"They...actually lost?" Galahad exclaimed with disbelief.

"This is...not good." muttered Serika while twirling her hair uneasily.

"That's a rather optimistic assessment Serika" Mika replied bitterly, at which point the Zeus members turned to look at them rather pitifully. If Eisei Gakuen wasn't able to beat them, then realistically Raimon had almost no chance of beating Outei Tsukinomiya.

Tactics. Hissatsus. Keshins. Techniques.

Every aspect was in their favour and no matter how much any of the Raimon members tried to flip it, their final match with Outei Tsukinomiya next week looked bleak.

"You can't give up, Kuroha-san!! As long as you have faith in each other, then there's nothing you can't do as a team!"

Mika looked at the Zeus forward who had grabbed her hands comfortingly. Mika could see in Khronoa's eyes that she had genuine belief that faith in the power of teamwork would allow them to perform miracles but considering how Zeus had still lost to Raimon despite this, she didn't put much stock into the Saintess's words at the moment.

Then looking at the field again, she saw Seiryuu was being comforted by Daigiichi and Suzaku but continued to kneel on the field, obviously distraught, and she couldn't fault him for that.

She herself was still unable to believe what she had seen in the final moments.

One second Seiryuu was preparing to unleash 'Draconic Sea' and equalise the score but the instant Tamaki moved in to intercept the shoot, the Eisei striker had frozen as if he had fallen into a trance.

Almost like...some sort of hypnotism.

What had Tamaki called it? 'Glimpse of Glory'?

Each of Tamaki's hissatsus were turning out to be just as strange as the 'Child of Soccer' himself and Mika wasn't sure if Raimon had an answer for him. Even by himself he posed a major threat, but in a team with perfect coordination under Nosaka's tight leadership and a willingness to do whatever it took to win...

Eyes becoming downcast, Mika watched melancholically as Yuka left the field alongside his new teammates.

Yuka...

Though he couldn't have been said to have a direct impact on the game when compared to Nosaka or Tamaki, Outei's win today wouldn't have been nearly as certain if he hadn't been there.

His ruthless plays...

Desperation to win even if he had to use trickery...

While she knew from a rational aspect that such drive for victory should be applauded, Mika just felt so...uncomfortable with his new playstyle. Before, even when Yuka showed no skill, every time he touched the ball his entire face lit up as if soccer was the greatest thing to ever happen to the universe. While at first it had been difficult for Mika to understand how he could derive so much joy from such a simple thing...

Just when she was beginning to understand the old him...the Yuka she had known, vanished.

"Thanks Kuroha-senpai! I think I really improved a lot today and it was all thanks to you!"

Today, Mika has seen none of the boy whom she had trained with at the riverside.

Sparkling eyes that radiated pure happiness, replaced by cold eyes that burned with chilling intensity.

A wide smile that resembled a warm sun on a winter day replaced by a thin line which expressed no emotions.

Was Yuka...

Even having fun anymore?

He was the one who had told her first how much fun soccer was but why...

"Mika! The bus is leaving now!"

Mika watched with unreadable eyes as Yuka finally disappeared into the dark hallway that led to the locker room and she awoke from her trance. Turning her back to the stadium, Mika shut her mind away from the field and the confusing thoughts that were swirling within her while running ahead to catch up with the others.

******

"That...had been a little too close for comfort" Nosaka thought dourly while he watched the Outei members climb aboard the bus after him.

Nosaka could admit that the Eisei Gakuen team was formidable but they were nowhere near the strength of that team and if they were to save soccer then Outei Tsukinomiya would need to continue to power up.

"It's not enough" muttered Nosaka and he turned his head to update Haizaki on his future plans.

"I'll be informing the trainers to raise the intensity of the training menu three–no, five-fold when we get back. We're going to completely break the others down as players and build them up again. We'll need them to be ready for when we have to fight—"

"Haizaki?"

Nosaka paused, seeing Haizaki had a grim expression on his face and he called out his name again.

