Hey sorry I haven't updatedl sooner. I had another story I needed to catch up on, and then I got Mono and was asleep like 23/7. I just got put on holiday break and am going to be working on updating this story be 3 chapters during it. Though this story will still be on hiatus. I'd also like to give a shout out to my...

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Now on with the chapter.

Erisa's P.O.V

"HEIII!" I screamed in surprise as I tripped down the stairs. I gave a grunt of pain as I landed on my back as I rolled off the last step.

"Ow! Why do I keep – ow – falling down these stairs?" I asked rhetorically as I slowly stood up.

Amy just chuckled, used to the tumbles I sometimes take in the morning. I hate stairs, because, for some unknown reason, they like to trip me. I kept grumbling as I made my way to the table.

"So, what are you doing today Ms. Up-early-on-her-own?" Amy asked me teasingly.

I shot her a glare, but answered, "Hiji-kun called me a little after you left for the market. He asked if I could watch the kids while he went to the fields because his neighbor was going to the fields too. I agreed."

Amy nodded, setting down a plate with jelly toast and a boiled egg on it in front of me. I smiled at her.

"Itadekimas!" I said and dug in, so to speak.

After breakfast, I headed back up the stairs to get ready. I had an hour before I needed to be there. It took around ten minutes to get to Hiji-kun's house by walking, which gave me about fifty minutes to get ready.

Looking through my closet, I decided on simple jean shorts that cut off mid-thigh and a black tank-top. Putting my long, white hair in a high pony-tail, I said goodbye to Hogo, who was still asleep on my bed. I walked down the stairs carefully, put on a pair of black sandals, and grabbed my satchel which held my phone and iPod, among other things.

Saying bye to Amy, I walked out the door and headed to Hiji-kun's. Checking the time on my phone, I saw that it had only taken me about fifteen minutes to change and leave. That meant if I went straight to Hiji-kun's, I would be thirty-five minutes early.

'Oh well' I thought as I put in my ear buds, 'that won't matter.'

Walking up the path to Hiji-kun's house, I put away my music and stretched to get rid of any tiredness I had left. There's no room for being tired when taking care of the Hijikata siblings.

Stopping at the door, I called out, "Hiji-kun, I'm here!"

I heard a loud bang, followed by children's laughter and a small chuckle, and then ending with a yell of 'That wasn't funny!'

Sighing, I just walked in, realizing that Hiji-kun was most likely in the process of making breakfast for the kids and him and has already forgotten I was coming today.

Popping my head into the kitchen, I was met with the site of the kids sitting at the table with hungry looks, Hiji-kun, wearing his usual apron, sitting on the floor with scrambled eggs all over his front, and Gou-kun leaning on a wall while watching. I smiled and chuckled softly at the scene.

Walking fully into the doorway, I asked, "Need help?"

Hiji-kun looked up at me and shook his head. "No. If I can't cook food for my siblings, then I'm not a man." He said.

Raising an eyebrow, I just nodded my head. "Ok then. I'll be over here if you need me." I said and walked over to stand next to Gou-kun. We nodded to each other in greeting.

After breakfast, the kids ran outside to play. Picking up the dirty plates they had left, I set them in the sink while Hiji-kun started to clean the stove. Gou-kun headed out, saying something about keeping an eye on someone.

Once the kitchen was clean, Hiji-kun left as well, heading out to the fields. I was left to watch after and take care of the kids.

"Ok then, what do you little ones want to do?" I said as I walked over to them.

They all looked at each other, then me, and then back to each other. They all nodded at each other and the one of the boys ran back inside the house. I looked at them quizzically.

"What are you planning?" I asked them.

The only girl smiled up at me and answered, "We're going to teach you!"

My eyes widened in surprise. I questioned, "Teach me what?"

At that all the kids smiled, "How to have fun again!" They all exclaimed together.

