The next day, I was finally discharged from the hospital.The doctor explained that my ankle was thankfully not badly severe but will take weeks of rehabilitation

"Please don't be stubborn if you continue to rest this time then it might only take a few weeks of recovery"They scolded, I gladly thanked them in return.Hopefully thing don't take worse from there..

I sat on a nearby bench underneath the tree for shade.I tiredly sighed, at this rate I don't have any use for the team..

My recklessness almost made me unable to play soccer anymore..

"Yosano Amari?"An unfamiliar voice called, I looked behind to see the fuschia haired boy approaching my seat

There was a moment of hesitation."Nosaka...Yuuma?"I  spoke

"You've heard of me..that saves me the introductions"He said."I watched your game against Seishou Academy.."

I looked down the ground."I didn't do much that match.."I muttered

"No..I believe it's the opposite you gave Raimon something worth fighting for.."

"What do you mean?.."

"I've watched your previous matches, your resolve was the driving force that lead them to victory"

"That's..very observant of you.."

"Thank you.. it's a habit of mine"He replied."May I?"

I pat the seat beside me, gesturing him to sit.He gently sat down."You know I envy you Yosano san.."He began

"Why?"I asked

I saw him look up the sky. I heard the trees rustle behind us."Because your plays are free.. like an angel who spread their wings to fly to the sky"

"That's a beautiful analogy.."I smiled

"Thank you..what do you think I am?"

"Well I don't know you fully yet..I guess you're like a fog mysterious and unclear..waiting to be uncovered"

"That's a great analogy too.."He replied

"Thanks"

"Tell me Yosano san can a bird freed from a cage fly alone and explore the world?"He suddenly asked, I thought for a bit..

"It can't.."I answered

"Why do you think so?"

"Because birds fly in flocks right?..nobody flies alone and expect themselves to survive..the world can be unpredictable and harsh.In a way aren't we all birds.."I lightly chuckled.I looked back to Nosaka his mouth left agape but his eyes urges me to continue

"We continue to fight with our lives everyday and manage to survive.Like birds there are birds who continue to strive in the sky while there are birds who are shackled to the ground.Unable to fly and move forward out of fear of the unknown.We all deserve to be free and live our lives to the fullest"

"How exactly do you live life to the fullest?"He asked

"you find your spark"

"My spark?"

"It's your sense of purpose"

"But what if you don't have one?"

"It's alright to feel lost.You can't expect to find your spark that easily.Maybe you'll find someone who has.One's spark always leads to another..a friend of mine used to say that.."I weakly smiled, I felt the brisk fresh cold air swept my skin

I tensed up from the sudden silence."It's a very philosophical subject..I tend to question the value of life.."I sheepishly smiled, scratching the back of my nape

"That's a great insight Yosano san"He smiled

"Call me Amari"I replied

"I should probably leave you alone.I believe you're still recovering"

"Right.."He stood up from his seat but suddenly fainted.He held his head,his eyes completely shut.A painful expression across his face in discomfort

I quickly knelt down beside him."Hey are you okay?..Nosaka can you hear me?.."I asked trying to get his attention

"I..I'm fine don't worry.Just a little dizzy that's all"He reassured, I assisted him up to stand

"Are you sure?"I asked

"I'm sure"

"Looks like you need a rest too.."I lightly joked which seemed to brighten the mood

"Yes..I'll keep that in mind"He smiled."See you Amari chan"

"Bye.."

--

It's been a week since the incident.It was clear my ankle was healing very soon.Asuto and the others were still reluctant to have me join practice

I was sitting beside coach and the managers by the bench.I let out a heavy sigh

"Are you sure your ankle is alright Amari chan?"Ootani asked

"I'm fine Ootani chan.Resting seemed to work fine for me"I reassured her

"If you ever feel discomfort.Don't hesitate to reach out to us for assistance"Anna said

"Anna chan's right we're your managers after all.It's our job to look out for your well being"She smiled, holding my hands gently

"Thank you girls"I smiled."Which reminds me are you two free for the weekend?"

"Why what's up?"She asked

"I never got to hangout with you girls much.I'll invite Norika with me!"I said

"That's a great idea, we can go to the mall!"Ootani recommended."Ohh there's a clothing store I've been eyeing for a while!"

"What about you Anna chan?"I asked, she hums in thought

"I'll join as well, I've cleared up my schedule that day"She replied

"Great It's a girls day out!"We shouted

--

The next morning, me and Norika were getting ready for our hangout today.

"Do you think this fit looks great with me?"She asks lifting a black leather jacket behind her

"Girl any fit can look good on you if you have the confidence with it"I smiled

"You're right Amari chan!"She replied.She wore a simple stripe shirt with black jacket a pair of blue jeans and a pair of sneakers

I wore a white shirt, a brown jacket on top,a black layered skirt, a long pair of high knee socks and a pair of brown boots

We ride our bus towards the city.We both scan for spare seats.There I saw a red haired boy with two vacant seats beside him

"Is this seat taken?"I asked

"Go ahead"He smiled, scooting further for space

"Wow thanks!"Norika said

"Aren't you two part of the new Raimon Eleven?"He suddenly questions

"We are..are we that popular?"I asked

"You've certainly gained a large traction after a few matches"He explains

"Thank you..are you a soccer player as well?"Norika asked

"Yes..I'm Kiyama Tatsuya by the way!"He introduced himself

"Yosano Amari!"

"I'm Umihara Norika!"

"It's nice to meet you two"He smiled

"So where you headed?"I asked him

"Running errands for my team"

"Are you team captain?"

"I am"He replied

"Wow that's so cool..I can't imagine the difficulty of leading one"Norika said

"That's true but..I love my team we've been through hardships and we grew stronger together"

"That's great to hear"I happily smiled

"How about you two?"He asked

"We're going out to meet our friends today"Norika said

"I hope you guys have fun"

We reached our stop, the bus came to a hault.We stood up from our seats

"This is our stop.It was nice meeting you Kiyama kun"I said, shaking his hand

"It was an honor as well"He smiled

"See you team captain!"Norika said

"Bye, hope you reached your destination!"I waved

"Thank you"He replied

--

"There you two are!"Ootani said, she waited near the entrance with Anna

"We made it right on time!"Norika said

"Shall we go?"Anna asked, we nodded

We went around the mall.Walking through shops, trying out new clothes and overall having a great time.After hours of wandering around.We finally went to the food court to rest and eat

We told stories from our everyday life.I mentioned meeting Nosaka when I was finally discharged from the hospital

"Have you noticed?.."Ootani asked, she stopped eating her food.We looked at her confused

"What do you mean Ootani san?"Norika asked

"Amari chan is always surrounded by beautiful men"She said, my eyes widenned choking from my drink.Anna patted my back for comfort

"W-what do you mean?"I asked, wiping the water from my lips

"It's just.. there's Teikoku with Kazemaru..then there's Haizaki and now it's with Nosaka.."She continues list them down

"Hmm.. it's like she's a magnet of attraction"Anna said

"I don't think that's what she meant.."I said

"I can't blame them Yosano san is a wonderful person"Norika smiled, I blushed from her comment

This earned a few hums from the girls."Right she has all the beautiful qualities that the boys can't seem to resist"Ootani said

"Please..stop with the compliments.I can't take them all at once"I muttered

"But it's the truth though"She said, the girls nodded

"Can we please change the subject!"I shouted embarrassed, they laughed and soon I laughed along with them

I haven't laughed like this for a while..

I missed this feeling..

(A/n: Sorry it took so long.School has been getting busy these past few days but don't worry I have a lot of spare time now to write c: )