Chapter 12
End of first half. Rukawa wordlessly took note of the scores on the board and snorted softly to himself. They are leading by six points. Not much of a lead considering the fact that it is him and Sendoh to boost but, a lead is still a lead no matter where you put it. He sat down on the bench and opened his bottle of Pocari and drank from it. He momentarily looked across the court to see how the other two players is doing. 'Seems like they're talking.' He inwardly noted. He sighed softly and looked at his right to see Sendoh drinking in as well from his bottle. Sendoh stared back at him after, "We're leading." A smile. Silence was what greeted the older boy. Sendoh snorted softly and chuckled. Rukawa frowned. "I don't get some of your passes…" A pause. Rukawa looked down momentarily as if trying to remember a few scenes from the first half. He did remember a few good passes from Sendoh which he was able to get a hold of, but funny because there were a few other passes as well that seemed 'off' the hook; meaning, Sendoh's passes were so good, Rukawa wasn't able to read into them, causing for the enemy to intercept. Sometimes, the ball would slipped from his hand because of the intensity of the way the older boy pass. 'He passes as if he's throwing me a boulder.' Rukawa went bug-eyed. He sweat drop. Sendoh chuckled amusedly at the pale guy. "So what you mean is that, I should shout to where I would pass? Is that it? Sendoh paused. "Like, Rukawa-kun right! Rukawa-kun, left!" The Ryonan Ace grinned.
Rukawa glared. 'Doahou, shout? If you do that, then they'll know where to anticipate the ball, ch.' He inwardly mused. "It's just that it's a bit off sometimes." Rukawa remembered a few good bluffs during the first half- earning them both some hoots, cheers, and laughs, especially when Sendoh would execute a blind pass to his side- expecting perhaps for Rukawa to be there, only to find out that Rukawa wasn't and it'll end up of course either at Fukuda's hands or worst—the redhead's. Rukawa even heard Mitsui laughed as the ball slipped his hand. It was something way too off, considering the calibre of the two of them but, probably because this is the first time for both to be finally working together on court as a 'team'—so that would explain a few weird and rare mistakes for them to have. Sendoh shrugged and smiled. "Well, okay, what do you suggest then?" Rukawa only looked back- blankly. Sendoh waited, expecting perhaps for a small suggestion from the stoic boy. Truth is, out of their score, thirty-four points came all alone from Rukawa! He, on the other hand, contented himself with some good ol' twenty points. But the older boy knows best, the fox-eyed player couldn't have gotten all the points to himself, without his exquisite assists. "Nothing, just saying…" Rukawa softly muttered. Sendoh paused- then chuckled. Rukawa looked at his laughing companion and slightly pouted. "You're always laughing." He muttered. The Ryonan Ace drank once more on his bottle and grinned. "Well, maybe because you say some of the funniest things." He grinned. Rukawa simply rolled his eyes, not believing one bit. "Doahou." He softly reiterated. Akira grinned.
"Have you…" A pause. "…always played point guard?" Rukawa calmly asks. He felt his hand clutching a bit tighter on his bottle, eyes looking down, trying to blank all the other noises from around the court as the final few minutes of their break slowly dies down. Rukawa's feeling a bit weird, suddenly wanting to ask, and somewhat talk to the current object of his affection. He felt his heart raced a bit. 'Baka Rukawa, stop being nosy all of a sudden, you're in a game, doaho.' He berated himself sternly. Sendoh shrugged and smile. "Nope. Not really." He sighed. "I was like you back in a year…" Sendoh paused and smiled as if reminiscing. Rukawa looked at his older teammate. Sendoh looked back and grinned. "I played small forward for a year, and it actually feels great…to be getting points, driving it hard into the basket, getting to the line, and foul shooting…" He paused yet again, eyes looking cheery. "And?" Rukawa somehow found himself prodding softly. Sendoh shrugged. "I got bored of it all. Then Coach Taoka made me realized a few good things." He smiled. "He told me that I do have the talent but… talent may win games, but teamwork wins championships." Rukawa found his gaze fixated on the older boy. Sendoh softly snorted and smiled. "It kinda has a good ring in it. A good point if you would think about it really, and I found myself liking the idea of not just trying to win the game alone. He reminded me that I do have teammates around and that they are all capable of scoring." Sendoh paused and looked at the pale boy to see if he is still around- he saw Rukawa patiently listening to him. "You just have to move the ball around and use your potentials…" Silence. Sendoh took in the moment to stare at the other more directly now at his eyes. He felt warmth seeping into him—then he felt it. That strong emotion and something akin to personal attachment- a liking so intense that he had been probably feeling all along; waiting just to be discovered. Love. It is often defined as the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another. He found himself tugging his lips upwards. "In this game, team unity and team chemistry is far more important than talent, he said…" The younger boy remained silent, but his looks strongly suggests that he was digesting all the information he has been getting from the older boy- a silent appreciation of what he percept of as 'small' things with big meaning. Rukawa did not know that amidst Sendoh's carefree and almost lax behaviour, lies a very deep and profound person in the body of a seventeen-year old boy. Maybe that is one of the many reasons he has found himself being drawn in to the Ryonan Ace. Somehow, somewhere along the way, Sendoh was able to give one word, a special meaning. Rukawa cast his gaze low at the floor- his eyes suddenly softening and full of warmth. If only he knew how to say it he would have done it a long time ago but… it seems like the most sincere feelings are the hardest to be expressed by words. 'When you touch someone with your spirit… and in turn, they touch your soul with their heart.' Rukawa found himself musing suddenly a flicker of his current emotion that has been there all along, amidst the impending game. 'But what if… he doesn't feel the same?'
Just then, the whistle blew. Start of the second half. Rukawa found himself looking up across the court, suddenly the sound of the whistle breaking into his internal reverie. He looked at his side to see Sendoh still looking at him with that something in his eyes. Rukawa chose not to give a thought. The older boy smiled softly. "Rukawa-kun, let's try a give and go game on these two, shall we?" Rukawa blinked his eyes twice. Sendoh smiled. "Pass the ball to me and I'll run to pass it back to you on an open spot near the basket for an easy score. Sakuragi-kun seems to be the type that pays too much attention to the ball instead of the player who moves after passing the ball." Then he grinned. Rukawa found himself lifting the corner of his lips upward. Sendoh is a sly one too, sometimes. He snorted softly. He actually thought that it's a mean play, considering that Sakuragi is still a newbie, but then, he believes that the redhead might learn a thing or two at this so he nodded. "And I've always thought you're the nice guy." Rukawa softly muttered. Sendoh chuckled. "I am a very nice guy, sunshine." He winked. Rukawa felt his cheeks heat up but still managed to roll his eyes. "Yeah right." Akira chuckled then stood up and stretched a bit. "C'mon, Rukawa. It's time to end this- it'll be Christmas soon!" Sendoh grinned. Rukawa simply snorted but nodded. 'Christmas…' He almost forgot. The pale boy found himself being reminded of the season they're actually going to be celebrating a week from now and somehow, he found himself lighting a tiny bit of hope in him that this coming season would be far different from the past holidays that has gone by him.
