In this world, even though the international language is English and there is a mass migration of people to new places, The name of the country that used to be called was changed to District. Even though many things have changed, people still have their own national language and identity and are unique to that district. People from many nations adapted to each other, but in the beginning it was not smooth. But over time, people have become harmonious until now.
Football was the same in the beginning. Have you ever wondered why football is so meaningful and popular?
Why is football a 'phenomenon' of global society where people of all genders, all ages, all races, all religions are attracted to each other in a way that no other sport in the world can do as well?
Football, Futbol, Voetbal, Futebol, Fußball, Fotboll, ฟุตบอล, Calcio or Soccer whatever its name is called. All of these mean the same thing: the game of football. A sport in which two teams of 11 players each must try to beat each other by sending more balls across the goal line than their opponents.
Easy understanding of basic playing rules the basic requirements are simple: nothing more than a soccer ball, some open space, two goal posts (if not, anything from plastic bottles, shoes, bags, etc. are allowed) and like-minded friends. I want to draw patterns together. Made football popular all over the world.
'I'm not saying other sports aren't popular.'
It is accepted that football is the most popular sport. It is a sport that is played by people in every corner of the world. Whether it be on a beautiful lawn in England's Hyde Park, on the side of a road in a crowded Brazilian favela, on a floating field on a remote island, or on top of a building in Shibuya.
Or a football field in a shape that shouldn't be a football field, but it could be. It's said that wherever you are, you can play football.
Football is also unique in being the world's 'lingua franca'.
"Football is a universal language that we speak with different accents," a famous sports journalist once said.
Expanding on what was said, it is because of the magic of football that even though we can't speak to each other, We were able to play football together with people we never knew. Or cheering on football with people whose language we don't understand. And it's not difficult to fall in love with a football player who we've never really met. He has the natural ability to destroy walls and obstacles easily.
.
No status, no race, no religion, just the word football.
.
Aside from the beautiful aspect of walking in a lavender field, Football also has other sides. which seriously consists of especially politics and economics.
Huge sums of money flow into districts that host football matches. The fact that many football fans can travel thousands of kilometers across seas speaks to the stability of government management in which many districts work together, and District 61AU is one of the most stable districts in the world.
In terms of economy, football plays a part in helping to stimulate the economy around the world, such as organizing football matches in different districts besides the host that will receive full benefits. From tourism, whether it be hotels, accommodations, services, products, food, because there will be tens of thousands of football fans who come to visit throughout the competition period (which if they are impressive in their welcome may lead to it becoming a tourist destination for travelers around the world).
Every country in the world is also bustling with football. There are many marketing campaigns from various brands that have to play with the football trend, such as special collections of football shirts. Clothes that go with the football theme of that district, shoes, bags, drinks, televisions, various technology, etc. Anything that is Football related, everything is 'sold'.
These are just a few of the many facets that highlight the wonders of football. There is no other sport or sporting event in the world that can do this.
Time for us to rush home Take a shower and relax. Waiting for the time to press the TV remote.
Then we are in a magical time together.
I quickly turned on the TV in the room and changed the channel to watch a football match.
Tak!
The referee's whistle blows to start the match.
'Looks like the football match is about to start.'
The home team kicks off the football first. Sydney United were the side that had the opportunity to attack first.
When Umi saw that I turned on the TV, she took a break and watched football with me.
Both teams took turns attacking and defending until they had a chance to score.
Striker wears number 9 Faced alone with the goalkeeper on a counterattack and kicked the ball into the net.
As the rising star striker was about to run into the corner to celebrate his goal, he noticed the linesman raising his offside flag.
"Ah! Offside, what a pity," I muttered softly.
"Nate, which team are you supporting?"
"Sydney United because the team shirts are cool."
"Huh, that's the reason?"
"Haha, we don't have to be reasonable about everything and we just moved to the eastern city. If we don't support Sydney United, there is no other team to support~"
"Oh, and the team from the Super League you supported before, do you still support it?"
"Of course!, Wolfsburg United is still number one in my heart."
"..The team that is about to escape relegation right now? Hehe."
"Oh, I'm really hurt when you say this, but football has its ups and downs. One day I will make this team great again!"
"You're bragging!"
"I'm not. Haha."
"A scout contacted you when you were playing at district level. Why didn't you accept the offer back then?"
"Uh, it was about 5-6 years ago. Do you still remember?"
