So sorry for the wait, I was planning on finishing this chapter before February ended but I had to make changes to the chapter. Hope you enjoy this :)
RnR if you can
"Fucking asshole." Hiromi murmured under her breath as she stuffed her jacket into the duffel bag given by the club advisor. The managers had already left the changing room, leaving her alone to let out some of her anger. During her unconscious state, Hiromi was treated by the managers. Luckily, when she woke up, she was told that there weren't any severe injuries, except for a large, nasty bruise on her back. The spot where she had been thrown into the goalpost a few hours ago by a certain Tenton captain.
Hiromi clenched her teeth at the thought of him and slammed the locker door shut before storming out of the room. She half expected the captain to be in the meeting room. But at last, he was there, painfully visible to painful eyes and sitting silently in the back row. All she wanted was to do now was ignore him and avoid a conversation. Hiromi wasn't up for any other bullshit.
Earlier, Hiromi, along with the managers exited the medical room so she could change back into her school uniform. The moment Hiromi stepped foot outside, Kuroyama sprang from his seat and bombarded her with questions with his famous jump-in-the-face attack. Thankfully, Victor pulled the short boy away while Sora pushed her away into the changing rooms.
Hiromi scoffed and turned away from the closed eyed captain. Sora, Victor, and Kuroyama were probably waiting outside for her.
"Are you sure you can walk?" Hiromi stopped short at the automatic doors, sliding open for her to walk out.
"Since when did you start to show concern?" Hiromi retorted with a disgusted look, turning away from the doors as it closed itself shut, "I don't remember you worrying over a bruise. And I didn't injure my leg, in case you were deaf around the managers."
The captain's magenta eyes slowly opened and looked at her with a serious look as he stood up from his seat.
"I wasn't." Hiromi intensified her glare at him, "And as captain, IT IS my job to worry about my teammates."
He hit a vein.
"Then you have a really crappy way of showing it," Hiromi stated, trying to refrain herself from blowing off. Worry about her? As if! Hiromi remembered how he roared at her for hitting Namayaki square in the chest during her entry exam. Like he ever liked her from the beginning enough to worry about her. Not wanting to stay, Hiromi turned and walked out of the room as the doors closed shut behind her.
Finally out of the captains sight, Hiromi suddenly was met with Kuroyama screaming in her face.
"Are you sure you're alright!?"
It was followed by a stern voice from Victor who rushed in between them to stop Hiromi from injuring the short boy with a punch.
"Kuroyama! Apologize!" Sora scolded, kneeling down to Kuroyama's height. The said boy looked down at his feet shamefully with his arms hanging limply. Hiromi lowered her fist but never let her guard down in case he might jump at her again.
"I'm sorry Hiromi. It's just that... Umuki nee-san works in this part time job and she gets hurt really badly. She has bruises and scars and she always comes back with new ones. So I guessed I kinda freaked out when I heard you had a large bruise on your back." Kuroyama explained. Hiromi looked at him, clear from any jump attacks, she sighed while uncurling her fist.
"Fine. I forgive you." Kuroyama's face lit up, "But that doesn't mean I won't punch you the next time I get a chance. IF you jump in my face again."
Kuroyama rapidly nodded in affirmation before flashing Hiromi a sheepish smile to which Hiromi returned back with a warm one.
"Why don't we all go to Rairaiken's?" Sora suggested. She glanced at Kuroyama who gave a grin, already agreeing with the idea, "I've always wanted to try their Super Spicy Supreme."
The trio heard a suppressed snicker from the navy haired boy and shot him incredulous looks, "Are you sure you can eat something that spicy Sora? Remember what happened the last time?" Victor asked. His tone was light and calm, making his questions sound anything but offensive.
"Of course, I can!" Sora retorted, offended, "If Kuroyama and the captain can eat it, why can't I?"
"Because you can't stand spicy food!"
"At least, I can try, can't I!?"
Hiromi and Kuroyama began slowly and cautiously stepping away from the pair. Hiromi wondered if they always bickered like this.
Hiromi tensed up when the blue haired manager threw her hands up in frustration and whipped her head at her.
"What do you think Hiromi? Should I eat spicy food or not?" Sora basically demanded an answer, making Victor slap his own face in annoyance. So much for avoiding involvement and shrugged in reply.
"It's your choice Sora. You make the choices for yourself."
"See!? Even Hiromi agrees!"
