From: kemper01@ix.netcom.com (David Rubino)

KOR2 is a fanfiction about Kazuya, Kyosuke's younger cousin, set in
the KOR universe.  Much work has been done to maintain the original
KOR feeling and humor so please enjoy.  Comments can be directed to
kemper01@ix.netcom.com and check out the KOR2 homepage at
http://www.thunder.ocis.temple.edu/~tha/anime/kor/kor2/index.html


KOR 2 : ANOTHER DAY

Episode 8 : Neighborhood Football

"I can't move my leg," Hiro sobbed.

"Everything is fine now, we'll take care of you," Mai reassured.

Light from the ceiling surrounded Mai holding the boy and she looked
angelic.  She seemed so gentle, I wanted her to be that way with me.
I wanted...

"Mai!"  I ran over to them and put my body over them as a shield.  I
would not let them get hurt no matter what.  "I'll protect you, Mai."

Mai was still looking down at Hiro but I felt her put her hand into
mine.  She looked up at me and she had that same tender expression as
before.

"I know you will, Kazuya.  Thank you."  

I guess yesterday wasn't so bad after all.  I just kept smiling,
picturing Mai looking up at me, saying "Thank you."

"KAZUYA!"  I opened my eyes and saw Akane across the kitchen table.
"Get that perverted smile off your face, and finish up your
breakfast."

I stopped smiling and looked down at my breakfast, just to see
Jingimi's fat head stuck in my bowl.

"You're not getting away that easily," I told Jingimi angrily.  I got
ready to use my powers, but before I did that I remember yesterday;
they wouldn't work on Hiro, or to break my fall.  I was afraid they
wouldn't work again.  I was determined to try my hardest, I focused
all of my energy on Jingimi.

"MMMEEEOOOWWW!!!"  The fat cat shot across the room straight out the
window.

"Kazuya!!!  What are you doing?"  I pulled in back into the window and
floated him over to the floor.  Phew!  I had no idea what was
happening lately with my powers.  If I lost them I would sure be in
trouble.  The cat rolled over onto his back with his tongue hanging
out.

"Ah, he deserved it!"  I tried excusing myself as Akane scowled at me.
I forgot that I had the day free, I didn't know what to do.  After
such an insane week, going back to be sounded pretty good.  I got up
to walk over to the couch for a second nap.  Then the doorbell rang.

The way things were going for me, I could be anyone.  I walked over to
the window and peeked out.  It was Mai!  A brief thrill jumped through
me as I rushed to open the front door.

"Hi, Kazuya!"  She once again gave me that smile.  I just loved it!
Cautiously, I turned around and saw Akane peeking around the corner of
the kitchen.  I did my best to block her view as I put on my shoes.  I
stepped out onto the porch, pulling the door closed behind myself.  I
nervously smiled at Mai.

"Hi."

"Kazuya, I just wanted to so how you were, especially after what
happened yesterday…"  She looked down as she continued, "and apologize
for treating you so badly."  We started walking down the stairs
together.

I laughed and grabbed the hair behind my head, "No, it's alright.  How
is Hiro, anyway?"

"Oh, just fine, only a few scratches and bruises.  His leg was
alright."

"That's good... uh.."  I had nothing to say but I didn't want to end
the conversation.  I tried stalling but it was sort of an awkward
pause.  Then a voice called out from nowhere, surprising us both.

"Hey!  It's my favorite couple!!"  I dreaded even the thought of who
it was.  Takashi.

He was standing only a few feet away, I don't know how he got so close
without us noticing.

"What are you doing here, Takashi?"

"I just came to get you, Kazuya!"  He put on that large smile on his
face, I know he was up to something.

"Get me for what?" I asked.

"Oh, come on.  I must have told you before.. for the big football
game!  Come on, we need one more guy anyway."  I know that he never
warned me about any football, but I already grew to expect this from
Takashi.  Only a few minutes ago, I was ready to go back to sleep, to
just dream of Mai's smile.  There's no way I was going to play
football, especially with Takashi.  Mai turned towards me, she looked
very excited.

"Oh, that sounds like fun!  Can I come and watch?  I'll cheer you on."
I had a vision of Mai in a little skirt, with pompoms, cheering "Go,
Kazuya!"  It was a convincing thought and I tried to act casual, even
confident.

"Sure, I'll go.  Where are we playing?"

"On the school field, the coach lets Eichi use any of the sports
facilities whenever he wants."  I totally forgot about Eichi, I should
have guessed he would have come.

"I've got to do some things first so I'll meet you guys down there in
a little bit," Mai said, slowly stepping back.

"See you then," I said and waved goodbye.  Takashi turned again to me.

