When in Osaka

by iam-jp

During his stay in Osaka, he suddenly realized that people do not find the meaning of life by themselves alone; there will always be a reason as to why you meet these people. Either you need them to change your life, or you are the one that will change theirs.

14. Chapter 14

Standard Disclaimer Apply.

Note: Some few Italian dialogues ahead.

Re-uploaded due to heaps of typos & grammatical errors :L

No Beta-Reader. Self-edit only.

Chapter 14

Rukawa looked absent-mindedly at himself at the mirror. He has been staring at his image for some time, his mind in seemingly disarray. He knotted his brows. 'Is he serious?' He is quietly contemplating the words the older boy said to him awhile back in the game. Would you mind if I ask you out for dinner? He felt his chest race; Rukawa scratched his cheek and shook his head. 'Hmm, it seems that he did asked me out, or some sort?' After the game though, Rukawa took in the moment to sneak back to their room since the guys were all too hyped up at the last activity of the game. He briefly stare at Sendoh who was busily chatting his heart out to Uozumi, Sakuragi, Akagi, Hikoichi, and a few others; they were actually talking and joking about the play and the turn-around of events. Minutes later, players from the Shoyo-Kainan block arrived as well and soon after, the players flocked at the middle, filling the air with loud cackles, hoots, taunts, and cheers. Not being one to be with a crowd, somehow Rukawa managed to get himself discreetly off court and up he went back to their own room. He took note of the time to be 745PM. He immediately went inside the washroom then and took in a quick shower.

Rukawa emerged out of the washroom, towelling his hair rather slowly- his eyes a bit droopy as he instantly felt tiredness creeping into him. He changed into a pair of his own denim pants and a random cotton pullover sweatshirt and flopped himself on the edge of the bed. He absent-mindedly reached for his own phone to check if there's any new mail, but was a bit disappointed to see none. He sighed and instantly lied down on his side and started almost to drift into wonderland. Would you mind if I ask you out for dinner? He furrowed his brows, eyes closed. 'Sendoh… am I just hearing things? Or probably wishing for weird things?' It's not like Rukawa has been trying to sound and act like too much of a girl—feigning he doesn't get what the older boy meant or so… it's just that he's contemplating a bit too deeply the sincerity of Sendoh's words. Rukawa found himself feeling a bit sleepy as various thoughts invade his musings. 'So like… where do we dine out?' Funny how the last thought in his mind found its way there; in no time, Rukawa drifted into a light sleep since after taking in a shower truly refreshed him.

I, I can't get these memories out of my mind
And some kind of madness has started to evolve
I, I tried so hard to let you go
But some kind of madness is swallowing me whole

(Madness, Muse)

Maki found himself walking towards Sendoh who was about done stuffing his things in his bag- hair disheveled as the Ryonan Ace has just finished taking in shower in the gym's shower room. Sendoh rummaged into his bag, seemingly looking for something and not being able to find it, absent mindedly scratched his cheek. He looked at his left and saw Maki standing at the door- smiling. Sendoh nodded and smiled back as well. Maki simply shrugged. "Lost something?" Sendoh shrugged, "Can't find my gel, Maki-san." He softly chuckled as Maki only grinned back. The older player approached him and sat on one of the benches. "Congratulations on winning today's two games." Sendoh zipped up his bag and nodded. "Thank you, Maki-san." He paused. "Oh, same goes for the both of you and Fujima-taichou." Maki simply grinned. "So it seems like, we'll be meeting tomorrow then on courts?" Sendoh adjusted the strap on his bag and hovered it on his right shoulder. "Seems like it." He grinned back. Maki nodded and sighed. "By the way, where's Rukawa-kun?" Sendoh's eyes widened a bit. He mentally whacked himself on the head. 'Oh sh-?! Where indeed?' Sendoh wanted to berate himself that moment—truth is, all the hyped around somehow caused for him to slightly lost sight of the object of his current affection. He felt his grip tightened on his trap. 'I did asked him out, right?' He furrowed his brows. 'I mean, I remembered asking him out.' Sendoh almost felt a tug on his chest as he was not able to believe himself that he was indeed able to ask the stoic boy out. He could almost smile if Maki weren't there- the thing is that… 'I wonder if he heard me alright. He hasn't given me an answer yet.' Sendoh caught Maki staring at him rather a bit weirdly as the Ryonan dude could only smile back. "Uh, I think I got to go now, Maki-san." And as Sendoh started to walk towards the door, he could only wonder what Maki meant. "If I were you, I'd tell him that I won't accept no for an answer." Then the older guy could only chuckled softly. Sendoh almost stopped on his track- his hand on top already of the knob- he looked back at Maki and snorted softly. Maki smirked back- eyes hinting of a knowing glint somewhere. The blue-eyed player simply nodded a bit and grinned back. "Don't tell me, I am that obvious?" Maki blinked back, a bit surprised- but he found himself laughing a bit. "Well, to most people you are." Sendoh grinned back, waved off and soon after the door was closed.

"Spiky!" Sakuragi hollered, his palm up for a high-five. Sendoh simply tapped Sakuragi's palm and shrugged. 'Oh brother, if this redhead knew something, I'd hang myself now.' He softly chuckled to himself and waited for the power forward to say something. "Nyahaha, you won over Gori and Boss Monkey this time, I wonder if you will still have the same luck tomorrow to that old man and the baby-faced leader of Shoyo." Sendoh could almost chuckled at the description. "Well I don't know, Sakuragi-kun." He smiled. "So, who're you siding for tomorrow?" Sendoh grinned. He decided to stay in for a few more seconds just to playfully converse with the athletic redhead. Sakuragi almost flushed at the question and cackled unsurely. "Nyahah, the Tensai would probably side you Spiky. I don't like the old man. I don't understand as to why he's still studying in the first place, I mean, he's probably old and all. He should be a graduate already. Hahaha!" Sendoh gulped and sweatdrop. Truly, he wasn't expecting a more profound answer to the redhead. He simply chuckled and shook his head, amazed at Sakuragi's simple thinking. 'I got to give it to you, Sakuragi-kun. You truly are one of the pillars of your team.' He smiled and shrugged. "Would love to chat more Sakuragi, but I got to go…" The next words sent Sendoh almost tripping on his own feet. "Hehe, hey Spiky, I heard you're going out on a date from Fukusuke, is that true?" Sakuragi grinned evilly. Sendoh almost gasps and he could only rolled his eyes as he almost felt his ears heating up a bit. 'Kicchou, you bastard.'

"Are you dating the receptionist?" Sakuragi goaded while keeping that silly grin on his face. Sendoh coughed, surprising Sakuragi and he started walking towards the other way—away from the grinning redhead. "Uh, I think, I need to go up… now. See ya, Tensai!" Sakuragi blinked his eyes but retained his old self when he heard Sendoh called him Tensai. "Nyahaha, I knew it Spiky, you're suddenly being a fan of this Tensai! Hahaha! Good luck on your date!" And Sendoh for the second time, tripped on his feet before finally exiting the gym. 'The receptionist?!' Sendoh shook his head but he found himself smiling nonetheless. 'Not really, Sakuragi-kun, I'm trying to ask Shohoku's Rookie out for dinner.' He chuckled amusedly to himself, wondering what Sakuragi's reaction would be like lest he decided to say that one out. Would the redhead laugh? 'Probably, he would be laughing his Tensai-head off.'

Sendoh for the nth time stood before the elevator, waiting for it to go down- his thoughts were blank as he waited, his face in an easy smile. He looked up to see the elevator almost stopping down in lower ground when a voice alerted him. The elevator door opened but Sendoh didn't get in; he instead saw Takumi-san and he instantly found his lips tugging upward. Takumi was getting something from the reception area, a soft smile on the old man's face. Sendoh decided to approach him. "Kombanwa, Takumi-san…" Sendoh started. The older guy looked up, blinked twice and smiled as if he just remembered the boy from two days ago.

