AN: lol, there's like something really suggestive here, so just a heads up. its not explicit tho. it was implied...

guest- im guessing youre just one person so i guess here you go? hope you enjoy

yeah i dont own captain tsubasa

Chapter 30: Little Thorns in the Side

She stared at the form in front of her, unsure of how to tackle it. Sure she already had some ideas on where to go, but they weren't exactly her first choice. There were lots of advantages in going to her second choices, but she didn't think it'll bring her the satisfaction and kind of education she wanted.

Sighing, Sanae took the paper off of her desk and put it in one of her folders before putting it in her bag. As much as she loved finally being in her last year of high school, she was not ready to move forward and tackle college. Why did they even have to fill out that form anyway? "Future plans after Graduation"? Did the school really need to know that? They already filled out the same form back when they were first years, why did they have to do it again? Besides, she had a whole international tournament to worry about! She didn't have time to worry about college.

Okay, that's a lie. She's been worrying about college since third year of junior high. At first, she was dead set of going to her first choice of college. She talked with her mom about it, she talked with Ayame about it, she talked with her grandfather, her friends, everyone. Some of them were kind of bummed about her decision, but they all accepted her want to go to Columbia University in America. When it was time to do the requirements, she immediately set out to complete it. She took the necessary tests, filled out some needed paperwork, checked her bank account if she had enough money (trust funds are great), made sure to keep her grades up, almost everything was complete. She just needed to complete the application for the school and she was good to go.

Except, when she made that decision, she didn't have a boyfriend to worry about.

See, she wasn't dating Tsubasa when she started her college stuff to study abroad. She started them right as she got into second year, meaning the spring last year. They didn't get into a relationship until the summer of. Sure Tsubasa knew her passion about writing, but he didn't exactly know her plans on pursuing them. And if she did tell him what she wanted to do, he didn't know that she actually wanted to cross an ocean just to pursue them. She didn't even know how he's going to react when she finally tells him.

But if she thought about it, wasn't her boyfriend going to cross an ocean to fulfill his own dream? Surely he'd be okay with letting her chase her own?

Argh, this is too much to think about right now. She had time to think about this. They didn't even have to turn in the form until Friday. She had time to talk to Tsubasa about this.

The bell rang signaling the end of classes. She sighed once more before standing up, hefting her backpack on her shoulder.

"You alright?"

She looked over her shoulder, a little bit surprised to see Tsubasa standing behind her. Without her notice, she felt herself smile and look down.

"Yeah," she said, slipping the other backpack strap on her shoulder. "Just thinking about the paper we got."

Tsubasa slipped his hand around hers as they headed out of the room, lacing their together. Their friends were already out, chatting quietly among themselves as they waited for the two of them. Just like them, Shiori-chan and Wakabayashi-kun had their hands together.

"The future plan thing?" he remarked.

She nodded. "With graduation just around the corner, it's kind of stressful just thinking about it."

He gave her hand a light squeeze. "I'm sure you'll pass all of the university entrance exams you're planning to take. Knowing you, you'll probably get one of the highest marks in all of them."

She couldn't help the grin to form on her face. Trust him to make him feel better with just the a few words.

But still…

"Thanks," she said, squeezing his hand back. "That helps more than you know. But I'm doing something kind of… different."

"Huh?" he looked at her with knitted eyebrows. And she knew the question was already on the tip of his tongue, but they finally arrived to where the others were.

"Are we still conditioning the new recruits or are we going to have them play matches today?" Wakabayashi-kun interrupted him.

And just like that, the thought flew over Tsubasa's head, now focused on their club plans for that today.

Somehow, Sanae couldn't help but feel relieved.

Having the extra managers was truly a blessing, he had to admit. Yukari-chan was already a godsend, but having extra pair of hands to help her help them was even better. They didn't have to worry about the small stuff anymore now that the managers were doing those for them.

Plus the clubroom smelled cleaner and fresher. No more smell of sweat and dirty socks. Man Tsubasa didn't even know how they managed to survive without them. But then again, Sanae always did demand they clean it out once a month- once a week if she's not a busy. So yeah, at least their clubroom was definitely clean and Sanae didn't need to come in and scold them every time she came to their room.

