[Fanfic] Wait For Me [Chapter 1]
Title: Wait For Me [Chapter 1]
Rating: T
Disclaimers: I do not own any of the characters used here. They belong to their respective owners, namely the creators of Eyeshield 21.
Summary: A sequel to my earlier fic, Gravity. Time is moving faster than before, and one question will be on the mind's of both Hiruma and Mamori. How long is too long?
Notes: It's finally here! After getting many comments filled with love and support for "Gravity" (thank you so much!), I also got a number of people demanding for a sequel. Admittedly, at the end of Gravity, I did see a sequel possible, but hesitated quite a bit as I wasn't sure if I was up for it. One of the main reasons is that this isn't going to be a simple fic like the original one. This is definitely going to be a bit darker, but it has been one aspect of HiruMamo that I've been thinking about even around the time I was still writing Gravity. It just surprised me that Gravity could lead in to this, I wasn't expecting it.
So here it is, you guys. Please do not expect this to be as light or as simple as Gravity, but I really do hope you enjoy the chapters I have planned. Here's the first one!
~*~
The stadium was cheering loudly, a triumphant roar erupting from the crowd around her. It was a joyful, powerful cheer that seemed to envelope everyone around, rising with the spirits of the players donning blue and green before her. Yet these joyous feelings barely reached Mamori, the scenery didn’t match her feelings at that moment.
Because although there was much to celebrate, her heart was breaking, and she could not fight the tears that were now flowing freely down her cheeks.
He was coming towards her now, and so were the rest of the team. Their walk was slow, their exhaustion made heavier by the burden of defeat. The other team had hoisted up their runningback, cheering and shouting with joy. But her attention was fixed firmly upon him. He was looking at her, smirking, causing her to smile despite her tears.
It was over. It was a long, long road but it was finally over.
Even though their last game ended up in defeat, and it was a painful thought, they had finally reached their end with a bang.
As the team finally approached her, Mamori quickly wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. Holding her clipboard close to her chest, she grabbed a few bottles of water, donning a comforting smile. “Good work, everyone!”
~*~
Mamori rushed straight into the family restaurant, breathless as her eyes searching frantically before finally resting upon two of her best friends. “Sara! Ako!”
The two girls’ faces lit up as they ushered Mamori to sit with them. “Mamori-kaa-san!” cried Sara, who after all these years still used that name out of pure affection and habit. “I’m so glad you can make it since it’s been so long! How have you been?” asked Sara.
“It’s been really hectic! I just had my last exam today and… well… after this, I’m pretty much graduating,” Mamori beamed as a waitress passed her a menu.
“Oh, finally!” cried Ako excitedly. “You’ve been busy for months with the Rice Bowl and studies that we haven’t seen you since that birthday party at Sara’s!”
“And what a party that was!” giggled Sara, raising an eyebrow at Mamori.
Mamori cringed as she distracted herself by opening the menu. “Did you really have to bring that up now?”
Sara continued to giggle. “I’m sorry, but since we didn’t get to talk after the party, I think it’s best if we talk about it now that you’re finally free.” There was a twinkle in Sara’s eyes that made Mamori feel even more uncomfortable. “You say a lot of interesting things when you’re drunk, Mamori-kaa-san.”
“Yeah!” Ako nodded. “Oh, and by the way, I looked up Yamato Takeru after you mentioned how cute he is at that party. You’re right, he really is handsome!”
“I didn’t say that!” Mamori protested. “I said he was a really nice guy, very helpful, polite and optimistic.”
“Uh-huh…” Sara picked up her glass filled with soda and drank it quietly. “That was before you drank all that vodka.”
Mamori sighed, looking at the list of drinks available. She knew she had no choice but to admit defeat. After years of trying to get Mamori to drink and failing, Sara and Ako finally succeeded after they mixed vodka with a number of sweet drinks that really appealed to Mamori. Thinking that the lack of strong alcohol taste was safe for her, she drank a number of glasses before her world spun around her and she could barely remember what she did or said. She had never felt so ashamed, as she woke up the next day with a terrible headache. After a quick phone call with Sara, she confirmed that, much to her dismay, she was pretty drunk the night before. And after months of being able to avoid them, they were now keen to lay out what exactly happened that night.
