Date: 7th June, Monday

Tenma's POV

Today's practice was inside the stadium. Since Coach Endou had taken a temporary leave, Trainer Ichihoshi became our coach. Unlike Coach Endou's training practice, Coach Ichihoshi gave us all individual training menus to practice. I guess some of our individual skills are still lacking.

"I have prepared you all a 3 day training menu. After 3 days we will have a practice match against the second team." Coach Ichihoshi announced to us.

"I can't wait to play against Shinsuke." I said excitedly. I haven't played against him yet so it would be pretty exciting.

"He's a defender, right?" Shuu asked.

"Well I guess that would mean he and I should be rivals" Kariya joined in the conversation.

"Shinsuke was a defender back in elementary." I added.

"Are you guys ignoring me?" Kariya asked.

"Relax I'm sure you're better than him" I said sarcastically.

"Hmph Of course I am." Kariya said as he crossed his arms with confidence.

"He's only saying that to boost your ego" Kirino told him.

We all laughed at Kirino's comment as it was kind of true. I only said that make him feel like he's superior. I remember during the practice match against the first team, Shinsuke was pretty good at defense but because of his height it was quite a disadvantage to get past the opponents. If he was taller he probably would had been an amazing defender.

We all started on our training menu's individually. Some of of them went out of the building while the rest of us stayed inside. It wasn't even an hour until Hamano and Hayami came back to the stadium running out of breathe screaming for help.

"What's wrong?" Coach asked them.

"The four of us were trying to improve our sense of surrounding by running around playing Tag but there was a huge typhoon in the middle of the soccer pitch." Hamano said really fast.

"A typhoon?" Shindou said after he rushed over to them.

"So we went to take a look and the second team was down." Hayami said scaredly.

"Kirino and Kariya went to stop them and told us to get you guys. Apparently it was the masked guys from before?" Hamano explained.

"ZODIAC??" Shindou said in shock.

Everyone rushed to the field immediately. As we arrived to the field we were horrified. All the members on the team was down excluding Shinsuke who was standing in front of the goal. Right beside of him Kirino was there down on top of Kariya. There was 11 players surrounding the goal in a semi circle. We went on to the field but suddenly one of the Zodiac members screamed at Shinsuke.

"JUST BRING OUT THAT DAMN THING ALREADY" He screamed as he shot a HS at Shinsuke.

"SHINSUKE!" I screamed. Shinsuke stood his ground with anger and shouted. "I won't let you, SCORE!!!" as he screamed. I could notice a shadow appear from his back. 'An Avatar??' I thought

Before the ball reached Shinsuke who was about to use his head to stop the ball, a guy appeared out of nowhere and launched the ball right back to the striker. Before the ball could hit the striker's face, the guy who was in the middle stop the shot with his foot. As the ball drop to the ground he kept his foot on top of it.

"Who are you?" The masked guy asked the student who arrived on the field.

"Nishiki Ryouma, What are you doing attacking my Team on the sacred grounds of Raimon?" The student introduced himself and declared that he was a part of the team.

"NISHIKI!!" The second years and third years called out. We all surrounded the Zodiac team so they would not be able to escape.

"Well this was quite a surprise." The masked guy in the middle said.

"You didn't calculate this, Cancer?" Libra asked the masked guy.

"I only follow orders." Cancer replied to Libra.

"Libra!" I called his name out.

"Tenma?" Libra said in a surprised voice.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him angrily.

"You know this guy?" Shuu asked me.

"We met that day when you guys left fifth sector" I replied to Shuu.

"We all are simply following orders" Libra said.

"And what was that order?" I asked.

"I believe you saw what we wanted. But unfortunately we can't let him play just yet." Libra said as he knew what I saw. 'Shinsuke's avatar?' I thought

"What?" I replied to him playing dumb.

"Cancer" Libra called out to cancer and got the ball.

"Maybe next match he can play." Libra said as he was ready to shoot.

"NO!" I screamed as I ran towards him.

