It was a warm Wednesday afternoon when Team Ryonan began to practice for their match versus Takezato. Though Uozumi knew that Ryonan could easily take down Takezato without him or Sendoh on the court, he had to prepare for any eventual surprises. After all, Takezato might make a miracle happen…like what happened to Shohoku.
He had watched the game a few days ago, and he was VERY impressed with the improvement of Shohoku. And to think that we had beaten them before… He frowned. You're very good, Akagi. You managed to whip Sakuragi into shape in time for the game…but my team will do better. And I will show you my worth, Akagi.
Suddenly, Hikoichi came running up to him, his eyes dancing with delight. "Uozumi-sempai, there's someone who wants to speak with you."
"Hmmm? Who are they, Hikoichi?" Uozumi asked.
The first-year faltered a little, then replied, "Ah, I…I really don't know, Uozumi-sempai. The leader said she wouldn't give her name until YOU came to talk to her. And two of them are looking for Sendoh-sempai and Koshino-sempai."
She?! Uozumi glared down at Hikoichi, who quailed a little beneath his fierce gaze. "Did you say that these people are GIRLS?"
Hikoichi nodded. "H-hai."
Uozumi looked away from the first-year, and looked down the court. He noticed that the door was open, and silhouetted in the sun's glare were six girls. He was about to go up to them, but stopped when he saw Sendoh and Koshino approach them. He raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Do they know each other?
* * *
CJ watched with a growing smile as Koshino and Sendoh left their game to talk to them. She waved her hand. "Hey Koshino, Sendoh. What's going on with you guys?"
"Konnichiwa, CJ-san," Koshino said cheerfully as he walked up to her. We're training for our next game."
"Oh? Whom will you be playing against?"
"Takezato High?"
"Really? Good luck then…though I doubt you'll need it."
Koshino laughed. "I'd rather have that luck, CJ-san."
CJ nodded, and smiled at the teen standing in front of her. He may be very serious, but he's got his light side too. Like someone I know… Her mind floated to a couple of days back, remembering…
~ ~ ~
CJ snickered as she watched Aleine leave, a stunned group of boys watching in her wake. She recognized them as the boys she saw when she went to get the drinks the others asked her to buy. With a smile, she walked up to them, her smile wide. "Sorry 'bout that. Aleine has a tendency to just leave other people behind. By the way, I'm Crisel Joy Carter, but y'all can just call me CJ. I'm Aleine's friend."
A tall boy with dark eyes, short black hair and an innocent face smiled at her, and said, "A pleasure to meet you, CJ-san. I'm Jin Soichiro of Team Kainan."
"Kainan eh?" CJ asked with a small grin. "And I'll be suspecting that you're basketball players too."
Jin nodded. "Hai." With that, he proceeded to introduce her to the rest of the team members.
One of them, Shinichi Maki, asked a question about Aleine. "Is she always like that?"
CJ laughed. "Yup. We sometimes call her the Ice Queen, but never say that in her face. She may be cold on the outside, but she's got a temper that can blow up Japan if the right buttons are pushed."
Kiyota Nobunaga laughed heartily. "At least YOU'RE not like her, ne, CJ-san?"
CJ smiled at the rather brash Kainan player, charmed by his forwardness and casual attitude. "Maybe, Kiyota. Maybe."
~ ~ ~
"Yo, CJ!"
CJ snapped back to reality, when Jesse's voice ran through her ears. "Wha?"
Jesse smiled down at her. "Daydreaming again, eh? D'you want to stay on the bench for a while and let us handle it?"
"Are you kidding?! I wanna play!" CJ exclaimed.
Jesse nodded. "Okay, it's settled. Mel, I'll keep you on the bench for the first half and let Erin play, but I want you to do something for me. I want you to watch Sendoh carefully; watch how he plays, see how he moves. While you're at it, try to think of a strategy, then I'll let you in on the second half. Deal?"
