STUDY PARTNERS
Standard disclaimers apply, Slam Dunk and all mentioned characters are not mine and I bow down to the genius that is Takehiko Inoue-sama. Yaoi alert here and remaining chapters. I don't know if it's entirely YAOI here, but there are hints ^.^'
CHAPTER 6 - When it starts to haunt you...
Tap tap tap...
"You say I'm acting strange..."
Tap tap tap...
"But have you noticed?"
Tap tap tap tap tap tap...
"So are you."
Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap--
"Toku-sensei, please! Make Sakuragi-kun stop playing with his pen!" the high-pitched squeak of steel chair legs rose against the four walls of the classroom, perfectly depicting the annoyance of what was supposed to be a quiet student. But the poor boy couldn't seem to concentrate from all the noise his seatmate was making, and decided to stop it once and for all. But then again, Sakuragi wouldn't stop after three kicks on the ankle and two paper balls thrown directly at his face. Usually, the redhead wouldn't be so forgiving, and was supposed to beat the hell out of the other boy, but he wouldn't budge for some reason.
Well, whatever was wrong, he's disrupting class.
Toku Hideo, a usually patient English teacher, fixed his glasses exasperatedly up the bridge of his nose. He took the chalk he held in the middle of his palm before closing it in a tight ball and turning around to face the student and his red-haired seatmate.
"Hai, Ryokitsu-kun, please take your seat," he said, nodding once at the younger boy. He nodded again when the young boy bowed respectfully before turning to the redhead. "Sakuragi-kun, he's right. Stop disrupting class."
Sakuragi barely moved from his place on the window seat, chin still rested on one hand while the other mercilessly barraged the poor desk with anxious taps with his ballpen. He was evidently oblivious from the whole class, his mind deep in another dimension. Well, deep in thought of a certain raven-haired boy anyway.
What did that kitsune mean that I was acting strange? Surely, I'm not. I'm the tensai Sakuragi Hanamichi, nothing's wrong with me!
Ryokitsu Jin was already seething. "Yamero, Sakuragi-kun, I can't hear the lesson!"
And as if on cue, the whole class started turning heads, throwing annoyed looks at the still dazed redhead, but none as brave as to do anything else. Well, except one student who seems to be busy crumpling a huge piece of paper ball in his fists.
Do'ahou.
And just like that, the scrunched up ball, hardened by the number of layers of simple notebook paper, connected with Sakuragi's head in a speed that would've made the speed of light bow down in shame. And for what seemed like a miracle, the redhead snapped. His quick reflexes traced the direction from which the ball came from and gave out his most menacing glare. "Go to hell, kitsune!"
Rukawa's narrow eyes narrowed a little more, giving the same challenging look at the redhead. "Shut up, do'ahou."
"Okay!" came the cheerful voice of the English teacher. "Well, that seems to solve the tapping, ne? Now, as I was saying..."
But further words from the teacher trailed away from Sakuragi's mind, his eyes still glued on the blue eyes of his all-time rival. Just his luck he became classmates with Rukawa. For one thing, Youhei wasn't his classmate that year anymore, so no one would stand up for him when the class decides to gang up against him (ehem). Neither was Haruko his classmate either. Nor were his other friends. The clowns ended up together with Haruko's other friends, Youhei and Haruko in another class, and him and the stupid kitsune in another. Talk about rotten luck.
And as the staring game ensued, Sakuragi continued cursing his luck for being forced to fight back the urge to go over Rukawa's seat and punch him right on the face. Aside from their grades being tested, they were also told that so were their conduct. And heaven through hell knows that being kicked out off the basketball club was way under Sakuragi's future plans. But to have Rukawa in one room for hours almost everyday was a real pain in the...well, one will get the idea.
With a momentary "hmph", Sakuragi turned his head on the window again, waiting until the feel of Rukawa's gaze on his back disappear before heaving out a sigh. He cursed his luck again.
