24. no matter what I say (it won't be enough)

El Dorado comes back online, and the effects of that is visible rather quickly across the mainland. But the clearest is how patience is wearing thin among most. 

The kids will have to truly figure out the damage done to their strikers later. 

For now, Endou has had enough.

-

-

-

"Ichino, I'm going to die."

"Hayami, calm down, take a breath."

"No seriously I'm going to die."

"Will you stop dying if I give you candy?"

They had to get Hayami out of there with bribes of salt candy, a hot towel, and the promise that the bench might be more comfortable than the grass. Probably.

Akane got there first to inspect his injuries, but she couldn't be bothered to lift him away so she just got on her knees, put a towel over Hayami's face, clapped twice, and prayed.

Ichino would have to go back in to take his place.

"Let's stop breaking the sound barriers next time," Trainer Zaizen chuckles, lifting Hayami like a princess and depositing him by the managers. "Last time someone did that, they broke their eardrums."

"I thought we promised not to bring that up again," Coach Endou sounded offended. "Kazemaru and Midorikawa got a whole week walking around Liocott with the signs of shame for that stunt they pulled."

"It was the funniest thing," Trainer Zaizen emphasized.

Ichino did not look assured. With one glance and nod to Kirino, he took a breath, and braced himself to step on the field as the referee signaled the player substitution.

"Ichino," Kirino calls. "Just do what you do best, alright?"

Ichino falters at that, "how I am supposed to know what that means—" but the whistle blows and his feet jerk forward, and he runs toward his position.

Shindou greets him as Hamano raises a thumbs up and Tenma waves, and Ichino tries not to be nervous all over again. He may never get over the jitters of being on the field.

It's hard not to be. He's inarguably the weakest player on the field at the moment.

-

Meanwhile on the mainland, in Rairaiken which has been reserved for the day— Tobitaka is out, which means El Dorado has taken over.

"You should've come to us immediately," Hiroto sighs. "Planning to mindfuck the country and not asking me to join? I'm offended."

"Oh you're offended," Kogure snarls, "I was betrayed! In my OWN HOME!"

Aki whines, "in my defense I didn't know anything until Touko flew in with a helicopter!"

"You were harbouring a SEED under our roof and you didn't tell me!"

"You passed him the soy sauce at the dinner table, I thought you knew!"

"You think I'd notice after a long and backbreaking nomikai trying to sweet talk my boss into giving me a higher increment?!"

"Can you both SHUT UP PLEASE," Megane yells, furiously trying to work through the computer system installed in the basement room. "If you guys are going to be this noisy, I'd have asked Noberu to harbour me instead!"

Kogure gasps. "You'd betray Raimon to the maid cafes, you hikkikomori?!"

"Yeah and I'd take Someoka with me, try me!"

"Hell no!"

"And SHUT UP about my employment status! Kazuto is doing his best as my body double in the Resistance and he is getting PAID!"

"Is he really a body double if everyone knows that's not you except Natsumi-san's father?" Aki sighs. "Enough. I didn't get all of you together to make this fuss, we need to get El Dorado back up, the boys must have found some evidence on God Eden. We need to fix as much of it so they can come back."

"Right!" Megane starts working again. "Has anyone called for reinforcements?"

"Is someone else coming?" Hiroto asks. "I lent you all the Kira technology and everything, what else could you need? We're not getting money until Sakuma gets his son and the only thing standing between him and our lives is Happy Feet currently playing in the Kidou Home Theatres."

"Wait, didn't Kino put the remaining Kaiou kids there too?" Kogure grimaces, "Kidou Mansion, shelter for the fugitive kids?"

"Hakamada-san assured us he would babysit," Aki argues. "He's doing an amazing job. I'm just thinking how anyone's going to explain why we converted a mansion into a child refugee centre while the owner was kidnapped by child enslavers."

"Don't worry," Hiroto says, "last time we had that reunion dinner Urabe said she'll defend us in court if we fess up eleven billion dollars. I can do that easily."

"Can you shut up, trust fund baby?" Kogure groans.

"Also, we called Sugimori," Megane says. "If I have to do all this alone for two more hours I will destroy something. Probably my figure collection. And then Future Me will hate me."

Aki took a moment before saying, "Sugi—? as in Mikage Sennou's Sugimori?"

"Yes," Kogure says. "He's the head of my IT Dept now. He can do better, but he says he's laying low until Shimozuru and Shadow take over Google."

"What does that even—"

"Don't drag poor Shadow into this!"

