Chapter 2

yes, I've finally made time to update this story... please keep reading and feel free to comment, critique, and suggest :)

as usual, I DO NOT OWN SLAM DUNK OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS

Months had passed and Kainan basketball team had lost their manager. He left due to overwhelming schoolwork and a college scholarship application. Jin was running through the hallway and stopped when he caught sight of Setsuko with her friends. He was panting and catching his breath

"Whoa Jin! Take it easy. What's going on?" Setsuko asked, looking rather bewildered

"Basket (huff)…team (huff)….new (huff)….manager (huff)…..wanted"

"Jin, if you'll be speaking gibberish I won't understand you"

"Coach Takato needs another team manager because our previous one had to leave"

So yes, Setsuko took the offer and became Kainan's basketball team manager. She basically did the fieldwork, briefing of players and helping out during practice.

As fall came to an end, Jin still hadn't become Kainan's center. Coach Takato came to him straight one Friday afternoon…

"I'm sorry Jin. You don't have the strength and stamina that I need for a Center. But keep practicing" he said and left the gym. Jin stood there in the center of the gym looking helpless. He looked like he was about to cry when Setsuko saw him.

"Jin, are you okay? It's getting late"

Jin sniffed and rubbed his arm to his face. He tried to hide his tears but Setsuko could see them. "I'll never be Center for Kainan's basketball team. I'll never be good enough!" he cried and fell on his knees. He was dripping sweat and tears, Setsuko placed a towel around his arms.

Setsuko stood up and pulled him up. "Soichiro Jin, the first time I saw you, I knew you'd be a basketball star. Maybe Center isn't the position for you but I knew you'd be a star" she said with her eyes strong and determined. "Maybe you're better at being a shooting guard for the team"

It took some time for Jin to realise what Setsuko was telling him and to appreciate his other abilities. He was tall, yes. Slender and speed was only a small matter to work on. He was agile and all he needed to work on was his accuracy and stamina.

"We better get to work Jin"….

The next day, Saturday, Jin and Setsuko opened the gym and began shooting some hoops. Although Setsuko was no basketball genius, she learned some of the basics of shooting three pointers from a guy in junior high. As she passed the basketballs to him, Jin made several attempts for jump shots at a closer distance. When he managed to get 73 out of 200 shots in, he fell to the floor and gave a loud gasp for air.

"How many do we have to do?" He asked, breathing heavily after every word

"Jin", she said, holding the ball under one hand and the other on her hips. "We need to do 500 throws everyday after practice. But since it's a weekend," she paused "Let's do a thousand!"

Jin sweatdropped and gave another heavy sigh, indicating his exhaustion. "I'll do anything for basketball"

Setsuko was beyond amazed at his determination. Not everybody has the same iron will and drive as Jin here. He could be something. He may even be better than HIM, Setsuko thought to herself while giving a big grin on Jin. "After you get your 1000th ball today, I'll take you out for ice cream!" Setsuko smiled, encouraging him even more.

They finished the 1000th shot just in time for lunch. The two were terribly hungry, especially Jin, who felt like eating a whole horse. Before ice cream, Setsuko brought Jin to the canteen where she ordered a big lunch for the two of them. Jin was so hungry he began poking his chopsticks at the first rice curry bowl. Setsuko laughed as she looked at her friend vacuum three bowls of rice curry.

"Ah, I-I'm so sorry Setsuko-chan!" Jin paused as he noticed Setsuko laughing out loud at him. "I'm sorry for being a pig"

"No Jin-kun" she said, trying hard to restrain her laugh. "You just look so adorable"

The pulled out her camera and took a quick picture of Jin, who was caught unaware, with a big bit of rice on his cheeks.

thanks for the first comment. Hope you'll continue reading my fic :)