Chapter 4!
Disclaimer: For the nth time, Slam Dunk isn't mine. :)
A/N: Response for those who reviewed Chapter 3
queen of bad poetry – I'm really glad to know that at least one of my readers know Ganguro :) Honestly, that contradiction you were talking about totally slipped my mind! I'm glad you reminded me. So…I've thought of a resolution for that. Read on to find out!
k – Thanks for taking time to review even if you're really beat from camp! You're such a sweet friend…Have a great summer and see you next school year! I hope you'll find Chapter 4 ok. :)
Calliope Medina Erato – Thanks for the advice! I felt better about my fic. And also dun sa pic ni Sendoh na bagsak yung buhok!Good luck in your work! And happy reading :)
kuya q c micchy – Thanks for the encouragement! I'm not really affected about being flamed though, because flames are meant to help writers improve. :) Good luck in writing your other fics! Review Chapter 4 if you have time, ok:) Happy Summer!
clover chips reloaded – Hmmm…for your info, I had that in mind already :) But I'm glad may kapareho ako ng pag-iisip sa kahit isa sa mga readers ko! I'm glad you liked the bathtub fantasy part. I hope you'll also like this chapter as much as you liked the others. Your review is very much appreciated. Haha, joke. :)
What's Happened So Far!
Yuko Minamura is an average teenage girl who has always wanted to be anything but ordinary. She gets what she wants on the day of the Kanagawa All-Star games, but in return she's been through a lot of scandals! Now she's given the chance to become a model for her favorite clothing line. But she's in for a big surprise!
Sendoh's POVPoor Minamura. I bet she's really having a hard time right now. And it's all my fault. Pretty lame, huh? Shit! Why did I even have to do that? I mean, when I offered my three-pointer for Akiko. I probably did that to show off, which is so unlike me. Has Akiko been heavily influencing me? I hope not. But come to think of it, why did I pursue her? What made me court her? Jeez…
Hmmm…
Oh, I remember now. Actually, I didn't really court her. It just…happened. No wait, that's too impossible nee? Hmmm…Actually, I never really liked her that much. Let's see, it all started when she transferred to Ryonan High. She was really…different. She would exhibit too much of her riches. Yeah, that's it; she was really rich and popular. She would come to school wearing heavily branded stuff (like a Louis Vuitton bag). Everybody wanted to be best friends with her. Then one day she started watching our practices in the gym, along with some of her fan-girl friends.
After that practice, I decided I'd just take my shower at home. The shower stalls were all occupied, and I wasn't in the mood to wait. I was on my way home when a red car pulled over to me. "Hi there…want a ride home?" It was Akiko in the car, and she wanted to take me home. I was fascinated by her Toyota, so I decided to come with her (just to check out the car's interiors). But she didn't take me home at once. Instead, she brought me to her pad and told me to take my shower there instead. Then we went out again and ate at a café. Then she confided to me.
"Do you wanna know why I brought you here?" I shrugged. I bet she was going to tell me she has a crush on me, just like all the other fan-girls. "Well, you see, I really think of you as my onii-chan. He got lost when we went to Disneyland when I was 7, and ever since then we weren't able to find him." "Oh…is that so?" was all I could say. Then she started crying. "I really, really, really miss him, " she wailed. And since I wasn't an expert on how to make girls stop crying, I just kept on offering her tissues to blow her nose on. After she was done, we left and she brought me home. I thanked her for the treat and the ride and forgot all about what happened.
The next morning, when I was just about to leave for school, a saw the same red Toyota in front of my gate. "Onii-chan, hurry up! We're going to be late," Akiko screamed through her window. We went to school together, and as we passed the gates, she held my hand. I was sort of surprised, but I didn't really mind. Let her think I'm her older brother, because I don't really care.
So every morning, she would pick me up, and we would come to school together, and she would always hold my hand. Rumors spread that I was her boyfriend, but she didn't care. She even tagged along more than usual. Fan-girls stopped cheering for me in the gym. And even media people thought that she was my girlfriend. But since I really didn't care, she kept pretending.
Shit. I wish I told her to buzz off the moment she offered me a ride.
I don't even like her. Kusou.
Yuko's POV
This week tasted like marmalade. Sometimes my encounters are unlucky, almost bitter. Other times they are okay, almost sweet.
