Warning/s: Not Mine. SenRu. Typos. Grammars. No Beta-Reader.
CHAPTER 19- When in Osaka
Through the rainstorm came sanctuary
And I felt my spirit fly
I had found all of my reality
I realize what it takes
-Loves Divine, Seal
Rukawa's stare was caught on one side of the sky as a dense burst of glittering silver or gold stars which leave a heavy glitter trail and very shiny in the night's sky erupted sending the people in cheers. 'Kamuro…' he inwardly mused. Rukawa walked further until he was closed to the wooden railings of the place—from high above, the sky lit up in different colours; red, blue, green, yellow, purple, silver, gold… taking in their many forms and producing primary effects of noise, light and smoke. It was a sight to behold. Kamuro is a type of firework display—and he enjoyed watching it amidst the pitch-black sky, heavily laid upon by tiny specks of stars that seemed to peeped through holes… He cast his gaze to his left and saw a lot of people—milling about, celebrating—they were joyous and in glee. Energy in the air was inviting, and the temperature was repelling. There was gyp and cracking sound around them. Everyone was acquire settled close unitedly to uphold their heat and to light to agitate excitement. Above the dimmed horizon of the skies, fiery red and golden lily-livered spread into freckles of azure and whence mingle into the tone of the universe. Ruby-peach bows streak crossways the panorama and then disappeared…
"Happy Birthday…"
Rukawa gasps partly as he turned around to look and was surprised. For a second, his heart dropped, but then suddenly picked up to double its tempo when the saucy contact colours scattered crosswise the blue. With each sequential burst, the colour was a chameleon, constantly ever-changing it's surrounding… He opened his lips in hopes of saying something but no words came out. The voltaic pulses in the sky vibrated and pounded into his ears with each successive firework. The explosions multiplied.
And the next turn of events only made his heartbeat accelerated—it was just like that particular night—when he left him breathless…
He felt his fingers twitching as his shoulder shuddered when the cold, cold, temperature seeped into him. Rukawa felt himself stir for a bit before opening his eyes ever so slowly. His vision was a bit blurred and dark. He felt his toes curled up a bit before finally lifting one of his arms up to rubbed off the sleepiness in his eyes. When he thought he was finally awake—he took note of the fact that he was lying now on the bed and was covered up. The last thing Rukawa remembered if he was not mistaken is the fact that he was just sitting on the bed and he fell asleep. 'Weird, I must have… doze off away.' He slowly hoisted himself up and turned to his left only to see his roommate with his back on him and seemingly in a deep sleep as well.
Rukawa slowly sat right up on his bed as he felt the jacket around him falling off from his shoulders. He grab the cloth and somehow found himself putting it on. Rukawa yawned and sighed lazily—his eyes telling him that waking up probably is not the best choice he has done since the weather is very much inviting him again to lay back and sleep the night away. He was partly reminded of the party happening any time soon and he could only looked at his watch to take note of the time. He saw it to be 730 in the evening. He must have doze off for about an hour and a half and somehow, it did him pretty well. Rukawa was about to hopped off the bed when he saw movement coming from the latter across him; he almost gasps but kept his composure nonetheless. He saw Sendoh stir for a bit as the taller guy shifted to lay on his back and with one arm on top of his eyes.
Rukawa blinked his eyes twice; he honestly thought Sendoh was about to wake up already—but it doesn't seem like it. For some odd reason, right after the game, Rukawa thought that they hadn't talk nor approach each other yet. Thing is, Rukawa honestly wanted to at least come up to the older guy and congratulate him since they won in the match-ups. But time seemed to be restrained for both of them. And now that he has this time—he is already this close to thanking him, Sendoh is… asleep and is showing no signs of waking up anytime soon. Rukawa mulled on the fact that Sendoh must have felt tired as well that he decided to take a nap too.
Rukawa, having nothing to do, found himself staying put on the bed for a few good minutes more staring and thinking at nothing in particular. His thoughts remained blank for some reason. Then he found himself remembering a bit—that dream sequence again. This is actually the second time he had that dream about seeing fireworks up in the sky—and to the blue-eyed rookie, he found himself wondering very much. Like, why does he kept on having that specific dream? He heaved a sigh, coming up with no idea in mind and searched for his phone to check if he has mail. He continued browsing and clicking random stuff and the whatnots on the internet after a few solid moments and when he suddenly got bored from sitting he decides to leave the room.
Rukawa tossed his phone on the bed and clutched his jacket and buttoned them up. He gasps a bit and furrowed his brows. 'Eh?' Rukawa stared at the jacket he has on and found himself taking it off abruptly! How on Earth-? He held it up in front and stared at it as if he has never seen a jacket before-and partly gasp in surprised to see that, well, it's not his. He was never a fan of button-down jacket, he only has the zipper-types.
"That's mine…"
Rukawa had to stare at whomever said that and there can only be one person of course. He saw Sendoh hoisting himself up while rubbing his eyes off. Rukawa slowly put his hands down and blinked back in confusion. Silence ensuing between the both of them. Sendoh yawned for a bit and looked as if he's lazy to hop off the bed. He scratched his cheek and shrugged. "What time is it, Rukawa-kun?" Rukawa simply twitched his lips in response but answered nonetheless. "Its 730 pm." He muttered in his low but soft tone. For some reason, Rukawa actually found his foot glued on the ground—he wanted to go out but cannot. It seems that it has been happening a lot on him—that stuck in the moment.
Sendoh looked up from where he was sitting and greeted—with his usual smile. "Good evening, Rukawa-kun." Rukawa simply snorted and almost rolled his eyes. What's with the greeting anyway. Does Sendoh have to greet at every time of the day? Morning, afternoon, and even evening? He could almost chuckle aloud if only he were the type. Rukawa simply nodded and shrugged. "Yeah, whatever." He muttered back. Sendoh simply grinned back and said nothing.
"I—well, I went up here and saw you sleeping so…" He paused. He felt his hand clutched on the sheets. "I thought you looked cold and all…"
"Thanks…" For some reason, Rukawa actually felt his chest raced a bit—embarrassed that Sendoh has to actually tuck him to bed and all—but he somehow felt…oddly moved by the older guy's actions. Its true when they say that its probably the small things that means a lot.
Sendoh had to look to see Rukawa nodding- his eyes cast down a bit but visible in between his black fringes. He saw the younger guy folded his jacket in two and placed it on top of his bed; Rukawa went back on his and sat on the edge of the bed. The thing is, Sendoh was suddenly having that tiny dilemma on how to start the conversation, one because, party's about to start in a few minutes and all plus the fact that he is unsure if his saying it right now is good timing. He sighed and ran a hand on his hair—this earned a look from the quiet Rukawa who simply looked at the guy on the other bed.
