Chapter X: " Retaliation"

" Sho-ho-ku! Sho-ho-ku!"

The locker room was full of cheers and applause as Takenori Akagi strode in. He smiled inwardly. They're all full of team spirit, he realized. Shohoku may actually have a chance of winning the finals.

He greeted Kogure, who was settled on a bench, tying his shoelaces. Kogure smiled. " Akagi," he began, " We may actually follow through with our dream this year."

" Aa," Akagi grunted, sitting down beside Kogure. " This team looks promising." He scanned the room. Yasuda was cowering in fear as Sakuragi taunted him, Miyagi looking on and laughing. Mitsui was seated with the others, still dressing up, or tying their shoelaces. Rukawa wasn't here yet, though. Akagi nodded again absently. " This will be a good year."

" We have Miyagi, one of the fastest point guards in this prefecture," observed Kogure. " And we also have Mi-chan." He glanced almost fondly at the blue-eyed, former MVP who sat at the opposite side of the bench. "With luck, his great skill in three-point shot has not diminished." After two whole years of gangfights, Mitsui had finally returned to basketball. He had also promised Anzai-sensei he wouldn't fight anymore.ever. Akagi only hoped that Mitsui would follow through with that.

" This is our last chance, Akagi," Kogure said, standing up. " Our last chance."

Last chance.Akagi stood up along with Kogure. He's right.we're seniors now. Our last chance.our last shining moment.

Dressing up quickly, he walked over to Kogure, who was waiting for him by the door. Something caught Akagi's eye, though.

He stopped walking, and turned his head to the left. There was something moving.in Rukawa's locker.

Akagi frowned, and in one sweep, had walked over to the locker, and flung it open. Inside sat a.girl. Chewing on one of Rukawa's shoes. She turned, and once she saw Akagi looming over her, stopped gnawing on the shoe. Akagi recognized her as one of Haruko's friends.

His brow furrowed. " What are you doing in here?"

" None of your business." The girl snapped back. She was still clutching the shoe.

Akagi frowned even more. " Get out." He grabbed her by the scruff of her uniform and dragged her out, much to the surprise of Kogure and the other members of the basketball team. No one could blame them, actually; it wasn't everyday one found a girl hiding in his locker.

" Fangirls don't belong in locker rooms," Akagi admonished her as he threw her out of the room. "Ask Rukawa for a shoe. I'm sure he'd be happy to give you one."

The last thing Akagi heard before he shut the door was " I'm not a fangirl!!" He ignored that, though, and turned back to face Kogure, who was looking dazed.

" Crazy girls," Akagi muttered to his teammate. " They'd do anything for a souvenir."

" I.think I know that girl," Kogure said, frowning. " She's a freshman, isn't she?"

" One of Haruko's friends," Akagi shook his head. " I have to talk to her someday about her choice of company."

"." Kogure just nodded solemnly.

Rukawa burst into the room, school bag slung over one shoulder. Obviously he had decided to go in late today.

Akagi looked pointedly at Rukawa. " There was a girl in your locker."

Rukawa nodded as if having girls in lockers was an everyday occurrence. Opening his locker, he began to take out his practice clothes to change.

Akagi turned to the other basketball club members. " Miyagi, bring the balls to the court," he thundered. " Yasuda, get--"

His last order was interrupted by a fit of laughter. From Sakuragi. Akagi frowned, and turned to the red-headed player. " Idiot!"

Sakuragi was doubled over in laughter. " L-look at R-Rukawa." he pointed a finger at the incriminating person, and resumed his laughing once more.

All eyes shifted to Rukawa, and no more than a few seconds passed before everyone else except Akagi and Kogure were doubled over in laughter. Rukawa was wearing his usual blue shirt to practice. However, his usual blue shirt now had holes on it, as if it had been gnawed by a rat. Or.by a girl.

Akagi cleared his throat. No one took notice, except for Rukawa, who was just deadpan. As usual.

Akagi frowned. " EVERYONE OUT! NOW!"

The room was cleared in less than two seconds, Kogure ushering everyone out. The only people left were Sakuragi, Miyagi, Rukawa and Akagi. Akagi eyed Rukawa. " You have an extra shirt?"

Rukawa shook his head. " No."

" Then I'm afraid you'll have to wear that to practice." Akagi waved his hand dismissively. " Now, out."

Akagi spun on his heel and turned to leave. He could hear Sakuragi and Miyagi snickering behind his back, though. Most probably at Rukawa. Akagi sighed inwardly.

