"Have you figured it out yet?", Shinichi asked Endou without raising his head off the book he was reading as he and the latter were walking towards Gouenji.
"Nah, I still haven't figured out the drawings behind Inazuma Otoshi.", Endou shook his head.
The first thing the team had done after finishing their practice was try and steal Endou Daisuke's secret notebook, Endou had told Shinichi about how he, Kazemaru, and Gouenji heard about it from a Ramen shop owner. And much to the team's embarrassment of trying to be stealthy, Natsumi had already got the Notebook and gave it to them, while catching them red-handed, trying to break into the principal's office to get it.
The team was dumbfounded once they opened the Notebook and found out it was written with Endou Daisuke's handwriting, so they looked at Endou, in hopes that he could figure it out, but when he tried to explain the drawings, no one understood a thing, and neither did Endou himself.
Another development was that Haruna had moved to Raimon, and joined the Journaling Club while also joining the Tactics team with Aki and Megane. So now Raimon's managing team was the following; Natsumi as the Head Manager, Aki, Megane (also substitute player), and Haruna as Tactics Manager, Ran as the Physical Manager, and Sonoko as the Finance Manager.
"What is that book you're reading?", Endou asked curiously.
"I found it on my desk in my room when I woke up.", Shinichi explained, "I asked Tatsuya about it, he said that Michiya-Ojisan gave it to me to get inspiration for my own Hissatsu ideas, by reading about the Hissatsu he had made as a player and coach for his team.".
"COOL!", Endou exclaimed excitedly, "Did you find something we can use?!".
"Actually yes, Skylab Hurricane.", Shinichi nodded.
"What is that?", Gouenji asked, surprising both boys that they had reached him already in the playground.
Shinichi then continued, "One of the old moves of Teitan School when Michiya-Ojisan used to play there. It's a co-op move, one player kicks the ball high and then handstands and lowers himself, as if performing a push up. The other jumps on his feet, with the first using all his force combined with the second's force to jump, and the player literally flies, before headbutting the ball into the goal.".
"And I thought Inazuma Otoshi was difficult...", Endou mumbled.
"It's not actually, I figured it out.", Gouenji said, surprising both boys. He knelt as he picked a stick nearby and starting drawing with it on the ground.
"Two players. The ball is kicked high and both players jump. The first uses the second player's chest to push himself higher and performs and kicks the ball to score.", Gouenji explained.
"You are going to need a player with a tough chest to withstand that, next to having two players who can jump that high.", Endou said as he placed his hand on his chin, "The player who will kick the ball is Gouenji, but who will be the second player?".
"Kabeyama.", Shinichi said after some thought with a confident smile, making Gouenji and Endou look at him confused.
"I doubt we can continue training after we finished Ran's program today.", Shinichi sighed as he rubbed his back, now remembering its pain.
"The whole team fell face first when we were done, even Domon.", Gouenji recalled the sight of the other players on the ground, with Megane and the girls trying wake them up and keep them alive, even Ran.
"Good thing we started with the high jump training first then, and Fukurabu-san helped us with the equipment.", Endou chuckled with a sweatdrop.
"But tomorrow, we will continue our training, but we will work on four techniques.", Shinichi said while raising four fingers, the confident smirk back on his face, surprising Gouenji and Endou.
"Four?", Gouenji raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Wait a minute... Inazuma Otoshi... Skylab Hurricane...", Endou counted on his fingers before he looked at Shinichi confused, "Those are two... not four...",
"Actually, Skylab is not short on just one Hissatsu, but three,", Shinichi said as he lowered a finger, "The 2-Player Hissatsu: Skylab Hurricane, Skylab Drop, and the 3-Player Hissatsu: Skylab Hurricane Drop.".
The good news was, the team was starting to see some results from Ran's training.
The bad news was... Kabeyama is afraid of heights.
Despite all the team's efforts, including having him blindfolded as Natsumi suggested, it was no use. And Gouenji was training by jumping high and pushing himself of a highly hanged log, but he would end up falling off.
Shinichi was also doing the same training for the Skylab drop technique, but for the Skylab Hurricane...
"AHHH!", He cried as he fell off on the ground for the hundredth time.
"The move looked simple when you showed me...", Kazemaru said tiredly as he rested his legs back on the ground.
He and Shinichi had been practicing for several times the move, but either Shinichi would not be able to balance himself, or Kazemaru would fail at pushing him up.
"We are doomed this way.", Kageno said.
"Will you stop it with your gloominess?", Max complained.
"I'm sorry guys... I disappointed you all.", Kabeyama said, sitting on the ground and lowering his head in defeat.
"You disappointed nobody, Kabeyama. We just hoped you've said something sooner.", Handa pointed out.
