Sorry for the wait, guys, I've been really busy! You can thank my friend A (for lack of a better name) for this, she told me to upload XD

Now, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!

~'0'~

Accidental Reverse Arc 2

  ~'0'~  

Tenma is worried.

Something about his childhood friend seems off. Maybe it's the way she won't look at him, or how her hands are tightly holding her skirt, or the way her lip is trembling. He's not completely sure, but something is wrong.

''Aoi?'' he asks carefully, worry creeping into his voice. ''Are you okay?''

The girl's head snaps up and she stares at him incredulously. ''Am I okay?'' she repeats, disbelief clear in her voice. ''Am I- Tenma, I should be asking you that!''

For some reason, she seems really bothered by that fact. The brunet's features are pulled into a confused frown, not knowing why she seems so distressed. ''Aoi, what's wrong? I don't understand what you mean.''

To his complete horror, his friend chokes on what sounds like a sob.

He can count the times he has seen Aoi cry on two hands and still have some fingers left. She might not look like it, but the young manager is one of the toughest people Tenma has ever met. Physically any of Raimon's soccer players could take her, but emotionally she's much stronger than most.

To see her like this, especially when the brunet has no idea what could have reduced her to this state, is shocking. It hurts, seeing his childhood friend like this, looking so scared and desperate.

When she chokes on another sob, he doesn't hesitate anymore and instead slings an arm around her shoulders in a half hug. Usually he wouldn't be so easy with giving physical contact to a girl, but this is Aoi.

She seems to calm down a little and finally looks at him. Fortunately, she doesn't look like she's crying, even though her blue eyes are still lost and shockingly concerned. ''I-'' her voice wavers and she takes a deep breath to calm herself. When she speaks again, her voice is steady. ''I don't know what's wrong with you and I know no one else has noticed it, but Tenma, I've known you for almost five years,'' she tells him, the tightening of her jaw telling him that she won't back down. ''You've changed, too much, and I didn't know how to bring it up before- you still seemed alright, but now... you don't seem to sleep and just now you actually collapsed-''

Her sky blue eyes, so earnest and worried, pin him in place. ''What's wrong with you?'' she asks softly.

Tenma lowers his gaze. Before Aoi can respond in anger, he tries to scramble for an answer. ''I... I'm sorry for worrying you,'' is the first thing he says and the manager relaxes a little now that he is at least answering. ''I hadn't realized that you were so concerned.''

He looks up, grey meeting blue, and sighs. He owes her an explanation, but how can he ever explain something like this?

''I'm just... I don't know what I can say, Aoi. You'd never believe me.''

She reels back as if he slapped her, out of his reach, an insulted and hurt look on her face. ''How can you say that?'' she asks fiercely. ''Out of everyone on the team, I've known you the longest! I've been your friend for years, Tenma! And yet you say I won't believe you?!''

Tenma opens his mouth to respond, but instead closes it again and bites on his lower lip, balling his fists. ''I'm just... it's all too much, Aoi. Fifth Sector, this whole mess, I don't even know where to start.''

If he can't tell her the whole truth, he can at least tell her what he's feeling. He owes her that much.

The manager's angry expression melts away for a gentler one, concern filling her gaze once she sees the pained expression on her childhood friend's face.

The brunet sighs and leans back against the wall, massaging his temple at the pounding behind his eyes that still hasn't completed disappeared. ''I know I've been- different,'' he says eventually. ''And... and I know you want to know why, but I can't give a good explanation, one that would make sense. I guess I'm just getting caught up in this all and- and that's all I can really say. I'm worried, about the team, about the Holy Road and especially about Fifth Sector. I... I'm hitting my limit, I suppose.''

Tenma pulls his legs to his chest, wrapping his arms around them, and leans his forehead against his knees. His breath feels warm against his bare skin and for a moment he pretends to shut out the world, as if everything beyond the small ball he's curled up in doesn't exist.

''Tenma...'' Aoi trails off. ''I... I'm sorry, I had no idea...''

