Against all odds
Chapter 3: Have you heard?!
Note:
*** - recalling
@@@The day before the game@@@
Tommorow will be the big day. Rukawa knew that the team they will face are tough so they have to practice very hard at that time. At first Rukawa couldn't practice well because of the noisy cheerers he have,but thanks to Sakuragi his admirers were scared off
'I really hate those girls. Always cheering for Rukawa. Why don't they just cheer for me? I'm a tensai basketball man.' Sakuragi said in his mind.
They practiced until evening. Everyone is tired so Akagi decided to end the practice.
"Everyone this is the end of our practice for the day. I want you to rest and relax for now. Dismissed."
Rukawa decided to practice just a little bit. It was late that Rukawa finished practicing. He suddenly noticed that he hadn't seen Suzume the whole day so he decided to call her. When he arrived home searched his bag for the card that Suzume gave him last night. At last he found the card in his secret pocket.
***Two days ago at the gym***
Two days from now will be the big game. After they finished their practice as usual, Rukawa stayed behind to practice alone. Then he heard somebody came in. When he looked who came in it was Suzume.
"I guess the gym is occupied."
"Don't worry I'm... just packing up."
"Oh no. Just practice whenever you want to. You needed it for the big game."
"Thanks."Rukawa resumed to his practice and Suzume sat down on the bench. "So are you nervous?" Suzume asked
"No." Rukawa looked at the ball and then to Suzume. Today she wore her hair in pig-tails again. "Kawaii" Rukawa said not knowing he had said his thought aloud.
"Huh?"
"Um... would you...would you like to shoot some hoops with me?"Rukawa asked while blushing..
"Would I?"Suzume stand up eagerly and she took the ball from Rukawa and started to dribble it. "Now that I'm in a good mood are you ready to lose." Suzume said while smiling.
"In your dreams." Rukawa said as he block Suzume's way. Suzume kept on dribbling the ball while her gaze kept on Rukawa's smiling face. She moved from left to right just to distract Rukawa. Rukawa got distrated on her technique. Suzume ran to the ring and did a lay-up. "2-0. You're slow today aren't you?"
"This is only the begining of the game."
"Hmph, let's see." Rukawa dribbled the ball and his mind is focused on winning. Rukawa watched his opponent closely to hunch her next move. Suzume blocked Rukawa wonderfully. Rukawa had a hard time to get free from Suzume. They are now standing in the three point line and Suzume is still blocking Rukawa. Rukawa had no choice but to do his cross over (the one Rukawa used in Sendoh). It worked and Rukawa did a wonderful lay-up.
"2-2 now were even."
"Okay. That was a great move you got me there."
An hour had passed their game had ended. The score was 47-47. They tied on the last half of their game. They were exausted after the game they had. They sat in the bench while drinking water.
"Wait I have something to give to you." Suzume said as she looked in her wallet. Then she took out a card in it. "Here, you can call me in there."
"But how about your grandparents?"
"Don't worry they gave me a private line."
***End of flash back***
"Here goes nothing." Rukawa said to himself. He inhaled first, then punch the number in his phone. Seconds later the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hello...um...hi..." Rukawa was so nervous that he didn't know what to say.
"Rukawa? Wow this is a surprise. So what's up?"
"Um... nothing."
"Nothing? C'mon you called me up and then you say nothing? There's got to be something."
"Well, I want you to come tommorow to the game."
"Really?! Wow! Oh my, I'm sorry I have a meeting, but maybe I could catch up. What time is it and where?"
"5:30 pm at Shinjiku stadium. I really hope you could come because...I want you to meet my teammates." Rukawa didn't notice Ruriko passed by and heard what he said. "That's a lame excuse." then Ruriko went to her room.
"Did I just heard somebody? Well I'll try."they talked for almost an hour in the phone talking about basketball, Rukawa's teammates, and stuff.
@@@At the stadium@@@
It was 4:30 pm, the Shohoku team had arrived. They need to be early just to have a warm up and practice just for a last time. The only member is missing is Sakuragi.
"I wonder what had happened to him." Kugure said while pacing around the room.
"Don't worry he'll show up in no time and he still have an hour left." Mitsui said.
Rukawa sat in front of his locker looking at his bag. He pick up his towel and he suddenly remembered Suzume. He didn't notice a smile forming in his face. Ryota noticed the changes happening in Rukawa's face.
"Hey Mitsui."
"Yes?"
