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.

Author's Note. Heyyyyy so yeah. I've obviously been on a loooooooong hiatus. So why the sudden surge of chapters? I just needed a creative outlet to look forward to. I believe the words 2020 are enough to describe how difficult it's been for me, you, everyone. So, if you are new or old, welcome and thanks for reading. Your reviews give me strength! And to whoever needs to hear this, You are loved, You are amazing, and you deserve a taco. Have a fantastic day!

It was not long before Monta and Sena emerged from the Enma locker room. Freshly showered and dressed in clean clothes. They both felt refreshed after the last few strenuous hours. And despite feeling clean and refreshed, their bodies still softly ached from the pressures of the game. Practice certainly prepared their bodies to some extent, but actual in game form took it out of you. If it didn't you were just a freak of nature.

Monta was wearing a pair of black cargo shorts and a red muscle tank with a picture of a certain Italian man on it and a pair of black and white converse high tops. His spikey hair was shining after a much-needed rinse, and his neatly trimmed sideburns and goatee were prim and proper.

Sena was sporting a button-down jungle patterned shirt of green foliage and black empty space. Under that he had a pair of gray khaki shorts and a pair of blue and white tennis shoes. His own wild brunette hair was haphazardly bouncing as he moved along.

Monta let out a sigh and rubbed his side where he had taken a particularly rough hit earlier in the game. No doubt that would be bruised a bit tomorrow. And Sena took a moment to stretch his calves as they exited as well. He wasn't sore per say, but he could definitely feel the tell-tale wobble of his legs from running on them all afternoon. They were both going to sleep well tonight.

Sena in particular had some other intentions to make his evening even more relaxing. A slight smirk appeared on his face and he blushed slightly at the thought. Now now, dinner first. Dessert later.

Not far from the exit of the locker room Suzuna and Shidao chatted idly with Juri as they waited for their significant others to arrive. When the boys appeared Suzuna called out to Sena. "Senaaaaa are you ready?" The lithe cheer captain skated over towards her boyfriend and spun to loop and arm under his.

The azure angel had changed out of her cheer uniform earlier and seemed to have hit the showers as well. She was currently wearing a white cami with a loose purple and black buttoned plaid shirt over that which was tied loosely just below her bust around her belly button. A pair of ripe banana yellow shorts finished offer her outfit along with her trademark roller blades.

"H-hai! I am starving. What are you hungry for?" The wild haired brunette asked of his beloved.

Suzuna again stuck out her lower lip in a pondering expression. "I'm not sure… to be honest I kind of just want something salty. Maybe we could grab some kare-pan and something sweet for a snack later?" She leaned in closer to him and whispered, "Grab some take out to have a night in… if you catch my meaning?" She rose her eyebrows up and down suggestively and awaited his response.

Sena's own eyebrows rose and his eyes widened at the suggestion. "I like kare-pan!" he answered quickly. He then shot a finger towards the general direction of Point Crest and declared, "To the conbini!" and without waiting for a reply took off with a light jog with his beloved skating close behind.

As he passed Monta and the Sawai sisters he waved to them and said, "Later Monta! Have a good night! Bye Juri, bye Shidao!"

This was followed by Suzuna rapidly adding, "Treat her right Monta or I'll kick you to death!"

Monta was in the middle of raising a hand to wave his friend off and reply with a similar farewell when Suzuna's quip stabbed him in the ear. "Hey what do you take me for!" He called after the retreating cheerleader while cupping his hand to carry his voice to the swiftly disappearing lovers.

The simian receiver sighed and brushed them off before turning back to the Sawai sisters. He bared his palms to Juri and asked, "Do I give off a bad impression or something? Sheesh!"

Shidao simply giggled and her sister answered, "No… but if you hurt her rest assured, we will hurt you even worse." Juri smiled deviously and then gave her sister a pat on the head. "Have fun little sister. Text me when you get home." The elder Sawai sibling then moved past Monta and jabbed a sharp finger into his shoulder, "And you! Be GOOD!" and gave him a look promising a fate worse than death if he mistreated her darling little sister.