"Hey come on," Megane argues, "if any of you were at least halfway decent with computers, I wouldn't have to recruit the Brainwashing Academy veterans!"

"In my defense," Kogure says, "I'd rather them on our side than Fifth Sector's."

Aki whimpers into her hands, "God help us when Hibiki-san finds us..."

"Oh I called Aphrodi too," Kogure doesn't even miss a beat. "He said he's busy. Are you guys okay with Saginuma instead?"

"No," Hiroto starts, sincerely, "he will yell at me. I didn't have permission to go out without Ryuuji and he was assigned my babysitter."

"Oh come on alien overlord," Megane groans, "don't go judging our invitation list. We are fixing this shit so the kids can play soccer, alright? You want your kid playing soccer in a monarchy like this??"

Hiroto grimaces. "At this point I don't want my kid anywhere near Raimon, you guys are gonna corrupt him."

Silence.

"...YOU HAVE A KID??"

"Ah crap that was supposed to be a secret until next week—"

-

; Hey did you see that video

; what video? Shit did Eldorado come back on?

; yeah its crazy

; think it might be faked honestly

; Hi, does anyone have updates on Raimon v Aoba? Official Holy Road court records say it's currently happening, midway into the 2nd half now.

; it's WHAT

; it's not a live match because of what that sengguy said or smth

; who cares about the match have u seen the fckn VIDEO on ED??

; what the fuck is a god eden and why does this guy have a punchable voice

; god eden?

; Holy road say its the venue of Raimon v Aoba??

; it's real??? Google Maps me who wants to uber copter there with me

; me

; me

; ME

; can't find shit about it on google

; dammit

; holy shit what are they doing to the kids here??? That training schedule can't be serious

; guys calm down that place is fake the nonexistent location proves it

; yeah is the cameraman invisible or something? Obviously fake

; i dunno guys... one of my student's a Seed and he ran straight out from cram school after seeing it. No explanation, nothing

-

"HOWDY Y'ALL SCALLYWAGS! RISE AND AT'EM!"

"AHHHHH!"

"SEAS, HAVE MERCY!"

Fudou is treated to the sight of Namikawa terrorizing his teammates as they find the confinement bunks they were slotted into. Apparently after their coach brought them here initially with Endou's group, they've been retraining since.

"Wanda's here, so don't think about running," Yoshimine warns, holding up his phone livestreaming to El Dorado.

"Are you here to save us or finish us off??"

"Men," Namikawa interrupts, "we're committing mutiny."

There's a moment where every member of Kaiou in the room stares, uncomprehending of what they've just heard. They look back and forth between the camera and Namikawa for a moment.

Then, Wanda raises a harpoon. "We have one comrade to go around."

Kaizu roars as he launches himself out of the top bunk, "DIBS ON THE COMRADE!"

"MUTINY?!" one yells, excitement flooding the soldier's voice rumbling through his throat, eyes wide and smiles brimming. "WE GET TO MUTINY, CAPTAIN??"

"YES! YESSSS!!"

"Mutiny! Mutiny! Mutiny! Mutiny!"

"FLAG! Where's the flag?! Dibs on the biggest Fifth Sector flagpole up top!"

"Does El Dorado have a flag? They can be right under us."

"SHUT UP!" Namikawa yells, "get your stations and free anyone that'll follow! Kill anyone who doesn't! NOW MOVE OUT!"

"AYE CAPTAIN!"

Yoshimine has to whisper a frantic clarification to the camera, "we're not literally killing anyone, don't worry, disclaimer! Killing means tying up their limbs and throwing them overboard. Totally harmless stuff."

"MURDERRRR!!" the fleet hollers as they run down the halls.

"KILL THEM ALL AND TAKE THEIR LOOT, WE'RE EATIN' GOOD TODAY!" Namikawa yells, pointing forward.

Yoshimine looks into the camera and adds, just in case, "okay let's be fair. We're not on Japanese soil, so we cannot be judged by Japanese law— and also, we're underage. That means we can't be accountable for what we do unsupervised, right?"

A second later,

"Chat, do you know a good lawyer?"

-

"You know what we're missing?" Touko starts the conversation.

"A solid Defense foundation? Because I know," Endou says. "Kirino makes up a core part of the defense's movements, he's hard to replace. The others aren't bad but Kurumada and Amagi don't mesh well with Shinsuke. It makes the Defense imbalanced. We'll have to trust that our offense is good enough for this match..."

"No not that," Touko amends, "we're missing a nickname guy."

