006

The alarm went off at 9:30 a.m. Keyla tiredly got up to spot him. Turned to make sure what was yesterday really happened. And there he lay, still asleep in peace. Keyla got up, hobbled down the stairs and made coffee before taking it into the bedroom where Genzo was still sleeping and putting it on the bedside table. Meanwhile she took a shower and got ready. When she came out of the bathroom, Genzo came towards her yawning

*good morning my little one and thanks for the coffee*, gave her a kiss and disappeared into the bathroom. Keyla got his cup from the bedroom and took it into the kitchen, where she refilled hers and his and set the table. She had a moment to think about some things. I wonder what it would be like if, during the World Cup, they couldn't be as open with each other as they might want to be. Or maybe he didn't want it at all, just her?! Her gaze fell and saddened her. So far nothing has happened apart from hugs and a few kisses. Maybe he didn't feel as much for her as she did for him? Only now did she notice how Genzo was standing in the doorway, watching her and hoping he hadn't noticed.

*sit down and eat something* she asked him and he accepted the offer with thanks

*Key? * he asked, looking at her with a serious expression.

*What are you so worried about? * but Keyla just couldn't tell him and tried to talk her way out of it

*about nothing specific, just how it would go afterwards, after all this is my first world championship*. He giggled

*it won't be that bad*

But Keyla didn't feel like laughing, because she knew that for 2 weeks now it wouldn't be like the last few days and tried to hold back her tears. But Genzo immediately took her in his arms to give her security. He could guess the fears and calmed them down

*it won't be that bad, I still decide who my girlfriend is and who isn't* that was done and Keyla was repeatedly speechless.

*I his girlfriend* and a real weight fell from her heart. Gave him a kiss and gently pushed him towards the chair where he had been before

*come on, let's eat, we have to go soon too* Keyla said with a slight smile and Genzo kissed her again before he went back to the table sat down for breakfast. They enjoyed the togetherness, but they had to go. The clock showed 11.15...they ran through the park for the last time for the near future, 11.40 they were at the training ground...only a few were missing and Kojiro was already there. This went to Keyla

*can we talk for a moment* Keyla agreed and they walked a short distance together. Genzo and the others of course viewed this with skepticism.

*Keyla listen to me, I'm sorry, I didn't want it to be like this and I certainly didn't want you to hurt yourself, when you were with me I finally realized that you can't be treated like that, I hope you accept my apology and we can start over* Kojiro apologized

*if you promise me that it won't happen again and you also apologize to Genzo, then we can do that.* Keyla demanded

Kojiro nodded and went back to the Others where he stopped next to Genzo *I'm sorry Genzo* and moved on.

Genzo looked at Keyla, but she only had a smile left.

*did she really tame the tiger? * he couldn't believe that a Kojiro Hyuga was apologizing to him. Keyla was now standing next to her Genzo again, who gave her a kiss right away, no matter what the others might say or think *thank you my little one* he whispered in her ear .

The Great Journey Begins/World Championship

*All aboard* Mr. Mikami demanded

The trainer had told her beforehand that it was not normal for women and men to stay in the same hotel, but since she was the team doctor, there was nothing wrong with that. The only thing that made her a little sad was that she and Genzo didn't have their own room. But of course she could understand.

On the drive towards the airport, everyone was relaxed, laughing, joking, fooling around. Only Keyla was lost in her thoughts, staring out the window.

*Are you okay? * she pulled a familiar voice out of her thoughts *yeah, everything's fine* she replied, laid her head on Genzo's shoulder and disappeared back into her thoughts. This was all new to her and she was more excited than she wanted to admit at first glance. The 45 minutes to the airport seemed endless to her. If only her young love would be put to the test right away. Because not only was the whole public waiting there, but also numerous fans and the pressure she was under as a doctor to do justice to everyone.

Arriving at the airport, everyone made their way to the right counter to check in, but on the way there, the press and photographers were waiting for interviews. Keyla didn't want to talk to anyone now, she wasn't sure if she would be able to do it all.

*The flight to Berlin opens its boarding in 20 minutes.* came the sound from the loudspeakers… 20 more minutes of being exposed to the press at the airport. Taro could see that she didn't feel well and joined her to give her a little support, because Genzo now had to give interviews and Taro wasn't there yet.

