Author's Note : Konnichiwa minna-san!!! I'm back!!! Sorry for the late update, I was really busy these past few weeks. And I was experiencing a writer's block lately. Oh, by the way, I'm recommending you pips out there to read the fic my sister and I made (although I'm only a co-author there). Its entitled 'To Our Dreams'. I'm Minami Ishigami there. We are currently making the sequel to that fic which I also recommend you to read. Its entitled 'Heaven? or…Hell on Earth?' Please read it and review. Anyway, before I start, I would like to reply to the reviews I received.
Nicole : Ruru's richer than Sensen is. Ruru's a famous star allover Japan. Mainly, he's a singer. I think you got a little confused about them. Sensen is rich but Ruru's richer. And Sensen will soon learn that Ruru's a famous star. Hope I answered all your questions. ^-^
leonic007 : Cool name huh? Anyweiz, ya it's a SenRu. They're my favorite pairing in SD and I just love them SOOOOOOOO Much!!! Thanks for the compliment too!!!
xiaoj : Arigato xiaoj-san!!!
Leviathan : Thanks for the 'inspirational' messages. I really appreciate it. Ya, Sensen's REALLY a HENTAI!!! And IT IS Kae-chan!!! Anyway, ya, I admit they're a little OOC here. Gomen! Anyway, I already changed the summary. Arigato!!!
Iluvenis Telperien or Eddie??? : Anyway, Ya, IT IS a SENRU. Sorry for the grammatical errors though. ^-^ And about the beta-reader, no thanks. I'm fine with this.
Again, to all you readers out there who read this (either you reviewed or not) Arigato!!! Before I forget, I would also like to thank my friend, Abby, who helped me in thinking about the last parts of this chappie. I wouldn't have posted this chapter yet if it wasn't for her. Arigato Abby-chan!!!
So… Here's chapter TWO!!!
You First Believed
by Rave
Chapter Two : Name Hunt
Sendoh sighed for the twentieth time today. Three days have passed since he met that beautiful stranger and still he can't figure out what his identity is. Everything about this name-thing is so far HOPELESS…
Ever since he met him and they made that small agreement, he already started "researching" for this guy's name, but his efforts were all in vain… Actually, he had thoughts of giving up but he erased all those away as he imagined losing one of the greatest opportunities in life. (A/N: Well, who could ever resist that beautiful face of Kae-chan. ne? @_@) Anyway, even though it was hard, it was also fun at the same time. He just can't understand but this little game was getting all his attention and surely the guy who thought of this too.
Sendoh immediately plopped his tired body on the bed as he entered the house. It has been one whole tiring day for him. Going all around town and even outside town to look for someone's identity was Hell hard. And just imagine doing that same thing for three consecutive days but only ending up in a zero outcome. Oh God! Who wouldn't be tired?!
Sendoh lay flat on his back looking at the ceiling like it was going to give him some answers. "I didn't know this was hard…" he mumbled to no one in particular as he placed his arm over his forehead. "If only we could guess someone's name easily…"
Our spiky-haired ace sat up, only to be greeted by the air coming from his newly turned-on air conditioner. He was thinking hard. About what? Well, about the name of the gorgeous stranger he recently met. "How about Reiji. Maybe that will do." He shook his head. "No, no, no. It doesn't suit him. How about… Aoi. That can be since he has blue eyes." Shaking his head again. "No. It's a girl's name. Then, Masaki. No, Yukio. Ah, I know! Omi! Umm… too childish I guess. Ronin? Goku? Aki?" Sendoh shook his head more violently this time and plopped back on the bed. "Aaaaahhhh!!! I give up!!! Mou… if only someone was here to help me…"
That was when like a flash of lightning, an idea had struck him. Yes, there was definitely somebody who could help him! And this somebody just can't refuse. Sendoh smiled sheepishly as the thoughts of someone came rushing in his mind. Quickly he grabbed the phone and dialed this certain person's number. Several rings were heard before a tired and sleepy voice answered from the other line.
"Moshi, moshi. Koshino residence. Who's this?" Koshino said stifling a yawn.
"Konbanwa Kosh. It's me Akira! Sorry to wake you up pal, but I really need some help here. You see, I have this LITTLE problem at hand. Could you help me, PLEASE?! "
"Nani?! Akira?! Tell me, d'you know exactly what time it is?!"
"Yup! 12:30 in the evening!"
"EXACTLY?! You're calling up VERY LATE in the evening just become of some little problem you have. If it's a little problem, then let's just talk about it tomorrow. Besides, there's no classes tomorrow."
Sendoh pouted. "Demo saa… I REALLY can't get sleep tonight just because of thinking about this."
