Happily sipping on his strawberry milkshake, something he picked up form a certain someone in his past life, Mikaël gently hummed some random tune, his glistening golden eyes never leaving his friend's thoughtful figure.

"—And so, you're telling me that you," he stared at the teen up and down with unhidden contempt. "Applied for an elective, Russian course, because of some letters?" Nijimura reiterated stressing the word elective as he dubiously gazed at the boy.

Hearing the raven's words, Mika nodded eagerly. "Yep!" he chirped, popping the 'p' before merrily going back to his slurping.

"Right, I get it," Nijimura muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose in annoyance. His eye twitched before he sent the green a glare. "Could you stop this annoying noise anyway? I can't concentrate damn it."

A loud gulp. An insistent stare. Mikaël leaned into his seat, trying to hide in it as he silently sipped his drink.

Shuzo sighed. "Whatever, your point is, you won't be able to attend every practice session for a while?" He questioned, unsure with a raised eyebrow. Seeing the French, carefully nod, he heaved another sigh. "Right, 'course you wouldn't," he mumbled before taking his drink and harshly sipping on it.

The sudden sound made Mikaël stand straighter as if waiting for his friend to lecture him some more.

"Whatever, don't come crying to me if you're not a regular after that."

Ryota could only nod mutely, a grin stretching on his face at his friend's unsaid approval. Though it was true, he may not be part of the regular team for their next matches. He didn't care at the moment.

His mind was more focused on understanding this damned Cyrillic script. Going regular was, compared to learning Russian, an easy task to the model (even if he got ejected once before).

What's more, it wasn't as if he would entirely skip on practice. He would still attend, except less often. Instead of five times a week he would go three to four times, sometimes coming in a bit late.

But who cared, certainly not coach Shirogane. So long as the results were there, it didn't matter.

"Ever-victorious," that was Teiko's motto.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

He needed to bring the team to victory, to be a key to their team, and they wouldn't take him out.

So he did, while he perfected his skill and learned Russian, Ryota for the first time in a long while, worked like a madman.

Balancing academics and modeling flawlessly, the way he had done while studying to become a pilot, Mikaël aimed to impose himself as both a sport and academic prodigy. Not so laborious when you graduated once and were at the peak of the said profession.

And he did.

It wasn't hard when the only things he didn't know was Russian.

::

Searching in his pant pocket for his keys, Ryota thought back on his second, first year in Teiko.

In less than a month he would reach the end of his first year, an eventful year from his perspective.

First, meeting Shuzocchi, his would-be captain turned friend. It still intrigued Ryota how he had befriended the boy, but he supposed it wasn't all that unimaginable. The two did spend most of their time with one another.

They were bound to becoming best buddies, not that the notion displeased the green. On the contrary, he quite liked it.

His door clicked open, and he entered, swiftly removing his shoes to put on his cat printed slippers.

Nijimura, unlike most of the Generation of Miracles or Ryota's acquaintances as a whole, wasn't someone Ryota considered. Not that he disliked him or anything. Shuzo to Ryota was a mountain, someone he could never reach in term of wisdom. The sun behind the clouds, always knowing what to say when they were in a pinch.

Nijimura was a vague memory to Ryota, someone he most probably disfigured in his imagination. Making him seem more than what he already was, Nijimura was someone Ryota idolized at some point before quietly putting him into a cupboard.

Away, because after growing up Nijimura could only be qualified as an influential Sempai of Ryota's life.

Nothing more.

Taking a bottle of mineral water and some leftover pastry from the fridge, Mikaël went to sit on the living room's leather couch.

Nothing less.

And perhaps, because there wasn't any attachment, any strong bond connecting them, Ryota felt more at ease. Comfortable enough to befriend him until they reached their current situation. It was like starting from scratch, with a true blank slate to write on.

Mikaël hummed, sipping on his drink.

Surely, meeting Shuzo before the Generation of Miracles was a good thing. At least, with Nijimura only, he had time to settle in, slowly acclimatize with Teiko, his new life which wasn't Kise Ryota.

There was a difference between knowing in the depth of your being and being confronted with the truth.