Monta's arms fell slack in defeat and his mouth gaped with surprise at all these sudden implications that he was some kind of dirty horn dog. What the hell? He has been nothing less than a perfect gentleman regarding Shidao. Its almost as if they expected him to throw her to the ground and have his way with… wait. That is basically how they met. Well. Without the having his way with her part.

Shidao walked up beside Monta and said softly, "Don't worry about Juri, her bark's worse than her bite."

Somewhere in the back of Monta's primitive apish brain he doubted that, but he let it go. Instead he chose to focus on the lovely lady he's be treating to dinner tonight. Turning his focus on the younger Sawai sister he had to catch the breath that tried to shoot out his nostrils.

She was wearing a lime green hoodie and a pair of light blue jeans. As Monta's brown orbs gave her a once over he saw she was sporting a pair of white sneakers as well. It may have been modest, but it suited her and he couldn't deny how pretty she looked.

The apish oaf cleared his throat and complimented her, "You look very nice Shidao." And he gave her a wide grin of approval.

Shidao blushed from the sudden compliment and she shifted slightly to the side and began to fiddle with her hair hand over hand. "Th-thank you M-Monta. You look nice as well." And though he was far too oblivious to notice, she had been ogling him up and down since he had exited the locker room as well.

A sudden ruckus stole their attention away from one another however as the line group and some of the others poured out of the locker room, laughing and carrying on like a victorious group of, well, athletes. Chuubou appeared to be the butt of some joke and was getting playfully shoved between Suitokku and Mizumachi.

"Hahaha you delta-dimwit! What do you mean you've never seen Point-Crest?" Mizumachi teased.

"Well its not like I've been here all that damn long you chip and dales dunderhead!" Chuubou replied with a shove to match, sending Mizumachi into Kakei's frame.

"Would you cut it out!" Kakei blurted as he shoved Mizumachi back off his body.

The gangly former Poseidon held up his hands apologetically and said, "Sorry Kakei!" and turned his full attention back to Chuubou, "I'm just surprised is all. We all go there all the time to get food and stuff. Thought you'd have been."

"NOOO!" Chuubou replied emphatically, "I've told you this over and over again man!"

"Really?" Mizumachi asked innocently between his fish like lips while digging a pinky into his ear.

"Yes! UGGGGH!" the shorter former Devil Bat huffed in exasperation. He found himself suddenly being lifted off the ground in a one-armed bear hug. The piercing gravely voice that followed clued him into who had a hold of him.

Dante snickered, "Well I guess there's a first time for anything then eh TNT? C'mon! Orca and I are goin to Lonestars. Since you're still a Point Crest Virgin you can come with, my treat!"

Chuubou sighed, "As if I have a choice… thanks…"

This only caused the hairy foreigner to laugh all the louder before dropping the pint-sized tank and he waved on the rest of the crew, "C'mon the more the merrier! See if you can dethrone the champ!"

Mizumachi grinned with determination and replied, "Don't threaten me with free food!" He then nudged Kakei with his elbow, "Kakei?'

The suave blue haired ace looked between his teammates with those piercing eyes and shrugged, "Yeah sure what the hell."

The towering blonde lineman pumped his fist, "Awright!" It was at this point that the usually shirtless youth noticed Monta and Shidao off to the side. "Oiiii you two, you in? Dante's buying!"

Monta nearly accepted the offer without a second thought. Free Lonestars? That was a hard deal to pass up, especially with how hungry he was. But before the words could leave his mouth, he bit them back. Shidao was awful shy and going to a huge steak house with a ton of rowdy and very hungry football players seemed a bit like a traumatizing event in the making.

Instead he held up his large broad hand and answered, "Thanks guys but we already made plans. Appreciate the offer though."

With that Mizumachi shrugged and replied, "Suit yourselves, more meat for us!"

"Its not a yakiniku buffet you moron." Kakei said quietly as he followed after his dense friend.

As the remainder of the ligers passed by Monta and Shidao they gave the couple a wave and parting farewells. Dante tossed in an extra wink towards the apish receiver and said, "Behave yourself you two." and for added effect even blew Monta a kiss on his way out with his own motley crew.

