First Story:

It has been a year since Nishikage joined Outei Tsukinomiya. He decided that he would follow Nosaka till the end, so he isn't going to give up. The exams are almost there, will he be able to catch up with the one he admires the most?

One week before the exam:

The school bell rings, the morning classes had ended, and now everyone was, or going home, or going to their dormitories, or going to their clubs.

Nishikage, instead of going to the football club, like always, and like he should, he decided to go to the library not so far from the school. He had to study.

Actually, there was something more than just following Nosaka till the end that was pressuring him, and that is, he doesn't have a place back home. He left his house when he was 11 years old because his dad and his stepmother were always fighting. They wouldn't listen to him, and because Nishikage couldn't get good grades to support the family, he decided that the best was to leave, so he would stop causing problems. He became a grumpy boy and lived on the streets until one day he met a boy, a boy that entered a building on fire, risking his own life, to save a little girl.

"What if I hadn't given up? What if I had step up to stop my parents from arguing?"

All these questions surround Nishikage's mind since that day... but now he has a reason to live, he will help Nosaka changing the world to a better place, he will do everything he can to avoid other kids from going through what he, and Nosaka, went through.

One week later, the day of the exam:

- Nishikage! - calls one of his teammates from Outei.

Haoto Ichiya and Kousaka Ranto appear behind the taller boy.

- Haoto... Kousaka... - he mentions the names in a low voice.

Nishikage was very tired, he had two big dark circles around his eyes and his hair was all messy.

- What happened to you? You didn't show up to practice the whole week and everyone was worried about you. - informs Kousaka.

- I was studying...!

- Studying? Hope you didn't push yourself too hard, you seem tired. - points out Haoto noticing Nishikage's tired appearance.

- I'm fine, don't worry about it! - Nishikage exclaims hiding his tiredness.

- If you say so... Good luck on the exam! - says Kousaka.

Both players from Outei continue their way to the class where they will be doing their exam. Nishikage follows behind, but before entering the class, Tanizaki shows up.

- Good luck on the exam, Nishikage.

- Thank you, you too.

Nishikage moves to his seat. From behind, Nosaka gazes at him, and immediately realizes his friend's state. Before the pink haired boy could say something, the teacher enters the class, and the silence fills the room, it was the time, the exam was about to start.

After taking the exam:

Hopeless, hopeless was the best word to describe Nishikage in this moment. He was so tired while doing the exam that he couldn't pay attention to the questions, even though he didn't have a blank or anything, he knew that something went wrong.

Walking with his teammates from Outei in the hallways, everyone starts commenting about how it went, and it was making Nishikage go crazy, he just wanted to forget anything related to it in the moment. Okuno approaches the tired boy:

- Nishikage, now that the exam is over, do you want to meet up for practice? To forget it for a bit?

Nishikage was so tired that he couldn't even open his eyes to see who was talking to him, but he recognized the voice of his teammate, Okuno.

- I'm going to my bedroom, I'm a bit tired. - he says trying to hide all his thoughts that were being transmitted by his own expression.

Separating from his teammates, the boy moves to the dormitory section. Nosaka watches his friend leaving. Entering the room, Nishikage falls fast asleep on his bed.

One week later, the day of the results:

Nishikage was on his usual mood. He was happy and had some hopes. He received a lot of support from his teammates from Outei, and he even joined them in the football club for training, even if classes had already ended.

The students from Outei, all gather up and try to find their names on papers fixed on boards scattered around the school building. Being taller than the most, Nishikage easily finds his class classification's board, his name, and eventually his grade...

Quickly... the smile fades away from his soft expression. He didn't make it. He wasn't the only one that didn't, but it didn't matter, he couldn't continue what he had promised to... he was in Outei by recommendation from Nosaka, but only the best can continue studying there. His grade wasn't that bad, but he needed a certain level to pass, to continue, and he didn't reach it.

- Oh... it was almost wasn't it, Nishikage? - questions Kusaka Gen, trying not to upset his teammate, that in this moment should be frustrated.

Without saying a word, leaving the crowd, the taller boy leaves the school building, he wasn't crying, he couldn't feel anything.

Still inside the building, Nosaka shows up to see his grade. Noticing him, all the students looking at the board open space to let him pass. Before looking at his own grade, Nosaka looks at Nishikage's grade.

- Wow Nosaka-san! Like always, the best student. - Comments one student behind him.

Nosaka sighs and moves to the school secretary.

- Nishikage, wait! - calls out Okuno from the school entrance. He stops his friend.

Nishikage turns and Okuno Hosomichi and Hanasaki Taizen approach their friend.

- It isn't the end, is it? - asks Hanasaki.

- Are you leaving? - continues Okuno.

Not wanting to lie, Nishikage tells them everything: he'll have to leave, but he doesn't have a place to go.

