Title

By Miku

miku_4444@yahoo.com

*Standard disclaimer applies. Sank you!*

Hey! Hehe. 'Had been able to find some time… hehe… now, now… I'll continue Title! (really dumb, ne?) Okay… hmm… AH!

Star_Of_Recca: AHH!! Gomen! I didn't know you're planning that one. Hehe. It's not like I can read mind or something, ne? Ne? And… and… the idea just entered my mind the moment I'm writing… WAAA! Honest!! * lightning strikes and thunder roars * *Miku-chan looks up* I'm not lying!! WAAAAA! How dare you mean-mean sky!! I'm not lying!! *lightning strikes again*

Hibiki-chan: Yes. This is definitely SenRu. Riko and Kito… hmmm… just read… hehe

Jo-san: The 'serious' chapter's not too torturous and it won't affect SenRu… I guess… or… no… it would affect SenRu but… hehe… just wait… hehe…

 Sendoh: you're insane Miku-chan!

Eddie-chan: Arigatou!! Yeah… I think Ru-kun would be so cute with apron… hehe

sLL: Arigatou! Kito and Riko (even their name rhymes!) hehe… I have a plan… not a good one though… *sigh*

Thanks for the reviews minna! Keep 'em coming! Hehe…

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Chapter 9: More Important Things

He thought that everything could go on smoothly. The day went fine, yes. Rukawa responded to him although the glare was still present at times. They even cooked together! Er… Rukawa cooked and he accompanied the boy. He had lunch with the Rukawa and with some of Riko's girl friends too. Sendoh thought that one of them was cute. Heh. And he even stayed after that just to hang around although Rukawa was not talking to him. But at least the younger boy allowed his company. However, his staying after the lunch was probably wrong.

//Flashback//

"Oi, won't you help me with this ice cream?" Sendoh asked cutely pouting.

Rukawa glanced at him briefly but only 'hned'.

Sendoh sighed. He knew it was too good to be true anyway and asking Rukawa to speak casually to him was already too much. At least the boy did not kick him out yet. He slumped and straightened again as he remembered something.

"Ano, Rukawa, were all my predictions wrong?" asked the spiky boy blinking once. Rukawa gave no response. "Oi. But I think I said something right before… you know… ahahah?" he laughed tensely noting the strange stare Rukawa was giving him. "Uh… I'm just wondering but… you don't have to answer…" he continued trying to relax but Rukawa was still looking blankly at him and then turned his head away from Sendoh.

"Leave now," the raven boy suddenly instructed and stood up to open the door.

Sendoh stared at him bewildered. "Ano, Rukawa… did I say something wrong?"

"Leave," Rukawa ordered sternly causing sharp pain to slash through Sendoh – the pain too obvious in his eyes. Sendoh stood up quietly, no more smile in his now-gloomy face.

"Okay. Bye then. Thanks for the time," Sendoh bid wistfully unable to fake cheerfulness in his face.

//end of flashback//

He was truly hurt. What had he done wrong? Why was Rukawa being so unpredictable? Perhaps the raven boy already got sick of his presence? But why did he need to be so blunt? And it was hurting Sendoh… his words had always hurt Sendoh. If ever he offended the boy, at least he had the right to know how so that he could at least apologize. But no. Rukawa was not giving him the opportunity.

He opened the front door, got his shoes off, passed the living room, ascended the stairs, went to his room and locked the door, completely ignoring the concern look his brother was giving him.

Why… he could not understand Rukawa. Such mood swings… he could not endure him anymore. He was trying his best to be kind to him, to be patient, to be understanding… but as if the younger boy was trying to really drain all of these away. As if he wanted Sendoh out of his life…

The sullen spiky boy sat on his bed, his hands covering his face.

Why was he trying to be part of Rukawa's life anyway? He needed not to involve himself to him anyway. Nobody asked him to, not even Rukawa himself. He had many friends and one person rejecting him was nothing compared to all persons he had. He should not insist himself to the younger boy – he was, after all, tired already.

He slowly laid his back on the bed, eyes closed.

Of course such things would not make him cry yet he could be lonely. Perhaps because this was the first time he experienced being openly rejected. At least, he could get used to the feeling already and if ever there would come a second time, he would not be hurt that much.

But first time really sucks.

He heard the phone below rang and Kito's light footsteps coming to his room afterwards. Then his brother knocked. "Akira, phone call for you," Kito called gently.

Sendoh turned and buried his face to the pillow. "I don't want to answer any call right now. Just make an excuse," he requested.

"Ah… I can't do that. It's Koshino. I think he's mad," answered his brother.

/That jerk, he's always mad!/ "Tell him I need a rest!"

"Akira, just talk to him for a minute, will you? It may be something important," still with gentle voice, Kito continued coaxing him.

/Damn…/ Sendoh knit his eyebrows and buried his face to the pillow more, fist clenching. "I don't want to, okay?" he still refused trying his best to keep his temper.

"Would you want me to take his message instead?"

/Damn…/ "Do whatever you want, okay! Just let me alone!" Sendoh almost shouted, his voice rising a little. He was gritting his teeth now.

"Okay…" Kito said, still gently and Sendoh heard footsteps walking away slowly.

