CHAPTER 8: OF DINNER DATES, CAKES, AND SKATES

Rukawa went back to his room to take an early rest, suddenly feeling all too tired and drained- he has been talking for quite some time and true enough, it wasn't really him to be that way. As he plopped down his body, he saw his phone blinking- grabbing it, he took note of two missed calls and mail messages as well. He clicked them to open and saw calls from Sendoh and messages from him as well. He furrowed his brows and went curious. 'His messages has been passed one hour already.' Can we talk? Rukawa found himself clicking call and in a few sec more, he can now hear Sendoh's phone ringing. It was abruptly answered and Rukawa almost widened his eyes in surprised. "Yes, I got it alright. Tomorrow, coffee right?" Silence. Rukawa found himself scratching his head. "Uh, coffee?"

Sendoh put on his shirt wordlessly as he kept a straight face on. Talking and agreeing with Kate to go out tomorrow hasn't really been his intention either, but he can't seem to say no. In anyway, he decided that he will be going out but he won't be taking long. 'Ill give her an hour or two then I'll go.' Sendoh decided for himself. He was about to exit his room when he heard his phone rang. He instantly picked it up, thinking that it's just probably Kate again, reassuring him once again for tomorrow's agenda. Sendoh felt his head throbbed. 'I just said yes, alright.'

"Hello? Yes, I got it alright. Tomorrow, coffee right?" Sendoh said without pausing. Sendoh seemed pissed. Correction. He sounds pissed. "Uh coffee?" Rukawa muttered softly. He heard the older boy gasps on the other line. "Ru…Rukawa?" Sendoh stammered- as if he has just been splashed on the face by cold water. He smacked his forehead with his palm and suddenly thought of what to say. "Rukawa, hey, I'm sorry about that…" He paused. "Is this bad timing?" Rukawa uttered softly, suddenly thought of mimicking the older boy's habit of asking him about the concept of good timing. "No! Its not- in fact I'm glad you called- I mean…" Sendoh paused. On the other line, Rukawa, too, felt his eyes widened a bit. 'Sendoh… you're acting weird.' Sendoh sighed. "Look, can we go out?" It was Rukawa's turn to gasps. BA DUMP. There it goes again. 'What the heck?' Rukawa felt his grip on the phone tightened a bit. 'Is he asking me out?'

"Rukawa-kun, are you still there? Can we go out? I'll drive by…" Rukawa suddenly found himself hoisting up from his bed- he now sits. "Like… now?" Rukawa seemingly asks stupidly. 'Doahou Rukawa.' He inwardly mused. Sendoh felt his lips tugged upward- he suddenly felt glad. "Yeah, now. Tonight." A pause. "Dinner. Well?" The thing is, Rukawa honestly thought that Sendoh is pissed off at him because he has not called or mailed him the whole day. Rukawa even lied to his older rival about going somewhere and doing something wherein the sad fact is that, he just stayed glued on the coffee shop mulling and eventually sleeping off- he was contemplating yet again, when he remembered his main mission. 'He has to liked you- love you.' Rukawa felt his ears burned a bit. 'What are you thinking, idiot.' He felt himself agreeing and nodding. "Okay. So, where do we dine?" BA DUMP. And on the other line, Sendoh couldn't have been gladder. 'Rukawa-kun… thank you. I'm really glad you said yes.'


"Hurry Akira, we'll be dropping by somewhere first. Its 830 already." Akito hollered as he folded the sleeves on his polo. Akira went down the stairs with a smile on his face and grinned when his brother looked at him. "You driving, bro?" Akira chirped in. Akito could only smirked. "Nope, we're using your car." He grinned. Akira rolled his eyes. "I'm driving again?" He shook his head and fished for his keys as both Sendohs exited and locked their house. Akito cast an eye on his taller brother and smiled. "Looking fit, otouto." Akira could simply shrugged. The Ryonan Ace was simply wearing a denim pants and a casual blue shirt with a small star logo on the upper left corner and was sporting a black Janoski skateboard shoes. Akira simply snorted and started the engine- revving it up for a few sec before deciding to move forward. "Well you looked like someone who's in for a date, bro." Akito somewhat flushed and smirked- he was surprised. Akira laughed and rolled his eyes. "Hit you on the spot, aniki?" Akito simply shook his head and grinned. "Yeah you did, now let's get to the third district and fetch her first." Akira only shrugged and smiled. Truth is, he was excited as well to meet his older brother's special someone.

Fifteen minutes and they arrived in front of a lit house. The Ace pulled over and waited as his brother went out of the car. He saw Akito pressed the doorbell and a few sec more, a girl standing in about 159cm came out. She smiled timidly and waved back to her parents as well. Akito simply bowed down in respect and ushered her at the back of the car. "So, Jamie I'd like you to meet my brother, Akira Sendoh. He studies in Ryonan High. Akira, meet Jamie- my… girlfriend." He grinned. Akito said calmly eyeing his younger brother whose eyes suddenly twinkled back at his older brother. Akira looked to his right and smiled- he offered his hand. "Hi there. Pleased to meet you." He grinned.

Jamie slightly fidgeted on her seat- surprised at the fact that she's been introduced instantly. She honestly felt shy, feeling her cheeks burned a bit, but still managed to smile back and accept the hand of Akito's younger brother. "H-hello. How are you?" She was stunned. She never thought that Akito's younger brother is quite a looker as well- and a very tall one too. Akira simply shrugged and smile- looking back at his grinning older brother, he playfully jabbed Akito and few minutes more, they're back on the road. Akito was mostly doing the talking as Akira butts in once in a while. Jamie also nods and responds every now and then but not quite often. "Did you know that my brother is the Ace of Ryonan?" Akito muttered as he chuckled softly. Jamie brightened up, "Oh really? That's great. You must be really good." She said softly- eyes looking cheery.

Akira simply looked abruptly into the rear view mirror before staring back at the road- lips tugging into a smile. "Not really." Akito groaned and laugh. "Don't believe him- he's trying to sound humble. Hahaha!" Akira simply rolled his eyes and chuckled softly. "Hey Jamie-san, my brother happens to play basketball too, didn't he tell you? He's the playing-coach type." Akira lauged a bit- obviously his brother isn't really a very sporty person and can barely dribble the ball efficiently. He plays and likes challenging Akira once in a while but obviously Akira always win- and with a large margin. Akito scowled- obviously his younger brother trying to annoy him. "Shut it dimwit."Jamie simply chuckled back. Obviously she finds the two good-looking guys amusing and yes, she does know as well that her Akito is not sporty.


