In this update, I hereby announce you that this story will receive a continuation! Yay!
To be honest, when I said that the continuation depended on your (readers) response, I was already inclined to write the continuation anyway even no one enjoyed it but myself. I had to stop myself because I always wanted to know what the readers think if they liked my story or not. The lack of response always left me with disappointment, and disappointment affects my muse/inspiration. When I received reviews and comments ( and ao3), even though there are only few of you, the response was personally a bit overwhelming. I'm aware at the start that Eyeshield 21 doesn't have a big fandom so I didn't really expect much. I was expecting one or two reviews/comments then that's it. The encouragement and positiveness you gave to me was super uplifting. I love you guys and thank you so much!
If you have questions that wanted answers, I can PM you. And guest reviewers, if possible, you can create an account so that I can directly reply to you. I wouldn't want the chapter cluttered with long author's note (just like this one but this is a special exception) so I recommend you to create one.
Now let's get down to the business: the story, Into the Field of Trials. See that I changed the title? That I removed Dawn? Dawn is actually the prologue chapter a.k.a the previous chapter. You must've noticed that the previous chapter was super long, right? I did it deliberately since I'd thought that if I won't be able to write the continuation, might as well go all out. Well… the prologue will stay the way it is. I'll leave it alone with its length.
Down to the next one: Eclipse chapter. What is Eclipse chapter? Eclipse chapter are chapters that doesn't focus on Sena as POV. You can probably consider it as interlude chapters. Here, in this chapter with a word Eclipse on it, is an example.
Lastly, a fair warning for those who doesn't like getting caught off guard: the story will probably eventually derail from canon. Emphasis on probably. I have two plans of the story and I'm still undecided which one I should take. But for now, here and its following chapters, let us walk through the outline of anime/manga first.
Disclaimer: I do not own Eyeshield 21. This manga/anime was created by two men: Inagaki Riichiro (who also wrote Dr. Stone with BOICHI) and Murata Yusuke (who is currently redrawing ONE's One Punch Man). Elements that doesn't exist in canon are mine.
Enjoy!
(Chapter unedited.)
…
Summary:
Kobayakawa Sena was thrusted into the world of American football because of her unseen desire for resilience.
She was initially recruited by Hiruma Yoichi, later persuaded by Kurita Ryokan, into joining the club. She was uncertain at first but eventually gave in, thinking she should give the sport a try.
Her experience in the club was strange but stayed despite how scary the sport was for her. She thought that if she stayed, she would find something meaningful she wanted to do in her entire life instead of only idling and cowering in the corner. If she always ran away, the pain and blood she doesn't like will always chase after her. So she decided to face it, with a clenched fist on her side, with her chin defiantly raised, she runs into the field of trials that continues to confront her against the odds.
Her name is Kobayakawa Sena, and she is a football player. Well, kind of. Probably.
...
Eclipse: The Observers
…
Shoji Gunpei knew what he was looking at the field. As a long-time coach of White Knights as well as having the perception to see the obvious, he had acquired it through age with trained eyes.
Eyeshield 21, whomever was wearing that mask, is a woman. Or a girl if she was a high school student.
His players didn't notice the obviousness but that was probably on him. He was an old man; he knew the shape of woman at first glance. He was quite experienced in that area in the past. But past is past, he had already left that life of picking up girls and besides, it was his younger days that he was expert in it. He was a bit surprised that he can still recognize a figure of a woman, or a girl in this case.
Despite gratified that he still hadn't lost his touch from his old days, his eyebrow creased at the sight of running player with an eyeshield. A girl player in the field, he mused silently, does that girl even realize what kind of world she just entered? Having a woman in a team full of men was not unrealistic. It's rare but not impossible. They are usually placed in a specialist team where contact on the field was limited, and to prevent them from entering the heavy scuffle where regular players are placed. Offense or defense, a woman or a girl player is assigned in neither position.
But this eyeshield girl, hiding under the mask, was put into the position of running back, an offensive position.
Ah, he thought, he heard about another girl player in different school. In Teikoku Gakuen, a female quarterback was apparently scouted to Teikoku Alexanders.