And curse Miyagi for ruining what supposed to be my free time off this stupid fox.
Whilest he was in the midst of cursing almost everything, another piece of paper, only this time it was neatly folded, bumped on his head.
What the--?
He blinked down at the piece of paper before looking up to see who it was from. The paper was clearly a passed note, made up of a piece of what seemed like a page off a notebook with the name "Sakuragi Hanamichi" written in fairly legible handwriting in front. Looking up again to see the possible one who passed it to him, he shrugged when he found none and just decided to read it.
His eyes almost bulged open when he read the content.
Stop daydreaming, 'ahou, and listen to the review.
(Signed) Someone who at least plans to stay on the team.
"NANI?!"
"Sakuragi-kun, is something wrong?" came Toku-sensei's leveled voice after he turned around to face Sakuragi, chalk still in hand. Somehow, the middle-aged teacher found that breaking chalks because Sakuragi is disrupting class is a bad habit, considering the fact that he WAS the one using the chalks after all. So he just settled in trying to mind the loud boy's antics with a patient face and to safely hold the chalk in his hand WITHOUT gripping it too hard.
A tiny blush came on Sakuragi's cheeks before he sinked back down on his chair, looking away from the teacher's reverse-psychology kind of gaze. After he made sure that the teacher wasn't looking, he turned to the only possible source of the note. But finding that the pale, raven-haired boy looking intentively (which was gravely suspicious if you know Rukawa) on the blackboard, Sakuragi cursed under his breath, took his pen and tore a page off the back of his own notebook.
Mind your own business, you stupid kitsune. I bet I'll score higher than you will anyway.
(Signed) Someone who wishes you dead
Not even bothering to check what he wrote, he hastily folded the piece of paper twice. Much as he dreaded to write the name down, he wrote in "Rukawa Kaede" in front of the note and tapped Ryokitsu's shoulder. "Psst, would you mind passing this?" he asked in a low voice.
Ryokitsu stared at the note for a second, eyes widening before turning to Sakuragi. "Rukawa? I thought you hated each other?" he whispered back incredulously after checking if the teacher was looking.
Sakuragi felt a nerve twitch. "Just pass the stupid note, baka!" he hissed frustratedly and turned away, satisfied at the scared look the smaller boy gave him before he looked elsewhere. His eyes then shifted to the blackboard, trying hard to pay attention. Of course, not that he wasn't already listening before, and most definitely not because of what Rukawa wrote on that note.
Just when he was about to yawn in boredom from the stupid foreign letters written on the blackboard, another folded note landed on his desk with the same appearance as the one he had before. It read:
You wish. You're not even listening.
(Signed) Someone who's still alive, tough luck.
"That baka," muttered an enraged redhead before grabbing his pen and another piece of paper again.
Of course I'm listening! You're just bugging me because you're jealous that I'm so smart and you're not. Now shut up or we'll both fail on this stupid test!
(Signed) Someone who'll eventually kill you anyway
These insults went on for about two more rounds. As for those who are unfortunate enough to be the ones who passed the notes between the two students, they just kept quiet, mildly intrigued that the two are actually talking, even if they were just notes. But they all bet the notes contained insults anyway, but at least they're communicating.
"Okay, minna! I think you're ready enough to take the test, I hope you all studied...?" asked the middle-aged teacher with a critical eye, already passing out the test papers to every student.
Sakuragi nodded, and assured himself that he studied enough to pass the test. He and Rukawa grew insanely silent yesterday night after Rukawa's weird comment for some reason. It still bothered him, but he tried kicking it out of his mind, telling himself to only think of the test and that his club membership depended on the results of the quiz.
But just when he was about to settle his mind, one last note fell on his desk. And after reading the content, his eyes widened, his past attempt on clearing his mind blanking in on him again. His heart started to beat widely in his chest and he looked up at the raven-haired boy across the room. But right after their eyes met, Rukawa looked away.
