Chapter 8: Defeat on Two Fronts
"Mindset?"
Ramalho looked at Lúcio with mild confusion.
Lúcio chuckled softly.
"What stops Brazilian players from reaching the very top is never talent," he said. "It's whether they can resist temptation after they become famous."
Ramalho nodded instinctively.
Then he thought of the evaluations the veterans had given Ken—and shook his head.
"I think Ken will be fine," he said firmly. "He has the right temperament."
He paused, then glanced at Lúcio with a teasing smile.
"But still… you should be careful lately. Especially when you're walking alone at night."
"Huh?" Lúcio blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"You gave the kid a pretty rough welcome today," Ramalho said. "I'm worried you'll end up with a sack over your head."
"Porra!" Lúcio laughed. "Wasn't that exactly what you asked me to do?"
---
🎵 Still remember you promised me… 🎵
Ken had just returned to his room when his phone rang.
"Second Uncle."
"Ken… my bank card suddenly received a large transfer today," Uncle Smith said cautiously. "Did you send it?"
Ken smiled unconsciously.
"Yes. I did."
"You're living alone abroad—you need money for everything. Why would you send it to me?"
"Second Uncle," Ken interrupted gently, "I've already signed with São Paulo FC. My monthly salary is 150,000 reals. I live at the club, so I barely spend anything."
There was silence on the other end.
"I don't need—"
"Second Uncle," Ken said softly, "you're my family. If you keep saying that, you're treating me like an outsider."
Uncle Smith sighed.
"…Alright. I'll keep it."
Ken relaxed.
"That's better. Didn't Second Aunt want to buy a place closer to a good school for Leo? Go ahead. I'll send money back every month."
Uncle Smith agreed, but in his heart, he had already decided to save every cent.
"Just don't push yourself too hard," he said. "Football is dangerous."
"I know," Ken replied.
As they talked, Ken suddenly remembered the heavy contact Lúcio had given him earlier that day.
"Oh," Uncle Smith added quietly, "because of that recording last time, another group was caught. That man—Dennis—was among them."
Ken exhaled slowly.
Some people really did get what they deserved.
---
After the call ended, Ken sat quietly for a long time.
Only then did he fully understand—
Lúcio hadn't been targeting him out of malice.
He'd been preparing him.
In a real match, defenders wouldn't be gentle. They'd be far worse.
The next day, when Ken saw Lúcio again, he didn't avoid him.
He smiled.
That smile made Lúcio instinctively tense.
"Hey," Lúcio said cautiously. "What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch, alright?"
Ken blinked, then laughed.
"Thank you," he said sincerely. "You were teaching me yesterday."
Lúcio relaxed and shook his hand awkwardly.
"You're sharper than you look," he muttered.
"Then today," Ken added, eyes bright, "don't hold back. Crush me."
---
Time moved quickly.
April ended.
São Paulo played two matches in the State Championship.
The first was a 0–1 away loss to Mogi Mirim. By then, qualification was already secured.
The second was a 1–0 home win over Penapolense in the quarter-finals, advancing to the semi-finals.
Then came the Copa Libertadores Round of 16.
Their opponent—
Atlético Mineiro.
The same team from the group stage.
São Paulo played the first leg at home and lost 1–2.
Ken watched from the stands as his idol scored and assisted.
Age had taken its toll, but brilliance hadn't faded.
Three days later, São Paulo faced Corinthians in the State Championship semi-final at Morumbi Stadium.
Ninety minutes.
0–0.
Penalty shootout.
Loss.
Then came the second leg of the Libertadores.
Away.
Mineirão Stadium.
A brutal 1–4 defeat.
Aggregate score: 2–6.
São Paulo were eliminated.
Two competitions.
Two losses.
But according to the rules, elimination at this stage meant one thing—
They dropped into the Copa Sudamericana.
Ken stood quietly in the tunnel after the match.
Losses hurt.
But seasons weren't built on single nights.
And his season—
Had only just begun.