I'm not a Cheater
By: Princess Ren
Author's notes: Hello guys! I'm back! School is finally over! Yey! Which means it's already summer vacation! And more time for the story! I'm so happy that another school year is finished…. Time passes by so fast don't you think? Hehehe… Anyways here's chapter 9! I'm really sorry if the last chapter was quite short! And to those people who I left hanging well… hehehe… And to those people who really wanted to know who the voice is… you'll find out in the beginning of the chapter. ^_^ ! Thanks to those who reviewed! I'm stop my babbling and go to the chapter! Review by the end okay!? ^_^
Same Disclaimers apply.
Chapter 9
"It's because I said so!" a deep male voice said in anger. And everyone looked at the direction of the voice only to see… a man in his late 30s in the door looking mad more than ever and behind his back was a group of girls…
~#~#~
Coach Asano was sitting impatiently on his chair. Rei has been gone for nearly 15 minutes and haven't returned yet.
"Where could she be!?" he mumbled angrily under his breath. Sure, her friends told him that someone would like to talk to Rei but never expecting it to be this long!
"Very important huh?" he mumbled again then a thought came to his mind. Tall girls, in practice clothes, basketball shoes…
'Basketball shoes!? Could those two be in the baka's team!?' he yelled in his mind in a disbelieving tone. And he stood from his sit, as the girls looked at their coach for his strange behavior.
"I should have known!" he shouted and the members became startled.
"S-Sensei?" Chigasaki asked concerned. They were resting for about 15 minutes because of the practice game they had. She had been shocked when she looked at the score sheet and seeing Rei made 32 points in just one game. She was sure that she will be the key to victory and she can't wait to go to InterHigh.
(A.N. They get the score by how many kills a player can do...)
"Does anyone of you know anything about Rei?" he suddenly asked.
"Huh? Why?" Orikasa asked rather confused, she was a freshman and is in the next class of Rei.
"Just asking… does anyone?" he asked again and looked at the gym and saw some students nod.
"Well?" he asked eagerly.
"Um… she's a graduate of Tomigaoka…" Miyamura said in a small voice.
"I know that already! What I want to know is what are her hobbies? Does she like any sports besides volleyball!?" he screamed, the more he ask, the more his hunch is getting bigger and bigger.
"We d-don't know s-sir!" the girls said
"What!? And you call yourselves friends with her!?"
"I- I think she likes to play basketball and gymnastics…" Chigasaki said in a distant voice. And everyone stared at her.
"Why do you think so?" he asked again in between clench teeth.
'Could it be that the baka found that she has talent in basketball?' he asked himself
(A.N. He has no idea that Rei has more than talent in basketball… Hehehe…)
"I remember her saying something like, 'You know I like gymnastics and basketball besides volleyball.' " She replied as she looked at her coach.
"I knew it! I won't let anyone to make Rei join another team! Let's go!" he ordered and everyone glance strangely to their coach and to themselves.
"B-But why Sensei?" Mika asked, the vice captain.
"I think I know why those two girls asked Rei to come with them!" the girls just looked more confused. And Coach Asano just sighed a bit and said,
"You'll find out soon. Now, c'mon! Before it's too late!" he ordered and walked towards to the door and to the other direction of the gym while the girls just followed wanting to know why their coach was so angry.
(A.N. Okay, in my fic, Shohoku High has 3 gyms… The main one, which the basketball club uses that is the gym were Sakuragi and the others practices. The another gym, which the basketball club of Coach Morisato, it is not as big as the main one but it's usable. And the Volleyball gym which was used by the volleyball team. ^_^)
Coach Asano and the girls arrived at the other gym only to find it deserted.
"Damn it! Where could they be!?" he shouted angrily.
"Sensei… who are you looking for… exactly?" Chigasaki asked
"Who else!? But Rei and Morisato-baka!" The girls again looked at each other confused. Morisato-baka? Who's that?
"Um… Sensei? Who is this 'Morisato-baka' you are talking about?" Chigasaki asked while glancing at their coach who was busy looking at the gym.
