Chapter 13

Sendoh and I were walking to the gym, as usual, after dismissal. We acted like we haven't seen each other for a long time, which was strange. Shigeki appeared in my mind. I wonder how he's taking this situation? Maybe he doesn't care. He's just hanging out with the soccer team and signing autographs for the odd students, I mean only the FEMALE students, who have a crush on him when I see him around. He doesn't seem to see me or he's pretending not to. Maybe he doesn't really like me. One time, I saw a pretty girl flirting with him. It doesn't mean that I care about him. It's just weird to see an ex-suitor with another girl. I think he's also flirting with that girl. I don't give a damn. I'm not interested with what Shigeki does now, except if it involves me or Sendoh.

About Mitsuki… I don't see her around anymore, bugging Sendoh. Akira's mine and I'd show her what I do when I'm angry! I'd do more than kick her groin or pull her hair! Why would I kick her groin? She's not even a male…

I opened the main gym door and I was surprised to see that no one was there. It was dark and empty. BORING. It makes me feel like doing something crazy. Don't be green-minded. I won't touch Sendoh!

"We're early for the first time!" I exclaimed happily.

"But no one's here yet," Sendoh commented.

"But you better start practicing," I insisted.

Sendoh smiled his usual smile: the annoying and challenging but irresistible smile of his. "You're starting to sound like Coach."

Of course, I reacted angrily to what he said. "I'm not! I don't have wrinkles on my face, do I?"

Sendoh laughed. "I guess not."

I like it when he laughs. Even when I'm corny, he still laughs.

I looked around and whispered. "My hair doesn't look like a wig, does it?" Sendoh seemed to look closer at my hair, which was embarrassing for me. His expression said it does look like a wig. Only Yukino says that to me! That's why I hate her so much, but she's still one of my closest friends. I wonder why. I turned around so I won't see Sendoh looking inquiringly at me.

"It doesn't look like a wig," I muttered. "I DON'T wear a wig."

"I didn't say that…"

"Your eyes did."

"Eyes don't talk."

"Well…. I mean your facial expression showed what you really want to say."

"It's just that you seldom comb your hair…"

"So you really think that my hair looks like a wig!" I smirked, facing him. "Your hair looks like a bunch of needles."

Sendoh smiled teasingly. "At least I comb my hair."

"You exaggerate in combing," I said mockingly. "You look electrocuted."

"WELL, your hairstyle looks like your hair was only glued."

"Oh yeah? My hair is one hundred percent natural and I don't use useless gel," I said, pretending to be insulted.

"Sure…" Sendoh said unconvincingly.

"Oh shut up," I said, giving him a weak friendly smile. "Look," I uttered, removing my ponytail and letting my hair fall. "I'm not wearing a wig!"

"Is that for real?" he said impishly.

"YES!"

I beamed at Sendoh. Then unexpectedly, our eyes met. His azure eyes were fixed on mine, and mine on his. I just can't look away. We just looked at each other, for about ten long seconds…

"I…I'm going to get a ball," Sendoh said, walking away stiffly.

I sat down on the floor while he was away. That awkward stare… did it mean something? Should I confess what I really feel for him right now?

Sendoh came back, dribbling a ball. He ran to a hoop, while dribbling the ball of course, and dunked it.

I clapped vigorously and cheered. "Way to go. I wish I'm as tall as you, so I can do that."

"I like you the way you are now," Sendoh suddenly said.

I looked at him mysteriously.

Sendoh cleared his throat. "Of course you can dunk too."

I didn't change the expression on my face. "I can't dunk. How can I possibly dunk?"

Sendoh grinned and walked near the locker room.

"Oh no! Don't even think of bringing out the ladder," I exclaimed.

He did pull out a ladder. He was still grinning when he set it up near one of the baskets. "I'll hold the ladder for you. Come on, it'll be fun," he urged.

Even if I had doubts that I'm going to fall, I still wanted to experience dunking a ball into a basket high above me, not into one of those kiddie rings. Of course, this is a different case because I have Sendoh holding the ladder for me. I completely trust Sendoh and I'm sure he wouldn't let me fall. Would he????

"Okay. I'll do it," I sighed.

"Great," Sendoh said, holding the ladder. "Good luck."

"Thanks," I mumbled while I stepped on the ladder. "All I need now is luck."