Turning around, he hit both on the head. Hard. " Idiots."

Now he could hear Rukawa snickering behind their backs. Akagi shook his head.

This team has a long way to go.

~*~

Raiyuu, Mizuyuki and Ruona fell silent as they exited the school grounds. There was nothing much to talk about, now; Mizuyuki still hadn't told them what she had done to Rukawa's shirt. She snickered at the thought of it. Wonder how he liked it.

Raiyuu, in the meantime, was thinking about Ryota Miyagi. Haven't seen him around yet.she shifted her bag to her other shoulder. He did say he was a sophomore, right? What's his section anyways?

Ruona was thinking about her homework. There's a test in English the next week. I have to start studying in order to gain a perfect score. She sighed as she calculated possible options in her mind. Which means either few hours off training or off sleep.

Mizuyuki broke the silence. " So," she began, then stopped. Wonder if they're laughing at Rukawa's shirt right now.

Raiyuu cleared her throat. " So.?" Oniichan thinks I have a crush on Miyagi. Raiyuu's face reddened at the thought. What in the hell gave him that idea?!

Ruona cocked her head. Why is Raiyuu turning red?

Mizuyuki made another attempt at conversation. " School was okay." Especially when Rukawa's chair tipped over during the foreign affairs lecture. Mizuyuki smiled wickedly. With help from yours truly. He deserves that for sleeping all the time.

"Yup," Raiyuu nodded. " Cool." I like Miyagi's ear stud. It kills. Wonder where he bought it.?

Why is Mizuyuki smiling like that.? Ruona wondered. Weird.

Mizuyuki had now run out of words to say. " Um," she began. Rukawa sucks. Does he ever comb his hair?

" Um." Raiyuu was practically parroting Mizuyuki. Miyagi's short for a basketball player, but Oniichan says he's good. Wonder if he lives up to his reputation.Raiyuu stopped short. Wait a minute. Why am I thinking about him?!

Mizuyuki had also stopped walking. My hair looks a lot better than Rukawa's, she scoffed to herself.

Raiyuu frowned thoughtfully, staring off into space. When I stand next to Miyagi-sempai, he's only about an inch or so taller than me. she smiled slowly. Cool!

" What's that supposed to mean?" Mizuyuki asked Raiyuu out of the blue, startling Ruona.

" Huh? What?" Raiyuu looked surprised.

Mizuyuki shook her head quickly. " Never mind."

Shrugging, the two resumed their thinking. Ruona facefaulted, staring at both of them, aghast. What the.?

Rukawa's annoying. Sometimes I want to smack him with a frying pan. Mizuyuki's brow creased ever so slightly. Why am I thinking about frying pans?

I'm hungry. Raiyuu wistfully thought. A frying pan would be useful just about now.

Ruona's gaze shifted from Mizuyuki, then to Raiyuu. I don't get them, she concluded.

Hanamichi Sakuragi looks familiar. Mizuyuki frowned thoughtfully. He looks like someone in this TV program. That Mitsui guy reminds me of someone. Raiyuu shook her head. He looked like this guy.what was his name again? She squinted thoughtfully. Karasu? Raiyuu smiled after a while. Nah, must have been my imagination.

Ruona didn't like her friends' unusual silence. She was usually the silent one, but this was uncanny. Mizuyuki and Raiyuu were never quiet. Ruona backed away a few steps. What did they have for lunch?

Raiyuu frowned. Say, what's up with Ruona? I'd swear she's backing away from us.

Mizuyuki raised her eyebrows. Ruona looks like she's just seen a bike. Her face brightened up. Hey, that rhymes! Mizuyuki frowned once more, though. But that doesn't make sense.

Ruona would cower in fear if she showed feelings, but she didn't. Instead, she stood her ground. Why are they looking at me like that?

Just as she was about to question her friends' sanity, a shadow loomed over them.

" Hello, friends."

All three turned in unison to see Ishikawa leaning over a wall, smiling gleefully at them. She looked as if she were enjoying the little scene.

~*~

" Ishikawa!"

" Kaede!"

Raiyuu and Mizuyuki turned to Ishikawa, surprised. Ruona had no reaction whatsoever.

Ishikawa just grinned at them once more, then jumped off from the opposite side of the wall. "Anyone miss me?"

Raiyuu scoffed. " Not really." A wicked gleam in her eye, she blocked the kick Ishikawa delivered to her.

" Where have you been anyway?" Mizuyuki asked Ishikawa. " You missed something like." she counted on her fingers. " .three days of school."

