On The Same Field
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Tsurugi looked up. At the sparkling lamps of the capital city of Faram Obius.
"So this is… the real Faram Obius' night sky?" he muttered.
During his seclusion at Faram Obius Palace, he quite often stole chances to observe the sky―especially at night. Waiting for Tenma and the others. Seeing how contrasted the night sky had been, compared to the sky he saw today, he came to understand how different the sky could be, just because of the existence of a black hole.
Faranerva―Faram's closest and largest natural satellite―was showing off its full moon, after several months had not reflected Faramdite's sunlight to Faram Obius due to the black hole's obstruction. Around it, aside of sparkling stars, several fireworks were also blooming, exciting the closing party of Grand Celesta Galaxy tournament. Guests from some participants planets also came to celebrate the resolved tension, after for months being terrorized by the fear of losing their home planet to Faram Obius.
"A few months ago, who thought that we would win ...?" Tsurugi sighed to himself. "A team full of people who had never played soccer before ..."
"Well, you're right."
Shindou responded to Tsurugi's monologue muttering. The Earth Eleven's playmaker joined Tsurugi, looking up the sky.
"I guess I have to reward them with something. Those rookie players... Ah, no, they are no longer some rookies, huh ...?" Shindou curled up a smile.
"Rewards ...?" Tsurugi tried to ask.
"You still remember, they played soccer as Earth Eleven members because Coach Kuroiwa promised them that their dreams would come true?"
"Aah, I see...," Tsurugi immediately perceived. Of course he remembered. Ibuki and Sakura wished to pursue sporting careers abroad. Kusaka wanted to continue his formal education which was hampered for getting involved in a fight. Tetsukado needed money to repair his family's fishing boat. Matatagi dreamed of a house large enough to accommodate him and his brothers. And soon.
"But, keep this from them, okay?! Let them be surprised later!" Shindou whispered, ending their conversation, as he saw Tenma approaching.
"Tsurugi, Shindou-san! Shall we go eat something?" hollered Tenma, trying not to be overwhelmed by the boisterous guests from all over the galaxy that filled the palace garden.
"Eat what?" asked Tsurugi, no less loud.
"I heard Sazanaara opens a sushi booth! Let's go there!"
"Sushi ?"
"Eh ... I mean ...," Tenma scratched his head. "I think it's some kind of food similar to our sushi ! But I don't know how to call it in Sazanaarian language ... "
Since the party guests were not only from one planet, the party food served was not only from the host planet. The guests planet were also permitted to open booths themed on their respective planets, serving not only their people but also people from other planets who were attracted by their signature food's smells. Making this party look more like a cultural festival than a celebration. But no one objected. Even Queen Lalaya. Instead, she enjoyed the presence of the 'mini Milky Way' in the courtyard of her palace. Even Tsurugi was happy to have the opportunity to visit Sazanaara, Gurdon, and Ratoniik―even if it's just their booths. During the tournament, these three planets became Earth Eleven's stopovers. Because of the incident with Faram, Tsurugi didn't have chance to visit them with his teammates.
Compared to others, the Earth's booth got the most attention. Aside for their heroic action in stopping Ozrock, Earth was still a really foreign planet to those aliens, due to its remote location on the outskirts of the Milky Way.
The busy booth made it a little difficult for Mrs. Kamata and Aoi as coordinators. Initially, Aoi wanted to ask Mizukawa for help, as a fellow Earth Eleven manager. Unfortunately, Mizukawa Minori, who had returned to her true nature―a delinquent queen nicknamed Minotaurus―was still enraged for being 'kidnapped' by Potomuri's soul to some land that was completely unknown to her. Good thing there was Zanakurou. He didn't help in cooking or serving the food, but he was quite good at controlling the crowd.
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Exiting Planet Gurdon's booth, Tenma and Tsurugi found Mizukawa Minori, sitting alone not far from the exit. Her expression was a mixture of sullen and grim, like some thug who just got pickpocketed.
"Hey, isn't that Mizukawa-san?" pointed Tenma. "Why is she alone?"
