Disclaimer: . Standard disclaimer applied here.*Sigh*
Chapter 3
Opening her eyes, Sayuri looked around her. She sat up straight and wondered where on earth is she.
"Oh, you are awake." A boy said, suddenly appearing in front of her, giving her a jump.
".Who. Who are you?" Sayuri asked, looking at the boy with his hair all spiked up, feeling that he looks kind of familiar, like her ex-boyfriend.
"Have you forgotten me? I am Sendoh Akira!" The boy said, smiling.
"Sendoh.Ah! Why is your hair spiked up?" Sayuri asked, laughing.
"You suggested me to spike it up before you went to USA, remember? Well, I spike my hair up and the result is great, therefore I spike it up ever since." Sendoh said, beaming. "I have to agree with what you say. You are definitely more good looking with your hair spiked." Sayuri said, smiling.
"Thanks for the compliment. Why are you back in Japan? I got news from the Internet that you just got MVP award in the Girls High School Basketball Tournament in summer. Since you are doing great there, why do you want to come back here?" Sendoh asked.
"MVP? So what? It's boring down there. I'm not communicating very well there with my teammates and now they are reluctant to pass the ball to me. So, since it's like that, I guess it is best for me to return to Japan. Oh, talking about basketball, are you still playing? You are much taller now! No, very much taller to be exact!" Sayuri said.
"I have been practicing hard after you leave. Are you still playing basketball? After you came back to Japan?" Sendoh asked.
"Of course I'm still playing. I'm in Shohoku's girls' team now." Sayuri replied.
"Shohoku got a girls' team?" Sendoh asked, curious.
"Yep. Just set up. The registration was done yesterday. There's a lot of girls but mostly just wanted to be in the same team as Rukawa Kaede." Sayuri said, sighing.
"Rukawa Kaede? You sound like you don't really like him." Sendoh said, smiling.
"He is the most irritating guy I've ever seen. He is arrogant, ignorant, cold, unsocial, the worst combination you can ever get from a guy, that is." Sayuri said.
"How about me? Am I irritating?" Sendoh asked, putting on his most charming smile and started to flirt.
"Enough, Akira. Don't try to 'seduce' me, no use. Oh, why am I in your house anyway?" Sayuri asked.
"You fainted in the park's court. I went there to play basketball and found you unconscious there, so I carry you all the way to my house." Sendoh said, rather disappointed that his attempt failed.
".I guess I will have to watch my health. I have been fainting way too often." Sayuri mumbled, looking at Sendoh from the corner of her eye.
" Stop being disappointed. This is for thanking you for carrying me here." Sayuri said, giving Sendoh a quick kiss.
"Just like that?" Sendoh asked, hopefully.
"Right. Just like that. I'm very good to you already Akira. You better keep that pervert face of yours and go to school now. I'm leaving." Sayuri said, walking towards the door.
"It's noon already. What for going to school? Lesson will be over by then." Sendoh said, hugging Sayuri from behind.
"Let go of me. Even if lesson is over, I go to school is for playing basketball, so it doesn't matter. Go get someone else to flirt to. I've got to go. Bye." Sayuri said, pushing Sendoh away and opened the door.
"See you later." Sendoh said, smiling.
"Later? I guess it will be a long one." Sayuri said, rolling her eyes.
"I really mean it. See you later." Sendoh said as Sayuri left.
--
Arriving at Shohoku's gym, almost everyone is there already. Sayuri looked at the girls and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Most of the Shohoku team members are looking at the bunch of girls, saliva dripping off.
"Sayuri, I think you better talk to them about their attire. The clothes they are wearing are not appropriate for playing basketball." Ayako said to Sayuri. Sayuri looked at the girls again and nodded.
"Maybe they think they are models or maybe they just love the way boys look at them when they wear clothes like this. I guess, you should talk to the boys too." Sayuri said, looking at the boys who are looking at the girls.
"I will. Oh, and actually Haruko and I had got some right sportswear for them. Take a look and give out to them, each person take three sets." Ayako said, pointing at the box beside her. Sayuri opened the box and took out a set of 'uniform' provided by Ayako. The set consists of a white cotton t- shirt with a pair of shorts.