He remembered how hard it had been on him when Nijimura had called him Mikaël and not Kise for the first time. It was a troubling feeling. It had, never stroke him before when mamiecchi or Claudecchi called him by his name instead of Kise or Ryota.

Right, by my name, Ryota mused, golden eyes half-lidded as he munched on his chocolate cake.

He didn't remember when he had acknowledged Mikaël Lamarre as his name, perhaps was it ever since he was reincarnated or yesterday even. He couldn't grasp the exact moment, but Mikaël felt as if it all happened naturally.

No asked questions, and like magic Mikaël Lamarre was engraved in him as his name. Gone was Ryota Kise from his name list, only Mikaël Lamarre remained, leaving his former designation as a fleeting souvenir of his past life.

Unconcerned by the matter, Mikaël convinced himself he was over it.

Oh if only. Perhaps Ryota wouldn't let him go.

Taking another sip of his water, he stood up to take his used dishware away.

He had some remaining homework to do, what a hassle.

::

"So, Shuzocchi, how does it feel to be promoted to vice-captain?" Mikaël asked as he walked next to his friend, up to the school gate. "Are you excited? Nervous?"

"Well, I already knew about it," Nijimura began, not sparing the green a glance. "It wasn't out of my expectations. From the way, the seniors and coach acted, and judging from how the training camp went, I suppose I expected it."

Sending his friend a sidelong glance, Shuzo calmly faced Mikaël. "Didn't you?" He rhetorically asked. The number of people around them seemed to grow as they neared the gate.

Mikaël hummed, an undeniable skip in his step as he followed his friend turned vice-captain. "'Course I did!" He chirped. "Heya, Nadako-chan!" he greeted as he saw one of his former female classmates.

The petite girl sent him a wave before resuming her talk with her friend, giggles audible from where they stood.

"You cut your hair though, didn't you like them long?"

Mikaël hummed, taking a strand of green between his fingers he gently twirled them. "I did, but I like them more now," he absentmindedly answered, his thoughts drifting to his father's letters.

"Really," Nijimura whispered, his eyes focused on his book before he lifted them to glance at the gate. "Guess we're here."

"Right, don't you have a speech to give as last years top score student? You know, something inspiring."

"Mou, don't remind me Shuzocchi!"

::

"Doesn't Mikaël seem giddy?

Sekiguchi raised an eyebrow, glancing at his fellow second-year before sighing. "Isn't he always?"

"I mean, giddier?" Kubota added in a hushed whisper as he pushed the ball cart out of the storage room.

The small forward rolled his eyes. "He's just excited to see the first years, nothing special."

"Come on Shuzocchii!"

"No."

"Pretty please? I won't bother anyone?" Mikaël begged, making his best puppy eyes as he gazed at his unamused friend.

Rubbing his temples in a weak attempt to calm his nerves Shuzzo heaved a sigh. "I said no, anyway, even if I wanted you to come you could not," he added, ignoring the look of hurt his friend wore at his verbal betrayal.

"I don't have the authority for that, you idiot," he mumbled.

"Non non non, Shuzocchi, you're not making any effort," Mikaël reprimanded, switching to French in his fit.

Nijimura barely batted his eyelashes at the foreign language, already used to the teen switching to his mother tongue when throwing fits. Though he didn't understand everything, he could more or less guess its content. He sighed.

"Japanese, Mika. Japanese," he muttered, mildy annoyed.

Childishly scrunching his nose, the green huffed. "I said, you should at least try," he drawled, this time in proper Japanese. "You could do this for your best buddy, no?" He asked, tone sweet as honey as he gazed at the raven with upturned puppy eyes.

Nijimura's usually calm face contorted in mild disgust for a second before he turned away, not answering his friend.

Mikaël sighed, slumping his shoulder in defeat before beaming once more. "Then I'll ask Coach!"

"Right, you do that— Wait, what?"

Happily skipping through the gym, his face painted in his usual sham cheeriness though it seemed more genuine, Mikaël halted his step in front of a neatly dressed old man. His golden eyes gleamed with unhidden expectation as he stared at the man, waiting for him to give him some attention.

"—ve them line up there before anything," the coach's eyes flickered to the green head, and he smiled in acknowledgment. "Right, could you look over these yourself once more?" He asked the manager who obediently nodded her head before bowing. The girl's eyes momentarily met gold she stiffened, politely bidding her goodbye before hurriedly marching away.

