CHAPTER I: THE UPCOMING GAME
"Aargh! The game with Imotari High is nearing, and I'm still here doing lay-ups!" The redhead tensai slams the ball against the floor.
"Ouch!" he cries, as the ball bounces back, hitting him behind the head. "Why, you…!"
"Oi, Sakuragi," Akagi booms from under the basket. "If you need an outlet for your anger, do it outside."
Rukawa silently hands Sakuragi the metal basket.
Sakuragi's eyes turn into slits. "What is this for, kitsune?"
"Bring this with you and smash it up," Rukawa deadpans.
"Grr…Rukawa!"
"That's enough, you two." Kogure calls out. "Rest for a while. We'll continue practice later." He walks towards the faucets.
"Another game for the ace," Mitsui muses. He yawns and wipes his brow. "Can't believe it's been a while since we beat Shoyo for the chance to the Interhigh ticket." He leans against the wall.
"I still have nightmares about Fujima-san. Man, the horror of seeing his face as you make a pass. So terrifying!" The lightning backfielder groans at the thought.
Not to mention Hanagata-san's fade-away shot. Rukawa's mind backtracks to the game.
"Ah, but he was nothing to you, Miyagi." Shiozaki wrings his wet shirt. The rest nod in agreement.
Miyagi smiles. As long as I have Aya-chan cheering me on, no one will beat me. He splashes water onto his face.
Ah, Aya-chan. The very sound of her voice lifts me up into the clouds. Her hair is silken curls. Her eyes light up a foggy night. Her looks give me unexplainable ecstasy. Her…
"You're flooding the place, Miyagi!" Akagi's roar splinters Miyagi's thoughts.
Yasuda carefully steps around the growing puddle. "Thinking about Ayako again, I presume." He gives Miyagi a smack on the bottom.
"Aah! Gomen, gomen!" Miyagi rushes to the broom closet.
Kogure holds up a mop. "Minna, let's help Miyagi clean up this mess, shall we?" He starts mopping. Rukawa follows suit.
The rest groan in displeasure.