'I hope i make the right decision'
Sena thought while stretching her leg. Wearing a gym shorts and a jersey, she's trying to keep her body to stay warm, while not overexerting it to the point of exhaustion. Stretching while maintaining her breathing she's keeping her eye, waiting for the arrival of the one she regards as her rival. She's already finished doing her warm up by jogging to the riverside, now all she needs to do is make sure her body doesn't cool down until the arrival of her rival.
Karin stands beside Sena watching with worried eyes, hoping that nothing bad will happen in the event that soon will happen between Sena and Shin. Karin is confident on Sena's speed but the one Sena is facing is still a full fledged athlete with impressive physique, just a single tackle would be able to injure Sena badly, especially when Sena doesn't wear any protective gear. Another variable that makes Karin worry is Sena wouldn't be able to use both of her hands to protect herself since one of her hands is preoccupied with handling the ball.
'Even last time she needed to use both hands to defend against Shin-san attack, would she be able to defend with one hand only?'
Yesterday Karin and Sena had an argument regarding whether Sena should do her routine with Shin or not. Sena actually enjoys the brief exchange between her and Shin, but the brief exchange between her and Shin is quite dangerous on Sena's behalf, One wrong move she'll probably be bruised even worse. Sena doesn't mind the risk, but she doesn't want her parents or mamori to do another witch hunt after seeing a new injury on her body.
Karin tried to convince Sena that she needed to stop her routine with Shin, and train safely instead. But for Sena the short interaction between her and Shin has drastically improved her arSenal, if not for Shin Sena would only rely on her speed. It's a rare chance for Sena to be able to experience facing up against an incredible athlete like Shin, and she doesn't want to miss out on the opportunity she was given. On the other hand she also knew the risk of injury.
Sena already knew that Shin held himself back when she struck Sena, but that doesn't mean the chance of not getting injured disappeared. The reason why she doesn't want to get injured is not only because of her parents and mamori finding out her injury, but she also doesn't want to get a long-term injury that might ruin her chance of ever playing american football.
After a long and thoughtful conversation with Karin Sena decided to face off against Shin one more time, one last time. The reasoning behind this decision not only to scratch Sena's itch of rivalry, but also to inform Shin that their brief activity is coming to an end.
'Well it's not like i won't be facing off against him again, i'm sure once i got myself in a team eventually we'll be able to face off on the field'
Sena's wait for Shin's arrival finally ends when she spot Shin coming from the opposite direction. Both readied their stance trying, Shin with his signature of fixing the gloves on his hands, while Sena trying to balance the center of his body to maximize his dash output. As if reading each others intention, when both are ready to clash they both move at the same time. Trying to outbest each other, their sense heightened to their maximum limit. Shin's trying to read Sena's move and figure out what kind of trick she'll use to pass him, while Sena is read Shin's to adjust what kind of technique she'll execute.
Sena and Shin are currently only 3 yards apart, Shin readied his hands trying to anticipate Sena's move. They're currently 2 yards apart and Shin is baffled since Sena doesn't seem to decrease her speed as if she's trying to crash onto Shin at her fullest speed. With a ball at her left hand the best action Shin can do is strike her with his right hand since Sena can't block or parry with her left hand, but he holds himself back from striking with his right hand still wary that Sena is trying to bait him to strike. It turns out Shin indecisiveness backfires against him, 1 yard apart from Shin Sena suddenly cut to the left. Usually Shin would be able to stop it, but there's something that makes it impossible for Shin to catch Sena with his hand. The way Sena cut to the side is something Shin has never seen before, this is the first time he saw someone able to cut to the side without decreasing their speed. No matter how fast the Shin hand strikes, it would be too late for him to catch her. In less than a second Sena successfully managed to pass Shin.
Actually this is the first time Sena has successfully executed cutting without losing speed, she decided to use this technique since this would be the last time she'll face off against Shin at least not on the field. It's a gamble on Sena's behalf since she's not even sure she'll be able to execute it properly or not, but the favor goes to her. While the technique is still far from perfect and her knees kinda hurt a lil bit after executing it, she's still able to cut without losing her speed. Adrenaline and ecstasy fills up her system after realizing the risky all-in gamble ends up on her win.
