Here it is chapter 10! Enjoy.

So here we are. The match between Momoyama and Tsubakimori SC is about to begin and it seemed the match was personal for not only the players but also their managers, who were currently having some sort of shouting match.

'And they're supposed to be the adults in this situation.' I thought blandly.

I was currently seated in between Kyouko and a strange man, whom she said was interesting before she dragged me with her. 'Again with the dragging.' I sighed. I noted the man sitting next to me, he was wearing a hat with sunglasses and a camera standing on a tripod.

'I wonder why he's filming the game?'

The match started and it immediately became difficult for the team to make any shots. Even when Kota was ready to shoot a ball right at the goal the other team managed to get it away from him. They passed it to the bulldozer, who went a head and scored the first goal of the game.

'So that was his special move.'

In all honesty, it was a rather good play, even if the play was made the bulldozer. "That #4 player is wonderful." The man's voice caught my attention, "The Predators don't have a player like him." I nodded in agreement because it was true. The bulldozer was a good player, the kind who could turn his emotions into strength.

"The match just started, though." The man looked down at me and smiled, "That is very true little lady." He laughed a little and I tilted my head in confusion.

'Was it something I said?'

The next play began and the ball son in Kota's possession but he was quickly blocked by Suguro. Kota had a clean chance pass back to Ozou but refused and charged to shoot again. Clearly, the bulldozer had said something and goaded him into trying to take shot. "Dummy." I stated blandly.

"He's the type of player that can turn his emotions into power. It's really interesting." The old man commented on Suguro again while said person managed to get the ball away from Kota, kicking the ball out of bounds and tripping Kota in the process, which he looked pretty smug about while walking away.

I sighed at Kota frustration, "He really needs to calm down." My mumble caught the attention of the man and he seemed to be looking at me questioningly, it was hard to tell through the sunglasses. I decided to humor him, just in case, "Kota is a very quiet person and normally very cool headed but when it comes to soccer, he becomes hot-headed and impulsive." I finished my explanation and Kyouko giggled slightly causing me to look at her.

"You seem to know a lot about them in general Yumi. Are you dating them?" I gasped and looked at her extremely flustered. She looked very happy with herself and the man looked curious, again hard to tell because of the sunglasses.

"Wha-its-I-" I had absolutely no idea what I was trying to say but whatever it was, it wasn't going to come out clearly because my brain just decided to malfunction. My face was most likely already red too. Kyouko didn't continue but had a knowing look on her face and turned back to watch the match while I tried to calm down my fast-paced heart beat that was now in stuck in my throat.

'Where did that come from?'

My attention was returned to the match. After a few attempts at shooting were blocked, the bulldozer managed to steal the ball from Kota yet again and when he took the shot Shou and opposing player jumped for it. Shou managed to deflect the ball but he hit the other player in the face with his elbow in the process. He got given a yellow card as a result.

"That's gonna shake his confidence..." I mumble out loud, mostly to myself but Kyouko nodded in agreement

It soon became evident that Shou was not himself because in the next play the bulldozer made his 'special play' to right instead of left like normal and Shou hesitated in blocking, thus losing his chance to steal the ball. Thankfully Reika got in front of Suguro and blocked him from making a clear shot causing it to be blocked by the goalie instead.

"What's the matter with Shou-kun?" Kyouko asked while petting Zach.

"He's gotten caught up in the mud. This match is completely different than the first one." The man commented while typing furiously on his laptop, "How will this match continue? I'm looking forward to it." I nodded slightly in agreement but I was worried that Shou wasn't going to snap out of it.

'This is something he needs to experience Yumi. He 'll pull through.'

The next play was hard because the team had less people in the front since Ozou was helping out Shou in defense. When Tsubakimori tried to score again the ball hit the side of the goal instead which prevented it from going in.

'That was close.' I think everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The ref blew the whistle signifying the end of the first half of the match. I made my way towards the team, grabbing some water bottles and handing them out. Kota patted my head when I handed him his water bottle. Momoyama was pretty peeved off at this point, his whole face was red with anger. It was kinda funny..

