Chapter 6: Peeking Behind The Bush
I hissed as my neck was stung for the umpteenth time. After excusing myself when Coach Nikaidou gathered the team for a briefing about tomorrow's match, I carefully surveyed the bathrooms and the nearby area where Gouenji-kun's fans used to hide.
I felt my face scrunch in a frown. "After the qualifying match, Gouenji-kun has indeed become more popular. However, not that many girls come after school like before," I commented with suspicion as I looked around.
Because of that scene during the match, I was caught between the popular captain and his growing unofficial fan club, speculations we were together whispered around. I would careless less about it if the classroom's mood wasn't slowly getting swallowed by the growing vines of jealousy from the small group that was heavily infatuated with the captain. My worries were on explaining myself to Ryuugamine-san who was far enough to misunderstand.
"Ouch!" I winced again and stood in place near one of the school buildings. A moment later, I glared at the lack of results. My self-control was melting like an ice cube, its temperature rising rapidly.
Before reaching the boiling point, my ears perked up at a strange rustle of leaves in the nearby bushes. My eyes immediately fell on them; they were tall enough for two, maybe three, crouched teens to hide in.
I dove in without hesitation but care. Branches cracked down my feet, and my breath got caught in my throat, the noise too loud to have gone unnoticed. After an unmoving moment, the surroundings were quiet save from my own breathing. I pressed on.
Pushing away a thick leaf, there was a blonde boy with a pair of binoculars fixed at the direction of the soccer field.
"Who are you?!" I blurted out as my expectations overthrew the current sight.
The boy jumped with a silly scream causing me to cover my ears and fell on his behind with a curse.
I exhaled sharply as my violet eyes met his brown ones. Still seconds passed as we examined each other's face. And I asked again, with an edge for good measure, "Who are you?"
The boy looked away as his shoulders shook, revealing a silver earring that gleamed under the soft rays.
It clicked. "You are that transfer student," I said. The recent rumors about a blonde pretty boy among the second years whom I didn't bother to put a name to had some girls in an uproar. Perhaps the girls from the upper grades were flocking around him instead. "Why are you. . ." I trailed off, looking at the binoculars hanging around his neck and a notepad under his hand. My brain put together the pieces. I stared at him intently with wide eyes and spoke without emotion, "Why did that man send you?"
The blonde flinched as if that vague reference meant something. I sprung from the ground and walked away.
⚽️ 🌸 ⚽️
That man gazed at us with an amused grin as if the current event was his plan all along. Yuuto and that boy stood aside, the one who had called for this meeting in the very center.I stood with an unwavering posture, arms crossed confidently with a scowl. "Ryuugamine-senpai is not fit to be a spy," I broke the silence.
"Hm? And why are you saying this?" He taunted, challenging me to play his game. Ryuugamine-senpai was no obstacle, it was that man.
"He was in a bush, with a pair of binoculars!" I pointed out, throwing my hands aside. "There are only so many excuses one can think up at that moment if they were found!"
That man rested against his chair, too calm for my liking. "I don't care about his methods. Likewise, I didn't care about yours."
I exhaled deeply, patience running out. 'What kind of joke is this?' I thought as I passed my hands around my temples. "Commander," I didn't hesitate to say, "it took me less than a minute to find out his affiliation. He is from Teikoku, transfered at the eve of the Football Frontier. " I stared at the boy in question, his body language wider than an open book. "And he doesn't know to lie," I concluded. "What merit is there to have him?!" I turned back. "You know the best liar is me."
"Certainly, your abilities are unparalleled. Someone who lies to themselves is the fittest to be a spy. That is why I decided to change."
My ears perked up at the roundabout praise. Without a trace of shame, I was genuinely happy until his next words.
"You will be relieved from your duties and you have won the right to stay at Kidokawa. What else do you want?"
My mouth was shut for a moment, considering what that man said. "I want to stay with them," I said as an image of Gouenji-kun flashed through my mind. My fists clenched. 'I have a responsibility towards him. I want Kidokawa to win.'
There was silence. That man stared at me, trying to find the meaning behind my words.
"Can you believe in someone who hasn't even given the hint to protect themselves?" I asked, glancing at the unmoving boy. It was oddly disturbing.
"Why do you have to say about you being a better choice?" he asked, changing the topic."I have gotten close to Gouenji-kun. That is what you want, don't you?" I smirked. "I asked around, and it seems Ryuugamine-senpai here has no social skills." I shrugged. His lack of reaction made the atmosphere much more awkward. He couldn't read the mood at all."I won't be found," I assured.
"Commander," Yuuto called, breaking my tempo, "did you read his report about Fire Tornado?"
"I have, it's quality is impressive," that man said.
"Really?" I blurted out.
"Better than what you have brought me."
My eye twitched, and I hummed. "It does not hold much weight if he can be found this easily." I had to control the information that man receives to protect the team. Yielding wasn't an option.
That man leaned back. "Kidou, what are the chances she can be trusted?" he asked.
I inhaled sharply and turned to Yuuto who swallowed softly and tightened his lips. I stared at him intently, unable to predict his choice.
"Zero, Commander," he replied, choosing that man's side. "It's true--"
"What is your basis?" I interrupted cooly. "It's rude to blame someone without evidence.
"Yuuto walked briskly towards me, his shadow towering over my figure. "Give me the notebook," he demanded between his teeth.
I took a step back, trying to hang on my sanity and composure as the light dimmed.
He snatched the notebook I hurriedly took out of my bag and skimmed through it. Stopping at the last pages, his brows narrowed further, and I knew he was glaring at me before trotting to that man and slamming the notebook against the table.
"You don't change," Yuuto said to me without turning back.
My heart seemed to stop. I inhaled sharply again and stared at that man as he scanned the page. Staying in place, I evaded his gaze when he understood the meaning behind the sketch of Fire Tornado I drew.
Ryuugamine-senpai peeked from the corner of his eye. Curious, interested.
I waited for that man's words, biting my lip.
That man smirked at Yuuto. "Good work." He then looked forward, knitting his fingers once again and spoke with an absolute tone. "Whoever can bring a certain hissatsu hidden in Kidokawa will receive what you want. Use whatever method necessary. Kidou will give you the rest of the details. You are dismissed."
Peeking Behind The Bush | End