Kazemaru Ichirouta was in no way close to Kino Aki. They were friends, sure, but that was mostly because Kino supported the football team of Raimon, the team Kazemaru happened to be part of. So, yeah, they weren't close.
"Volleyball, eh…?"
Which for sure explained why they were sitting on the bench near the gym, awkwardly trying not to stare at each other while the girl's volleyball team trained after he found the girl training with them.
"Are you thinking of…?"
"No!"
The forcefulness of her answer startled him enough for him to lock eyes with her. It was weird. They weren't close, whatever she did outside helping the football team wasn't his business. But he couldn't help but feel a bit worried. Kino was one of the reasons the team could always go on, with her gentle care and contagious determination, always making sure they'd be able to go on no matter what. The team without her would be like the team without Endou. It'd make no sense, it'd feel like a void opened in the team and nothing would ever fill it.
"I love football and I love the team… But…" With a sigh, she turned to look at the team playing in front of them. "But I also love volley. I feel like flying when I play, and when I'm up there after a jump, hitting the ball, I feel like it's where I should be."
"I understand." The girl looked at him again, and he smiled. "I love football, when I play it feels like the right thing to do, but my days as a runner have a special place in my heart."
He truly could understand. Many times he caught himself wanting to forget everything and just run. Just feel the ache on his legs, the pounding of his heart, the caress of the wind. Without having to worry about kicks or passes, just him and the course. He loved football and everything it gave him, but running would forever be something akin to first love. So, yeah, he could understand how the girl felt. What he couldn't understand, though…
"Why hide it?"
"The others already have a lot to worry about, going to the Football Frontier and all that. I know they'd support me, but right now they can't afford thinking of anything else."
"Does anyone else know?"
"Natsumi does, but that's to be expected."
And they were back to the awkward silence.
Would this be a good time to remind you that Kazemaru Ichirouta and Kino Aki weren't close?
"Please, don't tell them. I'll do it eventually."
Yet, somehow, Kazemaru now held one of Kino's secrets.
Great.
"Kazemaru, are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm good."
"Did something happen between you and Aki?"
Kazemaru may not be close to Kino, but he was close enough to Endou to know the goalie wouldn't let go of the subject easily.
"She scolded me for overworking myself, you know how it is."
"Ah, yeah, better be careful, you don't wanna see her angry!"
He also knew Endou was quite gullible.
Meh, better for him.
The day after he found out their manager's secret was a weird one where Kazemaru couldn't even look at Kino without feeling awkward. He wasn't the best with lying and holding secrets, specially other people's secrets. So, yeah, it was awkward. And Kino didn't help his case, acting like nothing happened in the day before. In the end, all he managed was to look like a weirdo at the eyes of his team.
"Kazemaru?" He jumped a good five inches off the ground before turning to look directly at the cause of his awkwardness. "Can we talk?"
"...Sure."
Taking advantage of the team's short break and the distraction that the girls' onigiris provided, Kino lead him to a more distant part of the court.
"Kazemaru, is my secret bothering you this much?"
"I didn't tell!"
"I know, I know! I'm just worried. You've been out of it ever since…"
Curse her and her selflessness.
"If it's bringing you so much trouble, I can tell them so you don't have to keep it."
Curse her and her selflessness.
"No!" It was her turn to be startled in looking at him. He sighed, blinking slowly and letting the words form properly in his head. "Don't. I'll be fine, I was just surprised, it's all." Her furred brows told him she hadn't stopped worrying. "Let's make of it our secret."
Kazemaru Ichirouta, just shut up.
"Our secret?"
"I'll support you."
Where did that come from?!
"Eh?"
"You're always supporting us in any way you can, I wanna return the favor. So, even though I understand very little of volley, if you need anything, you can ask me."
Ah, so it comes from his own gratitude towards the team's number one supporter. Cool motive, still awkward. But the smile he received made him strangely satisfied, like he did exactly what he should have done. He decided then and there that he really liked Kino Aki's smile. Big and warm, shining with happiness. Made him want to see it more.
"Kazemaru, are you ok?!"
"Stop laughing!"
"I'm sorry!" She wasn't, if the loud laughter coming out of her mouth were anything to go by. "It's just… You're usually so gracious in your feet, being able to speed and dribble with ease, seeing you be so clumsy is funny."
Blush painted the boy's cheek as her comment settled in. Kino would forever be watching team Raimon, no one ever doubted that truth. But it was still embarrassing finding out how much she actually saw. Even more embarrassing knowing he just made a fool of himself. Sure, his thing was football, and while they did jump and such, specially for Special Abilities, football was an earth sport. A grounded sport played on the dirt and grass. Volley, though, volley was different. Volley happened in the skies, as higher as its players needed to go. They had to fly, they had to dominate the air.
