Author: Crystal Arie
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Hanamichi Sakuragi and Kaede Rukawa
Disclaimers: I don't own Slam Dunk. It belongs to Takehiko Inoue. I am merely borrowing it. And please don't get mad at me if ever you do not approve of YAOI pairings and such. I am just a beginner so don't be too hard on me, 'kay? ^_^ Thanks!
CHAPTER THREE
Yohei eyed his best friend with suspicion. Hanamichi, who usually ate his ramen in 3 seconds flat, was staring at it as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world. It was nerve racking. Plus the fact that he was so quiet.
Yohei sighed and sipped his coffee. "Okay, Hanamichi, shoot."
Hanamichi started, as if Yohei just appeared out of thin air next to him, but he covered this up by asking with a strained grin, "Wh-what are you talking abou-"
"Something's been bugging you, Hanamichi, and as your best friend, you can tell me." Yohei interrupted silently, setting his cup down.
"Nothing's wrong, Yohei. Really, I'm fine."
"Oh? Then why haven't you touched your ramen for the last 15 minutes?"
"I-I was going to!" With that, Hanamichi grabbed a huge pile of noodles with his chopsticks and was about to shove it all in his mouth when a CERTAIN face passed before his eyes. He paused momentarily and stared, feeling his face redden at the smile on the raven-haired boys' face. He sighed and set his chopsticks down. Silently, he inquired, "Ne, Yohei?"
"Hmmm?"
"I-ummm...this is...kind of embarrassing to ask...demo...ano..." Hanamichi blushed.
Yohei waited patiently, watching Hanamichi.
Hanamichi took a deep breath and blurted out, "I think about Rukawa a lot." He shuddered and forced himself to continue. "And whenever I think about him, he's always..." He blushed at the memory. "Smiling...and I'm starting to find him really...attractive."
Yohei raised his eyebrows at that and asked carefully, "When did this start, Hanamichi?" He was shocked at Hanamichi's confession, and didn't know what else to ask.
Hanamichi pushed his ramen away and bowed his head. "Three days ago, around 6:10, I think."
Yohei nodded. "And...do you like him, Hanamichi?"
Hanamichi's head snapped up as he gasped out, "WHAT?! NO WAY! I HATE HIM! Well, DESPISE HIM! Ummm...well, not really...I HATE HIM! ADMIRE him, but HATE him! Well, a little on HATE and ADMIRE! HATE is greater than ADMIRE, or is it the other way around...? ARGH! HATE! NO! ADMIRE! NOT LIKE! It's-" He stopped his rambling, stared at his hands helplessly, and groaned, laying his head down again. "I-I dunno."
Yohei smiled gently as he nodded. He knew his best friend well enough. Over the 50 break-ups that he has had, he watched his friend stutter like a fool and go down on his knees and beg, but whenever he asked that question, Hanamichi would always give a definite answer. Either a yes or a no.
But now...
He patted his friends back encouragingly, a plan formulating in his head. "Ne, they're coming back tomorrow, right?"
"Aa..." came the muffled reply.
"Then why don't you test yourself to see if you like him or not?"
Hanamichi lifted his head slightly. "How?"
Yohei chuckled. This was getting interesting. "Well, talk to him like you usually do. If you turn away blushing like mad or stare at him, then you like him, BUT, if you act like your usual self, then you don't like him. It's as simple as that. Okay?"
Hanamichi looked at his best friend. "Will you and the gundan be there?"
"Of course! We promised to help you reach 20,000 shots, and you only have 1000 to go! We won't abandon you!"
Hanamichi smiled brightly. "Thanks man!" He saw his ramen in front of him and began shoving it in his mouth enthusiastically. "Mmmm...omai!"
Yohei smiled, then sighed quietly. Hanamichi and Rukawa...a strange but- He glanced at Hanamichi and admitted -good pair.
TBC