Chapter 148 The Super sub!!
In a brisk pace, Kan moved away from the field official toward the equipment store, a wide grin plastered across his face. The eagerness to impress the captain emanated from his every step, creating an aura of anticipation as he ventured into the store.
Upon entering, Kan found himself in a well-furnished space where orderliness reigned. Jerseys hung meticulously on hangers, football boots neatly arranged beneath shelves — a testament to the meticulous nature of the football enthusiasts maintaining the inventory.
Kan couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "These dudes are serious about the whole football thing. Nice!" he commented, a mix of amusement and appreciation in his tone. His eyes danced over the array of jerseys, each one a potential canvas for his impending performance.
The first jersey he laid hands on was an original piece, the texture different from the childhood jerseys he was accustomed to. Although not perfectly ironed, the jerseys held a certain allure. Kan, meticulous in his choices, brought one to his nose, conducting an impromptu olfactory inspection. To his relief, there was no repulsive odor, and he moved forward with his selection.
As he scanned through the options, Kan encountered a slight hiccup. The jersey numbered 30, though intriguing, proved a tad too snug for his liking. "Am I this big?" he mused, bemused by the unexpected discovery.
[Well with the increase in your strength, you'd think increase in muscle mass would be the least surprising, wouldn't you?] Hela quipped.
He contemplated her words and it made the most sense to him. It also explained why Nora kept saying he had increased in size. However, unfazed, he continued his quest, setting his sights on a larger, more fitting option.
The next jersey, with the number 2 boldly displayed, beckoned to him. However, a quick self-assessment led Kan to dismiss it. "I'm not a defender; this won't do. I prefer something intimidating as an attacker," he reasoned, gracefully returning the jersey to its place while delicately addressing a minor stain he had inadvertently caused.
The search continued, a dance among the jerseys, as Kan sought the perfect fit that also bore a striking number. The coveted forward numbers, like 9, 7, 10, and 11, were already claimed by fellow players on the pitch. Although this was the case in his mind, he wasn't too sure the numbers would match the rules in the game. For all he knew, the numbers might may mean something else entirely but given the gameplay, he was confident that his prior knowledge stood, no doubt.
Undeterred, Kan's strategic mind prompted a shift in approach.
"Why not go for my second favorite childhood number? It's likely available since I haven't spotted anyone flaunting it on the pitch," he thought aloud. A renewed vigor infused him as he scoured the jerseys once more, his attention momentarily diverted.
In his haste, a jersey slipped from its perch, an unintended consequence of Kan's fervent quest. Oblivious to the mishap, he continued his search, frustration mounting as the elusive number remained out of reach. However, fate intervened, guiding Kan's gaze to the fallen jersey. A quick retrieval ensued, unveiling the sought-after number: 15.
With an exuberant shout, Kan celebrated his find. "Yes! Now we're talking. I don't care if it's too big or too small; I'm wearing it this way!" he declared triumphantly. The jersey, once secured around him, seemed tailor-made, a serendipitous match that brought an infectious smile to Kan's face.
Yet, the elation was short-lived as Kan faced another challenge — the missing short. A hurried perusal through the organized pile proved futile, leading to a momentary lapse in Kan's enthusiasm. The halftime whistle breezed past his ears served as a reminder of the ticking clock, urging him to expedite his decision.
Amidst the pressure, Kan opted for a pragmatic solution — wearing any available shorts as long as the prized number 15 jersey adorned his frame. In the rush, he seized number 25, accepting the compromise with a sense of urgency.
"They probably won't mind, right?" Kan thought, in a hurry, he didn't put much consideration into his hasty decision.
As he initiated the change, the captain, Emily, entered the store, her exertion evident from the glistening beads of sweat on her forehead. Kan, unaware of her presence, found himself in a momentary predicament — only clad in his skin-tight undergarments.
"This is not the place to change; you can change over there where no one can see you," Emily suggested politely, noticing Kan's inadvertent oversight. Her advice however didn't come without a sneaky look at kan's junk that was tucked in his trunk. She had her eyes fixed on his sizable bravado which didn't do much to conceal itself as it made a contour on the short.
"Oh! Thanks, but I'm already done," Kan responded, hastily donning the jersey trouser while trying to maintain a semblance of composure.
Meanwhile, Emily, with a practiced ease, began swapping her football boots, temporarily shifting the spotlight away from Kan's impromptu wardrobe change. The removal of her headband revealed a cascade of blonde hair, adding an understated elegance to her already commanding presence.
