~ Chapter Four: The match ~
Amaya's P.O.V.
The two weeks passed by really fast. In the mean time, I practiced a lot on my own soccer skills and I could say that I was a pretty useful forward now. Today was the day of the big match. It was Saturday morning and all the Raimon players were gathering on the soccer field. I had a strange feeling the entire day in my stomach. Today was they day that they were going to find out that I betrayed them. That I was a spy from Teikoku Academy and that I was a manager there. I would probably lose my friendship with them. I probably will be fired and Haruna, Aki and Fubuki will really hate me. Actually, I think they're all going to me. I sighed.
''Something wrong, Amaya-chan?'' Haruna asked me.
I looked up to her.
''N-No, just excited I guess.'' I replied.
There you go, another lie. I hated myself for doing it. I didn't want to lie. I wanted to stay best friends with Haruna, to laugh with Aki, to be around Fubuki and to enjoy soccer with Raimon. I don't want to turn against them. Tears burn in her eye corners. She swallowed, kept them inside and faked a smile.
''Yosh, minna. Let's go.'' Hibiki-kantoku said.
We all stepped into the Inazuma Caravan and headed towards Teikoku Academy. I saw Haruna becoming a bit silent.
''Are you okay?'' I asked.
Haruna didn't reply and kept in her dream world. I sighed and knew what she went through. I decided to let her go for a while. Aki gave me a worried glare, because of Haruna. I told her, with my hands, that we had to let her go for a while. She turned around in the seat in front of us and stared in the distance. I glared to my right, to Haruna. She sighed. I sighed too. You could feel the tension in the air. Everybody was mentally preparing themselves for the match against Teikoku Academy. After a short while, they drove on the terrain of Teikoku Academy. The Raimon members were silent. A nervous feeling went through my stomach. It wouldn't be long now …
''Minna, we're here.'' Endou broke the silence.
Everybody stepped out of the Inazuma Caravan and entered the soccer building. They headed towards their dressing room, but they were surprised to see Kidou Yuuto walk out of it.
''Hey! What were you doing there?'' Kabeyama asked with narrowed eyes.
Kidou said nothing and walked away. Haruna glared in front of her with big, empty eyes. I rubbed her back and looked at Kidou. He gave me a meaningful smile and walked away.
''What the-'' Kazemaru said, but Hibiki-kantoku interrupted him.
''Get dressed guys.'' He said.
The boys first inspected the dressing room, but they didn't find anything suspicious.
''That's odd…'' Kurimatsu said.
''Well, let's get dressed quickly. Maybe there's a time bomb or something.'' Handa replied.
The team currently got dressed, while me, Aki and Haruna turned their backs against them with a red face.
''Done?'' Aki asked.
''Done.'' Endou replied for everybody else.
We turned around again.
''Before we're going to start, let me say something.'' Hibiki-kantoku said.
The group listen carefully at him.
''I want to say that I'm very proud that we've made it to the finals of this tournament. I know Teikoku Academy is known for it's dirty tricks, but no matter what happens, I want you all to fight fair and square. Understood?'' He said.
''HAI!'' The team replied.
Then, we all headed towards the soccer field. I felt a little dizzy, due to the nervousness and guilt. We entered the field. We were the first onto the field. The Raimon players decided to warm up, before the other soccer team arrived. Fubuki smiled at me.
''Let's win today!'' He said.
I didn't knew how to reply. I actually didn't knew for which club I was rooting for.
''Be careful, okay.'' I said to him.
Fubuki smiled.
''Don't worry, I will.'' He replied.
He gave me a wink and I turned red. But after that, I turned really sad. This was it. This was his last, sweet movement towards me.
''Look, Ichinose is there!'' I heard Aki shout happily.
She pointed at a brown, haired guy with big, brown eyes and a slightly tanned skin. He gave her a wink.
''Awwhh, he's cute.'' I replied.
Aki looked overjoyed. I glared at Haruna. She still was sad.
''Don't worry, Haruna. You have lots of friends here who will love you till eternity.'' I said to her.
Haruna gave a weak smile.
''I know that. But brotherly love is something else. It's hard to explain, because you don't have siblings.'' She said.
You have no idea …
''But anyway, it's glad to have you around. At least I can count on you.'' Haruna said with a brighter smile.
I felt like crying. Stop saying those things! They aren't true! Exactly at that point, the soccer team of Teikoku Academy arrived. I recognized Kidou at the front and saw my brother walking behind him.
