Title: Summary
Fandom: Eyeshield 21
Characters: As many as I can fit in
Warning: Language, implied stuff, extremely long
Summary: This is a summary of the past 98 Days.
Author's Note: Thought I'd have a little fun with this one. Anyone can guess why this fic is called Summary?
Edited 06/10/07 2353 hours. Coz I was having writer's block, I tried to unclog it by doing something weird.

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Only Anezaki Mamori could make looking at a creampuff so sexy. The way she prolonged each bite was bliss, and it showed on her face. "Ah, the little comforts of life," She sighed dreamily and jumped when the door banged open, admitting a rather grouchy Hiruma. Mamori gave him a disapproving glare for crashing her private moment, but she should have known better. Even before their dawning meet, her Glare of Doom was nothing when faced with Hiruma's impenetrable indifference.

Hiruma finally did spot her, but not because of the creampuff or her glare. He motioned to a book lying on the table with a slight frown. "Call me friendly, but is that a romance novel I'm seeing?"

"Yes, it is." Mamori casually held it up so he can see the title. "'Dreaming Desire', by bestselling author Renee Jilwiggle. It's about the love that never was - or something like that. Want to borrow it?"

"Your jokes are getting worse." Hiruma snapped. "More importantly, how can you read that?"

"Well there was a promotion in the bookstore downtown. I really wanted to buy 'Seducing Missy' too, but caught between two devils, I decided on this one." And upon seeing Hiruma's twisted expression, she needn't play detective to know that she had unwittingly diverted from the real question. "I don't just read this kind of stuff, y'know. I read literature too."

"Name one."

"A Bizarre Fairytale, Edward G. Humer, 1930." Mamori took the book out of her bag and firmly set it on the table. Hiruma swore he could see dustbunnies jump out of its weathered bindings.

The sound of silence indicated that Hiruma was either sidetracked by her antique book or struggling to salvage his pride. Feeling a need to reclaim her comfort zone, Mamori leaned back to the radio on the sideboard and turned it on. The voices of Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera filled the air, crooning to 'Nobody Wants to Be Lonely'. When she looked back again, Hiruma was in his usual seat, examining some papers.

After a few minutes, he looked up. "Remember that morning in Vegas?"

Mamori arched an eyebrow. "When everyone were in variations and degrees of body pain? Yes. Why?"

"What happened to that navy blue dress you wore to the casino? You never wore it again."

Mamori blushed slightly. Truth is, the dress is hanging at the back of her wardrobe. A dress like that is unsuitable for anything other than formal dancing, and there are few chances of that here. "It's there."

"A dress costing over a thousand dollars - you know in you I trust."

"I'm not going to turn it into a dishrag, of that's what you're thinking." Mamori huffed. "There's just no chance to wear it!"

"Graduation." Hiruma suggested and Mamori thought about it. "Before, after?"

"After would put things in a different perspective." Hiruma snickered and Mamori blushed. "That dress is kind of daring! I won't wear it unless it's for a good cause!"

"After all the trials and tribulations I had to go through to buy that dress, I'd appreciate seeing it more." Hiruma grumbled and Mamori shifted uneasily. True, she had protested that she had nothing to wear to the casino, so Hiruma accompanied her to buy a dress. Being a girl, she ended up taking longer than she intended and Hiruma had to sit through the whole thing. "I should give you something in return, then." Mamori said stiffly; "To compensate for your troubles."

"How about a movie?" Suzuna's bright face suddenly poked through the door and Mamori's hand flew to her heart in surprise. "Suzuna-chan! Mou, you've been eavesdropping again!"

Suzuna skated in, oblivious to Mamori's disapproval. "There's a good movie playing right now. 'In Love and Snow War'."

"What kind of title is that?" Hiruma barked and Suzuna shrugged. "It's good. I went with Sena yesterday."

"Sena?" That was one bit of info that took Mamori by surprise. Suzuna was whispering to Hiruma, who was listening with interest. "The fucking shrimp has that habit huh?"

"Payment!" Suzuna demanded and Mamori sweat-dropped when Hiruma threw her a wad of bills. An informant and his agent. They're a dangerous duo indeed. But back to the matter at hand - she didn't want to see a love story with Hiruma. That's just... obvious. "Isn't there anything else playing in the cinema right now?"

"Mmm... there's 'Samurai and His Master'. Musashi went to see it with Koutaro-san and Kid-san."

"They have the same taste in movies, huh?" Mamori murmured thoughtfully and sneaked a glance at Hiruma. Whether they would actually go out for a movie or not would depend on him. He always gets the last word.

