Next chap up!

Iluvenis Telperien: Thank you! Why'd you change your name?

Tensaispira: Disappeared? Wow, didn't know they had that ability! ^_^ I didn't know Shouri meant victory! Waaa… that's nice… does this mean I have to make her the victor in this story to suit her name?

Fiery-ice: 160??? That's a LOT! The last time I went, I got only… 86? 85? Somewhere around that number. *shudders*

Tiran: I feel that too!! Enjoy this chap!

December Morning Owl: Too short? Darn, then this is going to be even shorter for you!! Sorry, but I really don't have that much time anymore.

Krappkarmin: Thank you!

Crazy4u: I'm not in any country club. -_-' BTW, I live in KL too! Hooray! I go to Smk seri bintang utara – previously BBGS. You know my school? But you're quite far… in Bangsar… I haven't been there in a looong time.

Unquestionable: Yep, I can guarantee that technique will get you some attention. Dunno about the score, tho!

Rapt 142: You think it's his true character? *pounces on Rapt 142 in happiness* And others were saying he's OOC! You are such a jewel!

: Me have a feeling you're kka, only you forgot to type in your name. Am I right?

Patty g: Yeah, a gorgeous blockhead, so it's not such a bad bargain.

"Shouri!" Jura yelled out, pounding on her cousin's bathroom door. "Your phone's been ringing for the last ten minutes!! Get out and get it!!"

The door opened and a startled Shouri in bright green towel greeted her. "Jura? What on earth are you doing here?"

"Why does it matter?" Jura retorted indignantly. "I've always been coming in and out as I please. Now, quick, get the phone. It's ringing!" She pulled Shouri out and started to drag her to the object of communication.

"Why didn't you pick it up yourself?" Shouri muttered, annoyed now. "if you can come in and out as you please, surely you can pick the phone up with just as much ease."

Jura grinned. "I needed to use your bathroom"

Shouri frowned as Jura bounded off. "As if it's the only bathroom in this house!' she grumbled loudly. "Don't mess with my shampoo!" With a surly grunt, she picked the phone up. "Sorry. All Hanataka's are out. Please call later."

"Right, Shouri Hanataka. That's a good one."

Shouri's eyebrows joined. "Do I know you?"

"You should. I'm the one who bought you that ridiculous bear-shaped candy you were wetting your pants about."

Shouri's eyebrows now rose, and a smile broke over her face. "I'll remind you that it happened approximately ten years ago." Then she laughed. "Haven't heard from you for a long time, Fujima."

"I've been, um, busy."

Shouri rolled her eyes. "Why, of course."

"Listen," Fujima said, serious now. "I just heard you got into Kainan."

"I've always been –"

"I need you to check on Maki. You know Maki? He's the basketball captain. You know basketball? It's a sport, with guys bouncing orange balls. You know orange balls? It's –"

"You know 'brain'?" Shouri countered edgily. "Well, I have one. You know 'one'?"

Fujima grunted. "Okay, sorry. Got carried away. Anyway, I really need you to watch the basketball team. You know that I'm the captain of Shoyo now, don't you? Well, anyway, we'll be going head-to-head with Kainan if we get into the final four – which I'm pretty sure we will. Maki's always been my tightest rival and I'm thinking you can help me with that."

Shouri smiled wryly, though he couldn't see it. "And I thought you called to repair our bond and check on my health and happiness and things like that."

"Later." He promised. "I'll do that later. Well?"

"Well what?"

"Will you check on Kainan's basketball team for me?"

"You mean, spy on Kainan's basketball team."

He was silent for a while, obviously struggling with his conscience. "Well," he said slowly. "I wouldn't exactly call it 'spying'…"

"Fujima."

"Yes?"

"You want me to 'check' on them and then report to you about their progress and their new strategies and pair-ups. You want to know how much each of the members has improved and you want to know what are their weaknesses. Right?"

"That's pretty accurate. Yes."