"Haizaki?"

"..."

Sensing something was up, Nosaka asked with a more demanding voice this time.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" Haizaki replied quickly but sensing that Nosaka didn't believe him he continued hesitantly.

"It's just...don't you think we're becoming too much like them? The 'Dark Keshins', diving, time wasting, rough plays...I know that we agreed we would do whatever it takes to save this world's soccer but...what would he think if saw us now..."

"Have you lost your mind?" growled Nosaka angrily.

"This isn't a game anymore Haizaki! The Orion Foundation couldn't even begin to compare to the things those...monsters did. You of all people should know soccer is the last legacy we have left of him, and I'm going to protect it whether you help or not!"

Having avoided talking about him up to now, the image of an upbeat boy with deep green eyes and short, spiky hair appeared in their minds and Haizaki and Nosaka both fell into an uncomfortable silence.

"......"

"Yuuma-kun"

Hearing his name called out, Haizaki and Nosaka turned their heads in unison to face the only person who called Nosaka by his first name.

If Tamaki was awake right now instead of sleeping then it must be serious.

"What?"

Though he had managed to power nap while he waited for the others to come out of the changing rooms, Tamaki was still feeling rather lethargic and so he adjusted his pillows and blankets while answering sleepily,

"Him...Annoying..." and jerked his head into Yuka's direction before falling promptly asleep.

Sweatdropping, Nosaka began to calm himself down and made a mental note to keep the two boys out of each others' ways. Tamaki was a ticking time bomb but fortunately there was only one more match remaining before Project Mars could begin and after their victory over Raimon... the world's soccer would finally be within their grasp.

However, brought back to their previous conversation with this thought, Nosaka spoke in an icy voice to Haizaki who still had a guilty expression on his face.

"If you're having doubts then leave. We don't need anyone unreliable on the team, and we'll win with or without you. Understood?"

"Understood, Nosaka." Haizaki answered in a sombre tone.

******

The Next Day, Raimon Riverbank

"Arghhh!"

Clunk

Growling, Mika kicked the ball fiercely but was frustrated to see her shoot curve upwards and hit the crossbar instead.

Even after a good night's rest, she was still unable to settle herself after the chaotic events that had occurred yesterday. Nothing was following the rules of what she knew anymore...

If she analysed it from the perspective of her position as the Takinami Corporation's heir then nothing had changed. Her father expected her to win this year's Holy Road and her mother most certainly would not tolerate two defeats in a row.

So all she had to do was win.

It was a simple fact. A victory was needed and she was going to deliver. There should be no need for any other inefficient thoughts but...

But why couldn't her heart seem to stay calm?

Between her parents using soccer as a tool to cement her social status, Nosaka using it to further his enigmatic Project Mars to bring about an age of 'true soccer' and her newfound desire to play soccer for soccer's sake it felt as if Mika's head was splitting from the pressure.

"This isn't what soccer is supposed to be like..."

"Then what is soccer supposed to be?"

Mika thought back to their recent match against Zeus upon hearing the intrusive question. A battle where she and Khronoa had managed to clash without holding back, leaving everything they had on the field. After that battle, for once Mika was able to forget about winning or losing and instead was left with a purifying freshness that made her feel...alive. As if she could feel each one of her cells pulsating with life. Wasn't that...what soccer was supposed to be?

"Something...that makes people...happy?" Mika contemplated in a faint whisper while touching her lower lip carefully.

Yes.

That was it.

Soccer wasn't supposed to be a tool or cog in an elaborate scheme.

It was so simple this entire time.

Mika knew what she wanted now.

All Mika had wanted was to face Eisei Gakuen in the finals in a no holds barred finale where she could play to the end without restraint. But now if she wanted that to ever happen again...they would have to defeat Outei Tsukinomiya to protect soccer's future...the soccer Yuka had wanted to play!

"It seems like you've come to an answer all on your own. Care to enlighten an old man?"