30 second passed yet none of them said a word to each other. Shin is still evaluating his losses because this is the first time someone beat him with a technique that he's not even sure he'll be able to stop next time, while Sena is still basking in the afterglow of her first time succeeding full speed cut. Karin, watching as a spectator, doesn't really understand why both Sena and Shin don't say anything to each other after their exchange.
"It's my complete defeat. That's one incredible technique you got" after contemplating his defeat Shin is the one who breaks the silence between the two accepting his defeat and complementing Sena's technique of full speed cutting.
"T-thanks but it's only a fluke, i don't think i'll be able to do it again if i wanted to" embarrassed by the sudden compliment Sena blushed and flailing her hands trying to deny the praise Shin gave her.
"Still it doesn't change the fact that you beat me completely" Shin insist
"I-if y-you say so" Sena accept Shin's praise, since it would be disrespectful of her to deny it any further
"I'll try my best to stop you next week" getting over his lose, Shin said with confidence
"U-uhm Shin-san i don't think i'll be able to do this again next week"
"I got it, so the next next week" Shin said misunderstanding Sena's word meaning
"What i mean is this will be the last time we do this Shin-san" Sena feels bad to be the bearer of the news, since Shin looks eager to face off against her next week, nonetheless she needs to say what needed to be said.
"..." the usual expressionless Shin is gone, his eyes grew wider and her mouth is opened slightly
"I-it's not like I hate our activity, in fact I want to continue doing it. But due to my some circumstances i can't continue doing this" Sena said to make sure Shin doesn't misunderstand her intent
There's an option for Sena to tell Shin to hold back his strength to make sure Sena doesn't get injured during their exchange, but Sena doesn't want that. There's no point in doing it if Shin doesn't go all out during their face off, Sena herself already aware Shin holds himself back from injuring Sena so she doesn't want him to hold himself even more. There's no fun in it, and Sena won't be able to improve herself is Shin held himself even further
"I'm going to join deimon american football team this year, until then we can face each other on the field Shin-san" Sena said with a hint of determination on her voice
"I see…." while Shin is disappointed he can't settle his losses next week, he is more than excited with the idea of facing against Sena on the field in a real game.
With his back facing against Sena Shin is about to continue his jogging routine, before he moves his leg he lets out some word for Sena to hear.
"I'll make sure to pay back this defeat of mine when we meet on the field" Shin left the riverside making sure he's the one who gets to say the cool stuff in the end.
In a matter of seconds Shin is no longer visible to Sena, concluding the final of their brief activity once and for all.
'Yeah that's Shin-san alright, always get to the point then leave after saying what needs to be said….'
"So you're done with your business right?" Karin said to Sena making sure there's no unfinished business between Sena and Shin
"Yeah more or less"
"So what now? We go on for more run" Karin said energetically feeling pumped up after seeing the clash between Sena and Shin
"Nah, let's go home my mom is cooking biryani for breakfast, she told me to invite you to eat them"
"Well let's go then"
Just like that both ended their training session
On the field 2 girls are playing throw and catch, Sena catches Karin's throw then running at full speed to hand her the ball and it's been going on repeat until Sena suddenly stopped running toward running, instead she walks toward Karin with a hint of confusion showing up on her face.
"Karin, do you mind if I ask you a question?"
"Well sure go ahead"
"Did you ever have a dream of playing american football then all of a sudden you got a knowledge of the sport itself?"
'It doesn't make sense…. How did Karin suddenly become so good at throwing a ball, there's only one explanation to this….'
It's already strange that Karin is able to throw a ball so catchable even a senior citizen would be able to catch them without breaking a sweat, but the surprises don't end there. Not too long ago Karin still found it hard to adjust her throwing speed with Sena's running speed, now she can do it perfectly as if she's been doing it a thousand times before. Not only that she's also able to land the ball perfectly when we train the predetermined route throw.
