Disclaimer: Yeah. Not mine. Go sue somebody else.

Chapter Ten: Just Me
On my way to the Chemistry lab now. It's the last lesson of the day. Miraculously, I managed to stay awake the entire day. That is, I kept my eyes open and stare at a spot above the teachers' head to create an impression that I'm awake. Inside though, I dozed through everything.

Oh, my, god. What is that big gang of people I see running towards me? I squint a bit. Darn. A crowd of females. Half of them crying. A quarter looking like they're going to faint. The rest trying to act cool.

I'm in trouble.

"RUKAWA-KUN! CAN WE HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH PLEASE!"

"Hi Rukawa-kun, do you remember me from the Shoyo match? I was cheering for you! I called your name and you looked at me, do you remember?"

"Ahhh! Rukawa-kun! Please shake my hand!"

"Rukawa-kun, you're the best and most gorgeous basketball player I've ever seen! You're even better than Michael Jackson* and Kobe O'Neal**! You should play for the Fakers***!"

On and on they go. I'm surrounded by a gang of crazy females with no means of escape, and I'm already late for class. They're all sticking their arms out and grabbing at my clothes, and even though I'm holding my arms up to my face to ward off their dirty, disgusting fingerprints, a few manage to get through anyway. All of them are screeching and yelling in my face, some spitting unknowingly, and I can smell what a few of them had for lunch.

Trust me, it is not a pretty sight. This is truly hell on Earth.

I try to squeeze through the horde of female bodies but to no avail. None of them is moving even an inch away from me.

I sigh. My fist is all ready to strike out at the nearest Screaming Female but I don't. My mother would not be proud. She's taught me from young to never hit a woman, no matter what. I guess this situation qualifies as 'no matter what.'

When I'm about to resign to my fate, a miracle happens. Out of the blur of female bodies and faces suddenly comes a face that I recognise. He does a double take when he sees that I'm trapped in a human cage and bursts out laughing.

Guess who it is? None other than Mitsui Hisashi.

With him though is Kogure. Unlike a certain Mitsui, he isn't laughing. He looks genuinely shocked and amazed.

Kogure is saying something to Mitsui that I can't make out. Mitsui only laughs harder. He's shaking his head and nodding in my direction. They're obviously talking about me.

The females have not given up even though I didn't even bother to acknowledge their presence, save for me holding my arms up to my face. Somebody is tugging at my Chemistry book. I yank my book away and accidentally jab my elbow into some girl's face. She cries out in pain.

Or so I thought.

"Oh my god, Rukawa-kun touched me!" she squeals noisily.

I feel a migraine coming on. Why do these things always happen to me? I've seen cuter guys around the school, for crying out loud. I'm not even a superstar. What do they want from me?

"Rukawa! Do you want our help?"

Thank heavens for Kogure. He is a true saint. I nod quickly in reply and notice that Mitsui is smirking and still laughing away. He wouldn't find it so funny if it were happening to him, that bloody idiot.

The two of them start to make their way to where I'm stuck at. I watch with masked interest, curious to find out how they're going to accomplish such a difficult feat.

"Excuse me, excuse me..."

That's Kogure.

"Hey, piss off, get out of my way!"

That's Mitsui.

Kogure taps a few girls on the shoulder and asks them politely to let him pass, whereas Mitsui forcefully shoves girls out of his way, not even caring that some of them fell on their butts. Kogure is telling Mitsui to be gentle, but Mitsui only snorts and says, "Gentle? With these creatures? Can't you see that they're assaulting our team-mate?"

Finally, they got to me. Kogure offers me a hand. I hesitate, but when I look at the unrelenting faces around me -- "Oh my god, he looked at me!" -- I hastily grab it.

Kogure starts to pull me out of the circle that I'm trapped in. Mitsui is doing his part by pushing girls away from me and out of our path. A few of them recoil at the sight of Mitsui, perhaps afraid that he may suddenly go berserk and beat them up, considering he was infamous as a gangster before he converted and rejoined the team.

