a/n: Phew! Took me long enough! Sorry! Hala! I was experiencing a writer's block actually… I have two versions of this chapter- the first one is supposed to be a 'twist' on the last scene of chapter 8- but, somehow, I am having trouble 'writing' it- so I decided to stick to this one- the 2ndversion -_- anyway, more senru-centric moments here- dedicated to Addicted to SD, my ever loyal reader/reviewer- thanks so much! Waah, is this true? I'm seeing new SenRu fics?! Uyy grabe, may naisip nako kagad na next fic project- of course SenRu pa din, kaso nagpipigil lang ako magsulat kasi hnd pa to tapos- hahah! BTW, pressured much ako sa pagccheck mo every hour ah! Lol! Yup, go ahead post mo lang ung quote! :D
Warnings: Typos/Grammars/NonPro writer/OOC/SenRu/Long & probably plotless/ Not mine!
Chapter 9
They arrived back in camp at around 9:00 pm. Every one hopped off the shuttle and waved their thanks to Takumi-san. Rukawa rubbed his eyes tiredly as he started walking towards the entrance lobby of the camp. The other players have gone ahead and Rukawa was left to wait for the elevator to go down. He pressed the 'up' button and waited in silence. Then he started contemplating…have you ever had the feeling that you've done something wrong? Okay, maybe not wrong- off perhaps. Like, being touchy. You can't simply start being all too touchy of others now, can you? Unless you're really close with them- like if you're really friends from the start- so, what gives? Rukawa furrowed his brows as he look absent-mindedly on the floor, head cast down, and his fringes hovering over his eyes. He remembered how he literally shoved off Sendoh's face with his palm- more like crumpled it. He felt his ears burned. He's never done that to anyone before- true, there are physical touches when playing basketball. You get shoved, you get bonked, elbowed, stepped on, and probably even sweat on. Rukawa shuddered at his train of thoughts. He does get his own share of physical assault when on court- and it's all perfectly normal; all of them are not newbies when it comes to these things- so probably, the only thing that has been keeping him and his thoughts marching like a battery-operated rabbit is his nerve to actually put a move on Sendoh Akira himself.
The presence of footsteps and clothes shuffling invaded him as he was made to look at his back just as the elevator bell 'dinged' and opened. It was no other than, Ryonan's Fukuda, the doaho himself, and… Rukawa sighed- 'Sendoh…' Rukawa honestly thought that they've gone ahead- he almost wanted to take the stairs, but as they moved along to enter the elevator, the pale guy found himself moving along inside as well. Rukawa rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath. The elevator door closed. Fukuda pressed the fifth button. Sendoh found himself leaning on one side of the elevator with Rukawa beside him, an obvious space between them. Fukuda has his smug face on and Sakuragi of course has his familiar scowl. He then started to chuckle.
"Hehe, I beat you awhile back, Sendoh!" A grin. Sendoh snorted softly and smirked. "Yeah you did…" Sakuragi's eyes lit up and he nodded fervently, quietly enjoying the fact that Sendoh seems to be acknowledging him.
"Hahaha, what gives Spiky? You don't ride a bike or something?" Sakuragi asked. Fukuda found himself twitching his lips as he simply rolled his eyes in annoyance. 'Damn this redhead, asking nonsensical things.' Rukawa simply kept his silence, but he too was of course listening- it's not like he could cover his ears anyway. Sendoh shrugged but answered well naturedly as always. "I take the train most of the time, bikes are okay but… I'd rather take the train." He grinned. Sakuragi simply cackled. Sendoh decided to prod in further.
"Sakuragi, I think maybe you asked the wrong person." Then he jabbed his left thumb to his left side- and he grinned. "Maybe you should have challenge Rukawa-kun instead." Rukawa immediately snapped his head up and glared at Sendoh. Sakuragi scowled. Fukuda seemed alert- looking at the three guys inside the elevator. Rukawa simpled snorted. Sakuragi laughed.
"I don't like challenging lowly pansy creatures who rides pink bikes with a basket in front, in case you didn't know. Nyahahah." Rukawa simply rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. Sendoh sweatdropped so did Fukuda. Just then, the elevator door opened and just when the four of them is about ready to go inside in their respective rooms- Rukawa unleashed his last statement, sending the redhead in fury. Sendoh chuckled, amused apparently while Fukuda tugged his lips upwards.
"This lowly creature welcomes you, anytime doaho, bring your best stunt bike with you- and oh, by the way, I own a 2011 limited edition of Eastern the Boss BMX in matte black & red." Rukawa shot back in coolly in his monotone voice. Just when Sakuragi's about to flare up, the door to room five was closed and he was simply miraculously stopped by his roommate, Fukuda.
"Ch, why are you stopping me, teme?" A glare. Fukuda simply stood- unflinching. He then sighed.
"If I were you, I'd be thinking about on how to beat them both in the upcoming match-ups." Fukuda stated as a matter of fact-ly. Silence. Sakuragi had a momentarily lapse as he was left to wonder. 'Oh wow, I almost forgot about that. Teme… I should really prepare on that!' He simply glared at Fukuda and scoffed-as both went inside their room wordlessly. Sakuragi knows well that the Sendoh and Rukawa team-up is something not to be reckoned with indeed.
"Eastern the Boss? It sounds like a menacing enemy from a video game. Haha!" A soft chuckle escaped Sendoh's lips. It's his first time hearing something about this. Rukawa shrugged while walking towards his bed- he plop down and heavily sighed. It has been a long day indeed- he wanted very much to sleep. When he noticed that Sendoh has still that silly grin of his charming face, he sighed for the nth time. "Eastern is a brand of BMX stunt bike-The Boss is the highest end-bike released during that time…" Rukawa paused. "It actually costs around $770." Sendoh was dumbfounded. "Holy sshh-?! For real?" Sendoh walked towards the coffee table and sat down. Too surprised at Rukawa's small information—aside from the small piece of knowledge he's been getting, he's actually liking how Rukawa's soothing voice seems dear to him. It makes him want to talk to him more so that he could just listen to that soft, quiet voice… He found himself smiling while sitting- gaze directed towards the other person across the room. Rukawa bowed down his head- thoughts, suddenly blank. He has been talking a lot. It's not something normally he would do but somehow… Sendoh seems to find a way for him to talk back.
