20. searching for (something that bursts at the limit of humanity)

It's morning in God Eden.

Raimon meets the mysterious boy, Shuu. Those captive in the God Eden training facility, however, are stuck in a different kind of confusing hell. 

(The inevitable weakness of humanity is on everyone's mind.)

-

-

-

"Hey Kirino, when did you get that habit? I don't think I noticed it before."

Raimon wakes briefly before sunrise, and after freshening up, some people have begun doing morning runs. Kirino spends some time in the morning dew, wandering the higher points of the island where mist wafted. Ichino's by his side.

Kirino's hands are held in a prayer.

"Well... I don't know," he admits. "But it calms me."

He's far from religious. His knowledge of it only went as far as Jeanne shared with him in their brief meeting. To call him a man of faith would be an insult to Jeanne, and so, he doesn't identify as such.

(But it eased his heart. It brought him, emotionally, closer to Jeanne's idea of strength, and it empowers him. Surely, Jeanne's God wouldn't mind.)

Ichino hums, following closely along. They don't want Kirino to get lost on the island, so Ichino's trailing by as a guide, since he's the best at keeping track of directions.

"So, what exactly are you looking for?"

Kirino pulls Ichino up a steep edge, and just like that, they're in sight of the highest point of this hill. They leave the mist, and come into view of the sunrise.

"I just like being in my element," Kirino says. "We have the opportunity. Might as well enjoy it as much as I can."

Hamano has the sea. Kurama has rainforests. Kirino has the misty mountains. For hissatsus, being able to find your strengths is vital. Even Shinsuke, with a concept as vague as 'can jump high', has found his calling.

"It's nice," Ichino acknowledges. "I'm kinda envious. Most of the first team's found their thing and are sticking with it, but then I'm here..."

Ichino still doesn't have a single hissatsu.

He's just a little good at being tactical and organised, and maybe a little good at knowing his directions, but Shindou outmatches him in the former and Kurama's combination of snakes and good vision is much more efficient for the latter. He's observant, but Kirino is always faster to make calls, and Akane has the best eyes for details. He's meticulous and careful, but Hayami dwarfs him on that front. He's maybe a little smart, but never more than Aoyama. He's persistent and hardworking, but then there's Nishiki.

And that's just among the second years— not that he'd fare any better against the third and especially the first years. It probably gets more depressing when he thinks about it.

Ichino is fated as foil as long as he stays in Raimon.

(He eventually realizes this, in his third year of junior high. And he also realizes that perhaps, this had also been the reason Minamisawa left, and why he began to shine so much brighter in Gassan Kunimitsu. But unlike Minamisawa, Ichino stayed.)

(Kirino and Shindou always wanted the best for him, but alas, Ichino stayed through high school in the shadows, and though bitterness is inevitable, he never regrets a moment.)

"Minamisawa's similar, so it's not like you're alone," Kirino assures. "You can still be strong without having yourself figured out. It's fine."

"Minamisawa's stupid strong on his own, though, so..."

Kirino takes Ichino's hand in his own. It's not quite the same as a prayer, but it calms him just the same. "I like it better when you're here, though," he says. "Even if you're just warming the bench, watching from afar, or filling in for someone better."

In a way, Fifth Sector is right.

Soccer is unfair, talent is a weapon, and those who are weaker will inevitably be forced to give up on their dreams. It's part of the competitive front— for every winner, there's a loser; for every genius on the field, there is an unsung second-in-command.

Kirino understands that frustration well. He understands it painfully well.

Even if everyone assures him he's needed, there will come a point where it all just feels like empty words.

"And to be perfectly honest,I have no idea where the campsite is anymore," Kirino says, holding his other hand over Ichino's in a beseeching prayer for lord Ichino, "so you being here is honestly thank the lord. Ichino-sama, help."

"Huh?" Ichino balks, "but you walked so confidently through all that mist! You're telling me you didn't know where you were going either?!"

Kirino keeps his head down. "I was just enjoying myself that I forgot..."

Ichino sighs. "Geez, what would you do without me," he mutters, turning around to find the God Eden stadium in the distance. "Alright, the sunrise is behind us, and our campsite is south of the stadium..."