Take Kino Aki as an example. She wasn't all that skilled—still better than him, though—but she soared, like a fenix or an angel. Sometimes he had the impression wings actually came out of her back when she jumped. Hand extended, she reached the skies.
"Kazemaru?"
Shaking his head to clear his mind, he accepted the hand offered to him. Even through his frustration, Kazemaru could feel the burning determination melting his insides. He'd learn how to play at least the basics of volley, if only to prove Kino he could be gracious on the air too. Besides, her laughter was nicely welcomed, as it filled him with that giddy feeling of fun with a friend.
Kazemaru Ichirouta was in no way close to Kino Aki. But he could be.
He would be.
"Only Endou would think we'd able to come up with a new technique so suddenly."
"I think you can."
"You believe in us way too much, Kino."
"If I don't believe in you, who will?"
Kazemaru smiled. Again, team Raimon without the girl wouldn't even exist. He looked up, seeing the sky change colors as the night approached. Usually, at that time, he'd be walking home with Endou and Goenji, but now he had a promise to fulfil. A nice girl to help. A friend to pay back. So he sat there, tired out of his mind from both football practice and Kino's training, but oddly satisfied. His muscles were asking for a long rest and his hair for a good wash, but he didn't care as he felt the girl sit besides him on the dirty ground of the park, shoulders brushing with his. He was at peace.
"You and Domon are pretty close, eh?"
"Childhood friends, we grew up together and did so many things together."
"Like me and Endou, then."
"I didn't knew you two were childhood friends. Did he put you in weird situations when you were younger?"
"Are you looking for juicy gossip of our captain, miss manager?"
"Maybe~!" She threw him a cheek smile he reciprocated, finally turning to take a good look at his companion. Ichirouta wouldn't lie, she was very pretty, sitting there with satisfied tiredness. She still had the round face and soft features of a maturing teen, but that only made her endearing. Her short hair got his attention, and he wondered for a second how she'd look with it long.
"I remember he had a very bad aim, so much we had to play as far from the houses as possible or he'd break everyone's windows."
Kino laughed, bringing her knees to her chest.
"He trained so hard to finally be good at aiming that he hurt himself and had to spend days without playing. His mother almost strapped him to the bed so he'd rest."
"That sounds about right! Sometimes I too want to strap him to a chair so he'll rest." They laughed at the idea of their captain restrained in a chair, screaming how he needs to train. "But it's nice to know he's always been determined. I admire how Endou-kun can unashamedly be himself and do what he likes."
"Do you like him?" Ah, yes, ask the girl you are getting close to about her love life. Great idea, Kazemaru.
"I do." Kino admitted, diverting her stare to the darkening sky. "It's not going to happen, though, and I'm ok with it. As long as Endou-kun can smile that big and play with all his heart with our friends, I'll be satisfied."
Well, curse her and her selflessness yet again.
"I admire your selflessness, but I think you shouldn't think like that." Now that he started, might as well finish. "Of all people, I think you're the only one who truly deserves to be selfish from time to time. Don't let go so easily because it seems like it's impossible, even if you fail, at least you tried."
"Kazemaru…" He swallowed, hoping he didn't cross any line. "You should listen to your own advice."
Oh, believe him, he tried.
Sudden warmth on his hand stopped the self-deprecating chuckle building in his throat. He didn't need to look down to guess it was the manager's hand. Kazemaru heard her thank him, but it felt distant as he focused in turning his hand so their palms would touch, fingers slowly intertwining. He did keep in his memory the sweet smile given, one he reciprocated just as softly.
"If we don't have a new technique, then we'll have to make do."
"And he says that so easily." The manager giggled at Kazemaru's whispered words. Usually, she wouldn't walk home with the boys, either rushing home to work on homework and whatever project she'd taken, or training volley somewhere. But Kazemaru invited her and it felt right to go with them.
Kino Aki always did what she felt was right, no exceptions.
And being near her teammates always felt right. Specially with Endou. And, lately, Kazemaru. Endou was a big source of inspiration with his burning soul, like a campfire, warm and bright. Kazemaru was, she found out, a big source of support, like the ground, firm and sure. Aki was so glad she got to meet such person. And even more glad to be able to get close to him.
"Kazemaru," She called, touching his arm softly to bring his attention back form Endou's words, "your food will get cold."
"Ah, yes, thanks."
Aki wasn't the most touchy person around, and it seemed Kazemaru wasn't either, but none of them seemed to mind the other's touch. It was nice to be so comfortable around someone.
"What type of special technique had grandpa and his team? I want to know so much."
"There is a secret manual of the Inazuma Eleven."
"A secret manual?" Kazemaru asked.
"I wonder what it says?" Endou mused.
The manager giggled, waiting for the two boys to finally process what was said. Goenji apparently already understood, as his mouth opened just as wide as his eyes. It took a few seconds, but soon both were rising from their seats and exclaiming their surprise in perfect synchrony. She couldn't resist another giggle, even when Kazemaru looked at her with the corner of his eyes.
