Warning/s: No Beta Reader. Self-edit. Heaps of typos. Grammars. Non-pro at writing. SenRu. Terribly Looooonnnggg. (-_-)
CHAPTER 10- ONE OF THEM BOYS
After staying in the temple for about two hours more, the two visitors decided to stopped by a near confectionary shop, more like, it was Ayako's idea to drop by because she said she wanted to buy some souveneirs. Rukawa, nonetheless, followed suit and decided to look inside as well. Ayako grinned as she came across a set of trinkets. "Aww, these are cute, I'll probably get lots for our whole team, what do you think?" She smiled. Rukawa was busily looking at random stuff when he raised up his eyes to meet Ayako's cheerful ones. He shrugged. "They're okay." Ayako twitched her lips and rolled her eyes. "You're no fun. You have the worst reactions, ever." Rukawa sweat drop. What is she expecting anyway?
Ayako gathered two handfuls of trinkets in a small plastic basket, choosing various designs and colours—but mostly of blue and red shades, since the team comprises mostly of men. She picked a few girly colours for herself, Haruko, and a few girl-friends from class. Rukawa on the other hand picked up a random fridge magnet. It was simply designed as a Buddhist temple and with a round magnet at the back but the colours are nice. Done buying her own stuff, Ayako walked behind the taller Rukawa and peeped in. "Those are nice, I should have gotten fridge magnets as well, tsk!" Rukawa was about to drop back the magnet when he heard Ayako, "Hey, aren't you going to get something for Sendoh?" She grinned. Rukawa almost heat his own ears up, and he has yet to know why. "Why would I do that?" He rather stated flatly. Ayako elbowed him. "Duh? Present of course? And aren't you guys together?" Rukawa went bug-eyed as he snorted. "We're not exactly…" He almost stammered. Ayako squinted her eyes. "Huh? What is it?" Rukawa twitched his brows. "Senpai, we're not exactly together as in to-ge-ther." A pause.
Rukawa heaved a sigh. "We're just… colleagues." Ayako partly gape as she tilt her head on one side, rather, she was a bit confused. "Hah?" Rukawa cleared his throat and shook his head. "…we're friends. Just that." He felt his heart skip a beat but decided to ignore it anyway. Ayako remained silent for awhile. Rukawa, too. "You mean, you guys aren't really together?" Rukawa felt his throat tightened as his eyes searched for nothing in particular, gaze landing on a random fridge magnet. "Er… something like that." He paused.
"Oh." Ayako simply said and she nodded. Rukawa merely said nothing. "That's sad, I mean, I honestly thought you guys are going out or some sort…." Ayako said. Rukawa partly gasps as he shook his head. "We're not…" Ayako clacked her tongue and somewhat slumped. "Aww, I mean that's a waste because I honestly thought that you two looked great together. I mean, you both looked hot." She almost blurted that one aloud. Rukawa felt himself flushed. "S-senpai…"
The truth of the matter is, he cannot be more than accurate enough, he did remember Sendoh asking him one night that he did want to make friends with him, and to Rukawa, it was a clear statement. Sendoh is just being accommodating and probably nice. True, he might want to help the younger kid as well, but the thing is, Rukawa hasn't really told Sendoh about the consequences for him to get back into being a guy. For some reason, he just couldn't bring himself to say that he needs Sendoh to love and kiss him! Which was anything but normal. Heck, that's plain abnormal. Retard even. Rukawa went bug-eyed. It's a nightmare. He's gonna go nuts and probably be autistic for the rest of his life if ever he hears that. Like, c'mon Rukawa, there's no fucking way that he's gonna see you in a different light. And KISS you? Good gods, Sendoh's probably gonna want to just have his lips sewn. He inwardly slumped in his train of thoughts.
"I…m-mean, c'mon senpai…" He suddenly shifted his gaze on a more pensive one. "Reality speaks. I'm a man, he's a guy too, BUT I need to get back." Ayako puffed out a sigh and furrowed her brows. She already somewhat has an inkling as to what the whole plot is about. She shook his head rather a bit disappointingly. "Look here Barbie, fine. You can't accept the fact that the only way for you to get back is to have him love you and kiss you. But you can't remain in that body forever, and I'm willing to bet on my life that you're dying to get out as well." She paused.
"I probably don't understand what you're going thru, but I feel you, you have to give up that stupid pride of yours and make this work." She held him on one arm, as Ayako's eyes softened a bit. "We need you in our team, Rukawa Kaede." The last statement probably made an impact as Rukawa literally found his eyes widening in realization. Suddenly, he knows that he has a purpose.
Ayako smiled faintly. "Didn't we always shout that we are strong and that we'll make it to the Nationals?" She squeezed the taller girl's pale arm. "I'm here, I'm your bff, right? You just have to put in some effort. I'm sure you heard Master Shenzu's words." Rukawa kept his silence, eyes staring nothing in particular. For Rukawa, it's not just about getting back to being male then playing ball once more, suddenly, there's something else. Emotions. "What if it doesn't work?" Ayako stared. Rukawa decided to continue, "What if…" He suddenly felt his chest racing as the next words he lashed out softly put on a weight on his current situation.
"Senpai… for example, what if I fall for him and he's not there?" A gulp. "How do I get back?" For some reason, the last sentence made Rukawa cringe and to be honest, he felt a prick of pain somewhere, but he just could not pinpoint exactly. "I c-can't just… look for another person, right?" A pause. "I mean… it won't be easy, r-right?" He stammered. Maybe Broomhilda was true when she said he was afraid after all. For him, it was probably it—that fear of getting too close only to be driven away by that person whom you poured all your heart into. Rukawa almost felt his eyes moist, but he steeled himself at the last minute to keep everything at bay.
He felt the grip on his arm tightened a bit and the next thing he knew, he was being hugged by the smaller frame of his senpai. Rukawa almost stiffened. Ayako sniffed, she pulled back and rubbed her eyes and smiled. "T-that was touching you silly girl." She chuckled softly. "I felt it. Somehow, I just did, aww, lemme hug you again." And Rukawa was once again hugged to his own surprise, but he did nothing. He continued standing like a robot. "S-senpai…" He muttered softly. Ayako pulled back again and sighed. "Well, what if it works?" Silence. Ayako smiled. "What if, for example, you fall and he falls too?" Rukawa simply stared and said nothing.
"Then you get two things…"
Rukawa squinted his blue eyes. "Two… things?" Ayako nodded. "Yeah…"
"You get to be yourself again… and you get loved." She grinned. "And I think that's wonderful, don't you agree?" She patted the taller one's shoulder, tiptoeing a bit because of her height and cleared her throat. "We're going to get you back. Just do your best, Rukawa-kun. Let's do this! And if that Ryonan Ace bastard doesn't see how gorgeous you really are…"
Rukawa almost rolled his eyes and cringe. "Tss… senpai, gimme a break." Rukawa went bug-eyed. Ayako clenched his fist and pumped it in mid-air. "I'll cripple him so that he can't play basketball anymore! Ahahah!" Rukawa for all that he's heard, simply sweatdropped and sighed dejectedly. "You c-cant do that." He almost twitched his lips in response, amused at his senpais determination, but he gotta give it to Ayako, somehow, her positiveness is making a big wave on Rukawa's negativity and other dilemmas. Rukawa felt the corner of his lips tugged upward a bit.
"What do you mean I can't? Of course, I can! He gets crippled, Ryonan loses, and we get to win the ticket to the Nationals!" Then Ayako laughed evilly. And Rukawa? Well let's just say he almost chuckled softly and shrugged nonetheless. "Doahou, senpai…" You can't do that senpai because I think you're right…
I like him already… and it's the scary kind of like.