Ichino does not stand out in the Raimon crowd.

But no one does a better job at leading the second team than him.

Ichino looks out for everyone and notices the littlest changes, no matter how subtle or insignificant of a detail it is. He may not be able to act as prominently as other leaders, but his ability to keep track of the job he's given and devote himself to going above and beyond it— it's second to none.

-

This sudden camping trip is a bit of a shock to everyone. Especially for the ones that just came back from an extended outing at Kaiou, they're all incredibly worn out.

Aoi comes back from her morning run to find Tenma wobbling into the world of the wakenness. He's headed toward the river to freshen up, and no one else is around to watch him, so she points him out, only for Sangoku to give her a vague head nudge that means 'go look after him, thanks'.

That's usually her job regardless of situations, so Aoi relents.

The river isn't too shallow, so it's dangerous for someone that's half-asleep to lean over it— and then Aoi walks in on Tenma falling facefirst into the river and her palm meets her face in a loud smack.

"Oh no, Tenma!" she rushes forward. She's not trained in water rescue, so she panics, at first, Tenma sputters and manages to roll upright, reaching upward.

"Ack!" he yelps, "help!"

He's usually a good swimmer, but not after violently awoken by the gushing frigid waters of nowhere jungle.

A hand takes Tenma's, and an absurdly strong grip drags him upward.

Tenma clutches at it, holding on— but the boy that reached out toward him is someone he doesn't recognize.

The boy had run out on a branch rather high overhead of the river. He hangs by his feet upside down, arm stretched out to grab Tenma's. He extends his other hand and Tenma takes it, too.

"Hold on now. I'm going to swing you," he smiles warmly. "Keep your arms close to your chest, elbows in, cause it's dangerous."

"Huh?"

Tenma had the warning, but nothing could have prepared him as he's swung back and forth to build momentum— and then suddenly he's catapulted right out of the water, high into the air and above the treeline.

Tenma screams very loudly.

Aoi screams, too, but three others are already there, running out of the woods into position. Tenma abruptly remembers to stop flailing his limbs and tightly hug himself, just in time for the three to catch him like a cheerleading squad's bases would receive a falling jumper.

Aoi breathes out a sigh of relief.

Tenma is put back on his feet, but he instantly drops back onto his knees.

"...I thought I was gonna die."

"Don't be like that," says one of his catchers, who now that he looked closely, are all wearing the same jersey. "Wasn't that fun?"

"...maybe...?"

Aoi hurries over to the other side of the shore, hopping over some stones. "You okay, Tenma?" She helps him back to his feet.

"Yeah."

"That was dangerous," the boy on the branch uprights himself, making his way back down. "Pay better attention, alright? There's a waterfall down this way, so you could've gotten swept away."

"Thank you very much..." Tenma says. "No seriously, thank you."

-

The boy introduces himself as Shuu. And they are Ancient Dark.

"You guys look like you've done this before," Aoi says, really impressed as the boys hike each other up in a standard cheerleader routine, just to show off how strong they were, "that was really cool!"

"Wanna try?" one of them offers, pointing up.

"I can? Isn't it dangerous?"

"It's fine! We're used to this," they say. "This is our forest. We play in it, live in it... it's maybe a little dangerous, but it's all about the thrill, you know! Take it easy."

"Take it easy... can we really?" Tenma wonders. "With everything that's going on outside this island..." it just didn't feel right to.

"Well, why not?" Shuu says. "It's not like much happens in this—"

There's a pause as frantic bleating weaves through the sounds of the rapid river, and eyes turned to upstream, where a single white goat is being washed down the river, unable to swim through the rushing current.s

There's silence.

Then, "why?!" Shuu blurts, flustered. That has never happened before, but somehow, Raimon brings weirdness to even the peace of where they arrive.

"Oh no!" Tenma yelps, leaping right into the waters, "wait, wait, I'll get—"

"T- Tenma?!" Shuu winds around to him this time, "wait, it's dangerous!"

"It's okay, it's okay— I'm already wet anyways and— ah, got it— AAH!" and there goes Tenma, washed down the river. With an extra goat at his abdomen.

His scream is echoed by everyone around him, Aoi and Ancient Dark included.