It must be pretty cool to have people afraid of you. At least then you wouldn't get into such sticky and irritating situations.

Finally. I can breathe again. They've got me out of the jam.

"Thanks," I mumble. I steal a quick look behind me. Fortunately, a teacher is yelling at them to go back to class, the rest of the school is trying to have lessons and why are they making such a racket in the middle of the hallway anyway, do they want detention after school?

"No problem," Kogure replies with a smile.

"Man, Rukawa," Mitsui says, shaking his head. "Your popularity is insane. Only pop stars and the like get mobbed like this. I mean, I'm a super cute MVP and that's never happened to me before." He pats me on the head. "Poor thing."

I jerk my head away. "Don't try to be funny," I warn.

Mitsui just laughs.

"Seriously though, how do you put up with it? It looks like hell."

I glance at Kogure. "I don't. I just ignore them."

"But they're not getting the message, are they?"

"Obviously not," Mitsui pipes up. "They're extremely empty-headed. You can tell by the size of their chest."

Kogure groans. "What has that got to do with anything?"

"Big chested girls are usually bimbos. Don't you watch TV?"

"It's not nice to stereotype."

"Who cares? It's true."

"It's a stereotype. Stereotypes aren't true."

"In this case, they are."

"I thought I was talking to Rukawa."

"Yeah but you didn't say it was a private conversation."

"But you interrupted us. He hasn't even answered my question."

"So ask him again. Man, you're such a whiner."

"I am WHAT?"

"A whiner. One who whines. You know, one who goes, 'waa waa waa.'"

"Cut it out, Mitsui."

"What is it to you, Rukawa?"

"You're giving me a headache."

"Hey, I rescued you from that crazy mob!"

"You and Kogure."

"Exactly, I did it with you, Mitsui. It wasn't just you."

"But I did most of the work! They wouldn't have moved if it were Kogure there alone. They're scared of me."

"Are you trying to say that I'm not scary?"

"No, I'm not trying to say that, you already know it."

"Nani?!"

"Chemistry lab. Ja ne."

Without waiting for an answer, I leave them both to their bickering and step into the lab. And that is that. My poor ears. They hurt.

*****

The first thing that greets me when I step into the Chemistry lab is the teacher's message. He doesn't even need to look up to know that it's me. Probably because I'm twenty minutes late.

It's all the stupid girls' fault.

"Rukawa, go to the principal's office now."

Great. I'm in trouble. It's so unfair. I didn't even ask for any of the attention. I mean, I'm just me, not Michael Jordan, for crying out loud. And I'm not even all that good-looking.

Sighing mentally, I head for the principal's office.

*****

"Rukawa Kaede. Sit down."

I sit. The principal -- didn't quite catch his name -- stares down at me, his glasses perching precariously on the bridge of his nose. He's probably trying to create an intimidating effect. Well, his retarded tactics aren't working on me.

I stare back at him coolly, my face an emotionless blank. I can swear that I see him flinch a little bit.

"You have yourself quite an amazing record, young man. You were twenty minutes late for Chemistry today. You have been failing the subject the entire year. You have also been failing pretty much all of your classes. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Absolutely nothing. I shrug. This is so amazingly boring.

The principal's eyes narrow. I guess he expected some sort of response from me. He probably gets it from the other students. Poor guy doesn't even know who he's dealing with.

"You're on the basketball team, aren't you."

Jeez. Don't tell me he's going to threaten me with that. Man, am I unlucky or what? He hasn't even seen how I aced the differentiation test today. And I was that late for Chemistry only because those stupid girls wouldn't leave me the hell alone. I could've made it ten minutes earlier if I didn't run into that block of human barricade.

"What has that got to do with anything?"

My voice is cold, hard, spiteful, exactly the way I practised it over the past couple of years until I perfected it. Dear principal wasn't expecting that either. It's painfully obvious from the way his lips are immediately drawn into a thin line as soon as those words escaped from my mouth.

