[Football] Top Star Simulator

Blurb:

Gavin Ferguson has a pair of blue eyes like a husky, and he's a bit of a lovable goof, too. He's been obsessed with soccer since he was little.

Unfortunately, he has plenty of enthusiasm and works hard, but he simply doesn't have the talent. His family doesn't expect him to make a fortune playing soccer. They just want him to be able to support himself.

One day, he gets a game called Top Star Simulator.

Unlike ordinary games, any talent points he earns in the game carry over to real life.

Gavin's eyes light up, and he starts grinding away at the game day and night.

First playthrough:

[Help the club get promoted to the Premier League and avoid relegation, going from a substitute to the team's star player]

Second playthrough:

[Transfer to Manchester United, help the team return to the Champions League, earn consecutive MVP awards and Player of the Week honors, and get called up to the England national team]

Third playthrough:

[Join Manchester City and conquer Europe, become a first-choice player for both club and country, and earn a Ballon d'Or nomination]

Meanwhile, Gavin's real-life skills improve by leaps and bounds. Several top clubs come calling, and he gradually catches up with his in-game self.

Soon, Gavin realizes that grinding through the game alone is painfully slow. With bonuses from his teammates' and coaches' favorability, he can double his progress.

So he starts grinding favorability like crazy, working on everyone he meets.

Nth playthrough:

[Gavin finally grinds himself into a complete player, establishing himself as a key player and core member of both his club and national team in the game and in real life. He wins the Champions League and the World Cup with ease, and takes home the Ballon d'Or year after year.]

But before he can enjoy the wonderful life of a superstar, the game bugs out. Every NPC whose favorability he's maxed out starts closing in on him with red-rimmed eyes, and Gavin is so scared he quickly uninstalls the game.

Then...

The worlds seem to merge.

As a bunch of star players rush toward him, shouting about being his best friend or his rival,

Gavin: QwQ

With no other choice,

he drops to his knees and grabs Toni Kroos by the leg.

Strangely, whether in the game or in real life, Gavin can never max out Kroos's favorability.

The Real Madrid midfield maestro folds his arms and looks down at him.

Gavin: Tony, help me!

Kroos, who remembers every playthrough, sneers.