Author's notes: Aiyoo..dunno what to say. Exams in a few weeks. Managed to get this chapter out. Please r&r.
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Chapter 9Rukawa saw the scene unraveling in front of him.
And he was disgusted by it.
Mitsui was all macho commando trying to impress Emi. Could you be anymore lame, asshole?
That damn Mitsui was playing the clichéd role of the knight-in-shining armor. Blech. Only his armor was all banged up, old and covered with rot and other damning stuff Rukawa's mind can think of. Rukawa was purely annoyed at it all. He marveled at how Emi could fall for that crap.
He can just imagine it now. Emi in a sexy little ensemble doing the international D.I.D. (Damsel In Distress) call. But he wouldn't dare consider himself as the potential knight. Heck, he's not even sure if he can pull that whole 'Don't-worry-Oh-beautiful princess-I-shall-save-you-from the evil and stupid villain' bit. Plus, I should be suave, cool and dark. Not acting all sissy like some certain asshole there.
Rukawa watched the scene again this time through half lidded eyes as his imagination soared. Sakuragi was all decked out in a funny black tux with a funny little hat. A long mustache swept over the sides of his mouth creating the impression of an old 19th century Chinese boss. The red colored mustache did more to make the whole costume become utterly ridiculous.
Both of them were pushing each other around when all of the sudden a beam of light shown on Emi. From above they could just make a huge body covered in a white satin robe slowly descending down. It was the very picture of utter stupidity. The captain of the Shohoku team was in his gorilla mode. And boy, did he made a scene.
Both enemies stared slack-jawed as they fixed their eyes on Akagi. Once they've regained they're ability to bicker, both burst out laughing their heads off. Not only was the whole angelic atmosphere ruined, enemies were actually patting each others backs in hopes of ceasing the increase need for choking. Emi could just only stare at the huge bulk beside her. All Akagi needs now is a glowing halo atop of his head.
(Of course, even the one who's controlling this whole story can't even imagine giving him one. He has put on too many sins for banging peoples' head.)
But the voice that came out was a total contrast to his appearance.
"Oh, you misguided, stupid and puny souls. You both have defined the word stupid to its truest meanings. And for that I shall bestow upon you one of my-" Akagi stopped as he looked down at the two. He stepped forward until they were practically chest to face. Akagi raised his arms in an ascending motion with deliberate slowness and brought it down onto their foolish heads.
*BANG*
"-sins," Akagi continued.
That's when Rukawa got pulled back into reality.
He focused his eyes at the two cowering individuals clutching their sore to the core heads. Heh. Stupid. No skin off my nose if you idiots get lumps on your heads bigger than your egos.
Akagi was left steaming off after the brief 'warming up' he gave the two players.
Mitsui with an increasing headache rushed off to the gym leaving the bewildering Emi alone.
Sakuragi kept on muttering about how he would ever get used to this kind of 'warming up'.
~~
Emi tried to make blood circulate through her numb brain. Gosh, that bulky guy just now was so scary. Mitsui…and that guy. They were arguing. Bulky guy came and finished them off. Okay, yeah…Emi you get it? Okay. Okay. Oookay. This is by far the strangest experience yet.
A tap on her shoulder brought her out of her reverie. It was Rukawa.
"Kaede…," she started.
"After practice," he pulled out.
Emi just waited there for the rest of the sentence to come out. Rukawa just stared at her.
Oh wait, the rest of the sentence? That IS the sentence!"Err…okay?" Emi managed to save herself from another embarrassing moment. He just left while dribbling a ball.
You're really that shallow, huh? Expecting an answer from Rukawa Kaede. That's just plain ridiculous.
~~
You look dumb, as opposed to your gorgeous looks.
You sound dumb, as opposed to your less syllables than necessary policy.
You act dumb, as opposed to your daily survival of car and lamppost crashes.
That was one of the less mortifying contents of a recent letter from a girl he turned down.
You should've said something intelligent for once. Try this: Okay. That's a start.
Rukawa gave out an inaudible sigh as his eyes drifted once again towards Emi who was sitting on the sidelines staring off into space.
Concentrate, Kaede. She is a mere distraction. *snicker*
He prepared himself for a shot when his eyes involuntarily caught it's fancy on a certain girl. He aimed and missed.
He looked down to see the ball he just thrown rolled back towards him on the floor.
"Okay."
~~
What the hell happened just now? Seriously, my ego is forever wounded. Damn, that Akagi for punching me, MVP Mitsui.
