Title: Never Give Up
Genre: Friendship/ Drama/ Romance
Disclaimer: I do not own Eyeshield 21
Rating: T due to swearing, adult situations, and hints of depression.

Author's Note: This story centers on an OC; the plot focuses on friendship and dreams. Just because two people of the opposite gender share a close bond does not mean they are in love. There is romance, but this is not specifically a love story nor is the OC paired with Sena. As you read, you will know who it is.

I will keep all canons consistent to the best of my ability. If a canon seems out of character, by all means tell me, and I will consider what you have said. The story follows the manga and utilizes certain scenes while excluding some. Time lapses are going to occur and some will be big. I will avoid making it confusing as much as possible. The story is best viewed in 3/4 layout.

"There's only one true genius that will win the championship.

It's just the fate of most to become losers."

Isn't that what you said? It's painful to dream. So, if I stop dreaming, won't I also stop hurting? But isn't a heart devoid of ambitions, passion, and willpower just as painful? Shizuka pondered this each time she sat on the swings of that playground. She had been contemplating that same thought since the spring of last year. Swaying back and forth slowly, a rustle in the bushes startled her. Digging the heels of her cowgirl boots into the ground, her body came to a sudden halt.

No one was there.

Nothing.

She stared at her hands.

"It's cold tonight." She breathed into her hands in a futile attempt to warm them. As though to grab something, she stretched out her hand, only to feel the breeze blowing against her skin. Sighing in disappointment, she had hoped someone would just appear out of nowhere and accompany her on the swings. Anyone would suffice.

Chapter One: Just for a Moment

Sena watched, his pupils jumping between Mamori and Hiruma. Mamori had done the unfathomable: she stood up against Hiruma. She had even yelled his name to get his attention. What was supposed to be a celebration for defeating the Koigahama Cupids was now a whole new match of its own. The rest of the team eavesdropped from behind a stack of equipment. There were several gasps when Hiruma reached for his extortion book. Threatening to have the team disqualified from the tournament, Mamori managed to stop him.

"Let's go, Sena!" she exclaimed, taking his hand.

Ever since they were little, Mamori always protected Sena, adopting the role as his second mother. Whether the situation dealt with bullies or an empty stomach, Mamori was there to take care of everything. Sena lacked courage and confidence. He knew that, but he was also aware that someday, she would no longer have to hold onto his hand. Tentatively, he pulled away from her. That "someday" would be today.

"I will stay here, in the football club," Sena said.

Teary eyed, Kurita cheered while Mamori was unsure of his decision. It's not as though Sena had never opposed her, if you could call it that, but what motivation did he have for staying? Well, as long as there was some sort of motivation, she could somewhat accept his choice. After all, it was a rare occasion for Sena to say what he wanted. A light bulb lit up above Hiruma and he began babbling about how to decrease Sena's workload. This caught her attention.

Thinking about what Hiruma said, Mamori seemed distressed.

"It's okay, isn't it?" she mumbled.

Sena raised a curious brow. What was okay?

"Manager? Is there anyone else that wants the job?" Mamori queried after a while.

In the end, it was settled that she would be the manager. In other words, she was fooled into doing it. Hiruma and Kurita were more than willing to accept another member or as Hiruma put it, "another free working person". The member count now reached four. Taking the train back home, Sena sat between Mamori and Kurita, who was shaken up after being notified that they would face Oujo in the next match. Who wouldn't be after losing 99 to 0? Well, excluding Hiruma, who did not seem to be frightened by anything.

"Royal White Knights, they must've gotten stronger since last year," Kurita stammered, gripping his knees. "I wonder if we still have their plays recorded by–"

"What matters is how they play this year," said Hiruma. Leaning back, he crossed his arms in thought, his mind making secretive calculations. "Fucking manager, don't forget it's your duty to record the games."

Mamori opened her mouth to retort, but held herself back. She wore that same troubled expression from before. Quickly, she changed. "Let's work hard together, Sena!"

Sena nodded. He had almost forgotten that he was the team secretary. Scratching his head, he sighed. How did things get like this? Upon entering Deimon High, he had no intentions of joining a sports team and certainly not a violent sport such as football. At least Juumonji and his friends weren't bothering him anymore. Looking out the window as the train passed through a station, his eyes landed on a girl standing alone on the platform. There was nothing particularly special about her that made her stand out other than the pink dress she was wearing. As the train pulled closer, he caught a vivid profile of the girl. Suddenly, she looked up, her hazel eyes meeting his gaze.

His throat went dry.

His heart thumped against his chest, the beats echoing in his ears.