"Ah, you're one of the players from before. That group from Shirokita Park?" Takumi smiled and nodded. Sendoh grinned back and smiled back as well. "Uh, yeah Takumi-san." The old guy shrugged. "So, how are the games doing?" Sendoh shrugged and answered nonchalantly. "We're doing good sir, just won two games today." The Ryonan Ace smiled. Takumi nodded and smiled. "That's good to hear son. If my son were to be tall as you boys, I'd gladly encourage him to play ball as well." Sendoh grinned nonchalantly. "That'll be cool, sir." Takumi scratched his chin and grinned. "Say, from what school are you anyway?" Takumi wondered so he dared asked, truth is, from a few players he came across with, he thought Sendoh seems to be the approachable type. The other pale guy whom Sendoh was with from two days ago, shut him off with his cold attitude and stoic expression. Takumi thought, Sendoh's aura has that warmth all over him and that the boy seems nice and friendly. "Oh, I'm from Ryonan, Takumi-san." Takumi nodded and smiled. "Oh, Ryonan High- from Kanagawa-ken? Must be a powerhouse of basketball, huh." Sendoh snorted softly and scratched his nape. "Oh well… I don't know, I mean, I just hope we indeed are." Takumi grinned. "By the way, where's your brother?" Sendoh paused and blinked his eyes. 'Bro-ther? He knows Akito-niisan? But how?' Sendoh opened his mouth to speak, curious as to how on Earth would someone from Osaka knew of his brother—but for some reason, Takumi-san beat him to it. "Your brother—the snobbish one, the fifteen-year old forward?" He grinned. Sendoh, for all reason, was stupefied. 'Like seriously?!' He wanted very much to be mortified with what Takumi has just mentioned. Well, it's not that Rukawa looks horrific and that to be compared with him is nothing but plain insult, truth is, Sendoh actually thinks it's a compliment, just so happened that he's actually seeing the younger boy now in a much different light… But to be regarded as siblings? Sendoh almost wanted to chuckle aloud. 'No way.'

"Oh no-no-no- sir, you got it wrong…" Sendoh stifled an impending laugh, eyes turning into inverted crescents as small mirth of laughter is starting to burst out of him. 'Sheesh right. Of all people to be regarded as my brother. Seriously.' Takumi knotted his brows, feeling a bit lost. "Er, you mean I got it all wrong?" Sendoh chuckled and put his hand on top of his mouth. "Takumi-san, I have a brother, an older one. He's not here, and the small forward you're referring to is not my brother." He grinned. "He's from another school, Shohoku. He's my roommate. His name is Rukawa-kun." Takumi nodded, eyes a bit wide and chuckled apologetically. "Ah! Sou ka! My bad, my bad, memory is not good anymore especially when you're aging." He laughed. Sendoh simply smiled back and nodded, but he wondered, and so he dared asked. "Uh, what made you think he's my brother?" Takumi simply shrugged and grinned. "You two seemed to look like a little—on an angle. Hahaha." And the old guy could only laugh. Sendoh simply snorted and tugged his lips upward. 'Wow, I'd be damned because I just asked my 'brother' out for dinner.' He chuckled softly to himself and suddenly remembered that he needs to go back to his room. "Well, I got to be going son, uh, tell me your name again?" Sendoh smiled and nodded. "Sendoh Akira, sir." Takumi smiled and both men shook hands. "Well, Sendoh-kun, good luck on the ball games and see you around, I guess." The old guy started turning around when Sendoh suddenly called back for him—suddenly getting a vague idea. "Ah, chotto matte, Takumi-san…" The old guy paused and looked back. Sendoh scratched his cheek and grinned. "I was wondering if you're kind of busy tonight." A pause. "I mean, could you kindly show me the way to downtown from here? I sort of will be going out…"

Takumi paused—then smiled. "Well, no problem son." Sendoh smiled and handed over a small piece of paper to Takumi who stared at it while nodding. "Ah, I know this Italian Restaurant. It's just around three blocks once you get into the main street in Osaka. Say, I am about to go downtown in half an hour, I could drop you off." With that, Sendoh's eyes lit up and he could not have been happier and more grateful for some reason. "I hope I'm not troubling you, Takumi-san." Takumi waved him off and grinned. "No problem, son. Besides, a drive downtown with someone on board sure kills the boredom too. Been driving alone most of the time for the past twelve years here. Hehe. I could enjoy some nice company." Sendoh smiled and nodded. And with that, Sendoh decided to go back up straight to his room and promised Takumi-san that he'd be down in thirty minutes at the lobby.

Sendoh opened the door to their room and walked in casually—but stopped on his track when he saw his roommate on one side of the bed sleeping yet again for God knows how long. Sendoh softly clacked his tongue and wondered if Rukawa has been waiting for him and he took long to go up their room and instead the boy just simply found solace and joy by hibernating. 'Wishful thinking, eh?' He walked with slow steps and approached the lithe form of the raven haired guy who was on one side, his left arm under his head using it as his pillow, soft, ebony fringes fall over his closed eyes lined with somewhat long lashes. His breathing in normal pace as he enjoys the silence of their room. Sendoh sighed softly. 'Do I wake him up?' He sat down on his bed and contemplated a bit. Truth is, he doesn't even know if Rukawa did hear about his invitation. Sendoh felt his chest raced a bit. He can't believe he has come to this point in his life. The realization struck him in one go that he had acted on impulse, but not that he said that without even thinking, he knew that he said those words because he had a purpose. 'I want to know you more.' For some reason, he's been drawn in the simplicity yet strong personality of Rukawa, his determination to achieve a goal, his unnerving silence yet his capability to listen to others even though most of the time, people mistook him for a cold and unfeeling person, his almost child-like approach on certain things, his photography that doesn't seem to suit him but somehow does as well, his weird sense of humour, his good looks that did not certainly missed Sendoh , and for another reason and another and another…and… A sigh.

Sendoh paused in his thoughts. He honestly thought that sometimes you do fall in love with the most unexpected person at the most unexpected time, and for him? Sendoh Akira didn't mean to fall in love, but he just did. 'You have to be brave, Akira.' For some reason, he found himself mulling a little longer on the last thought that he hasn't noticed a pair of equally fox blue eyes staring at him with a flicker almost similar to his.

"S-Sendoh?" Rukawa wondered if the spiky-haired captain of Ryonan has been in their room for God knows how long. Truth is, he doesn't want to know—all he can think of is, for how long the older guy has been sitting there while probably looking at him sleep. It wasn't really something big, but to Rukawa who has come to understand some of his own emotions, it is too much. He felt shy, anxious, but somewhat delighted as well. It's moving, really. And truth is, he has the same question inside his head over and again before he tries to succumb to sleep. Have you ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn't have fallen in love with?

And Sendoh Akira could only blinked his eyes back in sheer surprise. Silence. Good thing, he found his voice first. "Uh- hello, you're awake." He smiled. Rukawa faintly nodded, eyes dropping down now. He could feel the faint thumping of his chest but choose to ignore it. Rukawa almost wanted to widen his eyes because he just remembered the last vague memory he had while they were on court. 'He… asked me out? Or so I thought?' Rukawa almost wanted to bang his head on the wall, truth is, it's only a matter of minutes or seconds maybe until Sendoh probably tries to ask him again the question or ask him perhaps if he heard him ask a question. He gulped involuntarily. He wondered as to why on Earth is Sendoh not even saying something. 'Did he change his mind? Maybe he doesn't want to go out already.' Rukawa wondered why the thought suddenly downed him. He adjusted his position on his bed and sat with legs crossed, head still a bit down and eyes unfocused on the plain bed sheet beneath him. He heaved a small sighed and tilt his head up as he opened his mouth to say something when Sendoh for some reason simultaneously said something as well.

"What time is it?"

"Can we go out?"

Both literally saw each other's eyes widened a bit and for the second time, they answered each other's query instantaneously.

"Eight pm."

"Where to?"

A pause. Sendoh for some reason can almost feel the corner of his lips tugging upward. The thing is, he just heard Rukawa responded positively and to him, it is more than enough. "Out…" Rukawa blinked his eyes twice. Sendoh snorted softly and scratched his nape absentmindedly. "I mean, we're going out- outside."