"Did you… ran out of gel?" Rukawa knew it was probably a stupid question but—well, the silence was unnerving and he actually thought its hard to live with it at the moment and so he had ask. Sendoh shut up a stare with one hand still on his head—Rukawa thought he felt his ears flushed but ignored it anyway. Good thing it was dark and all. That feeling when his eyes are on you? Yeah, that very much explains his current situation. Rukawa is aware of his feelings towards the older guy—the thing is, he is quite unsure if the latter has any idea or some sort. Its like, there's this one boy, but a thousand feelings.
Sendoh found himself smiling a bit and shrugging. "Y-yeah, you could say. Still got a few in the tube I could squeeze out." He chuckled softly to which Rukawa only twitched his lips in return. Great, so gel is probably the first topic he decided they should talk about. What happened to the thank you, Sendoh he has been mulling about since they just won the match-ups? Rukawa reminded himself to probably take basic communication lessons so that he will know what to say next time. "Its actually good that you don't have a need for it."
"A need for what?" Rukawa furrowed his brow, confused a bit. Sendoh simply grinned back. "The gel?" Oh. So they were talking officially now about the gel. Rukawa almost went bug-eyed but he kept his passive face on. He simply shrugged. "I- I don't think I would want to…" He softly trailed of. Sendoh simply nodded. "Yeah, I noticed you do have good-looking hair…"
Rukawa simply snorted and rolled his eyes—he found himself touching the back of his hair as he did so. "No this is not… I mean, it's not really…" Rukawa simply sighed. He wanted actually wanted to say that his hair is so plain and simple and that he hasn't dreamt of putting a style on it. Sheesh, where are the words when you need them? Sendoh had to laugh at that, he never thought he could elicit that kind of reaction from the love of his life. "Well it doesn't really matter." Sendoh said instead. 'It doesn't really matter because what matters to me now most is…'
Another silence. Rukawa's eyes were cast upon nothing particular—more like, he found himself staring at the jacket he has just folded a while ago. This always happens to him, he is always loss for words. As if he cant keep up with continuing a conversation. Its not that he's acting dumb and all, thing is, he couldn't quietly comprehend the fact as how to explain or express himself—and so sometimes he ends up asking seemingly 'dumb' questions. Rukawa furrowed his brows for a while—but of course, he has to say it and express his appreciation…
"I guess I just want to…" He paused. Sendoh had to thank the stillness of the surrounding, because Rukawa seems to be speaking in his low voice, as if almost whispering but is not. He wanted actually to hop off the bed and sat right in front of the younger guy so that he could hear him more. He kept his anticipation at bay, too quite feeling ecstatic as to what Rukawa Kaede has to probably say. He saw the raven-haired rookie heaved a small sigh. "I mean…" Rukawa looked up beneath his fringes, eyes in steel glare but he isnt mad at all.
"T-thank you for teaming up with me, I guess." Rukawa blinked his eyes to see if Sendoh heard him—deep inside he did feel his heart skipped a beat, weird though, he wasn't even confessing though but why does it feel so? Sendoh found himself slowly smiling at the simplicity of how Rukawa delivered his message. For him, while it seemed so little, it actually meant a lot and that alone is enough. He shrugged and grinned back. "You're always welcome, Rukawa-kun." He paused. "Actually, I feel like I should be the one thanking you…" He stopped.
Rukawa had to look back—small confusion and curiosity etched on his blue orbs. "You've actually changed my game." Rukawa gasps a bit, not really expecting that answer from Sendoh, he actually wanted to asked how and why but he knew as well that Sendoh would say it—for some reason he found himself trusting the other guy to tell him. Sendoh sighed a bit before almost smiling wistfully, eyes fixated across the small coffee table in front of him.
"I like playing basketball because it is probably the one thing I found out I'm good at. Its like, I'd rather play basketball because I have nothing to do—kind of mantra for me." He paused. "Don't get me wrong, I like basketball, I liked it a lot. It just never stops—the thrill, the crowd, that exhilaration I get when I'm about to lose but only to win at the end, knowing I'd defeated my enemies-it's all fun and glory days, I guess." He smiled pensively for a while-then turned to the passive-looking and quiet Rukawa.
"But you… you made it looked different in a way." He paused and stared.
Rukawa felt his eyes moved a bit but he managed not to look as if he's been surprised by ten people. He felt himself gulping involuntarily though. He shrugged ever so slightly. "How… different? Its just the same with you and everyone else…" He muttered back softly. Rukawa actually wanted to say to Sendoh that he is actually the one who is a notch higher in terms of skill compared to him and that Coach Anzai was the one who personally told him.
"You play like a champion, yet you train like the underdog, Rukawa." Sendoh paused. "That is how you make it seem a lot more different than anybody else." Rukawa found himself gasping at that, it actually affected him—as if Sendoh's words moved him. He felt his cheeks flushed a bit as he found himself clutching on the sheets with his right hand, his chest pounding. So, this is actually the feeling you get when you get complimented by someone… special to you.
"You just don't play—you commit yourself to it. And commitment actually fuels the extra mile… going on when the body begs to stop." He paused then turned to look at the younger guy. "That's actually what makes you a winner." A pause again. "You just don't give up."
Rukawa actually thought that his chest would burst because of the kind words he just heard. Its actually too much of a praise and he almost thought he didn't deserve it but—Sendoh made it sound as if it was meant for him and only him. He could only nod in response, Sendoh smiled at this. He knew the younger kid was probably taken aback.
"I guess I just like treating it like it was my last day in basketball…" He muttered back softly. "It is something I found myself playing not just for fun." He paused and sighed a bit. "In this sport, I believe success is something that is not given—it is earned." He stopped for a while and looked up to meet the gaze of the Ryonan Ace. "I-I've actually failed a lot of times…"
Sendoh simply nodded, his smile never leaving off his face. "I get you." Rukawa simply nod his head off and almost tugged his lips upward. "You… you're actually better than me. You're stats are way off good." He felt his ears heat up as he found himself praising Sendoh Akira. He heard the older guy chuckle softly. "I don't really quite believe in statistics. There are too many factors that cant be measured. You cant actually measure a ballplayer's… heart." Silence. Their eyes met for the briefest moment before Sendoh decided to further continue.
