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

CHAPTER 8

Sendo looked around the premises of the arrival area, his view extending to the waiting area, where his sister and mom could possibly be waiting. They said they would be there on his arrival. Where were they?

"Akira!" a female voice called out, as if to answer his thoughts. He looked to his right and saw his sister, waving and smiling. Her shoulder-length hair loose bounced as she waved at him excitedly. Walking towards her, he noticed she's alone. It had been almost two years since he last saw her and now, she looked more beautiful.

"Hey," he said, giving her a hug, "where's mom? I thought she'd be here."

"On the last minute, she decided not to go. She said she's going to see you anyway unless you plan on going somewhere else. And besides, you know how people are when they're getting older." She glanced at his baggage. "Is that all you've brought?" she asked, probably wondering how all his things would fit in two bags.

"Yeah," he said a bit lazily, with a grin on his face. "I have a lot of clothes at home, so don't you worry." He put an arm over her shoulder, "So, how's my sister? And how's school?" Sendo missed her so much. He'd been too protective of his sister. Anyway, all brothers treat their younger sisters like that way, right?

When he was in the States, he heard that Amira was going to Shohoku. Personally, he would have liked her to go to Ryonan, the school which he planned to go to if he didn't have to go to the U.S. But fortunately (or maybe not), he got to go. Besides the fact that Ryonan's only a walking distance from their house, it's where his former classmates in junior high went to. It's also where his best friend was. Sendo didn't want to go through all the hassles of making new friends. It didn't mean he did not want to have new friends. He just wanted to be with his friends.

At the mention of Shohoku, he was reminded of Ayako. He knew that she went there. He heard a sigh and realized his sister was talking. He was not paying attention. "...I like it there because, I don't know. I just really like it there," she finished, a bit confusing for him because he didn't know what other previous things she had said. That's what you get for not paying attention.

"What do you mean? Sorry, I wasn't paying that much attention. I didn't hear the first words you have said," he said apologetically. Amira rolled her eyes, while trying to avoid bumping to a group of teenage girls who obviously saw Sendo and immediately got a crush on him it seemed.

"As I was saying, it is fun there. I've met a lot of new friends. I really like it there," she said, intriguing enough for Sendo to pay attention.

"How's the basketball team doing?" he asked, somehow hoping she would also talk about Ayako without having to ask directly about her. He learned from Koshino that Ayako managed the basketball team. "The basketball team's been practicing non-stop every afternoon, during class days," she said. Again he sensed the tone he could hear from girls who had a crush on someone in the team. "And I met the manageress of the team, Ayako," she continued. At this, Sendo's ears perked up. "She's so great, being able to balance her studies and some extracurricular activities." How is she? He could only think to himself. But then hearing his sister's suspicious "What?" accompanied with a frown made him realize that maybe he had said it a bit too loudly.

He thought of an alibi to cover up the slip of the tongue, which caught his sister's interest. "Uh... I mean, isn't she finding it hard to manage the team since she's a female, you know, male-female differences," he said, silently hoping she would not notice the slight blush that had crept on his face. He was also hoping she wouldn't sense the concern in his voice.

"Well, on the first two weeks, since the team met, I think she's doing great. She gets along well with the team members. And they respect her Amira said, sounding as if she has known Ayako for so long. Sendo listened attentively at everything she was saying. "And last week, I noticed that she's preoccupied, though I wasn't able to get it out of her," she said, more to herself, her eyebrows creased in deep thought. "I wonder what's bothering her."

They reached the cab she'd rented. "I think there's a chance the Shohoku team would make it to the Inter High, with all those efforts," she mused, not noticing the change in his brother's expression. "Because of Rukawa, I think they would make it, I just really do," she said, having that tone again, the I-have-a-crush-on-someone tone. It would have to be that Rukawa.

Instead of thinking of the possible rivalry in the upcoming competition, he was drifting off to the events that happened two years ago. He could still remember when he met Ayako. He was struck by her simplicity. She was so pretty back then and surely, she's prettier now. He knew he screwed things up but then he still can't accept that it's his fault. A part of him told him that following his dream was right. Koshino said there's nothing wrong with it.