And once again, the four players found themselves placed across the centre of the court as cheers once again erupted. The audience were very much into their game as they endlessly analyse and re-analyse the plays each of the four has been executing. From one bench, Miyagi can be seen sitting beside Ayako. The short point guard has his brows furrowed as if in deep thought. "Don't tell me you're sulking." Ayako chirped in as she passed a bottle of water to the now flushed Miyagi. "Aya-chan." He grinned. Ayako simply chuckled back. "Of course I'm not. Why would I sulk?" Miyagi grinned back. He sighed as he fidgeted on the cap of the bottle. "It was a good game though, and this camp as well. I think it helped all the players here discover something good and special within themselves." He paused and smiled. Ayako nodded her head and playfully elbowed the short guy. "Yeah, you guys played well!" Miyagi simply shook his head and grinned back. "Played so well, we lost. Haha!" Ayako shrugged but she smiled. "Hey, don't be hard on yourself." A pause. Miyagi smiled at the girl of her dreams and went to stare back on the court where the four players are. He found himself fixated on two specifically players. Sendoh and Rukawa. He sighed as he smirked. "Wow, sometimes I am wondering myself about those two…" Ayako looked at Miyagi with curiosity. "Huh? Who? Sendoh and Rukawa-kun?" Miyagi nodded. Ayako shrugged. "Like what kind of wonder?" She paused- then grinned. "Do you think they're in a relationship?" Miyagi almost popped his eyes out of their sockets as he felt himself blush and scratched his nape absent-mindedly. "A-aya-chan!" He chuckled and they both laughed after. 'Seriously? Could it be? Is it even possible?' Somehow, Miyagi found his musings rather… amusing suddenly. He snorted. "Well, I don't know about that Aya-chan but they seem like Yin and Yang to me." Ayako stretched her limbs and snickered. "Oh really? I thought they're rather two opposing forces. Care to enlighten me, mister?" She grinned and playfully elbowed the shorter point guard. Miyagi simply grinned back and playfully snickered as well. Miyagi leaned back, smirked and shrugged. "I'm not sure Aya-chan, I mean…" He paused, then decided to continue while gazing at the two figures that have now decided to enter the court. Miyagi sighed before deciding to further add, "…I honestly think they highly complement each other. Everything has both yin and yang aspects, like for instance how shadow couldn't exist without light. Either of the two major aspects may manifest more strongly in a particular object, depending on the criterion of the observation. The yin yang shows a balance between two opposites with a little bit in each."
He paused and knotted his brows. "I'm not really trying to sound scholarly but, it is as if, the way I see it, Rukawa's yin nature- him being the passive one complements greatly Sendoh's yang- him being the overt-type." Miyagi softly chuckle. "It is as if them being together, they meant 'balance', while "yin" would be dark, passive, downward, cold, contracting, and weak, "yang" would be bright, active, upward, hot, expanding, and strong. They are not completely black or white, just as things in life are not completely black or white, and they cannot exist without each other." Silence. Miyagi gulped as he was made to looked to his right- and saw Ayako looking at him rather with a peculiar smile on her lovely face. Miyagi sweatdrop. "Uh, Aya-chan?" Ayako giggled then laughed as she softly jabbed Miyagi's right arm. "Hahahah, I can't believe you, Ryota- I mean, and here I thought I was seated beside Aristotle or something." She grinned. "To cut everything short, the way I understand all of these is that, you're almost saying as if Rukawa-kun's the female and Sendoh's the male. Ahahahah!" Miyagi sweatdrop and sighed. "Uh, well, I don't think that's the right analogy, but I definitely get the idea." Ayako chuckled. "Well, I don't think Rukawa-kun would find it amusing for him to be regarded as 'female', hahahah! That kid is going to skin you alive." Miyagi simply grinned. "Well, he rather looks like more effeminate than Sendoh, though." A pause, and they both laughed. They continued a few more chatters before deciding to finally sit back and watch the last and final half.
Rukawa dribbled the ball on his hand while walking slowly at the center of the court, eyes looking down at each bounce. He can sense Sakuragi and Fukuda looming around and know as well that Sendoh's just behind somewhere. The whistle started- he looked up and saw Akagi signaled for him to pass the ball. Akagi held the ball and soon enough, the four found themselves back at the center. Sakuragi once again placed himself at the center-ready for the jump ball so did Sendoh. He cast one menacing glare from the smiling Ryonan Ace and huffed. "Ugh, I'm going to beat you now." Sendoh simply shrugged. "Sure thing." Once more, the crowd on the benches hooted and cheered as the second half is about to start. Sakuragi hned and fixated his eyes on the ball held by Akagi. Fukuda's stoic face remains to be unreadable as he has only one thing in mind, and that is to get the ball and dashed for a lay-up. Rukawa was simply being himself as he wordlessly eyes both Sakuragi and Fukuda, trying very much to read their moves, if he could. Just then, Akagi raised his hand and tossed the ball sending Sakuragi and Sendoh jumping up to get the orange leather. This time, it was a close call but Sakuragi somehow managed to get the ball and tapped it to where Fukuda is. The crowd hollered and instantly, Sendoh and Rukawa both ran to their defensive mode. Sendoh softly shook his head and clacked his tongue. From behind he heard Kiyota laughed as he hollered. "Dammit Sendoh, for the second time, that redhead beat you to the jump ball! Ahahahahh! What's up, man?!" Everyone around him snickered. Sendoh momentarily looked at the crowd and shrugged. "Guess I'm not born to be doing jump balls." They all laughed and Sendoh could only grinned. Rukawa ran passed him, catching up to Fukuda who has the ball and was dashing off to the other side of the court. "Game's on, idiot." Sendoh could only looked on and snickered as he, too, decided to run at the other side of the court as he smirked. "Oopps, sorry, sunshine." He grinned. Rukawa simply rolled his eyes. 'Doahou.'
