Chapter three
Today is Friday. Tomorrow, I have to accompany Sendoh to the airport to fetch his cousin. I wonder what his cousin looks like? I grabbed my bag and went out of the house to see Sendoh waiting for me.
"Hey." Sendoh greeted.
"Hey." I waved at Sendoh. "Let's get going."
"Right." He said. "You know what? My cousin is excited to meet you."
"What? How did he know about me?" I asked, a little surprised.
"I told him about you." Sendoh replied.
"Really? Why is he excited?"
"He told me that he wants to meet a girl who's different from the other girls, someone who enjoys sports but at the same time likes to read. I suddenly remembered you so I decided to tell him about you."
"I see. So when are we going to pick him up?"
"Around 11 am."
"Oh ok. Are you close with him?"
"Umm… pretty much. We have the same personality but we have different hobbies. He's into soccer while I'm into basketball."
"I see. But you should still practice tomorrow. You shouldn't get out of shape. Our team needs you." I said in a worried tone.
"You worry too much." Sendoh laughed. "Don't worry, I'll practice tomorrow for y--- for the sake of our team."
I looked at him questioningly. Did he say 'for you'? Why for me?
I forgot all about that immediately. We walked fast so that we can attend the morning practice earlier. I'm worried about Sendoh getting out of shape. Without him, Ryonan has little chance of winning the Inter High competition that will happen a few months from now.
When we entered the gym, we realized that we were early. There were only a few players in the gym, like Fukuda, Uozumi, Koshino, and Ikegami. Uozumi's always trains earlier than the others because he wants to beat Akagi from Shohoku High while Fukuda is always early because he wants to beat Sendoh, I think. Sendoh and I greeted the players with a smile. For Ikegami and Koshino, I don't know why they are practicing this early.
"Sendoh, start warming up now." Uozumi ordered Sendoh.
"Sure." Sendoh said, still smiling.
I noticed Yukino sitting on one of the benches. "What are you doing here?" I asked her.
"Nothing. Just accompanying Koshino." Yukino answered.
"Hmm… why are you accompanying Koshino? I thought you don't like him."
"I do like him." Yukino accidentally said.
"Aha!" I grinned mischievously. "I knew you have feelings for him. I knew it! I knew it!"
"Shut up. I do like him as a friend."
"Whatever you say, Yukino." I smiled widely then walked away by myself.
I pulled a cart full of basketballs out of the locker room. I opened it and got a hold of a basketball myself. I was imagining that I am a basketball player. Like a professional basketball player, I dribbled the basketball slowly and then faster, faster, and faster, then, I clutched the ball and spun on my right pointing finger. I imagined that I was in a basketball game against the best basketball players in the world. I walked to the center of the court and imagined that there were five huge guys guarding me. I dribbled the ball and speedily ran past them, dodging them as if they were about to get the ball from my hand. I ran to the court and made a jump shot. The ball didn't enter the basket so I quickly ran to the inner court then jumped up and got the ball before anybody from the rival team gets it. To make two points, I swiftly dodged the imaginary guy in front of me and made a lay-up shot. I heard hands clapping. Sendoh and the others were clapping for me. I didn't know that everyone in the gym was watching me do my imaginary stunt. They may think that I'm insane (like Yukino, hahaha). I didn't worry about them thinking that I was crazy. I shyly made a curtsy at the center of the gym. I timidly walked back to where the basketball club was staying.
"That was a good show." Sendoh smiled.
"Yes, I agree." Uozumi said.
"If you were a guy and you joined the basketball club, we would surely win the Inter high." Ikegami said in a non-convincing tone.
"I don't know…" I whispered.
"She's already a guy. She's a tomboy!" Yukino kidded.
I kicked Yukino because of annoyance. "Don't mind her. She's crazy (like me)." I said loudly.
Some of the basketball club members laughed. Maybe they agree with me that Yukino's crazy.
After that incident, everything went back to normal. The basketball club practiced and after that, we went to our classrooms. After boring lectures, we had recess. I always have recess with my girl friends and lunch with either Yukino and other girls or Sendoh. I usually go with Sendoh. Many people think that Sendoh and I have a "romantic" relationship but both of us deny that rumor. Later, we had boring lectures again. We had a quiz in English. I passed that quiz effortlessly and got an A+. My seatmate asked me why I got a high grade. Maybe she suspected that I cheated in the quiz. I told her, "That's because I study everyday and I always read English books." I said, trying not to sound cocky. "Ah… I see." That's just what she said.
