My Football Legends Chat Group-Chapter 80: An open goal

Rio couldn’t contribute too much to the conversation outside of his love for football tactics. He did talk about Leo joining him in Leeds, however, he left out the specifics of his intense training regimen, feeling it was a little too weird for their first proper off-pitch conversation.

Soon enough, the duo arrived in front of Rio’s apartment door.

Rio carefully placed the broken bicycle against the wall and asked Archie to wait there for a moment.

"Leo, I’m back."

After opening the door, Rio called out to his brother. However, a moment later he suddenly felt a familiar dangerous aura coming from the living room, causing him to freeze on the spot.

’Damn it! I forgot that Leo was stressed about his exams.’

Rio panicked, trying to figure out what to do next.

"L-Leo, I need the ice pack please."

It wasn’t ideal, but he would have to do the first aid on Archie himself.

His brother peaked his head around the corner, his eyes seeming almost red as they reflected the gloomy Leeds morning which peaked in through the window.

"You don’t look injured," He hissed.

Rio gulped, feeling his body stiffen out of instinct.

"I-It’s for my teammate. We collided by accident."

After being stared at intently by the beast, Rio had no choice but to tell the truth.

Leo paused for a moment before answering. "Bring him in."

Rio shuddered, silently praying for the kid he was about to bring into his home.

He poked his head out and motioned for Archie to come inside, doing his best to not show how panicked he was feeling.

Archie felt a little nervous as this was the first time he had entered a senior player’s house, however, he gathered his courage and walked in the door.

"Sorry to bother you," He called out politely, before taking off his shoes.

The moment his words ended, Rio felt as if the atmosphere suddenly changed, putting him on edge even more than before.

"Rio, hermano, you didn’t tell me we had a celebrity visiting~"

His brother’s sweet voice rang out as he suddenly appeared in front of them both, a wonderful smile on his face.

Rio stared in shock at the sudden transformation of the sleep-deprived zombie into this welcoming host in front of him.

Leo looked between his brother and the teen that he had brought with him, his face full of warmth and smiles. However, Rio could still feel a little undertone of annoyance directed at him whenever their eyes met.

"A-Ah, this is Archie Gray. We play in the same team and he’s also a big prospect at the club." Rio said, finally remembering his duty to begin the introductions.

"Archie, this is—"

"I’m Rio’s manager-slash-brother, you can call me Leo~" He said, not even allowing Rio to finish talking. His eyes darted to the swelling on Archie’s ankle and instantly went into caretaker-mode.

"Oh pobrecito, your ankle looks painful. Come inside, I’ll make sure to ice it up." With that, Leo led Archie inside by the arm and took him to the sofa to be patched up.

Rio stood awkwardly at the entrance, not exactly knowing what was going on. His brother had done a complete 180 once Archie entered the house, yet instead of being relieved, he actually felt in even more danger.

"Rio, go grab the cold spray please cariño~"

Rio shuddered. His brother never called him cariño, which made him uneasy. But in order to avoid any more trouble, he quickly made his way into the kitchen and procured the cold spray.

His misery didn’t end there. All the while his brother was attending to Archie, he kept saying embarrassing things like how this was the first time Rio brought a friend to the house. He even said how he was relieved that Rio was making friends instead of just talking to himself about stats.

He could only silently wish for a swift death as he sat uncomfortably on the armchair and listened to the folly coming out of his brother’s mouth.

Rio didn’t even want to look at Archie’s face, afraid he would see his mortified expression.

Thankfully, after five painful minutes which felt like an eternity, he was done.

Placing the ice pack on his ankle, Leo smiled sweetly. "Thank goodness it was only a small twist, it won’t keep you out long."

Rio breathed out a sigh of relief and was about to quickly usher Archie out of the house before he was tortured any further. However, his brother had other plans.

"Archie amigo, I’m just about to serve some breakfast. Would you care to stay and eat with us?"

"Oh, I wouldn’t want to impose Leo." Archie replied, however, his eyes moved to Rio who looked as if he swallowed a sour lemon.

Rio was about to get up and insist that he would call Archie a taxi, at least that was until he felt a murderous gaze from his brother assault him.

He quickly swallowed whatever he was about to say and spoke up, doing his best to smile. "Y-You should stay. Leo makes great pancakes."

Archie smiled in response, inwardly happy he would be able to spend more time with his captain.

Seeing the genuine smile that seemed to accentuate his youth even more, Rio suddenly felt a bit better. He wouldn’t mind being bullied by his brother if he got to eat with such a promising talent.

’What am I thinking? He’s like 17 right now...’

Rio felt at odds. Since his mental age was much older, he couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming responsibility whenever he thought of Archie as a peer.

’Teammates... We’ll just be teammates okay.’

Without waiting for a response from Archie, Leo quickly got to his feet and announced that the food would be ready shortly.

Not long later, Leo set a plate of pancakes and some wonderful side dishes such as bacon, eggs, syrup, and even fresh fruit on the table.

The spread was amazing as usual, at least for both Leo and Archie.

Rio looked down at the lonely bowl of oatmeal in front of him and couldn’t help but sigh.

’Yep, he’s still pissed at me for waking him up.’

"So, Archie," Leo started, cutting into his pancakes with a graceful motion. "Rio tells me you play lots of positions. Midfield, right back... very versatile."

Archie swallowed a mouthful of syrup, his eyes wide. "Yeah! I like midfield the best though. That’s where I can control the game."

"Control the game, hmm?" Leo glanced at Rio, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Rio likes to think he controls everything too. Even the TV remote."