"Where the hell could he be? And why is nobody here?" he asked rather to himself as he clench his hands into fists.
"I swore he is hiding from me!" he screamed as he angrily walked towards the door to find Rei and the 'baka'.
"S-Sensei! Wait up! Why did you dragged all of us here?" Chigasaki asked desperately to their coach who's shadows was already gone.
She and the other girls just looked at each other in confusion before running to their angry coach for answers.
Coach Asano was angry. Really angry. He have never felt this way ever since… that faithful day. When he and Morisato become bitter rivals. At first, he and Morisato were great friends. They both like the same things… except for one, that is Asano liked Volleyball and Morisato liked basketball. They really get along, but one day when Morisato had insulted Asano's favorite sport and the other way around, which was when the two had become bitter rivals. Swearing to each other that he will bring his (Asano and Morisato) team at the top of Japan with their choice of sport. (A.N. Okay imagine them as Akagi and Aota) He was doing fine… winning every game, but he only managed to bring his team only one of the best in the prefecture. He couldn't ask for more because Morisato was doing the same… only being one of the best in their prefecture. And as time passes slowly he was forgetting to beat Morisato until he found her. He was watching the championship which he did every year. It was the way how he recruit new members. He was very intrigued when he had watched the championship two years ago. (A.N. That is when Rei is only a sophomore in Junior High.) He was looking forward to last year's game because he had found out that the MVP was only a sophomore. And indeed he was happy that he had watched the game. She was marvelous! Killing the ball as soon as she was given the chance. She always was successful for her eyes were really fast on finding an opening. When the championship was over he wasn't so surprised when she won the MVP again. And that made him had the idea of recruiting her to his team. That way he can win the Championship. His plans was turning to ashes when his image appeared on his mind. Morisato. How could he do this to him? He have swear that he will do anything in his power to stop him from getting Rei. He quicken his pace at the thought. He search every room, every corner of the school but he still couldn't find him. He then looked at the direction of the last place… the main gym. Of course! How can he be so stupid not to realize that they could be at the other gym? After all, he is a basketball person. He looked behind him to see his students following; he looked at them and pointed at the other gym. He saw them gave him a confused look but he ignored it. He walked a bit faster towards the gym only to hear screams. Screams of the baka! And the last scream he heard from him was a pleading one. He snickered at the thought of Morisato pleading. Boy that would be so funny! He opened the door just in time when Rei was going to answer his question. That was the time he said,
"It's because I said so!"
~#~#~
Morisato looked startled on what he saw at the door. There standing was Asano-baka! How could he know that they were here!? He angrily looked at Hikaru and Akane.
"Did you two told him that we're here!?" he hissed angrily at the two and the two girls could just shake their heads vigorously in fear.
'Now I have to deal with this baka!'
Rei was a bit shock when she heard the voice and when she saw her coach. By the look Coach Asano was giving Coach Morisato she immediately knew something big will happen and she don't like it.
"S-Sensei!?" she asked in a shocked voice.
"Rei… I should have known that you will be here…" her coach said in a rather annoyed voice.
"I-I'm sorry I didn't know that this someone was Coach Morisato…" she explained, hoping that their coach would not be angry.
"It's okay… It's not your fault that you're here." He said as he walk towards them while glaring daggers at Morisato who returned it fully. When he was close enough to them he looked at the group of girls which he presumed his students. He rose an eyebrow at them and said,
"I can't believe that you dragged your students here baka!" emphasizing the word baka as he looked at Asano with hatred.
"I can't believe that you have the nerve to recruit someone who belong to another club!" he spitted angrily at Morisato who seemed unaffected. Then they began to argue.
Everyone else in the gym looked at each other in confusion. What's happening here? First the other club came here for 'some business', then their coach was getting mad or rather upset when Rei turned down the offer, then another club barged in, the coach was nearly at the edge of anger and yelling about recruiting another person that already belong to another club? How was that possible? They all looked at the girl who was near in panic for the situation. All thoughts was stopped when Ayako spoke,
"I can't believe that something like this will happen AGAIN." She said in a loud and shocked voice. Everyone looked at her as if asking for answers.
