SPM 4.6

An ominous feeling ran down his back. Ian hurriedly ran toward where the offensive team was. And when he pushed through two or three people with worried expressions and approached, what he found was.

“Ah…”

Terrence sitting on the ground and quarterback coach Kevin with a serious face, massaging his calf and ankle.

Kevin, who had called Ian urgently, put his hand on his shoulder and quickly whispered in his ear.

“He slipped when he got a severe cramp in his calf.”

“What?”

Despite whispering very quietly, as if he had accurately caught what Kevin said, Terrence immediately got up and opened his mouth with a crumpled face.

“What’s all this fuss about a simple muscle cramp?”

Terrence waved his hand to send several people who had gathered around him back to their places while raising his voice slightly.

“Everyone stop being so sensitive.”

“……”

“Malik just had the same cramp over there.”

“……”

“Honestly speaking, it’s unpleasant to be so sensitive about something that happens to anyone during practice.”

“We need to examine it to know!”

The atmosphere that was about to calm down suddenly became noisy again with Vincent’s shout as he ran over late. Everyone chimed in to agree with him, and the coach, who had been watching everything, began to organize the situation while holding his forehead.

“Alright, let’s wrap up training now. Morgan, get everyone together.”

“Yes, coach.”

“But Terrence, you go straight to the treatment room as soon as we dismiss.”

“Coach.”

“Go get your usual physical therapy! Don’t be so sensitive. Like you said, I’ll send Malik right away too.”

At the coach’s words with a troubled face, Terrence closed his mouth.

“……”

There was nothing Ian could do there.

Leaving behind the coach gathering players for a dismissal speech, he quietly moved his steps. As Terrence said, they were in training. It wasn’t his place to interfere.

Still, he couldn’t not check at all.

Ian carefully captured everything in his camera until the end of training, then stopped by the office to share the day’s footage with media team staff and organize his workspace before finally visiting the physical therapy room.

Inside the treatment room, several people were lying on the lined-up treatment beds, but finding Terrence among them wasn’t difficult.

Vincent and an organization physical therapist were having a slight argument over Terrence, who hadn’t even lain down on the bed yet.

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to step back?”

“Yes. It’s better if I do it. Please take care of someone else.”

“Since you’re also a doctor, you know well, but I specialize in athletes’ muscles. If you touch them wrong even slightly, it’s worse than not touching them at all…”

“I know that too, you know? Sports medicine isn’t my specialty, but I’ve dealt with it a lot and am familiar with it since I belong to that academic society. You can trust me.”

Watching this, Ian stopped a passing Felicia holding a chart and asked before approaching them.

“…Is the atmosphere usually like this?”

Since the general manager had taken responsibility to find an expert, Ian had thought Vincent was completely accepted within the medical team, but apparently that wasn’t the case. Seeing Ian’s suspicious expression and the team members bickering, Felicia said “Ah” and whispered in Ian’s ear.

“Since he was dispatched too hastily and only handles Hunt, there are many parts where communication hasn’t been proper.”

The organization’s medical team had various experts each handling their specific fields.

There were sports medicine specialists like Felicia, orthopedic specialists among doctors, family medicine specialists who comprehensively looked at overall physical aspects, and physical therapy specialists from rehabilitation medicine who were stationed in training rooms like now.

Among these, those who worked in offices creating recovery programs were different from those who ran with players in the field, and there were also multiple massage therapists, acupuncturists, counseling specialists who helped with mental care, and even nutritionists who checked players’ nutrition, all actively sharing opinions daily. The medical team could be said to be an incredibly systematic place with diverse people who each had expertise and pride in their respective fields.

But then came someone like Vincent, a doctor dispatched hastily from a large general hospital to exclusively handle just one person. It would be difficult to fit in. Ian thanked Felicia and quietly approached them.

However, even though the physical therapist had disappeared with an unpleasant face, the argument didn’t seem to be over.

“You probably said it was just a simple cramp.”

“That’s something I need to see to know.”

Leaving Terrence shaking his head stubbornly, Vincent dragged over large equipment from somewhere and attached it to Terrence’s body. It was none other than a pheromone testing machine, which was somewhat familiar to Ian since he had done it several times at the hospital.

