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The clatter of shoes echoed throughout the steel and marble hallways. A light-green-haired boy with a red headband was speeding off and slaloming between the pillars, almost flying thanks to the gear on his legs. He was being chased down by Ogre, a soccer team comprised of military members.
"Don't let him get away, he stole a file!"
Kanon was used to missions like this for his young age, but it's the first time he sneaked to achieve it. Normally, he preferred a direct confrontation. The military players were shooting balls to kick him off his momentum, close to cornering him. He was getting ready to open a portal and teleport out, yet right then and there something fell on him. Heavy and made of metal. Cylindrical … a quite massive pipe. He lost consciousness.
Team Ogre surrounded his body, which fell near a pile of rubble. The captain stepped forward to check his pulse. The pipe rolling away oppressively.
"Well shit" Eska let out. "Is he dead?"
"No."
"Ah, thank god" Mistrene exhaled, palm on the left side of his chest, along with the rest of the team.
"Our single order was : destroy soccer."
"Yeah, I mean, killing a person? Not really on the table here …"
"That was an accident, though."
It wasn’t uncommon for issues like this to occur in these buildings, so all staff and students attending kept on their toes. This here was just poor timing. Right about when the team chattered, likely about the consequences this might have, they heard half a moan. They all turned to see. The light-green-haired boy has woken up.
"Argh, my head" he pat the back of it, sensing a consequent bump. And some weird moisture.
"How many fingers am I lifiting up?" Mistrene questioned showing him a V sign with a slight frown on his face.
"What, two" Kanon mumbled. He shook his head, then finally looked around, at the people surrounding him. "Where am I? Who ... who are you?"
Baddap, who was kneeling near to lift him up, got up without a word, leaving the puzzled team behind with the confused boy.
Later, they all gathered again to sort through their thoughts.
"He doesn't remember why he’s here or what here is… It’s a miracle he even remembers his own name."
"What if they send some of their people to get him back?"
"The policy states, they can't send anyone on us if one of their players is missing unless a certain amount of time passes. And it applies to us too" Sandayuu said.
"Tsk, amnesia" Baddap clicked his tongue nonchalantly. "This feels suspiciously like a loophole to not talk because he got caught."
"But, what do we do then, Captain?"
"What's the minimum time quota before they accuse us of holding him hostage, again?"
Sandayuu double checked on his tablet. "10 days."
"Sounds about right."
They all went to the isolated chamber where Kanon was detained. Only the team’s main trio had entered, while the rest was looking through a one-way glass. Baddap sat in front of him, holding a clipboard.
"Name."
"Kanon Endou" and he rubbed on his chin.
A pause.
Baddap nods, sighing "You're about the same age as us."
"Judging from how I am dressed, I must definitly not be from here."
Baddap writes something down on the clipboard, Mistrene’s eyes hopping back and forth from that to their interrogatee’s face.
"I am sorry. I really don't remember anything else …"
"Well, that's fine, right?" Eska chimed in with a slightly forced smile. "You’ll stay here for a while until you figure things out."
The whole team was anticipating how the boy will respond. They were a disciplined and stern bunch, so it could be intimidating for him ... well, that was the impression they intended to have when they were seen, either way.
"As long as I'm … not too much of a bother, I guess. Thanks for your hospitality" Kanon fiddled with the edge of his short as he uncomfortably glanced at Baddap, who was all unimpressed.
They arranged him a room in the corridor they had theirs.
The next day, Eska with some other Ogre team members lead the way to Kanon who had exited his room. They were gonna get him a uniform so he doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.
"The plan is very simple : as he is, we can still get useful information out of him. Confidential, if we play our cards right" Baddap asserted.
"Ugh, who is even willing to talk to him?" Mistrene whined.
"Yeah, Baddap, at least half of the team doesn't particularly care" Eska said as he came back and joined the duo. "They only follow what you end up deciding."
Indeed, at noon, they all met up at the cafeteria for lunch. The trio was already eating with some of the teammates. The remaining ones arrived, oddly enthusiastic.
"Ta-dam!" The goalkeeper revealed Kanon all dressed up in their academy’s uniform. "I didn't think there would be any that fit him. Thankfully, Captain, one of your old uniforms from the reserve did the trick!"
