Mr Gil blows the whistle after a few seconds of kick-off. With that... we officially have won against Berges's team who filled with those who already has the experienced in soccer. It was no miracle at all because it was my instruction that leads them to victory. And here I think I finally being recognized by the others

Despite all those efforts of mine...They went to the Klar and hugging him with overjoy... leaving me behind without even looked back...

I thought that I finally have a different situation when I started in high school.... but nothing has changed after all

I sit and lean at the pole, staring at my team who keep celebrate and worshipping at Klar as the hero of this match. It's the normal thing for a striker to steal the scene and close the curtain for those who did even better than them.

Even the ads, news, tv, and even the shirt show it all, telling that only striker will carve the name through the history and only a few of the other position can make it through. Because most of the fan only held high regard at those who can score the memorable goal rather than those who save them from the tight situation.

"Hey...nice game plan Aiza"

"Hmm..."

"Can you see over there? that's the ugly truth. You can befriend him but slowly you will be his shadow in no time" Deg comes to me while giving me a drink

"thanks..." I receive it and drink without looking to at his eyes. I've no energy left to reply him that it was my doing that Klar can score a goal without anyone disrupt him.

It's always like this...

The moment that I thought about the other's, I immediately forget about my original objectives, and that's my problem that haunts me for so long. I thought that I'm used to this treatment... but it seems that I don't. I feel really down by that.

I just want to be appreciated by the others. I want to be noticed for my effort. I'm not a kind person... I want my reward! Not within my family... but with a stranger called 'friends'.

I'm not in the anime or manga world, where if the Mc doing something that even minor things, he being noticed it right away by his friends. But for me? what about me?? This is the reality... this is the fact... this is your fate, Aiza. Even I've changed on the outside... but the situation still remains the same. You're still you no matter how much change you've done

The PE class is about to end, and I feel thirsty for some reason, even Deg has already given me a water earlier. After Mr Gil gives his permission, I went to the toilet with my heart feels betrayed. Remain long here will only just rubbed salt into the wound

Upon my way, I catch a glimpse of a big guy standing not far from me

"Hey... where are you going? don't get too conceit after that victory, Aiza. You're just lucky to have Klar on your side--"

"Yeah-yeah... Klar is the one who made me win against you or whatever... I don't care " while I'm talking without looking at his face... I continue walking with my leg feels heavy.

**********************************************************************

It already enters the break time and I'm still in front of the mirror in the toilet. Staring at my reflection... my face shows the total defeat. I washing hard with water, hoping that this kind of face will be drag along with the water through the pipe hole. But it doesn't work...

I guess aiming to be popular is too hard for me after all, since in my class... there's already has someone that who sits in the prince's chair. He's too much for me to overcome. Its no use... this is a futile effort from the beginning!

Damn... nothing has changed since then!

A sudden water... flow through my cheek with a slightly warm. Damn... stop it, stop flowing you damn tears! no... stop... please... I b-beg... stop it... stop--

Pa!!

Wha-- my right cheek feels a sudden sting yet little hot...

Eh... my right hand...? in front of my face? how did it move on its own without my brains command it? Did I slap my own face without I'm noticed?

While still wondering... my eyes catch the current condition of the right hand. It's full of permanent bruise and swelling. The nerves showed like a tree's branch all over my backhand and arm which is not when I'm still fat... and some part of my arm covered with a hard muscle.

I see... I've come from a long way and effort to make my hand look like this. I almost forgot about the reason of why that I'm starting all those training.

I forgot about all the pain from doing the push-up, sits-up, squats, and running daily. I have forgotten about how painful to hold your starving and control your glutton by eating with a small portion. I almost forgot how much hurt my chest when I sold all my favourite anime figures before my eyes... all so that I can buy the dumbbell and punching bag.

Did I forget about all those things for one defeat? how embarrassing. I shouldn't behave like this! I already said it before... that I'll make my way to the top seat, won't I? I do not want my past keep looping forever so that's why I'm starting all those training.

Fuck... why am I doing here. Just one defeat and you already waving a white flag? you're hopeless, Aiza. That's why you always remain on the ground floor.

Ha... what a weak, my heart that is. I should know that there's no a shortcut to be a success. Now I feel much refresh after that sudden 'slap'. I do not know why or how that triggered my arm to make his own actions... but I want to thank you for that.

I leaving the toilet and went to the cafeteria. Now all those negative emotions have disappeared... I feel hungry for that, so let's indulge ourselves by eating the best and luxury food that cafeteria has. And hey, I did a good job too since it was my first time playing the soccer.

"Hey..." I heard a girl greets me from behind

"O-oh, it's you Vid"

"Where have you been? I cannot see you anywhere on the field track or in the class after your game"

"I'm sorry, I go to the toilet earlier. So... what's up Vid?"

She stares at me with a silence look for a while before she responded to my question," Aiza..."

"Yes?"

"You've done well for a person that a total beginner in a soccer game. I cannot help but hear it from Klar's shouts about you. It's too bad that everyone on your team doesn't notice about your effort..."

"Eh-- what are you--"

"You're crying just now, am I right? your eyes reveal everything for me to know. Don't you worry... I know everything since the game started and I know what have you done to make your team in victory"

What? did my eyes were that red even Vid can tell that I'm crying? I brushing hard at my eye. Oh for a god sake!

"I-I'm not crying... idiot!"

"Aiza..."

"hmm?"

"Nice play out there," she said it with a bright smile at me

I do not know that Vid can be this cute. For she can notice all my effort, I'm speechless. I'm expecting for those guys to say that word to me... but for Vid to say like this... it's far more worth it,"Thanks"

"Now that you've made me wait for you, you must treat me a dessert"

"Dessert? what-- Ah... fine... if it's you" well the price for that smile is just a dessert. No big deal

"Great~! " she really happy as her hand create a fist

I want to confirm something, " Does this mean... we're friends now?"

"Huh? what are you talking about? aren't we already become friends since the first day? Geez, you're so weird... come on, let's march to meet the heaven's ultimate creation!"

Guess it wasn't a side thinking after all, "yeah, I heard you Vid"