STAR IN THE WILDERNESS (HOSHI IN NO KOOYA)

The day was calm, no rain. A fair Saturday. Truly it was. She was on the court with.Mitsui? Yes with Mitsui, he was there when she came. She was supposed to meet Rukawa, she was there early.Earlier. She opened the door and he was already there practicing some jump shots. He was so focused on what he was doing.

"Sashi-san." She called him. He lost balanced and fell directly on the ground. "Oh, I'm sorry to disturb you. Are you okay?" She asked worriedly as she ran into him. "Uh, I'm okay." He said blushing. "I'm disturbing you, maybe I should leave." "NO! I mean, you.you're not. It's okay." "Oh, I'm glad to know" "What you doing here?" He said scratching his head. He looked at her from head to toe. "Basketball get-up?" He asked her. "Yes, why do I look lame on these clothes?" "No, of course not! Don't think like that you look good on those." "Oh." "What 'ya doing here?" he asked again "I was supposed to meet Kaede here but I was early. Mind if I stay here with you? Or would you prefer to be alone?" "It.It's okay with me if you stay" But deep inside he was praying she would stay. Then she stood on a corner watching him. He was really good on this game. He thought of showing off some skills because she was there.Boys.

"Hey, I heard Tomoeda was a school full of great athletes." he said while giving out a shot. "Maybe. I dunno" she answered humbly. "I watched you play and you were great." "Really?" "Yah." "Mind if I would try some practice with you?" "Nope." he answered.It's time to show some skills for him.

Ooh, she was pretty good in this sport. Really good. He was surprised but he thought that a woman's skills are still weaker than a man's so he thought he would win. But women are more agile and full of determination so she won unnoticeably. He doesn't want to tell her she won anyway.Oh, Mitsui, your pride. Sky is the limit.

"Hey, Marina just wonderin' if your girls are that good in Tomoeda, guys are?" "Good to.We need to be a part of a sports club in that school." "But why aren't your school a part of any tournament?" "We were disqualified maybe a year before you went to high school." "Why is that?" "Well they say Tomoeda athletes are faced on a bigger responsibility." "What is that?" "National team.We are qualified for the National team you know." "Geez.Great athlete." "You think so?" "Yes."

Then she stood up again for another shot. She was good.

"Hey Sashi-san." "What is it?" "I was amazed on one of Shoyo's players." "FUJIMA?!" "Well yes but who I'm talking about is Hanagata." "Is that lens man your crush?" "Of course not." "Then what is it?" "His style of giving a point.The fade." "Fade away shot." "Yes, that's it." "That's easy you know." Mitsui bluffing around! "Really? Mind if you teach me?" "I would be glad to!" Then he proudly stood up.

Then he went to her position and said: "You just mimic my position okay?" "Aha." "You stand straight with your right toe forward and your knees bent." "Okay." "Then you try to be steady with the shot then you jump backwards like this!" "Wow, Sashi-san that was a perfect shot!" "Hehehe, now give it a try" "Okay."

Then she tried what he did.

"You try to stand up straight." "Alright" "Your right toe forward" "Yes and jump!" "Hey! Wait!" "Aww."

She fell on the ground. He ran into her. "Are you hurt?" "I think so." "You should be careful okay?" "I'll try again, okay." "Are you sure?" "I won't give up." "Okay then. I'll stand behind you so if ever, I'll catch you." "Okay"

Then she got the shot but she slipped on the floor. His arms were wrapped on her waist. Oh yeah what a chance Micchy-boy. But sadly for him Rukawa entered the room.

"What are you doing do'aho?" he asked with his full force. All of them stared at each other. Electricity were in between Rukawa and Mitsui's eyes. Then he approached both of them. And pulled his arm out of her waist, shame on you Micchy-boy, you never noticed your arms were there too long.He blushed so badly after Rukawa threw him away.

"Stupid freshman!" he shouted as they both went out. She bade good-bye to him. Sure she was sooooo naïve about these things.

"Do you know what he's doing?" "He's teaching me some tricks, Kaede" "But why him?" "You had no time anyway." she stopped for a while. " I.I." "It's okay with me you know." "I'm sorry I was late, you know I had a." "Practice." "." "Don't worry about it.Why don't you try playing with me? Just like before." "Really?" "Yah, let's go!" He gave out his rare smile.

-End-

Author's note: This is a long one I know but why is the title Star in the Wilderness? The word "Star" is just a representation of the girl's abilities and personality and why "In the Wilderness"? The wilderness is a representation of her surroundings, the people, the situation and the society around her.