Chapter 1
Kanagawa
It was a shock for Futaba Hisae to find Kanagawa a lot busier than her home prefecture. She grew up knowing Akita as a tourist attraction and a nature haven, though not as much as Kyoto. With Senshu Park where the ruins of the castle of the Satake Family are located and surrounded by azaleas and cherry blossoms, and the beautiful rainbow colors filling Mt. Tahei during autumn is always a sight to see.
She also remembered art museums such as The Hirano Art Museum where the largest canvass painting in the world is located, made by Tsuguji Fujita entitled Akita no Gyoji or Events in Akita. Another art museum she knew is the Senshu Art Museum, which exhibits the works of Kenzo Okada. One of them is called Akita-Ranga, seen as one of the unusual paintings he has made because of its mysterious profundity. Hisae had been to both museums several times, but she always preferred going to Hirano since Okada's works baffle her sometimes.
She also loved going to the beautifully preserved Samurai District in Kakunodate City where her family and friends would stroll along the district and admire the cherry blossom trees, especially during the Cherry Blossom Festival.
To Hisae, Kanagawa is probably the most Westernized area in the country because of its International Port of Yokohama located in the capital. Some areas in the prefecture are also heavily industrialized, like the city of Kawasaki. But despite of its highly urbanized profile, Kanagawa has its beguiling charm that Hisae found interesting to explore. Takeshi had told her that Hakone is located at one of the areas in the region and was looking forward to visit their hot springs one day, accompanied by the entire family, of course. There's also the Tanzawa Range where they could get hiking courses for them to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.
They stopped in front of a large two-storey house enclosed in a high concrete fence and a black-railed gate. Takeshi and her father entered the house first, following the movers carrying big furniture and boxes containing other stuff as well. Rina started telling them to be careful since some of the boxes contain her precious ceramic figurines. When Hisae entered their new home, she saw that it was much bigger, and in her opinion, more spacious.
"This sure is one of the benefits of being promoted, ne anata?" Rina joked to her husband.
Takao gave her a pained look but laughed afterwards.
Just when they thought that the exterior of the house was nice, the interior was a winner, and knowing her mom, Rina, was extremely happy to see a bigger space inside that she began thinking of furniture and other knick-knacks to buy.
Hisae and Takeshi exchanged glances.
"And then she'll complain later on that they're taking too much space." Hisae muttered.
"Well, I can always reduce the number of stuff we have." Takeshi joked.
"Ho-oh, no. No more Search-And-Destroy-The-Ceramic-Figurines. Okaasan was really mad at you the last time you crashed her Eight Horses collection."
"It was just a joke oneechan." Takeshi said petulantly. "Besides, that was just an accident."
At the second floor, they found four bedrooms. One is the Master's Bedroom. To Hisae's relief, at last she has her own room. Back in Akita, she shared a room with Takeshi, and when her older brother Soujiro left for Kobe, the family decided that Hisae was to occupy his room, to save expenses on renovation for a room extension. It was a practical decision, but Soujiro's room is something she wouldn't exactly call her own.
An hour later, she was lying on the bed she just made up, exhausted in unpacking her possessions and clothing. She sat up slowly and saw the last box to unpack. Groaning, she took her pink cutter and sliced the box's seal. She opened it and the first thing she saw was the silver-framed photograph of her and a dark-haired, male sophomore hugging her from behind.
"Eiji." Hisae murmured after she took out the frame from the box. It had only been two days since she left but she already missed him. She shouldn't have but she can't help it. They are always inseparable as far as she can remember, and the move was the reason why this is the longest isolation they have from each other. Well, we both have to cope now, don't we? She thought. Sighing, she placed the frame on the table and began to rummage for other things needed for display on her table and the still empty bookshelf.
She was in the middle of unpacking her Yu Yu Hakusho mangas when she heard her mother called her. She placed the stack of mangas on the floor and ran out of her room.
"Nani, okaasan?" She asked as she ran down the stairs.
Rina stared at her. "We need some groceries. Why don't you and Takeshi drop by at the store?"
"We just got here." Hisae said. "How are we going to find the grocery store?"
"We passed by one on the way here." Rina replied. "So, it wouldn't be a problem for you two."
Hisae held out her hand. "Show me the money." She said.
