Chapter 3!

Disclaimer: How many times do I have to repeat that I DON'T OWN SLAM DUNK? This is beginning to get on my nerves…

A/N: A thunderous applause for all of you who read and reviewed the previous chapter! You see, I'm a bit pessimistic, so I always think that readers wouldn't like what I'm writing…because before I only write for fun. But thanks for all your support; I'm now determined to please all my readers! Applause please! Louder! Louder! LOUDER! Joke. :) I could be over-excited at times, you know.

What's Happened So Far!

Yuko Minamura is an average girl who has always wanted to be anything but ordinary. She gets what she wants though, but she's in for a series of unfortunate events! She is in demand by media people, called a bitch in the Internet, and runs into Sendoh in the train! How could things get this worse?

Yuko's POV

The days go by really slowly. It's only a Sunday today. And I'm still not over the events, or rather, predicaments from yesterday.

I bet you're starting to think that I'm kind of getting used to being 'controversial', huh? Sorry, you got the wrong answer. I'll never be used to being controversial. I'm the apple of the eye of showbiz magazines everywhere, even in the morning papers. Funny, huh? I'm actually in the front page of every newspaper today.

Yup, I saw myself in the papers this morning. It's sort of peculiar when you see yourself in the papers and you can't believe you're actually in there so you shove it off by saying, "That's definitely not me," but you know deep inside that it's really you. I hate that feeling!

Okay, this is what happened. I got up this morning again and still Mom and Dad weren't home. Yesterday, I decided not to go to Kyoko's (my cousin) house anymore. I planned to sleep over at her place but then I decided to stay here. I didn't want her to get seen by media people.

I checked if the media people were outside my house again, so that I could at least prepare if ever they took pictures of me again. Thankfully, no one was there. My dad subscribes to newspapers daily, so I went to see if the papers were already there on my doorstep. And yes, there it was, waiting to be read.

As suspected, I saw my face again. This time, the picture was taken from yesterday, when the media people (MP) waited for me outside and took pictures of me without permission. And to tell you, it's really embarrassing. Imagine seeing yourself wearing a really worn out and oversized black shirt and teensy, bright pink shorts! And to think that all the people reading that page would see me…and my legs were exposed! I'm glad my legs are fair and flawless. (I know I wasn't supposed to brag about that, but hey, imagine having scarred legs seen in that page! That would have to be ultra-embarrassing.)

There was also this part in the newspaper about the train scene. There were some pics of me talking to Fujima, but most of them were taken when I was surrounded by Sendoh and the three other guys. But what surprised me the most was when I read this in the article:

"Yuko Minamura fainted in the train station. We don't know if she was faking it or she really did faint. Then, Sendoh rushed to her, just like a Prince Charming to the rescue, and carried her to a taxi that Hanagata hired. We followed their vehicle until we came to a nearby lying-in clinic. We tried to follow them inside to ask questions, but Fujima lost control of his temper and raised his voice at us. He told us to respect the girl's privacy and just let her be, which leads us to think that something else is going on.

What are we thinking? We're actually wondering about what really IS going on between Yuko Minamura and the other ballers involved. Could she really have a relationship with Sendoh, considering that the ace has a girlfriend already? Why was Fujima so overprotective? Could it be that they're the TRUE couple, and not Sendoh and Minamura?"

Yeah right! Whatever! I really can't figure out what's up with the MP. Why do they have to link me to Sendoh? And worse, they even 'sort of' linked me to Fujima! Well, I have to admit, I was secretly thrilled by the thought of having Fujima as my boyfriend. Hahaha, just kidding. But seriously, I was surprised, because I don't recall what happened to me when I fainted. So Sendoh was the one who carried me…no – wait! I remember I was wearing a skirt yesterday, right? Uh-oh. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

They could have seen my undies! Not just Sendoh but the other three guys too (especially the sexy Fujima)! Oh no…this is so not happening! What if I spread my legs too wide? But I couldn't have done that, right? I can say I'm decent enough to keep my legs shut even when I'm unconscious. I really hope I didn't! That would have been the most embarrassing experience in the whole Milky Way Galaxy. Arggggh!

Anyways, I have better things to worry about. Mom and Dad still aren't home yet. I haven't even talked to Eri or Chiharu. And I bet Akiko Kisoji (Sendoh's bratty girlfriend) is still fuming about the issue.

After lunch

Mom and Dad came home. But they left at once too. They just dropped by to get a few more things and leave me more money. (Yes!) They said they would be flying to Shiga, Osaka to 'fix some things'. I wonder what they meant by that? They'd be back by Wednesday. But I really wish they'd stay. I really have to talk to someone. I bet they don't even know what's happening to me now!

