Chapter 3

Hisae was listening to her portable player as she walked along the hallways of Ryonan High with her friends. Ayano had taken a day-off from her work—a rare thing for her to do—and decided that the three of them would spend the entire afternoon hanging out at the mall. Hisae did not mind since she wanted to see some of Kanagawa's sights. Misao already called her parents saying that she would be coming home a little late and would not be able to help in the store.

They just passed by the school exit when Misao suddenly grabbed Hisae's arm.

"Hey!" Hisae said. "What?"

Misao was now dragging her towards a white poster placed on the wall of the main school exit; the puzzled Ayano followed behind them.

The poster was an ad from the Ryonan Basketball Club, Hisae noticed, judging from the drawing of a super-deformed player in a blue-and-white jersey dribbling a basketball. She turned to Misao then pointed at the poster. "You want me to join the basketball team?" She asked.

Ayano and Misao laughed. "No, silly. We have no girls' basketball team." She said then pointed at the content below the picture. "Read it."

Hisae removed her earphones then began to read.

If you have a passion for basketball action

Then you are in luck!

Ryonan Basketball Club is in need of a

Team Manager

Willing to work at a dynamic environment,

Dedicated, knowledgeable in the game and

Keen to train future ace players of Ryonan

Interested applicants may drop by at the gym after class with their resumes.

Please look for the captain or the vice-captain.

See you there!

"Hmm...the art is really cute." Hisae said, tapping her index finger on the character's super-deformed face. "Do you know who did it?"

Misao instantly blushed and smiled reluctantly. "Well, A-Aida-kun did it."

Hisae blinked then a sly smile curved on her face. "Ooh, your boyfriend?" She teased.

Misao's eyes widened, her entire face glowed red. "I-Iie! He's just, uh, a-a friend." She said lamely.

"Right." Hisae nodded whilst controlling herself from laughing. "So you practically dragged me here to admire your Aida-kun's artwork?"

Ayano was laughing so hard that she had to lean on the wall for support. Misao's face and hair matched perfectly but her brown eyes looked determinedly at Hisae's hazel ones. "No, but I thought you might want to apply for team manager." She said. "I mean, you did say that you used to be Sannoh's manager, so I guess it's natural for you to join Ryonan."

Ayano stopped laughing and looked at Hisae thoughtfully. "Hmm, now that you've mentioned it, Misao, it makes sense." She said happily. "You'll be perfect!"

Hisae's smile faded. She began to feel uneasy. "Gee, uh…I-I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"I'm retired from the basketball team." Hisae said derisively.

Ayano chuckled. "At fifteen? Quit joking around, Hisae, and let's go. We're going to see Ryonan!"

Before Hisae could object any further, the two girls grabbed both of her arms and began dragging her towards the school gym.

"Hey, wait a minute. A-aren't we supposed to go to the mall?" She asked, changing the subject and maybe her friends' minds, too.

"Plan's changed. We're going to see Ryonan and that's that." Ayano said.

"Perfect timing, too, since they're practicing right now." Misao said smiling brightly at her.

"Girls, this isn't necessary!" Hisae protested. "I already told you I don't want to become Ryonan's manager!"

"What are you worried about? The team would love you!" Ayano chirped.

"I'm from another school. I don't think they'll just take an outsider!"

"An outsider that belonged once to the top team in the country."

"Will you stop rubbing it in?" Am I going to be stuck with basketball for the rest of my life? Hisae added in her mind as she was being dragged.

Hikoichi saw three girls standing by the gym doorway. He recognized two of them, but the third one—who seemed oddly and literally clamped between the girls—looked like a transferee.

"Konnichiwa, Kamiya-san, Shimura-san!" Hikoichi greeted them as he approached.

Ayano gave him a bright smile and Misao waved at him. "We're wondering if you're still looking for a team manager, Aida-kun." The brunette said.

"Eh? Are you three going to apply?" He asked.

Misao shook her head. "Our new friend here would like to try her luck as team manager. Ayano and I, should I say, just took the liberty to accompany her." She said rather teasingly then gestured to the girl at the middle. "Aida-kun, this is Futaba Hisae."

"Aida Hikoichi." He said slowly then gave his hand. Hisae has the darkest hair and the angriest hazel eyes he had ever seen in his entire life. The girl took his hand, nevertheless, and gave it a tired shake.

So Hisae-san is really going to try her luck as Ryonan's manager, Hikoichi thought. Anou…she looks intimidating, he added, stifling an attempt to swallow. He hoped that she would not bite his head off or kill his two seniors.

"Nice to meet you." She said quietly, the blaze in her eyes remained.

"So, you're applying for manager, right, Futaba-san?" Hikoichi asked dumbly. He wanted to say something to smother the tense atmosphere among them even if it meant sounding like a total idiot. He just can't help but think that Hisae was forced by the two girls beside her.

