Chapter 10
His name is Onizuma Kentaro. His hobbies include playing various PC games. Recently, he joined the American Football club in his high school out of curiosity. He has an American friend he met online from a gaming forum. He enjoyed how much this friend of his was talking about American football and how amazing it felt like to play it.
So it was only out of sheer curiosity that Deimon managed to get a new quarterback.
"Nice job today, Kento-kun." Sena compliments the first year.
"Yeah, your passes are becoming more and more awesome. Nice job Max." Monta adds in.
"Thank you senpai." Onizuma quietly answers, "Recently me and my friend met another person in the forum that knows how to play American football… we're taking notes from him and he seems right all the time… but then again I'm rambling about me again… I'm sorry senpai."
"It's ok Kento-kun. I'm glad for you." Sena answers back with sheepish smile. He never really understands Onizuma but he enjoys how enthusiastic the boy is when discussing his hobbies. It makes Sena interested a bit and if he has time he is willing to try out some of the games Onizuma is suggesting.
He is usually soft-spoken during practice and will only talk enthusiastically when it's about gaming or something he reads online. But as soon as he talks he will apologize and stay quiet again. Even Mamori notices how passive Onizuma usually is, the complete opposite of the previous quarterback.
However, when the game begins he will suddenly change into a more serious control tower. Someone who can see where everyone is or will be and can instantaneously decide on what to do next; he is calculating and confident in all his next moves. He utilizes his quick reaction and hand-eye coordination in every game. This is the characteristic of the boy that Sena really approves of.
The game feels like a battlefield to Onizuma. It feels more exciting than any other game he had ever played. He thinks that it's because he is actually using his whole body to play rather than just his eyes and hands. He may not be as strong or as fast as his other teammates but he can still conquer the field just by having his own set of skills. He tries hard and practices everyday to keep up with the physical demands of the game. Even though his body hurts and aches at the end of the day, he will still long for the adrenaline rush he can only feel when playing football.
Not long enough, he can relate to that friend he made in America. They even made new friends because of using American Football jargons and terms in the forums. He is quite sociable online but still has a long way to go before he can look anyone in the eye offline.
As Mamori passes the towels to everyone she notices how Onizuma is shyly approaching her.
"What is it Onizuma-kun?" Mamori asks.
"Um… I just want to ask you Mamori senpai…. Have… " Onizuma shakes his head and slaps his cheeks, "Have Hiruma senpai ever commented about me? How am I playing? Am I doing well?"
Mamori smiles. "I think he likes you and knows that you can still improve a lot."
"Really? You-nii will say something like that?" Suzuna comments with a furrowing brow.
"I doubt that Mamo-nee." Sena says chuckling a bit.
"What? But I think Hiruma does think like that." Mamori defends.
The second year team members all muttered, "impossible… impossible" all together as they waved their hands in disagreement.
"If that is the case." Onizuma suddenly says confidently, "I just have to prove myself then."
The boy then looks down and fiddles with his thumb, "during… the Christmas… the Christmas Bowl."
Sena slaps Onizuma at the back and grins proudly, "Yeah. Let's show him! That is the spirit Kento-kun."
The boy smiles at their captain and to everyone.
"Ok, that's enough rest! Let's go back to practice!" Doboroku suddenly shouts to the team and in an instant a loud attentive shout came from everyone as they all start to scramble back to the field.
"Mamo-nee." Suzuna says as she and Mamori are the only ones left on the bench, "I know how you feel… but…"
A tear ran down Mamori's face, she only realizes then that she is already crying. Suzuna then hands her a towel. Mamori took it and wipes her eyes.
"I bet he would be so proud to see them all like this. He would be so happy he would make the school explode."
Suzuna laughs, "Yup, that's the kind of guy You-nii is."
xxx
Hiruma wanted a team. Not just people who were forced to succumb to his will and play, and definitely not people who were there out of whim. This was their last tournament during high school and he would not let it end with a loss.
The entrance meeting was a success but at the same time he was not satisfied. He had foreseen that this would happen but the amount of fans and their stupid ramblings were too many. He was thinking that must do something to filter them out and he had already prepared for this too: The hell tower.
Just the thought excites him. Tomorrow would be very very interesting.
"So here is the contact detail of the fucking barkeeper." Hiruma said throwing the piece of paper across the table, "He is very willing to fucking help us in any way possible. Kekeke."
Mamori wipes her hands with a clean towel and picked up the paper. She just finished cleaning all the plates, cups and utensils they used in the entrance meeting.
Mamori looked at it and kept the paper in her pocket. "I got it. I'll call him when I get home. I sure hope you didn't do anything bad to him."
"Kekeke. He's just fucking nice. That's all."
It was Mamori and Hiruma once more in the clubroom as everyone had gone home. Mamori was clearing and cleaning while Hiruma was busy on his laptop.
"I'm done. I will go home now." Mamori said as she picked up her bag.
Hiruma just raised his eyebrow without answering or even tearing his eyes away from the laptop's screen.