In the end though, Hisae went to the grocery store alone since Takeshi was needed by her father to carry some heavy stuff inside the house. She didn't mind, though, since she preferred doing errands alone and it gave her an opportunity to explore the area.
She found a grocery store two blocks ahead without incident and got back home without hassles. As she neared their gate, there stood two teenagers closely looking as if the A-house was the most peculiar thing in the neighborhood. One was a tall, dark-haired man in a light green shirt, old but clean jeans and a pair of sneakers. Beside him was a shorter girl with the same dark hair tied on a high ponytail wearing a dark blue mini-dress and a pair of white flats. When she got closer, she realized that the man was a year or two older than she is and definitely good-looking. The girl—the girlfriend, Hisae assumed—was very pretty, as well, probably the same age as she is.
"Can I help you?" Hisae asked.
The man turned to her and pointed at the house. "Do you live here?"
"Yeah. Actually, we just moved in." She answered, hoping that he wouldn't tell her stories about their house being haunted or bewitched. But her panicky, supernatural side vanished when she saw him smile.
"We're your next door neighbors. My name's Koshino Hiroaki and this is my imouto, Hayase." The girl—his sister, not his girlfriend—smiled and waved at her. "Welcome to the neighborhood."
Hisae nodded, smiling politely. "My name's Futaba Hisae. Glad to meet the both of you. Why don't we all come in and hove some tea?" She invited and opened the gate with her left hand as her right arm steadily clutched the grocery bag to keep it from slipping.
"Thanks. We'd love to." Hiroaki said, following her.
"Okaasan! We have some visitors!" Hisae called as they went inside the house. She then turned to the siblings, scratching her head. "It's such a mess inside, since we're still fixing stuff. Hope you guys won't mind." She gestured at the scattered boxes and furniture that haven't been moved to where they should be.
Hiroaki shrugged. "That's fine. Like you said, you just moved in. Besides, I've seen worse. Your house looks neater than Hayase's room." He said dryly. "It's a pigsty, to be honest."
Hayase glared at him, crossing her arms. "Like yours is the epitome of neatness?" She bit back.
Hisae laughed and winced at the same time. She wasn't sure if she should be amused or cringe at the acidic exchange of the siblings. She was grateful that she and Takeshi have a healthy brother and sister relationship...well, most of the time anyway.
Hisae ushered their guests to the living room—the only room in the house that was neat and organized. It was obviously the first place they fixed, knowing that there would be visitors dropping by to welcome them or simply satisfy their curiosity on who their new neighbors are.
Her mother was wiping her hands on her faded floral design apron when she arrived from the kitchen. "Visitors, dear?" She asked and then saw the two. "Oh, hi there! I'm Hisae's mother, Rina."
"Hi, Mrs. Futaba." Hiroaki said and began to reintroduce himself and his sister.
"It's nice to meet you two. I'm sorry but the house is a mess. We're still trying to fit all our stuff at once and we didn't expect that the neighbors would come by and see us this soon..." She trailed off, smiling sheepishly at them.
Hiroaki handed her a small box. "Actually, we should be the one to apologize for coming here at such an inconvenient time." He said. "Our mother wanted to give you this, her way of welcoming you in the neighborhood."
Rina thanked him and took the box. "That's not a problem, dear, you're welcome anytime. Oh by the way, would you two like something to eat?"
"Sure!" Hiroaki and Hayase answered in unison.
Hisae peered over her mother's shoulder. "What's that, mom?" Rina showed her daughter a box of sweets and made a face. It was a good thing, as well, since she forgot to buy some dessert. "Hisae, show them to the dining room while I go back into the kitchen and prepare something for our guests." Rina said.
"Ok, mom." Hisae said as she ushered their visitors towards the dining room.
A few minutes later Rina appeared and served them cookies. She was chatting away about the new house and the furniture that she wished to place here and there. Hisae made a face as she sat down across Hayase. "Okaasan, quit worrying yourself. Soujiro promised that he'd drop by this weekend and help you out. Besides, we're almost done here." She said, taking a cookie from the plate. "What are you so worried about?"
"Of course you're right, dear." Rina said, patting her head like a dog.
"Arf." Hisae joked and her mother gave her a warning look.
