I lay down on the bench, groaning. Man was that guy aggravating! It's all 'numbers' this and 'calculations' that. Dude, can't he just play soccer?! Aoi patted my head, giggling quietly, "It's alright, Reida-chan. I'm sure Manabe will stop citing his formulas to you someday."
I sat back up and rolled my eyes at my fellow manager, "but Aoi-chan! Can't he just suck it up, admit that he's a bad player, and train to get better? I mean really, come on, nobody likes a snob."
The dark blue-haired girl grinned and said quietly, "well, nobody but you."
I put my hand over her mouth quickly, shushing her. "Aoi! What if somebody hears you?!"
Yeah, okay, so maybe I had a tiny crush on Manabe. I mean, he's pretty good looking, with those mauve eyes that hide behind his eyeglasses, and lavender hair that hung down to a few inches above his shoulders, and it curled a teensy bit at the ends. His bangs crossed a little over his pale forehead, and were longer by his ears. He was smart, talented (not at soccer), and completely clueless about anything that has to do with feelings and emotions. Seriously, he's all like, 'I calculate that such and such will happen, with a 47.89% chance that it will backfire…' Ugh. Can't he just get over it and go with his instincts? His gut feelings? He could save so much time if he did. I sighed. Whatever. He'll get over himself someday…
Looking out over the field again, my bright orbs landed on the nerd, talking with Minaho. Ugh. Those two need to stop chatting and start practicing!
Beside me, Aoi stood and blew her whistle. "Break time, mina-san!" All of the players on Inazuma Japan came gratefully over to the bench, and Aoi and I handed out clean towels and water bottles. I took a bottle and towel over to Manabe, who thanked me politely and took a drink.
I said, "you know, Manabe-san, if you worked hard enough on it, instead of just predicting things all the time, you could be a pretty good player." He glanced up at me, those piercing eyes of his boring into mine. I shifted uncomfortably. Was he looking at my soul?!
He spoke quietly, "do you think I shouldn't calculate at all?"
I shook my head emphatically, "oh no, that's not what I meant at all! I-I think your calculations are really good, it's just that… well... soccer isn't just about numbers. It's about having fun, and teaming up with everyone to play with all your heart. You see what I mean?"
Manabe gave me that calculating look again, and I wanted to reach out and smack him or something. Dude, there's this thing in the human body called a heart, and, shock of all shocks, you've got one too, so USE IT!
I snapped out of my thoughts as he blinked and looked away, "I'm not sure. I-I'll have to think about it." Wait, was he blushing? Did this guy actually know how to feel? Huzzah! I think I succeeded in making him uncomfortable! Now it's payback time for all the times that he's made me uncomfortable! Haha! Don't get me wrong, I'm a pretty sweet person, really, but this guy drives me up the wall! I mean, every time he talks, I want to slap him and hug him at the same time. Is that weird? Eh, probably.
I heard a small snicker and looked over at Minaho, who suddenly seemed very focused on wiping the sweat off the back of his neck. Rolling my eyes, I left Manabe to his own devices as I went to do my job. Pick up a towel, give it to someone. Pick up a water bottle, give it to someone. Very easy. I was so glad that Kuroiwa-kantaku let me be a manager.
He did it. Tenma convinced everyone to buckle down and train hard, play soccer, and most importantly, have fun. I grinned uncontrollably as I watched everyone hard at practice. We could do this. We could be the best in the world. My gaze flitted over to Manabe, and I watched him for a bit. After some intensive stamina training, he turned out to be not too bad, just as I'd thought. I watched his graceful movements, his running, his passes, every movement entranced me. The way he ran, and his hair clung to his neck with sweat, I could just watch him all day.
Aoi tapped me on the shoulder, shattering my beautiful daydream. "Oi, Reida-chan. Are you going to drool all day or are you going to just tell him how you feel?"
I whirled around to face her, waving my arms. "No no, I couldn't! He doesn't like me at all. He would be all like, 'oh, Reida-san, that confession has a 99.99% chance of failing and making me laugh at you like you're an idiot."
Aoi giggled at my overreaction. "Oh, I don't know about that… maybe you should try it." Shaking my head, I looked back at Manabe. The handsome mathematical genius that had stolen my heart, 100%.
As I was putting away the last soccer ball that evening, I heard a voice hailing me, "konbanwa, Reida-san."
I froze, my stomach twisting and my face heating up. Turning slowly, I saw Manabe leaning against the goalpost, slim arms crossed. I smiled nervously. "K-Konbanwa, Manabe-san…"
He smiled back and asked nonchalantly, "are you busy right now?"
I shook my head, "not really…"
Gesturing, he continued, "well then, may I walk you back to your room?" Wordlessly I nodded. Wow, he's being so polite! We walked side by side, my heart fluttering with every step.
Adjusting his glasses, Manabe said, "s-say, Reida-san… eto… are you, um… seeing anyone?"
Slightly confused by his question, I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to mess with him. "Yes, actually."
He looked startled, glancing over at me. "R-Really? Who?!"
I giggled playfully, "well, I see you. That counts, right?"
He frowned and pushed his glasses further up his nose, and I couldn't miss the red that bloomed on his cheeks. "N-No, it doesn't! Don't scare me like that, Reida-san!"
Evolving my giggle into an outright laugh, I retorted, "why should that scare you?" After taking a few more steps, I realized that he had stopped.
Curious, I turned back around and stood in front of him, arms crossed expectantly. "Well, Manabe-san?"
He stammered, something I swear I've never heard him do before. "W-Well, it's just that… whenever I'm around you, I get this funny feeling in my chest… a-and Minaho said that it means… that it means…" I leaned forward to catch the quiet words as they fell from his lips. "I love you."
I put my hands to my face, as if to curb the intense blush. "Really?"
He nodded, staring at the ground, "yeah. B-But it's okay, I know you don't feel the same, so-" He stopped as I squealed and glomped him. "Says who?!"
I could feel him frozen under my embrace, until he slowly put his arms around me, whispering, "my calculations…"
I sighed exasperatedly, "argh! And just when I found out you actually have a heart!"
He pulled back and grasped my shoulders, glaring at my sheepish face. "What's that supposed to mean?!"
I blanched, "eto… well, you are kind of conceited…"
He looked hurt. "What?"
Before he could explode angrily at me, I hugged him again and said playfully, "but I love you anyway!