"You're rich, Rukawa-kun, imagine owning a bike worth something like that?" A smile. Rukawa shrugged. "It was just a gift… from my father." Silence. The pale guy was glad Sendoh didn't decide to prod in further. "I don't mean to sound… arrogant, I mean…" His voice fade away. Rukawa was suddenly worried that he mentioned the price of the bike, but the older boy simply shrugged it off. "No problem Rukawa-kun, don't be bothered about it." A smile. Rukawa looked and nodded slowly.
"Still you're lucky…" Sendoh said- his voice low and warm. The rookie simply rolled his eyes. The next few minutes were spent in silence. Sendoh went about flipping again on the folder that contains Ryonan's basketball player's applicants. Rukawa was simply on top of his bed- sitting and staring blankly. The silence was quite unnerving, well for Rukawa at least- it's weird because he was supposed to feel usual with it-the silence of course. But for some reason, he felt as if every time something in him thumps, he wondered if Sendoh, hears.
Rukawa momentarily looked at his phone to see the time: It read 10:00 pm. His eyes darted towards where his roommate was. Sendoh looked serious. He was intently gazing at the profiles on the table- he seems to be reading into them. Truth is, Rukawa very much wanted to ask, 'what now'? Tomorrow is the start of the day. The first day for them to be… well, teammates. He wanted to ask a lot of things- like, what do they do? How's it going to be? How they gonna play…? And the whatnots. But judging from the looks of it, the pale guy probably thinks that Sendoh probably assumes already that he (Rukawa) knows what to do. True, they both know how to play basketball, and while it's also somewhat true that they know the calibre of each other's skill on court—still, it's the first for both of them probably to be teaming up. Rukawa haven't thought about it really- to be teamed up with… Sendoh of all people. But, now that it's been fated, or so he thinks, he can't helped but to feel a bit excited as well. 'Well, it's not like it's something not to look forward too anyway.' He inwardly mused. If Rukawa was the extrovert type, he could have imagined himself walking towards the taller guy and casually asking him, 'So senpai, what do we do tomorrow? What time do we practice? One-on-one? We're supposed to team-up, right?' He went bug-eyed as he imagined himself doing that on purpose. He must have been staring way too long as he was taken aback when he saw Sendoh's equally cobalt blue eyes staring questioningly at him! Rukawa gulped involuntarily. 'Pretend your sleepy, you baka.' But Sendoh caught him first- the older guy smiled.
"Let me guess, you can't sleep with the lights on?" Sendoh softly asks. Silence. The taller boy stood up and went to switch off the main lights. The room was now partly dim with only the lamp shades in each of their beds open. Sendoh decided to close the folder he was reviewing and pushed his back on the seat, one leg crossing over the other as he stared and grin towards his younger companion. He didn't somewhat saw the surprised look at Rukawa's lithe figure as the raven-haired guys simply bowed his head down- his fist clutching slightly at his own sheets. 'Baka Sendoh, it's not that…'
Sendoh knew. He knows that Rukawa has been sitting all along like a rock on the bed. He was reading into some files of the players but half of his mind was wandering- more like, thinking actually about the day's events. It was indeed refreshing. To be able to go out with his team and share a few light-hearted moments with everyone else and with… the rookie of Shohoku. He has honestly became a bit fonder of the younger boy. He's not quite sure, but his mere presence is very much welcome to Sendoh- and the taller guy has yet to know as to why. He remembered what happened also inside the van. He couldn't help but smile to himself- Rukawa is such a cute guy alright. He's fun to tease and his reactions are seemingly priceless. Sendoh wanted to chat with his roommate but seeing that the younger guy was probably tired, he decided to simply browse into the file folders…
Tomorrow- tomorrow is the first day for them to be teammates. And since he's older, Sendoh feels the need to be a bit more… responsible, right? He knows of Rukawa's skill- he has seen him play countless of times before, has seen the younger boy battle it out with older opponents than he is- even at him, Rukawa played like he's at his own level; and the taller guy found himself an opponent in deed in the likes of this lithe figure, Rukawa. 'It's been truly fun playing against you…' But tomorrow is another day- tomorrow is going to be different, as he- they for the first time try to make it on court on a two-on-two battle against everyone else. He and Rukawa …side by side. Sendoh felt an unfamiliar leap of joy upon realizing the fact… truth is, he can't seem to wait. Sendoh wonders if the other boy feels the same… He sat back comfortably and crossed his legs- a grin on his face as his eyes stared back at a pair of cerulean orbs that has been probably eyeing him for quite some time, Huh? Can't sleep with the lights on perhaps? He's adorable, alright. 'What are you looking at, sunshine?' He wanted to voiced out- but he'd chose not to… for now.
"Do you know, why you are a small forward?" A smile. Rukawa seemed to flinch a bit- eyes a bit wide. He did not expect that from Sendoh. He wondered very much as to where the older boy wants to perhaps lead the question, 'Is this baka trying to lecture me?'
"Hn." Rukawa softly snorted. He wanted to say, 'I don't need to know' and something like, 'It doesn't concern you, does it?' But something inside of him and that deep, calm and warm voice of Sendoh made him want to listen at the older guy. Sendoh stood up from his seat and walked over his own bed. Rukawa fidgeted slightly at his own mattress as he shifted his gaze on the taller boy. Sendoh plopped down heavily on his bed- hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling- a smile on his lips. He then turned his head at the still quiet boy. "Well?" Rukawa sighed and shrugged. 'What the heck…' He pouted slightly. "If this is one of your silly basketball lectures, I'm sleeping…" The Ryonan Ace chuckled. Rukawa pouted, as he slid down from his position to lie down as well on his side- back against Sendoh.
"Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centres, but on occasion are just as tall." The Ace said in his calm, collected tone. "Come to think of it, it kind of fits your description, perfectly." Sendoh snorted. Still silence- Sendoh looked at his side to see a hint of movement at least, but he saw none. 'Could it be that he's sleeping already, like he said he will?'
"Rukawa-kun…" Sendoh called out softly. Rukawa heard his name being softly called- and he almost flushed, good thing he's got his back turned. Why does Sendoh need to say these kind of things? But, he doesn't seem to mind because, he found himself wanting very much to listen more…"So, what else?" Rukawa found himself asking softly- not really wanting to hear specific points but rather, he simply wants to hear his senpai talk… 'Weird, his voice is soothingly- weird.'
Sendoh found himself smiling. 'He's listening alright…'
"Small forwards are primarily responsible for scoring points and also often as secondary or tertiary rebounders behind the power forward and centre- although a few who play point forwards have… passing responsibilities." Sendoh paused. He seemed to contemplate- he's been ranting but, it seems that he hasn't received any negative reactions yet. Sendoh partly opened his lips to say something else but the figure he's been narrating too, shifted to lie down flatly at his back and turned his head for their faces to meet…
The room was dimly lit and only the two lampshades that was on either side of their beds were on. The time then was 10:30 pm. Sendoh tried to squint his eyes as if trying to see if Rukawa was still there- he tried to slowly sit up, long legs settling on one side of the bed. "Rukawa-kun?" He called out softly- as he leaned forward to look- he was surprised, raven fringes hung loosely on eyes that are closed; Rukawa has fallen asleep. He softly snorted. Sendoh scratched the back of his nape and shook his head wordlessly. 'I need to wake up early tomorrow…' He was about to lie back down when the spiky-haired guy stood up and walked towards the latter's bed. Sendoh pulled up the sheets and placed them over the sleeping Rookie. 'Good night, sunshine.' He turned off the lamp beside the pale boy and he smiled.
He fluttered his eyes to open and took in the darkness of the room. He was surprised- as if suddenly remembering what happened; Rukawa sat up from his bed- eyeing the silent, dark room. He searched for his phone and pressed the middle button. The time read 2:45 AM. 'I fell asleep?' He remembered that he was listening a while ago as Sendoh was sort of trying to say something but somehow, somewhere- he must have fallen asleep! He looked to his left and saw the shadowy figure of his sleeping senpai- his back on him. Rukawa opened his lampshade and a feeling of guilt suddenly waved at him. He softly sighed- well, it's not like he could wake him now to continue where they've left off, couldn't he? Rukawa rubbed his eyes and was surprised to hear his own stomach growl. 'Ugh, I forgot to eat dinner.' He inwardly mused. Shaking his head- he decided to step out of the bed- barefooted, he walked towards the washroom to open the door and the lights so that it will illuminate a bit. He walked towards the common cabinet adjacent to the washroom and rummaged into his bag. He was surprised to find a pack of Skittles… the one that Sendoh gave him while they were on the train. He almost forgot about it. Staring at the pack for a while, he heaved a small sighed. Well, it's not like he could go down and see if the canteen is open; given the time. He decided to settle for the Skittles- twitching his lips a bit, annoyed at himself for being irresponsible; who would ever forget to eat dinner anyway? He decided to sit on the carpeted floor- crossing his legs and opened the pack. He momentarily looked inside it- eyes a bit blank, before deciding to munch in one random coloured-candy. 'You are pathetic, Rukawa Kaede.' He reminded himself to gobble up as soon as breakfast is available. His thoughts were blank as he absent-mindedly contented himself into eating candies in the wee hours of the morning. He remembered Sendoh saying something about being a small forward a while ago- he wondered as to why the Ace oriented him of that. 'Do I need to know the whatnots of being a small forward?' He shrugged involuntarily. 'As long as I can keep scoring points—I'd win, right?' He nodded slowly to himself. 'Right.' Then he sweatdropped. Monologues sure feels silly.
Sheets shuffling. Rukawa continued munching candies- eyes occasionally getting a bit droopy. 'Does eating candies supposed…to feel this way?' He silly thought. Rukawa did not noticed that another lampshade has just opened and his eyes widened as he turned his head to his right- well, obviously surprised.
"What are you doing…down there?" Sendoh mumbled in his bedroom voice. Rukawa almost felt his face flushed- good thing it was dim all over; Sendoh's hair were dishevelled as short fringes hung loosely slightly above his forehead. He was scratching his nape- eyes trying to focus a bit. He yawned a bit and shake his head to brushed off the sleepiness and stared back at the sitting Rukawa Kaede who was eating a pack of Skittles- eyes a bit wide, lips slightly parted, a piece of candy on his fingers; cerulean blue looking at him in sheer surprised. Sendoh softly chuckled. 'Rukawa, you looked cute…'
"I thought you ate that already…" Sendoh smiled warmly. Rukawa simply shrugged. What to say? Good morning?
"Good morning." Rukawa stated flatly and nodded. Sendoh blinked his eyes twice- the he laughed. Rukawa was taken aback at that. 'Hey, why is he laughing anyway? Its morning, anyway. Right?' The taller boy put his palm on top of his forehead, while still chuckling softly. Rukawa snorted. 'Yare yare, I greeted him this time and this is what I get.' Sendoh stepped down from his bed and walked towards the washroom… Rukawa mustered all the glare he can made as the taller boy simply went straight to the toilet to pee without even closing the goddamn door! He felt his ears burn. 'Doaho! Baka! Why is he?!' he found himself throwing in more candies in his mouth this time while trying to looked bothered and exasperated. 'Cant he just at least… closed the door for a bit?' The sound of water coming from the faucet followed suit.
"Let me guess…" Sendoh started. He was leaning from one side of the door frame, looking down half-amused at the still sitting Rukawa.
