As the bell rang and everyone sat at their desk, Hiruma slammed the door open with his foot. He looked angry.
"Oi! Impie!" he stomped towards your desk.
"Stop calling me that!" you glared at him. "What do you want?!"
"Oh god no. Both of them are angry." the people around you moved their desk away.
"Did your phone fall into a ditch or something?!" he pointed a gun at you, which scared you, but you didn't show it and kept glaring at him. "Give me one good excuse! Go on, amuse me or beg for mercy!"
"The one thing that'll fall into a ditch will be your dead body bitch! What are you even talking about?!"

He clicked his tongue and took out his phone to show you something. It was opened to his messenger, he sent a text to 'Cherry' (with a smiling devil emoji) last night saying "PREPARE TO CRY AND DIE EVERYDAY", along with a picture. He was left on read. Not noticing the username he gave you, your eyes widen. You ignored that message because it was from an unknown number, thinking it was a stupid prank from some shitty student, but...
"That was you?!" you pointed at him then frowned. "How the fuck did you get my number?!"
"Next time I'll just throw a brick at your window!" he ignored your questions. "For that, I'm changing your route!" he smirked and took out his laptop before rapidly typing on it with just one hand.
"Huh?"

You took out your phone and finally opened the picture. - Meanwhile, the teacher wanted to start the class, but he didn't want to bother either of you. - It was a map of the area you lived in, there was a line traced from your house to the school, but it wasn't the route you usually took, it took a really big detour. You'd actually go around the school's block before going in. There was a Devil Bat sticker on one corner of the picture with a speech bubble that said 'Extra training: To hell and back! Ya-ha!'
'Did he follow me home?! How in the world does he know where I live?!'
But you decided to ask a more important question, as it just occurred to you.
"Wait! You want me to do *double* that?!" you looked back at him.
"Kekekeke! That's what you get for not communicating with the team!"
"No way in hell am I doing that!"
"Good! 'Cause it *will* be hell!" he cackled, a dark energy emanating from him. "The way to and from school!"
"Plus the club training, do you *want* to kill me?!"
"You'll be fine." he waved a hand. "Don't be a wuss."
"Fuck you!"

He just cackled as he walked to his seat. The teacher whispered a relieved 'finally' before finally speaking to the class. You usually hate being the center of attention, but you were so busy bickering with Hiruma, you forgot that everyone was staring at you two. In the middle of class, he sent you a new route map with a message that said 'To and from school, or get punished!' with a gun emoji. You glanced at him and saw him pointing a gun at you. You frowned, but still created a contact with his number and simply called it 'Hiruma'.

When classes were over, the American Football club went to the gymnasium to get the equipment needed for practice.
"Huh, what's this?" Sena asked as he took out a big wooden plank with a squared hole in the middle and a football player drawn on it.
"Oh, Rice man." your eyes widen a little bit.
"You know him (Y/n)-chan?" Kurita's face lit up.
"Yeah how do you know about him? You creepy stalker." Hiruma smirked.
"I was just passing by your lonely asses!" you glared. "Throwing footballs at a plank of wood."
"Hey now, don't change the subject!" Monta exclaimed. "What the heck is Rice man?"
"He's named after Jerry Rice, a super receiver who holds the record for most successful catches in the NFL." Kurita explained. "We made it back when it was just Hiruma and me, since we didn't have anyone for him to practice with."

"But now that we got a receiver," Hiruma pointed at Monta, who then pointed at himself. "we don't need Rice man anymore!"
He then took the board away from Sena and walked out, cackling. Curious, you all followed him and watched as he went to the sports field and hanged it to the football goal post.
"YA-HA!!!" he shouted before blasting the thing with bullets with a riffle.
You all jumped out of the yeah as he laughed maniacally. The others were scared, but you and Kurita knew that he was just really happy to have a receiver. A small smile unknowingly formed on your face as you looked at him. Kurita decided to join in on the fun and tackled the board to the ground, further breaking it to pieces. Without thinking, you rushed towards it and stomped it once he was out of the way.
"Fuck you Rice man! Eat shit! We don't need you anymore!" you shouted insults, but the team noticed the look of happiness on your face.
Huruma's smile widen and he looked at the others.

