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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.
' ... conversation... '
" ... Thinking..."
13. Would Shohoku lost?
Monday came and the match re-started.
Ryonan and Shohoku went to gym for the match. Both of them were doing their best to get a step closer to be the champion. However, Rukawa was not going to make it out today because the coach didn't allow him to play for the starter.
FLASHBACK
'I feel fine, sensai.' He bowed deeply to his coach.
However, Ansai sensai turned to Ayako.
'What's his temperature?'
'39.' Ayako stole a glare to Rukawa before answered.
Ansai sensai nodded and turned back to Rukawa.
'Remember what I said yesterday? You won't be the starter if your fever doesn't go down. You might play later if we need you.'
END OF FLASHBACK
So, this was why Rukawa, the ace player of Shohoku, sitting on the bench again. Audiences were cautious about the reason while their opponent, Osaka High, felt angry as they thought Shohoku looked down to them as well. To the team, they actually wanted to play with Rukawa, but to Sakuragi , he would never miss any chance to tease Rukawa.
'Ha...ha...ha...Kitsune, you can just sit here and see how the tensai win the game.'
'Do'aho.'
'Teme...anyway, you are not playing. Ha...ha...ha...You are just jealous to the tensai.'
Rukawa rolled his eyes and kept silence. He knew if any words come again would get the so-called Tensai too excited.
Game started with a favour to Shohoku. Thanks to the Miyagi and Sakuragi, they led 4 points at the first 10 minutes. However, since Osaka High had changed 2 players, Shohoku lost their advantage.
'Hana, you should break through the defense that strong guy puts on you.' Miyagi said mentioning to one of the newly come player with a number 10 on back.
'What? You mean I am not stronger than that guy? It is you who should win that girly pinky.' Sakuragi said pointing to another player with pink-dyed hair and red highlight.
'I don't know why a guy should have pink hair.' he added with disgust, 'girly pinky!'
'Concentrate, you two!' Mitsui shouted from the corner.
Ayako also worried because those two players really didn't give much space for Sakuragi and Miyagi. They couldn't do anything since they entered the court. Even their new rookie Hiroki was offended by the one who originally should take care of Rukawa. He was the ace of Osaka, Kaze Tezuka. This made Hiroki difficult to get points. It seemed that they were trained to different particular players.
She looked at Hiroki, then to the Rukawa and back to Ansai sensai who sat on the bench calmly.
"Hiroki is playing well however, that defense to him is too much. If this continues, we need Rukawa. However, can he play well under his condition?"
Since the main supplier of Shohoku couldn't get himself free from the tight defend, Shohoku were not able to manage a good offense. Although Mitsui got the ball before the end of the first half, Shohoku could earn only 3-point. They were still 11 points behind when the half time came. Before they went inside the locker room, they heard Osaka players chatted loudly which aimed to lead them to hear.
'They are nothing without Rukawa.'
'Anyway, he might be the only one playing a bit better.'
'Yeap, I recalled the last game they played, their ace was not that outstanding as the media said.'
Before the player reacted, Ansai sensai forced them to move quick to the locker room.
Inside the locker room
They were silent. Ansai sensai didn't speak and gave them some times to think of their problems.
"Why that pinky guy would able to foresee my movement? Do I that visible?"
"I am definitely stronger than that number 10, why does he always win over me? I should crash him down at the 2nd half."
"I can get 3-pointer no matter who guide me, but can they pass the ball to me?"
"I'm tired to get free from the Osaka ace...do I have enough energy for the whole 2nd half?"
'Sensai, I can play.'
They all turned to the sound and saw Rukawa bowed deeply before Ansai sensai and asked to play for the 2nd half.
"Should we save Rukawa for later worse moment or should he play now?" Ayako thought.
Ansai sensai looked at Rukawa. Actually he would let him play if he didn't feel unwell. But now...he checked his temperature again. Rukawa stood aback by the sudden touch.
"He is still hot but his spirit seems much better than the last few days. But the team should have gain back the confident. If I let him play now, that means the team cannot survive without Rukawa..."
He then turned to his team members.
'I believe you can manage to get the points back even without Rukawa.' He said confidently.
Rukawa looked at Ansai sensai wondering the statement.
'Hiroki, you help Miyagi to carry out offense. Don't run too fast to the upper court. You wait too long time there and so you get more difficulties to get free.'
'Yes, sensai.'
'Miyagi, use Hiroki as a screen to make a good start.'
'OK, sensai.'
'Mitsui, you focus on the offend. I believe you can give them a good show-time.'
'I will, sensai.'
'Sakuragi, you are much better than that number 10. Just play as usual.'
'Of course I am much better than that guy... ha...ha...I am tensai.'
'Yasuda, try your best to help the team.'
'...Hai...sensai!'
'And Rukawa, you will play later.'
He nodded.
So, they stepped out the locker room much confidently.
Second half started. To the audiences surprised that Rukawa was still a bench warmer while Osaka high was angrier that even Shohoku was 11 points behind, they still didn't let their ace to play with them.
However, no more than a minute, they knew the new strategy of Shohoku.
'You guess you would turnover for the new strategy?'
'I will definitely pull YOU on the court!' Tezuka glared at Rukawa and challenged.
With the help of Hiroki, Miyagi got a little bit easier to carry out the offense.
Miyagi passed to Mitsui and he got a 3-point again. However, Tezuka was able to make a 2-point over Hiroki. Shohoku offended again, but this time Hiroki missed the shot, he seemed not able to fully recover at the break time. Just for the first 5 minutes, it was a draw. Both of them gained 6 points. Two 3 points from Shohoku and three 2 points from Osaka. The new strategy seemed fine but Yasuda was not up to the national level. They didn't further behind but the gap was still 11 points.
'Sensai?' Rukawa looked at his coach again.
'Give them 5 more minutes. Do you think you are able to play for 10 minutes?'
"Can I?"
He questioned himself and nodded finally.
'Good. You play few minutes first and let Hiroki to rest. I will check your condition to see whether you can continue to play or not.'
He then stood up and went to call a time-out.
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