"Are you daft, you literally experienced how unexpected the currents are just now!"

"I know it's impossible but try to avoid the rocks!"

-

Now everyone is drenched, breathing heavily, but they managed to get both Tenma and the goat to safety on the shoreside of the river.

"...thank yew..." Tenma murmurs.

"That was so reckless!" Shuu chides.

"It's a baby goat," Tenma insists, because that makes a lot of difference. The aforementioned baby goat nudges him lovingly with its head, before happily wandering off. "Okay, take care now!"

"Don't you go asking the goat to 'take care' when you need that advice most of all!" Shuu chides, raising his voice just slightly, arms on his hips in annoyance.

Tenma squeaks, instinctively shifting onto his knees, anticipating a hell of a nagging session.

Shuu's teammates chuckle at the sight.

"Ah, there it is! Big Brother Shuu mode is on!' Kai teases. "You're not getting out of there anytime soon, unfortunately."

"I'd say he deserves it," Aoi says. "I'll go look for some towels..."

Shuu, abruptly realizing himself, blushes bright red. "I–" he clears his throat. "Nevermind. Forget it." He tries to compose himself and pretend it didn't happen. "Seriously. You guys caused quite a bit of mess yesterday, you know. Attacking the van, using this place as your home base. If we were wild animals, you'd be eaten by now."

Tenma and Aoi freeze at that.

"W- wait, when you said this was your forest, you mean..."

Shuu hums, straightening his back.

"You don't seriously think Fifth Sector bought this island just to use the little canyon in the center?" Shuu says, "We, Ancient Dark, own the southern forest area."

"Y–"

"It came from here, right?"

"Yeah, I heard some screaming... huh?"

Kurumada approaches, but his sentence falls immediately short when they spot the scene over the river. Aoi has nervously taken Tenma's arm, and Tenma has moved just a little, to shield her as he steps back from Ancient Dark.

Kurumada tosses the firewood in his hand (Amagi tries to catch them and fails) and he charges, straight through the water.

Let's just say everyone in Ancient Dark is just as mortified as Tenma and Aoi when Kurumada's running start allows him to lunge clean over the water surface— but he doesn't stop running when he clears it, he continues his unstoppable rush until he plunges headfirst into a tree. The goalkeeper of Ancient Dark, who had been behind that tree, squeaks and runs to hide behind Kai, who also runs to hide behind Shuu.

Kurumada leaves a small crater on the bark when he straightens up, positioning himself before the first years and glowering like a protective animal.

"Hey, you punks! What'dya want with our first years, huh?!"

"...Kurumada-senpai," Tenma speaks up, terrified, "your forehead is bleeding."

"Darn it! I was weak!" Kurumada says, reaching up to his head.

"Senpai, I genuinely think it's okay to be weaker than a tree," Aoi says, very concerned, "are you okay? No seriously, are you okay?"

"Are you two okay? What was the scream?" Kurumada switches the topic, "why's Tenma's completely drenched? And who are these guys?"

"Oh, uh," Tenma says, "I fell."

"Huh?"

"Twice."

"HUH??"

"It really woke me up."

"And then Shuu helped him out," Aoi says.

"Is that so," Kurumada turns back to them, lowering his head. "Then, we humbly thank you."

"Ah, it's fine," Shuu says. He has no idea how he's been dragged into their pace, but honestly, he should have expected this. He really wants to get back to intimidating them now, but the mood is completely off for that. "Uhm... please don't headbutt the trees. It's better not to antagonize nature on this island."

"Thanks for the advice."

Shuu sighs as they compose themselves.

"So, Shuu, when you said this was your forest..." Tenma says, wilting a little, clearly troubled, "does that mean it's better if we leave?"

"Are Fifth Sector actually watching us?" Aoi adds, worried.

Shuu glances toward Kai and the rest of Ancient Dark. Kurumada and Amagi are both glaring now— and now, others have begun to gather. From Sangoku to Coach Endou.

"Well... I can at least assure you that Fifth isn't watching right now," Shuu says. "As for being in our territory... well, it's fine. There's a field if you head down this way. You guys can use it."

"Huh?"

"For real?"

"Wait, there's gotta be an ulterior motive here!"

"What are you guys planning?"