Sendo thought differently; when someone gets hurt in the process, that's not right. She's probably hurt since she didn't even see me off at the airport. How would she react when she sees me?

Rumi was sleeping, probably in dreamland when she heard the door bell rang. Waking up early in the morning has been for her, a very hard thing to do unlike Ayako who's an early-riser. She was forced to rise from her bad because of the non-stop ringing of the bell.

She stood up lazily and walked, like a zombie with her eyes half-open, down the hall and the stairs towards the front door. Whoever it is, it better be Ayako. That girl has a lot of explaining to do. If I could just get her to spill it out. I'll probably get it out of her since she needs my advice.

She opened the door with all the effort she could muster. Sure enough, standing there in the doorstep was her cousin, who looked like she's not worried at all with the things she'd done. "What happened to you? Why did you sleep at Rukawa's house? Are you out of your mind?"

The questions poured non-stop. Ayako, who looked exactly like what she looked like yesterday when she left, in her uniform only grungier, raised both hands to signal Rumi to stop.

"Wait. I would tell you okay, just calm down. Would you mind letting me in before starting the interrogation?" she pleaded, amused at her cousin who sounded like her mother. Rumi let her in, without a word.

If I only knew this would happen, I should've gone home last night. But then I'll be wearing Rukawa's oversized t-shirt and sweat pants. A small smile crept on her. That's just funny. She went to the kitchen and took a glass from the cabinet. Besides feeling tired, she's also thirsty. She walked towards the refrigerator, hoping there's a pitcher of cold water.

For Rumi, Ayako's actions seem to take forever. She felt she had a lot of patience to spare Ayako this morning. Since I'm the one who needs something from her, I'd better wait. She better have a good explanation for spending the night at Rukawa's place.

Ayako turned around from the sink to face her, "Can I go to my room first to take a bath? I'm really sweating and start to smell too," she said, with earnest eyes as if telling her to wait a little longer.

"Okay go," Rumi said in a resigned voice. "I'll wait for you in the living room."

Ayako took a shower. She felt fresh and clean after. I'd better hurry. Rumi might lose it on me. She toweled her hair to remove the water and cause drippings on the floor. She took the comb from her dresser and started barreling down the stairs to the living room, where she saw Rumi skimming the pages of the magazine. She had probably read it many times, but for the sake of waiting, she was forcing herself to read it.

Rumi, who felt her presence, looked up. "Finally! So, what happened?" she demanded, giving her an inquiring look.

At least it's only one question unlike earlier. Ayako sat at a one-sitter couch taking the pillow and hugging it close to her.

"The truth is I don't know either. Last night, I was really furious and just had to chill, to run and to think alone," Ayako said, clasping her hands in front of her.

"You could've done that thinking you needed in your room," Rumi said, looking at her, waiting for her to get to the point.

"I can't. I need to get some fresh air." She said, helplessly, trying to explain such little detail, which doesn't actually matter "I was walking when suddenly the rain poured. The plan, I was about to tell you last night. But then I overheard what you and Koshino were talking about, it slipped off my mind."

Seeing Rumi was quiet and waiting for what she has to say next, Ayako continued. "I told you before that I would think of a plan and now, I have one. I was planning to get even with Akira. I've told you about it and you know that. But now, it's not the only reason. It's selfish of me, I know but I just want to save myself from the humiliation. I felt so insulted that he's already gotten over me while I'm here, looking like a fool. Worst I'm feeling stupid and obviously not completely over him. If I can't do it, I can at least show it."

She paused for breath. "I went to Rukawa's house but he wasn't there. That's what I thought until I bumped into him at the front of his house. He invited me and since I'm soaking wet and feeling cold, who am I to refuse such help? And besides, I need to talk to him."

"The plan is I would ask someone I knew to pose as my boyfriend. I know Rukawa since junior high so I asked him then and there, when I'm still feeling brave and determined. He's the only one suitable for the role. His and Akira's looks don't differ that much. Their skills are also comparable." Ayako saw how Rumi's jaw dropped at the revelation. Was the plan really that shocking?

to be continued