Disclaimer: I do not own the Slam Dunk.
CHAPTER 14
The day that Ayako dreaded; it finally came. They rode the light rail transit that will take them to Ryonan. Ayako wore black cargo pants and a white fitted shirt with a matching red cap and red sneakers. Not her usual attire during practice but she felt like wearing it.
She sat beside Rukawa, her hands were sweating and cold. She could barely control the trembling.
"Hey Ayako, why do you look so worried?" Sakuragi asked. He pointed at Rukawa, as if implying he was the one that's making her worry.
"Don't worry, we all know about the two of you. Hehehe...you look perfect for each other, an energetic and emotionless pair. Sounds weird though." He laughed so loud that some of the passengers glanced at him warily. He stopped laughing abruptly and narrowed his eyes at the two of them. The rest of the team shook their heads hile Rukawa grunted in response to Sakuragi.
Ayako decided to ignore Sakuragi's nonsense talk and glanced out the window instead, trying to calm herself, her brows creased in worry.
She was startled when Rukawa took her hand and held it right then and there, in front of the team. She was startled and almost pulled away but caught herself. Now, what's he thinking? She looked at him and saw a comforting hint of a smile form in his lips. She quickly glanced at the members. To her relief, no one seemed to notice maybe because each of them where having their own thoughts about the practice game.
She told him yesterday that they'll see Sendo at the practice game. She warned him to be sweet to her though she had no idea how he will pull it off. Having him stand beside me the moment I see Sendo will be enough I guess. Just relax and focus on what I want to achieve: get the message across without having to talk to him, if possible.
Rukawa was still holding her hand when they arrived at Ryonan high school's court. Not too tight but not too loose. It's just what she needed to keep her from running away and bail from the game.
The memory when she first met Sendo washed over her unexpectedly. She convinced herself that everything will be fine as long as she won't leave Rukawa's side. But she had to let go of him once the game starts. They arrived at the court; the two coaches approached each other and shook hands. The tension suddenly increased when both teams came face to face, each of the members giving the other a measuring look.
She stayed behind and looked at the Ryonan team. Sendo was nowhere in sight to her great relief. Where could he be?
"Hi Ayako. It's been so long since we've seen each other." Koshino approached her while eyeing Rukawa and their still entwined hands.
She fought the urge to pull her hands from Rukawa's grip. She somehow felt guilty holding someone else's hand. I'm no longer your best friend's girlfriend Koshino so stop looking at me like that.
"Hi Koshino. It's been a while indeed." She gave him the warmest smile she could manage. Her hand gripped Rukawa's hand tighter, as though drawing strength from it. Rukawa squeezed her hand to somehow tell her not to worry.
The referee whistled to signal that the game will start in about ten minutes. Each team took their places at the opposite sides of the court to do warm-ups.
Once again, she looked for that familiar lean figure and spiky hair of Sendo. She let go of Rukawa's hand since he had to take off his jacket and jogging pants. Maybe I missed him and he's here somewhere?
She ignored the feeling of disappointment that came over her. She can't understand why she had to be this anxious. It's been two years since she last saw him. Maybe he's changed, physically. She was convinced that she would be more comfortable if she knew where he was. In that way, she will do all she can to avoid glancing at him. But the fact that he's not yet here only made her feel nervous and excited. What the hell's wrong with me?
Rukawa leaned to her so close and whispered to her ear, "Who's Sendo among these guys?"
Ayako felt his warm breath on her ear and she felt a shiver ran down her spine. The familiar smell of his mild soap tickled her senses. It's the same scent that she smelt on the t-shirt he had lent her. Which I haven't returned yet. Remind self to return it to him on Monday.
She didn't want to entertain the thought that Rukawa's nearness affects her.
"I don't see him anywhere. I think he's not yet here," she told him nervously.
Rukawa was, of course, one of the starting five. As she sat there, he, Akagi, Ryota, Mitsui and Kogure stood from their seats to take their places.
Sakuragi after violently reacting to coach's decision that he cannot play for the next few minutes maybe, blurted out while looking at Ayako expectantly, "Aren't you going to wish him luck?"
"Who?" She didn't know who he was talking about because at that moment, her mind was wandering somewhere else or rather thinking of someone else.
"Your boyfriend of course!" Sakuragi exclaimed as though Ayako was losing her mind.
Ayako, on an impulse, stood up from her seat and gave Rukawa a peck on the cheek. She had to stand on her toes to be able to do it. "Good luck Kaede." She smiled at him sweetly, her eyes bearing that look for Rukawa to get on with the act.
He stared back at her with that unreadable expression on his face but in his eyes, there's something she cannot name. She could tell he was a bit surprised by the kiss. They haven't actually talked about 'kissing.'
He nodded at her and smiled a little, which she almost missed if she didn't look at him closely. "Thanks."
She's surprised at what she did herself. She didn't care if it earned amused looks from some of the members and if Ryota looked away and if Sakuragi's eyes widened.
"How sweet. But Rukawa doesn't seem too happy to get only a peck on the cheek." Sakuragi said, obviously in the mood for teasing, annoying Rukawa to be specific.
The 'romantic atmosphere' dissolved when Rukawa glanced at Sakuragi and said "Shut up." And Ayako took out her paper fan and hit Sakuragi on the head. At least, to cover for the embarrassment she felt at what Sakuragi's insinuating.
Before Sakuragi could give a harsh reply, the referee whistled.
The game has finally begun.
In the first quarter, there's still no sign of him. She can't repress herself from glancing back again and again at the other side. Her eyes seem to have a mind of its own; it kept wandering back to Ryonan's side many times, searching for Sendo.
She saw Coach Taoka paced to and fro. Looking at the score board, she had an idea why. The scores were not too far from each other. Ryonan were up by only four points.
She busied herself for the next fifteen minutes, the second quarter. She heard a loud buzz coming from the side of Ryonan. And there he was, standing in front of Coach Taoka, apologizing for being late. He received a mouthful from the coach.
Before she could avert her eyes, Sendo had seen her looking. And what she saw in his eyes almost made her want to run to him and hug him. Almost. All the memories came flooding that her chest tightened at the memory of it. She looked down on her lap and fought the tears that slowly blurred her eyes. Hold it together Ayako. You can't cry here. Not now. Not here where all the people can see.
Rukawa turned to where the commotion was and saw a guy being scolded by the coach. Based on Ayako's descriptions, he knew who it was. He saw how Ayako kept her head low, to hide the hurt. She must've been fighting back tears.
Sendo caught Ayako looking at him. He cannot be mistaken. He saw the pain in her eyes. And it hurt him to know that he caused it. If he could only erase it, he will.
He brushed the thought off. For now, he had to concentrate on the game.
A tall guy was guarding him. He heard Akagi remind the guy about what he had to do. So, he's the famous Rukawa my sister talked about. But lately, he noticed Amira stopped talking about him. She must've gotten over him. But he doubted it was possible to be able to do it hat soon.
The game was in favor of Ryonan team so it was not a surprise that they won. Sendo would have liked to talk to Ayako, but Koshino was quick to pull him aside.
"Don't even think about approaching her here. She has a boyfriend and his name is Rukawa Kaede." Koshino had a serious look on his face that Sendo had to believe him even though he didn't want to.
He never got the chance to talk to Ayako. But he could always try next time.
Sendo didn't care that they won by two points. He didn't know what to feel when he heard the news. Ayako's boyfriend Rukawa broke his sister's heart. And somehow, it broke his.
to be continued