It's entirely reasonable. Shuu can't exactly say it's just a whim when he's the one that brought up how they're intruding in the first place.

(But it really is just a whim, though.)

"An ulterior motive... I guess it's because we don't need it, for now," Shuu says. "We usually train out here, but we'll need to head to the facility soon, so it's better if you guys are here to keep the forest alive."

Coach Endou raises a brow.

"If you're going to say it that way, then I suppose we'll take your offer and stay," he says. "But I'm more concerned about you guys. If you're staying in this forest, do you have lodgings? And you mentioned Fifth Sector isn't watching this forest... then who, exactly, is watching all of you?"

Shuu seems a little taken aback by that slew of questions. His team has begun diverting their gazes from the Raimon group.

And then Amagi folds his arms and nods. "Viva la independence of the young, I'd say."

"Amagi!" Sangoku balks, "that is NOT good news!"

"It's okay, I left home really young too," Tenma says. "Aki-nee was pretty hands-off about me, too, as long as I came home at dinnertime."

"I don't think that's quite the same situation, Tenma," Aoi says, "though, I was always with you, so I have no right to comment."

"What are you doing, Coach Endou?" Kurumada turns to the adult, who has placed a hand on the tree to contemplate life.

"No, it's just..." he sighs deeply, "I'm trying to figure out where we went wrong. Gimme a second, I'm going to cry."

"Coach Endou?!"

"Emergency! Emergency, everyone! Coach Endou is SAD!"

-

"So, what happened while I was gone?" Kirino asks.

Ichino isn't even going to bother. He just stares at the huge camp breakfast with twice the amount of people that should be there. And Kirino has no idea how it happened, but they've managed to make a hearty soup for breakfast.

"Coach Endou kidnapped some children," Sangoku says.

Yeah, that checks out.

"It's nice. It's big as a village," Shuu says, sitting by them. "The forest hasn't been this lively in a while."

"Shuu, aren't you going to eat?"

"No, I'm fine."

Kirino hasn't met Shuu as often as he'd like to, honestly. They're acquaintances at most, because Shuu's more Tenma's friend than he's anything else.

Kirino only barely knows what happened last time... but this is different.

Shuu isn't hostile toward them. They're not forced into a fight for the territory. Shuu doesn't acknowledge them through watching Tenma's plays— they've come to a truce, simply by meeting under different circumstances.

Did the timing of Raimon's arrival and the lineup variation cause much more changes than Kirino had anticipated?

(They don't have Kariya. They don't have Nishiki. They don't have Hikaru.)

(They won't be able to win against Zero like this.)

Kirino sighs. Then again, Shindou, Tsurugi, and Minamisawa were never meant to fall into the hands of their enemies, so it's changed enough. Now the worst case scenario would be that they would end up reuniting as enemies...

"What are you thinking about so deeply, Kirino-kun?"

Kirino blinks in surprise.

Shuu had addressed him directly, without any prompting. He had never been interested in interacting more than necessary before, and yet...

"Ah, no... I was just thinking..." Kirino hums, "if you guys are on this island, that means you're all Seeds, right? So why are you helping us?"

Shuu beams, "because you're all interesting."

Same answer as last time, huh.

Kirino sighs fondly. "Well, if you say so. Is it alright for you guys to stay here? Won't you get in trouble with Fifth?"

"Are you worried about us? You're rather nice."

Kirino closes his eyes, deciding he didn't want to think too deeply about what any of this could mean. "I'm always nice. I'd consider myself one of the least problematic ones of this club, honestly. I'm a pacifist, through and through."

Shuu chuckles. "That sounds about right."

Kirino sits on the log, and they both spend a moment in silence.

"Pacifists... that's not really a word I'd associate with the revolution that Raimon's holding, honestly. Or with the Raimon name at all. You guys are always at the center of the rebellion," Shuu says. "In that sense, isn't 'pacifism' just superficial?"

They'll have to fight, either way.

This is war, after all— and even if it isn't literal, there will always be conflict, and there will never be a communicative way to end it. A competition will always begin, a strategy must be enforced, and a result must be earned, to gain an understanding.

