God Of football

Chapter 891: 12am In London. [Dragon Gift: CoolVamp.]

Olivia couldn’t help but smile faintly at Hori’s words.

She looked toward the exit again, her brows knitting.

”It’s almost noon. I told him to let us reschedule if-”

Before she could finish, the sharp sound of a car horn drew their attention.

A black SUV slowed to a stop in front of the terminal entrance.

It wasn’t just any car but the same one from the day before.

Olivia blinked, recognition lighting in her eyes while Hori straightened instantly, her earlier irritation fading into curiosity.

As the duo watched on, the rear door opened.

Izan stepped out first, cap low, sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

He moved around the vehicle and pulled open the opposite door, pausing for a second before a small white fluff of fur hopped down beside him.

Miko’s tail swayed as she landed, her nose twitching at the air before pressing herself right up against Izan’s leg.

Hori froze.

”No way,” she breathed, eyes wide, before breaking into a grin.

”Miko!”

She practically jogged the few steps over, dropping to a crouch as she rubbed the dog’s ears.

Olivia, also a bit shocked, came over, laughing softly as she now dragged her bag, as well as Izan’s and Hori’s bags, off to the side of the curb where the car stood.

A few passersby slowed, phones already out to record the sight of the snowy Samoyed wagging furiously under Hori’s affection.

”You’ve got to be kidding me,” Hori said, still petting Miko as the dog leaned into her hands.

But before long, Miko pulled away, circling once before returning to Izan’s side.

Izan knelt and clipped a leash onto the vest she now wore, brushing her fur down carefully before standing.

Olivia stepped up, one brow raised.

”So this was why you disappeared so early?”

Izan met her gaze, eyes calm over the edge of his mask.

He gave a small nod.

”Yeah. Miranda started the paperwork after we left yesterday. She sped things up once the vets said Miko’s too attached to me to rehome easily. Guess I ticked every box.”

Hori, still crouched near them, tried to keep her stern expression since Izan denied her adopting the dog, but she couldn’t.

Izan only smiled faintly at her inner turmoil before turning toward the driver.

”Thanks, Aaron. For the help, and for the ride.”

Aaron’s face lit up.

”You kidding? Anytime, man. Just call when you’re back in the States, alright?”

”I will.” Izan tugged his cap a little lower and adjusted his mask.

”We’ve got a flight to catch.”

The three turned for the entrance again, Miko padding close to his leg.

Olivia slung her bag over her shoulder and glanced at the dog.

”Wait, how are we even getting her on the plane? They’re strict about that stuff.”

”Don’t worry,” Izan said. ”I sorted it out.”

She gave him a sceptical look but let it go, shaking her head as they entered the terminal.

True to his word, everything went smoothly, from check-in to boarding.

No raised eyebrows, no extra forms, no long delays.

By the time they reached their seats, the first-class cabin hummed with quiet conversation.

Izan settled into the aisle seat while Olivia slid in beside him, buckling up.

Across from them, Hori was already helping Miko get comfortable beside her, a flight attendant showing her how to secure the special harness to the seat.

Olivia watched the scene, a grin tugging at her lips, before she turned back to Izan.

”First class with a dog. You must’ve paid a fortune.”

Izan looked like he wanted to deny it, but just sighed instead.

”Maybe a little.”

”Money,” she said simply, laughing under her breath.

He couldn’t help but laugh too, rubbing the bridge of his nose as the flight attendant passed by to check their belts.

”Seat belts, everyone,” came the captain’s calm voice over the intercom.

”We’ll be departing shortly for London. Expected flight time is just under seven hours.”

Outside the windows, the sun broke through the scattered clouds as the engines rumbled low, steady.

Miko settled against Hori’s leg, her eyes half-closed, and Olivia leaned back with her headphones already around her neck.

Izan glanced once toward the window, then at Miko’s sleeping form, before closing his own eyes.

Once the plane was in the air, Miko turned out to be the quietest passenger in the cabin.