Now, more pressing matters: The chef of the restaurant knew of the supposedly "secret" manuals of the Inazuma Eleven, that meant he either was part of the team or he digged around for information. Were she one to bet, she would've bet on the first possibility, for the players of the old super team must had continued their lives.
"You're the grandson of Endou Daisuke!"
In a second, the girl was kneeling on the floor, helping her captain sit up after the cook made him fall with a sudden movement of his ladle. He was unhurt, thankfully, and ready to let his determination to burn some more as a challenge to the old man. She felt her heart skip a beat at his daring smile, smiling herself when it turned into a thankful one as she helped him stand up. While Endou bombarded the poor man with questions upon questions, she returned to her seat, showing her tongue to Kazemaru to answer his cheeky smirk.
Her cheeks burned a little.
"Your hair is so beautiful."
"Thanks."
Kino was really glad she was getting closer to Kazemaru. Being able to play with his hair was a great bonus. She gingerly weaved her fingers through his aquamarine tresses, feeling their softness. His hair truly was beautiful, wavy at the ends and very silky. Her fingers combed it back to his usual ponytail, already mourning having to stop, but he had to train with Goenji and Someoka. Finished the ponytail, he got up from where he was sitting in front of her, and she quickly adjusted his bangs.
"Sorry we can't train today."
"It's fine, the team is more important. Besides, I have a good feeling about this! I'm sure you'll figure it out!"
"Don't say that." She watched as his lips pressed together. "Your training is just as important, ok?"
Aki felt her heart swell with his words, feeling a huge need to hug him tight. Instead, her hand found his and squeezed. Their hands fit nicely together, and it felt nice to link them no matter how calloused and even bruised their hands were thanks to sports. The boy squeezed back, giving her a last smile before letting her go so he could go to his teammates to train. The manager watched him go.
"I saw that~"
"Haruna, no."
"Haruna, yes."
Aki sighed with amusement, walking away from her friend as the blue haired girl made kissing noises in between exclamations of "I ship it!"
"Stop moving!"
"You say that because it's not your arms stinging!"
"Stop being a baby and let me take care of it!"
Someoka and Kino had been on that for some time, and no one had enough courage to interfere. After Goenji and Kabeyama managed to get the hang of their movements (partly), they regrouped to share the success and have their bruises taken care of by the manager before heading home for the night. By the time the three boys meet their captain, Kino had already taken care of Endou and Kabeyama, the giddiness painted all over her face letting clear that they had reached their goal. The other two took the treatment with little complaint, flinching sometimes but mostly just letting the girl do her thing. But Someoka had to be hard headed.
"Sometimes Someoka's stubbornness is impressive," Kabeyama commented, "but sometimes I wonder if he just lost all reason."
"Yeah… He really shouldn't make Aki angry, she can be scary." As theatrical as Endou's shiver was, it actually felt like an appropriate way to show how the team reacted to the simple idea of making the girl angry.
One does not simply anger Kino Aki.
"Kazemaru."
"Yes, Goenji?" Kazemaru turned to his teammate who was resting against the three. Goenji had an analytical look as he stared at the boy. "What is it?"
"You didn't seem too bothered by the bruises on your arms."
Darn it.
"I was a clumsy kid." He shrugged. "There's only so many times a kid can fall before they stop minding it."
Goenji hummed in that way that let very clear he didn't truly believe Ichirouta, but was going to let the subject drop until a later date, which said boy was thankful for because it sounded like an excuse even for him. Kazemaru wasn't the best with lying, as you may remember, but what else could he say? "Oh, I've been helping our cute manager to train volley behind the team's backs because I accidentally saw her soaring while playing with the school's team and that means I have a ball thrown onto my arms everyday"? Yeah, no. That'd not only be weird, but he'd be breaking her trust, and that was the last thing the boy wished.
"There, was it so bad?"
Someoka grumbled some not really nice answer, but Kino was unbothered, laughing softly at the taller boy's red cheeks. She looked at Kazemaru and her smile widened slightly as their eyes met. He gave her a smile he hoped was just as sweet, ignoring the intense stare Goenji was giving him.
"I swear, sometimes I just want to smack him!"
Remember when he said Kino wasn't that skilled in volley? Well, that might be true, but she made up for it with both her incredible jumps and powerful smacks. And he meant powerful. He was lucky he hadn't to be on the receiving end of it, because that ball looked like it could've ripped his arms off.
"Just rushing forwards without thinking!" SMACK "He interrupted the swimming team's training without warning!" SMACK "So what if they were on break?! They'd eventually come back!" SMACK "And in the end I had to almost beg them for forgiveness, it was so embarrassing!" SMACK "We're lucky we weren't kicked out!" SMACK "I'm all for doing anything for football, but that's ridiculous!" SMACK
To say she was upset would be an understatement, she was angry. It was a new side of her Kazemaru hadn't seen before. She was usually happy and peppy, and while she could be intimidating when needed, he had never seen her so… intense. Ichirouta wondered if he was one of the few people who had seen her that way, and if it meant she was comfortable with him enough to show him the full extension of her wrath. He felt oddly flattered.
