Soccer was awful.
Soccer took the livelihood of her grandfather and the joy of her father.
This mindset had been hammered into Rin her entire life. She'd never given it a second thought. Those who go against her father-those who foolishly play soccer for fun-they deserve no mercy.
She was willing to do anything to get her revenge.
Still...was it really necessary for her to have to watch her former team being taken off the field on stretchers?
No. Don't think like that. They're not, and never were, truly her teammates. Not after their betrayal. Focus on the mission.
Shaking the thoughts out of her head, Rin plastered a smirk onto her face as the victorious Zeus returned to the bench, even as she felt Kidou's gaze on her. She managed to resist the urge to look at him. She was afraid that whatever look he had on his face would make her waver.
That's right. Focus. They betrayed father and her. They deserve no mercy.
Filled with pride over their victory, Rin congratulated her team.
Kageyama Reiji stood in front of Zeus, who had just returned. They, despite their pridefulness, had to fight against looking away. Even with the Aqua of the Gods strengthening them, this man was still terrifying. "Today's match was a success. The formula has proven more than adequate in action."
Rin, standing beside her team, nodded as she listened to her father. "Teikoku was defeated and out of action within minutes," she added.
Kageyama smirked behind his folded hands. "Indeed. Each player is rotting in the hospital."
Rin tensed slightly, her expression unreadable underneath her glasses. "The hospital?"
Red eyes flickered over to study her.
"Yes, of course. Now, our next step will be discussed later. We will crush Raimon next, once and for all. Dismissed." With that, Kageyama Reiji walked off.
Zeus bowed and filed out the door, relaxing and chatting with one another. Rin watched them go with cold eyes. They shouldn't be so carefree.
One stayed, however. Rin turned around to see Aphrodi staring at her with a furrowed brow. She raised an eyebrow. "Can I help you?"
"May I have a word?"
"...Spit it out."
Aphrodi barely clicked his tongue, trying to hide his annoyance. Rin frowned. Ever since he'd been recruited, his arrogance had been growing. Yes, she'd taken advantage of low self esteem when recruiting all of Zeus. Some of their egos, though, had begun to inflate so much that they were being cocky toward her and their Commander. Especially Aphrodi. Unacceptable.
"You didn't seem too happy to hear about Teikoku's condition." He narrowed his eyes. Brat.
Rin chuckled. "Your delusions are as prominent as ever, I see."
"You faltered."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You must not waver, not even a slight bit, in order to be a part of this mission."
Her scowl grew with every word he said, but it was his next statement that made her seeth.
"Are you sure you have what it takes?"
Her eyes narrowed. "How dare you say that to me?" Though her voice was calm, her words still caused Aphrodi's eyes to widen as he took a step back. Good. He needed to learn his place. Rin smirked. She had him now.
"You're so proud of what you've become, but don't forget that it was me who found you. I gave you an opportunity to become more that the pathetic wimp you've been your whole life. And it was Commander who trained you and gave you power. Without us, you would be nothing."
She left him with a hanging jaw and a flicker of what he once was in his eyes as she walked out of the room.