"What do you mean happening again?" Akagi asked while looking at the 2 coaches who were glaring at each other like there's no tomorrow.
"Huh? What?" Ayako asked, she didn't know that she spoke it aloud.
Akagi rose an eyebrow at Ayako. "I said what do you mean happening again? You said earlier something you don't believe something like this is happening again? Care to tell us?" he repeated as he looked at the members and the girls who nodded in agreement. The people who seemed not to care was Coach Morisato and Coach Asano who were busy arguing, Rei, who was trying to calm the two coaches and Rukawa, who was rather in his own world… having other thoughts.
Ayako smack her forehead for being so careless. Now she has to explain some things the others want to know. How can she be so stupid to say things that can be simple yet complicated. She didn't want to be bombarded with a lot of questions today. She has her own problems to deal with such as why those two broke up. She just wished that they were the people who don't care about the things that are happening in their environment. But no, they had to be so curious about things like this. Who can blame them? They just want to know things that they need to know. She let a small sigh escape from her lips. Why couldn't it be Rei or Rukawa explain? Those two knew much better than her. She looked at the direction of Rei and sighed. She can't rely on her now. She was busy calming the coaches who looked like they don't give a damn on her. Then she looked at Rukawa and let another stressful sigh. He couldn't help her either. He was busy on having his own thoughts. And was rather looking at the arguing coaches and to Rei.
'Probably about Rei.' She added mentally. She closed her eyes then took a deep breath. She needed it.
"Okay… It's rather a long story but too make it short Rei experience something like this. What I mean is that back in her Junior High days 2 coaches wanted Rei to join their club." She explained in a rather cool tone. She looked at them and waited for their reactions.
When she answered Akagi's question, everyone in the gym have different kind of reactions. Some were more confused, some shock that 2 coaches wanted to hire Rei for their club. And some understood a few things to what was going on.
Ayako looked at everyone reactions and she sure got a lot of it. She sighed and just hope that they wouldn't ask too much questions since she really know a few things about it. She looked at the direction of Rukawa, who was still out in his own world.
'I wonder what he is thinking… he's rather not in himself today, especially when he saw Rei… mmm something's really fishy here.' Ayako scowled at him for his odd behavior. She looked away from him when Chigasaki spoke up.
"2 coaches want to hire Rei back when she is in Junior High? How can that be possible?" she asked in a rather shocked voice.
Ayako grinned a bit at her question. "Oh, you'll be amazed on what she can do." She answered as the others looked at each other.
"You see back in her first year in JH (Junior High) she originally belong to the gymnastic club." she continued.
"Gymnastics?" Hikaru spoke, still confused at the things that are happening.
"I never knew she was a gymnast. How on earth did she become the MVP on the other two sports?"
"Ever wondered why she can jump so high? Well that's one of the advantages of being a gymnast. Anyways as for your question, she became involved at the two sports, Volleyball and Basketball if your wondering, is during the sports festival at Tomigaoka she played the two and that is when the two coaches discovered her talent or as you can say, skill." She explained. She looked at them and waited for another question.
"But how did she do it? I mean playing 3 sports all together? I thought only 1 club at a time… it's rather a school policy." Chigasaki asked. And she looked at the others to see them nod.
"Well all you said were right. She did play the 3 sports at once and the schools only provided each student to have 1 club at a time. It was really a school policy. But Rei's an exception. The school let her."
"How?" Akane asked
"How? It's because the principal permitted her. How the principal allowed it? It's well… I don't quite remember since I was just also told."
After that, everyone slowly digested to what Ayako had said. Now they understood why Rei both won the 2 MVP awards on the different sports. The only thing that they were confused where is that why the two coaches fighting as if they were bitter rivals. They looked at them and sighed altogether. This will take long. Rei was still there but now not trying to calm them down. Just sighing. They bet she had given up for those two look like they had their own world. They looked at each other as if saying, 'What now?'
"What now?" Yumi asked Sasaki who just sighed,
"I say we stop the two coaches from killing each other first before solving this problem… right Chigasaki?" she said at Chigasaki's direction.
