Chapter three! Looks like they're just getting longer haha
Dialogue is such a pain T.T
Again thank you in advance for reading, please review and tell me what you think.
Endless chatter filled the classroom as I looked around to see the same scene that played every Monday morning. Friends were gathered in groups and discussing what they all had done on the weekend, you know, typical Monday stuff. Today's topic though was about how we were getting a new student and everyone was trying to guess if it would be a boy or a girl. Yep, real exciting stuff, not.
I however wasn't all that interested in today's conversations because there was something rather strange happening in the seat next to mine.
'I wonder what happened to make him so quiet'
Shou, who would usually be the loudest out of all of us, was sitting quietly at his desk and looking out the window with a distant look in his face. Maybe it had something to do with soccer? Oh who am I kidding, of course it has something to do with since that was all he seemed to think about these days.
He didn't even seem to hear the teacher coming in and was only startled out of his thoughts when she called out to him. "Oota-kun, class has started already." He instantly sprang up and apologized with a sheepish grin on his face. He could be pretty entertaining sometimes but only sometimes, he was still way too loud.
We both seemed to only then notice that the person standing next to the teacher was none other than Takatou Erika, I managed to hide my surprise better than he did. Erika seemed socked to see him too, luckily she didn't seem to notice me and why would she. We hardly spoke the other day and I was currently hiding the half top of my face behind my bangs and under the hood of my favorite black hoodie.
The two boys in front of us were now asking Shou if she was his girlfriend to which he blushed and profusely denied. But it didn't work because soon most of the class was teasing him.
'Pour Shou'
"SHUT UP!"
Well, Erika's very loud shout got everyone's attention and practically burst our eardrums in the process. Man, that girl has a serious set of pipes. Glad I wasn't at front because I might have lost my hearing if I was.
Erika then went on to introduce herself and explain what her interests were. Which was mostly about how much she loved soccer, even more than food. She needs to get priorities straight, food is way better than soccer.
She also explained that there was nothing going on between her and Shou but I wasn't listening because I still was trying to wrap my head around anything being better than food. Maybe music came in at a close second but food was definitely on the top of my list of things that I enjoyed.
Anyway, she was now seated behind Shou, much to her displeasure, and next to someone I could actually call a friend and that was Saionji Reika. Reika was by far the nicest person I've ever met. She was shy and timid but all together a very kind-hearted and supportive person. Surprising really since she comes from a rather wealthy family. We'd somehow become friends at a business function our families had attended.
The sound of the school bell ringing made me realize that zoned out, again.
'Dammit Yumi, focus!'
"Yumi-chan, do want to come help me show Erika-chan around?"
'Huh?' I really need to start paying attention more. "Sorry what was that Reika-chan?" I finally turned around and moved some hair out of my face.
"Hey! You're that girl from the other day!" Man, look like we got another loud one. "Uh, yeah. Sorry I didn't really introduce myself properly, my name is Shimakage Yumi." She nodded at me in greeting, "And I guess I could come along, got nothing better to do."
As we walked down the hall Reika was pointing out what was where. I mostly stayed quiet. There wasn't much to say really, it was a school building. They kinda looked the same to me.
"It's similar to my old school, so I can remember it all easily," Erika stated looking very happy about the whole situation. 'See what I mean, they all look the same.' Reika looked relieved, "Thank goodness."
"I should be saying that! I'm really lucky to have made nice friends like you and Yumi-chan."Erika looked at the two of us as she said this. Reika looked extremely happy, seeing as both of us didn't really have a lot of friends because Reika was rather shy due to her sheltered lifestyle and I just wasn't the best conversationalist, to say the least.
"I'm really happy to be your friend too" Reika's timid voice brought me back to the conversation.
"Really?"
"Yup! Your very cheerful and frank with the guys as well. I'm jealous." Erika blushed, "Well, I'm always surrounded by idiotic boys, so I'm used to it" She scratched her head nervously. 'Wonder what says about you.' I guess it was pretty cool that she was the way she was. Heaven knows I could use some of that frankness. Reika then asked something about soccer, which made Erika stop walking and look away from us with a sheepish expression.