''Raimon Junior High.'' Kidou said with a smirk.
Me and all the other Raimon members turned towards him.
''Kidou.'' Endou said serious.
''Ready for your defeat?'' Kidou asked.
''We'll fight fair and square till the end,'' Endou replied serious. ''And we'll win.''
''We'll see.'' Kidou replied, while he shrugged his shoulders.
The referee came and shook the hands of the captains.
''Wait, we can't start yet.'' Onii-sama said with a smirk.
The Raimon members looked curious at him.
''First, my little sister needs to take the right position.'' He announced.
''Little sister?'' Goenji repeated.
''Who's he talking about?'' Fubuki added.
I gulped and started to walk towards the team of Teikoku Academy. I took my place, in between Kidou and Onii-sama and stared guilty at the Raimon team. Everybody's eyes widened.
''Amaya?'' Haruna asked shocked.
''YOU?!'' Fubuki added.
''What's this about?'' Endou asked, slightly upset.
''This girl,'' Kidou started. ''Is not the sweet Furari Amaya who you know. She's a spy of Teikoku Academy and passed us all the information you guys possess. From strategies till Hissatsu's.''
Everybody's eyes widened.
''No…'' Aki said.
''That's a lie!'' Fubuki shouted.
''A lie?'' Onii-sama added. ''Then why don't you asked my little sister herself?''
Everybody turned towards me.
''Amaya, is it true?'' Endou asked serious.
I nodded and gulped. Then, I looked to the ground.
''It's true,'' I said soft. ''From the start, I've been betraying you guys. I only joined the soccer team so I could gain information about you all. I wrote it down, sketched it out and even filmed it. And I've handed all that information over at Kidou-sama and Onii-sama here.''
Everybody shook their heads.
''This can't be happening.'' Goenji said, full of disbelieve.
''You betrayed us from the start?'' Haruna asked shocked.
Tears welled up in her eyes. I couldn't hold mines back anymore.
''Haruna… please don't cry.'' I said.
Everybody looked shocked at me.
''Let's begin the match.'' Kidou said with a smirk, while Onii-sama led me to the managers bench of Teikoku Academy,
They never had a manager before, because they didn't need one, so I was their first. Then, the match started and everybody positioned themselves on the field.
''Minna… I'm so sorry.'' I whispered.
I was the only one who heard it. I felt so guilty. I realized I made a big mistake. I should have refused it. I should have let myself get hit for it instead. But betraying all my friends and offering my friendship, to keep my brother satisfied? That was a big mistake. The match started and Goenji and Fubuki did the kick-off. Fubuki ran forward, but he wasn't with his head by the game, so Onii-sama easily stole it.
''Pathetic.'' He said laughing.
He continued running and passed the ball towards Kidou.
''Kidou!'' He shouted.
Kidou easily took the ball and ran forward. He passed it to his teammate Sakuma and he made the first shot.
''God Hand!'' Endou shouted, while he blocked the ball.
I sighed relieved. I knew my heart was cheering for Raimon. Endou threw the ball towards Kazemaru. He dashed forward and passed the ball towards Max. But, Kazemaru kept running and Goenji came back from his forward position. Together they jumped into the air.
''Honoo no Kazamidori!'' Kazemaru and Goenji shouted, while they kicked the ball.
The goalkeeper of Teikoku, Genda Koujirou, grinned.
''We already know that move.'' He said.
He blocked it with a Hissatsu and threw the ball towards Kidou.
''They even knew that move?'' Kazemaru asked shocked.
''Thank Amaya for that.'' Goenji replied sarcastically.
I felt so bad. It was my fault. Everything Raimon did was known by Teikoku Academy, thanks to my information. When the first half ended, nobody scored.
''Minna, here are water bottles and towels.'' I heard Aki say.
I glared to their side. I felt so lonely. Here, on my own, on the bench of Teikoku. I knew that Kageyama, their coach, was in a control room somewhere inside the building. The team players of Teikoku came my way.
''I can't believe we haven't scored yet.'' Onii-sama said.
He glared at me.
''That's your fault.'' He hissed.
''Easy, Kiyuko. That's not her fault.'' Kidou said.
''We just have to work harder.'' Sakuma said.
The others nodded. Then, the second half started. I glared at the Raimon players. They were exhausted.
''Minna … ganbatte.'' I said soft.
The match continued and Teikoku had the kick-off.
