AIZA-SAN'S FIC [English]

Chapters 20-30

XX

The other day, it was a gray, cold day. –It’s freezing, said Jun. –It’s the worst winter we’ve had. We can’t play soccer! Exclaimed Tsubasa. –Yeah. I hate cold, said Atsuko. The only one who wasn’t participating in the discussion was Saki. –Saki, what’s wrong? –No, nothing. Then she remembered. “Genzo’s flight is at 10:45 AM. I’d rather run.” Thank God it was Saturday. -What time is it? –10:30. –Oh, no! And she ran and ran, to the airport, which was at the other side of town. –Creeps, I’ll be late. I’ll T-port, now! She muttered, and she arrived at the airport immediately. –It’s 10:35. She then looked for Genzo. –Aha! There he is. She ran to where Genzo was sitting. –Hey, Genzo! She said. –What? He replied. He didn’t look like the Genzo that Saki knew. His face was pale, and he had eyerings. His eyes were red, and his voice still had the trace of tears dropped. –Genzo, it’s me, Saki. –What are you doing here? He asked, startled. –I just came to say, to say good luck, and goodbye, she panted. –Passengers boarding flight 575 to Berlin, Germany, please wait in aisle 4. Repeat: Passengers boarding flight 575 to Berlin, Germany, please wait in aisle 4. –Well, I have to go to that aisle, Saki. But she didn’t say anything. She followed him to the aisle 4. –I have to board the jet, said Genzo, finally. –Well, please, don’t forget me, said Saki. –I won’t forget you ever, he said, caressing Saki’s face. And he kissed her for the last time. –Goodbye, Saki. –Goodbye, my Genzo, she said finally. Then he boarded the plane, and she walked to the windows. Then the airplane flew off, and so did her reason to live, her happiness, her only love.

In the plane, Genzo remembered his good times at Nankatsu. “When I first bumped into Jun, I was really annoyed. After that, I bumped into Saki, and I insulted her, but then we had a good chat, and there begins my story. I fell in love, she accepted to be my girlfriend, and we’ve been keeping the secret for a long time. But my mom had to call me. Darn it, I’d like to be in Nankatsu, but I haven’t seen my mom for two years now. I fractured my ankle, had my fifteenth birthday, and more. But I actually miss Tsubasa, Jun and the others, but I miss Saki before anybody else.” He was looking at the window. The view was incredible. The sea was extended below his feet, in a blazing blue. –If Saki could see this, she would like it, he said. Meanwhile, at the airport, Saki was walking out of the airport, broken-hearted and depressed. She was so down, that she didn’t see the car that was flying on the street. Closer and closer it came, ready to smash off anything that was on the car’s way. She didn’t notice anything. She was blinded, deafened and broken by the depression, that she couldn’t notice anything at all. Then the car was very close, and, and…

The only thing that Saki remembered next, not very clearly, was that somebody was picking her up. Then she fell asleep. The car ran over Saki, and she flew a few feet before falling down. When she woke up, she was at the hospital. –Huh, what happened? She muttered, still asleep. –You were crashed by a speeding car, said a familiar voice. –Mom! She said, sleepily. -Don’t get up, Saki, or you’ll get even more hurt, replied the nurse. Saki tried to get up, but a horrible pain made her slump down in the bed. –What do I have? Asked Saki. –You were run over by a car. You have a contusion, some scratches and bruises, two broken ribs, not to mention a big depression. –Oh, creeps, and Saki fell asleep again, because of the anesthetic. Meanwhile, at the Twins’ house, Jun was planning some soccer strategies. –Now, if we use the Arrow Strategy with the Shu…And the phone rang. –Hello? Aiza Residence. Jun speaking. Hi mom, what’s up? Saki was run over by a car. Yeah. WHAT? IS SHE DELICATE? No? I’m going there now. Jun was shocked. –Mayumi, Akira, Naoko, we’re going to the hospital. –Why? Asked the cats. Akira was still healing from his fractures. –Saki’s quite ill. –No! Gasped Mayumi. And the cats’ tails were totally fluffed out.

While they were running to the hospital, they almost bumped on Kojiro. –Hey you, what do you think you’re doing? –No time, man. Saki’s ill. Kojiro joined them. When they arrived at the hospital, Kasumi joined them too. –Hello. We need to see Hanako Aiza. –Who needs her? Asked the receptionist. -I’m her son, she’s my cousin, and they are my friends. Then Hanako arrived. –Hello Jun. Come in. Then the group walked to the room in which Saki was healing. –Here it is. Room 364. You go first, Jun. Then he went into the room. Saki was still asleep. –Sis, I’m sorry. The next match is against the Shutetsu. If you hear me, heal as soon as you can. Then Mayumi went in. –Saki, good luck. You’ll need it. The cats were next.

–We want you to heal, just like we do. Then Kasumi went in. –Saki, be careful. Maybe Beryl could attack you.

Suddenly, somebody appeared. –Beryl! Gasped Kasumi. -Give me the Talisman, Warrior, he demanded. –She can’t give you anything, Beryl. She’s very grave, replied Kasumi defiantly. –I’m sorry to do this, said Beryl, with an evil smile on his face. He concentrated his power, and was about to attack Kasumi, when he saw where he really was. –Wait a sec, he muttered to himself. –This is a hospital. I can’t attack anybody here, and it’s not fair if I attack somebody who’s ill. We’ll fight soon, Warrior, and I’ll eliminate you fair and square. –Don’t think so, said Kasumi. “I invoke the power of the spirits. Give me the power to banish evil from my sight.” Then she stared coldly at Beryl, and a cut appeared on his face. –Now get out of here and scram, Beryl, or I’ll cut my relationship, and also, I’ll eliminate you. Maybe I’m not a Warrior, but the Spirit gave me powers. So scram out of here now! She said, threatening him. Beryl disappeared, and Kasumi looked at Saki. Her condition was worse. She was sweating, and she had fever. –God. Mrs. Hanako, something’s wrong. –What is happening? Asked Saki’s mother. –She’s sweating, and she also has fever.

Then Saki began to tremble, like in a convulsive fit. Then her body went lax.

-She had a convulsion, said Mrs. Hanako. Then she checked her daughter’s condition. –Oh, no, she said, her face growing pale. –What happened, Mrs. Hanako? –Saki’s in a coma. Call the doctor. Then Kasumi went out of the room. Immediately, one of the doctors arrived. –What’s happening here, Hanako? –The patient, I mean, my daughter’s in a coma. -We should pass her to ICU. –No, please. She’s not in great danger. Her friends and my son are here, and they want to visit her. –I’ll see what I can do to let her in this room. Then the doctor went out. And Kojiro went in. –Hey, Saki. You have to get up and play soccer as much as you can. I don’t know about medicine, but the doctor said something. Good luck. And he went out of the room. When the visit finished, it was almost sundown. Saki still didn’t wake up. Mrs. Hanako was next to her, taking care of her daughter. Meanwhile, the news spread in a minute. The news spread from Tsubasa to Atsuko, to Kaoru, to Takeshi, Maya, and the others. The next day, Jun was fussing through his sister's papers, and he found a number. Then he saw the script. A name was written with his sister’s script. Then he got the shock of his life: It was Genzo’s phone number, in Berlin!

-Hello? –Good day, is Genzo there? –Jun? Is it you? –Well, yes. What’s up?

–Nothing. I’ve just had lunch. And what’s new in Nankatsu? –I’ve got bad news. A car hit Saki, and she’s in a coma. –What? Is it true, or are you joking, Jun? –I’m not joking, Genzo. She has a contusion, and her condition worsened. –No way! It’s really dangerous. I’m going to T-port there right now! -You shouldn’t, Genzo. Saki thinks you’re in Berlin. –While she’s in coma, I have the right to see her, even though it’s for a second. –OK, but its at your own risk, man. –OK, I’m going there. Bye. –Bye, Genzo. In the next second, a tall, worried looking boy appeared at Jun’s living room. –Genzo! Exclaimed Jun. –No time, let’s go. Both kids ran to the hospital. –We came to see Saki Aiza. –Sure, come in. When they arrived at room 364, nobody was visiting the patient. –Go in, Genzo. –OK. Genzo went inside. And he saw her. -Saki, it’s my fault. If I didn’t go to Beerlin, you wouldn’t be here. It’s my fault, he repeated over and over. Then his eyes welled with tears. –Genzo, are you OK? Asked Jun, who was coming in. –It’s my fault, he repeated again. Genzo let out a stifled sob. –Man, calm down. She’s not dead. She’s only unconscious, and can’t respond, but she’s alive.

Genzo just went on blaming himself. –I want to be alone. When Jun went out, Genzo said something that he would never forget, ever. –Saki, if you die, I’ll die with you. If you heal, I’ll heal with you. But please, don’t leave me alone. Please, don’t die. I really love you. Then he sobbed over Saki’s bedspread. –It’s my fault, he repeated over and over. Then he saw that she could breathe. –Saki, he said softly. Then he realized that she didn’t have an oxygen mask. She only had a nasal tube. –I hope you remember me, my love, ‘cause I’ll never forget you. And with a last, loving, but sad kiss, he T-ported back to Germany. Meanwhile, Jun was waiting for Genzo to go out of the room, not knowing that he was gone. Jun knocked nervously at the door. -Genzo, are you done? He waited just a bit more, before going in the room. -I’m coming in, Genzo. When he opened the door, he was shocked. Only he and Saki were in the hospital room, and Genzo’s Power Ring was on the night table. –How could he T-port without his Ring? “You don’t need your Ring to use your powers, Jun. The Ring is only for transforming and controlling your attacks and secondary powers. The accessory powers are inside yourself.”-Golden Spirit! Thanks! He said, gratefully.

-Creeps, we don’t have much time to find that doggone Golden Reincarnation.

-So you’re here. –Who’s there? I should’ve known that it was that stupid of Nakamura. –Well, if it’s my girlfriend’s brother. –You and your stupid addled mind, Osamu. How many times do we have to tell you that she has nothing to do with you, you devious snake? –Until she says that she’ll give me the love proof, she’s my girlfriend. –You’re a stupid, a coward and a brute. You fooled her once, and now you fooled Ohiko. And now who’s your victim, huh? Said Jun, who was angry. –I told you that Saki is my girlfriend, until she gives me the love proof. You know, I’ve seen you with Reiko Yagami. And I should give you some secrets. –You stink, replied the pony-tailed teenager. –Girls are like things. You can dispose and use them whenever you like, answered Nakamura scoundrelly. –Why you dirty idiot! Hissed Jun. –Women are the most important people on this world. If your mother weren’t a woman, you wouldn’t even exist. Jun was so outraged, that he punched Osamu right on his face, breaking his nose and knocking out a tooth. –You’ve made an error, Aiza. -Eso es lo que tu crees, said Jun, forgetting that Osamu was one year older, that he was taller than him, and that he was talking in Spanish, but Jun was stronger, faster and much more smarter than the goof.

Then Mrs. Hanako went inside. –What’s happening here? So it’s you, the son of Kuno Nakamura. Get out of my daughter’s room, and stop annoying us, or I’ll teach you to leave us alone. –Yeah right, said Osamu, derisively. –Jun, let’s do it, said a voice. –Saki? Exclaimed everybody at the room. –I’m OK, really. Then Saki and Jun stared at Osamu, and he was paralyzed. –What’s happening here? He stammered. –Swear that you’ll leave us alone, said Jun and Saki at the same time. –Never! Said Nakamura, who was scared. –You will leave her alone, said Mrs. Hanako. –Unless you want to suffer the consequences. –OK, OK, I swear I won’t bother you ever, but let me go! Shouted Osamu, who was almost trembling with fear. –Take this, whispered Saki, who made him go as pale as a ghost, before the Twins let him loose. When he was gone (very scared), Saki fell asleep again. –Sis, sis? Oh, she’s asleep, said Jun. –Don’t worry, Jun, said Mrs. Hanako. –Mom, how are you doing on your English classes? Asked Jun. –Fine, said the woman. –I’m improving, aren’t I?

-Really good, mom. –Now, go home and call that friend of yours, Tsubasa, and tell him that Saki’s out of the coma. –OK, and Jun scampered off. Then Saki woke up and tried to get up again. –C’mon, mom, help me put on some decent clothes, OK? -No, Saki. Your condition’s very poor. You’ll stay here for one more week. -But why? Asked Saki. –I have soccer matches to play and I have loads of homework. I can’t leave things like that! –Young lady, you’re staying here, no matter what you say. Jun’s going to help you, and besides, you’re too delicate. A girl like you shouldn’t play soccer. You should take on girl’s things, like dancing or cheerleading. –I don’t like that stuff. I feel too girlish, and besides, soccer is much more fun.

–What’s up with teenagers? I don’t know, said Mrs. Hanako. Saki resigned. She lied down on the bed again. –I think I had a dream. I dreamt that Genzo returned and he cried. Well, I don’t know, and Saki fell asleep, again.

Time passed, and so did January. Saki was completely healed of her wounds, and was practicing soccer and taekwondo again. –You’re progressing, Saki, said Mr. Ishida. She was working extra hard for graduating one more level. Her immediate dream was to get the yellow belt. Tsubasa and the others were in white-yellow, and Saki too, but the others didn’t practice as hard as her. Taro’s birthday passed, and so did Hikari’s. Taro received a new soccer ball from Tsubasa, a small bag of saffron from Atsuko (Her father traveled all over the world), a portrait keeper, from his father and a small scrapbook from Kasumi. Kojiro gave him a jackknife, Maya gave him a candle and a birthday card made from recycled paper and Saki gave him a new cookbook. Jun gave Taro a soccer strategies book. Reiko gave him a CD. Taichi and Mayumi gave him a new journal. Takeshi gave him a key chain, with a small bag of Colombian coffee, and Taro received much more things from his friends and family.

XXI

Then, one day, while the boys and Saki were in soccer training, Roberto called them. –Guys, meeting! –What’s up, Roberto? Asked Takeshi. –You remember that we have a soccer match against the Shutetsu? –Yes, answered the kids. –Well, its today at 5:00 PM, so I need you here at 4:30. -Sure, Roberto. Besides, I heard that they’ve got a new goalkeeper, said Jun. -Not better than Wakabayashi, isn’t him? Asked Junichi and Akira at the same time. –I actually don’t know, said Jun, with a confused look on his face. –Remember, it’s the decisive match to see who’s gonna be chosen for the Special Team who’s representing Nankatsu in the National Soccer Cup, in summer, said Tsubasa. –I, I, I’m not participating, said Kuno.

–Better for you. You know that the Shutetsu is a very tough team, said Jun.

–Then this is our definitive team. Morishima will be in the arch. Ishizaki, Tsutomu, Tamiya and Todo are in the defense line. Kido, Iwami and Jun Aiza go in the midfield, and Misaki, Saki and I will go in the forward. –Why does the girl have to play in the forward line? Asked Ryou. He thought that soccer was only for boys.

–Because she’s the secret weapon, and the Shutetsu doesn’t know it, answered Jun. –Besides, I like to be a midfielder.

Then the kids went home to lunch, and at 4:00 PM, Saki was packing up her sports bag. –Jun, get ready for the soccer match. –OK, and he zoomed up the stairs, almost knocking down Naoko. –Meoow, be careful, Jun! she shouted angrily.

–Sorry Naoko, but I’m in a big hurry. One minute later, the Twins were ready for a very exciting match. When they arrived at the soccer field, Tsubasa, Takeshi, Taro and the others were in the field, trembling with excitement. –Ooooh, it’s going to be fun, said Akira, who was very nervous. He was tall and lanky, and his hair was up to his ears. –Akira, control yourself! Said Takeshi, who was as nervous as him.

–And where’s Roberto? asked Saki. –Who knows, replied Tsubasa. –Look, here he comes! said Mori. –Are you ready, guys? asked Saki. –YEAH! shouted the boys, for they were even more excited than the only girl in Nankatsu who played as good as them. –Let’s go! said Roberto. They walked to the Shutetsu School, and then, Tsubasa, Taro, Jun, Saki and Takeshi saw somebody they knew. It was Maya. –Hi guys, she said with her usual smile. –Hi Maya, replied the kids of the gang.

-Why are you here? she asked. –Soccer match against the Shutetsu. –I don’t know about soccer, and I don’t like it, but I know that the Shutetsu isn’t as strong as Nankatsu, since Genzo quit Shutetsu. –Well, I heard that there’s a new goalkeeper. –You mean Ken? He’s not as good as Genzo, though. But boys are boys, said Maya. Saki gave her a heavy look. –You forgot that I’m also playing? –You play soccer, Saki? I thought you were only a strategist. –One of our players backed off, and Saki plays very well. She’s as good as Tsubasa, Taro, Takeshi or Jun, said Roberto. Then the team went to the dressing rooms. The boys changed clothes first, while Saki was checking the field. –No bumps, good grass, I think that it’s going to be a good soccer game, she said to herself. –Saki, we’re done, said Takeshi. –OK, I’ll be there. She went into the dressing room, and first checked and rechecked if there was a spy. –Good, she muttered to herself. She changed quickly her clothes, and tucked her braid in a cap, like Jun usually did with his ponytail.

Then the team began to warm up, including Saki. She was very excited, but she couldn’t forget that Genzo studied here before. “Darn it. Genzo studied here, and now I’m against his friends. I don’t know what to do.” Then the other team went in the field. The Shutetsu wore a red uniform, while the Nankatsu team wore a white and blue uniform. –Who’s going to win? asked Tsubasa loudly. –WE WILL! shouted the others. The crowd in the stands cheered both teams. Then the teams got settled in the field. The referee blew his whistle, and the match began. Tsubasa passed the ball quickly to Taro, while the others ran to the arch. Taro passed it to Takeshi, and he passed it back to Tsubasa. –Stop them! shouted the captain, Paul. Then Eddy tried to stop Tsubasa, but Tsubasa passed the ball quickly to Saki.

–Hey, it’s yours! –OK, she shouted, and ran with the ball. She was quicker than the boy who was covering her. –Jun! It’s yours! she shouted. –OK, Saki! He answered, and he shot, but the goalkeeper, Ken, blocked it easily. –Darn it! Muttered Jun.

–Don’t worry, Jun, we still have an opportunity, said Taro. Then the ball was on the move again. The Shutetsu ran to the other side of the field, with their three forwards, Teppei, Taki and Mamoru. Junichi, Takeshi and Jun tried to stop them, but it was no use. Then Akira, Ryou, Ichiro and Masaaki tried to stop them, but it didn’t work.