"Look at Rukawa, he's smiling to himself."
"Again?" then he look at Rukawa and saw that he is smiling while holding the towel.
"Again, why did you say that." Ryota asked.
"Because these past few weeks I've seen him smiling and acting like he's in-love."
"In-love? Rukawa? Ha!Ha!Ha! Great joke. I mean for all I know Rukawa is the only person whom I knew doesn't know what does falling in love mean."
"Yeah, you're right. But do you think he's in-love?"
"Who's in-love?" Akagi said popping out of nowhere.
"Rukawa" Ryota said
"Really?" then all three of them look at Rukawa, who is still smiling, and came up with the same conclusion.
"Yep, he's in-love. But to whom?" Mitsui said
'This I've got to find out' all of them tought at the same time. That minute Rukawa looked in their direction and saw the three of them looking at him.
'I don't like the looks in their faces.' Rukawa said. The three noticed Rukawa looked in their direction and suddenly returned to what they are doing.
@@@At the school@@@
'I still have 1 hour left before the game starts. For the first time in my life I wished that I have no meeting today. I wish my class will end and my meeting at student council will start' Suzume looked at the window with the book open in her desk.
@@@At the stadium@@@
There is 10 minutes left the team are just going to the court when Sakuragi has just arrived panting very hard.
"I made it." Sakuragi said while walking to his locker.
"Great the the genius has arrived" Rukawa said boredly.
Together all of them went out to the locker room to go to the court.
"Today is the first match of Interhigh championship. Now let's not wait any longer let's meet our teams. Presenting Shohoku team!" the Announcer said. Many crowds cheered when they came in. "Next team are Junen team!" The crowds of Junen are much larger than Shohoku. The color of their uniform is yellow with red letterings and a black outline. "Each team will have 10 minute break."
Rukawa looked around the stadium hoping to find Suzume but to his dismay he couldn't find her. 'Maybe she is not coming after all' Rukawa tought sadly.
"Hey have you heard that Rukawa is in-love." Ryota said to Kogure. When Sakuragi heard this he began eavesdropping on them.
"Yeah, that is the latest rumor I have heard. You know what I think it is possible because of the changes in his face these past few days." Kogure said. The game had already began. Shohoku first got the point with Rukawa's two point shot.
@@@At the school@@@
The meeting for student council had already begun. "Now that everyone is present, let's start with the major problem that we had in here." Suzume said. Their treasurer began to speak about their loss of fund. Suzume just stared at the window with a somber look in her face.' I hope I could still catch up in his game. Even if it is the last half, I just want to watch him play.'
"Tobuhiko-san, I said what do you think of my proposal" the treasurer said.
"Oh I'm sorry, could you please repeat what you said earlier." Suzume said.
@@@At the staduim@@@
"Shohoku is having a hard time keeping up with Junen. The score is 57-50, on Junen's favor. The game is getting hot every minute." the announcer said. The game had moved to the second half of it. "Ippon!" shouted Ryota to his teammates while dribbling the ball. He passed the ball to Mitsui outside the three-point ring. Mitsui dribble the ball while his opponent block his way. Mitsui faked his move which led him to shoot his three-point shot.
"Way to go Mitsui!" Ryota said. "Nice move Mitchy." Sakuragi said. "MITCHAN!!!!" his friends shouted which caught the attention of the whole gym. "They're embarrasing me." Mitsui said.
Back at the school Suzume is starting to finish her meeting, "Anything else?" Suzume asked, nobody answered her question. "Good, now this meeting is finished." Suzume said while putting the notes in her bag. 'At last it is finished I hope I can make it in time.' Suzume tought in her head as she goes out and ran as fast as she could to the train station. It is very crowded inside the train. "Oh boy!" Everyone is pushing at each other.The third half of the game in nearly finished when she arrived. The score is 76-74, still in favor of Junen. She sat beside Hanamichi's friends (it was the empty seat she spotted first). She saw Rukawa blocking Kaita, the shooting guard, who is having a hard time to get past to Rukawa. Kaita passed the ball to Moriya, their center, and did a jump shot but it failed. "Rebound!!!" shouted Mitsui. Out-of-nowhere Sakuragi appeared near the board and snatched it. "Fastbreak!!!" Sakuragi shouted as he threw the ball in the air. The ball was snatched by Rukawa and shoot the ball. The score was tied when the bell rang for signaling the end of third half. Rukawa looked in Suzume's direction and saw her. Suzume saw Rukawa looking at her, she smiled at him and gave him a secretive thumbs-up. Rukawa smile at her gesture. Sakuragi saw Rukawa smiling and gave someone a quick glance. He look at where Rukawa glanced and saw a girl in blond hair. 'So the rumor is true, he is in-love. This gives me a chance to Haruko-chan.' The team did their best and won the game. The score is 90-88, in favor of Shohoku. At the end of the game Suzume slipped in her seat and went out of the stadium however; Rukawa caught up with her still wearing his uniform. "Suzume-chan!" Suzume turned around to face him.
