Now, just so you know, I am not familiar with the rules and ways of basketball. So... there are most likely going to be things that are wrong, just pretend that they are not wrong, or mention what was wrongly described in the comments.

Naoki's POV

"Ready to check?" She says.

I look around, completely dumbfounded.

Check what?

"Uhhhh..."

The confused sound leaves my mouth before I can stop it.

She laughs but, only slightly.

"Silly Irie-Kun. The ball. Are you ready? When you start a game of basketball you're supposed to bounce the ball to the person you're playing against and then they bounce it back. That's called Checking."

Ooooooohhhhh. That makes no sense at all but, okay.

She bounces the ball to me, and I bounce it back. Then, she springs into action. Dribbling so fast the ball is just a blur. She darts around me, and runs to an area next to the basket, she swishes the ball in at the perfect angle, she didn't even hit the rim.

"You know, I don't think that was fair. Here, you can have a free shot."

She's so nice. But I don't want her pity.

"You know, I think I'll just watch, maybe if I do, I'll catch onto some strategies."

She looks at me intently. And moves the ball to where it's resting on her hip, held by her arm.

"You know what Irie-Kun? I don't think I've ever seen you smile. It's been a week, have you smiled even once?"

She pays attention to me that much?

"Hey! I've smiled before."

She smirks.

"When? At five years old?"

Actually, that is the last time I remember smiling. The day after my fifth birthday, my Mom died in a car wreck.

When I don't respond her teasing smile turns to a straight face.

"Listen, I'm sorry. It's none of my business. I shouldn't have asked."

I want to assure her that it's okay but, the words just won't come. And before I know it, she's looking at her watch.

"Oh no! Tryouts for teams start in ten minutes!"

Teams? As in, plural?

"Are you trying out for multiple teams?"

By now she's already packing her bag.

"Yup!"

"Which ones?" I ask

She smiles.

"Let's see... soccer, tennis, swimming, volleyball, baseball, track, cross country, dance, gymnastics, and kendo. And then at six o'clock, I'm doing the club interviews. Debate, pep club, band, tutoring, yearbook, newspaper, student council, calligraphy, broadcasting, and finally, test prep."

There is nothing for me to say. How? How can she manage all that?

"Bye! I'll see you around Irie-Kun!"

She quickly exits the gym, and I watch her walk out. I just... couldn't help it.

Kotoko's POV

My first tryout is for basketball. I have to make it to the large gym within five minutes. If I run, I can make it.

I pick up my speed. I pass classroom after classroom. And the occasional students. I check my watch. Three minutes. I have to run faster, the gym is on the other side of the campus. Okay. Here we go!

Student's POV

I was minding my own business. Walking down the hall, heading to basketball tryouts. Being a little late will keep my reputation the way it needs to be but, I can't be too late because then I won't be allowed to tryout. I started to whistle a toon I had heard on the TV this morning when, all of a sudden, I hear a loud voice.

"WATCH OUT!! OUT OF MY WAY!"

I look behind me to see what looked like a girl. I barely had enough time to jump out of my skin before she jetted past me. I swear. She almost killed me! As she continues to run she turns around and yells again.

"SORRY FOR THE TROUBLE!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!"

Huh?

I made it to tryouts five minutes after they began. Perfect timing. I say my "sorries" to the coaches and jog to my spot in the bleachers. I plop down on the seat, making it bounce a bit. And let out a loud, exaggerated breath. I look to my right and my eyes meet the most adorable brown ones I've ever seen. This girl has red hair, a dimpled smile, and a crazy, yet determined look in her eyes. I already love her. Her mouth moves, she obviously said something, I just don't know what.

"What did you say?"

She smiles again.

"I was just saying that I'm sorry I was so rude in the hall. I was going to be late and I just can't handle being late."

She laughs an adorable little laugh.

"Wait. You were that blur that flew past me?"

She blushed a bit.

"Yeah, sorry."

"No, no, it's okay. I was just surprised that you, a girl could run that fast."

I think I said something wrong. Her face got rather angry looking after I spoke.

"Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I wouldn't be able to run fast. Girls may be slightly less naturally athletically inclined but, with hard work and determination any girl can be just as talented as any boy."

Yup I definitely upset her.

"Well I—"

Coach cut me off.

"And the first on my list is Aihara. Show us all you've got."

The girl stands up, she looks fierce.

"Don't worry. I intend to."

Whispers erupt around the gym. All the guys are wondering how good a girl could be. And I think she's about to shove their words down their throats.

Kotoko's POV

I step onto the court. Ready to prove all of them wrong.

I take a deep breath. I can do this!

2hrs later...Student's POV

"Dude! That girl, Aihara, she did better than Sora!"

"Yeah, and she's pretty hot too."

The fellow guys who fawning over Aihara. And I have to admit. She's amazing! But I don't see how she's better than me. And she doesn't even pay attention to how they all drool over her. I don't think she even notices. She's just minding her own business, putting her good shoes away.

"Hey! Aihara!"

She looks up to face me. And smiles.

"Please, call me Kotoko. And you're Sora, right?"

"Yeah."

She stands up. It's now I realize how tiny she is. She sticks out her hand. And smiles again. That smile is enough to kill a guy.

"Sora, I think this is a start of a great friendship."

I sure hope so. As she walks away, I watch her.

What can I say?

I just couldn't help it.