CHAPTER 1

Basketball is fast-paced , exciting game . Much of it appeal lies in its unique blend of teamwork and individual athletic skills .

Speed , strenght , stamina , quick reflexes , leaping ability and shooting accuracy are some of the importants that a player needs .

Basketball is popular sports in the whole world but I don't give a care about it . I'm just a normal girl who doesn't care everything . I don't even think to join some club for the extracurriculum activities . My only goal is to graduate in this prestigious school without being involve in each students ... but everything changes when I saw this mysterious redhead guy with heterochromatic eyes that caught my attention which is rare to myself .

" Eri ! Please ! ", as she clasped her hands together that cause her long brown hair to bounce due to her movements . She is actually begging me to come with her to watch the interhigh semi-finals in basketball .

And as you can see , Tomo is my one and only friend , were best of friends , though . I must admit that she was annoying as hell when I first met her . She kept accompanying me while I'm pushing her away until I gave up and accepted her friendship . She just don't easily give up .

So back to reality , I sighed " I already told you that I'm not interested in basketball . Why don't you invite some of your friends ? ", as I shifted back my attention to the book that I was currently reading , completely ignoring her 'coz she is now getting annoying . We were currently at our classroom , waiting for the next period .

Suddenly my book slipped through my hand and gone " HEY , GIVE ME BACK MY BOOK ! ", I shouted 'coz I hate it when someone's doing that to me .

" Not until you come with me tomorrow after school . Let's say ... that will be your present for my upcoming birthday . I hope you don't forget it ", I froze , I can't even tell that I almost forgot her birthday .

" WHAT ?! How could you ?! ", she shriek just what I anticipated .

She crossed her arms over her chest , thinking something .

A couple of seconds past when she began to talk once again with a wide smirk on her face " Well then , since you totally forgot my birthday , you will come with me tomorrow after school . Whether you like it or not . Deal ? ".

I grunted " Fine . As if I had a choice ".

" Good ", she smiled widely at me .

" Now before you forget everything else , give me back my book " I commanded .

" Oh right ! Here ".

The day of the Interhigh Semi-finals

" ERI ! HURRY ! ", Tomo cried out as if someone's chasing us . But the truth is ... we're late for the game . Not just late but we're totally LATE ! And thanks to the car accident that cause us to be late .

I'm not sarcastic but I'm actually thanking that car accident that happened earlier . And now , I'm not watching this game for an hour . I'll get bored .

We finally reached our destination , we were definitely at the 3rd floor of the said place , where the game was held . Too far from the court but we can still see the players .

I saw the black haired guy , that reached his shoulder , made a shot the buzzzz ~ the buzzer beater rang .

Game over .

" WHAT ?! THE GAME IS OVER ?! ", the girl beside me shouted on top of her lungs , good thing that they just ignore her ... but the others looked at us .

But what's the meaning of this ? I'm not a fan nor interested in basketball . I assumed that the crowd or fans will cheer or go wild for the winner team .

They just calm and the other felt relieved . I don't think that they're happy or they're just expecting that they will win this game .

I don't know .

So this is what our school basketball team is ... Rakuzan

Their score is 150 - 62 .

Taking the drink that I buy in the vending machine , the girl who is sitting on the bench beside the vending machine is keeping ranting on and on . She even curse the car aciident that cause us to be late in this match .

" CURSE THAT CAR ! I EVEN WASTE MY MONEY FOR NOTHING ?! I DON'T EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO WATCH OUR TEAM PLAY ! ", I felt that she was now glaring at me , realized that I'm not listening to her "ARE YOU HAPPY NOW ? ".

" Hey , don't vent your anger to me . It's not my fault and be thankful that they win against their opponent", I said still standing infront of her while holding a can of carbonated drink .

She glared at me one more time then she sighed " You know Eri , you're beautiful but you're heartless ".

I narrowed my eyes " What do you mean ? ".

" It's simple ", she lifted her hand in the mid-air , showing her index finger , her eyes were shut " you don't even support our schools' basketball team . Even though they are the strongest high school team in history , they still need our support , 'coz that's what Rakuzan students do ".

" It seems that you forgot that I only enter Rakuzan high school is to study and graduate so that my father will get proud of me and besides " I paused a bit and tried to throw a the empty can in the wastebin and it went in , Tomo followed the can when I shoot it " basketball is simply b ~ ".

I did not finished what I'm trying to say 'coz a group of boys wearing a white jersey passing through us .

Their aura was intimidating especially to the guy infront of the group . Probably , that's their captain . I think .

My eyes met him as he stared back at me emotionless . I couldn't move , mesmerized by his intimidating gaze . He was something else . He even sent some chills into my spine .

What is this feeling ?

The heterochromatic eyed man was still gazing to the violet eyed woman , giving her sone intimidating feeling .

Gazing her one last time 'coz he is now a few meters away from her . He smirked and muttered " Interesting ".

" Akashi , is something wrong ? ", the blond short haired guy asked .

" No , nothing . I just saw that made me feel interest ", he answered plainly .

After the team gone into my sight , my sweats pelted in my cheeks as my knees got weak .

I slowly sat at the bench as I place my palm on my forehead ' What happened ? Why this is happening to me after I saw those guy ? '.

" Eri , what happen ? Are you alright ? Do you want me to bring you at the infirmary ? ", she asked worriedly .

" No . I'm fine , don't worry . I'm just exhausted ", I shifted my gaze at Tomo still holding my forehead " Let's go home ? ".

She nodded " If you insist ".

Damn it . I can't even think straight . Seeing those mismatched eyes makes me feel like I'm starting to act weird right now .

I don't but that's what I actually feel .