Mika whipped her head around upon realising that she was no longer alone on the riverbank field and found herself staring at a familiar set of violet eyes which winked at her in a friendly manner.

"Mr.Passerby?"

"I saw you used my gift well in the Teikoku Gakuen match, Young Lady. It suits you."

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Stepping back warily as she saw the long, white-haired man walking closer to her, Mika instinctively signalled to Hayato. Even after all of her investigations into his identity after the Teikoku Gakuen match, none of their databases or detectives had managed to find out anything about the man who had managed to teach her 'Aggressive Beat'. In hindsight, Mika realised it may have been slightly foolhardy to go along with a presumably homeless and adult man's whims, even if she had been emotionally distressed at the time.

"Looking for Kurosawa-san? There's no point in that. I'm friends with him so I told Kurosawa-san he could leave us alone for a bit, so why don't you answer the question Mika-chan?"

Mika felt a chill run down her spine hearing her bodyguard's name come out of his mouth. Hayato had been her bodyguard since birth and was widely recognised as one of the best in the world. He would never leave her side, even if she herself instructed him to.

"Who are you? State your purpose in approaching me. If it's monetary, the Takinami Corporation can offer reasonable financial compensation for your training. If this sounds agreeable, I can arrange a meeting with—"

"Oh please, Mika. Why would I ever be interested in something as trivial and worthless as money?

Stepping closer, the man was now within arms reach and he stared down directly into Mika's eyes which refused to back down. Bending down he whispered softly into her ear and emphasised his words slowly,

"I just want to know...

What...

You're...

Thinking."

Mika kept a blank face, devoid of any emotion so as to avoid provoking the strange man and she acquiesced to his demand with composure,

"I will protect...soccer. Soccer is a sport that is loved around the world and I won't allow Outei Tsukinomiya to taint it any longer. Project Mars will end with our victory and..."

"I'll bring back the real Yuka." Mika finished in her head.

"I see..."

Rubbing his chin contemplatively as Mika spoke, upon hearing her answer he began to reach out and Mika flinched, ready for combat if it proved necessary. While no expert in hand-to-hand combat she could defend herself if it came down to it.

However, to her surprise, Mika observed warily as the man crushed a glowing purple gem that resembled an amethyst in his palm and the ominous purple powder scattered away in the wind.

"Then I guess you won't be needing this..."

"Mika...I'll be looking forward to our next meeting and I hope...your answer will be the same then too."

Snap

Giving an elegant flourish with his wrist, the man disappeared from the riverbank leaving Mika alone as the cold wind gently kissed her cheeks.

"Ojou-sama!!" shouted a giant of a man as he ran down the stairs to check on her.

"Are you all right, Ojou-sama? I have no words to explain myself. One moment I was watching you from afar and the next I found myself asleep beneath a tree. I'll be handing in my resignation to your father immediately—"

"There's no need for that Kurosawa-san. I'm fine...and nothing happened. So let's just keep this a secret from my father, understood?"

"...I will be adding my son to your security detail, Ojou-sama. He may be young and still immature but I think it's time we prepare for when I can no longer protect you."

Sigh

Mr.Passerby really knew how to cause problems. If he had the ability to teleport and knock out a bodyguard as capable as Hayato then he should have erased his memory while he was at it too, Mika thought belligerently.

What a headache.

"Do as you please Kurosawa-san."

Letting Hayato guide her to their car, Mika let out a heavy sigh whilst looking at the window. Somehow, despite everything that had happened, she supposed she did feel a bit lighter than before coming here so it wasn't a complete loss coming here today.

******

Three Days Later Day, Sun Garden. Three Days Before the Final Match with Outei Tsukinomiya.

"Oh you're not dead." Serika said with a deadpan expression as Haruka walked outside on a pair of crutches alongside Suzaku as the two girls greeted the Raimon members who had come to check in on them.

"You sound disappointed." Haruka replied, rolling her eyes, while accepting the flowers and small gift basket that the Raimon team had prepared.

