A/N: Sorry if I was on hold for so long! Please forgive me for this! 
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https://youtu.be/FbXSZe6Hz0Y

Since Coach Kudou decided that I won't be playing in the match against Argentina, I figured that I'd do some actual detective work. Also, I needed to get two confessions out of my head. Honestly... now I know how popular girls and boys feel when people confess to them...

It was 4:00 am in the morning when I woke up. I had a... weird dream last night. 

I wore a plain blue shirt, brown pants, sneakers, and I wore a white jacket. I grabbed my duffle bag (already packed) and escaped through the window. I didn't even have time to see if anyone had seen me or woken up. I didn't care. I just wanted to solve this case and get it over with.

I took a bus to get to Italy's area. It stopped near the replica of the bridge in Venice. I... had a strange feeling... Why do I get the feeling that his happened in the dream I had? I shook the thoughts out of my head and jumped down carefully, and started walking. (There was a sidewalk near the water, and I was lucky that I landed there instead of the water)

There were a lot of tunnels here and there, but I kept walking straight and I never bothered going in any of those. After watching a lot of detective films and horror movies, I've learned not to trust tunnels.

"Ha! That girl won't last long!"

I passed by another tunnel when I heard a voice... a seemingly familiar, male voice. I groaned inwardly. And just when I said I wouldn't trust tunnels. I shook my head and grabbed my phone from my bag, activated the flashlight, and went inside the dark tunnel. After a couple of minutes (10), I saw a faint light in a different direction. I sighed quietly and lowered the light from my phone and followed the light. The light got brighter and brighter, and when it was bright enough, I hid behind a, and may I add, smelly corner. 

"Honestly, I didn't expect her to last longer than usual." Allen?! Damn a-hole involved in this?! I knew it! When he suddenly acted weird and what he said to me before the match against England was connected to something like this! Wait... this also happened in my dream... crap.

I activated my voice recorder and recorded what they were saying. I needed crucial, and material evidence. A voice record is enough.

"Yeah..." The next (male) voice sounded calm and mature. "Isn't there a penalty for this?"

"If she does something that would harm herself and others, she'll be sent back to Japan and the second choice for being the female representative will be the one!"

"Hmm..." The next (female) voice had pondered a little, then cackled like an evil witch. "We got my grandfather and Kageyama to do that!"

Why did that female voice sound like... Trina?!

"He's just your step grandfather, Trina," Allen started. "But then again... He is useful."

The other male voice sighed. "But after we, how you say, 'dispose' of them... What should we do then?"

Dispose... So someone was pulling the strings!

"We'll figure that out after Kageyama lures Endou, Kidou, Fudou and that useless brother of hers." Allen sighed. "Besides, I overheard that Michiya had taken her out of the Argentina match."

Little stalker.

The other male yawned. "Well, did Rejji get Strada already?"

Strada? Who in hell's name is Strada? Unless he's Italian... Well duh.

"Yeah... The RH program was already injected in him and his team last night." Trina said.

My immediate thought was this: 'I have got to tell this to Natsumi and the others!' As I was going back the way I came, I accidentally tripped on a can... A trash can...

"What was that?!"

"Someone's down here!!!"

'Why is everything happening like in my dream?!'

I grabbed the duffle bag and ran as fast as I can. I heard loud footsteps approaching but I didn't even look back. When I exited the tunnel, I wanted to make sure that they wouldn't find me, or to confuse them. I left an old hairclip (the one that my uncle gave me, not Fideo's) on the ground and went into a different direction.

I checked the time: 4:40 am. I better get back before they find out I'm gone.

°°^°°^°°^°°^°°^°°^°°^°°^°°^°°

"Rena-chan! It's time for breakfast!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming..." I yawned and rubbed my eyes. Urgh, I hate it when I do things that scare me...

Putting on my Inazuma Japan uniform (along with the jacket), I went downstairs. Rosa, Haruna, Aki, and Fuyuka were already preparing breakfast and everyone else was done for morning practice. "You slept early, how come you woke up late?" Haruna asked. "Err... I must've had a good dream." I lied. "Anyway, Coach said something about an interview later. Guess the press were shocked." Jirou ruffled my hair. An interview? Well then, I better look my best. "Anyway, when's the match?" I asked. 

"A few days. Too bad you can't play..." Jirou gave a sad look. I smiled a little. "There's always the next match." I said. Yeah... if we win, it's either America or Italy. "Anyway, you better get ready for that interview later." Rose said. "I mean, look at you! You're going like that? You could at least wear something more... I don't know. nicer?" Who is she? My friend or my mom? "If it makes you feel better, I'll wear a random soccer jersey." I said, eating my breakfast. "Oh, and Kudou-kantoku said you can bring three people with you." Kazemaru informed. "OK, I'm bringing you, Jirou, Kidou, and Endou." I said.

"Talk about lazy decisions..." I heard Someoka mutter.

"What? After practice, wear something good then." I said. 

"Why am I going with you?" Kazemaru asked.

"OK, I'm bringing Hiro-kun then." I shrugged.

"Hiro...kun?" Hiroto looked at me.

I just shrugged again and continued eating.

"Gees... She really is your sister, huh?" I heard Kidou ask Jirou, who chuckled and smiled at him before saying, "Yup, and I'm happy about it."

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"And we're live! Here with me today is the first female to represent Japan, Sakuma Rena! With her is Endou Mamoru, the captain of Inazuma Japan, Kidou Yuuto, Inazuma Japan's strategist, and Kiyama Hiroto, former captain of Genesis and midfielder!"

"Thank you for having us on the show, Inoue-san!" Endou said cheerfully. Aside from being very and extremely nervous, I'd say we're good. 

