Sorry for the late update ... I was kinda busy the last days (or weeks ^^°). Yesterday a school class came to visit our institution and the teacher wanted to interview me (why me, there are enough other volunteers?). Of course I told her how much I like helping others and that I'm doing this year for the sake of our guest and blah blah ... I have never been good in lying, but they seemed really happy - now I have a bad conscious ... But to be honest I don't care for others, I don't trust others and I'm doing this just to overcome my own problems ... I'm a bad person, am I? As a redemption I'll upload the next chapter tomorrow or the day after, I promise. ^^

Chapter 7: Raimon's New Captain

"What?" Shindou thought he had misunderstood his friend. "Why? Is it because of Tsurugi? Did he do something to you?" He packed his friends at his arms. "I won't let him get away with that!"

"Tsurugi?" Kirino shook his head. "How did you get this idea?"

"Weren't you two dating?"

"DATING?", the pink haired boy repeated his friends words more than surprised. "Shindou, I'm not a girl. Why would I ever date another boy?"

"Yeah, who would do that … ." The captain of Raimon felt relieved and disappointed at once. "I didn't know why I thought something that weird … ."

He smiled sheepishly, but Kirino didn't notice, since he stood up from the swing and turned his back to his friend, pretending to watch the landscape. "When you and I are together, it's not a date either, isn't it?", the pink haired boy asked then blushing.

Shindou who couldn't see the dark color of Kirino's face tried to hide the embarrassment in his own voice. "Of course not, we're best friends after all. And we met here by coincidence anyway."

As the other boy didn't say anything, the Raimon captain continued. "Now tell me about your problem and we will solve it together, ok? That's how we always do it."

"Shindou, this time is over." Kirino still didn't look at him. "We're not kids anymore … ."

Suddenly the brown haired boy left his place and went in front of his friend, grabbing his hand. "You lost it", he just said and thrust something in Kirino's hand.

"One of the hair ties you gave me. Where did you found that?"

Shindou smiled. "At the Riverbank. You watched the match, right?"

"Un … you could say that … Shindou, you're still holding my hand." Kirino blushed as he realized that he didn't want his friend to release his hand.

"Oh, sorry." Shindou looked embarrassed sidewards, but still hold his friend's hand. "I'm afraid that the distance between us will become even greater if I let go of it."

The pink haired boy smiled. The Raimon captain was just too naïve. "You can't stop that by holding my hand."

"But I can try, can't I?", Shindou asked hopefully.

However Kirino drawed back his hand. "You have other things to worry about. I have a feeling that THEY will come back soon, so you should better practice."

The Captain of Raimon watched his pink haired friend leaving. How could he possibly know that the Silent Strikers would come back? The Silent Strikers … He would meet Nishizono again.

###

Although Shindou had skipped school, he went to the soccer practice. Training was held at the Riverbank anyway, so the chance was low that one of the teachers would find out.

The others were already on the field, but to Shindou's surprise no one was playing. Instead the players of Raimon stood there with serious faces waiting for him to arrive.

"Shindou, we have decided something", Sangoku welcomed him. And by the means of his facial expression the Captain of Raimon could tell that it wasn't anything good for him.

A Silence overcame the soccer field. None of his teamates seemed to dare informing him about their decision.

"So what is it?" The brown haired boy demanded to know. It couldn't possibly make his situation worse anyway.

Finally Kurama found the courage to tell him directly. "We don't want you as Captain any longer. You aren't focused on soccer and with this attitude we can't win against the Silent Strikers. Maybe you should stop playing until you have solved you matter with Kirino", the striker suggested in a more friendly tone.

"And you better hurry with that", Amagi added, supporting Kurama's words. "He is the key of our defense, we need him."

Shindou looked irritated at his friends. They were telling him that he wasn't focusing on soccer? Weren't they the ones who even suggested to close the club a few days ago? And now they were accusing him?

Anyway giving up on soccer would mean to not be able to see the other Nishizono again, so it was not acceptable option for him. And additionally how would he be able to bring Kirino back, if he stopped playing himself? "I don't want to leave the club", Shindou answered determined after he had sorted his thoughts. "I'll keep playing no matter what."

"But will you be able to follow someone else orders?", Sangoku asked slightly surprised about his former captain's reaction. "You see, we have already selected a new captain. Are you sure you can follow him?"

"Sure." The brown haired boy just nodded. Unable to see into the faces of his teammates, Shindou's view was focused on the soccer ball laying abandoned behind the players. Wow, that was fast, as if dismiss someone from his position was just a daily activity. How could they be so casually with this?

"Shindou, the captains badge", Kurama reminded him. "Give it to Tenma." It wasn't a friendly invitation, more a harsh order to make the position of the Raimon soccer team clear.

Tenma? Shindou looked at the boy who hadn't said anything since the brown haired boy had arrived. The younger player seemed to feel uncomfortable and gave him a 'sorry senpai that wasn't my idea'-glance, but he didn't dare to say anything.

"Fine with me", he confirmed his decision and handed the Captain's badge to Tenma. He managed to give his Kohai a encouraging view, seeing into his honest eyes facing the new challenge. Afraid, but also excited. At least Tenma would put all his soul into this new task and become a good captain. Maybe better as he, Shindou, himself was ...

The whole ceremony looked like a simple gesture, but it definitely wasn't easy for Shindou. 'It is just a badge, I can still play soccer like always', his mind told him, but somehow the former captain still felt as if he had lost a part of himself. Another part … But then he shook his head, Kirino wasn't lost yet. And he wouldn't give up on him. Never.

Next Chapter: Shindou finally discovers Kirino's secret! Really it took him long enough to figure it out, didn't it?

Please leave me a review! ^^