-Oh no, they’re going to shoot! Exclaimed Takeshi, but then, before Paul could shoot, somebody took the ball quickly. –Tsubasa! exclaimed Jun. He was the quickest on the field. –Taro, take it! he shouted. –Yeah! replied Taro. He took the ball, and ran all through the field. “I can see the opportunity to score a goal, if Saki uses her head”, thought Taro. “Saki, hit it with your head now!” –OK, she replied. Taro shot the ball up high in the air, and Saki jumped even higher than the other boy. –Here we go! she shouted, and she hit the ball with her head. The goalkeeper couldn’t stop it, and the ball went in the net. –Goal for Nankatsu! shouted the referee. –Good one, sis! said Jun, excitedly. –Thanks, but I didn’t shoot as strongly as I wished to, she answered with a broad smile. The ball was moving again, and the Shutetsu was running like a thunderbolt. The captain shot, and sadly, it was a goal. –Rats! Shouted Ryou, angrily. –Don’t worry, Ryou. We can still win, said Tsubasa.

Then Yuzo shot the ball to Takeshi, who ran as fast as he could, but a Shutetsu player blocked him, committing a foul. The referee blew his whistle and sanctioned a free kick. There were many options for who would shoot. Tsubasa, Taro, Takeshi, Jun or Saki, but at last it was Taro who would shoot. The referee signaled, and Taro kicked the ball so hardly, that the goalkeeper’s gloves were red-hot, before the ball went into the net. –Goal for Nankatsu! exclaimed the narrator. –Good one, Taro, said the others. –Let’s win them, for Genzo! exclaimed Tsubasa. –For Genzo! exclaimed the others. –For Genzo, said Saki softly, who was eager to score a goal for him. The match continued. Jun passed the ball to Tsubasa, who passed it to Saki before someone stopped him. It looked like if Saki had wings on her feet that day. She ran even quicker than Jun. Once, twice, thrice she avoided being blocked by the Shutetsu, who was growing even more nervous because of this girl. Then she was alone before the arch, guarded by Ken, Kojiro’s friend. But then, she had an idea. Jun was uncovered, just behind her. She passed the ball backwards, confusing the goalkeeper, and Jun shot the ball very high. Then Saki jumped.

Jumping, shooting, whirling and landing were all one in a second. She had used her most powerful shot, combined with Jun’s shoot power: The Phoenix Shot. The goalkeeper was still, his hair flying because of the powerful air stream that the ball created, and the ball almost ripped the net. –Goal! shouted the narrator. They were winning three to one, when the referee signaled the end of the first half. In the break, everybody drank lots of water. –Wheew! It’s tougher than I thought, said Ryou. –We’re only up by two goals, added Takeshi. –Saki, Jun, you made a great move together, said Roberto. –Gee, thanks, replied the Twins. –Saki, Tsubasa, Taro, Takeshi and Jun, you’re looking great out there, and the others too. Let’s win! –All right! The second part of the soccer match began. The Shutetsu was very nervous, and so were the Nankatsu players, but nobody wanted to go down in the score. Then they began to run, and the soccer match went on and on, until the last minute.

They were 3-3, tied, but there were only 30 seconds to go. Tsubasa caught the ball, and passed it to Taro. He shot strongly the ball, but it didn’t work. The ball hit one of the posts, but it was still alive. Then Saki had an idea. –Tsubasa, use the P1.2a! she shouted. –OK, he shouted back. He did as he was told, and Taro used also a very strong kick, to pass it to Jun. It was a strategy called the P1.2a Strategy, made up by Saki. Jun passed the ball with his Fireball Shot, and at last, it was the rendezvous with the goalkeeper. She jumped high in the air again, and the goalkeeper too, but she was quicker. She began to spin in the air, and kicked her Phoenix Shot. The goalkeeper tried to stop it, but his hands were burning. He let go and the ball ripped the net again, just before the referee blew the end of the match.

It was a great score, four goals to three. –Saki, you’re the best, said the others.

–Of course I’m not. We all did it together, she said, tears welling in her eyes. She dried her eyes. –C’mon guys, let’s go and cheer the other team. -Yeah, replied the others. Tsubasa shook hands with the other captain, Mamoru, while Taro, Takeshi and Jun talked with Taki and Teppei. Saki looked high up in the sky, and thought of the next soccer matches, but then she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was the goalkeeper, Ken. –For being a girl, you’re as good as Ozora, Misaki or even your brother. –Thanks… -Ken. Call me Ken. –OK, thanks, Ken. I simply adore soccer.

–You’ve got a mighty strong shot there. But you have different shots, don’t you? asked another player. –Yes, she answered, annoyed. She hated to be bothered by more than one boy. Then she walked to where her friends were

-Next match is against the Yamabuki Red Stars. –Against Hajime Suzuhara? asked Jun. –Yes, said Tsubasa, who had the information. –Very well, we have to practice even more, if we want to beat them, won’t we? –We’ll win, that’s for sure, said Todo, Tamiya and Tsutomu, confidently. –Akira, Masaaki, Ichiro, it’s not as easy as you think, said Taro. –They beat the Shutetsu four to none, and we beat four goals to three. –But I heard that Hajime Suzuhara plays only fifteen minutes, said Iwami. –Yeah, but in those fifteen minutes, four goals were scored, said Jun. Everybody went pale. –But we’re there for forty minutes there, and we can score goals even better than him, said Takeshi. Then, Taro looked all around him. –Guys, where's Saki? She’s not here with us. Then the boys began to search for their teammate. Jun found her in the locker room. She was holding a bracelet he had never seen in his life. –Saki, what’s wrong? he asked. –Nothing, Jun. It’s just my everyday problem. –You should try to forget Genzo while you’re playing soccer, sis. You’re going to get sick. –I was already sick, remember? You forgot that I was run over by a car, she replied. She had a hint of bitterness in her voice.

-C’mon sis, we have to go home. –Give me a sec, Jun. Let me put my bracelet in my bag. She did that in a moment, and the team went out of the Shutetsu School. –Guys, congratulations, said Maya, who was waiting outside the sports ground.

–Thanks, but Saki has the credit for this. She scored three of the four goals, and Taro scored the second goal. –Hee, said Taro, scratching the back of his head, and blushing. –Not bad at all. C’mon, we have to go home, guys, said Roberto.

–OK, replied the Nankatsu players. When Jun and Saki arrived home, Naoko, Akira and Mayumi were there, grinning broadly. –Congrats! exclaimed the threesome. –Gee, thanks, said Jun. –I can feel something, said Saki. –Akira, be careful! Shouted Naoko, before somebody attacked him from behind. Yes, it was Beryl. –Guys, let’s do it! shouted Saki. –I call upon Air Power. Saki, Air Warrior. NOW! –I call upon Ice Power. Jun, Ice Warrior. NOW! –I call upon Light Power. Mayumi, Light Warrior. NOW! –I call upon the Power of Nature. Akira, Animal Warrior. NOW! –And me? Asked Naoko. –Hide! Shouted Akira. –Ha. You think that you’re gonna defeat me, but you won’t. Then he attacked Akira, even though he tried to block Beryl’s attack. –Guys, don’t worry if I die! he shouted, before turning into a monster.

-And now what? Asked Mayumi, before the monster attacked them. –I got it. Mayumi, blind him with your spark blazes. Jun, freeze him. I’ll transform him. -OK, said the other Warriors. Then Mayumi sent out a spark blaze, and the monster was blinded. Then Jun attacked. –Galactic Frost Attack! And the monster was frozen solid. –I call upon the Air Spirit. Give me the power to transform evil into goodness. Galactic Blizzard, attack! and the cold jet of wind attacked the monster, which transformed in the cat. Then, Saki took out her crucifix, and put it on Akira’ little chest. –Meoow, what happened? he said when he woke up. –It’s all OK, said Jun. –Normality, NOW! said Saki, and they were back to normal. Then Saki saw that Beryl took the Talisman. –Darn it. He has another Talisman. –And we’re down by two Warriors. –Who? Said Akira. –You know that. Genzo and Misato. They’re in Germany, remember? –Oops, said the Siamese cat. They went in, and Saki made tea for everybody. After all that excitement, they needed so much to rest, that they slept at once, after they drank some tea.

When Rosario got home, she was impressed. It was normal for Saki and Jun to sleep early, but Mayumi didn’t sleep before ten. –My god, this is incredible, she said to herself. Then she remembered that she was a widow. –Now that I remember, Mark’s anniversary’s today, she remembered. She crept up the stairs, and went into her son’s room. Jun was asleep in his bed, with his soccer uniform still on him. Rosario smiled patiently, because Jun didn’t use pajamas for as long as she remembered. She bent over, and kissed her son’s cheek. –Good night, my Jun, she whispered. Then she entered her niece’s room. Mayumi was asleep too. Rosario left a small box, covered with a handkerchief. –This is for you, Mayumi. And at last, she entered her daughter’s room. Akira was asleep on Saki’s hip. She entered softly, and sat by the bed. She remembered how Saki scored her first goal, when she was five, and so did Jun. It was a very sunny day, in Albania, Colombia, and the Twins’ team, the Sharks, was competing for the championship, against the Bears. Jun was the captain, he didn’t have his ponytail, and Saki had her braid. Jun shot at the arch, and it bounced on the crossbar. The Saki jumped, and hit the ball while she was spinning in the air. Her braid, by then quite short, flew in the air, and the goalkeeper didn’t move. Thanks to that goal, the Twins won their first championship.

XXII

The next day, Saki woke up, and saw that it was a very gray day, like the day Genzo went to Germany. –I wonder how he’s doing in Germany? She asked to herself. Then let’s leave behind Nankatsu, and let’s see how’s Genzo doing there in Berlin. He had finished having his lunch. –Thanks, mom, he said, lowering his head respectfully. –You’re welcome, honey. Genzo’s mother was very beautiful. Long, straight black hair covered her back, while she walked gracefully. She looked a lot like her only son, only that his hair was short, and a bit wavy. She always called him Gen-chan. –Did you make your homework? Asked his mother, Yoriko Ikari. -Yes, but German language is so difficult to speak and write, he replied.

–You’ll manage very well, honey. I learned German before I had a year here. –Well, if you say so, he replied sourly. He went upstairs, and into his new room. –I wonder how‘s the Gang? He said to himself. –Hi Genzo, said Misato, who was reading a book. –You’re reading? He said, amazed. –Why not? She replied. –Shhh! Said Genzo, putting his index finger on his lips, signaling her to be quiet. –Why? She replied quietly. –Remember that they think that you’re a normal cat! He muttered.

–OK, but let me place away my Ring, she said. Then she took off her Ring, and put it in a small box. –Meoow. –Good job, Misato. Now, I have to do my homework, before I go out.

Doing his homework in German wasn’t easy, just because he only talked Japanese, his native language, and just a bit of Spanish, that the Twins taught him. –Now, question three’s very difficult, I’ll have to ask mom. She knows German, but I don’t know a bit. After a big while, he at last finished his homework, with a little help from his mother, and he went out, just to enjoy the snow. Then a passing snowball caught him. -Ouch! He said. –Are you OK? Said a boy, with a foreign accent, who was no older than him. –Don’t worry. I’m Genzo. –My name is Tsuneyasu. I'm pleased to meet you, Genzo. –Pleasure’s mine, Tsuneyasu. You’re German? –No. I’m Swiss, but my family is from Japan. -I’m from Japan too. More exactly from Nankatsu. –My family’s too of Nankatsu, but they went to live to Switzerland before I was born, and then we came to Berlin, Genzo. –Nah, just call me Genzo. –What’s that you have on your neck? –This, a locket. My best friend has also one of these. Then Genzo opened the locket, and showed the picture to Tsuneyasu. Saki and Genzo were in the picture. –Who’s that girl? Asked Tsuneyasu. –My best friend. Her name’s Saki. -Strange name. –No. She’s Colombian. She has a twin brother, Jun. –Oh. I have one brother and two sisters. I’m the oldest. –I’m fifteen, and you? –I’m thirteen. –No way! Replied Genzo.

-Want to come to my house? Asked Tsuneyasu. –Sure. Then Tsuneyasu and Genzo arrived at a nice big house. –Hi, I’m here! Shouted the young boy. –Hi Tsuneyasu, said his brother and sisters, Toshi, Sumie and Ako. –He is my new friend, Genzo. He’s new in the neighborhood. –Hi, Genzo, shouted cheerfully the little kids. –Hi, he replied blushing. –Tsuneyasu, what’s all this commotion? Asked a female voice. –It’s my new friend, mom. –Let me see him. –Come with me, Genzo. My mom wants to meet you. –Well, no problem. They walked to a nice, comfortable room, where a young woman was sitting. –You’re Tsuneyasu’s new friend? She asked. –Yes, ma’am. My name’s Genzo. –When I lived in Nankatsu, one of my friends had a small son called Genzo. –You remember your friend’s name? He asked politely. –Well, yes, I do. Her name was Yoriko, Yoriko Ikari. She was married to the wealthiest man in all Nankatsu, Yukio Wakabayashi. –Well, my mother’s name is Yoriko. And I’m that small boy. I’m Genzo. –Incredible. I thought that Yoriko stayed in Nankatsu. –No. I lived alone at my house, well, I lived with my trainer, and my mother came to Germany, after the divorce.

-This is quite impossible to believe. Can you please tell your mother that Christine Brown’s here? –Oh, sure, ma’am. Then Genzo went out of the house.

-My mom’s gonna faint with all this surprise. When he got home, his mother was waiting for him. –Gen-chan, honey, where have you been? –At a friend’s house. Does Christine Brown remind you of something? –Why, yes, honey. She is your godmother, and a very close friend of mine. –‘Cause I met her today. I met her oldest son, Tsuneyasu. –Oh, I forgot. You received a letter. –From who? –From somebody called, somebody called Saki. Genzo couldn’t believe it. A letter from Saki. His heart made a cartwheel, and took the letter up to his room. –Misato, Misato, a letter from Saki. –Meoow? She replied, and took out her Ring.

–Yeah, look. He read the letter. “Dear Genzo (And Misato, if you’re there):

Things are worsening, especially because both of you ain’t here. We had a soccer match against the Saint Francis, and we won four goals to three. Taro scored one goal, and I scored the other three goals, but it’s not the same without you to celebrate with. While I was in coma, I dreamt that you came here, and left your Ring over the night table. Did I tell you that I was run over by a car? Everybody in the gang misses both of you, but I miss you, Genzo, I miss you too much.”

-That’s all? Asked Misato. –No, he replied bluntly. ”You don’t know how much we miss you, guys.” Then Genzo stopped reading. –Misato, this part’s personal, please. There’s also a personal part for you, from Akira, but I won’t read it, if you don’t read my personal part. Deal? –Deal. Then she tucked away the Ring, and went out of Genzo’s bedroom. Then she saw Genzo’s mother talking on the phone. –Meoow? Yoriko was talking with somebody, as if she was discussing about some other. –Look Yukio, I won’t make Gen-chan live here with me forever, and he can decide if he wants to live with me, or alone, in Nankatsu. He’s not a little boy, I know, but I can’t stand that he’s living alone, well, with his trainer, while you’re traveling all around the world. Gen-chan needs a parent, and if you can’t stay in one place at a time, then this will go to court. -Meoow! –Give me a moment. Misato, get out! Now, where were we? You want to talk to Gen-chan? OK, he’s in his room. He received a letter from Nankatsu, from a girl called Saki. OK. Gen-chan, honey, you’ve got a call! –Coming!

Then Genzo answered the phone. –Hello? Genzo talking. Oh, it’s you dad. No, nothing. It’s just that I miss you. Yeah, yeah, it’s only for six months. Yes, the cat’s with me. OK, OK, bye. Then he hung up the phone. –What did he say? Asked his mother. –Nothing important, he replied. –I’m not for anybody, except for my friends in Nankatsu. –Why? –Because I miss them. He went to his room, and finished reading the letter. Then, a tornado covered him. –What’s happening now? He said to himself, and closed his eyes, so he wouldn’t get dizzy. When he opened his eyes, he was in the other dimension, like the first time he got there and was given the Power. –Chosen One. –Golden Spirit! What am I doing here? –I brought you to show you something. Then the Golden Spirit showed Genzo a small mirror. –If you need to see your friends, just look at this mirror, and think of the person you want to see. –Thanks, Spirit. And now that I remember, I left my Power Ring with Saki, when she was in the coma. -Very well. Now return to your home. Again he fell asleep, and when he woke up, he was in his new bed, with the mirror clasped in his hand. He looked at it. It looked like a common mirror, but then, he thought of Saki, and the mirror’s surface wavered, like if a drop of water fell on it. Again it went normal, but Genzo wasn’t reflected there. Instead, he was looking at Saki. She was in Taekwondo, in the graduation exam. Her braid was flying behind her, and her face was concentrated towards the graduation.

-Saki, he said softly. He was looking at the person he loved most in the world. He could see her, even though she didn’t see him. Then he saw the graduation. Of many students, only four of them received the yellow belt. Two boys, Saki and another boy he didn’t know. Saki talked with Atsuko and the rest of the Gang, and they were congratulating her. Then he thought about his father, and the surface of the mirror wavered again. He saw his father, a tall, black haired man boarding a jet. The airplane was going to Germany; he could see it. But then, a knock on the door made Genzo jump and hide the mirror under the pillow. –Gen-chan, honey, dinner is ready. –Just give me a minute, mom. I have to feed the cat. –Gen-chan, can I ask you something? –Sure. -Who is this girl, Saki? –Well, she’s my, er, my… -Your what, honey? –The truth is that she’s my girlfriend. But please, don’t tell it to anybody. It’s my secret. -Not even to your father? –No. Only you know it, besides her, and me. –That’s why you’re expecting the letters from your friends? –Yeah. I’ve got a group of friends there in Nankatsu, and Saki’s actually the leader. She writes to me, but I hope she gives them my address. –You miss her? –Not only do I miss her, but I also miss Jun, Mayumi, Taro, Tsubasa, Kojiro… well, Kojiro maybe not, but I miss the Gang. That’s how we call the group.

-Then, would you like to go back to Japan? Asked Yoriko. –Oh yeah. Even though I don’t see you much, I need my friends. And you remember the Ikari bracelet?

–Yes. You asked me if you could give it to somebody. –Well, Saki’s that person I care about so much. And, well, I don’t know how to say this, but when I arrived here, Jun, her twin brother, called me, telling me that she was run over by a car.