“Fine,” she finally said. “What other damaging words did I say that made you two so keen to meet me today?”
“Well, other than your little outbursts about your rating of each and every guy in the Saikyoudai Wizards,” Ako stopped for a moment as Mamori let out a groan. “Don’t worry! You gave them all really nice ratings!”
“I don’t think that’s why she groaned, Ako,” Sara smiled cunningly. “But we couldn’t deny that you gave some interesting ratings on that Yamato fellow especially.”
“I think one of Sara’s friends asked if you would date him and you totally said you’d consider it,” Ako grinned in excitement.
Mamori held back another groan. What had she been thinking during that party? She recalled having a tough time during practice on that day, and to make it worse, Hiruma wasn’t being easy on her especially since she had to leave early for the party. But it was Sara’s birthday and after months of continuously cancelling all plans she had with them, she just couldn’t decline her again. Hiruma had been all the more irritable as the Rice Bowl drew nearer. It was Yamato who stood up for her, a feat only Yamato and possibly Agon could pull before such a demon. Mamori must have felt very grateful for him for helping her ‘escape’ as she remembered fuming over the way Hiruma had been treating her lately.
“I may have said that,” Mamori spoke up. “But you girls know that it isn’t something possible.”
“Why not?” asked Ako.
“Well… Yamato’s a really nice guy, and I appreciate every little help he gives me. But we really don't talk that much and I really don’t like him in that way.”
“How would you know?”
Mamori blinked. “Eh?”
“How would you know?” Ako repeated herself. “You’ve never even given him a chance.”
“Ako’s right,” Sara nodded. “How would you know it’s not something more if you’ve never given him a chance?”
Mamori felt her jaw drop a little. Were they being serious? “Sara, Ako, I told you I don’t like him that way… We're just friends! Besides, I’m going to be really busy after my graduation. I finally got accepted into a Kindergarten! How exciting is that? I’m finally going to live my dream…”
Mamori’s attempt at changing the subject didn’t quite work as well as she had hoped. Sara and Ako shared glances at each other for a moment. Then Ako sighed and said, “Hey, Mamori-kaa-san, how is Hiruma?”
“Hiruma?” Mamori couldn’t contain the surprise in her voice. “Well… he’s fine, I suppose. He took our defeat at the recent Rice Bowl pretty well. I guess seeing as we won last year, this defeat wasn’t such a big deal for him…”
“He will be graduating too, right?” Sara spoke up. “What is he going to do after that?”
Mamori stared at the two girls before her, wondering why they were asking such questions. She shrugged for a moment as she thought hard. Hiruma never really did discuss what he was doing after their graduation… “I’m not sure,” Mamori admitted. “I know there was a possibility of him being chosen as a player in one of the teams from the X-League, but news is spreading about a number of players who played in the Rice Bowl recently receiving offer letters from America. But he never really confirmed that with me…”
The girls looked rather solemn as they heard Mamori’s words. “And if he does get that letter to America…” said Sara. “What then?”
“Well…” A feeling of uneasiness began to swell within Mamori. She couldn’t help but look out of the window as she contemplated. They were right… if Hiruma did go to America, what then? Surely, Mamori would be supportive of this… right?
But didn’t Hiruma promise that he would come back to her once the Rice Bowl was over? They had gone through three Rice Bowls at this point, and now that none was in sight, the future seemed clear.
What then, indeed?