Endou pauses in his deliberation to come out of Coach mode just to level Touko with an exasperated stare.

"What?" he demands. He was acting like a Coach for once!

Touko tries to formulate her reasoning with all the seriousness of a chemist justifying her next explosion, "you know, a guy on the bench just giving everything a name. I'm talking hissatsus. You know, like Megane did for us? Because the kids are poppin' up with new hissatsus left and right unnamed and we're losing track."

"Touko, there are better things to worry about."

"No, this is the most important thing to worry about."

"Touko."

-

Once Raimon got the flow of the match, it became an actual back-and-forth.

When Hamano lost the ball to an honestly jarring maneuver from Kai, he found himself laughing as he fell back. "What the hell was that? That was cool!"

And Kai laughed fondly back, passing it off and turning to grin at Hamano, "well, before I got scouted as a SEED, I was in a circus," he explains, "honestly you'd fit right in where I was."

"A circus?? You SEEDs really come from everywhere, don't you?"

"Wouldn't be SEEDs in a better situation, dude."

"What– woah," Hamano whistles, "I guess that makes sense. Kinda like Tsurugi, I guess everyone's got their own circumstances..."

Kai chuckles. "Yeah, but don't worry about it. This match is pretty fun now, actually," he says, looking out onto the field.

Unlike the start of the match, where balls were aimed at people, charges were plunged into stomachs, and there was a hint of mockery to every feint and laziness to every steal— now, they were all in it.

Someone slides to get the ball from Shinsuke, who yelps, clutches the ball in his knees, and immediately lost control of his somersault. This leads to a shriek, awkward hand-flapping as he tries to fly once he realizes he's up too high— and then a rough tumble with the Ancient Dark Midfielder as they try to catch each other while landing.

Shinsuke jumps up squawking "IAMSOSOSSORRY AREYOUOKAY??!" to which the referee apologetically looks at him with a yellow card already called anyways.

The guy he's collapsed on is trying his hardest to not choke on his own wheezing laughter.

"Why are you so tiny but you crash like a truck?"

"Hey!" Shinsuke's offended.

Something's changed from before. Shuu wasn't at the front anymore— almost as if he's looking at everything from afar, rather than being at the forefront of the match again.

This made some sense. With the score gap as wide as it still was, one could argue he didn't want to move yet.

Whatever the case, this was good for Raimon.

-

"Shindou," Ichino takes the opportunity to approach, "whatever we do, they'll be able to read our moves. It seems to be their strong point— they've trained in forests, they're all very nimble, even the ones that look like heavier hitters."

Shindou soaks in this information.

"Would the addition of the three of us change things?" he asks.

Ichino doesn't miss a beat to say, "they got the edge on us moments after we first met. Even when we were still in the forest, they were always in tune with each other, and we could never keep up. So, they're good with learning about new people, I don't think you'll be very unexpected."

Shindou sighs.

When it comes to determining the next course of action, Shindou was of course the best choice. He saw paths and understood how to direct the pace of a team the best. But Ichino, who's spent most of his time in the club on the bench, is best at analyzing their opponent, identifying their strengths, and clarifying their problem.

Ichino sees things Shindou wouldn't, because Shindou was always looking at the team, while Ichino wa slaways looking at the opponents. They're both trying to find the correct direction onward, but in different ways.

Odd as it was, they've never played a match together.

Honestly, what a waste. It seemed as if Shindou and Ichino would be a dream team.

"Couldn't be helped," Shindou says, "you guys were thrown into a completely new space— of course they'd be much more familiar on their home grounds."

Raimon has had bootcamps before, especially in the soccer club. So they won't do horribly in the forests, but of course they wouldn't hold a candle to the real veterans.

Ichino's eyes widened with realization.

"That's it!"

Shindou blinks in surprise. "What's it?"

"Home grounds!" Ichino says.

He looks around— the crowd is filled with SEEDs, everything looks haunting and oppressive, and of course, Raimon's uneasy in God Eden. They're surrounded by enemies in all directions, and it's always a little unsettling to play away games.

"Shuu told us... Ancient Dark spends most of their time in the forests. They stay out of the limelight the most, and they mainly hone their skills outdoors. They're not as accustomed to proper, official games like this one," Ichino reveals. "But us? We've been training in the huge Raimon soccer building this whole time, we're used to closed stadiums, crowds of chatter, and specialized training facilities. And the cameras!"

