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*why did I even say that I would pick him up, he's old enough* Keyla shook her head at herself, but after all she was to blame for everything. And she was already looking forward to settling accounts with Kojiro, because she didn't want to put up with that. She put on her sneakers and headed to the hospital. When we got there, there was no sign of Genzo when a nurse came by

*Mr. Wakabayashi is at the final check* called her into the room. So Keyla decided to wait in front of the room, it shouldn't take long. Less than 2 minutes later he stood in front of her and smiled at her

*thanks for picking me up* he greeted her

*how are you today? Secretly Keyla grinned because she could well imagine how he felt today

* like being run over by a bus* was the answer and Keyla couldn't help but laugh after the answer. Genzo looked at her with wide eyes, what was so funny about that?

*I know my "patients" and knew the answer before you even said it*, now he understood why she was smiling before.

*come on let's go, or do you want to spend another night here? * on the way to Genzo's house they were silent most of the time, Genzo hoped she didn't start from last night because he had messed with Kojiro about her and that was more than embarrassing enough. Arrived in front of the house, Keyla actually wanted to say goodbye, but she didn't get around to it.

*Will you come in for a coffee? * Keyla hesitated, which Genzo also noticed, and took her hand and pulled it with him. Once inside, he made coffee for the two of them. They talked about everything and everything, until Keyla suddenly jumped up

*1 p.m., it's almost training, are you coming with us or would you rather stay here? * Genzo didn't really know whether or not, so Keyla took the initiative

*you're coming with us and can watch today, so go*

He couldn't do anything about it and so the two of them set off.

 

As they got closer to the training ground, Genzo saw a sparkle in Keyla's eyes, he didn't know such a glare from her. But didn't think about it any further. Arriving at the square, Keyla looked for Kojiro and Genzo also followed her gaze and held her arm because he could think what was about to happen. There he stood, he had a black eye, which he deserved. But now there was no stopping him, Keyla tore himself away from Genzo and charged at Kojiro, who was standing a little offside.

*are you really out of good spirits to beat a teammate hospitalized* Keyla saw that Kojiro had no idea about the hospital stay, but she didn't really care and kept shooting at him

*if you didn't already have a black eye , if I had hit you now, in the future, think twice about how you treat me and whether you approach a teammate again, otherwise the next encounter between us won't end so nicely* she turned around, ran back and took next to Genzo seated on the bench and she still had that sparkle in her eyes, which were still focused on Kojiro, who didn't even know what to say anymore. The other players didn't know what was going on either, but they could understand after what happened yesterday.

 

Then Mr. Mikami came and the boys started training. Because Mr. Mikami wasn't supposed to know what happened to Genzo, she only said that he fell yesterday and hit his head.

 

Genzo looked at Keyla in amazement, he hadn't seen such a look before, not from a woman and he also didn't know that a woman would tell Kojiro that opinion, he inevitably had to grin, whereupon Keyla saw it out of the corner of his eye and him *Key, I'm a bit flabbergasted

, I've never seen someone stand up to Kojiro like that, and certainly not a woman. And his look speaks volumes, because he probably doesn't either* Keyla had to laugh now too

*Key? * began Genzo

*do we want to go through the park together later? * Keyla agreed, so she kept an eye on him if something happened on the way

 

The boys trained like mad and Kojiro let his anger run free. And threw the balls in such a way that even a Wakashimazu had no chance of keeping them. No one had ever dared to speak to him like that, especially not a woman.

 

Otherwise, the training was relatively calm and so they were dismissed. It was already 6 p.m. and getting dark

 

Taro and the rest of yesterday's group approached Genzo and her and wanted to know what happened yesterday and they congratulated Keyla that someone female had defied the big Kojiro.

*Would you like to come along again tonight? * asked Ryo

*sorry guys I hardly slept last night and I'm pretty tired, another time I'd love to*. Relieved Genzo looked at her. And she noticed that too, she winked at him. After a brief exchange of words, they also set off.

*I couldn't cancel our date after all* She smiled but she also noticed that the word date was obviously uncomfortable for Genzo

 

But she punched him in the side, and they both burst out laughing. Keyla was happy for the first time in years. Only Genzo didn't seem completely satisfied and hung his head. Shortly before the end of the park she asked him

*what's up Genzo, what's wrong with you? * Genzo stopped and turned to Keyla. *do you have any plans for Saturday? We don't have any training and I thought...* he interrupted himself and shook his head

*please just forget it, that wouldn't work anyway* and went on. Keyla didn't know what was going on and just looked behind her in despair. But he didn't stop. But she didn't want to go home after all. Too many thoughts shot through her head for that. At the last moment she decided to go back to the soccer field, but after a few hundred meters she felt someone walking behind her and it wasn't Genzo, then it happened and someone pushed her to the ground and tried to punch her in the head face to show that she shouldn't move. Keyla was shocked, but with presence of mind she kicked him between his legs and just started running without turning around until she arrived at the soccer field and was now standing on the edge of the field. She couldn't see her attacker anymore either, so she collapsed and began to cry.