"Let her be. She may still be confused at what happened," said Tsurugi, even though deep down inside, he was not that ignorant.
As a fellow kidnapping victim, Tsurugi understood very well what it felt like to suddenly wake up surrounded by foreign-faced people, in the middle of nowhere. Even so, Tsurugi didn't want to interfere. After knowing Mizukawa's true nature, no one wanted to get involved with that girl.
But Tenma instead approached Mizukawa, and before Tsurugi could stop him, the captain had asked, "Mizukawa-san, why not joining the others?"
Mizukawa glared. Tenma shrank out.
"Because of that damned scientist alien ghost…" Mizukawa hissed.
"Err, you mean ... Potomuri ...? Indeed he was the one who involved you in this tournament. But he did not mean anything bad, really. Thanks to him, our earth was saved," Tenma persuaded at length. "Besides, we won't be here long. Tomorrow morning, we'll return to Earth immediately."
Instead of persuading, Tenma's words had the opposite effect on Mizukawa.
Suddenly the girl's voice cracked, startling both Tenma and Tsurugi.
"That's exactly what pisses me off! After all the tension was resolved, I woke up like a fool! That's unfair! Even I wanted to see the black hole and explore alien planets outside the solar system, you know!"
Tenma and Tsurugi couldn't help but blinking in unexpectedness. Who would have thought that Mizukawa―despite acting like Midori―also had strange interests like Akane.
While Tenma was confused about how to deal with Mizukawa's rage, Katora appeared with a smile on her face, and greeted the three of them.
"Mizukawa… Minori-san, right?" the princess greeted in respectful manner, contrasting Mizukawa's face that was still tinged with anger. "No words can convey my gratitude to you, for containing Potomuri's soul and bring him here. Thanks to you, Potomuri's dream of completing Cosmic Plasma Photon Canon has finally come true."
Mizukawa, more or less, softened at Katora's humbleness.
"Well…," Mizukawa lowered her two hands that previously on her waists. "It's not really a problem, though. But you better tell that Potomuri guy, he must ask permission before taking over someone's body."
Remembering Potomuri, Katora's eyes dimmed for a moment, though the smile still didn't leave her face.
"Yes, if someday I can meet him again, I will tell him your message."
Mizukawa left after Tenma suggested that she should try visiting several booths, to compensate for the missed adventure. It would be much better rather than grumbling alone.
As soon as Mizukawa left, Tenma who was alert to see the change in Katora's expression, stepped closer to the girl.
"Sorry, Katora. In order to help us, Sarjes and Potomuri must…"
"It's okay, Tenma," consoled Katora. "They did it of their own accord. Besides, Sarjes and Potomuri are not alive anymore. They just returned to their realm."
At Katora's devotion, Tenma was impressed. After Potomuri and Sarjes left, the princess became the only Kielian who still survived.
"But after this, what will you do, Katora? Wasn't your planet already ..."
"Please do not worry about it. Queen Lalaya has allowed me to live on this planet as legal citizen."
"Really?" Tsurugi's surprised voice was mixed with joy.
"Likewise with Ozrock and the others. Queen Lalaya even intends to strengthen your testimony in order to lighten Ozrock's the sentence and his dismiss as a member of Galactic Federation Council"
For those terror attacks on Faram and the Milky Way, Ozrock received a harsh verdict from Galactic Federation Council stating that he was fired as its official. Luckily for him, Queen Lalaya was being big-hearted. Ozrock and his people were still allowed to return to Faram Obius, as legal citizens who were recognized as equal to other Faram residents. Although according to Lalaya, what she had done was still not comparable to the suffering that Ozrock and his friends had endured for these two hundred years.
"That's good to hear!" Tenma was happy too.
"Yeah," Tsurugi smiled, remembering Lalaya. She really has become a real queen.
Katora bowed. Seemed to not as happy as Tenma and Tsurugi.
"What's wrong, Katora?"
Katora shook her head, still smiling. "Ah, no. It's okay…." She stared at Tenma's face, for a long time.
