Chapter 7: What the?
I sat and stared at the whiteboard, sparkling white and shiny. Funny, I couldn't seem to fall asleep. At this point of time, Takeno Rika would be bursting into the classroom and saying a loud "Good morning!" but, uh-uh, not today.
My mind flashed back to yesterday. Was that really Takeno Rika? It had got to be, as hard as it was to believe it. I tried to picture in my head, normal Takeno Rika: laughing of glaring; depending who she was with and yesterday's Takeno Rika: doing what? Crying. Crying! A crying Takeno Rika? Those two just didn't click. But it was her right? Suddenly it felt like I had been given a bunch of Saddam Hussein pictures and was tasked to to find out if they were all the same guy. Geez, it just felt a little unbelievable.
Then I thought about Anzai-sensei's words. "…She was the last resort." I haven't seen her play but her shooting was not too bad after all. Then again, Shohoku's girls' team was practically the champion team in the entire nation so they must recruit some players of fine potential. But that was girls' basketball. I didn't know nothing about that, so I guess I couldn't say. Ohh hell, what was I doing worrying about her?
Normally, I wouldn't give a damn… Yeah, so I shouldn't give a damn at all. What was she anyway? Just another girl, right?
"Rukawa Kaede, why are you still sitting down?" It was Ogawa-sensei. I looked up abruptly and saw that all my classmates had stood up, ready to greet the teacher. I mumbled an apology then rose as everybody synchronized their voices, saying, "Ohayo gozaimasu, Ogawa-sensei."
I sat down. A wonderful thought came over me, "No Takeno Rika to disturb me in my sleep today!" For the rest of the lessons, I was able to enjoy a rare blissful and uninterrupted slumber.
******
When I got home yesterday, my mum immediately forbade me from going to school the next day. I protested of course but what could I do if I was genuinely down with flu?
Today had bored me to death. There was no NBA game on television. I had tried my very best not to think about yesterday or else I would start crying like a goon again. I attempted to sing all the songs I could recall. Each time I thought my voice was getting normal; it cracked whenever I escalated to a higher note. At first I didn't care but I stopped immediately after my annoyed brother yelled out, "Rika! Did you spoil the radio again?" Well, thanks a lot man, that sure was great encouragement.
I waved my brother goodbye as he sped off to university, late but that was nothing new… I plonked down onto our swing in the front porch. I was alone in the house with a dripping tap for a nose. Lovely.
Then I spotted the clouds in the sky, mesmerized by the transforming shapes. Horse galloping…then snake, no, dragon… My attention laid on that white puff stuff for quite a few moments until I spotted something against the blue sky that resembled a fox. Fox = Rukawa. Sick.
I switched my gaze to the floor. I observed the tiles closely and noticed that there were faint brown stripes on them. I'd always thought they were all white! I started walking with my hands clasped behind me, back bent forward as though I were Sherlock Holmes, scanning the ground for valuable evidence. Third tile left and seventh tile up from the mailbox had a slight bump. The one five tiles left of it had a rack in it. Man, people walking by must have had doubts about my sanity.
A gust of wind blew, weaving through the pores of my sweater, reminding me that it was cold outside and that I should not be there. Heeding the advice, I headed inside and up to my room. I flopped onto my bed and fell asleep right away.
******
The final bell rang, meaning I was free to go. I felt smug about my being able to sleep through all the classes. One day without Takeno Rika only but I sure was looking forward to many more to come.
I slung my bag over my shoulder and proceeded to buy lunch for my little brother and I.
******
"…dingdong…dingdong…dingdongdingdong…" I woke up with a start. Oh no! My younger brother had just finished school! I scrambled out of bed and flew down the stairs to the door as the doorbell rang ceaselessly. I caught my breath before I flung open the door only to see Yuki, my brother.
"Oneechan! Did you just wake up? Me and Junichi have been taking turns at pressing the doorbell!" Yuki said with slight annoyance.
"You and Junichi?" I looked puzzled as Yuki yanked a little boy out from behind the corner.
"Konnichiwa, Rika-oneesan!" the boy I rook to be Junichi said with a bow.
"Junichi is my new classmate and he just lives around here so he came over to play! Oneechan, could you bring us to eat katsudon? Please, please, please?"
I looked thoughtful.
"Please? With a watermelon on top?" Junichi pleaded.
"All right," I replied as they jumped up with joy, their small hats falling to the ground. I guess it would be good to take in some fresh air. "You two, leave your bags in the house and I'll go change all right?"
Minutes later we were all ready to go. Checking that everything was locked, we set off, the two elementary school children shattering away excitedly. For once, I wished I was a kid again. Such little things could make them satisfied.
******
I came out of the departmental store after looking at a number of good quality basketball shoes. Mine was getting a little worn out so I was considering buying a new pair.
As I neared the shop where I was planning to buy lunch from, I searched my bag for my wallet at the same time hearing, "Oniichan!"
Surprised, I looked up and saw Junichi, my younger brother waving at me. What the? I spotted a boy of the same age beside him exclaiming, "Oh that's your basketballer brother!"
******
Huh? Junichi was Rukawa Kaede's brother? Why was I certain that the world was going to end tomorrow? Before I could think any further, Yuki grabbed my arm and dragged me to Rukawa.
"Oneechan! This is Junichi's older brother! He plays basketball too!" shouted Yuki, just as Junichi yelled, "Oniichan! This is Rika-oneesan!"
I glared at Rukawa and scowled. He was expressionless. I suddenly realised that the two looking up at me staring daggers at him in wonder.
To my surprise, Rukawa managed a, "Nice to meet you. I'm Rukawa Kaede."