Disclaimer: I don't Slam Dunk, it's Takehiko-sensei's.

Room #6: One Down, One to Go

"I'M LATE~~!!"

Rukawa Kaede and Kiyota Nobunaga yelled almost at the same time.

It seemed that both of them overslept and forgot that they have lifes to live each day.

Both of the boys dashed to the front door.

"Damned! If I'm late for morning practice, Maki wikk punish me!"

"You're not the only one who's gonna experience that, Kiyota! That scar-faced is really going to enjoy torturing me."

Kaede grabbed his bike and ready to go.

"Rukawa, wait! I need a ride to the station!"

"Sorry, I don't take passengers," Rukawa started to paddle his bike, "Don't forget to lock the door, Kiyota!"

"Rukawa, wait for me~~!"

But Kaede had gone for good.

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'Stupid poor rent-man! How dare he treat his customer like this!' Kiyota kept on grumbling while he was in the train taking him to school.

Suddenly he noticed someone looked as anxious as him sitting beside him.

That boy glanced at Kiyota. It seemed that he noticed the same thing as Kiyota.

"I'm late for school," the boy smirked, "Usually I'm always easy even though I'm late. But this time my coach had warned me, if I'm late again, I'll be banned out of the team."

"Team?"

"Yeah. I join basketball team at my school," the boy smiled.

"Realy? Me too!" Kiyota felt excited, "I'm Kiyota Nobunaga from Kainan."

"I'm Sendoh Akira from Ryonan."

--------------------------

"You're late~!!" Mitsui pointed at Kaede.

"Nope. Nearly late," Kaede said panting.

"You're two seconds late, Rukawa."

"Don't say such silly thing, okay?"

"It seemed that Kogure-sempai is late too. He hasn't shown up yet," Hikoichi said, "Yesterday he wasn't here too. Why is that, captain? He's also the member of this team, right?"

"Shut up, Hikoichi. He's no longer in our team," Mitsui walked away seemed upset.

"I didn't know that Kogure-sempai quitted the team.I have to re=check this!"

"Hikoichi, please." Kaede sighed.

---------------------------

During the Japaneese history lesson, Kaede felt bored. He excused himself to the men's room. But actually he went to the rooftop to have a comfortable sleep.

As he got there, he was surprised to find that Kogure was there too.

"Kogure? What are you doing here?"

"Ah! Rukawa.Nothing special, just staring at the clouds," Kogure smiled.

Then Kaede sat not too far away beside Kogure.

Both of them said nothing and just stared blankly at the sky above.

Peaceful moment for some time.

"Uh." Kaede glanced at Kogure, "Are you really quitting?"

"What?" Kogure looked at Kaede, "Well, yeah.that's true," he smirked.

"Why?" Actually Kaede already knew the answer, but he thought he just had to say that.

"Uh, Kogure smirked some more, "I have to concentrate to my studies."

"Oh."

Silent again for some moment.

"The teachers said that you're studies aren't bad," Kaede said again without looking at Kogure.

Kogure stared at Kaede. He never expected Kaede whom he hasn't know very well would brought up the subject. But Kogure's been having some hard days lately, so he wouldn't mind talking about this even to a perfect stranger.

"Well.my studies aren't that bad, but. it have to be better so I can go to Toudai."

"You wish to go to Toudai?"

".....Yes."

"More than anything?"

"......."

"More than to the Nationals?"

",,,,,,,,,,,No."

Kaede looked at Kogure.

"I'm sorry, Kogure," Kaede said then, "Actually I've heard before the teachers were discussing about your problem. But if I may suggest you, you don't have to go to Toudai if you don't want to. I think you should do what you really want to do."

Kogure smiled, "Thanks for the suggestion. But.I don't think I can run away from this. I don't think I can run away from my father's wish."

"I didn't say that you should run away, Kogure."

"What?"

"Right now, I don't live with my parents. And actually it's because I'm in the middle of a problem due to my mother. But the reason I'm here and doing what I'm doing right now is not because I'm running away from my problem. I'm dealing it," Kaede smiled to Kogure.

"Well," suddenly Kaede stood up, "I guess I'll find another place to sleep. This roof top is too windy," he left after waving to Kogure.

Kogure stared at Kaede's back.

"Rukawa!" suddenly Kogure called Kaede.

"What?"

"Do you live at the inn where I met you before?"