"Oi guys! Come crush Rice man!"
"Don't drag them into this!" Mamori stood in front of Sena and Monta, 'protecting' them.
"More for us then!" you smirked and kept stomping.
"What should we do Sena?" you heard Monta ask.
"Mamori will get mad at us..."
You rolled your eyes and slightly shook your head.
"So we'll give her a really good apology later!"
Your eyes widen, you weren't expecting that from him. You quickly moved out of the way when the two boys grabbed a rocket launcher and fired it at the already destroyed plank of wood.
"Yeaaaaah!" you raised your fists in the air. "That's what I'm talkin' about!"
"Screw you Rice man! I'm the receiving champion now!" Monta pointed at himself.
"Don't be shy! Say fuck!"
"F-fuck you!"
"Fuck you!!!" you repeated, ten times louder before you all went back to destroying poor Rice man.
"Kekekeke!" Hiruma laughed seeing your enthusiasm in front of such chaos.

What really shocked you was when Mamori joined in, she grabbed a flamethrower and burned down what was left. You let out a heartfelt laugh, you haven't had this much fun (or much fun at all) in years!
"It's nice to have more friends!" Kurita exclaimed.
'I guess...I guess it is yeah.' you smiled faintly, you cheeks dusted with pink.
Sadly for you, the fire caught the attention of passing students who stopped and watched you guy. You quickly put on your tough front.
"It's the American football team." they say amongst themselves.
"With (L/n)?"
"Oh yeah, I did hear that she joined."
"Yeesh, what a nightmare."
"I'm embarrassed for them."
You frowned. Seems like your reputation was really tainting the team's, despite Hiruma's efforts. That made you feel bad. Still, your instinct was to glare at the students, who flinched once you made eye contact, and roast them like that Rice guy got roasted. But before you could even speak, Hiruma placed a hand on your shoulder.

"Any publicity is good publicity." he quietly said before going past you and firing his riffle in the air. "Yaaa-ha!!! We're the Devil Bats!"
"Hiruma!" Mamori glared as her and the boys grabbed buckets of water. "Help us stop the fire! You too (L/n)!"
'I don't wanna do that.' you ignored her and inhaled.
"Look at what happens when some shithead gets in our way!" you pointed at the fire with your thumb.
"We will crush our ennemies! Give 'em hell!"
"You guys are not helping!" Mamori frowned.
Surprisingly to you, that made some people laugh. Although you assumed those people were mocking you, to Hiruma, it was a sign that this publicity stunt was a success. Just as planned.

After a very enthusiastic practice session, Hiruma sent Sena and Monta to the nearby store to buy drinks. On other days, he would've sent you with them for some extra cardio, but that Rice man situation got you worn out even earlier than expected. So he made you stay on the field until you've finished the exercise.
"We...We can wait for her it's fine." Sena said, feeling bad for you.
"Go already!" Hiruma pointed a shotgun at them.
They squealed and ran away.
"Come on Impie! Run properly for fuck sake!"
"Wha...What does that even mean?!?!?!" you panted, almost tripping on your own feet.
"(L/n), you don't have to do this." Mamori said, concerned. "You could take a break."
"Fuck no! Everyone else did it, I'm finishing this!"
"She's really determined huh...?" she blinked twice.
Hiruma snickered. Eventually you finished and let yourself fall on the ground.

