STEAK, CAKE OR ICE CREAM?
Part 2: Revelations
"Ohaiyo," Nayami greeted, entering her class. She was greeted with more good mornings as she took her seat.
"Nayami-san," Koshino came up to her," there's a note from your coach. She asked me to pass it to you." Nayami took the note and thanked him. She opened it.
'Practice as usual at the sports utility hall. We will be holding our practice sessions from now on. Inform the rest. ~Signed~ Hinori-sensei'
'Great,' Nayami thought, 'just what I needed… more Sendoh…' She sighed as she glanced behind. Sendoh had been coming to class earlier than usual. And now he was seating at his seat, flipping through his English textbook. At that moment, he looked up and their eyes met. Nayami blushed before turning to the front. 'What is wrong with me?'
"What's wrong with her?' Sendoh thought, glancing at Nayami at the basketball court. She was having a game between her girls. She kept on glancing at Sendoh's direction, Sendoh noticed. He shook his head. 'Nah… there's no way…' He passed the ball to Fukuda, and then glanced back at her. Their eyes met again, for the sixth time during practice. It was an awkward moment for him as his insides churned. It was Koshino who snapped him out of his trance, pointing out that Taoka-sensei was glaring at him. He grinned and got back to his own game.
Everyone went back except for the two captains who had to stay back to check and lock up everything. Nayami walked down the girls' locker room, checking each an every shower. After a thorough inspection, she came out, carrying her bag, and locked the room.
"Done?" Sendoh asked from behind her, making he jump.
"Sendoh-san! Don't do that!" She shouted at him, nearly pelting him with her bag.
"Gomen…" he grinned pathetically. Nayami imparted the key at him.
"Jya' ne…" She turned to walk away.
"Nayami-san, matte…" Sendoh said, stopping her. He took a deep breath before facing her.
"Nani, Sendoh-san?" She asked softly, her eyes filled with concern.
"I-I…" he stammered. Nayami gave him a confused look.
"What is it?"
"I-I… I think you should know… t-that…"
"You think I should know what? Sendoh-san, if you're not going to tell me I'm leaving!" At that, she began walking away when Sendoh did an unpredictable thing. He grabbed her by the arm, made her face him and kissed her. Shocked, Nayami couldn't do anything but let him take her… until…
"Iya!" She screamed, pushing him away," Sendoh-san… I can't… we can't…"
"Nayami-san… I like you ever since the day I met you. I acted the way I did to hide it but now… I can't." But Nayami could only shake her head, her mind spinning. Sendoh lifted her chin, forcing them to make eye contact," I can't hide the way I feel about you." Sendoh searched her amber eyes for an answer. Nayami only turned away.
"I can't… Gomen," she went, running off, leaving Sendoh to make something of her actions and her words.
'First Rukawa, now Sendoh…' Nayami thought as she walked home. 'Why can't I just have a friend that doesn't have feelings for me?' Her mind quickly raced to Mitsui, who had been quite the friend lately. 'Maybe if I told him this, he'll help me sort it out. But it's strange to tell a boy about a girl's problems,' she giggled. She wondered what Mitsui would say…
'It's worse for me if I have to choose between the three of them… I do like them a lot. Mitsui-san is a nice guy and he's been a great shoulder to lean on, Sendoh-san… when I met him, he was serious about helping me getting a normal life… And Rukawa-san…" She felt her cheeks turn redder than ever. Nayami knew that she had a big problem to clear before Inter High.
The ball went through the hoop. Instead of picking it up, Nayami watched it bounce, gradually turning to smaller bounces then just slowly roll to someone's feet.
"Bee in your bonnet?" Nayami looked up to see Mitsui smiling at her.
"Mitsui-san!" she exclaimed.
"What's up? You look like your going to face dragons during Inter High…" Nayami smiled at that.
"Iya… I'm facing emotional trauma, to put it lightly," she went, giving him a sad smile. Mitsui returned it with a warmer smile.
