"Whoa Whoa, calm down." He said, his hands up as he smiled.
"I'm not really bothered." I said.
*Just wanted to be sure.*
"I thought you would have noticed by now." He said.
"Hmm?"
"Don't you remember me?" He asked as I nodded disapprovingly.
*It's him.* I thought.
"Since you don't then just forget it, I just wanted you to remember." He said.
*I know who he is, he's uncle Shiros' kid.* I thought smiling.
*I finally completed the pieces.* I thought.
"How's uncle Shiro?" I asked as he looked at me shocked.
"I thought you didn't remember, how come?"
"Apart from your dad and my mom, it's only one kid my age that knew I hated those rides in the amusement Park. You also started calling me Atsu early, only that kid does that. You talked about me not playing after middle school, no other person is aware that I used to play with your dad, and yourself." I said.
"Atsushi." He called.
"Hmm?"
"Am so happy, I thought you've thrown me out of your life for good." He said.
"Nah, but how'd you find out it was me?"
"Your hair, when you washed away the dye I saw your hair colour, your the only one I've seen with this hair colour." He said.
"Oh, my hair gave me away." I said as he smiled.
"I was so happy when I found out it was you, I was like, we would finally keep our promise to each other." He said smiling.
"Yeah am happy too."
*Wait I can't remember any promise.* I thought looking away.
"Seems like you don't remember😒."
"No, I do. Um... to play football together forever?"
"No, to be the best together." He said.
"Ah..."
"You totally forgot." He said chuckling.
"I was almost there wasn't I?" I asked.
"Yeah yeah."
*Am with a family member in this world I seriously don't understand.* I thought smiling.
*I'll have to do my best at this.*
"But seriously, why do you play like you don't want others to find out about the fact that you can play well?" He asked.
"I don't know, it's been long and I haven't played with many people before." I said.
"I can remember you being better than me at this, but I swore I'd surpass you, what do you think of my play style?" He asked.
"You're better than before." I said as he smiled.
"Thanks, let's go in it's almost dark." He said as I nodded.
We picked up the balls we used and took them into the equipment store.
I was very happy, atleast my cousin was here with me, I felt like he was someone I'd want to be better than, and because of that I might just get into soccer again.
"Okay, seems like you guys enjoyed your long break, now let's our match." The coach said.
"Huh?!"
"Yeah, I believe you all would be shocked, but they've announced the first match." He said.
"That was too soon."
"You should be happy, the match will be next month." He said as we sighed.
"Thank goodness, I was scared." Tamura said.
"For reals."
"You guys, this will be the only time they'll tell you about a match that would take place another month, this match isn't an important one, it's just to make sure you know what you are here for." He said.
"I don't quite get it." Akaji said.
"This match, doesn't define your future for them but it will be of great importance to us, if we lose, we won't be out but it just makes you see how weak you were." He said standing up from the sofa.
"Well then, you guys should go practice, the match would be against Team T." He said before walking out.
"Guys, I really can't believe this." Akaji said.
"No matter what, we need to do our best in this." Nakamura said.
"Yeah, we all know that." Kimishita said as Koenji got up.
"Guys, why don't we go train a bit now that we know when the match would be starting." He said.
"Jeez, what's the rush, it's still next month." Watabe said.
"That's why we should start now, they gave us lots of time, if we laze around now we might end up playing poorly." Koenji said.
"Suit yourself, I was busy upstairs." He said walking out.
"Hey, wait Ryuto-San." Koenji called.
"Why don't we start when others are ready." Akaji said smiling before going after Watabe.
"Well, later." Tamura said walking up with Hayashi and Yamazake who looked at me.
*Huh?*
When she saw me looking, she looked away immediately before walking up.
"Tchh." Kimishita got up and walked out.
"I'll go see him." Nakamura said before walking up.
"Damn it!" Koenji said his head down.
"Don't beat yourself, Koenji-kun, let's go." I said as he looked up at me and smiled.
"You sure you guys wanna do this?" He asked.
"For sure, we told you anytime you feel like practicing we'll be there with you." Akatsuki said giving him a hand.
"Maybe they'll practice on their own." I said looking up.
"Um, we are here too." Sugawara said raising her hand.
"Huh? Sugawara, Ueta, you guys don't want to leave?" I asked.
"So we can't practice with you guys?" Ueta asked looking at me angrily.
"No, am just surprised." I said with my hands raised.
"Hmph."
*She looks mad about something.* I thought smiling at her.
The five of us went to the field and brought the balls.
"Okay, you guys would likely be defenders when the game starts, so why don't we help you guys in tackling." Akatsuki asked.
"Okay."
"Am really, sorry, seems like we are dragging you guys back." Ueta said as we held our legs while rolling on the floor.
"N-no, w-we can keep on doing this." Akatsuki said.
"Are you sure? You guys look like you're in pain." Sugawara said.
"No, we need to help you guys learn how to tackle." I said trying to stand. "Owie!!!!" I screamed falling back as Koenji ran towards us.
"Let's stop for today." Ueta said trying to help me stand.
"We'll take you guys to your rooms, let's go." Sugawara said as Koenji returned the balls.
"You girls, keep it up and you'll be disqualified from all the games." Akatsuki said giving them a thumbs up.
"For reals." I said laughing as Ueta punched me in the abdomen. "Argh!" I screamed falling on the floor.
"Ha ha." Akatsuki laughed as she helped me stand again before we walked into the dorm.
"Heh? Looks like you guys are wounded." Watabe said looking at us and smirking.
He and the others were in the sitting room playing cards.
"Ignore 'em." Akatsuki said as I nodded.
"For reals you guys should be careful, you might send thousands of people to the hospital." Akatsuki continued as they laughed.
I looked behind me and saw Yamazake looking at me.
*Why does she kept staring?* I thought removing my hand from Uetas' shoulder.
"Let's use the rails for support, don't stress yourself." I said smiling at her.
"Tchh, you guys keep wasting your time okay." Watabe said angrily.
"Let it go Ryuto."
"Guys." Koenji called running towards us.
"You done?" Akatsuki asked.
"Yeah, let's get going, so we can massage those legs." Koenji said smiling.
"Huh? No, that's gonna hurt."
"That's the main purpose of this." He said as he took us to his and Akatsukis' room.
"Argh!!! It hurts, stop it, spare me please!!"