Why did everybody seem too bad now? He needed to clear his mind. He could not go on like this. He should not go on like this. Just because of one ungrateful fox…

But he had no right to hate Rukawa too. He knew he was the persistent one in the first place. Maybe he should just quit in and continue with his life.

Unbeknownst to him, he had fallen asleep.

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Monday morning. He was having a really bad headache and he did not know why. He felt like some drunken man still having his hangover! But of course he was not drunk.

He felt his stomach growling. Oh yeah… he forgot to eat. Sluggishly, he rose himself from the messy bed and went to the bathroom, washed his face and gurgle. Then he decided to take a bath first before breakfast. He knew Kito had already cooked. He could already smell the aroma of something he knew was definitely delicious.

After changing to his uniform and fixing his bag, he went downstairs, dropped his bag to the couch and excitedly went to the dining. "What's for breakfast, Kito?" he asked cheerfully.

His brother observed him for a short moment before smiling. Then he closed his eyes, his face all proud as he raised a finger to tell his brother his today's special, "Minestrone and…" he stopped hearing grumpy sounds, opened his eyes and searched for Sendoh who was now at the table ravishing the food served before him. Kito just stared at his younger brother who was satisfying his gluttony, then blinked, then smiled. "You're sure hungry, huh?" he teased.

Sendoh nodded, still eating.

Kito parted his lips as if he attempted to say something but hesitate. He just continued watching his brother and then began eating too.

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"I called yesterday, baka, and you're brother said you were still not home. Where were you last night anyway? I called thrice, you know?" said Koshino, glowering at him.

Sendoh rolled his eyes and started rocking his chair. "What's so important thing were you supposed to tell me anyway?" he asked uninterested.

Koshino silenced for a moment and Sendoh enjoyed that time allowing himself to do some thinking.

He was offended, yes, very, very, very much. But no, he would not give up and not because his pride was insulted. No. He really wanted to know Rukawa. Why he was acting so cold to others especially to him? He wanted to change the boy… he wanted him to smile at least for once… He wanted him to be happy with the other people around him. Such opportunities and blessings he was neglecting… He wanted to make the other boy recognize all these things and appreciate them.

But how? Rukawa was always avoiding him… Even if Riko was trying to help him, he should not fully depend on the woman. It was his decision now… Riko was not asking him to do this.

Kaede…

The name really sounded good.

He wondered if ever Rukawa heard all the things he had said. Perhaps Rukawa did. How stupid was he to be so careless. But still, it was worth it anyway, right? He thought that Rukawa appreciated it… the younger boy's mood changed after that. Yet…

"Why were you apologizing at Rukawa last Saturday?" Koshino's question brought him back to reality. Sendoh smiled wider recalling how stupid he was in front of the camera. Now… it did not feel so embarrassing anymore…

"I did something wrong," was Sendoh's honest but brief reply.

"I never know you were acquainted with him outside the court…"

Sendoh was not watching the soccer team playing on the field. He knew soccer too… oh wait…!

"Well, just getting to know him better," he answered, his smile was from ear to ear now as he thought of something. "Ja now, Hiro! I'm going home!" he bid and stood up to grab his bag.

Koshino frowned. "You're too early to leave today! And we have a practice!" he reminded the already running spiky boy.

Sendoh stopped at the door and waved. "So please tell Taoka-sensei I have something important to do!" he excused and hurried to the corridor. Koshino ran after him.

"Baka! You are the captain, you know!" he shouted, stopping at the middle of the hallway and just following Sendoh with his gaze (or glare).

"I'm not forgetting, Hiro!" Sendoh shouted back. He was already at the stairs. Koshino decided to ran after him again.

"Was that thing more important than basketball?!"

That made Sendoh stopped and Koshino sighed in relief. Sendoh's eyes furrowed in concentration. His best friend started to walk towards him.

Thing more important than his basketball…?

Was it? Was it more important than basketball?

Sendoh smiled. There's no doubt about his answer.

"Of course it is!!" he shouted as he started running again leaving a bewildered, shock, amazed, astonished… and what more… Koshino behind.

Of course it was. It was even more important for risking himself to Taoka's beating tomorrow…

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…to be continued

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^_^ Hehe… what do you think? Comments minna! I have to honestly thank Sendoh and Koshino for this chapter. The last part was really unexpected. I just planned of having to make Sendoh and Koshino talk… and even the new idea that Sendoh just thought was unplanned too… the thought just flashed in my mind when I was typing about that scene in the soccer field. But it doesn't involve soccer… hehe… read the line again and if you have read the previous chapter, you might get the idea too. ^_^ hehe. I'm not spoiling anything. And no, the serious part is still not here… more chapters to go… hehe… what happened here is just the 'normal' thing. Right?

Thanks Koshino for that thing-more-important-than-basketball line. It just popped in the screen… hehe… of course I typed it but still… everything just came up from nothing… hehe… thanks to these wonderful characters… Now I'm really wondering what'll happen next. ^_^

PS: Are you hinting anything in this chap?? Hehe… one clue: it doesn't involve SenRu. ^^;;

I LOVE YOU ALL!!! MUWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!