"Oh Kazuya, one more thing.. since you owe me one I was wondering if
you could get Miyuki to come along, Eichi would love to see her."

That really got on my nerves, the last thing I needed was another
physical match where Eichi betas me up just to impress Miyuki… but
then again, this time Akane won't be there to stop me from using my
powers.  Maybe this could be a good thing.

"Okay, I'll let Miyuki know."

"Great, then I'll meet you there."  He once again skipped off down the
street.  I often wondered what goes through his mind, but I'm just too
afraid to look.

**************

I stopped by the dojo to talk to Miyuki, today was the one day of the
week that Yuusaku didn't work so the coast was clear.  I opened the
front door and stepped inside, aware that I was now stepping in Hino
territory.  I was always afraid of bumping in Miyuki's family,
especially since they are all tougher that Miyuki, and that alone is
scary.  I peeked my head around a corner and watched the class.  To my
relief, it was the younger class so I didn't mind walking in on them.
Most of them were just seven or eight years old so they couldn't do
anything about it even they wanted to.

Miyuki turned around and saw me.  "Kazuya!"  She quickly ran over to
me and grabbed my hands.  "Are you okay?  Akane told me what happened
yesterday, I was so worried about you.  I was going to stop by after
class."

"Oh, I'm alright.  No need to worry."  I almost started to forget
about yesterday with everything else that was happening today.

"Well, how is the little boy?"  She looked concerned.

"He's fine too, we were all very lucky."  She smiled at me.

"I'm so proud of you, first volunteering your time, then saving a
little boy."  She gave me a hug.  I laughed, that wasn't quite what
happened but I sure didn't mind the attention.  I never thought of
myself as a hero before, not to mention a hero without using my
powers.

"Anyway, I just wanted to know if you would like to go somewhere with
me.  I'm going down to the school field to play football with some of
the guys."

"Sure, I would love to go, as soon as I finish this class.  It's the
only class today, just give me another twenty minutes," she said still
smiling at me.

Then towards the bottom of my pants I felt a little tug.  It was one
of the little students, he raised his hands into position and made
fists.  He wanted a shot at me.  

"Let's go now!  Sensei is my girl!"

He looked so serious that I couldn't help but laugh.  That is, until
my laugh was stopped by an abrupt punch by the little kid right into
my gut.  I gasped, it was stronger than I anticipated.

Miyuki started laughing, "Well, I sure don't teach wimps."

I stared directly at him and tried to give him one of Takashi's insane
smiles, "Oh yeah, how about this?!"

I grabbed him and put him into a headlock.  No sooner had I done this
brazen act than the rest of the class piled over me.  I was caught in
the middle of a mass of screaming attacks, all of which hurt much more
than I thought.  I threw off enough attackers to make a clear opening
and ran for it.  

I threw open the front door and dashed outside.  I turned and waved
goodbye to Miyuki through the glass window as I caught a glimpse of my
tiny attackers cheering and giving each other high five's. 

Those little kids were tougher than I guessed.  I won't be
underestimated next time.

***********************

When I finally arrived at the field, Takashi was in the middle of some
strange pose - he was performing the oddest stretches.  Meanwhile, the
rest of the boys were crowded around Eichi and trying their best to be
chosen for his team.  On the sideline was Eichi's fan club: fifteen
girls cheering him on even before the game had started.  Mai was
sitting on the edge of the bench, ignoring the ridiculous display they
were putting on.  Takashi saw me and came running over.

"Kazuya, it about time you made it!  Listen, there's nothing to worry
about, you're on my team.  We're going to slaughter Eichi!"  

Great, I thought.  Now Takashi is on my team, I can never get rid of
him.  Even so, nothing was going to ruin this game, not when I have my
powers.  Without Akane here I was sure to use them.

Takashi ran back to the crowd of boys, but slowing down in front of
the cheering girls.  "Thank you!  Thank you!  No need to applaud."
Takashi passed the word to Eichi and looked over the rest of his team.
Eichi broke off and came over to me.

"Kazuya, you decided to show up!  Where's Miyuki?"  That jerk, he
couldn't even care if I was here or not.

"She coming, don't worry about her," I said.  I was feeling much more
confident than our last face-off.  I couldn't help but spread a grin
across my face.  Eichi looked at me strangely, but chose to ignore it.

"Alright, then!  Let get started!" he yelled out to the rest of the
boys.  He walked down the field. 

Mai jumped up from the bench, "Do your best, Kazuya!"

I loved it, even though I could barely hear her over the roar of
Eichi's fan club.  I proudly huddled with my group and helped devise a
game plan.  I counted the number of people on my team and noticed that
we had one less person than Eichi's team.

"Takashi, you told me you only need one more player.  We're still
short one man."  Takashi smiled at me.

