Disclaimer: Any original characters are property of myself and myself only. Eyeshield 21 is a series created by Riichigo Inagaki and Yusuke Murata. All characters of Eyeshield 21 are property of the original creators, Shonen Jump and Viz Media. Any references to the NFL and its players are copyrighted by the NFL and credited to their respective teams.
A few weeks passed by as the Ligers groomed their new recruits. Sena continued to train with the receiving group while the line group slowly progressed. Kurita and his underclassmen did their best to teach Suitokku all they could, but he was still very green around the ears. Suzuna had a small celebration to welcome Shidao to Enma's ranks and failed miserably to try and lure her to the cheerleading squad. And on the eve of Enma's first game of their fall season, rookies and veterans alike were nervous and excited for the coming day, some more than others.
Suitokku was pacing back and forth like a tiger caught in a cage. His arms moved seemingly independent from his body, clapping his hands and making all sorts of nervous ticks. He was on edge and freaking out a bit. The large lad felt his heart beating in his throat, and there was still about twenty hours until the game. He couldn't even imagine what his nerves would be like at game time.
Loafing in one of his beanbag chairs with Calypso coiling around his shoulders Dante scolded, "Stop that… you look like yer wife's having a baby for Christ sakes…"
That stopped the maritime giant momentarily and he rolls his eyes. He threw up his hands in an exasperated sigh. "How are you not freaking out, not even a little bit? Our first game is tomorrow man!"
Dante lolled his head backwards to look at the pacing teen. "So…?"
"So! SO like aren't you nervous? Like not even a little bit?" asked the colossal teen.
Still staring back at the big bloke Dante rose an eyebrow and said slowly, "No… now quit it your pissing me off."
Suitokku was shaking his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you. How can you be so calm?"
The fiery foreigner chuckled and said, "Because I know what to expect unlike some of us."
The big blond frowned and said, "Well sorry that I've never been there and done that… jack ass…"
Dante simply cackled and replied, "Oh boohoo. Should I call you a wambulance while you sit down and pee?"
A stone faced scowl crossed his face and Suitokku grumbled, "Bite me dickhead…"
"No thanks… I don't want to catch what you have and grow a vagina…" the quick witted American rebutted.
Suitokku gritted his teeth together and let out a disgusted angry growl, throwing his hands in the air and turning away from his friend. Dante's low laugh in the background only served to make it worse.
"Oh just relax you big baby… you'll be fine. We're playing Nishi… Enma handled them in a scrimmage during the spring. We're stronger now so just calm the fuck down." reassured the rowdy red head. Calypso slithered around his shoulders and down his arm, her black tongue flickering passively, completely oblivious to the two's bickering.
Letting out a heavy sigh in attempt to calm himself, the big man said, "I just hope I can help the team."
A small smile crept onto Dante's lips and he said, "Good… keep that attitude. And be mean… scare the piss outta those linemen tomorrow."
The big ogre nodded and looked upward, thinking of tomorrow and hoping he could live up to expectations.
Sena was also pacing the floor of his apartment. He always got nervous before a game, regardless of the situation or level. It was just who he was. There were a lot of elements in tomorrow's game against Nishi that would be different then the last time. They had Kakei, Chuubou, and Suitokku now. Last time they faced Nishi they only had to face one formidable lineman while they themselves had Kurita and Mizumachi, but he heard a rumor that Nishi had another new rookie on the line that was impressing people. This news had him a little concerned but hopefully everything would work out.
However a rather enticing noise distracted him from his worry. The sound of the shower kicking on and an attractive voice called out to him from the bathroom, "Sena, care to join me?"
A chill ran up his spine and his face turned red at the thought. But a lewd little smile did find its way to his lips and he responded, "H-HAI!" The light speed runner then just about as quickly shed his shirt as he headed back the hallway. He crept into the bathroom closing the door behind him. Suzuna was already in the shower, the curtain drawn. Her feint silhouette outlined against the opaque plastic of the curtain. Stepping over her bra and panties he removed the rest of his own clothes before sliding into the shower.
She was facing away from him running her hands through her shimmering navy blue hair. The sight of her smooth back dripping wet from the stream of hot water made his blood pump just a bit faster than it already was. As his eyes naturally migrated south like a winter bird his face burned even brighter red.
