Whoooooom—
I open my eyes in the midst of vibrations that make my body hum and noise that muffles my ears.
I'd closed my eyes for only a moment, but the plane heading south was still up in the sky.
Well, I'd been on a few flights now.
I'd more or less gotten used to the vibrations and noise by now, but I still couldn't adapt to the stuffiness of such a cramped space.
Is this a soccer player's instinct?
I want to break free from the pressure.
“···”
Without moving from my seated position, I shift only my eyes and quietly look to the right.
And after confirming that the person sitting next to me is fast asleep, I quietly let out a sigh.
Jiu was sleeping with her mouth hanging wide open.
Whew.
Thank goodness. No wonder it was so quiet—she was asleep.
Since this morning, today had been utter chaos.
Because of Jiu.
Jiu is usually high-energy enough as it is, but today she had been running wild at an absolutely uncontrollable level.
It felt exactly like what would happen if a beagle—one of the so-called three great demon dog breeds—were reincarnated as a human.
I'd been worried about what we'd do if they said pets couldn't board, but thankfully this airline doesn't discriminate against animals.
Well, anyway.
On my left, Dad was also catching some sleep.
The plane carrying one beagle, its guardian, and that guardian's guardian was flying safely toward the south.
Checking the map on the screen mounted on the seat in front of me, it seemed we were almost there.
This plane's destination was a place called Palermo.
Obviously, we weren't going to play an away match against Palermo FC; it was because the place we'd decided to spend our vacation was the island of Sicily.
I'd put quite a lot of thought into choosing this vacation spot, but I had only one criterion.
It had to be an environment suitable for training.
To me, this vacation meant only that there were no matches; it didn't mean time to rest and play.
I needed the kind of stamina that would let me play in weekly matches while maintaining steady condition.
I'd thought everything was over just because we'd beaten Juventus and I'd scored in that match. I'd forgotten one important fact.
For students, tests are only the midterms and finals, but for a soccer player, there's a test every week.
Sitting on the bench with a heavy, sluggish body was anything but pleasant.
The thought that I'd let down the fans who came to see me, the thought that I couldn't help the team, and the thought that it was all because of my poor self-management tormented me.
It wasn't time to catch my breath just because I'd crossed a mountain called Juventus.
Because I'd crossed that great mountain, I was now standing on higher ground than before.
So if I fell from here, it would hurt even more.
I didn't want to fall.
So, during this vacation, I wanted to fill in what I lacked most.
That was stamina.
I did stamina training normally as well, but I couldn't focus on it as much as when there were no matches.
After all, stamina training exhausts the body, and when you're exhausted, you need time to rest.
During the season with weekly matches, there wasn't enough time for that.
So this vacation was a good opportunity for me.
Well, anyway.
I'd looked for a good place to train with Dad's help.
First of all, it had to be somewhere warm.
Though not as cold as Korea, Florence was still winter, and the days were chilly. There was a risk of getting injured during intense training.
There's nothing more foolish than getting injured while training, so warm weather was necessary.
Naturally, the candidates were narrowed down to warm southern regions. Still, it was hard to pick one place, so I asked some senior players for advice, and what Coach Vincenzo said was decisive.
—I know Tony and Luca are in the Sicily area. Try contacting them. I'd feel relieved if you were together.
It was news that Coach Tony and Coach Luca were already vacationing in the south.
Upon hearing that, I'd immediately texted them... only to realize my mistake right away.
Sending work-related messages to people on vacation. I'd shown my complete lack of social skills.
But fortunately, both coaches readily told me to come. They said they were already doing special training with a trainee anyway, so it worked out perfectly.
So here I was, on a plane flying toward the island of Sicily.
Well, actually... there was one more reason Sicily was perfect.
It was the fact that we could get there by plane.
It was because of Jiu, who'd said she was jealous of me flying every week.
I couldn't take her with me every time there was an away match, so I wanted to let her experience a plane ride, at least this once.
For Jiu and for Dad's back, I'd steeled myself to book expensive seats.
But the two of them scolded me at the same time, asking why I would spend that kind of money.