''Minna, let's show them how strong we are!'' Kidou said.
They sprinted forward and performed kick after kick. Endou was clearly getting tired and the others were panting, because they were trying to intercept the ball. I hated to see them like that. At that point, Onii-sama made a sliding and placed his foot nasty on Fubuki's leg. Fubuki slammed to the ground and grabbed his leg in pain. My eyes widened.
''NO!'' I shouted, clearly audible.
Everybody looked surprised in my direction, but I didn't care. I took a medical kit and ran towards Fubuki.
''What are you doing?'' He asked me.
''Helping you.'' I replied.
''But you betrayed us!'' He said serious.
''I know, and I want to set it right.'' I replied.
''WHAT?!'' Everybody replied.
My brother was sent off the field, due to his infringement. Fubuki needed to swap with somebody else. Hibiki-kantoku wanted to send in Megane, but I stood up.
''I'll swap with Fubuki.'' I said determined.
Everybody looked fully shocked at me.
''Are you nuts?!'' Kidou asked.
''No, I care about my real team. That's all.'' I replied.
The faces from the Raimon members softened.
''Amaya-chan! I knew you just couldn't betray us.'' Haruna said with a smile.
''Let her play, coach!'' Aki said.
''Yeah, let her play!'' The other Raimon members said.
Hibiki-kantoku sunk in thoughts.
''She'll be the only girl on the field. Plus, we've never seen her play. How do we know she's good?'' He asked.
''That's because we trust her.'' Fubuki said with a smile.
I blushed like mad. Everybody smiled at me.
''Ganbatte!'' Aki said, while she threw me a reserve uniform of Raimon. I quickly got changed out of everybody's sight and stepped determined on the field. I glared at Kidou and my brother, who was sitting on the bench, with a death glare. Nobody had the right to hit me, command me and to control my life. I'm Furari Amaya and I am special!
''Bring it!'' I said confident.
I took the left forward place, next to Goenji and grinned.
''Minna, ike!'' I heard Endou shout.
The ball was in his hands and he threw it towards Kazemaru. He dashed forward and passed the ball towards Max.
''Max, ike!'' Kazemaru said.
Max took the ball and ran forward.
''Goenji!'' He shouted, while he passed the ball to the platinum blond.
Goenji took it and jumped into the air.
''Fire Tornado!'' He shouted.
Genda, the goalkeeper, catched it and threw it towards Kidou.
''Kidou, ike!'' He said.
''Amaya, you're making a big mistake.'' Kidou growled.
''No, I'm believe with my whole heart that I'm doing the right thing now.'' I replied.
I glared at the clock of the match and saw that there was only one minute left. Shourinji intercepted the ball from Kidou and passed it towards me.
''Amaya, go! It's your last chance!'' He shouted.
''Hai!'' I replied determined.
I dashed forward, avoided all the Teikoku players and stood face to face with Genda.
''HIDDEN POWER!'' I shouted with all my might, while I kicked the ball.
The ball turned gold and gained immense speed and strength. I felt all the power flow out of my body. Genda tried to stop it with a Hissatsu, but it failed. The ball whizzed in the middle of the goal and exactly after that, the referee blew his whistle.
''We won!'' Goenji shouted at me.
I smiled. Then, the black spots in front of my eyes took over and I fainted on the spot. Somewhere in the distance I heard people shout my name. Then, I became fully unconscious.
-Time skip. Three hours later. In the hospital-
When I woke up, I realized I lay in a hospital bed. I saw several people sit around it. They all smiled happy and relieved when they saw my eyes open.
''Amaya-chan!'' Haruna exclaimed, who was the one who sat the closest beside my bed.
She flew me around my neck and I smiled and hugged her tightly.
''Haruna-chan!'' I replied.
Haruna had tears in her eyes.
''You're so brave.'' She said.
I immediately remembered the match.
''We won, right?'' I asked.
''Yes, we won. Thanks to you.'' I recognized another well-known voice.
Fubuki smiled bright at me.
''F-Fubuki-sempai.'' I said shocked.
He smiled again.
''No, Shirou-kun, remember?'' He said.
I blushed. Furthermore, I also saw Hibiki-kantoku in the room.
''It's good to see you've awakened.'' He said.
I smiled. Then, my glare turned sad again.
''Guys, I want to say I'm sorry for what I did. I knew it's unforgivable. But I want you to know that I care deeply about you guys and that I fully regret it that I betrayed and left you.'' I said.
