Before the second match began.
Lee Han kept worrying about Rio’s ankle in the locker room.
"Senior, are you really okay?"
"I said I’m fine."
"It looks more swollen than before."
"Are you a doctor?"
"No."
"Then don’t worry so much."
Rio smiled and patted Lee Han on the shoulder.
"I’m here, aren’t I?"
"……."
"So go out there and play well."
Lee Han stared at Rio for a long moment, then nodded.
"Okay."
"And."
Rio called to Lee Han.
"This time, don’t try to handle it on your own."
Lee Han laughed.
"I’m not planning to do it alone without you, senior."
"Why?"
"Because you’re watching."
Rio’s expression froze for a moment.
"That’s……."
"So I’ll do well."
Lee Han headed straight out to the field.
The second match was much harder than the first.
Their opponent was a strong team that had scored 4 goals in the previous game.
Just 10 minutes into the match, our team’s defense fell apart and we gave up a goal.
0-1.
Every time Lee Han got the ball, he was surrounded by two or three players.
If it had been before, he would’ve broken through somehow.
But today, Rio was on the bench.
Every time Lee Han got the ball, he kept glancing at the bench for a moment.
Rio kept signaling positions with his hands.
Left.
Lee Han nodded.
Pass.
Pass again.
Then switch to the other side.
The attack kept going.
"Good! Keep it up!"
Rio’s voice rang out.
Lee Han moved behind the opposing defense.
The ball came in perfectly.
Shoot.
Goal.
1-1.
His teammates ran up to Lee Han.
Lee Han started a celebration, then immediately looked back at the bench.
Rio was laughing with both hands raised.
Lee Han laughed too.
Second half.
The score was 1-1.
Only 10 minutes remained until the end of the match.
The other team kept attacking.
Our defense started to wobble.
The coach shouted at the players.
"Focus! One more goal and it’s over!"
Lee Han caught his breath and looked around.
Then he looked for Rio.
Rio was standing up from the bench.
His injured ankle made him look like he could barely stand, but he kept watching the field.
Then Rio signaled with his hand.
Lee Han recognized the signal.
Wait a little longer.
Lee Han stopped the opponent’s attack, then sprinted forward right away.
A teammate who had received the ball passed it to Lee Han.
Two defenders came after him.
Lee Han didn’t break through right away.
He drew one of them in, then laid the ball off to the other side.
Then he ran forward again.
The ball came back.
This time, it was the position Rio often talked about.
Lee Han shot it as is.
Goal.
2-1.
End of match.
The players cheered.
Lee Han stood in the middle of the field, gasping for breath.
And first of all, he looked for Rio.
Rio was clapping.
Lee Han ran straight to the bench.
"Senior."
"Good job."
"Did you see it?"
"I saw everything."
"I didn’t do it alone."
"I know."
Rio smiled.
"This time, you really won as a team."
Lee Han smiled too.
"You were the one who told me how."
Rio lightly pressed down on Lee Han’s head.
"Well done."
For some reason, just that one line made Lee Han’s chest swell.
It was different from praise he heard from anyone else.
When Rio told him he’d done well, he wanted to do even better, more than usual.
After their advancement to the semifinals was confirmed.
The players took a short break near the field before returning to the lodging.
Then another school’s player, the one they’d met in episode 7, came looking for Lee Han.
"Lee Han."
"Yes."
"I watched your game."
"Thank you."
"Our coach watched too. As expected, you’re a better player than I thought."
Rio was watching the two of them from a short distance away.
"What I told you before, you’re still thinking about it, right?"
"Yes."
"After the semifinals, come visit our school sometime. It’s better to see the environment yourself before deciding."
Lee Han hesitated for a moment.
"Okay."
After the man left, Rio came over.
"You’re going?"
"Where?"
"That school."
Lee Han looked at Rio for a moment.
"Yes. I’m thinking of going."
Rio nodded.
"I see."
"Senior."
"Yeah."
"Why aren’t you saying anything?"
"About what."
"To not go."
Rio was silent for a moment.
"...If I did, I thought you might not go?"
"Maybe."
"Then I can’t say it even more."
Rio laughed.
"You have to make your own choice."
Lee Han stared at Rio like that for a long time.
"Senior, are you really okay with me going?"
"I’m not okay with it."
This time, Rio answered honestly.
"But I don’t want to stop you from taking a better opportunity."
"……."
"Wherever you play, I just want you to be happy."
Lee Han lowered his head.
That answer weighed on him more than he expected.
It wasn’t the answer he wanted.
It was the opposite, in fact.
He had wanted him to tell him not to go.
That night.
In his lodging room, Lee Han couldn’t fall asleep.
He picked up his phone.
He debated sending Rio a message, then finally did.
Senior.
A little later, a reply came.
Why are you still awake?
You weren’t asleep either, Senior.
I can’t sleep because of my ankle.
Lies.
It’s true, isn’t it?
Lee Han thought for a long time before sending a message.
What you said today has me thinking a lot.
What did I say?
That you’d be happy wherever I played.
There was no reply for a while.
Then, much later.
It was sincere.
Lee Han stared at the screen.
Then what about you, Senior?
Me?
Would you be happy if I went to another school?
Rio didn’t reply for quite a while.
Then a message came.
No.
Then why are you telling me to go?
Because if it’s what you want, I should let you.
Lee Han’s fingers stopped.
I still don’t really know what I want.
Think about it slowly.
What about you, Senior?
I already know.
Lee Han’s heart suddenly started pounding.
What is it?
Much later, Rio replied.
I want you to be here.
Lee Han read that sentence over and over.
Then he quietly replied.
Me too.
What is it?
I want to be here.
A little later, another message came.
Really?
Yes.
Why?
Lee Han thought for a long time, then finally wrote honestly.
I thought it was because of soccer, but I don’t think that’s it.
Then?
Lee Han looked at the screen and slowly sent a reply.
Because you’re here, Senior.
Rio didn’t reply.
Even after several minutes, there was nothing.
Lee Han was about to put his phone down, thinking he’d sent that for nothing.
At that moment, one message arrived.
Lee Han.
Yes.
I’m smiling right now.
Lee Han snorted a laugh.
Me too.
The next morning.
The final practice before the semifinals.
Rio still couldn’t play because of his ankle.
But the coach said to Rio,
"Lead from the bench again today."
"Yes."
Lee Han asked from beside him.
"Senior."
"Hmm?"
"If we make it to the final, can you play?"
"Probably not, I don’t think."
Lee Han thought for a moment.
"Then I’ll take you to the final."
Rio laughed.
"You confident?"
"Yes."
"Then promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"Don’t ever try to win alone."
Lee Han nodded.
"Okay."
Then a moment later, he added with a smile,
"Instead, you promise me something too, Senior."
"What?"
"If I make it to the final, be the first to congratulate me."
Rio laughed.
"Of course."
Lee Han looked back out at the field.
Now there was only one match left in the tournament.
And this time, he felt like he understood a little of what he wanted.
To become a good player.
And something even more important than that.
To run in the same place as Rio, looking in the same direction.