AUTHOR'S NOTES: Hmmm...this is the first task! Yoshi! Just for the record, my sisters and I really did draw lots to decide the order of the tasks. Sorry if the chapters are too short. I'll try to make them longer. Big thankies to all the reviews, you really make me smile!
Sendoh wanted to beat Rukawa just for the hang of it. Just to, you know, aggravate situations. At first.
Anyway, regarding this chappie, I forgot to put the time. So, since they still have school here...they'll be playing after practice hours...let's say...five o'clock. And some characters might be a little OOC. I think. Especially Sakuragi. I think.
DISCLAIMER: Two words: I wish.
The First Task: The Race is On!
Rukawa woke up Friday morning with a smile on his face.
Oh, who are we kidding? It's Rukawa we're talking about woke up Friday morning with his usual frown on his perfectly unwrinkled face, thanks to years of keeping a poker face. It was around four in the morning, but the phone was letting out it's annoying ring, cutting precious sleep hours. Rukawa sighed and reached for the phone. "What?" he said, not bothering to hide the irritation in his voice.
"Ohayo, Rukawa-kun!" came the familiar voice on the line. Rukawa knew who this was, and though he went a bit dokidoki again at the sound of that voice, he still was quite pissed because he had disturbed him. Good thing the telephone's still in one piece.
"Sendoh," he acknowledged flatly.
"Sorry to disturb you, but I have a big problem. I don't know where the bike shop is and I forgot to tell you that," he said sheepishly. "Er, is it OK if you pick me up?"
Without thinking, he said, "Aa," and slammed down the phone. Just to throw Sendoh off and get more sleep.
He curled up, about to re-enter the welcoming gates of LaLaLand. He felt great; he was going to pick Sendoh up, go with him to the bike shop, shove Sendoh's face into dirt and kick his perfectly-shaped ass with his ultimate biking skills.
Yes, it was the perfect plan.
Wait...
Rukawa sat up, pupils reduced to two barely-seen points. WHAT THE HELL?!
He realized he had made two big mistakes. One: PICK SENDOH UP?! Two: PERFECTLY-SHAPED ASS?!
He groaned to express his displeasure, but sleep was tugging at his eyelids and so he dropped back to bed with one last thought.
Whatever.
When Sendoh went down for breakfast Friday morning, the smile he was wearing was wider than usual. No one could see anyway but if someone did, that someone would surely be freaked out. It was a really scary grin, but happy nonetheless. Well, happier than usual, and that made it really scary.
He shouldn't be feeling happy at all today. He was going to be beaten by Rukawa in their first task just because he had not taken time to learn biking. But he had taken his share of triumph when he pissed Rukawa when he called at four am and successfully persuaded Rukawa to pick him up. That was enough consolation prize for him.
Although now he wasn't sure if he had done that just to annoy Rukawa or...
Never mind.
"IYAAAA!!!!"
That was Sakuragi's greeting to the marvelous Friday morning.
Well, that would probably be a suitable greeting if he woke up because somebody was kicking his back rather violently. Or shouting in his ear. Or shaking him by the neck. And the morning would not be marvelous.
Thing is, none of the above was happening to him. But still, his morning was not marvelous.
"Stupid dream," he muttered and slowly got out of bed. He dreamt about Rukawa and Haruko getting together and he didn't want to think about it. I'm sure YOU don't want to think about it either. I sure as hell don't. Ick.
Breakfast was not really great, owing to the fact that our dear redhead woke up pissed. He didn't even finish his milk and pancakes. His mother had left for work, and he knew he should be leaving for school himself, but it was too damn early, no thanks to his stupid dream.
He couldn't go back to bed because he was too awake to do so, so he decided to prepare for school. Maybe he could practice at the gym while it was still early. If Rukawa was there, he could pack a nice punch on his face. Stupid invader of private thoughts, he said to himself, remembering the nightmare he just had. He couldn't believe that Rukawa was that nasty to even poke his stupid foxy head into his dream.
So much for gratitude. After I had helped him and all.
When Sakuragi arrived at school that morning, he went straight to the gym. Sure enough, he found Rukawa there. And Akagi, Mitsui, Kogure, Miyagi and Ayako. They all turned their eyes on him, slightly surprised at his punctuality. Well, he wasn't supposed to be there at all so they were surprised alright.
"Somebody woke up at the wrong side of the bed this morning," commented Mitsui, seeing the grumpy look on the redhead's face.