SMACK
As long as it wasn't directed to him, of course.
"Ok, that's enough, you're going to hurt yourself." Quickly getting the ball so she wouldn't abuse it anymore, he turned to look at her with concern, letting it clear she wouldn't be able to do anything harmful with him there.
"Sorry…" Kino sighed defeatedly, stretching her shoulders.
"Hey, no, it's ok. Everyone gets frustrated and I know how Endou can get." Kazemaru approached her, gently placing a stray of dark hair behind her ear in a burst of courage he had no idea where it came from. "If anything, I'm glad you're taking out on a ball of all things."
When the manager raised her hand, the player made of taking his down, but she only held it to her cheek. Her soft skin was hot and sweaty thanks to her efforts, a weirdly nice contrast with the calloused skin of his hand and coolness of his fingers. She sighed, a deep breath that made her chest rise and fall noticeably, and closed her eyes for a few seconds and leading her cheek entirely on his hand.
"Sorry, I'm not usually very touchy, but… I guess I needed the comfort." Opening her eyes, she let a small yet grateful smile form, lowering their hands but not separating them. "I'm glad we're friends, Kazemaru."
"Back to you, Kino."
They walked home earlier than usual, hands linked as the sun slowly painted the sky's yellow and orange in a goodby letter.
"So, do you think Kabeyama and Goenji are really going to pull it off?"
"You should already know my answer, Kazemaru."
Kazemaru laughed. Kino's resolute trust on the team was truly something like nothing else, unique and impressive. Uniquely impressive, if you will. He looked outside the window of the bus before a sudden thought entered his mind. Turning back to his seatmate, he took out his cellphone out of his pants pocket.
"We should exchange numbers, you know, in case something happens and we can't talk face-to-face."
"You just want a pretty girl's number in your phone."
"That's just a nice bonus."
Seeing her cheeks go red, he thought over what just left his mouth. Oh, God, he literally had just flirted with her. A fierce blush painted his own cheeks as he tried to explain himself, doing a very poor job of it as the only thing coming out of his mouth was gibberish. Kino took pity on him, thankfully, and took his phone from him, quickly adding her number to it before giving it back while giggles escaped her lips. He grabbed it and rapidly turned back to the window, trying to disguise his red face. A look at the new contact in his phone made the task harder.
"Pretty Girl"
"Spies..." Kazemaru sighed. "Life just won't get easier, will it?"
"I think you should feel proud."
"Why?"
"That means people actually think Raimon is a worthy rival, worthy enough for them to worry about going all the way to that camp to get information."
"Looking from that angle, yeah…" Another sigh left him. "But even so, it's bothersome. I also don't think just not training our special techniques is a good way to go about it."
"I think so too. Even if they don't see the techniques, they are analysing the way we play, and that means they might be able to dominate the match. If your basic football is not good, our techniques won't be effective."
"Spoken as a true manager!" They laughed, hands brushing every now and then as they walked home.
"Thanks for walking me home, Kazemaru. I'm sorry volley practice took so long."
"It's ok, I don't mind. Think of it like me repaying all those times you stayed with the team until night."
They smiled affectionately to each other, not daring to notice how their hands slowly came together.
"They say some students disappeared here… Entering these doors and never returning…"
Aki wasn't the best dealing with scary things. In fact, she'd prefer them away from her, thank you very much. So when Megane started talking about how people disappeared after going through doors that supposedly no one ever saw open, she was creeped out. Still had a half mind to not prick Kazemaru's arm wit her nails as she hid behind him.
"Kino, it's just a story."
Just as she was about to answer, the doors opened with a loud noise, as if its hinges were crying in agony. The silhouette of a girl with long hair hiding her face appeared in between the dense darkness of the room. Kino screamed, hiding completely behind the boy, barely registering Haruna hiding behind her. She even felt Kazemaru tense up.
"I see all of you are finally here." It was Natsume, probably taking some enjoyment out of scaring them.
The managers calmed down, Haruna letting go of Aki's waist to go stand by Endou. Aki still took a few more seconds clinging to Kazemaru's shoulders. They were shaking under her hands. With a weak slap to his shoulder blades, she warned him to stop laughing at her. A half-hearted threat, really, for his chuckles were grounding her more then the team's protests.
"Want me to hold your hand as we go in?"
"Shut up."
He kept on chuckling and she eventually let out some of her own laughs before walking away from the boy, standing by Haruna, who looked at her with a knowing smirk.