This is a world where pacifists cannot exist. Even Jeanne d'Arc, who wouldn't hurt a soul if a blade were to her neck, had to raise the flag of retribution for the mission that God laid out for her.

Shuu would consider himself a pacifist, too, but alas... his desire to avoid conflict has only ever brought more ruin. In the end, physical, overpowering strength is the only thing that can be relied on.

"In this world, pacifists can't win," Shuu says. "I truly believe that. That's why I'm lending Fifth Sector a hand."

Winning isn't everything— but this is a world where losing holds consequences far too drastic to be dismissed. If they lose a single match, the soccer they loved would disappear, and their freedom will be taken away, and they'll be forced to assimilate into the SEED system.

If they lose, they'll lose everything. Kirino understands why the SEEDs are afraid to leave. He understands why a pacifist with a heart as kind as Shuu would submit to Fifth Sector in an endeavour for power.

"Tell me, Kirino," Shuu says. "Am I wrong? Would I be?"

Kirino doesn't understand why Shuu had chosen for Kirino to answer this question. But Kirino answers it anyways.

"I don't know either. It's rough, and it sucks," Kirino says, "but we just have to find a way to stand up, even after losing. I don't know if things will ever be alright, but if I live on, I'll find opportunities to pretend to be happy. Maybe one day I can trick myself into truly being happy, so until then, I'll keep trying."

(He doesn't really believe himself, either.)

"...and how's that working out for you?" Shuu asks. His voice is cold, as if he already knows the answer. As if he already knows that standing up is difficult, from Kirino's current state. "Tell me if it gets better for you anytime soon, I'll want to know."

It's just a little disbelieving, just a little sarcastic. Just a little challenging.

(If you know the cheat sheet to happiness, then maybe, there's hope for hopeless pacifists like the both of us after all.)

Kirino falls silent. But he manages to chuckle, exasperated.

"It's a race, then," Kirino says.

Surprisingly, Shuu releases an equally exasperated laugh. He covers his mouth with his fist but fails to suppress himself. Instead, he stands up and dusts himself off.

"Alright, Kirino-kun, I'll keep that in mind."

Shuu waves, before turning toward the forest, quietly leaving the scene. He parts from the rest of Ancient Dark behind without even a word— and no one stops him.

Kirino stares at his figure as it disappears in the foliage.

(Kirino is not any closer to understanding Shuu. And perhaps, he may never get close enough to comprehend him, ever.)

(Perhaps, that's fine.)

-

The door of the jailcell opens to Kidou Yuuto and Otonashi Haruna. They are definitely not trying to pick the lock of the shackle on Kidou's foot, so they obviously did not very indiscreetly fail to pretend to act natural.

Gouenji Yuuka gives them a very impressive rendition of Gouenji Shuuya's famously unimpressed scowl, complete with the arms-crossed-brow-raised combination.

Otonashi tries in vain to hide her hairpin, but Yuuka waves it all away and with a sigh and a ring of keys.

"Save it, save it. Come on, let's go."

"Go?" Kidou asks. He catches the keys and balks. She might be Yuuka but this might also be just too good to be true. There's no reason to compromise her brother's plans right now... so what's going on. "Go, where?"

"On... a tour of God Eden?" Yuuka suggests, like it's a question. She inspects her nails, "I don't know, what do you guys wanna do?"

"What?" Kidou manages.

"Yuuka-chan..." Otonashi facepalms, "serious question. Are you allowed to do this?"

"Ah don't worry, my brother hasn't even noticed I'm here yet," Yuuka says, "don't worry, I gave Screwdriver a lot of snacks so he loves me. Toramaru can't tattle on me as long as his hissatsu beast is at stake!"

"What," Kidou says, louder.

Otonashi grimaces. "...uh. In case you need a reminder, 'Screwdriver' is the name of Toramaru's Tiger Drive—"

"Haruna, I'll have you know I am constantly reminded of the tiger's name against my will," Kidou emphasizes, "my answer remains. What on earth?"

"It's okay, it's not like you guys are going to escape anyways, right? And it's better for you guys to learn exactly what's going on in this place anyways," Yuuka says, "Come on, let's go~ my brother will deal with the consequences."