"I am." Serika shot back readily and let out a small 'Hmph' when Mika gave her a look to be on her best behaviour.

Meanwhile, Galahad craned his neck so he could see past the two girls. After continuing to talk, apparently the conversation had gone south as Haruka began smacking Serika with her crutch to which the Raimon captain began dancing just beyond reach so she could leer at the injured 'White Tiger'.

"Is Daigiichi doing alright?" he asked worriedly, seeing no sign of the black-haired defender who would usually be chatting with them excitedly by now.

"He's not feeling well right now so he's resting in his room." Suzaku answered kindly and explained, seeing Galahad's eyes widen with alarm.

"It's nothing serious. He's just taking the loss a little hard is all. I'm sure he'll be up and moving soon..."

Mika's eyes narrowed as Suzaku's voice trailed off but before she could say anything the red-haired girl beckoned them inside,

"Why don't you all come in already? I think Auntie Furuya said she was going to cut up some mangoes that she got while she was in Okinawa."

Mika sat down with the others at their large dining table and watched curiously as Leonidas began to skillfully cut the mangoes with Auntie Furuya, performing an array of knife tricks to the delight of the other orphans who lived at the Sun Garden.

Taking a bite from one of the ornately sliced mangoes that Leonidas has carefully sculpted into the shape of a small deer, Mika began to chew slowly and let the rich taste fill her mouth. As expected of fresh mangoes from Okinawa, the quality was certainly comparable to the fruit her private chef prepared. Just the right amount of sweetness with the faintest hint of citrus. It was perfectly ripe and the creamy texture created a satisfying...

Wait! She hadn't come all this way just to review food for the Eisei Gakuen members. That was reserved for her monthly appointments in Tokyo.

Slightly sheepish she had been so easily distracted, Mika dabbed her lips carefully to clean any excess juice and to hide her embarrassment, then looked around carefully for any traces of the blue-haired captain who she had expected to be making a ruckus by now.

"Are you looking for someone, Mika-oneesan?"

Mika looked down and saw a boy who barely reached her waist, carrying a large stuffed plushie that resembled a blue dragon. Though there were clear sewing marks from where it had been torn, it still looked to be in relatively good condition and Mika asked with confusion,

"Do I know you?"

"Nope! Seiryuu-oniisan talks about you a lot though!"

Oh. That was unexpectedly nice of Seiryuu. She hadn't taken the older captain to be one to compliment others in private but she supposed he always was a rather shy child.

"Seiryuu-oniisan says 'Crush Mika' 'Must beat Mika' 'Weak Mika' a lot!!" recalled the small child innocently.

Ah, yes. That sounded more like the Seiryuu she knew.

Giving the boy a menacing smile, Mika asked in the kindest tone possible which ended up creating a dark aura that would have terrified any normal child.

"And where exactly would your oniisan be right now?"

Fortunately for her, the boy was already used to Seiryuu's intimidating face and so he laughed and grabbed her hand to lead her up the stairwell.

"This is where oniisan usually is. Takao doesn't know where he is right now though..."

Knock Knock

Hearing sounds from inside the room the boy, whose name was apparently Takao, had guided her to, Mika stepped forward to knock on it lightly.

Creakkkk

Mika watched carefully as the door opened ever so slowly and was given a little start by what she had initially thought to be a ghost, though it turned out to just be Daigiichi. Just like Suzaku had said, he looked absolutely awful. With bloodshot, puffy eyes it was clear the boy had been crying too much and even his nose had reddened presumably due to tissue overuse. Opening his mouth slowly, he spoke up in a hoarse voice,

"O-Ojou-sama? What are you..."

Daigiichi paused to think about it and popping his head back inside, Mika was left waiting while she heard some loud bangs from inside the room. Then, reopening the door more widely this time, Mika was able to see that Daigiichi had laid out a red blanket in the doorway to resemble a red carpet and shoved his snot-covered tissues that were overflowing in the trash can, next to the window.

"W-Welcome to our humble abode Ojou-sama. Please don't misunderstand Aniki, usually it's much cleaner than this b-b-but..."