“Mamori-kaa-san,” said Ako, interrupting Mamori’s thoughts. “I hope you don’t mind me saying this but I think you really should know that we’re worried about you. You were so caught up with your studies and football… I worry that once you start working, you’ll do the same thing too and forget to live a little…”
“We’ve always let it be since Middle School,” said Sara. “You were always a strong girl that did whatever she set her mind to. When you joined the American Football club in Deimon, we were worried you would wear yourself out but though you coped just fine, you followed Hiruma into Saikyoudai and we saw you work yourself to the bone! It was either work for Hiruma or for you. You’ve been following Hiruma needlessly, and I think since graduation is coming up, you need to take a step away from him. Because after what we saw at that party, I couldn’t help but think you need to live a little more. Take a breather, go on a date!”
Ako nodded. “Sara’s right. Nothing will change if you keep staying in one spot. Do you really think Hiruma would come back for you if he ever does go to America? He’s pretty much done with American Football in Japan, even joining the X-League would be nothing compared to America. He’ll move on to bigger things now, and it’s obvious that you won’t be able to follow him. You should stop waiting for him and keep moving forward!”
Mamori’s mouth felt dry as the weight of their words settled in her mind. Having been so caught up with doing what she had to do in general, basically avoiding him to focus on what she needed to do, there never really was time to discuss this issue with Hiruma.
Was he avoiding her though? They barely spoke about their feelings since that first year in Saikyoudai when she fell sick. She never thought about it much as they knew very well that studies and football were their top priority. But now…
Mamori swallowed dryly as she said, “Thank you for your concern and I appreciate your advice… but-”
Mamori’s words were cut as the waitress walked over. “Are you girls ready to order?”
Mamori took this chance to finally change the subject. “Oh! I completely forgot! Have you girls ordered anything to eat yet? I’ll just get a fruit juice for now…”
Sara and Ako looked at Mamori and each let out a sigh, knowing very well that Mamori just wasn’t going to face the issue they brought up. Not just yet anyway. They finally decided they were better off letting it be for now. “I’ll have Omurice,” said Ako.
“Ah, me too!” said Sara. “Would you like one too, Mamori-kaa-san?”
Mamori smiled at them. “Sure!”
~*~
Mamori waved goodbye at Sara and Ako across the street. After having a meal filled with talks about their future and silly gossip that made them all giggle, Sara and Ako had offered to walk to the train station together, but Mamori insisted she had one little chore to do before she head back.
She was lying. It was something Mamori wasn’t very proud of, but it was necessary. She needed some time to think.
As she walked down the street where a line of shops greeted her, Mamori wondered what she was going to do now. True, she had secured her future as a Kindergarten Teacher, but Sara and Ako brought up an interesting point she never really thought about.
What about Hiruma?
She had been so used to being next to him that it didn’t occur to her that his possible offer letter from America could mean he was leaving her behind. Surely it would be the best for the both of them…
But what about that promise they made? That she would wait for him until the time came? Has that time arrived yet? Should she keep waiting?
She felt an ache in her heart that just wouldn’t go away. Maybe she shouldn’t have gotten that job at that Kindergarten…
Mamori stopped in the middle of the street, shaking her head. “Stupid!” she muttered to herself, causing a few curious glances towards her but she did her best to ignore them. How could she think that? That has been her dream for a long while now. Surely she had every right to chase after it as much as Hiruma does with his.
Then… what now?
Mamori took a deep breath as she tried to clear her thoughts. She knew the answer to this. There was no way Anezaki Mamori was going to let her emotions get the best of her.
She pulled out her phone from her bag, and began to write a text.
~*~
Extra Notes: I'm sorry if everything moved too quickly in this chapter. I thought it would be better to set up the beginning this way as my other option would include writing how things were before the Rice Bowl, and I wasn't quite up for it as it would be long and rather unnecessary.
In the meantime, since I mentioned the X-League, here's what it is. The X-League is sort of the Japanese version of the NFL. Basically the winner of the X-League will fight with the winner of the college championships in the Rice Bowl. In my story, the Saikyoudai Wizards did win the college championships and fought it out with one of the teams in the X-League one year prior to this. They lost this year.
But even so, those from the college championship can still join in the teams in the X-League. This whole joining the X-League will play a bigger role in the next chapter, so do look out for it. It will definitely be Hiruma centric.
