New one
In this one, let's pretend we're in the internet and smartphone days

I used to be a huge fan of « Attack n°1" (very old anime) when I was in elementary school and I thought I could mix both mangas

So yeah a little bit longer than usual, enjoy ;)

********************

It had started as a beautiful sunny day full of lights in Sao Paulo. Tsubasa was coming back from his early jog and was just eager to take a shower. He entered the apartment he was sharing with Pepe and made his way to his bathroom when his attention was caught by a light. He then realized it was coming from his mobile that was flashing a blue light, signaling a message. He smiled when he saw it was a message from Ryo. His smile suddenly froze and he frowned reading it "Mate you've got to see this and you're not gonna like it, seriously, come back before it's too late!" A picture was getting downloaded on his phone. Ryo was right; he didn't like it a bit.

Sanae was sighing having a circular look at the state of the locker room after the guys left. Towels everywhere, water on the floor, dirty clothes all over the place. Oh she was so going to shout at them! Being their manager was a thing, them not respecting her was another one. And lately, they were worse than ever. She quickly worked on it, first getting the dirty clothes to wash and then the towels ready for the next washing machine. Once the floor was cleared from everything she was able to work on it and get it clean once more.

"Are these guys for real?" sniggered someone. Startled, Sanae turned around to come face to face with Tetsuo. He had been stalking her for weeks now since he had seen her on a volley ball game. It was two months ago. She had been playing for fun with the girls on the beach and he had seen her. She had been a great player back in the days, up until she met that guy who played football and totally erased volley ball from her memory. He knew her and admired her at the time, even being an elementary school boy. Now that he was a senior, captain of the team, he wanted her back at volley ball. The female Nankatsu team desperately needed a great player. He was sure she was that prodigy.

So he had started to follow her as much as he could, trying not to become a stalker. He invited her to watch a game, which she accepted because she indeed liked volley ball that much, as long as it was not at the same time as a game from her boys of course. He then started to ask her why she had stopped and offered her a position in the team, telling her he was kind of mentoring the female team as they had no real coach and no manager. That got her. She went to see more and more games and even helped him during one of his team's training sessions. This was Sanae for you, compassionate and passionate. She liked it, she could help them and boy did they need the help!

Ryo and the guys were obviously seeing him as an intruder. No guy was good enough for her except for Tsubasa in their book. They had a not so tacit agreement that they were going to eradicate any guy mooning around Sanae as long as Tsubasa would be away. They had succeeded with a couple guys, glaring at them or simply telling the truth " .YOU".

But this one was particular. Sanae didn't seem to mind him as much as she has clearly been annoyed by the others. She even supported him during a game! That was dangerously bordering treason for them. They knew she would not date him, well … they hoped. But week after week they saw them growing closer and closer. He would come pick her up from their own training sessions and tease her with a "Oh Captain my Captain" call. He had told her one day she would have certainly been made captain of the team by now should she have stayed, and from that day kept on calling her that. It was as visible as the nose on your face. He seriously fancied her. It was a matter of days before she would join the team and he would certainly ask her on a date. Actually … would her coming and cheering at his game count as a date? Ryo could see the spark in her eyes each time they were talking about volley ball. He knew how good she had been at it. And he knew why she had stopped: a bad injury on her hand, and a certain shy football prodigy that had stormed into her life at the same time. It's not that he didn't trust her. That was more a matter of Tsubasa getting his priorities straight now. If the guy was serious about her, they could not "do the scaring/glaring job" all their life. He just HAD to come back at some point.

He was pretty sure she would have come back to volley ball if it weren't for that gigantic crush she had for Tsubasa at the time. She was his best friend, a sister even and if there was one constant in his life, it was Sanae being in love with Tsubasa. Damnit . .BACK.
It was more than two years now, that's enough! So he started to hint about Tetsuo in his emails, dropping information here and there. But no such luck so far. So he decided to be bold and snatched a picture of them talking about volley ball and sent it to him.

Tsubasa's answer was really quick. "Is there something serious going on between them I should be aware of?" Straight to the point, like a ball he would have shoot to the goal.

Damnit! Ryo thought … what about the dozan hints I've dropped all these weeks? You can't be that oblivious!

