Mason's heart stopped for a moment as the man's words hung in the air. I'm your father. The words echoed in his mind, but they didn't feel real.
He had spent his entire life wondering about the man who had abandoned him and his mother, and now here he was, standing in front of him like a ghost from the past.
The man was tall, with broad shoulders and a weathered face that bore the faintest resemblance to Mason's own. His hair was streaked with gray, and his eyes—sharp and piercing—seemed to look straight through Mason.
"You're… my dad?" Mason asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The man nodded. "Yeah. My name's Daniel Carter. I know this is a lot to take in, but I've been keeping an eye on you. Heard you've been playing football."
Mason's mind raced. Daniel Carter. The name sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it. "Why now?" he asked, his voice trembling. "Why are you here after all these years?"
Daniel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've made a lot of mistakes, Mason. Leaving you and your mum was the biggest one. I've been trying to make things right, but I didn't know how.
When I heard you were playing football, I thought… maybe this was my chance."
Mason didn't know what to say. He had spent his entire life resenting this man, and now here he was, standing in front of him, offering… what? Redemption? Forgiveness?
"I don't know if I can forgive you," Mason said finally.
Daniel nodded, his expression grim. "I don't expect you to. But I want to help you, Mason. You've got talent, and I can help you take it to the next level."
Mason hesitated. He didn't trust this man, but the offer was tempting. He had been struggling to keep up with the other boys on the team, and he knew he needed all the help he could get.
"What do you want in return?" Mason asked, his voice cautious.
Daniel shook his head. "Nothing. I just want to help you. Think about it, Mason. You don't have to decide right now."
Mason nodded, though his mind was still reeling. "I'll think about it," he said.
Daniel handed him a card. "Call me if you want to talk," he said before turning and walking away.
Mason stood there for a long time, staring at the card in his hand. It was simple, with just a name and a phone number. Daniel Carter.
When he got home, Emiko was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. She took one look at him and knew something was wrong.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm.
Mason hesitated, then handed her the card. "He showed up at the park," he said. "My dad."
Emiko's face went pale as she stared at the card. "What did he want?"
"He said he wants to help me," Mason said. "With football."
Emiko sighed her expression a mix of anger and sadness. "Mason, you need to be careful. Your father… he's not a good man.
He left us when we needed him most. I don't want him hurting you too."
Mason nodded, though he wasn't sure what to think. "I don't know if I can trust him," he admitted.
Emiko put a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to decide right now. Just… be careful, okay?"
Mason nodded, though his mind was still racing.
The next day at training, Mason was distracted. He couldn't stop thinking about Daniel and the offer he had made. He tried to focus on the drills, but his mind kept wandering.
"Kai, focus!" Ryan shouted during a passing drill. "You're slowing us down!"
Mason gritted his teeth and pushed himself harder, but the more he tried, the more mistakes he made. By the end of the session, he was drenched in sweat and utterly exhausted.
Coach Harris called the team together. "Good effort today, lads," he said. "Mason, stay behind for a moment."
The other boys filed off the pitch, leaving Mason alone with the coach.
"You've got potential," Coach Harris said, his tone serious. "But the potential isn't enough. You need training, discipline, and the right mindset. Are you willing to put in the work?"
Mason nodded, though his confidence was wavering. "I am," he said.
"Good," Coach Harris said. "But there's something else you need to know. Football isn't just about skill. It's about the heart. And from what I've seen today, you've got plenty of that. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
Mason felt a surge of gratitude. "Thank you, Coach," he said.
Coach Harris clapped him on the shoulder. "See you tomorrow, Mason. Don't be late."
As Mason walked home that evening, his legs aching and his mind racing, he couldn't help but feel a sense of doubt. Was he cut out for this? The other boys were so much better, so much more experienced. How could he ever hope to catch up?
When he got home, Emiko was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. She took one look at him and knew something was wrong.
"Rough day?" she asked, her voice gentle.
Mason nodded, sinking into a chair. "I'm not good enough," he said. "The other boys are so much better. I don't know if I can do this."
Emiko sat down across from him, her expression thoughtful. "Mason, do you remember when you first started school? You were so nervous, you didn't want to go. But you did, and look at you now. You've made friends, you've learned so much. This is no different."
Mason looked at her, surprised. "But what if I fail?"
"Then you fail," Emiko said simply. "But at least you tried. And if you keep trying, you'll get better. That's how life works."
Mason nodded, feeling a bit of his doubt lift. "Thanks, Mum," he said.
The next day, Mason returned to the park with renewed determination. He arrived early and practiced on his own, focusing on the drills Coach Harris had shown him. When the other boys arrived, they were surprised to see him already sweating and out of breath.
"You're keen," Ryan said with a grin.
"I want to get better," Mason replied simply.
The training session that day was even more intense. Coach Harris pushed them hard, and Mason struggled to keep up. But this time, he didn't let his mistakes get to him. He focused on what he could control—his effort, his attitude, his determination.
By the end of the session, Mason was exhausted but exhilarated. He had made fewer mistakes, and the other boys were starting to respect his effort.
"Not bad, Kai," Ryan said as they walked off the pitch. "You're improving."
Mason smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thanks," he said.
As the weeks went by, Mason became a key player on the team. His rating—a measure of his skill and performance—had improved significantly. At the start of the season, he had been rated Player Status:
Name: Mason Kai
Age: 15
Height: 5'9"(175 cm)
Weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)
Overall Rating: 65
Attributes:
Pace: 80
Dribbling: 74
Shooting: 72
Short Pass: 61
Long Pass: 56
Traits:
Speed Dribbler
Flair
Playmaker
High Work Rate
Mason Kai is a dynamic winger with explosive pace and excellent dribbling skills.
It wasn't perfect, but it was progress.
But the biggest challenge was yet to come.
One afternoon, as Mason was leaving the park, he saw Daniel waiting for him again. This time, he wasn't alone.
Standing next to him was a boy who looked about Mason's age, with the same sharp features and confident stance.
"Mason," Daniel said, his voice low and serious. "This is Liam. Your half-brother."