Chapter 15 The End (Or perhaps the beginning)

"Have you noticed?" Kogure asked.

"What?"

"Rukawa. He seems quite distracted and fierce recently, like he's in a very foul mood," Kogure noted thoughtfully.

"Really? I don't think he's acting odd but Hanamichi sure as hell is. I mean he's acting way too docile around Rukawa. No more "Teme Kitsune!" He's even treating Haruko oddly," Mitsui said.

"That's true. Why don't we ask them?" Kogure said, "after all, we need them to play their best if we want to win IH."

"Ok. I'll talk to Hanamichi," Mitsui said.

"Well, guess I'll talk to Rukawa…"

.

"Miccy, get out of my way. I got to go wake up Rukawa."

"We need to talk," Mitsui said tugging him away.

"But…what if he drowns in his drool?"

Mitsui smirked, "Since when are you afraid of Rukawa's welfare? And anyways Kogure will wake up Rukawa."

"Let go of me! I can walk by myself," Hanamichi said, "what do you want?!"

"What's wrong with Rukawa?"

"Why do you want to know?"

Mitsui sighed, he anticipated this and touched his forehead, "Duh. Why am I asking you? You and Rukawa are like oil and water. You 2 don't mix."

"I know. I'm the only one that knows what's wrong with him."

"Uh-huh. What's wrong with him then? Why is he acting odd?"

"Because he…" Hanamichi laughed, "you think you can trick the tensai? I won't fall for that."

'Busted,' Mitsui thought, "yep, just as I thought. You know nothing. Liar."

"I am not lying!!!" he cried.

Mitsui nodded, "Uh-huh. Whatever you say."

.

"Rukawa…Rukawa…" someone said patting me on the cheek.

I brushed away their hand and turned around.

"Wake up, Rukawa."

If that voice wasn't so soft and undemanding I would punch him.

"What is it?!"

Kogure-sempai smiled, "Are you ok, Rukawa? You seem distracted recently."

"I'm fine," I said and began packing my stuff.

"But you playing has been off lately."

"My playing is fine," I said annoyed.

"What's wrong?" he asked, "you can tell me."

I took a deep breath and turned to him, "I'm fine, Kogure-sempai."

.

"Mitsui what happened?!" Kogure asked inspecting the bump on his head, "did Hanamichi do this to you?"

"Yeah. Any info from Rukawa?"

"No."

"Well Hanamichi told me something of interest. That's why he got mad at himself and bopped me on the head."

"So what's the problem?"

Mitsui smiled, "It's quite unbelievable. Apparently Rukawa was going to tell Sendoh he likes him, when Sendoh told him, he likes Koshino."

"Since when did Sendoh like Koshino?" Kogure asked.

Mitsui shrugged.

"You don't suppose it's because of what you told him do you?"

"Me?!"

"I mean what we told him," Kogure asked quickly correcting himself.

"Maybe."

"We got to ask Sendoh and make it right."

"Why?" Mitsui asked, "it's not our problem."

"But if we made this mess…" Kogure said looking extremely guilty.

"Ok," Mitsui sighed giving in, he always gave in to Kogure, "but I'm not asking Sendoh."

"Fine. I'll ask Sendoh. Does it hurt?" Kogure asked gently fingering the bump.

Mitsui pouted, "Yes. It hurts a lot. Make it better."

.

I was outside the gym when I spotted Kogure and Mitsui, "Oi, what are you 2 doing here at Ryonan?"

They each grabbed one of my arms and pulled me aside.

"Uh, guys. Is something wrong?"

"I'll keep watch," Mitsui said.

"Sendoh-san this question is of utter importance and it is imperative that you answer truthfully."

Kogure sounded serious so I replied, "Hai!"

"Are you and Koshino together?"

'Huh? Why is he asking me this?' I wondered but since he make it sound so vital I replied truthfully, "No."

"Then why did you lie to Rukawa?" he asked confused.

Mitsui looked interested now and leaned over.

"Because…he was having such a hard time trying to tell me he didn't like me."

"You got it-" Mitsui began but Kogure slapped a hand over his mouth.

"What are you 2 doing here?" came a deep voice.

Kogure and Mitsui turned to see Uozumi, "…"

"Sumimasen, Uozumi-san! We had something we got to ask Sendoh. We'll be going now. Bye!" Kogure said and they ran off leaving a trail of dust.

"I hope you didn't reveal any of our strategy."

"Uh…no. They were asking me something unrelated to basketball."

"I got to talk to Akagi about this."

I smiled, 'Excuses, excuses. You just want to see him. But seriously why are they acting so odd and asking me about Koshino?'

.

"Why didn't you let me tell him?" Mitsui asked.

"What use is it if you tell him? You think he'll believe? And it's not our place to tell him."

"So we let them be?"

Kogure was thoughtful, "No. We need to create an opportunity for them to get together and talk."

"How?"

"Not sure."

"Hm…I got an idea," Mitsui said.

"What?"

"Well, first…"

.

(3 days later Kogure and Mitsui set their plan into action)

"What is it you want?" I asked.

