Rika hurried on to the arcade where she and Sendou met she muttered
inaudibly about being late and how stupid Sakuragi was. She immediately saw
Sendou waiting for her outside the arcade and waved at her without his
smile wavering. She was sure glad to see her again after the rough first
day she had at school. She couldn't wait to tell Sendou about it. "I'm
sorry about this. Have you been waiting long?"
"It's all right. Your school is farther from here than mine is." Sendou told her stretching his hand out for a high five which Rika responded to quickly. "Besides, I can imagine how critical your grandfather's eye is on you. He's even stricter to you than to his players."
"Ah, well, I just had a rough first day. Can we talk this over snacks? I'm starved."
"No problem, but, haven't you just eaten?"
"How did you know?" she eyed him critically.
"You always ate at road trips." Akira chuckled, "Your stomach always was bottomless...rather, is. Besides, you have a chocolate wrapper sticking out of your pocket. So let's head to McDonalds so that we can talk."
Rika nodded and they proceeded to the fast food chain. Rika had 2 piece chicken and a big mac while Sendou had a cheeseburger. Sendou was still used to them having to eat this way; she having more than he does at 'snacks'. "So," he started "tell me about your first day."
"Bad." Rika frowned, "First I met Kaede and his deadpan attitude once again,"
"Again?" Sendou interjected cutting her off from what she was going to say, "You've met before? I just told you about him recently. And why did you call him by his first name?"
"Oh, I did meet him when he had his vacation in the States, that is. As for calling him by his first name, I got used to doing that in America" She paused to gulp some cola, "Anyway, his stare on me was so unnerving that I couldn't help but frown and smile interchangeably like an idiot. You know how bad that is, stupid eyes." She commented on her own eyes rubbing at the bridge of her nose. "And then, there's Akagi who revealed to everyone that Mitsuyoshi is my grandfather. And worst of all, this Hanamichi guy challenged me to a one on one. Luckily, I'm faster than he is. You know I can't make a shot farther than the free throw line. I always go over, remember?"
They both chuckled at the memory when they played basketball and he dared her to do a 3-point shot. She failed miserably sending the ball over the board and crashing into a new Benz car.
After that, Sendou spoke again, "I see your shot hasn't changed. Still a 100% before the free throw line and 0% farther than that?" Rika groaned and he considered it a yes. "I could teach you if you want to, but tell me, how did you get past that wall? I saw that his defense has become tighter during the inter-high games."
"Teach me?" Rika cocked him an eyebrow, "Not even my grandfather had the patience for that. But if you're sure, then, why not? As for Hanamichi's defencses, I could safely say that with an American inspired training, he may turn out better than his teammates could imagine. But if you want to know my secret, come with me once I'm done eating."
Sendou agreed and hurriedly ate seeing that the eating machine was more than halfway through hers. When they were done, Sendou followed Rika back into the arcade. He wondered what they were doing there as they stood doing nothing as if waiting for something to fall out of the ceiling or a light to suddenly flash.
"For the first secret," Rika suddenly said, "I am the team captain of my old soccer team and soccer has more twisting moves than basketball. I know that that one is near impossible for you to accomplish since you're a devoted basketball player, the second one should help you improve."
"And that is?" Sendou asked.
"You're staring at it." She said gesturing to the DDR machine. "This helps you a lot especially in agility and speed. Care to try it with me? Don't worry we'll work on an easy stage."
"But I don't even know how to play it." Sendou told her half shy that he doesn't know how to play it while most people do.
"I'll teach you." Rika said and taught him all about it (no use going through all the details. "So, that's it. You got it?"
"I guess. I'll try level one only, OK?" Sendou pleaded.
"The easiest level?" Rika asked, "Sure, why not." They both stepped up and she chose the song for the both of them but she chose the heavy mode for her and normal mode for her friend.
Sendou got the hang of it easily and with Rika's level of difficulty, he could figure out why it helped her a lot in agility and speed. If only he practiced more, then he might get better. No, he knew he would. He looked at the screen again, it was a different level, a harder level. When he glanced over at Rika's side of the screen he found himself lost in the series of arrows making him loose his own rhythm, but he hurriedly caught up easily.
