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

CHAPTER 3

It's not what Sendo felt for her that he was concerned about. But it was the feeling of wanting to see her again, to be with her.

Feeling his head ache, he decided to think it over tomorrow. He might see things more clearly and maybe he might get some useful advice from his best friend.

Koshino, who was on the phone (talking to Rumi) was surprised to see Sendo walk in. He immediately said goodbye for he was not comfortable when someone's listening, especially when he's talking with his girlfriend.

"So, to whom do I owe this visit?" he asked after placing the phone on its cradle, shooting Sendo with an inquiring look.

Sendo smiled at his formality. "You were talking to your girlfriend just now, right?" he said while sitting at the sofa.

"Yes, and what are you doing here, by the way?" he asked, running a hand through his somewhat long hair.

"So now I'm not allowed to come here even without any reason?" he muttered, as if hurt, but his smile said otherwise.

"C'mon! What is it you want to talk about?"

"I just want to ask you something," Sendo said seriously and then blurted, "Can't you guys get enough of each other?"

"Don't change the topic. This isn't about me, I could tell. And that's not what you came here for. But I'd answer you anyway. I enjoy every time I spent with her. So, why are you here?"

"Last night, you were out with her," he said, "and just a while ago, you're talking with her."

"So, what's the problem with that? How did you know I was out with her anyway? I didn't mention anything to you about it, as far as I can remember," Koshino said suspiciously, his mind working into overdrive.

"Ayako told me." Sendo said evenly.

"So, this is about Ayako. Did you also go out last night? Why didn't you tell us? We could have had a double date," Koshino teased Sendo. "And where did you two go?"

"We watched a movie."

Koshino showed interest in what Sendo's about to confess.

"I think I like her," Sendo said, not looking at him but at his fingers.

"You think? You've been going out with her for weeks and you think. Are you serious about her?" Koshino was trying to make Sendo realize what he just said.

"I said I think. How am I supposed to know if I'm serious when I'm not even sure?" he said sarcastically.

"Come on, how can you not tell? I think she likes you."

"You think?" now it was Sendo's turn to be bemused.

"Yeah, how should I know when I didn't even see her when she's with you? The fact that she's going out with you is enough indication that she likes you."

Sendo pondered what he said.

"What do you plan to do now? Because based on what you said, I could say she might only be a pretty distraction to you. Some sort of a diversion from basketball."

Sendo shook his head. He can't accept that; she's more than just a diversion. She can't just be a distraction, is she? Distractions don't last.

If he wanted this problem, or dilemma solved, he better have a sure answer. "I definitely like her," Sendo said. What do I do then?

"Fine, if you say so." Koshino smiled.

Sendo had been persistent and determined that he did whatever he could to be with Ayako. His mom wouldn't like the idea of him tripping over a girl. But who's Ayako to him? He can't exactly say. All he knew for sure was he's happy to be with her.

After two months, Akira and Ayako was officially a couple.

But before that happened, Ayako suffered a lot of dilemmas as well. When she can't keep it to herself anymore, what she felt for him, during one of the many nights he'd walk her home, once at the porch of her house, she blurted out "Iloveyou and ihopeyoufeelthesameway…"

"What? Could you speak a little slower? I don't think I heard that right." Sendo said gently.

She felt her cheeks redden at the admission. He can't possibly be mocking me. She didn't know where she found the courage to repeat those words: "I said I love you…and…I hope feel the same way."

His silence seemed to take forever then he pulled Ayako into his arms for a hug, her hands stayed limp on her sides. "Can you not tell? I love you too."

She didn't know what to say so she hugged him back.

During those times, Sendo tried to keep from his mom that he had a girlfriend. She's too picky when it came to girls he wanted to date. Before he could get to know a girl, she had to know about her. She's so particular about it that if he knew any better, his mom was just exaggerating things, making it look essential. She's always prepared to discourage him. And in the end, it's always her who wins.

But Ayako's different.

Rumi sometimes saw Ayako smiling. But she's not bothered about it. Ayako's in love, just as I am.

"Wow, you look lovely. Pale yellow suits you best." Rumi said as she watched Ayako look at herself in the full-length mirror.

"Thank you for the compliment. You look lovely too." Ayako looked at Rumi, who was wearing a light blue dress in a simple cut; it's length's an inch above the knees.

