The sun rose slowly over Manchester.No press. No matches. No cameras.Just a Tuesday — and for once, a free one.
Mateo woke up before the alarm, still a little sore from the match.Klara was curled next to him, one arm across his chest. Her breathing calm, steady.
He didn't move.
Not because he couldn't.Because he didn't want to.
☕ BREAKFAST
Later that morning, they made breakfast together.
Klara cut strawberries.Mateo tried (and failed) to make pancakes that didn't stick to the pan.
"Why don't you just let me cook?" Klara teased.
"Because I'm a man of many talents."
"Football. Laundry. Terrible pancakes."
He grinned.
"Harsh. But fair."
They sat at the small kitchen table by the window, eating quietly.
The city outside moved on, fast as always.
But inside their apartment, time slowed down.
🛒 LATE MORNING ERRANDS
They walked into the city — hoodies up, sunglasses on.A few people recognized Mateo. Some whispered. A few asked for selfies, which he always smiled for.
They stopped at a baby store — Klara's idea.
They weren't buying anything yet. Just looking.
She ran her fingers across tiny shoes and soft plush toys.Mateo stood behind her, watching.
"You sure we're ready?" he asked.
Klara looked at him, eyes warm.
"No. But we'll figure it out. Together."
He nodded, heart a little fuller than before.
🎥 AFTERNOON MOVIE
Back home, they picked a film neither had seen — something light.Mateo almost made it to the end, but sometime during the last half hour, his eyes closed.
Klara didn't wake him.
She just covered him with a blanket and sat beside him, gently running her hand through his hair.
🧠 SYSTEM STATUS — BACKGROUND TASK
Recovery Day LoggedMood Level: BalancedPhysical Load: LowBuff Applied:→ "Emotional Recharge" – Training Efficiency +5% next 48 hrs
🌃 NIGHTTIME
They watched the sky from their small balcony.Stars above the rooftops. A soft breeze in the air.
Klara leaned on his shoulder.
"Tomorrow's the draw?"
"Yeah."
"Nervous?"
"Not really," Mateo said. "Whoever it is… we'll be ready."
"We?"
He smiled.
"You're part of this, aren't you?"
In a world filled with pressure, cameras, and headlines…These were the moments Mateo fought for.