"It has everything to do with everything," he replies evenly, making a conscious and obvious effort to keep his voice level. "You won't get to play if you don't improve your grades. Do you understand?"

"Sure," I say. "Are we done?"

"No, we're not," he snaps. "While you're at that, ask your fans to stop mobbing you in the middle of hallways. It's distracting to the other students who are actually interested in getting an education."

Goodness gracious me. I so do not believe this. He's blaming the crazy antics of my so-called fans on me? Does he actually think I enjoy all that attention? Who is he kidding?

"Do'ahou."

Okay, that probably wasn't the best way to deal with it, but it just slipped out. Couldn't help it, really. The principal really is one. Anyone who thinks I like being mobbed and being screamed at like I'm some specimen in a bloody zoo deserves to be called a do'ahou, because they truly are. Stupid, stupid people.

"Rukawa Kaede, I have never, in my forty years of being an educator, seen a student as rude and as imprudent as you are. No wonder you're failing all of your classes! You do not have respect for anybody, except yourself. You're self-centred and arrogant, and you refuse to listen to anybody because you think you're always right! Don't you! Don't you dare to think that you can have your way however you like just because you're some basketball superstar in the eyes of most of the students! You're still a student of Shohoku High, not an NBA player! Do you understand me!"

I'm glaring at the principal now. I can't believe what he just said. He's talking as if he knows me. Analysing my character as if he has the right to do so. And why? Just because he's the freaking principal? And so what? Does that make him a better person than I am?

"No."

"You say that again! Who do you think you are? Some hot-shot superstar?"

I shrug again. "I'm just Rukawa Kaede. Just me."

With that, I stand up, give the principal one last glare, turn around and walk out of the room.

*****

I am just Rukawa Kaede, and I genuinely don't get all the fuss about me. Of course I notice it. I'd be blind not to. Deaf too not to hear the loud screaming and chanting of my name at every match and every practice session. Girls practically fall at my feet wherever I go. I don't even know why. I look into the mirror every day, trying to figure out what it is that they see that is so appealing, but the only thing I see is, well, me. Just me.

I'm just Rukawa Kaede. The boy without a father.

What the hell is so special about that?

*****

I'm in a cyber cafe, about to log into my email account. I haven't done so in about a couple of weeks. It's two dollars gone every hour of Internet access and I spend most of my free time playing basketball anyway. Sometimes I do think I have no life, but I like it this way.

Bloody hell, Mitsui and Sakuragi have been flooding my mailbox with useless forwards! "Send this to twenty people and have your wish come true"? "If you don't send this to fifty people this poor boy with cancer will die"? Are there even any real messages in here?

Oh looky, a survey. "Send this to all your friends and have them send it back to you!" I check my watch. What the hell, I have lots of time to kill. I'll just do it.

[A/N: Words in italics are his thoughts.]

--
From: rukie11@hotmail.com
To: mrhandsome@hotmail.com, tensaisakuragi@yahoo.com, i_love_ayachan@hotmail.com, akagi_t@hotmail.com, cool-gure@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: !!!!!SURVEY!!!!!