Rukawa sat comfortably on the train as he clutched on a small package on one hand. He decided to purchase a few fridge magnets as souveneir and would give one as well to Sendoh. Before taking in a train, the two decided to have early dinner at a nearby ramen stall and walked towards the train station. It took one hour full before the train arrived and both were literally tired. Rukawa took note of the time to be almost 7pm and it'll be around 9pm already when they get back to Shohoku district.
The train travelled in constant speed and in silence as it traverse endless rice fields and with the silhouette of the mountains as their view. The sky was bright enough because of the numerous stars hovering at the top and Rukawa's cerulean orbs wondered throughout the travel. He sighed softly to himself as he heard his companion yawn. "So, how was the trip, I hope you enjoyed though." Ayako lazily smiled as she rubbed her sleepy eyes. They have been traveling for the past twenty minutes and they still have more than one hour before reaching their destination. Rukawa simply shrugged and nodded. "T-thank you, senpai. It was fine."
Ayako simply smiled and stretched her arms and legs, adjusted something at the side of her cozy seat and soon enough was inclined to a more comfortable position. "I suggest you take a nap, KD… got one hour more." Rukawa simply nodded and did as what he was told. He was about to close his eyes when he felt like staring at his phone for a while—and still seeing no calls or messages or whatsoever.
For some reason, only Rukawa then decided to press in a certain number. He felt his throat tightened a bit but was rather surprised when the call didn't came through. Your call cannot be completed at this moment. Please try again. And with that, only then Rukawa decided to close his eyes and take a nap.
Akira felt his head throbbed a little as he fluttered his eyes slowly into an open. He was still in a dazed but little by little, his eyes began to focus more clearly and soon after, he was seeing the ceiling of his very own room. He slowly lifted his right hand and put them on top of his forehead. What time is it? He silently wondered. He felt himself yawning and tried to move his sore body.
"You're awake? How are you feeling?"
Akira moved his gaze to his left and was met by the cheery eyes of his older brother, Akito. Akito walked two more steps and placed the tray he has been carrying on the nearby table. Akira partly opened his dry lips to say something but to no avail. He tried to hoist himself slowly up and was helped by his brother. "Damn, and I thought I'd be getting you to the emergency room already…" Akito muttered softly. Akira simply tugged one corner of his lips upward and shook his head. "W-what time is it…" He said rather in a hoarse voice. Akito sighed and pulled on the chair nearby. He glanced at his wristwatch and shrugged. "Just about 8 PM." He muttered. Akira nodded and said nothing. He looked for his phone under his pillow and saw it dead.
"Are you okay? I made soup, you have to eat then drink your medicine…" He got up and placed his palm on top of his younger brother's forehead to the latter's surprise. "Your fever seems to have gone down, its good." Akira simply smiled his first smile that night. "Thanks, aniki… sorry for troubling you." Akito simply snorted. "Save it. You owe me." He grinned. Sendoh Akira simply nodded and shrugged. "Sure, anything."
"I was supposed to go out today with Jamie, but she said that I should stay with you instead." Akito grinned. "I think, you would have gone well ahead if KD is here." He chuckled softly. Akira simply looked at his phone blankly and almost gasps. 'KD… Rukawa-kun.' Suddeny he remembered him. Sendoh Akira suddenly remembered about the night he stayed over and the hearty breakfast. He thought the younger kid was kind of sweet to be making him breakfast, truth is, he rather enjoyed the company of the younger guy which was surprising enough. Akira wondered what Rukawa's probably doing at the moment. He felt his lips curved upward. Rukawa-kun, haven't just seen him in hours yet…
Akito held the bowl in front of him and urged him to eat. "Here, I want you to eat all of this, then drink your medicine. I'm keeping it strict for four hours. Then go back to sleep, no TV, no porn." He grinned at his last statement, obviously he was just trying to joke. Akira just snorted softly and tugged his lips upward. "Porn my ass, bro…" Akira muttered in his still hoarse voice, Akito simply laughed at this, but he was glad his brother seems to be doing well already. "Yes, porn your ass alright. Hahaha!" Akira simply smirked and shook his head. Akito was about to leave the room when he paused, "If you really want KD here, well, you could let her visit…"
Akira simply put the bowl back on the table and tumbled his back to the bed and pulled up his blanket. "You seem to like her…" He snorted. Akito snorted as well. "Ch, oi, don't get me wrong, I just thought that finally you have someone whom I think is cool and fine." He grinned. Akira looked over his shoulder and stared a bit pensively at his older brother, and smirked. "Yeah… she's really nice, isn't she?" Akito nodded and grin. "And good-looking too! Hey she could passed to be a model, why don't you tell her that." Akira simply snuggled deep into his sheets and waved off his arm. "Yeah, probably, I would… one time." Akito simply clacked her tongue and left his younger brother with an afterthought.
"Oi, if you're not serious about her, I suggest you stop beating around the bush and let her off. Don't take her for granted." And the door to his room was closed. Akira shove off his blanket and looked from his shoulder at the closed door. He remained silent for awhile; then he hoisted himself up and sat up on his bed, head cast down as if contemplating. 'What the heck are you saying, bro…its not that. If only you knew what happened to him…' Nonetheless, Akira suddenly heard his stomach growled and instantly got the bowl from the table and start eating in his soup.
"Thanks for walking me home, KD but really, you shouldn't have." Ayako smiled as they stopped by infront of her house. It was already 930 pm when they arrived at Shohoku district and both were literally tired already. Rukawa decided to see her senpai home although Ayako remained indignant about it, telling him that she's going to be fine and that she can managed, but Rukawa being indigant as well that he's a guy, forced himself to walk her senpai home. Rukawa simply shrugged and nodded. "Its okay, senpai…" Ayako merely grinned and tapped the taller one on the arm.
"You looked tired, I suggest you go home already; or, you could sleep over here, it's just me and my younger brother anyway." She grinned. Rukawa simply shook his head and started turning on his heels. "I…I prefer to go home, thanks anyway."
"Are you sure? Its past 9 already, I don't really think that you should be alone on the road." Ayako muttered, a bit worried for the stoic yet good-looking girl version of their rookie.
"Ts, its fine. I can manage." A pause. "Besides, I'm a guy, remember?" And with that, Rukawa started walking towards the opposite as Ayako could only waved her hand and shouted in addition, "Oi, call or text me when you get home, huh!" Rukawa merely looked over his shoulder and simply nodded, clutching in his bag close to himself.
Rukawa decided to walk the four blocks away from home with his thoughts blank. It has been a full day for him and truth to be told, it feels like he's not really gaining something. The more he gives a thought about it, the more things get complicated. All he wanted was to get back to being a guy and play serious ball in no time. Is it even that hard to get?
He shook his head faintly and trekked on the road all by himself. Five minutes into walking alone, his thoughts begin to wander off to a certain person. Sendoh Akira. He frowned suddenly, remembering the fact that the pest of Ryonan hadn't even texted him back. The fuck, I mailed him twice asking for a game tomorrow. For some unknown reason, Rukawa wondered why it sort of pissed him off a little. Rukawa turned right on one corner and in no time at all, arrived at his own house. He fished for his keys and entered his simple abode.
