Raimon Strategy Room, 3 Days Before Match with Eisei Gakuen

“Aihara-kun if you would please”

Hooking up his laptop to the screen, Kenji quickly brought up the data for the Eisei Eleven with their faces quickly being brought up and arranged in a 3-5-2 formation.

“As you can see, Eisei Gakuen’s strategy revolves heavily around their captain and ace striker Seiryuu. Having earned the title of Japan’s ‘Blue Dragon’ and being dubbed No.1 Striker last year by the JYSA, his offensive stats are off the charts as to be expected–”[1].

“His soccer skills aren’t the only thing off the charts”

Giving a dirty look at Nariko who had just interrupted him, Kenji opened his mouth to speak before being drowned out by a loud, booming voice that filled the room.

“I recognise that guy!”

Standing up to point his finger, a lively boy with black hair looked down at the stocky boy next to him while shouting

“He’s the one on all the billboards we saw in Tokyo when we left Haneda Airport, right Gabriel?”

“Yup, sure looks like the same guy Makoto!. He’s the scary-eyebrows dude!”

Stroking his chin in thought, Gabriel paused before continuing

“Can’t believe they have a model on their team, how’re we supposed to compete with that?”

“Don’t worry Gabriel-senpai! You won’t lose in good looks to him!”

Deciding it was time to chime in, a short and clearly youthful first-year enthusiastically hyped up his senpais who had brought out their phones to check their faces in the camera.

Hearing the flattery from the short, jet-black haired boy Nariko gave a derisive snort before yelling from the middle of the room

“Oh please, I think you need to get your eyes checked Daiguji-kun. If that piggy is considered handsome then something went wrong in the timeline and it’s time to switch universes”

Ignoring the obvious venom in her words, Gabriel just gave a hearty, good-natured laugh before smiling at Sadao and giving him some candy from his pocket while replying

“Thanks Daiguji-kun, I knew you were a good cookie the minute we saw you!”

Listening to the chaotic conversation go on, Galahad sweat dropped before asking Nariko quizzically

“Aren’t you dating Takasugi-senpai, Yamashiro-san?”

Rolling her eyes, Nariko looked down from her spot on Naoki’s lap with disdain before calmly answering

“Just because I have a boyfriend, puppy-kun doesn’t mean I suddenly went blind”

Hearing Nariko’s terrible nickname for him, Galahad frowned while the older lilac-haired girl continued

“Besides, my sweet little baby won’t lose in cuteness to anyone. Isn’t that right baby?”

Blushing a bit as Nariko wrapped her arms around him, Naoki mindlessly gave a “mhmm” in affirmation.

Serika, who was sitting in front of the three, tried to suppress her desire to throw up hearing the awful conversation behind her while internally scolding the idiotic servant boy for engaging in conversation with the lovebird couple.

“Eisei isn’t the only one with aesthetically pleasing humans on their team”

Interjecting, Mika finally decided to enter the fray as she turned her body to look behind her at the other team members.

Galahad’s eyes opened a little while the tips of his ears turned a little pink as he looked into the charming amethyst eyes of the girl who had just turned around in her seat in front of him. Was she talking about him? He knew that he had a fan club at school, but he had never put much stock into the compliments he received regarding his looks…

“We have me”

“......”

Besides the sound of Serika choking on her water next to Mika, the room went silent as they observed the girl who didn’t even crack a smile, observing them back. With such a deadpan expression it was hard to tell whether or not she was joking because it was well known that numerous modelling, idol and acting companies waited around school trying to recruit her after school was over.

Blinking a few times as if she was waiting, Mika decided to break the silence

“Was I incorrect in my timing or was the delivery of the joke incorrect?”

“Ughhhhhhh”

Kenji let out an audible groan as he fiddled with his headphones trying to repress the desire to put them on and max the sound-nullification feature. While he knew they were lucky to have Makoto Rikitake-senpai come back from studying abroad in France last week along with his new friend Gabriel Oami…with the addition of three new second string members who Coach Aphrodi selected personally, things had only become more hectic and even worse, loud, since then.

Watching the bespectacled youth slowly losing his mind next to him, Aphrodi decided it was time to get back on track and clapped his hand to refocus the members.

