At moments like this, Tatsuya hated his life. He did not find learning awful all the time, but the problem was that the current teacher was awful. His voice was monotone, slow, and with no passion at all.
Tatsuya rested his arm on the window, as he sat in the middle of the row right next to the windows. He looked ahead at Fuyuka, who sat in the front row in the middle of the class, focused and taking notes of what the teacher was saying.
He smiled, happy to see his sister able to focus, especially with an awful teacher like that. He then looked at his friends. Genda was in front of him, and he was sleeping as usual. In front of Genda was Sakuma, next to Fuyuka, who was staring from the window, finding the outside much more interesting. Next to Genda and behind Fuyuka was Kidou, who one could not tell with his glasses where he was looking, or even awake.
The classroom door opened and someone asked the teacher to come outside. The man went outside, before he walked back in.
"Class! We have a new transfer student!", He announced. No one seemed interested and Tatsuya himself groaned before he slammed his head on the desk, keeping his head down.
He heard footsteps enter the classroom and he knew at once it was a girl, from the absence of the sound of someone wearing pants walking and the footsteps sound and pattern, a few things his mother had taught him while growing up and he used them during his matches often.
"Please, introduce yourself.", The teacher said, and he heard the questioning grunts from Genda and Sakuma, and he deduced they now looked at the student.
Just like his friends, out of respect, Tatsuya raised his head to look at the student.
And as if Cupid had shot an arrow through his heart or a sorcerer had bewitched him with a love spell, Tatsuya's eyes widened with a slight blush on his face once his eyes fell on the girl.
"My name is Sera Masumi. Nice to meet you.", The girl said in a bored but polite tone, before her eyes met Tatsuya's eyes, and her eyes widened in the same manner, a blush appearing on her cheeks from the look of admiration she saw from Tatsuya.
"You can sit in the empty seat behind Yuuto here and next to Tatsuya.", The teacher pointed at the seat next to Tatsuya.
Sakuma and Fuyuka turned around, while Kidou slightly moved to glance at Tatsuya, and noticed at once Tatsuya's expression.
Fuyuka caught her snicker as she looked ahead, Kidou smirked, Sakuma smirked before nudging Genda and motioning with his head towards Tatsuya, and once Genda looked at Tatsuya, he shared the same face expression.
Masumi quietly walked and sat next to Tatsuya just as the teacher said, "Alright class, let's continue the lesson!".
After the class was finished and the break time between subjects had arrived, some students gathered around Masumi with the leader smirking.
"Aren't you a foreigner? You don't look Japanese to me.", He sneered.
Masumi rolled her eyes, "Give the kid a medal.".
Her response made the leader frown heavily before he pointed at her, "You don't belong here! Get out of my country!".
"One of my parents is actually Japanese, so yeah, it's my country too.", Masumi shrugged.
"Why you!", The boy cried as he raised a fist and sent it towards Masumi.
She stood at once in a defensive stance to block but her eyes widened once she saw a hand appearing and catching the boy's fist.
"T-Tatsuya!", The boy cried in fear. Masumi turned to look behind her, and there was the boy who'd stared at her in admiration when she entered the class.
"I don't really see the problem with the whole foreigner thing. My Mother's one you know, so I don't really like the way you spoke.", Tatsuya nearly growled angrily. If there is one thing Tatsuya hated to death, then it was bullies.
"W-Who said foreigners are a bad thing?", The boy stuttered. Tatsuya scoffed before he pushed the boy as he let go off his hand, causing him to fall down on his butt.
"Get lost, jerk.", Tatsuya ordered.
"Right!", The boy cried as he and his friends dashed out of the class.
Tatsuya looked at Masumi, and at her silence and bewilderment he snorted, "So?".
"I didn't need your help, I know Jeet Kune Do, so I could've wiped the floor with them all.", Masumi replied with her arms crossed.
"You're welcome.", Tatsuya rolled his eyes, "I noticed from your stance that you could fight, but I saw it as an opportunity to scare those jerks away, so yeah.".
Masumi blinked a few times before she smiled, her sharp tooth showing, liking Tatsuya's attitude. And the latter slightly blushed once he saw her smiling at him, believing she was cute when smiling.