He kicked off his red sneakers and lazily tossed his backpack on one corner and slouched on the sofa. He reached for the remote control and soon after, was watching a random NBA game. Rukawa absent-mindedly stared at the TV while having no kind of thoughts or whatsoever in mind. He suddenly felt his head throbbed a bit and thought that he'd felt a bit dizzy for a while. "Kso…" he cursed softly. He adjusted his position on the couch for a more comfortable one and soon after, found his eyes flickering once more, but this time, closing them for good as he succumbs to sleep. The time read 10pm.
Sendoh reached for his charger and plugged his dead phone on the socket and soon after, his phone was brought back to life. As soon as his mobile charged a bit and revved up, several 'ding' was heard and he almost groaned in annoyance as his Messenger was once again flooded with messages from no other than Kate. He also noticed that he had a few missed calls from her. Sendoh for some reason, did not anymore bothered to read all the messages for he almost knew what the messages are. He stared at his inbox which was literally flooded with messages from the one and same person.
Kate. Delete. Kate. Delete. Kate. Delete. Kate. Delete. Kate. Delete. Kate. Delete. Kate. Delete. Kate. Delete. Sendoh shook his head and sighed. He was about to click the Delete All button when he noticed that amidst all the same name appearing on his inbox, one stood out.
Rukawa KD-chan. Sendoh remembered himself naming his younger rival with a '-chan' on the end and he found his eyes widening a bit as he lopsidedly grin when he saw the name. He willingly clicked on the message and was surprise to see two-three messages. He found himself reading them and could only wonder. Pest. One on one. Tomorrow. He chuckled softly to himself. Only Sendoh then found himself replying back.
Rukawa. Sorry. My phone's dead. I was sick all day. How are you? Sent. Sendoh decided to put his phone on the table and stand up, wobbling a bit before deciding to go to the washroom. A few minutes later, he went out to check if the pale guy replied but saw there was none. Only then Sendoh took note of the time to be past 11PM. 'He must be sleeping already.'
Sendoh decided to hit back one last message before yawning to himself. Goodnight Rukawa-kun. I'll call you tomorrow. A knock on the door caught his attention and it was no other than his brother. Akito entered the room with a smirk and walked straight ahead and sat on the nearby chair. "Did you drink your medicine?" Akira simply nodded and yawn again. He was now lying on his back on his bed, arms folded behind his head, eyes looking thoughtful. "You're a mother hen, you know."
Akito simply snorted. "Tsk, I'm your brother dammit, and as much as I don't want to look after a big ape such as you, I don't have a choice." Akito chuckled and grinned. Akira simply tugged one corner of his lips up and shrugged. "Whatever. But thank you bro. I owe you a lot." Akito simply snorted. "Did KD call you? Does she know that you're sick?" Akira heaved a sigh and nodde. "She texted me awhile ago, she wants to play ball tomorrow." And the Ryonan Ace could only chuckle softly to himself.
Akito almost gasps. "Whoah, you really got a fiery chick you know. But can you already play tomorrow?" Akira simply smiled and stretched one arm. "Probably." He smirked. Truth is? He's been contemplating a bit for the past few days; he does want to play Rukawa badly as well but he was having second thoughts given the latter's situation, but maybe, just maybe… Sendoh found himself grinning a bit, eyes a bit cheery as a sudden fun idea struck him.
"Yeah, I'd play with her tomorrow."
Rukawa groaned and grind his teeth as he snuggled deep into his sheets. His ears has been hearing already the faint ringing of his mobile phone and he tried searching for his phone across the table with both eyes closed. Grabbing the phone expertly with one hand, he swiped the screen and put the mobile on his ears, mumbled and frowned.
"Mmgjhj….h-Hello." He rather said hoarsely. His voice a notched lower that one may actually think he already turned into a guy, but of course, nothing happened still—he is still a girl. The voice on the other line snorted softly, seemingly contemplated a bit before greeting in his usual manner, earning Rukawa his first surprise for the day, he suddenly felt himself hoisting up. "Hey there princess, awake yet? Morning." It was Sendoh-freaking-Akira. Rukawa rubbed his eyes, still frowning, knotted his brows and hissed on the other line—still without saying anything. He heard chuckle a bit. "Hey, Rukawa its me Sendoh. Morning. Sorry, did I disturbed you or something?"
"I was still sleeping when you called. No. You did not disturbed me. How could that be termed as disturbing?" Rukawa rebutted sarcastically, earning him a laughed from the Ryonan dude on the other line. "Hahaha, wow that's three massive lines for the morning. I see you've improved on your communication skills. Bra-vo."
Rukawa simply snorted and almost went bug-eyed. Just his luck. Truth is? He was a bit annoyed and he can't pinpoint as to why. Maybe because yesterday, he did try to call and message him but he did not reply. Not even a freaking 'No. I don't wanna play you.' And to Rukawa, suddenly these small things matter. Like how suddenly it feels a bit annoying to be actually… ignored. Rukawa almost gasps as his brain tries to process all the information his thumping organ has been feeding him. 'Hey what gives, Rukawa-kun. You can't be just annoyed or bothered… or disappointed?' He shrugged and sighed-lying back, feeling all too lazy to stand up. But Rukawa knew, that the call did perk him up. And that a certain organ went doki-doki.
"Tss. Pest." He snarled. Sendoh laughed at the other line. "Look, I got your messages. I'm sorry. I was sick yesterday. Been really down the whole day. Woke up at around 8PM and went back to sleep. Flu." Rukawa was simply listening all throughout. He blink his eyes twice and faintly nodded, as if Sendoh could actually see him. 'He got sick?' Rukawa suddenly found himself being a bit pensive. "So….uh, are you okay now?" He said rather softly. Sendoh chuckled. "Yeah, I'm feeling much better." A pause. Silence. Rukawa was about to say something when Sendoh beat him to it—earning him his second surprise for that day. And poor Rukawa-kun could not have been redder. 'What the heck-?!'
"So, can I come in now?" A chuckle. "I have been standing outside your house for the past thirty minutes."
Sendoh wasn't joking, when Rukawa tried to open the door into a slit, true to his words, the Ryonan Ace was their alright. Right at his door step- the phone on one of his ears, eyes looking cheery and sporting that grin of his. Rukawa thought he felt his ears flushed. It's only been a day or so that he hasn't seen the taller guy, but why is it like he's acting like its his first time seeing him. And yes, scary as it may sound, Rukawa thought Sendoh looked mightily cool that morning. 'Must be his cargo shorts… or the shirt. The hair?' Rukawa sweatdropped. He truly needs a lot of contemplating to do. He frowned as he opened the door now. Sendoh chuckled, pressed the button to his mobile and took in a good two steps forward.
"Hello there, Rukawa-brat. Good morning. How are you today?" A smile. Rukawa felt his chest race. 'Sendoh does not have the right to greet me so coolly in the morning.' Rukawa went bug-eyed, left the door opened and went inside. Sendoh simply chuckled softly, shook his head and took in the invitation to go inside the younger guy's abode. "Why are you here?" Rukawa asks a bit coldly as he started fixing the couch and putting away his blanket. Sendoh simply shrugged and stood on one corner. "Nothing. I've missed you."
Rukawa almost fell down on his face on the couch, he gasps and shot up a stare—meeting the older guy's cobalt blue orbs. Sendoh was smiling, and looking at him directly as if the words he just said were true to the core. Rukawa instantly felt his cheeks heat up and found himself fisting on the blanket, chest racing, as he felt his lips quivered a bit. He suddenly did not know what to say. Sendoh, unknowing to the situation simply grinned back. "It's true. I've missed you. Hey, we're friends right?" BADUMP. BADUMP. Rukawa simply stared wordlessly.