"Not if I can help it," Ryo sent him "The guy is pretty serious about her though, he's about to enroll her in the female volley ball team. And you know Anego, once committed to a team …"
"Coming back asap", was all he got as an answer.
He looked at the text stunned. Was this REALLY all it took to make him come back? Jeez if he had known …
"Was about to come back anyways, championship's over and we won. I have to come back for the tournament anyways and get to camp with you guys, so the sooner the better, right?" he added a couple minutes later as if sensing his friend's disbelief from across the world.
"Definitely sooner than later, that's awesome news! Should I tell her?" Ryo asked.
"Nope, that's a surprise!" his friend answered.

A couple days later, Sanae was once again picked-up from the football locker room by him. "Come on Sanae, try at least to come again and see them train, I'm positive you'll be able to advise them again. They need someone with your sense of volley ball to help. You have no idea how much they appreciated your insights last time. They could kill to have you in their team!" Tetsuo pleaded again. "She might have something more important to do you know," responded Ryo, clearly annoyed. He knew Tsubasa had landed in the morning and that he was now heading to the stadium so he was trying to gain some time.
"Oh yeah? Like working on your dirty laundry?" Tetsuo retaliated.
"Uhm … touché" Ryo thought. Clearly they had to work on that and help Sanae. Or maybe get someone to help her.

"You know what you might be right Tetsuo," Sanae started. "I really liked it last time. It felt great to have that ball in my hands. But I'm still really scared about my hand. Seriously I won't be able to play at my best if I fear each ball"
Tetsuo beamed, clearly missing her point. She was getting there he knew it!
"Your come back to volleyball is a blessing for Japan. You have no idea how much you're needed. How much Japanese volleyball missed you. How much Japanese volleyball wants you, how much we desperately need you". Sanae looked at him frowning. Was he speaking about volley ball or …

"Japanese volleyball or yourself?" a voice interrupted them.
She gasped turning around immediately at him. He was there with Daichi and the guys. A radiant smile came to her face. She had never seemed more beautiful to him than right now. She shrieked as she threw herself at him. She felt her heart had missed a beat and exploded in her chest.
He gingerly received her with arms wide opened, taking care of hugging her for his dear life. He then glared at Tetsuo, his intention crystal clear, this was a challenge he would absolutely win.
Both men were having a silent conversation. "Back off," Tsubasa was telling him. "Territorial much? Where were you all those months ago, eh?" Tetsuo was challenging him.

He then decided to come into action. Sanae had to understand she was made for volley ball. He decided to smashed a ball at her to get a reaction out of her but in his anger totally missed his target.

"Daichi!" screamed Tsubasa, "MOVE!". Sanae rushed towards him and immediately came into action just like Tetsuo knew she would. She threw herself in front of the little boy and helping herself with one hand made a somersault and threw the ball back at Tetsuo who radiantly looked at her.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?" she shouted outraged. "How's the hand?" was all he answered. "The hand is perfectly fine but that little guy is scared as hell, and THAT is WRONG!" she lectured him. "Don't you even dare try that again," Tsubasa said once he had checked on his little brother. He then took Sanae's hands in his and checked them looking for any kind of injury. "They're fine," she said quickly taking them away from him as if scared he would fine something.

"Of course they are, you would have NEVER been able to do that otherwise. You do realize most girls of the national team are unable to reach your level knowing you haven't seriously played in seven years?" he forced his chance.

"Seriously Tetsuo I really don't feel like talking to you right now. If our friendship means anything to you I suggest you kindly move away from me for a good couple days," Sanae said through gritted teeth.
"I will if this can sooth you," he started, "but again, think about it. You're as essential to Japanese volleyball as he is to Japanese football" he said gesturing towards Tsubasa. He then sighed. "I can take a hint and realize I cannot win on both issues so I'll focus on sport then, obviously I can't win on the other one. Think about it and come and see me in a couple days. Selections for the team are in one week." He finished before taking his leave.

"Come on Daichi," offered Ryo, "Sanae told me there was a new ice cream flavor at the store" he pleaded the little guy. "Oh! Tsubasa can we go?" he immediately asked his older brother. "Sure thing buddy," the Captain answered. "Race you there?" Ryo challenged him. "Yay!"

