Enma Stadium - Match between Koigahama Matchmakers and Enma Fires
The friendly match ended ingloriously in a crushing 38-0 in favor of the home team, captained by Unsui. The matchmakers had no chance to win, and Hiruma took the opportunity to learn several interesting facts that would serve him well.
"Tsk, we finally did it the way he wanted us to." commented the ex-Naga.
"Those confusing kicks really were a nuisance, he chose them on purpose." said Monta wearily.
(As one would expect from you...), thought Sena.
It was a real pleasure to play together with so many talents on the same field, and he was looking forward to his first official match in the tournament. A pretty blonde girl was waiting nervously outside the stadium.
"Huh? Uooo! Are you lost, miss? Can I guide you around the campus?" proposed Monta trying to generate interest.
"Yiiik! N-No, I come to see Eyeshield."
"Swallow me earth..." he pleaded on his knees the instant he heard such a reply.
"Ah? Me?" asked the runner in confusion.
"A-Ah, yes. I'm a mangaka for Yuuga magazine and I'm interested in your story."
"Wooooaaaaaaah! Sena will be in a manga! I must tell Togano! Mizumachi!" recovered the monkey the second the news broke.
"I-I, uh, uh..."
Kotaro appeared behind him and pushed all doubts away.
"He'll think about it, but he came from Notre Dame today and he needs to rest, you know? You're Koizumi Karin who played for the Alexanders, right? I'll pass him your contact." he quickly solved.
The blonde understood that she couldn't insist and said goodbye in a shy way.
"Fiu... Thanks, Sasak-"
"That wasn't smart, man! You left her waiting without saying anything, didn't you ever casually talk to a girl?"
(Indeed...)
"Now, now, don't be noisy. Eyeshield has a friend who can help him loosen up a bit. You should seriously think about that offer, it would be very good publicity for Enma." spoke Unsui, calmly.
"Woah, it would put a lot of fear in." acknowledged Monta.
(Asking Suzuna for help? Isn't that... a bit strange? Well, I don't see why not, she's very sociable.)
...
Sena walked into his first class of the day, to be a college player he had to have a sure thing, his parents made it very clear to him. If he wanted to go pro someday, they would only support him if he got a degree in college that would give him security for the future. He didn't know the exact moment when the big leagues became a tangible goal, it was growing inside him so slowly that he didn't even notice.
(I-It's big), the runningback thought as he saw the vastness of the classroom, it was smaller than Teikoku's meeting room but it was still big.
Students were already starting to take seats and some were starting their friendships, he was already starting to feel secluded.
"Good morning!" greeted an acquaintance of his.
"Monta! You got into the same course as me?" he asked excitedly, it was an incredible relief to see his best friend there.
"Sure! It was the most appropriate thing I could think of..."
"Fooh... Everything is going to be a thousand times easier with you here, I was already afraid of not knowing anyone."
"I agree max! I didn't know whether to reserve a seat or something in case you showed up."
They sat together for the rest of the day and everything became more enjoyable.
(Should I tell Suzuna about Koizumi-san's offer?), he mused between classes.
He left the classroom next to his messy-haired companion and the second he collided with an older student.
"Oh! E-Excuse me, I didn't see you. Let me help you..." he stammered picking up the opponent's books when he saw his face.
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
"Sena, who is it?" asked Monta curiously.
"Jimmy!" the runner acknowledged incredulously.
"Woah, you're the, uh, Japanese from the San Antonio practices, I didn't expect to see you again."
"W-W-W-W-W-What? W-W-Well, how old are you? No, are you in school here? Wait, how long have you been in Japan? Q-Q..."
"Calm down, calm down, ha ha, I'm not a student... These are playbooks and this is not a uniform, this is my business suit." spoke clarifying the doubts of the bundle of nerves Kobayakawa.
"ยก...!"
"I'm going to be the assistant... coach at Enma, I arrived from United States last week and I saw how you all played with Koigahama, although that match wasn't planned... Huh, hope to see you at practice today, guys. I'm... excited." he declared with pauses to remember some Japanese terms, he had to keep studying.
"..."
"What a pervert..." muttered Monta misunderstanding everything.
"Woooah! His Japanese is amazing, you can tell he's trying hard... And to think..." he paused as he realized one thing "But if he's here it means he's not... Oh."
"What's wrong?"
(Why isn't he playing in the U.S.?)
The runner left the university, for that day, after classes were over. It was a few minutes before club practices started, so he ran all over the place to find Suzuna.
He saw her talking to the cheerleaders on the baseball field.
"A-Ah."
"Hm? Oh, Sena, I'm coming!" she greeted cheerfully.
"Aaah~? Does the new girl have a boyfriend?"
"Aww! They're so cute."
"H-Huh? Shut up, give five repetitions!" she ordered with annoyance.
"Y-Yes, captain! W.I.N, the gladiators are going to win, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8...!"
