Warning: contains spoilers to book #30 of the Slam Dunk manga series.
Rukawa
Everyone else was outside the motel 'for a stroll' except the greenhorn do'ahou, who didn't realise the high standard of the Sannoh team. Everyone was nervous and afraid of meeting Sannoh. Who could blame them? Sannoh was such a good team. In fact, I, too was shaken, but only behind a mask of calm and composure.
I was thinking hard about the stuff on the tape when Minami came.
For revenge? I didn't know. But I followed him outside anyway.
*********
Minami was dressed as if he was on vacation in Hawaii: a brightly coloured shirt with loud floral prints on it, unbuttoned, revealing the front of a white singlet, shorts and slippers. -sweatdrop-
We stood outside the motel building in a tense and awkward silence.
He broke the deafening silence by apologising for his unfair behaviour earlier.
I didn't acknowledge his apology, and silence reigned once more.
I was turning to go when he produced a small container that probably contained an ointment of some sort.
'Perhaps this medicine will help reduce the swelling...'
I stared at him in doubt.
He then went on to explain,' You see, my family owns a shop specialising in traditional medicine.'
I reached out and took the container. 'Thanks.'
I was turning to leave again when he spoke once more,' You said you wanted to become the #1 basketballer in Japan...?'
'Yes.'
'If you can beat Sawakita from Sannoh, then maybe you'd be the #1 player in Japan... because Sawakita is none other that the best in Japan.'
********
Our match with Sannoh was a struggle, especially so for me during the second half, when Sawakita began to reveal his talent and skill.
He was indeed better than me, but I decided that I would not be put down without a fight.
Two minutes left, and still lagging 8 points, we were prepared to give our all. At this point, the do'ahou hit a table while chasing a loose ball. I knew the severity of the matte: if the do'ahou was injured, then we could kiss goodbye to victory.
And he was lying, motionless, covered by the tablecloth where he landed.
Like a corpse in the morgue.
I spoke. 'Wild, but well done.'
(a/n: this part was translated directly from the Chinese versh of the manga... i had to check a Chinese- English dictionary because i couldn't think of a suitable word. Any better suggestions to replace 'wild'?)
Sakuragi
I lay underneath the tablecloth, stunned. The impact of my fall was really great. Ouch.
I heard the Kitsune speak. He said something about me being wild.
I leapt up in anger, yelling,' Who said I was wild?'
We continued playing but I was distracted by a strange feeling in my back.
'Rebound!'
I jumped as high as I could and flicked the ball away from the Sannoh players.
I landed as softly as I possibly could, but the funny feeling in my back persisted, only more intense this time.
The harsh truth hit me like a bucket of cold water in my face. My back ached, and it was getting worse. This backache wasn't the dull, nagging ache, but the type that left you alone for a while and then returned with a snap.
Kitsune noticed I was distracted and told me to concentrate or be substituted out.
He then scored. A three-pointer. Five points to catch up.
At this juncture, Sannoh called for a time-out and we trooped to the bench. I winced as the pain struck my back again.
Ayako came up to me, concerned. 'Hanamichi, are you hurting anywhere?'
'Ah daijobu, Ayako-sempai. It's just that I have a slight backache.'
'How does it hurt?'
'Oh, the pain comes every now and then.'
I winced, as another attack of pain came. Ayako's concern was written all over her face.
'Take care... it may affect your future as a player.'
A/n: I suppose those of you out there who have read this in the manga must have been bored to tears. -smiles apologetically- This episode is taken straight out of the manga, only that I've put it in words. But you see, this is pretty crucial to the storyline so I can't just leave it out like that. Do bear with me in the meantime. Oh another apology to those who haven't read the manga. This is a huge spoiler. Thanks for the reviews anyway. =)
Rukawa
Everyone else was outside the motel 'for a stroll' except the greenhorn do'ahou, who didn't realise the high standard of the Sannoh team. Everyone was nervous and afraid of meeting Sannoh. Who could blame them? Sannoh was such a good team. In fact, I, too was shaken, but only behind a mask of calm and composure.
I was thinking hard about the stuff on the tape when Minami came.
For revenge? I didn't know. But I followed him outside anyway.
*********
Minami was dressed as if he was on vacation in Hawaii: a brightly coloured shirt with loud floral prints on it, unbuttoned, revealing the front of a white singlet, shorts and slippers. -sweatdrop-
We stood outside the motel building in a tense and awkward silence.
He broke the deafening silence by apologising for his unfair behaviour earlier.
I didn't acknowledge his apology, and silence reigned once more.
I was turning to go when he produced a small container that probably contained an ointment of some sort.
'Perhaps this medicine will help reduce the swelling...'
I stared at him in doubt.
He then went on to explain,' You see, my family owns a shop specialising in traditional medicine.'
I reached out and took the container. 'Thanks.'
I was turning to leave again when he spoke once more,' You said you wanted to become the #1 basketballer in Japan...?'
'Yes.'
'If you can beat Sawakita from Sannoh, then maybe you'd be the #1 player in Japan... because Sawakita is none other that the best in Japan.'
********
Our match with Sannoh was a struggle, especially so for me during the second half, when Sawakita began to reveal his talent and skill.
He was indeed better than me, but I decided that I would not be put down without a fight.
Two minutes left, and still lagging 8 points, we were prepared to give our all. At this point, the do'ahou hit a table while chasing a loose ball. I knew the severity of the matte: if the do'ahou was injured, then we could kiss goodbye to victory.
And he was lying, motionless, covered by the tablecloth where he landed.
Like a corpse in the morgue.
I spoke. 'Wild, but well done.'
(a/n: this part was translated directly from the Chinese versh of the manga... i had to check a Chinese- English dictionary because i couldn't think of a suitable word. Any better suggestions to replace 'wild'?)
Sakuragi
I lay underneath the tablecloth, stunned. The impact of my fall was really great. Ouch.
I heard the Kitsune speak. He said something about me being wild.
I leapt up in anger, yelling,' Who said I was wild?'
We continued playing but I was distracted by a strange feeling in my back.
'Rebound!'
I jumped as high as I could and flicked the ball away from the Sannoh players.
I landed as softly as I possibly could, but the funny feeling in my back persisted, only more intense this time.
The harsh truth hit me like a bucket of cold water in my face. My back ached, and it was getting worse. This backache wasn't the dull, nagging ache, but the type that left you alone for a while and then returned with a snap.
Kitsune noticed I was distracted and told me to concentrate or be substituted out.
He then scored. A three-pointer. Five points to catch up.
At this juncture, Sannoh called for a time-out and we trooped to the bench. I winced as the pain struck my back again.
Ayako came up to me, concerned. 'Hanamichi, are you hurting anywhere?'
'Ah daijobu, Ayako-sempai. It's just that I have a slight backache.'
'How does it hurt?'
'Oh, the pain comes every now and then.'
I winced, as another attack of pain came. Ayako's concern was written all over her face.
'Take care... it may affect your future as a player.'
A/n: I suppose those of you out there who have read this in the manga must have been bored to tears. -smiles apologetically- This episode is taken straight out of the manga, only that I've put it in words. But you see, this is pretty crucial to the storyline so I can't just leave it out like that. Do bear with me in the meantime. Oh another apology to those who haven't read the manga. This is a huge spoiler. Thanks for the reviews anyway. =)