After a few more songs, the results of the total were in, Rika had an A and muttered to herself about not minding her own side and Sendou had a B. He got a compliment from her saying that he was really quite god considering this was the first time he played it. Though she said it in a free-spirited manner, he knew something was wrong.
"What's the matter?" Sendou asked as they sat down on one of the games no one was playing with, "You seem...troubled. Your eyes are telling me so." That was a warning, they were turning slightly silver if not for Sendou's reminder.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she apologized. Taking a deep breath her eyes turned normal again. "I just noticed...something. Ah, don't bother with it. So, you're going to teach me to shoot farther aren't you?"
"Yeah, come on." Sendou said standing up and holding out his hand to her, "I know a place. It's sort of secret, if you still remember it, that is."
Rika giggled with reminiscence. She definitely remembered that place. Old memories flooded over her worries and they went off taking another bus trip to their old practice place. It was old but still hidden by the surrounding buildings. She just hoped the owner of the car she wrecked before was not there yet or would not recognize her.
They settled their bags at a corner and Sendou produced a basketball from his and handed it to her saying, "Try a shot at the 3-point line."
She cocked him an eyebrow but obeyed. The ball flew in an arch...nearing the basket...the board rather...to the board and bounced off powerfully giving the board a crack that will half it with another bounce of the ball on the backboard. Too inaccurate; too strong. She sighed and scratched her head. She did try her best, but, long shots really weren't her cup of tea.
Sendou picked up the ball and looked worriedly at the board. It did look like it was about to fall off. He didn't know whether to look amused or concerned; nothing changed about her shot, and maybe in her life as well. He handed the ball back to her, not willing to give up. "Like I said before, try to lessen your strength - A LITTLE!" He stressed the last word.
"I'll TRY!" She snapped back at him. Her shot was short...way too short. Both she and he sweatdropped.
"I know you tried." Sendou sighed and proceeded toward her. He placed the ball in her hands and positioned himself behind her. He guided her arms to make a clear shot. The form was perfect as always but...the strength of her hands pushing the ball was a problem. The backboard did break in half. "That isn't the shot I thought it would be."
"I would never rehabilitate, Sendou. You know how bad things are." She sighed, "You know perfectly well it's the reason I decided to go for soccer instead. At least it wouldn't matter how hard I shoot at that game."
"Don't," Sendou began "give up on yourself. I'm not giving up on you. I never will." He flashed her a great big smile and she couldn't help but blush. "Try and slap my hand with your hand without the arm." He told her laying out his palm before her.
"You're likely to get hurt."
"Just do it and try to be gentle enough."
She shrugged and did as she was told. Sendou grinned at that. It wasn't too hard, nor was it too soft. It was just right. The right amount of energy in a 3-point shot.
"What's with the grin Akira?" she demanded.
"Do you remember how hard you slapped my hand?" he asked and she nodded. "Put the same amount of force you did in that slap with the ball."
His command sounded weird but she did so. The ball touched the ring and bounced off. "No way!" she exclaimed not believing she had done it. "How - ? I don't understand. What did you - ?"
"You were always controlled when it comes to dealing with people from handling objects, Rika, so," he explained, "I thought if you could imprint that control in you system, the shot would be easier."
"You're a genius, Akira!" she exclaimed and hugged him in joy. Sendou was caught by surprised and blushed deeply hugging back.
***
A pair of eyes watched them. Maybe listening further could reveal who she really is. She seemed to be a very open person to Sendou. The owner of the eyes stayed as close yet as near as possible. The spy knew there was something weird about her. Her red eyes that turned burnished silver told the suspicious one so.
All that was to be done was to spy on her and know about her background as much as possible.
***
"Akira," Rika began, letting do of him "I have something to tell you, if I can still trust you, that is."
"Of course you can still trust me just as before. I have never told your secret have I? Besides, we have been trusting no one but each other ever since." Sendou told her. "What is it?"
***
D: Thanks a bunch! I will try.
Sofia/3h: Alright. This one is for you then!