"You're right, we should stop those two first." She walked towards the two coaches who were having another fight as the other members nodded trying to help their captains to stop the fight of the two coaches.
Akagi and his members just looked at each other and just watch. They didn't want to make things worst and beside what help could they give? After all they didn't know what kind of attitude those two coaches have, but they did know that those two have one hell of a temper. They decided to watch and wait and if things gets out of hand that's when they would help.
Ayako in the meantime was rather tired of the situation. It's all because the things happening around her. First, they will be having a practice game with Ryonan within a week. The team was really eager to defeat Ryonan ever since the last year's encounter. She don't know if they really stand a chance even if Rukawa was there. She knew Sendoh was rather more experience in High School basketball than Rukawa since he just graduated from junior high. But then again, Rei did teach him some good techniques that were rather amazing and can take someone to shock. After all Rei knew many things about professional basketball since his father was a coach and was the one that trained her. Ayako smiled a bit at that, if it wasn't for Rei, Rukawa will never be as good as he is now, even if he still improves in his own ways. Second, the strange behavior of Rukawa towards Rei and maybe to her. He really had change; he seldom talks and was rather become self-centered. Sure, he has pride, everyone does but it looks like… Ayako shook her head for she couldn't place the right word for it. Back in Junior High, he was quiet but not as quiet like now. And he was less self-centered and was kind and was rather meek. She didn't know what happen to him to change so much. Maybe it's because the things that had happen between the two. She looked at Rukawa for a moment and then to Rei then back again. She could never understand guys like him. And third, this event. This should be really pain in the head. Since both of the coaches are as stubborn as a mule. It will take awhile to stop those two from fighting. She looked at Sakuragi who was busy doing the basics, but you can tell that he was also interested at the turn of things. She let another sigh before sitting in the chair near Sakuragi while observing the things inside the gym.
'This is one heck of an afternoon.'
Rukawa however was oblivious at the things going on. Sure, he was there but nothing else. His mind was rather out of place at the moment. He has many thoughts concerning about the upcoming practice game with Ryonan. They were really good, he had heard. He had seen the faces of his co-members when Coach Anzai told them they were having a practice game with the team. He became rather interested when he had heard the name of Sendoh. He heard he was the ace player of the team and he couldn't wait to see how good he plays in the sport. 'There's nothing better than a good rival.' He suddenly remember Rei telling him that. He had to admit she's quite right, it's better to play a sport with you having a rival. It will make things much interesting. But that doesn't mean that he is willing to lose. Heck! There's no such word as that in his vocabulary. And he don't intend to start putting such word. He would be the best. He promised himself. Then suddenly Rei's image appeared in his head. He immediately scowled. She's been appearing inside his head for quite a time now. Why is it that no matter what he do, her image always appear from time to time. He's beginning to get frustrated at this. He don't know what's wrong with him. Ever since she appeared in the gym her image never leave in his mind. He hated it! He really hated it! How come after all the things she had done to him, he still thinks of her? Being a proud guy he is, he'll never admit to anyone that he is having this kind of thoughts every now and then. He closed his eyes and let a ragged breath as he let a hand run to his messy black hair. He looked at his environment for a moment and saw that the girls were now busy trying to calm their coaches just like Rei before. Rei however was rather looking at the girls and to the coaches in a rather tired expression. He guessed that she had stopped calming those two since they won't listen to her. He knew she's just trying to calm herself also from the sighs and the deep breaths she was taking. He knew if she don't, her temper would come surface. She, being a sweet and kind one had a bad temper also. He really never saw her to be really angry or what her temper can do since he haven't try doing something that can blew off her temper. He only heard that she really had a bad one just like her father has from Keiko and Naoko, which he presumed, had seen her other side. He knew everyone had a bad side, even from the most sweetest girl up to the notorious one. But no matter what happens he will still love her for being Rei. Rukawa, suddenly realizing what he thought immediately let a low growl and threw another glare to her for letting him have those thoughts. He started to dribble the ball from his hand and started to run towards the basket for a lay-up, trying to forget her. As an image of another girl appeared in his head. He smiled secretly at that.