"Are we going there together or is Sendo picking you up?" Rumi asked while walking towards the vanity mirror. She picked a lip stick and lightly applied it to her lips.

"Akira said he'll pick me up." Ayako walked towards Rumi who was now applying light make-up. Ayako picked the eyeliner and carefully applied it to emphasize her eyes. Her hair was in a French twist, showing her slender neck and ivory shoulders while Rumi's was simply cascading down in soft waves.

After ten minutes or so of preparation, Ayako was ready. The door bell rang and Rumi was sure it's Sendo. "That must be Akira. I have to go. Bye. See you at the party." Ayako's voice faded as she ran downstairs.

When she opened the door, her breathe was caught in her throat at the sight of him while he could not hide the admiration when he saw her. She looked radiant and not to mention, more beautiful.

The people danced all night long; the dance floor rarely thins out. Sendo held his hand to Ayako. "May I have this dance?" She took his hand. He held her in his arms while her head rested on his chest. It was Ayako's happiest night. To be dancing with Akira on a night like this is so romantic.

But happy moments weren't meant to last long; sometimes they end too soon.

"So, where to?" she asked after the party.

"Wait and see," he said.

Sendo brought her to the beach, to the same spot where they had a weird conversation.

"I could still remember when I saw you here. You were just any other girl but then now you're more than that to me. I never thought that I'd feel this way towards you," he was looking at the ocean as though he could see the visibility of the waves.

"Yeah, me too," she smiled at the memory of it. Then his hands clasped hers tightly, like he did not want to let go, like he wanted to memorize every little detail of her slender fingers and soft palm.

"Ayako, I have something to tell you," suddenly, he was serious. "It's about us, I mean I've been meaning to tell you this but now was the only time I got the courage," he said, sadness evident in his voice. "It's about why I never introduced you to my mom. I don't know how to begin this…" He ran his fingers through his spiky hair, an indication of discomfort, which was now slowly rubbing off her happy mood.

Her curiosity of the matter grew stronger and so was the apprehension. "What is it?"

"She practically ran my life for me. I don't want her too, but she's my mother and I can't disobey her," he said, his voice filled with hopelessness.

Her eyes were trained on him and he can't even look at her.

"I'm going to the US next month."

"Are you breaking up with me?" her voice weakened at the word 'breaking'.

"I'm not breaking up with you. I'm just going to be away for a year. I promise I'll come back and we'll be together again."

"Why do you have to go away?" She sounded like a child but she can't take it, she can't understand why he had to leave so sudden.

"My mom and I had always planned that I would continue my studies in the States. If I were given a choice, I prefer to stay here, with you," he hugged her. She broke free from his hug and asked through tear-stained eyes. "What will happen to us?"

"I'll always call you, we'll keep in touch."

"But that's…" A long distance relationship? That won't work. She didn't say it outright.

The ride to her house had been quiet. Without a word, she got out of his car and went inside, feeling drained and weary.

Days after that draining conversation, Akira neither called nor came to visit and check on her. Instead, an unexpected visitor came.

"Are you Ayako?" the woman asked, bearing resemblance to Akira.

"Yes, what is it?" How the woman looked at her made Ayako nervous.

"I'm Akira's mother." It was the first time Ayako met Akira's mother, in their seven-month long relationship. Mrs. Sendo looked kind but strict at the same time; but strict was more obvious. Ayako invited her to come in out of respect though she didn't really want to talk to her if it's about her relationship with Akira.

"This won't take long. I just want to tell you that my son's basketball career is very important. You know very well how good he is, I suppose," Mrs. Sendo said as she glanced around the living room.

Ayako had an idea where the conversation was leading to but she listened nonetheless.

"I want you to break up with him. I think you're the reason why he doesn't want to continue his studies in the U.S.," she said, point-blank, her face was emotionless. "We have planned his future. And I won't allow a girl to get in the way of my son's career."

Ayako felt her chest tighten. "What you're asking from me is not easy. I love him," she said "and I would never try to get in the way."

"You already are making this hard for him. You're the one that's stopping my son from leaving," Mrs. Sendo said. "Don't you think you're being selfish?"

Ayako was silent for a moment. But I can't do what she wants. "I won't break-up with Akira," she said, determined to stand her ground.

"I want you to think about it. You're both young and what you have isn't that serious yet," she made it sound so easy.

Ayako had never been this confused. She felt numb after that.