On Monday, it was a bit difficult. Everyone was eyeing me as though I was a new student. I could hear them saying, "How did she come to know Sendoh?" Or, "I never knew her legs were that perfect." Some would say, "I heard she's being linked with Fujima too!" and, "I bet she'll be linked with Fukuda real soon." Yuck. Double yuck. I don't like Mr. Kiss – I mean, Fukuda (and his over-stimulated lips.)
The moment I came in the room, Chiharu and Eri flooded me with questions. Before I answered any of them, I asked, "How could you not call me up! Do you realize how much I needed to talk to you guys?" "Gomen, Yuko, we…forgot to." Forgot to? What the hell are they talking about? Some kind of friends they are!
"So, what's it like to be linked to the bishounen ace?" a classmate asked. "Anou…it's not really fun…" I answered, obviously trying to end the conversation. Then a group of other fan-girls huddled up to my seat.
"Is he nice?"
"Does he visit you at home?"
"Is he more handsome in personal than in TV?"
"Does he give you gifts?"
"How many times have you dated?"
"How come you never told us?"
"Have you ever really dated? Or are they just rumors?"
"Have you ever kissed?"
"Has he brought you to bed?"
"Urusai! Leave her alone, will you?" Chiharu told them (actually, she sort of screamed at them). Her action surprised me. Chiharu was not the type of girl who'd scream at groups. We don't really know why, but she says she has a 'screaming phobia'. Thanks, I mouthed to her.
The group of fan-girls went back to their seats. Then the school dean came in. "Who is Minamura Yuko?" he inquired. Then the students at the front pointed at me.
"The principal and the guidance counselor wish to see you," he addressed to me. Oh my goddess, I thought. What now? I got up out of my seat and followed the dean. Then we reached the office and they asked me to have a seat.
"Could you please explain what in the world is your relationship with Sendoh Akira of Ryonan High?" the guidance counselor said with inquiring eyes.
"N-nothing, Ma'am. W-we…we…we don't know each other." What the hell? I'm stuttering!
"Then could you please explain these?" asked the principal, obviously losing her patience. She handed to me a copy of the newspaper with the issue about Sendoh and me, and some printouts of webpages containing stuff about the train incident.
"It was a miscommunication, Ma'am. He thought I was his girlfriend so he pointed to me…in the all-star games, Ma'am. And the train issue was all a coincidence, Ma'am. I swear over my dead body that we don't know each other."
"We're not blaming you actually, Yuko," the GC explained. The principal was too lost in her thoughts to speak. "It's just that…it's really a disgrace to this school that a student – more particularly, our student – is involved in a scandal like…this."
Then I lost it. "WHAT?" I screamed to their faces. "I'm a disgrace to this school? Weren't you guys the one responsible for giving away my information online? You know what…you don't know how it feels to be stuck with the media people! You don't know what it's like to wake up one morning and then find out that–" I stopped. It was pointless.
"Wait a minute," the principal said. "We never gave away any information." She opened her drawer and fumbled through some files. Then she came up with some papers. "See?" she said as she pointed to the exact statements. "It says here, 'The school promises to treat any kind of information private and confidential'." She mentioned some more but I wasn't listening. I was too lost in my thoughts.
"So you're telling me, Miss Minamura, that someone gave away your school information? On the Internet?" the GC inquired. Yeah, bitch, that's what I've been trying to tell you ever since this pointless conversation started, I wanted to say. Instead I just nodded my head and said, "You know what, I'm leaving. I don't care if you mark me absent. I've had enough for today." I hope karma kicks your fat asses, you bitches, I silently added. I couldn't believe how nasty I could be. Then I left.
On Tuesday, I 'sort of' forgot what happened yesterday. Again, I had to face the stares of my fellow schoolmates as I walked through the halls. In the classroom, the fan-girls stopped asking me about Sendoh. The teachers treated me as if I was an ordinary student with no disgracing scandals.
Ah, ordinary. How relaxing. I wonder why I've never felt this way about it before?
After school, I was called again to the principal's office. This time, there was another student. Particularly Ayano. Suenaga Ayano, my classmate ever since kindergarten. She always loved to hate me. I had a bad feeling about this.
The principal apologized for what happened yesterday, and told me it was Ayano who gave away my information. Hah, I knew it. God, she's such a die-hard nemesis. I mean, I don't think she can live without trying to turn me into crap… Anyways, the principal promised to suspend her for two and a half weeks. I wanted to tell her that it wasn't enough, that she should expel her instead. Then I saw Ayano's eyes, which showed desperation to pull me down. I pitied here; she was so pathetic. I thanked the principal and left.