We ended up stopping the tour outside, we were standing under a tree while leaning against it. Erika had explained something about Shou trying to start a new team and how the manager had said that two players couldn't do anything to change the situation. I understood how the anger and frustration she felt. It was rather disgusting, as she put it, for the manager not to encourage Shou in trying to start a new team. Shouldn't a manager be happy about the prospect of having a team to manage?
"Shou-kun's doing his best," Reika said and I may not be a fan of his loudness but I did admire his determination. Great things happen to those who do anything to make it happen instead of just waiting around for something good to happen. Erika looked up at the sky through the tree branches, "I was the ace on my old team," she said with a proud look on her face. "Oh? Wow!" I wasn't as enthused about it as Reika but I was slightly impressed. Only slightly though.
"I've always been really fast, so everyone called me Speed Star." 'What kind of a name is Speed Star?' Erika then seemed to go off on a day dream, most likely a good memory seeing as she had a smile on her face. Reika was obviously impressed and complimented Erika on it but I had to wonder about Erika's mindset. Was she stuck in the past? Was she questioning whether or not to continue playing soccer because there isn't a sixth grade team or because she was afraid she wouldn't get any better?
'Stop trying to analyse her, Yumi. Remember, assuming stuff about people was rude.'
But I couldn't seem to stop myself and narrowed my eyes,"But you can still level up a lot more." Erika looked at me with a stunned expression and to be honest I don't know why I said that. "Uh..sorry." I looked down with a small blush, my bangs covering my face again. She seemed to shake it off, "No, it's okay." 'Great, my mouth ran away from me again.' Reika looked at me sympathetically.
"Ah! Found you!" I was, for once, glad to have Shou yelling and breathed out a sigh. Erika however, did not look too happy. "You were over there? I looked all over!" And now I wish he'd stop yelling, the gratefulness didn't last very long. What can you do?
"What do you want?" Erika asked annoyed by his sudden appearance, Reika was hiding behind the tree slightly and I stayed where I was, no point in moving. "Nothing really!" He replied eagerly and unnecessarily loud.
'Then why are you looking for us, dummy.' Yep, grateful feeling was definitely gone now.
"I called Misaki-san yesterday!" I didn't know who that was, probably a soccer player, but Erika certainly did because she immediately straightened up, "What!?" she exclaimed directly looking at him now.
"And she asked whether we want to go watch the New Tokyo Rosa's practice." Erika gasped with her eyes now wide.
"NO WAY!" Shou, Reika and I desperately covered out ears.
"You're even louder than he is." I mumbled and Shou nodded in agreement however it all but deterred Erika, who was going on a rant about how Shou had no tact, which he didn't, while she flailed her arms around. It was kinda funny.
"I told her were going. You want me to cancel?" That was the wrong thing to say because she immediately got in his face and loudly stated that they were going. Reika looked pleased at the situation while I on the other hand wished that they would stop shouting so much. Seriously my ears.
"Do you wanna come, Yumi-san?"
'Again with the weird questions.'
"Come to watch the practice with you?" Shou nodded eagerly at me. "Yumi-chan, I didn't know you liked soccer?" Erika looked at me with hopeful eyes. Please no, don't make me come with.
'Quick, think of an excuse!'
"Um...I..uh..."
'And I'm a failure.'
Now it was Saturday morning and guess what I was doing? Sitting on a train with Erika and Shou. That's right, I was forced into coming long, well kind of. I couldn't come up with a good enough excuse not to go, I had no piano lessons and delivering papers finished early enough for me to make it, so Erika and Shou ganged up on me to join them, yay. Note the sarcasm.
'Why me? I don't even play soccer,' sighing heavily I noticed Shou had dozed of and Erika was lost in her thoughts. She looked frustrated at something which got me a little curious but I wasn't about to ask.
They were both ecstatic when we got to the training grounds. 'Yay for them.' They were even admiring the artificial turf. 'Weirdos.'
"You're here!" A woman with brown hair was walking up to us, probably this Misaki person, my suspicion was confirmed when they shouted a greeting back at her.
