Chapter 1

Spring has come and an entirely new chapter begins in their lives. Mamori smiles as she looks at the serene view of spring outside. She is now a third year student and as such she should start preparing for her future. She is still part of the discipline committee though, since that isn't related to sports and they rarely have meetings anyway. Deimon wants their students to focus on academics now more than ever that is why they don't allow third years to stay in their extra-curricular clubs anymore. Even if almost everyone don't like this system they have agreed to it the moment they stepped inside this school.

Mamori looks at her left side and sees Kurita conspicuously eating as the class went on. She smiles. Hiruma, Yuki and Musashi were all together in the other class. At least there is one Devil Bat she can see every day.

The moment the teacher dismisses, the class go around and huddle in their small circle of friends. Mamori sees her friends doing the same thing.

"Today is the football team's first match right?" Sara asks.

"Yup and I'm going with Kurita to watch it. Do you guys want to come?" Mamori asks.

"Sure, but you have to go to karaoke with us this weekend. You promised." Ako reminds her.

Mamori smiles and nods just then Kurita arrives behind them.

"Let's go. I bet Hiruma and Musashi are already there~" He says like an excited little boy.

They go to the game, which is held on Deimon's school grounds, and surely enough Hiruma, Musashi and Yukimitsu were already there. The girls sit on the large picnic blanket Yukimitsu prepared. He seems shy around Mamori's friends but they can get along. Yukimitsu is a nice guy and Mamori is sure her friends will like him.

Mamori glances at Hiruma, Kurita and Musashi as the three seem to have a world of their own. Hiruma is teasing Kurita once more as Musashi looks sternly at the two. Then they will all pause and they will laugh together.

Mamori looks warmly at the three. This is how they will always be. Even as their games temporarily ends they will still be the best of friends.

Hiruma finally drifts his eyes towards her. He gives her a smirk and she averts his gaze, blushing a bit.

'Tch. She's still brooding about that… women…' Hiruma mutters in his head.

Mamori doesn't know why she did that. It was almost unconsciously. For now she just doesn't want to look directly at him. Mamori can still hear his thunderous laughter that day. She knew that it was the answer she could only expect but she couldn't believe it would have an effect like this on her.

These thoughts however all stop when the Deimon Devil Bats goes out to the field. Led by Sena they all seem ready for the match.

Mamori prepares to call his name when she notices Suzuna rolling towards Sena to give him his helmet. She stops and breathes out the air she prepared for her shout. Sena doesn't need her anymore. There is now someone closer to his heart more than anyone else.

Hiruma notices her in the corner of his eye. He could easily stand up and embrace her but he chose not to. The game is of higher priority for now. This is the first battle the Devil Bats will face without him. His personal feelings should be reserved for later.

The players are now called to the field and so the Spring tournament begins.

xxx

Kurita is now almost a permanent part of Mamori's group of friends. Ako and Saya enjoys being with him, saying that it's just like hanging out with Mamori but with the perks of having a strong bodyguard around.

Kurita had said more than once before that he along with Musashi and Hiruma planned to study in different Universities. So he decided that if that is the case he should learn how to adapt without Hiruma around him.

He wants to extend his circle of friends and to socialize with different kinds of people.

"And you know what… you are helping me the most Anezaki-san. I really appreciate the things you do for me." Kurita said to her.

Mamori smiles as she watches Kurita talk with other people in their class. Everyone loves him. Who wouldn't? He is adorable, nice and fun to be with.

Mamori was focusing on her studies and had sent applications to various Universities. At some point she had forgotten to watch any of the Devil Bats matches. She heard from Kurita that they ranked second on the Spring tournament… a news that made her sad. Both Kurita and Mamori knew that it was because the Deimon Devil Bats didn't have a good quarterback anymore. They couldn't do anything now but trust that the Devil Bats will conquer the Christmas bowl once more… it's their time now.

So without club activities Mamori didn't really feel the months passing by…

And just like that it's already the end of their first term.

xxx

"Cheers!"

The loud cheer of the Deimon Devil Bats fills the small restaurant. It is the end of their first term, the beginning of summer vacation and the end of the Spring tournament. They have all the reasons to celebrate.

"Heh. So you will have a summer training camp again?" Mamori asks Sena as they sit down in the corner ignoring the merry sounds of the rest of the team.

"We have to be stronger Mamori-neechan. We also need a new quarterback… someone that can really throw passes… like Hiruma-sempai. Or else we won't be able to get into the Christmas bowl."

Mamori can see the determination in Sena's eyes. She is so proud of him. Being a captain isn't an easy task and Sena is handling it impressively.

"Speaking of You-nii…" Suzuna suddenly appears from nowhere, "Where is he?"

"Yeah. We invited all of the seniors but Musashi-sempai and Hiruma-sempai aren't here." Sena noticed.

"AH Musashi had an important job tonight." Kurita says hearing the names of his two best friends. "He contacted me but Hiruma didn't."

Kurita's face saddens at the end of his sentence. He is expecting to see both of them again and party like the good old days.

"Fugo." Komusubi says sadly beside his master.

"Ah Yuki-kun, how are they in class?" Mamori asks Yukimitsu to at least cheer Kurita up.

"Musashi tries to go to class even if he has a lot of work but I'm not sure why you are asking about Hiruma. Isn't he in your class?" Yuki asks.