–Well, she’s OK now, isn’t she? –Yeah. She’s really very tough, and she also plays soccer. She’s as good as her brother. –Well, then, if you want to return to Japan, then you can. –Really? Exclaimed Genzo, surprised. –Yes. You can’t live without any friends, so I think that the best thing for you is to return to Japan, next week.

–I’ll write to Saki. –It’s too slow. You’d better call her. –Gee, thanks, mom. He ran to the phone, and dialed Saki’s phone number (long-distance, of course). –Hello, Aiza Residence. Akira talking. –Hello, Akira? –Yeah? –Hi, it’s Genzo. Is Saki available? -Yes. She’s just arrived. –Can I talk to her? Said Genzo, his hands sweating. -Sure. Give me a sec. Saki, you’ve got a call. From Germany! –Hello, Saki?

-Yes, with me. Genzo, is it you? -Yeah, it’s me. I have great news. –Which?

-I’m returning to Nankatsu. Next week! –What? Is it true? –I’m not kidding at all, Saki. It’s true. –It’s great! I’ll be waiting for you, Genzo. –I hope we can see us again. Bye, Saki. Then he hung up the phone. –Done. Then Yoriko and Genzo went down to dine. –Mmm, Mom, this is good, I like it. May I go upstairs? -Go, honey. Then Genzo went upstairs, and raced into his room. –Misato, Misato, I’ve got great news! He shouted. –What? She said, after putting on her Ring. –We’re going back to Nankatsu next week! –No way! She purred. –It’s true, Misato. We’ll see Akira, Saki and the others again! –Well, that’s good, she said softly. Then they whirled in a freaky dance, both of them laughing. When they at last stopped, they were dog-tired. –Whooo! It’s the best thing ever! Exclaimed Genzo, impatient to see his friends again, and especially Saki. Then, he heard the doorbell ring.

He looked outside his window, and he saw a man he didn’t recognize. Then he raced downstairs, and opened the door. -Yes? Who do you need? –You. Then the man tried to strangle Genzo, but he kicked him hard on the man’s chin.

–Oww! Darn it. You’re gonna die today, said the man, with a very strong German accent. -Why should I? He shouted. –Klaus! Shouted a voice. Yoriko’s voice.

–Yoriko. –Mom! He’s trying to kill me! Shouted Genzo, still up high in the air. -Why are you doing this, Klaus? -Because the boy is the one who doesn’t leet us marry.

–Look Klaus. I told that I’m not going to marry you ever, and if you think that killing my son will make me love you, you’re insane. Then somebody attacked that man. –Aagh! Shouted the man, and Genzo fell with a dull thump. –Ow! Then Genzo saw who attacked the man who was trying to kill him.

–Dad! He shouted. –Genzo, son, are you OK? Said his father, Yukio Wakabayashi. Genzo didn’t think it twice, and ran to his father, even forgetting that he was fifteen.

–Yukio? Said Yoriko. –Yoriko, are you OK? Said Yukio. –Yes, thanks to you. Why did you come? –Because, I wanted to ask you something. –What? Asked Yoriko, surprised. –Would you marry me again? Said Genzo’s father. Genzo and Yoriko were shocked. –Well, I don’t know what to say, Yukio. Oh, who am I kidding? Even though we divorced, because you were traveling all the time, I still love you. My answer is yes. Genzo was overwhelmed with surprise. –Then, why don’t we all return to Nankatsu? He said. -Good idea, said his parents at the same time. Then Yoriko called the police, so they could take the other man out of the house. And after that, he was so overjoyed, that he almost couldn’t sleep.

XXIII

Back in Newppy, Saki strangely forgot Genzo’s call. –Well, there’s another day, another depression wave, she said resignedly. Days were strange in Newppy. February was normally damp, but there were rainstorms every day. The only good thing was the soccer trials. –Saki, if you keep up like this, you could even be captain, said Tsubasa, surprised. –Now, I’ve got an idea, said Saki. -Which? Asked the others. –Many girls are beginning to turn soccer fans, thanks to the team.

–Good point. –Many girls have asked me to see if they could get in the team, including Kaoru, Atsuko and Carol. So my idea is to make a Girls’ Soccer team. –Hey, great idea, said the boys. –So, would you like to help me with some signatures? She said. Everybody in the team signed. Then Saki ran to the principal’s office. Ten minutes later, she returned. –And? Asked the boys. –Guys, let the inscriptions for the Newppy Junior High Female Soccer Team begin! She said. Everybody shouted. –Yeah! Exclaimed everybody at the soccer team.

An hour later, Saki, Tsubasa, Taro, Jun and Jason opened the stands for the Girls’ Soccer Team. Atsuko, Kaoru, Carol and Saki were the first girls to get in (Saki being the first, of course) After that, many girls went in. In less than an hour, the Team was totally complete. But then, she felt something in her heart, like if a small needle pierced her heart. –Genzo, she said softly. Then she remembered something. –Genzo returns next week, and I forgot it, she mumbled to herself. Nobody paid attention to her. Then she went to class, and the day passed quickly. While she was walking home, she met with Kojiro. –Oh, hi Kojiro. –Hi Saki. What’s up? –Oh, nothing. I’m going home. –Uhh, I wanted to thank you for recovering the Strength Talisman. –No problem. Then Kojiro went on his way, and Saki walked alone again. Then she saw somebody. It was Daisuke, Atsuko's big brother. –Hi Daisuke. –Hello, Saki. What’s new? -Well, not much, except that I built the Newppy Junior High Female Soccer Team. Your sister’s in it too. Then Atsuko joined them. –Hi brother, hi Saki. –Hi, Atsuko. You ready for the trials? They’re next week. –OK. When they were in a small street, somebody pushed Saki and Atsuko. –Hey, careful! Shouted both girls at a time.

Then, Daisuke shouted. –Daisuke! Shouted Atsuko. Then, Beryl appeared.

–One more Talisman for me. And disappeared. Then Daisuke turned into a monster. –You know what to do, Atsuko. –Yeah. I call upon Earth power. Atsuko, Earth Warrior. NOW! -I call upon Air Power. Saki, Air Warrior. NOW! Then the monster attacked them, but at least both girls were quick. –Atsuko, you can’t attack him normally. –I can’t? Then what can I do? “Follow me: I call upon the Earth Spirit. Give me the Power to destroy evil, and restore goodness. Then use your Final Power”. –Golden Spirit! Gasped Atsuko. –Do as she said. It’s the only way, said Saki. –OK. I call upon the Earth Spirit. Give me the Power to destroy evil, and restore goodness. Galactic Thunderflash, attack! And the monster disappeared, leaving only Daisuke’s body. –Put your crucifix on Daisuke’s chest.

–OK. Then Atsuko placed her crucifix on her brother, and a new Talisman appeared, entering his body. When he awoke, he saw the two Guardian Warriors. –You’re those superheroes that everybody talks about! –Yeah, we’re them. Everything’s back to normal. –And Atsuko, my sister? –She’s OK, said his own sister. -Well, thanks.

After they went back to normal, well hidden, Saki and Atsuko met Daisuke.

–Girls, you should’ve seen it. I was attacked by something, and those superheroes that everybody talks about at school saved me. Well, there were only two, two girls. –Really? Said Atsuko and Saki at the same time. –Yeah. And one of them looked like you, sis. –Well, it wasn’t me. That’s for sure. When you were attacked, Saki and I ran and hid. We were too scared. –Yeah, but let’s forget it, OK? Said Saki, who took another way home. –See you tomorrow, Saki, said Daisuke and Atsuko. –See you. Saki was walking again, and at last she got home. –Hi, I’m home! She said. But nobody was at home. –How strange. Mayumi hasn’t arrived, and Akira isn’t here, and so isn’t Naoko. Well, I think that I’d better use my time. She went upstairs, and went into her room. Everything was the same, though there was something strange in the air. So Saki decided to use the programs she installed in her computer, thanks to the Golden Spirit. She checked everything, and at last, something rather useful opened. It said “STATUS”. She checked it, and saw that Beryl had fewer half Talismans that they did, but there were still some halves missing. “We’ll have to find those Talismans as quick as possible.”

The week passed in a blur, and nobody knew about Genzo’s trip back, except Saki. It was Saturday, and the trials were on. Saki was doing the selection.

–Well, it’s your turn, Bell, said Saki, passing the ball to the girl. -Right. So the girl had to pass over the obstacles and the other girls, and at last her turn was over.

–Good job, and so we finish the soccer trials. The results will come next Monday, on the school newspaper. Have a nice weekend! –Bye! Then Saki remembered something. –Today happens something special, but I can’t recall it. Then she hit her forehead so hard, that she could have knocked down a big dog. –Of course! Today’s Genzo’s trip back! And Saki went to her house quickly. When she arrived, she almost knocked down Jun, while she was running upstairs. –Gee, sis, what’s happening? –Something very vital! Exclaimed Saki while she ran to her bedroom. Ten minutes later, she went out, neatly dressed. –That’s strange. Saki only dresses neatly when there’s something important, said Jun. She took her bike, and rode to the airport. –Now, it’s a flight from Berlin. I have to be quick, she reminded to herself. When she arrived, the airport was packed with people, as usual. Then Saki went to the arrival hall. She saw lots of people coming out, but no signs of Genzo. At last, the speaker resounded. –Passengers boarding out of flight 235 coming from Berlin, please register in the customs.

Saki kept open her eyes, and saw a tall teenager, with a red cap, black jacket and jeans, joined by a beautiful woman with black hair, and by a very tall man, black-haired also. Then she took out the gold locket, and raised it up high in the air. Then the teenager raised also a locket, with the same shape, but it was silver colored.

–It’s him! Gasped Saki. Then Saki began to run, and so did the teenager, who turned out to be Benjamin Alexander Wakabayashi Moore, her only reason to live. Then she threw herself in Genzo’s arms. –Oh, Genzo, I knew it was you! Gasped Saki, almost crying with joy. –Yeah, I’m here now, forever, he replied.

–Alexander, honey, who is she? Asked the woman, who turned out to be Yoriko, Genzo’s mother. –Mom, dad, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Saki. –Pleased to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Wakabayashi, said Saki promptly. –She’s the girl I talked about with you, mom. –Well, you have a very good taste, honey, said Yoriko, chortling softly. –Well, son, we have to arrive at our house soon. –Mom, dad, I’m going with Saki. –We’ll take care of your luggage. -Thanks. Then Genzo and Saki went out of the airport, together at last. –I really missed you, Genzo. –Me too, Saki. You don’t know how much. –You must get in school again, and write what we’ve done actually. I can help you. -Thanks, my love. And at last, something wonderful happened. After months and months of depression, Saki smiled.

-Saki, your face! Said Genzo, amazed. –What’s wrong with my face? She said.

–It lit up. You had such a somber face, that it looked like if you were older than anybody, and now, you look better than ever. –Gee, thanks. C’mon, let’s go to your house. –Good idea. So Genzo rode on Saki’s bike, and Saki went on the backseat. –Here we go! Exclaimed Genzo, pedaling as hard as he could. They were going so fast, that they could barely hear what they were telling to each other. When at last they arrived, Mr. Frank was there. –Genzo! He exclaimed. –Yeah, I’m back! He said, happily. Then somebody near the house ran there. It was Tsubasa, who was walking home from Taro’s. –Genzo! Welcome back! –Thanks Tsubasa. I’ve got an idea. We’ll all keep the secret, and next Monday, I’ll arrive at school. –But how are you going to do that? Said Tsubasa. -Easy. I’ll come here, to bring Genzo my notebooks, so he can get up to where we are, said Saki. –And I’ll bring you the soccer news, said Tsubasa. –But nobody can know about this, not even Jun, said Genzo. –Don’t worry. I’ll control my brother, said Saki. Then a car arrived. Genzo’s parents arrived. –Benjamin, you arrived first? –Well, am not I here? He said, laughing. –Well, yes, said Genzo’s father.

-I’m going to my room. My friends and I will take my things upstairs. Then Tsubasa, Saki and Genzo carried the briefcases upstairs, and emptied them. In half an hour, Genzo’s room was as if he never went to Germany. –Well, all’s back to normal, said Genzo. –Yeah, and here’s your Power Ring, said Saki. -Thanks. How are the battles doing? –The same. Nothing important, apart from the fact that Saki’s organizing the Newppy Junior High Female Soccer Team, said Tsubasa.

–Well, I got to get up to date, said Genzo. –Yeah, definitely. After Tsubasa and Saki went to their houses, Genzo had a sudden thought. He didn’t tell Hans about his journey. –Darn, I forgot to tell Hans. I’ll write to him. But Genzo was so tired, that he fell asleep in the very second. The next day, Sunday, Genzo woke up, and looked in the newspaper. The front page read: “New revelation in soccer teams”. It talked about the Newppy Soccer teams, both male and female. –Thanks, Tsubasa, he muttered, smiling. Then he saw that there were some highlighted words. “The player and strategist of the Newppy Junior High Soccer team, Saki Aiza, is organizing now the Female Soccer Team, of which she is forward player, as well as trainer and captain. Also, in the Team, there are people such as Atsuko Nishimura and Kaoru Mizuno.”

That day, Saki brought Genzo her notebooks, and she helped him with some Math problems. –You see; it’s not that difficult. –Well, I’ve never been good at Math, Saki. –Me neither, Genzo, but at least Ms. Nishikuni does explain. -I have to see that. After that, Math, Social Studies and English were all done. -Well, now let’s continue with Biology. –Geez, Saki, can I have a rest? Genzo complained. –OK. So they went to the backyard, and talked about his trip. –And how’s Germany? –Well, I went in winter, and it’s cold, Saki. But I made a friend. His name is Tsuneyasu, and he’s Swiss. –Cool. Then half an hour passed, and they were back in the house. Then, at last, they were finished. -Well, now you have to get ready for tomorrow, Genzo. –Wait, Saki. You’ve got the bracelet? –Obviously, Genzo. She showed him the bracelet, shining better than ever. –Well, it’s been a long time, Saki. –Yeah. You’ve got the locket here? –Yeah. -Then let’s join them. Just in case. –OK. So both youths took out the lockets, and joined them. The lockets formed a perfect circle. –Exactly. Then Genzo looked at Saki’s eyes, and Saki looked at Genzo’s eyes. He was nearer and nearer, and…

After she finished packing the notebooks, Saki rode home on her bike, but somebody stopped her. –So, it’s you, Newppster. –Mara, what do you want?

-Where’s my slave? –He’s not your slave, and he’s in Germany, Saki lied.

-You’re not telling me the truth. –Of course I am! Said Saki, seriously. Then Mara tried to hit Saki, but Saki was much quicker than the other girl. –I’ve got no choice, said Saki. She took aim, and shot her soccer ball so hard at Mara’s stomach, that the giant redhead bent down. –I know that fighting’s not good, and that’s why I didn’t use martial arts, said Saki, looking down at Mara. Then she rode on her bike again, and went home. When she arrived, Jun was playing on the computer. –Hi Jun. –Oh, hi sis. What’s up? He answered. –Oh, nothing. You’ll wait until tomorrow, and something very special will happen, said Saki, smiling mysteriously. –What, a surprise? –Yeah, bro. –Saki, you received a letter. –From who? She asked. –From Shinji. -No way! She shouted. –Yeah. It’s in your room. –Thanks, Jun, said Saki, and she gave her brother a big hug. –Hey, stop it, sis! You’re going to break my bones! Then Saki ran upstairs, and went to her room. The letter was on her bed.

–Yes, it’s from Shinji. Shinji was Saki’s best friend from Colombia, but he lived in the United States.

“Dear friend Saki: Things are all right here in the US, but I miss you, due to the fact that you also moved out of Colombia, and that you’re so far away, in Japan. I haven’t heard about you in a long time, ever since you sent me that letter. Actually, I’m in 10^th grade, so I suppose that you have to be in 9^th. I hope I can go to Japan for the summer, so we can talk about all the things that have happened in this time that we haven’t seen each of us. Robato has asked about you. He needs to know. Remember to write your wonderful songs, and poetry too. Yours truly, Shinji. PS: Can you give me your phone number? My telephone number is 954 (area code) 963-0178. I am in Ft. Lauderdale.” –Gee, Shinji. I’ll write to you right now! Said Saki eagerly. Then she remembered how did she meet Shinji, and Robato too. Robato was her former boyfriend, before she moved to Japan.

She took a sheet of paper, and began to write. “Dear Shinji: Thanks for your letter. Here in Newppy, I’ve found my real home, ever since La Guajira. Sorry, but I’m in 8^th grade, and I’m in the Soccer teams, both male and female. Besides, you remember that my relationship with Robato ended because I moved? Well, I’m recovered. And the one who has my heart is a great boy. His name is Genzo. Jun’s here too. He sends regards. If you come to Japan, you can stay at my house. There’s always a spare bed at Jun’s room. My phone number’s 487-2753, including area code for Japan, and Shizuoka. Send my address to Robato, and send also my regards to him. And for you, a big hug, and I hope you will come. Besides, you could come here, and go also to Tokyo, for the Soccer Tournament. Best wishes, Saki. PS: You’re my best friend forever.” Then she took an envelope, and wrote Shinji’s address. –Now, I have to get ready for tomorrow. Then she took her notebooks and put them in her book bag. –Well, at least I’m ready for tomorrow. Then she went to sleep, ‘cause she was so tired from the excitement.

XXIV

The next day, Saki was walking to school, when she looked at her watch.

-Darn it! It’s getting late! She exclaimed. Then she decided to use something quick. –T-port, now, she whispered, and she arrived quickly. –That’s better. Then she met with Genzo. –Hi Genzo. –Hi Saki. –You ready for the big surprise? –Definitely. Besides, I want to see everybody again. –OK. Follow me. Then Saki and Genzo went inside the school, using the emergency door, and went inside their classroom. –I’m still in 8-A, Said Genzo. –Yeah. Then the bell rang, and they were inside the room, before anybody. Then Ms. Nishikuni went in. –Wakabayashi! You’re back!

–Yes, Ms. Nishikuni. I came back. Now, I want this to make it a surprise for the rest of the class. –OK, then hide. –Yes. And Genzo ran, and hid in the closets. Then the other students went inside. –Hi Saki, are you still down in the dumps? Asked Wayne. –You’re crazy? I haven’t got time, with the Teams. –And talking about teams, when’s Genzo going to return? Asked Taro. –Sooner than you expected, Said Saki. And the closet door opened, revealing Genzo, who was smiling broadly.

–Genzo! Shouted Taro and the rest of the students. –Hi guys, I’m back!

