"Whoa, juggling isn't too hard." Akane said, juggling the ball while smiling.
"Whoops."
"Ha ha, I can do it longer than you can." Akatsuki said after she lost control of the ball.
"Wow." She said, clapping.
"Hehe." He laughed.
"Guys, let's be serious while training. After all, you guys brought me here on your own." I said after setting the last cone.
"Oh, sorry, sorry." Akatsuki said, kicking the ball towards me.
"Whoa, do you want me injured?" I asked as he smiled at me.
"I knew you'd get the ball." He said as he and Akane walked towards me.
"Hah😮💨." I sighed before keeping the ball.
"So, what are we starting with?" Akane asked.
"Are you sure you want to be here?" I asked.
"Aw, I really wanna." She said.
"Okay, the cones are for you. Maybe you just do the dribbling course." I said, giving her a ball.
"Wow, they look... kinda complicated." She said.
"Yeah, this isn't beginner level stuff. We'll be playing against bigger teams, you know." I said as she nodded.
"Alright." She said.
"Akatsuki, we'll be focusing on shooting. Too bad Koenji isn't here. He would have been our keeper if he was here. We'll, whatever." I said, pointing at the dummies.
"We'll play over them and into the post, right?" He asked.
"Yeah, sure." I answered.
"Aight." He said, smiling.
"Aight?" I asked, looking at him confused.
"Hehe."
*It's been two weeks since then. Am sure he doesn't know...* I thought, shaking my head.
*Anyway, I don't want to cause trouble for the others, so I'll just mind myself. And I've already spoken with the coach.*
"Whoa, did you see that? Atsu." Akatsuki asked, smiling.
"Yeah, yeah, just a little curve, I can..."
*Crap, I almost said something wrong even as a joke.* I thought before smiling.
"Whoa, what a nice curve?!" I said, faking a smile.
"Right." He said, grabbing the ball.
"Let's keep it up." He said, smiling.
*Akatsuki, you've been so nice.* I thought, smiling at him.
"Atsu, I am so hungry." Akatsuki said as we walked in.
"You're always hungry." I said, sighing.
"Well, yeah, it's natural." He said.
"Yeah, yeah. Oh, you going up? Akane." I asked as she nodded.
"Am getting really tired." She said.
"Alright, see you tomorrow." I said as she smiled.
"Good night." She said before walking out.
"You guys really like each other, eh?" Akatsuki asked, lying lazily on the couch.
"W-what the hell are you saying?! I don't like her that way." I said immediately.
"Heh?"
"What's with that face and tone filled with doubt?" I asked.
"Mm, nothing." He said as I sighed.
"Then don't go teasing me."
"Haha, sorry." He said.
"You guys!" The coach shouted as we looked away.
"I've been keeping quiet since this all started, but I won't tolerate inside fighting." He said angrily.
"Tch, b-but Atsushi started it first, he told me never to speak to..."
"Shut it, Kimishita." The coach said, looking angrily at him with the corner of his eyes.
"Ee..."
"Atsushi." The coach called looking at me.
"Yes, coach." I answered, looking down.
"Make sure you treat yourself."
"Yes, coach."
"Cowards, I saw you guys attack him together. Even if you agree to fight, do it, man, to man." He said, shaking his head in shame before walking out.
"Tchh, it's just cause the coach likes you so much." Kimishita said.
"Atsu!" Akane called running towards me.
*Ha... these kids actually went this far.* I thought before looking up at Akane with a smile.
"Don't worry, I am fine." I said.
"Tch." Kimishita clicked his tongue before looking at Hinami.
"Akane, let's go." Hinami said.
*Looks like they want the girls to help separate Akane from me. It's not like I am bothered, though.*
"Akane, you should go, okay." I said, smiling at her.
"No, I'll help treat your wounds."
"Akane!" Hinami called.
*Might as well add fuel to the fire.* I thought before smirking.
"Akane." I called patting her head.
"E-eh?" She asked as her face turned red.
"I'll be fine, okay." I said as she nodded.
I looked at Kimishita with the side of my eyes, and he was angry, for sure.
*Haha.* I thought before she walked out.
"Oshiba Atsushi!" Kimishita called angrily.
"Hmm." I answered with a smirk.
"You knew what you did there." He said.
"Whatever are you talking about, Kimishita Kiichi?" I asked before he hit the rail.
"I'll show you."
"Focus on your games, man, ignore me." I said before he walked out.
* Hmm, he didn't come today. Maybe he's still planning more things.* I thought.
"Ouch, these guys are really troublesome." I said, shutting my eyes.
*Well, whatever. I'll just have to do my stuff.*