"Tsurugi Kyousuke. Are you turning your back against us?" The Holy Emperor's tone was sharp, but his eyes indicated that he was amused. What of, the boy wasn't really sure.

A man in uniform stepped up. "You assisted in Raimon's victory. It was inappropriate behavior as a SEED."

His head dipped. "My apologies."

"If you disobey our orders again, your brother will lose his one and only hope. Are you okay with that?"

His shoulders visibly tensed.

"I have faith in you." The Holy Emperor gazed down at him from his throne. "Prove to me your true intentions in the next match."

"I understand."

"Then, enjoy your soccer, Tsurugi."

He bowed and spun on his heel, heading for the door. He took one last glance at the blonde girl behind him, who shook her head, before leaving.

"Kimiko."

"Yes?" She turned to the man in uniform.

"You didn't stop him, despite knowing of his actions. What is the meaning of this?" Her silence wasn't a good enough answer. "You are aware of your position regarding him, aren't you?"

"I don't need a reminder of how I dragged my own best friend into this. A deal is a deal."

The Holy Emperor narrowed his eyes on her. "Kimiko, I'll ask one last time. Are you sure of this decision?"

She lifted her head to meet him with a similar gaze. "Absolutely."

~~~~~

'Hey. Let me know when you get home.' 20:17.

That was probably the time he left the building.

She couldn't help but smile when she saw the text. It was already long past midnight, but she decided to call anyway. A sleepy 'what the heck, it's 1 in the morning' greeted her.

"Hey, Kyou. I just got home."

"... Why the hell didn't you just leave a text." Maybe it was because he was sleepy that he forgot to use a questioning tone.

"I thought you might be worried."

"How kind of you. Night." Beep.

She chuckled to herself before unlocking the door. She crept past the living room and made a turn into the hallway leading upstairs to her room. Placing her bag on the floor, she let herself collapse on the bed. Something cold pressed on her neck under the pressure. Hissing, she let the pendant out of her shirt, the image of white, black and red becoming blurry in her drowsiness.

Slowly, her eyes began to close.

It all depends on the next match...

~~~~~

Their opponents had been switched. They were now up against Teikoku Academy, who is well known for their high-level defense. Shindou suggested using a special tactic they had developed with Coach Kudou the year before.

Ultimate Thunder is a tactic that gathers a high amount of energy into the ball, which is then unleashed onto the opponent's defense to break through. The ball accumulates the energy as it gets passed from player to player before being kicked straight to the center of the defense. It blows away the surrounding opponents, letting another team member to go one on one with the keeper.

The only problem was the last kick. Neither Shindou nor Kurama had the strength to pull it off.

"Tsurugi..." Shindou muttered. "Tsurugi would probably be able to handle that ball."

"I don't want to admit it, but that guy's power is way above ours." Kurama added. "But he's not coming."

Hamano placed his hands on the back of his head. "He's probably in a lot of trouble for standing up against Fifth Sector when he's a SEED."

"Kimiko, where do you think he is?" Everyone jumped when Akane casually threw that question at the blonde. Frankly, they didn't even realize she was there in the first place.

She shrugged, leaning on the side of the bench shelter. "I haven't seen him since the day of the last match, so your guess is as good as mine."

"Speaking of which..." Shindou turned to her fully. "You were happy that we won against Mannouzaka, weren't you?"

"I still am actually, but go on."

"Why? You're a SEED too, aren't you? Isn't it your job to make sure Raimon obeys Fifth Sector? So why aren't you stopping us? Or rather, why do you never stop us, and instead worry about us?"

She answered with a smile. "Because I'm having a lot of fun just watching you all." She pointed to Tenma. "Especially you."

"M-Me?!"

"Yup! I've seen you practice on your own by the riverbank a ton of times, and your effort on the pitch is something to be proud of too. No matter what happens, you always look like you're having so much fun. I really like that."

"W-Wha―?!"

"Something's just naturally impressive about you. It draws people in." She smirked. "But just because I'm complimenting you, doesn't mean you can start taking it easy. You're still a beginner."

"O-Of course! I'll train more and more every day until I properly catch up to everyone else!"

So cute... Just like how he used to be.

