AUTHOR'S NOTES: I'm done with the first half! Yay! Here's the first chapter of the second half. I think it'll just be very short. I don't know, it probably depends on how the story goes. Thanks for the suggestions, I'm really getting lazy nowadays that I'm neglecting the quality of my fic. And for the horrible HTML coding mistake, I deeply apologize! Thanks for pointing that out.
Hmm...actually, when I started writing this fic I was thinking of pairing everyone up. But I decided not to because it would be too unrealistic. Sure, it's fun, but imagine the whole Kanagawa basketball force being homosexuals...it's doesn't happen too often, see. Sorry if I offended anyone; didn't mean to. But I'll try to put in at least one other pairing. It depends on my whims and probably your reviews. I might make this a one sided HanaRu or a threesome MitKoMiya or a wild card SenMiya...who knows, I might even put in Akagi somewhere there...it depends.
And I'd just like to let you know that your reviews count, and I'm really grateful for them so keep them coming!
At talagang astig ang Strangebrew! Wheeeeee!
WARNING: Foul language and, ahem, ecchi thoughts.
The Sixth Task: K.O.!
"NYAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You're floored again, Ryochin!"
"Gah! I will not give up! It's not over yet, Sakuragi!"
"Admit it, Ryochin, you're no match for the Tensai!"
"Shut up, Idiot, and play!"
Meanwhile, on another part of the AA Arcade (name of arcade will be concealed for privacy reasons), Rukawa and Sendoh battled furiously on the hockey machine, neither one scoring yet. This was the sixth task, gaming, and Sakuragi had Sendoh to thank for the double-purpose task (read: the chance to escape chores). But of course, he wouldn't really thank him; it's just a figure of speech.
For this task, they have to play against each other in five machines. Originally it was just one but Sakuragi insisted that it should be five, for longer playing time. The person who wins the most wins. So far, Sendoh was ahead, beating Rukawa in Tekken and King of Fighters. Rukawa, though he only got Rival Schools, still has a chance to win if he beat Sendoh in the last two games.
Rukawa was never the type to indulge in video games. His life was focused only on basketball, albeit pushing his intellectual development aside. He thought video games were a waste of his time and besides, the noise was unbearable in the arcades. Lots of people. He might even get attacked by rabid fangirls.
Sendoh on the other hand was like any normal teenager on this aspect. If he's bummed, he sometimes went here to, you know, play.
The puck slid smoothly and swiftly across the table, having no other choice but to do so. The two followed it with their gazes, one sparkling with laughter the other with determination. Twice already he had slipped past Sendoh's defenses and scored. Sendoh had scored nothing yet, but it was still too early.
"Ack!" cried Sendoh when Rukawa scored again. "For a beginner, you sure are good at this."
Rukawa's gaze became condescending, but he said nothing. Sendoh put the puck on the hockey table and hit it towards Rukawa's side. Rukawa volleyed it back, but Sendoh blocked it.
At that moment, Mitsui and Kogure went to the hockey table to check on them. "How are things?"
Sendoh opened his mouth to speak, but Rukawa scored again so he groaned instead. The game ended with Rukawa with four points and Sendoh with none. Mitsui commented that Sendoh didn't use his basketball skills there to which Sendoh replied with a sheepish laugh.
And Rukawa's glare became just a wee bit more smug.
"Won't you give up to the Tensai, Ryochin?"
"Never! I will beat you even if it's the last thing I do!"
"Fine! But you will never win against me!"
"Who says? Come on, let's try Asura!"
"Asura? That's child's play!"
"If you're such an expert then let's go!"
"No."
Rukawa stood frozen in front of the DDR machine where Sendoh had dragged him to. He had refused flat out to play this stupid game but Sendoh pulled him.
"Come on, it's fun! I'll pick an easy tune for you!"
Rukawa stiffened (stop the nosebleed, minna). Sendoh said that as if he thought Rukawa had no idea whatsoever of DDR (which was true) and Rukawa was deeply offended. The older boy saw the clenching of Rukawa's jaw and inwardly smiled. His provocation was clearly effective.
Mitsui came back with two servings of nachos and gave one to Kogure. "Arigato," said the vice-captain, smiling at Mitsui.
Man, my stomach is rumbling!
