17th February
Youhei Sunohara was woken up by his wife Kyou and Daughter Yuna, it was Youhei's birthday and he was excited.
"Happy birthday Youhei" said Kyou
"Happy birthday dad" said Yuna
"Aw thanks guys" said Youhei
"Can I give dad his present first" said Yuna
"You may" said Kyou
Yuna handed Youhei her present to him which he opened to reveal an pair of designer sunglasses
"Wow, how much did you pay for these" said Youhei
"Your daughter got you an nice present and the 1st thing you respond is how much it was" said Kyou
"There Ray-ban sunglasses though, like top designer glasses" said Youhei
"Do you like my present" said Yuna
"Yeah, Thanks Yuna" said Youhei
Kyou smiled as she said "Close your eyes and hold your hands out" as she had Youhei's present behind her back
Youhei closed his eyes and Kyou handed him an present
"You can open your eyes now" said Kyou
Youhei opened his eyes and opened his present to reveal an big white box
"Open the box" said Kyou
Youhei opened the box to find 4 items: an Japanese Football Shirt, An smart looking watch with the letters: Y and K on them, An smart polo for the upcoming summer and an pair of black and green Rugby shorts with 'YS' lettering on it.
"Rugby shorts" said Youhei
"Well I wanted to get you something wacky alongside all of the nicer things" said Kyou
"Thanks Kyou, always appreciate it" said Youhei as him and Kyou kissed
Youhei got out of bed where Kyou had made them all 3 breakfast, there was croissants, pan au chocolate, Cinnamon Swirls and Jam Tarts that Kyou had baked before waking up both Youhei and Yuna.
"So what's the plan of my birthday" said Youhei
"So you've got work and then I pick you up and take you to an surprise" said Kyou
"Ooh I love surprises, what is it" said Youhei
"That is for you to find out" said Kyou
Both Youhei and Kyou got dressed for work, whilst Yuna got ready for school.
After saying goodbye to his wife and daughter, Youhei went to work as an taxi driver, he was working for taxi for hire company and spent the morning driving an well-respected businessman from Hikarizaka to Tokyo airport which took around an hour before being able to take an break as he headed back to Hikarizaka.
Youhei managed to beat the traffic easily as it was an fairly quiet day before heading back to Hikarizaka where he received an call from his phone so he stopped his car and answered it.
"Hello this is Youhei Sunohara, who is this" said Youhei
"This is the hospital, you wife collapsed around 11am and is currently in the hospital" said the hospital
Youhei drove straight to the hospital from where he rushed into the hospital reception where the receptionist directed him to where Kyou was.
He entered the hospital room to find: Kyou led in bed with an bandage wrapped around her head, Nagisa and Ryou stood by her bedside.
"What happened" said Youhei
"Kyou felt unwell when she was out planning with us your surprise party and then suddenly she collapsed" said Nagisa
"How are you feeling, Kyou" said Youhei
"I feel tired, I literally felt under the weather and after an hour, I passed out" said Kyou
"Doctor, do you know the diagnosis and prognosis" said Youhei
"Unfortunately we don't at the moment, we are running tests and will be able to tell you in the hour" said Doctor Fuma
"Ok" said Youhei
1 Hour Later
Youhei had been waiting in the hospital room for around an hour, he had been speaking to Kyou and Ryou the whole time as Nagisa had left the room to go visit her parents.
The doctor entered the room and his expression looked glum, "The tests have come back"
"And" said Youhei and Kyou together
"It don't look good, Kyou you are suffering from a rare type of cancer, the prognosis depends on the treatment, if eithout treatment, 5 months, with treatment, around 2-5 years" said Doctor Fuma
Both Kyou and Youhei both went initially pale hearing what Doctor Fuma had to say, Ryou began to tear up and hug Kyou, Kyou began to hug her back, whilst Youhei sat frozen, all he could do was grip Kyou's hand. He could sense the sadness in the room as well as fear of losing Kyou which was eating away at his heart.
Later
Kyou had to stay in the hospital for the night as the doctors needed to run tests, Youhei headed to the Furukawa bakery to find Tomoya, Nagisa, Akio and Sanae all at the bakery waiting for them. Whilst Ryou and Kappei looked after Yuna.
"How's Kyou" said Nagisa
"She…she has" muttered Youhei not being able to get his words out
"What" said Tomoya
"She has cancer, the doctors say that at best, she has 2-5 years to live with treatment, without treatment she barely has 5 months left to live" said Youhei
Everyone went silent, Nagisa had tears flowing through her eyes and began to hug Tomoya, Sanae looked sad, while Akio's expression didn't change much, but internally he felt sad for Youhei and his family.
