Disclaimer: I don't own Slam Dunk. It belongs to Takehiko-sensei.

Crusty's note: He-he…

Invitation

That morning I was walking entering the school gate.

"Haruko-chan!"

I turned. Sakuragi-kun was running approaching me.

"Ohayou, Haruko-chan," he panted.

"Ohayou. What's with the rush, Sakuragi-kun?"

"Uh…" he scratched his head, "I got an extra ticket to the Blue Hearts concert tomorrow. Maybe you'd wanna go with me?"

I was rather surprised, but Blue Hearts happens to be one of my favorite bands, so I think I'll just receive his invitation. "Sure. I'd love to."

"Really!?" Sakuragi-kun's eyes were sparkling. He looked so funny. "What do you say if I pick you up at seven?"

"Sure," I smiled.

"Yaay!!" Sakuragi-kun automatically raised his hands up. Some of the students at the school yard were staring at us, but I don't mind. Sakuragi-kun is always like this, very spontaneous and cheerful.

-------------

"Whaat!? You're going to a concert with him!?" Yumi seemed pretty shocked when I told her about my plan with Sakuragi-kun. I don't understand why it was such a big deal.

"Are you sure, Haruko?" Aki looked rather confused and somewhat worried.

"Of course I'm sure. It's Blue Hearts! Why I should not be sure?"

"It's not about the Blue Hearts," Yumi sighed, "It's about with who you're going to the concert."

"What's with Sakuragi-kun?"

"Haruko…" Yumi sighed again, "Even I cannot imagine what he's going to do with you…"

"Stop saying that!" I stood up from my chair, "Both of you talk like he's some kind of nasty person. He's not! You just don't know him!"

Yumi and Aki looked very surprised to see my reaction. But I think they really should listen to me and change their opinion about Sakuragi-kun.

"Ha-Haruko… we didn't mean that. We were just worrying…" Aki said carefully.

"That's right, please don't be mad at us," Yumi reached my hand and try to motion me to sit down again.

"I understand girls," I sat back on my chair, "But Sakuragi-kun is really a nice person. He may seem a short temper, but he's actually nice. You've seen him when he was playing basketball with the rest of the team during the matches, right? His spirit showed how he actually is."

Yumi and Aki said nothing. They still seemed disagree, but I know they listened to what I said. Maybe my words would be able to change their opinion about Sakuragi-kun.

"Okay, Haruko," Yumi said, "We trust you. Just... take care of yourself there, okay?"

"Don't do anything stupid," Aki pointed at me.

I smiled, "Thanks girls…"

----------------

When I was walking down the corridor, someone called me from behind.

"Haruko…" Rukawa-kun was standing there. His voice was rather soft as if he didn't want anyone to hear him.

"Yes?" I held my smile because I don't want to look I was grinning.

"Can I ask for another favor about the tutoring?"

"Sure!" Certainly!

"How about tomorrow? Is that fine with you?"

"Ah… I… can't…" I was speaking hesitantly, between wanting to say yes and to say no.

I thought I saw Rukawa-kun slightly raised his brows. "Oh, is that so. How about the day after tomorrow?"

"Sure!" I said quickly.

"Well, okay…" Rukawa-kun turned and left.

I sighed. Well, the day after tomorrow is still fine even though I want to be with him earlier.

I turned and went to my class room.

"Haruko…"

I quickly turned back. Surprisingly Rukawa-kun was still there.

"Yes? What is it, Rukawa-kun?"

He said nothing for a while, but then he spoke in his usual monotone voice, "This is really none of my business, but do you have any plan for tomorrow?"

I was speechless for a while wondering why he asked that. But then I assumed he asked that because I said I can't tutor him tomorrow.

"Um, yes… I got a plan to go out for tomorrow," I said rather soft.

Silence for some moment. Rukawa-kun seemed like wanting to say something. I always enjoying my time to be with Rukawa-kun even just for some minutes, but right now I felt an awkwardness that I want to avoid.

"Uh… well, I should go back to my class," I smiled and ready to leave.

"With who?"

"Ah?" I slightly turned to face him.

"You got a plan for tomorrow… with whom you're going?"

"A friend." It shouldn't be hard to mention Sakuragi-kun's name, but why I felt very reluctant to say it? What am I trying to avoid?

"Do I… know him?" Rukawa-kun was still speaking in a flat tone, but this time it was somewhat sounded careful.

"No. You don't know him." I bit my lips after saying that. I don't know if Rukawa-kun noticed it.

"Oh. Sorry that I asked too much. This is really none of my business. Gomen."

"It's okay…"

Then Rukawa-kun left. I was still standing where I was.

How could I be so mean? Why did I say Rukawa-kun doesn't know Sakuragi-kun? Of course he does!

I felt guilty to Sakuragi-kun. But at that moment, I really didn't want Rukawa-kun to know that I was going to go to the concert with Sakuragi-kun. In fact, I don't want Rukawa-kun to know if I was going to go out with any boys.

What was I trying to avoid? Was I avoiding making him jealous? But why should he? Who am I to him that knowing I'm going out with some guy would make him jealous?

But other than that, I've lied to him…

Rukawa-kun, I'm sorry…

TO BE CONTINUED

Crusty's endnote: I don't know if the band Blue Hearts ever exists (maybe they do), but I like the name, so I just put it in my fic with no meant of taking any advantages.