Notes: sLL: yup. It's pretty obvious who's gonna play cupid now ^^
Disclaimer: SlamDunk belongs to Inuoe Takehito.
Cupid
Chapter 6
Makoto remained immobile for a while before acknowledging Rukawa with a slight nod. Amidst her hectic life in Tomada Institution, she had forgotten that he had gone to Shohoku! She was shocked, yet at the same time, overjoyed. Regaining her senses, she grabbed Rukawa's shirt, lifting him slightly and started shaking him excitedly ^^;
"Kaede! Gomen! I forgot that you were in Shohoku! This is great! Now we can play basketball together! I just transferred here today, and I'm going to..."
Rukawa could not help but allow his lips to twitch a little. No matter how childish his friend seemed, she always managed to make him laugh. But it was not the time for this. He wanted to know their relationship, just in case. He squeezed Makoto's wrists lightly, indicating for her to let go. Makoto complied and sweatdropped when she felt a rising heat behind her.
"...Kaede...? Did I just see the kitsune smile just now...?" Hanamichi was glaring at Makoto with narrowed eyes, demanding an explanation. Makoto took a few steps backward from the raging heat emanating from Hanamichi.
"Ano...Hana-kun...he's the kitsune...?"
Rukawa raised an eyebrow. He had always dreamt of Hanamichi calling his name, but not in a way as if it were the most spiteful thing in the whole wide world. He gave a look to Makoto that said, I want to know too. Makoto, no matter how, always managed to read her friend's different looks all the time, even though they looked almost the same. She sighed and then explained about how she met Hanamichi and that she had known Rukawa since five, and that, no, she was not betraying the tensai's friendship in any way. After a long explanation, and a long, awkward silence with glares from Hanamichi to Rukawa, Makoto decided that she was about to lose her cool and beat them all up when Miyagi and Mitsui stepped in.
"Whoa! Who's the new guy?" The three turned to see the two seniors. Hanamichi shrugged and mumbled something about not changing his mind about the kitsune even if he was Mak-chan's childhood friend. Rukawa just shrugged and called Hanamichi a do'aho, which led to another fight just before practice. Makoto sweatdropped. So that was what was going to become of her two best friends?
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"Ok, we have someone new today. Aya-chan is going to be late, so we'll start practice first. Why don't you introduce yourself, newbie?" Miyagi gestured to Makoto; obviously a little disappointed that Ayako wasn't there at the moment.
Aya-chan? Makoto stepped out to introduce herself.
"Aoshima Makoto. 175cm, 60kg. I graduated from Tomigaoka Junior High and transferred to Shohoku only today. I have no position, because I was manager in the basketball team."
Mitsui glanced at the slim boy. "Hm...from Tomigaoka? Same as Rukawa then. Why don't you play with him and show us what you got."
Makoto was surprised at first, but gladly obliged. How long was it since she played with Kaede? He would've definitely improved because of the Kanagawa trials as well as IH.
Surprisingly, to the others, both parties were willing to play with each other. The last time Akagi made Rukawa play with a year-one, Rukawa agreed, but the year-one refused profusely, having heard of Rukawa, but had to play in the end, because of the lump on his head caused by a Gorilla-punch. (Akagi: I heard that! chibi angel: You're supposed to be studying for exams! Shoo!)
Makoto dribbled and contemplated her position. Rukawa was much taller than her and had always been better in playing basket. She was sure that she had improved quite a lot, but how much did Kaede improve? With Kaede towering over her even if they were bent low, it was difficult for her to break through his defenses. Desperate to make a move, Makoto bounced the ball to her back and turned round just in time to get control of the ball, catching Rukawa by surprise. Free, she made a fast break towards the basket to make an easy shot when Rukawa caught up with her fast enough. Makoto soon found herself under tight defense again.
"Just as rash as always. "
Makoto grinned." I'm not the same as before, Kaede."
