A/N: Happy New Year everyone! JI should probably dedicate the whole fic to Addicted to SD na lang! lol! *Addicted to SD cackles* àwaah, ako lang nagbbasa ng fic mo! (True! Hahaha!)
Addicted to SD: Happy New Year! Again, maraming salamat sa walang sawang support! ^_^ Uyy, natutuwa din ako sa reviews mo, may napupulot akong ideas! Haha! Oo nga noh, dapat makapag-icip ako ng okay na song for them! Yup, kelangan muna natin ipatalo ang Ryonan para may konting kwento. LOL! Haha, kasi naman, feeling ko kahit nung sa SD series mismo, nung laban ng Ryonan-Kainan, kahit paano feeling ko affected na din c RuRu! Waah! *ginawan ng kwento* Anyway, here's chapter 8 for you! Uyy, magsulat ka din! Hahaha- kasi ang konti lang ata ng SenRu fics dito kaya nalulungkot ako! -_-
Maria Mae: Hi! Thank you din for being there! Sorry dahil talo Ryonan! Huhu, iLL try to make it up for you! Need lang tlg! LOL! Ang arte ba ni Fujima?! Oo nga! Hahahah! Happy New Year!JTo Guests, etc… everyone else- happy new year! :D
JP: Happy New Year to my favourite SD couple of all times! *huggles Sensen and RuRu*
Sendoh: You should pay me big time you know, it's hard to please this one! *grins* *points at RuRu*
RuRu: *glares* Death to both of you… *whacks JP & Sendoh with a large trout*
Warning/s: OOC/SenRu/Long-Plotless/ Typos/Grammars/SD is not mine/Non-Pro writer!
Chapter 8
4:30 PM. With the jump start match-up games finally done- everyone was free then. They could practically go out and stroll around the areas near at Asahi. As the games ended, most of the players seized the moment to go out of the camp to stroll and buy gifts & stuff for themselves and for those that they held dear to them. While some chose to just stay inside and relax, some choose to look around Osaka's Training Camp and tried to use their other facilities. Team Kainan and Shoyo celebrated by going out- well most of them. There's an infamous shopping arcade nearby and they decided to hit the arcade before evening. Meanwhile though, some of the Shohoku members decided to just enjoy the facilities, the camp has to offer. Sakuragi, Mitsui, and Ryota decided to indulge themselves on the gym and afterwards they plan to relax on the pool. The weather is cold but the indoor pool is pre-warmed just like in the hot springs. The three men were obviously trying to lift some weights and joking over one another. Akagi and Kogure decided to look at the mini half-courts on the north part of the camp- there are four half-courts that can be used by the players just in case they intend to practice.
Rukawa has been sitting- legs crossed, on top of his bed for the past fifteen minutes already. He was busying himself by playing a random online game on his phone. Good thing there was an internet connection within the whole camp and it's free to use. He can almost feel his eyes getting droopy but he kept on pressing randomly on the screen- it's quite a feat because he's been winning on the game though. A sudden knock on the door snapped him out of his sleepiness. 'Who could it be?' He silently wondered. Another knock- he paused the game and decided to hopped off the bed- silently walking towards the door. He hesitated at first before briefly opening the door into a small slit- his left cerulean orb was the only thing peeping outside. 'What-?!'
"Oi, it's me! Is the brat there?" The voice sounded a bit hoarse and low.
Rukawa furrowed his brows for a minute-before deciding to fully open the door sending the guy who knocked in horror. Rukawa was shocked when the said guy backed away as if he has seen a ghost or something. The Shohoku Rookie went bug-eyed. 'Who is this player again? I forgot his name though.' Koshino was beyond shock when the door was opened and it revealed Rukawa Kaede of ALL people! He honestly thought that the rookie was either outside or sleeping. 'Damn what the fuck-?!' Koshino thought his eyes were deceiving him- but they weren't! He was left to gape to his own surprise. Meanwhile, Rukawa kept his stoic face on- blinking his eyes twice. He lift his left arm and jabbed at the back to the much surprise of Koshino. The Ryonan dude tried his best to stifle an impending laugh because the next words sent him almost bursting out in sheer madness.
"He's inside the washroom." Rukawa replied nonchalantly. 'Brat? Sendoh allows his teammates to call him names?' Just then, the door to the washroom opened- revealing a very half-naked Sendoh, hair cast down-his torso bare- revealing his broad shoulders, his nice pack of firm abs, and with only a towel to wrap around his waist! Rukawa looked to his left and couldn't be anymore red when he saw his older roommate emerged out of the washroom- looking way too hot. Rukawa instantly felt his face flushed as he looked down onto his feet and felt his chest thumped. He scampered away like a cat being chased. Sendoh wondered for a moment before stepping also in front of the doorway. Rukawa hurriedly went back to his bed and pretended to get back to playing on his phone. 'What the heck is wrong with this half-naked idiot?!' Sendoh wondered why the pale boy scampered away though. 'Uh? Rukawa-kun?'
"Kosh! Good to see ya, what brings you?" Sendoh chirped in- leaning on one side of the door frame- a smile on his lips. Koshino scowled- his cheeks a bit flushed. "Oi, you might want to cover up first." Sendoh grinned mischievously and stated in his cool voice, "I am covered down there, so don't worry." Koshino turned beet red and scowled even more. "Idiot!" Sendoh laughed- he loves teasing his teammates most of the times, especially Koshino- the said teammate is truly uptight and gets easily annoyed.
Meanwhile, Rukawa thought he has gone deaf when he heard Sendoh told his teammate that he was wearing something down there. 'Baka- teme! Doaho!' His ears turning red as he rammed his fingers on the phone screen.
Sendoh chuckled. "I was about to dress up, apparently I saw the door opened- anyway…" Sendoh then turned his back, leaving the door opened and grabbing his pants that's been on the nearby sofa. Koshino stepped inside the room, muttering something under his breath. When Sendoh has his pants on already- Koshino grabbed his arm and snickered insanely. Akira was dumbfounded. 'What now?' Their next conversations were made in a hoarse whisper… Koshino was clutching on his sides- trying to suppress his laughter.
"You might want to laugh first." Sendoh cheerily said- while putting his arms on one sleeve.
"Hahaha- Sen~doh, I don't think I can say it here." Koshino was very much amused- his eyes almost welling up in tears. Sendoh softly chuckled, finding his teammate more funny than what he is about to probably say. 'Silly Koshino…' Sendoh's head popped out of the white shirt he's wearing and decided to sit down at the nearby sofa. Running his fingers on his dishevelled hair and ruffling them, he looked up to the still chuckling Koshino.
"What is it, Kosh?" Akira asked, eyes looking up- voice in a low tone.
"It's just that- Rukawa actually thought that the brat I'm referring to was you! He said you're in the washroom." Koshino said in a low whisper- and he clutched his stomach as mirth's of laughter escape from his lips. "Dammit Sendoh, I was freaking surprise, I thought he was you! Damn, you two have the same colour of eyes, you noticed that, man?" He stated in a very low whisper- sitting beside Sendoh on a sofa that is near the washroom. Sendoh's eyes was smiling- his lips in a grin as he put on a pair of socks. He shook his head, amused at the small story he got. And yes, he does know that they both have the same colour of irises. "You're mean you know…" 'Poor Rukawa-kun, if he hears of this… Sendoh suddenly felt too endeared at his younger companion inside the room. Sendoh really thinks that the Shohoku kid is way too cute to be this naïve, he felt warmth seeping into him.
