CHAPTER 2/? HARUKO: FOR THE TEAM!

"I'm going to be late if I don't hurry." She started to speed off. She had just come from the hospital. She made a visit to the hospital to see Sakuragi. The visit took longer than she expected. She thought it would be a quick visit and see how he was doing. But the quick visit became more like a picnic. I should've remembered that this was Sakuragi-kun. He'll try to keep me there. And he did. I really must hurry.

He hasn't changed much though. Still the same old funny Sakuragi-kun. Always thinking of me and trying to cheer me up. That's what I like about him. She paused. What am I thinking? She blushed. He seemed more serious though. Like he was thinking of something very important. But he should have nothing to worry about. The doctor said he would be able to play soon. She was very excited about this news. She couldn't wait to rush to tell Ayako and the others. They'll all be pleased with the news. She looked at her watch. I almost forgot some of the chores I need to do before class start. If only I didn't have class I would've liked to talk more about how things were doing with him. His longer red hair suits him though. KAWAII!! HOW CUTE!! She stopped for a brief second and held her right hand to her chest. What is this I'm feeling? He's just my friend. She refused to accept those kinds of feelings. Don't I love Rukawa? She was so confused at that moment. She shows so much affection towards Rukawa, even though it was a one way love, and there was Sakuragi that tried his best to make her happy all the time. She didn't know what to do with what she felt. But she knew one thing for certain about it, Rukawa will never love her back. She's grown to accept that. She shrugged those thoughts for awhile. She still was excited to have seen Sakuragi. After his injury she hasn't seen him for a long time and she was elated to see him. I really wanted to have stayed longer. For some reason she wanted to be with him longer. She just sighed. If I have time, I'll visit her after school.

She checked her watch again and hurried towards the school. But she couldn't afford to be late today. Basketball practice starts again today. She's the new assistant manager of the team so she still has to go to the gym and help Ayako out clean up and check up on their equipments. Good thing I remembered about that. Ayako-san can't do all of that in a span of a few minutes. She wants to do a good job. I'd like to prove myself. But at the rate I'm going I'm just going to embarrass myself.

The team needs to prepare. The Shohoku team is a small unknown team but they were able to beat the No. 1 team in Japan. They want to prove to the rest that their unbelievable rise in inter high wasn't just fluke or a stroke of luck. The Winter Inter High is coming up. The team wants to prove they're strength.

The team has to work hard this season. They had lost four of their best players. Three of which happened to be starters. Akagi and Kogure, the captain and vice captain of the team, had already quit the team so they could study for college entrance exams. Sakuragi was still in the hospital after a back injury he got a few months back in the game against Sannoh. And as for Rukawa, he was in the All Japan Team and no word has come back about his return. A lot of them thought he would never come back. Why would he? Basketball was his life and this would be a step nearer to becoming the best player.

As she started to jog towards school, she started to think of all the triumphs of the team. In the beginning, they were but a small team from Kanagawa and had no chance in hell in getting into the finals or even the inter high competions. But they wowed everyone when they won game after game after game. Then the unexpected happened. They beat the no. 2 seed team in the district, Shoyo High. That was an unbelievable experience. People also started to notice this certain redhead on the court. Again she could feel her heart beat a bit faster.

But then they had a game with the no. 1 seed, Kainan. The stadium was full on that day. People wanted to see if Kainan could win again in their 17th consecutive win or would they finally lose to a team that has taken Kanagawa by storm. But even with their best game they still lost. The game was pretty hard for them. Each one blamed themselves for being weak, especially Sakuragi. What was he thinking when he suddenly cut his hair? Well, it was kind of cute. But they rose above it and won the next game.

Time finally came for Ryonan and Shohoku to play against each other. Both were in battle for the last ticket to get into the inter high. The game was very fierce but in the end Shohoku won. I was so happy for everyone. My brother was finally closer into getting the championship. Though they did not win the championship, they won against the no. 1 team in Japan, Sannoh High.

From a team of just Akagi, it grew into one great team. Miyagi, one of the best point guards came back to the team. Mitsui, the ace 3-point shooter of jr. high, also came back.