Upon having their conversation off, Rukawa paused for a minute before deciding to take a quick shower. Sendoh asks him if they could go out and since he has nothing better to do, he oblige. 'Might as well tell him about the bff.' Rukawa emerged feeling fresh and clean and once again rummaged into his girl clothes, thinking of what to wear. He decided to wear again his pants that day and fished out red tee. He towelled his long hair dry and plopped down heavily on the bed- closing his eyes for a sec. he opened them once again and the looked at the side to see his basketball on one corner. Suddenly having that strong urge to play, he abruptly stood up and got his basketball- Rukawa slipped on his favourite red sneakers and even put on his black armband! He was about to leave his room when he saw his cap. 'I feel like putting on this for tonight.' And in a few minutes more- voila, he was out the house with his cap pulled on backwards as he cycled his way onto the nearest court. Pulling his bike over and letting it stumble down on the ground he readied himself for a small practice. Dribbling the ball once, twice- he was almost ready to speed off when his phone rang. 'Sendoh?'

"Hey, where are you now? I'll drive by." He heard Sendoh spoke on the other line. Rukawa furrowed his brows. "Where do we dine anyway?" Sendoh smiled. "A restaurant. Eggs n Things. Food is nice, I'm sure you'll like it." He paused. Rukawa too paused. "I think I know where that is- is it from around here?" Rukawa muttered, truth is he kind of saw the same name four blocks away from his place. "Yeah, you got it alright. It's around Shohoku area." Sendoh chuckled amusedly. Rukawa shrugged. "So, why would you drive by? I'll just be there." Duh. Seriously? Rukawa almost went bug-eyed. He even brought his bike with him. Sendoh chuckled. "Oh right. Well, are you sure? But I'm fine with driving by, I mean…" Rukawa cut him. "Ill be there." Sendoh paused- but he was smiling. Unlike most girls, Rukawa seems to be the independent type alright. Sendoh gasps. 'Rukawa isn't even a girl.' But the spiky-haired simply shrugged and smiled. Akito looked at his brother. "Is that her?" He grinned. Akira nodded. "He's coming." Akira widened his eyes. "…I mean, she's coming." Phew. That was close. Akito paused too- but he laughed. "Hahahah, and I thought you're gay back there." Akira could only roll his eyes. 'Almost busted Rukawa-kun's secret, sheesh.'

Rukawa sped off yet again and jumped up to execute a lay-up. He jumped down panting as he lets the ball rolling off somewhere. It's been past twenty minutes since he had a conversation with Sendoh. He wiped the beads of sweat on his forehead as he irks in annoyance. 'This hair is utterly long, it irritates me.' Rukawa thought of having 'his' long locks cut one of this days. He was about to continue practising some more when his phone rang. He walked on towards the bench and answered the phone rather boringly. "Yeah?" It was Sendoh. "Where are you? We're inside already. There are lots of people."

'We'? Rukawa raised a brow. "Who's we?" Sendoh almost forgot! "Oh, I forgot, I'm sorry- I'm with my brother and his girlfriend…" When he felt that Rukawa is about to probably decline, Sendoh beat him to it, "L-look, it's no big deal. Besides, it's his treat. He personally reserved seats for four. They're expecting you and besides…" A pause. Rukawa was obviously waiting. "… I need to say something to you." There was something in Sendoh's voice that made Rukawa's blue orbs widened a bit. BA DUMP. 'Oh shit.' Sendoh sighed. "Look, I, well, I told my brother that you're my girlfriend- because he thinks that I'm going out with Kate and all and… he apparently doesn't seem to like her. Told him, that I wasn't and that I already have someone else…" Rukawa kept silent.

He found himself digesting all the information that he's been hearing all too suddenly. 'So, I guess we're proceeding with this so-called pretending thing.' Rukawa found himself inwardly musing. Truth is, for some unknown reason, Rukawa wondered as to why it seemed to sound a bit bad. The pretending word. "…Sure." Rukawa muttered softly. Besides, he did remember telling Sendoh that it's no big deal and that both won't be affected. Truth is, he didn't know what to say. He heard Sendoh sighed on the other line. "Look, I know I owe you a lot of explanations- I honestly wanted to talk things with you. So, I guess I'll be waiting…" Rukawa shrugged. "You could tell after dinner."

Rukawa found the words rolling off his tongue as if he tasted venom- but, there wasn't really much to it, or isn't there? Dial Tone. Rukawa stared at his phone for a moment- eyes solemnly looking at his phone. He suddenly felt tired from practising. He remembered that he needs to fulfil Broomhilda's conditions for him to get back. But, it only seems to get harder- There was no way Sendoh would fall for a guy, much less, for him- the bratty, first-year rival from Shohoku. And the situation seemed to be having an extra twist of its own- because it seems like they are really acting it all out now- pretending to be together just to get off a certain bitch. He sighed and shook his head- slid his orange ball into his bag, put on his cap, and pedalled away to meet Sendoh for dinner. 'Sometimes I'm not sure on what I'm doing anymore. Most of the times, I don't know anymore. I just wanted to be me again. Bring me back. And I'm going to get all the odds in my favour. Love and be loved then kiss.' Rukawa blanked his thoughts as he cycled away in. Emotions never really bothered him, only until now. 'Weird. Everything seems scary weird.'


"So is she coming?" Akito asks. Akira simply nodded and shrugged. "Yeah, she's on the way." Akito smiled. They were seated up on the second floor and true enough, the moment the came in- stares were thrown at them. Jamie was not a newbie to the looks being given to her and Akito, but she was a bit surprised when she noticed a lot of the female population looking on Akito's brother, Akira. Maybe because of his height alone- but most probably because of his stunning looks. They were able to find a nice spot upstairs and a waiter instantly approached them. "Would you like to order now?" Akito asks his girlfriend.

Jamie simply shrugged. "I'm fine. I mean, how about you guys?" She shifted her stare from Akito to Akira who was looking at nothing in particular- oblivious to the stares casually being thrown at him. Akito looked at the waiter and smiled. "We'll call on you later. Give us a few minutes, I guess. But could you just give us a glass of water, please?" The waiter smiled and simply nodded before exiting. "You okay?" Akito prodded at his younger brother. The younger Sendoh eventually looked at the guy who asked him and shrugged. "Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry. Are we ordering now? I'll have clam chowder soup and probably a ground chuck burger." He grinned.

Akito simply snorted, Jamie chuckled. Akira blinked his eyes, "Hey, what's up guys?" He smiled. "Nothing, and I thought you're spacing off back there. Turns out you're not. You're damn hungry alright." He smiled and looked at the girl beside him, "And you, my mademoiselle? What would you be having?" Akito smiled his infamous 'Sendoh' smile. If Jamie were the usual girl, she would have fainted- but turns out she wasn't. She simply chuckled back and shrugged. "Asian chicken salad, that's all." Akito smirked. "Are you on a diet?" Jamie felt his ears burned and shook her head. "No, I'll be ordering more, later." She grinned. Akito simply laughed. "Alright if you say so. Because I never remembered myself telling you that you look fat. Hahaha." Jamie playfully jab her beaus left shoulder and chuckled as well. Akira simply snorted and smiled- sitting back more comfortably and crossing his legs. "Wow, you guys looked comfy together." He grinned.

