CHAPTER 15
That thing when you kiss someone and everything around you becomes hazy, and the only thing in focus is you and that person, and you realized that this is the only person that you should be kissing for the rest of your life… and that seemingly perfect moment just had come to a sudden halt because silence settled itself comfortably and only the soft breathing of each other can be heard in that cold, cold night.
Rukawa honestly thought that his sleepiness and weariness suddenly got themselves off of him as he found his eyes a bit widened and the realization that his head was a bit tilted to one side, and with a pair of large, slightly calloused, but very warm hands were gently cupping the sides of his face in such manner. He could honestly hear the loud rumbling of his chest as his heart raced like a madman, deafening his very own ears and clouding his logic for any signs of valid reasoning. Sendoh, realizing what he has just done, felt like as if he's been suddenly burned on both hands as he instinctively found himself releasing Rukawa's tilted head half-heartedly. He suddenly felt his own ears and face heating up and it took all of his guts to have that first set of words, which he doesn't know if he should be saying or not.
"I… I'm…" He stammered as he realized that his own voice sounded a bit strained and hoarse. Rukawa as well, found himself backing up—and almost regretted that the heat they briefly shared caused by the close proximity of their own bodies were now gone and about. Rukawa was speechless. If he was a man of few words, tonight, was probably his worst. Truth is, he doesn't know what to say, more so, how to react. Sendoh on the other hand is simply awaiting. Yes… he was very much awaiting for Rukawa to honestly sock him on the face. He firmly believes that he deserved it. But the thing is, even if Rukawa does get mad, he is not sorry. And Sendoh knows best. Rukawa thought his eyes has gone blank as he slowly turned on his heels to walk back into the camp, he was rather feeling all too tired suddenly. All he wanted now was to crawl under his own sheets, sleep and probably dream… but Rukawa knew deep in his heart that he will be probably having a hard time getting sleep tonight because reality is now far better than his dreams.
Sendoh was left to stand on the same spot as he can only stare at the raven-haired guy walking farther away from him. The truth is, he did not regret doing it… the only thing that matters to him probably is the timing; like why did he choose to do it now. Tonight. A few moments ago. He sighed, eyes a bit unfocused as he forced himself to walk back into the camp. Damn. He inwardly kick himself in the shin. Damn. Damn. Sendoh involuntarily gulped as he entered the camp's premises, barely giving a stare to the receptionist as she bowed and greeted them politely. The time on the wall read 130 in the morning. Sendoh stopped dead on his track as he saw the pale boy waiting in front of the elevator, head a bit cast down, and eyes being obscured by fringes. He suddenly found himself standing a bit farther than what he used to have been—then, the door opened and both went in, the silence gnawing them. Rukawa was probably on the verge of sleeping inside the elevator as he found himself wrongly pressing the number pad. Instead of five, he pressed three. Sendoh saw this and instinctively pressed the five button just as Rukawa was about to press as well.
Rukawa felt himself shuddered when their finger collided once again on the said number, sending in an electric feeling, he almost gasps. Sendoh too, found himself withdrawing his own hand as if being stung by a bee, he shook his head as he found himself running a hand on his semi-spiked hair. "I…I'm sorry." He now found himself able to say the words. The elevator stopped at the third floor and the door opened. Rukawa gulped involuntarily. He almost hated himself for pressing the button wrongly—truth is? He just wanted to get out of the cramped elevator and crawl into his sheets. Then as if being heard by Kami-sama, the door finally opened and both stepped out of the elevator. Rukawa opened the door to their room and wordlessly found himself walking straight into and onto his own bed. Sendoh locked the door and kicked off his shoes on one side and silently made his way to the washroom. Locking the door with a soft click, he found himself leaning on the sink.
Kissing is a means of getting two people so close together that they can't see anything wrong with each other; but the problem with kissing is that it can be a comma, a question mark or an exclamation point. How did it happen that their lips came together? Sendoh ran a hand through his hair and opened the faucet with the other. 'Damn…' he silently muttered to himself. He leaned down and washed his face with cold water, feeling a bit chilly but ignoring it nonetheless. Throughout, his mind stayed focused on the sole event that made their night uneasy. It wasn't that long. And it certainly wasn't the kind of kiss you'd see in the movies these days. But honestly, Sendoh thought it was wonderful in its own way and that all he can remember in that moment is that when their lips touched, he knew that the memory would probably last forever. Sendoh gulped involuntarily as he turned off the faucet slowly, eyes a bit blank and his mind a bit disarray as well. Sendoh knew he had reminded himself to be brave but perhaps, forgot to remind himself to stay calm. But how could he? How could he stay calm or reserved when his emotions has been drumming right into his own ears? How could he, when at the first kiss he felt something inside of him melt, all his longings, dreams and sweet anguish, all the secrets that slept deep within him finally came awake, and that everything was transformed and enchanted and made sense.
He sighed deeply as he held one hand onto the door know, determined now to face the impending questions or whatever they maybe that Rukawa might start throwing against him—he had only hope for one thing though. He sincerely wished that the younger boy is already fast asleep. Sendoh honestly thought that he could not probably answer the whys if ever Rukawa confronted him that moment… he heaved a sighed and opened the door and walked straight into his bed. He closed his eyes momentarily and opened them again, lips partly opened… his eyes widened though and he almost wanted to tug his lips upward. Rukawa was fast asleep. Sendoh sat on his bed and plopped down heavily on his back, he rubbed his sleepy eyes and before finally closing them, briefly looked to his right to see the back of the raven-haired boy faced against him… and in that 2 in the morning, he whispered the words,
"Goodnight, Kaede."
He fluttered his eyes slowly to an open and felt sleepiness still with him. Rukawa slowly tried to move his hand to reach under his pillow and shut his alarm off. Finding his phone, he took note of his alarm to be 445 AM. He almost want to congratulate himself for being able to wake up with only probably three hours of sleep. Rukawa rubbed his eyes and stretched his arms and snuggled deeper into his sheets, still intended to have an extra five more minutes. A minute has passed or so when his eyes suddenly shut open wide- he suddenly found himself getting up slowly from the bed and for all the reasons, felt his chest racing. Suddenly there were memories. Suddenly there were flashbacks. And suddenly…there was that particular event last night that made everything feel different.
If there is one thing that has been playing in his mind right now, is that one particular why. Like, why did Sendoh do that? Is not a kiss the very autograph of love? Could it be that he feels the same way as him in the end? But that would be too presumptuous of him, wouldn't it? But, if a kiss was just a kiss, then why would you love that feeling you get when you can't believe he took your breath away? Or probably, Sendoh's just tripping on him last night and was curious to see how he would react. Rukawa found his brows furrowing at the last thought. Clearly, that wasn't such a good one.
Whatever the reason was, Rukawa somehow found himself musing on the thought that a kiss may not be the truth, but it is what he almost wished was true. He decided to move slowly out of the bed and for the first time perhaps, did not mind fixing the beddings, and made his way as quietly as possible into the washroom. A few minutes later, he got out, eyes still a bit in dazed and opened the cabinet adjacent to the toilet, got a random jacket, and out of the room that has been his humble abode together with a certain someone who has definitely made a big change in his life. Rukawa honestly thought that it's going to be perhaps a long day and that the uneasiness that suddenly settled itself between them is terribly going to be felt. It is true when they say that you will never know how you feel about someone till you kiss them… and as he quietly and sleepily exited their room to jog in the wee hours of the morning, Rukawa found himself thinking of one thing… why does it seem like every breath that leaves his lips, breathes a dream of his tender… kiss?
