4th Down: In Position
Play stopped for a moment, but resumed when the confusion ceased and Konishi appeared with the ball.
"Koshiro-kun! You did it!" celebrated Kurita.
The current Senpai outside linebacker silently thanked with a polite yawn. (Does he communicate by yawning?), thought the substitutes' bench.
"Are you feeling well?" asked Unsui.
"... I've, mmm, been... better."
The captain cleared his throat. (You know what I mean). For their part, the first-years didn't know who he was. He looked strong, Sena estimated they were about three heads apart. Though he wasn't as tall as Mizumachi, that was for sure. Monta didn't know how he could get to the ball before him when he was further away.
Sena. He just froze in thought.
(Where do I know him from?).
Takaoka blew her whistle. "Attack of the decrepit geriatrics! Yard twenty!"
Riku inwardly lamented. Without that goofy mistake they wouldn't have lost the ball. He didn't understand why the mix-up happened, he and Sena understood each other perfectly. In Seibu, the roles were clear. Kid would receive the ball and if it took a minimum of time he would entrust the run to him. That's how they won, that was hihs moment. He reserved the whole game for the situation where he could elude defenders at will.
What happened here?
Why didn't he wait for an obvious signal?
What made him rush?
It was the big boys' turn to play, just twenty yards from touchdown. As the others could not advance one bit and the direction of the ball was reversed, all that was left for Sena to go was now road gained by Konishi and his.
The ex-Naga Unsui positioned himself calmly, taking a deep breath, and in the next puff he let out with a "Hut". Kurita came out with all his might and pushed several linemen on the way.
Mizumachi managed to get out of the collision and tried to blitz the quarterback.
Unsui elegantly took three steps back and found all his receivers defended by the desperation of Riku, Sena and Monta. The blond swimmer saw an opportunity, the only way out was a run. Unsui backed himself into a corner.
...
He raised his arm at the speed Mizumachi managed to sneak between the line and leap over it. The ball flew to the target. The pass connected thanks to Unsui's trained vision. A quick touchdown for the seniors.
Enma Freshmen 0 - 6 Enma Seniors
The older players celebrated while the younger ones wailed. Kotaro entered the field for the extra point kick. He stopped brushing his hair for a moment. (Wait for me, it'll be quick), he said to his comb. He stood, pulled his long leg back, waited for Unsui to put the ball on the tee and kicked. The ball would naturally be twisted by the slight wind that swayed their heads at that moment, but that was already calculated by the Spiders' kicker.
The ball had a perfect trajectory until it crossed the T-post. One more point for the majors.
Enma Freshmen 0 - 7 Enma Seniors
"Huh, it wasn't smart how crooked it came out, I should have moved my foot a little to the left" analyzed Kotaro self-critically.
"We can rest easy." Unsui sighed.
"Does... that mean... I can take, mmmh, a nap?" asked Konishi.
"No, you defend."
"Ho, tedious."
With the first difference between the two teams, it was time to turn the tables by demonstrating the offensive power of the former Devil Bats. Then, the post-scoring kick fell into the hands of one of the rookies, who didn't last long before being tackled. They were on the 22-yard line, similar to how they started.
Sena and the others gathered in a circle to choose which move they would start the comeback with. Monta insisted that a deep pass could give them a lot of easy yards, but with the lack of coordination evident it seemed like suicide. Sena wanted to step up and offer to run with the ball, deep down he believed he was a little faster than the seniors.
Riku did not comment, he remained thoughtful. Then Eyeshield's young fans turned their heads at frightening speed and asked their idol if he wished to do the honors. (I guess it's captious).
With that said, they went into formation. Sena would run with the ball. It almost annoyed Riku how they made it clear that he would not run. He would have to block the path.
"Hut!"
Sena ran to embrace the ball and look for routes through the defensive line. Kurita opened a hole through which he dove to knock him down. He almost wet himself, having never seen what it felt like for opposing players trying to get through Deimon's line.
But Kurita was still slow. Sena could overcome it. He took a couple of steps and when the center followed him to the right, he cut to the left at full speed.