Jamie felt her cheeks burned. Akito simply smirked. "You could get comfy with your girlfriend too, later." He laughed. Akira simply snickered. 'Sheesh bro, the only comfortable thing for him, is to get him back.' The younger Sendoh could only smile in his thoughts. 'And basketball, probably.' He added. "Well, I think I'll be having clam chowder too, and my favourite grilled chicken melt. Shall we order now?" Akito paused. "Oh wait, what about your girlfriend Akira? Would you like to order for her?" The spiky-haired duded seemed to contemplate for a minute before shrugging. "I'm not really sure bro, I mean… I'm not sure of what she wants." He smiled and scratched his head. Akito simply twitched his lips. "Alright, but we have to place an order now- it might take a while, there are lots of people." Both Jamie and Akira agreed. Akira raised his right arm and in no time at all, a waiter came approaching them. Akito was the one who placed all of the orders with the waiter nodding and writing down the orders on a piece of paper.

"So how long have you been playing ball?" Jamie suddenly finding her voice to ask the younger Sendoh. Akira simply shrugged and smiled. "Since grade school I guess. How about you guys? Where'd you meet?" He grinned. Jamie smiled, "Work. The usual." Akira nodded, "I see, that's nice… is he always late for work?" Jamie chukled, "Sometimes, but not often. I heard you're always late for practice." She chuckled in amusement. "He told you that?" Akira grinned back. 'You're so dead, bro.' Done with ordering, Akito looked at them two and grinned. "We'll just have to wait, I guess."


Every night up in the club

Getting money with the thugs

Thought I never fall in love

And then there was you…

(Already Taken, Trey Songz)

Rukawa pedalled the familiar streets of Shohoku district towards to where the said resto was located. He was liking the way the soft cool air of the night brushes past him as he listens to his iPod which was securely strapped on his right arm. Eyes looking cold and distant ahead- Rukawa pedalled as if he has nothing in mind. Dinner treat always sounds good- but really, he wonders as to what Sendoh meant that he owed him some explanations. Then he thought of Sendoh's brother- only then his eyes widened a bit for Rukawa suddenly remembered the brother. "Oh shit."

He gritted his teeth, gripping the handle of the bike more tightly. He remembered the first day he went to their house! "Oh shit alright." And as Rukawa made that final turn on the right he saw the Eggs n Things restaurant all lit up with a massive full parking. Knotting his brows, he started pedalling slowly only to come across with that familiar blue Mitsubishi-Lancer EX that definitely belongs to Sendoh. He pulled over and wheeled his bike beside the small space of Sendoh's car, staring at it for a while as if expecting someone to be inside the car. He hopped off and momentarily stared at his reflection on the car. Rukawa went bug eyed and sweatdrop at his own reflection. 'I look like as if I'm living a thug life alright.'

Rukawa simply snorted and adjusted his bag strap, securing his very own basketball behind him. He walked nonchalantly and stopping for a while when he was in front of the entrance. He felt suddenly unsure. The guard bowed down and smiled at her. "Hello, welcome to Eggs n Things." A waiter came up and almost blushed when he saw her looking very beautiful even if she has that cap on backwards. "Uh, good evening miss, do you have a reservation? We're on full packed tonight. I'm afraid you'll have to wait." He almost stammered- suddenly feeling shy to stare too much at the pale, and blue-eyed lady in front of her. Rukawa shrugged. "I know someone inside."

The guard smiled and opened the door for him- Rukawa heaved a small sigh for a while before stepping inside and true enough, he once again brought the house down. Rukawa only took a few good steps inside the restaurant and it is as if the red sea divided itself for everyone literally eyed him from head to foot—stunned at her equally unique and aesthetically gorgeous features. Standing at 180cm and with locks of jet-black colour, a pale complexion, and a pair of cerulean orbs- he is definitely hard to miss. Half of the male population seemingly choked on their food and was dissed off by their dates when they eyed her with interests; awed at the thought that someone could actually look like ethereal despite sporting a very casual look with a cap turned backwards and- a basketball behind her. They all secretly wished to know her name.

As always, Rukawa seemed not to care as he carefully surveyed the floor for any familiar looking face of a spiky-haired boy. He furrowed his brows. 'Sendoh of Ryonan, where are you, idiot?' He frowned. 'I feel like being eaten alive by the horrendous stares of my same species. Ugh.' Rukawa fished for his phone on his pocket and dialled a familiar number. "Hey." Sendoh answered. Rukawa frowned. "Hey yourself." Sendoh chuckled. "Well, where are you? Its past nine. We've ordered already." Rukawa snorted. "I'm already here. Where are you?" He heard Sendoh gasps. "Are you down there? I'll be coming down. We're upstairs." Rukawa was about to say something but his call was already cut off.

Sendoh abruptly stood up from his seat, surprising his brother and Jamie. "Oi, what's up?" Akito asks. Akira simply grinned. "She's here." Akito's eyes widened and he instantly felt his lips tugging upward. "Hahahah, I am thrilled. Go get her!" Akira simply snorted and scratched his head- he excused himself politely at Jamie who just smiled and nodded. "Well, I'll be up in a few sec." Akito playfully slap his brother's arm to which Akira simply rolled his eyes. Sendoh went down the stairs and true enough, Rukawa was there alright. Sendoh felt as if he's been stucked on the stairs- Rukawa was simply standing in the centre looking back at him as if it's the first time they're seeing each other.

What made Sendoh gasps in surprise is that all the peole seemed to be looking at the both of them. It is as if they've been expecting this scene for quite some time. Sendoh snorted and chuckled softly as he continued going down the stairs, hands on his pocket. He stopped when they were probably a good three steps away from each other. "You looked…great." Rukawa was simply… beautiful. He didn't expect that he'd be having that thought in mind. His younger rival- or morelike, this girl version of his younger rival is simply wearing something so casual- shirt and denim pants but still managed to command everyone's attention inside, even him.

"Hey there, eye-catcher…" Sendoh started and he smiled. Rukawa simply looked at his taller rival. BA DUMP. 'Kso.' He shifted his gaze down and shrugged. "C'mon, they're upstairs. I'm sure you're hungry as well…" He paused and tilted his head on one side. Sendoh grinned. "Is that a basketball?" He chuckled- feeling suddenly endeared and he doesn't know why. Rukawa felt his ears burned a bit. "No, it's a tennis ball." Sendoh laughed. "I'm glad you came…" 'Rukawa-kun, somehow, I did miss you today.'

