The weather was clear. The city streets were lively but not stifling. People were immersed in their own business, wandering between shops, looking at window displays, and moving along the flow of daily life.
Paul and Grace stood in front of a large department store. This wasn't just an ordinary place. With its wide glass windows, internal lighting, and bustling crowds, it caught one's attention even from a distance. People were constantly entering and exiting through the doors.
Grace began walking forward without hesitation. Her steps were energetic, as if she had been waiting to come here for a long time. Paul, however, stayed where he was for a few more seconds. He slowly raised his head and looked at the store, scanning the massive structure with his eyes. The multi-story building, the activity inside, the vast space...
We were only going to buy a football, he thought to himself. His gaze drifted a bit higher. Was it really necessary to come to such a huge store? He furrowed his brows slightly at the thought.
But Grace had already moved ahead. After a while, she turned around and noticed Paul was still standing there. A slight smile formed on her face.
"Brother, why are you just standing there?" She waved her hand lightly. "Come on."
Paul took a short breath, then took a step. He started walking toward the store. "I'm coming..." his voice was calm.
The two of them stepped inside. The moment they entered, the environment changed completely. The outside noises cut off, replaced by the hum inside the store. The lights were bright. The wide area was divided into different shops. There were different products, different colors, and different people everywhere.
Paul paused for a moment and looked around. His eyes looked enchanted. The height of the ceiling, the variety of the shops, the abundance of products... it was all a bit much for him.
"This place is huge!" There was pure excitement in his voice.
Grace smiled slightly. She raised her hand and pointed to a shop further ahead. "Brother, they sell football jerseys over there." She pointed the way. "I assume they have footballs too..."
Paul's eyes drifted in that direction. A spark of curiosity stirred within him. He quickened his pace. "Football jerseys?" His voice was a bit more lively. "Let's hurry, I want to look at all of them."
Grace smiled mischievously behind him. "Look at whatever you want, brother." She clasped her hands behind her back. "I got plenty of money from Mom..."
Paul stopped. He slowly turned his head and looked at Grace. His face held a blank but suspicious expression. "Saying it with that expression shows you're up to something." He narrowed his eyes. "But I won't dwell on it."
Grace rubbed her hands together. "It would be better for you if you didn't." There was a slight air of threat in that sentence.
A strange feeling arose inside Paul. For some reason, she's starting to get scary... But he pushed the thought aside. "Let's go into the shop," he said and headed inside. Grace ran right after him. "Whatever you say, brother."
The atmosphere inside the shop was a bit calmer. This was a more focused place. Football jerseys hanging on the walls, cleats lined up on shelves, and footballs placed on the top shelves... everything was organized.
Paul's eyes immediately drifted to the products, especially the cleats and jerseys. He was drawn to them like a magnet. He slowly began walking toward the jersey section. His steps were almost unconscious, his eyes constantly on the shelves. Footballs were lined up above the jerseys.
But Paul's attention was elsewhere. A jersey. It was red and white. An Arsenal FC jersey. Paul focused on that jersey, his eyes examining the details. The stitching, the fabric, the design...
How much the quality has improved... he thought.
Meanwhile, a shop assistant noticed them. She was a young woman with a kind expression. She began walking toward them and stopped on Paul's left side, smiling slightly.
"Are you an Arsenal fan like me?"
Paul was suddenly startled. He turned his head to his left and looked at the woman. "Unfortunately, no," he said calmly. "The quality just caught my eye."
The woman paused for a moment, raising her eyebrows slightly. "The quality?" She looked at him with surprise. "It's the first time I've seen someone look at the quality of a jersey."
A small panic rose inside Paul. What should I say? He paused for a moment. "Actually, I don't care about the quality." His eyes darted away slightly. "I just got excited seeing how much the jerseys have changed." He put a smile on his face. "Hahaha. Let's just say I pay a little attention to detail."
The woman smiled. "If there's a team you support, I can show you their jerseys as well."
The expression on Paul's face changed. The team I support... That phrase echoed within him. He took on a serious expression. "Yes, there is." His eyes were clear. "I'm a Southampton fan."
The woman was surprised for a moment. "It's really interesting to come across a Southampton fan here." But she quickly composed herself. "We have Southampton jerseys available, but we don't have jerseys for every player." She continued speaking politely. "Still, tell me the name of the player you're a fan of, and I'll try to help."
Paul looked into the woman's eyes for a few seconds. Then he spoke. "I really like the Southampton legend, Grant Evan." His voice was serious. "Do you have his jersey?"
The woman bowed her head slightly. "I'll go check right away." She smiled politely. "I'll keep you waiting for a moment." And she walked away.
Just then, Grace came over and looked at Paul. "Brother, did you come here to buy a football or to look at jerseys?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Paul looked at her. "You're right." He turned his head and shifted his gaze to the footballs. He reached out and picked one up. The moment the ball settled in his hand, he was surprised.
This is what has changed the most, he thought. He squeezed the ball lightly. How light it is. His eyes widened. In my time, they were much heavier.
Grace looked at the ball. "If you like it, let's go."
Paul smiled. "Alright. Whatever my sister says goes."
Grace's face suddenly changed. "Are you making fun of me?"
Paul laughed. Just then... there was movement behind them. The shop assistant had returned, holding a jersey. Paul turned around at that exact moment. His eyes drifted to the jersey. And... the football in his hand dropped to the floor. The sound echoed.
The woman spoke excitedly. "We didn't have Grant Evan's jersey, but the other legend's jersey was in stock." She held the jersey with both hands and held it out toward Paul, smiling.
"I hope you like Steven Fox."
Paul's eyes widened. He froze. He was in total shock. And in that moment... the past had suddenly appeared right in front of him.