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The Emperor was in a good mood. 

He walked onto the training pitch with confidence that suggested he'd already won their next match.

His teammates noticed, of course—they always noticed when Kaiser was more obnoxious than usual.

❝You seem.. different today,❞ Ness commented, falling into step beside him.

Kaiser hummed, running a hand through his blond and blue-streaked hair. ❝Do I?❞

❝Y-You do.❞

❝Huh. Must be because I won.❞

Ness immediately shot him a curious glance. ❝But.. the match is in three days?❞

❝Not that you shithead,❞ Kaiser groaned, spinning a ball lazily on his finger. ❝I mean Y/N — it's over. She reacted, didn't she? I got what I wanted.❞

Ness frowned slightly. ❝So that was it? You were just.. using her?❞

Kaiser's smirk didn't waver but he sighed. ❝Using is such an ugly word.❞

..

❝And yet...❞

He let the ball drop and kicked it up again, faking a thoughtful expression. ❝I'd say it was more... an experiment. She thought she was different, special—someone who wouldn't care about me. But look at her now, attending matches, ending up in my car, and reacting when I score.❞ He grinned, almost amused at himself.

Ness didn't respond immediately. He just watched the athlete carefully, as if trying to make out something in his expression.
❝So.. what now? You're done with her?❞

Kaiser shrugged, but something inside of him twitched.

❝Guess so.❞

Ness didn't look convinced.

He kicked at the grass, thoughtful. Too thoughtful that it irritated Kaiser.

❝You sound like you're trying to convince yourself,❞ He muttered.

Kaiser scoffed at that statement. ❝Ness, you idiot. I don't need convincing. I got what I wanted. Like I said, she's just another person who thought she wouldn't care about me but ended up doing exactly that.❞

Ness hummed. ❝If you're done with her, then why do you still look for her in the crowd?❞

The blond's fingers twitched. His smirk hesitated for just a second—barely noticeable, but Ness noticed everything when it came to him. ❝I don't,❞ Kaiser said easily. Too easily. ❝You're talking too much.❞

Ness exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. ❝I dont think you're done with her.❞

That pissed him off.

Kaiser turned, fully facing him now, uncharacteristically serious. ❝I don't chase, Ness. I don't need to. She's already where I want her.❞

Ness gave him a long look before sighing and muttering quietly under his breath. ❝Yeah? Then why does it feel like she's the one winning..❞

Kaiser opened his mouth to snap back—but then it hit him.

A memory.

Something you had said when you were in his car.

[ ❝I swear, Emilia is the biggest football fangirl. She'd probably sell her kidney for a ticket to one of those exclusive club events.❞ ]

His smirk returned, this time slower but more thoughtful.
❝She'll be at the event today.❞

Ness frowned. ❝..What?❞

Kaiser spun the ball on his finger again, suddenly very interested in tonight's plans.
❝That exclusive football club event? She'll be there.❞

Ness eyed him curiously. ❝And what are you going to do with that information?❞

Kaiser grinned, tossing a ball into the air and catching it effortlessly.
❝It's time for Y/N Klose to chase me.❞

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You did not want to be in this situation.

But Emilia? Emilia was living.

❝This is it, Y/N,❞ she declared, holding up two dresses in front of the mirror. ❝Tonight could be the night. The night I meet the love of my life.❞

You groaned, flopping onto Emilia's bed. ❝You say that before every event...❞

❝Yeah, but this time it's different.❞

You rolled onto your stomach, raising a brow. ❝And how exactly?❞

Emilia immediately turned around passionately. ❝Because tonight, we are breathing the same air as some of the greatest footballers alive. Do you understand what that means? That means that, statistically, there is a chance—no, a certainty—that I will meet my future husband.❞

You deadpanned. ❝Oh yeah? Who's the lucky victim this time?❞

Emilia held up a finger dramatically. ❝I'm keeping my options open. There are too many talented, gorgeous men in one place. But don't worry—I won't let Kaiser bother you!❞

You sat up abruptly. ❝Wait, who said anything about him?❞

Emilia squinted at her. Suspiciously. ❝I just know things,❞ she said cryptically. ❝Now shut up and pick a dress for me.❞

Y/N sighed, reluctantly sitting up as the girl held up the two options again.

❝Okay, so. Elegant and mysterious—or hot and desperate?❞

❝What happened to classy and.. respectable?❞ You muttered.

❝That's boring, next question.❞

You rolled your eyes and pointed at the elegant one, knowing Emilia would completely pick the opposite.

She did.

❝Good choice,❞ Emilia said, already grabbing her heels. Then she turned, squinting once more at you.

❝What?❞

❝You.❞ Emilia crossed her arms. "You need to look hotter."

