This is a Christmas gift to my dear friend Yui-chan
This is a Christmas gift to my dear friend Yui-chan! Merry Christmas, girl! I hope you like this one coz I spent a week writing this just for you...to all Sendoh fans, I'm dedicating this one to you too! Enjoy!!
SENDOH: Jade! How nice of you to write about us. pulls Yui to him and hugs her tight
YUI: sighs and melts on the floor
NJ: You're very welcome. I hope you like it especially since you sounded really terrible when you sang that so--!"
SENDOH: suddenly reaches out and clamps a hand over her mouth .Shhh! Don't sell me out, sister!
YUI: "..." still a pile of melted accumulation on the floor
NJ: breaks free from his grip Hahaha! I already did! turns to audience and winks
Have fun reading people!...goes to pick up Yui..or what's left of her Tsk! Yui-chan, you don't know how to control yourself!
SENDOH: Yare yare!
IN HER EYES
By nightjade
DISCLIAMER: I do not own Slam Dunk! I do not own Slam Dunk! I do not own Slam Dunk! I DO NOT OWN SLAAAMMM DUUUNNNNKK!!... finally drops to the floor and sobs
CHAPTER 1
It was a very rough day and he was feeling lethargic already. Basketball practice was hell as usual, with Taoka-sensei being his usual neurotic self.
"Practice harder! Shohoku spends more time in the gym than you so move it! Move it! Move it!" he would yell at them nonstop.
His ears were starting to throb. As captain of the team, he could only offer words of encouragement to his colleagues, they being more affected by his erratic temper. If he had the final say, then their neurotic coach would be long gone--bye bye coachie!
Of course, he couldn't do that...well, not just yet. But he had other things in mind for the time being...like the upcoming regional.
He was as excited as the others were, knowing that they will be facing Kainan and Shohoku again. He had long wanted to beat Kainan ever since he was pitted against the Kanagawa MVP, and for two straight years, he held on, playing with every skill he had and throwing his finest against Shinichi Maki of Kainan.
Still, he came out second best. And this time, he wasn't the only one competing with him.
Shohoku Senior High--a name he very much hated especially since he played with their superstar rookie. They were new but strong and kept Ryonan out of the running. His mission, however, was not the whole team but their so-called fox-eyed legend.
His skills were still fresh but good enough to play against him. Every time he would try to get past, he would see that haunting look in his cold blue eyes, as if everything was dedicated only to basketball. Such determination scared him and he worked harder to maintain a step or two ahead. He could never let some sophomore beat him--he could not become second best again.
Sighing deeply, he closed his sports bag and slung it over his shoulder. His stomach was starting to growl and realized that he had been hungry for the past hour but was too busy and focused to even notice it. Now, he had to eat.
He decided to stop by the nearest fast food to order something out. As he got in, however, he sweatdropped upon knowing the others had the same idea. Since he was extremely hungry, he looked for the shortest line but found none. Sighing in defeat, he placed his hands in his pockets and waited for his turn.
After what seemed like an eternity, he finally got to the counter.
"Yes sir, what will you have?" the lady behind the counter asked sweetly.
He scanned the menu overhead.
"Uhm, I'll have a barrel of chicken and two sodas, please." he told her, smiling. ...(a barrel of chicken?!)
As the girl punched the order in, he peered at her nametag, which had the name "Rei" on it.
"Anything else, sir?" Rei asked again, looking up.
He shook his head and took out his wallet.
"Iie. That will be all." The amount flashed on the screen and he opened his wallet to take out the payment.
"Thank you, sir." Rei said after handing him the change. She proceeded to prepare his order while he waited by the counter for his food.
She appeared a few minutes later with a huge paper bag in her hand.
"Please enjoy your meal. I'm sure your sister will love them." she said as she handed him the bag.
He smiled and hurriedly took it, his stomach growling louder by the second.
"Arigatou! I will --" He stopped suddenly as her last sentence dawned on him.
"My what?" he asked, not sure if he heard her correctly.
"Your sister,...that picture of a girl in your wallet? She's really very pretty." Rei said, smiling sweetly still.
He laughed softly at this answer, realizing what she's referring to.
"Oh! That picture...well, she's not my sister." he replied simply.
Rei's sweet smile vanished to be replaced by a sheepish look.
"Oh! Gomen ne! Is she your girlfriend? You're very lucky even!" she gushed out, and then closed her mouth shut before she could say anymore.
He scratched his head at this scenario. She was being difficult to talk to and nosy as well.
