Bamp. Bamp. Bamp. Swish.
Bamp. Bamp. Bamp. Swish.
A consistent, steady beat. Normally these sorts of sounds calmed him, the slow-paced rhythm having a soothing, almost hypnotic effect. The fact that these sounds were coming from a basketball also meant that he should've been used to it. Instead he just felt anxious, as if the noise was reverberating against the back of his skull or synchronizing with his pulse. Like the sound of a clock ticking while you take a test or a bomb slowly beeping before it explodes.
"Are you going to say something?" Fukuda inquired, finally taking a break from his free throw practice and temporarily stopping the dreadful noise. Despite this, the feeling of uneasiness didn't disperse in the least.
"I think you already know why I'm here," Sendoh replied, his trademark smile firmly in place as if refusing to give into the tense atmosphere. To tell the truth, the awkward silence was partly his fault, he'd been wordlessly watching Fukuda shoot free throws for the last 30 minutes now, anyone would've felt uncomfortable.
"Your suspension's been over for a while now, you're free to participate in the basketball club again," Sendoh continued, trying harder than usual to sound welcoming. Fukuda only gave him a blank look for his efforts. Of course Fukuda already knew his suspension was over, he'd been counting the days. That wasn't the real problem.
Sendoh gave a small sigh, Fukuda had never been much of a talker to begin with and the current situation really wasn't helping, "Coach says you can be starter again in our game against Kainan." Fukuda only continued to say nothing.
Even with that perpetual smile of his, it was obvious that Sendoh's patience was wearing thin, "You were made starter for a reason, Fukuda. You're important to the team." Fukuda only shot him a skeptical look. Sendoh took the change of expression (that is any expression) as a sign of progress.
"I don't know if you know this, but Coach Taoka recently made me point guard. As point guard I need reliable teammates to do well and you're one of the best players on the team." For just a moment, Sendoh swore he saw the forward blush. If the broom-head had less self control he would've smirked. Standing up from the sidelines where he was sitting, Sendoh walked towards Fukuda till they were standing face to face. Fukuda only stared at him quizzically.
"I think with some practice you and I could be the strongest offense in Kanagawa. You're almost as tall as I am so our passes would be untouchable. But we'd need to practice together to get it down." By this point both boys' gazes fell upon the basketball in Fukuda's hands, dreams of the inter-high games running through their minds.
With an embarrassed look (well as embarrassed as Fukuda was willing to emote anyways), he finally spoke up, "And the team's not angry?"
Sendoh gave a small reassuring smile, "Nah. It wasn't that big of a deal to begin with, I think all the guys have wanted to do that to Taoka at one point or another." Fukuda allowed himself a small smile at this.
"Have you apologized to Coach yet?"
Fukuda cringed as he remembered all the chaos that had ensued after the outburst. Along with the week-long suspension from school, the principal even called in his parents so they could apologize for their son's actions, not to mention five page letter he had to write detailing his great shame over his actions and begging for forgiveness from both Coach Taoka and the high school basketball association.
"Yeah, I apologized…"
"Well then I'm sure he forgives you," Sendoh concluded, his smile warm and comforting. Fukuda hated to admit it, but Sendoh had a really soothing effect on him, it was no wonder Uozumi wanted him to be captain.
"…But he might have some revenge training planned," Sendoh added jokingly with a soft laugh. And much to his surprise, Fukuda laughed too.
With a small smile still planted on his lips, Fukuda picked the ball off the ground, "Lets practice." Taken back by Fukuda's sudden sincerity, Sendoh couldn't help but note how cute his self-proclaimed rival was when he wasn't frowning at him all the time.
"Yeah, let's do that."