Xavier is standing near the "God Eden" restaurant, staring at it intently. Suddenly, he sees the door open as some customers leave, and he hides behind the corner. Then, he spots a grocery store across the street and decides to go in.
When he comes out, he's holding a bag with some chips and popcorn inside. He walks past the restaurant and stops at the door, unsure whether to go in. Just as he's about to open it, the door swings open on its own.
—Hello! Welcome to God Ede— —says Jay with a bow—. Oh, Xavier, it's you! Come in, man.
—Uh, hi. I was just passing by and saw the restaurant, thought I'd say hello.
—Aww, how sweet of you. What did you buy?
—Uh, well… some chips —he says as he pulls them out— and some popcorn. I was thinking of going to the movies later.
—Oh, I'm dying to go see that new horror movie that came out. But I never have time.
—Would- would you like to go see it with me?
—Are you serious?!
—Y-Yeah, sure —the redhead says, blushing.
—Aw, well, there's no customers right now. I'll close up a bit early, since Wiku's not here—he's got an exam tomorrow —he says hurriedly while gathering the dishes to take to the kitchen—. Let me wash these up, take a shower, and I'll be right down, okay?
—Let me wash up, you go shower.
—Really? Oh, thank you so much! This is exciting —he says, clapping his hands as he heads upstairs to his house.
After a while, Xavier finishes washing the dishes, cleans the tables, and mops the floor. Jay comes down in different clothes and finds everything sparkling clean:
—Wow, did I really take that long? —he laughs.
—No, I just had a lot of energy.
—Oh, thank you so much, seriously —he says before giving Xavier a kiss on the cheek and grabbing his arm—. Let's go!
The two head to the cinema, buy their tickets, and go watch the movie. The film is scary, especially for Xavier, though he tries not to show it. Jay laughs a lot throughout but never lets go of Xavier's arm, sometimes even squeezing it or leaning on him.
After the movie, they walk out chatting about it. Xavier's still a bit shaken, while Jay enthusiastically reenacts some of the scenes.
—Jay, I wanted to ask you something. Do you work at the restaurant every day?
—Well, of course. How else do you think we pay the bills?
—But what about your parents?
Jay's usually cheerful face immediately shifts to one of deep sadness.
—My… my parents passed away.
—I'm sorry, I didn't know. I'm an orphan too, so I know how it feels, though I never got to meet them.
—I did. Mine was more recent, just three years ago.
—I'm really sorry. Can I ask how it happened?
—My… m-my dad killed her —Jay says, shocking Xavier—. He was coming back from a football match and was drunk, like always. His team had lost, and when my mom greeted him, he unleashed his rage on her and killed her by slamming her into the table. Then, he disappeared, and the last I heard, he died not long ago.
Jay begins to sob, and Xavier puts an arm around him, letting him know he's there.
—My father was a psychopath. He never loved my mom, he just used her because she was native to Football Island, God Eden. That way, he had my brother and me.
He trained us day and night—we didn't know anything else but football. People say I look like a monster on the pitch? Well, my father made me into that monster —Jay says, staring fearfully at his own hands.
At that moment, Xavier hugs Jay, who starts crying into his chest.
—I'm sorry, I'm sorry —he says, wiping his tears—. I've never told anyone that. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable.
—Don't apologize for that, okay? For anything, I'm here. Doesn't matter if we're rivals on the pitch—I don't want to be your rival in real life.
—Thank you, Xavi —Jay says before giving him a kiss on the cheek—. Anyway, I'm heading home. Thank you for today, I really needed it.
Xavier touches the cheek where he was kissed and smiles. He turns around and starts walking back to the dorm, but something taps his back. It's Jay, who, as soon as Xavier turns around, kisses him on the lips.
—Good night, Xavier.
Xavier blushes and stands there stunned by what just happened. Happier than ever, he heads back to the dorm to sleep.
However, what he doesn't know is that a shadow is watching them with a wide, satisfied grin.
The next day, the players are gathered in the dorm lounge, watching the news on TV. Suddenly, Xavier walks in with a big smile, but is met with faces of anger, confusion, and even disgust from some of his teammates.
—Care to explain this to us? —Kevin asks sarcastically, pointing at the screen with the remote.
On the TV, they're announcing that Xavier and Jay have started a relationship, showing a close-up photo of them kissing the night before.
—Some fans are disappointed in the Japanese national team player —the news anchor states— while others theorize that Son is manipulating Schiller to get information on Inazuma Japan or even trying to recruit him to his cause of destroying football.
—That's… —Xavier stammers— That's not how it looks.
—Some Inazuma fan club members —the reporter continues— have gathered around the God Eden restaurant, owned by the Son brothers, to protest this recent news. Let's go to our correspondent.
—That's right —says another reporter in front of the restaurant, now surrounded by a crowd, with Jay standing in front of the door—, the area is packed with fans, and access to the restaurant is practically impossible.
—Get out of here! I've already called the police! —Jay yells with a frying pan in hand.
—Leave Inazuma alone! —a fan shouts.
—Fucking faggot! —another ultra screams.
—What the hell did you say, huh?! Say it to my face if you dare, come on! —Jay threatens, wielding the pan.
—As we can see, things are quite tense, and some of the more radical fans are getting violent —the reporter narrates—. It seems the police are arriving to break up the disturbance. Back to you.
—Who would've thought you had a thing for psychos? —Stonewall mocks from a wall—. If I'd known, I'd have introduced you to a friend from juvie.
—He's not a psychopath! —Xavier retorts angrily.
—So you admit it? You're dating him? —Kevin chimes in.
—I didn't… I didn't say that.
—Then why are you defending him, huh? —Kevin presses.
—I didn't expect this from you, Xavier —Shawn says sadly.
