Author: miku
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies in this fic.
Warning: This story contains shounen-ai (boy/boy relationship) and if that offends you, better leave. I may add some lime or something like that (m.a.y.b.e) but I'll warn you before you can proceed.
Part Four
Uncertainties
That night, Sendoh could not sleep.
He could not believe himself. How could he lose to himself? Why did he tell Sakuragi that? And now what? What would the redhead think of him?
He was not even sure of what he feels toward the Shohoku ace. Maybe he just admires him – how he moves swiftly like basketball is just simply walking. Maybe he just admires his always-calm persona. But no. Sendoh knew that behind the calm exterior, Rukawa is more than that. Just like him. They are both hiding behind a mask. But that is nothing to be admired of. The truth is, what he feels towards the other boy is sympathy. And what he wants is to pull the real Rukawa out of his façade.
And Why? His conscience nagged him. Why did you tell Sakuragi that you are envious of him because he could always be close to Rukawa?
He knew nothing himself. He knew nothing what made him utter that statement. Sure. He could just be envious that Sakuragi had the best challenge just around him. Right??
Rukawa Kaede. You're such a mystery. How could someone like you cause Sendoh Akira, the heartthrob and ace of Ryonan High, the real genius of basketball, be restless.
He recalled all the past games he had with Shohoku – he had with Rukawa. The raven boy did not fail to impress him. He laughed silently upon remembering their exchanged contest of higher score during their match in the IH. Rukawa looked so funny actually. They looked so funny. If only the players around them knew what they were actually doing, they would surely laugh at them. And during that game he heard Rukawa's voice. Rukawa actually talked to him in so many times although only in a few-word sentences. And yet, they were was still about basketball and beating him.
"And you're lucky he talks to you more than the others. He talks to you not just about basketball but just about yourself…"
Yes. Perhaps he was really jealous of Sakuragi. But why is that again?
MONDAY MORNING:
Damn it! Rukawa cursed for the nth time. Why was he so affected by what Sakuragi told him? There were many possibilities why Sakuragi was thinking of him. Maybe he was thinking of how to beat him, or how to injure him, or how to insult him greater this time. There were so many possibilities and what? What was the first thing that entered his mind? That Sakuragi was actually… dammit… falling for him?! No way! Why did he not think about that before? Sakuragi is a straight man so is he. He likes Haruko! HARUKO! And Haruko is a girl and he is a man and Sakuragi is a man! What was he actually thinking! Maybe Sakuragi was laughing his heart out when he realized how he, Rukawa Kaede, reacted to what he said.
He could not believe himself. He was actually… disturbed.
Oh well… things would clear up during today's practice; all he has to do is act normally. Heck! Why should he think about how to act anyway?
He did not sleep on his way to school again. He parked his bike and went inside the school building.
He was actually very early today and he was not expecting to see anybody – at least pathetic fan girls and boys. He calmly made his way to his classroom only to stop upon being called by a familiar voice.
"Kitsune! You're early today, na!"
Sakuragi?…
"Hn," he snorted, still with his stoic appearance, and continued walking.
"NAH! Matte yo kitsune!" Sakuragi shouted and ran to him then walked to his side.
What do you want this time, do'aho?
"I'm sorry," the redhead uttered softly making Rukawa to halt and face the companion surprised. Sakuragi stopped as well and smiled impishly. "Well, I guess you really got mad at me last night that's why you… uh… hang the phone so… abruptly…"
Oh… "Hn," and Rukawa proceeded walking again.
"Rukawa," Sakuragi was again walking beside him.
What?
The redhead sighed and stopped. He already reached his classroom. "Well, I guess I'll just be talking to you this afternoon, na?"
Rukawa did not reply and continued to his room.
This is getting difficult! Sakuragi thought. One problem was that he was not sure of Rukawa's reactions. Second, a part of him could not accept he was actually doing this. He was a guy for christsake! And he was actually fooling himself too just to beat that Rukawa and Sendoh! Those two should really be beaten badly!
He dived his head to the desk that made Mito Yohei, who just arrived, to sweatdrop.
"Oi! Daijoubu Hanamichi?" his best friend asked him and placed his bag to the seat next to Sakuragi's.
"Ch. I'm fine."
"Really now?"
"Ah Mito," Sakuragi uttered softly, his eyes gazing pleadingly to his friend. Mito just smiled at him, "Don't hate me if anything unusual happened, okay?"
Mito stared at him questioningly but said no inquiries. Instead, he just smiled wider, nodded and answered a sincere, "Okay."
"Why are you so early today, anyway?" Sakuragi asked curiously.
"And why are you too?"
Sakuragi pouted and rested his head to the desk and continued thinking.
There would be a practice today. Now what could he do to distract the kitsune? Should he actually tell Rukawa now his invented love story? Nah. Maybe he should give at least two days before he do that. Maybe he could ask Rukawa for a walk or something to give him hints. Yeah that sounds much better.
AFTER PRACTICE
Rukawa was now really, really disturbed but of course he did not show it. Sakuragi had been staring at him indifferently all the time and the constant bickering somehow lessened. But what was more unusual was for the redhead to offer him a walk home.
