I'm not a Cheater
By: Princess Ren
Author's notes: Hey guys! Chapter 11 is finally here! Sorry if you waited for so long… anyways I hope you enjoy the chapter and leave a review okay?
Same Disclaimer applied.
Chapter 11
"O-Okay, are you going to allow me to have Rei?" he asked calmly. He tried to be as calm as possible and tried to forget the scene he had created.
Asano nodded slowly before closing his eyes then opening it and looked at Rei. "Yes, I would allow you."
The girls looked at each other before smiling greatly at Coach Asano. They were happy that Rei would be allowed.
Rei was extremely happy that her coach allowed her to play basketball. She didn't know what to do if he wouldn't, since she loves basketball as much as volleyball. Finally, she would be able to play basketball again with her friends, Akane and Hikaru and she would be able to see her old friends in the inter-high that is if they (them) would be able to make it. She pushed that thought away and promised herself that she will do her best and make it to the inter-high.
Morisato never felt so happy in his life. Finally, the championship title will be theirs! His dream would finally come true! He can't wait for it! He glanced at Rei's direction and saw how happy she is then to Sasaki, she too held the same expression as him. He looked at Asano, who had a rather pleased expression in his face. Was it because he had begged in front of him? He removed that thought and looked at the principal. He frowned to what he saw. He walked a little bit to get nearer the principal and putted his hands on top of the table.
"Sir?"
No reply.
"Sir?" he asked again, this time a little louder.
No reply.
Morisato sighed before shouting,
"Principal Yamato!" At that, the principal came back to reality. He looked at Morisato who had his eyebrow rose to him, an annoyed expression evident to his face. His face was flushed at the scene he just saw, he coughed before sitting straight.
"Yes, Yes, I'm sorry. Now where were we?" he asked the blush fading slowly. (A/N Sorry if he's a bit OOC!)
"Coach Asano allowed me to have Rei join by team, now I ask for your permission next." He replied politely.
"My permission? Well… I don't know…" he trailed off, while adjusting his glasses.
"What do you mean you don't know!?" Morisato barked as he slammed his hands to the desk. He wouldn't allow the principal to say no because of what had happen earlier. The principal merely raised an eyebrow at his behavior. Morisato stiffened a bit and sat down on a chair that was on the right side of the desk before asking again,
"What do you mean you don't know?" he repeated, this time politely and with respect.
"Well what I mean is that there are some disadvantages for the student if he/she has more than 2 clubs." He explained and looked at Morisato before to the people who were sitting on the bench that was from the far right side of his office. They were sitting patiently and ware also listening to the conversation, which he doesn't mind. He looked at 3 girls and examined them. The two girls were older than the one in the middle. He assumed she was the one that Coach Morisato desperately wanted. He had to admit that these two coaches were one of those people who brought glory to the school. He was really proud of that. He looked back at Morisato and continued,
"Tell me why do you want to have the girl?" he asked consciously. He really wanted to know why the coach desperately wanted the girl. He would have to know the details first then come up with a decision. Even he knew that there are some disadvantages for the student.
"Her name is Rei sir, Anzai Rei. Well as for your question, you see she is one of the best in the basketball world. I believe that she can bring the team to top sir. The top of Japan." He decided to tell him her name since it was kinda rude to call her 'girl' and he thought she also didn't like it.
Principal Yamato looked at Morisato before looking at the girl. Did he just say Anzai? Is she somewhat related to the other basketball team coach? He knew Mr. Anzai very well; in fact, the two were great friends. The school was glad that they had a former national team member as a coach in the school. He don't mind if his team was having a hard time going to the top. It depends on the members of the team if they want to be strong or not. He remembered Mr. Anzai telling him that. He looked hard at the girl who was also looking at him with soft and kind eyes. He smiled at her and was gladly returned by one.
"Anzai? Is she somehow related to Mr. Anzai?" he asked directly to Morisato, who merely nodded.
"Grand daughter?" Morisato again nodded.
"I see, it figures why you wanted her. Their family had a reputation as being famous basketball players, yet they choose to coach than to stay in play." He said in a matter-of-fact voice.
"Yes, that's right. So are you going to allow her to join my team?" he asked eagerly.
