"I'm sorry for asking you to do this," Charlie said softly as Rosette approached. He had been waiting outside the court, watching everything unfold from a distance.
Rosette gave him a faint, tired smile. "You were watching us?"
Charlie nodded. "Yeah. I had to make sure you were all right. And... to be honest, all of this was my idea."
Rosette's smile faded. "What do you mean?"
"Before you went to see Dranred," Charlie began carefully, "I told you that he received an invitation from the Major League team I used to play for."
She nodded slowly. "You said he hadn't responded yet."
"That's right," Charlie continued. "He's been hesitating for weeks. I've seen that look before—someone who wants to say yes but can't. At first, I thought maybe he just wasn't ready to leave the country again... but then I realized it wasn't about baseball at all."
Rosette looked away. "You think it's because of me."
Charlie didn't answer right away. He sighed and nodded. "Yes. He cares about you, Rosette. Maybe more than he's willing to admit. And because of that, he's holding himself back. He doesn't want to leave you behind."
Her throat tightened. "That's not fair."
"No," Charlie said gently. "It's not. But that's who he is. Dranred's always been that way—always putting someone else's happiness before his own. He did it ten years ago, and he's doing it again now."
Rosette bit her lip, her eyes glistening. "So you wanted me to convince him to go."
"I did," Charlie admitted. "I knew you were the only one who could make him listen. If he heard it from me, he'd just brush it off. But if it came from you… maybe he'd finally realize that letting go doesn't mean losing everything."
Rosette gave a small, broken laugh. "You make it sound so easy."
"I know it's not," Charlie said quietly. "What I asked of you wasn't fair. I'm asking you to break your own heart just to help him follow his dream. But I also know you understand him better than anyone. You know how much baseball means to him."
She was silent for a moment, her gaze distant. Then she whispered, "He once told me he didn't want to play again… that it hurt too much to remember the past. I thought he'd finally found peace here."
"He could have," Charlie said. "But peace and purpose aren't the same thing. You gave him peace, Rosette—but he still needs to find his purpose."
Rosette took a shaky breath. "And you think he'll find that if he leaves?"
Charlie nodded. "I do. And someday, he'll thank you for it."
She smiled faintly, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "You don't have to thank me, Charlie. I know what kind of person Dranred is. Just like ten years ago, he'll always put others first before himself. I just… did what he would've done—what he needed me to do."
Charlie looked at her with quiet admiration. "You're stronger than you think, you know that?"
Rosette shook her head. "No. I just learned from him."
There was a brief silence between them, filled only by the faint echoes of the crowd long gone from the arena.
Charlie finally said, "Thank you, Rosette. I mean it. What you did… it wasn't easy, but it mattered."
She nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just hope he understands someday. That I didn't do it to hurt him."
"You did it because you care," Charlie said. "That's what he'll remember."
Rosette's eyes fell to the ground. "I hope you're right."
She turned to leave, but before walking away, she added softly, "He'll go now. I made sure of that."
Charlie watched her go—her steps slow, her shoulders trembling ever so slightly. He didn't try to stop her. There was nothing left to say.
And as Rosette disappeared into the dimly lit hallway, she pressed a hand against her chest, trying to steady her heartbeat.
You'll chase your dream now, won't you, Red? she thought. Even if it means chasing it far away from me.
Rosette had seemed distant ever since the game that night.
James noticed it immediately. He knew Dranred's exhibition match with the Major League team was coming up — something she'd usually be thrilled about — but this time, there was no sparkle in her eyes. No excitement. Just quiet, distracted smiles.
And Dranred wasn't himself either. Even during practice, surrounded by his teammates, his focus drifted. He missed pitches he would normally nail. His throws lacked fire. His mind was somewhere else entirely.
The exhibition match was only a day away — and this performance wouldn't cut it. It wasn't just a friendly game; the outcome could affect their standing in the World Cup. Everyone was counting on him.
Charlie watched his nephew from the bullpen, concern deepening on his face. If Dranred kept this up, they didn't stand a chance.
He finally approached. "What's wrong with you?" Charlie asked quietly. Dranred was standing on the mound, ball in hand, staring blankly ahead. He hadn't thrown a single pitch in minutes.
When Charlie got no answer, he pressed gently. "Did something happen?"
Dranred's voice came out flat. "She said goodbye."
Charlie frowned. "Who did?"
Dranred gave a bitter laugh. "Who else? I thought everything between us was fine — perfect, even. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, she tells me I make her feel uncomfortable."
Charlie's stomach sank. "You're talking about Rosette, aren't you?"
Dranred didn't respond, but the silence was enough.
"I told you before," Charlie said, his tone firm but not unkind. "If you really want to chase your dreams, you need to stop letting women distract you. That girl isn't doing you any good, Red. Look at yourself now — you're falling apart. The exhibition match is tomorrow! Do you want to throw everything away because of—"
"I told you not to speak about her that way," Dranred cut in, his voice sharp.
Charlie froze.
"What do you want me to say then?" he snapped back. "That you're fine? You're not! You're breaking down because of her."
Dranred clenched his fists. "I need her by my side."
Charlie blinked. "Since when did you become so weak?"
"I've always been weak," Dranred said quietly. "It's inevitable. I'm human." He lifted his gaze, calm but resolute. "But that girl — she's my strength. The thought of living without her is driving me insane. What's the point of succeeding if I lose her?"
Charlie stared at him, speechless for a moment. "You're one foolish lad," he muttered. "If that's how you really feel, then why not tell her? How long do you expect her to wait? You've been indecisive — even about your own dream!"
"Who says I can't decide?" Dranred shot back.
Charlie's eyes narrowed. "Haven't you?"
"You have so little faith in me," Dranred said, disappointment flickering across his face. "I thought you believed in me — in us."
Charlie sighed heavily. "You're too slow to act, Red. Opportunities don't wait. Your dream could slip away again if you—"
"I won't let that happen," Dranred interrupted. His voice was firm, almost defiant. "Not my dream. Not the girl I love. I'll protect both. All I've ever needed from my family… was trust."
Charlie fell silent. Guilt crept into his expression.
Finally, he spoke in a low voice. "The truth is... I'm the reason Rosette pulled away from you."
Dranred froze. "What?"
"I thought you were uncertain," Charlie admitted. "You wouldn't give an answer to the Major League invitation. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance — I didn't want you to waste it. I thought you were hesitating because of her, so... I asked Rosette to talk to you. To wake you up, to make you realize what's at stake."
Dranred's eyes darkened. "That was stupid."
"I know," Charlie said, voice thick with regret. "She didn't want to do it. I could see it was breaking her. She looked like she might fall apart any second."
Dranred stared at the ground, then let out a soft, bitter laugh. "So she didn't say those things because she wanted to."
"Red—"
"She just said them because of you," he continued, shaking his head. "And here I was — overjoyed when she finally said I needed to recharge."
Charlie frowned. "Are you... laughing?"
Dranred chuckled again, low and hollow. "Maybe I've already lost it."
Charlie didn't know what to say. He had expected anger, shouting — maybe even a punch. But instead, Dranred just stood there, smiling sadly to himself, broken yet eerily calm.
For the first time, Charlie realized that beneath that composure, Dranred wasn't just hurt.
He was shattered.