girl got game

how to tame a runningback: encounter


The morning before the tournament began, she went out for a jog. She had done so every morning since Riku first taught her how to run, but now she did it with a renewed sense of purpose.

Because someone had told her she was talented.

Because someone had told her she could be useful.

Because someone had told her she was needed.

Because someone had told her she mattered.

"Eh? The American football team?"

"Y-Yes…"

"But Sena! You can't play American football, you're a girl! And you're so small, and weak, and—and those giant men could crush you, Sena!"

"B-But Mamori-nee—"

"It was that Hiruma, wasn't it? I bet he threatened you into joining! That jerk! I'm going to go give him a piece of my mind!"

"N-No, Mamori-nee-san! H-Hiruma-senpai didn't do anything! I…I joined on my own."

It didn't matter that that person was a terrifying delinquent-like devil, or that that person didn't really seem to see her as a human being. Someone had told her she mattered. She had made two (?) new friends since high school began. She was doing well, she told herself as she began to pick up her pace, really, really well. Her high school career was off to a good, fresh start, and it felt like being hit with spring sunshine after years and years of barren winter. She started to hum under her breath.

"Hiii!"

Sena, who was not very good at thinking and running at the same time, ran smack into someone.

She stumbled backwards a little, but held her footing. "I—I'm s-sorry!" she bowed repeatedly, keeping her eyes squeezed shut. "That was my fault! I sh-should've been w-watching where I was g-going! I'm sorry, y-you're n-not hurt or anything, are you?"

"No, I am fine. It was my fault as well. I apologize for running into you."

"O-Oh, that's oka—no, I mean, it was my fault! Sorry!" she bowed again, unable to shake off years of conditioning. Her cell phone beeped at that moment, signaling that it was time for her to get to the train station. "Ah! I-I have to go—sorry again!"

And then she sped off as fast as she could. Just thinking about Hiruma's possible punishment for latecomers made her that much faster.

Shin Seijuro stared after her with wide eyes.


A/N: Almost 50 reviews? Whoa. Thanks a lot guys~ Cereberos is a good boy for Sena, yes. Actually, I'm pretty sure I got the spelling wrong, if it's supposed to be "Cerberus" like in the Greek myths...but the spelling is already there and it's based on the Japanese pronunciation anyway, so whatever.

Slow updates will be slow from now on, since this is the last of my stored stock.