Chapter 4
Inside his small office, Taoka Moichi stared back at the chubby girl standing across his desk, staring at him with sharp, intelligent eyes that reminded him of a hawk. He turned back at the opened folder on his desk and continued to read, nodding as he went from one page to the next, and the next. "Your records are excellent, Futaba-kun." He said at last.
"Arigato, sensei." Hisae said.
Taoka smiled at her thoughtfully; he was impressed with this girl. Though she worked for Sannoh for only a short time, the experience she gained would be adequate enough to help support Ryonan. "But according to your former coach in Sannoh," Taoka continued, "you've been managing teams since Junior High. Is that correct?"
"Hai, sensei. I started during my sophomore year"
So that explained why Doumouto was very enthusiastic over the telephone earlier.
I'm sure your team will be in good hands with her around, Taoka-sensei, Doumouto had said glowingly. Her long-term experience in the game was very helpful.
Taoka said, "Doumouto-kantokun had nothing else to say except that you're an exceptional young woman. He added that you have handled Sannoh on your own a couple of times, and during those days, the team remained enthusiastic and well disciplined, as if he himself was handling them himself."
"A-Arigato, sensei." Hisae said more graciously, though inside she felt quite annoyed. She made a mental note to call Doumouto-sensei tonight and ask him to give one of his players a blistering lecture about being a busybody. Better yet, she would call that busybody himself.
Taoka beamed then stood up. "You're welcome, Hisae-kun. Come with me and I'm going to introduce you to the team."
Ryonan basketball team was practicing their basics in passing with vice-captain Koshino supervising the session. Every now and then, he would shout encouragements or commands to put more effort into what they were doing. They were now doing footwork basics when coach Taoka and Hisae appeared.
"Minna" He called. "Gather around!"
The members exchanged glances then quietly gathered to where Coach Taoka stood. They began to wonder what he was going to say since he rarely conducts meetings in the middle of practice.
"Ryonan, I'd like all of you to meet Miss Futaba Hisae. Hisae-kun will be your new team manager." Taoka announced.
Everyone turned to Hisae beside him when he gestured to her. She was quite tall for a girl…and large. The gray sweatshirt and black leggings she wore made her stand out in an uncomfortable fashion since, with the exception of the coach, they were all wearing shorts. She didn't seem to mind, though.
So this is her, they all seemed to say, the new manager. Most of them never saw the screenings but heard rumors that even the school's popular females also applied. In the end, the one standing before them got the most sought-after spot. She was a new face, no doubt, and it was both startling and intriguing to realize how this facile-looking girl got to outrun all the others. What could she possibly have that the rest don't?
Koshino, on the other hand, looked nonchalant, but the pride in his eyes betrayed his true feelings.
"Hi, everyone." Hisae said smiling warmly at the boys staring at her in obvious puzzlement and wonder. "It's great to meet a group of superb players at this side of the country."
"Nice to meet you!" They greeted her back in unison and smiled at her comment.
Taoka continued. "She was from Sannoh High and the former manager of the basketball team before she moved here in Kanagawa."
"Ah! S-Sannoh ga?" Some of them exclaimed. They didn't know that Sannoh had a female manager. They thought that was only limited to Shohoku and Ryukufu.
Taoka nodded. "I'm expecting all of you to give her the same respect you give me and your captain and vice-captain. Is that clear?"
"Hai" The team answered.
Taoka handed a clipboard to Hisae and said, "Here's the list of Ryonan's current members. So far we have about 15."
Hisae nodded. She took the list, thanked him, and began scanning the names of the players. She breathed deep then raised her head to welcome their questioning gazes. "I will be announcing all of your names in this order, so please tell me if I said it correctly. Say something about yourself, as well, so it won't be the usual hi-my-name-is-and-I-play-this and that." She said and began in a businesslike voice. "Aida, Hikoichi."
"Hai" Hikoichi said, thrusting his opened hand in the air. "I'm being trained as a point guard and be one of the starting members of the team. I also hope to be like Sendoh-san someday."
She smiled and nodded. "Good." He will get there with the proper training, she added mentally. "Anything else you might want to add? Mmm…a girlfriend or two, maybe?"
"EEE!" Hikoichi quickly flushed while the rest of the members laughed and gagged. "Uh, n-n-no." He answered sheepishly and bowed his head.
Hisae hid a smile, filing that information at the back of her mind. Misao would definitely be happy with this. "Raikujin, Taka." She continued the roll call. A shuddering hand was put up and her eyes landed on a pale and fairly gaunt boy beside Hikoichi. Hisae couldn't help but blink. Looks like a wimp, but I feel there's determination in this little fella. She thought, looking into Taka's eyes.
"What's wrong, Taka-san?" Hikoichi whispered.
"I-I think…she's scary." Taka whispered back.