"The treatment also costs more than what we can afford, my employer won't give me a pay rise and Kyou's unable to work" said Youhei sombrely
"How much is the treatment" said Sanae
"Here's the bill for it" said Youhei handing it to the 4 of them.
The bill was quite high, higher than either the Sunohara's or Furukawa/Okazakis could afford.
"I don't know what to do, I love Kyou, I don't want her to go" said Youhei tears slightly going down his eyes.
Tomoya approached his old friend and hugged him.
"How about an fundraiser, that should try and raise some funds" said Sanae
"Unfortunately with a bill that high, you would need about 3 of them, I have an idea" said Akio
"What is the idea, old man" said Tomoya
"There is a worldwide mixed Rugby Union League and the prize is 100,000,000, equivalent to 17.2 Billion Yen" said Akio
"17.2 Billion Yen, that could not only buy the treatment Kyou needs, but also extra as well" said Youhei
"None of us have any rugby experience" said Tomoya
"I have a friend who was once a Rugby player, Semi-Pro to be precise, me and him could train you all as a team, I read up that you will also gain some TV money as some games will be put on various small TV channels, I feel if you want to help your friend, this is your best shot" said Akio
"Can I have a week to consider" said Youhei
"You may" said Akio
The Week
Youhei had a week to think about things and it was a tough week for him to think, Kyou was discharged and was virtually bedridden all week and Youhei along with Yuna, Ryou, Kappei and Kyou's parents looked after her and made sure her every need was met.
Youhei had to work limited hours at the taxi company as he needed to take some time out to look after Kyou and although he had many people helping him, he felt constantly worried for Kyou and felt that without the expensive treatment, the help wouldn't be enough.
Youhei kept looking at the flyer that Akio gave him with regards to that Rugby tournament, it may be unconventional, it may be a brutal game, but Youhei would do anything for his family.
The Next Sunday - Furukawa Bakery
Youhei had gathered many of his friends at the bakery for a decision that had been on his mind for weeks.
"I've gathered you all to discuss something very important" said Youhei
"What is it Youhei" said Sanae
"I've decided to enter a team into the Rugby Tournament and I need you guys help, I know its an brutal game and I know that we've barely trained in it, but I want to give it a shot and many of you should for Kyou's sake" said Youhei
There was some slience in the room as many people in the room were in deep thought before Tomoya spoke up
"If this is what it takes to save Kyou, I'm in" said Tomoya
"I'm in" said Tomoyo
"Considering this is the best possible circumstances to save Kyou, I count myself as in" said Kotomi
"I'm in" said Yukine
"Fuko counts herself as in" said Fuko
"I'm easily in" said Kappei
"I'm in" said Yoshino
"If it can save my sister, I'm in" said Ryou
"I'm up to play" said Nagisa
"Are you sure about it Nagisa" said Sanae
"If my friend needs all our help, I will do my best to help her" said Nagisa stubbornly
"I'm in as well as my boyfriend Haruto" said Mei as Haruto nodded in agreement
"I'll help out as Coach" said Akio
"We only have 12 players, we need at least 15 on the field, plus a bench" said Tomoya
"I've got some friends in North Japan that can help us out" said Kappei
"What shall we call the team" said Ryou
"Well we are based in Hikarizaka City, What about the Hikarizaka City Broncos" said Kappei
"No, Broncos sound too American and City sounds a little pretentious" said Tomoyo
"What about the Hikarizaka Starfish" said Fuko
"No" said everyone
"I got it, what is unique to our City, the light orbs and what do the Orbs act similer to, the Big Dango Family, I got it the Hikarizaka Dangos" said Nagisa
Evreyone seemed to mutter in agreement
"I agree, Hikarizaka Dangos it is" said Youhei
"What should the team colours be" said Akio
"What about the city colours of Black and Green" said Tomoyo
"Agreed" said Youhei
"What about a stadium" said Mei
"I hear the Hikarizaka City Council are desperate to get some sports teams to use that New Roker Park Stadium that they just built in Hikarizaka City" said Akio
"Why did they decide to build a full scale replica of Roker Park in Hikarizaka" said Youhei
"Because Hikarizaka City Council wanted a stadium and the architect was a Sunderland fan" said Tomoya
"New Roker Park it is, but we need to sell tickets to afford the rent" said Ryou
"That's why I like to introduce Sanae as the Dangos new Marketing Manager" said Akio
"I'll make sure the stadium is full" said Sanae with excitement
The Hikarizaka Dangos entered the Goldslager Premiership the day later as a further 6 players volunteered to play which allowed the Dangos to field a competitive side.
