"After all, it was all your fault." The man said, frowning down at him. "If it wasn't for you, your brother would be playing out in the world by now. You took his dreams from him, so you have to make it right."
"I-I... I will..." She watched the blue haired boy push his body up shakily. "I'll fix everything..."
She swallowed. No, Kyousuke, stop! Your body can't take anymore...
I have to do this... I have to master it! "One more time... Kensei Lancelot!"
The gigantic knight appeared out of his back as his foot went behind the ball. The moment he kicked it, the knight lunged its sword at the cannons, slicing through them.
All but one.
The cannon fired and he could just barely block it with his keshin's shield. Then, he collapsed, his keshin disappearing.
"An improvement from last time, but you're not quite there yet." The man tipped his hat, a signal for the other staff members to carry him to the medical ward.
She couldn't do anything but watch.
~~~~~
It took him a week to finally master it and create a hissatsu technique. The amount of power he had destroyed the training room too. On top of it all, he was able to summon his keshin a total of six times before getting too tired.
He passed the criteria for being one of the first-ranked SEEDs.
So why was she still so worried?
"You keshin-havers sure are lucky." Though his words implied frustration, Isozaki was smirking. "Bet you'll be scouted into the ultimate team Kibayama-san keeps talking about."
"Hakuryuu and Tsurugi's spots are guaranteed, huh? Makes me want to hurry up and master mine." Hayabusa had a similar expression on. He had only learned he had a keshin a couple of weeks after he arrived on the island.
"I heard you're a candidate too, Hebino." Hakuryuu said, earning a nod from the taller boy. "Keep up your hard work."
"I'll be sure to."
"And Tsurugi?" The blue haired boy turned to him with a blank look. "Are you sure you're not interested in becoming part of the ultimate team?"
"... That has nothing to do with me."
"Seriously?" Hayabusa raised an eyebrow at him. "You're really turning down the offer?"
"Leave him be." Isozaki grunted. "He's a lone wolf. Of course being in a team wouldn't interest him."
"It is a shame." Hakuryuu sighed as Tsurugi went back to ignoring them. He then turned to the blonde girl leaning against the door frame. "And what of you, Kimiko? You may be an observer, but that keshin of yours seems quite powerful. Are you not going to join?"
She shook her head. "I have my own duties to fulfil. Joining the so-called ultimate team isn't one of them."
"Another shame." He sighed again before a smirk appeared on his lips. "Well, no matter. If we won't be allies, then we'll be opponents. I'll look forward to the day I'll go against either or both of you."
Suddenly the blue haired boy got up.
"Hm? Tsurugi?"
He answered the question yet to be asked. "Dining hall."
"Eh? Dinner time already?" Hayabusa asked, getting up. "Wow, it really is that late. I call dibs on the showers!"
"Hakuryuu, I'll head in the bath first." Hebino stated.
"Sure." He nodded before turning to find the blonde girl half way out the door. "You're going too, Kimiko?"
She hummed a 'yes' and closed the door behind her. Her friend was already half way down the hall, so she ran to catch up.
"Hey, Kyousuke."
"Hm?"
"How's... your everything?"
He raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm fine. Now that I've mastered it, using it isn't a problem at all."
"And your everything else?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
She looked around before using her telepathy to continue their conversation. I just... I'm really worried about you. You haven't been the same since your keshin training started.
He raised an eyebrow. What do you mean? I know I'm getting stronger, but it's not like I've let the power get to my head.
Not that... It's just... I can't help but feel like... like this is all a mistake. That you shouldn't have come here―
And drop my only chance of helping nii-san? He cut off, his tone making her eyes widen. That's not happening. I don't care what'll happen to me. All that matters is nii-san will be―
I know, I know. But don't you think you're being a bit too rash about this? And I didn't notice it before, but Kuroki-san may be one of the most dangerous people in the organization. He may not have a high standing, but... But the way he's 'encouraging' all the kids he trains... Words like that aren't―
What does it matter how he does things? If he'll keep his end of the bargain then―
I know you don't care, but I do! They were glaring at each other now, having completely stopped walking. Kyousuke, he's breaking people! He's breaking you! Everything he's saying... about the accident, Yuuichi-san, and you... they're all―
"True. They're all completely true." He growled out loud. His eyes scanned the area quickly, and once he's confirmed there's no one around, he focused his attention on her again. "It was all my fault so I have to make it right. How could I have played so casually all this time while he's suffering like that?!"
Her anger was immediately replaced by shock. "Wha... Kyousuke, that is not―"
"Six years, Kimiko. It's been six years." He forced through gritted teeth. "He's been stuck in that room for that long, while I got to do all this? Playing, training, getting stronger... Even in a hell like this, it still pisses me off because I'm still playing soccer!"
That was it. That was what's causing her to feel so uneasy.
They had already broken him.
"Kyousuke―"
"It should've been me." His hands curled into shaky fists. "I should've been the one unable to play soccer anymore. He should've been the one playing at school with his friends, and compete out in the world. I ruined it, so I'll take responsibility and fix it. It's what I should've done a long time ago."
Snap out of it! She mentally yelled at him, making him jump. Stop blaming yourself! Yuuichi-san loves you! He's your brother! Of course he'd protect you! You couldn't have known it would happen―
He tried to stop me, but I didn't listen. No matter how you try to put it, it was my fault.
Will you stop wallowing in that stupid self-pity and listen to me?! Thank goodness it was a mental conversation, or they would've attracted a lot of unwanted attention from the other end of the hall. No one... Not a single person blames you for the accident aside yourself! Hell, knowing Yuuichi-san, I'm sure he's more worried about how you're doing than he is about himself!
He huffed. So I'm causing him even more misery? Just great.
That is not what I'm saying! Kyousuke, you have to snap out of it before you end up damaging yourself any more than you already have!
For the last time, I don't care what happens to me. His glare returned, anger, frustration, and irritation clear in his eyes. If you can't get that through your head, then you can stay back in the bleachers.
Kyousuke!
"Leave. Me. Alone."
She stiffened, losing all the words she still wanted to say. Under his glare, she dropped her head and turned, heading back to her room.
She wasn't hungry anyway.