Just then the door opened again and Monta came, looking disturbed. "Hey, any of you guys seen my wallet?"

"Does this look like a fucking 'Lost and Found' station?" Hiruma bellowed and clicked the safety off his gun. Monta got the message and scarpered off. Feeling a little sorry, Mamori admonished Hiruma; "You could at least pretend to lend an ear."

"As you would be lending heart?" Hiruma countered back and for a moment they had a staring contest, neither refusing to give up. Looking back and forth between then, Suzuna giggled. "You just so need to go out together."

"Best enemies don't go out together, Suzuna-chan." Mamori said in a falsely cheerful voice. "That defies the stereotype."

Rolling her eyes, Suzuna skated towards the entrance. "Well I'd better go and find that stupid brother of mine. He's going to Aomori by train, and I have to make sure he gets on the right one."

"Walk safely, Suzuna-chan!" Mamori called after her and without resolving anything, her little dispute with Hiruma was forgotten. That's just how it goes.

For a while they worked in comfortable silence, until a little beep behind her indicated that the printer had jammed again.

"Manager." Hiruma intoned without looking up from the screen and Mamori reluctantly twisted around to look at the printer. One of her enemies. "How do I release the paper?"

"The second button from the top." Hiruma replied and Mamori cautiously pressed it. There was some grinding sounds and the jammed paper came out wrinkled. "You should replace the printer, Hiruma-kun. It gets jammed almost every time."

"Replaceable, irreplaceable - that's for me to decide."

"Your version of sound logic." Mamori felt a little disgruntled. "You shouldn't act all dominating around me, Hiruma-kun. I still have pictures of you drooling on the pillow." Mamori smirked and Hiruma raised an eyebrow before fiddling with his computer and turning the screen to face her. What was on display nearly made Mamori faint with shame. Hiruma smirked back. "Sleeping Beauty? You drool too."

"Not fair!"

"Misery loves company." Hiruma cackled. "I'm never alone."

"Well there are many ways to skin a cat." Mamori grumbled and Hiruma shrugged. "It's a question of willpower. And numbers. For every tidbit you get on me, I have ten on you."

Mamori groaned and face-planted on the table. "Trauma is a disease isn't it? I can be hospitalized, right?"

Hiruma answering cackle was all that's needed to affirm that she was indeed, doomed.

"Oh, this is an unusual affair." Jumonji had just entered with Kuroki and Togano in tow. The two were reading something and Kuroki looked up. "That's not part of the play!"

"I was talking about them." Jumonji gestured to Hiruma and Mamori. "It's not everyday you get to see Anezaki-san so defeated."

Mamori blearily looked up. "Shinoda-sensei is making you guys do the play 'Resuming Time' again this year, is he?" She had unpleasant memories of that play - namely ripping her costume in a very inappropriate place. Togano snorted. "It's a thousand times better than doing 'Bird Without a Sky'. Who the hell wants to dress up in feathers, flapping their arms about stage?"

"That's definitely not a man's path." Togano muttered and quickly moved to the side when Yukimitsu came in, a dreamy smile on his face. The whole team fell silent, watching him as he took a seat and stared dreamily out of the window. It's very unlike Yukimitsu to look dreamily out of the window.

Mamori decided to take the risk of greeting him. "Yukimitsu-kun...?"

Yukimitsu's focus shifted to her and his smile grew bigger, if possible. "Do you smell it?"

Mamori blinked and took an experimental sniff of the air. Nothing out of the ordinary for a boys' sports club. "Smell what?"

"The fragrance of spring." Yukimitsu sighed and melted into a gooey puddle on the table. Noting everyone's confusion, Togano helpfully offered an explanation. "He's in love."

"The baldy's in love!?" Kuroki shrieked and Mamori looked at the boy in question. "Is that true, Yukimitsu-kun? Who is she?"

"A fan!" Yukimitsu's eyes shined. "She said she was touched by my performance against the Nagas. It's the first time a girl ever confessed to me, Anezaki-san! But..." His smile suddenly took a turn downwards and he slumped against the table; "My mother won't let me go out with her, I'm sure of it. And her friends seem like a snobbish lot. And she has a protective older brother."

"And there goes the obstacle course of cliches." Togano remarked, earning a cackle from Hiruma. He promptly shot a few rounds into the ceiling. "Stand up, fucking baldy! Show some backbone! Prove to them that you're a real tiger beneath the mask!"

"Woah, Hiruma-san just gave someone encouragement that isn't a threat." Juumonji muttered incredulously. "If a year ago someone told me this day would come, I'd never believe it."

"Yukimitsu-kun, forget about other people's views on you." Mamori smiled kindly. "What's important is your feelings for her, and hers for you. That's all you need to paint the future with."

