Disclaimer : Slam Dunk is owned by Takehiko Inoue. Shintaro Ken is mine!

Note: Sentences in italics are thoughts.

Of Love and Friendship

Chapter 2: Brownie

"Ore wa tensai basket-o-man!" Sakuragi was singing loudly as he entered the gym. "Make way! Make way for the tensai! Nyahahahahaha!!!!"

Everyone sweatdropped as they realized that nothing has changed after the school vacation.

"Do'aho."

"Teme kitsune!!! Hah! I have improved and I will beat you!!!! Nyahahahahahah!!!!" His arms akimbo as he was laughing maniacally.

Rukawa sighed. "Yare…yare…" Sakuragi could no longer control himself (since when did he had self-control, anyway?) and lunged at the black haired boy.

Ayako wanted to pull all her curly hairs out of her head and wished she had more paper fans. It seems that Rukawa and Sakuragi have not changed at all. They are still bickering. The first years who wanted to try out could only sweatdrop and wondered if their two sempais are worth respecting. Ayako wondered how they would cope up now that Akagi is no longer around to control Sakuragi. I wonder what's taking Haruko so long?

Miyagi is excited as he is now the captain of the basketball team, but the practice has not even started and he is already developing a headache. He wished that the redhead and the cold ace would start acting maturely. He sighed. Oh well, I can't have everything, can I?

The gym door opened to reveal a petite girl and a tall boy. Everyone looked at their direction while the two walked to the sidelines on the way to the bench.

"Miyagi-sempai, Ayako-sempai, his name is Shintaro Ken, he is a second year transferee from my class. He wants to try out." She then faced Shintaro. "Shintaro-kun, Miyagi-sempai is the captain of the basketball team this year while Ayako-sempai is the team manager." She cheerfully introduced them.

Shintaro bowed at the two. Miyagi looked at the towering boy. He's very tall! Ayako grabbed Haruko's arm and pulled her aside.

"Haruko-chan… He's cute, isn't he?" Ayako was winking at Haruko that made the latter blush and just managed to give a timid smile.

The whole team is looking at Shintaro. Sakuragi was well…what can we say…fuming because he saw the brown-haired boy came with Haruko. Grrrr… he is with Haruko-chan again!

Rukawa is also staring at Shintaro. Something inside is telling him this guy is a worthy opponent unlike the redhaired baka. Some whispers could be heard from the sidelines coming from some girls and the Rukawa Brigade. They are also ogling at Shintaro.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Impressive. That is the word. It seems when Miyagi saw Shintaro moved in the middle of the court, he was more than convinced that he is good. He immediately informed Anzai Sensei about it and drafted Shintaro to be a member of the starting five since Akagi is not with them anymore. Miyagi ordered a practice game amongst themselves.

Shintaro Ken, 17 years old, 191 cm, doesn't play any fixed position…. Miyagi was studying his profile.

Haruko was very surprised to see that Shintaro does not only play basketball. He plays it good! She cheered for him aside from Sakuragi and Rukawa. Sugoi!!!! Kami-sama! He is even better than Rukawa-kun! She is very happy having discovered someone like him. She is getting good at recruiting good players. At that thought she smiled to herself. He plays it really well like a pro. A powerful dunk! It echoed throughout the whole gym. Haruko pumped her fist up in the air and shouted his name.

Heh. Haruko-chan really does cheer hard. He smiled to himself.

He is as cool as Sendoh on court. His moves are great, he has finesse in every lay-ups, perfect arcs on his 3-point shots with accuracy that would shame Mitsui. His dunks eclipse that of Rukawa's. Sakuragi was fuming when Shintaro made a rebound in front of him. He was also quick in stealing the ball from Miyagi. He watches like a hawk and defends like his life depended on it. He was also ruthless on the offense. And this is only a practice game!

Damn…

Shit!

Arghhh!!!

Is he human?

K'so!

All the girls at the sidelines squealed with every basket that he made, even the Rukawa Brigade couldn't help themselves. What surprised them was that Shintaro actually acknowledged them by waving at them. He also flashes a smile once in a while that made them swoon and resulted in some of the girls fainting.

