AN: so uh, a late update and i just have to say that since school would be starting soon, and i have tons of summer homework unfinished, lets just say i might not (might okay, theres still a possibility, but dont count on it) be able to do daily updates from now on sorry :(

SoccerGirl- thank you i had a lot of fun with my friends. anyway, did i really subaru as arrogant? i didnt mean that, and besides subaru and niwaki would just be here for a short while before i get rid of them (somehow). also, tsubasa's steady moving along and he's getting to the "absolutely, madly, deeply," in love with sanae. thank you for reading and reviewing!

yeah i dont own captain tsubasa

Chapter 27: Insecurities

Nothing happened that much in school for the last two weeks, except maybe them finding out that Akane-buchuo and Takano-senpai were dating. That was a shock. But then again, they don't know what exactly was going on with the third years so maybe it's been a long time coming.

Though it was adorable seeing them holding their hands together one day, with Akane-senpai trying so hard not to blush and looking away while Takano-senpai continued to hold her hand tightly, chuckling at all of their surprised faces.

But, when she saw the look they shared when they thought no one was looking, she knew how in love they were.

She's not willing to admit it, but was kind of jealous of them.

Maybe someday she would have that kind of relationship too.

But she shouldn't be complaining. He's almost there. He just needed some more time. She knew that he was taking it slow, and she was more than willing to give him that.

It was enough for her that he was willing to give them a chance.

Besides, she couldn't help the giddy feeling she gets whenever she tried to remember what they've done in summer.

She would never forget that one time she kissed him on the cheek under the stars. She couldn't understand how she had the courage to even do that, so she tried to play it cool, but when she turned back to him, he was as surprised as she was. What he did after though, was one of the things she refused to forget.

That was the first time she realized that their hands fit perfectly.

And maybe soon, she didn't have to constantly look for his hand because it would be in hers before she even realized it.

Though hopefully no one noticed how close they had become, because really she didn't want all the teasing from their friends. They're already troublesome as it was, with them constantly jibing her about her feelings for the soccer prodigy.

She sighed and turned back to watch the field. They were having the try out matches to see who could be able to join the regular line up this season since the third years were retiring to focus on college exams. So far, this match has been dominated by the regular second years and third years. They didn't seem satisfied with the second and first years they were playing against.

It's not that these players were terrible. They were pretty decent. It's just that Nao-buchou (Akane-senpai gave it back to her after Nationals, just like in junior high) wanted to win the title again this year and she wouldn't accept anyone who couldn't meet her requirements. Looks like they have to wait for the first years again next spring.

Though, either way, they would still be able to win the Autumnal Prefectural Cup since Shikogo wouldn't join such a small league. It's too demeaning for their taste or something.

The whistle blew to end the match and she looked to the scoreboard to see how the non-regulars did. As expected they were decimated by the regulars win a score of 7-3. Hey at least they scored. It's only a matter of who the upperclassmen think are acceptable enough to be in the team.

But she couldn't help but feel bad for them though. Once spring comes, they have to give up their positions since the first years they were waiting for were coming.

She wondered if this was also going to happen in the boys' team. Of course, Ishizaki-kun, Takisugi-kun, and Morisaki-kun would definitely make it into regulars and she's sure that they wouldn't be taken off the line up. There weren't exactly any great incoming first years for the boys. She's pretty sure her boys would stay in the regulars.

But then again, there was Subaru-kun and Niwaki-kun. They tried out the day before and she was lucky enough to watch them play, and damn were they good. They could even make the Golden Combi a run for their money with how they great their pass work was.

No wonder they were in the U-15 last year.

"Oi, Sanae-chan!" Chieko-senpai called out to her. "Can you come over here really quick? We need your input."

It must be something about the players they would pick for the team. Though she didn't really want to do it, the team needed the new members. Might as well do it for everyone' sakes.

"I'll be right there!"

Koizawa and Niwaki were great players, that he would admit. The way they handle the midfield was great and Koizawa can easily switch from offense into defense while Niwaki's passes were always precise. Their teamwork could even be as great as his and Misaki-kun.

He was always excited to play either with them or against them because he didn't usually find players like this in Japan, his other friends from different prefectures weren't counted. The two of them were always sharp and alert, ready to get the ball and attack with it.