The brunet almost laughs at that. ''It's not your fault, Blue,'' he mutters, using an old nickname for her that he always used when they were kids.

Aoi stays silent, probably in surprise. Then suddenly she giggles a bit. ''You haven't called me that since we were ten!'' Tenma turns his face towards her, still leaning his head on his knees, and smiles. ''It's so uncreative!''

The brunet fakes an offended expression. ''As if you're one to talk, you started calling me Smiley because apparently 'I never stopped smiling'!'' he teases back.

The girl blushes. ''Well, it's true!'' she defends herself.

They continue talking after that and Tenma is relieved to see his childhood friend's carefree smile again.

A while later, the calm in the abandoned hallway is broken by footsteps and the two first-years look up when they see someone turn the corner.

Minamisawa stops and blinks when he recognizes the two Raimon students. ''What are you doing here?'' he asks and then squints at Tenma. ''And weren't you put on the bench because you collapsed?'' Again is unspoken yet still heard.

The brunet gives him an uneasy smile. ''It was too loud in the stadium, so we came here because it's silent,'' he explains quickly. ''Has the match finished yet?''

The purple-haired forward nods. ''Congratulations,'' he says and his lips curl upwards in a half-smile, ''Raimon won.''

Aoi and Tenma share an excited look, but then the girl returns her attention to the Gassan Kunimitsu player, an uncertain expression on her face. ''Aren't you... mad? You wanted to win, right?''

Minamisawa shrugs. ''No,'' he says. ''You guys deserved it. Besides...'' he looks towards the ceiling, lost in thought, a gentle half-smile on his face, ''I finally get what Raimon means with 'their soccer'. It took me a long time, but I finally understand what you guys were trying to do.''

''That's great!'' Aoi shoots him a bright smile, standing up and dusting off her skirt. Then her smile drops off her face. ''Wait... if the match already ended...'' her eyes widen. ''Oh shoot!''

Tenma tilts his head. ''Blue, what's wrong?''

His friend shoots him an amused look at the nickname. ''I was supposed to help Midori-senpai and Akane-senpai...''

''The match only ended a few minutes ago and my team left before Raimon did,'' says Minamisawa. ''They're probably still somewhere around here.''

Aoi gives him a grateful smile. ''That's great. Thanks, Minamisawa-senpai.'' She turns to Tenma to say goodbye and the brunet stands up. He immediately grabs his head and sways dangerously, and if it wasn't for Minamisawa grabbing his shoulder, he probably would've fallen again. Aoi's expression turns to one of concern. ''Are you okay?''

He waves her concerns away. ''The headache's not completely gone yet,'' he tells her through gritted teeth. ''I'll be fine, you should find Akane-senpai and Midori-senpai.''

She immediately shakes her head. ''I'm not leaving you alone in this state.''

''But you promised,'' protests the brunet, while Aoi sets her jaw, clearly not intending to give up.

''What if I stay with him?'' suggests Minamisawa and the two first-years shoot him surprised looks. ''It's no trouble and you did promise to help those two.''

Aoi hesitates. ''Are you sure?'' when the purple-haired forward nods, she sighs and gives in. ''Alright then. See you tomorrow?''

''Definitely!'' grins Tenma.

The girl shoots him one last worried look and then quickly walks away in search of her fellow managers, leaving the two soccer players alone. Once he's sure Aoi's out of earshot, Minamisawa pins the brunet with a harsh stare. ''I was correct. Your team really doesn't know.''

Tenma looks away.

The older teen sighs and gently pushes against his shoulder. ''Come on, I told Sorano I'd make sure you didn't do something stupid again. You still gotta change, right?'' he himself is already dressed in Gassan Kunimitsu's training suit, a bag slung carelessly over his shoulder.

The brunet looks at him for any sign of lying. When he only detects honesty, he sighs and gives in, starting to make his way towards Raimon's changing room.

At the pace they're going, not too fast so the time traveler won't strain himself too much, it takes a while to reach their destination. The two enter to find it completely empty, with the exception of the brunet's bag.

