Hey there! Chapter four is up and running! After such a grueling punishment from Hiruma, what will happen to Kazumi as she tries to find her place in the world of Eyeshield 21?

Remember to review, and enjoy the chapter!

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Chapter 4: Job Hunting Can Be Dangerous

After resting her body for a day, Kazumi decided to head to school. Moving stiffly and slowly, she made her way through the gates and shuffled towards the building.

Even though I feel like absolute crap... I'm still in a pretty good mood today.

Looking to her left, she spotted to figures out on the field, running. Oh? Someone's here early. As she made her way closer, she saw Sena sprinting alongside another person.

"Maybe someone from the team?" She raised her hand to her mouth. "Working hard already, Sena-kun?!"

Sena stopped and looked up. Realizing it was her, his face grew concerned and he ran over. The other person, a shorter guy with spiky brown hair, followed, but hung back slightly.

"Kazumi-senpai! I'm so sorry; Mamori told me what happened… are you alright?"

"Eh… I've been better. I'm really sore. But hey, I can walk… sorta. At least I didn't quit 'till I was done. That's what matters, right?"

"I guess…" He looked around, thinking. "Um, can I do something to help you out? Like, carry your bag maybe?"

She laughed, and ruffled his hair. "You really are a sweetheart. Nah, I'm fine. Give me a couple more days and I'll be good as new. Trust me, I heal fast."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah."

The guy in the background shuffled awkwardly. "Hey, Sena… who's your friend?"

Sena turned around. "Ah, sorry Monta. Kazumi-sempai, this is Monta-kun."

"Hey, hey, it's Raimon Tarou. None of that 'Monta' stuff." He stuck out his hand. "My pleasure, m'lady."

Kazumi couldn't help but giggle as she shook his hand. M'lady? Gentlemen must attract more gentlemen! Yet another cute underclassman has taken over the football team. How come Hiruma can't take a couple lessons from these two?

"The pleasure's all mine, Monta-kun."

"Excuse me, senpai, my name's Raimon."

"Let's be good friends from now on, kay? Well, I have to get to class. You two do your best!"

"We will!" they both ran back onto the field and started sprinting again. Kazumi smiled at the two of them.

Maybe this school isn't so bad after all.

~!~

In the classroom, she had to gingerly coax her legs to bend down so she could sit in her seat. Once she was comfortable, she went through the task of tediously removing her books one at a time onto her desk, before setting her bag down, wincing.

Geez… muscles I never knew I had hurt, and my feet have blisters on top of their blisters!

"Oooh? You're back sooner than I thought you'd be."

Looking up, she saw Hiruma plopping down in his chair, looking smugly surprised. She shrugged, and pulled out a pencil, dating her notebook as she prepared for the first subject.

"How's your arm?"

She glanced over at her swollen right forearm, now bandaged. She opened her mouth, and then paused. Eh… not worth it.

"It's fine."

"Oh? You're learning!" Hiruma grinned and leaned towards her. "But this time, I'm curious. What were you going to say?"

Kazumi looked suspiciously over at him, and then sighed. "If you must know, I was going to say 'Not nearly as bad as my legs,' but I decided against it."

He chuckled under his breath. "Temper, temper. Is that why you've got orange hair?"

Again, she opened her mouth, only to shut it again just as quickly, a frustrated look spreading across her face. "I guess." Opening a book, she began to pretend to read it.

"Am I ever going to get an answer with more than two words in it from now on?"

"…Probably not." She pushed her glasses up her nose, and turned the page.

"Mmmm… That book is upside down."

Her face turned scarlet. "I like to challenge myself."

"That was more than two words."

The book snapped shut, and she glared at him. "Do you find pleasure in making my life a living hell?"

He laughed out loud. "Is that a serious question? Of course!"

She groaned, and put her head in her hands. See that, fate? That's my cheery mood flying away. And it's all your fault for seating me next to this b-

"Good morning Kazumi-san!"

Kazumi looked up to see Mamori walking over. "Oh- Hey! You're in this class too?"

She laughed. "Yes I am. How are you feeling today? I was surprised you made it back this soon."

"I'm sore as heck, but I can walk. Besides, I didn't want to miss more than a day of school."

"I'm relieved. Are you doing anything after school? I have to do some shopping before football practice, if you'd like to come with me."

Kazumi looked surprised. "You're… on the team?"

Mamori burst into more laughter. "N-no! I'm the team manager, along with Sena."

"O…oh. Eh heh. Well, I wish I could, but I have to go job hunting after school today. I got fired two days ago for being late."

"That's too bad! What happened?"

"Well I-"

"None of your business, manager." Hiruma glared over at her.

"Hiruma, DON'T call me that; I have a name."

"Oh? Did you just remember that?"

Mamori fumed, speechless. Kazumi put her hands up, slightly unnerved by the icy atmosphere. He really is annoying, but she's overdoing it a bit, I think.

"Ha ha… o-okay guys, let's not fight… um…"

"I don't know how you put up with him sitting next to you, Kazumi. I can't stand him five feet from me." She turned on her heel and marched back to her seat.

Hiruma just let out a hissing sort of laugh and looked out the window as class began.