Ironically enough, Raimon was more accustomed to this field than Ancient Dark could be. After all, most of Ancient Dark aren't faces that could be snuck onto a school roster. They're SEEDs that aren't used the way Tsurugi and Nmaikawa were— they're SEEDs hidden away in the Fifth's secret forest arsenal, and this was their first time being taken out and used for show.

"This match is an Away Game for them, too," Shindou comes to the same conclusion. "They're not in their element! Of course!"

In an official game, there are many strict rules, there's a timer-based system, and there's someone scrutinizing every move. Ancient Dark, with their motto of liberty and their role as an enforcer that has never been allowed to look too closely at the sun—

—of course, they're not all about this job as they seemed at first. At their core, they're pacifists that love soccer just like Raimon— they've just been forced into this position.

"Ichino, I need you on my side for the second half," Shindou says. "I know nothing about the opponents right now, and I don't have time to figure them out on my own."

Ichino nods. "Of course."

Shindou heads off to find the forwards, and Ichino sighs, taking a breath to brace himself for the whistle once more. He finds himself meeting eyes with Kirino on the other end of the field.

Kirino's hands are curled into that prayer again.

It's an odd new habit. Something Kirino's never done, at least from what Ichino's known from his time observing the first team. It's definitely just a placebo, but Ichino could help but intertwine his hands into that same motion.

What exactly is he wishing for, what exactly does he want help from? A divine intervention? Or a miracle? Or maybe he just wants to believe that, with enough determination, something will happen, and things will work out.

(Things will work out somehow.)

"It'll be fine, Ichino-senpai!"

Ichino's startled to find Tenma beside him. He hadn't even noticed when the boy came up to him. With a grin, Tenma assures him, his voice more firm than anything else.

"We're all here now, so there's no way we'll lose!"

There's just the way Tenma words things. The way Tenma's voice is so firm and resolute, like nothing's ever beaten him down before. Maybe something has, but he didn't stay down, and that's given him enough resolution to go on strong forever.

It's an energy that's so contagious, Ichino feels his chest lighten up almost instantly.

"I'm sure that we'll get through to him," Tenma says, turning to face Shuu, who smiles back at them even from a distance when their eyes meet. "It's soccer, after all. Soccer never betrays the people that love them."

Soccer never betrays the people that love them.

Ichino finds himself chuckling at those words.

It's so innocent, yet so beautifully articulated.

Kirino told them that Keshin were the manifestations of their own wills, and Ichino kind of understood. Pegasus and Exodus, both of them were symbols of liberty in opposing shades, in opposing lights. But they both symbolized this explosive desire for freedom within each of them— if Tenma had wings to soar, Shuu simply wanted a road of hope to escape, to break free from the darkness he'd been stuck in for so long.

If Kirino's Brynhildr was the symbol of the beginning of battle, then Maestro must be the one leading the story's onward pace.

All that's necessary is perhaps a knight to take down their enemies, and something to be their symbol of victory. Their symbol, that Raimon would never be taken down, that soccer will never die.

"Ichino-senpai?"

"Get back to your position, Tenma," Ichino assures him. "We're going to destroy Ancient Dark in this half, and you're not going to want to miss out."

Tenma seems startled for a moment, but he laughs.

"I've never seen you so excited before, Ichino-senpai!"

Excited? Ichino wonders what that looks like on himself. But he bursts into a bubble of laughter, and meets eyes with Shindou beside him.

"Let's go, Captain."

Shindou hums. "I'm counting on you."

-

What occurs next is a phenomenon no one can quite put a phrase to. No one recognizes when it begins, but once they notice it happening, there's nothing to deny it.

God's Baton circles perfectly around the field, and there's nothing in its way.

Even Shindou falters, at times, but now each step, each misstep, it's all calculated in a way that no one can deny was perfect. It was smooth. There was never a single falter that wasn't already scripted in the score.

And then they notice why.

Right behind Shindou is Ichino, and they work together like a pianist and a metronome. A compass to the single guiding light— filling in a gap no one had ever thought needed supplementing to begin with, and yet, they could no longer imagine being without it again.

Shindou couldn't look at the entire field at once, and thus, there was always a way to break into the music even if it was hard to find. But now? With Ichino firmly at Shindou's back, there was nowhere to slip into that majestic symphony. There was a harmony in their movements that made entry or exit difficult— once you were drawn into their pace, you played right into their hands.

Ichino was hardly as skilled a player as Shindou, and yet, Ichino fit right into the hole where Shindou's misgivings were, and he no longer had a single blind spot.

"Like a Commander and its Master Tactician," Trainer Touko breathes, in awe.