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2
Rating: T
Disclaimers: I do not own any of the characters used here. They belong to their respective owners, namely the creators of Eyeshield 21.
Summary: A sequel to my earlier fic, Gravity. Time is moving faster than before, and one question will be on the mind's of both Hiruma and Mamori. How long is too long?
Notes: It's finally here! After getting many comments filled with love and support for "Gravity" (thank you so much!), I also got a number of people demanding for a sequel. Admittedly, at the end of Gravity, I did see a sequel possible, but hesitated quite a bit as I wasn't sure if I was up for it. One of the main reasons is that this isn't going to be a simple fic like the original one. This is definitely going to be a bit darker, but it has been one aspect of HiruMamo that I've been thinking about even around the time I was still writing Gravity. It just surprised me that Gravity could lead in to this, I wasn't expecting it.
So here it is, you guys. Please do not expect this to be as light or as simple as Gravity, but I really do hope you enjoy the chapters I have planned. Here's the first one!
~*~
The stadium was cheering loudly, a triumphant roar erupting from the crowd around her. It was a joyful, powerful cheer that seemed to envelope everyone around, rising with the spirits of the players donning blue and green before her. Yet these joyous feelings barely reached Mamori, the scenery didn’t match her feelings at that moment.
Because although there was much to celebrate, her heart was breaking, and she could not fight the tears that were now flowing freely down her cheeks.
He was coming towards her now, and so were the rest of the team. Their walk was slow, their exhaustion made heavier by the burden of defeat. The other team had hoisted up their runningback, cheering and shouting with joy. But her attention was fixed firmly upon him. He was looking at her, smirking, causing her to smile despite her tears.
It was over. It was a long, long road but it was finally over.
Even though their last game ended up in defeat, and it was a painful thought, they had finally reached their end with a bang.
As the team finally approached her, Mamori quickly wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. Holding her clipboard close to her chest, she grabbed a few bottles of water, donning a comforting smile. “Good work, everyone!”
~*~
Mamori rushed straight into the family restaurant, breathless as her eyes searching frantically before finally resting upon two of her best friends. “Sara! Ako!”
The two girls’ faces lit up as they ushered Mamori to sit with them. “Mamori-kaa-san!” cried Sara, who after all these years still used that name out of pure affection and habit. “I’m so glad you can make it since it’s been so long! How have you been?” asked Sara.
“It’s been really hectic! I just had my last exam today and… well… after this, I’m pretty much graduating,” Mamori beamed as a waitress passed her a menu.
“Oh, finally!” cried Ako excitedly. “You’ve been busy for months with the Rice Bowl and studies that we haven’t seen you since that birthday party at Sara’s!”
“And what a party that was!” giggled Sara, raising an eyebrow at Mamori.
Mamori cringed as she distracted herself by opening the menu. “Did you really have to bring that up now?”
Sara continued to giggle. “I’m sorry, but since we didn’t get to talk after the party, I think it’s best if we talk about it now that you’re finally free.” There was a twinkle in Sara’s eyes that made Mamori feel even more uncomfortable. “You say a lot of interesting things when you’re drunk, Mamori-kaa-san.”
“Yeah!” Ako nodded. “Oh, and by the way, I looked up Yamato Takeru after you mentioned how cute he is at that party. You’re right, he really is handsome!”
“I didn’t say that!” Mamori protested. “I said he was a really nice guy, very helpful, polite and optimistic.”
“Uh-huh…” Sara picked up her glass filled with soda and drank it quietly. “That was before you drank all that vodka.”
Mamori sighed, looking at the list of drinks available. She knew she had no choice but to admit defeat. After years of trying to get Mamori to drink and failing, Sara and Ako finally succeeded after they mixed vodka with a number of sweet drinks that really appealed to Mamori. Thinking that the lack of strong alcohol taste was safe for her, she drank a number of glasses before her world spun around her and she could barely remember what she did or said. She had never felt so ashamed, as she woke up the next day with a terrible headache. After a quick phone call with Sara, she confirmed that, much to her dismay, she was pretty drunk the night before. And after months of being able to avoid them, they were now keen to lay out what exactly happened that night.