Rukawa, for the first time that day found his lips slightly tugging upward. "Doahou." And they both wordlessly took the stairs with Sendoh trailing behind by one step. "You played or something?" Sendoh grinned. Rukawa simply shrugged. "Nope, I simply stared at the ball." Sendoh chuckled.


Both reached the second floor and same scene can be observed as everyone literally stared at the two people. Akito noticed the people looking behind him and he can't help but to turn to his left as well and that probably made his jaw dropped literally as he was made as well to stand up from his seat in sheer surprise. Akira pulled the chair like a true gentleman to Rukawa's annoyance. He glared at the taller rival. 'Sendoh you idiot.' But Sendoh simply grinned back. He knows what Rukawa might be thinking.

"So, Akito, brother… Jamie-san, I'd like you to meet KD, and KD, this is my brother Akito and his girlfriend, Jamie." Akira grinned. Akito opened his mouth to say something and pointed at the pale girl. "I… I knew it!" He then looked at his younger brother- eyes looking for explanation. "But I thought you didn't know her?!" Akito almost said shockingly. Akira raised both of his hands as if readying himself to explain. "Relax bro…" he paused, but he can feel his chest racing a bit. It's a good thing Rukawa seems not to be talking as well as he only looked at the older brother of Sendoh.

Akito placed his hands on his hips- Jamie stood up and coaxed for them to sit down already. "Uh, guys, we should sit, right?" She eyed Akira then Akito and they all went back to sit. Rukawa sat down- eyes staring at the table filled with mouth-watering food. He looked to his left to see what Sendoh ordered. He suddenly felt famished. He looked up to see Akito staring back at him. "Bro, we were of course just… joking." Akira grinned. "I mean, of course, I knew her and…" He chuckled almost nervously. 'Okay, stop asking questions already.'

Akito simply snorted back. "Ch, and here you go denying her to the core and all." He grinned back and looked at the poker faced Rukawa. Akito was literally stunned. He is now seeing this so-called girlfriend of his younger brother in a different light. 'Damn, she looks nice alright.' Akito smirked and cleared his throat. "So, KD is your name, eh. That's cool." He grinned. "I'm Akito, I believed we've met before, in the house, if you still remembered?" He chuckled as he offered his hand. Rukawa simply stared at the outstretched hand and shrugged. "I remember everything." Rukawa stated in a flat tone. But he acknowledged the other's hand. Akito sweatdrop.

'What the heck-? She speaks like a guy.' "Oh, this is Jamie, my girlfriend." Jamie nodded and smiled back. "Hello, KD-chan." Rukawa simply stared at the black-haired girl who likewise, looks pretty as well. She was a bit smaller than the rest of them but Rukawa sensed that she might not be the annoying type. 'I don't think she'll be labelling me as bitch later, like what Kate did. Ugh.' Rukawa nodded and probably surprised Akito but earned a chuckle from Akira for he offered his hand. "Good to meet you, miss." Jamie widened his eyes and felt his ears burned- stared at the stunning KD before her and accepted her hand. "Er, you can call me Jamie, simply."

Rukawa twitched his lips. "Good to meet you, Jamie simply." Both Sendoh's paused- then laughed. "Hahahahah! I think I like your girlfriend Akira, I really, really like her!" Akira simply stared at Rukawa who returned the look. Sendoh grinned, take noting of the cap Rukawa has. "I see you're sporting a new style." He smiled- if Rukawa were another girl, she would have died of Sendoh's charming smile. Rukawa simply shrugged. "Fashion is what you buy, style is what you do with it." Sendoh for all he know, was dumbfounded. Rukawa slightly tugged his lips upward and snorted. Sendoh chuckled and playfully jabbed Rukawa's leaner arm. "Hahaha, nice…I wonder where'd you learn that, hmm?" Rukawa simply snorted. "My bff." And Sendoh's grin could not have been wider. "You owe me a story, KD-chan."

"I still can't believe it, so where did you guys meet?" Akito prodded. Rukawa was busy looking at the menu and the younger Sendoh was the one who decided to put in his two cents. 'Damn, here goes nothing.' "Uh, a game. Basketball game." He felt Rukawa looked at him as if telling me that he'd better be careful about the details. "A game?!" Akito almost hollered. Rukawa handed over the menu to Akira and shrugged. "I'll just be having what you're having." And lazily scratched his head. Akira simply smiled and looked at the waiter. "Same order like this." The waiter smiled and nodded.

"So you're from Ryonan as well?" Akito asks the pale girl. Rukawa shook his head. Akira looked at his companion and wondered if he's going to tell his school. "Shohoku." Akira almost gasps and Akito raised a brow. "Shohoku?! Oh wow, that's a bit far from Ryonan, how'd you guys…" Akito sweatdrop. He felt redundant asking the same thing. "…er, meet?" Akira chose to butt in and it made Rukawa's ears burned. "Oh well, that's the power of love bro, you know." He grinned as he scratched his head. Jamie chuckled. Rukawa almost rolled his eyes. 'Doahou Sendoh, power of… love?' He felt his eyes widened. 'Kso, wait… didn't I just promised to myself that I would make him love me?' He can literally feel his chest racing. 'Calm down Rukawa.'

Akito laughed. "Hahahah, since when did you start believing in the power of love?" Akira simply rolled his eyes. Really, his brother can be mighty annoying. Just then, Rukawa's order finally arrived. He stared famishedly at the food before him. "Eat now, KD-chan." Jamie coaxed and Rukawa simply stared back at nodded a bit. "Since I met her." Akira said confidently. Rukawa almost choked on his chowder soup. Akira looked at his side, "Uh, are you alright?" He placed a hand on his shoulder and Rukawa instantly felt his cheeks burned. 'Idiotic, Sendoh.' Does Sendoh knows what he's been throwing at? Rukawa thought that he almost sounded a bit serious back there.

There were a few good solid minutes of pure silence as Akito and Jamie continued to eat dinner and talked on their own. Akira and Rukawa on the other hand continued eating as well but was not even almost talking. Akito ocassionally stares at the two across him and was wondering as to why they seemed to look okay but awkward as well. He was definitely not against the girlfriend of his brother. It's just that, sometimes he can feel as if there's something with Akira's gorgeous-looking girlfriend.

He remembered his brother telling him that KD is someone extraordinary- and for some reason again, Akito can truly feel that indeed, there might be something special with this pale-girl. Akito almost widened his eyes as Rukawa shot up a stare right back at him. Rukawa blink. Akito blinked back. Rukawa, having no idea what to say or do- instinctively tugged his lips upward. "Yo, brother." Silence. Akito sweatdrop and almost fell from his chair. Jamie found herself gasping and chuckling later on. And Akira? The younger Sendoh laughed upon hearing the statement and feeling all too endeared- wasn't able to help himself but to lift his right arm up and pulled Rukawa close to him!

