Archive of Our Own ^beta

The day finally came, the day where Resistance Japan and Raimon will play a friendly. Thanks to Hakuryuu and Tsurugi who are still in contact with each other, Hakuryuu finally convinced Fudou to talk with Endou and Gouenji to have a friendly with them, since his team was very excited to play against them. Endou and Gouenji knew it, Kyousuke always talks with them about it. “I asked Haku to play a friendly with us”, “I think Haku convinced Coach Fudou to have a friendly” “Let's have a friendly with them!”. And not only him, the Raimon players who knew them from their last match against Resistance Japan when they were called 'Earth Eleven' also shared their enthusiasm on the idea. They talked about them so much that the entire Raimon team wanted it too now. So, when Endou received a call from Fudou to stablish a day for a friendly, Endou felt very happy to share the news with his team. Gouenji, who was now helping him with the Raimon trainings, was surprised by it, but he agreed at once.

Gouenji... Since he agreed to help him with the trainings, he feels noticeably better. He still can't believe that he's with him, in the full sense of the word, and the Raimon kids loved him. It made him feel the happiest person alive, coaching his team with the person he loved after all they've been through. After taking Gouenji back from a corrupt organization, after taking back Endou from death itself. But now that they were together, personally and professionally, being able to spend this much time with him is indescribable.

Now, they were preparing some notes for their team to give them some advice about their friend's team.

“It's been a while since I last saw Fudou. I only know about him through Kidou.” Gouenji said, looking at some papers with notes about Resistance Japan. Endou looked at his boyfriend's concentrated gaze.

“Me too! I wonder if Kidou will come too.” Endou responded, excited and getting closer to Gouenji to look at the notes as well.

“Knowing them, I think he will.” Endou yelled a 'yes' which made Gouenji laugh.

So, when the hour showed it was half past five and the Resistance Japan's caravan could be seen arriving, Endou smiled brightly.

“They're here!” Kirino yelled, and Endou's smile grew bigger when he saw Kyousuke's face lighting up.

“Finally,” the dark blue haired boy said with a smile. Endou looked at Gouenji, making him look back at him and the blond smiled. This was going to be one hell of a match.

The door of the caravan opened and the boys went out of the vehicle one by one.

“Hi everyone!” The captain of the rival team greeted, and Kyousuke ran to him, doing a high-five.

“It's good to see you finally.” The Raimon player said, and Endou walked towards them, Gouenji following him from behind.

“Hi Coach Endou! Coach Gouenji! We were very excited to see you too!” Hakuryuu greeted them with excitement, and Endou smiled, messing the guy's hair and laughing. He was very happy to hear that.

“That's a pleasure.” Gouenji said, a proud smile on his face and now that the entire team was out, the Raimon players got closer to their coaches to finally meet them.

“Coach Gouenji!” A concrete player of Resistance Japan called, hugging Gouenji tight.

“It's good to see you, Kurosaki.” Gouenji brushed the kid's long hair gently, thing that melted Endou's heart. Endou knows that Kurosaki was a very important player of his, Gouenji told him how this guy was powerful enough to do 'Fire Storm', thing that surprised him. Gouenji always talked about him being an exemplary player, a guy he trusted a lot during his horrible leadership in Fifth Sector.

Endou's heart always melted hearing Gouenji talk about his team, and how he would like to coach them again, that he missed them. Endou wished he could organize a meeting with them once they have more free time. He wanted to see Gouenji happy and he knew how important they are to him. Endou wrote it down in his questionable memory, hoping he will remember later.

“You're not going to greet me, Endou, Gouenji?” The voice of the other team's coach came from the caravan, a guy with long and messy brown hair dressed in a tracksuit coming out of the vehicle, followed by another guy of the same height, half of his hair in dreadlocks tied up in a ponytail and dressed in a suit and green glasses.

“Fudou! Kidou!” Endou yelled, running towards them, thing that made the players laugh. Endou hugged Fudou first.

“It's been a while, Endou. I see you're as energetic as always.” Fudou said while Endou moved away to hug Kidou.

“Of course! I'm always happy for a match!” Kidou laughed at Endou's words, because Fudou shook his head, done, but with a smile. Gouenji came to greet them as well.

“Man, it's been a long while. Did I ever tell you that I miss your Goku hairstyle?” Fudou joked, slapping Gouenji's shoulder as the last mentioned let out a loud laugh. Endou couldn't help but laugh too.