“I told you about the last cramp too. Right now, pheromone deficiency from one-way imprinting side effects is affecting your nervous system. And this is the most common among imprinting side effects. I’m the expert, so why don’t you believe me?”

“……”

“Pheromones and hormones share the same endocrine system to some extent. So pheromone deficiency in imprinted individuals most commonly connects to hormonal abnormalities.”

Vincent sighed and continued his explanation.

“When this happens, hormones generally stimulate the peripheral nervous system and reduce muscle response. That’s why people suffering from one-way imprinting side effects frequently have cramps. The parathyroid hormone suddenly drops drastically, causing muscle contractions. It’s the most common side effect, so please take it seriously. It’s not nothing, especially for you.”

At the very specific explanation, Terrence closed his mouth. Looking at his expression, he probably didn’t choose silence simply because he was convinced, but Vincent’s words weren’t wrong. Rather, that was the biggest problem.

How big a deal could it be if an ordinary person gets some cramps or muscle spasms? But if it’s an athlete whose job involves using muscles, the story is completely different. Ian knew this well, so how could Terrence, the person involved, not know? Vincent continued explaining with a much calmer face.

“…That’s exactly why I came here. It would naturally be better for me to work comfortably at the hospital rather than going back and forth here, right? But I’m the most suitable person for this problem.”

At his strangely confident tone, Ian also perked up his ears from behind.

“You know my family, right? A few years ago, our MMC pharmaceutical company developed a very groundbreaking new drug. It’s research I participated in from the beginning and produced results. To explain simply, it’s a targeted therapeutic agent that precisely acts only on specific receptors that cause hormonal abnormalities due to one-way imprinting. Because it acts only on that exact channel, it’s very safe. It’s still a new drug so it’s not yet registered with the World Anti-Doping Agency, but it’s properly being used under clinical approval from Missouri medical authorities. It’s an approved medication.”

“……”

“During games, during really important games, it will be of great help to you. And I’m the one who can help you most accurately with that.”

Only then did Ian precisely understand the reason Vincent had come here.

It was probably the general manager’s Plan A. Plan B, Lucas Mahelona, was also needed to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, but that was only a backup plan. The general manager probably never intended to let go of Terrence, a quarterback with leadership and ability who could boost the team’s morale. As Ian realized everything was fitting together like a puzzle in his head, Vincent’s hopeful voice continued.

“I really want to prove the effectiveness of this new drug. I’ve been working hard for that very purpose, and now Terrence, you’re experiencing imprinting side effects. Honestly, I can’t help but think it’s fate.”

“What…?”

Terrence, with an incredulous expression, was about to spit out some sharp words. Ian quickly stepped between them. Wasn’t the treatment room already too tense?

“Are you feeling okay?”

Terrence, who had ghostlike awareness that Ian was nearby, silently nodded, and the person startled by Ian’s voice from behind was Vincent alone.

However, Vincent suddenly grabbed Ian as if he had never been surprised.

“Perfect timing. Let me see you for a moment.”

Leaving behind Terrence who couldn’t move during the examination, Ian followed Vincent into one of the examination rooms. After quickly pushing Ian inside, he urgently closed the door behind him and shot out in a lowered voice.

“Are you in your right mind right now?”

Even though it was a quiet voice, the agitated tone couldn’t be hidden, so Ian frowned while holding his forehead and waist simultaneously.

“Please tell me what you’re upset about first.”

“Removing suppressants when you know Terrence is experiencing these side effects! I can’t believe I personally performed that procedure for you. With the situation this complicated, do you want to have a heat cycle while having such a struggling partner? Or are you trying to have a baby first?”

It was anger that could only come from someone who knew about the prescription that removed the strongest suppressants and prohibited all kinds of pheromone-related drugs and birth control pills for the time being.

“…Haven’t you heard anything from Dr. Olsen?”

And it was rage that could be expressed because he only knew half the story. He seemed completely unaware that Ian had removed the internal suppressant because he couldn’t properly satisfy the amount of pheromones Terrence needed. If he had known, someone who had been worrying about Terrence’s imprinting side effects until just now couldn’t have blamed Ian like this.

