After being kicked out by Mio, Miyuki stormed his way towards Kuramochi's dorm.
"What the hell are you doing here Miyuki"
"..."
Kuromichi feel a headache coming with Miyuki's beggar likes appearance. He can't possibly kick him out, considering his pitiful state. He felt pity towards Miyuki but not even a second that feeling shattered instantly. Miyuki plopped down and make this dorm like his own.
"That Mio kid kicked me out! Say how can he treat me like this?!"
"..."
"Kuramochi are you even listening??"
"Even if he kicked you out then there must something you do that make him irritated"
"...t-that"
"See, you're digging your own grave"
"Heh come on man"
Miyuki pouted
"So how long do you want to sit her- "
*BANG*
*FLINCH*
The door opened and Mio with his usual stoic face emerge from outside
"?"
"??"
"Kuramochi senpai I'm taking Miyuki senpai back, sorry for the trauble he cause"
Mio bowed
Kuramochi snicker seeing his action
"What is this? I'm so touched that my excellent kouhai come over to get me"
Mio grab Miyuki by his collar and bow again towards Kuramochi.
"Then senpai we're off now, sorry for the inconveniences"
"Also Miyuki senpai you better behave"
*Glared*
"Alright alright"
Kuramochi shake his head hearing their bickering even after they left the dorm.
"Well I guess Mio himself didn't realize that he's grown attached towards Miyuki"
***
After dinner the team gather to discuss about strategies and lineup for the final. Everyone seems nervous but excited at the same time. This showdown is envitable and with Mio as the new ace, they were feeling that at least Seido have a new era. It wasn't a baseless confidence, everyone has seen it and unanimously agreed about it. After a round of discussion lead by coach Kataoka and their senpais, without doubt the whole team agreed that Mio was destined to start the game.
July 31st, 1 PM
The time that everyone have been waiting, match between powerhouse school. Inashiro Industrial with their unshakeable title and Seido Highschool which want to reclaim their former glory. What's more there's seem an inside story about both schools' ace. When Seido arrive, everyone focus shift towards them, but it's seems that Seido isn't fazed with the attention they received.
*Stop*
Seido's team suddenly stop their track, and the spectators hold their breath seeing Inashiro bump into Seido. The smell of gunpowder was oblivious to them.
"What's the matter?"
Mio who just arrive because he have matters to attend ask Yuki as he catch up to them.
"Nothing"
"...hmmm, Mei?"
Amidst all the tension between them, Mei was the only person on the rival team to smile excitedly upon watching Mio's arrival. He skip over and snatch Mio to their team.
"!!!"
"What are you doing Mei?"
"Just a casual reunion and you're already frowning Mio, that hurt my fragile heart TT"
Seido frown upon seeing how Mio and Mei was closed with each other. Carlos and Shirakawa rethinking about their life the moment Mei cloudy mood improve after seeing Mio.
"Mei shouldn't you prepare yourself?"
With a questioning look from Mio, Mei immediately flinch and stammered to answer Mio.
"...thatt- "
"I won't go easy on you, you should be aware of that fact right?"
Everyone watch how Mio tame Mei without much force and actually it was life changing because Mei was hard to control since he's a person with a big ego and talent. Only someone like Mio can change Mio's attitude.
"Absolutely yess! I can't possibly play a half assed game right?"
"Hmmm well we should hang out after this game then"
Mei's expression change like he won a lottery after hearing Mio's promise.
Mio hold Mei's shoulder and handed him to Carlos.
"I'm sorry for dragging you all, Mei should be normal after this. Well I suppose good luck?"
With that Mio tapped Carlos's shoulder and bid farewell to them.
With that everyone witness this never seen scene with an unsettled heart. Seido also move forward as Mio already take a big strides to the Stadium.
***
Seido team dugout
A drop dead silence. Everyone keep glancing towards Mio who's attention on preparing himself for the game. They were pulled back to reality after coach Kataoka start to brief them for today game.
"I'm not saying much but your blood, sweat and tears already prove that you all are worthy to stand here today. Go! Each of you should be aware of what we are after in this game".
Chris take over after coach Kataoka brief talk and start to announce the player's position just like how they discussed it the day before.
1st - Kuramochi Youichi
2nd - Kominato Ryousuke
3rd - Isashiki Jun
4th - Yūki Tetsuya
5th - Masuko Tōru
6th - Miyuki Kazuya
7th - Fujikawa Mio
8th - Kadota Masaaki
9th - Shirasu Kenjirou
***
Inashiro dugout
Everyone doing their own preparation not until Harada point out Mei's quietness.
"Mei you're not having an episode right?"
They thought he was throwing tantrum because of earlier matter but they were shock when Mei suddenly stand up. Worried turn ecstasy. He's far from throwing a fit, instead Mei seem on fire than ever. The team don't know what trigger him but they prefer this kind of Narumiya Mei. True to his name, his name symbolize strength alone. Don't get them wrong even if Mei was whining all the time that doesn't mean they hate it, but for this match they hope Mei will take this more seriously as Seido sudden strength can be said caught them off guard a little bit.
As the emcee start talking, Inashiro also getting ready to take the field with their lineup.
1st - Kamiya Carlos Toshiki
2nd - Shirakawa Katsuyuki
3rd - Yoshizawa Hideaki
4th - Harada Masatoshi
5th - Narumiya Mei
6th - Yamaoka Riku
7th - Hirai Tsubasa
8th - Soyogi Katsumi
9th - Fujiwa Shinya