*Key what are you afraid of? * Taro asked her calmly, because he knew that if he said something wrong now, she would be even more nervous than before.

*Oh, I don't know either, I just think it's new territory. I don't have any special experience. After all, I came to Japan right out of college, and to be honest, I'm scared.* She paused before continuing to

*fail*. Taro smiled at her and took her hand

*oh nonsense, no master has fallen from the sky and as long as nobody gets hurt, you don't have to worry about doing anything wrong. Besides, Genzo is with you, so don't worry. After all, this is your chance to show everyone and even opens doors for new things after the World Cup. *, Keyla looked at Taro and thanked him with a smile.

*something new* murmured how should she look forward to something new when the old was still fresh and she hoped her relationship with Genzo would hold up through it all.

A man from the press approached them, but Taro reacted and spoke to him, so that he had no chance to get to Keyla. She breathed a sigh of relief and thanked him by forming her lips in thanks.

*come on guys and of course girls too, we have to check in* Mr. Mikami turned to the press to tell them that they should stop the interviews.

Arrived on the plane, a bit of tension fell from her, because she now had her Genzo next to her, who was holding her hand.

*sorry I wasn't with you earlier* he whispered but Keyla shook her head

*it's your job don't worry* she knew he was in the public eye and fully understood that he wasn't could have taken care of her 24 hours a day. Though she didn't think the idea was that bad.

The plane took off, she leaned against Genzo and tried to get some sleep, after all they were on their way to Germany, where the flight took almost 20 hours, which of course was fine with her. She was secretly happy to see her homeland. But even now she was still thinking about what will happen after the World Cup. Genzo played soccer in Hamburg, and she lived there too. But what happened after the World Cup, because she still only had her studies there and no job prospects. She noticed that it was actually only an advantage that she was now in charge of the national team of Japan, after all there was no better advertising for her.

Now there are still almost 19 hours before they would arrive, a long time. She looked at Genzo, who kissed her shortly before she snuggled into his arm again and fell asleep too. The others also took advantage of the situation to get some sleep, after all they had been partying until early in the morning. Which of course had the advantage that everyone could get to know each other better and that she was now part of it. She was part of the team, everyone accepted her.

After a few hours she woke up, Genzo was still asleep. So she went to stretch her legs a little and walked up and down the aisle on the plane. Taro and Tsubasa saw that too and grinned at each other because it was more of a limp than a walk. She still had pain in her foot. Of course, Keyla saw the looks of the two.

*I'm glad I don't have my crutches with me* she joked before sticking her tongue out at the two of them

Genzo woke up and first looked for his Keyla. Which he saw a little later in the hallway at Tsubasa and Taro. He was glad that she now got along so well with the others. It certainly wouldn't have helped if you couldn't stand each other. Now Genzo had to think of Kojiro again.

*how did she manage to tame the tiger so quickly* pondered and was still amazed when Keyla looked at him and smiled at him. She turned back to continue talking to Tsubasa and Taro, because Tsubasa didn't even know why Kojiro had apologized. *well I didn't put up with anything, I went straight to his house and gave him his opinion again, Genzo had to hold me back so I wouldn't tear him up, but then he apparently started to think* she explained and just grinned as she said the word testosterone. Because Taro and Tsubasa also understood why he had done all this.

There were still 2 hours until they landed, so she went to her seat to have some more togetherness with Genzo. But the next moment she was unsure again, because more than kisses didn't work and the infamous words were still too early. She took his hand and squeezed it a little to show that she needed him now

Genzo understood immediately

*don't worry, I'm with you* he whispered to her before looking deep into her eyes and kissing her. Keyla's fear eased a bit, Genzo was there for her and stood by her and she didn't have to worry about the others either, because they all stood behind her now if anything was wrong.

How she would have liked to tell him now that she loved him... but it seemed too soon and she was afraid of his reaction. She didn't want to immediately destroy everything she had built up. So she was silent and enjoyed his closeness and warmth.

*we will be landing in a few minutes, please put your seats in an upright position and buckle up* came from the speakers. Soon they would land and come across the press again, where they should give interviews there again.

