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.


cutiedallie: I am still writing this story but last few weeks were so busy...


' ... conversation... '

" ... Thinking..."


14. PG?

Before Time-out, Shohoku finally gained 2 points by a powerful dunk by Sakuragi. Relieved Ansai sensai, he would finally replaced Hiroki.

'Rukawa, sorry.' Miyagi said softly.

He turned to their captain and walked closer.

'I will take your job.'

'huh?'

'To save energy.' He just made it short.

"He is not in any good condition to play...can he manage?"

Looked at Rukawa, Miyagi only saw a face with confidence. He understood and nodded.

Rukawa then motioned the teammates to circle while Sakuragi was forced by Ayako.

'I will take charge of the offense. Get yourself free and pay attention to my pass.' He said, 'We are strong and I know we can do it.'

'Of course!' Sakuragi shouted.

'SHOHOKU' Miyagi shouted.

'FIGHT!' came the teammates.

When they stepped on the court, Tezuka came over to Rukawa.

'Finally, I can play against you, Rukawa.' He glared hard to Rukawa, 'I will win.'

Looked at the opponent's ace, he shrugged.

Soon the game restarted.

With Rukawa in the team, Shohoku showed much more confident and Osaka felt a bit nervous. Anyway, Rukawa was the ace of Shohoku and he was in the All-Japan team.

When Rukawa got the ball, everyone expected to see Rukawa's offending skill however they were surprised that he pretended to shot but swiftly pass the ball to Miyagi who was running toward the net. Thanks to Sakuragi, who screened out the block for Miyagi. 2 points for Shohoku.

'Nice screen, Hana.' Said Miyagi when he running back to their court.

'No thanks. I am a tensai!'

Tezuka got the ball and dribbled in front of Rukawa.

'You scare of me? Why did you pass?' His eyes contained full of domination.

Rukawa didn't reply but concentrated to defend.

Tezuka turned left but quickly stepped to the right. Rukawa was still there waiting to him. Using his left hand, he tried to avoid Rukawa to get any closer and to run toward the net. But Rukawa was at his side blocked him right before the net. Jumping up, he had no chance but shot. Rukawa jumped and managed to flung the ball away.

"Shit! His guard is tight." glared hard, " will win next time!"

Miyagi got the ball and tried to make a fast break. However, Osaka high was fast enough to back to their defend position. When Tezuka prepared to block any run from Rukawa when he got the ball. However, he didn't go further but stopped at the centre outside the 3 point line. While Miyagi went to replace Rukawa's normal position.

"Who should I guard? Rukawa or Miyagi?" He got a bit confused because this was not the normal offending position of Shohoku.

With a look with his teammate, he switched place and guarded Rukawa.

'Don't pass.' He challenged.

Rukawa glared him. Dribbled and looked at him intensively. When he thought Rukawa was going to play an one on one to him, the ball was no longer on Rukawa's hand. A large BANG heard. Turned around, he saw Sakuragi made a powerful dunk. He balled his fist with anger. 4 - 0 after Rukawa was on.

"Are you look down to me? I will get the points back at once!"

'Give me the ball!' He shouted.

Fetched toward Rukawa, stopped outside the 3-point line, without any fake he jumped for the 3-pointer. Rukawa was a bit surprised but he managed to jump as high as he would. Although he wouldn't block the ball but his finger had tipped the ball.

Hand raised, index finger pointed to the ceiling, he smiled confidently.

"A 3-pointer over Rukawa!"

'Rebound.'

Suddenly he heard the red-head shouted. He looked at the ball unbelievably, it hit the ring and jumped up to the air. As a king of rebound, Sakuragi got the ball and passed to Rukawa...

"The Kitsune? NO!"

From others' view, he just pretended to pass the ball to Rukawa but actually passed to Miyagi instead.

Rukawa got the ball again. This time Tezuka was already in front of him.

"Will he pass again?"

However, this time Rukawa chose to run inside the dangerous zone and made a jump shot. Tazeku followed and jumped to block. He didn't block the ball nor neither touch it because it went to the corner instead of the net. Mitsui got the ball and immediately released a 3-pointer before anyone would able to block it. As usual, the ball went inside the net clearly.