Baddap choked and spat his drink, amusing Eska quite a bit.
"Haha, great!"
Kanon didn't say a word during the entire meal, only kept stealing glances at the military players’ conversations. Mainly Mistrene's who in turn was amused by Baddap's reaction. Kanon twisted some of the noodles in his plate with a fork, pondering. A plain meal, nothing too special. He was slowly finished with it, and some of the team had already been starting to take leave. So fast they all came, so quick they all went. The trio remaining, beside himself.
"So, how is it gonna be? We still gotta tell the general about this" Mistrene tapped his fingers on the table.
"Let's go do it" Eska proclaimed.
"We might aswell. Ogre is the elite team after all, there is no way we can be stealthy about this…" Baddap looked around. "Where is he?"
None of them realised Kanon had left the cafeteria.
The light-green-haired boy was strolling mindlessly, kind of amazed by the vicinity. Every wall was made of steel and huge visible bolts maintained the high structure. Each door was mechanised actioned by a push of a button, a simple action manifesting the wonders of cold and modern archiecture. Sometimes far too grand for human scale. The guts of a liminal maze, so to speak. He reached a corridor with framed pentagon-shaped windows. Where was all of this, indeed? From where he looked, hands leaning against the thick glass, only a grey sky with a lot of bright clouds. It was like being in the Babbel Tower, with Heaven at stonetoss. He suddenly heard footsteps from futher down the corridor.
"Bloody hell" Baddap breathed a bit roughly, yet oddly wasn't so phased. He only marched fiercely towards Kanon.
"I didn't think I needed someone to tour me. You all looked busy, so I didn't intend to pose a problem" he explained.
"You are my problem now, no matter what" Baddap grabbed his tuff of green hair in a huff and ruffled it, making Kanon wince in pain.
"Ow, ah ... sorry."
"You need to put ice on that" Baddap gestured to follow him to the main infirmary, his back already turned to the other boy. He noticed small blood spots on his white gloves.
Steel.
Ice.
Cold.
It’s the front he was taught to put out. But, he wasn't heartless. Kanon will need a bandage on that wound.
At the same time, Mistrene and Eska went to the general's quarters, to report what has been occurring. Hibiki turned his chair 180 degrees, he couldn't believe his ears.
"That Endou Kanon? The gall of this boy is incredible."
He crossed his arms, pensive for a moment and remembering Ogre’s prior mission.
"You had a good call though, coming with this to me directly. I'll let your coach on the details” he concluded. "We’re definitly sending him back after you’ve analised him enough."
Hibiki was a stern man of the law, yes, but not a monster. The duo nodded to the order and were dismissed.
The next morning, Baddap told the Trangas twins to meet him right after their jog.
"Gevo, take this walkie-talkie. Now listen carefully : your eyes stay glued on him if he's in your perimeter, got it? Report what he's doing no matter the situation." He then turns to the brother "Here's one for Mistrene. Give it to him later, Bevo."
"Yes, Captain."
Baddap then headed to the room Kanon was left in, wondering if he would wander in the premisces as he did yesterday. He was surprised to see the boy out waiting by the door, leaning against the wall as he fiddled with his bracelet.
"I think it's damaged, just like that headphone I had, but I can't take it off, somehow."
Baddap grabbed his hand to check it out but, sensing it quiver a bit, he released it. Additionnally, the device zapped him faintly. Must be a security mesure … Kanon didn't feel scared in itself, but more so intrigued amongst the fog of his confusion. He was trying to be positive too, believing this would make him sympathetic to his hosts, granting some sympathy in return. Specifically, from him here.
"What was you're name, uh ... Captain, right?" he asked.
Baddap stopped in his tracks as they were walking. His amnesia can't be this ridiculous … He turned his head slightly, glaring at the other boy. "It's Baddap."
"Oh" Kanon smiled. "Say, Baddap is it ok if I tag along with you?"
"I have a lecture now" and he halted. I suppose the auditory is huge and populated enough so that he won't attract attention … "Alright. Follow me."
Today, the professor in charge – a high ranked general – talked about the history of soccer regulation. While it rendered Kanon curious, it also had suddenly given him the urge to play.
"Too bad there are so much strict rules around such a fun sport …" he muttered mindlessly.