Fukuda dribbled in fancy as he tried a go to the left then to the right in an effort to evade the defense of Rukawa. The pale kid has his serious face on as he tried to guard the Ryonan's forward. Fukuda's stare quickly averted to his left and saw Sakuragi being close guarded by Sendoh. Sakuragi is obviously annoyed- he can't get away. Looks like Sendoh has already been seriously guarding him now. He groaned in annoyance. "Kso! Teme Spiky, get out of my face!" Sendoh was a bit puzzled as he found himself chuckling softly. "H-hey, we're playing, I can't do that!" The crowd laughed and hooted as they heard the redhead's plea. Maki and Fujima laughed softly as well as they both shook their heads in sheer amusement. Mitsui cackled as he further annoys their power forward. "Hahaha, what now genius, Sendoh's finally getting serious! What'll you do now?" Everyone clapped and cheered for him. Sendoh softly chuckled to himself- truth is, he was rather feeling happy and amazed as well. He believes that Sakuragi might learn something if he will play him at a higher notch than what he did before. The ball was miraculously passed to Sakuragi to the surprised of the crowd- the redhead smirked and immediately dribbled the ball in front of Sendoh who looked a bit puzzled. He stared at the ball then to the redhead who has that serious look on his face, he felt his lips tugged upward. Truth is, Sendoh can actually steal the ball- he could tapped it easily and ran to their court, but somehow he chose not to, instead wanted to impart something of an advice to the aspiring redhead. 'Well, they're off to the nationals, anyway. Might as well, give a free advice.' He snorted softly and chuckled. Sendoh bent low and continued his defense. "Sakuragi-kun, always dribble with the hand away from the defender." A smile. Sakuragi felt his brown orbs widened as he shot a looked against Sendoh's cobalt blue ones. He furrowed his brow and almost gritted his teeth. "Teme, what are you saying, spiky? You dare teach the Tensai?" Sendoh shook his head and smiled. "Seriously Sakuragi-kun, I think you're going to be a great asset to the team, I'm just giving you a few advices." He grinned. Sakuragi for some unknown reason found his cheeks flushing. He gritted his teeth in annoyance and felt his hand dribbled faster than before. "S-shut up! Why are you helping the Tensai, I don't need advices! Ch!" But Sakuragi somehow found himself truly dribbling the ball away from Sendoh as he, himself, realized as well the importance of that one single advice from the older boy. 'Kso, this spiky is way too nice! I mean, is he even for real?!' Sendoh cheerily grinned when he saw the redhead executing his simple line. "That's it Sakuragi-kun. Protect the ball by keeping the body between the ball and the opponent." Sakuragi sweatdrop. 'Kso, is this a free training clinic?' He went bug-eyed. He can't believe that Sendoh Akira is actually saying these things. He furrowed his brow again and turned around- pushed back a little and was about to go for a shot when he missed! The ball bounced off the rim and Sakuragi was about to get the rebound again when Sendoh beat him to it. The crowd hooted and cheered and Sendoh instinctively passed the ball to Rukawa who charged at the other end- but was met by the defense of Fukuda. Sakuragi fumed in annoyance as he ran as well to guard the spiky-haired dude. "Kso! You were distracting me!" Sendoh almost chuckled. "I'm not! I'm just telling you tips!" He grinned back. Sakuragi still fumed. "Remember them Sakuragi-kun, you'll need them in the Nationals." Sendoh winked and Sakuragi simply clacked his tongue. "Teme, tell your tips to that weakling Kitsune of yours!" Sendoh raised his brows. 'Kitsune of mine?' He chuckled softly. "He knows them all already!" Sendoh grinned. Sakuragi felt his ears burned. Rukawa shot a side-glance when he heard Sendoh somewhat talking to Sakuragi. 'Tips? What tips?' he inwardly muttered as he continued his mode to attack the basket. He pushed forward and tried to charge at Fukuda's defense but to no avail. Rukawa frowned. 'Damn this smug-face.' He momentarily looked at Sendoh who looked right back at him and nodded. Rukawa passed the ball to his senpai, earning a lot of 'oohs' from the bewildered crowd. Maki found his lips parting slightly. 'Oni…passed?' he almost wanted to rub his eyes. Sendoh expertly held the ball with his left hand and shoved off a bewildered redhead while dribbling the ball with his left and automatically ran towards the basket- but Fukuda read into his move as the number thirteen of Ryonan was there, ready to block Sendoh's lay-up attempt. Fukuda, though was shattered when Sendoh tapped the ball via blind pass back to Rukawa who was open to shoot a jumper and in no time, the six-point lead became eight.
Uozumi whistled. "Timeout!" The crowd groaned and cheered as the game they're watching suddenly halted to a stop. Rukawa walked towards their side and frowned as Sendoh passed by him. "Hey, you called a timeout?" Sendoh looked back and grinned as he flashed a V-sign. "Yeah, uh, I need to pee. Hahaha!" Rukawa felt his ears burned as he went bug-eyed. "Doahou." But Sendoh simply laughed him off and jogged towards the washroom. Somehow, he found himself staring longingly at the restroom and he somewhat felt his lips tugged ever so slightly upward. 'You're a spiky baka, alright.' Rukawa looked on the other corner as he heard Sakuragi cackling loudly. It is almost as if they're not down by eight. "Hahahahha! Silly spiky! You should wear diapers! Nyahahah!" Kiyota also snickered as the crowd simply shook their heads and shrugged at the naïve redhead. Rukawa sat down first at the bench as he opened his Pocari and drank from it. He looked at the scoreboards for a sec and felt a bit satisfied. Fukuda on the other hand seemed serious, he looked at the redhead who was busy chatting on the bench with some other peeps and decided to head for the restroom as well.
Sendoh looked up when the door to the washroom opened- it was Fukuda. They looked at each other momentarily and Sendoh smiled. "Hey Kicchou." Fukuda nodded and went straight to pee as well. Sendoh turned off the faucet and wipe his hands on his shirt. Fukuda, done with his thing, proceeded to the sink to wash off his hands as well. "Hey, good play Kicchou…" Sendoh started. Fukuda shrugged and looked from the mirror to Sendoh who was leaning on the wall, looking casual. "We're down by eight, taichou." Sendoh softly snorted and smiled almost apologetically. "Still you're plays are nice. I noticed you've improved drastically." Fukuda simply tugged his lips upward and nodded. 'Taichou, sometimes I wonder if you're simply nice- or you're way too nice.' Fukuda sighed and wiped his hands on his shirt as well. "Well, I don't have a choice either, Taichou. I mean, I gotta do something, you know whom I'm with anyway." Sendoh paused and softly chuckled. "Sakuragi-kun's improved as well, I'm sure he'll get the hang of all these things." Fukuda simply smirked. "You looked happy though, Captain." Sendoh paused. Silence ensued. Fukuda eyes their Ace and smiled knowingly. Sendoh tilted his head on one side. "I looked happy?" Sendoh grinned. 'Wow, Kicchou, you sure are unpredictable.' Fukuda simply shook his head and smirked but as he opened the door, Sendoh could almost gape in surprise and he was left to wonder for a minute as to how did a stoic guy as Fukuda seemed to…
"You looked in love, Cap." Silence. And Sendoh? Well, he could only scratched his nape and chuckle to himself as he, as well, went out of the washroom. 'Seriously?'
