The neon glow of Tokyo stretched out beneath them, a dazzling tapestry of light and life.
Leon pressed his face against the plane window, utterly captivated. Byon (Current: 85) and Alex (Current: 81) were equally awestruck, their usual chatter replaced by quiet gasps of wonder.
His mom just smiled, clearly enjoying their reactions.
After a smooth landing and a surprisingly quick trip through customs, they were whisked away to their hotel. It was a towering skyscraper, its lobby a gleaming expanse of marble and glass.
Their rooms were on a high floor, offering breathtaking views of the city.
"Whoa! Look at this place, Leo!" Byon exclaimed, rushing to the window in their shared suite. "This is insane! The beds are huge! And look at that TV!"
Alex, still a little overwhelmed, just nodded, his eyes wide. "It's... it's like a movie!"
Leon's mom, ever practical, was already inspecting the mini-bar. "Well, this is certainly a step up from our old place, isn't it, dear?" she chuckled, giving Leon a proud look.
They spent the first evening just settling in, ordering room service, and soaking in the incredible views. Leon, Byon, and Alex immediately gravitated towards the giant flat-screen TV, Byon having packed his portable gaming console.
"Alright, rematch, Leo!" Byon challenged, setting up FIFA. "This time, no excuses! I'm picking Barcelona, you're Real Madrid. Lamine Yamal versus Mbappé!"
Leon grinned, picking up his controller. "You're on, Byon! But my virtual skills are still unmatched!"
They played for hours, the room filled with the familiar sounds of button mashing, triumphant shouts, and Byon's exasperated groans. Leon, using his 'sight' to predict Byon's virtual moves, still dominated, winning most of the games.
"This is ridiculous!" Byon yelled after Leon scored a particularly cheeky chip with his virtual Jude Bellingham. "Your 'sight' works even in FIFA! It's not fair!"
"Just good tactics, mate," Leon teased, laughing.
They switched to watching Japanese TV, fascinated by the commercials and the local news, even though they couldn't understand a word.
They found a sports channel showing highlights of the upcoming Champions League final, the stadium glowing under the lights, the players looking larger than life.
"Five more days, guys," Leon said, a thrill running through him. "Five more days until the biggest game in club football."
Leon pulled out his phone. "Alright, time for some Facelook content. The fans need to see our Japan adventure!"
He snapped a few photos: one of them all grinning in front of the panoramic city view, another of Byon making a ridiculous face while playing FIFA, and a short video of Alex trying to order room service in broken Japanese, much to their amusement.
He added a caption: "Tokyo vibes with the crew! Champions League final countdown!"
He posted them, and almost immediately, the likes and comments started pouring in. His followers were clearly loving the behind-the-scenes glimpse of their trip.
The next morning, after a delicious hotel breakfast, Leon suggested they explore. "Alright, what's first? Temples? Shibuya Crossing? Or... the pool?"
Byon's eyes lit up. "Pool! Definitely the pool! I need to test out my new swimming trunks!"
Alex, still a bit shy, looked hesitant. "I... I'm not a very good swimmer."
"No worries, Alex," Leon's mom said kindly. "We'll just splash around. It'll be fun."
They headed to the hotel's indoor pool, a stunning oasis of calm with huge glass windows overlooking the city. The water was warm and inviting.
Byon immediately cannonballed into the deep end, sending a huge splash. "WOOHOO! This is the life, Leo!"
Leon chuckled, diving in smoothly. The water felt amazing, a refreshing escape from the constant pressure of football. He swam a few laps, feeling his muscles relax.
His mom, ever graceful, waded into the shallow end, enjoying the warmth. Alex, after some encouragement, slowly lowered himself into the water, clinging to the edge.
"See, Alex? It's not so bad!" Leon called out, swimming over to him. "Just relax. Try to float."
Alex slowly began to gain confidence, splashing around, a shy smile on his face. Leon watched him, his 'Current: 81' slowly rising as he enjoyed the simple pleasure of the water.
Leon felt a deep satisfaction. This trip wasn't just for him; it was for them all, a shared experience of wonder and joy.
They spent hours in the pool, splashing, laughing, and just enjoying each other's company. Byon challenged Leon to a series of ridiculous swimming races, which Leon, with his superior 'Pace' and 'Physicality' (even if his swimming technique wasn't System-enhanced), easily won.
"You're a machine, Leo!" Byon gasped, clinging to the edge of the pool, exhausted. "You win at everything!"
"Just lucky, mate," Leon grinned.
As the afternoon wore on, they headed back to their rooms, feeling refreshed and invigorated.
The Champions League final was just five days away.