"Mike, are you sure you want to quit the team?" Coach George asked with a look of regret.
A week had passed since the start of the new school year. The next event on the schedule was the football team's Spring Invitational.
Having won the state championship in last year's Summer League, the Medford team had upgraded their gear and earned the right to challenge strong teams from other states.
In Coach George's view, this was an opportunity to continue expanding the team's fame.
Moreover, he thought that if Mike could lead the team to achieve good results again, his future path to becoming a professional would only be smoother. With proper management, he could start at least at the "star player" level.
After all, which coach doesn't want to train a star player?
For this, Coach George had even decided to sacrifice some of the team's interests to give Mike the most "perfect" performance in the subsequent invitational tournament.
Unfortunately, football was just one of Mike's many hobbies. Furthermore, he had no intention of becoming a professional player.
Therefore, having earned enough physical education credits, Mike had no interest in getting involved in the team's state invitational tournament.
Compared to running around participating in invitationals, he preferred to free up time to accompany Mia.
After all, over there it was buy one get two free, allowing him to enjoy triple the happiness simultaneously.
Moreover, Mia had decided to return to Genovia after graduating from high school to help her grandmother build the kingdom.
Barring accidents, Mike would be parting ways with the girl in half an year.
"Yes, I've decided."
Mike took out the captain's armband and placed it on Coach George's desk.
Seeing that the other party had made up his mind, Coach George wanted to persuade him but didn't know how to start.
"Actually, Coach, you don't need to worry. The team's hard power isn't bad now, and there are quite a few talented players. For example, Bill; if cultivated well, he is definitely a good seedling for captain level," Mike analyzed for the team.
Actually, Mike could see that a large part of the reason Coach George was reluctant was the fear that without him, the team's strength would drop significantly.
This was a manifestation of lack of confidence, causing anxiety about gains and losses.
However, the reality was that after more than a year, the Medford football team had built its own foundation, and its overall strength had improved tremendously.
Even without Mike leading the team, this team was definitely a state-level strong team.
Among them, Bill deserved a mention. He was a new player who joined the team last year attracted by its fame. His talent was similar to a comprehensive version of Captain Aaron and Sam.
Although still incomparable to Mike's monstrous talent, he was more than enough to be a high school captain.
Moreover, there were two or three newcomers like Bill in the team. So, as long as Coach George was willing to cultivate newcomers, the Medford football team wouldn't face a situation of lacking successors.
"I know the team's situation... I just feel it's a pity for your departure..."
As an old coach, George's vision wasn't bad.
It was precisely because of this that he felt more regret, unwillingness, and pity for Mike's withdrawal.
He even felt a bit angry that Mike wasn't striving for more.
"No need for pity; everyone's choices and pursuits are different," Mike said. "I will be responsible for my choice."
"Alright, I respect your wishes."
Thinking of Mike's excellent performance in academics and the stock market, George acquiesced to the other's choice.
For adults, life isn't a true-or-false question.
Then, in the following weeks, while Mike was enjoying himself in the gentle land, the school football team also began its journey of external battles.
Under Coach George's intentional cultivation, Bill, who had good football talent, quickly became the team's new "leader."
And in matches against out-of-state teams, they achieved good results.
Also due to the popularity of football, Bill became another top celebrity on campus after Mike.
"Mike, what are you writing?"
In the warm-toned big house, Princess Mia, having recovered some vitality, walked behind Mike who was concentrating on creation.
The messy room behind them had obviously experienced a great battle.
Mike, with maxed-out spear technique attributes, was naturally the winner. And Mia's three-person team, now soft and limp, belonged to the conquered side.
" This is a new song for The Plastics."
Mike, having just enjoyed emperor-level treatment, didn't hide it from the girl.
"Unstoppable, a strange song title, but it looks not bad~"
Princess Mia, proficient in music theory, gave a fair evaluation.
"Miracle Company plans to transform The Plastics; this is a specially commissioned song, so there are quality requirements..." Mike explained briefly.
Yes, The Plastics, with grounded labels like sweet and lovely country girls, faced a transformation period just one year after debut.
This turning point was a key step for The Plastics group to move from immaturity to maturity.
Considering the characteristic of flourishing development in various aspects in this era, Miracle Company also complied with market needs and prepared to create a new persona for The Plastics, mainly focusing on tenacity and striving.
Trying to make The Plastics group a label of the new era.
It could be said that Miracle Company's operation had elements of gambling, but it was indeed very bold and far-sighted.
And Miracle Company, having witnessed Mike's creative ability from the girls' previous album, specially sent a new song invitation to Mike for the group's development.
And the sincerity was ample.
After offering a considerable song creation fee, to ensure song quality, Miracle Company also promised to give Mike some performance share of the new album.
With both face and benefits covered, plus it was profitable, Mike accepted this business deal.
"By the way, Mike. Your title of 'Most Popular Mister' in school is about to be snatched away. Any thoughts?"
Princess Mia, who didn't have much goodwill towards the entertainment industry or The Plastics, looked at Mike's handsome profile and found a new topic.
At school, as the Spring Football Invitational passed halfway, Bill, who led the team to achieve impressive results, was gaining more and more limelight.
"Just an empty title; whoever wants it can take it."
Mike, who had won the campus's Most Popular title for two consecutive terms, issued a humble-brag declaration.
It wasn't Mike being narcissistic, but with his handsome face, as long as he was in school for a day, no one could shake his title of "Most Popular Mister" on campus.
Although Bill was also sunny and handsome, compared to Mike, he wasn't in the same league at all; there was no comparison.
"Why make me so fascinated by you?"
Princess Mia couldn't help but stroke Mike's cheek infatuatedly.
The girl wasn't repulsed by Mike's humble-bragging. Moistened by love and having tasted sweetness, she found herself relying on him more and more.
It was just regrettable that the two were destined to part after high school graduation.
Just as Princess Mia was feeling emotional, the little maid and secretary who had recovered in the back were already consciously cleaning up the "battlefield."
Sensible, beautiful, and not clingy.
It must be said that going to the Kingdom of Genovia to be a live-in Prince Consort was also very attractive to Mike.
...
"George, how many times have I told you, don't throw trash around!"
In the evening, Mary, returning home from church, looked at her husband paralyzed on the sofa drinking beer and felt inexplicably irritable.
"I..."
Coach George, originally in high spirits due to the team's recent good results, faced his wife's dark face, and his good mood disappeared by half.
But for family harmony, George finally chose to endure.
Actually, the person drinking beer with George Sr. in the living room was Meemaw Connie.
Both loved drinking beer and were lazy at the same time, but accusing them of throwing trash around was wronging them.
At this time, apart from a few empty beer bottles, there was nothing improper in the living room.
"George, did you provoke Mary somewhere recently?"
Watching her daughter go to the kitchen to cook dinner, Meemaw Connie turned and asked curiously.
From the perspective of someone experienced, the interaction mode between George and his wife just now obviously had big problems.
"How would I know?" George indicated he was a bit aggrieved.