" Skipping class." Ruona murmured under her breath. " Just like junior high."

Ishikawa looked at Ruona. " Hey, hey!" she said defensively. " I didn't skip class! Don't think I've gone AWOL on you all or anything." She crossed her arms. " I'm not like that." she thought for a while. " Anymore."

Raiyuu raised an eyebrow at Ishikawa. " Then, pray tell, do say why you were absent."

" I had an excuse," Ishikawa said smoothly. " It's called fractured wrist." Lifting her hand, Ishikawa showed off a bandaged wrist.

" That's why you were absent?" Mizuyuki asked.

Ishikawa was silent for a moment. Then.

" Actually, no."

Raiyuu and Mizuyuki facefaulted. Ruona sweatdropped.

Ishikawa grinned. " Putting a cast on the wrist took one day. I just didn't feel like going to school all the other days."

" How'd you get past your parents?" Mizuyuki questioned.

" I said I didn't feel well. They believed me." Ishikawa shrugged it off nonchalantly. Humming a song to herself, she leant against the wall.

" Then you lied." Raiyuu pointed out.

" No." Ishikawa stared at the ground. " I really didn't feel well. Do you know how much it hurts when your wrist swells, especially under a cast?" she clucked. " Lemme tell you, it really hurts. Especially if you don't have painkiller around."

" Oh." Raiyuu raised an eyebrow. " Well, then."

" And," Ishikawa added sharply. " I had to do some thinking. About that." --She straightened up and faced her three friends-".Mitsui."

Raiyuu, Mizuyuki and Ruona nodded. They had all heard what had happened between Mitsui and Ishikawa. And they all knew Ishikawa wasn't exactly that happy about him.

" At first," Ishikawa continued. " I had these crazed thoughts. I thought of many ways I could get back at him. There was, well, throw rotten eggs at his house. But I thought, 'that's so juvenile!' so I thought more. And as day by day passed by, my thoughts grew worse. Steaming him upside down under boiling water. Roasting him to death. Short-sheeting his bed. Skinning him alive." Ishikawa's lips curved into a sardonic grin. " These were all very good ideas. Very good ideas."

Raiyuu and Mizuyuki exchanged a look, then edged closer together, farther from Ishikawa.

" What's up with her?" Raiyuu.

" She's scaring me." Mizuyuki.

" Don't leave me out!"

Raiyuu and Mizuyuki jumped. " Ruona!" Mizuyuki scolded. " Don't scare us like that!"

" But she's freaking me out!" Ruona hissed.

Raiyuu smirked. " Even the ice queen is affected by the psycho."

Ruona glared at Raiyuu. " Shuttup."

" You GUYS!" Ishikawa burst into their little circle. " Listen to me!" she exclaimed dramatically.

Mizuyuki, Raiyuu and Ruona turned their heads stiffly towards her. " Aa."

Raiyuu brushed Ishikawa's hand off her shoulder. " Don't touch me."

Ishikawa gave Raiyuu a puzzled look, but went on with what she was saying. " Anyway, as I was saying.I liked all these ideas. I thought, no, I knew they would work." Ishikawa had a devious grin on her face. " But, I realized something." her grin faded away.

" That you needed to see a psychologist?" Raiyuu snickered. " Because we all realized that a long time ago."

Ishikawa covered Raiyuu's mouth shut. " Y'know, Sagara, you have this thing for ruining moments." She said in her normal tone of voice. Raiyuu was unavailable for a comment.

" Anyway," Ishikawa continued, her macabre tone on again, " I realized that..." she paused dramatically. " Those were all really stupid ideas."

Mizuyuki heaved a sigh of relief. " So you mean you weren't serious about everything else you said before?"

" Nope." Ishikawa shrugged. " I mean, how am I going to carry them out anyway? They're so.bookish," she finished.

" Mmph." Raiyuu agreed with Ishikawa. Ishikawa took her hand away, leaving Raiyuu free to talk once more. " There. Any comments?"

" No comment," Raiyuu muttered. " But geez, go easy on the hand pressure." She was rubbing her cheekbone.

" Wait. So, you weren't serious awhile ago?" Mizuyuki asked again. As Ishikawa shook her head no, Mizuyuki grinned. " Good! Because well, you looked awfully serious then.for a moment, I thought you were actually going to try and.I don't know, skin him alive or something!"

Ishikawa grimaced. " No, 'course not! That's a really stupid idea. No way. Not me." She began to turn away, walking in the opposite direction. Raiyuu and Mizuyuki, after looking on after their friend, heaved a sigh of relief and started walking away. Ruona followed suit.