Hikoichi looked at Hisae then back at him. "Well, a little." He said, demonstrating 'a little' with his thumb and pointing finger.
"Hi there!" Hisae waved to the tense freshman then made a check mark beside the name. "Care to tell us something about yourself?"
Taka stared back with boggle eyes. He was not used to being spoken to, especially by a girl. He swallowed hard. "Well, I-I usually read in my spare time." He stammered.
The smile never left her face. "Cool. Me, too. Maybe we can exchange books when practice's over?"
Taka stared at her with the same expression then nodded slowly.
The roll call continued with some occasional fits amongst the team members when someone shared a funny anecdote or a hobby. It served as a way to break the tension between the team and Hisae.
"What?" Hisae asked in surprise after noticing that Ryonan has no senior players.
Ueda supplied the answer. "Anou, Uozumi-san and Ikegami-san quit after we lost to Shohoku in the summer championships. They're our only seniors."
"Oh. Of course"
It was usually the rule for the seniors of the losing team to quit basketball after the regional finals and even the national finals, but only a few actually follow this policy.
"Moving on—Fukuda, Kitcho."
A boy in a messy hairdo and thick lips raised his hand. "I play basketball with my friends." He answered casually when asked what he does when he's not in practice.
"That's great. No wonder you're one of the best offense players in the region." Hisae said.
Fukuda's face remained impassive but he puffed his chest up, obviously happy with the compliment given to him.
"Koshino, Hiroaki."
"Present, ma'am!" Koshino saluted at her to which she narrowed her eyes at him. "I'm single and available!" He added cheerfully. The others laughed heartily. Coach Taoka slapped his forehead, thinking why the vice-captain had to be so fresh all of a sudden. He gave Koshino a warning look.
"That's so enlightening, Hiroaki-kun. Thank you." Hisae said dryly. "I'll keep that in mind in case someone is crazy enough to ask."
Koshino laughed at her remark, ignoring the coach's glare.
"Uekusa, Tomoyuki." Hisae continued.
A dark-haired player in semi-skinhead hairstyle raised his hand. "I'm one of the guards in the team and collects stamps whenever I have the time."
Hisae nodded. "Quite a genteel hobby." She commented.
"Thanks." Uekusa said.
"Sugadaira, Jinrai." She called, and then a male brunette raised his hand. The new center said something about playing shooting games in his spare time.
Hisae mentally went over the names again then looked up at her new team. "I guess that's all of you—no wait! There's one more." She said when she looked at the list again. "Sendoh, Akira."
Silence. The freshmen stared at one another uneasily while the older players were muttering under their breaths. Coach Taoka suddenly looked like he was going to have Apoplexy.
"He's late again, isn't he?" He asked through gritted teeth.
Koshino nodded.
Hisae's frown deepened when she saw a train of red marks beside Sendoh's name, from three weeks ago to present. "Jeez, you still keep tabs with this guy?" She said wryly. "I should've kicked him out of the team a long time ago."
Hisae recalled how strict Coach Doumouto was with latecomers and absentees. He quickly dismisses players who became abusive with their attendance.
It was upsetting to her at first, but eventually, she understood why and began imposing it on Sannoh herself whenever the coach is out. A player who joined the basketball club should commit to being present to practices and other activities associated with it on time.
Hisae didn't realize that the whole Ryonan team was horrified at her remark. Even coach Taoka looked a little appalled at the unknowing manageress.
"Umm…H-He is not just a player, Hisae-san." Hikoichi was saying. "Sendoh-san is Ryonan's ace player and current captain. He will lead this team to the Nationals."
Hisae didn't look a bit pleased. "Then all the more reason to kick him out." She said without hesitation, crossing her arms. "As captain of the team, Sendoh Akira should know better by setting examples to his teammates, first of all, by being here on time during practices. Do you think that this captain of yours can lead a team to the Nationals by paving a way of red marks on his record? You're losing more time waiting than practicing with each other and getting to know each other in court."
"My words exactly." Coach Taoka muttered under his breath, stressing it more with a sharp nod.
Sugadaira winced. "S-She's just as bad as sensei!"
Koshino made a face. Of all the times Sendoh has to be late, why did it have to be now!
"Is he always this late?" Hisae asked them.
Hikoichi swallowed hard upon seeing the blaze in her hazel eyes. "H-H-Hai." It came out as a squeak.
She tapped her pen on her clipboard, the displeasure in her features is more apparent now. "Unbelievable. Your captain sure has a serious problem with time management." She said sarcastically.
Hikoichi looked uneasy. He had never met anyone criticizing his hero this harshly. "Uh, well, S-Sendoh-san is just generous with time."
Hisae's brow rose. "Generous?"
The freshman shrank at the edged tone of her voice. So did the other players.