"Look, I'm here because like you said, you wanna play ball, right? So, I'm playing with you today. One on one, how's that huh?" A grin. And Rukawa? Well, let's just say that he doesn't know whether he will smile because Sendoh literally said yes to have that one-on-one against him or because Sendoh blatantly said that he just missed him. Which is which, eh? Rukawa found his lips curving up into a tiny smile as he continued patting the couch to perfection. 'Y-yeah, I sort of missed you too.' He inwardly muttered.
Rukawa locked up his door and stopped to look behind Sendoh's back. The taller guy raised both of his brows and smiled sheepishly, getting what the younger guy meant. "Oh, I didn't bring my car. Sorry. It needs to be washed. I hope you don't mind. We're taking the train." A grin. Rukawa simply shrugged and started walking. He doesn't really have the exclusive rights to be demanding now, or does he? "Tss, its okay. I'm fine without it. Besides, you're burning up a lot of petrol lately."
Sendoh simply smiled and nodded, he was glad Rukawa wasn't the type to whine and complain a lot. They started walking towards at the side path- a tiny space between them. One may stop to look at them being 'brother and sister' but one can also assume that they might have something going on between them. And in that early Sunday morning, at around 9AM, they walked—with Sendoh breaking the silence first. "Uh, you wanna grab a bite or something first? Breakfast?" He grinned.
"Eggs n Things, again?" Rukawa butted a bit flatly to which Sendoh only chuckled. "You decide, anywhere is fine by me." Rukawa almost tugged his lips upward and shook his head. "I want pancakes." Sendoh simply grinned back and nodded. "No problem. Pancakes it is for the princess." And Sendoh found himself exclaiming 'oofed' because he was just elbowed from the side. "I'm a guy. A man. Shonen. Prince. Tsk." Rukawa almost seethed, fist curled into a ball—Sendoh simply scratched his nape and chuckled softly. "Hahaha, alright-alright. Pancake for the prince. Sheesh." And Rukawa thought it was such a good start for that day.
They decided to eat breakfast at McDonalds and was as always, met with stares from the people around them; still they remained oblivious. Rukawa kept his silence as he munch on his pancakes slowly, eyes averting once in a while to the guy seated right in front of him. Sendoh ordered a big breakfast meal and was eating to his heart's content; eyes a bit cheery and all. "Do you really mean that?" Rukawa suddenly stated; he heard his chest thump a bit though. "Mean what?" Sendoh asked back, lips chewing on one muffin.
"Uh, you will play with me?" Rukawa stated softly and almost in a hushed voice. He thought he felt a bit shy for asking twice. Sendoh looked up and paused—then nodded. "Yeah, I'm serious." Silence. Sendoh knotted his brows, he wanted to know why Rukawa seemed hesitant. "Why? You think I'm tripping on you?" He grinned a bit, earning him a glare from the stoic rookie. Rukawa snorted and stab his fork on a pancake; Sendoh chuckled though.
"Yeah, you look like you're joking."
He heard the Ryonan dude giggled for a while earning them quite a few stares from around. "You're a funny one, KD… I wouldn't do that. I said I'd play with you, right? We're playing." A grin. Rukawa felt his ears burning up a bit as he simply docked his head down with a frown. The heck is that? But he was hell sure, he felt his chest raced a bit back there. "Yeah we're playing ball, KD." A pause. Sendoh smiled.
"And you're gonna lose." Rukawa emphasized, eyes glaring from beneath his fringes; the typical Rukawa-guy-Kaede, only now he is not a male. And as for Sendoh? Well, lets just say he had the one of the most interesting morning breakfast ever. "Hahaha, okay, okay…whatever you say, try and beat me, super rookie."
"I will be beating you." And Rukawa could only frown earning him a grin from the latter. Deep inside, he was dreading the fact that a certain organ in his chest seems to skip a beat too?
Either Sendoh was not taking him seriously or the older boy simply just have the habit of playing around—the thing is, he wasn't totally okay with it. He felt his fist formed as Sendoh Akira had that lopsided grin plastered on his handsome face. They were both now standing right in front of a gaming arcade. Obviously, if this was the game Sendoh Akira was referring to, the spiky-haired dude from Ryonan is sure to get it from him later. Fuck being a girl, he was determined to beat the taller guy to a pulp. Rukawa was trying to control throwing a fuss as Sendoh handed him a game card. Sendoh, laughing a bit, handed over a small plastic card, pre-loaded with game credits. "Well, here we are-c'mon lets play."
Sendoh grinned and started walking towards the empty stall of basketball-the one where kids would try to shoot some hoops, score points and earn some tickets in exchange for a toy. It was the typical gaming arcade; not totally what Rukawa had in mind. Little did the Ryonan Ace knew, someone is indeed annoyed.
Sendoh looked at his back as he just swiped his card from the game stall and soon after, a ding sound was heard and balls started rolling down, waiting to be thrown. "Hey, c'mon! Player with the most points win!" A grin. Sendoh laughed as he started throwing the rolling balls down- eyes cheery and all, and a smile on his lips. Rukawa went from bug-eyed to dragon-eyed. He wanted very much to act like Sakuragi and brawled the six-foot four Sendoh Akira to his knees.
Nonetheless, he felt his eyes burned when he saw the perfect score on the board; Sendoh-freaking handsome-Akira is not missing a hoop, earning him a few onlookers from the side—plus some few giggling girls obviously seemed to be having an on-the-spot crush on him. The thing is, Rukawa is the competitive type, and he hates losing. And maybe, just maybe, he hates those giggling girls too. Sendoh Akira, I swear, you are going to get killed… but let me beat you first!
And stomping his feet, he approached the game stall right next to the taller guy, to the surprised of the crowd, swiped his own card and soon after was shooting those balls as well with his trademark glare.
Sendoh looked at his right briefly, laughed a bit as he fired a no-looker free throw, still the ball went in. "Haha, so how are we there, bro?" Rukawa kept his stare at his own stall, grabbing the next ball soon after he throws one off. Eyes glaring, brows a bit furrowed, and gritting his teeth, he snorted, loud enough for Sendoh his disgust.
"If karma doesn't hit you, trust me, I will." And with that Sendoh could only laughed aloud causing for his one throw to miss. Rukawa doubled his paced and was shooting hoops as if he was up against the whole team of Ryonan.
The crowd was obviously surprised at the fact that there are apparently two tall good-looking people who seems to be murdering the basketball game stall. "Oh and one more thing, I'm not your bro, pest." Sendoh laughed, clutching his side as he carelessly threw in one ball with a flick on his hand. "Hahaha, don't hate me that much, brat." Rukawa fired his last ball earning him the buzzer beater—their scores tallied; and since Sendoh started a bit earlier, he gained an eight point advantage.
"Well, that wasn't so bad. Admit it, it was fun, right?" Sendoh snickered as both decided to walk around some more inside the arcade, trying to look for more games to play. Rukawa simply twitched his lips and snorted. "No it wasn't. It's not a game, idiot." He heard the latter laughed. "Not a game?! So what do you think it was? Hahaha!" Rukawa went bug-eyed. "It's a game for kids, Tss." Sendoh simply kept on chuckling.
Deep inside, he knew as well that it was a silly game but…yeah, like Sendoh said, it was fun indeed. He wondered why he was keen on denying it wasn't fun when he almost wanted to have a second go at it. Nonetheless, Rukawa found the corner of his lips lifting up a bit. He wasn't the type to go out and play in arcades, but today was… well, for some reason, he thought today was different.
