A/N: Oops! Sorry for keeping you waiting...I have my 'O' s to study for, you see. And my dad flares up whenever I go online, so... Anyway, here's the second chapter.
Disclaimer: Do I have to put it down? Oh alright. Slam Dunk does not belong to me. Eh, to whom then? Oh, you know it.
# mitkuroi: hmm, actually, if I leaked out the pairing, it wouldn't capture your attention anymore, would it? ;) #
# sLL: Do the inverted commas still appear as weird symbols? #
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CHAPTER TWO
Haruko did exactly as he had anticipated. After being laid down carefully at the side, out of the way, she sat by him, her face still creased with anxiety. He groaned aloud again, earning him a frown from Haruko¡¯s face. Throughout the practice, he lay there, basking in his triumph. "Score one for me," Sakuragi whispered to himself.
Yohei watched all this with an expression of disbelief on his face. Was this Sakuragi, the guy who got dumped countless times? He gaped at the scene, obviously shocked. Yohei started to wonder. Will I lose my bet?
Sakuragi stole a glance at Yohei, and smirked to himself. He was going to win! His pride was so important to him that he could not stand losing. Also, winning Yohei in a bet would be the first.
Haruko sat patiently, waiting for the practice to end. She had stopped worrying about Sakuragi now, as he appeared to be fine. He had stopped groaning and was smiling to himself as usual. Her attention started to focus on Rukawa and his stunning manoeuvres on the court. He's just so attractive, she thought.
Sakuragi did not realise that Haruko's attention had switched from him to Rukawa. Instead, he was busy gloating on his success. He had forgotten that there was a second part to his plan, and just lay there grinning in a superior manner.
Yohei observed this and stifled a laugh. It was expected of Sakuragi. Egoistic and boastful Sakuragi. He never thought of anyone else, except maybe Haruko. The Haruko that was staring blissfully at Rukawa.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
He had failed yet again. The redheaded boy buried his face in his hands.
"Arghhh!!!!" he let out a scream of frustration. Why was it that he always lost to Yohei? Why was life so unfair? Why couldn't he just win for once? Now all his friends would tease him yet again.
"I can't take it anymore!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Haruko-chan, will...you...go...on a date with me?" Sakuragi stammered. There. He had popped the question.
"Of course, Sakuragi-kun," Haruko said dreamily, still thinking of Rukawa's fabulous playing the day before. "I'll go anywhere you want to go."
His eyes grew wide, and he sat there, agape. Did she actually agree to go out with him? And was her last statement a hint? His ecstasy overshadowed his doubts. He would tell this to Yohei.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Yohei mused over what Sakuragi had just told him. Sakuragi had succeeded in dating Haruko? Was it for real? He had to see for himself.
Sakuragi
// It's my first date with Haruko-chan. I wonder what will Yohei think. He will definitely not believe me, and come to see it for himself. I know him only too well.
Will she be wearing a kimono? *pictures her looking very attractive in a flashy kimono*
I chose an expensive restaurant for our date. I wonder if she'll like it. There's a extremely wide variety of food. *mouth waters* //
Haruko entered the restaurant with her two giggling friends. He felt annoyed. Why were those two always following her? His anger bubbled up inside him, and his face turned to a shade of purplish-red. He clenched his fists vengefully as the three girls approached. It was supposed to be just between Haruko and him!
The trio turned a corner and walked towards the table. Sakuragi thought of punching them. Then...
The girls walked right on, still giggling and punching each other playfully. They had completely missed him! Sakuragi felt himself turn red. What was happening? He started to stand up, then thought better of it and sat down again. He would watch them and see their reaction.
Haruko directed her friends to another table, and they settled into their seats. Sakuragi squinted, trying to avoid the glaring ceiling lights as he spied on them. His eyes almost popped out when he realised that there was a fourth person. Outraged, he strode to the foursome, wanting to give them a piece of his mind.
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A/N: Yes, I know that this fic is a little OOC...but I have tried to make their personalities as close to the original characters as possible. And sorry Sakuragi! You unluckily happen to be one of my favourite characters.