14. stars that shine (brightly, brighter, together.)

Raimon and Teikoku bond again. They officially meet the Resistance, and they are no longer alone.

Things are changing.

-

-

-

"Kirino-senpai?"

Kirino jumps, nearly shrieking when he turns around to the shadowy figure of– oh, it's Tsurugi– someone right behind him.

"Oh," he manages to whimper out, "hi."

He wondered if Tsurugi was here because Kirino had made too much noise in his panic. But he tried not to think of that. And Tsurugi didn't say anything, either.

"Want some?"

There's a glass of water in Tsurugi's hand, and it seems like he'd walked over to hand it to Kirino. So he's been awake for a while. Long enough to realize Kirino was awake, not breathing great, and probably needed a distraction in the form of a refreshment.

(As expected from someone that's used to dealing with a wheelchair patient. He knows how to look out for people. Completely unexpected from his usual edgelord demeanor.)

"Thanks," Kirino takes the water gratefully– and he takes a large gulp before sighing.

His head was swirling.

He couldn't go on just– just taking that in and moving on. Kirino couldn't handle it. But he didn't know what to do, and he couldn't make too much noise here. Everyone would wake up.

He wanted a hug.

But he's not a baby.

"Do you need anything else?" Tsurugi asks, his voice still hushed.

Kirino thinks he should shake his head– but he doesn't.

Instead, Kirino reaches out his arms toward Tsurugi. It's unbecoming of his usual ocol senpai image, but he doesn't have enough will to care. He didn't even have the strength to feign a smile for this.

"Bring me outside for some fresh air?"

Tsurugi hesitates, but after a moment, he scoops Kirino right up with a huff.

-

Raimon's soccer building was big and comfortable and its rooftop was just about the most liberating place one could wander into.

"We should have a competition," Kirino says, on the way up the steps, "you, and Kurumada. How many teammates can you haul and run a lap with at once."

"Absolutely not."

"The current record holder's Nishiki," Kirino says. "Carried just about all of the second years up a mountain and back. It was fun. Ah, Nishiki is a second-year that's not around right now..."

"I don't care," Tsurugi says, a little annoyed, "if you have time to have endurance training in the mountains, maybe do something with your team's general hissatsu variety."

"You're kind of a killjoy."

"I will drop you," he threatens.

"No," Kirino says, "you won't."

Tsurugi clicks his tongue, and sure enough, he doesn't. He sits Kirino down gently by the roof, standing by him to lean over the ledge.

Kirino leans back against the wall, looking up.

The skies were clear. The stars shone. But they were different stars from the ones he's used to seeing, and he's not sure if he can ever stomach understanding it anymore.

"Not too long, though," Tsurugi says. "And not a word of this to anyone."

Kirino blinks at that. Then he laughs.

"Have you done this before with Yuuichi-san?" because it certainly sounds like something they'd do.

Tsurugi sputters. "How did you know?!"

Kirino can already imagine the nurses freaking out over possible abduction theories. He can also imagine any member of the club reacting like that if they woke up before they went back.

And yet– and yet, Tsurugi had brought him out.

Kirino couldn't help but lean back and feel his breaths come easier now.

"Thanks," he says. "Really needed this."

Tsurugi doesn't respond beyond a noncommittal hum, but Kirino understands the silent 'you're welcome' in his body language very well.

This wasn't something he could've asked of the other club members. Tsurugi wouldn't ask any questions– Tsurugi wouldn't pry. So Kirino could trust Tsurugi to give Kirino the time and privacy to mull over himself, somewhere away from ears.

Kirino sighs, and he spends a long while just breathing, and trying to forget how to think.

It hurt. Somewhere deep in his chest there was a boiling rock of emotions, clanging forward and thrumming like a rusty bell. It burned faintly in his eyes, blew through his mind and left him lightheaded– and Kirino didn't know how to deal with it.

But he breathed, and continued breathing.

Because if anything else, he realized that he should be grateful he had the privilege of remaining in existence.

(Tsurugi gives him a long look every once in a while, filled with concern he will never openly admit– but Kirino never notices.)

(Tsurugi pretends not to hear the soft sniffles every so often. He looks far away, further away– because he knows that Kirino doesn't want to be pampered.)

(What he needed now was silent companionship. Not coddling.)

(And Tsurugi knew that, so he stayed quiet, and simply stayed by his side as Kirino fought his battles on his own.)

