Chapter 10: Second Wind
The second half started different.
Not in a flashy way. Not with some miracle goal or heroic tackle.
Just… quieter.
More sure.
Sheik Jin didn't charge the field like a soldier going to war. He stepped back onto the pitch like it belonged to him again. Like he remembered who he was when no one was watching.
Andrea's words rang in his ears: Play your game. Not theirs.
So he did.
He stopped overthinking every move. Let instinct guide his feet. He dribbled through pressure without panicking. He passed without second-guessing.
And when the opposing striker came charging, Sheik didn't flinch. He read the play, intercepted cleanly, and turned it into a counterattack that brought the crowd to its feet.
The scout scribbled something again—but this time, she nodded.
Up in the bleachers, Andrea exhaled. She hadn't even realized she was holding her breath.
She watched Sheik fall into rhythm, sweat flying as he pivoted, called for the ball, took control of the midfield. This—this—was the boy she knew. The boy who lit up when the game flowed around him like music. Who didn't just play—he felt it.
And maybe that was why she'd fallen for him in the first place.
With ten minutes left, they were still tied.
And then—everything shifted.
Sheik received the ball at midfield. One touch to control. One to look up.
He saw the winger sprinting down the right.
He didn't hesitate.
A perfect pass—curved just right—sent the winger flying downfield. Two defenders couldn't catch up.
Cross into the box.
And then—GOAL.
Holy Cross went up 2–1.
The field erupted.
Sheik didn't celebrate like a star. He pointed to the winger. Hugged his teammates. Kept his head down, but the smile on his face wouldn't leave.
Andrea clapped, cheering with the rest of the crowd. But her heart was louder than her voice.
She knew what this meant.
And she knew, deep down, things were about to get more complicated.