"Don't worry, our last man is on his way."  Immediately, I had a bad
feeling.  I sense that this last member wasn't just another normal
person.  Within seconds, I found that my suspicions were correct.  I
saw a small shape of a person in the distance, and a squeaky voice
yelling out loud.

"He, guys!  Wait for me!"  Sure enough, it was Ryosuke.  I never
thought that he would ever agree to play football.  He finally made it
to the field, gasping.  He sounded like he was about to pass out from
running all of the way here.  I tried my best to ignore him but he
walked straight over to me.

"I made it!  I heard you were playing Kazuya, and I couldn't let you
down, my good friend.  Right?"  I was not going to let this bother me;
not Takashi, or Eichi, or even Ryosuke were going to ruin this day.
I'll have Mai and Miyuki cheering for me.. and most importantly, I
have my powers.

We finished making our plans and got into formation.  It was our ball
and Takashi was the assigned quarterback.  The plan was that he was
going to pass the ball to me and all I had to do was just catch it.  I
had enough practice levitating Jingimi to know how to perfectly
manipulate an object exactly where I want it.

Takashi dropped his smile for a second and yelled, "Hut, hut, HIKE!"

We all ran out for the pass.  To my surprise, Eichi assigned himself
to cover me from catching the ball.  Then I realized that he probably
wanted to be the first to pound me into the ground in front of Miyuki.


He had a hard time following me since I was so much smaller than he
was.  The moment I was clear, I turned around to look for the pass.
Instantly, the ball slammed me in the gut and I hit the ground.  I
couldn't use my powers even if I wanted to with that kind of pass, but
I held onto the ball.  Eichi looked down at me.

"Ah, lucky catch," he scowled.  Finally, as we were lining up for the
next play, I saw Miyuki arrive and sit next to Mai on the bench.  They
both cheered me on," Go Kazuya!  You can do it!!"  It felt great.

For the next play, we decided to pass the ball to Ryosuke.  We figured
that since no one would actually take him seriously it was a good
plan.  Ryosuke started to get prematurely excited.

"I can do this guys, I can do this!!" he kept saying out loud.  I
slapped my face in disgust, now everyone knew that we were throwing
the ball to him.

"Hike!" Takashi yelled.  Ryosuke flew out with surprising speed.
Further, further, and further, right to the other end of the field.
He didn't turn around until he was in the touchdown zone.  There was
no way he would catch a ball at that distance, but Takashi threw the
ball anyway.  It sailed across the sky, right to the left of Ryosuke.
His eyes lit up and he moved to follow the ball.  His arms reached out
and it looked as if it he was actually going to catch it!  It didn't
believe it, it was too good to be true.  Then again, it was too good
to be true.

Ryosuke somehow tripped over his own feet and flew forward.  The
football coasted into his head at maximum speed and sent Ryosuke
tumbling head over head past the touchdown zone into the bleachers.

The play ended and we ran over to see if Ryosuke was still alive. We
got there to see him moaning but still very much alive.   Miyuki sat
down next to Ryosuke and propped his head up onto her lap.

"There now, is that better?" she asked.  Eichi and I exchanged jealous
looks and glared at Ryosuke for getting Miyuki's attention, even if he
did deserve it.  Ryosuke laughed.

"No, it's ok.  I'm used to things like this."  He jumped up and flexed
his arms to show that he was alright.  Something about him was
different, almost scary.  Shocked, we all looked on as Ryosuke marched
down the field to the ball.  "Come on, it's time to win a game."

This definitely did not seem like the same wimpy Ryosuke we all know
so well.  Eichi laughed and walked back onto the field with the rest
of his team following.  It was time play again, but now it was second
down with one man possibly injured more than we thought.  I decided
that it was time that I scored.  If I was in Ryosuke's place for the
last play, with a little touch of my power, that ball would have been
mine.

It turned out that the next play was going to be a pass to me, a
touchdown pass.

I ran down the field as fast as I could, but this time Eichi was right
on top of me.  I wasn't going to shake his this time.  Takashi threw
the ball into the air, high and slow.  I thought that maybe this
wasn't going the way I had planned, that I wasn't going to be open to
catch the ball.  I wanted to be special just for once.  This time, I
decided to use the power on Eichi.  I looked at him out of the corner
of my eyes and focused my thoughts on him... then suddenly, Ryosuke
appeared.

"I WANT THIS BALL!!" he screamed.  He somehow squeezed between Eichi
and me and was fighting to get ahead.  He looked insane, as if that
hit to his head shook something loose.

"Get out of the way!" Eichi yelled.  He lost his footing and crumpled
over Ryosuke, who screamed and squirmed to get away from him.  It was
useless, as crazy as Ryosuke was acting, he was still too small to get
out from under someone as large as Eichi.  That left the field wide
open, with just a perfect spiraling football and my outstretched arms.
It was as if everything was in slow motion... and then the ball landed
safely in my hands.