*Who is doing this to me and what would have happened if I hadn't reacted like this*. Thoughts shot into her head and she drew her legs up and rested her head on her knees.

 

Only now did she see that they were bloodied and scraped. A pain ran through her, because her face also started to hurt, she felt her lip and saw on her fingers that she was bleeding there too. She let her emotions run free and just screamed...

 

She was so lost in thought that she didn't realize it was after 1am. When she got up and was about to leave, Genzo came towards her

*here you are* Keyla looked horrified and didn't know what to say. Only now did Genzo notice how she looked and looked at her in shock

*w...what happened? * but Keyla just shook her head and didn't want to talk about it. She just wanted to forget it at the moment and go home. Genzo blamed himself

*none of this would have happened if I hadn't left her* and could have slapped himself for it.

*I want to go home* Keyla broke the silence.

*I'll take you home and no arguments* but Keyla just accepted this without a word. She didn't say anything the whole way either. When she got home, she unlocked the door and walked in without saying anything. She just left Genzo like he had done to her earlier. But she didn't care...she took showers, long showers and cried most of the night.

In the morning she briefly thought about calling Mr. Mikami, but she couldn't, it was just before the World Cup, she couldn't call in sick now. She had to go through this. Only now, when she took a closer look at herself in the mirror, did she see how much her lip was swollen. Anyway, she had to go to training and deliberately started later so as not to have to meet Genzo. When we got there, everyone was already there. Ryo looked at her and started laughing

*I'd rather not know what your counterpart looks like now*. Keyla didn't know how to react to that, so Genzo Ryo interrupted and hissed from the side

*Ryo think next time before you let something like that out.* and threw him withering looks

 

Tears welled up in Keyla as she was reminded of last night again. She couldn't hold back the tears and ran off without further ado... which made everyone wonder.

*I'll do it* Genzo said and followed her, earning a glare from Kojiro. Keyla was on the verge of collapsing and could hardly stand up, when Genzo appeared next to her, she already collapsed. He had never felt so helpless before. What should he do, should he try to talk to her?! But he decided to just hold her until she calmed down.

 

A few minutes later she felt better and quietly thanked Genzo before the two went back to the court.

*key? * he waited for some kind of reaction, only the fact that she stopped short showed him that she was listening to him.

*if you want to talk I'm always here for you no matter what time it is just so you know* Keyla just whispered a

*thank you* and walked on

 

Ryo also apologized for his big mouth.. And the others just looked at Genzo questioningly. he just shrugged his shoulders.

But for Keyla, the day was over and she hoped it would pass quickly.

 

The next day before training, she sat down on her usual bench as usual. Then Genzo came and sat down next to her, he still had to tell her something about what had happened that evening and how he had found her

 

He told her that when he got home he had thought about everything and wouldn't just leave her and when he got to her house and no one opened the door and no light was on, he got worried and went looking for her.

 

Her heart was beating even faster than it was last time, had he actually said he was worried... Keyla was speechless for the first time, Genzo waited for a reaction, but Keyla was petrified *Genzo to Key, are you still there* waving his hand in front of Keyla's face.

*sorry, yes I'm still here and yes I'm fine. Let's go* she stammered

 

Without a word, they went to the training ground, but today she disappeared into the sickroom and sorted the pieces of paper and, quite incidentally, she also tried that with her thoughts. She didn't want to see anything or anyone during training. But even when she finished even later than originally planned, Genzo stood by the stairs and waited for her. He must have stood here for a whole hour. She took his arm and enjoyed his closeness.

 

Surely Genzo wanted to ask her that day if she would do something with him before he just took off.

*why doesn't he just ask* she mumbled...

*did you say something, Key? *

*yes* but she fell silent. but Genzo kept digging

*now tell me*

Keyla made it short and painless

*I just said “why doesn't he just ask* Genzo looked at her in shock and had to collect himself to understand what she meant.

*you wanted to ask me something that evening* she helped him along

*well, do you have any plans for our non-training day? I would like to do something with you? *

*you see, it wasn't that difficult* she grinned at him

*before you wake me up again and I eventually fall, I'll pick you up, ok? * Genzo had to start laughing, but he agreed.

*But this time I'll take you home, that's clear* Genzo demanded and Keyla didn't contradict him.

 

Back on the road, he pushed her to the left and stopped in front of her house. It was time to say goodbye but Keyla didn't want to, she knew she'd see him again later, but she just didn't want to and she leaned her head on his shoulder, maybe to see how he reacts, but he didn't flinch , he turned to her and took her in his arms. She didn't want it to end and didn't let him go.