Author takes a lunch break. I can do that, can't I?
While author is taking a lunch break, Sendoh has successfully pulled Rukawa towards the machine. The younger boy looked befuddled at the strange mechanism at his feet. What the hell is this? Am I supposed to do handstands here? Or stand on all fours to press them? How in the world can I win if I don't even know the friggin game?! Ah...I get it! It's all part of Sendoh's stupid plan! Cheat!
But Sendoh's plan only comprised of getting Rukawa to play DDR.
"It's really easy, just step on the arrows when it flashes on the screen," Sendoh explained. "This is just the first mix."
Rukawa thought that Sendoh's tone just went from 'insulting' to 'more insulting' and so, like the noble Japanese young man he was, he stood up straight and glared defiantly at the older boy. True to his word, Sendoh chose a really easy song, "Boom Boom Dollar".
"Ready?"
Before Rukawa could nod, the music blared out whatever nonexistent thoughts he might have had. Sendoh's feet moved in tune to the music while Rukawa could only stare and blink at the bright screen.
"Come on, Rukawa, you're gonna lose if you don't dance!"
Dancing? This is not dancing! This is stupid!
Nevertheless, his feet stepped from one arrow to another.
But the word "Miss!" kept blinking on the screen nonetheless.
Fuck! I'm gonna lose! How the hell do I do this?
Fortunately, not a lot of people were watching them. Well, who is interested in watching two guys battle it out on DDR First Mix?
The author is now back from her lunch break. Not like anyone cares.
Failed.
Damn, I missed it!
"Not bad, Rukawa," said Sendoh, stepping off the dance pad. Rukawa huffed and said nothing. He'd lost to Sendoh three times in a row and it's gonna be difficult to catch up. SCORE: Rukawa-2, Sendoh-4. In order to win, Rukawa had to win in all the next tasks.
"That's a stupid character! Change it!"
"Who do you think you are to tell me what to do? I want Felicia, OK? Bugger off!"
"Whatever, Ryochin. I'm just saying---"
"Yeah, yeah, I know, you're the fucking tensai. I've heard that, now shut up and play!"
"Yoshi!"
"What, still losing, Miyagi?"
"Shut up, Mitsui, and mind your own business!"
"My, my, what a temper we have. Be careful, your hair might fall off."
"Urusai!"
Didn't I say that I won't go to crowded places without burly bodyguards and crotch protectors?
Rukawa looked around him. Sendoh, Sakuragi, Mitsui, Kogure and Miyagi are not what he called burly, but they did look intimidating enough. And he didn't have crotch protectors; he didn't want to imagine the scenario when he'd enter a store and tell the saleslady that he wanted crotch protectors.
Trust me, there'd be blood involved. Some of it may be mine.
The six walked in pairs, so as to not hog the small space the crowded mall offered. Sendoh and Rukawa were in front, followed by Mitsui and Kogure and then Sakuragi and Miyagi at the rear, bickering about their episode at the arcade.
"Shut up, idiot!"
"Why don't you just admit that I'm better in gaming than you? Ore wa tensai!"
"Tensai, tensai...you're no tensai when it comes to basketball."
"Eh, that's not the point."
"Baka yarou."
Mitsui and Kogure talked about their upcoming test. Kogure was mildly surprised and relieved that Mitsui had at least taken his studies a bit seriously. Well, they were graduating students and Mitsui still had plans to play basketball in college. But before he could play basketball for a college, he had to get in one first.
Sakuragi and Miyagi decided to go back to the arcade for Miyagi's retribution. The four remaining boys headed towards McDonald's to have lunch.
Ooh, was that my stomach again?
"So we'll see you tomorrow at Rukawa's place?"
Rukawa and Sendoh both nodded at Mitsui as the two seniors rose to leave. Mitsui had to run some errands and Kogure headed home to study so Sendoh and Rukawa were alone once more.
His heart was starting to do pirouettes again.
No crickets to sing. Crap, thought Rukawa as the inevitable and uncomfortable prospect of being alone with Sendoh suddenly crushed him. An anvil falling from the top floor of the Empire State Building and landing on his head would have probably produced the same effect.
Regarding Mitsui's parting statement, Rukawa had nothing to say. He never had anything to say, and when he did, rarely was too often. He'd never had a lot of people in his house that frequently. His parents were the only ones who visited him, but they were in America so that didn't happen much either. He wasn't used to having visitors, much less if rivals are among said visitors.