-

No one mentioned how Tsurugi was asleep by the couch in the morning.

He was slouched over the side, half upright, one arm draped over Kirino's stomach. Kirino was sound asleep too, one arm halfway across Tsurugi's, the other midway through pulling up a blanket over the first-year's shoulders.

No one mentioned it, but there was a lot of silent screaming, frantic pointing, and fervent camera hunting. Neither of the sleeping beauties will learn of the existence of those pictures until it's pinned on the corkboard a few months later.

-

-

-

"Uwaahh," Kirino staggers slightly, "my feet actually hurt to walk on."

It felt like he'd spent a week in bedrest, rather than a day. His leg muscles had seized, stiffened, and walking on them was like a series of tiny pinpricks. Like trying to move an arm that had gone completely numb, except it was from inactivity rather than sleeping on it wrong.

"I guess there's nothing to do but run to get the blood flowing again," Kirino sighs.

"Don't go overboard now," Shindou says.

They were packing up to go to Teikoku today. Hibiki got them caught up on the situation with the Resistance, so today, it was more to get them in coalition with Teikoku for real.

"Fifth Sector's agents are still looking our way, are we sure this is a good idea?" Hayami asks. "If we're going to openly be Resistance supporters now, I'm sure they'd put Teikoku under suspicion too."

"It's fine," Ms Otonashi says, "in fact, it might be better this way, because we're spreading the risks among other teams that have the liberty to take it."

Fifth Sector can't do much to Teikoku, either. They were both powerhouse names in the soccer world, after all.

"Plus, apparently, they're sending Nii-san over to be our Trainer later. They're going to know eventually."

"What?" the entire clubroom spins to their teacher advisor and her phone.

"WHAT?!"

"We're going to have Kidou Yuuto as our trainer?!?"

"Where'd you even hear that?" Coach Endou raises a brow, "why am I always the last to know these things? I'm going to cry, okay?"

-

Kirino could walk. One step at a time, but it was something.

He makes his way into the Caravan, and he hesitates.

He remembers this very same sight that day too. Everyone is lining up, one after another. Sangoku chastises the first years as they tussle around, Hamano nearly forgets his spikes, and in the luggage hold, and Aoi and Midori are counting the amount of ice boxes and bags they have to keep track of.

All he can think now are the screams. The rough tumble. The moment.

(Kirino might have been asleep the moment they crashed. Maybe that's why he remembers almost nothing about the incident itself.)

(All he can remember is what happened after it.)

(Being suspended by a seatbelt, arm wedged between seats and leg impaled through by metal bits that yanked their way through the engine.)

(The smell of blood and dirt and oil and leather.)

(The silence.)

"Hey, Kirino," a hand drops roughly on his back. It's Minamisawa, right behind him. "What are you daydreaming about? Get on, now."

Kirino remembers how to breathe.

"Ah, right–" he turns to the senior and chuckles, seeing MInamisawa haul four bags on his own, presumably for all the third years after he'd lost a bet of sorts. "Need help with that?"

Minamisawa scoffs. "No, I'll just toss them out the window later."

There's a chastised yell of "HEY!" in the distance, but Minamisawa only hurriedly ushers Kirino up, eager to escape before the other third years came to retaliate.

Kirino steps onto the Inazuma Caravan– and Minamisawa shoves him into a seat other than Kirino's usual spot. Kirino has the window now– it's not something he usually has, since Shindou prefers them.

But this unfamiliarity is nice.

Kirino laughs when Minamisawa makes a show of throwing the spikes out the window. He helps, opening the window and miming the motion to the utter horror of Amagi.

Ms Otonashi comes by to scold them later, but the few moments of teasing was all Kirino needed to forget, just for the while.

It was fine to do meaningless, childish things sometimes.

It really was.

-

Meeting Hibiki, Coach Kudou, and the old Raimon Chairman was nice and all, but the kids were more interested in Teikoku itself. So while the adults were talking, the kids went around to explore the school.

"Dude this place is huge! It's like a Pokemon Evil Team headquarters!" Shinsuke says.

"...now that you mention it," Hayami says, looking around, "it does."

"We're the good guys, though," Shindou says. "It's kind of ironic how this place looks evil. But I guess since we're trying to usurp the government..."

"We're violating the Sedition Act, so we're genuinely criminals," Akane says, cheerfully taking photos. She wasn't allowed to take any of the base, but the hallways and the outside field were absolutely allowed.