"3-point?" He then remembered the failed 3-point he made minute before.

AT THE MEDIA SEAT-

'He plays like Sendoh of Ryonan.' One of the media said.

'A replica.' Another agreed, 'When does he take the PG position?'

'He was still playing SF in the last 2 games.'

'Well I wouldn't say this is not correct but he didn't play the whole match. The 1st game, he was SF and off at the last 5 minutes. The 2nd one, he was sometimes SF and sometimes like a PG at the 1st half but he really got on fire when he was back at the last few minutes.'

'Right. And today, he plays as a PG and only playing for the last ten minutes...if he will continue playing. Let's see if we would have an interview with him after the game.'

'I guess it would be easier to ask the coach then.'

'Right, he seldom answers...by the experience of All-Japan... '

'Hey, see! Another one on one.'

BACK TO THE COURT-

Tezuka took his chance to challenge Rukawa again. But he failed again.

This time, Rukawa passed the ball to Miyagi before running to the deep of the court. Tazeka guarded him tightly. Turning around, he got the ball. Pretended to turn to the left and swiftly turned around at the right side passing Tazeka at the same time, he then avoid the hand of the number 10 who jumped up to block him and lifted the ball softly toward the net. He gained his 1st 2 points in this game.

61 - 62, Just 5 minutes playing with Rukawa and Shohoku was only 1 point left.

Tezuka was annoyed because since the time-out they didn't get any points.

"I must win this time to gain the confidence back to the team."

He got the ball again. Looked intensively and angrily to Rukawa, he tried another one on one to Rukawa.

Panting a little, Rukawa took a deep breathe in order to get more oxygen to ease the dizzy feeling and to re-concentrate on the guarding job.

"He was panting a little bit...but it is only 5 minutes..." He was a bit surprised to this discovery.

When he saw Rukawa taking a deep breathe, he took the chance to bypass him. Stunned to the sudden action of Tezuka, when he turned around, he saw a perfect jump shot.

'YEAP!' He shouted loudly to express his happiness.

'I made it!' He pointed to Rukawa.

But instead of looking at him, Rukawa took a glance to Ansai sensai.

"Don't change me!" He showed his domination from his eye sight to Ansai sensai and he got a nod.

Seeing Rukawa not paying attention to him, the feeling of anger took over the happiness.

'I won't let you do anything.' He spoke angrily.

Regardless, he saw Rukawa looked at the score board.

"Did he want a 3-pointer to make it draw? I won't let you do it!"

ON THE BENCH-

'Hiroki, do you able to play now?' Ansai sensai asked.

'Yes...sensai, do you want me to replace Rukawa sempai?'

'He won't let me do that. You will replace Yasuda and help Rukawa.'

'Understood!'

BACK TO THE COURT-

Rukawa looked at Tezuka while dribbling.

"His guard is tight. Do he think I will shot?"

With that thinking in the mind, he suddenly fetched to the net. This was totally out of Tezuka expectation. Chasing after Rukawa, he was able to block him before he made a jump shot. However, it was the same trick. The ball went to Mitsui! The audiences only heard a swish. 3 points for Shohoku. 3 minutes left and the game re-began again.

During that 3 minutes, Osaka was able to make 5 more points. However, with Hiroki helping to offense, Shohoku, in a full team, was able to get 8 more points. Thanks to 6 points from Hiroki and 2 points from Sakuragi. Shohoku won the game.


After the match, the media tried to get an interview with Rukawa. But, he didn't give any chance for the reporter as he went directly to the locker room. The media was able to catch Ansai sensai in front of the locker room.

'Ansai sensai, does Rukawa play as a PG this year?'

'Ho...ho...ho...he played good at that position.'

'Does this mean he will change to PG like Sendoh? Ah, they won the game as well.'

'Ho...ho...ho...' he gave his trademark reply and went inside the locker room.

'Sensai...' They tried to stop him but the door already closed.

'Does this mean YES or NO?' Media A asked, 'Will Rukawa change to PG?'

'Ho...Ho...Ho...' Media B pretended the sound of Ansai sensai and replied, 'How can I know?'



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