Seeing everyone finally begin to settle down, Kenji finally let out a relieved sigh before continuing where he had left off.

“As I was saying before you all rudely interrupted me like a bunch of barbaric buffoons, Seiryuu’s offensive stats are off the charts. He’s the only person in history to have consecutive hat tricks for every match his team played in Holy Road. To put it simply, he can’t be stopped. His known hissatsu shots include Dragon Genesis, a long shoot, Tenkuu Otoshi, a more powerful short shoot, and Supernova (Combination) offering him incredible diversity. Even his overall skills are all top-tier : dribbling, ball-control, passing accuracy, body-control, you name it.”

Raising his hand to speak, Galahad chimed in

“Isn’t he just one person? What if we triple mark him? Since they only have two forwards they’ll be more vulnerable to a strategy suppressing their offensive line.”

Without looking up, Kenji chose not to speak and replied instead by bringing up 3 more faces.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Teams that have tried to do a lock-down strategy focusing on Seiryuu have only been miserably stopped by the other members of Eisei Gakuen, specifically these 3. All of their members have skills that you would expect to see from last year’s champions but these 3 are especially dangerous.”

A boy with soft-black hair, heterochromatic green and blue eyes, and a wide, friendly face popped up on the screen.

“Daigiichi, Eisei’s lead defender and ‘Black Tortoise’, was ranked No.2 in the nation last year only behind Hakuren’s ‘Adamantine Glaciar’ despite being just a first year at the last Holy Road. Truthfully, judging by the data, in terms of solely defensive abilities he could be a contender for No.1 but luckily it seems like he’s a bit of an idiot so it seems their goalkeeper, a 3rd year named Hiroaki, is the one in charge of coordinating their defensive line”

Tapping his remote, next a girl with white hair, cat-like blazing yellow eyes and a mischievous smile showed up.

“Haruka, Eisei’s ‘White Tiger’ , is also rated highly by the JYSA, only recently being dethroned from the No.1 spot as top midfielder in the nation by a new player from Outei Tsukinomiya this pre-season.”

Playing a clip, extremely fast and almost animalistic movements were seen on the screen as a girl with white hair raced across the field at an unbelievable speed.

“As you can see for yourself, she not only has insane speed and agility, but her striking power would put her in the top of the nation if she was a forward. She could easily be an ace striker at any other school, making it useless to isolate Seiryuu by himself.”

Clicking the remote again, a girl could be seen in a red vest, blue shorts, and a straw hat with red band at the edge, while punching the ground.[2]

Looking at the questioning glances he was getting across the room, Kenji just sighed before mumbling

“This was the only picture they had…”

Coughing into his hand, Kenji pretended nothing was strange with the profile picture before proceeding

“Suzaku is their defensive midfielder and is the last of Eisei’s Celestial Guardians, earning the title of the ‘Vermillion Bird’. Despite her apparent obsession with cosplaying, teams that have underestimated her have only been ruthlessly humiliated. Among the 4, Suzaku is the most well-rounded but her dribbling skills are what should be feared the most. Among their team, Suzaku is actually the only one who has yet to have the ball stolen from her this season.”

Closing the individual profiles and reopening the 2-3-5 formation, Kenji continued while the rest of the team had fallen completely silent at this point.

“These four are so strong, it doesn’t surprise me they’ve been compared to mythological beasts. Frankly, it’s unbelievable that four players so talented all popped up at once and on the same team no less. I’ve run the simulations and Raimon has a 0.0012% chance of victory only under the condition that all of their members fall sick at the same time. If you ask me, we should just take the loss and prepare for the match against Teikoku Gakuen and hope they beat Seidouzan next week, which according to my calculations has a 74.67% chance of occuring.”

Concluding his powerpoint, Kenji passed the remote to Aphrodi before sitting down while the others processed the information they had just heard.

An energetic voice far in the back broke the silence,

“You can’t know the result until we actually know the result Aiihara-senpai! If we give up now then soccer would be so sad!”

Turning around in his chair, Kenji just glared at the boy who had just spoken before cooly answering

“The data doesn’t lie Fukunaga-kun and even if we had individuals to compete at Eisei’s level we lost half our team last week and have had only one full day of practice with the new members. It’d just be a waste of energy to try to fight last year’s champions with such a ragtag team put together in just a few days. Besides, what are you even doing here, you aren’t even on the first-string team”

“B-But!!”