"Do you love your uniform that much that you want to wear it all around?"she smiled "Well that is the great game I've ever watch. At first I taught you were going to lose but you were great. Especially your teamwork like the guy who is best in three-point shots, the big man who looks like a gorilla but a great center, the curly haired guy who moves very fast, and the funny red-haired guy who is great in rebounding. Congrats!"
"Thanks. You know what at first I taught you aren't going to come."
"Me? Why would I miss the chance in watching my friend win the game?"Suzume said while raising her eyebrows.
"I'm really glad you came. Now come with me I would like you to meet my teammates."
"Really!!!" Suzume said with a smile on her face.
"Yeah, now come with me." they went to the rooms where players change."Wow! This is the first time I can go in these places." Suzume said while walking in the corrigdors. "Stay here while I check first on the guys. Okay."
"Okay." Rukawa went inside the room and saw everyone present in the room with Ayako and Anzai-sensei. "Rukawa where have you been?" Ayako asked while holding a rolled newspapers in her hand. "Outside. Um, wait here I'm just going to introduce you to someone." Rukawa said while he went out. Everyone in the room wondered who will be the person Rukawa wanted to introduced to them. Then Suzume entered the room. There were ohhs and ahhs inside the room. "Guys, this is Suzume my bestfriend." Rukawa said to everyone.
"Nice to meet you everyone." Suzume said. "Rukawa you had a beautiful friend there." Ryota said. "Hi! My name is Sakuragi. The genius of this team. Are you and Rukawa going out?" When Sakuragi said this Suzume and Rukawa blushed at the same time. "Don't believe her Suzume he's a lunatic." Rukawa said. "Oh." then Sakuragi hit Rukawa in the head which started the fight. " I taught Rukawa and Sakuragi are close friends." Suzume said "Sorry for the inconvinience. I'm Ayako manager of the team." Suzume smiled at her "Nice to meet you." Then Akagi hit Sakuragi in the head. "Don't you ever behave.?" Akagi said to Sakuragi." I'm sorry for the incident. Hey aren't you the president of the student council?" Akagi asked. "Yes I am." Suzme answered in a gentle manner. "Oh, so that's why you looked familiar. I'm Akagi the team captain."
"I'm Kogure the Vice Captain. I'm sorry for the inconvinience Sakuragi had done."
"Oh' no it's okay. The truth is I like him because he's funny" Suzume said
"You know what you're the first person I've ever knew like the funny side of Sakuragi. Just Joking, the truth is everyone likes him execpt for his annoying attitude. Just don't tell him that or else his head will grow big again. Anyway I'm Mitsui and this is our Coach Anzai-sensei."
"Nice to meet you, and I promise I will never tell him that."
After they introduced themselves they started to head home But their chat never ended because they seem to enjoy Suzume's Company. "So Suzume when did you and Rukawa met?"Ryota asked "Hmmm. A week ago. I was a bit snob to him when I was first met him." Suzume said "You don't like him when you first met him?"Kogure said. "Yeah because at first I think he is also a snob but I was wrong." Suzume said while she glance at Rukawa at her side. Then she noticed him blush.
She looked at her watch to check the time "Um, it's nice to meet you guys but I have to go. My grandparents are waiting for me at home. Jane."
"Matte" Rukawa said then Suzume looked at him. "I'll...walk you home." Rukawa said "Okay" Suzume said then they went off to the other direction. "So the rumors are true. Rukawa is in-love with her." Mitsui said. "You know what every guy could fall for that girl. No wonder Rukawa fell for her." Ryota said. "You know what at first I taught Rukawa would never fall for a girl because his heart is set for basketball but now I'm begining to realize that I'm wrong." Akagi said.
End of Chapter 3
Notes:
As you notice I sort of change Rukawa's attitude in here. Well his attitude changes when Suzume is around. Just like Sakuragi. A lot of surprises will show up if you continue to read this.