Arai Saru: Really? Thanks! You know what your name means when translated in Japanese? (laughs stupidly to self)
Chalce: Awww...thanks! That's so sweet. I'll try to squeeze them out for you!
^^x I am evil...I am a dead brain...I have thrown away my heart; yet I smile.
"It's all right. Your school is farther from here than mine is." Sendou told her stretching his hand out for a high five which Rika responded to quickly. "Besides, I can imagine how critical your grandfather's eye is on you. He's even stricter to you than to his players."
"Ah, well, I just had a rough first day. Can we talk this over snacks? I'm starved."
"No problem, but, haven't you just eaten?"
"How did you know?" she eyed him critically.
"You always ate at road trips." Akira chuckled, "Your stomach always was bottomless...rather, is. Besides, you have a chocolate wrapper sticking out of your pocket. So let's head to McDonalds so that we can talk."
Rika nodded and they proceeded to the fast food chain. Rika had 2 piece chicken and a big mac while Sendou had a cheeseburger. Sendou was still used to them having to eat this way; she having more than he does at 'snacks'. "So," he started "tell me about your first day."
"Bad." Rika frowned, "First I met Kaede and his deadpan attitude once again,"
"Again?" Sendou interjected cutting her off from what she was going to say, "You've met before? I just told you about him recently. And why did you call him by his first name?"
"Oh, I did meet him when he had his vacation in the States, that is. As for calling him by his first name, I got used to doing that in America" She paused to gulp some cola, "Anyway, his stare on me was so unnerving that I couldn't help but frown and smile interchangeably like an idiot. You know how bad that is, stupid eyes." She commented on her own eyes rubbing at the bridge of her nose. "And then, there's Akagi who revealed to everyone that Mitsuyoshi is my grandfather. And worst of all, this Hanamichi guy challenged me to a one on one. Luckily, I'm faster than he is. You know I can't make a shot farther than the free throw line. I always go over, remember?"
They both chuckled at the memory when they played basketball and he dared her to do a 3-point shot. She failed miserably sending the ball over the board and crashing into a new Benz car.
After that, Sendou spoke again, "I see your shot hasn't changed. Still a 100% before the free throw line and 0% farther than that?" Rika groaned and he considered it a yes. "I could teach you if you want to, but tell me, how did you get past that wall? I saw that his defense has become tighter during the inter-high games."
"Teach me?" Rika cocked him an eyebrow, "Not even my grandfather had the patience for that. But if you're sure, then, why not? As for Hanamichi's defencses, I could safely say that with an American inspired training, he may turn out better than his teammates could imagine. But if you want to know my secret, come with me once I'm done eating."
Sendou agreed and hurriedly ate seeing that the eating machine was more than halfway through hers. When they were done, Sendou followed Rika back into the arcade. He wondered what they were doing there as they stood doing nothing as if waiting for something to fall out of the ceiling or a light to suddenly flash.
"For the first secret," Rika suddenly said, "I am the team captain of my old soccer team and soccer has more twisting moves than basketball. I know that that one is near impossible for you to accomplish since you're a devoted basketball player, the second one should help you improve."
"And that is?" Sendou asked.
"You're staring at it." She said gesturing to the DDR machine. "This helps you a lot especially in agility and speed. Care to try it with me? Don't worry we'll work on an easy stage."
"But I don't even know how to play it." Sendou told her half shy that he doesn't know how to play it while most people do.
"I'll teach you." Rika said and taught him all about it (no use going through all the details. "So, that's it. You got it?"
"I guess. I'll try level one only, OK?" Sendou pleaded.
"The easiest level?" Rika asked, "Sure, why not." They both stepped up and she chose the song for the both of them but she chose the heavy mode for her and normal mode for her friend.
Sendou got the hang of it easily and with Rika's level of difficulty, he could figure out why it helped her a lot in agility and speed. If only he practiced more, then he might get better. No, he knew he would. He looked at the screen again, it was a different level, a harder level. When he glanced over at Rika's side of the screen he found himself lost in the series of arrows making him loose his own rhythm, but he hurriedly caught up easily.
After a few more songs, the results of the total were in, Rika had an A and muttered to herself about not minding her own side and Sendou had a B. He got a compliment from her saying that he was really quite god considering this was the first time he played it. Though she said it in a free-spirited manner, he knew something was wrong.