> You-
>
> Full Name: rukawa kaede
> Name you go by in school: rukawa. Like I'd admit to anything else.
> Nicknames: none. 'Kitsune' isn't one.
> How old are you: 16.
> What state do you live in: kanagawa.
> What colour is your hair: black.
> What colour are your eyes: blue.
> Are you allergic to anything: the do'ahou. He should be flattered that I acknowledged his existence.
> What grade are you in: first year.
> When is your birthday: jan 1.
> What is your favourite subject in school: none.
> Why is this: school is boring.
>
> -Favourites-
>
> What is your favourite sport to play: basketball. Obviously.
> What is your favourite sport to watch: basketball.
> What is your favourite football team: dont watch football.
> What is your favourite basketball team: washington wizards.
> What is your favourite food: pizza.
> What is your favourite movie: space jam. Go, MJ!
> Why: michael jordan.
> What is your favourite band: nirvana.
> Where is your favourite place in the whole world: basketball courts.
>
> -Family-
>
> Who do you live with: ...
> Are they: Married? Divorced? Remarried? Separated?
> Never married?: none of your business. I'm not going to tell.
> If you could choose who would your parent's be: Definitely not 'Dad'. i dont care.
> Do you like your parents: Only my mom. ...
> Who are your other relatives: the usual. Haven't seen them in ages...
> If you could adopt a friend which friend would you adopt: no. What the hell...
> Do you have any pets: no.
>
> -Friends-
>
> Who is your best friend in the world: What is a 'best friend'? nobody.
> Which of your friends is the... Shit, what the hell do I do with this?
> -Quietest: Obviously it's me but am I a friend to myself? i dont know.
> -Loudest: The do'ahou but he isn't my friend. nobody.
> -Funniest: This really sucks. ...
> -Sweetest: I think I'm skipping this bit. HARUKO-SAN!!!!!!!
> -Coolest: The tensai, SAKURAGI!! NYAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! And Youhei!
> -Dumbest: Baka Rukawa but he isn't the tensai's friend. Do'ahou...
> -Most like you: Nobody is like the tensai because the tensai is one of a kind!! Nyahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
> -Most important to you: My guntai! And haruko-san!!!
> -Tallest: Gori the giant, NYAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
> -Smallest: Ryochin! Bwahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
>
> -Love- Yare yare...
>
> Who was your first boyfriend/girlfriend: Shino. none of your business.
> Was he/she cool: Extremely. fuck off.
> Are you dating anyone right now: Uh, right. no.
> Do you have a crush on anyone: Crushes? Me? Get out of here. no.
> Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend: no.
> Why do you like the person you are dating or have a crush on: Who gives a shit...? gr jhjgwh gw.
> Would you marry them: I wouldn't get married ever. no
> Where was your first date: Her apartment. none of your business.
> Have you ever been on a date: Of course. ...
> Who was the first person that you ever loved: Shino. my mother.
> Do looks matter: Shino was beautiful. whatever.
> If you could go back out with someone who you went out with before who would it be: Shino but I don't know... blah.
>
> -Have you ever-
>
> Cheated: Can't be bothered to. no.
> Gotten drunk: no.
> Watched porn: no. Okay, just once or twice.
> Kissed someone: no. Yes.
> Lied to a teacher: duh.
> Been in a police car: no.
> Started to cry in school: never. When was the last time I cried...?
> Had sex: Almost. no.
> Been beaten up: When I was younger. no.
> Beaten anyone up: Hotta and gang, anyone? Sakuragi "do'ahou" Hanamichi, for example? ya.
> Cried because of a movie: no.
>
> -Present-
> Who sent this to you: sakuragi.
> Do you know them: Unfortunately, yes. ya
> Are they cool: Of course not! of course not.
> What is the last thing you said: dont know.
> Who is the last person that you talked to: the principal.
> Do you have homework: i guess. Who cares.
> What are you goals at the moment: To become the best player in Japan. to win kainan. Less letters to type.

After the email has sent, I check my watch again. Oh fan-bloody-tastic. I've used up fifty-five minutes already. I haven't even went on nba.com yet.

Stupid Sakuragi. This is all his fault.

I'm never doing another survey for as long as I live.

*****

The phone is ringing off the hook when I open the door to my apartment after shooting some hoops at the court near my house. I almost trip and fall on something on my way in but I don't stop to see what it is. I dump my bag by the door and dash to the telephone, which is in the kitchen, which is about thirty steps away from the front door.

The phone is such a nuisance. I snatch up the receiver.

"Yeah?" I bark, irritated.

"Kaede?"

It's a woman. Who is not my mother.

"Yeah?" I say again.

"Is your mother there?"

I frown. Who the hell is this woman?