"Yuuka-chan, please," Otonashi pleads, standing at the doorway of the jailcell, "can you just. Lock us back up and be a good girl and go back and not cause trouble for your big brother?"

To which Yuuka immediately turns around and proudly declares, "no! Haruna-san just think about it!" she points boldly, "if you were in my place, would you behave?!"

Otonashi experiences a horrifying, thunder-striking moment of realization.

Kidou proceeds to bury his face into his hands.

"Haruna..." he starts, warningly.

Otonashi immediately spins around, a new glow in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Nii-san! But she's right. I can't scold her, she's right. It's like the sacred mission of little sisters! I can't defy this, I'd be defying my life's calling!"

"This is ridiculous nonsense! I am so exasperated I've said something redundant."

"You will not get in the way of our passion, Onii-chan!"

"HARUNA."

Kidou snaps, exiting the room immediately to chase them down— but he comes directly to the sight of Utsunomiya Toramaru staring in exasperation at them. Yuuka and Otonashi don't notice yet, facing Kidou and being utterly confused as he chokes on himself and balks, stepping back into the jailcell.

Then Yuuka and Otonashi pale.

"He's right behind us, isn't he."

Utsunoimya Toramaru gives a longsuffering sigh and Otonashi dashes behind her older brother.

"We didn't do anything!" she insists.

"You're throwing me under the bus!" Yuuka whines. "I thought you were better than this!"

Toramaru sighs once more. "Whatever, at this point," he says, kneading a knuckle into his eye, bracing for an oncoming headache. "I was just about to get you guys, anyways. Ishido Shuuji-san is busy with a guest, so we have to move now... you need to see this."

Kidou's head lifts with concern.

It's rare that Toramaru takes such a quiet tone.

-

In a quiet, isolated room, down in the depths of God Eden, Tsurugi Kyousuke runs on a narrow treadmill that never quite ends.

His left hand is stuck on the handle to the side, a single thin sinker driven through the middle of his palm, between the bones, to keep it in place. Blood seeps through the rusted steel. There's a matching hole and bloodstain on the other side, but he doesn't acknowledge it.

Marked Seeds are paired, they always are.

(Tsurugi keeps his left hand in his pocket, when he summons Lancelot.)

(He wonders if Hakuryuu still does the opposite, when summoning Shining Dragon.)

He says nothing through the muzzle locked on his face. He just focuses on his weighty and laboured breathing, taking one step after another. His vision is hazy, but he runs on, pausing intermittently to dodge obstacles, dribbling a ball up the road that won't stop yet.

He runs on.

And on.

And on.

(It's okay, he can run much longer, much faster, much stronger.)

"You know you're not leaving until you understand what you did wrong, Tsurugi Kyousuke," Coach Kibayama says. "I don't like that defiant glare of yours."

Tsurugi scowls, glare set upon the Coach, growling under his breath, because it's the only sound he can make under the muzzle that locks his jaw in.

"Very well," Coach Kibayama mutters, turning away. "Keep running, you feral mutt."

-

Shindou's alone in the cells today.

There are earmuffs, locked over his head, and he can't hear a single thing except his own breathing. Not the ball when he kicks it, not the metal of the goalpost when he scrapes his foot against it, and not the yelling of the trainers as they scream in his face.

The world feels far away. He's breathing.

The world doesn't seem real. But his breaths are loud.

He doesn't know, anymore, if any of this is truly happening. He takes a breath.

Someone approaches and he flinches, suddenly alarmingly aware of everything. The number of steps the trainer takes, the slightly hunched gait, the toned muscles, the hands big enough to hold a football in only one hand. The stern scowl, judging every feature on Shindou's face.

But Shindou is breathing.

He's taking a breath, and letting it out, over and over— but is he really?

Eyes meet, cold and silent.

Shindou stands up quickly, because when the trainer follows, he instinctively realizes, that he has to follow. The trainer's steps are purposeful, confident, and this must mean it is time for extra training once again.

(Still, Shindou breathes.)

He doesn't quite know how many days it's been. Is everyone alright? He hasn't seen Tsurugi since that first day. Minamisawa's been gone for a while, too.

Are they okay?

(Does he have the time to wonder if they are?)