"Sorry, everyone." Everyone turned to looked at a very disheartened Shou, "Both goals were my fault." He looked really depressed and avoided eye contact as Ozou responded, "Even if you apologize, that won't change anything. Shou, learn from Ryuuji a bit." Both Ryuuji and Shou gave him confused looks, "He's missed so many shots, but he still keeps on shooting." I giggled at that and Ozou smirked at me.

"Okay everyone. What do the Predators lack right now?" Hanashima grabbed everyone's attention looking very at ease with the situation.

Ryuuji answered, "I really don't want to say this, but we lack Suguro-kun's intense drive and guts to win."

"Correct, anything else." Hanashima asked and this time Kota answered, "Shou's captaincy." Erika immediately tried scolding him for being so blunt but in all honesty, he was right.

Hanashima seemed to agree, "No, Kota-kun's right." He looked over at Shou, "Why do you think I made you captain?"

"Well, because I gathered everyone here." He stated quietly.

"Not just that."

"Because his voice is loud?" Reika offered.

"That's true too."

I decided to speak up, "Because he has good field vision and great defensive positioning." Shou looked at me startled and I smiled.

"That's exactly right." Hanashima smiled, "Don't get scared just because of a yellow card. That's very unlike you." He continued on to compliment Reika on her improvement and she blushed in response.

Everyone then started saying how they haven't heard Shou's loud voice on the field at all during the first half of the match and they continued to encourage him to use it more. Shou teared up but wiped his eyes before laughing a little.

Anyway the encouragement seemed to have worked because the second match started and Shou seemed to be back to his normal self and started calling out to the players with that loud voice of his.

Shou called out Build, which if you weren't paying attention, is one of the three tactics the team had been practicing. They didn't really want to use any tactics yet but desperate times call for desperate measures.

"Interesting." I looked up at the old man.

'We really need to learn his name or at least call him something better than old man.'

"That kid's play is completely different from before."

"Looks like he woke up." Kyouko commented, "His motivation's back I guess."

"Motivation? I see." He began typing again.

I nodded in agreement, "Skill and ability can only take you this far." He paused from typing to look at me, "You need a certain amount of mental strength." I finished and the man decided to pat my head.

'Now who does this remind you of?'

"Very good little lady." He praised and I blushed hiding behind my bangs. What is with everyone patting my head?

We brought our attention back to the game and witnessed Kota finally making a shot, scoring a point for us. Momoyama seemed ecstatic despite the fact that we needed to score another just to make it even.

'Don't be such a pessimist Yumi.'

The next play resulted in us getting an even score with Tsubakimori. The game was turning around and you could see the excitement on the team's faces. They even started having fun with it. Ozou had the ball when Shou called out Big Tri. Ozou passed the ball to Ryuuji who passed the ball to Kota, who in return scored the next goal making the Predators take the lead with 3-2.

'Nice call Shou.'

After that they managed to get another goal until Ryuuji tried scoring. He kicked the ball towards the goal but it went straight to Suguro's feet and then in the goal. It resulted in getting a goal but I had to wonder about how it was played out.

"Hmm.." I tilted my head and watched Ryuuji's face. From the looks of it was most likely planned to end up that way. Hanashima and the ref seemed to have the same thoughts.

"Say little lady," I looked up towards the man, "..what do you think that goal was just now?" I tilted my head, knowing exactly what he was getting at. "It seemed like it was planned." I responded and Kyouko seemed surprised at this. After all it was a difficult thing to pull off. The man mumbled something about how to score this but I wasn't paying attention because the match was getting interesting.

'I wonder what Ryuuji will try next?'

But much to my surprise, it was Ozou who seemed to be next to plan something. Instead of passing the ball around in order to just run down the clock and win that way, he made a fairly easy pass straight to aTsubakimori player. I tilted my head and noticed him sharing a look with Ryuuji.

'So they're in on it together huh?'

The next shot was made by Erika, much to her own surprise. It seems that Ozou's plan was to get Tsubakimori away from their goal and score while they were scrambling to get back in defense.

