Date: 23 Sep 2007

Title: Password

Rating: PG (c/o Hiruma)

Summary: What terrible things are stored inside Hiruma's laptop? Will Mamori find out?

Disclaimer: I don't own Eyeshield 21.. sooooo sad.. T-T

Note: In the first two chapters I made many verb inconsistencies. I wanted to write Mamori's thoughts always in present tense, and well, I got a bit confused and carried away (my fault entirely) with the story. Ah, well, it's very hard to reconcile her thoughts and actions in present time. Sorry for confusing you, gentle readers. I hope in this final chapter truly redeem myself or even at least not make you crinkle your noses with disgust. And so, Anezaki Mamori's adventure continues…

Chapter 3: What in the name --#?!

Only ten minutes has passed since I opened the door of the Devilbats clubhouse, until this moment that I want to cry with relief. It was three seconds ago that I typed the word "devilbats" inside the password box, hoping it's the correct one for it may well be my last try. I finally exhale as I see the two familiar words: "FUCKING IDIOT!" blinking below the box. The system is not shutting down and this means: more tries!

However, what else haven't I thought about? What other things are Hiruma interested in? How about a name? He doesn't have a girlfriend (as far as I know) and not one girl in her right mind would dare approach him. Moreover, girls don't seem to interest him at all (I should know). So I drop the idea of a girl's name being his password; maybe his mother's name? Father? Brothers? Sisters? Damn, I don't know a whole lot.. oops! BAD WORD Anezaki!

I decide to focus on names. I try his name first. Hiruma: No, Youichi: No. How about Kurita? Nope. Musashi? Not that either. I try all the names of our teammates, even Yukimitsu's and Ishimaru's, to no avail; even Cerberos. I try eyeshield21 but it's not it. Another 5 minutes pass.

Where is he?

I look around but there's nothing, no sign, not even a whiff of his hair gel. Still, I do not know if right now he's just outside the door. I never felt the "hairs-standing-at-the-back-of-the-neck" feeling that others associate when he's around and I cannot understand why people are so afraid of him even without the guns.

Anyway, I try more names: from NFL Japan teams, even from the American Pro Football teams: Giants, Redskins, Buffaloes, but nothing matches. It has been almost 20 minutes now and I feel creeped-out. He never left his laptop unattended this long, maybe only when he's on the field, during the games. Then I absently type three letters (maybe out of habit when I'm using a computer in class) then I steel myself. This can't be – why would I think -- ?!

Well, as long as you're shooting the air here Mamori, might as well try it. There's really nothing to lose. And you might be correct. It's not really impossible.

My thoughts are really getting annoying. Yet, I heed their advice and finish the word I am typing. I suddenly wish that this is the right one, the right name, then: "FUCKING IDIOT!" appears, mocking me. I feel disappointment when I know I don't have the right to.

You have to admit that was idiotic Mamo --. Why would Youichi use your name, eh? He can't even say it around you.

My ears feel hot with embarrassment, though I am actually alone. I feel sorry for myself, sad that "mamori" is not the password. I can't understand why I feel this. Maybe he really is hopeless..

Out of spite, I type more words; words that probably don't mean anything to him, nor to me. I type and type anything that comes to mind, then

THERE'S GUNFIRE EVERYWHERE!!!

Instinctively, I clamp both my hands to my ears, and then I realize that the sound came from the laptop.

"Touchdown!!! You're not a fucking idiot after all! Ya-Ha!!!" it says as the screen opens up.

I stare at it with dumb amazement.

No. It can't be! Maybe I'm hallucinating. Maybe I entered the wrong letters, randomly making up the correct password. I almost begin to believe myself, but I know what I typed. I'm always careful. But why? Why that?

Then the door opens with a kick.

"Fucking brats! You'll never have Eyeshield 21, I'll kill you all!" the devil mutters.

He spots me and stops in his track. He raises an eyebrow in that distinct way of his. I'm dead.

x

x

x

x

x

Without a word, he comes to my side and sees the screen of his laptop aglow. I want to concentrate on his reaction but I can't see his face. Five, ten seconds pass, still no word from him.

"Uhmm.. Hiruma-kun.. " I say without thinking, without any idea what to say next.

"I was just – I was just –"

"Tch. Fucking manager, I thought you don't know how to use a laptop".

Silence.

"Maybe there's hope for you yet. Kekeke"

Then he slumps down beside me, takes the laptop and begins his routine finger exercise.

I want to cry. I want to laugh. He's driving me crazy. What the hell just happened?! How can he just let that pass? How can he take it too lightly? I tinker with one of his most private possessions without any explanation and he just.. (SIGH)

Face it Mamori, you will probably never understand him.

Still, that password: WHY?

There's only one way to know.

"Er, Hiruma-kun, I, well I just want to ask – why do you use that password?"

He stops typing. I hear his bubble gum pop.

"Tch. Fucking manager, I figured you were smart. Just think: wouldn't it be the last thing anyone would consider? Eh?"

Well –

"Hmmm.. I guess that makes sense, but –"

"Tch". He cuts me off before I finish.

I know this is the end of the conversation. He's right: it's the last thing anyone would ever think of, anyone who knows him. I wouldn't have thought of it if I wasn't half-hysterical inside. Yet..

x x x x x

I leave the clubhouse after finishing all my tasks. The water bottles are ready, I see everyone coming, and soon the clubhouse will be full of half-naked boys. I'm busy but I keep thinking about what just transpired and asking myself: WHY? I go out, closing the door behind me, resigning from such troublesome thoughts.

But all of a sudden I find everything amusing that I can't help but chuckle.

Really, Hiruma-kun?! Your reason makes sense but come on.. CREAMPUFF?!!!

x x x x x

Epilogue: Hiruma -- on Creampuffs

The manager of Deimon Devilbats just left the clubhouse and the Devil Quarterback is still in front of his laptop, hacking or probably doing something worse. Then he mumbles, almost imperceptibly:

"Fucking idiot", he says to himself.

"Fucking manager.. Fucking nosy manager.."

"Fucking idiot", he says to himself.

He thinks: what was she thinking while typing that word? Sure, she likes creampuffs to death, but to actually associate a sweet delicacy with him? It's illogical and absurd. Why did he use that word in the first place?

Then he vividly remembers that night after he walked her home for the second time, or rather when she forced him to walk her home. He had coffee and she bought a box from Kariya's. He was thinking of how different they are but still complementary, when an analogy came to mind: he is the coffee – bitter, strong, sharp, while she is the creampuff – sweet, gentle and soft; things that qualify her to be on his "watch/hate list", yet these are also the reasons why he.. why he..

Well, never mind.

"Fucking creampuff", he says out loud.

x x x x x

The ending wasn't the original one. But because you are all so smart to think that Mamori is the correct password, I had to change the ending to make it less predictable. The last part about Hiruma's thoughts, well, they're supposed to mean something.. hehehe.. If you haven't got it, I guess it becomes part of the mystery. Many thanks!