Sakuragi's gaze was suspicious, and he looked at the paper again to make sure he read the words right. But the note still read the same. And he still could not believe it.
Fine, whatever you say. Good luck on the test.
(Signed) Rukawa
* * * * *
"Waaaaiii!!! Sakuragi-kun, you passed too? You BOTH passed, this is great!"
Ayako's voice clearly reflected her joyful state, as she jumped beside Sakuragi. "And just in time too! Ne, Hanamichi-kun, guess who's back...!!!" she was in the verge of squealing when he turned to the young redhead, tapping him suggestively on the back.
Sakuragi blinked up at her blankly. "Huh? Who?"
The manageress frowned, disbelieving the young man's answer. "What do you mean 'who'?" she asked almost incredulously. She then leaned in to whisper, "Haruko-chan's back from her vacation, baka."
And as if some magical spell was cast upon him, the tall player's eyes went bright and a familiar grin ran up to his face. "Hontou ni? Where? Where??" he asked, evidently cheered up, while his head ran around the whole court. And sure enough, his face lit up even brighter when his eyes rested upon the small form of a brown-haired girl, who sweetly smiled at him when she noticed his gaze.
Rukawa, who was watching the whole scene from the other side of the court, scowled at the redhead's stupid behavior. He quickly looked away when Haruko's frame started running across the court to meet the redhead in a friendly greeting.
He winced. He didn't know why, but he suddenly felt like he hated the girl.
"Uh, Rukawa-sempai? Daijobu desu ka?"
Rukawa turned back to face the smaller first year. He realized that he had the basketball in his hand, gripping it a little bit too tightly that it almost threatened to deflated in his hands. He glared at it in irritation, not even knowing what to say about that simple question.
No. I can't seem to take my mind of that damned do'ahou. In fact, 'damned' is but an understatement when describing him! Something's wrong with me and damn me to hell for not knowing what it is. So get the hell out of my face kid or I'll smack this basketball to your face.
"Hai," he answered instead. He looked down at the ball he held, dribbled it once before passing it to the first year. "Start the game."
The young freshman's face lit up as he nodded, and turned back to his fellow players to tell them that Rukawa-sempai said that they should start their side of the game. The other members glanced up to him before nodding, not at all surprised when all their Rukawa-sempai gave them were hard glares that clearly told them to look else where.
As for Rukawa, he let out a frutsrated grunt before straightening up to approach the team. But before he could do so, a small, yet firm, hold gripped his shoulders, preventing him to move further.
"Oi."
It was Miyagi. Oh joy.
Rukawa turned around to face his captain, face still passive when his eyes met the older player's own. But like any other member of the team, the young captain was used to the strange indifference of the tall player so he went on with what he was about to say. "I heard you and Sakuragi passed your test. Good job!" he said cheerfully, patting Rukawa's back in a congratulating gesture.
Rukawa merely nodded.
But Miyagi wasn't done yet. "But don't relax just yet, remember that you have one whole year to go," he said, a critical look on his face. "So you two better get along for once because you're STILL under punishment."
The raven-haired boy's eyes slitted to a glare, directed at no one in particular. He sighed gruffly. "Tell that to that do'ahou."
* * * * *
"I don't believe this! We skipped one class just so we can SPY on the team?!"
"Ssh! Not the team, just those two."
"What's the difference? Mitsui, let's go back to class, please?"
"Aw, Min-kun! Come on, this bothers me to hell, can't you at least help me out?"
"This is none of your business Hisashi!"
Mitsui sighed. Ever since Kogure found out that he can actually dominate and boss Mitsui around when he's serious, he's always been a bit of a kill-joy. Sure, most of the time he may be right (which would always make Mitsui wince), but there MUST be times when Mitsui himself is the right one. Something's bothering their Shohoku friends and he has to know what it is.