*key? It's late and you have to go to bed so that you're fit afterwards* she looked at him sadly

*don't look like that, we'll see each other again later*. But Keyla didn't want the moment she was in to end. More minutes passed before she was able to free herself from him... but he didn't seem to mind *Night my little one* he whispered to her and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Keyla opened the door and looked back again, but she wasn't tired anymore, on the contrary, she was inspired by what she's just been doing again. But he was right, she had to go to bed, and she fell asleep a little later, without lying awake long, without nightmares.

 

In the morning the sun shone through the window and Keyla woke up to her amazement, fully awake and lucid. She finally slept through the years, and she has Genzo to thank for that. She looked at the clock, it said 8 o'clock. Keyla went to the bathroom, showered and got dressed, she knew she would see Genzo again soon and was really looking forward to it. She couldn't eat anything because she was so excited, she took a coffee, sipped it with relish and was surprised that the doorbell rang. Did she want to pick him up today? She walked slowly to the door, opened it, but he wasn't there expecting it again, she didn't see anyone far and wide, just a note on the doormat.

*I'll wait for you in the park, Genzo*. Was he up so early and couldn't wait or did he want to tell her that it was a mistake. Thoughts shot through her head, but she quickly shook them off. Grabbed her key and bag and was on her way.

 

There he sat, she couldn't wait, but stopped for a moment to watch him. Then there was a bang, Kojiro had run straight into her and she fell...

*grml, motz* Kojiro helped her up and even Genzo had noticed and was already on his way to see if everything was ok. Genzo just wanted to attack Kojiro, but Keyla stood between the two and she saw that it was a good thing, otherwise the two would have gone for each other's throats. Kojiro apologized 2 or 3 times, which isn't really his style.

*what was wrong with him* Genzo wondered…

*he didn't do it on purpose? * Kojiro wished Keyla a nice day, gave Genzo an annoyed look and disappeared.

*Are you really all right? * worried Genzo

*yes it's alright, thanks* but Keyla could hardly step on her left foot and made a pained face. *my little doctor is hurt herself now* he joked. He grabbed her arm and took her to the bank.

*wouldn't you rather go to the hospital? * he asked worried, only now did he see Keyla's knee again, which had split open again after the fall, but Keyla defended himself

*no, everything's really ok, the guy is really awesome, I'm supposed to meet him again in the morning while jogging* and then Genzo saw that evil look again, because her eyes sparkled even more than the last time.

 

She sat down on the bench pouting, she also thought it was kinda cute that he was worried. He sat down next to her and she leaned on his shoulder. But for a moment she was startled, it was his injured shoulder. *what do you have my little one? *

*Aren't you in pain anymore, I don't want to hurt you, after all it's your inflamed shoulder*

*don't worry, I'm not in pain anymore*

She leaned back and enjoyed his closeness

*doing something is the first thing to do flat with my foot* she pouted. But it didn't seem to bother him at all

*you know, we're doing something and I don't think the situation is that bad sitting here* and nudged her nose with his index finger. Keyla's stomach tingled.

*but what do you mean by that, why should you meet Kojiro Frühs while jogging, he lives too far away from the park? * reported Genzo, Keyla was already jumping up, but quickly sat down again because she had completely forgotten that her foot was injured

*that bastard, he was after her the whole time* Keyla was sitting next to Genzo, shaking her head , who didn't know what was going on, her gaze was now more intense than before

*Key? * Genzo waited for a reaction from Keyla and she rewarded him with a smile

*what were you shaking your head about just now? *

*Genzo? *Keyla took a deep breath

*I have to tell you something, I was out having coffee with Kojiro after he found me jogging here in the morning and casually asked me, that was on the 2nd day. If you now say that he actually lived too far away, why should he go jogging here and that at 4 a.m. if he wasn't after me beforehand and why did he bump into me earlier when I was standing on the edge, Do you understand what I mean? *Genzo just nodded and let Keyla go on talking

*if my foot wasn't injured I would go to him, there isn't that much of a difference in size that I need to be afraid. * Genzo stroked her arm to calm her a little, he thought it was cute when she got upset. But he figured that if he didn't calm her down now, she was really going to be on her way and that wouldn't have been good for Kojiro.

*In a few days the time will have come, then it will be the last day of training, and I am glad that you are coming with me as a doctor* he tried to distract her. Keyla nodded because she couldn't bear to let him go.

*Genzo? * she paused

*you know I've been happy for years and I was finally able to sleep through the night last night...thanks for that* Genzo's cheeks turned red and he didn't know what to say. But he didn't have to. And

just now it started to rain *why now* she growled. But Genzo was already putting her arm around his shoulders to support her and pushing her towards home. But she didn't want that at all. Should a bit of rain ruin everything... Keyla growled and moaned, which Genzo also noticed.

*Do you really think I'll leave you alone with your foot now? she looked at him, but she didn't know what to say to that.