"Katora…?"
Jolted, Katora looked down again. She only dared to raise her head after Tenma called her name twice.
"Tenma, thank you for believe in me until the end."
"Oh, so that's what you've been thinking…?" Tenma laughed at Katora's nervousness which he thought was unreasonable. "Of course I believe in you! Because it didn't seem that you were lying at all."
Even though at first, she didn't expect that her solemnity was responded to by laugh, in the end, Tenma's smile convinced Katora to smile along.
Tsurugi looked at Katora, then turned to Tenma. The look in Katora's eyes on Tenma made Tsurugi realized what the girl actually wanted to say. After waiting for so long, the princess must have had a hard time letting Tenma leave just like that.
"Tenma," Tsurugi spoke. "I'll go back to Sazanaara booth. I want to see around the aquarium once more."
"Eh? I'm coming too!" Tenma moved to join Tsurugi.
"I'm okay. You've been there before, haven't you? I'll go by myself. See you later."
Putting his hands inside his pockets, Tsurugi strolled alone. If Tsurugi had acted like that, it meant he didn't want to be disturbed. Realizing that, Tenma decided not to catch up.
"Tenma," Katora's soft call distracted Tenma. "May I visit your booth?"
"Oh, of course you can! Do you want me to take you?"
Katora certainly didn't refuse.
On their way, several new fireworks were sparked again. Bigger, with various colors.
"Wow, fireworks," Katora murmured in awe.
"Do you have fireworks on your planet too, Katora?"
"Yes, but not as beautiful as on this planet."
"Haha, you're right. Ours are not as good as those either. Faram Obius is the most advanced planet in our galaxy, after all. But even so, it'd still feel relieved to be on your own planet, huh?" Soon Tenma realized he had chosen the wrong words. "So-sorry, Katora! I didn't mean…"
"It's okay, please don't feel bad about it," said Katora frantically waving her palm. She soon changed the topic. "By the way, are you going home tomorrow, Tenma?"
Tenma nodded in certain.
"Your Earth ... is quite far away, isn't it?" Katora looked up at the sky. The series of fireworks still didn't die down. "Can we meet again someday?"
Luckily, Tenma didn't hear Katora's heartbeat when she asked that question. If not, he might definitely be shocked and confused. And Katora herself must have had a hard time explaining the meaning of her fast beating heart.
Tenma contemplated for a while. "Maybe someday, if Grand Celesta Galaxy is to be held again, we can stop by here. But, please don't turn the tournament into wagering our home planets like this time, okay?!"
Tenma's suggestion, delivered in a joking tone, eased Katora's tension.
"That sounds good! I hope Queen Lalaya is willing to consider it," Katora lifted her lips higher, hoping her smile would last longer.
I must not be selfish. Tenma also has people on Earth waiting for his return.
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This was Tsurugi's tenth time touring Sazanaara Aquarium. Even though it was merely some virtual image created using Faram technology, the aquarium was indeed beautiful. Dolphanuses and Delpinuses swimming gracefully was its main attraction. But that was not the reason why Tsurugi felt secured there. The dim atmosphere while being shaded by water around was a good place to contemplate.
Tsurugi stroked the screen that bordered him from a group of small Dolphanuses.
"Tenma, thank you for believing in me until the end."
Even though I also wanted to say that…, thought Tsurugi.
Tenma, who still believed in him as a friend, even when he stood on the enemy's side.
"Tsurugi…!"
Initially, Tsurugi didn't even react when he was called for the first time. Maybe because of the distance. The voice then continued to approach him. And it was only after the caller mentioned his name twice―right beside him, only then did Tsurugi turn his head.
"La-Lalaya?"
Queen Lalaya, the caller, pursed her lips. "Why are you surprised? I've been calling you all this time!"
"R-really?"
"You've been strolling around this aquarium ten times, you know!"
"T-ten…?" Stuttering. But Tsurugi realized something more important. "Wait, that means, you've been following me?!"
"Not aware, huh? Besides, didn't I say I wanted to talk to you alone?"