"Uhm, no she's not my girlfriend either."
"A classmate, then? Or cousin? Friend?"
"How about a line full of waiting hungry customers, you baka!" an irritated voice interjected from behind.
Both their SD's sweatdropped at this sudden counter.
"Gomen!" Rei said, bowing her head slightly in shame, her cheeks coloring profusely.
He laughed and took his bag from the counter.
"It's ok. Thanks for the meal!" he said good naturedly, flashing his famous boyish grin.
She just smiled back and he strode out the room, going past the annoyed looks given by those in line, and sighing in relief as he finally got out. He walked a couple of paces away from the shop and stopped by the lamppost near the intersection.
Somehow, what Rei said had caught him off guard. He took out his wallet again and opened it, revealing the picture she described earlier.
Memories came flooding back as he gazed into those smiling light brown eyes. He had been wondering what has happened to her in the past four years since he last saw her.
Will I ever see her again?
He sighed in resignation as he remembered how they parted ways. She cursed him back then, vowing never to speak to him for as long as she lived. He could not blame her. It was his fault why she left; it was he who drove her away.
Now, he fully regretted it. Memories are so hard to forget. They never let you rest. They keep on haunting you time and again.
He smiled as he started reminiscing, leaning his head against the post.
It was during his sophomore year in Mizuno Jr. High when he first met her. ...
Lunchtime was hell as usual especially since you have to fight your way in the cafeteria just to get to the food counter. There were so many students eating there and he hated the way how things get nasty once someone gets shoved out of line.
Like now, he was trying hard not to start a brawl. He had been warned by the office already, and another one would earn his parents a free trip to Mizuno Jr. High...something he never wanted to happen.
He waited patiently in line, moving ever so slowly until he finally reached the dessert section. Much to his relief, he saw the remaining cup of yogurt waiting for him there and he prayed that no one ahead of him would buy it. Unfortunately, the girl in front of him had the same idea.
"...and that cup of yogurt over there." she pointed to the lady behind the counter.
His heart sank at the sight of his favorite dessert being taken away by alien hands.
Hmph! Yogurt-thief!
His turn came up next and he dejectedly chose a banana instead. Then, he picked up his tray and looked for his pals amidst the busy caf. He had no problem with that because he had the height to do it anyway. He spotted them on the table near the window and trudged to their direction.
"Yo!" his pals greeted as he placed his tray down on the table.
"Why looking so glum?" one of them, a guy named Kaikan, asked.
"Oohh! No yogurt today! No wonder he's pissed!" another one named Roi interjected.
Everyone turned to look at his tray. True enough, in place of his usual cup of yogurt was a banana.
"Bakas!" he muttered, then left to get drinking water from the fountain.
He saw only one glass remaining and quickened his pace to get there before somebody else beat him to it. Well, it turned out that even with his long strides he was unable to get there in time as he saw a slender hand suddenly reach for it. Desperately wanting to get the glass, he racked his mind for a split second and finally came up with his only option.
As nimbly as he could, he made a quick leap and crashed into the cunning thief, sending her out of the line.
"What the--?"
He turned around and saw her light brown eyes twinkling in surprise and irritation.
"Oh, gomen ne! I didn't mean to bump into you." he apologized half- heartedly then, without so much as a second glance, he turned back to the tray and plucked the remaining glass out of it.
"Hey! That's my glass!"
His ears turned pink at the sound of the accusation. He was very hungry and they still had to practice after the break so he couldn't afford to waste another minute arguing about something this juvenile! He ignored her and proceeded to fill his glass with water at the drinking fountain beside it.
"Excuse me, but I just said that's my glass!" she said again, this time with a slight edge in her voice.
He sighed and turned to her, looking into those light brown eyes again...they were flashing with extreme annoyance already.
"Well, it's not yours anymore." he replied evenly, holding up the glass in front of her for emphasis.
She crossed her arms on her chest and tapped her foot irritably, glaring daggers at him.
"And just WHO are you to have claim over that?" she countered.
He smiled proudly.
"Akira Sendoh; Mizuno basketball MVP." He peered down at her as if trying to study a very minute creature. "And who might you be?"
She wryly smiled, revealing a small dimple on her left cheek.
"Yui Tsukiyama; badminton champion of the Kanagawan prefecture.
He stopped at this information. She's the legendary Tsukiyama of the interschool badminton?! He assessed her again, from her long braids that hung limply behind her, to her braces and smaller physique...she didn't look like any athlete much less a champion! She had to be kidding.