"(Y/n)!" Mamori and Kurita rushed to you and held you up.
"Don't push yourself too hard." Kurita said, his eyebrows furrowed. "It's okay to start at a low level."
You pursued your lips, you weren't used to having people worry about you.
"Th...Thanks." you gently shook their arms off and stood up, fumbling a little bit. "But I don't need help."
"Aight, back to the club room. Wait for the two shrimps to come back." Hiruma walked away.
Once you guys were back in the club room, you grabbed a towel and let yourself fall and sink on a chair, still out of breath.
"I've never seen you this exhausted (L/n)," Mamori smiled. "you're usually so tough looking."
"Ew! What's up with the smile?!" you gave her a nasty look.
But her expression didn't change.
"You're opening up more to us, I'm glad."
If you weren't red already from exhaustion, you'd blush. You just huffed and looked away. Meanwhile, Hiruma was reading a newspaper and was getting more and more frustrated.

"Dammit!" he exclaimed as he slammed it on the table.
You leaned closer to see what he's been reading. There was an article about the Ojo White Knights' latest game. It was a pretty close call, but they won. The journalist commentated saying that 'their days were over'.
'What a jerk.' you frowned. 'Again, they still won. Why is everyone being so hard on them?!'
"Didn't know you were a fan." you looked up at him.
"Nah. Now the 'two touchdowns agaisnt Ojo' propaganda isn't as effective anymore."
'So it *is* propaganda!'

"Screw it." he took out his laptop and his phone. "We're having a game this weekend!"
"A-already?!" Kurita exclaimed, nervous.
"Yeah, isn't it a bit soon?" you asked. "You just got one new member."
"Two!" he pointed at you before going back to typing. "And we gotta show off those new members to the entire school so more people will wanna join!"
You lifted an eyebrow. What, does he think having you threaten the other players will impress people?
'Honestly, he might.'
"That's a good point though..." Kurita said, his eyebrows furrowed. "If we don't let anyone see how we play, no one will want to join."

Hiruma finally closed his laptop and called someone on his phone.
"Check your email."
A moment passed, then you could hear desperate screaming on the other end of the line. Hiruma's smile widen.
"Your school's team against our team! You have three days, bring it!" he said before hanging up.
"Just like that huh?" you blinked twice.
"Just like that." he leaned back in his chair and put hi laptop away.
"Wait, three days?!"
"That's plenty enough."
"No it isn't!"
"Why do you care?" he smirked. "You're not gonna play. What, you worried or somethin'?"
"For you? Fuck no! But if you humiliate yourselves, it'll be on *your* ass-"
"We're not gonna lose!" he suddenly leaned closer. "Trust your team!"
Before you could retort, Sena and Monta came back.

"Hurry up and sit down!" Hiruma said, leaning back again. "I'll give you a rundown on the next practice game."
"Practice game?" Monta's face lit up.
"Who are we up against?" Sena asked.
"Oh yeah, who did you even call?" you added.
He chuckled and turned the tv on. A video began to play, it was footage of a football team playing. You recognized those colors.
"The Zokugaku Chameleons."
"No way!" Monta became pale.
You tilted your head. What was up with that reaction? Does he know him?
"Blinders; Punching; Kicking; In other words, they're like dirty players on parade." Hiruma explained, the footage illustrating his words. "Basically, they're like dirty players on parade. They'll do anything."
"How horrible!" Mamori slammed her hands on the table. "There's no need to do such things while playing a practice game!"
"But you see, they're pretty formidable." Kurita handed her an open magazine.

She took it and read:
"Zokugaku's Chameleons instantly jumped in ability when their linebacker, Rui Habashira, joined the team. His main characteristic is his long arms. He has a long reach that can grab just about anything moving. An ability that even Shin lacks."
"Damn." you said under your breath.
You looked at the tv and was able to spot this Rui guy instantly. He looked freaky.
"But Eyeshield 21 could beat him at running anytime." Hiruma said.
"Aren't we in the middle of the spring tournament?" Monta asked. "For them to be playing against us, they gotta be a weak team that lost the preliminaries, right?"
"Huh. That's a good point Monkey boy, I'm surprised."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" he glared at you, to which you just snickered.

