[ notes / i don't know why this is so important to me but it is. i don't have any intention of shipping them but i guess they could be good friends at some point. i do really enjoy writing for nosaka even though i always call him a bastard lmao. he could of been so much of a better character tsk tsk, i have millions of headcanons but that's for another time. like all the others, i just had this saved somewhere and never did anything with it lol ]

Game start, currently Saudi Arabia was already putting their tactics to use. They were straight up cheating, but with the ball being in the middle of four people, no one could really see what was going on. Were they just fighting for the ball? That's what you do in soccer after all, so of course that's the case. Except it's not, and the opposing team was genuinely trying to deal actual damage. No break with these guys, is there?

Being in defense was a little nerve wracking, but since Kazemaru went up, Park had to stay back - despite being the libero. Even after their promise, the tealette was still keeping in touch with the supposed emperor. She couldn't blame him, it was for the team after all. Endou was the only one holding things together, he was the glue they desperately needed, and the motivation too.

Kazemaru was already surrounded, and surprisingly not doing such a bad job at avoiding any hits. Middle fielder Ichihoshi took some initiative, it looked like he was actually going to help.

"Park-chan! I'll take care of things back here! You go up and help out!" Endou noticed her obvious concern and called out. With a quick nod and wave, the libero moved up. This was a clear signal that everyone was moving onto the attack, because Kazemaru could get past this, and the ball would be moved up flawlessly.

Suddenly the whistle was blown, and when everyone looked, Kazemaru was on the ground. Looks like everyone was too late.

This was supposed to be Japan's best team. Everyone was carefully picked to form the perfect team, the team that would fight against the world. Yet all they've encountered were conflicts that always ended badly. Even back at Teikoku, something like this would have never happened. When they reached a wall, they helped one another and climbed it. Despite Fudou's bitterness. Despite Kageyama's strict rules. Despite Kazemaru's pain. Despite Sakuma and Genda's past. Despite Park's oddities They made it work. So why did this team break apart, over and over.

"Ichirouta--!" The whitette scampered over, placing a hand on his shoulder. "What happened? What did they do?"

"Kazemaru! Are you okay?" Endou and Sakanoe made their way over as well, even Fudou. That was his former trainer after all, and still his teammate. After all, Kazemaru and Park were the only two he actually gave a fuck about on this team - Kazemaru a little less, but, it was still there.

"I'm sorry." Kazemaru muttered, wincing in pain after pressing a hand against his leg.

"Well don't apologize! You should know that by now." Endou piped up. "Stay on the bench for a while, don't worry we'll be alright. Thanks for taking one for the team, bud." With a genuine smile and serious look in his eye, the brunette helped Kazemaru up.

"Just be careful, okay? I'll be fine, maybe in the second half I'll come on." Kazemaru nodded, well, that was a stretch but it was worth a try. Osamu was kind enough to help Kazemaru to the bench, but the tealette just wanted a moment longer.

Gritting her teeth, Park balled her hands into fists, digging her nails into her palms. It was sheer frustration and anger - which had never been in her nature. There had never been a trace of hostility in the female until this point. Her eyes glared at the red haired emperor.

It was his fault.

"Nosaka!"

His dreary grey eyes averted to the white haired girl.

"You really don't care what happens to anyone as long as it's apart of your plan. Do you!?" She snapped, an obvious grimace on her face. It was as if she was looking at something filthy.

"Stop it Mio, it's not his fault." Kazemaru immediately placed a hand on her shoulder. If a fight broke out at this point, that'd be bad. Especially with thousands of people in the stands watching. Though, maybe he wasn't the right person to try and stop her. She swat his hand away.

"Do you think this is fun for the rest of us-!? Standing back and watching you all drop like flies, while this kid calls all the shots!?" She obnoxiously jabbed a finger at Nosaka. "That's not even our captain! He sent you and Fubuki out here to get your legs broken and you're okay with it!"

