Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Slam Dunk.

CHAPTER 2

Ayako sat under the shade of a tree in the school premises. Her classes were over at fur o'clock so there she was, waiting for her cousin Rumi so they could both go home. They were both in their last years in junior high at Tomigaoka. It was a good thing the practice was cancelled. She needed the time-out from her role as manageress. Finally, I could get some cleaning done.

"Ayako!" Rumi came rushing from the school building, excited. "Didn't you know that there's a basketball game at Ryonan High today?"

Before she could even answer, Rumi took her hand and pulled her up, "Let's go to Ryonan High. I want to watch the game!" Rumi was unstoppable especially when she wanted something, like watching the game for instance.

Even though Ayako knew she had little hope of escaping Rumi, she tried. "I don't think that's a good idea. I thought you said you'll help me clean the house," she gave a disapproving look to change Rumi's mind but she would not give up that easily.

"Please Ayako. Let's watch the game. It'll be great. There are lots of cute guys there and besides, my boyf-" she stopped abruptly, realizing what she had just said.

Ayako heard it loud and clear. "You have a boyfriend! Why didn't you tell me about this?" She gave a questioning look, feeling a little betrayed.

"I'll tell you on the way to the game. Please?" Rumi was so persistent that in the end, Ayako was left without a choice but to come along.

When they arrived at the Ryonan High Gym, she was amazed to see a lot of people had already gathered, to think it's only a practice game between Ryonan and Shoyo. If this is only a practice game then what more if it's a game in the nationals? The bleachers were packed with a cheering crowd, both from the competing schools and some from other schools nearby.

They found a perfect spot. She thought she'd get bored during the game but was she wrong about that. The plays were amazing. She looked at the crowd of guys who were shouting maddeningly at the other side of the bleachers. They were cheering for Ryonan. Looks like they're players too and they are the same year as us, though I don't know from what school.

In that crowd, her eyes fell on one guy in particular. He wasn't cheering loudly like his friends. He was just intensely watching the game. She wouldn't deny the fact that he's cute even though he was more than twenty feet away from where she was seated.

After the game, Rumi held her hand tightly, obviously not giving her a chance to escape. Approaching the boyfriend, who was congratulating Ryonan's captain Uozumi, Ayako noticed how Rumi put on her best smile.

Rolling her eyes, Ayako almost stopped in her tracks when she saw the guy from the bleachers earlier, the one who was intensely watching. She suddenly felt the need to run away.

Who wouldn't want to hide when he must've seen me staring at him a couple of times earlier? But Rumi was still holding her hand strongly. Ayako's chance of escape extinguished.

The two guys were having a serious conversation when Rumi cut in. Koshino proudly introduced Rumi to Sendo as his girlfriend. Then Rumi finally let go of Ayako's hand and introduced her to both guys. All she could manage was a small smile. Sendo held out his hand for a handshake, maintaining eye contact as intense as earlier. She was hesitant to take his hand for a moment but then accepted in way of respect.

"Nice to meet you," Sendo said. "Same here," she replied, acting as though it didn't surprise her at all when their hands touched.

As Rumi and Koshino talked about hanging later with Sendo and her at a café nearby, realization dawned on Ayako. Why would Rumi have to bring me along for this? Why am I holding my breath? Is it because his eyes never wavered when he looked at me? Snap out of it Ayako, you're just imagining things! All these thoughts caused a riot in her head; her palms began to sweat.

Rumi and Koshino intentionally ignored them; Ayako observed Sendo in a not too obvious way. She had to admit; he's good-looking up-close. Cute was not the right word to better describe him. It didn't suit him at all. He's charming, even without doing anything; just a simple smile was enough to catch any girl's attention.

Sendo seemed more popular than the players of Ryonan. She was well aware of the girls squealing everywhere. She overheard from Rumi and Koshino's conversation that they were there to support a former schoolmate, Uozumi.

She was looking or rather staring at Sendo when he turned to her. Instead of looking away, she looked him straight on, defiantly. He just smiled - that smile made him look anything but charming. Does he always do that, smile some more until the girl he smiles at melt? It wouldn't' work on me! But please, stop smiling.

They've been looking down at each other for quite awhile; Ayako was the first to look away. She didn't notice the victorious smile that crept on Sendo's face.

Sendo, based on observation, came to a conclusion that there's nothing special about her. She seemed like the quiet type. She looked like any ordinary girl. But then again, when he got the chance to really look at her for a long time, he realized she's actually pretty, very pretty. Her long curly hair was framing her beautiful face. And he could see an indication of displeasure forming in her lips.

While the new acquainted observed and assessed one another to what they thought was cautious enough, Rumi and Koshino traded meaningful glances.