Unknown to our dazzling spiky seven, he was already getting to Koshino's nerves. Well, who wouldn't?! It was already 12:30 in the evening and he was DAMN TIRED. All he wanted was some nice sleep. And then here comes a noisy and naughty (Don't think of any hentai…) Akira calling just because of some stupid problem. "Why don't you count sheep then?!" came his reply.
"Oh, c'mon Kosh. Don't be so rude. I was really expecting you could help me since you're my best friend. PLEASE?! Just this once?"
It's really hard to win against the GREAT SENDOH AKIRA, especially when it comes to answering certain requests. No one can resist his frustrating but charming pleading. After a couple of pleads and puppy sobs, Koshino finally muffled a defeated "Fine."
Sendoh cheered for joy. 'Finally! Yehey! I won't be having a hard time doing it alone now.'
"But I warn you Akira. This LITTLE PROBLEM of yours should be something worth it. It just destroyed my precious sleep."
Sendoh smiled as he felt somewhat relieved. " I guess… Well, let me start. You see, I met a guy last Saturday in the public court I used to play. We had a nice one-on-one game and we even got along well. I asked him to play with me once more but he gave me a condition." Sendoh paused for a while allowing his friend to absorb everything that he said.
"What condition?!"
Sendoh smiled again. 'I'm glad Kosh's listening eagerly to this.' Then, he continued. "Actually the condition seems simple but once you try it, its FUCKING HARD!"
"Just tell me the condition, okay? And… cut the story short."
"Okay. The condition is I should get to know him, particularly his name by next Saturday. That happened when I introduced myself and he was surprised that I don't know him."
Koshino almost choked. "Nani?! Know HIS name?! Are you insane?! Getting to know a COMPLETE STRANGER'S NAME is the hardest thing to do! Are you nuts?!"
Sendoh winced at the tone of Kosh's voice. He didn't know his friend could get this agitated when disturbed. "But… he gave me a clue."
"Oh, yeah. Then tell me."
"He told me to look around. He said I could find the answer when I just look around. He also reminded me to be sensitive. And, one more thing. I think he's kinda rich. He was even fetched by a limo."
'Rich guy, huh?!' Koshino thought. "Don't you recognize him as any rich person you have seen in tv or newspapers?"
"Not really. I don't think I ever remembered someone like him."
"This one's pretty hard. Anyway, its already late. Why don't we just talk more about this tomorrow?"
"That means you're willing to help me?"
Koshino grunted. "Baka! What else? I have no choice. But remember Sendoh Akira, this will be just for tomorrow. NO MORE, NO LESS. UNDERSTOOD?!"
"Hai! Let's meet tomorrow at 1:30 PM, near Ryonan. Remember the Italian café located 2 blocks away? That's our meeting place. Don't be late!"
Koshino sighed. "Fine. But shouldn't I be the one reminding you that? Huh, Mr. LATE COMER?"
"Whatever. Just don't forget okay. Ja!" Then, he hung up.
Sendoh plopped again on the bed. This time a smile was grazing his lovely features. "Tomorrow's definitely gonna be a long day…" he said as sleep slowly took over him.
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It was a lovely Wednesday afternoon in Kanagawa. The weather was just fine. It was not too hot nor too cold. Considering the fact that it's already Spring, that is. Sendoh skipped happily towards the café Koshino and he was supposed to meet. He never felt happy for the past few days only until yesterday after he called Koshino. Sendoh greeted people that he knew on the way, giving them a small hello plus his ever-charming smile. It was just 1 PM and he wasn't much in the hurry since his meeting's still at 1:30.
'But then again, who said I can't come early sometimes…' Sendoh thought as he spotted a familiar building with a big sign outside that read "Starbucks café" (A/n Can't think of any other name…) Making his way inside, he took a seat at the corner and ordered his favorite drink, FRESH LEMON JUICE, and waited as the clock slowly ticked by.
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~ In the other side of Kanagawa ~
"Kaede. Kaede, where are you?!" called a young woman around the age of 23 as she paced the room non-stop carrying a clipboard in her right arm. "Mou… Where could he be?"
Suddenly the door of the room swung open revealing the very exhausted Kaede behind it.
"There you are!" the woman said rushing towards him. "I've been looking allover for you. Where have you been? And, my god! Look at you! C'mon now, we need to get you fixed. The shoot's gonna start in minutes." She tugged Kaede towards another room while all Kaede could do was sigh.
'Kaede. Yes, who really is Kaede. ' Rukawa thought as he leaned in to the refreshment the water from the shower was offering him. ' Sometimes, I don't know who owns that name anymore. I really don't know since when was my own identity foreign to me. I guess, ever since I entered showbizness. But why did I enter this life anyway? Fortune? Popularity? No, I don't think so. I just thought I could find happiness here. Did I ever find it? Maybe yes and maybe no.'
