Kimiko couldn't stop thinking about the things that happened yesterday. Both Tsurugi and Taiyou took up a part of her mind and her heart. She found herself worrying about both of them. She spent the whole bus ride to the stadium sorting out her thoughts.
At one point she even started to wonder if she was developing feelings for both of them at the same time. But for now, she decided to think about that matter later - there were more important things to worry about.
She wanted to help Tsurugi from Fifth Sector but at the same time, help his brother heal his legs. She understood his misery and how painful everything must be for him. He was a loving and caring brother who had to make himself look like the enemy to his friends in order to make a scene believable enough for Fifth Sector to trust him and give him the money.
Taiyou on the other hand, lived the same life as Kimiko and somehow, that bonded them. After their recent conversation, Kimiko realised that there must also be something going on between their families. But what exactly?
By the time the bus came to a stop, her thoughts were more jumbled up than before. The team made their way off the bus and to the changing rooms. Kimiko followed behind them with the managers.
"Kimiko, you don't look very good, is everything ok?" Aoi asked worriedly.
"It's nothing" Kimiko said to reassure Aoi even though she knew things were far from ok. For now, the main thing she was worried about was the match. If Tsurugi really did destroy the team, this would be the end of the competition for Raimon.
The managers waited outside the changing rooms as the team slowly made their way out one by one. Kimiko began to followed the team as they made their way to the pitch but someone grabbed her arm, preventing her from leaving.
"Tsurugi?"
"I need your help"
***
"There's the kick-off everyone!" shouted the commentator.
Tsurugi gets the ball, turns to face Raimon's goal and shoots. It rips through the goal, leaving the team, especially Sangoku-san stunned. Kimiko who was sitting at the bench had know it was going to happen but it made her furious nevertheless.
Even after Tsurugi had followed the score order and gave Mannouzaka the lead, they played very rough and injured several of Raimon's players. Tenma was hit several times but he continued playing.
Kimiko could see that Mannouzaka was getting annoyed with Tenma's super enthusiastic and positive attitude.
"Someone like you doesn't deserve to play soccer" the captain of Mannouzaka says as he goes to slide tackle Tenma.
That playing style. They are intending to hurt Tenma.
Seemed like Tsurugi noticed the same thing because he pushed Tenma away just in time to avoid the tackle.
"That was a dangerous play, Isozaki. You could have injured his foot"
"He deserves a permanent injury. He doesn't deserve to kick the ball ever again" the captain replied with a laugh.
This angered Tsurugi because it reminded him of his brother. Because of an injury, his brother could never play soccer again. So, Tsurugi took the ball and scored a goal with his hissatsu technique, Death Sword, tying out his own goal.
Kimiko was surprised. Seems like he's made his decision.
At the end of the first half, Kirino was badly injured and had to sit out for the next half. That was Kimiko's cue to step in.
"Coach, please put me in for the second half"
***
"Tsurugi?"
"I need your help" he said in a rush.
"What for?"
"I'm going to make an own goal in the first half and-"
"Wait, what? An own goal?!"
"This is the only way Fifth Sector will believe I'm on their side. Just hear me out"
"So how do I help?"
"I need you help to take that goal back in the second half. Theres a very likely chance someone will have to sit out because Mannouzaka is known for playing rough, so thats when you join"
"Please. I know it's a lot to ask of you but its the only way to save Raimon too. I don't trust that Tenma and Shindou will be able to make it with the rest of the team that way"
"But you trust that I can do it?"
"I don't know why but I just have this feeling that I can trust you with this"
Kimiko could see he was desperate. For now, there wasn't much of an option but it was going to be risky. Very risky.
"If you trust that I can do it, I won't let you down"
"Thank you, Kimiko" he said with a smile.
Wait, did Tsurugi just call me by my first name!?
***
"Coach, please put me in for the second half"
All eyes were on her.
"Kimiko, you can't do that, your illness could get worse" Haruna protested. That made the team even more surprised because she hadn't told most of the team about her illness.
"Put on a spare uniform and warm up" Endou said.
"Endou-san!"
"Kimiko isn't a reckless girl, I believe she will do fine"
"Thank you Endou-san" she said with a smile and ran to put on a spare uniform.
***
"The second half is starting folks"
"Wait what is this!? Replacing Raimon's injured Kirino Ranmaru is Ichinose Kimiko! What are Coach Endou's intentions for putting in a player with no soccer playing record. How will the flow of the game change with this new player!?"
Kimiko made her way to midfielder's position. This was her first time on an official field and she was excited. However, Raimon's formation was really off for the second half. Kurama-san, Hayami-san, Amagi-san, Kuramada-san and Hamano-san were all standing to the side of the field. They refused to play.
When the whistle blew, Tsurugi stole the ball immediately and made shot, but was blocked by Mannouzaka's goalkeeper who brought out an avatar. The blocked ball was passed to their forward who put Mannouzaka in the lead with their avatar shot, Magician's Box.
With a score of 2-1, the game continues. Mannouzaka continuously shoots at the goal, wearing Snagoku-san down. In the end, they managed to make a two point difference near the end of the second half.
After seeing this, Midori-san stands up. The fact that the rest of the team stood there shamelessly after everything that happened angered Midori.
"Don't any of you feel anything after seeing your teammates working so hard to protect soccer!?" She shouted.
Because of her words, the rest of the team began to feel ashamed for doing nothing while their friends were getting injured as they fought with everything they had.
Tsurugi made one point for Raimon with his avatar shot with the help of his teammates. Shindou wouldn't lose either. He made the tying score with his hissatsu shot, Fortissimo. At last, the ball was passed to Kimiko who made the winning goal with her hissatsu shot, Firebolt.
"With a close score of 4-3, Raimon emerges victorious in their second match in the Holy Road tournament and will be proceeding to the semi-finals!"