"Obviously…" For some reason, Rukawa found himself softly muttering that with a faint twitch on his lips. He honestly thought Sendoh sounded stupid back there, but he didn't mind. Not one bit. "I s-sort of know this place…" Sendoh for some reason found himself stammering a bit as they both walk on the quiet hallway to the elevator. Rukawa simply shrugged. "Sort of?" Sendoh chuckled a bit. "Y-yeah, I Googled it." Rukawa just shrugged. Truth is, he thinks Sendoh is not sure about the place but he didn't mind, and that he can almost hear his own chest beating loudly. A few minutes more, both found themselves going down- Rukawa staring blankly ahead on the number pads on the elevator, trying very much not to fidget. He just grabbed a random jacket from his closet and put it on and went out to follow the older guy. They haven't said a word with each other even when inside the elevator. The door finally opened and Sendoh stepped out of the elevator door first only to look back when he heard Rukawa muttered a curse. "K'so…"

"What is it?" Sendoh finally asks. Rukawa seemed to be searching something in his jacket pocket, the other hand inside his pants pocket. "I… I forgot my wallet. I-I'm going up." He stammered. But just as he was about to reach for the close button, he was held at the arm by no other than Sendoh Akira himself. Rukawa felt his ears burn. "No, don't worry. It's on me. C'mon lets go. Takumi-san's waiting already." He smiled to Rukawa's surprise, and the younger guy could only helplessly trudge behind his taller companion. 'S-Sendoh? What on Earth are you-?!' And true enough, Takumi is already inside the van waiting for them outside the lobby- he greeted both boys with a smile on his lips and was surprise to see Sendoh with the other. "Oh Akira-kun, I thought you're going all by yourself." Sendoh could only grinned back. "N-not really Takumi-san, I mean…" He looked at his companion who was rather looking back at him passively and silently.

"I sort of asked him out." Upon hearing this, Rukawa almost felt his cheeks flushed and glared murderously at the taller guy beside him. "And he said yes." Rukawa stared incredulously at Sendoh, the nerve of his roommate to blatantly say those words, as if he just heard a curse "I did not said yes." But Sendoh only chuckled softly. "Yeah but you asked where, right?" Rukawa felt his ears heat up. "That's because you asked." Sendoh laughed, his hands on his mouth. "Well, I thought I heard the word yes." Rukawa could only rolled his eyes in response. "Yes and where doesn't even come close." Rukawa tried to argue back. Sendoh shrugged, but he was grinning. "True, but to me, it sounded like yes, to where do we go out senpai?" And Sendoh chuckled. Rukawa rolled his eyes and almost went bug-eyed. "Idiot." But the taller guy seemed unaffected and continued chuckling nonetheless, amazed and amused at the sudden turn of events that presented before him. Here, right now, inside the van, at this moment, he can't believe that he is indeed going out with the person who has surprisingly made him feel like how falling in love is like the rain… It's unpredictable, but there are always signs before it completely falls. Takumi simply chuckled along, nodded and started for the engine and in no time, they were already on the road on that cold evening.

Twenty-five minutes later and Takumi halted into a stop—they reached the city proper of Osaka and the evening lights and lit-up skyscrapers is what greeted them. "Well, here you go boys." He pointed at one corner and looked at Sendoh. "That is the Osaka-Ekimae Dai Building, I believe that the restaurant is somewhere near there. Just follow where most people go, you won't be getting lost." He grinned. Sendoh nodded and smiled back as well. "Thank you, Takumi-san." Takumi grinned and soon after the van started to move away from them. Rukawa, somehow, found himself knotting his brows a little. "A restaurant?" He muttered. Sendoh snorted softly and nodded. "Apparently, yeah. C'mon lets go. Takumi-san says its right over there." And they both tried to cross the semi-busy streets of Osaka proper. They halted to a stop together with a few pedestrians when the lights turned red. Rukawa chose the moment to voice out his thoughts. "Wait, you never told me we're going in a restaurant. I don't have any money." He stated rather flatly and bluntly. Truth is, he somewhat knows where the situation is getting at and as much as he hate to admit it, he doesn't really want to be much of a freeloader. Sendoh simply shrugged and smiled. "I told you, its on me. You don't need to worry." Rukawa snorted softly. "I'm paying you half when we get back." He told the older guy in a soft voice. Sendoh chuckled. "Hey, do not worry yourself over this kind of matter. Its okay, really. I was the one who asked you out. Its only natural I get to pay." The lights turned green and a bunch of people started crossing the street in both ways.

They both walked the side path of Harborland filled with different stalls of all kinds of shops. The time read 830 PM but the vibrant atmosphere and the colourful lights that seemed to glitter amidst the falling snow sent the whole city in an atmosphere at par with that of having a feast day; Christmas truly is in the air already and from all around, people can be seen buying stuff and carrying boxes, packages, cartons, wrapped in glittery papers with different styles of ribbons and garlands. It is indeed that time of the year. "So like, have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?" Sendoh started. They were both walking alongside with a few people going in both directions, and since being exceptionally gifted in height and even in appearance, they are hard to miss. Rukawa simply shrugged. "I haven't started yet." He stated as a matter-of-factly. Sendoh simply chuckled and nodded. "That's okay, I'm not yet done as well." Rukawa simply said nothing. They walked a few more when Rukawa halted to a stop, alerting Sendoh. "Hey, what is it? Are you… tired?" Sendoh said almost softly. Rukawa shook his head. "N-no. It's just that I'm in a different city and I don't even have a penny." A pause. Rukawa stared at the ground. The thing is, he's really bothered to be walking around without his wallet on. He's not used to it. Sendoh sighed for the nth time and smiled. "I told you it's okay. We'll be fine. It's all on me…tonight." Rukawa looked up-feeling the faint flushing of his cheeks but chose to ignore it. He just hopes Sendoh don't have a pair of extra-clear eyes for him to notice that any further. "What if I got lost around…I mean, I don't know Osaka." Sendoh blinked his eyes twice—then he chuckled, putting his hand on his lips. Rukawa twitched his lips- he thought it annoyed him, seeing Sendoh laugh at his statement. 'Well, it can happen, why is he laughing?'

Rukawa widened his eyes a bit when he saw Sendoh stepping two steps in front of him, closing in the gap between them by a couple of inches. He almost wanted to back out. He can feel his ears burning a bit and cant helped but to move his eyes on the right to avert his gaze on the taller guy. Then he felt Sendoh's hands on top of his shoulder. Rukawa wanted to bat those hands away but for some reason, he just couldn't bring himself to do it. 'Calm down, Rukawa.' He almost found himself musing suddenly. Mixed emotions and varying thoughts suddenly filled his brain with sensical and nonsensical things. There are a few what-ifs and apprehensions creeping in and Rukawa thought that if the worst was to happen, how he wished that the grounds would open and swallow him whole. 'What the heck am I thinking, what worst am I referring to anyway…'

"We're on a street, d-doahou…" He said rather softly-he can hear himself stammering a bit and almost wanted to bang his head on the wall when he heard Sendoh said something rather different than what he almost had in mind. "Then I'll find you." Sendoh grinned and shrugged. "If you get lost… I'll find you."

Soon after, they came across the main station and true enough, they saw that particular Italian restaurant right beside it. The sign board was made of wood, carved elegantly to all sides, it was made to look vintage but the exterior has a modern touch to it. The place doesn't looked big enough but it has enough space to accommodate on the outside and by the looks of it, it isn't cheap either. Rukawa found himself staring at the bold letters on the sign board. It was his first time in Osaka and his first as well on this particular place. Osteria Gaudente. Truth is, he was rather having a hard time to himself pronouncing the name, and so he dared not to say that one aloud. Rukawa wondered if Sendoh has eaten in this place already—he looked to his right and saw Sendoh looking back at him. "I haven't been into this place either." He grinned. Rukawa almost gasp, but chose to snort softly instead. "It… it looks expensive." He muttered softly. Sendoh simply rolled his eyes and pulled the hesitant rookie inside. "Food is never inexpensive, Rukawa-kun." The interiors of the décor are done intelligently to bring alive the charm and elegance of Italy. The furniture is complemented by the choice of paintings and odd pieces of artifacts.

"Buonasera. Tavolo per due?" A man in his thirties greeted them, his lips forming into a smile. Both players stopped and looked at each other. Rukawa especially suddenly looked more puzzled. Sendoh sighed heavily as his own smile faltered. He absent-mindedly scratched his cheek, earning a few giggles from two waitresses nearby but most especially, earning him Rukawa's the look of surprised when the younger guy threw him his gaze. 'He knows how to-?'