"Incredible," Coach Endou's face curls with pride, almost silly in the way he couldn't restrain his smile. "Kurama's falling behind Minamisawa, and the midfielders were stumbling with Shindou—" whatever happened in the SEED training centers, it disrupted their key players, noticeably, from the team. "And yet, Ichino's adapted faster than anyone else."

Akane takes a picture, swooning. "They're so cool."

"Uh? I don't really get it, but we're playing better than ever before," Midori stands up, and then, loudly, "THAT'S IT, BOYS! GO KILL'EM ALL DEAD!"

Aoi cheers too, "everyone finally looks like they're having fun!" she's endeared, "even the members of Ancient Dark..."

Kirino sighs, fondly from the bench. Hayami watches groggily from his spot, a small smile on his face.

"You did it, Ichino," Kirino whispers, only heard by Hayami.

Ichino surges onward at a perfect pace with Shindou. He screens exactly where he's needed, and a glance at Shindou seems to telepathically communicate the best path among their options.

If there was a mindscape where only both of them existed, it would be filled with charts, papers, and simulation boards. They would be two generals in a warzone, arguing over the next best course of action. If Shindou was arguing about the troop's ability to win in wisdom and artillery, Ichino was pointing out things he had never considered, like the weathers, the terrains, and so much more to truly navigate the path to victory.

This was a table of The Generals, and they were not to be interrupted.

"That's your first hissatsu technique this time around, huh?" Kirino rests his chin on a warm palm and can't help but grin. "As expected, it's still the coolest tactic Raimon will ever have."

-

Kurama knew something was wrong with Minamisawa, but he couldn't do a thing about it. So Minamisawa didn't ask for anything, and Kurama was unable to pursue it either.

It just wasn't like them to divulge emotions to each other. It was sappy, and embarrassing, and all Kurama could do was grow more and more frustrated each time Minamisawa unsubtly stumbled half a step so Kurama could keep up.

He hated it.

He hated it so much, he wished someone would call a timeout so he could deck MInamisawa in the face just once.

Don't underestimate me.

We've walked side by side all this time, but suddenly you have to slow down for me? Don't mock me like this. You've never looked down on me like this, so why start now?

He knew why. Minamisawa's run was lighter, and it no longer kept a pace with Kurama's. Two years of running beside each other on a field made their steps synchronize in a way that was second nature to them— and yet, in just a few days, that rhythm had been tainted.

Tainted.

By the noise of Shuu, who Minamisawa had been pitted against time and time again, until they dueled like a waltz, and the ball danced between their feet so fast, Kurama couldn't see where it went before it was stolen. He could see Minamisawa's face scrunch up with that concentration that meant he was having fun. That focus meant he was into something and really wanted to win.

Kurama isn't jealous.

He swears, he's not jealous.

He's not jealous, but it just wasn't fair. He's played with Minamisawa two years, and that guy thinks he can just come up, kidnap their ace, and ruin it all? Who does he think he is, taking that place?

Ah, he remembered this frustration. He felt this way too, when Tsurugi came in and threatened to take away the starter position from them. Tsurugi standing as the third at the front of their position still felt odd, but at least no one's tried to steal Kurama and Minamisawa's perfect duality before.

Until now.

It just wasn't fair.

(Was he jealous? No way. He's annoyed. Just so annoyed.)

"Kurama!"

With a sharp breath, he quickens his pace past his breath, holding back a wince as he forces a new step through his already winded ribs— and catches the pass.

Every step hurts.

But he can't fall behind even further now.

"Kurama!" that's Minamisawa's voice, great, he just has to pass and— "come on, you're falling behind!"

...huh.

Minamisawa's powering on, clearly exhausted in his own way. His eyes are tired in a way usually only present before exam days, dark circles sagged under those lids and a weight in his shoulders that means he's irritable.

Kurama's never been the most patient, but on those days for Minamisawa, he liked to be tolerant of him. He liked the spot beside the temperamental, sleep-addled striker when he wasn't in a good mood.

But now?

-

"Kuram—ack!"

The whistle's loud and sharp, and Minamisawa groans, frustrated. When the ball came straight at his face like that, how could he not have instinctively raised his arms to defend, especially after the past few days?

He lands on the ground with a sigh. Everything hurts, of course. His back aches, his legs are screaming for help, and if only Kurama would keep up, they'd have brought the ball up fast enough.

It was frustrating. After all that individual training, Minamisawa needed to readjust to the pace of God's Baton, to the pace of someone he's run beside his entire life. Why was that so hard? And why did he have to do it in such an agonizing condition?