~!~

Back at her apartment, Kazumi untied her hair from the braids she had put it in that morning, and brushed out the tangles. Bright oranges waves fell to the middle of her back, and she rubbed a piece between her fingers.

"Mmm, I need a haricut. But I need money first. It's not too bad, so I'll just leave it down."

Taking off her glasses, she walked over to her dresser, put her contacts in, and blinked a couple times, trying to center them on her eyes. "Ok. Now I look like a hard-working high school girl. Time to go get a job!" She pumped her fist into the air, and headed out the door

"Hum, hum, de-dum, must find a job…" Kazumi walked towards the downtown area from her apartment, carrying a newspaper under her arm with all the help-wanted ads that looked promising circled. She was still stiff, but her legs were finally loosening up. Hopefully if I walk enough, they'll stop being so tense.

Walking along a sidewalk just above the highway, she opened up the paper and looked over the ads she had marked.

"This one looks good, a sports merchandise store. 'Looking for person who is hard working and organized. Jobs include cleaning, stocking shelves, and running the register. Good pay!' And it's right down the street here. I'll just- AH- OH NO!"

The wind had caught the paper and tore in out of her hands, whipping it across the street below her. Just then a huge explosion erupted close by, making her jump.

"Ah, the money!" A voice shouted from below. Startled, she looked down. That's..!

"Sena! Monta!" Without thinking she ran to the edge and dumped down onto the street, dodging the stalled cars and sprinting towards them. When she got to the other side of the street, they were both standing beside each other, looking proud of themselves and counting money sticking out of an envelope. Monta was also holding her newspaper.

She stopped in front of them, panting. "I… heard the explosion. Are… are you guys ok?"

They looked at her for a moment, and then Sena jumped back, surprised.

"Ka-Kazumi-senpai?! You look completely different!"

She tucked some hair behind her ear, frazzled and embarrassed. "Ah… w-well, I don't like dressing up for school. But I couldn't go job hunting looking like that, could I?" She shook her head. "B-but that doesn't matter! What happened?!"

Monta shuffled his feet. "Um, well, Hiruma wanted us to go and buy some equipment, when these guys on a motorcycle snatched the money we had. And then-"

They looked at each other, realizing something, and then turned towards another person just in front of them dressed in sweats. They bowed deeply.

"Th-thank you!"

"Thanks!"

As the man turned towards, Kazumi's face lit into surprise. Who's this guy? ... Uwaa, he's super gorgeous!

"You guys found a receiver?" He looked at them blankly. Monta and Sena both looked surprised. "Get yourselves ready for the fall tournament. We, Ojou, will be much stronger by then!"

Taking a few steps forward, he looked over his shoulder. "I'll be waiting for you in the finals."

Suddenly, he seemed to notice Kazumi standing there. She blinked a couple times, taken aback by the sudden intensity of his perusal.

"You're not on the team as well, are you?"

"Eh?! Ah, n-no, I just-"

"Mm." He jogged away. Annoyed, Kazumi put her hands on her hips and sighed, watching him. What, so I'm not important if I don't play football or something? My opinion of him just tanked. Geez!

She turned back to Sena and Monta, who were both standing there with stars in their eyes and jaws hanging open.

"A-awesome!" Monta exclaimed after a moment.

"Tch. What's so awesome?" Kazumi glanced back over her shoulder. "He looked like some weirdo with a one-track mind about football. Did you see his face? Totally expressionless. He looked like a machine!"

Sena looked up at her. "D…don't you know who that was?!"

"Should I?"

"That was Seijuurou Shin, Ojou's ace football player! That's the team that beat us a few days ago."

Kazumi blinked. "Oh. Well, good for him. But I think Deimon's team is pulling themselves together quite well if he acknowledges you even after loosing to them." She placed her hands on their shoulders. "So don't get too caught up with reputations. You guys are just as awesome." Walking between them, she turned. "Now, you both were going to get some equipment for Hiruma, right? I'm going to the same place to apply for a job. Let's go there together, kay?"

"S-sure!" they both followed her back up to the sidewalk where she had jumped down from earlier.

"I'd like to see that newspaper, Monta, thanks. Now, you two make sure to hold my hands when we go across the street."

"S-stop teasing us, senpai."

"Ha ha!"

~!~

Sena and Monta sat together on the bench in the locker room after another grueling practice.

"Who would have thought Kazumi-senpai would look so different outside of school?"

"Hmph! She still can't compare with Mamori-chan." Monta, crossed his arms defiantly.

Sena put his chin in his palm. "I wonder why she dresses so differently when she goes to school… she seemed pretty embarrassed when we mentioned it…"

"Does there have to be a reason? Let's just focus on beating the Chameleons to a pulp, MAX!"

"Y…yeah."

One row aisle over, Hiruma leaned up against the lockers behind him and grinned ear to ear.

Now THAT sounds promising. Ya~Ha!

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Uh oh, watch out Kazumi! Hiruma's on the hunt for blackmail!

But is there a deeper reason behind Kazumi's change in wardrobe outside of school? Keep reading to find out! See you next chapter, and make sure to review, please! :3

~Whispers