Author's Note: This fanfic is going to be set in what I call the "dub-verse", meaning it will use elements unique to the English localization of the series, names and all, while establishing it as a separate universe. This will allow me more freedom to establish reinterpretations of the characters and setting without contradicting or otherwise sullying the integrity of the original.

With that said, as an American writing a story based on a European localization of a Japanese game, certain values and themes (cultural references, etc.) may differ. (I hope you can understand all that—it sounds way more convoluted than it needs to be.)

Additional Note: Though technically a prequel, it is recommended you read up to chapter 38 before reading this chapter for full context.

A few weeks before the Saints' Way Regionals...

Ever since Fifth Sector's disbandment, things had not gone well for Riker. Friction between him and Milky Way's captain led to him getting kicked off the team, and unable to keep in touch with any of his Imperial peers, he fell into a deep depression. Having a lot of free time on his hands, he began spending more and more of it at local cafes and eateries, leading to his current predicament.

Janeway and Cylon, two of his former teammates, walk into the cafe and are waiting in line when they catch a glimpse of the purple-haired first-year. Right away, they can tell something is different about him. Cylon is the first to speak up about it. "Are my eyes tricking me, or has he gotten a bit, erm, bigger?"

"I know, isn't he cute?" In contrast to the skunk-haired student's confusion, Janeway's reaction is of pure bliss. "Those round cheeks, those chubby thighs, that soft little tummy of his... It's too much to resist!"

"Jane, not in public, please," Cylon mutters in embarrassment as the line in front of them shrink. "But it's a bit sudden, isn't it? Fifth Sector's been disbanded for a year, but he only got kicked off just a few weeks ago. How could he change so much in so little time?"

"Aw, come now. He isn't that big. He was already a bit pudgy when I saw him in the locker room back in Saints' Way, so I'm not all that surprised." Glancing at Riker again, their eyes make contact, causing the latter to break away, blushing. "But I do pity the poor kid. The disbandment's clearly hit him hard, and he probably has nowhere else to go. Maybe if we convince him to play for us again, he'll feel better."

"That would depend on the captain. My biggest concern is his weight; he can't exactly play midfield in his current state."

"Aw, don't be such a downer! I'm sure he'll get back on his feet in time. Though now that you mention it, you don't really see a lot of chubby midfielders. But there are plenty of bulky defenders." Janeway's mouth forms a catlike grin as a devious plan starts to sprout.

After receiving their orders, they waltz over to Riker's table. "Hey, Zaphy," Janeway greeted in a cheerful, fake Southern Belle accent. "Mind if we join you?" Riker vocally rejects the offer, but they take a seat anyway. "It's been a while. So, how have you been?"

Averting his gaze, Riker mutters, "I've been better."

"Say, me and Cy were talking, and we've noticed that you really must miss football. So we were thinking—"

"My answer is no."

Jane is about to protest, but Cylon steps in. "Listen, this can go about two ways: either you join us, or I'll tell everyone what you did at that Christmas party."

Riker's gold eyes widen, and he clears his throat. "I'm listening."

"We're running a bit short on defenders in our team, so we're looking for new recruits. We assumed that, with your past experience, we can bring you back to the main team. Less hoops to jump through, see?"

The younger boy looks unimpressed. "It's because I'm fat, isn't it? That's why you want me to play defense."

"Yes, that's true," Janeway admitted—a bit too happily, to Cy's chagrin. "But with a bit of extra training, your size won't matter, no matter what position you play."

Cy continues in an attempt at damage control. "Think of it like this. Most players up front are like knights charging through the field. But not many own shields, and of those that do, very few of them know how to wield it properly. By training your defense, you'll be better equipped to handle the front lines."

One long pause later, Riker answers, "Well, that was a stupid metaphor. But you seem to know what you're talking about, so fine."

Jane claps his hands together. "Then it's settled! We'll meet up tomorrow afternoon and start training."

"Wait a minute, nobody invited YOU!"

"Hey, as a forward, I need training just as much as you. Besides, it's always more fun to exercise with a buddy. Tell you what, if you follow through, I'll treat you to whatever you want." He gives a gentle smile—one which barely hid his ulterior motives.

The next few weeks consists of a grueling training schedule created by Cy, its listed activities including: stretching, jogging, pushing and pulling, and weight lifting. He aims to push his students to their limits and cover every area necessary for a good defense. But all the hard work has made Jane's treatment all the more rewarding. When they're not at cafes and restaurants, they would go to a movie together or visit each other's houses. More often than not, food is involved in some way. As time goes on, the results of both of these would show.

"Headbanger!" Jane bashes the ball with his forehead, empowering it with a burst of flame as it shot for the goal.

"Whirlwind Force!" Balancing on his hands, Riker quickly swivels his legs and lower torso around, creating a swirling gust of wind that slows the ball's momentum whilst driving it closer to him. With the ball in his possession, he proceeds to dribble past Jane and pass it to Cylon. "Y'know, I think I could get used to this. Better watch your back, Cy!"

Stopping the ball with one foot, Cy retorts, "Don't get too cocky. You still have a long way to go." He turns his attention to the forward. "Step up your game, Jane! You're slower than molasses."

Janeway, despite his exhaustion, is fired up, and certain as the sun rose from the east, his performance gradually improves. Finally, after many attempts, he finds an opening and scored a goal. After celebrating his small victory, his legs give way, and he falls back on the grass, stomach grumbling.

As he lays there, catching his breath, Cy walks over, rice balls and water bottle in hand. "Here. I think you'll want this." He happily accepts the offering and chows down. "Now that I can see it, you seem a bit, um, rounder than usual." Jane, while nowhere near his size, appears a bit more top-heavy, his face growing rounder as a small pair of breasts begin to poke through his uniform.

Gulping down the last bit of rice ball, Jane's green eyes have an odd glimmer as he replies, "I know. I checked the scale this morning, and I've gained seven pounds since last week alone. I never thought my plan could backfire so gloriously!"

Cy, more outraged than puzzled by his friend's behavior, puts him in a headlock and starts grinding his fist against his temple. "Don't look so cute, this is a real problem! It's one thing to have fat defenders, but we can't have a fat forward on our team."

"What's this about fat forwards?" Cy and Jane look up and see Riker, who happens to just be passing through. In the time they had been together, Cylon noticed a change in both of them. Riker himself has grown quite plump, forming a slight double chin and very prominent hips on top of his growing belly. "Well, I don't know what you're thinking, but if Jane can play as well as he does, it shouldn't matter if he's gotten a bit fat. A good player needs to adapt to changes, isn't that what you said? Then Jane-y here ought to be fine. Though, with that said…" He reaches over to pinch Janeway's cheeks, shouting, "This is all your fault, you spaced-out idiot. Your stupid weirdo tastes is making us both look bad. It'll take forever to lose all this weight."

Cy watches from a distance as his underclassman takes out his frustrations on Janeway. Despite being on the receiving end of the abuse, the peach-haired boy seems to enjoy his predicament. Both of them, once their emotions have been vented out, laugh it off like it was nothing. How did I get involved with these bloody weirdos?