"So, what are we going to do, we need to figure out someone else for the Hissatsu.", Kurimatsu said.
"No, Kabeyama will do it.", Sonoko stressed before she turned to Kabeyama, "Haven't you had enough of being mocked at school because you're fat? Everyone at school thinks you don't deserve your position, and now you're just proving them right!".
"Take it easy, Sonoko-san.", Haruna tried to stop her, but Ran raised her hand.
"This is Sonoko's way of boosting someone, and it always works.", She winked at her newest friend.
"Do you know why no one here objected when Gouenji and Kudou said they needed you for their Hissatsu? Because they trust you! So don't you dare betray that trust!", Sonoko yelled the last sentence.
Kabeyama stared at her with eyes wide, initially fearful of her wrath but now he was registering her words slowly.
"I think she's getting to him.", Shourin noticed.
'They all trust me...', Kabeyama said as he stared at his teammates and managers, 'The Captain trusts me...', He stared at Endou before he shook his head and jumped back on his feet, "I won't let you all down!".
"Yeah! That's the Kabeyama I know!", Endou cheered, making the latter even more energized.
"You don't ever lose faith in anyone, do you?", Natsumi asked Endou.
He turned to her as he said with a wide smile, "The first step for a team's success isn't hardwork, but teamwork and trust, even among the managers, and the rest comes next.".
Endou's words and smile had a strange effect on Natsumi's heart, making her lightly blush before she looked away, not wanting anyone to notice.
"That's good and all, but we still haven't learned the new Hiss-".
"Urusei!", Someoka slammed his fist on Megane's head, stopping his speech.
"You've been doing my training for a couple of days now, so that's good actually. I don't know if you have noticed, but you're actually much faster and stronger, even your jumps are higher.", Ran explained, "Granted, you are not as good as Nose since they've been training for years in the jungle, but there isn't that much of a difference in power now.".
"True, but we still need the Hissatsu if we want to score, unfortunately.", Aki pointed out.
"We've been doing it wrong.", Shinichi said all of a sudden, bringing the attention to him, "Who the hell said we have to follow the steps word to word? We can change it and make it our own.".
Gouenji narrowed his eyes, thinking about Shinichi's words before he said, "Inazuma Otoshi has the first player jump on the head of the second and then kick the ball... I can change the kick to overhead, that would be actually better.".
Kabeyama then smiled widely before he pointed at his stomach, "You can jump on my large stomach! You won't slip off it like my head.".
Everyone looked at Kabeyama silently for a few seconds before smiles appeared on their faces as Someoka said, "See what happens when you use your head?".
Shinichi however, was eyeing every player on the team, and he could see the genuine smile of success on their faces after figuring out how to do Inazuma Otoshi and Skylab Drop, but one player... who was faking his smiles.
Domon Asuka.
"Kudou.". Shinichi turned to Kazemaru who continued, "We've been trying to do the step of your legs facing the opposite of mine when jumping, why don't we do it differently? I jump and land on my back, my head facing towards the goal, and you jump on my legs, our feet parallel.".
Shinichi thought for a few short moments at Kazemaru'd suggestions and imagined the scene before he smiled widely, "This actually might work! Maybe the whole issue was with the balance between us because our feet!".
"Alright! we've figured out the issues of our three Hissatsu! Let's train now, for real everyone!", Endou cheered, pumping his fist in the air.
"YEAH!".
"What... the... hell...", Shinichi mumbled.
"When they said the school was in the jungle, they weren't kidding...", Shishido mumbled.
The team had arrived at Nose Middle School, but the thing was that the school was in the middle of the jungle, which was eerie and weird, and all the students were cheering for Nose, no one to cheer for Raimon.
And the Nose players were jumping up and down on Natsumi's limousine.
"They're very committed to their name.", Natsumi commented dryly.
"Come on guys! We've got the people cheering all for us!", Endou said excitedly.
"Endou-kun, they're cheering for Nose.", Haruna pointed out, making Endou feel embarrassed.
"Whatever, I'm sure you guys can kick the butts of those animals!", Sonoko scoffed in disgust at the Nose Team's antics before she noticed the wild-looking coach joining them, "Maybe we should call animal rights...".
The teams then stood in their formations on the football field with the managers and coach standing on the side, with Raimon playing the 4-4-2 formation, Shinichi playing instead of Handa while Nose played the F- Wild Formation (4-3-3).
Coach: Tazan Kousuke
GK/1: Inokuchi Hyugo
DF: Torii Ryouta (2/Captain), Uozumi Takato (3), Kaeruda Tatsuhito (4), Shishiou Kou (5)
MF: Kame Reon (6), Oowashi Seiji (7), Saruta Noburo (8)
FW: Gori Shingo (9), Hebimaru Shouma (10), Suizenji Chiita (11)
The referee whistled, starting the kickoff with the ball with Nose, Chiita passing to Hebimaru.
