Rika hurriedly ran out of the school premises as the lunch bell rang that
Friday, passing through easily with the permit she had from the principal.
She was ultimately surprised when most of the students wanted to befriend
her and wished for her to stay and help out the basketball team. It made
her wonder. What had Sakuragi done?
She rode her motorcycle as fast as she could to the airport (let's say they are near Narita Airport [hey, aren't they in Yokohama?]) dodging other vehicles and almost running through a red light. She muttered under her breath endlessly for the light to change and accelerated at a break-neck speed when it did.
1:50.
That's definitely bad. She was late and her father hated late people. Luckily, she was near the entrance to the arrivals and suddenly, she caught sight of them going down the ramp and stopped in front of them. She hugged her mother, shook her sister's hand and bowed to her father.
"It's nice to see you again, Rika." Her mother told her, "I really missed you. How's school?"
"Things are going great!" she announced exuberantly. "Most everyone accepts me for who I am and the basketball team is getting better with a little American twist. What have you been up to, Rina? Speak in Japanese so you could get used to it."
"Nothing," Rina responded having a little difficulty with the pronunciation of the syllables, "I just want to see Akira, that's all."
[I see you've gotten the XC-1984,] her father, Richard grinned at her as he looked at what she was riding. [Part of you - Project Ares.]
[I'll get you a cab.] Rika said hastily trying to avoid further recalling of awful memories. She called one and told the driver to follow her motorcycle to Anzai's house, where they would stay temporarily.
As they arrived, Richard barked another order, "Rika, take your sister to her school so that she'll get to know it a bit. She'll be driving a car I will buy for her so you don't need to worry."
Rika nodded and took her sister to the international school passing by Shohoku. Some of the students were having their free time and waved at Rika as they saw her driving past. She waved back and, pulling up the fiberglass of the helmet, she called to them, "I'll visit later. I still have some things to do." Then they heard a faint, "My sister!" as she pointed to the girl riding behind her clutching her as if she were a life buoy.
***
The game was intense even if it were only a practice game. The score was a deadlock 67 - 67 and neither team gave any chance for the other to score again since it was the 4th quarter already. Sendou had the ball in his hands guarded by both Rukawa and Kimori. His other teammates were blocked but one was free - a junior. He wanted to pass the ball to him but he seemed too undecided, this being his first game.
'I must win,' Sendou told himself, 'We must! Rika expects me to be one of the best in Japan and I won't be if I'd be defeated by Rukawa. I will win against you, junior!'
In Rukawa's mind a string of thoughts also came. 'Rika' techniques are good enough, and we'll show you, Sendou. These freshmen will match up against any of your colleagues and I WILL beat you.'
Uekusa suddenly pulled free of Miyagi's defenses and was out in the open. Sendou hurriedly passed the ball to Uekusa, thinking that to be the best, he doesn't have to be selfish.
With seconds to go, Uekusa made a shot; only to be blocked by the massive form of Sakuragi. The whistle blowed - time was up and the game is tied which meant overtime.
Ishijiro clapped the back of Sakuragi and panted, "Nice job, sempai (sounds better than senior)!"
At that comment Sakuragi's head swelled into a watermelon. He laughed and called himself Tensai over and over again.
Miyagi came beside Ishijiro and whispered in his ear. "Fatal error, Ishijiro. Never ever compliment Sakuragi." He winced as Sakuragi's boisterous laugher echoed through the gym.
The whistle blew again for the start of the overtime. Sakuragi planted his feet for the jump ball with grim determination as he faced Fukuda for the control of the ball; and ultimately, the game.
The whistle blasted again. Sakuragi was the first to reach the ball and swiped it to Rukawa, but was intercepted by Sendou. Players then ran to Ryonan's half court with the Shohoku boys trying to get ahead of the others for the defense. Sendou got in the defense line but the ball was with Fukuda who was cornered by Kimori who, in their opinion was as big as Uozumi and as tough as Akagi.
Fukuda saw Sendou open and passed the ball to him only to be cut by Rukawa who tried to go for a fast break. Sendou immediately ran after him and pushed himself hard as if to make up for his mistake. He wouldn't let anyone take away their chance of winning - not against Rukawa among all.