“Huh, then I must mention that you look quite better with long hair, being honest.” Fudou started laughing at Gouenji's sarcastic tone and they ended the fake fight with a hug. Kidou shook his head, but Gouenji hugged him as well. Then, the four of them turned to look at their players, who were murmuring between them and greeting each other, mostly Minamisawa who had a lot of the second and third year players of Raimon on him.

“Hakuryuu has been being so fucking annoying I ended up agreeing.” Fudou talked with a smirk on his lips. Endou laughed.

“Don't lie, I convinced you at the end.” Kidou confessed and Gouenji raised an eyebrow, while Fudou looked at Gouenji to shut him up not to make a not very appropriate comment. Endou watched the scene amused.

“But that's good! Kyousuke has been insisting a lot too, and the entire team ended up wanting to play, so I'm happy we could unit them together! And, we're all here to enjoy!” Endou took Fudou and Kidou by their necks, making them complain by the force used on them. Endou made eye contact with Gouenji, who has looking at him back with a smile. At the end of the day, they wanted to be together even more than the players.

“Hakuryuu! You should wash your mouth with soup!” The coaches heard one of the Resistance Japan players yell, more concrete the goalkeeper with pink long hair. But as soon as they looked at the other's reactions, they relaxed. They were all laughing.

“Me? No! Kyo is the guilty here!” The mentioned laughed out loud, pushing Hakuryuu.

“Bullshit, you're a gossiper.” The teenager confessed, making the boy with long bicolor hair blush.

“Don't tell me that knowing very well that you tell me everything that happens in here!” Hakuryuu pointed at the floor, referring to the place. Fudou started laughing.

“He isn't lying, I think I know every Raimon gossip thanks to him.” Fudou commented, and Gouenji laughed as well. The truth was that the coaches knew every gossip about the other's teams because of their own players.

“That's because you yourself are a true gossiper, Fudou.” Kidou said, and both Endou and Gouenji couldn't disagree.

“Things don't change, y'know.” Fudou winked and started walking towards his team, messing the captain of Resistance Japan's hair and saying something not hearable for them.

“I'm surprised of how good he is with his kids.” Gouenji opined out loud, and Endou nodded at him. Kidou sighed, not able to cover his smile.

“You're right, 'his kids'. Suddenly I have eleven sons now.” Endou laughed very loud at that, making his friend and boyfriend laugh with him.

The three best friends walked with their respective teams.

“Guy's! Let's play football!” Endou yelled out loud receiving a lively 'yes' from everyone, not just from his team. His heart filled up with joy, already enjoying having his friend's team with them.

Both teams divided to warm up by themselves, and now is where the advices took place.

“Guys, your teammates already know this, but Resistance Japan is full of forward players even if they play as middle fielders. Don't let that confuse you, our defense must be perfect.” Endou heard Gouenji talking while he watched his team's reaction, seeing how Kirino and Kariya smiled at each other confident when defense was mentioned.

“You already played against them one by one, but together I promise they're even stronger, so don't get too confident! And focus, they might be good but we can be better.” That last phrase made everyone smile, filling Endou's heart with happiness.

“The formation will be the following one. Hikaru and Tsurugi as forwards. Shindou, Tenma and Nishiki as middle fielders. Kariya, Kirino, Subaru and Amagi as defenders and Shinsuke will be the goalkeeper. Understood?” The ones mentioned agreed. “The rest of you, be prepared for any inconvenience.” The rest of the team answered as well. It hurt Endou to leave players in the bank, if it was for him he would send the entire team to the field. He looked at Gouenji, who looked at him back and gifted him that confident smile that he loves. Gouenji nodded at him, giving him the strength to say.

“Team! Let's show how our real soccer is! Let's show them that we're invincible!” Endou yelled, pointing at the sky as his team yelled a 'yes' with all their strength. Endou smiled, eyes shining because he couldn't help it, he loved encouraging his team and the feeling they give him. The team ran to form a line on the field, the rest sitting in the banks but Endou didn't sit with them as usual, being too hyperexcited to stay still.

“Guys, do your bestest!” Endou heard Fudou yell from the other side of the field, his players yelling back at him with the same energy as they placed themselves in a line in their part of the field. Endou smiled, feeling a presence next to him, knowing who it was without having to turn.

“You saw it, right?” Gouenji asked, placing his arm around Endou's waist lightly and following Endou's gaze placed on the other team's coach. Endou laughed.

“The rings? I did, but sometimes I like to play fool. If Kidou tell us later, let's fake the surprise.” Endou smiled playfully, almost laughing. Who laughed for real was Gouenji, squeezing Endou's waist with his hand.