Tsurugi remembered. "Oh, right. Sorry. I… forgot."
He was too happy to be able to get back together with Tenma and the others, to forgetting that he also had a special attachment to the planet that had been his home for more than half of Grand Celesta Galaxy tournament.
Tsurugi resumed his walk. Lalaya followed, looking up at the top of Tsurugi's head.
"Hey, where's the flower crown I put on you at the awards ceremony?"
"Eh? Oh, that…," Tsurugi felt a little guilty. "Sorry, we left them in our rooms. Shindou-san said, it would be wasted if they got trampled while we're moving around."
"Hm…, well, I can understand that. But I hope you don't throw the crowns away until the flowers really wither"
Exiting the aquarium, Lalaya invited Tsurugi to the palace.
Tsurugi was hesitant at first. "Is it okay for us to leave the party?"
"Just for a while. Come on!"
Tsurugi was surprised to see the hallways of the palace that were empty without guards or servants.
"I told everyone to go out and enjoy the party," said Lalaya as if she could read Tsurugi's mind.
Lalaya guided Tsurugi into the elevator, which continued to climb towards the floor where Tsurugi's room was.
"Where are we going?" Tsurugi―even though he knew they were going to his room―realized that the room was no longer his, as he was soon going to return to Earth.
"To Tsurugi's favorite place." Lalaya replied after they both stood on the balcony of the room. "Right? I saw you often stand here looking at the sky. Waiting for your friends to arrive. But, there's no need to do that anymore, though."
Lalaya stared down. To the place where Earth's booth placed.
"Good grief…," Tsurugi sighed. "So while I was here, you were always watching me, huh?"
"Otherwise, you'd run away from us!" Lalaya glanced. "Tsurugi, you are going to go home tomorrow, right?"
Lalaya's voice carried a tone of unwillingness, forcingTsurugi to pause before answering. "Yeah."
A moment's silence captivated the air around them.
"Tsurugi, my father always granted my wish," Lalaya looked up at the sky, as if she could see Akurous's figure among the sparkling of those stars. "You know what my wish is now? I don't want Tsurugi to leave. I want to keep you by my side"
The night wind soared, tugging at their hair in rhythmic motion.
"...Lalaya, you now can do your duties as queen without me. You have great comrades and friends. Minel, Argo, even Princess Katora…. They deserve to be by your side more than me."
"That's not true!" Lalaya cut in, grabbing Tsurugi's arms, reflecting her green eyes into his yellow ones. "Tsurugi, you introduced me to the real face of Faram Obius that I'd never seen. You made a real queen of me. You mean a lot to me!"
Tsurugi bit his lip. "Sorry. But I can't."
Lalaya's grip loosened. "Yes, I know."
Tsurugi didn't expect that Lalaya would give up so soon.
"When I was little, my father once told me. As a future queen, I must not be selfish…" Lalaya pulled her hands from Tsurugi's arms. "To be honest, I never asked to be born as a crown princess. If I could, I would like to live as an ordinary person so I could marry you."
"Lalaya," Tsurugi was awry. "It's not whether you're the queen or not. I… just haven't thought of getting married right now. Besides, I don't think being selfish is something a queen should avoid. Everyone, in essence, shouldn't be selfish."
Lalaya was silent. Realizing that Tsurugi's words had a point.
"Tsurugi, do you like me?"
Tsurugi was stunned, bewitched by Lalaya's green eyes staring at him closely, waiting for an answer.
Tsurugi then replied slowly, "I like you ..., but ... maybe it's different from what you feel for me."
"Even if I was not the queen? Even if I was an earthling like you? Would you still feel that way?"
Tsurugi's head nodded, didn't know what to answer.
"You will definitely be a good queen. At the same time ... be a good woman too," Tsurugi answered slowly. "But, like I said. I haven't thought about getting married…, or anything like that."
Lalaya sighed. "Earthlings are late bloomers, aren't they?" she complained. "But, it's okay. I'm willing to wait. I won't make anyone as my husband except Tsurugi."
