Tied Up 〔An Eyeshield 21's Fanfiction〕

Ch.27: Close to 0%

Days went by so fast since their game against Kyoshin ended. But they couldn't keep celebrating it since their next opponent in the semi final was way stronger than Kyoshin.

Seibu Wild Gunman

The anxiety inside of Rie was doubled up. Seibu is one of the best teams in Tokyo, alongside Oujou. And the difference in point because of the kicks was one of the reason why she tried her best to aid the team by gathering the information that she could get and pushing the limit of her brain to make tactics that could counter Seibu's play.

...

"Oh, Rie-chan!"

The said girl bowed politely to the old man who lied on a hospital bed.

"Hello, Oji-san. How are you?"
"I'm good and hardy as usual, of course!"
"Glad to hear that. I'm sorry that I couldn't come to visit you for few months. There are... many things happened."

Even though the young girl managed to form a smile on her lips, there was a hint of sadness on her eyes. And the old man knew it.

"I wouldn't mind to hear your story, my dear."

With that, Rie sat, told the old man her story about her mother's death and everything that she's been through up until now. A gentle pat landed on her head, causing her to bite her lower lip in order to suppress her tears.

"I saw Mu-- Gen-kun at school by the way," she said, changing the subject, "Glad that he looks well, even though we didn't chat too long since he's busy with his job."
"That foolish son of mine. I've already told him that I'm fine, that he should go to school and play american football that he likes instead of doing the construction works in my place."

Musashi's father balled his fist. At first, Rie didn't know how to react. But, she recalled a conversation that she had with her mother before she went to America.

"I'm alright, darling. You don't have to cancel your trip just because you don't want to leave me alone. I want you to live your youth to the fullest. Just go and have fun."

It's pretty much the same with Musashi's father. They didn't want to stand in their kids' way and youth life. They want them to experience many things that they could only get during this time. Yet, the kids were also worrying about them. The difference was Rie decided to go while Musashi decided to stay. But Rie lost her mother in the process.

"I'm sure, Gen-kun just worried about you. I, too, regretted my choice to go to America at that time. I can't protect my mother in result," she said with a bitter smile. "That's why, Oji-san, don't force him. Let Gen-kun decides it for himself."

…

Sorry, I can't attend the training session today, along with the Field Day. Have fun, okay?

That was the content of her message that she sent to Hiruma this morning. She's not feeling that well to get up from her bed. Apparently, the lass had a cold, probably because she's too tired. After she visited Musashi's father, she's been working nonstop to analyze Seibu's plays. She watched each of their game during this year and took notes of a lot of important things that Hiruma should be aware in order to beat Seibu.

Along with that message, she decided to lie and tell Hiruma that she went to her father's house instead. She didn't want to hinder him and his practices, though she didn't expect him to come and nurse her either. Never in million years that that wild idea would ever come across her mind. It was out of his character and nothing would come out great if she kept hoping for that. But, well, telling that white lie might make it easier for him to concentrate on their next game. It was very important and she knew that he needed to be focused.

The next day, he got the recording of Seibu's last summer vacation practice match against Taiyou Sphinx that Rie sent to him. A well-written analysis also attached on the package. She worked her ass off by writing another set of analysis regarding the facts of every player that she got from watching Seibu's other games and possible play that Deimon could use to counterattack Kid's 0.2 seconds quickdraw, Tetsuma's flawless way of following pass routes, Riku's rodeo drive, and Ushijima's dual horn. At least, those 4 were the most troublesome players in Seibu. She'd done her job, so the rest was up to the demon himself to use the information well and elaborate her tactics to his own likings. She believed him 100%, even though both of them knew that their chance of winning was close to 0%.

...

'For f*cking sake, foolish girl. Why didn't you tell me that you're sick?'

Those long fingers stroked my hair gently; the cold, back of his hand touched my forehead, probably to check whether my temperature had gone down or not. Even though I was asleep, it's like I could hear his words and feel his touch. It must be a dream, since first, there was no way a sleeping person could conscious of things like that. And second, it's just, didn't seem like him at all. That foul mouth was one of his distinct feature, indeed. Yet, I could never imagine a demon named Hiruma Youichi would nurse the sick me. There was no way, period. But if you ask me, was it my best dream until now, I could answer it without thinking twice.

Yes, it was.

...

Apparently, it wasn't a dream. She woke up in his arms the next morning. When she studied his sleeping face, Rie noticed that he looked so tired, perhaps because of trainings and looking after her. Her dainty fingers brushed his cheeks as a smile appeared on her face. She was a lot better than yesterday as her temperature was almost back to normal. Hiruma stirred in his sleep as Rie's fingers traced his cheekbone and caressed it.

"... How do you feel, stupid girl?" He asked as he touched her forehead with his. In the other hand, her cheeks were burning due to his action. The temperature of her face probably went up.
"The medicine didn't have any effect, huh?"
"N-no, I'm feeling better. I-it's just..."

The half-asleep demon furrowed his eyebrows then opened his eyelids fully before noticing her flushed face.

"You're getting worse?" He asked without making any effort to put a distance between them.
"J-j-just get away from me!"

...

"What was that, fuckin' girl? I nursed you until late, even though I'm so tired with the practice. And that's what I got from you?"

She knew he mad at her, but she deserved it. After all, she shoved him until he fell from her bed. It was unintentional, indeed. All she wanted to do was to create a distance between them. Rie didn't expect that her power was strong enough to push him away and made him fell to the floor.

"I've said sorry already...."
"If sorry can't fix everything, we don't need police and jail, you know?"
"Then, what should I do to make you forgive me?"

One of his eyebrow quirked.

"You'll do anything I say?"

She nodded right away, quick and 100% sure of her decision.

"I'll save it for later. Let's have a breakfast, dummy."

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I've been working on this chapter for so long but sorry that I've updated it just now because somehow I felt uncertain about the next chapter's story. Well, hope that I can update chapter 28 without a hassle.