The scene begins in a typical Russian family living room; it wasn't a large room, but it was humble. On the walls were squares displaying family memories, and the aroma of bread and food wafted from the kitchen.
Through the hallway door, a boy of approximately 1.70 meters entered, soaked in his sports uniform, while leaving a small backpack on the sofa.
"I'm back, Dad," said the blue-haired teenager as he headed to the bathroom.
"Arfur has... returned," spoke the figure on the floor, playing with the toys scattered around, bumping them together.
Arthur turned to his 3-year-old sister, Aria, who waved her arms with happiness as if she were seeing Arthur after a long trip, even though it had only been 2 hours of absence. From the kitchen came a woman with pink hair like a rose, and her eyes the same color as her hair, and with all the affection in the world, she said to her son, "Art, you should go take a shower, you smell like a lot of sweat," Sylvia said sincerely, without any tone of mockery.
Arthur turned around and with a flat voice and a little annoyance, "Mom, that's what I was going to do, it's just that Aria always looks at me as if I had gone around the world and come back," he said sarcastically.
Sylvia nodded, "Okay, go take a shower since I've prepared the snack and Arman is coming from work," she replied, always with the affection and tranquility that characterized her.
A few minutes later, Arthur came out of the bathroom yawning; there in the living room was his father, Arman, leaving the toolbox of any common electrician, and upon seeing his son, he asked, "How was the game, Art?" Arman asked kindly, although he expected good results from his son. Arthur didn't take long to answer while combing his messy hair, or at least trying to. "Not bad, I practiced some free kicks, what's with that doubt, Dad? Because I think you're looking for something," he replied, a little suspicious since his father never asked about his son's soccer performance.
"I received an email, an institution is interested in you, and it's not a simple institution, it has a lot to do with sports and psychology. I suppose they are interested in the talent or if you have one," he said, without any emotion on his face but with a little pride.
Arthur stopped combing his hair, letting go of the comb, turned very slowly without believing it, a center dedicated to soccer? Are they giving him a scholarship? "Dad, where is the center located?" he asked, without avoiding getting too excited, it was a very wet dream or a joke, but this shouldn't be real.
"Unfortunately for you, and for me, the center is located in Germany, and obviously as a responsible father, I will not let you go alone, nor accompanied even if you dream," he replied quickly, directly, without any filter or care. Sylvia managed to hear a little of the conversation, and she comes out of the kitchen speaking excitedly, "Arthur! My boy! Your mother is proud of you, very proud, that they recognize you is a great merit that you always sought... But unfortunately, your father is right, we can't let you go to Germany even if you are accompanied and with a scholarship, it's a very hard and ugly decision for us to have to separate you from your family, but don't worry, life will give you more opportunities!" The female voice encouraged, trying to prevent Arthur from getting too disillusioned.
An hour later, while the family was having a snack, the atmosphere was uncomfortable for Arthur, he didn't like at all that he was wasting an opportunity like this for his soccer dream. Aria with her small female voice, asking her mother to buy her a lot of ice cream tomorrow when they go to the supermarket. Arman enjoying the food quietly, and Sylvia laughing at the comments of little Aria.
"Dad, I have to tell you something," the teenager said in a tone trying to sound serious.
"Does it have to do with a failed subject?" Arman asked in a flat and slightly irritated tone.
Arthur frowned, "No, it's not that, it's about the scholarship, I don't like that," the silence after that phrase was a little long, but it didn't last long until Arman responded.
"What do you want, for me to send you to Germany and for you to get lost?" Arman asked sarcastically.
"Exactly what you say, I want to go, please Dad... I need to go, there are no opportunities like this," he said in a tone of urgency, begging. Sylvia tries to calm the atmosphere, "Hey Arthur... You don't need to beg, surely Arman can find a way," a warm and comforting voice said. Arthur tried to calm himself.
Arman didn't hesitate about his decision, "Arthur, I have said that it is dangerous for you, besides, it is not convenient for you to separate from us, dear," Arthur exploded after that denial in rage.
"NO! Please Dad... I can't imagine a future where I'm not a soccer player, please Dad... Mom! Try to convince him, please..."
Sylvia feels her heart tear as she sees her son begging, "Hey Arman... Maybe... We should let him, I don't think Arthur liked your decision," Sylvia's warm voice tried to convince Arman, although a little insecure.
"No, Sylvia, have you gone crazy? Or have you lost your sanity? Obviously not, letting him go to Germany is a giant stupidity," Arman replied, irritated by the attempt.
"DAD! PLEASE! THINK ABOUT IT, I DON'T WANT TO, THIS OPPORTUNITY IS ONE THAT ANY BOY MY AGE WOULD DREAM OF, I COULD REACH THE PROFESSIONAL! I REFUSE, I WANT TO BE A SOCCER PLAYER, NO ELECTRICIAN OR OFFICE WORKER!" he shouted, bursting into indignant rage, getting up from the chair.