Before things could get any worse, Fudou ended up being the one to get her to stop. After all nothing was more persuading than his; "okay that's enough kiddo, we got other shit to do." It was kind of like he was walking his chihuahua and the leash broke for a second. Though, Nosaka still kept her words in mind - wasn't often a peasant would question the emperor.

After the match ended, and during dinner - most of the team forgot about what happened. Kazemaru was still upset with both himself and Park, watching her carefully as she stabbed her chopsticks into her rice repeatedly. He wanted to say something, but anything would probably end up making her upset again. Then again, if he left her like this, that could make things worse too. So, he tried the easiest approach he could while sitting next to her.

". . . Hey." It was much, but it was something.

Park passed him a short glance before shoving a ball of rice in her mouth, follow by a muffled; "what."

". . . Are you still mad at me?" Kazemaru asked quietly. He'd reach a hand out and pet her hair, but he might just lose a finger. Park swallowed down her food, then chugged the rest of her soda, slamming the can on the table.

"No, of course not." She heaved a breath, flashing him a tight smile. Okay, clearly this was a complete blatant lie. Park didn't give him a chance to say anything more before she stood up, took her dishes to the sink and then left the cafeteria. Wouldn't be a good idea to go after her now, so he'd just eat the rest of his dinner all depressed.

In the hallway, Park had the pleasure of crossing paths with Nosaka. He was pretty dead set on the thought that she didn't like him in the slightest bit, but there were still a few things that were confusing. So he asked to speak with her for a moment, and she reluctantly agreed with no complaints.

"I'm surprised you still followed my orders, even after Kazemaru-san was injured." Nosaka muttered, staring out the glass window pane. It was about sun set, and everywhere in the camp grounds had a beautiful view of the orange sky. The red head shoved his hands into his pockets, small talk was so difficult for him.

"If I started acting on my own, then that'd cause more conflict." Park responded duly. She'd only become a Libero because staying in the defending zone wasn't enough to protect her teammates. So being able to attack gave her the freedom to help everywhere on the field, asides from only at the goal. Now that she thought about it, maybe it was her own fault that Kazemaru was hurt.

"I- guess that's good. . ." His response was a little late.

"I hate the way you fight." She stated bluntly. "Like everyone is your pawn and you're their only hope."

It'd been that way in Outei at least, and now others in Inazuma Japan was encouraging it. But it's not like Nosaka knew any other way to fight. . . Stuck in the hospital all away across the world in America, he told himself he was done with being an emperor; because he only just wished to play soccer.

Though, nothing changed, did it?

"This is a different matter, there's more importance to winning these matches. You know the danger of the Orion F-"

"Shut up!" Park cut him straight off. She wasn't exactly terrifying, but this was a little unsettling. "This isn't war you know, there's no 'getting injured like a hero'. We're kicking a ball around with our friends!" The girl turned herself to face him. "People like you have no remorse. Just like when you'd used Grid Omega. The people behind Orion are the ones using those kids on the field, they're probably all going through something just like Ichihoshi! You want to tell me that they deserved that!?" Her brows furrowed, maybe she was a little too desperate to get her point across to him. Someone as head headed as he was.

"Park-san, there was no other way to defeat them." Nosaka responded coldly, maybe he was just a hard headed too.

"Even you know you didn't have to go that far!" She shot back.

"This argument is pointless-" He nestled his eyes shut. Just before Nosaka could finish, a fist slammed against his jaw. He barely staggered back, giving it a second to sink in. Nosaka then rubbed at his jawline with the back off his hand, wincing. She definitely didn't hold back on that one. Reuctantly, he lifted his eyes to her.

"There's nothing pointless about this. . . Innocent people were being punished and our comrades were hurt under your command, it's only natural we make sure it doesn't happen again. But you wouldn't understand that." Park merely rubbed at her knuckles. "I can forgive you for this, but I promise you - if you ever lay a finger on Ichirouta again. I'll do whatever it takes to get rid of you."