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.
Thanks to those who review again. Well… Ruhana/HanaRu… ^^; I'm not yet sure… it depends… oh well, let's just see who will Rukawa choose, ne?
Thank M.S Renae for telling me about the settings… well… I'm new so… hehe ^^;
Anyway… on with the story! ^_^
Part Six
Fears
Today, Sakuragi walked him home again. Actually, he was beginning to feel at ease with the other boy. But no. He should not.
But then, why not? Why not try to be close to someone again?
And be hurt in the end?
He had experienced being close to a number of people and those people left him. His mother and father died. His sister went to New York at an early age to be with her boyfriend there. He had once a best friend who also left to America to study. And he had liked a girl once who rudely rejected him even before he could tell her he liked her.
Yes. He liked someone before and he was rejected. Funny though that it was because of basketball. Not that Rukawa had his whole time for basketball but during that time, he knew nothing of the said sport. And that girl liked another boy who was so great with basketball at that time. He tried to learn the sport to get the girl's attention and he did. Only, his interest with the girl vanished and his life became centered to basketball alone.
So was he thankful of her?
No.
He recalled his family again. His sister and his best friend. Another funny thing too that he wanted so badly to go to America – where the closest people he had chose to be rather than with him.
He sighed ruefully. Sleep was getting difficult tonight again. Then he remembered Sakuragi.
He looked so lonely this afternoon after witnessing his and Sendoh's one-on-one. He wanted to somehow comfort the man but it was not like him. Rukawa Kaede never does that. He could somehow uplift Sakuragi's waning energy by insulting him or literally kicking his butt, but then… during that time… that afternoon… he wanted to tell Sakuragi something he deserves to hear – that he was good, that basketball is really for him.
But what did he tell him? Come on, do'aho, we're leaving? How could that help his teammate?
Oh well… maybe next time he could try his best…
Then suddenly, an image of a spiky-head boy flashed in his mind.
Sendoh was not himself that afternoon. Almost all the smiles he made seemed so… untrue. And the way his smile suddenly falters upon seeing Sakuragi…. Did they have a fight? They were together Sunday morning, right?
He sighed.
Sendoh Akira. How could he thank him? The least he could do was actually just tell him how grateful he was for all the advice that he gave. The older boy had been so kind to him but he could not do anything to repay him because of his stupid pride and image.
But Sendoh knew him. Sendoh could read him like an open book and he wonders how the man could do it.
He could read Sendoh somehow too. He could distinguish if his smiles were real or not. Maybe that's because they were the same. Yes, perhaps that was the reason.
Rukawa wanted to sleep already but he just could not. Then he remembered that tomorrow is Saturday and Sakuragi asked to have lunch with him before going to the practice. He was curious at first but then, what's wrong with an innocent offer of lunch? After all, they were teammates… Hmm… maybe he really should sleep now or else his mind could drift to some unnecessary and uncertain thoughts.
Rukawa would be surprised to see him at his apartment this early, Sakuragi thought. He wanted to fetch Rukawa and together they would go to a restaurant to have lunch. And perhaps there he could finally confess so that in their practice that afternoon, he could see the consequence.
How would Rukawa react upon opening the door and finding him there? Perhaps, surprised? Yeah. How he would like to see those always-scrutinizing eyes widen in aghast. How he wanted to see Rukawa react with all the things he does. Hn. Funny kitsune…
Sakuragi's brows furrowed upon realizing what was he actually thinking. He slowed his pace and sighed deeply. Was he right about this? Would it be all right to tell Rukawa something untrue?
Untrue?
Yes. What he would tell him today was just made up. But would it really affect Rukawa?
Perhaps it would if he somehow had grown a feeling towards Sakuragi… but what if not?
Sakuragi bit his lip upon thinking that. He was actually afraid – afraid that Rukawa would not care even just a little of him.
Then he bumped to someone.
"Oi! Watch where you going!" Sendoh exclaimed almost losing his balance and dropping some groceries at hand.
"Ah… gomen… Sendoh…" Sakuragi apologized and help the older man in picking up his groceries.
"That's all right. Where are you going anyway?" he asked unmindful of the supposedly answer of the redhead. He was busy putting back the foods he bought to his paper bag.
"Ah, to Kaede-kun…" It won't hurt to call Rukawa 'Kaede' without him knowing. Besides, this would help making Sendoh jealous, Sakuragi thought and smiled inwardly. He quickly liked the sound of the name of Kaede.
"Ah, I see…" Sendoh uttered gaining interest.
Kaede… so that's how close they already are for Sakuragi to call him with his first name… "Ah, I see…" How he wanted to strangle Sakuragi right then and there. But of course he could not. Thank goodness his hands were full at the moment or else he could've done something stupid.
"Yeah. I invited him for lunch actually before we go to practice," Sakuragi continued smiling impishly while rubbing his nape, his already nervous gesture.
Lunch… so you're going for lunch… Sendoh could not help but feel a pang of jealousy. How come he never had been together with Rukawa just to eat? It's always for basketball, for basketball and basketball alone. Maybe he's going to hate the sport now.
No.
It was his only reason to be with Rukawa.
But then, perhaps he could invite the raven boy to go out with him sometimes.
Yeah. He would. If Sakuragi could do it then he would.
"You alright, Sendoh-san?" Sakuragi asked upon noticing the unusual silence of the slightly-taller boy.
"Aa… just thinking. Well anyway, have fun. Just say hi for me to Rukawa, okay?"
"Yeah…"
Sendoh quickly left knowing that if he faced the redhead longer, he could do something foolish. And he had been foolish enough.
He wanted to ask out Rukawa tonight. But no. He would be exhausted and that would only gain him a 'no' for an answer. Maybe he could call Rukawa tonight and ask for his time tomorrow. Yes. That would be better.
He passed by a jewelry store and one poster easily grabbed his attention.
Valentine's day was near.
He had to do something for Rukawa. Maybe he should try to spend more time with the boy and when the right time comes, he could confess. He does not want to hurry the younger boy. So what if Sakuragi would serve as an impediment? He does not care. What matters to him is for Rukawa to know that he, Sendoh Akira, loves him.
Yes.
He was certain of that now. And he was not going to hide or deny it anymore. He could even shout to the world his feelings.
To be continued…
Sendoh: Hey, that's not fair! Sakuragi always had the time with my Kaede!!
Miku: Your Kaede, you said?
Sendoh: Yes. My Kaede!
Miku: Oh well… I'm still the author of this fic… I can change that… *winks*
Sendoh: Miku-chaaaannn!!!
Miku: Well minna! What do you think?? Who do you like best?? Hanamichi or Sendoh?? Tell me and the plot might change!!! ^_^ Oh well…
Rukawa: What if they want both?
Sendoh and Miku: Kaede-kun!!
Sendoh: *glares to Miku* Who told you that you can call him that?!
Miku: Well, that's the same with you! *glares back*
*Sendoh and Miku glaring at one another*
Rukawa: *sighs* yare yare *went back to sleep*