"She didn't even- Oh nevermind! Should we go to Rairaiken's or not?" Victor let out an audible sigh, slumping forward in defeat as Sora huffed and retorted back, "Of course we are! Let's go!" Stomping away while mumbling stupid things about the navy haired boy, the trio trailed after her, Hiromi and Kuroyama keeping their distance in case of another outburst.
Just as they were about to walk on the pathway that led to Rairaiken's, Sora stopped short and noticed that someone wasn't following them. Her question caused the other two to stop and look back in confusion.
"Aren't you coming too Hiromi?"
Hiromi blinked, before whipping her head to face the blue haired manager. She waved a hand at them dismissively, "Nah, you guys go ahead. I'm going home to rest after what just happened." The trio looked at each other unsure before deciding to leave the brunette to herself. She probably wasn't in the mood to eat and laugh with them.
"Alright, Hiromi. We understand." Sora said as Hiromi nodded. She watched her friends take their leave, waving and shouting goodbyes, "Safe trip back home!"
Hiromi kept her strained smile and her waving hand at them until they disappeared out of sight before a dark look appeared along with a frown. The brunette whirled her head behind her and hissed at the lamp post.
"What do you want-" A person, a head taller than Hiromi, moved away from his hiding spot guiltily. He had wavy, dark hair that reached his shoulder and bright red eyes that made the brunette turn her entire body around and stared him down in detestation and fury.
"Natsukata?"
Omiwari sighed in exasperation. He was about to exit the school after making sure the every room was locked in the stadium, but that's when he saw HER standing outside the school entrance, carrying a dark aura that meant trouble.
Almost immediately, silently and swiftly, Omiwari hid behind a sakura tree that was in close proximity to the entrance.
"What do you want Natsukata?" He heard Hiromi hiss. The Raimon captain blinked, 'Natsukata? Why is he still here?'
Another question popped up.
Did she know him? No. She only met him today, unless she had heard about him before. Brushing it as unimportant, Omiwari peeked from behind the tree and got his answer. Standing right there was none other than the famous Tenton captain and for some reason, looking down at his feet in shame and- Omiwari wouldn't believe it. As cheerful and positive as Hayami, the Tenton captain was shivering? He could see Hiromi staring him down and wondered why. He had to be careful if he wanted to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"I-I wanted to talk to you." The Tenton captain said, stuttering. Hiromi could tell he was obviously choking his words out with the lump of guilt in his throat.
Scoffing, Hiromi replied, "To what? Apologize? Piss off Natuskata, I don't need it. Now move."
Hiromi passed Natsukata who stood in her way to home. Suddenly, Hiromi stumbled back and whipped her head at Natsukata who had pushed her back and looked at her in desperation.
"Please, Hiromi." Natsukata pleaded, grabbing the brunette's wrist to prevent her from running away. Hiromi made an effort to yank her wrist free, but damn he had a strong grip, "Hear me out. Please. I was wrong and you don't deserve this, but, god Hiromi, listen to what I have to say!"
Hiromi's head shot up and glared menacingly at him, eyes shrunk and teeth clenched in fury, "Listen to you!? Get your head straight Natsukata! What would you have ANYTHING to say to me when you're swimming in your achievements and good life!?"
Natsukata was shocked she would say that as his mouth hung open. She hit him hard.
"Natsukata, let... me... go-!"
"NO!" His grip tightened while lifting Hiromi only to touch the ground with her toes. Hiromi forced back a cry and was pretty sure he was going to leave ANOTHER bruise he was responsible for, "Hiromi, I can't keep everything from you! I have too, but I can't. It's for your own safety."
He let his grip go as Hiromi stumbled back. Rubbing her sore wrist, she could see black and blue forming on the skin. They both stood in silence. Hiromi didn't feel it was right to throw all her anger onto him, but she needed answers and if he was involved in whatever bullshit was happening and willing to tell her, she would have to accept.
Spinning her head around to make sure nobody was eavesdropping on their conversation, Hiromi spoke up while choosing her words wisely.
"Tell me first why you and Ryoji broke contact with me."
Natsukata swallowed, "I can't give you a straight answer. I'm sorry, but like I said, it's for your safety."
"...Then what's the point of this conversation?" Nastukata's head shot up, staring at the brunette with her head down, "If all you're going to answer me is 'to keep me safe', then what's the reason you even started this conversation?"
The Tenton captain didn't know how to answer as he averted his eyes to the side, "I'll say it again Hiromi. I can't guarantee you straight answers to your every question but I can tell you one thing." His tone lowered to a whisper as he leaned closely enough for the brunette to hear, "You're not going to like this, but... Raimon was the safest school with a soccer club we could enroll you in."