"You're always guessing…" The pale boy shot back. Sendoh stifled a laugh. "You haven't had dinner yet." Silence. "You suddenly woke up, feeling all too hungry." Still silence. "And then you decide to look for food- finding Skittles instead." More silence. "This'll do." Sendoh said while imitating Rukawa's monotone voice but failing a bit of course. A glare was thrown in his direction. The taller boy chuckled. He felt silly and glad imitating the stoic rookie of Shohoku. Rukawa snorted. "Are you the oracle of Ryonan?" Rukawa asked, keeping his poker face on. Sendoh laughed. "Am I right or am I right?" Obviously, he didn't gave the younger boy any choice. Rukawa simply snorted but he replied back softly. "I forgot."
"Just that, huh…" Sendoh walked towards the cabinet and opened the other half of the door. Rukawa looked slightly up as Sendoh rummaged into his bag. He smiled when he saw something and handed over two instant cup noodles. He grinned. "Look what I found, so, beef or chicken?" Rukawa's gaze fixated on the two cups of instant noodles- truth is, he suddenly felt more famished than before. "Seafood." The stoic boy tried to answer back. Sendoh rolled his eyes in amusement. "Can't you read? Chicken or Beef, there's no seafood flavour here, hahaha!" He moved the two cups a bit closer to Rukawa's face and the younger player brow's furrowed as he shot up a glare. "Beef." He said pouting a bit. Sendoh chuckled and went over to the small counter near the coffee table to boil some water in the electronic plastic kettle.
"You're eating candies for dinner. How healthy is that, huh?" Sendoh snorted while waiting for the water to boil. Rukawa finally stood up and wordlessly walked towards the coffee table to sit. "They're yours just in case you forgot." The pale guy softly said, eyes looking a bit sleepy again. "And its morning already by the way…" The older guy chuckled a bit when Rukawa tried to correct him.
"Yeah, I gave them to you the other day- I do remember." A smile. Sendoh felt weird to be awake at 3 am just to what? Talk as if it's nine in the morning. He felt alive and awake. He felt akin somewhat to being content just by doing this. It is as if, there's really something special in this wee hours of the day. He looked outside to see the starless sky as drops of tiny snowflakes lined the window pane. It'll be another day again- a new morning ahead; their second day in the camp- practice day, but he doesn't seem to mind really. Just then, the kettle whistled. Sendoh decided to open both and poured in hot water and covered them back to allow for the noodles to be cooked.
"Your bag's like Doraemon's pocket, you know." Rukawa suddenly blurted out. Sendoh was taken aback. "It's pack with weird things." He didn't know why he suddenly said that. Sendoh for the nth time that day- laughed. 'Rukawa-kun, I swear you are fun and epic to be with, alright.' Kaede found himself tugging his lips slightly upward- his right palm on top of his cheek as he looked down at his pale hands while hearing the older boy laugh.
Sendoh handed over the beef cup to Rukawa. The latter nodded his thanks. "Careful, it's hot." They ate in silence. Rukawa felt relieved that at last, its real food now- well, somewhat. Sendoh pressed his celphone and noted the time, it's already 3:20 in the morning. Rukawa's thoughts were blank, he was busy eating in silence. Truth is, he desires to still have breakfast later, as the mere cup won't suffice him for the entire day- but he was very thankful for the moment on. 'Sendoh sure loves stashing…' He took note that he might want to adopt the older boy's habit of packing necessities in his bag especially when he goes to the IH. Rukawa's not really good in starting a topic, but the silence was a bit unnerving yet comfortable as well. He honestly wished Sendoh would talked. 'Why is he not talking anyway?' He momentarily looked at his companion and saw the older boy browsing something on his phone. Sendoh seems to be too good in catching him looking back as he met Rukawa's gaze. The pale boy simply blinked his eyes in surprise. 'Ugh, he caught me looking again.'
"Do you have Facebook, Rukawa?" He smiled. Rukawa paused- then shrugged. "What's that?" Sendoh looked incredulously at the figure before him- he opened his mouth to blurt out something. Truly, Rukawa cannot be that… socially unaware. 'Huh?! Is he for real?' Sendoh honestly dreaded that the rookie doesn't even know this kind of things. Could it be possible that he only knows of basketball and sleeping as what everyone seems to say? 'Looks like it, tsk, what a waste.' The older boy would have honestly loved to add him as friend but…
"Seriously, Rukawa? You don't know what Facebook is?" Sendoh asks, looking a bit forlorn. Rukawa simply stared back. Rukawa almost want to tug his lips upward as he rolled his eyes. He was amused to see the incredulous look the older guy gave him.
"Doaho, I know that of course." Sendoh sighed in relieved. He snorted softly. "And I thought you came from the mountains." Akira chuckled. Rukawa simply shrugged.
"So, do you have an account?" A grin. "Can I add you up?" Sendoh asks nonchalantly while keeping his warm smile. 'Well, I'm friends with almost everyone- except you of course.'
"I don't." Rukawa replied back, as he continued digging into the noodles. He saw Sendoh twitched his lips in disappointment though.
"Oh, why so? I mean, everyone has them, you know." Sendoh informed him. Rukawa doesn't know what to say. Does he need it? He honestly thinks it's indeed a bit tempting to create one of course, and he's damn sure that he'd be having a thousand of friend requests even though he doesn't want one. But maybe that's the reason why he doesn't want to have one. He thinks of it as just a passing fad he could live without. It's not something so big and grand anyway… but, well, he's not really sure-he might just change his mind one day. But for now…
"Well, I don't apparently, so not everyone has them." Rukawa replied softly and a bit sarcastically. Sendoh almost cringe at the response. He decided to just smile wistfully. Sendoh decided to eat the remaining noodles in silence. Rukawa felt a bit guilty all too sudden. He sighed for a bit. 'Damn, do I really need to explain?'
