Sendoh breathed a small sigh of relief. He turned his eyes to Koshino in gratitude. "Thank you," he said.

"Don't mention it," Koshino was still glaring at the door through which Rukawa had left as if he might come back.

"But, you know, I don't really think he came here looking for a fight-" Sendoh commented.

"Of course he did! You humiliated him in front of the entire campus. Everyone is talking about it. What else would he be here for?"

"Well…" Sendoh sighed, "...maybe you're right." He frowned and adjusted the bag on his shoulder. The crowd was dispersing now. "I've got a lot of studying to do so I think going to work in the law library for a while."

"Do you want me to come?" Koshino asked. "I don't have any more lectures today. Maybe that guy will come looking for you again?"

"No. No, it's fine. But thanks." Sendoh smiled at him.

"O... okay," Koshino agreed. "Take care, though."

Sendoh hefted his book and dragged his feet a little as he went, feeling a lot like there was a rock in his stomach, the unexpected confrontation with Rukawa troubling him.

The law library was located within the law block. Unlike the main library building it had a specialised catalogue of books and could only be accessed by law students. Though it had two levels, it was comparatively small. Sendoh arrived and went directly upstairs to his usual desk right at the back. He unpacked his notebook, and set his glasses down on the desk - he didn't need them to read.

He worked for a couple of hours, reading through court cases, highlighting interesting parts of the judgments. Lunchtime came and went without him noticing. He became engrossed with the reading, making notes in the margins, spotting references to other cases that he ought to read up on. The notes he scribbled separately onto paper became increasingly convoluted. Lines, additions, and strike-throughs slowly dominating the paper until it was a mess.

But after a while, as he became hungrier, he found that his mind began to drift. The game yesterday. It had been too long since he'd felt that thrill. The feeling of being part of a team. The moments of success, tiny pricks of addictive joy. It seemed he hadn't even realised how much he had missed that.

And then there was the pleasure of playing against someone so talented. Testing himself. Measuring out his own value. That old feeling of… ambition.

And… the freshman.

Sendoh suddenly looked up, his pen going slack in his fingers.

Does he... really hate me? he wondered.

He did not understand how this had come about. It was precisely the opposite of what he had wanted.

Playing against him had been amazing.

Sendoh had not felt any animosity from him during the game. Yes, it had been a little intense. Rukawa had certainly been fierce. But he hadn't seemed… angry?

But then again, Sendoh had been filled with such joy and excitement, perhaps he hadn't been paying enough attention? Perhaps he'd obliviously bubbled along in the moments. It wouldn't be the first time his enthusiasm had caused him to overlook things.

And all those times he'd watched Rukawa playing alone, his eyes wide, drinking him in. It was strange but he almost felt as if he knew him. As if, during those one way moments, Sendoh had seen something no one else had. Something secret. Something his. And he played so beautifully Sendoh could not help being entranced.

He really did love to watch him play.

He sighed.

I finally had a chance to meet him.

And now he hates me.

That's...

He let the pen drop into the paper. It rolled a little way. He stared at it blankly.

…that's just how it is, I guess.

He frowned deeply. Maybe I was stupid to think it could be anything else. It's not like we live in the same world.

He is on one side of the glass. And I on the other.

When I gave up playing I knew that from then on I would only be able to watch. That shouldn't… bother me.

Feeling despondent, he decided to give up on the work he was doing. Packing away his things into his bag, sliding his glasses back onto his nose, he exited the library and turned for the main doors, thinking he'd maybe get something to eat before his last lecture in the late afternoon.

Out of habit his feet took him past the indoor basketball court. The viewing windows were upstairs, large glass panes along the corridor wall that looked down onto the court one floor below.

The law faculty had this facility, but it was rarely used. Not many law majors played basketball - not many had the time. Even Sendoh, who had been on his team throughout middle and most of high school, hadn't bothered to use the court since entering the university last year. There had always been too many things to do and besides, who was he going to play with?

He was about to stroll right past the viewing windows when he caught sight of someone down on the court below.

Quickly, he ducked into his usual space between two window panes from where he could look out discretely without being noticed.

Oh- he breathed in surprise. He's... here!

Rukawa was practising alone as he usually did. Using the full length of the court to make his runs. Closing in on the basket with long, elegant strides. Springing lithely upwards, high enough to place the ball into the hoop as if reaching comfortably for a high shelf. His natural height and athleticism made the tall basket appear like barely a stretch.

Sendoh lowered his book bag slowly to the floor. There was plenty of time before his next lecture. He didn't mind skipping lunch. He could settle down and watch for a while. Take the chance to watch him again. Relearn all his motions. The way he turned, ran, jumped. Now that he'd actually had the privilege to see him play up close, he could appreciate even more the beauty of his skill.

He really is... brilliant, Sendoh thought dazedly as he watched, a vague smile wandering across his lips. I've never seen anyone play the way he-

Sendoh abruptly frowned and straightened.

Rukawa had been halfway through a layup when his form had dissolved. The ball missed the basket, and then rolled away. That was… odd.

Sendoh saw him stumble a little, his feet lacking their usual coordination. Like he was dizzy. Sendoh pressed his hand against the glass, no longer caring that he was in full view. Something was wrong?

Without really thinking, filled with concern, Sendoh left his book bag where he'd dropped it and hurried down the stairs to the floor below. He burst into the court through the double swing doors without stopping to consider. Without remembering that Rukawa was supposedly angry with him. Erasing the glass between them without a second thought.

