Disclaimer: I don't own the SD boys so please don't sue me, coz I don't have any money to pay you

Chapter 1: Unnoticeable change



It is the typical day at Shohoku high.

"Oi, Ryocchin, how's the day?" yelled Sakuragi while running and stuffing his breakfast

"Hey, Sakuragi. Watch out for that-" Ryota warned, and then Sakuragi gets run over by a bike.

"Never mind." Ryota sighed.

"Hey foxy!!! Watch where you're going, you could have injured the tensai."

"Huh, idiot." Rukawa hissed.

The supposedly bright and perfect day for Rukawa turned into one of his average day. it was supposedly a beautiful day after a hard days work a week before that day, but Sakuragi being Sakuragi, ruined the day for at least only Rukawa. The classes moved on like the usual.

Then, during practice, the team had their usual practice

"Go Sakuragi-kun!!!" Haruko cheered, and then noticed Rukawa's slam dunk and blushes.

"Oi, Haruko-san!" Sakuragi said while waiving a hand in front of Haruko's face.

"Zoned out again? It's really hard to bring back someone who is already out in space" Ayako said.

It had been a year since the inter high, Ryota had already taken over and became the team captain.

"Okay team, we have a game with Ryonan next week so lets start our practice and we'll have an over time." Announced Ryota and sighed.

"It's really hard being the Captain, ne?" Teased Ayako. "It's really hard when Captain Akagi is not around."

"It's not that, Ayako-san" Ryota replied.

It's a miracle that he didn't blush and say his usual words or stammer while talking to me, Ayako thought and smiled inwardly.

The practice resumed and after that intense practice, Sakuragi went home.





(Sakuragi's POV)

It's really hard when you're trying to get someone's attention when all she's doing is cheering someone else. . . oh well that just life I guess I'll never make her look at me in another way other that a friend.





The next day before the team again had an intense training for the up coming game with Ryonan Sakuragi approached Ryota.

"Ryocchin, I can't come to practice today, I have to do something first." Sakuragi said.

"But you can't skip practice today, we have a game next week and we have to prepare for it."Ryota explained. "But if it's really important, I can at least let you go for now"

"Thanks Ryota-senpai, I really appreciate it." Sakuragi thanked and walked away.

Am I hearing it properly or did he just call me by my name? Ryota though to himself then shrugged.

"Oh well, we'll never know" Ryota smiled.

The team had an intense practice.

"Where's Sakuragi-kun?" Haruko looked around and didn't see the red headed boy that was usually around her.

For the rest of the week, Sakuragi did not attend a single practice and in class he was totally in Mars.

"What happened to him, he did not show up in the practice, today, even in the practice yesterday, is he sick or something?" Ryota said in an irritated voice. "Who does he think he is?"

"Don't say that Ryota-senpai, what if he really is sick?" Protested Haruko.

"Yeah, she's right, what if he's really sick" Ayako agreed.

The days passed then the practice game finally came.

"Don't tell me that he's not planning to come to the game" Ryota hinted.

"He's going to come, trust me on this one Ryota" Ayako assured.

The game started without Sakuragi, but he came just in time for the 2nd half of the game.

"What's wrong with, you did not show up in the practices and now you're late, look, if ever that you have a problem. Never mind." Ryota hissed.

"Don't worry Ryocchin. The tensai is here so you don't have to worry." Sakuragi grinned.

"Good." Ryota mumbled.

"Go team!!!" Ayako cheered

"Ayako-san." Ryota blushed

Sendoh was about to make a slam dunk when Sakuragi and Rukawa appeared in front of him. Unfortunately the dunk was successful, and it ended the game, with Ryonan winning by two points.

"Hey, why didn't you show up earlier?" Ayako confronted Sakuragi.

"I--I was sort of busy" Sakuragi defended. "Well actually, my mom called me and I was thinking about it so it kind of took my mind, sorry, it will never happen again."

"It really shouldn't, we could've won if you would have shown up in the first place."

"Sorry-I-I--" Sakuragi apologized.

"Huh idiot." Rukawa hissed.

For the first time, Sakuragi did not react like he used to, instead he admitted his mistakes and asked Ryota if he could have a second chance.

"Sakuragi is really sick. I mean I like him that way but it just isn't right." Ryota sighed. "I mean I think I like him better when he's acting like a monkey."

"Me, too." Rukawa agreed.

Boy everyone in Shohoku seems sick lately. I mean first Ryota, then Sakuragi, and now Rukawa? Who's next. . . me? Ayako thought to herself.

"Ayako-san?" Ryota trying to touch Ayako's shoulder

"I'm awake Ryota" Ayako snapped and whacked Ryota with her fan

"But Ayako-san." Ryota said sweetly as if he is getting hurt.





(Sakuragi's POV)

The game is really a tough one. . . what am I feeling? Why am I acting strange lately? I mean. . . I haven't been myself lately. . . is it just me or am I loosing my mask? I hope not. . . I mean I've been writing good things to my mom even though nothing good is happening to here in Kanagawa. . . I really hope not





The sun rose and bell rang, signaling the start of the classes.









Tbc~(if you want to)~

Author's note: Well I actually DID finish a chapter in a day. . . sorry if it doesn't go anywhere yet. . . just follow reading my fic and I'm sure that it'll swing to it's rightful path. . . pls. read and review