Sakuragi

            Today's the day of the game. The Ryonan team should be here any minute now. I see Haruko, Matsui and Fujii among the many spectators in the stands. Youhei and the others haven't arrived yet.

            I can't help but feel a little nervous. As if sensing it, Gori comes over and gives me something that should pass as an encouraging smile.

            "Just play as usual."

            "Demo Gori…….I've never played in a match before," I reply, voice an octave or two higher.

            "Just play as usual," he repeats.

            Mitchy comes swaggering over and throws an arm around my shoulder.

            "What you have to do is to combine all that you've learnt- the shots, the passes, the dribbling………that's all there is to it," he tells me, squeezing my shoulder.

            "That's all?" I ask.

            "That's all," he smiles at me.

"D'aho."

            I whirl around. I'm embarrassed to say this, but I've been hoping the kitsune would say something encouraging.

            "Don't foul up."

            What the--?

            "Urusai kitsune! What makes you think I'll foul up?!!!!!" I glare at him, feeling more than a little offended.

            "Hnn."

            What did I expect? Hell would sooner freeze over before the kitsune would actually say anything nice.

            "I won't bother about your senseless remarks kitsune. I've got better things to do," I say to him acidly before stalking away from him and to Mitchy.

            Damn him. He's toying around with me. I don't know if that night meant anything to him, but it meant something to me. And if he doesn't feel the same way, I can always make that night mean nothing. I do what I want. I'm not obligated to anyone.

            "So, Hana," Mitchy gives me a once over. He's started to call me Hana. Not that I mind. "We'll see how easy it is for you to shoot in a game."

            I snort. "No sweat Mitchy. I'll get 20 points at the very least."

            He laughs and replies with a mischievous grin on his face. "If you don't, you'll have to do what I want all right?"

            "And if I do?"

            "I'll do whatever you want."

            I smile. "Deal."

Sendoh

            Damn it! I'm going to be late! Taoka sensei is going to have my head for this! I promised not to be late this time……………….who would have thought that my alarm clock would die on me? It usually survives my smashing…….but this morning, it stopped its persistent ringing when my fist connected with its face. I can just imagine Uozumi-san's reaction when I arrive………..

            WHY MUST I HAVE ALL THE ROTTEN LUCK?!!!!!

Uozumi

            I really shouldn't be surprised. I really shouldn't. What else can I expect of Sendoh?

            So I will not lose my temper at him later.

Taoka

            Where the hell is Sendoh?!! He promised that he wouldn't be late! We're already on the train to Shohoku………..the stupid boy better find his way there or else………..

Sendoh

            Damn it! They've probably left! There's no point going to the train station now………..the next train for Shohoku will probably come along in an hour or so……… how else can I get to Shohoku? 

            I know!

            "TAXI!!!!!!!!!!!"

Uozumi

            We're walking towards Shohoku………I don't see that idiot Sendoh anywhere…………..he'd better be waiting in the gym or else………..

Koshino

            If stupid Sendoh is late and misses even a minute of the match, I swear I'll kill him.

Hikoichi

            Sendoh-san where are you? We're almost in Shohoku already!

Sendoh

            "Can't you go any faster?" I ask the driver.

            "Sorry, this is as fast as I can go."

            I shrug and lean back in my seat. Oh well. It's not like I didn't try.

Ayako

            Ryonan's here! And right on time too! I marvel their punctuality! I only wish Shohoku would learn from them.

            "Akagi!"

            "Uozumi!"

            The two captains greet each other solemnly and exchange handshakes. Am I witnessing some sort of grave meeting or something?

            "Taoka sensei," Akagi bows. All of us follow suit.

            "Anzai sensei! How have you been?" Taoka sensei greets Anzai sensei amiably.

            "HOHOHOHOHO~" laughs Anzai sensei, "I'm fine. Your boys look very well. Shall we begin?"

            Taoka sensei pales considerably. With much effort, he replies, "As you say so."

Sakuragi

            So I'm not a starting player. No fair! Why can't Megane-kun sit on the bench instead? How am I going to get at least 20 points if I don't play?

            More importantly, who is going to stop Sendoh?

            Speaking of whom……………which one is Sendoh? Surely the captain isn't…..that's Uozumi……….he looks a lot like Gori…….and the boy from the other day can't be him………….the one with that annoyed expression on his face?

