Disclaimer: I do not own Slam Dunk.
A/N: To answer one of the reviews and hopefully, your thoughts dear reader, Rukawa and Sendo never met each other. (But soon, they will meet...in the next chapters). Ayako and Akira broke up two years ago after an almost one-year long relationship. Ayako is still at Tomigaoka that time. Let's just say junior high basketball is not that important compared to high school basketball-Shohoku, Ryonan, Shoyo, Kainan, etc. (I hope you get what I mean). I'm sorry because this story is somewhat vague especially on the 'past relationship of Ayako-Akira part' and many others I'm not aware of. Again, let me just say Ayako is not a prominent figure back in junior high and even Akira is not that popular but he's a good player in junior high (wherever school that is) so only a few may have had given a damn about what's happening between the two of them. They're not the most-talked-about couple I must say.
TO THE REVIEWERS: Thank you so much. (I hope reading this story wasn't a waste of your time). Thank you also to Angel in particular, because you continually review this story :)
TO THE READERS: I hope you'll like this chapter and the next chapters to come. And maybe be even more kind to review it. Reviews, any kind-criticisms, comments and suggestions or violent reactions are most welcome.
CHAPTER 12
The door bell rang and Rumi stopped halfway to take a bite of her sandwich. She looked at Ayako. "Are you expecting a visitor?"
"No. But I'll get it."
Ayako opened the door and there was Rukawa, looking more than good as usual. "Good Morning," he said.
"Good Morning. What are you doing here? Have I forgotten something?" Ayako asked, still standing at the doorway.
"Let's walk to school together." He simply said this that it made Ayako wonder if this guy will be able to show any emotion at all. Can't he even be at least excited to see me? Ayako got rid of those thoughts before it wander somewhere else. Hey, there's no one watching. He wouldn't bother to show any emotion at all since there's no one around; we're not in front of an audience.
"Okay. But you don't have to do this. Walking with me home after every practice is enough, really." She smiled at him reassuringly.
"I think it would be better that they see us arriving together. In that way, they won't suspect why all of a sudden you're my girlfriend. Let's give them something to talk about during their spare time." He's probably referring to the girls who ran after him, the cheering squad specifically.
Ayako can't believe Rukawa actually suggested it. "I think that's a good idea." She glanced at the kitchen. "Will you come in first? I still have to finish my breakfast." She stepped out of the way to let him in. "Have you eaten? You're welcome to join us," she offered as he stepped inside.
"No thanks. I'm full." He said patting his stomach but it's not even evident that he was.
"Okay, you take a sit and wait here." She gestured at the living room couch. "There's the remote control if you want to watch something. I'll be finish in a little while." Rukawa sat on the couch. Ayako saw Rumi peeking from the kitchen.
"What's he doing here?" Rumi whispered as Ayako dragged her to the table away from the living room.
"He's here to pick me up so we can go to school together," she whispered back. She ate her sandwich as fast as she could.
"You talked him into that? Whoa Ayako, shouldn't he be the one to offer?" Rumi's eyes were wide.
"Of course not! He's the one who came up with the idea of going to school together." Sometimes Rumi could be irritating. She turned her attention back to her unfinished breakfast.
"Hey, slow down will you. I'm just kidding. I know you're not the aggressive type, unless of course you're hiding something from me."
Ayako stared back at her in disbelief. "I can't believe you. I've told you everything, I swear."
"Hey, it's not good for a girl to devour food that way. Don't you know guys are turned off by that?" Rumi said as Ayako finished her sandwich and drank her orange juice in one go.
"Very funny!" Ayako slowed down and wiped her mouth with a napkin.
Rumi looked at her wristwatch. "It's still early. What's the rush?"
"I don't want to keep him waiting," Ayako said as she walked towards the sink to brush her teeth.
Rumi rushed to the door and peeked once more at Rukawa who's patiently waiting. She turned to Ayako "Hmm, I can see he's beginning to act as the boyfriend. How sweet of him. I never thought he looked this gorgeous." Rumi has seen him a couple of times at school but only from a distance.
Ayako started cleaning the table when Rumi stopped her "Hey, I'll take care of that. Just go. It is better you arrive early at school so everyone there could see the two of you side by side." Rumi winked. "Do that for a week or more and surely they will be talking of the possibilities why you always come to school together. Maybe you should consider holding hands."
Ayako ignored Rumi's suggestion. "Thanks for taking care of the dishes. See you at school." Ayako took her bag and was on her way out the kitchen door.
"Who told you I'd wash these? It's your turn remember?" she said mockingly.
"Whatever. Just put it there and I'll wash it later. Bye!"
"Wait, aren't you going to introduce me to him?" Rumi looked serious.
"Fine." Ayako's losing patience.
Rumi could tell Ayako's nervous and a bit disoriented by Rukawa's presence. I won't be surprised if she'll fall for a guy like Rukawa Kaede. She followed Ayako to the living room.
"Rukawa, I'd like you to meet my cousin Rumi. She lives here with me."
Rumi extended her hand, "It's nice to finally meet you."
"It's nice meeting you too." Rukawa accepted Rumi's hand and gave a small nod at Rumi's obvious admiration. But Rumi's admiration was not the obsessive type.