We had lunch. I ate my lunch with Sendoh and we also studied for our quiz in Algebra tomorrow. I overheard some girls talking. I guessed those girls are the type of girls who thinks they are pretty, popular and can get anything they want. I heard one of them say, "You know what, I hate the basketball club! That's right. I hate it. It's really useless. What's basketball for anyway? It's just a worthless sport. I hate basketball. I hate the basketball club." Says a high voice. That really got on my nerves. But I controlled my anger. I was still listening to their useless conversation.
"Mitsuki, what if a basketball player courts you? What will you do?" giggles a comical sounding voice.
"Well… it depends. If he's cute, I'll use him for a while. If he's not, I'll snub him." Mitsuki laughs cruelly. Then her friends started laughing with her.
I stopped listening to the group of girls' frustrating conversation. As if someone in the right mind will court her. If I could just see that girl Mitsuki's face, I'll punch her, if I meet her in a dark alley at night. I looked at the group of girls. I recognized Mitsuki because of her irritating voice. She has long straight brown hair, big blue eyes and cherry red lips. She's cute, BUT her attitude towards basketball sucks big time. I suddenly thought, what if Sendoh falls in love with her? Never. He won't. I know it. But… what if he does???? AAHHHH!!!! I have to protect him at all costs from Mitsuki breaking his heart. That will be my duty as his best friend and also his manager.
After lunch, Sendoh and I went back to our classrooms. After patiently waiting for the time classes has ended, Sendoh, Koshino, Yukino and I went to the gym for basketball practice.
After changing my clothes and preparing the things needed for our practice, I talked to Yukino about the conversation I overheard and Mitsuki.
"She is so proud and infuriating!! She's really a pain." I told Yukino.
"Okay, but is she pretty?"
"I admit that she's kind of pretty but she has a bad attitude."
"I think you're just scared because if Sendoh falls in love with her, she'll take Sendoh away from you!" Yukino chuckled.
"He'll not fall in love with her. If he does, he'll probably change his mind if he finds out she's a total jerk."
"When you're in love, you don't care about the person you're in love with's attitude."
"Oh shut up." I retorted. "Maybe that's how you feel for Koshino." I whispered.
"What????!!!! No way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Whatever you say."
"Why did you snap earlier? Maybe you are falling in love with your so called best friend."
I left, thinking about what Yukino had said. Maybe I AM falling in love with Sendoh. I don't think so. If I were, I would be all over him.
After a tough practice, Coach Taoka reminded us about our practice game against Shohoku on Thursday. He informed us that we should practice harder. "If we were beaten by Shohoku, it would be very humiliating, for Shohoku was beaten right away when they joined the Inter High competition last year." He says.
Most of the players went home already. I waited for Sendoh to finish changing his t-shirt (OF COURSE OUTSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM), and then we went home together. We talked on the way home about the coming game against Shohoku. It must be easy for us to defeat them, for we have Sendoh. But if we show Shohoku how really powerful we truly are, they will be ready for us and we might lose a chance in defeating them. Sendoh walked me home as he usually does and then we bade each other good-bye. I went inside the house, up to my room, freshened up, done my homework, and then studied. While studying, the phone suddenly rang. I answered the phone and asked who was calling. It was Sendoh. Sendoh? Why does he have to call at this time of the night? I greeted Sendoh and asked why he called. He just called me about our trip tomorrow. We talked about it for a while. I asked him what would he wear. He said that he would wear the usual, polo and jeans. He was surprised when I told him that I'd wear a dress.
"You? A dress?" Sendoh exclaimed.
"Yeah, why?"
"Umm… nothing. It's just you don't wear dresses."
"I do! I'll show you tomorrow." I said in a challenging tone.
"Yeah sure. You wear dresses. Look at the sky, you'll see pigs flying." Sendoh joked.
"Oh shut up. I'll wear a dress tomorrow. Wait and see."
After conversing for a few minutes, we hung up. It made me feel excited for tomorrow when Sendoh called me. It seems like he always inspires me even in simple things. After talking with Sendoh, I felt wonderful. That didn't mean I was falling in love with him. Maybe I'll fall in love with him one day but not now. I lie on my bed and instantly fell asleep.
