Rise of a Football God

There was only 1 reason why Ian was here in London.

Ian was here because for Sam, it was holiday time.

Sam came to England in January after signing his contract with Fulham, and since then, it was already 5 months.

While to Ian, it was 5 months of eventually pursuing his dream and gaining admission into medical school, to Sam, it was 5 months of also pursuing his dream, playing football in the premier competition of English football.

To Sam, 2022 still felt just like yesterday when his mom still banned him from playing football. From December 2022 till now, it was not even 2 years yet and in that short time, Sam's life already turned around completely.

Not only was he making a lot of money now, money he never dreamt of a few months ago, he was also pursuing his dream of playing football.

Since January, Sam never really got a moment of rest as a professional football player playing for Fulham. Even as he never made the Fulham starting XI back in January yet, he still trained and prepared like all his other teammates.

When he eventually made the starting XI, his workload increased even more, truly pushing him into the busy elite tier of footballers.

After 5 months of grueling football at the top level though, now, finally, Sam got a holiday to rest.

He didn't waste it and having planned with his best friend; he paid the flight fee for Ian to come to England to come meet him.

Not just Ian though, Sophia, his younger sister also came with him.

They had plans.

After such a grueling but successful first season in England, Sam was determined to splurge money to make his first major holiday as a famous professional football player memorable.

Ian drove the car back home, letting Sam rest. It was just months ago since Sam last saw his sister but seeing her again, he was surprised. 'Damn! Is she feeding on fertilizers?'

Sophia already grew so much, looking incredibly beautiful already.

They arrived at the hotel room to see that Sophia already got her stuff ready, including her travelling luggage. "Welcome big bro!" She jumped in his arms excitedly on seeing him.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Congratulations on your first season!"

'She greeted me first?' Sam was perplexed. 'That's a first, she almost always greets Ian first when we are together'. Sam shrugged, hugging his sister and getting ready to go arrange his luggage when he noticed something.

"Welcome back". Sophia said.

"Are you ready?" Ian asked, leaning in and kissing his sister on the cheek.

"…!" Sam was alarmed.

That was supposed to be a harmless gesture but knowing his best friend and his sister for years, picking up on that sudden incongruity, he had a hunch what it meant immediately as he looked at Ian with big eyes.

"W-what?" Noticing his glare, Ian blushed and stammered.

Sam's gaze alternated between his best friend and his sister, noting both of their faces gradually turn pink, and then he glared at his best friend. "Come on Ian! She's just 16!"

"17 now!" Sophia quickly corrected, defiantly staring at her brother. "My birthday was on March, remember?"

"But still," Sam sighed. "Since when did this start?" Stay connected with empire

Ian coughed, throwing an awkward glance at Sophia. "Umm, just last month". He looked at his best friend. "Don't worry Sam, nothing has happened between us".

"You bastard! How dare you date my sister?"

After a little scuffle between the 2 best friends, Sam finally accepted the reality unwillingly. Despite accepting it, he still glared daggers at Ian.

Not willing to spend a day more in England though, he quickly got ready before finally following his best friend and sister out.

When he was younger, in his prime years of watching anime, Sam once had a childish dream of traveling to Japan on a vacation when he was rich enough.

While matchday 38 of the premier league approached and as he trained rigorously to prepare for it, Sam also planned with his best friend.

After the past 5 months, he deserved a good vacation with family.

Ian already booked the tickets since yesterday. All they had to do was check out of the hotel and drive to the airport, and their journey started.

Sam flew to Japan for a well-deserved vacation.

At the airport, fans recognized him though, taking pictures of him and effectively informing the whole world that he was going on a trip to Japan.

Celebrity life was still something that Sam was yet to fully get used to.

…

There were lots of things to do in Japan.

Of course, the first thing that Sam did on arriving was sleep. He needed it after entering the road shortly after the game against Luton Town.

While he slept, Ian and his sister went on a lovers' date.

After waking up, Sam treated himself to some local Japanese food just as he dreamed about long ago, and with that, his vacation officially started.

For the next few days, alongside his best friend and sister, Sam toured Japan, engaging in different memorable activities and one of the most memorable ones for Sam was finally getting to enjoy one of those Japanese hot baths.

Well, he had to say, it was an experience, a cleansing experience.

Sitting in that pool of water, Sam felt all the accumulated stress in his body drifting away with the wind. It was like a form of meditation in itself.

Staring at his sister and Ian who were on the opposite side of the pool, giggling and having a fun time, he felt a bit concerned and also a bit envious.

"Ahh," he sighed, thinking. 'This would have been perfect with a companion'.

For the past few days, Ian never stopped teasing him about his inability to get a girlfriend yet. Sam never really attributed much importance to it till now.

This vacation would have indeed felt much nicer with a companion of the opposite sex who was not his sister.

Thinking of a companion, he could not help but think of a certain girl, Kayla. 'Ah, yes, I took her contact but I never got to hit her up'.

'I hope now is not too late'. Sam did it.