They decided to try some gun games-particularly that game wherein you try to shoot some zombies. Sendoh wasn't too enthusiastic about it, but seeing the rookie stopped at a certain stall, he decided to give it a go for himself. Soon after, they were gunning down zombies. Sendoh was cringing because he wasn't really good at role-playing games, he often gets scratched, or bitten by the zombies. But Rukawa… the blue-eyed girl, was obviously good at this. Sendoh's character died at one point and he had no choice but to just look at the still alive character of Rukawa.
For some unknown reason, people seemed to be getting interest at the both of them, since especially because their looks is hard to miss. Sendoh leaned on one corner, a grin on his lips as his eyes followed Rukawa's character. Obviously, his protégé from Shohoku seems to have the talent in getting his enemies down in one shot. But the one thing that certainly had him is the fact that Rukawa seemed to be way too serious—eyes shot up straight on the screen, arms extended as if he has been trained to hold a gun. Sendoh smiled to himself. It truly isn't everyday he gets to be this sort of closed to his younger rival…and he actually thought that it's a privilege.
Rukawa swore when his character finally died; still the funny part of it all was that he had a few guys around clapping, hooting, and whistling at him. And since, he is a guy himself, he could only stare blankly. If only these weirdos knew, they would be scared they'd run away.
Sendoh on the other hand was simply smiling and put a thumbs up sign. "Whew, that was some sniping skills you got. Tell me, do they teach that in Shohoku High?" Sendoh laughed at his own question, to which Rukawa playfully answered. "Yeah, they do, its called the Rifle 101 program, wanna transfer to my school now?" The Ryonan Ace chuckled. "Sure, are we going to be classmates?" A grin. "I'm not just your classmate, I am your senpai." Sendoh chuckled.
Rukawa simply rolled his eyes off. But he sure gave himself a pat on the shoulder for ending the question about the transfer suavely. Did he just made a pass on Sendoh? Rukawa almost felt his lips curling into a smile.
"B-but seriously, why didn't you go to…Shohoku High?" BADUMP. Rukawa wanted to sew his mouth and with a yarn. But he just had to blurt that one out, earning him a stare from Sendoh—their eyes met, seems like Sendoh wasn't expecting that. Rukawa wanted to eat his knuckles off; he gulped involuntarily. Well, looks like there's no backing out now-after all, he needed the guy to fall for him, since especially, Rukawa actually liked him now; the serious kind of like. He felt his ears burned a bit. "Uh-well, I mean…" Rukawa scratched his head, eyes suddenly avoiding the taller guy's.
Sendoh on the other had was… well, he wasn't expecting that. He was surprised. He wondered what made Rukawa asked him that question, still he was compelled to answer that- he smiled at his shorter companion and wasn't able to help himself but to ruffle the latter's hair. Rukawa almost blushed openly as he tried to tap Sendoh's hand away but to no avail. "Oh well, just so happened that I was scouted directly from junior high by Coach Taoka." A pause. He smiled.
"But yeah, I wonder sometimes too, what if we're sort of teammates?" Rukawa felt his eyes widened a bit as he shot up a look-Sendoh held his stare and smiled at him. "Bout you? Mind if I asked why you didn't went for Ryonan? Coach Taoka seems to be keen on having you on the team, you know." Rukawa gasps.
"He said to me a couple of times before, prior to our practice game. I could only listen." He paused. "I mean, back then, I've heard a few things about you and your mad skills on court."
"Y-you knew about m-me then?" Rukawa for some reason found himself stammering a bit. Inside, he can feel his own heart racing. Isnt it cool that the person you liked seems to have a small background about you? For Rukawa it meant something. Sendoh nodded. "Sort of." Rukawa was silent, eyes staring at nothing in particular. "Well, I suppose because your school is far." Sendoh blinked his eyes twice. Then he laughed. Rukawa looked up and faintly smiled.
"Just that?"
Rukawa nodded. "So, you hate far places huh?" Sendoh jeered a bit further, Rukawa could only shrugged. They stopped at a nearby railings where kids are riding down a slow moving train; their voices cheery and their small hands waving as their parents snap photos of them. Rukawa placed his hand on top of the rail and felt his fist closed tightly when he heard Sendoh asked him the words, "So like, if you hate going to far places, what if someone asks you out?" BADUMP.
"Doaho, what do you mean?" Rukawa hissed, but deep inside he was sort of getting giddy up. The blue-eyed Ryonan player smiled a bit; eyes never leaving the train going around and passed by them. "I mean, what if someone asks you out for a date?"
"No one would."
"Oh yeah? How'd you know? You're pretty you know- just about a while back, guys are flocking around you." A snort.
"Doaho. No. One. Would." Rukawa insisted as he bowed his head a bit; just because he's got his cheeks flushed and all, hearing the other tell him he's pretty and all. Sendoh chuckled softly; endeared for some reason.
"Tss, I'm a guy, remember?" Rukawa butted in his slightly low but firm voice- but he can literally feel his cheeks heating up a bit. Sendoh grinned a bit, "No you're not now. So what if someone asks you out or something?"
Seriously? Rukawa wanted to kick Sendoh in the shin, but he can't seem to do so. And so, accompanied by the erratic beating in his chest he heaved a sigh and answered Sendoh straight in the eyes. "Ch, I don't know why you're asking this but…" A pause. BADUMP. BADUMP. Sendoh waited as he stared at his companion to his left.
"…I'll probably say that I'm with you." A pause. "I m-mean, w-we're together right?" Silence. Rukawa tightened his grip on the rail as he stared from behind his fringes. If this was a dream, how he wished he would have woke up soon. He just can't believe the fact that these words are stumbling right off from his own mouth. Clearly, this he knew of as, making a solid pass on Sendoh.
"Arent… we?" Rukawa added softly, but his sharp eyes tells him otherwise; deep inside, he knew his hands were feeling a bit clammy. He wasn't really use to be sort of telling on some of his feelings, asking questions, and all but today… well, it was something else.
Sendoh remained quiet for a moment. Indeed, what made him asked that? Is it the fact that because when Rukawa was playing awhile back on his own, he saw a tad few guys hanging around? But…of course they'd be around, his companion is attractive alright.
To Rukawa, he seemed to be contemplating for the right words to say-but the thing is… the thing is, it's quite odd for him to be staring at the lithe figure of his younger protégé from another school who has been cursed by someone known to be as Broomhilda and yet… well, Sendoh honestly thought that Rukawa looked mightily stunning at that moment. And he thought it was indeed rare and precious nonetheless.
Rukawa was about to give up since Sendoh seems to be sort of taking too long to answer; he wanted very much to just suddenly go home and fret; but Sendoh seemed to be too good at disappointing him as well.
"We are. I did say that. Didn't I?"
Rukawa was made to look; Sendoh smiled at him and his next action truly made the accursed boy turned beet red because Sendoh just found himself unconsciously tweaking the rookie's forehead lightly.
"I like who I am when we're together so yeah, together is a wonderful place to be, I guess." After all, they're sort of close friends now, aren't they? But why does it seem that Sendoh almost thought of as otherwise?
They tried for another game, the one wherein there are small animal heads popping up and you get to hammer them down. Now, obviously this was Sendoh's idea. Rukawa followed suit uninterestingly, wondering how childish Akira Sendoh of Ryonan was. Still, they played. Sendoh kept on laughing as the speed pulled up a notch higher. Rukawa wasn't that too keen at first but had to exert effort now since multiple animal heads has now been popping up and about.
"Hahahah, I got this! Oh look, there's another rat!"