"I like your attitude, I didn't catch your name though.", She said, and at that moment, Sakuma and Fuyuka got up from their places to move closer while Kidou and Genda simple turned around.
"Name's Kudou Tatsuya.", Tatsuya smiled before he motioned towards his friends and sister, "This is my sister Fuyuka, and my best friends; Kidou Yuuto, Sakuma Jirou, and Genda Koujirou.".
The boys nodded at the mention of their names while Fuyuka waved with a friendly smile, "Nice to meet you!".
"Nice to meet you all too.", Masumi replied.
"So, whatever made you transfer now from Teikoku?", Sakuma asked curiously.
"I got kicked out of school because I beat the school bullies, including the principal's son.", Masumi said with a proud smile.
Fuyuka and Sakuma's eyes widened while Genda laughed and Tatsuya smirked, and Kidou just sighed.
"Reminds me of two people I know would do that.", Kidou said as he eyed Genda and Tatsuya.
"Nicely done.", Tatsuya smirked.
"From that alone, I know you're an amazing person!", Genda complimented Masumi with a wide smile.
"There could've been something else to be done... Violence isn't always the answer.", Fuyuka argued but only Sakuma heard her.
"True, some talking or even tricks would've worked... but some people prefer the high school movies style.", He sighed at the proud smiles of his friends' at Masumi's doing.
"So, your family name is Kudou as in-".
"They're the children of Kudou Michiya and his wife; Sharon Vineyard.", Kidou interrupted Masumi's question towards Tatsuya and Fuyuka.
He knew she was going to ask if they were related or the children of Kudou Yusaku or Yukiko, and knowing how this was a touchy subject to both of them, he decided to interrupt Masumi and clarify for them instead.
Fuyuka was a bit confused by his act as she didn't know that he and the other boys knew the whole backstory of the Kudou family issue, but Tatsuya smiled at him gratefully, understanding why he did that.
And thankfully, Masumi forgot about Yusaku and Yukiko once Kidou said who their parents were.
"Wow! Japan's Blitz Falcon and America's Top Actress are your parents? That's so awesome!", Masumi beamed in amazement.
"Think this is awesome? This girl here is the head of both the Art and Drama Club here while the guy here is Teikoku's Striker, next to me.", Sakuma smirked.
Masumi even seemed more interested, "Okay, you guys have to take me to these clubs to see you in action!".
"Well, the Art Club is every Monday and Tuesday after school while the Drama Club is Thursday and Friday after school, it's Wednesday today, so you can attend the Drama club first with me tomorrow.", Fuyuka explained.
"As for the soccer club, it's everyday. And sometimes we come here even during weekends, especially with the Football Frontier coming up. You can attend our training today after school.", Genda explained.
"You bet I will!".
Raimon Soccer Club,
"Nose Middle School will be our first opponent in the Football Frontier.", Natsumi announced to the team and managers (Ran and Aki, but Aki wasn't present).
Before anyone says anything, a new student entered the soccer club with Aki in front of him.
"Hey guys, we've got a new transfer student who'd like to join the soccer club!", Aki said with a wide smile.
"Name's Domon Asuka, pleased to meet you.", The boy said with a smile.
Endou immediately took his hand and shook him violently yet friendly as he said, "Great to meet you! Welcome to the soccer club!".
"Y-Yeah, thanks?", Domon said bemused at Endou's energy, "I hope I arrived before you guys discussed something important.".
"Nah, we just found out our next opponent will be Nose Middle School.", Kazemaru replied.
"Nose? We'll definitely lose because their good jumping abilities, unless we have a jumping Hissatsu technique.", Domon commented.
"We have good Hissatsu! I have Heavens Hand and Nekketsu Punch and as for shots we have Fire Tornado, Dragon Crash, Eagle Drive, Dragon Tornado, and Eagle Tornado.", Endou insisted.
"That's a lot of Tornadoes...", Domon deadpanned.
"He has a point, Endou.", Gouenji spoke up, "I played against them with my previous school, and they were hard opponents because of that.".