They landed, Genzo took her hand to show he was there for her, but once in the main hall of the airport he released his hand when he saw the press. Now the flashbulbs started again and Keyla's insecurity grew again

*shut your eyes and stare* Keyla winced, because Taro ran behind her and wanted to speak up for her. But that was easier said than done, after all she wondered why Genzo was leaving her alone now. After countless interviews with the players, they were already on the bus to the hotel. 20 minutes felt like 2 hours because this time Genzo wasn't sitting next to her. Taro saw Keyla and quickly sat down next to her to build her up

*don't worry, it's not easy for Genzo either. His last relationship fell apart because of the publicity and I think he just wants to protect you* Taro hugged her and went back to Tsubasa who was actually sitting next to him. Genzo saw that, it almost broke his heart too, seeing her like that, but he couldn't be with her now. It would be all over the papers tomorrow and he didn't want to do that to her. He didn't want her to collapse under the pressure. And was glad that Taro tried to comfort her. But Keyla didn't know that, she looked out the window the whole time and suppressed one tear after the other so as not to start crying right away.

Arriving at the hotel, the rooms were allocated.

*Keyla? your room is next to Tsubasa's and Taro's* Mr. Mikami explained to her. Genzo and Kisugi's room was across the hall.

Take a short rest, freshen up. Then there's a press conference in the lobby. They had now been on the road for almost 24 hours, but none of them showed any signs of fatigue. Keyla went into the room, where she fell backwards into bed. It knocked.

*yes* she called and it was none other than Genzo

*may I come in? * He asked cautiously and Keyla just nodded because she didn't really want to talk to anyone. So she decided not to say anything, just to listen if she did.

*Key, I'm sorry. I know how it came across earlier. But you have to believe me, I just want to protect you. Keep you out of the public eye as long as possible* were his words. Keyla knew that too, but she was still a little sad. He kissed her forehead before walking out of the room

*if anything happens, you know where to find me* he said before pulling the door shut behind him.

He walked into the lobby and stared at the magazine rack. Genzo's efforts were in vain because even if it wasn't a day since they left Japan. Was already the first article in the newspaper. headline

 New dream couple.

Below is a photo of Keyla and Taro holding her hand at the airport.

Genzo knew why Taro was doing this, and so were Taro and Keyla...only the public had completely misinterpreted it again. He knew that what he didn't want was happening, that she was going public and certainly not like that. He grabbed the newspaper and made his way to talk to Taro. Arrived at Taro, he stormed in and held the newspaper in front of Taro's nose. In turn, he just clapped his hands over his head and just shook it.

Taro knew what Genzo wanted to tell him. But neither of them knew how Keyla would react if she saw that.

*Do we want to tell her or do they try to shut her down* Taro asked, hoping to get an answer from Genzo. But Tsubasa intervened *do you really think it would be good if you tried to isolate her? How is she supposed to learn to deal with it and at some point she would also find out* he was right, but Genzo wanted to avoid anything being written about her for as long as possible. He decided not to tell her anything for now.

They made their way to the press conference because they had to talk to the reporters now, even though they didn't feel like it. The questions were initially normal, they were of course about football. And fortunately the press conference was almost over. When a reporter's question directed at Taro had Keyla's feet under the ground as she stood on the stairs and watched from the background

*Mr. Misaki how did you meet your new girlfriend, isn't it true that she is the is the new team doctor? Don't you think there will be problems there? * Suddenly there was silence, because everyone was waiting for an answer. Taro looked at Keyla with a pitying look before saying

*all is not what it seems. And please understand that it doesn't matter which player it is, that private life is not the priority here. * Keyla couldn't believe what she had just heard, where did the press take such liberties, she turned and left.

*Did I understand that correctly? * She pondered before she saw the newspaper next to her.

*no, that couldn't be now* tears welled up in her. She knew that the public could be brutal and also that they didn't always write the truth. But that was like a slap in the face, because she hadn't expected that after less than 24 hours. She decided to get some air. Since she had been to Berlin several times before, she knew this city, thank God, and wouldn't be wandering around helplessly now.

It was 4 p.m., she still had 2 hours until dinner, so she used the time to think. Was it right to go to Japan, to fall in love with Genzo, she would only be in the public eye for the time being, even after the World Cup was over. It made her increasingly unsure.