Sendoh somehow managed to open an eye when he felt someone shaking him and mentioning his name. He hastily mumbled a few incoherent words and decided to shut both of his eyes nonetheless; but the shaking didn't and seemed not to stop. "Sendoh… Sendoh…" That voice though. The Ryonan Ace honestly thought that it was damn familiar and that it wasn't probably the voice he was expecting. Akira tried very much to open one eye and dazed as he maybe still, found his gaze staring particularly on the face of his teammate from Ryonan. Koshino Hiroaki. Sendoh opened both eyes now and saw Koshino with a half-worried look. The taller guy raised his sheet and hid underneath. Koshino clacked his tongue and shook their Ace harder this time. "Hey… wake up, Sendoh damn it. Do not hide yourself underneath." Sendoh clacked his tongue and lazily responded. "What is it…" Koshino scowled and pulled the sheets off his taller friend. Sendoh knotted his brows and placed an arm on top of his eyes to continue sleeping. "What do you mean by what is it, it's freaking 9AM already and you have a game, have you forgotten?" Sendoh seemed to be taken aback, partly gasps but did not removed his arm on top of his head. Koshino placed an arm on top of the latter's shoulder and shook him.
"Akira, get your ass off the bed now."
Sendoh shook his head, mumbled and groaned. "Game… what game?" He muttered as if he's hearing everything for the first time. Koshino could not believe what he heard and pulled his arm off his head. "The heck are you-? You got a game against Maki and Fujima, have you forgotten! The brat's not here anymore, he's probably down there already! Damn it! Get up!" Sendoh did not bulged. He mumbled a few more before going back to hibernate. Koshino was dumbfounded, this time he was more determined. He was getting ready to pounce on their Ace and pull him off the bed when the door to the room opened. Koshino's eyes widened at the visitor and he could only gasps in sheer surprise as the next words he heard literally sent Sendoh Akira's eyes flying open.
"Taichou, I saw Rukawa-kun with someone. They seemed in love. I thought you should know." Koshino literally dropped his jaw wide open as he stared incredulously at the smug face of his teammate Fukuda who suddenly barged in the room, shook their Ace with one hand and successfully made Sendoh hoist himself up from the bed to have that bewildered and seemingly puzzled face on. He would have laughed his head off if it weren't for Fukuda's smirk. Koshino snorted. "The heck is that Fukuda, you bastard… what the hell did you just say?" But no one seemed to mind his query. Fukuda simply snorted and toss the orange leather on Sendoh's lap. "Your game's been moved, Taichou. It'll be around at 1 in the afternoon. They all knew you are still sleeping." Koshino gaped. Sendoh gasps as his eyes widened now in full realization.
"I'll wait for you in the gym, you might want to practice. I'll be your playmate." Fukuda stated dryly. Sendoh looked up from the ball to Fukuda's almost knowing stare and was keen on saying something when the number thirteen power forward beat him to it. "I was just pulling your leg Cap, he isn't with someone else. I just thought that it might make you wake up." Then Fukuda smiled. Koshino stared from Fukuda to Sendoh then to Sendoh to Fukuda, knotted his brows and scowled. "Are you guys talking about something else here? Or maybe someone? Blind item? Care to share a bit?"
Fukuda simply snorted and started walking towards the door. He looked at Koshino who has that perplexed stare at him and Fukuda simply smirked knowingly. "Oh its nothing Koshino-san, we're just talking about…" Sendoh momentarily shot up a stare at him and Fukuda could only smirk some more. "…love and stuff." Koshino wanted to puke his innards out. "Love and stuff?! The fuck? From where did you heard about love and stuff?!" Fukuda chuckled softly as he exited the room, leaving a bewildered Koshino and almost smiling Sendoh Akira who simply shook his head and ran a hand on his dishevelled hair. Koshino then turned to a smiling Sendoh Akira who was eyeing him with an unperturbed look. "Did you hear what Fukuda said? Does that bastard honestly think the word love suits him? I mean he looks like a villain to be even saying the word." Koshino then found himself chuckling in between his words. Sendoh simply shook his head as he twirled the ball on one finger. "You are mean, Kosh." Koshino chuckled and put a hand on his hips.
"Well isn't that great, at least your game has been moved. Damn them for giving you enough consideration. Or maybe Fujima and Maki-san is not ready to face you two, hm?" Koshino grinned. Sendoh simply snorted and rolled his eyes. He stopped twirling the ball on his finger and got up from the bed. "I don't think they're that type of players." Koshino shrugged. "How'd you know, it's you and Rukawa against them after all. They might be afraid." Sendoh knotted his brows. Speaking of Rukawa…. He suddenly wondered the whereabouts of the younger kid.
"K-Kosh… have you seen him?" Sendoh muttered softly as he got one towel from the cabinet, keen on taking now a shower and probably grabbing a quick breakfast then practice with Fukuda. Koshino twitched his lips. "Who? The brat? Not really." Sendoh simply nodded and was about to enter the washroom when Koshino caught him off guard.
"Oi, by the way, where were you last night? I went here at around 11 pm to ask you if you guys want to grab some beer but you and Rukawa weren't around." Koshino stated, eyes a bit squinted. Sendoh found himself gasping. 'Seriously?' Sendoh dreaded the question as his brain seemed to look for the proper answer to this impromptu question.
"Uh… you guys… drink last night?" He tried to somehow divert the question, if he's lucky Koshino wouldn't have notice, but is he's not… well, Koshino seems the obstinate type. "Yeah, just a small drink with team Shohoku, everyone was there, except for you two. So, where were you guys? No one knew of your whereabouts?" If Sendoh was drunk he wanted to humour his buddy and tell him, 'Oh I took him out for a date then we went riding the Ferris wheel, then we walked back home, then I got mesmerized and I suddenly kissed him and it was the best moment of my life… so yeah, something like that.' Sendoh honestly wondered if Koshino would probably faint and die from a heart attack especially when he hears the part where he got mesmerized and suddenly just kissed the rookie of Shohoku. He was trying to stifle an impending chuckled. Truth is? Sendoh thought he couldn't care a bit more, he honestly thought that it would probably just a matter of a few more days… or weeks, until everyone on his team finally knew of his sudden growing affection towards the stoic and pale boy from the other team.
"So? Where were you last night? Are you guys together?" Koshino prodded. Sendoh sighed and nodded his head to Koshino's surprise. "Yeah… we went out. Dinner." Koshino almost gaped. "Seriously? Like w-why?" Koshino knows he isn't really supposed to be prodding further but he just can't helped it. Sendoh simply chuckled softly and shrugged. "Oh you know…" The next words sent Sendoh Akira laughing as he slid the door to the washroom close, leaving yet again Koshino Hiroaki bewildered for the second time. "…love and stuff."
"Damn you Sendoh and Fukuda!" Koshino pounded on the door, stared at it for a while before finally exiting the room with his thought suddenly running wild. 'Seriously? Love and stuff?' Koshino stopped on his tracks. 'Is Sendoh, their Ace could possibly be in love with…' Koshino scratched his head and decided to probably ask Hikoichi further. 'Is it even possible?'
"I really love your name, can I call you Kaede?"
The ball bounced off the side of the ring and tumbled elsewhere. His eyes followed the orange leather rolled on one corner. Rukawa stood like a tree, chest heaving into deep breaths as he has been practising for the past one hour or so. He wiped the sweat off from his forehead with the back of his hand and started walking towards the orange ball that has stuck itself on one corner. The last thought that mulled into his mind bothered him that his accuracy waned a bit. I really love your name, can I call you Kaede? He picked up the ball and started dribbling it with one hand then stopped for a bit to take a sit on the bench. He fished for his phone and took note of the time to be past 8AM already.