"Yo!" Eska shouted as the military students exited the class at the end. "It’s time to head to the soccer field level for practice, Captain."
Baddap nodded.
"Hey, can I come also? I've been itching to play during that whole lecture."
"Typical …" Baddap frowned, eyes closed, as Kanon turned at the sound of the comment, blinking.
"Nevermind that, let's just all go!"
Eska pushed the light-green-haired boy towards the nearest elevator, Baddap following right behind with Mistrene, who pushed the button for the respective floor.
"See? You even still are annoyed by him for some reason" Mistrene whispered.
Baddap rolled his eyes. He did remember the match against Endou Mamoru, the wise and friendly words the brunette told him, face to face at the end once Raimon had won. Yet, Kanon’s attitude still indeed scratched him in some unpleasant manner.
"I know what I am doing. Let’s just focus on getting his trust and the task will be easier."
He glanced at Kanon, who Eska was doing his best to keep the attention away. Well, the best you can perform with a snarky military humor, that is, Kanon was confused by most of the jokes. But, still laughed out of good will, it seemed.
On the field the teammates were already warming up and playing in small groups. Noone really dared to say hi, especially with Kanon entering first. His eyes glittered at the sight of the soccer balls sitting in a cart. He noticed the trio had changed into their soccer uniform and joined in for the training.
"I won’t bother you at all. I’ll just take one ball and play on the side."
And so he did.
It’s as though muscle memory did its’ own. Kanon was effortlessy dribbling and juggling with the soccer ball, even wearing these pants of the regular academy uniform. Of course. He had the enthousiasm for soccer, just like his great-grand-father. Getting lost in the passion of playing was in the Endou family blood. This, however, had prompted Baddap to shoot in frustration at his goalkeeper. Frustated? But why now? Could it have been that beam of carefreeness next to his teammates on the field?
"Hey, why don't you play with us a bit?"
Baddap snapped out of his thoughts as the Trangas twins approached Kanon.
"Sure, OK!"
Even if Kanon could walk around the buildings and corridors, having got a feel of the environment by now, he seemed to gravitate the most around following Baddap around, like a diligent army dog. He was the one small talking and gaining insight. Naturally, the chatter attracted the attention of some other military students. Yup, no patching to be done there. Baddap’s image of a closed-off captain was tanking hits with that. If this absurd naivety often felt infuriating, Baddap could almost find it kind of endearing with how the current circumstances have progressed.
"If you were a stranger in a place like this, Kanon" he once asked. "What would you be doing?"
"Spy on the facility, maybe? Steal something?" the Endou great-grand-son hesitated. "Wait, scratch that. The security is crazy here. Maybe … Come visit a friend?"
Nice save, Baddap sighed.
Collecting the pieces post battle wasn't part of the curriculum, the goal was to keep standing, not be crushed by the opponent. Even so, everyone had to know some basic first aid, to apply in extreme cases. Or, in that afternoon’s case, a benign check up.
Kanon had sat down in the middle of a room, the ground covered with tiles, his vermillion headband in hand and his head lowered. Meanwhile, Baddap took off his gloves and washed his own hands. Next, he took off the bandage, and rustled through the locks of light green hair. Sure, this amnesia thing still seemed like a dumb, obtuse escape route to him, but now that he thought so, he never properly checked the aftermath of that pipe. Some of his teammates sort of did, while bandaging the boy in the infirmary as he tasked them to, then.
Kanon fidgeted.
There it was.
That portion of skin felt pretty tense and bumpy. Thankfully, it wasn't infected from the rust, but it still appeared a little purple. He fetched a wet cloth to clean this spot a bit. Suddenly, something caught his eye.
"Why are you so red?"
Kanon didn't realise that his face was steaming cartoonishly. It was just them in this cold, steel-walled room. And, Baddap's warm fingers running on his scalp felt surprisingly more intimate than they should, as though … he was that friend Kanon theorised about once. Or …
"Not too bad. It’s almost healed. Sleep it off some more, and it should be fine" Baddap explained, still mildly confused from the heat spike coming from the other boy, as he went to the sink again.
"Ok, th- thanks for that."