'Maybe she's the same as me'
Sena thought that maybe Karin also had a strange dream which likes her, which led her to a newfound obsession and knowledge about football. If not, maybe Karin is just so talented at throwing a ball, which is more strange from how talented she is.
"Hmm i don't think so" Karin tilted her head bewildered by Sena's question
"Well figures, my bad for asking a strange question"
'Of course the strange one is me after all'
"Why do you ask that though?"
"It's just that you're so good at throwing balls it's unreal!"
"Well when it comes to unreal, your speed is more unreal than my ability of throwing a ball you know"
"You got a point, it just i thought you're the same as me"
"The same as you?"
"Nah forget it, it's something crazy you wouldn't believe it"
"Is that so…. Trust me Sena, no matter how crazy whatever you'll said next i'll trust you"
"Really…." Sena said with pleading eye
"Of course you can trust me" Karin said with confidence in her word
"It might sound crazy but…
Sena told Karin about the dream that started it all. How Sena suddenly has an urge to run and play football, the knowledge she has regarding football. Sena doesn't care if Karin doesn't believe whatever she's saying at the moment, she's been keeping it to herself long enough she can no longer let it be bottled inside her anymore. Having Karin listening to her story is what she really needed at the moment, it would be great for Sena if Karin believed her story, but it doesn't really matter, what matters is Karin is there to listen to Sena's unbelievable rambling.
"That's why I make a conclusion that the same thing also happens to you" Sena concludes her rambling.
To others it might sound like a rambling of a mad man but for Karin who puts her beliefs on Sena, she trusts Sena 100% even though what Sena's saying doesn't really make sense.
"Maybe in your past life, you're an american football runner, that's why you're so adept when it comes to american football. And that also explain your sudden urges of wanting to run and play american football"
Sena expects Karin not to believe her stories, instead Karin decided to believe whatever comes out of her best friend's mouth, even better she also adds her own theory from the information Sena gave her.
"Yeah i also suspect that in my past life i'm an american football player or something like that, but that doesn't explain why i went and challenge Shin-san the first time i met him"
"Maybe your past life-self recognize Shin as someone worthy, so you went ahead to challenge him unconsciously"
"Well that makes sense actually, then what about you? How come you're able to throw like a professional in such a short time?"
"E-e-h it just i draws a lot of landscape, so when it comes to perspective and range i can measure them very easily" Karin isn't lying, half reasons why she's able to throw a ball so easily is because she can measure range and she has complete depth knowledge when it comes to perspective, but the other half of her reason is she's just that talented at throwing, she doesn't even realize it.
"Well i guess so…"suddenly Sena feels stupid for thinking that Karin actually the same as her, in the first place her story is sound like a rambling of crazy mad man, it's a wonder Karin actually believes her.
"But are you really sure you never had a dream the way I describe it?" Sena asks once again trying to make sure.
"Nope, never, the first time I took interest in American football is because of you. If it's not for your interest toward american football i'd probably keep on drawing as usual"
"Well ok then, sorry for asking a weird question"
"That's fine. Let's talk about your past life instead, you said it's familiar and you're playing in a field with your teammate, those familiar feeling you had in your dream you also feels it when you meet Shin-san right" Karin said changing the topic
'...' Sena nod silently
"Maybe there's someone like Shin in your past life, that's why you feel familiar when you meet him"
"That would be the case but recently those familiar feelings, i also feels it when i'm around you too Karin, i feel like i used to had a match against you and your team back then and it's all feels natural"
'Yeah i feel like i have had a match against her team, and we narrowly avoid the loses'
"Well that complicated things even further"
"Let's set that aside and go home for now i guess, i don't want my mom scolded me again for being out so late"
"Let's"
"By the way Karin my mom invited you to eat with us, she cooked too many food this day"
'No one in my family are heavy eater, but somehow every once in a while my mom cooks too many food for us to finish, maybe it's an alibi for her to invite Karin and mamori to get close to me, it's been so long i've had a friend like Karin after all'
"Sure after taking a bath i'll be there"
Setting aside Sena's dream they went to their own house, as if Sena's dream is not really a big deal in the first place. After all it's not really a big deal, what is done is done, Sena can't go back to being the aimless Sena like she used to when she has herself a grand goal she she wanted to make it comes true. The only reason why she told Karin was because she needed someone she can trust her secret to, thankfully Karin reacts with open ears and doesn't doubt Sena's word even for a bit. And that is what Sena really needs, just an affirmation and an understanding friend.