After a few days, Ayako invited Mrs. Sendo for breakfast. She dropped by her house even though she wasn't so sure if Mrs. Sendo would accept the invitation. But I must do this. Since I can't decide, I'll let Akira decide for us. He hadn't shown himself for a few days now. I wonder what's wrong.

They were seated at a corner table at the coffee shop; both waiting for the other to start.

"Can I ask you something?" Ayako finally found the courage to start since she's the one who initiated the meeting.

"Yes, of course." Mrs. Sendo put down her cup and looked at Ayako.

"Does Akira know about what you're trying to do?" Ayako couldn't help but speculate that Akira knew nothing about the interference.

"He doesn't know. And I hope that you won't tell him about this."

Ayako said nothing.

"Look, I'm not doing this because I dislike you. My son talks so much about you that I'm beginning to see you as a threat to his career. He lied to me because of you. And I'm afraid he's capable of disobeying me as well. So I'm begging you, please let him go." Mrs. Akira pleaded. This surprised Ayako as she was not prepared for this display of a different emotion.

"Are you saying I should be the one to decide for us?" Ayako was uncertain what to feel that moment. Should she be angry or feel pity for the woman?

"This is your call; you should be the one to decide. If you really love Akira, let him go." Mrs. Akira left after that declaration, leaving Ayako deep in thought.

Shall I decide for the both of us? She went home still thinking about what Mrs. Sendo said. The house looked gloomy, same as what she felt. Rumi was out with Koshino. She had no one to talk to so she went to her room; she can't even cry.

Are we really breaking up? She took a box of pictures from her closet. There was a picture of her and Sendo. They looked happy in the picture. It was taken last month. All the pictures she had kept in that box were pictures of Akira and her. He had been her favorite subject since she liked to take pictures. The beach was their favorite place. What shall I do with these? Ayako didn't want to get rid of it.

There's a major possibility that Akira would choose his career over their relationship. Just the thought of that made Ayako want to cry. But she prevented herself from crying. Calm down Ayako, you still don't know what Akira thinks about this situation.

But she can't calm herself. Thoughts of what's so unusual about their relationship came flooding to her. He never introduced her to his mother. He never told her anything about his family. And even his plans! She had no idea that he had plans to study abroad. If she knew it was planned long ago, maybe she never let herself get too close to him.

Tears sprung from her eyes at the thought that maybe he never intended for them to last. And more tears flowed freely when she realized that maybe Akira didn't love her just as much as she loves him.

Akira didn't even have the courage to talk to Ayako. Mrs. Sendo called and informed her that he decided to go to the U. S.

Ayako had no intention of seeing him off though. It's over. Last night, Rumi tried to convince her to talk to Akira before he leaves but she didn't give in no matter how much she wanted. It won't matter anyway even if they talk; he's still leaving.

Rumi gave up eventually. Ayako wanted to believe that if she send him off, Akira might change his mind and never leave. But she's not insane to insist he stay when she knew very well why he needed to go. She didn't want to get in the way. Maybe this is for the best.

Despite what happened, Ayako had a positive view of the days to come without Akira. She tried her best to forget him even though it killed her. She missed him intensely. She missed their times together, his funny jokes, his unpredictability, his sweetness. How he always made her laugh.

Months passed and she was still thinking about him. Of how beautiful the beach could have been if he's still around. They would plan to spend a day at the beach just talking, sharing each other's thoughts, talk about anything, without realizing the time. Lie on the blanket and gaze at the stars.

Finally, her first year at Shohoku came and still, she was having thoughts of him sometimes. She had to stop reminiscing because she would only end up feeling betrayed, and it hurt reliving what happened. Instead of having idle moments that permitted her to think more of him, she devoted her time to the basketball team.

When she first came to Shohoku, she was accepted as the manageress. She also busied herself with photography. But sometimes, photography reminded her of him. So she decided to do more of being the manageress. It helped her forget about Akira, slowly but progressively. She tried to convince herself that she didn't love him enough to hate him. And she wouldn't allow any more of her time to be spent on thinking about him who's probably forgotten her.

But who am I kidding? I still love him, and it sure will take a long time to forget.

Rumi gave her his address and phone number. She said it was from Koshino. Ayako had been tempted many times to call or write him. But her bruised pride stopped her from doing so. Instead of wallowing in their memories together, she put all her time in managing the basketball team...and she had become an expert in pretending it was all that mattered…

to be continued