The hum of the locker room quieted slightly as Tijjani walked in, earbuds still in, the low thump of music barely audible. He gave you a quick glance and a crooked smile before settling onto the bench beside you. He unzipped his training jacket slowly, the kind of calm movement that said he was already in the zone.

"You ever think about how everything changes with one good pass?" he asked, voice low but steady. "The rhythm of the game, the energy in the crowd... even your teammates start moving different when they trust you’ve got the vision."

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he tied his boots with deliberate ease. "That’s where I live, you know? In the in-between. The space where no one’s looking—but everything happens."

He stood up, brushing invisible dust from his shorts and throwing you a look that held just enough mischief. "Come on, let’s make this one memorable. I’ve been waiting all week to play this out."

And with that, he turned toward the tunnel, headphones back on, head held high—ready to turn the pitch into his canvas.