Minamisawa leans against the wall and takes out his phone, checking his messages, while Tenma quickly walks towards his bag and changes out of his uniform and into Raimon's training suit. After stuffing his shoes into his bag, he slings it over his shoulder and turns to the purple-haired teenager.

The forward looks up and stuffs his phone in his pocket once he notices the brunet is finished. ''You're done? Great, let's go.'' He starts walking away and the midfielder has no choice but to follow him.

They walk through the halls of Cyclone Stadium and soon step outside. Tenma squints against the bright light, his headache increasing a little, and Minamisawa watches him from out of the corner of his eye. ''You good?''

''Yeah, just- just a little overwhelmed,'' mutters the brunet and then turns to face the other fully. ''Thanks for keeping an eye on me, but I really have to go now.''

Minamisawa nods. ''Okay. Where to?''

Tenma stares at him incredulously. ''What?''

The other rolls his eyes. ''You don't seriously think I'm leaving you to walk around on your own after you collapsed twice, do you? Now, where to?''

One look at Minamisawa's face tells them he isn't going to get out of this and he groans.

'Why is it always me?'

  ~'0'~  

''Sooo... who's your friend?''

Tenma shoots Seiji a long-suffering look.

The teen next to him simply nods in greeting. ''Minamisawa Atsushi, forward of Gassan Kunimitsu. Nice to meet you.''

''Aaand what are you doing here?''

Minamisawa nods towards Tenma. ''Making sure he doesn't do something stupid. Again.''

They are sitting in the kitchen of the Shinohara household, all with their own drinks and snacks on the table. After shooting the purple-haired teen another annoyed look, the brunet sighs and focuses on the reason for their meeting.

''Maiko-san, did you figure everything out?''

The brunette nods, smiling. ''Yep! I talked it over with my aunt and uncle – they're both huge soccer fans – and they immediately decided to help us out!'' she tells everyone. ''My uncle said we can turn the pool into a donation center, it'll probably give us some more customers too, and he agreed to be in charge of the money. My aunt, she's a lawyer, will take care of all the legal issues. They'll be here shortly to talk about the details of it all.''

Tenma relaxes at that. One major issue out of the way. ''That's great!'' then he turns to his sister-figure. ''What about you, Aki-nee? Did you get the communication devices?''

The green-haired woman nods and takes a medium-sized box out of her bag. ''Here it is,'' she says, placing it on the table. It's completely white, without anything that could give away the maker. ''I asked him for extras, because once we get more people, they'll need them too.''

She pulls the cover off the box, revealing three separate compartments, all filled with small devices. Despite looking identical at first glance, made of dark blue metal and all smaller than a tennis ball, after taking a second look one would notice that they are certainly different.

Aki takes out one of the devices from the first compartment and shows it to the rest. It's about the size of an egg and looks almost like a hearing aid. It has a small wire that probably goes behind the ear, to keep it in place, with a small earplug at the end of it. ''This is the communicator,'' she explains. ''It has a small microphone so you can hear the others.''

She shows how to put it in, pushing the earplug into her ear while the small wire goes behind her outer ear. ''By pushing it here,'' she pushes at a certain spot on the wire, ''it connects with all of the others. You can also activate it by voice command and then you can connect with only a certain selection of other communicators, instead of all of them. Lastly, it can also be turned on from the main computer in case of emergency.''

Aki then takes out one of the devices in the second compartment. It's even smaller than the communicator, about the size of a ring, and looks like a simple disk. ''This is the hidden camera. You can stick it anywhere – clothes, hair, a bag, doesn't matter, and it will stick and record. Best is to put it somewhere unnoticeable yet at a spot that isn't obscured by something like hair.''

Then she gently grabs one of the devices in the last compartment, which looks like a small, flat square and is smaller than a fingernail. ''Lastly, a chip that we can track from the main computer everything will be linked to. Simply put it somewhere out of sight, on skin, preferably, so that it can't be taken off. It doesn't do much except for tracking your location. Everything else will be handled by the cameras and the communicators.

