Chapter 2
I reach the corner of the basketball court before I allowed myself to stop and catch my breath. I didn't want Kaede to catch me huffing and puffing. I looked at my watch to realize I wasn't wearing one, 'So that's what I forgot. Geez, I hope I'm not late.'
Wiping off my sweat I jogged to the court. Kaede was there already, 'Kaede is a very punctual person and if he's here that must mean I'm late. Uh-oh.'
"Sumimasen Rukawa. I didn't mean to be late," I apologized.
I wanted to call him Kaede but the first time and the last time I did he warned me to never call him that again. That was his first and only thing he ever asked of me. How can I refuse him? I asked him why but he didn't explain. He never explains anything, to anyone. But I call Kaede that in my mind. I'm pretty sure he can't read minds though sometimes under his powerful and hypnotizing glaze I'm not sure. Actually when he looks at me…I'm not sure about anything, not even my own name and all I know is I really, really, really like him. I like calling him Kaede because it makes us seem that much closer, being on a first name basis. Unfortunately, he refuses to call me Akira.
Kaede looked at me coldly, "Whatever."
I shook my head remembering the problem I had this morning but I couldn't tell him the real reason I was late. It would make me seem like such an idiot. For some reason no matter how early I leave, I always manage to end up late. I left early today but then I realize I forgot something and wasn't sure what it was and that really bugged me. Half way down the elevator I thought I left the stove on so I went to check and found I didn't leave it on. Then when I was waiting for the bus to come when it occurred to me I might've left the sink running like last time. Not wanting to flood the apartment again, I went back up to check and found out that, that wasn't it either. When I got back to the bus stop I saw the bus turn the corner and missing that bus caused me to miss the train. I ran as quickly as I could here but I was still late, 'It was my watch I forgot. I'm so absentminded.'
"So lets play," I said, "an hour time limit?"
He grunted.
"You got a watch right? I kinda forgot mine."
He grunted again.
. , .
After an hour the score was 42-37. I won. I had to win in order to keep his interest, so I didn't hold anything back.
"Good game Rukawa," I said, "you've improved."
He was breathing hard and muttered, "Still lost."
I smiled. I really wanted to say something nice and encouraging but I know that's not what he wanted to hear. I glanced at him. He was wiping his sweat and drinking water from his water bottle.
'How can something like that get my heart pounding? Ok so I think he looks very sexy with his t-shirt clinging to him and drenched in sweat. Ugh! Sendoh Akira stop thinking about that! Think about something else!' I scold myself unable to tear my eyes off him.
Kaede have me his cool what are you looking at baka look.
So I forced myself to look away. I felt very uncomfortable to be sitting there with him. Not just because I was so close to him but because we were sitting in silence. I'm not use to being silent, unless there's no one around. I'm by nature a socializing person and he's by nature a taciturn person. I seriously wonder sometimes how he can limit all his sentence to one or two words. Astonishing really, like everything else about him. 'But that's why I like him so much. Guess opposites do attract. He's so cool… God! I sound like a school girl.'
Kaede grunted and thrust out his hand holding something. I took it. It was a set of keys. My keys. I really had no use for it now. I discovered I lost my keys four days ago and I had to get a locksmith to bust open the lock so I could get in. All because I forgot Koshino who had a spare set of my keys wasn't going to be home that day and I forgot to ask him for it at school. 'I'm so forgetful sometimes.'
I smiled, "Thanks, Rukawa. When did you find it? Where?"
He shrugged.
'Time to capitalize,' I thought to myself, "So you like music right?"
He gave me an are you and idiot look, "Obviously."
"What music? I mean what kind of music do you like?"
He didn't reply.
I wasn't surprise he had a 5 word per hour limit or something, "Well, there's an orchestra playing. You want to go hear that?"
"Do'aho."
"Well, how about the band NOVA? They're playing at Red's you want to go?"
"No."
"Well…if you won't let me repay you I'll just bug you until you say yes. So what do you say? Do you want anything? An album, new shoes, posters, figurines?" I asked.
He glared at me, fire shot from his eyes as a warning. His eyes always were the most expressive feature he has. I was use to his looks, as the matter of fact I liked it when he eyes were trained on me for whatever reason, good or bad. It was nice to know I could get an emotional response out of him.
"You know I will annoy you until you say yes to something. I feel bad owing people things especially favors. Come on, lets go see NOVA."
Kaede growled and spat out, "Fine."
"Great. I'll phone you," I said grinning.
He got up and began to leave.
'Yes, yes, yes!!! We're going on a date!' I thought pumping my arms in the air, 'now I just need to get the tickets. Can't be harder than getting Kaede to agree.'
"Bye, Rukawa. See you!" I called cheerfully.
Kaede ignored me and continue his way across the court but I'm use to it. I believe one day he'll stop ignoring me. He's just one of those people that take a while to warm up to people. At least that's what I tell myself.
'Finally some alone time and not just about basketball!!!'
End of Chapter 2