Disclaimer: Takehiko Inoue owns the SD boys and the One on One characters.We also don't own the songs featured in this story.
N/C: You will encounter another character in this chapter who is, again, extracted from One on one.
The team decided they'd have their practice in the afternoon, which prevented Koshino from being late for he woke up at 10. He went to Shohoku singing on his bike again, "Nanka shiawase chotto, shiawase kanjiru toki koso…"
When they had arrived, Ayako asked them to listen. She stood in front of them as Mitsui joined her.
"Ok, as you have heard, exhibition games will be held this summer and that's three weeks from now. These games are not actually, say, important; they're just a way of introducing new members of the teams." Ayako told them.
"But that doesn't mean we're not gonna take the games easily, big teams will join such as Ryonan, Kainan, Shoyo, Ryokufu and almost every team. Anyway, you may or you may not join if you wish to but boy, do we want to kick some ass," said Mitsui.
"Darn right, Hisashi, we're gonna show them how good these new members are!" Ron said as he winked at Mitsui.
"You all seem to be in good condition so I say we all play for the exhibition," said Yasuda.
"Even if you don't want to play, I will require you to, or else you'll have to cheer for the whole inter-high season." Miyagi said sternly. Everyone looked determined.
"Okay, that seemed to clear everything up, let's practice." Ayako suggested.
"Right you are Ayachan, let's get it on with the basic skills, everyone!" Ryota said as Mitsui yelled, "TEAM UP, EVERYONE!"
"What do you mean team up? We have to warm up first, and who are you to organize the practice?" Miyagi asked.
"Well, say," Mitsui said as he wore his super killer smile, "What about me being appointed as assistant coach, eh?"
Miyagi's left eyebrow raised, Mitsui's eyes sparked and he continued,
"Well if you're still in doubt, why don't you ask Mr. Anzai?"
Before Miyagi could answer, a voice said, "I hope you're not arguing, boys." It was Mr. Anzai.
Mitsui suddenly wrapped his left arm around Miyagi and said, "No, we're just discussing, er, the upcoming games, yeah, that's it."
Mr. Anzai asked them to practice shooting and passing. Just then, a girl with brown hair appeared at the door. Some of them knew that she was a Shohoku student from second year. They didn't mind her at first, they thought she just wanted to watch the practice. But she seemed to be looking for someone, so Ayako approached her, "Can I help you?"
"Yes please, I'm looking for my brother Kirin."
"Ah, OK" Ayako went to call Kirin. The girl was watching Miyagi very intently and she smiled as he made a successful shot. Kirin was already standing in front of her. He was waving his hand as if to call her attention.
"Did you bring the drinks I ask of you?" he asked.
"Ah, yeah, they're here." She said as she handed them to Kirin, her eyes still locked on Miyagi. Kirin looked around for Miyagi and turned back to his sister,
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, why don't you come in so you can get a better view of him, eh? Or do you want me to introduce you?"
"Don't be silly, Kirin, I have to go. If you need anything more, you just ask, ok?" She said as she left blushing. Kirin went back to practice.
"Wow, that's so sweet of your girlfriend, bringing you drinks," said Ron who was preparing to launch for a dunk shot.
"Yeah, why didn't you tell me you already have a girlfriend? Are you afraid that this genius will neglect you if he learns about it? She's cute, though, you see it's normal for kids like you-" Sakuragi said.
"She's not my girlfriend, she's my sister. Can't you see the resemblance? Her name's Furin."
"I see, well she looks like you alright, but she seemed to be interested in me though, I've noticed she was looking at me." Sakuragi said. Rukawa and Ron snorted but Kirin spoke.
"I don't know, she fancies Miyagi-sempai, he's her favorite. She even wants to watch our practice but I think she's shy."
"Ah, ok, but you know Ryochin really likes Ayako-san, right? You should've told her so she wouldn't be so, er, broken hearted if she finds out later." Sakuragi said as he noticed Koshino heard this.
"But it's just a crush, it's not such a big deal, she said." Kirin said.
Sakuragi was about to lecture Kirin again when Miyagi went to them and said kindly, "Hanamichi and Ikeda, coach didn't ask us to discuss, he asked us to practice, remember?"
"You're not practicing too, I've noticed you were watching Ayako making a list, eh?" Sakuragi said as he sneered, Miyagi's expression changed and his cheeks turned red but Sakuragi spoke again.
"Just joking, Ryochin. We have just finished talking and we're gonna practice now."
The practice ended at 4 in the afternoon. Koshino watched as everyone left, Miyagi said goodbye to Ayako. Koshino made sure that everyone had left except for Ayako. Blushing should be made illegal, he thought furiously. He approached her.
"Hi!" she said
"Er, Ayako can I have a word?"
"Sure."
Koshino looked at her as he felt his heart burst out of nowhere. Why did he have to go red now? Ayako was there waiting looking puzzled. He couldn't ask her but he had to.
"Wanggoouwimme?" the words came out sooner than he expected.
"Sorry?"
"I said d'you- d'you want to go out with me?"
"Go out where?" her face was now as red as Sakuragi's hair.
"You know dinner and stuff. Are- are you hungry, perhaps-"
"Oh! OK, yeah, I'll just fix my stuff and-"
"I'll just wait here," Koshino said as she turned away still very red in the face.
Koshino waited for her to finish as he stood watching. He looked stupid, he thought. He couldn't take his eyes of her but she doesn't seem to take notice of it.
They went to Tom's Diner and Koshino offered to pay the bill. They ate quietly until Koshino spoke.
"Er, have you, er, gone out with someone else? Er, you know, our captain for instance."
"He had asked me out, several times and we went out about twice or thrice, but, er, we didn't actually date."
"Ah, ok. Do you think we can make it to nationals next season? I mean this is my last chance, last season we were, I mean Ryonan was eliminated by Shohoku."
"Well, Akagi-sempai, Kogure-sempai and Mitsui-sempai won't be playing anymore but we sure have found replacements, I mean you, Luka, Kirin and Ron are simply great. I'm glad you transferred to Shohoku. Why did you transfer anyway? You were already in your second year."
"Er, my dad wanted me to. He said the team practice was too much, you know," Koshino was smiling, "our coach, you've seen him, right? He, er, made us work ten times as much and that's simply unbearable," and they laughed. They talked about Shohoku, Ryonan and their new teammates. They also remembered last year's playoffs and what happened to the nationals, Koshino seemed to be interested in it until it was time to say goodbye. They seemed to have a great time, this isn't so bad after all, he thought.
"Want me to walk you home?"
"No thanks, it's getting dark, maybe next time, I'll see you then."
"Ah, OK, Bye."
Koshino went back to Shohoku to pick up his bike. He rode home humming to himself again, "Itsu no mani ka hitomi ubawarate haji mata hanasanai yuruganai," he breathed in to obtain momentum and cried out loud, "CRAZY FOR YOU…"
TBC
A/N: What makes the chapters of this fic special? Give up? They're actually title of the songs that we have taken a liking to… but not all. We don't like BSB-no offense to their supporters. Also to those who want to read a REALLY freaky story, please check out and review Akin Sijin's RED. I bet it'll unnerve you once you get it. ^_^