Chapter 3: Have you heard?!
Note:
*** - recalling
@@@The day before the game@@@
Tommorow will be the big day. Rukawa knew that the team they will face are tough so they have to practice very hard at that time. At first Rukawa couldn't practice well because of the noisy cheerers he have,but thanks to Sakuragi his admirers were scared off
'I really hate those girls. Always cheering for Rukawa. Why don't they just cheer for me? I'm a tensai basketball man.' Sakuragi said in his mind.
They practiced until evening. Everyone is tired so Akagi decided to end the practice.
"Everyone this is the end of our practice for the day. I want you to rest and relax for now. Dismissed."
Rukawa decided to practice just a little bit. It was late that Rukawa finished practicing. He suddenly noticed that he hadn't seen Suzume the whole day so he decided to call her. When he arrived home searched his bag for the card that Suzume gave him last night. At last he found the card in his secret pocket.
***Two days ago at the gym***
Two days from now will be the big game. After they finished their practice as usual, Rukawa stayed behind to practice alone. Then he heard somebody came in. When he looked who came in it was Suzume.
"I guess the gym is occupied."
"Don't worry I'm... just packing up."
"Oh no. Just practice whenever you want to. You needed it for the big game."
"Thanks."Rukawa resumed to his practice and Suzume sat down on the bench. "So are you nervous?" Suzume asked
"No." Rukawa looked at the ball and then to Suzume. Today she wore her hair in pig-tails again. "Kawaii" Rukawa said not knowing he had said his thought aloud.
"Huh?"
"Um... would you...would you like to shoot some hoops with me?"Rukawa asked while blushing..
"Would I?"Suzume stand up eagerly and she took the ball from Rukawa and started to dribble it. "Now that I'm in a good mood are you ready to lose." Suzume said while smiling.
"In your dreams." Rukawa said as he block Suzume's way. Suzume kept on dribbling the ball while her gaze kept on Rukawa's smiling face. She moved from left to right just to distract Rukawa. Rukawa got distrated on her technique. Suzume ran to the ring and did a lay-up. "2-0. You're slow today aren't you?"
"This is only the begining of the game."
"Hmph, let's see." Rukawa dribbled the ball and his mind is focused on winning. Rukawa watched his opponent closely to hunch her next move. Suzume blocked Rukawa wonderfully. Rukawa had a hard time to get free from Suzume. They are now standing in the three point line and Suzume is still blocking Rukawa. Rukawa had no choice but to do his cross over (the one Rukawa used in Sendoh). It worked and Rukawa did a wonderful lay-up.
"2-2 now were even."
"Okay. That was a great move you got me there."
An hour had passed their game had ended. The score was 47-47. They tied on the last half of their game. They were exausted after the game they had. They sat in the bench while drinking water.
"Wait I have something to give to you." Suzume said as she looked in her wallet. Then she took out a card in it. "Here, you can call me in there."
"But how about your grandparents?"
"Don't worry they gave me a private line."
***End of flash back***
"Here goes nothing." Rukawa said to himself. He inhaled first, then punch the number in his phone. Seconds later the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hello...um...hi..." Rukawa was so nervous that he didn't know what to say.
"Rukawa? Wow this is a surprise. So what's up?"
"Um... nothing."
"Nothing? C'mon you called me up and then you say nothing? There's got to be something."
"Well, I want you to come tommorow to the game."
"Really?! Wow! Oh my, I'm sorry I have a meeting, but maybe I could catch up. What time is it and where?"
"5:30 pm at Shinjiku stadium. I really hope you could come because...I want you to meet my teammates." Rukawa didn't notice Ruriko passed by and heard what he said. "That's a lame excuse." then Ruriko went to her room.
"Did I just heard somebody? Well I'll try."they talked for almost an hour in the phone talking about basketball, Rukawa's teammates, and stuff.
@@@At the stadium@@@
It was 4:30 pm, the Shohoku team had arrived. They need to be early just to have a warm up and practice just for a last time. The only member is missing is Sakuragi.
"I wonder what had happened to him." Kugure said while pacing around the room.
"Don't worry he'll show up in no time and he still have an hour left." Mitsui said.
Rukawa sat in front of his locker looking at his bag. He pick up his towel and he suddenly remembered Suzume. He didn't notice a smile forming in his face. Ryota noticed the changes happening in Rukawa's face.
"Hey Mitsui."
"Yes?"
"Look at Rukawa, he's smiling to himself."