''They're not working yet, because they first need to be connected to a computer – the main system we'll be using – but after that we will be able to monitor everything.''

She starts handing everyone their own set, hesitating at Minamisawa. The purple-haired boy gives Tenma a long, wary look. The brunet doesn't respond to it immediately, instead focusing on putting the communicator in his ear, and then finally graces the forward with a response. ''We're taking down Fifth Sector.''

Minamisawa's eyes widen slightly but otherwise his expression stays indifferent. ''Are you crazy?'' he asks, looking around the table. He's only met with determined looks. ''You- you're serious about this?''

Tenma nods, no hesitation to be seen anywhere in his expression. ''They need to be stopped and I'm not trusting the Resistance to save us when they're so unprepared for the consequences of making Hibiki-san the Holy Emperor.'' He grabs his bag and pulls out a few sheets of paper. ''Here. Those are all our plans.''

The purple-haired forward narrows his eyes at the show of trust, knowing that if he accepts the papers, he'll promise his silence.

After a moment of hesitation, he grabs them. He raises an eyebrow at the handwritten information but doesn't comment on it, instead focusing on reading it through. It stays silent for a few minutes as everyone waits for his reaction.

Like everyone before him, he becomes more awed with every line he reads. Once he finishes, he stares at Tenma with wide eyes. ''This- this might actually work,'' he mutters, his gaze shooting from the brunet to the papers and back. ''How- you're the one who thought this all out?''

The brunet shrugs. ''The big lines, but the details we worked out together,'' he answers. ''What do you think?''

Minamisawa raises an eyebrow. ''Are you asking me if I'll help you?''

Tenma smiles mysteriously. ''What if I am?''

''You do realize I was convinced of Fifth Sector's righteousness until barely an hour ago, right?''

The time traveler shrugs and leans back in his seat. While never really growing close to the forward in the future, he's been around Minamisawa enough to know that, despite his ego, he has his heart in the right place.

''I do,'' he responds, not hesitating with his words. ''It might not be logical but I trust you and I think you'll be of great help if you do decide to join us. Besides, who would ever suspect you of being part of all... this?'' he gestures to the group sitting around the table.

The Gassan Kunimitsu player stays silent for a long, long while, a frown decorating his features.

Eventually he sighs, closing his eyes and leaning his forehead against the palm of his hand. ''I don't know, Matsukaze. This is risky. I don't know if I want to be part of this.''

Tenma is not surprised, even though he can't help but be a little disappointed. ''I suppose I understand,'' he mutters. ''It is risking a lot, but I think it's worth it.'' He straightens and Minamisawa looks up. ''Could you at least promise not to tell anyone about this?''

The purple-haired boy thinks it over for a moment, sharp maroon eyes locking onto grey, and then nods. ''That's no problem.''

The time traveler gives him a smile. ''Thank you, Minamisawa-san.''

Not long after, Maiko's aunt and uncle join them. After introducing themselves (''I'm Shinohara Emiko, but please just call me Emiko'' and ''It's so nice to meet you, my name is Motoo'') they get down to business.

''The pool is the perfect cover,'' explains Motoo. ''It's innocent. Maiko told us the picture we're trying to show is of a scared yet brave child and the swimming pool adds to that,'' he tells them.

They are all in agreement with that. ''Excuse me, Motoo-san, I don't mean to be rude,'' says Aki after a moment, her brows furrowed as she thinks, ''but why exactly are you helping us? This is very risky and almost seems impossible, so why would you risk yourself like this?''

Motoo and Emiko share a look, and then the woman sighs. ''The truth is, we were both part of the soccer club when we were still in high school. That's how we met,'' she tells the group. ''Soccer has an important place in our hearts and when Maiko told us about Fifth Sector, we knew we needed to do something, no matter how small it is.''

Tenma shakes his head at that, shooting them both a smile. ''This isn't small in the slightest,'' he tells them earnestly. ''This is more than I could've ever hoped for. You have no idea how grateful I am.''

