Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tenma was excited to finally be in the Raimon team. He wanted to attend Raimon in middle school too but his parents insisted on him going to Kunugigaoka given its prestige and fame. Originally they wanted him to also attend high school at Kunugigaoka but after last year’s scandal they considered the school not to be safe enough for their kid after they endangered him like that once already. Tenma really thought they had it coming but he would be forever glad to have been ‘endangered’, he didn’t know where he would be right now without Koro-sensei’s guidance. His teacher helped him learn so much more than simple classes. It was only thanks to him that he was standing in front of his dream school with the intention of freeing soccer.

He walked around the school, looking for the soccer club. He found an old structure, it looked rusty. He doubted anyone took care of it in the last few years, it really looked like he could fall apart any minute. Tenma doubted the room was currently in use. Raimon was known as a power house when it came to soccer. It has been like that for the last ten years. There was no way they would use a room like that. Tenma sighted, decided to look around some more.

He walked around for a while with no sign of another soccer club building, he was slowly losing hope on finding it, he was suddenly very glad he decided to come very early so he could check it out first thing in the morning.

As he was taking his ‘stroll’ around the campus he found what looked to be a teacher. He had been looking for the soccer club for a while now and he was kind of losing hope on where to find it so he decided to ask her. The teacher introduced herself as Miss Haruna and told him she was the responsible teacher for the club. She led him to the club room that wasn’t a club room at all but a club fucking building. He blamed not expecting this kind of richness for not finding it sooner, especially considering he literally walked in front of it twice not realizing it was the soccer club building.

Soon after, as he was talking with the teacher they heard a loud noise accompanied with some screams. Tenma immediately ran toward it, Haruna tried to follow him closely but was heavily slowed down by her heels though she had a feeling that even if she were wearing a sports outfit she still wouldn’t be able to run at the same speed of the younger boy.

When they arrived at the location of the screams they found they were at the outside soccer field. Haruna arrived at the scene to Tenma helping up some of the second team members and checking up on their injuries. As Tenma did that, while being helped by the managers of the team, the coach was talking to the boy that caused all of this. It seemed almost an afterthought when Tenma directed his attention to that boy as well after he got up from his crouching position.

When she arrived Haruna immediately scolded the boy who had introduced himself as Tsurugi Kyousuke to the coach.

When Tenma heard the captain of the second team explain what happened he immediately knew what was going on. He immediately knew that the boy he was looking at was a seed sent from the fifth sector who was meant to replace the Raimon team. He should have expected this. It was very weird that a power house such as Raimon was somewhat free from the influence of the fifth sector for this long.

Haruna was getting fired up in her conversation with the boy. Tenma listened silently, his fists clenched and jaw tensed. When he saw the boy kicking the ball in front of him in the trash can he couldn’t restrain himself anymore. He moved quickly grabbing the taller boy’s collar in his fist. He looked at the boy in anger. If looks could kill the seed would be definitely dead.

“How dare you say soccer is useless. How fucking dare you saying that playing soccer is dumb” he hissed through gritted teeths. His eyes burning in anger. The seed seemed surprised by the boy’s behavior. He was trying to break free from the other’s grip, probably out of fear. Tenma’s eyes bore into the other’s sending chills down his spine.

“The fuck?!” The purple boy exclaimed when Tenma finally let him go. Tenma didn’t back down when Tsurugi looked at him angrily, with a defensive posture. “Who even are you?”

“My name is Matzukaze Tenma” the brunette said, then he let a fake smile spread on his face “and I’m going to be in the Raimon soccer club. It’s a pleasure to meet you Kyousuke-kun” the other boy looked affronted at the use of his name, Tenma grinned, he was so easy to read.

“Looks like you’re out of luck because there’s no going to be a Raimon soccer club after today” the taunting tone was meant to scare Tenma but it didn’t do anything except make him laugh.

“Oh I’d like to see you try” the brunette grinned, sending the challenge to the seed.

“You look like some kind of soccer freak huh” Tsurugi sneered, suddenly finding this entertaining, as if the prospect of a challenge was all he looked for. “Well then, take the ball” the boy continued, kicking the ball against Tenma.

Tenma didn’t hesitate as he positioned himself to receive the ball with his chest. He looked up at the seed “Was this supposed to be hard?” the smirk on the brunette’s lips seemed to irritate the other boy even more

“I always hated those like you, who speak of soccer without knowing anything about it” there was loathing in the seed’s voice and Tenma knew why he was speaking like that, he knew because not too long ago there was the same hatred in his voice when he spoke about the sport he loved. A voice so full of loathing could only come from someone who loved soccer deeply.

“Oh believe me Kyousuke-kun,” the brunette said, with sad eyes and a calm yet regretful voice ”I know more than you can imagine about soccer”

“You do? well then” Tsurugi took his hand out of his pocket, smirking again. Tenma wondered how this guy could switch so fast between his emotions, it didn’t look like something a normal person could do. But he also knew how fast some people could wear their masks so he just assumed this guys just switched between masks to hide his real feelings “you can show me with a little challenge, if you manage to take this ball from me you win”

Tenma’s grin widened, he would die before he let down such a challenge. He heard the voices of a crowd forming around the field while Haruna tried to talk some sense into the coach. Tenma understood her point of view, he really did, no logical person should let this challenge go down, especially if they knew Tsurugi was a seed. There was no way they could know Tenma’s skill just like that so they would obviously think he’d end up getting hurt, no logical person should let a student get hurt like this. Tenma looked at the coach, noticing that the man didn’t look like he was going to intervene anytime soon he spoke up.

“Doesn’t sound that difficult” Tenma smirked. He didn’t know if provoking the guy was the right idea but he was absolutely enjoying the other’s offended expressions.

“If you were to win I wouldn’t destroy this club. But since you’ll lose, when I win I’ll destroy it”

It was at that moment that the principal of the school arrived. Haruna tried asking the man if he could stop the two first-years but the man refused, allowing the challenge to happen with said conditions. Tenma looked warily at the man, already knowing he’d be a pain to deal with when he eventually started the revolution against the Fifth Sector. The man looked like he’d do anything to have an easy life and surely obeying the Fifth Sector would help him with that.

“Do you really know how to play soccer?” Haruna asked Tenma with a doubtful expression, knowing that the future of the soccer club lay on his shoulders.

“Don’t you worry Miss Haruna, I don’t want to brag but I’m pretty good if I can say so myself” Tenma smiled at the women in a reassuring way trying to portray his confidence so that she could relax “Everything will work out somehow” That didn’t seem to reassure the woman. Tenma didn’t have the time to reassure her further though as the challenge began.

At first Tenma took his time, trying to understand Tsurugi’s skills, his speed, his dribbling and all of that stuff. He had to admit that the seed was skilled, not that he expected any less. The fifth sector’s training doesn’t admit anything less.

He didn’t let Tsurugi lead with too much advantage, he stayed at his heels. He came close to stealing the other’s ball a few times. When he finally decided that he had a good idea about the other’s skill and decided to go for the killing blow, Tsurugi seemed to have decided that he’d had enough. Tenma didn’t expect him to use an hissatsu technique, not really. Still he didn’t let the surprise slow him down, his reflexes were more than trained after all. He stopped the shot calling forth some of his kenshin energy, just enough to overpower the hissatsu. He quickly decided that stopping it with his head wasn’t the best idea he ever had but swiftly refocused as the ball fell beneath his feet.

He looked at his adversary expression with amusement, the shock in his face was evident. He must have realized what the energy Tenma used was then. The second team looks quite surprised too but Tenma would bet his lunch money that it’s because they didn’t expect him to catch that ball. Miss Haruna rejoices in the result and coach Kudou looks quite impressed.

Tsurugi, on the other hand, is overtaken by rage. Tenma kind of expected it. When you’re confident about something and fail you’re going to show anger in order not to show disappointment. It’s a natural coping mechanism, though not healthy at all. Koro-sensei was the one that teached him this, teached him which ones of his coping mechanisms weren’t healthy and how to replace them with healthy ones. He felt sad knowing that Tsurugi probably didn’t have someone like koro-sensei in his life, that he only had himself, like so many other seeds.

Caught up in his rage, the seed kicked the ball with excessive force and sent it flying directly to Tenma’s face. The brunette was obviously ready for it, he was in a stance to catch it when someone kicked another ball that, on the hit, changed the trajectory of the ball that Tsurugi kicked. Everyone was surprised until they heard a voice.

“I want to know what is going on on our soccer field” authoritative and dominant but not vulgar, elegant in some ways. Everyone turned towards the voice, Tsurugi smirked, pleased, at the new appearance.

“You finally arrived, captain” Tsurugi taunted through his smirk. Tenma threw him a side glance. He had just lost to a so-called ‘newbie’ where did he find all of this confidence?

“I’m Raimon High’s captain, Shindou Takuto. And these are…” and as he said that other teens started appearing from behind the captain and Tenma couldn’t help but think about how dramatic someone could be to pull something like this. Even just the first bit was dramatic but this was really pushing it. To have your team only appear when you introduce them? definitely a theater kid. “the raimon eleven!”

Even his teammates were on the dramatic side, looking down at the field and looking all intimidating, or trying to. Tenma wasn’t one to be easily spooked out, not after everything he’s seen. He considered himself to be pretty hard to freak out, even in impossible-sounding situations. Most of his ex-classmates were. They’ve seen a lot of stuff no normal teenager should ever witness after all. Karasuma had said so himself multiple times. One of the things Koro-sensei regretted the most after his year of teaching was putting them in danger, having them experience potentially traumatic situations at 14 years old. But as the saying goes ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ and stronger they became. There wasn’t a single one of them that didn’t come out of class E stronger than before, not just on the physical level.

When Shindou repeated his question, expecting to have his answer about what was going on, Tsurugi giggled. “We’re just playing soccer, captain, can’t you tell by looking?” Shindou’s face hardened, swiftly taking account of the rattled state the second team was in. Tenma gave him credit, despite this not being an ideal situation, at all, he managed to keep himself and his team calm enough to take action and through it all he still managed to get his priorities straight, looking for all the informations he could get before heading straight to the main problem of the situation: the seed.

“Show some manners, first-year” He claimed as he descended to the field, followed by his team. Again, dramatic, whatever. “Don’t get high and mighty just because you beat the second team!”

“Beat them? I just played around with them a bit” the seed taunted in a cocky tone.

The captain came to stand behind his coach. A sign of respect perhaps, or maybe it was more an action taken while waiting for the coach to give them instructions to follow. “Coach Kudou, who is that guy?” he asked in a hushed tone. He probably didn’t want anyone else to overhear but Tenma’s senses were always a bit better than normal, even before his training with the Fifth Sector or class E.

“He’s likely someone sent in from the Fifth Sector” the man replied, stoic as ever. Shindou’s eyes widened. Not that much that bystanders would notice but everyone in close proximity would. Tenma didn’t show surprise, he already knew after all. He moved his gaze to Tsurugi, studying his body language for any sign of discomfort. He couldn't find any. “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve been ordered to reform Raimon’s soccer club.The whole lot of you are getting pitched with the rest of the trash” His voice was even and cold, if not a bit cocky. His posture was relaxed, as if he was in complete control of the situation. He held himself like no one could ever beat him.

“What?” Shindou growled at the boy. A few other teens started walking behind Tsurugi. Tenma wanted to look at the captain’s surprised face but he didn’t dare take his eyes off the seeds, not when they were such a threat. Still he didn’t expect to be Shindou clueless in a situation like this.

“Let me introduce you,” Tsurugi said. The Raimon team gasped quietly as more teens backed him. “This is the new raimon eleven” he announced, smugly, as he snapped his fingers. Everyone looked at the boy seriously. “They’re your replacements”

“Our replacements?!” the captain called out. There was no frustration in his voice, just determination as he went to protect his team. “We’re the true raimon eleven”

“Yeah” Tsurugi answered easily, “I’ve been waiting for you” The tension in the air was palpable and Tenma was glad this was not his first time in situations like this. He’d probably panic if he weren’t so used to it.

“Now let’s get the real show started” the seed continued, taking a simple step forward while spreading his arms a bit.

“I don’t see any reason for us to play against a gang that’s just causing trouble,” Shindou replied, guarded. His team stood behind him. It was almost like watching an animal protecting his pups. Except said pups were grown teens who also looked very intimidating, almost like guards looking over their prince. Their coach was now standing to their side. Tenma hummed to himself, it seemed like the raimon team was closer than he expected. “Or are you telling me that you made the proper arrangements for an official match”

“You don’t seem to understand the situation you’re in” the seed said, taking a ball from god knows where and kicking it right in the direction of the old soccer building. Tenma grimaced, quickly jumping up to intercept the ball. He barely managed in his intent, sending the ball to one of the corners of the field.

“It’s illegal to break school property, you know that” he said once he was back on the ground, a sweet smile gracing his lips even as his eyes told a whole different story. Everyone around them looked in a different stage of shock, besides the coach.

