Eyeshield 21: Queen of the Comeback
Chapter 10: Roll of the Dice
It was the weekend, and finally decided to look around Tokyo after skating for a few hours at the oval track in the morning. I was munching on a Clif Bar when I was approached by a young woman around my age with a green jacket, and black pants, "Are you Noemi Chabeau?" She asked, I nodded 'yes' to her, "have a seat," she offered.
I took the offer, and sat down with her at the table. Her hair was slightly longer than mine, and dresses like me on a normal day. She is Japanese, and I am Canadian so there is a big difference, "What can I do for you today?" I asked, I was thinking about the game against Hakushu next week. I wonder if she has something to do with them?
It turned out my suspicions were right, "My name is Himuro Maruko, I am the manager for the Hakushu Dinosaurs, and I since I know you are the quarterback for the Kuroki Copperheads, I am asking that you forfeit the game next week," she said, I shook my head lightly to her offer. I never was the type to try, and take the easy way out.
"No, I can't do that, I won't," I said, refusing her suggestion.
"Why not?" Himuro asked, demanding an answer from me, "you don't know how the Dinosaurs play, they will crush anyone they play against, and their lineman Gao Rikiya, will crush any quarterback on his dead list, you're on that list, he will crush any quarterback and force the teams they play against the forfeit the match, do you understand?"
"Oui, but still I am not forfeiting the game, it's unfair to both me and my teammates," I replied back, "look, stuff like this happens in football, people play and people get hurt, that is just the bare facts about the sport, we are going to face your team, I will face Gao Rikiya, that decision is final," I looked her in the eye to tell her I am serious,
"I am telling this one woman to another, I don't want to see you nor any of your teammates getting crushed by Gao," Himuro said, I can tell she must feel some kind of way about the Dinosaurs' style of play, "he does not care that you are a woman, he will still crush you, and may I remind you that you are on his 'dead list'?" she warned me,
"Then I still stand by my words, we will play," I said a little more firmly,
"Then may fortune favor the foolish," Himuro said, making her leave with a bow. I sat at the table, and ordered a mocha swiss-roll for a snack. When I was done, I headed back to my dorm. It was just like Coach Cade said after the game against Shinryuji, we are David in a league full of Goliaths, and I will never back down from a challenge.
I went to Edo Castle as I am both a student and a tourist. As I walked around, I thought about what Himuro said to me. That was until I ran into Lance at the castle, "Hey what's up?" He asked in his calm and friendly voice. That players on the team nicknamed him 'Bambi' because of that plus his speed when he is running a fade or post route.
"Oh hey Lance, I was just thinking about something," I said to him, but he did not look convinced,
"About what? Come on Noemi you can tell me," He urged, and I saw there was no need to beat around the bush,
"I met with the manager of the team we are facing next week, she wants us to forfeit the match because she doesn't want to see any of us get hurt," I explained to him. Lance nodded. We continued to walk around the castle looking at the sights and the exhibits. There was no way I going to give them a win against us. They have to earn it.
"So what did you tell the manager?" Lance asked,
"I turned down her offer, and said we are playing," I said to him with a smile and a wink, "look Lance, we are going to get back to the Christmas Bowl, and we are going to win," Lance smiled lightly at my confidence. He patted me on the shoulder, and we left Edo Castle a few hours later. I have the utmost confidence in everyone on the team.
"Let them play their game, we'll play ours," Lance said, "that's all that matters," I gave him a light shoulder hug, "take care of yourself, we all need you Ice," my nickname does not come from me being a cold and evil person. It comes from the fact I train as a long track speedskater off the field. I headed to the cafeteria for something to eat.
"Thanks Lance," I said going inside, and welcomed by the smell of food fresh off the grill
It was 'Sunday Steak Night' at the cafeteria. Something all the players look forward to. The food at this school is restaurant quality. As a football player, I eat a lot of meat ranging from beef to chicken and fish. I also eat my fruits and vegetables. I grew up on poutine back home in Gatineau, and my favorite fruit is the Pomegranate, good stuff.
With a plate of steak, creamed spinach, cornbread and a bottle of Honest Tea Green Tea and Honey, I sat down with the team. I decided to eat with the offensive line, "So where in Canada are you from, Noemi? I mean, you guys have provinces right?" asked Sammy Williams, the offensive tackle who has been having a very productive season.
"I'm from Quebec," I replied kindly as I was cutting up my steak. It was good. I could not believe this was high school cafeteria food.
"Quebec? That's the part where they speak French, right?" asked Vince Adams, the nose tackle,
"Oui, je parle français" I replied, they laughed as I enjoyed my dinner with them. I enjoy being at school. The food is good. The teachers are great, and then there is my family on the football field. From the first day of practice to the beginning of the season, I began to bond with them. I work hard on and off the field to keep up with them.
With every game comes greater challenges. The teams we face are always going to be better, and better. I have heard online things like people calling us 'cheaters' and saying we don't belong in this league. That just gives our team more motivation to play better and harder. With every game we play, we are out there to prove something.
When I put on that uniform for practice or my skin suit for the oval track, I feel a sense of purpose, and I am not backing down on them. Himuro may want us to forfeit the game, but I have proved myself to this team and to this league. Whether it is my passing, or Tre Wilkinson and Darius Smith running the ball, we can play, and we can win.