Today is Friday. Tomorrow, I have to accompany Sendoh to the airport to fetch his cousin. I wonder what his cousin looks like? I grabbed my bag and went out of the house to see Sendoh waiting for me.
"Hey." Sendoh greeted.
"Hey." I waved at Sendoh. "Let's get going."
"Right." He said. "You know what? My cousin is excited to meet you."
"What? How did he know about me?" I asked, a little surprised.
"I told him about you." Sendoh replied.
"Really? Why is he excited?"
"He told me that he wants to meet a girl who's different from the other girls, someone who enjoys sports but at the same time likes to read. I suddenly remembered you so I decided to tell him about you."
"I see. So when are we going to pick him up?"
"Around 11 am."
"Oh ok. Are you close with him?"
"Umm… pretty much. We have the same personality but we have different hobbies. He's into soccer while I'm into basketball."
"I see. But you should still practice tomorrow. You shouldn't get out of shape. Our team needs you." I said in a worried tone.
"You worry too much." Sendoh laughed. "Don't worry, I'll practice tomorrow for y--- for the sake of our team."
I looked at him questioningly. Did he say 'for you'? Why for me?
I forgot all about that immediately. We walked fast so that we can attend the morning practice earlier. I'm worried about Sendoh getting out of shape. Without him, Ryonan has little chance of winning the Inter High competition that will happen a few months from now.
When we entered the gym, we realized that we were early. There were only a few players in the gym, like Fukuda, Uozumi, Koshino, and Ikegami. Uozumi's always trains earlier than the others because he wants to beat Akagi from Shohoku High while Fukuda is always early because he wants to beat Sendoh, I think. Sendoh and I greeted the players with a smile. For Ikegami and Koshino, I don't know why they are practicing this early.
"Sendoh, start warming up now." Uozumi ordered Sendoh.
"Sure." Sendoh said, still smiling.
I noticed Yukino sitting on one of the benches. "What are you doing here?" I asked her.
"Nothing. Just accompanying Koshino." Yukino answered.
"Hmm… why are you accompanying Koshino? I thought you don't like him."
"I do like him." Yukino accidentally said.
"Aha!" I grinned mischievously. "I knew you have feelings for him. I knew it! I knew it!"
"Shut up. I do like him as a friend."
"Whatever you say, Yukino." I smiled widely then walked away by myself.
I pulled a cart full of basketballs out of the locker room. I opened it and got a hold of a basketball myself. I was imagining that I am a basketball player. Like a professional basketball player, I dribbled the basketball slowly and then faster, faster, and faster, then, I clutched the ball and spun on my right pointing finger. I imagined that I was in a basketball game against the best basketball players in the world. I walked to the center of the court and imagined that there were five huge guys guarding me. I dribbled the ball and speedily ran past them, dodging them as if they were about to get the ball from my hand. I ran to the court and made a jump shot. The ball didn't enter the basket so I quickly ran to the inner court then jumped up and got the ball before anybody from the rival team gets it. To make two points, I swiftly dodged the imaginary guy in front of me and made a lay-up shot. I heard hands clapping. Sendoh and the others were clapping for me. I didn't know that everyone in the gym was watching me do my imaginary stunt. They may think that I'm insane (like Yukino, hahaha). I didn't worry about them thinking that I was crazy. I shyly made a curtsy at the center of the gym. I timidly walked back to where the basketball club was staying.
"That was a good show." Sendoh smiled.
"Yes, I agree." Uozumi said.
"If you were a guy and you joined the basketball club, we would surely win the Inter high." Ikegami said in a non-convincing tone.
"I don't know…" I whispered.
"She's already a guy. She's a tomboy!" Yukino kidded.
I kicked Yukino because of annoyance. "Don't mind her. She's crazy (like me)." I said loudly.
Some of the basketball club members laughed. Maybe they agree with me that Yukino's crazy.
After that incident, everything went back to normal. The basketball club practiced and after that, we went to our classrooms. After boring lectures, we had recess. I always have recess with my girl friends and lunch with either Yukino and other girls or Sendoh. I usually go with Sendoh. Many people think that Sendoh and I have a "romantic" relationship but both of us deny that rumor. Later, we had boring lectures again. We had a quiz in English. I passed that quiz effortlessly and got an A+. My seatmate asked me why I got a high grade. Maybe she suspected that I cheated in the quiz. I told her, "That's because I study everyday and I always read English books." I said, trying not to sound cocky. "Ah… I see." That's just what she said.