"Long night?" Miyagi asked.
"More like a short one," replied Sakuragi. Speaking of which...
He strode towards Rukawa, who was practicing alone in his half of the court. Taking the boy by surprise, he punched the pale boy's cheek hard. "That's for this morning, asshole."
A big drop of sweatdrop ran down Akagi's, Mitsui's, Kogure's, Miyagi's and Ayako's heads.
Good morning to you too, thought Rukawa, touching his sore cheek. What the hell did I do now? At least he didn't get a stupid phone call at 4 am. He punched Sakuragi harder and quickly threw the ball into the ring. This time there was no stupid Sendoh smile to prevent the ball from going in. If Rukawa was a normal person, he would've stuck out his tongue at Hanamichi, but being Rukawa he could only manage a snort.
A vein ticked off Sakuragi's head. "TEMEEEEEE!"
And so, the usual Sakuragi-Rukawa Freestyle Fighting Match (sponsored by the Anything Goes Martial Arts Dojo) went off again.
The school bell rang. Akagi, Mitsui, Kogure, Miyagi, and Ayako went out of the gym, leaving two freshmen obliviously fighting.
Mitsui stared at Rukawa's and Sakuragi's retreating backs, surprised that the two were actually together without hurting each other. Sure, the cheeky grin on Sakuragi's face was there and Rukawa had his normal expression, but there was something quite different about those two. Well, for one, they shouldn't be hanging out together. Especially not after this morning. Plus, during practice, there was less bickering between the two. They sat beside each other during breaks, Sakuragi teasing Rukawa and bragging about his tensai skills and Rukawa retorting with his snort. Sakuragi would either say, "TEMEEEE!!" or "KITSUNEEEEE!!", and would exchange one or two punches with Rukawa, but nothing more.
And Mitsui heard a couple of unusual remarks from Sakuragi. Like, "Oi, Kitsune, you should really save your energy for later." Or "Where are we going afterwards?" Rukawa would again ignore his comments.
But Mitsui couldn't.
The scar-faced senior approached Kogure and whispered into his ear, "Am I missing something here or what?" Mitsui pointed towards the two freshmen.
The Sakuragi Gundan walked towards Sakuragi. And Rukawa.
"Oi, Hanamichi!" Youhei called out. "Let's go try some pachinko. Noma got us some fake ID's and some disguises." The rest of the Gundan chuckled mischievously. Rukawa walked on.
Sakuragi let out a loud sheepish laugh. "Sorry, guys, I'll pass," he said, scratching his head. Seeing Rukawa some distance away, he quickly waved goodbye to his friends and sprinted away. "Oi, Kitsune! Wait up!"
Mitsui's jaw dropped. So did Kogure's. Miyagi, who was watching the rather peculiar scene, hopped over to Mitsui and Kogure. "What's up with those two?" he asked, getting shrugs for replies.
"I don't know, you tell me," Mitsui dazedly answered.
Outside the Ryonan campus, a certain spiky-haired boy stood waiting for a certain someone. Many passers-by greeted him and asked him what he was doing there, but he just replied with his smile. He looked at his watch and sighed, seeing that it was still quite early.
Meanwhile, some meters from the Shohoku campus, Rukawa and Sakuragi went towards the bike shop, Sakuragi walking while Rukawa was biking. They were miraculously quiet, each in his own daydream. Sakuragi was thinking of a hundred ways Rukawa could beat Sendoh. So far, he had only thought of 17. Rukawa was looking forward to beating Sendoh to a pulp in this challenge.
Suddenly, Rukawa skidded to a halt, realizing something. "Kuso," he muttered under his breath.
Sakuragi quickly turned his head. "Nani yo?"
Rukawa was already turning in another direction. "You go ahead, I forgot something. I'll see you there." Before Sakuragi could say, "Temeeeeeeeeeee," Rukawa was already off.
And so, Sakuragi marched off to the meeting place singing his infamous Tensai Song.
"You see?"
"Sakuragi and Rukawa walking home together?"
"Yeah. What, are they friends now or something?"
"Maybe they're just studying for an exam or something."
"TOGETHER?!"
"OK, but it is possible."
Miyagi and Mitsui looked at Kogure. "Hell, no!" they cried together. Or at least what they could manage to avoid being heard. Their throats were becoming itchy already.