The boy clicked his tongue in frustration. He decided to ignore Tenma in favor of going back to taunt the captain. Shindou, who had recovered quickly from his shock, was now looking at the seed with disdain.

“Listen up,” Tsurugi grinned as he walked toward the first-team. One of his hands was in his pocket while the other reached the captain’s shoulder “This isn’t a request, it’s an order”

“How dare you” the captain said between gritted teeths.

“Shall we start, then, captain?”

Moments later they had moved to the soccer club’s inner field. Tenma didn’t waste any time to look around, keeping note of all the possible exits. He barely listened to the seed’s meaningless tauntings. He was likely trying to provoke the team so they’d be too riled up to play well.

The first year sat quietly by the benches of the field as the man Furukabu announced the start of the practice match.

The match, par se, started off in Raimon’s favor, with a good attack, but it was obvious the other team had been holding back in their defence. The moment the goalkeeper stopped the ball from entering the goal and sent it back for the attackers it was like the first point had already been lost.

It didn’t surprise Tenma at all. He expected the seeds to be good. If he had to be completely honest he expected them to be even a bit stronger than this but to be fair they were still at the start of the match and hadn’t had the chance to really show off.

Raimon’s reaction to that first goal was frustrating to watch. It was almost as if they didn’t even entertain the idea of the other team being stronger than what they were used to, some of them were already giving up hope or getting frustrated.

After that the goal count for the dark knights just kept increasing. The seed weren’t even pretending like they weren’t aiming for the players on the occasions where they hit them. Tenma clicked his tongue in disapproval as he walked towards Raimon's coach.

“Coach. Isn’t it your job to guide your team through difficult matches? why are you just sitting here doing nothing?” he said, not hiding his disappointment at the man. He didn’t particularly care if it came off as disrespectful, it probably did anyway, but after a year of being surrounded by adults who actually cared a behaviour like this pissed him off greatly.

“It’s not the coach’s job to ‘do something’ ” the man answered while getting up. Tenma scowled at that. “It’s the player’s job”

When the coach approached the field Tenma stayed standing near the benches, waiting for whatever the man had planned. “Matsukaze Tenma”

“Yes?”

“Put on one of the spare uniforms.” The teen simply raised an eyebrow at that while shifting his weight a little. He knew the man couldn’t see him but he didn’t want to voice his confusion. The coach seemed to have expected it either way. “I thought you were a candidate to join the club?”

“Are you sure you can do that, sir?” he asked while crossing his arms. The man looked back at him, likely noticing the closed off position he had taken. “I’m not a player”

“I’m testing you”

After that Tenma decided to change without question, deeming it useless. Seemed like his fight against the Fifth sector would start earlier than expected. He changed into a spare uniform quickly enough. It fit him quite well even if it was a size or two too big. He was on the smaller size though so that was to be expected. In practically no time he was back on the field and the coach called for the switch player.

No one seemed to expect it. Miss Haruna even expressed her confusion, and dissense, aloud. Tenma winced at that.

He went on the field silently, examining the other players' reactions. The dark knights seemed to react mostly neutrally about him, most didn’t care. The guy that got switched out, Minamisawa, didn’t look happy at the prospect at all and Tenma could sympathize with that. The other Raimon players were definitely confused, and didn’t bother hiding it. They looked at Tenma with veiled disagreement, mentally questioning their coach’s choice.

When he reached the captain he promised he’d do his best, and he would, even as no one believed he should’ve been on this field besides the coach. He could still hear Miss Haruna’s loud disagreements from the bench and he sighed. What a way to make a guy feel welcome during an important match huh.

Tenma stretched while waiting for the game to re-start. The referee didn’t seem like he was in a rush to sound the whistle and he took advantage of that.

“You again?” Tsurugi asked, with a bored expression. He didn’t seem annoyed really, the only emotion Tenma could feel coming off the boy right then was boredom and numbness.

Tenma took a big breath before he grinned. It had been a while since his last serious soccer match and while that made him the tiniest bit nervous he was also excited. “It’ll work out somehow” he said confidently, the grin not leaving his lips, just as the referee sounded the whistle.

Tsurugi took immediate control of the ball, kicking it towards the raimon player with the intention to hurt them. Tenma was not surprised at all. He went to steal the ball, managing to step right in front of Tsurugi and starting a short 1 versus 1 just as the referee announced the end of the first half.

It left Tenma disappointed but he knew the other raimon players probably needed this break. He went to help some of the players. Some of them refused him rudely while some others gladly took the help.

He hadn't been able to do much in those few minutes he’d been on the field, he knew that. He grimaced as he walked up to Shindou. “I’m sorry captain. I haven’t been able to do much so far” he tightened his fist. Sure, he hadn't had the time to make a goal but he could’ve at least prevented the other players from getting hit. “But trust me, I won’t let them take over this club” he continued, determination burning bright in his eyes. One way or another he’d make sure raimon didn’t go down today.

“Calm down” answered the captain coldly but not unkindly “I don’t want to hand over the soccer club either but those guys aren’t easy pickings” he grimaced, his composure failing him for a moment “It hurts to say but they’ve got the upper hand on us”

Tenma grimaced. Even with him on the field he knew it’d be hard to even out the goals. In the first-half alone the dark knights had managed 10 goals, raimon needed to make 11 assuming the dark knights didn’t make any new one. The situation felt hopeless even to the assassin. He wasn’t so sure he could change the tide of this game but he had to try.

“This is how Fifth sector does things” another teen, the goalkeeper, entered the conversion. He had just finished making sure the other players were alright and had likely been eavesdropping on their conversation from the start. Tenma nodded.

“This is actually tame for them,” he answered without thinking. The older two looked at him as if prompting him to continue and he winced, not going back now. “From what I know they usually don’t even give the teams they want to replace the chance to fight for themselves” he murmured as he crossed his arms again, looking down at the fake grass “They either expel the students from the club or the school with some stupid excuse. ‘low grades’ and ‘combative behaviour towards opponents’ are good excuses to expel someone from a club” he muttered with a scowl “And it’s very easy for Fifth sector to get players into fights, they just need to send someone to start them and the game is done, the players are expelled from the school. And just like that, before you even realize it, a team can get completely replaced”

Shindou nodded, somewhat slowly. “Soccer is what determines the value of school and people these days” he says, voice empty. “It’d make sense for them to want to control an important school like raimon” the captain sighed, drywashing his face with a hand before looking back up at Tenma “You came to raimon, like the rest, for its strong soccer reputation, right?”

Tenma was taken aback by the question. He took a moment before answering and when he did, he did so with a smile “No not really” he begun “I always wanted to attend raimon, even for middle school, but i sadly couldn’t” he shrugged with nonchalance before he grinned, almost predatory “but the main reason is Raimon not being under Fifth’s claws”

Shindou smiled, just the tiniest bit, and in the blink of an eye it was gone. Tenma almost wondered if he had imagined it “Looks like it won’t be for long though”

With that the break was over and the second half began. Shindou tried opposing Tsurugi from the start, not giving anyone else the space to interfere and, when he failed, Tsurugi scored another goal. Tenma gritted his teeth in frustration. They were down 11 goals now.

Quickly enough the ball was back in Tsurugi’s possession, with Shindou standing in front of him. He looked like he was in pain. “You can’t win against us” Tsurugi taunted “Your soccer club’s finished”

“The soccer club’s not finished!” Tenma called from where he was standing, with a confidence he only gained in the last year. He walked in front of the captain, shielding him from the seed “I won’t hand over Raimon’s soccer club to anyone, never”

A sudden, unexpected voice spoke up from the back. “They’re going to take over the soccer club, even if they have to injure us” one of the raimon’s players spoke up. Tenma didn’t recognize him but he didn’t recognize a lot of the players yet so that was on him. “Sorry but i…” the boy started walking toward the edge of the field. Tenma watched him with cold calmness.

“Wait Mizumori” called Shindou “Where are you going?”

“I’m quitting” the boy replied, still walking away. Shindou tried to call him back, to convince him to stay but it was no use.

“Damn it, at this rate they’ll all break down” the captain muttered in frustration.

Tenma looked at Tsurugi with determination and barely reacted when the seed passed him the ball. “You can have it” The teen looked at it for barely a second before looking back up “Now, bring it”

Tenma smirked. Tsurugi had no idea of the mistake he had made. “Here I come” he screamed as he approached the opponent's field, easily dribbling his way past the dark knights players. As he approached the goal his grin only widened.

He kicked the ball in front of himself, running just up behind it with increasing speed. He felt the wind follow him and aid him as he kicked the ball towards the goal.

“Match Wind”

The goalkeeper tried to catch it with a hissatsu of his own but was overpowered by the shot, making it the very first goal in raimon’s favour of the game. Tenma smirked towards Tsurugi who simply gritted his teeth. After that he softened his smile toward raimon “We can still win this!” he called hoping to lift his teammates spirits. They all seemed surprised but he saw a spark of hope rising in their eyes and that was all they needed.

When the goalkeeper kicked the ball back into the game Tenma was ready, he immediately went and stole the ball. He went to get closer to the goal, wondering if he should pass the ball and let the other raimon players play as well, when he was surrounded by the opponent's right at the center of the field.

“Matsukaze Tenma” Tsurugi called as he got closer “Your face ticks me off”

“You’re not the first one to tell me that” the teen smirked “you gotta be more creative”

“Soccer is a waste of time,” the boy continued, undisturbed. With that he called forth his kenshin. Everyone appeared surprised at that, as if they never had seen one before and Tenma idly realized that most of them probably didn’t. They weren’t used in matches much since most people didn’t think it really mattered because of the scored order. Most kenshin users saw it as a waste of energy. “This is my kenshin, sword saint lancelot”

The seed went toward Tenma, likely to attack him with his kenshin, but Tenma was trained. Still he didn’t want to use his own Kenshin unless he had to. He’d wait for a moment more and see

He tried to dodge the other’s attack but he was unfortunately hit in the stomach and sent back a few feet into his team’s half field.

“Matsukaze!” Shindou called, worriedly, as he got closer to the teen and helped him sit up.

“I want to play” he told the captain quietly, making sure no one else could hear him “I want to play soccer with everyone in this team”

“We’re strangers to you, you’d go so far for someone you don’t even know?” the captain mumbleded back, clearly not expecting that

“Please, captain” Tenma said as he turned to fully face the other teen “don’t give up on soccer” he finished with a determined expression. He needed the other players to be determined if he wanted to reach his goal. The captain would be a perfect first victim.

Shindou stood up, without uttering another word, but the determined look in his eyes was more than enough for Tenma.

“Even I…” the teen began, Tenma noticed he was trembling slightly, barely containing his tears. Something inside of Tenma broke for the other teen. He must’ve faced a lot of stress for all these years. “why, why?” he repeated as he looked ahead of himself “I can’t even protect my teammates. What kind of captain does that make me?”

“Captain”

“Damn it!” Shindou screamed as an indigo aura surrounded him. Tenma smiled surprised as the captain awakened his kenshin. He heard some other people express their confusion behind them

Tsurugi was quick to get to his feet to face Shindou, getting ahead to take control of the ball. The two Kenshin users Clashed against each other in a similar way that Tenma and Tsurugi had been doing just a few moments earlier.

As much as he wanted to, Tenma managed to keep himself from intervening, Shindou needed this, it had been obvious from the way he had acted, he needed to overcome this on his own.

“That’s enough” a booming voice called from the benches. Tenma frowned, why was the dark knight’s coach putting an end to this before the match’s end?

He announced they’d be withdrawing and Tenma breathed out in relief. They had slim chances of winning, even with Shindou’s kenshin at play.

Soon after that the seeds disappeared from the field and Shindou collapsed in exhaustion. Tenma, who had experience with kenshins, knew that it was likely from the adrenaline growing down and the exhaustion from awakening the avatar settling in. He wasn’t overly worried for the teen.

The same definitely couldn’t be said about the boy’s teammates who immediately crowded the teen with different degrees of worry. Tenma watched as the boy was brought away, likely to the infirmary, by the coach with one of the players accompanying them. He sighed as he started heading for the lockers to change back into his uniform.

He hadn’t even left the field yet when he noticed two familiar faces standing by the exit. “Aoi! Itona! you’re here!”

“We were worried when we saw you playing!” the girl exclaimed as she got closer, the other boy closely behind her “Are you okay?”

Tenma grinned “Better than ever” he answered her. He locked eyes with Itona, who was studying him closely, Tenma just smiled and nodded. They’d talk about it later at the mansion anyway.

“Looks like a lot has happened before the introduction ceremony” Aoi commented lightheartedly

“How did you even get yourself into this mess so early in the morning” the white haired boy deadpanned, stoically as ever

Just as Tenma was about to defend himself from Itona’s accusation he processed Aoi’s words, coming to a dawning realization “Oh yeah, we haven’t had the introduction ceremony yet!” he groaned into his hands. The day had just started and he already felt exhausted mentally.

The three teens rushed to the ceremony hall, with a quick stop by the lockers to let Tenma change.

