly,
"Goodbye penguins."
The drive back toward Richmond felt calm and comfortable.
Late afternoon traffic rolled steadily along the roads.
Warm sunlight poured through the windshield.
Leah rested her head lightly against the seat.
"That was fun."
Francesco nodded while steering.
"Yeah."
"You were right about the zoo."
He grinned.
"I'm right about many things."
"Don't push it."
Music played softly through the car speakers.
For a while neither of them spoke.
They just enjoyed the quiet.
Eventually the familiar tree-lined roads of Richmond appeared again.
Francesco turned into the driveway of his mansion.
The large gates opened automatically.
Leah stretched slightly as they parked.
"…Home."
Francesco glanced toward the house.
Lights were beginning to glow inside as evening approached.
They stepped out of the car.
Before they even reached the front door, something happened.
The window inside the house exploded with movement.
A small furry blur bounced against the glass.
Leah laughed.
"Cheddar."
Francesco opened the door.
The corgi launched forward like a furry rocket.
Pure excitement.
Tail wagging at dangerous speeds.
"Okay okay," Francesco laughed, crouching down as Cheddar jumped around them both.
"You survived the day."
Leah knelt to pet him.
"Did you guard the house?"
Cheddar barked proudly.
Mission accomplished.
They stepped inside together.
The house felt warm and peaceful.
Evening light filled the living room.
Francesco dropped his keys on the counter while Cheddar followed them around like a tiny supervisor.
Leah kicked off her shoes.
"…That was a really good day."
Francesco nodded.
"Yeah."
No cameras.
No stadium noise.
Just animals.
Walking.
Laughing.
Time together.
He leaned lightly against the kitchen counter.
Soon preseason would begin.
The schedule would tighten.
Training sessions would return.
Matches.
Travel.
Pressure.
But today had been something different.
A quiet pause before the storm.
Leah walked over and rested her arms lightly around his waist.
"Zoo date success?"
Francesco smiled.
"Zoo date success."
Cheddar barked again as if confirming the verdict.
And as evening settled over Richmond, their day slowly came to a peaceful end.
______________________________________________
Name : Francesco Lee
Age : 18 (2016)
Birthplace : London, England
Football Club : Arsenal First Team
Championship History : 2014/2015 Premier League, 2014/2015 FA Cup, 2015/2016 Community Shield, 2016/2017 Premier League, 2015/2016 Champions League, Euro 2016, Premier League Champion 2016/2017, and 2016/2017 Champions League.
Season 16/17 stats:
Arsenal:
Match: 55
Goal: 87
Assist: 5
MOTM: 14
POTM: 1
England:
Match: 1
Goal: 1
Assist: 0
MOTM: 0
Season 15/16 stats:
Arsenal:
Match Played: 60
Goal: 82
Assist: 10
MOTM: 9
POTM: 1
England:
Match Played: 2
Goal: 4
Assist: 0
Euro 2016
Match Played: 6
Goal: 13
Assist: 4
MOTM: 6
Season 14/15 stats:
Match Played: 35
Goal: 45
Assist: 12
MOTM: 9