"Isn't this a little too boring?" Sayuri asked, looking at Ayako.
"Well, there are red, pink, blue and black for them to choose. All are in the box." Ayako said.
"Oh. Is that so?" Sayuri asked, carrying the box towards the girls. Some of the girls have the correct attire on. Putting the box down, Sayuri looked at the girls who are wearing identical tight, pink and low-cut t-shirt with a pair of shorts that is so short that they might as well don't wear one.
"Hi! I am Asagiri Sayuri. Er.Actually these clothes aren't exactly very suitable for playing basketball. So, Ayako thought that it might be better if there's a standard wear for all of us. I have a box of the right kind of sportswear for practice with me here. Ayako said that each one of us take three sets. And try to wear them during practices. There are a few colours to choose from, therefore, well, take a look and pick the colours you wanted." Sayuri said, smiling.
"Ayako? She must be envious that we have good figures to wear this and she don't." One of the girls wearing the 'hot' attire who had perfect figure said proudly.
"I think she definitely have the quality to wear what you are wearing now. But that is not necessary, you see. By wearing what you are wearing will distract the boys from their practice, so it's best that you change into these clothes that are provided by the team manageress." Sayuri said, smiling pleasantly. The girl snorted and took three sets of pink t-shirt and went to change. The girls followed and amazingly as Sayuri noticed, the girls wearing the improper attire took away all the red and pink t-shirts.
"Man, this is gonna be troublesome." Sayuri mumbled as she took a white, a black and a blue t-shirt for herself. When they finish changing, the practice had already started for the boys. Sayuri started the girls' practice too, with running as the start. After the few rounds round the court, some of the girls are already tired and started grumbling. The gym door opened suddenly and three people entered the gym. Everyone turned and looked at the people who had just entered the gym. Sayuri's eyes widened as she saw Sendoh amongst the three.
"Aida? Why are you here?" Sakuragi asked immediately.
"We are here to send an invitation for a practice match. Also, we just heard that there's a new girls' team in Shohoku and therefore our captain, and Ryonan's new girls' team's captain came too to take a look." Aida said.
"Practice match shouldn't be a problem, Aida, I think you better discuss it with Ayako and Haruko and settle down on a date. And about taking a look at our new girls' team, you will have to ask Sayuri. She is the captain." Ryota said.
"Sayuri? Who's that?" Aida asked.
"Hi, I am Asagiri Sayuri. Nice to meet you." Sayuri said, smiling. Aida looked at Sayuri and gasped at the beautiful eyes of hers.
".Hi. I am Aida Hikoichi, Ryonan's team manager." Aida said, in a daze as he looks at Sayuri.
"Hi, I am Sendoh Akira, Ryonan's team captain." Sendoh said, smiling and stretched out his hand for a handshake. Sayuri shook his hand while glaring at him. As she is about to take her hand back, Sendoh held her hand tighter.
"Please let go of my hand, Sendoh Akira!" Sayuri shouted, glaring at Sendoh with one of the coldest glare ever exist on earth. Everyone turned to look at them.
"What if I don't?" Sendoh asked, cheekily. Sayuri glared at Sendoh and squeezed his hand with all her might.
"Ite!" Sendoh exclaimed, letting go of Sayuri's hand immediately. His hand swelled up immediately.
"Sendoh sempai! Are you alright?" Aida exclaimed immediately.
"Don't touch my hand! It hurts!" Sendoh cried out as Aida touched his hand.
"Gomenasai, Sendoh sempai!" Aida apologized.
"Are you okay?" The girl captain asked, gently touching Sendoh's hand and started flirting with Sendoh. The Shohoku team watched them flirt and most of them started talking among themselves. The girls glared at the girl captain of Ryonan, as they are jealous.
"I thought the few of you like Rukawa?" Sayuri asked, looking at them
"But Sendoh is very good looking too." One of the girls said. Sayuri looked at them and sighed.
"Will the two of you flirt somewhere else?" Rukawa asked, coldly, spinning a ball with his finger.
"Oh, sorry." Sendoh said, smiling at Rukawa. Rukawa glared at him coldly.