"Anyway, I was here to ask you if you wanna go out. I mean, we're all going out- gonna go to the arcade to shop a bit, you know." Koshino chirped in his normal tone now. Sendoh momentarily paused- done with his shoes, stood up and opened the cabinet, and wore on his plain black hoodie. "Sure, no problem…" But almost hesitated as to why he said that- then shrugged off as he suddenly remembers that he needs to buy something for his brother. Koshino stood up and grinned. "Okay, its settled then- see you in the lobby?" Sendoh nodded. Koshino left the room not before he momentarily paused to feel if the other person in the room is appearing anytime soon. Sendoh looked puzzled for a sec- his brows arched up at Koshino. The shorter Ryonan guard pouted and exited the room of their Captain.
Meanwhile…
Rukawa was very much aware that those two are talking about something that he just can't decipher or hear clearly. It's not that he minds, he doesn't actually. Not the one to be mindful of these small things. The only thing that somewhat bothered him was the fact that it was his first time, yet again, to see Sendoh without almost anything on. He felt his chest thump twice as before. 'Damndamn…' But he really do admits that the older guy has a great body. 'Is he working out?' Rukawa thought that he might as well try working out- if only he's not feeling all too lazy to do that. Truth is, to him, having a slim but firm body is just enough since he plays basketball regularly. He doesn't need to look buff, but Sendoh isn't too buff anyway- he's just the right kind of buff and it does really looked good on him. Rukawa found his cheeks heat up a bit, 'Why am I thinking about this things, again?' Ugh. He went bug-eyed. A voice then, broke his reverie as his fingers suddenly pressed on the wrong side of the screen- causing for his game character to be dead.
"Rukawa-kun…" it was Sendoh. Rukawa looked to his left- eyes a bit obscured by his fringes. Sendoh was leaning on one side of the wall, looking at him- a smile on his lips. "I was wondering if… you are going someplace tonight." Sendoh grinned. Rukawa was contemplating whether how to answer. 'Some place?' Rukawa tightened his grip on his celphone, eyes a bit wide, 'Is he… asking me out?' He let out an exasperated sigh and inwardly berated himself for almost acting like a school girl in a j-drama series. 'Baka, Rukawa- he's simply asking, no need for you to think of other silly things.' Just as he was about to say something, another knock on the door made its way to destroy their moment. Sendoh was taken aback to the knock and decided to turn around and approach the door.
"I'll get it-?" To his surprise, it was some girl from Shohoku that he, Sendoh, doesn't really seem familiar with.
"Uh, anou, is Rukawa-kun in there, Sendoh-san?" Haruko fidgeted slightly- an obvious tinge of pink on her cheeks. Sendoh warmly smiled and stepped aside, inviting the young girl inside.
"Hi, yes, he's here alright- come in, please." Sendoh said in a gentleman-ly way. When Haruko nodded her thanks and stepped inside the room, she was more than surprise to see Rukawa himself standing already not a bit far from the both of them. Eyes, clouded with inquiry. Haruko found herself gasping aloud. "Ru-Rukawa-kun…" and poor girl, stammered a bit, "…he-hello!" And she bowed. Sendoh tried his best not to chuckle aloud. He rolled his eyes at the scene before him and cheekily grinned. 'Oh brother, feels like I'm watching a movie though.' Sendoh felt his shoulders shaking- but he's trying to stifle his soft chuckles. It is easy to tell that the girl has an obvious crush to the Shohoku Rookie- but his stoic roommate seems pretty much oblivious to her. Sendoh wanted very much to whack Rukawa on the head and knocked into him some senses, but he refrained from doing so, truth is, he was interested to know as to how the Ice Prince of Shohoku reacts to these kind of things. Sendoh knows better, he had a better share of confessions from girls in Ryonan- he is not the one to brag about it, but there's been a time when he had five confessions in one day! He doesn't know what to feel that time. He rejected them politely not because they don't look interesting at all, actually, some of them are really lookers- just that, it's hard to commit oneself into a relationship when you have the whole basketball team at the palm of your hands. 'Or maybe, they just don't interests me at all?' Sendoh inwardly mused.
Rukawa found himself planted to where he was as Haruko extended her palm- on her hand though, two small silver-foiled packets of medicine can be found. Rukawa slightly opened his mouth to say something but no words came out.
"My brother… told me to give this to you… I hope your stomach gets better! Arigato!" Haruko heaved up a huge sigh and with all her might, grabbed Rukawa's unmoving arm and put on the player's hand the two small tablets-after which she bowed down, face burning red, and scampered away in lightning speed. Rukawa stood there- poker faced on, a sweatdropped forming above his head. 'Baka, Captain…'
"Uh, what just happened?" Sendoh grinned, too surprised for his own good- he found the scene a bit funny but very much amusing as well. He let out a chuckle. Akira shook his head and advance on the pale rookie before halting to a stop; noticing the two packets of silver-foiled tablet on his hands, it read: Loperamide. Sendoh couldn't hide his surprised.
"You're having diarrhoea or something? I mean… are you okay? You never told me so…" But a snide remark was only the reply he got. Sendoh then, was more confused than ever. Rukawa went bug-eyed. "Hn, doaho." Seriously, this 'diarrhoea' joke thing has been going viral and the pale guy is willing to bet that it is the doaho himself that probably instigated for their Captain to go about in giving him this medicine.
"Rukawa you need to drink up- you don't want to be dehydrated now." Sendoh said as a matter of factly- eyes twinkling in sheer amusement and the whatnots. Sendoh softly chuckled. Rukawa clacked his tongue and placed the two tablets on top of the coffee table.
"I'm not sick, Sendoh." He pouted slightly. "I don't have diarrhoea too." He heard Sendoh snickered though.
"Right, what's with the medicine anyway, hm?" Sendoh's voice almost sounded endearing to hear.
"I don't know." And Rukawa shot back a glare that speaks of 'stop-asking-already.' Sendoh chuckled and shrugged off his shoulders- both hands raised as if surrendering. "Okay, shutting up now."
"So, as I was saying are you going somewh-?!" A knock once again. Sendoh sweatdropped. 'Oh boy, are the Gods against me or something?' He can't seem to finish his statement. Sendoh scratch his cheek and wordlessly went towards the door again, opened it, and with an almost tired look on his handsome face. 'Damn, what now again?' It was the Shohoku manager, Ayako.
"Hey there, handsome!" Ayako winked- a loud chuckle escaping from her lips. Sendoh simply grinned in response and decided to humour further. "There's two of us in here, who's better-looking though, Ayako-san?" And Sendoh almost heard another loud clack of a tongue somewhere inside the room. He can't helped but laughed in amusement.
"Oh- he's not handsome though. He's what you call as…pretty." And Ayako laughed, obviously enjoying teasing her schoolmate from Tomigaoka as well. Sendoh chuckled in amusement. He wanted to agree but part of him decided to just shrugged off the idea, lest, he wanted his face to collide with the pale guy's knuckles. 'Right, looks like I'm not the only one who finds my roommate cute then.' Sendoh almost gasps at his own train of thoughts. 'Attractive?' He softly chuckled to himself. Rukawa-kun is an eye-candy alright, this he very well knew of.
Rukawa sighed in defeat- it was Ayako-senpai and if there's one girl he tolerates, it's no other than the Shohoku manager. Maybe because of her familiarity- they both came from Tomigaoka anyway. The raven-haired boy stood unmoving- near the coffee table as he was approached by a bouncy-looking Ayako, the Ryonan Ace closing in the door and following the girl only to lean from he was before-a smile playing on his lips.
"Rukawa, came here to ask you if you would like to join Haruko and me? We're going to Shirokita Park to chill, wanna tag along?" Ayako gleefully asks the stoic boy who was looking at her passively. Hearing no response, she decided to continue further.
"Well, I asked Kogure-senpai, Captain, and the three monkeys if they wanted as well. Kogure said yes, so did Akagi-senpai. The monkeys though, well they are in the gym but I guess they'll tag along."