I looked at them warily. Just then the boy who had run inside earlier came back out caring a soccer ball. My eyes widened even more as I realized what they had meant. They were going to try to get me to play soccer with them.

"No." I said before any of them could say anything.

The boy with the soccer ball stepped forward. "But if you play again then-"

"No." I cut him off. "You little ones all know that I hate soccer. I refuse to play it and that's final."

The kids looked down sadly and started to pout. 'Great, now I'm the bad guy.' I thought sighing.

"Fine, but the only thing I'm going to do is stand in front of the goal. Got that?" I said, defeated.

The kids cheered in victory and then split into two, two player teams. I walked over and positioned myself in front of the make shift goal.

"Ready when you are!" I called out to them. They all nodded and began to play. Knowing that they wouldn't be reaching the goal anytime soon, I decided to watch how they played.

The oldest of the four was playing slightly better than the others in terms of skill, but that was to be expected. The second oldest wasn't as good at the others, but it seemed as if he was getting better. The third oldest was the girl. She seemed to be more of the clever type than the physical. She was hanging back away from the other three as if waiting for something. The youngest was the fastest and he was using it to his advantage. He had a hold of the ball and was just looking for an opening to pass to his sister.

Just then, the youngest broke through and passed it to his sister. She was wide open and in front of the goal. Realizing it was my turn to play my part, I got ready.

"Just because I might not want to play doesn't I'm going to go easy." I said to her as she was about to shoot.

She smiled and shot. It went straight towards the upper left corner, a main weak point for most goalies, but not me. I easily jumped up and grabbed it out of the air before it reached to goal. The girl pouted and I just smirked.

"No fair! I shot towards a corner, and goalies can't block those!" She whinned.

"Just because I haven't played soccer in a few years doesn't mean I haven't been keeping my skills sharp. I may hate soccer, but I still practice." I explained to her.

Just then Hiji-kun came into sight as he walked up the path, a bag full of vegetables with him as well as his neighbor. I lightly tossed the ball to the oldest and the said, "Looks like play time's over."

After explaining that his neighbor would take it from here, I asked Hiji-kun where he was going.

"To deliver these vegetables to soccer guys you met yesterday. Want to come?" He asked.

I just shrugged my shoulders and followed him out the door, waving bye to the kids as we left.

*#*#*#*#*#*#*

Hiji-kun and I were walking down the path towards Okinawa's public soccer field when he stopped. I stopped as well and turned back to look at him.

"What's wrong?" I asked, slightly worried.

Hiji-kun looked up at me and his face turned from deep thought to a smirk. I shifted back warily for the second time today. Hiji-kun only smirks when he's about to tease me.

"So," He started, "I saw you playing what you call the 'forbidden game' with my little siblings when I came back. Why?"

I sighed. I should have expected him to bring that up once we were far enough away. I turned my head away, put my arms behind my back, and continued to walk.

"They wanted me to play soccer and I said no. Then they started to pout and tears were forming. I'm not good with crying kids you know. So I just agreed." I answered.

I heard Hiji-kun behind me sigh, not liking my answer. And then he asked it.

"Why do you hate soccer so much Erisa-chan and why won't you tell me?"

I froze. My hands dropped to my side and I let my bangs shadow my eyes. Hiji-kun stopped walking as well.

"Hijikata." I said in a warning voice. He flinched slightly at hearing me call him something besides his nickname. "What happened between me and soccer is something very personal. No matter how many times you or Gou-kun asks, I will not tell you. There is only one other person who knows why I hate soccer so much besides me, and they are part of the reason. Please stop asking me."

Hiji-kun stayed silent for a few moments before walking up to me and saying, "Alright. Just don't let it stop you from having fun." He put a reassuring hand on my shoulder and proceeded to push me along the path, much to my surprise.

'Oh Hiji-kun, I haven't truly had fun since the day he left. And I probably never will.' I thought sadly.

And that is that. Now there will be a double update some time next week!

Ja Matta Ne, Minna!