The boy with twice-toned hair scowls at him from the other end of the training room once again. His hair is long and white and tied down neatly, not a single strand out of place today as well. He's not wearing earmuffs like Shindou— instead he's muzzled, like a dog, his glare worsening as he registers the colours of the Raimon jersey.

And yet, he's unfazed. His back is pulled straight, his steps are confident, and he wastes no movement.

How strong do you have to be, to get used to this?

(Will Shindou ever reach that point?)

(Does he want to?)

Something is familiar about him. The way he scrutinizes his opponent, the way he only looks in pointed direction to gather all the information he needs— the way he wastes no movements in his runs, his feet never miss a step, his strength is almost air-rupturingly hot as the ball brushes past his face.

The way each kick is fueled with rage and deeply-buried passion, roaring so loud and powerful they're packed with chaotic notes that only ever sound good by itself.

(Ah.)

(He's kind of like Tsurugi.)

The ball drops into the field.

All thoughts are ripped from his head. His body dives for the ball before he can think anything of this new instinct that's been conditioned into him. He needs to get it now, right now, he needs to score a goal first and powerful and quickly, and Shindou can think of nothing else.

He hasn't won a single time.

(He really, really, really, doesn't want another hour in the intensive training room.)

-

Minamisawa honestly didn't know that someone could actually drive him to train hard enough to get physically sick.

He's never been one to train so much, train so fervently. He didn't like soccer that much, he'll stop when he's tired, thank you. That's usually, at least because now that's not an option. The bruises are purple around his arms, his knees ache so badly, and the balls of his feet hurt with every step.

His head is spinning and he can't do anything except weakly lean upon the wall, knowing his next movement will only result in another violent lurch to the side. His head is a ball of fire and he's so tired he can't even try to throw up anymore.

The one he's up against leaves the room after victory.

Minamisawa slumps against the wall and allows himself to slide into a sitting position, head leaning against the wall as he tries to get some cold air in his lungs. He closes his eyes, but the world doesn't stop spinning, it only gets more nauseating in the darkness of his eyelids.

The door opens and closes. He barely registers it.

"Oh, you're doing pretty well, all things considered."

Minamisawa cracks an eye open and regrets it. The light is bright, but the person walks forward, and his shadow is cast over Minamisawa's face.

He looks again, and the boy with bangs tipped red and white smiles kindly at him.

"It's okay, it's not time for the next session yet, so you can rest a little longer," he says. "Oh, would you like some water? I can go find some."

He's nice.

But that's not a good sign.

Why would anyone be nice here?

His fists clench. He's not about to get mocked here. The last guy that did kicked him in the face on purpose, and the coach allowed it because anger might help him summon a Keshin, who knows.

And Minamisawa has had enough. He's really had enough. Screw this, screw all this, he just wants to crash and sleep and never wake up again if that's possible. This is ridiculous.

"Fuck off."

He doesn't know how he found the strength, but he managed to say it.

There's a short laugh as the boy with black hair stands up. "Your voice is shot! I'll go get you a drink," he assures.

Minamisawa doesn't get to cuss him out further.

He doesn't get it. That guy must be mocking him, his weakness, his inability to summon a damn Keshin.

Well, it's not as if Minamisawa's ever been good at this, anyways.

Minamisawa has never been one to acknowledge or subjugate beasts. He has too much pride for any of that, he's barely any good with humans or even children, and the animals can sense that indignation from a distance.

A Keshin, something with a consciousness, will definitely never show up for him.

Minamisawa is not strong enough to command any respect, and he refuses to show any respect, either. He's got a strong kick, but that's about it. He cannot command the winds, nor the earth, or the flames— and even if he manages to, he will never be a match for everyone else.

Minamisawa isn't weak, but he's just not enough.

He doesn't even match his teammates in passion for soccer. He's trying, he really is. He wants to be cool, he wants to be reliable— but it just isn't who he is, and that shows.

How could he ever hope to be the ace striker of anything?

"You know, usually when you're so strong and yet can't get anywhere, it's because you're overthinking it all."

Minamisawa jumps, eyes snapping open. When did he come back? He didn't hear the door open again.

There's a soft clink to his side.

It's an energy drink.

