AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I said that I'd get the Cupid's match out of the way in one chapter, but I ended up embellishing this chapter with some of my own non-canon work so it got really long. I thought about just finishing the whole thing here, but the word count was already over 3000 and I didn't want to add another 2000. So I'll just do the rest another time.
As for this chapter, I did change some of the ways I typed out dialogue. It's getting really strenuous trying to remember where to put periods after speaking parts or what to capitalize. SIGH. So I'm just going to play it by the chapter. I doubt it will affect the story, but if it DOES. Please, someone tell me…
END OF AUTHOR'S NOTE
At the train station
"Yo!" cried Ishimaru.
"Ah hello Ishimaru-san" said Sena. Since today was a weekend Sena decided to lose the high school uniform and dress in something more casual (an outfit Mamori picked out for her the night before to be precise). She wore white shorts with a blue lantern sleeved dress shirt that had a low cut crew neck and a pair of brown ankle high boots. It was a nice cool day so she also let her lazy brown hair wave down to her shoulders instead of tying it up into a pony tail. I don't expect to play any games since Hiruma gathered so many players. So this is a chance for me to show how good of a manager I can be! I even dressed in an outfit that wouldn't make me look too uptight. This way other teams won't think I'm a scout.
Speak of the devil. Hiruma had just arrived and dressed in all black to boot.
"So you've all gathered" he said in a condescending tone.
"What are you saying? You're the last to show up" said Yamaoka.
"Yeah! And where are the cute cheerleaders you promised?!" asked Satake.
"Kekekeke they'll come later".
He's so full of lies... thought Sena.
"Ah! Come to think of it, I haven't seen Kurita-san all day?"
"Penalty game".
"Eep! I forgot about that! What was the penalty anyways?" Sena asked and hoped that it wasn't some awful torture.
"Don't worry; I'm not so cruel to do something torturous right before a game. He' just a bag carrier" Hiruma replied calmly.
"Phew! That's all" I guess it wasn't so bad after all.
Right after Sena had thought this Kurita arrived with the luggage. All 700 lbs. of it. It was set on a big wooden board with wheels, dragged by a large rope and pulled by Kurita.
"!" I'm so glad I found at least one person….
Meanwhile…
"Buzzzzzz!" Mamori's phone buzzed with a new text message.
"Oh it's from Sena". Mamori had gone out with some friends from school, but it would be a lie if she said she wasn't worried about Sena and her new managerial duties. Just thinking about it made her tense.
The message read, "Nee-chan we're on the train to our first match! I hope I'm able to be a good manager in my debut game. Wish me luck! – Sena"
"It's started already huh?" I hope Sena will be okay… I'm just so worried. "SIGH".
Inside the train…
"Wow there aren't very many people taking the train today" said Sena.
"Kekekekekeke" crackled the most suspicious person.
Somehow I know he's the reason behind it. Sena sighed inwardly and just decided to ignore it like everyone else.
"So who's out first match with?" she asked.
"The Koigahama Cupids" said Kurita proudly.
"Are they really strong?" Sounds kind of cute.
"Nah they're small and weak. So this might be out first win!" said Kurita.
"Psh. It's not MIGHT win, we'll definitely win" corrected Hiruma.
"Oh yeah, Sena-chan did you bring the team roster?" asked Kurita hopefully.
"Uh huh! Let me get it". Sena pulled out her briefcase that had the spring tournament's team roster.
"Wow! There are a lot of teams this year, way more than last year" said Kurita who was looking over the roster.
"We definitely have a ways to go, but maybe if we win a few games-" But she never finishes her sentence.
"Pssssshhhh" Suddenly the entire team roster goes up in smoke and flame. Hiruma set it on fire with his lighter….
"Kyaaaa! What are you doing?!"
"Don't be thinking about useless things damn manager".
"But now we can't look at it anymore!" cried Sena.
"Che! Only worry about winning today's game. That's the teams only job, got it?!" Everybody in the train nods in sync due to absolute fear of Hiruma.
At Heavenly Fields…
Sena and the others watch as the last football game ends and the players go up and bow to each other.
"It became a bit tense didn't it?" asked Sena as the other teams left the field. She started passing out all the football cleats while the players finished putting on their jerseys.
"It's a good feeling before a game, kinda makes your blood chill" answered the plain Ishimaru.
"Man, that last game looked scary" said Satake.
"Hopefully it'll be over soon so we can go home" said Yamaoka.
"Oh, they're here!" Kurita yelled excitedly, "the Koigahama Cupids!"
