Shirabe POV
When I walked to class I heard footsteps and stopped. Then hid. When the footstep passed I let out a sigh.
"Safe..."
Then when I continue walking...
"Ow!"
???: "Ah!"
I ran into someone and the two of us fell to the floor.
???: "Sorry! Wait..."
"It's okay... huh?"
I opened my eyes to see Shindou.
Shindou: "Ah you're... Shirabe-san, right?"
"Ah.... yes."
Shindou held out his hand and I grabbed it and he helped me up.
"It seems we keep bumping into each other, hehe."
Shindou: "Yes... ah, right I didn't introduce myself. My name is Shindou Takuto, nice to meet you again."
I already knew your name though.
I kept my smile on my face.
"Nice to meet you, Shindou-san."
Shindou: "Ah, your ribbon..."
"Eh?"
Shindou: "You're a second-year?"
"Huh? Oh! Yes I am. Does that surprise you?"
Shindou: "Well a little, since I've never seen you around before."
"Ah... I just transferred this year, hehe."
Shindou: "Transferred as a second-year?"
"Yup! Anyway, Shindou-san see you around I've got to go to class now. Bye!"
Shindou: "Ah... bye!"
As soon as I got far enough I turned back.
He's not going to morning practice huh.
"How unfortunate."
Then after class...
Class is boring... I've already learned everything in it.
Tenma: "Are you really going to quit?"
"Eh?"
I turned to the open door to the rooftop. Then I peeked behind the door to find Sangoku-senpai, Kirino, Shindou, Nishizono, and Matsukaze there.
Shinsuke: "Please don't!"
Tenma: "We watched the video for last year's finals. Otonashi-sensei told us that it was a real game. God's Baton and Fortissimo were so cool!"
Shindou: "...That's enough."
Kirino and Sangoku: !
Tenma: "If we work with Coach Endou, I just know that we'll get to play real soccer just like how you did in the finals!"
I tighten my fist.
....Hypocrite!
Then I start walking away.
...Hypocrite.Hypocrite.Hypocrite.Hypocrite!
I stomped my foot on the ground.
*pant pant*
"What does he know?!"
Mirai POV
I was with the managers.
Akane: *sigh* "Shin-sama is quitting?"
Hayami: *sigh* "I knew it. I guess it's fitting, coming from Shindou-kun."
Midori: "You're so depressing!"
Hayami: "Ah! Don't scare me like that!"
Midori: "And you call yourselves the Raimon Eleven?!"
Hamano: "A black mark wouldn't look good on his student record."
Kurama: "Exactly. Holy Road is coming, too."
Hamano: "Hey, maybe if we behave real good, we can have a normal game like last year's final!"
Kurama: "That was so great..."
Midori: "You guys are serious downers! Is there no "OMG I love soccer!" like the first-years in you?"
Hayami: "Nope."
Midori: "Hayami!"
"Ah! Midori-san please calm down!"
I put my hands up and fan her.
Midori: "But! Aren't you frustrated, Mirai?!"
Kurama: "Why should she be?"
"... I am."
Kurama, Hamano, and Hayami: "Eh?!"
Hamano: "Why?"
"... Why? Why did all of you join the soccer club for?"
Kurama: "Cause it looks good on our student records duh."
Midori: "Why you!"
Akane: "Midori-chan, no violence."
"... That might be true in the beginning. But now?"
Hamano, Hayami, and Kurama looked at each other.
Hamano: "We still feel the same, why?"
"Is that really true?"
Kurama, Hamano, and Hayami: !
Aoi: "Mirai-chan..."
"To me..."
I put my hands together on my chest.
"Everyone of you... look so serious about soccer. If it was just for your student record you wouldn't look like that. Plus..."
I look back at them.
"You said yourself right? A real game, was so much fun."
Everyone: ...
"... Ah! Am I speaking out of line? I-I'm sorry-"
Midori: "No you weren't Mirai."
"Eh?"
Midori-san came up to me with a smile.
Midori: "Your words make a big punch!"
Midori patted me on the shoulder with a big smile.
"Ah... Thank you very much..."
I turn back to them.
"So... it frustrates me. It's like all of you are lying to yourselves to make it hurt less... when-"
Kurama: "Just stop."
"Eh?"
Kurama-senpai got up and started leaving. With Hamano and Hayami soon following him.
Midori: "What's up with them?"
"... Senpai..."
It's like you're lying to yourselves to make it less painful. Less painful when you're on the field. Less painful when you truly want to play for real.
Shirabe POV
I was currently walking home after calming down.
I can't believe I got out of control like that...
*sigh* "...Eh?"
When I looked up I saw a familiar figure.
Shindou-san?
He was in his soccer uniform and heading this way.
Shindou: "Oh... Shirabe-san."
"We met again. Are you off to somewhere?"
Shindou: "Ah... yes."
Hm... he's in his soccer uniform. Is he planning to play somewhere when he just quit the soccer club?
"Are you going to play soccer?"
Shindou: "Ah... well..."
"Do you mind if I watch?"
Shindou: "Eh? No but... it wouldn't bother you?"
"Not at all. So is it okay?"
Shindou: "Ah okay..."
Together the two walked to the riverbank.
Shindou: "Why?"
"Hm?"
Shindou: "Why do you want to watch me play soccer?"
"Ah.. to tell you the truth I'm a little interested in soccer..."
Shindou: "You are?"
"Is it surprising? Hehe."
Shindou: "Ah, I'm sorry..."
"No it's okay, um... well I'm sorry I didn't say anything but I often watched you in matches."
Shindou: "My matches?"
"Mhm. I saw the one against Eito too."
Shindou: !
Shindou went silent and looked down.
"... It was cool."
Shindou: "Eh?"
"That shoot you made. It might be just me but... I felt a lot of emotion go into that kick."
Shindou: "You felt it?"
I nodded and smiled.
"Shindou-san you really like soccer don't you?"
Shindou: "Huh?"
"I can kind of tell. Your friends seemed really worried about you during the end of the match."
Shindou: "Ah, that..."
"I'm sorry if I'm being a little noisy but... I think you take too much responsibility."
Shindou: "Too much... responsibility?"
"Soccer's a team sport right? So, you should rely more on your teammates and friends. And when you do..."
I stopped walking and smiled at him.
"I think you'll be able to see real smiles from them. And your own smile."
Shindou: "My... smile?"
"Hehe, did that sound weird?"
Shindou: "Well..."
"Shindou-san, you look better with a smile. Even if with tears. So don't forget okay?"
Then I started leaving.
Shindou: "Eh, I thought you were going to watch..."
"I just remembered I have something important to do. Sorry! See you at school Shindou-san!"
I waved and started running back home.
... Smile, heh I say that but I'm not showing my real smile either. Nor my real self to him. All well, I did all of this so he can grow his avatar..... That's right I only did this to get results.