Hello Alice....

[pengeen]

[He was proud. Yesterday, his team had won the finals of the Football Frontier, he had the trophy sitting on his desk in his room. His father had praised him, Kageyama had praised him, his schoolmates cheered his name as he returned to school. He was regarded as a hero, of sorts. And he was one step closer to being able to live with his sister again. Yes, he was a very proud boy.

And yet, as he walked home from the grocery store, he felt like he was missing something.


Oh well, it must not be important.]

Comments

[donmai]

[ Eggs need to be put into refrigeration immediately...

His mom's going to kill him.

But Endou could only think of the match they were going to have and how to kick Kidou out of his dumb stupor. Maybe if they played soccer together, he would remember something and how it felt to play as friends. It was a worth a try. ]

[ After a few moments of walking they finally reached the riverbank he knew so well, and put on his goalkeeper gloves, which were luckily nicely settled in his back pocket the whole time. ]

Any time you're ready!

[pengeen]

[He sets his groceries to the side and walks to the shooting point with the ball, setting the ball down in front of him. Then he takes a few feet back and raises his leg, kicking the ball hard and sending it flying towards the goal.]

[donmai]

[ Aside from practice, this was the first time in a while since he got to play against Kidou like this. Endou had to admit, he was thrilled. He calculated the destination of the ball and caught it with his two hands with ease. Almost too easy, in fact. But, yes. This was still Kidou. And these were his shoots. Even if something felt off about them...

He threw it back to him and clapped his hands together, grinning. ]

That's one! What's wrong, is that all you've got?

[pengeen]

[He smiles and catches the ball, setting it in front of him again. It was too bad he didn't have any hissatsu techniques by himself but his kicks were pretty strong!

He kicks the ball again, sending it a little bit faster then the last time.]

[donmai]

[ Whoops, he talked too soon. Endou scrambled to catch the next shoot, steam rising from between his gloves with a small hiss. ]

As expected of Kidou. I can't let my guard down for a second.

[ His smile widened even more if it was possible, and he passed over the ball again. ]

One more! Bring it!

[pengeen]

You're pretty good for a nobody.

[He catches the ball again and sets it down, this time backing up just a bit further to get a running start. He then kicks it with all of his might towards the goal, watching it fly in anticipation.]

[donmai]

[ Endou flashed another smile and firmly planted his feet in the dirt, knowing full well this last shoot was him at his most serious. He extended out his right hand, calling out his very first hissatsu technique. ]

God Hand!

[ Before long, the ball was right in his hand once more and he pumped a victorious fist in the air. ]

Yes! [ He ran up towards Kidou in excitement. ]

Great job, Kidou! That was a nice shoot there.

[pengeen]

[He smirks again.]

I haven't seen a hissatsu technique like that before, maybe someone like you could make it to the Football Frontier.

[donmai]

Like I was saying, we did go to the Football Frontier.

With you at our side, that is.

[pengeen]

[He shakes his head]

I went to the Football Frontier with Teikoku.

[donmai]

[ ... ]

Hey. Are you sure you're not just pulling my leg here? Is it April Fool's already?

[pengeen]

March isn't over yet.

[He crosses his arms]

[donmai]

[ He crosses his arms too, looking very confused. Processing, processing... ]

Hrm... but that doesn't make sense. Teikoku was defeated by Zeus in the first round so you joined us to get back at them! And then we won!

[ ...

Nope. Pulling his own hair now. ]

Aughh, geez! I don't get it!

[pengeen]

Mm, maybe you know a different Kidou.

[Prooooobably not but man this was weird]

Or perhaps you simply dreamed having me join your team.

[donmai]

Yeah, I did dream about playing with you one day. Then it came true.

We played soccer together and won together. That was definitely no dream!

[ His hand clenches into a proud fist, eyes sparkling in remembrance. ]

But you're definitely the Kidou I know. You were acting weird at first, but those shoots... It's you, it's definitely you.

[pengeen]

I'm sorry, but I really have no idea who you are.

[Okay, this was starting to bother him.]

[donmai]

—But what about when we played soccer! Didn't you feel anything familiar?

[pengeen]

[He shakes his head]

Not in the slightest.

[donmai]

No way...

[ Endou falls quiet as if he was struggling to find the words, anything to say, and finally gave out a little sigh. ]





...Was it fun?

[pengeen]

[He offers a smile.]

To say in the least, I'm surprised. You're a pro goalkeeper, I'd like to be able to play against you with my team one day.

[donmai]

[ He grins. ]

Of course! I'm sure everyone would love to play against you guys again. Ah - at least from our perspective.

[ Then he extends out his hand. ]

Endou Mamoru. I had tons of fun, Kidou.

[pengeen]

[He takes his hand and stares at it for a moment.]

...I really am sorry for not remembering you.

[donmai]

Well...

[ He scratches the back of his head. ]

I don't really get it myself but... there's no harm in starting over. And anyway, I'm happy as long as we get to play soccer together.

[pengeen]

But you act like we are best friends....

[It makes him a little bit sad]

[donmai]

Kidou...

[ His smile seemed to bear a hint of sadness but it was immediately gone in a flash, almost as if it was never there in the first place.

Endou placed a reassuring hand on Kidou's shoulder.. ]

That's cause we are friends. Best friends!