“You're a little devil, Endou.” Gouenji laughed, and Endou laughed this time as well. Then, he shushed Gouenji to hear the arbitrator announce:

“Before we start, keshins and armours are allowed! As well as combined hitattsus!” The players celebrated that, because back in the FFI keshins weren't allowed and even if they knew they could perform perfectly without them, they missed using them. Endou murmured a 'yes' as well.

“Let's see if your keshins aren't rusty!” Fudou yelled, to what his team laughed. Even the Raimon players who had keshins laughed as well. Endou smiled, wondering what they have to offer. Tenma and Hakuryuu who were in front of each other looked at the arbitrator, who threw a coin to the air to decide who will start.

“Face. Raimon takes kick off.” Endou saw the bright smile in Tenma's lips, and how Hakuryuu responded raising his eyebrow, playfully. Then, the two teams walked to their correct positions on the field, ready to hear the whistle sound. Endou smiled, resting a hand on his hip.

“Today we'll win!” Kyousuke yelled, making the captain of the contrary team laugh.

“Don't be so sure!” Hakuryuu yelled back, and with that, the arbitrator made the whistle ring.

At the very moment Hikaru passed the ball to Kyousuke, Shindou and Tenma started running. Kyousuke, with the ball, looked like he was thinking how to confuse their rivals. Moments later, he passed the ball back to Nishiki.

“Good pass!” Endou yelled from the bench, smiling satisfied.

Nishiki got through the rival's field quickly, passing the ball to Hikaru before Minamisawa could reach him. Endou closed his fist in excitement. The ball reached Shindou, who yelled his hitattsu, showing lightning strings to help the others execute actions easily. The names of the people involved being yelled were accompanied with a great sentiment of trust that represented Raimon's soccer. It was noticeable that Raimon was taking some type of lead in the field, this time they were more confident and knew exactly what to do. Unfortunately, that's what gave them away. Once the ball got to Kyousuke, he stopped in front of Hakuryuu, and due to Tenma being covered by some other players, Hakuryuu ended with the possession of the ball.

“Well done, Haku!” Rensuke from the other team yelled, but instead of frowning or complaining like Endou always saw, Kyousuke smiled. That made Endou happy, because that meant they were having fun. That was the best part of a friendly, that it doesn't need to be serious and you can see your players enjoying themselves completely and that filled his chest with complete joy.

“Hakuryuu came to beat Kyousuke for real.” Gouenji opined out loud. Endou turned his head to look at him, gaze on the field and a proud smile on his lips. Endou smiled sweetly.

“Yes. Remember what Kyousuke told us, they didn't have another match against each other since Earth Eleven! That's a lot of time.” Endou raised his voice, looking again at the field and how Hakuryuu with the help of Rensuke and Yukimura entered Raimon's field.

“Only a few weeks passed since they arrived Earth, Endou.” Gouenji reminded, and Endou knew Gouenji was holding back a laugh by his voice tone. Endou frowned.

“But a whole month passed since they left! That's a lot! When...” Endou stopped talking when he realized what he was about to say. His tongue was about to bring up a memory from a long time ago. The memory of a boy taking off his hoodie to reveal himself after a long time looking for him, a long time since they played together. So, he tried to rephrase the sentence out of embarrassment. “When I wasn't able to play with a friend in a long period of time back then, I also wanted to play with them more!” Endou's smiled trembled, and he hoped Gouenji wasn't looking at him right know.

“That's just like you.” Gouenji whispered, but Endou heard it anyways. Endou's heart skipped a beat, for no reason at all. Endou shook his head to focus on the match again.

“Hakuryuu!” Yukimura yelled, passing the ball to the mentioned right next to the Raimon defenses, who were surpassed in a blink of an eye. In that moment, a giant dragon came up from the floor with a yell of the boy, summoning it. His keshin made its appearance, covering the entire field with light.

“White Breath!” The boy yelled, kicking the ball in such an incredible speed. Endou opened his eyes, not remembering this kind of power the last time he saw the hitattsu. The Raimon members yelled the goalkeeper's name.

“Careful, Shinsuke!” Endou yelled with the same strength as his team. Gouenji by his side grabbed Endou's jacket, sharing his nervousness.

But Shinsuke wasn't going to stay behind. He summoned his own keshin without hesitation, with the difference that he used the armour. He raised his hands, and it looked like he was having problems with it. Endou frowned, and right when they thought the ball would enter the goal, a great explosion made it unable to see.

