Secrets We Tried to Hide

Chapter 3

Will Ulvida know?

It's coming.

She braced herself for the impact.

Heat ran forward and kicked the ball in midair. As it got kicked, he readied himself in a stance, deeply concentrated at the ball a few feet away from him. Perfectly timing his first kick, then the second. Every time he kicked the ball, it gained enough force and energy that the ball started to glow brightly. Then when his third kick hit the ball, the yellowish light turned into a massive steaming fireball, blazing with intense heat.

"Rapid Fire!"

He shouted along with the ball that was being projected to Fuuko in a speed of light.

'Never run away from the ball. Go run after the ball.' Desarm used to tell them.

Instead of waiting for the collision, she moved towards him. She was well aware that in terms of physical ability, stamina and power, Heat had the upper hand. The difference between both of them was pretty obvious. He had been training with Nepper these past few weeks and as for her, she had been stuck in her room. Ever since the Aliea Academy incident, she never trained with anyone.

She knew she was going to lose in a matter of seconds. And as the ball flew nearer, she remembered her last match with Raimon and how it greatly affected her. Seeing Desarm's first ever smile and the true meaning of soccer.

Right… Endou Mamoru.

Raimon's unwavering sheer willpower. Their unification and strong conviction for winning that sent them straight to victory. Raimon's perseverance that made each one of them stronger, better and bolder. They kept growing… evolving.

And something else flashed in her mind, a face of a person.

Endou Mamoru's grin.

'Don't mind. Don't mind!'

'Don't give up!'

'I'm gonna stop this shoot no matter what!'

'I'm gonna do whatever it takes to protect this goal!'

'I'm not gonna give up!'

That is soccer.

Fuuko kicked her feet back and summoned all the strength she has to her right foot. She can feel her foot being wrapped by the winds and her foot began to shimmer. A bright violet glow that turned into dark purple as it reached its full power.

"Astro Break!"

Her foot caught the ball but it continued to spin violently against her foot. She clenched her fists, trying to fight the ball from going any further. She needed to send it flying back to Heat's side. The purple glow began to overlap the bright orange aura but as soon as she felt like she could pull it off, her foot slid to the right and completely gave way for the ball that went straight to the net.

Falling backwards, Fuuko clicked her tongue. She looked at the net behind her and felt the disappointment rush inside her body. Humiliation, guilt and hopelessness invaded her mind.

"One more to go." The guy wiped his sweat with the back of his palm, panting in slight exhaustion. "I think it's best if you don't try blocking one of my shoots Kuri. You'll only get blown away." Flashing her a wide smirk before he went back to his position.

Great, I haven't even scored.

Fuuko's head slumped forward, sighing dejectedly as Yagami went to retrieve the ball. The blue haired girl kicked it back to the center of the field, nodding to them both as they near to an end.

But a voice spoke in her mind; a voice that guided and trained them to their paths.

'Show them the destruction you can cause. Terrify them with your speed and agility. Let your feet speak for themselves. Let them feel your true selfish natures, your hunger for power that drives you mad. Take that hatred and turn it into a monster. Soon enough, you'll be known as the greatest killer. The killer that's known for their menacing red eyes with a face of a beast. Remember the color of blood. The color of intense passion and desire.

Shatter their souls. Crush their humanity. And above all, destroy everything that's in your path.

Show them the true power of Epsilon.'

Desarm's words echoed in her head. She perfectly remembered the day Desarm gave this encouraging speech to his team, just before the match against Raimon in Okinawa. He reminded them of how superior they were against those mere earthlings. How they can easily defeat them and how the match will be in their favor.

Fuuko got up to her feet and glared at Heat. He blinked at her, shrugging. The thing was, rage was building up inside her body, just like before. She liked it, yet a part of her despised the feeling. Obeying her former captain's commands and taking in Endou's words, something started to burn. A hot, passionate emotion like a fire.

Without any warning, she ran at full speed.

Heat smirked a little and headed straight to the ball, having the confidence of stealing it.

