The bond between Sumire and Shuuya traces back to a time long ago, when they first crossed paths during a casual neighbourhood gathering.
As their parents gently nudged them to exchange a handshake, an undeniable connection sparked between them, making it seem as though they were destined to be together.
Shuuya couldn't help but be captivated by Sumire's radiant smile, which exuded warmth and joy, creating an atmosphere of pure bliss between them. With their hands intertwined, they embarked on a carefree adventure, exploring the nooks and crannies of their neighbourhood while the adults looked on with amusement and delight.
This cherished memory of their innocent beginnings served as a testament to the enduring bond that Sumire and Shuuya shared, a bond that transcended time and space, solidifying their unbreakable connection as they navigated through life's journey together.
Yet.
Not all the stories have a happy ending.
Shuuya, for some inexplicable reason, was never able to witness the effervescent radiance of her smile from the moment they set foot in elementary school. It was as if her smile, though captivating, held an air of artificiality, as if it were forced upon her amidst the presence of numerous individuals. Even in his company, her smile appeared to falter ever so slightly, yet she valiantly endeavoured to maintain her facade until the very end, determined to uphold a certain demeanour.
At first, he thought she simply matured...
Yet it was something else that didn't work there. But what was it? He never gathered courage to ask.
They both had a deep appreciation for many similar things, but one aspect stood out the most in their connection.
Thing that truly bonded them together were their parents' shared vision for their future...
Achieve success in life.
---
3rd person POV:
The Semifinals of the Nationals of Block A concluded the next day, with a decisive victory for Zeus Jr. High over Carribbean Junior High, as the latter forfeited the game after just 10 minutes due to injuries that made it impossible to continue playing.
"Thus, Zeus Junior High will go to the Finals!"
Towering above the crowd, the Mukata triplets commanded a regal presence in the stands, their eyes fixed upon the desolate soccer field that lay before them. From their elevated point, they observed with a mix of curiosity and smugness as the players of Zeus Junior High reluctantly departed the grand stadium.
The triplets, with their impeccable taste and refined sensibilities, couldn't help but feel a sense of superiority as they surveyed the aftermath of the game, their discerning eyes taking in every detail of the ruined field.
"Zeus Junior High, eh?"
"Seems like an interesting team."
Upon hearing the remarks, the triplet with pink hair leaned against the railing and scoffed sarcastically.
"Well, it'll be over in a blink of an eye once they face us."
The man on the left shouted loudly as he responded.
"No one can stop us!"
The other chorused 'Yeah' before he continued
"Kidokawa Seishuu is going to win the top of the Nationals this year!"
The triplet with pink hair firmly held onto his peculiar glasses and responded.
"But there is someone we have to defeat before that."
With an icy chuckle, the present Captain of Kidokawa Seishuu cast a disdainful gaze upon the field below, only to utter in a low voice
"Suzuki Sumire, the treacherous one. "
The other triplet nodded his head
"She believes herself to be superior in every way... and as for Gouenji, he will face the consequences of his actions."
The air suddenly felt cold before their eyes met a familiar, disappearing figure of a brown haired girl. Her cane clicked against the stairs a few rows back as she exited the main stands to the corridors of Stadium.
A fleeting glance passed them, followed by mischievous smiles that slowly spread across their faces.
The grins on their faces quickly vanished as they witnessed soccer club managers approaching Sumire. The sight of their managers interacting with Sumire seemed to enrage them, as it felt like the managers were aligning themselves with the very person they were determined to eliminate.
However, what truly infuriated them was the realization that despite their numerous efforts to belittle the woman with brown hair, they were unable to tarnish her reputation or diminish her influence. It seemed that no matter what they did, her confidence and authority remained strong and unwavering.
Hitori Shina and Nanami Akame had an intense disdain for the Mukata triplets, a feeling that grew stronger with each passing day.
Despite the triplets' best efforts to understand the situation, they were unable to comprehend why the two girls harboured such strong animosity towards them.
Questions plagued their minds, such as why ex-captain required a cane to walk and why she had been conspicuously absent from the finals the previous year?
This perplexing matter constantly occupied their thoughts, and as time went on, their anger grew exponentially, eventually overpowering their ability to think logically and rationally.
