I put out a sigh of relief seeing my clothes intact.
So I am all alone, I'm quiet surprised at the semi-pleasant surroundings. The room is furnished by an expensive-looking suite of redwood furniture, but the quarter is sort of dark with that big piece of wooden board nailed onto the window. Tracing right, my eyes fell on a huge walk-in closet beside which lies a huge pot with a few shots of bamboo. I bet one can easily mistake it for another room.
Before my mind wandered further, I was snapped to attention at the click of the door, although I didn't need to look to know who it is.
"So did the little baby have a nice sleep last night?" His name was…Mitsui or something? He walked up to me and casually took a seat at the edge of the bed.
"What do you want from me! I don't even know you!" I said, edging away from him.
"Well, well, let me give you a little background," lighting a cigarette, he continued, "You see, Ryota and I weren't on the very best terms these days, if fact, this. is one of his gifts." He pointed to his missing teeth, "I thought I'd send something in return now that I'm back, doesn't your brother have a say in the name list for the nationals?"
"What! Are you saying you want my brother to…"
"That's right!"
For a moment my hands desperately itched to wipe that annoying smirk off his face. I decided not to though.
"You can't do this! The team needs Ryota-kun!" I half screamed, how dare he!
"Is that any of my business?"
"Then you got the wrong person because Anzai-sensei won't let it happen!"
Upon hearing this, he blew a puff of smoke at my face, and my throat contracted for a series of small coughs. "Do you indeed think that old man is well enough to stay with the team?"
"What do you mean!"
"Tell me, how many regional games did he miss?"
That question got me, for a moment I sat, stunned.
"If my sources are correct, he was absent on 4 of the 7 games we played, and take a look at this." He handed me what appeared to be a letter.
"Anzai has submitted his request for early retirement; he just hasn't broken the news to the team yet. A substitute teacher will sit for the national games in place of Anzai."
I was speechless, questions were crowding my mind. Could he be speaking the truth?
"How do you know? This is private information!"
"Well dear, I have my connections." Mitsui said, putting out his cigarette.
"How long are you going to keep me here?" I'm desperate, this guy is hopeless!
"As long as it takes for Akagi to get Ryota off the list, and that, my love, may take anywhere from two days to forever."
Who does this man think he is? Kidnapping me right off our school grounds and wanting to threaten my brother. My anger flared just thinking about him craving to ruin our basketball team. He didn't know how much effort everybody put into the team or how much sweat every player poured into basketball. He had absolutely no right to even think of disbanding our team!
Mitsui's phone decided to ring at that minute. "So the game starts," he mumbled.
"What is it Takano? Everything going according to plan?"
Yah boss, we're keeping an eye on that Fujii girl to make sure that she doesn't do anything funny, nobody will suspect a thing. I'm calling to confirm your orders.
"Excellent, make sure you deliver my greetings to the team."
Got it boss.
Shutting his cell phone, Mitsui turned to me, "ok, rest well my dear, breakfast will be delivered in a minute." He turned to leave.
"I am not going to stay here got it!" I exploded, jumping off the bed as if to emphasize my point, "LET.ME. GO. THIS. INSTANT!"
What am I going to do? My brother dreamed of winning the nationals for so long, this is the first time the team has made it that far. I can't let myself ruin his chance.
I ran up to Mitsui and kicked him on the back of his knee, hard.
What happened next was in such a blur that it didn't even seem real. The next I knew was being pushed back onto the bed with such force that all of the air must have left my lungs. He threw him on top of me and I swear it must be a miracle that I wasn't suffocating. So close we were that I could feel his warm breath on my cheek, pray don't let him hear how fast my heart is beating.
"You should really watch that little cute mouth of yours." He breathed, "I prefer my girls to be a little more obedient. You certainly deserve a little punishment, ne?"
I could feel his tongue running down my neck, and I desperately regretted of wearing a tank top. What I could not understand was the mix of emotions that hit me, for a moment I felt fear, shock, anger, and…excitement?
My eyes widened as his callous hand slid up my thigh, snapping me back from the shock. However, every happened so fast that I was deprived of any capability of thought, as especially when his hand made it past my inner-wear…
Should I try to knee him? What if…no, no, that wouldn't be wise. Or what! Haruko, think, think…you have got to calm down and think. But how am I supposed to think when he… Oh dear!
My hands moved to push him away, but it's useless, he is way too strong, not to mention he has his full weight on top of me.
"S…top!" I sobbed as his other hand freed one of breasts, his tongue followed.
"Not when your body says otherwise." He chuckled.
To my dismay, I found myself reacting to his touches. Tiny waves of pleasure made me all the more angry and ashamed.
The knock at the door saved the day, to my relief…and disappointment? Where did that come from?
"Master Mitsui, breakfast is ready."
"Damn it," Mitsui muttered under his breath. "We'll continue this at some other time. Breakfast will be brought up for you." He pecked me on the cheek before turning to leave, slamming the door behind him.
I wept as if there's no tomorrow.
Takano cursed as he tried to recall, for the hundreds time, the number Mitsui gave him. He must have unconsciously let it slip out of his hands.
What is it? 347-9751?
Meanwhile in Nagoya, Shohoku is having a hard game with Ryonan, a team from Nagoya and which also made it to the nationals. Despite hard efforts of Shohoku players, Ryonan took win. Thanks to Rukawa's absence. The kitsune was sent to the hospital one week ago because of a knee injury. The team insisted that he rest until the nationals.
Needless to say, Ryonan was in high spirits as the players made their way to the cafeteria.
"Mr. Sendoh...Mr. Sendoh?" A fellow student from Ryonan ran up to them.
"Yes." Sendoh turned, smiling.
"You left your cell phone in the locker room." The student held it up.
"Oh, thank you very much." Just as Sendoh reached for it, it rang…
Aftermath…
Sendoh held up his ready-to-explode cell phone. "Ruby, couldn't you be more discreet about my number?"
Ruby gave a shaky laugh, "sorry?" I should have known about his brigade.