"Where's Tsurugi?" Were the first words Shindou found himself saying that morning.
"He called Tenma earlier to say he wanted to practice alone today." Aoi explained.
"I see." Must be one of those days...
This wasn't the first time the younger striker had asked to practice alone. There were quite a few instances during Holy Road, and even their time-traveling days.
They were always unpredictable. Sometimes it was because he was in an aggressive mood, so he'd play alone to not hurt anyone. Sometimes it was because he couldn't bear to be around too many people, so he'd go to some place that's quiet. Sometimes, he simply wanted to lose himself in his thoughts. Recently, the latter has been most of the case.
They all knew why.
He'll be back later. For now, we should―
"Shindou-san." Tenma suddenly called. "Can I ask you to look over Matatagi and Sakura's training?"
"What about you?"
"I'll go talk with the others."
It took everything in him not to facepalm. This boy was just too stubborn sometimes. But... That was also why he acknowledged him as captain. Holding back a sigh, he nodded. "Okay."
Right when we need to be focusing on fighting the world... He looked over the two who were with him. I ought to at least do something about these two, or else this team has no future.
~~~~~
Tsurugi did not enjoy lying.
But he also knew that, to get through life, he does have to lie sometimes.
In this case, he had to, else his senior would without a doubt blow up on him for practicing with their amateur goalkeeper.
In all honesty, Ibuki wasn't all that hard to score against, but the fact that someone was in goal at all was definitely more challenging than him scoring goals all by himself. And the white haired boy was serious about practice. The arrangement was beneficial to them both.
Afternoon came by in a flash. Scoring what may be his hundredth-something goal, he nodded to himself. "That's it for today―"
"Not yet!" The other boy cut off, standing back up. "I'm not satisfied yet! Come on!"
You're at your limit. He wanted to say, but―
"You're the only one on this team with the most powerful shoot, right? It's not practice if I'm not stopping the strongest shoot we have!"
That spirit sure is something. "Okay then. I won't hold back."
"Just how I want it!"
The look the goalkeeper had easily told him he was thinking of Shindou underestimating him. His heart wasn't in the right place, but at the moment, Tsurugi was just grateful he wanted to practice at all.
~~~~~
After breakfast the next morning, the four from Raimon were surprised that the other eight were all on the pitch.
"Why?! Tenma, what did you say to them?" Aoi asked excitedly.
However, for once, Tenma didn't share it. "I wrote everyone an email, telling them that we're deciding who can drop out of the team."
Their jaws dropped at that.
"You made that up to get everyone to come here, right?" Even though he asked, Tsurugi himself couldn't believe it. Tenma didn't enjoy lying either.
And he was right.
"It's what the coach told me to do."
It was much worse... or better? He couldn't tell.
"You're all here." Their coach came and greeted them. "In that case, we will now begin the withdrawal exam for Inazuma Japan. If you pass, I will allow you to withdraw from the team. Of course, I will also fulfill the terms of your contract."
"Coach, are you serious?!"
He couldn't tell if his senior was excited or not. If he was, the shock drowned it out.
"But can you imagine this? Once this exam is over, not one of you will desire to leave this team."
... What the hell is that supposed to mean?! He bit back his tongue before the words could come out, but he was genuinely sympathetic to Shindou. This man was incredibly frustrating.
He continued to explain that the exam would be a PK match. Those participating had to miss five goals to pass the exam. To make things even easier, there wouldn't even be a goalkeeper for it.
"A penalty kick match without a goalkeeper?"
"What? That's way too easy."
"It would be almost impossible to fail."
"Do you think it is easy?"
"Isn't it?" Manabe asked the coach back.
He got a devious grin in response. "Let me inform you all of one thing before we proceed. If you are unable to pass this apparently easy exam, you must undergo standard training for Inazuma Japan. Of course, those who wish to stay in Inazuma Japan do not need to take the exam. Think for yourselves and act accordingly. The exam will be held 30 minutes from now, at Seaside Stadium. That is all."
~~~~~
After that, they all headed for the stadium and met up in the lounge area to discuss it. Needless to say, they were all confused by the turn of events, but for the first time, Shindou was willing to welcome one of the coach's ideas.
"This is a good opportunity for the team. You guys didn't come here for soccer. Inazuma Japan doesn't need members like you. Take the exam and then get out of here."
No one but Ibuki reacted to his words, but it was Tenma who stepped up to talk to him.