“I got it!” Shinsuke yelled, what unleashed the voices of all the team.

“Yes!” Endou yelled as well, looking at Gouenji excited. Gouenji returned the smile, as he patted Endou's back. Endou felt that gesture like a warmth in his back, and he couldn't help but to change his smile. He looked at his other side, where Kidou had his fists closed and next to him, Fudou was with his arms crossed and shared the same smile as Kidou. A competitive, confident smile. Endou laughed.

“They're convinced they're going to win.” Endou whispered just for Gouenji to hear. “But we'll demonstrate them that they aren't the only ones who improved. Fantastic stop, Shinsuke! Keep going, everyone!” Endou cupped his hands to make his voice more hearable for everyone, and it worked because his team answered him with the loudest 'yes'. Endou turned to look at Gouenji because he felt like he was being watched. Gouenji was looking right at him, and Endou knew that gaze.

“What?” Endou said with a smile. He couldn't help it, he was very happy to be there, coaching the best team and with his favourite person at his side.

“You are very happy today,” Gouenji spoke Endou's mind out, a thing that shouldn't be a surprise for Endou at this point. Gouenji always knew what he was thinking, he didn't know how he did it.

“Of course! I waited for this a lot, I had high expectations but this is a whole lot better than I expected it to be.” Endou talked as Shinsuke passed it out the goal to Kirino who fastly passed it to Shindou to start a counterattack. “And you're with me to see it! Why wouldn't I?” Endou put his gaze on the field again, listening to Gouenji laugh at his side. Gouenji still held Endou's jacket, and he changed that to take Endou's hand. Endou took it without thinking twice, not even stopping to look because the movement felt so natural to him he accepted it immediately.

This time Raimon didn't fail to penetrate into Resistance Japan's field with a strategic move that left the rival quite confused. Gomaki intervened to stop Tenma, letting out his keshin with the form of a chess queen, but Tenma surpassed it with his own keshin fast as the wind itself.

“Great feint, Tenma!” Gouenji yelled, what made Endou smile.

Tenma used his armour to shoot, but it went deviated. Because it wasn't a shoot, it was a pass to Kyousuke, who with his hitattsu he shoot for real this time. The Resistance Japan's goalkeeper, Yamato, let out his own keshin too, with the form of a giant king. Endou noticed that Gomaki's and Yamato's keshins match, but he shook the thought away when the pink haired boy performed his hitattsu, a super technique he hasn't seen since the finals of the Holy Road. It was even more powerful now, but less intimidating. Endou felt it, he knew that the goalkeeper was more comfortable performing in this conditions. Endou knew it, he knew the different feelings one can feel depending on the situation one was performing. Endou knew Yamato now was proudly letting all his real power now. Unfortunately, Kyousuke's shoot didn't enter the field, and Endou clicked his tongue, feeling Gouenji squeezing his hand.

“Great stop!” The defender with white hair said out loud to the goalkeeper, who winked at him.

Endou looked at the other team's coach, who was smiling proudly. Endou thought the same as Gouenji before, Fudou was great with his boys. It was noticeable that he had a lot of confidence in them.

The first time went just like that, between passes and failed hitattsus because all of them were powerful enough to stop the other's powerful super techniques. The match was tough, everyone defending everyone and everyone attacking and trying new tactics until the arbitrator announced the end of the first part.

The two teams went to their respective benches, and the Raimon managers gave water bottles to everyone.

“Well done team!” Endou greeted everyone, and Endou saw someone coming from the corner of his eye.

“Coach Kidou, it's disappointing to see that you're cheering the other team and not us.” Shindou joked while fixing the ribbons of his shoes. Kidou raised an eyebrow, making Endou and Gouenji laugh loudly. Even so that the players seemed surprised to see them so light.

“I assumed you didn't need it, Shindou.” Kidou replied to the joke, the teen's friends laughing at his attempt of mocking the adult.

“That's true, Kidou. You betrayed us,” Endou said, doing a wince with his lips and hugging Gouenji, as if he was hurt. Gouenji understood the game.

“You left us for Fudou, how bad. You made Endou sad.” Gouenji patted Endou's head, and his light blush on his cheeks camouflaged with his laugher. When Gouenji started laughing as well, Kidou opened his mouth, offended by the joke. The players were all laughing at this point, amused by how childish their coaches could be.

“And I thought you supported me, who is the one betrayed now?” Kidou raised a hand to his heart, a ring shining brightly on his finger. Endou was still laughing, hanging from Gouenji's torso. Gouenji spoke Endou's mind when he talked.