"Hey!" Rio protested, spooning his oatmeal sadly. "I control the tempo. It’s different."

Archie giggled, looking between the two brothers. "Rio is actually a really good captain. Even when he yells at us." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Oh? He yells? Does he shout in Spanish or English?"

"English mostly," Archie grinned. "But when he gets really mad, he mutters things I don’t understand."

Rio buried his face in his hands. "I’m right here, you know."

"We know," Leo and Archie said in unison, then burst out laughing.

Despite the teasing, Rio felt a warmth spreading through his chest. It wasn’t the oatmeal. It was the feeling of camaraderie. For the first time in this new life, his home felt like a home, not just a training facility.

He looked at Archie, who was happily devouring the pancakes.

[Skill: The Scout’s Eye (Passive)]

[Target: Archie Gray]

[Mood: Content / Inspired]

[Current Thought: "I want to be as strong as Rio one day."]

Rio smiled.

’Don’t worry, kid. You’ll be better.’

After breakfast, Rio called a cab for Archie. They stood by the door as the taxi pulled up.

"Thanks for the food, Leo!" Archie shouted back into the apartment.

"Anytime, chico! Come back when Rio isn’t being grumpy!" Leo yelled back.

Rio rolled his eyes and helped Archie down the stairs, carrying the bag of balls for him.

"See you tomorrow, Skip," Archie said as he hopped into the taxi. "Good luck against QPR. I’ll be watching."

"Rest that ankle," Rio commanded, pointing a finger. "I need you back for the big games."

"Yes, Boss!"

The taxi drove away, disappearing into the fog.

Rio stood there for a moment, the cold air biting his skin. He felt lighter.

He walked back upstairs. Leo was washing the dishes.

"He’s a good kid," Leo said without turning around.

"Yeah," Rio leaned against the doorframe. "He is."

"And you," Leo turned, throwing a dish towel at Rio’s face. "You wash the rest. I have to study."

Rio caught the towel, grinning. "Fair enough."

As he scrubbed the plates, his mind drifted back to the game. QPR. The tactical blueprint. The captain’s armband.

He felt a buzz in his pocket.

[Chat Room Active]

The_King: You feed the boy pancakes, but you feed yourself oatmeal? Discipline is good. But joy is fuel too.

Total_Football_14: The bond is solidified. Now, focus on the pitch. The tactical blueprint is ready.

Zizou_5: I hope you didn’t burn the toast. A captain must be precise in the kitchen too.

Rio laughed.

"Okay," he whispered to the empty kitchen. "Time to work."

He finished the dishes and went to his room. He sat on the bed and opened the System interface.

[TACTICAL BLUEPRINT]

[Match: Leeds United vs QPR]

[Formation: 4-2-3-1 (Rio as No. 10)]

[Key Objective: Dismantle the Low Block]

[Blueprint Cost: 500 Major Points]

Rio selected ’Confirm’.

A rush of information flooded his brain. Passing lanes, movement patterns, defensive triggers. He saw it all.

He saw himself dropping deep, pulling the center-backs out. He saw Rutter making runs in behind. He saw James holding the width.

"Perfect," Rio muttered.

He lay back, closing his eyes.

Tomorrow, Elland Road would witness a new version of Rio Lance. Not just the winger who ran fast. But the playmaker who saw everything.

Wednesday Night. Elland Road.

The lights were blinding. The noise was deafening.

Rio stood in the tunnel, leading the line. The yellow armband felt natural on his arm now.

Behind him, the Leeds players were bouncing, shouting, ready for war.

"Let’s go, lads!" Rio shouted, turning to face them. "High intensity! From the first whistle!"

"YEAH!" The shout echoed off the concrete walls.

They walked out onto the pitch. The roar of 36,000 fans hit them like a physical wave.

"MARCHING ON TOGETHER!"

Rio took a deep breath. He looked at the QPR captain, Asmir Begovic, the veteran goalkeeper.

Begovic looked confident. He thought he had seen it all.

Rio smirked.

’You haven’t seen this.’

He won the coin toss.

"We’ll attack the Kop end first," Rio said.

"Bold," the referee muttered.

Rio jogged to the center circle. Rutter stood next to him, ready to kick off.

"Georginio," Rio whispered. "When I get the ball, don’t look at me. Run."

Rutter nodded, his eyes focused. "I run."

The referee checked his watch.

PEEEP!

The game began.

Rutter tapped the ball to Rio.

QPR immediately dropped back. Ten men behind the ball. A blue and white wall.

Rio didn’t pass back to the defenders.

He turned.

He faced the wall.

[Tactical Blueprint Active]

The blue lines appeared on the pitch again. Glowing. Pulsing.

He saw the gap between the left-back and the center-back. It was tiny. Maybe a foot wide.

But it was there.

Rio started dribbling. Slowly at first. Drawing them in.

Field, the QPR midfielder, stepped out to press him.

"Too slow," Rio thought.

He dropped his shoulder, feinted left, and glided right. Field bought the dummy and slid past him.

Now Rio was driving at the defense.

"RUN!" Rio shouted mentally.

Rutter saw the signal. He sprinted into the gap.

Rio didn’t look. He just played the pass.

A no-look, reverse through ball.

It sliced through the defense like a hot knife through butter.

Rutter was through.

The crowd gasped.

Begovic rushed out.

Rutter took a touch. He looked up.

He squared it.

James was there. An open goal.

GOAL.

1-0.

14 seconds. It took 14 seconds. Elland Road exploded.

"OH MY GOD!" The commentator screamed. "RIO LANCE HAS UNLOCKED THE DEFENSE IN SECONDS!"