Chapter 5

Loud screams of delight and applause from behind them separated their lips. Sendoh was puzzled as to why he was hearing loud cheers. His back was turned. A few feet away from them, the policemen were positioned. He stood up slowly and covered his face with his palms. He was embarrassed by what he had done. He stumbled over his words as he said, "Sir, it's not what you think, we're just..."

"We apologize for disturbing you. We will invite you to the station," a police officer explained, keeping a straight face.

Rukawa's mind was jumbled as a result of what the man in front of him had done to him. He was able to stand up despite the fact that his body was still in pain. Two police officers assisted him in walking properly to the police car.

xxx

At the police station, they sat across from each other. Sendoh couldn't look at Rukawa, so he just bowed his head. Rukawa, on the other hand, hadn't lost sight of Sendoh since they'd turned the corner.

Sendoh was asked for more information about the con artist he met. Rukawa confirmed that the group apprehended by police in the entrapment operation was the same group he fought after the coffee shop incident. The case of the group of fraudsters was highlighted by their statement.

It's almost midnight. The police gave them permission to return home. When they realized that both of the two young men were underage, they escorted them to the train station.

"Lads, you're still young, use protection.", the cops jokingly said.

Sendoh's entire face turned red, while Rukawa's head went black with annoyance. After exiting the police vehicle, they stood face to face and exchanged silent glances. Sendoh mustered the courage to leave, but was stopped.

"Hey!" said Rukawa. Sendoh remained on his back, slightly turning his head.

"Will he attack me?" Sendoh worriedly asked himself.

"You stole my bag!", Rukawa insisted. When Sendoh noticed Rukawa's eyes glazed over, veins protruding from his arm, and his palm closed, he took a step back.

"You idiot, you're the reason I couldn't watch the game!", Rukawa yelled angrily.

"We have the same bag! You were the first to get off the train, so it's your fault we switched bags!" defended Sendoh.

"He has a point.", Rukawa thought to himself. He remembered himself dragging the bag off of Sendoh's arm. He was in a rush to leave and forgot his bag, which he left near the window.

"Do you like basketball?", asked Sendoh.

"No, I like wrestling, so I bought a ticket to the basketball game," Rukawa replied, irritably. "Boyfriend thief.", he flatly added.

"Wait, what did you say?! You're there?! Why didn't you approach me?!" exclaimed Sendoh.

"I don't want to fight She-Hulk.", Rukawa stated.

"I didn't mean to get involved in their fight, and I don't know who they are! If you had just double-checked the bag you picked up, I wouldn't have ended up in this situation today!", Sendoh's irritated response.

To avoid being completely embarrassed by his misdeed, Rukawa quickly shifted the conversation."You insist that you are not a thief but you have a fish rod in your bag.", he replied sarcastically.

"Why?! Are you the owner of the sea to label me a thief?", Sendoh sighed.

"Are you certain you're simply catching fish?", Rukawa asked.

"The fish rod is for fish, what else do you believe the rod may be used for?", Sendoh questioned blankly.

"You look like you're fishing for underwear, don't you?!", Rukawa mockingly reply.

"You are being too harsh!", his retort to Rukawa's odd claims towards him.

"Hey, pervert, do you think you can get away from me?" Rukawa teased. He tilted his head slightly to see how the person he was speaking to reacted.

"I'm not a pervert!", Sendoh quickly replied. He put his palm over his mouth. His cheeks were flushed. He could feel smoke coming out of his ears as he remembered what he had done. He was even more embarrassed to see Rukawa looking directly at him. Still, no words came out of his mouth, so he leaves before he became extremely embarrassed. He had the looks of a pouting child who had left. Rukawa smirked as he noticed Sendoh avoiding him.

"I told you I'm not...", Sendoh's phone rang before he could finish what he was going to say. He promptly answered, but it blacked out before he could push the answer button.

Rukawa saw the caller's name on the screen. He instantly realized his palm had broken it. He put the card in Sendoh's hand without thinking twice after pulling it out of his wallet.

"What is this?", Sendoh quickly asked.

"Card.", Rukawa's short reply. "Use it.", he added.

" I have funds to spend.", Sendoh insisted.

"Buy now so your mother doesn't have to worry.", Rukawa said quietly.

Rukawa's words struck a chord with Sendoh. He knows him as a noisy snorer, a batterer, and a bad-mouther. However, when he mentioned his mother's worries, the young man seemed to be a sweet talker.

