Disclaimer: Don't own slam dunk or its characters.
Author's note: Sorry I took so long to update, I have been busy with moving and work. Also, I had a lot of problems writing this part, I rewrote it many times. I hope this final version is ok. Next chapter won't take as long, I promise.
Challenge
Chapter 5
Rukawa couldn't believe it, Koshino was kissing him, and in front of Sakuragi too!
Breaking the kiss, Rukawa slyly looked to where Sakuragi and that other guy stood. He almost chuckled as he saw Sakuragi wide-eyed and turning all shades of red.
He also never failed to notice an equally annoyed Sendoh.
'Hmm… I see'
Guessing that Koshino was not acting out of passionate love for him, Rukawa decided to go with the flow and grabbed Koshino in for a second kiss.
'This will show that do'aho'
Sakuragi couldn't take it any more!
'What is that fox boy doing anyway? Kissing some guy in public! I always thought there was something strange with him.'
It made him so angry for some reason, really boiled his nerves!
'And that damn Sendoh kissing me as well! I am surrounded by freaks! Must…escape…'
looks around nervously
Sakuragi started to walk away, which brought Sendoh back to reality.
"Ahh, wait Hana"
Rukawa waited until they parted and then released Koshino from his death grip.
gasping for breath
"…Man I thought I was gonna die! How can you hold your breath so long?!"
"It was your fault"
"Yes, sorry Rukawa. I guess jealousy got the best of me. Hmm, but you also kissed me does that mean you like Sendoh too?"
death glare
"It was a joke okay! Jeez, like I haven't noticed you like Sakuragi"
"I don't like that monkey fool"
"I would be in denial too"
"I am not"
"Why are you here then?! It obvious you have a crush"
"Whatever!"
Koshino was getting nowhere with this, "How about I treat you to lunch, in payment of the kiss I gave you"
"Hn, still trying to seduce me?"
"No! I just thought we could use our dating to keep an eye on those two. Anyway, unless I keep you away from Sakuragi, Sendoh will nag to no end"
"…"
Grumpily and reluctantly, "Come on, please"
Rukawa looked away nervously, "I guess, if it's to help out. I still need to make sure the do'ahou isn't …hurt by Sendoh or Akagi will give me hell"
blush
Koshino chuckled inwardly, 'Who knew Rukawa was so shy!'
Meanwhile,
Sakuragi looked around and sighed. He had finally lost Smiley, he cautiously entered his house. He opened the door and found Youhei playing video games on his couch.
"Ahhh! What are you doing here?"
"I came in to play games, you game me your keys remember?"
"Ahh, sorry I forgot"
Youhei looked over to his friend who had a look of nervous paranoia plastered on it, he slowly put down the game.
"What's up? How did your date…cough…game go?"
"What? Oh the game? I am the tensai! It always goes my way! NYAHAHAHahaha"
'I know what happened you ape!'
"Are you sure nothing happened you seem kind of tense"
Sakuragi couldn't bring himself to say it yet.
Sakuragi: 'Well he is my best friend after all'
Speaking very fast, "he kissed me"
Youhei was ready for this, he had practiced his 'surprised face' all day.
"What!!! Not Sendoh?"
"Yeah, it was so weird he kissed me for no good reason in the middle of the game, I pulled away right away, of course. I never saw it coming! Then the strangest most bizarre thing happened. I saw Rukawa in the distance kissing that no-good-friend of Sendoh's. It was like we were on a double date all of the sudden."
Youhei covered his face with his hands, trying very hard not to laugh. Despite his rehearsal, Sakuragi's face was to unbearably funny to ignore.
"So he kissed you"
"Yep"
"Did you like it?"
Sakuragi jumps off the couch, his face beet red, "Are you nuts?! I am the Tensai and am 100%, no 110%, straight, macho, a Likes-his-women man's man"
Sakuragi then proceed to pout and be sulky while he sat on the floor. He was insulted that his friend would doubt his manliness.
Youhei expected his exaggerated response so he knew he had to back down for the moment
.
"Ah, just checking. Well then it's settled, just tell Sendoh you are not into men, he probably didn't plan this but was only acting out of his admiration for …your basketball skills (cough) Did he try to offer any explanation for what he did?"
"Well I didn't see him much then?"
"He ran away?"
"I had to go home in a rush to…make dinner."
"Your mom makes dinner before going to work every day, I just had some of her spaghetti now."
"Ahh! What is this, an interrogation?" Sakuragi was getting a pissed off red glint in his eyes and it was all directed at Youhei.
'Time to pacify the beast'
"You're just acting weird, that's all. Hey look I brought sweets!"
Youhei pulled out several bags of chocolates and chips which he placed on the seat next to him. Sakuragi eyed them cautiously and then sprung next to Youhei and stared to feed.