"YOU?! You're the champion?! Hahaha! I find that hard to believe!" he retorted, laughing aloud. "You're just a kid!"
Yui raised one graceful eyebrow at him as he laughed.
"And YOU have the manners of a pig!"
Then, with out any warning, she took hold of his wrist, gripped it really hard and gave it a little twist, not minding the water that spilled on the floor.
"Ahh-tet-tet-tet!" Sendoh cried out in pain, opening his palm and letting go of the glass.
With lightning speed reflexes, she caught the falling glass with the other hand and let his wrist go.
"Che! Aikido always works on bullies!" she chortled, waving the glass triumphantly in front of him.
Akira Sendoh, Mizuno Basketball MVP, just stood there dumbfounded, massaging his throbbing wrist.
"Well, I guess I have to go! Ja!" she said afterwards with a haughty smile and then turned to go.
"Bah! Cheeky freshman!" he muttered under his breath.
Yui turned around as she heard this and mockingly stuck out her tongue at him. He sneered back.
She can't do this to me! She's only a freshman! Hasn't she any fear at all? I'll make her pay! Soon, she'll know better than to mess with me!
As he watched her retreating figure, his mind started getting to work about his revenge.
His growling stomach sent him reeling back to Earth.
Now, I really have to get home!
He checked his watch ..(yes, he used to wear a watch in his younger years) and gulped. His sister would be at him as soon as he gets home with the food. He did promise her that they would be dining together since their parents were on a business trip in Europe.
He crossed the street and hurried home. His vision was starting to swim because of hunger and he desperately searched for the house keys in his pockets. Finding it at last, he gave a mental cheer and slid the key in the lock. He was about to twist it when the door suddenly opened, revealing a very irritated girl in a Ryonan middle school uniform.
"Aha! I knew it was you, oniichan! I thought you were coming home early? I'm already starving! What kept you?" she asked all at once, tapping her foot impatiently.
Akira smiled sheepishly and scratched his head with his free hand.
"Ahh! ...well, I..there's this girl,...and.." he began, but his sister did not let him finish as she stepped outside and took the bag of chicken from his hands.
"Never mind! Lets just go in and continue your story over dinner. I'm really hungry, 'neechan, and you have no right to keep me waiting all alone in the house! But I would love to hear what happened in school so you might as well start talking as soon as I set the table and sit down to eat, ne?" she babbled on, pushing him inside as she did.
Akira followed obediently at his sister's prodding, shaking his head in amazement. Arguing with her would be totally useless because she seems to have a knack for proving everybody else wrong. Either that or he was just too lame at debates.
He placed his bag down on the sofa and followed her to the kitchen where she was already busily setting the plates. He went to the fridge, took out a pitcher of orange juice, and sat on the chair. His sister worked about, taking the chicken out of the paper bag and plucking them out of the barrel one by one with a fork, placing them on a big platter.
"So how was school today? Did Taoka sensei talk his same old nonsense again? My, my! He sure has a lot of reserved air to do so, ne? I mean, why can't he just leave you alone to do your own thing? You're all in high school now, you're all practically grown ups." she chatted on as she prepared the food and served them on the table.
Akira smiled at his sister's delighted chatter. She was the only one in the family who had that much spirit. Everyone else's seemed monotonous in comparison.
As he watched her move around, his thoughts wandered back to Yui. She had the same joviality as his sister's, only it wasn't directed towards him. In fact, whenever they would cross each other's paths at school, they would always scowl and bicker non-stop, finding something nasty to say and have comebacks ready whenever one of them quips all of a sudden. Neither of them wanted to lose...
The perfect revenge came to mind when he saw her during P.E. class. She was into table tennis, and judging from the way she was playing, he saw that she was also good at it. He could see determination and pride swell from her light brown eyes every time she would score a hit.
But thanks to him, on that day he swore to get revenge, things started changing for her.
As the coach called for a ten-minute break, just to let them catch their breaths, he sneaked in from the side entrance and waited for her to take a drink. After what seemed like forever, she finally stood up, leaving her things unattended, and sauntered towards the fountain.
Right on cue, his friends started to come in the scenario. Roi was walking with a stereo on his shoulders, playing very loud music while the others were dancing to the beat. They did a step, and then two until it looked like they were doing a choreographed dance. Everyone watched of course and Sendoh quickly used this diversion to put his main plan into action. He sneaked up on Yui's things, took the racket she was using and sprayed the surface with super glue.
There! That should do the trick!
Smiling evilly, he returned the racket on top of the bag, with the glued portion facing up, and slithered back into the sides.