Sena sat watching the cheerleaders, mainly her friend in blue, until she had finished and was able to join him.
"Heh, how are you, was the first day hard?"
"Ah, no, no, it was fun. Monta goes to the same class as me, so it's going to be really nice."
"Oh, that's good."
They started walking toward the football field as they chatted. The other cheerleaders were spying on them knowingly.
"Uh, that's right, I have something to tell you."
(Huh?), she thought blankly.
"I-I... this..."
(Oh, could it be that...?).
The Notre Dame ace's face was turning red and he was starting to sweat, he had a lot of nerves.
"I'd like to know if you could... uh, help me talk to girls better and stuff, I mean! With you I can be myself and I was thinking if you could help me be like that normally? It's just that something came up and I wouldn't want to make it awkward."
He used his hands to try to explain himself better. Suddenly, Suzuna's heart made a pitiful crunching sound.
" ... Ah, ha ha ha! Yes! Sure! I-I'll help you, obviously, don't even ask."
"Really?"
"Hahahahahaha! I mean, pffff, of course! Don't hesitate! I-I'll... I'll write you." she sentenced before bolting off on her skates.
"Oh, ah, thanks!" he waved goodbye, not having quite understood his friend's change of mood (What was that?).
He saw his phone and knew that practice was just a few minutes away, he had to run. The football field was filled by hopefuls for Enma's team, where the two-time Fall High School Tournament MVP star would be playing as a starter.
"Woaah, I can't wait to walk the field next to him, will he be that fast up close?"
"I wonder what he's like in person, maybe we could go to the Arcade or similar."
"Oh, here he comes!" exclaimed one of the rookies as he saw Sena coming in at a run.
Fsssshhhhhhhhhhhhh.
"Sorry I'm late!" excused the runner arriving at midfield within seconds.
"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiii! It's even more amazing from so close."
Unsui, Kurita, and Kotaro were waiting for him along with the rest of the veteran players.
"I'm glad that even though you're a celebrity you aspire to punctuality." commented the captain complacently "Greetings, generation 20XX! I am Kongo Unsui, the captain of Enma's football team, the Fires. This year we have a clear goal: the Saikyodai Titans. Last season we didn't make it to the post-season, but I'm confident it will be different this time."
(I'm a freshman too... I can't be haughty), thought Sena, standing with all the freshmen.
"K-Kurita Ryokan. C-We will begin practice according to your positions. All linemen follow me." warned Kurita, splitting off to the side along with many large students.
"Coming!" exclaimed Mizumachi excitedly as he took off his shirt.
"Join me marshals, the receivers will go with Konishi."
The ex-Naga then pointed to a player unknown to Sena, a tall man with long black hair in a ponytail and dangerous dark circles under his eyes.
"Anngggg! Well... hello, I'm Konishi Masahiro... I'm Tight End number thirty-four. I'll evaluate you... slightly, I'm a bit sleepy." he clarified staggering.
(Could it be...?), Sena thought.
"Konishi, come more rested for next time. You couldn't even get into today's match." reprimanded Jimmy Simard making his entrance.
"Oh, assistant coach." Bowed the runningback.
"You don't have to be so formal, it's okay." he added lowering his voice.
"You called for me!" shouted the aforesaid arriving next to the American "Greetings, I'm Takaoka Tara, your coach.
"H-Hey, senpai, are you going to move?" asked Monta to Konishi, who was already asleep on his feet.
The woman had black hair compacted into a high bun, sporty clothes and an old cap with the name "Sengoku" on it. She was quite tall, rivaling Jimmy in that respect, so she managed to intimidate easily.
"Tsk, it's annoying enough being the only trainer in the league, dammit... Well! You two were stars in Deimon, here you'll have to earn your place too, don't get overconfident." she warned Sena and Monta, who wasn't leaving yet.
"Annn... Okay, let's go..." Konishi awoke, taking his own patch of the field to watch the catchers.
"Woah, what about the runners?" asked the little Notre Dame boy, not so little anymore.
"Ah, that..."
The glance at Mr. Simard worked as an answer.
...
In a corner of the field, the American was going through his English-Japanese dictionary. He was a little nervous about conversing with real young Japanese, Coach Takaoka had given him a chance.
"Well... Uh, guys, guys, I see quite a few... runners arrived." he remarked observing a bunch of players strutting around Eyeshield.
(Aaaaah, and I didn't mean to sound cocky).
"Well! When I was really little... I grew up watching NFL games, that excitement and spirit drove me to try it too. That's how I ended up in practice for the San Antonio Armadillos, a second-rate team. I made it through at first..."
(But...?)
Jimmy's gaze was pinned to the ground for a few seconds, he soon snapped out of his trance and continued:
"... Anyway, that experience taught me a lot about how the running backs play over there. I was a quarterback, which is not the same thing, but I was a running back type. An all-around quarterback capable of passing the ball, running myself and confounding the defense." he explained with much enthusiasm, so much so that Sena himself was beginning to get excited "Today I'll see how good you guys are..."
