Chapter 220: Pirlo x Fino (IF) Line
[Warning: This is an alternate timeline of Pirlo x Fino. Enter at your own risk if you don't like this kind of storyline!]
[Premise: If Fino had transferred from AC Milan to Manchester United in the summer of 2009 and had not become a couple with Alonso.]
On the evening of May 14, 2011, the 37th round of Serie A match between AC Milan and Cagliari kicked off at the San Siro Stadium.
This is Milan's last home game of the season. Milan has already secured the Serie A title and will hold an awards ceremony after this match.
Fino appeared in the stands at San Siro, wearing a hooded casual jacket with the hood pulled up.
Clearly, he didn't want to be seen by the cameras. He just wanted to watch the game quietly and leave without a trace. After all, the Premier League season wasn't over yet, and Manchester United had a Premier League match today; he shouldn't have been there.
He came for Pirlo, who will leave AC Milan at the end of this season, and Fino wanted to witness Pirlo's farewell match at the San Siro.
Fino was in a bit of a predicament when he asked Ferguson for leave. There were strong rumors that Pirlo would transfer to Juventus on a free transfer after the season, but there was no official news at the time. Fino couldn't tell Ferguson directly, so he could only say that he needed to go back to Italy.
Ferguson readily agreed. He knew that Fino was a steady and sensible boy, and he wouldn't ask for leave unless there was a real emergency. At this point, Manchester United had already won the Premier League title, and he was willing to help him.
Fino did not tell his friends in Milan that he would be there, including Pirlo. The only person who knew he was coming to San Siro was his assistant, Julia.
Milan players appeared today wearing next season's new jerseys. Fino couldn't help but complain that the jerseys were ugly. In his personal opinion, this was definitely the ugliest home jersey Milan had ever made in the 21st century. The design was a return to the classic thin stripes of the last century. Fino preferred wide stripes, which looked more elegant and sophisticated.
Pirlo is not doing well under Allegri. He did not start in this game. After the score was 3-1 in the first half and the fans chanted Pirlo's name, Allegri arranged for him to come on as a substitute in the second half.
When Pirlo came on, Fino and the other fans in the stands applauded him.
Fino noticed that Pirlo was wearing a thin black headband on his forehead, which was unusual, as Pirlo, despite having relatively long hair, didn't particularly like wearing headbands.
The match ended with a score of 4-1, with Milan securing a victory at home.
As all the fans stood up, applauding and cheering while waiting for the awards ceremony to begin, Fino got up to leave.
This abrupt action drew the attention of the surrounding fans, and many of them looked over at him.
Fino lowered his head slightly and squeezed out of the crowd, but the fans were so excited that one of them, who was waving a cheering scarf, accidentally knocked Fino's hat off.
Fino quickly pulled his hat up again, but some sharp-eyed fans had already spotted him and screamed, "It's Cabrini! Fino Cabrini is back!"
The surrounding fans immediately stirred, searching for Fino. While the podium was being set up, the cameras, which had been scanning the stands to capture the fans' reactions, immediately panned over upon noticing the commotion, and Fino's face quickly appeared on the large screen, eliciting gasps from the entire stadium.
As fans began to surge toward Fino, security personnel quickly stepped forward and rescued him. Fino then followed the security personnel into the players' tunnel.
The Milan players on the sidelines also saw the footage on the big screen, and Pirlo, Nesta, and Ambrosini immediately rushed into the players' tunnel.
"Fino, did you come to see us win the championship?" Nesta picked Fino up.
Fino smiled, patted his hair, and then patted his shoulder, signaling him to put himself down.
After greeting the other friends, Fino walked up to Pirlo and gave him a tight hug.
"Andrea, do you remember what I said? There are many Ballon d'Or winners, but there's only one Pirlo. Your greatness is undeniable, and I look forward to you creating miracles again!"
Pirlo buried his face in Fino's neck; he understood Fino's purpose. At the end of the season, with Manchester United preparing for the Champions League final, Fino resolutely returned to Milan to see him off.
By this time, the staff were already urging them to go out for the awards ceremony. Pirlo didn't have time to say more to Fino. He squeezed Fino's hand and said urgently, "Fino, stay at my house tonight. I have something to tell you. You know where the key is."
Fino hesitated for a moment; he had originally planned to return to Manchester that very night, but he nodded nonetheless.
Even though Pirlo had left early, it was already late at night when he returned home after the awards ceremony and celebrations. Fino was leaning against the sofa waiting for him, half asleep, with news of Milan's victory on TV.