"Um...That's not quite right." Kurita pointed at the screen.
It showed Rui getting into an argument with the referee before punching him in the face, then him and his teammates began to kick him.
"Holy shit!" your eyes widen.
"It says they lost their qualifications for this spring tournament and are being looked at as the dark horse for the fall tournament." Mamori kept reading.
"Th...That's scary." Sena nervously mumbled.
"H-He's lucky all they did was take away their qualification away." Monta said.
"Let's get started with practice!" Hiruma stood up and pointed at Mamori. "Gather everyone up!"

While she left to bring the substitute players, the rest of you guys went to the school's gym. You joined Sena and Monta in their long and painful stretches. You were struggling, but at least you weren't the only one suffering. But given your physique, there were some stretches you just couldn't do. While the boys were doing a bridge without their arms, they were too focused to notice that you weren't doing it. You clenches your fists.
"Oi." Hiruma poked your side with his foot. "You don't have to do it like that too."
The frown you made made him roll his eyes. He crouched in front of you to be at eye level.
"If you go beyond your limits from the get-go, you'll just end up hurting yourself. Don't be dumb."
You looked down and took a deep breath before looking back at him.
"How should I do it then?"
He smiled.
"Try keeping your chest on the ground and just lifting your hips."
You tried that, and it was a lot more manageable, you even did it on your tippy toes to make sure you stretched as much as possible. Hiruma stood up and went back to his own workout. You didn't get to say thank you. Just then, Sena fumbled and fell. And just then, Mamori came back with two members of the basketball team, who'd also play in football matches.

"Sena!" she rushed to help him up. "Are you okay?!"
"Hey! Quit goofing off!" Hiruma exclaimed, working out his legs on a machine while cleaning one of his rifles. "You gotta be sure to strengthen up your neck or else you'll get trashed at the game!"
"But Sena has nothing to do with that!"
"Well...Since it's all set up, I thought I'd do some muscle training with everyone."
"It's nice that you're trying your best, but don't overdo it. Why don't you workout like how (L/n) does? What she's doing looks a lot more easier."
Sena looked over and saw the intense look of focus on your face.
'I feel like she'd be insulted if she heard you...' he thought.

"Are you okay?" Mamori started massaging his shoulders. "Does it hurt anywhere?"
"Ow! Ouchie!" Monta suddenly grabbed his own shoulder, wriggling on the floor. "It hurts here and there and everywhere! It hurts so bad! But I'm sure I'll get better if Mamori gent'y strokes me!"
"The fuck?" you stopped what you were doing and looked at him, weirded out.
"I'll massage you!" Kurita walked over.
"N-No no wait-!" he exclaimed before getting crushed by Kurita's massage.
You cackled and pointed at him.

"Putting that aside," Hiruma stood up. "has everyone shown up?"
"Don't you also have a guy from the track team?" you asked.
"Ishimaru, I couldn't find him anywhere." Mamori said. "He wasn't in his classroom nor on the athletic field."
"Um..." you all looked over to see him in a corner of the room, holding two dumbbells. "I've been here from the start."
"Aaaah!" you flinched. "Creepy!"
"I-I've been with you ever since you started watching the video in the club room."
"You were there?!" everyone asked.
"And you didn't say anything?!" you frowned.
"No charisma!" Monta pointed.
Ishimaru looked more and more depressed with each remark.
"Being told you lack charisma isn't a compliment in football." Kurita's eyebrows furrowed.
"Sure isn't." Mamori said. "You want to show off in front of everyone at the practice game."
"Excatly." Hiruma smirked.
You gulped. The more you're hearing of this practice game, the more nervous you felt.

The next day, Hiruma came up to you when the bell rang for lunch break.
"Impie, come with me."
"Where?"
"Come on. We got a special mission for today. Let's go get Fatty too."
"Why?! Where are we going?!"
He didn't answer, it made you frown, but you still followed him even when he let go of you. It made you feel a bit better when Kurita wasn't explained anything either. The three of you went to the radio room. The small red light at the top of the closed door signified that they were on air.