Everybody smiled.
''We know that,'' Haruna said. ''But we forgive you.''
My eyes widened and tears formed in them.
''R-Really?'' I asked, full of disbelieve.
Fubuki nodded.
''We discussed with the team what to do with you and we all came to the same conclusion. We all want you back as a manager on the team.'' He said.
I smiled bright.
''Unbelievable.'' I replied.
''We first wanted you to be a player, but Haruna said that you probably would be happier as a manager.'' Fubuki continued.
I nodded and smiled at Haruna.
''You know me so well.'' I said.
''That's were best friends are for.'' She replied with a smile and hugged me tightly.
''But, I have to think about it for a while, so I don't say yes right away.'' I said.
Haruna, Fubuki and Hibiki-kantoku looked a bit shocked, but understood it.
''That's fine. Think about it.'' Hibiki-kantoku said.
I smiled.
'''Thanks you.'' I said.
Then, I turned towards Haruna.
''How are things between you and Kidou now?'' I asked her.
Her whole face lightened up.
''We talked it out. We discussed some things. After the match, he realized how wrong it actually to follow Kageyama. The entire team dismissed Kageyama as their coach and they promised to play soccer fair and square now. And we had a little talk about our past. You discovered earlier that Yuuto is my Onii-chan, right? He explained why he never contacted me and I realized he all did it for my own sake. He never stopped loving me and will always fully recognize me as his little sister. I guess he's a bit overprotective now.'' She explained with a giggle at the end.
I smiled.
''I'm so happy for you, Haruna.'' I said.
Haruna smiled back.
''Thanks, Amaya-chan.'' She replied.
''Amaya.'' Hibiki-kantoku said.
I looked at him.
''Yes?'' I replied.
''There's somebody else who wants to see you.'' He said.
Haruna, Fubuki and Hibiki-kantoku left the room and a well-known person stepped into it.
''Onii-sama.'' I said shocked.
His whole face and personality changed.
''No more Onii-sama, please.'' He said guilty.
My eyes widened. Kiyuko stroke with his hand through his black hair and focused his dark eyes at me. Then, he took a seat next to my bed.
''N-No more Onii-sama?'' I asked shocked.
He nodded.
''Sweet, sweet Amaya. How could I've been so blind. All those years I've abused you, scolded you and neglected you. And I now it's nothing to compensate it, but I want to say I'm sorry.'' He said soft, while he took my hand.
My eyes fully widened. Then, I started to cry.
''Y-You mean this?'' I asked.
He nodded.
''All those years, I wanted power. I wanted to be strong, so mom and dad would be proud of me. I wanted them to be proud of you too, so I pushed you and was hard for you, so you became strong too. Then, mom and dad would be proud. But during the match, when I saw how determined you were to fight for your friends, I realized how wrong it was to gain power. The one thing you need in life is love. Love for and from your friends, family and comrades. Life isn't about power. It's about caring for each other. And since the death of mom and dad, I never cared for you. I never was your older brother who loved you deeply again. And now, I want to change that. I want things to become like they were again. I don't want you to bow deeply at me, to talk to me with the –sama term and to see me as a god. I want you to speak to me with the –chan term, to let me take care of you and to be your loving brother. Will you accept that?'' He asked.
At this point, I was sobbing. All the things I wanted to hear your years were spoken moments ago.
''Kiyuko…'' I whispered.
And that was the first time I saw my brother cry in his entire life. He laid his head on my chest and sobbed.
''Amaya, I'm so sorry. Please, forgive me.'' I said.
I wrapped my arms around him too and couldn't stop crying.
''Of course I'll forgive you! You're everything to me. You always was and you always will.'' I said.
Kiyuko looked shocked, but thankful at me.
''Really?'' He asked.
I nodded and pressed a kiss on his forehead.
''From now on, we're gonna live a happy life together.'' I said.
Kiyuko kissed my forehead too and stroke his thumb over my cheek.
''I will fully acknowledge you as my sister. For always. I'm so proud of you. I'm so proud to be your brother.'' He said.
I sobbed again.
''You won't believe how long I've wanted to hear that.'' I said.
''Trust me, I do,'' He said. ''And I'm sorry. Again.''
''I'll forgive you for everything.'' I replied.
We hugged tightly and that was the point we discovered the entire Raimon time in the door opening. We both looked up. They all smiled, cheered and clapped. I smiled.
''It's good to see you two made things up together.'' I recognized the voice of Kidou.
