Chapter 4: Why They Live Together
It was a holiday. There were no classes in all of Japan. Most people would be out going to beach or parks to enjoy the long week end. The Saikyoudai Wizards though were still in the University for training. Although they were not required to come to practice, almost everyone showed up.
Mamori was supposed to go home but her mom had to go to Australia so her trip home was cancelled. She didn't need to go to practice since she already got permission that she wouldn't be around. She had called their coach and Hiruma that her trip was cancelled so she could attend practice but their coach told her to take the time off and get some rest.
Mamori was alone in the whole building. The landlady and her granddaughter went on a vacation. Her fellow boarders all went out since it was a holiday. Some went to their hometowns, some went to party, she didn't know about the rest.
Gladly, she still has Cerberus. Cerberus had been staying in the University since Mamori and Hiruma started college. Mamori had been taking care of him. When she moved to an apartment, Cerberus had followed her. Hiruma had said she should just take Cerberus with her since the dog prefers staying with her anyway.
She wanted to go to practice but she was told to relax so that the other managers will get a chance to show their skills. Thus, she picked up a novel and started reading until when she got bored and decided to go out to buy creampuffs. She was getting ready to leave when someone knocked on her door. Cerberus who was napping on his futon was now awake and snarling with a hint of danger.
The Saikyoudai Wizards were restless as they opened their mails. They received an image of Anezaki tied up. The sender used Anezaki's phone and instructed them that all the first string players need to go to a certain location to pick her up within 20 minutes if they didn't want her to get hurt.
Their coach was not around (due to faculty duties). Hiruma and Agon went off to scare (slash visit) their next opponents. It was Banba and Yamato that were left in charge. They decided to call Hiruma first but they still had no choice but to gather up the first string players to go where they were told to go. It was Mamori's number so it wasn't a ruse.
It was a trap. The location was an old store house. It was eerily silent when they went in. The instant they were inside, they were surrounded from all sides and the exits were barred. The guys looked like they were a biker gang with so many members. They have weapons in hand; ready for a fight. And here they thought such things ended in high school.
"I don't see your captain," someone from the gang said, perhaps the leader. "And that damned violent punk as well," he was referring to Agon.
"Hiruma and Agon went to visit our next opponents," Banba explained.
"Then tell them to scurry here right now. They only have a few minutes left. Our boss is getting impatient." So he wasn't the leader. "Who knows what will happen to your manager if he got bored."
"They are on their way." Yamato and Banba looked at each other. Hiruma had told them to buy him some time.
"Then you better start talking about whether you will forfeit the next game or get disqualified."
The team started to get restless. The first string players would stand a chance if this would end up in a brawl. But with the gang's number and weapons, they would surely get a lot of injuries. And a game was coming up. Shoot. That's it! The player's eyed each other as they all realized what this was about. They will be disqualified if they get into a fight.
They knew they couldn't forfeit. That's just not possible. All the hard work they had poured, their dreams and aspirations, admitting defeat without playing the game is worst thing that could happen. But Anezaki, she had gotten caught up in all of this. How will they get her back? They couldn't possibly let her get hurt.
Yes, she's still new but her managerial skills were undeniably top class and her cooking always made them feel at home. She's an asset and a good friend. If she had gone to another football team, it would be a huge blow to them. She's useful to the team in more ways than one. Not to mention she's always pleasing to the eyes. She also knew Hiruma inside out so she would know if he's up to something. She would be a formidable opponent.