Notes: I'm now on Chapter 3! Hope you still continue reading this! Hey! Watch out for chapter 6 and the following chapters after it! You'll regret it if you don't read them! Enjoy!!!
Chapter 3 – Loser
It was about 4 o'clock in the afternoon when the blue-eyed guy with black hair went into the gym. It was totally quiet and no sounds were heard except for the sound of branches of the trees swaying from one side to another because of the playful wind. He predicted. She's not yet here. He opened the door and the sight of the empty gymnasium stumbled upon his eyes. His prediction was right. He entered the room and went straight into the pile of basketballs placed on the steel rack.
That idiot… asking me a one-on-one game and now I'm waiting for nothing! But why should I think of her? She's none of my damn business… he said to himself while picking a basketball on the rack.
He started dribbling the ball. At first, slowly, but after a few seconds, he found himself dribbling the ball faster and faster from one hand to another. "If she's not gonna come, I'll practice all by myself" he thought. After transferring the ball from one hand to another for about five times, he started running while dribbling. He imagined Sendoh… his hair was standing straight and he had that usual fuckin' smile on his lips. The latter irritated him the most. It's not that he hated Sendoh but he hated people who always smile just for nothing. They are CRAZY he thought.
"Damn you" he said on his mind while irritatingly imagining Sendoh blocking him from reaching the goal, HIS goal. You're not gonna win over me, Akira Sendoh!!! He made a fake and through his fast moves he escaped the imaginary Sendoh blocking his way. He continued running and when he felt that this was the right time, he swung his hands and released the ball into the air.
"Whoosh!" the ball inserted perfectly into the basket. He landed perfectly into the floor while the ball bounced off as it fell into the ground. After about a couple of seconds, claps of a hand were heard.
"Nice shot, Mr. Super Rookie… You really impress me! Too bad for you, a girl like me will beat you!" Aia said as she approached him with a smirk painted on her face.
Great! And now, she's here! "Do 'aho." he said in a teasing cold voice.
"Won't you stop calling me that way! You, pervert!"
"Idiot."
"You know what?! I'm starting to think that you look like a FOX!"
"Shut up I—DI---OT."
This guy's giving me a headache! "BAKA!!!" she said in a loud voice.
"So, idiot, aren't we gonna start the game?"
"Huh, don't be too calm, loser!"
"Let's see." he said with equanimity.
"So, pervert, what are the rules?"
"The one who scores 10 first, wins."
"That's easy" she said. You'll regret playing with me, Rukawa…hahahaha!
"The ball is yours."
"Let's start this over, pervert!"
She dribbled the ball as he raised his hands for defense. She dribbled it faster and look at me with light blue eyes that seemed to smile at me. Her eyes… They are tempting… with its crystal blue color… They make me feel… What am I actually thinking!!! Am I out of my mind! I should concentrate on the game… No! She escaped!
Aia swung her arms and released the ball up into the air. A trajectory path was formed and after a few seconds, the ball completely went into the basket.
"Shoot. What's happening to you, Mr. Super Rookie? I thought you'll beat me…" she said trying to tease Rukawa.
"The game's just starting… just wait for my turn." He said in a calm voice while picking the ball and dribbling it on the floor.
"You have to much confidence!… You're no match for me Kaede Rukawa!"
"Idiot."
They played for about fifteen minutes. The score was 4-6 with Rukawa on the lead. She's just wasting my time… She's good compared to others but didn't she realize that I'm better than her…! So slow! Her mind needs repair. Kaede said to himself.
"I thought you're going to beat me?"
He's tough. I never thought that a high school student like him could play like this. But no matter what, I have to win! I have to! "Just wait and see" she said trying to hide her fears of losing.
They started to play again… the next thing he knew… the score was 8-9. He was one point ahead of her.
"One point and I'll win" he said trying to know what she feels about losing.
"I won't let you!" Aia replied with strong and full determination.
"You're a fool."
He dribbled the ball and she guarded him. He ran faster to reach the goal and raised his hands in the air. He was about to shoot and she believed it. It's a fake. He ran faster until he reached the goal. He was about to dunk the ball and Aia tried to block it. But it was too late. It was no use. The impact was great. The ball was dunked.
Their little game ended. The score was 8-11. They landed on the floor with their backs facing each other and never-knowing what to say.
"You lose," he said in his usual cold voice. Is that proper to say? Who cares about saying things properly?! And what if she's hurt? No! It's HER fault! You can't blame me for that.
"Yes… I…I…lose…" she replied not exactly knowing what to say. No… No! this can't be! It's impossible!
Rukawa was the first to have the courage to turn around and see what's really happening.
"Are…are you… all right?" he said. What am I sayin? This might make things worse! Well, who cares if things are worse, they would never affect me!
"Yeah… I don't know you can speak like that…" she said in an almost broken voice. Control yourself, Aia! Control yourself! Don't cry in front of him! No! Not now!
"I…"
But before he finish his statement she turned around and he saw tears rushing down from her blue crystal eyes.
"No! I don't need your apology. It's nothing! It's nothing!"
"But…" Good! And now she's crying because of me! And besides, I'm already apologizing! What more did she wanted! What a child! I hate her.
"I said NO! I'm a loser and I'm ready to accept it! Don't pity me. I don't need your mercy!" she said wiping up her tears and trying to hide her emotions. She ran as fast as she could, never knowing where to go and hiding the feelings that are overflowing from her heart.
He didn't know what to do next. I don't have time for idiots asking for a game then crying over because she loses… that's what I consider abnormality… he uttered to himself as he got the ball and dribbled it once more. He raised his hands and made a perfect shot – a three-point shot… Now, that word seems to be stocked on his head – LOSER…
*
I went into the rooftop. That's the perfect and only place where I can find calmness and memories of the past. Today, the wind was fast. Sometimes I hate the wind. It reminds me of something about the rooftop and the cold winds that I used to play in to. I was helpless… with no particular direction. I wished she was here… the rooftop… I'm… nothing… nothing without her eyes and her smile… her touch that seems to lighten up and give strength to every inch of my body… I am… nothing… a loser…