"There will always be great basketball players who are capable of bouncing that orange ball better than me, but what I'm probably proud of, are affecting people's lives, creating change… and probably being a role model or some sort." He paused to see Rukawa looking at him with that weird stare—and the corner of his lips tugged a bit upward—more like he was smirking? Sendoh had to blinked back and grin a bit. "What?" He asked. Rukawa simply snorted and playfully stuck his tongue out. "Bless you, old man." A pause. Sendoh blinked back-thing is, he thought Rukawa Kaede actually looked cute back there. Then somehow, they found themselves laughing a bit at that. Rukawa chuckled lowly as he shook his head in disbelief.
"You're always saying that to me, Rukawa." Sendoh managed to retort back, his eyes in a half-glare. "Do I look that old?" Rukawa simply rolled his eyes. "I didn't say you looked old—just that you speak like an old guy most of the times."Sendoh laughed a bit. "That's probably termed as… maturity." Rukawa snorted. "Yeah right, you're maturity level is 999." He half goaded. Sendoh was surprised at the fact that Rukawa seemed to be talking and conversing a lot more than before and if the younger guy wouldn't probably stop any moment soon, Sendoh swore he could have hop off the bed and probably grabbed him by the shoulders to push him down and…and…Sendoh felt his face flushed at his thoughts, he found himself covering his mouth with his left hand—his eyes softening as he stared at the sheets almost longingly.
'Rukawa… I just want you. All your flaws, mistakes, lame jokes, and sarcasm… Everything.'
Silence. Rukawa fidgeted on his sit as he took note of the time. It read almost 8PM. Thing is, he just remembered Sendoh said something about he wanted to ask if they could talk right after the game and, he was simply wondering if this is what the older guy meant. True, they have been sort of engage in a small conversation since they both wake up—but why is that Rukawa thought otherwise? Like as if, he was actually expecting something else… something more perhaps? Rukawa kept his stare off to where Sendoh is and decided to just probably leave the room a bit to breathe in some fresh air and to find out what's been going on down there. 'Maybe, I did expect too much?'
"I… I guess, I should see what's happening down…" Rukawa muttered in his soft voice, finding the courage to stand up from the bed and taking a few steps forward already. He was halted when the latter stopped him though. "Rukawa wait…"
Rukawa felt his chest raced a bit. Its like when they say that you're waiting for something that is probably not going to happen? Or so he wished otherwise? Sendoh finally had the audacity to hop off the bed and stand up as well. Rukawa found himself fidgeting a bit—not really sure as to why he suddenly found himself feeling a bit… edgy. "Let's go down together…" A smile.
Rukawa could barely say anything as he only found himself nodding wordlessly. 'Sendoh…why is it… why is that… I couldn't even explain to you how good it feels to look up across this room-and see you standing there.'
The party was to be held in one of the many so-called events room in the camp. And since mostly are boys, not much was to be anticipated in terms of design or motif. There were only about six-seven tables around with four to five chairs and two pool tables, a karaoke set, a bar on one corner, and the food that is clustered on the other side in buffet style. Over all it wasn't much of a fancy party—but it was well-prepared nonetheless. Fujima sighed and meritoriously checked each certificates to be given out later to each player—for participating in this camp. He was checking thoroughly if the players who attended does have their very own certificates. He was slightly surprised when Maki approached him and handed him a glass of juice.
"You seem busy, Ken." Maki smiled. Fujima simply shrugged as his brows were furrowed—then he snapped. "Oh I knew it, they had a few misspelled names here. I hate it. They misspelled Fukuda's name and Sendoh's wrong, and one in my team, and another in yours!" He clacked his tongue and went bug-eyed. Maki simply blinked his eyes twice then chuckled. He can't believe that Fujima is this concern—but he must be pretentious for not liking this side of his lover. Maki simply snorted and smiled-he looked at the certificates Fujima has been yakking about and nodded. "Well, it seems that we need to return them back to the Ministry of Education for correction." Fujma simply nodded. Maki handed him his glass of juice to which Fujima simply blinked back. "Eh? No beer?" Maki simply smiled. "I think that's for later." Fujima simply grinned his thanks and nodded.
"Fujima-taichou! Maki-senpai!" Ayako approached the two players and smiled. The two guys acknowledged Shohoku's manager and nodded back. "Erika, right?" Fujima smiled. Ayako gape and sweatdrop. "Eh… Fujima-taichou, its Ayako." Fujima gasps and went a bit flushed. "Ah! Sou ka! Gomen-gomen, my bad! Sheesh! Konnichiwa, Ayako-san." He smiled. Maki simply laughed a bit and shook his head. Deep inside he is wondering, who the heck is Erika? Ayako simply chuckled and grinned. He thought Fujima Kenji looked cute back there. "Its okay, Fujima-san. By the way, here's the programme you asked of me and Haruko, I want you to check it if its okay with you."
Fujima simply nodded and proceeded with the paper while taking a sip and a chat with his beau. Ayako walked away to be with Akagi and the others who were busy now with the food. Uozumi eyed one dish as he contemplated—Akagi saw this and approached his teammate. "Hm, it seems to me that you're thinking as to how they made those rolls, am I right?" A grin. Uozumi simply nodded and chuckled. "As a matter of fact, I think its easy and I think I can actually make my own version of it." They both chuckled and continued talking about Uozumi's stint in becoming a renowned chef one day.
Ayako walked further and was greeted by some players and even Akagi and Uozumi—she was rather trying to find Miyagi and the others to inform them that they were about to start when she saw Haruko on one corner. The manager approached Haruko who seemed to have that worried look on her face. "Haruko-chan!" She beamed. Haruko almost gasps but kept her cheery face on. "Ayako-san." Ayako pulled on one chair and sat beside Haruko who secured a spot on a table not far away from the buffet. She was slightly fidgeting something on her hand. Ayako peeped onto it and wondered. "Are you okay?" The curly haired girl asked to which the latter simply nodded. "Uh…Um." She tried to smile back. Ayako twitched her lips and pout a bit. "Hmm, you don't really looked convincing, hahahah! Tell me, is something wrong, party's about to start." She grinned. Haruko shook her head and waved her hand. "Uh… hmmm, no, nothing really Ayako-san…" She paused then sighed. Ayako simply sneered further only to catch glimpse of a small paper bag on Haruko's lap. She was about to looked onto it when Haruko quickly grabbed it and hugged the bag to herself. "Don't look!" She almost squealed. Ayako was confused and could only blinked her eyes twice. "Eh? What's the matter with you? Is that a gift for someone?" Haruko felt her face flushed and since its Ayako herself, she couldn't help but to just give in—its not like she could hide it all night long anyway. She nodded slowly and turned a bright shade of pink further. Ayako noticed this and started chuckling. She patted the head of Haruko and knowingly nudge her side.
