"What?! You can't be serious Coach! How can you let this bitch back onto the team? We're doing completely fine without her!!"

Aphrodi frowned slightly before turning towards the hot-headed red-head who was currently breathing heavily while facing Mika with rage-filled eyes.

"Ganeko-kun, one warning for language. Two, as your coach, I'll be calling the shots and I'll be expecting you all to work it out."

Akuma just gritted his teeth together before turning around fiercely while his group followed him into the changing rooms. Meanwhile, Mika gave a slight, unbothered bow to Aphrodi before following them to head inside.

Outdoor Raimon Soccer Field

"Wow Mika, you look so cool! The raimon uniform suits you perfectly!"

Yuka gave her a thumbs-up, while praising her with what appeared to be stars in his eyes. Watching this, Ikue just sighed and dragged him away by the ear before the taller girl began to get annoyed.

"As expected of my number one fan..." Mika muttered to herself as she watched Yuka be dragged away. Refocusing, she then began to do some pre-workout stretches before getting ready for her first official practice in a while.

"Sorry coach, it won't happen again..."

Running a bit late, Galahad rushed out to the field and gave a bow to Aphrodi in apology who just responded with a nod of his head indicating to get on the field.

As he began to jog down to the pitch, he started wondering if he was hallucinating as he saw the onyx-black shoulder-length hair, and long legs that could be recognized from a mile away.

Shocked, Galahad's eyes trembled while he couldn't help himself from sputtering out

"Mika?"

The girl turned and he dreaded facing the intense gaze from the amethyst eyes he knew so well.

"Oh, Galahad? As of yesterday at 17:30 I have formally rescinded my resignation and been reinstated onto the Raimon Jr.High Team. I'll be looking forward to see your improvements since we last played together."

After her short greeting, she turned around to start practising her dribbling around the field, acting as if she had been part of the team since the beginning of the semester.

"Ha..."

She was the same as she always had been. Or that wasn't quite right... She seemed...brighter than before. Seeing her shoot training, Galahad was completely unable to focus and before he knew it Aphrodi clapped his hands and shouted,

"That's enough for today. Good work everyone, see you tomorrow."

Galahad just sighed before preparing to pack up his things to leave, however he stopped when he felt a hand land on his shoulder.

"Everything alright Galahad? You seemed a bit off today."

Galahad turned around only to see Aphrodi's bright red eyes staring at him with concern.

Galahad just gave a soft smile and softly replied

"Yeah, I'm just feeling a little under the weather today. I'm sure I'll be feeling better tomorrow"

"Okay, just make sure not to push yourself too much, understood?

Galahad managed to mutter a "Thanks, Coach" under his breath before rushing to leave the fields. He couldn't handle their gazes, and clutched his chest with his hand... He needed to get out of there... Somewhere....Anywhere....

*************************************************************************************************************

Galahad continued running and running and running until many hours had passed and somehow he had ended up at the riverbank field that the Raimon players liked to practise at in their freetime. This place only brought up bad memories so he didn't know what drew him here in the first place...

One Year Ago, Raimon Riverbank

"Siblings? My parents deemed it would be sufficient to only have one child to inherit their business so I don't see how it would be practical to have more than one offspring. With the introduction of siblings that only increases the possibility of disputes, burdens and financial losses."

Galahad looked at Mika who seemed to be lost in thought while she pondered the possibility of siblings and replied

"That's true, but there can be a lot of good points about having siblings too...You'll also have someone to talk to, rely on, and... you can protect each other if you get into trouble..."

"...Foolish, why would I rely on someone else to protect me when I'm more than capable of protecting myself?"

Galahad just looked upwards towards the red sky when he heard Mika's response and his eyes seemed to glaze over before saying

"Did you know that even when wolf pups are taken care of by the entire pack, less than half will survive the first year? Even the predators at the top of the food chain need the help of all of their family members in order to survive, isn't that amazing?"

"..."

"It seems to me that you're insinuating that I am like these wolves you speak of but may I remind you that I am a human being while we live in the Anthropocene, the age of the Earth's dominance by Homo Sapiens? Your comparison is irrelevant, I have been fully equipped with the tools by my tutors to handle my—"

"Then, I'll protect you."

Mika's words were cold as usual but by now Galahad had gotten to know the girl much more closely and Mika's hands that were tightly gripping her arms while speaking didn't avoid his gaze and so he couldn't help but blurt out a cheesy line that he instantly regretted.

Feeling his face heat up, he turned away and so the two sat in silence while the bitter wind nipped at their ears.

Present

"Don't ever forget that you did this to me!'

"I'll protect you..."