Just then, Heat realized that she was now running faster than before. It was not a good sign, he thought. He tried not to show a troubled frown and simply charged to the center. Yet suddenly, he saw Fuuko's eyes change. The color of her eyes became devilishly redder as she came closer. Heat was startled that he had no time to react.

Is this her full power without the meteorite?! Then why does it look like she still has the necklace right now? Then this just proves that—

"Meteor Shower!"

A number of falling hard rocks fell onto him, crashing down around him.

"—Uhk!" Heat covered his face using his arms until a huge rock fell right behind him and he felt the earth shake. His knees met the floor as soon as the ground trembled. It seemed realistic enough but when he opened his eyes, there was nothing there.

He glanced at his back where Fuuko already made a goal using her Astro Break.

You still need two more goals to beat me and you're far from winning, Kuri. I'm gonna win this thing and I'm gonna finish this.

Yagami seemed to be pretty interested at them. Sitting on the old wooden bench, cross-legged, she quietly observed the two. And there's one thing she noticed between them, that they were both quite serious about the game.

Fuuko got the ball in her hands and when she passed by Heat, she gave him a deathly glare that almost scared the heck out of him. Why are her eyes glowing? Is that… even normal? He got anxious at that moment. Looking back at Yagami, Heat wanted to make a time-out gesture but then he thought about it…

If I can see this… then she's probably seeing this too. Then how come she's not even stopping us? Ulvida don't you think it's a bit weird?

Yagami seemed to have read what Heat was trying to say. Narrowing her eyes at the blonde girl who was now overflowing with confidence and power. The girl had yet transformed into another beautiful monster. But this time, it wasn't because of any stupid meteorite; it was because of the simple words her friends taught her.

She not only used them as an advice, but a form of strengthening one's mind and soul.

"So tell me Heat. What was Epsilon's rank 'gain?" She asked with a serious dead tone.

His scar twitched, his lip curling. "First rank." Having no choice but to reply with a bit of annoyance.

"I'm glad 'ya remembered."

"Oh it wasn't easy to remember. Especially when you're a part of a much more higher rank, you won't care about those who are below you."

"Who cares 'bout ranks?"

"I do. It reminds me that I'm better than you."

"'Ya just lost to a member of a first rank team, Atsuishi."

"You're getting the wrong idea here. That was just a warm up."

People might think it's pretty darn easy to convince a girl, but no. Unless you're Gouenji Shuuya then you might convince every girl in your class to go on a date with you with just one look. Everyone wished it was that easy. Fuuko did too.

But she lost to Heat. Obviously.

3-1.

Yagami asked Heat to bring back the ball inside the orphanage and after he went away, both girls sat on the bench. She waited for Fuuko to catch her breath before going straight to the questions.

"I just wanted to get back on Sega." The blonde said, quickly beginning the conversation.

Yagami was slightly taken aback by the sudden confession. "And that's what made you want to steal his phone so badly?" She generously handed a clean towel to the girl. Fuuko accepted, thanking as she wiped her sweaty neck.

"Wanted to pull a prank on him for leavin' me this early." And to the girl's surprise, the false pretense sounded convincing and believable enough, even to her very own ears. "The guy just left, not even a single goodbye or whatsoever." She made sure she's dabbing her face with the towel so Yagami wouldn't see her face flush a bit.

"So you want to take revenge? How?" She asked.

"By anonymously sendin' him a death threat of some sort." This time she was now covering her entire face with the towel.

"I don't think he'll like that." She snickered, slowly noticing the weird atmosphere. Quickly snatching the towel on her face.

Fuuko's eyes darted to the side, huffing. "Stop it. I know what you're thinkin' Ulvida… and no he has Maki. They're datin' and I'm just—"

"Just Yagami. I prefer being called by my real name. Please, continue."

"I'm just a friend." She finished. "So if you're thinkin' I have feelin's for the guy, no. Too impossible to happen, he's such a complete jerk. No one would fall for that loser. 'Sides, how are 'ya and Hiroto doin'?" Abruptly changing the subject.

