Tracing Memories

2: S i n k i n g

I was lucky that of all the days, I fell on Friday because that gave me two days to rest and my leg to heal a little bit before my first day in a new school. I wasn't hopping anymore and instead of tiptoeing, I could lightly place my foot on the ground giving me more balance. Mom insisted I take rest one more day but I didn't want to get a reputation of a slacker even before showing up.

Mom dropped me at the gate of Raimon Junior High and I looked around before entering. I was really admiring the atmosphere this school had. It was calm and inviting. I hoped to have a good year and make some friends. Silently wishing myself 'good luck' I headed towards my class.

I looked around the class after introducing myself, to remember the faces of my classmates and I was met with a little bit of surprise when I saw you. You were sitting by the window, looking towards me just like everyone else was. Our teacher saw me looking at you and he thought we already knew each other.

"Do you two know each other?" and without giving me time to respond he continued, "It's good that you already have a friend. He can show you around. You can go sit over there." He gestured towards the empty pair of a chair and desk right behind you. You didn't say anything shifted your gaze towards the window. I wondered if I had offended you, at the hospital and then in the class.

When the last class before lunch break ended, most of the students rushed out of the class to give their minds a break from tedious lectures. A couple of them came to talk to me, among them, a girl named Kino Aki, and a boy named Endou Mamoru. I had been sitting idly in my place since I didn't know where to go and you hadn't said anything to me about the school tour the teacher appointed you to take me to. When they came, I stood up and greeted them. The girl was sweet and friendly, she insisted on calling her by her first name and the boy was one of the most enthusiastic people I have ever known.

"Nice to meet you. Do you like soccer?!" He asked in a loud voice. Later on I found out that asking people if they liked soccer was his standard way of greeting new people.

"I enjoy watching it but I can't play it." I managed to reply. I hadn't thought that the extent of my interest in soccer would be something I'd be asked on the first day.

"That is great!" he exclaimed, "And how do you two know each other?" he suddenly asked, gesturing back and forth towards me and you.

"We don't." You turned and responded before I could, probably speaking for the first time that day.

"H-he's right. We d-don't." I fumbled for words. The notion that I had offended you had firmly set itself in my mind by now and I get stressed when I think someone is displeased from me.

"I'm Gouenji Shuuya by the way." You said with the faintest hint of a smile. This relaxed me a bit because if you had been upset you'd be frowning instead of smiling, is what I reasoned with myself. In response, I smiled too.

"Umm....you don't have to show me around if you don't want to. It's perfectly fine." I said.

"No it's alright." You replied nonchalantly.

"I can show her around." Aki interrupted. "It'll give us girls some time to bond. You two should go practice for the upcoming match."

"Yes she's right. We should head out now." Endou said in his usual enthusiastic voice, "Let's play soccer!"

"You play soccer too?" I asked you with surprise.

"Yah I play as forward." You replied in calculated words.

"Not just forward, he's our ace striker." Endou informed me.

"That's nice. I guess I could watch you guys play some time. Is that ok?" I asked hesitantly.

"Of course, that would be great. In fact, I invite you to watch us play at the Riverbank today after school. You can come with Aki. She knows where is it since she's our manager." Endou said.

"You're with them too?" I looked at Aki with questioning eyes.

"Yah we have a soccer club and I, along with two other girls, am the manager of the team. You can meet them and the rest of the team this evening at the riverbank." She told me.

"I guess I will have to join the soccer club too since all the new friends I am making are a part of it." I said in a cheery tone and we all laughed, except you. You just smiled and I wondered if you were always like this.

After school Aki and I reached the Riverbank as planned. I saw a lot of people there who were in our class and some who I didn't know. Few moments later I found out they were our Juniors when I got introduced to everyone by Aki and Endou. While the exchange of names and greetings took place, for a brief second my eyes went on you. You stood to a side leaning against a tree waiting for all of it to be over. I wondered if my presence was disrupting the practice and it was annoying you but you didn't wear any particular expression on your face.

That day I had the most fun I had had in a long time. I watched you guys play and was mesmerized by your skills and special shots but my favorite was your "fire tornado". Of course I didn't tell it to anyone.

After about an hour the match came to an abrupt halt when Shourin passed the ball to Max a little too strongly and it went past him and straight into the river. We all quickly gathered near the end and tried to think of ways to get it back. Endou was the most upset by this interruption and everyone had to hold him so he wouldn't jump into the river to get the ball. Suddenly Haruna found a long tree branch and Kazemaru tried to make the ball come near the side with it. Fifteen minutes of effort went in vain when apparently a pointed extension on it poked the ball and the dilapidated thing burst immediately sinking to the bottom. We all stood there dumbfounded for a while until Kazemaru broke the silence.

"Well, there goes number 39." He commented and everyone erupted into laughter except me who looked at them with surprise. Surprised at how many soccer balls they had destroyed so far.

The practice was forced to end after that and everyone started leaving for their homes. I looked around and I realized it was already getting dark. I got worried since I rarely stayed outside after dark. Apparently, you noticed the worry on my face and came to the rescue.

"If you're scared to walk home alone I can walk with you. I never showed you around the school when it was my duty. I hope you didn't mind and if you did, consider it a compensation for that." You offered politely.

I didn't want to trouble you but it was also true that I really was scared of walking home alone. I have been paranoid like that for as long as I can remember. I hesitated a bit but accepted your offer.

We walked side by side, an inch of space between us. All through the way I kept looking at my feet. I am a shy person, I don't talk much and you don't either so a silence lingered between us. I kept mentally fiddling to find something to talk about but couldn't. Finally when we reached our destination I managed to say "Thank you." You nodded in response and turned to walk away. I gathered my courage and added, "Just so you know," you looked back, "I didn't mind."I finished and smiled.

You gave me a full smile this time before walking away.

A/N: I do not own Inazuma Eleven and its characters.I own this story and cover.Please do not repost without permission.

A/n 2 : Guys, if you like this story please don't forget to VOTE and COMMENT.I'd love to hear from you what you guys think of it so far. Please don't hesitate.