After the defeat against Héra, Kelvin started focusing even more on surpassing Erick. But now, he was training on his own, since it was exam week — from Monday to Friday — and to remain on the soccer team, he needed good grades.

Something that, for him, was quite easy.

On Wednesday morning, the sun filtered softly through the library windows. Kelvin was seated in the farthest corner, with books stacked up and notes scattered across the table. Pen in hand, headphones in his ears, and the serious expression of someone who truly took it seriously.

He was so focused that he didn't even notice Júlia approaching.

"Studying hard, huh?" she said with a smile, pulling a chair next to him.

Kelvin almost dropped the highlighter from his hand.

"Júlia?!" he took out one of the earbuds, surprised.

"I didn't see you coming"

"I noticed", she laughed softly.

"You were practically hypnotized by that equation"

Kelvin looked down at his notebook, a bit embarrassed.

"Yeah… Chemistry. That subject always demands more from me"

"And soccer? Still managing to train even with exams?"

"I'm trying. I can't slack off", he replied, adjusting himself in the chair again.

"This week's been tough, but nothing I can't handle"

Júlia watched him for a few seconds, thoughtful.

"I was there at the Héra game, Kelvin. I think you didn't notice I was there, only at the other matches"

Kelvin froze for a moment, his pencil stopping mid-line.

His gaze, which had been fixed on the notebook, drifted for a few seconds.

"I was there at the Héra game, Kelvin. I think you didn't notice I was there, only at the other matches", said Júlia, calmly.

Kelvin slowly lifted his eyes. He knew what she was about to bring up.

"I noticed", he answered, after a moment

"In the second half. When I came off the field, I saw you way in the back. Near Héra's supporters"

She nodded, not looking away from him.

"It was my brother's game. And... he was also really important to you, right?"

Kelvin took a deep breath, leaning back in his chair. His eyes searched for something outside the window, but found only the soft glow of sunlight filtered through the curtains.

"For him it was just another match... Meaningless. For me..." he shrugged.

"It was another reminder that I'm still not on his level"

"You played well", Júlia said, sincerely.

Kelvin let out a short, humorless laugh.

"Playing well doesn't change the score. And in the end, the one who wins is remembered — not the one who loses, Júlia"

Júlia lightly pressed her fingers against the edge of the table, as if holding back something she'd wanted to say for a long time.

"He doesn't talk about it, but I know he sees you differently", she said, in a low voice.

"Erick. He pretends not to care, but you get under his skin"

Kelvin raised an eyebrow, barely believing it.

"Really? It feels like our levels are worlds apart. He was interested in the beginning, but then it just faded"

"That's how he is", Júlia sighed.

"Erick's always been... complicated. Since he was a kid. He was always better than everyone — and he knew it. When he played with other kids, he got bored quickly. And when someone dared to challenge him, he didn't respond with anger. He responded with excitement. He likes being challenged"

Kelvin rested his elbows on the table, joining his hands in front of his face.

"That explains a lot"

"He's arrogant, impulsive, self-assured. He believes no one can beat him. But you... you made him stop smiling during that match, Kelvin. That doesn't happen often"

Kelvin recalled a moment in the second half, a play where he received the ball and was about to face Erick, when Kazana appeared — and with his aura, forced Kelvin to pass it. For a brief moment, Erick looked serious... Completely irritated.

"I saw it", he murmured.

"He got serious after that play"

"Because he felt it. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he could lose control of a match. And you were the one who caused that. Even losing, you pushed him out of his comfort zone. And do you know what he does when he feels threatened?"

"Plays even dirtier?"

"He plays with anger", Júlia replied without hesitation.

"But a cold kind of anger. He doesn't yell. He doesn't complain. He destroys. That's why I hate when he gets like that. Because he stops playing soccer... and turns into a predator chasing his prey"

Kelvin fell silent for a few moments.

"So he sees me as a threat?"

"He won't admit it. But yes, he does"

Kelvin stared at her intently.

"And you? Are you still going to root for him?"

Júlia bit her lower lip. She didn't answer right away.

"He's my brother, Kelvin. Of course I worry about him. But... I don't like the way he acts. I want him to change. I want him to lose. Because maybe that's the only way he'll understand he's not above everyone else", she looked away.

"I won't lie, during the game I was rooting for him, because I'm his sister... but I really wanted you guys to teach him a lesson"

Kelvin lowered his gaze. There was a strange tension in hearing that. A mix of empathy and distrust. But also something more.

"So... when we meet again on the field..." he murmured, eyes fixed on the scribbled pages of his notebook.

"...I'm going to make him lose. For real"

"It'll be tough", said Júlia.

"Erick's a monster when he wants to be. And now, after the win, his ego's even bigger"

Kelvin nodded slowly, with a faint smile forming at the corner of his lips.

"Even better"

She looked at him more closely. This wasn't the same Kelvin from the start of the tournament. Something had changed in him — maybe it was the focus in his eyes, maybe the weight behind his voice.

"I believe in you, Kelvin", she said, rising from her chair.

"But promise me something"

"What?"

"Don't let his style corrupt you. Don't become him just to beat him. Just win"

Kelvin held her gaze for a moment. Then nodded.

"I promise"

Júlia smiled, stepped back, and turned to leave, but before walking out of the library, she stopped and threw one last look over her shoulder.

"Oh, and study that chapter on organic chemistry. It always shows up"

Kelvin laughed for the first time in days

"Got it, teacher"

When she left, he went back to facing the books. But now, his goal had been renewed.

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