And then the forwards of Nose charged at amazing speed, surprising the Raimon players.
"Woah! Nose forwards show their incredible speeds as they easily pass the Midfielders!", Kazuma commented.
Hebimaru passed to Chiita, who ran as fast as a cheetah, passing the Defenders before they could do anything.
"Goddamn their speed!", Kazemaru cursed.
Chiita kicked the ball towards Hebimaru who kicked it hard, surrounded by purple aura with a snake charging forward, "Snake Shot!".
Endou stood ready before his eyes widened once he saw the ball heading towards the goal's pole from the right, until Gori appeared, swinging with a vine before he kicked the ball again, "Tarzan Kick!".
"Nekketsu Punch!", Endou cried as he punched the ball, sending flying away towards Shinichi, who received it on his chest.
"Gouenj, Kabeyama, go!", He cried, both boys nodding before running forward.
The midfielders of Nose charged towards Shinichi who kicked the ball high with blue energy as he cried, "Drive Pass!".
The ball was heading to out of the field, but it turned around and landed at Gouenji's feet, who kicked it high as he cried, "Kabeyama!".
"Yeah!", Kabeyama cried as he and Gouenji jumped up.
Gouenji's eyes widened once he saw Torii behind him, his jump even pushing him further above Gouenji, and he was about to get the ball until Kabeyama cried, "Gouenji-kun!".
The latter pushed his chest and stomach forward, and Gouenji using his feet, pushed himself off him and above, higher than Torii.
"W-What?!", Torii cried in disbelief.
"Oh! Raimon players have figured out a tactic to defeat Nose's incredible jumping abilities! Looks like training in the jungle isn't everything!", Kazuma commented excitedly.
"Inazuma Otoshi!", Kabeyama and Gouenji chorused as Gouenji kicked the ball overhead.
And the ball entered the goal net, before even Inokuchi could move.
"GOAL! RAIMON'S NEW HISSATSU OF BOTH GOUENJI AND KABEYAMA HAD SCORED THEM THE FIRST GOAL AGAINST NOSE!".
Nose 0 – 1 Raimon.
"Your stomach is tough as steel, you know that.", Gouenji smirked at Kabeyama.
"Wouldn't have done it without your trust.", Kabeyama said with a wide smile.
The kickoff started again, with the ball with Chiita again, but he was shocked that Shourin easily tackled him and took the ball.
"Impossible!", He said.
"Not impossible when you have got the best physical manager!", Shourin cried as he passed the ball to Kurimatsu, who passed it to Shishido, who kicked it high.
And Kabeyama, who had run again towards the goal with Gouenji.
Kabeyama received the ball as he kicked it high before he jumped up, but Gouenji couldn't jump because he was surrounded by the defenders of Nose.
"Let's see you do your Hissatsu now!", Torii smirked.
Gouenji smirked back, shocking him, "Who said I was going to score again?".
And much to Nose's shock, it was Shinichi who jumped high across Kabeyama, and pushed himself higher by pushing his legs on Kabeyama's stomach. He spun in the air before he head butted the ball, green energy surrounding it as he and Kabeyama chorused, "Skylab Drop!".
And the ball moved at amazing speed, slamming Inokuchi in the face and entering with him the goal net.
"GOAL! RAIMON EASILY SCORED THE SECOND GOAL! AND THEY USED ANOTHER NEW HISSATSU, THIS TIME WITH KUDOU AND KABEYAMA! I'VE NEVER SEEN A MIDFIELDER WITH THE NUMBER 11 SCORE AS MUCH GOALS AS THE TEAM'S STRIKER! LADIES & GENTLEMEN, I PRESENT YOU THE ELEVENTH STRIKER!", Kazuma cried at the top of his lungs.
"I fear the Nose Students might murder him.", Haruna said worriedly while looking at Kazuma.
"I'll stop them.", Ran said determinedly.
"You're just one person.", Aki pointed out.
"It's against rules to do anything to the commentator, unless they want to be disqualified.", Natsumi pointed out.
"I can easily close their schools with one call anyways.", Sonoko shrugged.
"Looks like I got myself a nickname...", Shinichi said in surprise.
"You deserve it, Kudou-kun. You've been working hard for the sake of Raimon.", Kabeyama said in admiration.
"And so do you, and so does everyone here.", Shinichi said making Kabeyama smile widely.
The referee whistled, signaling the end of the first half, and the start of the 15 minutes short break.
"I never thought in my life I would've been able to face Nose near their level.", Kurimatsu said with a wide smile.
"Captain, can Handa take my place? I think he deserves to play too.", Max said.
"I don't mind.", Endou shrugged.