Kanon rearranged his hair and put back his headband, clenching onto it. He looked at the back facing him. What a strange air of familiarity this silver-haired one had.
Mistrene must have felt bits of tension brewing, as Kanon started to attend practice sessions. Baddap ended up not particularly talking to him as he suggested he would. Ironically, everyone else from the team was doing just that. Chit-chatting. At some point, Kanon joined them on the field, breezing among them while they all would laugh along. They warmed up to that once-upon-a-time enemy and were having fun playing, for a change.
"Good grief, Captain, don’t avoid him now! On the other hand, I never realised this team was full of saps! Ridiculous!" Mistrene remarked, a bit snarkily. "That, or he has just contaminated them all!"
Right about then, a fuzzy noise echoed from Mistrene’s pocket, in the corridor the trio was patrolling. It’s the walkie-talkie. The braided boy lifted it up while Baddap glanced at him, fully expecting something purely trivial, as it were so far.
"It’s Mistrene, do you copy? Over."
"Yes, I copy, over" Gevo replied. "I just caught glimpse of the christmas tree."
"That's the code name we're going with?" Eska snorted, Mistrene chuckling right next to him.
"You see Division 2? This team ranking right after us?"
Baddap abruptly snatched the walkie-talkie away, putting a halt to the duo's laughter. His eyes narrowed. This team's members were familiar to him, they too excelled in discipline and skill.
"What?"
"They just surrounded him for some reason. Over."
The difference was how vindictive they are. Ogre could have been vindictive more or less, they had the confort of being designated as the best, and were granted the priviledge of unpacking some anger when they were tasked to destroy Raimon. But, that team, Division 2, well ... they had to stomach their second place.
"I didn't think team Ogre let complete military noobs join their soccer fun. Since when are you black-mailing them?"
One tall young male glared at Kanon, litterally looking down at him. And Kanon was trying to maintain a pacifist smile. They were standing in a some sort of patio, amongst synthetic and metal pillars surrounded by stalagmites of iron. A lifeless garden only too fitting, one military students didn't have to look after at all.
"Ah, this is … complicated. But black-mailing? Seems a little harsh, no?"
"Do you think this is a joke or something?"
Kanon just realised his back had pressed against one of the pillars.
"Hmm, so this is how low Ogre has fallen, huh? First they fail the mission given by general Hibiki. And now, you come along, out of nowhere, just prancing about like there is no natural order in the world."
General, no ... Hibiki? Kanon felt like he heard this name, somewhere before, but couldn't put his finger on it.
"Come on, twerp! Talk! We don't have all day!"
His hand smacked onto the pillar, right next to Kanon's face. These people had him cornered and were clearly adamant on intimidating him. Even so, he couldn't help but maintaining eye contact in defiance without utterring a single word.
Suddenly, a soccer ball hit a spot right above the two, leaving a dent in the metal as it bounced back.
"Pick adversaries of your caliber, Division 2."
Baddap stared at the group deadpan as he stated that, this time his distaste not being directed at Kanon. The latter shifting focus to the stern silver-haired accompanied by some teammates, for pure reassurance.
"Surely, you wouldn't want this incident to end up on your file" Sandayuu interjected, crossing his arms.
"Tch, I’ll remember this."
A scoff, and Division 2 walked away, quite sour.
Baddap was sitting on the stone stairs, which lead to a some sort of an machinery room. His arms were crossed on top of his knees and his face planted into them. He didn't really know how to feel, and wish he didn't altogether at this point. No soldier should be acting with such emotion on the back on the mind. Kicking the ball like that, that’s akin to acting out of line. So tiring. Cautiously, Kanon joined him, sitting slightly higher up the stairs in order to not invade Baddap’s personal space.
"I still don't remember much …"
How convenient for you.
"All I know, is that I love playing soccer and that you hate me. It’s fine, I can’t force you or anyone to like me, but it hurts to not know why."
Baddap’s eyes widened. This green-haired boy wasn’t as dense as he looked after all, despite his absurd naivety. He still ran blindly forward just like his non-amnesiac self. The awareness was there. The only difference, was this somber tone, one that admitted defeat.
"I overheard you mention how much you loathe fools who lack discipline, a serious focus. Careless idiots who don’t have any emotional restraint. I get what you mean, I … recognise myself in that, it’s the opposite of you. I also get why that guy was angry. It’s just, that … maybe I’m not specifically the reason."