"Well, now that I am here, yeah, I might as well do that." Hisae answered quite sarcastically.

Hikoichi blinked. "Well, o-okay. Come with me, please." He said, eyeing the new girl uneasily. What were Misao and Ayano thinking?

The four of them entered Ryonan's old gym and saw the team in the middle of a practice. Hisae felt her spirits peculiarly lifting, but quashed it the moment she acknowledged it. She kept on reminding herself that she already gave up basketball from the moment she left Akita and had not intended to come back but…she couldn't help relishing the atmosphere around her and recalling those times she had with Sannoh—the energy, the thrill, the excitement in seeing the country's best play their best. Yes, even in practices. She can already see herself cheering and up on her feet at the first minutes of the play.

"C'mon, Hisae, it wouldn't hurt to try." Ayano was saying. "If they didn't get you—"

Misao glared at her. "How could you be so discouraging, Ayano? Of course she'll get the job!"

"It's ok if they will not get me, Misao." Hisae said absently, her gaze glued on the members engaged on a three-on-three game.

"With the kind of team you used to manage, how could they not get you?" The redhead snapped.

"Sannoh is not the number one team anymore." Hisae said quietly. "In fact, they now rank third in the country."

"Who cares? A team like that is not made overnight."

"Dammit!" Koshino cursed as he slammed a folder on a desk.

Sendoh secretly took a quick look at the vicinity for anyone who might have seen or heard his vice-captain, then felt relieved when no one seemed to mind. He looked at Koshino with sympathy; he understood perfectly how he feels.

The screening for applicants went disastrously as always. He put a hand on his forehead. How would he explain to these girls that being a manager is not an assurance for them to get an instant boyfriend in the basketball team or a guarantee that it would boost their popularity?

A manager's job is one of the most difficult jobs because he or she gets to be several people all at once—a nurse, a coach, a friend, a researcher, a mathematician and at times, a basketball player, as well. It was something not taken lightly.

Koshino sat down on a stool and sighed. "It's been a week since we posted the ad yet nothing happened." He said. "I hate to say this but it has been a complete waste of time."

"Are you saying we should stop the screening?" Sendoh asked wearily.

Koshino gave him a derisive look as if saying, "What do you think?" "We're almost a month away from our practice match with Shohoku and the preliminaries. We need to set our priorities here."

Sendoh knew that and he did not appreciate Koshino reminding him about it. Nevertheless, the co-captain was right; they cannot afford to waste any more time and the week is almost over. They would have to make some quick decisions and sacrifices if they want to retain the current quality of their team. If they cannot find a manager within the end of this week, Aida Hikoichi would have to kiss his dreams of becoming one of the starting players goodbye. He dreaded telling the freshman of the bad news but, thinking of their situation now, he would have no other choice.

"Koshino-san! Sendoh-san!" Hikoichi's voice jolted the two seniors back to the present. "We have one more applicant!"

Sendoh groaned inwardly while Koshino banged his head on the table. Another overeager applicant with no experience in basketball to deal with and they are not looking forward to it. Well, you are not the only one, he said silently to the co-captain whose head is still on the table.

Sendoh suddenly felt drained of energy; his frustration the past few days of was beginning to catch up on him, and felt that if he stayed any longer he is going to have a nervous breakdown—or worse, lose his temper. Taking his bag on the bench, he turned to Koshino. "You take over." He said.

Koshino abruptly lifted his head from the table and stared at Sendoh in aghast. "What! Me!"

"Who else am I referring to?" Sendoh snapped. "I've had enough."

Koshino's temper flared. "Akira, you can't leave me here!" He shouted but it was too late. His best friend was already by the locker room entrance. Sighing angrily, he turned to face the approaching group.

"Uh, Koshino-san?" Hikoichi said, looking at the co-captain warily. His sempai looked angry enough to kill anyone in sight. Hikoichi frowned. Where is Sendoh-san, anyway?

"One more applicant," he said again then gestured towards Hisae and her friends.

In an instant, Koshino's rage flew out of the window.

"Koshino-san, her name is—"

"Hey, kiddo!" Koshino exclaimed happily, cutting the introduction off. "You finally get to drop by at the gym!"

The girl smiled, or to be more accurate, winced at him. "Hi, Hiroaki-kun." She said in a tiny voice.

Everyone was surprised to know that they knew each other personally. "S-Sempai, you—?" Hikoichi pointed, looking from Koshino to Hisae, then Hisae to Koshino. Ayano and Misao blinked and exchanged glances.

"We're neighbors." Koshino simply said to them then turned to Hisae. "Well, I didn't expect that you'd apply for manager. Have a seat, kid." He said, indicating to the chair across the table.