I cautiously stepped on the ladder, one step at a time. I looked down and saw Sendoh staring up at me. How embarrassing, even if I'm wearing shorts. But I'm not wearing cycling shorts underneath!

I turned red and said, "Don't look up, moron!"

Sendoh blushed too and faced away. "Sorry."

I looked up and continued climbing the ladder. When I got to the top, Sendoh handed me gently the ball. I quivered upon receiving it, but then I gained my balance again. I easily dunked the ball and raised my hands proudly. Of course it took only 1 second for me to raise them or else, I'd fall down and break my bones. What a crazy way of dunking the ball!

I went down hastily, even though it's unsafe. I was still smiling broadly while I was going down. But then on the fifth step, I lost my grip and slipped by surprise and started to fall down backwards. I closed my eyes and screamed, "AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!"

Strong arms caught me immediately before I even reach the ground. I slowly opened my eyes, and saw Sendoh's dazzling image. I flushed immediately.

Even though Sendoh broke my fall, I was still shocked with what happened. "T-thank you," I said nervously.

"I'm glad you're okay," Sendoh lovingly said. I felt his hand stroking my hair, very slightly.

"Th-thank you again," I said more thankfully. "I could have lost my head or something…"

"I wouldn't want that to happen," Sendoh softly said.

"Yeah…my mother will kill you too," I laughed, almost....

Sendoh chuckled. He started to put me down. "So your hair is REALLY natural."

At last, I giggled. I love Sendoh more right now, more than before. I completely adore him that I suddenly spoke again…a phrase I shouldn't have said. "I love y…"

Sendoh stopped putting me down. He stared at me seriously and asked, "What did you say?"

NANAMI! WHY DID YOU GET YOURSELF INTO THIS SITUATION SO FAST?

"What did I say?" I repeated, sounding stupid.

"Yeah…" Sendoh said, finally putting me down.

I gulped. Sendoh seemed to watch my every move, including my every gulp.

"I said…I love…" I stated, "your hair."

"You love my hair?" Sendoh said suspiciously.

"Yeah, and I'm sorry if I said that your hair looks like…a bunch of needles." I said apologetically.

Sendoh removed his suspicious look and brought back his cute "smiley face" look. "Oh…. Um…it's okay." He thinks I'm weird. I just know.

I help him bring the ladder back to the locker room. We went out and he began warming up. Even though my dunk experience turned out to be a disaster, at least I finally got to dunk with Sendoh's help. I wonder what will happen to me without him.

The gym door opened. Yukino Mori and Hiroaki Koshino came in, arguing again, then a bunch of other guys went in, too.

Yukino gasped. "Look! Sendoh and Nanami are alone in a dark gym. How romantic!"

I snorted. I want to beat the hell out of Yukino, but what's there to be ashamed of? I do love Sendoh.

During the practice, Yuki kept on singing audibly behind me. "Sendoh and Nanami sitting on a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

I was really fuming back there because Yukino was sort of exposing my inner feelings indirectly to everyone watching the practice.

Our training's horribly long today. Of course that's because the practice game between Shohoku High will be tomorrow. Sendoh looked like he wasn't scared of Shohoku's players. Why would he be? He's the second best in the district, according to many high school basketball fans. But for me, he's the best! No one else will replace him.

After practice, of course we went home. Sendoh and I went home together, totally forgetting about Shigeki. During this time, he must've gone to Sendoh's house already.

Sendoh walked me home. He opened the gate of my house, like he did for kicks when we were in first year high school. But there was something different in him now, even in opening the gate. He's like very affectionate in doing everything. He's not turning into a gay! Maybe he does love me. But what about Mitsuki?

--He doesn't love her. He loves you. He hanged out with Mitsuki just to make you jealous.
--He did? Oh really now. I'm speaking to myself again.

After he bid each other farewell, I called him again. He asked me what I want.

"Don't mention what happened this afternoon to anyone," I said.

"Sure," Sendoh replied.

I turned back and muttered. "Except to Mitsuki."

*~*~*~*~*~*

Ryonan girl: Regarding the 12th chapter, I'm sorry for Nanami's shallowness. She's in love, of course! Love is blind and unexplainable. And sorry if this chapter is short. *bows head and asks for forgiveness*

The next chapter's gonna be out after one to three weeks? I don't know exactly when. Furthermore, I thank you all for your reviews. I'm really grateful for them… Yes I am! Anyway, please review still, and I'll add the next chapter immediately. Thanks!