Role Reversal
Chapter 3
Sakuragi
I awoke to the persistent beeping of my digital alarm clock. I reached out lazily and switched off the alarm, and then lay back down on my bed. I turned my head towards the window; through the thin, worn-out curtains, I could see that it was not yet dawn.
Stepping out of bed, I nearly tripped over the extra mattress I had laid out for Rukawa, who was still fast asleep, mumbling some unintelligible words. I smiled indulgently as I padded softly towards the bathroom. Rukawa looked so childish when he was asleep.
I had a quick shower, and changed into a pair of shorts and a well-worn T- shirt, before putting on my socks and shoes. However, I suddenly remembered that I had left my ball in my room, and hastily went to get it. After all, precious practice time was at stake.
I jogged at a comfortable pace under the dim street lights, towards the basketball court I frequented daily at this time of the morning. Although this meant that I had to sacrifice some beauty sleep, I still felt it worth it as it was only during this time and at night that the air was cool and the sun absent, making the weather perfect for any outdoor activity.
Picking up my most treasured possession, I started practicing three- pointers, as the eastern sky gradually became a lighter shade of blue, then yellowish, then the whitish 'fish belly' that was the sun began to rise. By then, it was time to go, and my shirt was already soaked, and my breathing heavy.
I unlocked the front door, only to see a uniformed Rukawa (I had put his clothes in the washing machine) sitting dazedly on the living room floor. I greeted him, and he returned my gesture of politeness with a soft, 'Ohayo.'
As I prepared instant noodles for our breakfasts, he shyly asked, 'Anou. what is your name?'
I nearly knocked over the pot of boiling water as I attempted to control my laughter, which was inapt and impolite. This Rukawa is. weird. After I had finally regained my composure, I told him my name, and asked him to call me Hanamichi. He then shyly told me his name: Rukawa Kaede, and thanked me for saving him as I set our bowls down on the table.
Man, this guy is so polite. I tried to think of something to say, and the topic of his rejection suddenly popped up in my head. Knowing that it was better not to breach the unhappy topic, I asked him what club or society he was going to join. He seemed ashamed as he replied, 'Go.'
I didn't see what was so embarrassing about joining Go; after all, it was a complicated mind sport that was easy to pick up but difficult to master, what with those complicated strategies. My grandfather did try to teach me how to play it, once upon a time when I was but a little boy, but given the thickness of my skull, nothing went in.
Just when I was going to ask him if he wanted to become a Go pro, my doorbell rang, and my Gundam barged into my apartment. When the saw Rukawa, they began laughing so hard they cried. Rukawa was not the least bit amused by their antics; he was after all, the butt of their joke.
Glancing at Rukawa, I saw his eyes filling with hurt and angry tears, and since my Gundam's behaviour was unforgivable, I headbutted every one of them to stop them from laughing at poor, victimised Rukawa.
But I was amazed by what I saw next: Rukawa was laughing. He was laughing at the sight of the crying Gundam; each of them had a comical lump on their heads where I had hit them. I didn't know what to do; I just sweatdropped.
*****
Rukawa
I tagged along with Hanamichi and his Gundam to school, feeling somewhat out of place in their close-knit group. I admit they did make attempts to include me in their conversation but I was too shy to utter anything more than monosyllabic replies.
At school, we went our separate ways, each heading for his own classroom. Since Hanamichi's classroom was just 3 doors away from mine, we walked together towards class.
As we walked down the corridors together, many girls swooned at the sight of Hanamichi, commenting on how his red hair made him look so cute, how easygoing he was and so forth. I was jealous of his privileged position, which reminded me of. Ogino.
As Hanamichi entered his classroom, he waved goodbye to me. I, distracted, did not see what was in front of me and crashed into her, scattering her books on the floor.
I hastily gathered her books and gave them to her, apologising profusely at the same time. She was squatting down, picking up her books, her head lowered. She lifted her head and smiled gratefully at me as I returned her books to her.
I forgot Akari the moment I saw her face.
She was just my type, only much prettier and sweeter than Akari.
She stood up. 'Arigato. I am Akagi Haruko. What's your name?'
'Ru. Rukawa Kaede' , I stammered nervously.
'Say, you're really tall. do you play basketball?'