"Aww, let me guess, it's for Rukawa-kun, is it not?" She grinned. Haruko gape and blushed some more and was stammering. "I-well… I was… umm, I m-mean… you see…" Haruko chuckled even further as she was able to prove herself right on the spot. "Hahaha, you're so cute Haruko-chan! I knew it." She shrugged. "Hey, nothing to be ashamed of, what's keeping you that way anyway?" She smiled. Haruko simply shook her head and somewhat felt her chest raced a bit as the image of Rukawa Kaede flashed before her eyes. "N-nothing… I just want to give him something… a present for Christmas."
"So? What's the fuss? Just give it to him!" Ayako cheered. She paused as Haruko went bug-eyed and seemed to have lost her soul—she turned beet red and shook her head fast. "D-de-dekkimaassen~!" She almost wailed, too shy as she imagined herself approaching the stoic rookie of their team. She has been harbouring her crush on the silent guy for quite some time now and is really having a hard time showing her feelings for him—because he seemed pre-occupied and distant.
"What do you mean you can't?" She jeered further. "Just hand it to him, as simple as that." Ayako paused and grinned. "Look, he'll definitely accept it. He's used to receiving gifts from his fans since our Tomigaoka days so, you shouldn't worry." She laughed a bit. Haruko blushed some more and nodded nonetheless. Thing is, she actually wanted more than to just hand the gift—she actually wanted to somewhat talk to Rukawa if that alone is possible. She clutched her paper bag tightly a bit. Ayako somewhat being able to read into Haruko's mind, her gaze softened and she sighed audibly.
"Ayako-san…" Haruko started softly-her eyes were a bit forlorn but they are not sad. Ayako tilted her head, ready to lend an ear. "I think I might be having a… crush on someone I have no chance with…" She felt her face flush but kept her strength at bay. Ayako smiled ever so lightly and pat Haruko's head affectionately. Thing is, Ayako knew of Haruko's liking to her kohai and she knew as well of the affection Sakuragi has been harbouring for Haruko. Ayako would have laughed her head off at the insanity of it all. Its true after all when they say that crush is the feeling you call when they don't feel the same way in return. She felt herself chuckling a bit but managed not to. Life is somewhat unfair alright. Somewhere along the way, we just got to live with it. She sighed audibly and clack her tongue. Time for some unsolicited words, she thought. She was about to go at it when Haruko beat her to it… and Ayako's eyes widened a bit.
"Ayako-san…" A pause. Haruko's eyes turned at the latter and softened. "I really just want to give this to him and… probably… just probably congratulate him for winning and all." She paused-then smiled. "It's really weird, but I feel like, somehow, he seemed… happy and I may not be the reason behind it but, I'm quite contented at the fact that if he's happy then… I'm okay with it." She cast her eyes down—they were a bit sad but Haruko held on her paper bag was one with certainty. Ayako felt Haruko's words—after all she's a girl herself and in as much as she wanted to tell her something more, she can't, for Ayako knew that maybe, one day, Haruko would then find out and everyone else as well… but for now, she decided to be that friend for Haruko and just listened. After all, people don't always need advice, sometimes all they really need is a hand to hold, an ear to listen, and a heart to understand them. Ayako gently smiled and placed a hand atop Haruko's left shoulder.
"Hey Haruko-chan…"
Haruko simply looked back softly with her soft brown eyes. "Have you ever wondered if there's someone who thinks about you when they can't sleep? Or smiles at just the mention of your name? What if there's a person that thinks the world of you, and you've never even noticed them?" She smiled. Haruko gasps, never actually expecting that to come from Ayako. "A-Ayako-san. I don't think…" She felt her ears flushed a bit—then she smiled softly. "T-Thank you, I guess."
Ayako simply grinned. "Don't forget to always smile. You never know who's looking at you, wishing you could be theirs…"
Meanwhile…
Sakuragi, Miyagi, Mitsui, Fukuda, Uekusa, Hikoichi, and Koshino are having the time of their lives in the Jacuzzi. They were boisterously talking and laughing at each other while occasionally fighting and bickering over the most mundane things they could ever come up with. It was specifically the redhead who's leading the noise and the ruckus followed by the ill-tempered Koshino and Mitsui who seemed to be enjoying the fact that he has been deliberately gunning down Koshino with words and snide comments. The group, while it may not seem to be at peace, was actually peaceful itself in its own ways. Sakuragi cackled and laughed as he pump his fist into the air, glad that he won the bet. "Nyahahah! Well my money doubled so I guess I'm really a genius to be betting on the second genius in this camp!" He grinned evilly. Koshino clacked his tongue and gritted his teeth in annoyance, obviously, anything related to ingenuity itself is taboo for him, especially if Sakuragi was the one claiming it.
"What the fuck, why do you always say that? As if it's true!" He furrowed his brows and punch in the water. Sakuragi glared. "Teme, you dare oppose the Tensai, you substitute?!" Koshino gnarled and pointed his finger accusingly. "What the fuck! I'm no substitute, I'm a starting member and yeah, I dare oppose your delusional statement, you freshman!"
"Temme! You don't know anything, my team relies on me and-?!" And Sakuragi was cut by Mitsui. "Ch, teme, shut the fuck up with us relying on your ass." He smirk—daring Sakuragi to counter him. Sakuragi fumed but since its Mitsui, he rather has a longer chain of tolerance. "Kso! Mitcchy what the heck?! Are you siding with your pussy roommate?" Koshino turned beet red and punch in more the water. Fukuda simply went bug-eyed and snorted. 'I cant believe I'm joining these group of idiots.' Miyagi simply laughed a bit and joined in the fun. "Calm down Sakuragi, we all know who's the real Tensai, right guys?" Miyagi gave all of them the look to which everyone seemed to get and they all nodded. Sakuragi for he cares, found himself playfully hugging Miyagi, glad at the fact that Ryota actually sided him, or so he thinks.