"I see… Wanna share?" Nayami gave Mitsui an odd look. His soft expression made her feel like talking for some reason. Maybe it was the tension or the confusion in her head or maybe it was Mitsui. Whatever the reason she found herself sitting at the bench with Mitsui, telling him about Rukawa and Sendoh, even though deep inside she knew she shouldn't.
"I don't know what to do right now. Why is it so hard… for me?" she asked, in a soft whisper.
"You're confused… You don't know your own feelings. Sort them out then you'll be able to make decisions," Mitsui answered, his blue eyes gleaming.
"Why me?" she muttered.
"Why not?" Mitsui smirked at her," you're beautiful, strong willed, independent, understanding and smart… I'd be lying if I didn't say I like you too…e…to…" A red line formed at the bridge of Mitsui's nose.
"Nani?" Nayami asked, blinking at him," did you say that you… you like me?" She felt her cheeks turn a light shade of pink at the last three words.
"I did… I told you I'd be lying if I didn't like you, Nayami-san…"
"You too, huh?" She pouted before letting out a sigh.
"But you already have problems sorting out your feelings, so I don't want to meddle…" Nayami shook her head.
"At least… you stuck to me like a friend, Mitsui-san. Arigatou." Mitsui smiled at her.
"I'll always be your friend, Nayami-san, whatever your decision."
"Hai… I think I'll go sort myself out the only way I know," she declared.
"Oh… and how is that?" Nayami just winked at him.
"I'm not telling you!" She tapped at his nose, making him blush even redder than before.
"Nayami-san…" He swatted her hand off.
"I don't see a problem on their part, Nayami," Mitsuki pointed out as she chopped potatoes," All they did was tell you their sincere, honest feelings about you." Nayami had invited her best friend to dinner, provided she helped out with the cooking. The two had been talking about Nayami's current problem.
"But still…" Nayami tried to counter with something when she started blushing again.
"Sou da na… You can't choose between Rukawa, Sendoh and Mitsui, right?" Mitsuki teased. Nayami was as red as the tomato she was dicing.
"Urusai~! I-I…"
"Nani? Is this the determined, unshaken-under-pressure captain I know?" Mitsuki smirked.
"That's different… this is…"
"Maa~… it's easy, all you have to do is pick either steak, cake or ice cream."
"Steak, cake or ice cream?" Mitsuki nodded.
"Let's say Rukawa is steak, Sendoh is cake and Mitsui is ice cream. You like all three of those but if you eat all three, you'll get a stomachache. So, pick the one you like the most and share the rest."
"Easier said than done," Nayami said, disheartened.
"Iya… it's easy if you know your own feelings. You're problem is that you're afraid of hurting the other once you decided…"
"Wakatta da yo," Nayami sighed," Finish chopping that and let's cook this." She smiled at Mitsuki.
'It's been a while since I came here,' Nayami thought, standing at the bottom of a steep stairway to a temple. She started climbing. 'This place is the perfect sanctuary to clear my mind and heart. Good thing, I told only Mitsuki where I was going…'
It took her five minutes to climb to the temple. She greeted the priest and handed some offerings to him. Soon after, she found herself sitting at the altar. She stared at the statue of Buddha. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and placed her palms together. 'Kami-sama… I really need to make a choice before I lose all three of them… and I really would like to win Inter High.' She started mumbling 'steak, cake or ice cream' in a mantra that made her fall asleep and her stomach rumble.
Meanwhile…
"Mitsuki-san… thanks for actually staying back to do this," Koshino went as he pulled down the old decorations of the basketball club's notice board.
"Daijobou, I don't mind at all. It's a specialty of mine," she winked at him, making the boy blush.
"I wish Sendoh would hurry up with getting the new decorations…" He muttered. In a few minutes, the spiky haired boy came running through the halls, halting exactly in front of Mitsuki.
"Mitsuki-san-call-Nayami-now-Rukawa-something-happened-pant-pant…" He managed out in between catching his breath.
"What are you talking about, Sendoh?" Koshino asked, giving his an odd look as Mitsuki took out her hand phone.
"Nayami's not at home…" Mitsuki went as she hung up the phone moments later," Damn… she's at the temple…"
"Koshino, clear up the place and meet us at the Nagata Hospital. Mitsuki-san, you and I are going to fetch Nayami… We've got no time to complain… this matters a lot to Nayami."