"Sorry Handa, if it weren't for my Hissatsu I would've let you play.", Shinichi said sheepishly.
"Dude, I'm so glad you're playing because you're always giving us the edge.", Handa laughed.
Shinichi then felt someone staring at the back of his head, so he turned to face Domon, who was doing so, and asked him in monotone, "Something wrong?".
Domon blinked before she shrugged, "You're just better than I thought or heard of.".
"Really?", Shinichi said suspiciously, staring at Domon before he looked at Kazemaru with a smile, "Ready for our move?".
"You bet! I've got something to show you all too!", Kazemaru said with a smirk.
The team stood in their formation, switching places on the field, and the referee whistled, starting the second half, with the kick off with Raimon this time.
Gouenji passed the ball to Someoka who passed it with his heel to Handa, and he immediately saw the forwards of Nose closing in on him so he passed it back to Kazemaru, who confidently charged forward.
"Shipuu Dash!", Kazemaru cried as he quickly dashed to the right and the left, leaving fleeting bursts of gale behind him. Once he got closer to Hebimaru, he vanished and reappeared behind him.
Nearing the defenders, he kicked the ball high before jumping and falling on his back, raising his legs high. Shinichi let out a battle cry as he jumped on Kazemaru's legs, their feet parallel, before Kazemaru pushed him up as the lather jumped, giving a boost to literally fly in the air, hurricane surrounding him.
"Skylab Hurricane!", He and Kazemaru chorused as he head butted the ball, and it flew with green energy surrounding it, a hurricane trail behind it.
And Inokuchi stood helplessly as the ball entered the goal for the third time.
"GOAL! RAIMON SCORED THEIR THIRD GOAL WITH A NEW HISSATSU! AFTER KAZEMARU SHOWED HIS NEW DRIBBLE HE AND KUDOU USED THEIR NEW HISSATSU SKYLAB HURRICANE!", Kazuma cried, after dodging a tomato being thrown at him.
Shinichi and Kazemaru fist bumped just as the team gathered around them.
"I can't believe you actually created your own Hissatsu!", Handa said in disbelief.
"I was feeling unconfident but now I want to continue training!", Shishido cried.
"That's my friend right there!", Someoka smirked.
Gouenji then looked at Shinichi, "You were very serious about creating more Hissatsu, weren't you?".
"Would you believe me when I say I'm planning another one for us?", Shinichi smirked.
Gouenji smirked back, "I would be very glad.".
The kickoff started with the ball at Nose, but they easily lost it to Raimon before Kabeyama and Gouenji performed their Hissatsu again.
"Inazuma Otoshi!".
And scored again.
The referee was hustled the be of the match, with Raimon winning against Nose, four goals against nothing.
"WE WON!", Endou cheered at the top of his lungs as he jumped high, his team and managers cheering with him.
Domon, on the other hand, was frowning.
'It's not Gouenji and Endou who are an unstoppable force... This Kudou and his plans... and the managers having them get better faster than ever...', He thought before his frown increased as he stared at his feet.
'I had fun in this game, and in training... Am I... Am I doing the right thing?'.
Teikoku Academy Training Centre,
The Teikoku players while practicing, were listening to the radio, hearing about Raimon's match with Nose.
Masumi and Fuyuka were there, sitting on the benches while watching the players perform their drills, but Kageyama was nowhere to be seen.
"Why are they listening to Raimon's match like that?", Masumi asked.
"What do you mean?", Fuyuka looked at her confused.
"When they listen to other teams' matches in the FF, they listen with the intent and focus to learn about the winning teams.", Masumi explained, "But with Raimon, I see ferocity and passion, and now the commentator had just announced that Raimon had won, and they don't seem worried nor bothered, but actually happy.".
"You know how Barcelona and Real Madrid are the top and rival teams in Spain, in the Football Frontier it was always Raimon, formerly named Inazuma, and Teikoku. Until Kageyama did his best to destroy Raimon, to the point that its academy and schools closed, and only the Middle School is fighting to survive.", Fuyuka explained.
"But why? Why did he do that? And if he is such an evil person, why do the guys play under his coaching?", Masumi asked confused and bothered, disliking this Kageyama guy.
"Have you looked at their faces when Kageyama is mentioned?", Fuyuka asked.
Masumi blinked before she recalled, "They were... cold... and Tatsuya showed anger...".
"Before he played at Raimon and Teitan even, Tousan played for Teikoku, and it became his home, as the former principal had saw him play at the Orphanage and gave him a chance to play. But when the principal died from a heart attack, Kageyama had control over everything, and got rid of Tousan because he thought he was weak for not being cruel and bitter like him.", Fuyuka explained.