"Oh, come on!" Monta blurted as they departed, "WHOOEEEE!" The poor fool raked at his face and cried in protest at all of these snide comments about his behavior around Shidao. Red faced and embarrassed he turned to face the mint haired teen and sighed, "What a bunch of bastards…"

Forcing a smile, the chipper chimp gestured in the general direction of the departing wave of linemen and other players. "Shall we?" Remember Monta, enjoy her company, don't dwell on the comments of your friends.

Shidao nodded with a soft giggle and answered, "Sure." And began to walk down the path side by side with her simian Casanova. As the pair plodded along at a placid pace the verdant vixen blushed a bit and averted her gaze. The shy reaction seemed par the course for her, but in this instance, she wasn't nervous, she was giddy! A second date with the man that held her hearts attention! How exciting!

For poor Monta on the other hand, he was painfully aware of how nervous he was. All the side comments and quips from his friends had made him self-conscious about any kind of movement he made and tied his tongue up in his mouth any time he tried to speak. "Come on you yutz! Say something!" his mind screeched at him.

Oddly enough the supposedly shier of the two spoke out first. The younger Sawai sibling asked, "How are you feeling? I know you got hit pretty hard in the 3rd quarter, a-and I saw you rubbing your ribs on the was out of the locker room."

When Monta glanced her way as she began speaking, he saw that she was no longer averting her eyes. No, she was staring straight at him with honest concern. Her lustrous yellow-green orbs sparkled in the light. He absently reached over with his opposite hand and palmed the injured area she brought up and answered, "Oh this? Nah I'm alright. Sore for sure, it's going to smart tomorrow I bet, but I'll be ok." The apish receiver finished by standing a bit straighter to appear like it didn't bother him and walked a little taller. Internally though it just made his ribs all the sorer.

Shidao felt bad about Monta's mild injury. She wished she could do something to make the pain feel better. Maybe she could offer some kind of muscle massage or… and now her face was a bright vibrant red and she quickly looked in the opposite direction of the apish wideout. "I-I s-see! Th-that's good!" she stammered as steam practically leaked from her ears.

Monta seemed oblivious to the girls sudden boiling over of massage imagery and added, "Thanks for asking though. And hey! Thanks for coming to the game too! I wish I'd have known before half time, I'd have done something special after the pick six." What he would have done he had no idea… but now that he had such a 'special' fan in the audience, he'd have to come up with some unique celebrations for her.

The verdant vixen frantically moved a few strands of mint green hair from her face to behind her ear and she replied, "S-sorry… I wasn't sure how to bring it up that I'd be there." She was still quite new to this 'relationship' game. And even at that, she and Monta were going casual if anything. Nothing had been officially labelled or anything like that. Even though she really wished for that title in his heart.

The simian receiver waved a dismissive mitt in her direction, "Aww you don't need to be afraid to text me something like that. It's nice knowing I have someone like you out there rooting for me. It would really fire me up every time!" He pumped his fist to emphasize the idea and smiled eagerly.

Shidao blushed and surrendered a, "I'll be sure to do that then… but I think the idea is that I'll be helping on the sideline a little more like I did today… that is if that wouldn't bother you that is." Before setting her glistening verdant orbs on the receiver.

Monta gulped despite his efforts not to, and it was his turn to become a few shades redder. "N-not at all. I look forward to your support!" He moved a massive paw to his mouth and coughed to clear his throat before adding, "S-so… so anyway! Thanks for coming out with me tonight. I've been looking forward to um… another date or hanging out again or whatever you want to call it." The awkward orangutan finished with a sheepish laugh.

The mint haired teen looked like a proper red tomato with the way her verdant curls spread over her ruby colored cheeks. Date? He said it out loud. He backed off too, but he started with that! Internally the shy introvert was squeaking with joy. Externally, she was sweating bullets and stammering like a damned idiot. "M-me too! A-and and! Gah!" she reflexively reached up and slapped her cheeks hard with the palm of each hand. A habit Monta himself frequently used to gather confidence or psych himself up, and the simian simpleton took notice of Shidao's usage of the action. "Thank-you-for-asking-me-on-a-second-date!" the shy teen managed to eek out at an incredibly rapid pace to the point she had to suck down a big gasp of air at the end of it.