"Then it's definitely spying."

He hissed slightly. "Look, this is my last chance to win the championship. I'm right out at the edge of the cliff, and I'm going to do everything there is I can to go back on stable grounds. It doesn't really matter how I do it."

"Cheater."

"No, strategist."

Shouri snorted. "Whatever. What's in it for me?"

"Well… I can buy you that bear-shaped candy again."

Shouri gritted her teeth. "And I'll stuff it right up your nostrils." She switched the phone to the other ear. "I lost interest in candy ages ago, unlike you. I bet you're still sucking lollipops."

Fujima faked a gasp. "How did you know??" Then he sighed. "All right, what do you want?"

Shouri thought about it. "Your basketball card collection."

This time, he really gasped – genuinely. "My card collection?? The rare one? With the one and only Kobe Bryan special edition??"

"Yep. The very one."

"What for? You don't even like basketball!"

"I don't. But it's the only thing you have of value."

"No way!" he boomed. "Not my precious cards!"

Shouri shrugged calmly. "It's your choice. Nice to talk to you. Call again sometime, all right?"

Fujima groaned. Shouri could imagine him slapping his forehead in distress. "Half," he said then. "Half of my collection. That's it."

"Full. All. Every single one."

He sighed. "You drive a hard bargain." There was moping silence. "All right."

Shouri grinned. "Deal." She laughed when he didn't reply. "Relax, Fujima. I'm sure your cards will miss you too."

He sighed again. "So, how are you doing?"

Later, Jura came up to her curiously. "Who called? You sure talked for a long time." She sat cross-legged on the floor watching as Shouri rushed around her room looking for a sock. "Someone I know?"

"Fujima," Shouri grunted as she pulled herself out from under the bed.

"Who?"

"Fujima. Kenji Fujima." She repeated, bending now to look under the cupboard. "My mom's auntie's grandfather's cousin's daughter's stepsister's son's grandson. I went for a holiday with him a few years back. He hasn't called until now."

Jura looked confused. "What's your relationship with him?"

Shouri rubbed her cheek. "I don't know. Uncle and niece, maybe? Who can tell?"

Jura was staring off into space. "Can you tell me his name again?"

"Kenji Fujima." Shouri closed her drawer with a bang. "Where's the left sock??"

"I think I know," Jura muttered then, hands thoughtfully scratching her chin as she looked up at the ceiling.

"Really? Where?"

"No, idiot. Fujima. I think I know him." She hummed for a moment before her eyes brightened. "I've got it! Shoyo! Brand-new basketball captain!" She cupped her face excitedly. "He's gorgeous!"

Shouri raised an eyebrow. "Last time I saw him, he had snot dropping from his nose."

"Last time I saw him," Jura inserted. "He had his shorts down."

Shouri solidified in the act of kicking a cushion out of her path. She straightened with a wrinkle in her forehead. "And what," she said slowly, "was my probable uncle doing with his shorts down?"

"His seniors were pulling a joke on him. They were trying to strip him naked and make him run around school." Jura sighed forlornly. "He managed to escape, though."

"And what," Shouri continued, "were you doing there in a high school?"

"Club graduation party," Jura answered dismissively. "We rented Shoyo high's school hall since that was the only place big enough. Not that you'd know," she added slyly. "You were always too obsessed with gymnastics to join other better clubs."

Shouri didn't reply, instead opting for a mere grunt.

"How much longer are you going to take?" Jura demanded then. "We'll never get out of this house if you keep on being like this." With a snort, she stood up. "I'm going downstairs. If you're not there in five minutes, I'm going to tell your mom to leave you behind."

Shouri frowned at her. Then her eyes shifted downwards. "JURA!!" she roared. "YOU PIG! YOU WERE SITTING ON MY SOCK!!"

Short, but if I were to write longer, then it'll be another two weeks before I can post it. *begs for forgiveness from undoubtedly understanding readers* (I hope) (^_^)