"Well, Rumi, we really have to go. See you later." Ayako dragged Rukawa to the front door before Rumi could say weird things.
"Do you think the team has a chance in the Inter High Competition?"
"I don't know. I've no idea how the other teams have been preparing for it. But I believe in what you guys can do. I've seen you practice so hard and I just won't be surprised if you would make it to the final four." Ayako believed they are capable to achieve their goal.
"If you don't mind my asking, where are your parents?" He didn't see anyone around except for Rumi.
"They're in Tokyo, managing the family business. Even though they're not around, they always call to check on me and Rumi twice a month or more. How about you?" She looked up to find Rukawa hesitant. Ayako realized she must have made him uncomfortable. It seemed as if they were starting the 'getting to know' phase of dating. It's fine with her if he would ask questions about her family. She's not sure if it's okay with him. But if she never asked, she'll never know anything about his personal life, including his family.
And she's surprised when he finally answered.
"My parents separated eight years ago. I've been living alone for two years at our old house. My mom lives in Tokyo with her second family and she calls sometimes to know how I'm doing. And my dad, well, I don't know where he is. I don't know if I'll even care if one day he shows-up," Rukawa said as though it didn't matter at all. But she saw the sadness on his face. She could imagine how hard it had been for Rukawa.
"I'm sorry to hear about that." It was all she could say to show him she sympathized with him. She wanted to kick herself for asking such a stupid question.
"It's all right. I think this is the first time I've talked to someone about it since..." he trailed off.
"Since?" Ayako asked, waiting on to what he'd say next. It's rare to get him to talk a lot in a day. She must have gone too far. "Never mind that question. You're not obligated to answer it." She waved her hand to show him it's okay.
They were now approaching the school entrance and she could see some students huddled in groups. A lot of girls were there and she was hoping the RU-KA-WA girls weren't there to see this.
As they made their way to the school building, she could feel the eyes of some students following their every move. "I'll walk you to your classroom." Rukawa's voice was loud enough to be heard by the students nearby.
She didn't protest because everyone's watching and she knew it's a part of the 'script' even if there was actually none. (She hoped they practiced it before going on stage).
"Thanks." She smiled at him, trying to look like she enjoyed every minute she had while they were together. She's not saying she didn't enjoy it but their conversation earlier had been too serious.
She saw Ryota and she was glad he was there standing outside their room. She just can't wait to tell him about what happened that morning at the school entrance.
"Bye. See you at practice." He gave Ryota a nod, acknowledging his presence and then looked back at Ayako and smiled at her. Just a small smile, but still that's something any girl would swoon over.
She knew he was only acting. She didn't know why but she felt sad that it's all for show. She had no reason to feel that way. She reminded herself that this was just an act. They've already had a mutual understanding about this; she should not expect anything at all.
"See you later," she said, shaking off the thought and giving him a warm smile before he walked away.
She glanced at Ryota and "Let's go inside. I have to tell you what happened earlier today," and started telling him the details. She told him everything in a whisper; she didn't want everything they planned be blown off even before they achieve the results they want.
In the women's comfort room, the RU-KA-WA girls were chatting about none other than Rukawa, and a bit about Ayako.
"Did you see Rukawa today? He came to school with that girl; the manageress of the team." 'KA' girl said.
Ayako had to hear this. She recognized the voices. The RU-KA-WA girls, who else. She was inside one of the cubicles and she overheard, taking note of the tone; it was said with distaste.
"So?" was the high-pitch reply of 'WA'.
"Can't you see? This is the first time in history that Rukawa Kaede came to school with a girl by his side!" 'RU' said in a worried voice. "At least that's what I heard."
"But we all know that Ayako is close to the other team members as well since she spends time with them every practice."
"It's not possible that Rukawa likes her. Look at the way she dresses. Our school uniform doesn't look good on her. And she's his senior. There's no way he would be interested in her." 'WA' sounded unfazed. She said this as though they were the only ones in the comfort room.
Ayako restrained herself from coming out of the cubicle. She can't believe how rude these girls were, especially that 'WA' girl, to imply she doesn't deserve to be given a second glance. Am I that unattractive? She began to doubt herself that indeed she's not good enough. She tried to calm herself and regain her self-confidence as she strained to hear what they have to say next. If they talk like that about me again, I swear, I'll give them what they deserve today, right here if I can't control myself.
"Still, we should watch those two. I think something's going on we don't know about." 'RU' said, determined to dig deep into the scene they witnessed that morning.
It looks like we're not able to convince these girls. I wouldn't be surprised. They really like to see with their own two eyes that Rukawa is in love with a girl like me. I'll show you why I deserve to be the girlfriend of the guy you so desires. Ayako had to work harder next time. More than anything else, she wanted to help Rukawa get rid of these girls and many others who are pestering him. Sorry girls. What I do might hurt you but I'm just helping a friend regain his peace of mind.
She had to help Rukawa and he had to help her. But for now, she had to give her best since Rukawa seemed to be the one who most needed the help. And when the time comes that Akira... Wait, I should stop calling him Akira. I have to get used to calling him Sendo from now on. And I should call Rukawa, Kaede. Kaede, sounded nice. She'll start calling him that today if she got the chance.
On the other hand, Kaede had to work harder as well in order to convince Sendo that he's out the picture.
to be continued