Disclaimer: I do not own Slam Dunk though I wish I do.

A/N: Thanks to the one who came up with the brilliant description: walking block of ice. I hope you won't mind if I borrowed it for this chapter.

CHAPTER 9

Ayako asked for Rumi's opinion.

"What were you thinking?" Rumi demanded astonishingly. Instead of getting an opinion, Ayako got another question from her cousin. All she could do was shrug her shoulders.

Before Rumi could respond to her shrug, Ayako continued talking. "He said YES to it faster than I've thought. When I asked him why, he said he needed a girlfriend. I asked why just now when he could've had a girlfriend a long time ago. He said it's not for the reason that I thought of but simply for the reason he's had enough. He couldn't take it anymore, the girls who continually seek his attention, those who kept on staring and giggling when he's around. So he thought that maybe if he could have a girlfriend, those girls would leave him alone. It makes complete sense to me."

"Even if I tell you my opinion, not on Rukawa's plan but yours, what's the use?" Rumi was amused Ayako's calmness.

Ayako was relieved because Rumi didn't seem angry. She looked more like amused than angry, definitely trying not to burst into laughter.

"You're old enough to know what you're doing. I hope you know the consequences of your actions. Have you ever thought of how the female population would react and what their reactions will be when they find out that the guy they've spent so much time with thinking, planning a scheme on how to get his attention, had a girlfriend? The moment they know of this, brace yourself for the threats you might receive." Rumi's made Ayako think twice about the situation she's about to get into or rather, she had gotten herself in.

But despite this, Ayako managed to look unaffected. "I'll cross the bridge when I get there."

Rumi knew well Ayako could deal with it. She was just testing; she wanted to know if Ayako's confidence could be shaken. She could definitely see how she's so well-determined.

The laughter that Rumi's trying to control from pouring out finally made its way out in the open. "Why are you laughing? What's funny?" Ayako's brows creased in curiosity.

"I just can't wait to see what the whole female Rukawa-engrossed population's reaction will be. Not just that, the whole school would be surprised, especially Ryota. He didn't even have the chance to get close to you."

Ayako felt sorry for Ryota. She knew that he likes her but there's nothing she could do about it. "Another funny thing, given that Rukawa is capable enough to measure with your ex's skills and I think he's better-looking than him, is he capable to act as your boyfriend? It's only basketball that he's good at, not acting. Maybe he should enroll at an acting workshop or something before you show him off," she finished between giggles, her eyes getting teary.

While watching Rumi, Ayako couldn't help but giggle with her. "He's good-looking and a promising basketball player, you have to give him that as a credit. Though, you're right about the acting part. I have doubts about his acting skills and capability to act as a boyfriend," Ayako can't help admit.

Rumi stopped laughing and said, "Yeah, he's good-looking," she paused for a while then continued, "and a basketball player, just like your ex. Beware, you never know, one day you might end up falling for him," she teased.

Ayako didn't reply to that one. She found it funny, the thought of her falling for him. It's impossible.

But Rumi wasn't finished yet. "You have to admit, the guy's cold. He's like a walking block of ice." She was back to her critic mode.

"I think he's not really like that. He's just acting for the sake of not attracting the girls." Ayako defended on Rukawa's part.

"Which is not effective. It only added to what the girls consider as a factor to like a guy more. It's making him look more mysterious than he already is. Most girls like it like that, you know," Rumi said knowingly.

"I think you're right," Ayako agreed. "But at least, let's admit that for Rukawa, it is better that way, he seemed content with concealing his emotions than showing it."

"If that's the case, how do you think will he be able to show that he loves you? You're posing as a couple and because of that character of his, there's a fat chance not everyone will believe you're together."

"I don't know. I think, though I don't know if he's been in love, he is capable to show feelings, especially to the girl he loves. And that's me." Ayako said, smiling and jokingly.

Monday morning, Ayako woke up to prepare for class. She went to the bathroom and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She brushed her teeth and took a bath. She put on her uniform and dried her curly hair with a cotton towel. She would let her hair down this day since she's always had it on a ponytail.

When she went downstairs to the kitchen, she smelled an aroma of fried bacon and eggs. She saw food already being prepared by her cousin Rumi, who was in charge of the preparations for that day. They both decided they should have schedules of preparing the food.

"Good Morning! I hope you're ready to face the violent reactions of the school population, if ever you're planning on announcing it today or just going to let the school population notice about it themselves."

Ayako was once again reminded of the reality that she's now the girlfriend of the most sought-after basketball player at school. She just hoped that she won't have to face those violent reactions and raised eyebrows. But what did I expect? That's a given.

"Yeah, right. Thanks for reminding me of the danger I would have to face after obsessed girls learned about my supposed relationship with Rukawa." She sat across Rumi who was reaching for bacon and egg.

"Well, have you two talked about the arrangements? I mean there has to be a specific plan right, a list of things, like what you'll do when you're in front of the basketball team for instance." Rumi said, between bites.