Rumi suggested they eat dinner at a fast food nearby instead of just having snacks. At first, Sendo was reluctant to come along but through Koshino's persistence, he agreed. He's hungry anyway.

Ayako on the other hand can hardly wait to go home but Rumi's eyes were trained on her now, pleading. Why didn't I see this coming? I should have just run away after the game. Again, Rumi won.

Moments later, they were seated at a table for four in the nearby fast food chain. After the waitress, who seemed to have been mesmerized by the sight of the two guys, took their orders and sauntered away, Rumi and Ayako were whispering at each other, unmindful of the guys sitting across them.

Ayako didn't want to be rude so she stopped nagging Rumi. She stayed quiet, listening on as Rumi and Koshino talked and laughed about trivial things. Sendo chose to stay quiet as well. She looked around, anywhere but at the guy in front of her.

Out of the blue, Sendo cleared his throat, as if he was going to start a conversation because the silence between them was deafening even though Rumi's laughter filled the place. But before he could start, Ayako suddenly jumped from the seat and announced "I have to go. I remembered I have to do some homework. Nice meeting you Koshino and Sendo. Bye!" She hurried, not giving Rumi a chance to react.

Once outside, she let out a sigh of relief. Well, that was easy, she though, shile walking fast to get away from the place.

Ayako was preparing to sleep when Rumi barged in the room and sat on her bed, bouncing on it more than usual. "Sorry for dragging you to the practice game," Rumi was obviously in to something. Has a favor to ask, maybe.

Ayako shrugged her shoulders. Rumi took it as a sign the apology was not taken seriously. "Hey, talk to me. Are you still angry?"

"Well, it's alright that you dragged me. I enjoyed the game. I got some ideas on the defense and offense plays. It's just that you should've told me you already had a boyfriend! How were you able to keep it from me? And when do you plan on telling me?" she demanded, feeling hurt that her cousin kept it from her.

"I was going to tell you. It's just that I feel uncomfortable talking about it. You might object and tell my parents." Rumi explained.

Ayako was several months older and she was like Rumi's bigger sister even though they were both the same year at Tomigaoka. "One thing that I didn't like was you playing the matchmaker. You think I didn't know what you're trying to do, do you?" she pointed out, pulling her knees and resting her chin on it.

"I just want you to have a boyfriend." Rumi said flatly. "But I guess you're not interested," she muttered, arms folded in front of her chest and a pout on her lips.

"You're right. I'm not" Realizing she sounded like she would never ever want to have a boyfriend, "Not now," she added immediately.

"Why? Sendo seemed to be interested in you," Rumi countered, her eyes gleamed with mischief.

"I'm not ready to get into a relationship. And how can you tell that he's interested?" Ayako asked, not liking where the conversation was going. She tried to ignore the excitement that's now hovering over her when she thought of the possibility.

"Hiro-kun said so," Rumi sounded so certain.

"Even if it's true, I won't believe it anyway. I don't have time for that, you know what I mean," she declared. "Just stop playing the matchmaker and I won't tell on you. That's a deal, okay?"

Rumi just rolled her eyes, disappointed that her cousin was not interested in having a boyfriend and not interested in Sendo. Maybe his charms didn't work on Ayako. Or was she only pretending?

"Here's some advice. Don't take it seriously, I mean you wouldn't know what might happen in the future. Just in case you two won't last long, but it's not that I hope you two would break up. It's just that…you know. Do you get what I mean?" Ayako felt frustrated at her sudden incapacity to express her thoughts.

Rumi nodded in response even though it sounded silly to hear an advice about relationships coming from Ayako of all people.

"Is there anything else?" Ayako asked, glancing at the wall clock. "It's already late."

"I'm glad you don't object with my relationship with Hiro-kun. He's a nice guy," Rumi said dreamily as she headed for the door.

There was this look in Rumi's eyes that Ayako had once wished to have. But that was a long time ago. She didn't know why she suddenly discarded the idea of having a boyfriend. "Yeah, he is. You look so in love with him, it shows."

"Goodnight Ayako. I hope you have a dream about your future boyfriend," Rumi teased as she turned around to give her one last look before leaving.

"Sorry to disappoint you but I'm not thinking of any guy right now. Goodnight!" she said before Rumi shut the door. She pulled the covers up her chin, turned off the bedside lamp, ready to get a long and restful sleep.

To her dismay, she couldn't stop thinking about him. Sendo's face kept flashing in her mind and she had no idea why. It's like her mind's got a mind of its own, it's scary.

Saturday afternoon, Ayako decided to head to the beach and take photos of the beautiful and tranquil place. She asked Rumi to come with her. Unfortunately, the girl had other plans. A date with her boyfriend that is! She'd rather go with Koshino than enjoy the beach with me.