"You ok, Aki?" A warm hand rested on her shoulder, and she gave the owner of it a reassuring smile.
"Yeah, I'm fine, thank you, Endou-kun."
"If you want to, you can hold my arm, I won't mind." Endou offered his arm to her not differently from the gentlemen on the old movies, and her enamoured heart couldn't resist the offer. Heart singing on her ears, she let her arm rest on his, like she'd seen her mother do to her father many times, looking at him to make sure it was ok. He only smiled at her.
"Thank you, Endou-kun."
"You're welcome!"
A small part of her wondered how Kazemaru would react if she were to do it with him.
"And life gets harder, eh?"
Kazemaru let out a long, suffering sigh. Sitting on the ground of the training room, praying none of his limbs would fall off, he let the manager carefully clean the injures on his face. It had been only the first session of the day, but he already felt as if Death was a welcomed change. Everything hurt and everything screamed for him to just stop and let the dirty ground claim him. He wasn't sure he'd be able to survive the new training, no matter how many times he did it.
"The way things are going, you're going to scar your face."
"Oh, no, my pretty face."
"How did you find out your contact name on my phone?"
They laughed, him with his low chuckles and her with her melodious giggles. He was too tired to worry about sounding like a flirt or not. Eyes closing, the boy let himself feel the soft hands caring for his face, content on focusing in their warmth.
"I want to try training in this room."
"There are easier ways to kill yourself."
"I'm serious." He opened his eyes, watching as she bit her lip. "Some of those machines focuses on speed and resistance. I think it'd be a good idea for me to train here after I tell the team about the whole volley deal."
"... Guess Haruna will have to take care of you too, then." She giggled, clapping her hands as if praying.
"I'm sorry, Haruna!"
Ichirouta decided he needed to survive the training if only to see Kino trying one of the machines.
Remember when Kazemaru commented once or twice that Kino Aki was cute? And pretty? Well, he was a healthy person with functioning eyes. Which meant he could see when someone was attractive. But Kino had gone beyond that and reached a level of cuteness the boy had never witnessed before in his life. And he had been to a Maid Cafe, where "cuteness" was the prerequisite of the girls working there. But, somehow, she managed to look cuter. He wasn't even into maids, but she made it all work, maybe a bit too well.
"You look cute." He really should do something about that bad habit of blurting things to Kino.
"Thank you~!" She then decided that striking a pose and winking was a good idea.
"You're too cute, please stop." Ok, maybe he didn't need to care so much about his habit of blurting things to Kino if it brought up that shining smile of hers.
He just hoped the teams could actually pay attention to the game and not the cute managers. Or the most adorable Kino he'd ever seen.
"I'm worried."
"About?"
"Domon. There's something going on with him and I'm getting really worried."
"Are you sure? He might just be tired."
"No, no, I know him since we were children, I can tell there's something wrong. Something is bothering him, but I can't figure out why. He just… looks like he's carrying something very heavy on his back."
"... Do you think… he's a spy?"
"I… don't want to think that, but he's been acting… like he feels guilty."
"Maybe he did something unrelated to the team and it's weighing down on him? Like, broke his mom's favorite vase or something?"
"I sure hope that's the case… Anyways, Kazemaru, it's late and we have school tomorrow. We can talk more late, after we get some sleep."
"Yes, yes, whatever you say, miss manager."
"Good night, Kazemaru."
"Sleep well, Kino."
Aki stared at her phone for a bit, watching as Kazemaru ended the call. Connecting it to the charger, she tried to push her unpleasant thoughts out of her mind and think of nice things to fall asleep, like aquamarine silky hair and candy stores.
Kazemaru Ichirouta was getting closer and closer to Kino Aki.
Quite literally, as he let his arms bring her to his chest, hugging her trembling body. He understood how she felt, for he felt the same. That teacher had gone to a sickening extreme to ensure their defeat. Cutting the tires of their bus could've done some serious damage. Could've even killed them. They could've died. A bunch of thirteen and fourteen years old could've died because of what? One adult that was supposed to take care and even guide them. The would've lost their lives, their futures.
The team seemed to shake it off quite quickly, but he knew that at night, when they only had the walls of their rooms to witness, they'd breakdown as the gravity of the situation settled in. He was glad he was able to do so with a friend while the Sun was still present.
They didn't train or even talk that evening. Kazemaru sat under a tree and held a distraught girl in his arms, hiding her face on his neck as he tried to forget the nauseating notion. Kino held him just as tightly, kneeling between his legs and circling his torso with her arms. That evening, they appreciated being able to feel each other's warmth.
"Are you ok?" Aki sighed for the hundredth time, looking at the brown eye of her friend the aquamarine hair wasn't hiding.
"It's the fourth time you've asked and it's the fourth time I'm telling you I'm fine."
"It's just… Not only we barely avoided an accident, we found out your childhood best friend was partly responsible for it." She grabbed her clipboard with a bit more force than necessary as the memories of the nightly hours spent crying on her pillow.