Kanon crossed his arms and rubbed on his arms a bit, as the silver-haired boy turned his head towards him.
"Maybe you just hate it that it can’t be you."
Kanon flustered, realising Baddap was staring at him. What he said wasn’t incorrect, in fact, that’s what Endou Mamoru already has pointed out. However, that coming from someone of the same era just had a different weight. The military player sometimes missed having no meticulous routine, all of these duties. He leaned against his hand.
"Next thing I know, you’re gonna say how bright soccer’s future is."
"I was about to, actually. Do I say that often?" Kanon laughed, lightly scratching the back of his neck. "Either way, it’s never too late to have fun, isn’t it?"
Kanon's mouth curved into a gentle smile, somewhat sad though, but he himself couldn’t tell why. He got up, tapping his pants to dust them off from sitting on the stairs.
"A- Anyway! Sorry about all that rambling, I know you have better things to do than listen to me. Who am I to give you life lessons, haha."
Baddap very much needed this conversation, yet the green-haired boy was so modest about it. He realised, he also aknowledged how the latter felt too. Having a mutual realisation was kind of … sweet. He let a slight smile creep on his lips in return. A genuine one, just like the person before him
"OK. I’ll see you later."
A strong shoot went Baddap's way, as he was walking in the patio area of the academy during a break. It was coming from pretty high up in the air. Sandayuu usually caught wild balls like that, but this time someone else blitzed in faster. Something in Kanon clicked at that very moment. He jumped high, saltoing and his head directed to the ground as he flipped. He caught the ball not far from Baddap and landed in front of him.
"Oh my god, he did that!" Eska shouted, shaking Mistrene by the shoulders.
"Yup, he did" the boy with the braid exhaled, shrugging. Then he noticed who sent that ball towards them. "Division 2?! Really? You guys have no dignity, huh?"
A good portion of Ogre went to put them back in their place, scolding them. Aiming for the academy elite like that, this was going to be reported for sure.
Baddap walked towards Kanon, as the latter stayed still after that retrival, like he was lost in thoughts.
"Is something wrong?"
"Not at all! I ... I didn't realise I could jump like that" he looked at Baddap bashfully "It's so surreal, I just ran forward and it happened!" he said smiling wide. But … something was amiss.
They walked back to the dorm quarters. Kanon didn't say a word, just constantly looked at the ground as he followed Baddap. A tiny light bulb was shining at the back of his mind.
"Tired?"
"Ah, just a little."
That reply fell flat. Baddap was off put by that tone, but figured the boy was finally feeling homesick without realising it. Not that the military was known to be sentimental, but he had to do something so Kanon wasn't mind trailing too long. What would the bundle of energy do if he weren't amnesiac, again?
"Hey" Kanon muttered "it's a bit weird to ask, I know, but ..." but then he retracted and faced the door "Nevermind, I forgot. I'll just go to my room-"
"Stay here" Baddap said, tone slightly commanding, yet gently putting a hand on his shouder. Kanon was taken aback by the gesture, and that his stress was so painfully noticeable.
He lied down first, only for Baddap to rest his head on top of his chest, shirt exposed as the top of his uniform was unzipped. They were as though in a comfy warm nest made of the bedsheets and their own clothing, accentuated by the fact that the bed itself was like a oval capsule. He glanced at the silver-haired boy.
"This is ... nice" Kanon smiled, his cheeks blushing profusely. "Thank you."
Baddap accepted the shaky, gentle caresses Kanon's hand placed on the top of his head. His heartrate was calming down. Baddap's eyes were half closed, giving away a slight peek into his suddenly saddened mood. How melancholic. They will have to send this boy back anyhow, he didn't belong here. It's only a matter of time his memory returns, eventually putting them both as rivals on the field and alas political ones regarding soccer's fate, again. No more Ogre captain and his amnesiac protégé. Baddap grabbed onto the shirt even more, and burried his own blushing face into Kanon's side.
In his almost dormant state, Kanon was sad too. He in fact just remembered, all of it. Especially why he was here, in the first place. And he too was bittersweet. He felt just the same as that stoic, awkward rival of his who he now liked. This 10 days bubble was fun while it lasted.