- You can stay at my place, I'm sure my parents would like to have you there! - suggests Hanasaki excited, he was willing to help Nishikage with anything.

- I appreciate it Hanasaki-san... but I'll have to refuse, I don't want to cause any trouble. - Nishikage thanks refusing, he was desperate, but didn't want to worry anyone more than he already did.

- No, you wouldn't-

- What about your father? - A voice coming from behind interrupts Hanasaki. It was Tanizaki Yoshiya and Okano Kousuke. - He's waiting for you, isn't he?

- I left my house years ago, I'm not sure if he wants to see his grumpy son again. - He lowers his head.

- Why don't you try? - asks Okuno. - I'm sure he would be happy to see his son after so long.

- We'll go with you if you want. - advises Tanizaki.

Now Nishikage wanted to cry, all of his emotions were being brought to the surface, he almost let a tear fall from his face.

- You guys...

The next day, after packing his things, Nishikage meets up with his friends who accompany him to his father's house, to what once was his home. Nishikage wanted to say goodbye to Nosaka, but he couldn't find his friend anywhere, he was disappointed for not finding the pink haired boy, but he knew it was the best now that he would never see him again. And finally he leaves.

- It's here. - Nishikage murmurs, staring, for the first time, after three long years, at his house.

- You can go now! We'll be right here. - says Okuno putting his hand on Nishikage's back.

- You're not alone! - exclaims Okano Kousuke touching his friend's shoulder.

- Thank you. - thanks the insecure boy feeling a bit more confident.

Stepping forward, Nishikage stares at the old dark wooden door. There wasn't a bell ring, so he knocks on the door. Nothing happens. Nishikage looks behind, his friends were still there, and they consent for him to try again. Nishikage knocks on the door one more time.

- Ya Ya, I'm going. - A gross voice can be heard from the other side of the door - Huh, who could be at this time of the day?

The door opens. A tall man, wearing torn dark clothes opens the door. He holds a cigarette which he lets it fall from the moment he sees the boy in front of him. It was his son.

- Seiya...? - he questions as if he had to be sure that that boy in front of him, was his son.

- Yes...

As if nothing else mattered, the dad pulls his son into a big hug.

- Oh son... I missed you so much...! - His dad expresses, crying, he was very surprised, but happy, to finally see his son again.

The Outei players behind them were also emoted with this scene, especially Tanizaki, he usually never shows any emotions, but in that moment, he felt... free.

Three days later:

He was finally with his father, and both talked about what happened with each other all this time. Eventually Nishikage asked about his stepmother. It looks like his dad expulsed her because he wasn't happy with her, he only wanted his son back. Both apologize for everything and finally spend some time together, like father, like son. But that day, they were both resting home, when someone knocks on the door. Who could it be now?

- I'll go open it. - warns Nishikage standing up and approaching the door.

For his surprised, on the other side of it, was Nosaka.

- Nosaka-san, how did you-

Interruption him, the shorter boy blocks the view of his friend by showing him a letter.

- Open it. - Orders the pink haired boy.

As he said, Nishikage opens it and starts reading. It was a letter from the Outei's director, apologizing for a mistake the teachers committed while correcting his exam. Actually Nishikage had reached the necessary grade to continue studying in Outei.

- But... but how? - Sweat slides down from the boy's face, he was happy, but in that moment, shocked, he wasn't expecting something like that. - How did you...? - He gazes at Nosaka, waiting for an explanation

- I couldn't let my right hand disappear from my sight, right?

He didn't tell everything, but in the day they were checking their grades, Nosaka went to the secretary asking to see Nishikage's exam. He checked it and insisted that they would correct it again, he even payed for it. After looking through Nishikage's test one more time, the teachers came to the conclusion that it wasn't that well corrected, and the new grade applied exceeded the necessary for Nishikage to continue studying in Outei.

- I made it... - murmurs the taller boy, still not believing it.

- Yeah. - confirms Nosaka one last time, with a smile on his face.

Breaking the tension, Nishikage's father appears behind his son.

- Well if those aren't great news? - He looks at the pink haired boy. - And what's your name son?

- Nosaka Yuuma, sir.

- Why don't you come in and have lunch with us?

- Huh? - Nosaka wasn't prepared for this question. - I thank the sympathy, but I'll have to get back to Outei now sir.

- Oh. I understand, come back whenever you want then!

- Thank you. - he turns to his friend now. - I'll be waiting for you, Nishikage.

- Yes! Thank you, Nosaka-san!

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That's it!! This was my ever first one-shot of Inazuma Eleven, hope you enjoyed it 😊 This was suggested by "Luciferia" on twitter, hope you liked it! 💗✨

Don't forget to tell me what you thought of this one and suggest me more to write! 😊