A moment of silence for football defender "Franco Baresi." I hope I got the name right. Rest with the stars!
And I'm back y'all. We are at chapter 164 on Patr3on for all tiers. I'll add 7 more for the top tier, hopefully before the weekend ends.
I'll be embedding youtube links on Patr3on for specific scenes, just for reference. Be warned, I'm a Messi superfan, content may be a little biased.
Hope y'all missed me!
***
"Jin, what are you giggling about?"
"Nothing." Jin Hayes didn't even look up, mechanically lifting a dumbbell with his left hand while his right hand quickly typed on his phone. Beside him, Mats Hummels and Nuri Şahin looked at each other and shook their heads.
"It's over, our attacking midfielder has gone stupid."
"Yeah, his brain's short-circuited." Hummels nodded, circling his finger near his temple.
"You guys are the idiots! Don't think I can't hear you, Mats. Last time you used my car, did you play it in track mode?" Putting down his phone, Jin Hayes's gaze was sharp, and Hummels couldn't help but shiver.
"Let me explain—"
"No need. After training later, let's have a solo match."
"Don't! Who in the whole team can go solo against you?" Hummels turned his head with a long face to ask for help, "Nuri, save me."
"I can't help you there. Who told you to use track mode? I haven't even had a chance to use it!" Nuri Şahin gloated.
"Asshole!"
The three were messing around for a while when Jürgen Klopp's figure suddenly appeared in the gym. The team's atmosphere immediately became serious, exactly like when a homeroom teacher appears in a messy classroom.
"Ladies, it seems your spirits are quite good! Today's warm-up can involve 10 more laps."
Hiss—the Borussia Dortmund players all sucked in a breath of cold air. To their surprise, Klopp grinned again: "Just kidding, have a sense of humor."
The others looked at each other; god knows when you're joking!
"Alright, back to business. The schedule for the second half of the season is still very difficult—our 11-point lead in the league is not an insurance policy. If we want this championship, everyone must give their all, understand?"
"Understood!"
...
Late January, 2009.
The Bundesliga teams resumed their preparation for the second half of the season. The winter champion, Borussia Dortmund, had emerged as a dark horse, making all of Germany look at them with new eyes, shouting that the Dortmund of 1995 was back. But Klopp himself knew the team wasn't as formidable as the media hyped it up to be.
The team only had a thin squad but had to deal with competing on three fronts. This was a harsh and long test for every player's stamina and will. If anyone fell behind, it would affect the whole team, easily impacting other players.
The worst part was that Klopp's worries were not without reason. During the preparation period, just before the 18th round of the Bundesliga's second half, bad news came from the team again.
"What? Out for the season?"
"Yes, this knee sprain is very serious and requires surgery as soon as possible. The cruciate ligament might be damaged—"
"Fuck!!"
In the office, Klopp slammed the cup in his hand onto the ground. Right‑back Patrick Owomoyela, the team's starting right‑back, wasn't some big‑name star and didn't usually have many highlight performances in games.
But this player had excellent stamina, enough to cover the right corridor; he was solid in defence and could deliver crosses, making him a fairly balanced player. His being out for the season had a significant impact on Borussia Dortmund.
"Go tell Watzke quickly to look in the transfer market." Klopp's brow was furrowed. Now the team's depth at right‑back was thin. Either they find someone from the youth academy, or they'd have to let Dedê or Felipe Santana fill in. One left‑back, one centre‑back—filling in was a desperate move.
After emergency internal training, it was finally decided to let the veteran Brazilian Dedê temporarily serve as the right‑back. In the absence of Marco Reus and Patrick Owomoyela, Borussia Dortmund's first opponent in the second half was Bayer Leverkusen, currently ranked 3rd with strong combat power.
…
"What's wrong? You don't seem very happy."
After school, Anna and Jin Hayes walked along the familiar small path. Actually, because Jin Hayes had extra training today, it was already very late when he arrived at school. Due to Jin Hayes's contribution to Borussia Dortmund, the school specifically arranged for teachers to give him private tutoring sessions.