When he woke up that morning, he started jogging already to clear off his mind with thoughts, he lasted for about one hour and decided to take a rest on the bench, literally waiting for the sunrise. Upon seeing the first rays of the sun, he went to jogged again for about fifteen minutes more—and getting tired from doing too much physical workout, decided to go inside the canteen to have his breakfast. He was met by the stares of a few people from the other teams, but he did not mind them. Well, there was one nosy body who dared approached him and tried to annoy him but failed nonetheless. It was the loudmouth from Kainan. Kiyota, was it? Obviously, the freshman was simply stating all the facts in the world as to why Maki and Fujima would win the game against them. Rukawa paid no heed as he went to eat by himself, trying very much to be deaf amidst the rants. Truth is? He doesn't care. Weird as it may sound, he thought he doesn't mind whether they win or not. He just want to get over the games and go back to Kanagawa. But the sudden thought of finally going back to Kanagawa felt a pang of something akin to sadness—and he doesn't know why.
For the past few days, Osaka has been a place of many experiences, a firsts, and memories for him. Osaka has been the abode for his inner turmoil that has been replaced by a certain someone's capability to calm him effectively. For the past few days, Osaka has been a place of recollections he would have to tag along home when he gets back to little Kanagawa; soon he would have to deal with the fact that these tiny memories will act as a diary he would have to carry about with him. It is what as they all say; good times may come and go, but the memories will last forever… 'Or will they really?' He silently wondered. He was thankful enough that the loud mouth of Kainan finally left him when the latter probably noticed that he isn't interested. After eating breakfast though, he wordlessly exited the canteen to go back outside only to be met by Ayako and he almost fidgeted uneasily when she honestly ask him to wake Sendoh up just because it's about 9AM already. Rukawa honestly thought he had gone deaf for the nth time. He did not know what to say. He felt his chest race a bit and his ears flushed, truth is? He can't seem to do the act. 'Wake him up?!' BA DUMP. 'Like seriously?' He was just more than glad when Fukuda approached them and said that he'll be the one to wake their Captain up.
Rukawa held that silent stare of relief against the number thirteen of Ryonan who simply stared back at him with an unknown glint in his eyes. Fukuda then simply nodded and went inside the elevator. He, on the other hand, excused himself to practise more outside leaving a puzzled Ayako behind. After a few minutes of dribbling the ball, he was approached by their Captain, Akagi who later on informed him that their game has been moved at one in the afternoon just because his teammate, partner, or… roommate, Sendoh Akira is not yet awake. Rukawa honestly went bug-eyed upon hearing that. He simply nodded and resumed practising on his own.
'S-Sendoh… you…' He sighed as he shook his head softly. Rukawa now confirmed that the Ryonan Ace might truly have a problem in dealing with the concept of time. He almost felt his lips tug upward.
He stopped dribbling the ball just as the door to the court slid open. Fukuda cast a knowing look to the approaching Sendoh Akira. The spiky-haired dude has the ball on one hand as he approached the stoic look of Fukuda. The number thirteen simply nod in acknowledgement to which Sendoh simply twitched his lips in return. He dribbled a few before firing a shot in which the ball did not went in. Sendoh gasps at this. Fukuda threw in the other ball he's been playing for the past few minutes to which Sendoh caught with one hand, dribbled it again and fired another shot. Again, the ball missed. Sendoh gulped. Fukuda, caught up with the first ball Sendoh threw and bounced it back to his Captain only to have the third shot missed yet again. Sendoh opened his mouth in sheer surprised. Fukuda simply snorted and stared. He got the other ball and for the fourth time, passed the orange leather to Sendoh who instinctively caught the ball with his left, dribbled it twice and threw in a jump shot only to have the ball rolled on the ring once, twice, before disappointingly falling outside the ring.
"What the-?!" Sendoh suddenly found his voice. Fukuda clacked his tongue and rolled his eyes. "Taichou, I suggest you get the ball in. It's not Rukawa-kun's face. You don't have to miss it on purpose." Sendoh gave Fukuda the stare to which Fukuda simply smirked. "Kicchou you bastard…" Sendoh hissed. Fukuda chuckled softly, got one ball, dribbled it and fired a jumper. The ball went in. He looked at the blue-eyed Captain of Ryonan and smugly grin. "Now that's a commoner's shot." Sendoh simply snorted and shook his head lightly. "Hanging out with Sakuragi-kun, huh." Fukuda simply shrugged. Sendoh puffed out some air and stretched his arms as if wanting to do some warm-ups. He motioned for pass to which Fukuda passed one ball and as if concentrating for the fifth time, Sendoh fired again another shot—this time, the ball went in. He smiled. Fukuda tugged his lip upwards too and soon enough, placed in a defensive position. Sendoh took note of this and in no time at all, a friendly one-on-one ensued.
They continued playing for about twenty straight minutes or so. The last shot was about to be taken—it was Sendoh who was obviously attacking. He pushed forwards but Kicchou was there, backed up a bit, bounced the ball behind him to his other hand in a fancy manner, and drove hard to the basket by attacking Fukuda's defense. He jumped up to force the ball in but Fukuda was somehow quick to decipher the move—and Sendoh knows that of course, as he rolled off the ball to his other hand expertly to manoeuver a reverse lay-up. The alarm ticked off. Time's up. The heated game ended. It was in his favour. 44-54. Sendoh won. Fukuda huffed as he wiped off the beads from his forehead. He nodded to his Captain who was obviously gasping for some air as well, bent down with hands on both knees. Sendoh looked up and gave a tired smile to his playmate. "T-thanks for p-playing me, Kicchou. That was… that was nice." He grinned. Fukuda simply shrugged and coughed a bit. "Don't mention it, Cap." Fukuda walked straight to the bench to grab his own bottle of water.
"So, uh…heard from Koshino you guys… drink last night?" Sendoh started, as he too walked towards the bench to grab a drink. Fukuda seemed to be staring at nothing in particular but he nodded nonetheless. "Yeah, a little." He replied monotonously. "That's cool." Sendoh said. Fukuda simply shrugged. "It would have been cooler if you guys were around." Sendoh nodded as well as he sat on one edge, feeling the erratic beating of his chest due to the game that has just ended moments ago. If there's one person who's probably knows something, its Fukuda perhaps, or Sendoh thinks. Because the next question the latter threw at him made him answer almost nonchalantly. And Sendoh thought that it somehow feels good to have at least one person knew. While Fukuda may seemed to be the "Sakuragi" in their team, Sendoh honestly thought that their power forward is the quite the comprehending type as well. He just does not sit back and observe—he also tries to somehow apprehend. And to Sendoh, observing and understanding are two different things.
"You guys went out last night?" Fukuda stated flatly. It was given. And he doesn't think Sendoh would deny him the answer. Fukuda found his lips curving into a smile, because he wasn't disappointed. "We did." Short and straight. The Sendoh-way. Fukuda nodded, lips twitching in response as his eyes darted to his right. "That's good news, Taichou." Sendoh merely looked at him and said nothing.
Fukuda paused from drinking and raised a brow. "What? You don't seem ecstatic about it." Sendoh snorted and almost chuckled softly. Truth is, he doesn't know where and how to start. It was actually a great evening, well, at least for him, and how he wished Rukawa enjoyed his company as well. But he had an inkling that the younger boy did. He wondered on what part of their 'date' though did the pale, raven-haired guy found to be amusing.
"You found out he doesn't like you?" Fukuda said without thinking further. Sendoh almost gasps and let out a hollowed laugh. Fukuda curved his lips in a smile. "Kicchou you really are a bastard…" Sendoh chuckled softly. Fukuda simply shook his head and shrugged. "What then? He likes someone else?" Sendoh chuckled continuously and shook his head. "Not that…" He muttered softly. "He likes noisy bastards like Sakuragi-kun?" Sendoh chuckled and almost rolled his eyes. That cannot be.
