"So if everything went well, why do you have a black eye?" demanded Aoi. Ryotarou growled.

"None of your business, Kaji," he said. Aoi rolled his eyes.

"Well, you went out with my childhood friend, so I have a right to know."

"Aoi has a point, you know," put in Keiichi. Ryotarou suddenly looked uncertain.

"Okay fine. So, a bunch of muggers cornered us at a street. Yumi just looked annoyed. They demanded for our valuables which we refused to give. Then one of them punched me, at the same time Yumi, twisted the arm of the guy who was about to stab her with a knife. After which, she proceeded to beat up every single one of the thugs, and call the police afterward, explaining the whole situation. I felt so useless. The police gave her credit. All I got from them was an ice pack," he explained. Aoi burst out laughing.

"That's my childhood friend for you," he said in between laughs.

"I have to get going, Shouko's waiting for me," Keiichi suddenly said.

"Good luck!" Aoi chirped, and he patted Keiichi's head. Keiichi rolled his eyes, fixed his hair, and left. Sudden silence followed afterward.

"So, um, is she doing anything next week?" Ryotarou asked suddenly.

"Hm? Why are you asking me?" demanded Aoi.

"You are her childhood friend. She should have told you sometime yesterday," replied Ryotarou. Aoi shrugged.

"I dunno."

"Oh." Silence again. Aoi stood up and headed towards the door.

"I better look for her now. She's going to kill me if I keep her waiting too long," he said. Ryotarou grunted in reply.

"You going to soccer practice later?"

"Yep."

"Alright. See you."

"Same."


"Those two are getting close," Aoi thought. A strange feeling washed over him. Was he jealous? No of course not! Yumi's his childhood friend and was like a sister to him. Yet... why was he feeling this way?

"Oi! Aoi! Took you long enough!" Yumi's voice shook him out of his reverie.

"Ah, sorry. I was with Ryotarou."

"Oh."

"I heard about last night." Yumi quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Ah. Just so you know, I'm fine."

"I heard." They walked inside the classroom to their respective seats. Aoi's fangirls gawked at him. Some of them waved. He waved back hesitantly. Aoi saw Yumi look at him at the corner of her eye.

"What?" he asked.

"E-eh? Nothing. It's just that, you're no longer the annoying and sometimes helpless friend I had before," she replied.

"Helpless?"

"Just messing with you." Silence.

"So... how are you and Ryotarou?"

"What? Um, okay? I guess? I still find it strange that he asked me out even though we just met." She shrugged. "Not really interested in him but he's a good guy." Aoi sighed.

"So... I heard you have soccer practice later."

"Where did you here that?"

"I have my ways."

"Right. So, yeah I do. Wanna come?"

"Sure. So I can watch you fail miserably."

"Hey!"

"Just kidding! Sheesh!" Yumi gave him a playful punch on the shoulder to which he grabbed her around the neck and gave her a noogie.

"Alright! Alright! That's enough!" Aoi laughed and let her go. It felt like the old times. Just the two of them as young kids, bickering over silly stuff. They watched the rest of their classmates enter.

"So what was it like after I left?" Yumi asked.

"What was what like?"

"Y'know. The neighborhood. Our house."

"Uh... Different?"

"You don't say." Aoi scratched his head.

"This annoying new family moved into your house. Their son is just, ugh. Violinist who thinks he's so good. Their daughter plays the cello and the piano. She thinks so highly of herself. Never really got to know their name." The bell rang. After that, the teacher entered the classroom and Yumi immediately shifted to her serious student mode. Aoi chuckled.


"Oh great. The female soccer team is training with us today," Aoi groaned. He had changed into his soccer gear and Yumi, not really wanting to stay in a skirt, changed to a combat attire.

"Why are you wearing a combat outfit again?" Aoi had asked.

"Hanging out with my cousin who's in the area after your practice. She's part of the military," she had replied. He tried to ask why she had to wear a combat attire but she evaded the question.

"Kaji! Your here! Who's your friend?" asked this tall, buff guy.

"This is Yumi Tsukino. She's the transfer student. She's just here to watch the practice." Aoi replied.

"Ah, okay."

"I'll go head for the bleachers now," said Yumi. Aoi watched her leave then jogged towards the field where Ryotaro and the other male soccer players were waiting.

"Now... begin your warm-up!" shouted the Coach.


"Oi! Have more direction when you kick!" Coach shouted. They were playing a mixed game where the teams consisted of both girls and boys when one of the females from the other team kicked the ball towards the bleachers... where Yumi was sitting, reading a book. It flew pretty high so nobody was really able to block it. Aoi was about to shout out a warning when Yumi's reflexes suddenly kicked in. She raised on hand and caught the soccer ball without looking up. Then she set the book aside, walked down the bleachers then handed the ball to the coach.

"Hey, do you play soccer? I heard somewhere that the transfer student, you, can play soccer. Is it true?" asked Coach.

"Yeah, sure," replied Yumi.

"What positions?"

"Striker, occasionally mid-fielder."

"Ah, an offensive player. How would you like to join the soccer team?"

"You haven't even seen me play."

"I saw your reflexes. They're really good. Also, your senses seem really sharp."

"Hm... sure. I don't really have much to do."

"Alright! New team for next week! Kaji, Tsukino, Tsuchiura..." Aoi was surprised. Yumi was suddenly added to the female soccer team and next week, she'll be in the same team as him. Yumi looked at him and gave him a small smile which he returned. Soccer's probably going to be more fun.


A/N: Sorry for the late update guys! . This chapter was supposed to be longer but I had to move the other details to the next chapter. Hope you enjoyed though.