The distance that, just recently, had seemed so solid and permanent. Perhaps it had been paper thin all along.

Rukawa had sat down on the ground, leaning his back against the wall, eyes closed. His face seemed pale and his skin clammy.

At the noise of Sendoh's entrance, he cracked open one eye to see who was there.

Sendoh stood in the doorway, a little breathless, looking across the court at him. "Are- are you okay?" he asked, stepping forward uncertainly. His smart leather shoes seemed out of place on the shiny floor of the court. "I- I saw you stumble and I-"

Rukawa opened both eyes, lifting one hand to his forehead, and shaking his head slightly. He still looked a little dizzy. "I'm fine," he said.

His voice was low and quiet, as if he rarely used it. His manner a little awkward. His words absolutely minimal.

Sendoh took a few more steps towards him. Drawn, as if on strings. "But… do you need to go to the nurse? You look a bit faint."

"I'm fine," the boy repeated. "I just skipped breakfast," he frowned. "And lunch."

"Oh," Sendoh paused, his feet coming to a halt in the centre of the court. So did I, he realised.

"You- shouldn't exercise without eating something..." he said, and then immediately regretted it. He sounded like his mother.

Rukawa did not respond.

Sendoh bit his lip. "Uhm- I'm - I'm Sendoh Akira," he abruptly declared. "Second year. Law. I- I-" he trailed off hopelessly. What was he supposed to say? I've watched you play. For hours. And hours. And you're beautiful. You're so, so beautiful.

"Rukawa Kaede."

"Huh?"

"My name."

"Oh!" Sendoh took a breath. "Rukawa Kaede..." he said, trying it out. Letting it settle onto his tongue.

Rukawa shook his head a little from side to side as if waking himself up, and then cautiously climbed back up to his feet, putting a hand against the wall to steady himself.

Sendoh held out a hand as if wanting to help, but he was still too far away to reach. He felt oddly useless all of a sudden. As if he'd left all his confidence and ease back upstairs with his book bag.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Hn."

Sendoh considered. Rukawa still didn't look angry. But on the other hand he hardly seemed friendly, either. It was a little bit difficult to tell.

I said I was going to talk to him so…

Sendoh took a breath, gathered up his confidence, and blurted out, "Since you skipped lunch do you want to get something to eat? The canteen here has some great dishes. I was actually on my way there."

He waited hopefully, breath held. It would be some sort of miracle if-

Rukawa Kaede glanced at him through the fall of his fringe. "I'm meeting someone."

Sendoh pushed his hands into his pockets and swallowed his disappointment like it was a rock. "Oh. Sorry, I- I didn't realise." He rolled his tongue in his mouth, feeling awkward, and not knowing what else to say. "Well, then. I guess I should just-" he took a few reluctant steps back towards the doors. Rukawa watched him in silence.

Sendoh didn't want to leave. It felt like such a rare chance to talk. And yet… he could think of nothing else to say. No reason to remain there.

A thought hit him then. "Earlier..." he suddenly remembered, "Did you... want to speak to me?"

It was more a vague hope than anything else. That there might be some reason that Rukawa Kaede had been looking for him. That there might be some thread between the two of them. Even if it was something small.

Only a little thing might be enough.

Rukawa's brows furrowed slightly. He looked very reluctant to answer. Finally, he seemed to reach a conclusion, and met Sendoh's eyes. "I wanted to ask you to play."

Sendoh's eyes widened. "Play?" he echoed. "Play basketball?"

A brief nod.

Sendoh hardly knew what to say. "O- oh- really? So… you're not angry?"

Rukawa's look was blank. "Angry?" he echoed cluelessly.

Sendoh could not hold back the smile from his face. It was impossible to stop. He's not angry. He didn't come to fight with me. He came to… invite me to… play!

"I would really like that," he blurted excitedly. "To play with you."

Rukawa tilted his head. "Tomorrow?" he asked.

Sendoh stood stock still in amazement. He felt like he must be dreaming. He was really standing here talking to the boy he'd been admiring since the start of the semester. He had been so sure that he had blown it completely. That he'd lost his chance. But now, quite abruptly, it was like his world was filled with rainbows.

"Okay!" Sendoh replied with enthusiasm. "Yes, tomorrow! Tomorrow maybe... maybe we could get lunch first? My lecture finishes at 11:30. If... if you're free... then..." he trailed off hopefully.

Rukawa gave a short nod. "Okay," he agreed.

Sendoh stood there like a star-struck idiot for a long moment.

"Great!" he burst out, much too suddenly and much too loud. The ridiculous smile wound over his face impossibly grew even wider. I'm definitely, definitely dreaming. "But you really should take a rest and get something to eat," Sendoh warned him, recalling Rukawa's faintness. "I've got some snack bars in my bag if you want some…?"

Rukawa shook his head. "I'll be leaving soon," he said. "I'll get something then."

Sendoh nodded in understanding, feeling like his heart might pound right out of his chest.

"Ok then. I'll - uh - see you... tomorrow!"

Rukawa nodded silently.

Sendoh paced backwards towards the door, unable to tear his eyes away from boy who watched him go. He retreated until he mistakenly crashed backwards into the wall with an undignified thump and then scuttled sideways out of the doors.

Rukawa waited a moment longer, before bending to pick up the fallen ball and spinning it absent-mindedly in his hands.

Huh.