SKYLA’S P.O.V.
We were outside with Axel as he was about getting into a taxi.
“Sorry guys” Axel said for the fifth time now…I mean okay we get it you’re sorry go home and rest…dude.
“Hey don’t worry about it…we’ll be okay in the semi finals for sure” Mark said.
He nodded with a small smile entering the taxi leaving.
“I can’t believe we have to play without him” Mark groaned.
“Unbelievable…What a waste of an amazing new shot” Bobby said.
“Do you mean the Inazuma one?” Mark asked.
“The Inazuma one?” Bobby asked.
“It was in the secret shot book” Mark confirmed.
“Face it…That manual isn’t a secret anymore” I huffed.
“The keeper and the forward shoot it together and my grandpa thought of it all those years ago” Mark smiled closing the book. “What a player he was, a genius”
The rest of us looked down closing our eyes sighing.
“But since Axel isn’t here we can’t use it in the semi- finals” Steve said.
“Don’t worry…Even without Axel, you guys will still be fine” Bobby said
“Bobby” Mark said.
“And if you want my help…I’ll be happy to give it” Bobby smiled at Mark…There he goes again with that go-lucky attitude of his.
“That’s the spirit…Everybody’s going to have to pitch in, come on let’s go we need to practice” Mark said.
“Yeah” Everyone else cheered as they ran off to the pitch leaving Bobby, Silvia and I still at the gate….It hurt to see them so close together.
“That was a good one, you’re such a team player” Silvia smiled at him as he gave her a warm smile.
I walked away back to the club to meet up with the others.
**********************************************************************
Silvia, Nelly and I were standing up front explaining the game to find out who we were playing against.
“So in the next preliminary game…Occult junior high is playing against Otaku junior high” Silvia said.
“Whichever team wins that game will be our opponent in the semis” Silvia continued.
“Occult junior” Nathan said.
“Those guys again….” Mark said.
“The word on the street is that they’ve gotten stronger thanks to some special training” Silvia read.
“Training? Even more training?” Kevin asked.
“There’s a possibility it’s another dumb curse fake you guys broke out of” I said trying to be positive.
“And? What about the other team you mentioned Otaku junior, what kind of players are they?” Nelly asked.
“Uh….The team is made up of guys who are really strong academically but a bit well…Nerdy, out of all the teams in the tournament this year….They’re perceived to be the weakest by a long shot” Silvia said.
“Another group of nerds, huh?” I smirked.
“What on earth?” Silvia said her cheeks heating up.
“What’s the matter?” Mark asked as I read what she was reading blushing immediately too.
“Huh? Skyla” Steve asked.
“The day before their game against occult junior….The whole team went to one of those weird maid cafes…That’s so gross” Silvia said.
“The whole team went to a maid café?” Willy’s glasses glazed over
“So….Why is that?” Nelly asked unimpressed.
“Those guys are lucky to have made it this far don’t you think?” Max asked.
“Sounds like we’ll definitely be up against occult junior in the semi-finals” Tod said.
“Maid café? Sounds like a nerd-vacation to me” I huffed.
“Yeah except this time we don’t have Axel with us” Mark said.
“But you have Skyla” Nelly chirped in.
“We do” Mark said glancing at me…”So it won’t be the same”
“We’ve got trouble…trouble” Celia said coming in to the club house.
“What’s going on?” Mark asked her.
“The occult game results just came through…You won’t believe what happened” Celia said.
“Occult junior lost?” Mark asked.
“Okay who are these guys exactly?” Mark asked.
“I thought they were weak?” I asked.
“I guess we’ll just have to find out for ourselves at the maid café” Willy said.
“What?” The team asked.
“There has to be a reason why Otaku junior beat those brutes and I intend to find out what that is in any way I can and I think the way to find it out is to go to the maid café….we need to go over there Mark” Willy said as we sweat dropped.
“Y-Yeah but” Mark started.
“Remember we know nothing about these guys whatsoever…We need the information vacuum …A reason to go there to gather data that will help us win the game” Willy said.
“You’re right…Okay let’s go and check it out” Mark said even Kevin was blushing.
“Are you serious?” Max asked.
“Pathetic” Nelly scoffed.
**********************************************************************
“Welcome gentlemen come on in” Melodic voices said immediately the doors opened as the guys gaped at the café or rather the maids.
“A table for 13 correct? Please come this way” One said
“Tch” I said walking inside.
“So this is what these places are like” Mark said hiding his blush with the menu.
“Would you like to order something master?” A maid said as I snorted from my spot next to Nathan on Mark’s table.
“Y-Yes” Mark said. “Lovey dovey tea”
“Are you sure it’s what you want?” She asked.
“Um…This one” Mark pointed to one as she scooted to see which one and Mark’s face turned bright red.
“Which one is that sir?”
“The pink heart tea” Mark responded.