"Ahahha! I knew you were my friend, Ryo-chin! You're one of my believers, nyahahha! You knew of my prowess!" Everyone simply rolled their eyes and sighed. Uekusa smiled and made his presence known by suddenly starting the conversation. "But it was really a good game between those four, never thought I'd see it myself." He smiled. Ryota simply nodded back at his roommate and grin. Mitsui looked at the seemingly harmless guy and gave him the sceptic look. "Uh, who are you again?" Uekusa stared at the three-pointer and nodded. "Uekusa. Tomoyuki Uekusa, Mitsui-san." Mitsui sweat dropped and nodded, thing is, he doesn't really know the guy. "Ah. Sou ka. Yo!" Silence. Then they all laughed. Even Uekusa himself, thing is, he's used to it—everyone seemed to be unfamiliar with him in a way, it's like they don't know him, well, he's more than glad though because Sendoh Akira actually acknowledges him and knows him. If there is one trait Sendoh has, it is that he knows the whole of Ryonan Basketball Club by their names. He makes sure he gets to know them—and for that, Uekusa feels thankful. Koshino stopped laughing and nudged Uekusa. "Oi, you're not mad, aren't you?" Fukuda simply smirked and shook his head. He turned to his left and saw Hikoichi, browsing on his shots. The guy wasn't dip into the Jacuzzi, he was simply sitting atop near them.
"I'm soo happy, I got a thousand shots of all of us here. I'll be uploading all soon! And I aint deleting one!" He sniffed and grinned. Mitsui clack his tongue and snarled. "Oi, delete my photo if I don't look good there, teme!"
"How'd you know you looked okay or not? Its probably the same in all shots." Koshino sneered and goaded. They all chuckled. "Nyahaha! Mitcchy, stop trying to look good, we all know who's naturally good-looking!" Sakuragi coughed as if referring to himself.
"Urusai-teme! Wait til I get my hands on you, you fucktard!" Mitsui snarled.
"Sendoh-senpai, looks gooood in all my shots!" Hikoichi grinned and nodded. Koshino simply rolled his eyes and Fukuda smirked. This, he knew of. Sakuragi gritted his teeth in annoyance and demanded to see for himself. "Teme, Shikoichi you're gaying on Spiky?!"
"Uwaah! That's so meeann, Sakuragi-kun!" Hikoichi wailed and gape.
"Maybe you're the one who's gaying on him!" Koshino goaded. Mitsui and Ryota laughed. "Yeah, after all, you actually wanted to be roommates with him! I remember that very much!" Miyagi continued and they could only laughed aloud. Sakuragi flushed but he's quite annoyed and a bit embarrassed and mad. "Tteemee… I am not gaying on the Spiky, dammit!" Sakuragi's eyes turned evil as he thought of his next words that sent everyone literally… silent. "Maybe that good-for-nothing kitsune is gaying on Spiky instead! Nyahahahah!" Silence. Sakuragi looked around to see everyone staring at him. He snarled. "What the fuck is wrong?!" He grimaced. Fukuda clacked his tongue softly and decided to perish the sudden uneasiness.
"Well, I don't see anything wrong with that-imagine, your Ace and ours in… love?" Fukuda smirked knowingly. Koshino shot him almost a stare that seems to imply something as well. Uekusa simply muttered randomly, as if he hasn't thought about it well—and it earned him a laugh from the other guys. "Well, that will be… Ace-licious?" He paused. "They're both Aces, anyway."
"Hahahah!" Miyagi clutched his sides, obviously liking the remark. Mitsui simply chuckled and rolled his eyes. "I don't really care who falls in love with whom." Miyagi snorted and stared at nothing in particular. "Come to think of it, they're actually like opposites but…" He was cut though by Fukuda. "Well, opposites attract, don't they?" Fukuda inwardly congratulate himself, thing is, he would have laughed off because is he actually helping his Taichou with Rukawa's teammates? Like as if, assisting him? He could only smirked. Miyagi simply gave Fukuda the weird stare and grinned wryly. "Are you… by any chance pushing them together? Like… totally, together?" Fukuda went bug-eyed and sighed. 'Well, this guy is quite insightful.'
"What if I was?" Fukuda muttered. Silence. Mitsui looked from Miyagi to Fukuda-then he laughed. "Hahahaha! Oi,oi,oi, is this serious?" He grinned. Both Miyagi and Fukuda looked at the three-pointer and snorted.
"Teme Fukusuke, didn't you say Spiky is dating the receptionist?!"
"Ehh?!" The others blinked back their confusion. Fukuda simply stared and snorted. 'Yare yare… stupidity truly has no cure.' Fukuda simply eyed everyone who was now staring at him, as of waiting for him to speak up or tell them something. He sighed. "I don't remember saying anything like that." Silence. Sakuragi pooped a vein then the rest was ruckus. "TEEMME! Korosu!"
"Hahahaha! Told you he was just pulling you! You're too gullible, Hanamichi!" Ryota exclaimed.
Their ruckus continued for a while and stopped for a moment when Mitsui shared his two cents. "Well, come to think of it, I never actually thought that Sendoh and Rukawa would team up together." He frowned. "Truth is, I thought they're one team to beat." He clacked his tongue and smirk. The rest had to nod their heads off. Miyagi simply shrugged. "They both have different styles of playing but almost of the same calibre, but I gotta hand it to those two—it's actually fun to see Maki and Fujima losing." He smirked.
"Goodbye glory days, hehe!" Mitsui butted in and he fist bump with Miyagi. The others could only nod and agree nonetheless, except for Sakuragi who glared at the stoic Fukuda. Thing is, he was rather being a bit curious. Yep, and he suddenly has this urge to ask Sendoh Akira himself, after all—the memory of when the Ryonan Ace actually told him that he has been having 'problems' with Rukawa somehow remained in his mind… then he suddenly felt himself gasping…could it be true after all? But if it proves to be right, then Haruko-chan who likes the kitsune would feel…-?! Sakuragi's eyes widened as he found his lips gaping a bit—then that cunning smile suddenly appeared on his smug face.
'Teme Kitsune and Spiky… if this Tensai proves his theory right...' He evilly smirked to himself and cackled.
"Keep calm and love who you want, Kitsune! Nyahahah!"
Everyone stared at him and sweatdrop. Mitsui clacked his tongue and snarled. "Teme, what the fuck is happening to you? You being possessed by a demon?" Miyagi simply went bug-eyed. "Mitcchy, he's the demon himself." Uekusa simply smiled and scratched his head.
Koshino snarled and crossed his arms. Thing is, he somewhat knew already—he is just somewhat a bit in a denial stage, not because he has feelings for Sendoh, but because… he is just quite surprised at the fact that it happened. Sendoh and him has been friends and teammates for the quite some time and while its true that his involvement for Sendoh can sometimes go overboard, he is simply concerned. He just hopes that neither one of them would take one's feeling for granted, because one can never know how much courage it took to show it to them—especially for his friend, Sendoh. 'Ch, Akira, I do hope you know that the hardest things in life is figuring out the difference between friendship and love.'