'I guess I will grill him some more later. I have to know how he feels about Rukawa kissing Koshino. It's great that Rukawa and Koshino have already decided to team up on their own. I want to see if he gets jealous. This plan is coming out more smoothly than expected, I hadly have to do any work at all.'
Between bites, "Youhei, are we going to play Pachinko tomorrow?"
Munch, munch
Youhei smiles, "Yep and maybe we'll even go to some other places as well"
Next day,
Rukawa and Koshino had decided to meet in the afternoon. Since it was Sunday, they could catch an early lunch.
Koshino was the first to arrive, then he saw a very grumpy and seemingly sleep deprived Rukawa skulked over.
"Finally! I know a nice place near here that serves some great sandwiches."
"…"
They arrived at the small diner and sat down. They sat by the huge windows, Koshino liked to look outside as he ate, plus he also felt strangely uncomfortable at Rukawa's silence. The waitress came shortly to pick up their order and attempt to flirt with Rukawa, who ignored her completely.
When she left Koshino attempt at conversation, "Must get that a lot huh, Rukawa?"
"Get what?"
"Hit on by women"
"Why do you say that?"
"Are you completely oblivious?!! That waitress pretty much threw herself at you!"
"Hn"
"You're impossible! I can see why Sakuragi is always getting annoyed at you"
At the mention of Sakuragi, Rukawa's ears perked up and he began listening.
'Just like a little dog! How cute' thought Koshino
"What's wrong Rukawa? You look so tired and unhappy"
"I keep having nightmares"
'This ought to be interesting, what could Rukawa be dreaming about I wonder?'
"What are they about?"
Rukawa looked away abashed, "They're of no importance"
The waitress then came back with their order. Rukawa got a big cup of coffee, black, and Koshino got some coke and a Hamburger. During their meal, Koshino tried hard to make a conversation with Rukawa but without good results.
"You should get something to eat as well, Rukawa, try the burgers"
Abruptly, "No"
Koshino's grumpy nature was kept in check but with much effort on his part.
'I need this guy, I don't want Sendoh nagging me into some ridiculous mission again. Maybe if I stay with Rukawa he will think I am doing enough, he might even get jealous! No no no, that's just wishful thinking on my part.'
Near the diner, a couple of retail stores away, there lay a newly opened pachinko parlor.
Ten minutes later,
Sakuragi and Youhei were walking towards it.
"Come on Youhei, why did we have to come all the way here to play pachinko, there is a place near my house."
"This one just opened. I want to check it out, don't be such a spoilsport."
"Ok, but my feet are tired! This place better be good."
Youhei smiled inwardly, 'Than God there is a parlor here, otherwise I would never have been able to bring Sakuragi all the way here. I hope the information was correct and Rukawa is already here.'
"Wait Hana, why don't we have lunch first and…rest your tired feet."
Sakuragi turned around, "What no way! We haven't even gone in again."
Youhei stopped and pondered for a sec, "Yes you're right. Also, from the looks of it Rukawa is over there being all mushy with his boyfriend Koshino, yuck!"
This really got his attention; Sakuragi turned around and saw Rukawa having lunch with Koshino.
"That rotten bastard! He has a boyfriend now ha? I can't stand to watch him there groveling and being happy with this guy. This is the perfect time to mock Rukawa for his unnatural gay tendencies, Nyahahahahaha!"
Sakuragi then stomped over to the diner where Rukawa was, Youhei following close behind.
Youhei: 'Lets hope this will not be a repeat of what happened last time in the diner'
In the diner,
Koshino had made considerable progress, he got Rukawa into a sort-of-friendly conversation. Koshino even got Rukawa to try digesting some real food not just black strong coffee.
"So why Sendoh? What's so special about him?"
'Ah Rukawa asked a question, he isn't completely indifferent!'
"He isn't so bad once you get to know him. I have known Sendoh for years, he very cheery and…It just happened. What about you? Why Sakuragi?"
"What! What about him?!!"
"You must not have many friends"
"I don't need friends."
'Me and my big mouth!'
"Well, about Sendoh. His cheeriness and goodwill just get to you, you know? He is a very good friend"
"…I guess Sakuragi is sort of like that too, he really makes himself stand out…but in an annoying way."
Koshino sighed, 'It's gonna get a lot to get this guy to admit his true feelings, but he is getting there.'
At that point, Sakuragi strolled in like he owned the place.
Koshino: 'It's like I am stuck in a bad soap opera. Why do we keep bumping in to this guy?'
Koshino prepared for the worst.
TBC
Preview for next chapter: Secrets revealed!
Notes: No Sendoh in this chapter! He'll be back for the next one. This one is a bit long, I will make the next longer, it will be wrapped up soon. Akagi will be in the next chapter.