And their managers were awesome too! Of course, Nishimoto-san had always been great. She's been with them since last year and to be honest, he was surprised she even stayed that long. With how much Ishizaki-kun annoyed her and how hopeless they seem at cleaning every week, Tsubasa expected her to leave. But she didn't and the whole team was grateful for it.

Besides, Ishizaki-kun would have probably miss her the most if she left, no matter how much he tried to deny it.

And then they have the two new managers. They were… nice. They're still pretty new and Nishimoto-san was doing a good job showing them what to do. Nagano-san was getting the hang of it, and she seemed to be enthusiastic about helping them out. Over all, she was a really great help to the team.

Then they have the third manager. He couldn't exactly describe her as a problem, nor was she really a problem at all. She's just a little… clingy, to say it in the nicest way possible.

Sugimoto-chan was a nice girl really, he just didn't like the way she liked him –well obsessed over him more like. It was- it was a little bit annoying, irritating sometimes. Of course, she did her job well, but would it kill for her to stop fawning over him?

Yes, yes, people said that he was the dumbest when it came to the romantic feelings girls had for him, but that's not exactly true. Oh he knew just how bad those girls like him, especially when they're not discreet about it. Mind you, he spent three years in Brazil, which where they were more…vocal with their feelings. Tsubasa could tell all about the confessions he received throughout his whole stay that asked him if he wanted to date them. Then when on his last year, people were actually throwing themselves at him, like offering him sex. Oh god, just thinking about it still made him flush in embarrassment. Roberto only laughed at him when he told him about his woes…

That's why their first year manager was kind of annoying right now. She reminded him of those times he just wanted to be alone and away from girls altogether…

So if he could decipher when girls have feelings for him, then what took him so long to figure out that Sanae, his girlfriend, had feelings for him?

Well, Sanae had always been special. They've been friends since he moved to Nankatsu, and he'd admit that he already thought she was really pretty at the time. Seriously, how could you not think that with her short black locks that framed her face perfectly, her bright brown eyes full of passion and support for a rag-tag bunch of soccer wannabes that she wasn't beautiful at all? Sure she was a little bit of a tomboy at that time, but that just added to her charm. Looking back at it, she was quite adorable in that gakuran and red headband. Not to mention the fact that she was just so… so… so radiant whenever she was cheering for them, for him.

Wait, did this mean that he already liked Sanae since he was a child and he just didn't notice?

Huh, maybe he did. He was just too dense to realize it.

You know what, maybe the reason he didn't realize that Sanae was in love with him was because he actually did know the hidden feelings between them and unconsciously, he decided that it wasn't worth telling because he thought that both of them knew what they felt for each other?

Okay, now he's confused.

Anyway, really, Sugimoto-chan really needed to stop trying to make him like her in that way. He was perfectly happy with just Sanae by his side and he wouldn't trade her for the world.

Speaking of his girlfriend…

He couldn't help the smile to for on his lips when he saw her by the gates along with the third year girls. She was laughing at something Ayame-chan said, and Tsubasa stopped walking to take his time to observe her.

Their school uniform looked good on her, he had to admit. Of course, he hated it because it meant other guys could notice what he sees, but the light blue coat and white button up shirt really brought out her curves and the short light blue skirt made it seem like her legs were never ending. Not mention her hair was still in that messy ponytail she always have whenever she played soccer that shows off her slender neck. It just made him want to ran up behind her and kiss it tenderly.

God, she was so hot.

Man just imagining him pinning her against a wall, hiking her up against it as he devoured her lips with his, always made him excited. He'd run his hands through her sides down to her thighs, and hike them up to surround him. Guided by his instincts, he'll slither his hand under her skirt, feeling her smooth skin while pushing his body closer to her. She'd gasp between their kiss, opening her mouth while he took advantage of it to push his tongue into her mouth. His hand would inch higher and higher until he could touch her p-

Stop Tsubasa, too much, too much. Settle down buddy. You're going a little bit crazy with your fantasizing. Just because Sanae gave you considerable attention down below on Valentine's Day, didn't mean you could have other more daring kinds of fantasies about your girlfriend.

Even if you've already been doing it since before she even gave you a handjob.

Shaking his head, he proceeded to walk towards where Sanae was. As he neared her, she slowly turned towards his direction, as if sensing he was coming closer. When their eyes met, her lips formed into a huge grin, and he felt his own do the same.

