The sunlight streamed through the blinds of Jaeven's apartment, waking him up before his alarm could. It was one of those mornings that felt unusually quiet — the type that followed chaos and triumph. The headlines had already begun to fade from his mind; the noise of the media, the insults from Riccardo, the cheers of the fans.
Today was different.
Today, he wasn't Jaeven Moretti Han, Virtus Lombardia's rising star.
He was just "Lucia's big brother."
He got up, ran a hand through his hair, and glanced at the time. 8:07 a.m.
"Right… she said to come before lunch."
Lucia had called him the previous night, her voice filled with mischief. Her friends at school apparently didn't believe her when she said her brother was the Jaeven Han — the boy who had scored three goals and an assist against Ravenna, the one everyone was calling the future of Lombardy football.
She wasn't angry about it. She just wanted to prove it.
And honestly, Jaeven didn't mind. He smiled as he remembered her teasing tone:
> "Oppa, come during lunch break, okay? I told them you'd come. Don't make me a liar in front of my friends."
He'd laughed at that. "You just want to show off."
> "Obviously. You're famous now — I should get some of that glory too."
---
After breakfast and a quick shower, Jaeven dressed simply: a black hoodie, jeans, and a cap. Nothing flashy, nothing that screamed celebrity. But he knew even then — people would still recognize him.
His phone buzzed. A message from his coach, Rossi.
> Rossi: "Take the day off, kid. You earned it. But remember, we're not done. Training resumes tomorrow."
Jaeven smiled faintly. "Got it, Coach."
He slid his phone into his pocket and grabbed his keys.
Time to make good on his promise.
---
The school wasn't far — a modest private institution on the quieter side of the city. The moment he arrived, he noticed heads turning. A few boys whispering, some girls nudging each other. Even the security guard gave him a double take before smiling politely.
"Good morning," Jaeven greeted.
"Ah, Signor Han, right? Lucia's brother?"
He nodded.
"She's been waiting since the first bell. Said you were coming."
"Of course she did," Jaeven muttered, shaking his head in amusement.
---
As he walked through the hallway, he caught the sound of whispers following him.
> "That's him!"
"No way, the Virtus guy?"
"My brother was at that game — said he's unreal."
"He's even better looking in person…"
He tried not to react, though a faint grin tugged at his lips. It was strange — just a few weeks ago, no one knew his name. Now, even random students were talking about him like he was some kind of celebrity.
"Oppa!"
He turned just in time to see Lucia running toward him. Her dark hair bounced as she rushed into a hug, all smiles and excitement.
"You actually came!" she said, stepping back with a grin.
"You told me to," he replied. "You didn't give me much of a choice."
Lucia crossed her arms with mock seriousness. "Well, I had to. My friends think I was lying!"
"So this is all about proving a point, huh?"
She smirked. "Maybe. Or maybe I just wanted to see the look on your face when an entire school freaks out."
"Great. So I'm your entertainment for the day."
"Pretty much."
---
Lucia led him through the courtyard to where her friends were gathered. A group of girls spotted him instantly, gasping and whispering.
"See?" Lucia said proudly. "Told you he's my brother."
Her friends — three girls around her age — stood frozen, eyes wide.
"You weren't kidding," one finally said, almost in awe. "You're really Jaeven Han?"
"Last time I checked," he replied with a smile.
Another girl leaned forward, clearly trying to keep her cool. "You're the one who scored that hat-trick against Ravenna, right? And that… what's it called… rainbow flick?"
"The rainbow flick?" Lucia repeated. "You mean the one everyone's calling the Han Flick?"
Jaeven chuckled. "Please don't call it that. I didn't name it."
"But it's cool!" her friend said. "You should name all your moves. Like, you're making new football stuff every week!"
Jaeven gave a small shrug. "It's just football. I'm experimenting, that's all."
"Experimenting?!" another girl blurted. "You make it sound so casual! You literally embarrassed Ravenna's defenders!"
Lucia grinned proudly. "See what I've been dealing with? I can't even walk through the hall without someone asking if I can play like you."
"Can you?" Jaeven teased.
She glared at him. "Not the point."
---
They spent most of the morning in the courtyard, where students and even some teachers came up to greet him. He signed a few notebooks, posed for pictures, and even answered questions about football.
> "How do you stay calm before a match?"
"What's it like being on TV?"
"Are you joining a bigger club soon?"
He didn't mind answering — most of them were genuinely curious. But his answers were always the same:
"Stay focused."
"Enjoy every game."
"Don't rush success."
Still, what struck him most wasn't their admiration — it was Lucia's expression. She watched him from a few steps away, eyes full of pride. She didn't interrupt or gloat. She just smiled every time someone recognized him.
---
Later, when the lunch bell rang, the crowd began to thin. Lucia and Jaeven sat on a bench beneath a tree, the buzz of students fading around them.
"So…" Lucia said, swinging her legs. "How does it feel? Being famous?"
He thought for a moment. "Weird," he admitted. "I mean… I didn't start playing for this. I just wanted to be better. Now it feels like everyone's watching."
"That's what happens when you're amazing."
"I'm not amazing yet," he said softly. "There's still a long way to go."
Lucia gave him a look. "You scored three goals against Ravenna. You literally made Riccardo Vieri lose his temper on live TV. What do you call that?"
"Progress."
She rolled her eyes. "You're so humble it's annoying."
He laughed quietly. "Maybe. But that's how I want to stay."
---
The conversation drifted to lighter topics — family, school gossip, and how Lucia's classmates were already planning to invite him to their next inter-school football event.
Before long, her phone buzzed.
"Mom's calling," she said, answering. "Yeah, he came. Yes, everyone freaked out. No, he didn't cause a riot."
She glanced at him and whispered, "Mom says she's proud. She saw your interview on TV."
"Tell her I said thanks," Jaeven said, smiling.
Lucia nodded, then hung up. "She also said you should come home for dinner this weekend."
"I will."
---
As the day ended, Jaeven walked back toward his car. Students waved as he passed — some calling his name, others taking photos from a distance.
He wasn't used to it, but he didn't dislike it either.
Maybe this was what it meant to grow — to live in the balance between fame and self-control, to keep your feet grounded even when the world tried to lift you up.
When he reached his car, Lucia ran after him one last time.
"Oppa!"
He turned.
She stood with her hands on her hips. "Don't forget! You promised to teach me that move next time!"
"The Han Flick?" he teased.
"Stop calling it that!"
He grinned. "We'll see. Bye, Lucia."
"Bye!"
As he drove off, the noise of the school faded behind him, replaced by the hum of the city. For the first time in weeks, his thoughts weren't about goals or tactics.
Just peace. Family. And maybe… a little pride.
---
When he got home, he opened the system interface for the first time that day. A small blue message pulsed softly.
> [System Notice: Emotional Stability +2%]
[Reason: Maintaining balance amidst rising fame.]
He stared at it for a long moment, then smiled faintly.
> "Good," he murmured. "Let's keep it that way."