Chapter 3
Sakuragi
I awoke to the persistent beeping of my digital alarm clock. I reached out lazily and switched off the alarm, and then lay back down on my bed. I turned my head towards the window; through the thin, worn-out curtains, I could see that it was not yet dawn.
Stepping out of bed, I nearly tripped over the extra mattress I had laid out for Rukawa, who was still fast asleep, mumbling some unintelligible words. I smiled indulgently as I padded softly towards the bathroom. Rukawa looked so childish when he was asleep.
I had a quick shower, and changed into a pair of shorts and a well-worn T- shirt, before putting on my socks and shoes. However, I suddenly remembered that I had left my ball in my room, and hastily went to get it. After all, precious practice time was at stake.
I jogged at a comfortable pace under the dim street lights, towards the basketball court I frequented daily at this time of the morning. Although this meant that I had to sacrifice some beauty sleep, I still felt it worth it as it was only during this time and at night that the air was cool and the sun absent, making the weather perfect for any outdoor activity.
Picking up my most treasured possession, I started practicing three- pointers, as the eastern sky gradually became a lighter shade of blue, then yellowish, then the whitish 'fish belly' that was the sun began to rise. By then, it was time to go, and my shirt was already soaked, and my breathing heavy.
I unlocked the front door, only to see a uniformed Rukawa (I had put his clothes in the washing machine) sitting dazedly on the living room floor. I greeted him, and he returned my gesture of politeness with a soft, 'Ohayo.'
As I prepared instant noodles for our breakfasts, he shyly asked, 'Anou. what is your name?'
I nearly knocked over the pot of boiling water as I attempted to control my laughter, which was inapt and impolite. This Rukawa is. weird. After I had finally regained my composure, I told him my name, and asked him to call me Hanamichi. He then shyly told me his name: Rukawa Kaede, and thanked me for saving him as I set our bowls down on the table.
Man, this guy is so polite. I tried to think of something to say, and the topic of his rejection suddenly popped up in my head. Knowing that it was better not to breach the unhappy topic, I asked him what club or society he was going to join. He seemed ashamed as he replied, 'Go.'
I didn't see what was so embarrassing about joining Go; after all, it was a complicated mind sport that was easy to pick up but difficult to master, what with those complicated strategies. My grandfather did try to teach me how to play it, once upon a time when I was but a little boy, but given the thickness of my skull, nothing went in.
Just when I was going to ask him if he wanted to become a Go pro, my doorbell rang, and my Gundam barged into my apartment. When the saw Rukawa, they began laughing so hard they cried. Rukawa was not the least bit amused by their antics; he was after all, the butt of their joke.
Glancing at Rukawa, I saw his eyes filling with hurt and angry tears, and since my Gundam's behaviour was unforgivable, I headbutted every one of them to stop them from laughing at poor, victimised Rukawa.
But I was amazed by what I saw next: Rukawa was laughing. He was laughing at the sight of the crying Gundam; each of them had a comical lump on their heads where I had hit them. I didn't know what to do; I just sweatdropped.
*****
Rukawa
I tagged along with Hanamichi and his Gundam to school, feeling somewhat out of place in their close-knit group. I admit they did make attempts to include me in their conversation but I was too shy to utter anything more than monosyllabic replies.
At school, we went our separate ways, each heading for his own classroom. Since Hanamichi's classroom was just 3 doors away from mine, we walked together towards class.
As we walked down the corridors together, many girls swooned at the sight of Hanamichi, commenting on how his red hair made him look so cute, how easygoing he was and so forth. I was jealous of his privileged position, which reminded me of. Ogino.
As Hanamichi entered his classroom, he waved goodbye to me. I, distracted, did not see what was in front of me and crashed into her, scattering her books on the floor.
I hastily gathered her books and gave them to her, apologising profusely at the same time. She was squatting down, picking up her books, her head lowered. She lifted her head and smiled gratefully at me as I returned her books to her.
I forgot Akari the moment I saw her face.
She was just my type, only much prettier and sweeter than Akari.
She stood up. 'Arigato. I am Akagi Haruko. What's your name?'
'Ru. Rukawa Kaede' , I stammered nervously.
'Say, you're really tall. do you play basketball?'