"Despite being a star in Teitan and then in Raimon, Tousan's was star in his favorite team; Teikoku, and Tatsuya seems to have inherited this love, because he cheered for them when he would watch their matches, so he enrolled him and I here. Tatsuya, knowing what happened to Tousan but also knowing that Kageyama isn't stupid, played the role of the villain.".
"In the matches, he is cruel and evil, so Kageyama keeps him and helps him train, so Tatsuya benefits from his knowledge. And it's not just him, but everyone on the team does that. It's only Yuuto-kun who seems to have a different reason, because he seems to be a bit more obedient than the others. But yeah, every player on Teikoku knows how awful Kageyama is and dislike him, but they use him as he uses them.", Fuyuka explained before a smile appeared on her face.
"And they are happy when Raimon wins, because that means their eternal rival is getting stronger, and the match will much more entertaining when they face each other.", Fuyuka explained.
Masumi then looked at Tatsuya, who was panting and sweating heavily from the drills, before he let out a battle cry and continued the training. She found herself smiling at his determination and resilience, admiring them, admiring him himself.
"Tatsuya will stay behind to train alone by himself and I'll wait for him, by the way-".
"I'll stay and watch, if he wouldn't mind.", Masumi interrupted Fuyuka, surprising the latter.
"N-No, he wouldn't.", Fuyuka replied in surprise.
"We might get in trouble.", Fuyuka said as she, Masumi, and Tatsuya (who had taken a shower before changing into his Teikoku training suit) walked out towards the gates of the Academy.
"Why? I told Kaasan I was going to be late because I'll train alone.", Tatsuya replied with a shrug.
"Not that late, this is a first time...", Fuyuka then noticed Masumi's pale face, "What's wrong?".
Tatsuya noticed too and placed his palm on her forehead as he moved his face closer to hers, making her blush as he asked, "Are you having a fever?".
Masumi moved away from him as she pushed his hand away, "N-No... It's just that I forgot to tell Mama I'll be late today... I'm in trouble too.".
"Welcome to the club.", Tatsuya joked before laughing.
"Masumi!". Masumi winced at the cold stern voice before she raised her head to face her mother, who had reached the Academy's gates at the same time with them.
"Where have you been?", Mary asked sternly and coldly, making Tatsuya and Fuyuka shiver, both starting to feel scared from the woman.
"I...", Masumi struggled to explain.
"Sorry Ma'am.", Tatsuya said as he stood in front of Masumi to take the blame, "I asked her to watch my training and-".
"Liar.", Mary replied, still cold and stern, making Tatsuya wince before he glanced at Masumi as he thought, 'How can a cheerful funny girl like her have a mother like that?!'.
"A mother like what?", Mary asked slowly with a raised eyebrow making Tatsuya pale. He glanced at Fuyuka to see her face palming, and he deduced then that he had voiced his thoughts.
"I'm just making things worse... Fuyuka, you explain.", Tatsuya mumbled before he stood next to Fuyuka again.
"Forgive my brother's attitude Ma'am, he's a bit awful with words.", Fuyuka said with a friendly smile, "If anything, it's my fault. I'm the one who told Masumi that Tatsuya will train alone and then she asked if she could stay and watch, and I told her that he wouldn't mind.".
Tatsuya noted that Mary's cold and stern expression had softened a bit, which made him let out a sigh of relief.
Fuyuka was about to bow and apologize, but a familiar voice had stopped her, "What's going on here?".
Fuyuka and Tatsuya's eyes widened in surprise as they saw Sharon rush towards them, before she knelt a bit to their height and hugged them both while saying in relief, "Fuyuka, Tatsuya, you two had me worried when you didn't come home or even call, are you guys okay?".
Masumi looked in awe at Sharon, since this was the first time she was seeing the famous actress in real life. Mary, on the other hand, noticed the bulge at the end of Sharon's leg.
'A handgun.', She deduced but kept a passive face.
"We are fine, Kaasan.", Tatsuya explained as Sharon let go off them, "I just trained for a longer time, and we forgot to call you.".
"Indeed, never do that again, understand?", Sharon said with a sweet smile but the look in her eye was stern.
"Understood!", Tatsuya and Fuyuka chorused at once.
Tatsuya then pointed at Masumi, "This is Sera Masumi, by the way, my new friend.".
"The one you haven't stopped talking about.", Sharon teased with a smirk, making Tatsuya blush while Fuyuka giggled.
"It's nice to actually meet you in person, Masumi-chan.", Sharon said as she raised hand, and Masumi politely shook it.
"It's an honour to actually meet you Ma'am, I'm a big fan of your work!", Masumi tried to contain her excitement to not look weird.
"Oh, thank you! But let's agree that you call me Sharon or Sharon-san, Ma'am makes me feel old.", Sharon chuckled.