Rukawa's eyes widened as he was pulled closer to Sendoh's chest! BA DUMP. BA DUMP. 'Kso, what is- why am I?' Akito grinned as he laughed along. "Hahahaha, I feel like we're going to get along, KD~chan!" Akira grinned back. "Isnt my girlfriend adorable, oniisan?" Rukawa went bug-eyed as he pushed himself off of Sendoh's broad chest- suddenly almost losing that warm and fuzzy feeling he has yet to understand. 'Adorable?! You're both weird.'


Finished with the dinner, all four exited the restaurant and walked silently across the parking lot. Akira took note of the time to be 11PM. Truth is, he doesn't feel like going home straight but he chose not to voice it out. He sighed audibly earning a stare from Rukawa who wordlessly walked slowly behind him. Akito and Jamie walked hand in hand in front of them as the two happily chattered on their own. Rukawa simply shrugged to himself and adjusted his cap so that he wears it now the right way. Akito paused and looked back. "You guys up for coffee?" Akira almost cringed and shrugged, suddenly remembering that he will be having coffee too, tomorrow.

Rukawa only stared at the grinning brother. "Do you wanna have coffee?" The Ryonan Ace found himself asking the silent Rukawa. The Shohoku rookie simply stared back at him and shrugged. "Depends on you." Sendoh found himself snorting as he absent mindedly scratched his cheek. "Yeah, sure, coffee!" Akira hollered and soon, the four once again found themselves sitting on a nearby coffee shop chatting once again the night away. They found a cozy place outside that is near a skating rink.

Even though it's a bit late in the evening, there are still a lot of people skating around the rink- their joyous noises and endless chatters and cheers filled the night with an energy almost at par with the morning's activity. Rukawa wordlessly stared and looked on as the merry people skate on and on around the rink, making him dizzy as he followed their moves with his observant eyes. A tap on his shoulder and he was made to look as Sendoh laid down his ordered drink. "What about you?" He softly muttered. Sendoh shrugged. "I've had enough for tonight. Besides, I'll be having coffee once more tomorrow." He stated flatly and almost disinterestingly.

Rukawa simply shrugged- remembering as well that tiny line Sendoh said when he answered his call awhile back. He seems to be going somewhere tomorrow and would probably be meeting someone for a cup of coffee. Sendoh smiled. "Hey, didn't know you were the coffee-type. Thought you like sleeping?" He chuckled softly. Rukawa paused as he sipped on his mocha Frappuccino. "It doesn't have an effect on me." He paused. "I'm still able to sleep." Sendoh smiled. "Wow, that's quite a feat." He grinned.

Rukawa shrugged. Then, silence once again filed the air. Just then, Akito and his girlfriend came in with their own orders as well, Akito carrying a tray filled with four types of cakes. Akira almost shook his head. Rukawa's eyes widened a bit- he saw one of his personal favorites. Akito grinned and sat down. "Guys, choose your cake." Sendoh shook his head. "I'm full."

Jamie coaxed them to choose nonetheless. "Aww c'mon now, it's my treat, please?" She smiled and looked at the passively sitting Rukawa. "KD-chan, help yourself with a cake." Rukawa only stared back and looked from the older brother to Akira Sendoh who's sitting beside him. Akito grinned almost evilly, suddenly wanting to annoy his brother. "Akira, if you're really her boyfriend, I dare you to choose her favourite cake!" Sendoh almost widened his eyes and rolled it. 'Seriously?' He should have just strangled Akito. Jamie simply chuckled and smiled. Rukawa looked at the seemingly now problematic Sendoh. Truth is, Sendoh doesn't have an inkling of a clue as to what Rukawa's favourite cake is!

He felt himself gulped involuntarily and looked at the four slices of cake in front of him. Akito smirked. "Well?" Akira simply shook his head and ran a hand on his now semi-dishevelled hair, earning him a few good looks from most female population around him- just because he damned well looked good in it. 'Oh brother, I don't even know what Rukawa's favourite color and now, his favourite cake?'

He inwardly mused as he sighed audibly earning a chuckle from his brother. Akira shook his head and smirked. "Damn you bro, I'll make you pay for this." Akito snorted. "No need, Jamie paid for it already. Hahahah!" Akira rolled his eyes and looked expectantly at the poker faced Rukawa who was staring at him- a blank expression on his face. Sendoh, for some reason found himself in a dead-lock stare at the Rookie who averted his gaze on the cake—then to Sendoh.

Sendoh eyes were questioning; more like trying to question Rukawa as to which cake. Akito, finding the scene a bit funny, cute, and silly laughed aloud as he clutched his sides. "Hahahah, no cheating you two sweethearts! I can see you trying to ask her out, Akira!" Akira shook his head. Rukawa felt his ears burn. 'S-sweethearts?! Doahou idiotic brother of Sendoh.'

'Well, here goes nothing.' Akira inwardly mused. He smiled and reached for that one particular cookie-covered cake- Rukawa felt his eyes widened and his chest race. BA DUMP. He gulped. 'Sendoh you…' He almost gasps. Sendoh smiled and handed over one slice of Oreo covered cheesecake to the blue-eyed Rookie, he smiled. "I know you liked this." Truth is, he can feel his sweat trickling behind his back. 'Seriously? I don't even know if you like cakes, Rukawa-kun.' But there is something in the fox-eyed kid that reassured Sendoh that he might like cheesecake. He doesn't know why. 'Must be my instinct.'

Rukawa was silent- he was simply staring at the slice of cake in front of him. Sendoh was simply looking from the cake then to him to see if there is some sort of any reaction. Akito cleared his throat and laughed. "Hahahah, oh my…" He grinned. Truth is, Akito was damn sure Akira picked the wrong cake. He clacked his tongue and earned a soft slap from his beau beside him. Akito somewhat frowned. "Don't…" Jamie muttered softly. Rukawa slowly rich for the fork to Sendoh's wide-eyed and jab a small portion of the cake- and ate it. Silence.

Sendoh was a bit dumbfounded because the next slice was offered to him by no other than Rukawa himself. 'Rukawa-kun…' The pale and blue-eyed rookie simply shrugged and almost lift the corner of his lips upward- Sendoh felt a tug in his chest. "You want?"