"Er.I guess we should be going back. Aida, have you settle on the date yet? Taoka sensei will kill us if we waste anymore time." Sendoh said, sensing the danger in Rukawa's glare.
"Oh, okay! It's settled on next Saturday." Aida said.
"Sayonara!" Sendoh said and immediately left Shohoku.
--
After the practice, everyone is tired. But the girls are especially tired as they are still not use to practice.
"Man, she isn't the coach anyway, why does she have to train us so hard?" One of the girls groaned as they went to the changing room.
"Yeah! It's not like they are that good anyway." Another girl grumbled. Ryota and Mitsui who are walking behind them heard their conversation. As they went into the boys' changing room, they started talking about what they overheard.
"The girls don't seem to like Sayuri." Ryota said.
"I don't like her either. I think she is too proud." Mitsui said.
"Ha! The two of you are of the same kind, you know?" Ryota said, laughing.
--
In the gym, the only ones left are Sayuri and Rukawa. Sayuri shoot a couple of three-pointers but felt rather bored by just practicing her shooting, therefore, she walked over to Rukawa.
"Hey, Rukawa Kaede! How about a 1-on-1?" Sayuri asked.
"Okay." Rukawa replied, looking at her.
"Same rules as the two 1-on-1 yesterday. The first to get 11 points wins. Okay?" Sayuri asked.
"Okay. You start first." Rukawa said, throwing the ball in his hands to Sayuri. Sayuri got the ball and walked over to the three-pointers line to start her attack. She dribbled the ball slowly towards Rukawa, trying to find fault in his defense.
+Quite good, eh? But there's a tiny weakness on his right.+ Sayuri thought. She planned out what she wanted to do immediately and immediately went towards the left. Rukawa went to stop her immediately but Sayuri got through from the right side instead. She did a simple lay-up and scored 2 points. Rukawa was surprised and thought about it as he picked up the ball and walked to the three-pointers line to start his attack. He dribbled the ball slowly towards the basket but Sayuri steal it away very quickly.
"You are not very concentrated, are you? Sayuri asked, walking towards the three-pointers line. Just as she turned around to start her attack, Rukawa stole her ball and shoot a three pointer.
"I am very concentrated." Rukawa said. Sayuri smiled as she picked the ball up. Before Rukawa can react, she too shoots a three pointer.
"5 to 3. I'm still in the lead." Sayuri said, smiling. Rukawa rolled his eyes and started his attack. Sayuri started defending immediately. Rukawa looked at Sayuri and started dribbling towards her. In a brief moment, everything seems to be in a blur. Rukawa first increase the speed of his dribbling then went towards Sayuri's right, but that was a false move, as Sayuri tried to block him, Rukawa dribbled the ball between her legs and got pass through the left. But Sayuri immediately jumped to block as Rukawa leaped up to do a lay-up. Rukawa changed hand and avoided Sayuri before putting the ball into the basket lightly. The ball hit the rim and rolled around it before getting in.
+Wow.Incredible.+ Sayuri thought as she picked up the ball and started to attack from the three pointers line, while still thinking about the way Rukawa attack just now.
+Whew, that was close, it nearly didn't get in. Her reaction is so fast and her action, as if she did not need any time to think before she block me. Seems like I have to practice harder before going to USA. + Rukawa thought, getting ready to defense. Dribbling, Sayuri got nearer to Rukawa. Rukawa looked at Sayuri and started to lower his body, getting ready to block Sayuri.
+His defense is good.+ Sayuri thought, planning how to get through his defense. In a blink of an eye, Sayuri speed up and started attacking from Rukawa's right, but was blocked immediately. Just as Rukawa tried to block her, Sayuri stopped and changed a direction and got to the basket. Rukawa rushed up immediately to block again but Sayuri got the ball through between his legs and got past Rukawa as he is in shock, got the ball back and leaped to dunk the ball. After the slight shock, Rukawa went to block Sayuri immediately. Surprised by Rukawa's speed, Sayuri was nearly unable to react. Luckily, she regained her calm and held the ball back, and threw the ball from under Rukawa's arm. The ball hit the board and bounced on the rim a couple of times before it finally went into the basket.
