Author Notes: Alright so go figure, after I posted chapter 1 I managed to find a scanlated chapter from volume 24 that clarified a few questions I had. There really IS a high school portion of Musashinomori! Wonderful. However, not that it was obvious yet, but I had to change the time line of my story a bit. Originally I had it starting in May, but now it's starting in September. Oh the woes of not having that last volume yet! Irregardless, it's September, and the boys have just started their second term of school. The fall soccer tournament is coming up soon, so I've actually had to create even more chapters than I had originally written. That's what I get for being a stickler for details. :)
Anyway, for now enjoy!
"So, provided you are able to maintain an A average, and perform to standard with the soccer club, you will be provided with a full scholarship. We will also make an allowance for you to work a part-time job, as well you will be granted time on a daily basis to visit with your family," the older man paused, leaning forward and staring intently at the boy seated before him. This was a highly unusual situation, and if it hadn't been for the persistent argument made for him by Kirihara, he actually would have said no in the beginning. He didn't believe any fifteen year old boy possible of handling all this.
"This is going to be a very hard and trying time for you, Katsuro. Are you sure you are able and willing to handle this?"
Katsuro stared into the face of the school dean, his expression respectful but defiant. "Yes, sir. Coach Kirihara and I have discussed it at length, and I have been thinking about it for some time already. I am committed to my family, both at home and here at Musashinomori. I am also committed to my future. I will be able to handle this, and I cannot thank you enough for giving me this opportunity."
The old man smiled, sitting back and nodding his head. "That is good. Let me also be clear on one thing, Katsuro. We also expect that your behaviour be exemplary to the other students, that includes both in class and on the soccer pitch. If you engage in any problematic situations, then your scholarship will be rescinded immediately. Am I clear?" The boy nodded, promising perfect behaviour. "Of course, I expect no problems, since your record has been immaculate since your arrival at the school. Well then, I believe that covers everything. You are free to go." With that the old man stood up, extending a hand to the boy. Katsuro took it, his grip strong and confident.
"Thank you, sir. I will not let you and the school down." He smiled politely and bowed to his elder before turning to depart. Once in the hallway he allowed his smile to spread into one a bit less contained, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. It would be very hard, juggling everything. But he was willing to make it work. He had no choice but to make it work.
He wished he could leave the school to go see his family at the hospital, and wished he'd thought to ask for permission. He could always call, but it had been a few days since he'd seen his family and he was especially desperate to see his little sister, Nanami. His mother said she was getting weaker with each passing day, and kept asking to see him. The guilt was beginning to eat at him, wishing he could be there for her more. But things were going to change, now. Soon, once everything got sorted out, he'd be able to see more of her.
"Hey, captain!"
Katsuro knew that voice well and turned upon hearing it, fixing his grin on Seiji. "To answer your question, yes I get to stay."
"Awesome! I told you they'd say yes!" Seiji reached his friend and excitedly embraced him in a hug. "You're too valuable for them to lose. Probably worried you'd go to a rival school," he winked at Katsuro and moved back from him.
The older boy grinned and laughed, in an unusually good mood. "Who knows? I don't really care why they made an exception for me. I'm just happy they're giving me the chance to stay."
"Going to be a lot of hard work though, huh? I certainly don't envy you one bit," Seiji gave an unusually sombre response.
Katsuro just smiled. "Yeah, well you can help out by staying out of trouble, and keeping everyone else out of trouble."
Seiji frowned and punched his arm lightly, before grinning. "I guess I shouldn't take offense to that, since you usually do end up yelling at everyone half the time. So I solemnly vow to help you keep everyone in line. Including myself," he threw an arm around his friend's waist and started pulling him in the direction of their dorm. "Now come on, let's go celebrate!"
"Sure, I just need to call my mom first, tell her the good news."
Seiji swatted his arm, "I'm sure your mother will be so proud of her little boy," he couldn't help but tease his older friend.
"Shut up, Seiji. Didn't you just promise me you'd behave?" Katsuro wasn't really annoyed, of course. He didn't mind Seiji teasing him.
"Oh come on! You mean I can't tease you? You're going to need someone around to lighten your mood," Seiji grinned.
Katsuro just smiled, glad for Seiji's presence. "You lighten the mood without even saying anything, Seiji." He really did mean that comment – there was a certain presence about the boy that had you smiling the second he walked into a room. He knew he'd be counting on that a lot over the course of the coming year.
"Aw, thanks Captain," Seiji smiled and tightened his arm around Katsuro a little. In truth he was relieved the older boy had been allowed to stay on, as Seiji considered him to be his closest friend. Even though Katsuro was on the senior squad now, Seiji still would have been a little lost without his older friend's guidance.
"No problem, Seiji. So, how are the new guys working out on the team?" He hadn't had a chance to check out the junior team yet this year, even though they trained in close proximity.
Seiji shrugged, "It's alright. I miss having you around, though. Kasai just doesn't have the same control over everyone that you did." Though he got along well with the team's new captain, the boy really didn't possess Katsuro's ability to command respect from his peers. Seiji knew it wasn't the easiest job in the world, being the captain of a junior high boys' soccer team, but it could be done. Katsuro had proven that.