The dancing finally stopped and the gang did a short bow to their audience before totally disappearing into the gym entrance.
"Okay! Break's over! Everyone back to work!" the coach called out.
From the entrance of the gym, he saw her go back to pick up her racket and get ready for another game. He watched impatiently as the game started and the service came, the ball heading straight at her. He could see her eyes set at the ball, ready to smash it back to her opponent, aiming yet for another ace.
As the ball hit her racket, it bounced off and hit the table; only, it stayed glued on the other side of the mini court.
"What the--?" he suddenly heard her cry out in frustration and he couldn't help but laugh aloud at this hilarious scenario.
Of course, he knew she heard him, for as she looked in his direction, he could see her light brown eyes shooting daggers at him. Man! If only looks could kill, he would be dead already.
Still laughing aloud and his sides were beginning to hurt, he stared evenly at her and winked.
"Gotcha!" he mouthed with a triumphant evil grin.
She glared at him and went back to her bag to get another one. Sendoh knew he won and that his revenge had been successful.
Or so he thought.
It had been two days since the practical joke and he felt really good. Of course, as he expected, she didn't do anything to retaliate, knowing that she couldn't win against an upperclassman. What could a freshie do, anyway? Besides, he also knew for a fact that no one would dare go against him and his gang. Well, call him a bully if you wish, but he's getting his way and that's all that mattered.
After practice that day, he went to the locker room and took out his things. He was dying for a bath since he felt all worked out and stuffy as usual. (Yuck!) He took a quick shower and dried himself, then wrapped his towel around his waist as he rummaged his bag for his toothbrush and toothpaste.
He found them and went to the sink, whistling as he turned on the faucet and unscrewed the cap of toothpaste. He gazed at his reflection in the mirror, looking very pleased with the way his hair fell down on his head without any gel. He absently squeezed some toothpaste on his toothbrush and instinctively brought it to his mouth and started brushing.
Hahaha! That brat must be fuming up to now, not able to do anything nasty to get back. Hah! Some champion! And she had the nerve to make fun of me in the cafeteria!
He brushed his teeth with quick precise strokes..then stopped. The toothpaste felt sticky in his teeth and he quickly looked at the mirror. His eyes widened in horror as he saw his teeth were colored bright green!
"Vhat in hell--?" He checked the tube of toothpaste and examined it closely. He could see the bottom was somewhat unrolled and he squeezed some of the goo into his finger and held it up his nose to smell it.
Gel! Someone had replaced the contents of his toothpaste with hair gel! He quickly spat out the sticky slack into the sink and gargled water until the last traces of gel were gone. Then he checked his teeth in the mirror and saw that everything was back to normal...well, at least most of it were.
"I'm gonna get her for this! Just you wait, you little brat!" he cursed under his breath, as he searched the locker room for another tube of toothpaste.
He quickly changed and got out of the locker room, scanning the grounds for his pals. Unfortunately, they were nowhere in sight and he cursed again under his breath. He could still feel the cold sticky gel on his teeth, although he checked it thrice before leaving the room. He was getting aggravated and couldn't wait to meet with the gang and plan their next move.
"So how'd you like the toothpaste? I hope you didn't use it on your hair! Coz then it wouldn't be toothpaste anymore!"
He turned around at the sound of that familiar voice and saw Yui with a huge dimpled smile on her face. To him, it looked more like she was trying hard not to laugh.
"Very funny, Tsukiyama!" he sneered and then sauntered off towards the school grounds to find his team.
"Oh! And don't forget to buy a new tube of gel!" she called out after him, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
He did not bother turning back to look and he hurried towards the grove where found the gang sitting quietly in their own little worlds.
"We need to have another plan." he said as he placed his bag down.
Kaikan sat up at the sound of his voice and blinked. They had never seen their big boss this agitated before.
After he told them what happened, everyone fell silent, not daring to so much as give a snigger, for fear of getting clobbered.(no, he doesn't do that, but he might if provoked).
Roi sat quietly, thinking about what Sendoh had just said. A few minutes after, much to everyone's surprise, he finally spoke up.
"I have an idea," he said, a mischievous smile slowly creeping up his face.
And everyone gathered round to hear his suggestion.
"Oniichan!"
He snapped back to the present time and blinked at the sound of his sister's voice.
In front of him sat a very annoyed Megumi Sendoh, who had her arms crossed on her chest.
"Ahh..," The last thing he heard from her was something about their flower garden in school, something about the roses that wouldn't bloom or whatever before he drifted into never-never land.
