Ace Number

I could hear the soft chirping of the birds and feel the sun beamed down onto my face. I hid it sleepily into the covers. Just out of curiosity I check the clock for the time...

"Shit, I'm late!"

Jumping out of bed, I quickly dress myself into my uniform.

"Oh my, Atsuya, you're up early..." My grandma laughed.

"No, we have soccer practice in the morning, I'm late..." Stuffing some plain toast inside my mouth, I ran out of the house.

"I was so worried for him at first, but I'm glad he was able to find nice friends." Grandma sighed.


Instead of going to the school immediately, I ran to the northern ridge. I promised myself to never forget what happened there; never to forget who my family were. So, every morning I visit the place to pay some respects.

"I'm going to get more points than AYATO today!" I screamed to Nii-san. "Well then, I'm off to practice."


"Ah, Fubuki-kun's here."

"Fubuki, you're late!"

"Hmf, I'm sorry, sorry." I grumbled.

Retsuto laughed nervously, "You need to uphold your promise."

"Promise?" I repeated.

Ayato walked up from behind, "If you are late for this practice," she said in a way, I think, to imitate me, "you'll have to run around the school grounds 10x. With a tire tied to you."

"Waah, Hyoga-senpai, you sound exactly like Fubuki-senpai!" Araya, a first-year, giggled.

"It didn't sound anything like me!" I growled. Ayato was a girl, but she looked masculine, her voice was low and she was a half-head taller than me.

"Anyways Atsuya," Retsuto sighed putting a hand on my shoulders, "you're going to be running..."

"Hmf, 10 laps with a tire's too simple for me. Give me two!" I smirked.

"F-Fubuki-san..."

"Let him be..." Ayato sighed, "in the meantime, the rest will start our usual practice menu."

"Yeah!"

Maybe two tires were too much... After about the 6th... 5th? Naw let's say 7th lap, I was regretting it. I tried my best not to show it. By the time I finished only 10 minutes of practice remained.

I looked around and noticed our captain was still missing, "hmf, stupid third years." I wheezed.

"Them skipping practice isn't that new." Ayato mumbled, "They only show up to games and play just cause their older."

"No point worrying about that, we the second years have to pull the team together, right?" Retsuto laughed putting his arms over my and Ayato's shoulder.

I was exhausted and fell over unable to hold Retsuto's weight. Ayato too was dragged down and they both were on top of me.

"Ugh..." I groaned

"Retsuto..." Ayato sighed getting up dusting herself.

Retsuto just laughed. I had to kick him off myself to get up.

"What school were we playing today anyways...?" I asked.

"Sakuyama Middle."

"Isn't that the biggest school in Hokkaido?"

"Exciting isn't it?" Ayato grinned.

I sneered back, "oh yeah!"

School went by really fast and the time of the match was coming close. I put on my uniform with the number 6 on it. The third years got the ace numbers and such, even though they obviously can't play soccer.

"Hey, hey, Atsuya-chan~"

The third years started to walk into the clubroom. They reeked.

"Girl's absolutely love guys who play sports." One of them laughed, "Who cares about practicing? It's just a waste of time."

Another chuckled along with the first, "Yeah! Its just ball kicking!"

Before I could say something, Retsuto dragged me outside. "Don't you dare start a fight with the senpais like last time. We almost had to forfeit the match last time, remember?"

I growled back, "those guys made fun of soccer, they don't have the right to wear the ace number or captain's band!"

"There's nothing we can do, Atsuya." Ayato walked up. "Just play your soccer."

"I've had enough. I'm going change this; I'm going to change Hakuren's soccer!" I vowed.

"Sure..." The two said in a doubtful tone.

"I'm serious guys!" I yelled.

The two contined to laugh and started to make their way towards the field where the game was going to be held at.

"Argh..." I growled while I followed them.

"So us three seniors, will take the three top, okay?"

"You guys can't even shoot..." I mumbled to myself.

"Have something to say, Atsuya-chan?" He seemed to have heard me.

"I'll show guys during the game." I sneered which angered him just like I wanted. He grabbed me by my uniform collar.

"Don't talk big, shorty." He spat, literally.

"This is soccer," i said grabbing his arm, "prove your better than me with it. I bet you won't be able to even touch the ball!"

"You...!" he growled throwing me to the ground.

"S-stop fighting you two..." Our supervisor stammered.

"Atsuya, what are you thinking?" Retsuto snapped.

I ignored him. Standing up, I took my position as midfielder. Next to me was Retsuto and Ayato.

The referee blew the whistle and the game began. The other team's forward easily got passed the third years. However, passed me? Not a chance!

I swiped the ball from his possession and dribbled the ball up. I quickly forced my way past their midfielders and defenders. It was only me and the keeper.

"Eternal Blizzard!"

"Lead point already!?" The members of the other team gasped.

"The rumoured Fubuki of the Blizzard must be him!"

"Is it even possible to stop that shoot?" The crowd broke out into murmurs.

"Yeah!" I screamed. "I'll keep getting them points!"

"Cocky as usual..." Ayato sighed, "I won't lose!"

She was the one to steal the ball next. Unlike my rough play, she swerves swiftly around the other team's players.

"Northern Fox!" The ball zigged into the net.

"Is that the Prince of the Arctic Wind, Hyoga Ayato!?" Murmurs from the crowd were heard.

"Tch, I won't lose to you!" I challenged.

Like usual, our team beat the other with ease. I also scored more goals than Ayato.

The seniors were not impressed at all though. It was truely amusing to see their faces.

"So, get any girls, Sen-pai?" I mocked and he charged at me. "Want to fight?" I smirked.

"Tch, whatever... We're done with stupid ball playing." He growled and started to walk away with the rest of the third years.

I couldn't let them get away with that. "It's not ball playing; it's soccer!"

I wound up for a punch, but someone grabbed my arm. "That's enough, Atsuya..." It was Ayato.

"Fine..." I growled pulling my arm away.

Retsuto clapped his hands to brighten up the mood, "Say, let's go for some ramen! To celebrate this win."

It was chilly, being autumn, and I like that idea so I agreed. "Hey Ayato, since I won, you have to by me a bowl."

"That wasn't in the deal."

"Huh? That doesn't matter."

"You wouldn't have bought it for me if I won."

"Not true!"

"Actually, she has a point, Atsuya..." Retsuto laughed.

"Argh, then last one to the ramen shop pays for all!" I yelled and started running.

Ayato ran too, "I like that idea."

"Hey, that's completely unfair!" Retsuto stammered.

It was few months after this, that my life underwent another big change. The day I met, Endou Mamoru...