Mega: `Sup everyone! I'm back for the SIXTH TIME! Hooray!
Kirino: How do you find the time and motivation to continue this story?
Mega: I don't know. Hmm… I think it might come from the lovely reviews!
Shindou: *walks in with a large stack of paper* I got the reviews you asked for, Mega.
Mega: *takes reviews from Shindou* Thank you, Shindou! At least you're nice and helpful. *glares at Kirino*
Kirino: Hey! I'm helpful, sometimes at least!
Mega: *sarcastically* Sure you are… To the reviews, my trusty readers!
Reviews
Asymmetriphobia: I'm glad you like it! I plan on continuing this story as long as I can. Thanks for your review!
2gatita8: I do try, my friend. I'm glad that the time gap doesn't bother you. I will do my best, and I will continue to be sadistic!
OTP's are all you need: Thank you! I will continue this story! I'm glad that you love the story!
Yuu Rck: I know, right? Just kidding! ;P I love that you love to read my chapters (try saying that three times fast)! As stated in my other responses, the story will continue, and I'm glad that you think so!
Kirino: *stares at review stack wide eyed* Those are a lot of reviews!
Mega: Yup! Apparently torturing my favorite IE Go characters strikes a chord with other IE Go fans. (I made a musical pun because, believe it or not, I am a musician. I play the flute and mallet percussion in band, but I also play the piano. Shindou is still better than me, though...)
Shindou: Shouldn't you start the chapter?
Mega: OH YEAH! I forgot about that!
Kirino: Mega…Really?
Mega: Yeah… Sorry! To the chapter, my faithful readers!
Chapter 6: Fine
~Kirino's POV~
I opened my eyes for the first time today. Unlike before, my vision quickly focused, and I was able to identify the figures around me.
Shindou was beside me again, and Wonderbot was fiddling with some medical devices. Shindou was the first to notice that I had regained consciousness. He swiftly moved me into a sitting position, and he began to stroke my pink hair gently.
"How are you feeling?" He murmured into my ear.
I blushed slightly at the closeness of his face, but I was able to give him an audible answer.
"I'm fine. It's strange, Shindou. I feel like I haven't been sick at all, lately." I explained to him with a surprisingly strong voice. My voice hadn't been that strong for weeks! Maybe I was getting better; I could play if I was correct.
"You're certain, Kirino? That is kind of strange." He said looking deep into my azure eyes.
"Of course it is! Give me one reason why I would lie to you!" I growled angrily. Why did he think I was lying? Did he really have such little trust in me?!
He was visibly taken aback by my outburst. He looked panicky for a second, but he quickly regained his composure. He breathed deeply before he gave me a reply.
"I'm sorry, Kirino, but I just want to make sure that you're not lying to me so you can play soccer. You hid your illness so well last time that I don't want to take a chance this time," he replied earnestly.
He did have a (sadly) valid answer. If Shindou and I exchanged places, I'm pretty sure that I would have been the same way with him. He was important to me, so I guess that it's normal to worry about him, right? The way he was acting, though, was very similar to how I would have reacted. Maybe he liked me. I wonder… Did he really like me in a way other than friendship? Probably not, but a defender can dream, right? The closeness of Shindou's face brought me back to reality.
"Are you sure you're okay? You seem a little distant," he told me as he moved his face even closer to mine.
I blushed heavily. This was so embarrassing! Why was he acting like this? Did I do something wrong?
"O-of course I am! I was just lost in thought. Where are Tenma, Fei, and Tsurugi? They were here, weren't they?" I inquired, hoping to change the topic.
"They left to explain things to the team, but that was a while ago. I'm not sure where they went. Why do you ask?" He was prying. I could tell. Why he was prying, I sadly had yet to discover.
"I don't know. I'm just curious, I guess," I clarified.
He looked satisfied with my answer, so he didn't press me for any more information. Instead, he opted to slide onto the side of my bed and sit next to me. I blushed heavily as one of his strong arms snaked around my waist and pulled me closer to his chest. His other hand resumed stroking my loose, silky hair in a calming rhythm.
"Shindou?" I looked towards him curiously.
"Yes, Kirino?" He inquired shortly.
"What are you doing?" I questioned quietly.
"What do you mean?" He inquired innocently.
I blush for the umpteenth time at his reply. Was he really this dense? I doubted it.
"You know what I mean, Shindou," I indicated to our position.
"What's wrong with lying next to you?" He breathed into my ear.
"I-I don't know! It just seems kind of weird, though, right?" I pointed out.
"What's weird about lying next to your crush?" He murmured into my ear.