"Say," Mamori was bothered by it the whole time. There was a guy during the meeting who admired Hiruma's minions and influence. Ever since they interviewed that guy Mamori had this odd feeling whenever she looked at Hiruma. She couldn't point out what it is but thought that maybe talking to Hiruma might help.
She could not begin to say it though. Words could not begin to express what she felt whenever she saw Hiruma's eyes like that.
"I cannot believe that someone is idolizing you. You are absolutely the worst." Mamori said ultimately deciding to pass it off as a normal argument with him.
Hiruma looked up at her, "He won't be the only one." He said seriously.
"That's how people are. They fucking lust for power and will do anything to get it. They will lie to their fucking teeth and kiss your fucking ass until you think you can trust them."
Mamori was taken aback, he didn't retort the way she expected him to. Her shoulders tensed. This was not the kind of tension they usually have. She was slowly becoming uneasy.
"They put their best foot forward but it's because they have other fucking motives."
"And you? Aren't you the same? You threaten and use people as well." Mamori pushed the topic further.
"Kekeke." Hiruma snickered, "I never show my best fucking foot forward."
Mamori furrowed her brow. He had minions and slaves under his sleeves. He had tricks and blackmails that would make you wonder if he was really just in high school. And yet, everyone knows that he's evil and scheming. Rather than the 'best', he always shows his 'worst' foot forward.
"We don't need those fucking losers in our team. Even if they might be fucking geniuses in American football, I want to have a team that will conquer the Christmas Bowl and whatever lies beyond that." Hiruma continued.
Mamori looked at him with concerned eyes, "You mean… next year? When you get to stop playing…"
The air around them was serious, too serious for Hiruma's taste. He could read very well the girl in front of him. He knew how much she was thinking about some uncertain future where the two of them were no longer on the team. He didn't want to think about it… not yet. These uncertainties would only hinder him in obtaining his goal.
The only way he could be sure of that future was to make some steps today. Eyes on the prize. Eyes on the Christmas Bowl.
But to get there he would need teammates that would fight on the field as passionately honest as him.
He then stood up and walked towards her.
"So anyway fucking manager," Hiruma said, "You don't have to fucking pretend too."
Mamori looked at him directly in the eye. Her shoulders relaxed and her breathing came easier.
"I know you fucking ate a lot of creampuffs. Kekekeke. " He laughed, "there was even fucking cream on your face. I can't fucking believe it. Our honourable disciplinary committee member eating behind our backs! Kekekeke."
Mamori pouted. "I didn't- I can't believe you! I'm going home!" Mamori shouted through the quarterback's loud laugh.
She then turned around and marched towards the door only to be followed by Hiruma and his teasing.
"Hey fucking manager look here!" Hiruma called.
Mamori turned around by instinct; a decision she realized halfway of her turn.
A creampuff then went in on her mouth only to be stopped by her lips. At the other end Hiruma was holding the pastry with a happy teasing grin plastered on his face.
"Tokyo Tower. We'll be there around eight in the morning. Don't forget the fucking sugar in the ice."
Mamori pulled the creampuff away from his hands and hold on to it. She glared at Hiruma and then went on out of the room.
Tomorrow was the day where they would finally meet their new teammates, at last.
xxx
"Musashi, I understand but I have to…" Mamori speaks but is cut off, "yes I know. Don't worry about me, Suzuna will come by and we'll go there together. Please, you go on ahead with Sena and Monta."
Musashi speaks on the other end of the phone, "If you insist. We'll be waiting for you there."
Mamori smiles, "yes. Thank you very much, bye."
As Mamori puts her phone inside her bag, her eyes continued to scan the room. She was supposed to go to the stadium for the Christmas Bowl today with Musashi and Suzuna but her camera is missing. She has been looking all over for her camera and cannot understand why she can't find it.
This is the most important game of the year and she can't find her camera.
Behind her books and notes she finds her camera. She takes it and looks at it quizzically. She can't remember when she placed it there. But she dismisses the thought and put it neatly inside her bag, she must have been too absorbed with her work at that time that she forgot she had placed her camera there.
She packs her things, double checks if she got everything, then heads out into the cold winter morning.
The game will still be in the afternoon but of course the players will try to warm up and get the feel of the field. They wanted to be there as early as they could. Mamori, offering help to the team wants to be there early as well. And she could have been, if it weren't for the camera.
Mamori goes outside as she puts her mittens on. She locks the door and walks towards the gate. She muses to herself that maybe Suzuna will arrive soon so she better be ready to leave with her and not delay any longer.
She locks the gate and as soon as the gate is secure she hears the sound of the car passing by behind her.
She looks around and sees a dark car stopping in front of her house. She looks at the car and puts the plate number in her memory.
Just when she begins to wonder why the car isn't leaving, a guy steps outside from the car. Another one steps outside following the first. Both guys walk towards her.
Mamori alerts herself unconsciously putting her bag in front of her and gripping the straps tightly. These guys don't look good at all.
