Third chapter!! Hurrah!
Mistress of darkness: Arigatau! Trust me, Ruk is not just cute – he's GORGEOUS *starts drooling all over her face* I'm glad you like the story!
Tiran: *pales in terror* I've put up the next chapter! Plz, don't shoot me! I hope this one will entertain you J BTW, why did you say you were going to cry?
Tensaispira: I don't think the ants would understand. ;P. Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Kka: Thanks. That's a very nice thing to say *blushes*
Nellie: Okay, we'll pretend there are no yaoi Fujima fics out there. *starts chanting "Kenji's not gay… Kenji's not gay…"* Enjoy!
ScarletMaple: I do agree that Sen and Ru make a nice couple, and there are some great fics that showcases it perfectly – but I try not to be influenced. I don't care! If I can't have him, NOBODY will! (Heh heh). I hate tangents, by the way. Just learnt them in class. Actually, I'd learnt it years ago, but the teacher had successfully twisted the concept into something impossible to understand. So now I hate it.
Joy: REALLY? YOU'RE, LIKE, PRACTICALLY THE VERY GIRL I HAVE IN MY STORY?? *mouth goes wide open in wonder* Wow. That is so cool! I find your crush on your best friend (ehem ehem) very sweet. Have you made a move yet? I'm all for happy endings. J PS: I don't mind e-mailing you, but can you tell me what's your e-mail??
Wadohui: Thanks! Hope you'll keep on reading! And reviewing! (honestly, you guys make my day)
Chapter 3
She was there again, at practice. She'd thought trice about it. To go, or not to go? What was once an almost natural thing to do became a serious notion that needed the utmost consideration. What would happen if she went? What would happen if she didn't? And does it really matter anyway?
She decided she would go.
Firstly because she needed to thank him. If that were impossible (in case her brain goes into shut-down mode again), then she'd just say or do something – anything – that meant 'thank you'. Like bow a perfect 90 degrees. Whatever.
Secondly because it's practically a habit already. It just doesn't seem right not to watch him at least once a day. It's like not having coffee for breakfast. Or like not flushing the toilet after using it, resulting in bad after effects (read: stinking stench!).
Disgusting. Sorry, wrong simile.
He was there – nothing unusual about that. It was Thursday. The team did not practice together on Thursdays. Pausing by the entrance, she watched him perform one of his astonishing shots. Held back a whistle of amazement that itched to be heard.
Suddenly, loud cheers and hoots erupted.
What?
She stepped forward, looked around – and saw Ika and her friends sitting snugly at her usual spot. Her territory. They looked back at her, shooting smug smiles as excellently as the object of their affection shoots balls. She stared back, apparently lost for words. Man, am I sick of their cosmetic-enveloped faces or what?? She flicked a glance at the court – at him – and then again at her nemesis. Hesitated for a while. Should I stay? Could I take them on? There are ten of them. Basic mathematics revealed that she was outnumbered. No. No way am I going to do verbal battle with ten loud mouths that are obviously well prepared.
She started to leave, hadn't even taken a complete step when the ball dropped to the floor and rolled by her. She was starting to think a ball-magnet had been installed inside her since birth.
Then he was walking past her, going outside. Bent down and took the ball from between the grasses in one big hand. She felt her thoughts scattering. Say something! Quick! "Y-You didn't have to." Sheesh, that's my thank you??
He turned, eyed her coolly. "What?"
Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. "The specs," Breathe in, breathe out. "You didn't have to."
He stared at her. Then simply shrugged.
It was awkward, she decided. "It, uh, it must've cost you something."
His narrow eyes narrowed even more.
Oh yeah, it was definitely awkward. "Not that I don't appreciate it," she quickly said, sensing danger. "It's perfect, really, but it's just…" Just what? Just what? "…unusual."
He was getting impatient. She could see it. "Your point is?" he asked, almost rudely.
"My point? … My point is, um …" she let her breath explode out. "Thank you." There, she said it. "That's what I wanted to say. It was… very nice of you."
No reaction. The impatience had dissolved, but he continued on looking at her. She could hear murmurs behind her and knew the girls had crept over to see what was keeping their idol so long. Exit! Exit! Her mind warned her. But he was blocking her way.
She glanced back, saw Ika glaring at her. Oh, not good. Not good. Turning back, she said, "That's all, really. I – I have to go home."
He stared at her a little longer. Does he stare at everyone like that??, she asked herself. Not that he doesn't look good with those killer eyes and killer looks, but really! Then, smoothly, he stepped inside and went back to the court, dribbling the ball lightly.
He watched her make her faster-than-lightning exit. He figured the group of girls currently staring at him was part of the cause. Weren't they the same ones who had formed the Great Wall around that girl's locker just this morning? He bet they were.
What went on between them, he wondered? What was it that put them over that girl and intimidated her so?
Doesn't matter. Not important.
Still, he was kind of disappointed she left. He thought blocking the doorway would be an obvious enough sign to hint that he wanted her to stay. But then again, hadn't he wished that she wouldn't come at all earlier today?
Confusion, confusion.
He had a rule. A simple one:
When things get tangled and confusing, FUH-GED-DABOUTIT! (forget about it!)
He aimed for the basket. His audience whooped even though the ball was only halfway in the air. It looked like a precise shot. The ball flew in a hemisphere curve in the air, headed straight for its goal –
Missed.
WHAT??? He yelled silently in his head.
His fans cheered enthusiastically nonetheless.