All in front of that cute little package, Emi too. Oh hell. The guy sucks. An asshole.
"Okay."
Wait, what the hell?
Mitsui looked at the guy nearest to him. Rukawa Kaede. Mitsui scrutinized his face from a distance and saw the most interesting expression on Rukawa's face. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Interesting, right? Not.
Well, old boy, you've heard wrong.
Maybe. Mitsui shot a successful three pointer.
~~
Hmmm…Kaoru said she won't be coming home early today. That means I'm going to starve!
Emi realized with horror as she contemplated the possibilities of starving. She winced as she clutched her stomach when a gurgling sound reached her ears.
She eyed Rukawa as he practiced.
Does he cooks as good as he looks? But Kaoru said something along the lines of fire department…ARGGH!
It was nearing the end of practice and soon all the players will be rounded up for some talks. Emi closed her eyes as another wave hungriness swept over her. She opened her eyes to see three very pissed off faces staring back at her.
Oh no…not these girls. Can a miracle happen where suddenly I can just disappear to some place with lots of food and Rukawa serving me?
"Hey!" One of them growled out.
Guess not.
"Listen here, you slut!"
Slut? You calling me a slut?
Emi stood up and towered over the one who called her a slut.
This, this girl. I can take on. She's what? 3 inches shorter? Hmmph. Compared to that what's-his-name. That red hair just freaks me out. But now, pink. Pink. From now on, I hate pink. Me, a slut? No, I don't think so.
That exact word. Slut. It triggered a kind of revenge in her. How many times had she been pushed, bullied and scared around? And today's events just served more as a reminder of the reason why she had Nakamura around almost every time.
Now, Nakamura isn't here. To scare them away. To teach them a lesson. To protect me. From these kind of people.
So what're you going to do? Huh, Emi? Let people like these bully people like you around?
No.
Emi slapped the girl hard.
The resounding sound echoed through the thick atmosphere making everyone there stop and stare.
"I AM NOT A SLUT," Emi grounded out. She gave the other two wide-eyed pink headed poof-balls a menacing stare. "NOT A SLUT," she repeated.
She clenched her hands and was ready to flee when a warm callused hand enveloped hers. She looked up to see Rukawa Kaede.
Yes, his face was its usual unresponsive mask but his eyes.
Oh my god, his eyes…
They were so alive and it flickered with every emotion than ran through his mind.
And for just one moment, it was just the two of them. No lampposts. No mobs. Not anyone. Just them.
~~
A bunch of shallow minded pom-pom totting groupies. They're stupid. Every single one of them.
Rukawa unconsciously tightened his protective grip on her hand and led her towards the outside of the boys' locker room.
There was a bench situated against the wall of the hallway. He gently pushed Emi down onto it.
"OUT!" Boomed Akagi's pissed off voice from the gym. For once I really am grateful for the captain's voice.
"Wait," he ordered as he quietly slipped into the locker room and out of the now-silent hallway.
Rukawa reappeared with a black object in his hand. It was his discman. He figured the girl would want something to do whilst he prepared to go home. It was nearing the end of practice anyway.
He handed the discman to her and she hesitantly took it. He eyed her once more as she fiddled with the buttons with a smile on her face.
Simple at that, eh?
He entered the locker room once more to do his usual routine.
~~
How thoughtful. I've got to hand it to him, the guy's pretty sweet when he wants to be.
She flashed back to what've happened just now they met eyes. His eyes…they were so intense. So full. It's as if the emotions just want to get out.
She put on the earphones, and absentmindedly clicked on Play.
Nothing happened.
She waited a few more seconds.
Still nothing happened.
Or so she thought.
Because at that exact moment, rock music pounded into her eardrums.
Together with a million stares from sweaty players, some shirtless and looking very, very indecent to her eyes.
That was enough to make her jump up and accidentally send the discman crashing onto the floor into a heap of chips and broken plastic.
Emi gasped in horror as Rukawa appeared beside her fully dressed in casual clothes.
She did the only thing her father thought her to from time to time.
She bowed an abrupt 90 degrees angle and cried apologetically, "I AM SO SORRY!!!"
~~
Mind: Short-circuited.
View: It's okay.
Mind: Rebooting.
View: Nice.
Mind: Functioning.
View: Oh my god.
Even from here…I can see it. I don't care about that damn discman.
…maybe the CD yes…but nah.
That's it, we're eating out. No time alone with her. Yep. Not at all.
~~
End of Chapter 9
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