Inoue-san, the interviewer, was nice enough to know that some questions won't be answered since they're personal. Inoue-san was a girl who had long, orange hair, brown eyes, and was wearing a yellow dress with brown shoes. 

"Anyway, let's start with a simple question then; How did you all feel when you were chosen to play for the FFI?" 

"It was actually pretty shocking, really." Hiroto answered, scratching the back of his head. "When me and the rest were called, most of us thought it was just a match. It turned out it was going to be match to decide who's going to be the chosen players." 

"It was unexpected." Kidou answered. "Although, it's an honor being chosen."

"Yeah! Now we get to show our skills to the world!" Endou did a pose (you know, the 'standing on the chair while pointing at nothing' pose?), making us sweat drop.

Inoue-san cleared her throat. "So, how's your relationship with the other players at the Island?"

"Pretty good!" Endou answered. "Actually, I became friends with Italy's captain, Fideo Ardena!"

"Speaking of Fideo, I had an interview with him yesterday, and he mentioned our female, saying that he's surprised that a girl like her could copy his technique."

"Aha... well, I actually..." My face was red of embarrassment. Why did Fideo mention that? Then again, someone uploaded a video of me doing Odin Sword, so I guess... "It was my five-year-old mind saying, 'If he can do it, so can you!', so..."

"She's a great addition to the team, if I may add." Hiroto said. "I mean, it's a little embarrassing since... she's the only female player, but then again, her boyish nature is the key that got her in the FFI in the first place." I did not know that Hiroto had thought of me in that way.

"OK then, I'll ask individual questions now." Inoue-san cleared her throat. "And, as usual, ladies first."

"Ask away, Inoue-san." I said.

"Alright then, I'm sure a lot of people ask; How can you talk to boys so normally? Usually girls would be shy talking to boys, especially if a girl likes one." Inoue-san asks.

"Actually, I'm wondering that as well..." Kidou looked at me.

I sighed a little, then chuckled. "Well, I'm guessing since I have a twin brother and the majority of my cousins are boys, I got used to talking to them. Besides, is there a status quo on how you talk to people? I mean, boys and girls are still people, just different aspects of view." I answered.

"A mature answer, I see. How old are again?"

"Fourteen."

"So... you talking to us," Hiroto gestured to himself, Endou, and Kidou. "And to the girls, are just the same?"

"Well, yeah. What'd you expect?" A little laugh escaped my lips, same with his.

The questions went on for about an hour ("How was it like being captain?", "Was it pressuring to become the team's strategist?", "How can you copy any hissatsu?", and, "Will you participate in the next FFI?") until Inoue-san asked the final question for us.

"Who is or are you inspiration for playing soccer?"

"I guess I have to say my grandpa." Endou scratched his head. "His techniques were the ones who started Raimon Jr. High's soccer club, and not just those. Also my family and friends who were there to support us!"

"What about you, Kidou-san?"

"It's personal, so I rather not." Kidou said. I guess it's his original dad or something...

"Kiyama-kun?"

"Everyone at Sun Garden, my father, and... if they're watching... my original family." Hiroto said sadly. Aww...

"Sakuma-chan?"

"Well..." I scratched my neck. "Aside from my parents, Jirou, Endou, and Fideo..."

That's when a certain memory came in my head.

"...Genda Koujirou."

"Genda?" Endou and Kidou looked at me as if I was serious, while Hiroto just shrugged at me and Inoue-san stared at me curiously.

"I mean... sure, my parents, Jirou, Endou, and Fideo are my inspirations, but Genda Koujirou is the one who started all of this in the first place."

"Mind telling?"

"It started when..."

(Flashback=9 years ago)

I sniffed and blew my nose in the handkerchief. Why? Just because I'm a girl, doesn't mean I can't play? "Go play with your dolls!", they said. "Just go home!", they said. I ain't doing anything! I chose to play soccer, and I'm sticking to it!

Right now, I'm at the riverbank. I'd usually go to the park but it would take to long to get home from there. 

"Ah!"

I looked up and saw a ball roll towards me. A boy who was probably my age ran up to me (or the ball), panting heavily. When he looked at me (again, or the ball), I saw his features; Spiky, brown hair, blue-ish eyes, and some lines underneath his eyes. He was wearing sleeveless, lavender hoodie, tangerine shorts, and slippers. 

"Hey, how come you're alone?" He asked me.

"...how come you're asking?" I retaliated.

"Cause, I'm gonna do this."

"Do wha--"

He then proceeded to make funny faces at me. My tears of sadness were replaced by laughter. I didn't even think that a stranger like him would make me laugh like this, smile even. 

"You feeling better now?"

I looked at him, wiping the tears out of my eyes. "Yeah! Thanks for making me laugh! Uh..."

"Genda Koujirou's the name, don't wear it out!" The boy laughed.

"My name's Sakuma Rena! Just call me Rena, Koujirou!" I introduced happily.

"How come you were crying anyway?" Koujirou asked me.

I looked down. "The boys at school... they made fun of me! Just because I wanna play soccer!" I puffed my cheeks in annoyance, to which he pinched my cheeks. "OW! Koujirou!"

Koujirou let go of my cheeks. "Why don't you play? It's not like they're your parents and tell you what to do! Kids like us should be free to do whatever they want! Whether if it's a boy wanting to become an animal lover, and a girl who wanting to play soccer!"

I never thought of that... I smiled at him. "You're right!" I stood up proudly. "I'll show 'em! I'll show that I can be the best player I can be!"

"And I'll help ya, you little tiger!"

(Present Time)

"And... that's it."

"Aww~ That's really sweet! Hope you two become a couple!"

https://youtu.be/EQZW-rZfBms