"Uh... well, Sì grazie." Sendoh muttered a bit unsurely since his accent is probably way a bit off than that of the waiter. The waiter's grin widened as he heard the response and he could not have been more delighted. "Da questa parte, prego." Sendoh nodded and looked at his companion who was rather eyeing him a bit weirdly but quietly stunned as well. "You…speak alien language?" Rukawa found himself asking. Sendoh Akira laughed and simply shook his head then smiled. "Italian not alien. Not fluent, a little. But nothing major." He then chuckled, embarrassed at his own self. "Trust me, I have the worst Italian accent." Rukawa could only twitched his lips in response.

"Ti piacerebbe sedere qui?" The man bowed politely, his hand directing on a table somewhat near on one end of the place. Rukawa could only looked at the guy. He doesnt understand a thing, but he's guessing the man is probably asking if they would like to seat on this corner. Sendoh looked around for a bit and pointed to another corner. "Possiamo per favore essere seduti laggiù? È che a disposizione?" He smiled at the waiter. The man simply nodded and clasps his hand together. "Ah, buona scelta. Nessun problema. Naturalmente, in questo modo." Sendoh then urged Rukawa to follow the man and soon after they were seated on one corner of the restaurant, near the window, and with the ferris wheel on their left as their main view. The man handed over two menus, bowed and exited.

"Il mio nome è Gustavo, non esitate a chiamarmi quando siete pronti per ordinare." Sendoh simply nodded. "Grazie, signor Gustavo." Sendoh sighed and was surprised to see Rukawa staring back at him. He smiled. "Uh, what?" Rukawa shrugged. "Nothing. You sound weird." Sendoh chuckled. "Of course I'd sound weird, I'm a trying hard Italian-speaking Japanese guy." He chuckled at his own statement. For some reason Rukawa found his lips tugging upward. "Yeah, you sound like an alien." Sendoh simply laughed at this while looking at the menu. "At least I dont look like an alien." Rukawa simply twitched his lips in response and almost chuckled softly. "I never knew you were bilingual." Rukawa muttered softly,his eyes never leaving the menu. The menu enlists the hot Italian delicacies like pasta, gnocchi, risotto, polenta, soup, meat and fish dishes apart from its world renowned pizzas. But the distinction of the restaurant is the 40 types of spaghetti in the menu. Sendoh simply looked up briefly before smiling. "Its not a big deal."

"Then what is?" Rukawa dared asked- eyes suddenly darting to meet Sendoh's cobalt blue orbs. Sendoh closed the menu he was holding and placed his arm on top of the table, head moving a bit forward to Rukawa's much surprise. The pale rookie almost dreaded he asked the question. "This is." Sendoh almost muttered in his low voice. Rukawa blinked twice before looking down to see Sendoh's finger pointing on one particular picture on the menu. Sendoh grinned. "Tiramisu. Lets eat this as a dessert, what do you say?" Rukawa stared at the dessert on the menu. Not that he doesnt know of tiramisu, just so happened that the said piece of cake has rather an odd-shape. But it looks delicious nonetheless. Rukawa only nodded in response. He doesnt specifically know what to say. "Great. So are you ready to order now? Found one you like?" Rukawa sighed. He has somewhat browsed the menu already and true enough, there are tons of pasta to choose from but he cant decide which one. All of them looks undoubtedly delicious. "I..cant choose." Sendoh chuckled softly. "I know, actually me too." Rukawa softly snorted, lips twitching in response and almost tugging upward. "You're the one who brought us here." Rukawa muttered. Sendoh simply smiled and shrugged. "I know, I know... actually my brother suggested this place." Rukawa kept his silence. Truth is, he was wondering very much as to why on Earth would Sendoh bothered to eat out and in a seemingly five-star classy restaurant. Its not like they won the games already. Speaking of games... Rukawa suddenly seemed to be pulled back in reality as the last and final game between them and Maki and Fujima has finally came to be—tomorrow.

A few minutes more, the waiter from before approached their table, a pen and paper on his hand. He smiled reasssuredly and looked at him then to Sendoh. "Pronto per ordinare, signore?" Sendoh almost cheekily grinned and shrugged. "Credo di sì ... Rukawa-kun, che cosa vuoi?" Rukawa blinked back. Sendoh smack his forehead with his palm and grinned. "Uh, sorry, I mean.. Rukawa-kun, what do you want?" Rukawa simply sighed and pointed at one pasta on the menu. As much as he wanted to experiment and try on a different taste, he decided to just settle for a familiar type of pasta just so he could enjoy the place and his company a little bit more.

"Just this carbonara and that tiramisu. That's all." Sendoh was surprised to hear Rukawa ordered something safe but he chose not to prod further. He nodded at the blue-eyed, and pale boy. "Are you sure that's all? I hope you're not being shy around me..." Rukawa felt his cheeks heat up a bit. Shy? Well, he's not food shy alright—he's just shy about something else. "N-no. That would be all. Its fine." Sendoh softly smiled and nodded. He then turned to the patient man on his side. "Uhm..." Sendoh paused for awhile, seemingly thingking probably on how to say the orders in Italian. He missed the amused look in Rukawa's eyes. "How to say this..due ordini di carbonara, uno risotto ai frutti di mare ricetta, e due ordini di tiramisù." He grinned. "I hope I got that right." He added. The man wrote down and grinned back. "E'statto perfetto, signore."

Soon after, their food was served and both were now eating silently. Sendoh pushed his plate of risotto to Rukawa, earning him an inquisitive look. "Here, try this one Rukawa-kun. Its like rice with seafood-just a bit creamier and with flavour." Sendoh smiled. Rukawa only twitched his lips."Are you giving this to me because it doesnt taste good?" Sendoh laughed upon hearing the young guy's statement. "Hahah, oh no, i just want you to try it. Its good actually, so tell me how was it?" He grinned. Rukawa simply nodded and got a small portion on his fork, tasted it and nodded his reponse. "I-its good. You're right." Sendoh grinned back and both resumed into eating their dinner whle enjoying the quiet ambience of the place and the view from outside.

"So like... just because we won two games awhile back,we're eating out?" Rukawa muttered a bit softly while twisting his pasta onto his fork. Sendoh snorted softly. "I dont know. Probably. I mean, of course there's always a reason to celebrate, right?" He grinned. Rukawa stared back at the spiky-haired lad shrugged. "I dont know." Sendoh chuckled softly and stabbed in a piece of mussel. "H-hey, can we just paused off from the games. I mean, its always about the court, that ball, and the plays..." He paused, feeling suddenly the rush of solid emotions surging inside him. Sendoh reminded himself indeed to be brave, but he also needs perhaps to remind himself to calm down, lest he blurt out something undesirable. "I mean, why dont we talk about... stuff." Rukawa paused and coyly tilt his head on one side, eyes blinking back at Sendoh whom he thinks has gone nuts. "I mean... random things. Other things. Like... favorites." A grin. Sendoh sweatdrop at his own statement. 'Great going Akira, go get a gun and kill yourself.' Rukawa's blue orbs blinked back at what he just heard. Is Sendoh for real? Favorites? What's that supposed to mean?

"I dont... play favorites." Sendoh groaned. "Aww c'mon, it'll be fun. Look, I got an idea. Why dont we tell on each other the first word or name that comes into our minds using the letters of the alphabets." He grinned rather like a kid. Rukawa rolled his eyes. "I am not playing this." Sendoh clacked his tongue and laughed. "Damn you're no fun..." he teased. "Tell me, why would I play this nonsense with you?" Rukawa shot back, as he fork a piece of ham. Sendoh chewed on first before continuing. "Because I want to... because we're roommates, we're friends...and probably because..." BA DUMP. Now, it was Sendoh's turn to hear his own chest thumping. "...because i want to know you—more." Sendoh was able to said it. Not that it bothered him- he actually saw Rukawa stiffened a bit. But, what's there to conceal anyway? It is the truth. He does want to know his younger protege from Shohoku. And it irks him in a way that Rukawa seemed a lot more than he usually is. And that alone intrigues him... that alone is enough reason for him to.. fall.

Rukawa thought he'd gone deaf upon hearing Sendoh's last statement. He paused twirling on his pasta and didnt look up. He could honestly feel his ears heating up as he tried to stop the impending flush on his cheeks as well. "You already know me..." Rukawa muttered back softly and hid his eyes beneath his fringes as he continued eating his pasta. "There's nothing more to know..." He softly added. The next statement sent him looking up at his older rival—eyes a bit wide, and a soft gasp escaping his lips.