I don't even know why I got scolded when I'm spending my own money.
“···”
Anyway, before I knew it, the sea and the city were coming into view beyond the small window.
It looked like we were slowly preparing to land.
Come to think of it, she'd insisted on seeing the landing and absolutely demanded the window seat.
And now that we're actually landing, she's sleeping like a log.
...Wait. Should I wake Jiu up now?
If I don't wake her, she'll probably nag me endlessly. But I'm also scared to wake her.
How many people have the courage to wake a beagle that's finally fallen asleep?
“Hoo—”
In the end, I took a deep breath to steel myself, then tapped Jiu's shoulder.
Immediately, Jiu's round eyes opened.
“······Oh, wow! Wow! The sea! Jian, I see the sea! Whoa, this is crazy! Look at the color of the sea! It's blue!”
...I think I shouldn't have bothered mustering my courage.
*
“Alright, we're almost there. Go left and it's the city; go right and you'll reach the villa and the beach.”
“Wow, this is nice. It's going on three years since I started working, but this is my first time in Sicily.”
“That's great! Enjoy your time here this visit. Leave your son with us.”
“Well, it's always been that way. I'm sorry it's like this even during vacation.”
“Oh, not at all. We're happy to. You have no idea how much Coach Tony has missed Jian. He says he misses the days when Jian was his student. Haha!”
Listening to the conversation between Coach Luca in the driver's seat and Dad in the passenger seat, I look out the window for no particular reason.
Outside, I see a clear sky and blue sea that make it hard to believe it's winter.
Having gotten off the plane, we were now driving along the coastal road.
Thankfully, Coach Luca had come to the airport personally to pick us up.
In truth, we're close enough that we can see each other whenever we have a moment, but meeting in such a faraway place felt incredibly nice.
It was a strange feeling.
“Anyway, Jian! Welcome. There's nowhere better for winter stamina training. If you run for even ten minutes on soft, sinking sand, your whole body will scream.”
“I'm ready.”
What I was even more grateful for was that they'd prepared both the training location and the accommodations.
If you leave the city and go a little deeper in, there's a beach not many people know about, and Coach Tony's villa is nearby.
We planned to stay at that villa together for about ten days and train.
“By the way, is your girlfriend usually the quiet type?”
“···Excuse me?”
“She hasn't said much since earlier. Is she the shy type?”
At the coach's question, I make an incredulous face. Come to think of it, Jiu had been quiet since earlier.
Just until we got out of the airport, she'd been so loud my ears had almost fallen off.
There's no way someone with her personality would be shy around strangers.
She must just be completely absorbed in the scenery outside.
The island was certainly beautiful.
“...Were you talking about me or something?”
Jiu, who had been looking out the window, glances at me and asks.
When I shrug, the coach speaks.
“Jian, tell her something for me. Say she's a real beauty. Haha!”
...Not feeling it was worth relaying, I turn my gaze back out the window, but Jiu pokes me in the side.
“You were talking about me. What did he say?”
“...He asked why you're pretending to be docile when you seem like you'd talk a lot.”
At my words, Jiu wrinkles her brow and puffs out her cheeks. It was the expression of someone caught red-handed.
Seeing that expression, the coach asks.
“Did you translate that properly?”
“Of course.”
At my answer, Dad chuckles this time, and I also let out a snort as I look out the window.
The captain had once said.
Never trust an Italian man, even if he's married.
That's why I couldn't translate the coach's words literally.
I'm just a good junior who always keeps the captain's words in mind.
...Of course, I was joking.
*
“Wow, this is insane... incredible...”
I nod my head at Jiu's exclamation.
Insane. The scenery.
Swooooosh—
The blue sea sparkled under the sunlight stretching out endlessly, and the waves rushing forth as if to greet a stranger crashed onto the sandy beach and crumbled.
It didn't have the blazing feel of midsummer, but the warm scenery before my eyes made it hard to believe this was a winter sea.
To think he has a villa in a place like this.
Was Coach Tony actually incredibly wealthy?
“What do you think? Not bad, right?”
“It's... amazing.”