"I have a very good memory~"
"Sigh, I don't think I'm suitable for the football profession. Oh, and besides, if I move to a training camp in Europe then there will be little girls crying hahaha."
Slap! Slap!
"Who's crying, you dummy!" Umi said shyly.
"Ouch! ay! It hurts and I haven't even told you yet that it's you."
"Hmph!"
"Oh~ Eat this, it's delicious." I said as I fed Umi potato chips.
"..."
"Aum...Otherwise I'll eat it alone and won't share-"
Nom!
"It tastes normal, you brag..." Umi muttered softly.
'Teasing her once in a while was fun as always.'
When I saw that she was very shy, I decided to talk about the previous topic.
"Ahem, the career of a football player is much more competitive than I thought. One team will have 11 starting line-up players, think about how difficult that is. Plus, most people in this profession will retire when they're around 35 years old."
"How can a ten year old think like this?"
"..."
Umi and I stared at each other in silence.
"...Let's just say football, I think it's a hobby I love, but it's not a job I want to do."
The first half ended with a score of 2-1 with Perth FC taking the lead.
"Nate, do you see which team you support? That team will lose~" Umi said laughingly.
"The match isn't over yet. Don't rush to conclusions."
It was now the half-time break of the match and the cameras that were broadcasting the match started to pan to the stands where many fans were cheering and shortly thereafter cut to commercials.
The 15 minutes passed quite quickly.
.
The second half of the competition was even more fierce than the first half.
Each side changed their tactics and made the game more attacking.
-GOAL!!
-That was a superb goal!
-Sydney United pursued until they equalised!
"Do you see the results now?"
"Geez.. the result is just a draw!"
[Sydney United 2 - 2 Perth FC] [90+2 minutes]
'Almost lost, but still good to equalize in the last minute.'
In the end, both teams ended in a draw, but fans were happy that the team they supported did not lose and were returning home with smiles on their faces.
Although I quite enjoyed the match and tried to keep my emotions inside.
.
We sat on the bed and watched movies together until late at night.
[10:45 p.m.]
'I've done everything I can think of right now.'
"Nate, do you not like the results of this match?"
"Not like that."
"So, what are you worried about?"
"Why do you think so?"
"..." Umi didn't say anything and just stared at me silently.
"Huh?"
"How long do you think we've known each other?"
"..Uh-"
"It's been 16 years and it might actually be longer than you think~ So no matter what you have on your mind, you can come and consult with me even if you see me like this. But you can rely on me," Umi said with a serious expression.
'Why do I feel familiar with this situation? And what did you say just now?'
"There are many things."
"Is it something I shouldn't know?"
"Not like that."
"I really didn't mean to force you to speak, but I've rarely seen you with such a serious expression before," Umi said in a slightly worried tone.
Hearing Umi say that, I subconsciously raised my hand to touch my face. Was I really unable to keep my expression?
'Family and childhood friends are really no different than mobile lie detectors.'
"Sorry for worrying you, Umi."
"Hehe, if it's a private matter that you don't want to tell, that's fine~"
I gathered my thoughts for a while.
"So, if you had to tell something important even though you knew no one would believe you, what would you do?"
"I'll try," Umi replied without hesitation.
sigh
I really didn't understand the level of trust she had in me.
***
"Alright everyone, thank you for your hard work. Even though the company may not provide OT fees."
"No problem, team leader haha."
"Yes, Miss Irene. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to help."
Inside the Terra Pharmaceutical office, many employees are still working even after the end of the day.
"Uh Team Leader, now the CEO is really angry at us for disobeying orders."
"Yes, it looks like the CEO is on his way here. What should we do?"
A female employee wearing round glasses asked nervously.
"We will continue to produce vaccines," Iris said firmly.
"Irene, look at this."
Yuki said as he handed some information to Irene.
"Hmm, it looks like we have an excuse to retaliate against the CEO.
-The total order for vaccines is 50000 doses. From Nexon Group
'Nexon Group? The name is familiar, but I can't think of it.'
"Thank you very much, Yuki."
"Little thing, hehe~ It makes me think of our old days."
"Me too."
****
AN: I didn't think there would be this many people reading my novels. I would like to warn you again that this novel moves really slowly. At first I want you to get to know the world a little more and maybe have a lot of unnecessary information.
It might be more sci-fi than fantasy, but I try to keep the fantasy world grounded in reality.
And thank you very much for reading. it makes me very happy.
I hope you all have a great time in your daily life. Don't stress too much and get plenty of rest.
Byee~~