She sat curled beside Hori’s leg, her head resting on her paws, eyes half open but calm.

Even when the plane dipped through patches of turbulence, she barely lifted her head.

Every now and then, Izan would glance across the aisle, expecting some nervous shuffle or a bark, but Miko stayed still.

Hori scratched her behind the ears, whispering things only she could hear, while the dog’s tail gave a lazy flick now and then.

Olivia leaned closer to Izan at one point and muttered, ”She’s better behaved than half the people I’ve flown with.”

He smiled faintly, watching as Miko shifted her head and pressed her nose against Hori’s leg.

”Yeah,” he said quietly, a little surprised himself. ”She’s something.”

The hours slipped by in a blur of quiet conversations, the hum of engines, and soft light from the cabin windows.

When the pilot’s voice came through again, announcing their descent into London, the three exchanged glances that carried both relief and exhaustion.

The wheels touched down with a soft thud as a small ripple of applause came from somewhere in the back, and Miko lifted her head this time, ears twitching but eyes still calm.

”Still good?” Hori asked, glancing down.

Miko just yawned, which drew a laugh from both Olivia and Izan.

By the time they made it off the plane and through the terminal, the clock had slipped past midnight.

London air greeted them with that cool, crisp dampness that clung to coats and hair.

Izan and Olivia handled the luggage, rolling two carts between them, while Hori walked ahead with Miko, the leash wrapped loosely around her wrist.

They reached the arrivals section, and it didn’t take long for familiar faces to appear in the small crowd.

Komi stood beside Miranda near the railing, both of them scanning the flow of passengers until Komi’s eyes caught Hori’s.

Her hand shot up instantly, waving them over.

”Mum!” Hori’s face lit up.

She didn’t even hesitate.

She picked up Miko, though the dog was almost too big for that, and hurried forward, laughing as she threw one arm around her mother’s shoulders.

”I missed you.”

Komi laughed softly, hugging her back.

”Welcome home, sweetheart. We’ve been apart for only a day, but I also miss you too.”

She then turned her attention towards Miko in Hori’s hands before trying to pet the dog, which just licked her hands.

”I had a lot of convincing to do about you,” Komi said as she scratched the chin of the dog.

”Thanks for everything,” Hori said against her shoulder.

”Always,” Komi replied, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter’s face.

Olivia arrived next, dragging a suitcase behind her, her steps slow but content.

”Feels weird being back,” she murmured, setting the handle down.

Miranda smiled from where she stood beside Izan.

”Travel tends to do that.”

She reached for one of Hori’s smaller bags that Izan was carrying, but he shook his head at first.

She just gave him a look and took it anyway, ignoring his quiet protest.

”Let me, you’ve done enough for one day,” she said simply.

They made their way outside together, the group moving at an easy pace through the glass doors toward the parking lot where a black SUV waited.

The night was still and quiet, the streetlights casting long reflections on the wet pavement.

Miranda unlocked the car as they approached, helping Olivia with her suitcase while Izan loaded the rest into the trunk.

Miko hopped in first, curling up right between Hori’s legs, causing Izan to snort at its clingy attitude towards Hori.

”Why, you jealous?” Olivia said, but Izan just rolled his eyes before gesturing for her to get into the car.

” ’He’s become attached to you, ’ they said,” Izan mouthed as he also got into the car, causing Komi and Olivia to laugh.

”Well, I’d say she’s trying to thank the person who fought for her, not the one who tried to abandon her,” Hori said from the front without looking back, causing Izan to look at Komi, who just shook her head at Izan.

Once everyone was settled, the car door shut with a muted click.

Miranda turned in her seat to check that all three were comfortable, then exchanged a knowing look with Komi before facing forward again.

No one said much as they pulled out of the airport.

Hori leaned her head against the glass while Miko was already fast asleep beside her.

Olivia was also half-dozing in the seat ahead, while Izan sat quietly, watching the empty roads unwind before them.

Home wasn’t very far now.