____

After an embarrassingly awkward moment during the introduction ceremony where Tenma’s newest friend, Shinsuke as he had introduced himself, got a little bit too excited the four of them were heading back toward the soccer club.

Tenma had no idea why Itona and Aoi were coming along, he never showed any interest in Soccer for as long as he knew him.

Once they arrived they stood bitterly to the side as most of the second team members left the club for good. Some of the other members tried to convince them to stay even when their captain just stayed seated, respecting everyone’s decision.

Those few moments seemed to last eternally for Tenma, just watching more and more members announcing they’d be leaving, he didn’t want to imagine what it felt like for the actual team members who had played with each other for at least a year.

When two members of the first team finally decided to go as well, it seemed to get the most reaction from the members who had decided to stay.

Tenma didn’t even try to stop them, he simply walked to the side and let them. When Shinsuke was about to say something himself Tenma landed a hand on his shoulder and shook his head. It wasn’t worth it.

With that in raimon’s club only nine players were left and no managers.

When the team’s coach, followed by Miss Haruna, walked in he quickly assessed the situation with just a glance ''You're the only ones left?'' he asks.

''Yes, nine in the first team,'' the captain muttered, barely veiled frustration in his voice. ''This is everyone. It was all I could do.'' at Shindou’s resignation everyone looked down, not hiding their own disappointment

''It's like rats abandoning a sinking ship, eh?'' a boy Tenma didn’t recognize said, likely trying to lighten the mood and ease some of the tension.

''Then doesn't that make us something other than rats?'' another one replied with a bit of anger

''That makes us members of the soccer team,'' another finished, Tenma smiled at that. That was definitely the right spirit.

“I know you’ve all got complaints about the situation” the captain said, evenly “So i won’t hold it against you if you want to quit” Tenma scoffed, what a way to dampen the mood again

The members all looked like they were considering the words, Tenma heard a few members talking it out between themselves, when Shindou turned to the four of them.

“Matsukaze Tenma, right?” he asked with a tired tone. When Tenma nodded the captain continued “Thanks for this morning. I know you did a lot for us, but this is the raimon soccer club now.” The captain said as he got closer to them, a soft sad smile gracing his lips. Even after all that had happened in just one day, and the stress that it must’ve cost the boy, he was still being gentle and soft, Tenma gave him props for that.

“I’m still fine with it” he said with a soft smile of his own “I’d still like to join the soccer club”

“I’d like to join too! please!” Shinsuke called after him, loudly and excitedly.

“You’re a first year too?” Shindou asked the smaller boy who then introduced himself.

“Who would've thought there’d be people to jump on a sinking ship?” the same guy from earlier, the one that tried to lighten the mood, said with a smile, standing from his seat “I think they just don’t know what they’re getting into” Tenma frowned lightly at that but before he could protest he was cut off by the captain.

“Don’t come here anymore,” the captain said sternly. Tenma was cut off guard by the complete change in demeanor the teen had taken.

“Don’t say that” Miss Haruna scolded the boy lightly “Tenma, this morning was just an exception” she explained kindly “You still have to go through the real entrance exam”

Tenma just sighed, expecting it. He’d been hoping that since the club had been basically butchered they’d take him and Shinsuke no question asked, especially after he showed them his skill earlier that morning.

“A test right off the bat?” his shorter friend complained, Tenma could relate to the sentiment

“I understand” he said sincerely “So when’s the test going to be?” when Miss haruna turned toward the coach so did Tenma and Shinsuke

“How about you come here tomorrow after school?” the man offered.

The teen nodded “Well at least it’s soon enough”
__________

“So you finished your dramatic first day as a high school student” Aoi said as they were walking home. She was walking backwards to watch Tenma and Shinsuke. Tenma watched her carefully to make sure she wouldn’t fall or trip and that, in case she did, he’d be able to catch her

“Dare I say” Tenma said with a huff “My first day of school last year was a bit more dramatic” and it was. Discovering you had to kill your teacher on the very first day of school was very surprising. Though maybe not as dramatic. Meh, he didn’t care enough.

Itona shot him a knowing look. He might have not been there for the first few months of school but he heard all about it later when he finally joined them.
“So you’ve said but you never told me why!” Aoi complained. Shinsuke looked between them with obvious interest

“I plead the fourth” Tenma called

“It’s the fifth! and we’re not even in America” Aoi called back. Tenma grinned and she huffed.

Shinsuke seemed cheerful, even after the news that they’d have the test, and was walking calmly while taking in the duo’s antics. Itona was also very silent but that was nothing new of the boy.

“Man, the test is tomorrow,” Shinsuke said in a moment of silence. His tone was clearly contemplative. He probably hadn’t expected it.

“Speaking of that” Aoi said, loudly, pointing a finger towards the two soccer players “I’m joining the club too!”

Tenma looked at his friend in surprise. “Which one?” asked Shinsuke and the brunette was about to facepalm at that.

“Follow the conversation, would you?” she muttered, definitely disheartened. She recovered rather quickly because she immediately called “The soccer club!” then with a smile she added “I’ll be a manager! Don’t you think I'd be fit for it?”

Tenma stared at his friend for a few moments as Shinsuke agreed with her.

“Me too” said Itona,

“You think I'd be a great fit?” sang Aoi, visibly excited. Itona looked at her and shook his head. Aoi gasped.

“No no” at Aoi's reaction he seemed to reconsider his wordings “I mean that too but i was not talking about that” he said, hoping to placate his friend. Aoi faked offense for another moment before she smiled and let her friend speak “I was talking about being a manager. I think i wanna be a manager too”

“You? a manager?” Tenma started “Aoi I could understand, but you? Why would you become a manager and not a player?” he asked, confusion clear in his voice

“I don’t really care about soccer” he answered, already dodging the half assed punch Tenma threw at him “But i wanna keep an eye on you” he continued, looking at his classmate dead in the eyes “You’re a trouble magnet, not to be left alone. You need someone extra to watch over your back”

“Now that I think about it, how did you three meet?” asked Shinsuke from beside them

“Me and Tenma met in elementary school, we were in class together in our last year” answered the girl

“We went to the same middle school but got put in different classes,” Tenma continued. Right from the start Tenma wasn’t as good academically as Aoi and started his first year in the C section while she started out in the A section. By the second year Tenma had managed to get to the B section but then he got transferred to the E section after some trouble at the club somewhere during the second year. Aoi managed to stay in the A section from the first year to the last. She was very amused when his class beat her’s for the end of term exams, even as her classmates were fuming. Everytime their classes had any sort of rivalry Aoi and Tenma participated half heartedly, mostly just enjoying the show.
Aoi didn’t know everything that had happened in that crazy last year of middle school in the end class but she definitely knew more than the average person.

“Itona transferred into my class somewhere in the middle of last year” the brunette added “And now he lives with me, there was no way for Aoi not to meet him”

“You guys live together?” Shinsuke asked, confused.

“Yep” Tenma answered, popping the p, without giving any details. After all, they couldn’t tell Shinsuke that Itona couldn’t live with his legal guardian, Karasuma, for security reasons.

They continued walking as Aoi frowned contemplatively. When he noticed Tenma gently nudged her with his elbow. She sighed before voicing her thoughts “I was just wondering if managers get tested too”

“What would they even test us on?” wondered Itona “What do managers even do?” he then added with a frown

“You wanna become a manager and you don't even know what they do?” Asked Tenma, incredulous, when the boy nodded he continued “You never fail to amaze me Itona”

“Managers usually help outplayers with water, towels, and other needs during practice or games. They take care of the club’s equipment, organizing it and maintaining it mostly. They also have to keep track of the team's record, mostly player’s attendance and like game results and stuff like that” Answered Aoi with a small smile.

Itona nodded, once “Seems easy enough”

Tenma laughed at that and with that they kept walking. Aoi was the first one to leave them. Shinsuke hung out at the manor for the afternoon and he discovered a bit more of Tenma and Itona’s situation of living by themselves. While for Tenma it was for school reasons they didn’t give a real reason behind Itona, just that he’s been renting a room since last year after some ‘family issues’.

Chapter Text

Tenma started out his morning with a run the next day. It had been part of his routine for years now to take a morning run with sasuke, it kept both of them in good shape.

When he got back he teased Aki about Ichinose, her reaction was always so funny. He then got quickly ready for school and left.

Tenma and Shinsuke got to the school early and snuck in a bit of training before classes started.

The entrance exam was after afternoon classes. Shinsuke was dying with trepidation by the end of the school day and Tenma could see him tremble lightly as he watched the clock during their last lecture, waiting to be let out. It was very amusing for Tenma.

Tenma and Shinsuke were the first to jump out of their seats once the bell rang. Itona and Aoi follow them with more calm and smiling lightly.

The latter two asked Miss Haruna about joining as managers while Tenma and Shinsuke changed. The teacher seemed pleasantly surprised as she welcomed them.

Tenma was surprised at the choice of test. Five first years going against nine upperclassmen was not what he expected. He started out calmly, testing the waters. The other three first years, besides shinsuke and him, didn’t seem all too interested in joining. They probably were only trying out for the reputation to begin with. They bickered between each other immediately, blaming the others for their own mistakes.

The senpais were visibly disappointed. When Shinsuke messed up a pass Tenma tried to cheer him up, being nervous would only make him mess up more, he needed to be focused on the game and not think about getting in or not.

One of the midfielders from raimon passed him the ball and Tenma took it with a grin. He could’ve totally stolen that on his own, he thought the upperclassmen would’ve realized that after seeing him play the day before, but he didn’t complain. If they wanted to see someone skilled he’d give them quite a show.

He dribbled forward as second nature, skidding past a mild fielder when the captain stood in front of him. Since Shindou hadn’t made any move against him Tenma didn’t either.

“Are you serious when you say you want to join?” the teen asked, stoically

“Yes” he replied with a playful smile “I want to play soccer in Raimon”

The captain's expression hardened and Tenma took a step back in instinct. “There is no soccer here” the teen exclaimed before bargaining, or trying to, against Tenma. It was only years of training, soccer and assassin’s, that made him able to dodge what would’ve been a harsh hit but in the heat of the moment he wasn’t able to bring the ball with him.
“That seemed a bit harsh, captain” he said with a grin, eying the ball “But I’m just letting you know that I won’t give up” he sang as he runned toward the captain and stole the ball in a few practiced movements.

Everyone stared in shock as Tenma took the ball from Shindou, one of their strongest players. Tenma simply smiled and passed the ball to Shinsuke.

As they continued to play Shindou continued to play seriously, not letting anyone through his defense, no matter how hard they tried. Tenma tried to work on teamwork but it was a bit hard to do that when Shinsuke and him were the only ones up for that. The other three were only trying to make their own skills shine over anyone else.

Shindou didn’t manage to steal the ball from Tenma again after that first time.

They played for the whole day, only managing to get in one goal, courtesy of Tenma.

Eventually the coach called them back to give the results and Shinsuke and him were the only ones that passed.

They clapped hands in victory the moment they realized they were in and they then introduced themselves formally to the team. They were generally welcomed by the members, besides two more hesitant ones (He really should get to learning everyone’s name eh).

The next day they had their first day as official members of the club. They all rushed to the club building only to notice they were the only ones there.

“Oh you’re here early!” a voice called from behind them. When they turned around they could see most of the other members getting there. He hadn't known they walked to the club all together.

Once the coach and Miss Haruna were there they were asked to introduce themselves again, as if all the members didn’t already know who they were. If anything the upperclassmen should be the ones introducing themselves.

Midori was the first one who, accidentally, introduced herself. She wasn’t interested in becoming a manager but she wanted to be, as she put it, “Tenma’s personal cheer squad”. Tenma raised an eyebrow at that and he completely ignored his friends’ teasing glints.

Tenma and Shinsuke were next after that.

“I’m Matsukaze Tenma. In my first two years of middle school I played as a midfielder. I’ve tried other positions, like forward and goalkeeper, but midfielder’s the one that fits best. I’ll do my best, thank you for having me”

“I’m Nishizono Shinsuke. In middle school I was not in a school team but an external club, I played as a defender. I’ll do my best too so I hope we’ll have a good year!”

Unexpectedly the upperclassmen asked for the seed to introduce himself as well. He didn’t say anything besides his name. Tenma heard some of the senpais muttering about how they were doomed for having him on the team.

The managers introduced themselves next.

“Sorano Aoi, first-year. I hope we have a good year”

“Itona Horibe, first-year. I hope we have a good year” Itona said quietly, copying what Aoi had said.

“Yamana Akane, second-year”

“Just for the record. Seto Midori, second-year, good to be here!”

After that thankfully, Tenma was almost moved with how grateful he was for that, the upperclassman introduced themselves as well. He tried his best to remember everyone’s names as they were introduced but he froze when he heard a familiar name. Both him and Itona looked at each other when they heard it, coming to the same conclusion.

They waited for everyone to be introduced and after Shinsuke and Tenma were given their uniforms to investigate further though.

