Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

And so be it, as the group stage went on, the fate went mostly decided.

With Omar Kharbin and his Syria, his team was out after a humiliating 2-3 defeat to Australia, the defending champions of the tournament having won it previously. With a 2-3 defeat, Syria was out, with one draw and two losses. His teammate, Omar Al Somah, had to encourage Kharbin.

"We'll wait for another time …"

"Wait for what? This is the six times and we are still in the same stage! Who explain for it?"

The defeat was pretty drastic, but since Syrian team had no home, they would have been forced to select a temporary base, likely between the UAE, Iran, Oman or Qatar. Of course, due to Syria was still at war, Syrian team had to place themselves here for a moment …

#####

Next day, those two Syrian guys went out. As the Syrians didn't have a home to return, staying back in the UAE had become an option.

They would have a week to make ready before they returned to work for their clubs. Kharbin was playing in Egypt, and Al Somah was in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ahli. That was pretty much, for them, to say.

"Would not bet for that anymore." Omar Kharbin expressed: "We'll never know. When will Syria progress for once?"

"Unless we are invested, and invested with the right way." Al Somah confessed: "We're at the war, we have been very close to World Cup. Cheer, man."

As they were tired, they decided to have some little to talk with someone. Interestingly, for somehow, they got caught with …

"Hey, what're you doing seriously?"

It was a girly voice, but the girl was tough, so they got interested. Soon, Al Somah asked: "Sorry, but what's your name?"

"Ah, I see. My name is Masumi Sera. You're football players, don't you?"

"Yeah … but, how do you know?" Kharbin asked in surprise.

"Detective eyes, misters. You should not underestimate people." Sera smiled: "I'm glad to help."

"Are you really a detective?" Al Somah suspected.

"I think you come there because your team just suffered another trauma and that was hard to overcome for you." Sera guessed: "Your faces, your staminas, all told about."

"Now that's ridiculously true." Al Somah nodded: "Fucked up, but true."

Sera just laughed happily: "C'mon brothers. You just need to be realistic."

Of course, they just needed nothing more to say. Then, they asked Sera for one few seconds: "Do you have other knowledge about us?"

"Nothing more." Sera smiled, only to get interrupted by her friends behind.

"Funny, Sera."

"Oh! Hi Ran and Sonoko!" Sera laughed, seeing how Ran Mori and Sonoko Suzuki in front of her tomboyish face. Ran and Sonoko weren't surprised with the level of friendliness, but seriously?

"Man, Sera, you get too close with those strangers." Ran addressed: "What if they're serial murderers?"

Al Somah and Kharbin got stunned because Ran thought they were killers. But they had to lose a moment.

"Neh. They're just football players, not killers. You know, detective eyes." Sera confirmed.

"By a way, Sera, do you like to go buy something?" Sonoko invited: "We're in the UAE for winter vacation, be happy."

"Cool. I join." Sera laughed with herself also left. She also stated to Al Somah and Kharbin: "By the way, I will go shopping with friends. Please if there is something bad."

Sera was friendly, and quite creepy for two Syrian guys. She had a truly detective sense, but if she knew too much it would be a little fucked up for Omar Al Somah and Omar Kharbin.

Meanwhile, Ran Mori and Sonoko Suzuki chatted, with Masumi Sera to speak about Shinichi Kudou. Much worth chatting, with Ran expressed her suspicion over Sonoko. Masumi was, again, friendly, but always careful like a detective.

Still, Masumi got new friends now …