Rukawa sighed. Lifting his head, he allowed the water to wash his anxieties away. He wanted to forget them, especially when his eyes were starting to betray him. ' But then again, I somehow found that this life I entered filled one of the voids in my heart. One of the voids… Yes, one. There are a lot of voids in my heart that are hard to fill in. I always thought they will remain empty, or so I thought. These past years, I'm starting to find the answers to my questions and the answers to my anxieties. One of them is basketball. I find happiness from it. And from basketball comes another answer, my teammates. They showed me and taught me a lot of things. I am grateful for them. But there is one thing that they just can't fill…' Rukawa hugged himself as he felt a deep pain in his heart. The pain of emptiness and loneliness. "…and that is…" Then his voice trailed off.
Rukawa slowly turned the shower off and stepped outside to dry himself and prepare for the shoot. He slowly walked to the mirror to look at himself. He had raven hair that fell just around the nape area, he was tall and healthy physically considering the muscles he had, and most of all he had the perfect set of deep ocean blue eyes. To add more to his appeal, he was wearing a silver halter that clung to him like second skin (imagine Sanzo's black leather one… ah, kawaii!!! @_@), on top of that was a leather jacket, paired with leather pants that were a little loose and ankle-high boots. He was really gorgeous. Looking at the figure before him made him remember the person he met three days ago who had the same set of eyes like his.
"Akira Sendoh." He said remembering the face of the spiky-haired ace player he just had one-on-one with. Rukawa really didn't know what came into him about that name game. But there was something about Sendoh that attracted him a lot. He just thought it would be quite interesting…
'He's different from the others I met. I can say that. I think I'll enjoy it being friends with him.' Rukawa smiled, which was something rare for him to do, as thoughts about our ravishing spiky-seven came to his mind. ' This will be fun. Really fun. Ne, Akira Sendoh? '
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"Itai!!!"
Poor Sendoh Akira. He was happily finishing his third glass of LEMON JUICE when he accidentally bit his tongue. "Mou… Who could be thinking about me now?" He said cocking his head to the side as he took a last sip from his glass. Three down. (A/n I just sort of copied the part in Saiyuki wherein Homura was up at the cliff talking to himself saying somewhat the same line as what Kae-chan said but indicating it to Goku. Goku on the other hand was traveling down the cliff about 3 to 4 kms away from Homura and was looking at the sky as if he heard what Homura said. Anyway, for those who know what I'm talking about, you'll get what I mean. ^-^)
Sendoh carefully glanced at his watch. It was already 1:28 PM and still Koshino is nowhere to be seen. '2 minutes to go…' Sendoh thought happily as he ordered another glass of LEMON JUICE and at the same time being rewarded by the waiter with a weird look.
"Tick." The clocked ticked by 1:29 when Sendoh caught sight of a figure running towards the café's direction. The figure was a guy with black hair falling just above his ears donned in a red shirt with a hood at the back, black pants and leather shoes. It was who Sendoh thought it was, Hiroaki Koshino. Sendoh grinned. "Just in time."
Koshino scanned his eyes around the café. That run was definitely tiring. Recognizing a familiar figure with stunning blue eyes and spiky hair seated at the corner, he walked over to him.
"I came here as promised… and…" He carefully sat opposite his best friend. His eyes not leaving those magnificent blue orbs. "…I WASN'T LATE…" Koshino grinned as he saw the expression of the Ryonan ace as he emphasized the word "WASN'T LATE"
Sendoh smirked. "Baka! You're late!"
"I'm not!"
"Oh yeah! My watch tells me that you're exactly 4 seconds and 29 milliseconds late." Sendoh smirked again as he tried to tease Kosh.
"Hey! Seconds don't count!"
"Really? Who said so?! You?! Baka!" he stifled a mischievous laugh.
"Mou… You're really hard to cope up with Akira. I really don't know how I became you're best friend! " He complained as he ordered a glass of ice tea.
Sendoh grinned. "Baka! You should consider yourself lucky! You're Sendoh Akira the Great's best friend! "
Koshino took a sip from his drink with a look in his eyes saying "Whatever." After a couple of minutes of joking and stupid conversations, Koshino spoke. " Oi Akira! Don't tell me you forgot the real reason why we came here?!"
"Huh?! Of course no!"
"Good. So shall we get to business shall we? Besides, you're the one who dragged me here. If you're planning to stay here all day and gulp down glasses of LEMON JUICE, then I'd better leave."
Sendoh quickly stopped drinking and looked directly at Kosh. "Okay, fine."
