The Fate we Choose (Inazuma Eleven GO/CS/Galaxy)

Chapter 13 Results

I was with the managers.

Akane: *sigh* "Shin-sama is quitting?"

Hayami: *sigh* "I knew it. I guess it's fitting, coming from Shindou-kun."

Midori: "You're so depressing!"

Hayami: "Ah! Don't scare me like that!"

Midori: "And you call yourselves the Raimon Eleven?!"

Hamano: "A black mark wouldn't look good on his student record."

Kurama: "Exactly. Holy Road is coming, too."

Hamano: "Hey, maybe if we behave real good, we can have a normal game like last year's final!"

Kurama: "That was so great..."

Midori: "You guys are serious downers! Is there no "OMG I love soccer!" like the first-years in you?"

Hayami: "Nope."

Midori: "Hayami!"

"Ah! Midori-san please calm down!"

I put my hands up and fan her.

Midori: "But! Aren't you frustrated, Mirai?!"

Kurama: "Why should she be?"

"... I am."

Kurama, Hamano, and Hayami: "Eh?!"

Hamano: "Why?"

"... Why? Why did all of you join the soccer club for?"

Kurama: "Cause it looks good on our student records duh."

Midori: "Why you!"

Akane: "Midori-chan, no violence."

"... That might be true in the beginning. But now?"

Hamano, Hayami, and Kurama looked at each other.

Hamano: "We still feel the same, why?"

"Is that really true?"

Kurama, Hamano, and Hayami: !

Aoi: "Mirai-chan..."

"To me..."

I put my hands together on my chest.

"Everyone of you... look so serious about soccer. If it was just for your student record you wouldn't look like that. Plus..."

I look back at them.

"You said yourself right? A real game, was so much fun."

Everyone: ...

"... Ah! Am I speaking out of line? I-I'm sorry-"

Midori: "No you weren't Mirai."

"Eh?"

Midori-san came up to me with a smile.

Midori: "Your words make a big punch!"

Midori patted me on the shoulder with a big smile.

"Ah... Thank you very much..."

I turn back to them.

"So... it frustrates me. It's like all of you are lying to yourselves to make it hurt less... when-"

Kurama: "Just stop."

"Eh?"

Kurama-senpai got up and started leaving. With Hamano and Hayami soon following him.

Midori: "What's up with them?"

"... Senpai..."

It's like you're lying to yourselves to make it less painful. Less painful when you're on the field. Less painful when you truly want to play for real.

Shirabe POV

I was currently walking home after calming down.

I can't believe I got out of control like that...

*sigh* "...Eh?"

When I looked up I saw a familiar figure.

Shindou-san?

He was in his soccer uniform and heading this way.

Shindou: "Oh... Shirabe-san."

"We met again. Are you off to somewhere?"

Shindou: "Ah... yes."

Hm... he's in his soccer uniform. Is he planning to play somewhere when he just quit the soccer club?

"Are you going to play soccer?"

Shindou: "Ah... well..."

"Do you mind if I watch?"

Shindou: "Eh? No but... it wouldn't bother you?"

"Not at all. So is it okay?"

Shindou: "Ah okay..."

Together the two walked to the riverbank.

Shindou: "Why?"

"Hm?"

Shindou: "Why do you want to watch me play soccer?"

"Ah.. to tell you the truth I'm a little interested in soccer..."

Shindou: "You are?"

"Is it surprising? Hehe."

Shindou: "Ah, I'm sorry..."

"No it's okay, um... well I'm sorry I didn't say anything but I often watched you in matches."

Shindou: "My matches?"

"Mhm. I saw the one against Eito too."

Shindou: !

Shindou went silent and looked down.

"... It was cool."

Shindou: "Eh?"

"That shoot you made. It might be just me but... I felt a lot of emotion go into that kick."

Shindou: "You felt it?"

I nodded and smiled.

"Shindou-san you really like soccer don't you?"

Shindou: "Huh?"

"I can kind of tell. Your friends seemed really worried about you during the end of the match."

Shindou: "Ah, that..."

"I'm sorry if I'm being a little noisy but... I think you take too much responsibility."

Shindou: "Too much... responsibility?"

"Soccer's a team sport right? So, you should rely more on your teammates and friends. And when you do..."

I stopped walking and smiled at him.

"I think you'll be able to see real smiles from them. And your own smile."

Shindou: "My... smile?"

"Hehe, did that sound weird?"

Shindou: "Well..."

"Shindou-san, you look better with a smile. Even if with tears. So don't forget okay?"

Then I started leaving.

Shindou: "Eh, I thought you were going to watch..."

"I just remembered I have something important to do. Sorry! See you at school Shindou-san!"

I waved and started running back home.

... Smile, heh I say that but I'm not showing my real smile either. Nor my real self to him. All well, I did all of this so he can grow his avatar..... That's right I only did this to get results.