Disclaimer : Slam Dunk is owned by Takehiko Inoue. Shintaro Ken is mine!

Note: Sentences in italics are thoughts.

Of Love and Friendship

Chapter 1: Meet Shintaro Ken

"Oh…. My…. Goddd……….. who is that?"

The girls were crowding at the corridor on the first day of school. Sakuragi, Rukawa and Haruko are already in second year while Akagi and Kogure are already in college.

"Must be a new student. I've never seen him before."

"He is sooooooo cuteeeeeee!!!"

"He is a lot cuter than Rukawa-kun!"

"Yeah!"

"Look at those eyes!"

"He is so tall! Must be taller than Sakuragi-kun!"

"He is way cooler than Rukawa! Look at that charm!"

"Very neat and well-refined!"

"He is smiling!!!!"

"Oh my God, he's coming this way."

"Hello girls!" The boy waved and flashed a sweet, innocent smile as he passed by them.

If only the boy would look back, he would see some of the girls had fainted and some still in shock.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Hello, mind if I sit here?"

"Huh?"

Haruko couldn't believe her eyes. A handsome boy with beautiful blue eyes and brown hair is towering beside her. Blue eyes just like Rukawa, only this boy's eyes are gentle and they are smiling. He has a backpack on his right shoulder and his dimples are showing while smiling at her.

"May I?" He repeated while gesturing to the seat beside her. Haruko got back to her senses.

"Oh….sure…" She said smiling and eyeing him at the same time. Who is he?

"By the way, my name is Shintaro Ken. I am a second year transferee so I don't know anyone around. May I know your name?"

"Ah, M--My name is Haruko Akagi."

He held out his hand for a handshake which Haruko limply accepted. He sat down and placed his backpack on his lap. "Haruko! Beautiful name!" He beamed at her. "Would it be too much if I ask for your assistance in case I need help with something?"

"Oh no, I'd be glad to help you." Haruko smiled shyly. He is so cute! Like Rukawa-kun! Nah! Rukawa-kun is cuter.

Shintaro smiled. He was glad to have found a friend in Shohoku and a cute girl at that. After a while the teacher came in.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The bell rang for lunch time. Matsui and Fujii were already waiting for her outside the room.

"Er…Shintaro-kun, would you like to join me and my friends for lunch? I'll introduce them to you."

"Sure, I am glad you invited me." He flashed a radiant smile. "Maybe I can join you everyday for lunch?"

Haruko blinked and wondered how that bright smile always seems to be a permanent part of his face. "Ahhh…sure, Shintaro-kun. Come."

They walked out of the room to meet Matsui and Fujii. The two girls were staring at him. Well, include other girls at the corridor looking at him too!

"Shintaro-kun! These are my friends Matsui and Fujii!"

"Hello girls, nice to meet you!" He flashed another sweet be-dimpled smile.

"Hello!!!"

"He is Shintaro Ken and he is a transferee."

Ken once again extended his hand to the two girls for a handshake.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The four students walk their way into the school canteen. Haruko and Shintaro are walking first followed by Matsui and Fujii a few paces away who are whispering to each other.

"Whoa! Looks like he likes Haruko."

"Yeah."

"Not bad. He is goodlooking. Very goodlooking in fact."

"Right, just look at the girls ogling over him."

"Do you think Haruko would be able to forget Rukawa-kun?"

"Who knows? Looks like that ice block doesn't even know Haruko exists. Sometimes I pity Haruko."

"Yeah. But she can't help who she loves."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Ha-Haruko-chan!" Sakuragi practically bolted from his Gundam when he saw Haruko barely a mile away and ran fast like the speed of light.

"Sakuragi-kun! Long time no see!" She waved at him.

"Hello!" Shintaro greeted him.

"Huh?" Sakuragi glared at the boy beside Haruko. Who is he? What is he doing with my Haruko-chan? He noticed that the boy is taller than him.

"Ah… Sakuragi-kun! This is Shintaro Ken, he is a transferee. Shintaro-kun, this is Sakuragi Hanamichi, one of my friends!"

Shintaro shook hands with Sakuragi. Even though the latter doesn't feel like shaking his hand, he doesn't have any choice but to accept since Haruko is there.

"Oh." Don't do anything stupid or else….

"Ok, Ja ne! Sakuragi-kun! We'll go now!"

"O-ok, Haruko-chan…." K'so!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Is he a long time friend?"

"Hmn.." Haruko nodded. "We met last year when I asked him to join the basketball team." Suddenly Haruko gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. She stopped on her tracks and faced Shintaro. Maybe he can also play basketball! He is even taller than Sakuragi-kun!

"Anything wrong, Haruko-chan?"

"Shintaro-kun? Do… Do you want to play basketball?" She asked hesitantly.

Shintaro gave her one of his to-die smiles that make his dimples on his cheek come out. "Hai. As a matter of fact I play it."

"Really?!" Haruko clapped her hands and almost squealed. She was smiling brilliantly.

"Yeah…"

"W-would you like to join the basketball club?" Haruko's eyes are wide with anticipation.

Shintaro shrugged. "Maybe I could. Do you know anyone who could introduce me?"

"Shintaro-kun! I am the assistant manager of the Shohoku basketball team! We have practice everyday after class! You can try-out!"

He smiled warmly at her. "In that case, I will."