# August 1, 2016
#-1. Oahu, Hawaii
#-2. Honolulu, Kahuku CDP
#-3. Kahuku High School
It has already been two months since football training began. Finally, my high school life has officially started. Today is the first day of the 2016/17 fall semester.
And as always...
"Move! Move! Coming through!"
On the first day of the term, there are always kids in a rush. Compared to them, I am remarkably relaxed.
"Science for the first class? This is bullshit." "Why? It was fun."
"Are you being serious?"
"Come on, Jay. If you can't avoid it, you might as well enjoy it."
"What kind of person are you, really?"
"Let's go. The classroom is right there."
The kids sprinting through the hallways at the start of the semester usually fall into one of two categories: they either really need the bathroom, or their next classroom is way too far away. If you pick your classes based on the subject alone, you might end up running like that every day.
You have to choose your classes wisely. I made plenty of mistakes in my past life, but now, planning a schedule is a piece of cake. I've done this far too many times. This time, I even took the liberty of planning the morning schedules for my friends.
Inside the classroom, Marcus spoke to me.
"Damn, you know what?"
"What?"
"There wasn't a single pretty girl in that science class."
"Give it a rest. It's not like you'd have the guts to talk to them anyway."
"I only stay quiet because they aren't my soulmates, okay?"
"Oh, really? Is that why you were stuttering the other day?"
"I told you, I wasn't feeling well that day!" "Sure, keep telling yourself that."
One thing I've realized—or rather, remembered—over the last two months is that boys this age are obsessed with girls. Marcus is a bit of an extreme case; I sometimes suspect his brain is divided strictly into two halves: football and girls.
"Hey! Two o'clock!"
"Two o'clock?"
"Wait, no. One, two, three... Oh! Seven o'clock!"
"You idiot. Is she your type?"
"Yeah—I'm calling dibs. Touch her and you're dead."
"Go right ahead."
I lightly pushed past Marcus, who had been scanning the girls in class since the first bell, to talk to Sol-Jay. Our conversations are different from the ones involving Marcus.
"Damn—are you serious? Football talk first thing in the morning?"
"Do you think we have it as easy as you do?" "We're playing in ten days, man."
"Fuck! Listen to this quarterback bragging."
As an offensive lineman, Marcus probably won't see much time on the field this season. However, Sol-Jay and I—being two of only three quarterbacks on the team—have to prepare for the season opener.
The first game is on the 12th. An away game against Leilehua. I'll be starting that day. Sol-Jay will be the backup.
Within just one week of starting training, I met all the basic requirements the head coach demanded. A week after that, I surpassed Cameron to secure the starting spot. It wasn't particularly difficult; if anything, it felt like it took longer than I expected.
The only variable is my real-game instinct. Even with my experience as a coach and my preparation in this life, it's been a long time since I actually stood on the field as a quarterback.
"Is Moi in here~?"
"Ah, damn it."
In the middle of our conversation, a girl whose voice alone sends shivers down my spine appeared at the entrance.
StephanieJensen.
Following the gazes of everyone in the room, Stephanie spotted me, gave a bright smile, blew a kiss, and made a suggestive gesture before disappearing. Marcus actually shuddered. Even he knows she's dangerous.
"Damn. I get goosebumps every time I see her."
"Why does she do that?" Sol-Jay asked.
"Do you really not know?"
"I have no idea."
"Sigh."
For Sol-Jay's sake, I explained. When a girl acts like that, rumors spread through the school instantly—rumors about us dating. Stephanie hasn't given up on her ambition to become the undisputed queen of the school by dating me.
When I first saw her at my lodgings, I thought she'd just give up, but she's more persistent than I anticipated. She has a lot of influence because she's the captain of the cheerleading team. Hawaii is a small place, and the cheer captain is almost always the "Queen" of the school. All the popular girls follow her around, trying to stay on her good side.
It was a side of high school life I had forgotten. Why do I only remember the good things?
"Why not just date her?" Marcus suggested. "Are you crazy? No thanks."
"Why? It might be alright."
"Yeah, right. Then you date her."
"Whoa. I'll pass."
"Then never say that again."
"Got it."
To maintain a happy and safe high school life, I intend to avoid getting entangled with Stephanie at all costs.
# 2:00 PM
The first day of the fall semester luckily ended without any incidents. After my Spanish class, I packed my bag. I had been moving around alone since the afternoon classes began.
My Spanish teacher smiled and spoke to me as I was packing.
"How was the lesson?"
"It was good."
"Not too difficult?"
"No, you explained everything very well." "Haha. If there's ever anything you don't understand, let me know. I'll give you a separate explanation."
"I will. Thank you."
The teachers are all very friendly toward me. It's likely because I'm a student-athlete—one who is receiving national attention. My influence is already being proven in unprecedented ways. For the first time in national high school football history, our home opener is scheduled to be broadcast on a national TV channel, Fox. The strange men walking around the field lately were there to install equipment.
Anyway...
"Moi! How was your first day?"
"Look who it is! Our Kahuku star!"
"If you need anything, come to the office anytime."
"Off to training?"
Every single teacher I ran into on my way to the field greeted me. Groups of girls in the hallway looked at me shyly, and some of the braver ones waved or said "Hi." Whenever I smiled back, they practically melted.
Is this what popularity feels like?
On the other hand, the boys gave me a different look—somewhere between admiration and jealousy. The ratio felt like 7:3 or 8:2. I was truly the star of Kahuku High.
I met my friends at the field, and they looked exhausted.
"How was class?"
"Damn, I've already lost confidence." "Already? It's only the first day."
"I'm just not built for studying."