"Could you please repeat what you said?" Sendoh sincerely asked. He was eager to hear his low but heartfelt voice once more.

"I said, buy a cellphone so I can break something new!", he said flatly. Sendoh cracked up laughing when the stubborn and intimidating Rukawa was back.

"I'll accept it if you come with me..." Before Sendoh could finish, Rukawa took the card he had given and walked away. Rukawa left so quickly that he could only scratch his neck. He saw something hard in his pocket before entering the train. He reached into the pocket right away and pulled out a phone. He swung around to face him again. Rukawa is already sleep. He had no idea Rukawa had put his own cellphone in his pocket after declining the credit card.

"He's really weird.", Sendoh giggled.

xxx

A week later, The Shohoku Basketball Team came to Ryonan High School to compete against one of the top 4 in their district.

"Finally, I get to see Akagi and Ouzomi play. Even though I'm just a bench warmer, it makes me nervous. But why did some reporters come here? This is just a practice game. As a matter of fact, I also understand their feelings. Our team will go far this year. I know who they brought here. Definitely just one person, Sendoh, our Ace Player right?", Hikoichi told himself.

"Good morning!", the thunderous voice of Shohoku team.

"Hahaha! I will beat you Sendoh!", Sakuragi boasted. Akagi hit him with a powerful blow right away.

"Shut up! Don't brag about it.", insisted Akagi.

"Yes sir.", Sakuragi sheepishly said.

"Coach Anzai, thank you very much for attending our school. It is a huge debt of gratitude that you attend us here," Coach Taoka says politely.

"It's okay. Hohoho!", Coach Anzai said happily.

"I'm Captain Akagi. Nice to meet you,sir." Akagi said.

"Nice to meet you, Akagi. For a long time, Ouzomi has been working out and getting ready for your fight. I'm hoping you can see his perseverance," Coach Taoka added.

When Akagi heard from Ouzomi, he quickly glanced in that direction.

"I'm Ouzomi, Captain of Ryonan Team. Pleased to meet you, sir," Ouzomi said.

"Hohoho! I'm glad to meet you too," Coach Anzai replied.

Rukawa kept an eye on Ouzomi. He thinks their opponent's captain stands apart from other players. The Shohoku team uniform distribution and the starting player inside the locker started to be recognized.

The conflict between Akagi and Sakuragi resurfaces since latter desires to be the team's starting player. He is the secret weapon to put an end to the turmoil, according to Coach Anzai. The commotion inside the locker could be heard from outside the door. The ruckus of the players inside caused perplexed some few bench warmers from the opposing team. The number 11 jersey went to Rukawa, as Sakuragi grabbed the number 10.

"Do you know where Sendoh is?!", Coach Taoka questioned.

"Coach, his phone is broken, that's the last thing he told me, and he doesn't have an alarm, so he'll probably wake up late again," Koshino added.

As soon as Sendoh arrived at the door, he stated, "I'm here." Everyone turned to face Taoka bemoaned the player's constant tardiness, asking, "What are you usually doing?!"

Sendoh apologetically stated, "I just overslept Coach, I'm sorry." From the gym's entrance, he could see watchful eyes fixed on him. He was certain that those glares were challenging him.

"Rukawa?", he asked himself, in a low voice. He couldn't imagine they would cross paths again in a week.

"Are you challenging me? I'll never back down. I'll show you what I'm capable of. I'll make damn sure you can no longer focus on different teams. No one can grab your attention except me.", he said to himself.

Rukawa noticed Sendoh snorting as if he were mumbling something as he adjusts his wristband. He whispered back, "What are you whispering there?! Are you casting a spell?! We're not in Harry Potter. We're in Slam Dunk!", he insisted.

Sendoh's eyes widened as he observed Rukawa looking at him and muttering something. He chuckled. He replied to him quietly, "I miss you."

Their teammates' head swivel to the next speaker as they continue their secret talk with hand motions, even if they are prophesying to one another in their private talk.

Akagi questioned, "What did Sendoh say, I'm going to eat you?"

"You're mistaken.", Ouzomi remarked, "He said I'll stick you.", he added.

"You're both mistaken. What Sendoh said to Rukawa, I'll lick you," Ikegami stated boldly. His unusual words caused both captains to turn at once.

Rukawa responded to Sendoh, "What did you say?! You will kick me?! You're so cocky, I'll punch you!" His face wrinkled up in rage because he mistook what Sendoh said.