Fukuda simple sighed exasperatedly and rolled his eyes. 'Taichou, I feel like you should pay me—you owe me a lot by now.' He then smirked to himself. Hikoichi simply grinned and raised his camera. "Haha, ne, snapshot guys? Ready?"
The elevator seemed suddenly a bit far than it used to be. Its really weird. Rukawa walked with easy steps against the carpeted floor, eyes fixated at nothing in particular as he let his fringes hovered above his eyes—thing is, he could actually feel his chest racing and his hands getting a bit clammy or so. But its winter. Rukawa is not unaware at the fact that he was walking that quiet corridor with someone—and not just anyone… an obvious space between them. Rukawa wished he was better at telling people how he truly feels-its like trying to hide his emotions and pretending nothing's wrong. He heaved a small sigh and cast his eyes to his right—Sendoh was there alright.
They stopped in front of the elevator and Sendoh pressed the down button, the elevator has yet to go up then down to fetch them. Rukawa went bug-eyed a bit. Fate does have a funny way of working him up. He stood and fidgeted on his spot-eyes fixated on that seemingly slow moving number. Sendoh was a bit behind him, the taller guy simply leaning his back on the wall but very much looking at the back of the person he cares for.
"Hey Rukawa-kun…" He called out. The aforementioned name simply looked back and wondered. Rukawa saw Sendoh grinning as if being a bit mischievous and all—he almost frowned, but wondered as well. "What are you grinning for, aho?" He muttered back, a bit bug-eyed but he, too, is quite interested. Sendoh simply chuckled and shrugged. "So, I got a joke…"
Rukawa gape-well, he wasn't expecting that. He simply snorted and shrugged. Sendoh seems to be that type of guy, he's a great player, a people's person and… well, he's like that archetypal guy-next-door type. He's familiar, approachable and dependable. And somehow, Rukawa found himself falling for that. 'Sendoh, I like you more than I thought I would and...that scares me.'
"Yeah right…" Rukawa muttered and almost rolled his eyes. Sendoh chuckled and pushed himself off the wall. "No really, wanna hear it?" He grinned. Rukawa simply snorted and shrugged. "What about?" Deep inside, he's somewhat feeling warmth seeping in. As if… it was the most normal thing to feel at that moment.
"So, what do you think happens to a frog's car when it breaks down?" He grinned. Rukawa furrowed his brows and is seemingly thinking. For some reason, the joke turned out rather to be a question. He was silent for a while. Sendoh lopsidedly smile as he saw Rukawa trying his best to come up with a good answer—he chuckled. "Give up now?"
Rukawa frowned, giving up is probably the phrase he hates hearing the most. But, thing is, he couldn't think of any possible answer and so he twitched his lips and nodded. Sendoh grinned and shrugged. "It gets toad away." Silence. Then Sendoh chuckled, a bit amused. Rukawa simply snorted and rolled his eyes. "Is that supposed to be funny?"
Sendoh smiled. "I don't know. Maybe." He grinned. "Care for another one?" Rukawa gave him the stare. Sendoh heed the silence as yes and so he went on his merry way. But for some reason, in as much as the first question didn't really bulged any reaction from Rukawa, he found himself tolerating Sendoh's silliness.
"What does the duck say when he bought a lipstick?"
"First a frog, now a duck?" Rukawa muttered. Sendoh simply rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I'm fond of animals." Rukawa twitched his lips and almost smirked. "Quack-quack." Sendoh paused then blinked his eyes twice—then he laughed. Rukawa, too, found himself chuckling softly. Sendoh actually thought Rukawa looked cute back there and he can only refrain himself from reaching unto the shorter guy and probably… probably… doing something. "Haha, no way… he bought a lipstick, remember?" Sendoh chided and chuckled. "He's a duck, its supposed to quack." Rukawa rebutted back. Sendoh chuckled some more as he shook his head. "Okay, give up now?" Rukawa simply rolled his eyes and shrugged. "Whatever." Sendoh grinned. "He said, put it on my bill." Then he chuckled. Rukawa blinked a bit before finally getting it and he could only tug a corner of his lips. Well, Sendoh seemed to have gotten a bit better than the first one.
Just then, the elevator ding open and in the two went—but Sendoh seemed not to stop there. Inside though he still instigated a few more of his so-called jokes. "Here's one more, Rukawa-kun." Rukawa pressed the down button and glared at the seemingly hyper guy. "What's gotten into you?" Rukawa almost felt himself smiling a bit though. Sendoh simply smiled back at his amore mio and shrugged. "Two bats are hanging upside down on a branch, one asks the other, do you recall your worst day last year?" He paused and grinned. "Guess what the other bat told him." Rukawa leaned on one corner and furrowed his brows but he's keened on getting the answer this time.
"He's battered?"
Sendoh rolled his eyes and chuckled—it was a lame guess. "Noo, hahaha! Where'd you get that?" He grinned. Rukawa pouted. "I don't know, where'd you get your lame jokes?" They both paused and somehow found themselves laughing at the stupidity of it all. "Well, the other bat said, it was the day he had diarrhea! Hahah!" Rukawa gave Sendoh the lame expression but he smirked nonetheless.
"How'd you count cows?"
"1, 2, 3…" Rukawa answered with a bug-eyed expression.
Sendoh laughed and shook his head. "Heck no." Rukawa clack his tongue but he wasn't mad. "Ch, how?!" Sendoh grinned. "With a cowculator." A pause-then Sendoh laughed. Rukawa was sort of on the verge as well on grinning but he kept his composure at bay. "That was… stupid." Sendoh simply chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Yeah right, it got you, didn't it?" Rukawa simply rolled his eyes. "Whatever…"
"What do you call a bear with no teeth?"
"A grandfather."
"Hahahaha! No." Sendoh laughed. Rukawa too, found himself smiling a bit at his own answer. He glared at Sendoh and demanded an answer. "Well what?!" Sendoh smiled back, eyes cheery and all. "A gummy bear!" Rukawa, for some reason found himself playfully whacking Sendoh's forehead in response. "Douchebag." Sendoh chuckled amusedly at himself and for some reason as well found himself able to grab a hold of Rukawa's right arm.