In the end, it is easier to blame someone else
---
3rd person POV:
Sumire's foul mood was evident, although her stoic and serene expression concealed it well. However, there was an enigmatic quality hidden beneath her calm facade.
Currently, she is burdened with numerous responsibilities, not only dealing with her demanding mother, who constantly nags her about success and tasks she wants her to accomplish, but also managing the challenges posed by Kidokawa Seishuu.
On top of that, she has to consider the implications of Zeus Junior High and the potential disruptions that Kageyama might cause in the Soccer World.
The weight of all these obligations is overwhelming, and for the first time in a while, she feels an intense migraine building up, as if her head is on the verge of exploding.
Moreover her birthday is tomorrow. It's not the happiest time of her life, but having friends around all day long is pretty fun.
Nanami and Hitori graced her with their presence, and Sumire was pleasantly reminded of their delightful sense of humour that never fails to bring joy to any gathering.
Girls' time together at Kidokawa Seishuu was filled with laughter and unforgettable moments, creating cherished memories that will be treasured for a lifetime.
"I hate them."
With a straightforward tone, Hitori remarked while playfully poking her ice cream using a plastic spoon, eventually swirling it around inside the paper bowl.
Nanami vigorously nodded in agreement
"Honestly, their characters are just awful!"
A soft laughter escaped my lips as I reclined in my seat, savouring the exquisite tea as I observed the elegant surroundings of the charming cafe we were sitting in.
"You two think so?"
Nanami shook her head disapprovingly at my statement.
"It's not just us. All the second years on the Soccer team can't stand them. It's only the first years who can't decide who to trust."
As I absentmindedly nodded, I glanced at the clock and realized how much time had passed, making me almost forget my tasks at hand.
"Oh dear, look at the time. I lost track of it."
Hitori and Nanami appeared to grasp the additional tasks I needed to complete, prompting us to recap efficiently all the details before making our way towards the exit.
As we were about to go our separate ways, they both called out to me, requesting that I wait for a moment, I turn a bit to the side tapping the top of my cane in wonder.
"What is it?"
The girl with pink locks gracefully extended her slender arm towards the bag that elegantly rested on her shoulder.
With a gentle touch, she retrieved a petite violet box adorned with a pristine white ribbon that exuded an air of sophistication and charm.
Nestled within the confines of this dainty box lay a treasure, a token of affection crafted with utmost care and devotion.
It whispered promises of love and tenderness, a sentiment encapsulated in the words.
"Special something for special someone."
Nanami's hand gently placed the object into mine, causing me to blink in surprise. As I processed the gesture, Hitori moved closer to stand beside me, creating a sense of intimacy and closeness between us.
The simple question, "For me?" escaped my lips as I tried to comprehend the significance of the gift or item that Nanami had given me. The moment was filled with a mix of emotions, curiosity, and gratitude as I looked at the object in my hand.
Hitori noticed my struggle as I attempted to open the box with only one free hand, the other occupied by my cane, and immediately came to my aid by assisting me with untying the ribbon.
Upon finally opening the box, I couldn't help but let out a soft gasp at the stunning jewellery that lay inside.
A magnificent gold ring adorned with a dazzling violet gem nestled at its centre, exuding an aura of regal elegance and sophistication. The exquisite craftsmanship of this piece of jewellery transforms it into a miniature crown fit for royalty, gracing my finger with a touch of opulence and luxury.
The vibrant hue of the gemstone captures the light in a mesmerizing dance, casting a spellbinding glow that enchants all who gaze upon it.
This ring is not merely an accessory but a statement of refined taste and unparalleled beauty, a true masterpiece.
"I can't accept thi-"
"You can, and you will!"
Girls exclaimed together, slowly pushing it on my finger.
It fits perfectly.
"We know it is tomorrow, but I'm sure you will be busy. The colour is especially true for your name, Sumire."
Sumire means violet.
---
Back at Raimon's soccer club.
Endou sighed
"Of all teams, our semi-finals had to be
with Kidokawa Seishuu, eh..."
He contemplated while Gouenji was fastening his shoelaces.
"If I had to change schools,join a different team
and fight Raimon.. I wouldn't like it either."
Someoka remarked as Gouenji finished tying up his shoelaces
"It doesn't matter where my opponent comes from."
The platinum haired male stood up.
