Two years Ago

A burning car, black smoke wafted in the air, he couldn't think straight, crying, someone was crying, and as blood trickled down his face he could hear screaming

"Mom! Mom! Mom!"

It was his voice screaming mom over and over again as the young boy was sobbing inconsolably trying to get his mother out of the car. The smoke progressively became heavier and heavier, and the boy could feel his eyes starting to burn while his voice becoming so hoarse, he could no longer shout. The air became blacker and blacker, and the boy could feel his arms and legs become weaker and weaker as the heat continued to brutally attack him.

Weakly wheezing, he stared into his mother's gem-like blue eyes as she looked back into the bright green eyes of her son mournfully knowing she wasn't going to make it. Her arm trembled as it got up to tenderly stroke the crying boy's cheek and her eyes temporarily refocused. Vibrant blue and vivid green eyes stared back at each other.

"You're my brave little knight Galahad."

"Go, now!. GO!"

Her arms shook with strength as she urged her son to leave before the flames took him as well.

Flames started to quickly overtake the car, devouring it like a lion feasting on its prey. Hungrily, the flames rose higher and higher in triumph and the next thing he knows...

"He's awake! He's awake!" cried some nurses who were taking Galahad's vitals in the hospital.

"MOM!" shouted the boy as he got up in a fright.

Once Galahad was discharged from the hospital he soon found out from the government worker that both of his parents had passed away in the accident, while his brother's legs were seriously injured and it was unsure if he would ever be able to walk again. The woman then told him they would be placed under the custody of their father's younger brother and be sent government aid to cover their living costs.

As the woman continued to tell him about what was going to happen and how everything would be fine, Galahad just listlessly nodded his nod, not even able to process anything that was coming out of her mouth.

"Don't worry kid... everything's going to be alright. Trust us."

The woman took one last pitiful look at the child before patting his head and getting up to leave.

Shortly thereafter, pushing his brother's wheelchair inside the two nervously made their way into their uncle's home. They had never heard their father talk about their uncle and thus they had never met him before. The apartment was much smaller than they were used to, and a light flickered as they entered the home that looked seemingly abandoned.

Ripped curtains hung on the windows barely blocking any light, something scurried away in the corner of his eye, and the couch had scratch(?) marks so he could see the yellow foam inside.

His hands on the wheelchair tightened unconsciously and he and Kageyo looked at each other hesitatingly

"......"

One Month After the Accident

"You two know what will happen if you open your ratty little mouths right? Don't forget if it wasn't for me, both of you would be on the streets right now begging for food like the other urchins"

Galahad's uncle gave them a menacing look to make sure they understood his threat before giving one last look to make sure the house looked decently presentable before the government worker came for the first check-in. He just gave a smug look once he saw that it looked up to standard after he had ordered his nephew to clean it up in a hurry once he got the notification that the care worker would be coming last week.

Their care worker, Ayumi Nozomi took off her shoes before entering the beat-up apartment. She sighed in relief. She was a bit hesitant to hand off the two children to their uncle who had a small history of gambling and alcoholism but luckily the house seemed to be in decent condition and she couldn't smell any air fresheners that were often used by abusive guardians to attempt to disguise the smell of alcohol.

After doing a quick survey of the house and talking to the two children a bit she was satisfied and left after which Galahad's uncle gave a small sigh of relief.

"Freakin' b*tch wandering around my house like she owns the place"

Relieved that it had gone well, their uncle sauntered up the stairs to his room to play video games for the rest of the day.

Kageyo just gave a look of disgust before giving a glare to Galahad and pushing himself into their room.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Galahad just looked at his brother as he wheeled himself away and hesitated a bit before following his uncle up the stairs.

"Um, Uncle–"

"What are you doing here Kid #1? I thought I told you not to bother me while I'm gaming"

"It's just that... You said if we made sure you passed all the inspection checks you would set aside some of the government aid money for Kageyo's surgeries...This is the second one we've done and..."

Showing a clear expression of disgruntlement, Galahad's uncle paused the game he was playing before standing up and walking over to the boy who was intimidated and stepped back a bit.

"...Listen up well kid...Do you know how many other street rats would kill for what you have right now? I think we have a pretty little arrangement, hmm?"

A vile smile that didn't reach his malicious eyes appeared on his face as he patted his nephew's shoulder.

"Do I smoke? Do I drink? Do I gamble? I'm basically a saint for taking in you two burdens, even giving you food and shelter and this is how you repay me? I'll decide what we use the money for, what would a dumb kid like you know anyway. Now, leave before you really start to piss me off"

Galahad just nodded his head miserably before replying

"Yes, Uncle"

Galahad trotted down the stairs before apprehensively opening the door to the small room he shared with Kageyo. He sat down on the one bed in their room where he could see Kageyo under the blankets facing the wall.