"Shit! Rukawa's heading this way!"
"Quick, hide!"
They flattened themselves against the wall beside a post and hoped that Rukawa would not look back and see them. Thankfully, he didn't, and the three of them breathed a HUGE sigh of relief when he had cycled past.
"Wait...now who are we gonna follow?"
"You just have to ruin the moment, huh?"
The sun is setting in the sky. Teletubbies, say goodbye.
Oh, sorry, wrong line.
Sendoh watched as a particular figure cycled towards him. Rukawa's silhouette was against the setting sun, making him look like some hero or something. Sendoh chuckled as a very random thought of Rukawa in shining armor carrying Princess Akira Sendoh bridal style sprang in his spiky head.
Rukawa's heart was racing faster than his bike as a tall figure with spiky hair came into view. He could barely make out the smile on his face. He was thinking of what to say to Sendoh when they finally come face to face, but finally decided on just shutting up. Everyone was used to that anyway, it wouldn't look strange.
But seeing the stupid smile on his face made him say, "Baka" instead. He mentally whacked himself for that.
Sendoh sweatdropped. "Ehehe...gomen, Rukawa-kun."
Rukawa wordlessly turned his bike around and cycled the way he came. Sendoh walked after him, silently humming to himself.
A party of three was secretly following the two, arguing among themselves and trying to piece together the strange events.
"There really is something wrong here."
"Sou yo."
"Maybe it is a plot by Taoka-sensei to get Rukawa to enroll in Ryonan."
"Impossible."
"Rukawa didn't just pick Sendoh up, did he?"
"Are you blind or something?"
"No, he's just too short to see."
"Wow, Kogure, I didn't know you were capable of making an insult."
"Sorry."
Rukawa was getting uncomfortable by the second. He could feel eyes boring at his back and he couldn't help but look back in annoyance. He was going to say some rude remark to Sendoh, but he held it when he saw Sendoh looking at his bike longingly.
Or was he looking at his ass?
Rukawa mentally whacked himself again.
Sendoh was looking at Rukawa's bike with a rather frustrated look on his face. He remembered that as a child, he was not able to learn to ride a bicycle. He was preoccupied with other things, and he didn't need to bike to go places. He was used to walking or taking the bus or the train.
Rukawa sighed. Sometimes, Sendoh had that effect on him. It was so unnerving. Like right now, he felt he should offer Sendoh a practice ride on his bike. He looked so pitiful right now, and sure of his doom that Rukawa took pity. He decided to lend Sendoh his bike on the way there because he thought it was too easy and victory would be a bit more sweeter if Sendoh at least knew how to bike a bit. Sendoh would still end up as a loser anyway, so it didn't really count.
He stopped and got off, surprising Sendoh a little. Not losing his calm, Rukawa sighed and said, "Want to try?"
Sendoh was more than a little taken aback at Rukawa's display of hospitality that he just stood there for a few seconds, doing a reality check. "Yeah, sure," he replied. "Thanks."
The second Sendoh got on the bike, he went off-balance and tried to put one foot down to break his fall, but it somehow got stuck.
Thank goodness, Rukawa caught him.
Mitsui, Kogure, and Miyagi blinked.
Rukawa almost pushed Sendoh away, seeing the embarrassing situation they were in. But he thought it would be too cruel, so he just straightened the bike (with Sendoh on it) gently.
Sendoh laughed at himself, finding his stupidity funny. Rukawa also fought the urge to laugh. The scene was interesting. Imagine, a towering, well-built, 17-year-old guy riding a bike for the first time. Rukawa was human; he found it funny too. But unlike most humans, he didn't smile nor laugh. He just...stared.
"Put your weight evenly," instructed the freshman, still holding the bike to help Sendoh balance himself. He silently pushed the bike while Sendoh pedaled. In the beginning, Sendoh was still losing balance and falling, but his feet and Rukawa were there to catch him. After a few tries, he gradually got the hang of it and was pedaling faster and straighter now. Rukawa noted the change in the weight and speed. "I'm going to let go now," he said, removing his hands on the bike handles and the seat.
Sendoh was slightly wobbly at first, but he gained balance soon enough. Without really meaning to, Rukawa felt pleased with himself and Sendoh. He felt like it was a big accomplishment to teach Sendoh to bike.
"I don't think we should've followed them. Now I'm more confused than ever."
