"So, you're saying I can beat players with a higher overall stats than me easily if I use a dribble skill of higher rank than defence's rank of my opponent ?" Tesuka asked, his eyes sparkling with naïve hope.
"No," Ball replied calmly. "Football isn't just about numbers. It's made of nuances and surprises. A move that's overused becomes a weakness. Even a player with lower defensive stats than your dribbling skill rank could stop you—if they have the right instinct… or a special card."
He paused, his gaze growing more intense.
"A player with better vision, better reflexes... can win, even if their overall level is lower than yours. That's the beauty and cruelty of the game."
"So… even with a higher rank, I could lose?"
"Exactly. This game is alive. It doesn't follow fixed rules. Creativity is your most precious ally on the pitch. You might face a weaker-looking player with extraordinary instinct or rare defensive flair. That's where everything is decided."
---
The next morning, a quiet Saturday. It was eight o'clock when knocks echoed at the door.
Knock knock knock!
"Tesuka, get the door!" his father called sleepily from the bedroom.
"I'm going!" Knock knock knock!!
He opened it.
"Ah! Professor?"
"Good morning. May I come in?"
"Of course, please come in."
"Are your parents here?"
"My father is. My mother left early this morning."
"That's fine," the professor said with a smile. "One attentive ear is enough."
"Dad, this is the teacher I told you about two days ago."
"Oh, it's him? Come in, Professor. Have a seat."
"Thank you. I'll get straight to the point. I want to recruit your son for my football team. He has potential I rarely see."
"What? Him? My son? Are you sure?"
"Yes, Mr. Cidé. He's got something special."
"He's distracted. If I allow him to play, he'll be even more distracted. To me, that's the first step toward failure."
"I understand. But here in Burundi, how many brilliant young people end up with no future, even with diplomas? Sometimes, you have to take different paths. Who knows what the future holds? If he succeeds through his studies, great. If it's through football, that's great too."
"Dad, can I say something?"
"Go ahead."
"Give me three months. If my grades drop, I'll stop everything."
"Three months? Professor, on a scale of 20, how would you rate his potential for his age?"
"I'd say 15 out of 20."
"Alright. Two weeks."
"Only two weeks?"
"Yes. Not a day more. I won't sacrifice his future for a risky dream."
The professor fell silent for a moment and stared into Tesuka's eyes,''there's a chance''. He saw a rare determination.
"I think he'll surprise you.
Here's the training plan. My number is at the bottom."
Mmh!!,there's no problems,thank you. I'll talk to my wife, but I think I can convince her."
It's a pleasure for me too. ''No more formalities—call me Bayo."
"Very well. Just Cidé is fine for me too."
"See you soon, Cidé."
"Have a good day, Bayo."
---
That night, in the quiet of his room, Cidé stared at the ceiling.
"Is this the right decision? Can football really lead somewhere?"
---
"My darlings! I'm home!"
"Yoooh! Mom!"
"How was your day?"
"Good! And yours?"
"Great!"
"Sweetheart, come. We need to talk."
"About what?"
Just follow me ,okay okay I'm coming.
So what's that you want to talk about ?
"Tesuka got an offer. His teacher wants him on the team."
"You didn't accept, I hope?"
"Two weeks. I gave them two weeks."
His wife looked at him intently, then said:
"Let's wait and see. If his grades drop, we stop everything."
"Yes, darling. I couldn't take that risk either."
Meanwhile, at Bayo's place:
"Gabi, what do you think of Tesuka?is he brilliant ?"
"Hmm… Six months ago, I'd have said: average student, easily distracted. Today, I see a sharp mind—perhaps poorly channeled—but brilliant."
"I want you to keep an eye on him. Two weeks."
"Alright. But why this sudden interest? He's not even in your class."
"Don't tell me it's just for football? If that's the case, I'm against it. That kid is too smart to chase a ball."
"Hahaha! Gabi… always the same. See you later."
"Aah, this country will never move forward… always looking down on football."
Sunday morning:
"Hello?"
"Good morning, this is Cidé."
"Oh, good morning!"
"My wife and I agree. But the condition stands. If it's broken, you know what happens."
"Yes, absolutely."
"Have a good day."
"You too. These parents… they really love their child. I envy them."
---