Anyways, this eyeshield was quite good at her position, he admitted, this girl player from Devil Bats. Swift and agile, and thanks to her petite stature, she can easily break through the tall players under their arms if necessary. This girl definitely got an advantage against them, he watched as eyeshield made a cut to dodge, and she apparently was the one who made a comeback victory with a touchdown from their match against Koigahama, which the two idiots whom he sent to scout the match failed to capture in the video.
"What do you guys think about number 21?" Shoji asked his players. Only Sakuraba and Shin heard his question, the idiots.
"Uhh… I think he's pretty fast." The idol Sakuraba answered reluctantly, as if not expecting the question and not knowing what to respond. Shoji shook his head inwardly. As expected from him, thought the old man, indecisive as always.
"I can't be certain from one play but that one is probably a self-taught player who has been playing for years without an instruction." said Shin simply and solemnly. Shoji nodded in approval inwardly. As expected, thought the old man again, observant as always.
"And also…" Shin continued after a short pause before he shook his head. "No. It's nothing. It's unnecessary."
Shoji stared at unmoving expression of Shin. Did he noticed something? he wondered. Or did he realized that under that mask was a girl? The old man had no way to find out and only looked back at the field.
Just in time Eyeshield 21 scored a touchdown.
His temper flared immediately when he saw it. "What the hell are those idiots doing in the field?" he said in seething anger. Did his players truly lost their motivation when he decided to benched Shin out from the field as a punishment of their failed scouting? If it is, if Shin wasn't in their team in the first place, then those idiots are completely hopeless.
But Shin Seijuuro only observed the field silently with his eyes pointed on number 21.
Shoji saw this. Shin did noticed something. Whether if he was only observing the skills of the eyeshield girl or the fact that he noticed that Eyeshield 21 is a girl, the old man had no idea. He decided to leave him in his own musing and make him draw his own conclusion. But still, Shoji can't help but wonder. If Shin found out that under the eyeshield was a girl, what would he do? The coach may have not grew up with this diligent, hardworking boy named Shin Seijuuro but he did witness the growth of this boy nonetheless. Both in and out of the field. Shin was humble but he lacked the tact of a gentleman. He was silent and straight-laced as long as he can remember and Shoji saw and heard how stiffly he dealt with girls. Honest and straight to the point, in Shin Seijuuro's eyes, he can only see the truth. That's why this boy was unpopular despite his looks.
The girl under the eyeshield and Shin Seijuuro. He wondered how they would fare against each other.
Both teams returned to the field, with Devil Bats attempting the try-for-point. Shoji expected that Deimon—or in their case, Hiruma Yoichi, the quarterback, will attempt to score a touchdown using number 21. But instead, as he watched the eyeshield girl positioning herself with Hiruma Yoichi kneeling down close to her, his eyes went wide in disbelief. That girl is a kicker too? he thought incredulously.
The Ojou players also voiced their own astonishment. This eyeshield player who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, the old man assumed was their collective thoughts, this guy not only he can run fast but has a kicking power too? Shoji can't blame them. At the brazen act that the eyeshield girl showed—or this was a plan concocted by Hiruma Yoichi—number 21 was like a hero from the opposing side, making them—Ojou White Knights—like a villain against them. Despite how the metaphor goes, the Knights against the Devil, it was like they were rising against them.
"If he knows how to throw," Takami Ichiro, White Knights' quarterback remarked, "perhaps he might be a utility player like Hiruma."
The old coach was not surprised that Takami knew about it. As the team's quarterback, as well as his intellectual mind, this boy definitely fits the role he was placed into despite some physical setbacks.
Utility player. Also known as triple-threat man. Back at the times when substitution was strict and limited, utility players was common. These are the players that can do running plays, kicking and passing, and are also required to play in defense. But Shoji disagreed at Takami's words. If that eyeshield girl is a utility player, that would dangerous position for her. Utility players also means you're gonna experience a round of setbacks with some injuries. That's why, in these modern times, substitution became common. The well-being of players are monitored and that's why kickers are placed in specialist teams.
But, the old man thought as he glanced at the Devil Bat's benches, even though he disagreed at the quarterback's words, there was some sense into it. Deimon are playing both offense and defense with the same set of players, thinking that number 21 is a utility player is not an absurd thought; it's a possibility she might be one. If she is truly a utility player or not, thought the old coach, we'll see about that in the game.