"What's the Sedition act?"

"You know, the thing about how the media shouldn't actively try to incite rebels against the government."

"Hold on, you only start learning about that in college! Akane, where'd you learn it?"

"Kazu-san!" she replies immediately.

Kirino's exasperated. "What on earth kind of conversation do you have with my brother that brings up Media Laws, Akane?"

"The illegal kind!"

"Okay, nevermind, don't tell me more."

"You know, Akane, sometimes I'm terrified of you," Midori says.

"That aside, I don't see Mikado around," Tsurugi says, coming to the field where the other Teikoku members were showing them around. "The other SEEDs aren't here either?"

The Captain band seems to have been handed to the goalkeeper, Miyabino.

"Teikoku's a dorm school," Miyabino says. "Apparently, they ran off in the night. Their things are gone, and according to a security guard, they were picked up late last night by Fifth Sector agents."

Tsurugi cringes at that. "Quick as usual."

"Well, Mikado's group has always been problematic, so I'm relieved he's gone," Miyabino says with a huff. "He came by, snatched my captaincy, and then made a whole deal of himself. Good riddance."

At that, Shindou couldn't help but chuckle.

"Were you always such a spiteful person?"

"I am just myself," Miyabino says, his voice a complete monotone, "that aside," everyone abruptly notices he's been pulling his goalkeeper gloves on, "you. Nishizono Shinsuke, were you?"

The boy yelps, straightening. "Yes?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"I mean," he clears his throat, "yes, I am Nishizono Shinsuke."

"Good," the captain of Teikoku says. His eyes steeled, "that hissatsu you did yesterday. Full Throttle Jump. Do it again. Now."

"...huh?"

"That hissatsu you did yesterday. It was called Full Throttle Jump. Do–"

"No no I heard you. I'm sorry," Shinsuke yelps, flustered. One of the other Teikoku members quietly hand him a soccer ball, for some reason. Someone just motions him to go on, go on, "Just uh– wait, now? Like, all of a sudden? Why?"

"I want to try catching it again," Miyabino says, pulling off his gakuran. "I am very sure I could've caught that ball yesterday if I wasn't exhausted." He pointed straight at Shinsuke. "I will not rest until I know for sure. Now do it. The goal over there works fine."

Shinsuke pointed back at himself. "Uh... eh?"

Talk about a pushy person...

"Sorry, Miyabino's got his moments of obsessions," someone, the reserve goalkeeper guy presumably, crouches down to whisper in Shinsuke's ear. "Go along with him, would you? He's still pretty high-strung because he's been wanting to yell at Mikado for ages, but in the end he never got to do it."

One of the midfielders helpfully adds, "please appease him. That guy studies all night when he's angry and I can't handle him walking into doors in the morning anymore. It freaks out the dorm owl."

"The dorm what?" Sangoku asks.

"Oh uh," Shinsuke whimpers, "okay?"

"Ooh, practice!" Tenma beams, "hey, since we're stuck here until the coaches are done talking, let's practice, everyone!"

"Ehh, but we're still in uniform," Hayami whines.

Tenma grins. "Race you to that goal post, Hayami-senpai!"

"Wha– HOLD ON," Hayami whirls, breaking into a run. "You don't challenge a sprinter to a race, first-year!"

"...well, Tenma's gotten really good at that," Kurama says, dryly.

"Your team's got a sprinter? That's unusual," a Teikoku midfielder says.

"We had one in Coach Endou's generation too, I'm pretty sure?"

"Coach Kidou's generation doesn't really count. Weren't they quite literally made up of a motley of eccentric figures? I heard there was a computer club guy in there too."

"I'm pretty sure most of them were better at board games than they were at soccer."

"No thinking about that! We promised not to think of that, everyone! You'll go crazy, because none of the stories of that generation really make much sense!"

"C'mon, let's just practice and not think about that..."

"Well, I guess why not," Shindou says, seeing a few other players already taking off their gakuran and jersey jackets, rolling up their sleeves.

"But we just had a match yesterday," Minamisawa says, a little annoyed.

"This is dumb," Tsurugi says.

"Hey so, about that Ultimate Thunder move, think we can try facing it right on with Penguin Carnival and see what happens?" one of the Teikoku defenders suggested.

"You're going to kill the penguins," Tsurugi immediately responds.

"They'll come back," an immediate reply.

