Disclaimer: I don't own Eyeshield 21 or its characters.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
WOW. This is the longest chapter yet. So sorry it took me forever to get this out, but I starting introducing Yamato and then forgot where I was going with it. I'm so stupid right? Anyways, he's not meant to be introduced until like chapter 200 and something, but I wanted a way to get him in quicker since he is an interesting character to mess with. The confrontation between him and Shin WAS SO HARD TO WRITE, but I have no idea why….
I also want to explain something that comes up in the dialogue later. Yamato arrives in "Tokyo Station", but there's actually no such thing. The manga doesn't tell me where Deimon is besides the district/city, so I obviously couldn't figure out what train stations are nearby. I also have no idea where the stadium is (if it even exists). So basically, I just made a bunch of shit up. Sorry.
PS: I'm adding in pairings as I write. Every time a new potential pair for Sena appears, I'll add his name into the tags for this fanfiction.
END OF AUTHOR'S NOTE
Chapter 6
Two days after the game against the Cupid's, Sena and the others resumed school as per usual. After her last class was over, Sena walked to the football club's small dingy shed. It had become habit by now to go there right after school. She looked into her small notebook which she kept for her managerial duties.
"SIGH. So the second game is with the white knights… but I can't see who our other games will be with because of this chart" Sena looked at the charred remains of what was the tournament's team roster. Why did Hiruma have to burn it? Maybe the club room has a spare… "I doubt I'd find it in that mess". Sena thought of how dirty the shed was the last time she went there and sighed deeply.
But that wasn't the case when she opened the door. It was CLEAN, totally clean, with sparkles and everything.
"Di-did I walk into the wrong shed?" was the first thing she said.
"Sena!" said a familiar and homely voice. It was Mamori, busily scrubbing away at the walls with a smile on her face.
"Nee-chan! Did you clean this place up?" asked Sena.
"It was a little dirty so I tried to clean it, though I'm not sure if there's any difference."
"Not at all! It's totally different" I even thought I walked into the room place…
"Wow it's sparkling! That's amazing!" Kurita had just arrived with about a dozen bags in hand…
"NO! That's amazing!" cried Sena and Mamori who dropped their jaws while staring at the many bags and boxes of delicious cakes.
"Yeah! I wanted to have a welcome party for Sena-chan and Mamori-san" said Kurita as he placed all the cakes and pastries on the club's only table, "please help yourselves!"
Mamori of course went directly for the Kariya cream puffs. They were her favorite and she was kind of a cream puff nut.
"Kariya has the best cream filling! They use vanilla bean for the inside AND they make the outer shell so crispy, yet moist!" exclaimed Mamori as she ate a cream puff in each hand.
I bet she could talk about those cream puffs for hours… It's weird how otaku she actually is haha..ha… thought Sena.
Just then, their happy euphoria wore off at the entrance of their exalted and greatly feared leader.
"It's time to get started" said Hiruma as he kicked the table over and threw all the cakes onto the ground. There was chaos and cream filling everywhere, but he didn't seem to notice…. Or care….
"HIRUMA! Why are you so selfish?! You could have at least waited for us to move the cakes!" yelled Mamori.
"This is the strategy meeting for our next game" he said while completely ignoring Mamori's wrath and getting out a small box.
"It seems that arguments are going to become a regular occurrence here" said Kurita.
"It's scary how I'm becoming so used to him though…." replied Sena.
Hiruma poured out a bunch of small scale models of Sena and their whole team.
"Kekekekeke the model scale club was so kind to work ALL night for us" cackled Hiruma.
No, he just threatened them…. They all thought in unison.
"So let do a rundown of our strategy for the Oujo game" said Hiruma.
Thank God there's a strategy this time! Thought Sena.
"It'll be like this" said Hiruma as he took Eyeshield 21's scale model and used it to plow through all the models of Oujo.
"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" That's not a strategy at all!
"Why are you so scared Sena? Don't you think that it's that Eyeshield person who should be scared?" said Mamori. "He was so brave the other day when running past all those other players! Sen-chan should learn a little bit from him, right?"
"Ma-Mamori nee-chan…." Squeaked Sena, "It should be okay if she knows the truth right?" asked Sena. And of course Hiruma's answer to that would be a gun at her back.
"Shut the hell up, you're gonna jeopardize yourself!" he said.
"You're picking on Sena again aren't you!" cried Mamori. It seemed like she had some kind of Sena is in danger sensor, or at least a Hiruma is BEING dangerous sensor…
"But Hiruma, we can't run all the time. What happens if it's 3rd down and 10 yards to go? We need to get a receiver" said Kurita.