With that the captain told them to change and head to practice. They didn’t need to be told twice. As they were changing, Tenma positioned himself at Hayami’s side. Itona, being a boy, was changing in their same room as well. He sat at Tenma’s other side.

“Hayami-senpai” The brunette called once he was ready to go out. Both him and Itona had already changed, faster than the others. Tenma had breathed out in relief when no one noticed, or questioned, the scar on his back.

The second year seemed surprised to have Tenma call for him but he still answered politely, if not a bit awkwardly. Tenma and Itona looked at each other again for a moment before asking. “Do you happen to have a sister?” Tenma asked with a smile. Itona, for all that he might be curious about, was shy and socially awkward, he had a hard time interacting with people he didn’t know, even for the smallest things.

“Ehm yeah… why?” Tenma’s eyes lit up

“Oh my god, you really are Rinka’s brother!” He jumped up smiling.

“You know Rinka-chan?” the guy on Hayami’s other side, Hamano if Tenma remembered correctly, asked curiously. Tenma nodded enthusiastically.

“We were in class together in middle school, both of us,” he replied, pointing at both himself and Itona. The white haired teen simply nodded in affirmation. “She told us so much about you, Hayami-senpai!”

Said boy shrieked at that. “She talked about me?” Tenma nodded again

“Only good things though! For all that she acts cold she really has her own way to care about people” The teen huffed, crossing his arms over his chest before realizing he had messed up “Don’t tell her I said that though! she’s going to shot me”

“Shot you?” asked Hamano, clearly confused, as he finished putting his shirt on, he was just tucking his sleeves. Tenma shivered.

“She’s scary. I don’t want to have her as my enemy, ever again!” he complained. Itona patted his arm in confort.

“There there” he murmured so that only those close enough could hear.

“Rinka’s not scary” Hayami muttered, adjusting his glasses that had moved after he put on his shirt.

“She’s your sister dude” Hamano cried “Obviously you wouldn’t find her scary but I’m telling you, there’s a reason I never wanna be left alone with her”

“You’re exaggerating” Hayami huffed

“Am not!”

“You’re childish!” Hayami continued, without batting an eye. After a mini stare contest with his friend he turned to face Tenma and Itona again. “I fear she did not mention you two specifically but she did talk to me about her class” he said, his eyes took a grateful tilt “She always talked well about all of you. She had that soft smile she gets when she talks about something she cares for deeply. Thank you for being her friends” He bowed slightly

“It’s the same smile she’d get when she talked about you” Itona said, nonchalantly, then, much like Tenma before, he added “Don’t tell her i said that though”. Hayami bliked, as if he didn’t expect it, then he smiled and thanked them again.

With that they headed to the outdoor field for practice, lagging slowly behind everyone else.

Practice went well. Aoi and Itona started out learning their duties as managers with Miss Haruna teaching them. The team played in a makeshift game with only one keeper. It was likely to get everyone accustomed to playing together with new teammates.

Throughout the day Tenma could see that Shinsuke was nervous about messing up and being moved to the second team, which Tenma thought would be awkward cause there wouldn’t be any other player there, so he tried to reassure him. The boy truly was a tiny bundle of nerves.

The next day the match against Eito Academy was announced. Tenma knew by the look on his teammates' faces that they weren’t happy about it and he could assume the reason.

Shinsuke didn’t hide his excitement at playing against them. Tenma hated to break his enthusiasm but it didn’t seem like the senpais were up for it.

"Judging by the look on your faces we gotta lose” he said calmly. Many eyes snapped up to him, likely forgetting he already knew about the fifth sector. Shinsuke looked at him in confusion.

“What do you mean, Tenma?” the midfielder looked at his friend with a sad smile, he hoped the boy would bounce back

“Well the fifth secor score order” he said “Got any idea on what that is” when Shinsuke shook his head and no one in the room seemed interested in explaining Tenma continued “Well you know how a lot of the reputation of a school depend on it’s soccer club” Shinsuke nodded “Some dude though it was bad that some school would lose all their importance so he instilled soccer communism” He didn’t hide his grin at the reaction the players gave him. He had to find the fun part in a bad situation too or he’d likely lose it.

When Shinsuke didn’t appear to understand yet Kirino jumped in to give an actual explanation of what was going on, throwing Tenma a tiny glare. The boy just shrugged.

“So we have to lose… on purpose?” Shinsuke asked, hesitant, looking up to the senpai’s. None of them dared to meet the first-year’s eyes. When Shinsuke turned to look at Tenma the latter didn’t turn away. He looked at his friend with determination.

“That’s what the rules want,” Tenma replied. He didn’t tell him that he has no intention of following the rules, not yet. He’s going to see that anyway.

The next day they boarded the bus that would take them to the field without problems. Tenma sat with Shinsuke by the aisle while Aoi and Itona sat behind them on the last row with the other two girls. Itona sitting by the window seat.

Shinsuke seemed quieter than usual, probably still hung up on the score order, Tenma didn’t blame him, he’d been like that too when he first found out. Instead Tenma was calm with a small smile on his lips.

“Aren’t you upset?” Shinsuke asked after a while “That we gotta lose, I mean” he clarified. He felt Itona and Aoi shifting slightly from behind them, likely having overheard the question and intending to listen to the conversation. The senpais in front of them didn’t seem to have heard or cared.

“I would be” he says

“What do you mean?” Tenma grins

“You’ll see”

The match started soon after they got to the stadium. Raimon started with the ball but for the first few minutes it was simply a game of forth and back. Tenma didn’t intervene much, not yet. He let the game go, analyzing. It’s not long before Eito scored their first goal.

Tenma grimaced at the defeated expression his teammates wore whenever they had to let the ball go through. They all looked grim, pained, sad. He didn’t like those expressions.

Shinsuke played along the score order, only defending enough to keep up the act. Seems like he’ll need a little push as well, Tenma realized.

The boy decided to wait for his first move until the second time, letting Eito score their second point.

Even if the boy didn’t know about the score order he would’ve realized something was wrong by the way his teammates were playing. They were clumsy and making mistakes he hadn’t seen them doing at practice or during the match with the dark knights.

When the whistle sounded Tenma decided to act, ignoring Tsurugi standing by the bench. He wasn’t afraid of him nor the fifth sector.

“Are you really just going to obey the fifth sector like good little dogs?” he asked, all of his usual optimism lacking from his voice. He spoke coldly with a stare that could kill. Most of his teammates flinched. “Do you really have zero intentions of fighting back?”

“What are you talking about, first year?” bit back Kurama as soon as he got over the shock

“Having scores set from the very beginning” he said, slowly but not because he was thinking about what to say but because he wanted his words to sink in “That’s not soccer!” He hissed.

“What would you know?” Shindou barked out, looking angry and upset. Tenma’s glare deepend “What would you know about how we feel playing soccer? About how Sangoku-san feels having to let those shots go in?” he continued before shouting “Do you know how that feels?!” he huffed, lowering his voice again “We want to play too. If we could, we’d go all out playing the soccer we love. But if we oppose Fifth sector we’ll get soccer taken from us. If you playing in middle school you should know, they have the same system”

“Oh I know” Tenma answered, not letting any emotion show from his voice. “I know how it feels,” he continued. He took a look at his teammates, seeing their frustrated expression, the way they trembled as they gripped their water bottles, the way they didn’t dare looking up. “That’s why I’m saying this is not soccer. The fifth sector is wrong and they can go fuck off for all I care” That got a big reaction out of his teammates “I’m done playing by the rules like a good puppy”

“You’ll destroy this soccer club if you go against them” Sangoku warned, getting up from where he was sitting. There’s a warning in his voice.

Tenma grinned, wide and threatening “Oh I’d like to see them try”

Shindou left the field, probably heading for the bathroom.

Some of the other players asked the Coach to bench him so that he wouldn’t be able to ruin the game but the coach didn't listen to them. He looked at Tenma in the eyes before looking away, not uttering a single word. After that they tried to convince Tenma to not do anything stupid. At first it was Kirino and Sangoku, trying with a gentle approach, acting as they would with a misbehaving child. Then it was Hayami, begging him scared, Hamano backed him up, more lighthearted but still tense. Lastly, it was Kurama and Minamisawa. They snapped at him, angry, they didn’t get as far as threatening him but they didn’t hold back on the insults, calling him naive, selfish, saying he was an idiot for thinking that would work. They told him he’d be the downfall of Raimon’s soccer club.

All throughout that Tenma didn’t say anything. He didn’t answer any of them and he didn’t back down, he had already set his mind. It would be a cold day in hell before he obeyed that scum that was fifth sector again.

Shindou got back right before the match started again with some droplets of water hanging by his hair.

When the match started Tenma didn’t do anything, at first. He stood for a while, immobile, watching his teammates act, not play. They seemed even more upset than before and he hated being the cause for that.

Eito scored their third goal. And Tenma huffed, deciding he’d finally had enough. When they started again He ran, stealing the ball from one of Eito’s forwards with ease and passing it to Shindou.

When the ball got stolen again he repeated that again, and again, and again. He kept stealing the ball from Eito and then passing it to Shindou, hoping to get some sort of reaction.

At some point in his endeavour Shinsuke joined him and Tenma grinned. Shindou kicked the ball and scored Raimon one and only goal. The referee whistled three times, signaling the end of the match.

Raimon second and third years gathered around their captain, asking for an explanation. Shindou seemed shaken as he explained to them that he’s not sure what took over him.

Midori cheered on Tenma, congratulating him and the boy laughed.

“You’re really doing it huh” Itona said, coming next to the boy as soon as things calmed down, when no one was around to listen.

“You say it as if you’re not gonna help me” Tenma teased him with a smile, Itona smiled back

“You didn’t even ask me”

“Do I need to?”

Itona smiled again, crossing his arms “No, no you don’t”

Time passed in a blur after that. They got on the bus and headed back to Raimon. The upperclassmen didn’t talk to them and Tenma didn’t let it bother him.

“I’m worried about what’ll happen from now on,” Aoi said as she walked in front of them. Tenma looked at her in surprise. “Who knows what Fifth sector will say”

Tenma scratched the back of his neck, that had him a bit scared if he had to be honest. “They won’t disband the team” he started, that much he was sure of “Raimon has too big of a reputation for that, it’s club is a piece of soccer history. It would cause a scandal if they disbanded it for no reason” he continued.

All three of his friends, Shinsuke, Aoi and Itona, listened to him attentively. They had all stopped walking now so they were looking at Tenma as he talked.

“They won’t replace the members either. It would cause the public to talk. They would question it without a hint of doubt. It would’ve been a thing if they replaced it before any match, as they had planned, but now everyone has seen this year’s raimon. I’m not saying it would cause a scandal but people would question things and that’s not something the Fifth sector want”

“Then why didn’t they do it from the start?” Shinsuke asked, Tenma grimaced slightly

“I’m actually not sure. If they wanted to replace us they would’ve done so after we lost against the dark knights but for some reason they didn’t” he said calmly as he looked at his friends “I don’t know what the reason is though” he had theories obviously. He knew there was something deeper going on with the fifth sector, and he had the sneaking suspicion it had everything to do with God Eden, but he still didn’t have any proof of that.

“What do you think they’re gonna do, then?” Itona asked. He probably had imagined it as well but wanted Tenma to say it, after all Tenma was the one who knew the most about the fifth secor. The teen sighed, deeply.

“They’re probably gonna put the blame on coach Kudou. If my assumptions are correct he’s probably gonna get fired before tomorrow”

“What?” Aoi and Shinsuke screeched at the same time, likely shocked.

“That’s terrible!” Aoi continued with a deep frown

“That’s not the worst part” Tenma replied, looking down “I hope I’m wrong but I fear they’ll send a Fifth sector’s coach”

“What would that mean?” asked Shinsuke, hesitantly

“It would simply mean that it’d be a bit harder to fight back and rebel” Tenma smiled at his friend. That was putting it lightly. They’d have to train as seeds, relentlessly, endure what was basically physical abuse masked as training. If they disobeyed they’d get punished, physically. They’d likely bring new players, seeds, to slowly take over the team, benching whoever didn’t follow their rules. The worst case scenario for Tenma would be being kicked from the team because then he’d hardly have any chance to actively oppose the fifth sector.

“Tenma” Itona said, catching the boy’s attention from his own mind. Tenma looked up at his friend “It’ll work out somehow” he said, firing Tenma’s own words against him. The boy relaxed

“You’re right,” he smiled. Even if he was kicked out of the team he’d still fight, it would just be a tiny bit harder. “Everything will work out, somehow” he repeated his own mantra

Aoi watched them with a smile as Shinsuke frowned. “Work out somehow?” he asked

“That’s Tenma's mantra” Aoi said with a smile “He always said that, ever since we were kids, whenever he was scared of something”

“In our class we kinda picked it up from him” Itona continued “Though most of the time we’d use it to tease him”

_____

The next day the news was announced. Kudou had been fired and they’d be getting a new coach, starting that same day.