Sena looked towards the other side of the field and saw a site that she had never seen before. A bunch of older high school students were getting ready for the game… with their girlfriends. Almost all the players had girlfriends and they were being thoroughly pampered by them. One girl was feeding her boyfriend who was doing a cheesy "aahhh" face. While others were helping them stretch and giving each other last minute good luck kisses. Suddenly, Sena felt lots of burning auras behind her.
"Koigamahama Cupids third years are famous for bringing their girlfriends to games" read Hiruma from the American Football monthly magazine.
"WE'LL DEFINITELY BEAT THEM!"
"KICK THEIR ASSES!"
"YEEEEAAAHHH!"
"COME ON SENPAIS!"
"He's brought up the whole team's spirit in less than 3 seconds!" The whole team was burning up now. I guess it's better than before…. I think…. Sena sweat dropped.
"Hey we should be having cheerleaders coming soon!" said one player.
"Oooooh yeah! Hey team manager, when will our cheerleaders be coming?" asked Satake.
"Right, the manager should have arranged for cheerleaders" said another player.
"Ehh! Err-umm well…. I don't know about that" Sena said but couldn't bring herself to look at anybody in the eye. What will they do if they find out Hiruma lied?
"That's alright! Sena-chan will cheer for us right?" asked Satake who was blushing creepily. Then the rest of the team suddenly turned their heads and Sena could feel dozens of eyes burning a hole into her.
"Ehh…Well yes, but I'll be scouting so… maybe-" Sena was becoming dizzy.
"OI! You guys are fucking annoying with all that bantering!" yelled Hiruma, "SHUT IT!"
SAVED! Thank you Hiruma… I never thought I'd ever think those words…. Sena carefully retreated until she saw a member of the Cupids walk across the field with his girlfriend. He was a buff guy, kind of weird looking, had big lips and a condescending expression. His girlfriend was a typical high school girl, but was wearing a lot of lipstick.
"Hey Deimon kids!" he said looking even more condescending, "Sorry about all the yelling, but our girlfriends just HAD to come cheer us on. You know how it is don't you?" he finished with a smirk.
"Oh it's ok-" Kurita was trying to speak, but got cut off.
"WHHHHATTT!? I don't see any girls over here! Is Deimon an all-boys school?" he shouted. It was obvious that he was over acting on purpose.
Suddenly the team atmosphere becomes very dangerous.
"Don't tell me you don't have ONE single girl cheering you on?!"
Sweat drop… It's as he says thought Kurita.
Then the Cupids player sees Sena. "What? So you did have ONE girl" he struts his way to Sena, "hey baby you should come over to our side. I mean what's the point of sticking around a bunch of losers?"
"ehh… well.. I'm the manager and-" Sena is too embarrassed to finish her sentence.
Damn this guy! Where's the King of smack talk Hiruma when you need him! thought the whole team.
Yes. Where was Hiruma?
"Look over there sweetie, we've go over 10 girls-" but the Cupids player doesn't finish, "Eh where'd they go?"
Meanwhile, on the Deimon side of the field…
"Kyaaaaaaa! These are pictures of Sakuraba from Jari Pro!" cried one cheerleader.
"Can we really have a party with him later?" asked another cheerleader.
"Kekekekekeke! That's right, if we win with you cheering for us that is!" Hiruma was a sly one indeed.
"GO DEVILBATS!" cried all of the Cupids ex-cheerleaders.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" screamed the Cupids captain, who had just tried to get Sena over to their side.
"YA-HA! You bastards satisfied now!" Hiruma shouted towards the other players.
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! HIRUMA! YOU'RE THE BEST!" cheered the whole Devilbats teams.
Sena looked over to the Cupid's side and they were NOT happy.
Eeek! They look like they're out for blood! "Hiruma… didn't you just add to the fire?" Sena asked carefully.
Suddenly the sprinklers turned on and the entire Cupids team gets soaked.
"It's been extinguished" Hiruma says nonchalantly while closing his laptop.
"…" What a scary guy….
"Wait, where did you get this picture of that model?" Sena was looking at the photo of Sakuraba that had Hiruma in the background.
"Eerrrr we sort of forced him to take the photo during last years practice game with Oujo" said Kurita who was looking very guilty.
I wonder how they forced him, thought sena, knowing Hiruma it was probably at gun point….
"Oujo? Isn't that the team where you said that the monster guy was on?" asked Sena.
"Uh huh! Oujo is really strong, BUT we held on 99 to 0!" Kurita declared.
"EEEHH! You won?!" Sena was really surprised now.