“Congratulations, Kidou.” Gouenji said, provoking a curious silence. Kidou smiled sweetly.

“Thank you, Gouenji.” Kidou said, playing with the ring on his hand, thing that Endou didn't miss.

“Coach Kidou, come! The second part is about to start!” Kishibe shouted from his bench, and Kidou turned to the call. Kidou raised his hand as a salute and went back with his boyfriend's, now fiance's team.

“Why did you say congratulations to Coach Kidou, Coach Gouenji?” Tenma innocently asked, and Endou smiled at him.

“You didn't notice? Kidou wears a ring, Fudou and him are gonna marry.” Kyousuke answered for Gouenji, and everyone noticed how Tenma's cheeks were suddenly covered with a light pink. The other players that didn't noticed also had surprised expressions on their faces.

“And you didn't tell us? You're horrible, Kyousuke.” Kariya joked, smiling sarcastically as he always does. Endou looked at Gouenji, and by judging his expression, it looked like both were enjoying the teens gossiping.

“What do you expect, to know their entire life? I noticed just now, maybe if you were more observant you would have too.” Kyousuke smiled proudly when Kariya was left mouth opened. Kirino laughed, and Kariya stuck his tongue out at him in respond. Gouenji let out a giggle.

“Let's stop the gossiping for now.” Endou clapped his hands to gain his player's attention, even if he found very funny the way they gossiped about the other team's coaches. “I think you noticed that they might be incredible as individuals, but if we work together as a team, we can win!” Endou raised his voice at the end, what lifted up the mood among his team players.

“This part we'll concentrate on the attack. We proved that we can stop their attacks, now it's our turn.” Gouenji smiled confident, and Endou's heart skipped a beat. This was going to be the best part of the match.

The players went back to the field, as well as the other team's players that filled the opposite side of it. Endou looked at them with a smile on his face, still thinking about the thing he almost said before. He remembers talking with Kidou about it, about feelings. He remembers the way he felt about Gouenji back then and how he doesn't feel that way anymore because now he has the strength and confidence to talk to him about it. Endou looked at Gouenji, and then at Kidou on the other bench. And to think that Kidou would end up with Fudou... Endou finds it funny, he knew Fudou was a lot more than he showed. He was less aware of the rest's feelings back then, but somehow he knew it. Maybe he is aware of the other's feelings but his. Endou let out a chuckle.

“What happened?” Gouenji asked, looking at him curiously. Endou smiled.

“Nothing, just thinking.” Endou looked up at Gouenji, and his smile grew bigger. He couldn't help it, he always liked looking at him.

“About?” Gouenji raised his eyebrows to emphasize, and now Endou turned his gaze at the field, where Hakuryuu did a feint and surpassed Kyousuke to pass the ball to Kishibe later.

“It's not that important, really.” Endou responded, following the play with his eyes. It has always been difficult for him to figure the others feelings out, Endou didn't know why. But that was a lot time ago, he got used to it. But being aware of it hurt more than he would have wanted. He got better at it with time, now that Endou stops to think about it.

Nishiki got the ball and quickly passed it to Shindou.

He knows perfectly how bad he felt when he realized he can't understand something like feelings. When problems started to be heavy on his back, when the reality hit him like a slap, he felt horribly stupid. For not understanding his teammates. For not understanding Gouenji. But, with time, he learned to do so, or that's what he thinks at least. Maybe he just memorized how his friends worked, but that was just fine with him.
He thinks he's not good with other's feelings, but he knew exactly what Gouenji was thinking in the finals of the Holy Road. He knew his intentions, they couldn't be other.

And he always asked him to come back.

How stupid, right? To want someone who has to go for the sake of it to come back to you. But he has always wanted Gouenji to come back. Always. When he helped Raimon against Teikoku, when they played against fake aliens, when he almost leaves the FFI, when soccer was manipulated by Fifth Sector. Endou always asked him to come back.

Gouenji, surprisingly, always came back.

Sooner or later, he always did. Endou didn't even know what he has done to deserve it. But he thinks that if Gouenji did, then it was the right thing. If the world wants them to be together, they will. Because Gouenji is his favourite person and he felt like a part of him was missing when he's not with him. If you had told him that the reality was that he was in love with him all along, Endou wouldn't have believed it.

He loves his friends, he loves his parents, and he absolutely loves soccer. He loves being a coach, he loves his team, he loves Raimon. And he ended up loving Gouenji in a way he didn't imagine he could love.