"It's our lunch music time!" you heard through the school's speakers. "Now then, today's music will be-"
Hiruma pulled out a machine gun and fired it at the door before kicking it off its hinges.
"Hi-Hiruma?!" the two radio hosts looked at him, terrified. "*And* (L/n)?!"
Without a word, he took out his blackmail notebook and they went pale.
"Now get the hell outta here!"
They ran out of the room.
"Fatty, block the door." he said as he walked in. "Impie, you're with me."
"And what am I doing exactly?" you followed him as Kurita stood in the doorway, blocking anyone who'd try and stop you guys.
"Here." he sat down and handed you a note. "Make an announcement."
"What?"

You took it and read through. It was a short list of bullet points.
"What?!"
"Come on." he grabbed your sleeve and pulled you down onto the chair next to him.
"W-wait! I don't how to make announcements!"
"You'll be fine, just wing it." he handed you the mic, his other hand hovering above the 'on air' button.
"You can't just-"
"Thee two one go!" he pressed it.
You panicked, grabbed the mic and deeply inhaled.
"Yaaaa-ha!!! 'Sup motherfuckers guess what?! Big fuckin' news! We're having a football game this Saturday right here at school, against the Zokugaku Chameleons! And you know it's some real shit 'cause the 'Homicide Tackle-using Devil' Eyeshield 21 will be there! Get your vomit bags ready 'cause it's gonna be hard to watch! Not of that pansy ass dick tugging smile-for-the-camera bullshit! Bleeding crying shitting your pants and football, at least one of those things will happen!"
"All those things!" Hiruma jumped in. "You're garbage if you don't come! Kekekekeke!"

He pressed the button again, ending the broadcast. You buried your red face in your hands as he loudly cackled.
"Nice job Cherry!"
"I wanna die." you mumbled. "I wanna die so much."
'That was way too much swear words!'
"Stop the whining, it was very much on brand for you." he stood up. "The point of this plan is to get as much attention as possible. Now," he walked away. "on to step two."
"That was just step one?!" you looked at him.
"You can go now." he told Kurita, who nodded with a look of relief.
Although a few people have tried to break it and stop you guys, once they were face-to-face with Hiruma, all their courage went away. He ignored them and looked back at you.
"Cherry, got another mission for ya."
'I'm still blushing?!' you touched your cheeks, they were warm and you hated it.

"Go to the school gates, we got a delivery for us today. Bring it to the roof I'll meet you there."
"What? No, I'm never showing my face in public ever again!"
"Go." he pointed his riffle at you.
You intensely shook your head. He clicked his tongue and walked over to you.
"What?" you asked.
When you saw that he was walking in your personal space.
"Ayo."
You stood up and leaned back, pressing your hands on the table-
"Yoyoyoyo!"
-as he leaned closer, and closer-
"Okay okay okay!" you exclaimed turning your head away. "Just get the fuck away from me already!"
He flicked his fingers on your forehead, making you yelp in surprise and pain.
"Next time, stop arguing." he smirked, finally walking away. "Now go!"

On the way outside, you did your very best to avoid as many people as possible. But considering your reputation, it kinda had the opposite effect. As some point you just gave up and walked normally, having to deal with the looks and snickers of other students. You yelled at a few of them, but this announcement took a toll on your voice.
"It's against Zokugaku."
"You really think they'll be crushed?"
"It'd be sweet if we won."
You glanced to the side. Wait, that worked?! People really wanted to see the match now?!
"Damn..."
Now at the school gates, you waited for a short while before two big trucks pulled up in front of the school. The driver of the first one stepped out and stood in front of you.
"Hey there, got a special delivery for the Devil Bats. You're...(L/n) (Y/n) right?"
"Y-yeah?"