“One throbbing pink heart tea coming up I hope you like it” She said.
“I’d like Orange juice….Thank you” I smiled putting the menu down.
Mark sighed putting his red face on the table.
“You’re not doing this right…you have to be more relaxed, chat, flirt with the maids…That’s a proper etiquette….You might even offend them if you act nervous or shy around them…See…….Yes I’d like one thumping bite heart cake set please” Willy said.
“I’d be happy to give you that sir…more than happy” She responded.
“Huh? He’s a natural” The team said as I got my Orange juice sipping it….Refreshing.
“You show a lot of promise, boy” Someone said from behind Willy
“Who are these guys?” Willy asked.
“I’ve got something interesting to show you; why don’t you come with me?” The person said
**********************************************************************
We were in a crowded elevator and I was standing next to Nathan as I felt someone holding my hand but I couldn’t see since it was really crowded….Once the elevator stopped I stepped out to see Nathan holding my hand…I looked away blushing a bit.
I looked around to see a various number of guys wearing the same uniform as the guys that lead us here being Nerds….Anime? Comics…Pfft
Everyone was greatly unimpressed but for Willy he was practically in heaven with all these surrounding him.
I sighed as he went rambling about game consoles...Train sets and a P-GX console.
“Wow willy you sure know a lot about obscure things” Mark said.
“There’s nothing on earth that I don’t know something about” Willy’s glasses glazed over.
“I knew he had the eye…That boy can see the value of these strange and beautiful objects” The guy said and the other one said something I couldn’t make out what.
All I could focus on was Nathan still holding my hand with me blushing like a Tsundere.
“You have an incredible collection here there’s no denying it” Willy said.
“I’m out of my depth here” Steve said confused.
“Uh….No way, it can’t be, the complete utter bridge set of magical princess silky nana” Willy said.
“Comics of a princess…. Willy I’m starting to question your age even my younger sister wouldn’t read that” I sighed.
“What’re you talking about?” Timmy asked.
“Only the best mega series ever created in all of history throughout the known and unknown universe and the best thing I’ve ever read” Willy explained.
“I’m over joyed to hear such high praise for our comic series, why thank you” The guy said.
“Uh…Did you say our?” Willy asked.
“That’s right I’m the one who wrote the series…I’m Wright Nobel” The guy said.
“And I go by the name of Mole Manga” The one with paintbrushes in his hair said.
“No way but you two are legends” Willy said
“In our grade….I feel so unaccomplished” I pouted.
“Well that’s nothing but we’re flattered you’re such a big fan of our work” Wright said.
“I’m going to enjoy talking to you” Mole said.
They were about shaking hands so maybe we could leave now but Mark interfered.
“Okay okay…Hold it right there kids” Mark said “Sorry to break it up but we don’t have time for this, we have to run now we have an important soccer game coming up” Mark said.
“Oh…you guys play soccer too do you?” Wright asked.
“What do you mean by too?” Mark asked as I face palmed.
“We’ve got a big game coming up as well…It’s a pretty interesting event….It’s called….What’s it called again?” Mole asked.
“The um soccer something raiser” One with red hair playing video games said.
“You don’t mean the soccer frontier do you?” Mark asked
“Oh yeah that sounds like it” He replied
“A group of geeks in the basement of the maid café?” Nathan asked finally letting go of my hand as I blushed harder.
“You’re involved in the soccer frontier tournament don’t tell me?” Mark said
“We’re the otaku junior team” Wright and Mole said.
“WHAT?” The team yelled.
*********************************************************************
Later that evening we were practicing by the river bank.
Mark sighed as some of us sat at the corner of the goal post looking at a drawing in the sand of the pitch...Mark drew to come up with game strategies.
“This is no good…Everybody’s way too relaxed” Mark crossed his arms.
“Can you blame them...You guys saw who we’re up against in the Semi-final” Max said.
“Despite their looks they managed to beat occult junior remember that” Willy said.
“I’ll go with his point” I pointed to Willy
“We can’t let our guard down” Willy said.
“I guess you’re right” Max said
“But they really didn’t look very strong” Steve said.
“Oh brother…I really wonder about you guys sometimes y’know” Mark sweat dropped
I sweat dropped too at Mark’s words I mean look who’s talking
“Oh come on…Everybody says they’re the weakest team of them all…They just got lucky, I think we’ll be fine” Max said as Mark laughed a bit
******************************************************************
GAME DAY
I was standing with the girls waiting for the boys to come out when maid uniforms were thrown at us
“Don’t tell me I have to wear this thing?” Nelly asked irked off
“You see when playing on our own field…All female managers must wear our maid costume…That is the first rule of competing here” One said.
“Who came up with this ridiculous rule?” Nelly asked as I sweat dropped…I’m not a manager but Nelly’s tantrums won’t let me explain that even.