Then Ishikawa spoke. Softly, but all three people caught what she said.

" I'm gonna kill him. But not in that way."

Raiyuu, Mizuyuki, and Ruona stopped dead in their tracks.

" WHAAAAAT?!?"

In less than one second, they were all over Ishikawa. Mizuyuki and Ruona had Ishikawa pinned to the ground while Raiyuu got out a hankerchief and started tying Ishikawa's hands together.

Ishikawa was startled. " What? Let me go!!"

" Yada." Mizuyuki shook her head solemnly.

Ishikawa frowned. " Why the hell are you doing this?!"

" Because you're dangerous, my friend," Raiyuu informed Ishikawa. Crouching down, she wagged a finger at Ishikawa. " Killing people is a crime around these parts."

Ishikawa grimaced once more. " I was joking, guys. Can't you take a joke?!"

Mizuyuki raised her eyebrows. " You were?"

Ishikawa nodded slowly.

" Let her go." Ruona let go off Ishikawa's other arm while Raiyuu untied her hands. As soon as she was free though, Ishikawa stood up and ran away at full speed. " Not!!"

A chase soon followed, and it wasn't long before Raiyuu had caught up with Ishikawa. However, as she was about to hold her down again, Ishikawa looked Raiyuu square in the eye. " Stop."

" What?' This time Raiyuu was ready with a piece of rope. She looked behind her to see Mizuyuki and Ruona running up to her already.

" Have you seen Mitsui?" Ishikawa questioned casually.

Raiyuu frowned. " And why am I supposed to tell you?"

" Cause you're my friend.?" Ishikawa tried. No such luck. She turned to Mizuyuki. " Yuu, where's Mitsui?"

Mizuyuki frowned. " I'm not sure. I think he's at the school gym?" completely caught off guard.

Raiyuu slapped her forehead. " Idiot!"

Ruona sweatdropped.

" Ha!" Ishikawa grinned triumphantly. " MITSUI, YOUR OWN DEATH AWAITS!!"

As she set off to run towards the school, Ruona spoke.surprisingly.

" Why are you so bent on killing him anyway?"

Ishikawa stopped, and turned to one of her oldest friends. " That's cause I need revenge." Now she was all serious. " He is the one who has injured me the most physically. And," now Ishikawa's eyes contained steel, " He has also injured my dignity. Badly." Not anymore as hysterical as before but all serious this time, Ishikawa flopped down on the road, regardless of anything. " I hate him."

Ruona just blinked. Raiyuu and Mizuyuki fell silent.

" But," Mizuyuki asked, " Isn't there another way you can, get back at him?" Ishikawa's head swiveled towards her. " Without any bloodshed." Mizuyuki added hastily.

" Well," Ishikawa said thoughtfully. " There's always poison."

" What Mizuyuki means," Raiyuu cut in hastily, " Is not that. I think she means something which doesn't end up with Mitsui, err, dead. Or seriously injured or anything," she added.

Ishikawa was silent for a moment. Then she spoke once more. " Well, yeah, I guess there is." she smiled weakly at all three of her friends. " Thanks for telling me that. I didn't think of it that way."

" Anytime." Raiyuu smiled back at her. Ishikawa was.different already, somehow.

HONK!!!

" Hey, get outta the way!"

" Crazy teens!! What do you think you're doing?!" Another horn sounded. Another motorist cursed at them.

Mizuyuki sweatdropped. " Before we continue this conversation," she said hastily, " Why don't we get out the middle of the road?"

" Good idea." Ishikawa said, red-faced. Standing up, she walked with them to the other side of the road. The traffic jam cleared up, and soon everything was moving smoothly again.

" Hey, gotta get going." Ishikawa said brightly. " Getting dark."

Raiyuu eyed Ishikawa suspiciously. " Ruona, bring Ishikawa home."

" Why?!" Ishikawa was exasperated.

Mizuyuki shoved Ruona towards Ishikawa. " Grateful friend or not, we still think you're a lunatic," she said, a grin forming on her face. " We don't trust you alone."

" Oh, so now I get Ruona to guard me?" Ishikawa grumbled. " Thanks a lot."

" Watch it," Ruona warned Ishikawa as they trudged away.

" Sorry."

Raiyuu shook her head as she watched the two walk away. Turning to Mizuyuki, she shrugged. "Let's get going."