Whimpering, Daigiichi attempted to hold back his tears but began to sob loudly while Mika stood awkwardly across from the black-haired defender. While they had both attended the Hakuren Training Camp and she had heard positive things from Galahad, she had never actually spoken with Daigiichi alone beyond basic greetings.

"How could A-Aniki just leave like thattttt!" wailed Daigiichi.

Awkwardness now reaching critical levels, she wondered if she should just leave him alone to cry when he finally began to quiet down to a snivel and she offered him the almost empty tissue box which he accepted gratefully.

Snorting into the tissue, Daigiichi hiccuped and explained,

"S-Sorry, Ojou-sama. I know you're looking for Aniki but he left yesterday and wouldn't tell us where he was going. Hiroto said it's fine b-but how could he leave us behind! What if someone kidnaps him or he gets lost and his phone dies...or worse...he drops his wallet and can't buy any food!!"

While Mika could understand Daigiichi's worry, for some reason she couldn't imagine Seiryuu in any of those scenarios and so she sat Daigiichi down on his bed while he continued to speak-cry.

"Sor-hic-ry, for crying Ojou-sama."

Then getting back up suddenly as if he remembered something, Daigiichi began digging around through the disorganised room. Watching from behind, Mika followed his movements as Daigiichi began to throw papers left and right and heard more rustling until finally he dug up a small envelope.

"This is for you Ojou-sama. Aniki said to give it to you if you showed up looking for him. He said not to read it so I didn't let anyone read it...Even Haruka!"

Of course, Seiryuu had left her a letter.

The antiquated and outdated method of communication was just as stubborn as the Eisei Gakuen striker himself. Taking in a deep breath, Mika sat in Daigiichi's chair which he had pulled out for her and she ignored the click of the door as Daigiichi let himself out so she could read the letter in private.

She didn't know what type of letter she was expecting from Seiryuu but she felt strangely nervous that something important was lying inside.

Swish

Mika opened the envelope in one motion with her fingernail, and took out the small paper from within.

Mika,

You better win.

-Seiryuu

Was written neatly in beautiful, flowing hiragana with each character written so stylishly she thought that it almost looked like calligraphy rather than simple writing.

The nerve.

Eyebrow twitching with resentment, Mika put a hand up to calm her eyebrow and reminded herself of her meditative exercises.

Slow deep breaths.

Hold it for a beat.

Breathe again.

She didn't know why she was expecting anything different from him after all. Looking down at the paper again, she turned it around to make sure she hadn't missed anything and staring at it for longer, the paper seemed to mock her with its elegant script but singular, simple sentence. Seiryuu had obviously written it as such on purpose. But she didn't need him telling her what she already knew.

Of course they were going to win! And not just win, but save soccer and Yuka at the same time!

Storming down the stairs while somehow maintaining her poise, the Raimon and Eisei members looked at her as Mika sat down so she could angrily begin to eat the remaining melon once more.

"Mika..." Galahad began in a small voice, but seeing Mika turn around with purple flames in her eyes he zipped his mouth again and reached for a mango slice, pretending that he wasn't about to ask her something two seconds ago.

Finishing the remaining melon slices with fervour, Mika hurriedly helped the Raimon members clean the dishes and stormed out after saying her goodbyes and well-wishes.

"Mika, wait up! What's the rush?" panted Serika as she ran to catch up with Mika, who was currently run-walking to the train station.

Whipping her head around, she seemed to think for a moment and continued to walk while exclaiming,

"We need to train! Right now!"

Taken aback, Serika didn't know where this intensity was coming from, but she nodded her head enthusiastically to match Mika's energy.

"Right! Outei Tsukinomiya is so going down!"

