Another World's Soccer

Mario and his friends' 4-a-side soccer teams have improved a lot in Mario Strikers Charged Football, and now he's prepared to 'save' the Mushroom Kingdom from Endou and the gang. Or is Bowser just as much as a fun trickster as Kariya and Kogure?

Chapter 1 - Endou's POV

I was looking through photos with Jii-chan. It was then that I realised it - we've been through an awful lot.

The sun was setting over Inazuma Town, and Jii-chan saw the time.

"Alright, Mamoru-chan. I'll see you in the morning, then. Tell me if you want training."

"Hai! Oyasumi, Jii-chan!" I called as I dashed upstairs.

I still kept the Endou Daisuke picture up there, even though he's living with us, because it's inspirational and traditional for me. Jii-chan comments on all the bad things of the picture every time he goes past it, too. He really makes me laugh.

I switch my lights off and close my eyes. I had to get to sleep so that I don't sleep in! Tomorrow needs to have the best made of it, and I need as much time as possible to train.

Surprisingly, I found myself awake early, but I was still feeling tired. The tiniest bit of sun shone through my window, and I shut it, so I could slowly wake up. Must have left it open all night, I thought. And maybe the sun woke me up.

Man, I was thirsty. I stretched and started to wake up properly, when I heard an Italian-accented shout. I jumped and leaned my face to the window.

"FIDEO?!" I screeched.

But it wasn't.

My face turned bright red, or at least it felt like blood was rushing to my face. Why on earth did I think it was going to be a good thing, like Fideo-kun coming to Japan? I'm becoming a little TOO optimistic...

I crept downstairs to see what was happening. If anyone asked, I could say that I needed a drink. Yes, that was a good excuse, because Haha (mother) often asked what I was doing up so early, and happened to do so today, so I bowed and told her everything - everything except the Italian guy incident. She nodded and slightly bowed back, then gave me a pat and went back to the ironing board.

She called to me, mentioning that she heard the guy, but said it was the neighbours before shrugging. Shrugging also, I gulped down some freezing water and filled up a water bottle for training. The guy had stopped shouting, but I was convinced that Haha's theory was wrong. With my true instinct, I went upstairs, had a quick sink wash (I would need a proper shower between training sessions, and a proper furo (bath) at lunch!) and put my out-of-school kit on. As I slipped my FFI-winning gloves on, I held the banister with the left gloved hand and wriggled my fingers in the right.

"Haha! I'll be training outside, just need the grass place! Ittekimasu!"

"Okay, watch out for battle teams and gangs!"

I'd already slammed the door shut.

"Mamoru! Don't slam the door! Shikunatte kudasai!"

"Gomen!" I shouted. "Oh yeah, my soccer ball!" I sweatdropped and went back inside for my soccer ball. When I got back outside and went up the road, I saw the guy. he was wearing a red shirt and a red cap with an 'M' on it, along with blue dungarees and brown shoes.

Quickly, I ran back and shouted, "Jii-chan!"

I'd already embarrassed myself once, so who cares.

Jii-chan coughed and jumped out of bed. "You're up before me?! Where are you? Nani?!" I facepalmed. He was looking out the window and nodded. "He wants to play you, it seems."

The guy fidgeted with his moustache and smirked. I couldn't help but confusedly and annoyedly stare.

"Who ARE you?"