Chapter 39: Rough on the Outside, Gentle on the Inside
"Hey… Ken, I haven't congratulated you yet."
On the flight back to Brazil, Aloísio leaned back in his seat and nudged Ken lightly with his elbow, his tone cheerful but carrying a faint trace of envy that he did not bother to hide.
"Borussia Dortmund, huh? That's a Champions League club. From now on, you'll be playing against Europe's best defenders every week. Don't forget us when you become a superstar."
Ken laughed and tapped him on the shoulder. "Relax. At the very least, I'm someone who has survived sleeping next to your snoring. That counts as a lifelong bond."
"Can we not bring that up again?" Aloísio groaned, covering his face.
After a moment of silence, Aloísio stared out the window at the endless stretch of clouds below them.
"I might leave next season too," he said quietly. "Maybe head to Asia. Some clubs there are offering decent contracts. It might be time."
Ken did not respond immediately. He understood that not everyone followed the same path. Some chased dreams; others chased stability. In professional football, careers were short, and every decision carried consequences.
He simply nodded. "Whatever you choose, make sure it's something you won't regret."
Aloísio smiled faintly. "Same to you."
---
Farewell to São Paulo
Back in Brazil, Ken's schedule became incredibly tight. Between farewell meetings, training sessions, and paperwork, he barely had time to rest. Still, he insisted on organizing a small dinner for several teammates and senior players who had supported him during his rise.
To veteran leaders like Lúcio and Rogério Ceni, he presented small gifts—simple watches, not expensive, but carefully chosen.
"These are just tokens of appreciation," Ken said. "Thank you for everything you taught me."
Both veterans accepted the gifts with warm smiles. They had seen countless young talents pass through their careers, but few combined humility and determination in quite the same way.
"You've got the right attitude," Ceni said. "Don't change when you get to Europe."
---
A Call from Family
At the airport the next morning, Ken received a phone call from his uncle.
"So it's true? You're going to Germany?"
"Yes," Ken replied softly. "I wanted to tell you in person first, but the news traveled faster than I expected."
On the other end, his uncle laughed, though his voice soon grew emotional.
"You've done well. Your father would have been proud."
For a moment, Ken could not speak. He simply stared out the large airport window at the distant runway, where planes rose and disappeared into the sky.
"Take care of yourself," his uncle added. "No matter how far you go, remember you always have family waiting for you."
"I know."
When the call ended, Ken remained silent for a while, gathering his thoughts before boarding.
---
Arrival in Germany
The flight to Germany felt longer than usual. Not because of the hours spent in the air, but because of the anticipation waiting at the other end.
A new country.
A new language environment.
A new league filled with stronger, faster opponents.
At Dortmund Airport, Wagner was already waiting near the exit, waving enthusiastically.
"Over here!"
After exchanging greetings, Wagner picked up one of Ken's bags and began walking toward the parking area.
"The club arranged temporary accommodation inside the training complex," he explained. "Private room, good facilities. You can stay there until you decide whether to rent an apartment."
"That's perfect," Ken replied. "Being close to training will help."
Wagner nodded approvingly. "Good. Also, you should consider getting your driver's license soon. You'll need it eventually."
Ken laughed. "One step at a time."
---
First Night at the Training Base
The Dortmund training complex was quieter than Ken expected. Most players had already returned home after training sessions, leaving the corridors calm and orderly.
His room was simple but comfortable: a bed, desk, wardrobe, and a window overlooking one of the training pitches. Outside, stadium lights illuminated the grass in a soft glow.
He set down his luggage, sat on the edge of the bed, and finally allowed himself to relax.
The last few weeks had been a whirlwind—matches, negotiations, travel, interviews, and farewells. Only now did he truly feel the transition happening.
From tomorrow onward, everything would change.
Training intensity would be higher.
Opponents stronger.
Expectations heavier.
But instead of feeling nervous, Ken felt something else—excitement.
---
A Coach's Message
That evening, Wagner handed him a short message from the coaching staff.
"Coach wants you to rest tomorrow," he said. "Training starts the day after. He said not to worry about missing preseason sessions—they'll integrate you gradually."
Ken nodded. Even such a small detail left a strong impression on him. Klopp might appear loud and intense on the sidelines, but behind that energy was a thoughtful leader who understood how to manage young players.
"Good," Ken said. "I'll be ready."
---
Quiet Determination
Later that night, standing alone near the training pitch, Ken watched sprinklers slowly rotate across the grass. The faint mist glowed under the floodlights, giving the field an almost dreamlike appearance.
This was where the next chapter of his career would unfold.
He thought about everything that had led him here—the difficult years, the doubts, the long hours of training when no one was watching. None of it had been easy, but every step had shaped him into the player he had become.
Now the real challenge was beginning.
Europe would not treat him like a prodigy. Defenders would test him physically. Coaches would demand tactical discipline. Fans would judge every performance.
But Ken welcomed all of it.
He tightened his jacket against the cool night air, glanced once more at the empty pitch, and turned back toward the dormitory.
Tomorrow would be his first day as a Borussia Dortmund player.
And from that day forward, every training session, every minute on the field, would bring him one step closer to the dream he had carried since childhood — standing on the world stage, representing his country, and proving that he truly belonged among the best.