Rukawa neared the basket but it seemed that his rival's arm was longer than usual to tip it off from his grasp as he posed for the lay-up shot. The ball bounced and rolled ungracefully on the floor only to be hogged by both Ikegami and Miyagi latching on to the ball as if it were their life support.
Soon, the game was between the rivals alone with no points gained: Rukawa and Sendou; the ball was in Sendou's possession. 8 seconds left. The latter swerved the other snatched the ball away when the Ryonan player hit his foot while avoiding Sakuragi from crashing into him by accident. He ran as fast as he could but no time was left. He made a desperate shot at the middle of the court and it swished in along with the whistle.
The Shohoku players and Ryonan players soon found themselves shaking each other's hand and congratulating them for a job well done.
***
Rika and Rina were going back from the International School and Rika decided to drop by Shohoku for a while. Just her luck, the bus of the players have just arrived and hurriedly approached Rika as she parked hers in the campus where most of the students went home since it was already late.
"So, how'd the game go?" she asked first of all, "Don't ever tell me you lost to Ryonan."
"We won, by a lucky shot," Miyagi admitted, "by Rukawa."
"Oh, I see." Remembering that her sister was there, Rika hurriedly introduced them, "Guys, this is my onee-san, Rina. This is Miyagi, Ryota; Sakuragi, Hanamichi; Yasuda, Yasuharu; Kakuta, Satoru; Ishii, Kentarou; Sasoka, Satoru; Kuwata, Toki; and that one," she pointed to the one just coming out of the bus after Anzai, "is Rukawa Kaede."
At the sight of Rukawa, Rina's eyes bulged. He was handsome. No, that was an understatement, he was gorgeous! Her head battled; Akira or this Kaede.
"Hey, Kaede!" Rika called to him.
Rina noticed that she called him by his first name; but wasn't it Japanese custom to call others by their last name first? She suddenly hauled her sister before she could get a step forward. [Are you and Rukawa together?] she asked without fear that someone might understand what she was saying.
"No, he's just my friend," she shook her head but a very slight flush crept up her cheeks, "And would you mind speaking in Japanese?"
Her sister heaved a sigh of relief and pulled her again. "Introduce me to him; personally!"
Rika's stomach churned; she knew. "He's really a cold guy," she whispered in her ear, "He's not like Akira at all. A lot of girls are already all over him and they treat them like trash, unlike - " she stopped herself knowing she would give Sendou away, "Sakuragi."
"That guy?" her sister asked in surprise. "Don't mind him. If you can get that guy to be your friend, I can do better." She then gave her a level look that meant 'Do as I say or else, you know what I can do.'
Rika sighed. She tried. "Kaede, this is my sister, Rina. She just came from America and is..." she hesitated, she didn't want to lie to a friend, "very interested and good in basketball."
"Hi! Nice to meet you." She greeted cheerfully.
Rukawa, however, paid her little mind and went over to Rika. "We won by a lucky shot. I really hate that dou ahou! He gats in my way." He said placidly.
"I see. You haven't gotten the 1st riddle yet, that's why." She shrugged. "How did they do, ojii-san?" she bowed toward him, "Oh, and my family has arrived." She winced at her own statement.
"They did fairly better with your help." He chuckled, "Well, hello, Rina. Welcome back. Where will you be studying?"
"At the International School near here." She answered reluctantly prying her eyes off Rukawa.
"Ojii-san," Rika interrupted, "we need to get home. I'm sure dad will be really worried." As Anzai nodded and got to his car, she waved to all of them goodbye and dragged her sister along who tried to resist wanting to be with Rukawa longer.
Anzai's car went first as if escorted by Rika's bike. At that scene he realized something. The bike had features that need no driving experience and it will drive by itself. Rika kept it as simple as it was without the extra help from the computer and it showed her skills better as a driver of the vehicle. That was it! That was the answer. He was going to keep it to himself until on the Saturday practice, that is to say, tomorrow.
***
Sofia/3sh: Was it? Maraming salamat!!! Hinanap kita nung last time, you weren't there.
ninny: the question marks were supposed to be Japanese characters, but they didn't upload well, I guess. You want Rika and Sendou? We'll see...
dunkmoonX: yeah, I want to imagine him smile and it's so kawaii! Ah! Gomen! Happy Birthday and God Bless! Na-overload ako ngayon kasi malapit na ang graduation so, I took long enough.
barabara ni chirabaru hanabira shizuku wa kurenai...kaketa tsuki yo maware towa no koi wo utsushi
-- L'arc~en~ciel
She rode her motorcycle as fast as she could to the airport (let's say they are near Narita Airport [hey, aren't they in Yokohama?]) dodging other vehicles and almost running through a red light. She muttered under her breath endlessly for the light to change and accelerated at a break-neck speed when it did.