"And you brought a friend?" She was looking at me, probably wondering what I was doing here seeing as I wasn't wearing any sports gear like Erika and Shou were. "I'm Shimakage Yumi and they dragged me here," I pointed at the culprits. Misaki laughed and told us that they might allow Shou and Erika to play with them which Shou admitted that was what he wanted and Erika scolded him for being tactless again.
Misaki laughed, "Of course. Especially you." Erika looked back at her with confusion on her face. Interesting, now why she say something like that. Did I miss something again? Probably.
We were sitting on a bench next to the field while watching the teams warm up and even I could tell that they were good. I mean this is a national team right, you'd have to at least be good to get here. Erika looked troubled though. Might have something to do with whatever Misaki was implying earlier. My best guess was that she was realizing the difference in her skill level compared to theirs. 'Of course its different, dummy. Just don't let it discourage you. Make it your goal to get where they are.' Maybe I should say something to her.
Right as I was about to, she turned and asked Shou why he had asked to come today. He replied that he just wanted to thank Misaki but she invited him to come instead and he was told to bring Erika along. Erika glanced down looking even more troubled.
'Wait just a minute...then why am I here!'
I didn't get a chance to ask because the practice match had begun. Misaki was now dribbling the ball up the field while looking around. She performed an evasive maneuver before having the ball stolen from her, "A Marseille Roulette." I said softly but I knew they both heard me because Erika frantically replied, "But she's surrounded!"
"No." I glanced at Shou, 'So he saw it then.' A different player had managed to stay open on the side corner of the field and caught the pass Misaki sent her, only to kick the ball in a parallel line towards the goal. A Girasols player looked confident that she would be able to divert the ball but failed to notice that Misaki had come up behind her and head-butted the ball into to the goal. Erika and Shou both cheered while I let out a small smile. Even I have to admit that it was pretty good, for a soccer game.
After the game Misaki came up to us and proceeded to ask Erika what the difference between the teams were. Erika replied, "Their skill," that's not entirely true, "Ball-tapping, speed, accuracy and pinpoint passing," she finished. I'm beginning to get why Misaki asked Shou to bring Erika here.
"I don't think so at all," Misaki, Shou and I stated at the same time. Erika looked at us confused, Misaki glanced at me curiously and Shou smiled at me and nodded for me to continue, "Um..well, the senior team and the youth team have equal passing strengths may be a bit different, but the main difference lies in the confidence."I trailed off quietly while looking down to hide my small blush with my bangs, this felt awkward. Misaki looked pleasantly surprised and smiled at me.
Erika didn't seem to get it, "What do you mean?" I looked at Shou and he took this as his cue to continue, "The Rosas have a wider field of vision." He emphasized with gesturing, "They can see their teammates' movements. So they can tell when the defensive switches are coming. That's the difference, right Yumi-san?"
I only nodded. I really wasn't used to this much talking. If you haven't noticed, I'm fairly quiet.
While Erika contemplated what was just said, Misaki had gone to convince the coach to let Erika and Shou play. She succeeded. She looked at me but I shook my head.
'No way, no how. Absolutely not.'
Erika looked nervous and I understood why, she was doubting her skills, this would definitely teach her something valuable and hopefully she'd figure it out quickly.
"So, I'm guessing you don't play soccer then." I looked up to see Misaki and the coach standing next to me. I was wondering when she was going to ask about my presence, I simply shook my head. She gave me a pointed look, guess I have to elaborate, "Um...well..you see," well that was a lame start.
"I'm not good at sports, like at all. I did try out for many including soccer and I...uh sort of thought that if I knew a lot about it that it might help me and since I have an eidetic memory, remembering stuff isn't all that hard for me but it really didn't help since I have no hand-eye-coordination whatsoever." I glanced down nervously while tugging at the sleeves of my hoodie, "Its alright though because I found my passion for music. Shou-kun knows about my memory and often asks me to watch him practice and give him pointers but I really don't see how it could be helpful because I can't really show hi-" Misaki was giggling a bit and I realized that I was rambling.
