Author's Notes: I haven't proof-checked the last chapter before loading it up… that explains all those wrong grammars and all… but I've fixed them already… (I hope you people didn't notice them at all 'coz I don't want you to get the impression that I'm a lousy writer… well, in a sense… *smiles sheepishly*) Thanks to those who reviewed and now I'm gonna carry on the next chapter… I hope this would be pretty much exciting for you people! Ja!

STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY

This Time Around

Part 4

It was the day of the team's much-awaited match against Ryonan. Although it's not a major one, still they should take this game seriously to gauge the abilities of each and every member… But the problem is—

Akagi: You know you can't take part in the game, Rukawa…

Rukawa: Hai Captain. /damn it!/

Sakuragi: Yosh! It's time to decide who's the best, Sendoh Akira… Nyahahahah… Prepare for your worst nightmare! Nyahahahaha…

Mitsui: Yes, indeed you're his nightmare…

Miyagi: It's every genuine basketball player's nightmare to go against someone who's an amateur…

Miyagi and Mitsui: /laughs and high-fives/

Sakuragi: Hn. Let's just wait and see… The last laugh would be mine! Nyahahaha…

Miyagi: Yeah right… you're the greatest model of ridicule ever! /laughs/

Sakuragi is turning red every second… he's real mad.

Kogure: Maa… This is not the time to take things lightly…

Akagi: Right. Now, let's wait for sensei to decide who will be the starting members and who would be against who.

Anzai-sensei: Ohohohohoho… konnichi wa minna! Are we ready for the game?

Akagi (to himself): Speaking of the devil…

Everybody: HAI! /lively/

Anzai-sensei: Sorry if I haven't attended your practices these past 2 days. I have so many things to amend. But I have full confidence in you guys… I'm sure things will go just fine…

Sakuragi (to himself): hell it will…

Then suddenly Anzai noticed someone new to the team… but before that, he's already wondering why Rukawa is not around.

Anzai-sensei: Rukawa-kun doko ni? (Where is Rukawa?)

Everyone turned pale. They didn't know how to break the news to their coach.

Anzai-sensei: I see we have someone new here… ohohohoho… /eyes Rukawa/

Then everybody starts to reason out at the same time…

Akagi: I- I decided to have a temporary assistant manager… /slutters/

Kogure: just a temporary one…

Mitsui: She's my girlfriend!

Miyagi: She's my long-lost cousin!

Ayako: Mine too!

Sakuragi: I… she's… I… her name's Kae- err, Kara-chan!

Anzai-sensei (sweat drops): Easy guys… so this beautiful young lady here is our temporary assistant manager who happens to be Ayako and Miyagi-san's long-lost cousin and currently Mitsui-kun's girlfriend that goes with the name Kara?

Miyagi: Bull's eye!

Rukawa (nudges Sakuragi): Aren't you supposed to tell him the truth?

Sakuragi: eh?!

Rukawa: I'm Rukawa, sensei.

Anzai-sensei: Nice meeting you Kara-chan… I didn't know that the Rukawas are related both to Ayako's and Miyagi's family.

Rukawa (sweat drops): Anou… (To himself) I didn't know he's so slow…

Sakuragi: Oyaji…

Anzai-sensei: What is it Sakuragi-kun?

Sakuragi: We need to tell you something important…

With that, Sakuragi narrated the entire story. Anzai-sensei just listened and digested the whole story. It was 5 minutes before the game when the team left the locker room and proceeded to the court.

[A/N: To save time and effort, let's just assume that Anzai-sensei believed with whatever Sakuragi just told him, ok?]

Anzai-sensei: Ok, starting members are Akagi-kun, Kogure-kun, Miyagi-kun, Mitsui-kun and Sakuragi-kun. Kogure-kun guard #13 (Fukuda) and I leave Sendoh-san in your hands, Sakuragi-kun. Others, you know your positions as well the persons whom you will guard. Just stay in focus. You're a strong team. Remember that.

Everyone: HAI!

Ayako and Rukawa just stayed on the side together with the reserve players.

On the other side of the court…

Uozumi: Look, Rukawa's not here.

Sendoh: Huh?! What did you say? /busy eyeing the new girl… that is Rukawa of course/

Taoka: Yosh! This game is ours! I can feel it already!

Sendoh: Who's that girl? /pointing at Rukawa/

Koshino: Akira this is not the time to flirt with girls, let alone Shohoku's Asst. Team Manageress. /rolls his eyes/

Sendoh (not listening to Koshino): Sou ka… she's Ayako-san's assistant… hmm… pretty interesting… /eyes with a different glint/

Koshino: Yare yare… you're really hopeless…

Then the game between Shohoku and Ryonan started.

To be continued…

Reviews are always welcome!

Dylan ©