"Che! Don't you think I know that? But who do you think can catch on our team!?" said Hiruma sarcastically.
"What kind of qualities do you have to have to be a receiver?" asked Sena.
"A receiver is typically someone tall, quick on their feet and can concentrate during a tense situation!" said Mamori.
"Wow Nee-chan! You know about American Football already?" asked a surprised Sena.
"I read this book on it last night, do you want to borrow it Sena?"
"That's amazing! As expected from a studious person" yelled Kurita.
"So you're saying that you know all the rules from reading in one night? Bullshit" said Hiruma.
Mamori gave him a stern look and simply strode over to him and said, "I learned ALL of it!"
Oh no! I feel like something bad is about to happen… Thought Sena.
"Oh yeah?" jeered Hiruma, "Then how about I give you 3 advance level questions!"
"That's fine!" shouted Mamori.
"But if you even get ONE question wrong, you'll work obediently from now on!" cackled Hiruma.
"You've got a deal! And if I get them all right, then you have to stop picking on Sena FOREVER!" yelled Mamori.
"I-I knew something bad was gonna happen…"
"It's gotten strangely violent all of a sudden huh?" asked Kurita. Sena could only nod.
"QUESTION 1!" screamed Hiruma as he loaded his gun, "How many meters are in 10 yards!"
"That's easy! About 9 meters" answered Mamori.
"WRONG! I want an EXACT number, down to the decimal point!" cried Hiruma.
"What's that got to do with football?!" asked Mamori
"If you can't answer it then you lose!" cackled Hiruma as he sprayed a dozen bullets into the air.
Mamori thought about the answer for a few seconds and then, "9.440189 meters" she said in a calm and serious tone.
"God damn it!" cried Hiruma, "Fine then, QUESTION 2! Name all the ways the ball can change procession!"
"It's 4th down and the offense hasn't gone 10 yards! After a team has scored! After the first half of the game! If the ball is kicked out of bounds! If the ball is intercepted by the opposing team! When a punted ball is caught!" answered Mamori without even having to take a break.
"URRRGH You sonauva-" yelled an upset Hiruma.
"Okay. Last question!" Mamori was rearing and ready to go.
"Time for practice guys" said Hiruma nonchalantly as he walked out the door while completely ignoring their game.
"WHAT! THAT'S NOT FAIR!" cried Mamori.
Sena and Kurita just stayed silent and sweat dropped increasingly. I don't want to get in the way of their "relationship" they both thought…
After the dust had settled down, the four teammates gathered inside the school's weight room.
"As managers, you guys also need to be trainers, so we're gonna show you the ropes" said Hiruma.
"Here! I'll show you the bench press" said Kurita, "Sena-chan can go first! All you have to do is set your hands and legs, then lift the bar off the hooks!"
"Start her off light, 20 kilos should be enough" said Hiruma.
"Urk! UMPH!" cried Sena. Her arms wobbled immensely, but she was able to barely lift the 20 kilos.
"Good job Sena!" shouted Mamori.
"Phew! That was really hard" I thought I was going to die...
"Is it really that heavy?" asked Mamori, she went down to the bench press and easily lifted the 20 kilos.
Sena sweat dropped. I'm so much bigger than her and she seems to be stronger than me… I'm so ashamed….
"You both lifted the 20 kilos. Good. But still WEAK" said Hiruma.
"URGH! Why are you so mean?!" yelled Mamori.
Hiruma ignored her and did the bench press himself. He was able to lift 75 kilos.
That's amazing! Sena thought, but it was too soon for praise. Kurita went next and lifted 160 kilos over and over again like it was a piece of paper.
Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! THAT'S EVEN MORE AMAZING!
A while later…
Sena went outside to the football field and tried to practice catching. She threw the ball high up into the air and then raced to catch it before it fell. Unfortunately, she failed every time.
"SIGH! It seems like catching is not my thing… but boy am I weak, today's weight training was almost embarrassing…." she said to herself, "I should at least keep trying to catch the ball…. Maybe all this running around will help me improve my stamina?"
Sena continue to throw the ball high in the air and across the field. She sprinted wildly to the other end and did this for the remainder of the day. The Devilbats would play Oujo on the upcoming weekend so she wanted to be ready. Somehow, Sena knew in her gut that Hiruma would make her a vital part of his evil plans. And since there was no escape, she decided that the best thing to do was to keep on practicing.
VERSUS OUJO GAME DAY…
At the train station, a young man exited the sliding doors of the subway train. He was wearing an unfamiliar school uniform. It was all black with gold embellishments and styled like a suit. The man had wild black hair, proud eyes and a brightening smile.