"Hey, look, see? Rukawa and Sakuragi are not fighting, that's strange!" Mitsui said, pointing out at the two players. And sure enough, they weren't fighting, they were not even talking. Nor do they even look like the other existed.
"Mitsui..." Kogure's warning voice sounded again. "Sakuragi and Rukawa don't have to fight ALL the time!"
But before Kogure could say any further, Sakuragi and Miyagi's voice sounded through the whole gym.
"Baka yarou, Hanamichi! What the hell are you teaching them anyway?!"
"It's true!"
"Don't listen to this idiot, guys. Of course you can be a part of the MVPs. You can even beat this guys in one on one, he's pretty easy to beat anyway."
"Teme--!!!"
Mitsui winced at the sound of back and forth insults between the two players, tapping his ears just to make sure that they're not going numb on him. "Well, Miyagi seems okay."
One eyebrow rose from the top rim of Kogure's eyeglasses as he narrowed his eyes at Mitsui. "This is stupid Mitsui. Let's---"
But again, Kogure was cut off by a very loud, booming voice. "RYOCHIN, SHUT UP!!!"
Miyagi's eye widened when he saw Sakuragi leaning back to hurl a basketball at him. "Sakuragi, yamero!" He ordered, but the redhead was being stubborn and insisted on hitting him. And only by reflex did the young captain duck low, eyes shut and hoping that the "whoosh" sound that passed his head was the ball itself. When no pain passed through him, he squinted one eye open and looked behind him. Only to gasp out again.
"Rukawa! Heads up!"
Mitsui watched while squirming away from an upcoming wince when the basketball quickly passed Miyagi before hitting an oblivious, pale-faced player instead. And just when the young boy was about to turn around to face Miyagi as well.
"Who in hell invented that 'heads up' saying anyway?!"
"Ah! Mitsui, I told you we shouldn't have come here!"
But Kogure's last statement was the last thing Mitsui heard. After recovering from the frustration over what Miyagi had said, he looked up inside the basketball court again.
The team had grown eerily quiet. All eyes were on Rukawa, some resting on Sakuragi and Miyagi with worried eyes. After a few seconds, low whispers can be heard between the other members that are at least at a safe distance from the dark-haired player, while the others played the perfect example of what to do when faced with a killer bear.
The ball, after hitting Rukawa quite squarely on the face, fell down on the boy's hand after it came up to catch it in a bit of Rukawa's well-known calmness. The other hand came up to touch a slightly red spot between the boy's eyes and nose, rubbing it in a light caress before narrow eyes of sparkling blue glared at a distinctly surprised redhead.
Sakuragi backed away. "It was Miyagi's fault!" he yelled out, pointing at a just-as-nervous captain a few meters away from him.
Miyagi's head turned sharply. "What?! You threw the stupid ball, you moron!!!"
"You started the fight!"
"What do you mean -I- started the fight?!"
The other team members started to move away when Rukawa took all but one step. But one step turned into another, and another, and another, until he was but a few feet away from Miyagi. But he eventually strode past the older player, then and there face to face with the other culprit. Ice blue eyes met brown ones, before closed lips opened to speak. "You threw this?"
Much as he hated the smug look on Rukawa's face, Sakuragi stood his ground. With one quick glare at a relieved Miyagi, he turned to face Rukawa and nodded.
And like always, the two started their staring game again. The team had started to grow more and more nervous at every ticking second. Ayako and Haruko watched in anxious silence at the two, the young assistant manageress looking worriedly from Rukawa to Sakuragi, her usual concern evident in her kind face. Just when she thought she couldn't take it any longer, she shut her eyes, hoped for the best and ran towards the two.
"It wasn't his fault, Rukawa-kun! He didn't mean to hit you!" she immediately blurted out after she went in between the two, a poor attempt in shielding the much taller redhead from Rukawa's glare. But much as her side was clearly on the redhead's, she couldn't help the blush that ran through her rosy cheeks when she was met with Rukawa's gaze.
