My Goalkeeping System

<I'm surprised, you guys might actually pull this off>

'What do you mean you're surprised?'

<Well, at the start of the season, I wasn't really sure that your team would get this close in all competitions, especially not in the Europa Conference League, I was fairly confident that you would be able to grab at least one trophy though>

'I guess I can see why you would look at things that way, and I'm sure you're not the only one who thought we wouldn't amount to much this season.'

<Yeah, that's the thing but everything is this way because you're not the only one who's improved over the past couple of months, the whole team has and for a football team, that is essential for winning games>

'Mhm, we play more like a team now.'

<True, but this team still has one unfair advantage>

'Huh?'

<Take a look>

[ Goals: 10 ]

[ Assists: 11 ]

<Those are your stats for just this season, for a goalkeeper, that's crazy>

'Oh, so I'm the unfair advantage.'

<Obviously>

'Well, I don't think there's anything wrong with that, teams aren't supposed to be equal after all, if they were then upsets when super squads get beaten by nobody teams wouldn't be a thing.'

<I was trying to compliment you, dummy>

'Huh?'

<The system may have helped to improve your shot power but that was indirectly through improving your strength and the same could be said for dexterity, that was only to improve your reaction time but you're not limiting yourself to just using them for that.

<You've taken proper advantage of your attributes to score and assist whenever it was needed, that's something you're doing on your own with the indirect help of the system>

'Oh.'

<You know, your predecessor, never could get this many goal stats in a season>

'Hmm, Grandpa's stats do say he was only able to manage seven goals and two assists in his career.'

<That's because unlike you, he wasn't really good with handling the ball with his foot, and you know, comparing both of you has brought me to one interesting conclusion>

'What?'

<You were never really cut out to be a goalkeeper>

The door was pushed open at that moment, causing Dave to quickly turn around to find Jonas standing there.

The two made eye contact for a brief moment before the fullback turned away with a subtle huff.

"Oh, hey, Jonas."

Dave made an attempt to converse with him but Jonas didn't seem to be interested as he slowly walked past him without responding to him.

"I guess he still doesn't want to talk to me."

<Are you trying to reconcile with him?>

'Well, I was able to reconcile with Ferran so I don't think there's anything wrong with making up with Jonas. Besides, I just think we both started off on the wrong foot and teammates are supposed to stick together after all.'

<You make a good point, but still, I don't trust that guy>

______ ______

Dave had to return home a while later after listening to everything Norman had to tell them about everything they had left for the season.

They had a Bilbeth Premier League game against Lospeno FC in four days, and after that, they were going to travel to Spain to face Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Europa Conference League quarter-final, a match that had most of them on edge.

Should they beat Socieaded, they would only be one step closer to the final and they were hungry to get there.

<I know your main focus is on the European competition now since you've gotten Dynamo and Supreme out of the way in the league, but keep in mind that you guys are only two points ahead of Supreme United, any misstep and they'll steal the league title right from under your noses> Catherine articulated as he drove into the premises of his home, the gate slowly closing behind.

'I understand what you're trying to say, and I'll give it my all in both competitions.'

He parked his car as he usually did in no proper style before slowly stepping down from it.

He slammed the door shut afterward and made his way straight to the door, and just after getting there, he paused.

"Should I knock or just open it?" He contemplated as he reached for the key in his left pocket.

<Do you want my opinion>

'No, please, that question has signs of your usual insults written all over it.'

<Wow, you seem to know me too well at this point>

'Eh, I'll just open it.' He shrugged. 'I might get a chance to surprise her.'

He pulled out the key from his pocket just after saying that and reached for the key lock, but just before he could insert it, the door was suddenly pulled open from the inside.

As expected, he found Emma staring at him, a subtle smile on her face.

"Welcome back."

"I guess you must have heard me come in, huh." He responded with an awkward smile on his face.

"Yeah, the window was slightly open." She remarked, pointing to the window to the right.

"But you know you shouldn't have bothered, I have the key, you know."

"Yeah, but…"

She wasn't able to finish her statement as Dave suddenly lifted her, holding her in a bridal manner as he made his way to the couch.

"You shouldn't be moving around too much in your condition."

<Says the guy who was thinking about knocking just a minute ago>

Hearing him say that, Emma couldn't help but smile before putting her arms around his neck.

"Congratulations on your victory today." She whispered into his ears.

"Thank you." Dave smiled.

It didn't take long for him to get to the couch and once he did, he slowly lay her down there.

"I smell chicken." He remarked as he pulled back from her. "Seems like you made something delicious for me once again."

"Correct, but you'll have to go get changed if you want it."

"I…."

He suddenly stopped mid-sentence as he felt his phone begin to vibrate in his pocket.

"Give me a moment." He said before pulling his phone out of his pocket to find out that Clark was the one calling him. "Oh, it's Clark."

He proceeded to answer the call afterward before pressing the phone against his ear.

"Hello."

"Hey, dude, you guys really showed Dynamo FC who's the boss today, huh," Clark remarked enthusiastically from the other end.

"I guess we did," Dave responded with a little chuckle as he turned towards the staircase.

"My dear Unique FC is finally beginning to show those top teams that we're great too, I never thought I would live long enough to see it."

"Well, it looks like we all lived long enough to see it, and there's still more to come."

"True."

"So, what's up? I know you didn't call me just to talk about the match." Dave inquired.

"What? Are you saying I can't call you for that reason alone?" He retorted.

"No, I didn't…"

"Calm down, I'm just messing with you, and besides, you're correct."

"Okay, so what's it about this time?"

"Remember the furniture company you signed a deal with last month?" Clark inquired.

"Yeah, the one that has one of their main branches here in Bilbeth."

"Well, they're starting a promo with the theme being family comfort and they want you to be in the promo video for it." He disclosed.

"Okay, and when are we shooting the video?"

"Two days from now."

"Oh, I see."

"Yeah, that's why I contacted you immediately."

There was a few seconds of silence between the two, and during that moment, something clicked in Dave's mind.

"Hey, you said the theme was family comfort, right?"

"Well, that was what they told me."

Getting that response, the goalkeeper slowly turned to his wife who was just sitting on the couch staring at him.

"Is it possible for me to ask to include something in the video?"

"Uhhh, why are you looking at me like that?" Emma asked with a confused expression on her face.

Dave didn't realize it, but he seemed to have a somewhat creepy smile on his face at that moment.