"Shindou-san. If we all work hard at training and face soccer head on, I'm sure that everyone will see how fun soccer is too!"
Tsurugi held back a sigh. As much as we all love that side of you, Tenma, that really isn't the issue here...
"I'm taking the exam."
"Tetsukado..."
The tanned boy stood up and gave them a look. "I'm fine with being tossed out. I'll get to buy a ship out of it. It's like a dream come true." He walked past the brunette and went up to Shindou. "Like you said, I have no interest in soccer... or any sport, for that matter."
Oh? Not even boxing? Tsurugi found himself staring at his back profile. Three lies in just over 24 hours, huh?
"You'll be happier without me around, wouldn't you?"
Shindou looked away without saying anything.
"I've heard that you want to replace your father's fishing boat after he lost his old one in a storm." Minaho suddenly spoke up. "Do you think that by fulfilling that wish, you'll make yourself feel better?"
Make himself feel better? This was starting to sound familiar.
"Tetsukado!" Tenma called to him once again. "You've been chosen as a representative. Let's aim to be the best in the world together. we won the match against Korea as a team, didn't we?"
"I don't have time to play ball-kicking with you guys!" He snapped back. "You can use anyone out there as a better replacement. Go with them to be the best in the world or whatever."
"But..."
"I'll take the exam as well. If it will fulfill my contract, I have no reason to stay here."
"Manabe..."
"You do make a point." Minaho said. "In that case, captain, I'm taking the exam too."
"Me too." Kusaka yawned without a care in the world. "Sorry, but all this soccer and world tournament business just isn't me."
"I will too." Sakura piped in. "I got a glimpse of what fun soccer is through you, captain... But I'm really sorry. I want to flourish in rhythmic gymnastics!"
"Not you too..."
"I'm staying."
"Ibuki!"
"I don't care about soccer, but I won't stand for leaving here underestimated."
Shindou didn't bother returning the white haired boy's glare.
"I'll stay too." Matatagi said. "My brothers are happy that I'm here, and I want to try working at it a little more."
"Thank goodness." Tenma directed his smile to the small girl standing beside him. "You'll stay too, right?"
"I..." She looked down. "I'll take the exam too."
"Konoha..."
"I'm no use to anybody."
Hearing their reasons one by one was a little more interesting than he'd like to admit, but because they were all leaving, there was little to no reason to why he should care. So Tsurugi didn't bother to spare any more thoughts on them as he changed into their uniforms like they were asked to. Even the five who wouldn't participate were still required to witness the day's events. Well, not that they needed to be told to. Even without the coach's orders, they would've all still came just to see what his words from earlier really meant.
But then, he saw their captain with his head low, heading back to the lounge area. He followed him in, finding Ibuki, Matatagi, and Aoi standing around him.
"How..." The brunette muttered. "How do I get everyone to stay?"
Of course that's what he's thinking about. He held back a sigh. "Leave them." His head snapped up in surprise as he continued. "They were forced into playing soccer because they were bound by contract. The fact that even two stuck around is what I'm most surprised about."
"But..."
"I think Tsurugi is right." Matatagi stated. "I understand you're thinking hard about what's best for the team, but there are boundaries that some people don't want others to cross. Just leave them alone."
"But I..."
"You probably wouldn't understand, captain."
?
"Huh?"
"But maybe ignorance is bliss."
"What do you mean?"
The runner gave him a smile. "It's almost time. We should go."
"Okay..."
Amber eyes narrowed slightly. He knew he wasn't mistaken. It was only for a brief moment, but the boy's tone did change. But then, he was back to normal.
A hidden dark side, is it? Well, if he really did have one, he still wasn't in any position to push. One mystery at a time. First up, the coach's intentions with this PK match.
~~~~~
Despite all they've told him, Tenma still wanted to try one last time. But to no one's surprise, he was turned down. Dejected, he led the rest of them to the pitch.
Their jaws dropped at the sight.
There were spectators, and even TV cameras, up in the audience's seats. The whole stadium was filled to the brim with people from all over the Odaiba area.
"Shindou-san!" Tenma called out to their senior, who had arrived much earlier than the rest of them had. "What is this?"
"Coach Kuroiwa was the one who assembled these spectators and news reporters." He explained. "He wants to showcase to them Inazuma Japan's present condition."
Tsurugi grunted. "I guess winning the Korea match left an impression."
The audience seemed to cheer even louder when their coach came in. He signaled for them to gather at the center of the pitch and line up, so they did.