Endou didn't notice that Gouenji was looking at him, being lost in his thoughts. But when he took his hand, he held it tight. Because he couldn't afford not holding it when he has always wanted to. Endou's head was working very fast right now, because even if from the outside he looked kind of lost, he was actually following the match.

Kyousuke passed the ball to Nishiki when surely the other team thought he would have passed it to Tenma, being too close to the goal. Nishiki, using his keshin's armour, made a point for Raimon after a very powerful kick. Endou heard Gouenji whispering a 'yes' when the ball entered the goal. Endou smiled, watching his team celebrate the point animatedly and excited.

“Don't let this bring you down!” Fudou yelled from the Resistance Japan's bench, to what the entire team yelled as a response.

Endou took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of Gouenji's hand intertwined with his. And it makes a warmth expand in his chest as well. How did this happen?
He remembers perfectly the day he thought about feeling different with Gouenji than with the rest. The same day Gouenji came back to Raimon in Okinawa, sat on the top of the caravan and hearing Gouenji calling his name after so long, when the last memory he had of him was his sad eyes filled with tears. And he didn't know why he was crying. Back then, at least. And when he was finally able to be by his side, he felt something he has never felt before. When he was young, he never searched for the love of others, he didn't feel like it, but he wanted Gouenji to be with him so bad and it made a mess of him. Under the stars he realized he felt something different for his friend that wasn't only the bare excuse of “he's my best friend, I've missed him a lot”.

When the Resistance Japan's goalkeeper passes the ball to the white haired defender, he passed it again to Yukimura.

The feeling of Gouenji's hand with his reminded him to the day under the stars, many years ago. A night where he reunited with his best friend, a night where he realized he's in love, a night where he held his best friend's hand just like right now, not knowing what would their future be like, if some random aliens would take the world or if they were powerful enough to beat them. And sincerely, with Gouenji by his side, he felt like he was powerful enough to beat everyone.

Endou looked at the teens play, feeling as if he was playing himself. He was enjoying this match so much, it brought him so much joy that he could die happily right now. But first, he has to know how the match is going to end.

The ball reached Raimon's field after some passes between the Resistance Japan players, faster than before and in a strategic way that was confusing Raimon. Endou frowned, he knew they could discover a way to stop them. Kurosaki catched the ball before Kariya could, running to the goal. Shinsuke raised his hands in front of him.

The very moment Kurosaki let out an insane amount of power, Endou's entire world stopped. The form of an enormous fire spirit appeared right behind him, elevating the teenager.

In that moment, Endou saw something else.

He saw a field in the middle of the ocean, a team dressed in red uniforms and his best friend shooting the most powerful shoot he had ever seen.

“Bakunetsu Storm!”

Endou covered his opened mouth with his free hand, unconsciously squeezing Gouenji's hand with his as the teen kicked the ball, faster than any shoot performed during the match.

The ball entered the field after Shinsuke could react.

“Endou?” Gouenji called, and he went back to Earth, realizing that a tear was falling down his cheek.

The whistle sounded three times.

Endou lowered his head, and Gouenji placed himself in front of him, obviously worried. Endou couldn't stop crying now, it being a bad habit of his. The pressure on his chest was too strong and the moment so unexpected, Endou himself couldn't explain why he was crying.

“It's— just—” Endou tried to talk between sobs. “I saw the— the hitattsu and it— it reminded me— shit, sorry.” Endou covered his face with both of his hands now, not able to talk. Gouenji hugged him, and steps could be heard getting closer.

“Coach?” The voice of the Raimon's captain called, and Endou felt embarrassed. He never cried in front of them, never, and crying because something he found so stupid was even more embarrassing. So, he tried to calm his breath the fastest he could.

When he looked up, Gouenji was looking at him exactly the same way as that day. The day he came back, when they were just fourteen. But now he was here, in front of him, twenty-five years old, the blonde swiping his tears away with his thumbs and looking at him with those dark brown eyes that shone brightly. The same smile, the same eyes that looked at him from the middle of the field after taking off his hoodie.

“I felt like the first time I saw it.” Endou smiled, still crying. Gouenji laughed, and with that Endou hoped his team wasn't worried. Because it wasn't sad, really. He actually felt so happy that he thinks he has never cried out of happiness like that, ever.

“You're so sentimental, Endou.” Gouenji laughed, leaning in to kiss his salty cheek.

“Look who spoke.” Kidou's voice was heard next to them, “You're scaring the kids.” Endou cleaned his face rapidly with his sleeve, looking behind Gouenji where even the Resistance Japan boys were to see what happened.

