Fuuko is on her way to the gym when she spotted her brother by the post. She is about to go and greet him when she noticed that he is talking to someone. As much as she hated eavesdropping, she couldn't stop herself; her brother looks troubled.
"I just don't know. I mean she's telling me to stop worrying, but I just can't stop feeling otherwise."
'Huh? Who's Mit-chan talking about? Better not be me.' Fuuko thought.
"Ne Mitsui-kun, I think Fuuko-san is right. You should stop worrying about nonsense things. She knows that you're doing your best already. And if that's not enough, I know you are giving your best."
'Huh? That baka! I knew he's still worried about my opinions. Self-conscious baka!'
"You're just saying that Kogure."
"Look Mitsui, stop putting yourself down. I think, no, I know that you have already surpassed your old self. If someone would ask me on which is a better player between the MVP Mitsui and the Mitsui now, then I would answer right away that the Mitsui now is far better than before. And I think Anzai-sensei will say the same thing. Go ask him if you don't believe me."
Fuuko can see her brother's stunned face. 'Wow! You tell him Kogure-san.'
"Kogure, that's…Ah…Arigatoo Kogure-kun for believing in me and for being a good friend even after…"
Fuuko raised her eyebrows and her face has an amused smile when she noticed the faint blush that adorned her brother's face. She leaned further to the side to see the face of Shohoku's vice captain.
'A little more, a little more…'
"What are you doing?"
Fuuko gotta hand it to herself for not screaming or else her brother would find her eavesdropping on a private conversation, however she lost her balance, which caused her to fall to the concrete floor.
"Itai…" Fuuko saw a hand, a pale hand, in front of her face. Feeling really embarrassed that someone caught her eavesdropping and falling on her ass, she accepted the help being offered. Sporting a very red face, she half-glared at the devil who interrupted her.
While on his way to the gym Rukawa spotted the purple-haired sister of his sempai. Feeling his heart get lighter by the sight of her, he approached the girl. He stopped at the side of the girl and waited until he'll be noticed. However he noticed that the girl is busy doing something. He stood behind the girl and looked at what she's looking at. He saw his two sempais talking. He was startled when the girl in front of him started leaning to the side.
'What's up with her? She looks like the do ahou doing something stupid. She looks stupid. And why do I keep comparing Fuuko-chan to that do ahou?' Deciding that he had seen enough stupidity from the girl, he asked her what she was doing. He just raised an eyebrow at the way she fell on the floor. He then offered his hand to the girl and smirked when he saw the girl's very red face.
"What do you think you're doing Rukawa? I am so close!" She half-hissed half-whispered to the stoic guy.
"Hn. I'm not the one acting like a stupid peeping Joe." Rukawa muttered monotonously.
"Nani? I am not a peeping-" Her tirade was cut short when she heard her brother's voice.
Feeling the awkward silence between them, Mitsui cleared his throat.
"Ne, Kogure-kun, I didn't know you look cute when you're blushing." Mitsui teased his friend.
Kogure's eyes widen when he heard this and if possible his face became redder. This caused his friend to laugh again. Kogure, feeling slightly embarrassed and hurt that he's being laughed at, smacked his friend's head.
"Itai, Kogure, what did you do that for?"
"Stop teasing me Mitsui."
Meanwhile, Fuuko is sporting a very large grin. 'Wow, this is better than I expected. Kinda like the time I caught Kurei and Raiha. Yosh! This summer is sooo gonna be fun. Wish Recca were here.'
Rukawa just stared at Fuuko like she really has lost it. She was grinning like a mad serial killer on a killing rampage. 'Is this really Mitsui-sempai's sister? More like a relative of the do ahou…And to think that I…' Rukawa just shook his head.
During practice, Mitsui couldn't concentrate because he keeps on having a feeling like someone is boring holes in his head. When he tries to look for the source however no one seems to be paying attention to him. On the other hand, Kogure is also not able to concentrate because of the odd sensation he feels, like someone is staring right into his soul. At the opposite side of the court, Fuuko is grinning to herself.
'Oh, yes, this will be so fun. But this will be harder than my previous projects, back at home I have Recca and Hiroji helping me…Better think of a plan…'
By the door, the gundan is at their usual spot and is making fun of their redhead friend who is currently having a one-on-one with Miyagi. However, Yohei Mito is looking at a different person. He noticed how Mitsui is looking around once in a while like he's looking for something or someone. And he thinks he knows who that may be. He saw the way Fuuko would stare at her brother and then glance at a different direction when Mitsui would look around. Then she would stare at Kogure and grin like a madman.
'She's definitely scheming up. I've seen that face once-too-many times at Sakuragi when he's planning something unbelievably cunning but stupid idea. Heh, might as well offer a helping hand.'
With that, Yohei went to stand beside Fuuko. He leaned in the wall and cleared his throat. Fuuko, who is sitting on the floor, looked up and saw a grinning Yohei. Yohei sat beside her and looked at the players in the gym, then at Fuuko.
"So, you need a hand? It's been awfully boring since Hana joined the basketball team. Got nothing else to do…"
Fuuko looked at him for a minute. He kept his grinning face and then Fuuko broke into a grin.
"Finally, someone with the same caliber of mind as I am."
"Heh, not to burst your bubble or anything Fuuko-san, but I don't think we're in the same caliber." To this, she just raised an eyebrow. Yohei chuckled a bit. "Heh, it's just that I've been with someone long enough who has the same caliber as yours."
Fuuko looked at him questioningly then realization hit her. She frowned at Yohei and resumed staring at Mitsui then at Kogure. When Yohei thought that he's just been ditched he heard her voice.
"I'm going to let that pass, Yohei-kun. But another comment like that and you're going to get it from me… got it…partner?"
Yohei smiled, "Got it partner."
'Yosh, operation get-Mitchan-and-Kogure-together on the roll!' Fuuko thought happily.
A/N: Hi! Like it? Well see you next chapter...Have fun!