Hiromi pushed herself away from the Tenton captain. Eyes looking at him in bewilderment and disbelief. Raimon? Raimon was the safest place to enroll her in? Was this all planned out? Did that mean her parents were involved too!? Then that means... Hiromi felt sudden anger bubbling inside.
"Raimon... You're telling me that I only came here because I was safe here!?" Hiromi stormed up to the captain who raised his hands defensively, "Do you know how much it hurt when my parents told me Tenton Academy shut down due to some problems increasing in the school!?"
With every step Hiromi took, Natsukata stepped back until he hit the lamppost, "You lied to me! My parents! Everyone! I never wanted to come to Raimon in the first place! You knew that! But now-! You come to me and show up as captain of the soccer team representing Tenton Academy." Her words dripped from her tongue like venom. It hurt him even more, knowing that he indeed lied to her. But what could he do? He had too! Now she hated him and all he could do was look down at his feet in shame while he held onto the slim hope that she would forgive him.
"...I'm sorry-"
"Stop it. I don't need your consent." Hiromi spat, backing away but her softened glare never leaving him, "I can't believe you would do this to me. I always thought you were too busy at some other school to come visit, but I would never have expected... this. The great Natsukata Renji enrolled into the school I dreamed of going to and can't even face me like the mighty captain I've been told. Not so mighty now are you Natsukata?" Her voice had already toned down and carried no offending sarcasm... to him at least. Natsukata couldn't face her now like he expected too. He felt her walk pass him and made no effort to stop her.
"And by the way," Hiromi stopped in her tracks, their backs facing each other, "It was a mistake to use Iron Gauntlet on me." Natsukata balled his trembling hands into fists as he listened to the sounds of Hiromi's shoes walking away. Angered and ashamed, he punched the lamppost behind him, enough to leave a dent on it.
Omiwari folded his arms as he leaned against the wood with his eyebrows knitted. Something was definitely going on. Now Omiwari knew some truth of this so called 'secret'. Glimpsing from behind the tree, the Tenton captain was still frozen on the spot, glaring at the ground. If he wanted answers, he would have to start with him. Break him if needed.
Vehicles drove peacefully along the wide road to their destination. Some honking impatiently when the cars in the front slowed down to stop at the red light or others shouting at other drivers whose cars bumped into each other, but that's not where the ruckus and noise came from. It came from the inside of a caravan in blue, white and yellow.
"Hayami give that back!" Yamada yelled, reaching out to snatch the golden card back. The seatbelt he had on, however, pulled him back into his seat at the very back of the caravan.
"Then come and get it!" Hayami stuck his tongue out at him playfully.
"H-Hayami, I think you should sit down," Hamano called out to from his seat by the window. Opposite him was an empty seat, presumably belonging to the redhead who was currently prancing around on the same spot, "It's not safe to stand while the caravan's moving."
"Oh chill Hamano. We're in traffic, there's no way I can faaaaaaaallll!" Like Hamano predicted (well, almost everybody did), the caravan started moving and since there were no handrails on the ceiling of the caravan to cling on, Hayami came crashing down, "Ow..."
"Can't say he told you so," Minowari stated, looking up from his book as he adjusted his square glasses with a smile. The entire caravan burst out into roaring laughter as Hayami dizzily picked himself up. He rubbed his head sorely just as Yamada came free from his seat (he held onto the seats for a grip since the caravan was still moving) and snatched the card from Hayami's loosed hand.
"I'll take that thank you very much." Yamada said as he walked back to his seat, nearly tripping over Hiromi's duffel bag that had moved a little out from its place, "Woah, sorry about that Hiromi."
"Nah, it's alright," Hiromi replied dismissively, pulling at the strap and then kicking it under the seat where the Raimon captain sat beside the albino goalkeeper. Hiromi watched as Hayami stumbled back to his seat with no help from Hamano who just kept on preaching, "I told you so Hayami. You should have listened."
"Why didn't you put it along with the others in the back?" Sora asked, looking at Hiromi while her index finger pointed at the brunette's bag. Hiromi leaned back in her seat which was surprisingly soft and cushy since she had expected it to be about as "soft" as the seats in the public bus.