"Soccer is soccer."
In addition, he was conscious of the fact that Sumire was currently under a lot of pressure, and she was certainly experiencing some discomfort.
Similar to him, her explanation of the rumours ignited a sense of anger within him.
However, his frustration did not stem from the rumours surrounding him, but rather from the rumours surrounding Sumire, as she did not have the same freedom of choice during that period.
He had a choice... and he ran away.
"Yeah, soccer is soccer."
Endou exclaimed and ran after him.
---
3rd person POV:
"All right! Use direct kicks and shoot from the back! Let's go!"
Kidou commanded his teammates and delivered the ball to Ichinose. Domon attempted to intercept, but Ichinose executed a long pass to Someoka.
Endou moved to block the ball, believing Ichinose was going for a shot.
'Crap, Someoka is.. Darn it."
Employing his hand, he executed a backflip before swiftly moving forward to intercept the shot from the pink-haired forward. Although he managed to graze the ball, it still found its way into the goal.
The ball rebounded, and Ichinose skillfully trapped it.
"Okay! Nice shoot!"
He complimented
"And that direct right now was right on target!"
Someoka exclaimed.
"Ichinose's ball control is sure amazing, after all."
Domon remarked, and the said boy two-finger saluted at him while saying thank you.
"All right! Let's keep improving like this!"
They carried on with their ball kicking at Endou.
"That's great."
Aki said in relilef.
"Ichinose-san's fitting in so quickly."
Haruna stated.
"That's because they all learn to understand each other through soccer. When their passes connect, their feelings connect too."
Natsumi brought the practice to a stop as she strolled onto the field, phone in hand, concluding her conversation with the person on the other end by saying,
"Certainly, Sumire-san, I will inform them."
Lowering her phone, she couldn't help but smile a little before confronting them.
"The winner of Block A is... Zeus Junior High."
Kidou stood with his arms crossed, wearing a pensive look, while Endou began to speak.
"Kidou, you're going to fight Zeus Junior High again, right? We can't lose the semi-finals no matter what."
"Yeah, of course."
Endou celebrated enthusiastically as the rest of the team followed suit with their own cheers.
Right before they were about to leave, Natsumi instructed Kidou, Endou, and Gouenji to pause.
"Hm?"
"You three, go on a walk to the Inazuma City, near the park."
They shared a quick look with each other.
Indicating her phone, she shrugged with a pensive expression, echoing Sumire-san's words about a strategic meeting.
"Strategic meeting."
The trio made their way to the park, where they encountered a brown-haired woman absentmindedly tapping her cane against the ground while gazing up at a tree.
Once they approached her, it became apparent that she was observing a squirrel in the tree.
The little animal seemed so intriguing and cute to her.
Squirrels have a keen sense of balance and are adept at climbing trees and navigating through complex environments, known for their bushy tails, sharp claws, and sharp incisor teeth.
(Do y'all see the similiarity in this scene and one in OG inazuma?)
Gouenji's tap on her shoulder brought her back to reality in an instant.
Sumire POV:
After catching a glimpse of them, I signalled them to come with me by gesturing with my hand. I'm sure Shuuya noticed the ring but chose to stay silent for now.
"Let's go over a few things."
We found ourselves at the playground, where I settled comfortably under the shade of a majestic tree. Opening my notebook, I elegantly perused through its pages with a sense of purpose and determination.
Gathering valuable information came naturally to me, despite Nanami and Hitori's persistent offers to assist me, which I gracefully declined multiple times, emphasizing that we were adversaries and they should not intervene.
Despite my warnings, they paid little heed, leading me to uncover crucial Intel regarding the fragile nature of Kidokawa Seishuu teamwork.
It should be noted that I did not explicitly articulate that to them.
---
Sumire POV:
During the meeting, Gouenji remained silent, catching the attention of Kidou and Endou. In response, Endou flashed a smile and abruptly announced that we would be taking a break before swiftly making his way out.
This left us standing there, momentarily stunned, until we eventually decided to follow suit.
"A sweets store?"
Kidou questioned, quietly.
"What, you've never been here?"
Endou asked the three.
"Yeah.."
The two males muttered, staring at him. I shaked my head as a no too.
"Ma'am, good afternoon!"