"Hai!"
Mitsui paced the waiting room while Ryota was talking on his cell to Ayako. Anzai-sensei was filling up Rukawa's particulars at the desk. Kogure, Akagi and Haruko arrived moments later with worried looks on their faces. Youhei was staring out the window. His shirt was covered with blood but he didn't bother.
"Youhei-kun… what happened?" Haruko asked. Youhei turned to her with a serious look on his face and shook his head. Kogure went up to Mitsui.
"What's wrong?" he asked his friend.
"Nothing… I'm just… worried," Mitsui muttered as he looked up to Kogure.
"Sit down… you're making everyone more anxious," Kogure pushed him down onto a chair.
"How far is this temple?" Sendoh asked, looking around as the scenery changed. The two took a cab to the temple.
"It's in the outskirts," Mitsuki answered, sighing.
"Uso!"
"Daijobou… we'll be able to reach there in about fifteen minutes," Mitsuki assured him," I've been there once. Ne, Sendoh-san, what happened to Rukawa?"
"He got into an accident…"
"Accident?" Sendoh nodded.
"I met with Ryota and Mitsui on my way to the arts shop. They were in a rush. They said they were going to the hospital. Youhei phoned them saying that Rukawa met an accident while riding his bike. Apparently, he was going to work when he saw it. He didn't know how to reach Rukawa's house and he doesn't know Anzai-sensei so he called Sakuragi who gave Ryota's cell phone number. He called him and told him the whole story and asked him to call Anzai-sensei to the hospital. Rukawa's in A&E unit right now, bleeding badly. I think he suffered a concussion…"
"Sonna…"
"That's why I have to get to Nayami…" Sendoh went, his eyes flashed his determination.
"AAAAH~! How could I fall asleep?! I never figured out anything!" Nayami moaned as she wore her shoes. 'I need my concentration for Inter High… Not to figure this thing out during it…' Sighing, she started climbing down the stairs.
"NAYAMI! MATTE!!" The Ryonan Girl's Captain looked up to see Sendoh running up towards her.
"Sendoh-san?! What are you doing here?? How did you know--?!" Sendoh cut her off. He carried her and started climbing down the stairs. She turned red.
"I'll explain later!!"
'What's Sendoh-san doing?! Masaka!! Is he going to force me to marry him?! IYADA!!!' She started struggling.
"HANASE!! Put me down!! NOW!!"
"Stop struggling!! This is a matter of life and death… On Rukawa's part!!" Sendoh went as he raced down the stairs.
"Nani?!" Nayami stopped struggling and gave Sendoh a confused look.
'Nayami-san… Hayaku… If you're not here…' Mitsui thought looking out the window where Youhei had never budged, 'you'll never find your answer.'
"What are you thinking about?" The slick haired boy finally opened his mouth.
"Someone's well-being…" Mitsui answered.
"Sou ka?"
"A girl… And her final choices…"
"Huh?" Youhei gave the Shohoku three-pointer a confused look.
"You'll understand…" He smiled at the boy instead," you should get changed, Youhei-kun…" Mitsui pointed at his bloodied shirt.
"Hai…" He looked down on the stains on his shirt. 'Mitsui-san… did you just call me, Youhei-kun?'
By the time Nayami, Sendoh and Mitsuki reached the hospital, half of the Shohoku basketball team had gathered outside the operation theatre.
"Mitsui-san!" Nayami shouted, coming up to him.
"Nayami-san…" Mitsui looked down at the worried girl.
"Finally, you guys came…" Koshino muttered.
"Gomen ne… She was hard to find…" Mitsuki pointed out, making Koshino sigh. Sendoh just sweatdropped.
"Mitsui-san… how is he?" Mitsui wished he could look away form those concerned amber eyes. Not able to answer, he shook his head. "Sonna… What… what's taking him so long? Why is it…?" A hand fell onto her shoulder. It belonged to Kogure.
