What if Takeshi never left the Tobita Club? And Kouya never met Jirou, Kuroudu or Kyousuke… would everything change? Would the soul mates still be united?

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Soul Mates

Chapter 1 – Enter Kouya Marino

By: Klyukaizer

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Full name: Kouya Marino

Age: 11 years old

Date of Birth: 23rd April

Trainer: Takeshi Manganji

Gear: Gougetsureishiki

Family: Father – Businessman

Mother – Restaurant Manager/Owner, Chef

Bother (Deceased) – Previous Tobita Team Captain; Asian, European, and World Champion

Crush Gear Biography: Asian Champion for 5 years, South American Champion for 2 years and World Champion for 3 years in a row

"These are impressive information, Takeshi!" A man said as Takeshi rested his head upon the couch. "Thank you, Mr. Tobita!" Takeshi smiled. "You included Yuhya's profile too!" Lilika smiled. "Of course I would!" Takeshi smiled, "The GFA accepted it… they said it was short, but it was what they need!"

"I never thought Kouya would ever come this far!" Mr. Tobita said while smiling as well.

"Well, people never really thought he would make it… He, himself, didn't know it too!" Takeshi sighed as he placed both of his hands together, "It's all in the matter of your determination and spirit!" Takeshi lowered his voice and faced a huge picture on the wall. 'Right, Yuhya?' He thought.

"By the way, Takeshi… don't you have practice with Kouya right now?" Lilika started.

"That's right…" Takeshi looked at his watch, "He said he wanted to get us something…"

"Get us something?" Mr. Tobita repeated.

"Takeshi!!!" Someone called from outside the club. The three of them raised their heads as they recognized that voice. "Takeshi! Lilika! Mr. Tobita! I brought some- OOF!" They heard a loud crash on the front door. Takeshi walked to the front door and opened it…

"Kouya?" Takeshi gasped when he saw the boy sprawled to the floor with sticky sauce all over him. "Eeeeow!!!" Kouya stuck out his tongue, "Yuck! It's so sticky!"

"What the heck are those?" Takeshi asked as he blinked.

"Crab sauce!" Kouya grinned, "I brought some Crab Rolls with me too! I was hoping I would share them with everyone!" Kouya pouted.

"I guess I was just too excited that I knocked them all off!" He laughed. Takeshi looked at the boy as Kouya continued laughing to his carelessness. 'I guess Kouya needs some fun for a while! It's not healthy for a boy his age to be this serious!' Takeshi can't help but smile.

"Don't worry, Kouya! Practice is cancelled today!"

"What!!!" Kouya yelled. "Did I do something wrong, Takeshi??? I- I'm sorry I was such a klutz! I'll clean the mess up! I promise! L- let me go clean myself up!" Kouya panicked. He started to run to the washroom but was held off by Takeshi by the back of his jacket. "No, it's not because of that, Kouya!" Takeshi smiled, "You need a break once in a while… so I'm treating you out!"

"What?" Kouya's smile widened, "Did I hear that right?" Kouya exclaimed, "I'm not so sure if I'm talking to Takeshi Manganji right now!" Kouya circled around the boy on the red jacket. Takeshi whacked his head as Kouya backed away from the pain. "Get cleaned up or I'll change my mind!"

"Yes, sir!" Kouya smiled.

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"Hey, Jirou! Pay attention, will 'ya?" A blue-haired boy bringing a baseball bat in his hand, called to his best friend. "Y- yeah! Sorry about that, Taki!" Jirou replied as he paced his ball. 'What is this feeling? This feeling of uneasiness? It's as if… something's coming! But what?'

Jirou threw the ball hard Taki stroked it hard with the baseball bat. "Oh wow! Look at it go!" Jirou said as he watched the ball get out of the fence. "Don't just stand there, Jirou! Catch it!" Taki laughed.

"Y- yeah!" Jirou stuttered and ran after the ball, Jirou finally caught it and when he stood up. He came face-to-face with the boy whom was giving him this feeling.

"Jirou?" Taki called.

'That boy… who's that boy?'

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"Yes! We're going out to eat some crab! Crab is so yummy! It fills up my tummy!" Kouya chanted along the way as he and Takeshi walked down the streets. "Remind you to give you a Crab stuff toy on your birthday!" Takeshi sighed.

"Oh I will!" Kouya smiled widely. His smile disappeared when he felt a cold rush on his spine, he looked around and saw a boy in a baseball uniform looking straight back at him with a shocked expression. He felt burning hot all over as both of them stared at each other for a moment.

"Jirou!" The chocolate-brown haired boy faced back to the baseball field. Kouya suddenly broke into a run and walked beside Takeshi. "What's up, Kouya?" Takeshi asked. Kouya was still in oblivion and Takeshi was getting worried… "Kouya?" Takeshi waved his hand in front of Kouya's face. Kouya shook his head and blinked for a while and finally returned back to reality.

"Umm… yeah! It's… it's nothing!" Kouya laughed nervously. 'Why does he look so familiar? Jirou… Jirou… that name sounds familiar too!' He thought. 'Where have I heard that name?'

To be continued…