Disclaimer:I do not own Slamdunk (though I wish I do own it).

Just as Friends

AYAKO (Thursday, at the school premises)

When classes were over, I found myself sitting at one of the benches at school nearby the field, contemplating a rather weird question on my mind which I would like to bring up with Hisashi, who's waiting for me to spill it out. I happen to pass by and thought to have a little talk with him; to find an answer to a question which has been bugging me last night and earlier that day.

I was planning to talk to him about being dateless. It was unusual. How desperate could I be to talk about such an insignificant matter? Clearly, there are other serious matters worth talking about.

But before I could restrain myself, I asked, without looking at him: "Is-there-a-problem-with-me?" I asked in a very quick manner so as to lessen the embarrassment I'm feeling.

I thought maybe it was because of my physical features that no one dared ask me to the dance. A bit vain I may sound but I can't help it. Most guys give importance to how a lady looked like, and I'm no lady-like myself.

Everyone else has dates. Well, not everyone because I don't know everyone. But everyone else I know has.

For instance, the members of the basketball team have their dates. Kaede is going with Hinori, which upon learning of it, I wasn't surprised at all. Sakuragi's with Haruko; Kogure's with a friend of his whose name I can't quite remember; Ryota's with Seiya, a classmate of ours, the one I saw him talking to yesterday at the corner of the room. Even Akagi has a date. Not that I mean anything by that.

What about this guy who I'm sitting with? I have no idea.

I looked at him. He gave me a puzzled look. "I can't believe I'm asking you this but…well, you see I still don't know who I'm going with to that stupid dance. I really hate dances, not dancing in particular, but those events." I finished lamely hoping he got the point so I won't have to elaborate.

When he didn't respond to my inquiry, I thought twice if I should continue. His lack of vocal reaction prompted me to say: "Fforget I asked," with a wave of my hand as though it was nothing. I heaved a deep sigh. Why was this proving to be very difficult? This was not a big deal but I know I sounded like it's so important, as though it was a matter of life and death. It's embarrassing. The dance will be tomorrow and I still have no one to go with.

I suddenly became interested in the volleyball practice going on a few meters away. That's when I noticed it was the volleyball varsity team, girl's team to be precise.

What could Hisashi be doing here, watching the practice? I didn't know he'd been interested at all in any other sport besides basketball. He's not fishing for a date, was he? The mere thought of him looking for a date while I was blabbering made me realize that maybe he had no date. Just like me.

There was a brief silence before I risked a glance at him. At that exact moment, he finally spoke. "Are you blind?" then he chuckled, "You're pretty. I can't believe you can't see that, to think that you look at yourself in the mirror every morning. It would be odd not to notice. Maybe some guys are just intimidated by you; I mean you always carry that fan with you," he was apparently trying to be comical.

"Well, I didn't really always look at myself in the mirror and about the fan; I can't put it down…" I said, trying to match the humor he'd put into the awkward situation followed by another awkward silence.

"You really think so?" I said, barely above a whisper, trying to fight the warmth, a faint blush, creeping on my cheeks. I still can't believe he just said that. Or was he just reiterating what his mom said the other night during the dinner?

Hisashi looked at me in slight disbelief.

"Well, thanks for lifting my spirits up, not that it mattered I'm dateless. It's no big deal. What about you, do-you-have-a-date-already?" It felt kind of uncomfortable to ask him that but I was driven by curiosity and besides, it's not such a very personal question he wouldn't want to answer.

We've talked about his past 'love life' so it would not matter if I asked. I was expecting he'd say yes, he has a date. Knowing him, he must have gotten himself a date so easily. I had noticed a lot of girls were eyeing him, as though seeing him in a new light, after he had rejoined the team months ago. He might even have more admirers than Kaede.

Hisashi shrugged his shoulders. It was not exactly not the answer I'm expecting. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping he's also dateless as I am so WE can go together, just as friends. It would be less awkward if he'd be the one I'm going with. I might even enjoy the event with him as company. Besides it's for one night only, that stupid dance. I can't wait to get over and be done with it.

"We can go together," out-of-the-blue, he said without even blinking. If he read my mind somehow or noticed the hopeful expression on my face, I was past caring. At least a problem's solved.

"Are you sure?" I can't quite hide the gratefulness in my tone. I reminded myself to not look too grateful and lessen the wide smile that formed in my lips.

"Of course I'm sure. Since we're both dateless, it will do."

"That would be nice…I was just about to ask you but you beat me to it." "I wouldn't really care if I were dateless." I managed to say, starting to relax a bit. "But the thought of going there alone is unbearable."

"Yeah, I thought so too." He had a satisfied look on his face. Maybe he's not into the idea of 'dating' someone yet after Yoko.

We're friends. It would be comfortable for the both of us.

"What were you doing here anyway? Looking for a date among those volleyball players?" I asked, jokingly.

"I was. But then I don't want to go through all the difficulties of asking someone now that I'm no longer dateless." The corner of his mouth twitched in a small smile, and I smiled back, having confirmed my thoughts about the real reason why he's there in the first place.

HISASHI

Who would have believed that it was that easy to find a date? Not really a date but a companion is the proper term for it.

But it didn't escape me that Ayako was nervous back there.

When she sat beside me, I was half-expecting she was going to talk to me about Rukawa and Hinori who will be going together. It didn't surprise me. My sister must be so excited. I just hope she won't get her heart broken in the end.

I was stunned when she talked about the least topic I've expected: the dance and being dateless. I thought for the girl that she was she would have had a date already. She's pretty but maybe I was right when I told her a lot of guys were intimidated by her. As the manageress of the basketball team, she was tough enough to be able to keep the team at peace.

I just hope that we'll do fine in the dance. I have a feeling that it's going to be a long night.

to be continued…