Endou Mamoru, the endlessly optimistic captain of Raimon Junior High's soccer team, dreams of competing in the prestigious Football Frontier tournament. However, his team lacks both motivation and players. Despite this, Endou continues training passionately, hoping to reignite his teammates’ spirits.
One day, while practicing at the riverbank with a group of kids, trouble arises. Two passersby, Usui and Yasui, provoke the group, leading to a heated exchange. Ryuusuke accidentally shoots the ball off-target, nearly hitting the pair. As tensions rise, a mysterious boy steps in.
Or rather—a mysterious, slightly eccentric boy. (Y/N) strides toward them, twirling a soccer ball in their hands, a wide, playful grin plastered across their face.
“Wow,” (Y/N) says, voice dripping with mock amazement. “Two big guys picking on some kids. You must feel sooo strong right now.”
Usui scowls. “What’d you say?!”
“I said,” (Y/N) hums, balancing the ball on their head, “you’re embarrassing yourselves.” Before Usui can retort, (Y/N) casually flicks the ball off their head and volleys it into the air with a powerful kick. It soars past both troublemakers, leaving them stunned.
“Next time,” (Y/N) adds, their tone now cold, “pick on someone your own size.”
The two men retreat, muttering angrily, and the kids cheer. Endou sprints over, practically vibrating with excitement.
“That was amazing! Hey, I’m Endou Mamoru, Raimon’s soccer captain! What’s your name?”
(Y/N) doesn’t respond right away. Instead, they squat down, drawing circles in the dirt with a stick. “Hmm... you’re the loud type, huh? You’d probably be fun to play with.”
Endou blinks, confused. “Uh, yeah? So, does that mean you’ll join our team?”
(Y/N) stands up and dusts off their hands, their smile turning mischievous. “Nah, not interested. But you’re funny—I’ll give you that. Maybe we’ll see each other around, Captain.”
With a playful wave, (Y/N) walks away, leaving Endou baffled. “W-wait! What’s your name?!”
(Y/N) calls back over their shoulder, “Why don’t you figure it out, Captain Loudmouth?”
That evening, Endou gushes to his late grandfather’s portrait about the mysterious boy’s incredible skills, wishing someone like him would join their team.
The next day, Endou is thrilled when a new student, Gouenji Shuuya, transfers into his class. Recognizing him as a former soccer prodigy, Endou wastes no time trying to recruit him.
“Gouenji!” Endou chases after him in the hallway. “Join our team! I know you’re amazing—I mean, you played for Kidokawa Seishuu, right?”
Gouenji, calm but distant, shakes his head. “I don’t play soccer anymore.”
“Wait, what?! But why?” Endou stares, bewildered.
Leaning against a nearby locker, (Y/N)—who has been eavesdropping—chimes in, “Oooh, mysterious and broody. I like it. Bet he’s got a tragic backstory, huh?”
Gouenji glances at (Y/N) briefly but says nothing.
“(Y/N), not helping!” Endou groans.
(Y/N) grins and ruffles Endou’s hair. “Relax, Captain. If he doesn’t want to play, he doesn’t want to play. Besides, you’ve got me now!”
Endou blinks. “Wait—you’re joining the team?!”
“Pfft, no,” (Y/N) teases. “But watching you freak out is so entertaining. Don’t give up, though! You’re like... a little puppy who doesn’t know when to quit.”
Endou huffs, clearly annoyed, but (Y/N)’s teasing tone is more encouraging than insulting.
Later, Endou is summoned to the principal’s office, where Natsumi, the board chairman’s daughter, delivers her ultimatum: Raimon must field a full team of 11 players and win a practice match against the undefeated Teikoku Gakuen in one week—or the soccer club will be disbanded.
Back in the clubroom, Endou relays the news.
“Teikoku Gakuen?!” Megane shouts, clutching his head. “Are you insane? They’ll crush us!”
“Yikes.” (Y/N) is perched on a desk, spinning a soccer ball on one finger. “Sounds like a nightmare. But hey, what’s the worst that could happen? You lose, the team gets disbanded, and everyone hates you forever. No big deal.”
“Not helping, (Y/N)!” Someoka snaps.
(Y/N) smirks and leans forward. “Relax, drama queen. I’m kidding. Look, you’ve got nothing to lose, right? So why not have some fun with it?”
Their nonchalant attitude irritates some, but Endou seems to draw strength from their words. He sets out to recruit more players, meeting Kazemaru from the track team.
At the Steel Tower
Later, Endou heads to the Steel Tower to train, where he bumps into Gouenji again.
“Gouenji! You came!” Endou beams.
“Don’t get the wrong idea,” Gouenji says curtly.
YOU ARE READING
Kicks of Deception: The Hidden Ace (inazuma eleven)
ActionDisguised as a boy, you join Raimon Junior High's soccer team with only one goal: to discover if soccer is truly worth the struggle, sacrifice, and pain it brings. But as you fight alongside the passionate Endou Mamoru and his growing team, your unp...
