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Until a couple of years ago, it was rare to see footballers performing at their highest level after turning 35.
But this was an exception for Isagi Yoichi and Michael Kaiser, both had given their all until their respective ages of 37 and 38. Of course, their plays were losing power as time went on, but they never stopped being the same until the last minute and believed that there was no better way to say goodbye, than facing each other once again in a World Cup.
It was painful to have to retire and leave behind what they loved so much, but both had prioritized their careers to take them to the top above their relationship. Now that they had achieved that, they felt satisfied enough to fully enjoy their life as a couple and settle down somewhere. That's why they had signed a contract with a famous club in Germany to dedicate their careers as coaches for the new generations.
The first step was to buy a house nearby, and they did just that. Kaiser had asked for Isagi's help to pack up his things in his old apartment, and Isagi gladly accepted.
"You have a lot of junk, Michael," Isagi said while trying to pack up the gifts that fans had sent to Kaiser over the years through their directors or coaches when he was younger.
"How can you call the plushies, letters, and flowers 'junk,' Yoichi?"
"They're junk to me," the Japanese man said, throwing a big blue teddy bear into a moving box.
"Don't you think you're too old for a jealousy scene?"
"I'm not jealous!"
"Well, just pack up the things on my desk," Kaiser asked from his personal room while organizing his clothes in boxes.
"Alright."
"But don't go through my personal belongings!"
"I'll soon be your husband, you don't have the right to ask for privacy."
Clearly ignoring Kaiser's request, Isagi entered the room and proceeded to pack up the trophies and medals Kaiser had won since a young age. Now that he thought about it, he had never seen any pictures of him when he was younger.
While arranging the books on the shelf, a photograph fell to the floor. Isagi stopped what he was doing and picked it up, finding a German headline and date written on the back.
《Bastard München Selection Exam》
23.10.16
In the photo, Yoichi recognized Ness, and beside him was Michael along with other players. Probably between 15 and 17 years old, Isagi focused more on Kaiser's appearance: long hair below his shoulders, completely blond, messy and uncombed. Isagi let out a small laugh. Kaiser had a serious face and was wearing wristbands.
But what caught his attention the most was...
"You never told me that you used to have my player number when you were younger, Mihya."
"Stop snooping around my things!" Kaiser shouted from the other room.
"I think you wore the #11 quite well."
Isagi heard his fiancé abandon what he was doing and quickly walk towards the desk.
When Kaiser crossed the threshold of the door, Isagi showed him the photo. "And you had an untamed blond mane! Did you think you were some kind of rebel or something?"
"Yoichi!" Michael tried to snatch the photo, but the other was faster and circled the room, managing to escape.
"And you wore red eyeliner even as a teenager!"
When Kaiser caught up with him in the living room, Isagi had sat down on one of the sofas, appreciating the photo.
"I've wasted so much time pursuing my dream until I achieved it, that I feel like I haven't fully enjoyed my youth with you."
Michael felt a hint of sadness in his voice and sat down beside him. "Well, we both made that decision, but I don't think it's too late."
Isagi turned to look at him, smiling.
"Do you think it's appropriate to have a child at our age?"
"We have too much money and free time not to do it."
Kaiser gently took Isagi's chin and gave a small fleeting kiss to his lover's lips.
"I'm going to keep this photograph."
Before Michael could protest, Yoichi was already gone.