"Speaking of penguins," one of the midfielders say. "Now that Mikado and Itsumi are gone, we can finally bring Teikoku's other signature Penguin shots back on the table! Hey, Raimon's goalkeeper, up for a challenge?"

"Oh? Absolutely!" Sangoku grins, retrieving his gloves from his jacket pocket.

"...do you bring those with you everywhere?" Kirino says, incredulous at what just came out of there. How did that thick fabric even fit?

"HEY, before you guys run off, ground rules!" Shindou raises his voice, throwing his arms into the air. "No Keshin, no overexerting, and no murdering people!"

"Murdering people?" Aoi asks.

"Murdering people?" someone from Teikoku repeats.

"No promises!" came a shout from somewhere in the crowd of people that have long run off. It sounded like Kurama.

"That had better be a joke!"

Kirino chuckles, making his way onto the field as well. Tenma was already doing dribbling drills, and some of the Teikoku midfielders were right behind him, racing against the points on the ground to show off their dribbling to each other.

Some were running on the outside of the field. This field was multipurpose– a push of the button made new lines for track and field, new lines were drawn for sprinters, and there was even a sand pit for long jump. The Teikoku members moved in the athletic club tools, and somehow, a mixed practice session began. There was even a rock-climbing wall of sorts.

Kurumada cranked weights with other heavy lifters. Hamano was hopping across the balancing bridge, and Kurama was showing off his innate talent to do somersaults across a vault. Amagi was dragging a huge iron wheel across the field like an old-fashioned treadmill. Shinsuke was practicing his hissatsu with Miyabino, who was still trying to catch it. It seemed even Tsurugi found somewhere to click into, presumably with the wall-climbing group that were probably throwing bets.

The calmer ones, like Ichino and Shindou, were socializing. The managers went to prepare drinks with some of the members as well, so Kirino supposes he should go with one of those groups...

"Hey, Kirino!" Minamisawa called– when did he make it all the way to the top of the rock-climbing wall– "Show us your Keshin!"

Oh right, there was that.

Only Raimon and Teikoku were here today. And the SEEDs have filed out. So using dangerous abilities are probably perfectly fine.

But no, unfortunately.

"Can't right now!" Kirino says.

"Why?!" came an accusation.

"Keshin are fickle!" he responds, "she's a pacifist! Doesn't like showing off big moves when it's unnecessary!"

"That's the stupidest reason I've ever heard!"

"Don't annoy her!"

Last night Kirino had assumed Brynhildr would be fine with showing off a little– but it seems she's changed her mind. Maybe it was because Kirino's legs still ached slightly with each step, or the faint understanding that summoning her might make them crash once more. Either way– Kirino didn't think he'd be able to do his greatest skills without properly resting for at least another day.

"SPARE ME, PLEASE," Shinsuke wails, charging right into Kirino's waist, desperately hugging and hiding behind him as soon as they made contact.

Right behind him is Miyabino, looking ragged and eyes slightly wide, "just one more," he insists, voice ominously cold, "I've almost gotten it. One more shot."

"I've shot it like ten times!" he cries. "I'm sorry, can I say no?!"

"No, you may not."

"SAVE ME."

Kirino jumps right in, in an attempt to salvage his poor little junior. "W- Well now, Miyabino," he chuckles, trying to mediate the situation. "How about you switch up a target? Tenma's trying to master a hissatsu shoot of his own, maybe you could both practice together?"

Miyabino stares very judgmentally for a moment.

Then, "I believe that would be desirable," he says, turning right around, making a beeline for Tenma, who was trying to shoot off pseudo Mach Winds to no avail.

Shinsuke peeked over Kirino as soon as Miyabino walked away.

"Is it fine to just offer Tenma up for sacrifice like that?" he asks.

Kirino shrugs, "they've both got infinite passion. I think we just leave them be until they tire each other out."

And leave them be they did.

-

"So anyways!" Tenma chimes, about half an hour later, "I mastered Mach Wind."

Everyone stops drinking their water to just quietly stare.

"I say this in the most sincere way possible, Matsukaze," Minamisawa smiles, "you're a cheat. I want to murder you with a stick."

Slowly, Kurama stands up and pulls him away by the corner of his sleeve.

Sangoku takes his place, clearing his throat. "He means," he says, "that we're really happy for you! That's awesome! Wanna show us? I'll stand at the goal for you."

-

"So I think I mastered Power Shield, but I'll go consult with Coach Kidou to make sure."