"He likes me instead of you?" Now this made Sendoh paused, stared and laughed out loud. Fukuda too, found himself chuckling along as he shakes his head. He just want to ease off whatever tension his Captain has been having. Yes, he feels like there might be something that has happened, because Sendoh seems to be having that faraway stare for most times.
Fukuda knows it's probably none of his business, but he just thought of trying to help by easing anything—and if the spiky-haired boy doesn't want help, then he's backing off. 'I know you're a sturdy guy, Cap…' He found himself musing suddenly. "I knew it. He likes me." Fukuda replied flatly. Sendoh laughed and clacked his tongue. "Really Kicchou, I don't even think he knows your name." Fukuda smugly grin and darted his eyes on Sendoh who was grinning back. "Kidding Cap, your sunshine is attractive, but he's not my type." Sendoh had to muster all his guts not to be surprised and to laugh his innards out. Clearly, Fukuda is being out of character as he seemed to be talking a lot more and probably trying to put on a different personality. But he thought it was crazy cool. Silence ensued. Fukuda took note of the time to be past ten in the morning already. He was readying himself to get up and probably ask Sendoh if he wants to have an early lunch or so before the game but was stopped when the latter finally spoke of something delectable, it made him almost smiled knowingly.
"I… I think I might have done something horrible." Sendoh stated in his low but calm voice. Fukuda waited for a follow-up but none came. "How nasty?" He prodded, but already has that tiny hunch that while Sendoh deems it as something terribly awful, it probably isn't as appalling as it should be, or is it? Fukuda waited. Sendoh seemed to be looking for the appropriate words to convey but cannot find the exact verses to say so. He looked to his left and met the unperturbed gaze of Fukuda. He gulped involuntarily and instead of stating it in a sentence, decided to pose it as a question that sent Fukuda snorting and chuckling softly.
"Is it… wrong to kiss on the first date?" Fukuda gape a bit then felt his shoulder shaking. He almost wanted to laugh aloud like Sakuragi if only he were allowed to do so. He saw confusion in Sendoh's eyes. "What?" Sendoh muttered, clearly very much curious with his companion's weird response. 'I shouldn't have told him, I guess.' He mused rather inwardly.
"So like, why'd you do it?" Fukuda queried without hesitation. Sendoh remained silent. Fukuda snorted. "Is he wearing a shirt that says kiss me?" He heard the Ace snorted softly, and saw the faint tugging upward of one corner of his lips. "No." Sendoh muttered softly. Fukuda twitched his lips and moved his eyes to his right. "So why?" Sendoh ran a hand on his hair and puffed out a sigh. "I… I'm not sure." Silence. He gulped involuntarily. Fukuda is asking him why and he can't seem to find an appropriate answer. He knows that he must have a good reason behind his action last night. "His lips looks inviting…" Sendoh found himself muttering softly as possible; but it did not missed Fukuda's ears. The latter simply snorted softly, drank from his water bottle and nodded. "So you invited yourself—that's brave, Cap." Sendoh partly opened his lips to say something but his thoughts seemed to have been washed away. Silence.
Fukuda smugly grinned and looked at his right. "First off, Rukawa-kun isn't a girl." Sendoh was simply staring at him. "So you mean, its okay?" Fukuda snorted softly. "I don't know Taichou. Maybe. Maybe not." A pause. "Did he punch you?" Now it was Sendoh's turn to be a bit surprised, but he replied with vindication. "No of course not." Fukuda smiled. "So it's probably okay with him." Sendoh rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Why does it seem like I'm not getting any answers?" Fukuda chuckled softly. "Because you're probably asking the wrong questions." Sendoh almost scowled. "Give me a break." Fukuda curved the corner of his lips upward. "You're already having the break of your life, Cap." Sendoh simply smiled almost wistfully and shook his head.
"You did not…force him now, did you?" Fukuda almost hesitantly asks. Sendoh shook his head. "No. It just happened." Silence. Sendoh decided to continue in his low but calm tone. "I did the simplest thing in the world…" Sendoh felt his chest raced a few times as his brain registered the memory of last night's event. Everything seemed surreal; as if it was meant to be. "…I leaned down and kissed him. And the world cracked open." Sendoh missed the amused look on Fukuda's stoic face. He kept his silence on for a few more minutes. "I don't know but… I have this tiny hunch that we both feel the same way. Somehow." Sendoh smiled wistfully, keeping his stare at nothing in particular. Fukuda nodded faintly. "I hope you're not being presumptuous." Sendoh almost chuckled softly. Fukuda simply tugged a lip upward. "Because you said that it's just a tiny hunch. But yeah, you may be right."
"You think so?" Sendoh muttered in his low voice. Fukuda could only snort and shook his head. "I saw him this morning, he looks just like you." Sendoh snorted a bit, but his eyes looking a bit mischievous as he rebutted playfully. "He looks in love?" Fukuda gave him the stare to which Sendoh only chuckled a bit. "Presumptuous." Sendoh laughed a bit at Fukuda's snide remark. "I was hoping he'd looked like that…" Fukuda tugged his lips upward and shook his head. "He looks like as if he hasn't gotten a proper sleep." Sendoh smiled wistfully, feeling quite a bit sorry for the younger guy, it was probably his fault after all.
Fukuda took note of the time and decided to probably just put off with the talk. He honestly wanted Sendoh to come into the terms on his own. And probably same goes as well for Rukawa. Although Fukuda is willing to bet that the pale kid from Shohoku might just be a tad bit denser than their Captain. 'Or maybe not.' He inwardly mused.
Fukuda heaved a sighed to Sendoh's surprised and the number thirteen could only stand up and stretched his arm. He looked at the still sitting Sendoh and spoke in his usual demeanour. "Look Taichou, I think that the decision to kiss for the first time is the most crucial one in any love story." Sendoh was made to stare at Fukuda's statement, truth is? He thinks he was right. Sendoh actually half-dreaded the fact that he kissed the younger guy. If only he could turn back the time, he would have. But when his inner turmoil started kicking in, it was Fukuda's second statement that probably eased him up just a tiny bit—and made him realized as well that his reality now is way better off than his dreams.
"…but I also think that kisses are probably like tears…the only real ones are the ones you can't hold back."
Rukawa mustered all the guts to twist the knob to their door open, not caring anymore if Sendoh is still inside. They might engage in a small talk but he decided to himself that he'd probably just try to ignore the older guy. And no, he is not even mad. Thing is, he is just tired and simply wants to grab a few hours of nap since the game is on at around 1 pm. It was only 1030 in the morning and Rukawa decided not to have lunch before the game. He heave a sigh, opened the door and went inside as if he's walking inside a room full of trap. To his surprise, the room was empty and he noticed that Sendoh's bed was neatly done. He felt himself yawn and walked towards his bed—sat down first with his arms on both legs and bowed his head. He was suddenly in deep thought. Today is the last and final game in the camp. Tomorrow, they will be departing Osaka at around 4pm and would probably arrived in Kanagawa at 7pm.
Rukawa was thankful enough that the day after tomorrow is a free day for them-meaning, he will have time to do his pending assignments and a day's rest. Rukawa slowly fall down to his side with his eyes closed and party let his muses come to life once more. I really love your name, can I call you Kaede? Seriously? Did Sendoh mean that? He wants to call him by his name. Perhaps there might be are a lot of people who calls you by your name, but there is only one person who can make it sound so damn special.
