Reverse X Trap - Chapter 3
“Beep…beep…beep”
“Uhm, 5 more minutes”
“Beep…beep..*click*”
“Okay, okay I’m waking up. Hoahm, still sleepy.” A person with messy short hair was stretching after waking up to the sound of the alarm. Slowly standing up, the person made the bed and open the window, welcoming the light of rising sun into the room. Sounds of footsteps were approaching and followed by light knocks on the door.
“Nee-chan, it’s morning. Breakfast ready.” A female spoke from the outside.
“Yeah, mom. I’m awake. Be there in a minute.” The person, now identified as a girl, went out of the bedroom and head towards the bathroom to take a shower. After that, the person went back to her room to change into school uniform. She also put some change of clothes inside her sports bag and carried with along with her school bag. Then, she went to the dining room.
“So what’s for breakfast mom?”
“Just an omurice is fine right? I also prepared your food and drink.”
“Cool. Thanks mom. Okay then, ittadakimasu!” She started eating her breakfast quickly. And ready to go to school.
“Right then mom, I’m going now. Thanks for the meal.”
“Yes, have a good day at school.” Her mother sent her off with a smile.
“Okay, see you later!” She started to walk to the school under the chilly morning.
“Ah! Nothing beats the smell of fresh morning air. A good day for me, I hope.” Enthusiastically, she raised both her hand with spirits while slinging both bags on her left shoulder. After few minutes walking to the school, she finally arrived at the school gate. She took a few deep breaths before making her way to the club locker room. There were many sports clubs who are doing morning practices, such as the tennis club, baseball club, track club, and soccer club. Every day, including sunday, clubs are allowed to use the schools facility, excluding classes and laboratories outside permission at holidays. On her way to the club room, she was greeted by lots of students who were also having club activities.
“Riku-kun, good morning!”
“Hello, Riku-kun!”
“Thanks for the hard work, Riku-kun!” Mostly girls who greeted her, Riku Morikawa.
She, known as the prince, was popular among the female population of the school, and the male as well. The boys saw her as an equal and the girls fawned over her. The person herself, for the people outside, actually looked more like a boy. Tall, sporty, deep voiced, and charismatic as well. Of course, she took the treatment nicely, and smiled or replied back to others.
“Morning, everyone! Let’s do our best today!” With a loud voice, she tried to worked up the students. The boys replied with vigor and the girls just, doing fangirl screams. Riku couldn’t help but chuckled everytime that happens. Once she reach the club room, it was still empty, so she decided to get changed to casual clothes first and preparing the equipments. Riku was the new hope for the soccer team.
Originally, she wanted to continue basketball for high school, but decided that she wanted to try something new. Of course, Takuji and Asuka encouraged her to do so. Because she felt that she was still inexperienced, she wanted to make use any time to improve.
“Alright! Let’s do this!” She started by warming up and stretching first. The school had a soccer field, but quite small because the low reputation the club had. Using her long legs and high jumps, she was put as a defender but also being prepared as a goalkeeper in case the main keeper, who was also the captain, got injured. Continued with routines such as running back and forth, side stepping, she also practiced shooting.
“Oh? Looks like someone is having fun all by herself.”
“Eh?” Surprised by the voice, Riku stopped a bit and looked up to the source. There were three girls on the side of field, all of them were senpais.
“You know, you could just tell us to come earlier. We could practice together and helped you settled to comfortable position sooner.” The redhead girl that called her spoke while adjusting her gloves. The other two followed, the first one waved to Riku and the other passed a ball to Riku.
“Morning, Morikawa-san. You are so dedicated. We didn’t expect anyone to come earlier, so we just take it easy. Ufufu.” The girl with a long silver haired giggled before warming up.
“So, what is it gonna be? Defender or goalkeeper? Since you got all three main players of the defensive line, we could give you the right practice.” Suggested the short-haired brunette.
“Ah, senpai! Good morning to you all. Sorry, but I feel like doing some personal training first for a bit. You know, to get some groove.”
“Hahaha, it’s fine. But remember that you are a part of a team. I understand that you want to adjust yourself, but we are the same. And besides, it’s not like we are top level players anyway.”
“Well you’re right Saegusa, but was the last line necessary?” complained the silver-haired girl with a bit annoyance in her tone. Saegusa just smiled and reassured her.
“I’m just saying what a captain and a senpai should say for our kouhai here. But I don’t want to make her expecting too much out of us.”
“Yes, but really having a new member is great. I thought we won’t get a 10 grader to join, considering our records for the past years.”
“Yeah….”
“Hum….”
All the upperclassmen looked down after doing their own reality check. Riku was surprised to see the soccer club, especially the female, wasn’t competitive enough despite their status as 3-time regional champion. Part of the reason she joined, was also to challenge herself to do same thing she did at middle school.
“Don’t worry senpai. I know very well the challenge that waits ahead of us. Rebuilding this team will not be easy. But I know that you guys love this team. That’s why I want to help you. And besides, hanging out with girls is something I REALLY need now.”
“Oh? I thought you were having fun with that cute girl who always tag along with you?” Saegusa curiously asked.
“No no, Asuka is a guy senpai. So it’s different.”
“Although he acts and dress like a girl? Honestly, I really pictures you guys as a couple though.” Riku blushed and explained.
“We are just childhood friends. Nothing more. And besides, we both want to get closer to people with same genders as us. We want to move on from always being mistaken as a girl or a boy.”
“I see. But, why?” Riku pondered a bit before answering.
“I don’t know. At the same time, I also enjoy being like this. I treated as an equal to the boys.” She closed her eyes a bit, while remembering a small event that happened long time ago, when she made the decision to look boyish.
“Suit yourself. It’s not like the school prevents you. And besides, you look cool and handsome Morikawa. If you’re a boy, I definitely want to become your girlfriend.” With a smirk, Saegusa said those words with a serious tone. The silver-haired girl, named Elyss and the brunette, named Iori were shocked. Riku just waved it off casually.
“Yes yes senpai. But no thanks, I still want to become a bride.”
“We’ll see. Right, can’t you pick up the ball you just kicked at the other side? We are going to use this goal.” Requested Saegusa while pointing towards the goal.
“Oops, I’ll be right back.” Riku ran to get the ball. And Saegusa was surrounded by Elyss and Iori.
“Kana-chan! You’re cheating!” “Yeah! Suddenly confessed like that, I thought we had an agreement on this matter!” Protested both girls.
“Eh? But that was the perfect time for me to raise the flag. If neither of us start making moves on her, then we never going to win her.”
“Grr, yeah you’re right. But next time gives us a heads up. I don’t want to see her accept your confession right in front of us.” Iori reminded Kana and agreed by Elyss.
“She won’t. As long as Nishikawa stayed by her side.” Kana told both of them.
“I will not lose to a boy! She would fall for my mature charm!” “Please, she prefers the easy going one like me.” While Elyss and Iori were arguing, Riku was already on her way back.
“I’m maybe a goalkeeper, but I will make sure my shoot reaches your heart, Riku Morikawa.” With a determined look on her eyes, Saegusa declared those words then told the others to start training.