"I… I just don't think it's deemed of as something necessary for me." He said softly. Sendoh shot up his head and nodded his head. "Sure…" Rukawa's not convinced anyway. He felt as if he disappointed the older boy. Truth is, he almost doesn't want to let the other guy know of one thing but…
"I do have an Instagram account though." Rukawa said nonchalantly. He waited for the reaction of Sendoh. Well, of course, the older boy seem too lit up. "Really? That's cool so… can I follow you?" A grin. Rukawa simply shrugged- taking in a sip on his noodles. 'Great, well- looks like it's not something terrible anyway…' He inwardly mused; he nodded. "Sure, whatever. Suit yourself." Sendoh chuckled in amusement and started typing on his phone.
"So you posts stuff or anything?" Sendoh laughed. "Selfies?" Rukawa replied with an indignant 'No.' Sendoh started typing the pale guy's name and was surprised that his name can't be searched. Sendoh frowned. "Hey, I can't find you." Rukawa snorted. Sendoh handed his phone over; the latter looked at it for a moment before getting the idea. He reluctantly held Sendoh's large phone, their fingertips touching for the slightest moment there. Rukawa felt his heart raced a bit. 'What the heck-?' He gulped involuntarily. He felt weird and awkward holding a phone that doesn't technically belongs to him. He typed in his username and clicked on searched then returned the phone back to Sendoh. The older guy simply smiled back in response. "Secretive, aren't we?" Truth is, he was a bit excited to see what his younger rival posts. A few moments more and the page loaded. Sendoh was surprised to see the unfamiliar username on top; 'awakuR_edeaK?' Sendoh's brows furrowed. But below, the letters R.K_11 can be seen. He saw that the latter has less than forty. Sendoh wondered very much as to what those are probably- since the guy's account was extremely private. 'He probably doesn't want unwanted followers.'
"Aren't you going to approved me now?" He grinned. Rukawa rolled his eyes. "Aren't you a bit excited?" Sendoh chuckled. "Well, it isn't every day that we get to see what the great Rukawa Kaede posts, hm?" Rukawa lazily grabbed his phone and typed in a few things and indeed, there was a request from no other than his roommate. 'Sendoh_Akira007, huh?' He almost went bug-eyed. It's too predictable. Truth is, he will never admit, but he's been seeing Sendoh's account for quite some time now- the guy's account was open to public for Pete's sake. 'Baka, Rukawa… admitting now that you're a stalker as well.' He sighed softly and just clicked on to approve the latter's request.
Sendoh was… well, he was literally surprised to see photos of… sceneries. He found himself absent-mindedly clicking and browsing the different photos of mostly nature itself. 'Photography?' He inwardly mused. He did not expect Rukawa to be in that field—of all fields. Truth is, he was amazed. Rukawa's shots almost looked professional. It is as if he doesn't play basketball at all. He seemed inclined mostly on doing the still life kind of photography as several of his images depicts inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which may be either natural or man-made. There are also a few shots on landscape, wildlife, and a few food photography. Sendoh was made to be quiet as he browsed- stunned at each shot. He noted that Rukawa seemed to have also a few followers and has been following a few also. When he clicked on them, he noted that he doesn't know any of these people. They neither belong to the basketball club nor from Shohoku probably. The taller guy found himself looking up at Rukawa, he was obviously amazed at the talent the younger guy displayed before him…and was surprised to see the younger boy staring back at him- eyes looking unreadable. Silence. He wanted to praise him- he wanted to say that… the photos moved him. Their eyes were caught in a deadlock—until the soft voice of Rukawa broke it first.
"If you see something that moves you, and then snap it…you keep a moment."
Sendoh felt his breath being caught somewhere… he was seeing a different version of Rukawa. And he doesn't know, but somehow, he's beginning to like this version. He gulped involuntarily. Sendoh believed that everyone has part of their lives where they truly wish they could truly freeze time. Whether it was three years ago, today, or still to come. Whether it was just a moment, a whole day, or a whole summer- maybe even winter. Everyone has a time in their life, when they wish everything would just stop. The world would stop turning and people would stop changing. Because to Sendoh at this time, this very moment in time… everything seemed perfect. Sendoh doesn't know anymore- he seemed to understand the younger guy by each growing minute; he was always a man of silence but Akira was sure that silence can sometimes be the most eloquent reply.
The taller guy found himself lowering down his phone—eyes looking very warm- everything in him feels warm. He found his lips smiling as he gazed almost longingly at the phone on top of the table. 'Rukawa… I would like to think of myself as lucky really…' "And I always thought that you were the silent- type, Rukawa-kun…" Akira said softly in his low voice. "Your photos… they're all amazing. It's them who speaks for you… or at least I would like to think so." Sendoh paused- and looked up, ready to meet that azure gaze that mirrors his own. Rukawa'a eyes were warm-he slightly looked down at his pale hands and tug his lips upward. Sendoh was taken aback… did Rukawa just smiled?
"When people ask me what photography equipment I use… I always tell them, my eyes." And he looked up to meet the cobalt blue irises of Sendoh Akira. Rukawa snorted softly. Truth is, he was more than glad that the taller boy was able to appreciate his works. "I know…" Sendoh smiled- the genuine one. He wasn't able to help but to lean forward and unconsciously reached out his right hand to… playfully tweak on the raven-haired guy's forehead- twice. Rukawa's chest raced as he almost pried away from the touch but failed miserably so… he felt his ears burned. "Hey…" Rukawa tried to protest. The taller guy snickered. "That's for shoving your palm on my face yesterday." A grin. 'Sendoh you…' And the older boy simply smiled at him. "I've always thought there was something special in you, you know." And alas, poor Rukawa-kun mustered all his strength not to make his cheeks flushed but has not been able to do so… 'Baka, Sendoh Akira… special?'
Rukawa decided to hit the washroom for a hot shower after having a small light-hearted moment with his roommate. He emerged, feeling much awake now as he towelled his hair dry. Sendoh went back to bed while waiting for his roomie to finish taking a bath. The pale guy, now donned in his Shohoku jacket and pants walked silently towards his bed- casting a look of surprise at Sendoh's sleeping form. 'Did he just went back to sleep?' Truth is, Sendoh asks him to actually inform him after he's taken a bath- and Rukawa now was left with no choice but to wake the sleeping Ace of Ryonan. He contemplated at first- how to wake this guy up, now? He went bug-eyed. Options are: Tapped him. Shoved him. Kick him. Rukawa seem to pause—his last option is definitely a no-no. 'Kick him?' After he has fed you and everything? Rukawa sighed. He tried the normal way. He called unto him.