What was that do'aho thinking this time? He asked himself and continued packing. He made it slowly as to take so much time – that could make Sakuragi lose his patience and leave.
But no. Sakuragi was still standing beside the door waiting for him. And he seemed not even bothered that Rukawa had been actually packing his things for more than thirty minutes!
I guess I have no choice, then… Rukawa thought and sighed silently. He grabbed his bag and walked out of the room after telling Sakuragi that they would be leaving.
"I just remember," Rukawa said softly and Sakuragi turned his eyes on him. "I should go to the grocery to buy some stocks."
Of course that was a lie. He wanted Sakuragi to leave him already.
"So I guess you should go home now and not…"
"Nah. I guess I'll just accompany you to the grocery. I'm buying some things too," Sakuragi offered.
"Oh…" Now what!? You actually extended your time with this do'aho! Rukawa nagged to himself.
AT THE GROCERY
Good thing he brought enough money to buy what he 'needed'. He was glad that Sakuragi was looking for some things that actually gave him some time off.
"Ah! I could not look for tuna spread!" he heard Sakuragi suddenly shouted. The latter was now walking towards him, shoulders slumped, lips pouted.
Rukawa sighed and continued choosing from the products.
"I promised Shishi that I'll buy one and we'll eat together! Ah!!!" Sakuragi continued blabbering.
"Shishi?" Rukawa could not help but ask. Sakuragi was really acting so childish but Rukawa found it so funny. Well, slightly funny.
"Oh. She's a cute little girl in the neighborhood who adores this tensai so much! Nyahahahahahahaha!"
Rukawa sweatdropped.
"She likes tuna spread so much!! She's really, really, really cute!!!!" Sakuragi continued dreamily.
"Pathetic…" Rukawa sighed and grabbed some mayonnaise and canned tuna.
"Why you! Kitsune!!"
"We'll just make her some, then…" Rukawa offered a little uncertain. Why am I doing this anyway? But it doesn't sound so bad to him.
"Uh, what?" Sakuragi asked looking so… dumb.
"Baka. Are you deaf?"
"Yeah I heard that…" Sakuragi continued staring at him, "You know how to…"
"It's so simple, do'aho," Rukawa sighed inwardly and glanced to Sakuragi who was still looking at him like some… innocent… (no, dumb, he corrected himself) boy. Now what have you done again, Kaede! More time to spend with this pathetic do'aho!
But he was actually enjoying Sakuragi's company and tease him with his childish… no, foolish… reactions.
AT RUKAWA'S APARTMENT
The place was neat contrary to what he thought it would be. What were there were only the necessary stuffs and that includes basketball. His eyes roamed around and saw a case full of trophies and medals, which were obviously from many basketball leagues that Rukawa had joined. They were not arranged though; they were more likely to have been placed there just to… place them.
He was expecting to feel envious of whatever but instead, seeing those awards made Sakuragi admire what Rukawa had gone through. But he never heard the other boy brag the team about these achievements though. He would only do superb moves to prove his greatness and that's what infuriated Sakuragi. Well, not so much. With those times that Rukawa seemed to good at what he was doing, he was envious and not mad.
He heard chopping of onions and that brought Sakuragi out of his reverie. He turned his eyes to the small open kitchen and saw Rukawa chopping expertly and mixed the onions to the bowl of tuna and mayonnaise.
"I never knew you know how to cook, kitsune," Sakuragi said without any trace of his usual mockery.
"Hn," was Rukawa's only response to him.
Well it was obvious. Rukawa was living alone so whom could he expect to make his foods? So that would mean Rukawa was doing his own laundry too?
It was unusual for a boy.
But how would he know anyway? He still had his Kaasan to do these things.
Rukawa was now adding salt and pepper.
He looked so much like a housewife with that apron and cooking… Sakuragi thought staring at the calm figure in front of him. Now what am I thinking!!
Rukawa covered the bowl of tuna spread and placed it to a paper bag. "There," he gave it to Sakuragi who took it unmindfully. Rukawa went to the cupboard to keep some stocks he just bought.
"Thank you," Sakuragi uttered softly still watching Rukawa. The latter turned his eyes on him but quickly returned to what he was doing.
"Go now. The girl might have been waiting for you too long," Rukawa reminded him.
Sakuragi nodded and smiled. "Aa. Thanks again. I owe you one. Ja!" Then he left.
I owe you one… Sakuragi thought. Now he was indebt to the kitsune!? But somehow that did not bother him. More so, he liked the feeling… Seeing one side of Rukawa that was never known to him, and to the team, made Sakuragi change a little in his perception of the kitsune. Rukawa was not so bad after all, he told himself. Iie! I still have to beat him and Sendoh!
To be continued…
Miku: See! I told you! Sakuragi would not be too bad! ^_^ He's just himself! ^_^
Sendoh: That's all my part again?!
Miku: Yes, Akira-san! It's obvious, ne?
Sendoh: That's all! That's all! And you meant this as a SenRu!!??
Miku: Who told you this is going to be SenRu??
Sendoh: Miku-chaaaann!!!
Miku: Now you sounds more like Ryota! Hahahahahahaha!
Rukawa: zzzzzzzzzz
Please! Comments everyone!!! Should I continue?? ^_~