"Yep. But actually it's no longer an inn. It's a student dormitory. I haven't changed the signboard yet," Kaede grinned.

"I'll guess I'll stop by sometime," Kogure grinned too.

"Great. I need a help to change the board."

Then kaede left.

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The ringing bell announced that school was over for that day.

Kogure quickly exited his classroom to find Mitsui.

"Mitsui!" he spotted Mitsui not so far ahead him.

"What is it." Mitsui replied reluctantly. He didn't even look at Kogure's face.

"I.I'm joining today's practice."

"What?" Mitsui turned to Kogure.

"I guess I'm not giving a good example to the freshmen if I keep on bailing the prctice," Kogure grinned.

Mitsui stared at Kogure disbelieved, "You mean."

"Yes. I'm back."

"Right on!!'

During tha practice session that day, Mitsui looked very excited. It was obvious that he was very happy that Kogure decided to join the team again.

"Kaede, captain said that Kogure-sempai quitted, didn't he?" Hikoichi asked puzzled.

"You know that scar-faced, he's crazy. He doesn't know what he's saying," Kaede replied carelessly. But then he glanced at the dynamic duo-Mitsui and Kogure, and smiled inside.

"I really have to re-check this." Hikoichi scratched his chin.

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"Tadaimaa~~!"

"Okaerinasai. Kiyota, I've shopped some vegetables and fishes. Help your self if you want to have your dinner," Kaede spoke while he was watching TV.

"What about you? Don't you eat?"

"I've eaten ramen before I shopped."

*grumble-grumble* "We really should take turn in preparing meal!"

"Okay, let's start today. Today's your turn. I want fish and miso-shiru," Kaede still staring at the TV.

"Aargh! Damn you!"

"I'm your landlord, remember? Be polite."

*grumble-grumble* "Oh! I almost forgot!" Kiyota instantly threw his upsetness, "Rukawa, guess who I ran in to today."

"Tooth fairy?"

"Better. I met Sendoh Akira!"

"Never heard of him."

"So was I. But then I knew that he's one of the good player through whole Kanagawa! Maki my captain told me so."

"So?"

"So, I think I'm pretty lucky to meet him in person. I've decided that he's gonna be one of my target to defeat," Kiyota grinned and left for kitchen.

'Sendoh Akira eh?' Kaede thought, 'I wonder how good he is. If Hikoichi met someone like him, he must've interviewed that Sendoh person day and night.'

Kaede thought so because he have seen enough about Hikoichi and had experienced it himself.

Suddenly there's a knock on the door.

Kiyota, will you get that?"

"Oh, I love to, but apparently I only have two hands and they are busy slicing your goddamn fish!"

"You lazy-." Kaede murmured and walked to the door.

A square-shaped jaw man dressed in black suit appeared before Kaede as he opened the door.

"Are you the owner of this inn?" the man asked coldly.

"Yes, but this isn't-."

"Is Mr. Kiyota Nobunaga here?"

Kaede got pissed off to see the impolite behave of the man. But he decided to control himself, "Yes, he's here."

"May I see him?"

"Of course. Just wait at the guest room, I''l get him," Kaede glanced at the man rather suspicious.

"Kiyota there's someone here to see you," Kaede came up to Kiyota at the kitchen.

"Who?"

"Your evil twin."

"Wow, sugee," Kiyota went to the guest room.

"Konbanwa! I'm Kiyo- Eep!! Yamane!?" Kiyota was more than shocked to see the man who was sitting on the couch.

"Konbanwa, Kiyota-bocchama," Yamane quickly stood up and bowed super politely to Kiyota.

"What are you doing here?? Don't tell me you came here to drag me back to that house!"

"Your father misses you so much."

"He always says that when he wants something from me, don't take it personally. Just give him a glass of honey-milk, he'll skeep like a log," Kiyota replied carelessly.

"But, bocchama."

"I'm not going back, okay!? Now get lost!"

"Bocchama." Yamane's face looked sad, "If you said so. But please think it over. I'll be back tomorrow."

"Don't bother."

Then Yamane left. He bowed a bit as he saw Kaeed near the front door.

"Who's that man, Kiyota?" Kaede asked.

"Nnah.just some guy offering newspaper."

"And he asked for you personally?"

"I happen to be famous among the paper boys," Kiyota grinned.

"Whatever. Be quick on the supper, okay? I'm hungry."

"You ate ramen!"

"That was just snack."

*grumble-grumble*

*tbc*