Tsurugi couldn't help but smiling at the words that came out of the girl who was much smaller than him.
"Well, do as you wish. However…," Tsurugi raised his index finger. "I will only accept your proposal if you have become the queen who succeeds in returning this kingdom to its glory."
Lalaya let out a chuckle. "Of course! There's no need for Tsurugi to tell me that!"
The two of them stared at each other briefly, before exchanging smiles.
"Okay, I understand," Lalaya decided. "When the time comes, I'll definitely go to Earth to pick you up Tsurugi. So, better prepare yourself, okay?!"
After saying that, Lalaya pulled Tsurugi's hand, forcing him to lower his body. Then without waiting any longer, she landed a quick kiss on his lips.
As if being affected by Heaven's Time, everything seemed to stop for them.
On the field, Tsurugi had conditioned his body to react automatically to opponents intending to steal the ball from him. But now, an attack that was meant to 'steal' a kiss, wasn't the kind of attack that Tsurugi could anticipate. He never even imagined that would happen to him.
"By this, Tsurugi won't be able to forget me, right?"
Lalaya let go of him, ending that childish, yet stupefying kiss.
"And I won't forget Tsurugi either. And these lips will never kiss any lips other than Tsurugi's."
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"Are you really okay by that?"
Tsurugi who just left the palace with a deep red face, practically turned his head. "M-MATATAGI ?!"
Geez, since when did that sprint runner lean against the outer wall of the palace?
"If the captain heard that, he would get very upset, you know!"
"W-what do you mean…?" Tsurugi asked, not understanding.
Matatagi whistled, "You should see how angry the captain was when he found out that you'd been kidnapped. Then you wouldn't even say that you were willing to be kidnapped by the queen again ..."
"I-I didn't ask to be kidnapped by her!" Tsurugi denied, but then was stunned. "Wait..., Tenma was… angry, you said?"
Tenma was angry? Moreover, for his sake ? For him ? Not for… soccer―as usual?
Tsurugi blinked in disbelief.
"Ah, speak of the devil," Matatagi lifted his chin. Tsurugi automatically followed the boy's eyes.
"Tsurugi! Matatagi!" Tenma's hands were seen waving.
"I'll go now," Matatagi left, as soon as Tenma reached them.
"Huh? You leave already, Matatagi?"
"It's okay! You guys can talk alone!" Matatagi waved. "Bye!"
"What's wrong with him…?" Keeping his astonishment, Tenma turned to Tsurugi. "Tsurugi, are you okay? Your face is red…?"
"I'm okay." Tsurugi changed the topic. "Where is Princess Katora?"
"Oh, she came to our booth earlier. But right there, she was instead asked to help Aoi and Mrs. Kamata. Even now, she is still helping out making rice balls for the customers. It seems Mrs. Kamata's rice balls are becoming popular even among those aliens, huh?"
"So, while they are working, you're strolling around and don't help?"
"Ahaha…," Tenma scratched the back of his head. "Even if I'm helping, I'll just become a bother for them. Besides, I'm not wandering around. I'm here to look for you."
"Looking for me?" Tsurugi doesn't understand. "Did something happen?"
Tenma shook his head with a smile. "Nothing. It's just ... after finally reunited with you, I don't want to lose you again."
Not wanting to be carried away by feelings, Tsurugi hurriedly turned his face away. "You're overreacting. I'm fine by myself!"
Tsurugi quickly stepped away from the palace. Not wanting to be left behind, Tenma rushed to follow him.
"You know what, Tsurugi?" After a few steps, Tenma started another chat. "When I realized that you'd been kidnapped, I was so confused about what to do. I was upset and angry at myself for not being able to take care of you."
"... I never asked to be taken care of by you ..." Tsurugi answered, a tone of dislike merged in.
Tenma didn't noticed.
"And when I saw your figure that stood upright without lacking anything, I was so relieved, that I felt like dying right away," Tenma's expression was earnest. "Fortunately, at that time, you were our enemy, Tsurugi. How could I die in peace without knowing what caused you to turn away from us."