All the teens of the Gang ran to where Genzo was, and then the whole class, in a big hug, covered Genzo. Everybody was glad of seeing the best goalkeeper in Nankatsu. –OK, OK, I’ll tell you how’s Germany, but sit down all of you, or I’ll give up the ghost! Said Genzo, smiling. Then he began to talk of Germany, explaining everything, even when the man tried to squeeze the life out of him. –And when he tried to kill me, I kicked him hard on his chin, and after that, my dad arrived and pushed him to the ground. –Well, that’s a good story, Genzo, but how did you come to Japan? –Well, I missed my friends so much, that my mom told me that I could come back. Then what I told before happened, and my dad, who was in England, came to Berlin, and Asked my mom to marry him again. Then we came back, and Saki was waiting for us. –Look! Saki blushed! Said Katie Bell. –Not only her! Genzo blushed too, said Jun. –It’s just that I blushed when he mentioned me. I don’t have anything with him, except a good friendship, Said Saki, looking seriously. –Yeah, and besides, if I blushed, it’s just that I’m boiling, Said Genzo, wiping the sweat off his face.

-Well, let’s continue with the class. And the day went on and on. Then, at recess, the Gang met. –Guys, I’ve got great news. A friend of mine, who lives in the U.S, wrote to me. His name is David. –Where’s he from? Asked Kaoru. –He’s also Colombian, answered Jun. –Maybe he’ll come for summer vacations. He could go to Tokyo and he could see the soccer matches, Said Saki. –Well, yeah, but he likes soccer? Asked Tsubasa. –Well, not much, Said Jun. –I taught him how to like soccer, a little, but he likes it, Said Saki. Then somebody arrived. It was Yuzo Morishima. –Guys, Bruce Allen’s thugs are attacking the Soccer teams! He Shouted. Small and skinny, he had managed to get thru the bullies. –OK, guys, let’s get them out of the school, Said Saki. –Yeah! So they ran to where the teams were, both the Boys and the Girls team. –Hey, Bruce, try to catch me! Said Saki. And so the bully tried to catch her, but she had a plan. She ran all through the school, and went up a flight of stairs, to where the principal was. She knocked on the door, and told Principal Hughes what happened. –And I told him to catch me, if he could. –Well, I’ll see to it. And when Bruce arrived, the principal was there, frowning. –Three times, Allen. I told you to leave the kids alone. Get your things, and leave the school. You’re expelled! Said the principal, angrily. His fists clenched, and his eyes’ sending sparks.

-Aiza, please go and make use of your recess, and please, don’t comment anything about this, OK? Said the principal. –Yes, sir, answered Saki. Then she walked to where her friends were. –And what happened, Saki? Asked everybody.

–I can’t tell you, she said. –You’ll wait and see. –OK, Said the others. Then the bell rang, and they went back to class. The day passed quickly, and then, Saki, Tsubasa, Taro, Genzo, Takeshi and Jun went to the soccer training. When they arrived, Roberto and Shiroyama were startled when they saw Genzo. –Genzo, you came back? Exclaimed Roberto. –Yeah. And forever, replied Genzo. –Well, remember, tomorrow’s the match against the Yamabuki Red Stars. So we’ll give the positions. Morishima will be in the goal. Todo, Tamiya, Tsutomu and Ishizaki go in the defense line. Kido, Iwami and Jun Aiza go in the midfield, and Ozora, Misaki and Aiza in the forward. Wakabayashi will be the substitute for any position, as well as Tenkawa and Hagara. –OK, but isn’t Genzo a goalkeeper? Said Bruce. –You think, Said Jun. –Genzo, c’mon, score a goal, Said Taro. And he passed the ball to Genzo, who ran to the goal, where Morishima was, and the others tried to stop him, except Saki. They couldn’t, and he kicked the ball. It flew like an eagle catching its prey, and the ball went into the bottom of the net.

-Good one! Shouted Saki. –We’ll win them, and we’ll show that Hajime Suzuhara, that we can do it! Shouted Tsubasa, and everybody cheered. –But guys, remember, he only plays fifteen minutes, but in that time, he scores many goals. –The Yamabuki has one decent player; the Nankatsu has eleven on the ground, and two ready to help, apart from the best female player in the entire city! Said Tsubasa, who was excited, apart from the fact that he was the captain. -Well, let’s begin! Shouted Shiroyama. And so they practiced, and practiced, just to be ready for the soccer match, against Hajime Suzuhara, and the team that beat the Saint Francis four to nothing.

When the Twins arrived home, Mayumi was waiting for them. –Guys, I’ve got news. Your mom’s going to come tomorrow, ‘cause she has a double shift. So don’t wait for her. –Well, thanks for the data, Mayumi. Then Saki went to her room, and so did Jun, to his own room. Jun’s room was quite unlike Saki’s. There were two beds, a hammock, a closet, and a desk, where he did his homework, and in a corner, his guitar, his soccer ball and his Nankatsu shirt. Then somebody knocked at his door. It was Mayumi. –What’s up, cousin? He asked eagerly. –I can’t sleep, Jun. Can I sleep here, only for tonight? She said, with fright in her voice. –It’s OK, Mayumi. You can stay here. Besides, I can’t sleep either, he laughed.

And so Mayumi slept at Jun’s room, while he was staring at the window. “Now what? Tomorrow’s a very important game, and Genzo's a substitute? No way!” Then he turned off the lights, went inside his bed, and began to sleep, but before he could really sleep, he heard noises inside the house. But Diane was with Mayumi, and Akira was with Saki. So Jun decided to have a look. He opened the door slowly, and went downstairs, and he had a big stick as a weapon. Then he saw something, and hid behind the sofa. –Hey, Watanabe, pass me the money, Said a voice. –OK, Said another one. Then Jun turned on the lights. –Stop there, robbers! He Shouted. –He’s got us, Kota! Said one of the men. –No he doesn’t. He’s only a kid! Said “Kota”. Then one of the robbers took out a gun, and pointed it at Jun. –One movement, and you’re dead, kid. “Akira, Akira! Wake up!” He thought, sending a telepathical message to the cat. “Huh? What?” “Call the police, from my mom’s phone! There are robbers in the house!” And the robbers took some food, and began to eat it, while the one who looked like the boss was still pointing at Jun. Then Jun remembered his powers. He stared at the robbers, and they were paralyzed. –K-k-Kota, I can’t move! –Me neither! “Akira, go open the door!” “OK”

Then the policemen went inside the house. –Are you OK, kid? Asked one of the policemen. –Yeah. I paralyzed them. Look. Then the robbers were put under arrest, and then, the chief of the policemen gave Jun a bag of money. –Here you have, sonny. 5000 yens, that’s the reward for these two criminals. –Gee, thanks, Said Jun, blushing deeply. Then Jun went back to sleep, and at last he had some rest. The next morning, Jun woke up Saki. –What happened? She muttered.

–Just look at this, sis. 5000 yens! –5000 yens, that is good, she muttered, before she woke up entirely. –5000 YENS? Where did you take them from, Jun? Saki said, surprised. –It’s the reward for catching a pair of thieves that tried to steal us last night. Look the newspaper. Then Jun handed Saki a copy of the newspaper. The front page read: “Teenager stops robbers in the dead of the night: Jun Aiza, 14, stopped two dangerous criminals from stealing his house last night. The teenager alleges to have paralyzed the robbers with some special powers. ‘It’s true’, Said a policeman. ‘The criminals were dead stiff, and difficult to tuck in the car. But after we left the house, they went back to normal again’. Jun Aiza received a reward for 5000 yens.”

Then the phone rang. –Hello, Aiza Residence. Jun talking. Yeah, it was I, yes, yes, no, I can’t. Well, thanks, bye. –Who was it, brother? –A reporter. They want to interview me, but I’m not going out on TV, ever. Then somebody knocked on the door. –Yes, Whoaa! Sis, help me! A hoard of reporters was trying to ask Jun everything, but he simply fell down. Then Saki tried to stop them from tramping on Jun. –Hey, you! GET-OUT-OF-MY-HOUSE! She shouted, as she pushed them. And at last, she had some rest. –Now, let’s give this to mom, so she can put it in our savings, Said Jun. –Good idea. What time is it? Asked Saki. –Half past eight.

–Oh, no, we’re late! We have to be at school at 9:00 AM, Shouted Saki. Then both Twins dashed off to get ready for the soccer match. And in two minutes, they were ready, but they had to hurry, and they rode on their bikes, to school.

–Thank God it’s Saturday, Jun. –Yeah. Then they arrived. –Well, at least we’re not so late. Look, only Taro, Tsubasa and us are here. –Hi guys, Shouted Tsubasa from where he was. –Hi, Tsubasa, answered both Twins. –Ready for the soccer match? Asked Taro, who just arrived to where Jun and Saki were. –Yeah. –Of course. –Well, we’re the only ones here by now, ‘cause Genzo, and the others haven’t arrived up till now.

Then another sound of brakes surprised the guys (and girl) Genzo had just arrived. –Hi guys, he said. –Hi Genzo, replied everybody. –Roberto hasn’t arrived, or Shiroyama, either. We’re just waiting, Said Tsubasa. Then the other Nankatsu players arrived. Yuzo, Ichiro, Masaaki, Akira, Takeshi, Iwami, Ryou, Tomokatsu and Kuno had just arrived too. –Hi guys, Said Saki. –Hi, answered the other ones.

–Roberto hasn’t arrived? Asked Akira. –No, but let’s warm up, OK? Said Saki, who was the substitute trainer. Then everybody began to warm up for the match. Then, somebody arrived. –Girls! Exclaimed Tsubasa, Taro, Jun, Takeshi, Saki and Genzo at the same time. Atsuko, Kaoru, Maya, Reiko, Hikari, Mayumi and the cats were there to cheer them, and also the cheerleader, a small, skinny girl called Yuki. –Hey, guys, good luck! Shouted a familiar voice. -Kojiro! Exclaimed the others. He was in another school, but sometimes he went to cheer them. Then Roberto and Shiroyama arrived. –The other team will come in ten minutes. Everybody get ready. –OK. And they practiced and practiced. Then the other team arrived, the Yamabuki Red Stars. Saki then saw the ace shooter of the opposing team: Hajime Suzuhara. “No wonder he has so many fans. He’s very attractive. But what the creeps am I thinking? My heart belongs to only one person: Genzo.” She thought.

Then the whistle blew, and Nankatsu had the ball. Taro passed it to Tsubasa, and Tsubasa to Taro. Between both boys there was a great precision. Saki ran to follow them, when she saw something. Hajime Suzuhara was in the field! –Darn it! She muttered. Then Tsubasa kicked the ball, but the goalkeeper stopped it. –Good one, Tsubasa. The next time you’ll score, Said Taro. –Guys, Hajime Suzuhara’s in the field, Said Saki. And the game began again, but the Yamabuki had the ball. One of the players passed it to Hajime Suzuhara, but he only passed it to another player. “He’s keeping himself some energy, just to score goals,” thought Saki. Then she took the ball out of the rival player’s feet, and began to run, as quick as she could. Kojiro, the girls and the other students from Nankatsu were cheering Saki. She avoided the other players once, twice, thrice, and she shot as hard as she could, with her left foot. The ball was as fast as a speeding bullet. The other goalkeeper tried to stop it…too late, because the ball hit the net.

XXV

The referee blew the whistle again, and the match went on and on. Jacob ran with the ball, and passed it to Jun Aiza. Then Jun ran across the field, but then, a player of the other team took the ball, and Jun fell, in a very bad position. The referee blew a foul, and a free kick, but Jun didn’t stand up. He was clutching his right foot. Then Roberto ran to where Jun was, and checked his foot. –He’s hurt. And Roberto carried Jun to the bench, and then, Shiroyama signaled the referee for a change. –OK, Wakabayashi, it’s your turn. Genzo then changed quickly. His shirt had the number 19 on it. Then Taro went down to cover Jun’s position, leaving his own position to Benjamin. The free kick was ready, and Taro kicked the ball, and the goalkeeper couldn’t catch it… Everybody thought that the ball would be at the bottom of the net, but Hajime Suzuhara kicked it out of the goal! –It’s incredible! Said Takeshi. Then Hajime signaled something to his partners. And so did his teammates. –He’s deaf! Exclaimed Akira. –No, he’s not! Said Saki, knowing that he was using the deaf-mute language, just to talk in code. But what Hajime Suzuhara didn’t know, was that Saki understanded everything he said. Saki studied in Colombia with deaf-mutes.

-Guys, be careful with your positions. You can be fooled, and then you would be offside. –OK. Then the whistle resounded, and Saki ran to the goal, with Tsubasa following. –Tsubasa, pass it to Genzo! –All right! He answered. Then Tsubasa kicked the ball quickly, before an opponent could take the ball. The ball made a long curve before reaching Genzo’s chest. –OK, I got it! He shouted, and began to run. Then the cheers coming from the stands began to sound even louder. –OK, Genzo, pass it to Taro! Shouted Tsubasa, who was blocked by a defense of the Yamabuki. –OK, and he saw Taro speeding like a cheetah. -Taro, it’s yours! He said. And Taro received it, but something, or somebody took the ball. It was Hajime Suzuhara. Then he ran with the ball to where Mori was, wide-eyed and frightened. –Retreat! Shouted Tsubasa, and Tsubasa, Taro, Genzo and Saki ran back to their half of the field. Then Tsubasa, Taro and other players tried to stop him, but it was no use. Hajime Suzuhara was too swift to be stopped. –Genzo, at the count of three. One, two, three! Shouted Saki, as Genzo and herself swept themselves against Hajime Suzuhara. It worked. Saki recovered the ball, while Genzo helped Hajime Suzuhara standing up, but Suzuhara refused.

Meanwhile, Roberto was checking Jun’s foot with more caution. –Ouch! Jun said, gritting his teeth. –Can you please take Jun to the hospital? Roberto said to Shiroyama. –OK, he said. Then Jun and Shiroyama went to the hospital, but Jun was being carried, and he felt like a little boy. –I can walk. It’s all right. But once he gave a step with his right foot, he fell down, while an excruciating pain blazed. His eyes were watering with pain, and his foot didn’t seem to be okay. Then, Hana appeared. –Jun! She gasped. –Hi mom. Then she took Jun to a checkroom, and looked at Jun’s foot. There was a small cut, which was bleeding. –I have to heal this at once. Then she took a small cotton ball, and soaked it. Then she put it on the cut, and Jun shouted with pain. It stung. –Be quiet, Jun. –Sorry mom. It’s just that it hurts too much! Then she took Jun to the X-ray room. Minutes later, Hana told Jun the truth. –You’re not as OK as I thought. One of your tendons is hurt, and that takes time to heal. It takes about three weeks. Meanwhile, listen to me, Jun, you can’t play soccer, or do any physical exertion. –OK, mom. I’ll see to it. Then Jun and Shiroyama went out of the hospital. Jun had to use crutches in the meantime.

Meanwhile, the soccer match was hotter and hotter. Hajime Suzuhara had scored two goals, but Saki and Genzo scored a goal, between them. Saki kicked the ball with such strength, that it hit the post, but Genzo retrieved it, and with a good kick, he scored a goal. And between all the excitement, between all the hugs of the players, Saki kissed Genzo’s cheek, entirely by accident. And Genzo blushed slightly. Then the crowd at the stands clapped their hands, and the match went on. Then Hajime arrived, with Shiroyama. –How’s your foot? Asked Roberto. –Worse than I thought, said Jun, feeling disgraced. –Hurt a tendon. But a minute later, the referee signaled the end of the first half. In the halftime, Saki couldn’t believe what Jun said. –Man, that takes weeks to heal! Said Tsubasa. –You have to keep still, said Saki. –And how’s Genzo doing as a forward? Asked Jun. –Great, answered Saki. –I scored a goal, added the teenager. Then it was time to go to the field.

–Guys, win this game for me! Shouted Jun, who felt like if somebody kicked his stomach. The game began again, and it was Saki who went with the ball all over the field. Then Hajime Suzuhara tried to take the ball. Saki was closer and closer to him, and then, the encounter between the star and the revelation. Saki tried to control the ball, while Hajime Suzuhara tried to take it.

-I have to keep the ball, muttered Saki while she controlled the soccer ball, but then she felt something. Hajime Suzuhara caught her hand briefly! That incensed Saki, and she ran with the ball to the goal, and shot the ball upwards. Then she jumped as quick as she could, and with power taken out of nowhere, she made her Phoenix Shot. The goalkeeper couldn’t do anything, and the ball nearly ripped the net. The whistle tweeted, and the score was three for Newppy, two for Yamabuki.

–Good shot! Exclaimed Tsubasa, excited. –We’re going to win! Shouted Blaise and Akira. –Not so fast, guys. Look over there, said Taro. Then everybody was shocked. Hajime Suzuhara was standing on a small spot, clutching his shirt. Then Saki ran to where he was, and tried to take his pulse. There was no pulse. –Oh, no, a heart attack! She gasped. Then he stirred, and muttered something. –What did you say? Said Saki, leaning to him, to hear what he said. Then she felt something pressing her face. She retreated, and then the game restarted, but Saki, Genzo and Hajime Suzuhara stayed where they were. But then, it began to rain. Saki still felt the oppression on her face. She still couldn’t believe it. Genzo was shocked to see that Hajime Suzuhara didn’t move, as Saki didn’t move too. Hajime Suzuhara was still standing up, but his hand was just hanging.

-C’mon, guys, wake up! Shouted Tsubasa. –What? Oh, sorry, Tsubasa, said Genzo. Saki then reactioned, and took the ball from the Yamabuki. Then she ran and ran, and passed it to Taro, who passed it to Tsubasa. Then Tsubasa kicked the ball hard, and the ball went inside the net. –Good one, Tsubasa. –But wait a minute. Hajime Suzuhara has played more than fifteen minutes, and he only scored two goals. –Well, remember that he has a heart condition. –And talk of the devil, he hasn’t moved an inch ever since I leaned to listen what he mumbled, said Saki, startled. –Well, let’s win them! –YEAH! Then, after some minutes, Hajime Suzuhara moved. Genzo was going to pass the ball to Saki, but Hajime Suzuhara blocked her. She tried to uncover herself, but he was tough. “I got it! Genzo, make a long pass, to the left side, your left side!” And she began to dash to Genzo’s left side, knowing that Hajime Suzuhara was still weak. –Genzo! Saki shouted, and he passed it. Then Saki ran and ran to the goalposts, and prepared to shoot the ball. She kicked the ball as hard as she could. –This is for you, brother! She shouted, as the ball went into the net.

Then, she went down on her knees, to recover her breath, and saw somebody in front of her. –Genzo? She asked, looking to the floor, still out of breath.