Rukawa involuntarily gulped. Special. Rukawa knew that the older boy is nothing but exceptional. For the past few days, he knew all along that sometimes in life, you find someone special; a special friend, or person; someone who changes your life just by being part of it. Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop; someone who makes you believe that there is really good in the world. Someone who convinces you that there is really an unlocked door…just waiting for you to open it. And in that final moment before he felt himself drift into sleep, Rukawa need not to wonder anymore why the older boy is always included in his thoughts and that why is that sleeping next to him is safe and comforting.
'Akira, I think… I might have finally realized what you mean…'
Lunch time. There was obviously excitement etched in everyone's faces as they all meet for the nth time in that canteen. Aside from the final games, they were informed that they are going to have a celebratory party that night. And being boys of teenage years, it's definitely an event that would put anyone on fire. Of course the last game would also determine the winners for this camp's mini tournament. Some started a mini bet on who will finally emerged as Kanagawa's top two players in the district. Mitsui started the small ruckus by going from table to table to write on a piece of paper the bet of each person, earning him of course a disapproving look from Akagi and a resigned sigh from Kogure. But none seemed to mind the act itself as the players from the other teams willingly joined in the fun. Surprisingly, most of the members from the Kainan-Shoyo bench placed their bet on Sendoh and Rukawa and funny enough though, some players from Ryonan and Shohoku thought otherwise.
Hanagata shook his head and clacked his tongue as Mitsui approached him with a grin. "I've known Ken for a long time and I think he's gonna pull this one off." The Shohoku three-pointer smiled and nodded. "Hahahah, best friends for life, eh?" Then he went on interviewing the other members, Nakano and Takano.
"Sendoh-Rukawa." Nakano shrugged. Mitsui grinned and shrugged. "Not siding your Captain eh?" The big guy could only shrugged as well. Mitsui turned to Takano and asked the same question. "Same with him." Mitsui chuckled as he scribbled on his mini notebook. "I can't believe you guys, hahaha!" Mitsui then turned to the next guy on the bench and almost scowled. "Oi, how about you Hasegawa?" He almost squinted his eyes but smirked nonetheless. Hasegawa seemed not to pay attention first, busily eating on his own when he decided to paused and cast a stare on the three-pointer. "Sendoh can do it." Mitsui twitched his lips and scribbled nonetheless. "You forgot Rukawa, dude." Mitsui chirped in. Hasegawa simply shrugged. "Sendoh can and Rukawa." Mitsui smirked. "I hope you boys are not betting on the wrong pair."
Mitsui continued scribbling a few more before settling himself on the nearest table with some of team Kainan's members.
"Maki-san." Takesago muttered and Mitsui nodded. He was about to turn to his right when Kiyota placed himself comfortably beside him, a wide grin on the freshman's face. Mitsui went bug-eyed. "I don't need to ask you." Kiyota laughed. "Ahahahah! Oh let me tell you my whys then." Mitsui shoved the freshman playfully but Kiyota didn't bulged. "Maki-san is the best player in the whole district and you know that, ahahaha! We beat you guys! He beat Sendoh too! There is no way that those two are going to be beaten by Sendoh and that puny-looking pale freak Rukawa-oof!?" Mitsui forced himself off the table and hollered back. "I aint taking your whys monkey, I only came here for the bet." Kiyota could only snarl.
The three-pointer walked over further to where the Ryonan boys are and sported that familiar smirk. He sat next to his uptight teammate and elbowed him. "Oi, who's your bet?" Koshino put down his glass of juice and squinted his eyes. "Akira of course." Mitsui simply snort. "Thought so, you got a crush on him or something?" Koshino turned beet red as he pointed his finger accusingly at Mitsui who cackled evilly—obviously he wants to annoy the hot-headed Koshino.
Mitsui continued walking, a smug smirk on his face and went on to ask of the others. When he was done, he was slightly taken aback when an arm wound around his shoulder coupled with that familiar cackle. Mitsui need not to look who it was, he simply grinned. "And the Tensai would be betting on?" Sakuragi cackled and snorted. "The spiky of course. Only the spiky." He grinned evilly. Mitsui twitched his lips. "You can't bet on him alone, you have to bet on Rukawa too, bet costs around 200¥ for both players." Sakuragi fumed. "Teme Micchy-kun, I don't wanna bet on that moronic-looking fox and you know it. I'll bet my 200 on spiky. End of story." And he huffed and scoffed away leaving a semi-annoyed Mitsui. "Chicken-brain."
Sendoh paused in his steps as Fukuda stopped for a while to look behind his back. Sendoh looked up briefly and seemed a bit in a trance. "Something wrong, Taichou?" Fukuda queried. Sendoh simply shrugged. "I…" Sendoh sort of wanted to seemingly say something but has no inkling as to what specifically is it that he wanted to convey and so he just decided to excuse himself for a bit. "I'll be changing clothes first, I guess." He smiled his usual. Fukuda simply shrugged as well and nodded. "Sure." Sendoh proceeded to pressed on the elevator button and soon after, went inside to go up to his room.
Fukuda stared for a bit before heading towards the canteen since its lunch time already. He opened the door and upon entering garnered a few looks from random people inside. He took note of the jolly atmosphere and the boisterous laugh and voices of some specific persons. Technically, there seems to be an ongoing bet or some sort. Fukuda thought that there isn't any reason for him to join but a grinning and smug-looking Mitsui that seems to have spotted him and is now approaching him. Fukuda pretended not to see him and queued on the line to get his food.
Mitsui leaned on the metal railings as Fukuda was given a cup of rice. "So my friend, I need your bet today." The dashing three-pointer grinned. Fukuda placed his cup of rice and two cups of viand on his tray and moved slowly. Friends? Did Mitsui just mentioned the word friend? Fukuda almost wanted to laugh. The last time he checked, they weren't even close. Oh well. Nonetheless, he thinks that the three-pointer from Shohoku seemed not so bad after all.
"Well, who is it, my friend?" Mitsui almost snarled. Fukuda snorted and tried to humour back. "I'm still thinking, friend." Mitsui was dumbfounded—but he laughed. Truly, this Fukuda guy from Ryonan is weird-looking but funny. "Hahahahah! You're a funny man, Fukuda!"
"Trust me, I'm not." Fukuda flatly stated. Mitsui simply grinned. Truth is? He doesn't really care whomever wins. But a part of him obviously roots for their own Captain. But technically speaking, it's hard to tell, given the calibre of the opponents. Plus the fact that bets like this does not really interest him; but it also seems that he has no choice either.
"Sendoh and sunshine." Mitsui furrowed his brows. "Huh? Sendoh and who?" Fukuda lift the corner of his lips and stared straight at the confused look of Mitsui; nonetheless he found himself scribbling Sendoh's name and Rukawa. "Who's supposed to be sunshine? Rukawa? Who came up with the stupid nick anyway?"
Fukuda simply snorted softly, smiled, shook his head and walked away from the three-pointer, not bothering to answer the last question but not without a thought in his mind. 'Yeah, it's really amazing how stupid you can be when you're in love.'
Sendoh opened the door to their room and was equally surprised to see the look on Rukawa's face; the raven-haired guy suddenly paused in his actions-he was standing before their closet, and was already starting to pack some of his clothes since tonight will be their last night in the camp. He wants to get his things readied already for tomorrow. Time must have stopped for both of them as they both literally stood a few steps apart from each other, gazes held locked against each other. Rukawa, for all the reasons in the world suddenly felt himself sweating. He could feel one trickle of sweat trailed down on his back as he felt himself gulped involuntarily. Truly, there is no turning back now or stupid excuses, or maybe smart-ass snide remarks to come by. Rukawa knew as well that Sendoh does looked like surprised and bothered. The taller guy eyeing him but his other hand still on the door's knob—probably contemplating if he should get inside or leave for a while.