Tsubasa smiled at his friend's obvious attempt at leaving them alone. Sanae was in synch with him as they took their time and finally didn't even followed them, sitting on a bench under a cherry tree. His arm still was on her shoulder and she sighed in contentment. "How long are you back this time?" she asked. He smiled at her. "Well a good couple months, I'm here to get ready for the Youth World Cup and as you know it's happening here."

Months! She had months with him. Maybe, just maybe, this time something would happen between them? They might even be able to go back to that conversation they had before he felt.

"That was pretty impressive you know" he said out of the blue. "Uh?" she frowned in confusion.
"That ball throwing you made, he's right, you're really good at it. Not that I know a lot about it but it seemed natural and very fluid." She sighed. "He has to understand that I don't have the level he believes I have. Seriously I haven't played in years! Would you be that good at football if you hadn't played in years?" she challenged him.

"Well if you're natural … maybe," he insisted. "I'm scared about my hand though," she said in a little voice. "I understand," he started, "I've always have a lot of apprehension when coming back on the field after an injury, so I guess if you wait years, that must be much worse."

"Let's talk about something else" she eluded while putting her head on his chest and her arms around his waist. That made him smile. She was getting bold and he loved it. Well if she could do so why wouldn't he? He dropped a kiss on her head. She was the one smiling now.

"Having you there in my arms is so much better than any phone call or email we've ever had," he told her. "Most definitely," she said beaming. "Last time you came back I didn't even had a moment with you," she regretted. "I'm so sorry;" he started, "That was kind of on purpose. I would have never been able to leave you again if I had allowed something like that to happen," he explained.

"But now you do?" she looked up at him, confused. "Yep," he smiled then focused on her lips. "Because now I'm done with Brazil," oh those lips, so close, so tempting, "because now I'm back as a professional and I can start looking for another club. In Europe most likely," he could not resist and dropped his face towards hers finally taking her rosy lips. She kept her eyes closed when he was done and he took his time to look at her. She really was beautiful when she was thinking.

"As much as I absolutely appreciate what has just happened, would you please care to explain why leaving me for Europe is any different than leaving me for Brazil?" she said in a cold anger.
Uh oh, that voice … it meant trouble. He loved when she was going all Anego on him. He had never truly understood the reason why before, but now he knew she was having an effect on him when she did that. Dear Lord he could even anger her just to get her in that state and kiss her senseless to erase it.

He turned serious, "Because now I will have an income and as a professional player, I can afford to make you come with me." She was stunned into silence. "That is if you want to obviously." He saw her open and close her mouth as if wanting to say something but thinking otherwise a couple times. The urge to kiss her again and reassure her was getting overwhelming. Ok, not exactly the reaction he had hoped for. He thought she would throw herself at him and immediately agree to his idea.

Finally she snapped out of it. "You're incredible you know that?" he knew she was outraged and felt miserable about it. "I, for starters, have a life here. Friends whom, I, can't leave like that," she said snapping her fingers to stress out her words.
Ouch, that hurt.
"I have a life project here, I planned my studies here, I even am about to maybe go back to volley ball here. I might have plans to get a job here!" She continued. "And here you come, by surprise, and you think that waltzing back like that into my life is going to allow you to take me with you to Europe?" Yep, outraged, definitely not going to escape this one with a kiss. This was not the kind of anger that excited him at all. There was an underlying sadness and accusation that burnt him to his heart.

"I'm sorry if I have been inconsiderate," he started, his head low. Her arms had left him and were now fisted in anger on her waist. He already missed her. He felt the tears in his eyes and could not bear to let her see him so weak. "I've got to get Daichi back home anyways" he suddenly stood up and left her there running away from her.

What on earth had happened here? Was she crazy? Going away with him was all that she had ever wanted. He had made not so subtle hints about it in his latest emails. What on earth was wrong with her?

"Trouble in paradise?" she heard behind her. "Not the moment Tetsuo," she spitted while getting up and going back to her parents' store. Maybe he'll still be there and they'd be able to talk about it. "I've just came back to tell you that I've listed you as a reserve member of the team for tomorrow's game?" he had the time to tell her before she left, running as well. Maybe she'll be able to catch him before he leaves the store?