"Anyway, Hisae will be going to Ryonan High this winter term." Rina continued, turning to the guests. "She'll be a freshman there. I heard that it's a good school, but I'm just worried if she'll manage since she takes time to adjust in her new surroundings. She's not the type to approach people."
Go ahead, mom, tell them my life story, as well. Why don't we start at the time I made my first steps? Or the time I threw a block at Takeshi when he was a baby? Hisae thought annoyingly at her mother for talking too much to the people they just met.
Koshino nodded. "Hey, I go there as well. It is a good school." He said to her then to Hisae. "We're also one of the best in the prefecture, especially in basketball."
"How lovely!" Rina exclaimed. "My daughter loves basketball, too! In fact, she used to be in this basketball team back in Akita. She rarely talked to me about the details but she said it was a great team and she's happy being a part of it. I bet she missed it terribly. Isn't that right, dear?"
"Yeah. Terribly." ...And don't forget to tell them about my dietary habits, too. She continued to herself sarcastically.
Hiroaki looked at her closely. "You play?"
Hisae twisted her lips into a wry smile. "Nope. There's no girls' team back at my former school. I'm just on the sidelines cheering for them or doing a little chore or two."
"Oh." Hiroaki said, looking more puzzled than ever.
"I'll leave you three to mingle by yourselves. I need to fix an early dinner in the kitchen." Rina said and left.
Mingle by ourselves? Hisae thought. Her mother made it sound like they were having a party instead of an ordinary visit from the neighbors. She sighed inwardly. Might as well do that. She turned to Hiroaki. "So, you're on the team?" She asked after deciding to continue on the topic of basketball. It's the only thing they have in common...for now.
"Actually, Hisae, he's Ryonan High Basketball Team's Vice-Captain, a.k.a. Second-in-Command." Hayase answered instead. "Very prestigious, in a way, but God knows why he was given that position."
"And I wonder why you're the captain of the gymnastics team since you're such a klutz." Koshino retorted after giving his sister a warning look, and then he smiled sheepishly at Hisae. "Sorry about that, but we can't help arguing sometimes."
"Yeah, it drives our parents crazy." Hayase chimed in. "Makes them wonder if we're their real children."
Hisae nodded, strikingly amused at the two. "But that's much better than being used as a practice dummy for Aikido." She said, making a face. "And there are two of them."
Hayase stared at her incredulously. "You have two brothers?"
"Sandwiched between them."
"Gee, one is bad enough already, but two?"
"You have no idea."
"Nandato?" Koshino glared at his sister.
Hisae and Hayase laughed in unison.
After that, the rest of the conversation was much easier as they spent the rest of the afternoon exchanging stories, and helping out with the moving of the things like tables and chairs or opening of small boxes filled with earthenware to which Rina told them to be very careful since they're very expensive and hard to replace. Work became lighter when Takeshi arrived and after they took a short break, the four of them began playing video games, taking turns in using the PlayStation.
It had only been hours since she met the siblings but she already grew comfortable being with them. Hisae can tell that Hiroaki and Hayase felt the same way to her and it was a good relief. She was worried that she would make a bad impression with the people here in Kanagawa. By the time they were leaving, she felt that she just found her new best friends.
"We'll see you tomorrow." Hiroaki said. "Otousan might be able to help you move some of the heavier things in the house."
"Thanks. Okaasan would love that since my otousan has a back problem and too much strain can hurt him." Hisae said, trying to ignore the verbal fight between Takeshi and Hayase. "Ja ne!"
When they were gone, she smiled to herself. Not a bad start. Now if only I could do the same with the others. She thought of school.
Hisae grabbed her things and scrambled herself out of the car. She waved at her father. "I'll walk home so you don't have to pick me up after later." She said.
"Ok. Have a good day, sweetie!" Takao said, waving back at her then added, "Don't let them get to you."
Hisae made a face. "I won't."
When the car was gone, Hisae sighed. Don't let them get to you. She heard her father's words in her head.
"I wish it were that easy, Otousan." She whispered to herself. Gripping her bag, she made her steps towards the gates of Ryonan High School.
As Hisae kept on walking, she also kept ignoring the stares and comments from other students. Just keep a clear mind and everything will be fine. She reminded herself.
"Who's she?" One student asked.
"Obviously, she's a new student." Another answered.
