Practice is for Noobs, but Training is What We Do
Alsius placed his tray of good and sat on the table that no one else sat at. He peered nervously at the utensil which was prepared along with the meal, chopsticks. Picking it up, he attempted to pick up a mouthful of rice. His hands kept trembling causing him to drop the food and sometimes, the chopsticks themselves, multiple times. He tried hard to hide his frustration, however, Narukami sat down next to him with a big grin on his face.
"Having trouble aren't you, Haku-chan?" Narukami mocked.
Alsius let out an angry sigh, left his tray of food and walked out of the cafeteria leaving Narukami alone at the table. Before he could follow him, Tetsukado placed himself on the seat across from him.
"So Narukami, how long have you done soccer?" he asked.
Narukami thought for a bit, "Today was my first match I have played in, but I did lots of kemari back in my village with Haku."
Tetsukado paused, "What? No way! How can you play so well, without actually practicing at all?"
Hearing Tetsukado yelling, the other members gathered around to join the conversation.
"Weren't you part of Hakuren's soccer team?" Shindou asked. His eyes were cold as he glared down at Narukami.
Narukami, however, was unfazed by this and responded in a normal tone, "Well, we did learn the basic rules of soccer not long ago from Fubuki-san and Yukimura-kun. But, we only joined the soccer team to join this team…"
"Huh?" Shindou yelled, "What's that Coach doing? Again he nominates people who have no experience or interest in soccer to play for its representative team! You all shouldn't be sitting here."
"Shindou-san, calm down," Tsurugi said.
Narukami started cleaning up his plates, "I'm sorry, Shindou-kun but, this is the reality of the situation you are currently in. Instead of whining over something that's already done, focus on what needs to be done now."
"Ah, Narukami-kun, can you stop for a second!?" Minaho suddenly yelled.
Narukami obediently stopped. He looked back at Minaho wondering why he was asked to stop. Minaho called Manabe over and the two of them stared at Narukami and then, switched their gazes to Ibuki.
"Hmm… know that we look at you two closely, it is evident you are quite different…" they both mumbled.
"What are you talking about?" Kusaka gasped, "They're completely identical."
Minaho cleared his throat, "Nope, Ibuki-kun's hair is much messier, his voice is deeper and their eyes are very different colours. Also, Narukami-kun's face is completely scarred."
Manabe focused his glasses and added, "Their way of speaking, personalities and play styles are different as well."
Narukami quietly walked away as his teammates continued the conversation. "of course there may be people that we look like us here…" he mumbled to himself, laughing softly. As he started making his way towards his room, Narukami noticed Alsius kicking the ball to himself in the field.
"Hey, Haku!" he called out running up to him, "I didn't know you were so into soccer that you would actually practice on your own."
"It's not whether I like it or not… we need to get out of here and winning is the only way. And its TRAINING, not practice."
"Yes, yes," Narukami shrugged, "There's no point in being so tense, you know? Relax!" he patted Alsius on the head, "the time will come when it needs to, right?"
Alsius looked down, frowning, "I know, you don't need to tell me."
Narukami quickly scooped the ball with his feet from Alsius, "Let me help you."
It was dark outside, but the field lights were turned on so there was no problem seeing the ball. Absorbed in their game, Alsius and Narukami didn't notice Tsurugi and Ibuki walking down onto the field. Tsurugi called out to them, surprising them.
"Keeper training?" the two fielders asked.
Ibuki hit his fist with his palm, "Yup!"
"He asks me all the time." Smiled Tsurugi then quickly glanced at Alsius, "Kurogane, I heard from Matsukaze that you guys played a little game every day until the day of the match against Mach Tiger."
"Huh?" gasped Narukami glaring at Alsius.
Ignoring this, Alsius nodded.
Tsurugi passed the ball he was holding to him, "Try to keep the ball away from me time." He challenged.
"Okey," Alsius sneered, "5 minutes is the time limit, Nao, keep track for us!"
"Fine…" Narukami sighed flipping open his cellphone.
"Hey Tsurugi, What about my training!?" Ibuki yelled.
"Later."
Narukami gave the start signal, "Ready, GO!"
Tsurugi started charging at Alsius as soon as the signal was given. Alsius kept the ball away from the furious tackle, moving away from Tsurugi.
"Hm… not bad," smiled Tsurugi and continued his attack. Alsius carefully balanced the ball atop her foot, lifting it just over Tsurugi's feet. With great speed he dribbled the ball away from the field. As he jumped up and turned around, Alsius kept the ball completely under his control.
"30 seconds left." Narukami warned.
Alsius chuckled, "looks like I'm going to win, Tsurugi."
"Don't be so sure, yet!" Tsurugi charged up to Alsius. Unfazed, Alsius was ready to lift the ball away from Tsurugi, but he was too quick. Before the ball could be carried, Tsurugi's foot skimmed it, causing Alsius to lose control over it for a second. Alsius tried to regain it, however, Tsurugi's foot came a second time and scooped the ball away. The game ended in Tsurugi's victory.
"As expected from you, Tsurugi…" Alsius wheezed.
Tsurugi smiled, "I can see why Matsukaze had trouble getting the ball from you."
"Tsurugi," Ibuki grumbled impatiently, "Training…"
"Yeah," Tsurugi nodded and brought the ball up to the net Ibuki was standing in front of. Alsius and Narukami each grabbed a ball and stood next to Tsurugi.
"We are here now anyways, so let us help you." Said Narukami.
"Doesn't matter, come at me!" Ibuki grinned doing a big clap and holding his hands out.
"Here I go!" Alsius kicked the ball directly at Ibuki and it was easily caught.
Next, Tsurugi kicked it. Being more forceful than Alsius' kick, it flung Ibuki backwards. Ibuki quickly got back on his feet. "Keep 'em coming!" he yelled.
Instead of Narukami kicking the ball, Alsius kicked it again. After Tsurugi and Alsius did a few shoots, Narukami finally went up front to do his shoot.
"Come!" Ibuki taunted.
Narukami carefully scooped the ball with the inside of his feet as if he lifting it up. The ball curved up to the far left and Ibuki started running to that side. However, the ball kept curving past Ibuki and into the right side of the net.
"What…?" Ibuki gasped. Even Tsurugi was surprised by that shot.
"Ibuki-kun," Narukami started, "Not every shoot is a powerful head on shot. A striker's objective is to get a score on the board, no matter what they need to do. You have to be able to read the ball's movements. Haku shoot something trickier."
Alsius nodded and took a deep breath, "Here I go." He whispered as he lifted the ball on his feet, and did a swift back flip, kicking the ball upwards. Icy energy enveloped the ball and as it fell, Alsius lunge.d with his might, kicking the ball straight in to the net.
"Frozen World!"
Surprised, Ibuki tried to stop the ball without using a hissatsu catch and got easily flung away.
"Ibuki!" Narukami yelled, "Why aren't you using your hissatsu, Wild Dunk?"
"Urgh…" Ibuki punched the ground in rage.
Narukami sighed, "I guess you haven't completely grasped the timing on when to use it. I've been wondering why you haven't used it since the match again Big Waves."
Ibuki punched the ground again, "Somehow, I can't get it…"
"Don't worry, bro, that is what I am here for."