"Tss it's a hamster idiot…and will you just shut up and keep on hitting?" Rukawa muttered, obviously annoyed at Sendoh's noise.
"Oh here, take that… and here's another one, and another, and another…" Sendoh kept on babbling as they both hammered the poor heads earning those points and tickets as well. The game ended and Sendoh collected the tickets that had emerged from the gaming machine. "Last game, then we'll call it a day." Rukawa simply shrugged and snorted. And did Sendoh just said call it a day? Because to Rukawa, he honestly thinks that Sendoh still owes him a true basketball game. The one where it involves a court and all. They decided to settle for a race game instead in which Sendoh obviously won. Rukawa had his face on scowl as the Ryonan Ace grinned happily while getting all the tickets. They were about to go out of the arcade when Sendoh decided to exchange their tickets for a prize. The lady at the counter was obviously stunned when he saw the blue-eyed player up close but was a bit heartbroken when Rukawa came in view; poker faced and all.
"So, what'd you like?" Sendoh asked. In front of them, there were tons of toys, collectible stuffs, and stuffed animals to be exchanged from the tickets they had. Rukawa wasn't really particular on anything—so he decided to pull on a simple joke that surely made his heart go dokidoki. He almost wanted to bang his head on the wall-amazed at the fact that he is truly indeed making a clear pass now. "So, anything you like?" Sendoh asks again, this time with a grin. "Yeah, you."
"Huh?" Sendoh blinked back. "You as in… me?" Sendoh could not have misheard that and the corner of his lips is telling him he did not misheard that. Rukawa almost cringed at his own words and decided to change the subject instead! He wanted a paper bag just so he could dock his own head inside.
"Uh no, I m-mean… yeah, U as in a USB?!" A pause. Rukawa snorted, his ears flushed and all. "What were you thinking?" Rukawa tried to glare but to no avail.
Sendoh had his lopsided smirk as he looked on at the seemingly bothered Rukawa. "Oh a USB? Funny I thought heard something else." He chuckled nonetheless and shook his head. "You're cute and weird you know, KD."
"You better clean your ears, pest." Rukawa said, deep inside he knew best- and the smile he had been hiding all along is clearly opposite to what he just told his companion. "Haha, whatever brat." That awesome moment when you're telling a lie and your companion notices and joins you—well, somewhat? Yeah, that is the moment alright.
They went for a small walk inside the mall for an hour or so, window shopping and buying a few small things-and an orange ball, since basically they have no choice and because both forgot to bring one. It was Sendoh's idea to get a new ball for himself anyway. Rukawa was basically the one who truly shopped because he was able to buy himself a new pair of kicks. The thing is, he wanted very much to play proper basketball and his pair of sneakers isn't really doing him well. Plus the fact that because he recently just turned into a girl, the more he cant wear his usual pair of Jordan 11 kicks. It was indeed annoying.
The only good thing for him was that; Sendoh was there. He felt himself flushed a few times because the taller guy is utterly being nice, patient, and supportive of him. He is even telling him on what fits and what doesn't. Being a big fan of NBA and Jordan himself, Rukawa settled himself for a smaller pair of kicks—the same as what he has as a male.
"Walk around." Sendoh grin. Rukawa scowled and remained standing. The saleslady urging him as well to walk around with his new shoes on to test it if its okay. "No thanks." Rukawa argued.
Sendoh rolled his eyes and jeered. "Loser, you're just going to walk around, its not like we're asking you to run." He chuckled, obviously finding Rukawa cute but stubborn. Rukawa twitched his lips and started walking nonetheless around the small shop.
He was obviously gaining attention from a few buyers inside—the fact that he's just wearing a simple shirt and a pair of denim shorts; he… rather, she was simply gorgeous. Sendoh stared from where he was sitting as the tall, lanky, and lithe frame of his younger protégé approached him; he never thought that he could hold that smile on his lips for some time. "Well? How was it?" Sendoh asked in his usual low tone.
Rukawa shrugged, sat down and started untying his new kicks. "Its okay. I feel like I could beat you now." Sendoh chuckled and shook his head. "Right. Oh well, lets get out of here then." Soon after, the new pair of kicks were purchased and after a few minutes more, both decided to go out of the mall and settle for a lone court not far from both Ryonan and Shohoku district.
It was already 1 in the afternoon. The temperature was a bit hot and the air was mildly humid, perfect for outdoor games. Both entered the deserted court and was greeted by fallen dry leaves and nothing more. Sendoh walked in first as if surveying the whole area, turned around and smiled. "Are you sure you wanna play?" Rukawa furrowed his brows. What the heck? He frowned. "Of course I'm sure. Are you sure you want to?" Rukawa rallied back, emphasizing the word you. Sendoh chuckled softly and shrugged. "Yeah, of course. Whatever." Rukawa clacked his tongue and soon after, was changing into his new kicks.
Sendoh tested his newly purchased Spalding ball and bounced it off the cemented court—threw it onto the free throw line and in the ball went. He smiled to himself and hopped to where the ball bounce. As soon as he got the ball, Rukawa was already standing and was eyeing him almost challengingly. Sendoh grinned and almost sweat drop. Truth is, he was rather feeling indignant not to play Rukawa—well, this girl version of his younger protégé to be exact. Its not that his values of playing one-on-one against the opposite sex is wrong and is kicking in him, its just that it seemed a bit unfair to Rukawa in terms of… everything; his height advantage, his muscular frame, his speed, and even probably his… strength. Sendoh sighed and kept his silence at bay when he saw Rukawa's serious eyes darted across him.
"Hey KD look… I mean, we could put this off for another day, what do you say?" Sendoh tried to coax the latter. Rukawa simply frowned deeper and was getting a bit annoyed. The thing is, he knew while Sendoh might have the advantage in almost everything, the thing is… he just wanted to give it a go. A try.
For Rukawa though, life may not require him to be the best; only that he tries his best. And for the rookie, if you never try, you'll never know; as simple as that. "Look, I know what you're thinking…" Rukawa paused and gathered all of his strength to say the next words. "… but I don't care." Sendoh felt his eyes widened a bit. Is Rukawa mad or something?
Rukawa felt his hand curled into a ball. "This… this thing that happened to me—I don't know anymore. I don't even know if I'll ever get back. I don't know where to find that witch. I don't even know where to begin or how to… I hate this. I hate it very much." He paused.
Deep inside he was being bombarded with unresolved turmoil; his anger, frustrations, despair… and that seeming word longing has been gnawing him off day by day. "Everything seemed to just have stopped since I became like this." Silence. Rukawa's voice was soft but firm; a bit low than usual… but loud enough to be heard by Sendoh who was simply staring at the lithe figure before him, his eyes obviously almost peering into the soul of his forlorn rival from Shohoku. Thing is, Sendoh felt sympathy crawling in him.
"But basketball never did." Sendoh almost gasps. Rukawa decided to continue-his eyes being obscured by his fringes; his long locks swaying a bit softly as a soft humid air blew by. "…it never stopped. Not on me. Not even once. And somehow, it's the only thing that makes me feel alive. The rest of it all, including this curse… I want to forget." Rukawa fidgeted slightly, putting his weight on his left foot. "Basketball is life, everything else is interruption." A pause.
Rukawa tried to peer from beneath his fringes, eyes piercing onto Sendoh's unperturbed gaze; "…and for me it's either I go hard or I go home." Silence ensued. The soft wind sent the dried leaves rustling by as birds from the nearby tree chirped and stopped. Sendoh cleared his throat softly, looked down below and nodded his head off. Somehow, he felt the weight on Rukawa's words. He knew that Rukawa is probably way too tired already with is current situation and that he is simply treating everyday as if it is his last day of playing ball.
