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The cheer of the crowd is deafening.
“BUNNY IGLESIAS WITH A SUPER GOALZO!!” the commentator blares over the microphone, “Two wonderful goals to extend Spain’s lead in this crucial match, the call up for Barca’s first team wasn't a joke at all!!”
“This guy is the real deal!!” his partner adds in. “And as for Japan…they look completely frazzled. How do you think they could come back from such a deficit?”
Sae glances over the pitch, the bright lights tainting his vision as he watches Spain's squad celebrating. Cheering, hugging even the bench is off their feet, water bottles left open dripping onto the grass from players throwing them in the air.
Sae turns his attention behind him, where his team lies, a team that is on the brink of absolute collapse. Aiku is trying to reassure some kid with fluffy hair, the midfield is in tatters and Isagi, the player he singled out all those months ago, looks completely dumbfounded.
Sae looks up at the scoreline, a disastrous 0-2 shines back at him in an almost mocking manner. With barely 20 minutes to play, he runs over all the tactics that were rehearsed and drilled into his head just a few days prior.
He is captain after all. To lead his country to victory is expected, this is his duty. Any other outcome that isn't a win can't and won’t be tolerated.
“Sae.” a sharp voice cuts through the crowds dying voices of the crowd, it’s Isagi. “What should we do?, I knew Bunny was going to be a problem but-”
Bunny. Bunny Iglesias. It’s always him isnt it?
Even when Sae had no one back in La Fabrica, Bunny was there. Even when the coaching staff advised him to stay away from La Masia rivals, Bunny was still there. And even when… he committed arguably the worst mistake of his life, Bunny was still there.
Avoiding Isagi’s eyes, Sae scans the pitch once more and catches a sight that really makes him crumble. Bunny slowly distancing himself from the celebrations turns his head and stares straight at Sae.
A weird expression washes over his face, a lazy smile that doesn't reach his eyes, because those eyes are clouded with a hint of concern. Anyone else would miss it, just think he's being cocky towards a rival. But not Sae, he has grown all too familiar with that face.
Bits and pieces of memories start flooding Sae’s brain, the shared looks in the tunnel, the endless Spanish classes,the final argument, the thud at the bottom of the staircase, the antiseptic smell of the hospital waiting room.
Sae clutches his chest, it’s just like last time. When everything was slipping away and it felt like the world was ending…it's happening all over
again. And the culprit is still the same man.
“Sae?” “Sae are you even listening to me?”
Whipping his head around, Sae looks at Isagi and in all honesty he forgot he was even there in the first place.
“I'm trying to think of a way we can overcome this.” Sae gasps out.
“Well okay, but why do you look so…grim?” Isagi muses. “We still have time, we can still come back from this.”
Sae almost laughs out loud. Here he is, Japan’s crown jewel, Japan’s captain fraying at the seams, while his teammates still have a semblance of sense and determination. He has to keep up some sort of facade as best as he can, a captain not at their best means the whole team could be doomed.
Trying to calm down his racing heart, Sae opens his mouth to reply, something along the lines of “Okay, just follow my lead.” but he spots him. Bunny slowly making his way over to Japan’s half despite the confused protests of his teammates. Sae can't see what expression he is wearing this time and he doesn't care to find out either.
The walk, the scoreline, everything behind him in disarray…It’s like someone transported him straight to the past. Sae can't do this. Not now, not again.
Hand flying to his mouth he shoves Isagi away from him, frantic breathing returning. He tries to remember the tactics the Madrid nurses advised him to use in situations like this but he can't get a proper grasp on what steps come first.
The lights, the confused murmur of his teammates and the fans, the weight of the armband it's all too much.
“Sae what the fuck was that for?” Isagi yells at him. “I'm just trying to-”
“Shut up.” Sae heaves out. “Shut the fuck up im trying to think.”
A flash of irritation washes over Isagi’s face, “Fine be that way then.” He turns around on his heel and stalks off to someone else.
Looking out of the corner of his eye Sae sees the entire game has been put on pause. Bunny diverted his beeline away from him and instead stopped at the referee, making gestures towards the Japan bench and medics. How noble.
Looking at them both and the medics scrambling to prepare a kit, a lightbulb goes off in Sae’s head. Bunny wasn't trying to help him get off the pitch, it was a last ditch attempt to keep him on.
Bunny had just bought him valuable time.
Ditching the tactics Ego had instilled into him, Sae thinks back to the hours he had spent pouring over compilations and highlights of Bunny’s gameplay. He thinks back to all the times he had a front row seat every time he would make a touch on the ball. He thinks back to sneaking into hotel rooms, nights he wished he could forget ever happened.
He knows among all of these moments there has to be some sort of weakness, one time a flaw no matter how little was exploited. He picks at his gloves so violently it forms a tear. He can hear the medics approaching behind him and Sae knows he's running out of time.
Raising his head Sae glances towards Bunny’s direction again, and notices something damning. His fingers… they're crossed.
It hits him full force right then and there, a memory so insignificant in a normal setting that it could have been nothing, but it was the one time Bunny had ever revealed any sign of weakness.
Straightening his posture, Sae takes a deep breath and glances at the clock. It's almost like time froze, still set with 20 minutes to go. “Do you need any assistance?” a voice pipes up behind him, it's the medics who have finally made their way over.
Raising his hand in rejection, Sae politely declines and turns away, walking over to the referee. The medics luckily don’t pry, taking the hint and making their way back to the bench.
As Sae arrives to where the referee is standing the voice that has tormented him for one too many years decides to pipe up.
“So we don't need any medical assistance?” “You looked in pretty bad shape.” Bunny chimes.
“No, I didn't. So we shouldn't be wasting any more time talking about this.” Sae snaps back.
The referee glances between them and it looks like he is holding back a smile of his own. “Are you sure you are okay Mr.Itoshi?”
“I'm fine, we can resume the game now.”
The referee nods and raises his hand instructing everyone back to their own halves. Before turning away Sae sends one last look towards Bunny hoping he understands. Perhaps deep down Sae knows he will understand regardless. Grin blooming on his face Bunny just shakes his head and laughs, turning away.
Determination coursing through his veins Sae walks back to his waiting teammates whose faces are still etched with confusion.
“So what was that all about?” Isagi asks, the irritation he was wearing before completely washed away.
“There’s no time to explain.” Sae replies, “But I've found a way to end this game.”
“Okay then.” Isagi smirks, “Then let’s end this.”
Only a few tweaks to the line up are needed, completely abandoning the defense for an all attacking formation. Bringing in that cyan head for his chemical reaction with Rin.. it's possible. They, the reborn Japan U20 will leave this pitch flying high with a win.
Sae glances towards the scoreline, and if he squints hard enough he can envision a 3-2 in those red lights. He will win this time, using the mistakes of the past to overcome the hurdles of today.
Getting into position, the referee blows the whistle and the crowd erupts into cheers after being deprived of their football for so long.
Scanning the field his eyes fall upon Bunny who is wearing a grin that actually meets his eyes. A rare sight.
Sae can't wait to destroy it.