Sendoh took note of Rukawa to be wearing his own Shohoku jersey and his pair of jogging pants. By the looks of it, he guessed that Rukawa must have change into his own playing attire and probably seemed like packing up some of his things already. Sendoh cast his eyes down for a moment before steeling himself and deciding to go inside the room. He decided that he, too, needed to prepare for the last game and to probably start packing some of his things as well. Rukawa resumed on what he is doing but is very much keen and aware now of Sendoh's presence.
That awkward moment when you don't know how and where to start the conversation? Yeah. That pretty much summarizes the moment. Sendoh placed the orange ball on his own bed and walked towards the coffee table to absent-mindedly open the folder containing application files from aspiring Ryonan wannabe players and flip thru the pages idly. He was about to lift one paper up to have a good look on the player details when the sole voice of the only person occupying the same room as his surprised him, making him almost dropped the folder.
"Thank you for last night's dinner…" Rukawa spoke of in his quiet and soft voice.
Sendoh slowly turned his head back and saw the Shohoku Rookie looking back at him with a glimmer in his eyes—almost akin like to gratitude and… something familiar. Sendoh fought all of his urge to blurt out all the things he suddenly wanted to say. Truth is, he wanted to approach him and explain. He wanted Rukawa to know of his reasons and enlighten him further with what has happened between them last night. He wanted Rukawa to know that last night was probably one of the many memorable nights for him; he wanted him to know that the alphabet game was so much fun and that it helped him know his younger rival better; he wanted Rukawa to know that he was very much grateful for his company—that their dinner is something so simple yet sweet as well. How Sendoh suddenly wanted for him to know how much he thinks of him. Sendoh wanted to discern if he's mad at him and would very much appreciate it if the Rookie would just punch him in the guts and beat him until he can't stand no more. The thing is, the feeling of discomfort is too much lately and Rukawa's extra silence is so unnerving that it's almost the best way let someone know they did something wrong.
Rukawa did not know where he had muster all the guts to speak first. His brain has been a boxing ring for the past few minutes; the moment when Sendoh decided to step inside the room. He contemplated very much if he would speak up or exit quietly and head to the gym. It is as if his own brain cells has been having an internal conflict on their own. He clenched and unclenched his fist, stared at the taller guy's back that has been facing him. Rukawa knew of the sudden uneasiness that has settled between them for the past few hours since last night's incident. He is not dumb not to know that his companion has kissed him last night and that is the cause of all of the distress lately between them. Rukawa also knew that it's exasperating to be having this heavy anxiety between them since they will be having that game in a few hours from now—he just wanted to slightly ease up the 'mood'; if thanking Sendoh alone for last night's dinner is enough to do all the compensation. But the thumping of his chest is clearly suggesting him something else… something more profound. Rukawa knew, Sendoh is probably waiting for him to say that he is mad at him for blatantly putting his lips on top of his and that he wants the older boy dead—but deep inside, the raven-haired rookie also knows that… it was something memorable and that it wasn't really that bad. He felt his ears burned up on the last statement. His eyes wandered throughout the room, suddenly thinking of what to say more…but coming up with none.
"I…I'll head on I guess." He stated softly and Rukawa turned on his heels and walked silently towards the door. Sendoh felt his eyes widened on their own as he partly opened his lips to blurt out something but the door has been closed already. He suddenly felt like an idiot for not being able to stop Rukawa from exiting the room while it is clearly obvious that watching him walk out of their room is probably the last thing he wants to see. Sendoh clenched his fist, sighed and gathering all of his grit, daringly followed the raven-haired guy in his hurried steps. He opened the door and just in time to see Rukawa getting inside the elevator; he walked briskly and just as about the elevator slid its door closed, Rukawa was slightly taken aback when he heard his name being called and he knew that the hand that probably collided just as the elevator doors closed, would very much hurt the latter.
"R-Rukawa…w-wait!" Sendoh exclaimed in his usual voice and cringe when his hand got caught up in between the elevator doors. Obviously, the doors halted to a stop and Rukawa's eyes was slightly widened and clouded with confusion when he saw the almost resigned look in Sendoh's usual assertive face. They stood just like that for a few good minutes—the younger inside the elevator, quietly looking up as Sendoh found himself outside, his right hand leaning on one side of the elevator door. Sendoh honestly does not know how to start everything- he wants to say he is sorry but is also feeling headstrong at the fact that he wasn't really. But he still decided to speak his mind, in hopes of dissolving any form of discomfort that has placed itself between them.
"A-about l-last n-night…" He stammered, feeling the slight shaking of his lower chin-eyes unfocused as it roamed around the small compartment of the elevator; he sighed audibly and licked his lower lip with his tongue. He absent-mindedly scratched his forehead and shook his head lightly. "You're m-most welcome, Rukawa… I r-really hope you had fun." Silence. It was only then that Sendoh realized just what he said that he almost wanted to bang his head on the wall. Fun? Is he for real?
"I-I mean… I hope that you truly liked our… dinner last night—because I had…" Sendoh trailed off.
Rukawa blinked his eyes twice as if trying to fathom the statement Sendoh said. The older boy hoped that he, Rukawa, probably enjoyed his, Sendoh's company. Rukawa would have backed off and laughed if he were that type of person, because to him, it was mildly refreshing to see the once great and usual self-assured Ace of Ryonan stammer as he delivers his sentence. Rukawa mildly felt his lips twitched a bit. Coming with nothing special to say he simply nod his head off and settled for a simpler response. "Y-yeah, last night was…okay." He muttered softly. Rukawa mulled a bit if he was about to say great or okay but decided to settle for the latter. "I had… fun." Rukawa added softly. Sendoh found himself smiling. "I'm glad then…"
If there's one thing they're probably trying to avoid to discourse about, it was that incident that made the assertive Sendoh Akira now a bit reluctant. Sendoh forced a smile on his own and was somehow able to find the courage to look at Rukawa's piercing gaze. "Uh… are you going down?"
Rukawa paused and stared rather surprisingly and almost chuckled-but he was able to refrain himself from doing so as he settled for a snide remark instead. "Isn't it… obvious?" He muttered rather amusedly and twitched his lips in addition. Sendoh saw this and felt the corner of his lips tugging upward, truly he wasn't using his brain lately. "I mean… are you going to the canteen or…" Sendoh trailed off. Rukawa shook his head lightly. "Gym…" He stated softly. Sendoh nodded. "I see…" Silence.
"Well, I thought you might want to eat lunch…" Sendoh gulped. "…together?" Rukawa felt his cheeks heat up a bit as he shot up a stare at Sendoh who has that seemingly expectant look. He slightly shook his head nonetheless. "No, I- I'd rather p-practise." A snort. A minute passed by more and to Sendoh's surprise, it was Rukawa who chose to break off the reverie. "I'll be going down now, I guess…" Sendoh simply smiled faintly and nodded. "Yeah sure… I guess, I'll just see you later?" Rukawa pressed the closed button just as Sendoh withdrew his hand from one door frame, their eyes briefly met for a moment just as the elevator door finally locked.
Rukawa walked towards the gym with his thoughts blank, he pushed the door open and was greeted by the quietness of the place. He heard himself sighed of relief since he very much wanted to practise in solitude. He walked towards the other end and placed his things on one bench. He then dribbled the ball once, twice, thrice, before throwing in a three—the ball went in. Rukawa watched the ball bounce elsewhere and rolled onto the opposite side only to stop under the bench across him. For a while, he just stood there, seemingly contemplating whether he would pick it up and continue to play or stare at it. For some odd reason, the raven-haired guy just found himself sitting wordlessly on the bench.