Riku, who should accompany Sena and protect him, got stuck with Kurita, who collided with him by miracle. The little brown-haired continued to run alone until he was found by two defenders, which he avoided with spins and jukes. The path looked clean, if he dodged Unsui as the last safety and kept running, he would score. There was no need to fear. Except that a presence disturbed his path. Throwing himself with momentum, a defender managed to throw Sena off his path for a well-timed cornerback to bring him down.
That impetuous defender was Konishi.
"Damn max." grumbled Monta.
Riku stood on the other side of the line, next to Kurita, who celebrated the sloth showing up just in time.
"Gah, but... where did he come from?" Sena questioned.
"That's twice now, I deserve... to sleep."
The runner saw Konishi. He already appeared out of nowhere to catch the ball on the first play and now he was coming out from a corner to scare him. It looked like he could pop up from anywhere. That energy, that dedication, that precision. Jumping on the enemy at the slightest carelessness...
That scratched something in his memory.
"Sena, quick! You got eight yards, we're two away from the first down. Don't asleep." called Monta.
Doubts would've to wait, they'd to secure possession to score. At the 30 line, the novice players put the ball on the ground and waited for the quarterback's call. Sena would receive the ball if all went well. Riku crouched behind him with the mission of blocking as he passed, but missed the last time. He never played fullback, he was always the main running back. At most, he helped out on defense as a speedy safety. Nothing beyond that.
"Hut!"
The quarterback ran backwards to reach Sena as soon as possible and give him the ball. Riku was waiting behind. When the brown-haired guy touched the ball, he started running down the sideline, dodging the defensive line and especially Kurita. On that wing, Mizumachi was pushing the older players despite the weight difference. Swimming through his defenders, he made a hole for Sena to pass over. Riku saw this and rushed to block.
Before the silver-haired dude arrived, the gap was closed by a veteran's rematch against the tall fair-haired fellow. Sena found himself alone in front of the linebackers, where Konishi was almost walking at a smooth trot towards him. (They don't praise me enough), thought the sleepyhead.
A one-on-one encounter between the lazy old Enma and the hero of Notre Dame. Even if the brown-haired man had never been known for his arrogance or self-confidence, he thought that, if only sometimes, his speed was trustworthy. He stepped on the gas and faced Koshiro. With that acceleration, the other two linebackers were too far away to reach to defend him, it was a one-on-one matchup of skill. If he was so good at jumping to tackle, he had to be good at moving laterally.
(I have prepared myself for this moment, with the help of so many great senpais in America). A step away, the sloth showed no intention of picking up the pace. He only tilted his body a few degrees and extended his leg, the one compatible with the route taken by Sena's run. He had to open up on the side, just as the ponytailed wanted. He made a spectacular leap to bring the brown-haired man to the ground.
Sena looked at the ground in surprise, this player was on Shin's level, at least in their first games. No, he was hyping him up too much, it was the surprise of being beaten. But surely at his best, this Koshiro was catching up to Shin in some respects.
The play ended. And Sena won... three yards, enough to reach the 33-yard line and get the first down. But if they lost possession there, the veterans would be very close to a touchdown.
"Sena, good! That haggard guy caught up with you, but just barely, you only need to adjust to the Jap style!" encouraged Monta, giving support to his best friend.
"That's right, we're not done yet."
But his gaze did not leave Koshiro's.
...
Unsui watched, pleased, his teammate. Kurita rushed to embrace the great Koshiro for stopping Sena, while in his lineman's heart he wanted to support both of them.
"Almost there!"
"Don't let it go down, Konishi-san" interjected the captain, with respect in his voice.
To him and most sophomores, Koshiro was the best on the team. His leaping ability, vision and catching prowess in a variety of situations were enviable to anyone, a definite tight end. (Hang in there a little longer, buddy), Unsui thought.
The next play was by the new guys, on the 33-yard line. Sena set up with the receivers for a pass play, which the rookie quarterback botched under Kurita's pressure. Second down, Sena and Koshiro exchanged glances. Monta watched the exchange with glee. (You've found another rival, eh, how cool).
Another pass and this time Monta reached the target near the sideline, defended by two cornerbacks. Naturally, no defensive back would leave the monkey unmarked. A sure offensive threat.
"Gh!"
"Monta! Are you all right?" asked his concerned friend, who ran over after hearing him groan.
"Yeah, y-yeah..."