Just then, Sendoh's phone rang to the surprise of the two Shohoku members. Sendoh raised his hand in excuse to answer his call. It was Koshino.
"Hey Kosh… yes, okay… I'll be down there- sure." And he hung up. Sendoh sighed- feeling a bit, well, truth is he doesn't know what to feel. He was supposed to ask Rukawa if he wanted to join them- Ryonan-they will be going to Senbayashi Shotengai (shopping arcade)- but the pale guy seems uninterested. He looked at the two momentarily before smiling.
"Uh, I gotta go now… team's waiting at the lobby."
"Oh- are you going someplace too, Sendoh?" Ayako asks well naturedly. Sendoh nodded, his hands on the knob already. "Yeah, we're hitting the Senbayashi station to shop, I guess." He smiled a bit
"Ah, well have fun then!" Ayako chirped in as she waved her hands. Sendoh smiled back. Rukawa who was still keeping his silence was staring passively- he was neither flinching nor moving. His eyes were blank. He caught Sendoh threw an almost soulful stare at him before the older guy nod off and out of the room. Only then the pale guy realized that… well, he has been left behind. He gulped involuntarily and was shaken a bit when Ayako called on to him.
"Are you okay? I know you're silent- but you are extra-silent today…something wrong?" Ayako noticed the packets of medicine on top of the table, "Are you feeling well, Rukawa-kun? Are you still having diarrhoea?" Ayako asks- she was a bit worried of course. 'Sheesh, why does our Ace have to be this introverted? Why can't he be more like Sendoh instead?' Ayako almost muttered. She inwardly sighed. Rukawa sighed softly and nodded slowly. "I'm…fine." Did he actually wanted to tag along with Sendoh and the rest of the boys from Ryonan? Actually, he thought that it's a good idea though, but to be with the other Ryonan guys- it's a bit awkward. So he kept his silence- it's not that he doesn't want to go out, actually he does want to go out and stroll around-it just seems kind of awkward to be with another team, rather than being with your own group. But Sendoh seemed like he wants him to stroll along. 'Did he really mean that?' Rukawa's thoughts rose up again as he was kept to wonder the what-ifs.
"I really wished you'd speak up more, you know." Ayako suddenly blurt out- her eyes, a bit stern but one can see the sincerity and warmth in there. Although, she knew of Rukawa's stubbornness at being the ultra-introvert type of person, she honestly hoped that their Ace would be a bit more open- she does not meant for him to be the Sakuragi-type though, she earnestly wished that he'd be more… around. Rukawa fell his gaze on their team manager upon hearing those words- he partly opened his lips- almost wanting to say something- but Ayako still beat him to it; the last statement seemingly been able to knock something onto him.
"Rukawa-kun, walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light, you know." And she smiled softly- eyes full of warmth and utmost sincerity. Rukawa's gaze widened a bit- he was surprised. Truly. The next thing he knew, Ayako left the room and he was once again on his own. The pale guy suddenly felt the room too big for his own- he suddenly felt being cold that he found himself walking towards the cabinet to get his shoes on and out of that room- but not without one tiny speckle of a thought that he'd rather keep to himself- 'Ayako-senpai…thank you but… if you don't understand my silence, how will you understand my words?'
…although Rukawa wondered- he wondered very much if by any small chance, Sendoh Akira perhaps understands?
He was met by the gazes of his teammates in the lobby- and as he approached them, they all started to get up from the couch and proceeded to the door. Uozumi walked beside Ikegami, with Uekusa and Hikoichi behind them. Koshino looked for a moment before getting along with Uekusa. Sendoh followed suit- his thoughts blank. He was accompanied by Fukuda who walked by his side. They went out of the camp and a mini shuttle for tourist was there waiting for them. Each Ryonan member hopped inside and the shuttle closed its doors. Inside though, Hikoichi was looking at his travel guide map to Osaka with gusto, he was nodding fervently- when the driver finally speak up.
"Oi, so where do we go, boys?" A grin. The driver was in his mid-fifties- hair a bit on the greyish side, with a few wrinkles on the side of his eyes but he has a cheerful expression on. He looked friendly and approachable.
"Oh, by the way- I'm your driver, Takumi Yuuto. Call me, Takumi-san!" And he even grinned more. The Ryonan boys waved in unison.
"Hajimemashite, Takumi-san!" And they bowed in respect.
"Well, Takumi-san, we're going to Senbayashi, please do dropped us by there." Hikoichi chirped in. The older man nodded and in a few seconds, they were on the road.
Sendoh kept his silence on the road- he doesn't know but he's not quite in the mood to talk. His eyes were on the window as the shuttle takes them to the station. His thoughts were invaded by his seatmate though who happens to be his forward, Fukuda.
"Where's Rukawa-kun, Taichou?" His voice was low- drowning into the merry voices of their teammates. Hikoichi is the one who's mostly chatting non-stop with the driver who happens to be a talker as well. There were occasional butt-ins with their other teammates, after which they will laughed out loud or snicker when a funny topic is discussed. This is them- the Ryonan team. This is his team- a great circle of hard court players but has very cool members as well. They love going out and teasing each other occasionally. Sendoh would find himself smiling nonchalantly as he hears silly snide remarks from Koshino and some even sillier remarks when Ikegami-senpai butts in. Fukuda amongst them is not the type to be the one who likes to join in the crowd- he listens though- and is also a very keen observant, but today though- Sendoh thought that Fukuda seemingly has surprises as well hiding beneath him- the question does not bother him, though it isn't hard to answer, the spiky-haired guy is simply wondering the origin of the said query… more like, why would Fukuda seemingly asks him the whereabouts of his Shohoku roommate.
Sendoh looked interestingly at the plain face of Fukuda- then he decided to smile and shrugged.
"In our room?" Then he grinned. 'Kicchou, sometimes you are unpredictable alright.'
Fukuda nodded- eyes in front of them; He and Sendoh decided to seat at the back anyway. "I thought he's going with us though." Sendoh partly opened his lips to say something- but closed them anyway. He then sighed deeply, shook his head a bit and smiled warmly. "I… well, I did invite him but… he seemed uninterested." Sendoh looked back at the window- almost holding a faraway gaze in his cobalt blue orbs.
"Maybe he just feels awkward to be with us." Fukuda then continued. "I mean, we're not his teammates, anyway."
"Yeah, maybe…" Sendoh replied softly. Fukuda has a point though. Sendoh found himself nodding vaguely while still staring outside the window.
"Don't worry, Cap… maybe some other time…" The shuttle turned to the right and halted to a stop. "Well, we're here boys!" Takumi exclaimed with glee. The crowd inside looked to the windows-obviously excited to be in this part of Osaka. They opened the door and hopped one by one outside the mini bus. Sendoh was about to stand up when Fukuda's last words caught up to him- he looked momentarily to his teammate and found himself staring at Fukuda's knowing eyes which held him for a sec before the number thirteen forward walked out of the shuttle. He slightly saw as well the small upward tug of Fukuda's lips.
"...maybe some other time, when it's just the two of you, he'll agree." Fukuda said and Sendoh found himself wondering.
"Oi, Kicchou, wait up!" 'Two of us….?' Akira found himself chuckling softly as he rubbed the back of his nape.
++++
Rukawa found himself staring in front of a certain room. He was contemplating at first but decided to just put on his knuckles and knocked on the door twice. He heard a shout from the inside, saying 'coming' and in a few seconds- the door was opened, revealing… Ayako. Ayako was surprised- but she smiled understandingly. Rukawa looked down at the floor and fidgeted a bit.
"I… I'll wait in the lobby, senpai." He said softly and nodded briefly.