It was so sudden, it took about a full minute before the Teikoku team whirled around and choked on their water and yelled out, "wait, you're just go– did you just–!"

"Could you sound happier about it, Miyabino?!"

"He said it so monotone I didn't even register!"

"You mastered a new hissatsu?! That's great!"

But it was much too quick and came right out of nowhere, so after an extensive discussion about plausibility and determination and soccer as a creature that has feelings, they have all collectively deemed that Tenma must be a hissatsu-mastering miracle lucky charm worker of some sort.

-

-

-

"For the first time since Ishido Shuuji's inauguration, there's rumours of a new candidate for the throne."

"They're all saying it'll be Hibiki Seigou... but he's been pretty much nonexistent in the soccer world for years. Why now?"

"It's because it's now. People aren't so sure about our current Holy Emperor anymore."

The radio broadcast was up again today.

Kirino was surprised to hear it playing in the Resistance's main hall.

"I'd say this is immaculate work," Sakuma says, a little irritated. "Nothing we do can deactivate that stupid voice changer. I just want to know who it is."

Kidou looked incredibly annoyed.

"Think we can call up Megane to try it?" Endou suggests.

"He's been ignoring my calls. Something about an anime fest."

"...did you, you know," Endou gestures vaguely, "tell him that this is the most controversial situation in the world right now and is much more important than his–"

"Don't even go there," Kidou says, sharp. "I don't want to hear him rant about the importance of anime. I'm sick of that shit."

"Kidou. Language."

Kirino has a feeling that if they were ever found out, Kidou would get pretty mad. That's an understatement, but he doesn't quite want to articulate it.

"If there really is a proper force out there all this time, just waiting for the moment to fight back..." El Dorado says, "then what took you so long?"

The Resistance freezes.

"Why did you wait until actual children had to move? Why did you wait until the soccer players themselves took action before doing what you were supposed to?"

"You're adults, aren't you? Why are you hiding behind the players? They're the most vulnerable here, they shouldn't be the most prominent voice fighting against injustice!"

"Who is this? What utter insolence!" Raimon Souichirou snaps, "they act as if they aren't hiding in fear of retaliation as well!"

"If Raimon hadn't taken action first, we wouldn't have moved yet," HIbiki says, "I suppose it was only a matter of time before something similar happened."

"But it doesn't change that they are doing something," Kudou says. "And they're making much more actual progress than we have in years."

The Raimon players stood aside, awkward. Teikoku gestured for them to gather in the corner, quietly, because when the adults were talking like that, it was really better not to interrupt.

"Kudou! You know very well why that's the case!"

"Because we didn't want to take risks before we were sure we could properly fight? We're only having the chance right now because these kids and El Dorado helped build up public unrest in the first place."

"At least we're taking the forefront, unlike El Dorado–"

"We're taking credit for their work is what we're doing–"

"Irregardless of the ethics, both the school and El Dorado need us right now to act as the face of the Resistance," Kidou interrupts. "We can question how we haven't moved for all of history, that isn't what matters right now."

"Well why don't you tell El Dorado that?!"

Someone serves up tea and cookies in the corner, and both teams are staring incredibly warily as the adults start arguing.

"Should we just," Shindou can't even stomach a cookie, "like, quietly leave?"

"We should," Miyabino agrees, looking over, "but I don't think moving the team now is ideal. We're resting after a practice session– it's our right to remain here."

"Also, these cookies are awesome," Tenma says, munching on them like a squirrel.

"I didn't think we'd actually drink some really good tea here," Minamisawa says. "I was expecting the 'tea' part to be, you know, just a saying, and we were going to have normal after practice drinks. Not this actually elegant setup."

"There's a refreshment bar down here and that is so cool," Midori swoons.

"Tea is a staple in this school," Miyabino says.

"We have a refreshment bar in every lecture hall as well."

"Usually it's ordered and stocked by the sponsored bakery of the week, but since this isn't a school day, we may only offer donated samples from the Domestic Science club," Miyabino says, "we apologize if it's not to your tastes."

"What the f– that is the richest shit I've ever heard," Kurama says.

"You guys get actual bakeries to sponsor a refreshment bar??? Every day??"

"I thought we were insane for having a whole ass building just for soccer even though we only had two teams' worth of members. Apparently, we were fine."

"No, no, that's pretty insane. What do you guys even put in those rooms?"