The gymnasium's sliding doors suddenly opened and revealed their exhausted and panting captain. Sendoh was still dressed in his school uniform, and he wore a sheepish smile on his face. Taoka turned purple with rage at the sight of him.
"SEN-DOOOOOH!"
Ryonan members held their breaths and waited for their angry new manager's reaction. Hisae could have roared the same way, of course, but a stronger sense of déjà vu overcame her upon seeing this Sendoh. She gaped at him for seconds and then it hit her. M-MASAKA!
Taoka was screaming, "You're late again! How many times do I have to tell you—!" when it was abruptly cut off by a more thunderous, high-pitched laugh. Surprised and quite offended, Taoka turned to look at the girl beside him incredulously. Hisae was laughing so hard her whole body was shaking.
"W-What's so funny, Hisae-san?" Beady-eyed, Hikoichi blinked at their manager in query.
Hisae kept on laughing until the whole team was already staring at her in disbelief. She cut off Coach Taoka right in the middle of his sermon and still she doesn't stop? Is she out of her mind?
They realized that their new manager is a very unpredictable woman. First she was angry, and now she's laughing like crazy. Sendoh, meanwhile, has an unreadable expression on his face.
"Gomen ne, minna!" Hisae finally said. "It's just that…(giggles)…Oh my God!"
The members of the team stared at each other then back at Hisae.
Hisae answered them with another loud laugh. This time she was pointing at Sendoh. The poor captain merely blinked at her. Just what is so funny about him? Everyone's eyes rested now on Sendoh, who looked suddenly lost and didn't know what to do or say.
She then began to approach Sendoh. Still laughing, she uncapped the marker that hang around her neck and then drew a thick line on each side above Sendoh Akira's upper lip.
Hikoichi nearly fainted when he saw what Hisae just did.
"W-W-What do you think you're doing!" Koshino squeaked while the rest of the team blanched at the sight of how their new manager just vandalized their captain's face. Coach Taoka stared at Hisae in horror, all rage forgotten. He thought he had seen the most outrageous being in his life in the person of Shohoku's Sakuragi Hanamichi, but what Hisae did just exceeded the redhead's antics, albeit a less physically aching one.
Sendoh was staring at Hisae, his face now devoid of any expression.
"Hisae-san!" Hikoichi couldn't contain the fright in his voice "Do you know who you just drew a mustache on!"
Hisae smiled brightly at him. "He just reminded me of someone. See?" She flipped a few papers on her clipboard. At the bottom, she took out a picture and showed it to Hikoichi.
"Oh!" Hikoichi said blinking twice at the picture, and then sneaked a glance at Sendoh who now has his back to him. He looked back at the photo then at the captain again, trying his best not to burst into laughter but was having a hard time not to.
"Ok, ok, what's going on?" Koshino asked as he also approached the small group.
Hikoichi did not say anything but handed him the picture instead. Koshino gaped at the picture. Unlike Hikoichi, he did not hesitate to contain his amusement. He laughed loudly, making the rest of the team wonder if the vice-captain has just lost his marbles.
The photograph was passed from one player to another, accompanied by loud laughter. Some like Koshino and Fukuda were already on the floor shaking with mirth. The freshman players were looking at their captain in disbelief and trying not to laugh too loudly or laugh at all. Coach Taoka, who usually has two moods—angry and very angry—was laughing so hard that the entire team stared at him with their eyes and mouths wide open.
"What?" Coach Taoka said, sounding like the Big Bad Wolf in Shrek.
The laughter lingered on until it was the only sound that can be heard inside Ryonan's gymnasium.
Stupid girl. Sendoh thought with disgust and anger as he patted his face with a towel. The black lines on his upper lip were gone but a bigger red patch replaced it from vigorous rubbing. His lip hurt, too, but his ego hurt worse than the sting from too much friction of skin and fabric.
The mixed sounds of his team's laughter still echoed in his head: the freshmen, most especially, who were usually in awe of his abilities as ace player and captain and never tried to hide it; even coach Taoka, who spent most of the time yelling at him, who trusted him with his life to take their team to the championships.
Thanks to that girl, he became an instant laughingstock. Who in the world is that girl anyway? He wondered.
"Akira!" Aya called from downstairs. "Hiroaki-kun is here!"
Sendoh took one last look in the mirror before going out of the bathroom. Downstairs, he saw Koshino standing by the living room, looking up at him as he descended down the steps.
"What are you doing here?" He snapped. "Aren't you supposed to be at practice?"
Koshino raised an eyebrow. "Like you are?" he said with a gruff smirk "Everyone wondered where you went."
Sendoh remained silent. Koshino sighed then managed another smile—genially this time. "Well, it was funny."
"Great. Laugh at my expense." Sendoh rolled his eyes.
"Jeez, I never knew you're so sensitive. Anyway, I came by to show you this." Koshino said, giving him the photo that sent the team into hysterical fits of laughter. "It's sad you never got the chance to meet our new manager." He added quietly.