"I don't exactly like the idea of mistaking which bag's mine." She spoke the truth since the bags didn't exactly have their names sewed on it. She had noticed it when they arrived a little later with Kuroyama and Victor. Hiromi remembered how disgusted she was when she laid her eyes on the trunk, nearly full of bags belonging to the others who were already on the caravan waiting. Victor and Kuroyama rushed in and threw their bags like pieces of rubbish. Just as Hiromi was about to begrudgingly place hers, she stopped short at the sight and noticed that nobody's' names were on their respective bag. Immediately changing her mind, Hiromi asked the coach for permission to bring her bag once she climbed into the caravan.
Sora placed a finger on her chin before her eyes widened in realization. Hiromi snickered at her priceless expression, "You're regretting it aren't you?" Hiromi asked once Sora turned to her with an opened mouth. The blue haired girl shut her mouth and gave Hiromi a sheepish smile while scratching the back of her head.
"Yeah, I kinda am." Sora and Hiromi chuckled. Victor and Kuroyama, who sat across the girls heard their audible chuckle and became curious.
"What are you guys laughing about?" Victor inquired, arching an eyebrow while the shorter boy who sat next to the window, stretched his neck and pursed his lips in confusion at them.
Hiromi let out another snicker, "Nothing. Just a heads up once we get there. Good luck trying to find your bags."
Victor and Kuroyama didn't understand as they looked at each other for a moment before turning back to the brunette for another hint, or, at least, an answer. And by the looks of it, the brunette wasn't going to spill another word. The duo sighed and went back to minding their own business which was talking and admiring the players of the famous Raimon Eleven 20 years ago.
"Hey, coach! Do you know which team we're playing against?" Hayami suddenly asked out of the blue, catching everyone's unwanted attention.
"Are you sure you want to know Hayami? I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise." The coach asked back, but with his seat next to the window, nobody from the back could tell for sure if he was being skeptical or was truthfully smiling mischievously.
His question was answered by Hayami's ecstatic voice, "Of course we want to know! You've been keeping us in the dark since last week's practice!"
They could hear the coach hum in thought.
"Your opponent is the Imperial Domain."
It was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
"WHHAAT!?"
"We're so screwed..." Yamada moaned, burying his face in his palms. Hiromi quirked an eyebrow at him. The brunette looked away from him and only to find that everyone else was in the same state of defeat already except her, Sora, Victor, and Kuroyama. They tossed each other perplexed glances before Sora shakily spoke up, "Come on. I'm sure it can't be that bad... can it?"
Dark looks were thrown in her direction.
"So, anyways! Who's the Imperial Domain?" Hiromi hurriedly asked, protecting the defenseless blue haired manager. It wasn't meant to change the topic, but it took most of the burden away from Sora's shoulders. Hiromi watched the two defenders at the back, Yamada and Ookami, sighed in exasperation.
"For someone who plays soccer, you sure do know little about the teams." Akashi rudely commented. Hiromi gripped the seat and sent the red haired striker who sat behind her a menacing glare.
Hiromi was about to protest when Victor placed his hand on her shoulder to stop her. The brunette begrudgingly shifted back into her seat with her arms crossed as she listened to Victor retaliate her question, "So, who's the Imperial Domain?"
Minowari never left his eyes from the book he was reading as he answered before anyone else could, "They're the strongest soccer team in Japan that joined in the soccer world just last year."
"But I thought Teikoku Gakuen was the strongest team." Kuroyama said with a frown as he hoisted himself up his seat to look at the duo seating behind them. Ichijuu gave his a small shake of his head.
"Apparently they overtook their throne and claimed the title strongest in Japan." Minowari explained, shifting his eyes to Kuroyama then to Hiromi and Sora, "If it makes anyone feel any better, Teikoku comes in second place as strongest."
"There's a ranking system?" Hiromi asked with a disbelieving look. Minowari nodded.
"There is. The ranking system- as all you all know how it works- ranks every team in Japan. We're currently one of the Top 10 strongest teams in Japan."
"Which ranking?" Hiromi interrogated.
"...10." Minowari grimaced, harshly shutting his book close. He seemed worked up about their ranking. Hiromi didn't understand why being 10th in place was bad. They were still the Top 10 strongest teams in Japan, that's gotta count for something. Her eyes drifted onto the cover of the book Minowari had been reading. The book was red and thick and large golden words were engraved in the thick cover.
'Book 1: How to become stronger.' Hiromi instantly lost all her respect for the green haired defender, 'Is he serious? How'd he get on this team anyway?' Hiromi propped her cheek with one hand on the armrest.