"I'm sure there's a lot more to know about you. You are special." Rukawa gasps. He wasnt expecting that, he was made to look up, feeling his own heart skip a beat. Special? "I..." Rukawa started—he doesnt know what to say.

"At least to me, you are." The taller guy added.

Rukawa honestly thought he had gone beet red.

"A- Akira, my name." Sendoh stated as he started first with his proposed game. He smiled in response and drinked in his glass of water. Rukawa sighed. Suddenly his thoughts were blank, cant seem to think of any word that basically starts with the first letter. 'I cant believe I'm playing this..'

"Rukawa-kun?" Sendoh asked when he was not answering. Rukawa looked up and faintly nodded. "A- Ayako-senpai." He muttered softly. Sendoh was surprised to hear that. Truth is? He was rather expecting Rukawa to say his name as well. Sendoh inwardly kick himself and almost chuckled. 'Wishful thinking, Akira.' He smiled nonetheless. "Why her?" Sendoh asks. Rukawa shot up a stare. "I thought you just said names or words, there are no reasons included, right?" Sendoh chuckled amusedly and shook his head. "Alright, alright, lets make this more interesting, lets state one reason." Rukawa glared murderously at his taller companion. Sendoh laughed. "H-hey, do NOT give me that stare, hahahah. Damn, I swear, you look like a serial killer." He chuckled to his amusement. "You're being unfair." Rukawa shot back- cant believing the fact that he's been drag along Sendoh Akira's crazy game of favorites.

"Okay, i'll start again- A-Akira, my name. My mother named me Akira because he thought she'd be having a baby girl." Sendoh chuckled softly. Rukawa could only looked and listened. He shrugged nonetheless. "Ayako-senpai. We've known each other since Junior High." Rukawa stated flatly to which Sendoh just nodded. "B-Basketball." Rukawa looked up just as Sendoh looked at the pale guy as well. A pause. Then they both chuckled. Sendoh grinned. "Okay, can we just passed on the letter B, i mean its obvious, isnt it." Rukawa simply twitched his lips and nodded. "Yeah. Same here." Sendoh grinned. "C-Cute." Rukawa sliced on a small piece of tiramisu, ready to eat his dessert when he almost dropped his fork on top of his plate. "I think you're cute, Rukawa-kun." Sendoh stated and chuckled when he saw the stoic guy flushed right before his eyes. 'Actually, you looked adorable.' He wanted to say that, but decided not to. Rukawa tried to glare but to no avail. He actually felt his chest race a bit and almost clenched his left fist. "C-Child. Most of the times, you act like one." Rukawa almost smirked when he saw Sendoh's surprised reaction—but the older boy isnt mad, he even smiled at him which made Rukawa's ears burned a bit. "I thought you might say I looked like a child." Sendoh chuckled. Rukawa snorted. "You looked like a retarded-child." Sendoh laughed merrily at this; Rukawa simply smiled a little. "D-Doahou, that's your favorite word, isnt it?" Sendoh grinned. Rukawa frowned. "What am i supposed to say in D now? Isnt this supposed to be my favorites?" Sendoh laughed at Rukawa's reasoning but decided to just waved off the younger lad. Rukawa simply shook his head and shrugged. He has to think of a word that begins with D. "D-Dinner, thank you for tonight." Rukawa muttered softly. Sendoh stared up and smiled slyly. "I got another word on D, Rukawa..." Rukawa knotted his brows. "What?" And Rukawa almost dreaded he asked...

"This isnt just dinner...its a date." And Sendoh grinned, but he very much knew that his chest did raced a bit back there. And Rukawa? He could not have been redder. "You really are a doahou." And Sendoh Akira could only chuckled amusedly. "Alright, alright... next letter, sheesh." Rukawa could only looked down on his plate, cheeks feeling still flushed and all. "E-Excited, I'm a bit excited for tomorrow. We'll be playing against Maki-san and Fujima-san." Sendoh shrugged and smiled. Rukawa simply nodded. "E-English, I have an English assignment due in four days and i havent done it yet." Sendoh groaned. "Aww, that burns. Is English your favorite?" Rukawa frowned. "No way." Sendoh simply grinned back. The pale rookie took note of this—its actually good Sendoh asked him to play the silly game, because he almost did forget about the final requirements in school.

"F-Ferris wheel, do you wanna ride that one over there later?" He grinned. Rukawa was stupefied, for some reason Sendoh seemed to be getting a bit jumpy over something else, he just couldnt quite put it in. But the thumping of his chest is loud enough for him to hear that the older boy's choice of own words is indeed making a solid impact. "I...Is that a question?" He stammered. Sendoh nodded. "Yes." Sendoh gulped involuntarily. "Uh, look Rukawa-kun, its okay if you dont want to..." A smile. Sendoh honestly thought he was coming in a bit too strong and so he decided to take two steps backward. He can sense that Rukawa seemed to be a bit uncomfortable already on his seat, the younger one having just no place to go—he suddenly felt endeared. "I-I'm sorry, but I mean it... I'm asking you if you want to ride, we could go, but if you dont then its fine." He smiled.

BADUMP. BADUMP. That is what Rukawa's chest is clearly thumping for. Truth is, he just want to get over with the damn alphabets. Rukawa simply continued eating what's left of his tiramisu just as Sendoh did as well- the alphabet game, suddenly put into a halt. A few minutes more, it was Sendoh who broke off the silence noticing that Rukawa seems done with eating and was now looking at his right, outside the window. "Do you want to order anything else?" Rukawa's silent reverie was broken when he looked at the owner of the voice. He shook his head politely. "No thanks, I'm okay." Sendoh simply nodded back and in no time at all, the waiter Gustavo is back yet again to get the bill. As usual, both men talked in their 'alien language' as per Rukawa branded it but this time, he paid no heed as he continued to looked back outside the window...eyes specifically falling over the said Ferris Wheel. 'Sendoh... by any chance... by any small chance... is it even possible that maybe you...' He almost gasps to his surprise when a hand was put on his left arm. "Rukawa-kun, are you okay? We're paid already... we could go now." Sendoh said, eyes fixated on his younger roommate, not minding that he, indeed is putting his hand on top of the latter's arm. Rukawa simply nodded and shrugged. "Yeah, sure..."

"Grazie mille. Spero che vi siate divertiti cena stasera." Gustavo exlaimed, a wide grin on his face, his mustache making him look like Chaplin a bit. He was a fine man in his thirties and was very accomodating. Sendoh nodded and smiled back as well. Rukawa simply nodded. 'Alien language...' He inwardly thought.

"Noi facemmo. E 'stato perfetto. Ci torneremo sicuramente. Hai fatto un ottimo lavoro, il signor Gustavo." Sendoh said a bit slowly but by the looks in Gustavo's face, clearly it was something positive. He smiled and tap the spiky-haired guy on the arm. "Il tuo italiano è eccellente." Sendoh simply chuckled softly and shook his head. "Oh no, ho il comando peggiore della lingua italiana, ma vi ringrazio, signore Gustavo." Soon after, after waving and bowing their good byes, both players found themselves walking yet again the semi-busy pathway of Harborland. Sendoh took note of the time, it was past ten in the evening already. Rukawa pulled on his jacket closer as the temperature seemed to drop two degrees more, sending chills to almost everyone. It was after all a December winter. "I hope you enjoyed your food, Rukawa-kun." Sendoh exclaimed. Rukawa nodded and sighed, sending smoke puffing out from his lips. "Yeah, it was... great. Thank you." He said as he looked at his taller friend. Sendoh simply shrugged and grinned. "Hey, no problem. I told you it was a treat."