Principal Yamato looked thoughtful for a minute. The top of Japan? Yes, He can imagine what that can do to the school. He was sure more students are going to go to Shohoku High if that happens. It had happened, but that was a few years ago.
"As I said earlier, there are disadvantages for a student having more than one club."
Morisato scowled at that. He wanted a direct answer of yes or a no, not an answer like this. "What disadvantages are you saying sir?" he looked at the girls and saw them listening to the conversation. He was glad that they are. He avoided looking at Asano, since he was the one who had embarrassed him.
"Well there are some. For one, a student's grades can be greatly affected. We can't let that happen, do we? Second, there will be some complications about the games, that is, for the sports section, which is applied to both of you coaches. And third-"
"What do you mean complications about the games?" Morisato interrupted.
"What I mean about complications in the games is that you may have the same schedule of a game. We can't just let a student go back and forth to different gyms just for that. As I was saying, the third one is that the student would be greatly stressed before going to the semi-finals, finals, or inter-high. The student would be too tired to continue playing since he/she would be playing two sports. I was referring to the sports section again, Coach Morisato." He explained and pressed his back to his chair.
Morisato's face fell as he clenched his teeth in frustration. Why is that when things are going well there's always something disappointing happens? Now what will he going to do? He really wanted to win the title and these stupid rules got in the way. He would find a way to be able to let Rei join his team. He began thinking of finding those ways.
When Sasaki heard the principal, her happy expression turned to a disappointing one. Why can't the principal just ignore the rules and do a thing that can make the school, their school famous? Her Coach is right, if they did make as the National Champion, the school will be on top, since they are carrying the school's name. Why can't just the principal ignore all the rules!? As the team captain, she would do anything to make her team the best. Sasaki bent her head and began thinking of a way to make their principal change his mind.
Asano just raised an eyebrow at the speech the principal had made. He knew the rule but not the reason why all the schools were applying that, since now. He couldn't feel a bit aggravated of the reason. He had to admit that he was quite lucky that Rei had decided to join his club rather than Morisato's. If the situation is the other way around, he was sure that he would go through the same thing as him, well except the scene that he forced Morisato to make. Nevertheless, he sympathize the guy. He wanted to win the championship just as he does. He wanted to help him, but his pride wouldn't allow it. He just remained to his sit near Chigasaki and waited.
Chigasaki on the other hand was quite disturbed by the reason. She had known of the rule a very long time ago, but never knew why there is such. At first, she thought that it was only applied so the student can focus to the club he had joined, but never expecting an answer like this. She looked at everyone in the room and couldn't help but feel sorry for Coach Morisato, Sasaki and to Rei. She felt that the girl wanted to play basketball at the first place, but couldn't since she had joined their club. She just closed her eyes and waited for something to happen.
After hearing what the principal said, Rei immediately frown. So, the principal won't allow her to play basketball because of the stupid rules. All the things he said were true, that were the same things that her old principal told her when the two coaches wanted her to play in their team. Her studies would be greatly affected? Then she would study harder, she's not the valedictorian for nothing. The games? Then let her play the game with her original club, she somewhat knew that there might be some times when the two clubs would have the same schedule. She was sure that the other members' can win the game without her; they were in the best four after all. She would be stressed? Maybe not, since she was rather immune to stress. She had been training, since she was a kid. She wasn't easily being tired because of the hard and strict training she is receiving from her father. All the things that the principal had said were not a disadvantage for her. In fact, she had the upper hand. She had been doing something like this for two and a half years so another 3 years sure wouldn't mind her. Immediately she stood up and slowly approached the principal. During this gesture, all heads turned to her and waited to see what she will going to do in the situation.
"Sir, maybe we can ignore the rule this time?" she asked hopingly, her eyes boring his.
The Principal raised an eyebrow at her and said, "Ignore the rule? How can we do that Ms. Anzai?"
Rei felt uncomfortable with the question and sitted to the empty seat across Coach Morisato. "I can manage the disadvantages, sir." Her voice filled with determination.
Again the principal couldn't help rose an eyebrow at her answer. "Can you?" Rei just nodded.
"Oh really?" he pressed.
"Yes sir, I can manage having 2 clubs at the same time. I really wanted to play basketball sir." She replied, knowing that the principal would just press on and on at her.