Number 21 failed to score the try-for-point with a kick. Shoji can hear his players sigh in relief but he didn't. The fact that the eyeshield girl can kick was enough for him. She got potential, he observed, and she may not have a kicking power to reach long distances, her kick definitely has accuracy on it. A potential threat, he thought, no wonder Shin was looking at her intensely.
Deimon will doing the kickoff, with number 21 kicking the ball again. Shoji watched as Deimon ran with eyeshield slightly leading and kicked the ball strongly. The old man raised an eyebrow at the sight soaring ball. What an unrefined kick, he watched. The tussle immediately ended when the ball went out of bounds.
And now it was White Knights' turn for offense.
Shoji swore his ears was about to bleed at the high-pitched screams when Sakuraba entered the field. He covered one of his ears to muffled screeches of the audience—or more accurately, the fan girls. Sakuraba Haruto as an idol is definitely popular alright, he thought exasperatedly, but his fans' annoying screams are getting on his nerves because, if this goes on, the game will be delayed.
Fortunately, the referee thought the same thing and called a referee timeout. It took them a while to settle down until only mutters and murmurs was the only noise left from the audience. Now that everything went to normal, as Shoji sighed in relief, the game finally resumed.
But then he frowned when he saw the formation of Deimon.
"Goal line defense?!" one of the Ojou players exclaimed.
The old coach shared his sentiment, whomever it was. Instead of the usual 4-3 formation where the players are positioned in scattered manner, goal line defense is a formation where the positions of every defensive players are tight, sacrificing and leaving their backs wide open. It would be prone to passes because they left it defenseless. How naïve, Deimon, Shoji thought, do you think you easily sack Takami when Ootawara is there to defend? The old coach knew their intentions. Deimon—or Hiruma—was thinking to tackle their quarterback using the large body of Kurita Ryokan. Shoji thought that this strategy was understandable but will it work against the impregnatable defense of Ojou White Knight? Their impregnatable linemen?
Despite these thought running in his head, the old coach can't help but sense there was something amiss in Deimon's formation.
But he found out that his worry was all but unnecessary. Takami, with his intellect and great perception of the field, was able to throw successful passes to Sakuraba who was the wide receiver. It was natural for the quarterback to take advantage for hole of Deimon's formation, Shoji thought proudly, and if this continues, touchdown is already ensured.
Or so he thought.
That eyeshield girl had nearly intercepted Sakuraba. Just nearly. Thankfully, eyeshield wasn't able to properly grasp the ball, which the old coach quickly noted and realized that this girl player was a complete novice in that area, as it slipped through her hands. Shoji clicked his tongue and pursed his lips when Hiruma Yoichi quickly caught the intercepted ball and ran to the Ojou's end zone. When Ojou players attempted to tackle him, Hiruma tossed the ball behind him and it was caught by the eyeshield girl. "Push number 21 out to the side!" Shoji yelled when the girl player made cut after cut as she dodged from the players. Number 83 of Ojou was able to push her out of bounds and eyeshield was thrown to the side. The whistle blew after that.
That Hiruma Yoichi, thought the old coach reflectively as he glanced at the demonic-looking youth, he was enticing Takami to make passes to Sakuraba when it was actually a trap. The goal line defense formation was not because he—that boy, Hiruma—was using Kurita Ryokan to sack the quarterback, he was actually using eyeshield 21 to intercept the pass. Those continuous and successful passes, Shoji realized, was not because they overlooked the hole of goal line defense formation, it was to give them a false sense of assurance, to make them think that had ensured the touchdown when in reality, the eyeshield girl was waiting for the opportunity to intercept the pass, like a crouching tiger hiding and waiting to pounce the prey.
"Don't mind it!" Shoji yelled to assure his players when they went to position themselves in the field. "Only that Eyeshield is the large threat!" The old coach was convinced of that. Along with Hiruma Yoichi's trick plays, the presence of that eyeshield girl is equally threatening in the field. All they—Ojou White Knights—had to do is watch out for both of them. More importantly, he thought, that number 21. They had to take a close look at her.
But a few minutes later, Shoji Gunpei facepalmed.
Of course, Deimon would take advantage of their discretion to number 21.
