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

Crusty's note: It's been sooo… long, rite? Sorry for the very long delay. I was doing the latest chapter for this fic, but then I thought… 'No… I don't want to appear this one yet' (winks-winks). So, I ended up with this one you're about to read. Thx a lot for always staying tuned (and staying 'remain'—winks winks some more). This one is another short one but I hope u enjoy it…

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The Single Day

I packed my books neatly in my bag. Yes, today I'm going to tutor Rukawa-kun again. But it won't be at my house. This time we're going to study at the public library. Not because school's off, but because he wanted so.

I couldn't stop my self from smiling remembering what happened last night.

FLASHBACK

Nii-chan was still having his conversation with Rukawa-kun in the guest room. I don't know for sure what they were talking about, but I could hear Nii-chan was saying about the activities at the basketball club when I went downstairs to the kitchen.

When I noticed Rukawa-kun was ready to leave and Nii-chan was going to walk him to the front door, I quickly followed them.

Rukawa-kun was about to exit through the front door when I gathered all my courage and called him.

"Ah, Rukawa-kun…?"

Rukawa-kun and Nii-chan turned to me behind them.

"What is it, Haruko?" my brother was the one doing the questioning.

"Umm, I'd like to talk to Rukawa-kun about our tutoring session…" I said carefully and gave Nii-chan a 'can you please leave us' look.

"Okay…" I know Nii-chan was curious, but he tried to look casual. He turned to Rukawa-kun, "I'll tell Kogure about what we've just discussed earlier."

Rukawa-kun nodded. Then Nii-chan left us.

There was some freezing silent. I just smiled a bit to melt it. "Um, do you still need my help for tomorrow?" I asked carefully. Somehow I was kinda scared he would say no.

Rukawa said nothing for a while. "Sure," he replied then.

"Alright then." I almost didn't realize I was sighing in relieve. "So, what time you'll be here?"

Rukawa-kun stared somewhere for a second. "We won't be here," he said then staring at me.

"Huh?"

"I mean, maybe it would be good for me if I got my tutoring at a library. Maybe I could also borrow some books that I might need."

"Uh, but… school's off tomorrow…" I said a bit unsure.

"What about the public library? I think I'll have my tutoring there."

My eyes widened and I could feel my cheeks burn. Is this mean he's taking me out??

"If… that's okay with you," now he looks unsure.

"S-sure! Why not? I think library is a good idea! So… I'll see you there?"

"Yes. At ten."

"Okay!"

"Well, goodnight." Rukawa-kun turned to the door and went outside. I followed him to the front terrace.

"See you tomorrow, Rukawa-kun," I smiled to him before he leaves.

Rukawa-kun glanced at me and nodded, and then he straightly left without looking back.

And as for myself, I couldn't help myself but smiling, grinning, and squeaking. I must be look very stupid but I don't care. This is too… great!

END FLASHBACK

After making sure I got all the things I needed, I went out with a very happy feeling. "Ittekimasu!!"

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The public library wasn't very crowded. In fact, there weren't so many people around. Well, that's normal. At this kind of sunny holiday, I think most of people would rather go to the mall or something.

The cool air from the air conditioner blew softly as I entered the library. I looked around and I found Rukawa-kun sitting at one of the spacey table. A couple of books were scattered in front of him, and he was reading a magazine about basketball.

I didn't quickly approach him. I took my time a while to observe him. I don't see Rukawa-kun dressed like this very often. Most of the time—very most of the time—I see him in his school uniform, his jersey, or his shirt he usually wears at practice time.

Right now, he was wearing jeans and a dark blue v-neck jumpsuit which made him looks so cool.

I just couldn't stop staring at him. It was weird—and somewhat scared me—how I suddenly think there might not be another time where I can just stare him like this, so I really took my time.

Suddenly Rukawa-kun lifted his face from the magazine he was reading and stared at me.

I was startled, and I think he was too. I guess actually he meant to look at the entrance to see if I was here already.

"Ah, um… good morning," I smiled awkwardly and approached him. I felt shy to realize he might've noticed I was staring at him before.

"Good morning," he replied in monotone.

Nervously, I took a seat beside him. Lightly, I could smell a nice scent from him. Maybe it was some men deodorant or something. Whatever that was, he smells good. Suddenly I felt like smiling.