"I know, I was really distraught yesterday, but… I'm feeling better. Domon redeemed himself by telling Natsume about the whole thing and coming clean to the team. He's doing his best to make it up to us and I believe in him."
"You believe in everyone."
"You guys have yet to prove me wrong."
"I don't think any of us would really want that." Kazemaru smiled, the concern finally leaving his features. Aki grabbed his hand and squeezed, as if assuring him she was there.
"I'll be fine. I have you and the others by my side, don't I?"
"I forgot… My wallet in the Club Room…"
Kazemaru wanted to laugh as Endou looked helplessly at Kino. He clearly expected something on the lines of "oh, I got it for you and forgot to return" or "I'll pay for it only this time" or any solution for his dilemma, but the aquamarine haired boy knew better. He knew Kino better. So he had to bite his cheek not to laugh when her lips stretched in an innocent looking smile as she assured their captain she locked the Club Room and no one would steal his wallet. With the corner of his eye, he saw Domon also struggle to hold back his laugh.
"I didn't mean it like that, Aki…" Endou sweat dropped. "I guess… You can cancel that order, sir…?"
And that's how most of the football team was thrown out of the restaurant, first their captain, then the others and finally Haruna. Goenji, always the cool guy, ran out quickly to avoid being thrown too. Then the cook turned to Kino and Kazemaru, the girl tensing up. The boy quickly took out his wallet, showing it to the old man as a peace offering.
"I'll pay for me and for her."
"Kazemaru, you don't need to!" Kino protested.
"It's ok, I don't mind." He smiled at her before guiding her to one of the benches. "Go ahead and order something."
It was an agradable outing with his friend, if he ignored the team's complaining on the outside about how unfair it was outside the establishment. Well, not his fault he liked to be prepared. Never leave without money, his mom had drilled on his head. You never know when you have to pay for something or someone.
Thanks, mom.
Aki liked to see Kazemaru playing.
He had a grace not many had, probably thanks to his time racing. He knew when to speed up and when to go back to a simpler trot, and where to put his power at almost every move, rarely wasting too much or using too little. While the others just went all out, with powerful strides to take them to where they should be (usually the other team's side of the field), he managed his energy so he could go where he wanted to be. It was beautiful to watch.
"I'm happy they're all so full of energy."
"Specially Kazemaru, right, Aki?"
"Haruna, please." Her friend only giggled suggestively. "I don't even like him."
"Then who do you like?"
Aki was saved from having to answer the question when Endou started yelling something about Kabeyama not giving up. The girls watched worriedly, banter forgotten, as the boys deflated one by one thanks to the big boy's pessimism. But their captain didn't lose the determination, assuring them they would find someone to take their old teacher's place and go to the next match without having to worry. Of course, Kabeyama was not known to let go of worries so quickly and starting smothering the smaller boys with more defeated words. It was pretty fun to watch and brought the spirits up.
Shame it didn't last much as they spotted Kido lurking around like a shadow. Sincerely, he was starting to look stalkerish. After a few unnerving minutes of watching Endou and Kido talking, the team watched as Kido left and Endou walked back to them, smiling that bright smile of his. The manager felt her heart warm as the boy earnestly told them about their rival's promise to train with them someday.
Count on Endou to put differences aside for the sake of having a fun time playing football.
Kazemaru Ichirouta was in no way close to Domon Asuka.
"You and Aki seem to be really close."
"Not really."
But, somehow, he found himself being interrogated by the taller boy.
"Nope, you don't get to lie, I can see the way you two act."
"We're friends."
"Oh, I can see that."
"Domon, what do you want?"
The boy with cyan hair (what's up with Raimon and weird hair colors? Geez, one would think they were anime protagonists or something) sighed, messing said hair with his hand. He was usually laid back, but at that moment, alone with Kazemaru and preventing him from going to meet Kino, he was tense, clearly wanting something but not being sure how to say it. Ichirouta waited patiently, already thinking on texting Kino after that talk in case it took too long and she went home.
"I…"
"Yes?" He cocked his head to the side, wondering what the whole ordeal was about. "Calm down, Domon, I'm not going to bite your head off."
"I'm just happy… Aki wasn't alone." Domon sighed, smiling fondly. "I worried sometimes, you know? But seeing her with the team, with Endou and with you, it was a relief."
"She's an amazing girl." Kazemaru apparently also had an habit of blurting out things about Kino Aki.
"Yes, yes she is. Thank you, man, for being here for her."
"You should be thanking Endou, he's been her friend for longer than me."
"She's closer to you than him."
Kazemaru blinked once. Twice. Thrice for luck.
"Don't look so surprised, she acts with you the same way she acted with us."
"Us?"
"Me and Ichinose, her other childhood friend." Pain flashed on his eyes before it was pushed away by that seemingly lazy contentment. "Anyways, thanks again."