Few minutes more and its back to the game. Sendoh approached a poker-faced Rukawa and smiled. "And you? You're not going to pee?" He joked at the younger kid. Rukawa could only twitched his lips and rolled his eyes. "I'm just going to pee wherever." Sendoh paused and laughed as both decided to take the center court. "Like, wherever? Like, here on court?" Sendoh added while walking. Rukawa nodded. "Yep. Like here on court. So that all you guys would slip." And the spiky haired boy could only laughed in amusement as a few onlookers on court wondered as to why does it seemed Sendoh looks at bliss. And Rukawa? The pale kid could only tugged his lips upward as he bowed his head slightly- feeling the burning of his cheeks as he tried to stifle a soft impending chuckle of his own. 'I really can't believe we're talking…'
The whistle blew, signaling the start of the final ten minutes. Sakuragi has the ball as he dribbled forward in an attempt to try his luck for a lay-up. He gritted his teeth in annoyance and went bug-eyed as the face of his arch nemesis guarded him. Rukawa too, was a bit bug-eyed as he kept a close guard on the redhead. The crowd went frantic as they all hooted and cheer because finally, this is the match that they've been waiting for. Rukawa kept his eyes sharp and Sakuragi could only squint his eyes in annoyance and seeming disgust. Mitsui cackled and hollered as he cheered and clapped his hands on the air. Kogure almost nudged him to calm down. Ayako and Miyagi exchanged glances as both grinned and laughed. Haruko felt herself smiled as excitement crept in. "Go Sakuragi-kun! Rukawa-kun!" Akagi and Uozumi kept their eyes on both Shohoku forwards, lest the two decided to take a hard brawl on court. Fukuda was trying to get into the position if ever the redhead decided to pass on but Sendoh's guarding him. Kiyota laughed his ass off as he take photos with his camera phone. "Now, this is going to be news! Imma post it online and caption it with 'Dorky Duos' hahahaha!"
"Teme, why are you guarding me? Get out of my face!" Sakuragi hollered. The crowd laughed. Akagi sweatdrop as he fought the urge to simply bonk the redhead on the head. Rukawa continued to look poker-faced as he knotted his brows. 'Why am I guarding you anyway? Ugh.' He simply wanted to just tap the ball off to make the redhead mad. "Kso, I said out of my way, you sleepy Kitsune!" Rukawa simply clacked his tongue and unleashed his lash as well. "I aint letting you, doahou." Sakuragi fumed as he dribbled furiously and made an attempt to evade Rukawa. The crowd hollered as the redhead tried to advance in an attempt for a drastic move. "Teemee! I want the Spiky to guard me, not the weakling!" Sendoh felt himself chuckling while trying to guard Fukuda. Fukuda sweatdrop. "That's what I'm telling you, Cap." Sendoh laughed and shook his head. Fukuda was able to evade the defense of Sendoh to the latter's surprise and instantly, the smug forward of Ryonan shouted 'Pass' alerting Rukawa- the redhead clacked his tongue and smirked when he saw Rukawa looked on the other side and instantly dashed off to everyone's surprise! The crowd hollered and cheered! Clearly, Sakuragi was able to break off Rukawa's defense and it was once again a chase down at the other end. "Nyahahahh! It pays to be the genius!" Rukawa sweat drop as he chased while cursing expletives to himself. Sakuragi passed the ball across Fukuda as Sendoh and Rukawa chased from behind. "Hey, you didn't let him off the hook, do you?" Sendoh joked as he ran as well. Rukawa looked back and almost pouted. "Hell, no." Sendoh only laughed and both Aces were just more than surprised when Fukuda stepped outside the line to fire a three- the crowd looked on and the eight-point lead was immediately cut off to three. The crowd cheered and hollered. Sendoh wiped the sweat off his forehead and smiled. "Well, it looks like they're catching up." He got the ball from Akagi and walked as he dribbled; a smile on his face. He looked at one corner and saw all of the people's familiar faces. They all cheered and smiled at him in support. Sendoh saw Fujima grinning mischievously at him as he passed by them. "Hey there hotshot, I wonder why you two can't pull off a two-digit lead!" Fujima chuckled. Sendoh stopped for a sec while dribbling and chuckled softly as well. "I didn't expect this play to be easy, Fujima-taichou." Fujima simply rolled his eyes off. Sendoh caught Maki staring at him and he simply shrugged off as he continued to run off the other court. Sendoh dribbled once, twice- then in between his legs and charged off to the basket easily even if Fukuda was closely guarding him, making the lead back at seven. Sakuragi stomp his foot and pointed his finger at the spiky-haired dude. "Teme, Spiky! You said you'd guard me! Kso!" Sendoh grinned and nodded. "Yeah sure, later, be prepared." Sakuragi smirked and cackled. Rukawa went bug-eyed as Uozumi passed him the ball. 'Ch, doahou.' He ran across the court- now it was Fukuda who was guarding him; the pale kid dribbled as he was advancing; Fukuda closely guarding by. Rukawa dashed to his left but was automatically confronted by the redhead and to his instinct found himself passing the ball to his right without looking; Sendoh seemed to have caught the idea but sadly though it was intercepted by Fukuda! The crowd hollered and clapped as Rukawa's eyes widened. Sakuragi clapped and laughed his ass off as he pointed his finger annoyingly at the blue-eyed rookie. "Nyahahah! Stupid! Are you trying to mimic Spiky's blind pass? Y'got a long way to go, Kitsune!" Sakuragi hollered earning a few chuckles on the bench but mostly from Kiyota himself. The other seniors simply shook their heads off and snickered a bit. Akagi sweatdrop as he almost felt his fist wanting very much to hit the redhead! Uozumi grinned and chuckled as well as he sped off at the other court. Rukawa almost wanted to throw a fit. 'Kso, I almost had it.' Sendoh ran beside him and smiled. "Don't mind Rukawa, its okay." A smile. Rukawa felt his ears burned and looked abruptly at his right. 'What do you mean by 'don't mind', I mind of course!' He looked back and slightly threw in a small fit, though. "Why didn't you get the pass?" Sendoh felt his brows raised and he smiled. "I- I didn't know that you're going to pass!" He chuckled. Rukawa frowned. "You should have moved faster, ch." Sendoh sweatdrop- but he smiled nonetheless. "Hahah, well sorry about that, my mistake I guess." Rukawa looked back- brows knotted and could only snort softly. "Hey Rukawa-kun, are you trying on that blind pass?" Sendoh asks in an almost endearing tone. Truth is, he was rather feeling a bit ecstatic if ever the younger kid is trying to mimic him alright; he felt warmth if ever that was true. 'Rukawa-kun, you are cute alright.' Rukawa paused and almost looked at the ground. He felt shy to admit the fact that he was indeed trying Sendoh's blind pass move because he literally failed at the attempt. "N-not really." He muttered softly. The next moment made Rukawa's chest race as Sendoh passed by him and extended his hand over his head to ruffle his hair in front of the noisy and probably nosy crowd. BA DUMP. BA DUMP. 'Kso, Sendoh Akira you baka…' Sendoh smiled. "I'll teach you that later- first, we gotta win this." And he winked; Rukawa wanted to just get away from the older boy as far as possible, he knows his ears are burning. 'Doahou Rukawa, you're in a game, concentrate you silly.'