"Keshin aren't some intimidating spectral being you have to call upon and tame, or anything," he says, a hand at his chest. "A Keshin is a manifestation of who you are. You can't get anywhere with it until you accept yourself."

Minamisawa blinks in surprise. What is that supposed to mean?

"It is not anger or determination, or fear, or anything else that allows us to summon Keshin," he says. "Once you've accepted that you're simply a powerless human being... someone will respond to your call for help."

Whether that call is a beast, or an element, or a spirit... it depends.

"Fifth Sector doesn't know this, but Keshin are not born of power, training, or determination," he says, "Keshin are, at their core, born of love. Whether that love is warm or painful, hopeful or evil, it depends on the person. But it is love."

Why...

Why is this boy talking like he knows everything about them?

"Keshin are an evolution of humanity," he says. "They are a manifestation of humanity's deepest desires and emotion... the desire to protect something."

That's silly. And cheesy. And ridiculous. And annoying.

Someone who can summon Keshin effortlessly would know nothing about someone throwing up just struggling to even comprehend how to begin.

(And yet. And yet.)

(And yet, his smile is so warm and kind, Minamisawa can't help but want to believe him, just a little.)

(He's never been smiled at so sweetly before.)

"...why are you telling me, then?" Minamisawa manages, confused. His hands are numb, he has no strength, but he knows any time now the bells will ring and he'll have to get up and be kicked around once more.

"Someone told me something fascinating today," the boy relents. "He told me that pretending to be happy's just a little better than being stuck in a dark ditch all the time. And I wanted to try a bit of that to see how it felt."

A soft chuckle.

"And how's that going?"

The boy hums.

"I don't know. It's kinda dumb, huh?"

It's cheesy. It's silly, and it's just full of hopeful, poetic nonsense that had no purpose but to pretend things weren't as hopeless as they seemed. It made Minamisawa sick to the stomach.

But just a little, the laughter came back to him, and he felt light.

He felt like he was back with Raimon again, just for a moment.

"It's dumb," Minamisawa says, reaching up to swipe his bangs up, just a little as a smile curls onto his face. "So dumb, seriously. Just be quiet and kick the damn ball already. I'm going to summon my Keshin this time and get this fucking training over with."

The boy laughs, it's loud and light, and joyful. Genuinely, boyish and cheerful. It's a sound Minamisawa didn't expect to hear from anyone in God Eden, not after so many sarcastic jeers and bitter, crude laughter.

This boy laughs with innocence.

(Why is he here, then?)

"Alright then," the boy gets into position as the bell rings and a ball drops from the ceiling. "Let's get started, Minamisawa-kun."

"What, you know my name?" Minamisawa pushes himself up on shaky feet.

"I'm Shuu," the boy immediately replies, which is surprising. "It's nice to meet you."

-

Ishido Shuuji sighs, looking out to the window, where God Eden stadium stood strong and intimidating in the ever-gray clouds of the island center.

Senguuji Daigo has just left the room.

"I truly believe this facility was a mistake," he says. "No matter if we're looking for these supposed 'Second Stage Children, there's no good justification for this cruelty. This living hell on earth. Wouldn't you agree..."

He turns around to the hooded figure seated upon the couch.

"...Supporter X?"

The figure nurses a cup of tea.

"I wish I could agree, but..." they set the cup on the table beside the plate of untouched mochi dusted with soybean flour. "The higher-ups even insist we're not doing enough."

"Even after going this far?"

"This much has been done before," they say. "God Eden did what it was made to do... and it wasn't enough. The Core Timeline still ended, along with all historical achievement and record of that dimensional route... We lost everything. We have to start all over again, and until we find out what went wrong... we only know that God Eden is essential."

Their hand balls over the handle of the cup.

Ishido Shuuji averts his eyes. "And how many children will you sacrifice until the future is saved? Do you have no conscience of your own?"

There's a stilted moment of silence. 

Then, a dry, pained laugh.

"Conscience? If you knew the state of the world in two hundred years, you would be on my side."

Supporter X wears a cloak with the emblem of El Dorado on it, and Ishido Shuuji frowns, still unable to understand them.

To ask 'who are you' would be pointless.

The question is, what is Supporter X's connections to the current Raimon, who spearheads the foundation of El Dorado?