Disclaimer:I do not own Slamdunk (and you know who does).

Don't even go there!

AYAKO

Was it just me or there's tension in here?

Finally, we got to hang out, where else but at the Rukawa's living room, watching a basketball game. I was not in the mood to hang out but I chose to be here because if I didn't, it'll be like avoiding them. As much as possible I didn't want them to think I'm back on that vice of mine.

We were sitting at the carpeted floor, Hinori in between me and Kaede. I looked over at Hinori who was shooting discreet glances at him. I can't blame her. She must really like or love him. And he was oblivious despite the two of them always spending so much time together.

He was engrossed in what he was watching. I for once find this rather boring, which was weird because before, I would have loved watching a basketball game with him.

I continued observing, being more discreet than Hinori was capable of. I looked at my watch. It's only past nine on a Friday. For how long do I have to take this?

We're not normally like this quiet wherein what could only be heard was the television. Not exactly the kind of company I'm looking for. Giving up on the situation, I decided to just concentrate on what we were watching, not even sure which team I prefer.

I glanced at Kaede again, realizing that he's somehow different. He has always been different from other guys I know. Maybe I misunderstood the kindness he showed me. For all I know, he was doing it because we're friends. And that's how we're ever going to be.

What would be his reaction if he knew of what I feel for him?

His eyes were glued on the TV screen, maybe studying the moves he think he might be able to pull at the coming game next week. He's dead serious in winning and becoming the best even if he didn't always tell me that. He told me once but that was many years ago. And now I realize that he would never be in a relationship. He had his priorities. Even if he did obtained what he was working for, I think he's the kind of guy who wouldn't let a girl in his life, I mean a girlfriend. It looked like he didn't need one anyway.

The next morning, I woke up a little late, hoping I would not run into Kaede at the breakfast table or maybe during brunch because it's almost noon.

Guess what? Today was not my lucky day. Seemed like he just came from bed and went straight to the kitchen. And now, he was sitting there, looking anything but cute. Not again Ayako. Don't even go there.

"Good morning!" I tried to mask the look of surprise on my face. I took a sit and helped myself with a toasted bread and orange juice.

"Hey," he briefly glanced at me then looked on his plate. "Slept well?"

"Yes. What about you? You look like you barely slept," I said, acting as though I was offended by that comment.

He didn't say anything so I asked instead, "How are you feeling about the upcoming game next week?"

"A little nervous," he shrugged his shoulders, an obvious sign of uncertainty.

"You shouldn't be. The team's getting good so far, with all the extended practices we're having," I said. It'll all be well if you start working as a team, I thought.

I've thought of giving him some piece of advice regarding teamwork but changed my mind. I'll let him discover it for himself.

Lately, he's been working all alone, as though they're not a team. And that's exactly what brought a good team down.

SENDO

Am I stupid or what? What am I doing here outside her house?

Yoko and I had been reconciled again, after that incident in the restaurant. And now, here I am again, because of another misunderstanding. She decided to break up with me.

Is this some sort of a game to her? Maybe this was what I get from dating a lot of girls before and then dumping them after only for a month or less than a month.

She's the only girl that I took seriously after all those flings. We've been going out for almost three months now. Is there something wrong with our relationship? Is she even serious with me?

I suddenly wanted to get out of here. And I did. My feet brought me to the restaurant which I haven't gone to lately.

But the restaurant didn't seem to be the place I wanted to go to. I went to the bar section and ordered a root beer, the least I could get.

Ayako. Was she ignoring me on purpose or just didn't recognize me? I didn't know she was also assigned here at the bar. This place was packed because it's a Saturday. She didn't mind, or maybe, trying not to mind the group of guys who were demanding her attention. They were obviously trying to get noticed by her.

If this was what happened every night here, during her shift then maybe I should do something about it.

She still didn't see me. I was about to make my presence obvious when I saw Mitsui at the other end of the bar.

When she saw him, her expression changed, from weariness to that of excitement. She's excited at the sight of him; maybe he's the distraction she'd been praying for to break the boring pace in the bar. I was expecting to see him with someone, maybe some friends, but then he was alone.

Now, that's intriguing. Are they dating secretly? But that's none of my business. So what if they're dating?

HISASHI

"Are you working over time?" I asked from behind the counter, watching her every move, from getting a tall glass to pouring drinks and giving it to the customer.

"I don't know. Maybe. I have nothing to do. Got it all taken care of."

"Aren't you getting tired of this?" Now she was wiping the counter with a dry rag.

"Sometimes."

"Looks like you have for yourself a fan club," I noticed a bunch of guys at the corner, shooting glances at her, with admiration.

"Just ignore them. I do that whenever they want to get to my nerves."

I looked around the bar and noticed a guy at the other end of the counter. He was glancing at us. So what was Sendo doing here?

"Hey, isn't that Sendo?" There was the recognition in her face. Then she frowned.

"Sendo? What could he be doing in here? Wait here a second," then she left.

AYAKO

"What brings you here?" I asked in a casual tone.

"Nothing, just trying to relax. In case you're wondering how it went, between me and Yoko. We reconciled then we're not on speaking terms again." He sighed, one which meant a lot if you ask me.

I can't believe it. Aren't they ever going to stop fighting? I didn't have to know what went wrong this time; I might have an idea why.

"I see." I could only give him a sympathetic look.

"Are you comfortable working here?"

"Uhm, do I have to tell the truth? You're the owner's nephew and who knows you might tell on me, and that would get me fired for complaining," I explained.

"You mentioned the word complaining. I think I have an idea how you feel about working here," he chuckled, drinking from his glass of root beer.

"If I could only find another job with the same pay or higher then I would have left this job." I looked around the bar to see if anyone heard what we're talking about. "That's just between us, okay?"

"Of course. By the way, you better get to work."

"Yeah."

The next day, I was surprised to have learned from my boss that I no longer have to work at the bar section. I would only be assigned at the restaurant. Somehow, I felt relieved. I no longer had to endure the smell of smoke and alcohol. At the same time, I felt sad since Natsumi and I will not have those friendly conversations we have had to lessen the boredom we usually always feel.

I have a strange feeling that Sendo had a hand on this. I was right because my boss mentioned that his decision was because of his nephew asking for that favor. For the reason that Sendo simply said I am his friend.

As usual, the days that passed had been tiring but fun. One of the fun times were during the practice because the team'ss getting better and it seemed like Ryota had gotten over me. However, Kaede was still on the one-man path.

I was trying to figure out a way how to personally thank Sendo; hadn't seen him in two weeks. I was hoping I could run into him. But a month had passed and looks like the only chance I will get will be at the InterHigh Competition. There team was doing well and there's a possibility that they're one of the teams to get qualified in the InterHigh.

HISASHI

I saw Yoko but I didn't have the courage to approach her at that time. There was never a time my heart won't constrict in pain at the memory of her.

Ours was something that cannot work out in the long-run. As far as I can remember, the longer we've been together, the more hurtful it became.

This was better. It's better this way. I tried to convince myself countless times.

I have to get her out of my system. Only, I don't know how.

to be continued…

A/N:Thank you for the reviews, especially to Kate, thank you so much. Pls. tell me what you think of this chapter.