"Hi," she greeted him as he arrived before her.

"Hey," he greeted back, shoving his hands into his pockets. They stared at each other for a while, before she giggled and looked down. He felt eyes gaze on her softened and he took one of his hands out of his pockets. He set it on her cheek to make her face him. Their eyes met for a brief moment, until he began lowering them to set on her lips. They were a little bit glossy, a sign that she put on her favorite lip gloss on before leaving their clubroom. He wasn't complaining, it was his favorite too.

He caressed her lips with his thumb, smiling as she puckered them lightly to kiss his finger. She opened her eyes and their gaze met once again, sharing smiles before the two of them. Taking his thumb away from her luscious lips, he decided to act.

Slowly, both of them closely their eyes and Tsubasa started to lean towards her, intent on meeting his own lips with hers. Just as they were about to finally kiss, they were suddenly interrupted by a high pitched voice.

"Tsubasa-senpai!"

Immediately, both of them opened their eyes and Tsubasa couldn't help the groan to escape his lips. Really, even now when training was over?

He heard Sanae giggle while he could only sigh in defeat.

"Tsubasa-senpai! Tsubasa-senpai!"

He took a deep breath and turned around, grabbing Sanae's hand along the way.

Sugimoto-chan was smiling towards him with two girls right beside her. Her friends, he assumed.

"Sugimoto-chan," he greeted her with a nod. "What can I do for you?"

The first year grinned even wider, her two friends huddling closer to her. "Senpai, you're going home right?"

Wasn't it obvious?

Forgive him for being snappish right now, but this girl just interrupted him kissing his girlfriend. Let him be annoyed for a little bit.

"That was the plan," he answered. "Unless you needed me for something. I'll be more than happy to help."

He's really not, but he couldn't just turn her away like that.

He could feel his teammates and the girls team watching at them curiously and he wished one of them takes his place in helping her, whatever she needed.

He just wanted to go home and kiss Sanae senseless.

Sanae peered from behind him, curious at what was going on.

"No, no I don't need any help," Sugimoto-chan answered while waving her arms. "I was just wondering if I could walk home with you."

What. The hell.

Sanae hid her mouth behind her hand and looked away, and Tsubasa was sure she was trying not to laugh. He could hear someone stifle a laugh, and someone even snorted.

What support they were.

Tsubasa released a deep breath. "Sorry, Sugimoto-chan. I was already going home with my girlfriend," he said while raising his hand that was entwined with Sanae's and showed it to her. Sanae appeared from behind him and waved at them with a smile.

They seemed to have been rattled by such an information (good, that way they stop trying to chase after him), but Sugimoto-chan looked as if she got over her surprise quickly to say something.

"Oh so you guys are actually dating? I thought they were just rumors…" the first year remarked.

He couldn't exactly blame her from thinking they weren't true. They never did say it out loud after all. They just thought that people could figure it out with how close they were to each other. The whole town practically already knew they were dating.

"Yeah, we're dating," he confirmed as he looked at Sanae and bringing their laced hands up to his lips, kissing hers tenderly. Sanae flushed, but only smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Smiling he turned back to look at the first year. "So, yeah. If you don't really need anything," he started, letting go of Sanae's hand to wrap his arm around her shoulders instead. "We'll be going then." He gave them a wave and turned the two of them around, proceeding to walk away from them.

And yes, he purposely ignored Sugimto's calls of his name.

Once they were far enough from them, Sanae finally spoke.

"Quite a fan you have there, Eagle," she teased. "You didn't tell me your new manager was smitten with you that bad."

Tsubasa rolled his eyes, "Trust me, it's not as fun as you think it is. I wanted someone who'd help the team. Most of the time, all her attention is on me."

"I thought you like being peppered with attention," she said cheekily.

"If it's from the right person," he replied while giving her a look from the corner of his eyes. "Other than that, it's kind of uncomfortable."

He took his arm from her shoulder to hold her hand once again, squeezing it tightly.

"You want me to tell to her to back off?" she asked lightly. "I can ask Yukari-chan to tell her to tone it down a little."

"No, no it's fine," he replied quickly. "I'm sure she'll realize that I'm not interested, especially today when I literally just confirmed that we are in fact dating."