—Leave him alone! —the captain interrupts— If he wants to date Jay, that's his right. It's not for us to judge.
—But captain, don't you see he just wants to get info from him? —Archer protests beside Caleb.
—Actually —Jude says calmly—, I don't think that's the case. Jay doesn't need to get information from us. We're the national team—our profiles and stats are public.
Matches are online. If anyone gains something from this, it's us —Jude turns and looks straight at Xavier—. Xavier could get us valuable intel on Jay's plans.
—I don't feel comfortable spying for you guys.
—Guys! —Willy bursts into the room— You need to come see this!
Everyone rushes out of the dorm and sees the entrance swarmed with fans trying to get in, with Mr. Veteran holding them back with a broom.
—Get out of here! —Mr. Veteran yells— If you want an autograph, wait till they come out!
—Xavier —Axel stops him from approaching the door—, don't go out, don't let them see you yet.
—Then what am I supposed to do? We need to train —Xavier replies.
—You'll have to go out and deny the story —Austin tells him.
—What if I don't want to?
—Then we won't be able to train. And you won't be able to leave the dorm —Caleb smirks—. If you want to screw over the whole team…
—Xavier —Nelly steps in— pick one of the managers. The one you think is prettiest.
—What? —Foster reacts, surprised.
—Yeah, just pick one. You're going to have to go out and say she's your girlfriend so they'll leave you alone.
—But, Nelly, I don't even like…
—Doesn't matter! Celia, go with him.
—Wait, why not you? —Celia asks, confused.
—I don't want you-know-who getting jealous. Come on, hold hands and go make a statement.
Celia grabs Xavier's hand and pulls him along, both scared and confused. They open the door and are met by a crowd outside the dorm and Mr. Veteran with his broom. A reporter and cameraman push their way to the front.
—Xavier, is it true you and Jay Son started a romance? How long have you been together? Are you leaving Inazuma Japan to join the Originals?
—Umm, I…
—Uhm —Celia hesitates—, actually, Xavier and I are together.
The crowd's murmur doubles in volume, and the reporter's questions multiply.
—Please, now that you know, just go. The team needs to train —Celia asks politely.
Surprisingly, the statement calms the fans, and they quietly start leaving the academy grounds, clearing the field for Inazuma Japan to train.
—See? Was that so hard? —Kevin snarks as he walks past Xavier and Celia.
—Come on, let's train a bit —Nathan says to Xavier—. Coach should be arriving soon.
Xavier follows, but his face shows disagreement and inner conflict. Nelly, Silvia, and Camila approach Celia, still on the steps, a little shaken.
—I shouldn't have lied. What kind of reporter does that make me?
—One who does what's necessary for the greater good —Nelly replies as she heads toward the field with the boys.
Meanwhile, Jay is reentering the restaurant after driving away the ultras. Wiku is watching TV while cleaning a table.
—So are you two dating or not? —Wiku asks his brother.
—Shut up.
—I'm only asking because he's got a new girlfriend. Look.
Wiku points at the TV, and Jay watches in disbelief as Celia and Xavier appear in front of Inazuma Japan's dorm.
—What a son of a bitch —Jay mutters tearfully as he throws the frying pan onto a table and rushes upstairs.
That night, a hooded figure knocks on the Sons' door. Jay peeks out and asks:
—Who are you knocking at this hour?
—It's me, Jay. Can I come in?
—Xavier? Go home, your girlfriend must be missing you.
—You know that's not true. The team made me do it so they'd leave us alone. I'm sure they've stopped bothering you too.
—So what? It bothers me more that you're ashamed of me. I don't even know why you asked me to the movies.
—I'm not ashamed of you. I asked because I like you, Jay. Don't believe what the news says.
—I don't, but the rest of the world does. Goodbye, Xavier —Jay says sadly as he closes the door.
Xavier is crushed and slowly walks down the stairs on the side of the house to the street. Just as he's about to leave, he turns and looks at the restaurant with the home above it, determined in his next move.
The next morning, Mark, Jack, and Austin are walking down the dorm stairs toward the kitchen when they hear the sound of cameras coming from the conference room.
—What's that noise? —Jack asks.
—Let's take a look —Austin says with resolve.
They open the door and see Xavier seated between Aquilina and Travis at the conference table. In front of them, a dozen reporters with cameras and microphones listen closely to Xavier's words.
—What was announced yesterday about my relationship with Celia Hills is a lie —Xavier says, nervous but determined—. I'd like to confirm that Jay Son and I are in a relationship.
—And if you don't like it —Aquilina stands firmly— you can keep your opinion to yourself. We're here to play football, and what each of us does is our own business.
—Press conference is over —Travis states seriously—. No questions, thank you.
Xavier stands too, and the three walk out the side door where the other Inazuma players are, ignoring the reporters' questions.
—Sis, Coach —Xavier says—, thanks for standing up for me.
—Don't mention it, Xavier. Come on, I'll give you a ride to the restaurant —his sister reassures him—. I think now's a good time to go.
They drive off. Minutes later, Xavier gets out of the car in front of God Eden, walks in with determination, and is greeted by Jay with a bow.
—Hello, welcome to God Ede— Oh, it's you —the black-haired boy shifts to a colder tone—, what do you want?
—To show you this —Xavier replies as he grabs the TV remote, turning on the news channel.
They're airing the press conference and Xavier's declaration from minutes earlier. Jay stares at the TV like it's a gift from heaven, then looks at Xavier with teary eyes and an open mouth, speechless.
But Xavier, more determined than ever, approaches him, wraps an arm around his waist, and kisses him. Jay kisses back, holding his head with both hands, tears streaming down his face.
—Thank you, Xavi. Now I believe you.
Xavier replies by kissing him again.