Riku and Sena were positioned in line for the forty yard test. It would be a way to test the difference that had been created in their time in the United States. Rodeo Drive versus DevilBat Ghost, cowboy versus devil.
"Now!"
The light speed runner took off in an explosive run that kicked up a torrent of dust and within seconds had to land at the end of the course. Everyone was amazed by the slender player's skill.
(Phew... Now I can maintain my top speed for twice as long).
His friend in white did the same, but modified his starting stance slightly. That puzzled Sena. Instantly, a flash swept across the field like a whip, a bullet at the speed of sound that relentlessly reached the goal.
"Woooooah! Kaitani's no slouch either, he's really fast."
(Those quick cuts... Reminds me of Panther-kun's style, looks like you've trained in this time too, huh).
"4.42 seconds." announced Jimmy, quite surprised.
(H-he broke his record!).
"Hieeeee, it's been a long time since I've warmed up, ha, ha." confessed the ex-Gunman, reuniting with Sena.
(Those two are too good, the headline will be undisputed for both of them), the assistant coach thought hopelessly "Yasuda Kuniyuki, go ahead."
A boy of outstanding height, with short brown hair got into position. He quickly took off without even propelling himself, as if from the start he came with momentum, a sudden acceleration. He made it to the end without kicking up dust and with energy to spare it seemed.
"4.48 seconds!" declared Jimmy in amazement.
(What? That's even faster than Riku six months ago), mused Sena.
"Uoooo! And who's that? I don't know him from anywhere."
(He's very quiet, could he have held back? Could it be that he's faster? If so, maybe it's not so safe to be a starter),, the Notre Dame student thought with some anguish.
"... YES! Take it, over four seconds with five, nasty record! Next time I'll gain one more millisecond or I'll shave myself again! Uoooo!"
(No, he did give it all he's got), he reflected disappointedly.
...
...
"Hmmm, hmmm, okay. That's all for today, come tomorrow at the same time for a match for the purpose of seeing your skill on the field. The tournament schedule will be announced in the next few dates. Rest up and keep your eyes up!" exclaimed the coach with a motivational phrase and her finger held high to the sky.
"..."
Cri. Cri.
"Damn brats, you didn't hear me!" grumbled Takaoka.
"We'll do it, coach, max prep!"
"D-Don't worry!"
"Count us in."
"I can't find my pants..."
The most promising rookies - Riku, Monta, Mizumachi and Sena responded to the order. At the same time, the blond lineman was trying to get dressed to go home.
"... Hm?"
Outside the campus, a blonde lady was drawing using the ground as a seat, leaning back against the walls of Enma's entrance.
"Karin?"
"E-Eh? Oh, Eyeshield-kun, I wasn't spying on you, uh, I didn't know if you were seriously going to contact me and wanted to confirm, no pressure!"
"No... Heh, don't call me Eyeshield please, I'm Sena. Don't worry, I think so, I'd like to help you with your manga." he agreed with a smile.
He noticed how it was getting late, the sun was undertaking its round between the buildings and he had to go home.
"I-I wouldn't feel comfortable... Leaving just like that, could I walk you home?"
"A?"
...
So, both bundles of nerves walked through the streets concentrating on their feet, too shy to start a conversation.
(Aaaah, I wish I had talked to Suzuna earlier... You can do it! You dealt with the Notre Dame giants and you can deal with a girl),
"Uh, this, I..." they both spoke at the same time.
They laughed at the quip, which helped the conversation flow.
"I didn't know you drew."
"Ah, yes, it's one of my passions... I went from faces to plays when I first came to Teikoku, but now I'm back to tracing what I want. Really people are fascinating, I hope I can make a living from this."
"Th-That's nice..."
"... Th-Thank you. Uh, you'll still be walking that way?" asked Karin, pointing to the rest of the street.
"Yes. I live over there."
"Oh, right. Well, thanks for the company, I was glad I could ta- Ah! Right, my number. So I don't have to follow you, hee-"
She tried to throw in a joke to deflect embarrassment and write her contact on a piece of paper she handed to him. Inevitably it began to rain at the most inopportune moment. The first drops fell like intruders on their makeshift contract.
"Uh, too bad... Sorry to have hindered you, you would have arrived home dry by now."
"No, no! It's no problem... In fact..."
He took from his backpack the umbrella that Mamori once gave him as a gift in Deimon, he cared for it with his heart ever since and was grateful to have kept it abroad. He opened it over their heads and then the paper Karin was spreading out was no longer spoiled.
"Ah! I'm glad you're not going to get wet!" the lady pleaded contentedly.
"You won't either." he declared smilingly, determined to share the cover.
"... Thank you, again."
Thus their walk continued a while longer as they got to know each other better and found commonalities. Two football players pushed to join the sport by force, but who ended up loving it and finding each other through it.