Chapter 1: The Phantom
"Haaaa?!"
"Haaaaaaa?!"
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaa?!"
The linemen trio aka the Huh-Huh brothers opened with their signature expression. Everyone else's eyes were almost popping out of their sockets. Musashi cannot believe what was written in the card that he had re-read it more than three times, shaking his head in between glances. Kurita has that confused / scared / unsure look (more than ever), while Ishimaru had turned into ice.
"You—Younii?!" Suzuna exclaimed with a very small voice.
Silence.
"Well, if it's for him then we should give it to him, of course", Mamori finally said, calmly.
"Does it say who sent it?" Yuki asked, always rational.
"Nope. It's just his name written on the card", Sena answered, still a bit shaky.
"Ahaha --! (still crying while doing his pirouettes) impossible…", Taki lamented.
Just then, the sound of familiar (and terrifying) footsteps, were heard by everyone all at once.
"Hey, fuckin' shrimps, what are you doing loitering around here?!"
All of them turned around to face their beloved (ehem) quarterback, while hiding the note fell under Sena's responsibility. It wasn't really necessary to do this, but somehow, without talking; they all agreed not to show it to the Devil Captain, just yet. However, Suzuna, the only one in better terms with Hiruma suddenly piped up: "You-nii, someone wanted to give this to you", grabbing the flower from Sena and offering it to the blond.
Hiruma raised an eyebrow; skeptical? Annoyed?
"It's really for you. It came with a note", Mamori said, looking at Sena (who just wanted to disappear under the wall).
Before anyone could bring their eyes back to the real object of the scene, a loud BANG was heard.
One moment they were looking at the running back, and another, they are looking at the remains of the pitiful rose and their quarterback blowing the smoke from the muzzle of his pistol.
"Who cares about a fucking flower? Everyone start running or I'll blow your asses off!!" he screamed as the rest of the team scrambled to the field, the "rose incident" completely forgotten.
Mamori, who was left behind, and rather immune to such happenings, picked up the flowery remains and the note, shaking her pretty head slightly, and said softly to the captain: "You should be glad that someone appreciates you".
"Who cares about appreciation, damn manager? A fucking flower won't help me win a fucking game now, would it?" he spat back.
To this, she could only sigh, and began sweeping the scattered petals near the doorstep. She wondered if Hiruma can understand people's feelings, if he can care, ever.
"Of course he can, he does" she concluded. He's just too proud to show it.
x x x x x
The day was done without any more unexpected occurrences; maybe. Hiruma Youichi was walking home with a rifle dangling from one shoulder. Somehow, there are no other pedestrians. But he's not bothered by this. He just continued to walk, occasionally popping his gum.
Then, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, surreptitiously looked around for telltale signs of life. But there was only the wind, mournful with the rest of the surroundings, having to exist in the same space and time with such an individual. Hiruma, being what he is, was not given to fear. Since he's a sneaky person himself, he had developed senses akin to certain rodents or even cats. If he had lived during an earlier generation, he might have been a spy or even a ninja.
Someone is watching him. With this he is certain.
So someone finally had the nerve to assault me after all this time, eh?, he said to himself.
But after a few minutes of waiting and of keen observation of his surroundings, he brushed it off. Perhaps the stalker is not yet ready to reveal himself, or had just decided to abandon his worthless plan (whatever that may be).
I'll deal with you when the fucking need arises, he thought.
This is not arrogance. This is a fact. He can get away and take advantage of any trouble if even wanted. Then, it's the other person/s who'd be in trouble. Kekeke
The Stalker: (hiding behind some bushes in someone else's yard, not far away) It's so hard to follow you Youichi, no wonder no one has ever been that close. But I will get my way; you'll see. I wonder what you'll have for dinner.. hmm.. poor baby, no one to cook for you and take care of you. If only I'm with you… We will surely have a grand time. And real soon, we'll be together – and nothing, NO ONE can keep us apart.