We had lunch. I ate my lunch with Sendoh and we also studied for our quiz in Algebra tomorrow. I overheard some girls talking. I guessed those girls are the type of girls who thinks they are pretty, popular and can get anything they want. I heard one of them say, "You know what, I hate the basketball club! That's right. I hate it. It's really useless. What's basketball for anyway? It's just a worthless sport. I hate basketball. I hate the basketball club." Says a high voice. That really got on my nerves. But I controlled my anger. I was still listening to their useless conversation.
"Mitsuki, what if a basketball player courts you? What will you do?" giggles a comical sounding voice.
"Well… it depends. If he's cute, I'll use him for a while. If he's not, I'll snub him." Mitsuki laughs cruelly. Then her friends started laughing with her.
I stopped listening to the group of girls' frustrating conversation. As if someone in the right mind will court her. If I could just see that girl Mitsuki's face, I'll punch her, if I meet her in a dark alley at night. I looked at the group of girls. I recognized Mitsuki because of her irritating voice. She has long straight brown hair, big blue eyes and cherry red lips. She's cute, BUT her attitude towards basketball sucks big time. I suddenly thought, what if Sendoh falls in love with her? Never. He won't. I know it. But… what if he does???? AAHHHH!!!! I have to protect him at all costs from Mitsuki breaking his heart. That will be my duty as his best friend and also his manager.
After lunch, Sendoh and I went back to our classrooms. After patiently waiting for the time classes has ended, Sendoh, Koshino, Yukino and I went to the gym for basketball practice.
After changing my clothes and preparing the things needed for our practice, I talked to Yukino about the conversation I overheard and Mitsuki.
"She is so proud and infuriating!! She's really a pain." I told Yukino.
"Okay, but is she pretty?"
"I admit that she's kind of pretty but she has a bad attitude."
"I think you're just scared because if Sendoh falls in love with her, she'll take Sendoh away from you!" Yukino chuckled.
"He'll not fall in love with her. If he does, he'll probably change his mind if he finds out she's a total jerk."
"When you're in love, you don't care about the person you're in love with's attitude."
"Oh shut up." I retorted. "Maybe that's how you feel for Koshino." I whispered.
"What????!!!! No way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Whatever you say."
"Why did you snap earlier? Maybe you are falling in love with your so called best friend."
I left, thinking about what Yukino had said. Maybe I AM falling in love with Sendoh. I don't think so. If I were, I would be all over him.
After a tough practice, Coach Taoka reminded us about our practice game against Shohoku on Thursday. He informed us that we should practice harder. "If we were beaten by Shohoku, it would be very humiliating, for Shohoku was beaten right away when they joined the Inter High competition last year." He says.
Most of the players went home already. I waited for Sendoh to finish changing his t-shirt (OF COURSE OUTSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM), and then we went home together. We talked on the way home about the coming game against Shohoku. It must be easy for us to defeat them, for we have Sendoh. But if we show Shohoku how really powerful we truly are, they will be ready for us and we might lose a chance in defeating them. Sendoh walked me home as he usually does and then we bade each other good-bye. I went inside the house, up to my room, freshened up, done my homework, and then studied. While studying, the phone suddenly rang. I answered the phone and asked who was calling. It was Sendoh. Sendoh? Why does he have to call at this time of the night? I greeted Sendoh and asked why he called. He just called me about our trip tomorrow. We talked about it for a while. I asked him what would he wear. He said that he would wear the usual, polo and jeans. He was surprised when I told him that I'd wear a dress.
"You? A dress?" Sendoh exclaimed.
"Yeah, why?"
"Umm… nothing. It's just you don't wear dresses."
"I do! I'll show you tomorrow." I said in a challenging tone.
"Yeah sure. You wear dresses. Look at the sky, you'll see pigs flying." Sendoh joked.
"Oh shut up. I'll wear a dress tomorrow. Wait and see."
After conversing for a few minutes, we hung up. It made me feel excited for tomorrow when Sendoh called me. It seems like he always inspires me even in simple things. After talking with Sendoh, I felt wonderful. That didn't mean I was falling in love with him. Maybe I'll fall in love with him one day but not now. I lie on my bed and instantly fell asleep.