Endou greeted as he entered the store, leaving us at the doorstep
"Oh, it's the soccer boy, Welcome!"
The owner exclaimed cheerfully.
"What should I get?"
Endou asked himself as he looked
around the store.
"Plum jam? The milkrice crackers look good, too."
He muttered
"Endou-chan, it's finally the semi-finals! Good luck!"
The little girl said, and Endou thanked her.
"By the way, l recommend the dried kelp'
A small boy suggested to him
"So they still have places like this in Inazuma Town."
Kidou looked at Shuuya as he said this
"Yeah. lt's my first time here, too."
The platinum haired male replied.
After realizing that I had been standing for too long and stumbled a bit, Shuuya Kidou and I decided to take a break and headed towards the bench in front of the shop.
As we reached the bench, Shuuya went to the nearby vending machine to buy a drink while I and Kidou sat down, placing my cane against the wall for support.
"A sweet store, eh? Just like a child."
Kidou uttered, which caused a sound of surprise and confusion to leave Shuuya's lips.
"Pure-hearted, straightforward... That's
probably why he can be such a soccer freak."
The goggled boy remarked, and the platinum haired male agreed.
"Yeah, soccer freak is the best word to describe him."
I mused
Kidou and Shuuya were engrossed in their conversation, completely oblivious to the entrance of three individuals into the store. The Mukata triplets had arrived unnoticed.
Why are they here?
"Move it!"
We heard a male voice demand from inside
the store.
"You can't cut lines!"
A child retorted. The three of us had guarded expressions.
"You guys, stay in line!"
Endou told the newcomers. That's when Shuuya and Kidiou became alarmed.
Without saying a word, I rose from my seat using my cane and made my way to the store entrance as soon as I heard the commotion.
"Bad kids, bad kids!"
The children chorused.
"Shut up!"
One of them said.
I attempted to get their attention by calling out to them, as they seemed unaware of our arrival.
"Is there an issue, Mukata-kun?"
I inquired, trying to address the situation.
Facing them didn't necessarily scare me, as my fear was not directed towards them. Instead, I felt guilty for the Soccer team members who put in hard work for the Football Frontier, as well as my female friends who experienced discrimination based on their gender.
The current captain of the Kidokawa Seishuu soccer team noticed me and couldn't resist tauntingly addressing me.
"Long time no see, Captain."
He spoke to me in a derisive manner before shifting his gaze towards Shuuya.
"You, the one who fled from the Finals, the loner. Quite the duo you both make."
"Who're they? Do you know them?"
Endou asked
"We're..."
They exclaimed all together.
"Mukata Masaru"
The purple haired one said.
"Tomo!"
The pink haired one followed
"Tsutomu!"
Lastly, the green haired one said
"The three of us make the Mukata triplets!"
They posed in a triangle formation. The old lady, who is the owner, fell down in shock.
"W-Who are these guys?"
Endou turned to us, the ones outside.
"They're the ones who played in place of Gouenji and Suzuki-san last year in the finals, the 3-top of Kidokawa Seishuu."
Kidou stated.
"Then they're your former teammates?"
The brunette queried, his eyes trailing between Shuuya and I.
"They are."
I answered bluntly, watching Shuuya uneasily shifting in place.
"As expected of Kidou Yuuto. Looks like you've got all the information on your potential opponents."
Masaru said. Kidou smirked.
"I only remembered it because it's unusual to see three forwards."
This irked the triplets immediately.
"What? Don't you know how much we've done this year. We've proved that we can win without Gouenji and the overconfident Captain."
Tsutomu said, as I gazed upon the scene, I could discern the radiant gleam of Kidou's goggles, a testament to his unwavering confidence, while he stood gallantly, beside Shuuya and myself.
"Regrettably, I did not invest much effort in acquiring information on anyone other than Suzuki. On rare occasions, I deemed it necessary to keep an eye on Gouenji. The rest of the Kidokawa Seishuu players did not pose any threat in my eyes. My apologies for you having to discover this in such a manner."
My eyes fluttered elegantly as I observed Mukata's triplets' response.
They were enraged.
Utterly enraged.
After they finally snapped, their eyes showed almost murderous fatigue.
"We've come to make a proclamation."
Tomo added
"We are going to take down Suzuki Sumire and Gouenji Shuuya!"
