Disclaimer: ES21, characters and their illegal weapons belong to their rightful creators ie Not Mine.
A/N: This was written back when it seemed Akaba was THE Eyeshield 21. That turned out to be wrong, so just take this as a 'what if' scenario.
Drabble 4
Bando & Poseidon
Birds of a Feather
"Eyeshield 21-san! I've finally found you!"
Akaba watched incredulously at the other boy sunk into a deep bow. He tugged self-consciously at the towel around his waist.
"I followed you all the way from America! All those years, I've never forgotten you!"
The other patrons of the bathhouse existed swiftly and silently. Some were muttering about shameless youths and low birth rates.
Akaba stared. He thought he had made certain that none of the more obsessive fans ever found out he'd left for Japan. So perhaps this was…second-generation fanatics?
No. He had left only two years ago. They don't breed that fast.
The other boy had finally straightened up and was…looking down at him. He was tall. More than just tall—he was towering for an average Japanese. And he had intense eyes. Koutarou always complained that his red eyes were strange, but this boy's eyes were downright disturbing, even vaguely hypnotic.
"Uh…" Said the boy with the dark, twirling eyes, hitching up his own towel; "I'm playing in Poseidon now. Number 41. I've played against you once, if you still remember. Back then in America."
Akaba tried hard to recall, but his thoughts were interrupted by a loud cry as something large and blonde streaked past him, heading straight for the dark-eyed boy.
"KAKEI" It wailed, "I'm outta change! Gimme some! Gimme some!"
Kakei held off the attacking blonde with one hand.
"What do you want, Mizumachi?"
"Change!! The dispensing machine only accepts coins and I didn't bring soap!"
Kakei shoved the other boy away with exasperation. Akaba found it strangely familiar.
"Just get it from my bag."
"THANKS!! You're my HEEEEROOO!" The blonde declared, skipping out happily.
Akaba and Kakei stared at each other in silence. The tall boy was about to say something when they were interrupted once again by another obnoxious cry.
"YOU!" Koutarou declared, stalking into the bathing area and pointing accusingly at Akaba, "Where are you hiding my comb?"
Akaba sighed. "What makes you think I have it?"
"Bastard! You know how precious it is to me! Get your own comb, you freak!"
"I didn't take your comb, idiot." There was an awkwardly long period of silence where they both basically just glared at each other. Finally, Akaba caved.
"Have you checked your pants pockets?"
Koutarou looked down in surprise, as if just noticing that he was only dressed in a bathhouse towel and had no pockets.
"Damn you!" He shouted, before rushing off to the lockers.
Akaba and Kakei stared at each other a little more. Then were distracted as loud noises, sounds of a scuffle, vague screams started issuing from the locker room.
As they both rushed towards it, they felt a certain, strange sort of connection, the sort all weary caretakers of idiotic teammates often feel.