"Actually we haven't talked about that yet. I guess we'll just have to be prepared when one of these days I'd accidentally see Akira. And about the basketball team, I think I'll have to be sweet to Rukawa during practice only." Ayako said.

"Good luck to the both of you. I just hope you'd both be able to convince everyone."

Sendo felt a feeling of belongingness as he set foot on Ryonan grounds. He was relieved that it wasn't that late yet; he was able to enroll. He went first to coach Taoka's office to tell him about his plans of joining the team. The coach was surprised to see him and was happy about Sendo's decision.

After meeting the coach, Sendo went to the Principal's office to give the requirements for admission. It didn't take long for Sendo to get the list of the subjects he's taking and the schedule as well.

Stepping out of the Principal's office, Sendo saw some of his close friends waiting outside. He saw Koshino and the other members of the team. They approached him and slapped hands with him as a sign of a warm welcome and he just knew that everything will be all right. He couldn't wait to play for the team. He couldn't wait to play basketball. He couldn't wait to see Ayako. What would Ayako say once she learned that he's back?

The class started and Ayako could barely concentrate on what the teacher was saying. She had decided. I have to talk to Ryota before he could even learn about my so-called relationship with Rukawa. I would tell him after class.

She risked a glance at Ryota and saw that he was concentrating and listening intently to the discussion. At least one of us is listening. She looked back at her blank notebook. She was not able to write what the teacher said. Never mind, I'll just borrow Ryota's notes.

A few more moments and the bell rang. Ryota seemed excited for the practice that afternoon; he sprang to his feet immediately to Ayako's disappointment. She tried to make her way through the crowd to catch him. Finally when she got out and looked around the hallway, she still saw Ryota leaning against the wall with his hands in front of him.

"Ryota, thank goodness you're still here. I have to talk to you." Ayako said seriously.

"What's the matter? Is something wrong?" Ryota's expression was that of worry and a hint of wonder.

"Can we go some place where there's no one who could overhear what I had to say?" Ayako whispered.

"Okay. Let's go to the benches near the field. I hope this won't take long because I don't want to get hit by the captain." Ryota said, making the atmosphere light. He should be glad that Ayako wanted to tell him something. But why did he have the feeling this was not good and that he didn't want to hear at all what she had to say. "So tell me," he said while taking a sit at the bench, "what is it you want to talk to me about?" He looked at Ayako and saw that she's somehow hesitant to speak. "Come on tell me. Or we're going to be late for practice." Ryota leaned towards Ayako but still maintained enough distance for her not to feel uncomfortable.

"You wanted to know why I've been preoccupied these past few days. It's because my ex-boyfriend is coming back." Ayako said without looking at him.

There was a brief silence before Ryota could speak. "Do you still love him?" was all he could say.

"Yes, I think. Besides that, I also want to get even with him. I may sound evil but that's the truth. I want to be prepared when one of these days we bumped into each other." Ayako glanced at Ryota.

"Is that all you're going to tell me?" Ryota asked hoping that it's all she had to say because he just didn't know what to say anymore. Just the thought that she still had feelings for her ex-boyfriend tightened his chest.

"Actually, the real problem is that I asked someone to pose as my boyfriend. I mean it's a part of my getting-even plan with Sendo Akira. He's been away for almost two years but I still can't get over him. I don't want to prove anything here. I just want him to get the message that I'm over him even though I'm completely not. He was seeing someone else but then Koshino, his friend told my cousin Rumi that Akira wants me back." Ayako was not able to control her emotions in front of him. It's strange that her tears didn't come pouring out. Realizing her outburst; she calmed herself by running her slender hands over her curly hair.

"Sendo Akira is your ex-boyfriend. And who did you ask to pose as your boyfriend?" Ryota tried to sound unaffected when deep inside he's shaken by what he heard from Ayako. He didn't know she had a boyfriend then. It only proved that he still didn't know her well.

"It's Rukawa." Ayako said simply.

"Wait a minute. Why did you ask him? Are you sure he's going to be a good boyfriend? I think the guy's cold and I don't know, maybe weird," was Ryota's violent reaction. "And why are you telling me this?" Ryota asked finally, curious why Ayako trusted her with such personal matter.

"Because I think I could trust you. I just want to at least tell someone from the team what's bothering me and what's about to take place. Besides my cousin Rumi and of course Rukawa, you're the only person I've told about this," Ayako said taking a deep breath.

Another silence. "What?" Ayako said when Ryota's expression was unreadable.

"I'm just surprised that you told me about this." Ryota said.

"I just think that you're a good friend. We've been friends since we were freshmen. And I think I could trust you with this." It may seem nothing to Ayako but to Ryota, he could sense that she's sincere and she wanted to be reassured that it will be all right.

"Don't worry. I have no objections with you and Rukawa. If you want to talk, I'm always here to listen." Ryota said while patting Ayako's shoulder and giving her a warm smile. Ayako didn't notice the sad look on his face. Ryota felt like he wanted to cry. But he controlled himself and tried to show her that he's taking it all well.

"Thanks for understanding. We better head to the gym." Ayako smiled warmly at Ryota.

to be continued