Chapter 7
Just the start
April 4, Thursday morning
-=ALAINA=-
*Yawn*
I'm still sleepy. That long monopoly game with Akira and Hisashi last night seems to make me real exhausted. I didn't know they could play that well. Must be out of luck. And Hisashi? Yep, he asked me to call him by his first name… He's really cute!!! And he's definitely the monopoly god. But that was one heck of a game. Always bankrupt… whatever. Can't believe we finished at 11 when we started at 8. And that is just ONE round for monopoly. Just hope Aunt Kaori didn't smash Akira's precious head… err, hair off. Poor him.
I wonder what happened to Hisashi… hope he went home safe. I was totally trying very hard last night not to make myself obvious to him but Akira is shooting me a teasing look every now and then… so that makes it okay if Aunt Miriko strangle his hair.
Gotta prepare for school. And I'm hoping for a lucky start.
-=SENDOH=-
"Mom, stop it! I've only been at Alaina's house last night."
My poor hair! And those two are responsible for that…
-=MITSUI=-
I told Alaina it's okay that I go home late – which is true because I'm home alone. I mean, apartment alone… err, that correct? I transferred to a small apartment because I'll be now entering university.
Anyway, She looks really worried that Sendoh and I would be scolded by our parents. She's so sweet. Good thing my classes start next or I wouldn't be able to wake up early again - Not because I'm exhausted of the little game, or anything. Just that she's been always in my mind lately, particularly last night, that I was able to sleep only when the clock striked 3. She's so persistent in winning even if she's got the least mortgage. Hmm…
Childish but in a totally cute way.
What really puts me in cloud nine is… she now calls me Hisashi!
I've counted it - fourteen times last night. My favorite number. Must be destiny… Okay, I know I'm hopeless.
I've also learned she's enrolled in Shohoku and the basketball team is her circle of friends. Good. Atleast I know she's safe and comfortable with them. Bad she didn't come when I was still there…
Maybe I can visit later at practice. Alaina might be there and they'll be too glad to see me.
-=RUKAWA=-
"Kaaeeedddddeeeee!!!"
Zzzzz.
"Wake up noooww!!"
Zzzzz.
"Common. Get up now. You're going to be late!!"
Hysteric. I gradually looked up. Yeah, mom is overreacting again. The clock says I still got 15 minutes before school starts. NO BIG DEAL.
Zzzzz.
*Thoink*
"Fine, fine. I'll get up now."
Women are paranoids.
-=ALAINA=-
"Acids are different from bases. Acid is a compound that produces hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. While the latter is a compound that produces hydroxide ions when dissolved in water…"
?????
Who cares?
-=RUKAWA=-
Zzzzz…
-=AYAKO=-
Almost lunch time. I marvel if Alaina can come later. It's the first day of practice and the application forms have just been printed. Maybe she can help Haruko and me distribute it to those interested. Anyways, the old members are the only ones using the gym. We surely would not take that long.
-=HARUKO=-
Practice starts today. I missed seeing Rukawa-kun play. I wonder if he really kissed the lucky rat…
What am I thinking?? *shakes head* … And this time, I've got better chance to see him often because I'm the new assistant manageress. And hopefully, after Ayako-chan graduates… *almost dreaming now* and he'll be the captain. *blush, blush*
"Ms. Akagi, daijoubu?"
…
"Ms. Akagi??"
huh? "Hai?"
"Would you like to go to the clinic?"
"No, sir. I'm fine."
Almost caught… must have been blushing hard. Stop thinking about Rukawa! Stop it! Stop it! Okay…
Sakuragi got a lot better since his injury. And he can very well compete now with the rookies. I can't imagine how greater he would be in the future… and it's only been a year… He really is a genius in his own way.
Onii-chan, Mitsui-sempai and Kogure-sempai have already graduated. That leaves it to Miyagi, Sakuragi and… Rukawa. I hope there'll be more potential rookies who will join our club. That way, we can beat Kainan.
-=ALAINA=-
Second day seems better now. (Though I'm forcefully controlling myself not to sleep). I'm in a good mood and I've finally made friends with some of my classmates. They're not that bad as I've thought. Wrong impression, I guess.