“The sand here is good, and since there are no people, it's perfect for training. If you get hot while running, you can jump straight into the sea for a cold bath.”
“Can we start right now?”
The coach laughs heartily at my words.
“Your enthusiasm is good, but this is still a vacation. The sun will be setting soon, so let's rest today. You have to think about the girlfriend who came with you, too.”
“...Ah.”
I nodded.
Jiu was already running across the sandy beach, her shoes off in one hand and the hem of her skirt clutched in the other.
The sound of her bright laughter reached all the way here.
The beagle who had briefly pretended to be docile was starting to show her true colors.
I could almost see a tail wagging frantically.
“Ah, it's cold!”
...That idiot.
Chasing the receding waves, she got her legs soaked by the incoming tide.
I knew it.
Looking at Jiu coming back with a pout, holding her wet skirt, I couldn't help but laugh.
“I'm all wet...”
“Then why did you run in?”
“Eeeh.”
I don't know what she's so happy about, but despite saying that, her face is smiling.
Then Jiu suddenly changes her expression and glares at me.
“Pervert.”
“...?”
“No wonder you were acting weird when you suggested we go to the sea. This was your plan all along?”
“...What are you talking about.”
“Wow, look at your face turning red. Hit the nail on the head, didn't I? What's your next move?”
“...Coach. Let's go.”
“What?!”
Utterly speechless, I spun around.
My head was spinning.
*
In my opinion, Coach Tony really must be rich. There's no way he could own such a mansion as a vacation home otherwise.
“Wow, Jian! Come here! There's another room here!”
Without getting swept up by Jiu's fussing from afar, I slowly tour the house.
It was a house that seemed quite old, but therefore felt classical.
It was enormous, and the furniture looked incredibly luxurious.
It would be really nice to have a vacation home like this in such pleasant weather. When things feel suffocating, coming here and resting for a few days without a care in the world seems like it would make all your worries disappear.
How much would a house like this cost?
It would be rude to ask...
“Wow, another room here?”
...I'd been standing in the room slightly out of sight when Jiu's voice came from right behind me, making me flinch.
It seems impossible to quietly be alone today.
“The room over there looks like the master bedroom. This one's a bit small? Is it unused?”
Like someone looking at a house to move into, Jiu looked around the room and then asked me.
“What kind of room would be good here? A walk-in closet? Or a study?”
“It's not even our house, so why are you thinking about that?”
“It's fun! Hmm, a study would definitely be good here. Ah, no. This room is perfect for a nursery! It's not too big, and since it's on the first floor, it'd be just right for a baby's room.”
A faint smile came to my lips at Jiu's words.
It's not even our house—what does it matter if this room is a study or a nursery?
I looked at Jiu with eyes that said I didn't quite understand, then suddenly felt a strange mood and almost coughed for no reason.
How should I put it...
The two of us touring the house together, saying things like “our house” and “a nursery”...
“Ahem.”
I shook my head vigorously for no reason and left the room.
I'd come here to clear my mind and train, but today of all days, I kept having strange thoughts.
I really don't know what to do with myself.
“──”
“──”
As I headed back to the living room like that, I heard commotion from afar.
Wondering who had arrived, I quickly walked out of the hallway and saw a welcome face.
“Oh, Jian! You're here!”
“Ah, Coach.”
It was Coach Tony.
The coach's face lit up the moment he saw me, and he embraced me warmly.
...He was greeting me as if I'd been reunited with family after a long separation.
But I was just as glad to see the coach.
“So, how's your body? Any injuries? Nothing bothering you?”
“Yes. I'm fine.”
“Good. I'm glad you're here. I was already training one student, so this works out perfectly. It's better to train together than alone.”
“Ah, right.”
“You know him, too.”
“Who...?”
Instead of answering my question, the coach pointed behind him with his chin.
I turned my gaze beyond him and saw someone with darkly tanned skin entering, looking like a drenched rat...
Looking closely, it was indeed a familiar face.
“Gino...?”
It was Gino.
It was Gino, but I had to look again to make sure it was the Gino I knew.
Because Gino was wearing another team's uniform, not ours.