"Besides, I had done it when I was still on Junior High." She added, hopeful that the principal might agree with her. The principal however just looked bewildered at her. Was she telling the truth?
"Are you saying that you had the same situation when you were in Junior High?" he asked as he saw her nod.
"Tell me what club do you originally belong back then?" he asked again, he was just curious to why Morisato wanted her so much even if she was in another club that Asano didn't want to let her go.
Rei shifted her body from her sit before answering, "Gymnastics sir." The principal looked baffled at her shocking answer. Gymnastics? How on earth did she manage to capture the attention of Morisato?
"How many clubs did you have back then?" he asked, confused
"Actually when I was on my first year, I belonged to the Gymnastics Club, but when it was near the winter tournament I was being recruited by the volleyball and basketball team and I agreed. From then I had 3 clubs up to my last year, sir." She answered truthfully, she skipped the part of her being a part of the student council, since it would not make any sense and importance at the situation. She looked at the principal to see his shock expression then to coach Morisato who looked surprised. There was a small lap of silence before the principal spoke again,
"How did you do that?" he asked, his voice afar. Rei looked at him confusingly, luckily for her the principal asked again,
"How did you manage the 3 clubs?"
Rei shifted her body again before sighing. "Well you see we had the same situation back then and my old principal said the same thing about the policy of having only one club. And he also gave the same reasons to why I can't join two more. I had agreed to the principal when he said that I should study harder so the other 2 clubs won't affect my grades."
The principal nodded, but still that won't be enough reason to make her join the basketball club. Anyone can study harder; even someone intelligent can't handle two clubs at the same time. "How about the 2 other reasons? We can't just let you go back and forth, changing uniform and places…"
"Well we can arrange that sir, it's not like the schedules of the game of both sports are always the same. Why don't I play for my original team if that happens?" she smiled sweetly and looked at coach Morisato while giving a silent apology. Morisato just nodded, indicating he accepted her apology.
The principal looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "Okay, if I allow you what club are you going to practice during the club hours?"
Rei, Morisato and Asano looked at each other, "I can practice each of the club alternatively. Like example, I practice Volleyball today, tomorrow Basketball, the next volleyball then so on…" the principal nodded.
"But wouldn't you be too stressed before the finals?" he asked again, with that Rei grinned.
"Trust me sir, I won't. You see I am rather immune to stress, since my father would drive me crazy with the training he is giving me." She said, her eyes filled with laughter.
The principal just raised an eyebrow at her then began to think whether he should let her join the club or not. Could she really help the club to make it on the top? He glanced at her and saw her eyes filled with determination, and then to Morisato, just like her his eyes filled with determination and stubbornness. He closed his eyes and sighed.
'It looks like they won't give up until I said yes.' He thought mentally before opening his eyes.
"Alright, I would give you permission to join the team." He finally said and with that, the people in the room cheered.
"But in one condition," the cheering stopped and looked at him with confusing eyes.
"What's that sir?" Morisato asked, he just hope that his condition wouldn't be quite disturbing.
"Just make sure you two coaches bring that title to the school." He smiled and was returned by a wholesome.
"Don't worry sir, we would." Asano and Morisato both said in unison before looking at each other, glaring. Principal Yamato nodded and waved his hand to them.
"Now leave, before I change my mind." He said and with that, they slowly filled out the room with happy expressions. He looked at his office to see Rei still standing there.
"Is there something you want Ms. Anzai?" he asked, Rei just shook her head and said,
"Thank you sir. I promise we're gonna give you that title." Smiling, she bowed and slowly left the room. The principal couldn't help but smile at her friendliness; he then faced his computer before typing Anzai Rei at the students' profiles. He waited until her profile came to view. He read her profile, starting with her full name until her school activities.
"Hmm… interesting." He said while reading,
"I never knew she was the valedictorian of Tomigaoka…" He couldn't help but smile when he read further.
"And the student council's president… Captain of Gymnastics, Volleyball and Basketball!?" he said in shock. He shook his head but remained smiling.
"She's really something. Mr. Anzai must be really proud to have such a grand daughter like her." He said
"Maybe I can put her in the upcoming district's quiz bee…"
~#~#~
Outside the principal's office, Asano and the others are walking quietly at the corridors of the school. No one had spoken since they left the office until Morisato spoke,
"So… Rei when are you going to start?" Rei looked at him before looking to Coach Asano with questioning eyes.