He liked soccer, don't get him wrong. But not enough to go through hell for it twice, yet here he is anyways. He just wants to win this match and be done with it.

Kurama's walking towards him as the referee calls a yellow card for him for touching the ball with his hand.

Minamisawa sighs, turning up to Kurama, "come on now, you can pass better than—"

He's interrupted with a curt: "That's it, bitch," Kurama doesn't take Minamisawa's hand to help him up. Instead, the fist is curled right around his collar and then Minamisawa's getting lifted and Kurama's face is before his and—

—oh crap.

Right. The one with the horrible temper in Raimon isn't Minsamisawa. It's—

"Did you just fucking yell at me, you piece of shit?!" Kurama snaps, and shakes Minamisawa violently, "you wanna fucking go, huh?! You think just because you went through some cool training you get to lord that over me, mister High and Mighty?"

Ah.

"You're too short to be trying to size me up, Kurama."

Three steps away, Tenma gasps in horror.

-

"Endou," Touko calls.

"No."

"Coach Endou," Touko emphasizes, "your strikers are punching each other."

"Touko, shush— Time out! Ref, time out!"

-

Hayami has gotten an ice pack for Tenma. He stepped in and got punched for his efforts.

Aoi is trying to get Kurama to hold still as she dabs some disinfectant on the split lip he got, while Akane's on the other end, bandaging the new cut on Minamisawa's temple. Midori sits between them, paper fan at the ready in case either of them tries a thing again.

Endou sighs, ready to step in— but Kirino stops him, smiles, and claps twice so the two offenders turn to him, still seated on the bench.

Endou wisely sits back down.

The way both Kurama and Minamisawa went instantly pale was an effect he probably wouldn't be able to cause as their coach.

"So..."

That single word made them jump with the fear of god in their veins and Kirino barked out a laugh at that, too.

"I'm not angry or anything!" he assures, though it doesn't seem his terrified defendants really believe him. Kirino's smile is light and warm, though, as he adds, "I just thought it was nice that you two can fight like this."

It's not as if they're always getting along or respectful. They quarrel, quite often too, it's just a thing that happens with two prideful types on the team. They're the two that work extremely well together because they've butted heads more times than anyone else.

Kirino and Shindou don't really fight. Hayami and Hamano have their disagreements too, but you wouldn't really call that a 'fight'. Kurama and Minamisawa? Last year was a bloodbath.

It's nostalgic, almost. Kirino hasn't seen these arguments happen since... well, since Minamisawa left Raimon last time around.

"Getting angry, arguing, and then, after punching it out, you come to a compromise. That's how it's supposed to be, right?" Kirino says. "It's all in good fun. If only we could get that far with Fifth Sector, then there wouldn't be a need to go through all this."

Minamisawa and Kurama glare at each other for a moment.

With a deep sigh, Minamisawa raises a single fist.

And Kurama knocks down at it from the top, standing up with a huff. "Someone get me some goddamn water and that candy!" he yells, then points back at Minamisawa, "just give me thirty seconds. I won't fall behind this time."

Minamisawa's eyes follow Kurama's figure as he chugs his drink and focuses, trying to get himself reoriented with the world.

He'd probably been minutes away from collapsing. He'd played the entire high-stress match at this point, but he can't switch out. They know this.

-

"Akane."

"I'm not sorry," she replies instantly, her camera— when did she even— flashing as she captures a picture from a safe distance away.

"Akane, what did you do?"

"Oh," Akane turns to Kirino like he'd just asked for the time, "I showed him El Dorado."

Oh.

Right, El Dorado, which currently has the video from MInamisawa on there. No wonder Coach Endou is marching right over, out of Ijigen the Hand, and making a beeline to the other bench irregardless of the guards and the announcer overhead.

"Woah-woah-woah LOOK DOWN THERE! Coach Endou seems to be making his way confrontationally to the other bench! Is something happening?" the commentator is honestly concerned, but maybe part of him just likes the drama about to unfold, "oh there's the guard coming to stop him from crossing their rest are— nevermind."

Raimon is treated to the sight of Endou Mamoru, the untouchable goalkeeper, and reminded of exactly why he was once a legend.

"Are those hands?" Shinsuke squints.

"Well there we go," Touko sighs, looking through the footage too, "why'd you kids keep this from him, anyways? Other than for comedic reasons."

"It was for comedic reasons?!" Hayami's appalled.

