The rolling hills of Austria were painted orange with the sun's paintbrush. Fluffy clouds were splattered against the sky. A strong breeze funneled through the land, creating an hypnotic hum. The long grass flowed with the wind, mimicking ocean waves. The entire earth breathed and sighed alongside a resting Grimmer as he watched Dieter and Tenma practice football together.

Dieter's beaming face was drenched in sweat; his clothes and hair were plastered to his tan skin. Despite his increased height and shoulders, he moved clumsily as if he hasn't grown into his new body.

As Grimmer observed him, a thought dawned in his mind. There was no doubt that Dieter, with his massive grin, was experiencing and expressing true emotions, which could only mean one thing. Tenma had saved him before it was too late. Before Dieter turned into me, Grimmer thought to himself. As the wind chilled his spine, Grimmer stared at his hands which have been stained with blood so many times. His mind began to wonder to unwanted places as it placed Dieter in Grimmer's past. The abuse, the pain, the isolation-

"Grimmer, watch out!"

A football sailed through the air and landed on the top of Grimmer's head.

"Ouch!" Grimmer said as he patted the sore part of his head.

Tenma hobbled and Dieter jogged to Grimmer.

"I'm sorry," panted Tenma while he clutched his knees. "I lost control of the ball."

Grimmer, waving his hand, laughed, "No, no, I should have been paying attention."

"Still . . . my bad."

Tenma collapsed himself next to Grimmer, and put his hands above his head as he gasped for air. Grimmer pulled back Tenma's sweat-soaked hair from his forehead, giving him a grin.

"I think you're doing worse off than me."

With his eyes closed, Tenma laughed breathlessly.

Dieter, picking up the football and rotating it between his hands, mumbled half-heartedly, "We could head back if you two want?"

It was obvious that he still wanted to continue practicing.

Grimmer shook his head and rocked himself to a standing position. He said, "I still have some energy left in me. We can practice for awhile, just you and me."

Dieter's eyes lit up and his freckled cheeks pushed his eyes closed as he smile widely. "Yeah!"

Bouncing the ball on his knee, Dieter headed back to where Tenma and him were practicing with Grimmer in tow.