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

Note: Sentences in italics are thoughts.

Of Love and Friendship

Chapter 3: The Heartless Words

"Hey, since it is still lunch time, why don't we go to the other building. I heard the Science Club is located there."

"Science Club?"

"Yeah. You don't know? I wonder what they have there. C'mon!" Shintaro grabbed her by the arm and dragged the clueless Haruko across the school campus treading towards the building.

When they finally got there, Haruko saw some display of projects which she stared at with curiosity as she couldn't make out some of them. Shintaro's face on the other hand was beaming like a child as if he was amused by the displays.

"Isn't this great?" Shintaro pointed at the robot beside them. "Cool project!"

"Uhmm." Haruko nodded not knowing what the robot is for or what it does.

"There's the information." He left Haruko's side and got application forms. Then he walked towards her while scanning the papers. "Hmmm… so the Kanagawa Science Fair will be three months from now." He looked at his watch and noticed the time. "Haruko-chan, let's go, our class is about to start."

"You want to join the Science Club, Shintaro-kun?"

"Well, yeah, I was a member of the Science Club when I was in Tokyo. It's fun because you get to attend Science Fairs, compete with other schools and at the same time still learn. What's more, they don't require you to show up everyday. You just make a project and finish it within the deadline and compete."

Haruko looked at him and start thinking while they were walking back to their class. Maybe it would do her good to join the Science Club so she would have other extra-curricular activity aside from basketball. She needed to get a life. She liked the idea that it's not that demanding unlike their basketball club that requires them to show up everyday. "Anou…Shintaro-kun, maybe I can join too? Do you have an extra application form?"

Shintaro grinned at her. "I was really hoping you would say that."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Days had passed and things are pretty much normal. Haruko and Shintaro held study sessions together with Matsui and Fujii once a week. Haruko liked the idea since she was getting better grades now. Not that she was doing bad before but she is definitely improving in her studies.

The boys on the other hand are more motivated eversince they saw Shintaro play. Nobody wants to be left out especially the two bickering idiots. Their bickering has somewhat lessened because they are more serious with their training, each wanting to be better than Shintaro. Shintaro on the other hand had a Shintaro fan club now. He always gets gifts and letters and he actually find time to read them. Some girls say that Shintaro is better than Rukawa in many ways. For one, he smiles and acknowledges his fans. They also found out that Shintaro is good at academics.

However, something is brewing. Everyday while walking along the corridor, Haruko would notice the dagger looks that some of the girls are giving her. But when they look at Shintaro, they were all smiling at him. Although feeling uneasy, she chose to ignore it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Ne, Shintaro-kun?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you choose to enroll in Shohoku? You said you came from a private school in Tokyo?"

"Ah….my parents are working in America. I decided to move here in Kanagawa because it's not so crowded here. I like it here." He smiled while looking at her.

"Oh. Aren't you going to follow your parents?"

"I don't know." Shintaro looked up as if thinking of something. "I'm not sure yet. Besides, I told you I like it here. I am happy here. But who knows, maybe I would accept that offer to play in NBA after high school."

"N-NBA? You were offered to play in NBA?" Haruko's eyes are wide in surprise.

Shintaro shrugged. "Yeah… but I am not too sure about it. I like to play basketball but I am not keen on making it my career."

"I see…. what do you want to become then?"

"I want to become a doctor or a surgeon. So if ever I will go to America, it will be to study most probably." He answered lazily.

"Doctor? Wow, that's great!"

"You like it?" He asked smiling at her.

"Well, yeah, it's a good choice I think." She smiled back.

"What about you? What do you want to become?"

"I – I don't know yet…."

She realized she doesn't have any goal yet. Her life was just filled with studies, basketball and dreaming about Rukawa.

"It's alright. You still have two years to decide on what you want." He grinned and decided to change the topic.

"Sakuragi-kun is getting better and better." He started and looked at her for reactions.

"Hai. He really improved a lot since we were in first year!" Haruko answered enthusiastically. "And he is still improving!"

"I bet he does. It helps a lot when one is inspired by a beautiful girl." He winked at her.

Haruko blushed as she indignantly pumped her fist on her sides. "Shintaro-kun! I told you he is just a friend!"

"Yare-yare… He really likes you, Haruko-chan. I can see how jealous he is." He sounded like teasing.

"Well…. I—he is just a friend to me. Besides, I like Rukawa-kun…." Oh no! She covered her mouth but it was too late. The brown-haired boy raised an eyebrow.

Shintaro stopped in his tracks and faced Haruko. "You like Rukawa?"

Haruko blushed even more. "Err…."

"He's pretty quiet. Have you tried talking to him?" They started walking again.

Have I tried talking to him?

-Are you ok,Rukawa? Wipe your blood!-

-Stop being nosy.-

-Who do you think you are.-

-Are you ok? You are bleeding too much!-

-Go away!-

How come he was so mean to me? No, I know he is not mean. I know he is a good person inside. Maybe he has his reasons. I wish he had given me a chance to get to know him better. She sighed. How can I even talk to him when I cannot even get near him? No. She shut her eyes and shook her head. I should just be contented on cheering for him during the games. I'll just support him in anyway I can. I'll just pray that he will fulfill his dreams and be happy. That's it.

"Haruko-chan? You okay?" He lightly tapped her shoulder.

"Huh? Oh, yeah I'm alright." She forced a smile and placed her hands on her back.

Shintaro just looked at her. She looked like she was about to cry. He knows she is not alright and is debating to himself whether he should press on or just change the topic when---

"This is your house now. Goodnight, Haruko-chan." He bowed and smiled at her.

"Thank you for walking me home, Shintaro-kun."

They waved each other goodbye.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"But Shintaro-kun is always with Haruko!"

"Haruko? That bimbo who is always squealing whenever Rukawa-kun makes a shot?"

"He doesn't deserve an airhead. She is so annoying."

"I don't even know what Sakuragi-kun sees in her."

"Are you actually saying that Sakuragi-kun has a bad taste when it comes to girls?
"She is practically throwing herself to the boys."

"Hmph… she is a farce. She is just trying to be nice to get all the boys. Look, she even joined the basketball club because of the boys."

"Oi! Oi! Rukawa-kun doesn't even look at her. She doesn't stand a chance!"

"Good for her!"

The conversation from inside the classroom made Shintaro and Haruko froze on their tracks. They were about to enter their classroom after lunch time when they heard their female classmates. Haruko couldn't believe what she was hearing. They hate her! They actually hate her! Why? She couldn't control the tears from escaping from her eyes. She dashed through the corridor leaving Shintaro who was equally shocked but ran after her when he recovered. He couldn't believe how fast she could run. When he got out of the corridor, she was already gone.

They hate me because of Rukawa-kun and Shintaro-kun! Maybe what they are saying is true. Rukawa-kun doesn't deserve me. He is a famous basketball player after all while I am...I am just one of the girls who cheers her heart out for him. That's it! I am a nobody.