1:50.
That's definitely bad. She was late and her father hated late people. Luckily, she was near the entrance to the arrivals and suddenly, she caught sight of them going down the ramp and stopped in front of them. She hugged her mother, shook her sister's hand and bowed to her father.
"It's nice to see you again, Rika." Her mother told her, "I really missed you. How's school?"
"Things are going great!" she announced exuberantly. "Most everyone accepts me for who I am and the basketball team is getting better with a little American twist. What have you been up to, Rina? Speak in Japanese so you could get used to it."
"Nothing," Rina responded having a little difficulty with the pronunciation of the syllables, "I just want to see Akira, that's all."
[I see you've gotten the XC-1984,] her father, Richard grinned at her as he looked at what she was riding. [Part of you - Project Ares.]
[I'll get you a cab.] Rika said hastily trying to avoid further recalling of awful memories. She called one and told the driver to follow her motorcycle to Anzai's house, where they would stay temporarily.
As they arrived, Richard barked another order, "Rika, take your sister to her school so that she'll get to know it a bit. She'll be driving a car I will buy for her so you don't need to worry."
Rika nodded and took her sister to the international school passing by Shohoku. Some of the students were having their free time and waved at Rika as they saw her driving past. She waved back and, pulling up the fiberglass of the helmet, she called to them, "I'll visit later. I still have some things to do." Then they heard a faint, "My sister!" as she pointed to the girl riding behind her clutching her as if she were a life buoy.
***
The game was intense even if it were only a practice game. The score was a deadlock 67 - 67 and neither team gave any chance for the other to score again since it was the 4th quarter already. Sendou had the ball in his hands guarded by both Rukawa and Kimori. His other teammates were blocked but one was free - a junior. He wanted to pass the ball to him but he seemed too undecided, this being his first game.
'I must win,' Sendou told himself, 'We must! Rika expects me to be one of the best in Japan and I won't be if I'd be defeated by Rukawa. I will win against you, junior!'
In Rukawa's mind a string of thoughts also came. 'Rika' techniques are good enough, and we'll show you, Sendou. These freshmen will match up against any of your colleagues and I WILL beat you.'
Uekusa suddenly pulled free of Miyagi's defenses and was out in the open. Sendou hurriedly passed the ball to Uekusa, thinking that to be the best, he doesn't have to be selfish.
With seconds to go, Uekusa made a shot; only to be blocked by the massive form of Sakuragi. The whistle blowed - time was up and the game is tied which meant overtime.
Ishijiro clapped the back of Sakuragi and panted, "Nice job, sempai (sounds better than senior)!"
At that comment Sakuragi's head swelled into a watermelon. He laughed and called himself Tensai over and over again.
Miyagi came beside Ishijiro and whispered in his ear. "Fatal error, Ishijiro. Never ever compliment Sakuragi." He winced as Sakuragi's boisterous laugher echoed through the gym.
The whistle blew again for the start of the overtime. Sakuragi planted his feet for the jump ball with grim determination as he faced Fukuda for the control of the ball; and ultimately, the game.
The whistle blasted again. Sakuragi was the first to reach the ball and swiped it to Rukawa, but was intercepted by Sendou. Players then ran to Ryonan's half court with the Shohoku boys trying to get ahead of the others for the defense. Sendou got in the defense line but the ball was with Fukuda who was cornered by Kimori who, in their opinion was as big as Uozumi and as tough as Akagi.
Fukuda saw Sendou open and passed the ball to him only to be cut by Rukawa who tried to go for a fast break. Sendou immediately ran after him and pushed himself hard as if to make up for his mistake. He wouldn't let anyone take away their chance of winning - not against Rukawa among all.
Rukawa neared the basket but it seemed that his rival's arm was longer than usual to tip it off from his grasp as he posed for the lay-up shot. The ball bounced and rolled ungracefully on the floor only to be hogged by both Ikegami and Miyagi latching on to the ball as if it were their life support.