They walked back talking about Hiroto until the conversation got to Endou Mamoru visiting the Sun Garden again next week. Lately the boy has been visiting them very often but somehow, the others were too busy to notice. If it hadn't been for Hiroto who came along and explained to Fuuko that it was the soccer freak's third time in the orphanage, she wouldn't know a thing. Feeling a bit left out as the two talked, she finally made an excuse to get some rest after the tiring one on one match she had.

Yagami covered up for her by telling Fuuko asked her to coach her. Fuuko didn't like the thought but at least she did something good. And it was so rare for her to do such a thing. The girl was always much more frightening and stricter than the rest, so not even a single kid in the place wanted to talk to her at first.

And Fuuko went back to her room with a small grin on her face.

While she entered the room that was supposed to be messy, Fuuko couldn't help frowning at how exhausted she was. It was physically and mentally straining her and she clearly didn't like it. She despised being in this situation. After being rehabilitated for more than three months, she never wanted to go back to that awful moment again.

Surprisingly, Heat organized and cleaned everything. He put the furnitures back to its place and when he noticed her by the door, he casually waved at her.

"Welcome home."

She locked the door and went to him, pulling him by the shirt. "How dare 'ya make fun of me like that!"

"Is this what you call making fun of you?" Gesturing his hands at the entire place. "Oh don't. It's okay, you're welcome, Kuri." He swatted her hand away, making a pretty delighted smug face as he sat back down. "Come on, have a seat. I'll tell you where it is." Patting the space beside him.

Fuuko reluctantly shook her head. "Where is what?"

"The meteorite."

"If 'ya know where it is then why ask me to get it? Don't 'ya have legs of your own?" Knitting her eyebrows, staring down at the guy like she wanted to smash him to pulp.

"I wasn't done yet." He scratched his head, sighing. "It's here."

"Here?"

"Somewhere in here."

"I don't know exactly where it is but its somewhere in here according to Nepper." Heat leaned forward, placing both elbows on his knees while clasping his hands together.

Nepper?

"Nepper? What does he have to do with this?" Fuuko sat on the center table, in front of him, intrigued by the name. "Then why not ask him to get it? 'Cause I know nothin' 'bout this goddamn thing that you're askin' and I'm not doin' it." She took off her headband and threw it on the couch. "Heat… look… if there's anythin' else I can do I would. Just not this sort of thing! I'm not up for this, hell, I might even go to jail just like my brother!" Angrily running her hands through her hair.

Who knows what he might do to me? I don't even know why he got imprisoned. He didn't tell. What kind of guy is that?! And saying he left our family because they were a bunch of assholes and cunts. How am I even supposed to acknowledge him as my brother? A sibling who's in prison…? Pathetic…

But what she didn't know was Heat had been watching her carefully. Keeping his eyes locked on hers, he moved closer so he sat on the edge of the couch. Fuuko blinked curiously. She was desperately hoping that the guy was reconsidering her suggestions. She was willing to do anything except for that.

"Are you sure you don't have the meteorite with you? You're not carrying it around?" Heat critically raised his eyebrow.

Fuuko remained silent, offended by what he said. "Why would I have it with me?"

"You're probably using it." The boy's hand cupped her chin, facing it to the left then to the right. "Are you still wearing contacts?"

"I'm not usin' anythin' for cryin' out loud!" She almost bit the guy's fingers when she growled. "They are real so get your hands off me before I call Ulv—Yagami."

Despite the warning, Heat continued his careful observation. "If you're not using contact lenses then what was that sudden glow your eyes did back then? I'm sure it had something to do with the meteorite. It means you've been exposed to it. Where is it?"

"I don't have it!"

"Then tell me about your eyes."

"Plain red okay? But if I get exposed to the power of that meteorite… I guess it does makes it even redder. I suddenly get this feelin' that I should destroy everyone. The stronger the aura, the redder my vision becomes."

"Then you have it in you. It's somewhere on or in your body. Where is it Kuri?" He locked his deadly murderous eyes that certainly told he wants the thing so badly. He needed it more than anything else but for what?