"Ehmmm, what's your name, Cap?" Kan inquired, his breath still slightly labored from the hurried change.
"I'm Emily, and you?" she responded, momentarily diverting her attention from the task at hand.
"I'm Kanakan, or just Kan," he replied, a subtle smile playing on his lips.
"Uhmm, that's different. Never heard of anyone with that kind of name," Emily remarked, resuming her focus on the boots.
"Well, it's good to be different, I guess," Kan added with a grin, unable to resist a playful comment.
Emily looked at him for a brief moment and gave a smile that said 'Sure, whatever you say,'.
Kan didn't want to push the conversation any further as he could see she was hyper focused on the match. He too began to search for a his pair of boots, getting ready for his debut match.
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With the changing room episode behind them, Emily readied herself for the second half, donning a fresh pair of boots in preparation for the forthcoming action on the pitch. However, her gaze lingered on Kan's jersey, a realization dawning upon her.
"Are you sporting that jersey with a different short number?" Emily queried, her surprise evident in her expression.
Kan, equally taken aback, responded, "Yeah, how did you catch that without even looking?"
A laughter bubbled from Emily as she shared a revealing snippet of her past. "That used to be my favorite number. There was a day I went home with it and forgot to bring the short back."
Curiosity piqued, Kan inquired, "So, the shorts is still at your place?"
"Indeed," Emily confirmed. "I noticed it this morning in my closet. I thought no one would ever be interested in that number, so I was lax about bringing it back. But now that someone has shown interest, I'll return it to you tomorrow morning on my way to school."
Opting for a more immediate solution, Kan playfully suggested, "No need for that. I'll follow you home to get it myself. Why should I trouble such a pretty damsel like you just for a short?"
The sudden proposal by Kan to follow her to her place came as a prudent act by Kan to her.
Emily turned to him with a smile, her eyes reflecting a mix of amusement and appreciation. "I just hope you play as good on the pitch as you do off it," she remarked before gracefully making her way back to the field, leaving Kan to prepare for the upcoming half.
Kan, still basking in the lighthearted exchange, couldn't help but smile at Emily's parting words. With a renewed sense of determination, he delved into the array of boots, selecting the perfect pair to accompany his spirited play in the upcoming half.
Swiftly exiting the store, Kan made a brief pitstop to retrieve his school uniform, placing it neatly on a nearby table. As he emerged into the daylight, the whistle for kick-off echoed through the air. The shift in referees, from Coach Nami to a new, late-arriving male official, signified the beginning of the second half.
Coach Nami, catching sight of Kan, couldn't resist a comment, "Finally decided to play, didn't you?"
"Yes, Ma'am!" Kan affirmed, eager to embrace the opportunity.
"So I guess my team impressed you enough, huh? By the way, what's your name?" the coach inquired, her attention momentarily diverted.
"I'm Kan," he replied, a touch of enthusiasm evident in his response.
"Do your best and make me proud. I have a good feeling about you. Now go on and prove to me that there are more talents out there other than Wick," Coach Nami instructed before refocusing on guiding the players on the field.
Intrigued by the mention of Wick, Kan wondered, "Is Wick a good player? Why then is he not on the pitch?" The puzzle lingered in his mind as he strolled toward the reserve bench, where Wick was seated.
Kan raised his head and saw the score line on the display board as '1-1'. He hissed, "how did they even equalize? Such a pity!"
Upon Kan's arrival to the reserve bench where Wick was also seated with his ever gloomy face, a rough foul disrupted the game, resulting in an injury to one of Kan's teammates.
Coach Nami swiftly summoned Wick to prepare for entry. Simultaneously, Emily signaled her exhaustion, prompting Coach Nami's concern. Emily, known for her boundless energy, rarely showed signs of fatigue. Something seemed amiss.
The coach scanned the reserve bench, finding Kan as the sole substitute. Issuing a call, she summoned him to be ready for action. Kan, propelled by a surge of adrenaline, sprinted toward the coach, standing alongside Wick, who was also poised for substitution.
As the players on the field observed Wick gearing up to join the match, a wave of jubilation swept through them. Cheers erupted, and even some taunts were directed at the opposing team. "You're done for now!" echoed from one player to another.
"All hail the supersub!" They chanted.
Caught in the midst of this animated exchange, Kan couldn't help but wonder about Wick's prowess. "Is he truly this good?"
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