"Sure- we'll be there in a minute." And Ayako found herself tapping the Rookie's arm twice. She was glad. 'Rukawa-kun, we are here alright. We're all your friends.' She sincerely wished that her thoughts reached their quiet member.
At the lobby though…
Rukawa found himself sitting on one couch- eyes roaming around the expanse of it. The Christmas tree is still standing majestically at the centre- he momentarily looked at his phone for the time and it read 5:20pm. He sighed as he heard familiar voices coming his direction. Rukawa waited for the corner to reveal the said voices, but he not need to be surprised because he is very much sure as to whom this voices belong to. Just then, the voices revealed themselves as Sakuragi, Mitsui, and Miyagi came in view. They were still chuckling and laughing at something they deemed of as funny when it was Miyagi who caught him staring at them.
"Oi, Rukawa- what's up, man." Rukawa simply shrugged. Sakuragi showed his familiar scowl as Mitsui looked on as he inquired, "Whatcha doing here, alone?"
"Hahaha, he's a loner Micchy-kun…" The redhead snickered- hands on his hips. Rukawa knew better, he's not in the mood to retort back as he simply ignored their power forward. But his next statement surely angered the tall red hair.
"Waiting for Ayako-senpai and Haruko- we're going to Shirokita Park." And three jaws dropped. Sakuragi flared up- obviously too mad at what he heard. Only then, Rukawa threw his dagger stare at Sakuragi who was gritting his teeth in anger as flames started to consume him. 'Take that, doaho monkey.'
"Teemee, you dare say Haruko-chan's name, why you! And why are you going out with them?! Don't you have diarrhoea or something?! Shouldn't you be inside the toilet unloading your shit off, you fucktard?!" And he continued pointing his finger accusingly at the raven-haired guy who remained unfazed. Sakuragi inwardly congratulated himself for being able to use the word towards Rukawa in sheer accuracy. He smirked evilly. Mitsui snickered aloud- obviously finding the verbal par amusing and funny. 'These guys though, hahahah, I should have let them join my gang back then!'
The pale guy simply snorted and shook his head. "I was invited for your information, dickwad - and yes, I know her name alright, Ha-ru-ko." Rukawa stated in his monotone voice- keeping his poker faced on. Well, what do you know, it seems like Rukawa knows the name of his Captain's sister- but probably just her name and nothing else.
"Fuck you, Kitsune! Stop saying her name as if-as if you knew her- you assbag!" Sakuragi fumed as he readied his stance for a punch attack.
"Well, fuck you too, cockass!" Rukawa shot back- eyes glaring with the desire to punch the redhead.
Mitsui laughed so hard he started crouching on the floor. Miyagi berated the laughing number fourteen. "Mitsui you are their senpai alright, you might want to stop them the least! Sakuragi! Rukawa! That's enough!" But the three-pointer simply laughed further. "Ahahahah! I should have- I should have met you guys earlier you know!" Recovering after laughing so hard, Mitsui stood up- wiping the tears from his eyes though, he managed to snap back. "Unfair, why are we not informed of this?" Mitsui hissed. Miyagi shook his head. "We were informed Mitsui, Aya-chan walked over a while back, don't you guys remember? You were just busy lifting that 50kilos though, that's why you both forgot!" Ryota said, while shaking his head. 'Damn, headaches everywhere.'
"Teemme! If this diarrhoea freak is going, I AM going as well!" Sakuragi cackled his tensai laugh. "Oh and don't forget your diapers, Kitsune- and you could ask Sendoh to change them for you, you cocknose! He's your nanny, anyway ahahahah!" Sakuragi laughed his ass off as tears welled up at the corner of his eyes. Rukawa seethed in anger. Ears burning red. 'Did this cockfucker idiot simply included Sendoh in his sentence?!'
"I. Don't. Have. Diarrhoea. Doaho." Rukawa shot back menacingly. 'I NEVER HAD!' Rukawa screamed inwardly. 'I'll kill this bastard!'
"Well okay if you say so- however, you looked CONSTIPATED though, nyahahahah!"
Rukawa stood up to the surprise of Sakuragi and grabbed the redhead by the collar- ready to strangle the taller forward-Miyagi and Mitsui instinctively tried to separate the two.
"Oi, you guys- quit it will you!" Miyagi seethed- pulling the taller Rukawa with much effort. Obviously he was no match for their Ace's height.
"Oi Freshman, haha- quit it now Sakuragi!" Mitsui hissed in between his soft chuckles.
"That's enough!" Akagi boomed in anger. Kogure arrived with Ayako and Haruko following them behind- the two girls waved and as soon Hanamichi saw the object of his affections- he suddenly went calm, and sauntered over as if NOTHING happened. Everyone sighed of relief. Rukawa snorted and turned his back with a snob.
"Ahh~ Haruko-chan, how are you?" A grin.
"I'm fine Sakuragi-kun, how have you been?" Haruko sweetly smiled.
"Aha-ahaha, I'm sooo okay now- the Tensai couldn't have been better! Well, let's go to Shirokita Park then, shall we?" Sakuragi stated- an obvious blush on his face.
"Sure!" Haruko chirped in and chuckled amusedly at the redhead.
Kogure smiled briefly and sensing that their team is complete gave the go signal already for everyone to get outside the lobby.
Just like team Ryonan, a shuttle appeared in front of them and it's no other than Takumi-san who will be driving them, this time at Shirokita Park. The cheerful driver went about the usual greetings, gladly receiving the same response as before and minutes later more, they were on the road to Shirokita.
5:30 PM
Senbayashi Shotengai is famous for its long covered shopping street. The shopping street even has a theme song that can be heard as you walk along the covered part of the street. Sembayashi-Omiya subway station can be found at the other end of the shopping street. The first Daiei store opened near this station. Some of the favorite stores have been the Kadoya Ice Cream Parlor, a popular hangout for students of the nearby highschool, and Enomoto Confectionary Gift Shop. There is also a fish market that specializes in whale meat. Of the many independent shops in this area, the most favourite is the Morishoji-kousetsu-ichiba that is consisted of more than forty independent shops. Seen from above, this market is shaped like an upside-down U. When you came into the open space of this inverted-U shaped market, which is the main gate of the entire market place, you can see stores from both sides. The people can either go left or right because it was circled and one would come back to the point to where you started, if you're done scouting the whole place.
Upon entering though, there was an obvious etch of excitement on the Ryonan Team's faces. Hikoichi gathered his teammates first and took a photo of them for documentation purposes. When it was done, the others immediately started looking into the different shops. Uozumi called unto them to slow down so that they won't lose each other considering the fact that there are lots of people around. The whole market is well-lit and Christmas decors and lanterns can be seen hanging above and into each shop. The light fall of tiny speckled of snow makes the aura more enjoyable as soft Christmas music plays in the background. From all around, people were milling about, sending a comfortable hum of voices, chuckles, and soft laughter as per made by the holiday season. Sendoh walked about slowly- occasionally peeping into different small souvenir shops. He was being greeted by friendly people piping their 'Irashai' fervently with so much effort. Sendoh would nod, smile, and grin once awhile when a store owner would approach him and invite him inside to take a look into their shops in hopes that he would find the one he's been looking for.
Sendoh found himself entering a small tea shop- Ochaya. The floors are made of traditional tatami and on one side of the small shop, it has a tokonoma. Seen in the tokonoma is a hanging scroll, a simple flower arrangement, and an incense burner. There is a table made of glass and inside were the various types of teas carefully, colourfully & selectively wrapped in small to medium packages. The spiky-haired guy was approached by two obviously blushing girls and both greeted their client who remains oblivious for a while. Sendoh was not a tea-person though, but he does drink tea once in a while. He was thinking if he's brother would like an authentic tea as a little something for a change though.