They continue discussing their plans. ''Motoo will be in charge of the money while I make sure everything is legal,'' states Emiko. ''We will set up a spot in the main hall of the pool for the donations, but we will need more hands around here to help out. We can't run both a pool and take care of the money offered. Of course, someone has to deal with the paperwork and while Motoo will take care of that for the most part, an extra would be very much appreciated. Lastly, some sort of information desk for people with questions and of course the main computer.''

''Where will that be?'' asks Jiro.

This time, Motoo is the one to answer. ''We would like to keep the donations and the monitoring of the situation separated. No need for someone to stumble upon the main office and sneak around a bit,'' he tells them. ''We have an unused basement that is hidden well. There's enough room, it's empty and the perfect spot for a secret hideout. We want to set up the main computer there and connect it to all the equipment there. Is that okay?'' he directs the question at Tenma, who nods.

''We still need to find someone who we can put in charge of keeping an eye on everything, though,'' says Seiji, a frown pulling at his features as he tries to think of such a person. ''Someone who we can trust. But who?''

No one seems to be able to come up with anyone. ''I just don't know someone who has time 24/7. Also, things like sleeping and eating must be included,'' says Maiko with a grimace.

''Then what's the problem?'' asks another voice suddenly and everyone looks at Minamisawa, surprised that he's actually contributing to the conversation. ''Find more people. Make a chart of when and who will be monitoring. You can't do a task like that on your own. Fifth Sector and this 'Resistance' aren't doing that either,'' he states in a tone that makes it sound like they should all have realized something so obvious.

(Well. That solves that problem.)

  ~'0'~  

A few hours later, Tenma finally finds himself dropping down on his bed, exhausted from the long day and ready to sleep the whole night. Unfortunately it's a Sunday, so that means tomorrow he has to wake up for school, but he'll take what he can get.

After Minamisawa's suggestion, things went quickly. While the others went to set up the main computer system and hook up all the devices, Jiro took Tenma for an interview, with Minamisawa tagging along.

The brunet can't wait for the article to be finished.

He sets his alarm for the next morning and is out like a light.

  ~'0'~  

The next morning, Tenma rises bright and early for morning practice. Or rather, that's what he'd like to think, but he's not known for lying to himself.

The exhaustion from yesterday has settled into his bones as a deep, tiring soreness. Probably also has to do with the Keshin from yesterday and the two seizures. Despite that, he slept pretty well and so he doesn't complain as he dresses in his school uniform and makes his way downstairs for breakfast with the other Kogarashi Manor residents.

Soon enough, he's on his way to school and when he reaches his destination, it's still early and calm. He's walking towards the soccer building when he sees a familiar figure. ''Kariya!''

The tealhead turns around and waits for the time traveler to catch up with him. ''Tenma-kun,'' he says and the brunet is glad to find that he's a lot more relaxed than the previous days. His lips are tilted up in a slight smile, smaller than before yet more genuine.

Tenma grins at him. ''Morning!''

''Good morning,'' greets Kariya as the two first-years continue on their way to the soccer field. The tealhead seems content with the silence, for he doesn't break it, so Tenma keeps quiet as well. Eventually, though, Kariya opens his mouth and asks, ''you okay?''

The time traveler blinks and shoots him a look. Something unidentified in his teammate's expression catches his attention, but he can't figure out what it is. ''Yeah, of course!'' Tenma plasters a cheerful smile on his face, pretending that he's not noticing anything wrong.

The tealhead relaxes ever so slightly and looks away.

Tenma's eyes narrow.

  ~'0'~  

The weirdness doesn't stop there.

It only gets worse.

When Tenma enters the clubroom, after changing into his soccer uniform, and cheerfully greets his teammates, the responses he gets are less than enthusiastic. And that's without counting the looks.

His friends try to hide it, but the brunet can feel their gazes on him and if he wasn't already keeping an eye on his surroundings after Kariya's strange behavior, he would've tensed. Instead, he pretends not to notice and chats cheerfully with Midori.