"I wasn't really planning to apply for the job but my friends talked me into it." She said then gave the two girls a pointed look. The girls returned it with sheepish smiles.

"Come on, it wouldn't hurt to try right?" Koshino said.

Hisae looked hesitant but sat down anyway.

"I'll just ask some standard questions about you then proceed to questions related to the position you're applying for." He added reassuringly. "I won't bite, Hisae, I promise."

Misao, Ayano and Hikoichi laughed at the co-captain's joke. Hisae gave him a slight smile. "Well, we better go and leave you two alone." Ayano said and hugged her friend. "Gambatte, Hisae-chan."

"You can do it, Hisae! This is your destiny. You're made for this!" Misao said cheerfully and smiled.

"We'll see you later then. Ja ne!"

After giving Hisae a brief wave, they now turned their attention on Hikoichi striking up a conversation about how his day was.

"Nice set of friends you got." Koshino said as he watched the two girls with Hikoichi.

Hisae grinned, an actual smile she showed since she got to the gym. "They're fun people."

"They sure are. You ok, so far?" He asked in a brotherly tone.

She nodded. Koshino smiled again and sat on the chair across her. "Let's begin. From what school did you graduated? Your mom was a little vague when she told me and Hayase where you used to study."

Hisae waved a hand. "Okaasan is always vague. She's not into many details with regards to some aspects of my life."

"I see!" Koshino laughed.

"Actually, I was from Sannoh High School."

"S-Sannoh?" Koshino blinked. "You mean Japan's number one high school basketball team?"

"Uh-huh."

"Then that could only mean…you used to be in the Sannoh's basketball team, as what?"

"Team manager."

Of course, she was their manager. What do you expect, their center? He mentally slapped his head for his stupidity. However, Koshino wanted to jump for joy. Their search was finally over.

"Wow! This means you know your stuff, kid." He said. "How long have you managed Sannoh?"

"Since summer of the Inter-High tourneys."

Koshino was startled once more. That was almost six months ago! This girl is full of surprises. "How about if we scrap this formality and tell you that you're hired?" He said.

Hisae stared at him. "Wouldn't that be unfair with the other applicants? There could be people who are more experienced than I am."

Koshino made a derisive snort. I'd wish! "As far as I know, you're the first and only applicant who is actually basketball-inclined."

"What? How can you be so sure if I deserve the position?" She stopped to think. "What if I am lying?"

"I'm not kidding. Akira and I interviewed many applicants who are mostly girls and they do not have any idea what they are applying for. They think they're applying for a dating service." He said dryly and then added. "As for lying, you're not the type to stoop that low."

"We're next door neighbors but that does not mean we're best friends, Hiroaki-kun."

"True. But you're too easy to read, kid." Koshino winked. He wondered why she is being so hesitant about being Ryonan's team manager. Maybe because she is so used to handling the best and would not settle for anything less. "Look, Hisae-san, I know we're not Sannoh, but we're a good team." He said it with sincerity and pride. "We're on of the best four in the region."

"What do you take me for, a snob?" She snapped. "This had nothing to do with your team! I just don't want to get involved with basketball anymore!"

Koshino frowned again. She seemed very much determined not to join the team. What an exasperating thought. What could be the cause for her to swear off basketball? No, that's not it. What is she afraid of?

Koshino stood up banging his palms on top of the table, making Hisae jump, and then he leaned forward.

"Okay. Then why don't we make a deal?" Koshino suddenly asked, his smile and blue-green eyes glinting mischief.

"You sound creepy when you say that." Hisae eyed him uneasily. "Like Elizabeth Hurley in Bedazzled. 'I'll grant all your wishes, but in exchange I want your soul. Sign here.' " She burst into evil laughter, still trying to imitate the British actress' husky laugh, which annoyed Koshino even more.

"Brat." He muttered. Hisae is just as bad as his sister. "Quit making fun of me, kid, and listen!"

After a few minutes of explanation from Ryonan's co-captain, Hisae stared at him in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding."

"No, I'm serious. It's not such a bad deal right?" Koshino said. "We both get what we want."

Hisae made a face. "It sounds crazy, actually."

Koshino smiled at her. "Trust me, kiddo. It makes sense."

Later that night at the Koshino's residence, Hiroaki went down the stairs towards the living room. He saw his younger sister curled up on the couch, whispering and smiling to whoever it was on the phone. He loomed over Hayase and glared. "Get off the phone. I have an important call to make."

Hayase glared back at him, made a hasty goodbye to her friend, and then threw the white cordless phone at her brother. He caught it neatly and made a face. "Wow, the phone is still hot. Good thing it didn't melt." He teased.

"Oh, shut up!" Hayase said sticking her tongue at him and ran upstairs.

Imoutos, he thought as he dialed Sendoh's number.

