A fresh start! | Inazuma Eleven fanfiction

Chapter 2. The bet

After a long afternoon of talking and even eating dinner together, I left the Kidou Estate with satisfaction. We caught up about what we had been up to the past five years. Even though it was more me doing the talking, since Yuuto wanted to know everything about my team in America.

It made me regret not coming over sooner. The click between us never disappeared so it felt like I never left. But we both did agree on the emptiness of Haru not being here.

After we split up both of us weren't able to get back in touch with Haru, so sadly we didn't know how he was doing.

I exited the subway station back into the Inazuma neighborhood and walked towards the bridge I had to cross to get back home.

Just like 5 years ago, there was still a soccer field on the riverbank next to the bridge. It was being used by an elementary school team, one I recognized to be Inazuma Elementary. I didn't go to that school, but I remember playing against them. 

The sight of the 10 year olds playing together made me warm up on this breezy spring evening.

Then I noticed that one figure on the field wasn't quite as small. He seemed like a high school student and was wearing a goalkeepers uniform. When I noticed the orange headband, my eyes widened.

Endou Mamoru?

How kind of him to play with those kids. He must be helping them practice. That's adorable.

Before really crossing the bridge, I stood on top of the riverbank to watch the kids practice some more. It was very addictive to watch them play as their determination to score against Endou was incredible.

After a few minutes Endou seemed to notice me as he gaze moved towards me and he waved with a big grin on his face.

"Nishi-senpai!" He took a break from goalkeeping and ran up the stairs to me.

"H-hi Endou-kun." I did not expect him to rush to me like that and was a little stunned.

"Are you here to play?"

"No, I just passed by as I was on my way home. Are you their coach?" I asked curiously as we watched the kids that had continued playing.

He shook his head. "I just practice with them from time to time. Every little bit to get better is appreciated."

His love for the game was radiating off of him. It was way worse than the soccer fever I had, maybe even worse than Kazuya's.

I couldn't help but laugh because of what he said. Then his smile disappeared and changed into an expression of hope.

"Hey, why don't you try launching one of your hissatsu's at me?"

Just the idea he gave himself made his enthusiasm go through the roof.

I was not sure if it'd be a good idea, but since he was pretty pumped to see my talents, I just nodded. "Sure, why not."

I was definitely going to regret it, because I wouldn't want to stop with just this. I'd want to join their team and play in the tournament. My promise with my dad would be broken.

I followed the happy boy down the stairs as he grabbed a ball for me to use. "Show me what you got, senpai."

I smiled uneasy, not really used to someone calling me senpai, as I walked onto the field with the ball. Endou was prepared for the power I was going to shoot at him and I groaned.

Well, for the love of the game, right?

Dropping my ball to the ground, my gaze lifted up to the goalkeeper in front of me. "Ready?"