You blinked. ❝Excuse me?❞

Emilia marched over, with a sigh. ❝Y/N, listen to me. You are the daughter of a football legend. You are going to an event with some of the most desirable men in sports history. And you are currently dressed like you're going grocery shopping. I will NOT allow this.❞

You looked down at your outfit—jeans and a sweater. But it was too comfortable to switch up
❝I refuse to dress like you,❞

Emilia scoffed. ❝I'm not asking for a miracle, just... something that doesn't scream 'I hate my life.' Here, I picked this for you.❞

You looked at the dress Emilia was holding up.

...Not bad.

❝Fine. But I'm not doing heels.❞

Emilia gasped. ❝You are such a disappointment to womanhood!❞

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Getting to the event was a nightmare.

As soon as you both stepped out of the car, flashing lights and photographers hit you two like a wave. Apparently, half of the sports industry was here tonight.

The venue was certainly exclusive — a modern rooftop club reserved for football elites and their guests. Neon blue lights, and champagne on silver trays. You weren't even inside for five minutes before you saw a sports journalist you recognised from TV.

❛ Great. A PR nightmare waiting to happen. ❜

But Emilia naturally thrived in it. She was filled with excitement as she grabbed your arm, taking you two through the entrance.

❝Y/N, do you understand what this means?!❞ Emilia whispered as you entered. ❝This is the kind of event that changes lives.❞

❝..More like ruins them,❞ You muttered, scanning the room. You didn't recognise half the people here, which was impressive considering you grew up around football stars.

But before she could argue, your eyes caught him.

Michael Kaiser.

He wasn't looking at you—yet. He was at the bar, laughing with some teammates. He looked like he belonged here, like he was the center of it all.

..

You turned immediately before he could notice you.

❛ Nope, not tonight. Avoid him. Avoid him at all costs. ❜

You grabbed a drink from a passing waiter, not because you wanted one, but because you needed something to do with your hands.

Emilia of course, immediately abandoned you to chat with another footballer and you resisted the urge to groan.

You sighed, taking a small sip of your drink as your eyes scanned the room for the best escape route. The place was packed with athletes, agents, journalists and influencers that managed to sneak their way into here.

And Kaiser?

You knew he had seen you by now. You could feel it—the weight of his gaze pressing against your skin. But you refused to look, you weren't interested in playing his game tonight.

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Kaiser had spotted you the moment you walked in.

He hadn't been looking for you—at least that's what he told himself. But somehow, his gaze had naturally gravitated toward the entrance, and there you were.

You didn't belong in a place like this, not really, and yet, you fit too well. He leaned against the bar, his fingers wrapped around the neck of a champagne glass. He didn't drink it — not yet.

Tonight, you weren't ignoring him. Not really. You haven't looked at him yet, but he didn't miss the way your body language shifted when you walked in.

The way your eyes scanned the room— avoiding the bar, avoiding him.

It was obvious.

❛ So she's still pretending, huh? ❜

You were pretending not to care, and Michael Kaiser hated pretending.

The bar was loud—his teammates were loud— and yet, he wasn't paying attention to a single word they were saying. His mind was already spinning. He hated to admit it, even to himself, but Ness might've been right. You were winning. You weren't supposed to be able to avoid him like this. Not after everything.

And that pissed him off.

The midfielder drifted up beside him, as he always did, hesitant as ever. ❝You're staring again,❞ he pointed out, a little too bluntly for Kaiser's liking.

Kaiser smirked, swirling the champagne in his glass. ❝I'm observing, Ness. There's a difference.❞

Ness gave the blond a doubtful look. ❝So.. are you 'observing' for any particular reason now, or are you still trying to get her attention?❞

❝She already knows l'm here,❞ Kaiser replied quickly. ❝She's just being stubborn.❞

Ness hesitated, glancing toward you across the room. You were standing near one of the side tables, drink in hand, clearly trying to blend into the background.

❝Maybe she's not being stubborn,❞ He muttered carefully. ❝Maybe she's just... not interested.❞

Kaiser's smirk faded for a fraction of a second, and then it returned, bigger than before.
❝Not interested?❞ he repeated, as if the words were foreign to him. ❝Ness, you're even more stupid than I thought. Just get lost already.❞

Ness immediately shut up after that and shrunk back as Kaiser became distracted again. Too focused. His blue eyes tracked you like a predator watching their prey, but not in the way anyone else would notice. No, he was too good at hiding things. Too good at keeping his cool.

..

❛ Why the hell is she so good at ignoring me? ❜

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You walked deeper into the crowd, careful to keep your back turned. If you were going to survive this night, you needed a strategy—stay unnoticed, stick to the edges, and absolutely do not engage with a certain arrogant German striker.

Easier said than done.

Because just as you took another step, you nearly collided with someone.

❝Whoa, fácil ahora,❞ the stranger chuckled, steadying you with a hand on your arm.