(What's this sudden pain? Does Enma have a top defense? No, no, they're a weak team like our Deimon. So what is it...?). They arrived at the 42-yard line, the rookies looked tired from all the dueling with the seniors. Their college-trained bodies were giving them a hard time. Skinny players like him and Sena would have nightmares with those defenders.
Then Monta saw it.
Weak bodies.
Skinny like him.
(... No, I don't get it).
With energy waning, the older linemen were able to break through the offensive wall and reach the quarterback on several plays, delaying his advance long enough to force a fourth down. They could kick away or scramble for a first down. Monta closed in on the quarterback.
"Let me have a pass! I'll beat the defense and score a mega max point!"
With no other candidates and Sena struggling to get through the muscular defenses without the necessary help from Riku, who was not yet adjusted to the halfback position, the quarterback had to accept.
"Hut! Hut!"
The thick-browed student took off from his spot, surprising the cornerman, who considered him slower. Monta was giving his all to demonstrate his power against the veterans, but the nightmare of the newcomers appeared from the shadows.
Koshiro arrived to chase away the pass and the quarterback had to reorganize the play. Mizumachi could no longer resist so many linemen jumping on his neck and gave in, leaving Kurita to bring the quarterback down.
Possession of Enma Seniors.
"Show them our flare, Konishi-san," Unsui said, positioning himself as quarterback.
The number twelve saw his trusty target lazily charge out and in deft footwork dispose of his defender. Like a bird flying solo through the skies, Koshiro jumped early to everyone's surprise. Unsui smiled and threw the ball at the right moment for heaven and earth to meet in an incredible pass, straight to the touchdown without Sena or Riku managing to get there despite their speeds, the distance was too much.
Enma Freshmen 0 - 13 Enma Seniors
Kotaro entered the field to greet the tight end. The two saw each other and after a satisfied yawn, Konishi patted the kicker's shoulder.
"Take your time... yawn, so I can rest for a while."
"Ha, like I'm capable."
Enma Freshmen 0 - 14 Enma Seniors
The difference in the scoreboard and in the experience of the players was becoming more and more proportional.
(The university), Sena thought.
Enma Freshmen 17 - 48 Enma Seniors
The match concluded. Sena and Monta scored their team's only touchdowns, the rest of the points came from kicks. Koshiro and Unsui continued to destroy the young defense with their chemistry. Now they were on the lawn, lying down while enjoying the coolness and freshness of the leaves.
"Fuah~... I can't give any more. I think against Bando we get tired similar" opined Monta.
"Guh... ah, I don't know... I don't want to think."
Sena heard footsteps nearby. It was Unsui and Kurita, who already changed their uniforms for casual clothes. That reminded them that they were still wearing their visitor uniforms, with Enma's black flames glowing on their shoulders. They both thought that Enma was not just any team, they were powerful, like Taiyo or Ojo.
Koshiro was not in sight. Farther away, he was leaving the stadium with a huge sweat on his face. Heavy breathing.
"How are you doing, do you need help?" asked Unsui, who while sounding sarcastic and teasing was concerned, really believed the two were too tired.
"We haven't had this much fun in a long time, aaah! Playing with everyone will be amazing, when the championship starts" spoke Kurita in wonder.
"Please don't say the tournament starts in a few minutes like with the last game" requested Monta.
"And how Enma hasn't been recognized in the country! Are there stronger teams nearby?" questioned Sena, with some nerves.
Kurita looked slightly sad. He wrinkled his shirt, but he was much more confident than in his high school days. He smiled with the confidence of a college player and answered them.
"The college tournament is the toughest championship in the country, there are over two hundred teams competing to peek into the big eight and represent the East in the Koshien Bowl."
The Big 8. Everyone has heard about it since they joined Deimon, they are the strongest teams in the region and have the potential to beat any semi-pro champion. Sneaking into that top is impossible for a team of Deimon or Hakuushu's level, even Teikoku would be only a 7th or 8th place in the Big 8.
That's where they were aiming for at the very least if they wanted a shot at the Rice Bowl. Sena didn't know exactly what the road to the Rice Bowl looked like, so Kurita - who would probably be obsessed with the subject - should know.
"Better teams than what we face today... Japan really is a big place, huh" Monta reflected, his excitement building inside.
