DISCLAIMER: i've always forgotten to do this but yeah i dont own captain tsubasa
Chapter 3: News
"Mark number ten! Don't ever let her get the ball," the cries of the opposing team's coach rang throughout the field.
A week has passed since their first exhibition match, and their second one just started. The teams would have heard about her by this time. Along with Ayame and Shiori, they were the ones to lead Nankatsu Junior High Girls' Soccer Team to the Nationals. A lot of high schools were recruiting them, even the prestigious Toho Academy. The three of them declined, opting to continue to Nankatsu High School. Besides, they'll be reunited with their senpai-tachi. She owned a lot to them, and damn her if she ever decided to leave Nankatsu. With the three of them back in the team, the perfect team is back.
The ball soared in the sky above her, and she ran faster, leaving the two were marking her. Once she had the ball, she passed it to Ayame, who wasn't marked at all. Ayame quickly kicked it towards the goal and earned them their first point.
The whistle rang and they all trudged back to their positions. She saw at the corner of her eye the other team's coach swore at himself.
She honestly didn't know why everyone always mark her? Just because she's the best striker in the team didn't mean she's the only person who can score in the damn team. Her teammates worked hard for their skills, and they're the reason why could even score in the first place. If they should be guarding anyone, they should be guarding every single one of them.
Their forwards, consisting of Junko-senpai, Chieko-senpai, and Shiori-chan, were amazing at their offense. They could peel off anyone easily, letting them be a good choice to receive the ball and sprint down the other side of the field. After her, Shiori was the best forward striker in the team after all. Their defense, with Ogata-senpai, Megumi-senpai, Rika-chan, and Izuzaki-buchou, made the greatest defense in the country. Almost no ball could penetrate their teamwork in protecting the goalie. Emiko-senpai's as a libero back when she did volleyball, made her a formidable goalkeeper. She could save almost any goal that tried to get past her. Then, they have their midfielders. She, Ayame, and Rinko-senpai could make the impossible passes without any effort. They're team defined perfection.
But even then, they didn't really care whether they win or lose. As long as they gave it all they've got and had fun, then it's all good.
The whistle rang and the game continued on.
The other school's coach began to shout orders on who to mark, but all of them just ignored it. The ball passed easily between them, but it seemed that the other team decided it was time to get serious and fought more furiously.
She couldn't help but smile.
This, this moment is what she lived for. The adrenaline pumping in her veins and in her opponents. These moments are what made soccer enjoyable for her. That part when you're giving everything you've got because why else are you still fighting? It's not fun anymore when you're only playing halfheartedly. Many have worked hard in order to be what they are now, it's rude to treat them as if what they did was for nothing as at all.
So when that spark of determination entered on her opponent's eyes, she smiled and gave everything she had.
The ball continued to travel across both sides of the field for a long time, both having a hard time scoring against each other. Her body hurt, her feet were aching, her lungs grasping for air, and she absolutely loved feeling like this.
The whistle rang for the last time to signify the end of the second half. They won again three to one, but she had no regrets playing in this match.
One of the girls on the opposing team dropped on the grassy floor beside her, panting and swearing. She knew that she was disappointed in their lost, but they shouldn't be.
"That was a great match," she said as she offered her hand to her.
"Yeah," the girl answered. "But we still lost." She took her hand and stood up.
"So?" she retorted. "You gave everything you've got. I had fun playing against you guys. Besides it's a friendly game. Maybe next time, you'll be able to beat us."
Both of them started to walk towards their bench areas, all the animosity of the match between them gone.
The girl grinned at her. "You bet!" she exclaimed. "Just you wait, we'll beat you guys in the prefectural tournament."
"I look forward to it," she said.
The girl then ran towards her teammates as she waved goodbye to her. She stood there for a moment, waving to the girl as well.
"You are the friendliest person I have ever met," she heard her cousin's voice on her left. She didn't even notice Ayame walk up to her.
"I can't help it," she retorted. "I like having friends."
Ayame could only sigh in defeat, and she chuckle at her cousin's actions. Ayame should know by now how she acts. They've lived with each other for three years now.
The two of them started to walk back to their bench, chatting along the way. Soon, they reached their destination were handed their water bottles by Shiori. Soon they all started to go to their clubroom to change.
"Great work today everyone," Izuzaki-buchou told all of them. "But that doesn't mean we're done practicing. Remember, the Prefectural Tournament is coming close."
"I can't wait for that to come," Chieko-senpai exclaimed as took of her jersey. "The gang is all back. Plus Rika-chan is with us, this time. Just imagine how awesome we're going to be."
"Sanae-chan, Ayame-chan, and Shiori-chan also improved greatly," Junko added as she took off her socks. "Leading the team last year must have helped them grow. Especially you, Sanae-chan."
"Being captain must have been hard for you, what with those second years and first years who do the same thing every year," Emiko-senpai said.
"The freshmen actually joined because of her when we were third years," Ayame informed them as she buttoned her school uniform. Sanae could only glare at her cousin.
"I don't believe you," Chieko said flabbergasted. All the other girls showed agreement to her statement.
"Ask Shiori, she can confirm it for you," Ayame retorted.