Sakuragi blinked, staring down at the smoothness of Haruko's hair as she stood there in front of him, her back to him. "Ha...Haruko-chan," was all he could utter. There she was, the love of his life, and she was actually standing up for him! Against Rukawa at that! All past confusion, all past thoughts of Rukawa and everything else just didn't seem to matter to him, as the inner child in him pranced around throwing flowers up in his huge head.
Haruko's knees were starting to weaken. Whether it was from Rukawa actually paying her attention or how that gaze seem to delve into her to step aside, she didn't know. She turned around to face Sakuragi. "Sakuragi-kun, I'm right, ne? And you're sorry for hitting him, ne?" she told the taller boy almost desperately.
Sakuragi quickly snapped from his trance and quickly nodded in reflex in each of Haruko's words. And much as his ego tried to pull him away from his hypnotized state, he shifted his gaze from Haruko to the boy in front of him. "She's right. Gomen nasai," he said, his words not reflecting a hint of mockery.
Which only seemed to infuriate Rukawa even more. The young boy recovered from his stunned expression at having Haruko there between him and Sakuragi, and to what Sakuragi just said. His eyes turned back to an even more heated glare towards the redhead. But no words were said, his lips pursing into a thin line that depicted a built up anger towards the other player again. The hand that held the basketball shook when Rukawa's gripped tightened on it, and quickly met with Sakuragi's chest as it was roughly shoved to him.
Sakuragi winced at contact. "Ouch! Kitsune, what's with you--?"
But other words trailed away from Sakuragi's lips when Rukawa quickly walked away. The whole team watched in amazement as the player wordlessly walked out of the gym, not even as much as a look back. And the next thing they knew, Rukawa's tall form disappeared behind the gym doors.
Two figures outside stood on the other door on the gym's other end, aghast.
"Ne, Min-kun?" Mitsui started, still disbelieving what he saw. Rukawa? Walking out on practice? That was very uncharacteristic of the pale-faced player, considering how the whole team knew about his attachment with basketball. But to see him turn his back just like that, and not to even try to do anything else at Sakuragi...was all too damn weird.
Kogure seem to be thinking the same, answering in broken syllables. "H-Hai, Hisashi?"
Mitsui didn't seem to realize that he was holding his breath in, but breathing was by far the last thing on his mind anyway. "I don't want to say I told you so but..." he trailed away for a while, eyes following the form that was distinctly Rukawa's exiting the main gate. He cleared his throat, placing a hand on his companion's arm. "I told you so."
To be continued...
A/N:
*winces* I hate this chapter . I'm sorry everyone, I lack inspiration *still holding Mitsui plushie*. I'm terribly mourning at the moment. First, Rukawa got beaten up by a lowly mop *pounds head*, then Mitsui got punched by my favorite Sakuragi gundan member!!! Agh, I can't believe this! Youhei, I thought you were my friend!!! I love you so much but---*shakes Youhei plushie* How could you punch that beautiful face?! How, how, how?! *throws a fit*
Yep, I'm definitely a Mitsui fan now! *hearts popping out* Anyway, funny why we're talking about voice actors, ne? Anyway, to those who might be confused right now. I'm talking about the Tagalog voices of the characters ^.^' Unlike in Japan, the Philippine network that animes are bound to be on (namely, ABS and GMA...sorry, my opinion) for dubbing seem to have poor sets of Tagalog dubbers, and with no variation. So instead of wincing every time we hear the same voice over and over, we sort of made it a hobby to compare who's voice is with who's, ehehehe...right guys?
Anyway...to what Freaky-chan said...*looks down at her Haruko plushie* Ehehe...no comment about this. But isn't she cute? Come on, we love Haruko even if Sakuragi likes her, ne? Ehe...ehehehehe...I'll...sleep for a while *runs off* --stupid excuse
*Post-It note on PC monitor* Thanks for reading! ^.^
- blackcape@edsamail.com.ph