Eska walked through the corridors, stretching out his legs. From the room next to Baddap's, one of the Trangas twins got out, with the intent to head to the restroom, probably.
"Can't sleep, huh, Eska?"
"Yeah. I'm curious what's up with Captain, actually. You know, that Kanon guy was assigned a room next to mine, but he never clocked in this evening."
The twin widened his eyes in curiosity, prompting Eska to enter the room. There was the bed, shaped a bit like a round box, some steel storage lockers on the opposite side corner and a desk right next to them. Nothing exhuberant, all rooms predictably were the same. It was uninviting, empty, no significant personal decor. Walls made of stone, like a tomb. Eska hovered above the bed, and this time he was the one in disbelief.
"Holy shit, I gotta call Mistrene over."
"Why?"
"Get a load of this, Gevo!"
He lifted his shorter friend up to let him see.
"You still got that walkie-talkie?" Eska inquired.
"Ugh, do you have any idea what time it is, you dingus? We have a meeting at 6 AM tomorrow."
Eska pointed energically with Gevo at the bed, so Mistrene, still grimacing, walked closer to take a look. What childish antics was Eska-baka up to, in their Captain's room of all places? Then, as he saw what the fuss was about, he gasped.
Baddap and Kanon were still cradled in eachother, like two cats seeking eachother’s warmth. Their fingers intertwined just barely. A scene so peaceful it felt unreal. Especially Baddap, no trace of scorn on his face. He seemed serene like he never was before.
"Wow, we gotta have a souvenir of that."
Eska and Gevo blush as Mistrene takes a picture, chuckling. Captain Baddap is gonna be pissed off for sure once they tease him about this. But, for what it was, there could be no denying that this amnesia situation had done wonders on his psyche.
Day 10.
This was it.
General Hibiki messaged Ogre to not waste any time and send the Endou grand-grand-son off as soon as possible. The team members were of course surprisingly mushy about the departure, while the trio was tasked to escort him to the portaling section. The machinery in these halls was a bit more retro-looking, but the system was very much up-to-date. Such as, the panel control room Eska and Mistrene have entered.
"Don’t take too long, Captain."
Baddap and Kanon were by themselves again. The former had to take the light-green-haired boy to the section, while his friends activated the system. Kanon was remarkably slow-paced, which puzzled him. We’re sending you home, have some enthusiasm. And then, he stopped.
"Baddap Sleed" his deep blue eyes looked forward, so serious. "Considering our history, you didn’t have to put all that effort, but I am glad you did."
Baddap abruptly turned his head, flicking his silver locks. He never mentioned his surname. And that grounded tone. So that meant …
"Since when?"
"Since I caught the ball aimed at you."
"So while protecting your enemy. Ironic " Baddap frowned, his eyes averting Kanon's.
Was he ... embarassed?
"That means, yesterday, when I ... This was just a way to find me disgusting, isn’t it? Did seeing me act selfish amuse you?"
Just then, a distinct blush washed over his cheeks, prompting Kanon to smile softly. He grabbed the other boy's hand.
"No, of course not. This other side of you is special. I will treasure it. In fact…" He paused, then a smiled. "You’d be surprised by the reason I was sent here."
Is he really going to confess that? Baddap shot him a look of suspicion and mild disbelief.
"I was tasked to retrieve a report about the students and faculty staff well-being. A bunch of psychological survey statistics."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"It’s not soccer-related so it should be fine. I’m glad we were… no, that I was wrong about some of our organisation’s assumptions. Not that I can prove anything to my organisation, though …" and he laughed. "I suppose you can dislike me for real now!"
Just then he felt Baddap’s other arm wrap around him neck. He was pulled for an embrace, at the very moment when the portal started to zap intense neon blue light right behind them.
"As long as we both end up on a soccer fied again, it should be fine, correct?"
He smiled, his eyes avoiding Kanon’s, who could swear his heart just squeezed. He placed a soft kiss on Baddap's lips before any tear can flow, then ran to the portal and turned to face him one last time. He saluted, slightly teary regardless. The silver-haired brushed his mouth with his fingers and, as it curved into a smile even fonder, he waved in return.
"I’ll see you later."