abcnovels
Chapter 580: A new season
Chapter 580: A new season
Chapter 580: A new season
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Those were only the personal terms, the club had to strike a deal with his parent club before they could land them. Well, Hiro could leave the club for free. But, it wouldn't benefit the club. After all, they had poured so many resources on him to nurture him.
So, leaving for free might seem like betraying their trust.
Blinded by the opportunity to represent a famous club in Europe, Hiro had nearly forgotten about it. But now that he thought about it, he couldn't help but worry.
However, little did he know Eric had already talked about it. So, he was needlessly worrying for nothing.
"Also, Eric, I know my contract will expire in a year. But still, I don't feel good about..." Before Hiro could complete his sentence, Eric interrupted, "You don't have to worry about that. They'll compensate fairly. So, you focus on the game. Leave those matters to me."
Hearing him, Hiro felt at ease.
If he had left for free, he didn't know how he could bring himself to face the director and coaches of the club.
With the matter settled, he felt at peace of mind. But at the same time, he got an urge to thank Eric even though he had already thanked him, he felt it wasn't enough. So, he thanked him again, "Thank you, Eric. I mean it."
"Don't mention it, I'm earning my cut," Eric made it sound as if he were doing it for his benefit. "But if you're still reluctant about it then grow into a big superstar. So, that I can earn big bucks, hahaha..."
Hiro revealed a light smile and nodded, "Sure."
With that, one of the pressing matters in his life was settled. Hiro, revealing a solemn expression, glanced at the luminescent moon outside the window, the silvery light of the moon falling on his face, generating a soothing sensation of tranquility.
"I must level up," he whispered under his breath.
********
The holiday season was coming to an end and many players were starting to return. Among them, Hiro was the first to return. Right after Christmas, he packed his bag and returned.
For almost more than four months, he had been staying idle.
So, he was eager to get back on the field.
Early in the morning, Hiro arrived on the training ground. Far on the horizon, the sun spreading its brilliance teased the surface with its presence.
The security personnel of the venue, a rather old man with greying temples had only begun to open the gates. Right then, he was met with the figure of Hiro.
He was still in a half-asleep state and was yawning continuously. So, when he noticed the figure of Hiro, he even thought that he was dreaming, "I must be so sleepy that I'm seeing Hiro here at this instant."
So, without paying any heed to the hallucination he had perceived, he went with his work. Pushing the gate open, he opened the main entrance.
Right then he heard Hiro's voice, "Good morning, Fujimoto-san."
Had he been so sleepy that he even started to hear things now? He couldn't help but feel bewildered by the sudden greeting.
Yet still, upon hearing the voice, he turned to look at Hiro. Rubbing his eyes, he once again tried to figure out if he was dreaming or not.
But it seemed that he wasn't dreaming at all.
So, he felt surprised by the reality.
"Good... morning, Hiro," he greeted immediately in a haste.
Though he was well aware that Hiro would reach the premises early, the holiday season had just ended. So, he wasn't expecting to see him here so early in the morning.
Even the training session wouldn't start until a week later.
The venue had been open for the staff to organize the place and the coaches to discuss their stuff. Although players weren't prohibited, still he hadn't seen any players this eager in his long tenure as the guardsman.
"How have you been Fujimoto-san? How was the holiday? Did you have fun?" Hiro began to chat with him.
Fujimoto, immediately composed himself, "I have been good and the holiday was really fun. How have you been Hiro? It's been quite long since I last saw you. But you look the same as when you arrived here for the first time."
"I still recall your first day vividly. Even as a kid with huge expectations placed upon him, he looked like a character filled with confidence and determination. I still recall the spark in your eyes the first day you arrived here."
Hiro let out a warm smile as he responded, "And I still recall the man who had greeted me for the first time I arrived here."
"You have to tell me, Fujimoto-san. How do you manage to remain the same? I can still see the same spark in your eyes that I had seen the first time."
Fujimoto looked at him suspiciously, "Have you been practicing flattery all this time?"
Hiro let out a nervous grin, "Ahh..., You found me."
"You cheeky brat! At least try to conceal your intentions," he said gruffly. "But were you not informed about the schedules? The training will only start after a week," he added.
"I'm well aware of it. Today, I just want to kick some balls. Staying out of the game for this long, I can't help but worry about my sharpness getting dull. So, I need to train before." Fujimoto revealed an all-knowing expression as he said, "Always the diligent one, huh?" After that, Hiro proceeded inside. Then he got changed and hit the field.
Inhaling deeply, he stared at the field, taking in the scene that had been missed. It had been quite a long time since he last visited here.
The air was crisp and cold, carrying the soft fragrance of the grass. A sparse layer of snow had blanketed the field.
With him being the first to arrive, the field hadn't been cleared yet.
"Feels good to be back," he mumbled.