Somehow, Sendoh knew that the younger kid earned his respect and somehow too, he felt as if he has just been taught by the younger guy to never give up even if obstacles run up to him; to never turn around when he's come face to face with the wall, and to figure how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.
Sendoh found himself smiling—and raising the ball in front of him, he, too, found his next words that made Rukawa's eyes almost come to life.
"I never said that this would be easy so… make it count, Rukawa Kaede of Shohoku." I guess its only natural, you're still one of us, boys. Sendoh found himself musing on those words. And somehow, Sendoh decided that he liked that—and that he somewhat missed that tall, lanky, and raven-haired small forward of Shohoku. Somehow, I hope to see the real you again, Rukawa Kaede.
And as for Rukawa, he felt his head nodding in return and his lips almost lifting up in gladness. Thank you Sendoh, just… thank you.
"Your ball." A grin.
Rukawa blinked back. Sendoh shrugged. "What? Girls first?" He chuckled to himself. Rukawa sent him a glare. "Tss, you really are a pest." Sendoh simply grinned back and put a hand on his hip. Rukawa spun the orange leather with both hands and bounced it off the floor as if testing it. A few more dribbles and Rukawa heaved a sigh.
He knew that his lighter frame might be no match with Sendoh's but… he may just have the speed. He looked up, left hand dribbling, slower then faster and faster and… Rukawa dashed towards the surprised Sendoh and made a quick turn-around to his right; switching the ball from the left to the right and running towards the basket for a jumper but alas, the ball was simply tapped away from his hands just like someone older stealing a candy bar from a kid. He glared at the guy responsible for that and saw Sendoh dribbling almost effortlessly, a smile on his lips.
"That was foul." Rukawa tried to see if he could escape it. Sendoh simply shook his head. "Nope that wasn't, barely touched your hand." He grinned. Rukawa scowled and cursed. Sendoh simply chuckled, dribbled the ball and charged towards the basket, Rukawa was taken aback at Sendoh's sudden move as he tried to pull on a defence; now this made Sendoh's eyes wide—he knew he was going to bump hard onto Rukawa's lithe frame, the younger guy obviously not getting it; Sendoh tried to pull back instead and went for a jumper that Rukawa could only looked up to—just because he knew, that even if he tried to jump and block it, he wouldn't reached it. The ball went in.
Sendoh jogged past the surprised rookie, got the ball and passed it back to the girl before him. "Your turn." As he tried to bent low and prepared for a defence.
Rukawa furrowed his brows, dribbled the ball lower than his usual and without further ado ran towards a defending Sendoh. He found himself gasping though when the taller guy tried to block him and Rukawa saw how hard it is to be that small against a much taller opponent. I mean, for a girl, I am already tall but then again, this pest right here is Sendoh freaking Akira! He found his thoughts a bit mortifying as he backed a bit and ran towards the right side, docking Sendoh's defence and tried to fire a careless shot, hoping it would go in but…
Sendoh blinked twice as the ball simply fell down as if there wasn't any gravity pulling it. Rukawa felt his ears burned as his cheeks flushed—he went bug-eyed and almost scowled. Sendoh let out a hollowed laugh—then, finally let out his chuckle, clutching his side a bit. For all that matters, Rukawa's shot was an air ball!
"Rukawa-kun?! Th-that was…" Sendoh chuckled some more as he shook his head in sheer disbelief. Rukawa gritted his teeth in annoyance as he stomped his feet to where the ball was. Sendoh kept on laughing. What the fuck was-?! An air ball?! This is like the first time I had an air ball! K'so!
Rukawa wanted to bang his head on the wall, but if there's anything he wants to really do, he wanted to claw Sendoh's spike-up hair until he loses them and gone bald. Did he just embarrassed himself in front of his crush? Rukawa shot a glare at the chuckling Ryonan Ace; obviously wiping the side of his eyes.
"That was funny, huh." Rukawa deadpanned.
Sendoh was about to speak up but let out another chuckle. He can't help but laugh because of what he just saw and the fact that he can seem to hear an invisible song in the background when Rukawa's shot went air ball, The Bird Dance instrumentals particularly from an old band called The Emeralds. It made him laugh and yes, he actually thought that it was funny but cute.
"O-okay, I'm sorry but… hahahah!" Sendoh was unable to continue. Rukawa gnarled. "My ball still!" He almost shouted with indignantly. Sendoh simply nodded and walked towards to prepare to defend. "Sure, sure." Rukawa glared. Sendoh laughed.
"Jeesh I'm sorry, I could practically hear the chicken dance song playing when I saw that air ball of yours?" He laughed. Rukawa clacked his tongue and scratched his head. "Shut up, this time I won't missed." And Sendoh could only nod and smile.
"Oh please do missed. I would love to see an air ball again, hahaha!" Rukawa scowled and charged while throwing expletives. "I will kill you, doaho."
And once again, they resumed playing.
After twenty minutes. Sendoh can be seen practising some dribbling skills and tosses as he fires a shot near the basket and hop to get the ball back. Rukawa was simply seated on the bench, legs outstretched as he stare at nothing in particular. "So you believe me now?" Sendoh started, still playing alone with the ball. The thing is, they just finished playing one-on-one a while ago and unsurprisingly and maddening as it may sound, Sendoh finished off KD with a 44-15 victory.
Rukawa heard the latter alright and only settle for a twitch in the lips. Thing is, Sendoh was right. No matter how hard she tried a while back, there was no way he could easily dunk a ball onto Sendoh's spiked head. And talk about his hard-earned fifteen points, it was totally hard-earned, his effort versus Sendoh's effort was no way match.
"There was no way this is gonna work… for you at least."
"Ch. Shut up, airhead."
Sendoh chuckled. "Look KD, its impossible. Have you seen guys played against girls-like for real?" Rukawa simply snorted. "Have you seen the NBA dudes battled it out against the WNBA?" Rukawa stared.
"What are you getting at with these NBA stories, freak?" Sendoh rolled his eyes. "What I'm saying is that its impossible for you to be playing against me for now; because we're not totally matched." Silence.
Sendoh sighed. "I could bump on you or fall hard on you and you'll be crushed."
BADUMP. Rukawa felt his eyes widened a bit and his ears perked when Sendoh deliberately said the words fall hard on you. Truth is, he thought his chest raced a bit as a certain organ went dokidoki. He felt his ears burned and decided to stare at nothing in particular. Of course, it wasn't meant in the romantic way. Sendoh was just being honest. Still Rukawa almost flushed and felt his lips twitched a bit. "Whatever." He softly muttered, suddenly being deaf at the phrase fall hard on you.
Sendoh snorted softly nonetheless and eyed the pale and blue-eyed stunner from Shohoku. He grinned. "Hey look, you could play against girls though. I'm sure you'll emerged as the victor." A chuckle. Rukawa scowled. "No thanks pest. I don't play with girls."
"Oh really? Well, I don't either." Sendoh rebutted back sarcastically earning him the middle finger from Rukawa. He could only laugh and shook his head. "Why don't you go up against Ayako?" A grin. Rukawa clack his tongue and simply shrugged. That aint happening of course. His Ayako-senpai knows basketball but Rukawa doesn't think he has seen Ayako played truly yet.
It's not like it's gonna happen. He thought of almost lazily. "Not interested." Sendoh could only shrugged. "Whatever dude…" Silence ensued. Sendoh stopped playing and placed the ball in-between his side and his left arm, eyes suddenly looking thoughtfully at the silent girl.
