Title: A Dirty Basketball

Disclaimer: If I owned SD, I'd be filthy rich right now and I'd not have to go through fanfics if I wanted to realize this story, y'know.

Pairings: Umm, at the moment, uncertain. But this is not yaoi!

Time Setting: After Shohoku lost to Aiwa. Oh, wait! After the Interhigh was concluded. Yup, the champs are here. Of course, they're my creation. And here, the teams are still complete.

Fictional/New Character: A whole team, actually… Okay, a whole school. This includes the particular person I created, Aki Sendoh, Akira Sendoh's, umm… cousin… hehehe!

POV's: many, maybe most of my lead characters will have their own share

Summary: Summer training ends. Aki doesn't show up at Jonan to say farewell.

Chapter 10: End of the Game

NoRMaL PoV:

"Hey, it's our last day today, ne?" Senodh said as he tried a three-pointer. It went in, and the ball fell into Mitsui's hands.

"…"

"You're thinking about Aki,"

"Nope. Just the house,"

"?"

"Got ya there. I'm just gonna miss living in that mansion,"

"So, you're not gonna miss her?"

"Of course, not,"

"…"

"Somebody else is gonna do, though," Mitsui said, pointing a look at the loner on the other side of the court. Rukawa, sensing their gaze, turned to them.

"Who? Me?"

"Got it right, Kitsune,"

"…"

We'll be leaving this afternoon,"

"Summer's over… I'm gonna miss the chics here at Jonan," Mitsui said jokingly.

"…"

"Can I guess what you're thinking about?" Sendoh said to Rukawa.

"…"

"It's about – "

"Shut up,"

"Why won't you talk?" Sendoh said, not really expecting for an answer.

Why won't you talk? Rukawa remembered last night, when he asked Aki the same question and she, too, didn't answer.

"Guess that's what happens when you're kinda – broken hearted?" Mitsui teased.

"Do ahou,"

Soon, other players came in, too, and before they knew, Aono was already calling on them for their final assembly. The afternoon was gloomy, sad orange rays of sunlight filling the gym, all five basketball teams lined up, hushed and in a quiet state. The five captains stood front, facign the mass of people in reds, blues, greens, yellows, and blacks.

"I want you all to know that it has been a great honor for Jonan to have hosted this training season. We will forever remember all we have learned, including the friendship we have found in you, our fellow players," Aono said calmly.

"We have also learned a lot, Aono," Akagi said.

"We wish to maintain the friendship we achieved, though," Maki said, smiling.

"All of you, take care," Aono answered.

"Let us all wish each other good luck for the next Interhigh season," Uozumi added.

"With what we've learned from each other, we're all sure to do good at Interhigh!" Hanagata smiled.

"Let's not forget the efforts of the Jonan Sports Committee!" said Fujima from behind the standing crowd, seeing Otome and his staff coming into the gym.

"Thank you, Fujima-san," Otome said. Sendoh quickly looked at the coming committee, trying to see Aki.

"Where's Aki?" Mitsui asked.

"She's – not here,"

"Not with their committee?" Rukawa now asked.

"Nope. Not here… Where could she be? How dare she miss our departure! I'm gonna have her head for this!"

"Will you still be able to do that?" Rukawa said testily.

"Er, no. We're not gonna meet anymore. Right,"

"Well, then. That will be all. Once again, I thank you all for participating in this training. Take care on your way home and see you next Interhigh!" Aono finally announced, so everyone started walking towards the gym doors. They all walked to the subway station, and finally boarded the train. The travel time was quiet, more like gloomy. Sendoh was to get off first than Rukawa and Mitsui, so when he did get off…

"Jya. See you, then,"

"Tch. You're always like that,"

"Shut up. That sweetly sorrowing face doesn't suit you, Mitsui,"

"You might get run over by a truck,"

"I appreciate the concern, though I'd like it better without the actual hope that I would get run over by a truck. Anyways, take care, too, Kitsune,"

"Do ahou,"

"Bye, then!" Sendoh gave a last wave and stepped off the train. He gloomily walked up to the street, then to his house. Ho parents in. (Let's say, living in another country. Same goes for Rukawa. And Aki, too!) He pushed the gate open, went into his yard, and pushed the gate closed again. He stepped in front of the doorway and placed a hand on the knob. He turned it, and realized it was open.

End of Chapter 10: End of the Game