They were amazing players that he couldn't help but ask himself why they weren't picked for the U-16 team. Even Misaki-kun and Wakabayashi-kun also noticed this detail. He didn't want to ask because that seemed a little rude.

And besides, whenever he tried to approach Koizawa-kun and Niwaki-kun, it seemed like they didn't want him talking to them. It's not that they were antagonistic towards him. They just have this tone of iciness to their voice whenever he tried to talk with them. Actually that only happens when they, the members of the U-16 team tried to be friendly with them. Anyone else was okay with them.

Koizawa even seemed to stare at him intently whenever he was on the field and he wasn't. It was like he was judging him or something. As if he was focused on finding faults on his play. Of course he knew he still has room for improvement, but having Koizawa's eyes on him was a little bit nerve wracking because he didn't know whether he wanted to help him or he wanted to use his weaknesses against him.

Hopefully, he didn't do the latter because that would just make him someone he would not like at all.

He was watching them as they played the try out match against the third years, regulars and non-regulars. Koizawa's shoot barely passed Morisaki-kun's hands, but it was a goal nonetheless. He made this goal after receiving a superb pass from Niwaki. They're pass work was shown again and he knew that both of them would have a spot in the bench. Though he wasn't sure that they would be starting players. They do still need to prove to Takano-buchou that they could replace him and Misaki-kun, and so far it seemed like they haven't done it yet.

He couldn't help but get a bad feeling about it though.

Especially Koizawa. He didn't exactly know what he did to him, but for some reason he thinks that he did something wrong to the guy that made Koizawa watch his every move.

It didn't help that even out of the field, he was constantly staring at him.

But he was with Sanae though, everything changes around him. His eyes would stray from him and land on her, and solely on her, as if she was the only one that mattered in his world.

That didn't bode well with him, but he ignored it. He knew someone was bound to start liking her, Ayame did say that there other people who was attracted to her, Koizawa would be one of them.

He just didn't like it when Koizawa was getting closer to her. He knew he shouldn't act that way, they weren't even in a relationship to begin with. But the fact that she seemed to be having fun being with him was a little concerning.

He was jealous, and he knew it.

He just hopes that she wouldn't change her feelings for him, because he knew he wouldn't be able to change his for her.

They were laying down on the grass on Hikarigaoka Park, gazing at the stars again. They've been doing this for quite some time now, ever since that kiss on his cheek. It seemed like that they agreed silently that they would meet up here every night since it was the only time they could really freely talk without anyone trying to tease them about their relationship.

She loved these times though. Here, they could do whatever they want without anyone seeing them. They could talk about whatever without anyone hearing them. They could just be what they wanted to be with only the stars and the night sky to see.

They were cuddling right now, with her head on top of his shoulder while she wore his sweatshirt. Since it wasn't that chilly when she arrived earlier, she decided not to bring a jacket or something. It turned out to be a very stupid decision seeing that it was almost the end of September. Of course it was bound to be cold at night.

Good thing he was such a nice guy that he was willing to lend her his sweatshirt. Of course, he did tease about not bringing her own.

She just kicked him in the shin.

Right now, she was telling her about that one time Ishizaki-kun angered a crab on their trip to the beach. Their bald friend was too hot blooded to just let it go when it popped their soccer ball and just ignore the equally hot tempered crustacean but he didn't. The crab then clapped on his toe and they all had to calm down from laughing first before they could help him get it off.

She would never get tired of hearing his laugh and feel his chest rumble from his guffaws.

Then she turned on her stomach and had her hand support her chin.

"Speaking Ishizaki-kun," she started as he looked up to her. "Did they get in as regulars?"

"Hmm…" he hummed in thought. "Well, I don't know if being added to the bench count as a regular position, but if it does, then yes. Although, Takisugi-kun is a starting defender in the next game."

"Sweet," she exclaimed with a smile. "So who else got in?"

"Well, Morisaki-kun is the second goalkeeper right after Wakabayashi-kun. Ishizaki-kun could be a starting defender soon. Takano-senpai hasn't really confirmed anything yet," he told her. "Though you be surprised at who they picked to replace Takano-buchou as center forward. They picked Koizawa-kun."