"Gomen ne, Meg-chan." He smiled sheepishly and scratched his head.
Megumi rolled her eyes heavenward and sighed.
"Oh, very well. I think you need to go up and rest. You seem to be straying from yourself more and more these days, ne?" she said with a small smile.
Akira blinked again. Does she mean I'm losing it already?
Nevertheless, he felt relieved to know that she wasn't mad at him or anything. The last thing he wanted to do was to pick a fight with her.
Damn! It was because of that girl in the fast food that I started daydreaming again!
After dinner, he went up to his room and plopped down on his neat bed, then stared at the ceiling. His thoughts started drifting again...to his Jr. High years..to his years with her.
Megumi mentioned something about their rose garden.
Roses.
He remembered the roses that were on her desk everyday and her delighted expression every time she would read the short love letters that came with it.
It was always a single red rose with a love letter...
"Ooohhhh! Yui-chan, you're sooo lucky!" Keiko Jinnai gushed out, barely able to keep still in her seat.
"That's four roses in four straight days! Kawaii!! So romantic!" Hinata Akizuki seconded in the same tone.
Everyone gathered round the table where a beaming Yui Tsukiyama sat, holding the fourth rose in one hand and opening the letter that accompanied it with the other.
Her friends were reading over her shoulder and she edged closer to her table, trying to free herself of some space and for some air. But she was too excited to even think about her own comfort.
"C'mon! What does it say now?" another girl prodded, her eyes as wide as teacups as she sat in front of her..(well, okay I'm exaggerating about the teacups...maybe something smaller...but you get the picture. Hehe.) )
She was as shocked as everyone was when she came to class three days ago and found a single red rose attached to a piece of folded stationary lying on her desk. Every letter contained a different message...a very sweet message and she couldn't help but feel very touched at whoever sent it. She just wished she knew who the sender was so she could thank him personally. But every note was unsigned leaving her in complete obscurity and excitement.
She opened the letter and everyone suddenly fell silent, her friends reading over her shoulder and the rest waiting for her reply.
They saw her eyes lit up then her lips curve upwards in a slow flattered smile that showed off her dimpled cheek. Then...then she started to blush!
"Nani? Nani?!" the girls chorused eagerly, drawing closer.
She folded the letter and placed it inside her notebook, her cheeks still blushing wildly.
"Well, he said that--"
"--she was the most charming young lady he had ever seen and he couldn't wait for the day they would meet!" her friends finished for her.
Everyone in the room sweatdropped as they heard this. Sometimes her friends could be so much.
"Erm, something like that." she replied sheepishly.
The bell rang, disturbing their little assembly and everyone got up to leave the room, stating their opinions as they walked out. Yui was the last one to leave, staying a little to make sure that the classroom was in order. Her friends went ahead, saying they'll wait for her in the locker room and she rushed out, almost dropping her things.
"Hey, what's the hurry? Meeting someone?" an all too familiar voice stated from behind her.
She rolled her eyes up and turned towards a very tall Akira Sendoh who had a complacent smile plastered on his face.
"What's it to you?" she retorted, her eyes turning to mere slits.
Sendoh grinned lopsidedly as he spotted the red rose she was holding.
"Sou.. A rose! Some pathetic guy must really have it, huh? Tsk! Too bad for him though." he patronized, placing his hands in his pockets.
He could see the corners of her ears turn pink.
"You're just jealous coz no one would fall sick over you." she snapped back with a wry smile.
And before he could say anything else, she turned on her heel and walked away.
He watched her retreating figure and sighed, shaking his head a little in amazement.
Well, I guess she has to find out the hard way that I'm right. Poor girl.
He scanned all sides of the hall before he went in the deserted classroom and stopped in front of her desk. Still looking cautiously around for anyone coming in, he placed his bag on top and opened it, then carefully fished out a single red rose with a red and gold lace tied to it. He placed it on the table and then took out his notebook, which had the letter that Roi made earlier. He plucked it out, smoothed the edges and placed it under the rose. Then, he looked around one last time to check if anyone had seen him and smiled happily as he saw that the coast was clear.
Tomorrow would be the decisive factor of the master plan and she will know that no one messes with Akira Sendoh and gets away with it.
He yawned tiredly as he turned to his side in his bed. His plan backfired however, and instead of making her Jr. High life miserable, it turned out to be very rewarding!
He sighed as he remembered the scenario at the rooftop. It was the turning point of the whole event.