Holding her camera bag, she spotted the perfect place. The view was beautiful and breathtaking. She spread out the blue blanket on the shimmering sand and placed her camera bag on it, to weigh it down since it's a little windy. She sat for a while to enjoy the breeze and ocean scent. It's so relaxing here. I should come here more often.

The weather looked good so Sendo decided to go to the beach and go fishing. On the way to his favorite fishing spot he stopped dead on his tracks. A few feet away, he saw a girl sitting on a blanket. She had curly hair and fair skin complemented by her red sleeveless top and khaki pants. Without second thoughts, he walked towards her. Fishing could wait, he thought as he quietly approached the unaware Ayako.

She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand. She got that same feeling whenever someone's watching her. Turning to her left, sure enough, her instincts were confirmed. Someone she thought she'd never see again was standing there, smiling, as the wind blew his spiky hair.

"Hey Ayako, what are you doing here alone?" Sendo stood a few feet away, looking down at her, with a fishing rod slung on his shoulder and a pale on one hand.

"Nothing. What are you doing here?" she busied herself scanning pictures on her digital camera, ignoring him on purpose, hoping he'd get the message and go away. 'Nothing' was an understatement but he didn't seem offended because she heard him chuckle, loud enough to be heard above the sound of the waves. He seemed amused rather than annoyed. "Just here to do the usual; sight-seeing while fishing."

Then there was silence. She thought he'd gone.

"Can I ask you something?" he uttered.

"What?" she still wouldn't look at him. She was afraid that when she did, she wouldn't find the will to look away.

"Are you here every Saturday?" he said in a serious tone.

"Why?" And so where was the conversation going? She still didn't dare glance at him. Imagine her astonishment when he squatted in front of her. She didn't realize he would dare get that close. "Are you never going to look at me?" She could only stare back at him. How charming. She forgot to answer the question.

"I said are you here every Saturday?" he repeated, smiling pleasantly.

Regaining her lost composure, she calmly said "No; only when I felt like coming here."

"So what's the feeling that prompts you to go here?"

"Are you never going to stop asking questions?" there was a bite in her voice, the calmness gone now. It was all she could do to cover up the uneasiness she felt at his proximity.

"Are you not going to stop ignoring me?"

So he noticed; a little more of that treatment and he'll be out of there she bet. "I'm not ignoring you." Maybe I should get out of here. What's wrong with me?

She got up and started packing her things, set on going to the other side of the beach away from him.

"Are you afraid of me?"

"No I'm not." She quickened her pace but he caught up easily. Having long legs was an advantage.

"Then why are you treating me like this?" there was a hint of confusion in his voice.

She stopped and then turned, "Tell me. Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?" He still looked confused.

When she realized that she'll never get a straight answer, "Never mind." She quickened her pace more. Without a second glance she left him standing there, looking more confused.

After that incident, she chose to ignore the little voice that kept nagging her how she'd been rude. But the guilt wouldn't go away. Those thoughts usually plagued her at night when she's lying in bed. Sendo was being nice and yet she treated him like that. Maybe he's just being friendly but who knows what he's up to. He might be laughing at me this moment for acting so weird around him.

It's been a month and she hadn't seen him around the beach whenever she went there. If what Rumi told her was true, then where was he now? She decided to stop moping. He's just Akira Sendo. She felt regretful treating him that way. He didn't deserve it but a bothersome voice taunted her to believe otherwise. Every guy deserves it. How will I know if they're serious or not; if they're just playing games? She tried so hard to convince herself it wasn't rudeness, just a test.

That was what she always did to guys who show interest in her. There were a lot of them who gave up right after being treated that way. Sendo's not any different she assumed.

Even so, she didn't expect Sendo would prove to be different from the rest. One afternoon, at the school gate, she saw him waiting. He didn't put on any disguise at all. He was standing there with hands in his pockets, kicking at an invisible rock on the pavement. There must be something interesting in his shoes since he was looking at it keenly.

What his actions mean, she could guess, were symptoms of nervousness. It could be boredom for all she knew. She supposed standing there while giggling girls passed by and guys eyed him with suspicion was disconcerting enough.

He didn't see her yet. She was contemplating whether she should approach him or simply pretend she didn't see him. Before she could arrive at a decision, Rumi who was just behind her ran towards Sendo. It distracted him and that was when he saw Ayako, their eyes met, and she knew just what to do.

Several weeks had passed, from walking her home to watching a movie, there seemed to be a mutual understanding between them to not talk about what they might possibly have or where it was leading to. She wanted to know but was afraid to ask.

She had never felt this way, like there's always something to look forward to besides basketball. Sendo insisted she call him Akira. If that's the case, then was he planning to get too close? Should she let him?

In one of their dates, when they watched a movie, she had a hard time concentrating on what they were watching. Reaching for popcorn was beginning to unnerve her especially when their hands touched so often.

to be continued