A minute passed by and he was taken aback when the door to the gym opened and in came Fujima and Maki himself; truth is, Rukawa almost wanted to just stand up and left the gym. Not that he's suddenly feeling apprehensive in terms of his skills and the two combined, just so happened that he does not want to suddenly 'converse' and 'socialize' as if they're not ought to be opponents later on. He slightly fidgeted on his seat, eyes following the two as they moved in closer. The two of course noticed him the instant they went in the gym, and Rukawa saw the faint smile on Fujima's lips and a nod from Maki. They seemed 'friendly' enough to deliver those small gestures and Rukawa thought he was snob enough not to return them.
Fujima put on his things randomly on the bench across to where the silent Shohoku rookie was sitting. He bent down and saw an orange ball stuck under the bench and pulled it off. He dribbled the ball once and cast a straight look to the slightly wide-eyed pale freshman from a rival school. Fujima approached the silent guy and hand over the leather ball. He grinned, eyes squinting a bit but the small glint coming from his hazel irises did not missed Rukawa's observant stare. "Is this yours?" Rukawa blinked twice before nodding slowly. He stood up rather slowly and reached for the ball. He almost wanted to bang his head on the pole for not getting the ball earlier; it looks like as if he waited for someone to give him back the orange leather. Rukawa nodded his thanks to which Fujima simply chuckled softly and smiled.
Maki was eyeing them from not too far behind as the talented point guard from Kainan fold a piece of towel, a small smile on his lips. Fujima grinned and decided to playfully converse with the indifferent Ace of Shohoku. "So Rukawa-kun, are you ready for later? Are you going to use your full potential on us?" A chuckle. Rukawa raised his blue orbs to the smiling Captain of Shoyo; truth is? He doesn't know what to say. He wanted to actually say bring it on, but is not quietly decided if that is the appropriate response to a seemingly taunting question. Rukawa simply settled for a shrugged. Fujima chuckled and snorted as well. "Kidding Rukawa-kun, let's have a great game later, alright?" Rukawa simply looked at the smiling face of Fujima and nodded.
"So where's Sendoh?" Maki suddenly queried from across, a faint smile on his lips. Rukawa was made to look at the imposing Captain of Kainan who was already wearing his own jersey; the tanned-player of Kainan was sitting comfortably on the bench, eyeing him with a stare that almost measures his own capability as a Kanagawa player. Rukawa would have invited the leader of Kainan for a friendly one-on-one of Fujima weren't around but steeled himself from doing so. Rukawa faintly remembered the loss of Shohoku to Kainan and recalled also of his faltered stamina to which he believes has greatly contributed to the loss of their team. He would have answered he doesn't know but it would have been hard on his part given that he just conversed with the spiky-haired lad a few moments ago. "Canteen." He muttered softly.
Maki nodded and continued smiling. "Oh. And you? Have you eaten your lunch yet, Rukawa-kun?" Maki prodded. Rukawa shook his head. Fujima stared from his beau to the silent kid and snorted. "We still have an hour left, Rukawa-kun, you could grab your lunch first then maybe we'll start around 1:30." He grinned. Rukawa sighed, suddenly being bombarded with queries and suggestions. He shook his head again faintly but this time, is keen on delivering his own verses. "I…I'm okay. I'm not really hungry." Silence. Rukawa looked up to both players and almost opened his lips partly to say something else when Fujima beat him to it. "Oh okay, if you say so…you could eat on time-outs anyway." He laughed. Maki rolled his eyes but smirked nonetheless, a bit amused at his lover's snide remark. Rukawa partly blinked his eyes twice before earning himself a twitch on the lips. Seriously? Fujima is a bit playful and annoying sometimes.
Sendoh dreaded the fact that he went to the canteen because the moment he went inside, cheers and hoots erupted. He was shocked at the reaction of his co-players and as he went inside to grab his own packed lunch, he has now an understanding as to why the sudden reaction of the people. It was because of the bet. Half of course were betting on him and Rukawa to pull off the fight against Maki and Fujima, but what surprised him is the fact that mostly from Kainan-Shoyo players placed their stake on them.
Sendoh found himself chuckling softly, eyes in mirth when he heard a few comments and chatters around him concerning their bets and the upcoming game. He would have bet on Maki and Fujima to win on them if only it was allowed, but turns out that the four of them weren't supposed to bet on each other. He found Fukuda and instinctively placed himself before the quiet and calm number thirteen. Before sitting though, he earned a few catcalls, hoots, and whacks on the back care of Sakuragi and a few others who wished him good luck and reminded him to pour all of his efforts on the court. Obviously, they seemed to have placed their wager on him and Rukawa.
"Nyahahah! Spiky, the tensai is rooting for you and you alone! Win this! Defeat the old man! Nyahaha!"
"Old man huh, thanks Sakuragi, you're pressuring me you know." Sendoh chuckled in amusement. Sakuragi simply grinned his usual and cackled aloud with his hands on his hips. "Ahahah! Of course Spiky, you're one of the many commoners around in this camp, it's only natural for you to feel stressed. Well, if it's the tensai, I wouldn't even feel a pint of it, nyahahah!" Everyone simply sweat drop at the redhead's statement. Obviously, Sakuragi is acting like a five-year old again and they can only roll their eyes off.
"Go for it, Sendoh!"
"Good luck, Sendoh-kun and to Rukawa-kun!"
Sendoh grinned to each of them and waved them off while shaking his head in sheer amusement. He turned to face the gaze of Fukuda who also has that faint smirk on his face. Sendoh shrugged. "What?" Fukuda drank from his glass and shook his head. Sendoh grinned. "So, who'd you bet on, Kicchou?" Fukuda smirked. "The lovers, of course."
Sendoh paused in his actions and partly gape. "Oh, I thought you would be betting on me… us?" A grin. Fukuda snorted softly and twitched his lips. "Drop it Cap, of course I placed my gamble on you and your sunshine." Sendoh chuckled softly and munch on a piece of sausage, eyes looking cheery as he did so. "He is not my sunshine, Kicchou…" He muttered softly, while dipping the sausage on catsup, eyes cast down but sporting that usual smile on his lips. Fukuda tugged his lips upward. "Well, not yet, I supposed. But you're working on it already, aren't ya?" Sendoh found himself laughing a bit and coughing—he grinned and shook his head in sheer embarrassment, feeling the heating up on his own cheeks. 'Damn Kicchou, good thing Rukawa-kun isn't here.' Fukuda almost sneered and decided to further tease their obvious Captain.
"Sunshine on your window, that's what you are, my shining star, sunshine, making you feel like you're on top of the world…" A pause. "Do you know that song, Taichou?"
Sendoh was dumbfounded. He laughed, earning a few stares from around him. Fukuda too, found himself chuckling a bit while twisting his own pasta. Did he just sing? Sendoh had to wipe a few tears on the corner of his eyes. "What the fuck was that Kicchou, didn't know you can sing." Fukuda simply snorted and smirked. "That wasn't singing, I was rapping." Sendoh laughed some more. "You gave me a sore idea, this coming winter games, I'm requiring the applicants to showcase their talents first before basketball."
"Interesting, I doubt if we'll have applicants if you do that." He grinned.
"Oi Akira!"
The two turned their heads to see an approaching Koshino and Uozumi from behind. The two Ryonan players sat beside each of them and it it was Koshino who initiated the chatter. "Damn it Akira, I placed my stake on you, you better pull this sweet one off!" Koshino almost berated like a mother as he relentlessly pat Sendoh's shoulder on and off. Uozumi simply grinned as he nodded his head off. Sendoh kept his calm and usual demeanour on and playfully rebutted on Koshino's statement. "Oh really Kosh, damn I'm pressured… so like, what if I don't make it?" He grinned. Koshino scowled. "Well you better make it, I don't really wanna lose some money before Christmas." He scoffed. Sendoh simply chuckled and shook his head. "Then maybe you should have bet on Maki and Fujima-san instead." He grinned cheerily to which Fukuda simply snorted. Koshino somehow flushed as he gritted his teeth in annoyance.