"Soccer doesn't lie... Kuroha-senpai is as desperate to play as any of us!"

"AHGGG!"

Galahad let out an anguished cry as he continued to shoot goal after goal into the net. Sweat was dripping from his face and he didn't even notice that the moon had already climbed well up into the sky, and darkness had enveloped the field.

Huff Huff Huff

Galahad continued to pant, and bent over so he could grab his knees. After breathing heavily for a few moments he moved to kick the ball...

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Swoosh

"...?!"

Galahad looked to see who had interrupted him only to see a fair-skinned, tall foreigner who had long blue-grey hair that extended down his back. His teal-coloured eyes had a touch of humour to them as he began to play with the ball he had just stolen from the younger boy.

[Is that all you've got Raimon player?]

Galahad tightened his fist at the provocation from the English-speaking man. Judging by his movements and the man's recognition of his Raimon uniform he quickly judged that he was no ordinary, lost foreigner. However, unsure of what he wanted, Galahad moved to steal the ball back.

Swoosh.

In an elegant backflip, the man kept the ball trapped as he spun over Galahad's head before securing it with his right foot again.

"Hmph" The man smirked before lightly kicking the ball at Galahad. The blond boy moved to receive it but was blown back by the force of the kick. Opening his eyes in shock as he landed on the ground he looked up to see a hand reach out to help pull him up. Eyes narrowing in suspicion, Galahad ignored the man's hand before pulling himself upward. Seeing his hand coldly rejected, the man just laughed and said,

"You're more bullheaded than you look"

"......You can speak Japanese?"

"Is that what's important right now? Your soccer...is a disgrace to the honour of all knights! Do you think you can protect anyone with that kind of soccer?"

Tch. Galahad avoided the man's gaze and started to leave when he heard a shout behind him

"So now you're running away with your tail between your legs, you're a coward just like I thought"

Galahad turned away and opened his mouth up to speak when he was interrupted–

"Let's have a bet. One v One. You make your shoot and I'll promise not to use my hands. If you can make me take at least one step from where I am then it's your win and I'll take back my words. But if I win, you'll have to fulfil one request of mine."

"....Fine"

Galahad dropped his bag before getting into position. Meanwhile, the tall man just moved lazily over to the goal seemingly not paying attention to the boy.

"I'll give you one last chance to get ready Mr, I'm warning you, I'm not going to go easy on you."

"Thanks for the warning but there's no reason to fear a shoot from a fake knight like you"

"......"

Galahad knew that the man was just taunting him, but for some reason he couldn't control his emotions today and he let out a cry before kicking the ball with all his might. Kicking the ball from the tip of his shoes a greenish light aura emanated before heading to the goal.

Paladin Strike!

Swish.

Galahad felt his hair blow backwards as his eyes widened open in shock. He looked behind him in disbelief as he saw the ball that he had just kicked was in the goal opposite of the direction he had just kicked it in. He couldn't believe what he had just seen, not only did the blue-haired man block the shoot simply by lifting his foot, but he simultaneously kicked it back with a destructive amount of force.

"I take it this is my victory then?"

Galahad was silent before nodding his head and replied back in English

[So what do you want...]

*************************************************************************************************************

[Finally, that was most splendid. It's hard to find a good fish and chips place in Japan, how did you manage to find it?]

Galahad just watched as the blue-haired man neatly wiped his mouth as he was finishing up his meal.

[I...used to go here with my family once in a while]

Galahad's eyes clouded over and sensing the change in mood, a solemn look came over the man's face for the first time that night before asking

[What does being a knight mean to you?]

Galahad was silent as he wondered what the heck this guy thought he knew about him.

[Do you think a knight is all about slaying the evil beast that terrorizes the village? Is it the glory? Honour?]

[.......]

[Being a knight isn't glorious at all. No matter what happens, you must always keep your vows and protect those you swore to protect, even if it costs you everything.]

Galahad looked downwards and tightened both of his fists into balls before gritting his mouth and replying bitterly

[Only a kid would be deluded enough to believe in knights...You need to grow up Mister before you're taken advantage of. Life isn't as simple as "protecting the people" and "saving the princess" from the tower, people are always looking for ways to bring down others and the instant you show weakness is when they'll pounce. You have to sharpen yourself into a blade that will never dull until you can kill before being killed...]

Galahad paused to take a breath before he continued angrily beginning to shout

[Who are you to judge my life anyway! I've always done my best to make the decisions that I believe are right, even if I had to turn my back on the person who needed me most...Now she probably doesn't want anything to do with me and I don't blame her. I hate myself too]

Galahad's eyes began to water, finally looking up into the man's sharp, teal eyes which were watching him coldly and intently.