"You are old.", Tatsuya snickered under his breath, but he yelped once he his mother slapped him on the back of his head.
"Say that again and I'll embarrass you in public.", Sharon threatened with a sweet smile, making Tatsuya shiver while Fuyuka snickered.
"We were on our way home, until the scary lady stopped us.", Fuyuka then said, looking at her mother.
Mary understood at once what Fuyuka had did from the look on her face, this must've been some secret cue between them, because she instantly felt Sharon's killing aura as the woman slowly stood up and turned around to face her.
"Really?", Sharon asked slowly, looking Mary dead in the eye.
Mary eyed her with the same intensity before she looked at the kids, a bit softer this time, and bowed, "Apologies for my attitude. I tend to be overprotective over Masumi, since some kids had tried to beat her up away from school once before.".
Masumi seemed surprised, as her mother was not one to apologize, and yet she did. Maybe her mother was not all that cold as she thought.
"We all do that don't we?", Sharon asked rhetorically as she raised her hand for Mary, "You already know me as Sharon Vineyard, but I go by my married name too; Kudou Sharon.".
Mary took Sharon's hand as she replied coldly, "Mary Sera.".
"Well, then, since we cleared this misunderstanding, how about you join us to dinner? And I won't take no for an answer.", Sharon asked sweetly, but she squeezed Mary's hand.
Mary got the message but remained silent for a few seconds before answering, "Alright then, lead the way.".
"Tadaima!", Sharon said as she opened the door and walked in, her children, Masumi, and Mary following her before she closed the door.
"Tatsu-nii! Yuka-nee!", Asami came running out of the kitchen towards the two, both kneeling down to hug her both.
"Someone missed me.", Tatsuya chuckled.
"Meanie! You didn't say you were going to be late!", Asami punched Tatsuya in the shoulder.
"Ow!", Tatsuya faked his pain, "Sorry, Asami.".
"Why don't you say hello to our guests?", Fuyuka said motioning with her head at Masumi and Mary, "This is our new friend, Sera Masumi, and her mother; Mary.".
"Hi! My name is Asami Kudou! Nice to meet you!", Asami said in American English with a wide smile.
"She's showing off her English, since she noticed you're foreigners.", Sharon explained to Mary.
"Don't act like we are friends now.", Mary scoffed, lowering her voice so the kids do not hear her, but she noted how Asami was a spitting image of her mother, but had her father's brown eyes.
"Don't you ever get bored of your cold attitude?", Sharon rolled her eyes.
"Hi Asami! Nice to meet you, I've heard so much about you!", Masumi said with a wide smile, showing her sharp tooth. She knelt down in order to shake hands with Asami.
"I like your tooth. It makes you look cute!", Asami said happily before she pointed at Mary, "And I like your blonde hair!".
"Thank you! You're cute too!", Masumi replied happily.
"Asami, don't point at other people.", Sharon scolded lightly.
Mary, however, surprised her by smiling lightly as she knelt to the girl's height, "And you know that having a blonde hair is one of the signs of being pretty, don't you?".
"Really?", Asami asked in disbelief, and at Mary's nod, she jumped happily, "Then that means I'm pretty!".
"You are pretty.", Sharon confirmed as she picked up Asami and ruffled her hair, making the girl laugh.
"You're back.", Shinichi said as he and Ran came out of the kitchens, placing the dinner plates and food on the table.
Silence filled the room once Masumi's eyes locked with Shinichi's and Ran's.
"IT'S YOU BACK THEN!", Masumi cried in disbelief as she pointed at Shinichi and Ran.
"YOU'RE THAT GIRL WE MET ON THE BEACH 7 YEARS AGO!", Ran cried in the same manner.
Mary blinked a few times before she rubbed her temples, 'How small is the world?'.
"What...?", Shinichi was lost, not understanding what was going on.
"I remember you, Holmes' Apprentice.", Masumi said much calmer now.
Shinichi did remember that day then, when he met Masumi and her family on the beach, but he frowned because Tatsuya burst in laughter with tears.
"H-Holmes Apprentice?! You're such a geek, dude!", He managed to say between his laughs.
"Quite it or else I'll feed you an Eagle Drive shot.", Shinichi grumbled.
Tatsuya stopped laughing and smirked at him challengingly, "Looks like you've forgotten how it feels to be hit by Apollo Penguin, why don't I remind you?".
"Boys, enough.", Michiya said as he came out of the kitchen, placing the last dinner dishes on the table, "We have guests at dinner, so behave.".
Michiya then walked towards Mary and Masumi as he said, "Nice to meet you, I'm Kudou Michiya.", and he shook hands with Mary.
"Mary Sera.", the latter replied with a nod.
"I know! You played briefly at Manchester United, but you were amazing!", Masumi said in excitement.