Sendoh took the picture, not bothering to take a look at it then stared at his friend. "That laughing hyena?" He said derisively, but he was quite surprised at the fact that that uncontrollably laughing girl is their new manager. Was she the same person that Koshino was raving about on the phone last weekend? He has got to be kidding.
"Yeah, the same laughing hyena that drew a mustache on your face with a marker. I think it's a good thing that it's not permanent." He said cheerfully even if his blue-green eyes were hard. He then added hastily when Sendoh began to scowl at him, "Hisae also has a reason for that."
"Gee, I wonder what that could be." Sendoh said sarcastically.
"You remind her of someone she knew so well back home. You could've stayed and let her explain."
Sendoh sighed. Now that he has calmed down, he felt like a complete fool for his bad behavior earlier. He now saw that his friend had a point however, he was too angry and embarrassed to think clearly then. But not anymore. "I better go back to the gym and apologize to everyone."
Koshino shook his head. "Forget it. We left early. Coach already excused your sudden absence and understood why, which is a shocker, believe me. I just came here to give you that picture on my way home."
"Thanks." Sendoh said, fiddling with it.
When Koshino left, Sendoh looked down at the picture. It was a shot of an entire team in their light blue and white basketball jerseys. He saw Hisae right away, since she was the only girl in the group. What caught his attention was the red circle drawn on one of their members at the center of the photograph. It was a man in his mid-twenties, dark-haired, and athletic. He was wearing a white shirt and black slacks. The team's coach.
No wonder his teammates laughed so hard. That man resembles every bit of him—from the spiky black hair to the killer smile. The only difference, aside from their age, was that that man has thick, straight mustache.
"So this explains everything." He said then burst into quiet laughter, now seeing the humor of it all.
He resumed his gaze back on Hisae. She still looks the same in the picture though her hair was shorter. He read the caption carelessly scrawled behind the photograph. Sannoh High School Basketball Club: the team at its finest. He smiled wryly.
"Cute."
If he didn't know better, he would have doubted that this is the formidable Sannoh team since they looked too silly with their crazy poses and comical facial expressions.
Sendoh turned the picture and his attention now focused on the player beside Hisae. He has a big smile on his face, with one arm draped casually around Hisae's shoulders and his free hand flashed a 'peace' sign. Sendoh can tell that he was shorter than him, but they have the same age. There was something familiar about the player, but couldn't place where or when.
A chill ran down his spine when he finally recognized him.
Sendoh came to the gym early the next day already dressed in his practice clothes as he was determined to apologize for his behavior the previous day. Most of the members present were the freshmen, as usual, polishing the floor and carrying the basketball bins.
"Hey." He greeted them.
Everyone turned and was surprised to see their captain early. They scrambled about from their work then greeted him with a strong "Chush!" Sendoh made his apology but they waved it off and expressed their regret instead for laughing at him yesterday. Saying that shouldn't have happened since he is their captain and their senior, and that he should be respected. Sendoh told them that he now understood the hilarity of the situation, that there is nothing to it.
After having a brief chat, he saw their new manager, Hisae, reading something from her clipboard. Sendoh approached her, politely excusing himself from the freshmen.
"Hi. We weren't properly introduced yesterday." He began.
Hisae looked up, her hazel eyes wide with surprise. Taking that as a good sigh, Sendoh continued as he extended his hand to her. "I'm Sendoh Akira, the team captain."
She took his hand. "Futaba Hisae, the new guy—if you don't mind the pun." She smiled sheepishly at him. "I'm sorry about yesterday, but you reminded me so much of Doumouto-sensei that I couldn't help myself. I didn't even know who you were."
"It's ok. I should be the one to apologize for reacting badly and not hearing you out." He said.
Hisae shrugged. "That's ok. I don't blame you for walking out of the gym yesterday. You were really angry."
"I was but Hiroaki showed me the picture. It's ok now." He said then added. "It was funny. Just remind me not to grow a mustache in the future, ok?"
She laughed aloud. Sendoh joined her. When the laughter died down he was unaware that he was still holding her hand, unlike Hisae who noticed that their handshake was a little bit too long for her liking.
"Will do." She said, giving her hand a slight tug.
Sendoh hardly felt the yanking of her hand even if Hisae was now doing several discreet but strong jerks from his.
Koshino suddenly appeared. "Well, well, looks like you two already met." He said.
Sendoh abruptly released her hand, startled at the vice-captain's arrival. Hisae placed her hand behind her back while Sendoh tucked his hands in the pockets of his jogging pants.
"Hey." Sendoh said nodding at him.
"Hi, Hiroaki-kun." Hisae said, waving at him with her clipboard.
Koshino saluted at the pair. "Glad to see that you two are getting to know each other. Saves me the chore of doing that myself." He teased.