Ian rubbed his furrowed brow and waited for an answer. And the answer was exactly as Ian expected.

“What about?”

But wait, was this doctor really genuinely worried about Terrence’s condition? The last statement he heard seemed to be intoxicated by the fact that their connection had been renewed, regardless of the reason. Ian quickly shook his head while mulling over the word “fate” he had mentioned.

“…No.”

If he didn’t know, Ian wanted to leave it that way. This was Ian’s personal problem, not patient Terrence’s.

Moreover, after hearing the earlier explanation, he felt even less need to reveal it. What Vincent was doing wasn’t preventive treatment to ‘block in advance’ one-way imprinting side effects. He was a doctor dispatched for ‘symptom management’ to solve phenomena when Terrence experienced side effects.

Probably that’s why Dr. Olsen also judged that Ian’s condition didn’t need to be revealed, and why he didn’t come to the organization as Terrence’s attending physician himself but yielded that position to Vincent.

All the puzzles from the general manager, Vincent, to Dr. Olsen had fallen into place, so Ian had even less reason to hesitate.

“That seems like something my partner Terrence and I should handle ourselves.”

“But I’m Terrence’s dedicated doctor…!”

“As you confirmed from the numbers, Terrence isn’t experiencing pheromone deficiency right now.”

“Who doesn’t know that? That’s exactly why I’m talking about this now. You and I both know that one-way imprinting side effects don’t just come from simple pheromone deficiency! The situation is already complicated and you’re making it more complicated!”

“Doctor. Even as a dedicated physician, please maintain boundaries. I also removed the internal suppressant in consultation with Dr. Olsen for health reasons.”

This was as far as Ian could explain.

Ian wasn’t Vincent’s patient. Dr. Olsen, who had the duty to protect patient information, wouldn’t step forward to show materials unless Ian permitted it.

“Then.”

Ian spoke nonchalantly, nodded slightly toward Vincent, and turned around.

But just as he was about to grab the door handle to leave the examination room, the door suddenly opened from outside with a “bang,” and he almost fell heavily. However, before his unbalanced body could fall to the floor, gentle hands caught and embraced him.

“Terry.”

Terrence, still covered with medical gel instead of the machines that had been stuck all over him, gently adjusted Ian’s body and pulled him close. Then he spoke coldly toward Vincent.

“That’s enough, Dr. Vincent McCartney.”

Each word was enunciated so clearly that a murderous air lingered at the end of each phrase.

“You…! If you carelessly remove the testing equipment like that…!”

“Didn’t I say the test was done? I know my body best. How many times do I have to say this isn’t a one-way imprinting side effect for you to understand?”

“……!”

“And never take my partner away carelessly in front of me again. Don’t speak carelessly either. I won’t overlook this kind of rudeness again.”

Terrence warned Vincent while forcibly suppressing his anger.

But the person receiving the warning only looked flustered for a moment, then pushed back at Terrence with a furious face, pointing fingers.

“You, you…! You know this is a disease, right?”

Ian hurriedly reached out to close the opened door at the sudden loud voice, but Vincent was already raging.

“I know best about imprinting! This is exactly your disease, you stupid bastard Terrence!”

“……”

“You don’t realize it yourself right now, but this is exactly how one-way imprinting dominates the brain!”

Vincent looked up at Ian, still half-embraced by Terrence, with wide eyes and shouted.

“Right now this kid looks like your master! Like your life! But why don’t you know that once the imprinting breaks, it’s all over? Why don’t you know they’re really nothing at all?”

As he ranted almost screaming, while Ian was startled, Terrence’s hand gently covered Ian’s ear. Although the continuing accusations could still be heard, just that tender touch kindled warmth in his chest.

“Get rid of someone like this who won’t even give you mutual imprinting! That’s how you escape from imprinting! Please come to your senses! Are you going to ruin your entire career?”

However, Ian couldn’t hear all of that content to the end.