Every once in a while Karin ate dinner at Sena's house, so does Sena at Karin's house. At first it was awkward since they're not used to the presence of people other than their family. For shy people like Sena and Karin, being in the presence of other people is excruciating. They unconsciously tried their best to mind their manners, acting like every single action they took would be judged by other people's eyes. But after several dinners they no longer feel like that around each other's family, both Karin and Sena are still awkward of course, but they're more relaxed than the first time they had dinner at another's family house. Right now Karin is sitting right beside Sena eating the food Sena's mom just made.
"I know that exercising every once in a while is necessary, but i hope that both of you can focus more on the upcoming entrance exam" Sena mom scold both Karin and Sena for their daily practice routine
"Yes mom…" Sena nodded obediently while eating her food
"What about you Karin-chan? Are you also going to enter deimon like Sena?"
"U-uhm i was already accepted at osaka teikoku, so i don't really need to study for entrance exam anymore"
Sena already knows that Karin can't go to the same school as her, since Karin's parents wanted to take care of Karin's grandpa at osaka, So Karin can't attend deimon even if she wanted to. Both Karin and Sena have accepted the fact that they can't go to the same school, since they promise each other they'll keep in contact with each other either through email or phone (even though Sena still doesn't have one). At first Sena finds it sad that she can't go to the same school with her best friend, but rather than being sad she just wants to cherish every moment she has with Karin at the moment before she moves to osaka.
"Well unfortunately for Sena she still has an entrance exam that she needs to focus on, so from now on i'll be banning every physical activity you usually took ok Sena?" Sena's mom said with a menacing tone
"But mom!" Sena tried to reason with his mom
"NO BUTS" Sena's her reasoning instantly shut down by her mom
"And Karin-chan could you please help my daughter in her studies from what i heard from her you rank within the top ten, so pretty please can you tutor her alongside mamori-chan"
After making an eye contact with sena Karin said "sure"
Now Karin and Sena are currently hanging out at Sena's bed room, Sena has been grumbling for the past few minutes regarding her practice ban.
"I mean it's not like i wouldn't get accepted to deimon, the rumors said you don't even have to study to enter deimon"
"Still…. While I do like training with you, I think your mother is right. All that training would be wasted if you don't get accepted into Deimon, isn't it? While the probability of you failing is low, there's still a probability of you failing you know" Karin said her piece trying to reason with Sena
"But two weeks without training….."
"Only 2 week without training! after you get accepted into deimon you can train to your heart's content"
"..." Sena doesn't said anything visibly sulking
"Cmon Sena, it's not like you're doing it alone, I'll be here studying with you too, making sure you're not bored okay?" Karin said while ruffling Sena's hair
"Ok Karin-sensei…." submitting herself to her responsibility as a student Sena accepted her fate of having to study
"What's more, I'll only be here for 2 more weeks, if i can help it i want to spend as much time with you Sena. Whether it be training or studying i'll be here to stay with you at least for the moments"
"..." Sena silently hugs Karin
"Make sure you stay in contact with me while you're in osaka…."
"Yeah i'll make sure to send message daily, for now let's go back to studying"
"Ok Karin-sensei"
Reluctantly Sena starting to works on the worksheet prepared by Karin.
remember when i said i'll make a cover with fem-sena as the cover? it looks like i'm freaking suck at drawing faces so im gonna abandon that idea until my drawing skills got better. also this chapter tooks too long make because right now i'm staying at my parent's house, and i don't want them to caught me in 4k writing fanfiction lol. next update would be faster than this one (no promise but i'll try)