"What's the matter?" Sendou asked as they sat down on one of the games no one was playing with, "You seem...troubled. Your eyes are telling me so." That was a warning, they were turning slightly silver if not for Sendou's reminder.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she apologized. Taking a deep breath her eyes turned normal again. "I just noticed...something. Ah, don't bother with it. So, you're going to teach me to shoot farther aren't you?"
"Yeah, come on." Sendou said standing up and holding out his hand to her, "I know a place. It's sort of secret, if you still remember it, that is."
Rika giggled with reminiscence. She definitely remembered that place. Old memories flooded over her worries and they went off taking another bus trip to their old practice place. It was old but still hidden by the surrounding buildings. She just hoped the owner of the car she wrecked before was not there yet or would not recognize her.
They settled their bags at a corner and Sendou produced a basketball from his and handed it to her saying, "Try a shot at the 3-point line."
She cocked him an eyebrow but obeyed. The ball flew in an arch...nearing the basket...the board rather...to the board and bounced off powerfully giving the board a crack that will half it with another bounce of the ball on the backboard. Too inaccurate; too strong. She sighed and scratched her head. She did try her best, but, long shots really weren't her cup of tea.
Sendou picked up the ball and looked worriedly at the board. It did look like it was about to fall off. He didn't know whether to look amused or concerned; nothing changed about her shot, and maybe in her life as well. He handed the ball back to her, not willing to give up. "Like I said before, try to lessen your strength - A LITTLE!" He stressed the last word.
"I'll TRY!" She snapped back at him. Her shot was short...way too short. Both she and he sweatdropped.
"I know you tried." Sendou sighed and proceeded toward her. He placed the ball in her hands and positioned himself behind her. He guided her arms to make a clear shot. The form was perfect as always but...the strength of her hands pushing the ball was a problem. The backboard did break in half. "That isn't the shot I thought it would be."
"I would never rehabilitate, Sendou. You know how bad things are." She sighed, "You know perfectly well it's the reason I decided to go for soccer instead. At least it wouldn't matter how hard I shoot at that game."
"Don't," Sendou began "give up on yourself. I'm not giving up on you. I never will." He flashed her a great big smile and she couldn't help but blush. "Try and slap my hand with your hand without the arm." He told her laying out his palm before her.
"You're likely to get hurt."
"Just do it and try to be gentle enough."
She shrugged and did as she was told. Sendou grinned at that. It wasn't too hard, nor was it too soft. It was just right. The right amount of energy in a 3-point shot.
"What's with the grin Akira?" she demanded.
"Do you remember how hard you slapped my hand?" he asked and she nodded. "Put the same amount of force you did in that slap with the ball."
His command sounded weird but she did so. The ball touched the ring and bounced off. "No way!" she exclaimed not believing she had done it. "How - ? I don't understand. What did you - ?"
"You were always controlled when it comes to dealing with people from handling objects, Rika, so," he explained, "I thought if you could imprint that control in you system, the shot would be easier."
"You're a genius, Akira!" she exclaimed and hugged him in joy. Sendou was caught by surprised and blushed deeply hugging back.
***
A pair of eyes watched them. Maybe listening further could reveal who she really is. She seemed to be a very open person to Sendou. The owner of the eyes stayed as close yet as near as possible. The spy knew there was something weird about her. Her red eyes that turned burnished silver told the suspicious one so.
All that was to be done was to spy on her and know about her background as much as possible.
***
"Akira," Rika began, letting do of him "I have something to tell you, if I can still trust you, that is."
"Of course you can still trust me just as before. I have never told your secret have I? Besides, we have been trusting no one but each other ever since." Sendou told her. "What is it?"
***
D: Thanks a bunch! I will try.
Sofia/3h: Alright. This one is for you then!
Arai Saru: Really? Thanks! You know what your name means when translated in Japanese? (laughs stupidly to self)
Chalce: Awww...thanks! That's so sweet. I'll try to squeeze them out for you!
^^x I am evil...I am a dead brain...I have thrown away my heart; yet I smile.