He smiled instead and shook his head. "Nah thanks, I'm full." He grinned. Akito blinked twice. "Er, KD-chan, is that your favourite cake?" Rukawa looked up and nodded slowly. "Hai…" he muttered softly. He heard Sendoh sighed audibly from his side and chuckled. Rukawa did not need to look at his side to see if Sendoh was smiling, deep inside- he can sense that the older boy felt relieved. 'But, I wonder though, Sendoh of Ryonan… how did you…' But Rukawa chose to keep his thoughts at bay.

"So you play basketball?" Akito prodded as he sipped on his cup of tea. Rukawa shot up a stare with a fork in his mouth and nodded. Akito squinted his eyes. "Wait up, you play basketball in Shohoku and met my brother that's from Ryonan? So how did that happen?" Akito insisted to know. Rukawa shrugged and Sendoh almost choked as he was drinking his glass of water. "We went to Ryonan- we played there." Akito gape. Jamie, too, furrowed her brows. She can't seem to understand. "H-Haah? So you girls play against boys from other teams?" Akito replied.

Sendoh cough and cleared his throat. He must do something, lest Rukawa slipped off in his own tongue that she's actually a guy in real form. "Uh, brother, look…" Akira started to butt in. Rukawa looked at Sendoh, wondering what the latter would say. "I met KD thru her cousin who's a basketball player from Shohoku. Remember that practice match I was telling you about?" Sendoh grinned. Truth is, he can feel sweat trickling down from his side temple. Now it was Rukawa's turn to knot his brow. "What cousin? Who's my cousin?" Sendoh's smile faltered, he sweatdrop. Akito stared. Sendoh sweatdrop some more. Sendoh honestly wanted to just grab Rukawa and ask him to skate just to get away- for Pete's sake, of all questions Rukawa would be asking- he didn't quite get the catch. 'Rukawa-kun, I swear…' He forced a smile.

"Er, seriously KD? You know who you're cousin is- right? That dude wearing jersey number 11?"

Akito frowned. "Hah? Who's cousin? What jersey eleven?" Sendoh softly kick Rukawa under the table. Rukawa's eyes widened and he frowned. "Doahou, I am number eleven." Sendoh's eyes widened and he instinctively found himself kicking Rukawa a tad bit hard now from under.

Rukawa cringed and winced at the sudden kick- he frowned and elbowed Sendoh. "Ahh! Why did you kick me, ahou?" He voiced out in his rather high-pitched girly tone. Sendoh winced as he was elbowed. "Kick?! Who? When? Where? I did?" Rukawa gritted his teeth. "You just kicked me!" Sendoh feigned innocence. "No way!"

Rukawa glared. "Yeah you did!" Sendoh shook his head. "Are you sleepy, I didn't do anything?" Rukawa pounded on the table and pointed at his leg. "You just did, are you nuts?" Sendoh bend over to check on Rukawa's leg- Rukawa almost felt his ears burned at the sudden touch. "Brother, did you kick my girlfriend?" Akito eyes almost popped out of their sockets. "Are you fucking with me? My legs are not elastic, you moron." The younger Sendoh grinned. "See KD-chan, no one kicked you!" Rukawa clacked his tongued snorted. "You're the one who kicked me!" Sendoh can almost feel a mirth of laughter coming over but he kept it at bay. "I didn't. Why would I do that?" Rukawa clenched his fist. "What why? Ask yourself, you idiot."

Sendoh opened his mouth to speak up but Akito's laughing voice cut them all off. Jamie, too, found herself chuckling a bit.

"Ahahahahahha!" Akito hollered, earning a few stares from around them. "You guys… you guys are hilarious… ahahahah!" Akito is almost teary-eyed as he clutch on his side.

The younger Sendoh could only gulp. 'Seriously? I'm just glad that my brother is a bit dense. Ugh.' Uh, KD-chan, could you accompany me to the washroom please?" And Rukawa's eyes widened- he found his mouth opening as he looked helplessly from Jamie to… Sendoh Akira.

The Ryonan player simply smirked and shrugged. "Washroom is over there, dear." He smiled and pointed to the washroom indicated for ladies. Rukawa felt his cheeks heat up and he gritted his teeth in annoyance.

"You're going to die tonight." Sendoh could only chuckle. "I'm going to die laughing my ass off."


Rukawa for some reason found himself leaning on one side of the wall adjacent to a whole body mirror on his left side. There were a few ladies inside and he almost shuddered and cringe at the thought that he is indeed inside the comfort room for women! 'Ugh, I wanna go out now.' Rukawa sighed and stood on one corner like a tree as few girls passed by him- some giving him a few stares and looks but he never minded them. Not one bit.

After a few minutes more, Jamie came out and went straight to the sink. She smiled when she met the gaze of KD who was staring at her through the mirror. She fished inside her bag and offered a brush. "Come here, you wanna brush your hair?" She said, smiling. Rukawa went bugeyed. 'Puhlease. I want to cut it.' He shrugged. Jamie wondered. "Uh, here… you want a powder?" Rukawa sweatdrop. 'If that's powdered milk, I would have drink it.' He shrugged. Jamie pouted a bit and looked inside her pouch further, she smiled. "Ah, here- you want a blush-on? Lipstick?"

Rukawa wanted to hang himself if ever there's a rope nearby, but sadly there wasn't. 'Gimme a break, I don't want to look like a clown.' He shook his head. "No…" Jamie tilted his head on one side. "I'll put on you, if you want?" She smiled sweetly and paused. "…you look a bit on the paler side so a little colour would do you well." Rukawa sighed exasperatedly- Jamie took note of this. "Uh, er, okay, if you really wouldn't want to…"

A few sec more and she was almost done with her face as Rukawa wordlessly lean on the wall for support- his eyes drooping a bit because of boredom. 'So this is what taking them, girls, too long.' He inwardly mused. 'Can't they just forget about covering up their faces with these kind of things?' He never thought that it truly is a big deal to be putting on so much colours and shades on one's face. 'I wonder how on Earth they know which to put one first. Ugh.'

Rukawa could only wonder why women put on so much effort. 'Weird. Girls apparently sees their faces as colouring books alright.' He opened an eye and saw her done- Rukawa stared for a few. He must admit, she did looked lovely after.

Jamie chuckled softly. "So, I hope you don't mind me asking but, did you have a boyfriend before Akira-kun?' Rukawa perked up. 'Seriously? I don't need to answer this.' He shrugged. "None." 'Duh, I'm a guy, why would I have a boyfriend? Earth to this lady in the bathroom, come in please.'

Jamie nodded. "Oh, that's sweet." She chuckled. Rukawa sort of frowned. "Why did you ask?" Jamie simply shrugged and smiled. "Nothing, I just thought that maybe you had already…" A pause. "…because you looked so lovely, I'm pretty sure you've had a lot of suitors." She smiled.