It wasn’t because of the hand covering his ear. Leaving Vincent still raging and criticizing, Terrence snorted and simply left the examination room altogether.

Terrence walked with long strides while embracing Ian’s waist and whispered tenderly.

“You don’t need to listen to such nonsense. You know that, right?”

“Yeah… I know.”

“Don’t be hurt by lies. None of it is true from beginning to end.”

“…Right.”

“Ian, you alone must trust me completely.”

“I understand.”

“Good. That’s enough.”

Terrence nodded and picked up his large duffel bag that had been placed in one corner of the physical therapy room. Then he took Ian’s hand firmly and led him forward.

Looking down quietly at the firm grip without a hint of wavering, Ian also put strength into his fingers.

Pleasant warmth transferred to his white fingers.

* * *

Time passed quickly and it was finally mid-September, already approaching the opening ceremony of the new season.

After OTA, Terrence scheduled training with Kevin, his dedicated quarterback coach, and his personal trainer as if showing off his perfect condition, and separately added very intensive personal workouts. Of course, he didn’t budge regardless of Vincent’s attempts to dissuade him. At the same time, he attended captain meetings and strategy meetings without fail following intense team training, continuing a forced march that ordinary players couldn’t handle.

In short, he spent days so busy he couldn’t even blink.

Fortunately, since they worked at the same organization, Ian was also extremely busy…

“Yes, John. Of course. I just handed over the materials. I double-checked with the operations team too, so you just need final confirmation. Yes. I understand.”

As soon as he hung up, a sigh automatically burst out. It wasn’t just Terrence who was busy before the new season, Ian’s work was also breathlessly piling up, leaving him completely scattered.

When a brief gap appeared, Ian moved his mouse as if possessed and played a video.

It was a video of Terrence’s interview from yesterday, and despite being his unofficial personal publicist, he had been too busy to properly check it. Plus, there was a bit of the reason that he hadn’t been able to “recharge” with Terrence lately… As Ian was rationalizing his actions with muttered excuses while focusing on the video, Toby suddenly reached his hand toward the front of the monitor.

“Ack!”

“Watching yesterday’s interview?”

Toby asked while pulling his wheeled chair closer.

“Uh, what? Yes.”

“Why are you so startled?”

At the suspicious look wondering if he had been doing something strange at the office, Ian shook his head vigorously.

“I, I didn’t do anything!”

“…Even more suspicious. Why are you even stuttering? Afraid someone will say something about watching your husband’s interview?”

“…He’s not my husband yet.”

“Same difference. Let me check it too.”

At his words while pushing his face toward the monitor, Ian clicked the video again.

The ESRN broadcast channel’s official logo spun, showing the studio, followed by scenes of weekly TV sports show hosts in suits sitting and discussing.

— I actually understand bringing in Lucas Mahelona too, you know? As you know, Terrence is too traditional a quarterback. Who insists on being just a pocket passer these days?

— You know there are more players who can’t even do that pocket passing properly, right? Should I tell you Hunt’s pass completion rate and passing yard records? What about touchdown passes? Want to compare with other players?

“Ugh, they’re at it again with that quarterback style stuff. Not this part, Hunt’s interview section. Jump to that.”

“Yes.”

When Ian clicked the mouse again, a scene appeared of the MC looking straight ahead and announcing the start of the interview.

— Now, the moment we’ve been waiting for has arrived. Kansas City Wolves’ franchise quarterback, the very man who finished last season with a Super Bowl victory! Te! Rence! Hunt! is joining us here today. Terrence, are you connected?

Soon the screen split and a small square box appeared above the studio where the MC was, showing a familiar person and familiar background. It was the team gym. Terrence, sitting in the spot set up by the media team for this remote interview, showed his impassive expression to the sports channel.

— Yes, I’m connected. Thank you for having me.

— Terrence, good to see you! Franchise quarterback. A quarterback the organization trusts long-term and makes the central axis, a player from whom we can expect team strategy, marketing, and leadership. In other words, the leader and face of the Wolves, everyone.

Ian’s chest tightened at the modifier that precisely described Terrence. Even more so at the sight of Terrence not reacting to the praise, naturally brushing back wet hair that had fallen over his forehead without pretense.

