Chapter 2

Nay sat alone under a tree at the back of the school building. It was break and it seemed like a very nice quiet place to do some reading. She only looked up when someone sat down next to her. It was Mitsui.

"Here," Mitsui passed her a packet of sandwich. "It is not good to starve."

Nay did a sign with her hands telling him thank you and took the sandwiches.

Mitsui watched Nay quietly, thinking how vulnerable she was. He knew her since they were kids and they used to be neighbours and best of friends. He even thought her how to play basketball but she had very little interest in sports.

They used to talk and laugh together, but after that incident 10 years ago, Nay never spoke to anyone ever again. Mitsui felt like crushing that person's teeth down his throat if he ever had a chance but now that criminal had been sentenced a life time in jail. Ever since then, Nay had gone to special school for the disability but had transferred to Shohoku a few weeks ago because she wanted to know how a normal teenager leads their life in a public high school.

Mitsui was very glad she had chosen Shohoku. It had almost been 9 years since he last saw her. Ever since she was sent into the Special School, he had no chance to see or speak to her again. He was surprised that Shohoku teachers were actually glad to have a 'special student' in their school.

He wasn't sure how long she was going to stay here, but he promised himself he will never let anyone or anything hurt her in anyway when she was here and because of her, he had learned sign language so that he understands what she was signing to him instead of having to write down everything she wants to tell on that little note book she carries with her around her neck.

"Look, I have practice after school today, if you like, you can always come and watch." Mitsui said after a long silence passed. "We can walk home together after practice like last night."

Nay nodded smiling. She was planning to go there anyways, she was always there, though she just didn't like anyone knowing that she was around.

After school Nay quickly packed her things and rushed out her class. She had not made any friends since she came here, though she didn't mind. She understands why. She was different from others, no matter how much she tried to fit in, and want to be like other teenager her age. She was still different.

She left her class in such a haste she ran right into Rukawa at the corridor and head butted him so hard around his stomach she fell back and her things scattered all over the floor.

Rukawa was making his way to the changing room when a small person rammed so hard into his stomach, he felt as if all his air was knocked out of his system. He looked down and saw that same long black haired, small girl sitting on the floor as redness staining her usual pale cheeks.

Rukawa remembered she was the girl who hid herself in the shadows everyday in the gym with the sketch book in front of her. Without much thought about it he was about to walk away when something on the floor caught his eye.

He blinked and bent over to pick it up.

Nay eyes widened with horror when she saw Rukawa picking up one of the sketches of him she had done during their practice sessions. The pages on her sketch book had come loose from the crash and most of them were all scattered around the floor. As quick as her little hands could move, she picked up the rest of the sketches of him before he sees them and stood up.

Rukawa was studying the sketch in his hand intently. It was no mistake that that person was him. That was how he 'jump shoot'. This small girl here had captured every single expression and body movements of his, which really amazed him.

Was that why she was at the gym everyday with a sketchbook in her hand watching him closely? She was sketching the way he played basketball?

Rukawa looked up and realized he was standing alone in the corridor and that girl was no longer around.

Nay scolded herself mentally as she ran away from Rukawa when he was studying the sketch of him she had drawn! She had never shown anyone those sketches before, and the last person on earth she would ever show to was, Kaede Rukawa!

The next person she bumped into after turning around the corner was Mitsui. But Mitsui caught her before her butt kisses the floor again.

Mitsui heard running footsteps around the corner, he was prepared to see the person bursting out around the junction but he was surprised to see that person was Nay. More surprised was that she was running blindly down the corridor.

"Whao, Nay what's wrong?" Mitsui asked and steadied her. "Something happened?"

Nay shook her head and took a deep breath. She did some very quick signs with her hands that even Mitsui couldn't catch what it was and ran off again.

"Nay," Mitsui followed his gaze at her departing figure. "MATTE! What was that?"

Nay signed to Mitsui saying that she will be going home now and she won't be waiting for him after practice.

Mitsui frowned slightly when Nay disappeared out of sight and turned around and came face to face with Rukawa. He nearly jumped out of his skin.

"What the hell Rukawa?" Mitsui flared. "Have you got to creep behind people's back?"

"I wasn't," Rukawa said shortly walking away from him. "You were just blocking the way."

"NANI?"

Mitsui's blood boiled over watching Rukawa walking away calmly.

He could be such a jerk! Mitsui thought.

So her name is Nay; Rukawa thought. I wonder what her full name is and what kind of relationship she has with Mitsui. But then again, who cares?