The senpai were distracted through practice and Shindou didn’t show up. During the break Tenma heard them complain about the change of coach, just like him they were scared they’d get someone from the Fifth sector.

All of a sudden a new figure appeared on the field, slightly obscured by the sun behind him. Tenma’s eyes widened and he gasped subconsciously. Miss Haruna ran up to him, greeting him like an old friend.

When no one seemed excited as he was, Tenma realized they hadn’t recognized the absolute legend standing in front of them.

They informed the man about Shindou’s absence and he introduced himself as the new coach. When he finally said his name he got a reaction from the players. Tenma beamed, bouncing on the balls of his feets as he tried to keep in his excitement.

“I look forward to working with you” the man said, the smile never leaving his face. Everyone got up at that, finally realizing who was standing in front of them. None of them seemed to know what to believe.

“Endou-san, you’re the new coach?” Miss Haruna said, voicing what most of them were thinking. Tenma couldn’t say he wasn’t surprised, he had been expecting a coach sent from fifth sector, he had been prepared for that, but he couldn’t imagine the legendary Endou siding with them. Endou simply nodded.

“Here’s the schedule after school. We’ll be practicing at the riverbank field” he announced

The player reacted in confusion. “Why over there?” asked Kuramada.

“You might be able to see something that you wouldn’t be able to see from the school grounds”

“And why do we need to see something like that?” Hayami asked, hesitant

“In order to win,” Endou replied. When he was met with confusion he continued “If we all train together, Raimon will surely get stronger” with that the man left the field.

Tenma looked at the retreating form wide eyed. He was not sent from the fifth sector, he wanted to train them to win. How did something like this happen? This seemed like a miracle.

The other members of the club were muttering complaints.

“You’re not planning to go, are you?” he asked.

As he asked, the members of the club started leaving one by one and Tenma sighed. It was going to be hard if he didn’t manage to convince his upperclassmen.

“What are we going to do, Tenma?” Shinsuke asked from beside him. Tenma didn’t hesitate when he answered.

“We’ll go,” He said with a smile.

And that’s what they did, after school ended they went to the field to find the coach already there, waiting. No one else showed up besides them and the managers. The training was simple and they worked on their own individual skills. Strengthening the basis.

Tenma didn’t struggle to notice how all of the other members of the club hid around the field, even Shindou and Tsurugi. He kept that in mind as he continued training. When a missed pass from Shinsuke ended close to where Tsurugi was standing the coach invited him to train with them. After he did he asked everyone else too. Tenma tilted his head, surprised the man had noticed as well.

All of the senpai came out from their hiding spots, besides Kirino and Shindou who stayed by the bridge, looking over them. Tsurugi also stayed by the edge of the field, watching them closely.

They all took turns kicking the ball in the net. No one used hissatsu so Tenma didn’t either, his kick was pretty strong nonetheless. He aimed for the top corner of the net and kicked with all of his strength. Endou complimented him like he did everyone else.

The coach then called Tsurugi over, telling him it was his turn. No one seemed pleased at that, not the senpais and not the seed. He seemed to accept only out of spite. When he stood in front of the goal the teen shoot with his hissatsu. As the shot came closer to the coach’s face the man didn’t even try to stop it, instead he moved out of the way.

Tsurugi walked away again after Endou complimented him.

“That’s all for today’s practice” The man called, with a clap of his hands. The teens all got closer to him, expressing their confusion.

“So what is it we weren’t able to see from the school grounds?” asked Kurama.

“You all came here to train for winning, right?” the man asked, simply, he didn’t wait for a reply as he continued “Then you’ve seen it”

At the players confused expression he seemed to decide he’d have to explain a bit more “The faces of your friends with their goal set for victory” he grinned “The faces of the guys who want to play real soccer”

The players all looked at each other as Tenma kept looking at the man. There had to be some kind of heavenly miracle at play because there was no trace of lying on the man’s face. Raimon’s new coach truly wasn’t sent by the fifth sector. He couldn’t help but smile a little wider.

The coach parted with them by telling them he’d see them tomorrow. They all said goodbyes and left after that, heading home. Tenma was walking with Shinsuke and the managers as they usually did and they all gradually separated as they got home or had to take different turns than the others.

Tenma and Itona got home that it was already dark outside.

During dinner Tenma talked about practice and their new coach, Itona even added his own thoughts here and there unprompted. Aki told them some stories about what Endou was like in their youth, when they were in the soccer club together.

The next day they watched last year’s holy road finals as they waited for the rest of the club to get there. Raimon had lost apparently. Miss Haruna told them that that particular match didn’t have a score hoarder. Tenma knew it could happen sometimes, though he only experienced it once, so he wasn’t too surprised. It was good to see his teammates enjoying themselves and playing seriously.

When the coach arrived he set up a holy road poster. They waited for the other members watching the poster. Eventually everyone besides Shindou and Kurama got there and Tenma grimaced.

They practiced like usual, focusing on their individual skills again. Tenma sensed him before he saw him when Shindou joined them. Everyone seemed surprised to see him. He had a grim look on his face. He stayed at the edge of the field for a few moments before he headed away.

When he heard some of the senpais muttering about Shindou quitting, Tenma grimaced.

During break Tenma, Shinsuke and Itona looked for Shindou. Aoi would’ve joined them but she had been side quested by a few classmates.

In the end they found him on the rooftop. He was talking quietly with Kirino and Sangoku. Tenma felt his heart drop when the captain mentioned quitting the club.

It’s all my fault the teen thought, biting his thumb’s nail I shouldn’t have dragged into this. He was brought back from his spiralings by a hand on his shoulders. Itona was looking at him with a stare and Tenma sighed. No use crying over spilled milk. He had already caused a man to lose his job and a teen to lose his ambition and determination, how much worse could it be. He felt nauseous.

They waited by the staircase, listening to the conversation. Eventually Itona seemed to decide it was enough and dragged the other two away so that their senpai could finish their conversation.

The white haired boy sent Shinsuke to the classroom and brought Tenma to a bathroom. Shinsuke had been hesitant to leave, clearly worried, but seemed to decide it was better if he left them alone. Once they were in the bathroom alone Tenma washed his face with some water before gripping the sink tightly.

“You know it’s not your fault right?” Itona asked, leaning over a nearby wall, watching the boy like a hawk

“It is tough,” Tenma replied with a slight smile “I shouldn’t have dragged anyone else into this, Itona. It’s my fault”

“You can’t go against the fifth sector on your own, that’d be suicide” Itona argued “You coudln’t have known about the player’s personalities and their struggles”

“I should’ve researched it then!” he hissed, looking down. He then sighed, draggin a hand over his face “I’m sorry, it’s not your fault” He looked into the mirror for a moment, seeing how sunken in his eyes seemed because of the room’s lighting, or maybe it was the stress catching up to him. “I’ll fix it. I’ll make it work somehow”

“You’re not alone in this, Tenma”

____

The team took the news of Shindou quitting better than Tenma would have expected, in fact they didn’t really react. They seemed nonchalant and indifferent. It broke his heart. This was supposed to be a team, a team was supposed to have each other’s back, to help each other. Now Shindou was alone and he probably needed help and no one reached out for him, of course he didn’t think too hard on leaving if this was the reaction he got. He clenched his fists as he stared at his teammates, newfound resolution rising in his heart.

He didn’t say anything to them, he felt like if he did he wouldn’t be able to get the right words, only the angry ones, so he kept to himself. He trained alone and with Shinsuke, as Endou instructed. And when he was to interact with one of the others, for any reason, he went straight to the point without chit chatter. He didn’t think any of them even noticed.

He went to Shindou’s house after practice, alone. A butler let him in and he had the pleasure to hear the other teen play the piano. He was wearing a conflicted expression that Tenma didn’t struggle to notice.

“You’re amazing, captain,” he said once Shindou stopped playing.

“With what?” the teen answered, cold, sad, angry, frustrated, hopeless.

Tenma didn’t let his smile slip. “Well you’re incredible at playing the piano” he said “It’s impressive. Is that where God’s baton came from? Now that I think about it, your Kenshin seemed like an orchestra conductor” He thought out loud, analyzing the other teen's every reaction. “I wish I could see it live, you know? God’s baton. I saw the video from the final last year and it was amazing-” He was interrupted by slamming on the piano keys

“No!” Shindou hissed, standing up “That was because Fifth sector allowed us a free game” frustration laced his every word “In the end, we were just doing what they wanted us to do”

“Captain-”

“I’m not captain anymore” sighed Shindou, something like grief on his face

“I want to play soccer with you, captain” Tenma said, no hint of doubt in his voice, looking at the other teen with nothing but resolution. “I want to play under the command of God’s Baton”

“Stop it” Shindou screamed, looking at Tenma in anger “If I stay in the club I’ll grow to hate soccer, i just know it”

For a long moment Tenma didn’t know what to say to that, there was no way to reassure the boy in front of him that that wouldn’t happen because it had happened to himself as well. Over the years in Kunugigaoka he had grown to hate soccer and that led to him being thrown out of the club and into section E, he knew he wasn’t the only one. But…

“It’s not soccer that you would hate” he said, regaining his composure “but what fifth section transformed soccer into” he took a few more steps into the room, closer to a soccer ball on the ground “I think you’ve been protecting your love for soccer” and okay, maybe he was projecting but if Shindou and him were even just a tiny bit similar then the words would ring true.

“What are you saying?”

“That’s why you want to quit” Tenma continued as he picked up the ball “But trust me, quitting isn’t going to help you” he hummed sadly “It’s not going to make you happy. If you truly love soccer you’ll look back on it with regret”

“Stop talking like you know everything!” the captain hissed, growing angrier “We disobeyed Fifth secor’s decision in our match with Eito” Shindou stepped closer to Tenma, anger lacing his voice, hiding his deep regret in his eyes “Do you have any idea how much trouble that’ll cause our entire school?”

“Do you think it’s right what fifth is doing?” Tenma answered, growing more agitated in answer to Shindou’s own anger “Are you really okay with just sitting down and taking it?” he took a step closer, they were at each other faces by now “Dictators don’t come down if people don’t take risks and sometimes there’ll be collateral damage”

“Are you-?” Shindou begun, disbelief on his face before his expression hardened again, stepping away and taking the ball from Tenma’s hands as he did, the brunette let him “There’s no use screaming over it” he said, coldly “Soccer has no worth now”

“The goal we made against Eito is really important” Tenma announced with confidence “But it’s not gonna be worth anything unless we act on it. This can either be the beginning of a revolution or a slaughter”

“What value does soccer have now?” Shindou asked after a moment, likely taking in what Tenma had said before answering. “The soccer world is being controlled by people who don’t even have a drop of love for soccer in them” the boy said, mourning

“And that’s not going to change unless we do something about it!” He insisted, he had to get through Shindou. It was his best chance “no one’s coming to do it for us!” he didn’t even notice how he was raising his tone but he didn’t particularly care

“Coach Endou will end up following Fifth sector too, eventually” Tenma grimaced at Shindou’s words, he had to admit he was worried about that eventuality as well. The captain threw the ball back at the assassin “Leave” he finished, his back turned and shoulder trembling ever so slightly

Tenma didn’t do anything for a few moments. Analyzing his chances. Having Shindou on his side truly would make everything easier for the next steps of his plans, he couldn’t give up, not yet, but he also couldn’t force the guy, it wouldn't be fair.

“Alright” he muttered “I’ll leave, but I have one request” he shot, firmly, it would be his last attempt “I want to see Fortissimo”

“I told you to leave” Shindou was fuming by now but Tenma was not scared and he didn’t back down.

“I won’t” the brunette grinned

“I won’t give in” Shindou uttered, more to himself than to Tenma “You can ask someone else”

“It has to be you!” Tenma confessed in a spoken scream, looking straight at the captain in a grimace. He didn’t explain himself before he kept going “Please” he begged as he bent down, it was his only chance-

“Fine” Shindou allowed “Just this once”

Tenma grinned, relief showering over him but he didn’t relax yet. “Thank you”

“You really like soccer, don’t you?” Shindou asked, a lot more withered down than just a few moments ago

“I guess I do”

That’s how they found themselves at the field by the riverbank where they had trained with Endou. They played in a one versus one, starting up slow and picking up the pace. Once Shindou managed to shoot his hissatsu he went to walk away.

“I’ll bring back real soccer” Tenma told him before he was too far to hear, no hint of doubt in his voice, just like earlier “you’ll be able to come back then and love soccer again” he murmured looking sadly at the ball

“You don’t get it do you” the captain replied “Real soccer is dead!” as he said that he sprinted over to where Tenma was standing, holding the ball, and stole it from him. Tenma let him.

They played in a one versus one again, trying to get the ball from each other.

“Real soccer isn’t dead” Tenma declared as he ran “It won’t be dead until people decide to fight to bring it back” he kept control over the ball as Shindou tried to steal it away “Are you going to turn a blind eye as it gets buried alive or will you free it from fifth sector?”

