AN: Inspired by the extra in volume thirty something.

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It was snowing again in the region of Kansai. The Christmas Bowl was over, but it didn't prevent the Teikoku Alexanders from meeting up to go out, aside from the regular practice meetings they held.

And the snow was just enough for the team's annual snowball fight.

Heracles, as usual, liked to go about organizing everybody, even if they already knew what to do. "Bustle up in pairs everybody!" He shouted, "Come on, faster! Faster!"

Karin never liked any of the football team's after-practice activities—she was scared of the rowdy things they often did. But then again, she always had a rescuer, no matter how oblivious she may be to the attentions he gave her.

Achilles, as he always did, tried to look for Karin whenever the football team was paired in any activity. It was his chance to protect her—to show off, basically. In this particular white day, Achilles' eyes spotted the golden braids from across the field. Pausing for a while to check if he was impeccable, he started to walk towards the direction of Karin, who looked confused and helpless. Time to save the damsel in distress! (grin grin) But then Yamato wouldn't let him get near her, the good friend that he is to Karin's frequent rescuer.

As Yamato intercepted the disappointed Achilles, someone moved to stand beside Karin. She looked up, scared and hopeful at the same time.

"Need a pair?" Taka asked her. Eyes lighting up she exclaimed, "Yes!" After all Taka was her receiver, one of the few who could understand her movements as the team quarterback. It also helped that she was comfortable whenever she was with him.

"Everyone choose places to build your forts already!" Heracles shouted out.

Yamato turned his head to see Taka and Karin already walking towards a place. He grinned at no one in particular then said his goodbyes to his teammate, who was disgruntled to see that Karin already had a partner.

Afterwards…

"And as usual, Taka and Karin-chan won again!" Heracles exclaimed.

"What with her football-shaped snowballs," Yamato commented, shaking his head.

"Very good throwing, Karin-chan!" Heracles said, shaking her hand vigorously.

"But all I did was just throw…and that's basically all I can do…" Karin answered, head hung low.

"And that's where Taka's part came in! He just intercepted all of the snowballs thrown your way!" Heracles was on a roll.

"It's like he's your born snowball protector, what with his catching skills," Yamato muttered under his breath, earning a subtle glare from the receiver.

But Karin heard him, and turned to Taka, who was leaning on a tree, arms folded, seemingly bored. "We do make a good pair, Taka-kun!" She beamed at him before turning to Achilles, who was aching for her attention the whole afternoon.

Yamato chuckled at Taka, who had lost his composure for a split second. That reaction earned him another glare again.