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""I'm so sorry guys, as fun as it is to see you play football with such motivation and passion. Fifth Sector doesn't really want me to give you any more lee-way.""
Those words pissed Tsurugi off so much. He'd always felt there was something off about the midfielder but he hadn't imagined the other would turn out to be a spy for Fifth Sector. He'd never thought they would be fighting against him on the pitch 12 vs. 10 players. It didn't make it easier that Allmighty Faith played so dirty.
That's why he was here today, throwing shot after shot at the goal in the riverside field. He needed a way to take out his frustrations. Because even if that match made the rest of the team finally come together to play for real and rebel against Fifth Sector's rules, it had also revealed the snake hiding amongs them this whole time, the one responsable for making the entire second team leave and who then played pretend like he was just another first year passionate to join the team of his dreams.
Tsurugi hated it. He despised Matsukaze more than ever before. And yet it also frustrated him how real the other's care had appeared, the heavy toll the truth took on the rest of the team. Aoi was the worst one off, the fact she had known nothing of her childhood friend's real intention. She'd looked so broken and like it was all her fault.
How could Matsukaze do something like that? How could the same guy Aoi had described as extremely positive and kind if a bit too much at times betrayed their friendship by keeping something like this hidden underwraps?
Did his family know about it? Shinsuke had told him once he lived with Aki Kino, she was an old friend of Coach Evans, he couldn't imagine her being okay with it.
"Hey there Tsurugi! Whatcha doing?~"
Tsurugi gritted his teeth as he turned to see the SEED in question standing not far behind him with that stupid smile, like he'd done nothing wrong and everything was just normal and fine.
"What do you want, Matsukaze?"
Matsukaze had the bare decency to hiss and flinch at Tsurugi's own harsh tone but then he was smiling again, this time closer to a smirk.
"Yeah, I suppose I deserve that, don't I? But I'm not here to do anything bad, promise! I just wanted to train with you, you know, like last time we were here in the riverside with Shinsuke."
"That was before I knew you were working with Fifth Sector. Leave me alone and stop trying to act like you don't know that."
Matsukaze huffed and scratched the back of his head lazily.
"It's not like because I work with Fifth Sector I can't like playing with you. You'd think you knowing would make you care less about playing football with me."
"Oh really? And why is that?"
Tsurugi's words were sarcastic but he couldn't deny the persistant itch to know more about the SEED, to know why he acted like this.
"I'm just saying, you can't really call me fake if even after you finding out the truth I still act the same... I wasn't lying when I said I liked the motivation and passion you were putting into getting football back. I wasn't lying when I said I thought you were amazing either, Tsurugi. It's so exciting watching you play with all you've got!"
"... You are so weird. Leave me alone before I decide to throw the football at your face."
Tsurugi turned away from the midfielder who remained silent for a few moments. This guy made no sense at all, how could he say and act like he loved football so much yet he supported a group that was destroying what the sport was truly about?
"Do it then."
"Huh?"
Tsurugi turned back towards Matsukaze so fast he felt his body complain about it, he was still sore in some spots from their last match. The other's tone was completely serious, that smile still present as he tilted his head to the side, his hands in his hoodie's pockets. Matsukaze chuckled at the expression Tsurugi himself was wearing.
"You heard me. Throw the football at my face. I said I wanted to train with you and, honestly, I don't see why you are throwing away a chance to play against a SEED. There will be many more waiting for you if Raimon continues fighting Fifth Sector's rules. Come on, give me your best shot! I want to see that pretty technique of yours again and up close! Death Sword you called it, right?"
Tsurugi could feel his eye twitching in annoyance at the other's words.
"Why?"
"Hmm? Why what?"
"Why are you... Like this?! Why are you so friendly? You are fighting against us, against an ideal and cause I care for. You fight to keep football regulated and teenage football teams in line. So why do you act like you care about us so much? Why are you so interested in something that goes against you?"
Matsukaze seem to genuinely pause and think about his answer for a second before his brow furrowed lightly as that smile of his finally moves out of his face.
"... Have you ever been close to death, Tsurugi?"
Tsurugi could feel the temperature drop, even as the sun kept glowing down on them it fell like they had suddenly been plunged into winter.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Have you ever been saved from something you know would have changed your life forever? Wouldn't you want to give your gratitude to that thing, or person, that saved you?"
"I mean, I suppose but that doesn't answer my-"
"It does though. I'm telling exactly what you asked. Like I've said many times before to you, I like you and your passion, I wouldn't disrespect it by not answering your questions... Would you not be forever grateful if someone came along and healed your brother's legs like magic?"
Tsurugi inmediatly changed his confusion and nerves to anger at the fact the SEED even dared to name his brother.
"Get him out of your dirty mouth. You don't deserve to even mention him in passing."
Matsukaze paused, took a breath and then appeared genuinely regretful as he gave Tsurugi a light bow.
"Right, I'm sorry. That was out of line and there was no need to get so personal with my example. I'm just saying my reason for doing this. My motive for going through all the training I have, for doing all this acts I have, is my wish to repay the person that even allowed me to be here today."
If the other wasn't lying, Tsurugi couldn't fully deny that he understood wanting to repay the people that led you to your present. It's how he feels with his parents, with his brother. But still...
"Is it truly worth it when your gratitude is allowing the pain of so many others? You say over and over you love my passion and love football yet you are actively trying to extinguish it, making us lose things we both supposedly care for just to give back to one person who is probably just using you as another pawn."
At some point, his gaze had moved from the midfielder to the football under his foot. It was probably better that way, if he looked at the other now he might actually do good in his earlier words and kick the ball straight into Matsukaze's face.
The field was silent for a few moments, Tsurugi could still see Matsukaze's feet so he knew the other hadn't just silently left.
"... It's just not that easy. It's not like I owe Fifth Sector some oranges or a good bed. I owe my life. Fifth Sector is all about that, you know? Making small sacrifices so everyone can be happier. So no school has to close and no one has to always feel the disappointment of losing."
"That's stupid, that's what it all is!"
There's another pause and then Matsukaze responds with a tone that sounds annoyed yet extremely forced.
"I might love your passion and ability but I'm starting to get annoyed with your attitude. If you wanted me so bad to go, you could have just said so or gone away yourself."
Matsukaze began to walk away then, it rang oddly hollow to hear his steps moving across the grass slowly moving away. Tsurugi finally looked up, the feeling of hollowness growing bigger as he looked at the other. He wasn't happy, wasn't smiling like always. He looked sad, he looked angry. As he walked away from him, Matsukaze looked conflicted and frustrated.
As he turned to look at the goal behind him, Tsurugi made a decision. He'd continue fighting, they'd keep winning. They will defeat Fifth Sector, not only so they themselves are free but so, maybe, Matsukaze no longer feels like he has to put his wants and joys under the desires of some other. Maybe then, they might finally play football together, as true teammates this time.