Koch chuckled. "You've got time to get as many as you want. You've been brilliant these past few weeks."

They sat in silence for a bit after that, the road outside dark except for the soft orange glow from the streetlights. The bus turned onto the final stretch toward Frankfurt, the familiar skyline faintly visible in the distance.

"So," Koch said after a while, "you're heading to camp tomorrow too, right?"

"Yeah. National team's meeting up at the DFB complex," Lukas replied. "Morning session."

Koch nodded. "Same here. I'll drive there from home. Want me to swing by and pick you up?"

"Sure, that'd be great. Dad's busy tomorrow anyway."

"Alright then," Koch said. "I'll text you when I'm leaving. Around nine-ish."

"Cool," Lukas said, smiling. "Guess we'll make our grand entrance together."

Koch laughed. "You mean your grand entrance. You're the one everyone wants to see now."

"Yeah, right," Lukas replied, trying not to grin but failing.

The bus slowed a little as they entered Frankfurt. Some of the players were already gathering their bags, and the soft murmur of conversation filled the air again. Lukas leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes for a moment as he thought about what tomorrow would bring — new faces, new expectations, another step forward.

The lights of the city grew brighter through the window. Another game done. Another night on the road home.

* * *

The next morning.

A knock rattled through Lukas's apartment door, dragging him out of a half-dream. He squinted at the clock. 6:03 a.m. He groaned, buried his face in the pillow for a second, then sat up. The knock came again, sharper this time.

He shuffled to the door in his hoodie and joggers, hair still a mess. When he opened it, he blinked at the sight.

Marco stood there, far too awake for that hour, with Carla, his ever-efficient assistant, beside him — both smiling like this was completely normal. Between them sat a large suitcase.

"Good morning, superstar," Marco said casually. "You're up early."

"I wasn't," Lukas muttered, rubbing his eyes. "What's going on?"

Carla rolled the suitcase inside before he could even ask. "We brought your wardrobe for the national camp," she said, already unzipping it.

"My what?" Lukas blinked, half convinced he was still dreaming.

Marco stepped past him and looked around the apartment. "We figured you shouldn't show up dressed like a guy who just crawled out of the training ground."

"I wasn't planning to," Lukas said, though judging by his current hoodie, even he wasn't convinced.

Carla had already started laying out clothes on the bed — one outfit after another, crisp and perfectly folded.

A cream overshirt over beige trousers and white low-tops.

A black turtleneck under a charcoal jacket with subtle metal detailing.

A navy bomber jacket over a white shirt and light jeans that looked effortless but expensive.

Lukas whistled softly. "You sure I'm reporting to the national team and not a fashion show?"

Marco smirked. "There's no reason you can't look good doing both."

Carla smiled without looking up. "That one—" she pointed at the turtleneck and jacket combo "—was inspired by Wisdom Kaye on TikTok."

Lukas tilted his head. "Wait, I think I know that guy."

Carla laughed. "Of course you do. You're on TikTok more than you admit."

He tried on the outfit anyway, and when he stepped out of the bathroom a few minutes later, both of them looked him over like stylists at a shoot.

Marco nodded approvingly. "Now that's the look of a player who belongs with the best."

Lukas looked in the mirror, adjusting the sleeve, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Guess I'll try not to crease it before breakfast."

"Speaking of breakfast, I could use some myself. How about you, Carla?" Marco asked his assistant.

"Oh, no, I'm fine. I packed mine. It's in the car. I'll have it when we get to work," she responded.

"It's alright, go bring it. You can eat here. I'll whip up something quick for us," Marco replied as he took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves while Carla left the apartment to go get her breakfast.

"Had I known reporting for the national team would make you cook for me, I'd have done it way sooner," Lukas said with a grin as he sat down on his couch.

"What do you know? Once you debut for the national team, your value skyrockets. Any talks for transfers or salary negotiations now involve a lot more money. I have to make sure my superstar stays well-fed."

Carla came back in with her breakfast while Marco set up the quick breakfast he had just whipped up with the things Anne and Javi brought a while back, and the trio gathered at the dining table to have breakfast.

"So... how are you getting to the DFB Campus?" Carla asked in between bites of her bread.

"Robin is picking me up in a few hours."

"Oh right, he was called up too, huh? I'm glad. I was worried I'd have to drop you off with my beat-up Volkswagen," Javi responded.

"There's nothing wrong with your car, Marco."

"Yeah, you're just being nice. Oh yes, that reminds me... how about getting you a car and maybe a driver until you get your license? I think it'll be more convenient. Especially in situations like these."

"Do I really need something like that right now? I don't really have a lot of places to go. School and the club are right here. The club bus drives to and from away matches. I can take the Autobahn when I wanna go to Darmstadt or any other place in the country for that matter. I don't really see the need," Lukas responded before taking a sip from his glass of milk.

"Luke... you're turning into a huge star in the country and even in Europe... I don't think you understand just how big you're getting. I don't know if it's a good idea for you to take the train alone. Anything can happen. Let's just get you a car. Nothing fancy. The driver could even give you lessons when you want to learn," Marco gave his counterargument.

Lukas thought for a minute about what Marco had said and gradually found himself agreeing with his agent.

He always tried to cover up his face when using public transportation so he wouldn't be recognized, and sometimes it works... but sometimes he's not so lucky and ends up taking selfies or signing the odd autograph when he's recognized.

Although the experience so far has been nice, there's no guarantee it's gonna stay that way. You never know when you might run into the crazy fan that could end up doing something unimaginable when they recognize a 16-year-old star on his own.

"I guess that won't hurt," he finally responded after contemplation.

"Yeah. So what kind of car do you like? Something flashy?"

"Nah... not really. Something elegant but not flashy. And not too expensive either. Like an Audi A7 Sportback."

"So you already had the car in mind, but you first had to act like you didn't want one, huh?"

"I mean... if I had to pick, I always knew what I'd go for," Lukas said with a smile as he completed his meal and started clearing the table.

"No problem. I will have everything prepared, and I'll inform you."

"Thanks, Marco."

"It's my job. By the way, you remember that meeting with Bayern officials I told you about? I have set up the meeting in Dortmund after the match against Italy," Marco said as he finished his breakfast.

"After the match? Same day? I already have a meeting. My dad and I are meeting with Anne's parents that day."

"Oh really? I didn't know that. Alright then, I will push it back a day. They are eager to meet."

"If you can set up the meeting, then I'll meet them. For how the meeting will go, however, I can't make any promises there."

"A meeting is all they need. Don't worry, you don't have to make any commitments."

"Alright then."

"Also, the Puma shoot has been rescheduled since you were called up for the first team. It will be done a day after the home game against Italy. Don't worry, I've gotten permission from the club. We'll leave for Herzogenaurach right after the game. Since it's close by, I'll see if the people from Bayern can meet us there after your shoot."

"It's really gonna be a long break, isn't it?" Lukas asked, already feeling tired from the amount of things he needed to do in the free time right after the international break.

"Don't think too much about it now. We've gotta go. Make sure you get pictures for your social media taken at the DFB Campus. I know it's gonna be weird at first, but try to get acquainted with the other players as quickly as possible," Marco said as he gathered his things to leave together with Carla.

"I will. Bye."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.