"Right." Hisae said, looking at her clipboard, hoping to Kami-sama that no one saw her blush. She pretended to flip through the team stats but in reality, she was berating herself. What is wrong with her? She met better looking players than Sendoh and here she was feeling oddly drawn to him. His hand—it was firm and oddly protecting. She mentally shook her head.
Something in his handshake made her feel the warmth that comes naturally from him. Hisae was not an expert in handshakes, but she realized he just let her know that he can be trusted completely, that everything about his life can only be seen and not touched, and in spite of knowing this, he struggled hard for nearness.
Oh stop it! Hisae said as she tapped her pen on the clipboard. She was actually reading now. Hisae, what are you thinking? You're being delusional again. She thought angrily. Hisae looked up and saw the captain staring at her. She felt her heart stop as she held her breath.
Doki, doki…
"Yes?"
He gave her his trademark smile and said. "Nice meeting you, Hisae."
Doki, doki…
She smiled back. "Likewise, Sendoh-san."
"C'mon, we better start warming up or we'll be done for." Koshino said to Sendoh. Then gesturing to Hisae, he said "'Bye, kiddo!"
"See you." Sendoh said.
Hisae waved at the two and watched them join the rest of the team. She looked down back at the clipboard and saw Sendoh's name…and the little unmarked square box after a series of red checks. She kept the box unmarked for today. Hisae smiled to herself and felt her cheeks warming. Good Lord, he even smiles like Doumouto-sensei…
Doki, doki, doki…When Coach Taoka arrived, she pushed all thoughts far back in her head and proceeded with her work.
Hisae did see Sendoh again. She was yelling at the rest of the Ryonan team something about not exerting enough enthusiasm needed to win when the captain approached her along with Taka.
"Oh, hello." She greeted them. Taka was looking at her shyly. "This here's my victim?" Hisae said.
Sendoh laughed. "Well, you could say that. We've been helping out Taka here when we didn't have a manager. Now that you're here, we leave his training to you."
Hisae nodded gratefully. "Don't worry, he'll be in good hands. Right, Raikujin-kun?" She said, clapping him gently on the shoulders.
Taka blushed furiously. Hisae turned to Sendoh. "Well, I better get him started."
Sendoh saluted at her. "Ok. I'll be around if you need me."
"Will do." She said as turned Taka about and lightly him towards the corner of the gym reserved for training neophytes. "Ok, first thing's first. Stop being scared of me, ok? I'm not going to have you for dinner. You're too bony." At Taka's horrified look, she laughed. "I'm just kidding, Raikujin-kun. Another thing, I'll make sure that you're going to have fun and learn something from me at the same time. Got it?"
Taka made a weak nod.
"Great." She said. "So, for day one, here's what we're going to do first: Go on a half-kneeling position, like so, and then hold the ball with the hand opposite to your raised knee. You're a lefty or righty?
"R-Righty."
"Okay. I asked because I want to start you with this drill using your dominant hand to have a feel of it. Then we'll switch to your left. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Make sure that you're shin is in a 90-degree angle with your thigh bone and the floor like this. Yes, that's right. You got it, Raikujin-kun! Keep your foot flat and your thigh straight. Get you balance, don't wobble. Right! That's it!"
Taka started dribbling.
"My, Raikujin-kun, I didn't know you're a fast learner."
"Y-You really think so?"
She nodded and smiled. "I can't wait to see you perfect this part of the training. This is the basics on dribbling. Basics, in general, is the heart of basketball." She said proudly.
"Heart? I-I thought the heart of basketball is passion."
Hisae shook her head gently, her smile retained. "Passion is the soul."
Taka looked up at her with a different glint in his eyes. He smiled at Hisae and thanked her. Behind the unknowing two, Sendoh smiled, too.
And that was how she began training Taka. With careful guidance, a steady improvement was seen on the skinny freshman, though he still gets jumpy when Hisae berates his name.
The two eventually developed a brother-sister relationship, with Taka completely overcoming his shyness and fear.
"You know what, I keep noticing something about the way you dribble the ball." Hisae said when she focused on Taka who was now on another round of practicing his dribbling basics. "I totally admire your effort, but now that I look at you closely, you're dribbling looks stiff, and you're very hard on the ball." She took the ball from him, knelt on one knee, and showed him how to dribble correctly. "In dribbling, move your wrist more. It's the boss over the arm. See?"
Taka stared at her in awe. How she handled the ball looked amazing to him. Hisae even began passing the ball to her other hand below her raised knee. "The secret to controlling the ball is on the wrist. Always remember that."
Taka beamed. "That was great. Hisae-sempai! No my arm hurts so much." He said. "Thanks, Hisae-sempai!"
"How about plain 'Hisae'? We're both on the same year, y'know." Hisae said, smiling warmly at him.