The scene was so heartwarming that it was hard for Pirlo not to let his imagination run wild. Even though he had made up his mind to say goodbye to his doomed unrequited love on the night he left San Siro, his mind involuntarily began to fabricate stories about his lover and family, with Fino as the other protagonist in these stories.
This is terrible, Pirlo thought to himself with a wry smile.
Even though Fino has been gone from Milan for two years, his appeal to me has only increased, especially since Fino came here tonight specifically to watch my farewell match at the San Siro.
He came quietly without informing anyone, and he planned to leave quietly as well. If the fans hadn't discovered him, he would never have known that Fino had been to the San Siro that night.
Fino never actively promoted their friendship, but he proved his place in Fino's heart through his actions. How could Pirlo not be moved?
Fino wasn't in a deep sleep; he was just drowsy with his eyes closed. When he heard Pirlo approaching, he quickly opened his eyes and stood up.
“You’re back!” Fino’s voice was somewhat muffled.
Pirlo went up to him, hugged him, and kissed his cheek: "Why don't you go to sleep first? I haven't touched your room."
“I’ve been waiting for you! I was planning to quietly witness your farewell match at San Siro and then fly back to Manchester overnight, but Sir only gave me two days off. But you said you had something to say to me, so I had to rebook my 10 a.m. flight tomorrow.” Fino rubbed his eyes, his tone tinged with a slightly affectionate complaint, “Couldn’t you have said it over the phone?”
Pirlo patted his hair and coaxed him softly, "Then go wash your face, clear your head, and let's have a chat, okay?"
Fino nodded.
Fino had no idea what Pirlo wanted to say; they just chatted casually. He noticed Pirlo was in a bad mood and assumed it was because Pirlo had to leave Milan. He had been through that phase two years ago and knew how agonizing it was.
So he skipped over transfers and started talking about the past: their trip to the South together, shooting commercials together, strolling through Chinatown together, visiting Lake Como together, and their experiences with the club and the national team.
These memories were so beautiful that they made Pirlo's heart ache even more.
He lacked the courage to take a step forward, yet he was unwilling to back down. Perhaps he should have let go when he was filming the duo advertisement, when he personally rationalized those ambiguous feelings for Fino. But how could he bear to!
After a moment of contemplation, Pirlo seemed to have finally made up his mind. He took a thin black ribbon from his pocket and handed it to Fino.
“Phineas, this is the hairband you left here. It should be returned to its rightful owner.”
Fino was somewhat stunned. This headband was indeed the style he usually wore, but he couldn't remember when he had ended up with Pirlo.
“Three and a half years ago, when we returned to training after the winter break,” Pirlo reminded him.
It was the first day back to the team after the winter break in the 2007/08 season. During a break in training, the players were sitting on the grass chatting and sunbathing.
Fino rested his head on his lap with his eyes closed. He untied Fino's hair ribbon and started braiding Fino's hair. Fino just wanted to enjoy the rare winter sunshine in Milan. Under his persistent harassment, he finally rolled over to Nesta's side impatiently, and the hair ribbon fell to him.
He secretly kept the hairband and only took it out to look at it occasionally.
After taking it, Fino examined it carefully for a while, and then he remembered.
At that time, he was preoccupied with Inzaghi and didn't really take this little matter to heart.
Time has passed, and those things related to Inzaghi are long gone. Fino doesn't care about them; instead, he thinks of something else.
"Why do you suddenly want to wear a headband today? Don't you dislike wearing them?"
“Hmm…” Pirlo hesitated for a moment, but still told the truth, “It may sound a bit naive and wishful thinking, but you left so suddenly two years ago, without even a chance to say goodbye at San Siro, so I think you might have some regrets. If I wear your headband on the field, it will be as if we are saying goodbye to San Siro and Milan together.”
"It's also a farewell to this hopeless relationship of mine," Pirlo added in his mind.
Fino was stunned.
He hadn't expected that Pirlo knew about the regret he'd never told anyone, and that two years later, when Pirlo himself left San Siro, he would take a previously unknown step to make amends. If he hadn't stayed tonight and asked that question, he would never have known Pirlo's true feelings.
“Thank you, Andrea, thank you for everything you’ve done for me.” Fino hugged him, deeply moved.
“I also want to thank you, Finney, thank you for coming to see me off tonight.” Pirlo hugged him back, closed his eyes, and said, “When I saw you on the stadium screen, I was really happy. I think I have no regrets. There are some things that should be let go.”