The lithe cheerleader half turned her head to look at him, giving him a devious smile, "Still nervous about the game tomorrow there bright eyes?"
The brunette running back quickly repositioned his eyes and stammered, "W-what? Oh the game! Y-yes!"
This only caused Suzuna to laugh warmly, "Uh huh I bet." She tossed him a wink before turning to face him fully. Teasingly she held her hands over her breasts as she stepped over towards him, giving him a coy little smile as she did. "I dunno Sena, someone looks pretty red to me." She stopped short however as she felt something impeding her forward motion. Her mouth popped open in pleasant surprise… "Sena!" she lewdly teased.
His face was absolutely burning red at this point and he quickly covered himself. "S-sorry!" Even though they had slept together before he was still incredibly shy around her in these situations.
She giggled in lust and said, "You don't have to be sorry…" she moved her hands and leaned forward, pressing her ample bosom against his chiseled chest. Her hands traveled southward and she continued, "I take it as a compliment stud. That I can excite you like this…" she pulled him in for a deep kiss, sending all the blood he had to his face… and somewhere else. Tomorrow's game was the least of his worries at this moment.
Shidao was busily packing her last few things to move to her dorm room. With the help of her sister and some of the big strong lineman most of all her furniture and other heavy belongings had been moved earlier in the week to her new living area. All that was left was a few clothes, an alarm clock, amongst other things here and there. Her excitement was almost palpable as she went over to crush her stuffed monkey into her arms squealing, "Tomorrow is the day Raimonkey! We get to see Monta play in his first game of the season! And I officially move to Enma University tonight! Eeeeee!" The stuffed toy simply stared back with its quiet eyes and squeaked as it was squished against her.
Despite her sisters worries she had managed to find a curriculum that would fit her needs at Enma. But that flitter flutter in her stomach that had bubbled up from the move wasn't caused very much by the actual going to college part of it. Nope, it was Monta. That's what was filling her with excitement and anxiety all at once. Hopefully her sisters fears wouldn't prove true.
She gave the stuffed monkey one more big hug before saying to it, "Just one more bag to pack into the car for tomorrow!" She gently placed the stuffed animal on her bed before picking up the duffel bag and heading out the door. As she was carrying her bag to the car that unnervingly familiar voice broke her otherwise chipper mood.
"Shidao, hello! Well this is a coincidence isn't it?" Kohando greeted the mint haired girl as he was walking by on the street. He flashed her a glistening perfect white smile and brushed some of his long shiny black hair out of his face.
She stopped in her tracks almost literally flinching at the sound of his voice. She lowered her head and her meek voice spoke out hesitantly in reply, "H-hello Kohando…"
The handsome teen waltzed over and rested a hand on the picket fence lining her little yard. "Goin on vacation?" he nodded to the car with a smile.
Shidao clutched at her duffel bag as the man blocked her path to the car and she stammered, "N-no I'm going to C-college… I'm l-leaving later tonight."
He leaned over the fence with a look of surprise, "Tonight?! And without saying goodbye?" his face expressed hurt and sadness for a moment as he waited for a response.
Shidao didn't buy it, something was off with him. Taking a steadying breath she nodded and said, "Y-yes tonight… and s-sorry I didn't tell you… I didn't think of it…" Remaining polite was hard wired into her personality. She couldn't tell him she didn't tell him because she would be happy to never see him again, that would be rude; even if it was true.
Kohando suavely waved it off and said, "That's alright. At least I got to see you one last time before you headed off… how about you let me buy you a coffee before your ride hmm?"
She felt the blood rushing to her face, not because she was flattered or because she was embarrassed, but because she was scared. Unconsciously she took a step backwards. She had to come up with something quick. Her mind raced for an excuse, "S-sorry… I… I was just about to leave…"
Persistently the gorgeous pretty boy went on, "Oh surely you have a little bit to spare to have a drink with me before you go? For me?"