"Wow, she sure is big."
"Like that fat lady in Shallow Hal. What's her name?"
"Dunno, but sure looks like her."
They laughed aloud.
She knew she'd get attention from coming here alone, but why did it have to be her appearance they'd take notice of? Sure, she's overweight, but they didn't have to make such a big deal about it. Despite of the years she endured all those insults about her and her figure, it still hurt to hear them. Was she thinking that things would change once she gets here in Kanagawa? She must be kidding herself if she did. People can be so judgmental, especially when they see that you're much different from them. It was a lesson Hisae learned earlier in her life.
"Ohayo, Hisae! How's it hanging?" A male voice said and she felt an arm around her shoulders.
Hisae blinked at the pair of turquoise eyes. Koshino Hiroaki smiled at her. With the surprise of his arrival, she immediately forgot how hurt she was beginning to feel. "Ohayo, Hiroaki-kun. I'm ok, I guess." She said.
"Great! I'll show you around the school, specifically the Principal's Office." He said as he practically dragged her towards the school building. "So how'd you get here?"
"Otousan dropped me off."
"Hey, why don't we go to school together next time?"
"I'd like that. Thanks."
"No prob. Besides, Hayase misses you already."
"Why is it I have the feeling that you needed a referee?"
By the time they got to the administration building, Hisae had completely forgotten about the earlier incident and was now laughing at Koshino's 'horror' stories of everyday basketball training. "You can come to practice later and you'll know what I mean." He said, wincing. "Coach pushes us so hard! It's surprising that we're still alive."
"You make him sound like a sadist." Hisae said, amused by his exaggerated portrayal of Taoka Moichi, Ryonan basketball's coach and all-around terror.
"Well, you can say that. He's worse than a Colombian prison interrogator."
"Look at it this way: he's doing it for your own good. Does that make sense for an explanation?"
"Yeah, you're right." Koshino said. "But it's not like we love being tortured, you know."
Hisae grinned. "I'd like to drop by at the gym, if your coach doesn't mind."
Koshino laughed, "He won't mind, I bet, just as long as you're not one of those screeching fans. It really annoys him."
"Your fans? I mean, you do get a lot of admirers if you're the Ace Player." Hisae said.
Koshino stared at her for a few seconds then burst out laughing again. He was laughing so hard that Hisae thought he was going to die of it.
"Did I say something that funny?" She asked her expression unreadable.
"Now you really made my day!" Koshino said merrily. "I wish I didn't have to disappoint you but it looks like I have to."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"I'm no Ace Player. That title is exclusively for Sendoh Akira and for him alone." He explained.
Hisae frowned. "Sendoh...Akira? Hmm, that name sounds familiar." She muttered under her breath.
"Of course he is." He said, hearing her remark. "You see, Sendoh Akira's the present Team captain, Ace Player and one of the top five seeds in Kanagawa. Not to mention my best buddy. He's also known as the Guy with The Ultimate Smile. Broke more hearts than I could count sheep at night."
"Ah...a regular charmer." She said. Typical for an ace.
Koshino nodded. "You could say that. It would be easy to fall for him if you're not too careful."
Hisae felt that Koshino was already giving her an indirect warning about his friend. She laughed. "Get real. It's not like he's going to run after me like some lovesick puppy." She said. "I'm nobody's type."
Koshino looked at her closely. "Somehow, I doubt that. You're pretty."
She stuck out a tongue at him. "You're just being nice."
"No, I mean it. You're pretty."
"Quit it."
"Really, you are." He persisted.
"Stop it already!" She snapped.
They arrived at the Principal's Office and Koshino patted her head. "You're on your own now, kiddo. I'll be here if you need me." He said.
"Alright, but you didn't have to pat me like a dog." Hisae said derisively, though deep inside she appreciate his concern. At least she won't be alone in facing her life in Ryonan.
"Ja ne, Hisae!" Koshino said.
She waved at his departing figure, feeling much better and more prepared for this day. Thank you, Hiroaki-kun.
"Class, I'd like you to meet Futaba Hisae, a transfer student and your new classmate. Let us all welcome her." Takahashi-sensei addressed the class and then turned to Hisae who stood calmly but quite uncomfortably in front. "Care to tell us something about yourself, Futaba-chan?"