"Did that come from one of your cheesy romance novels?" Hiruma asked and Mamori sniffed. "Sumiregawa Michiru in her anthology of poems. Specifically, 'Their Rainbow Relationship'. First year compulsory reading."

"For you." Hiruma shot back. "You're the only one who treats the whole booklist as compulsory reading."

"Well I'm sorry, Mr. I'm-Never-Under-Pressure-From-Teachers-To-Excel."

"I don't have to make an effort when I'm king of the hill." Hiruma countered and the team realized that they were on the brink of another bullets and broomsticks war. The way the two unintentionally pull people in during their arguments have made everyone wary. Nobody wants any bruises - unseen or visible. "Uh, my pachinko machine is calling for me." Kuroki edged away.

"I'm going to go occupy the toilets for a while." Juumonji too had backed away.

Yukimitsu meanwhile, realizing that he was (but unwillingly) the cause for confrontation, had slid away without a word. It's safest that way.

Musashi chose that particular moment to step into the clubhouse. The extreme oppressive air nearly made him reel and for a moment he was confused. But one look at the two students cleared it up and he debated on whether to let or not to let them continue. Hiruma and Mamori were perfect mirror images, each with identical threatening expressions and weapons at the ready. Its a matter who strikes first and last. He bitterly regretted not having a camera with him to snap a photo of this scenario - oh, what is worth a thousand words...

But Musashi was spared of being the peacemaker when both of them simultaneously lowered their weapons and sigh irritably. "It's the weather, isn't it? Summer is all about being irritated." Mamori grumbled and Musashi blinked. Is that what it takes to irritate her? Just that?

Remembering why he was here, Musashi approached Mamori. "Can I see the standings for the 40-yard dash? Regionals."

"Mmm..." Mamori rifled through the files and pulled the right one out. "Koigahama Cupid's runningback is the last and first is... Sena. But Agon's chasing close behind."

"Was there ever any doubt?" Hiruma asked offhandedly and Musashi nodded his thanks. "Just checking. That idiot quarterback from Koigahama was making too much noise. This ought to shut him up."

"Give this to him as well." Hiruma threw Musashi a photo. "It's free. No strings attached."

"It's not like you to share your blackmail material." Musashi examined the photo. "Is this some twisted game of reversi?"

As Musashi and Hiruma bantered, Mamori felt her phone vibrate and she took it out of her pocket. When she saw the caller ID, her blood ran cold and she felt pinpricks on her neck. "Excuse me." Mamori hurriedly went outside and took the call. "Hello?"

"Hello, Anezaki-san." A familiar smooth voice greeted her and Mamori reflexively twitched. So her caller ID wasn't screwed. It really was him. "Maruko-san."

"Again with the formalities. I told you to call me Marco, didn't I?"

"What's in a name?" Mamori challenged testily. "More importantly, why are you calling?"

"Just checking to see if you received my gift." God, Mamori could feel him smirking. Of course she received it - a huge bouquet of roses as red as blood, sent directly to her home with an invitation card to dine with him at the Bellagio; the most expensive Italian restaurant in town.

Both flowers and card are just ashes in her back garden now, much to her mother's protest. She didn't need to burn the flowers, but she thought it'd be fitting to destroy them all. "The flowers are beautiful. I didn't know the mafia and flowers go hand in hand."

"Yes, you may think them as dissimilar as ducks and crocodiles, right?" Marco laughed and Mamori's urge to fling the phone had never been stronger. Marco went on; "Your mother, Midori-san is a good friend of my aunt. That makes me... say... a family friend of sorts. Don't you agree?"

"For once, stop beating about the bush and get to the point."

She heard him sigh and his tone took on a gravity that wasn't present earlier. "I'm calling about Himuro. She hasn't come for two days and I can't get her cell. I don't suppose you know where she is?"

Mamori felt a pang of uneasiness. Himuro did call her, feeling dispirited about herself. The two managers had a long discussion over the phone where Mamori had convinced her that it's not her failure as a manager that so many other people got injured.

"A big apology." Mamori finally said. "You owe her that much."

"I understand. Things are kind of difficult without her."

Suddenly, for a brief moment Mamori wondered if Hiruma would ever come after her if she ran away. Would he?

The answer is - she wouldn't even think of running away. Period. "She's in the Palazzo Raspiolli. Room 203."

"Thank you." Marco sounded incredibly relieved. "I owe you."

"Don't send me any more flowers or invite me anywhere. As far as I'm concerned, I don't know you." Mamori hissed and without waiting for his reaction, hung up on him.