Using the eyeshield girl as bait; while she pretended to carry the ball, his players naturally focused on her. When they found out Hiruma Yoichi was actually carrying the ball, Ojou immediately reacted and tackled Deimon's quarterback. This mistake on their side gained Deimon 5 yards. Only 8-yards left to Ojou's end zone.
He would've never thought that they would get pushed this far by Deimon, thought the old coach, with Hiruma Yoichi's trick plays and that eyeshield girl's unexpected appearance… Shoji glanced at the certain direction where the players of Shinryuuji Naga was watching the game. Moreover, the Kongou siblings was among them… For them to witness Ojou's losing face in this field, that won't do any further. "Shin." Shoji decided. "Go put an end to this." he told the boy, who was named as the hardworking genius, Shin Seijuuro, resolutely.
"Yes." replied the said genius.
Shin sauntered to the field after he put on his helmet. Confident yet humble, this boy was once a diamond in a rough, refined through multiple practices and training regimes. Shin Seijuuro was not a boy interested in this type of sport, Shoji knew, since he was only accompanying Sakuraba Haruto who had been scouted because of his height and entered the club with him.
Shoji Gunpei knew what he was looking at; yes, he knew at the start that this solemn boy would have the potential to be a great player. With his trained eyes, he was never wrong from the start when he first set his eyes on him.
Everyone in the field—the football field and its higher-ups—acknowledged the potential of this boy. With his so-called tackle infamously called as Spear Tackle; in the eyes of opposing team, Shin Seijuuro is the greatest threat. And Shoji was sure that Deimon was aware of this genius player in Ojou. The old coach swept his gaze and saw the gaping expression of Deimon's players. Prepare yourself, Deimon, he thought proudly, the golden generation of Ojou may have already left but we still have Shin Seijuuro on our side.
There was a bit of ruckus between Deimon and Ojou, which Shoji realized that he was the only one paying attention, or more accurately, the exchange between number 21 and Shin. The old coach was curious how the eyeshield girl would respond but she only kept her silence. He supposed it makes sense for her to never utter a single word. If this girl player was hiding her identity in plain sight, pretending to a person with few words (or perhaps she might be actually mute), it would be better to be silent. And despite already knowing the identity of this eyeshield 21, Shoji thought it would better to keep his own silence too, for his players' and this girl's sake who donned the eyeshield to hide her identity. If he told his team about her, there's a possibility that it would greatly discouraged their morale, leaving them into a reluctant mess of nerves whether if it was right or wrong for a girl to play in the field. The revelation would waver them.
Including Shin Seijuuro.
The old coach blinked and focused his eyes in the field. There was no time to think about unnecessary things, he told himself, as the coach of Ojou, he had to keep his thoughts straight. It would never do if he, of all people, would waver. He would never allow that to himself. And besides, he thought as he watched the play began, Shin would never fail in his position as linebacker. He wasn't called the strongest linebacker for nothing.
Watching the eyeshield girl, though he did flinched inwardly on behalf of this girl, falling to the ground when she received the infamous Spear Tackle, he also watched Kurita Ryokan catching number 21 when she was about to fall again. Looks like she got a great friend on her side, thought the old coach, and apart from his own team, it seems like only few knew the identity of number 21 on Deimon's side. Shoji shifted his attention to his players. They're doing well, he observed, ever since Shin's emergence to the field, their performance had been great. With a nod of satisfaction, the old coach observed his players well-being, looking at them one-by-one from the distance and…
What… Shoji can't believe what he was looking at, and apparently, he was the only one noticing about this. Others was still complimenting and rejoicing each other, unaware of certain someone who had isolated himself from them.
Shin Seijuuro, as Shoji watched in shock, looked puzzled and reluctant for some reason. No, thought the old coach, no, I know what Shin was thinking about. Judging from expression, the apprehensive yet with the look of realization painted on his face, he immediately knew what was running on that boy's mind.
Shin had noticed something on from number 21. No, Shoji discerned, it's not that he had noticed something; Shin had finally realized that the person he just tackled now was a girl.
