THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
The Aka Arena

After Zachary departed from Coach Johansen's office, he immediately cleaned himself up and had a simple dinner in the cafeteria. After filling up on smoked salmon, vegetables, and pasta, he headed to the tactics room feeling refreshed, his hunger satisfied.

The pre-match tactical briefing began a few minutes after he arrived. As always, Coach Johansen began to discuss every detail of the game plan for the match against Honefoss BK. He takes his time to explain the smallest things, be it the position of the player, how to take a corner kick, and how to form a 4-3-3 formation on the field.

Coach Johansen remained true to his word and left Zachary out of the starting eleven when he mentioned the line-up. But what cheers Zachary on is that the coach has even put in Mike Jensen and Tobias Mikkelsen— other players who performed very well during training. That implies the coach is indeed rotating his squad to prepare for the upcoming matches.

Zachary left the tactics room at 21:00 with a light heart after the coach's speech. His mood has been lifted while verifying that the coach is only resting him to prepare for the next game rather than any other bias.

After exchanging words with his teammates, he got into his R8 GT and slid out of Lerkendal. He was driving under a blanket of stars towering over Trondheim City, headlights lighting the way ahead. He could feel a strong grip from the new tread of the car on the asphalt. He sped up a little and rushed through the streets like the wind, traveling towards Stjordalsveien, where he had come to call home for the past few months.

As she drove around the corner and joined the path to her apartment building a few minutes later, a feeling of happiness erupted within her. He had already started reaping the benefits of having his own personal means of transportation. The journey back to his apartment which previously took 30-45 minutes by bus— only takes approximately 12 minutes by his new car.

Moments later, Zachary packed his car in front of his apartment building and began to climb the stairs slowly, towards his sixth-floor home. However, in the middle of the road, she meets Kristin, dressed casually in loose trousers, with two plastic trash bags in her hands. He was throwing rubbish out of his apartment.

"You're back very late" he said when he was a few steps away from Zachary. "Personal training?" He investigates, making Zachary smile.

"No" Zachary replied, smiling back at him. "There is a pre-match tactical briefing because we are going to play an away game against Honefoss Ballklubb tomorrow. I rushed here as soon as the meeting was over."

"Oh," said Kristin, putting a garbage bag on the stairs. "I'm sure you'll win against Honefoss. You will even emerge victorious in the next game against Sarpsborg 08. But what worries me is the game against Molde after those two games. Do you feel confident enough to guarantee Rosenborg victory? against them? We need revenge because they knocked us out of Cupen last year."

Zakaria breathed. “If they play in the same way as they have played since the start of the season, then there is no need to fear them. Moreover, we will be in Lerkendal this time. So, they're the ones who should be afraid, not us. ."

"That's great" said Kristin, beaming. "I'll support you in the stands. And before I forget, my grandfather wishes you would visit him. Do you think you can accompany me to his place in Bergen, maybe in early June when there is a break? in season gear?"

"That's impossible" said Zachary, shaking his head. "I'll be back home in DR Congo by then for my vacation. So, we can go see her a little faster or wait until I get back from my vacation. It'll happen at the end of June."

"Then, why don't you go, visit her sooner rather than later" Kristin said. "We can leave on May 21, the day after your match with Molde. We can fly to Bergen and be in his place early in the morning. That way, we can go back to Trondheim when night falls."

"That should be fine, I guess," Zachary said as he nodded. "We usually have a day off after the game. So, I think we can use that time as long as we're back on the same day."

"I won't forget" Zachary recited solemnly. "You are holding my word."

"That's great, then," said Kristin. "But since you have a match tomorrow, let me say good night and leave you to rest. Good luck in your game." He added, starting picking up trash bags from the floor.

"Thank you" Zachary replied, smiling back at him. "Do you need help with that?" He asked, pointing at the plastic bag in his hand.

"Not at all" Kristin replied, her voice firm. "I can handle this myself because the trash can is only a few meters away from the building. You, on the other hand, have to focus on resting and preparing for tomorrow's game. By the way, how did you move to Honefoss? Bus or plane? ?"

"This time we'll get on a plane" Zachary replied. "So, we'll be flying around noon tomorrow."

"Then I'm sure it's time for me to say good night to you" said Kristin, the corner of her lips raised to form a gentle and radiant smile. "I wish you all the best for your match tomorrow. I won't attend, but I'll keep up with the game on TV."

"Thank you" said Zachary, returning his smile. "And good night to you too." He added before walking past him and continued up the stairs to the sixth floor.

A few minutes later, he was safe in his living room. She went through a yoga routine before going to bed before eating a snack and went to bed for the night. Although he was on the bench for the match against Honefoss Ballklubb the following day, he needed an early break. That way, he will be ready if the coach needs him to come in as a substitute.

**** ****

The next day, Zachary travels along with his teammates who have made Coach Johansen's squad to the town of Honefoss in the southern part of Norway. They arrived at Honefoss Airport, Eggemoen, at about three in the afternoon. Without further ado, they boarded the bus and headed to the nearest training ground.

Upon arrival there, they underwent a light session of pre-match fitness training under the guidance of Rolf Aas, a fitness trainer. As always, he is very tight and does not allow players to relax during the session. Whether it's a foot lift, a lunge, or a full sprint—he watches Zachary and his teammates with undivided attention. If any player dared to slack off, he would give him a lecture without cutting his words.

That way, minutes and hours pass quickly—and soon, almost at 6:00 p.m. Zachary and his team-mates ended their light training session before heading to Aka Arena for the match against Honefoss.

**** ****