"Again?" then he look at Rukawa and saw that he is smiling while holding the towel.
"Again, why did you say that." Ryota asked.
"Because these past few weeks I've seen him smiling and acting like he's in-love."
"In-love? Rukawa? Ha!Ha!Ha! Great joke. I mean for all I know Rukawa is the only person whom I knew doesn't know what does falling in love mean."
"Yeah, you're right. But do you think he's in-love?"
"Who's in-love?" Akagi said popping out of nowhere.
"Rukawa" Ryota said
"Really?" then all three of them look at Rukawa, who is still smiling, and came up with the same conclusion.
"Yep, he's in-love. But to whom?" Mitsui said
'This I've got to find out' all of them tought at the same time. That minute Rukawa looked in their direction and saw the three of them looking at him.
'I don't like the looks in their faces.' Rukawa said. The three noticed Rukawa looked in their direction and suddenly returned to what they are doing.
@@@At the school@@@
'I still have 1 hour left before the game starts. For the first time in my life I wished that I have no meeting today. I wish my class will end and my meeting at student council will start' Suzume looked at the window with the book open in her desk.
@@@At the stadium@@@
There is 10 minutes left the team are just going to the court when Sakuragi has just arrived panting very hard.
"I made it." Sakuragi said while walking to his locker.
"Great the the genius has arrived" Rukawa said boredly.
Together all of them went out to the locker room to go to the court.
"Today is the first match of Interhigh championship. Now let's not wait any longer let's meet our teams. Presenting Shohoku team!" the Announcer said. Many crowds cheered when they came in. "Next team are Junen team!" The crowds of Junen are much larger than Shohoku. The color of their uniform is yellow with red letterings and a black outline. "Each team will have 10 minute break."
Rukawa looked around the stadium hoping to find Suzume but to his dismay he couldn't find her. 'Maybe she is not coming after all' Rukawa tought sadly.
"Hey have you heard that Rukawa is in-love." Ryota said to Kogure. When Sakuragi heard this he began eavesdropping on them.
"Yeah, that is the latest rumor I have heard. You know what I think it is possible because of the changes in his face these past few days." Kogure said. The game had already began. Shohoku first got the point with Rukawa's two point shot.
@@@At the school@@@
The meeting for student council had already begun. "Now that everyone is present, let's start with the major problem that we had in here." Suzume said. Their treasurer began to speak about their loss of fund. Suzume just stared at the window with a somber look in her face.' I hope I could still catch up in his game. Even if it is the last half, I just want to watch him play.'
"Tobuhiko-san, I said what do you think of my proposal" the treasurer said.
"Oh I'm sorry, could you please repeat what you said earlier." Suzume said.
@@@At the staduim@@@
"Shohoku is having a hard time keeping up with Junen. The score is 57-50, on Junen's favor. The game is getting hot every minute." the announcer said. The game had moved to the second half of it. "Ippon!" shouted Ryota to his teammates while dribbling the ball. He passed the ball to Mitsui outside the three-point ring. Mitsui dribble the ball while his opponent block his way. Mitsui faked his move which led him to shoot his three-point shot.
"Way to go Mitsui!" Ryota said. "Nice move Mitchy." Sakuragi said. "MITCHAN!!!!" his friends shouted which caught the attention of the whole gym. "They're embarrasing me." Mitsui said.
Back at the school Suzume is starting to finish her meeting, "Anything else?" Suzume asked, nobody answered her question. "Good, now this meeting is finished." Suzume said while putting the notes in her bag. 'At last it is finished I hope I can make it in time.' Suzume tought in her head as she goes out and ran as fast as she could to the train station. It is very crowded inside the train. "Oh boy!" Everyone is pushing at each other.The third half of the game in nearly finished when she arrived. The score is 76-74, still in favor of Junen. She sat beside Hanamichi's friends (it was the empty seat she spotted first). She saw Rukawa blocking Kaita, the shooting guard, who is having a hard time to get past to Rukawa. Kaita passed the ball to Moriya, their center, and did a jump shot but it failed. "Rebound!!!" shouted Mitsui. Out-of-nowhere Sakuragi appeared near the board and snatched it. "Fastbreak!!!" Sakuragi shouted as he threw the ball in the air. The ball was snatched by Rukawa and shoot the ball. The score was tied when the bell rang for signaling the end of third half. Rukawa looked in Suzume's direction and saw her. Suzume saw Rukawa looking at her, she smiled at him and gave him a secretive thumbs-up. Rukawa smile at her gesture. Sakuragi saw Rukawa smiling and gave someone a quick glance. He look at where Rukawa glanced and saw a girl in blond hair. 'So the rumor is true, he is in-love. This gives me a chance to Haruko-chan.' The team did their best and won the game. The score is 90-88, in favor of Shohoku. At the end of the game Suzume slipped in her seat and went out of the stadium however; Rukawa caught up with her still wearing his uniform. "Suzume-chan!" Suzume turned around to face him.
