Author: I own the characters that are NOT from Slam Dunk…. If they are from Slam Dunk, they are property of Inoue Takehiko. Please don't sue me… Also, a foreword, I tend to be long winded when writing my fics, so at least you get the overall picture, as well as the locations/background, and worth your dollar on Internet charges! LOL Please do email/review me, and I can update the previous chapters. Thanks!

Words in italics or between slashes are thoughts, words within ^^ are actions, unless otherwise stated, words in brackets are locations usually before each section.

(=^_^=)  Chapter 7 – Other side of the road  (=^_^=)

(Uozumi's home, in his room)

/What just happened? / Thought Uozumi. /Don't tell me… Damn you Ikegami!!!!!/

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Author's notes:

Now, you may be wondering where does Ikegami come in… Well, for starters, again, ever since Jun and Yumi's conversation at Dinny's, a lot of things had happened. Yumi was getting better at her cooking classes, and would often bring nutritious snacks for Uozumi, much to the jealous teasing of the Ryonan High Basketball Club members.

Also, when Yumi was sick, Uozumi would drop by after school to coach her on what she had missed, and the same would apply when Uozumi got sick. Yumi began to feel for Uozumi, for she thought him to be such a kind-hearted guy, not unruly at all, except when in basketball. Her heart went out to him, for when his stamina wasn't enough, the other basketball guys would taunt Uozumi. For being nothing, except, being tall. She didn't dare talk back against the basketball coach, but Yumi sure gave those who taunted Uozumi a piece of her mind after practice, much to the surprise of the guys as well as Uozumi. Yumi scolded them with much passion as she could muster, and even hit them on the head for it, leaving the guys with bumps the size of golf balls, before grabbing Uozumi by hand and dragging the tall guy from the compound. That was one of the incidents that made Uozumi realize that their friendship was different, compared to 'friendships' he had had before.

Ikegami Ryoji was Uozumi's best friend, and classmate. (L.I.D.[author]: Please correct me if I'm wrong if they are classmates or not…) And he knew Uozumi better than anyone else. Even though Uozumi didn't admit it, from the spectator's point of view, he could tell that his best friend was slowly, but surely, falling for his 1.54m class partner, Yumi. And Ikegami Ryoji told Uozumi just that, with much protestation and denial of the giant.

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However there were some things, some information that was not shared between the Uozumi and Kuna, as yet, for it was only into the first year of their friendship. Unknown to all of her peers, Yumi would cook for Akagi Takenori also, during their dates on Sundays.

Speaking of Akagi, the friendship between Akagi and Yumi deepened, for after meeting, Akagi found Yumi to be an interesting and caring girl, despite her looks. Yumi, on the other hand, found Akagi to be a responsible and unprejudiced guy. Yumi continued emailing or calling Akagi daily, and vice versa, but their meetings, or more technically dates, as they were not going totally steady, but just dating, were strictly during Sundays, for they both were serious about their studies. It didn't help that Yumi was from Ryonan High, and Akagi was from Shohoku High, even though they were form the same prefecture.

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-Ring! Ring! Ring!

"Moshi moshi, Akagi Residence!" answered a cheerful voice.

"Moshi moshi! Haruko-chan desu ka? Watashi wa Yumi-chan desu! Is your oniichan (brother) in?"

"Hai! Just wait a moment, and I'll put you through!"

"Arigato!"

By this time, Yumi had met Akagi's family, and they all knew who she was, and much of the teasing fell onto Akagi Takenori's head.

"Moshi moshi…" answered a deep voice.

"Konnbawa, Nori-kun! Genki desu ka?"

"Aa. Genki. I miss you, you know…"

"Hai, so do I…" blushed Yumi.

"What are you doing now? How was your day?"

"Just my homework… it's sickening stuff, homework, you know…also, one of my closest friends had his birthday today, so I celebrated with him…"

"Ha ha ha… Don't all students know…Glad you made someone's day…" Teased Akagi.

"Ano, Nori-kun, I don't think we can go out this Sunday…"

"Why?!?" asked Akagi worriedly.

"Well, I sprained my ankle…"

"How…? Wha… What happened?"

"I tripped, and fell on the way to the bus stop… Yeah, you can tease me now…" laughed Yumi.

"Want me to take care of you on Sunday? Have you seen a doctor yet?" asked Akagi, his voice full of concern.

"Hai. I'd like that. My friend, Uozumi, is bringing me tomorrow. Bring your books too, won't you?" Smiled Yumi.

"Aa. So I'll come over in the morning, all right? You go and study now."

"Hai. Will miss you until Sunday."

"Me too. Oyasumi."

"Oyasumi!"

-Click

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(Uozumi's home, in his room)

/Masaka… I can't… I couldn't be… Could I? / Thought Uozumi, shaking his head.

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(=^_^=) Meow!