Melina nodded. "Fine by me."
"Good. Now, here's what we should do. I'll take Uozumi, since he's obviously the center. Erin, take Sendoh for the meantime. CJ, Koshino's yours. Ciel, the other guy's yours. And Aleine, take Ikegami. Our strategy is the same as what we used to deal with Shohoku: go easy in the first half, then get them in the last half," Jesse explained.
CJ grinned. "Cool by me. Now, let's show these boys what we're all about!"
* * *
Melina grinned as her friends came back at the end of the first half. "You guys unraveled them yet?"
CJ smiled at her, and nodded. "Pretty much. I already got my strategy in mind."
Jesse turned to her then. "Mel, I want you to play now. I think you're just what we need to knock Ryonan down."
Mel casually raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Why?"
Erin smirked. "Cause Sendoh's been staring at you since this game began."
"What's that got to do with anything?"
"Simple. If you play, you'll be able to incapacitate him with your charm."
Mel blushed. "Oh come on, is he really that taken by me?"
Ciel smiled. "It seems so. If we take out Sendoh, then we cripple Ryonan. Of course, your skills would help a lot too. Even if Sendoh has a crush on you, he can still play pretty well."
Mel sighed. "Fine, fine, I'll play." She stood up, and went through a few stretching exercises to loosen her bones. She had warmed up a few moments ago, so all she had to do was wake her muscles up.
* * *
"Sendoh, WHAT is the matter with you?!" Uozumi demanded of the spiky-haired teen.
Sendoh winced as Uozumi's voice rang in his ears. "What do you mean, Uozumi-sempai?"
The reputed "King Kong" of Ryonan glared at him. "You know what I mean Sendoh! You'd better get your mind off that girl and shape up! Do you know how embarrassing this will be if the other schools find out we were beaten by girls?!"
Beside him, Koshino snickered, and Sendoh shot his friend a death glare. But he got his just desserts when Uozumi loomed over him. "And you had better shape up, Koshino! Now is not the time to ogle at girls with long brown hair and teasing smiles!"
Now was Sendoh's turn to laugh at Koshino's expense. Hah! Serves him right for laughing at me!
"Hey, you guys ready?"
Sendoh looked up, and his eyes widened. The girls had changed players, and instead of Erin, Melina was the one who was going to play. She was grinning at him, twirling the ball on the tip of her finger as she did so.
Sendoh didn't notice a silly grin creep on his face as he stared at her. Her shoulder-length hair was tied in twin pigtails, and though they were tied the tresses still glowed with a reddish hue. She was wearing a sassy black tank top with a red tongue of fire printed on the middle, and black shorts. Matching all this up was a pair of Nike Shox sneakers. She looks great…
Someone whacked him upside on the head, and when he turned to look, he noticed Koshino walking past him with a growing smile on his face. "C'mon Sendoh. We've got a game to play."
* * *
Hikoichi watched the ongoing game with awe in his eyes. This is so amazing! I've never seen girls play like this before!
He had never expected that these girls would be able to hold their own the way they had against his sempais. During the first half, the girls lagged behind by fifteen points, but now, the scores were tied up, thanks to the five successive three-point shots made by the silver-haired girl. And now, with the ball in their possession, they had to make another shot to gain the lead.
The one holding the ball was a girl with short auburn hair and dark brown eyes. Match this with a model-esque body, and she had to be one of the most alluring girls Hikoichi had laid his eyes on.
But putting all beauty aside, Hikoichi thought, she is awfully good if she can take on Sendoh-sempai.
There weren't a lot of people he knew who could take on Sendoh Akira. His sempai was very good, and going up against him meant going against one of Kanagawa's best. But the auburn-haired girl seemed to be holding her own, and was actually doing a good job at it.
He watched as the girl dribbled the ball while standing in front of Sendoh, the latter watching her warily.