“It's nothing, really. I'm sorry,” Endou raised his hand to his eye before a tear could fall down his cheek.

“Is everything alright, Coach Endou?” Tenma asked worried, and Endou couldn't help but laugh. Gouenji put a finger on his lips before talking.

“Your coach here is more sentimental than you think.” He confessed, and Endou felt even more embarrassed. He wasn't used to showing this type of emotion in public, because he couldn't even explain it. His chest hurt in a good way, his face felt hot, his heart beat fast and he wanted to end the conversation and act as if nothing happened. But he couldn't, the image of the hitattsu still stuck on his brain with glue, a one very difficult to take off because he couldn't stop thinking about it. And how good the nostalgic feeling was. And how happy he felt right now, the creator of the hitattsu taking his hand and kissing his cheek and swiping his tears away. Everything that he has always wanted, even if it was unconsciously, was now in front of him. The love of his life, his friends, his team.

“I think I know what happened.” One of the kids spoke, Kurosaku surprisingly walked in front of everyone and Gouenji must have put an horrendous face because the teenager said, “No, Coach Gouenji, don't look at me like that after all you've told me about the hitattsu and Endou.” Endou's jaw dropped, basically everyone opened their mouths in shock. The boys in Resistance Japan that surely knew this side of the boy started laughing, and the Raimon players couldn't help but laugh too. Endou looked at Gouenji, laughing at how the blonde was too stunned to speak in a very funny way.

“The hitattsu Kurosaki performed was the one Gouenji did after he left Raimon for a long period of time. We were looking for him, and he appeared like magic with a new super technique, powerful as any other.” Kidou explained before anyone could. The kids listened carefully as the same pressure Endou felt on his chest before came back, but more softer, calmer.

“Oh, I think you told me,” Fudou added. “I think I saw it on the news too. But it was a good fucking ten years ago.” Fudou laughed, and the players seemed surprised at the big difference in time.

“I think I even cried when the match ended.” Gouenji joked, even if it wasn't much a joke, the teens smiled and some laughed. The adults absolutely laughed at that.

“The super technique is very complex, even if it took me less time to learn it because I was taught, I spent mornings and afternoons trying. Gouenji told me that, when he was younger and planning the technique, he swore to himself that he would perfect it for Endou.” Kurosaku explained, calmed and with a curious smile on his face. The teen players laughed at his confession, also because of Gouenji's reaccion who was now covering his face in shame. Endou laughed.

“Hey! I didn't know that!” Endou yelled, taking and shaking Gouenji's arm to mock him.

“You weren't supposed to.” Gouenji murmured, his voice covered by his hands.

“That same night was the night Endou realized he was in love with Gouenji.” Kidou talked with a mischievous smile on his lips, and Fudou let out a laugh right after hearing it. Endou opened his mouth, his face slowly becoming red as he heard the surprised noises of both teams.

“Kidou! You were supposed not to say that!” Endou yelled, frowning and complaining like a child. Yes, it was true, but he couldn't say it just like that!

“But it happened years ago, Coach Endou.” Kyousuke remarked and the Raimon players smiled to Kyousuke's boldness. Endou swelled his cheeks.

“Yeah, aren't those things supposed to be talked?” Kariya asked with a sarcastic tone on his voice.

“I didn't know,” Gouenji sounded so shocked Endou felt embarrassed. He knew his blushing could be noticed even in his tanned skin right now. The Raimon teens laughed at Gouenji's genuine answer to Kariya's stupid question.

“Because you weren't supposed to!” Endou yelled, hiding in Gouenji's shoulder. Again, the rest of them were amused by how childish their coach could be sometimes.

“And you? Is there something you have to tell me?” Gouenji now referred to Kidou, who raised his shoulders like it didn't matter.

“What did you think, that Endou wouldn't tell me? Everything thay he couldn't say to you, I know it. Maybe I know more than you think.” Kidou joked, resting a hand on his waist, mocking them. Endou started shaking his head in a negative connotation, while Gouenji raised his eyebrow, confused.

“If you said all the things that you know, we'll have to end the meeting much sooner than we planned.” Fudou smirked, the sentence holding a double meaning that everyone seemed to understand. Kidou hit Fudou on the head, probably for saying it in front of minors but Resistance Japan laughed anyways, surely used to his coach's humor and the Raimon boys were between confused, shocked and embarrassed.