"So first things first. Akira, tell me, what are you planning to do?"
"Do?! Well, I'm planning to go around town and ask people if ever they know him."
"That's all?!" Sendoh nodded.
"Okay, fine. So, where are you planning to start?"
Sendoh thought for a while as he placed a finger at the side of his head. "Well, let's see. I know! Why don't we start in the other side of Kanagawa. I've been looking in the same side of Kanagawa for days. Mainly, Ryonan's side."
"I see. Not bad. So what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Koshino swiftly stood up and was about to head to the door when Sendoh called back. Koshino turned. "Now what? Don't tell me you changed you're mind."
Sendoh smiled sheepishly. "Ano… I'm not yet through with my drink yet."
Koshino fell. (A/n Anime style) It was truly hard to keep up with this ace of Ryonan. He just happens to have a twisted brain of some sort.
"I'll just go home if you're not planning to stand there, Akira."
Sendoh sighed. "Hai, hai."
After paying the bills, Sendoh caught up with Kosh and they both took a train to the other side of Kanagawa, Shohoku's side. After about 20 minutes of travel, they finally arrived at Shohoku's side of Kanagawa district. Shohoku was a little like Ryonan. The only difference was that the sea is clearly seen from Ryonan side since they were closer to the sea compared to Shohoku.
Sendoh and Koshino took almost the whole day searching for clues and asking people from the way Sendoh described Rukawa. But it turned out really hard since people gave different answers. For example some said: "That's my cousin." while the others "That's my neighbor", "That's my classmate" and so forth and so on. it was like they were going to have a headache or worse a migraine.
But what is unknown to the two was that, they were just so blind. When I say blind, I REALLY MEAN BLIND. They have passed through several billboards with a picture of Rukawa and his name, TV's that showed Rukawa in one of his concerts, posters, cd, tapes, and a lot more. It was just that they NEVER noticed any of this. They were really hopeless.
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Sendoh sighed for the umpteenth time today. Even though Kosh was there to help him, it still turned out to be hard. It was already 7 PM and since they were tired, they decided to go to the bar before calling it a day.
"Mou… I'm so tired…" Sendoh said slumping at his seat.
"Yeah… me too…"
"Let's just drink…" Sendoh was drinking himself to sleep already. He has finished almost 5 glasses of beer and he was already in between consciousness and sleep. His head fell to his arms that were crossed right in front of him as he mumbled incoherently. He was about to drift off to sleep when some voices behind him caught his attention. The voices belong to three girls who were happily bantering and giggling with each other.
"He's really so cute… I just love his deep blue eyes!!! They're so pretty! It fits perfectly his raven hair!" One girl said.
"Yeah! And you know what. I learned that he loves to play basketball!!! Maybe that's the reason why he has a very gorgeous body!!!" the second one said.
"Hey, have you heard? It's his habit to play basketball every Saturday morning. And guess where he plays? He plays in a public court somewhere in Kanagawa!" The last one said.
Those sentences definitely woke Sendoh up. 'Did I hear right? Deep Blue eyes? Raven Hair? Loves to play basketball? Gorgeous body? And plays basketball every Saturday morning in a public court in Kanagawa? Could it be? Could it be…him?'
Koshino looked at him confused. "Doshite Akira? What's wrong?"
Sendoh smiled. "Kosh! I think I already have a clue about him!"
"Huh?! What're you saying?"
"You'll know. Just wait here okay."
Sendoh stood up and headed to the girls table. He gave a warm smile at them. "Um… excuse me, I happen to hear you talking about a certain guy I'm looking for. Do you know him?" He asked making sure that he was polite enough so as not to scare the girls.
"Yeah. Everyone in Japan knows him!" One of them said blushing hard at the sight of the very ravishing Ryonan ace before them.
"Would you mind telling me?"
"No." The other one said.
"Actually, he's a famous singer allover Japan. He's not just a singer but a model too. He also does a little acting, but I tell you its rare. Actually, we have a ticket to his next concert." The girl then reached for her pocket and showed Sensen the ticket. His eyes widened in shock. The person on the picture was definitely him.
"So, what's his name?"
"Kaede Rukawa."
-TSUZUKU-
Author's note : Cliffhanger!!! I thought that the chapter was already quite long that's why I decided to cut it already. Don't worry minna, I'll update fast already. I'm no longer busy these past few days and I'm just in the mood to write. Anyway, I hope you like it. If you have any comments please just tell them to me. And if ever you have any suggestions, please tell them to me too. And by the way, I decided not to update the next chapter unless I see reviews. Please try to understand. Reviews inspire me a lot! So Please review! Ja!
-Rave-