On Wednesday, it was much sunnier. The moment I got up, I could tell I had one good day coming up.
I went down to make my breakfast, only to find out that Mum had already made it for me. I'm really glad she and Dad are back. I ate contentedly.
At school, the stares were beginning to subside. The principal called me to her office no more. I got to hang out with my girlfriends again. Luckily, none of them asked about the issue.
When I got home, I immediately asked Mum and Dad's permission to let me come to the screening tomorrow. Fortunately, they agreed.
I was so on cloud nine that day. But then came Thursday.
After school, I got dressed for the screening. I made sure my flawless legs were exposed. Well, that's what Miss Awaji complimented me about. I kissed Mum and Dad goodbye and left.
As I was waiting for a taxicab, a baby pink Volkswagen Beetle pulled over to me. The window of the driver's side opened.
"Yuko Minamura?" the driver asked. My face grew hot as I realized it was Fujima in the car! Oh joy! "Hey…" I greeted.
"Where are you going?" He asked. I told him the place. He told me to get in. And I couldn't believe it. He was gonna take me there! Anyways, I hopped in and fastened my seatbelt.
"So this is your car?" I asked. "I mean, do you like pink?"
"Oh no. This is my cousin's car. I had to borrow it because mine's with the mechanics," he said.
"Mmm…ok," I said while nodding my head.
"So you're going to a screening for Ganguro Girls? Wow, good luck."
"You know that clothing line?"
"Sure. My aunt runs the business."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really."
I took out my Discman and played a CD.
"What are you listening to?" he asked me
"Oh, nothing. Old Judy and Mary songs. Do you know them?" I replied.
"The band who sang for that Samurai X anime?"
"Uh-huh."
"What's the title of that song you're listening to?"
"Hyper 90's Chocolate Boyfriend."
"Hyper 90's what?"
"Oh never mind."
He laughed, and I laughed too. After a while, we ran out of laughs.
Then I ran out of things to say.
Finally we arrived. I was getting more and more nervous. "So…here we are…good luck!" he told me. "Uh…yeah…thanks. But you know what, I'm really nervous." I can't believe I told him that! I mean, we're not that close…
Hey, Yuko," he called me just before I turned away. (OMG he's calling me by my first name!) "Yeah?" I replied. "Can I get your mobile number? I mean, you know, I wanna know how the screening turned out." (OMG he's asking for my phone number!) "Why not ask your aunt?" I said. "Nah, I wanna hear it from you." I took out my phone and told him to save his number there. He did the same. Then we waved goodbye.
I took a deep breath and went inside. I looked for Miss Awaji. "Oh, so you're here for the screening nee?" the guy in charge asked. "Great legs…" he said as he led the way. Then I met the judges and the other models-to-be as well. I was surprised because most of them were extremely tanned. All the while they (the tanned chickies) kept staring at me. They were also whispering stuff to each other. But I ignored them. Probably they were just envying my fair complexion. Duh.
Then a woman appeared and called our attention. "Hi, call me Miss Kanako, I'll be supervising you girls for this screening," she told us. Miss Kanako led us to a room which looked like a celebrity's dressing room, only much more spacious. It was entirely filled with Gunguro Girls clothing. There were also chairs that faced mirrors. The table drawer beneath the mirror contained loads and loads of make-up. Bright colored make-up.
"Okay girls, you may now occupy those seats. I know you're dying to check out the make-up," Miss Kanako spoke again. "Now here's what you're all gonna do. You see those racks of clothes over there? You may pick out and wear anything you like. Same applies to the shoes right there." She pointed to the three closets all full of Gunguro shoes. "And you can make yourself up anyway you like. The judges will select models according to how well they dress up and carry themselves on the catwalk." She wished us luck then left.
"Uh, excuse me, isn't this a Ganguro modeling contest?" a thick lipped girl asked aloud. Then a dark-tanned girl joined her. "Yeah, so why do we have a Snow White here?" She was obviously referring to me. (1) Another tanned chickie spoke up. "Get lost, Fish Lips. Scram." The other two glared at her, cursed, and left to take their seats. The tanned chickie grabbed my hand and said, "Here, sit next to me. I'll help you out."