"Are you Anezaki-san?" A guy confirms.
"Yes…" Mamori answers almost swallowing the words.
"Come with us," the other guy says as he comes behind her.
The guy, without warning, grabs her hand and yanks her towards him.
"No. Let go." Mamori says trying to pull her arm off his grip, "Who are you?"
"Please come with us quietly and you won't be harmed." The guy in front of her speaks.
"I don't care about getting myself harmed. Who are you?" Mamori demands.
Mamori resists, stepping on the guy's foot. The guy gets hurt a bit but not enough to let go of Mamori. Another guy steps outside the car just to help the first one restrain the girl.
Mamori tries to hit the guys with her bag but it is of no use. Even as they got hurt they are still holding on to her.
Round the corner Suzuna finally arrives, she cannot use her skates today because of the snow and is somewhat disappointed at how slow she got there. She looks up from the snow towards Mamori's house and sees the car, the guys and Mamori.
Suzuna instantly hides in nearby post and opens her phone. She dials Hiruma's number. It rings.
"Hello!" Suzuna whispers as soon as the ringing stops, "You-nii. There are men in suits in front of Mamo-neesan's house. They look like they're taking her inside their car. You-nii, where are you? You got to help her!"
Suzuna looks at the situation and wants to help. But there were three guys trying to pull Mamori inside the car and all of them look really dangerous. Mamori is still fighting to free herself but a third guy comes behind her and grabs her waist, lifting her up from the ground.
No one is answering at the end of the line. She finally gives up and phones in Sena.
"Hello Sena!" Suzuna almost shouts.
"Suzuna? Where are you? Is something wrong?" Sena asks realizing the panic in her voice.
"Mamo-nee is being taken by some guys. Please, come here and help her. " Suzuna says, completely forgetting to lower her voice.
From behind her, a shadow towers her. She looks around, scared at what to expect. A brawny guy is now standing in front of her, looking like one of the men taking Mamori. Suzuna peeks behind him only to see that Mamori is already inside the car.
"Are you one of the Deimon Devil Bats?" The brawny guy asks in a low big voice.
Suzuna gulps and faces the guy, "what are you doing to Mamo-nee! Let her go!"
"Suzuna! Suzuna! What is happening Suzuna?" Sena's tiny voice from the phone rang in Suzuna's ears. She still had not ended the call.
"Ah! I see." The guy says hearing Sena screaming as well.
He forcibly takes the phone from her hands and pushes her to the snow.
"Is this the team captain of the Deimon Devil Bats. Tell Hiruma that we got his beautiful girlfriend and if you still want to see her in one piece you better go to the old warehouse at the back of the stadium and bring the disks."
"Why you- Let Mamo-nee go!" Sena shouts but the guy let go of the phone, letting it fall on to the soft snow.
The guy then walks inside the car and in an instant they leave. As soon as they did, Suzuna scrambles towards the snow and takes the phone.
"Sena. Are you there?" Her voice trembles.
"Suzuna, are you alright? Did they hurt you?"
"U-un," she says, shaking her head a bit, "I'm fine."
"That's very good to hear. Wait for me… I'll go there right now."
"No. Please Sena, save Mamo-nee!"
"Yes we will… but stay put." A short silence comes from his side. Sena breathes, calming his voice down. "You're scared aren't you?"
Suzuna bites her lips a bit as tears fall from her eyes, "I can barely stand…."
"A minute. I'll be there in a minute."
xxx
Hiruma wants to punch the wall in frustration but instead he calmly flips open his laptop. He wants to throw away everything on his desk but instead he starts his tracking program, typing fast the commands that the system needs.
He is filled with so much anger and disappointment that he wants to scream and shout. But instead he starts to work and track her down. As the tracking commences and loads, he dials his phone.
Emotions are something a human natural has but Mamori is in danger and there is no time to waste. There is absolutely no time to throw a fit. He keeps calm and continues to compose an elaborate plan to save her.
On the night he visited Mamori, he planted a tracking device on her camera. He knows that she will always bring the camera to school and will be using it inside the house. He knows how much she is dedicated to her work and knows that the camera is even more important to her than her own phone. She won't leave that thing behind.
He knew that he will use that tracking device someday but he doesn't want it to be like this. Not because she is in danger. Not because of him.
The tracking program shows a red dot moving around a map, when they finally get to their destination, the red dot stops and doesn't do any further movement. The moment the dot stops, information about the area pop around the screen. Various security camera clips and images filled the screen with rows of text after text scrolling on the side.
Hiruma still can feel the rage bubbling in his gut. He had warned them about harming her but they just didn't listen. They can torture him, exploit him and hurt him in any way they want. But whatever happens they should never get her involved. He knows he made that very clear for them.
By doing this, they are directly asking the demon for a fight. Too bad for them, he is willing to give them hell.
"Hello." Hiruma speaks when finally the line connects, "yes, I need you to get in position. It's game time."