"Go home, Kimiko. Just go home and explain to them how you felt."
She didn't want to. She knew she had to go back eventually, but she still didn't want to. She was no longer afraid of facing them, but she still didn't want to. She knew they had the right reason to send her to that training camp, but she still didn't want to.
So, why was she standing in the lobby of this nightmare of a building at 7 in the morning?
It was simple. She didn't want to trouble her only friend any more than she already had. In fact, she came to do the exact opposite. She was going to repay him.
She glared down on the young man at the front desk. He sat still in his seat, looking up at her and too stunned to speak. That figures, seeing how she looks a lot like his boss. Especially with her newly dyed hair.
"I want to see the Holy Emperor." She demanded.
After a long while of just staring back at her, he finally gathered his voice back. "I-I'm sorry, but he isn't here―"
"Don't bother lying." She cut off. "I have his schedule memorized. He's here. Either you call him down here or you give me a pass to get up there."
"I-I... I..."
"Please, don't scare off the new recruit." A familiar voice came from behind her. "He just got his job yesterday."
"S-Sir!" The man hastily stood up and bowed. "I-I apologize for my lack of initiative! I'll call in the guards and―"
The blonde held up a hand to stop him. "There's no need. I have business with her as well."
"I-I see... Then, please use the second room to the right." He pointed down a corridor opposite from where he entered. "It's currently unoccupied and no one has reserved it for the day."
"Thank you." Dark brown eyes went to the girl, who was already making a beeline to the designated room. He followed her in, closing the door and making sure no one is around to hear them.
"Why bother? There's a camera in here." She pointed her gaze at the corner of the room. Indeed, there was. "Though, knowing the size of the surveillance room, I'm willing to bet they have all the audio off."
She was probably right. The building was huge, and there were plenty of rooms with cameras just like this one. With the tiny security room housing that many screens, they'd need to keep the volumes down to focus.
"Then, I'll get straight to the point. Are you okay?" His expression didn't change, but his tone did. He was genuinely concerned for her wellbeing.
But that's not what she wanted. "I know you sent me there for a good reason, so I won't complain. However, if you want me to come back home, I want you to do me a couple of favors."
"Using yourself as blackmail..." He sighed. He supposed he should've known. She knew she had a rather high standing within the organization, especially since she had to introduce herself as his relative. Still, if his superiors found out what she was capable of, there was no telling what they would do to her. "Alright, I'm listening."
She held up a finger. "First, I want you to make sure I don't get sent to any schools by the higher-ups."
He raised an eyebrow at this. "That's easy enough. Any and all SEEDs take their dispatch orders from me. The higher committee isn't very involved with the systems and operations. But can I ask why?"
She shrugged. "I'd pretend to be all cryptic if it was funny, but the truth is simply that I can't play soccer on the field anymore."
"... What?"
"It's a long story, but we don't have time for that, so..." She switched the topic. "Next, I want to confirm Fifth Sector's sponsors. Senguuji Daigo established the Fifth with the help of a benefactor, right?"
"Correct."
"Then, is all that money clean?"
That surprised him. "You're asking whether or not Supporter X got his money through illegal means?" He had no idea where the girl was going with this, but the only answer he could give was, "I'm honestly not sure, but I believe not. That person may be someone from abroad."
She nodded. "Alright. Then, number two," She held up another finger. "I want to use that to help someone."
"You mean your friend's older brother?"
"Yeah." Her arms crossed over her chest. "Yuuichi-san's surgery bill costs a whole lot. I doubt that any savings his family is trying to earn would ever amount to that. But Fifth's funding could. If Senguuji Daigo would approve of it, then..."
"But you know he won't." He paused. There was a way, but should he tell her that? It was dangerous, but she had already completed her training regiments. She was a full-fledged SEED. But wouldn't it go against her first favor?
"So basically, if I worked with Fifth Sector to take over junior high schools' soccer clubs, he might allow it?"
His eyes widened at that. "How did you―"
"You should read up on Kidou Yuuto-san's report. I'm pretty sure he's got everything recorded." She walked past him. "Alright then, I'll see you next week."
"Kimiko, what exactly is it that you're planning to do?" He asked right as she reached the door.
Her answer was simple. "Repay a debt."
~~~~~
Just as she promised, she went home after their meeting. She made sure her brother called their cousin too as reassurance. Still, she refused to tell them where she went in the two days she was missing. The last thing she needed was for her friend to be in trouble.
The next weekend came soon enough, and as usual, she headed for the park right after her lessons. He was juggling the ball on his knee as he waited for her arrival.
"Hey, Kyou." She greeted.
He smiled when he saw her. "Hey, Kimiko. Did you go home?"
"I did."
"Did you talk to your relatives?"
"Yeah..."
"So... How did it go?"