"It's up to you." He replied as he looked at Morisato.
"Um… It's Wednesday right? How about tomorrow? Then on Friday I'll go back to the volleyball team?" she said, Morisato nodded.
"What about next week?" Sasaki joined in,
"Next week? I'll start with basketball then volleyball the next day…" Sasaki nodded, as did Morisato and Asano.
"Coach Asano, what are we going to do now?" Chigasaki asked as Asano looked at her confusingly
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"What are we going to do today? I mean we finish the discu-"
"You can go home. Practice is over, tomorrow we'll continue it." He interrupted.
"You can do the same Sasaki. I'm going home early too, to arrange some stuff." Morisato said while looking at Rei who just smiled.
"Yeah, me too."
"Sensei, what position are you going to give Rei?" Sasaki asked again
"Position? I don't know, we'll decide tomorrow. I know she can handle any position right?" he looked at Rei, who nodded in response.
"Well I'll see you on Friday Rei." Asano said as he turned towards the exit of the building while waving a good bye to them.
"Tomorrow then, I'll see you in practice. Tell the girls to go home okay?" Morisato said while doing Asano's example and exited from the building, leaving the girls there.
"Okay, Let's go change back to our uniforms." Sasaki suggested as the other two nodded and started to walk to the changing rooms. After that, they emerge with their uniforms and school bags. Rei had her hair flowing freely to her back, since she removed, the high ponytail that she always wear during practice.
"So you guys going home?" Rei asked when they came out of the changing room, since Sasaki's in another.
Sasaki and Chigasaki looked at each other before nodding. "Yeah, but we're going to the main gym first. We need to tell the girls to go home. Their still there since I saw their clothes in their lockers." Sasaki said.
"You go home. I'll do that, since I'm going there to talk to Ayako." Rei offered
"You sure?" Chigasaki asked.
"Yeah." Chigasaki and Sasaki exchanged looks before nodding.
"Okay, tell them to go home." With that, Rei nodded again and slowly walked towards the gym.
"Oh Rei?" Sasaki called again and Rei stopped and looked back.
"Yes?"
"I'm honored that you're gonna be my teammate." Sasaki smiled and so did Chigasaki.
Rei just looked shock for a moment before nodding. "Me too. We're going to win the championship! I'll make sure we do!" she said, her voice filled with determination. The two team captains nodded at her and walked towards the exit while waving goodbye to her.
"I'll see you tomorrow!" she shouted
"Don't tell the girls to what happen to Coach Morisato okay!?" Sasaki shouted back while giving her a cheerful smile.
"Alright!" she returned, a smile also in her lips. When the two disappeared, Rei turned towards the gym again before breathing hard.
"It would be one heck of explanation to Ayako-chan." She murmured while walking, ignoring some stares from the students passing by. When she reached the door of the gym, she breathed hard before stepping inside. She slowly walked towards the group of girls that were standing on one side, busy staring at the guys. She followed their gaze and ended with Rukawa. She giggled lightly, ignoring the pain in her chest. All actions stopped when Hikaru shouted,
"Rei-chan! You're back!" All the guys stopped practicing and looked at the girl that just came. Is she the same girl that Coach Morisato desperately wanted? She looked different when she had her hair in a high ponytail. They then saw the girls launching to her and in no time, they circled her.
"What happened?"
"Did the principal allowed you?" Rei was immediately bombarded with questions. She closed her eyes tiredly and luckily, the girls stopped talking when Mika spoke,
"Tell us what happened…" Rei opened her eyes and gave her a grin.
"The principal allowed me to join the basketball team." She replied, loud enough for the girls to hear. With that, the girls of the basketball team squealed in delight. The boys looked at each other before looking at them again.
"He did!?" Yumi asked as Rei nodded.
"I'll be together with you tomorrow for practice." She added.
"But what about us?" Mika asked again, this time a bit disappointed.
"Huh?"
"You're going to practice with them tomorrow, what about us? Surely you joining another club didn't mean quitting volleyball." Mika explained, a frown appeared in her lips when she said the last sentence.
