Chapter Seventeen: Mad Genius
Disclaimer: I do not own Eyeshield 21.
Song Playing: High School Never Ends
Theme 87: Genius
Mamori tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she answered the questions given to her by the reporter before her. She still wasn't entirely clear on how she ended up being volunteered to do an interview with one of the many journalists from Football Monthly but here she was, chatting away with an enthusiastic young woman. "So, the Devilbats have had an unexpected rise in the rankings this past season. Most of our readers comment on how it's due to the addition of the mysterious player, Eyeshield 21. Would you agree with their opinion?"
"While Eyeshield is an important factor to our success," The manager leaned forward slightly. "It's a team effort. We wouldn't be where we are with out the skill and support of the rest of our players."
"Players like Youichi Hiruma?" The woman questioned.
A brief look of confusion crossed the teenage girl's face before it fell away and a smile replaced it.
"Among others."
"Speaking of the infamous quarterback," The reporter pushed. "What of the rumors that he's a slave driving tyrant that pushes his team mates to the point of death through his dangerous training methods?"
"He's a determined leader that brings the others beyond their physical expectations with unusual but successful techniques, if that's what you mean." Mamori didn't miss a beat in correcting the older female.
But that didn't deter her in the least bit. "It has been said that he recruits all his players through bribes and threats with the information located in a little black book that is always on his person. Is Deimon so weak that they have to resort to this sort of veiled violence in order to compete? What does that say about the team's integrity? That they're willing to turn a blind eye to this sort of behavior?"
"Each of our members became apart of this team through different circumstances but I can assure you that they are all here of their own accord." The auburn haired girl's tone was a bit harsher than it was earlier. "As to our integrity and weakness... all I can say is that we are a team that is strong enough to compete and we have our morals. Also that anyone who even thinks that we are any of the things you stated should be focusing more on their abilities instead of concerning themselves with ours."
"What of the concern with the leader of the Devilbats being an overly obsessive, mad dictator who's overlooking the needs of his players in order to reach his goal?" The woman probed.
Mamori pushed back her chair and stood up. "He is a devoted captain who looks out for his team who are all working hard to our goal. If there's nothing else I have to get back to practice so if you'll excuse me-"
"One final question!" The manager turned to look back from her position in the doorway. "What do you have to say about the accusation that he's an unstable figure who tries unexpected and risky plays in order to get ahead of the competition?"
At this she couldn't help but smile. "We prefer the term genius."
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