"Sendoh…" He stated softly in his quiet voice. No move. Nothing. Not even a fidget. He tried a bit louder this time. "Sendoh." Still no move. Still nothing. Still not even a fidget. He sighed and walked in a bit closer this time. The lamp shade was still open as he stared at the Ace's sleeping form. Sendoh has his arm over his eyes- lips slightly parted; as his chest heaved normally up and down. He was asleep alright. Rukawa sweatdropped. 'Look who's the sleepy head now.' And here they are people, always calling him, Rukawa- the ultra-sleepyhead. Well folks, please be fair once in a while. Ugh.
"Sen-doh." He stated while leaning a bit so that he would at least hear. Nope, Rukawa still refuses to at least tap his older roommate. He can basically hear his chest thumping wildly now. Sendoh still obviously looks way too nice even when he's fast asleep. His pointed nose, his manly parted lips- his athletic body, the height… Rukawa felt his cheeks flushed. What the hell is he thinking anyway? 'Okay, just kick him.' His mind finally decided. But Rukawa could not bring himself to do it. Sendoh's been way too nice at him and he's just going to kick him? 'You're a bastard, Rukawa Kaede.' The pale guy irritably scratched his head and clack his tongue as he finally decided on what to do.
"Sendoh, wake up." He stated in his monotone voice as he placed his hand over the arm that Sendoh uses to cover his eyes. Still no move. Still nothing. Still not even a fidget. Rukawa tried to look around for something at least- he doesn't know specifically, but anything that would wake this spiky head up. 'Whack him with a pillow.' His thought whispered once more. He glanced at his pillow and was ready to clutch on it when Sendoh stirred. Rukawa looked- but true, Sendoh did stir, he placed his arm down over his chest and well… went back to sleep. Rukawa sweat dropped for the nth time. 'What the heck is this guy-?!' He tried once more. "Sendoh- senpai." No move. More sweat drops.
"Sen-doh Akira wake up, now." Still nothing. 'Pull him out of the bed.' No. Rukawa exasperatedly sighed. He can't pull him-impossible. Sendoh looks absolutely heavier.
He absent-mindedly grabbed on his phone and started browsing something when a small and silly idea struck him- Rukawa unconsciously pressed on the camera icon and voila… he just suddenly found himself clicking on the latter's sleeping form. He didn't know- he just did. He stared at it for a while, not really knowing what to do-he decided to save the picture. 'It's probably just a… souvenir.' He absent-mindedly thought. Rukawa decided to browse through his music playlists; sitting down on one side of Sendoh's bed. He continued swiping and browsing for some random music. Finding one though, he absent-mindedly pressed play and soon after music started filling in the room- he placed his phone near Sendoh's ear and shrugged. The music played Every Breath You Take – from The Police.
Rukawa stood up and decided to just put on his shoes; casting one last look and taking note of the time- it was 4:30 in the morning, he quietly left the room to jog for the morning. 'Sendoh Akira, you sleepy doaho…'
Every breath you take
And every move you make
Every bond you break, every step you take
I'll be watching you
Five am. Asahi, Osaka. Second day in camp; Eight degrees. His thoughts were blank as he slowly jogged around the familiar track- his second since he came in Osaka. It was a tad bit chilly than yesterday and Rukawa kept on puffing smoke every time he huffs and breath. Occasionally he would rub his palms together in hopes to generate heat- it was still dark and tiny speckles of snow fell slowly from the sky. It was his second lap—he realized that even though he ran, it still feels cold. He desperately needs to warm up—today is the day the practice for the match-ups begins. But the weather is not cooperating as it was colder than before. He remembered his roommate awhile back, he did tried to wake him up but to no avail. 'Sendoh actually wanted to jog along…' It was actually he, Rukawa, whom invited Sendoh if he wanted to jog and the tall guy readily agreed- but what did the older guy did? 'He hibernated like a polar bear…' Rukawa puffed out a sighed as he shake his head with random thought. 'Baka…' It's not his fault anymore; he did tried to wake him up anyway.
Rukawa partly remembered how the latter seemed to appreciate his hobby of taking photos—truth is, he never thought that he'd share that side of him to his rival, of all people. It was not something so big but… it was simply one of his random hobby; not much. Unbeknownst to many, he did enrolled himself in a photography class- held every weekends for the past four months; it was only last month when he was not anymore able to attend the special 2-hours class because of hectic basketball practices for the upcoming Interhigh. His hobby is not something so new anymore as more and more people have been finding themselves wanting to learn the art of taking photos—Rukawa never did liked the idea really, just so happens that he got a special camera from his father as a present… he was never the one who technically asks for something material from his father in the States-but he thought that it'd just be a waste if he would not learn how to utilized it; so he enrolled, and somehow, the pale guy found himself enjoying the sessions together with a few enthusiasts. He was more than glad to know that he's actually the youngest among the group- as they gradually tease him every now and then about the most trivial things a normal teenager like him undergoes… His father though-well, the guy is simply fond of giving him expensive gifts. Rukawa almost looked wistful as he stared blankly ahead of him… Any man can be a father; but it takes a special person to be a dad… Rukawa honestly wished his father knew that. He sighed as he tried to shake off more of his random and tiring thoughts… He must have been way too immersed because he did not see the next events coming…
"~…Oh can't you see…you belong to me, how my poor heart aches with every step you take…~"
Rukawa stopped dead on his tracks as he was overtaken by none other than, Sendoh Akira himself. He felt his heart raced as he hears the nice, singing voice of his older companion. 'What the-?' The taller guy ran past him- a grin on his face. The idiot was singing as he ran. He heard the older guy laughed when he suddenly stopped, looking dumbfounded. Sendoh ran backwards- a grin plastered on his face. Sendoh stopped when he was three feet away.