Suddenly, the girl jumped, and looked ready to shoot. Hikoichi's jaw dropped. She's too far from the basket to be able to shoot! Can she make it?
Realizing that she would shoot, Sendoh jumped along with her, hoping to block her shot, no matter how impossible a shot it seemed.
Hikoichi watched with awe as the girl rose up in the air, her arms raised over her head. But suddenly, the girl's arms went down, and she PASSED the ball to the black-haired girl, who ran to the basket and dunked it.
The girls cheered as their score went up by two. She and the black-haired girl exchanged a high-five as they ran to the opposite end to play defense.
How did she do that?! Hikoichi wondered in amazement as he gazed with awe at Sendoh's female rival. How come Sendoh-sempai wasn't able to read her moves?!
He watched on a little more, and realized something startling. Wait a minute. How come Sendoh-sempai seems to be STARING at her more than usual? And it's not because he's trying to see a weak spot in her defense, but because of something else… He grinned wickedly. Hah! Beware Sendoh-sempai! I have finally found your weakness!
* * *
Melina wiped the sweat off he forehead, and let out a tired sigh. Well, at least that's done. Their group had won, 39-30, but the gap would have been larger had Ikegami not managed to score those last three 3-pointers.
Sendoh smiled at her. "Are you alright?" He reached out, and pushed back a loose strand of hair from her cheek.
Warning bells went off in Melina's head at the contact. Almost instantly, her blood ran cold in her veins, and her head jerked away from his fingers on reflex.
Almost instantly, her face flushed a brilliant crimson, and she tried to avoid Sendoh's inquiring eyes. "Daijobou ka, Melina-san?"
Melina swallowed hard. Pull yourself together girl! Now is NOT the time for this! "Y-yeah, I'm fine."
She was glad when Erin came jogging up to her. "Hey Mel, great game!" She paused, eyeing her critically. "You okay, Mel? You're red all over."
Melina smiled weakly at her friend. "Actually, no, I'm not really okay. I-I feel a little hot. I think I've come down with a flu or something. I'll go home now, okay, Sendoh, Erin?"
Erin nodded, but was a bit concerned, while Sendoh didn't say anything. But Melina didn't give a damn. She walked towards her car, and drove back to the mansion. She walked for what seemed like hours to her room, and felt immense relief wash over her like a tidal wave when she saw the door. She entered her room, quietly closing the door behind her. And she lay down on her bed, and sobbed.
* * *
Sendoh stared at the spot where Melina had been standing, shock clearly imprinted on his face. Nani? He turned to Erin, and watched as the girl shook her head.
Erin sighed. "I'm sorry Sendoh. Mel's been acting a little weird lately."
"Does she always act like that?" Sendoh asked quietly.
"Like what?"
"Does she flinch whenever someone touches her?"
Erin blinked in surprise. "Huh? No. Why do you ask?"
Sendoh grinned then, covering up her initial question. "Oh, it was nothing. Just curious."
Erin looked at him skeptically, but she only shook her head. "Whatever. Great game, by the way. You guys were more of a challenge than Shohoku."
Almost instantly, Sendoh's eyebrow, as well as that of every Ryonan player in hearing range, went into orbit. "What do you mean, Erin-san?"
The sixteen-year-old in front of him smirked. "Are you really that thick-headed. We played Shohoku, and beat them. Of course, that was before the game against Shoyo, and they've radically improved since then. But you're quite good, either way."
"By how many points did you win?!" Hikoichi demanded eagerly.
Erin grinned slightly. "Sorry, no can tell. That's private already. Isn't it good enough for you to know that WE won?"
That seriously deflated Hikoichi, but made the other Ryonan players laugh. "You won't get any information from THESE girls, Hikoichi-kun!" Koshino yelled.
The girls laughed at this, and one of them – Jesse if Sendoh remembered correctly – said, "Don't worry, Hikoichi! You'll be the first to know the result of our game with Shoyo and Kainan!"