'Forget her, Kaede! You have Fumiko now.'
Rei was taking deep breaths and trying to solve this problem when she heard a ball dribbling and looked at the source. It's been quite silent at the gym when the two coaches started to fight each other beside the voice of the two and Ayako's. She saw Rukawa doing a lay-up and couldn't help but smile a little for his hard work. He sure is improving a lot. She was sure in no time he would be the ace of Shohoku and it made her feel somewhat proud. She looked away at him and scanned the room. She saw Ayako sitting in a chair, restlessly. She assumed it's the tension about the upcoming practice game with the Ryonan team. Her ojii-san had told her that it might do some good to the team since they are lacking confidence. She let another smile escape from her lips when she remembered asking how can it boost their confidence if some of the members are rather afraid of the team and got a strange answer from her ojii-san. She shook her head and was really looking forward on seeing the answer on the day of the practice game. She then looked at Akagi and his team who were rather still at the moment. She presumed that they really want to help to stop the petty argument the two coaches are having. Sighing, she returned her gaze to the two coaches who were still arguing. Chigasaki and the others were all trying to stop and separate the two coaches. She rolled her eyes, something that she haven't done for a long time. She really was in the edge of exploding from a while and if it wasn't the deep breaths she was talking she was sure to snap at those two.
'And they call themselves coaches!' she sighed one last time before speaking,
"Coach Morisato, Coach Asano… please stop it. We're getting to nowhere if you two continue to fight."
The two coaches however heard her and glared at each other before Asano spoke,
"I must say, Rei's right! We're getting to nowhere with this fight. So I suggest that we stop this argument you started!" He began, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Morisato rose his eyebrow at the last comment. He was the one who started it? Hell no! If Asano didn't appear on the scene this wouldn't happen!
"I started?" Morisato laughed and everyone looked at each other, wondering what was so funny.
"If you didn't appeared, this wouldn't happen! Therefore you were the one who started it!" he shot back at Asano who was rather angry.
"WHAT!? I DIDN'T STARTED IT! IT WAS YOU! YOU!" he pointed to Morisato angrily
"I DID NOT!" he defended
"DID TOO!"
"DID NOT!"
"DID TOO!"
"DID NOT!" the others looked at each other before giving out a sigh. Those two are worst than kids!
"Coach Morisato! Stop it… please!" Sasaki pleaded. She had enough of this argument and she knew that the others are too. But her plead went into deaf ears.
"Asano-sensei! Stop acting so immature and get a grip of yourself." Chigasaki stated. Immediately, Asano stopped at mid-shout and glared hard at Chigasaki who backed away.
"ACTING IMMATURE!? I'M NOT ACTING IMMATURE! IF IT WASN'T FOR THIS MORON THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN!" Morisato growled at his comment. Ugh! The nerve of this guy!
"MORON!? WHO ARE YOU CALLING MORON!?" Asano looked at him and smirked,
"Who else but you." He replied in a calm voice.
"GRRR! I HAVE ENOUGH OF YOUR STUPIDITY ASANO!" he shouted before launching at Asano. But before he can do that someone stopped him. He looked at his right to see Rei, holding him back. He was rather shock to see Rei to stop him.
"Anzai-san, Let go! I'm going to teach this baka lesson." He hissed but Rei seemed unaffected at his anger.
"No sir! Stop it already! Let's just talk this things out. Besides, the basketball club was training for their practice game with Ryonan. I'm sure they don't want to be disturb. Why don't we just leave them alone and find some place to talk about this matter… ne?" she said in a hopeful voice. She looked at the others who nodded to her then to Akagi who also nodded dumbly not knowing what to really say. She smiled at that and waited for his decision. She saw him thought for a moment and open his mouth to say something when,
"You're right Rei. I'm sure we have disturbed the team enough, that is thanks to the great baka here." Asano said as he crossed his arms, the smirk still there in his face. Rei looked backed to him and then to Coach Morisato who was getting angrier.
