Title: Christmas Eve
Rating: K
Word Count: 1,790
Disclaimers: I do not own any of the characters used here. They belong to their respective owners, namely the creators of Eyeshield 21.
Summary: They would both rather be spending their Christmas Eve doing something else. But after falling for a simple trick, they end up together on that very day and decide to make the best out of it.
Notes: I rushed with this, no doubt about it. So I'm sorry it sucks. -_- Life hasn't been easy for me, so I practically pulled my head into this story and did what I could. It's cheesy, I know, so I apologize for that.
Also, I kind of tacked in this month's "Winter Wonderland" theme from the DA group HirumaxMamori in at the very end, so it may seem off. Again, I'm really sorry for that. But I really hope you guys enjoy this somehow!
And lastly, I'm writing this based on Hiruma and Mamori's first year in Saikyoudai. I wasn't sure where to put that little detail in, so I'm mentioning it here. Have a great new year everyone!
Hiruma looked at his phone for the 23rd time that evening, checking on the time. He cursed softly, clutching on to his jacket even more tightly. "Fuck," he muttered. "She's late."
He scanned his surroundings, feeling a little sick. Couples of every shape and size clung on to each other, as they walked across the beautifully decorated shopping district where he stood waiting. Lights of all colours blinked before Hiruma, almost taunting him and his mere presence within the district. A few couples looked at him in pity. His elf-like ears could pick up mutterings which concluded that Hiruma must have been stood up.
"Fuck," he muttered again. He didn't want to be here at all, especially on the most nauseating day like this. Where everyone seemed to be out to prove to the world that they had a special someone with them, giving away sickeningly sweet gifts to try to get laid. He would much rather be hiding somewhere, working, or just playing pranks on all these idiots. But he couldn't do that today. Of all the days, he had to be standing here in one of the busiest districts just because…
"Hiruma-kun!"
Hiruma quickly turned towards the source of the voice. "Finally, Fucking Manager!" he scolded.
Mamori ran up to him, gasping for breath. Her hair was in a mess, and she didn't seem to have put her jacket on properly. The scarf she was wearing was splayed all over her instead of being properly wrapped around her neck. "I'm sorry!" she gasped, bending over a little to catch her breath. "I'm so sorry! It's just that you alerted me at the last minute and I had to cancel all my plans and—"
"Wait, what?" went Hiruma, confused. "Weren't you the one who said to meet up here because you were having trouble with the data I passed you?"
"Eh?" Mamori blinked in surprise, finally straightening up to look at him. "But weren't you the one who wanted to meet up so that I could pass the data to you? I mean, I was working on it till the last minute, and I had to cancel all my plans for Christmas Eve for that…" Mamori faltered as she looked at Hiruma's incredulous face.
"You're fucking kidding me…" said Hiruma, as he and Mamori checked their phones where they each received the different messages. They then let out a groan.
"Fucking Skates…" Hiruma growled.
"Oh, Suzuna!" Mamori let out a sigh, as she bent over again, feeling incredibly worn out. "I was so stupid! I didn't check to see who sent that message and assumed it was you!"
"And I thought you were with the Fucking Skates and she was sending the message on your behalf," said Hiruma, keeping his phone in his pocket. He looked at Mamori who looked utterly crestfallen. For not only did she push herself to finish the data by today, but she had cancelled all her plans for today just so that she could be with him.
"But you know… I didn't need the data till next week. Our next game is in a couple of months after all so there was no rush," he pointed out.
Mamori glared back at Hiruma. "How was I supposed to know?" she cried, and to Hiruma's horror, the couples around them began to look at them. "We just had a game a few days ago and we lost! Everyone was so badly affected by that so I wanted to support you and the team as much as I can! So I just… Oh!" Mamori's hands quickly covered her face. "I'm so stupid! Just so stupid!"
Hiruma could hear Mamori sniffle a little, and noticed more people were looking at them. Holding back a groan, he grabbed Mamori's arm and pulled her into one of the nearby shops. Mamori gasped in surprise, but quickly rubbed her eyes. "Where are we going?" she asked.
Hiruma didn't say a word as they went into what looked like a department store. It was still filled with a lot of people, but he pulled Mamori to a corner where they weren't so visible. "Fix yourself up," he told her as he looked around. "You look like you just went through a fucking hurricane."
Sniffling just a little more, Mamori nodded and began to button up her jacket, wrap the scarf around her neck properly and ran her fingers through her long hair to straighten it up a little. "I'm sorry for barking at you like that," she said, sighing a little.
"Like I fucking care," Hiruma muttered. "Stupid skates made you work on what's supposed to be one of the happiest days of the year."
Mamori shrugged. "I guess she just wanted me to be with you… That looks pretty obvious, isn't it?" She looked at the crowd around them, noticing many of them were couples. "After all, it's Christmas Eve. A day that's supposed to be meant for lovers here in Japan."