“Fine,” she finally said. “What other damaging words did I say that made you two so keen to meet me today?”
“Well, other than your little outbursts about your rating of each and every guy in the Saikyoudai Wizards,” Ako stopped for a moment as Mamori let out a groan. “Don’t worry! You gave them all really nice ratings!”
“I don’t think that’s why she groaned, Ako,” Sara smiled cunningly. “But we couldn’t deny that you gave some interesting ratings on that Yamato fellow especially.”
“I think one of Sara’s friends asked if you would date him and you totally said you’d consider it,” Ako grinned in excitement.
Mamori held back another groan. What had she been thinking during that party? She recalled having a tough time during practice on that day, and to make it worse, Hiruma wasn’t being easy on her especially since she had to leave early for the party. But it was Sara’s birthday and after months of continuously cancelling all plans she had with them, she just couldn’t decline her again. Hiruma had been all the more irritable as the Rice Bowl drew nearer. It was Yamato who stood up for her, a feat only Yamato and possibly Agon could pull before such a demon. Mamori must have felt very grateful for him for helping her ‘escape’ as she remembered fuming over the way Hiruma had been treating her lately.
“I may have said that,” Mamori spoke up. “But you girls know that it isn’t something possible.”
“Why not?” asked Ako.
“Well… Yamato’s a really nice guy, and I appreciate every little help he gives me. But we really don't talk that much and I really don’t like him in that way.”
“How would you know?”
Mamori blinked. “Eh?”
“How would you know?” Ako repeated herself. “You’ve never even given him a chance.”
“Ako’s right,” Sara nodded. “How would you know it’s not something more if you’ve never given him a chance?”
Mamori felt her jaw drop a little. Were they being serious? “Sara, Ako, I told you I don’t like him that way… We're just friends! Besides, I’m going to be really busy after my graduation. I finally got accepted into a Kindergarten! How exciting is that? I’m finally going to live my dream…”
Mamori’s attempt at changing the subject didn’t quite work as well as she had hoped. Sara and Ako shared glances at each other for a moment. Then Ako sighed and said, “Hey, Mamori-kaa-san, how is Hiruma?”
“Hiruma?” Mamori couldn’t contain the surprise in her voice. “Well… he’s fine, I suppose. He took our defeat at the recent Rice Bowl pretty well. I guess seeing as we won last year, this defeat wasn’t such a big deal for him…”
“He will be graduating too, right?” Sara spoke up. “What is he going to do after that?”
Mamori stared at the two girls before her, wondering why they were asking such questions. She shrugged for a moment as she thought hard. Hiruma never really did discuss what he was doing after their graduation… “I’m not sure,” Mamori admitted. “I know there was a possibility of him being chosen as a player in one of the teams from the X-League, but news is spreading about a number of players who played in the Rice Bowl recently receiving offer letters from America. But he never really confirmed that with me…”
The girls looked rather solemn as they heard Mamori’s words. “And if he does get that letter to America…” said Sara. “What then?”
“Well…” A feeling of uneasiness began to swell within Mamori. She couldn’t help but look out of the window as she contemplated. They were right… if Hiruma did go to America, what then? Surely, Mamori would be supportive of this… right?
But didn’t Hiruma promise that he would come back to her once the Rice Bowl was over? They had gone through three Rice Bowls at this point, and now that none was in sight, the future seemed clear.
What then, indeed?