Great. Just what I need. She thought, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. She was never keen in responding to sharing. It made her feel exposed. "Well, you already know my name so I'll just fill you in with the rest." She smiled sheepishly then tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. "I was born and raised in Akita, in a city named Kakunodate where the Samurai District is. My father is Futaba Takao and he's a member of the advertising team for Sega. My mom, Rina, is a simple housewife who makes it a point to fill our house with ceramics and other stuff. I have two brothers who're also students. My older brother, Soujiro, studies at Kobe Gakuen University and stays in a dormitory. He's taking up Political Science 'cause he wants to be a lawyer someday. My younger brother, Takeshi, is now studying at Wako Junior High. He's a little bratty at first, but he's a good kid once you get to know him. And uh...I like to read." She didn't know why she mentioned this, but she mentioned it anyway.
"Well, at least there's a part of her she exercises." A brown-haired boy joked.
Laughter echoed inside the classroom. Hisae unconsciously bit her inner, lower lip, her gaze now resting on her shoes.
"At least she has brains, which is what most of us are trying to find out if you have one, Yahiko." A red-haired girl sitting in the middle row said sweetly. The syrupiness of her voice made the insult sound worse.
The whole class laughed louder than ever.
Takahashi-sensei cleared his throat. "So, Hisae, from what school were you from?" She asked, breaking the banter between Yahiko and the redhead.
Hisae's impassive face lifted and stared at the classroom's back wall. "Sannoh High School, sensei." She answered.
The whole class was stunned and broke into excited whispers. This new student came from the number one team in Japan?
"Qui-et." Takahashi-sensei ordered halfheartedly. Despite her tone, everyone complied. "If you want to say something, please—" she abruptly stopped when a hand extended in the air and started to wave. "Yes, Shuzihiro, you want to say something?"
"I have a question for Futaba-chan, sensei!" Shuzihiro said, sounding alive and excited. Takahashi nodded and gestured to go ahead.
"Hey, Hisae, do you know the basketball team there?" He asked.
A girl three rows in front him replied instead. "Baka. There's no soul in Japan who didn't know Sannoh. What kind of a question is that?"
"I know that!" Shuzihiro yelled, ruffling his hair. "What I mean to ask her is if she knows the team personally."
The girl pouted at Shuzihiro then turned to Hisae. "Well, do you?"
"Well...yeah. I do." Hisae said uneasily.
"How'd you got to know them?" Yahiko piped in. Everyone was silent all ears now.
"Well, I..." Hisae made a vague gesture with her hand, forcing the words out of her mouth. "I used to be their manager." She finally said in a tiny voice.
Yahiko, whose mouth hung open in amazement, managed to recover. "Then...Then you know their Ace Player, Sawakita Eiji?"
She nodded.
"Su-ge! That is so COOL!" Yahiko said looking at her like some kind of messiah.
The class began to get excited.
"So how's it like to manage the best team in the nation?" A third male student asked.
"Well, I just worked for them in only six months. It's nothing to make a fuss about, really." Hisae said.
"But this is the number one team in the country we're talking about!" Yahiko said hysterically. "I mean, working for a team like that, you must be the number one manager in Japan!"
Hisae just smiled graciously at him. She already expected this kind of reaction from guys. Finding her former job was something of a dream come-true. To them, she was cool.
A girl piped in. "I heard Sawakita Eiji's very cute."
"Wow! I can imagine being surrounded by cute guys and hunks! It's a fun job." Another one said sighing wistfully.
"You're lucky girl, Hisae." A third one said.
Hisae smiled wryly. She also expected the girls reacting this way. She wondered how fun it would be once they see scattered clothing and smelly socks inside the boys' locker. She just shrugged.
Among others, only few remained unimpressed.
"Don't you just love it when people's heads bloat right in front of your very eyes?" Dark-brown haired Yamazaki Genko said sarcastically.
"Well, being from Sannoh doesn't make her great." Kinu Reika said snidely beside her.
"Yeah. I mean...duh! So what if she was their manager? As if she's that Eiji Sawakita." Aino Mai asked derisively behind Reika.
"...As if she's pretty." Tsukino Meia said, looking at Hisae with condescending eyes.