And then we got onto our tutoring for that day. It went pretty good but a little longer than the first tutoring we had. Well, we did discuss more subjects than before. We stopped right at lunch time.

"I guess it would be enough for now," I closed my book. "Let's have lunch." I tried to speak casually even though the idea of having lunch with Rukawa-kun made me nervous.

Rukawa-kun stood up without saying a word. I think he agreed.

We left the library. I wasn't sure where we're going to have our meal, but I don't really think about it. What else to think when I'm having him with me…

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Me and Rukawa-kun walked along the pavement among other people. It was kinda crowded because it was Sunday. We didn't walk side by side, Rukawa-kun was a bit ahead me.

Walking behind him, I realized how tall he is. Of course I know that, but I've never really 'know' it until now. I felt like a munchkin walking behind him.

Still walking, suddenly Rukawa-kun slightly turned to me, "Do you want to eat here?" I looked at my left. McDonald's.

"Okay." And then we entered the place.

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Inside, we sat facing each other with our orders on the table. If someone saw us, he might think that we're some couples.

I bit my burger carefully while I stared at him. He munched his food casually as if he was alone at our table. Slowly, I sighed. I change my mind; I don't think anyone who saw us would say that we're couples.

"You're not that hungry, are you?"

I quickly lifted my face. Rukawa-kun was staring at me. He already finished his eating.

"Uh, well…" Actually I am hungry, but I just don't eat that fast.

"Do you always eat like that?" Rukawa-kun asked again. He emptied his glass. I really never thought he would ask so much questions (thinking that he's so quiet, two questions are 'so much questions').

Um, yes," I replied rather shy. It wasn't a shame that I eat slowly, but I just felt shy. Maybe it was because he who asked the question. I tried to finish my eating quickly. All those burger and fries and cola.

"Its okay," suddenly Rukawa-kun spoke again. I looked at him with my hands grabbing the food. He took out a magazine from his bag. "You don't have to be in a hurry like that. Don't worry, I won't leave you."

I couldn't see his face because it was covered by the magazine he was reading. I wonder if he laughed at my stupidity behind those pages. Oh dear, I must be looked very silly…

After some minutes, finally I'm done. While I was eating before, Rukawa-kun didn't shift his attention from his magazine a bit. Actually, I was going to ask him some questions, just to start a conversation. But it seemed that his reading really caught his attention, so I didn't do that.

"Um… I'm done. Do you wanna leave now?" I said carefully to the person who was hiding his face behind the magazine pages.

Rukawa-kun put down his magazine and nodded, "Okay."

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"Do you wanna go back to the library now?" I asked him while we walked rather side by side. I was kinda having difficulty in catching up his pace and it wasn't that easy to lift up my face high so I can look at his face.

Rukawa-kun glanced at me. Then he looked to his front again. "No, I think I had enough studying today."

"Oh…" I was still walking rather in a hurry with my small steps. "Um, so we're going home?" Please say no. Please say you wanna go somewhere else with me…

"I want to go to the music store."

He said HE wants to go to the music store. He didn't say we're going to the music store.

"Um… okay," I looked down, "I… I'll see you tomorrow at school… Bye…" I turned to find my way home.

"You're not going?" Rukawa-kun's careful tone startled me. Does he want me to go with him? He said he wants to go there, not that he was asking me to go with him.

"Well, I…" I looked at my right and left, confused and unsure. "Do you want me to go with you?" I asked uncertainly.

Rukawa-kun's expression changed a bit. I don't know if I was right, but he did seem rather surprised. He didn't reply. He just stared at me with the same uncertainty. Somehow I felt he wasn't really staring at me, but for a while I think he was.

Suddenly he just turned around and started to walk away. I can't tell was that supposed to mean he doesn't want me to go with him or that he wants me to follow him. So, I just stood there didn't know exactly what to do.

Rukawa-kun slightly turned to view me again and seemed to be confused finding me just standing there. Then he faced me entirely. "Don't just stand there looking like that. I won't leave you."

It took me some time to understand what the meaning of his words is. But then I smiled again. I approached him and we walked our way to the music store.

Rukawa-kun, I still can't understand you. You're acts and you're words sometimes still puzzling me. But now, I'm beginning to understand them little by little.

And I think I know something: they're cold on the surface just like a stone, but they're warm inside like a well knitted sweater. The sweater of your words I'm wearing right now.

TO BE CONTINUED