"Keh, after all this time she's still trying to pair us up," Hiruma growled, eyeing the disgusting decorations within the store. "We've always managed to avoid her tricks…"
"But I guess we got so caught up over our recent loss, we walked straight into this one…" said Mamori, looking down. Hiruma turned to look at her, and realized what was really wrong.
"Guess we were both badly affected by that loss. But stop bearing the fucking burden on your shoulders, Fucking Manager," said Hiruma, avoiding her eye contact. "We're definitely going to fucking kill the next team we face. Until then, you definitely need the time off."
Mamori looked at him a little, still feeling a light pain in her chest. The loss was unexpected, as they had worked really hard. But the opposing team overwhelmed them. If only they could have pushed on a little more…
"Well, since we're here already, we might as well make the best out of it," Hiruma prompted her to walk with him into the department store.
Walking slowly, she nodded. "What do you usually do on Christmas Eve, Hiruma-kun?" asked Mamori. It was a rather personal question, she knew, but she was undoubtedly curious.
"Working on football plans, of course," he replied nonchalantly. "And probably making plans to ruin everyone's lovey-dovey plans in the park," he grinned.
Mamori shook her head, smiling a little. "It's very much like you…" she murmured. They were quiet for a moment, trying their best not to be separated by the many groups of people walking into their direction. Until suddenly, Hiruma noticed Mamori had walked straight into the aisle for gifts. Her eyes were lit up excitedly. "Look, Hiruma-kun!" she said as she pointed at a music box. "I bought that for my mother for Christmas this year! Isn't it pretty? I wonder if she'll like it? Ah!" Mamori ran down the aisle a little more and looked at the many keychains being displayed in a corner. "These are cute!" she gushed, going through the many available keychains.
Hiruma merely sneered, feeling rather out of place. But he stayed for a moment, as he couldn't help but feel relieved that Mamori was finally smiling. "Hey, Hiruma-kun…" she said, grabbing his attention once more with an inquisitive look. "What was the best Christmas present you ever received?"
Hiruma ginned. "Seeing people's face filled with complete and utter terror, of course."
"No! Not those kind of gifts!" Mamori crossed her arms. "I mean, from others! How about your parents? Didn't they at least give you something?
He merely shrugged. "Never really got a gift for Christmas and I really don't fucking care," he said.
"Eh? Really?" went Mamori, looking confused. Then she looked at the keychains, and back at Hiruma who watched as Mamori pondered for a moment. "Could you wait here just a sec?"
"What the fuck?" went Hiruma, but before he could look, Mamori grabbed one of the keychains and ran to the closest counter. He wondered what she was up to, before she finally returned, a small plastic bag in her hands. She pulled out the item within it and presented it to Hiruma.
It was an American Football keychain. "There!" she said, happily placing it in Hiruma's hand. "You finally received a Christmas present! Sorry it's simple, and I didn't wrap it up. But I'm sure you'll receive better presents that are bound to come in the following years. I'll make sure of it."
Hiruma looked at the keychain on his palm and looked back at Mamori, grinning a little. "Don't expect me to give you a fucking keychain or a music box just for this," he said.
"Oh, I want more than a keychain or a music box," said Mamori, smiling. "I want Saikyoudai to win the Rice Bowl."
Hiruma cackled in amusement, clutching on to the keychain. "Quite a high standard you have there, Fucking Manager… I pity whoever becomes your boyfriend," he grinned.
"Only the best will do," Mamori giggled. "Don't you think so, Hiruma-kun?"
"Damn straight," he said, as he placed the keychain in his pocket. "Now let's get out of here before I pull out my MK-47 and put holes to all those fucking disgusting decorations."
Laughing a little, Mamori grabbed Hiruma's arm this time, making sure they wouldn't be separated as they finally left the store where another surprise awaited them.
It was now snowing softly at the shopping district, as a white blanket soon covered most of the decorations. The snow made the lights sparkle even more, leaving quite a sight to behold. Many couples rushed for shelter while a few snuggled together on benches or within cafes to watch the snow.
"Pretty…" Mamori murmured, her breath clearly visible now. Hiruma put his hands within his jacket and watched the snow as well. "Hiruma-kun…" Mamori called out to him once more with a smile. "Merry Christmas."
Hiruma didn't reply, but he grinned in return. Sure, he hated how people took advantage of this day of the year to be with a special someone and give gifts. But maybe… just maybe… it wasn't so bad after all.
But next year, he'll definitely get revenge on the Fucking Skates as well as find a way to prank all these idiotic couples, staring at him and Mamori strangely. Finally memorizing their faces, he turned to Mamori and said, "Stop standing under the snow, Fucking Manager. I know you can be an Ice Queen but you don't have to be fucking literal about it."
"Hiruma-kun!" Mamori cried in anger as Hiruma walked away, cackling. Shaking her head, Mamori then walked with him side by side, and they went on to enjoy the beautiful sights that only winter could ever give.