Sanae chuckled and squeezed his hand tight, caressing the back of his hand with her thumb. He felt his lips curl up into a smile. Even just smallest of touches from her was enough to make him feel better.

"You know," he started, "Not that I'm happy with this whole situation, but I'm kind of wondering how come you don't seem jealous about this whole thing. Usually, when someone not part of our friend group even so as much as poke me, you ignore me most of the time and leave me trying to figure out what I did wrong. Sometimes I think you really are angry at me and secretly plotting something."

Sanae narrowed her eyes at him, clearly offended by his remarks.

"What? It's true!" he insisted. "Remember Katsumoto-san? You ignored me for two whole days when you thought we were getting too 'chummy' for your liking. It's not even my fault. Your mom wanted me to work the cashier. I didn't expect her to be attracted to me."

"You didn't have to be that friendly with her in the first place," she grumbled.

Tsubasa grinned and bump her hip with his. "See what I mean?"

Sanae glared at him even more, but sighed in defeat after a few seconds. "Alright, fine. Maybe I am a little tad jealous whenever someone tries to talk with you, but at least it's not as bad as you!" she countered. "You practically growl whenever another guy we don't really know just looks at me."

"It's not my fault they're looking at you the wrong way," he defended himself. "Besides, they should probably know as early as possible that you're already taken."

Sanae giggled and turned to him. "See what I mean," she said jokingly.

Tsubasa narrowed his eyes at her before sighing. "Fine," he admitted with a pout.

"Truce?" she asked with a teasing smile.

He looked back to her, returning her smile. "Truce."

The both of them chuckled before a comfortable silence enveloped them. Sanae laid her head on his shoulder as they continued to walk in silence.

"You know," she started. "To be honest, I was jealous of Sugimoto-san."

He turned to look at her in surprised, not expecting for her to admit it that easily.

"There's been times when I think of throwing her as far away as possible from you whenever she goes up to you, trying to see if you'd fall for her flirting. It's kind of embarrassing actually, watching her try to flirt with you. I feel like making her stop would save many of us, her most of all."

No, him most of all. It was awkward dealing with Sugimoto-chan whenever she got like that.

"So what's stopping you?" he asked curiously.

"You," she answered simply taking her head off of his shoulder to look at him. There was a serene smile on her face and even now, it still didn't stop his heart from skipping a beat. "I trust you," she continued. "And I know that no matter how much she tries to win your heart, you wouldn't give it to her because you told me your heart will always belong to me, just as much as my heart only belongs to you."

She suddenly stopped walking, and he barely noticed that they finally arrived before the back doors of their shop. He was too busy staring at her with so much love for her he thought his heart was going to burst.

Instinctively, his hands cupped her face and kissed her, hoping that it was enough to convey how much he loves her.

"What did I do to deserve you?" he said as their lips separated, putting his forehead against hers.

She only giggled and leaned closer to him.

He sighed wistfully as he pulled away from her. "I'm still uncomfortable with this whole thing with Sugimoto.

"Look on the bright side," she comforted him. "We'll be going back to camp soon to prepare for some friendlies. You won't be seeing her for about three weeks."

That was true… Hopefully, Sugimoto finally gets it that he wasn't interested in the next weeks that he's gone.

"Don't worry," he felt Sanae's hand pat his cheek while the other one held onto his hand. "I'm sure everything will turn out just fine in the end." With one last caress of his face, she stood on her toes and gave his open cheek a loud smack of her lips. "Thanks for walking me home. I'll talk to you later. Be careful on your way!"

Squeezing his hand one last time, Sanae finally let go of him to enter her home.

He could only sigh as he stared at their closed door.

He really hoped she was right this whole thing.

End Chapter

AN: if you guessed that its kumi who the mystery fangirl is, then you are right. if you didnt then its fine. she wasnt exactly known. she's in the manga as tsubasa's first year manager/fangirl that actually had a pretty great character development. if we see her again soon in here, is up for debate. who knows.

but anyway, yeah sanae and tsubasa has been into some frisky stuff. not that frisky mind you. just a tad bit. but its definitely a start of some risky behaviors from these two and they'll probably be crossing more borders about sexuality sometime. i dont know if im going to write about it tho.

also, sanae's having some college problems. whether she talks to tsubasa about it, we just dont know.

anyway, thanks for reading and please review

cya soon!