The other teams were: Nerimea Viola Buffalos, Yucipica Aliens, Casval Red Comets, Colony 3 Qubeleys, Orrell, Northern Alliance and Carlisle.
Later
Youhei returned home to find his wife watching TV along with their daughter, Kyou had a blanket on her to keep her warm.
"Youhei, good to see you, how was the meeting" said Kyou
"It was good, we found a way we can pay for your treatment" said Youhei
Kyou vibrantly smiled for the first time in around a week, considering her cancer was very rare, the treatment was expensive and as an result had caused Kyou's mood to sadden which had coupled with the fact that her condition had caused her to be bedridden for around a week.
Kyou hugged Youhei and said "Aw thanks Youhei, can I ask how"
"Me and our friends have formed a rugby team and have entered into the Goldslager Rugby Premiership" said Youhei
Kyou looked a little dumbfounded before picking up a book and wacking Youhei in the face
"What was that for" said Youhei
"Youhei, I know the Goldslager Premiership's rewards are lucrative and could help us, but none of us have even played rugby before, have you got a kit, coaches or even a ground" yelled Kyou
"Akio knows a rugby coach who's apparently coached Union and League, New Roker Park is available to use as long as we can sell tickets and as for kit, I heard Yukine has placed an order to Umbro for some Black and Green shirts" said Youhei
"What if you get hurt, who's going to look after Yuna, especially if my condition worsens" said Kyou
Youhei took both of Kyou's hands into his own and said "I will do anything for you, even if I get slightly hurt playing Rugby, if it helps you, I'm willing to take that risk, I love you Kyou"
Kyou had a slight tear in her eyes and said "I love you too, Youhei" as they kissed
"So dad, when is your first game" said Yuna
"2 weeks time" said Youhei
"2 Weeks, your team is not going to be prepared" said Kyou
"Half of the teams in the league will be in the same predicament as us, we will be okay" said Youhei
"Just don't get injured" said Kyou
2 Days Later
The first training of the Hikarizaka Dangos had officially begun, it was a foggy day and it was held on a open field.
"Right, let me introduce you to your new head coach" said Akio
The Head Coach had a hat and wore a well tailored suit, he had greyish black hair and a beard that was trimmed.
"I am Norafumi Takanara, I will be your coach for the Premiership, I have played Rugby for various sides in Japan" said Norafumi
"Do you think we have a chance" said Tomoya
"Possibly, with a bit of training" said Norafumi
Suddenly a few players were late for training, these were: Yuichi Aizawa and his wife Ayu, Yuichi's cousin Nayuki and her husband Kyosa, Shiori Misaka and her sister Kaori Kitagawa and Kaori's husband Jun Kitagawa as well as Mai Kawasumi.
"Ah Nayuki, I knew you would make it down" said Yukine
"Yeah and I brought everyone down as well" said Nayuki
"Although its great you've managed to get a squad, why were you all late" said Norafumi
"We had some travel issues coming down from the Northern part of Japan" said Yuichi
"Ok, fair enough, welcome to rugby training, in the next two weeks, you will all be in the best shape of your lives as well as learning the great game of rugby"
In terms of positions, the first to find a position was Nagisa whom experience with baseball and slight bit of quickness made her a fairly decent Fullback, the Wings would be occupied by Kappei and Nayuki, Outside/Inside centre's would go to Ayu and Kyosa, Fly-half would be Ryou. The Scrum-half position easily went to Youhei due to the fact that he could communicate best out of the whole team.
As for the Scrum, Props were Tomoyo and Mai due to their strength, Hooker would be Jun Kitagawa and Second Rows (Locks) would go to Tomoya and Kaori Kitagawa due to their height, Flanker's were Yuichi and Yukine and Number 8 position would go to Yoshino. The bench consisted of: Shiori Misaka (Backup Fullback), Kotomi Ichinose (Backup Number 8), Fuko Ibuki (Backup Winger), Mei Sunohara (Backup Scrum-Half) and Haruto Tsushima (Backup Second Row).
Their first game was against the Neriema Viola Buffalos away which was an small distance away.