"Guess we need to work on a new Hissatsu then.", Shishido mumbled.
"Hey Kudou! You better design a good jumping Hissatsu!", Matsuno said as he pointed at Shinichi.
"Already trying to think of one, don't worry.", Shinichi assured before he crossed his arms, "Let's just normally train today until I gather some data on Nose and try to think of a way to create a high jump Hissatsu, in order to find one that works properly for us.".
"Until then, I suggest you guys train on the current Hissatsu in order to increase their strength.", Aki said.
"Hey Domon-kun,", Ran spoke up, getting the attention of everyone not just Domon, "What position do you play in?".
"Defender.", He replied.
"Good.", Ran nodded as she pulled out of her back a pile of papers, "After doing some research and watching you guys play, I designed a training program for each position.".
Ran passed the papers for every player in the team as she continued, "Some skills will be essential for every player to be present at certain level while with others it'll need to be more. The program is hard, I know, but it'll be more than enough to face tough teams.".
"Hard... is an understatement for this...", Domon mumbled once he read what's in the paper.
"Yeah... That's hell...", Kazemaru commented.
"Why... why do we have to do the training while wearing weights?", Kabeyama mumbled in fear.
"To increase your stamina and speed.", Ran replied with a smile.
'100 Push Ups, 100 Sit Ups, 100 Squats 10KM Run five times per week... while wearing 10 Kg weights... all the team. For Goalkeeper, try to block the tire with 10 Kg weights on each arm. For Defenders, try to block 100 balls from the ball machine while wearing weights. For Midfielders, try to run for 10 minutes straight while being pulled by Bungee cord and weights on. For Forwards and Shooters, try to create a dent in a metal wall by kicking the ball while wearing weights. No Hissatsu will be used in any of the above.', Shinichi read mentally.
'I told Ran to make a training program, not a punishment one.', He thought dryly.
"This is awesome!", Endou cried happily, and he was the only one who was excited about this, "Thank you, Ran!".
"Did you get a different paper or something?", Someoka asked in confusion at his attitude.
"I know the training is hard, maybe even impossible, guys. But we'll be facing schools who've been playing soccer for years with present coach, everything is okay with them compared to us. We've recently just started and not everyone here had good training or a naturally born talent.", Endou said, "To be honest, I spoke with Ran privately to have her make the program as tough as possible so we can fill the gap between us and other teams, so we can have a chance against them... Don't you guys want to beat Teikoku for real?".
Everyone seemed to digest Endou's words and change their view about the training gradually, until he mentioned the point of defeating Teikoku.
"The caprain's right, if we wanna beat Teikoku, we have to be at their level. No, we have to be better.", Shinichi added.
"We just received a program from a Karate Master, and martial artists are known for their physical abilities, and we've seen what she did with the metal pole.", Gouenji said, "I'll follow that program.".
"Yeah, we're with you all on that.", Kazemaru said, feeling pumped out now.
"Great! Aki and Megane?", Endou said looking at the latter.
"We'll start working on the tactics right away.", Aki nodded.
"I'll show you what my genius mind can do.", Megane boasted as he adjusted his glasses.
"Kudou?", Endou asked as he looked at Shinichi.
"Domon, what's your element?", Shinichi asked.
"Wood.".
"So, after making you guys find your aura, here are the results; Wood Players: Domon, Kageno, Shourin, Megane, Someoka, and me. Fire Players: Gouenji, Shishido, and Kurimatsu. Earth Players: Endou and Kabeyama. Wind Players: Kazemaru, Handa, and Matsuno.".
"Call me Max by the way, we're friends and all my friends call me so.", Matsuno said with a smile.
Shinichi smiled, "and Max. It's up to you guys to start training and coming up for ideas for your own solo Hissatsu techniques. Endou's already doing so for his Goalkeeping ones. For Defensive or Tackle techniques; Midfielders and Defenders will work on them. Shots: Midfielders and Forwards. Dribbles and Passes: Everyone. Alright?".
"Alright!", The rest of the team (but Gouenji) exclaimed.
"Is there anything else left?", Endou asked.
"Leave the management and the dealing with other schools for me.", Natsumi smiled.