Shin, focus! the old coach wanted to yell but he can't. If he shouted those words to him, other players would immediately notice there was something wrong. If Deimon noticed this, they would take it to their advantage. If Ojou realized this, the team would go in disarray state. If Shin, of all people, were to falter in the field, the team's spirits would dissipate, especially in a time when he just entered the field. He would never give away this weakness carelessly without thinking first.
All the old coach can do was Shin was recover himself on his own. That boy would not give up that easily, Shoji thought resolutely, and he trusted him for it.
But… as Shoji watched on when both teams entered the field, the air around the solemn boy was still full of apprehension.
Shit, cursed Shoji Gunpei helplessly.
The air of hesitation around Shin seemed to influence the old coach as he watched the play anxiously. No one had noticed the air of anxiety around the old coach but he supposed it was fine. No one saw him being anxious all the time; he had never shown it to anyone in the first place. Ever since his time as Ojou's coach, he donned the mask of a strict teacher who beat the players into a refined piece of work in order to face the field full of trials. Physically and mentally, he made his player face their own obstacle.
And Shin Seijuuro, in this field and in this moment, was about to face his own trial.
It was as Shoji feared, the revelation of that girl's identity wavered the confidence of the players, or in this case, it was Shin who was currently experiencing this. Despite the resolute and earnest personality of this boy, Shin never possessed a prideful disposition that spurned a single advice just because he doesn't like it. He saw criticism as an advice of his own improvement. Through and through, he was just a simple modest boy who never stop working hard. Shoji had admired that side of Shin's.
Because of that humility he possessed, Shin questioned about a certain anxiety to Shoji before.
"If I face this woman in the field, should I use my full strength or should I use half of it?" Shin had asked him one day when the news of female quarterback from Teikoku Gakuen was apparently recruited into the ranks of American football club.
Shoji had never actually thought about it. During his days, he had never faced a girl player in the field. He supposed he had made it easy since he'd never faced this kind of problem that challenged his own mentality about women being on an equal standing on the field. "What do you think? Should you use your full strength against her or not?" the old coach rebounded the question instead.
Shin never replied. That gesture, observed the old coach, means that he was contemplating about it. "That would depend." Shin replied eventually. Shoji raised an eyebrow at his answer.
"Depend?" asked the old coach.
"It would depend on the stature of this woman. If she was frail and weak, I will never use my Spear Tackle against her. If she was physically fit, I won't hesitate to use it."
The old coach smiled halfheartedly. "If you have already thought about it, why are you asking me?"
He'd gone silent again. "Thinking about what kind of actions I had to make against her is easy but acting upon it is difficult," replied Shin. "I was hoping for your advice how to convince myself to do it, coach."
Of all the people, he had to ask me… In actuality, Shoji had no idea what to tell him. The old coach also shared the sentiment as him. Thinking and doing it are two different things. Perhaps, he thought reflectively, it comes from the mind of every human. Some won't hesitate to do it because of certain upbringing, or perhaps some wanted to do it just because. But… the old coach sighed helplessly. "Shin, perhaps I'm not the right person to approach in this kind of thing but I guess as your coach, let me remind you of something."
Shin bristled.
"This female quarterback from Teikoku Gakuen. Which one would you focus, the fact she was a quarterback or that she was a girl?"
It took him a while to respond. "Both."
"Both." Shoji agreed. "And now which one are you, a linebacker or a boy?"
Shin stayed silent.
"Let me remind you of something." the old coach repeated. "In the field, these distinction doesn't matter. What matters is how you do in the field. This female quarterback in Teikoku, why do you think she had landed in that position? Because she was good at it! Sometimes, that was all that matters! And now, Shin, why do you think you are given in the position of linebacker?" Shoji chuckled. "I'm sure you already know about that. There's no need to tell you. What I'm telling you here is that in every player in the field, they have their own responsibility, and with that responsibility, they are doing it with their own best. That's why, Shin, never forget the responsibility of your position as a linebacker and focus what you're good at. Keep that on mind, boy."
Those were the words Shoji Gunpei had told Shin Seijuuro before as an advice. But right now, as he watched the uncertain expression of Shin at the field, the old coach can only witness what kind of event will happen when Shin was in this state.
Definitely not good, thought Shoji as the ball was snapped to Hiruma Yoichi.