Even the redhead is keeping an eye on him when she thinks he's not looking.

It doesn't take long for the others to arrive and soon they're all ready to head out to the field. Tenma wants to join them but a hand on his arm holds him back.

''San-san?''

Sangoku doesn't smile like he usually does at the nickname. Instead he gently pulls Tenma to the locker room, where he closes the door to block out any prying ears. ''Tenma,'' he says, strangely serious, ''are you okay?''

The time traveler raises one unimpressed eyebrow. ''Of course I am,'' he responds evenly, not knowing where this is going. ''Why wouldn't I be?''

The keeper doesn't say anything for a long time. When he does, he speaks quietly, ''during the match, yesterday – after you collapsed. Are you okay?'' he repeats the question, this time a little more forcefully.

(Is that what this is about? Is the whole team seriously watching his every move because he exhausted himself during a match? They all do that every once in a while, what's so surprising- oh.)

The realization comes and everything becomes clear.

(This Raimon hasn't played in the same matches their future selves have. They haven't been pushed beyond their limits, given everything and more to win.

[They have never played to a point where their bodies gave out on them.]

That only comes later. When Shindou keeps playing during the Arakumo match, despite his injury. When Tsurugi didn't stop even though his leg was close to being sprained while fighting Feida.)

''I'm fine,'' says Tenma, his voice slightly softer now that he knows what's going on with his team.

(They're all worried, even tsundere Kariya.)

(Isn't that just adorable?)

Sangoku doesn't believe him, but the time traveler doesn't give him the chance to push the issue and instead quickly makes his way to the field. The keeper has no choice but to follow him.

  ~'0'~  

Practice is not fun.

Not at all, actually. Not even close to being fun.

While usually Tenma loves every moment he can get to play soccer, overly worried teammates don't exactly help him relax. He's tense every single minute they spend on the field, aware of all the eyes on him.

They're treating him like he's made of glass. Like he can shatter the moment he plays too roughly.

It's getting on his nerves.

They keep playing the ball to others even when he's completely free. When he does manage to steal it, they let him pass without much of a fight. More often than not, someone just blocks his way entirely so that he can't participate in the game.

When he's completely free again and the one currently possessing the ball – Kurumada – avoids passing to him again, he snaps.

''That's it!'' he hisses. The game is relatively easy-going, so no one expects it when he suddenly speeds up and takes the ball from Hamano. He launches himself forwards, swirling through the lines of the opponent like the wind, and shoots. Sangoku is pushed back a few feet and barely manages to stop the ball.

The brunet turns around and fixes a glare on his team. ''Well, are you ever going to play seriously or should I just bench myself now?'' he raises his voice just enough to be heard over the field.

He sees their expressions and when he notices Shindou and Kirino sharing a look, his eyes narrow. ''Tenma,'' starts the captain, trying to calm him, ''what are you-''

''No,'' the brunet cuts him off. ''Don't give me that crap. You know perfectly well what I'm talking about.''

The game maker clearly realizes that his current method won't work and instead sighs. ''Can you blame us?'' he asks, not impressed with his younger friend's fury.

Tenma crosses his arms. ''For not taking me seriously when I'm perfectly fine? Yes.''

Shindou doesn't agree with him. ''I don't know if you realized this, but you collapsed yesterday! That's not exactly normal.''

''I am fine,'' says the time traveler, stretching the last word. ''I'm perfectly alright and that isn't going to suddenly change if you start passing to me.'' He wonders when Endou is going to step in – the coach can't let this go on for much longer, right?

Unfortunately, it seems that the man isn't planning on interrupting and Shindou is obviously not the only one of his teammates who is worried.

A hand on his shoulders startles Tenma into whirling around. Sangoku is standing behind him, his expression one of concern. ''Shindou's right,'' says the keeper gently. ''I know that you think you're fine, but we're merely worried about you.''

The time traveler grits his teeth and averts his gaze, lowering his arms to his sides. Frustration makes him clench his fists and he has to restrain himself from saying something he'll regret. ''I'm fine,'' he repeats instead.

