The System Makes Me a Player

Kelvin followed Júlia's gaze. The teams were already taking their positions on the field, the ball at the center, and the floodlights illuminating everything at full power. The stadium, though not packed, buzzed with the murmurs of local fans.

"Is the Fortaleza team good?", he asked, trying to hide the discomfort he still felt at hearing the name "Erick".

Júlia nodded.

"Yeah. They have some very technical players. If Erick comes on, he could make a difference. But… I don't really think he will."

"Because he gets bored?"

"Yeah. He's kind of detached. Only plays when he really feels like it. And honestly, I don't think he cares much about the tournament"

Kelvin stayed silent for a few seconds, watching the game's opening passes. It unsettled him. A player talented enough to be there… and he simply didn't care?

"And you?", he asked, turning slightly to her. "Do you care?"

Júlia raised an eyebrow.

"About what?"

"About soccer. About this kind of thing... competition, effort"

She let out a small, sincere laugh.

"I care about people who care. I think that's what makes the difference. You care, don't you?"

Kelvin hesitated for a moment but then nodded.

"I care a lot"

She turned her eyes back to the field, smiling again.

"I can tell"

The match continued with solid plays from both sides. Kelvin watched closely, though part of his mind lingered on what he had just heard. Erick. Júlia's brother. A talented slacker. And possibly his next opponent.

Kelvin stayed beside Júlia for a few more minutes, watching the game in silence. But tiredness—and especially hunger—began to hit hard. Lunch had been hours ago, and he hadn't eaten anything since the end of his match.

He stood up slowly.

"I'm going to grab something to eat. Want anything?", he asked kindly.

"I'm good, thanks", Júlia replied with a small smile. "Go ahead. Eat for me too"

Kelvin chuckled, giving a wave before walking down the steps of the bleachers and following the path alongside the stadium. It was the same route as in the morning, but now it felt calmer, with the sky fully dark and the air cooler.

The snack bar was in the same plaza as before, its yellow lights glowing over plastic tables and a half-lit sign. The smell of fried pastries and grilled meat filled the air, mixed with the muffled sound of an old TV playing on a random sports channel.

Kelvin stepped up to the counter.

"One "x-tudo" and a banana smoothie, please", he ordered.

While waiting, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned and found Ian, his hair still damp from a shower, his face more relaxed.

"There you are!", Ian said with a smile. "I went back to the dorm looking for you. Thought you vanished"

"I went to the stadium to watch the game. Júlia was there"

"Hmmm", Ian narrowed his eyes playfully. "So that's why you disappeared. Makes sense now!"

Kelvin laughed, shaking his head.

"We just talked. Her brother plays for the Fortaleza team—I think the school's name is Héra."

"Ah… instant rival then", Ian said, miming a sword fight with a pen he found in his pocket. "If that guy steps on the field, I won't let him through."

"Literally", Kelvin replied with a grin.

"You already ordered?"

"Just did"

"Cool, I'll order too"

Ian ordered a burger and soda, and the two sat at one of the outdoor tables, where they could see the plaza and some of the stadium lights in the distance. The snack bar was simple, with a few scattered tables, people chatting softly, and the occasional clink of dishes and cups.

As they ate and chatted about the game—especially about the free-kick goal and the one Felipe scored off Kazana's play—Kelvin paused, chewing slowly.

His eyes were drawn to a figure a few tables away.

It was a guy, sitting alone, wearing the blue-and-white jersey of the Fortaleza team. He was hunched over his phone, elbows on the table, brow slightly furrowed. He looked like he was watching something closely—maybe a video or reading messages.

"Ian…", Kelvin whispered, nodding in that direction, "look over there"

Ian glanced discreetly.

"Oh… Fortaleza jersey. Think that's him?"

"Don't know… Could be Júlia's brother. She said he'd be watching, not necessarily playing today"

"Want to go talk to him?"

"Of course not", Kelvin shot back quickly. "I'm just… curious."

The guy at the other table had dark hair, slightly long on the sides, was tan, about 1.82 meters tall, and wore just one earbud. On the tray in front of him was a half-eaten pastel and a juice can. His fingers moved quickly across the screen.

Then he chuckled. A restrained laugh, almost mocking. And then he shook his head slightly, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. He placed his phone face-down on the table and took a sip of juice, still staring into nothing.

"What do you think he was watching?", Ian asked, trying to hide his own curiosity.

Kelvin had a guess.

"Probably just watching some video to pass the time"

"Probably."

"But…", Kelvin said, glancing sideways. "he seems like the kind of guy who already knows everything before even stepping on the field."

Then the guy slowly stood up, stretching like he'd just woken up. He picked up his phone, slid it into his pocket, and for a brief moment, his eyes met Kelvin's.

Just for a second. And both of them felt something.

It wasn't hostile. Nor friendly. It was… neutral.

Then he turned and walked away down the plaza sidewalk, his steps relaxed, like nothing around him really mattered.

Ian exhaled slowly.

"If that's Júlia's brother… he's nothing like her."

"Yeah…", Kelvin replied, finishing the last bite of his food. "But there's something in that look. I don't know what… I just know that if he ends up playing against us… I'm not sure we'll win"

Silence hung between them for a few moments, as the lights from the snack bar cast long shadows on the ground and night settled in fully.

"It's getting late, Kelvin", Ian said as he stood up. "Let's head back to the dorm. Rafael sent a message in the WhatsApp group saying our second match is at 8 PM"

"Alright", Kelvin replied, still unsettled by the earlier glance.