–Good one, Saki. I’m proud of you. Then she looked up, and didn’t see Genzo, or even Hajime Suzuhara. She didn’t recognize that voice, or that figure. Then, she knew it. She saw her father. –Dad? She said. –I’m very proud of you, my daughter. Now, go on, and win this match. –Dad… and her sight focused out. When she could see clearly again, Genzo was looking at her. –Are you okay? He asked with a worried voice. –Yes, I think, Genzo. –Well, you certainly look pale. The game finished. We won five goals to two. –That’s great. But you know, Suzuhara didn’t seem to be the famous soccer star, she said, before groaning listlessly. -It’s all right, my angel. I’m proud of you, said Genzo, smiling, as he helped Saki to walk to the bench. –Good job, Saki! Exclaimed everybody. -Thanks guys, she said. Then she could only hear the crowd cheering, and the last thing she saw was Genzo’s smile, and then…she fainted. She felt like if she was falling into an endless pit. She didn’t feel anything, but then, she saw something sparkle in the distance. She was falling nearer and nearer to the light. Then, she saw again the mysterious figure.

–Father? She asked again.

-Come here, and rest a little, my daughter. But she felt numb, anesthetized, and she couldn’t move. “So this is death”, she thought. Then, she could move.

-Father, I don’t belong here. I’m still alive. I can feel it. Let me return with my friends, my family, my mission…-I know perfectly your mission, Saki. Your mission is to save the Earth. I’m going to give you something, and to Andrew too. Then Saki’s father gave Saki a small light, and within contact with Saki, it disappeared.

–What is this? She asked. –You will never have an asthma crisis from now on, and Jun will not have any either. –Thanks, dad, she said, before waking up. She saw colors swirling, and something hazy appeared before her eyes. Then she could focus normally, and Jun, Genzo, Takeshi, Tsubasa, Taro and the girls were surrounding her. She was in the school infirmary. -What, what happened? She asked. –You blacked out, answered Jun. –Jun, I, I, I saw our father.

–What? You saw dad? Exclaimed Jun. –Yes. I saw him, and he gave me something. I don’t remember clearly, and I felt something. –Let her rest, said Reiko.

-No, wait. Now I know what I felt. –What did you feel? Asked everybody in wonder. –I could feel death. –No way! Exclaimed the others. Then Saki got up, her energy totally replaced. –Saki! Exclaimed the girls. –I’m OK. Don’t worry. Why don’t we go all to the soda fountain? Said Saki, and everybody agreed with the idea. Then everybody was walking to the soda fountain, and then, they celebrated both the victory over the Yamabuki, and Saki’s recovery. After they celebrated, Saki excused herself, and went out alone. She walked alone, and she needed to be by herself for a while. The she bumped with somebody…It was Hajime Suzuhara. She gave a few steps back, still a bit unsteady, and so did he.

–You! Saki gasped, stunned. Hajime Suzuhara had a blue shirt and jeans. Saki had her Newppy T-shirt and a pair of jeans too. –Good game, miss. No wonder they call you the Revelation. –I know that you’re hiding something, said Saki sourly. –Why? Hajime asked. –‘Cause you caught my hand in the game. –Oh, that. It was a mistake. –If it was a mistake, you wouldn’t have brushed your thumb over my hand. –Well, I tell you it’s a mistake. –OK, I’ll try to believe you, but there’s something else. –What? He said, looking strangely misty-eyed.

-You kissed me, replied Saki angrily. –I leaned to hear what you were mumbling while you had that heart attack, and you kissed me. I assume you are very sly, for doing those type of things. –OK, the truth is that I like you. Saki was shocked. She was hearing a confession, but she had only eyes for one boy in the entire world: Genzo. –I’m sorry, Mr. Suzuhara, but I already have a boyfriend. -Oh, I understand it. Sorry for bothering you. –No, it’s OK. It’s just that my boyfriend was looking the game, and I do love him. But we can still be friends. -Yeah, friends, Hajime Suzuhara replied, with a bit of grief in his otherwise pleasant voice. –OK, if you need help with anything, call me. And she handed the teen idol her phone number. –You know what? Call me Hajime. Then she darted off to her house. –Man, this is a darn crazy world, she said to herself. When she arrived home, Naoko and Akira were at home. –Hi Akira, Hi Naoko. –Hi Saki. What’s new? Asked Naoko. –Nothing, but I need to talk to you, Naoko. –OK, and the cat went upstairs, following Saki.

–Look Naoko. I’m telling you this because you’re the other girl here. –And Mayumi? –She doesn’t count, Naoko. She’s still too young. -OK. Then Saki told Naoko about what happened with Hajime Suzuhara.

-No way! And he kissed your face while he suffered the heart attack? Asked Naoko, excitedly. –Well, yeah. But you have to give your word that you won’t tell anybody, or you’ll turn into my next soccer ball, you heard? –OK. I give you my word as a cat. Then Naoko went out. –And what happened? Asked Akira. –I can’t tell, Akira. I gave my word. –OK. But it was important, wasn’t it? –I’m not telling, Said Naoko, frowning. Then Jun arrived. –Jun! What happened? Asked both cats. –I’m hurt. Where’s Saki? –Upstairs, in her room. –Doggone it; it’ll be difficult for me going upstairs. –Well, why don’t you T-port? Said Akira. –Great idea, Akira! T-port, now! And then he was upstairs. Then Jun knocked at Saki’s door. She was asleep, again. –OK, sis. We’ll talk tomorrow. You’ve had too much excitement today. Then Jun went to his room, and decided to sleep too, as he was still aching.

XXVI

The next day, Saki decided to go to the park. –Geez, it’s been such a hard time. There’s nothing to do right now. Then she saw Tsubasa. –Hey, Tsubasa! She shouted. –Oh, hi Saki. What’s new? –Nothing. I’m still a bit tired from yesterday.

–Me too, Saki. It’s been hard, but now, we’re the favorites to represent the city in the National Soccer Tournament. –Hey, you’re right. At first, the Yamabuki was the favorite, and they lost. We’re now the favorites. –Yeah. Well, I have to go. My mom’s waiting for me. –OK, see you later, Tsubasa! Saki said, waving her hand. Then she felt something cold running through her veins. –What is this? She gasped. Then she began to run to her house. She knocked at the door frantically.

–What happened, Saki? Asked Jun, still heavy-eyed. –Didn’t you feel it? She said. –What? Asked Jun, some of his hairs poking out of his ponytail. –Didn’t you feel something cold running all through you? She said. –Well, now that I think about it, well, a minute ago I felt something blistering cold running thru me. –What could that be? Said both Twins at the same time. Then the door opened. –Mom! Exclaimed the Twins. -Hi, Saki, hi, Jun. How’s your foot, son? She asked.

–Better, but it takes time to heal.

That same day, Taro and Kasumi were discussing about the soccer game.

-Well, good job, Taro. I’m proud of you. –But you know, we haven’t fought for a long time, added Taro, worried. –And thinking about it, time is running short now. We got to find the Golden Reincarnation as soon as we can. –I’m with you, brother. Then the phone rang. –Hello? Taro talking. Oh, hi Tsubasa. What? Now? Okay, wait for me at the video arcade. –What’s happening? Asked Kasumi. -Tsubasa found something, and he’s going to show me. See you later, sis. –OK. Then Taro ran to the video arcade. Tsubasa was waiting for him. –Hi Tsubasa. What’s that you need to show me? Said Taro, expectantly. –Well, you see, maybe it’s not important for you, but it is for the team. –What? –I made some calculations, and if we keep winning like this, for the next three soccer matches, we’ll end up in first place. –You forgot something, Tsubasa. The team representing Nankatsu is going to be a composite team, with kids of the entire city. –Well, Mr. Shiroyama told me that before, but he says that it’s not sure that the project will work, so I think what I told you. –OK, I get it, Tsubasa. Then somebody tried to attack both boys. It was Beryl. –Give me the Talismans. –You’d wish! Answered both boys. –Then get ready to die, said Beryl, with an evil frown on his face. –C’mon Tsubasa, let’s teach him a lesson. –Sure. I call upon Earth Power. Tsubasa, Earth Warrior. NOW! –I call upon Water Power. Taro, Water Warrior. NOW!

Then Beryl, Tsubasa and Taro began to fight. Tsubasa sent out a Galactic Earthquake, but Beryl evaded it. While he avoided it, Taro used his Trident and attacked Beryl. –Hurry up; we have to fight together, said Taro. Then Tsubasa and Taro attacked together. –Galactic Earthquake! –Galactic Wave, attack! And Beryl was deeply hurt. Then Beryl attacked them both at the same time. Tsubasa received the attack on one of his legs, while Taro received it on his stomach. Taro was gasping for breath, while Tsubasa decided to attack by himself. -Don’t worry; I’ll defeat him. Then he began to run and his boots began to shine. Then he ran quicker than before, and then he jumped. Beryl was looking everywhere, except upwards, and then Tsubasa gave him a flying kick. Then, Taro recovered and then (without knowing how), Taro took one of the ornaments on his helmet, and threw it. It exploded, and then the small piece of metal was back on its place.

Beryl, angered by the defeat, disappeared. Then Taro checked how Tsubasa was.

–Are you OK, Tsubasa? –Yeah, I think. Normality, now. And both boys went back to normal. –How did that explosion appear? Asked Tsubasa. –Well, I don’t have any idea, Tsubasa. I simply took a piece of the things that are at each side of the helmet. –Cool. Then they went to Taro’s house, the nearest one to the place. When they arrived home, Kasumi asked them what happened, since Taro and Tsubasa’s faces were dirty. –We had a fight with Beryl. It was difficult, but we won, said Tsubasa. –Well, thank God you’re okay. Ah, and now that I remember, Taro, you received a phone call, from Kaoru. –OK, thanks. Then Taro picked up the phone, and called Kaoru. –Hello, is Kaoru there? OK. Hello, Kaoru? Hi, it’s Taro. Kasumi told me that you called. Yes, yes, no, I was with Tsubasa. OK, I’m going there. OK, Tsubasa will come too. OK, OK, bye.

-I have to go out again, Kasumi. –Why? Asked Taro’s sister. –Kaoru needs my help. And Taro grabbed his jacket and went out, following Tsubasa, who was already out of the house. Then both boys went to Kaoru’s house. Taro knocked at the door. –Hi Kaoru, said both Taro and Tsubasa. –Hi guys. Come on in. –What’s up? Asked Tsubasa. –You see, I’ve been dizzy these days, and I feel like if something’s going to fly out of me. –Like if your Talisman went out of you? Asked Taro. –Yeah. Don’t remember me that, OK? You looked dead. –OK. -Why don’t we call Saki? Suggested Tsubasa. –I don’t think so. She’s still sick, isn’t she? Said Kaoru, frowning at the idea. –No. She’s OK. I talked with her today, in the park. She really looks better, said Tsubasa. –Ah, but we didn’t know that, Tsubasa, said Taro and Kaoru at the same time. –Somebody called me? Said a familiar voice.

–Saki!  –Well, what’s the problem? Said Saki. –Well, I’ve been sick by these days, and I feel like if my Talisman’s about to get out of me. –Beryl. But don’t worry. You have a normal Talisman. –Well, how do you know that? Said Taro. –Well, I have a diskette with some programs on my PC, so I know a lot about what’s happening.

–Cool.

But meanwhile, in the Dark Legion, Callisto was furious. –How dare you show your face! Said the courtesans. –My Queen, I’ve tried to get the Talismans as hard as I can, and I know I failed, but please, give me another chance. –You already had chances, Beryl. I need results, not words, said Callisto, looking angered. –Beryl, you haven’t done a thing, said Sapphire, appearing. –Get outta here, Sapphire, said Beryl, frowning. –My Queen, how can you have such brainless people as servants? If you wish, I’ll retrieve all the Talismans, and then, the Guardian Crystal shall be yours. –Not yet. Beryl, you have one more chance. If you don’t retrieve the Guardian Crystal, you will be disposed of, permanently. You heard? Said Callisto firmly. –Yes, My Queen. Then Beryl disappeared. Then the Throne Room was full with the voices of the demons and courtesans. –Silence! Ordered Callisto. Then the silence rushed all over the Room. –My Queen? Said Sapphire. –Sapphire, you will follow Beryl, and if he fails, eliminate him. If he succeeds, then do as you wish. But don’t lose him out of your sight.

Beryl was in the lounge, sipping his usual drink, and thinking some plans.

-Darn it. I have to get the remaining Talismans, but how? He said to himself.

-Hopeless, said the barman. –Aw, shut up. I’m concentrating. Oh, sorry, it’s just that I’m too nervous. Then a brainstorm arrived at Beryl’s head. –Excuse me; I’m going outta here. Put it into my account, said Beryl, and disappeared. For the next two days, nobody in the Dark Legion knew anything about Beryl. It seemed that he had been sucked by a black hole. Meanwhile, in our world, everything looked normal, maybe too normal. Everybody was suspecting of what happened. –Don’t you think this is too calm? Said Jun to his sister. They were in the park. -Yeah, definitely. It seems that Beryl’s gonna give the big one now. Then something happened. This time Saki saved his brother. –Duck! She shouted, and Jun did like that, before a small dagger fell behind him. It had a message. “If you want to be still alive, you have to fight the ones who have the Talismans and then, you will have to fight to get the Guardian Crystal. Beryl.” –Darn, now he’s done it, said Jun. –Yeah. It ain’t gonna be easy to find the ones who have the Talismans. Then Saki called everybody telepathically. “Guys, in the park now! Emergency!”

Then everybody arrived. –What happened, Saki? Asked Kojiro. –Guys, we gotta find the remaining Talismans, before Beryl does. Taichi, you go with Tsubasa. Hikari, you’re with Taro. Misato, you’ll be with Atsuko. Mayumi, with Kaoru. Kojiro, go with Jun. Takeshi, you’re with Genzo. Reiko, you’re coming with Maya. Akira, you come with me. –Right. –Let’s T-port, now! And they went to the Tunnel. –Guys, let’s transform! –Right! –We call upon Earth Power. –We call upon Water Power. –We call upon Fire Power. –We call upon Ice Power. -We call upon Light Power. –We call upon Stellar Power. –We call upon the Power of Nature. –We call upon Air Power. NOW! And so they divided, going all around the city. But Beryl had already attacked. There were many monsters to defeat. –Galactic Thundershock, attack! Said Tsubasa, before defeating one of the monsters, before turning into Ryou, his friend. –Galactic Thunderflash! Shouted Atsuko, when the monster was beat. –Galactic Whirlpool! Was Taro’s shout, when he defeated the monster. –Galactic Tsunami! said Kaoru, after a hard battle. –Galactic Volcano! shouted Maya, and her attack turned the monster into a human being. –Galactic Tornado! shouted Genzo, and his faithful arrow defeated the monster. –Galactic Blizzard! shouted Saki, defeating monster after monster. –Galactic Snowstorm! said Jun, and his attack was successful. –Galactic Gleam Attack! shouted Taichi, while Tsubasa was hurt. –Galactic Roar! shouted Misato as she threw her fans towards the monster.

-Galactic Constellation! Shouted Hikari, as her attack defeated many monsters.

-Galactic Reflection! was Mayumi’s attack, and she defeated many others.

–Galactic Flare attack! shouted Kojiro, and with Jun’s crucifix, the monsters turned back into people. –Galactic Aurora! said Reiko, while Maya was recovering.

–Galactic Starburst! Takeshi attacked many monsters, and Genzo too, and between them, many people were recovered. -Galactic Nature Fury! Akira shouted, and his Bladechains were saving lots of people. Then, some of the Talismans were recovered. Part of the Courage Talisman, the Humility Talisman and the last half of the Truth Talisman were recovered. Then all the people in the city were back to normal, but it wasn’t over yet. Then, a lightning bolt flashed across the sky, and Beryl stood at the point of the tallest building in all Nankatsu: The Office Center.

–Jun, how’s your foot? asked Kojiro. –Much better, thanks. Then everybody ran to the Office Center, though Kojiro had to carry Jun. –You recovered the Talismans, but this place will be your tomb!

Then everybody was T-ported inside the building, on the last floor. Beryl had the Teamwork Talisman and other ones, and the Warriors had the other Talismans.

Then Beryl pulled out somebody, and had a ball of energy at the neck level. It was Kasumi. She was fainted. –Give me the Talismans, and she will live. Refuse, and she’ll die. –No, Kasumi! shouted Taro, while Tsubasa and Genzo struggled to stop him from running to attack Beryl. –If you want the Talismans, you’ll have to fight for them! exclaimed Saki. But then, somebody pushed Beryl, and the Talismans he had fell to the floor. –No, the Talismans! he screamed. –Hurry up guys! Get them! yelled Saki, but Beryl again caught Kasumi and held her by the neck. –I don’t think so, Warriors. –Beryl, I know you wouldn’t dare to hurt her, said Saki calmly. -You think that? said Beryl wickedly. –I know the truth. You love her. –I don’t! he shouted. And he attacked them. Many of the Warriors were hurt. –Guys! shouted Saki. Only Jun, Genzo, Mayumi, Taro and Saki were standing up, hurt, but still with might.

–Leave alone my sister! demanded Taro. –He doesn’t understand, Taro, said Genzo. Again Beryl attacked, and this was the opportunity to save Kasumi. Tsubasa tried to stand up, and he did it. “I have to save Kasumi!” he thought.

Then, while Beryl fought with Jun, Saki and the standing Warriors, Tsubasa triggered his boots, and quick as a flash of lightning, retrieved Kasumi, and hid her. –Guys, attack him! he shouted, before falling, as he had used up all his energy.

–Great, Tsubasa! shouted Jun. Then Jun and Saki gave a double kick, and Beryl was pushed backwards. But then, the bag with the Talismans fell out of Saki, and the Talismans bonded. Then, the Talismans shone with a different color, each for their element. Green, blue, red, white, yellow, orange, purple and turquoise light blazed all across the air, and the lights blended. Then, like a raging animal, Beryl attacked every one, as he was seeing red. Jun, Genzo, Taro, and Mayumi were badly hurt, and before Beryl could do anything to Saki, her armor disappeared, and so did her powers and her sword. –What, what happened? she gasped, as she was back to normal. Then, the light coming from the Talismans rushed to her. Closer and closer it came, and then the light covered Saki. Suddenly, the light turned from white, to golden. Then Saki gave out a frightening scream. While the light surrounded her, a golden crystal was coming out of her upper body. Then, the Talismans went back to normal, but Saki was still shining. But Saki didn’t look like her anymore. Her braid disappeared, and her body grew to that one of a young woman.