"Good morning, Rukawa-kun." He greeted as he smiled. Rukawa simply snorted; smoke eventually puffing out. He took noticed as well as Sendoh heaved up a sigh. "Every breath you take, huh." A smirk. "It's a nice song actually." Sendoh added. Rukawa felt his ears burn but he simply shrugged. Sendoh chuckled. "Argh, my ears bled with that song playing nonstop!" Sendoh laughed, apparently amused. Rukawa felt his lips tugging upward, good thing Sendoh was three-feet away. He actually wanted to laugh. 'Laugh?' He went bug-eyed. Sendoh grinned then he shivered- he rubbed both of his arms and palms together.
"Damn, you love running to this horrible weather, Rukawa-kun? Ugh, it's cold." Sendoh exclaimed, obviously feeling a bit uncomfortable about the weather. Rukawa simply shrugged. 'It's cold alright.' He too, found himself having goose bumps under his jacket.
"I told you to wake me up." Sendoh said as he walked towards the unmoving boy. Rukawa rolled his eyes. "I did as I was told, doaho." He shivered involuntarily. Sendoh took a few more steps and grinned. "Haha, sorry about that- I was really sleepy." Sendoh stopped when they were about an arm's length away. The pale guy simply shrugged. "Did you really try to wake me up?" He prodded. Rukawa put his hands on his hips and sighed- smoke puffing out as well.
"I did. Six times. You didn't move a muscle." Rukawa said while keeping his poker face on. Sendoh chuckled. "I guess I haven't told you- the boys usually shake me really hard for me to wake up." He laughed. Rukawa lips twitched. "Well, I was thinking of kicking you actually." Sendoh rolled his eyes and snorted. "Cruel, aren't we?" But he grinned. They decided to walk in silence for the next few minutes around the oval. They have to or else they'll freeze to death. It was almost sunrise when Rukawa decided to stopped for a bit. His action earned a curious stare from his older companion. Sendoh abruptly stopped—looking at his silent companion. Rukawa has decided to say it today. It has been sometime indeed and-probably the time maybe now. He looks up to meet the stare of Akira who was equally looking him a bit questioningly, as if expecting something from him.
"Sendoh…" Rukawa started, his voice soft but clear, his fist clenching on one side- eyes glinting with determination. The older boy slightly fidgeted, as if urging him to continue, wordlessly standing in front of him. "…one on one. Later." Silence. The time then was 5:45 am, the sun has partly risen sending the sky in a play of yellow and light orange hues. The air was still cool and the rays of the morning slowly draped over Asahi as two tall boys stood unflinching on one oval track…
"Sure." It was just one word. Short but clear. Sendoh smiled. Rukawa looked a bit surprised as he slightly parted his lips to say something but wasn't able to do so. 'Did he really mean that he'll play with me?' Sendoh snorted softly and smiled as he looked past behind Rukawa to set his eyes on the rays of the sunshine. It looked magnificent. He's actually feeling happy that time. 'I knew you'd say that, Rukawa-kun.'
Every single day
And every word you say
Every game you play, every night you stay
I'll be watching you...
It was 7 am already when both decided to have breakfast. Sendoh walked on ahead while Rukawa followed inside the camp. They arrived at the canteen and the taller guy opened the door and was met by familiar gazes from everyone else- plus the intoxication aroma of brewed coffee. Sendoh suddenly felt his stomach growl. He nodded his head to a few people who was eyeing them with much interests. He stopped abruptly in his steps as he stretched his long limbs and yawned. Rukawa was busy walking with his head down- eyes a bit droopy that he hasn't noticed the older boy abruptly stopping in front of him! Alas, poor Rukawa-kun seemed to have collided his face flat on Sendoh's back! He was taken aback as if he bounced off. 'Ugh! What the heck?!' Rukawa snorted and glared at the taller boy, teeth gritting in annoyance, truth is his ears burned. He almost blushed as his face went straight ahead. "K'so." He swore while holding his nose. 'Dammit Sendoh Akira-you and your… broad back.' He felt as if he banged onto a wall. But of course, Rukawa was able to take note as well that his rival literally smelled nice. 'Must be a musk or something…' Rukawa thought, he'd like the scent. Few people must have seen that as chuckles and a loud cackle from one red head boomed inside the canteen. "Ahahah! Stupid kitsune!" Maki and Fujima looked surprise as both lovers literally found themselves chuckling along. Sendoh was surprised when his felt his back collided with someone. "Oi! What happened, Rukawa-kun?" He turned and grinned. Rukawa snorted. Sendoh simply chuckled as he invited the boy to just eat breakfast.
Sendoh found himself a spot beside Fukuda. He remained oblivious to the menacing stare directed towards him by no other than Sakuragi himself. Sendoh decided digging onto his food. Fukuda momentarily stopped eating to stare at the guy beside him. 'Taichou…' He sighed and put his chopsticks down. Sendoh remained oblivious as he eat some of his dumplings while dipping them onto a soy sauce. He must have felt that something is off indeed as he stopped slowly and looked to his right to meet the gaze of Fukuda. He shot a questioningly look then his blue eyes darted in front of him to see Sakuragi looking at him with treachery.
"Kicchou, uh, something wrong?" Sakuragi tried not to fume. Fukuda, sighed and decided to fill in his seemingly clueless Captain. "Taichou…" the Ryonan forward started, but Sakuragi beat him to it. "Teme, Sendoh we are currently seated according to whose our partners- you here to eavesdrop or something about our plan?!" The redhead stated as matter-of-factly. Sendoh was surprised- he cast his eyes to Fukuda, probably asking whether if what he heard was indeed true or not; Fukuda nodded. The serious Fukuda, jabbed his thumb at his back and the spiky-haired looked to see all eyes were on their table. Apparently every one indeed is seated with their respective roommate/partner in the upcoming matchups. Looks like everyone is keen on planning on a strategy. Sendoh looked back at Sakuragi who simply smirked. "Hahah, surprised aren't you, Spiky?" Akira snorted and scratched his cheek. 'Damn, is this for real? I mean, to be this serious?'
