"Hey guys!" Ryuto called as we walked into the building.
"Ha... it felt like years since we last stayed here." Hinami said.
"Yo, Akanecchi!" Chika called, giving her a big hug.
*This all feels weird after what happened at home.* I thought, looking away as she smiled at me.
"Hey, Akatsuki, Atsushi." Akaji called, smiling at us while extending his hand for a handshake.
"Akaji, it's been weeks." Akatsuki said, taking his hand.
"Hey." I said, shaking 'em too.
"Hey." Kimishita said, a little bit nervous.
"Kimishita..." I called before smiling. "Hey."
"Hey." He said as we shook hands.
"Nakamura in the house!" Yusuke said, sitting beside Ryuto.
"Hey." Teijiro said, sitting beside Koenji, who just waved at us.
"Looks like everyone's here." The coach said, yawning while walking down the stairs half dressed.
"Eek!"
"Hmm?" The coach asked, looking at the embarrassed girls.
"Coach, you're not dressed properly." Ryuto said.
"Ah... sorry." He said before walking back to his room.
"Welcome back, guys." The coach said, sitting on a different couch from the ones we sat on.
"Coach, we really missed you." Ryuto said.
"Ah... for real. I'm cool, aren't I?" He asked.
"..."
"At least say something." He said as we laughed.
"So... once again, welcome back to SW East. I'm sure most of you trained harder than before while some just lazed around." He said, looking at us.
"This time, the matches won't be the same as the one of last time. It's more like a normal tournament from a group stage to the knockout then finals. We'll be having six groups and 4 teams in each group. Every team plays each match in round Robin form, and only the best two get to go to the preliminaries and then finals." The coach said.
"Heh...? Sounds like a normal match." Koenji said.
"Exactly! Training starts early tomorrow. Be at the pitch by 5." The coach said with a smile spread over his face as he walked out.
"Wait, what?!"
"Before I forget, Captain." He called, looking at me.
"Sir."
"Nothing, just felt like saying that." He said before walking out.
*Seems like the coach got a screw loose.* I thought.
"Argh!!! I'm the fastest!" Ryuto shouted while running five extra laps.
"He's still as loud as usual." Akatsuki said.
"Yeah, and you two are still as close as usual." Akaji said as I looked away.
Trusting Akaji? Nah, no way that will happen. He usually comes this way, all smiley smiley like you're friends. What a snake.
"You guys! Let's go once more. Ten laps!" The coach said as we began running again.
Our drills weren't much, but they felt more intense than they used to be.
Training ended, and we had our bath and ate. The next day came, and once again, we trained. The training felt like it was getting weirder by the day.
"Yes! Don't be weak, captain! Push the goal post!" He shouted as I kept using my right arm to push the 'goal post'. Weird, isn't it?
"Hey! Girls, don't just stand there. Do something!" He shouted on the 7th day.
"Run! Yes, that's it! Run like you're being chased by a wild animal!" He shouted.
"We are literally being chased by a wild dog here!!" Kimishita shouted.
"What the hell kinda training is this?!" Teijiro shouted as tears welled up in his eyes.
[Teijiro Takeuchi, the new member who made us 13 after the last match]
"Eek!!!!"
We all kept panting heavily as we lay on the floor.
"God, just kill us." Yusuke said.
"Wa-ter... I'm about to... die." Ryuto said, trying to stand.
*We ran over 20 laps today. I'm so tired.* I thought, breathing heavily.
"Can you stand, Atsu?" Akatsuki asked.
"No, can you?"
"Nah, I might even sleep out here." He answered.
"Atsu..." Akane called, looking down at me.
"Gsohen!" I shouted, rolling towards the Akatsuki.
"Haha." She giggled while squatting beside me.
"Akane... you scared me." I said.
"You look tired."
"Yeah, we ran over 20 laps."
"You girls have it easy." Akatsuki said, his arm under his head.
"Well, of course, they are girls." Yusuke said.
"That's nice, I wish I was a girl." Ryuto said.
"Don't curse yourself, man."
"Haha."
"So? Why'd you come out?" I asked.
"We were getting ready for jogging, and I decided to meet up." She said.
"Aww, you guys should just go out already." Ryuto said as her face turned red.
"What are you saying, Ryuto?!" I asked, looking away.
"He's shy?"
"He sure is."
"He looks sooo shy."
"What a cutie?"
"Cutie."
"Shut up, you guys!" I shouted, standing immediately.
"You shouldn't do that." Akatsuki said as I sat back almost immediately.
"Ouch, it hurts." I cried.
"Bye-bye." Akane said before walking out.
"See you later." I said, looking away.
The training lasted for 10 days before the coach spoke to us again.
"Hope you guys are getting ready for the group stage. I won't assure you that it'd be as easy as the other ones you've played. Each and every one of you has your own specialty, and so do our opponents. Even if they never had, I'm sure they have found them out. Though the training wasn't intense, I'm sure I did well enough." He said as everyone glared at him.
"Ahem... the group stage has been drawn, and our group has been announced. Group 4 and other teams in Group 4 are as follows; Team A, S, and Z." He announced.
*Looks like Team T isn't in our group. I can't wait to return their favour.*
"You guys! We'll be facing Team A on Monday, which is in two days' time. They aren't weak, and I'm sure you guys know that too. I've got some information on them, make sure to listen attentively." He said as we all nodded.
"Yes, coach!"