He did not just say that, did he? He wasn't in love with me. There was no way he could be in love with me, right? This was just a sick dream.
"W-what do you mean?" I turned my head to the side to hide my blush.
"I love you, Kirino Ranmaru," he repeated to me.
"Y-you do?" I asked hopefully. Maybe he really did love me! Maybe my feelings towards him weren't pointless! Maybe I had a chance!
"Yes, I do. I know it's sudden, but I'd like to know if you will accept my confession," he proclaimed to me boldly.
"I-I love you to! I'm so glad you feel the same!" I cried as I wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug. Tears of joy, relief, and whatever else I was feeling spilled from my eyes. He loved me! The Shindou Takuto, Raimon's playmaker and former captain, love me, Kirino Ranmaru, a simple defender!
"I'm relieved as well. I thought you like Kariya or Tsurugi!" He exclaimed happily.
"You thought that I was in love with Tsurugi? Why would you think that? He's obviously head over heels for Tenma. Sometimes, Shindou, you can be so dense." I sighed dramatically.
"Hey! I'm not thatdense! At least I didn't hide a serious illness from my team!" He countered quickly.
"This is coming from the one that had to get surgery for a leg injury caused by worsening a minor injury though overworking it in a soccer game?" I mocked, humor coloring my voice.
"You do have a point, sadly, so you win," he grinned lightheartedly.
"I know. You've never been the best at debates," I joked while a large, silly grin decorated my face.
He looked ready to rebuke my statement, but he stopped when the door was thrown open by a tired looking Fei. He quickly darted over to my bed, stopping once he was beside the two of us. His usual grin and easygoing manner was gone completely.
"Shindou," he gasped as he regained his breath. "Tenma, he, he," he struggled to find the right words, "he's had a panic attack!"
"What?!" We screamed in unison. Wonderbot's attention was caught by the loud noise, so he moved towards us.
"Could you elaborate, Fei?" He questioned calmly, but worry could be found in his tone.
Fei nodded before he resumed speaking, "I wasn't there when it happened. I only heard Tenma screaming at Tsurugi. Tsurugi brought Tenma to his room after he collapsed, and I met them there. Tenma was asleep, but he looked tired. Tsurugi said he was going to try to convince Tenma to step down as captain."
"He wanted Tenma to step down as captain? How bad was he?" Shindou asked sounding slightly panicked.
"He looked really tired, pale, and kind of sick. He's in no condition to lead our team against El Dorado," he stated worriedly.
"Can we see him?" I inquired. If Tenma needed help, I would give it to him! He helped me, so I was determined to help him all I could.
"Yeah, we can, but should you go, Kirino? You were so sick two days ago. Are you sure you're alright?" He inquired gently.
I nodded, "I feel fine. Wonderbot can check my condition if you want."
"Wonderbot, would you mind?" Shindou interrupted.
"It's fine. It won't take long." He stated as he began fiddling with some medical devices attached to me.
He finished a minute later. He turned to face us, "He's fine. Whatever his ailment was, it has disappeared completely."
I grinned happily before I bounded out of the bed and headed towards the door. My teammates followed my example and walked out into the hallway. We swiftly made our way towards Tenma's room.
We arrived minutes later. I turned to face my companions. They looked at me inquisitively.
I returned their gaze, "Who's going to go first?"
My gaze moved to Fei as did Shindou's. We looked at him expectantly. He flinched nervously.
"Why do I have to?" He muttered as he opened the door of the room slowly. He slid in silently, and soon Shindou and I had followed his example. We all had entered the room seconds later.
Fei moved towards the hunched figure of Tsurugi. He placed his hand gently on his shoulder. Tsurugi's head whipped around, and he turned to face us.
"How is he?" Shindou murmured to the dark-haired striker.
"He's doing better. He was awake a little while ago," he told us.
"Did you get him to agree to step down as captain?" Fei questioned seriously.
"I did," Tsurugi said shortly.
"Who did he appoint as the temporary captain?" Shindou inquired softly.
"He wants me to be captain." Tsurugi announced simply.
"Are you going to agree?" Shindou looked into his golden eyes solemnly.
"Yes. I will respect his wishes and become captain." He said firmly.
I smiled silently. Things were going to get interesting soon.
~Chapter 6 end~
Mega: Chapter six is done, and the new arch will begin next chapter! YAY!
Kirino: We hoped you enjoyed it!
Shindou: Stay tuned to read whatever Mega decides to put in the next chapter.
Shindou and Kirino: Sayonara, minna!
Mega: Ciao, my trusty readers! See you next chapter!