I heard him gasped in shock. He looked behind him and saw me. His eyebrows were a bit lower, showing that he was showing regret. He bowed his head in guilt. My gaze at him soften when I saw how ashamed he truly was.

"I guess it's alright. It was my fault for being suspicious anyway," I gave a simper while shrugging. What caught me by surprise was that he had hugged me before I was going to say anything more. I could feel the tears forming but I tried to stop them. He was full of warmth, it has been to long that I was hugged this passionate way by Kidou.

"I'm sorry," he murmured and let go of me.

"It's alright, Kidou-kun," he smiled thankfully and we continued to train with Endou, who was unaware what was the tension between the two of us.

The training session ended really well. My body have not felt this alive more than ever. I started to head back to the club room to get my belongings.

"Chieko," to hear my name with his voice sounds awfully strange for me now. I rose my eyebrow.

"What made up your mind to call me "Chieko instead of "Kawaguchi", Kidou-kun?" I asked. He shook his head and frowned.

"You know I used to call you Chi-chan when we were younger," I smiled bitterly to myself while trying the Raimon jacket I got from Aki a little earlier before training.

"Of course, of course. Though you didn't remember why I disappeared after you started to disobey Kageyama...and..." I could not continue any longer, my voice cannot seemed to work. A tear left my eye knowing how he was even whipped away from existence that easily. I pulled the handle of the zipper upwards in an abrupt motion, showing my frustration through a simple act.

"Y-you disappeared?!" he held my wrist strongly before I could even decide to walk out of the room.

'Even after all these years, he still knew me that well,' I thought.

I stayed silent for that moment, my eyes avoiding his stoic gaze that wanted to catch mine.

"Fine, if that's what you want," he spoke as he let go of my wrist. My green eyes finally has the courage to look at him.

"But you have to tell me what happened to you," I unconsciously curled up my hands into fists but soon enough, I let go of the frustration and tried to calm down. He patted me on the back gently before he took his bag.

"Come on, Chieko," I hesitated but complied and walked by his side. I could see a slight tension in the air, I was not comfortable with it. My hand was clutched unto my bat, fiddling its straps with my fingers. What was I going to do anyway? Engage a conversation with Kidou?

Shortly, we arrived in front of a familiar looking gate. I tried to back away but he held my arm just in time. He shook his head and looked at me as if he was requesting me not to leave just yet. The gate started to open for the both of us. Once it was wide open, I get to see the clearer scenery that was surrounding the Kidou mansion. The mansion's design looked humble unlike for its size. It reminded me how much his adoptive father was fond of those types of architectures and designs.

I finally noticed that there were butlers and maids lining up as if they were giving us a path.

"Welcome back, Kidou-sama, Kawaguchi-sama," I was flustered and just nodded my head, showing that I acknowledged their greeting. I was unaware that they still remembered me even after all these years of not visiting.

"You do remember that you had came to the mansion a few times that they are able to recognize you now," He stated. I nodded in acknowledgement, still keeping up the quietness I was holding on. The twin main doors were opened by another pair of maids. We thanked them and entered his house.

While walking through the halls of the mansion, I noticed that some of the paintings that were familiar were taken down, replacing by a few exquisite painting. What was assuring to see that they did not changed the giant old portrait of Kidou and his adopted father. Little Kidou's big red eyes was beaming with his father's hand on his shoulder as they posed for the picture to be taken.

Kidou held the doorknob and pushed it down. he held the huge door for me to get inside.

It was no kidding that his room was quite large. A flat screen television, a coach, and a table were in order. His king-sized bed was slightly far away. There was a shelf in the far corner of the room that contained a few books that were in order, there was a certain cover that catches my attention. It was colorful and its graphics were interesting. I slowly took the magazine slowly to see it was actually a very old volume of a soccer magazine. It was all worn off but still retained its unique design with a soccer player kicking the ball.

"Kidou-kun," he hummed while taking off his shoes and replacing it with his slippers. I touched the old magazine that took Kidou's attention. He looked tense but eventually, his shoulder relaxed as he walked towards me.

"So, you're curious about the magazine?" I nodded slowly, flipping carefully through the aged magazine. A thought suddenly came up in my mind and I froze on the spot. Was I even allowed to touch something that seemed so valuable to him? I mean, who would keep an old soccer magazine if it was not precious?

"I don't mind you reading it," he suddenly spoke. I was thankful he was okay about it. I was more and more engrossed in reading, it was all about the soccer from the past, it was truly interesting. If I could compare to the soccer from before to the soccer that we have now, it has its big improvement.

"You know, that's my only connection with my late father," I looked at him while he sat down. Hoe was looking at the coffee table blankly with a genuine smile.

"Whenever I kicked the ball, I would always feel him with me," I sat next to him while listening intently. That must be why he started to play soccer. His reason to play soccer seemed so much more valid than mine.

I considered soccer as just some hobby because who in the family would approve of this? Certainly not our beloved matriarch.

"B-by the way! About your..." He quickly changed the topic with a slight blush on his face. He must have been embarrassed to be this open to me after so many years of not talking to each other. I closed my eyes and the memories began to come back to me. There were some I wanted to remember well, but a few of them were something I wanted to leave in the dark.

Was I really ready to tell him? Maybe he would think I am just some brat complaining a lot.

'No,' I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I was overthinking again. He would never think I was lying or

"Since you're too worried about me..." I started.

"You already knew who was manipulating Kageyama and made him as he was when he started training us."

"One of Garshield's underlings saw me as a threat yet a benefit for them so they took me away. They went as far to even make got through the RH program when Inazuma Japan was on Liocott Island with the different international soccer teams."

"I only manage to escape because of what I attained through the training I was thought as a child. Fideo was the one who helped me hide, but when Kageyama became their coach, under the name Mister K, I fled to Knights of Queen. Edgar and his team treated me as their queen," I laughed while remembering how Edgar would accompany me whenever I got out. He knew I was still wanted.

I felt hot liquid falling from my eyes. I gasped when I felt Kidou's thumb, wiping my tears away gently as he could.

"I always send unknown messages to him that he should change. I was still scared of Kageyama at that time, not knowing how to face him. I was really thankful of Fideo, he helped Kageyama out of his misery and make him saw once again, the magnificence of soccer," I murmured the last one.

I wiped off my tears and laughed it off while grinning.

"I'm just being emotional, is all," I said through laughs and sniffs. He looked at me full of worry and suddenly hugged me again, tighter than I felt before. My smile dropped, and I began to sob uncontrollably, clinging unto Kidou for dear life.

My façade...

I bet he would have felt uncomfortable with all these. I mean, I just broke down because of some talk.

His actions spoke louder than my overthinking mind.

He was careful in handling me. He was combing through my hair while his other arm was supporting me. I felt protected with him around.

It was just like before.