Mending Loneliness
By Bashfulglowfly
Chapter Two – Saturday 11:52 a.m.
Jun Yamamoto jogged to the side of the field, intent on grabbing something to drink.
"Here!" A young girl held out an icy bottle of water.
"Thanks." Muttered Jun as he untwisted the top and downed half the bottle. He eyed the girl before him. He was used to all sorts of girls coming up and hitting on him but this was one of the youngest. She had to be in middle school. Way too young for him.
"Terrific goal. You did an excellent job out there." She grinned up at him, her blond hair blowing in the slight breeze.
He downed the rest of the bottle and tossed it in the recycle bin. "Thanks."
She tilted her head. "Good footwork and timing."
Jun sat down and began retying his shoes. She sat down next to him. "Do you play?" he asked.
The girl laughed depreciatingly and waved a hand. "No. Not unless you want to see the ball bounce off my face four or five times a game. But I really admire Sawa-san." She giggled. "Actually, there are a lot of people that I admire. Too many probably."
Jun grinned. The kid was cute, in a younger sister sort of way.
She looked at him. "How come you didn't celebrate with your teammates? You tied the game."
Jun felt something work down his spine. It was strange but the direct look her blue eyes gave him made him feel uncomfortable. He grabbed another bottle of water. "I don't know."
The girl stared out over the field but he knew that her attention was still on him. "Perhaps it's because they really don't feel like they're your team."
Affronted, Jun spoke, his voice cold. "We've played together for three years now."
The girl shrugged. "I've known my friends for two years now and sometimes I don't always feel like I'm a part of them." She gave him a sideways look. "I'm not very smart and I'm clumsy."
"They don't say that to your face do they?"
The girl shrugged one shoulder. "Sometimes. But I know they mean well. They want me to do my best."
Jun placed his hand on her shoulder. "But they shouldn't belittle you."
The girl shrugged again.
"What's your name?" Jun asked.
"Usagi. And you are Yamamoto-san."
"How'd you…" then he realized that his teammates had called out his name during the course of play.
"Curious. You've known them for three years yet they still call you by your family name."
Jun tensed. "There's nothing wrong with that."
Usagi turned and looked him in the eyes. "But don't you want to be with people who will call you by your name…your REAL name?"
He was lost in that sea of blue that was her eyes. "Yes." He whispered.
He felt her touch him between the eyes. And her whisper in his ear. "Then Dream well, Jadeite."
Author's Note: Sawa-san is Homare Sawa. Captain of the Japanese Women's Football team who won the FIFA World Cup in 2011.