The older boy smiled, a grin on his face. "Poor guy, I certainly hope you're helping him out?" A part of him had been expecting Seiji to take over as team captain this year, but he wasn't too surprised when it had gone to someone else. As much as everyone liked Seiji and actually did listen to him, Katsuro knew that his friend wasn't the type of person who enjoyed taking responsibility for others.
"Oh of course! Just the other day, Shigeru was being a little too distracting while Kasai was going over plays, so I took care of him." Seiji grinned, and Katsuro knew that grin well enough to guess what the other boy had done.
"Let me guess? He got a ball to the head?"
Seiji laughed and nodded. "How did you guess? I think I shot it a little too hard, though. He kept missing passes for the rest of practice." Though he tried to sound sympathetic and guilty, the grin on the younger boy's face had not disappeared.
Katsuro grinned and ruffled Seiji's hair. "Despite what you might say, Seiji, I think you'd make a great captain." The boys laughed and continued on their way back to the dorms.
"How on earth do you two exist together at home without killing each other?" Kojima shook her head in amusement as she watched her two friends bickering.
"The funny thing is, we don't really bicker at home," Shige glanced at the girl, grinning slightly.
"Yeah, but only because it's part of the rules of the house, no bickering allowed or you have to sleep outside with the dog," Tatsuya grinned and locked his eyes on Shige.
"Sounds like a smart rule," Kojima mentioned to Tatsuya, her amused expression falling on Shige.
"Hey, why do I get the feeling the two of you are going to gang up on me any second now?" Shige attempted to look hurt, but his friends saw through it.
"Don't pout, Shige." Tatsuya shook his head slightly.
"Yeah, it makes you look like a girl," Kojima finished the sentiment, grinning wickedly as Shige's expression turned sour.
He stuck his tongue out at her, running his hand through his freshly bleached hair. "Don't hate on me because I'm prettier than you are, Kojima," now it was his turn to look amused as she frowned.
"It doesn't matter, I can still kick your ass, pretty boy," she smirked and leaned back against the wall, her legs stretched out before her. She made a fist, cracking each knuckle of her left hand systematically.
Shige laughed and waved her off, "Ha, you wish. I could take you out while blindfolded, with one hand tied behind my back."
"You feel like putting a wager on that, Goldilocks?"
"I don't know, I don't think it would be good for my reputation if everyone hears that I beat up a girl, even if it is manly little you."
"Manly?! I am not manly, you punk!"
"Oh no? Would boyish be a better term?"
"I prefer assertive and aggressive, thank you very much!"
As the two continued bickering, Tatsuya just sat between them, grinning as they went on. He held up a hand suddenly to interrupt them. "Sorry Shige, but I'd put my money on Kojima." He looked at her and smiled. She smiled back at him, while Shige was left rolling his eyes.
"Traitor! You're supposed to be on my side," Shige frowned at Tatsuya, though he was really amused. Seeing Tatsuya engage in friendly banter was a nice change from the quiet and serious moodiness of the year before.
"I guess he has better taste now, sorry," Kojima grinned and winked at Shige. "Anyway, I think I should get going to class. I'll see you guys at lunch," she looked from Shige to Tatsuya, her smile widening just a bit for the latter. The boys watched her get up and grab her bag, heading down the hall and turning to wave at them.
Once she was gone Shige moved a bit closer to Tatsuya, a wicked grin on his face. He looked purposefully at his friend, but didn't say anything. Tatsuya raised an eyebrow at Shige's reaction, confused by it. "What are you doing?" He backed away a little as Shige leaned in closer.
"You have a thing for Kojima, don't you?" He loved teasing Tatsuya about girls. For some reason, even though Tatsuya had a fan base that no one else could touch, he never seemed comfortable around girls, except for Kojima, of course. He practically blushed any time he talked to anyone else – if he even gave them the time of day, of course.
"I do not!" He should have known!
Shige sat back and laughed, "Oh come on, I can tell. You take her side all the time, Tatsu-bon. That's okay, though. Kojima's cool, I approve of her." He couldn't help himself, teasing Tatsuya was entirely too much fun.
The other boy glared at him and folded his arms across his chest. "Oh, shut up!" He didn't know why Shige always persisted in teasing him about girls. He and Kojima were friends, that was all! Sure, almost any other girl made him uncomfortable, but Kojima was different because she wasn't like any other girl. Talking to her was kind of like talking to a guy, except that she was really pretty, of course. But just because he thought she was pretty, that didn't mean he liked her! Did it?
Shige just sat back and grinned. He wasn't really sure if Tatsuya liked Kojima that way, but he was pretty sure that Kojima liked Tatsuya. He could tell from the way her eyes were when she talked to him. He thought that they would make a good match, but he wasn't about to play Cupid. That wasn't his style. "Come on, Tatsu-bon, let's get to class."
Tatsuya sighed and stood up, walking beside Shige down the hall. He was happy that he had his friend around more, but sometimes the older boy wore on his nerves. But as he watched Shige walk down the hall with his bag slung over his shoulder, winking at a few girls who stood together and whispered while watching them, he couldn't help but smile a little. Having Shige around was good for him, after all. Tatsuya had been living inside his own little shell for the past few years, never really opening up to anyone. He hadn't even realized it until the golden haired boy had come along. Shige managed to get him to open up more, and because of it he was already on better terms with his teammates than ever before. He still wouldn't go so far as to say that he considered them all good friends, but he was working on it.