We took our seats and checked out the make-up. "Cool," I gushed. "By the way, I'm Taliana, half-Hawaiian, half-Japanese," the tanned chickie said. No wonder she was so tanned. "Oh, hi, I'm Minamura Yuko. Pleased to meet you…and thanks." "Yeah, I know you, you're that girl who's been involved with a lot of basketball players right? That Fukuda guy? Oops, was that right?" she asked. I don't know if she asked that on purpose or she really doesn't know Sendoh's name. Anyways, I ignored the question and smiled instead.
"Honestly, why aren't you tanned?" Taliana asked all of a sudden. "I mean, Fish Lips was right, this is Ganguro." I answered, "Well, there was this woman from the Modeling Department who told me that they liked my legs and fair complexion. So I thought that they didn't mind if I wasn't tanned…"
"Hmm…weird to the max…anyways, if you need help just ask me. Ok?" 'Weird to the max'…how unusual, I thought. I smiled at her and checked out what was in the drawers. Wow. Fake nails, bright, bright bracelets and big, big flowery rings, bright-colored wigs, lots of fake flowers (for the hair), bright, bright stick-on stars and more flowers, fake hair extensions, and lots of bright, bright nail polish. I tried to remember how those packs of Ganguro chickies looked like. Then I went to work.
First I went to the clothes rack and selected a mini bright orange Hawaiian-themed dress. Next stop: shoe closets. I took out a pair of electric-pink knee-high platform boots. Then I took out a bleached-blonde wig. It was ludicrously crimped and curled. Next: nails and make-up. I stuck fake nails on my fingers and painted them bright yellow. Then I put on long fake eyelashes and covered them with lots of mascara. I thought it was pretty until I looked around and watched all the other tanned girls making themselves up. They looked totally Ganguro in their ultra-tanned faces and white eye shadows, and the way they clothed themselves with all things bright emphasized their tans even more.
Then I looked at myself. I really was white. Damn, why didn't I even think about it. I was so darn excited that I forgot that in Ganguro, girls have to be really tan. And I even used whitening lotion! OMG, I have never felt so embarrassed in my life. I started removing my make-up and fake nails. Then I put the shoes and dress back and packed my things. "Hey Yuko, where are you going?" Taliana asked me.
"Hmmm, I decided that this screening isn't for me," I replied. My cheeks and ears were turning ludicrously red. "I got to go…uh, good luck and thanks again for everything…I, uh, hope you, uh, win," I finished. Then I left.
I explained to Miss Kanako that I decided to back out. I told her that I'm not fit for this type of fashion because I was fair-skinned, and Ganguro Girls are supposed to be really tan. She understood. So I left and took a taxi home.
"So how did it turn out?" Mum asked when I got back. "I backed out," I said. "WHAT!" she exclaimed. "Long story," I said and went to my room. I changed my clothes and took out the Discman from my bag. Then I caught a glimpse of my phone. 1 message received, it read. I put on my earphones and turned on the Discman. Then I read the message. It was from Fujima.
Hi Yuko…what's up? How did it turn out? his message read. I told him the whole story and we exchanged messages for about an hour until it was time for dinner. I told him 'bye' and he said 'goodnight'. I was secretly pleased. :) Who cares if I didn't go on with the screening? At least now I have my true crush's mobile number! Oh…Happy, Happy Days! And he said 'goodnight' to me!
On Friday, usual things happened. I went to school, hung out with my friends, went home, and took another long bubble bath.
After I got dressed, I checked out my phone to see if there were any messages or missed calls. And there was one message. But the number wasn't stored in my phonebook. The message said, Hey Minamura, how are you doing? I hope you're all right… Sheesh. What a weird message! I wonder where this person got my number….
To be continued.
(1). In Ganguro, girls have to be really tanned and they usually wear bright, bright, neon things to emphasize their tans. Like white or pale blue eyeshadow and white lipstick. And they have to have their hair dyed blonde or orange-blonde and they have to wear it in big wavy curls or small, crimped curls.Nice.:)
A/N: Sorry if Chapter 4 took so long! I didn't have much time to write it up because we always go to beaches and I rarely have time to think up of things. Actually I could be a Ganguro chickie now, since I've gotten so tanned. :) Reviews are very much expected – oops, I mean, appreciated. :) By the way, I'm not going to write a spoiler anymore because my mind changes every once in a while. Sorry!