Unfortunately, Minowari saw the look on the brunette's face and scoffed, his nose pointing to the roof, "I'll have you know, it's a very good book about strategies and how to become stronger." He held up the book next to his face for show. Hiromi blinked at the book before letting out a snicker.
"Yeah, if it wasn't about lift weighting."
The green haired genius blinked at her before turning the book around to eye level. Not a second later did he realize his mistake and was staring wide eyed at the back of the book with large golden words engraved on the book that read "LIFT WEIGHTING".
Everyone at the back chortled with laughter at his own mistake, even Mr. Killjoy suppressed a visible smirk.
Minowari turned a bright shade of red as he stuffed his lift weighting book behind his back and sat frozen from embarrassment. Ichijuu gave him no mercy as he chuckled inaudibly while patting the green haired genius' on his shoulder as a sign of reassurance.
"Awww... Lookie here. Wittle Mister Killjoy's smiling." Nishiki lilted loudly, leaning forward towards Akashi's seat and playfully poked his finger at his cheek. Akashi immediately frowned and slapped the forward's finger away, "Someone's getting cranky here. Do you need your bwottle?" He mimicked holding a milk bottle and shaking it with a cheeky grin plastered on his face.
"You're dead!" Akashi yelled enraged as he tried to pounce on Nishiki but was pulled back into his seat because he still had his seatbelt on. So he was there, thrashing his arms at the senior boy who kept laughing his head off, "You're going to be the first person I write in the Death Note!"
"I thought you weren't supposed to disrespect your seniors," Victor said with a chuckle as he, Kuroyama and the girls watched the scene before them. Akashi was about to unfastened his seatbelt when Nishiki's hands grabbed his cheek and pulled at them, showing everyone the redhead forward's pearly whites.
"But in this case, it doesn't seem they even care about being respected by their juniors." Hiromi stated, turning to him, "Heck, I'm starting to doubt this team even has any respect for each other. Well, except for Old Man Grumpy right here." She added, jabbing her thumb at the Raimon captain's seat. She received a scoff from the seat in front. Before Victor could lecture her about respect for the cold captain, Sora spoke up.
"I'm surprised actually," Instead of sitting, her knees were on the seat cushion and with her back straight and facing the seat in front of her, "Nishiki-senpai isn't the one to normally make fun of others or cause a commotion. That's more of Hayami-senpai's job."
"And you're wondering why he isn't doing his 'job'?" Hiromi inquired with a slight smirk. Sora gave her a cheeky smile, "Yup!"
"That's because Hayami's asleep right now." Hamano answered, his head resting on his folded arms as he stood on his seat in a similar way like Sora, "Long trips make him sleepily so most of the time he's not very active."
"I see. He sleeps like a rock." Sora pointed out with her index finger at the sleeping redhead. Hamano nodded, "He doesn't wake up easily. I guess he deserves some rest from being so active and hyper all the time." The dark haired midfielder said before yawning and his eyes half closed, "We should follow Hayami and get some rest. It's been a long trip so far and I want to wake up fresh. Goodnight guys." And like that, he sunk back into his seat for some well-deserved rest.
"Night Hamano-senpai," Kuroyama said. Not a second later, the short boy stretched and yawned before tiredly rubbing his eye and curling up in his seat, "Guess that's my cue. Night guys."
The trio followed his cue and leaned back in their seats, eyes closed and still. The next thing that happened, the entire caravan was enveloped in peaceful silence with the exception of light snoring from the back.
"They all look so cute when they sleep." Naomi lilted giddily, glancing behind at the sleeping Raimon captain with his head slightly tilted down. Shingestu chuckled.
"Now Naomi, we have to rest too if we want to be at the top of our game on the field." Naomi understood and nodded. She poked her chin in thought before looking at the Raimon coach, "But I find it a bit odd. They picked Raimon, and a team from Japan no less. Last time I checked, they never were interested in playing against teams from their own country. The Imperial Domain always play against other teams, not from Japan, so why would they choose a home team to compete with?"
Shingestu watched her concentrating hard on the question. "Maybe we should sleep on it, Naomi. We can discuss this later." He suggested, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. The strawberry blonde woman sighed as her shoulders relaxed and nodded in agreement.
"You're right Shingestu. I don't want it to affect the team's hard work."
"You won't. Goodnight Naomi." He assured her and leaned his head on the closed curtained window.
"Night night Shingestu." She stuck out her tongue at him playfully before they both drifted off into a sleepless dream.