You looked up, already ready to apologize—but then you hesitated. He was handsome, in that effortless way that footballers always seemed to be.

Tall. Athletic. Unfamiliar.

But wait, you knew that face.

Not personally, but from the countless games you were forced to sit through when you were younger.

❝Fácil ahora,❞ he repeated smoothly, his grip still light on your arm. ❝Didn't expect to be run into by such a beautiful distraction tonight.❞

❛..Great, another cocky footballer.❜

You stepped back, clearing your throat. ❝Right. Sorry about that.❞

❝No need to apologize, hermosa.❞ His Spanish accent was evident now. ❝Though, I have to ask—you're Y/N Klose, aren't you?❞ he asked, tilting his head.

You sighed internally. Here we go.

❝That depends,❞ you replied dryly. ❝Are you about to ask me about my dad? Because if so, I'd like to preemptively say no comment.❞

The stranger blinked before laughing, a genuine sound that surprised you. ❝That bad, huh?❞

You shrugged, finally taking a sip of your drink. ❝You have no idea.❞

❝Well, in that case, I won't ask. But I will introduce myself—Leonardo Luna. Nice to meet you.❞

Leonardo Luna.

You recognised him now.

A world-class player from Spain, known as The Scion of Royale. He plays for one of the most prestigious clubs in the world — Re AI. You had seen him on TV, heard his name in conversations, and even remembered your father mentioning him once or twice in passing.

❝Nice to meet you, Herr Luna,❞ you said, your usual sarcasm slipping away for once.

❝Herr Luna? Man, you german girls, always so formal.❞ He chuckled. ❝So, what's the story? Are you dating someone here, or are you just a reluctant fan?❞

You exhaled. ❝Neither. I got dragged into all this by my friend.❞

Luna hummed, amused. ❝And yet, Michael Kaiser seems very interested in you.❞

At the mention of the name, you tensed slightly. ❝That's his problem,❞ you said flatly.

Luna laughed. Loudly.

But that was when you felt it. A shift in the atmosphere.

Across the room, he was watching.

From the outside, he looked calm—casual, even. But you knew better. The slight irritation in his face, the way he swirled his drink but didn't take a sip—he was annoyed.

Luna noticed too.

❝You know,❞ he continued, ❝I might just start liking you too, Y/N.❞

You blinked, barely having enough time to process that before a new voice interrupted.

❝I'd rethink that if I were you.❞

..

Kaiser.

He had finally approached. You noticed that his usual playful arrogance was dialed up to ten and he leaned in slightly, all faux-friendly, but there was an edge to his tone.

❝Ah, Kaiser. We were just talking about you.❞ Luna smirked.

❝I'm sure you were,❞ Kaiser said quickly, eyes immediately flickering toward you. ❝I didn't realize you were such a social butterfly, Schatz.❞

❛ Hold up, Schatz? ❜

You resisted the urge to throw your drink in his face. ❝Well I was having a decent conversation before you showed up.❞

❝You call that nice?❞ Kaiser's smirk widened. ❝Leonardo here seems to collect people just to piss me off.❞

❝Well, is it working?❞ Luna said lazily, raising an eyebrow.

But before Kaiser could bite back, you set down your drink, done with this.

❝I need air,❞ you muttered, pushing past both of them. You needed a moment—away from the flashing cameras, away from the suffocating attention, and most importantly, away from him.

You slipped past the crowd, avoiding eye contact with anyone who might try to stop you. By now, you were sure half the room had picked up on the tension between you and Kaiser, which meant the rumors would be worse tomorrow.

❛ Just great. ❜

After stepping outside into a quieter area, you exhaled, letting the night air wash over you. It was peaceful out here, compared to the chaotic event inside. No photographers, no loud conversations.

But your phone vibrated in your hand, snapping you out of your thoughts.

Dad.

You hesitated before answering.

❝..Hallo?❞

Your father's voice came through the line, steady as ever. ❝Y/N. I need to ask you something.❞

Your fingers clenched around the phone as you found yourself walking. ❝..Now's not really the—❞

❝I need you to join me for a meeting tomorrow. It's important. I need to talk to you about your football career.❞

..

Your breath caught as you began walking faster. ❝..What? I remember telling you that I don't want t-❞

❝Listen to me, Y/N.❞

You frowned. ❝Since when did you care about my so-called career again anymore?❞

He sighed heavily. ❝..We'll discuss it then. For now I'll send you the details and—❞

..

❝No.. I think I've had enough of you trying to control my life all the time, please just leave me alone.❞

But before he could answer—

HOOONK!!

A flash of headlights.

A car. Too close. Too fast.

Your breath caught in your throat as panic took over you.

For a split second, you could see it happening—impact, pain, everything.

And then—

An arm yanked you back.

Hard.