"It wasn't... bad..." That technically wasn't a lie. Either way, she didn't want to talk about it anymore, so he dropped the topic. He passed her the ball and the two played their usual copy-cat game as her mind drifted off.
She spent the whole week trying to think of any other ideas, but none came. She was down to her last option. It was probably a bad idea, but if the result makes everyone happy, then there should be no issue... right?
After a short mental debate, she finally decided to open her mouth. "Kyousuke, I think I might have a way to get the money for Yuuichi-san's surgery."
The ball dropped from his head. "W-WHAT?!"
"Shush!" She hissed. "Not so loud! You never know who's around!"
"Why? Is it something bad?"
I suppose 'bad' might be one way to describe it. "It's... definitely something. Do you know Fifth Sector?"
He blinked. "They're the ones who are managing middle school soccer clubs these days, right? ...Whatever that means. I heard about them from nii-san, why?"
Asking you to do this is a long shot, but... "I know a few people on the inside. Fifth's an organization that has almost too much money for the average Japanese person. I managed to slip a proposal to someone with a pretty high rank, and they said they'll agree if..."
"If...?"
She bit her lip, her earlier hesitation slowly returning. "How... How much free time do you have today?"
He shrugged. "Same as usual, I have until the evening."
"Then, would you go to the city with me?" She asked. "I don't think I can explain the details properly, so I think it's a lot better if you just hear it directly from him."
"'Him'?"
She gestured her head for the exit. "I'll tell you a little more about it on the way."
It was half an hour later that they reached the famous Amano Mikado Stadium. It was where they decided Holy Road would be played the next year, in contrast to the regular Holy Road Stadium that year.
He couldn't help but stare at his surroundings. He rarely went to the large city, and such a sacred place built on soccer's name was the last place he thought they'd be going to. His eyes landed on his friend, who was already ways ahead of him. She was heading towards a man standing by the entrance.
The man had red hair and his wardrobe was full black. The tall hat was not helping him look any less suspicious. He watched warily as the two engaged in conversation before walking over when his friend signaled him to.
"A pleasure to meet you. My name is Kuroki Zenzou." The man took his hat off and bowed.
He nodded curtly. "Likewise... I'm Tsurugi Kyousuke."
They headed inside and took their seats in the waiting area before continuing their discussion.
"Kimiko has told me of your brother's situation." The man's kind tone sounded too forced. "It was an unfortunate accident. I do hope he would be able to play again someday."
"..."
"Of course, if you'd like, we at Fifth Sector would be happy to lend you a hand. I heard about the sum needed for his surgery. With our resources, we could just about cover it."
He looked up at that, his eyes almost hopeful. "Th-Then you can...?!"
"However, you won't be getting that money for free." The man's gaze had turned cold. He was no longer pretending to be nice with him. "In exchange for that money, you need to do something for us first."
"What is it?! I'll do anything if it means my brother can play again!"
Kuroki had a devious smile on his face. "Well, as a start, you'll have to join Fifth Sector and undergo special training."
"Special training?"
"Training to be among the best of all the youth's soccer players."
Kyousuke thought he saw his friend's eyes widen, but he was far too focused on what the elder man was saying to pay any attention to her. Kuroki went on to explain just the bare minimum of what he needed to know.
"And I'm afraid that's all I can say right now." Ending off with that, the man's demeanor changed back to like how he introduced himself. "All further information will be disclosed tomorrow, if you agree."
"I―"
"Please, I insist you think it over first. If you agree to our terms, then feel free to come back here tomorrow at 10 in the morning." He gave them a bow before disappearing through a corridor.
Kimiko turned to him with an expression filled with worry. "Are you alright? Maybe this isn't..."
"I'll be here tomorrow." He said. His eyes held no hesitation whatsoever. "These people can help nii-san. I'll do whatever they want me to as long as they'll keep their end of the bargain."
She bit her lip. Oh no, no, no... There's no way he's going to turn back from this, stupid Kimiko! Why did you ever think this was a good idea?! "But I don't think Yuuichi-san would―"
"He'd never approve of this, I know." He forced his words out through gritted teeth. "But what else can I do? This is my only option. There's no other way..."
"Kyousuke..." Her head went blank. Nothing she'll say could pull him out of this now. Only a single thought made its way to her mind.
She had to protect him at all costs.
"Then, if you're absolutely sure, I'll go with you."
He blinked before the words fully registered in his ears. "W-What? No! No way! I don't want to drag you into this!"
"Hey, I was the one who brought you here in the first place! If anything, I'm the one who dragged you into this!" She lowered her tone slightly. "And trust me, you're going to want a friend around... People like Kuroki are all for show. Those who are deeper on the inside aren't exactly nice to newcomers."
He assumed she had a few run-ins with those people before. He nodded without a second thought. "Then, we're in this together... to the end?"
She smiled. "To the end."