I took a bath to lift my spirits. I filled the tub with lots of sweet-smelling bubbles. Then my imagination started run wild. I imagined I was in a magical bathroom. I was the prettiest mermaid ever. The bathtub turned into a bed inside my magical mermaid bedroom. The bubbles tasted like sweet milk. The sweet scent of cinnamon filled the atmosphere (that is, if they have an atmosphere in a mermaid kingdom). I am blissfully brushing my ultra-straight, ultra-long, strawberry blond hair when a merman swims to my direction. I smiled, because I can sense that that merman has a crush on me. But I couldn't figure out his face just yet. His body was well built; it was masculine and oh-so-sexy. His hair…do mermen have spiky hair? Anyways, he swam nearer and nearer 'til I was finally able to recognize how he looked like. As I studied his face, my eyes widened in shock. Then POP! went my bubble of imagination. Imagine my surprise to see that the merman was Sendoh! Scary!

Why was Sendoh in my mind? Is it possible that I'm starting to – no! No way! Eww! Me? Start to like Sendoh? Hah! Am I kidding myself? Probably his face just appeared in my imagination because I was thinking too much of the issue about us. Yes, that must be the reason and not because I'm starting to like that stupid smiley broom-headed guy. I hate seeing his face!

I dried myself up then got dressed. Then I tried to phone Kyoko, but no one was answering their phone. I called up Eri and Chiharu, but both their phones were busy. I bet they were talking to each other on the phone! How could they not ask how I am? Huh! My so-called friends…No, actually I didn't really mean to say that. I'm just really having a hard time and I really need someone to talk to.

So I practically had nothing to do. I've finished my homework already (because I'm such a responsible student – just kidding). The shows on TV weren't very interesting either. So, out of boredom, I 'reconstructed' my clothes. You know, adding some 'touches' to personalize my clothes. (Think: Spray painting plain shirts, cutting off some fabric then adding it to shirttails, etcetera and etcetera.) Anyways, those were just house clothes. Well, I couldn't help it; I was bored to death!

Then the phone rang. I kept praying aloud (with fingers crossed): Oh my goddess please let it be Eri or Chiharu or Kyoko (I kept chanting it for about 15 million times before I picked up the phone). Anyways, I answered: "Moshi moshi, Minamura Yuko desu." Then an unfamiliar voice spoke: "Konnichiwa, Miss Minamura, this is Awaji Maho from the Modeling Department of Gunguro Girls (1)."

Modeling Department? From Gunguro Girls – the hippest clothing line for Japanese teens? My favorite shop? Oh my goddess, what is happening? "Yes, how may I help you?" I answered, trying to sound professional (though I sounded kind of stupid). "I'm in charge of recruiting models for our clothing line. You see, we need fresh faces because by now consumers are beginning to grow tired of our current models," she replied. In my head, I was thinking, "Are they actually thinking about recruiting me? How did they know my number?" Then I remembered the information my school foolishly gave away on the Internet.

"Minamura Yuko? Are you still there?" the woman inquired. "Uh, yeah," I said. Then she continued her business. "Well, we saw your picture on the papers this morning. We couldn't help but notice your flawless legs and fair complexion." Oh my gosh…I'm so flattered! Hahahahahaha I have flawless legs and fair complexion! "So we were wondering if you'd like to come to our screening on Thursday. Don't worry, we also phoned other teens, just in case you're sort of conscious about coming there alone."

OMG OMG OMG OMG! This is so not happening! But actually it is! I tried to contain my over-excitement. I cleared my throat and said, "Actually, I want to, but my parents aren't around at the moment. I still have to ask their permission, you know." The woman laughed. "Yeah, I know how it is, if only parents weren't so strict, right?" I laughed too. She was a very amiable person. I said, "Well, if you don't mind, can you call me again by Wednesday? My parents will be back by that time." "Actually, no. We're too busy right now. And I can't leave you our number either, for security purposes. Hmm…if you decide to come, I'll just give you the time and place."

Yes! I have a possibility of being a model now. Thank God; at least, even after these series of disastrous events, something fortunate has turned up. Just when you think life is over, you'll find out it's not, right? At least I have something to look forward to, despite the mess I'm going through. At least, even just for tonight, I'll be able to sleep tight, without any worries. Hmm…I'll have to start being extra careful of my legs and skin now; something might happen before Thursday. And I really hope Mom and Dad would let me come!

…To be continued.

1. Gunguro is currently a fashion in teenage Japanese girls. I'm sorry if the name of the clothing line is kind of crappy! It's just I don't know any Japanese clothing lines :( Email me of you know some ok? Check out my profile to get my email. :)

A/N: Do you find this chapter crappy? Just tell me ok? Or if you think there's something not right, I'll accept it with open arms and open eyes (yeah right, whatever!) Please review! Thanks for taking time to read! Don't worry, Yuko's starting to become anything but ordinary, right? PLEASE REVIEW:)

SPOILER: (don't read if you don't want to know what happens next yet!)
Yuko has a very strange encounter with Fujima that leads to the start of their personal friendship! And Akiko does something that gets Sendoh really mad and makes him break up with her.