It was a run by number 21. As usual, he thought, since Deimon has no wide receiver, they can only depend on her runs. Eyeshield 21 ran around the right side of the scrimmage, but Shin, with his infamous speed, was already gaining on her. Shoji can only watched silently and closely look what would happen between these two.
The eyeshield girl had managed to slip through him but the old coach knew that Shin's Spear Tackle would undoubtedly reach after her. But, as he watched on, when Shin's outstretched hand about to grab her; in a split second, with that girl's frail-looking arm, she suddenly just—
Shoji closed his eyes. Ignoring the bewildered gasped around him, he sighed through his nose. The girl is no novice when it comes to protecting herself, the old coach realized that, almost ignoring the safety of the ball. And because of that self-preservation, Shoji thought as he glanced at baffled Shin, with that boy's unfocused state, she unknowingly used it to her advantage. Or perhaps, she was aware about it the whole time. The old coach had no idea.
Does that answer your former anxiety, Shin? he pointed his gaze at the solemn boy, if it does, then you know what course of action you're going to take.
Watching the expression of Shin changing from the distance, the old coach smiled inwardly, knowing what was running in that boy's mind.
Shoji Gunpei knew what he was looking at the field. As a long-time coach of White Knights as well as having the perception to see the obvious, he knew what he was seeing with own his trained eyes.
Shin Seijuuro, once called as the hardworking genius, will no longer underestimate Eyeshield 21 anymore.
…
Kongou Unsui had noticed something strange. He doesn't know where whether if it seemed to stem from the eyeshield player, or Shin Seijuuro, or both, but the strangeness he felt was more from that eyeshield. "That Shin… why did he hesitate earlier?" Unsui remarked instead, ignoring the nagging feeling.
"Well, whatever it was, he was able to snap out of it." His brother, Kongou Agon said with his arms folded in the back of his head.
"Yeah." Unsui agreed.
With composure that Shin usually possessed finally regained, though Unsui still had no idea why he wavered earlier, the game went smoothly on Ojou's side. Compared to the beginner's line of Deimon and, he added, that their players seemed to be helpers from other club, the experienced and established players naturally trumps them. Even though the golden generation had left the team, Ojou White Knights still has Shin Seijuuro on their side.
Agon beside him chuckled suddenly. "As expected, that eyeshield was only slightly faster when it comes to speed but to Shin with his Spear Tackle, that one is just a piece of paper," said his brother, smirking.
Unsui agreed silently. That Eyeshield 21, as he observed, seemed to be one of the helpers, not a regular player, or perhaps, he might be a new recruited member. Either the former or the latter, it doesn't really matter that much. Deimon Devil Bats is not a threat, at least, not yet. Unsui knew to never underestimate at first sight in first play; there are always a room for improvement. He knew that better than anyone else. But despite that, no matter the hard work, no matter you try to push the limit of yourself, there are some heights that he could never reach.
This is not the time to wallow myself of my own inability, he thought as he sighed, I've already accepted that I would never reach Agon no matter how hard I try. Envy and anger, these emotions are not allowed to dwell within him. He had long accepted that he will be always an average one compared to Agon's once-in-a-century prodigy skills. Katsu, he told himself to erase unnecessary thoughts from his head.
It would be safe to say that nothing noteworthy was to be mentioned in the second quarter. Ojou had been leading the game ever since they'd gained the possession of the ball when Deimon failed to advance 10-yards. And just like Agon had said, the eyeshield was nothing more than a piece of paper to Shin Seijuuro; to his Spear Tackle. Unsui thought this was a natural flow of things. It was already known from the start that Ojou will win this match, especially against the likes of Deimon.
And the 20-minute halftime break came after the second quarter.
Only Unsui and Agon was left at the bleachers when others went away for a while. Unsui reviewed the recorded video, watching and rewatching Shin's Spear Tackle. Shin haven't gone rusty ever since then, he thought, well, that's to be expected. Shin was not called as a hardworking genius for nothing. While he wasn't in the level of Agon, Unsui knew that as much, there's a possibility that Shin will continue to grow until he reached a certain limit. Or perhaps, he will try to push himself to the limit for the sake of improvement. Shin Seijuuro is that kind of monster.