Taka looked shocked. "Really? I mean, you seem to be much more mature than I am. I thought you're a sophomore like Koshino-san and Sendoh-san."
She frowned. "That's creepy, Taka. C'mon, we have a long way to go."
"Hai" Taka said cheerfully and began with another round of dribbles.
Hisae smiled at him before turning to the rest of the team now engaged in a practice game facilitated by the coach. Captain Sendoh led the team in white while vice captain Koshino led the team in blue.
There goes the jump ball, and Fukuda slapped the ball towards Koshino. Koshino then sped to their side of the court.
Hisae liked the way the team was moving now. They were smooth and synchronized, though she still felt that they were reluctant to give everything they got, especially when they were pitted against each other like this. Sendoh seemed to be the only one moving and running to and fro when, in reality, there are ten men in court. They were all sweating profusely, but how could that be?
Could it be like he's a natural 'standout'? Like Eiji?
And why do I even keep associating the captain with that busybody anyway!
"Nice steal, Aida-kun!" Hisae shouted to Hikoichi who sped past a stunned Sugadaira, ball in hand.
"Thanks!" Hikoichi said, flashing a thumbs-up sign.
Later, when Sugadaira made a successful dunk, Hisae shouted once again. "Great dunk, Sugadaira-sempai!"
Sugadaira winked at her, annoying Coach Taoka.
"Sugadaira! Focus on the game, not on the manager!" He yelled at the now embarrassed center.
"Sorry." Sugadaira said, scratching his head but gave Hisae another wink. Hisae and the benched players laughed heartily.
"Go, go, go, Uekusa-sempai!" Hisae cheered minutes later when the Ryonan guard managed to elude Fukuda.
"I've gone! I've gone!" Uekusa bellowed back then grinned impishly at her.
Taoka's face looked distorted and he muttered, "W-What was that?"
"Good job, Hiroaki-kun!" Hisae said thrusting a fist in the air as Koshino made a mid-range shot.
Koshino blew her a kiss. "Thanks, sweetheart!"
Taoka's jaw was on the floor. "S-Sweetheart!" He screamed. The coach was about to reprimand his vice-captain for the inappropriate address when his captain spoke.
"Oi, oi, Koshino, you two may be next-door neighbors but that does not apply here. You address her by her name." Sendoh said with a little edge in his voice then turned to the whole team. "Minna, stop distracting yourself and focus on the game. It's good that Hisae's giving comments. Listen, but don't let it get into your head."
"Hai"
Koshino stared at him blinking, and then he shrugged. "Sorry, kid." He whispered to Hisae wand waived. She waved back at him.
"Good thing he apologized." Taoka said. "I can't believe they would behave this badly with you."
"Sensei, don't blame them. I guess I got carried away myself." She said, smiling at the scowling coach. "I cheer for the players back home regardless if it's a practice game or an actual one. I do this all the time."
Taoka stared. "Well, if you say so. But aren't you a little uneasy with them being too friendly with you?"
"Iie." She said. "They're like that when a girl's in the team so it's understandable."
Taoka didn't say anything.
"Sensei, I'm very aware that nothing will go beyond those winks and names of endearment. Besides, I doubt they would dare react to me again if I start cheering for them since Sendoh-san already gave them a warning. And on another note, whether I'm being too friendly or not, I'm their manager. They should know better than try to win me their favors by doing whatever." She chuckled. "Or even ask me out on a date!"
The coach nodded. "Of course, they should know better. What do they think this is—one, crazy romance flick? They should never play basketball to impress. Someone like that is utterly low."
Hisae shrugged. "Well, if you say so." She said, echoing her coach's words.
News of the team's new manageress had been circulating in the entire school since Hisae started. While few were relieved that finally there is someone to manage the team, the female population were too heartbroken to care why the basketball club was looking for one in the first place.
Genko's group, especially, took this hard since all of them applied for the position and none of them were accepted.
"Masaka" Mai wailed. "She got the most coveted position in school!"
"How was that possible?" Reika cried.
"Imagine that, she's so close with all those guys!" Meia followed.
"Especially with…with…Sendoh-san!" Genko howled.
"It's not fair!" They chorused.
One of the reasons why Hisae was hesitant to join Ryonan was that she thought she needed more time to adjust to a new set of team, but she managed to adapt after five days, when she was usually well adjusted after a month.
She never realized that she missed being in a team—cheering, training, and hanging around with the players. In Sannoh, she ended up being friends with almost all of the players; she has the same hopes for Ryonan.
Back at Sannoh, practice sessions were exceptionally tough, especially if they want to keep their number one position in the country. Coach Doumouto wouldn't have it any other way. Even when they lost the Inter-High nationals, they saw their loss as a chance for them to avoid past errors and make new game plans. With Ryonan, she saw the same thing: their practices are hard especially with the way Coach Taoka pushes them. Their determination to make it this year as the number one team in the region and to be able join the national winter Inter-High championships are very much obvious. Because of that, she wanted them badly to succeed.
