Parallel lines

Disclaimer: The characters and the copyrights on the series of Slam Dunk belong to Mr. Inoue Takehiko and the respective owner(s). This story is written by personal enjoyment without any commercial matter incurred.


Thanks for reviews.

animefreak1586: Yes, kiku is me. I reviewed your story but I was just too lazy to login and put the whole name... I love to know that you like my story which gives me energy to continue. But for your info that "We are finally together" is ended. I go through it again and think that it is better to end there. Oh! I changed the title as well "I am not alone" ... so that I can end at chapter 26.

cutiedallie: thanks for reviews. I hope you will continue to review sometimes...


' ... ' conversation

".." Thinking


03. A face mask

Shohoku high and Ryanon high basketball teams arrived the hotel. All of them were still a bit surprised to what Rukawa's sister did to him. They stole some glares to Rukawa, but his showed nothing on his face. The ice-block was still the ice-block with an expressionless face.

At the reception, they got their room. 2 coaches stayed in the same room. All of them picked their roommate to share the twin room, except Rukawa remained and got a single room.

'Why does Kitsune get a single room?' Sakuragi shouted, 'It is not fair!'

Rukawa stared at him but kept silent.

'You want a single room? You can switch with Rukawa if he feels OK.' Ayako said.

'No.' Rukawa said.

'Hanamichi, we are friend, right?.' Miyagi asked, 'How can you drop me here?'

'Don't worry Ryota, I will still share the single room with you.' Sakuragi said.

Everyone looked at him and laughed.

'Baka! If you will share the room with Ryota, why do you want that single room?' Ayako exclaimed.

'...Sigh...' Rukwa shrugged.

'You are so funny, Sakuragi-kun.' Sendoh said.

'...I...I...' Sakuragi, 'Then why that Kitsune has a single room?'

Ayako rolled her eyes and ignored him.

She told everyone, 'unpack your baggage and we will have dinner at 7.'

'Whoo, we have 3 hours break then.' Hiroki said happily, 'Can I go out to look around Kyoto, Ayako senpai?'

'It is your free time. Just come back before 7.' She said.

'Hai.'


'Obasan, is there any basketball court here?' Sendoh asked with his trademark sunny smile.

'Yes, someone asked me an hour ago.' She replied.

'huh?'

'A slim tall boy without smile on his face.' She continued.

'Oh...' Sendoh nodded. "He's Rukawa..."

'You are better. Young man should smile a lot.' She said.

'Hai...' Sendoh replied, 'ano...'

Before he would continue, the old lady talked again.

'Is he your friend?' She said, 'You two are just opposite. Sun and Snow, Bright and Dark..."

She just wanted to think of more adjectives, but Sendoh stopped him.

'Ano...Obasan, where is the basketball court?' Sendoh asked again.

'Oh! I am too talkative, you know.' she said, 'my son is about 30 and lives in Tokyo, I don't have much time to to talk to a boy...'

Sendoh nodded and sweat-drops.

'Oh, sorry! The basketball court, right?' She asked.

"Hai', Sendoh nodded.

'Go outside from the back door, follow the path and go into the woodland. You will see it in the left. About 15 mins from here.'

'Thanks.' Sendoh turned away and went to the back door ASAP.

When Sendoh walked into the woodland, he would hear the basketball sound.

'Whoo...another dunk.' He said while listening to the sound.

When he arrived, he stood behind a tree and saw Rukawa playing with all his might. So powerful and so aggressive.

'You are playing basketball or you are releasing your anger?' He asked while stepped into the court.

Rukawa stopped and turned to Sendoh's direction. Muted and he started his dribble again.

Sendoh didn't play but just sat at one side looking at Rukawa.

Rukawa didn't feel happy but he ignored Sendoh and continued playing. However, after 15 minutes, he stopped again.

'Play or go.' He said coldly.

'I'd never thought that you will start a conversation to me.' Sendoh said happily.

Rukawa stared at Sendoh. He thought that he didn't like his smile especially at this moment. That smile seemed mocking him.

'Play or go.' He repeated.

'Those words are better than Do'aho.' Sendoh said.

"I don't know what his brain thinking." Rukawa thought.

Before Rukawa went back to his practice, Sendoh took off his jacket.

'One on one?' Sendoh asked smiley, '21 points to win.'

A hour later, two boys panted heavily on the court.

'3 points added and it is 22. I won.' Sendoh said.

'Draw! 2 points only.' Rukawa said.

Sendoh looked at him unbelievably.

'Are you sure?' He asked, 'I think it is a 3 pointer.'

'Look!' Rukawa said and eyed the 3 point line on the ground.

Sendoh looked carefully and found that there was a mark of the footprint besides the 3 point line. Since the ground was full of soil, he wouldn't say it was on the 3 point line or not.

'OK!' Sendoh said and passed the ball to Rukawa

Rukawa stared hard to Sendoh and started his last attack. However, it didn't go in and Sendoh dunked the rebound.

'Ha...ha...' Sendoh laughed, 'Same result.'

'I will win next time.' Rukawa whispered.

When he felt Sendoh looking at him, he turned to stare at him. Sendoh smiled when he saw Rukawa rose an eyebrow.

'You seems not to be affected by your sister incident.' Sendoh said. Although from his heart he thought of the opposite because he would feel the deep depression from Rukawa's eyes when he opened his eyes after his sister had gone.

Rukawa looked at him.

"Try another, Akira."

'You are still as cold as usual.' He said.

Rukawa turned to the basket and made a jump shoot.

'Still putting your concentration on basketball.' Sendoh continued.

No return but just a sound showing the ball went through the net.

'Is this what your sister think?' Sendoh asked causally.

"Would this too hard for him?"

Rukawa missed the shoot. Sendoh stared at him.

"He does affected." he thought, "I would let you talk to me, Rukawa."

'You act like an ice-block.' Sendoh continued.

Rukawa tried to ignored it and made another jump shoot. However, he missed again.

'Or you just have your face mask on?' Sendoh asked. Tone a bit serious but still with a smile on his face.

Rukawa turned to Sendoh.

'You don't show yourself, how can people know what you're thinking?'

Rukawa looked at him.

'You hide from your mask, how can people know your feeling?' He asked softly.

Rukawa stood still and his face was still emotionless.

No sound made, but just the sound of the wind blowing the leaves.

'Who care?' Rukawa whispered after a long silence and stepped away from the court.

The wind continued to blow and brought Sendoh smile away...


"Give me a mask
To hide my panic
Give me a mask
To seal my emotion
Give me a mask
To store my tears
Give me a mask
To hold my reputation
Give me a mask
To close my heart
I have nothing, I don't need anything
but just a mask."

Review please.