Disclaimer: We do not own the SD boys but we sure as hell want to own Akira

        Sendoh drool

Title:  Kanagawa Blues

Part 1: Cruel Summer

(This fic'll get more complicated later on in the story)

Summer. The Ryonan basketball team had been practicing three times a week, four hours each day. They had been haunted by their dreams, the dark days when they had their practice everyday, save Sunday, seven hours. But those days were over, they had to forget the sad moments, heavy practice, Taoka's irritating voice and their loss to Shohoku. They had to look forward to the next season, they promised to make Shohoku and Kainan pay. But they could relax; next season was still three months away. They had appointed their next captain as well as sub-captain, none other than Akira Sendoh and Hiroaki Koshino respectively. They organized the team quite well and they were able to recruit freshmen with potentials.

All was going well until Sendoh called out to Koshino.

"You've been acting weird lately, you're losing-I mean have you forgotten-" Sendoh was cut short.

"No, I haven't. I know next season will be the last for us and I'm not losing energy. Now if you don't mind I have some things to attend to, excuse me." Koshino said.

Sendoh watched as Koshino turned away from him and went to practice. Sendoh could hardly believe what had just happened. Koshino had never, in his life, spoken to him like that. He didn't even look at him or turn to look back.

"Can it be that he doesn't think I'm worthy of being captain? Or is he losing hope for our team for Ikegami and Uozumi-sempai have left?" He thought.

The questions rang in his head even after practice. "I have to talk to him and he will have to listen to me or else…" Sendoh thought although he could hardly bear it. He rubbed his cheek as he walked with his head down and bumped into someone.

It was Hikoichi Aida. Before he could apologize, his attention fell on the boy next to Hikoichi. It was Koshino.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you, stupid of me not to see a tall guy like you, Sendoh-sempai." Hikoichi apologized.

"No, it was my fault I wasn't looking…er, where are you two going?" Sendoh said.

Before Hikoichi could answer,

"Home." Koshino said blankly.

"Koshino-san, I thought we were going to Tom's Diner and have dinner there?" Hikoichi asked in disappointment. Sendoh looked away.

"I'm tired, I need to rest. And besides I've suddenly lost my appetite."  Koshino answered.

"Well, I guess I'll have to eat by myself…" Hikoichi said.

"I'll eat with you, I haven't eaten for nine hours so I guess I'll join you." Sendoh said.

"Alright then, we'll see you on Thursday, Koshino-san." Hikoichi said.

Koshino said goodbye to them without even looking at Sendoh.

On their way to the restaurant, Sendoh turned to Hikoichi and asked,

"What's wrong with him?"

"Wrong with who?"

"With Hiro-chan-I mean Koshino."

"I'm sorry I don't know, Sendoh-sempai, he's been not into the right mood these days, he, er, he doesn't seem to be doing well during practice." Hikoichi answered.

Sendoh didn't say anything more until they reached the place. They ordered their food and ate quietly. Hikoichi noticed that Sendoh was now acting like Koshino. The sophomore couldn't bear the silence so he asked,

          "Is something wrong…" he paused. "…between you and Koshino-sempai?"

Sendoh didn't know how to answer. He shrugged his shoulders carelessly and he flashed the perplexed buy a bright SendohTM smile to end the discussion. It didn't work in Hikoichi at all and he wanted to ask more questions, being the nosy git that he was. However, he chose to remain silent for he somehow knew that he couldn't help his senior out of whatever trouble the latter was in.

TBC

A/N: To all of you readers: We're just letting Hiroaki borrow our precious Sendoh in this fic. He loves us and no one else!

Castor: Sendoh's mine, you idiot!

Pollux: NO WAY! Take that back you insufferable git!

Castor and Pollux start brawling and Akin Sijin smiles wickedly as she runs off to Sendoh and grabs him by the arm

Sendoh: Yare yare…

(Have you noticed anything with the chapter title? ^_^)