"Tokyo Station. We have arrived in Tokyo Station. Thank you for riding the JR Express" announced the automated train conductor. The man walked out of the station with absolute purpose and never stopped smiling the whole way through. He walked past many girls, who all stopped for just a second in order to admire his good looks; even older women would decrease their walking speed and stare at him for a moment.
"Ring Ring Ring". The young man's cell phone began to ring and he picked it up quickly.
"Hello, this is Yamato".
"So you made it to Tokyo then?" asked the other voice.
"Yeah, just got here" Yamato beamed.
"Urgh… I can't believe you traveled all that way just for a football game" growled the other in disgust.
"I've heard a lot of good things about the Oujo White Knights. I just wanted to see them for myself" replied Yamato.
"You're so weird. It doesn't matter if they're good. We'll just beat them like everyone else at some point".
"Come on Taka, you can't say that. In order for our team to be truly successful we have to scout out every team. There's no such thing as certain victory".
"You don't mean that. You're just going to see the game because you want to battle that Shin guy" replied Taka.
"Well, I wouldn't say no to a challenge" said Yamato happily.
"SIGH. Whatever, just don't cause any trouble". Taka hung up right after saying his last line of warning.
Yamato closed his phone and continued on towards his destination, "I wouldn't dream of it".
AT THE FOOTBALL STADIUM…
Hundreds of people gathered at the stadium that day (many of them girls) and the entire audience section near the field became filled. Apparently today's game was going to be a big deal. Even reporters from famous television stations were waiting in anticipation.
"Ahh! Here comes Oujo!" cried a female reporter.
Oujo had arrived on the scene first, complete in 3 greyhound buses.
"Wow they're so modernized!" said the reporter as the Oujo team exited the buses.
Shin exited among the first group, followed by-
"SAKURABA!" screamed every reporter on the field. They gathered near Oujo and began crazily taking pictures and asking questions. Poor Sakuraba didn't even stand a chance.
"Hey! Here comes Deimon… I think?" said a confused male reporter.
Sena, Hiruma, Kurita, Mamori and everyone else suddenly arrived on the scene in very large wheel barrel like carts pulled by a few members of their helper team with Cerberus closing in from behind.
"FASTER OF YOU'LL GET BITTEN!" yelled Hiruma as he whipped the poor souls who were pulling the cart like cattle.
"WHAT AN ENTRANCE!" cried the cameramen.
"It's so… primitive?" said the female reporter.
Sena and the others shamefully got out of the carts and proceeded to set up for the game. It was the complete opposite feeling compared to the Cupid's game. There were tons of people around waving their flags and banners while making a whole lot of noise. Reporters gathered in the corners of the field and were filming the entire sequence of events. The atmosphere made it seem like this was going to be the finals or something.
"Is it normal for a district game to be THIS crazy?" asked Sena.
"Naah, this crowd is because of Sakuraba" answered Kurita, "He's really famous around this area".
Oujo settled down in their sections first, followed by their coach, Shoji (aka Shogun).
"Alright there's about 2 hours left before the game. Make sure to eat lots of carbs and proteins!" shouted Oujo's coach. Suddenly a bunch of guys in white delivery outfits show up with loads of gourmet boxed lunches for the Oujo team.
"I'm beginning to see the gap between the rich and the poor" said Yamaoke.
"Damn it, I'm getting hungry just looking at them" cursed Satake.
"Umm…" squeaked Sena as she pulled out a large basket, "these aren't very lavish, but Mamori nee-chan and I made them together". Sena opened the basket and revealed rows of onigiri plus one extra-large onigiri for Kurita.
"Please help yourselves" said Mamori.
"Oooooooooh!" cried the other players and they began to snack on the homemade delights.
"These are really good!"
"I'm so happppyy!"
"Uwaaaaaaah" cried one player in tears of joy.
"Ah that's right!" said Mamori, "Sena! I left the honey dipped lemons inside the cart, can you go get them?"
"Okay, no problem" said Sena.
Sena jogged over to the carts, in which they had made their awkward entrance, in order to get the lemons. She found them immediately and proceeded to make her way back to the others. That is, until she clumsily bumped into someone and fell on her ass.
"Kyaaa!" cried Sena as she fell and DROPPED the box of lemons. Oh no! She tried to grab them mid fall, but seeing as how she can't even catch a football; the box was out of her league as well. Luckily the person she bumped into wasn't as inept and caught them with ONE hand.
"Are you alright?" said the mysterious stranger.
"Uhh yeah, sorry I ran into-" But she didn't finish her sentence. Sena had just looked up and seen what would be described as a REALLY handsome guy. He was tall, muscular, had a bright smile and wild jet black hair.