"Rukawa told Sendoh, I'll clutch you!", Hikoichi said, puzzled.

"No! He said I'll touch you!", Koshino persisted.

Sendoh laughed and shifted half of his body forward to read Rukawa's gaping mouth. When he realized what Rukawa had said, he chuckled. He also came up with a response in a flash. "Did you say you'll hug me?", Sendoh giggled and raised his right hand to his ear while making a gesture. "Call me.", he whispered silently.

The bench warmers keep making wild guesses. Some scratch their heads, while others scribble on their hands, and some fixate intensely on the two people speaking softly.

"What was the last thing Sendoh said to Rukawa?", Ayako curiously asked.

"Sprawl me?", Kakuta said.

"Haul me?", Shiozaki said.

"Crawl me?", Yasuda said.

Sakuragi was taken aback by what he witnessed and said, "Is this really how things are done before a basketball game?

"You're wrong, Sakuragi, that just happened," Kogure gently said.

The game was delayed for a few minutes as a result of the hushed discussion between the two star players, and Coach Taoka's head was on fire. Due to the teamwork between the two teams, Coach Anzai is releases his distinctive laugh.

"What are you still doing?! The game should have started a while ago! Go to your positions!", the Ryonan coach yelled angrily.

With both feet still on the ground and a hidden admiration—er, I mean, covert conversation—between the two ace players, while their teammates exited as if they were watching the game in a variety show. Sendoh thought to himself, "I gaze at him from across the gym while really trying to think that I think he's incredibly gorgeous. I hope he gets the message."

"Do your best.", Sendoh murmured. Rukawa just rolled his eyes and said, "Hm." Sometimes, friendship starts with a chaotic conversation.

After seeing how much they had scored against Shohoku, Sendoh becomes even more enthused about the game. He wants to execute each strike without missing Rukawa's reaction. Sendoh was able to capture his opponent's attention through his maneuvers and fakes, which managed to get through his defenses. Five minutes into the first half, Ryonan had completely dominated, with a 15-0 score.

As a result of their skill and technique, they had amassed a sizable lead against Shohoku. Sendoh pondered. He took another glance at Rukawa. He turned his back on him, exhausted and not looking him in the eyes. He didn't mean to offend or humiliate the rookie. He just wanted to prove his talent. He received the ball from Ouzomi's assist, but he had other plans at the time.

"For you.", Sendoh humbly murmured, as he held out the ball like a bouquet of flowers. He anticipated the opposite.

"Are you underestimating me?!", Rukawa retorted angrily. He was far from content. He grew even angrier. He continued, "That's enough, now it's our turn."

Sendoh was taken aback to see Rukawa dribble while gliding past Koshino, Ikegami, and Ueksa's defense. Sendoh instantly chased the ball to the opposite ring, but Rukawa played along and feigned passing the ball, which Akagi's Gorilla Dunk. Rukawa's attack and steal from Sendoh, combined with Akagi's dunk, energized their team and some of those who cheered them on. This is where the real game begins.

At the end of the first half, Akagi had 17 points and Rukawa had 14.

"What do you think you're doing? Didn't I tell you you were going to put a 30 point lead on them?! Why did you let them catch up?! Aren't you among the top four best in this district?! To be number one in Japan? Who is Shohoku?! A year ago, they already lost on the first day!", Coach Taoka's never-ending preaching to team Ryonan.

Sendoh's mind drifts as he chews on a lemon slice. "Why did he continuously glare at me?", he thought to himself. "Is he mad at me?" Despite their distance from one another, he could still notice Rukawa's piercing gaze as he cast a quick glance to the other bench. He wasn't prepared for the rookie to slide his index finger down his neck and point at him as if to warn him.

Akagi muttered to himself, "It's good, Rukawa is fired up to play. Show what you can do. I know you can beat Sendoh."

The hand gesture caught Sendoh off guard. He responded with his hand as well. While the two ace players were busy making hand movements, their teammates were watching them, and they once again drew coach Taoka's attention. In response to Rukawa's threat, they seemed to be awaiting Sendoh's reaction.

The two players had almost forgotten they were back on the court, and their peculiar way of communicating was once again being observed. His teammates couldn't figure out what he was trying to show. In the distance, he could see Rukawa intently observing every movement of his hand. Sendoh held it up so Rukawa could see it clearly. He pointed at Rukawa his right index finger before pointing it at his chest. He raised his left hand, forming a rounded shape with his thumb and index finger. Then, he put his right index finger into the hole he made while smiling sweetly.