“If you feel that way try and get past me”

And that’s what Tenma did. After a few tense moments in a closed footwork fight Tenma managed to distance himself. Shindou stood in front of him, waiting, ready to block him. Tenma ran, without thinking of anything, he simply thought he had to get past the other boy at all costs.

He felt wind rush past him, he felt it move his hair, more than it normally would. It was instinct alone that made him surf on that rush of wind, following its guide, as it made him dribble the captain. He felt a bit giddy afterwards. It wasn’t the first time he discovered a new hissatsu, not by a long shot, but he always felt a bit giddy afterwards.

This time in particular felt good. It was the first hissatsu he ever discovered outside of fifth sector training and control. He wanted to cry at the realization.

He hadn't admit it to anyone but he had felt insecure about how much he would’ve been able to get better outside of the crazy training regimen he had to follow when he was in Kunugigaoka, both in the soccer club and in class E. He thought he wouldn’t be able to progress without always pushing himself to his limits, until every single part of his body ached. That was how he had achieved most of his hissatsu when under fifth sector, it was how seeds were trained. It was also how he had unlocked his Kenshin the first time, through pain and sweat. He didn’t know he could achieve those same things through determination alone.

“Soyokaze step” he muttered to himself the name of the hissatsu, it came to him like instinct, as if he was meant to know, as if the hissatsu itself had told him it’s name. He repeated it again with a warmer smile “Soyokaze step!”

Shindou watched him from where he had been sent by the wind. He had gotten up from the sitting position he had fallen into and he was analyzing the first year attentively.

“Captain!” Tenma called, enthusiasm taking over “I’m going to use this to fight fifth sector. I’ll make sure Raimon wins” and with Raimon he meant so much more but he was pretty sure Shindou was aware of that.

“Compared to your hard work I-” Shindou murmured to himself, quietly. Tenma saw how tense his shoulder were, how his face tightened “I’m not qualified to be captain after all” a few tears fell from his eyes despite Shindou’s best efforts at keeping them in

Tenma was about to reply, to tell him he was exactly the captain Raimon needed: someone they trusted, someone they’d follow, someone they could rely on; but he was interrupted by another, older, voice.

“You are,” Endou said as he approached the duo. Tenma had noticed him but he hadn’t expected him to intervene. “Those tears make you qualified to be captain” as he said that he tore a piece of paper in half “Your feelings of loving soccer so, so much are reflected through those tears” Shindou didn’t seem convinced at those words. Tenma watched the interaction silently, realizing where he wasn’t needed “You truly are god’s baton. Like a top-class conductor drawing out a performer’s potential, you made tenma’s abilities show results” Tenma almost huffed in disagreement at that, it wasn’t the first time his abilities showed results after all, but he kept him to himself.

“Coach the truth is-” Shindou’s fist tightened at his sides “The truth is I want to win too!” he sounded scared as he talked and Tenma’s face softened. Maybe he had been a bit harsh with the older boy, there was nothing wrong with being scared of actively opposing authorities. “I don’t want to play this appalling facade of soccer anymore!”

“I’ve been waiting to hear those words from you, captain,” Endou said, sounding relieved. Tenma relaxed as well. With Shindou on his side things would hopefully go smoother.

As if strings had been cut on a puppet he let himself fall on the grass, appreciating the orange sky painted by the sunset. He stretched on the grass with a happy expression, humming in pleasure. “I’m glad!” he chirped from where he was lying down. It wasn’t even like he was tired, his stamina was much better than that, but as the adrenaline flew out of him and he felt his body relax he just wanted to lie down for a moment. He decided to ignore for his own good Tsurugi’s barely hidden figure in the distance, that would be a problem for future him to worry about. Right now he was just so glad he could move forward with his plan.

Shindou chuckled softly when he realized Tenma hadn’t passed out of exhaustion or anything like that and that there was nothing to worry about. The brunette was surprised when he heard the other teen lying down next to him on the grass. When he turned his head to see his captain he saw he was wearing a peaceful expression. “Thank you” was all that Shindou said, Tenma couldn’t help but smile back.

“You’re welcome”

Chapter Text

“Captain isn’t quitting” Tenma informed Itona as he sat on the floor in the teen’s room. Itona hadn’t seemed bothered when the brunette marched right into his room before even stopping by his own when he got home.

“That’s great” Itona answered, without looking away from whatever he was working on from his desk. Tenma knew that even if he asked he wouldn’t understand, Itona was far smarter than anyone else in the class (besides Ritsu) when it came to electronics after all. Also if Itona wanted to talk about it he wouldn't wait for Tenma to ask because he knew the brunette would listen. Tenma would ask him when he was done anyway so he’d wait.

“You have no idea how glad I am,” Tenma said as he rested his back on the other teen’s bed. “Do you know how hard it’d be to convince the team without the captain?” he shuddered at the thought of it “It’s going to be hard enough with him on our side, I don’t wanna think about other scenarios”

“So your plan is to simply convince everyone to work against fifth sector?”

“I want raimon to challenge fifth sector’s authority during the holy road” he replied, all hint of amusement gone from his voice as he turned serious “Basically I want us to win” he grinned before continuing “That’s not going to be enough on it’s own but I’m planning on a scandal. If they were attacked on the field by us and outside by the public they wouldn’t be able to keep face for long”

“how do you plan on doing that?”

“I don’t know” he complained petulantly, dragging his hands over his face “I have no idea on what to do on that front” Itona hummed, thoughtful, and Tenma sighed

“Well good thing the holy road isn’t around the corner then” Itona said sarcastically, knowing just how soon the tournament would be

“Don’t remind me” Tenma groaned

____

The next day during morning practice he trained with Shinsuke again keeping an eye of regard toward Shindou. The captain seemed upset about something and Tenma didn’t really know what to make of it. He was glad when he saw Sangoku talking with the boy.

After classes they were over they were back in the club room for afternoon practice. They started it out with a small meeting in preparation for the holy road.

“Our match-up for the first match in holy road has been decided” Their coach said as he walked up to the front of the room, everyone followed him with their eyes. “Raimon is up against Tengawara High”

“Tengawara, huh?” Kuramada contemplated, as some other people gasped

“They’re known for playing dirty” Amagi replied while crossing his arms

“More like they use a lot of rough plays” Hamano interjected while shrugging his shoulders

“They’re strong as it is already, so that just makes them ridiculously scary,” Hayamy muttered.

Tenma raised an eyebrow, they were pretty pessimists for a team as well known as theirs. Itona projected on the screen behind Endou the usual line up tengawara used in games.

“Tengawara’s team uses a very solid defense formation” the man announced “Whether it comes to shaking them up from the sides or using long passes to break through the center…” he listed a few options to bypass the team defenses. Tenma nodded, they both seemed reasonable options, he hadn’t expected any less from a player of his caliber “Shindou, your judgment as captain will be the key to this match” he finished.

Tenma didn’t fail to notice that Shindou seemed surprised at that and he noticed how the boy looked back at Tsurugi, who was sitting at the back of the room.

“Coach, weren’t you notified of the order from fifth sector?” the teen asked hesitantly and Tenma felt his heart drop. He had thought Shindou would fight fifth sector with them but maybe he had jumped to conclusions. Maybe he had misinterpreted the situation. He internally groaned.

Everyone reacted in surprise, wondering why they had received one so early on and what the score was decided to be. It was Tsurugi who answered.

“2-0, Tengawara’s win” the teen said, with a smug grin and his arms crossed. He looked straight at Tenma and the brunette didn’t let his gaze down.

Most players complained half heartedly at that, about how it was weird if they lost on the first match when they came second the year before and other similar stuff.

“It’s because we went against the order for the match against Eito” the boy complained, sounding defeated “What else could it be?” and in that moment Tenma struggled to see any resemblance between the boy and his sister. Rinka was stoic, calm, and collected. Even when she got scared she barely ever lost her composure. She didn’t complain, she took life as it came and braced for it, in the end she always came out victorious. Her brother seemed the total opposite.

“Coach, why didn’t you tell us?” Sangoku asked, confused and upset. Tenma didn’t dare say a word.

“Because there was no need to tell you” The players looked at their coach confused and Tenma almost laughed. Had they not realized this coach was against fifth sector the first ten times he mentioned winning? just him? “We’re going to win this match”

“Now this is a surprise” Tsurugi mocked from the last row, he almost looked humored. “You’re going to ignore fifth sector’s order, coach”

“Who would ever want match where you intend to lose the start”

“If you do that, the soccer club will be finished for sure this time,” Sangoku said, rising from his seat. Tenma was about to correct him on how that wouldn’t happen when the coach spoke again

“No matter who it is I won’t let them decide the results before the match”

“Fifth sector wouldn’t do anything to the club either way” Tenma said, gaining all the attention of the room as all eyes turned on him, he grinned “Raimon’s too big for that. Disbanding the team would cause a scandal and they definitely don’t want that. If we were to disobey the score order they’d just try to take us down during a game, but they’d have to win” He explained, mostly repeating what he had already said a few days prior.

Most of the room looked at him in surprise, Shindou seemed to be the one trying to understand his reasoning the most while the others mostly looked affronted.

“If we won’t get disbanded then something else is going to happen” Sangoku replied. “It’s our future we’re playing with, it’s not just soccer” the teen grimaced “No matter what you say, I’ll be following Fifth sector’s orders”

Most of the team stood up after the boy, following Sangoku out of the room. Tenma noticed that Shidnou stayed seated and he felt the smallest flicker of hope within him.

“Captain!” he stood up and walked over to the boy, setting his hands on the table in front of him “You said you’d play real soccer yesterday, didn’t you” something like desperation was seeping through his voice and he hoped no one noticed but he needed someone who wasn’t Shinsuke to be on his side.

Tenma noticed Sangoku lingering just a moment by the door, listening in on the conversation.

“My desire to win hasn’t changed” the boy said “But should we be allowing our personal desires influence the future of our other teammates?” he asked and Tenma agreed. It was selfish to ask them that but it was his best bet. It was his best plan. Even if he managed to start the other part of his plan he would still need Raimon to challenge Fifth sector up front. He gritted his teeth and turned away from the boy, disappointment lacing his every move. He had never been the greatest at masking his emotions.

Sangoku left with that and during training it was just Shinsuke and Tenma.

Once practice was finished Tenma didn’t head back home, he needed some time alone to clear his mind and plan his next step. He would’ve gone to class E building, since they owned it now, but he didn’t want to run into any of his ex classmates and since Karma still studied at Kunugigaoka there was a good chance of that happening.

He had told the others to walk together without him, that he wanted to take the long way home. They had offered to go with him but he insisted and Itona thankfully backed him up, recognizing his intention. He had seemed hesitant at leaving Tenma alone but he knew that if he needed it Tenma would go to someone to talk to.

He didn’t practice, he simply sat at the top of the stairs and watched the field in front of him. The sun was already setting at his side and he couldn’t be bothered by it. Aki wouldn’t be worried about him, she knew he’d be safe. Itona wouldn’t either, though he’d probably check his position every now and then to make sure he was okay. If he took too long one of them, or both, would come pick him up, deciding he had enough time to sulk in peace.

He tried thinking about his next move, what he’d do if he couldn’t get Raimon to fight by his side, if he didn’t have the means to challenge fifth sector openly. Changing school, and with its team, was not an option. There weren’t any teams in the area that weren’t openly trained by fifth sector itself and he couldn’t move away on his own to go to one of the farthest ones. He was still a minor and it wasn’t legal to, even if he could afford it.

Challenging fifth sector by himself would be dangerous. He didn’t want to think about the risks it would put him in. He knew that they weren’t scared of using dirty little tricks to get what they wanted. They’d find a way to silence Tenma, be it peacefully or not.

He was starting to feel the beginning of a headache when he heard a new voice popping up at his side. “What are you doing out here?” Sangoku asked from where he was sitting on a bike just a few feet away from him. Tenma frowned. Had he been so out of it he hadn’t even noticed the new presence around him? It wasn't a good sign that he had let his situational awareness down when out in the open, it meant he was worse off than he thought.

“I was just trying to clear my mind” he answered the question with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Sangoku seemed to notice. The brunette got to his feet slowly and stretched a bit, he had been sitting for a while now. He’d better go home soon “I’m sorry about earlier. I don’t want to force anyone into it I just-” he stopped himself there, grimacing. He didn’t have any idea on how to express what he was feeling.

“Don’t worry about it,” Sangoku replied. Saying he was cheerful would’ve been an exaggeration but Tenma noticed he had calmed down greatly from how he’d been earlier at the club “I overstepped things too”

Tenma smiled again. He took a quick look at the bike, noticing the groceries back on its front. “Running errands?” he asked, trying to ease any of the remaining tension. Sangoku nodded.

“I’m in charge of dinner today” the boy said, looking at the bags. Tenma nodded.

“Makes sense” he said. “Do you cook often?” he tried to keep the conversation going for a bit. It felt relaxing talking about something that wasn’t related to soccer when lately it seemed to be all he talked about. It’s not like he didn’t like talking about it, he loved it, but it was also causing him a lot of stress and he could not talk about soccer without thinking of Fifth. He liked taking his mind off of it, for however short that might be.