She saw their players as disciplined, well coordinated and well trained, but there was one flaw: their new captain.
Hisae cannot deny that Sendoh has what it takes of an ace player—his ability to adapt well in court, his broad view of things, his reassuring presence. But his being a slacker ticks her off. She had seen ace players more committed than he is.
Sendoh, meanwhile, takes things into stride and not actually showing what he can really do as a player. Is he serious about the game at all? Does he have the complete commitment for the club?
Then his tardiness issue stood out once more after a day of being prompt. How could Sendoh be constantly late for two and a half years and was still considered as one of the best five players in Kanagawa? Performance on a game matters, but so does attendance and punctuality.
"Consistently late again, Sendoh-san." Hisae said sarcastically as she saw him entering the gym.
"Sorry." Sendoh just said, smiling sheepishly at her.
"Ooh." She said through gritted teeth. She didn't care if he has the cutest smile in the world; he's still late! "You're really planning to be at the Guinness Book of Records as the tardiest high school basketball player in the whole world, are you?" She asked drolly.
He scratched his head. "I have a reason for being late."
She made a face. "You always say that. You know I got a better idea. The next time someone comes in late we're going to give him a Sendoh Akira award and you're the one who is going to personally give that to him. How's that?"
He smiled sheepishly at her again. "I'm really sorry, Hisae." He said.
Hisae sighed. "Ok, you're forgiven, Sendoh-san. Just don't do it again, please." She said then gestured to the team. "They're already starting. Get going."
Sendoh looked like he wanted to say something else but changed his mind and approached his teammates.
Hisae sighed audibly. She knew that Sendoh is a good man, a good player, and a good leader or he wouldn't be the school's ace player and one of Kanagawa's top 5, but there are some aspects of his personality that baffle her.
She caught herself comparing again and shook her head.
Who would have thought that having a girl to manage the team could be fun and infuriating at the same time? Sendoh thought. Fun because he had never seen his teammates enjoy themselves during practices, even if coach Taoka was around. They did not mind how excruciatingly difficult their training is, and Hisae's encouragement, it seems, kept them going. The atmosphere was a little lighter since she began working with them.
Fun because, in his opinion, Hisae is one remarkable manager. Coach Taoka would always agree to that.It was her knowledge of the game that impressed him the most. Rarely anyone—especially girls—would bother to know about a twenty-four second violation, a fade-away shot, the "sixth man", and a triple-double player stat. It seems someone who really knows the game technicalities by heart taught Hisae.
She can be gracious and encouraging, as well, as he can see with the way she was training Taka. Taka liked her very much for her bottomless patience.
In general, she's good—really good. And like all good people, she also has bad sides.
Hisae infuriates him because she kept rubbing in on how tardy he is, as if that was the only thing she knew about him. Armed with every infuriating person is an admirable kind of persistence, and no doubt, she has that, too. Coach Taoka assigned her to update their team handbook. One time, she used him as an example of the tardy student who never learns his lesson from case one to nine. Koshino was so amused while the freshman didn't know what to react every time he would look their way. Must be the way he stared.
Every practice, she even took it to herself to remind everyone about following the new handbook, stressing on tardiness whilst waving his attendance sheet to make her point clearer than crystal. She never gets tired of doing that, which Sendoh—after finally getting used to it—now found amusing.
He smiled at it once but Hisae glared at him and told him that being late is not funny, that it is a scandalous act for a captain of the basketball team to do. She was exaggerating, of course, but she has a point.
"Alright, alright." Sendoh had said. "I'll start coming early tomorrow. How about that?"
"Please do so." Hisae said in a voice with a hint of strain.
"If that is what it takes for the manager not to get mad at me anymore, I'll do it." He said grinning at her. "Besides, I noticed the manager is prettier if she's not mad."
Hisae hit his behind with her clipboard. "Quit goofing off and start practicing!" She shouted, startling some of the members.
Sendoh's smile grew wider. "Hai, hai." He said and left.
"Crazy." He heard her say as he was leaving.
The spot where she hit him was still tingling when he approached his teammates. He wondered if she sees him other than someone who has a problem with his schedule adherence.
He did not know why, but it affected him deeply. Usually, Sendoh never cared about what other people thought of him but for her, he wanted to prove her wrong. Was there a chance to do so? He wondered. Sometimes, he was even tempted to tell her the real reason behind his tardiness but was hesitant about it. Would it be too revealing?
"Ahem."
Sendoh stared at the frowning Koshino. "Nani" He asked.
"You ok?"
"I'm fine. You were saying?"
"I said we need to think of ways to improve our game by the time we have our practice match with Shohoku!"
"Oh!" Sendoh said, genuinely startled. "Yeah, you're right, Koshino. Great idea."