"Maybe we should've asked them straight out instead on skulking around and stalking them. It would've been a lot easier and quicker, you know."
"Ask Rukawa? Bad idea, Kogure."
"It's really strange. Sakuragi and Rukawa walking out of school together, Rukawa picking Sendoh up, Rukawa teaching Sendoh to bike. It's so freaky!"
"Where are they going, anyway?"
"That's why we're following them, Miyagi."
"Look, there's Sakuragi!"
"What? Where?"
"Try to locate the sound of the voice."
Sakuragi was yelling obscenities when he spotted Sendoh riding Rukawa's bike. What the hell? I don't understand the stupid kitsune. First, he plots revenge against Sendoh and gets the upper hand on the first task and now, he's lending his bike to Sendoh? What in the whole world am I doing here, anyway? "What the hell took you so damn long? Oi, get your freaking butts down here right now! Jeez! Slowpokes! Come on, I'm so hungry! Damn you, Kitsune, you're treating me for this, you hear? Faster!"
"What? Now Sakuragi is favoring Rukawa over Sendoh?"
"There's nothing wrong with that. They're teammates after all."
"Yeah, but Sakuragi always cheered for Sendoh."
"My head is aching."
"Mine too."
"Let's keep watching, shall we?"
Rukawa sighed. Why the hell would I treat you to dinner? He picked up a stone and threw it at the loudmouth redhead and hit his head. "Do'ahou." Oh, joy.
"ITAI! Temeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! Wait till I get my hands on you!!!"
Sendoh thoughtfully smiled as he watched Rukawa and Sakuragi engaged in yet another brawl.
"Really, my head hurts."
"I thinks Rukawa's does too."
Sakuragi let out another tensai cackle. "See, I told you I can take care of this on my own! Nyahahahahahahahahaha! The owner even let us use the biking park for tonight! I told him—"
"Cut the crap, ahou," said Rukawa, feeling his patience slowly trickle down to almost nothing.
"Notice something? Rukawa's saying more than one word today."
"Yeah."
"It was more than, 'Do'ahou,' or 'Aa,' or 'Baka'."
Kogure laughed. "That's a nice Rukawa impression, Hisashi-kun."
"Thanks."
"OK, OK! Sheesh, Rukawa, why so impatient?" Sakuragi coughed importantly again and continued. "Twenty laps around the park, first one to finish wins," he said. The rules were plain and simple, no crap whatsoever. Truth is, Sakuragi couldn't think of crap to twist the rules of the race.
Rukawa and Sendoh got to their places, each with a bike. Sendoh rented a bike to use and Rukawa used his own. Sendoh was feeling a little more hopeful and Rukawa was sleeping.
Rukawa was sleeping. Yeah, he heard Sakuragi's signal to go and raced away, but he was asleep.
Sendoh looked on in amazement as Rukawa pedaled around the bike park asleep. He smiled and followed Rukawa around the park.
Sakuragi rolled his eyes. "What a show-off," he muttered to himself.
Sendoh kept on dabbing at turns, since he still didn't know how to turn properly.
And lo, a much more amazing sight met their eyes.
Rukawa did a back 180 (1) off a quarterpipe and back into track.
Five male jaws dropped.
"Whoa."
"Sugoii."
"That was...so fucking cool."
"Watch your language."
Rukawa was pulling off Xgames tricks like can-can (2), flatspins, nose wheelies, flips and stuff like that. Asleep. Sendoh stopped biking altogether to watch. Sakuragi lost count of the laps. Miyagi's, Mitsui's, and Kogure's headaches ceased temporarily to gape at Rukawa.
Five males were in a reverie.
Sakuragi was the first to recover. "Kitsune! Wake up!"
Said fox woke up in the middle of a 360. Thankfully, he landed and avoided a serious wipeout. Er, crash.
"What a show-off," Sakuragi repeated. But he too was flabbergasted at Rukawa's show earlier on. Who wouldn't?
Naturally, Rukawa won. So why devote a whole chapter writing about it?
Stupid writer.
(1) Back 180 – according to the EXPN BMX Glossary, a back flip with a 180 (half-rotation). Cool trick.
(2) Can-can – still from the EXPN BMX Glossary, rider takes one foot off a pedal and stretches their leg over the frame between his legs so both legs are on the same side of the bike, then returns the foot to the pedal before landing.
Come to think of it, all of my definitions are from the EXPN BMX Glossary.