“Mamori-kaa-san,” said Ako, interrupting Mamori’s thoughts. “I hope you don’t mind me saying this but I think you really should know that we’re worried about you. You were so caught up with your studies and football… I worry that once you start working, you’ll do the same thing too and forget to live a little…”
“We’ve always let it be since Middle School,” said Sara. “You were always a strong girl that did whatever she set her mind to. When you joined the American Football club in Deimon, we were worried you would wear yourself out but though you coped just fine, you followed Hiruma into Saikyoudai and we saw you work yourself to the bone! It was either work for Hiruma or for you. You’ve been following Hiruma needlessly, and I think since graduation is coming up, you need to take a step away from him. Because after what we saw at that party, I couldn’t help but think you need to live a little more. Take a breather, go on a date!”
Ako nodded. “Sara’s right. Nothing will change if you keep staying in one spot. Do you really think Hiruma would come back for you if he ever does go to America? He’s pretty much done with American Football in Japan, even joining the X-League would be nothing compared to America. He’ll move on to bigger things now, and it’s obvious that you won’t be able to follow him. You should stop waiting for him and keep moving forward!”
Mamori’s mouth felt dry as the weight of their words settled in her mind. Having been so caught up with doing what she had to do in general, basically avoiding him to focus on what she needed to do, there never really was time to discuss this issue with Hiruma.
Was he avoiding her though? They barely spoke about their feelings since that first year in Saikyoudai when she fell sick. She never thought about it much as they knew very well that studies and football were their top priority. But now…
Mamori swallowed dryly as she said, “Thank you for your concern and I appreciate your advice… but-”
Mamori’s words were cut as the waitress walked over. “Are you girls ready to order?”
Mamori took this chance to finally change the subject. “Oh! I completely forgot! Have you girls ordered anything to eat yet? I’ll just get a fruit juice for now…”
Sara and Ako looked at Mamori and each let out a sigh, knowing very well that Mamori just wasn’t going to face the issue they brought up. Not just yet anyway. They finally decided they were better off letting it be for now. “I’ll have Omurice,” said Ako.
“Ah, me too!” said Sara. “Would you like one too, Mamori-kaa-san?”
Mamori smiled at them. “Sure!”
~*~
Mamori waved goodbye at Sara and Ako across the street. After having a meal filled with talks about their future and silly gossip that made them all giggle, Sara and Ako had offered to walk to the train station together, but Mamori insisted she had one little chore to do before she head back.
She was lying. It was something Mamori wasn’t very proud of, but it was necessary. She needed some time to think.
As she walked down the street where a line of shops greeted her, Mamori wondered what she was going to do now. True, she had secured her future as a Kindergarten Teacher, but Sara and Ako brought up an interesting point she never really thought about.
What about Hiruma?
She had been so used to being next to him that it didn’t occur to her that his possible offer letter from America could mean he was leaving her behind. Surely it would be the best for the both of them…
But what about that promise they made? That she would wait for him until the time came? Has that time arrived yet? Should she keep waiting?
She felt an ache in her heart that just wouldn’t go away. Maybe she shouldn’t have gotten that job at that Kindergarten…
Mamori stopped in the middle of the street, shaking her head. “Stupid!” she muttered to herself, causing a few curious glances towards her but she did her best to ignore them. How could she think that? That has been her dream for a long while now. Surely she had every right to chase after it as much as Hiruma does with his.
Then… what now?
Mamori took a deep breath as she tried to clear her thoughts. She knew the answer to this. There was no way Anezaki Mamori was going to let her emotions get the best of her.
She pulled out her phone from her bag, and began to write a text.
~*~
Extra Notes: I'm sorry if everything moved too quickly in this chapter. I thought it would be better to set up the beginning this way as my other option would include writing how things were before the Rice Bowl, and I wasn't quite up for it as it would be long and rather unnecessary.
In the meantime, since I mentioned the X-League, here's what it is. The X-League is sort of the Japanese version of the NFL. Basically the winner of the X-League will fight with the winner of the college championships in the Rice Bowl. In my story, the Saikyoudai Wizards did win the college championships and fought it out with one of the teams in the X-League one year prior to this. They lost this year.
But even so, those from the college championship can still join in the teams in the X-League. This whole joining the X-League will play a bigger role in the next chapter, so do look out for it. It will definitely be Hiruma centric.
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2