This brought a bemused smirk to the face of Monta and he felt a bit of pride and warmth at her reaction. At least he wasn't quite able to pinpoint the emotion it made him feel anyway. His heart was a flutter and his head felt floaty. It was finally starting to sink in that this woman had real feelings for him. Sure, she had admitted to as much before at Junko Java but it was still a distant reality that seemed like smoke and mirrors to him. But after a couple of weeks of conversation and polite banter it was becoming more and more real.

"Whooeee!" he whooped in amusement as he returned the gesture, smacking the sides of his face with the flat of his palms. Grinning wide he agreed, "Yeah! A date then!"

Shidao seemed a little surprised by that outburst but found herself giggling and offering a bright smile in return.

As they walked the two continued to idly chat about the game and how ridiculous some of Monta's teammates were. This was the first time Shidao really got to see the reputation Dante and Sena had built for themselves and they couldn't help admiring how elite they both were at their respective positions. And that wasn't to take away from everyone else either. Enma's line was a force to be reckoned with and it would only get better as Suitokku and Kakei gained more experience there. And Shidao of course made it a point to always remind Monta of his own prowess at the wide receiver position. And with each compliment the wideout's head swelled more and more.

Making their way into Point Crest, which at this point in the afternoon was becoming busy with the usual dinner rush, the pair weaved their way through the blocks until arriving at a nondistinctive ramen bar.

The weathered and stained hardwood exterior was contrasted brightly by the vibrant crimson canvas rain guard. Black kanji with white boarders spelled out simply, "Sari Ramen." The entrance to the small noodle dealer was hidden in the canvas' protective alcove. There was a street side seating of roughly 6 bar stools next to an open-air counter, while inside the establishment ran a similarly constructed counter top with 8 more chairs. The stools had black leather upholstery, trimmed with red thread and brass buttons adhering the leather to the inner structure of the stool. There were 3 employees dressed head to toe in black aprons and bandanas who were busily boiling noodles and preparing succulent bowls of ramen for eager customers.

Monta waited in line with Shidao and commented, "I've been wanting to try this place since Riku recommended it to me a few weeks ago."

"Oh? I take it he's a big fan then?" Shidao asked, seemingly curious about it.

Her chimpy companion shrugged and replied, "I mean I guess so? He said their Tonkotsu was good but they had a Miso ramen with shaved wagyu beef that is amazing. So I think that's what I… Will… Try…" he finished while selecting his order from the ticket machine. His broad strong fingers clicked through his selections of the shaved wagyu beef and other toppings. As the ordering board spit out his ticket, he turned to Shidao with a grin and said, "Please, get whatever you would like!"

The petite girl with minty green hair stepped up to the ticket machine and gave it a once over. Monta watched curiously to see what she would pick, and he nodded with her choices up until she chose her level of spice. Shidao had ordered a miso ramen with ground pork, egg, leeks, bean sprouts, and level 5 spice. The scale typically only went to 4. But Sari Ramen was apparently running a special this week called the "Volcano Bowl."

The simian receiver was sweating already just thinking about it. He took her ticket and handed them over to one of the employees who bowed and shouted the couple's order down the line. The pair took their seats and Monta could practically feel the extreme heat coming from the prep of his date's meal behind the bar top. She was going to melt her own face off!

Shidao took in the surroundings in the ramen bar while they waited. It seemed to be a pretty popular spot and it didn't take long for the bar top to be filled up. It was a nicely kept establishment and the décor was simple yet rugged in a sense. She turned back to look at Monta and smiled softly. She knew it was just ramen but it was still thrilling that he would invite her out and treat her to dinner. Shidao decided she'd have to do something nice for him on the next date. Maybe she could look into making a bento box or something for a picnic? Would that be too cliché?

But her imagination fluttered away to join the butterflies in her belly as their food arrived. Monta's had a rich dark savory broth with eggs, shaved wagyu beef, and scallions. It smelled delicious and Shidao commented, "That looks good Monta." And then her dish was placed in front of her. A bubbling cauldron of red hot fury practically melting the very counter top it sat on. It was a wonder the noxious mixture didn't eat through the bowl.