''After having to leave the stadium because you couldn't handle the noise? I don't think so,'' answers Sangoku, attempting to placate the younger player. ''Maybe it's best if you just sit today's practice out.'' At the look on Tenma's face, it becomes clear that the midfielder isn't planning to do that, and the keeper is starting to get frustrated. ''Tenma, you need a break,'' he says forcefully. ''You've been pushing yourself too hard. Yesterday you had to leave the stadium, what will it be next time? Will you actually have to go to the hospital?''

The brunet digs his nails in his palms. ''No, because I'm fine!'' he can see the anger and frustration on the keeper's face now, and the time traveler looks to the side sharply. ''Stop worrying already when there's nothing to worry about!''

''Tell me that next time you have a seizure!''

Tenma's head snaps to Sangoku. The keeper only just seems to realize what he said, his mouth opened in surprise. A moment later guilt starts to seep into his expression.

''Seizure?'' Shindou's voice is strained as he repeats the word, making his way to the keeper and the midfielder. Once he's reached them, he gives them both a look, but neither meets his gaze. ''Sangoku-san? What were you talking about? What seizures?''

The whole goddamn team is listening.

This must be Tenma's lucky day.

Sangoku clearly doesn't know what to say, for the keeper opens his mouth and then closes it again without making a sound.

Seeing that he won't get a response from him, Shindou turns to the brunet. ''Tenma, what is Sangoku-san saying?'' the tension in his voice tells the brunet enough – the game maker already has his suspicions.

''Nothing,'' he bites out.

The captain narrows his eyes and grabs the brunet's shoulder, forcing the younger to look at him. ''Matsukaze Tenma,'' he says warningly, ''what have you not been telling us? What seizures?''

''It's nothing,'' repeats the time traveler. ''Do you really think I would lie to you?''

Shindou doesn't hesitate in his answer. ''Yes.''

Ouch. That hurts.

Tenma takes a step back without even thinking about it, but Shindou's hand on his shoulder keeps him from moving any further. It takes him a moment to get himself under control, and then his face bleeds into an emotionless mask. ''Oh really.''

The captain watches him knowingly. ''I do think you would lie to us, or rather, not tell us things,'' he says, and while his words are harsh, his voice is not. ''You've done it before, and if I have to believe either one of you, I'm going for Sangoku-san.''

The game maker gives his shoulder a gentle squeeze. ''I'm not saying this to be mean, or to blame you. I'm just worried.''

Tenma could really use coach Endou right now, but a look at the benches shows that the dark-haired male is merely watching the scene with sharp eyes. Kidou is watching the field with a face of indifference, all his emotions carefully hidden, while Haruna and the managers have looks of concern on their faces.

A look at his team reveals that Tenma won't have any support from them either.

His eyes flash blue as he takes a step back, Shindou's hand slipping from his shoulder. ''Whatever.''

The time traveler turns around and walks away from the field.

He keeps an expression of fury on his face, but once he's out of eyesight, it crumbles and is replaced by one of hurt.

Of all things to happen, he never expected this.

He's not sure what to think, what to feel. Everything's a mess inside his head and he barely registers it when he reaches the soccer building. But between all the chaos and uncertainty, one thing stands out.

He has never missed his own team as much as in that moment.

'I don't belong here.'

  ~'0'~  

Wow. So much angst. Raimon's finally starting to realize something's wrong with Tenma, though! Took them more than 140K words, but, well, better late than never, right? XD

Again, you guys can actually thank this one friend of mine - I know her in real life and she recently started reading my stories, and she pretty much told me I should upload again :'D So I did! Hope you're happy, A, this one's for you! ^.^

Last thing: Have you guys seen the new cover? It was a project I did with my good friend athenafantasy (also known as the guest reviewer IeGBestfriend on FFN). She made the amazing drawing and I edited it all, so Ath, once again, thank you for the help! Kudos to you!

Until next time!

- Yara Meijer