"Alright. Five hundred custom footballs."
'What?!'
"Sign here please." he handed you his clipboard with a pen.
You signed it.
"Um, could you bring them to the roof please?"
"Of course, come on boys!"
Delivery men stepped out of the back of the truck, carrying big bags full of white and red footballs. You led them to the roof where Hiruma was waiting, he looked back at you.
"You didn't carry them yourself?"
"Fuck no!"
"Pffff."
You glared at him then said goodbye to the delivery men as they left. You picked up one of the football to look closer at it. Something was written on it. 'Come see my awesomeness as Eyeshield 21! Ya-ha!'

"Aight, load it up." he picked up one of the bags.
You watched as he carried it to a machine with a big hamster wheel and a canon. He put the footballs into a container on the side of the machine.
"What's the plan exactly?" you asked.
"The practice game's the day after tomorrow, so tomorrow, we gotta bring out the big guns."
"In all sense of the terms..."
He cackled.

"If you plan on having me running on that wheel, I will jump from this roof if it means I'd escape."
"What, no." he looked back at you. "That's not in your workout schedule."
"Oh *that's* why."
"I'll have Cerberus doing it. We'll also have to pay a visit to the art club. Now load this damn thing!"
You dragged one of the bags with you to the machine. After making sure it was ready for tomorrow, the two of you went to the art club where Hiruma made a commission: a giant poster the size of a billboard advertising the practice match. To use as reference, he provided a picture of Rui and one of Eyeshield with his thumb down.
'I knew he had something in mind when he tricked him into doing it.'
"Th-there's no way we can make this by tomorrow!" the club leader said.
"It will be done!" he pointed a bunch of guns at them. "No one goes home until you're finished!"
They all screamed in terror. You sighed.

Your publicity stunt sure gathered a crowd the next morning.
"Now they've done it!" the students talked amongst themselves.
"But Zokugaku isn't going to stay quiet when they see this."
"I bet it's the bleeding that'll happen!"
You started to look around, looking for something.
"Ah, (L/n)-san."
You looked over to see Sena and Monta.
"What are you doing?" Monta asked.
"I just figured that, if Eyeshield sees this, he must be pretty nervous."
"Are you curious about who he could be?"
"Not particularly. Although I do think it's stupid to keep his identity a secret."
"H-He must have his reason." Sena said.

Just then, he noticed something and yelped, hiding behind you.
"What the fuck?" you frowned.
You followed his gaze and saw three tall boys, who gave him a nasty look before walking away.
"Huh..."
"What's up with these guys?" you asked.
"They're bullies!" Monta exclaimed.
"I was sure they'd wanna pick a fight with me..."
"And you hid behind me? Fight your own battles!"
"I-I'm sorry! I wasn't thinking!"

After today's practice, you finally finished at the same time as everyone else and you felt so proud of yourself.
"Kiddos, Impie!" Hiruma pointed at you, Sena and Monta. "Go buy the preparatory protective gear for tomorrow's game!"
'So, more running.' you sighed.
On the way to the sports shop, you were out of breath, the two boys way ahead of you.
"Come on (Y/n)!" Monta looked back. "The shop's right there! Dash max~!!!"
You pushed yourself for that home stretch, thank god it ended on a big downward slope. Once there, you didn't even notice you went passed Sena.
"You did it!" Monta slapped you on the back.
'Ouch!' it hurt, but you didn't want to express any pain.
"What's Sena doing?"
You both looked back, he was still on the road, talking to someone in a track suit.

"No clue."
"Well whatever, let's go buy the stuff."
He pulled out the envelop containing the club's fund money. But suddenly, two guys on a motorcycle passed by and snatched it off of him. You gasped.
"Crap!"
"Hey!!!" you ran after them, Monta quickly following. "Give that back you filthy rat fucks!"
"Like you can catch us fatty!" the thieves cackled.
"Call me that again when I shove my fat fist up your ass and up your mouth! I'll use you as a puppet!"
"The team funds! Give it back!" Monta yelled.
You were already worn out as he went past you, you tripped over and fell. Then Sena came out of nowhere and went passed you in a second.
"Woah!" you let out.
'That speed...'