~*~

Mizuyuki smiled, feeling refreshed. The other day had been tiring, with us running after Ishikawa and all, she realized. Honestly. Ishikawa acts like a psycho sometimes.

Stepping into school., she pushed the doors open.and frowned.

Waiting for her in the very front hall was no other than Kaede Rukawa. He was also scowling.

" You chewed up my jersey." He held up a blue shirt.or what was once a blue shirt. Now it had holes in it.

Mizuyuki glared at him. " You stole my shoes."

" At least I didn't chew them up." Rukawa retorted. " Unlike the rat who was in my locker yesterday."

Mizuyuki crossed her arms. " You gave me a zero in my essay."

" Because you pushed my seat over during class."

" You put a frog in my desk."

" That was because someone tried to put a fly in my mouth while I was asleep." Rukawa crossed his arms too.

The two locked gazes, and at that moment, Mizuyuki knew she didn't hate a person more that she could ever hate Kaede Rukawa.

Sparks flew as they glared, seething at each other. People ran for cover.

Mizuyuki spoke first.

" This is war."

Rukawa clenched his jaw, jutting his chin out stubbornly.

" Fine by me."

The two glared at each other one more time, than stalked off in opposite directions.

~*~

Thank god school is over. Raiyuu sighed in relief. This day's been.intense. Aside from keeping her eye on Ishikawa the whole time, the news that Mizuyuki and Rukawa had declared war on each other wasn't really helping her dark mood.

But Raiyuu felt light and happy, now. It's the weekend.no school for two days! There couldn't be anything more she could ask for. She desperately needed a break from all this pressure and tension high school had.

I'm going to claim residence in front of the TV permanently.Raiyuu was so engrossed in her own thoughts that she did not notice anyone falling into step beside her.

The figure smiled. " Raiyuu Sagara?"

" Huh?" Raiyuu turned to see no one other than Miyagi Ryota. " Oh! Miyagi- sempai!" Raiyuu was surprised. " What.what are you doing here?"

Miyagi raised his eyebrows. " Hey, this is my school too, you know." He stuck his hands in his pockets.

Raiyuu turned pink with embarrassment. " I didn't mean it that way." Why does he fluster me so easily? She cleared her throat. " I mean, hi!"

" Hello to you too." Miyagi turned to face Raiyuu, walking backwards. " Long time no see, huh?"

" Yeah," Raiyuu nodded. " Sorry for my brother's behavior," she apologized. " He can be a bit.overwhelming at times."

But Miyagi had only heard Raiyuu's first statement. " Sendoh Akira is your brother?!" Miyagi's eyes nearly popped out.

Raiyuu cocked her head. " Yup. Why?" there was slight amusement in her tone.

Miyagi shook his head. " It's just that-never mind. But," he added, " He's the Ryonan ace! The star of Ryonan High! And." his voice trailed away. " He's also your brother.how'd you end up in this school?!"

Raiyuu shook her head. " It's like this. Akira-san is my half brother," she explained. " My father got married to his mother. We've only been siblings for half a year." She clutched her books closer to her chest. " I was really supposed to move to Shohoku. When we met, I was already enrolled in Shohoku. He was trying to convince my dad to move me to Ryonan, but.no such luck." Raiyuu's smile was tight. " And am I glad I ended up here."

" Why?" Miyagi questioned. " You don't like Ryonan?"

" It's not like that." Raiyuu tried to explain. " I just, well, like the people here."

" Oh?" Miyagi raised an eyebrow. " Oh, yeah, you're a freshman. Almost forgot." He started walking alongside Raiyuu again. " You making lots of new friends?"

" It's..okay," Raiyuu said. " People here are nice to me. Except for those- who-hate-Ryonan."

Miyagi made a face. " Don't mind them," he told Raiyuu. " They're just really like that. But otherwise," he added, " You're fitting in well?"

Raiyuu nodded. " Pretty much."

" Cool." Miyagi said slowly.

They had already reached the school entrance. Both stopped walking and faced each other, suddenly not knowing what to say.

" So," Raiyuu began, " I'm guessing you have basketball practice.?" If Miyagi wanted to leave, this would be his cue.

Miyagi checked his watch. " I have around twenty minutes to kill," he said casually.

" Oh." Raiyuu clutched her books even tighter. He didn't leave! " So, umm." she trailed off, not knowing what to say. " Umm."

" It's hot out here," Miyagi pointed out. " Why don't we go over to the ice cream parlor across the street for a while? If you want to talk some more, that is," he added hastily.