"Oh? I didn't think I'd meet an English fan in Japan, those were the good old days, weren't they?", Michiya chuckled happily before he motioned at the dinner table, "Come on, let's have dinner together.".
Michiya sat at the head of the table as always and on his right sat Fuyuka, Asami, Sharon, and Mary while on the left sat Tatsuya, Masumi, Ran, and Shinichi.
"Don't worry, it's not poisoned.", Sharon whispered once she saw Mary not eating her plate yet.
"Care to tell why you decided to sit next to me?", Mary asked coldly, side-eyeing the assassin.
"In case you want to say anything stuck in your throat.", Sharon shot back calmly.
"So, what are you guys doing here?", Masumi asked Shinichi and Ran curiously.
"I live here now since I moved from Teitan to Raimon. They never made me play soccer since they thought I was a spoiled brat, but I'm a star here!", Shinichi said.
"I chose to live here for education because my father has become a burden. I go back for a few days but his antics make me leave, and Okaasan already knows and has no issue, she trusts Michiya-Ojisan.", Ran replied.
"I can't say I understand since I've never met my father, but sorry about what you're going through.", Masumi mumbled sadly making Mary glance at her before she glanced at Sharon, to see her busy looking at Asami, making sure she is eating.
"It's alright.", Ran assured her.
"Wait, Raimon?", Masumi then realized what school Shinichi was at.
"Yup, I'm in Teikoku's rival team.", Shinichi confirmed her thoughts.
"Former rival team, because we'll kick your butts when we meet!", Tatsuya smirked confidently.
"By the time we meet, we will have gotten stronger, and you won't be able to stop our goals!", Shinichi shot back.
Tatsuya then frowned as she recalled something, "You better be careful though, I heard from Kidou that Kageyama has his eyes in Raimon, and he doesn't like your presence nor Gouenji in the team.".
Tatsuya's words made everyone, but Asami look at him with a frown, even Mary, who was listening intently to understand what was going on.
"It wasn't enough for him to not only replace Tousan as Teikoku's coach but also frame him in that drug case.", Fuyuka mumbled angrily.
"Did you figure out who?", Shinichi asked.
"I asked Kidou, but he said he'd rather have you figure it out, if you're a real detective.", Tatsuya replied, "He takes your rivalry very seriously, and I get that, the guy has not met a genius midfielder like him before.".
"It's the same with me honestly, and I find our rivalry entertaining.", Shinichi shrugged before he nodded, "I'll figure out who that spy is.".
"This Kageyama guy is very obsessed with power... it's creepy.", Masumi commented.
"His position as the manager and coach of the top team in Japan has him earn loads of money, it doesn't matter to him if J. League and Japan's national team is awful, as long as he earns the money, he is happy.", Michiya explained angrily before he looked at Fuyuka, and noticed her playing with her food.
"Fuyuka, what's wrong?", Michiya asked concerned.
Fuyuka's eyes widened for a second before she shook her head, "It's nothing, Tousan.".
"No, Yuka-chan, you look upset. I noticed you were faking your smile since you arrived.", Ran said worriedly.
"Something happened at school, correct?", Mary guessed before placing a spoonful of rice in her mouth.
"I... a few kids called me a worthless orphan...", Fuyuka mumbled before she winced as she looked at her mother, feeling the deadly aura emitting from her, "It-it-it's not a lie, Kaasan! I'm adopted after all.".
"You are?", Masumi asked surprised, and Mary raised an eyebrow at the new information.
"Fuyuka's parents were police officers, and they both died when she was only five months old. They were our friends, so we adopted Fuyuka then.", Michiya explained.
"Fuyuka is our daughter, adopted or not. And I'm not going to let this pass.", Sharon said coldly, trying to control her anger.
Fuyuka smiled at her words before mumbling, "I know that.".
"Point me at the kids tomorrow, I'll take care of this.", Masumi said angrily.
"Join the club.", Tatsuya growled.
"Can we both go and help you?", Shinichi asked with a frown motioning with his head at an angry Ran.
"It's noble of you to want to avenger her, but if you do so, you'll be at fault too. It's better to let Sharon-san handle this, and she'll do what's right.", Mary said wisely.
Sharon side-eyed her before she ate a spoonful of curry rice and said, "What's right... trying to mock me here?".
"Didn't your mother teach you not to talk with your mouth full?", Mary shot back with a smirk, earning a frown from Sharon.
"Say, when is your next match?", Fuyuka asked Shinichi, changing the subject, not sad after seeing her family's reactions.
"Three days from now against Teitan.", Shinichi replied with anger and resentment.
"What about you, Tatsuya-niichan?", Ran asked Tatsuya curiously.