"What can I help you with, Lamarre-kun?" Coach Shirogane demanded voice calm an even as he awaited the green's answer, the polite smile never leaving his lips.

Mikaël's grin stretched, eyes crinkled in unhidden adoration (which earned him an amused chuckle). "Could I attend the First-Years' selection, Coach?"

Raising his eyebrows in mild surprise, Shirogane hummed. His eyes slightly narrowed as he simpered, amused. "I supposed you could, Lamarre-kun."

Mikaël visibly perked up.

"It is good to be involved with your future juniors," Shirogane added with a chuckle.

Nijimura who heard them from the sideline released an exasperated sigh.

"You won't mind mentoring them when the time comes then, will you?"

Mikaël's beaming didn't falter. On the contrary, it seemed to become more apparent. Shuzo sent his friend a dubious look.

"Of course not Coach, I'd be delighted!"

Nijimura sputtered. His head wiped to the side to give the green a started look. When did Mikaël become interested in anyone other than himself?

Shirogane's eyes crinkled, nodding his head he patted the younger's shoulder approvingly. Though, the amused glint in his eyes was, barely hidden.

"Good, good. Then do not be late, Lamarre-kun."

The teen eagerly nodded. "Yes, Coach!"

Nijimura facepalmed.

::

Waiting outside of the teacher lounge, Shuzo impatiently tapped his foot on the floor. Arms crossed over his chest, his sharp eyes seemed harsher than usual, as he intently stared at the green head's back.

Late, they were going to be late.

Stealing a glance at his wristwatch, Nijimura heaved another sigh. Why was he waiting for this dumbass anyway? Ah, right, Coach had made him Mikaël's guardian. Something about keeping him in line.

Then, the question was, why did he agree?

Ah, yeah, they were friends. 

Shame on him for forgetting.

"Whoa, sorry for the wait Shuzocchi!"

Finally, Nijimura hummed. "Don't worry. We should be able to make it," he stated calmly (concealing his temper), as he led the way to the first-string's changing room and down to the third-string's gym.

::

"Hurry Mika," Nijimura ordered, voice domineering, similar to when he was the team's captain.

"Yes, Captain!"

Sending the other a suspicious stare, Shuzo turned to leave. "Whatever, and it's vice-captain dumbass."

"Whoa, so sorry, Shuzocchi, I didn't mean to— Wait, don't leave me!"

Outside of the changing room, Nijimura shook his head. Rubbing the bridge of his nose tiredly he could hear his friend's shout, begging him to wait. A small amused smile crept up his face.

The door slammed open, revealing a panting Mikaël, Shuzo went back to his calm face, leaving no trace of his simpering.

"Come on, hurry, hurry!" The teen beamed, taking the more mature boy's wrist before dragging him to the gym where the selection would begin.

Nijimura smile wryly, mutely following his green-haired friend out.

Mikaël could feel his grin widening to the point where his cheeks almost hurt. Ah, he couldn't wait to see them all. Tetsuyacchi, Daikicchi, Satsukicchi, Shintarocchi, Atsushicchi, and Seijurocchi.

He felt giddy. Excitement bubbled in the pit of his stomach, sending myriads of butterflies through his whole body. His body never felt so light and heavy before.

It sent his mind in a confusing whirlwind, a strange blend of happiness, fear, and trepidation. He really couldn't wait.

A trembling giggle slipped past his lips as he reached the gym's door, Nijimura right behind him. From outside, he could hear the distant sound of voices and the squeaking of shoe gums against the floor.

Mikaël looked up at the door which seemed strangely imposing at the moment, similar to a grand unbreachable wall. As if after taking a step in, he wouldn't be able to turn back.

Taking a long breath in, he pushed open the door.

"Ah, Nijimura-kun, Lamarre-kun, come in, come in." Shirogane greeted, a kind smile on his wrinkled face.

"We were waiting for you."

Next chapter, enters the GOM! Yay!

Also, to make things easier, until the end of the Teiko arc, I will refer to Ryota/Mikaël as Mikaël only.

Thanks for reading, until next time^^