"Uh. Trophies, memorials, there's a screening room, specialized training rooms, a simulation room–"

"You guys are, pardon my language," Miyabino says, "rich as shit."

"Pot calling the kettle black, huh."

"But what kind of school has weekly sponsors for refreshment bars? What are the bakeries gaining from this??"

"Exposure. Rich people probably go to this school."

"...I'm afraid of rich people now."

"Watch your mouths, everyone," Sangoku says, a moment too late because he, too, was taken aback. But, "wait, it's really delicious either way. Extend our thanks to the Domestic Science Club?"

"Will do," Miyabino says.

"...What's the Domestic Science Club?" Shinsuke asks. "What's Domestic Science?"

"It'd be our Home Ec Club," Kirino says, "I guess Teikoku even has fancier names for clubs? How do I say this... it's very fitting for them."

"Guys are we seriously having this conversation while the adults are fighting?" Hayami asks. "How do I say this. Isn't it usually the other way around?"

"When adults are fighting, children should be quiet and sit down and pretend not to hear," Miyabino says, sipping on his tea.

"...you say that so seriously that now I'm genuinely worried for you," Hayami says. "Are you okay, Miyabino-san? Everything okay at home?"

"I have a loving family, thank you for your concern."

"It's fine, it's not like we need to really understand what the adults are doing," Akane says, taking a cookie and cheerfully feeding it to the penguin in her lap. "We just need to keep winning our matches, right?"

"Yeah– hold on, how long has that penguin been there?!"

"It's very cute, so I took it with me. It is very photogenic."

"Return it to its family!"

"It's a real penguin!" Shinsuke says, brightly. "Did it come from Emperor Penguin the Second? The colour seems right."

"Speaking of, was Mikado the only one that could use Emperor Penguin 7?" Tsurugi speaks up. "Seems a waste to let it go unmastered by anyone else."

"Well, the only forward we have now is Hanamura," Miyabino gestures toward one of the reserve members. "The colourful penguins don't really like him."

"The black ones like me though," Hanamura says. "Which is why we can use Second at least. I'm still working on my own rendition of it."

"...I didn't know that the penguins picked their favourites?"

"I didn't know that the colours of the penguins meant they were different penguin factions until recently, either," Hanamura mutters, burying his face in his hands. "Do you have any idea how devastating it is to be simultaneously rejected by a group of penguins?"

"Uh. Seems tough."

"I totally understand," Kurama says, dreadfully leaning over. "The first time I used Sidewinder I looked back and it was totally assessing me. I thought I was going to die."

"Kurama, what the hell?! You never said anything!"

Kurama grimaced at the memory. "Didn't really have the time... plus, if I freaked out back then I'd probably have died."

"That does NOT assure us."

"...I mean, the snake's a predator, unlike the penguins, but they're kinda the same in that they're both animals," Kurama says. "The first step to taming a beast is to stand up for yourself and present as if you're equal to the beast. Doesn't matter if it can totally eat you alive, you just gotta be confident. Things like these will only work for you if it respects you. And you only got one chance, sometimes."

What he said made Kirino pause.

Because that was the exact ideology Kurama always lived by, especially later on when he was capable of summoning his own Keshin, the Hunter of Glory Asura. For a very long time in Raimon, Kurama was the only one that was ever able to use animal-based hissatsu techniques, and no matter how much everyone tried, they never quite got close enough.

And perhaps, all along, that was the ideology needed to summon Keshin in general.

"Animal-based hissatsu are very fickle," Miyabino says. "That's why many of them are more likely to harm you if handled carelessly."

"That's right– Teikoku's forbidden techniques, Beast Fang and Emperor Penguin the First," Hanamura says, "they leave permanent damage, so we are never to use it. But if we coexist with the animals, we can devise ways to prevent harm to ourselves."

"I suppose the same can be said for Keshin as well," Minamisawa says. "Use it carelessly and you'll end up like Shindou and Kirino. Master it and you'll be fine."

"Hey, I am fine now," Shindou says.

"And mine is more myself than my Keshin causing it," Kirino insists. "Though she exacerbated it but..."

"The point still stands."

"Speaking of animal-based hissatsu–"

They stop short.

The adults have stopped fighting. Actually even the broadcast has ended, apparently, and the kids completely talked through it.

"You kids sure are easygoing about all this," Kidou sighs.

"Now now, easygoing is fine, isn't it?" Endou chuckles. "I'm actually very interested in that conversation, so carry on, guys!"