A flash of red and green entered the screen of camcorder. Unsui paused the video as image of a player wearing a green eyeshield from Deimon froze. "Hmm…" He can't help it. There's something strange from this player.
"What's wrong, Unko-chan? Someone finally got your attention among these girls?" Agon remarked jokingly. As if noticing he wasn't paying attention to crowd of girls in front of them, Agon looked at the camcorder. "Ah, so that got your attention? I never knew you've got bad taste."
"This eyeshield has the potential to be a threat." Unsui decidedly ignored his brother's words. "We should take a close look on this one too."
"Ah. No, no, no, I wasn't talking about that. Didn't you notice?" Unsui only gave him a confused look. "Are you serious, Unko-chan, you didn't notice at all?" Agon laughed at him. "Can't blame you at all. Really. You never got an experience in that area after all."
That confused him even more. "What are you implying, Agon?" he asked.
"A few weeks ago, Teikoku Gakuen recruited someone that Shinryuji Naga was so focused on this person that they created a commotion. Did you get what I'm saying?"
Unsui racked his brain at the commotion a few weeks ago. Teikoku recruited someone? To what club? And for Shinryuuji Naga to make a commotion because of this… "Oh." He finally got it.
"Oh, yeah. 'Oh'." Agon snickered. "You should've seen the look on your face."
Now Unsui finally realized why he had the nagging feeling from this eyeshield player. He had been denying it subconsciously the whole time. He did notice the femininity but he denied it at the same time. To think that it was so obvious from the start, he thought despairingly, he can't believe he chose to be oblivious… "Did you know about it from the start, Agon?" Unsui asked, trying to mask his disappointment to himself.
"Not really." he replied. "I just noticed there was something weird."
He lowered his gaze at the paused video. This girl… a potential threat, hiding under the mask, Unsui reflected, is she wearing that eyeshield in order to be taken seriously? He supposed that line of reasoning make sense. American football is a sport always dominated by men. To some, it was like saying something that women weren't allowed to 'enter' in this kind of sport. But Unsui refuted that there wasn't a single rule that they weren't allowed to enter despite that. Besides, the only known female player was from Teikoku Gakuen who apparently landed the position of quarterback.
And speaking of this female player… the reason of Naga's commotion was, well, let us say, it was to satisfy their own desires. Shinryuuji is an all-boys school which meant it had glaring absence of women's presence. The school took on a Buddhist-like practices even within school to let go the 'earthly desires' which every student failed to so thus far. Even Unsui himself acknowledged that letting go of those things is impossible, and besides, he wasn't aiming to become a monk to begin with. That goes the same to his teammates in Naga.
The reason of that commotion they created was because, as they thought collectively, other than meeting smelly, muscular men on the field, they would be able to catch a glimpse of a girl not just outside of the field but within it. They rejoiced at this idea. Well, mostly of them. Unsui wasn't quite as enthusiastic as them and he was sure that Agon felt the same as him. It seems like his teammates will be facing a challenge when meeting this female player of Teikoku, thought Unsui, and they will be put into a trial of dilemma that some players can never be truly underestimated, no matter what their identity is.
After all, here in this match, Eyeshield 21 showed that to him.
"Shishi Hokoutou." Unsui muttered lowly. A lion fighting a hare. Fighting at full strength even against weak ones. The Shinryuji Naga's creed in the field and where Unsui hoped that his teammates will never forget when they would eventually face this female quarterback of Teikoku—and by extension, Eyeshield 21.
"As it should be." His brother crudely agreed. "Women who attempt to enter the field will get what they deserve. Just like everyone else, they're still one of talentless people that will get crushed by my own hand."
That statement from Agon made Unsui uncomfortable for some reason, but didn't say a word and silently reviewed the videos in the camcorder instead.
The 20-minute halftime break ended and others returned at the bleachers. Unsui asked where they had gone to and they replied that they went to buy some snacks (one of them offered to share his snack to Unsui but he politely refused). And also, they added, admitted that they met some girls along the way. They can't help it, they'd told Unsui, they're tired of facing boys all the time and perhaps, they might be able to pick-up some girls as their girlfriends. Unsui had no choice but to listen their reasoning. He understood them—really, he did. But compared to them, while he does appreciate the presence of a woman beside him, chasing girls was the least of his needs. Perhaps—maybe, it wasn't one of his needs in the first place. Romantic relationship wasn't the thing he wanted badly into his life. He was fine being alone.