Then she landed on the floor gracefully, and took the Crystal. –I call upon the Guardian Crystal Power. Now! And she transformed. Her voice wasn’t normal either. It was she. Saki was she. Saki was the Golden Reincarnation. –Look! The Golden Reincarnation! Shouted everybody. Then the Golden Reincarnation appeared. Her armor was pure gold, and she had a cloak on her back. –Arise, my Legendary Warriors, she said, and the crystals on the Guardian Warriors’ armors shone. Then everybody was recovered, and transformed into the Legendary Guardian Warriors. Then the Talismans divided in halves again, and each half flew to its Warrior. Then Beryl summoned demons, and the fight began again, while the Golden Reincarnation was also fighting. Beryl was scared. And in a dark corner, Sapphire was spying. Then all the demons were destroyed. And Beryl tried to attack the Legendary Warriors. –You’ll die! He shouted wildly. –I don’t think so, said the Golden Reincarnation. She raised her sword, and a ball of light flew, hurting Beryl. But before the Golden Reincarnation could do anything else, Kasumi shouted. –STOP! Please, don’t kill him! –What? Exclaimed the Warriors.

–Please, I love him. Don’t kill him, please, she sobbed. Then Taro went to where his sister was. –Kasumi, are you OK? He asked. –Yes, I’m OK. But please, don’t kill him. He’s not bad. He’s just desperate.

XXVII

Then the Golden Reincarnation turned to Kasumi. -You say that this demon is not evil? –Yes. He’s different. It’s just that he’s desperate, because Callisto only gave him one more chance, but please, turn him into a human being. –Then it will be like it. Then the Golden Reincarnation raised her sword one more time, but this time, a ray of light shot out, covering Beryl. Then he turned into a human. –Wake up, Beryl. And Beryl woke up. –What, what happened? he asked feebly. –Beryl, you’re alive! Kasumi shouted. –What? I’m human! Beryl gasped, surprised. –But Callisto…

-Don’t worry now. You’re not anymore her servant. –Now you’re like me! said Kasumi. But then Sapphire appeared. –So, you’re a traitor too, like Jade, huh? she hissed. –Sapphire! exclaimed both Beryl and Kasumi. Then Sapphire tried to attack Beryl, but something stopped her. The Legendary Warriors attacked al at the same time, and Sapphire was hurt. –You’ll pay for this! and disappeared. Then the Golden Reincarnation disappeared too, and Saki fell to the ground, exhausted.

–What happened? she asked. –We’ve found her! exclaimed Jun, turning back to normal. –Who’s her? –The Golden Reincarnation, and the Guardian Crystal too, added Genzo. –That’s great. And who is it? –It’s YOU, said Kasumi, still clutching Beryl.

-Beryl? gasped Saki. –No. I’m not that demon anymore, thanks to you, Golden Warrior, said Beryl. –I’m Taki. –Taki? exclaimed the Gang in surprise. –You see, when he wrote a letter to me, he told me to call him Taki, so that nobody could suspect anything. –Welcome to the Gang, said Genzo. –Thanks. Then, between Genzo, Jason and Jun, Saki was carried out of the building.

–And how’s life in the Dark Legion? asked Ryan. –Well, it’s not easy. It’s always being at that court, and all of that. I didn’t like it so much, especially because Kasumi wasn’t there. When Jade, I mean, Kasumi was there, I felt like the happiest demon. When they got out of the building, Genzo saw something shining on Saki’s hand.

–Wait a sec. Then he opened Saki’s hand, and he gasped. –It’s the Guardian Crystal. –Shh! said Hikari, looking everywhere, like if somebody could listen.

–Another day, another battle, said Kojiro finally. –Kojiro, are you OK? asked Taro. –Well, if I don’t count the battles, I’m OK. Why? –You haven’t talked today. I thought that the cat got your tongue. Then Misato and Akira frowned at Taro.

–Sorry, he said, reddening.

When they finally got home, it was almost dawn. –Man, I’m tired, said Jun.

–Well, who wouldn’t be tired, after fighting so much? replied Akira. Jun was carrying Mayumi, who was sound asleep. –At least we’ve done one half of the mission. –Well, yeah, I don’t deny it, but we still have to destroy Ca… and a big yawn went out of Jun, as he reached Mayumi’s room. He put his cousin on her bed, and then he went to his room. He was so sleepy, that he was snoring before falling on the bed. –Good night, Jun. Then Saki went to her room, and fell on her bed too. Everybody was so tired, that they refused even to wake up. When Saki woke up, she noticed that there was something else on her night table, apart from her glasses, her Power Ring and her portrait keeper. It was the Guardian Crystal.

–What’s this? she asked to herself, but then she remembered the battle. –Well, now we’ve found the Golden Reincarnation, so the battles are gonna be stronger, she said to herself. Then she got up, and went down, to make breakfast for her. As she was chewing on her toast, she thought about the battle.

Later, Jun went down, and so did Mayumi. Saki told them where was their breakfast. –Gee, it was a hard battle, said Jun, while his mouth was full with bread. –Jun, swallow what you’re eating, can you? said Mayumi, upset, because Jun was spitting bits of bread on her. –Sorry, Mayumi, he answered. Then they remembered something. Their birthday was soon to come. –What’s the date? asked Jun. –Today’s February the 26^th. –Just one month before our birthday, said Jun. –Well, it’s been hard until the moment, but just imagine how hard will it be now, said Saki. –Yeah. It’s gonna be tougher than before, said Mayumi. –But we still haven’t defeated Callisto, said Akira. –But I still can’t believe that the one we have been looking for was so near. It’s my own sister. How can I be so stupid? said Jun. –Well, I didn’t know it either, said Saki, puzzled. Mayumi shrugged. –Well, I have to go out. Ryan told me to look for him at the park. –Well, I have to go out too, said Saki. –Why? Asked Jun and Mayumi. –Well, I have soccer practice with the Girls’ Team. We have a match against the Hayashibara. –Cool! said Jun.

Then Saki arrived at the soccer field. Atsuko, Kaoru, Hikari and the others were there. –Hi girls. –Hi Saki. –C’mon, we gotta warm up, now. Let’s see. Atsuko, Kaoru, Hikari, Yumiko, Yoko, Yumi, Riisu, Kanae, Satsuma, Mariko, Michihiko, Yuriko, Akane, and I are here. –OK, trainer, what do we do? asked Yumiko, a tall, slightly tanned girl. –We have to warm up. We’ll all give twenty courses around the field, jogging continuously. Then all the girls began to warm up, including Saki, who forgot her aerochamber, entirely by accident. –Oh, no, she said, worriedly. But she continued running, waiting for the asthma crises, but it never came. –What’s happening? she asked to herself. Then she remembered. In the vision, her father gave her a light, which took the asthma out of her. –OK, girls, we have to begin with the training. –Yeah! shouted the other girls. Then they were practicing, when some boys arrived at the field. –Well, look at that! exclaimed the captain. –Now there are girls playing soccer. Get out and go to dance classes! –That’s what you’d wish, Urabe, said Saki, knowing that it was Urabe and the Naughty Boys. –It’s you. Well, we have now a new goalkeeper. Osamu, come here. Saki’s face went pale.

-Girls, let’s show these stupids that we’re as good as them, or even better!

Then the challenge began. –It’s gonna be penalty shots. You begin, said Saki.

–Yuriko, show them what we’ve got. Yuriko was a tall, black-haired girl, who was indeed a very good goalkeeper. She was called “The Wakabayashi Twin”, because her technique was like Genzo’s, and she looked like him, a little. Then one of the Naughty Boys kicked the ball, and Yuriko stopped it perfectly. Then Osamu went to the goal. –OK, Atsuko, shoot! said Saki. Then Atsuko kicked the ball, and it went into the net. –One to none, Urabe, Saki said. Then another of the Naughty Boys shot, and Yuriko punched it out. –Good one, Yuriko! Then Yumiko shot, but it didn’t go into the net. –Good try, she said. Then Urabe kicked the ball, and Yuriko caught it in midair. –Great! said everybody of the Newppy Girls’ Team. Then it was Saki’s turn to shoot. –C’mon Saki, you can do it. Osamu was looking confused. –Take this, Osamu! and she kicked the ball with all her strength. It went right into the net. –Ah, c’mon guys, we can’t lose our time. –Then why did you challenge the girls? asked a voice. It was HAJIME.

-What? said Urabe, face turning ashen. –Hajime! said Saki. –Look! It’s Hajime Suzuhara! –He’s so cute, said Yoko idly. –Hi Saki. –Well, he’s not the only one here! said another voice. It was Genzo, and the rest of the team. –So you want a fight? said Urabe. –Don’t even try to, said Tsubasa. –Thanks, guys! said Saki. Then Osamu tried to seize Saki, but she was too quick. –Don’t even try to touch her, Osamu! shouted Jun and Genzo at the same time. Then Urabe tried to attack Genzo, but somebody punched Urabe. -Somebody who tries to attack his enemy by the back is a coward! It was Kojiro. –Kojiro! exclaimed the guys. –Hi Saki, hi guys. I think you owe me one, Genzo. –Yeah, thanks man. There was too much pressure in Urabe, and the Naughty Boys ran away. –Gee, thanks guys, said Hikari. –You saved us, said Yuriko.

Later, the Teams went to the soda fountain, to celebrate the first training of the Girls Team, and the victory against the Naughty Boys. –Great idea you’ve got there, Saki, said Kojiro. –Thanks, Kojiro. –Yeah. Besides, there are very few Girls Teams in Japan, added Hajime. Then everybody began to chat, and tell jokes, while they had something to drink. Then everybody went to their houses, and Saki, Genzo and Jun went to the Twins’ house. –Man, that Urabe is a big headache, isn’t him? said Jun, kneading his temples. –Yeah. And now it’s gonna be worse with that stupid of Osamu Nakamura, added Saki. –But, I thought that you threw him out of your lives, said Genzo, worriedly. –Well, that’s what we thought too, said Jun. –But you know, he’s too stupid to understand, said Saki, smiling slightly. –Hey, guys, what’s between you two? said Jun, turning suspicious. –Well, we’re only best friends, said Saki, looking undoubtedly nervous. –Yeah, and besides, you shouldn’t be so doubtful, Jun. That’s not you, added Genzo.

-But I have the right to know, don’t I? said Jun irritated. –No. You’re a blabbermouth, and that’s why I can’t tell you my secrets, Jun, said Saki.

-Well, I have to go, said Genzo, picking up his bag. –OK, bye Genzo, said Jun.

-Bye, said Saki softly. Jun went to his room, while Saki took a book, and began to read it. “I’d rather tell the secret. It’s no use hiding it anymore”, she thought. Meanwhile, Genzo was thinking the same. “Somebody’s suspecting something, apart from Jun. I do think that the Gang should know it.” Then he picked up the phone, and called Saki. –Hello, Saki? Hi, it’s Genzo. You see, I was thinking about something. You too? Well, we can’t keep the secret. Well, at least I can’t. What? You thought that too? OK, then we’ll talk tomorrow about it. OK, OK, bye.

–Benjamin, honey, we’ll be late. We have a dinner with some relatives, said Belinda. –OK, mom. I’ll sleep early. Then he took his notebooks, and made some homework. After that, he went to sleep, as he was really tired.

The next day, Genzo, Jun, Saki, Tsubasa, Jason, Taro, Atsuko, Kaoru, Gina and Hikari met at recess. –What’s up? asked Gina. –Well, I have something to tell you, said Saki. Genzo was looking at her, approving the decision. (They talked before class, and they decided to reveal the secret) -And what’s that? said Jason, obviously nervous. –You see, we have a secret…, said Genzo and Saki at the same time. –And you’re gonna tell us? said Tsubasa. –Well, after thinking about it, we’ve decided to tell it, said Genzo. -The truth is that…we’re, we’re…, said Saki and Genzo at the same time. -You’re what? said the others, apparently nervous.

–We’re in love, said Saki resignedly. Everybody opened their mouths in bafflement. When at last the others could talk, they couldn’t believe it. –How can it be? asked Gina. –Well, when I first collided with Jun, I was really angry. Later, I bumped with Saki, I confused her with Jun, and then we became friends, said Genzo. –After that, I went to his house, he told me the truth, but I rejected it temporarily. –Then, after a battle, we went to the belvedere, and then, bang, love was in the air.

-For how long? asked Atsuko, who was getting interested in this. –Well, we started last year, in June, said Genzo. –But please, don’t tell anybody else. We’ll tell it to Kojiro, Maya, Kasumi and Taki, OK? said Saki. Then it was time to go back to class. They had Music this time. Saki and Jun played the guitar. Kaoru played the piano in a superb way. Atsuko played the violin. Genzo was great with the flute, while Taro was learning to play the drums. Tsubasa already knew how to play the drums. Gina and Hikari were learning to play the flute, even though Gina had some trouble. (She was left-handed) Everybody was practicing patiently, when Saki began to play one of her songs. Everyone stopped playing, and listened to Saki’s voice. Indeed she was a great singer, and composer, too. When she finished, the music teacher and the others clapped their hands. –I was only practicing, said Saki, looking surprised. Then the music teacher let somebody enter the classroom. –Excuse me, is somebody called Saki Ariza here in this classroom? asked a young woman, no older than thirty. –I’m her, said Saki, standing up. She really looked confused.

-My name’s Margaret Arai, and I’m representing an important music house. You see, Ms. Monroe called me, telling me that there was a student she wanted me to value. So, can you sing for me? –Sure. Then she sang one of her best songs, and when she strummed the last note of the guitar, everybody clapped their hands.

–Lovely! Exclaimed Ms. Arai. –Would you like to record an album, then?

–Let me think about it. Saki was extremely doubtful. –C’mon Saki, this is the opportunity of your life! exclaimed Yumiko. –You could be really famous! said Blaise. –OK, I’ll do it! she said at last. Everybody cheered her. –Saki, you have a great future in your hands, said Ms. Monroe. –You really think? said Saki. –Saki, we’ll pick you up, and you’re going to go to Tokyo, to record the songs next weekend. We’ll keep in touch.

XXVIII

When at last they finished, Jun, Genzo, Reiko and Saki were walking to Reiko’s house. –Wow, Saki, you’re indeed darn lucky! Said Reiko, jealous. -Thinking about it, I don’t want to go to Tokyo so soon. I’ll tell Ms. Stevenson that I’ll go in the summer. –Why? Asked Jun. –Well, for two reasons. First, we’ll be in vacations, and second, the National Soccer Tournament. –Yeah, I forgot! We need to talk with Shiroyama about the Team Project! Said Jun, hitting himself on the forehead. –I got to go, said Genzo. –We have to go too, added Jun and Saki. –OK, see you tomorrow! Said Reiko. Then they arrived at the Twins’ house. –See you tomorrow, said Jun. –Bye, Genzo, said Saki, looking ill. –Saki, are you OK? Asked Genzo.

–Well, not so fine, she replied. –Well, you’ve been sick, said Jun. Then Genzo touched Saki’s forehead. –Jesus! She has fever, he said finally. And then Saki fell. She was with a high fever. –Saki! Exclaimed both boys. Then, between Jun and Genzo, they placed Saki on the sofa. –Akira, Mayumi, Naoko, come here now! Shouted Jun, and Mayumi and the cats went down. –What happened, Jun? Asked Akira, with a concerned look on his blue eyes.

-Akira, please bring some towels. Naoko, bring a bowl with water, and Mayumi, call mom. Saki has a high fever. Then Jun soaked a small towel, and placed it on Saki’s forehead. Saki was worsening. Jun kept on wetting towels and placing them on his sister’s forehead. Mayumi called her aunt, and then she went to the kitchen, to bring Jun something to drink. –Thanks, Mayumi, he said. Then Saki began to say things. –Oh, man, she’s having hallucinations. –We’re…from…Colombia, repeated Saki over and over, while she sweated. Then he remembered that phrase. That phrase was when Jun and Saki arrived at Nankatsu, last year. He remembered it very clearly. “It was a bright sunny day. We were just arriving from Colombia, in a long 21-hour flight. We had just finished organizing our furniture, and only mom and us were there. Then we went out to find a school. The first one we saw was the Shutetsu. –How about here, sis? I said. –No. I don’t like it. Too big, and look, everything’s well on their soccer team. –You’re right. Then we kept on walking, and then we went to Nankatsu Junior High. –I feel like if I knew this place before, said Saki. –Why? I asked. –It looks like the Albania School. –Hey, you’re right. –Let’s enter this one! We exclaimed at the same time.

After inscribing ourselves in the school, we began to wander in town. We walked between parks, streets, and then, we arrived at a soccer field, which was near our new house. There was a team in the field, training. Then we heard the voice of who looked like the captain. –OK, guys, we got to represent the Nankatsu Junior High Soccer Team as well as we can. –Excuse me; can we go in the team? I asked.

–Are you newcomers? Asked a boy. –Well, yeah. We’ve just inscribed in Nankatsu Junior High School. –Good. You’re not from here, are you? Asked another boy.

–No. We’re from Colombia, said Saki, smiling.

–I’m Jun Aiza. –I’m Saki Aiza. –I’m Tsubasa Ozora, said one of the boys. –Pleased to meet you, Tsubasa, we said at the same time. Then the second one introduced himself. –My name’s Taro Misaki. –Pleased to meet you. Can we be in the soccer team? -Let’s see how good you are at soccer, said Tsubasa. Then he kicked the ball to where we were. Then I stopped the ball with my chest, and jumped with the ball, to where the other kids were. –Hey, Saki, c’mon over! I shouted. –OK, and she jumped quickly. –Wait a minute. She can’t go in our team, said a bad-tempered boy, who looked like a monkey. –Who’s he? Asked Saki.

-Don’t mind him. His name’s Ryou Ishizaki, said Taro quickly. –He’s the captain, he added whispering. Then Saki caught the ball, and began to run with it to the goal. The goalkeeper looked quite confident, but then, she kicked the ball with all her might, and the goalkeeper couldn’t do anything. -Hey, you’re great! Exclaimed Tsubasa, when Saki arrived to where they were. -You think? Said Saki, looking tired. –Welcome to the team, said Taro finally. –Thanks. –I say that the girl can’t go into the team. She’ll ruin it all, said Ryou reluctantly. -Aw, stop it Ryou. You always say no when a girl’s near, said Taro. –Don’t worry. I can handle this, I said. Then I stared at Ryou, and he was paralyzed. –What’s happening here? Shouted Ryou, afraid. –Can I go in the team, even if I’m a strategist? Said Saki, seriously. –Yeah, OK, you can play but leave me alone! Said Ryou, almost wetting his shorts.