"But why are you treating me, its not like we've won already, right?" Rukawa softly muttered. Sendoh simply smiled and shook his head. "Cant I just treat you because I wanted to?" Sendoh asks back, earning a faint tinge of pink in Rukawa's pale cheek. "I-its not that, I mean, I am grateful. But, we could have just eaten somewhere more... inexpensive." Sendoh just simply stared and snorted. "Like that over there..." Rukawa seemingly pointed at a small stall where some hotdog sandwich guy is selling to a few people. Sendoh blinked his eyes in surprise. "And you dont get to speak alien." Rukawa softly added. Sendoh for all what he has heard, found himself laughing—truth is? He thought Rukawa's suggestion was rather adorable. 'Rukawa-kun, for some reason, I am refraining myself from wanting to hug you right now.' "A hotdog stand, I love hotdogs, would you like to grab a bite?" Sendoh grinned. Rukawa went bug-eyed. "Hah? We just ate moments ago, are you serious?" Sendoh chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, of course, c'mon lets go!" Sendoh jogged happily on the nearby stall earning an incredulous look from Rukawa who simply rolled his eyes and followed suit nonetheless.

"Two cheesedogs, no sandwich. And, I'll have mine with ketchup and mayonnaise." Sendoh instructed the guy and a minute later, both already have some nice, steamy, hotdog on hand. Rukawa was simply staring at the food on his hand. He cant believe that Sendoh has that kind of appetite. He briefly stole a look at the taller guy who was busy munching on his hotdog, eyes looking warm and all. Rukawa felt his ears burn a bit. He suddenly remembered what the latter told him. This isnt just dinner. Its a date. Rukawa gulped involuntarily as he felt his chest raced a bit. 'What if... this really is a date.' A pause. 'Does that mean that he might like me too?' A pause. 'But...am I just thinking way too much? He doesnt seem like that type.' Rukawa heaved a sigh and decided to just munch on the hotdog nonetheless. Sendoh crumpled the piece of carton into hand and seeing a nearby waste bin across, put on a small show for some passerbys and fired a shot as if he's been shooting from a three-point range. He heard a few giggles from a group of girls nearby, he simply looked at them and smiled good-naturedly. Rukawa, simply stood on one side, staring and chewing as if nothing big has happened. "So, where do you wanna go?" he grinned at Rukawa. The lanky rookie simply took in the last bite and crumpled the piece of carton as well, but unlike Sendoh, walked towards the waste bin to put his trash there. "I dont know... I dont know this place." Sendoh simply chuckled and soon enough they found themselves waking down the side street without any specific place in mind, and because of this, Sendoh suggested that they take a cab instead.

"So boys, where do we go?" The driver in his mid-forties cheerily asks, a bit stunned at his two tall clients sitting at the back. Sendoh shrugged. "Uh, we're not around from Osaka sir... do you have any suggestion?" The driver smiled and nodded. "Ah, sou ka... visitors eh? From where are you boys?" Sendoh smiled and shrugged. "Kanagawa-ken." The driver nodded and smiled some more. "Well, since its a bit late in the evening already, most of the establishments are closed-there's only one place left, if you like gazing at cherry blossoms, I suggest Japan Mint place. That's where most people flocked." He grinned. Rukawa simply shrugged and said nothing. Sendoh simply grinned and nodded. "Is that far?" The driver faintly nodded. "About two kilometers?" Rukawa sighed and looked at his companion. "Sendoh, I dont mean to sound rude but, its a bit late already and I think we need to be up tomorrow by 7AM. Game starts at 9AM." He paused when he finally got the attention of his taller companion. "Uh...I mean, maybe we could settle in that ferris wheel ride and probably just... go back to the camp after." Sendoh looked from Rukawa to the driver and smiled apologetically. "Uh, I guess some other time?" The driver nodded and smiled back good-naturedly nonetheless as both boys went out of the cab.

"That was embarassing." Sendoh said, a hand on top of his mouth. Rukawa stared at him. "What was?" They were now walking toward the said Ferris wheel just right across from where they had dinner. Sendoh stifled a chuckle. "The cab incident, I mean, I thought that was a bit embarassing. I'm not really used to going inside only to go out eventually..." He shrugged and smiled nonetheless. Rukawa simply clack his tongue and shrugged. "You're weird to be even thinking about that." He twitched his lips and almost tugged his lips upward. Sendoh could only chuckle softly. They queued on the somewhat long line and soon after, found themselves aboarding one passenger car which was surprisingly cozy and warm inside. The wheel started to move as both guys were sitted right across each other to maintain balance. The wheel turned and moved slowly-signalling that the cabs are getting filled up one by one and as they ascend to higher ground, Rukawa cant help but to look outside the window glass to see the majestic view of the night sky in Osaka, the brightly-lit city from below, as soft snow continues to fall down and cover the entire city in that cold December evening. He suddenly felt a pang of nostalgia—he suddenly missed the small town of Kanagawa. Rukawa wondered about his grandmother as well. 'I hope you're doing well, Obaachan.' He silently mused. He stared almost longingly outside the glass window as the wheel continued to move slowly and elevate them higher and higher, ocassionally halting to a short stop-signalling the entry of new passengers. Suddenly Rukawa remembered something—more like, he remembered someone...

"F... Father."

Sendoh was silently gazing at his companion with eyes that speak of probably a thousand words and his heart that holds one solid emotion. He felt himself smiled faintly as a worn-out thought came across his almost idle mind that time. 'Rukawa-kun, meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice, but falling in love with you...?' He paused. Was beyond my control. He silently added.

Rukawa heaved a soft sigh as he suddenly remembered the mail from his father who hasnt really been around for almost ten years. The man has been busily living the life overseas and has barely had the time for his one and only son. Ever since his mother passed away because of a terminal illness, life has not really been the same between him and his Father. They somewhat grew apart and his Dad immersed himself into working nonstop just to probably get away to the truth that his wife, Rukawa's mother, is not coming back. That is why, Rukawa had always love his grandmother—his mother's mother. The old lady was the one who has always been there. How he wished that his father knows that anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to become a dad. Rukawa knew that one of the many reasons his father tried to probably get away is that he always reminded him of his deceased mother. Their resemblance is quite uncanny that it pains him as well to see that sad and faraway looked in his father's eyes. But how Rukawa also wished for his father to know that to be in your child's memories of tomorrow...you have to be in their lives today. But sadly for his father, escaping from sadness and reality has been his only option. How Rukawa hoped for him to know that he should set up a life he doesnt need to escape from. But the ironic truth is? Rukawa isnt really mad. He understood fully his current situation. And as much as he wanted probably to get angry for having a father that isnt really there, he knows that deep inside of him, a father will always be someone you'll look up to, no matter how tall you grow or how far you've become.

"Rukawa-kun..."

Rukawa seemed to be taken aback when he heard Sendoh's familiar voice called unto him. He slowly turned his head in front to see the older guy's almost worried look. Sendoh half-heartedly smiled. "Are you okay... you looked sad." Rukawa widened his eyes in surprised. 'I looked sad?' A pause. 'He saw that?' Rukawa simply said nothing and stared at nothing in particular. "I... I'm fine." He muttered instead. Sendoh nodded and kept silent as well. The wheel continued moving slowly in motion, their windows passing by metal bars and the starry sky of Osaka. Rukawa almost hesitated at first but he just couldnt contain any longer, he decided to break the almost unnerrving silence.

"My Father is coming back... he's gonna go home this Christmas. He mailed me..." He said rather in his soft and quiet voice. Truth is, he just felt like saying it, not caring anymore if Sendoh minds or not. He looked at the older boy across him who was now gazing at him with that usual smile on his lips, eyes clouded with unperturbed warmth and a flicker so intense it almost made Rukawa dropped down his own stare in embarassment. "That's good news, Rukawa-kun..." Sendoh paused. This time, he smiled broadly. "I'm happy for you." Sendoh said in his usual tone; low and manly to boot. He wasnt of course aware of Rukawa's inner turmoil or whatso in the past. He was just happy to hear that the boy's parent is going home this holiday season. It's always something so precious, for him it was; having both parents as well who works overseas—but he was lucky enough to have an older brother living with him and their parents going home almost every year, except this year though and with a good solid excuse. While Rukawa on the other hand...

'He lives alone...' Sendoh wondered if its something Rukawa choosed or it just happened because he had no choice. Sendoh also found himself wondering on what kind of Father does Rukawa Kaede has... does he looked like him? Is he a warm, loving, and caring father? An understanding man? Plays basketball perhaps as well? Suddenly, Sendoh wanted very much to know-and not just know. He wanted to meet him. "I'm sorry for saying this but you dont seem...quite too enthusiastic about it." Sendoh trailed along softly. He felt his throat tightened a bit, wanting very much to just smack his own head for saying something discouraging... "I...I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have said-?!"