Tsurugi looked down. Staring at the ground motive of the palace courtyard that his feet passed.
"I'm sorry, Tenma…"
Tenma shook his head. "We should be the ones who apologize, for letting you fight alone."
It was Tsurugi's turn to shake his head.
"I'm not alone," Tsurugi pointed with his eyes, some of the Faram Dite members who were tending their booth. Seren showed off her cooking skills. Meanwhile, Gandales and Ryugel joked as usual.
"Seren! Seren! Asoko ni UFO!"
"Yeah, yeah...," Seren muttered without distracting her attention from the oven baking her homemade cake.
Tenma smiled. "You're right. You're never alone at all…." Looking back at Tsurugi, Tenma's expression turned serious. "But really, Tsurugi. This incident made me realize how important you are to me."
"What do you mean?"
While Tsurugi looked at him with questioning eyes, Tenma took a deep breath before continuing.
"I promise I won't let you go again. I won't let you fall into other people's hands again. Not for Faram Dite. Neither for the other teams. Tsurugi, you are my team's ace striker. Now and forever."
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Tsurugi couldn't help but mused. How come were there two people promising him two things that were so opposite in one night? Tenma promised not to let him go, while Lalaya promised to take him away.
If allowed to choose, Tsurugi would clearly prefer to live on Earth. As sophisticated as Faram Obius might be, he had his irreplaceable brother and Gouenji-san on Earth. Later, Tsurugi regretted that he had made such conditions to Lalaya. But what could he say. Lalaya was the one who said strange things first, anyway.
The thought lingered on him for the rest of the night, until he woke up late the next day. The unusual habit that made Earth Eleven suspect suspect that there was another fake Tsurugi.
The station where their Galaxy Nauts parked, was already full of Faram Obius people who wanted to send their heroes away. Faram Dite's members, including Shitennou, suddenly surrounded Tsurugi as soon as he got out of the train. Tsurugi was dumbfounded when he saw those unruly and savage kids crying in front of him. Even though they only practiced together for a few days. And played officially in just 2 x 45 minutes.
"TSURUGIII ~!" Gandales and Ryugel hugged him without warning. "Don't you ever dare to forget us, you hear me?!"
"Damn you, Tsurugi! How dare you make me cry like this!" Barga sniffled. His face swollen with tears was a clear contrast to his brute look.
"You whiny," Hilary joked, and was soon responded by glare from Barga and laughter from other members.
"Take care," Rodan patted Tsurugi. "Here, proaxiel peanuts for you and your friends. But we don't take responsibility if you end up having stomachache from eating them all at once."
"Don't put Tsurugi in the same league as you," Seren sneered.
While serving the crowd, Tsurugi stretched his neck, trying to find Lalaya. But then he realized, it was impossible for a queen to squeeze among so many commoners. He soon stopped his search.
Tsurugi's arm was full of various kinds of souvenirs from Faram Dite. Starting from ornaments, food, even clothes, including the Faram Dite team uniform that he ever worn.
"This is from Queen Lalaya," Argo, the goalkeeper, whispered, forcing Tsurugi take a closer look at the Faram Dite uniform he received. A letter appeared to be sticking out of the folds of the purple shirt.
"Tsurugi!" Shindou called from the doorway. "It's time to leave."
"Y-yes, I'm coming ...!" Tsurugi realized, only he had not entered the train.
Before leaving, he took one last look at Faram Dite's members.
"Well, everyone, see you later," he said, trying to smile. "And please… deliver my greetings to Lalaya and the others."
Argo nodded, representing the others. "Sure! You can leave it to us!"
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The departure of Galaxy Nauts train was accompanied by waving hands from the gathered Faram residents.
The Galaxy Nauts must travel one kilometer on land before it could actually take off.
Only one kilometer. After that, they would not stand on the same ground again.
But wouldn't the sky that shelters us still be the same ...?
Strange. It was even harder for them to leave Faram, compared to when they left Earth. Especially for Tsurugi. Perhaps, because he left while thinking that he would never come back again. To the planet that had been his temporary home for more than a half of Grand Celesta Galaxy tournament.
