Work Text:
*Before:
"Oh, hi! You are Nishizono Shinsuke and Tsurugi Kyousuke, right? We go to the same class, no?"
Shinsuke turned from where he had been trying to talk to Tsurugi to instead look at the new arrival to the football pitch.
"Yes, I'm Shinsuke. I recognise you too. You are Tenma, Matsukaze Tenma. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too Shinsuke, you can just call me Tenma. It's so great seeing other first years trying out. Makes me feel a bit less awkward, you know? Let's give this test our all!"
"Yeah!"
Tenma then turned his gaze towards Tsurugi who still had not said a word and was just looking at them with a neutral expression. But Tenma could see more, Tsurugi's eyes were filled with determination, dangerous levels of it.
It was exciting, he wondered what position the other played in, what his story was. So, he called to him.
"It's nice to meet you too, Tsurugi! Let's give it our all together so we can all pass and get into the team. It's extra exciting since we'll be getting directly into the first team due to the entire B Team suddenly dropping out. Don't you think?"
Tsurugi narrowed his eyes as he looked at Tenma he seemed like a naive friendly boy but there was something off about his smile Tsurugi couldn't put his finger on.
"Whatever. Just take the test seriously and do whatever you do best in the field... I'm a forward."
"That position fits your appearence for sure. I'm a midfielder myself and I'm extra good at dribbling so I'll make sure to pass you the ball if I get it."
"And I play in defense! If either of you lose the ball I'll help get it back."
"That's so good Shinsuke. We three together are like a perfect mini team, huh?"
Tsurugi continued watching as the other two first years kept on talking so cheerfully, waiting as the seconds went by for the test to start. Just by chance, he turned his gaze in time to see the Captain, Shindou, looking towards the three of them with a sad but still angry frown and glare. What was that about?
Before he could dwell on it for any longer, Coach Kudo was calling everyone over to explain the rules. His musings could wait until later. Now he had to focus on getting into the team.
*After:
Tsurugi's breath was still a bit heavy as he cleaned his face with his towel. The captain had been brutal during the match but Tsurugi was satisfied.
He'd passed. He was part of Raimon's team starting the next day.
"We passed, we passed! I'm so happy!"
"We are in the football club!"
Tsurugi's eye twitched a bit as he turned to look at the other two who'd passed. Tenma and Shinsuke were jumping and cheering happily as if seconds before Shinsuke hadn't looked tired to the bone.
"Is this a dream? Tenma, you have to pinch me to make sure this is real!"
"This is no dream, Shinsuke. We are Raimon players now."
Despite his words, the midfielder still pinched Shinsuke's cheek. He must have used a bit too much strength because Shinsuke complained before going back to cheering again.
It was annoyingly surprising how unbothered Tenma appeared. The other wasn't sweating like the rest of them, even some from the actual team looked a bit tired. Not Tenma though, he looked completely fine.
He was a good player, Tsurugi couldn't deny it. He hadn't been lying when he said he was good at dribbling, getting past the captain and the rest like it was nothing.
Tsurugi was a bit disappointed in himself because he had not gotten the same success trying to score.
He'd train more though, especially now that he was going to be in his dream team. He couldn't wait to tell his brother that he'd passed.
He looked at Tenma again and was surprised the other was looking back at him. The other's expression was unreadable for a moment, simply observing quietly before he broke into a grin as he sent Tsurugi a thumbs up.
That was a bit... Creepy.
Tsurugi decided it was better to leave soon and, as he passed behind the seats where the captain Shindou and the others were, he couldn't help but listen to what they were saying.
"They are all a bit green but the three of them seem like good kids."
"Yeah, the blue hair's shots weren't half bad. I had to try to stop them more than I thought I would."
"Shindou? What's with the face you are making?"
"Sorry. I don't know, I'm not sure why but... Something in their faces infuriates me. Especially Tsurugi."
"Really? Why Tsurugi? The one that annoys me a bit is that Tenma kid with his stupidly big smile and excitement."
Tsurugi shook his head and continued walking. What was he doing listening to private conversations? Even if the team had doubts about him, he'd prove he deserved his place in the team through his actions in the field and training. Nothing else should worry him.