"Daijobou… Rukawa isn't the type to give up…" He said calmly," take a sit and relax." Nayami just nodded and sat down beside Sendoh. Mitsui sat down next to her. None of them spoke. Nayami looked around, too anxious to be concerned on whom the others are.
"Ne… Kogure-san… who is she?" Haruko suddenly asked. Kogure sweatdropped.
"Ah… She's Rukawa's friend. Apparently, she from Ryonan and she knows Mitsui-san too…" The bespectacled boy explained. Haruko, despite her own worry, flashed a jealous look on her face.
"How close are they?" she asked. Kogure just shrugged but from the look on Nayami's face, it was obvious they were very close. And, of course, Haruko noticed that. But all she answered was a very strained," sou ka?" Everything was silent then till the doctor came out from the operation theatre. Everyone rushed to him but Nayami was the first to reach him.
"Sensei… how is he? Is Rukawa-san going to be okay? Will he…?" The doctor raised his hand to stop her.
"Rukawa suffered from a concussion, three broken ribs and a dislocated arm… he'll be out of action for a few months. Other than that, he's fine. No internal damage found." There was a wave of relief as murmur broke out in the group.
"But… But he'll need lots of rest. Since his family's not present at the moment as I was informed, the one closest to him will be able to see him. Obviously, it's you, young lady," the doctor looked at Nayami, who blushed.
"H-hai…" The doctor smiled, for the first time, at her.
"Out of curiosity, are you his girlfriend?" The girl in question turned deep red.
"SENSEI! C-C-Chigau! I'm just a good friend of Rukawa-san, that's all!"
"Almost sensei, almost," Sendoh laughed, winking at her.
"Sendoh-san!"
"Why are you so shy about it, Nayami-san?" Mitsui grinned.
"Mitsui-san!" Everyone else, with the exception of Haruko, who was still jealous, laughed their tensions away.
Light entered his unfocused eyes as he slowly opened it. Rukawa looked around, realizing he was in a hospital room. He tried to sit up when pain hit him. A pair of hands pushed him lightly on the bed.
"Don't move… The anesthetic's wearing off," the familiar voice went. Rukawa looked up to see Nayami smiling at him.
"Nayami-san… what…?" Her finger gently pressed against his lips.
"You need the rest, Rukawa-san," she said, brushing off his concerns. Rukawa just watched her as she adjusted his bed for him and covered him with the blanket. "Comfortable?" Rukawa nodded. Nayami smiled at him before backing off a bit, realizing they were very close. Rukawa used his good arm to grab her hand, stopping her.
"Sumimasen, Nayami-san…" Nayami felt her cheeks burn
"Wha-? Why are apologizing?"
"For making you worry…"
"Daijobou… I care for you, that's why I worry about you, Rukawa-san," she replied.
"Sou ka?" Rukawa mumbled, letting her hand go.
"Hai…" She nodded, blushing. It was a while before Nayami spoke again. "Rukawa-san, is it okay if… if I call you Kaede-san?" She paused for a while before adding," if you don't want me to, it's fine!" Rukawa stared at her before giving her one of his rare smiles.
"On one condition… you call me Kaede-KUN," he said, still smiling.
"Hai, Kaede-kun! Arigatou," she smiled at him back.
"Why?"
"For--!!" At that moment, Mitsui and Sendoh burst through the door, talking and laughing loudly.
"Rukawa!! You're awake! Good! Good!" Sendoh held up a few plastic bags of obento," you can help us finish this!"
"We didn't know what you like, so we ended up buying a lot of food," Mitsui scratched the back of his head, sweatdropping. Nayami giggled.
"You guys didn't have to…" Rukawa started saying, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Heiki, heiki… We're all pals, right?" Sendoh winked at him.
"Pals?" Rukawa questioned, bewildered.
"Right, pals…" Mitsui smiled at him. The pale boy turned from Nayami to Mitsui to Sendoh.
"Pals…" Rukawa repeated, in a more understanding tone.
"Okay! Now we eat! Ladies first so Nayami you pick!" Sendoh laid all the lunchboxes on a nearby table.
"Hai, hai," Nayami answered, going over to Sendoh.