Then that other guy in the track suit followed him and quickly caught up to him. He was just as fast as him.
'Are they really gonna stop a bike with their bare hands?!'
But they were out of sight within seconds, so it wasn't like you would get to see it.
"(Y/n)!" Monta stopped and looked back. "Are you okay?!"
"Just go! Don't worry about me!" you waved your arm.
He looked worried, but he still ran away to catch up with them. Now alone, you winced and sat up. Your knee was bleeding a little bit, it stung. You wanted to stand up, but your legs were too tired for that.
"Dammit..." you mumbled. "Why did I think I could do it."
After a while, you were able to stand up. You sat at a nearby bench and waited for the boys to come back. You got nervous when you heard car horns followed by a loud crash. You got your phone out and was ready to call an ambulance when you saw them coming back. You unknowingly breathed a sigh of relief. Monta was holding the envelop with a big happy grin. You smiled too, happy to have gotten the money back. But your smile fell, and your eyes widen when you recognized the guy in the tracking suit that was still with them. It was Seijuro Shin.

"We got it~!" Monta waved the envelop.
"Are you okay (L/n)-san?" Sena asked.
"Why do you care?" you mumbled, frowning.
Shin walked up to you.
"You quickly ran out of breath."
Your frowned deepened. From his perspective, your shitty running probably looked like a joke. You were ready to snap back at anything he'd say.
"Don't talk while you're running, regulate your breathing. Inhale for three steps, then exhale for two."
You expression fell.
'He's...giving me advice?'
You felt your heart skip a beat.

"Maintain good posture, keep your gaze forward-"
You panicked and quickly opened your notes app to write this down, listening intently and nodding along. Meanwhile, Sena and Monta looked on, bewildered.
"Didn't think him the teaching type." Monta whispered.
"Didn't think her the student type." Sena whispered.
"-Avoid slumping your shoulders, instead broaden your chest and draw your shoulders down and back."
"Mh-hmm, okay..."
"And keep your arms relaxed as you swing them. What's your eating regimen?"
"Huh?" you looked up from your phone, you didn't expect a question from him. "I...I don't have one."
"Get one. Eat a full meal three or four hours before training. After, eat lot of proteins and carbohydrates, it helps with muscle recovery."
"Got it."

"You're part of the Devil Bats right?"
"Y-yeah. My name is (L/n) (Y/n)." you bowed, his serious and to-the-point behavior getting to you. "I joined the club so I could train with the other players and get stronger."
"Mmh." he nodded then looked at Sena. "And you found a receiver. Get everything prepared for the fall tournament. Ojo will be several times more powerful by then. I'll be waiting for you at the finals." he said before running away.
"So cool..." you whispered with a spark in your eyes.

You watched him leave, looking over his posture (he seemed to be following his own advice, that's good).
"...Sena, you're Eyeshield 21 aren't you?"
"Gaaaah!!!" he looked at you with big eyes. "N-no!"
"You are."
He sighed, his shoulders dropping.
"I'm sorry I kept it a secret from you. Hiruma, he said-"
"Alright, I didn't ask for your whole backstory."
"I-I'm sorry."
"But Sena's not the jerk Hiruma makes him out to be as Eyeshield!" Monta exclaimed.
"Figured. Hiruma's just like that."

"Please don't...tell anyone." Sena hesitantly asked of you.
"I won't. But you will have to at some point."
"I want to do it once I get strong enough to protect Mamori-neesan. Ever since we were children, she was the one protecting me from bullies, even now..."
Your gaze softened for a moment. Just for a moment.
"What did I say?!"
"N-not to know my backstory!"
"Exactly!" you snatched the envelop away from Monta and stood up. "Come on kiddos! Let's go buy stuff!"
"Yes ma'am!" the two boys exclaimed with a soldier salute before following you to the shop.