“Handsome…”

When he muttered unconsciously, Toby added “And you say he’s not your husband…?” while looking at Ian with eyes suggesting his condition was severe.

— First, I want to ask something. Fans and everyone who loves the NFL are curious whether Hunt will play in the season opener! As you know, the opener is in just two days?

They were clearly asking with Lucas Mahelona, the draft’s person of interest and the Wolves’ new quarterback, in mind. It was obvious since the earlier discussion among the other panelists had been exactly about this rookie quarterback.

— Of course I’ll start.

Watching him speak as if asking who else would play if not him, Ian unconsciously let out a chuckle. Then and now, being anxious and fretting was always his role, while Terrence remained the same. Unchanging, cool, confident, my friend. My steadfast, rock-like partner.

“Is his way of speaking normally that stiff…?”

It’s not easy to be so blunt on broadcast either, Toby added with a look of wonder at Ian, causing another small laugh.

“Well, it’s generally similar.”

“Wow… He’s like that in private too?”

“Of course he’s not that monosyllabic. He talks a lot with me.”

Ian hurriedly defended, but Toby looked completely unconvinced. The interview was still playing on the monitor.

— Wow, Wolves fans! You can rest assured! A star appears from the season opener! But Terrence, aren’t you a bit anxious inside? It’s the season opener. Last season’s champions and the host team for the opener. There’s quite a bit of pressure, isn’t there?

The season opener was traditionally opened by the previous season’s Super Bowl champions. Plus, the location was also the winning team’s home stadium.

Thanks to preparing for this spectacular event and game, not only Ian as office staff but the entire organization was on fire. It felt like hosting a house party and inviting VIPs. NFL fans across the nation would be eagerly waiting just for this day to start the season. They had no choice but to give their all.

At the host’s direct question, Terrence raised the corners of his lips slightly.

— It would be a lie to say there’s no pressure. But my goal is to become a quarterback who throws best under pressure. You know, Jay. Storms make men stronger. The higher the waves you ride, the higher you can rise.

— Wow…! Did everyone hear that? Everyone, please make sure to note down today’s memorable quote.

Terrence’s face as he smiled quietly looking at the camera overflowed with boldness, conviction, and confidence that completely trusted himself, enough to reach beyond the screen.

It was a good interview. It was so Terrence-like and perfect that Ian was smiling contentedly when Toby asked somewhat anxiously from beside him.

“Um…, Ian? I made a bet with Justin from the media team… I really didn’t want to ask about such private matters either, you understand? So, um, well… the pheromone issue is all okay, right…?”

Watching the beta struggle with how to express such a private matter about pheromones before finally saying it directly, Ian burst into laughter.

“How much did you bet to be like this?”

“Ah, it’s not money but lunch…! The loser has to eat only greens for a whole month…!”

“That’s even more annoying!” Toby grabbed his hair. Ian decided to show mercy for his boss who had made a strange bet.

“The doctor said that part is sufficient.”

Dr. Olsen had advised that the numbers were now very stable and Ian’s pheromone condition was excellent, so he didn’t need to try too hard. Moreover, even Vincent, who showed sharp intensity about Terrence’s pheromone deficiency as his attending physician, had declared that intimate contact once a week or so was sufficient, so it was probably certain.

After all, if they had to have obligatory sex every day just because of imprinting, it would be so exhausting that their affection for each other would fade and the imprinting would be completely dissolved without a trace. Ian was convinced that this was a normal frequency.

Plus, sleeping together every night and fully releasing each other’s pheromones was clearly giving Terrence great stability. Ian’s pheromones had completely recovered like in high school before the accident, and they were stronger, more intense, and more influential than ever, so it was natural that the pheromones were not just sufficient but overflowing beyond what the numbers indicated.

What was amazing was that as his body became healthy and his pheromones recovered to their original state, his ability to control them also returned like before. He was also less affected by other Alphas’ pheromones. He had truly become like a dominant Omega again.