"No, its okay. We havent really been together for a while." Rukawa butted in. Silence ensued. "Well, not much as in almost ten years..." The rookie added. Sendoh parted his lips, he wanted to apologized again but the younger guy beat him to it. "Dont." Rukawa faintly shook his head. He gave a small tugged on one corner of his lips and almost looked wistfully. "We're not really close... not probably like you and your brother. I'm not even sure if I remember his face correctly." Sendoh heaved a small sigh but he nodded. "It's just that, I'm not sure if seeing him after a decade would mean anything..." Rukawa was taken a bit back when Sendoh decided to spoke, "I'm sure it'll be fine, Rukawa-kun." He smiled.

For some reason, Sendoh didnt need to hear the whole story from the pale guy just to 'see' where this is going to lead... somehow, he just understood, and it really means a lot to him that Rukawa chose to confide in him. Sendoh knew, he has probably just fallen more—deeper. "Sometimes, by the time a man realizes that maybe his father is right, he usually has a son that thinks he is wrong." Sendoh he decided to continue, "But nothing is more precious to a man than his child, Rukawa-kun." He smiled. "I'm sure it'll be okay-both of you will." Silence ensued, only the tiny creaking of metal bars from which their cable car has been hanging is the only one making sounds.

"And if it isnt then, I will be there. I really will." A smile.

Rukawa blinked back his surprise. He wasnt really expecting the older guy to say those words. Not the last statement, the least. 'Sendoh... you...' The Ryonan Ace sighed deeply and looked down below. The one they've been stepping on is made of fibre glass, that one can see through the roof of another cable car and the ground beneath them.

"Thank you..."

Sendoh was made to looked up and was met by Rukawa's cerulean orbs who was rather quite a bit shinier and of bluer than usual. His eyes obvioulsy spoke of a silent gratitude. Sendoh simply smiled. "You're always welcome, Rukawa." Rukawa simply snorted softly. "Are you sure you're only 17?" Sendoh tilted his head on one side, a smirk almost forming on the corner of his lips. "Like, why?" He grinned. Rukawa simply twitched his lips. "You sound like an old man." Sendoh blinked, then he chuckled amusedly. And Rukawa, well, he found his lips faintly smiling as well as he continued to look outside the window. "Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional, Rukawa-kun, I believed the latter, ha-ha!" Rukawa simply rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Idiot… so like, what's your F?" Sendoh wiped the corner of his eyes as he continued to chuckle in small mirth. He shrugged. "What F?" Rukawa frowned. "I thought we're playing your stupid alphabet game. I already said mine, it's your turn."

Sendoh was a bit surprised, but he grinned nonetheless. "Oh." Rukawa simply went bugeyed. Sendoh shrugged and smiled. "I'm not sure about mine but…" He looked from the outside to Rukawa who was slightly taken aback as he was met by Sendoh's cobalt blue orbs. He almost flushed, but was able to get a hold of himself. "Probably friend." Sendoh paused. Rukawa moved his eyes from the window to the guy in front of him and simply stared. Sendoh held his gaze. "So like, have you ever felt like you've... fallen for a friend before?"

Rukawa thought that aside from the fact that he had probably gone deaf, he's flushed from the ears. Now this is one certain question he can't escape. It needs a direct answer but the thing is, he doesn't know how to. More like, he can almost feel his own chest racing so hard that his own blood-pumping organ wanted very much to jump out of his own ribcage. He found himself clutching his own seat with both hands. Suddenly he wanted the ride to end… suddenly, how he wished he wanted their cable car to be opened… suddenly, he wanted to alight and be gone in the next few seconds. He involuntarily gulped.

"Is that… a question?" He found himself responding softly, eyes never leaving the window glass. He can actually feel their cable descending down, and it'll probably be just a couple of minutes more until the ride comes to an end. How Rukawa wanted to move on to the next letter. Sendoh, sensing the uneasiness of his own question slightly fidgeted on his seat… and almost stammered. "Uh, forget it…" He missed the surprised in Rukawa's eyes when the pale boy shifted his gaze onto him. Sendoh smiled—suddenly, he is the one feeling a bit uncomfortable now. He tried to smile. "F-Fukuda, he's probably the Sakuragi-kun in our team, but I believed in his potential. Apparently he's the only one who seems to understand most of my passes." Sendoh tried to smile as if the awkwardness never happened.

Rukawa took note of this and simply nodded. "Y-yeah… you two seemed close." Sendoh simply snorted softly and shrugged. Just then, both were suddenly disturbed when their cable car rocked back and forth signalling the end of the ride, a guy twisted on the lever outside their car and soon enough, they were alighting the Ferris wheel, with the next persons coming in for the next ride. It was only then Rukawa seemed that he can breathe. The time read 1130 PM. Thirty minutes til midnight and it was time to go back to the camp.

The two found themselves standing on a platform, waiting for the last train to arrive. They decided to take the main railway which will be taking them to Asahi-ku in less than fifteen minutes. Then from there, it'll be just another ten-minute walk from the station to the main camp. Sendoh stretched his long limbs and yawned. He took note of the only food stall that was still opened and just to dissolve the sudden awkwardness that suddenly settled itself between them, Sendoh decided to speak first. "Hey, you wanna grab some popcorn?" He grinned. Rukawa looked at his right and saw the taller guy grinning like a kid while pointing towards the lone stall inside the station. Rukawa sighed. "Is this also part of your plan?"

"Uh, what plan?" Sendoh asked nonchalantly, then he grinned again as he scratched his cheek absent-mindedly. "Eat 'til we bloat our stomachs off?" Rukawa said dryly. Sendoh chuckled upon hearing this and Rukawa could only twitched his lips in return. The older guy simply waved off Rukawa and shrugged. "What if it was? C'mon, let's grab some corn, the train will be arriving in two minutes." And once more, they found themselves holding some snack in each hand. "You like wasting your money, huh?" Rukawa muttered as he munched in a few corns. Sendoh simply chuckled. "If its on food and with people whom I like, then I don't mind wasting it…" Rukawa simply shook his head—but he was hell sure he felt his ears burned. "Whatever…"

Soon after, the train arrived.

"C'mon, we're almost done, let's continue the alphabet." Sendoh exclaimed as they board the train. Even though it's late, there are still lots of people inside and that caused for them to just stood up in the middle of the aisle and held on one hand at the metal railings above, the other hand, holding their popcorn. It wasn't a problem for them since both guys are towering, earning them a few good looks from almost everyone—but mostly because of admiration. But neither one of them minded. Rukawa snorted. "Almost done? We're only at the seventh letter of the alphabet. It has nineteen more." Sendoh simply grinned. "That's why, hurry already. What's your G?" Rukawa tugged his lips upward—there's only one G in his mind. It's the first word his mind has clearly registered.

"G-Gori."

And Sendoh laughed, to the surprised of a few people around- Rukawa almost glared but he kept his smile unnoticed. "I kinda figured you'd say that. I mean, I always hear Sakuragi-kun calling Captain Akagi that." Rukawa simply snorted. "Don't be jealous, you also have your own version in your team. Your Captain looks like one as well." Rukawa stated almost bluntly and flatly, he almost smirked. Sendoh chuckled and shook his head, eyes almost half-glaring. "Excuse me? Do I looked like a gorilla to you?" Rukawa almost gasps and chuckled. "I didn't-?!" Sendoh clacked his tongue and squinted his eyes. "What? You forgot that I'm the new Captain of Ryonan now, huh?" Rukawa almost laughed aloud if he were the type, but he was able to somewhat keep his cool and instead settled for a soft chuckle. "I…I didn't say it was you, I meant that big guy from your team, your predecessor, idiot." Sendoh continued chuckling in short mirth. "Sheesh, I might be the best-looking gorilla out there, hahaha!" Rukawa rolled his eyes and softly chuckled as well. "You're the one who said that to yourself, doahou." And the other could only grinned back.