"Huh?" she knitted her eyebrows together. "But I thought he played as an attacking midfielder, like you. I saw him play one day and he and Niwaki-kun dominated the midfield."

"That's what I thought too," he answered as he looked up the sky. "But Takano-senpai asked if he would be alright playing as a forward and he agreed."

He didn't tell her the look he gave him back then that screamed that he would take the midfield position from him.

"Huh," she said as she laid back down on her back. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. He was part of the of the U-15 team."

She felt him shift beside and all of the sudden he was on his side, his arm supporting him.

"He was part of the U-15 team?" he asked her.

Oh right, they didn't know yet.

"I forgot to mention it, didn't I?" she replied back to which he only nodded at patiently.

She sighed and sat up, curling her legs to the side. "Well, his little brother told me that little tidbit when I was giving them a tour of our little town. I was honestly surprised myself, because I would have thought Subaru-kun would be in France with you guys."

"Huh," he said as he laid his head on her lap. It was just instinctual for him to do that. Actually even cuddling seemed to be very instinctual for them. "Well that seems weird. Koizawa-kun does have the talent to get into the U-16 team. I wonder why he wasn't picked."

"Oh there's more to it," she added. "The whole U-15 from last year weren't picked for the U-16 this year. I asked Kaoru-kun who was in the team and I don't know anyone at all."

"That's…"

"Uh hmm," she hummed in response. "I think it wasn't Katagiri-san who picked the U-15 team. Kaoru-kun told me that he didn't know Katagiri-san at all."

"But if it wasn't him, then who picked the team?"

"I don't know," she shrugged nonchalantly. She was idly running her hand through his hair, barely noticing the look on his face.

"You know, Katagiri-san told us that we were the golden age of soccer players on Japan," he started. "Do you think that there more of us waiting to be discovered? And if so, do we deserve to be the in U-16 team?"

She stopped her hand and gave him a soft look. "Of course you do, you big dummy. Who cares if another person deserved to be pick? Katagiri-san picked all of you guys for a reason because he believed in you guys. And what happened? You guys won the tournament. If that doesn't show how deserving you guys are worthy, then I don't know what will."

Then she gave a light tap to his cheek. "Besides, the U-15 team lost to Spain in the semifinals. You guys beat France and Germany, which logically speaking are better than Spain."

He blinked up to her twice, before smiling cheekily. "You're such a dork, you know," he told her.

She wrinkled her nose in annoyance and he was caught off guard when she suddenly pushed him off her lap.

"If that's what I get for cheering you up, then go make yourself happy," she said as she stood up and started to walk away from him."

"Hey!" he exclaimed as he stood up as well, trying to catch up with her. "I was just kidding!" he called out.

"Whatever you soccer meathead!" she replied as she continued to walk farther away.

"Come on I was joking," he said as he jogged up to her. "I'm sorry."

"Apology not accepted."

"Well, sheesh if I just knew you were that sensitive. I wouldn't have said that."

"I am not sensitive! You just ruined the mood! You were supposed to say something like, 'Thank you. I don't even know what I'm going to do without you'".

"…That's sounds stupid."

"Just like you."

"Hey! You know what just for that, I'll taking my sweatshirt."

"Nuh uh! I'm keeping it until we get home."

"You're the one who insulted me. And besides, it's not even cold. Why do you want to keep it longer?"

"Because it smells like you."

"…That was uncalled for."

"Are you blushing?"

"N-no! I'm just cold."

"But you just said it's not cold."

"J-just shut up and just keep my sweatshirt."

Her laugh was the last thing they heard as they walked home, swinging their hands that were laced together.

End Chapter

AN: man, writing the last part gave me the tingles all over, but i couldn't help but think i'm moving their relationship quickly. but since i figured that they're in that line of "more than friends, but less than lovers" i thought their actions are okay. both of them do know their feelings for each other. its just tsubasa who doesnt want to move their relationship along because he's super duper romantic and wouldnt ask sanae out unless he's really really in love with sanae. what do you guys think?

oh yeah, next chapter is definitely a time skip.

thats it for now and thank you for reading! please review and cya next chapter