Of course, in case an unexpected heat cycle occurred like before, he was checking for the possibility of estrus along with basic weekly tests, but Dr. Olsen’s opinion was that it was still safe. Moreover, at work, especially when passing through areas with many Alphas, he always moved with two or three people, and he had explained the situation to Toby, who often accompanied him, requesting help in case of emergency.

The situation had improved and risk preparation was perfect. Even so, he couldn’t just be happy believing Dr. Olsen’s comforting words that he had done everything possible and didn’t need to worry. The reason was probably because Ian knew there was still one thing he hadn’t accomplished.

‘Mutual imprinting…’

That was weighing heavily on one corner of Ian’s heart.

If there was one thing Vincent succeeded in while screaming at Terrence and Ian in the examination room, it would be planting a very small seed of anxiety in Ian’s heart.

One-way imprinting side effects. Mutual imprinting that still showed no signs. Weren’t both problems caused by himself?

“So frustrating, really…”

Why still, even now? When he loved him this much. Moreover, now that even his pheromones had returned to normal, why was he still in this unstable one-way imprinting state? The more he thought about it, the more absurd it became.

If only he could know by what mechanism and how it occurred, he would want to manipulate his own heart and brain to imprint together, but it was lamentable that things in the world didn’t go as planned.

His heart kept racing. Ian had to press his chest for a long time due to the baseless anxiety that came with his upset feelings.

*

Since they had both been busy, it had been a long time since they properly had sex.

“Ahng…!”

The incredibly hard, heavy pillar entered like a shovel scooping up soil. Ian trembled all over and moaned at the powerful force that dug deep from below to the slightly curved section of his inner walls. Terrence’s eyes sparkled as if finding him indescribably lovely.

“Mm, here. It’s soft here.”

He muttered while feeling the buttocks and thighs that had become even firmer from recent exercise and quality meals. He even chuckled while gently kissing Ian’s nose tip, who couldn’t come to his senses from feeling so much.

“Do you know that when I press here, this part trembles?”

A thick index finger carefully caressed the tip of his dick that stood erect and trembled between their touching bodies. The glans, already wet with clear pre-cum like a sugar-coated dessert, accepted even slight touches as intense stimulation.

“Uhng!”

He already felt like he was going to die because he couldn’t handle the inside that had been stirred up so much, but now he was even being touched on both sides. Ian frowned and shook his head.

“Ah, heup! That’s too…!”

“Too?”

“Ah, too stimulating, I don’t like it… Ahh…”

“You really don’t like it? Every time I touch, the inside keeps sucking me in?”

“Ah, no.”

“I’m telling you it’s true. Look.”

Their pheromones were so entangled and mixed that it was no longer distinguishable whose was whose, settling thickly. Ian, completely soaked in pheromones as if drunk, fiercely embraced the Alpha moving above him. Perhaps unconsciously putting even more strength inside than before.

“Ungh…!”

His steel-like waist trembled at the sensation of being squeezed so tightly that it seemed to wring out his own. Ian, feeling as much as if he had transferred Terrence’s lovely gesture, buried his nose and mouth in the Alpha’s neck.

“Ah, Terry… Terrence…”

The excited Alpha’s pheromones pooled like nectar on the firm curve connecting his collarbone and neck. He inhaled as if not missing a single drop and licked, encouraging his movements.

“Mmh, good. Ah…!”

Even the sweat drops moistly wetting his strong body were so luscious and beautiful. White hands greedily traced the firm body. The texture, taste, and form transmitted through tongue and hands. Ian, who had been enjoying everything about his partner, at some point looked up at the Alpha holding him.

Terrence, who was similarly unable to hide his greedy eyes and roughly rushing as if to devour Ian.

It was a gaze that naturally sent shivers through him.

“…Ian.”

“Yeah.”

Ian wanted to give everything of himself to the Alpha who was persistently penetrating him as if there was only Ian in the world. How wonderful it would be if they could stick together and melt into one with this thick fragrance.

As if answering that wish, he thrust the thick cock violently as if to carve it into his inner walls. Shaken by that explosive rough force, Ian finally felt Terrence hotly wetting inside his body and let out intense breaths.