That got everyone's attention. Uozumi looked at Jesse with a stunned expression. "Nani?! Do you intend to challenge EVERY school in Kanagawa?!"
"Uh, not really EVERY school…just the ones we've got connections to," Jesse replied with a sweatdrop.
CJ spoke up then. "And what's so wrong with that, huh? Last time I checked, Japan was a free country."
"Hmph, they're just afraid of getting their pride hurt," Aleine said with a smirk. "All men have egos, CJ. It's a well-known fact. They've got to act all macho to prove their worth." She sighed, and turned around. "Anyway, I got to go. Ciao people." With that, she left the gym.
Sendoh sighed, and shook his head. Melina had told him that although Aleine may have had the most disagreeable temper of all six of them, she was a nice girl deep down.
Nice girl… At that thought, Sendoh smiled, his thoughts flitting to Melina. Aside from being very pretty, she was quite intelligent and nice to boot. Most of the girls he knew of liked him only for his hard court skills, and because of he fact that he was a bit handsome. But Melina was different. She seemed to appreciate him for who he really was. She liked Sendoh the Person, not Sendoh the Star Player of Ryonan.
Suddenly, Erin exclaimed, "Whoa, look at the time! Sorry boys, but we really gotta go now!"
"When will we see you again?" Koshino asked, though his gaze was focused on CJ.
CJ shrugged, and grinned. "Whenever, whatever. We'll probably be around for quite sometime, so chances are good we'll be meeting again."
Koshino smiled. "I'll be looking for you."
* * *
Jesse giggled as she and CJ walked into the house. "Wow CJ, looks like you've got an admirer!"
CJ blinked curiously. "Eh? Who?"
Jesse shook her head at her friend's clueless behavior. "You mean to tell me you don't know? Does the name 'Koshino Hiroaki' ring a bell?"
CJ blinked back at her. "What about him?"
Jesse sighed. She's clueless most of the time, but honestly, this is ridiculous! "Nothing, CJ. Just thinking out loud."
"I wonder what could be wrong with Melina," Ciel murmured, almost to herself.
Erin shrugged her shoulders. "She'll be alright. Maybe she caught one of those 24-hour bugs. She'll be okay by tomorrow."
Jesse nodded in agreement, though part of her didn't agree with what Erin said. Something's wrong with Mel, and it ain't no ordinary flu.
* * *
Melina jerked up from bed with a gasp. What the… She looked around, and realized, to her infinite relief, that she was still in her darkened room, alone, in her own bed in their flat. She shook her head. A dream, it was just a dream…
Someone knocked on her door, and she gasped. "Who is it?"
"Mel, it's me, Ciel. Can I come in?"
"Yeah, sure." Melina sat up in bed, and watched as Ciel walked in, padding across the carpet in her bedroom slippers, her form casting shadows in the moonlight.
Ciel sat down beside her on the bed, her purple eyes glinting in the moon's glow. "Mel, are you okay? I heard you screaming from my room."
Melina sighed, and waved her hand. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a really bad nightmare, that's all?"
"You mean the one with the dolls again?"
"Yeah, that's the one," Melina answered with a laugh, though she only laughed to mask the fact that she was lying. I hate lying to other people, especially to Ciel, but I don't want her to find out about this, not yet, at least. Out of the six of them, Ciel was the most maternal, having a tendency to worry more about others than about herself. Aside from that, she was great with kids.
Ciel laughed with her, and patted her leg. "Jeez Mel, I thought you outgrew that already!"
"Old fears die hard, Ciel," Melina muttered as she whacked Ciel with her pillow, but she dodged it.
"It's good to see you're okay, Mel. Good night," Ciel said with a smile, and she left, melting into the night.
Melina hugged her pillow, and turned over on her side, swallowing against the lump in her throat. The night wouldn't be good to her; it never had been after the "incident". She squeezed her eyes shut, a few tears leaking out. Why did I have to suffer like this?!