Time seemed to have stopped as they both realized the current situation they're into. Sendoh felt his chest raced but what seemed to have bothered him is the fact that he can't let go of Rukawa's arm! Rukawa's eyes were a bit wide—too surprised to react. Truth is, he rather doesn't know what to do, although he knew that his ears are flushed-and probably his face as well. Sendoh silently stared at the person in front of him and thoughts came rushing into his mind. He saw and marvelled on how blue Rukawa's eyes were—he never actually thought of looking at them for that long… until now. And there, Sendoh saw himself. It's true when they say that love is when you look into someone's eyes and see everything you need. Sendoh felt himself gulping involuntarily—his heart pounding and that fleeting instant when you know that you wouldn't probably get the same moment twice in life. 'Breathe, Akira… let go.' But somehow, he just can't, because he knew that this very minute is the only he knows he has for sure.
"I…" For some reason he found his voice and that it did not abandon him. Sendoh knew that these are the moments he falls deeper in love with him. When neither of them says anything… and they just stare. There's an understanding there that goes much deeper than words ever could. A connection so real he can't speak, because words could never say the things he feel.
Rukawa's eyes were wide-that he's sure of… he didn't know as well as to how long they have been staring at each other nor how long Sendoh has been holding his arm; he felt Sendoh's eyes staring at him trying to read his expression, his mind… but amidst everything, all Rukawa knows is that moment, right there. Right when that night came to be as it repeats itself… because the best kiss is the one that has been exchanged a thousand times between the eyes before it reaches its lips.
Sendoh felt Rukawa's surprised when he found himself tilting the latter's head and in locking his own lips onto the raven-haired rookie. The thing is… he wasn't able to help it; no, not this time. Just as the longing became unbearable their lips drew near and clung into a kiss. He kissed him, yet again. The warmth of his mouth sent a current running through his body. Rukawa was taken aback but barely had time to respond as he felt yet again the rush of helplessness, the sinking yielding, the surging tide of warmth that left him limp.
And the quiet face of Rukawa Kaede was blurred and drowned to nothingness. Akira, being taller, tilted back Kaede's head across his arm and kissed him, softly at first, and then with a swift gradation of intensity that made Rukawa cling to him as if the only solid thing in a dizzy swaying world.
Sendoh's insistent mouth was parting his shaking lips, sending wild tremors along his nerves, evoking from his sensations he had never known he was capable of feeling. And before a swimming giddiness spun him round and round, he lost himself in his peppermint breath and soft lips. Rukawa Kaede knew that he was kissing Sendoh Akira… back.
And just like that, the kiss was… over. Somehow, somewhere… they needed to breathe-and so Rukawa found himself pulling away slowly—and slowly too, his breath is one which is warm and of comfort. The space he intended for them to be apart proved to be futile since Sendoh has still both of his arms around him—their bodies still pressing against each other. Rukawa's eyes were casted down, hidden beneath the length of his dark and ebony soft fringes. A shiver sped down his spine as the taller guy caressing his back.
The wrongness of it stabs Sendoh, but the urge to kiss him again is stronger. It's lightness and euphoria, speed and aching pain. He never want it to stop. Rukawa's eyes were those of surprised and confusion as he stared back at him, not expecting anything. Until Sendoh bent down again and kissed him and his lips stayed on his for what seemed like forever. It was so tender… caring and soft this time. And for the second time it was over, Rukawa knew everything officially had change between them and that made him a bit… scared.
It was unexpected, Rukawa didn't know what to say. He looked up once more to see Sendoh's shining blue eyes staring down at him. He was speechless. The love he saw in his eyes, that emotion he too, has been harbouring for the older guy- it made his skin tingle in a good way. Rukawa felt a bit afraid and panicky on what could happen next after Sendoh kissed him twice and so he turned to his left and looked away.
"Can I be honest with you?" Sendoh had the valour to speak up first, his voice deep but clear, filled with yearning and pent up emotions he has tried to kept inside of him —deep inside he knew he could feel the wild thumping of his chest and the way he held the younger guy into his arms as if not wanting to let go. He gulped involuntarily. It is now or never… there is indeed no turning back, for it is said that if we are not fully ourselves, truly in the present moment, we miss everything-and Sendoh wouldn't want it any other.
Rukawa's eyes widened on their own—his stare not leaving that corner, somewhat still flushed, shy, afraid and embarrassed as well to meet the taller guy's gaze. His heart was going crazy against his chest-he could tell that Sendoh might actually be feeling the rumbling in his chest because of their close proximity. He waited for him to say something… in as much as Kaede wants to ask as well, he is too shaken up and it was only until the moment he felt his hands clutching desperately as well onto Sendoh's broad back. He felt his ears heat up.
"You have every right in this world to loathe and be despise at me." Sendoh paused—his voice steady, sincerity spilling in, and emotions vivid.
"I know I'm a low-life bastard and probably the last person you'll ever want to see after this…" He gulped- still thankful that his voice is not betraying him.
"But before you could drift farther away from me, l just want you to know that I do a lot of thinking before I go to sleep. I play scenes in my head. I practise the things I want to say. I have endless 'what ifs'. I make plans for the next day, I think of all the people I miss, I think of all the ones I hate, and I ask myself a lot of questions…" He paused. Sendoh stared at the top of the latter's head—his eyes soft and filled with all the longings of the heart.
"I realized I was thinking of you, and I began to wonder how long you'd been on my mind. Then it occurred to me, since I met you… you've actually never left."
Rukawa felt as if he has been splashed with cold water all over him—as he found himself gasping and his eyes widening in shock—he was made to look at Sendoh and in that moment, their gazes met. His cerulean blue against his darker shade of the same hue. Rukawa wanted to say something, but can't seem to find the words to say. Sendoh found himself smiling wistfully. "I'm not saying that I think of you constantly, but I can't deny the fact that each time my mind wanders, it always find some ways back to you."
Sendoh loosened his hold onto the younger and still silent Rukawa, allowing space between them. He unconsciously felt his arms sliding down to his own sides, as his spur of the moment has finally coming to its decline phase.
"When I tell you…. I love you, I don't say it out of habit."
Rukawa felt his hands form a fist—his eyes widening and his chest racing against him as if he was being chased—he found his steel gaze boring onto Sendoh's taller form; the latter has his head down, but Rukawa could actually see Sendoh Akira's lips in his usual smile.
"I say that to remind you that you're the best thing that happened to me."
Sendoh found himself slowly leaning forwards to Rukawa who was suddenly surprised—he leaned his forehead against his, eyes closed, and everything went still.
Tranquillity. Everything happened in a slow state that Rukawa Kaede could actually see the whole of it occurring again and again. The memory was so vivid that he can't helped but to lift his left hand up slowly and brushed his fingers over his lips. At the first kiss he knew, he felt something melt inside of him that hurt in an exquisite way. All his longings, dreams, and sweet anguish, all the secrets that slept deep within him came awake. Everything was suddenly transformed and enchanted. Everything made sense. Rukawa felt his stare softening as he was just inches away from Sendoh's closed ones—their foreheads touching and if one could see them, one would actually assume that Akira might have actually fallen asleep while standing, but Rukawa knew that the older guy hasn't, apparently.