And I've finally confirmed that Rukawa is my classmate. And IS particularly the one sitting at my back… duh! Of all places?? Maybe that's why I'm feeling uncomfortable from time to time. Maybe he's planning to plot his revenge on me… and hell if he does. He strikes me thrice (almost four if it weren't for the pole…) and I've only got one – and it's not even as painful as compared to what he did.
Funny, as if I can actually hurt him.
I wonder how.
-=MIYAGI=-
It's my first day of being Captain of the team. And unbelievably, Rukawa is the VICE… captain, I mean.
I don't think he can do his job. Or even just stay awake when his duty calls him. But if that's what Coach Anzai says… well, what can I do?
Ayako-chan seems to be really busy. Good thing Coach agreed that Haruko helps her. She must have been really loaded… and it's only two days. Being a manageress is really a hard job. Though it's good because I can always see her aside from the classroom. Hehe…
-=AYAKO=-
"Ayako!"
???
"Alaina! Good you're here. I was thinking that maybe you want to come with us to the gym. Basketball practice starts today."
Say yes please, besides, I really need your help.
"Sure. Maybe I can hang around always every practice. Besides, I've got nothing to do. Might as well help you out. You seem to be so busy and it's only the second day of classes."
Can she read minds? This girl surprises me a lot.
"Whew. Thanks so much! Haruko will join us later, she said she's still got a meeting with her group mates."
-=RUKAWA=-
Practice.
"Ru… hu… Rukha… Rukhawah…" a third year female stuttered.
Another paranoid.
Do'aho.
-=ALAINA=-
I told Ayako I'm going to help her with her duty – which is DEFINITELY true. She seems to be really thankful when I told her that. And I'm glad I can help. Haruko must have been very busy too since I always see her with thick piles of paper while passing the corridors.
I can almost hear the dribbling balls now. That must be the gym. I've never really been to this part of the school yet so I'm not quite sure…
"We're here."
This place is huge.
"Way to go, Captain. You're early! And you too Rukawa."
He's here already?
Good thing he's not sleeping. Last time I saw him fully awake is when he bull's eyed my head the second time.
"Nyahahaha! Ryo-chin! How's being captain??" while messing his hair.
Sakuragi's already here too. And as expected, Miyagi is busy staring at Ayako - didn't even feel Sakuragi's heavy hands on his head.
Numb. Don't tell me his hair is THAT thick.
"The tensai Sakuragi is now ready to beat the crap out of you, kitsune. Just wait and see. Nyahahaha!"
And the rest of the team arrived too…
I can say they're really punctual. I wonder how Gori managed them? Hehe… must be really cruel…
Did I just say Gori??? Uh, I mean Akagi..
"Everyone's here. Good. This announcement will be short anyway so you can already start practicing. Since Captain Akagi and Vice Kogure have already graduated, we have to replace them. Our new captain will be Miyagi Ryota and the vice is Rukawa Kaede."
-=AYAKO=-
I think I shocked them all.
*sweatdrops*
-=ALL=-
*sweatdrops*
Why him???
-=SAKURAGI=-
"Whaat??? Kitsune is our vice?!! Are you kidding??? This must be a joke because the tensai should be in that position!!! And I completely oppose to whoever gave him that!!!"
-=MIYAGI=-
*sweatdrops*
I swear… it's not MY fault.
-=RUKAWA=-
Zzzzzz.
-=ALAINA=-
"Hi guys! Missed me much?"
Familiar, who's that?
All heads turned around.
My heart practically leaped! Pounding ever so hard I can almost hear it. What's he doing here???
He's really cute… Oh god. He's staring… at ME.
No, don't blush! Greet him, idiot!
"Hisashi?" I almost choked. Just ALMOST.
"Alaina! Good to see you hanging around here."
-=ALL=-
Hisashi???
-=RUKAWA=-
I suddenly felt the need to open my eyes.
Did I just hear the klutz call that moron Hisashi???
What the fuckin bitch is going on here??!!
-end of chap-