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

Dateless

AYAKO(in her room on a Friday night right, after her shift at the restaurant)

Days sure passed by so quickly. I could still remember the non-stop practices the team had, the games, the same nervousness I've felt all over again during a game as the team neared to get its goal.

Still basking in the victory, I almost forgot about the whole 'thanking Sendo' thing. I sat on my bed pondering again about what to do and how I could see him. I can't go to Ryonan High. But I wouldn't want him to think that I am ungrateful.

Startled when the phone rang, I answered it distractedly on the second ring. Who could be calling at a time like this?

"Yes? Oh captain! What is it?" I paced the carpeted floor while waiting for him to reply.

"A party will be held at Shohoku? Oh I see, that explains why. Next week already! That's such a short notice…Oh, Coach Anzai haven't told me anything about it. Okay. Thanks. Bye!"

It seemed that there's no need to think of a way to thank him. There's an event next week to be held at Shohoku High. There's no doubt that I would see Sendo there unless he hated parties.

Of course, it's some sort of celebration for making it to the top four in the InterHigh basketball competition for the first time ever, along with Kainan, Ryonan and Shoyo. From what I heard, the last year's celebration was held at Ryonan High.

Sighing, I remembered how much I dislike parties. But I was left with no choice. As much as I disliked going, I'm bound to because I'm the manageress. What kind of a manageress would I be if I can't show support to the team by showing up?

I had nothing against parties. Maybe the reason was that last time an event was held at school, I got the misfortune of bumping into a couple, in a semi-dark area, who were kissing as if there's no tomorrow. Why, they can't seem to get their hands off each other.

Since then, I asked myself, is this all there is in this kind of events? Kissing and who knows what else? I had no idea I'd be seeing such a thing or whatever it is they're doing, probably sneaking and making-out. They were obviously enjoying it that they didn't notice they had an audience, which unfortunately happened to be me.

If I go, I would only feel left alone. It would be nice to go there with someone, but then I have NO ONE. I'm pertaining to friends because I have lots of friends, plenty of them I must say. I'm talking about a boyfriend. That's the problem.

This is weird, suddenly I'm sounding like I wanted a boyfriend.

Did I just think of that?

HISASHI

Mom asked what I am doing in the house on a weekend. I was watching TV, flipping through the channels. I can't seem to get a decent program to watch. And I don't have a definite answer so I shrugged my shoulders instead and continued on what I was doing no matter how bored I was.

Honestly though, it's better than off somewhere stalking my ex-girlfriend who has obviously moved on with her life.

I'm better off without her. We are through, I told myself firmly, as if willing myself to grasp that reality. So why am I dwelling on thoughts of her? She's probably out somewhere having a good time with Sendo while I'm here dying of boredom, wallowing in self-pity and bitterness.

I know I am being foolish, and to tell the truth bitter. It's been almost a year and still I can't completely get over her.

Maybe I should get a new girlfriend. Get? Why did it sound like I could buy off someone just like that?

Getting a girlfriend's not a bad idea though. However, it's not as easy as I thought it would but it's a step towards a Yoko-free mind. I'll try anything that may lead to freedom.

Now, where should I start? I haven't even gotten any prospects yet.

YOKO (pacing in her room)

How dare him, the nerve of that guy! How could he do this to me? I was supposed to be the one dumping him not the other way around. To think that I spent almost months dating him, being his girlfriend and this is what I get.

This was unacceptable for someone like me who had never been dumped before in my whole life. Nobody says no to me. I got a long line of guys out there waiting for me to date them, to pick one of them as my boyfriend. I chose Sendo out of them even though he's got a not so impressive background when it comes to relationships.

He'll see. I'll make sure he would regret what he did. I would get even with him if that's the last thing I do.

I slumped on my chair with a loud thump, seething while the 'break-up' which happened earlier that day replayed on my mind.

SENDO

What a relief! If I'd known earlier that this was how it felt, I could have broken up with her sooner.

Wait till Koshino heard about this. I bet he'd be glad. I've always known that he liked Yoko. Now he's got a chance; they can date if they want.

It hit me hard, the realization that I don't love her that much to stay around and be made a fool of by her unreasonable whims and caprices. I was just infatuated maybe or obsessed but definitely not in love. She's so childish and out of hand sometimes it's almost as if she's doing it on purpose to irritate me.

It didn't matter if I don't have a date for the party. Like I care. Actually, it's quite nice to be single again.

I can't believe I just did that. I could still remember that look of disbelief in her face. She could tell her friends that she dumped me, I don't care. That's how a woman's mind works I guess. Some woman can't accept that they've been discarded just like that. What am I to do when she's the one with the attitude problem?

AYAKO(Wednesday, only two days before the party)

As I headed to my seat by the huge bay windows, I noticed that my classmates were busy talking about the upcoming party. They were extremely excited. Such excitement was infectious because I found myself listening as they talked about the list of activities for the two-day celebration. I heard there will be a dance.

Which brougt out the question: Who's going to be your date? I overheard Mari, the editor of our school newspaper, asking her friend. It's such a disturbing question, especially for someone like me who didn't even have a date yet. What a pity. Is there really a need to have a date? Can't I just go to the dance dateless?

The upcoming event was obviously the topic which everybody was looking forward to. I heaved another sigh and looked around the classroom, finding that almost everybody had the same eager faces. All these people are caught up in the subject. Even Ryota who was talking to a pretty girl in the corner seemed to have found his date for the event. Well, at least he has a date. And it's not me.

I wonder who Kaede's date will be. Hinori maybe, who else?

Speaking of Kaede, my dearest brother technically, I felt our relationship kind of gets awkward, or worse than that as days passed by. Because of these stupid feelings I feel for him, I didn't get to have fun with him and Hinori anymore. When will I get over this?

But I missed him. I miss the friend I have in him. Before my thoughts could get any deeper, the teacher arrived. The chattering died down. Here's another boring Calculus class.

The disturbing question of who's going to be my date, if ever it's compulsory or something, which was pathetic, lingered in my mind. I wonder if I could understand any of the lesson today at the rate that my mind was wandering off somewhere to something I never gave importance to then.

Because really, what's the importance of having a date when you might not enjoy it because you can't go with the one you want to go with?

I massaged my temple while attempting to absorb the teacher's discussion of my least favorite subject in the world. To no avail, I rest my case. I am hopeless…and dateless!

to be continued…

A/N:Not much I know but nonetheless, I hope you would REVIEW this just so I could get some inspiration…thanks anyway for reading. Thanks to kate who pointed out some mistakes. Anyway about the teams, honestly, I have no idea that the other team was takesato (was it?) so I just put shoyo instead because that team ismore familiar. Review please if you want.