It was just a normal day at school except for something. A certain tealnet was missing from the class.

''Kazemaru's absent today? I must go to see him at his house after school. That means I'll have to cancel practice for today too.'' Endou Mamoru said, the Captain and goalkeeper of the football team of Raimon. The 8 hours of lessons went by as usual and the time of practice came.

''What do you mean Cancel practice?'' Someoka furiously shout at the brown haired goalkeeper.

''I'm sorry! But I want none of our members to lose even one day of practice. You can practice alone if you want to practice so badly! Well I am going to visit Kazemaru who wants to come with me?'' Endou said with an angry expression.

''Me'' Gouenji,Fubuki and Hiroto said at the same time. Endou just stared at Someoka who was just standing at the corner of the room without even caring about his teammate.

''Well we are off. Practice is officially cancelled for today. See you later.'' Endou said waving at his teammates. He closed the door loudly and they began to walk on to Kazemaru's house.

''Endou don't be like that. You know Someoka…'' Hiroto tried to make Endou calm down.

''Yeah I know. But he is just being very selfish!'' He said and just continued walking. ''Kazemaru's house is just next road. I really wonder what's wrong with him he never loses any lesson.''

When they arrived at Kazemaru's house they knocked the door and Kazemaru's mother opened.

''Oh! Welcome are you Ichirouta's friends? Come in! You are welcome to stay as long as you want!''

''Thank you so much!'' They all said and entered.

''Well why he didn't come to school today? Is he okay?'' Gouenji asked.

''I…I don't really know. He woke up with a really bad cough and some fever. But his fever went so high he couldn't even walk straight.'' Kazemaru's mother said and looked down.

''Can we see him?'' Endou asked tilting his head a little.

''Of course. His room's upstairs.''

The four teammates walked up the stairs, knocked Kazemaru's door and entered his room. What they saw shocked them. Kazemaru was laying frail and pale on his bed. They never saw him this frail.

''K…Kazemaru…'' Hiroto whispered…

''H….Hi M..Minn…a'' Kazemaru tried to say. He winced in pain as a sudden outburst of coughs threaten him. He put his hand over his mouth and tried to stop the coughing. The cough didn't seem to stop and the four friends were starting to become worried. Finally after some time it stopped. Kazemaru looked at his hand. Blood! He coughed up blood! He hid his hand under his blankets to make it unnoticeable.

''Are you okay Kazemaru?'' Endou said in panic.

''Yeah I am fine. It is just a common illness.'' He said in a hoarse voice and tried to smile.

''It doesn't seem like a common illness!'' Fubuki said and went close to him sitting on a chair.

''Don't worry! I am okay I tell you! I will soon be better and…'' A pain on his chest stopped him from talking he winced in pain once again and started breathing heavily as he tried to stop the pain, but he couldn't.

''Endou! Let's tell his mother. Fubuki, stay with him.'' Gouenji said to Endou and Hiroto.

''Mrs. Kazemaru!'' The three boys shouted running downstairs.

''What's wrong, Is Ichirouta Alright?'' Kazemaru's mom said worriedly.

''He is breathing pretty heavily. He is in pain and probably the pain is coming from his chest!'' Hiroto said panicked.

''Oh my goodness! Ichirouta!'' His mother said while dropping down everything she was holding and ran up to Kazemaru's room. She entered the room in panic. Kazemaru wasn't in pain now. But as it seemed he had been in much pain. His eyes had tears and he was sweating.

''Ichirouta…Ichirouta can you hear me?'' His mother knelt beside Kazemaru's bed and held his hand.

''Kaa-san*…It hurts…''

''What hurts Ichirouta!?'' She asked with wide eyes.

''My chest…Agh…'' He showed his mother and winced in pain.

''I…I will call a doctor…I don't know what to do…'' She said while she started phoning to the family doctor on her mobile. ''Hello? Shinozaki-sensei*? Please can you come by my house to check on Ichirouta? His condition had gotten worse. Okay. I am waiting for you.'' She got down the stairs leaving the 5 boys alone again.

''Why is he so sick? Will he die?'' Those thoughts were turning around Endou's head like worms. He was really worried about his teal haired friend.