Anna could have gone home two hours earlier, but to wait for Jin Hayes, she insisted on staying in the classroom to attend the tutoring with him. After finishing the academic lessons, they finally headed home together.
"Someone else in the team got injured. I feel like there will be more and more injuries in the second half of the season." It wasn't just that Borussia Dortmund was unlucky. Any team with a thin squad would encounter this situation in the middle and latter parts of the season. Without large‑scale injuries, Borussia Dortmund was doing well.
"Are you okay lately? Have you had a proper check‑up?"
"Don't worry, I'm definitely fine. My body is as strong as an ox."
"Keep bragging. I'll have Frank pay more attention to you."
"What, you've even arranged an inside man in the team?"
"Of course! With someone watching, you won't act recklessly."
"I'm just playing football, what could I do recklessly, you little silly?"
"True—you don't have the guts."
"Who says I don't have the guts?"
"Don't, don't, don't, it tickles, okay—!"
Ever since Jin Hayes found this trick effective, he loved seeing Anna begging for mercy under his hands. Before, due to their relationship, he was embarrassed to go too far. Now he wasn't afraid; she was his girlfriend, so what if he touched her a bit.
"I'll tickle you too!" Unfortunately, when Anna reached back, she only felt firm abs; Jin Hayes wasn't ticklish at all.
"Hmph!"
The two were scuffling when they suddenly noticed Frank passing by.
His sister and Jin Hayes, were they already like this now?
Frank acted as if he hadn't seen anything, whistling as he continued walking away. Anna hurriedly withdrew her hand, tucked her blonde hair behind her ear, and straightened her clothes.
"It's all your fault."
"As if Frank doesn't know what you're like."
On the surface, she was a quiet, forest‑style girl, but who knew she was a wild girl behind the scenes. Just like on New Year's Eve, Jin Hayes had originally planned to hold her small hand after a successful confession. Who would have thought Anna would hug him directly, and they both exchanged their first kisses.
At this moment, Jin Hayes recalled a saying he had seen somewhere: "Under the calm and cool exterior lies a passionate heart."
It seemed there was some truth to it.
Speaking of which, her birthday was coming up soon, so he had to think about what gift to give. For Jin Hayes's birthday last year, Anna used the wages she earned as a commercial model to buy him an Apple iPod Classic.
The 160GB top‑spec version was being sold by scalpers for 350 euros at the time, which was a bit of a luxury gift between high school students. As for what to give Anna, he still had to think carefully.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Thinking about you—"
Jin Hayes had to keep it a secret for now, stopping halfway. But Anna misunderstood, thinking he was rarely saying something romantic, and she bit her lower lip shyly. "I'm right next to you, aren't I?"
Looking at Anna's red lips, Jin Hayes couldn't help but think of New Year's Eve again. He couldn't help but lean down.
"Hey!! Don't, Frank is still ahead." Anna's heart was racing, and she was about to push Jin Hayes away.
I don't care about this or that!
Jin Hayes gently held Anna's shoulders, leaned down, and kissed her.
"Mmm!!"
Anna was caught by surprise and playfully punched Jin Hayes's back twice, but soon wrapped her arms around his waist.
…
Match day!
Jin Hayes felt like he had infinite energy!
Because today was the first time Anna came to the scene to watch a match as his girlfriend since they officially started dating. The Westfalenstadion was not only the home field for all Borussia Dortmund fans but also a memory exclusive to the two of them.
Walking through the player tunnel, Jin Hayes could still recall the tension and excitement of walking through here with Anna that night.
"Don't be nervous, Jin! Relax, you can do it." Hummels thought Jin Hayes was nervous; his legs were shaking slightly.
"No, Mats! I'm excited!" So what if the opponent was Bayer Leverkusen? In today's match, he could only accept one result—victory!