"You're forgetting the financial aid and sponsorship.", a new female voice said.
Shinichi snorted at once while Ran smiled widely once they noticed the girl who was standing at the door of the club, "And I can manage all of that for you!".
"Sonoko!", Ran cried happily as she ran to hug her best friend.
"You arrived earlier than you said you would.", Shinichi pointed out as Ran and Sonoko ended their hug.
"Surprise!", Sonoko shrugged, "I decided to surprise you today before I get introduced to the class tomorrow. And since Ojisan is meeting an old friend here, he took me with him, and I told him I'll wait for him here and spend some time with you.".
"Everyone, this my second-best friend from Teitan, who apparently transferred earlier than she said she would here; Suzuki Sonoko.", Shinichi introduced.
"Wait, Suzuki as in...", Kurimatsu trailed off in surprise.
"The Suzuki Zaibatsu? Yup, my father's the head.", Sonoko finished with a proud smile.
"And you didn't want to be bullied in Teitan? Your best friends are literally incredible dude.", Handa joked.
"I guess I now know why everyone at Teitan nicknamed us three the Golden Trio.", Shinichi chuckled dryly.
"Now... let's see if I recall your names correctly from Ran's text messages.", Sonoko said to herself as she pointed at the first player, "Endou?".
"Yeah, I'm the captain and goalkeeper.", Endou nodded with a wide smile.
"The Defenders; Kabeyama, Kageno, Kazemaru, and Kurimatsu.", She got them all correctly, each nodding with a smile (but Kageno) at her correct answer.
"The Midfielders; Handa, Shourinji or Shourin, Shishido, Matsuno or Max as he asked, and the Detective Geek.", Sonoko said.
"Oi...", Shinichi grumbled at Sonoko's nickname for him while his fellow players snickered, earning a glare from him.
"And the forwards; Gouenji and Someoka.", Sonoko finished the team before she pointed at Domon, "And I arrived at the time you were introducing yourself; Domon, and you're a defender.".
Sonoko then looked at the girls, "And my amazing best friend who's Raimon's Physical Training Manager, Aki who's the Tactics Manager, and Natsumi the head manager.".
"Aren't you forgetting someone?", Megane coughed.
Sonoko blinked at him in confusion while Megane started boasting, "You should know the best player in Raimon-".
"Who the hell are you kid?", Sonoko interrupted Megane, looking genuinely confused.
Megane fell on the ground at once in disappointment while the other Raimon players (but Gouenji, Domon, Endou, and Shinichi) burst out of laughter.
"Sonoko! That's Megane Kakeru! Our forward substitute and also a tactics manager with Aki.", Ran said with an admonishing tone to Sonoko.
The latter blinked a few times as she said, "I don't remember him. Maybe you talked about him and described him, but I don't recall anything major he'd done or said for me to remember him.".
The players laughed even harder at Sonoko's words with the non-laughing players (but Domon) smiling while the other girls but Ran couldn't help but chuckle while Megane groaned, "Why do I always get busted?".
Domon, on the other hand, was watching the team with mixed emotions; guilt, happiness, joy and sadness, all at once was present on his face.
Later,
Shinichi and Tatsuya sat on the ground a bit close to the tv, both holding game controllers while playing a console game, with Asami having her English lesson, but this time with Fuyuka at the dining table.
Michiya was nowhere to be seen downstairs while Sharon was in the kitchen, starting to cook dinner, with Ran helping her, despite her insisting that she truly did not need any help.
"Sharon...", Ran spoke up as she took the vegetables out from the fridge and placed them in the sink to wash them, "Am I bothering you by helping you?".
Sharon stopped midway before she can pull something out of the top cupboard and looked at Ran in disbelief, "What makes you say that?".
"It's just... you insisted on me not helping you.", Ran said.
"It's because I wanted you to spend some time with the kids or do your homework, I didn't want to tire you more since you kids come home already tired from school.", Sharon explained before she pulled out two spaghetti packets from the cupboard and closed it.
"Well, it's normal for me to do that at home.", Ran mumbled to herself with a low voice, but Sharon heard her.