Ayako's eyes widened a bit- clearly she wasn't expecting Sendoh to be touchy-feely on their Ace. She wondered at the older guy's act and that how Rukawa seemed not to mind. She felt his lips tugged upward as she nodded her head. "Captain obvious…" She snickered softly earning a stare from Miyagi. "Hey, Aya-chan, you were saying something?" Ayako looked at her side and grinned. "I think they're in love." She giggled. Miyagi sweatdrop. "H-huh? Who?" Ayako laughed and shook her head. "I won't tell, it's for me to know and for you to find out!" Miyagi could only looked on, smirked, shake his head off and shrugged. "Whatever Aya-chan, I'm expecting you to tell on me that, sooner or later anyway." And Miyagi could only grinned back.
Before the last five minutes of the game, Fukuda and Sakuragi was able to pull on a tie which sent the bench frenzied; Fukuda was damn serious in pulling off a win and whenever he sees a moment to steer on the wheel to his corner, he makes sure he gets it right, Sendoh was simply passing too much- he was driving into the basket once in a while but with Rukawa around, he doesn't have to dig in much effort. Rukawa somehow found himself slightly appreciating Fukuda's skill because he was really being able to make him a couple of mistakes. The last one minute proved to be a turning point for both Fukuda and Sakuragi as the redhead was miraculously able to steal twice from Sendoh to the much amusement of the crowd. Sendoh, too, found himself gaping a bit and smiling to himself because Sakuragi is really doing all of his efforts to get his win on them. Unbeknownst probably to both redhead and Fukuda, their teamup is something not to be reckoned with as it both showcased their hidden talents and explicit plays when both partnered on court. Of course, neither will admit the fact that they both played well together and that their partnership is something memorable to both of them indeed. The final thirty seconds and Rukawa delivered his back to back jumper- surprising everyone and making Mitsui cringed because the three-pointer was clearly rooting for the redhead. Rukawa made a steal, pulled off a jumper over Fukuda and in the last fifteen to ten seconds on court—the crowd finally hollered to a mixed cheers and groaned as the two Aces proved themselves to have the upper notch on court. The final score was 78-82. Not bad, especially for both Fukuda and Sakuragi because their opponent just happened to be Sendoh and Rukawa. Sakuragi, of course, threw in once again his usual fury, antic, and fit, but he was madly praised by most people on the bench that in no time at all, he was once again back to his old self. It was some game and everyone seemed to be talking about it even after thirty minutes of finishing the game.
Sendoh gulped from his water as he sat on the bench. There were still a few players inside the court and even Sakuragi and Fukuda were on the other side, still getting pats, and whacks on their backs for their superb play. Sakuragi was a bit annoyed but he was laughing. He even slapped Sendoh's hand and cackled; but he only threw in his infamous glare at Rukawa who simply looked on him as well. Fukuda offered his hand at the stoic boy and Rukawa surprisingly accepted it. "Nice game, sunshine." Rukawa gasps as he looked up and saw Fukuda smirking a bit- but his eyes were not mocking. It spoke of something he might probably knew of. Rukawa partly opened his lips- wanting very much to glare but failing to do so. He knotted his brows slightly and just wordlessly nodded. Fukuda simply snorted softly and shrugged as he went back to their bench. Rukawa sweatdrop. 'This g-guy just called me… sunshine? I wonder if he hears Sendoh calling me that though…' He sighed and went back to their bench to take note of the time. It was 330 PM. He was surprised though when he saw his phone with two mail messages. He sat down and opened them. 'Weird, I don't really get mails.' His eyes almost widened as he saw to whom the mail came from. It was from his grandmother and his… 'Father?' Rukawa felt his chest thump as well. His father mailed him? He gulped, he opened first his grandmother's mail and almost smiled when he just read an endearing message from the old lady. Kaede-kun, it'll be Christmas soon, we will be cooking your favorite dishes once again. Come back home soon, son. –Obaachan Only then Rukawa found his fingers typing in something for a reply. I miss you too, obaachan. I will be home in two days. The next mail, Rukawa was about to click open when he almost dropped his phone because Sendoh peeped in from behind his back. He felt his chest race and cheeks burned. "Hey what are you doing? Mailing someone?" The older boy chuckled softly. Rukawa almost jumped up from his seat and glared incredulously at the cheery-eyed Sendoh. He frowned. Sendoh could only laughed. "Did y-you just read my mail, ahou?" Sendoh shook his head while sipping on a straw from his tumbler. He grinned. "No! I wasn't, I didn't see anything. Promise." He paused. "Like, why would I do that?" He smiled. Rukawa almost stared with scrutinizing eyes but stayed wordless nonetheless. Sendoh rolled his eyes in disbelief. "H-hey, I didn't get to see your mail, I promise." He smiled rather sincerely. Rukawa simply paused then shrugged. "Whatever." Sendoh chuckled. "Secretive, aren't we, huh?" Rukawa simply looked at nothing in particular. "Someone special?" Sendoh added. Rukawa looked up and was met by the mischievous grin of the older boy. He can feel his eyes widened slightly and his ears almost heating up. "N-not really." Rukawa softly muttered- and he frowned. "You're nosy." Sendoh laughed as he sipped his lemonade in his tumbler. "Am not sunshine, just asking…" Sendoh paused, and Rukawa was more than surprised when the latter sort of turned serious. "But really, someone… special?" BA DUMP. Rukawa felt the thumping of his chest vivid as he seek for the words to answer. He softly snorted and looked at his phone. 'Someone special? Grandma is someone special… Father too.' He found himself nodding. "Y-yeah, I supposed…" The next statement made Rukawa's ears burned as he could only watched Sendoh's retreating form as the older boy walked to greet some other players who were calling him- but Sendoh sported his smile nonetheless. "Wow, really… I'm jealous." Rukawa almost gasps. 'H-huh? Jea-jealous? B-but, why?'