"Irrashai~" A soft greeting chirped in made by a petite girl- her cheeks marred with an obvious flushed upon seeing the tall player wearing casual yet looking stunning as well. Sendoh was carefully reading into the different classification of teas though, when he was called unto by no other than Fukuda himself.
"Taichou, I brought some nikuman." He stated flatly. Sendoh lifted his head and smiled. "Oh wow, pork buns, where'd you get them?"
"Okashiya." (Sweets & snack shop) Fukuda handed one bun to his teammate to which the latter gladly accept. Sendoh grinned. "How much do I pay you then?" Fukuda simply shook his head- his face looking stoic and blank as well. "No need." Sendoh snorted and rolled his eyes in amusement. "Seriously- anyway, thanks!" When the bun was almost half- Sendoh decided to approach one girl in the tea shop and asked, "Uh, I was wondering if what tea you can suggest if I'm going to eat snacks like this?" He smiled charmingly- and voila, poor girl turned beet red.
"Anou, we have Kukicha tea for you-it has a light sweet taste and very mild, perfect for traditional snacks!" And she couldn't get any more redder. Her companion was equally flushed and Fukuda could only smirked as he observes from one corner since he's finished with his buns. 'Really, Captain… you're a magnet.'
"Cool, I'll get one, please." Sendoh grinned and a few minutes more- his tea was given to him. When they were about to exit though, a small tug on his right arm and when Akira looked, the two ladies were holding a celphone and was obviously wanting one thing. Sendoh was about to speak up- but it was Fukuda who decided to take the initiative. A few more minutes has passed and an instant photo-op was made. There were obvious squeals and giggles as both players finally left the shop.
Walking a bit furthermore, Sendoh chuckled amusedly at his forward. "You shouldn't have done that, you know." Fukuda simply smirked in return. "And you, Taichou shouldn't have entered the shop in the first place." Sendoh laughed.
The Ryonan team went on about the other shops- occasionally going in and out- some bought a few small stuffs with them. Hikoichi kept on blabbering nonstop while getting photos of the sight, his team, and random things. The boys even played kingyo-sukui or the infamous goldfish scooping game. It's a bit weird to have this game though in the winter because it's usually more of a summer game, but one stall seemed to defy the usual tradition and it caused some hype around, especially when the Ryonan boys started gathering about- -the number of girls tripled even more when it was Sendoh's turn to try the game! He wasn't really keen on at first but the unending hoots and catcalls from his teammates left him with no choice but to give in. So far, none of them managed to take in one goldfish because the poi (scooper) breaks easily when put in the water; and since all of them are basketball players- it is given that they tend to be a bit rough in handling these small things. The mirth and laughter of the crowd and their teammates brought about a feeling of insanity and happiness to everyone as they play as if being kids once again.
"I feel like we're going home now with a fish! Hahahah!" Koshino exclaimed in a sing-song voice as Sendoh crouched down and carefully observed the small plastic pool. Everyone laughed along. From one corner, Hikoichi continued taking shots at different angles. Ikegami and Uozumi grinned and Fukuda simply snorted.
"Sennpaii, over here, smile!" Hikoichi gleefully exclaimed. Sendoh chuckled softly, not bothering to look though as he continued to study the flow of the fishes.
"Save it, Hikoichi- I haven't got a fish yet." He grinned. The crowd, especially the girls went 'gaga' as they cheered the spiky-haired dude while some grabbed the opportunity to steal a snapshot of the best-looking member of them all.
"He's sooo cool!"
"What's your name, though!?"
"Ganbaattee~ handsome!"
The Ryonan members' sweatdropped and sighed in resentment. It's like this most of the time, when they go out and everybody would be cornered- most especially when it's Sendoh Akira. Uozumi amusedly shook his head as he threw in a smirk while gazing at his successor.
'Sendoh, you could quit basketball and just audition to be a movie star.' He chuckled at his own thought.
Uozumi smirked as he watched from one side with Ikegami chuckling softly as well. Koshino crouched down with Sendoh and put on an arm on one shoulder. "I know this is your second favourite sport, Akira, hahahah!"
"It doesn't have a bait though." Sendoh replied- laughing a bit. 'Damn, I suddenly missed summer in Kyoto.'
"Use your finger as a bait, man…hahahah! Kidding! Just scoop it!" Koshino prodded. Uekusa grinned as he looked on as well.
"I'll use your tongue as a bait though if you don't stop screaming in my ears, Kosh." Sendoh grinned as he chuckled softly. Koshino snorted and rolled his eyes. Uekusa laughed upon hearing this.
"Scoop it now, senpai!" Hikoichi cheered like a grade schooler.
"Scoop it! Scoop it! Scoop it!" And even some of the crowd chanted a long sending Sendoh laughing in amusement as he shook his head. 'Sheesh, this people though…' Sendoh simply sighed in resentment as he readied to position his poi- this game requires both care and speed alright; 'Just like basketball' he inwardly thought- his eyes caught sight of one steadily swimming fish and he instinctively dipped in the poi and scooped the said goldfish in one swift motion—alas! He caught the fish and he placed them readily on the bowl nearby. Cheers and laughter erupted from behind and all over him. Sendoh grinned when Hikoichi focused his camera on him- holding his poi in one hand and the bowl containing the swimming goldfish inside.
"Hahahah! I knew it!" Koshino slapped his back and soon after, his teammates were now ruffling his hair.
"Still an Ace even on the goldfish scoop?! What is it that you can't do, huh? Hahaha!" Ikegami laughed as he dishevelled the poor guy's precious head. "Sen~pai, you are amazzzing!" Hikoichi chirped in. Uekusa, Fukuda, Uozumi, and Koshino laughed their hearts out.
"He-heyy! Haha, stopped it will you! It's against my rules to ruffle the hair- not that, bastards!" Sendoh laughed as he tried to pry his head away, but he lost to his teammates as the crowd continued to laugh along cheer merrily. The stall owner cheerily handed him a plastic donned with air in it as he merrily handed Sendoh his goldfish.
"Well kid, here's your prize- it's the Koaka goldfish." Sendoh sheepishly smiled and rolled his eyes in amusement. 'Great, so what do I do with this?' He inwardly chuckled to himself- too amused and to curious to find out as to what he will do with the little fella.
It was 6:30 pm already when the group decided to have dinner at a food stall nearby. They stopped by a small Ramen stall and ordered for six bowls of noodles in different varieties. They all ate in peace as they gradually share some light-hearted moments and random things as their topic—surprisingly, not even for once tackling about basketball.
6:15 PM. Shirokita Park opened in the 9th year of the Showa Period on the Yodogawa riverbed. Within its 9.5 hectare-expanse, various seasonal traditions of Osaka are featured, such as cherry blossoms in April and the Shirokita chrysanthemum exhibition held in November every year. There is also the so-called Lily Garden in which thousands of lilies of 250 species can be roughly divided into three types. In May and June, they blossom into beautiful colours of bluish purple, white and yellow, and the scenery has been selected as one of the "Top One Hundred Greenery Scenes of Osaka." Also, there is an area called wando (a pond-like area along a river enclosed by spur dikes), creating habitat for some remarkable animals and plants. Even though arriving a bit late at the said park, it was highly illuminated with vintage-looking lamp posts and the view still looks lovely even in the night. The Shohoku Team was not able to hold their astonishment as they started walking perkily in the park where lilies and chrysanthemums lay a bask like flower beds- taking photos of one another here and there. This beautiful park with small pond is notable mainly for wonderful flowerbeds of lilies. It is one of the most magnificent flower sceneries one can see. Rukawa's eyes were wide- he was also quite amazed on the scene before him. He walked with slow steps as he roam his eyes around him. He was not a big fan of flowers, given that he's a guy of course but, he admire nature itself. He liked the idea of nature giving somewhat of inner peace within him in some way. It seems like nature doesn't seem to hurry but everything is well accomplished and he honestly liked the thought of it.