Raiyuu's face brightened up. " Sure! I'd love to talk some more.I mean, I'd like to." She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. He wants to talk some more!! With me!!

" Cool." Miyagi nodded over to the ice cream parlor. The two started walking across the street.

" So," Miyagi started again as they entered and settled into a booth, " How do you find High school so far?"

" It's fine," Raiyuu answered him. " A bit harder than Junior high, though." she trailed off as a waitress approached them. " You wanna order?" she asked the older student.

Miyagi shook his head. " Nah. You?" he sat back in his seat.

Raiyuu nodded. " I'm taking a shake."

As soon as the order was taken, they resumed their talking once more. Raiyuu, however, couldn't stop staring at Miyagi's...ear. I like his earring.

Miyagi blinked. " Raiyuu-san," he began again.

Raiyuu interrupted him. " Call me Raiyuu," she said, shaking her head. " I don't really like it when people address me like that."

" Okay," Miyagi shrugged. " Raiyuu," he began once more, " Even though you're a freshman, I think you're.cool."

Raiyuu choked back a laugh. " You're saying that you usually think freshmen are dorks?"

The sophomore looked alarmed. " I didn't mean it that way--!!"

" Joke!" Raiyuu leaned over the table and patted Miyagi on the shoulder. " Chill."

Miyagi eyed Raiyuu before he went on. Raiyuu frowned. I feel weird.

" You're a cool kid." Miyagi smiled at her. " I think I'm going to like being friends with you." He leaned forward in his seat. " From now on, if you have anything you'd want help with, go to me. I'll help you out."

" Okay." Raiyuu couldn't maintain eye contact with Miyagi, for some reason. " Miyagi-sempai--"

" Call me Miyagi." Another smile played itself upon Miyagi's chiseled features. " I don't really like it when people address me like that."

Now Raiyuu was burning red. From embarrassment or.something else, she couldn't tell. " Miyagi, thanks for offering to help me, but--"

" Here's your vanilla shake!" The waitress settled a tall glass in front of Raiyuu. " Please enjoy."

Raiyuu barely mumbled a thank you before sitting back and drinking up her shake. She had been extremely thirsty already for the past five minutes.

Looking up, she turned back to Miyagi. " Miyagi--"

Miyagi stood up all of a sudden. " Have to go," he said hastily. " Nearly forgot about basketball practice!" he turned back to Raiyuu. " Sorry, Raiyuu. Maybe some other time!" Without waiting for a reply, he raced out the door, and back towards the school.

Raiyuu stared after him, surprised and somewhat.disappointed. Why'd he go?

Shrugging, she took another sip of her vanilla milkshake. Oh well.

~*~

Ruona tried to ignore the weird-looking guy following her. She sighed. The other day, he had a tape recorder. Today he had a notebook. Again.

" Tanizaki-san."

Leave me alone. Ruona resisted the urge to turn and punch this guy. Can't he take a hint?

" Tanizaki-san, please, listen to me."

Ruona shook her head stubbornly. If that guy had seen that, she couldn't tell.

" TANIZAKI-SAN!!"

Ruona couldn't take it anymore. She started running.

She could still hear the steady beat of footsteps behind her, though. Ruona frowned. He was not going to give up.

" Tanizaki-san!!! Wait!!!"

Ruona picked up her speed-and promptly ran into two policemen. The bigger one looked down at her. " What have we here.?"

The policeman caught sight of the young man running after her. Misinterpreting it as something else, they ran over to him. " Why are you harassing this young lady?!"

" No-I-I-wasn't trying to--"

Ruona shook her head again, watching the scene. Turning around, she walked away stoically.

~*~

Mitsui Hisashi shot another ball into the air. The wind whistled as the ball flew, then whistled once more as it landed cleanly in the net. Mitsui smiled with satisfaction. His three-point shot skills hadn't diminished one bit.

Whistling to himself, he picked up the ball. That was enough for now.

As he turned to leave, he heard the door creak open.

Mitsui looked into the dark, surprised. It was already 7:30 in the night. He had stayed for training after basketball practice-he couldn't imagine who'd go to the gym at seven in the night. " Who's there?" he asked hesitantly.

A girl stepped out of the shadows. Mitsui squinted, as he couldn't see her well, her features clouded by the dark.

Then she spoke.

" I've been waiting for this day, Mitsui." A humorless smile lit up on her face.

Mitsui's eyes widened slightly.

The basketball fell to the ground, forgotten. It bounced twice before resting at his feet.

" I've been waiting for you."