Chapter Nine: Removing Rust Under a Microscope
Hold the ball tightly, don't let it spill forwards…
Barely getting any distance before he was tackled by opposing players.
Don't forget to push the ball back…
Gasping for air as he released the ball as teammates crashed over him to stop the opposition from stealing it.
Keep on moving.
Struggling to get back to his feet despite the training he'd done and all his experience fighting players and NPC's as Survivors RFC dragged themselves towards the fifty-metre line against The Representatives.
Repeat…
Kirito although dogged in his efforts was not having a good time on the pitch whatsoever. Having been including the starting line-up for their first pre-season match he was in danger of getting caught out and a few minutes later he was tackled by a far more skilled player.
Can't move…
Damn!
The referees whistle blew and unclamped by the tackler Kirito saw her orange sleeved arm raised towards the smirking Reps. To add insult to injury he could hear the commentary that was going on due to the pause in play.
"Out of sync, out of place and penalised for not releasing the ball. Not a good moment for Kirito Kirigaya and he was doing so well too."
The Reps' kicker took three points keeping the game barely alive for their opponents as the minutes ticked down.
But least I'm not the only member of our family on the pitch… all of us are and Asuna's leading from the front.
"Keep it together everyone, we're the ones leading this match!"
She glanced at the scoreboard.
We're sixty minutes in with a score of 19-6. Leading but not quite dominating, something's got to give…
The red shirts were being drawn apart creating holes in the offence.
"Ready Yui?"
This isn't a penalty kick, I just need to, there!
A moment of trust she dropped the ball onto her rising foot and it crossed left.
Into open space to be caught by Yui who ran towards the try line and dived over it grounding the ball. The crowd roared as Yui punched the air not quite believing what she'd done as her team.
Asuna gave a daughter a squeeze on the hand
"Brilliant job."
With the try converted by Farquharson the flood minutes later Asuna sensed another opportunity with defenders being drawn out of place. Receiving a pass from Yoshida she charged forward.
Show the ball to them getting closer, now turn!
Asuna weaved and then her speed did the rest as she crossed the try line slamming the ball down, triggering another roar from the crowd.
The commentator's words were accurate enough.
"Asuna Yuuki was called the Lightning Flash in Sword Art Online for a reason and she's already living up to her nickname in Grandstand Online! Brilliant try by her."
Now I've got to take the conversion.
But why is my left leg shaking?
She shook her head seeing the ball on the kicking tee with the posts in front of her rising upwards.
Still rocking she heard the faintest of whispers.
You're going to let your team down again…
Asuna struck the ball and gave a little fist pump as two flags rose.
Two more points.
She shook her head.
Still being attacked by this fear even in anger.
Anyway, restart's coming and…
A smile crept across her face as she saw the ball flying towards her.
They've made a bad mistake…
She caught the ball and ran towards a wide-open gap between two dazed defenders.
That I can pounce on!
And broke through it to slam the ball down underneath the goal posts.
"Lightning striking twice in a with back to back tries Yuuki, who said anything about rust? When they play well Survivors RFC absolutely shine!"
But trouble struck minutes later as suitably humiliated The Representatives moved on to within ten metres of Survivors own try-line. One of their players unleashed a kick that bounced straight towards Kirito.
Evading a Rep Asuna raised her hand.
"Kirito-!"
But it was too late. Kirito's right foot connected with the ball and pushed it across the opposite line of the in-goal area as a player bore down on him.
Immediately the referees whistle blew and her arm was raised towards The Representatives as she moved towards the goalposts indicating a penalty try to them and something worse for Survivors RFC…
"Captain. Number 11!"
Asuna walked forward as Kirito joined her with the referee standing firm.
Bad move Kirito and it's going to have more consequences.
He saw the referee reach into their pocket… just as Asuna was about to open her mouth.
"I'm sorry but that's cynical thoughtless play, even for a beginner…"
And stab a yellow card high above her head.
"Off you go."
Kirito didn't need his HUD flashing at him telling him the obvious. He trudged off the pitch with his head down, sin binned.
The referee turned to Asuna.
"Captain, although this is a pre-season match the rules of our sport are still the same. Please remind your players about this and make sure they study them further before the pool stage begins."
Asuna went off to have a word with her teammates as the reps went back to their half of the pitch.
He should have just stood back or taken the ball himself.
"That's what happens when you're too clever by half! If you want to do something clever or heroic make sure you have some idea of what you're doing. Otherwise play it safe!"
I'm not furious at him… but had that not been a pre-season match it would have been far more costly.
