The sound of the ball being kicked echoes around the pitch as João moves effortlessly through his practice drills. He glances over at you, offering a quick smile before continuing. After a few minutes, he jogs over, wiping sweat from his brow.

“Watching me, huh?” he teases, leaning against the fence. “You here to give me a score?”

You smile, and he smirks. “I don’t mind the attention,” he says softly, his eyes meeting yours with a warmth that’s rare in his usual playful demeanor. “It’s nice having you here.”

He stands still for a moment, then adds with a grin, “Just wait till I score that next goal—I want to impress you.”