Hisae clapped Hikoichi at the back. "Nice job." She said, smiling at him. "Not all players can manage to master faking so easily. You're a gifted faker."
Hikoichi's smile immediately twisted into shame. "I-I-I don't think I like the sound of that, Hisae-san…"
She choked a laugh, realizing how terrible that must have sounded to someone as hardworking, patient and determined as Hikoichi. "Don't worry, Aida-kun, I mean that as a compliment. Keep practicing on it since faking is one of the most powerful tools a player can use during games, especially at crunch time. Keep on working on it. I'm sure you'll master it in no time."
"Hisae!" Misao called out to her.
"Hey there!" Ayano said beside Misao.
Hisae smiled at the girls waving at them by the door of the gym room entrance. "Hi 'ya, you two! Wait up. We're almost done here."
"Kamiya-san!" Hikoichi waved at the redhead.
Hisae wanted to laugh aloud at Misao's reaction. She went stiff as a post and her face became redder than her hair. She and Ayano exchanged glances and smiled. Yes, it is definite that her friend's in-love. Hisae glanced at Hikoichi who was still waving at Misao. You have no idea what effect you have on her, she thought.
"Oi" Hisae swiped him with her clipboard. "You can do that later. For now, you're cleaning up the gym with the rest of your teammates."
Hikoichi nodded, and after one last wave to at Misao, he left.
When practice was over, the three girls went home together. Along their way, Misao was telling Hisae on how she envies her confidence with boys. "You can talk to them without turning into a block of ice or sounding like a stuttering idiot." She said.
Hisae rolled her eyes. "'Coz I'm a boy." She said drolly then laughed at Misao's shocked look. "Ok, ok, seriously, it's not that hard. I have brothers, so that helped."
"Well, I don't." Misao said dryly.
Hisae flashed her a sly smile. "So…having problems with a particular boy?"
Misao blushed furiously. It was no use hiding it from her friends. "Well, I-I just wish I could talk to Aida-kun without freezing." She said, her head bowed down.
"Well, you can just approach him." Hisae said. "He won't bite."
"Are you crazy!" Misao sputtered. "W-What would I say!"
"How about a 'Hi' to start?" Ayano said dryly.
"I-I can't!" Misao protested.
Hisae shrugged. "Why not? It's just a greeting, Misao, not a marriage proposal."
Misao glared at her. "I'm not the type that makes the first move! It isn't proper!"
"Oh boy, now she tells us what's proper?" Ayano said rolling her eyes.
"But still, a guy has to make the first move, not the other way around!" Misao said primly.
Hisae winced. "You sound like one of my aunts." Both girls knew that Misao came from an old-fashioned family. It was not easy to make her to do something as modern and gutsy as approaching the guy of her dreams.
Ayano snapped her fingers, and then smiled brightly. "I got it! Why don't you send him a letter, Misao?"
Hisae stared at the brown-haired woman. "Ei, nice!"
"No!" Misao said screamed. "I don't think that's a good idea! Have you lost it, you two? What if he doesn't like me?"
Hisae cocked her head sideways. "Gee, how would you know if you don't try?" Hisae said.
"And besides, he's always the one making the first move, saying 'Hi' to you and stuff. Didn't you notice that he always greet you when we stop by to visit?" Ayano said.
Misao was silent, thinking. She seemed to be imagining the horror of doing something out of character to the opposite sex for the first time. "Still, I-I can't do that. I just can't."
"You want somebody else to do that for you?" Hisae asked dryly.
Then it struck Hisae. She turned to Ayano who was also thinking the same thing. "That's it! We'll send the letter to him." Ayano said.
Misao's face drained of color. "NO!"
Hisae cupped a hand behind one ear. "What was that? You're finally agreeing?" She said pretending to mishear her friend.
Misao's jaw fell.
"Hey Ayano, it looks like we're going to be pretty busy for the next few days huh?"
Ayano looked all prepped up. "Oh, Misao, how brave of you! I'm so proud! Okay write the letter, and I'll bring it to the gym. And you Hisae would be the one who would take it directly to Aida-kun."
Misao's arms limped beside her as she stared at her friends in horror. "B-But…But…But…!"
Hisae smiled and placed a comforting arm around her. "Don't worry; we'll take care of everything for you." She said, patting her friend's shoulder.
"Trust us when we tell you that everything's going to be fine!" Ayano said then let out an evil laugh. She got a glare from Hisae. "Oops, wrong laugh." She giggled. "But like Hisae said, we'll take care of everything for you!"
Misao hang her head and breathed out. "That is what I'm afraid of."
Author's note: I know you are all familiar with Sannoh's Coach Doumoto (I don't know his first name and his age) from the SD manga it makes me wonder how other people would react when they see Doumoto and Sendoh together.
What else? Slam Dunk is not mine.