Sharon placed the packets on top of the cupboard before clenching her fists. Michiya had told her before about what happened between Kogoro and Eri and lead to Ran being with Kogoro. Sure, both are trying to be good parents to Ran, but their antics with her in public and Kogoro's attitude at home, made Sharon angry whenever she'd hear about it.
Sharon still remembers when she first met Ran when Shinichi happily introduced her when Sharon came to pick him up from school. The little girl was afraid to be herself as she, in her words, said there was no connection for Sharon and Michiya to be her family, until Michiya explained that people don't need to be related to be family.
"Angel.", Sharon said with a smile as she placed a hand on Ran's shoulder, "I won't say anything about your father out of respect to you, but here, you don't have to do what you'd do there unless you want to, alright? And if anything is bothering you and you're unable to talk to your parents, you can talk to me.".
Ran smiled gratefully at Sharon's words before nodding and then she hugged the older woman, "Thank you Sharon.".
"Anything for my top fan.", Sharon joked as she returned the hug, earning a small laugh from Ran
"So, Sonoko surprised you today?", Sharon said as she broke the hug and she and Ran went back to work.
"Yeah! She'll be introduced to our class tomorrow though, she and another transfer student that just arrived and joined our soccer club; his name is Domon Asuka.", Ran nodded.
"Hmmm... I think I heard his name among the names of young players playing in American Soccer Clubs who had potential.", Sharon mumbled.
"The funny thing is, when we met up with Fuyuka and Tatsuya to walk back home, they told us they had a new transfer student too, and Fuyuka kept on teasing Tatsuya about how he was staring at her with wide eyes and a blushing face while he kept denying.", Ran said as she washed all the vegetables before she placed them on the cutting board and took the knife, and started cutting.
Sharon laughed as opened the spaghetti packets and emptied them in the boiling water pot on the stove.
'My son's got a crush from first sight?', She thought before she asked Ran, "So what else did they tell you?".
"Fuyuka said she knows Jeet Kune Do, and that she looks like a foreigner but the girl said one of her parents is Japanese. Her name is Sera Masumi.", Ran said as she cut the vegetables.
For a second, Sharon stopped stirring the water once she heard the girl's name.
"Aha...", She said slowly, "Did they... describe her?".
"Fuyuka said she had black wavy short hair, with light skin, and green eyes. She also said she had a line under her eyes, looking like bags from not sleeping.", Ran explained, unaware of what Sharon was thinking.
Sharon closed her eyes for a second and imagined Masumi with a paler skin and blonde hair, and then she remembered a woman she'd come across and faced often as Vermouth.
'Who would've thought that your daughter would be meeting my son...', Vermouth thought as she imagined the said woman standing across her, 'MI6 Agent, Mary Sera...'.
Mary listened silently while sipping her tea, holding a book and reading, to Masumi retelling her first day at Teikoku, after she had to find a school quickly because her daughter was kicked out for beating up the principal's son (who was a bully and a pervert).
Mary took her eyes off the book often to watch Masumi as she walked back and forth in the living room as she retold the day in details, but she felt no interest while listening to Masumi, but was happy deep down that everything went well.
"And Tatsuya, he seemed to look at me with admiration...", Masumi mumbled making Mary look at her and she slightly raised an eyebrow at the faint blush she saw on Masumi's face, now interested.
"Which is kind of nice, I think?", Masumi said confused before she remembered something, "I forgot to tell you, he and Fuyuka are the children of Kudou Michiya and Sharon Vineyard!".
Mary was raising the cup to her lips while keeping her eyes on the book but stopped midway once she heard the name of Tatsuya's mother.
"Oh really?", Mary said lowly as she looked up at Masumi before sipping the tea from her cup.
"Yeah! He looks like his father I suppose, in having a soccer talent and his own hairstyle, and he told me he was born with purple hair like him, but he dyed it because he just wanted to. But he has his mother's blue eyes. The girl looks nothing like either though.", Masumi said.
'But are they truly her children or adopted? How come Vermouth got married and had children?', Mary thought suspiciously before she sighed, 'Of all the schools that were available and still had a place for another student, it had to be the one where Vermouth's children are present.'.