Since then, we were in the team, and we won the National Soccer Championship, with Tsubasa, Taro, and a mixed team, made from the best soccer players of all the city.” Then something brought back Jun to reality. –Jun, Jun, wake up. –What, what happened? He asked. –You fell asleep, answered Hanako. –And Saki?

–Her fever’s broken. She’s OK. I don’t get it, but she had a very high fever, and then, it was gone. Then Jun remembered. –Of course. It’s passed very little time since she suffered that transformation. It has to be painful, he muttered to himself. –What did you say, Jun? Asked Hanako, looking worried. –Oh, nothing. I was just thinking. Nothing important. Please mom, take care of my sister. –Don’t worry son. Go to sleep. Jun checked his watch. It was 7:30 PM. –I slept for two hours. Maybe it’s stress, or the battles.

Jun went up to his room so tired, that he simply fell on his bed. Exhaustion covered him like a huge blanket. Then, the phone rang, and Mayumi went to answer. –Aiza Residence. Mayumi talking. Oh, hi Taro. No, Saki had a fever, and Jun’s asleep. What? You need help? It’s late, but I’ll help you, even if I only have 11 years. Akira, come here, quick. –What’s happening, Mayumi? Asked the Siamese cat. –Come with me now. Taro needs some help. –OK. Then, the girl and the cat ran to Taro’s house. –What happened? Asked Akira. –Dark Warriors attacked me. –You fought them on your own? Asked Mayumi. -I had to. Nobody was near me. Then, more Dark Warriors began to attack. Taro fought them, and so did Akira, but Mayumi couldn’t. –Help! Taro! –Leave her alone! Shouted Taro and Akira while they fought their way to Mayumi. -Mayumi, do it! Shouted Taro, who couldn’t get past the Warriors. –Yeah. I call upon Light Power. Mayumi, Light Warrior. NOW! Then Mayumi took out his staff, and began to fight with great ease. –You’re very good when transformed, Mayumi. –Yeah, and what are you waiting for, boys? Do it!

–Right, said both the boy and the cat. –I call upon Water Power. Taro, Water Warrior. NOW! –I call upon the Power of Nature. Akira, Animal Warrior. NOW!

-You had a great idea transforming. –No. You told me to transform, and careful, behind you! Shouted Mayumi. But it was too late. A demon attacked Taro.

–No! Exclaimed both Mayumi and Akira. –Who are you? Asked Akira. –My name is Sapphire, and I’ll gift myself with your hearts. –You’d wish! Galactic Sparkle, attack! Shouted Mayumi. –Galactic Rush, attack! Shouted Akira, and the attacks combined. -That’s not going to work with me! Said Sapphire, with an evil grin on her face. -But this will. Galactic Wave attack, whispered Taro, who was behind Sapphire. And Sapphire received the attack on her back. –Well done, Taro! Shouted Akira. –OK guys, at the count of three! Exclaimed Mayumi. –One, two, three! Galactic Sparkle! –Galactic Rush! –Galactic Wave, attack! And the attacks combined into a big ball of energy. Sapphire received it, and disappeared. –You’ll pay for this, Warriors!

-Great job, guys, said Mayumi finally. –We did it together, said Akira. –Yeah. Would you like to drink or eat something? I have a batch of freshly made chocolate chip cookies. –Hey, yeah, thanks, said both Mayumi and Akira. Then Taro, Akira and Mayumi went inside the house, and ate a big batch of cookies, with a nice mug of sweetened milk. –Mmm, thanks Taro. You made the cookies? Asked Akira.

–Yeah. I made them this afternoon. I was really bored, and then I had the idea.

–Mmm, you must give me the recipe, Taro. These cookies are delicious! Said Mayumi, praising Taro’s cooking. –Saki has the recipe, answered Taro, blushing.

–Guys, it’s late. I’ll take you home. –OK. Thanks Taro. And the teenager took the girl and the cat to their home.

When they arrived, Jun was waiting for them, worried and sleepy. –Where were you? He asked. –Taro called us, and we helped him. And we ate some cookies.

–Well, if you were with Taro, then there’s no problem. But the next time, tell me, OK? Said Jun, smiling. –OK, I got to go. –See you tomorrow, Taro. –OK, bye. The next day, March began. –Well, March’s begun, and there are two, no, three birthdays. –Whose? Asked Alex. –Jason and the Twins. –Oh. It was a bright Saturday, and there was a soccer game, between Nankatsu Junior High Female Team and Hayashibara Junior High Female. This time, the boys were cheering Atsuko, Kaoru, Hikari and Saki. –OK, girls. It’s our first game, but we won’t lose. Who’s going to win? –Nankatsu Junior High! –OK, girls, let’s hit it! Said the captain, Saki, and the teams were on the grounds. The referee blew his whistle, and Saki passed it to Mariko, and the girl passed it to Kaoru. Kaoru ran to the goal, and passed it to Saki. She took aim, and shot. The goalkeeper couldn’t do anything.

–Goal! Exclaimed the boys.

The game went on and on. A girl of the Hayashibara tried to score a goal, but Yuriko stopped it very well. –Good one, Yuriko! Exclaimed Hikari. Then Yuriko passed the soccer ball to Hikari, who passed it to Yumiko, and the girl passed the ball to Saki. Saki was quite far from the goal, but she saw Kaoru, and passed it to her. Kaoru received the ball, and passed it to Atsuko. Atsuko shot, and the goalkeeper couldn’t even react. –Goal! Exclaimed Atsuko. When the game finished, the score was 3-0. Saki had scored just before the ref could signal the end of the game, with an Overhead Kick. –Saki, you were splendid, said Genzo. –You think? She said, blushing. –Yeah. An Overhead kick when nobody expected it, that’s something worth of appraisal, said Taichi. –Well, Tsubasa did it before, said Saki.

–Yeah? No way! –Really, said Tsubasa, reddening. –Come to think of it, in a pair of months, it’ll be a year since we turned into you-know-what, guys. –Guardian W---? Tsubasa covered Jun’s mouth. –Don’t you know it has to be a secret? You almost made a huge mistake! Tsubasa hissed crossly. -Sorry. –Guys, I have to go home now, said Saki. –Why? Asked Kaoru. –I’m waiting a very important letter. Bye! And she ran home.

When she arrived, the mail was just in the mailbox. –OK, let’s see. A bill. Catalogs. How disgusting. A letter for Mayumi, and…Two letters for me, ah, and here’s a postcard for Jun, from Tei. Tei was an old girlfriend of Jun. Saki went inside the house, and began to read the letters. One was from Shinji, and the other one was from Robato. –I’ll read Shinji’s first. She opened the letter, and began to read. “Dear Saki: At last, it’s confirmed. I’m going to Japan on vacations. After lots of paperwork, I’ve got everything, and all I have to do is wait. About going to Tokyo, it would be nice to see you playing, and Jun too. So wait for me the first day of summer. Best wishes, your friend, Shinji. PS: I’m playing soccer here in Ft. Lauderdale, can you believe it?” -No way! Saki said, when she read the postscript. Then she opened Robato’s letter. “Dear Saki: Shinji gave me your address, so I do think that I should write to you, don’t you think? How are Jun and Mayumi? I hope they’re well. Stephanie’s OK, and sends you regards. Well, I’m not ashamed to say it, but I still love you, even though we had to end our relationship when you had to go to Japan. If you have a new boyfriend, I do hope that he knows how special and beautiful you are. Please write to me soon. Best wishes, Robato.” –You’re nuts, Robato, said Saki when she finished reading her mail.

-I forgot! I have to check my e-mail. Saki ran upstairs, turned on her computer, and connected to the Net. She had two e-mails from the same person: An Argentinean friend called Elumey. “Saki: How are you? I’m OK, and my web page’s a total success. Hope you write to me. Elumey.” And the other said like this: “Saki: Can you send me some stories? Your stories gave me more success than ever. You’re great. Elumey”. –You rascal. Of course I’ll continue writing! Said Saki, laughing. Then she wrote a couple of stories, and after that, she went downstairs, to cook dinner for Jun, Mayumi, her mother and for herself. Then, she heard Jun opening the door, and went to greet him. –Hi Jun, what’s up? –Nothing new. Have I got any mail? –Yeah. You received a postcard from Tei. –No way! Jun shouted. –Calm down, brother. And, where’s Mayumi? –Beats me. –Mayumi, dinner’s ready! Shouted Saki. Then, Mayumi arrived at the kitchen.

–I’m sorry, but I was doing my homework. –Don’t worry. Guess what? Said Saki.

–What? Asked Jun and Mayumi, confused. –Shinji and Robato wrote to me. –And? Asked Mayumi. –Well, Shinji’s coming to Japan! –You're kidding! Exclaimed Jun and Mayumi. –Of course not! Look at this letter! Saki said, and she showed the letter.

-Dear Saki: At last, it’s confirmed. I’m going to Japan on vacations. After lots of paperwork, I’ve got everything, and all I have to do is wait. About going to Tokyo, it would be nice to see you playing, and Jun too. So wait for me the first day of summer. Best wishes, your friend, Shinji. PS: I’m playing soccer here in Ft. Lauderdale, can you believe it? -It’s true! Said Mayumi. –And Robato wrote to me. He sends regards to both of you. –Well, that’s new. How did Robato get our address? –Shinji gave it to him, I suppose. –Oh, well, he’s a real nut, so anything can happen. What’s for dinner? Asked Jun. –Beef teriyaki. It’s fresh. –Mm-mmm. Saki really knows how to cook. –Taro’s better than me, said Saki, smiling. Then Saki served the dinner. –Sis, this time, you really did it! Said Jun, rubbing his stomach. -You think? I simply did it my way. –Well, it’s good, said Mayumi.

–Where are Akira and Naoko? Asked Jun. –They’re outside. They said that they had a meeting with some friends.

XXIX

Meanwhile, Akira and Naoko were walking to an alley. –Akahara! Exclaimed Akira. –Meoow? Answered a deep voice. –Hi. Why did you call us? –Hi, Akira. Is this your new friend? Asked Akahara. He was a ginger cat. –Yes. She’s Naoko. –Hi. –Well, Raven’s told me about your work as a Warrior, Akira. –Yeah. It’s been hard work.

–I see. Well, you have found a new H.A.C, haven’t you? –It’s me, said Naoko. –My mother’s name was Illuminati. She was a legendary mouse catcher, before she died. –I see. Illuminati was a great friend of mine, not to mention that I was godfather of one of her kittens. –Which? Asked Akira. –Her name was Neko-chan. She looks just like Naoko. –My former name was Neko-chan, Mr. Akahara. –Aha! Neko-chan, I’ve been looking for you. I’m glad you’re OK. –Well, it’s all right.

–What’s the second subject on the list, Akahara? Asked Akira. –Cats are disappearing by the hundreds in all Japan. The information I have comes from Tokyo, Osaka, Okinawa and even Hokkaido. –That’s awful! Said Naoko. –Yes, and it seems that the majority are not H.A.C, but normal cats, affirmed Akahara. –Well, aren’t all cats normal? Asked Naoko. –Not exactly, Naoko. Some of us have human spirits, like you and me, said Akira.

-That’s what we call H.A.C, or human attitude cats, explained Akahara. –And have H.A.Cs disappeared? Asked Akira. –Yeah. Shun, Satoshi and Mariru disappeared in Tokyo, and Fuji, Mii and Akiro disappeared in Okinawa, not to mention Jeiddo, Naruru and Kiyo here in Nankatsu. –What? Jeiddo, Naruru and Kiyo? Exclaimed Akira. –Yeah. It seems that somebody’s kidnapping cats. Then, Akira’s mind began to work. And what if the demons are really cats? That means, that he could have destroyed a fellow. –Has somebody strange appeared here in Nankatsu? Asked Akira. –Yes. A young woman with strange blue hair has appeared near here. In fact, witnesses have seen that the woman takes cats. –Oh my god! Exclaimed Naoko. –We have to be in constant aware. If you and Misato have to fight against a demon, tell us, or send us a message via mouse post. –OK. Naoko, we have to go, said Akira.

–OK. Thanks for the information, said Naoko. –See you soon, said Akahara, before jumping into a garbage can. -Akira, while you were quiet, you looked frightened. –I was thinking something. –Well, let’s go home, please, said Naoko. –OK. Then both cats began to walk home. But then, Dark Warriors appeared. –Naoko, hide! Exclaimed Akira. –OK. While Naoko hid herself, Akira fought bravely against the Dark Warriors. –Darn it. I call upon the Power of Nature. Akira, Animal Warrior. NOW! I hope it works. Galactic Rush, attack! And the attack worked perfectly.

–Great. But then, a demon appeared. -Creeps. And Akira took out his Bladechains. “Guys, I need help. I’m near the park, in Nelson Alley.” The demon attacked Akira, but he defended himself with his weapons. Then, the demon tried to attack him again, and Akira was hurt. –Meoow, this is hard. I’ll do it again. Galactic Rush, attack! The demon stumbled and fell. Then, somebody appeared. It was Takeshi.

-Takeshi! I thought that nobody would help me. –I received your message. I call upon Stellar Power. Takeshi, Stellar Warrior. NOW! –Lets do it together, Takeshi. –Right. Galactic Supernova. –Galactic Rush, attack! And before the demon could be destroyed, Akira took a piece of skin of the demon, to analyze it.

-Great job, guys, said Naoko, who was hidden inside a box. –You can come out now, Naoko, said Akira. –Normality, now. OK, guys, be careful, said Takeshi, and he went off. –I’ve got a piece of the demon’s skin here, said Akira. He showed Naoko the patch of skin he took off with his claws. –Well, we have to analyze it.

–Yeah, but let’s go home! Said Naoko. –OK. Then both cats arrived home. –Hi Saki. I need you to analyze this. –What’s that? Asked Saki, surprised.

–Demon skin. I had a fight with a demon, and Takeshi helped me. Before the demon was destroyed, I scratched a piece of the demon’s skin. -If you say so, said Saki, and she ran to her computer. She introduced the information, and began to type in her computer as fast as she could. Then, a beep filled the room. –It’s cat skin, which means that… -Just as I thought! Sapphire is taking cats and transforming them into demons. –Yeah, but not only cats, I think, said Saki. –Why? –I do suspect something, but I’m not so sure.

When one’s worried for something, it seems that time passes even faster than the usual. In no time, the Twins’ birthday passed, and it was superb, though strange too. When Saki woke up that day, March the 26^th, she couldn’t believe it. –A year older? No way! She said to herself. –Happy birthday, sis! Exclaimed Jun, throwing himself to Saki’s bed. –Whoaa! Happy birthday to you too, Jun, but please, don’t do that, or my bed’s going to split! Said Saki nervously. –Aw, come on, its our birthday, Jun answered. –Well, then, let me get ready to make some breakfast, OK? Said Saki. –What are you saying? Said Jun, confused. -I’m saying: GET OUT OF HERE! Shouted Saki, and slammed the door. Some minutes later, Saki went out of her bedroom and went to prepare breakfast. But when she arrived, Hanako was preparing breakfast. –What? -Happy Birthday, Saki, said Hanako. –Thanks mom. What day’s today? -Monday. –Darn, it’s going to be late for school. Then she ran up to her bedroom, and got ready to go to school. –Jun, get ready in five minutes or we’ll be late for school! Exclaimed Saki.

Five minutes later, Saki and Jun were walking to school, while they were munching on some toast. –I still don’t know who was born first. –Me neither, but mom told me that we were born by cesarean birth. –Why? Asked Jun. –‘Cause when we were just about to be born, mom got really sick, and they had to do it as quick as possible. –Oh, that. Well, what time is it? –It’s 7:15. And what happened to your watch, Jun? –It stopped. –When? –Yesterday. And now that I remember, Fernando Mario’s birthday was yesterday. –Well, whatever. He’s never been good with me, said Saki, frowning. Then they arrived to the school. –I don’t want to be attacked with eggs, so don’t say anything, Jun. –OK. I don’t want to be ambushed either. When they went into their classroom, nothing looked strange. It was just like a normal day. But when Saki sat on her desk, she saw something on it. “Even if it’s not much, I just want to say Happy Birthday To You.” She recognized the handwriting as Genzo’s. He had a sleek, fine script. -Thanks, Genzo, she muttered. She took the small piece of paper, and tucked in her backpack. Then, the other teenagers went in, with two birthday cakes, banners and noise crackers. –HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TWINS! Shouted everyone. But strangely enough, Kojiro and Maya were there, as so were Taichi and Mayumi!

-We don’t know what to say, said the Twins at the same time. –You don’t have to, said Taro, smiling broadly. Then Ms. Nishikuni appeared in the hallway. –Guys, hide everything! Kojiro, Maya, you got to go! Exclaimed Kaoru. –OK, and Kojiro, Taichi, Mayumi and Maya disappeared while nobody could see them. –That was a close shave, said Wayne. –Good morning class, said the teacher. –Good morning, Ms. Nishikuni. –I say that there’s something festive in the air today. Can it be that…Saki noticed a cold sweat breaking on her spine. Jun stared firmly at the ground, while his guts were messing up strongly. –Can it be that the Aiza Twins’ birthday is today? Inquired Ms. Nishikuni. Then Saki knew it. Ms. Nishikuni wasn’t like that. –Yes, Ms. Nishikuni, answered the Twins, feeling blameworthy. –Please throw those cakes you’re hiding in the closets, Misaki. -No… said Taro to himself.

–You won’t? –I-I… Taro stammered so badly that he almost fainted. –Then please eat them at once, said Ms. Nishikuni, with a strange frown on her face.

Then, between all the class, the two cakes were totally eaten. –Gee, Taro, you did them? Asked Atsuko. –Yeah, he said, feeling uneasy. –Now that everything’s back to normal, please take out your Algebra books, and read page 64 to page 74. –But that’s too long! Said Katie, confused. –Do it, said the teacher dangerously. “Jun”, thought Saki. “What?” “Don’t you think that Ms. Nishikuni’s acting too strange today?” “Yeah. Certainly” “You think that this may be Sapphire’s work?” “I think so”. Then Saki took out the Guardian Crystal from her backpack pocket, and saw that it shined lowly. –It has to be Sapphire’s fault, she said to herself, and tucked it in her pocket again. Later, they had Biology. –Thank god we don’t have Biology with Ms. Nishikuni, said Reiko.  -Shhh! Said Genzo, feeling edgy. After Biology, recess came. The Gang met at the water fountains. –Guys, don’t you think that Ms. Nishikuni is acting strangely? Said Saki. –Yeah, said the others. –I think this is Sapphire’s work, said Jun. –OK, we have to be cautious. If Sapphire’s behind this, we’ll have to do something about it, said Genzo. –But if she’s human, and turns into a demon? Asked Hikari. –Good question, Hikari. Then everybody was covered again by something of their element, and were again in the dimension. –Golden Spirit! Exclaimed everybody.