"One more thing." Kirino spoke up. "The way you and Tsurugi talk to each other is different from the way you address other SEEDs. You're also calling him by his first name. Why is that?"

The smirk turned into a wry smile. "Are you surprised that SEEDs could be normal friends and not just partners to destroy or take over a team they were assigned to?" Their silence meant her guess was spot on. "Kyousuke and I were already friends before we became SEEDs. It's probably hard to believe, but he wasn't always a jerk."

"That guy had the nerve to show us 'real soccer' and not come to practice afterwards." Kurama muttered. "I doubt he actually cares about soccer. He probably just helped us last time because that other guy pissed him off!"

"Well, we both do hate that skunk now." Any trace of the amusement she had before was gone. Her tone and expression both lowered as she turned serious. "But Kurama-san, I suggest you watch what you say. I may be rooting for you, but Kyousuke is my friend regardless of his state of mind."

His hands balled into fists. The boy didn't say anything, but images of the first half of that match replayed in his mind. Not just that, but their match with Kuro no Kishidan too.

She pushed herself off from her leaning position. She walked past all the other members before coming face to face with him, staring him down. "Kyousuke is anything but heartless." She spun on her heel and left, the tanned boy staring after her back in shock.

~~~~~

"How long have you been standing there?" His voice was strained as he asked.

She gave a shrug. "Long enough."

"... I'm going to Teikoku."

"I know." She had quite the pleasant smile on her face. "I know a shortcut. Wanna try?"

He looked down at her outstretched hand before taking it. Suddenly, the white walls of the hospital disappeared, and in its place was a dark tunnel.

He blinked. "Since when can you teleport?" When she stuck her tongue out, he knew he wouldn't get an answer.

Instead, "You should hurry. Sounds like the first half just ended."

He nodded. "I promise I'll win."

"I know you will." Her head gestured to the exit. "Now go."

He ran out to the field as fast as he could. She didn't need to enter to know they'll let him play. One could just barely see the pitch from that far in, and that was all she needed to see. Without a second thought, she teleported herself back to the hospital.

"... Kimiko, I'd appreciate it better if you used the door."

"Sorry, Yuuichi-san." She picked up a box of tissue from the counter, handing it to the man before taking her seat.

"Thank you." He finished wiping his eyes before turning to face her properly. "I just... I can't believe it... It was an accident. Why did he have to go that far? Why..." He bit his lip, his head hanging low. Why do I have to be so weak?

She placed her hand over his clenched fist. "Yuuichi-san... Yuuichi-san, look at me, please." When he did, she gave him a small smile. "We both know just how kind Kyou is at heart. It's the same kindness you have in yours. I know that neither of you want to blame each other for what happened, but belittling yourself isn't an answer either. Like you said, it was an accident."

"Kimiko..." He saw something flashed across her eyes. It was brief, but it was there. Guilt.

"Neither of you have to be blamed for what happened six years ago... But please, don't stay mad at Kyousuke for joining Fifth Sector." Her smile disappeared as she bowed her head. "That was my fault. I was the one who gave him the idea and brought him to that man."

His eyes widened. "But why would you suggest that in the first place?"

"I... I was just so tired of seeing him in pain." She was shaking. "After everything he's done for me, I thought that giving him this option was the best way I could repay him."

"Everything he's done for you?"

"It was only after he agreed that I realized I was wrong. It just made him suffer more. I'm the reason he couldn't enjoy soccer properly anymore."

"Kimiko..."

"And here, Tsurugi makes his appearance! Raimon finally has eleven on the field!" The commentator's voice rang loudly from the television.

Seeing his face appearing on screen, she finally managed another smile. "All he needs now is one last push." And he's the only one who could give it to him.

"Kyousuke..."

"Then," He turned to her as she stood up. "I still have some other things to take care of. Yuuichi-san, I'm sure you'll forgive him, and after this match, you'll be proud of him."

"Kimiko..." He grabbed her arm before she could leave. "What about you? Are you still going to follow Fifth Sector?"

"My situation is... a lot more complicated."

Seeing her stiff smile brought him a sense of worry. "You... You aren't in some kind of danger, are you?"

"Don't worry about me." She broke free from his grasps, bringing up her hoodie over her head. "I'll be supporting Raimon in my own way."