'Whoops.'
I was blushing now too, joy. "A-anyway he asked me to come and I didn't have good enough excuse not to, so yeah." That was awkward. She smiled though, "Well you have quite the eye for it though, at least for someone who doesn't play. Its impressive."
"T-t-thank y-you" Why was stuttering?
Anyway back to the match. It started out bad. Like really bad. The Girasols already scored and were leading score wise, Erika looked even more dis-heartened. 'Snap out of it, dummy.' Shou tried to intervene in a pass but missed, 'He tried though, he's doing his best.' At one point Shou used that loud voice of his call out to the players and Erika seemed gain back her determination and confidence. About time too cause I was about to head out there and slap some sense into her myself. The game ended in a tie. 'Good for them but WHY AM I EVEN HERE!' I sighed heavily.
Misaki seemed satisfied with how everything turned out and after some weird boy came over to us and asked Shou if the Furuyas were here because he wanted to play against them, we were back on the train. Shou had fallen asleep and Erika looked like she was reminiscing about how the day turned out. Me? Well I still hadn't found out why I was here in the first place.
"They're the core of the Predators" So she asked about the triplets. Glad I'm not totally lost this time. Score one for Yumi!
"They're also known as the Demon Triplets," might as well add to the conversation for once, Erika looked over to me with disbelief, "Demon Triplets?"
Shou carried on, "They're really good, but their personalities..." he trailed of nervously.
'Yeah they can be a bit off putting'
"They got into a fight with the coach and left the team last winter." Erika adopted a thinking pose after hearing this. 'I don't like where this going.'
"The manager got pissed of and the coach got fired" Shou went on to explain the rest while Erika still had a thoughtful look on her face and started counting her fingers. 'I really hope she's not thinking what I think she is.' I was proven right when she said that they'd only need three more players with the triplets. Shou looked at her and adopted the same thinking pose, 'Here we go.'
"Why am I even here?" I grumbled out as we stood outside the Furuya home. Shou was talking to the intercom and Erika seemed to not have heard me because she was too busy gawking at the house. "They're at the park, it seems." Shou said and I ,at this point, tried to sneak away. I would have been successful too if Erika hadn't grabbed my wrist and started dragging me with her.
"You know this is considered kidnapping?" They blatantly ignored me and that caused me to sigh heavily, again. I was doing it a lot today.
'Why me?'
And there they were, all three brothers, standing in a triangle shape while passing a tennis ball to each other without it ever touching the ground. Pretty impressive if you ask me.
Ryuuji seemed to notice us first, "Yo, isn't that Shou-kun?"
"Hey, long time no see. I have something to tell you three." Shou replied nervously while they just carried on hitting the ball, Erika looked slightly annoyed and I was trying my best to not get noticed. What if they recognized from last week. 'Don't be silly Yumi, they've probably completely forgotten about you.' That thought however was almost immediately shut down.
"Hey, isn't that the little mouse from before too?" Ozou said with a small smirk and the other two threw a glance in my direction. Erika and Shou did the same but said nothing.
'Dammit, they remembered.' From the heat spreading across my face I knew that I was once again blushing but hopefully my bangs hid most of it, hopefully. And what did he mean by little mouse? I wasn't that short, okay maybe I was barely even as tall as Shou but still.
"Can't you tell? We're in the middle of tennis practice." Ryuuji grabbed everyone's attention off of me and I released a breath I didn't know I was holding. That was intense.
"Can't you just hear us out?" Us? There was no us! It was you and Erika, I was kidnapped! I glanced over at Erika and she was starting to look really annoyed, 'Uh oh, this will not end well.'
"Shut up! You're disturbing us!" Ozou spoke harshly, looking thoroughly bothered by our presence. Erika's eyebrow twitched, 'Don't do it, don't do it.' My mental mantra didn't seem to get through to her as she grabbed the ball and kicked it at Ozou while shouting, "What's with that attitude!?"
'And you scolded Shou for being tactless.'
AND...its a cliff-hanger.
Thanks again for reading.
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