Soccer System: All the Skills, One Player!

The campus of the Seyek Institute looked like another world in winter, covered in the soft white of freshly fallen snow.

The branches of the dry trees were coated in a thin layer of ice, and the grass of the fields disappeared under a white carpet.

With most of the students traveling to spend the holidays with their families, the campus was quieter than usual.

The tranquillity was welcome, but it also brought a certain air of loneliness that Lucas tried to ignore.

However, in the center of Brighton, in winter, was a charming city. The traditional red brick buildings, typical of British architecture, blended beautifully with the snow accumulating on their roofs. Some houses were adorned with twinkling Christmas lights, and store windows displayed festive decorations that attracted passers-by who ventured out into the cold.

The coffee and pubs along the waterfront were cozy, with customers warming their hands with mugs of tea or hot chocolate.

Lucas walked leisurely, feeling the chilly breeze from the nearby sea. The ocean, stirred by the icy wind, seemed even more intense under the gray sky.

Lucas paused near the famous Brighton Palace Pier. In the summer, it was one of the city's most vibrant spots, full of tourists and locals enjoying the games, the food and the spectacular sea views. Now, however, the pier was almost deserted, save for a few people walking around bundled up, probably taking advantage of the frosty morning to breathe in the fresh ocean air.

In the central square, an ice-skating rink had been set up, and some children were playing under the watchful eyes of their parents.

After a long walk, Lucas entered a small coffee near the pier. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm bread enveloped him as soon as he crossed the threshold. He took off his gloves and ordered a cappuccino, choosing a table near the window to watch the scenery outside.

While he waited for his order, he took out his cell phone and opened the chat with Lucy, hesitating for a moment before typing.

[Me: Hi, Lucy. How's your Christmas break going? Are you going away to meet your family?]

He didn't expect an immediate reply, so he put his phone back in his pocket and took a sip of the hot coffee that had just arrived.

Surprisingly, a minute later, his cell phone vibrated on the table. It was Lucy's reply.

[L <3: Hi, Lucas! I'm spending Christmas here in Brighton, anyway. My brother is coming to visit, so we're going to enjoy the city together. What about you? Are you staying here?

Me: Yes, I'm staying. I thought about going to Japan, but it would be an exhausting trip for such a short time. I'm glad your brother's coming! Brighton is beautiful at Christmas.

L <3: True! Have you seen the ice-skating rink in the central square? I was thinking of going there this afternoon with my brother. If you want to join us, you're welcome!]

Lucas hesitated for a moment. He wasn't exactly a great skater, but spending time with someone was better than with no one.

[Me: Sounds like fun. I'll meet you there then!]

He finished his coffee and left the establishment. With his hands in his pockets, he started walking back towards the campus, feeling the snow crunch under his feet.

-:-

Later, in the central square...

The atmosphere was lively, with children and adults skating on the ice, some with elegant movements, others with obvious difficulties in keeping their balance.

As Lucas approached the agreed location, he spotted Lucy. She was standing next to a boy who appeared to be a little taller than him.

The strange contrast between the two immediately caught Lucas' eye: while Lucy had bright blonde hair and a warm smile, the boy next to her had black hair and a more reserved look.

Wasting no time, Lucas approached and, as soon as he got close, said:

"Look, I was hoping to see some resemblance between you two, but honestly? You don't even look like brothers." He commented.

The boy, who initially wore a neutral expression, seemed to be taken aback by the comment.

"Lucy? Is that your friend?"

She nodded and went to greet Lucas with a hug. "It's really good to see you."

"It's good to see you too," Lucas said.

He then went to say hello to the boy, who quickly explained,

"Ah, hello... Well, actually, Lucy and I aren't really brother and sister." He scratched the back of his head, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Lucy always introduces me like that, but I'm just a childhood friend of hers. We've known each other since nursery school. I'm a year older, so I've kind of become a big brother to her."

Despite the lopsided smile on his face, there was something about the way he said it that made Lucas arch an eyebrow.

Lucy gave the boy a gentle push on the shoulder.

"That's exactly why we're like brothers! He's always looked after me, protected me and been there for me."

As Lucy spoke enthusiastically, the boy looked away briefly, and his expression changed to something that Lucas quickly identified: sadness.

It wasn't something overt, but an insignificant detail in his countenance, a lost look.

Lucas didn't have to think long to realize what was happening.

'He likes her.'

The conclusion was immediate.

Lucas had seen this look before - that of someone who feels something more, but can't express it. Perhaps this boy was afraid to change their relationship, perhaps because he believed he had no chance with Lucy. Lucas didn't know the exact reason, but the melancholy in the boy's eyes was unmistakable.

Deciding not to pursue the matter further, Lucas just smiled and held out his hand to greet him.

"I see. Well, it's nice to meet you. I'm Lucas."

The boy accepted the handshake and nodded slightly.

"I'm Ethan. My pleasure."

With the introductions made, Lucy gestured towards the ice rink.

"Right, kids! Enough talk, let's go skating!" She took Lucas by the arm and pulled him towards the ice. "Lucas, have you ever skated before?"

Lucas let out a sigh, already expecting that this could be a disaster.

"To be honest... I'm not exactly an expert at it."

Lucy laughed. "Then it'll be fun to watch!"