Roi peered through his binoculars as they stood on the third floor of the science building.
They were waiting for Yui to appear on the rooftop of the adjacent building where she was supposed to meet "him" as was stated in her letter. The rest of the gang was watching with their own binoculars, surveying the surrounding for any sign of her.
Sendoh stood by the wall, his hands in his pockets, (they're always in his pockets!) waiting for her to come and find out that she had been stood up. Then they would be waving at her from that position and she'll know that it was all just a hoax.
"Here she comes!" Kaikan suddenly notified, grinning excitedly through his binoculars.
Sendoh immediately snatched the binoculars from him and scanned the rooftop. True enough, there she was, standing expectantly near the door, looking around for any sign of her secret admirer. His lips turned up into an evil grin, obviously enjoying the view.
"Yare yare! Looks like she's gonna be waiting there for quite sometime." Roi remarked with a small sardonic laugh.
Sendoh nodded, still smiling evilly as he continued to watch.
Then things started to take a different turn.
"Uh-oh," Roi said after a few minutes. He put his binoculars down and turned to Sendoh who had the same expression on his face as he held the binoculars still.
She was not alone anymore. Some guy had actually gone to the rooftop and was talking to her! He closely watched their every move. He was talking to her, alright and ...and ...he gave her a red rose!
"Now what in blazes is going on?!" he muttered angrily, still not sure whether this was a slip up or just another case of bad timing.
He saw her smile...a very charming smile...as she accepted the rose and they talked again. She was having fun!
This was not the plan! Maybe he's just a friend or family. Perhaps it's her birthday or...or some special occasion...or...or...
"I think we better get out of here, Sendoh. The principal's heading this way!" Shiro suddenly warned as he poked his head in the room. He had been assigned to keep watch outside.
"Shit!" he cursed, shoving the binoculars into Kaikan's hands. He hurriedly gathered his things and scampered out of the room with the others following right behind him. They vanished around the corner just in time as the principal's baldhead came into view. ( hey, I know this one!)
"Whew! That was close." Roi breathed in relief as he slumped on the stairs.
But Sendoh was far from being relieved. He still couldn't believe their plan backfired. Who is that guy?
As they entered the grounds however, his hopes of the conspirator being family vanished into thin air as the news spread like wildfire.
"Did you hear? Yui's admirer finally came forth!"
"Isn't he the most adorable guy?"
"How totally romantic! Imagine, roses everyday!"
"Ohhh! She's so lucky!!"
Sendoh could not believe what he was hearing. She actually has an admirer?! Still walking around the campus grounds in confusion, he wanted to say aloud that he was the one who gave those roses. But of course, who would believe him knowing about his edgy relationship with her?
I have to see this! I have to see if it is really true! I have to--
And he did see her. She was walking towards him with...with a longhaired freako!
It can't be!
He stared in shock as they came closer, chatting happily as if they were the only two people in the world. She was laughing, something he rarely heard from her, and the moron was smiling as he talked.
Sendoh stood rooted to where he was, still not able to get over the shock.
"Oh--hello, Akira-kun!"
Sendoh blinked in surprise as he saw her standing in front of him with a blissful smile on her face. He swallowed thickly and managed a wry smile.
"And you are--?" he found himself asking all of a sudden, turning to the longhaired dude.
He grinned cockily and extended his hand for a shake.
"Kiyota Nobunaga. I'm also a freshman."
Sendoh stared at the hand in front of him as if it were something really gross. Kiyota just shrugged upon seeing his impassiveness and withdrew his offer.
Yui had no time to notice anything and Sendoh could see she was still on cloud nine. She wasn't supposed to be smiling! She's supposed to be grumbling and muttering curses under her breath for having him beat her yet again.
But she was in good spirits as if she couldn't care less about him; as if everything concerning him were instantly forgotten.
Kiyota looked at his watch and shook his head.
"Uh-oh! We'd better go. The bell will ring soon." he said, turning to Yui.
"Hai!" she nodded, still half dazed.
She turned to Sendoh and smiled at him...this time it was a genuine smile, to his great surprise.
"Well, I guess I'll see you around." she said as Kiyota took her hand and led her away.
Sendoh gaped at what had just taken place. Yui did not say anything mean to him?! Something's wrong with her!
He watched helplessly as the two walked sweetly hand in hand, the mere sight of them together making his insides turn in disgust.
Then again, why would he be disgusted? Why would he care?
Placing his hands in his pockets, he kicked the ground, sending dust flying and some pebbles rolling as he turned to walk away.