With that, he left Kazemaru behind with more questions than ever. And a welcomed warmth brought by the knowledge he was closer to Kino than Endou. He had no idea why it existed but, hey, who's he to deny himself some good feelings?
Now to go meet the manager so they could think on ways of finding a coach for the team in case Endou failed to convince that old cook. And grab some food while at it because they'd both be starving for sure.
"Nervous?"
"You have no idea."
"I think I do."
Kino's hand was trembling as she held the fabric of her skirt in her fingers. The train was taking way too long to get there and the whole team was fidgety. Or, maybe, the whole team was fidgety and it made them think the train was taking too long. Whatever was the reason, it seemed like they'd been waiting for an eternity. No matter how much they screamed that they'd do their best, they still were on edge. So, yeah, Kazemaru was nervous, and Kino clearly was too. In hopes of calming her down, he took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. She squeezed his hand weakly, breathing deeply.
"We will win."
"I believe in you."
"Thank you, Aki."
She smiled sweetly at her crush. He didn't really need to thank her, as she would've done that anyways, but it always made her heart skip a few beats when he recognized her efforts. The team couldn't afford to worry about nothing but the final, and their coach paranoia sure wasn't helping, so she had to step up and remind them of their priorities. First and foremost, winning the match. Then they could think of anything else, though Aki doubted they'd be able to think of anything other than the trophy and the match.
She looked at Kazemaru, sending him a small smile as he winked at her.
They'd win alright.
Endou Mamoru was sure of a few things in his life.
He loved football.
His grandfather had loved football just as much.
His team was great.
Kino Aki would always be there for the team.
Someone told him, long time ago, that the goalkeeper was the most important player, for his presence meant the rest of the team could play without having to worry as someone was there protecting them. The goalkeeper was a barrier, protecting the goal and therefore their team from defeat. What most people didn't knew is that the barrier was held up by a hummingbird. Sounded stupid, but it was the truth.
Kino Aki was like a hummingbird, fluttering around from player to player, attentive and sweet. She helped him with founding the team, she helped him keep the team, she just helped him every time he needed, every time he let himself lose hope even for a second. Same thing with the team, they, too, relied on the kind girl like she was their saving grace, and she surely was.
So he wasn't really surprised when he spilled to her the whole situation, what Kageyama had told him about Kido and Haruna and how their match affected the two of them. He felt lost, torn between wanting to win and wanting them to be together. And Aki, the sweet hummingbird who made the team's barrier strong, understood it all without him having to put in words, which was good as he didn't knew exactly how to express the conflict raging inside him.
Seeing the two siblings face each other and hearing how heartbroken both were did nothing to help but at least he wasn't dealing with it alone. That'd be disastrous.
"I mean, I don't want our team to lose, but…"
"Yeah, I know. I want to win too." Endou smiled, taking the girl's hand in his like he'd seen Kazemaru and Domon do before. "Is this ok? I've seen you doing it with Kazemaru and Domon and thought…"
"It's ok." Aki returned the smile, squeezing his hand. "Everyone needs comforting now and then." Her eyes then focused on something behind him. "Endou-kun, look."
Looking back, he saw Coach Hibiki and the Detective talking about Kageyama and his traps. He felt his eyes widen as the memory of Kido walking around carefully checking every nook and cranny came rushing to him. Everything made sense then. The boy gave the manager no warning as he started running.
"Endou-kun?!"
"Traps! Kido was looking for traps Kageyama made for us!"
It took them a few minutes, but soon they were in the middle of the vibrating audience, attently looking out for anything suspicious. Hands still intertwined, they walked carefully. The girl commented on how anyone else wouldn't mind cheating if it'd mean they'd be able to finally be a sibling to their sibling, but Endou quickly reminded her that Kido loved football very much, and loved his sister very much, and because of that he wanted to win without cheating. Mamoru respected his rival very much.
"But will you be able to compete knowing that if they lose, Kido and Haruna might not be together again?"
"In respect of Kido and his efforts, and to be fair like him, I'll give my everything in this match." As he looked down at the field, he squeezed her hand in search of comfort, comfort he received when she stepped closer and made their shoulders touch. They were almost the same height, with him being maybe two inches taller. He took a deep breath before raising their joined hands in a victory pose. "Let's go!"
"Yes, captain!"
His heart pounded.
To say the final match of the Football Frontier was a rollercoaster of emotions would be an absolute and undeniable truth. Before the match was a tense moment, with Raimon's coach being absurdly (yet rightfully) paranoid, and Aki and Endou finding about Haruna and Kidou's situation, and then the screws suddenly falling from the ceiling and almost hurting the boys, only for then the metal beams that said screws held to fall, almost ending Raimon's whole career, and, finally, Kageyama being arrested for trying to kill a group of teenagers.
