Tied Up 〔An Eyeshield 21's Fanfiction〕

Ch. 23.5: How Much Do You Love Me?

They won over Amino easily at the end, although they had a small incident with Sena and Taki took a wrong bus that took them away to Nagano. Rie couldn't stop shaking her head in disbelief when she knew that. Hiruma was angry for a short time but he quickly regained his cool and led the game until Sena arrived really well. It's all thanks to Habashira that picked them up.

"Habashira is not that bad, huh?"

They went back by walking. Rie and Hiruma went together as he promised her to always send her back home if it's possible, since he thought she would be more lonely when she got home if he doesn't do it.

"What? You fell for him?" He replied without even glanced to the blonde girl beside him.
"Seriously, again?" She was half annoyed and half amused as she rolled her eyes while she talked, "But, really. Seeing this side of yours is somewhat fascinating, to be honest."
"Tch. Stop mocking at me, fuckin' girl."
"I'm not mocking at you. I just uttered the fact. I never thought that you're that kind of boy, you know, act jealous all the time."
"Delete that 'all the time' words."
She laughed, "Okay okay. But that doesn't change the fact that you're jealous with Sei, even with Habashira! Oh, I can't believe it. The demon, Hiruma Youichi, is falling in love that hard with me."
"Stop it, will you?"
"No, I can't. At least now," Rie smiled mischievously, clearly enjoyed her time in teasing her boy, "Say, how much do you love me, Youichi?"

Hiruma flinched at her question, not so visible but still visible enough for her to catch it.

"Why? Did I surprise you?" She asked, playing the innocent.
"No. Why would I be surprised by that?"
"Then, answer it, will you?"
"It's up to me to answer it or not, right?"
"Real man never avoids any question that asked by his girl."
"And what made you so sure that I'm a real man?"
"Oh? I thought that you would deny the part that I addressed myself as your girl."

Constant teasing and Rie still didn't have any intention to back down.

"Well, it's not like it's wrong so why I should deny it?"
"Oho ho ho, is that so...?"
"Now, could you stop it? Especially the ohoho thing. It's fuckin' creepy."

The blondie grabbed his hand and entwined their fingers.

"Nope. You haven't answered my question yet."
"... What are you doing, fuckin' girl? You're not into PDA and me neither. Why so--"
"There isn't any single person here. My neighbourhood isn't that crowded," She cut his words with a reasonable argument, "And I think this isn't bad. Just now, I think how nice to show the world that you're mine."

Rie was to busy to lean over Hiruma's side that she missed an interesting sight of his. Guess what? The captain of Deimon Devil Bat was actually... blushed at that remark.

"Shut up and let me go."

He shook his hand but the ever persistent Rie wouldn't budge that easily.

"Answer my question and I'll do that."

Hiruma gave her a deep, annoyed sigh.

"You can't measure one's affection, you know."
"Is it this much?" Rie made a circle with her hand, completely ignoring him and his protest, "Or this much?" Now she made a big circle ―or half circle by moving her arm, remembering that her other hand was occupied with Hiruma's.
"Or... don't say that you don't love me?"

Her last question made his eyes widened. He wanted to deny it but, he's not that type of person who will answer those kind of questions easily.

"I said stop, Rie."

When she heard him mentioned her name in such a stern and exhausted tone, she slowly loosened her grip on his hand and eventually let it go.

"... Okay. Sorry," she mumbled without looking at him. Rie knew that she crossed the line. She was so excited until she forgot when to stop. They went silent until they arrived at Rie's house.

"Thank you, Youichi. And forget what I said earlier. I don't mind it. Bye bye," Rie tried to maintain her smile and play cool in front of him as she waved her hand towards him.
"Yeah. Bye," he replied.

She knew from the very first that she wouldn't be able to be lovey-dovey like other couple. Of course because the one she dated is Hiruma Youichi.

Don't get your hopes too high.

✾✾✾

Their practice went out as usual, at morning and afternoon-to-evening. At morning practice, both Rie and Hiruma talked normally, like things from yesterday was never happened. But, they both knew that despite being normal with each other, they're actually awkward. There was a tension that no one could see or feel. It continued until the class and the after school practice. Neither Hiruma or Rie talked to the other. Hiruma was busy training the boys while Rie kept herself busy with the analysis of their next opponents. The teams finally sensed something. It just weird for them to see their captain and manager didn't argue with each other for a whole day. But, they kept their mouth shut to save their life (it's Hiruma we're talking about). Still, Hiruma and Rie stayed late as usual to finish their work ―analysis, strategies, and such― because tomorrow, they would play against Yuhi Guts. They were not a formidable rival but Deimon couldn't take them easy as well because they got will, and a huge enthusiasm. When she finished, she closed her laptop and started to tidy up her things.

"I'll send you my analysis when I got home. So, then, I'll take my leave now. Good evening, captain."

That's the only time she talked to him after the practice finished. She bowed slightly then turned on her heels, facing towards the door, ready to go home, when his words stopped her in her place.

"We need to talk."

Unconsciously, Rie squeezed the fabric of her skirt, her habit when she wanted to suppress her emotion. She managed her composure before the lass turned to face the demon.

"What is it?" She asked with a flat tone.

Hiruma closed his laptop and put it on the nearby table. He knew very well that in a serious talk like this, playing an ignorant act would only like giving fuel on a fire.

But still, he tried his best to look cool and composed, like this problem wouldn't mean that much for his life.

"About yesterday, I didn't mean it."

Silence. Rie gave him a chance to talk first, it seems.

"I'm just tired and didn't mean to hurt your feeling."

Oh.

"I've known that already, idiot." She tried her best to give him her widest grin then processed to walk towards the door yet this time, a hand stopped her. That same hand yanked her as the only person other than her in the room embraced her tightly.

Yet, he failed.

Despite being shocked by this, when the boy lifted her chin and leaned down to claim her lips, she responded quite well. The kiss deepened within seconds as she granted him an entrance to her mouth when he bit her lower lip. One of his hand worked to gently push her head towards him more and the other was on her waist to keep the distance between them remained close. But, even though they wanted to savour the scarce, sweet moment, they couldn't deny that they also needed air to breathe. Rie's face became flushed, red as tomato. Hiruma smirked at this as he pinched her nose then pulled her into another hug.

"That's... our first real kiss," she said, barely audible as she nuzzled into his chest in embarrassment. He only chuckled at this. He kissed the top of her head before muttering something that made her blushed more.

"I lost, huh? Well, you know what? It's more than you think and I mean it."

…

It's just an extra story. Sorry for making Hiruma out of character in this chapter and sorry for the wait! ❥