“Don't you dare to say that in front of my face,” Gouenji smiled, and Fudou started laughing and walking away. The adults understood why, because Fudou and Gouenji were likely to make the worst comments and they always fought about it.

Endou shook his head, smiling. This has been so strange. Remembering something so important for him and then getting to know things he didn't was leaving him without braincells. This feeling was so strong he doesn't have words to describe it, he just can say that he loves it. That he loves Gouenji so much. And the last one of his braincell must have the form of a soccer ball, because he suddenly yelled.

“It was a draw!” Every murmur stopped the very moment he spoke.

“Fuck, that's true.” Fudou swore, looking at Kidou, who raised his shoulders.

“What a pity, now we'll have to meet again for a remach.” The captain of Resistance Japan talked with a sarcastic tone that reminded Endou of Fudou. Endou saw Kyousuke rolling his eyes and looking deadly at his friend, and Endou chuckled at the view. The rest of them also laughed at Hakuryuu's joke.

“Of course we'll meet up again for a remarch! But it must before your coaches' wedding.” Endou smiled mischievously, winking at the fiances. Gouenji started laughing so hard he put a hand on his stomach, resting his other hand on Endou's shoulder. The other two adults were with their mouths opened, one in shock and the other amused.

“How? How they-” Fudou tried to talk, looking at Kidou, then at Hakuryuu —because everyone knew he was capable of telling them— and then at Kidou again.

“They noticed before we could tell them.” Kidou laughed, putting his arm around the brown haired waist.

“You could have played fool.” Fudou said with false anger. Endou smiled.

“I could, I did, actually. But Gouenji ruined it.” Endou puched Gouenji, who was still laughing, on his back, scaring him and making him almost fall.

“Hey! I was just nice! For once I am good...” To that, even the teen players laughed. Because Gouenji had a quite intimidating look, but he is very nice, really.

“Coach! You'll invite us to you wedding, right?” Gomaki from Resistance Japan asked, half joking but the rest of the team was actually paying attention to the answer. Endou raised his eyebrows at Kidou, who even having his glasses on he looked quite scared to the idea.

“I think I can make an excuse for you.” The entire team yelled excited at their coach's answer, and both Endou and Gouenji couldn't help but laugh at Kidou's expression.

“You will invite us too, right, Kidou?” Endou joked with Kidou.

“No, you aren't invited.” Kidou sounded so done Endou couldn't stop laughing. The Raimon teens laughed at him too.

“Okay, jokes apart, I ordered a table for all of us to eat outside, don't stand me up.” Fudou smiled, looking at Endou's team.

“Us too?” Nishiki asked, quite surprised.

“Of course, let's get moving. There's space for all of us in the caravan.” The two teams started shouting between them, excited to go all together. Endou smiled looking at them go to the caravan, but Gouenji yelled first.

“Hey! You don't pretend to go all sweaty and dirty, do you?” Gouenji, with a hand on his waist, looked at all the players, and that meant the Resistance Japan ones too. The two teams remained silent, like statues on the field. All of them, without exception, turned to look at Gouenji, realization on their faces, and Endou heard Fui bursting out laughing, thing that he couldn't help either. They guys looked like they didn't know what to do for a moment. So, Gouenji kept talking.

“Everyone to the showers. Raimon, show them where the locker rooms are.” The teen players answered to Gouenji, before running to the soccer club based. Endou smiled, seeing them leave all happy and still with a lot of energy in their bodies even after having played an incredible match.

“This has been amazing, we should do it more.” Endou said, still looking at where their teams went, to make them know that he was referring to the match.

“We should. I enjoyed it a lot, didn't you?” Fudou laid his arm around Kidou's shoulders. Endou saw Gouenji raising an eyebrow, amused.

“I told you! That it was worth it, stubborn.” Kidou shook his head, looking done with him, but he held Fudou's hand with his. Endou smiled, after all, he was very happy for them.

He was very happy with everything. His team, his job, his friends, his boyfriend, his life. Endou didn't expect things to end up like this, he never thought about future when he was a child. But now, he looks forward to it, and he will receive everything life has for him with open arms. And, as old times, with Gouenji by his side, he felt like he could do whatever life proposes him to do.

Gouenji and him talked animatedly with Kidou and Fudou. Gouenji hugged Endou in the same way as Fudou was hugging Kidou at some point of the conversation and Endou just leaned into it, his chest filled with a pleasuring pressure created by the happiness and he loves it. He loves it all.

He loves soccer, he loves his team, he loves his friends.

He loves Gouenji. A lot.