And of course, who could forget Sakuragi and his rise and improvement in the sport. Haruko was the one that recommended him to the team and believed in his ability. She believed that he would be a key player to the team's success. And she was right. In just a matter of four months he had learned so much and a player that shouldn't be ignored. She couldn't imagine how better he could have been if it wasn't for his injury. I've been thinking of him a lot lately. I really don't understand this feeling. He's just my friend… I'm so confused.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Haruko, can we ask you a question?"

"Yes."

"We were wondering, why is it that you seem to ignore Sakuragi everytime he's trying to impress you."

"Impress me? Why would he do that? It's just that..that…"

"You're fawning over Rukawa, right?"

"N..NO!"

"Then why are you blushing while talking about him? You know, while you go googly-eyed over that ice prince, you're missing someone who constantly showers you with affection."

"Who are you talking about?

:::sweatdrop::: Naïve as ever. "Who else?? Sakuragi of course."

"What? He's just my friend, nothing else."

"Open you eyes Haruko. It's not friendship he's after."

"It can't be. If and only IF it was true, he'd tell me."

"But he has. Over a dozen times already and you have yet to notice. Actually I'm starting to sympathize with the guy at the way you treat him."

"Can we talk about something else?"

"Believe me Haruko."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Believe me," huh? I don't know… She left that thought trail away. At that point she was too confused and didn't really feel like thinking more about it. She thought of the team again.

Then she remembered Rukawa. She could feel a blush coming up her face. Stop that, control yourself. She paused a bit and thought of him. He'll never think of me that way. All he thinks is about basketball. That's his life. Nothing else. From the first time she had ever seen him, he was so much into basketball. And even when they were already in Shohoku High all she could see in him was a passion, a drive to play basketball. He forgot everyone and everything when he played. At that point she knew he didn't have a place in his heart for her. He couldn't replace his number one love, basketball.

"HARUKO, hayaku, hayaku! Hurry, hurry!!" She was startled. Two figures ahead were waving for her to come. It was Matsui and Fuji. "What are you doing Haruko? You still have work before classes start, or have you forgotten?"

"Of course, I haven't forgotten. What are you doing here this early?"

"Look at the time!"

"Oh my god! It's this late already. Baka!! I'm not thinking straight today."

"Well instead of insulting yourself, run."

"Hai!" She started to speed off again. I wonder how Rukawa-kun is doing. She still loved the raven haired boy. I guess it's not that easy to forget someone you've truly loved and admired. She tried forgetting about him for a moment to think of her tasks at hand. I'm almost there, should only be a few minutes late at the gym if I run. And like lightning, she was gone in a flash.

She was passing by the outdoor basketball courts. This place held a lot of memories for her. It was where she first learnt basketball from her brother. He was very mean to me at that time, but he meant well. This place was also where she and Sakuragi would meet to practice some basketball moves. They'd often meet there when Sakuragi would need help in trying to learn new things. She'd sometimes see him practicing alone there. But most of the time, she'd see Rukawa playing there. She'd sometimes wake up earlier than necessary just to be able to steal a glance when he played. She admired his passion and drive for the game, but at the same time wondered how he is able go through life like that.

SWISH!!

She knew that sound. It was a basketball that smoothly glided into the hoop. She hurriedly followed the sound to the nearby open court where she saw someone playing basketball by himself. She saw a raven haired boy running towards the ring. He was moving left and right, as if eluding imaginary opponents, and moving so swiftly and gracefully. She was mesmerized. Then the boy jumped just a few feet passed the three-point line. Impossible! He can't actually reach the ring that far. The sun hit her eyes as she raised her gaze upon the boy. All she could see after that was the boy smashing the ball through the hoop, with a resounding crash that echoed throughout the court. SU..SUGOI! AMAZING! She felt her heart stop. That was beautiful. He landed safely and headed towards the bench. He wiped off his sweat off his face. Dare? Who is he? Who is this guy? He looked up and faced her direction. Masaka. It can't be.

"Ru..ka..wa..kun"