Rukawa went bug-eyed. "Suitors my ass." Jamie was surprised. "Er-?!" Rukawa was shocked too, he shook his head. "Uh, no, er, I mean, I don't have much suitors." Rukawa nodded as if confirming the dreaded lie. 'Let me out of this place.' Jamie chuckled softly. If KD was another girl, she would have been annoyed, but turns out she wasn't. KD seems the type of person who knows what she's saying but is also naïvely innocent about it. Jamie thought, KD is adorable. 'She's so sweet…'

"So, how long did Akira-kun courted you?" Rukawa scratch his cheek. 'Court?'

"We play basketball on court."

Jamie sweatdrop. "Er, I meant… wooed you?" Rukawa stared, almost flushed, and shrugged. "I don't know." 'I'm a dude for Pete's sake. He'd never do that.' BA DUMP.

Rukawa wondered why the sudden thumping of his chest though. Jamie blinked her eyes. 'She doesn't know?'

Rukawa fidgeted. "I mean… two days? Three? Four? One week? I. Don't. Know."

Jamie almost fell on the ground, but she just laughed instead. "That's a cute answer, KD-chan." Rukawa sighed audibly this time and kicked off himself from the wall to start walking out of the restroom. Jamie too, zipped up her bag finally and looked at the exiting figure of the tall, and lean lithe frame of KD- she smiled. "KD-chan, what did you liked about Akira-kun?" She grinned. Rukawa paused on his tracks and looked back. What did he liked about…Sendoh of Ryonan?

He almost blurted something like none but Rukawa seemed to contemplate on this. It was a rather easy question, and Rukawa wondered as to why he gave a thought on it. He shrugged. "He plays basketball…" Rukawa paused.

Deep down, he knows there must be something else other than the sport they both share in common. "…and he's really nice." BA DUMP. 'And good-looking.' Rukawa felt his ears heat up a bit. 'Sendoh? Nice? Good-looking? Seriously?' BA DUMP. BA DUMP. Well, apparently, he is nice alright.' Rukawa could admit to himself that he indeed enjoys the company of the older boy but he could only wonder as to why he felt his chest race every now and then by just the thought of it.

And with that last statement, Jamie smiled and giggled as she followed behind, and they both exited the washroom with varying thoughts in mind.


"So she's the cousin of that rival of yours from Shohoku?" Akito prodded. Akira nodded. "Yup." Akito grinned. "Wow bro, didn't expect you to get a girl from a distant school, hahahah." Akira rolled his eyes. 'If only you knew bro, if only you knew.'

Akito grinned. "So, how'd you get her number? You stalked her or something?" He grinned. Akira chuckled. "Nope. I asked her cousin of course." Akito grinned. "Hahaha, that's cool. It's good that her cousin is cool with you." The younger Sendoh simply twitched his lips. "He has no choice." Akira could only snort at his own statement. Akito laughed. "Hahaha, you're so full of yourself, you bastard." Akira shrugged. "I told him, that if his team won, I won't be asking for her number…" Akira paused- very well minding the mini plot he built for his brother. "…but his team lost, so he gave me her number."

'Well, Shohoku lost to us in the practice game alright. Ugh, I hope I don't mess these up.' Akito nodded and smiled.

"Yeah yeah, sounds like a nice negotiation. Hahahha!" Akira shook his head and smiled. "She really looks nice, I bet his cousin looks nice as well?" Akito prodded. The Ace paused and he found himself staring at Rukawa's half-empty frappucino. Sendoh suddenly remembered his younger rival from Shohoku- that tall, lanky, blue-eyed, raven-haired, small forward of Shohoku.

He suddenly remembered the boy's unending resilience to beat him on court, the determination in his eyes, the fiery of his drive- he felt his lips formed an almost wistful smile as he also remembers the curse that befell upon his younger rival.

'Rukawa-kun, I wonder what I could do to help you out of this.' He smiled as his eyes stared upon at the approaching Rookie of Shohoku. And in that small moment, Sendoh Akira was not able to see KD, for he only saw Rukawa Kaede of Shohoku. "He's definitely a looker bro. Eye-candy alright, but deadly brilliant on court as well. It's fun going against him." And Sendoh found himself smiling more broadly this time.

"What?" Rukawa muttered softly as he sat himself beside Sendoh who was grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Are you going to kick me again?" Rukawa squinted his eyes. Sendoh laughed. "Silly, I was about to ask you if you want to skate?"

Sendoh chuckled, finding amusement somewhere. 'Rukawa-kun, you are cute alright.' Rukawa knotted his brows. 'Skate?' "Seriously?" Sendoh nodded. "Uh-huh. Never been serious." A grin. Rukawa squinted his eyes. "Lets." Sendoh's smile could not have been wider. "We're skating bro, tag along?" Akito paused and gape. "Eh?" he smiled then turn to Jamie but she shook her head. "Nah, I'm staying." She smiled. Akito shrugged. "Well, there's my answer." Jamie rolled off her eyes. "Silly, if you want to skate, you can skate." Akito shrugged. "If you're not going then I aint either." Jamie almost felt his ears burned but she shrugged it off anyway. Akira simply chuckled. "Well, I guess you two killjoys can sit your assess off here, hahahah." Akito scowled but he grinned. "Bastard."

Rukawa almost felt his lips tug upward as he, too, stood up and soon after both players found themselves on the skate station putting on their rollerblades. Rukawa frowned as he strapped the skates on. "It's been awhile since I skated." He muttered softly. Sendoh shrugged. "Yeah, me too… mine was in grade school. Bout you?" Rukawa made the last adjustments and tested his feet by stomping mildly. "Same."

Rukawa stood up and wobbled a bit but he was able to find balance later on- he started entering the rink and looked back. Sendoh stood up as well and almost fell back. "Ugh, been really awhile- not good at this." He looked up to see Rukawa standing up as if nothing's wrong. Sendoh smiled. "Looking comfy, eh. Thought it's been awhile?" Rukawa shrugged. "Just so you forget, I always ride the bike, so it's much easier for me to gain balance." He pouted. Sendoh chuckled and tried to walk while struggling. Soon after, both are inside the skating rink and was slowly skating around side by side. There are still a few skaters hovering around as well and like them, mostly are lovers too.

"So I guess you owe me a story." Sendoh chimed in, he smiled as he pushed his feet off slowly to gain speed. Rukawa simply skated in constant speed. "About what?" Sendoh snorted. "Your bff?" He grinned. Rukawa nodded. Well, he better start telling. "It's quite a long one, but to cut it short- i was able to find someone from Shohoku to tell on this." A pause. Sendoh nodded, waiting for the pale girl to continue.

Rukawa pulled on one footing and halted into a small stop- Sendoh followed suit. "So, who's the lucky person?" Sendoh smiled. Rukawa simply shrugged and sigh. "It's Ayako-senpai." Sendoh almost gape- but he nodded then smiled. "I see." He paused and knotted his brow. "Uh, who's Ayako-senpai anyway?" Sendoh grinned and chuckled.