A lazy and relaxed voice rang out from the girl sitting beside Mika and interrupted Yuka before he could finish.

“Hang on, data servant. The peasant boy has a point, I think you’re forgetting the team has me now. As long as all you servants follow my orders we can’t lose”

Smiling arrogantly, Serika looked around as if daring anyone to challenge her, and narrowed her eyes in displeasure at Nariko who just scoffed in response when she heard the nonsense the younger girl was spitting out.

Sensing the atmosphere was getting bad, Aphrodi decided it was time to intervene before things got worse.

“Now, now that’s enough from the both of you. While it’s good to be optimistic and have fun while playing soccer it’s also good to be realistic and acknowledge the team’s shortcomings. That said, there’s no such thing as a useless match. Every time you get the chance to play soccer is the chance to learn something about yourself and there’s no better way to practise as a team than to play a match so I’ll be expecting everyone’s best efforts on Thursday and be ready to face soccer with sincere hearts, got it?”

“Yes, Coach.”

With some nods and bobbing heads, the team replied in unison before getting up to get ready for the day’s practice. Packing up her notebook and pen, Mika shoved her notes into her bag before being surprised to see Galahad waiting for her at the stairs.

“Oh, Galahad-kun. Do you have some business with me?”

Shaking his head, Galahad had a relaxed smile before waiting for Mika to walk alongside him.

“No, I just wanted to thank you for your help in settling everything the past week.”

Opening her mouth in a small circle upon realisation of what he was talking about Mika nonchalantly replied

“I told you before, there’s no reason to thank me, haven’t I Mr.Yozora? I was simply fulfilling my duties as a partaker in our vow of friendship. Besides, it was mostly Edmund who did all the paperwork, while I did nothing of significance”

“Still, most friends wouldn’t be able to help a Jr.High student declare emancipation from their guardian you know? Besides, I heard from the nurses that my uncle got a threat from the NCCHD and has started paying for Kageyo’s surgery now…”[3]

At the mention of his younger brother, Galahad fell silent as a complicated expression arose on his face. Feeling a bit awkward, Mika brushed her lips lightly before cautiously asking

“Don’t you… resent me?”

Hearing her question, Galahad’s smile disappeared before he let out a tired laugh.

“For what? Telling me that my younger brother has been lying to me for the past 2 years? If it wasn’t for you I’d still be trapped by my uncle and my brother.”

“......”

Watching Mika who had fallen silent with a complicated expression on her face, Galahad sighed before grabbing her wrist gently.

“Hey, I’m serious Ms.Kuroha. Besides…who knows what will happen in the future. I talked to Kageyo before I moved out and nothing is set in stone okay? So I don’t want to hear anything about resentment or breaking our friendship, gotcha?”

Carefully looking into Galahad’s eyes, Mika stood in the hallway silently to check if he was really okay before smiling softly.

“Understood, Mr. Yozora. I’ll take your word for it, and I suggest you let go of my wrist before my bodyguard breaks your body, we’ll be needing it for the next match.”

Blushing, Galahad quickly dropped the girl’s wrist before laughing awkwardly and apologising to which Mika brushed it off as it wasn’t a large issue with her and began to head to the field for practice once more.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Galahad was relieved that he had been able to convince Mika that he was fine before practice started as he knew, despite having a facade of indifference, it would bother her greatly if she thought she was responsible for breaking his relationship with Kageyo.

While it wasn’t a lie to say that he had talked with Kageyo before moving from his Uncle’s it was hard to say whether the two brothers would be able to reconcile in the future…

One Day After the Match Between Raimon v Seidouzan. Inazuma General Hospital.

“......”

“......”

Galahad didn’t know what to feel as he looked at his younger brother who resembled their father and mother so much, he couldn’t help but feel guilty as he prepared himself for what he had to say next.