"Tomorrow, against Ekoda.", Tatsuya said as calmly as possible, before he looked at Masumi and Mary, "Why don't you guys attend both matches and see what we can do?".
"You don't even have to ask, I was going to be there!", Masumi said excitedly.
"We'll see then.", Mary replied.
After dinner, Fuyuka helped her mother in washing the dishes while Michiya started making tea. Tatsuya, with Ran, Shinichi, and Ran, started preparing in the backyard the small soccer field, forming the two goal posts.
Once they were all done, the kids went to play soccer in the backyard with Tatsuya, Fuyuka, and Masumi representing Teikoku while Shinichi, Ran, and Masumi representing Raimon.
Upstairs in Michiya's office, Mary sat on one of the chairs present. She took a look around the room, it was like any office desk with a white board and a marker placed on the brown walls, drawn on it some soccer tactics, a small window, a round table with four chairs where she sat, a white desk with a black desk chair behind it, and two black armchairs across it opposite to each other, and a set of drawers next to the window, a small mirror placed on top of them.
Michiya placed the tea tray on the table before he went and locked the doors.
"Should I be worried?", Mary asked sarcastically.
"This room is soundproof, no one will hear us, and we can speak as we please.", Michiya ignored her sarcasm.
Mary raised her eyebrow at him before she looked at Sharon, who stood across the small mirror, and noticed the make up set placed next to the mirror, Sharon's glasses next to them, and finally the latter removed her wig, letting her hair go
"He knows everything.", Vermouth said as she turned to face Mary with her true face.
"Do your kids know that you fake your appearance in front of them?", Mary asked.
"I only started adding wrinkles to my face this year, and I often had long hair as Sharon, and I often told them that I wore lenses when I wouldn't wear the glasses.", Vermouth replied as she sat across Mary at the table, Michiya sitting next to her.
"The tea is not poisoned by the way; I made it myself. I hope you like it, since I know English people are very specific in their tea taste.", Michiya motioned at the cup across Mary before he took a sip from his own cup.
"Do you truly know everything about her?", Mary asked suspiciously, surprised deep down about how calm Michiya was with Vermouth removing her disguise.
"Two words; Black Organization. Is that enough, MI6 agent Mary Sera?", Michiya replied calmly with a smirk, making Mary snort.
"You do know everything.", She mumbled before she turned to Vermouth as she took a sip from her tea, "It does taste good. So, why did you invite me to dinner?".
"Other than the fact that I don't want to ruin my children's new friendship?", Vermouth said rhetorically as she took a sip from her own tea, "I thought we should set the record straight and benefit from each other.".
"Explain.", Mary said suspiciously.
"I can give you information about the Organization, without them being suspicious. In return, you'll protect my family and make sure no law, or anything can charge them anything because of me, I don't care about myself, but I want to protect them.", Vermouth explained.
"Well, I care about you and so do the kids, don't talk like that.", Michiya frowned, earning a smile from Vermouth.
"Ever the gentleman.", Vermouth pecked his cheek, making him smile.
Mary rolled her eyes at the scene before asked, "What makes me sure you're legit?".
"You've met my family, I let you in my house willingly.", Vermouth pointed out with a raised eyebrow.
Mary was still not convinced as she finished her teacup before she placed it back in the tray.
Vermouth sighed, "Alright... I can bring Akemi and Shiho to you.".
Mary's eyes widened in disbelief before she looked at Sharon in cold rage, "You're lying...".
"Shiho is here now and hasn't travelled to America again, and Akemi is with her. I can fake their death and have them meet you, it will be much easier than what your son is doing.", Vermouth explained before she smirked, "Did you know he is undercover in the Organization as Moboroshi Dai, codenamed Rye? And from what I've seen the few times I've saw them together; he and Akemi seem to like each other.".
Mary looked at her before a smirk appeared on her face, "Showing off your skills by revealing that you figured out my son, huh? Nice one.".
"How will you fake their death without the Organization suspecting anything? You said that Shiho is important to them.", Michiya asked confused.
"Car crash, engulfs in flames, explodes, bodies are burned to the extremest level. New identities and disguises for the public.", Vermouth explained nonchalantly making Michiya blink.
"You make it sound as if you're describing a cooking recipe.", Michiya deadpanned.
"Welcome to our life.", Mary snorted.
"So, do we have a deal?", Vermouth asked Mary as she raised her hand for Mary.
Mary said nothing for a few seconds, staring at the hand, before she shook it, "It's a deal then, Vermouth.".
"Christine. It's Kudou Christine, formerly Vineyard, but call me Chris when we are alone.", Vermouth said, showing a genuine friendly smile, something that Mary found surprising.
But she was now hopeful, that her search for her nieces will come to an end very soon, and she'll finally be reunited with them.
Looks like moving her was not a bad decision after all.