On the bench, Sendoh's distinctive hand was also visible to the Shohoku team. Coach Anzai almost choked on his coffee, Hanamichi burst out laughing, Ayako flushed, and Akagi covered his nose to stop the bleeding.

"You're asking me to do that thing with you?!", Rukawa exclaimed in disbelief, blushing from head toe. He continued, "Pervert! I will beat you up!" Because of his misinterpretation of Sendoh's hand signs, he is furious, eyes are widened, and his teeth are clenched. He was instantly grabbed by Kogure and other bench warmers to keep him from making a large mess.

Meanwhile on the other side of the court, Sendoh's hand-reply almost made their jaws drop. The other bench warmer passed out.

"Sendoh! Why the fuck did you say that to Rukawa?!", Koshino questioned incredulously.

"What's the matter?" Sendoh asked innocently.

"You naughty boy! What came into your mind to say that kind of thing!", Coach Taoka said. Hikoichi and Ueksa grabbed their coach in order to keep them from hitting their ace player.

"I told Rukawa, he and I will play one-on-one basketball.", Sendoh replied calmly.

"What is circular and goes into the hole?", asked Ouzomi. His team instantly intervened when they noticed that Sendoh seemed to be repeating his peculiar hand motions.

"Sendoh, could you explain without using your hands?" Ikegami inquired.

"It's like this, the circle is the basketball ring, and then the ball enters," Sendoh gently explained.

"Aaahhh," the Ryonan bench calmed down following his decent answer.

The practice game went on. Ryonan was unable to increase their scoring advantage over Shohoku in the final three minutes. Coach Taoka noticed Sendoh's strange happiness in this game. Akagi was substituted by Sakuragi after suffering an injury. After getting kicked in the ass by Rukawa, Sakuragi regains his composure and goes back to being himself. They performed admirably even without Akagi until they reduced Ryonan's 19-point lead to five. With their captain back, they had even higher hopes for victory, but Sendoh scored right away in the last seconds. Ryonan won by a score of 87-86 in the end.

"After my performance, will he continue watch the games of top teams? Will he still pay attention to other players who are renowned in our country?", Sendoh asked anxiously. "I gave my all in this game, and I hope he loses interest in other star players", he ended. He was able to demonstrate his national level abilities in front of Rukawa. But he is unsure when they would meet again.

"Hey, Rukawa. Erm... I'm just wondering, when will we meet again?" Sendoh joked, but deep down he was hopeful.

"Why would I meet with you?" Rukawa irritably answered. He is eager to compete against the greatest players in the country, and he can keep up with anyone. However, after their lost with Ryonan, he seemed to have lost confidence.

"The gap between his skills and mine is huge. If I'm already at a disadvantage to him, how about someone better than him?", Rukawa spoke angrily. Only now did he realize he was lacking something. This encouraged him to alter his future goals. He reassured himself, "I will always train. I will defeat you Sendoh."

A hand suddenly touched his shoulder, startling him. While his thoughts were elsewhere, he was unaware that Sendoh was talking with him behind.

"Are you alright?", Sendoh asked.

Rukawa answered simply, "No.", and smacked the hand away from his shoulder.

Sendoh only chuckled at what was done to him. He decided to return Rukawa's cellphone, which he had lent him the previous week. "Thanks for this.", he said. He kept straightening his shirt every time they made eye contact.

"Did I say give it back?" Rukawa responded with a gentle tone.

"Did you tell me not to return it?" Sendoh asked, blushing. "I will buy a cellphone tomorrow.", he continued. His head sank and his nostrils flared slightly as he prepared to ask him out in the mall, but the words just wouldn't come out. He regretted that his nervousness prevented him from inviting the rookie.

As Sendoh gets a little tongue-tied to talk, Rukawa was walking beside him at the same pace. He couldn't understand why the plain basic white shirt suited Sendoh so well and thought to himself, "Maybe I should tell him that his top looks good on him." His stomach sags and his palms start to perspire. Before leaving, he took the phone and pinched Sendoh's cheek.

Sendoh's jaw dropped in surprised. He can't stand the tension any longer. He instantly touched the cheek where Rukawa had pinched.

"You even squeezed me.", he gushed gleefully. He laughed, gently caressing his cheek, saying,"This is better than words."

xxx