sirenspull | [Text] 1st Goal

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[Text] 1st Goal

Good morning. My name is Kidou Yuuto. I've come to understand that there isn't a way back to my town currently, so I have to make myself comfortable here.

I grew up in an environment where soccer is very, very important. And from what I can tell, it's not very popular around here.

So, I was wondering if anyone here knew how to play or would like to learn.

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[ There's probably some kind of formalities here, but someone who can protect the world from being taken over with soccer of all things is probably someone you wanna keep tabs on. ] Kidou Yuuto of Inazuma Japan? I'm Homura Akemi.

I might be interested in your soccer.

It's a pleasure to meet you, Homura.

If you would like, I could show you how I play.

An introduction at the very least would be ideal. A demonstration would be preferred.

Alright. Is there an open area around here we could use?

There are open fields in Sector 7. Are you familiar with the layout of Siren's Port?

I'm afraid not, no. I haven't been here in Siren's Port for very long so I haven't had the chance to get myself acquainted with the surroundings quite yet.

[ And that's how Kidou Yuuto avoided stepping in a cowpie. ]

There's a park not far from the starter apartments. Would the work?

Yes, that would do fine. I'll see you there, then.

Oh, by the way, look for someone who is wearing a cape and goggles. I shouldn't be too hard to miss.

[And so he sets off to said park, soccerball in his hands. After a good 20 minutes, he finally arrives and starts bouncing the ball on his knee as he waits.]

[ When Homura arrives, it's clear she isn't your average teenage girl -- she holds herself in a visibly different manner, as though constantly prepared for battle.

It's probably obvious this is the girl he spoke to on the network, just as it's obvious this is the Kidou Yuuto she spoke to about soccer. The soccer ball is a biggest tip, but Kidou sticks out, regardless. Must be the cape. ]

Kidou Yuuto. You haven't waited long? [ She had to ditch work for this, but don't tell her bosses. Soccer is more important!!! ]

Not too long.

[He catches the ball after bouncing it once more and smiles.]

It's a pleasure to meet you in person, Homura.

[ You know, for a moment, she almost returns the smile, and even the greeting, but then she remembers she came here for something. Since Madoka's been here, she's not been sure of what exactly she's up to, but the slip doesn't show. She's rather used to covering up at this point.

She doesn't return the smile, and her focus turns to the ball. ]

I wasn't aware such an innocent looking thing could decide whether the world was taken over or not.

[He frowns slightly]

Neither was I, at first.

The international tournament was a surprise then. [ it's a statement, because she already knows the answer is yes. ]

The tournament itself wasn't a surprise. It was the man who ran it, what he did to try to obtain power that was surprising.

[ She can't really relate, but she can understand. ] Did he betray you? [ She'll press for more info about this world dominating thing as much as she pleases, okay. ]

He wasn't on our side to begin with.

[ She hasn't been looking directly at him this entire time, but when he says that, Homura looks directly into those dorky goggles. It's almost as though she's attempting to speak with her eyes, but of course, you don't really convey the fact you can completely relate to that sentence in an efficient way unless you say it outright, so perhaps it's lost on him. But with that simple sentence, she recalls an entire lifetime of mistakes and failures. ]

Is that so.

[ She pauses, shifting her weight awkwardly. ] I can understand your feelings a bit, then. Probably.

[He does notice her staring intently at him, almost as if she were trying to have complete eye contact through his goggles. He was wondering why she was looking at him that way, and when she speaks he understands.]

I see.

[He offers the slightest of smiles.] So that's why you were so interested in my soccer.

I have things I have to protect. If your soccer can help me do that, I have to learn everything I can about it.

[ Not want -- have. As though she has no choice but to do just that. There's too many untrustworthy people in Port, too many dangers to not be prepared and ready at every moment and in every way. ]

Things you have to protect?

[ She considers how to answer that without giving too much information. After all, it's a bit of a long story, and she wouldn't want more people contracting with Kyubey. ] Things I care about. If I don't protect them, they might be hurt unnecessarily. I won't allow that.

And you want to use my soccer to protect them?

If it was capable of preventing the world being taken over by a man you don't like, it must be capable of preventing harm to at least one person.

[ It sounds weird, but this soccer of his sounds incredibly powerful -- or at least influential.

... But as an afterthought, almost: ]

Until recently, I had a very bad heart condition. I wasn't able to play things like soccer. [ It did seem fun, at least, but she wasn't even able to finish a short run without nearly passing out. ]

[He's quiet for a moment before speaking.]

Alright. I'll show you my soccer, and teach you how to play if you would like.

[ There's something particularly strange about the idea of learning something most kids learned when they were much younger. Still -- he doesn't seem to mind it. ]

I'm interested in seeing it at the very least.

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[Text] 1st Goal

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