"Kageyo, you still awake? I just talked to Uncle, don't worry we're going to get your surgeries started any day now. Just leave it—"

"Can you shut up Onii-san?"

Galahad sat there silently as he looked at his younger brother with a sad expression on his face.

"I should never have saved you from the accident!"

Kageyo got up with a crazy look of anger on his face and tears welling up in his eyes.

"This is all your fault, if it wasn't for you...I would've have to live like this. I should've left you to die, but..."

"If I hadn't shielded you from the explosion after you idiotically tried to save mom..."

Tired after shouting, Kageyo just went under the blankets again before going silent indicating the conversation was over.

Galahad got up and went to the blanket on the floor in the other corner of the room where he always slept. Rolling over to face the wall he swore that he would do whatever it takes to get the money to fix his brother's legs.

2 Days Before the Match Vs Seidouzan, Galahad Uncle's Home

Looking at the manila envelope on the desk he hesitated before looking at the other document on his desk.

Warning of Scholarship Suspension

Dear, Galahad Yozora

After careful consideration, this is the first warning that if you are not able to meet the standards of performance expected from an excellent scholarship soccer student at Raimon within the season....

...[Continuation of the Letter]

Sincerely,

Raimon Jr.High Financial Aid Committee

Akuma's words from the end of the season still haunted him

"We all know what a good boy our little Galahad is. But, just think about how many times you've started this year... and... about anyone special who might be disappointed in your performance... or should I say... lack thereof. Mmm, okay?"

As long as Akuma and Mika were the forwards for the soccer team, Galahad knew that there would be little to no chance he would be a starter for much longer considering his skills as a forward were above-average at best at the national level. While he had wanted to resent the other 1st year striker, once he had gotten to know Mika he couldn't help but like her and so he forced down his worries thinking it would all work out somehow.

Galahad thought everything was fine but once she decided to resign from the team while he knew he should stop her as her only friend on the team he also knew if he wanted the scholarship money to pay for his brother's surgeries then this was a golden opportunity he couldn't pass up...

Well, that was what he told himself to comfort his decision but he couldn't forgive himself for doing something so weak and despicable...However, just when Galahad had started to convince himself that this was all for the best as he had told Yuka, Mika had to come back and mess with heart like she always did with ease.

Her words continued to torment him... what did she mean...

"If you want to know the truth about your family's car accident..."

Galahad stood in front of the desk in his room and finally picked up the envelope that Mika had given him. He put it down again before picking it up then going to sit on his bed.

Hands trembling for some reason, Galahad took a few small breaths to calm himself down. Unsure of what to expect he finally, carefully began to open the envelope.

Raimon Police Accident Report

"......"

Seeing the first words at the top he put the envelope down again.

Galahad got up to circle his room a few times but the room was so small that this didn't take much time.

He sat back down before steeling his nerves to finish reading the entire thing.

Raimon Police Accident Report

Accident Report Number : 35478456

Driver's Name : Hiroshi Yozora

Car : White BMW X7 SUV

Date and Time : 2XXX/05/03, 19:30

Passengers : 3. Wife : Emma Yozora (Maiden Name : Hughes. Deceased), Step-Son : Galahad Yozora (Alive), Son : Kageyo Yozora (Alive)

Investigation : No Foul Play Suspected.

Cause : Driver swerved to avoid oncoming barrels from a passing truck who blamed severe weather conditions for loss of secured loads.

Black Box footage shows the driver died upon impact. Wife severely injured upon impact. Step-son seen dragging his younger brother on his back from the burning vehicle before rushing back to try to save his mother. Explosion shortly thereafter caused by lightning hitting the burning vehicle.

Witness Account : Truck driver says he secured the younger brother a safe distance away before calling emergency services. Went to check on the other child only to see him blown backwards by the car exploding. Checked on the child's vitals before driving both children to the closest hospital.

Investigation Closed 2XXX/06/03

Re-reading the report over and over again, Galahad's eyes trembled and crumpled the edges with his hands as he tried to process what he had just read.

"Truck driver says he secured the younger brother a safe distance away before calling emergency services."

That didn't make any sense...Kageyo always reminded him that he had gone back to save Galahad from the explosion but...

"No."

"No."

There was no way he could believe this report. There was no way...

Not after everything he had done...

There was no going back...

Ha.

"Hahahahahaha"

Galahad hid his face in his hands and began to laugh while tears dripped from his watery green-eyes. Tears continued to well from within him as he laughed and cried and laughed and cried by himself in the small, dark room...