Sendoh held the ball between his elbow and his waist, looking at the two in front of him. Sumire… so that's her name… Sendoh thought as he watched her fuss over a silent Rukawa, whose stare is still burning right through Sendoh without blinking. What's their connection? Who is she to him?

"Ikuzo, Sumire." Rukawa suddenly spoke again in his usual cold manner as he turned and started walking away.

"Nani!?" Sumire voiced a protest. "But you just got here! You promised that you'd…"

"We'll do it tomorrow. And somewhere else." He replied grimly.

"But… Kaede!!!" she exclaimed again, running after him. "Matte yo!"

As she was walking away, Sendoh realized that his chance for a good challenge, or maybe more than that, could just vanish away just like that if he didn't do something about it. He was surprised at what he was feeling. A feeling that he hasn't felt in a long time. Yes, he was sure that this was attraction. Fatal? Maybe. Anything associated with Rukawa may result fatally. But for the sake of keeping this wonderful feeling of intrigue alive…

"Sumire-san…!" Sendoh exclaimed suddenly, interrupting their argument. "I don't believe we're through yet." He continued as he tossed the ball towards her.

Sumire turned around and caught the ball. She looked at Sendoh, and that smile on his face. She just held the ball without replying. Then she turned to Rukawa, and then back at Sendoh.

"Come on." Sendoh taunted playfully. "I thought you weren't afraid of me."

Her face looked shocked for a moment at his playful taunt. But then her eyes glinted with intrigue. And Sendoh knew he has successfully flipped her switch.

"Really, Sendoh-san…" Sumire dribbled the ball as she walked towards Sendoh. "I always thought you were different, but I suppose being arrogant comes as a package with being an ace, ne?"

Smart comeback. I'm impressed. Sendoh put himself in a defense position, his eyes locked into hers, reading what will be her next movement.

"Sumire!" Rukawa's voice called out indignantly. That would be the first time ever that Sendoh heard Rukawa actually raise his voice, albeit only a little. But he was ignored. And thus, he exhaled silently, and proceeded to walk away. He doesn't like the idea of Sumire in a one-on-one with Sendoh, but he couldn't be bothered to stay. And thus, he kept stepping away without even looking back.

* * *

Sumire picked up a faster pace as she walked along the now dark streets. She turned around to glance back, and saw that Sendoh was still walking casually behind her. He had followed persistently from the basketball court to the train station, onto the train, and off the train station to this street.

"Will you please just go away!" she exclaimed, exasperated. "I told you that I don't need to be walked home!"

"It's not safe for a girl to be walking alone at night." Sendoh replied calmly, resuming his steps.

Sumire was now officially annoyed. She didn't know what annoyed her more. His stubbornness, or the fact that he had beaten her silly in their game earlier. In a way, she had actually enjoyed being able to play against such a remarkable player, and she acknowledged his ability. But… argh! He's just so… so…

Cute?

Ergh… what am I thinking!? She stuck her tongue out in disgust and embarrassment at the sudden random thought that popped out from absolute nowhere. And she knew she had to escape Sendoh's presence. Somehow. And without seeing further, her foot stepped off the sidewalk onto the asphalt, and she was about to run off when…

Sendoh's hand grabbed onto her arm and pulled her back with full force. She slammed right onto his embrace… just as a big truck zoomed past by where she had been walking towards.

"Why don't you watch where you're going, you lunatic!" the truck driver stuck his head out and yelled angrily.

"Tsk…" Sendoh just shook his head in ridicule, and without realizing it, both his arms coiled tighter around her.

Yes, she was shocked into silence. Doki… doki… doki… Her heart was beating fast. And it was then that she suddenly realized that she could hear Sendoh's heartbeat also, beating softly beneath his broad torso where she was pressing against right now. And with that, she pushed herself away and broke free from his grip.

"Aa… sumimasen…" Sendoh scratched his head sheepishly when he realized how long he had been holding her. Then he smiled calmly. "I told you it was dangerous," he said as he slipped both his hands into his trouser's pocket. "Are you always that careless?"

Okay. I get it. You're a wise guy, and you saved my life. Okay okay! I get it! "Thank you…" she forced out the words out with a trembling voice, unable to look at him in the eye.

"Now will you let me walk you home?"

She didn't reply to his question, but then the next thing she knew was that she found herself walking side by side with Sendoh across the street. She didn't even realize how long they walked together, with no words exchanged after what happened. They just walked silently. Until…

…she was home.

Sendoh stopped his steps as she stopped, and he looked up at the house they were standing in front of. His eyes widened in shock when he caught the name plated in front of the stone wall.

Rukawa.

Nandato!?

"I guess this is where I get off." Sumire said softly as her hands opened the front gate soundlessly. "Thank you, Sendoh-san." She said again as she proceeded into the gate interior.

"Aa… chotto…" Sendoh held the gate open as she was about to close it. "May I just know… uh… you and Rukawa…"

Sumire was hesitant for a moment. And her eyes looked like she was debating with herself whether she should dignify his question with an answer.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interfere… in your…" Sendoh suddenly said as he released his grip. "Well then. Ja ne." he said as he stepped backwards and turned away.

"Otouto." Her voice suddenly spoke. "Kaede wa… atashi no otouto da."

Startled by her answer, he stopped and turned around. For a second he didn't know how to react. And suddenly, he bursts out laughing. He didn't even know what possessed him to suddenly just… laugh. Maybe it was the mind-boggling fact that this girl and Rukawa Kaede are actually… siblings…

…or maybe he was just relieved by the fact that she wasn't involved with Rukawa Kaede in that way.

"What's so funny?" Sumire asked indignantly, both her hands clasped at her waist as she watched Sendoh laugh uncontrollably in front of her. How rude.

"Ah… hahaha… iie… betsuni!" Sendoh tried his best to stop his laughter. He coughed as he felt himself choke with laughter. "Ahahaha… nee, Sumire-san. Maybe we can have another game sometime?"

"Don't count on it." She replied as she slammed the gate shut, and without further words, walked into the house.

Sendoh was still standing there for quite sometime after she has disappeared behind the door. Well, this should make for a very interesting start… And with the smile still on his face, he turned away and brought his steps home.

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(to be continued)