He immediately closed his eyes tightly while sharing the afterglow with Terrence, who devoured his lips as if he couldn’t let a single breath escape. Hoping that the reason his heart was beating so hard was only because of the heat.

* * *

On opening day, beyond the stadium’s outer walls was already a festival ground.

Among the massive Wolves Kingdom, the area that occupied the largest portion was naturally the parking lot. The incredibly vast space that usually made one wonder how it could ever be filled was already packed with cars.

Moreover, the atmosphere was heated by the mixing of barbecue smells sizzling from fans who came with camping cars and trucks, flags reading ‘Wolves Nation’, and shouts from fans wearing red wolf masks. They were enjoying the NFL festival starting from their own city with all their might.

Now that the cheerleader show, singers’ performances, Lombardi Trophy unveiling, and national anthem were all finished, Ian stood in the stadium passage not far from the players’ bench, watching the situation with worried eyes.

Lights went out over the huge stadium and large fireworks burst, beautifully decorating the blue sky. The moment fireworks cut through the sky and the Wolves mascot appeared on the field riding a cart again, Terrence Hunt’s name echoed, and the stands shook like an earthquake.

Soon energetic cheerleaders jumped in and players entered through flames and smoke.

Red uniforms continued until back number 12 appeared last, running lightly and waving his hand, Ian watched with sunken eyes. Then as he gradually moved further from view, Ian pressed his lips together firmly. If there was one coldly cooled point amid the heated cheers and burning fervor, it would probably be Ian.

He had done everything he could.

He had shown consistent support for Terrence starting the season, made efforts so he wouldn’t suffer from pheromone deficiency, and quietly filled his daily life so that he, as a professional player, could train without lacking anything.

Today’s season opener opponent was the Boston Armors.

If they had faced a slightly easier opponent, he might not have felt so heavy-hearted. Of course, which NFL organization was just a weak team, but among them, the Armors weren’t just a simple strong team.

They were one of the most renowned defensive powerhouses in the NFL. It was natural for Ian to be anxious, considering there were teams that faced them for an entire season without stepping foot in the end zone even once. Called the ‘Iron Wall of the East,’ they showed the brilliance of winning games with defense alone, like their team name suggested.

While the Wolves also had excellent defense, their core was sharp offense that perfectly executed coach Randy’s strategies centered around Terrence. It was literally a clash between spear and shield.

Ian sighed and returned from the stands to the locker room area, where he saw organization staff huddled together under a TV screen hanging in the corridor. Equipment team staff holding new player socks of unknown ownership and standing dazed, media team assistants Ian frequently communicated with, and Toby holding a broadcasting script carelessly, everyone was staring at the screen in a trance.

From the speakers, an ESRN broadcaster was beginning commentary in a smooth voice.

— The 60 minutes about to unfold is not just a simple game. Super Bowl champion Wolves, their first day facing their shield. Their opponent is the Boston Armors, famous for their iron wall defense.

“Of all opponents for the home opening ceremony, it had to be the Armors… What terrible luck.”

When the staff member holding socks scratched his beard and spoke, Toby muttered in agreement from beside him.

“Really, losing here would be a complete disgrace for the home team…”

Ian quietly approached and placed one hand each on Toby’s and the equipment staff member’s shoulders.

“No.”

“…Huh?”

“……?”

Ian firmly shook his head toward their puzzled expressions.

“We’ll win.”

“Ah, of course. We have to win.”

“Right, right. I know that too. I said that because I want us to win. Don’t misunderstand.”

“Yes. We will win.”

On screen, a coin was tossed instantly and huge cheers came from the stadium outside the screen.

— The Wolves will receive the kickoff. Viewers, the 20XX season begins now!

American football games consist of four quarters, each 15 minutes long.

After the first half combining the 1st and 2nd quarters ends, there’s a 12-minute halftime break, followed by the second half with the 3rd and 4th quarters.

During this time, both teams alternate between offense and defense, running desperately to advance the ball even a few yards. They have to reach the opponent’s end zone for a touchdown to score.