******

Holy Road Stadium, Holy Road Finals, Raimon vs Outei Tsukinomiya

[WELCOMEEE TO THE MATCH YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!! THIS WILL BE A DOOZY OF A MATCH AND TENSION IS REACHING AN ALL TIME HIGH IN THE HOLY ROAD STADIUM TODAY!! AFTER A CONVINCING VICTORY OVER EISEI GAKUEN LAST WEEK, OUTEI TSUKINOMIYA HAS CEMENTED THEMSELVES AS THE TEAM TO BEAT BUT CAN RAIMON PULL THROUGH AND PULL OF A MIRACLE?? LET THE MATCH!! BEGINNNNNNNNNN!!!!]

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"Hmm. I see Afuro-san assigned you to mark me today, Kuroha-san...or should I say Takinami-san?" Nosaka said with a mischievous smile.

"...."

Mika gave no response to his provocation and Nosaka continued antagonistically as they followed the ball progression from centrefield.

"While I must say it's an honour to fight the 'Demon Queen' of Raimon, isn't such tactics just too rudimentary? I think you'll find that we...aren't so simple!"

Hup!

Jumping upwards to trap the ball with his chest, Nosaka tapped the ball lightly against the inside of his right foot to secure the pass and he surveyed the field quickly...

This wasn't right...

Raimon's formation had changed.

Looking around again, Nosaka smirked, seeing that all of his possible passing options were sealed.

Tch.

Slowing himself down, he continued to dribble mindlessly to maintain possession and looked at the blonde-haired captain who was shouting orders and directing the Raimon formation. It looks like someone had done their research after all...even coming up with simple countermeasures for Outei's hyper-aggressive formation.

Well, Nosaka had never intended on underestimating Raimon. He of all people would know how formidable of a team they are.

"I think you're the ones who are going to find out we're not as easy as you think Nosaka-san!"

Charging from behind him, Mika performed a quick sliding tackle which Nosaka jumped to avoid and he grunted with irritation seeing her quickly get back up and run back to intercept him again.

"I'm not going to be giving you any time to think Nosaka-san!"

Then, doing a swift turn, Mika disappeared from Nosaka's sight and reappeared with the ball under her foot. Putting her hand near her heart, she began to glow with bright green energy and as the space around them turned black she shouted,

AGGRESSIVE BEAT!

Ha...

Nosaka turned around slowly as he watched the defensive line move in to intercept the Raimon forward and her teammates. Letting an almost imperceptible smile appear on his face, he turned to Yuka and began to signal to the black-haired midfielder with his hands.

If this was the best that this Raimon could come up with then that was truly disappointing.

Dark Keshin : Yokai Ruler, Lord Enma!!

[CLOSE BUT NO GOAL!! DEFENDER JUNPEI GUJIN SECURES THE BALL AND SENDS IT UPFIELD BACK TO NOSAKA!]

Seeing that Makoto had been stopped before they could make a goal opportunity, Mika ran back to mark Nosaka, with long bounds across the field. After careful analysis, Serika had pinpointed Nosaka as the most crucial member of Outei Tsukinomiya to the team's ball progression and had accordingly assigned Mika to man-mark him throughout the match. However, seeing Yuka run past Nosaka and push from midfield into the frontline she took a glance at Serika to see what the other girl was thinking.

"Cover Yuka" mouthed Serika hurriedly while she pushed Sadao in to react to Nosaka's movements instead.

Receiving the message, Mika sped up appropriately and slowed down to a jog as she caught up to the former Raimon member. Now that she could see him up close, while his physical features were mostly the same, his entire demeanour was unfamiliar to her and it was as if she were marking an entirely different person from the Yuka she had met before.

But it would be alright. After this match he would see that–

"Get fucked, 'Demon Queen'" cackled Yuka spitefully.

Mika narrowed her eyes at the younger boy's crass language and she looked around warily to see what he meant when she felt the hairs on her arm and neck rise immediately. With a chipped crown made of skeleton bones on his head, Nosaka held his arm out to the side and at his signal rows of battered and worn tombstones arose from beneath the field to surround the Raimon members on all sides.

HISSATSU TACTICS : GRAVE OF A RUINED WORLD!!