Rukawa snorted and rolled his eyes. "She's Shohoku's manager, idiot." Sendoh laughed. And as they glide along around the ring, Rukawa softly muttered on how his so-called bff came to be. "Hahahaha! She told you that you should see a monk?" Sendoh's laugh reverberated as he clutched on his side- wobbling a bit as he skated on one corner. Rukawa simply snorted and pushed off himself to gain more speed and distance from the idiotic spiky-haired dude.

"H-hey, come back here." Sendoh hollered as he too, decided to catch up at the raven-haired rookie. "Are you done laughing?" Rukawa asks flatly. Sendoh giggled and wiped off the tears in his eyes, then he yawned. "I guess so… sheesh. That was some story. But, I'm glad you were able to find someone- well, I bet she can be trusted. Judging from your point of view of course. It's good." Rukawa was silent.

Deep inside, he was rather contemplating on telling Sendoh about the condition for him to get back to his own body. He gulped involuntarily as he felt his chest race yet again. 'Should I tell him now?' A pause. 'But how do I tell him, how do I start?' Rukawa stopped skating as he leaned on the side of the rink, eyes looking blankly ahead. Truth is, its been a few days already and even though everything seemed to be going fine, one thing remained- he's still trapped inside the body of a girl. 'I really want to go back…' He found himself saying those words with utmost sincerity.

"Hey…"

Rukawa's eye widened as a hand befell upon his shoulder- he looked up to see Sendoh looking at him with an unreadable expression- but his eyes were warm and… something else. Rukawa felt his ears heat up a bit, but he chose to ignore it as the thumping of his chest went back as if it is being suddenly chased. He gulped. "W-what?" He muttered. Sendoh sighed. Truth is, even though Rukawa doesn't voiced it out he knew what's bothering his younger rival.

He suddenly felt endeared and sympathy seeping in. 'Rukawa-kun… I wish I could help you, if you would only tell me how.'

"I don't think I'd ever get back." Rukawa stated softly. A soft wind blew by- Sendoh's eyes widened a bit and he parted his lips to say something but it feels as if something got stuck in his throat and he was left saying nothing at all. Sendoh sighed audibly and ran a hand on his hair. "Don't say those kind of things Rukawa-kun." He paused. "Look, what is it anyway? You haven't told me about the conditions. Are there any? What is it that you needed to do in order to get back? Did she tell you something?" Rukawa felt his fist clenching with each question being thrown at him in the face. If only he knew how to do things, he would have done it since day one per se. "I want to help you, Rukawa-kun."

Rukawa shot up a stare to meet Sendoh's cobalt blue orb. BA DUMP. 'Kso.' Rukawa gritted his teeth and averted his eyes on the other side. "Rukawa-kun…" Silence. One may think that the rookie might have given up already but in his mind, his determination to get himself back is unwavering.

He suddenly remembered Ayako's resolve that he should get it on and that he should not give up. Make him fall for you. Make him kiss you. Get back, Cook for him. Sendoh was about to put his hand on Rukawa's head when the next words literally sent him off. Honestly speaking, he though Rukawa was acting weird back there.

"Sendoh of Ryonan, do you like to eat breakfast?" Sendoh sweatdrop. Rukawa slowly looked up and peered beneath his fringes. "Eh?" Sendoh muttered- he absentmindedly scratched his cheek. 'That's weird, I honestly thought that we're going melodramatic here already. Ugh.'

Sendoh snickered and smiled while still scratching his cheek. "Er, y-yeah sometimes, why?" Rukawa for some reason, found his lips tugging upward- yup, he made a resolve that he would not succumb easily into this forlorn situation. He will try his best to make this Ryonan Ace like him and maybe make him kiss him as well and revert back. 'Cut it, Rukawa Kaede. Stop acting weak. You aint weak.'

Rukawa pushed himself off the side rails to Sendoh's surprise and started skating backwards. "I've decided…" A pause. Sendoh tilted his head on one side. "…I'll cook you breakfast, tomorrow." And Sendoh? Well, his gape resembled a gaping goldfish alright. Rukawa somehow found himself tugging his lips slightly oh so upward.

"H-hey, why? I mean… Cook? Seriously?" Sendoh hollered back- hands on both his pockets as his lips tugged upward- truth is, he wasn't expecting this. It's not that he doesn't want someone to cook for him, it's just that he was surprised.

Rukawa paused and looked back with his poker face. "Doahou, I'm your girlfriend, am I not? Ch."

Of all things that has happened, this is the last statement he is expecting to hear, much so, from his younger and accursed rival.

"Oi… KD, you don't plan on killing me tomorrow, so that you guys could make it on the Nationals, are ya?" Sendoh hollered and laughed as he decided to catch up at the raven haired girl; but the Ryonan Ace wondered as to why the sudden feeling of warmth and bliss engulf his whole being. 'Rukawa-kun, you are unpredictable alright.'

"You're right aho, I plan on poisoning you so that Shohoku would get to the Nationals."

Sendoh paused and laughed some more while shaking his head in sheer disbelief. "Hahaha, not before I strangle you first, bastard."

And Rukawa could only chuckle to himself softly. 'I plan on making you like me, doahou.'

TBC

a/n: Guys! Ang dami ko nang utang na updates, hahaha! (I know I got tons of dues!) Well basically, I got sick for almost two weeks and yeah, that's about what happened. Plus the fact that my *coughs* boyfriend just got back from Canada for a short vacation and we haven't seen each other for like two years so, we're sort of catching up with each other. Lol. I know it's cheesy! But I get to talk about him regarding SenRu and my fics, ahahah! Of course he's cringing every time I mention 'yaoi' with him; he's just nodding his head off and probably pretending to listen. LoL. He knows I'm writing fics and all but I'm not letting him read these—well, it's not like he wants to, as well. Hahah! As always, thank you so much for the positive feedbacks and awesome PMs. *hugs everyone*

So, Osaka is still on the works, I know! You could cock that gun and pull the trigger. I'm still on my tenth page and I'm basically having a mini-slump on what to write. *cries* But don't worry, I'm trying to make my neurons work! .

Hope you have fun on this chapter though! Chapter 9 is already on the works! *winks* =D

Ekaekaàthanks girl! I'm quite happy to know that you're having fun reading my stories hihi! Kasi I really missed SenRu soo much, and there aren't many fics around so I decided to write for myself and for a few people who might have missed them as well. 3 I really love spending time on the conversations and details because that is how I want them to be... lol, I don't know if it made sense anyway! Basta, super thank you din sayo! JGod Bless!