A while later, in his bedroom, Hyuga tried to vent out his bad mood doing pushups, while Ken finished his homework.

-Oi, you made a big scandal today, Hyuga-kun –the Karate Keeper said, while he tried to finish an Algebra exercise. But he received no reply.

-Well, I know you won't talk to me, but you know I've always been straight. Stop worrying so much about the bad things. There's a chance you will be here on time for the game, and with your cooking talent, I'm sure you're going to win. Besides, your recipe isn't that complicated, right?

He only received a grunt as a reply.

-I'll take that as a yes –and so Ken kept on with his monologue, until he was satisfied.

Hyuga didn't utter a single word, until he completed 300 pushups and his mood had evened out.

-For one thing, nothing's written in soccer and life. Second, how can you tell me not to worry, if the game's against none other than Tsubasa? Third: I can't make miracles.

-At least have a little faith.

-I'd wish… But I know I wouldn't make it here on time.

-And can you foresee? What if you get here on time, or the match is delayed?

-The match can't be delayed!

-Why not? Because you said so?

-I'm sure Tsubasa would think I'm a coward and I ran.

-I disagree. Stop jumping down everyone's throats.

-Nani?

-What you heard. Tsubasa would probably understand what's wrong… But of course, since you want to solve it all on your own…

-Ken… ¬¬U

-It's the truth. You haven't even dared to talk with him about this… You're afraid of hurting your dumb pride.

-Stop that nonsense! –Hyuga was furious again.

-Then stop procrastinating and DO something.

Furious, Hyuga left the bedroom slamming the door. Of course, some people poked their heads to see what happened, but since it was just Hyuga, they shrugged and closed the doors.

But, almost as if it had been on purpose, he met with Tsubasa outside the dorms block.

-What are you doing here? –Hyuga asked, trying not to be rude.

-Spending my time –the other teen answered, who was holding something in his hand. –By the way, thanks for being friends with Takenouchi-san.

-How did you know her?

-She never told you, Hyuga-kun? I once crashed with her, and she was so funny, I decided to befriend her.

-So you collided with her…

-Huh?

-I collided with her too… -Hyuga began to say, but stopped in midphrase. What the heck was he doing talking with his rival like that?

-I see.

That was the only thing Tsubasa said… And Hyuga thought he would laugh at him because of that.

-Aren't you supposed to laugh at me right now?

-Why should I laugh at you, Hyuga-kun? I'm not like that.

"Ken was right… Tsubasa does understand me…"

-Ah. I guess she must've told you then.

-What?

-There's a Cooking contest the same day of the soccer game…

-Cooking contest? What's that got to do with the game? –Tsubasa asked, pretending not to know.

-Then she never told you anything?

-I don't know what you're talking about OOU.

And Hyuga, amused and relieved, told Tsubasa what had happened, and his rival turned out to be an excellent listener.

Finally, the Tiger waited for Tsubasa's laughter, but he didn't budge.

-… and that's what happens. You'd better not laugh at me.

-I said I'm not the kind of dude that laughs at other people's bad luck. And if what you're telling me is as serious as it seems, then I'm cool with delaying the match a bit.

-But Tsubasa!

-I wish to face you in a good game, and I wouldn't stand winning because your team's missing its captain. No matter what you say, we'll wait for you to return on time, and hopefully with the 1st place in your pocket.

Tsubasa had proven to be incredibly serious, and Hyuga couldn't help but feeling thankful with him.

-By the way, what's that you got in your hand? –Hyuga asked, curious.

-Oh, this? It's just one of those stress-relieving balls –Tsubasa said, passing him the soft foam ball. –Going to so many museums and places ticks me off, and I needed to chill out.

-You ticked off? I can't even imagine it.

-Let it be. Hey, Hyuga-kun, why were we never able to talk like this, like normal people instead of soccer rivals?

-Probably because we're out of the field.

-Well, yeah, right? –and strangely enough (no pun intended Oo) Tsubasa and Hyuga talked for a long time, where they talked about things they had never imagined they'd talk about since they were rivals, or maybe because they didn't know each other very well. Tsubasa learned this way what happened with Hyuga, and he understood why Tsubasa used to be such a happy-go-lucky, kind guy.

-You're weird, Tsubasa…

-Anyone would think the same about you, but I don't, Hyuga-kun. I just hope your trouble with that bully's over.

-Thanks –and much calmer than before, Hyuga went back to his bedroom, where Ken was already asleep, breathing thru his mouth again.

"This dummy never learns…" –and Hyuga grabbed his nose. Ken gasped and woke up, scared.

-What the…?

-Oi, did you know you snore?

-What?

-You snore. That's why you always have a sore throat in the morning, you moron.

-Well, at least it's a good excuse for taking my throat medicine, right? –Ken used to get up with a really sore throat, and he had a glass jar with honey and lemon mixed in it. It was the only sweet thing he allowed himself to eat, since it relieved his throat.

-Not funny.

-I know it wasn't.

-And… What were you doing?

-Talking.

-Talking? With whom?

-With… -Hyuga hesitated.

-Don't leave me like this. Tell me.

-With Tsubasa.

Ken got up with a jump, looking at Kojiro with eyes as big as soup platters.

-Don't give me that look.

-It's just, it's just that…

-It's just that I don't get along well with Tsubasa? That may be true and everything, but I talked with him… And it seems you're a wizard.

-Nani?

-I told him what happened, and he understood it pretty well… As if he'd known it before. Just how you said it'd be.

-Who knows; maybe he's the one who foresees things.

Both of them went to sleep.

At last the day of the match, and of the contest, arrived. Hyuga tried not to look troubled, but he was failing dismally. His hands were sweating, and wasn't able of staying still for more than 5 seconds.

Morning was as normal as expected, between classes and recess, but once the leaving time was there, Maya was in charge of telling him it was time to go.

-Now?

-You heard me –she said, leaving.

Hyuga excused himself to the teacher and followed Maya.

-Something the matter, Takenouchi?

-No, it's nothing. I'm just trying to get hold of my nerves.

-OK, but you didn't have to be so dry, you know.

-Gomen ne nnU

-By the way, I talked with Tsubasa.

-Really?

-Yup dee-doo as Sorimachi says.

-What did he say?

-He didn't laugh at me.

-Ah… he's always been like that. Well, are you ready?

-Yeah… I guess.

-You have to be 100 ready, Hyuga-san.

-I know that. It's just that I don't know what's going to happen.

They arrived at the TV studio, and noticed there was a big bunch of people who were like them: nervous. The young Toho soccer captain dried his hands on his trousers a lot of times, but once he felt Maya's small hand on his shoulder, he calmed down.

-Don't worry, Hyuga-san.

-Thanks, Takenouchi.

And the Tokyo Cooking contest began.