"Hey Rukawa-kun…" The aforementioned name averted his gaze slowly at his taller companion and simply waited. "Uh, I was still wondering…so, you still haven't told me what she told you to get back." A pause. Rukawa felt his hand curled into a fist—is it finally the right time to say? Having suddenly no place to go and with that sudden realization that he is indeed finally taking a serious liking at his rival from another school, Rukawa braved himself into saying the next few words as Sendoh patiently listened.
"She said that I needed to…" Silence. Rukawa heaved a sigh; eyes suddenly unable to focus and look at Sendoh, suddenly he was feeling nervous again. "…find a guy." Silence.
Sendoh kept his silent, urging the latter to continue. Find a… guy? He wondered, he wondered very much. More silence. Rukawa was now nervous—he wasn't sure if this is indeed the right time; he sat upright and almost felt panicky.
"Just that?" Sendoh queried back, voice a sounding a bit unsure and… well, for Sendoh, it didn't helped much. He was damn sure, there's got to be something more. Rukawa suddenly started fidgeting on his seat. "So you find a guy and then what? What kind of guy anyway and… who?" Silence. Sendoh prodded further. "And why though? What's that got to do with you being turned into a… girl?"
Rukawa felt a throb in his head and a small pain in his stomach, thing is he cannot tell exactly. Suddenly he was being bombarded with direct questions. Sendoh seemed not to stop though. Suddenly Rukawa doesn't know what to say. "Rukawa-kun? I was asking what now?" He almost winced and was readying himself to get up and leave when he heard a phone rang.
Sendoh jogged towards his bag and answered the phone without looking. His interrogation, suddenly halted to a stop. Rukawa simply started packing some of his things since the pain in his head is suddenly being felt now plus the fact that his stomach or…lower abdomen seemed to be knotting themselves and he doesn't know why.
"Sure, I'll be there. Okay. Call me." And with that, Sendoh pressed the end button. He was keened on getting back to his convo with Rukawa when he saw the lithe figure walking away from him already and Rukawa seems to be a bit limping and slouched down. Sendoh almost gasps as he followed the long-haired girl. "Hey w-wait up, are you okay?" He walked beside Rukawa who looked paler than usual and instantly felt worried suddenly.
"Are you okay? You looked sick?" Sendoh tried to hold the younger by the arm and decided to walk her home, Rukawa refusing though but he held firm. "Hey, let's get you home…"
It was only five pm when Rukawa got home; he was suddenly feeling all-too lightheaded and a bit dizzy and he doesn't know why. Sendoh accompanied him to the living room and Rukawa sat down with a plop-instantly starting to doze off. Sendoh, feeling a bit worried and somewhat endeared as well, decided to go straight to the kitchen and got a glass of water. "Hey, maybe you should drink…" He placed the glass on the table at the middle but Rukawa was already starting to doze off somewhere.
The Ryonan Ace simply heaved a sigh and was surprised when his phone rang again. Rukawa tried to open an eye and waved his hand a bit weakly. "Just go… I can manage from here, I'll be fine… bye pest." He muttered rather softly but firmly.
Sendoh could only roll his eyes in return. "Hey brat, I can't leave you looking like that…" Silence. Rukawa opened an eye but heed no attention. He felt that knot of pain again and almost winced but kept it at bay. Sendoh saw that anyhow, he walked towards the fallen rookie and handed over a glass of water. "Hey, drink up. You seemed dehydrated." Rukawa snorted, and no matter how painful he might be feeling at that moment, he was still able to retort back a snide remark, sending Sendoh chuckling a bit.
"I only made fifteen points, I cant be that dehydrated. Ch."
Sendoh laughed a bit and put down the glass of water. "KD stop it, you were still good going up against me of course, in that form. Had it been the real you…" Sendoh was cut though and almost gasps.
"…had it been the real me, I would have made you eat my dust." Rukawa mumbled as his eyes started getting heavier and heavier. Thing is, its weird for him to be suddenly feeling this sick. And the pain, its somewhat tolerable though but he just can't seem to put a hold on it. Silence.
"Am I…. dying?" Rukawa softly asked.
Sendoh blinked his eyes twice and sat across to where Rukawa was lying. He stifled a laugh and shook his head. "No, I don't think you're going to die yet." A pause.
Rukawa snorted softly, eyes still closed though. Rukawa furrowed his brows. "Why does it feels so…"
Sendoh rolled his eyes and laughed softly. "Rukawa-kun, we're not in a drama series, you're not gonna die yet. You're just tired."
Rukawa for some reason found the corner of his lips lifting up a bit with his eyes still closed. He almost chuckled when he heard Sendoh said something about a drama series.
He heard a shuffle and was surprise when a hand befell on his forehead; but Rukawa was way too tired to open his eyes, although he could almost feel his ears heating up a bit. He tried to ignore it though. "Hey KD, keep it cool will ya, I have to be somewhere tonight. Will be meeting up with my teammates." Silence.
Sendoh stared at the almost sleeping Rukawa. His eyes suddenly found themselves gazing at Rukawa's closed eyes…his long and black lashes, his almost perfect pointed nose only to travel down on those lips. For some odd reason, Sendoh found himself staring at Rukawa's slightly parted lips—he could tell by now that the rookie perhaps has fallen asleep basing from the way his chest falls up and down calmly.
Sendoh found himself gulping involuntarily. Did he just thought of…? He shook his head and pulled back his hand that was atop the latter's head. But Rukawa-kun is a girl now. He felt his eyes widened with that thought, wondering where the hell it came from. But he isn't really a true… girl. Sendoh suddenly felt a bit embarrassed at himself for taking in those kind of thoughts.
Thoughts that almost meant something. Words that almost made him do something. It is often said that the universe doesn't give you what you ask for with your thoughts; it gives you what you demand with your actions; and right just now, Sendoh realized how powerful his thoughts are.
"I gotta be going…" Sendoh muttered softly. Rukawa seemed to have heard him and settled for a 'hn' instead. Sendoh started walking towards the door, pressing the lock on so that it would keep the door closed as he goes out. He momentarily looked at the figure slump on the couch and softly muttered. "Rest well Rukawa-kun." He was about to step out when he heard a soft rustle on the sofa and as he turned his eyes to briefly look; he was rather surprised to see the latter staring back at him with slightly opened eyes; and Sendoh wondered at that very moment why does it seemed that the best feeling is when you look at him…he is already staring?
TBC
Notes:
Okay, so much to rant about now. I know this is late, so late in fact… and for that, I'm sorry. J Rest assured that I am not abandoning this and the other one. Just so happened that work has really been harsh on me. I do hope you understand. Nonetheless, I am grateful for the warm messages, and endless pushing for me to continue this. Thank you very much!
Now on with the true 'message'. Arrrgh! I hate me! I feel like I've written something so horribly long and non-sensical?! Forgive me! *Cries* Plus the fact that I seemed to have lost it, yup, that sort of magic *touch* as I was writing this chapter! I hope I'll be able to get back as soon as I can.
Lastly, any form of feedbacks is highly appreciated! *cries* I missed everyone! Hugs all! J
The thing is, I was supposed to end this with a direct question coming from KD/Rukawa-kun but I noticed that I am already on my 18th page! LoL! So I decided to stop at Sendoh's musings instead. Hahaha! :D
Any form of ideas or anything else is very much welcome, do let me know of your precious comments, thoughts, or remarks please! Thank you! :D