But she was not that lucky, he had already left back home with his brother. She sighed. And then a decided look on her face, she followed the same path and went to the Oozora family's house. He was the one who opened the door. He looked at her for a moment and turned his head back towards the house "I'm off for a walk mom," and then he exited the house taking her hand in his when passing her. Well she took it as a good sign. They walked in silence for a while, his hand never leaving hers. He then stopped by a street overlooking the city's stadium; where they had first met. She squeezed his hand in a silent acknowledgment. He squeezed back and pulled her to him to hug her, his chin on her head. "I'm sorry," he said again. "I've been thinking and you're right, I'm an egoistic git, I'll be looking for a J-League team."

"Oh God," she lamented. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I have no idea what came on me to yell at you like that. I should have been so happy. I guess this volleyball thing is getting on my nerves."
She then stopped for a while, enjoying the simple happiness she felt being held by him like that.

"If volley ball is that important to you, we should talk this out and find a compromise." He tightened his hold on her. "One thing is sure; being away from you is too difficult." He said. "Emails and phone calls are nothing like being able to hold you, to hold your hand, to feel you close to me, to smell your perfume and don't even get me started on kissing you." She could have killed to hear this a couple weeks ago and here there were, the words she had wanted to hear for years. She smiled and cupped his face with both her hands, going up on her toes to kiss him thoroughly. "I love you, volley ball be damned." She stated.

He tenderly looked at her. "I love you too, football be damned", he winked at her and that made her chuckled. "We make such a pair" she laughed.
"We'll work this through, let's take our time to think about it and assess our options, right?" he offered.
"Great idea" she agreed. "I've got a volley ball game tomorrow!" she suddenly remembered. "Tetsuo registered me as a team member" she explained as she saw his surprise.
"Well that guy knows what he wants," he said. "But I've got to say that after what you did back there, I'm eager to see you in a game. I'll be the one cheering for once." He teased.

"Oh come on," she blushed, "I'll most likely be on the bench or even in the public cheering with you. They already have substitutes, they don't need me."

"That's not what Tetsuo was saying," Tsubasa added.
"Well, we'll see" she eluded. "Geez I hadn't seen the time, I've got to go back home!" she said alarmed.
"Let me walk you back," he offered never letting go of her. She nodded her agreement; glad they had found a way to get out of their argument.

On the day after, she was sitting within the public, true to her words. She really felt the team didn't need her. Tetsuo had insisted, asking her at the very least to get her volleyball outfit ready. But there she was, anxiously looking at the game the team was starting to loose. She was fidgeting on her sit and Tsubasa wanted nothing more to get her on the game. But he knew deep down it had to come from her. So was Tetsuo. The two boys exchanged knowing looks when Sanae started to shout advises to her team. When they were about to lose the first set she stood up. "That's it, I'm going down there," she said. And then she left for the locker rooms and appeared five minutes later all ready on the bench requesting a time off to enter the game and reassess her team strategy.

Tsubasa and Tetsuo had their eyes on her. The guys were there as well and Tetsuo explained to them the basic rules of volleyball. He then looked at Sanae and smiled. "She knows what to do. See the other team's smugness? She's gonna eradicate it off their faces and they're not gonna understand what's happening to them." Tsubasa was looking at her mesmerized. She had a determined look on her face and gone was the apprehension about her hand. "Yup," he started, "she's gonna destroy them". She was coaching the team giving them a pep talk and since they were very close to the bench they could hear her. "First thing, we're gonna get the ball back and serve. Then you guys need to work on their balls trajectory, you tried to save balls that would have been out. Save your efforts for real balls, if they put it out, the point is ours. I'll tell you when to fight for it. Once we serve, I don't want a single new point for them. We're going to win this, is that clear?" she asked. "Yes Captain!" they answered in unison to her utter surprise.

"Told her they would make her captain in a matter of seconds," Tetsuo chuckled. "God I don't know if the other team knows what's going to happen." The guys then settled back in their sits and saw her leading her team to the victory. Just like she said, getting back the ball and then winning point after point.

When she exited the locker room she saw her boys waiting for her. She beamed at them. Staring longer than necessary on Tsubasa and then turned to Tetsuo, smiling. "Thank you for your persuasion, you were right, I really missed it."
Tsubasa was still smiling; he knew what she was feeling. The boys aligned and saluted her like true cheerleaders just like she had done years ago when they had won their first game. She was incredibly touched by their gesture and tears began to run down her cheeks.
Tsubasa immediately went by her side and hugged her. "Ssssh don't cry my love, you did great down there we're so proud of you," he tenderly cajoled her.

