Staunch fan

Author: Silhouette

Email address: silhouette_panther@msn.com

Web:

http://www.silhouette.cjb.net

http://www.thunderstormsenru.cjb.net

Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply.

[I did a very depressing Chinese Literature paper today…and got everything wrong. Ok, not everything. Everything but a one-mark question… I shall perish. -_____-;; But the Mathematics paper 1 wasn't too bad, I actually knew how to do 90% of the questions. What a miracle. But the true miracle is that I actually agreed to go to a dotty art exhibition opening ceremony with my dear otou-san. Sigh. *Checks time* I got to go in about half an hour's time, so might as well do this chapter…*shrug*…]

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"…everyone, this is radio 777.7, here's your D.J. Michael and bringing you…"

Eriko, awakened by the sudden blasting from the radio, sat up and rubbed her eyes before stretching in a lazy-feline manner. "Aaaaaah…what day is it?" She looked at the calendar, "Sunday." It was a perfect day for playing basketball, since it's not raining, bright and sunny. Eriko walked into the bathroom, contemplating whether to ask Akira out for a game or not.

After 10 minutes of washing up, Eriko came out all refreshed and cheerful. She picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number without even looking at the keypad. "Moshi moshi?" A sleepy male voice answered.

"Good morning, is that Ishii? This is Eriko here, is Akira still sleeping?"

"Ah, yes, I'll wake him up."

There were some violent sounds in the background before something slammed into the phone.

"Ha…hallo?" A strangled voice came through.

"Eh, Akira? You alright?" He sounded very…

"Oh well, I'm alright, Onii-san turned my bed over." Sendoh sighed.

Eriko could not help but marvel at the famous strength of Sendoh's elder brother, who was a star judo player in Kanagawa University. "You ok now?"

"My hair isn't," Sendoh sighed again, "What's up?"

"One-on-one, Neighborhood Park, 9 a.m." Eriko muttered, staring absently at an NBA poster on her wall.

"Eri…are you alright?"

"What? I'm alright." She frowned.

"Sheesh, for one moment, I thought you were possessed by Rukawa. You sound exactly like him. By the way, I was supposed to meet him for one-on-one today, at exactly the same time and place you just said." Sendoh scratched his head, puzzled, "Are you sure you are not Rukawa's long-lost sister or something?"

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"Swish!" The ball fell through the hoop in one clean swept motion. Eriko slicked back her hair and smiled triumphantly, she was quite happy that her skills had actually improved. It was only then did she notice another presence in the basketball court. Turning back, she saw a tall slender male figure standing by the court.

Eriko recognized him immediately as Rukawa, since she had seen him play against Sendoh before. "You here for a one-on-one with Akira?" She called out cheerfully.

Rukawa scrutinized the girl intensely. She had long hair tied back in a ponytail and wore a T-shirt that looked like it belonged to her father or something – too large. Her Bermudas were too baggy for a girl, not like the usual tights or shorts he sees on a girl. In fact, she was dressing in all ways, like a boy. Some how, he liked that in a girl, especially thinking of those bizarre females back in school who wore skimpy skirts and things that don't really cover, oh right, with those ridiculous pink pom-poms as well.

"…Darn you, Rukawa, I'm talking to you." Eriko picked up the basketball; eyebrows slightly knitted impatiently, "Akira said you were quiet. I think it's because you are too thick to string two words together."

[A/N: Anyone read Harry potter book 4? That was what the Weasleys describe Cedric Diggory as.]

Rukawa suddenly felt amused, no girl had ever spoken to him like that. They usually turn pink, or for more serious cases, red. They are supposed to fall in a swooning heap and screaming words like, "You are really super, Rukawa-kun!" But this girl is very interesting. He continued looking at her in a way she didn't really like, you know, intense. "Whatever, I'm not going to talk to a wall." She turned around, dribbled the ball for a few steps and did a perfect lay-up.

He snorted, and strode into the court to put down his sports bag and taking out his basketball. Before long the two were playing in the same court, but strangely, managed to keep out of each other's way.

"I see you have made your acquaintances already." Sendoh's bright voice resounded. Both players stopped and glared at him.

Eriko: "You are late."

Rukawa: "9.45 a. m."

Sendoh: ^^;; "Gomen ne minna, I eh…"

Eriko crossed her arms, "I called you, remember? Ishii kicked you off bed."

Rukawa snorted derisively before dribbling the ball to do a dunk. Sendoh could only grin sheepishly, "So you guys introduced yourselves already?"
"What do you think? So far the only thing he said to me was…nothing?" She rolled her eyes and whacked Sendoh's arm, "Come on sleepy head, we'll have a two on one. Rukawa and I against you," She paused, looking at the weird expression on Rukawa's stoic face, "…since you are late."

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End of Chapter 2

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[Author's note: I finished this after I came back from the art exhibition, was pretty happy, 'cos the ceremony was a success, and I managed to promote my school to this grade 5 girl who wanted to come. ^___^]