"Your turn now. I'm still leading with two points." Sayuri said, smiling.
"I know. But this lead will be short. I will win." Rukawa said with much confidence.
--
After five minutes of intense play, Rukawa and Sayuri both got ten points, but it is Rukawa's turn. Rukawa dribbled the ball cautiously and was very concentrated. Sayuri was not as concentrated though. She was hungry, because she had not eaten her lunch. As she dreamed about what food to eat, Rukawa got past Sayuri from her left and jumped up to dunk the ball in. Sayuri snapped out of her fantasy of eating and rushed up to block him. Rukawa changed his strategy immediately as Sayuri jumped to block him. He switched to lay-up and released the ball under Sayuri's arm. The ball rolled around the rim for two rounds and fell silently through the basket.
"I lost. Congrats. Have you eaten your lunch yet? If not, want to eat together? I'm about to faint from hunger. I'll treat." Sayuri said, feeling extremely hungry.
".Okay." Rukawa replied after considering.
"Good. Do you know where is the nearest place to eat? I'm really very HUNGRY!" Sayuri said as her stomach grumbled out loud as a way of protesting. She blushed a little and picked up her bag, anxious to eat something, anything.
--
Getting to the fast food restaurant, Rukawa chose a table by the window. Rukawa sat down and put his bag on the seat beside him.
"What do you want to eat?" Sayuri asked, putting her bag down.
"Whatever." Rukawa replied.
"Whatever? Alright, just don't complain if what I buy isn't what you have in mind." Sayuri said, rolled her eyes and went to queue up. Rukawa yawned and put his head on the table, having his nap again. Coincidently, Mitsui, Ryota, Ayako, Sakuragi and Haruko entered the fast food restaurant. They found a table not far from Rukawa and sat down. Just as they were discussing about what to eat, Sayuri came back with the food and walked past them without seeing them. Mitsui saw her though.
"Hey, look! It's Sayuri and Rukawa!" Mitsui exclaimed, trying to keep his voice down despite his excitement.
"Ah! What a surprise!" Ayako said, keeping her voice down. Ryota, Sakuragi and Haruko immediately turned around and looked at Rukawa and Sayuri.
"What the. How can he sleep everywhere at any point of time?" Sayuri mumbled, putting the tray on the table and gave Rukawa a punch on the head to wake him up.
"Great! But could have hit him harder!" Sakuragi said, happily.
"Why are they together? It is so weird. Totally not expectable." Ryota said, scratching his head. Rukawa woke up and glared at Sayuri.
"Eat your food lah! Are you a pig? How can you sleep here?" Sayuri asked, impatiently and sat down to eat.
"Are you okay, Haruko?" Sakuragi asked, suddenly noticed that there are tears in Haruko's eyes.
".I." Haruko mumbled, then suddenly, tears rolled down her cheeks and she stood up and ran out of the fast food restaurant.
"Haruko!" Sakuragi shouted and ran out of the fast food restaurant.
"Did you hear a familiar voice calling Haruko?" Sayuri asked, startled by Sakuragi's shout.
"Yes." Rukawa said, continued to eat. Sayuri looked out of the window just in time to see Sakuragi running after Haruko.
"Ah, Sakuragi Hanamichi is chasing after Haruko!" Sayuri said as Sakuragi and Haruko ran out of her sight.
"Do you think Sakuragi will confess to her about his feelings to her?" Mitsui asked, looking at both Ryota and Ayako.
"No, I don't think so. Sakuragi never seems to be embarrassed when it comes to making a fool out of himself, but when it comes to his feelings towards Haruko, he is miraculously shy." Ayako said.
"Well, I agree with Aya-chan. I'm hungry, can we get something to eat?" Ryota asked, as his stomach grumbled.
"Ah! I just remember I've got something else to attend to. Got to go. Enjoy your date! Bye!" Mitsui said, standing up.
"We will. Bye." Ayako said as Mitsui walked away. Ryota looked at Ayako for what she had just said and blushed.