As the largest building, Faram Obius Palace was the most prominent object seen from the train windows.
Tsurugi tried to imagine Lalaya waving from there.
"Tsurugi ...!"
And call out his name.
"Tsurugi ...!"
Time and time again ...
"Tsu ... Tsurugi!" This time it was Tenma's voice. The boy called from near the train's window. "Come here, quick!"
Without thinking anything, Tsurugi came to his captain, following his course of gaze. Then his eyes widened.
Lalaya ran furiously to catch up with the train. Her heels were removed. Her dress skirt fluttered as she ran.
"Lalaya ...!?" Tsurugi choked in disbelief. Minel followed behind the queen.
"Tsurugi ...!"
Movements of those tiny lips called him out. Since no sound of it could penetrate the Galaxy Nauts glass windows. Thus, limiting the interaction between them.
Only consoling smile and hand wave that Tsurugi could send. That continued, until Lalaya and Faram Obius' tall buildings were no longer visible to him.
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"I ...," Tsurugi muttered quietly. Turning away from the dark sky of outer space that enveloped them now. "... will definitely continue to play soccer. Wherever I will be later. You too, right, Tenma?"
Tenma was stunned. Before putting on a smile of agreement. "Of course!"
"Even if someday ..., we are in a situation where we have to fight each other?"
"That is...," Tenma blinked. "Why all of a sudden ...?"
Tsurugi looked away. "If Ozrock hadn't screwed up the final round, I really should have been your opponent back then ..."
"But in the end, it didn't happen, did it?"
"Indeed. But, once we grow up, we may not be together anymore. This team may no longer be on the same side, or even the same field. The members have their own dreams, some even have nothing to do with soccer. "
Tenma exhaled. Tsurugi waited, until Tenma curled a smile again and answered firmly. "Our soccer is the soccer that gives our best for friends and opponents. So I guess, there are no exceptions, even if it's Tsurugi. I will fight you with all my might."
Tsurugi smiled in response to Tenma's answer. "That's just the Tenma I know."
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At the end of the platform, Lalaya's legs stopped. Looking helplessly at the Galaxy Nauts as it climbed higher and higher, breaking away from Faram Obius' gravitational bonds.
"Minel ...," called Lalaya between her breaths.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Teach me how to play soccer!" ordered the queen, still panting, but steady sounding.
"Understood ..., eh ...? EEEEHHHHHHH?" Minel couldn't hide his surprise. "Y-Your Majesty! Did I hear correctly ...?"
Lalaya turned to face Minel. Her expression did not show any expression but a firm resolve. There was no doubt reflected in there.
"I plan to submit my proposal regarding the holding of Grand Celesta Galaxy tournament periodically, to Galactic Federation Council."
Minel nodded. "Yes, I know, but ... should Your Majesty also appear as a player ...? I think that would be too ..."
"Didn't Father also play soccer?" Lalaya insisted, as usual. "Father was the one who replaced Tsurugi when he was still 'dead', right? If Father could do it, why can't I?"
"But ... even if Your Majesty play for Faram Dite team..., Master Tsurugi will definitely play for planet Earth's side...," said Minel. He looked at Lalaya doubtfully.
"That is exactly why!" Lalaya replied quickly. "I also want to experience playing soccer, that Tsurugi really loves! And if I win against him..."
"Y-Your Majesty ...?" Minel stuttered. "Don't tell me, you are going to...!?"
"I won't," Lalaya assured him. "I'll only keep Tsurugi here, if he really consents to."
And someday, we will be standing on the same field ...
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Afterwords
This story was posted on on December 2013. It originally consists 14 chapters, which the first four tell Tsurugi's story when he first arrived on Faram Obius until he was requested by King Akurous to fight against Earth Eleven. The four chapters don't differ much to the anime and game's plot, so the author decided not to put them into the English version.
Thank you very much for anyone who was willing to read this story despite its hideous grammars, spellings, and dictions. See you in the next story!