"Oh, that was only half of it," Sangoku says. "And when did you guys upload that to El Dorado anyways, how'd you get connection?"

"I did it just now," Akane says.

"And there's a connection for some reason," Aoi explains, "Trainer Zaizen says it's because of her? I'm not questioning it, I've been busy texting everyone's parents."

"It didn't matter what kind of dirt we had on Fifth Sector, the rule was to always keep it away from the Coach," Ichino explains.

"I mean," Hamano chuckles, and Trainer Zaizen suddenly has an epiphany, "there's a reason we didn't complain too much about Fifth Sector when the Coach is in the room. Why would you give Coach Kudou another reason to send a whole team of government agents to the hospital?"

Ah.

Right.

"That's still the most satisfying moment of our lives..." Kurumada reminisces dreamily.

"What?" Tenma's curiosity is piqued now, "what are we talking about?"

"I remember!" Amagi brightly grins, "it was when we got our first score order! We complained, and then we were threatened to quit the team if we didn't obey the score order. One of them hit Kurama."

Kurama looks over at the mention of his name.

"You still have the scar, right?" Sangoku asks.

Kurama nods, lifting up his bangs a little to the faint cut on his brow. "It's old news at this point. The hardest part was getting Coach Kudou to let me back into practice."

"I heard about it from the second field!" Ichino chuckles, "you gotta believe we were dramatically re-enatching it to the whole school for weeks, it was the best thing ever."

"Guys, is this the time to be nostalgic about the last greatest disaster of our Coach's career?" Hayami groans.

Kirino doesn't hesitate to correct him, "no, the last one was when we decided to plea insanity on the field and start a rebellion against Fifth Sector."

"Kirino, shush!"

"We were trying so hard not to get him fired back then..." Shindou sighs, "to think all of that would be null the second this year started..."

"Guys," Shinsuke calls, "is that like, okay?"

Everyone stares out into the distance as Coach Endou marches furiously forward. The other team is also staring, eyes wide, congregating carefully behind Kai. Shuu's talking to his coach as the Captain, and they both look over to hear what Coach Endou has to say.

And Sangoku says, "yeah, no, but like, he's been trying so hard to keep us behaving these few days. I don't think we have the right to stop him."

"If anyone deserves to go batshit it's him," Kurama nods.

Tsurugi, seated on the bench, notices Akane, "are you... livestreaming?"

"Of course," Akane sings.

-

If Endou had to be honest, he's been trying very hard to be tolerant so far. He's been having a bad day, bad month, bad year, bad life? At this point, he might as well call it a bad existence, because sincerely, what the fuck is going on?

Playing soccer shouldn't be this difficult, but alas. The world's collectively decided to fuck with him in particular.

Never let anyone say that nothing gets Endou Mamoru down. Honestly, he thinks they know that a little too well, because they keep things from him now, trying to fix things before he gets back. Something about how they felt responsible for how they treated him during the whole Aliea debacle and how they didn't want him to shoulder the burden any more or something.

So, Endou respected their decision. He wasn't smart anyways, if they wanted to hide something from him, they really could. Maybe they knew better.

But now?

Yeah, that's it. Endou's had enough.

"Hey, you're Kibayama, right?" he asks, just to confirm. "I didn't greet you earlier, but I'm Endou."

There's no nice to meet you or I hope we have a great match, that ship's sailed.

Kibayama levels him with a firm, unimpressed snort, and nudges his chin to send Shuu away. Shuu bows curtly in respect and excuses himself.

"Well, if it isn't the former Legendary Goalkeeper himself. To what do I owe the honour?"

Endou doesn't miss the way Kai takes Shuu by the wrist and immediately pushes him to the back of the group, eyeing the coaches warily as they huddle closer to their water break, as if they were still in the forest, in their camp, watching out for wild beasts.

How nostalgic. He's reminded of early days with Coach Hitomiko and Coach Kudou. The players do not trust this guy at all!

"Look, Coach Kibayama, if you have some time, I'll need you to explain this," Endou begins, patiently taking out his phone, "you see, I was made aware of—"

"Unfortunately," Kibayama interrupts, "we're in the middle of a match, so I don't quite think we have the time for small talk. I'd be happy to exchange pleasantries with you after this—"

"I do not care about the match right now," Endou intercepts his words right back. With a wide smile on his face that held no hint of joy at all he insisted, "I just want to hear what you have to say for yourself."

-

The video is incriminating.

"Hey you're going to break it—!!"

"Good! You're not listening to a single word, anyways, what's the worth?!"