            Somehow I don't think so.

            "Ne, Mitchy," I whisper to him as he stretches, "Which one's Sendoh?"

            "Hmm? Sendoh?" Mitchy looks around, "He's not here."

            "Sou da. He must be frightened off by me already," I joke, feeling a little disappointed. From what Mitchy had told me, and from what Ryochin had added on, this Sendoh sounds like one talented guy. I'd had looked forward to meeting him.

            Oh well.

Sendoh

            Finally! The cab pulls up outside Shohoku and I jump out immediately. No way am I going to risk coach Taoka's wrath.

Ayako

            Everyone's taken position and we're about to throw ball when Sendoh Akira comes running in.

Sendoh

            "Sorry I'm late!" I grin sheepishly.

            Koshino, Ikegami and everyone else throw me death glares. That's okay- I'm used to it. It's the- -

            "SENDOH AKIRA! HOW DARE YOU TURN UP LATE FOR A MATCH?!!!!!"

            Ouch. I think I'm going to go deaf.

Sakuragi

            My ears prick up at the name. Sendoh Akira?

            So THAT's the famous Sendoh Akira. The talented Sendoh Akira. The supposedly almost unbeatable Sendoh Akira.

            Well, he looks like a little boy to me- getting yelled at by both his captain and his coach. I feel sorry for him though he's the enemy.

Sendoh was ordered to change and they substituted a player off the team.

            They've been playing for 5 minutes and already I've noticed something distinctive about him.

He may have looked like a little boy off court then, but on court…………….he oozes confidence. Not like Mitchy or the kitsune whose confidence are the extreme- Mitchy's gifted and knows it while the kitsune's ruthless and focused in his play. This Sendoh is relaxed. He's sure of himself and has faith in his teammates.

I no longer doubt why Mitchy wanted me to guard him. Maybe I'm not a veteran player like the others, nor am I very big (I'm a girl after all), but I guess he's seen something in me that might set me aside.

I'm stubborn. Very, very stubborn.

And it's precisely because of that stubbornness that I've managed to live on my own almost half my life.

            And it's going to be that stubbornness that's going to give Sendoh some trouble, I hope.

            "Ne, oyaji! When are you going to let me play? I've been sitting out the match for more than 10 minutes already!" I complain. Good grief- I sound more brainless as the days go by. Perhaps that's what hanging out with freaks do to you- you become one of them.

            "HOHOHOHOHO~ Patience now, Sakuragi-kun. You'll have plenty of time to play later," he laughs in that jolly way of his. Once upon a time, not too long ago, his response would have irked me considerably, but now, I've grown pretty much accustomed to it. Plus, he's my coach after all. I owe him my respect at the very least.

            "Hnn." I grunt in acknowledgement.

            "Sakuragi-chan, watch how Sendoh plays," Ayako says, her voice barely a whisper.

            My eyes sweep over the court and to the tall, spiky-haired player. He looks completely relaxed even with the kitsune guarding him closely. The smile that has been on his face since just now was still plastered on. He seems so……….carefree. Like he's completely enjoying the game and was not under any pressure.

            Of course, I can tell that this was not the case. He was heavily depended on and should he screw up, the whole Ryonan team would be at his neck. He doesn't show it though. What caught my attention the most was not the way he looked- but at the way the kitsune was looking at him.

            For some reason, the kitsune looks almost………….murderous.

            "Ayako-san," I ask, eyes still trained on the pair, "Why is the kitsune staring at Sendoh like that?"

            She actually laughed. "I see you've noticed it too. Well, Sendoh is Rukawa's greatest rival."

            "How so?"

            "Well, when Sendoh was a freshman last year, he made headlines as the 'Super Rookie' of Kanagawa. This year, Rukawa's succeeded the title and he's not too happy being compared to Sendoh, much less having to follow in his footsteps."

            "Sou da."

            We fell silent as we watched them play. Then, I asked something that popped up in my mind.

            "Why doesn't the kitsune like to be compared to Sendoh?"

            "Oh," Ayako shook her head, "it's not just Sendoh. He doesn't like to be compared to anyone in general. He thinks he's the best."

            "Sou."

            I ponder that thought for a while.

