EPISODE 3 – "Heat, Race, and Tricks"
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[Scene 1 – Street near Flamengo's Training Center – Morning]
Miguel is standing at a bus stop, sweating a lot, with a backpack and uniform. The Rio sun seems to be trying to melt him.
Miguel (panting):
"Why is the sun here stronger than in Japan?"
An older Carioca man next to him, drinking iced mate, responds:
Man:
"Because this is Rio, my son! Even the wind sweats here."
Miguel tries to get on the bus, but it passes by.
Miguel (shouting):
"MATTE! MATTEEE!!"
(bus disappears around the corner)
Miguel (defeated):
"I should have accepted Blake's ride..."
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[Scene 2 – Flamengo's Training Center – Endurance Training]
Camila Ferreira, with a clipboard in hand. All the players are gathered.
Camila:
"Today we're going to test your endurance with a 10-lap run. Anyone who stops halfway will wash the team's boots."
Extra 5:
"I haven't even started and my shins already hurt!"
Matheus Blake (looking at Miguel):
"Let's see if the samurai has the lungs of a Carioca..."
The race begins. Miguel starts strong, focused, but by the heat of the fifth lap, he starts to stagger.
Miguel (thinking):
"In Japan... it's not like this. There... the air is lighter... the climate is calmer..."
Suddenly, Juninho Vascaíno, who came to visit Blake, appears with a huge cup of sugarcane juice:
Juninho:
"Hey, Miguelito! Want a shot of courage?"
Miguel (not understanding):
"Is this medicine?"
Juninho:
"More than that, it's the soul of the field!"
(Miguel drinks it. Suddenly, he's back in the race, full throttle.)
Matheus (impressed):
"What was in that cup, man?"
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[Scene 3 – After the training, locker room]
Extra 4 (tired):
"This Japanese guy runs like an anime character..."
Extra 6 (listening to music):
"He's like that guy from Naruto… what's his name? Itadakimasu?"
Extra 1:
"That's what you say before you eat, you idiot!"
Camila (entering):
"Tomorrow, tactical training. Miguel, Blake, and Nicolas… you three will lead the schemes. I want to see who thinks the game through better."
They all look at each other. The tension builds.
Nicolas (serious):
"We'll see if Japan's talent thinks faster than Argentina's heart."
Blake (smiling):
"Or Brazil's class."
Miguel (cold):
"I didn't come here to think. I came to win."
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[Scene 4 – Final scene, night in the dorm]
Miguel is lying down, watching old videos of Japanese football. He sees his mother waving goodbye at the airport.
He smiles subtly.
Miguel (thinking):
"I'm holding on, mom. I'm doing fine."
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[Post-Credit Scene]
Juninho Vascaíno and Matheus Blake walking through downtown Rio with Miguel trying to order pastel.
Miguel (confused):
"Uh… pastéu? One with cheese. And… guaraná natural?"
Blake (laughing):
"What guaraná natural, kid! Here, it's soda from the snack bar, and pray it's not warm."
Juninho:
"And don't forget to ask for the 'house' sauce. Just be careful… no one knows what's in that sauce."
Miguel eats and makes a face. He starts sweating.
Miguel:
"Is this… chili?!?"
Juninho and Blake (laughing loudly):
"It's Brazil, brother!"
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TO BE CONTINUED…
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