Pirlo hugged Fino tightly, as if trying to embed him into his chest. He said he had no regrets, but his tone was full of regret. He tried to convince himself to let go, but he couldn't let go at all.
Fino sensed something was off. Pirlo's tone sounded like he was saying goodbye, but why? The transfer wouldn't affect their relationship.
He broke free from Pirlo's arms and looked up into Pirlo's eyes.
Pirlo's eyes were a little moist, his gaze filled with sadness and restraint, mixed with pain and struggle.
Fino had never seen Pirlo like this before. Pirlo was silent and gentle, yet also lively and cunning; he was full of artistic flair, yet also brimming with mischievous ideas… He shouldn’t be so lonely and vulnerable.
Fino felt a pang of sympathy for Pirlo in this state.
He anxiously wanted to ask Pirlo what was wrong, but the moment he opened his mouth, many fragments suddenly flashed through his mind. He thought of the sadness in Pirlo's eyes when they filmed the duo advertisement together, the ambiguous feelings that were justified in their daily interactions, and Pirlo's countless times of wanting to say something but holding back...
At that moment, Fino seemed to understand something. Did Pirlo like him? Like a lover.
He had some doubts about the little things between him and Pirlo, but Pirlo himself defined it as just a normal way of getting along, so he naturally assumed that he was just overthinking and being delusional.
What if Pirlo is lying?
This possibility stirred up a storm in Fino's mind.
"Andrea, do you...do you love me?" Fino's voice trembled slightly.
This question immediately threw Pirlo into a panic, but he forced himself to remain calm and said, "Of course I love you, Finney, we all love you."
“No…” Fino shook her head, her mind in turmoil. “You know what I’m going to ask.”
“Finni, I don’t know what you’re asking, but haven’t we always been like this?” Pirlo avoided Fino’s question, his voice trembling slightly.
His crush was a private matter. He didn't want to trouble Fino, didn't want to put her in a difficult or awkward situation, and didn't want to repeat Inzaghi's mistake. He would rather Fino never know and always treat him as a good friend.
Fino knew that sometimes, avoidance was a form of acquiescence, but he was also afraid that this was just his own overthinking and wishful thinking.
He had always loved Pirlo. He didn't know if this love was romantic love, but he knew that Pirlo held a special place in his heart. Whether on the field or in life, they were a perfect match. He loved Pirlo's maturity and composure, as well as his childlike liveliness. Pirlo understood him so well; they could be considered soulmates.
Fino had a premonition that Pirlo was making a very decisive decision; after tonight, he and Pirlo would only ever be good friends. He asked himself honestly, if Pirlo wanted to spend the rest of his life with him, he would, but he didn't know what Pirlo was thinking.
This plunged Fino into chaos.
Despite feeling somewhat awkward about being persistent, Fino mustered his courage and decided to ask one last time. If Pirlo still denied it, he would respect Pirlo's choice.
"Andrea, I'm not good with emotions. I always believe whatever you say. I'll only ask this once, and I'll take everything you say seriously. I won't ask again. Do you...do you love me?"
Seeing the seriousness on Fino's face, Pirlo knew he couldn't hide it any longer. He closed his eyes in anguish, and when he opened them again, he finally resigned himself to his fate and admitted it.
“Phineas, why do you have to know the answer? Knowing will only cause you more trouble. I had already decided to say goodbye to this hopeless relationship tonight. We will be best friends for life.”
Fino remained silent for a long while, then murmured, "Why did you never tell me? You know, I've always liked you."
Pirlo smiled wryly and said, "Finnie, it's precisely because you like me so much that I can't say it! You were too young back then. I couldn't take advantage of your feelings for me when you were still clueless about love, to have you. That would be too despicable, a form of emotional exploitation, and too unfair to you."
So while he couldn't help but get closer to Fino, he also convinced Fino that their ambiguous relationship was just normal interaction, and he personally cut off any possibility between himself and Fino.
Fino stepped forward and kissed away the tears from Pirlo's eyes, gently asking, "Andrea, I'm almost 23 years old, a mature and rational adult. If I say 'I love you' now, do you still want me?"
Pirlo looked at Fino's sincere eyes with trembling eyes and replied in an equally trembling voice, "I want to, I'm going crazy thinking about it!"
“Then you have me now.” Fino kissed his lips.
————————!!————————
Thank you everyone for your support! [Thumbs up]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