A one hour break will be observed and the next game will resumed at around 430 in the afternoon. This time, it will be a simultaneous game as well with the losing pair from Shoyo-Kainan. Akagi sighed and drank from his tumbler as he looked at nothing in particular. Most of the players decided to grab a small snack in the canteen and soon after, he was accompanied by no other than Uozumi himself. "Do you have the list for the next games?" Akagi nodded. "Yes, but I left it on our room." Uozumi nodded and decided to just sip from his cola. His eyes scanned the crowd to see most of the players gathered in their own group or tables. He smirked, causing for Akagi to stare back at him. "I knew this would happen." He chuckled to himself. Akagi only paused before dawning what the other had meant. He smiled. "Well, in any case, it's either two things, Uozumi." A pause. "Either they're still both exhausted from their game or they're both fired up that we'll definitely lose to them." The two seniors could only nod their heads off and prepare for their impending matchup against the two formidable Aces of their own teams. Rukawa's eyes were blank as he walked across the court and straight probably to the canteen to grab a bite. He was about to reach the gym door when a voice hollered up to him. "Hey wait up!" Sendoh almost shouted and the pale kid could only looked back to see his approaching senior while busily stuffing in some of his things randomly inside his bag. Sendoh eyed him and smiled. "You're not waiting again." Rukawa simply stared. Sendoh shrugged. "Next game's on 6PM, let's go grab a bite, what do you say?" Rukawa simply looked down and nodded. "Sure." Sendoh paused- then smiled. "Hey, you okay?" Rukawa nodded softly. "Yeah." Sendoh raised a brow. "You seemed not." Rukawa snorted and went out of the gym nonetheless to which Sendoh only chuckled.
"I thought we'd lose back there." Sendoh started as they walked towards the canteen. Rukawa remained wordless. Truth is, he was wondering about what the older boy said awhile back. Jealous. Seriously? Rukawa wondered as how Sendoh was able to say that. 'He just could be bluffing.' Rukawa knotted his brows and felt his chest race. He almost doesn't want to think about it, but sometimes, the more he tried to evade about these seemingly other thoughts of his, the more they seemed to be wanting to come across his internal musings. Truth is, he wanted to pinch himself on the face because he honestly thought that, 'Could it be? I mean, it could just be my wishful thinking though.' A pause. 'Could it be that he likes me perhaps, as well?' He felt his ears heating up as he tried to shake off his selfish thoughts. 'Baka Rukawa Kaede, why are you entertaining this puny thoughts.' Sendoh stopped walking just as about they were around three steps away from the door- the funny thing is, Rukawa did not stopped walking as he take in two more strides—he was just taken aback when he felt his arm being held back by the taller boy. Rukawa's eyes widened. BA DUMP.
"I was asking you, what would you like to eat?" Sendoh stated in his low and manly voice. Rukawa found himself staring intensely at the taller guy's cobalt blue orbs- how he wished the ground would just open up and swallow him whole. They stared for a few sec before Rukawa was able to find his voice. "A-anything is fine by me." He knotted his brows and Sendoh only disarmed his smile. "Why do I get the feeling that you're off lately?" Rukawa freed his arm from the grasp and frowned. "What are you getting at, ahou?" Sendoh simply patted the younger kid and grinned to which Rukawa only frowned. "C'mon sunshine, let's go grab a bite." The two Aces entered the noisy canteen making the others paused in their actions; as always stares were thrown at them. Sendoh looked up to meet the familiar faces with his infamous smile while Rukawa simply looked around briefly only to bow down his head in an attempt to avoid a possible conversation. "Well, if it weren't the winners." Kiyota hollered and he cackled. Sendoh simply pat him on the arm and queued up on the line. Rukawa queued up behind Sendoh but the older boy looked behind me and offered him his place instead. "You go ahead Rukawa-kun, I'll just ask something to Uozumi senpai." Rukawa did not say anything as he simply nodded his head off and advanced on the line. The guy behind the counter asks him and the rookie simply asked for a cheeseburger and some mashed potato as a side dish. Rukawa then placed himself on an empty table, a bit far away from the usual crowd but near enough the table of Ryota and Ayako.
"Captain." Sendoh stated as he placed himself right next to Uozumi, alerting the two eating seniors. Sendoh grinned and bowed at Akagi to which the latter simply smirked. Uozumi shrugged and joked at Sendoh's regard of him. "Am not the Captain, you are." Akagi chuckled and shook his head while Sendoh simply grinned back wider as he scratch his head. Uozumi smirked and looked at their Ryonan star. "Well, what is it, Ace?" Sendoh simply smiled and shrugged. "Well, do we really need to play another round at 630?" Uozumi nodded. "Yeah why, are you going to forfeit?" Akagi paused and laughed. Sendoh stared back and grinned. "N-no way, Cap… hahahah." Sendoh grinned and paused. "I was just asking. I mean, I just hope we could finish early and all." Uozumi shrugged as he sipped on his cola. "We'll probably be done around 730 or so…" He paused. "Why? You're in a hurry or something?" Akagi chuckled. "You could wave the white flag if you're afraid to fight us, though Sendoh." Sendoh snorted softly, but his eyes were cheery. 'Seriously? Waved off the game?' He shook his head and stared at a particular table a bit far from where he is. "Well, I really wouldn't mind waving it off because I really want to go out tonight." He paused. "But I don't think my companion is willing to simply give this game to you guys." A grin. Uozumi simply shook his head and smirked. "Go out? Who? You? With whom? Where would you go anyway?" Sendoh leaned back from his seat and shrugged. "I dunno, just out I guess… around Osaka perhaps?" He smiled.