It wasn't until I was safely in the touchdown zone that I realized
that I hadn't used any of my powers.  In a way, I was happy that I
could do it on my own, but there was still plenty of game left to
cheat.  Mai and Miyuki joined the rest of my team in cheers.

"Yeah, Kazuya!"  I smiled.  I could do this all day.  Eichi threw his
fist into the air.  At first, he looked really mad, then he gave me a
cool and confident look.

"Now it's our turn."  He grabbed the football and walked over the
other side of the field.

Eichi's team lined up and we joined them.  Their entire team looked
aggressive, it was clear that they weren't expecting us to score and
now they wanted us to pay.  Normally, I would have been nervous, but I
knew that this is where I would impress Mai and Miyuki the most.
Eichi took a position on the end of the line, where he could run out
for a pass.

"Hut, hut, hike!"  Eichi shot out as fast as he could down the right
side, towards the bench where Miyuki was sitting.    It became obvious
that he wanted to catch it right in front of her.  He was just past me
and no matter how fast I ran he was going to beat me.  The ball shot
out into the air.

All I had to do was bring the ball down and it would land in my hands,
that would show Eichi.  As we got closer to the bench, Mai and Miyuki
both backed up and away from the sideline.  I concentrated my power on
the ball and put out my arms to catch it.

The ball shook in the air and then surprisingly shot across the field
instead of into my hands.  It hovered in front of Ryosuke for a few
seconds before he reached out and grabbed it.  He stood there,
confused.

"Go, Ryosuke!! Go!!" our team shouted.  He was all alone in the field
as nobody expected Ryosuke to be any threat, but now the opposite team
began to rush at him.  He hesitated for another second and then ran
down the field, screaming.  Somehow, he managed to dodge all of the
tackles and make it into the touchdown zone.  I couldn't believe it.
My team ran to him cheering in disbelief as Ryosuke jumped up and down
in excitement.

"Miyuki!  Did you see that!" he yelled.  He then looked up into the
sky with his chin high in the air, as if he was Superman and had just
saved the universe yet again.  It was probably his proudest moment.

I was completely bewildered, that ball was supposed to come to me, not
across the field to Ryosuke.  I was supposed to be the hero.  Ever
since school had started, my powers have not been performing the way
that they should; sometimes they were more powerful than I expected,
sometimes they wouldn't work at all.  There was something related to
this and I was going to find out soon.

I watched Mai jumping up and down with the rest of the team, cheering
on Ryosuke.  Maybe...

Eichi cursed, he shook his head in disbelief and headed towards the
other side of the field.  He looked disgusted that his plan didn't
work out.  Now that he kept blowing his chances to impress Miyuki, he
didn't seem as cool, or threatening as he used to be.

***********

Within another hour, the game came to an end.  It ended at 21 to 21, a
tied score which I was perfectly happy with.  My first intention was
to totally clobber Eichi, but as I realized that he wasn't a threat to
my relationship with Miyuki, I no longer cared about beating him.
Besides, I didn't use my powers for the rest of the game in case
something stranger happened than just making the football land in
Ryosuke's hands.  It looked suspicious enough the first time, and I
didn't want Akane to hear any strange stories.

We all decided to go to Abcb to celebrate a fun game, even Eichi came
along but without half of his fan club.  I was wary that after just
tying my team in football, he was going to try to impress Miyuki some
other way.

Master was happy to see us all back in the café, and especially all of
the business that we brought.  Miyuki, Mai, Ryosuke, and I sat in a
booth together while the others sat and ordered.  We all chipped in
and bought Ryosuke a vanilla shake, for his proud play of the day.
Mai smiled and looked at both of us.

"Well, you both played good out there today.  I'm impressed."  Miyuki
sprung up and hugged me.

"Yes, I was too!"  Eichi kept looking over his booth at us, he seemed
to get irritated by the attention we were both getting.  I didn't mind
him, I was very happy with Miyuki and Mai by my side.  Miyuki spoke
softly to me.

"Kazuya, I never knew you had it in you, I think you would do great at
the dojo.  You should join."  I took up wrestling, which was bad
enough.  I knew that I would be crushed by her family if I ever joined
that dojo.  I laughed and scratched at the back of my head.

"But I could barely take on your youngest students," I said.  She
laughed, recalling today's earlier experience and went on to tell Mai.
Ryosuke still seemed to be dazed ever since he made that touchdown.  I
suppose that all in all, this was a good week.  I looked up at Mai,
and Miyuki, and just smiled.

- End of Episode 8 -