Soon, the game was between the rivals alone with no points gained: Rukawa and Sendou; the ball was in Sendou's possession. 8 seconds left. The latter swerved the other snatched the ball away when the Ryonan player hit his foot while avoiding Sakuragi from crashing into him by accident. He ran as fast as he could but no time was left. He made a desperate shot at the middle of the court and it swished in along with the whistle.
The Shohoku players and Ryonan players soon found themselves shaking each other's hand and congratulating them for a job well done.
***
Rika and Rina were going back from the International School and Rika decided to drop by Shohoku for a while. Just her luck, the bus of the players have just arrived and hurriedly approached Rika as she parked hers in the campus where most of the students went home since it was already late.
"So, how'd the game go?" she asked first of all, "Don't ever tell me you lost to Ryonan."
"We won, by a lucky shot," Miyagi admitted, "by Rukawa."
"Oh, I see." Remembering that her sister was there, Rika hurriedly introduced them, "Guys, this is my onee-san, Rina. This is Miyagi, Ryota; Sakuragi, Hanamichi; Yasuda, Yasuharu; Kakuta, Satoru; Ishii, Kentarou; Sasoka, Satoru; Kuwata, Toki; and that one," she pointed to the one just coming out of the bus after Anzai, "is Rukawa Kaede."
At the sight of Rukawa, Rina's eyes bulged. He was handsome. No, that was an understatement, he was gorgeous! Her head battled; Akira or this Kaede.
"Hey, Kaede!" Rika called to him.
Rina noticed that she called him by his first name; but wasn't it Japanese custom to call others by their last name first? She suddenly hauled her sister before she could get a step forward. [Are you and Rukawa together?] she asked without fear that someone might understand what she was saying.
"No, he's just my friend," she shook her head but a very slight flush crept up her cheeks, "And would you mind speaking in Japanese?"
Her sister heaved a sigh of relief and pulled her again. "Introduce me to him; personally!"
Rika's stomach churned; she knew. "He's really a cold guy," she whispered in her ear, "He's not like Akira at all. A lot of girls are already all over him and they treat them like trash, unlike - " she stopped herself knowing she would give Sendou away, "Sakuragi."
"That guy?" her sister asked in surprise. "Don't mind him. If you can get that guy to be your friend, I can do better." She then gave her a level look that meant 'Do as I say or else, you know what I can do.'
Rika sighed. She tried. "Kaede, this is my sister, Rina. She just came from America and is..." she hesitated, she didn't want to lie to a friend, "very interested and good in basketball."
"Hi! Nice to meet you." She greeted cheerfully.
Rukawa, however, paid her little mind and went over to Rika. "We won by a lucky shot. I really hate that dou ahou! He gats in my way." He said placidly.
"I see. You haven't gotten the 1st riddle yet, that's why." She shrugged. "How did they do, ojii-san?" she bowed toward him, "Oh, and my family has arrived." She winced at her own statement.
"They did fairly better with your help." He chuckled, "Well, hello, Rina. Welcome back. Where will you be studying?"
"At the International School near here." She answered reluctantly prying her eyes off Rukawa.
"Ojii-san," Rika interrupted, "we need to get home. I'm sure dad will be really worried." As Anzai nodded and got to his car, she waved to all of them goodbye and dragged her sister along who tried to resist wanting to be with Rukawa longer.
Anzai's car went first as if escorted by Rika's bike. At that scene he realized something. The bike had features that need no driving experience and it will drive by itself. Rika kept it as simple as it was without the extra help from the computer and it showed her skills better as a driver of the vehicle. That was it! That was the answer. He was going to keep it to himself until on the Saturday practice, that is to say, tomorrow.
***
Sofia/3sh: Was it? Maraming salamat!!! Hinanap kita nung last time, you weren't there.
ninny: the question marks were supposed to be Japanese characters, but they didn't upload well, I guess. You want Rika and Sendou? We'll see...
dunkmoonX: yeah, I want to imagine him smile and it's so kawaii! Ah! Gomen! Happy Birthday and God Bless! Na-overload ako ngayon kasi malapit na ang graduation so, I took long enough.
barabara ni chirabaru hanabira shizuku wa kurenai...kaketa tsuki yo maware towa no koi wo utsushi
-- L'arc~en~ciel