''Kidou.'' I exclaimed surprise.
Beside him, I saw a happy Haruna, who clenched his arm.
''Amaya, I want to apologize too. Thanks to you, I now realize what's important in life.'' He said, while he smiled at his sister.
She smiled happily back.
''That's good to hear.'' I replied.
''So, Amaya. Did you agree to become our manager again?'' Goenji asked.
''No.'' I replied.
Everybody looked shocked.
''I want to think about it for a while. After everything what happened, I need some time.'' I said.
The team smiled.
''We understand.'' They replied.
''Now, let's get you out of this hospital. We have something to celebrate.'' Hibiki-kantoku said.
''WE FREAKING WON THE TOURNAMENT!'' I heard Endou shout.
Everybody cheered again and I smiled bright.
''I love you guys.'' I said laughing.
''And we all love you.'' The others replied.
''Especially Fubuki-sempai.'' Haruna exclaimed.
Fubuki turned red.
''Wai-What?'' He shouted.
Kiyuko narrowed his eyes.
''Onii-chan, don't be overprotective please.'' I begged.
He laughed.
''I was just teasing.'' He replied.
He gave me a kiss on my forehead and left the room with the other players. He laid a hand on Fubuki's shoulder.
''Good luck.'' He said with a grin.
Fubuki took a deep breath.
''Was that comment true?'' I asked carefully.
I saw Fubuki fiddle his scarf.
''Anoo …'' He started.
I smiled.
''Maybe I can make it easier if I tell you that I love you.'' I said.
Fubuki's eyes widened.
''Y-You love me?'' He asked.
I nodded.
''Yes, I love you very much.'' I replied.
Fubuki quickly walked to the bed and bend forward. His sweet lips embraced mine.
''I love you too.'' He said, after the kiss.
I smiled.
''I'm glad. Now come here.'' I said laughing, while I pulled him down again for another kiss.
-Time skip. A few weeks (or days, I don't know anymore) later-
Normal P.O.V.
It was a few days after the horrendous day that Zeus Junior had completely eliminated Teikoku Academy. Kidou couldn't play, during an injury at his leg, so he stayed on the bench. From there, he saw all his teammates getting beat up by Zeus's soccer. From that day, he swore revenge.
''Kantoku, where are we waiting for?'' Aki asked.
They were about to play an important match and the referee gave the cue for the players to position themselves, so the match could begin. Only Hibiki-kantoku told them not to go and to wait some more.
''Two more minutes.'' The referee said.
Everybody started to panic slightly. If they didn't enter the field in two minutes, they would be disqualified for retrieving.
''Kantoku! Tell us where we're waiting for.'' Kazemaru demanded angry.
''Just be patient.'' Hibiki-kantoku replied.
Everybody grew nervous. What could possible be worth waiting for when an important match like this was about to be played. The two managers, Aki and Haruna looked at each other.
''Haruna, did you hear some rumors about this? You used to be in the journalists club.'' Aki said.
Haruna shook her head.
''No, I didn't hear anything.'' She replied.
''Thirty seconds.'' The referee said.
Now, everybody was panicking. At that point, footsteps were heard.
''Ah, just in time.'' Hibiki-kantoku said.
Everybody turned towards the source of the sound. Three players came out of the players tunnel and smiled bright. Everybody's eyes widened and everybody's mouth fell open. Standing there were none other than Amaya, Kiyuko and Kidou.
''Missed me?'' Amaya asked smiling.
''AMAYA!'' Fubuki said, while he embraced his girlfriend.
''Kiyuko and Kidou from Teikoku too?'' Goenji asked surprising.
''Onii-chan?'' Haruna asked, full of disbelieve.
He smiled.
''Haruna, nice to see you again.'' He said.
Haruna flew him around his neck.
''Kantoku, what's the meaning of this?'' Endou asked suspicious, while he thought he already knew the answer.
''Ladies and gentleman, let me introduce you to our two newest members and manager of the team.'' He said with a smile.
''EEEHHH?'' Everybody shouted.
Amaya winked.
''Surprised?'' She asked.
Everybody nodded.
''If you guys don't enter the field right away, you'll be disqualified.'' The referee said strict.
''Don't worry,'' Hibiki-kantoku said. ''We'll go.''
''And we're gonna win.'' Endou said.
Everybody threw their fist into the air.
''AH!''
~ End of Chapter Four ~
~ End of Story ~