Athletes who fail to maintain a C+ average are barred from games and training. While there are makeup exams, being unable to train during that time is a huge loss. I comforted my academic-weary friends as we entered the locker room.
I saw the seniors who had arrived before us. One of them smiled at me. It was the starting Running Back (RB), HarmonBrown, he's a Samoan with Asian features.
Harmon walked up to me.
"You're already famous, huh?"
"Really?"
"Yeah. Rumors have reached the senior classrooms. The girls are going crazy asking me to introduce you. Interested?"
Harmon is a senior graduating this year. He dreams of playing for a mainland college. To increase his competitiveness, he's been practicing a second position: Outside Linebacker. Many high schoolers do this to appeal to scouts. But without something truly special, 999 out of 1,000 players won't make it to a college team as a recruit.
This is why Harmon is so kind to me. A lot depends on my performance. If I, as the quarterback, don't utilize rushing tactics, the running backs have fewer chances to shine.
And that's why...
"Yo—fake Samoan!"
"Hey! I told you to stop that!"
"Oh, Harmon. You were here?"
"I told you to quit it, Sio. Don't do that."
"Tsk."
He protects me.
Sioele, clearly unhappy with the situation, clicked his tongue and left, followed by the other two Huamatus. The defensive team, including the Huamatu brothers, still despises me and calls me "fake Samoan." But every time they do, the offensive seniors step up for me.
"Don't mind them, Moi. They're idiots."
"I won't."
As you can see, the Kahuku football team is currently split into factions: the defensive team centered around Captain Sioele Fuamatu, and the offensive team with Harmon and Royce Pao. The team chemistry isn't great.
The coaches know this, but they won't intervene unless things turn ugly. In football, offense and defense are separate enough that this can actually work as a weird form of motivation. As long as they don't start a fistfight, the rivalry can keep both sides sharp.
"Ughhh! Moi! Help me!"
"I told you to stop eating so many wings."
"Ugh—my arm won't fit... please."
"Sigh."
After helping Marcus, who was struggling to fit into his pads due to a surplus of chicken wings, I headed out to the field with the offense. My mood instantly lifted. The field really is the best place to be.
Clap!
"Alright. Let's do laps before the head coach arrives."
"Everyone, gather in four columns!!"
The coach suggested a run, and Sioele barked orders to get us in formation. Heat haze rose from the sun-drenched field. After just a little running, I was soaked in sweat. But we ran in step. The heat was nothing; far more painful things happen on this field, both physically and mentally.
"Ko Wai Matou?"
"Kaipāhua Kura."
I shouted along with Sioele's lead, circling the field. Who are we? RedRaiders. Before I knew it, I had truly become a member of the tribe.
# August 6, 2016
#-2. Honolulu
I went down to my grandmother's house for the weekend. Aunt Mel, who drove me, was currently showering.
"Are you really coming to cheer for me?"
"Of course. It's my grandson's game."
"I'd love for you to be there, but do you know the rules of football?"
"Well, I'm sure it would be great if you taught me."
"Hmm. Okay, let's do that."
For my grandmother, who promised to come to the home opener on the 19th, I grabbed a pen and notebook and sat down nearby. I started explaining as simply as possible. She didn't need to know everything. Positions? Tactics? None of that mattered yet. I just needed her to know who I was and how the offense worked.
"There are 11 people on offense and 11 on defense on the field at a time."
"Just like soccer."
"Exactly. And I'm the quarterback. I'm the first person to touch the ball when the offense starts. When the guy in front of me gives me the ball, the play begins."
If you explain American football simply, it's a game of territory. Whoever takes the opponent's land faster wins. The team with possession gets four chances to move 10 yards. In football, this is called a FirstDown. If you get pushed back 5 yards, you have to make up 15 yards to get that First Down and keep the ball. Eventually, you reach the end zone to score.
"And the quarterback... is the position with the most influence on getting those first downs and scores."
"Can you pass more than once?"
"You can pass sideways or backward as many times as you want, but you can only pass forward once per play."
"Oh, that sounds very difficult for you."
"It is. But that's why I love it."
Being in the position to make the decisions. Affecting the score. Ultimately being responsible for the win or loss. All of it drives me.
I only explained the basic rules and scoring for now, but I plan to teach her more as she gets into it. Just then, Aunt Mel came out of the shower.
"Whew—your turn."
"Okay, going in."
"Oh? Were you explaining football to Grandma?"
"She's coming on the 19th."
I swapped places with my aunt and headed into the shower. Two months of training had made my body even firmer. I struck a pose in front of the mirror.
Ah, come to think of it... I forgot to explain the game time to Grandma.
When I finished my cold shower and went back out, my aunt was already explaining it to her. A football game consists of four 15-minute quarters, but because the clock stops frequently, a game usually takes three to four hours.
"Moi."
"Yes, Grandma."
"Make sure you eat a hearty meal before the game."
"Haha. Yes, I will."
She seems worried about me being hungry before a game. I said I would, but I wasn't so sure. When I was a coach in my past life, I'd have a cigarette and then head onto the field. I usually ate after the game.
Actually... I don't crave cigarettes at all now. I used to be a heavy smoker. It's strange. Maybe it's because this is a fresh, new body?
"Moi! Mel! Come eat!"
"Aunt Mel, let's go."
"Okay."
Hearing Grandma's voice, we went inside. As always, the table was overflowing with food.
"I'm going to gain a kilogram today."
I was worried about my weight, but Grandma clearly wasn't.
"There isn't much to eat, but please, help yourselves."
"...Where isn't there much?"
"Hmm?"
"Oh. No, it's nothing."
I wondered what a "well-set table" looked like by my grandmother's standards. I was always too afraid to ask.