He shot the ball into the sky and jumped and reached it. "Libra Shot!" He called out his Hissatsu Shoot. Nishiki was in front of Shinsuke to stop the shoot but the moment it reached him, the ball curved upwards and avoided him completely to hit Shinsuke right in the stomach. He flew into the goal. Everyone froze in horror.

In my anger I screamed. "How dare you?"

A shadow appeared from behind me revealing my avatar. All members of the Zodiac turned to me. "How dare you hurt my friend?" I shouted. But suddenly another zodiac member appeared before me and kicked me away.

"Sorry Tenma, but maybe next time you can fight against us." Libra said as he landed.

"Cyclone!" He called out as he used a Hissastu Tastics. He created a wind surrounding them as they disappeared from the field. When they disappeared, I immediately ran over to Shinsuke while everyone else went to aid the other players.

"Shinsuke?" I called out his name but he seemed to be unconscious so we rushed him to the nurse's office. All of the players on second team were completely injured, but luckily all of them would be alright within a week or two. Shinsuke was also gonna be fine after a full week's rest. Since he was used to defending with his body a lot, he will be able to heal very soon. 

~ 

After the incident Coach Ichihoshi told us to finish our training menu of the day by tonight. Since we all seemed to be worried about our friends he extended the time. So we all headed home a bit earlier. I was walking home with Aoi by riverbank.

"Tenma, are you alright?" She asked me.

"Yeah, I'm just a bit worried about Shinsuke. I hope he gets well soon." I said sadly.

"Me too. How could they do something like that?" Aoi said in anger as well.

"I think I know what they were trying to do." As I finished my sentence a football rolled over to my feet. I look up to see my younger brother alongside his friend.

"Ni-san, what are you doing here? I thought you had practice" He asked me.

"Well it ended kind of early today. What are you doing here?" I replied to him with a cheerful tone.

"Haii'ro and I wanted to create a Hissastu Shoot." He said jumping with excitement.

"Together?" I questioned.

"No, separately so we both will have a chance of shooting." he said. "I see." I said softly.

"Hello, Tenma-kun" I was greeted by a familiar gentle voice. I look up to see Yuuichi behind my brother and his friend.

"Looks like we meet again." He said as he gave me a smile.

"Who is he?" Aoi asked me in a whisper. "Oh right, Aoi this is Tsurugi Yuuichi. Tsurugi's older brother. We met at my brother's match on the previous Saturday."

"Nice to meet you." She said as she gave him a bow. "The pleasure is all mine." He replied to her.

"And this is Sorano Aoi, my friend." I introduced Aoi to him.

After the introductions we all went down to the football field. Tenki and his friend were playing with each and I took a seat on the bench. I didn't feel like playing much since the incident. "Something bothering you Tenma-kun?" Yuuichi asked me.

"Oh it's just our next opponents that's all." I said making an excuse. 

"Really who is your next opponent's?" He asked.

"They are..." As I was about to reply I realized I don't know the next opponents yet. "Oh wait the coach never told us our next opponents" I replied.

"Haha, then why are you worried so much?" Yuuichi laughed and asked.

"Actually it's not our next opponents" Aoi said truthfully. "Aoi!" I called her name in a sign to not to tell him.

"I mean it's Tsurugi's brother, he won't tell others" Aoi stated.

"Tell what?" He asked.

"About the Zodiac!" A familiar voice spoke from afar. It was Tsurugi and Haru.

"Zodiac?" Yuuichi asked tilting his head to the side a bit.

"An elite group of players going the names from zodiac signs. Team name is still unknown. Their motive seems to be a bit clearer than before." Haru explained as she came down the stairs towards us.

"What's their motive?" Aoi asked since she didn't know.

"To bring out the avatars within us." Tsurugi replied.

~

A/N

I want to say something but I don't know that to write. 

Happy Ramadan to those who are fasting for the next 27 days. Including myself.

I'm really thirsty and tired.

Vote if you enjoyed bye...