Of course, there are also field goal scores where the ball is kicked through the giant Y-shaped goalposts. Whether to choose a 6-point touchdown or a 3-point field goal depends on the coach’s strategy and on-field judgment at each moment.

On screen, Terrence received a snap from the front player and succeeded in a short pass, advancing 6 yards.

“Oh, the rhythm looks good.”

Hearing the muttering voice beside him, Ian also nodded. Today Terrence was in optimal condition. His expression briefly shown on screen wasn’t bad either.

— On second down, with fullback blocking, the running play goes well too. Good tempo right now, Wolves!

As more people gathered, drawn by the broadcast commentary and concentrating with sweaty palms, the Armors’ iron wall defense barely deflected the ball with fingertips, causing the pass to fail. Eventually, following the coach’s instructions, a scene of attempting a field goal from 47 yards was shown from a distant angle.

“Please, please.”

“Ah! It went in…!”

Watching the ball fly like a bullet and safely enter the center of the yellow goalposts, Ian wiped his chest.

— The pass unfortunately failed, but the Wolves score on their first drive. 3-0, the home team takes the lead first.

“Well done. That’s good for that level. Very good for a first start!”

Among the applauding staff, Toby shouted in an excited voice.

But that joyful atmosphere didn’t last long. In the late 1st quarter, after the field goal, the Armors with offensive possession broke through the Wolves’ goal line after twelve plays.

— Boston responds with a long drive. Ball control, accurate running, perfect teamwork. And touchdown! 7-3, the Armors flip the game!

“Shit! Those Armor bastards. I thought they only defended well…”

The atmosphere instantly turned cold. Perhaps because it was a home game, everyone was excessively on edge.

The breathtaking close game continued after that. When the offense came back, Terrence twisted his body in a completely unexpected direction and connected with an amazing pass precisely to the receiver, and just before the end of the first half, another field goal succeeded, bringing the score dangerously close again at 6-7.

Boston Armors’ defensive line was iron-walled as their history and reputation suggested, and their pressure was also tremendous.

“Wow, isn’t that too much from those guys? They’re going to send someone to the grave like that!”

No sooner had someone standing under the TV spoken than the caster’s voice immediately rose.

— Snap received, Terrence Hunt! Uh oh, the pocket collapses. The Armors’ blitz is coming in!

The opponent’s giant defenders all rushed at Terrence in a swarm. They knew Terrence was the core of the offense and decided to pressure him.

“Those, those bastards…!”

— Hunt, rolling out to the right! Huh? …Ah, no, he stops! He’s down! Terrence Hunt kneels and collapses right there!

— Oh, this is not good. His left ankle is completely folded right now.

“Terry…”

Watching Terrence on screen clutching his left ankle area near the leg where he had previously experienced muscle cramps, Ian unconsciously collapsed to the corridor floor.

“Ian!”

Toby urgently grabbed him while the commentator’s voice above continued drilling into his ears relentlessly.

— In that instant motion trying to change direction to avoid the blitz, all his body weight landed on his left foot, right? Good Lord, his foot twisted while planted in the turf…!

— Medical staff are rushing over quickly. The stadium is now completely silent.

— Ah… This is the scene that Wolves fans wanted the least… The captain injured in the season opener…

He didn’t know what he was thinking in that moment.

“Ian! Where are you going…?”

Not even knowing Toby was calling him, Ian sprang up and ran toward the passage leading back to the stands.

Thump, thump, thump. He knew this sound. The ominous drumbeat that always brought him misfortune. That sound was ringing in his ears again. The sound of Ian’s running footsteps in the concrete passage that gaped like a cave, ready to devour him, became even louder drumbeats filling his eardrums, thump, thump, thump! As if trying to escape from those sounds, Ian squeezed his eyes shut and waved his hands. Then he headed straight toward what shone brightly like an exit.

When he finally emerged onto the stands where the stadium was clearly visible.

“Terrence…”

It seemed like his eyes met with Terrence, who was sitting on the grass surrounded by medical staff.

Even though he was so far away, it really seemed like Terrence was looking this way, Ian thought in his distant vision.

The 2nd quarter was ending amid the disappointed boos, shouts, and cheers of the crowd.