"I believed you should be with him." Fukuda pointed at the far left. Sendoh looked and saw Rukawa sitting alone on one table, eating silently. And as if on cue, the stoic boy shot back a stare and went back to eat. "Unless of course, if you're done with your… strategic play, Taichou." Fukuda smirked. Sendoh simply looked back at the number thirteen and chuckled softly. 'Strategy? We haven't been planning really…' He inwardly mused. Just then, Sakuragi cackled-earning more stares from the other table.
"Hahah, I know what you're feeling spiky-the Kitsune is obviously not a good player; you could switch partners, we could be partners, after all we're both Tensais and its only natural for us to be teammates." From one corner a loud 'laugh' cackled as well, coming from Kiyota Nobunaga. Maki shot back his glare at his noisy freshman. Sakuragi fumed. "Teme wild monkey!" Fukuda obviously ignored the statement, he wants to switch partners as well. Everyone in the canteen chuckled their responses and Sendoh could only snickered and roll his eyes in response as he lift his tray up to go to another table. Fukuda gave him a smirked and nodded that it's all okay. Obviously surprised at the seemingly awkward and amusing scene that has just happened, Sendoh earned a few hoots and cheers from some Shoyo-Kainan members. Uozumi simply shook his head as he too, smirked. 'Baka Captain.'
"What the heck is happening to the two of you anyway?!" Mitsui exclaimed as he grinned. Amused at how seemingly Rukawa and Sendoh seemed to be acting a bit off themselves lately. The other players laughed.
"Eat your breakfast guys, sleep early." Ryota added and he slap hands with Uekusa. Still a few chuckles ensued. Maki simply look on as he sip on his cup of coffee. He then turned his look on Fujima who was munching in some beef.
"I was wondering though, Kenji… how are we going to play those two?" Maki smirked. Fujima simply chuckled softly. "Are you afraid of them, Shin?" Maki rolled his eyes. "No, of course not…" Fujima simply grinned. "Well, we play them our way. You know the drill." And Maki simply found himself smiling along. Truth is, he was terribly intrigued… 'Sendoh, I wonder how you are going to make the oni (demon) of offense your own weapon on court. Will he even pass the ball onto you?'
"Sorry for ditching you, sunshine." He grinned. A snort. "This is not a date and my name is not sunshine." Rukawa shot back coolly as he forked a piece of patty. He can't believe that he almost regretted that it is not a date indeed. 'Baka Rukawa, what are you thinking, you're in a canteen.'
Sendoh simply chuckled. "Whatever…" Rukawa rolled his eyes.
"I can't believe this, they all look pretty serious, don't they?" Sendoh started as he look discreetly around. "You're the only one apparently who's not." The pale boy replied back as he sipped on his orange juice. Sendoh looked on and grinned. "Wow, you got yourself a juice now, your highness." And the pale guy almost choked on his drink. He was reminded of it by Sendoh and the older guy simply laughed his heart off while looking fondly at Rukawa. "Hahahah… sorry about that."
"You bastard." Rukawa wiped off his mouth using the back of his hand as he felt his cheeks flushed. He resumed eating in silence after that. Sendoh obviously doing the same, both Aces wordlessly doing everything suddenly in silence- remaining oblivious to the stares constantly being thrown at them. It was Sendoh who decided to break off the moment- apparently he's in the mood to humour.
"Are you ready to lose later to your genius and good-looking senpai?" A grin. Rukawa shot back a glare. Sendoh chuckled. "You're always serious, Rukawa-kun." Kaede snorted and replied coolly, "Dribble, shoot, rebound, score—yup, I'll beat you later. I won't lose." Sendoh nodded and grinned. 'Where's the passing though?' He wanted to ask. "Yeah- sounds like a true counter offensive attack alright." Sendoh knew then what to do, or perhaps he would like to think so. Rukawa is truly one great talent, but the pretty boy need to learn a few important reminders indeed. Sendoh promised this time he'd try to make the small forward realized a few vital things… Rukawa stabbed another meat on his fork and when he was about to chomp on them- his eyes widened because his right arm was held and stopped midway by none other than the Ryonan Ace. Rukawa could not bring to tear his eyes away from Sendoh as the older guy literally holds onto his thin wrist. 'Sendoh Akira you-?!' Rukawa felt his ears burn. The older guy grinned. "Your ears are red, Rukawa-kun." The pale guy mustered a glare but he could not bring his ears to revert back… Sendoh simply chuckled softly in response.
"Rukawa-kun, sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. Winning is a habit alright, unfortunately so is losing." A smile. Only then Sendoh released his wrist and the taller guy stood up. "Eat up and I'll tell more later." He winked. 'Rukawa kun, sports aren't just about winning. Apparently they teach an athlete, about life, friendship, and hard work.' Yup, he'll make sure sunshine gets it alright.
TBC
A/N: Okay guys, calm down! I know this is way too late! I have been having a hard time really, but I am hoping against hope that I was able to quench our thirst with SenRu moments in this one! *squeals* Personally, I am beginning to like Sendoh here as well- considering that I've always been a RuRu fan. \./ Kyaa! Sendoh~san! I honestly wanted this chapter to reach up to their one-on-one scene but I feel like I have been slacking already and I don't want to *force* it so, I might just start that scene in the next chapter! Phew, I hope you're still following this anyhow! To Addicted to SD: eto na! Waah, sorry! You know naman~ to the new followers, thanks so much guys! *hugs*
I know this fic is way too long and it's only natural for you to feel lazy to read it; hahaha! ^_^ actually this chapter is just 15 pages, I was thinking of making this 20 actually. Hahah! But I feel like I'm drained already! I'll start chapter 10 already so that I will be pumped up to continue! RnR if u have time :D