Author's notes: Z.z.z. Okay, so this chap is boring, the whole story is boring. Well, please review. @_@
Chapter 3
Opening her eyes, Sayuri looked around her. She sat up straight and wondered where on earth is she.
"Oh, you are awake." A boy said, suddenly appearing in front of her, giving her a jump.
".Who. Who are you?" Sayuri asked, looking at the boy with his hair all spiked up, feeling that he looks kind of familiar, like her ex-boyfriend.
"Have you forgotten me? I am Sendoh Akira!" The boy said, smiling.
"Sendoh.Ah! Why is your hair spiked up?" Sayuri asked, laughing.
"You suggested me to spike it up before you went to USA, remember? Well, I spike my hair up and the result is great, therefore I spike it up ever since." Sendoh said, beaming. "I have to agree with what you say. You are definitely more good looking with your hair spiked." Sayuri said, smiling.
"Thanks for the compliment. Why are you back in Japan? I got news from the Internet that you just got MVP award in the Girls High School Basketball Tournament in summer. Since you are doing great there, why do you want to come back here?" Sendoh asked.
"MVP? So what? It's boring down there. I'm not communicating very well there with my teammates and now they are reluctant to pass the ball to me. So, since it's like that, I guess it is best for me to return to Japan. Oh, talking about basketball, are you still playing? You are much taller now! No, very much taller to be exact!" Sayuri said.
"I have been practicing hard after you leave. Are you still playing basketball? After you came back to Japan?" Sendoh asked.
"Of course I'm still playing. I'm in Shohoku's girls' team now." Sayuri replied.
"Shohoku got a girls' team?" Sendoh asked, curious.
"Yep. Just set up. The registration was done yesterday. There's a lot of girls but mostly just wanted to be in the same team as Rukawa Kaede." Sayuri said, sighing.
"Rukawa Kaede? You sound like you don't really like him." Sendoh said, smiling.
"He is the most irritating guy I've ever seen. He is arrogant, ignorant, cold, unsocial, the worst combination you can ever get from a guy, that is." Sayuri said.
"How about me? Am I irritating?" Sendoh asked, putting on his most charming smile and started to flirt.
"Enough, Akira. Don't try to 'seduce' me, no use. Oh, why am I in your house anyway?" Sayuri asked.
"You fainted in the park's court. I went there to play basketball and found you unconscious there, so I carry you all the way to my house." Sendoh said, rather disappointed that his attempt failed.
".I guess I will have to watch my health. I have been fainting way too often." Sayuri mumbled, looking at Sendoh from the corner of her eye.
" Stop being disappointed. This is for thanking you for carrying me here." Sayuri said, giving Sendoh a quick kiss.
"Just like that?" Sendoh asked, hopefully.
"Right. Just like that. I'm very good to you already Akira. You better keep that pervert face of yours and go to school now. I'm leaving." Sayuri said, walking towards the door.
"It's noon already. What for going to school? Lesson will be over by then." Sendoh said, hugging Sayuri from behind.
"Let go of me. Even if lesson is over, I go to school is for playing basketball, so it doesn't matter. Go get someone else to flirt to. I've got to go. Bye." Sayuri said, pushing Sendoh away and opened the door.
"See you later." Sendoh said, smiling.
"Later? I guess it will be a long one." Sayuri said, rolling her eyes.
"I really mean it. See you later." Sendoh said as Sayuri left.
--
Arriving at Shohoku's gym, almost everyone is there already. Sayuri looked at the girls and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Most of the Shohoku team members are looking at the bunch of girls, saliva dripping off.
"Sayuri, I think you better talk to them about their attire. The clothes they are wearing are not appropriate for playing basketball." Ayako said to Sayuri. Sayuri looked at the girls again and nodded.
"Maybe they think they are models or maybe they just love the way boys look at them when they wear clothes like this. I guess, you should talk to the boys too." Sayuri said, looking at the boys who are looking at the girls.
"I will. Oh, and actually Haruko and I had got some right sportswear for them. Take a look and give out to them, each person take three sets." Ayako said, pointing at the box beside her. Sayuri opened the box and took out a set of 'uniform' provided by Ayako. The set consists of a white cotton t- shirt with a pair of shorts.