Kibayama's voice is sharp and booming, and the hearing aid rings out a sharp feedback that makes Minamisawa hiss in pain, a sound barely caught by the recording device.

Kibayama releases Minamisawa's head, and he's violently thrown back until he hits something behind him with a grunt.

"Now get up!"

The line of balls are sent his way by three standing SEEDs, and Minamisawa sucks in a sharp breath before looking around quickly— but it's too late. He tries to return one of them, but the other catches on his shoulder and the last plunges into his stomach.

He's wrecked painfully against the wall again, and against the booming yell of Kibayama's "GET UP! NO MORE BREAKS!" more balls are sent his way, and there's little he can do but try his best to avoid getting hit.

"You're doing worse each hour!" Kibayama yells. "At this rate, you'll be a sitting duck when I send Shuu in again, utter waste of my time!"

The full video turns on every training session, alternating each hour with either a rally of SEEDs or Shuu summoning his Keshin against Miamisawa. It's hard to say which was the objectively worse training regime, because he got to rest once at noon with a meal and once in the night, without even a water break in between.

-

"So, Kibayama," Endou put the phone down, face stern with clear anger. "Go on."

Kibayama scoffs. "He was sent here on a strict regime by his parents. I had the permission and the protocols, and to ensure efficiency, that was the devised training menu for him."

"What," Endou's appalled, "do you think you're in the military or something? This is completely unacceptable for a kid in junior high! It's not drill camp, and even then, national leagues mandate a water break after every set. It's not healthy—"

"I assume you speak of the national leagues you play for, Endou Mamoru. That's because you're very competent players, and I acknowledge that," Kibayama's answer was seamless and professional, yet, sounded utterly unhinged to Endou's ears. "However, not all players are as capable and quick to learn as you are. Some require stricter dictation, especially when they're lacking in natural talent and are rebellious or... less abled in some way."

"Excuse me?" Endou's voice pitches into bewildered offense. "Did you just— Minamisawa's hearing has nothing to do with his playing level? And talent has nothing to do with soccer—"

"Oh, his hearing is very inhibiting," Kibayama says. "He does not observe as well as his peers, and thus, is less spatially aware on the field. Those lacking in talent and skill must go through extra effort to keep up, I'm sure you know—"

"Will you stop interrupting me for a fucking second!" Endou raises his voice.

"Oh woah now, let's not get emotional," Kibayama's lips curve into a smirk, "I'm sure you're frustrated that your players are less adapted to the field. I understand as a coach that it must be stressful to have to replace players on the field so often because their bodies were not trained to keep up. But that's no reason to take it out on the other team."

"Alright," Endou manages a wry, exasperated laugh. "Alright, Coach Kibayama, can you answer one thing for me? Ah— no, two things. Two things, please."

Kibayama's brow raises. "Well, what might be weighing on you?"

Endou heaves a long, shoulder-sagging breath. "What exactly do you think a coach is supposed to do?"

Kibayama hums, pleased by the question. "Well that's easy. I exist to cultivate the strongest possible team for Fifth Sector's goals. Soccer should be controlled, and we need a team that can command the field— a ruler, essentially, of this strength that soccer holds. Order and discipline is necessary, and as the coach of this team, I will enforce that balance within each member of my team."

Endou looks Kibayama in the eye as he says this— and finally he sighs, lowering his head in disappointment.

"Fair enough. Second question," Endou continues, his motivation all drained at this point. "How do you personally feel about soccer?"

Now Kibayama's baffled again. "I can play, of course. I'm rather confident in my skills. But I do not particularly care for the sport, it's just a means to an end— I'd never bother with it as a professional career. I prefer cultivating talent to standing on the field myself."

Endou nods, like that makes sense.

"That's a relief, actually!" he beams, mood risen immediately.

"A relief?"

Ignoring that, Endou lifts his head and finds Ancient Dark staring warily at them. He smiles assuringly. Turning behind him, he sees everyone from Raimon staring too. He chuckles, eyes searching for one particular person.

"Hey Touko?"

Touko, who had been staring with muted anticipation, a smile tickling the edges of her lips, immediately hollers back.

"Yes, Cap'n?"

"I need eleven billion dollars."

Whatever the teams were expecting him to say, it definitely wasn't that. Their eyes are wide with utter confusion as they look between the two adults completely blindsided.

Touko raises a thumbs up. "Consider it done!"

Endou doesn't hesitate. He whirls around with all the momentum of Fist of Justice and socks Kibayama right in the jaw.