"Hello?" A low voice answered at the other line, which Koshino recognized instantly.

"Hey buddy, I got good—no, make that great news for you!" He began. "You ready? I found a new manager for the team." His next words came out in a rush.

"You did what?" Sendoh sounded surprised.

"I said I found a manager for the team, or rather, a manageress." Koshino said this time in a much slower manner.

"Really?" Sendoh said carefully. "Uh, that's nice."

Koshino laughed. "It is! I cannot believe it myself that I found her! I mean, it's not everyday that Japan's number one manager is in Kanagawa."

"Number one manager?"

"Her name's Futaba Hisae. Hisae-san was Sannoh High School's former manageress, so that makes her the best in the whole country!"

"S-Sannoh? Really!"

"I say so! With that kind of experience, she obviously knows a lot about the ABC's of basketball, like a sports encyclopedia."

"Are you sure she's human?" Sendoh has a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Quit joking, Akira," Koshino snapped. Then he continued with his raving. "Anyway, I'm telling you, we found a gold mine!"

"I see. So how did you find this 'gold mine'?"

"She's new in Ryonan so that makes her hard to find, but luckily for us, she's just my next door neighbor."

"Oh! When is she going to start?"

"Monday." Koshino said happily. "Oh, you and coach and the team are going to love her, I'm sure! She's the perfect help we just need."

"Let me see here," Sawakita Eiji was saying, "You're the one who said that you're not going to get involve with anything related to basketball, but now you're being recruited as Ryonan's manager?" Eiji said quite teasingly. "Basketball sure calls for you, Hisae." Then burst into loud laughter.

Hisae glared at the wall of her room. "I resent that." She snapped, twirling the cord of her pink and white Hello Kitty telephone wishing that she could wrap the cord around Eiji's neck. She told him so.

Eiji let out a choked gasp. "C'mon, I was just trying to make things lighter for you." He said.

"Well, you're not helping!"

"Ok, ok, I'm sorry. So, what did you tell Koshino?"

"I'll give him my final answer by next week." Hisae said, loosening the grip on the phone. "You think I'm being a hypocrite, are you?"

"No, of course not." Eiji said softly. "It's just that there are some things that you can't control even if you want to."

Hisae sighed. "I don't want to take care of another team. One is bad enough."

"Well, I'm hurt." Eiji said and she can imagine him pouting at her already. She laughed. "I guess you guys aren't so bad, but there were problems—"

"We're not going to bring that up again. That was over and done with." Eiji cut her off, his voice firm.

It was, but remnants of those memories still trouble her. Had she really gotten over it? She was not sure and decided not to say anything about it, knowing how Eiji would react. "So what should I do?" She asked.

"And I thought the reason why you called me is because you missed me." Eiji said in a voice that made him sound like a 3-year-old boy threatening a tantrum.

Hisae rolled her eyes. "I do miss you, but I also need your help. Well?"

She can already see him shrugging carelessly and smiled. "If you really want to, why not? But what's with the deal you two made?" Then he added in an angry voice. "Isn't Ryonan happy that the country's number one manager is going to work for them! Just who the hell do they think they are! It's not like they're the number one team in Kanagawa."

"Don't be snooty, Eiji. This is not a question on which is the better team." Hisae said soothingly. "It sounds like an outrageous idea, but that was the only thing Hiroaki-kun could think of in such a short notice."

"And did Ryonan's captain like the idea?"

"Uh, he wasn't there when the deal was brought up. But Hiroaki-kun said that he'd call him." She said. The idea sounded too extreme, and Hisae was not sure if this Sendoh would be willing to get a manager who had no plans of staying on the team.

"Who's their captain?" Eiji asked.

"Sendoh Akira."

"S-Sendoh!" Eiji exclaimed.

"You know him, didn't you, Eiji? I swear he sounds familiar, too, but I can't place where or when I've heard his name."

"C'mon, I told you about him remember? Y'know, the time I met him two years ago in Osaka?"

"Osaka?"

"Yeah, we saw him during the Junior High National Finals."

Hisae thought for a moment. "I can't recall." She said finally. "Though I did remember what happened in the Junior High National Finals. You're such a riot then, and you still are."

"You will eventually remember him. Sendoh's not that easy to forget, believe me. I didn't expect him to be captain so soon." Eiji said, muttering out the last statement.

"What?" Hisae asked.

Eiji cleared his throat loudly. "I mean, you're going to give your final decision by next week, right?"

Hisae, now a pen in hand, twirled it between her fingers. "Yeah. So what do you think? Should I or shouldn't I?"

"I think you already made up your mind."

Author's note: Standard disclaimers will and always apply. I now am able to continue writing since the PC's been fixed and I finally managed to pull myself together after being so busy for so long. Thank goodness! Reviews are welcome!