[Is that all your will amounts to? Even if my body has to shatter I'd rather that, than let down the people who are relying on me. Do you intend to abandon the lady now that you've made one mistake? Why must she suffer the consequences of your mistake? I didn't eye you as someone so pathetic]

Looking at the boy's eyes, the man moved to pay for the meal before leaving, satisfied that he had said everything that needed to be said.

[Are you ready to head out, Young Master?]

An old butler appeared outside the restaurant Galahad had recommended and opened the door to the limo before getting into the driver's seat.

[Thank you Sebastian, excellent timing as usual]

The man picked up his phone which had begun to ring

"Oh Aphrodi, don't worry, I found the boy where you said he would be. He's going to be alright, he has a good spirit to him"

"Thanks for taking the time to drop by Edgar, I know you must've been busy after finishing up your practice match today"

"You know how you can pay me back" Edgar laughed before continuing

"I'll be expecting you to return to the pro league soon so I can have a rematch against you"

"So you can lose again?"

"Haha. Very funny Aphrodi, we're still 2-3 you know so I wouldn't get so cocky"

"Is a knight any match for a god?"

"It's the duty of a knight to free the people from false gods"

Edgar could hear Aphrodi's eyes roll over the phone.

"This "fake" god will be benevolent and let you have the last word today."

Grrrt

[Tch. Arrogant as usual... Sebastian, when is the next match against Fideo's team?]

[Next week sir]

[Hmph. I suppose I can start with him, I think it's time I remind people of the power of England's greatest knight...]

***********************************************************************************************

Raimon Jr.High, After School

"MIKA KUROHA"

Mika's black hair swung around her shoulders before her purple eyes met up with the narrowed, anger-filled pink eyes that were staring at her. Because the light-blonde girl was wearing heels, Mika looked up only to see the girl's face distorting with anger.

"Ah, Afuro-san"

" 'AH, AFURO-SAN??' IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELF, YOU BAKA!"

Serika Afuro couldn't believe this. After watching her (self-proclaimed) rival waste her talents in soccer during primary school she had finally gotten her to quit last year leading to the two finally able to properly duel for the title of number one student as she had wanted. However, she couldn't believe her eyes when she saw that Mika had ranked 3rd in the last exam and suspected something was up. Mika only dropped from her close 2nd position while playing that horrendous sport.....

No, she refused to believe it.

Letting out a sigh of exasperation before vigorously pointing to the paper she had printed out of the last exam results she demanded,

"What is the meaning of this Mika Kuroha???"

"Oh, that? Yes well, now that I'm playing soccer again, it is to be expected that my studying time is to be more limited than before. My tutors have deemed that as long as I stay in the top 5 for academics, the prestige of performing well in soccer will be more efficient to building a proper reputation for myself. You should know this as well Afuro-san"

"Now that I'm playing soccer again"

"Now that I'm playing soccer again"

"Now that I'm playing soccer again"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"

Serika slammed her fork down onto the table as Mika's words continued to echo in her head. Stunned by her rival's words, Serika had completely lost her mind as she got through the school day in a stupor. She couldn't accept this! Something had to be done—

"Serika, everything alright?" asked the man who also had blonde hair, if a shade darker.

"Oh yes, Uncle Terumi. Er– actually no."

Serika quickly explained what was going on with her and Mika at school, with her face flushing the more agitated she got, while Aphrodi just nodded his head in understanding while continuing to eat.

After Serika had finally finished explaining, between bites Aphrodi nonchalantly asked

"Then, why don't you just join the soccer team if you miss her so much?"

"HA! ME, MISS THAT BAKA?!"

Serika gave a snort of indignation, in disbelief that Aphrodi had even brought up such a ridiculous idea.

No wait. Actually, this was perfect. Once she showed off to Mika how much better she was than her in her own sport she would have no choice but to praise her abilities as the perfect angel she was.

The vision became clearer the more she thought about it. Her teammates chanting her name, the brilliant trophy that glistened in the light after she led Raimon to victory in the Holy Road, even Mika would have to bow to her greatness.

"Serika, you're the greatest soccer player of all time. You're so much more talented than a measly little pea like me. I should just quit this horrible sport since I have no talent in it and study with you in the library. That is... if you would do me the honour of gracing me with your divine presence."

Imagining this wonderful scene play out, a sinister grin grew on the girl's face as she began to laugh aloud to herself

"HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO"

Watching his niece lose herself in her delusions again, Aphrodi decided to pretend he didn't see anything strange and he continued to cut his steak and the neglected steak of his niece so she could eat it when she came back to reality.