Whoa! I didn't know girls here could be so enthusiastic!

After the practice game, the members of the team were panting. Shintaro walked to the sideline in Haruko's direction after getting a towel and wiping himself with it.

"So, what do you think, Haruko-chan?" He beamed his dazzling smile at her.

"Shintaro-kun! You didn't tell me you were so good at basketball!" Her eyes sparkling.

"Ahh…. Not really…. I thought I did bad." He grinned. "But I'm glad you liked it!"

Haruko blushed. Rukawa heard it and turned at their direction and stared. He couldn't believe it. He lost to this guy! And he thought he was already good! Damn! And what is he doing with their new assistant manager? Isn't it that she used to like him? Gotta do more practice.

"Oi, Brownie! Stop flirting with Haruko-chan! Grrrrrrr……" Sakuragi had to be restrained by the other team members as smokes were coming out of his ears. They knew the redhead too well when it comes to Haruko. "Arghhhh!!! Let gooo!!!!" Even the girls at the sidelines were all green with jealousy. Ayako and Miyagi snickered at the nickname the redhead gave to the brown-haired boy.

Shintaro glanced at the fuming redhead then turned back to Haruko.

"Are you sure he is just your friend? Looks like he is jealous." He winked at her.

"Huh? Oh no no hehe… really, Sakuragi and I are just friends!" She was waving her hands in front of her. "Besides….." She looked at Rukawa who was on his way to the locker room.

"Hmm…pretty protective for a friend, ne? Besides what?" Shintaro asked

"Ahh…nothing."

Miyagi had mixed feelings. They were all beaten in terms of performance, it's obvious but he is also very happy that they stand a better chance to win the championship this year! That was his goal, getting the inter-high title while the team is under his leadership.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

All the team members become wary. Shintaro doesn't leave Haruko's side except when he is playing on the court or when he goes to the locker room.

"Haruko-chan, would you mind waiting for me? I want to walk you home."

"No, it's alright, Shintaro-kun. I am used to walking alone. Besides I still have to help cleaning."

"But I insist, Haruko-chan. I hope you wouldn't mind?"

"Ah…ok." She smiled meekly. Geeee… How can I say no to him? He is so kind and mild-mannered.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"What a show-off!" Sakuragi blurted out. I had to contend with kitsune before, now comes another one!! Grrrrr…… He punched the door of his locker.

Shintaro heard this as he was walking inside the locker room.

"Hello Sakuragi-kun!" He greeted him with a smile. Everyone froze thinking there would be a rumble coming soon. "I hope we can be friends, Sakuragi-kun. Wakatta. Haruko-chan is a very nice girl." He extended his hand to Sakuragi to see if the redhead would accept it as a sign of goodwill. Sakuragi hesitated for a moment then reluctantly accepted it. Well, at least this guy treats Haruko better than that baka kitsune! Shintaro smiled. "Yatta! Sakuragi-kun!" He then turned and proceeded to the shower room.

Rukawa witnessed the whole scene as he was sitting on the floor drinking from his water bottle. Do'aho.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"I wonder why Matsui and Fujii are not here yet?" Haruko scanned the hall for her friends.

"Maybe they're just late. We can wait for them."

A few meters away, Haruko finally spotted her two friends talking to a group of classmates. "Oh, there they are!"

"Haruko!" Matsui and Fujii ran to join Shintaro and Haruko. "I'm sorry, Haruko, Shintaro-kun, we can't join you for lunch today and in the coming days. The drama club has required us to practice during lunchtime because the play is slated next month. The committee decided that it would be best to stay together during lunch so we won't waste any time."

"N-nani?"

"I'm sorry, Haruko." Fujii said sadly. "But don't worry, we can still join you when there is a game and we would still do our study sessions, ne?."

"Oh…alright…."

"We have to go now, Haruko, the other members are waiting for us. Take care of her, Shintaro-kun?"

"Sure, no problem."