'A pretty good plan if you as me.' I smiled at the looks on the other team's faces.

In the end the Predators won 6-2. Pretty impressive seeing as the game started pretty bad. I was proud of them, they were faced with a challenge and overcame it.

'Not too bad I guess.'

"Well then little lady," The man once again grabbed my attention, "It seems they came through." I nodded, smiling up at him. I looked over towards the team and noticed the triplets staring at us, more specifically at the man beside me. I tilted my head. 'I wonder if they know him?'

We made our way over and Momoyama announced that he would treat everyone in celebration of winning against Tsubakimori.

I, however, didn't find myself celebrating with them because I had another piano lesson and it was taking a bit longer than usual.

"You're doing well Shimakage-chan," encouraged after I finished playing the Fur Elise, "You've only slipped up twice so I think by next week you'll have the hang of it." I smiled and packed up my notes. The lessons had been going a lot better now that my schedule matched up to the teams' game and practice schedules. I didn't have to worry about missing any lessons or games which was good. I still needed to tell dad about this but mom assured me the we'd handle it.

"Enjoy your lesson Mi-chan?" I snapped my head up at Ryuuji's voice. There they were, all three of them, newly showered and out of uniform, but standing in front of me none the less.

"Um, y-yeah." Yeah my speaking skills still needed work, "It was g-good." I stumbled out and they smiled and began walking in the direction of my house, "Um..why are you here?" They looked back at me, "I-I m-mean why aren't you celebrating with the team?" I clarified for them.

They simply shrugged and I figured I'd find out later and walked after them. This had become quite routine for us. They always walked me home after my piano lessons and I was starting to wonder why. I mean this wasn't typically normal behavior for them.

Then Kyouko's question as to whether we were dating or not sprang into my mind and I almost tripped over my feet, my face gaining its usual red color. 'Why are you even thinking about that now Yumi?' Its not we were dating and I don't really think you could date three people at the same time right? Any way, I had no time to be thinking about such things when the fact that my father was going to kill me when he finds out I'm helping the team. I f he found out I was in any sort of relationship with not one but three boys then all hell might break loose.

'You're overthinking things again Yumi.'

"Yu." I snapped out of my thoughts looking up at Kota, who looked concerned and I realized that I had stopped walking. "Are you alright mouse?" Ozou questioned looking just as concerned as his brothers. "Oh um, yeah." That was all I seemed to manage.

"Mi-chan is something bothering you?" Ryuuji's hand was on my head and I hid behind my bangs, even though I knew they hated when I did.

'What do I say?'

"I-I'm a little worried about something but its fine." There was silence and then I felt someone taking my bangs out of my eyes and lifting my head up. I found myself looking at Ozou, "What is it little mouse?" His voice was soft, coaxing a response from me and Ryuuji added in for good measure, "You can tell us." He smiled softly and Kota nodded firmly.

For some reason, tears were starting to from in my eyes. 'Why are you crying?'

"Well..you see," I decided to just let my mouth do the talking and explained the situation to them. They listened eagerly and patiently, often coaxing me with a heads rub or soft whispers whenever I needed it.

'This is kinda nice.'

After I had managed to explain the situation, they were quiet for a while. Ryuuji had his arms crossed with a small frown on his face, Ozou had hand on my head and Kota stood facing away from us a little with his hands in his pockets. They all seemed to be deep in thought. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.

'Not like you could help it. You kinda just blurted it out.'

"So..." I started, still trying to think of the right thing to say but nothing came to mind.

"Don't worry Yu." I looked at Kota, he looked relaxed, "Kota-kun's right, you shouldn't worry Mi-chan. We'll figure it out." Ryuuji smiled giving me a head pat, "And if not, we can always persuade your old man." Ozou finished with a smirk. All I could do was smile and nod since my ability to speak was more often than not a let down, nodding seemed like a good response.

And with that, they continued to walk me home and for some reason I couldn't stop smiling.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you're enjoying it, if not then let me know by commenting/reviewing.

Thanks again for you patience and I'll see you next time.