Chieko and the others turned to the meek first year who nodded. "We did a practice match with the boys one day and invited everyone who wanted to watch to come see it. Sanae-chan managed to pull in recruits because of how she played.
"Did the recruits stay?"
"Who won?"
"Sanae-chan went against her boys?"
The voices of their senpai-tachi all mixed together as they fired questions after questions to them.
"Yes, they all stayed. It was a tie, but that was because I wasn't there. Yes, Sanae went against her boys," Ayame answered calmly and fully dressed.
"That's pretty awesome," Chieko remarked as she finished trying her ribbon of her school uniform. "Who knew that Sanae could convince first years to stay for club activities?"
"She made lots of fun events for the club, from fundraisers to volunteering. The girls versus boys game was her idea as well," Shiori told them, also fully dressed. "She was a great captain."
"Of course," Ogata-senpai scoffed. "I chose her myself."
"I'm not that great," Sanae denied weakly. "I just figured that we need some time to relax, and those were the few things I could think of that works."
"Ne, buchou," Junko-senpai looked towards their captain. "Why don't we do those kinds of stuff?"
Akane had a thoughtful expression on her face. "That's actually sounds like a good idea."
Then all of the sudden, they exploded. As they walked out of the club room, they all started spouting ideas for things to do, and Akane-buchou, who seemed to like the idea of a girls versus boys match, tasked her on asking the boys if they would be okay with the idea. Soon, they managed to compile of list of fun stuff to do for stress relieving and fundraising.
They all arrived at the gate and saw that "her boys" were also there, seeming to have ended their practice as well.
"Well, there's your chaperones, Sanae-chan," Chieko-senpai remarked.
"They're not my chaperones," Sanae defended.
Chieko didn't seem to hear her, or just ignored her. "Honestly, I don't know how you can stand all that testosterone. How did even managed to get a boyfriend?"
"She never had a boyfriend," Ayame told them nonchalantly. "Her boys didn't let anyone they don't approve of get near her. It's like they're her watchdogs."
"Ayame!" Sanae hissed. "They're not my watchdogs, or whatever animal you want to label them. They're my friends. They're just… protective."
"I asked them one day why they wouldn't Sanae date," Ayame continued on, ignoring her cousin. "They told me that Sanae's heart could only belong to one person."
"Ayame, if you don't shut up, I will literally gut you in your sleep!" Sanae threatened.
"Whoa, Anego, getting violent now are we?" Ishizaki snickered as they all heard her threat.
"Did you say anything Ishizaki-kun?" Sanae smiled at the boy.
"N-nothing, Anego."
"Good, that's what I thought."
They all laughed at Ishizaki's predicament. It seemed that he never learned that he shouldn't provoke her at all, but not matter what they tell him, he never listened. He said that, sometimes the old Anego has to appear somehow.
"I guess this is where we all separate," Junko said. "Don't let anything happen to Ayame-chan and Sanae-chan."
"We always take care of them, senpai," Kisugi informed.
"Just making sure, my little kohai."
"Noted," Kisugi gulped from Junko's tone.
They all finally separated and went their own ways. Their group towards the left, and the Girls' Team towards the right. She didn't know when or how it started, but Ayame and she have always walked home with the boys after practice. Maybe it's because they get out at the same time, maybe it's because they all go to the same direction. Either way, she liked doing this.
It brought them all closer together.
They all talked during this time, from schoolwork to practice. Sometimes, they all just goof off, or joked around. It was fun, and she would cherish this moments forever.
"Hey, are you guys up for another girls versus boys match?" Ayame asked, clearly forgetting that it was her cousin's task. She won't complain. It saved her from actually doing it. "Akane-buchou heard about last year's game and liked so she's asking if it's okay."
"I would be," Taki answered. "Don't know about captain and coach."
"Actually, captain might be okay with it," Izawa informed them. "Beside's, it's going to be really exciting with the upcoming events."
"Now that you mention it," Kisugi pondered. "You're right! Dude that would be so great!" Soon, the other boys all said the same thoughts as them.
Ayame and Sanae looked at each other in confusion. What in the world are they talking about?
"Woah, woah," Ayame interrupted. "May I remind all of you that there are two girls here who don't understand boy talk?"
"Oh, sorry about that," Izawa apologized. "Masaru just told us great news at practice today."
"Great news?" Ayame asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, we were all just talking, and then Masaru came running to us, all excited with a letter in his hand-"
"Just to get to the point."
"Yes ma'am," Izawa saluted. He took a deep breath and said the words Sanae didn't think she would hear again for 20 years.
"Tsubasa's coming back."
End Chapter
AN: this chapter features Sanae's teammates and this won't be the last time you'll be seeing them. I plan on using them more in the future. Some of you might have noticed that most of them were older than Sanae and the boys. I really believe that the older players have nothing to say against Tsubasa and the others. So I had the girl's team be littered with them. Not everything needs to revolve around Sanae. I've touched on this before a little bit last chapter, but I believe soccer is a team sport(something the series constantly point out but ironically ignores) and it wouldn't be practical depending on one person to do everything. I may have made Sanae a little like a soccer genius, but that didn't mean the others aren't geniuses in their own right.
Also, big reveal and you're going to be frustrated with Sanae for the next couple of chapters. I know I am and I'm writing her.