Takahashi-sensei smiled warmly at Hisae. "I must say that is quite an achievement, my dear. So, why don't you sit beside Shimura-chan here?" She said, indicating the angelic-looking brunette at the back.
Hisae nodded and carefully made her way towards the vacant seat beside the Shimura girl who smiled at her warmly. She smiled back as she sat down.
"Hi, Hisae. You can call me Ayano." The brunette introduced herself. "I'm flattered to meet such a smart girl like you."
Hisae blinked at her. Most of the girls back at Sannoh either ignored her or detested her since being a manager placed her at a slight advantage over the female populace when it comes to getting close to the players. It was a competition she never dreamed of being involved with.
Especially with Sawakita Eiji. Being Sannoh's ace made him a great catch. For the other few who didn't hate her, they used her as a bridge to get close to him.
"Uh, thanks." She said.
The rest of the day went on uneventfully and when lunchtime arrived, Ayano insisted that Hisae should eat lunch with her and Kamiya Misao, the girl who embarrassed Yahiko just this morning. Misao is a red-haired, brown-eyed girl whose delicate beauty made the guys in campus look twice.
Both Ayano and Misao asked her questions about her life in Sannoh, and on how she copes whenever someone realizes she belongs to the team of the best basketball players in Japan. Hisae answered them honestly, also telling them funny stories about Eiji and the other members. The two girls were laughing hard by the time she was finished.
"Wow, you must know so much about basketball if you used to work for such a powerful team!" Misao said with a sigh.
"It did increase my knowledge of the game, but working for a team is not exactly glamorous." Hisae said.
"But still it's a much cooler job compared to mine." Ayano said.
Ayano is a commercial model and Hisae saw why. She is tall and thin like most models, has a grace and poise like a swan and her angelic face is an asset in any advertisement. OR to be more accurate, in any man under 70.
"I prefer your job. You get to meet so many people and go places." Hisae said wistfully.
Ayano winced. "Yeah. People who eat you alive and places that look pretty much the same after sometime."
The three girls became instant friends, seeing that despite of their different backgrounds they manage to get along very well. They have many things in common, ranging from mangas to movies.
Also, for the first time in her life, Hisae felt good to be wrong. Most pretty girls she met and knew are either conceited or stupid, but Ayano and Misao were an exception. Despite of her fame as a model, Ayano doesn't judge people so easily while Misao, who in her opinion has an ethereal beauty that commands attention, would rather be at her parents' store helping out than flaunt her face.
Right now, they were talking about which player in Kanagawa is more good-looking or more skillful. Hisae knew most of them only by name as she saw them during the inter-high nationals.
"Well, I'm not much into the game, I don't understand all these rules and stuff but they sure know how to get the best-looking ones." Ayano gushed. "Like Sendoh-san, for example. He's the Ace Captain and I feel every girl in this school wants him."
"Including you." Misao said dryly then continued hastily when the brunette glared at her. "Anyway, Sendoh-san is really a good player. He matched up with Maki-san in just one game."
"And he's one of the top 5 seeds in the prefecture." Ayano added proudly.
It was the second time Sendoh's name was brought up. Though Hisae didn't want to admit it, he intrigued her. Who wouldn't be when he manages to reach the level of Kanagawa's number one player in just one game? No one except for Fujima Kenji of Shoyo managed to reach Maki Shinichi's level. Just how good is he? She wondered. Is he better than...Eiji? Hisae mused of this for a moment before completely shaking off the thought. Nah. Eiji's the number 1 player in Japan. Who could beat him?
"Sounds like he should be in the inter-high nationals." Hisae said instead.
"Yeah, if Shohoku's Rukawa and the rest of his teammates didn't beat the crap out of our team, we would've been playing with the big boys." Misao said. "But we're positive that this time we're going to be number one now that Sendoh-san is the captain, we're sure of that."
Sendoh is Ryonan's pride, Hisae realized and this made her want to see how good he really is. However, now was not the time to wonder about ace players. God knows how much she got into trouble with only one of them. Right now she has to concentrate on trying to adapt in her new school.
With her new friends, she felt that isn't going to be a problem.
Author's note: Sendoh's part will come in soon don't worry. Standard disclaimers apply. I don't want to violate any intellectual property rights especially since my pay is not that great yet. Reviews are welcome!