"Well we know how to take a clue" Ryo joked, "come on guys, let's leave them alone". And they simply left them alone, making sure Tetsuo was following them.

"Have you already received offers from clubs?" she suddenly asked. He was surprised, clearly not expecting her to go back on that conversation so soon. "A couple of them." He nonchalantly answered. "May I ask which ones or is it confidential?" she pushed him. "It actually is kind of confidential," "but not for you though." He seriously told her. She moved her head from his torso to look at him incredulous.

"How can I make it get through this thick head of yours that I want to spend the rest of my life with you?" he teased her.
Once again, her heart missed a beat. That man didn't know the effect he had on her. Damned. For years she had to guess his feelings, and settling for the small words and rare acts of love from him. Her throat suddenly was dry. "Careful Mr Oozora, this is really starting to look like a proposal," she answered on a very slow and low voice.

This made him stop. "So what if it were?" he asked her curious, "is this why you don't want to leave with me? Do you need to make things official between us to join me abroad?" he pushed.
She gasped and looked at him with eyes wide open. "Oh God Tsubasa, please don't feel like you HAVE TO do this. I'd follow you with or without a ring on my finger or a signed paper. I was just wondering," she then stroked his jaw.

"I don't feel like I HAVE TO, you know, I wouldn't mind doing it actually. It's up to you." He said looking at her to the very core of her soul. He then looked very shy. "Actually …" he was looking for his words. He cleared his throat. "Actually," he started again, "I had thought about it before coming back to Japan, I really thought it would be better for us. I mean exchanging letters, emails and phone calls … even though the guy who invented Skype should get a Nobel Prize, well that's no longer enough for me."

God he was serious about that formalization of their relationship. "I'll let you decide whenever you're ready to go further but for now on I'd like to be able to at least call you my girlfriend, and maybe one day, you'll allow me to present you the ring I bought before coming back." He concluded.

OH
MY
GOD

He already has a ring. Sanae you stupid girl when will you learn to shut your damn mouth? He does not feel obliged, he WANTS to marry you.

"Yes" she said.

"So girlfriend it is then" he proudly smiled.

"No" she laughed.

Ok this is official, she made me lose my mind, he thought.

"Yes I'm ready for your ring," she clarified. "But I do want to know where we're going to leave and live. I'd like to check their volley ball teams before," she teased. He was looking at her incredulously, still shocked, mouth wide opened. "Here, let me close that for you," she teased again.

"Seriously Sanae, you're going to be the end of me," he finally said. "but I love you for that," he winked at her. "And that's really starting to look like you've just agreed to marry me, by the way" he teased as well, giving her another wink that made her chuckle.

"So I do have offers from Europeans clubs, if you want I have the papers at home and I have information on each city. Would you like to come home with me to have a look at them?" he offered.

And then I'll get a hand on that ring and officially get engaged to you, he secretly planned.

"Sure, let's go," she smiled absolutely not seeing it coming.

When they arrived, Mrs Oozora had just put Daichi to bed and told them there was enough left from them to have dinner. They gladly agreed, Sanae famished from her game and Tsubasa … being Tsubasa and not being able to resist his mother's cooking could not resist to that offer.

Sanae set the table knowing her way through the kitchen as she had been Daichi's official babysitter. She told Mrs Oozora that everything was under control and that she should get some well-deserved rest.

During that time, Tsubasa quickly went to his brother's bedroom and kiss the little guy goodnight as it had been a ritual for them now. Sanae found that adorable. When he came back in the kitchen he told her she was requested as well since he had heard her. She smiled and made her way upstairs as well. Daichi really was such a cute little boy, she couldn't refuse him a goodnight kiss.

They ate in a comfortable silence and then clean the kitchen before heading to Tsubasa's room. She blushed when entering it. He found that adorable on her. "Why the sudden blush? This is far away from the first time you're in my room right?" he teased her murmuring at her ear. It only added to her blush and made her shiver at the same time. Dear God where was shy and oblivious Tsubasa?