Again with that smile! A shudder ran down her spine and she fought the urge to grimace. Quickly she tried to find a proper excuse and her brain just went to Monta. Wait! Monta that was it! The mint haired girl gently moves some of her bangs behind her ear and said, "N-no it's not that. I just… pr-promised I'd meet my boyfriend for dinner… I have to leave soon or I'll be late." Oh please let him buy that. Please!
That made his golden smile twitch a bit at the corner. He paused momentarily and awkwardly replied trying to play it cool. "A boyfriend huh… c-congratulations then Shidao. Good for you!" he padded his hand on the fence posts and continued with a shifty gaze between her and his hand. "Anyone I know?"
Crap… now she had to say something so he'd at least be forced to leave her alone. "N-no… he goes to the college I got accepted to. He p-plays for their football team. His n-name is Taro Raimon…"
"Football?" he questioned in confusion. What the hell was that? Kohando's smile faltered and he waved a dismissive hand slowly, "Well never mind that, congratulations all the same… he's a lucky man." He forced his plastic smile again and stood up adding "Maybe I'll see you around sometime." Turning away he began to depart waving goodbye as he did.
When he was finally around the corner of the block Shidao breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness that worked…" she mewled silently. Not wasting anytime she quickly went to the car to deposit her last bag. She was planning on leaving later that evening but not anymore. Wanting nothing to do with Kohando if he returned, she needed to get going now! The shy verdant girl hurried back inside to grab her last few things before running back to the car, jamming them inside, and hopping in the driver's seat. Shidao wasted no time in peeling out of there as fast as she could without it looking suspicious.
Around the corner Kohando watched as her car drove off into the distance. The dashing young gymnast scowled as she drove off. She had a boyfriend? A boyfriend!? Who the hell would she pick over him? He was handsome, some might even say ravishing! He had a smile that could melt any girl's heart and a physique to match. His intellect was at the top of his class and no one said no to him! No one!
The peeved pretty boy dove into his phone searching for this Taro Raimon and what made him such a big deal that the lovely Shidao would choose him over himself. It wasn't long until he traced the name to both Enma and Deimon's football teams. He growled to himself, "Tch! This football, just what the hell is it? And what makes him so impressive?" As he scrolled through the websites he found Enma's fall season schedule. "They have a game tomorrow do they…?" A wicked grin spread over his face and he snickered to himself. "Mayhaps I'll pay this Enma University dimwit a visit tomorrow and see what the big deal is all about…" With that he placed his phone back into his pocket and smoothed out his hair before placing that ever plastic smile back on his face.
And while proverbial storm clouds were brewing in the near future for tomorrow's game, the other side of the ball game were also discussing the role of the spoiler. Nishi's team captains all sat around a table. Kenshiro Hanada, the teams quarterback, was going over game footage of their game from the prior spring. "As you can see, Sena Kobayakawa number 21 is the main offensive threat… followed by Taro Raimon number 80, and then Riku Kaitani number 26."
Daisuke Hamatsu however leaned forward and said, "What about that American they added… we don't have any game film on him." He crossed his big burly arms and cleared his throat as he spoke.
At that Hanada responded dubiously, "He's a wild card to be sure… but all we have to go on is his statistics on Football Monthly's website… he's fast. Very fast! And strong too. The article lists him as the second coming of Seijuro Shin."
Daisuke leaned back into his chair and muttered, "Fucking fantastic…" He sighed deeply and then said, "And rumor has it they picked up another big lineman… Like Kurita wasn't enough of a fucking problem.
Hanada did say somewhat optimistically, "True but according to Football Monthly, he has almost no football experience. He should be able to be beaten by our superior technique. He might get by us occasionally, but I am not worried about him. I'm confident our newest member can handle him. Right Toru?" He looked across the table expectantly.
Toru Hamatsu gazed back at his quarterback and nodded grimly. His 6'4" frame was covered in muscle and his gnarly forearms were covered in scars. His squinty eyes seemed like they were closed as he stared back towards his team captain. "Don't worry Hanada… my brother and I will take care of him… You just worry about the American… and eyeshield 21…" The confidence in his voice spoke wonders about the man.
Daisuke nodded confidently and said, "Right, me and my little bro will handle things… one way or the other. You just light em up Hanny."
Hanada glanced between the both of them and sighed, "I hope you're right.