“Our Master oops I mean our coach” The maid answering gesturing to one fat man at the side eating watermelon
“That freak is their coach?” Mark asked now outside.
“Look…There’s being a misunderstanding….I’m not a yan muf beariy mwaid mothes wand wim ale plawer” I said parts of my word muffled because Nelly clamped her hand on my mouth and smirked.
“She’s into more exposing Maid clothes do you have that?” Nelly asked
“Yes of course a second” The Maid said leaving as Nelly released her hand as I glared at her.
“What was that for?” I asked.
“You wanted to join the club so I did too now I want an itsy bitsy favor from you….Dearest cousin” Nelly smirked handing me the exposing maid clothes.
“Yay come on let’s try it on” Celia said pulling me to the dressing room with Silvia and Nelly.
Once we stepped out players from Otaku junior high were fangirling over our dresses and taking pictures of us….Bright Red hue were on my cheeks due to embarrassment.
“This is the most demeaning thing I’ve ever ever done” Nelly said her face red as well…Celia and Silvia seemed to be enjoying it though pulling us in for pictures
Once I managed to get away from Celia’s grip I tripped and fell but someone caught me with hands around my waist….my hands instinctively wrapped around his neck
“Hey….Are you alright?” The person asked me with a familiar voice…I looked up to see Axel looking down at me with concerned eyes….I bit my lip.
‘Oh shit’ I thought nodding shyly.
“You should be careful” Axel said.
‘No kidding Sherlock’ I thought.
“Yeah….Thanks” I said realizing that I was standing now but our position was even more awkward.
“Uh…Axel….I have to go tell the team that I’m not playing this game since they already think I’m a manager.” I coughed.
“Right” He nodded as I smiled before turning away so he couldn’t see my cheeks heating up….Aissh boys in this tea have guts.
“So Axel’s replacement is going to be uh…” Mark started. “Well it would’ve been Skyla but…..”
“I get it don’t need to make everyone stare” I huffed looking away to hide my red cheeks.
“Okay fine I’ll do it” Bobby said shrugging with a warm smile on his face….’Gosh…I missed that wait focus skyla …..It’s been a year already I should get over him’ I pinched my cheeks.
“For this game I think we should use our trump card” Willy spoke up
“Trump card? Didn’t I just explain that skyla couldn’t play” Mark explained
“No not her…Me….Going to the maid café has given me an understanding of their kind of soccer and with that understanding I’m sure I can guide our team to victory” Willy said as I snorted.
“Hey I also had an understanding but better than any nerd could” I sneered at Willy…I just love teasing this kid.
“That’s why she’s our trump card…” Kevin said.
“Oh please….Only a nerd would understand other Nerd’s reasoning” Willy said as I smirked.
“Well as far as I know Nerd’s aren’t exactly very sporty people….Yet how are we able to know your strange ‘passion’ for soccer (If that is really true by the way) when we’re not nerd ourselves” I shot back as he huffed turning to Mark
“Well?” Willy asked.
“Uh…Willy?” Mark said.
“An understanding huh?” Jack said.
“Why not give it a shot?” Axel said from beside me.
“What the heck…I agree….He sounds pretty motivated…It’ll work out somehow” Bobby said.
“Well….He does have an interest this time” I glared at Willy.
“Yeah I think you’re right….Alright you’ll be our forward today Willy…Take us home” Mark said
“Wait just a minute….replacing Axel with him is hardly an even trade when you’ve got someone like skyla…You’re taking an enormous risk here” Nelly said.
“She’s right…What if he just runs away again like he did in the royal game?” Jack asked as the others nodded.
“No she’s not right” I defended Willy surprisingly turning to Nelly and giving her a death glare…”Like you’re one to talk you got me into this mess now you have no right to drag me into this game….I’ve left it over to Willy (I can’t believe I’m doing this) It’s Willy’s game”
I sighed pinching the bridge of my nose.
“Thank you Skyla” Willy said extending his hand out for a shake.
“Run away and you should move as far as you can from Inazuma Town…got it? I don’t even want you anywhere near Tokyo” I said.
“He wants to play soccer though….I don’t doubt that I believe in him” Mark said…And with fire in his eyes now.
“And when somebody really wants to do something then sometimes they’re the best person for the job” Mark said.
“Keyword: Sometimes” I sighed.
“So that’s why I’m picking him today got it?” Mark continued.
“You can count on me 100% believe me” Willy said.
“I’m glad you believe him Skyla” Mark said as I looked at his smiling face
“I didn’t believe him….I’m handing over the game to him so he can win the team’s trust back…I know what it feels like not to be trusted to do things right but I’m not watching the game….It’s something I can’t take” I sighed
“So what’ll you do?” Mark asked me
“Making snacks and getting you some refreshments….Gotta have more stamina in the second half don’t you?” I said waving at him as he left the field.