-I see that you have done part of the mission. –Here’s the Guardian Crystal, Spirit, said Saki. –Very well. If you have to fight against a human demon, this time the crucifixes are useless. –And then? –The Guardian Crystal is the answer. This time, Saki was really confused. –But how will the Guardian Crystal help? I can’t transform into the Golden Reincarnation. The first time I transformed, it was really painful, and I had a fever. –Wait and see. A light shone, and the Crystal shone too. The Rings disappeared from everybody’s hands, and shone with their light. Then, the Talismans appeared. –The Talismans! Gasped Reiko. But this time, the Talismans didn’t merge, but they were totally formed, instead of being the halves.

–This will help you. Just call upon the power of the Talisman, and use your normal power. –Right. –Oh no, we’re late for class. –Do not worry. Time passes slower in your dimension than here. So it’s only 9:45 in your school. –That means that we still have 15 minutes till the next class. Then they returned, but this time they were awake. –It’s quite an experience, huh? Said Tsubasa finally. –Yeah, definitely, replied Takeshi.

They just had the time to eat something, wash their hands and talk some more, before they had Physical Education. Saki and the girls went to the dressing room, and changed themselves quickly, while the boys did the same. Then they had to warm up, and this time, Jun was worried, since he left his aerochamber in his house. –Oh, creeps, now I’m in trouble. –Why? Asked Genzo. –I forgot my aerochamber. Without it, I can’t do any exercise, or I’ll have an asthma crisis.

–That’s bad, said Tsubasa. –Well, if I’m going to have an asthma crisis, then I’ll have to go on with it. Jun began to warm up along with his friends, waiting for the asthma crises, but nothing happened. –What’s this? Jun said to himself, confused. –What are you talking about? Asked Takeshi, who was near Jun. –I’m OK. My asthma disappeared! Exclaimed Jun, who was really surprised. –Well, that’s good, said Takeshi.

Then, both boys and girls had to do exercises with a high bar. –Jun Aiza! It was Jun’s turn. –Good luck, brother! Said Saki. Jun looked confident, and made a good job. –Saki Aiza! Shouted the teacher. Saki went bravely to the bar, and jumped to it. Then, she began to swing and when she had the strength enough to do something, she began to twirl and spin on it, and she finished with a great jump. –Great! Exclaimed everybody. On and on it went, but then, something happened. Ms. Nishikuni was in front of them, standing on the bar! Most of the teenagers ran and hid, and the P.E. teacher too, but Saki and the Gang didn’t. –C’mon, let’s hide, whispered Saki to the Gang, and went quickly to the gymnasium, which was luckily alone. –C’mon guys, it’s the old job again! Said Saki. –Right! –We call upon Earth Power. -We call upon Water Power. –We call upon Air Power. –We call upon Ice Power. –We call upon Stellar Power. NOW! Then the Warriors went out.

–Stop there, demon! –Leave alone our teacher. –Ahh, but I’m not your teacher, said the demon, who began to transform into itself.

-Remember guys, we can’t eliminate the demon. It’s still our teacher. I know it.

But the demon began to attack them. –Take this! It shouted, and some of the Warriors were hurt. –Guys! Exclaimed Tsubasa, who was the only one who wasn’t hurt. Then he saw it: Atsuko was even more hurt than the others, and Tsubasa was getting angry. “I gotta save the guys, and Lily too. It’s my duty”. –Hey demon, try to catch me! He said, and he began to run. Strangely, the demon was quicker than Tsubasa, and in less than a second it kicked him in the stomach. –No! Exclaimed Atsuko. –Don’t worry, I’m OK, he said, while he tried to stand up. Then, the demon attacked him intensely, punching him on his stomach, but then, he sent the demon flying. –What the…? Said Jun. Tsubasa had sent a Galactic Earthquake just in time. But it wasn’t over yet. The demon tried to attack Tsubasa, but this time he had a surprise. –I hope it works. I call upon the Teamwork Talisman Power. Galactic Earthquake, attack! And Tsubasa’s main power hit the demon in the face. –Aaaah! I’m transforming! Shouted the demon, and transformed into the real Ms. Nishikuni. –Ms. Nishikuni! Exclaimed the Warriors, and transformed into their own selves, while the teacher was unconscious.

XXX

-What, what happened? Asked the teacher wearily. –It’s a long story, answered Saki. –I can’t remember anything. I feel like brainwashed, said Ms. Nishikuni.

–We’ll help you, said Tsubasa, Genzo, Takeshi and Jun, picking her up and taking her to the infirmary. –OK, guys, you can come out! Shouted Kaoru. Then Wayne and the others began to go out. –Guys, what happened? Asked Kira. –We don’t know. We hid in the gym, and you? –We hid inside the school. –That was very dangerous. Mitsuko didn’t look normal, because nobody can stand on that bar, said the teacher. –Well, she certainly didn’t look normal, said Taro, scratching the back of his head. Then Tsubasa and the other boys were back. –Don’t ask. We were taking Ms. Nishikuni to the infirmary, said Tsubasa before the teacher could say something. Then the recess bell rang. –Thank god. Lunch! Exclaimed Tsubasa.

–Gee, no wonder you’re so hungry, said Saki, nodding her head. Tsubasa went crimson in the face. Everybody in the Gang laughed, and Tsubasa went almost purple. Then they stopped laughing, and finished lunch.

When Jun and Saki got home, they simply were tired. –A battle in middle of the class. Now we’ve done it! Said Jun angrily. –Calm down, brother! Said Saki, putting her hand on Jun’s shoulder. –OK, you’re right. Darkness never sleeps, and they don’t give anything for even having battles at midnight, Jun said, frowning for a moment. –Well, at least Tsubasa and the others remembered our birthday, said Saki quickly. –Hey, that’s right! They even gave us a birthday cake! Said Jun opening his eyes. –I’m going to check my e-mail. Maybe somebody wrote to me.

–Can I check mine? –Sure. Then both Twins went to Saki’s room, and checked them.

–Now, there are two postcards, from Robato and Shinji, and a message from Elumey. Saki checked her e-mail first. –Now’s my turn, said Jun. In his e-mail, he had three messages, from two friends of his, and his ex-girlfriend, Tei. –Well, at least we’re friends. There’s nothing I can do now, moaned Jun. –That’s depressing, said Saki. -I remember that your relationship with Tei lasted for a year or two. I don’t remember clearly. –And your relationship with Robato lasted for about a year too. –Well, you’re right, but we never had a kiss. I didn’t want to. –Me neither! Exclaimed Jun. –But why? –Because of my brackets. I was too shy, when I had them on, answered Saki, blushing deeply.

Jun decided to go out to the park, to play soccer, while Saki went to sleep. Some people went inside the Twins’ house, and began to move furniture, decorate everything and have everything ready. Then everybody hid. When Jun got to his house and Saki woke up, everybody went out of their hiding places and shouted.

–HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TWINS! Jun and Saki were shocked. Tsubasa and the others had got in their house and decorated everything, with a little help of the Twins’ mom and cousin. –Guys! Mom! Exclaimed the Twins in surprise. –We would never forget your birthday, said Genzo. The following minutes were the Twins’ best minutes of their lives. There were games, gifts, cake, and everything was wonderful. When everybody had to go, it was about 9:00 PM. –Thanks for everything! Exclaimed the Twins as the Gang went to their homes. –Well, it’s better when your birthday’s shared with your friends, huh? Said Jun. –No doubt, brother, said Saki, smiling.

Time passed, and it was already April the 24^th. –Man, it’s been almost a month since the Twins’ birthday, and it seems like if it was yesterday, commented Takeshi to the other boys, while they were changing for the soccer training. –Yeah, you’re right, Takeshi, replied Tsubasa, who was struggling to put on his soccer shoes, which were a bit small for him. –Well, at least the summer vacations are near, said Taro, who was keeping his usual clothes in his sports bag. –And if we’re chosen for the Nankatsu Soccer Team, we’ll go to Tokyo, for the National Soccer Tournament, said Genzo, who was checking his gloves for any tear. –I’ve heard that the Meiwa’s going to take part too, but not in the Nankatsu Soccer Team, said Tsubasa. -That means that we’re going to play against Kojiro? Asked Taro and Takeshi. Then the door opened, and Jun went in. –Hi guys. Jun looked tired. –What happened? Asked all the boys of the Gang. –Mayumi was sick, and I had to take care of her.

–No way! Exclaimed Genzo. Jun nodded his head. –She had a fever. She had 38.5°C all the night. Saki is coming later, ‘cause she’s taking care of Mayumi.

–Well, why don’t we all go and visit her? Said Takeshi. –Yeah, good idea, said Taro.

After the boys had just changed clothes, and went out to the field, Saki arrived, already changed and panting a little. –Hi guys. I’ve been running to get in time.

-And your asthma? –I don’t have asthma anymore. C’mon, go and warm up. I’m already warm. While the boys warmed up, Saki stretched a little. Then everybody was ready, and the other teams arrived. The Shutetsu, the Nishigaoka, The Yamabuki Red Stars and other teams arrived. Then Shiroyama arrived. -I called the teams, to choose the players who will represent Nankatsu in the National Soccer Tournament. We’ll choose the best players by soccer matches of twenty minutes. Then I will choose the best eighteen players. OK, we’ll begin with Shutetsu against the Otomo. Then Shiroyama took apart Jun. -Could you please help me with the selection. –Yes, sir. Jun had to write the names of the players who were chosen. –Of the Shutetsu, Mamoru Izawa, Hajime Taki, Teppei Kisugi, Satoru Nagashima and Ken Wakashimazu. Of the Otomo, Masahiko Nagara. Jun wrote this down quickly.

-And now, Nishigaoka against the Yamabuki Red Stars, said Shiroyama, after counting the twenty minutes. –Of the Yamabuki Hajime Suzuhara and Mamoru Yada. Of the Nishigaoka, Daisuke Urabe. –Just nine to go, said Jun. Then it was Nankatsu against the Hayashibara. –And me? Asked Jun. –Don’t worry. I’ll copy down the names. Then Jun went out to the field. Shiroyama wrote down some names. Then Shiroyama called the teams. –OK, these are the players who are going to represent Nankatsu. Of the Shutetsu, Mamoru Izawa, Hajime Taki, Teppei Kisugi, Ken Wakashimazu and Satoru Nagashima. Of the Otomo, Masahiko Nagara. Of the Yamabuki Red Stars, Hajime Suzuhara and Mamoru Yada. Of the Nishigaoka, Daisuke Urabe. Of the Nankatsu, Tsubasa Ozora, Taro Misaki, Genzo Wakabayashi, Jun Aiza, Takeshi Kido, Ryou Ishizaki and Saki Aiza. Of the Hayashibara, Taiki Oikawa and Fujio Iwabara. –I thought that the Meiwa French Canadian would take part with us, said Saki. –The trainer refused. –So we’ll have to play against Kojiro Hyuga? Asked Josh Lee. -Yeah, and it’s not going to be easy, said Saki. –Why is the girl in the team? Asked somebody of the Otomo. –You see, this girl has a great technique, and besides, she’s also a strategist, said Hajime.

-Well, if she proves to be good, then we can win the Championship for two years in a row, said Bob Tanner, a quite thin boy with straight hair. –She’s really good, said Hajime. –Well, then, the team will be called Nankatsu, as it’s representing the entire city. The captain is Tsubasa Ozora, who is captain of the Nankatsu Junior High Soccer Team, explained Shiroyama. –The uniforms are arriving next week. So we’ll train Monday and Wednesday after school, added Saki. After the training, Tsubasa and the others were on their way to their houses. –It’s great! We’re all in the Team. –And what did I tell you, Tsubasa? Said Taro, grinning broadly. –Well, Shiroyama told me something, but it wasn’t totally confirmed, Taro. You talk too much, said Tsubasa, looking upset. –Well, if we’re going to Tokyo, that means that the girls have to see us on TV, said Takeshi, gulping saliva. –Don’t scare us, Jace! Said Jun. –Hey, Genzo, why are you so quiet? Asked Saki. He had been too quiet during the walk. –It’s nothing, Saki. I’m just thinking. –Thinking what? Asked Jun, turning his head. –My ankle’s been hurting again, and I’m worried. –Why didn’t you tell me? Asked Saki, worried. –I don’t want to be a bother for anybody, just because of a little pain.

-But we’re your friends, and if you don’t feel too well, tell us, said Tsubasa.

–Remember when I broke my ankle? I was a real bother, and I couldn’t play soccer. I was really miserable, said Genzo, turning serious. –And what about me, huh? I hurt myself in the match against the Yamabuki, said Jun. –Your eyes watered then, said Takeshi, and everybody laughed, except Jun, who looked embarrassed and angry. –Thanks for nothing, Jace, he replied sourly. -Well, bye. Here’s my house, said Taro. –OK. Bye, said Tsubasa. –See you tomorrow, Taro, said the others. The remaining teenagers kept on walking. -Tsubasa, how did you know Taro? Asked Saki. –It’s a long story. I was twelve by then. I was walking home, and I passed near the Belvedere, so I decided to practice a little soccer, and I went up the stairs, kicking the ball. Then another boy appeared on the scene. It was Taro. And we almost bumped. I presented myself, and Taro did the same too. We practiced soccer, and then we began to talk. Taro had just arrived to Nankatsu that day, but he didn’t know how long he would stay here in Nankatsu, since his parents are divorced, and he lives with his father, a painter. And now with Kasumi, who’s going to college now. I don’t think that they’re leaving for now. –Actually, we’re here to stay, said a familiar voice. –Kasumi! Yelled the teenagers, suddenly ashen faced.

–What, I scared you? She asked innocently. -Definitely, said Saki, recovering her usual color.

-I was walking near you, and I heard your conversation. Sorry for overhearing you. –Don’t worry. Besides, we were talking too loud, said Genzo. –How’s Taki? Asked Jun. –Well, you have to look for yourselves. He’s quite reserved, you know, said Kasumi, shrinking her shoulders. –Well, actually, I heard that one of the teachers is sick, and he’s going to give up his work, said Tsubasa. –Who? -The biology teacher. He’s too old. –Well, who knows who’s gonna teach us Biology, said Saki. –Now that I remember, there’s a Spring Festival, here. Why don’t we go? Asked Kasumi. –Great idea. It’s been a long time since we make a Gang plan, said Saki. –You’re right. We could all go. –You’ll need a kimono, Saki. It’s the tradition here, said Kasumi. –I never thought of that. All girls wear them here? Asked Saki. –Yeah. It’s a tradition here. –But, I don’t have one. –Don’t worry about that. I’ll see to it, said Kasumi, before running off.

-And then? Asked Jun. –Then what? Asked Saki. –Are we going to the Spring Festival? –We have to talk with Atsuko and the others. They don’t know. –You’re right. –I’ll talk with Atsuko, said Tsubasa promptly. Jun looked sternly at Tsubasa.

–OK. I’ll call Kaoru and the others, said Jun. –OK. Bye, said the others, as they were getting home. Later, Saki stopped at a fabric shop. –Jun, go on. I have to buy some things. –For what? –Is it your business? I don’t think so, bro. –OK. I’m cooking tonight. –OK. Bye. Saki entered the fabric shop. –Let’s see. This golden fabric’s beautiful, but it’s too expensive. This blue one’s too rough. The red one doesn’t convince me too much. This green one, let’s see. Smooth, nice, and it’s cheaper than the others. I’ll buy it. And I also need some of that pink fabric, said Saki to the clerk. –This one? Asked the clerk. –No. I want the third fabric from the left. Yeah. Thanks. How much is it? Said Saki, taking out her money. After buying the material, Saki went to the bookshop, and bought a book. –Now I can make my own kimono.

-I’m home! –Goodness, Saki. You got here a bit late, said Hanako, who was sipping a soda. –Sorry mom. I was buying a few things I needed. –For what? Asked Mayumi. –For the Spring Festival. Did Jun tell you? –Yeah. –Well, you see, in the Festival, girls wear kimonos, and I don’t have any. So I bought the material to make it. –If you wish, I can help you, said Hanako. –Please, mom. You’re good at this. –Well, I don’t know how to make a kimono, but I’ll try to help you. –Don’t worry mom. I bought a book. –I’ll help too, said Mayumi, who seemed to be much better from her fever. Then, mother, daughter and cousin were fussing in the living room, measuring, cutting and sewing. –Mayumi, please measure Saki’s height, said Hanako. –I can’t. She’s too tall! Said Mayumi, outstretching her arms, to reach Saki’s head. –Leave this to me, said Jun, as he took the measurements.

-Thanks, Jun. –Mom… he replied angrily. –Sorry, Jun, dear. An hour later, Saki and Hanako were sewing the dress. –Well, it’s been difficult, but we did it, huh?

–Yeah, definitely, said Saki, trying on the kimono. –Sis, if I wasn’t your brother, I would be drooling all over the floor, said Jun, smiling. –Is that a compliment? Asked Saki. –Of course it is. –I don’t have a kimono either, said Mayumi.

-Oh no. I’m not going out to buy more fabric, said Saki, nodding her head furiously. –I have some fabric in my room, Saki. You don’t have to go out. -Why didn’t you tell me that you had some fabric in your room? Said Saki. -Well, you didn’t ask me, said Hanako. –Akira! Come here now! Shouted Saki. –Meoow? He said. –Please bring the fabric that my mom has in her room, said Saki. –Saki, you think that Akira is able to bring the fabric? Asked Hanako. -Definitely. Akira ran upstairs, and brought the bag with the fabrics. –Which color do you want your kimono, Mayumi? Asked Saki. –I like that blue and pink fabric. The fabric that has cherry blossoms.

–It’s nice, said Hanako. This time, it was much faster, as Mayumi’s kimono was much smaller that Saki’s. When they finished, it was 9:00 PM. –Oh creeps, it’s late! Said Saki, yawning. –And you, Jun? Asked Mayumi. –Don’t worry. I already have my own garments in my room. –Akira? “Read my mind.” He said telepathically. “I have my own costume already.” –Goodness gracious, said Mayumi.

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