Chapter Text
The bell to signal the end of class rang loud across the school. Once the teacher had left, Kyousuke began packing up his things.
"Shinsuke! Let's go quickly!"
"Yes!"
He looked up at the sound of those voices, Matsukaze was leaning against Shinsuke's desk, already having grabbed everything and waiting for the other boy to finish doing the same before they both began running towards the door, heading to the club, Kyousuke assumed.
"Eh? Hey you two, wait for me!"
The words made him turn towards the source of the voice, a girl with blue hair who Kyousuke thinks he saw the day of the entrance exam. She was still packing her bag while glaring at the door the other two first years ran through before also beginning to run after them. A friend of theirs?
Kyousuke didn't dwell on it too much as he grabbed his bag and began walking slowly. He still felt a bit unadjusted to the new school environment and didn't feel like making a scene, unlike those three.
He paused very briefly as the football building came into view before walking inside.
"Ah, Tsurugi. Good afternoon."
The boy turned as his name was called before bowing his head down in greeting to Miss Haruna and Coach Kudou.
"Good afternoon, Miss Haruna, Coach."
He then followed the two to the room where everyone else had already gathered. Aside from the team and the three other first years he already recognized, there were also two other girls there. He didn't want to assume, but they didn't look like they were part of the team. Managers, maybe?
After putting his bag inside one of the empty lockers, he joined the other new players, standing in front of the rest of the team. Maybe it was just his thoughts, but the captain still didn't look very happy even if he did seem less angry than the last day. Maybe that was just his normal face.
"Well, now the new members can officially introduce themselves."
"Alright then. You start."
Kyousuke turned to look as Matsukaze yelped a bit, watching as one of the girls he didn't recognize pushed him forward slightly. For what it was, Matsukaze seemed to take it in stride.
"W-well okay. My name is Matsukaze Tenma, I'm a first year and before joining the club I played as a midfielder. It's nice to meet everyone."
Matsukaze gave a small bow before taking three steps back. He seemed nervous but Kyousuke wouldn't have expected anything else. He himself was a bit nervous.
"Nice to meet you too. Next?"
"I'm Shinsuke Nishizono, I'm also a first year and in elementary school I used to play in defense. It's nice to meet you all, I promise to work very hard."
"Good to know. Next?"
Kyousuke paused for a small moment to breathe before turning his eyes directly to the captain again.
"I'm Tsurugi Kyousuke. I'm a first year as well. I'm used to playing as a forward but if I am placed in a different one for the benefit of the team, I'll gladly take it too."
"That's good, some versatility can be useful."
The comment came from one of the older boys whom Kyousuke recognized as the goalkeeper. He nodded in acknowledgement of his comment before taking a step back.
Then, the three girls also introduced themselves.
"Hello, I'm Aoi Sorano and I'm a first year. I hope we can get along."
"I'm Akane Yamana. It's a pleasure meeting everyone."
"And I'm Midori Seto. Though, just to be clear, I don't plan on just being a simple helper. I'm here to make sure this guys give it their all."
The last girl ruffled Matsukaze's and Shinsuke's hair a bit harshly as she spoke and as Matsukaze himself made a small sound of complaint. Midori's introduction was a bit odd, but none of the older members commented on it so he wouldn't be the one to do so either. Guessing by Midori's glare towards him though, some of his confusion and annoyance must have been showing.
After the other team members introduced themselves back, Miss Haruna walked forward with three uniforms for them. It was the first team's uniform, and this fact seemed to at least surprise Shinsuke who spoke up with confused excitement in his voice.
"Isn't this the first team's uniform?"
Kirino, one of the second years, was the one to answer with a somewhat sad and disappointed tone.
"Normally you would go to the second team first, but since everyone there has left you are being moved up."
Kuramada nodded and added his own comment after Kirino.
"But don't think that this means you are part of the real team yet. You'll have to work hard for that."
Even though the words weren't directed at him, Kyousuke found himself nodding seriously along with the other two first years.
"Yes!"
"Go change then, we'll be starting practice soon."
Everyone began trickling out after that until only the three of them remained. As soon as they were virtually alone, Shinsuke began bouncing on his spot and talking excitedly to Matsukaze.
"We are going to be on the first team, Tenma! The first team! I know it's because there aren't enough players, but still! I can't believe it!"
Matsukaze nodded along, a calmer excitement and smile on his own face.
"It's very convenient for us. Let's work hard and show we deserve our spots here."
"Of course!"
Matsukaze then turned towards Kyousuke which surprised the other as he'd thought those two had forgotten about his presence there. The shorter boy smiled wider and closed his eyes gleefully.
"Let's give it our all, Tsurugi!"
"... Sure."