"But that's done now Atsuishi! We're done with that hell. I just woke up from that insane nightmare and I don't wanna go back, doin' that stupid shit we went through." She stood up, her fists clenching in anger. Fuuko was trembling in fear and hate that she walked away, slamming the door behind her back.

Heat sank back on the couch, exhaling. "Ah what a bummer. Just when I thought I had her." Shutting his eyes for a moment and letting himself drift away.

He remembered how Fuuko's eyes glowed immensely as he was fighting with her. The same way he saw the members of team Epsilon were when they had been exposed to the meteorite, twice. They already had the necklace and it was a must for every single one of them to wear it at all times. And after being beaten by Raimon, they upgraded themselves and tried another risky trick. Another experiment that will completely ruin their lives forever. Wearing the necklace while being exposed in a room with the purple meteorite itself.

Imagine the greatness and overwhelming power it can give to a person. The destruction it can cause to one's body. And that was the very reason why they came out like an entirely different team. Thus, renaming themselves 'Epsilon Remastered'.

But everyone knew it was no joke for a team of teenagers to do that. The first days were nothing, but as days passed, members seemed to have problems of their own. Struggles that either broke or made them into who they were.

There were two regular members that got rushed to the hospital because of intense muscle pains and non-stop vomiting. One also got mentally unstable that he refused and decided to run away for good. So they decided to put Swarm and Moll to replace the old members. Even though they were fully aware that Swarm was only eleven at that time, they never hesitated on including him. Moll was not yet in good condition, her lungs were far too weak for physical activities. But they were persistent and made a customizable suit just for her—the spandex with her gas mask.

Sometimes right in the middle of a practice game with the robots, some would feel like their internal organs were being twisted and pulled by an unknown force. At times, they said it was pretty similar to drinking acid rain mixed with matchsticks and Zonrox. Metron almost lost his eyesight and he thought he was going to be blind for the rest of his life. Even Fadora had multiple unpleasant experiences. His height used to be average, around the same as Segata. But one day he woke up, growing fifty centimeters in one night. Unfortunately, it didn't go so well in the next few days. Whenever he tried moving his legs, he would instantly have an excruciating headache, so painful that he would scream endlessly until it faded away.

Heat stared at the ceiling for a few minutes before taking out his phone. He tapped the message icon and began typing.

[text message from Heat: I think we found what we're looking for. I just have to make sure.]

Ping.

[text message from Nepper: Oh… That's a surprise.]

[text message from Heat: I know. The problem is, I think it's inside her body. Or maybe inside her uniform. Idk.]

[text message from Nepper: What do you plan on doing? Are you going to cut her stomach open?]

[text message from Heat: Haha, maybe I can. Loljk. There's no way I can do that & besides, maybe im just hallucinating… Maybe we should]

Then he stopped. Shortly, he deleted everything he typed.

[text message from Heat: Give me a demo.]

[text message from Nepper: That would ruin the fun. It's better to do it by yourself, you'll learn many things from it. ;)]

And before he could even hit the reply button, another message came.

[text message from Nepper: Is it that girl from Epsilon? The one with the weird headband?]

[text message from Heat: Yeah why?]

[text message from Nepper: Saw her crying when she went out. Did you do something nasty again? Wait, you stole her headband didn't you?]

[text message from Heat: NO. Hey! I even cleaned her room u know. Kill ppl w/ kindness right.]

[text message from Nepper: Yeah well you sure killed her mood. Good job. Just give me the meteorite as soon as possible. I need it before my dad arrives to come and pick me up.]

[text message from Heat: 3 days from now? I totally forgot remind me]

[text message from Nepper: I need that.]

[text message from Heat: I know. K? I'm gonna do smthn bout it.]

[text message from Nepper: Thanks. :)]

[text message from Heat: No prob honey]

[text message from Nepper: Don't.]

[text message from Heat: Okay bye.]

Heat slipped his phone back to his pocket and stood up.

If you insist so much, then…

He slowly walked to the bedroom, lit the room and began searching for the thing he needed.