She faked and then delivered a quick shot at the basket without looking, scoring an easy two points. Rukawa took the ball once it landed, and then ran out to score a three-pointer to win over Makoto. Chasing him, Makoto stopped abruptly when she realised she was tricked. She tried to run back to guard him, but Rukawa had already scored a smooth three-pointer.
"RU-KA-WA!"
Bang. Rukawa turned, surprised at the loud sound of something hitting the gym floor. Everyone in the gym sweatdropped. Aoshima Makoto, the newcomer, was lying face flat on the floor. She got up immediately, instead of rubbing her head to sooth the pain, she was rubbing her ears to soothe her eardrums.
"Kuso...what the hell was that!?"
Hanamichi stormed to the entrance of the gym, a smug look on his face when he approached the trio in the Rukawa Brigade.
" See, what did I tell you, you're disturbing our practice." Then he slammed the door in their faces.
" Thanks a lot, Hana."
"Hehe...I knew I was right! You alright, Mak-chan?"
"Hai. Just a little shaken by the screeches."
Miyagi was laughing while trying to tell the two that he had seen enough of Makoto's play. He went up and patted Makoto on the back. "You'll have to get used to it if you're going to play in an actual match. You're good, you know."
Makoto winced."Thanks, I know. Rukawa had lots of fans in Tomigaoka too."
Suddenly, the door opened and shut quickly. Miyagi brightened up when his all-time crush entered the gym.
"Gomen! I'm late!" Ayako looked up to face a very shocked newbie in Shohoku. She smirked widely and then gave Makoto a tight hug.
"Makoto-kun! When did you transfer?"
"Uh...Ayako...senpai..? I..can't breathe..."
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All throughout practice, Makoto observed and found out something strange. Miyagi was always trying to melt her with his heated, and not to mention, jealous glare. For what reason, she knew not. Hanamichi was always hanging around Haruko, laughing at whatever she said. He also stole some brief glances at Rukawa when Rukawa played well. There wasn't the jealousy and rage that Hanamichi claimed he had when he saw Haruko swooning over Rukawa, but rather, pure admiration. And well, Rukawa was staring at Hanamichi everytime, and at Haruko a few times. There was pure hatred in his eyes when they landed on Haruko, who in turn had hearts for eyes when looking at Rukawa. For what reason, Makoto was sure she had some idea.
'What a complicating place...' She sighed as she tried to perfect her three-pointers the way Mitsui was telling her to. She would just have to confirm her doubts later.
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"OK! We'll end today. Don't forgot the practice match we have with Ryonan two weeks later."
Miyagi looked at Makoto, who looked as if he did not want practice to end.
"Aoshima?"
"Huh? er...I'm gonna practice a while more after cleaning up."
"OK, don't stay too late." Miyagi had cooled off somehow when Ayako told him that Makoto was only a junior and nothing else. Just like Rukawa. And of course, after a few whacks from the infamous Mr Fan, because he thought she meant that she like Rukawa too.
Makoto mopped the floor carelessly. She was almost done, but it seemed that not all the players had gone home yet. That was the disadvantage of hiding her gender. She could not afford to let anyone know! Then she heard Hanamichi's loud voice.
"Ja ne! Kitsune!" Makoto smirked. Hanamichi may not think it, but he was definitely not showing that he had utter hate for Rukawa. Hanamichi passed by the gym to take a look.
"Mak-chan! It's safe now. Only the kitsune is there. He knows you're a girl right?"
Makoto nodded. She opened her mouth to say something, but was rudely interrupted.
"Ja, Mak-chan!" The ever-cheerful Hanamichi went on his way, oblivious as ever.
She gave a sigh. Might as well confirm my doubts first.
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Rukawa put on a clean shirt and finished changing, just when Makoto stepped in. She took a towel from the locker and wiped her sweat. Rukawa took his cue to leave the locker room, when Makoto stopped him with a simple statement.
"You like him, don't you?"
Rukawa froze in his place.