"Hmm? Is something the matter?" asked the mysterious man.
Oh no! I'm just staring at him like an idiot! Say something Sena! Say something! ANYTHING! "…." OH MY GOD, you're still not saying anything! What's wrong with you, YOU BIG GEEK! TALK NOW! Sena looked down and blushed at her own stupidity.
"Here, let me take you to the paramedic that's in the stadium" said the stranger, who then proceeded to lift Sena up in his arms.
"What?! N-no I'm fine! I'm so sorry for bothering you, I-I-I was just stunned for a second after falling down is all….." said Sena without even taking a breath.
"Oh I see. Haha, I was beginning to worry" said the incredibly good looking stranger. He sets her down and hands her the box of lemon slices.
"Th-thank you" squeaked Sena.
"Haha don't mention it. I should be more carefully next time" he said, brightening his smile even more than Sena thought possible. Then the guy looked at Sena closely and in detail. Hmmm nice body, nice LEGS and her flustered face is really cute too. Ahahaha I told Taka I wouldn't cause any trouble, but it would be a shame to let this chance pass by, right? He thought quietly. "I'm Yamato Takeru, and you are?"
"Ah! So-sorry I forgot to introduce myself!" I'm so stupid. "My name is Kobayakawa Sena".
"It's nice to meet you. Forgive me for saying though, Sena-san doesn't seem like the type to be at an American Football game" he stated. Though it would be great if she is here for football.
"You're kinda of right about that….. But I'm actually the manager for the Devilbats, we're playing today against Oujo" Sena explained shyly.
"Ohh? You don't say?" Lucky! She is here for the game. It's so hard to find girls who are actually into the sport itself and not for the players. "Maybe you can help me then. I'm looking for someone in particular on the Oujo side".
"Who are you looking for?" asked an innocent Sena, who then tilted her head, trying to think about who Yamato could be looking for.
MEANWHILE…
"Hey, what's Deimon cheering about?" asked an Oujo team member.
"Hmm, I don't know, but it looks like they're having some kind of onigiri party" answered another member.
"Bwahahaha Onigiri party huh! How nice!" cried the largest member of the Oujo group, "Fffffffff! Opps I farted again! Bwahahahaha" he cried as the guy sitting behind him quickly keeled over and died.
"Otawara stop causing trouble!" shouted the Oujo coach (Shogun) in despair.
"Bwahaha sorry!" Otawara turned towards Shin and saw that he wasn't eating his delicious bento, "Oi! Shin! You're not gonna eat?" he shouted.
"I've already taken in today's necessary amount of nutrients" replied Shin.
"Hah?" answered back an overly confused Otawara.
"I can't eat anything else" Shin summarized with a sigh.
"Ohhh why didn't you just say so?! Then I'll eat it for you!" shouted Otawara as he patted Shin harshly on the back, but the power didn't seem to affect him at all.
Shin returned back to his standard stoic position, patiently waiting until the start of the game. However, his meditation is interrupted when he sees a familiar pair of legs (yes legs, not face) across the field and near the entrance to the stadium. Kobayakawa Sena was standing near a bunch of carts talking to an unfamiliar man. Shin did not recognize the uniform the man was wearing, but was more perturbed by the fact that the man had just picked up a flustered Sena.
That's the girl who refused my invitation to train. It's such a shame that someone with such athletic potential doesn't want to boost her own talent. Shin got up from his seat immediately and decided to go over to see what they could be talking about. Perhaps I can get her to reconsider becoming a player.
"Shin where are you going?" asked Sakuraba who had just come back from an interview.
"I have some business to take care of" he answered curtly and left right away. As he walked closer, something about the man Sena was talking to became more and more familiar to him. His uniform… I feel as though I've seen it somewhere.
MEANWHILE…
"Who are you looking for?" asked Sena.
"Well, I've never actually met him before, but I'm looking for a guy name Shin, Shin Seijuro" he answered.
"And why are you looking for me" answered a strong familiar voice.
Sena and Yamato turned to see the voice who just spoke to them. Shin had just walked up from behind, looking as stoic as ever. He looked even more impassive and cool with his football uniform on. However, from the look on his face, Shin didn't just come over for small chat. He meant business.
"Shin-san!" cried Sena, surprised that the topic of their discussion had just arrived on scene.
"So you're Shin?" asked Yamato. Hmm it looks like Sena and Shin know each other. Haha interesting…
"Yes and you are?" Shin replied in monotone. I've definitely seen this person's school uniform before…. Wait! Could he be-
"My name is Yamato Takeru, I'm from Teikoku High School that's down in Osaka" he replied confidently.