"Oh, that. Don't worry I'll be with you guys on Friday. Besides I can't quit volleyball, Coach Asano wouldn't allow me." She said, offering a smile to her fellow teammates who smiled in return.
"But what about next week's practice?" Hikaru asked.
"On Monday I'll be with the Basketball team then on Tuesday, volleyball. The schedule continues then…" she answered while giving a side glance at Rukawa.
"Where are the two Coaches, Chigasaki-san and Sasaki-san?" Akane asked curiously while searching for any traces of them.
"Oh! Coach Asano and Coach Morisato needed to do something. Same goes with Akiko-san and Megumi-san. They told us to tell you girls to go home." She answered.
"Oh we see… But how did you manage to convince the principal to allow you to play basketball?" Yumi asked.
"Same with Coach Asano? I know he won't just let you join the other club." Mika added.
Rei sighed and suddenly she remembered the words Sasaki told her. "Er… It's a long story and besides I rather not want to talk about it." She raised a hand and gestured an apology. They girls just looked at each other and nodded.
"Alright." Mika said and she looked at her fellow teammates. "Let's go home." She said with that the girls slowly filled out the room but giving Rei some welcomes from her new team and some goodbyes from the other. She watched them slowly filled out until see saw Hikaru and Akane still there, waiting for her.
"Aren't you coming with us Rei-chan?" Akane asked, as Rei just shook her head.
"Gomen, but I have something else to do."
"Here?" Hikaru told, while pouting. She was hoping that Rei would go home together with them.
"Yeah, I'm really sorry. I promise tomorrow." She answered while smiling.
"Alright. We'll see you tomorrow." Hikaru said, while managing a small smile.
"Take Care okay?" Akane added as they slowly walked towards the door.
"Okay. You two also take care. I'll see you two tomorrow. Bye!" she bid them goodbye and they waved back at her. She watch their figures slowly disappear before turning back to the guys. She smiled nervously, seeing them staring at her.
"Um… Hi?" she then slowly made her way to Ayako who was looking at her with an unreadable expression. She sat to a vacant chair next to her and smiled at her old time friend.
"Sorry if it took me long to get here." She looked at Ayako who just smiled at her.
"I thought you would never return here." She joked, while laughing lightly and heard Rei join her.
"Nah! I would never do that. Besides knowing you, you would keep bothering me until you get what you want." She answered and saw Ayako nod.
"So you want me to start?" she asked, her voice serious while gazing at the men who were busily practicing.
Ayako frowned, "No, Tell me when their practice is over. Maybe at some café, since it may take a while." She answered and saw Rei nod in response. She looked to where Rei was looking at found it to be Rukawa. She frowned again,
"Do you miss him?" she asked remorsefully and bit her lower lip for Rei's answer.
Rei sadly smiled and nod. "Sometimes…" she whispered and she tore her eyes away from him. And found herself, gazing at their new member. She giggled lightly when she heard Sakuragi shout, "Pass! Pass! Pass!"
"You know Sakuragi-san is really funny," she said while changing their topic.
"Yeah, He is really funny. Considering the things he is doing. But he's improving greatly everyday. I must say he really is gonna be useful in the future." Ayako responded.
"I heard that too from Ojii-chan. He says he will be an excellent player in the future."
"I know what you mean. Speaking of your grandfather, where is he? The practice game with Ryonan will be only a week away," Ayako wondered.
"Oh. He has some important things to do today, that's why he didn't come here. But don't worry he'll be with you tomorrow." Rei assured while giving Ayako a smile. Ayako nodded and returned their gazes to the boys practicing.
During that whole time her eyes were fixed to a certain handsome black haired,
"Oh, Kaede…"
To be continued…Author's note:
There! Chapter 11! Sorry if it took me so long to post the chapter. I was rather… lazy. Hehehe… hope you forgive me! ^_^ I just hope this chapter met your standards… Anyways do REVIEW!!!! I would appreciate it if you would. By the way, I am trying to re-write the earlier chapters for good conveniences… I had the new prologue, read it! Trust me it is much better than the first one. (I hope) Review okay!? For those who want to know if I updated a chapter or not, tell me in the review and leave your e-mail add… I'll see you in the next chapter! Bye! ^_^
~Princess Ren