The train zoomed past her, but their eye contact did not break until they were out of each other's sight. Facing forward, he swallowed. That was weird. Sena was mildly surprised that she had caught him looking. Accompanied by that feeling was this unidentifiable one lodged in his chest. Am I a pervert? Coughing, he took a water bottle from Mamori. God, he hoped he wasn't.

"Fucking shrimp, are you listening?" Hiruma muttered, directing a pistol at him.

Letting out a shriek, Sena eyed the gun carefully. The instant he pulled the trigger, Mamori blocked the bullet with her purse. This resulted in another one of her lectures while Hiruma ignored every word of it. The ride back home was not peaceful to say the least. Everyone went home after a brief meeting in the club room. The sun was nearly done setting by the time Mamori and Sena began to walk home, shedding a golden orange hue on the city.

"I'm glad that you joined a club, but to think that you'd be in one led by Hiruma-kun...If he does anything, tell me okay?" Mamori gripped his shoulder firmly, waiting for an answer.

Once again, Sena nodded in response. As if he could do that! Hiruma would not think twice to take his gun and shoot his ass. Maybe I should tell Mamori-neechan and things will clear up. She has the right to know I'm Eyeshield, right? He lost his train of thought when, from the corner of his eye, he saw a trail of a floral patterned dress.

That unidentifiable feeling returned.

"Ah! I forgot that I needed to do something," said Sena.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"You can go ahead without me!"

He raced off, leaving a very bewildered Mamori behind.

Back-tracking the route, Sena arrived at a crossroads. With his golden legs, how had he lost track of the girl in the dress? Fretting on which direction to take, the street lights flashed on. Deciding to go right, he suddenly heard a high pitch screeching from the left. Quietly, he went to check the source of the noise. He came across a tiny park. Looking around, he saw a girl on the swings, the very same girl from the train station. The noise from earlier was caused from the friction of the chains on the swing set. Inching forward, he stepped on a tree branch, snapping it.

The girl gasped, locking eyes with him once again.

"Um, my bad! I didn't mean to disturb you!" Sena apologized profusely, bowing ninety degrees. As he straightened his posture, he realized the girl had moved to strand right in front of him. It was now his turn to gasp and he stumbled back. The girl looked him up and down.

"You're that boy on the train," she said.

"About that, I wasn't staring on purpose! I was–"

"I am Nishihara Shizuka." The girl stretched her hand out.

"Ah...oh..."

They shook hands, their grips weak.

"I'm Kobayakawa Sena. It's nice to meet you." The introduction was rather awkward. Sena did not regret following her, but he had not expected to become acquainted with her. Not on the same day at least. Why did I chase after her anyway? It was out of curiosity, but he felt that there was something more to it. Perhaps it was intuition. Intuition of what though? Breathing through his nose, a flowery aroma filled his nostrils. The scent reminded him of jasmine. Studying his surroundings, no flowers were around.

"What a small world we live in, Kobayakawa-kun." Shizuka went back to the swings. Hauling herself to stand on the seat, she held onto the chains to maintain her balance. "Care to join me?"

"S-Sure." Sena made his way to the one next to her. The flowery scent grew stronger. Is it coming from her? It would be rude to ask...Honestly, he had no idea what he got himself into. First he got himself caught up in the football team and now this. Neither of them said a word, heightening the tension. Turning to her, she was fixated on the moon. The white light adorned her features, shedding this mystical illusion on her. The silence was broken when Sena's cell phone rang. Startled, he fumbled through his pocket. His mom had called, demanding for him to come home.

"I have to go...uh..."

"Be careful," said Shizuka.

"Uh huh, but shouldn't you get going too?"

"I live here." She pointed at a tent by the bushes. How he didn't notice it earlier was beyond him.

"HUH?" Sena's jaw dropped, his eyeballs bulging from their sockets. "B-But why?"

"That's a secret. Now, don't leave your parents waiting for too long."

Reluctantly, Sena left. He would have liked the push the subject a bit more, but felt that it may not have been his place to do so since he had just met her. She certainly struck him as an interesting person. Entering his house, he was bombarded by his mother with a serving spoon. She interrogated him, continuously demanding to know where he was. His dad had to calm her down so that Sena could go to his room. Shutting the door behind him, Sena collapsed onto his futon. What a day. Today I played my first game and then Mamori joined the team. After that, I met...Sena's body stiffened.

"Nishihara Shizuka, huh?"

He stared at the palm of his right hand.

His chest tightened.

That unidentifiable feeling remained.

Author's Note: The first couple of chapters will be ambiguous and may not be in depth.