Disclaimer: I do not own the Slam Dunk characters.
CHAPTER 13
Rumi came home from her night out with Koshino. She saw Ayako at the living room, watching.
"Hi Ayako!"
"Hey! How's your night?" Ayako asked, momentarily turning away from the television.
"Oh please! It's always the same every time we're out. He talked about his basketball career and of course, his best friend. Sendo enrolled at Ryonan yesterday. And guess what? He's part of the basketball team. Hiro-kun looked really excited because he believes Sendo will be one of the major reasons they'll win in the competition."
"Oh." Ayako didn't know what else to say. It didn't surprise her that he joined the basketball team.
Coach Anzai called for an emergency meeting with Akagi, Kogure and Ayako.
As they sat there at the office, waiting for what the coach had to say, Ayako had no idea what the meeting's all about.
"We have a practice game with Ryonan on Saturday. As you all know, they're one of the top four teams in the district last year."
Akagi and Kogure looked at each other; both were looking forward to the practice game. They didn't notice Ayako's face turned pale.
What shall I do? I didn't expect to see him this soon!
Sendo smiled when he heard that they will have a practice game with Shohoku, which meant he'll see Ayako. He's excited to finally see her. And he's also nervous. He knew she wouldn't be too happy to see him after all he's done. At least, I know she'll be civil when she sees me. She had to for the sake of the friendly practice game.
He also looked forward to seeing the guy his sister had a crush on. Let's see what he can do. He heard so much about him, about his skills and his capability from Amira.
Amira tried to avoid Ayako but their paths crossed one day at the cafeteria. Ayako approached her with a friendly smile.
She's not rude to purposely avoid her. I guess I'll have to sit through this and hear her babbling about what a perfect boyfriend Rukawa is.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Ayako asked in a concerned tone as she sat beside her.
"I'm fine, just busy with schoolwork; swamped with many reports to submit."
For the last ten minutes, Amira didn't hear her talk about her 'boyfriend'. All Ayako talked about was the team and other stuff. "Can I ask you something?" She just can't resist.
"Sure. What is it?"
"Is Rukawa your boyfriend?" Amira can't look straight at her.
Amira didn't see Ayako's stunned expression and how she immediately recovered.
"Uhh,...not yet." It was a thrift answer but Amira could sense there was a lot to it especially the 'yet' part. She heard the rumors around school about Rukawa having interest in Ayako, Rukawa and Ayako arriving at school together. She didn't witness that so she's hoping it's not true. But why would such rumors circulate if it has no basis at all?
"I heard rumors that he's interested in you." Amira continued. "But I don't hear anything about you being interested in him."
"To tell you the truth, we have a mutual understanding. That's all." Ayako said.
What Ayako said confirmed what Rukawa told her the other night when he caught her following him. I don't easily give up on what I want. But this is pointless! I'd rather not force myself on someone who doesn't want me instead of forcing him to like me. He's not worth it!
Amira tried to control the tears that's about to come out. I'm not going to cry in front of Ayako. She doesn't have to see that I like Rukawa. She doesn't have to know about that.
If Ayako could stop the days from passing by so fast, she will. Since they've learned about the practice game with Ryonan, Akagi extended the hours of practice. The intense practice only reminded her of the inevitable practice game.
She saw Amira at the corner. Their conversation the other day bothered Ayako. Does she know anything?
It did not escape her how intently Amira watched Rukawa's every move. Could it be...? But that's impossible!
She shifted her attention on the on-going practice game, away from Amira. There's no point in dwelling about Amira and her possible admiration of Rukawa. If I find out that she likes Rukawa, there's no way I would tell her about the whole acting-thing going on. She's Sendo's sister.
After a week of doing what Rukawa suggested, that they go to school together for some, if not all students, to see, Ayako noticed a lot of girls were looking at her, or rather staring at her even when she's alone. She knew this would happen, but it's a bit disarming that it's actually happening. Most of the looks she got were that of envy. A few were that of approval. Approval of what, the 'relationship'?
She tried to ignore it but she felt like her every move was being observed. Under scrutiny was more like it. She did all she could to act unaffected as she walked toward the stairs.
As she made her way to the third floor, she noticed there were a number of students, mostly girls blocking her way.
A tall girl approached her. Ayako prepared herself for the worst confrontation. And to her surprise, the girl congratulated her. "Hi Ayako. I'm happy for you and Rukawa!"
Weird.
Another girl approached. "You look good together. We always thought so." She said, glancing at her other friends who started crowding around Ayako.
Even guys approached her to tell her they were glad Rukawa finally had a girlfriend. They found it hard to believe at first, but were happy nonetheless.
Unbelievable. They're not serious are they?
The disapproval she could accept, but them approving of the relationship was hard to believe.
Maybe they're only glad because most of the female population fantasizes about Rukawa. And now that he has me for a girlfriend, the girls will come to their senses and give these guys a chance. That could explain this.
Rukawa made his way to the second floor of the Shohoku building feeling sleepy as usual. He saw Akagi and Kogure, with a smile plastered on their faces. "Rukawa, we heard about you and Ayako." Akagi said.
"You look good together." Kogure added.
"Thanks." Rukawa gave the widest smile he could muster. It looked a little forced because he still felt weird at what's happening.
"At first, we're surprised to hear it. But then, who knows, maybe it's a whirlwind romance for the two of you. We never thought you like each other that much." Kogure said, not planning to get off the subject.
"Yeah. You're right about that." Rukawa said, thinking of a brilliant story to tell about how it all happened. "I've liked her since junior high. It's only now that I finally got the courage to tell her how I feel. And she feels the same way for me," he hoped that will do.
"You're lucky to have her." Akagi said, as he gave Rukawa a tap on the shoulder.
"I am." Rukawa said, thinking of how much he appreciated Ayako's help. It's starting to pay off because lately, there had only been a few letters on his locker. And that's a good sign. And he had to thank her for that.
to be continued