-

-

-

"Seriously, Fudou-kun, you get too heated about this."

Megane shuts down the PC with a sigh.

"It's fine like that, someone should've given those stinkin' old men a yell three years ago," Fudou says, taking off the headphones with a sigh.

"Last time it was Tobitaka-kun, this time it's you," Megane sighs. "I sure hope the next one to come up to talk is calmer than this."

"Nah, all of us have been mad for ages. You can keep hoping. Blame yourselves for giving us a platform to unleash the devil."

"Stop inviting the angry ones."

"Tough luck. Touko says she'll be in town soon."

"Isn't it her final year?? Tell her to go to uni!"

Beside them, Aoyama chuckles, closing his own device and keeping all his supplies in his bag.

They were in the recording room of the Kidou house. Hakamada comes in to serve them some refreshments, and he questions absolutely nothing regarding what he obviously knew was happening down here.

"It's definitely a very bold move on our part, just picking a fight like this," Megane says. "Are you sure it's okay to do this to all your efforts, Aoyama-kun?"

Aoyama hums. "I mean, our initial plan was always to incite public unrest and cause trouble. So I guess picking fights is perfectly fine," he says. "Either way, Kirino's the one that set up this whole thing. If he's got a complaint, he'll unfortunately have to address them after he gets back from the lockdown."

At that Fudou and Megane paused between their drinks.

"Huh? It wasn't you that created El Dorado?" Fudou asks, confused. "I was so sure it was you, since you're handling all the detailed work and all."

Aoyama flusters, "no, not at all!" he says, "huh? I thought we all knew it was Kirino. I'm just doing most of the work because I'm the freest."

"Wait, really?"

They seemed so genuinely flabbergasted that Aoyama wasn't so sure how to feel.

"Come to think of it, it really feels like we the older ones have taken over the El Dorado efforts," Megane says. "If that wasn't the intention, then we may have to apologize..."

"I think it's fine as it is," Aoyama says, almost immediately. "It was always Kirino's idea to include you guys into this. And..."

And Kirino probably intended to stay obscured, too.

Kirino wasn't the kind that led a revolution from the front. He was always the kind that came from the back, gathering up the last pieces, and making sure progress went onward.

"...and you guys' sentiments are just as strong as ours," Aoyama says. "Everyone's voices should be heard. That's what El Dorado is here for, after all."

-

Aoyama walks home after that, his laptop in his bag. The tunnels of the Kidou mansion led to an underground waterhole, and out a verge near the riverbank. That's where he emerged and began his slow walk home.

He's halfway past Inazuma Shopping District when a rather out-of-place black car drove up beside him, and the door opened to a man in a black suit.

Aoyama yelps, stepping back warily.

The shopkeepers of the district look over warily as well. It was a public area, so although it was incredibly terrifying, Aoyama was a little reassured.

"You're Aoyama Shunsuke from Raimon, am I right?"

They asked so suddenly, Aoyama swallowed nervously. He was afraid, but there was nothing he could do but nod.

"The Holy Emperor would like a word with you. Please enter the vehicle."

Aoyama looked down in surprise– and the tinted windows rolled down. Seated on the passenger seat of the car was none other than Ishido Shuuji, Holy Emperor himself.

And Aoyama was immediately seized with fear. 

Clenching his bag strap, he breathed in slowly– and tried to calm down.

"I– I'm sorry," he says, quickly remembering what Kirino's brother had once told him before, "I'm wary of entering your vehicle. If you must say something, please do it here."

He is not obliged to enter the car, even if the person is a government official. He, as an individual and especially as a minor, has a right to demand the conversation stay within earshot of the people around them.

(That was what Kazu told him, at least.)

"Wha–" the man in black did not expect to be refuted, but Ishido Shuuji steps out of his vehicle to stop him.

"That is fine," he says, to Aoyama's surprise. "We'll talk right here, then."

Ishido Shuuji leans against the side of the car as the man in black returns to the driver's seat.

People were staring. This was awkward. Aoyama wanted to run.

"You quit the soccer club at the start of the year," Ishido Shuuji begins. "I assume you did not do it out of losing interest in the sport, but because of the attempted usurping by Tsurugi Kyousuke and the Black Knights."

Aoyama stops shaking.

"Yes," he says, voice strangely stable. "We didn't think the club would last, so we quit."