They posed in a triangle again. This proclamation made the said platinum haired boy clench his teeth, I let out a cold chuckle.
In this instant, I momentarily overlooked my inability to engage in play, my physical ailment, and the need for a walking aid to maintain my balance.
"Are you certain that you possess the skills to defeat me?"
The triplets and all the esteemed Raimon players were taken aback by my unexpected prowess. Even the usually composed Shuuya remained silent throughout the entire Overdeal, unable to comprehend the sudden cold tone.
"Yeah, of course we do! Last year in the
Football Frontier, you could say Kidokawa Selishuu won up to the finals thanks to your skills and Gouenji's."
"It's true that you both had a lot of good skills. Because of that, we triplets weren't even brought out to play!"
Tsutomu called.
"lt was frustrating, but that was reality. That's why we had left our dreams in your hands, like yeah."
Masaru stated.
"We thought we'd definitely get the championship as long as Suzuki was leading the team. But.. But you."
Tomo trailed off
"You never showed up on the day of the finals!"
All three of them yelled at me before turning to Gouenji
"And you ran away like a coward!"
Shuuya gritted his teeth in frustration, visibly disturbed.
"Wait, no. Suzuki-san was..."
Endou tried to defend his friend and teammate.
"You betrayed our dream!"
Tomo shouted, and Masaru stepped up.
"We thought you were a hero, but apparently you weren't. Did you trip on your way to the stadium and was too ashamed to come?"
I turned my head quickly to face him, taken aback. The nerve... How can he pass judgment when he knows nothing about me yet?
"And Gouenji, you ran away from the pressure of the finals like a coward!"
He yelled.
At this juncture, we began to stir up a disturbance that became overwhelming. I then pivoted to depart, uttering succinctly.
"It's sufficient. Back down."
"That's wrong! Gouenji's and Suzuki-san are not like that! On that day, Gouenji had to go to Suzu-..."
Endou tried to reason but was stopped by the
platinum haired male
"But..."
He tried to protest.
"It's over already. The truth won't change."
Shuuya's had his eyes fixed on the ground.
Masaru took out a soccer ball from a duffel bag.
"Well, since we'e here already, let's do some scouting. We'd like to see Gouenji's abilities. Since appearantly now our "Captain" cannot play, like yeah"
He said, and another triplet chimed in.
"Defend her honor in your place."
Shuuya didn't let that taunt get to him.
"Sorry, but I don't feel up for it."
Gouenji turned them down. He was already turning around to leave with me.
"Oh? Are you going to run away again?"
Masaru taunted. Prior to striking the ball with his leg, I had initially assumed the target was Shuuya, but to my surprise, it veered off course and collided with my cane, causing it to slip from my grasp.
As I stumbled, Shuuya swiftly extended his hand, providing me with support and stability.
"Excuse me, what is the meaning of this?"
Inquired Kidou as he retrieved my cane and handed it back to me with a sense of concern and curiosity.
"You're a coward of cowards!"
Masaru kicked the ball towards Shuuya this time.
Luckily, Endou blocked it with his
palm.
"Damn it, I can't stand this any longer, I'll be your
scout target instead of Gouenji and Suzuki-san!"
Endou declared. The platinum haired male whipped his head around, his eyes widened in surprise at what the brunette said, and so did I follow Shuuya's moves as I thanked Kidou silently with a nod of my head.
"What're you saying?"
Tomo asked.
"I totally don't get what you mean, like yeah."
Masaru said
"lf you're strikers, dont you want to know what kind of goalkeeper you're going up against?"
Endou fired back.
"Well, that's true."
"lf you're better than Gouenji or Suzuki-san, then prove that you can get a goal past me!"
The head band wearing boy exclaimed.
I quickly shook my head in response.
"Endou, please don't be foolish."
I said firmly, but he didn't back down and looked back over his shoulder at me with his signature smile.
"I won't let that slide."
._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._
A/N:
There it is! A lot happened in this chapter, and we will have a face -off next one.
The gift Sumire received will have significance in the future chapter (maybe even books 😉).
To clarify, it is definitely a resemblance to the chess match Sumire and Kidou played and the words she spoke.
And she doesn't fear facing triplets, but the players she played with.
Either way, thank you all for everything!
-♡