The next ten minutes were tough as the Reps tried to make some kind of a comeback but aside from one penalty they were kept around the half way line or near their own twenty-two metre one.
Despite this when the referee's whistle blew three times to signify full time it wasn't so much triumph for Asuna instead it was relief that the first hurdle had been cleared.
Getting her breath back she shook hands with her team mates and The Representatives.
Not bad, we scored well. Apart from Kirito who got frustrated.
Down to fourteen men and only three extra points aside from that penalty try. They could have pushed us a hell of a lot harder!
A good start I guess-
The commentary clicked on.
"Impressive team but I doubt we'll be seeing much of the famous Kazuto Kirigaya in future matches if the Survivors want to win this tournament. He's a shadow of his skills when it comes to sword fighting."
Asuna winced and switched the commentary off.
That's harsh on Kirito but at least Yui looks happy. As well she might, she's getting some well-deserved praise from Jonathan and her other team mates.
"She was absolutely metronomic with her passing out there and deserved that try. Really enjoyed playing with her.
Stuart was also enthusias
"Is she some kind of android or robot?"
Yui visibly flinched at that.
Stuart stepped back
"I'm sorry. I didn't realise."
Yui opened her mouth then closed it again.
She's struggling to find the words to describe herself. Time to step in, just a little.
Asuna patted her daughter on her shoulder.
"She's not a robot but she's had an interesting journey."
Hasketh blinked and looked at Yui with a confident expression.
"Glad to have you on the team in any case Yui. Did you enjoy today?"
Yui smiled, her eyes lighting up.
"Thanks, and yes I did."
Jonathan smiled back.
"Looking forward to seeing you at our next training session."
Yui smiled.
"Me too."
Fifteen minutes later they were out of The Comity Stadium which they'd been playing in when Asuna spotted Yoshida veering off on an unusual path. She turned around seeing Kirito shuffling beside her with a rueful expression on his face as opposed to Yui who was a little tired.
You need to be in your comfort zone Kirito and I can see an opportunity to put you back in it.
"Follow him, both of you. He knows me and you're less conspicuous here."
Yui turned to Asuna
"What about you mama-chan?"
Asuna turned her head back towards the stadium.
"I'm going to stay here and watch the next matchbetween The Tombstones and Hallowed Turf. Now tail our teammate with everything you have."
A chance to see this infamous team in action…
Anyway, let's get back inside the match will be starting shortly
But looking at the Tombstones starting line up which was being announced on screens both inside and outside the stadium a shiver ran through her.
Their fly half looks very familiar but why?
She studied the image of a player with sandy blonde hair wearing a scrum cap with goggles.
Surely not though…
He's rotting in a Tokyo prison.
Isn't he?
Meanwhile Felix having watched the game was having a post-match call with someone
"…Kirito's still chasing past glories. I'm still surprised you brought him along Felix. You could have just brought Asuna as well as Yui and avoided the pounding he's getting. Instead you bring the whole bloody family!"
Felix looked up wryly.
At least she's not accusing me of bringing his so-called "harem". Not that it was or is one in any case, contrary to some impressions…
"I brought him along because of his talents off the pitch as you know. Besides some people have to learn to accept when they're in a different phase of their life or have a different role to play in worlds. Kirito is no different, I guess."
The voice on the other end of line was accusing him of something else.
"Teaching life lessons through missions Felix? Typical of you!"
Something like that…
Felix gripped the phone as his head dropped slightly.
"If they're being learned Aaloka then they're a sliver of compensation for what's happening. We both crossed an unfortunate threshold in inviting those three along, let's hope that they find something positive along the way just as they've done so many times in the past."
There was a sigh on the other end of the line.
"I guess MSP. Anyway, we'll be in touch as the situation progresses."
Felix nodded
"Aye I'm counting on it my Honourable Member, speak soon."
Both people disconnected.
Felix turned to Shino who had come in
"It'll be time to head north of the border soon. Is our vector cleared Sarge?"
Shino nodded.
"Hai, the English were surprised we weren't going up the West Coast Main Line though given how long we've spent here. They said I should ask you if we're trying to equal the distance of the Northern Lights."
Felix rolled his eyes
"Train anoraks huh? If we really wanted to do that then we'd be going through London instead. But frankly I'm surprised that they'd think we'd go a direct route given security considerations. Possibly a bit of gamesmanship on their part I guess…"
He looked around
"In some ways although not in others we played a far simpler game in Aincrad. This one is far more complex as we knew it would be from its outset."
6