Get That Ball

By Nopickup

Past six in the evening, Rukawa was practicing basketball in the court near the park. He dribbled the ball, made good shots, and practiced his basketball techniques. He made a shot, and after the ball went in the ring, it bounced and rolled away. He turned around to get it, but when he did that, he saw someone stooping down the ball. The person got the ball from the ground. As the ball was being held up, Rukawa's eyes slowly followed it. When his eyes already reached the face of the person holding the ball, he saw that it was a pretty girl with long, black hair smiling at him. The girl slowly walked near him and handed him the ball.

"That was a nice shot," the girl told him, smiling.

Rukawa got the ball and ignored the girl afterwards. He turned around and continued practicing.

"You wouldn't even say 'thank you'?" the girl said after he made another shot.

Rukawa slightly turned around.

"I did not ask you to get it."

"Oh, such a snobbish attitude. I see," the girl told him teasingly.

Rukawa faced the ring again.

"I don't care about you."

"Why, did I say you have to care for me?"

Rukawa stopped and faced the girl. The girl was smiling at him mischievously.

"The sun is already down, why still practice at this time of the night?" the girl asked him.

Rukawa ignored her again. But there was something that the girl said that made him stop again.

"Is it because you want to beat Akira Sendoh?"

"It's none of your business."

"Yah, I know that. I was just asking."

Sendoh then passed the court. He saw the girl there and called her.

"Hey Yuri, what are you doing there?"

He then saw Rukawa on the other side. He was slightly surprised, and so was Rukawa.

"Akira…" the girl called out and went to Sendoh. "I just saw Kaede Rukawa playing."

Sendoh looked at Rukawa.

"Still practicing at this time," Sendoh told him.

"Sendoh…" Rukawa said.

"Oh well, see you next time. We still have to go."

Sendoh then put his arm around the girl's shoulders and they started walking away. Rukawa's eyes followed them as they walked.

I will beat you, Sendoh.