"Sensei!" Rei warned her coach and he just remained there impassive.
"NANI!? YOUR BLAMING ME FOR DISTURBING THE TEAM!? WELL FOR YOUR IMFORMATION MR. I KNOW EVERYTHING, I HAVE ASKED FOR PERMISSION FROM THEIR CAPTAIN SINCE THEIR COACH ISN'T HERE IF IT'S OKAY TO USE THE GYM. AND GUESS WHAT!? THEY SAID IT IS OKAY SO I DON'T SEE ANY FAULT FROM USING IT." He was panting at saying those sentences. He glared hard at Asano who's ears was steaming red.
"IF YOU DIDN'T TALKED TO MY STUDENT THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. DON'T TRY FORCING PEOPLE TO JOIN YOUR CLUB IF THEY ALREADY HAVE ANOTHER CLUB!"
"OH YEAH!? I DON'T KNOW WHAT SHE HAD SEEN IN THAT STUPID SPORT OF YOURS BUT SHE'S MUCH MORE BETTER IN JOINING THE BASKETBALL TEAM! MY BASKETBALL TEAM!" He retorted. At the comment a vein appeared in Asano's right forehead. But also from his students.
"VOLLEYBALL IS NOT A STUPID SPORT! Basketball is." He replied as another smirked appeared across his face. This time Morisato had the vein as well as his students and also Akagi… And another fight started this time in another topic…
Rei in the meanwhile was having enough of this. She wanted to scream. Yes she wanted to scream! To release all her anger to one scream. But she hold it. She tried not to let her temper get the best of her. She was about to stop those two coaches when she heard her name. She looked up only to see both of the coaches looking at her and so was the others.
"Huh? What?"
"I said, What sport do you prefer playing? Basketball or Volleyball? Answer us so this stupid argument would stop." Asano asked rather annoyed. Rei looked rather shock at what he said. He was asking for her decision. She wanted to play both sports to be honest. But she knew saying that will bring another fight. She sighed. She did have the decision long ago. When Coach Morisato had asked for her decision… before Coach Asano appeared.
"I- I…" the gym was silent waiting for her decision. Whatever it is would sure bring disappointment for one of the coaches.
"I wanted to play…" she sighed this sure was a hard decision. She was about to open her mouth when someone answered for her.
"She wanted to play both sports. So I suggest you discuss this matter with the principal. He might let her play both if you two have a good excuse to why you want her in your team." Rukawa spoke in his usual manner while looking at Rei with piercing eyes.
Everyone looked at Rukawa in a shocked expression. They never expected him to intervene with the problem since he was quiet and looked like not interested in the topic. They sighed in relief. Hoping his suggestion would stop those two from arguing.
"An excellent idea! Let's settle this with the principal." Morisato said as he looked at Asano who nodded.
"Well? What are we waiting for? Let's go there. Sasaki your coming with me, since our manager is rather absent." He continued and he started walking towards the door. Asano started to walk also before saying,
"Akiko (Chigasaki), Rei, Let's go." The two looked at each other and started to follow.
"Sensei! What about us?" Yumi asked to Morisato. He stopped for a moment and looked at his watch. It reads: 3:45.
"It's a bit too early for you girls to leave. Stay here and wait for us. If we're not yet here by 4:30 go home okay?" He looked at the girls who looked at each other first then nodded.
"You do the same. Mika, you're in charge." Asano followed.
"Hai!" then they watch their retreating backs. Before anyone can speak Rei ran back,
"K-Rukawa-san!" she called and immediately he looked at her.
"Arigatou!" she said in a soft voice and gave him a warm smile then ran off towards the direction of Coach Morisato and the others. However if she stayed for a few more seconds she would have seen Rukawa's lips twitch upward.
To be continued…
Author's notes:
There you have it! Chapter 9!!!! Was it interesting!? Tell me!!! ^_^ I hope you like this chapter! By the way, I need suggestions for the coming chapters e-mail them or send them together with your review! Hehehe… Watch out for Chapter 10 in the following weeks… ^_^ Review okay!? Until then! ^_^
~Princess Ren