Arman raised an eyebrow intrigued by this teenage tantrum, "Even if I let you go, it doesn't guarantee that you'll be good at soccer, nor that you'll become a professional, Art," he replied calmly, although he seems somewhat irritated by Sylvia's refusal.
Arthur was left speechless, how can he answer that? There is no way to answer, he cannot guarantee that he will become a professional, much less has a natural talent, his effort always took him, no talent, he is only good at running and finishing.
"But I'm intrigued to see what you do if I give you the opportunity, are you really capable of staying and rising, standing out among people from all over the world? I know it sounds imprudent, but I'm thinking of letting you go, my pride and curiosity are overcoming my responsibility."
Sylvia was happy and at the same time worried, yes, Arthur was going to fulfill his dream, Arman is going to collaborate... but having her son away from her without contact, breaks her warm and protective heart.
"But Arman, we should send someone with him... I can't let him navigate alone in the streets of Munich alone..." she said in a worried whisper, Arman turned his head seeing the worry in his wife's eyes.
"Don't worry, dear, at the port, people from that center will receive Arthur and guide him, besides, that center has apartments for the students, the food is free, so there is nothing to worry about," Arman replied with his cold and calming voice, although softer towards his wife since she is tense.
"I suppose... That's fine, if Arthur is going to be fine, I accept this..." Sylvia murmured, somewhat more reassured, but still looking at Arthur with warm sadness and maternal concern.
Arthur finally returns to reality, very slowly and excitedly nods with gratitude towards his father, "Thank you very much... Thank you very much Dad! Thank you too Mom," he replied, unable to prevent his voice from trembling with happiness.
Arman finally, after a few minutes of eating, took the floor, "Listen to me Arthur, I will fill out the registration tomorrow, I will send it, and the next day they will respond, I will get you a boat ticket and maybe you will leave the following week, if you have friends say goodbye, also, notify your coach and team, and your institute too," Arman said, going to the kitchen to wash his hands.
...
Several days later, Arthur is packing his things, but decides to go out to cool off, approximately 4 days have passed, and tomorrow he is going to leave from St. Petersburg (Russia) → Helsinki (Finland). Helsinki → Stockholm (Sweden). Stockholm → Travemünde (Germany), the trip will be long without a doubt, about 3 or 4 days depending.
Arthur, upon returning home, continues to collect things that any teenager of his age uses, he collects some mangas, necessary clothes; perfume, comb, soccer boots, clothes, headphones, a laptop. Upon finishing packing his things. He goes downstairs, Aria is painting intensely with crayons on a sheet of paper, Sylvia is in the kitchen doing housework, although she is slightly uncomfortable, Arman will surely be at work.
It's 2 p.m. he's bored, he decides to go to the field where his team/youth academy plays.
After walking for a while, he arrives at the grass field, there is his coach as always cutting the grass, Arthur greets his coach and the coach lets him pass.
"Well Arthur, you are an infidel, leaving your team and going to Germany hurts me! And that I have 2 divorces," he laughed openly, Arthur sighed resignedly, "Weren't there 3 times?" he asked sarcastically, the coach grabbed his chest, "AY! On top of that now this... You are worse than my previous wife Art... Well, I suppose you leave tomorrow, and I as a good coach, prepared something for you," Arthur's eyes lit up, some boots? Something physical? "What I prepared for you is, I will teach you to improve that garbage aim you have," Arthur frowned offended.
Arthur grabbed a ball, the coach began to show him. "It's easier to aim when you hit it with the instep, you have to know where your foot ends to know where the ball will go. Volleys are easier and your specialty is finishing volleys since your free kicks are garbage, let me explain, when shooting with the inside, it almost always takes effect, that's why you have to learn your own curve to predict where you can put it. That is, when you are going to shoot, you put your support foot as I already taught you, pointing towards where you want it to go, you lower your center of gravity and shoot, you do that, but you have to know that your effect is what defines, that is, your shots with the instep are acceptable, since you know how to aim, but your shots with the inside always fail since you directly aim towards where you want, you have to learn your curve and shoot a little further to know where it will fall, look at this example," The coach gets into position, starts and shoots, supporting his left foot pointing to the left, and with the right he hits it with the inside, the ball shoots out with some curve and sticks in the left corner.
Arthur nodded understanding, he started shooting, the first one in the middle, he didn't achieve his goal, he kept trying.
A few hours later, Arthur finally understood how, he positioned himself, supported his left foot pointing towards the right corner, and with his right foot, he shot with the inside a little to the right of the post, the ball curves entering a little near the post, Arthur clenched his fists with a flaming smile.