The Shohoku rookie found himself crouching over one flower bed of chrysanthemums and taking out his phone- he wordlessly took a photo of the said pink clustered flowers together. Rukawa's solitude was faintly disturbed when a soft and calm voice invaded his privacy. He was made to look at his left and saw his senpai Kogure.
"Lovely, aren't they?" Kogure softly said as he smiled sweetly at their stoic forward. Rukawa looked at his senpai and nodded briefly before standing up to his full height. Not quite the one to be personally associated with their soft-spoken co-Captain. But he has high respects towards his mellow senior. Kogure-senpai knows how to simmer down them especially when everyone feels agitated or sick in the head, and Rukawa will never probably say it, but it's one of the attitudes he highly admires of their simple co-Captain.
"These flowers though, it's believed that it was first cultivated in China before they have been brought in Japan- with the Emperor using it as its seal…" Kogure smiled wistfully as he too, bent a bit to touch the small flower, admiring its beauty as well. Hearing no response, he continued. "…the festival of happiness also celebrates this flower. By the way, did you know that small chrysanthemums are used in Japan as sashimi garnish?" Kogure chuckled softly. Rukawa simply stared back- a bit dumbfounded but he really couldn't bring himself to fireback an insult. 'Kogure-senpai sure knows a lot, I mean, he probably has some sort of a mini library at his home.' Rukawa inwardly thought as he wordlessly nodded and sweatdropped. Kogure simply smiled back as he too, crouched over to take a shot of the flowers- when he was taken aback when a hand extended from his side, the small forward looking down at him with unreadable eyes.
"Senpai…let me…" Rukawa said softly. Kogure was surprised. Truly. He hasn't seen this side of Rukawa- probably this is the first as he nodded wordlessly and stood in front of the flower beds behind him as he fidgeted slightly- he tried to smile as natural as possible. 'Wow, Rukawa-kun is… well, I never thought he has this initiative though…' Rukawa studied his senpai's camera phone for a while before deciding to focus it on his senpai and in a few seconds, he was able to take a good shot of his soft spoken teammate.
"Oi, I'm joining!" Mitsui jogged upon seeing the scene- a grin on his face as Kogure smiled and invited his close friend over. Rukawa almost went bug-eyed as his train of thoughts started running once again. 'Yare yare, soon someone will be joining and then another one, and then…' Mitsui playfully placed an arm around Kogure as the two seniors posed and grinned before the shot.
"Thanks Rukawa-kun." Kogure said as the pale guy handed over his phone. Rukawa simply nodded.
"Oi, we're renting some bikes, Kogure, Rukawa, would you like to join in? We'll be biking around the park-so, care to join? I'll write in your names." Kogure smiled and nodded. "Wow, sure, count me in Mitsui-uh, how about you Rukawa-kun?" Both seniors stared at his direction. Rukawa simply shook his head politely.
"No thanks, senpais."
"Are you sure?" Kogure asks, as he tried to prod further. Rukawa sighed a bit and went poker faced- sending the three-pointer laughing a bit. "Well, I am riding a bike already when going to school so- I don't think it's something new to me." Rukawa stated in his soft and monotone voice. He glanced at his Kogure-senpai and almost worried if he probably said something off but seeing the understanding look at the bespectacled boy plus the laughing Mitsui tells him that all is well.
"Hahaha, he's right Min-kun, we'll see you around. It's only for about thirty minutes anyway." Rukawa nodded as the two seniors walked away, leaving him once again under the lighted lamp post. He noticed a small park bench nearby and decided to sit on it for a minute.
"Not joining them?" A look at his right and he saw his Captain, Akagi walking over- hands inside his jacket pocket. Rukawa shook his head as his Captain decided to sit beside him- an obvious space between them. Silence ensued and few minutes have passed and the incoming voices of cyclist and a laughing redhead is starting to arrive at them. Their merry voices, hoots, and cheers clearly vibrates into the cold, and silent night at Shirokita.
"Ore wa Tensai!" Sakuragi hollered. Ryota, Ayako, Haruko, Kogure, and Mitsui cycled past them in pack as they shout and hollered at each other as if they owned a park. Haruko waved at her brother as she also tried to wave at Rukawa- an obvious blushed on her cheeks. The redhead looked to where haruko was waving and waved at Gori but scowled when he saw the stoic face of Rukawa. Akagi waved back at her sister and showed his fist at the redhead and Rukawa- well, he simply stared, unmoving. 'Hn, doaho.' He inwardly thought. Miyagi is obviously swooning as he biked on one side with Ayako who was talking about something but the muffin-haired sophomore doesn't seem to mind as he stared in bliss at their manager. Mitsui and Kogure seems to be biking at a steady pace as the three-pointer halted to a small stop to have his photo taken at a nearby lamppost while on a bike.
Rukawa leaned a bit forward, placing his arms on his legs as one hand browsed absent-mindedly on his phone. From above soft speckles of tiny snowflakes fall slowly above them. He would have chat his lungs out if he were the kind of person. Truth is, he's feeling a bit awkward- having to sit beside his Captain. He's not a man of many words and sometimes, he feels that Akagi is almost the same as him- the Captain seems to only talk to him when on court though, addressing him on what to do on court and how to so on court. To cut it short, everything is basketball- related. And Rukawa is simply wanting almost for the thirty minutes of the cyclers to end so that they could go off someplace else. His thoughts almost went into Senbayashi though. He almost gasps at his own reverie when he suddenly remembered that Ryonan was in Senbayashi- then his mind focused even more as he remembered his roommate, Sendoh Akira inviting him over a while back. He remembered that soulful stare he got from the older boy, as if expecting him to say yes though- but he put his silent mode on and just looked blankly at his spiky-haired senior. Then he remembered Ayako's words- about having someone to walk in the dark is better than being alone in the light; it literally made sense. He wondered the what-ifs then if he said yes to the older guy. Would he have enjoyed the place? Would Sendoh be talking to him instead of with his teammates though? Probably, he, Rukawa would be the official photographer of the group if he joined them though. He almost sighed at the thought. 'Baka Rukawa Kaede, of course that'll be your role, you don't expect their nosy freshman to take photos of you and your roommate now, do you?' He shook his head inwardly- but seriously, he wondered how the Ryonan team seems to be doing in Senbayashi…
'I wonder what you're doing in Senbayashi though…' Rukawa inwardly mused. Sendoh's probably wasting his money off buying food and stuff. He seems like it though, and Rukawa snorted softly.
"Going to the IH has always been a miracle, you know." Rukawa found himself looking to his right to see Akagi looking at him with almost strict eyes. He kept his passive face on.
"Well, at least, I thought so- Shohoku has never really been successful you know. I remembered being called as a great centre without capable teammates, somehow, it saddened me, really." Akagi looked in front of him- his eyes in an almost faraway gaze. "I have always loved the sport but I'm not really talented- so I practised very hard and it earned me where I believed I am today. I really think highly of our team and I'm just glad that you and that athletic redhead joined in so…" A paused. Akagi sighed momentarily and tried to look above him- the sky in particular. He was contemplating in his thoughts. Truth is, he surprised himself when he started blurting out words. He thought that it's not like him to be saying these kind of things to… his ultra-quiet small forward, of all people! He could even talked to the redhead and would probably get a stupid remark or comment- but this guy though. Akagi seemed to think that, 'Shut your mouth Takenori, he doesn't seem to care anyway…'
"Rukawa, I know probably you would be leaving Japan one day…" Rukawa's eyes almost widened in surprised. He tried to open his lips to say but failed at it miserably. "…and personally, I think it's only natural for you to think of it- a talent like you comes only once in a-?" Only then Akagi was cut off in his jabbers. His eyes widened in surprise.