“Only on the days when my mom comes back late from work” he replied with an easy smile. He seemed calm. Tenma hadn’t seen much of him but he also hadn’t seen his senpai be this calm before, maybe he also appreciated taking his mind off of Fifth and soccer every once in a while.

Tenma hummed, thoughtful. The sun was setting fast and when he checked his phone he could see a few unread messages from Itona, Aki and some other residents of the Mansion popping up. They had probably been worried.

“I should head home now” he said to his senpai who looked at him thoughtfully.

“Do you want to come over?” the teen asked, leaving Tenma to raise his eyebrows in surprise. It wasn’t everyday that a nearly stranger asked you over.

He accepted, a bit awkwardly, sure that if Sangoku asked him that, of all people, there must’ve been a reason. He shot a quick text to the group chat he had with Itona and Aki, letting them know to have dinner without him and that he’d come back in a few hours because he was over at a teammate’s. Itona texted in their private chat that they’d be talking later and he decided to leave it at that. The white haired boy could be very intimidating when he wanted to, even through text.

Tenma tried to help a bit to cook dinner but he wasn’t the best chef, as his loved classmates used to tell him, and Sangoku kept insisting that he didn’t have to since he was a guest.

Once they sat down to eat Tenma’s eyes sparked. “This is very good, senpai!” he praised the boy “It’s just as good as Aki-nee’s cooking” he continued genuinely. While he would prefer Aki’s cooking over anyone else’s in the world that was mostly because of sentimental value, he knew logically that she wasn’t the best cook in the world.

“Aki-nee?” Sangoku questioned and Tenma shrugged

“She’s my cousin,” Tenma explained. So far only Shinsuke, Aoi and Itona knew about his living situation. He knew eventually everyone would come to learn about it so he thought he might as well peel the bandaid off “I live with her”

“Why does she live with your family, if I might ask?” Sangoku asked curiously. Tenma almost shook his head since he had gotten the information wrong but keeps himself from doing that since the teen might think it’s a sensitive topic or something like that.

“Don’t worry, it’s not like i keep it private or anything!” he said, shaking his hands in front of him slightly “I live with her cause I’m not legally allowed to live on my own yet” he smiled, hoping it would have the desired effect of making it sound a little less depressing

“You don’t live with your parents?” Sangoku looked troubled at that, worried maybe. Tenma shrugged it off.

“My parents live back in Okinawa” he said, eying the food in front of him “They sent me to live with Aki-nee a few years ago so that i could attend more prestigious schools” he lost himself in thought for a moment before looking back up at his senpai and smiling at him “They care a lot about that kind of stuff”

“That must be tough,” Sangoku replied, looking worried. Tenma could understand, he’d be worried as well if the roles were reversed

“I’m fine, Aki-nee is like a mo-” he interrupted himself in a slight frown, and shook his head. He was so out of it that he was slipping things he didn’t want to say out loud “She always looks after me. I don’t need anything else” he didn’t need his parents, not anymore.

Sangoku didn’t seem to know how to respond to that but he was looking at Tenma with sadness, something akin to pity but not that exactly. Tenma couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was.

“I’ll give you pudding for dessert” the boy declared as he stood up. Tenma's eyes shined. He’d never say no to dessert, he had a very sweet tooth. Pudding wasn’t his favorite but he definitely loved it.

“Really?” He asked in excitement, forgetting manners in function of sweets

A voice sounded from deeper inside the house. “I’m home” the feminine voice called.

“Welcome back, you’re early” Sangoku greeted once the woman stepped into the room. Tenma could recognize a few similarities between his senpai and what he assumed was his mother.

“The meeting ended early” she replied, she then seemed to notice Tenma, who decided to get up to greet her “Oh, a friend? that doesn’t happen often”

“I’m one of his juniors in the soccer club, Matsukaze Tenma” he said with a smile, he bowed slightly “Thank you for having me”

“Tenma-kun, so you’re from the soccer club?” She asked as she went a bit deeper into the house to pull off her jacket and lay her bag. “Coming back from practice?”

“Yes” Tenma replied cheerfully, she didn’t need to know her son had skipped said practice

“You guys are aiming for the championship this year too, right? for holy road?” Tenma’s smile faltered. He was but him and Shinsuke were the only ones with that goal.

“Come eat while it’s still hot” Sangoku changed the topic with practiced ease. Tenma looked up at him and saw his expression was tight, he couldn’t blame him.

“My son doesn’t talk much about soccer” the woman said as she sat down next to her son “I thought he’d be out of that difficult stage by now” she sighed “With no father around, there’s a lot he won’t talk to me about”

Tenma listened, a bit surprised, at the woman's willingness to talk about this stuff with what was basically a stranger.

“It really has me in a pickle,” she continued, throwing a glance at her son as she smiled. Sangoku didn’t react as she spoke, almost as if he was used to it. He simply ate his food in silence. “Tenma-kun, are you like that with your family too?” Tenma’s expression tightened at the mention of his family. He took a short steadying breath before answering.

“I talk about a lot of stuff with my cousin,” he said, smiling. That was true, Aki knew almost everything that went on in his life. She knew all about fifth sector and class E, which he only told her more recently. She was an amazing listener and an even better adviser, he felt a bit bad sometimes that she had had to deal with him when she herself was still so young but she always told him it made her happy to take care for him so it quieted down the guilt he felt. “My parents don’t really ask me about this sort of stuff” he finished.

His parents didn’t really ask him about anything, actually. He couldn’t even remember the last time he talked with them but he was sure it was before school started. Even when they did call him it was usually in regards to his grades and school.

Sangoku looked up at that, back to that expression of sadness he was wearing before his mother arrived. Tenma hated seeing that expression. The woman only hummed.

“That’s a shame,” she said, “I couldn’t even imagine not asking Taichi about his day” she said as she moved her hand to ruffle her son’s hair. Tenma's smile didn’t reach his eyes.

They continued chit chatting as they kept eating. When it came to the long awaited pudding Tenma’s eyes sparked which caused his senpai to chuckle quietly. Tenma couldn’t be bothered about that though as the soft dessert melted into his mouth, he couldn’t help but squeal the tiniest bit.

“You have quite the sweet tooth, don't you?” Sangoku joked as he saw his junior eat the pudding as if it was the best thing he had ever tasted in his whole life.

“You could say that!” Tenma exclaimed, pointing the spoon toward his senpai “Desserts are godsent and I know quite a few people that would agree with me” Kaede and Itona had similar sweat tooth after all, they all had a different favorite dessert but they couldn't say no to any sweets. They even had a chat where they shared recipes and opinions on different desserts they tried. Korosensei had also been like that though as a teacher he had never been added to the chat.

Sangoku chuckled again “I’m not saying they aren’t” he said, holding up his hands “Though I think you’re the first person I see liking sweets this much” Tenma simply shrugged. It wasn’t his fault he couldn’t resist sweets after all.

“So, Tenma-kun, what’s your position?” Sangoku’s mother asked after they had finished eating their pudding

“I’m a midfielder,” he answered easily. He wished the conversation wouldn’t have strayed right back into soccer but he guessed it was inevitable, there it goes his relaxing evening.

“Does that mean… you make shoots?” she asked, clearly confused and Tenma had to suppress a chuckle. It wasn’t the first time people not accustomed to soccer asked him that.

“That too, yes” he replied smiling “though it’s a bit hard to explain all that midfielders do”

“What’s your specialty then?” she questioned again, clearly curious

“Mhm I’d say speed and dribbling” he replied thoughtfully. While he was trained in all skills those were the ones where he excelled.

“You’re not quite bad on the other fields too” Sangoku replied “Your shooting strength is impressive for a first year and from what i’ve seen your endurance is definitely better than average. You’re very precise in both passes and shoots” the senpai analyzed “It’s not everyday you see a first year that well rounded”

Tenma blushed slightly “oh well, I try my best and practice hard” he said sheepishly

“I’ll be sure to make an extra lunch box and cheer you both on during holy road” Sangoku’s mother chirped

“You don’t have to come,” her son replied, a smile falling from his face as he looked down at the table.

“He’s been like this ever since he started jr. high” the woman sighed “I thought that maybe after switching to high school he’d grow out of the phase where he gets embarrassed but he still tells me to never come watch” she said, her smile strained and Tenma frowned slightly.

He might've not needed his parents anymore but when he was younger he would’ve liked to know they were watching his matches, even if they were staged, but they never did. Aki always tried her best but she was busy and she barely ever managed to actually go to the stadiums.

He felt better now knowing that now he had people that would be watching him play. Class E had promised him they’d watch every single one of his matches, either from the stalls or on tv and even Karasuma and Bitch-sensei promised him they’d do their best to watch them live and that they’d catch up on them if they missed them for any reason. It made his heart flutter in warmth.

The woman stood up to make some tea and the two teens were left at the table in a comfortable silence.

“Sorry, Matsukaze” Sangoku said after a moment of silence “You guys just want to play soccer for what it really is but…” he left his sentence hanging in the air. Tenma watched him for a moment before he replied

“You don’t have to be sorry, I was scared too at first” he admitted looking down “Fifth sector is scary, scarier than most think” he muttered the last part. Not even most soccer players knew just how dangerous Fifth could get and Tenma hoped they’d never have to find out first hand. “I don’t blame you for not fighting back, I blame Fifth sector for having put us in this position in the first place” he looked up at his senpai with a sad smile “I’m sure you’d like to play real soccer too after all”

“I can’t be like you,” Sangoku replied evenly, not meeting his eyes. Tenma didn’t say anything else.

___

“Why did one of the upperclassmen invite you over?” Itona asked the moment Tenma stepped into the manor. He had been waiting sitting on the floor with his laptop on his lap. He hadn’t even looked up from the screen nor given the time for Tenma to close the door behind him.

“Separation issues much?” the brunette joked as he stripped off his jacket and took off his shoes. He didn’t react to Itona’s nasty glare.

“Don’t avoid the question,” Itona said. Tenma hummed, sitting down next to his friend

“I don’t know why he invited me, I think he just saw I was feeling a bit under the weather and thought it best that I wasn’t left alone” he replied, truthfully

“Which one is it?” Itona said, stoically, turning back to the screen where he appeared to have been coding. Tenma didn’t even try to understand what the boy was writing on the pc, didn’t even look at it.

“Which one? Do you mean who? Because it was Sangoku-senpai” when Itona’s face didn’t give any sign of recognition Tenma gasped “You don’t remember the player names? please tell me you at least remember the manager’s”

Itona winced “I remember Aoi’s” he said, calmly “The other are the red one and the photo one”

“Are you being serious?!” Tenma called, exasperated

“So which one was it?” At that, Tenma lost it

“You’re a lost cause!” He called, maybe a bit too loudly given the time, but he didn’t hear anyone telling them to be quieter so he guessed he was fine for now. a beat, then “The goalkeeper”

“Oh- the mama one” Tenma just stared at his friend in bafflement

____

During the opening ceremony Tenma acted nonchalant. He pretended not to see the familiar team standing just a few rows away from them, pretended not to feel their gaze on him or the gaze of their coach. He also pretended not to hear his depressing teammates' conversations about wanting to follow Fifth sector. In short he pretended to be at peace. When Shinsuke’s mood soured he reminded him that it would work out somehow and he truly hoped it would.

They played their first match on the same day. Tengawara wasn’t an enemy that would normally scare Tenma but playing with just two people was going to be hard, no matter how skilled they were individually. Tenma knew he could hold his own for attack but Shinsuke wasn’t as experienced and didn’t receive the same harsh training Tenma did, not to mention their goalkeeper wouldn’t try to truly stop the shots, so their defense lacked in more ways than one.

“It’s so bad you have to lose on the first game” a player from Tengawara said as the two teams were shaking hands before the match. Tenma saw his teammates' expressions harden.

“C’mon now” another one of their rivals continued “Don’t tease them, Andou. We get to win against Raimon after they won second in last year’s championship” the teen taunted “Be happy about it”

“That’s true” Andou replied, the teasing never straying from his voice “Well, raimon folks, do a good job at losing so that the stands don’t get bored” Tenma’s fists tightened. He wasn’t one prone to anger or violence, Karma was the one who used violence as a means to get what he wanted, but in that moment he wanted to punch the shit eating grin the other was wearing right off his face.

The captain scolded Andou and apologized for his teammates' behaviour and Tenma almost scoffed.

The game started with the ball in Tengawara’s possession. Tenma decided to intervene soon and stole the ball as soon as the occasion presented itself, which was very soon into the game.

As he looked around himself he decided to pass to Kurama, since a few Tangawara players were closing in on him. Kurama didn’t even try to hold onto the ball and Tenma launched himself to steal it again immediately with a sight. This is basically playing 20 versus 2 he thought bitterly.

