Out Of Sight

Point Of No Return

Hello.

I'll be honest, I don't know what happened. I have no idea what this chapter is - it's way too long and a complete mess ('specially for Tenma, poor dude) - but I'm actually really happy with it? Soo I'm uploading it (and yes I'll try to upload it on FFN later today too, although I make no promises)!

On another note, I promised angst, didn't I? Hope this is good enough for y'all. Anyway, enjoy~~

Yeah, no, I didn't proof read it so any mistakes are because I'm lazy and not planning to reread 8700 words, cuz I'm like 100% done with it at this moment and I'm too impatient, I wanna upload it now!

~'0'~

Tenma's new team has started training in their new formation, settling into a rhythm of morning and afternoon practices. Now that their first match has been announced and Yuuichi has created a training program, albeit a rigorous one, they're finally starting to feel like an actual team.

By Tuesday, the other four first-years are visibly hyped up for the next day's special training, and it's affecting everyone. Tenma, when taking a break from his exercises to drink some water, ends up a few feet away from his new captain and one of the other midfielders.

''-think it'll be good for them,'' he overhears part of the conversation and glances at Teruya. The captain doesn't seem to have noticed him and the brunet quietly prepares to move away. He's not about to eavesdrop on what could be a private conversation. ''It'll get them in shape, used to Raimon's way of doing things.''

The midfielder next to him, Fukui, hums in agreement. ''Yes, working closely with the first team will lessen the usual hero worship,'' she says. Tenma pauses unwillingly. ''It always makes the new players relax a bit.''

Teruya laughs. ''True. I wonder who will sign up for it.'' Then he raises his arms above his head, stretching. ''Well, I suppose we'll see in a few hours! Let's get back to training, Yamaki seems to be having too much fun torturing poor Shinji-kun!'' with that, he takes off in a quick sprint onto the field.

Left behind, Fukui covers her soft laugh with a hand, shaking her head slightly. Then she turns around and blinks when her eyes meet Tenma's.

The first-year is frozen for just one second and then quickly stumbles over an apology. ''A-ah, I'm sorry senpai, I didn't mean to listen in on your conversation!'' he waves his hands wildly, a bit of water splashing out of his bottle and spilling onto his hand.

Hurrying to reassure him, Fukui shakes her head with a gentle smile. ''Oh no, it's fine, Kaze-san! It wasn't anything private anyway!''

He returns her smile with a hesitant one of his own, putting his bottle aside and wiping his hand on his blue shirt. ''In that case, may I ask if you were talking about the special training coach announced yesterday?''

''Yes, that's right,'' Fukui nods. ''Are you planning to join?''

Tenma's smile shrinks a little as he shakes his head. ''Ah, no, I will pass for now. Perhaps later?'' he makes his way over to stand next to her, looking at his teammates as they train. ''I think I'll focus on my new position for the time being.''

His fellow midfielder tilts her head curiously. ''You haven't played wide before?'' a headshake is her answer. ''May I ask what position you played before, then? You said you were part of a team at some point, right?''

''Yeah, in my first year of junior high,'' he nods. ''I played center midfield, sometimes attacking.''

''Ever played as anything other than midfielder?''