**********************************************************************
I sighed handing their refreshments and towels to them….I handed over to Nathan a water bottle and a towel
“Thanks” Nathan smiled at me as I gave him a small smile.
“It’s the job of a temporary manager after all…Hehe” I said
“Why are they playing so defensively?”Willy asked. “I never expected them to play like that”
“I thought you said you understood their style of playing….What’s going on?” Kevin asked.
“That’s fine and all but why couldn’t we steal the ball?” Steve asked.
“Well I guess it’s because their weird behaviour kept throwing us off” Nathan guessed…I stood between Axel and Nelly
“Yeah it’s certainly nerving” Jim said as Nelly, Axel and I sweat dropped.
“So are you Jim” Axel said.
“They’re totally unreadable” Nelly said frowning.
“Whatever we’ll just have to create our own opportunities” Mark said.
“Alright guys….time for the second half….You better be ready….Now get on that field and kick their lame comic butts” I prepped them as Mark raised his hand
“What do you want?” I asked.
“I see why you’re not our manager now” Mark said nervously as I rolled my eyes at him.
“Oh ha-ha just get over there or I’ll switch the formation and have you as a forward instead” I threatened.
“That’s not really bad” Mark said grinning. “But who’ll catch the goals”
“And have Willy as the goal keeper” I continued
“Torture” Sam sweat dropped as I smirked.
“Go team” Silvia and Celia cheered.
The second half started and Otaku started on the advance….They were attacking.
“Seriously? You play video games on soccer and this is how you play?” I muttered. “Tch. Amateurs”
Suddenly I saw Max running with a water melon and the otaku player still with the ball.
And after that Otaku scored the leading point using utter gutsiness bat.
“Isn’t it a wonder that Occult would’ve probably stolen the balls from them a lot of times but how did they score none to these freaks?” Nelly asked.
“Why don’t you ask them? I mean they practically showed us the basement in the maid café….Think they’ll teach us their style of playing too?” I sassed.
I sighed as Raimon started the kick-off and otaku players all went on defense.
Kevin did just fine dodging all the defense players but when it came down to three defenders who used a special move…Bewildered.
“They have excellent naming skills” Celia complemented as I scoffed.
“It’s to be expected….They are nerds after all” I huffed.
Kevin shot into the goal with dragon crash but it didn’t go in…He missed as I wondered why the goalkeeper was on the floor.
“What the heck is going on here?” Axel asked as I raised a brow at him
“It’s obvious actually…. That fog is an obstruction to whatever dubious thing they’re doing” I said knotting my brows…”But what?”
“Always quite the detective Skyla” Celia sweat dropped.
They kept taking shot after shot but it didn’t work anymore…None of their goals went in.
Otaku junior players were getting really cocky about winning but what if they do win…..I’m pretty sure Mark won’t let that happen but it’s not like he can just run up there again.
I noticed Axel clenching his fists on his legs looking down in anger…I knew he wanted to play….He wasn’t just sorry to the team for not being able to play…He was….Whelp I have no way to put it I’m not him am I now?
I put my hand on his as he looked surprised at me as I gave him a small smile and sighed looking out to the field.
“Even if you were on the field it might just be the same…so stay calm please…You left it to willy and I unfortunately did too but he’s a nerd with the same level of reasoning they’re on he should find something out” I said as he nodded calming down…I gently pat his shoulder and looking back to the game as Nelly spoke up.
“Get it together you dopes we don’t have much time” Nelly said as I smirked.
“Already confident in that maid outfit of yours huh… Nelly” I teased her as she turned bright red.
I sighed seeing them use bewildered again to see the fog cleared and Willy holding the players shorts pulling on it letting us catch their act….moving the goal
“That’s illegal” I protested as Axel stood up.
“So that’s why nothing we shot went in” Axel said furious.
We watched as Steve threw the ball to Willy.
Willy advanced to the goal giving each player that came his way some kind of scolding that brought them the realization of how to play soccer.
“Finally….we’re getting somewhere” Nelly cheered as I watched Willy somehow stop them from doing bewildered.
Kevin used dragon crash as the goal keeper used his ‘move’ moving goal but Willy used his face as a trajectory for us to score a goal.
I smiled…Willy had been underestimated by me a lot while he was really dumb and had lame excuses…He knew what it means to be in a team and I’m really proud of him, while he is the least athletic one on the team….He sure is our hero for today.
I won’t say anything more than Otaku played seriously and we won the game.
Silvia and Celia kept chanting yay all over again as I chuckled….weren’t they excited
“Honestly…they sure know how to scare me” Nelly said smiling.
“Hey Tsundere” I teased grinning deviously
“Ugh” Nelly groaned.
I watched Willy get thanked by Otaku junior probably some nerd stuff I’m not interested in.
“That willy is really quite a guy” Mark said.
“You don’t say” I smirked….This will get interesting