Monta was sweating and felt like he might need to shield his face from the molten bowl of hell spawn. Glancing nervously into the broiling death pit he thought, "That looks like the shit that killed the terminator in judgement day…" But what was even more frightening was watching Shidao tear into that stuff as if it were plain bone broth.

Finding his mouth impossibly dry he managed to start eating his own ramen while keeping an incredulous look of fear, and respect, on the lithe little woman who could apparently eat molten iron and not even break a sweat. He had to wonder what other surprises the midori maiden had in store for him as they got to know each other more and more.

The suddenly more intimidating Shidao looked his way and smiled slightly with a cheek full of ramen. "This is delicious!" A small bead of the broth slipped from her chopsticks and onto the countertop. Monta could swear on his life he thought he heard it sizzle.

The nervous wideout queried, "I can't believe you can eat that… how are you not like… breathing fire right now?" His voice was a mixture of disbelief and utmost respect.

Shidao rose a curious eyebrow at the question and looked back to her food briefly before answering, "I guess I'm immune to spicy food. I've always loved it and the hotter the better!" She shrugged and added a bit timidly, "Do-does that bother you or make me seem weird?"

"N-NO! NOT AT ALL!" Monta was quick to sputter between another slurping mouthful of his own ramen. He coughed and had to pound his chest to dislodge a scallion that began to choke him out and added with a rasp, "Just wasn't expecting it, I think I'd die if I ate that. That's Maxi-impressive… and maybe a little scary hahehe. But not in a bad way I mean…" nice save man.

Suddenly feeling a little more self-concious about it all, Shidao lightly pressed her fingers together. "Ohhhh now he think's I'm a freak!" She glanced back at her bubbling cauldron of lava and hell fire and back to her would be love interest. "You d-don't think it makes me… weird… or… freaky…?"

Monta reached out and gently laid a large hand on her shoulder, "Shidao believe me, it doesn't make me think any less of you. In fact, it's, well ok it's a little scary, BUT in an impressive way. I know I sure couldn't do that!" He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Haha it kind of makes me want to hunt down a spicy challenge that could actually make you sweat."

Shidao felt more heat in her face from his touch than she did from her molten meal. She wasn't exactly sure how she felt about Monta saying her immunity to spicy food intimidated him in a sense. The shy teen didn't want to appear intimidating to him in anyway, albeit a weird food preference like this was the reason. But his kind words and reassuring mannerisms set her at ease. And the challenge to try and find her a spicy dish that would defeat her sense of tastes was thrilling in its own way.

The pair finished their meal and thanked the staff for its quality and made their way back into the streets of Point Crest. Shidao's initial shame about her choice of ramen faded away as Monta's attitude towards it shifted from frightful to boastful pride in her ability to absolutely demolish a dish that might have put anyone else on the team to tears. She had to admit she was tickled that Monta was able to work it into something he thought was cool now instead of making it into a topic of embarrassment for her.

As they continued to laugh and chat the pair found they subconsciously drifted closer to one another as the walked side by side. The lights from the various bars and other businesses were just turning on for the waking hours of Point Crest's night life. In the seeping twilight the two of them drifted neared and Monta glanced towards the mint princess's hand. Hesitantly he reached towards it but paused wondering if this simple action was a bit too soon. "Come on Monta, man up!" he thought to himself and mustered up the courage to wrap his large hand around hers.

Shidao nearly leapt out of her socks when she felt his firm grip lace around her comparatively delicate hand. Her eyes popped open as her cheeks began to glow bright red and she looked to Monta with surprise. Did he just… hold her hand?

Monta too was blushing brightly and frowning in embarrassment, "Sorry! I guess I should have asked you first! I-is it alright to h-h-hWHOOEEEE!" He quickly slapped his face with his free hand and managed to squeeze out, "Hold your hand?"

And for the umpteenth time tonight the midori maiden practically had steam coming out of her ears as she meekly squealed, "Y-yes!"