"Isn't this a little too boring?" Sayuri asked, looking at Ayako.
"Well, there are red, pink, blue and black for them to choose. All are in the box." Ayako said.
"Oh. Is that so?" Sayuri asked, carrying the box towards the girls. Some of the girls have the correct attire on. Putting the box down, Sayuri looked at the girls who are wearing identical tight, pink and low-cut t-shirt with a pair of shorts that is so short that they might as well don't wear one.
"Hi! I am Asagiri Sayuri. Er.Actually these clothes aren't exactly very suitable for playing basketball. So, Ayako thought that it might be better if there's a standard wear for all of us. I have a box of the right kind of sportswear for practice with me here. Ayako said that each one of us take three sets. And try to wear them during practices. There are a few colours to choose from, therefore, well, take a look and pick the colours you wanted." Sayuri said, smiling.
"Ayako? She must be envious that we have good figures to wear this and she don't." One of the girls wearing the 'hot' attire who had perfect figure said proudly.
"I think she definitely have the quality to wear what you are wearing now. But that is not necessary, you see. By wearing what you are wearing will distract the boys from their practice, so it's best that you change into these clothes that are provided by the team manageress." Sayuri said, smiling pleasantly. The girl snorted and took three sets of pink t-shirt and went to change. The girls followed and amazingly as Sayuri noticed, the girls wearing the improper attire took away all the red and pink t-shirts.
"Man, this is gonna be troublesome." Sayuri mumbled as she took a white, a black and a blue t-shirt for herself. When they finish changing, the practice had already started for the boys. Sayuri started the girls' practice too, with running as the start. After the few rounds round the court, some of the girls are already tired and started grumbling. The gym door opened suddenly and three people entered the gym. Everyone turned and looked at the people who had just entered the gym. Sayuri's eyes widened as she saw Sendoh amongst the three.
"Aida? Why are you here?" Sakuragi asked immediately.
"We are here to send an invitation for a practice match. Also, we just heard that there's a new girls' team in Shohoku and therefore our captain, and Ryonan's new girls' team's captain came too to take a look." Aida said.
"Practice match shouldn't be a problem, Aida, I think you better discuss it with Ayako and Haruko and settle down on a date. And about taking a look at our new girls' team, you will have to ask Sayuri. She is the captain." Ryota said.
"Sayuri? Who's that?" Aida asked.
"Hi, I am Asagiri Sayuri. Nice to meet you." Sayuri said, smiling. Aida looked at Sayuri and gasped at the beautiful eyes of hers.
".Hi. I am Aida Hikoichi, Ryonan's team manager." Aida said, in a daze as he looks at Sayuri.
"Hi, I am Sendoh Akira, Ryonan's team captain." Sendoh said, smiling and stretched out his hand for a handshake. Sayuri shook his hand while glaring at him. As she is about to take her hand back, Sendoh held her hand tighter.
"Please let go of my hand, Sendoh Akira!" Sayuri shouted, glaring at Sendoh with one of the coldest glare ever exist on earth. Everyone turned to look at them.
"What if I don't?" Sendoh asked, cheekily. Sayuri glared at Sendoh and squeezed his hand with all her might.
"Ite!" Sendoh exclaimed, letting go of Sayuri's hand immediately. His hand swelled up immediately.
"Sendoh sempai! Are you alright?" Aida exclaimed immediately.
"Don't touch my hand! It hurts!" Sendoh cried out as Aida touched his hand.
"Gomenasai, Sendoh sempai!" Aida apologized.
"Are you okay?" The girl captain asked, gently touching Sendoh's hand and started flirting with Sendoh. The Shohoku team watched them flirt and most of them started talking among themselves. The girls glared at the girl captain of Ryonan, as they are jealous.
"I thought the few of you like Rukawa?" Sayuri asked, looking at them
"But Sendoh is very good looking too." One of the girls said. Sayuri looked at them and sighed.
"Will the two of you flirt somewhere else?" Rukawa asked, coldly, spinning a ball with his finger.
"Oh, sorry." Sendoh said, smiling at Rukawa. Rukawa glared at him coldly.