Rukawa

            Stupid Sendoh. Why must I see his stupid smiling face? It's irritating to see that stupid smile on his stupid face. And why is it that I can't win over him? No matter how I try to shake him off, he always manages not to lose me. Whenever I try to shoot, he always blocks my shots.

            I swear that I'm not going to lose to him. I'm better than him. I know it. I'm the best and there's none better than the best.

Mitsui

            Is this supposed to be some private game or what? It sure feels like it. I mean, Rukawa and Sendoh seem to be fighting some private battle and they're not getting any points. I don't think it's Sendoh- it's Rukawa. I never knew him to be the offensive, aggressive type.

            Well at least not to this extent.

Sendoh

            Oh, now I remember. This is Rukawa. The Rukawa that Hikoichi was talking about. I've a terrible memory. I can't seem to be able to associate names with faces. Let's see……..

            The captain's name is Akagi, that's for sure (Uozumi will not forgive me if I forget), the vice-captain's name is Kogure (EVERONE knows the Shohoku Saint), that's Mitsui Hisashi the MVP (I had him autograph my basketball) and Miyagi, one of the top point guards in the prefecture.

            I just can't seem to remember Rukawa. Maybe it's just him.

Sakuragi

            "Oyaji…………….." I begin again. I'm getting extremely restless already. He promised that I'd play and I want to play now!

            "Warm yourself up Sakuragi-chan," he tells me.

            I perk up immediately. "Hai!" I chirp happily.

Taoka

            Coach Anzai called for a substitution. Kogure Kiminobu, the vice-captain was substituted off. I watch intently, wondering who would replace him. I scoff as I look at the other players. Shohoku's only hope was the starting players, and even Kogure wasn't of solid material. Their replacements aren't very dependable. This should be an easy win.

            Hah. The substitute is a girl. All the more to our advantage. Coach Anzai must be losing his skills as a coach.

            Wait.

            A GIRL?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sakuragi

            I give Mitchy and Ryochin a smile. They wink in response and I don't miss that look on Mitchy's face. He wants to win that bet. I blush. I know him well enough by now, what he's like.

            "Akagi, what is the meaning of this? We're having a serious match and I refuse to tolerate any nonsense!" my ears prick up at this.

            "Nonsense?" Gori's voice was very soft and silky. "Are you calling me nonsensical?"

            "No. Not exactly. But close enough. Stop joking around and be serious!" Ryonan's captain says, his eyes looking me up and down.

            "And what makes you think I'm not being serious?" came the dangerous reply.

            Boss monkey flinched a while before answering, "One of your players is a GIRL."

            "And?"

            "And this is a………….a……..a boys' game!" boss monkey throws his hands up in exasperation.

            Well, pardon me for being a girl. I couldn't help being born this way you know.

            "Perhaps you would like to enlighten me on how your conclusion came to be?"

            Cool. Gori's being totally cool.

            "There have been no indications that this game was strictly reserved for boys," he continues, staring at boss monkey square in the eyes.

            "But--"

            "Uozumi-san you're being very sexist here," Mitchy spoke up.

            I almost slapped my forehead. Trust him to be blunt.

            Boss monkey turned on his full glare at him.

            "Or are you afraid that Ryonan might lose to a girl?" he sniggers.

            Damn Mitchy! I could strangle him right now!

            "Of course not!" huffs Koshino.

            "Ryonan will not lose to Shohoku whatever the circumstances," replies Uozumi hotly.

            "Well, let's get on with the game then since Ryonan has so kindly agreed," Mitsui drawls, ignoring the murderous looks the Ryonan boys were giving him.

Rukawa

            "Oi Rukawa," Sendoh says.

            "What?" I snap.

            "Who's that?" without even glancing at him, I know who he's talking about.

            "None of your business d'aho."

            "Aw, come on, surely you'll tell me her name. Is she a freshman? I've never seen her before. What's her name?"

            I pointedly ignore him. The d'aho is mine and I'm not about to introduce her to this smiling fool if that's what he wanted.

            "Come on Rukawa, tell me who she is," he persists in annoying me.

            I was about to open my mouth to tell him to shut up when Miyagi-sempai comes up and tells me to guard Ikegami.

            I was about to protest. I wanted to beat Sendoh. To show who's best. So I was about to open my mouth again to defy his instructions when he says, "Don't worry about Sendoh. Leave him to Sakuragi."

            Great. That makes me feel so much better.