The Fate we Choose (Inazuma Eleven GO/CS)

Chapter 85 More than just the World

3rd POV

The first match ended 5-1. Despite Feida in the lead, getting at least one point was enough to keep up the groups' morale. 

Miria: "I'm sorry... they completely played us... and Fei and Ciel..."

Shirabe: "You don't have to apologize. We knew nothing about their playstyle. If anything, it angered me seeing how they played around with all of you. As for Fei and Ciel..."

Kirara: "Mm... I guess, I'm not surprised?"

Miria: "Huh?"

Kirara: "Ever since we came back to the future, I always felt like something was off. Nagi-chi has been distant."

Miria: "Now that you mention it, I did feel like it was strange when Ciel randomly appeared after the trials we went through in King Arthur's storybook. She arrived when we were in caves, but she never specified what her role was." 

Kirara: "Ten-ten said that Saru erased Fei's memories. Do you think he did the same to Nagi-chi?"

Shirabe: "No. She seemed to remember. Unlike Fei, she seems good at lying and... good at acting..."

Kirara: "So she's been lying to us from the start?"

Shirabe: "When it comes to her goal, yes. She may have wanted to save soccer just to use it. And ensure we were safe so the Second Stage Gene could be passed down." 

Miria's face dropped.

Kirara: "It's shame. I thought we were getting along."

Shirabe: "She did always have this distance about her, though. She never really interacted with anyone else than Fei and Wondeba. If she came to us, there was usually a reason."

Miria: "I know she's now our enemy. But... I can't help but think... what exactly did she go through to do all this? Toudou-san said it before, right? That all the Second Stage Children were hated and experienced rejection..."

Kirara: "Then... you think she had terrible past, like us?"

Miria nodded.

Miria: "I know I shouldn't be sympathizing with them. What they're doing now isn't valid, but the reasoning behind it? How can they understand what to do when they have little time and no one to rely on, but themselves? They must have had lonely lives..."

Shirabe: "And bad examples. El Dorado has only responded to them through fighting so perhaps to them, fighting and power is all they know." 

Kirara: "Not to mention that it's working. If not for Ragnarok, I think the old geezers at El Dorado would be doomed. Perfect Cascade has been only successful in defending them."

Hisame: "They're afraid. From the start they have been."

Shirabe: "Hisame-san..."

Hisame walked over to the three, calm.

Hisame: "El Dorado has its faults. But their reaction is also normal. To witness such a power, it is normal to fear it. They're only human."

The three fell silent and nodded.

Hisame: "It seems your team's opponent is Giru, Shirabe-san."

Shirabe: "Giru?"

Hisame: "They're the tactical unit of Feida. Meia the captain and Giris her boyfriend developed those guns Feida uses in the war."

Kirara: "No way! Them?"

Hisame: "Be careful."

Shirabe: "We'll do our best. But my team is rather..."