"Er.I guess we should be going back. Aida, have you settle on the date yet? Taoka sensei will kill us if we waste anymore time." Sendoh said, sensing the danger in Rukawa's glare.
"Oh, okay! It's settled on next Saturday." Aida said.
"Sayonara!" Sendoh said and immediately left Shohoku.
--
After the practice, everyone is tired. But the girls are especially tired as they are still not use to practice.
"Man, she isn't the coach anyway, why does she have to train us so hard?" One of the girls groaned as they went to the changing room.
"Yeah! It's not like they are that good anyway." Another girl grumbled. Ryota and Mitsui who are walking behind them heard their conversation. As they went into the boys' changing room, they started talking about what they overheard.
"The girls don't seem to like Sayuri." Ryota said.
"I don't like her either. I think she is too proud." Mitsui said.
"Ha! The two of you are of the same kind, you know?" Ryota said, laughing.
--
In the gym, the only ones left are Sayuri and Rukawa. Sayuri shoot a couple of three-pointers but felt rather bored by just practicing her shooting, therefore, she walked over to Rukawa.
"Hey, Rukawa Kaede! How about a 1-on-1?" Sayuri asked.
"Okay." Rukawa replied, looking at her.
"Same rules as the two 1-on-1 yesterday. The first to get 11 points wins. Okay?" Sayuri asked.
"Okay. You start first." Rukawa said, throwing the ball in his hands to Sayuri. Sayuri got the ball and walked over to the three-pointers line to start her attack. She dribbled the ball slowly towards Rukawa, trying to find fault in his defense.
+Quite good, eh? But there's a tiny weakness on his right.+ Sayuri thought. She planned out what she wanted to do immediately and immediately went towards the left. Rukawa went to stop her immediately but Sayuri got through from the right side instead. She did a simple lay-up and scored 2 points. Rukawa was surprised and thought about it as he picked up the ball and walked to the three-pointers line to start his attack. He dribbled the ball slowly towards the basket but Sayuri steal it away very quickly.
"You are not very concentrated, are you? Sayuri asked, walking towards the three-pointers line. Just as she turned around to start her attack, Rukawa stole her ball and shoot a three pointer.
"I am very concentrated." Rukawa said. Sayuri smiled as she picked the ball up. Before Rukawa can react, she too shoots a three pointer.
"5 to 3. I'm still in the lead." Sayuri said, smiling. Rukawa rolled his eyes and started his attack. Sayuri started defending immediately. Rukawa looked at Sayuri and started dribbling towards her. In a brief moment, everything seems to be in a blur. Rukawa first increase the speed of his dribbling then went towards Sayuri's right, but that was a false move, as Sayuri tried to block him, Rukawa dribbled the ball between her legs and got pass through the left. But Sayuri immediately jumped to block as Rukawa leaped up to do a lay-up. Rukawa changed hand and avoided Sayuri before putting the ball into the basket lightly. The ball hit the rim and rolled around it before getting in.
+Wow.Incredible.+ Sayuri thought as she picked up the ball and started to attack from the three pointers line, while still thinking about the way Rukawa attack just now.
+Whew, that was close, it nearly didn't get in. Her reaction is so fast and her action, as if she did not need any time to think before she block me. Seems like I have to practice harder before going to USA. + Rukawa thought, getting ready to defense. Dribbling, Sayuri got nearer to Rukawa. Rukawa looked at Sayuri and started to lower his body, getting ready to block Sayuri.
+His defense is good.+ Sayuri thought, planning how to get through his defense. In a blink of an eye, Sayuri speed up and started attacking from Rukawa's right, but was blocked immediately. Just as Rukawa tried to block her, Sayuri stopped and changed a direction and got to the basket. Rukawa rushed up immediately to block again but Sayuri got the ball through between his legs and got past Rukawa as he is in shock, got the ball back and leaped to dunk the ball. After the slight shock, Rukawa went to block Sayuri immediately. Surprised by Rukawa's speed, Sayuri was nearly unable to react. Luckily, she regained her calm and held the ball back, and threw the ball from under Rukawa's arm. The ball hit the board and bounced on the rim a couple of times before it finally went into the basket.
