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

Note: Sentences in italics are thoughts.

Of Love and Friendship

Chapter 6: He Knew

"Rukawa-kun!" A smiling Shintaro approached Rukawa at the sidelines. "Wanna play one on one?"

The practice had already ended. The team members were surprised to see the two boys going back to the court as if they are going to play. Rukawa is not the kind that would back out on a challenge. For Rukawa, it was a challenge that is to be taken seriously. He wanted to beat him. For Shintaro, it was just a game. For the sake of fun.

As the one on one went on, Haruko cheered for both of them. He loves it when Haruko cheers. Any player would give anything to get that kind of support but he noticed that Rukawa doesn't give a damn about it. The team members haven't seen a one on one as aggressive as this. In the end, it was Shintaro who won. Rukawa could just curse under his breath as he was down on the court after he was floored by Shintaro's last deadly shot. A powerful dunk that reverberated for a few seconds. Shintaro extended his hand to him to assist him to stand up. The taller boy's hand was in the air for a few moments but Rukawa stood up without accepting his hand. The cold ace stared unemotionally at him for a few seconds, turned around and prepared to leave.

"Haruko-chan really cheered hard for you. Every time. Do you know that Sakuragi would kill just to be in your place?"

Rukawa stopped in his tracks. Shintaro waited for a reaction. None. The brown haired boy just smiled wryly and turned around. He's really stubborn. He walked to Haruko and waved as she offered him his towel.

"Thanks."

"You're really great, Shintaro-kun!"

"Thanks, but don't you think Rukawa-kun did good too?"

"Umm…well, yea…."

Actually her heart is aching for Rukawa. She wished she could comfort him. If only she could.

-Go away!-

She shook her head. No. Rukawa-kun doesn't need my pity. He doesn't need anything from me.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Hi there!"

Haruko looked up to see Saeko, a sophomore like her who is a member of the Debating Club and is a co-editor of their school paper. Definitely one of the intellectuals in Shohoku.

"H-hi!" She hesitantly greeted back. She must be one of them who do not like me.

"I'm here to see Fujiwara-sensei but I can see that he is still talking to Shintaro-san." She sat beside Haruko and placed her bag and books on her lap. "You are Haruko-san of the Basketball Club, right? I am Saeko." She smiled. "Waiting for Shintaro-san?" Haruko smiled back timidly and nodded.

"By the way, congratulations on winning at the Science Fair."

The brown-haired girl blinked. "T-thanks. How did you know?"

"Hey, I am writing for the school paper so I know the latest school buzz."

"Oh I see."

"Um….I also heard that you are not very popular with the girls." Haruko looked up to her and started feeling uncomfortable. "Don't worry about it. They are just jealous of you." Saeko contorted her face to make a point.

They are jealous of me? She uncomfortably shifted on her seat as she recalled the cruel words she had heard months ago when Saeko started talking again.

"I don't think you have done anything wrong. I mean, it's only natural to support a teammate, right? Even more so if he is someone you love." She raised her eyebrow and tilted her head. "Really, I have seen worse things people do in the name of love."

She couldn't believe it. She was wrong after all. Saeko doesn't hate her. "T-thank you, Saeko-san." She smiled at the girl beside her.

"Don't mention it. I just don't consider it a mortal sin if you cheer for your basketball guy. Oh, here's comes Shintaro-san." She stood up. "Nice meeting you!"

"Nice meeting you too!" She stood up and waved to Saeko.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After the tough game with Shoyo, Haruko ran to give Shintaro his towel and a water bottle. Since the game was over, she placed her notebook where she keeps the team members statistics aside.

"You were magnificent, Shintaro-kun! You are even getting better and better!" She never failed to praise and encourage her best friend.

"Thanks, Haruko-chan!" A smile graced his lips as he reached for the towel and the bottle.

She watched him as he wiped himself and gulped some water.

"Hey, why don't you give Rukawa-kun some water too? He could be thirsty too, you know. It was a tough game after all." He gave her a teasing wink that made her face pink.

"Eh? Anou… I don't know… he never accepts help from anyone. It'll just be a waste of effort." She waved her hand dismissively.

"A-a Haruko. I think he is lonely in his own little world." He placed a hand on her shoulder and looked intently into her eyes. "It doesn't hurt if you show him that you care."

"But Shintaro-kun…."

"Go on." He nudged her gently to Rukawa's direction.

"But…"

"Shoo!" Shintaro playfully mocked a kick towards her while sporting a silly grin on his face. "Goodluck!" There was a teasing tone in his voice.

"Oh…alright." She took a deep breath as she braced for the coming rejection. Sometimes Shintaro-kun could be such a tease!

Hesitantly, she walked up to where Rukawa is standing. All along she was chanting to herself. Ok, it's no big deal. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this! She is nervous as hell. When she got near him, she took another deep breath then extended her hand that was holding the water bottle to him.

"Ru-Rukawa-kun… would you like to have some water?" Ok, he'll just turn around and leave. Get it over with. Turn around now. She was already ready for his response but still being so near to him gives her the chill. It's like he is so cold, so cold that she could feel the sudden drop of temperature around her.

Rukawa looked at her. More like stared. Haruko on the other hand was starting to lose it. Turn around now! It's what you're supposed to do! After a few more seconds under his stare, she took a deep breath. Fine! She was about to bring down her hand that was holding the bottle when she felt it was being taken away from her. It was just one instant but when he reached out for the bottle his fingers brushed with hers that shook her. She mustered all her courage to keep herself composed. What? He took it? I must be dreaming!

He continued on staring at her while he was twisting the cap of the bottle. Cold stares. So cold she couldn't stand it anymore. She needs to get out of there. Fast. She was about to leave him alone when--

"Arigato."

Her eyebrows moved. She thought she heard something. It was almost inaudible. "Huh?"

Rukawa felt an urge to laugh seeing her reaction but since he's an expert in controlling his emotions, he didn't. He knew how she felt about him. He is not an idiot. Just how many times did he heard her squealed his name? He lost count already. And even though she's their team's vice-manageress, she never did approach him, until now.

Did he say something? I must be hearing things. She shook her head and turned to leave.

"Is he your boyfriend?"

She froze. What was that? Then she almost jumped when she saw that Rukawa was already very close to her.

"D-do you need anything else?"