"No way!" said Ishimaru.
"They must have made a lot of touchdowns…." We really don't stand a chance huh?
"Wow Sena-chan! You learned the rules already?" asked Kurita.
"Oh no, not all the rules, but I kind of searched the internet and skimmed a page on how football is played. I don't really remember too much".
"Heehh maybe we'll put her in the game today" crackled Hiruma.
"EHHHH! NO PLEASE!" Uwaaaaaa I thought I was safe? So why?!
"Wahh I don't want to force her!" said Kurita who was starting to worry for Sena as well.
"Don't worry I'm not gonna let go of our secret weapon unless I HAVE to. You'll stay on the sidelines, BUT if we are down even by one point. YOU'RE IN".
"GASP!" Sena takes a look at the other side of the field. The Cupids are still boiling over from the loss of their girlfriends/cheerleaders. NOOOOOO! Please kamisama help me! " Err I think something's wrong with my stomach. Ouch! Maybe it's cancer….." Sena holds her stomach like she's sick, but Hiruma just ignores it.
"Alright huddle up!"
"Uwaaa it's no use… he wouldn't care even if he listened…"
Everyone huddles up as commanded by Hiruma.
"Okay you bastards, if we lose this game then it's the end of the tournament for us. So don't even THINK about playing a good game! Think only about BRINGING THEM DOWN! Got it!
"YOSH!" everyone cries.
Hiruma takes in a deep breath and, "LET'S KILL THEM!" everyone joins in at the end, "YA-HA!"
What a huddle shout….
"The game between the Deimon Devilbats and the Koigahama Cupids will now begin. Good luck!" (This is the announcer).
Cupids vs. Devilbats YA-HA!
And so, the kick off began.
"The game is moving pretty fast, maybe it'll be easier for me to video tape it from higher ground?" said Sena. Let's see… where can I move to? Sena skims the area and spots a stairwell to the building that's very close to the field. Ah! I can tape the game from up there. Perfect! Sena leaves the bench and walks around the field towards the stairwell on the other side. She approaches the steps just as one of the cheerleaders exits the door at the top of the staircase. That must be where the girls have been changing? All of a sudden the cheerleader becomes faint and then falls over the railings of the stairwell.
"WHAT?!" Sena shouts and then unconsciously runs at light speed to help the girl.
Meanwhile…
Two men were walking towards Heavenly Fields. One was a pretty faced blonde at about 6'1" and the other, his friend, a handsome guy who was about 5'11", but had short black hair.
"What's the point of scouting out the teams we know are weak?" said a familiar tall blonde.
"Don't speak nonsense Sakuraba" replied his dark haired friend, "There's no certain victory, so we must stay vigilant".
"Yeah yeah, I know" replied Sakuraba.
A cheerleader suddenly walks out of the changing room and proceeds to climb down the stairs when she sees Sakuraba approach.
"Sa-SAKURABA!" she cries out. OMFG! Suddenly she feels faint, topples over the railing and is about to fall off about two stories high.
"Oh no!" cried Sakuraba.
"WHAT?!" cried another voice from afar.
"WOOSH!" before Sakuraba could even finish his cry his friend was already speedily running towards the girl and about to catch her.
"UMPH!" cried the girl as TWO people caught her at the same time.
Sena was dumbfounded by what just happened. She saw a girl fall two stories and actually saved her! But it looks like I didn't need to save her cause this guy was here.
"Hey! Shin! Are you guys okay?" cried Sakuraba who was now running towards them.
"Yes I seem to be fine" Shin replies curtly.
"Hmm ah wha-what happened?" the girl woke up from her fainting spell.
"Um… you fainted and fell… err are you okay?" asked Sena timidly. She had never saved anyone's life before so this was knew stuff for her.
"Ehh? Yea I am-" The girl turns her head and sees Sakuraba again. He smiles. "SAKURABA!" she screams and then proceeds to faint again.
K.O. by a smile? What just happened?
"Umm… maybe we should lay her to the side?" said Sena.
"Ha ha… good idea" said Sakuraba. Shin and Sena carefully lay the light hearted cheerleader to the side if the building.
Sena gets up and proceeds to adjust her clothes.
"Wow you were pretty fast just now huh?" said Sakuraba.
"Eh? O-oh no, I was just around the corner and I saw her fall… it was just coincidence" Sena replied.
Coincidence? Shin thought, it couldn't have been… in fact I think she might have gotten there before me. Is that possible or am I just imagining things?
"Well thanks for helping, it was sort of my fault…." said Sakuraba who had a guilty look on his face.