"Your turn now. I'm still leading with two points." Sayuri said, smiling.
"I know. But this lead will be short. I will win." Rukawa said with much confidence.
--
After five minutes of intense play, Rukawa and Sayuri both got ten points, but it is Rukawa's turn. Rukawa dribbled the ball cautiously and was very concentrated. Sayuri was not as concentrated though. She was hungry, because she had not eaten her lunch. As she dreamed about what food to eat, Rukawa got past Sayuri from her left and jumped up to dunk the ball in. Sayuri snapped out of her fantasy of eating and rushed up to block him. Rukawa changed his strategy immediately as Sayuri jumped to block him. He switched to lay-up and released the ball under Sayuri's arm. The ball rolled around the rim for two rounds and fell silently through the basket.
"I lost. Congrats. Have you eaten your lunch yet? If not, want to eat together? I'm about to faint from hunger. I'll treat." Sayuri said, feeling extremely hungry.
".Okay." Rukawa replied after considering.
"Good. Do you know where is the nearest place to eat? I'm really very HUNGRY!" Sayuri said as her stomach grumbled out loud as a way of protesting. She blushed a little and picked up her bag, anxious to eat something, anything.
--
Getting to the fast food restaurant, Rukawa chose a table by the window. Rukawa sat down and put his bag on the seat beside him.
"What do you want to eat?" Sayuri asked, putting her bag down.
"Whatever." Rukawa replied.
"Whatever? Alright, just don't complain if what I buy isn't what you have in mind." Sayuri said, rolled her eyes and went to queue up. Rukawa yawned and put his head on the table, having his nap again. Coincidently, Mitsui, Ryota, Ayako, Sakuragi and Haruko entered the fast food restaurant. They found a table not far from Rukawa and sat down. Just as they were discussing about what to eat, Sayuri came back with the food and walked past them without seeing them. Mitsui saw her though.
"Hey, look! It's Sayuri and Rukawa!" Mitsui exclaimed, trying to keep his voice down despite his excitement.
"Ah! What a surprise!" Ayako said, keeping her voice down. Ryota, Sakuragi and Haruko immediately turned around and looked at Rukawa and Sayuri.
"What the. How can he sleep everywhere at any point of time?" Sayuri mumbled, putting the tray on the table and gave Rukawa a punch on the head to wake him up.
"Great! But could have hit him harder!" Sakuragi said, happily.
"Why are they together? It is so weird. Totally not expectable." Ryota said, scratching his head. Rukawa woke up and glared at Sayuri.
"Eat your food lah! Are you a pig? How can you sleep here?" Sayuri asked, impatiently and sat down to eat.
"Are you okay, Haruko?" Sakuragi asked, suddenly noticed that there are tears in Haruko's eyes.
".I." Haruko mumbled, then suddenly, tears rolled down her cheeks and she stood up and ran out of the fast food restaurant.
"Haruko!" Sakuragi shouted and ran out of the fast food restaurant.
"Did you hear a familiar voice calling Haruko?" Sayuri asked, startled by Sakuragi's shout.
"Yes." Rukawa said, continued to eat. Sayuri looked out of the window just in time to see Sakuragi running after Haruko.
"Ah, Sakuragi Hanamichi is chasing after Haruko!" Sayuri said as Sakuragi and Haruko ran out of her sight.
"Do you think Sakuragi will confess to her about his feelings to her?" Mitsui asked, looking at both Ryota and Ayako.
"No, I don't think so. Sakuragi never seems to be embarrassed when it comes to making a fool out of himself, but when it comes to his feelings towards Haruko, he is miraculously shy." Ayako said.
"Well, I agree with Aya-chan. I'm hungry, can we get something to eat?" Ryota asked, as his stomach grumbled.
"Ah! I just remember I've got something else to attend to. Got to go. Enjoy your date! Bye!" Mitsui said, standing up.
"We will. Bye." Ayako said as Mitsui walked away. Ryota looked at Ayako for what she had just said and blushed.
Author's notes: Z.z.z. Okay, so this chap is boring, the whole story is boring. Well, please review. @_@