"With the boys?" Uozumi prodded. Sendoh paused, not really wanting to answer- no, more like, not knowing how to answer. With the team? Nah. He just went out with the whole team. He found his lips tugging upward. "Not really Cap…" He paused and Sendoh stood up to the surprise of the two seniors. "Well, see you on court later, Captains." Sendoh grinned and waved off. Akagi and Uozumi were left to stare at the retreating back of the Ace. Akagi snorted. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking Jun?" Uozumi wasn't sure, but somehow he found himself nodding. "Yeah." He paused. Akagi sipped on his drink and tugged his lips upwards. "I think he will try to finish the game early." Uozumi gasps a little, and sweatdrop. Clearly, he wasn't thinking of that. "Uh, well, I thought he wants to go out because he might have a date or some sort." Akagi stared and went bug-eyed. Well, it looks like the two Captains are not in sync. "Oh really? A date? With whom? Does he know someone around from Osaka?" Uozumi shrugged as he absent-mindedly looked at his empty plate. "I don't think he knows anyone around here, I mean, I'm not sure." A pause. "But Sendoh seldom looks that way." Akagi frowned. "What that way?" Uozumi found his gaze at the back of their Ace who was getting his food on the counter. "Looks like as if he's sure of something." Uzoumi knotted his brows. "…as if he's determined of something." Silence. Sendoh grabbed his food from the counter and placed himself in front of Rukawa who was busy with his food. Akagi sipped on his drink for the last time as he squinted his eyes before finally smirking and standing up only to pause- quite surprised at Uozumi's statement.
"…or as if he's determined of someone." Uozumi found himself smirking as well as the big guy stood up and soon after both Captains can be found exiting the canteen.
Rukawa looked up as he take in a bite from his burger and saw Sendoh settling down in front of him- a smile on the older guy's lips as he too, opened his cheeseburger. 'Copycat, even on my food.' Rukawa found himself childishly musing. They ate in silence before Sendoh decided to break the silence. "I love cheeseburgers." He grinned. Rukawa looked up and paused. He wanted to be mean, he wanted to actually say something brash like, 'so what' but decided not to, and instead he just shrugged. "Rukawa-kun, what's your favourite food?" Sendoh chimed in. Rukawa continued eating- eyes looking at Sendoh's shirt. Rukawa contemplated if he should answer, but seeing that there's no harm in responding decided to answer the query. "Pasta." He said rather softly but surely. 'Well, it's true anyway, I've always been a fan of pasta.' He inwardly added. Sendoh paused and stared- Rukawa looked up as well; then Sendoh smiled. "Oh really. That's nice to know." Rukawa suddenly felt the urge to ask, "What's nice about that?" BA DUMP. Truth is, Rukawa almost regretted that he asked back but somewhere inside of him, he honestly wanted to start a little conversation somewhere. 'Baka Rukawa, why don't you just bang your head somewhere, ugh.' Sendoh chuckled softly as he munched in a few bites. "N-nothing. I'm just glad to know that you like pasta." He paused and finished munching in his bite. "So, what kind of pasta?" A grin. Rukawa shrugged. 'Sendoh sure is a bit nosy lately, what gives?' Rukawa looked down at his burger. "Hijiki and dried shiitake mushroom spaghetti." Silence. Rukawa looked up at Sendoh who was grinning. Sendoh sweatdrop. 'Sounds like not an easy one to make.' Rukawa knotted his brows. "What? You suddenly looked constipated." A pause. Sendoh laughed- looking at the other way. Truth is, he rather found himself funny as well. 'You're busted Akira, asking him what he likes then obviously not having any idea about it. Need more effort I guess.' Sendoh cleared his throat and decided to sound serious. "I'm sorry Rukawa-kun. I mean, it's just that I'm just wondering why hijiki pasta though." A pause. Sendoh looked up and smiled. "I honestly thought you might like Italian pasta instead." Rukawa blinked his eyes twice. Sendoh grinned. "Don't get me wrong, I'm just being curious- I love pasta as well." A grin. THUMP. Rukawa felt his cheeks heating up a bit as Sendoh just gave him his disarming smile. The younger kid found himself looking down instead. "I… well, this dramatic black and white pasta has no added fat. But it has lots of carbs of course. The hijiki and shiitake are both full of fibre and umami." Sendoh found himself listening intently as the rookie tried to explain his so-called favourite pasta. And for some unknown reason, even though Sendoh wasn't really a big fan of dried mushrooms, he found himself getting interested into tasting as well that so-called pasta. He smiled, "That's cool stuff Rukawa-kun." He paused, shrugged, and then grinned mischievously. "Hey, if I make you a wafuu pasta, would you eat it?" Rukawa almost choke on his burger. 'W-what did he just say?' Rukawa felt his chest race. 'Baka Sendoh Akira, why would you think of making me a pasta?!' Sendoh smiled. "Well?" Rukawa tried to glare at the older boy, confusion etched in his blue orbs. "I…well… maybe." BA DUMP. 'Don't get too hype Rukawa, he's joking.' He inwardly found himself musing. Sendoh smiled. "Cool. I'm making you one then." And Rukawa? Well, he could not have been redder. "W-what? B-but why?" Sendoh looked up at his younger companion and playfully tweaked the pale guy's forehead. "Because I want to." He grinned. Rukawa, for some reason found himself stuffing his cheeseburger into his mouth as his red ears continued to betray him. "You're a doahou, you know." Sendoh softly chuckled, "Really? You think so?" Rukawa snorted. Sendoh snickered. 'Cooking is love made visible.' For some reason, Sendoh found his musing coming up with that particular line he remembered he has read somewhere. He smiled at the thought. 'Looks like its hello kitchen for me.'
Rukawa continued to eat in silence, eyes on his remaining small piece of burger. Sendoh sipped from his cup and was made to look at his left when he heard his name. "Wow you guys really pulled it off awhile back, congratulations!" Ayako chirped in as Miyagi only looked on. Sendoh nodded and smiled. "Thanks, well, I wasn't expecting it at all." He grinned. Ayako simply chuckled softly. "Oh c'mon, stop being humble and all. By the way, are you two ready for Akagi and Uozumi-senpai together?" Sendoh simply shrugged. "Well, I don't know, maybe." Sendoh grinned as he spooned a mashed potato and placed it in his mouth. Miyagi put his arm behind his back and smirk. "Better finish the game early guys, unless you want to play around. Hahah!" Ayako tried to humour the two. Sendoh simply grinned back as he continues to eat some mashed potato.