He had just stolen the ball when Tengawara’s number 8 stepped right into his ankle. He hadn’t had the time to move out of the way but he was fast enough to move it so he wouldn’t get injured. He grimaced as he still fell down. He heard Shindou calling out his name but didn’t bother with it too much, already going back into the game. He didn’t have time to play around.

The ball stayed in Tengawara’s possession, Shinsuke not managing to steal it from the forwards. The captain of Tengawara, their number 9, shoots toward the goal. Tenma watched as Sangoku’s expression morphed into one of guilt, already knowing he wouldn’t try to stop it. The brunette tried to run to block the shoot in his stead but he had been just a bit too slow.

His eyes widened when he saw Shindou catching the ball instead.

“Captain” Tenma muttered in confusion before his mouth grew into a grin “Fuck yes!” he yelled, shooting his hands up high in happiness.

“Language” one of the senpai’s lightly called, Tenma was pretty sure it had been Kirino but he didn’t care enough. He just watched with pride as Shidnou stood up against Tengawara and, in consequence, Fifth sector.

The same player that had tried to hurt Tenma a few moments ago mocked Shindou but the musicist stood strong.

“I won’t let you score” he announced, loud and clear without any hesitation. “I’m not going to obey Fifth sector’s orders” His shoulders tensed slightly as he raised his voice again “I’m going for a real win!”

Tenma barely contained himself from cheering again, euphoria taking over him. It didn’t make too much of a difference but just one extra player could do wonders for his goal and he was happy that player was Shindou. As the captain he had a higher chance of managing to convince their other teammates. Sure, a defender or even the goalkeeper might have been more useful considering their current predicament but he wasn’t going to complain.

Tengawara’s number 8 kept on mocking Shindou but the teen wasn’t letting it affect him as he stared on in determination. The boy sprinted past their adversaries, running through the field to get the ball on the other side.

Tenma also ran ahead, undisturbed as he didn’t have a ball but when Shindou passed to Kurama the boy was letting the ball get stolen again. Tenma almost grimaced but then he saw Shindou’s god baton guiding the ball away and to himself. He smiled, that was impressive, he had never seen a move like that one.

Shindou guided Tenma through their enemies’ ranks and the brunette was glad. For all that he was skilled he never was a strategist. He acted on instinct alone and while that worked most of the time it felt good to act on an actual plan.

He easily dribbled past the midfielders and defenders. Shinsuke ran help him out as Shindou directed them through it, running along them and guiding the ball with his hissatsu.

He passed the ball to Shindou who made their very first holy road score. Tenma cheered loudly as their teammates stared in shock and fear. The captain smiled at them as they walked back to their own half of the field.

The match started back again shortly after Shindou proclaimed that Raimon would win this match. Raimon players were not enthusiastic about that in the slightest.

Just before the whistle was played to announce the game starting back up Tenma heard a slightly familiar voice calling out from the stalls. When he looked over he saw that Sangoku’s mother was there cheering. He grinned, that was going to be interesting.

Tengawara started out with the ball again and just like last time Tenma didn’t hesitate to run up against them, followed by Shindou.

Number 8 broke through Shindou’s stance, maintaining possession over the ball and Tenma intervened but before he could get close the blonde passed the ball to another player. Like that they delved deeper into their midfield.

Tenma run through the player, standing finally in front of the captain who was in possession of the ball.

“Move” the ginger said coldly

“What makes you think I’ll listen to you when I didn't even listen to Fifth sector itself?” he grinned at the boy. When the captain scoffed Tenma continued “I know about you guys. Your soccer is strong and you’re known to have always fought intensely with raimon in the past” he explained, apparently unbothered before he turned sour “why would a team like that need to make these unfair plays?”

“This is our soccer,” Kita replied as soon as Tenma finished speaking. “When you’re ordered to win a game, you have to win” The captain tried to pass to one of his teammates behind Tenma but the boy intercepted the ball easily.

“When you’re desperate to fight, somehow, you’ll make it work” Tenma said with a smile, standing over the ball “You’ll try anything in order to win”

He moved forward again but he was soon blocked by a few members of Tengawara. Shindou and Shinsuke were both marked and when he tried to pass to another one of their teammates they simply let the ball get stolen. He gritted his teeth as their adversaries moved into their defense again with the ball.

Shindou called for the defense to move back but no one listened and the captain frowned. Tenma heard Tsurugi mocking from all the way over the bench and if he wasn’t in the middle of a match he would’ve screamed right at the seed’s face.

“In that case, I’ll stop them by myself if I have to” Shindou called as he stood in front of tengawara’s number 6 who was currently in possession of the ball. Tenma, from where he was running, could see a flicker of something pass through Kirino’s eyes, something akin to hesitation and wonder. He didn’t have time to dwell on it as he moved forward.

“What makes you think you can stop my kenshin?” the midfielder said cockingly. Tenma’s blood ran cold. Shindou had a Kenshin but he wasn’t trained to go against another Kenshin user yet, this was bad. He tried to run faster but he was too far, he wouldn’t get there in time he realized with a grimace.

“Birdman Falco” the boy yelled out as he called his Kenshin forward, the projection forming behind him.

The boy easily shot towards the goal and Shindou didn’t manage to bring out his kenshin fast enough. Tenma grimaced as he tried vainly to reach the ball to stop it.

Tengawara made one goal. Tenma stopped running when he realized he hadn’t been fast enough, he had been so close too… When Shindou stumbled Kirino was immediately at his side to help him so Tenma used the time to catch his breath. He wasn’t necessarily tired but he had been running a lot.

“You can’t even control your own Kenshin?” asked Tengawara’s kenshin user mockingly, “And you expect to put up a fight against Fifth sector?” Tenma tightened his fists. He should’ve helped Shindou train his kenshin, regardless of whether he was gonna rebel or not.

The kenshin user did not care for the whistle announcing the end of the first time and went on with his taunting. “A goalkeeper at your level won’t be able to stop the shoot my kenshin makes” he spoke, watching Sangoku who was kneeling on the ground in frustration “You better run from the next shoot if you don’t want to get hurt”

Tenma saw red. In a flash he was standing between the goalkeeper and Tengawara number 6 with a glare that could kill. The purple haired teen flinched when he saw the assassin’s face.

“I suggest you go to your bench before I make you regret ever making fun of my teammates” he growled, loud enough to be heard only by those closest to him. The other teen took a step back, face contorted in uneasiness. Tenma kept staring at the boy, unblinking, until he walked away.

When he did, Tenma turned around to face his senpai, face melting in sadness. Sangoku was visibly frustrated, either from not being able to even try and stop the shoot or the words he received afterwards.

During break they moved to the locker rooms in silence. Everyone was thinking over what had happened so far. Tenma could feel some of his teammates silently freak out about the score order, Hayami in particular. He didn’t try to say anything, knowing most of them didn’t even care for a win, instead he thought over a plan.

The odds were better than at the start of the game, three versus nineteen, but it was still going to be hard. They had two kenshin on their side, Tenma’s one and Shindou’s untrained one. They had no idea how many Kenshin the other team had.

Shindou was looking down, face contorted in something Tenma couldn't read. He was probably angry that the seed had been able to get past him. Tenma couldn’t blame him.

He sat down next to the captain in a silent show of reassurance and waited a few moments before speaking. “It’s a tie” he muttered, not loudly but clearly heard by everyone because of the silence in the room “We can still get another point” He said with a smile. Shindou looked up at him, looking somewhat surprised.

“You truly think you can win?” Tsurugi asked, mockingly. Tenma moved his gaze to watch the seed who was leaning leisurely on the wall. He stayed silent as the seed spoke. “Tengawara’s Hayabusa is just like me, a seed”

Some people blinked in surprise at the information and Tenma wondered if it was that hard to come to that conclusion alone.

“He can freely control his Kenshin” Tsurugi turned to Shindou, mocking smile widening the tiniest bit “Unlike you, captain” Shindou looked away in frustration.

Tenma let a smile grow on his face, eyes sharp, when he spoke “So Tengawara’s number 6 is their only kenshin user?” Tenma asked. Tsurugi watched him confused as he nodded slightly and Tenma’s smile widened “That’s good, we can still win then” he didn’t leave any space for doubt in his voice

“You still think you can win?” Tsurugi asked, baffled. Tenma didn’t let his smile fall, there was one thing no one but him, Itona and Aoi knew after all.

His teammates didn’t seem to share his sentiment as they muttered about not going to be able to win this one match and similar concerns. Tenma didn’t bother asking them if they’d even try.

“We don’t stand a chance” someone breathed in defeat. There was a general gloom of disappointment and defeat in the room. Tsurugi grinned

“You finally get it” he mocked “Even if wimps like you chose to cross fifth sector, nothing will change” he got up “Nothing can change”

Tenma stared at the boy with a sickenly sweet smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He was so going to enjoy the boy’s surprise once they won.

“Raimon’s defeat has been decided!”

“That’s not for strangers to decide,” their coach said. He was also smiling but in a much tamer way than Tenma. He got up from the chair where he was sitting as he kept talking “Like I said, no matter who it is, I won’t let them decide the results before the match”

“What?” Tenma almost laughed at Tsurugi’s apparent surprise. How many times did Endou have to say he wanted the team to win for him not to be surprised anymore.

“The only one who gets to decide victory and defeat is the goddess of victory” Tenma heard someone repeat those words but when he looked at his teammates he couldn’t pinpoint who it could’ve been. “But the goddess of victory will never smile upon those who don’t actively seek to win”

“Are you guys satisfied with the soccer today that’s controlled, even its scoring” Tenma didn’t stray his gaze from his teammates, they were all looking at the coach, contemplating, taking in the words, beside one single defender. Kirino was looking at Shindou’s back, his expression thoughtful.

Endou walked in front of their goalkeeper “sangoku” the coach smiled “You were told to lose but you tried to stop that shoot ”

“T-that was-” the boy hesitated, Tenma watched the interaction in anticipation

“The instincts of a true soccer player” Endou finished the sentence for him “No matter what shoot comes at you, you try to block it” the coach walked around the room, patting Hayami’s head when he noticed how tense the boy was “No matter who you’re up against, you try to dribble past them” his expression turned from carefree to serious as he walked but his tone stayed light “You try to make a shoot that’s stronger than anyone else’s, and you try to win”

“That’s a soccer player” he continued, standing by the front of the room again “The feelings that all of you have”

“Do you honestly feel that it’s right?” he questioned, Tenma could see he was trying to provoke them, to get some sort of reaction “to lose without even trying?” his voice softened “Ask yourselves these things, is the soccer you see today the soccer you wanted to play?”

“What is real soccer?” he finished, staring at them with determination “What is your soccer?”

The moment was interrupted by two people bursting into the room. Tenma’s smile fell as he watched their every move carefully. “What is this I’m hearing?” Raimon’s chairman said as he walked in.

“You’ve learned nothing, have you?” the other man, who Tenma assumed was the principal’s assistant, questioned their coach.

''Holy Road isn't just a tournament for a soccer championship. It's an important election that will decide the Holy Emperor!'' the chairman said, tone distressed
His assistant took over for a moment ''If we disrupt it, our-'' he cut himself off before continuing ''I mean, Raimon's reputation will be jeopardized.''
''As their coach, say this to them now. Fifth Sector's orders must not be disputed. You must not fail to lose this match.'' the principal threatened.
''I've said everything that needs to be said.'' Endou replied, there wasn’t any hesitation in his voice even if it meant risking his job. He then turned to the team ''The rest is up to you to decide. As an individual soccer player.''
''I'll be waiting on the field.'' He finished as he walked out of the room, the other two men following and calling to him in distress. Tenma almost laughed.
“Even if it’s up to us to decide…” Hamano spoke from behind him, when Tenma turned around he saw him shrugging his shoulders, leaving anything else he might’ve said up to interpretation.

“Takuto,” another voice spoke. Kirino was looking down at his hands, his bangs obscuring his face. The captain looked at his friend in confusion at being called out by his first name like this. From what Tenma had witnessed they never called each other by name like this. Then the defender got up, fists tight at his sides, and looked straight at his best friend's face “I want you to tell me why you scored”

Shindou seemed taken aback and took a few moments before answering “It took a lot of convincing on a certain first year’s side” he said, slightly teasing and Tenma smiled “But i scored because he’s right” The captain got up, turning fully toward the other second year, face set in determination “Nothing is going to change if no one takes the risk to rebel”

Kirino looked at his friends calmly, taking in the words. His face was soft as he took in the words and contemplated them. “I trust you Shindou” he replied softly after a few moments of silence “I’d follow you in hell if I had to, what’s a simple revolution?” His smile was gentle and his eyes were oh so soft. Shindou’s expression melted as he heard his friend's words.

“Ranmaru” he murmured, walking towards the defender.

“I’ll be on your side” Kirino replied, voice soft and intimate “always”

Tenma looked away as the two hugged, feeling like he was intruding on something, seeing as the others had done the same they probably felt like that too, but even then he smiled. One more person was on their side and it just so happened to be the strongest defender Raimon had to offer. It felt like a miracle.