"No. Who are you?"

"I'm your aunt Vira."

Um. I have an aunt Vira? Oh, yeah, I have an aunt Vira. My mother's younger sister. Whom I haven't seen in years.

"Oh," I reply. What does she want? And why a call out of the blue when she's been out of touch for more than two years?

"Well, do you know when she'll be back?"

"No."

"Um, okay," she replies, sounding uncertain. "Can you ask her to call me?"

"Hn."

"Um, is that you, Kaede?"

Do'ahou. Obviously it's me. I thought I just told her.

"Yeah."

"Okay, well, nice talking to you..."

"Yeah." I hang up the phone.

What did I tell you about things beginning to change? Talk about a surprising blast from the past! Aunt Vira, eh? I try to picture how she looks like but my mind draws a total blank. Not even the slightest vague image appears.

And I'm supposed to have a photogenic memory. Yeah right.

I go and retrieve my bag. And then I realise that I didn't ask for Aunt Vira's number.

Faaaaantastic.



*Mistake is intentional. The girl-fan means Michael Jordan, of course. Bwahahahahaha.
**Another intentional mistake. She means either Kobe Bryant or Shaquille O'Neal. Bwhahahahahaha.
***Yet another intentional mistake, although the Fakers are what I like to call the Lakers. Bwahahahahahahahaha.

fourteen: Hehe! I used to cheat a lot during tests too. The most memorable experience is during Biology test, when we were having it in the Bio lab and the teacher was busy so a technician was inviligating us. So everyone hid their textbooks in the drawer and copied from. I still failed though, hahahaha! Yeah you're right, I doubt Rukawa would take the trouble to cheat. Thanks for that idea, it was really helpful. =)

diwata: Bt. Batok is in the west, kind of near Bt. Timah. Where do you live?

unchained: Nope, I'm not from BBSS. I'm from a famous girls school in AMK. Nyahahahahahahaha. I would like to state first that I don't represent the school in any way, shape or form. What I say or do is not representative of the student body as a whole, yadayadayada....What school're you from then?

hagane: Okay, I'll share Mitchy with you if you agree to it. We can't go on fighting over such a guy. It's pointless, right? And so childish. But since I'm so nice, I'll agree to share with. Hrrmmph. Eh, tenshi means angel? That totally sounds like the Chinese version 'tian shi'. Just like tensai. Chinese is 'tian cai'. Um, yeah.

lambie: metallic gene? The girl who wrote that story about Ru, Ka, and Wa that makes me laugh till I could puke? She's your classmate? You're lucky! I mean if you do succeed (sp?) in persuading her to get the SD VCDs, it obviously means that YOU'LL HAVE IT! *goes green with envy* Ah well. How old are you by the way?

jashuang: Haven't had the time to go to Suntec yet. (Read: too damn lazy.) Do you have a shop name or something? It'll certainly make life easier. Hehe. Don't worry about not reviewing the previous chap. It's purrrfectly all right 'cause I'm so kind and forgiving. Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

sLL: Dunno about Maki and Fujima. But my theory is, because Mitsui abandoned basketball for two years, he didn't have the chance to dominate the competitions and stuff so Maki and Fujima and whoever else are considered top players. If my beloved Mitsui didn't abandon the game, you can trust that HE would be the number one player! Hell yeah! Maki and Fujima aren't half as good as he is, 'cause he's the best! Mwahahahahahahaha! Hey, I think Sendoh is hot. Ryonan will lose to Kainan right? Such a shame. I mean Sendoh is so good and all. But it's right that they lose to Shohoku 'cause Shohoku is the best team there is. Well, duh, Mitsui plays for them! Teeheehee.

Hope everyone had a good X'mas! I got the survey idea from unchained's "Is It Me?" When Haruko filled out a love survey. So thanks dear!

-Yelen (aka goddess almighty) missy_hissy14@winningteam.com

PS. The Kings won the Fakers! YOSHA!!!