"Senpai...you're welcome." Rukawa spoke in a low voice, sincerity spilling out as well- his head, bowed down hiding his eyes under his raven fringes. Rukawa meant that Akagi probably simply wants to thank him for helping out his team. He knows his senior's dream for Shohoku to make it to the Inter-High, and Rukawa may be a man of few words, but his efforts to bring Shohoku up speaks a thousand more. He's not just good with words- and in expressing them. "You're welcome…" Rukawa repeated- as he looked to his right and met the gaze of his surprised Captain. "…and we'll make it because…" Just then, the cyclists came around them once more and they all waved at the both them while laughing merrily and hollering nonsensical things. Akagi looked towards his teammates to his silent companion to his left and wasn't able to help himself but smile.
"…we'll make it because we're strong." Rukawa said. Rukawa sighed deeply- it was just a few words but it seemed to tire him. He involuntarily gulped and looked down at his pale hands on top of his lap. It's not that he doesn't want to hear what his Captain is going to say any further- it's just that it's more than enough for him to know that his efforts are well-appreciated and Rukawa is contented at that. Just then, hollers and shouts from their teammates broke down their reverie as the cyclist seemed to wave their hands at some people in particular.
"Oi! We're here!"
"Nyahaha! come over here, you guys! The Tensai is waiting!" Akagi decided to stand up from the bench and walked over the spot to see what the redhead has been shouting about. He was surprised to see the Ryonan team standing not from a far the entrance- the shuttle bus behind them. 'Seems like they've been fetch early.'
"Oi, Sendoh get over here now and I challenge you to a bike race, nyahahah!" Sakuragi cackled merrily. Rukawa's ears perked up instantly. He looked up and tried to gaze from a far if what he heard was indeed true. 'Sendoh? Is he here?' He felt his chest thump a bit. 'But aren't they supposed to be in Senbayashi?' He took note of the time and saw 7:00 pm.
"I thought you guys went back to the camp already." The familiar voice of Mitsui butted in.
"Well, Sendoh here insisted we dropped by here in Shirokita though." Uozumi said. The spiky-haired guy rolled his eyes in amusement as he wordlessly shook his head. 'Sheesh, Uozumi-san…' The Ryonan Team walked over further inside the park though and just like the other team, they were in awe of the place, and started taking in pictures at the lovely scene of nature before them. Some went about to stroll in small groups. Hikoichi hopped from one place to another taking in shots.
Sendoh walked towards where the redhead was, a smile on his lips- he was holding a small plastic bag with a fish swimming in it on the other hand. Then, Sakuragi cackled out loud. "Hahahah, what's that goldfish doing in your hand anyway?"
"I caught it in Senbayashi, we played kingyo-sukui." He said in his usual dreamy voice. Looking at the small fish swimming to and fro. Sakuragi snickered some more while holding on his bike.
"It's cute, Sendoh-san." Haruko exclaimed as she smiled. Sendoh nodded wordlessly and smiled back as well.
"So, how do you challenge me when you've got a fish in your hand though?" The power forward of Shohoku goaded. Sendoh chuckled, amused at Sakuragi's goal of challenging him every now and then in any type of activity. 'Man, I don't think I can escape this…' Truth is, he'd wanted to ask him of a particular somebody that seems not visible to his radar though- but he kept it to himself. 'Sleeping somewhere perhaps?' He thought of inwardly. Mitsui got off his bike and offered it to Sendoh.
"Oi, we still have ten more minutes of this, if you're riding- give that fish to Rukawa- he's just over there, sitting like a rock." Mitsui pointed somewhere, a grin on his lips. Sendoh found himself surprised, amused… but most of all—glad to hear that. Mitsui seemed to have answered his queries without even have to blurt them out. He found himself nodding his thanks and started walking over to where the said Rookie is. 'Well, I wonder how he will react though…' Sendoh chuckled amusedly as his sleepiness awhile back seemed to have washed off.
Footsteps. The bench to where he was sitting over seems to be partly cover behind a lemon tree and he could only wait in anticipation as he heard footsteps. Rukawa absent-mindedly clutch to his phone as he once again scrolled randomly at his icons. He doesn't know but his chest seems to be thumping wildly- he was calm a while back but upon hearing indeed that familiar voice Rukawa found himself fidgeting on his seat. 'Baka, what are you getting up again?'
"There you are, been looking all over for you…" He stopped scrolling at his phone- eyes still fixed on his screen. He heard the latter chuckling softly. Rukawa slowly looked up his gaze and saw the smiling face of none other than, Sendoh Akira himself. Sendoh's hand was against the tree- his hair partly dishevelled once again- his lips in that almost charming smile, eyes twinkling in amusement. Rukawa literally found himself staring. 'It truly is him, alright.' Rukawa snorted- a bit surprised but he's able to pull himself together.
"Hn, what are you doing here?" Rukawa found himself pouting a bit.
"Aren't you glad to see me?" Sendoh replied, grinning- obviously finding amusement somewhere. Rukawa fidgeted slightly on his seat. "Not really." He lied softly. Rukawa almost blushed. 'Rukawa Kaede, you're a fatass liar.' Sendoh laughed. Then he walked a bit closer and sat beside the stoic boy- a bit close than what the Shohoku Captain did so. Rukawa almost jumped up from the bench had not Sendoh immediately and almost literally shoved right in front of his face a plastic bag that's got a fish swimming in it. Rukawa sweatdropped and almost went bug-eyed.
"For you." Sendoh joked. He tried not to stifle an impending laugh. Rukawa's eyes widened as his lips slightly parted- he wanted to obviously say something but wasn't able to do so. 'Rukawa-kun, you are cute alright.' Sendoh thought. The rookie shot back a glare that could go on forever.
"A fish?" Rukawa said insultingly. 'What the-?!' "You got me a fish?" Rukawa felt he's being redundant. He was just making sure.
And Sendoh laughed. "Hahaha- chill there, Rukawa-kun and yes, it's indeed a fish as you can see- it's a koaka goldfish to be exact. I got it from playing kingyo-sukui in Senbayashi. Hold this for me, please?" And how could Rukawa say no- when Sendoh disarmed his charming smile and Rukawa found his ears heating up. 'I. Hate. You. Not.' Later on, Rukawa found out that Sendoh and Sakuragi will be battling it out on a mini cycle game. He shook his head disapprovingly and went towards where the people are. Everyone was now cheering with hoots and cat calls as Sendoh and Sakuragi positioned themselves on the bike. Some were laughing at the insanity of the redhead to challenge Sendoh in a silly game.
"Beat him, Sendoh!" Koshino shouted, laughing as well.
Ikegami shook his head while chuckling as well. "Basketball, Goldfish scooping, now biking?"
"Senpaii! Pedal faster!" Hikoichi shouted and waved. Sendoh sheepishly smiled and rubbed his nape wordlessly. 'Sendoh Akira, this is your last…' He inwardly reminded himself.
"Oi, I'm sure you can beat Sendoh now you're off court, hahahah!" Mitsui goaded and the crowd laughed with him. Sakuragi of course fumed in annoyance as he gave Mitsui his finger. Everyone laughed some more. Uozumi and Akagi sighed and looked on from one corner.
"I can't believe Sendoh gave in to that idiots challenge." Akagi stated. Uozumi found himself snorting and chuckling. "Sendoh is a kid at heart sometimes too, Akagi." Fukuda stole a glance from behind him and saw Rukawa standing not far behind-the plastic containing the fish on his hand. The Rookie seemed not to see him looking back as the raven-haired boy's stare is focused on the impending race. Fukuda tugged his lips upwards.