As he opened his mouth to speak, Kageyo was faster and asked him

“So, I see she told you huh? Must be nice to have a rich girlfriend to take care of all your problems, though that’s how it’s always been hasn’t it? Our sweet little Galahad can do no wrong, always the center of attention, even my own father loved you more than me”

Hardening his lips at the bitter boy’s words Galahad protested

“Father loved you and you know it Kageyo. Stop pretending as if he didn’t, you’re tarnishing his memory”

“DON’T CALL HIM THAT”

Huffing, Kageyo’s chest went up and down as he began to breath heavily before he coldly spat out

“You’re just a step-son that never should have been born. If we hadn’t gone to the stupid amusment like you wanted to then we never would have gotten into the accident in the first place and mom and dad would still be alive.”

Face hardening listening to Kageyo’s words Galahad looked at him with a glimmer of resolution in his eyes.

“...I’m going to play soccer”

“......”

Lying back down on his bed, Kageyo turned his head away indicating he didn’t intend to speak anymore.

“If you need me while you’re getting surgery, or getting therapy I’ll be there…”

“But I’m…”

“I’m going to live my life too and I-I-I’m going to be happy!”

Breathing heavily after working himself up, Galahad grabbed his chest as he tried to calm himself down before leaving. However, as he was opening the door to leave he heard a faint voice call out to him.

“Do whatever you want”

Closing the door behind him, Galahad let out a deep breath while leaning against the door. That was harder than he had thought it would be. Clenching his fist tightly, he slapped his cheeks until they turned a light pink and started to walk to his new dorm room.

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

Raimon Stadium, Day of the Match

Walking onto the pitch, Daigiichi was strangely nervous. Looking at Seiryuu to his right and Haruka to his left he could tell that things were different after their talk last week. Seiryuu had been practising relentlessly with a fervour that was even more intense than usual while Haruka had been letting off a harsh bronze orange aura as if she was out for blood. Daigiichi made a mental note to himself to avoid her as much as possible during the match while checking out the Raimon team that was getting ready on the side. Raimon’s team looked remarkably different compared to what he had prepared, which he guessed meant the rumours were true regarding half of their members quitting.

Letting out a disappointed sigh, Daigiichi figured that meant they were probably in for a boring match again which would only mean Seiryuu would be in an even worse mood tomorrow. Mentally preparing himself for the fierce practice that would result from that, Daigiichi tried not to let out a groan.

30 Minutes Later

[AND THAT”S THE FIRST KICKOFFFFFF STARTING THE SECOND ROUND OF MATCHES IN HOLY ROAD’S C BLOCK]

Haruka narrowed her eyes watching a lithe, blond girl quickly make her way through their offensive line. There’s no doubt who she was, that conceited new midfielder for Raimon, Serika Afuro. Getting a little arrogant just because she had beaten a weak team like Seidouzan, she needed to show Seiryuu this brainless barbie posed absolutely no threat to them.

Quickly dashing forward she made her way to intercept Serika, who saw her approaching and let out a giggle.

“So you’re Eisei’s ‘White Tiger’? How barbaric.”

Clasping her hands together a bright pantheon appeared

OLYMPUS HARMONY

Tch. Haruka calmly watched as the opposing girl bounded past her in a quick motion…so that was the extent of Raimon’s skills? Looks like anyone half-decent could be called a genius now.

Not panicking in the least, Haruka let out a shout to the red-haired girl who was staring off into space behind her

“Suzaku, move your butt now or you’ll be sorry!”

Turning around in a daze after spending extra time to adjust her straw hat and vest over her uniform, Suzaku loudly declared

“A HERO ALWAYS MAKES A DRAMATIC ENTRANCE”

However, by the time she had finished her declaration, Serika had already begun to approach the defensive zone and quickly made a pass to Makoto.

Coming in from the right, Daigiichi watched Sachi and Suguru go to intercept him and decided to just observe for now considering Seiryuu’s strange orders earlier before the match started.

“Let them shoot”

“Ehhh?”

“I said, let them shoot”

“Erm, alright aniki”

It was a bit strange but Daigiichi had complete faith in his older brother so he just nodded his head in agreement before going back to warming up.

ILLUSION BALL

Passing the two Eisei defenders in one motion, Makoto did a quick scan before giving a swift kick to the ball to send it to Mika while letting out an energetic shout in his booming voice

“Show them what Raimon’s Demon Queen has got Mika!!”

Putting her hands together in a praying gesture, purple mist began to surround the field.

Pandora’s Box!!