Mizukawa handed him a microphone before he started speaking. "Here, on this special occasion, I would like all of you to observe the magnificent shoots of Inazuma Japan's elite. Of course, it is only a light warm up, but please use this as the opportunity to remember these players' faces. And then, in the times that lay ahead, please remember how they looked to you at this very moment. They are, after all, the pride of Japan!"
The five of them who wouldn't be taking the exam stepped back to line up with Aoi, who had the whistle. The other six stood in front of their coach and the other manager, who would be in charge of the balls.
"I see. So that's it." Minaho stated.
"What's it?" Sakura asked.
"He means that there is no way we can miss an open goal PK match in front of such a huge audience." Manabe explained.
"This is a particularly fatal blow for you, Nozaki-san, since you're aiming for the Olympics." The orange haired boy continued. "If you show yourself failing here, it will be a stain on your career."
"Then... this is what the coach had in mind all along...?"
When Mizukawa asked for a volunteer to step up, Tetsukado did, saying he had nothing to lose.
"First up is defender Tetsukado Shin." Mizukawa introduced through the mic.
He did what he was supposed to. Miss.
The first time, it went over the bleaches.
The second time, it hit the steel wall behind the goal.
"He looks like he's in a lot of pain..." Aoi muttered.
"Tetsukado..."
The third time was the same as the second, just a little higher.
The fourth went over the audience too.
"Tetsukado... Why...?"
"... But he's got a pretty powerful kick." Tsurugi ignored the surprised looks his two first-year friends gave him.
They then turned back to the field, keeping their eyes on the ex-boxer. And it looked like the crowd was also getting restless. They called out his name, cheering for him, saying he could definitely do better. Tetsukado had wide eyes as his gaze went all over the stadium.
"Last shot." As much as he didn't want to admit it after deciding he wouldn't care for them anymore, Tsurugi did want to see the ball go in. And with how the ex-boxer was looking back to Tenma...
He kicked the last ball straight into the goal.
"Tetsukado!" Tenma cheered.
"It went in!" Aoi joined in before remembering that she was supposed to blow the whistle.
And the crowd's cheers multiplied tenfold.
A smile made its way to his lips. "Nice shot." Maybe someday, he could turn into a libero.
And the rest followed suit. Kusaka, Manabe, Minaho, and Sakura all scored a goal on their first ball.
"Thank you, Tetsukado!" Tenma said, walking up to him. "You making the goal motivated everyone else to join you!"
"Wha― It was nothing like that!" He quickly turned away. "Now that I can't buy my dad's boat through boxing, I'll just have to make that dream come true through soccer. That's all!"
'Can't', you say?
"Tetsukado..."
"Damn, you made me remember what Tetsu-san once told me."
"Tetsu-san?"
"He's my mentor in boxing."
That made Tenma smile again. If it was an inspirational figure, then that was definitely a compliment.
"Our sixth contender is defender Morimura Konoha." Mizukawa's voice brought them back to the event.
Their smallest member stood in front of the goal, ball in hand. She shakily placed it on the line and took a step back. Just as she was about to kick it, she wobbled and apparently made a misstep, flinging the ball upwards.
Aoi frowned. "Ah... She missed..."
The ball landed beside the goal area and spun. And then, it curved into the goal.
They all felt their jaws drop.
"Whoa..."
Aoi immediately ran to congratulate the girl.
"Did you enjoy our little spectacle, everyone?" Their coach stepped back up with his mic. "They still have much room for improvement, but surely, they will not forget the sincere support you have shown us today, and will work to improve themselves everyday. The support of our fans gives our members absolute strength. Please continue to support Inazuma Japan from now on."
The cheers grew louder and louder, and they continued to ring in their ears even as they left the stadium. After lunch, their training began.
"Manabe, Minaho, we're not done yet."
"This training menu is too hard for me! It isn't rational at all."
Or at least, for the most part.
"You promised the coach that if you didn't pass the withdrawal exam, you'd go through with standard training, remember?"
"Yes, but..."
"If I knew it would be like this, maybe I should have quit after all."
"We're going to do running dribbling drills next!"
"EHHH?!"
"I need at least 30 more minutes to recover."
"That's too long for a break..."
"You three! Train seriously!"
Aoi was doing her best as manager to keep the rest of them in line. There was no doubt that this kind of conversation would happen a lot now that they were permanently there, but it was fine in its own way.
Because now, they were a real team.