"Well not that late, and certainly not as your girlfriend" she answered. "Ah," he started closing his door, "Very true," he said turning back towards her and looking at her as if wanting to ravish her. She shivered again under his stare her breath suddenly coming short. Dear Lord he had never let his guard down before. His eyes were full of desire. She had created a monster. She saw him took a deep breath as if trying to reason himself. He then gestured towards his bed before going on his desk to take a couple envelopes and books. He gave them to her and switched his computer on. "Go on, I trust you, you can look at it," he said smiling, focusing on his computer.

Don't look at her.
Sitting on your bed.
Door closed.
And locked.
Looking at her sitting on your bed with the door closed and absolutely locked.

Deep breaths Tsubasa or else you're going to pin her on your bed and ravish her. He sighed and concentrated back on his search for European volleyball teams. If she was that exceptional maybe there was hope to get her enrolled in a team where they'll both live?

Relax.
I'm sitting on his bed like any other times.
Yep, he did kiss me a couple minutes ago.
Yep he seriously hinted at us getting engaged and yes I want him to thrown away his computer and those papers and take me down on his bed to snog me senseless.

Seriously this is the fifth time I'm reading that line … What the hell is wrong with me? I think like a horny teenager!
Oh wait … maybe that's just what I am?
So yeah, focus Sanae, FO-CUS !

We have, Manchester, good team, bad weather. Paris, good team, brilliant city, not so bad weather. Lyon, good team, good food, good weather but no volleyball team. Munchen, great team but I don't speak a word of German plus it's cold. Milano, uhm pretty nice, good team, fashion, sun. Barcelona, one of the greatest team in Europe at the moment, sun, good food, beach.

"So? What do you think?" he requested. "You haven't opened the letters?" he noticed. "I've just looked at the cities. I don't feel like looking at the contracts, in fact I'm not sure I'll understand them anyways. Legal stuff and all." She said nonchalantly.

"Legal and financial stuff," he added. "I don't want you to feel bad about it Sanae. Somehow if I'm now being offered this kind of income it's partially because of you. Your support when we were kids, your sacrifice when we were teens."

God she loved him so much. She squeezed his hand in a silent thank you. "So let's talk about geography, which one would you prefer?" he tried.

"I'll say Barcelona, Milano or Paris."

"Ok, now I've been looking for their volleyball female teams and they're pretty good."
She looked at him amazed. That man was such a sweetheart! She let the papers and books fall down on the carpet while approaching him and taking the computer away from him, putting it on the floor as well. Then she was the one laying him down on his bed, kissing him senseless, her hands going under his shirt to his delight. She had fantasized about his torso for so long she could not resist the temptation.

If he was surprised by her reaction he didn't say anything and obviously enjoyed it to the max, letting his own hands explore her body as well. "I love you so much" she said between kisses. He then turned them around being now the one pinning her to his bed. "I know," he cheekily started, a large and proud smile across his face. "God if we were alone I'd be unable to stop," he lamented, "but Daichi and my mom are here." He then lay on her, putting his head on her chest hearing the comforting beat of her heart.

"That day will come" she reassured him, stroking his unruly hair. She had wanted to do that for so long. "So which city do YOU prefer?" she asked. "I've given you my three favorite, now it's your turn. "Barcelona," he quickly answered. "Well then we should get started on learning Spanish," she confidently said. "I'll be granted a coach," he informed her. "And so will you once equipped."
"Uh? What do you mean?" she asked totally lost when she saw him standing up and looking for something in his drawer. He then found it and took his dear time to come back to the bed. She saw him suddenly gulp and very shy.

When he opened his hand on a velvet tiny box her hand came to her mouth as she quickly came to a sitting position. Her own emotion gave him back the courage that has just deserted him moments ago.

"Sanaé, my Anego, my manager, my love. You've taken care of me for years. You've been to every single game I've ever had here in Japan. You took care of me, my injuries, my meals, my trainings. You were there to knock some sense into me when needed. You meant the world to me then. Leaving you here was the hardest thing that ever happened to me. And knowing how sad I made you broke my heart. There is no way I'm ever leaving you behind again now that we're adults. Sanae, love, will you make me the happiest man ever and agree to be my wife?" he finally said dropping to his knees to be on the same height as her since she still was sitting on his bed.

"Oh my God YES!" she told him crying tears of joy.