Chapter 14 — Bridge Yard Beats

Vy returned to the training center the next morning, bringing with her an excited spirit and a heart full of love after a meaningful visit to her homeland. As soon as she entered the training ground, she saw Long waiting, a warm smile clearly appearing on his face when he saw her.

“Welcome back,” he said, his eyes sparkling with joy. "This afternoon's tactical meeting will have the participation of the entire coaching staff, including Ms. Tram as an official tactical advisor."

The meeting took place seriously, with a detailed analysis of each potential opponent that the Vy - Long couple could face in the regional Olympic qualifiers. Tram, with her extensive experience in international competition, contributed sharp observations about the strengths and weaknesses of each opponent, especially the number two seeded pair from Thailand that they will likely face in the semi-finals.

"The Thai pair has a comprehensive attacking style of play, but their biggest weakness lies in their defense when constantly pressed on both wings," Tram explained, pointing to detailed analysis videos. "If Vy and Long can maintain equal offensive pressure, not giving them time to rest between shots, their chances of winning will increase significantly."

Coach Kiet nodded in agreement and added a few specific tactical adjustments. "We will spend the rest of the time perfecting this strategy. Long, you need to focus on shortening the defense time, switching to attack faster. Vy, you need to improve your accuracy in hitting the shuttlecock at tight angles."

The following days, the training intensity increased to the maximum level, with exercises that accurately simulated the Thai pair's playing style. Vy and Long spent hours every day perfecting every technical detail, sometimes practicing until they were both exhausted but still kept trying.

"Are you okay?" Long asked during a late night practice session, when he saw that Vy was visibly tired after many hours of continuous practice.

"I'm fine," Vy replied, although her voice was somewhat exhausted. "Just need a little more time to perfect this angle."

"We should rest," Long said, his voice filled with concern. "Overtraining is counterproductive, especially when we have less than two weeks left before departure."

Vy reluctantly agreed, the two sat together on the edge of the field, sharing bottles of water and light stories to dispel stress after a stressful day of training. This has become a familiar habit for both of them — not only teammates and competition partners, but also future life partners who are building a meaningful common journey together.

"Do you think we'll get Olympic tickets?" Vy asked, her voice filled with a bit of worry that rarely showed.

"I'm not 100% sure," Long replied honestly, "but I believe we have prepared as thoroughly as possible. Regardless of the outcome, I am proud of what we have built together."

"Me too," Vy smiled, resting her head on his shoulder in that rare moment of peace. "No matter the outcome, this journey has given me more than I ever dreamed of — not only in terms of career, but also in terms of love and wonderful companions."

The next day, Coach Kiet organized a special training session, inviting a team of sports psychology experts to support the entire team in preparing mentally for the pressure of the upcoming important international tournament. The psychologist, a middle-aged woman with many years of experience working with national teams, led the profound sharing session.

"Pressure is inevitable in top sports," she said, her voice calm but convincing. "But how we face that pressure is decisive. Learn to see pressure as a companion, instead of an enemy that needs to be fought."

Vy listened attentively and took down notes of breathing techniques and positive visualization techniques that the expert instructed to control psychology during the most stressful moments of the match. "I think this visualization technique is really helpful," she shared with Long after the session. "I tried to re-imagine every successful shot in the past, and felt much more confident."

"I feel the same way," Long agreed, nodding. "Especially the deep breathing technique before each important serve. It helps me maintain the necessary calmness."

The last week before leaving, the team switched to a phase of gradually reducing training intensity, focusing on maintaining form and getting adequate rest to ensure the best physical strength when entering the tournament. Coach Kiet also organized a few more light training sessions, more to strengthen the spirit than to practice technique.

During such a light training session, the whole team played a few small entertaining games, alternating between professional exercises, to reduce psychological stress before the departure day. Phong proposed a fun competition game where couples had to coordinate to perform funny tricks according to random requests.

"Vy, Long, your challenge is to play the shuttlecock with only one hand, the other hand must hold each other's hand tightly throughout the entire phase," Phong announced, making the whole team burst into laughter at that ridiculous request.

Vy and Long looked at each other, unable to hide their embarrassment under the teasing eyes of their teammates, but in the end still happily took on the challenge, creating clumsy but laughter-filled plays, helping to completely dispel the tense atmosphere that had accumulated over many weeks of harsh training.

"Tonight is the last evening before we leave," Coach Kiet said after practice ended, looking across the team with deep respect. "I want to tell all of you that, regardless of the results in the qualifying round, I am extremely proud of the efforts and growth you have shown over the past time."

That sincere encouragement made the whole team emotional, creating a solid spiritual motivation before officially entering the most important journey of the whole season.

That evening, after everyone had returned to their rooms to rest, Vy and Long took advantage of their last private time before the trip, sitting together on a familiar stone bench in the yard, where they had witnessed so many important moments in their journey.

"Are you nervous?" Long asked, gently holding her hand.

"Yes," Vy replied, smiling slightly. "But I think, this nervousness is completely different from what I have felt before. It is no longer simple fear, but an excitement mixed with determination."

"I feel the same way," Long said, looking up at the starry night sky. "Perhaps, it's because we are no longer alone in facing pressure. We have each other, the team, and our families always supporting us."

Vy leaned her head on his shoulder, fully enjoying this rare moment of peace before entering the upcoming stressful competition days. "Thank you, for always being my strong support throughout this journey," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.

"Thank you, for giving me the opportunity to experience the feeling of not competing alone, sharing all the joys and sorrows with someone who truly understands," Long replied, gently kissing her hair.

The two sat there for a long time, looking at the last night sky before the trip, their hearts filled with peace and fierce determination, ready to face all the challenges that lay ahead, not only as a couple competing well, but also as two hearts that had found each other in the midst of this arduous but also extremely meaningful journey.

The next morning, the whole group gathered at the airport, their luggage neatly packed, and their spirit ready for the most important trip in many people's careers. Family and friends came to say goodbye, creating a warm, emotional scene in front of the airport security door.

Vy's mother and Nguyen were also present, hugging Vy tightly with pride and hope. "I believe you can do it," she said, her voice choking. "No matter the outcome, I've been proud of you for a long time."

"I will try my best, mom," Vy replied, hugging her mother tightly one last time before having to say goodbye to check in for the plane.

As the plane took off, Vy looked out the small window, watching the city gradually shrink below, filled with determination and hope for the important journey that was waiting ahead, a journey that she knew for sure, she would never have to walk alone again.