Accidental Reverse

Chapter 24

Hello~ I'm sorry for the wait, I've just been crazy busy with other stuff (and I probably will be for a while, but I'll keep updating)!

Anyway, enjoy!

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Accidental Reverse Arc 2

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''Have you guys seen this?''

The tense atmosphere in the changing room is broken by Kurama's disbelieving voice. He's scrolling through his phone, apparently reading something, and his expressions turns only more shocked. ''What is it?'' asks Shindou.''

Kurama looks up, his face stony. ''An article about Fifth Sector.''

''They appear all the time,'' says Kurumada, ''what's so special about it?''

The forward shakes his head. ''It's not like the other ones,'' he answers, still scanning the text on his phone. ''This is actually- oh my god,'' he mutters, his eyebrows rising in shock before narrowing into a frown. ''Check this. 'The Holy Emperor, leader of Fifth Sector, has full control of the organization and, by extension, the soccer world. The view of an adult who keeps an eye on the teenage soccer world has been forcefully ripped apart to show what lies underneath: something that could only be compared to the dictatorship that has ruled many countries in the past,'' he reads aloud.

''What the heck?'' asks Kurumada. ''Show me!'' without waiting for permission, he grabs Kurama's phone, ignoring the 'hey' from the forward as he scrolls through the article. '''There is evidence, coming from Fifth Sector itself, pointing to fake matches. The score of the matches was decided before they were even played,''' he quotes. ''What the hell?''

''Someone's attacking Fifth Sector,'' says Shindou, his voice alarmed. ''That's practically suicide – they'll be dealt with before the end of the week.''

Kurama, who has stolen his phone back, shakes his head. ''I don't think so,'' he answers grimly. ''You should check all these comments. It's everywhere. Apparently, it'll even be on TV tonight,'' he tells his team. ''Getting rid of this reporter now is pretty much confirming what the article said.''

A few players are already on their phones, looking up the article. Soon enough, everyone is quietly reading it. Tenma pretends to read it too, hiding a smirk, but instead actually keeps an eye on Kidou, Endou, Haruna and Fubuki. The four are talking in alarmed, hushed voices, but what he manages to pick up tells him it's about Jiro's work.

He has mostly recovered from the impact of Yukimura's Keshin, but he can still feel a sharp ache every once in a while. There are still ten minutes left of the break, though, so he should be fine once it's time for the second half.

''Everyone,'' says Endou, attracting the attention of the team, ''we'll be back soon. Something has come up that acquires our attention,'' he explains. Soon the four adults leave and only the teenagers are left.

They talk quietly, discussing what they just read, and Tenma pretends to be busy with his phone. Unfortunately, Shindou's voice catches his attention. ''Tenma.''

The brunet hides a wince. He didn't think the article would distract his team from questioning him, but he could always hope.

''Yes?'' he asks slowly, finally meeting his captain's unreadable eyes.

The game maker hesitates for a moment but then sits down next to him. The brunet blinks, surprised at the friendly approach the older midfielder is taking. He wasn't expecting it, but, on second thought, he probably should have.