Katsu, he told himself again. His thoughts is going nowhere again.
The game resumed for the second half. As usual, touchdown after touchdown, Ojou White Knights still led the game with an increasing gap of score. The winner in this game was already set on stone, they didn't even have to watch it anymore. But Unsui, with his duty to record Shin and the eyeshield player, still continued to watch the game resolutely. They may have already knew the result but they still didn't know how the victory was ensured. He had to watch it from beginning to end to find out.
And his stubbornness granted him a sight that he can't believe actually happened.
Eyeshield 21 had managed to outrun Shin, and because of that, Deimon acquired a touchdown and a field goal.
Unsui knew that Ojou White Knights will emerge victorious in this game—the devastatingly large gap of their scores against Deimon Devil Bats told him that much. But that eyeshield, he thought as he watched number 21 being benched when she collapsed; of all people that manage to outrun Shin, it was her—of all the players that should've been more experienced than her. Despite that, he was glad that he was able to record all of her plays throughout the game.
"That was impressive," said Agon smilingly—smirking at the eyeshield girl. "For a trash like her, she sure have a lot of guts to go against that Shin."
His twin brother's comment startled him. Agon… acknowledging someone…? he thought in disbelief. It was rare for Agon to compliment someone and, as far as Unsui knew, it was only Shin Seijuuro who received such honor from him. And now his brother was giving it someone who is (at least currently, Unsui thought) nonexistent until now. He supposed that maybe because of that eyeshield player was actually a girl the whole time. And Agon… being Agon, can't help but acknowledge this girl player in the field. If Deimon managed to rise up in a miraculous event and enter Kantou Tournament, Unsui thought, we'll be facing Eyeshield 21 before the female quarterback in Teikoku. And surely, he added, it will be a perilous battle that would challenge them mentally.
Shishi Hokoutou, he told himself silently. And suddenly, he wasn't so sure anymore. Shishi Hokoutou, he repeated silently.
Unsui broke his gaze from the field (the match ended at Ojou's victory) when his brother beside him stood up. "Are you going somewhere?" he asked him but he didn't reply. Unsui furrowed his brow when Agon silently walked away from the bleachers.
"A girl must've caught his attention," said one of his teammates, grumbling. "You know how he is."
"Yeah. It's really frustrating he can easily get it on with them," agreed one of them with a displeased look. "Even though he is a bastard."
"Yeah. A bastard."
It was already known to him that others doesn't have a great opinion of his twin brother. Unsui only left them alone with their own thoughts because, he admitted silently, that it was true. But at the same time, Agon is his own blood. "Let's go. Agon will know his way when he's done with his business." Unsui told them as he stood up. They all shared nervous glances to each other as if realizing he was there but nodded at him nonetheless. They walked away from the bleachers after that and then…
"Agon?" Unsui saw his brother walking towards them. There wasn't a girl on tow with him. "Where did you go?" he asked. He was confused when Agon walked back alone. He had expected to have someone with him but…
"Ah?" His brother turned his attention to him as if he just noticed Unsui was standing in front of him. "Nothing." he replied.
Unsui stared at him.
"Nah, seriously, it's nothing." Agon waved his hand dismissively. "Just met someone I didn't expect, that's all."
…
Author's Note:
There was originally a Kurita POV here in this chapter talking about his friend, Hiruma (there's actually one from previous chapter but I removed it since I wanted it to be Sena-centric) but I've decided not to write it for now. This is about the observers about this strange player called Eyeshield 21 and their thoughts of this player's true identity, which they fortunately kept silent and didn't announce it like a madman.
Some (one?) of you have pointed out that my Sena has a different origin story than canon, thanks for noticing that. And a fair warning (again), I will be including my own… let's say 'interpretation' to certain characters. I'm not changing their personalities or anything like that. I'll be adding my own designs to fit the 'themes' of the story. I'm sorry if some is not to your liking.
I dunno when the next update is because school is kind of approaching and I will be a freshman college this year. Other than the pandemic, I'm pretty nervous of the heavy load they're gonna dump me. Apologies in advance if the update is gonna be later than expected.