He took in that moment to stare up close at the person that has openly admitted his affection from him and in that instant, Rukawa knew how is it to be loved and love in return. Falling in love with his roommate is something he, too, hadn't expected, but being in love with him is something he couldn't stop… even if he tried. And for him and him alone, for the first time, he has probably found someone he would hate leaving. Rukawa thought that he might have found someone that accepts him for who he is and doesn't tell him that he needs to change… and just like what Sendoh said as well... he thinks he also found someone who he can fall madly in love with just the same…
Rukawa gulped involuntarily as he found his hands slowly lifting up only to cupped Sendoh Akira's face—he could actually feel his chest racing but steeled himself to get over it just because he saw how the latter bravely faced his feelings as well. Rukawa felt his ears heat up a bit—thing is, he has never seen Sendoh up-close like this before—like as in just inches away from his face, their noses almost touching each other. He partly opened his lips in hopes of saying that he, too, felt the same way, but somehow… somewhere, he found himself whispering otherwise, because Rukawa felt that maybe, Sendoh knew all along as well of his affection.
"A-Are you…sleeping?" Rukawa softly whispered, his eyes soft, his voice low—but audible enough. And as if on cue, Sendoh's eyes slowly opened to Rukawa's surprised as he felt both of his hands being held by no other than the man who recently confessed his love for him. Rukawa felt his face flushed when the Ryonan Ace lift his one hand up and kissed the inside of his palm- he had to look the other way.
"Why do you look away?" He asked, his voice—low and dripping with yearning. Rukawa kept his silence—and only the humdrums of his chest is vivid into his ears. 'Sendoh, I'm scared of looking at you because the more I do… the more I fall in love with you.'
"Are you… mad at me?" Sendoh hoarsely muttered back. Rukawa found his eyes beneath his fringes again and gulped involuntarily.
"I supposed… I would want to but…"
"But-?" Sendoh almost hurriedly butted in, as if in anticipation—his eyes staring lovingly at the person right before him, his lips curved into a smile. Rukawa, for some reason, found himself mustering all the audacity he could sum up with as he faced the man who made him feel like the best kiss between two people is something really good in life because sometimes words cannot explain the feelings of the mind, yet you still find love in their eyes.
"But I still remember how I felt, after you kissed me first…" A pause. Rukawa heaved a sighed. "And maybe caused you kissed so well, it made all the other things, worse." Silence—and then he paused.
"Sendoh, sometimes I like to think that I actually mean something to you..." Rukawa almost whispered softly but it did not escaped the latter's awaiting ears.
Sendoh blinked his eyes twice—he did felt his chest thump for the nth time that night. Did Rukawa just said that he actually felt the same way too? Sendoh felt his emotions building up; he gripped the younger guy's hand a little tighter and almost felt his eyes getting a bit welled-up, but he kept everything at bay. Falling in love truly is an extraordinary feeling when the person you love, loves you back in return.
"Yeah you actually do…" He kissed the latter's hands to which Rukawa simply felt his ears flushed a bit as he tried to pull away from that touch, but wasn't able to do so. Sendoh softly chuckled at this and went to pause for a bit.
"Hey…"
Rukawa slowly looked up –his face, void of the usual indifference, as he wondered about Sendoh's call. The older guys smiled and shrugged. "I can honestly say that you've been on my mind since I woke up today." Rukawa simply snorted and twitched his lips. "Yeah right." Sendoh grinned and simply chuckled.
He was about to say something more when Sendoh managed to beat him to it—the Ryonan Ace's eyes went cheery and all, chuckling a bit and with a smile plastered on his handsome face-gleefully informed the younger rookie.
"Oh by the way, in case you forgot, my name's Akira… Kaede."
TBC
A/N: Waaaahhhh! *jumps in glees* Okay, this might be a bit long. To start off, sheesh, I cant believed that I finally did it—yeah, the confession chapter! Whohoo! I guess I am just soo thrilled that I was able to write it and of course, more than thrilled because I get to actually update this fic with three chapters! Few more to go! Kyaaah! Kindly tell me what you think, I mean, I must be honest that I had a hard time thinking of a good way for them to convey their feelings and I only found myself writing everything when they're inside the… elevator. Hahahah! I know its probably the most romantic places to be, heck its NOT romantic I know!
I mean, I don't know as well, it just came in naturally and voila, I just found myself typing in the words and… that's it. I really spent a lot of time trying to imagine the kiss, how it felt for both of them, and how deep the yearning is—I mean, I hope I did brought it out somehow! Sheesh!
Okay, so, now what's next for them? Hahahah! A bed scene? LOL! Kidding, I am still not much keen on writing that, but I have to say that I might paused a bit on this and get back to MYGIRL for the mean time so that it doesn't get left behind! Once again, reviews and comments are highly appreciated, I needed it now more than ever since I pretty much ended everything here. I thought that its been really a wild ride for both of them and the plot is too long already so, might as well confess and say their 'I love yous' and all. :D
Addicted to SD: As always, thank you, thank you! Okay, I'm not sure if our cravings for them to be together has been sated here, I just hope it has! Happy New Year! Anung handa niyo? Hahahah! :D Tomorrow is New Year's Eve na and kain na naman! Soon, it'll be Rukawa's birthday! Yaayy!
Khoka: You're kind words moved me. Truly, I am grateful for it. Unfortunately, I found myself in the field of Science and Research so… hahahah! As you can see, me writing professionally and being a laboratory scientist by profession is miles apart. But I'm happy, really. I don't think I am, good at this but to be getting that kind of compliment from you is humbling enough. Thank you so much! Happy New Year! :D
Ekaeka: Hey there! True, its been awhile! How are you? Hope you're doing well. Happy New Year to you as well! Thank you so much for staying despite the fact that its taking me to update and finished this! Salamat ulet! Sana tlga matapos ko na ito! Haha! :D
Isabelle: Hi there! Thank you! :D I know, the towel scene is one of my favourites too, hope you liked this one as well!
Cris: Haha! True, I'm on a roll—I mean, its not every day I get to have time so, I'm maximizing it! Thanks for the review! :D
IceCreamALot: Yeah, you and your requests of kissing, hugging, bodies attached…Hahaha :D Cheers! Happy New Year to you! Hope you liked this one! Thank you! :D