"No, he said he's in your class with Musashi." Kurita answers.

"That's what I know too." Mamori adds, "He couldn't be in the other class. I have a friend there who used to be Hiruma's classmate and she said that she's so happy to be in a different class now. So we really believed that Hiruma is in your class."

"But I haven't seen Hiruma in class… not even once." Yukimitsu says in all honesty.

Kurita worries now even more. Slowly the noises from the crowd vanish as they get to learn what is happening over to Sena's table.

"If he's not in any of our classes… where is he?" Mamori asks.

"I heard that Hiruma-sempai isn't coming to school anymore." Juumonji finally speaks up, "The other gangs are talking about it… they are actually fighting amongst themselves to rule the school."

"Something like that is happening?" Sena asks in surprise, Suzuna just had to slap his head for it sounded so stupid. "Sorry. I wasn't aware."

"Me too." Monta chimes in to support Sena.

"I heard those rumors too but ignored them because of the tournament. I always thought that You-nii will come today and clear all those up but I guess he's really missing." Suzuna explains.

"But that can't be… are you saying he stopped going to school?" Mamori says switching her eyes from the sad Kurita to the confused faces of the other members.

"It's possible." Kurita says, "now that he's not playing football there's no real reason for him to stay in Deimon."

"Maybe we can call him." Sena suddenly suggests.

Suzuna dials his number and gives the phone to Mamori. Mamori accepts it and places the receiver on her ears. The room grows silent waiting for Hiruma to pick up on the other end.

Click.

"What the fuck skates?! I already gave you the phone number to that hot spring shit. You don't have to fucking call me!" The loud voice of Hiruma bursts out of the phone. Mamori had to pull the phone away from her ear.

"It's me Hiruma-kun." Mamori quietly says.

There is silence on the other line as well the people in the room. Suzuna can't help but blush and squeeze Sena's arm as the poor guy tries to tolerate it.

"Ah." Mamori can almost hear him smile evilly, "my ex-fucking-manager. How the fuck are you?"

"Why aren't you here? Deimon Devil Bats won second place in the Spring tournament. You should come celebrate with us …and what's this about not coming to class? Where are you right now? Are you up to no good? I swear I'll drag you down here if I have to."

Mamori is on her mother hen mode again. She knows this but she cannot stop. She wants to know that he's safe and that the rumors were not true.

"Oh fuck! Don't go mother-mode on me." Hiruma shouts stopping Mamori from her outburst. "Being second is not something to celebrate about. Tell that to the fucking shrimp. If you want me to celebrate with you they have to win everything. For me they're fucking losers."

Mamori looks at Sena with concern. How can she say that to him after seeing him try so hard?

"Also…" Hiruma continues, "Don't go looking for me. I will graduate so don't give a fuck about what I do."

"But Hiruma that wasn't the point … " Mamori tries to say but Hiruma disconnects the call.

Mamori dials again but now the number cannot be reached. He must have changed phones because of this. Now no one knows how to contact him.

"I heard it Mamori-neechan. What he said… I heard it." Sena says.

Mamori looks at Sena. His eyes were flickering with the fire of determination. Hiruma was right. They are losers and they don't have the right to celebrate anything.

Sena turns at the team. "We will begin the summer camp tomorrow! We will not rest until we crush all of them! Let's show them that the Deimon Devil Bats can survive without Hiruma-sempai!"

"YEAH!" "CRUSH THEM ALL!" "WIPE THE FLOOR WITH THEM!"

They shout with fists up in the air and the passion of winning in their hearts. The seniors are looking down on them. They haven't proven themselves worthy yet and they need to work harder than before.

Mamori is pleased. Hiruma might have been harsh but it turned out well in the end. Kurita is almost crying as he chase Juumonji and the other line men for a hug. Yukimitsu is just beaming at this team with so much pride.

xxx

On the other end of the line, Hiruma instantly turns the phone off as soon as the call ended. He throws it aside and leans on the chair.

"Ohhh… Treating trash like trash now?" on the other side of the table Agon sat with a girl giggling on his lap.

Agon and Hiruma can hear each other quite well through the booming sound of the night clubs's speakers. Hiruma's eyes flicker as club lights dances around him.

"You wouldn't fucking get it." Hiruma says picking up his glass and bringing it to his lips. He takes a small sip.

"But your trash team have been dubbed as 'The team who cannot pass'… can you believe that?! That monkey's skills are useless now." Agon laughs. The girl beside him didn't get it but she laughs as well.

"In the end… they are still trash."

Hiruma places his drink down carefully. His eyes went back to Agon.

Agon can feel murder in Hiruma's stare. It is enough to make Agon want to fight him right there.

"They will find a way and they will fucking kick your team's ass and wipe shit using your fucking face. Kekekekeke."

Agon grits his teeth. He stands up letting the girl on his lap fall off. He then leaves without a word as Hiruma laughs behind him.

"He's such a brat." Hiruma says as he puts a piece of gum between his teeth.

Hiruma notices the girl staring at the door where Agon left. He blows on his gum and let it pop. He collects the gum back on his mouth and chews.

"Hey, you want to come with me?" Hiruma asks.

The girl turns towards him and smiles. Hiruma smiles back. This is how he spends his free time now.