"Do you love your uniform that much that you want to wear it all around?"she smiled "Well that is the great game I've ever watch. At first I taught you were going to lose but you were great. Especially your teamwork like the guy who is best in three-point shots, the big man who looks like a gorilla but a great center, the curly haired guy who moves very fast, and the funny red-haired guy who is great in rebounding. Congrats!"
"Thanks. You know what at first I taught you aren't going to come."
"Me? Why would I miss the chance in watching my friend win the game?"Suzume said while raising her eyebrows.
"I'm really glad you came. Now come with me I would like you to meet my teammates."
"Really!!!" Suzume said with a smile on her face.
"Yeah, now come with me." they went to the rooms where players change."Wow! This is the first time I can go in these places." Suzume said while walking in the corrigdors. "Stay here while I check first on the guys. Okay."
"Okay." Rukawa went inside the room and saw everyone present in the room with Ayako and Anzai-sensei. "Rukawa where have you been?" Ayako asked while holding a rolled newspapers in her hand. "Outside. Um, wait here I'm just going to introduce you to someone." Rukawa said while he went out. Everyone in the room wondered who will be the person Rukawa wanted to introduced to them. Then Suzume entered the room. There were ohhs and ahhs inside the room. "Guys, this is Suzume my bestfriend." Rukawa said to everyone.
"Nice to meet you everyone." Suzume said. "Rukawa you had a beautiful friend there." Ryota said. "Hi! My name is Sakuragi. The genius of this team. Are you and Rukawa going out?" When Sakuragi said this Suzume and Rukawa blushed at the same time. "Don't believe her Suzume he's a lunatic." Rukawa said. "Oh." then Sakuragi hit Rukawa in the head which started the fight. " I taught Rukawa and Sakuragi are close friends." Suzume said "Sorry for the inconvinience. I'm Ayako manager of the team." Suzume smiled at her "Nice to meet you." Then Akagi hit Sakuragi in the head. "Don't you ever behave.?" Akagi said to Sakuragi." I'm sorry for the incident. Hey aren't you the president of the student council?" Akagi asked. "Yes I am." Suzme answered in a gentle manner. "Oh, so that's why you looked familiar. I'm Akagi the team captain."
"I'm Kogure the Vice Captain. I'm sorry for the inconvinience Sakuragi had done."
"Oh' no it's okay. The truth is I like him because he's funny" Suzume said
"You know what you're the first person I've ever knew like the funny side of Sakuragi. Just Joking, the truth is everyone likes him execpt for his annoying attitude. Just don't tell him that or else his head will grow big again. Anyway I'm Mitsui and this is our Coach Anzai-sensei."
"Nice to meet you, and I promise I will never tell him that."
After they introduced themselves they started to head home But their chat never ended because they seem to enjoy Suzume's Company. "So Suzume when did you and Rukawa met?"Ryota asked "Hmmm. A week ago. I was a bit snob to him when I was first met him." Suzume said "You don't like him when you first met him?"Kogure said. "Yeah because at first I think he is also a snob but I was wrong." Suzume said while she glance at Rukawa at her side. Then she noticed him blush.
She looked at her watch to check the time "Um, it's nice to meet you guys but I have to go. My grandparents are waiting for me at home. Jane."
"Matte" Rukawa said then Suzume looked at him. "I'll...walk you home." Rukawa said "Okay" Suzume said then they went off to the other direction. "So the rumors are true. Rukawa is in-love with her." Mitsui said. "You know what every guy could fall for that girl. No wonder Rukawa fell for her." Ryota said. "You know what at first I taught Rukawa would never fall for a girl because his heart is set for basketball but now I'm begining to realize that I'm wrong." Akagi said.
End of Chapter 3
Notes:
As you notice I sort of change Rukawa's attitude in here. Well his attitude changes when Suzume is around. Just like Sakuragi. A lot of surprises will show up if you continue to read this.