"G-Girls." Sendoh stated. He grinned to which Rukawa merely said nothing. "I'm sure you got lots of fan girls around Shohoku, Rukawa-kun." He smiled. Rukawa simply shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe." Sendoh rolled his eyes. "Aww, stop being so humble, it doesn't suit you." He grinned. Rukawa simply twitched his lips in response. "As if you don't have a bunch yourself." Sendoh simply smiled and looked up. "I don't know… maybe." Then he grinned mischievously. Rukawa simply glared at his taller companion. "You copycat." And Sendoh? Well, let's just say he has his nth laugh for that night. "H-Hair. I like my hair up." Sendoh grinned stupidly. Obviously he can't think of anything. Rukawa eyed him like he's gone nuts or something but the pale guy simply kept his silence. "You look like a hedgehog." Sendoh laughed. "That's my H, by the way, thank you for contributing an idea." Rukawa said as he tugged the corner of his lip upward. "You owe me back there, Rookie." Sendoh muttered as he laughed, "Okay next letter- I!"

"I… I like your ice (eyes) Rukawa-kun." Sendoh even nodded as an effect. Rukawa stared incredulously just as about Sendoh was taken in for a surprise. "That's spelled with an E, you idiot." And Rukawa for some reason found himself chuckling a bit. Sendoh flushed and he almost lost his balance when he came into his silly realization. He laughed and gape. "Oh that was- hahahha, shit I forgot." Rukawa shook his head. "Are you sure you're in second year high? You might wanna go back in kinder." Sendoh playfully shove his popcorn onto Rukawa's face earning him a kick on the shin, they both laughed a bit earning them a few stares from around since seeing mainly two tall, good-looking boys being playful with each other probably alienates and fascinates them at the same time. "I- idiot." Rukawa simply stated. Sendoh simply shrugged. "I-irresistible. I am irresistible." Sendoh grinned and Rukawa could only roll his eyes. "Whatever."

The train halted to a stop in Asahi and both boys alighted the train feeling their hands and feet a bit numb from standing and holding onto the railing. Sendoh took note of the time to be almost midnight. The two walked the empty streets of Asahi-ku with only the brightly lit lampposts illuminating the side walk. They continued walking in silence, savouring the peacefulness and coldness of the night and the light-hearted moments they probably shared while inside the train. Sendoh has kept that smile on his face while he was walking. Truly, he was indeed very happy that night. Every minute was worth it, or so he thought. Somehow, it all made sense to him now… he truly has fallen. The good thing is, suddenly, his life seems completely different, exciting and worth wile. With Rukawa's presence, he was able to accept that sometimes, there is no need for continuous conversation, but he finds that he's quite contented in just having him nearby.

If there's one thing Rukawa is thinking of right now, it is the fact that he truly found someone who turned his world around. You tell them things that you've never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, some dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. Still, hopefully, when something wonderful happens, you can't wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement; or perhaps hopefully? The small things that seemed insignificant before such as a song, or a quiet walk becomes invaluable treasures kept safe inside to cherish. Laughter suddenly seems part of daily life, where before, it was either infrequent or non-existing.

"What are you mulling about?" Sendoh suddenly earned the guts to break the silence. They were now trekking the way back to the camp and neither was minding that they were walking on an empty road. Rukawa almost felt his ears burned as a parade of thoughts has just made his way a while back. "N-nothing, just about the game tomorrow." Rukawa said softly. He heard Sendoh snort. "Sure thing." Rukawa simply clacked his tongue softly. "I was." Sendoh simply chuckled along and said nothing. He loved the quietness of the night and the soft snow falling on top of them as it filled the side path with thin layers of white everywhere. "Do you think we'll win?" Sendoh asks, suddenly shifting his gaze on his left, seeing the raven-haired cast down on the ground. He almost want to pull him near… if only. Sendoh bravely restrained himself from doing so, lest he wanted Rukawa to run away from him. He wouldn't really want that. "I… don't know. Maybe." He looked up to his older companion and shrugged. "Maybe we could try…" He said rather unsurely. Sendoh felt endeared, maybe because it is Rukawa Kaede who was speaking the truth into saying that he indeed is unsure of one thing and that he wanted to try. He smiled. "Yeah, why not? We could pull it off, who knows…" Sendoh said affirmatively- then he simply smiled.

Soon after, they both saw the familiar camp and both halted to a stop first, taking in their breaths; the walked certainly tired them a bit even though they are both used to rigorous trainings. After heaving a breath, they both decided to continue walking and soon after more, they arrived in front of the camp's fountain in the middle. Rukawa was tired, he honestly wanted to sleep. He knew it was probably past twelve midnight and that he still needs to wake up at around five am. He wanted to jog tomorrow to condition himself before having the game at around nine. He just wasn't sure if he can get up on his own alarm. "What's your J, Rukawa-kun?" Rukawa stopped. He was two steps ahead of Sendoh already and he paused to look back at his taller companion who was simply just standing, both hands inside his jacket pocket, his hair filled with few snow specks. Rukawa partly opened his lips to say something but his brain is not cooperating anymore, or so he thinks. He tried to stifle a yawn, a bit shy to let Sendoh know that he's feeling tired and sleepy to even continue the alphabet game, but he knew he owe the whole night to the older boy who has shown nothing but kindness and probably… something else he had almost wish for. He just don't want to keep his hopes up.

"J…." Rukawa seemed to contemplate for a while. He sighed softly. "J-Jacket… I like… I like Ryonan's Jacket, they're blue." He rather said a bit flatly. Sendoh was a bit surprised at that—but he found his lips curving into a smile. Well, he wasn't truly expecting that. Rukawa too, seemed to surprise himself as his eyes widened a bit. He almost wanted to pummel himself to the ground. Sendoh chuckled softly. "Well, I like Shohoku's, they're red." Sendoh laughed softly to which Rukawa simply responded with a twitched of his lips. "Maybe we should have… switched schools instead, huh." Rukawa muttered in his quiet voice. His eyes were a bit droopy now and truth is, he isn't sure if he's still saying coherent things. Sendoh for some reason, found himself taking in a few steps forward and when he was just right about a few inches apart, Sendoh instinctively found himself reaching for Rukawa's left arm just as about Rukawa's eyes seemed to have widened involuntarily because of close contact. The next set of words made one lanky rookie wondered…

"I've finally arrive at my most favourite letter in the alphabet, Rukawa…" Sendoh said almost shakily, but he steeled himself to never back it down… not now, and not probably at this moment. He knew he had to say it and he has been mustering all the guts he can just to voice out this one in particular… While Rukawa, he was simply puzzled, but he is surely feeling that the thumping of his chest has been deafening his own ears. He felt his right fist clenched and unclenched….

"I really love your name, can I call you Kaede?"

Rukawa for all that matters, felt himself stiffen at the question—he felt his ears flushed and he truly wanted to say something but he wasn't able to do so anymore, probably because the last thought he had in mind before having his head coming into a tilt is that the best kind of kiss is always the unexpected; the unplanned— they are the ones that comes naturally, like in the middle of a sentence and the last thought in his mind that, the best thing other than the kiss, is the moment right before, when Sendoh Akira looks into his eyes and leaves him breathless.

Come to me,

Trust in your dream

Come on and rescue me

Yes I have known, I can be wrong

Maybe I'm too headstrong

Our love is…

Madness

TBC

A/N: Uwaahh! Not sure if this worth the wait but it took me a month to update and I sat in front of the computer for two days to finished this *pants like a horse that just ran a race* 18 effing pages, probably the longest chapter in this fic! Yup, this is an update alright! I take pride in being able to get back in this story and having been able to have written this romantic (or so I thought) chapter! 3 tell me what you think! I appreciate feedbacks! I missed writing this! This is especially dedicated to everyone that has come across this story! Thank you! Final few chapters ahead! . *Jumps in glee* I was able to make them kiss! Huhuhu! I'm so happy! Where are all my senru ladies? My next mission is to have them do something more than kissing! Bwahahah! *evil laughter* *waves senru banner*

A/N: Much thanks to Muse's song, Madness. I literally raped the replay button on my iPod and bled my ears listening to this over and over again... Matthew Bellamy, you're a God, I love you, I swear! 3 *fangirl-mode* *waves Muses's banner*

A/N: Question, should I continue on the alphabet game? lol. A part of me wants to and one part is making me want to just end it on letter "K" =D I'm honestly having trouble with the words.

A/N: To Jamie, Kaede4Ever, AddictedtoSD, Poma, Ekaeka, lovely guests, etc… *hugs all*