I knew it. That black and gold uniform… He's from the beginning of everything and the top of everything. "What are you doing so far from Osaka? It can't just be to watch a random district game that's all the way in Tokyo" he stated. It can't be…. Is he here to recruit Kobayakawa Sena?!
"Haha, you know, that's what my friend said to me this morning, but I yeah I came to see Shin-san. I heard you're the BEST linebacker in Japan" Yama really emphasized the word "best".
Wow! Shin-san must be really amazing if guys from Osaka came to see him! Thought Sena as the two men had their confrontation. Wait… that means…. we really don't stand a chance do we? SIGH…
"I was hoping to maybe have a little competition between us two, that is, until I bumped into Sena-san here" said Yamato. He smiled and looked back at Sena as he spoke.
"I see" was all Shin said, but inside there was definite inner turmoil brewing. I knew it! He must have seen Kobayakawa's potential as an athlete and now he's trying to recruit her to Teikoku. I'm such a fool. I should have tried harder to convince her to train with me and then perhaps join Oujo later on as my rival. This is one of the reasons why you need to train harder. You're nowhere near where you need to be, not as long as you have nothing to climb towards.
Yamato continued speaking while Shin's inner monologue raged on.
"So, what do you say?" asked Yamato.
"I'm sorry, but I'm forbidden to pursue activities in which could end up damaging my body right before a game" replied Shin in a serious voice.
It is me or does he look a little irritated? thought Sena.
"Haha I kinda knew that would be your answer. Oh well, at least I get to see your game" he replied happy as ever, "But if I can't challenge you to a little game, then maybe Sena can keep me company?" said Yamato.
"Huh? O-ohhh well, I'm not reall- I mean I'm not… an-and-" But her mindless chatter was interrupted by Shin.
"As team manager, Kobayakawa has other duties to pursue at this moment, correct?" asked Shin.
"Errr yea-Yes! I've gotta get back to the team before the game starts, haha" Sena finished with an awkward chuckle.
"Oh that's right, I almost forgot about that. Then I'll go to the audience stands and maybe we can talk more about football later?" said Yamato.
"Huh? O-oh sure!" replied Sena, dazed after meeting such a bright and confident person.
"Well then, see you later" Yamato beamed as he walked away. He passed by Shin for only a second and whispered haughtily, "Good luck today". He waved at Sena one more time from afar before disappearing into the crowds.
WOW. Like WOW. What just happened? Thought Sena as she slowly came back to reality.
"Ahh right! I need to go back with the lemons" piped Sena after remembering her original task.
"Wait, Kobayakawa" called Shin.
She turned back, "Eh? Is something the matter Shin-san?"
Shin paused for a moment; he was trying to think of the best way to approach the subject. He wanted to see if Sena's legs could bring the speed needed to make his power completely useless, but didn't want to sound intrusive or annoying. Then he remembered Yamato. His team is known for recruiting players from all over the country.
"You should not go with him" was what he came up with.
"…..Hah?" was all that Sena could think of saying. She was beyond confused now. What is he talking about?
"Also, you should reconsider my offer to train. It would be in your best interest" he replied, completely ignoring her confusion.
"My best interest?" mouthed Sena. Shin nodded at this.
Wait…. Could it be…. Sena suddenly has a complete realization of what Shin must mean. I must be so scrawny and weak that even SHIN, a guy from the opposing team, thinks I need to work out! Oh my God this is so embarrassing! Sena blushes profusely. "Um… I'll take your words…. into consideration….. thanks Shin-san…" Sena finishes depressingly.
"Very well" said Shin. Good Job Shin, you've succeeded in implanting the idea. Now I'm one step ahead of that guy from Teikoku. "Please excuse me" He bows and walks back to his team.
Sena watched Shin walk away and despaired at the journey ahead.
"SIGH! I've got a long ways to go huh?" Sena said to herself.
"Sena! Where are those lemons?!" cried Mamori from afar.
Ahh! I forgot again! "It's here! I'm sorry for taking so long!" cried Sena as she ran back to Mamori.
The game would begin soon and unbeknownst to Sena, so would her legend.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Next chapter will mark the beginning and probably the end of the Oujo game. It all really depends on if I decide to write more non-canon stuff or not. We'll see…
Just out of curiosity. Are there any characters you'd like to see introduced earlier than they're meant to be (and why)? I can't promise I will do it, but I'd like to hear people's thoughts.
Chemistry-Deaf: I did think about changing one other character's gender at one point, but then changed my mind because I think the story would be less funny without him being a dude. So probably no other gender changes in the future, but who knows?