너는 최고야 ! [ You Are The Best ! ]

07. do you ever join a group chat and just never say anything?

"*Na jibiya."

Normally the television would be on, or some music would be playing in the background. Though when Park stepped into her house, there wasn't any sound. Cho had hopped off the couch and come by her feet to greet her, but that was it. Curiously, after slipping off her shoes, the white haired girl stepped into the living room.

Both of her grandparents lifted their gaze to her, it looked like they were discussing something. For a while, no one had said anything.

". . . Is something wrong?" Park muttered, furrowing her brows. It wasn't like either of them to be so quiet and secretive.

"You're late, where were you?" Kim asked, hardly scolding the young girl. She seemed more concerned and worried than anything.

"I was playing with my friends, I sent you a text message." The female responded quietly. Kim had blinked her eyes, and looked around for her smartphone. Once grabbing the device, she realized the little girl was right. She did send a text, and Kim hadn't answered. It was only natural she wouldn't be upset with Park, and would allow her to play with her friends. The girl guessed she was busy and couldn't reply, that was all.

"I see. . ." Kim breathed out, passing a short glance to Jae. "Go up to you room, I'll come by in a moment, okay?"

"Okay." Park wouldn't refuse or question this, instead she'd just padded up the stairs with Cho as company. She changed out of her uniform into something more comfortable. A white t-shirt with a milk box on it, along with a baby pink skirt. The weather was nice and warm, no reason to wear leggings. While waiting for her grandmother, she started on homework - and suddenly received a text on her phone.

[ Endou: tomorrow !!! everyone be ready !!! ]

She'd recently been added to the soccer club's group chat, along with Kazemaru.

[ Kino: do your homework ! ]
[ Endou: what was the homework ]
[ Endou: kazemaru what was the homework ]
[ Kazemaru: . . . we are not in the same class ]

"You're doing your homework?" There was a soft knock on the bedroom door. Park looked over her shoulder at the dark haired woman and nodded. Kim let herself inside, and sat on the edge of the bed. "There's something I want to give to you."

"What is it?" The turned her desk chair to properly face her grandmother. Cho had been sitting on her lap. Kim hesitated, before handing over a soft pink envelope to the young girl. Park took hold of it in her fingers. After Kim hadn't said anything else, Park decided to open the flap, and pull out what was inside. Her eyes slightly widened.

"This is so much- no, no I can't take this. Please." The white haired girl immediately put back all the notes into the envelope and attempted to hand it over to Kim. The raven haired woman shook her head.

"It's two thousand dollars."

"Why-!?" Park mewled. Ever since she had been apart of this family, she'd been showered in nothing but love. For years she was convinced that none of this she deserved, every Friday Kim and Jae took her out for ice cream - she didn't deserve. The tens of plush toys on her bed, she didn't deserve. This wonderful dog sitting in her lap, she did not deserve.

Two thousand dollars, made her feel nothing but guilt. Guilt for being such a burden to these generous people. It was enough to almost make her burst out into tears.

"It's not from me." Kim admitted duly. This quickly made the white haired girl stop in her tracks and look down at the envelope. There was a name written on it.

". . . Who is Sayuri?" Park insisted quietly, lifting her pink-brown eyes back up to her grandmother. Kim had stared in her lap, before closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath. Her hands were trembling, so she grabbed onto the left hand with her right.

"Your real mother." She muttered.

As much as Park wanted to throw the envelope out the window, she knew that was childish and bratty. So instead, she pulled out a drawer in her desk, and placed the envelope inside. This lifted a huge weight off Kim's shoulders, thank goodness she took the money.

"*Halmeoni, I ended up getting to join the soccer club." The young girl suddenly stated.

"Y-you did?" Kim lifted her head immediately, her brown eyes wavering. "I see. That's good-"

"You don't want me to play soccer, isn't that right?"

". . . That's right." Kim had no reason to lie.

"Why not?" Park carefully stroked at Cho's fluffy white fur. "What actually happened before I ended up here?"

She already knew that her memory was wiped clean, and she was adopted - but that was all. It was a car crash, and her mother caused it.

"You were in a bad family, that's all." Kim slowly nodded to herself. "A bad mother, a bad father, and bad siblings who you'd play soccer with. I don't want you to keep playing, because you might remember all of this." The dark haired woman gripped the fabric of her dress. "I don't want to lose my little girl."

Park sunk in her place, feeling helpless. Quietly standing up, she set Cho back onto the chair and padded over to her grandmother. Without a second thought, she wrapped her arms around the quavering woman.

"No matter what happens, I want to stay with you."

This is her home.

"Oh, you're here! We have a surprise for you two!" As soon as Endou's eyes caught sight of Kazemaru and Park stepping into the club room, he brightened up. Those two were in the same class, and upon Kazemaru's request, Park didn't mind walking alongside him to practice.

"What do you think?" Kino chirped, presenting two sets of Raimon uniforms to them. Number 2 for Kazemaru, and Number 4 for Park. The white haired girl happily took hold of the jersey and shorts.

"It's perfect, thank you so much!" Eyes glittering, Park bowed her head in thanks. It was a force of habit, she couldn't break out of it even if she tried.

"We've also got a new member, this is Matsuno!" Endou chirped, patting the back of the other male. He'd already been given a uniform, but for some reason still wore a hat with kitten-like ears at the top. Why judge?

"That's still only ten members." Someoka commented, but right after the team met Kageno.

Teikoku arrived, and brought hell with them. Raimon was covered in a sea of rolling clouds, things were already starting to feel grim. The sheer amount of doubt radiating from all the students could be enough to kill a man. Teikoku had every intention of intimidating the opposing team, and it worked for a few of the members. When Kabeyama had scurried off to apparently use the bathroom, they were joined by Megane.

Everything about the match was brutal and unfair. It took mere seconds for everyone to be knocked on the floor. You were given your ten seconds to do your best before rendered useless.

Kazemaru attempted to protect Endou at one point, but ended up hurting himself more than anything.

Another shot hit the palms of Endou's hands, as he tried to keep his heels grounded into the dirt. Before he could pass the white marked line, a foot kicked the side of the ball, clearing it off the field. The score was already 10-0 in Teikoku's favor, yet for some reason the white haired girl still wanted to stand up. It was one goal, just one goal they'd stopped from being stolen from them. Sure it'd hurt her ankle almost as if she twisted it, but even still.

Even still.

Just these five seconds of hope on Raimon's side was enough. A player Endou had been harassing ever since he transferred to Raimon had joined their side. Gouenji Shuuya, the supposed flame striker. He'd given Raimon one point along with Endou's help.

Teikoku forfeit the match, and Gouenji left immediately after. In turn, the soccer team was still saved. Not only that, but they'd be going to the football frontier. This was originally Endou's dream, and now the others had shared it with him.

"You see that!" He pointed a gloved finger at the scoreboard. "That one point is the hope for Raimon!"

[ Glossary ; ]
*Na jibiya - 나 집이야 - I'm home
*Halmeoni - 할머니 - Grandmother