"Not me. Mitsui has a huge gift for you but I got no idea where he is this moment."

'Huge gift? Why would Mitsui get me a gift?'

"If you're tired, you can always sleep in my room," Kogure-sempai suggested.

.

Mitsui's cell phone went off, "Yes?"

"All set. Action," Kogure said.

"Hai."

.

"Why are you phoning?! Don't think I'll forgive you for taking Akagi's side over mine!"

I recognized that voice, 'They're quarrelling again.'

"Why is Rukawa at your apartment?!?!"

My ears perked up at the mention of Kaede.

"He what?!?!" Mitsui demanded, "well, call an ambulance! I'll be right over!"

I stopped Mitsui, "What happened?"

"Sendoh…what are you doing here?"

"I asked you about Kaede. Why is there a need to call an ambulance? What happened?"

"Uh…he fainted so Kogure helped Rukawa to his apartment but now he can't wake Rukawa. It may be due to the fact that Kogure accidentally dropped Rukawa on his head a couple of times…"

"He what?!?! Take me there!"

"Sure we can take the number-"

I interrupted him, "Call a taxi!!"

"H…Hai!"

We finally get there and when we got in Kogure hugged Mitsui, "I don't know what to do. I called for help."

"Where is he?"

"First door on the right."

I ran there and found him laying on the bed, all curled up. I inspected his head, 'Ok, no bleeding. That's good. His breathing is normal.'

"Kaede wake up," I said shaking him slightly, "you got to wake up. There's stuff I got to tell you."

He stirred, "Akira?"

"Yes, yes, it's me. Please wake up."

.

I don't know why he sounded so concerned. At first I thought I was dreaming but I could clearly feel someone shaking me. I forced my eyes open and who was it before me, but Akira. He looked so worried and happy. His eyes were wet. Why?

"You're awake! Are you ok?"

I blinked, 'What happened? Why is he here and why does he sound so hysterical?'

"Rukawa answer me. Do you understand what I'm asking?"

"Yeah. I just took a nap."

"You mean you didn't faint?"

"No."

"…" he let go of me, "sumimasen."

He tried to leave but the door was apparently locked.

"Mitsui let me out."

"No."

I frowned, 'What's going on?'

"Why not?" Sendoh asked.

"Because you 2 need to talk. We'll let you out when we feel all that needs to be said is said," Kogure stated, "so start talking."

"…"

"Mind telling me what's going on?" I asked.

.

Kaede listened to my story.

He looked thoughtful, "So you were worried about me?"

"Well, of course…you're my friend," I said.

"Is that it?" he asked.

"Uh…my good friend?"

He appeared to be pondering on something and finally said, "I don't want to be you friend Akira."

"Oh…"

He looked at me and said, "I want to be more. I love you."

I couldn't respond. I froze, 'Did I hear correctly? Did he say he…loves me? Is this a dream? Am I going to wake up?'

He lowered his eyes, ashamed and went to the door, "Open up!"

No reply.

"They won't open because that's not all that needs to be said," I told him, "do you really mean what you just said?"

He continued to face the door, "Does it matter? You're with Koshino Hiroaki."

"I'm not. Aren't you with Sakuragi? I heard you 2 kissed," I said, "and will you please face me?"

He turned around and but didn't look at me rather at the ground, "Yeah. We kissed and that's the reason we're not together. Because I realize I didn't like him after that kiss."

It was like the Fourth of July inside my head.

I tilted up his chin so he faced me, "Aishiteru Kaede."

He looked at me with these hopeful eyes, "Do you mean it?"

"Baka," I said and kissed him.

.

"Ok. Open up," Akira said.

No response.

"Are you 2 out here?"

"Probably not. Kogure-sempai is very proper. He won't eavesdrop on people."

Akira smiled.

"What are we going to do until they come back?"

He grinned and said suggestively, "Well, there's a bed."

I whacked him playfully, "Hentai."

"What? I was thinking you can sleep and I'll watch you sleep. I mean you look so kawaii when you sleep. What were you thinking? Hentai," he said.

I turned away blushing slightly and changed the subject, "I'm hungry. I didn't eat anything today. Lets see if Kogure-sempai has any junk food."

"Junk food would probably be in the desk drawer, right?" Akira said opening a drawer smirking, "so Kogure's very proper, huh?"

"Any food?"

"No but there are some edible stuff in here."

I peaked over his shoulder, 'Edible condoms?!? And…I can't believe Kogure-sempai is into this sort of thing.'

(Epilogue)

(1 Week Later)

Koshino sighed, 'Why am I helping this idiot?'

"Stop!" he said and went over to the railing and leaved over to throw up.

"Why did you drink so much?"

"To forget."

Koshino sighed, "Baka."

"Don't call me that. You have no right. Only he can call me that."

"Who? Rukawa?"

He laughed, "Yes. That kitsune."

I smirked, 'Now I know why I decided to help him. The baka likes Rukawa. Who would have guess that in the end Sakuragi would like Rukawa. Maybe we can work together and…'

The End