"So Sendoh, this is the moment everyone seemed to have been waiting for." Uozumi stated in his low voice, eyes staring at their Ryonan Ace-his gaze held with much determination and credence to the one person he firmly believes that would definitely take Maki Shinichi of Kainan one day, down. "This is the second time you would be facing off Maki of Kainan…" He continued. Sendoh momentarily looked at his former Captain and faintly smiled. He is not unaware at the fact that all of them, the whole of Ryonan, and even their coach, Taoka, believes in him and to Sendoh, it is a great amount of responsibility. He smiled wistfully and nodded briefly before drinking into his own glass.
Uozumi-san is right, this is the second time alright. But the only difference is that today, he would not be facing the number one player of Kainan alone, today he will be with one of Kanagawa's top scorer as well; Sendoh found himself smiling, eyes looking cheery and with a glint of something warm. A few more minutes has passed and one by one the other players stood up from their seats and started leaving the canteen to go straight to the gym for the final match-ups leaving Sendoh Akira finishing his meal and Uozumi behind. The spiky-haired boy, now donned in his own blue Ryonan jersey and a pair of black jogging pants remained oblivious, his thoughts blank as well as he finished his meal for the day.
"I'm expecting you to win this game, you know." Uozumi chimed in, sipping onto his own cup of coffee. Sendoh simply snorted and smiled a bit. He shrugged. "Thanks, Uozumi-san." Uozumi wordlessly smiled and tap Sendoh on the shoulder. "And I'm also expecting you to win the other…" the bigger player almost smirked, eyes with a hint of knowing Sendoh couldn't help but to chuckle softly and shake his head in response. "Ugh, can't believe this." Uozumi chuckled his response and in no time, stood up from the chair and left a semi-smiling Sendoh Akira.
"Oi Ace, hurry up already… your game is about to start, don't take too long eating everything in the canteen." A smirk.
Sendoh simply grinned and nodded. "Aye, Captain."
By the time the clock strike one, the gym has already been filled with most of the players and spectators vying to watch the game with much gusto. As always, comparisons and game comments erupted and some of the players did not pause to voice out as to why their bet would win later. Rukawa sighed deeply as he waited inside the comfort room; ten-fifteen minutes before the said game, he has finished shooting some hoops and noticing that the gym is getting filled up one by one—and also not wanting to get acknowledged by 'anyone', he decided to go inside the comfort room to have a few solid minutes of solitude.
He heard the familiar voices of his teammates and the redhead cackling and shouting hoots and cheers and he almost went bug-eyed as he sort of 'heard' of the stake that has been placed. Rukawa mentally prepared himself, he leaned on one corner of the sink and wordlessly stared at nothing in particular—but jolting up the instant the door has been suddenly opened.
Rukawa would have popped his eyes off his own sockets as he saw the familiar face of Sendoh Akira going inside. The Ryonan player stopped dead on his tracks as well as he saw the current person that has been occupying half of his brain lately. But this time, Sendoh was more assured—he didn't feel like stammering nor is lost for words. "Hi… I was looking for you." He stated calmly and almost suavely that Rukawa almost wanted to push himself off the sink to hide his impending flushed cheek.
The raven-haired simply nodded. Sendoh smiled faintly and head on inside and straight into one of the cubicles to change into his playing attire. Now what? Rukawa honestly thought that maybe he ought to leave—well, it's just Sendoh Akira and the sound of rustling clothes indicating that he is changing into his jersey probably. Rukawa contemplated for a bit more and just as he was about decided to go out, the door to the small cubicle opened revealing a smiling Sendoh Akira donned up in his own Ryonan jersey. Rukawa blinked back twice and both were once again caught up in their own stares.
Silence. It was Sendoh who mustered all of his remaining guts to voice out his thoughts; he smiled and snorted a bit. "Oh well, I mean… I thought you're going to wear your complete uniform." He grinned, looking at his own Ryonan jersey to Rukawa's attire. The younger kid is simply donned up in his own Shohoku jersey top but was wearing a pair of black jogging pants instead. Rukawa simply shrugged, not really getting what Sendoh means. Its not a big deal anyway of what he wears, what matters probably is the game.
"Uh wait…" Sendoh then decided to go back inside the cubicle to the bemusement of the pale guy. Rukawa furrowed his brows slightly, not really getting anything at all. Just then Sendoh emerged out now wearing his own Ryonan jogging pants—a grin on his handsome face. Rukawa heard himself snort softly. So this is probably what's been bothering him. Weird, the rookie almost thought instantly. Sendoh adjusted the strings to his pants and stuffed all of his things in his bag without hesitation. He zipped his own bag shut and hooked it up on his back. He smiled faintly and almost hesitated but…
"Well, are you ready now… Rukawa-kun?" He asks in his tone, a bit softer and seemingly unsure.
Rukawa wasn't able to help but be wide-eyed and he almost gasps when he heard the taller guy addressed him his very own surname. He nodded wordlessly nonetheless. Truth is? He was rather expecting him to call him something else. For some reason, he remembered; he kept on remembering. And for Rukawa Kaede, there were some memories though, that never faded, for a memory is the diary we all carry about with us.
'I thought you want to call me by my name… Akira.' Is he asking too much? Maybe he was, or maybe he wasn't, but today was different. Because today, it was more vivid…for there may be a hundred feelings, a thousand thoughts, or a hundred memories…and then there's this one person.
TBC
A/N:
Hi everyone! This is going to be a long one! Before you kill me, let me type in a few explanations. Hehe! Well, apparently, I went on a small vacation with my bf on the beach for a week and the bad news is that when I got home, internet router's been dead and so basically I didn't have any sort of connection. No nothing to check my social networks on, or even take a good glimpse on FFnet. Yep, so that's basically what doomed me from the start. I followed-up for the replacement of our router but the local provider is simply taking in my calls and is not doing anything, which of course annoys me. Nonetheless, I decided to just head on with Ch15, which has been long overdue. Special thanks to that one reader who put a smile on my face when I came across his/her 'review'… thank you so much dear.
No, I'm not really vying this for it to be a 'perfect' fanfic because it can never be and it will never be… just so happen that I really am taking too much time writing this because I really love going over the tiniest details/happenings/scenarios before the main catch. It helps on the development of the characters feelings, or so I thought. (Er, yep, I hope I was able to tell that well) But thank you, thank you so much for believing and spending your time and effort reading this long and overdue fic! It's almost at its end! Yep, I don't think it'll ever reach Chapter 21! Lol! ^_^
Just the same, I hope you had 'fun' reading ch15, I made sure I wrote another long one so as to compensate; I just don't know if its worth the wait or not. Nonetheless, I am very much looking forward to your usual reviews, comments, reactions, etc. God bless everyone!
I am continuing this. I am already writing ch16! Huhuhu! I am putting an end to this. Rest assured! :D
Quite disappointed as well that I wasn't able to upload/update any of my fics on SenRu day! *wails* huhu! -_-
PS: Kaiser! I must admit that when you stopped by to read this I was shocked, hahaha! I must warn you, I am not a very good writer! My vocab is way too limited (unlike yours) and this plot/fic may disappoint you in the end, ahaha! Nonetheless, thank you! And I'm also looking forward to your stories! Good luck as well on grad school! :D