"So are you guys going for the usual man-to-man-defense?" Miyagi queried.
Sendoh shrugged. "Probably." He looked at Rukawa who was rather eyeing him with an unknown glint in his eyes, lips slightly parted but very much quiet. "Rukawa-kun, I suggest you take a good guard on Akagi-san. I'll take on Uozumi-senpai." Sendoh grinned. Ayako chuckled, "Rukawa-kun, just be careful okay, I mean, it's going to be Akagi-senpai and you know how he plays. Hahahah! Better dodge that gorilla dunk." Miyagi laughed as Ayako followed suit. Sendoh for some reason, found himself smiling as well as he shook his head. 'Yikes, better watch out for that head buster alright.' Sendoh looked up as he put his spoon on his mouth- he smiled lopsidedly a bit. 'Sheesh, what are you staring at like that, sunshine?' Sendoh almost smirked.
"So, how does it taste?" Rukawa muttered flatly- eyes a bit squinted as he put his right palm under his chin. Sendoh blinked twice. "Taste?" A pause. Sendoh grinned. "Like, the taste of our victory?" He chuckled. Rukawa snorted softly. Clearly Sendoh has basketball in his mind. Rukawa frowned. "No. My mashed potato. How does it taste?" Sendoh sweatdrop. "Is it good?" Rukawa added.
Silence. Sendoh blinked twice and looked down at the table, the he looked right back up at Rukawa who has that glint in his eyes. "That's my mashed potato you're munching on, doahou." And Ayako and Miyagi could only laughed out loud at a sheepishly smiling Sendoh. Ayako laughed some more. "Hahaha, you two are cute you know!" Sendoh sweatdrop but he chuckled. "Oh ssh- this is yours?! I-I'm sorry, I didn't noticed, I thought its mine! But, w-where's my potato anyway?" Sendoh laughed as he pushed the half consumed mashed potato back at Rukawa. Rukawa tried to stifle his impending chuckle with his palm as he looked down, eyes a bit warm as Sendoh chuckled and stood up to get another cup of mashed potato from the counter. 'Doahou, Sendoh Akira…' THUMP. But Rukawa knew very much.
"Here, you can have this, hahah… I'll get yours in exchange. Sheesh, sorry Rukawa-kun." He grinned. Rukawa wordlessly got the new cup and simply snorted softly. Ayako for some reason wasn't able to help herself as she exclaimed rather a bit blatantly and without ado the next statement sending one pale Rookie flushing to his ears. "You're really sweet with Rukawa-kun, Sendoh-kun." Ayako winked. Sendoh paused in his actions and looked at the curly-haired manager. He smiled without a word. Miyagi chuckled as he started standing up. "Well, wish you both luck later. Be watchin. Let's go, Aya-chan!" Ayako simply looked from Sendoh to Rukawa who cast a gaze briefly at her- Ayako winked at her pale kouhai and Rukawa simply looked down at his own food, feeling the slight thumping of his chest back there. 'Baka, senpai.' He inwardly mused. Sendoh sat back down, eyes on the back of the two guys who just chatted with them. He found himself asking nonchalantly about them. "Are they… together?" Rukawa looked up at his older companion and simply shrugged. 'Why asked me? I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not.' Sendoh simply chuckled softly as he continued eating the remaining mashed potato- a smile constantly on his lips, his eyes twinkling with a known glint of happiness. "Do you… believed her?" Rukawa paused- looked up to meet the gaze of Sendoh's cobalt blue orbs. BA DUMP. 'Like, what now?' Rukawa inwardly wondered. He was rather feeling a bit nervous because he was dreading Sendoh's sudden inquiry- he feigned he knows what the latter was asking- but the truth is, he has an inkling as to what the Ryonan Ace meant. 'Why are you asking me this? Like, seriously?'
"Believed what?" He softly muttered, scooping a teaspoon of potato rather slowly; he can actually hear his own chest thumping- wanting to just stand up and start digging in some hoops before their game. Sendoh leaned on the table with his palm underneath his chin as he mischievously grinned and ask in his low voice, "…that I'm sorta sweet?" He saw the pale guy stiffened a bit, Sendoh chuckled, and he honestly wanted to ruffle the younger guy's hair. 'Rukawa-kun, you really are adorable.' He tried to stifle his impending laugh, else the pale Rookie decided to whack him on the face.
BA DUMP. BA DUMP. Rukawa felt his jaw tightened as his blood slowly crept up from his cheeks, good thing he has his head bowed down as his gaze bore the poor mashed potato. 'I just want to stand up now and make a powerful dunk.' He involuntarily gulp. Truth is, Rukawa honestly think that he doesn't know how to answer the straight question and so, he just made himself looked a bit silly sending the Ryonan Ace puzzled and chuckling a bit.
"N-not really, the potato isn't sweet."
'Why am I stammering? I hope the ground opens up and swallows me whole.' And Rukawa put down the cup and slowly stood up from his seat without looking at his own teammate. "Uh, I think I want to practice and all." BA DUMP. BA DUMP. And he instantly started walking away. Sendoh scratched his head as he laughed softly. "H-hey… w-wait up, haha!" 'Hahahah, I wasn't really talking about the potato, Rukawa-kun. I wonder why did you-?'
Rukawa walked outside the gym with hurried steps as he put the back of his hand on top of his lips- truth is, he knew Sendoh was probably just five steps behind. 'Kami-sama, I hope you tripped back there. Ugh.' He sweat drop to himself as he just can't believe that he just wished his older teammate to be tripped. Rukawa inwardly banged his head on the lamppost. 'Ugh, you are a loser Rukawa-kun.' A pause. 'And yeah, I really think you're sweet alright, Sendoh Akira.' For the nth time, Rukawa flushed as he hurriedly pressed on the elevator's button to go up to their room. 'So sweet sometimes, that I'm wondering if perhaps…you like me too?' But that would just be mistaken belief, or is it not?
A/N: Hello! OMG, I am so sorry it took me more than a month to update! You know well the reasons! Well, I'm working on chapter 13! I dunno if you guys are still around but I am very much thankful for all the awesome feedbacks and the endless coaxing and private messages to wake me up and get on with this! Hahaha! Truth is, I got a bit engrossed on my second fic that I almost forgot about this! But don't worry, as always, I'm not leaving Osaka hanging! ^_^ Oh yeah, read and review please if u have time, do tell me, please! Thank you so much… salamat po! :D