(We're going to face teams much better than this!). Sena was also enthusiastic, the road to greatness was just beginning. But... he remembered.
He still had much to learn.
If he wanted to make it to the grand final, he had to be a runner on the level of Shin or Yamato, Panther even. A strong sprinter who would be hard to take down.
He watched as they left the stadium, thinking of Koshiro and how they faced each other.
(I've seen you somewhere... who are you, lazy tight end?).
Enma athletics track
The athletic and practice field was a painted oval with some sad, modest bleachers. You could tell that the university's forte was not its athletic success; that track probably saw more wars than all the professors combined. A group of happy, slender girls were jumping and singing in high spirits. At the front of them all, like a lighthouse illuminating uncharted waters, one cheerleader stood out in the admiration of the others.
"E-N-M-A! Burn the flame that burns the fervor!" she chanted.
"E-N-M-A!" sang the chorus.
Sena, a football player, arrived to wait for his good friend to come out of the team's first practice. His biggest surprise was to see that the girl commanding the practice was the same friend he came to see.
(S-Suzuna?), he asked. A few seconds later, the girls finished their rehearsal and enlisted to go to their homes, while the blue-haired girl grabbed her clothes to change.
"Sena!" she called the instant she saw him in the distance.
Running from the athletics track to the entrance of the sports complex, jumped up to hug her friend, she missed him terribly while he was in America. The girls who had practiced raised their tresses like radio antennas and detected the arrival of a muscular fellow waiting for their cheerleading partner.
"Uuuh, the captain has a boyfriend!"
"Aww, they're both so tiny!"
Deimon's cheerleader turned around in a rage and ordered them not to whisper behind her back.
"Everyone go change your clothes!" she reprimanded them with unexpected authority for her first day at college.
Sena saw the whole thing and preferred to wait to respect his friend's dictates. She too was forging her path to greatness, in her own way.
"... Suzuna, how is it that you're the captain on the first day? I-I'm not saying you won't be able to, of course, but... uh, you understand."
"Long story short, I told them that we walked across the United States on foot and collected a cheerleading team in record time. They practically begged me to show them 'my wisdom'... They are good girls."
She turned to look at her new friends, it would be interesting college. Meanwhile, Sena smiled knowing that his friend was in good hands.
"Oh!" she returned her attention to her friend "What's wrong you came looking for me? You missed me already!"
"Uh, is that... I-I had to tell you something, uh, rather, a kind of... somewhat embarrassing request" confessed the runner.
"Huh?"
Suzuna always flashed a smile and sought fun wherever she went, but always striving for order with her loved ones. But when her best friend approached so nervously, it was something very worrisome... or something unexpected. Sena watched the floor and took the time to play with his hands until the words came out on their own. He didn't know why this caused him such nerves.
"You see... I have something to ask you, it's about... a girl and that sort of thing."
(Request, embarrassing, girls...).
The cheerleader was starting to get restless too, her face reddening as her friend talked to her about things she never expected to hear. She wondered mentally if this was a love confession, the kind that only literature shows possible.
"W-what is it?"
"Will you help me... to talk to a girl? I don't really do well chatting with feminine ones, not if I'm not used to it... I'd like you to help me."
(Ah).
Suzuna's hopes were dashed. For a moment, her blue head screamed in despair that her friend was confessing to her and she thought about what she would answer. She turned red with embarrassment as she recognized how much mulled over one of the options, but wasn't really sure.
(Did I want it to be a confession?).
"Well?" he repeated anxiously, he wanted to know if he was counting on her.
"A-Ah... Yes! Sure, sure... Heh, heh, we''ll talk about it... by cell phone at night. I... see you, Sena."
As soon as she said it, took off from the venue on the typical roller skates she always wore. She flew like a bolt of lightning that split the crowd leaving their clubs towards Enma's exit.
Sena stood static without understanding what had just happened.
Monta waited behind his friend, wondering what he was going to do about the cheerleading club. He heard when Unsui suggested he talk to Suzuna, but didn't expect him to do it so soon.
"...What was that?" inquired Sena, knowing that his receiving friend heard him.
"How should I know" he replied ignorantly.
...
"T-The captain left without changing!"
"She left her clothes here!"
A pile of abandoned clothes in the athletic track's locker room gave away Suzuna's embarrassed flight.