After that, you went back to the club room. You saw motorcycles parked in front of it, but the boys didn't seem to have noticed.
"I'll be waiting for you at the finals." Monta put on a grave voice, mimicking Shin's face.
"He was *way* cooler!" Sena exclaimed.
"Then *you* give it a try!"
"No point in doing that." you said. "He's too cool to replicate."
"What?!" they both exclaimed, stopping while you went ahead. "(L/n) complimenting someone?!"
"Shut the fuck up!" you glared at them, blushing.
"Eeeek!!!"

"So, why'd you call us here?" you heard from the club room.
Curious, you opened the door. Then closed it.
"What's wrong (L/n)-san?" Sena asked.
You looked at him with pursued lips, then opened the door just a little bit for him and Monta to see. They became paler. Rui Habashira was sitting down, with his team behind him. Across the table from him was Hiruma, dressed as Eyeshield 21, leaning back with his crossed legs on the table.
"I just wanna say: I'm Eyeshield 21, and tomorrow, I'm bringin' you vermin to society down. So look forward to it!"
Rui stood up and was ready to kick his ass but his teammates held him back. Hiruma was unfazed by it.
"You jerk! I'm gonna pound your face in!"
"Oh~? So you still think you'll win? Whichever side lises will become gophers and have to do *anything* the others say!" he pointed.
"Bring it on! You losers even lost big time to those Ojo losers!"

"Oh wow." you walked in. "Using 'losers' twice in the same sentence, you suck at this."
'(L/n)-san! No!!!' the two boys stayed outside.
"Huh?!" Rui shook his teammates' arms off and walked up to you. "You got some nerves ugly! Don't you know who I am?! I'm Rui Habashira, the best linebacker around!"
"Do *you*?!" you leaned closer to him. "You lizard freak! I'm-"
"Devil Bats' Little Imp." Hiruma cut you off. "Spitting out hell's fire."
'What?'
"And you're not the best linebacker." he added.
"Right!" you glared. "Shin is!"
"Shin?!" Rui laughed. "He's a loser!"
Suddenly, the door opened wide, Sena stood in the doorway and for a moment, everyone looked at him.
"Sh...Shin is the strongest."
"What'd'you say?!" Rui frowned.
"Shin is definitely the strongest!" he repeated, more assertive. "We'll see him at the finals! He won't lose to anyone!"

Rui looked enraged. He went passed you and grabbed Sena's head.
"Say that again!"
The poor boy was shaking like a leaf.
"Stop it!" Mamori stood between them.
"Pfff! A chick's protecting you? He won't lose? And what could a cowardly shrimp like you do?"
Sena glared at him, making him smirk.
"Got a problem?"
Sena gently pushed Mamori out if the way and faced him.
"I may be weak," he said. "but I'm not the one who will be fighting you."
"So you're relying on others! Who'll fight me then? Spit it out!"
"Eyeshield 21!"

You felt a chill. At this moment, he was as cool as Shin.
'I can see why they're rivals now. But it seems to be more than that.'
"We'll see about that! I'll see you lo-dumbasses on the field!"
'He was about to say losers again, didn't he?'
He then looked at you for a moment. You made a face to silently say 'the fuck do you want?' He clicked his tongue and walked away with his team to leave on their bikes. Now alone, you looked at Hiruma who took off the eyeshield helmet.
"Why didn't you let me say it?" you asked. "Maybe they know my brother, I could've use this!"
"You never use every card you have right away." he smirked. "Keep that lil tidbit of info under your sleeve until the end."
You pursued your lips in a pout.
"Now." he leaned closer with a graver expression. "Who's the best again?"
"Huh? Um, Shin's the best linebacker."
He narrowed his eyes. He knew what you said was true, but he didn't like the sound of it, not coming from you. He stood up.

"Alright!!!" he fired two riffles in the air. "Everyone get the hell outta here! Go home and sleep! Whoever's late to tomorrow's game will be punished and meet their worst nightmare!"
"Yessir!!!" everyone exclaimed.
"What's gotten him so fired up?" Monta asked, then saw the look on Sena's face, too focused to even hear him. "Yeesh! You're fired up too!"
Mamori and Kurita smiled. They knew.