The improvised bar was set up under a white awning, near the side of the farmhouse. A long table was covered with soda bottles, energy drinks, and also some alcoholic beverages that seemed to have been dumped there without much order. Plastic cups were stacked on one side, ice in aluminum buckets on the other, and a line of people kept moving, grabbing, serving, and laughing as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Rodrigo went ahead, confident, clearing the way as if he already knew every corner of that place. Ian and Dante followed, half excited, half curious. I stayed a little further back, with that strange tight feeling in my stomach.

"Let's just grab a soda and that's it" I said, more to myself than to them.

"Relax, man" Dante replied, turning his head without stopping scanning around, as if cataloging everything he saw, "we'll just slide through, nobody's gonna notice"

I wanted to believe that, but the truth was it seemed impossible to go unnoticed there. The whole environment screamed for attention. The colorful lights flashing over the dance floor reflected in the cups people held, in the glittery clothes, in the exaggerated smiles. It was like every detail wanted to say: "look at us".

We reached the table. Rodrigo was already stretching his hand to grab an energy drink bottle when Ian, distracted, stepped to the side without realizing someone was coming in the opposite direction.

The collision was inevitable.

"Whoa!" the boy's voice came out loud, along with the sound of the cup hitting the ground. The liquid spread quickly over the cement, and some drops even splashed onto my pants. Ian widened his eyes and raised his hands immediately.

"My bad, I'm really sorry! I didn't see you coming"

The boy didn't look mad. Quite the opposite. He laughed, showing his white teeth, adjusted the low bun holding his curly hair, and looked straight at Ian.

"Relax, man, it happens. But you almost spilled my favorite drink" He winked, grabbing another bottle from the table without hesitation, "Next time, you gotta watch what's around you"

The way he spoke caught my attention. It was the tone, the smile of someone who knew exactly what he was saying. I looked closer and recognized him. Not instantly, but it only took a few seconds for it to click.

[Active Analysis: Number 10 – Zenkai Player]

[Skill Level: Good Performance – Intermediate School Category]

[Highlighted Skill: Game Reading]

[Name: Lucas "Luquinhas" Andrade]

[Status: Fit for regional school leagues]

Lucas Andrade. The so-called "Luquinhas", number 10 of Zenkai. I had already heard about him, mostly from players' conversations back when I was in middle school. A skillful, creative midfielder, always extremely unpredictable. One of those guys who seemed born with the ball glued to his foot.

Behind him, two others approached. One was much taller and broader, with shoulders that didn't even need words to impose respect. The shaved sides of his hair shone under the colored lights. The other had a looser style, straight hair falling over his forehead and a look that seemed ready for any provocation.

Mateus and Diego.

[Active Analysis: Number 4 – Zenkai Player]

[Skill Level: Intermediate Performance – Mid School Category]

[Highlighted Skill: Heading / Enhanced vision]

[Name: Mateus Carvalho]

[Active Analysis: Number 9 – Zenkai Player]

[Skill Level: Intermediate Performance – Mid School Category]

[Highlighted Skill: Extremely powerful shots / High stamina]

[Name: Diego Ramos]

I didn't need an introduction. I had already seen videos of them, and their reputation spread across tournaments, they were the last regional champions. Mateus, the defender who rarely lost a duel. Diego, the "selfish" striker who scored in almost every game.

Ian recognized them too. I saw it in his eyes, wide before he even opened his mouth.

"Wait a second… you're Luquinhas, right?"

The boy smiled even wider, as if he had been waiting exactly for that reaction.

"In the flesh. And these are Mateus and Diego", He pointed at the friends behind him. "Nice to meet you"

Dante crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly. His look had shifted, from curious to calculating, as if measuring every detail of the situation. Rodrigo, on the other hand, looked more excited than everyone else combined.

"I knew I'd find good people here", he said, patting Diego lightly on the shoulder, who didn't react much, "this place is always full of surprises"

Mateus said nothing. He just stared firmly, his dark eyes shifting between the three of us. The kind of stare that didn't need words to impose respect. Diego, however, adjusted his shirt and let out a provocative chuckle.

"And you guys? Where are you from?"

Ian answered quickly, maybe too quickly.

"We play for Sanu"

The words hung in the air like a spark ready to explode. I felt the mood change instantly.

Luquinhas's smile stretched from ear to ear.

"Oh… Sanu", he repeated slowly, savoring each syllable, "you're the ones we're facing tomorrow, right?"

"That's right", Dante answered firmly, leaving no space for hesitation.

Diego stepped closer, restless, and looked straight at me. I felt the weight of his gaze.

"So you must be Kelvin, huh?"

My heart raced. I hadn't expected to be recognized so fast. I tried to keep calm, but my whole body was on alert.

"That's me"

He smiled, but it wasn't a friendly smile. It was almost a challenge.

"I saw the video of your duel with Takumi. The internet won't shut up about it. You're pretty good"

His tone didn't sound like a compliment. It was more like a test. I replied as neutrally as I could:

"Thanks"

Rodrigo tried to break the tension, raising his cup of soda.

"Hey, let's make a toast then. Sanu and…", He looked at Luquinhas, as if asking for confirmation.

"Zenkai", Luquinhas answered, still smiling.

The silence that followed lasted only a few seconds, but it felt much longer. I felt the party music fade in the background, though I knew it hadn't. It was just my mind focusing too much on that moment.

Luquinhas broke the silence first, swirling the cup in his hand.

"You know, Kelvin, I get the hype around you. But regional isn't a viral video. This isn't a doubles tournament anymore"

Diego jumped in, almost overlapping his words:

"In the end, it's goals that win games"

Mateus finally spoke, his deep voice sounding like a stone dropping:

"And defense"

They seemed synchronized. As if each line was planned to hit harder. I took a deep breath, trying not to show my discomfort. Ian and Dante stayed quiet, but I noticed the way they shifted, tense, ready for anything.

"You guys talk like you've already won", I said, letting out a tone I didn't even know I had.

Luquinhas chuckled low, tilting his head.

"No, Kelvin. We don't talk like we've already won. We talk like we're going to win"

That line hit like a punch. Not so much because of the words, but because of the overflowing confidence. His gaze was firm, direct, almost hypnotic. For a moment, I felt he truly believed every word.

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