Then the game had been tense, with Endou almost giving up because of Kido and Haruna, Kido's team getting used to not being controlled by Kageyama, Goenji scolding Endou, the whole team suffering to protect their goal as Endou slowly got his fire back, Domon getting hurt, Endou snapping back to his old self, both teams not giving up, the time ending, the tie and, finally, Goenji, Kabeyama and Endou's new technique, scoring just in the nick of time for them to finally win.
Then Aki thought it wasn't enough and told the whole conspiracy between Kido and Kageyama, and Haruna immediately went to her brother to clean things up, and of course Mamoru and Aki saw it all.
Then, and just then, Raimon was able to receive their deserved trophy.
At least the rollercoaster didn't end in disaster.
Those were the thought running inside Endou's mind as he watched his teammates enter the bus so they could go home and rest, if they even knew what that was anymore. He chuckled to himself, tired but satisfied. Aki smiled at him, also high on the feeling of victory, before turning back to talk to Kazemaru. They'd gotten really close, to the point you could easily find one by find the other. Endou guessed that no matter how much the hummingbird flew around, at some point it'd have to stop and rest.
He watched as they entered the bus together, the girl leaving the boy to go sit with Haruna. Endou quickly made his way to sit besides Kazemaru, sending an apologetic glance at Someoka, who clearly wanted to sit there, probably because Kazemaru knew how to be quiet. Bringing his focus to the defender on his side, the goalkeeper smiled.
"Great game, Kazemaru."
"Same to you, Endou. Though you had me worried for a bit." The boy's mouth formed a cheeky smile, hand waving the apologies he knew his childhood friend would spew.
"So…"
"So?"
"You and Aki are close, eh?"
"First Domon, now you? What's this, 'Interrogate Ichirouta Over Kino' club?" Even with the speech, the defender didn't seem too bothered by the question. "I guess we are close."
"She acts with you the same way she acts with Domon." Kazemaru arched an eyebrow. "Dare I say, she acts even more comfortable with you than him, like nothing can bother her as long as you're nearby."
The other player only hummed, looking back at the window. Some time passed before the team's captain started talking again.
"I own Aki a lot, it's thanks to her I was able to make and keep the team. Of course, everyone does their part, but that's because she's always there."
"Yeah, I feel that way too."
"She's like a hummingbird, fluttering around from flower to flower, from player to player, taking care of us and supporting us. I always know that I can look at the bench and Aki'll be there with her unwavering faith." Smiling bigger, he gave his friend a pat on the shoulder. "Thanks for taking care of her so she can take care of us."
"...You don't need to thank me, I'm mostly repaying her kindness. Besides, to me she's more of a phoenix soaring in the skies."
"What…?"
"Don't worry, you'll understand soon enough."
They'd have a match with the original Inazuma Eleven on Sunday, but Endou couldn't bring himself to even remember that.
Not while he watched Kino Aki fly.
She asked the whole team to go see their school's volleyball team play against another school on Saturday, a practice match to help train the new players, give them a taste of what really is being in the court and going against a rival. No one really understood why she wanted them there, but she asked profusely for their presence. Kazemaru and Natsume joined her pleads, telling the team it was something really important and they absolutely had to be there. Everyone agreed, of course, and when time came for the team to come together to go see what Aki had to show them, the defender was already there.
When they came in, they were expecting nothing in particular, but surely not Aki dressed in the volleyball team uniform, ready to play.
"You knew?" Kazemaru answered the team's question with a proud smile.
"Just watch."
And watch they did as Aki played with burning passion. She clearly had less skills than the other players, but even so she held herself high, improving on each move, adapting at every turn. In her eyes, an intensity they had never before seen. She was completely in her element, as if made for the Sky. Each jump was filled with confidence, each hit was done with maximum power, each block was resolute.
She looked so happy.
"She's smiling…"
No one was sure who exactly said that, no one really cared. Not when the girl shined so brightly. Their hearts raced and their skin itched. Was it what the girl felt when watching them play? The rush of adrenaline, the absolute need to move, to fight, to run after their goals, worries and obstacles mattering not for they were too deep in the emotion to let themself be stopped by anything? Most of them, maybe all of them, knew very little of volley (and pretty much any sport that wasn't football and its variations), but, God, did they want to play. Play with Aki, let her light shine brightly, let her joy sweep them in the euphoric feeling of touching the highest limits.
Aki prepared to jump, and Endou couldn't resist anymore.
"Even higher, Aki!"
He was heard by pretty much everyone, but he didn't care. Not as they all looked at him, not as his whole team smiled at him. He just filled his lungs with more air, screaming again. But, this time, accompanied by all of his friends and even their Coach.
"Even higher, Aki!"
Smiling, she jumped, like a phoenix ascending, the encouragement from her friends propelling her higher and higher, the highest she'd ever reached.
Raimon won that match.