"Hmm? You're fault?" Sena looked at Sakuraba and felt like she'd seen him somewhere before, but couldn't quite place it until, "Oh! You're that guy errr…. Sakuraki? No! I mean Sakurama…." Oh shoot I can't remember his name!
"Hahaha I'm Sakuraba, Sakuraba Haruto" answered Sakuraba as he saw how flustered the girl became when she couldn't remember his name. It sure feels nice to not have every girl trying to tackle me into the dirt.
"Oh yes! I knew that haha, um I'm Sena. It's nice to meet you" Sena bows politely.
"My stoic friend here is Shin". Shin doesn't say anything, he just bows.
Wow what a silent guy, but he's handsome…. Hey wait a minute. Shin? I know that name…. "Ah! You're that mons- I mean guy from errr Oujo something?"
"Hey! You know both of us? Wow that's cool, so you must be a fan of American Football?" said Sakuraba excitedly.
"Ehh kinda…. I'm the manager for Deimon, soooo… I guess I do have an interest" answered Sena.
Meanwhile, as Sakuraba and Sena talked, Shin was silently analyzing the girl in front of him. Is it possible she was faster than me? Her arms and upper body don't look like they've been trained, but… His eyes look lower and see her long pale legs. Those legs! They're incredible; with those legs… it might be possible. Shin was absolutely dumbfounded for a few seconds, but regained his senses quickly.
"Eh!? You're Deimon's manager? Wouldn't have guessed that." said Sakuraba With that demon Hiruma? I sort of feel bad for this girl.
"Haha, yeah it was kind of a spur of the moment decision" replied Sena, who was remembering the last few days with Kurita and Hiruma.
"Oi" said Shin. They were the first words he spoke since Sena had arrived.
"Hmmm?" said both Sakuraba and Sena.
"You have nice legs" spoke a very blunt Shin.
"WHHHATTT?" cried Sena and Sakuraba in unison.
"Shin! What are you saying?" Sakuraba was dumbfounded. His friend since middle school, who barely uttered more than a sentence during introductions, had hit on a random girl they just met!
"But it's true. Just look at them Sakuraba" Shin replied shortly with no clue as to why Sakuraba and Sena were reacting so strangely. It was a compliment. Shouldn't she be happy?
"Shin! Stop it you're embarrassing all of us!" What's with him today? Sakuraba turns to Sena, "Err s-so sorry, he's acting kind of strange today".
"!...um n-no….. it's alright…but um thanks… I think? I'm so confused! But I guess it was a compliment…
"What I meant was that you have nice legs for running. Have you ever thought about joining the American Football team?" Shin replied, calm as ever.
EHHHH YOU TOO? Why does everyone want me to be a football player? "Well I am the manager… so technically, I have joined the football team."
"I believe that you'd be more valuable as a player" said Shin.
"Oi Shin! Sena-chan is a girl, you shouldn't be trying to recruit her" said Sakuraba who was really starting to worry about his friend.
"Girl or boy it makes no difference. She has potential to become a great opponent" said Shin as he walked closer to Sena, "If you'd like I can help train you" If would be advantageous for both of us. Plus I want to see how her legs will run. Shin nodded to himself as he thought these things.
"Heehhh?" SHIN, the guy from that really amazing school Oujo, is offering to train me?! What the heck? How did I transition from manager to being trained as a potential player? Sena looked towards Shin. But he is kind of cute despite being so serious… WAIT! WHAT AM I SAYING! This guy just offered to train you to become an American Football player! I've got to put a stop to these thoughts all around. "Uhh… um well it's nice of you to offer, but I think I'll just stick to managerial duties for now" replied Sena who was becoming more and more short of breath.
"I see" was all Shin said. What a pity he thought. Sakuraba simply shook his head and face palmed himself.
"W-well… um anyways, it was nice to meet you and all, but-" Sena gets cut off by a loud and thundering cry.
"FUCKING MANAGER WHERE DID YOU GO?!" yelled an angry Hiruma.
"Ehhh?!" Oh shit Hiruma's pissed! But why?! "Errrr I gotta go, goodbye!" said Sena as she scurried off to whatever torture lied ahead.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
So did you like how I revised the meeting between Shin/Sakuraba and Sena? I wanted it to be different since I have many plans ahead for Sena and other characters. I will be doing a lot of introductions differently, so watch out I guess. I'm hoping that the story is progressing at a good pace. I'm basically going to do about 3000-3500 words a chapter, give or take 100 words depending on where I want to cut off a scene.
Please let me know what you think of the pace?