"That's a bit harsh." Hiruma's drawl nearly made her jump and she whirled around in alarm. "Hiruma-kun! Mou, you were eavesdropping!"

He stared at her for a moment before handing her bag and blazer. "Time to go home, manager."

Mamori looked at her watch in surprise and realized that it was indeed getting late. So she accepted her effects and watched as he shrugged his own blazer on. "Let's go."

Her heart skipped a beat when she realized he intended to walk her home. The only time he ever did that was on the day the team went sakura-bloom watching or more commonly referred to as 'Kite Day' for some reason. But he wasn't the only one - Sena was with them.

This time it's just... them.

Unlike their afternoon, the walk back was quiet. Mamori was content to walk beside him, noticing that he walked a little slower than usual to accommodate her smaller steps. As they passed by the local church, the sound of bells tolling could be heard and a sizable crowd was on the front lawn. "For whom the bell tolls?" Hiruma quipped and Mamori elbowed him. "It's a wedding, not a funeral."

"And who gets married at sunset?"

"It's romantic, isn't it?" Mamori looked up at him and was suddenly breathless. Hiruma was gazing at her with strange intensity, and for some strange reason, Mamori felt the insane urge; the primal instinct to pull on his lapels and kiss him. A wedding, she realized with a jolt. The wedding nearby was affecting her mind.

And Hiruma's too, for he had moved along, a little fast for her to keep up. Feeling the need to break the awkward atmosphere, she attempted conversation. "You went to Shinryuuji last week to observe their friendly game with the Rough Rokubans right? How was it?" For Mamori had missed out on the game due to other important matters.

"They flattened the visiting teams." Hiruma replied flatly. "There was nothing new to see anyway. Even Agon's insults are getting old."

Mamori smiled a little sadly. "So you met Agon-san."

"It was a half-felt reunion." Hiruma muttered and looked at her. "Never would have imagined your 'important matter' turned out to be a shopping trip."

Mamori reddened, guilty at being found out. "You said there was nothing new."

He shrugged and looked straight ahead. "So...did you get that dress of dreams?"

Mamori bit her lip and answered in a small voice; "Yours was prettier."

He looked at her in surprise and Mamori looked elsewhere. "Not another word - up till then I really wanted it but I realized that the one you chose was much better... so I didn't buy it."

Hiruma suddenly laughed and shook his head. Three birds with one stone, huh? Women. As they walked, they watched a group of children playing in the park. A small boy was in the sandbox, but the boy interrupted a girl building a sand tower and pretty soon they were arguing. Mamori covered a laugh. "I used to be like that."

"You're still like that." Hiruma asserted and Mamori poked him in the side, laughing. "Do you remember that time? Once upon a riverbank, I nearly tripped over a boy sleeping. We argued for half an hour before I realized it was my fault."

"And you made me apologize before you realized it. I hated girls because of you."

"Come on, don't tell me I don't have any redeeming qualities." Mamori teased him and Hiruma shrugged. "I learned flower-speak from you and sign language. That's enough for bruising my head, I suppose."

Mamori smiled fondly. "It's a good thing Sena and Suzuna don't take after us. We're awful role models."

"The point of our partnership isn't to be role models."

Mamori suddenly felt a little shy. The third day of her job as a manager, Hiruma had texted her and told her; "The point of our partnership is to make the team stronger. Nothing else."

In their lives, at the second intersect, Mamori finally found the niche she wanted in life. "But," She kept her tone light; "It's rather hard to work with someone who won't even take a spoonful of sugar in his coffee."

"I'd rather play dead." Hiruma immediately replied and Mamori laughed. "You won't take sugar, but you eat Nara pickles by the barrel!" And noticing Hiruma's calm demeanour, she impulsively latched onto his arm, purposely ignoring his surprised look. But he didn't shake her off, nor commented on it, so Mamori allowed herself a small smile. The first victory is hers. "Hiruma-kun, are you sick?"

"Me, sick? No."

"You're kind of red." She teased and he gruffly shook his arm and made her let go, her laughter ringing in the air. This is how their relationship is; a constant game of hide and seek, of chasing each other but never quite catching on. Or maybe, the whole point of it is to not get caught. To fall in love is a matter of great importance. To meet and intersect again and again is proof that it's a small world. He strives to make sure her tears are not wasted, and Mamori bravely endures his harsh training under the guilty sky to make sure he never gives up. It's a relationship above normal definition, so like a married couple that they're better described as 17 going on 30. And until the last of the triage has been cleared, they'll be sharing the same space, breathing the same air, living the same life.

And for both Hiruma and Mamori, that's just the way they want it.