"Ready guys?!" Ayako exclaimed as she raced her arms and with a whistle the redhead is off to a fury start. Everyone cheered and laughed. Sendoh found himself laughing as well- it was obvious that Sakuragi literally dashed off leaving smoke behind the bewildered crowd. Sakuragi pedalled like crazy- eyes looking menacingly as he even chanted 'hun-hun-hun' along the way. Rukawa went bug-eyed and sighed exasperatedly. 'Stupid. Stupid.'
Sakuragi was able to do four laps in five minutes and Sendoh stopped at his third lap a grin on his face- he was too tired to continue. 'Damn, unbelievable stamina indeed… this redhead though.' Sakuragi laughed boisterously, hands on his hips as Miyagi and Mitsui celebrated their friend's triumph, while the Ryonan boys looking over and laughing along. Just then, it was almost time to go back at the camp. They walked towards where the main entrance was in pairs- chatting around and laughing. Since Sendoh lost at the bike race, his punishment was to return the two last bikes at the station. He jogged off upon doing so and almost stopped at his tracks when he saw the familiar figure of one raven-haired guy waiting for him under one lamppost. Sendoh mustered all his strength not to look surprised and… stunned.
Rukawa literally looked nice even under the illuminated lamppost- even while holding a fish. The pale blue-eyed boy was simply wearing a black turtle neck pullover and a black pants- he looked even slimmer. Sendoh snorted softly and smiled. 'Damn, Sendoh Akira… what are you gazing at…' And as he approached the latter, he grinned- hands both pocketed on his black jacket.
"Wow, you waited this time." Sendoh said in his low voice. They both started walking in slow steps towards the main entrance. Rukawa rolled his eyes and snorted.
"Only because of this." And Rukawa shoved the plastic containing the fish into Sendoh's face- a pout on his lips. Sendoh found himself chuckling softly. "Don't you liked it?" Rukawa's brow furrowed.
"I had a hard time catching that, you know." Sendoh prodded some more- feigning hurt. He loves teasing the younger guy.
"I never asked for a fish though." Rukawa shot back coolly. Sendoh found himself laughing. "Well, what is it that you want anyway, hm?" Rukawa flushed on hearing Sendoh's statement- good thing he was looking at the other side. It almost sounded as if he's with a lover asking him what he wants. 'Lo-ver?' He felt his hands clenched on his sides. 'What do I want anyway?'
"I want to sleep." He said as a matter of fact-ly. Sendoh snorted softly. "Well guess what-me too." A grin. Rukawa twitched his lips. 'Sendoh, you act like an idiot sometimes…'
Sendoh shook his head and run his fingers on his now dishevelled hair- the other hand now back onto holding the small plastic bag. Rukawa momentarily looked at his older companion.
"Why don't you just set it free over there?" The rookie pointed towards the small pond in the middle of the park. Sendoh looked over and nodded. "Sounds like a good idea…" Both players walked towards the pond and in careful motion, Sendoh untied the plastic bag and looked momentarily at the small fella who probably looked stressed now. He stifled a laughed.
"I'm setting you free now, fella…I'll miss you big time." He heard his companion snorted and Sendoh could only chuckle as he carefully placed the bag on the pond and out swam the fish. Both seem to look at the orange fish visibly swimming nearby before it disappeared deeper into the pond.
"Welcome back, Lovers in Shirokita!" The redhead exclaimed- eyes flaming- and sporting an insulting grin. Everyone was already inside the shuttle- it looked a bit small now since it was crowded with tall players. Everyone laughed inside. Haruko found herself blushing- suddenly eyeing the two players who looked a bit surprised as well. Sendoh simply snorted back- too amused to even reply; Rukawa simply cast his head down- he didn't see that coming, he felt his cheeks blushed as he angrily tried to muster his glare but failed miserably so. He started climbing inside when Sakuragi yelled back at him again.
"No more seat here, fox! You and your nanny can seat in front. Hehe!" And true enough when Rukawa looked up he saw the seats inside all occupied. He climbed down but not without an angry glare towards the redhead. Sendoh opened the door in front of the shuttle and was met by the cheer eyes of Takumi-san who nodded in return. Sendoh stood aside waiting for Rukawa to get inside. He earned an inquisitive stare from the Rookie and Sendoh simply shrugged off while smiling. "I'm older than you are." Rukawa clack his tongue and wordlessly hopped inside. Sendoh hopped inside as well and Rukawa literally felt that they were now obviously way too close because they have to stick closer to each other lest, the driver would have a hard time on the wheel- given their height and Sendoh's broad shoulder. Rukawa found himself leaning forward so that Sendoh could fit in to the surprise of his older companion.
"It's okay Rukawa-kun, you could lean back, and I'll be leaning forward." Sendoh said, smiling.
Rukawa looked at his side momentarily and too tired to put up a reason- he gave in. Ten minutes passed by and they were on the road back in camp. Everyone was quiet at the back, Rukawa can hear a few faint snores- everyone fell asleep instantly. He looked at his phone and the time now read 8:30 PM. He sighed softly and stared at the back of the guy he's with in front. Sendoh of course is leaning forwards- eyes in front and was occasionally talking with the driver, Takumi-san. Rukawa knew better than to butt in as he kept his silence at bay- simply listening at the soft chatters in front.
"Ah, you have a brother?"
"Yes, an older one- he's 22." Sendoh said in his low voice. Takumi-san chuckled- eyes still trained at the road ahead.
"You boys sure are tall, I wish my son would grow as tall as you are."
"I'm sure he will…" Sendoh said good-naturedly.
The shuttle came into a stop and Takumi found himself looking at the one that sits closer to him. He eyed the silent boy looking blankly ahead and smiled.
"And you kid? How young are you? What's your position on court?"
Sendoh found himself the one listening this time- he tugged his lips upward and chuckled softly as he heard his companion softly replied.
"Fifteen. Forward." Rukawa said- short and crisp. The Rukawa-way indeed.
"That's it?" Takumi prodded, he was obviously shut off by the pale boy. Rukawa nodded without looking at him. The pale guy was caught aback when he saw Sendoh's shoulder shaking and looking at him- hands on his lips. Rukawa twitched his lips in response.
"Takumi-san… you have to feed coins on this one for it to speak up." And Sendoh wasn't able to hold his laughter at bay. Takumi-san cackled as well. Well, as for Rukawa, what do you know, he found his lips tugging slightly upward but wasn't able to help himself but to stretch out his right arm and literally placed his palm on top of Sendoh's face and crumpled the older guys face. Sendoh tried to pry away the hand but was laughing non-stop.
"Hahaha- Rukawa-kun… stop it~!"
"Feed me coins, eh…" Rukawa softly exclaimed as he too felt something akin to being glad and warmth as well in that cold winter night in Osaka.
From behind them, Fukuda simply tugged his lips as well upward as his phone beeped- he flipped it open and it was simply some random message from his mail-addict sister.
Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly. –R.F
…to which Fukuda simply replied back with: "Probably true."
From one household in Kanagawa, Fukuda's sister is wondering as to why his brother replied back.
'It's just a random message- he's not supposed to reply back.' And she only sighed exasperatedly.
TBC
A/N: Okay, I'm ending this up here- I still have a follow up for this but given that this is already 20 pages, the next few scenes should be in the next chapter! Phew! ^_^ More SenRu moments in the next chapter! Happy new year everyone! I'm going to be honest, I'm not sure if I'm going to be updating this fic as regularly as before JIts back to work & school already so, expect me to be busy once again, but once awhile, I will try to update this… I really vowed to finish this. Not too many SenRu fics around! :D Happy Bday Rukawa! Oh, BTW, Fukuda's 'sister' is just an add-on- she won't be appearing from this moment on, hahahah! :D RnR if you have time! Thank you!