An anguished Rukawa was still in the arms of the bewildered Sakuragi.
Rukawa (in between sobs): I- I just want to be a great basketball player…
Sakuragi (trying to understand): kit- anou, Rukawa… I never thought that this would really happen… It's… It's far beyond my imagination…
Miyagi: Yeah, even the scene before me is far beyond my imagination… /he muttered/
Sakuragi (suddenly pushed Rukawa away): Don't get me wrong, Ryocchin… I- I just— /blushing furiously/
Rukawa: …
Mitsui: you're taking advantage of the situation.
Sakuragi: Yeah, I'm taking advantage… IYA! Teme Micchy! I just do what a man should do. That's it.
Miyagi and Mitsui: Yare yare…
Sakuragi: Teme…
Rukawa: I'm going home. I'm tired.
Everyone: Huh?
Sakuragi: What're you gonna do?
Rukawa: Rot my self there? What's the use anyway? I can't attend classes as well as practices…
Akagi: If you continue on incurring unexcused absences, before you know it, you'll be kicked out of the team and eventually the school…
Rukawa (bitterly): as if I have any choice left…
Rukawa was about to leave the gym…
Rukawa (to himself): Why does fate have to take everything dear to me?! /tears are about to fall once again/
Then suddenly…
Sakuragi (shouts at Rukawa's retreating figure): Matte! I have an idea!
Mitsui: An idea? Sakuragi? The heaven must be falling… /grins/
Miyagi: With that brain of yours, you must be kidding! /laughs sarcastically/
Sakuragi (pissed off): I don't need any of your f*cking opinion. Che!
Mitsui and Miyagi: DUH!
Sakuragi (not minding Mitsui and Miyagi's comment): We'll tell the School's Head Officer that you've been seriously injured and thus cannot attend classes for the next 2 weeks. And for basketball, I think Gori will allow you to practice with us so that you wouldn't waste time. We'll also explain everything to Oyaji… I'm sure he'll understand he's fat after all.
Mitsui: What's the connection?
Sakuragi: Just shut up! You're not helping at all.
Mistui: If it weren't for you, everything will be ok!
Kogure: There's no one to blame Mitsui-kun.
Mitsui shuts up.
Sakuragi: Then we'll fix your problem within that time span.
Akagi: I can allow him, erm, her to attend practice but she still can't participate in the upcoming games.
Ayako: What if the Head will look for Medical certificates or any proof that he's really confined in the hospital?
Sakuragi: Yohei's father is a doctor, I'm sure he can help us.
Akagi: So that's the plan. Sakuragi, I want you to do something about this fast.
Sakuragi: Wakatta Gori! /he answered rather enthusiastically/
Akagi: Everyone, if anyone would ask who's this girl, just tell them she's the team's temporary assistant manager, ok? Don't you dare tell anyone about her real identity or else you'll answer to me. Rukawa, that will be your role for the next 14 days, understand?
Rukawa: Hai.
Sakuragi: And oh, you could use some screen name… that would help.
Ayako: Right! Then maybe we could dress you up… you can borrow some of my clothes for the mean time.
Mitsui: Yeah, then I'll go and pretend to be your boy friend! /snickers/
Sakuragi: You don't have to be in the scene you know…
Mitsui: Like you're needed in the scene…
Sakuragi: Of course, I'm the tensai… Nyahahahaha…
Mitsui (to himself): tensai my butt!
Ayako: Everything is settled then… Rukawa, all you need to do is cooperate, ok? Stick with the plan…
Miyagi: You can count on it, Aya-chan! /with heart-shaped eyes/
Rukawa (lost for words): I- I…
Sakuragi: I know, I always come up with bright ideas… I'm a tensai you know?! No need to thank me…what are friends for? Nyahahaha /while he flung his arms around Rukawa's shoulder/
Rukawa: Minna, I… how… how am I suppose to thank you all… /goes teary eyes again…/
Ayako: Nah… it's nothing… Right guys?!
Everyone: No Prob!
Sakuragi: Hai, no problem, Kara-chan! /Sakuragi took the liberty of giving Rukawa her temporary name/
Ayako: Hey, Kara's a good name?! Yeah!
Everyone (in chorus): Welcome to the club, Kara-chan!
And with that, for the first time in history, Rukawa smiled… a real and sincere smile.
To be continued…
Sorry guys, I can't think of any nice Japanese name that is similar to KAEDE… anyway… I promise to make the next part more exciting so that you wouldn't bore yourselves up. Please review. Thanks.
Dylan ©