More than half of the team left at that time. The ideas of disobeying Fifth's orders only came later, and Aoyama was very sure that those that left are now incredibly grateful to no longer be involved.

"You did it out of fear– no, respect, for Fifth's authority, did you not?' Ishido Shuuji says.

Respect? Was it really that? Sure, they wanted to avoid Fifth Sector's ire. They really thought that Fifth was better in the end, because at the very least, listening to them had reward at the end of it. Obedience came without risks, after all.

"Thus, Fifth Sector has a proposal for you," Ishido Shuuji says.

Aoyama's head immediately lifts.

"If you agree, we can sponsor your transfer to another school under the command of Fifth Sector," Ishido Shuuji says. "You will be able to continue playing soccer as an active member, and if you so request, we might even be able to arrange a future match with Raimon as well."

(...what?)

(...was Aoyama hearing this right?)

"What?" he couldn't help but let the words speak for themselves. "You want me to... transfer to another school... and face Raimon from the other end?"

"Yes," Ishido Shuuji answers immediately. "Only if you so desire, of course. Do you not think that the actions your current club members are taking are irrational? They're going against Fifth Sector– becoming a rather problematic bunch, especially in our current public unrest. You have only ever wanted to play soccer peacefully, and yet, they have created such a rebellion that makes it difficult to play soccer safely as a member. Do you not hold a grudge?"

Aoyama bites down on his bottom lip.

Because yes, maybe.

Those were their thoughts at first– they only wanted to play soccer, even if it was under the controlled circuits of Fifth Sector. At least when they listened, they weren't in perpetual danger of being disbanded. They never have to fear being disrupted in practice by SEEDs looking to cause internal turmoil within the team. They could play soccer freely, even if it was only usually outside of official matches.

(But...)

"I hold a grudge," Aoyama says.

Ishido's face lights up. "Then–"

Aoyama interrupts him, "but it is not against the members of the Raimon Soccer Club," he says, his teeth grinding. "From the very beginning, the ones that made soccer unsafe were you guys. From the very beginning, it has always been Fifth Sector."

(...But Aoyama's heart has changed since then.)

"I appreciate the offer, sir," Aoyama says. He bows his head. "But I'm sorry, I must respectfully refuse. I wish to play soccer again, too. But I will do it when I can play the soccer I love, in the place I treasure, and with the people I find dear."

Ishido, strangely, doesn't look as devastated by his words as Aoyama had hoped. He only looked mildly stunned, blinking in pleasant surprise.

Aoyama tries not to eat his own words as he bows once more. "T- Then, I'm sorry, if you would excuse me, then I'll take my leave."

And he hurries away, desperately escaping the situation.

"Aoyama Shunsuke-kun," Ishido speaks up before the boy's out of earshot, and he jumps. Aoyama turns around, and Ishido Shuuji is smiling. "As the Holy Emperor, I must say– what you're doing is a mistake."

Aoyama scowls, trying not to let it show on his face.

Ishido Shuuji's eyes softened. "But as an individual, I pray you've chosen the right path to walk on."

Aoyama ponders for a moment on the strange articulation– but Ishido Shuuji is already making his way back into the car. He closes the door– and the car immediately drives off, past Aoyama, and out of Inazuma Town.

"...was he being condescending?" Aoyama wonders. "The right path..."

Ishido wanted him to be smart and follow Fifth Sector, didn't he? Was that a threat?

What was the difference between Ishido speaking as a Holy Emperor and as an individual? Why did he feel the need to differentiate that?

Maybe Aoyama's misunderstanding something, but he perishes the thought. No way was Ishido actually encouraging him after pretty much insulting Fifth Sector, was he? Aoyama feared for his life now, why did he say all that? Does he have a death wish? He's an idiot.

"Did he seriously come all the way to Inazuma Town just to personally ask me that?" he says, a little fearful. "Talk about freaky."

He decides not to think about it. First, he was going to go home, and then he's going to call the group and rant like hell.

-

(There's no way anyone in this timeline would know– but in another world, in the exact same situation–the one Ishido Shuuji approached was not Aoyama Shunsuke.)

(And while Aoyama spilled a vehement no against the suggestion, in another world, Minamisawa Atsushi had taken that hand with an unflinching yes.)

(He would show up in Gassan Kunimitsu a little more than a month later, and he will fight against Raimon out of his own volition, facing straight ahead against their ideals.)

(But in this world, none of that will happen.)