“One, two, three, four; two, two, three, four…”

The orderly training slogans were gently surging with the sound of paddlings. The confined space of the indoor swimming pool was echoing slowly, and the bright waves filled the entire space. The dark blue light was covered with a layer of coldness, and it seemed that you could feel the footsteps of early winter outside the window.

Empty, alienation, loneliness.

The blue light refracted from the water surface of the swimming pool is gently rippling, like an invisible light curtain film, isolating indoor and outdoor into two worlds.

At this moment, the entire city of Manhattan seems to be on fire. Every corner can feel the fanaticism of city residents, enjoy the party with all their hearts, sing and dancing, celebrating the team's first ever ranking first in the United States, and witnessing the best times with their own eyes.

Walking on the city streets, you can feel the traces of the Wildcats:

The bar held a "Wildcats Happy Hour", and any fan can enjoy a 20% discount on wearing a jersey; the restaurant launched a "funding fundraising event to go to the away game", and 10% of all sales in the whole week will be used as sponsorship funds to help fans travel to California to cheer for the team's last game.

The bus pulled up a celebration banner, "Eleven Wins, We Are Still Continuing", coming and going on the city streets every day; the open-air cinema officially announced the organization of live broadcasts of the game, and all fans are welcome to go to the theater on Saturday day, and they will play the live broadcast of the last game on the big screen.

Even the tattoo shop is here to join in the fun: paint oil paintings for fans for free, draw tattoos for fans for 60% off, and welcome the final showdown of the regular season in the most solemn way.

It is vigorous and lively. It is clearly one month before Christmas, but the festive atmosphere is already strong and overflowing.

However, the noise and noise seemed to be all blocked from the indoor swimming pool, hiding a small and quiet corner isolated from the world.

Crazy. Crazy.

In addition to the command to control rhythm, the sound of water is the only sound echoing in the ears.

For Reggie Walker, this quietness and loneliness can make him concentrate more, temporarily eliminate all distractions, and concentrate wholeheartedly on recovery training.

Since his injury, Walker insists on studying in class every day. Because he missed the competition, his focus of life has gradually shifted to his academic work.

He must face up to the reality that is happening, that is, he may need this degree certificate to act as a stepping stone to his future.

He has begun to think about whether he should choose to become a blue-collar worker in the factory, or choose to become a car agent salesperson, or look for other ways out.

Unfortunately, he didn't have many choices. He was not a smart guy. At least not academically. The only thing he was good at was rugby. Those intricate tactics were not a problem for him - he almost thought he could have a career, but this skill could not help him find a job.

But these things are not an easy task.

Every day when he arrives at the school and attends classes, he must surround the team's news: they defeated another strong opponent, they completed another wonderful touchdown, and they set a new record... The bustling discussions are endless, and the entire school can feel an unprecedented craze. Even Walker has been recognized by his classmates repeatedly, and some classmates even come to shake hands with Walker to greet him.

Such treatment was absolutely impossible before.

However, Walker is suffering.

Not because of jealousy, but because of envy-

He also hopes to stand on the court, fight side by side with his teammates, face all difficulties and challenges with them, and experience this ups and downs with them. Whether they win or fail, they are united in unity.

He longs to return to the court, the pain of sweat and blood, and the moments when he trains until he doesn't want to move after exhaustion; but now he must resume training down to earth, hoping that his knees can be fully recovered without leaving any fatal injuries.

He forced himself not to think randomly, but focused on the recovery of his knees, but a small flame was still burning deep in his heart:

Maybe, he will be able to stand on the court again in the future; maybe, he will have the chance to play in the future. Maybe it is just a little bit of faint hope, which is enough to make him grit his teeth and continue to persevere.

“…eight, two, three, four; ninth, two, three, four.”

Walker gritted his teeth and walked forward step by step. The layers of resistance made the muscles slowly heat up, as if they were burning energy. He could clearly feel the power was bursting, but his brain was clear and clear. He was enjoying such moments carefully, focusing on training without distraction, as if this was the whole world.

It was not until the training sessions were over again that Walker stopped by the pool, let out a long breath, gasped in big mouthfuls, and grabbed the water bottle next to him, but he didn't want his fingers to tremble slightly. He could not determine the exact space distance, but instead he flipped and touched the water bottle and was knocked over.

Walker was speechless at his clumsiness.

Walker was about to reach out and hold up the water bottle, but he saw a pair of sneakers appearing in front of him. His slender and wide palms took the lead and lifted the water bottle up. His eyes looked up along his long legs, and surprise and surprise appeared in his eyes, "Coach?"

Although the Wildcats have many coaches in the array, there is only one who can call Walker this.

"Replenish some water." Lu Yiqi handed the water bottle to Walker, then took out the candy from his pocket, peeled it slowly, and cast a gesture look at Walker, "Do you need some sugar?"

Walker hesitated for a moment, took the candy from Lu Yiqi's hand, threw it into his mouth, and then took a sip of water. A faint sweetness spread over the tip of his tongue, but his mind still stayed in the confused stalemate, and just murmured and shouted again, "Coach?"

"You have called you once, there is no need to call you again. My auditory function is still sound." Lu Yiqi quipped, and then squatted down next to the swimming pool. "How is it, how is the progress of rehabilitation? I have communicated with Isaac, Clay, and others. The amount of your recent recovery training has exceeded the standard. Are you sure there is no problem? Sometimes, being too impatient may disrupt the plan."

Walker's eyes dodged slightly, opened his mouth and tried to defend himself, but under Lu Yiqi's gaze, he could not say it.

Faced with Isaac or Clay, or his sister and mother, Walker is always able to stick to his position and viewpoints and stubbornly express his views.
Chapter completed!