The afternoon sun's golden yellow dimmed as it sank under the horizon. Davis Motomiya brought his hand to his face, wincing as a jolt of pain surged through his face. He felt gritty warm sand on his face and smelled a faint metallic odor mixed with the ocean. He held his hand up to inspect it, and found sand mixed with blood coating it.

Looking up, he saw he had been left alone, his 2 previous companions already quite a way away, and it appeared they were running. Instead of struggling to his feet, he plopped back onto the sand and turned his gaze towards to setting sun. The orange grew darker as he laid there. The contrast between his purple hair and the golden sand faded with the light. Despite his appearance and condition, he couldn't help the small smile on his face.

I kissed her. He thought. The full weight of his actions had yet to hit him. All he could do was think that singular thought. I kissed her. I kissed her. It was perfect in Davis' mind. Her lips were soft and minty sweet. He felt strong as he had embraced her frame. He'd been waiting and wanting it for the longest time.

Right then and there, he made his resolve. The last few years were not and will not be a joke. Davis Motomiya, you are going to win over Kari Kaimya, no matter what. Davis got up from the sand, grains falling back to their home. Straightening out his blazer, the durian headed boy started walking home, with a renewed determination and sense of purpose. Not far into the walk, he pulled out his phone and looked intently at it for a moment. He gripped it tightly in his hand before proceeding to dial. The phone rang 3 times before someone answered. "Yes?" A calm voice answered.

"Ken. I'm going to need your help on something."

Davis walked up to a large and wealthy residential neighborhood, enjoying the silence of the early evening. His pace remained constant as he turned into one of the driveways. Large trees and gates obscured the residence from view but he was familiar enough with it to make his way through in the dim light. Davis didn't pause as he pressed a buzzer announcing his arrival; the gates simply peeled back to welcome him in. A knock was made on the door. It echoes through the large residence. Shuffling sounds became louder until the door opened. Ken opened the door, holding out a drink in his hand and offered it to Davis.

"Did you win?" Ken's eyebrows raised expressing his curiosity.

"I didn't lose." Davis replied, taking the drink. He stepped into the house and closed the door behind him.

The pair sat in a luxurious living space, with each friend occupying a sofa opposite a glass table. Davis regaled Ken with the occurrences of the afternoon; the friend sat back and quietly listened, absorbing the details and attempted to formulate the true version of events. Ken knew Davis tended to over exaggerate. Ken slowly finished his own drink of an aged bourbon and placed his glass on the table. There were a more than a couple of beer cans from his now even less reserved friend.

"Ire member the first time I saw her." Davis began.

It was the fourth year in Odaiba Elementary. Spring time was in the air, and kids were playing outside. Davis Motomiya was known for 2 things: being loud and his favorite color of blue. He was playing soccer with a bunch of other children on the schoolyard field. He saw his shot, shouted "Here I go!" and kicked. Unfortunately, his accuracy had yet to fully develop and he contacted slightly offset. Instead of heading towards the goal, it veered to the right, and hit the back of a girls head. He ran up to her to apologize. "I'm sorry about that, it was an accident."

The girl rubbed her head with both hands. She angrily responded, "That hurt you jerk." Then she ran away.

Davis just stood there. Hey. I apologized. She was mean to me. That means she likes me right?

"And after like 10 years, a kissed her." Davis paused. "Why do I feel s'bad?"

Ken seized on the opening left by the stumbling Davis. "So you do feel bad?"

"Wha? No. Maybe. I-I always liked er."

"But does she like you?"After hearing no reply, Ken prodded again. "Davis?"

Ken sighed at his passed out friend. I swear, sometimes I have no idea how we managed to be friends. Chalk it up to that Motomiya persistency, I suppose. Ken thought back to his first meeting with Davis.

It was a varsity soccer match between Odaiba and Tamachi. The score had been 1-0 in favor of Odaiba by half time, Davis having made the only goal. Then Ken showed up. Out of a dark SUV, the blue haired genius immediately got the attention of the players and the fans. His cool blue eyes locked onto his opponents, and slowly walked towards the field. The coach ran up to Ken, "Hey Ken, we're really glad you could join us today."

"Sorry coach, there was something important that I had to do first." Ken replied.

"Don't worry about it. We're just glad you found the time for us at all. Can I put you in the game now?"

"If that's what you want." Ken confidently stated.

The referee announces the substitution. "Now substituting number 7, Ken 'The Rocket' Ichijouji", and the fans went wild. Gasps from Odaiba's team and wild cheers for the audience came when Ken took the scoring to 4-1 in just a few minutes. He looked back to Davis and saw determination still strong in his eyes.

The two players met at the center of the field.

"You must be Ken. I'm Davis, nice to meet you." He also heard cheers of support from Davis' friends in the stands.

"Some nice friends you got there Davis." He could tell Davis took pride in his circle of friends, but Ken had a game to win. The whistle blew and Ken, like his namesake, took off like a rocket, blitzing past Davis and the rest of Odaiba's team effortless, scoring a goal and bringing the game to 2-1. Davis was persistent, staying on Ken's tail and causing him to execute some extra dodges. Ken had to constantly look back to stay ahead, but kept making goals. About to shoot another goal, Davis slid in for tackle, kicking the ball from Ken's reach. However, the whistle blew and the match was over. "Time's run out, and green Tamachi team lead by Ken 'The Rocket' Ichijouji wins 9-1." The announcer stated. While the Tamachi team celebrated, Davis ran over to Ken and offered his apologies.

"It's not a problem." Ken said. He offered his hand in friendship. "You're not bad. Until we meet again in battle."

Davis shook, and confidently said, "I'll win next time."

Over the years, they met on the soccer field a few more times, and while Davis never bested Ken, he closed the gap quite a bit purely with tenacity and his style of head on confrontation. Ken grew to respect Davis quite a bit, and the two struck up a friendship.

Ken turned off the lights in his residence and retreated to his study.