"Want some?" Sendoh asked, offering Rukawa some fries from his outstretched hand. Rukawa barely heard him from all the noise in the restaurant (if you could call it that), but the hand and the fries spoke for itself. He shook his head and continued eating his meal of chicken, rice, Coke and an Oreo McFlurry. Sendoh shrugged and went back to his Big Mac, large fries, Coke and chocolate fudge sundae.
All this talk of food makes my insatiable stomach rumble.
"Anou, Rukawa-kun..." Sendoh began. Tension was really giving him indigestion, and he could barely eat with Rukawa's silence. Oh, stupid, Rukawa was always silent. He was just not used to having someone not talking to him. After all, he usually hung out with Koshino.
"Gomen nasai."
Sorry...he didn't hear apologies often; Sakuragi never apologized, for very obvious reasons. Mitsui and Miyagi never apologized. They were sempai. Kogure apologized, but rarely to him. He thought Sendoh never apologized...until now.
"Friends?" Sendoh asked, offering his fries once more.
Rukawa sighed and mentally rolled his eyes. He hated Sendoh mainly for his skills, but he didn't think there was much that Sendoh should apologize for. Except...
The rookie's lips tightened. Yeah, he did remember. I'm sure you do. But now, looking back, Rukawa almost thought it funny. The childish look on Sendoh's face at his kitchen was something he could get a laugh at in the future.
Oh, really?
The younger boy took a single strip of fried potato. "Never."
"Cheater! You cheated, you idiot!"
"What? Me? Cheat? You just can't believe that you got ass-kicked by the Tensai!"
"If there's gonna be an ass kicked, it'd be yours, Sakuragi."
"Oh yeah? Then why do you get KO-ed every time we play?"
"Because you're a cheat, that's why!"
"Temeeeeeeeee!"
Yeah. He needed to see a shrink. Come to think of it, maybe he should see one when he went to America. He heard that America has the best shrinks. I wonder why, he thought.
But right now, Rukawa needed sleep. Very much. Walking home with Sendoh was, to the sarcastic mind, the most interesting thing in the world. He didn't even see the logic there; Sendoh didn't live particularly near his house. Well, he'd never been there, but considering that he studied in Ryonan, and that Rukawa hadn't seen him in the neighborhood...you get the point, eh?
Wow. Rukawa was actually thinking logic.
Rukawa just let his eyelids droop. It wasn't as if he didn't 'sleepwalk'. It was Sendoh's choice if he wanted to follow or not, but there was just no freaking way he'd entertain that idiot on the way home.
They weren't friends, exactly, just as Rukawa had said.
Potsun potsun.
Bota bota.
Poto poto.
Shito shito.
What the--?
Rukawa felt someone pull him somewhere. His eyes snapped open immediately, only to be met by the glittering drops of rain. But he felt dry. Enough.
Oh. Sendoh had pulled us into a waiting shed. Perfect. Lots of people. Great.
True enough, there were around ten people sheltered under the roof of the small waiting shed and more were pouring in from all directions. And a lot of them were Rukawa's fangirls.
If there was something (or someone) Rukawa hated more than Sakuragi (and perhaps Sendoh; he's still debating on that), it was being trapped in a cramped space with a handful of drooling and giggling fangirls.
"What are you doing?" Sendoh cried as Rukawa rushed into the rain. "You'll get sick! Oi!" Then he heard some groans around him and he quickly understood. He hadn't noticed that most of the people in the waiting shed were female.
Sendoh gazed at Rukawa's figure. The scene was eerily picturesque, at least to Sendoh. Rukawa contrasted sharply with the people running towards the shelter of the small waiting shed while he walked away from them. Sendoh thought that Rukawa's skin glowed even a paler and more ghostly silver, beautiful but death-like. But Rukawa's steps were as sure as they can be, like it was not raining.
The Ryonan boy sighed and finally, with much hesitation, ran after Rukawa. "Oi!" he cried, running as carefully and cautiously and fast as he could. The roads were slippery and he couldn't afford having any injury of any kind, ne?
Suddenly realizing that words were having no effect to Rukawa's thick and stubborn skull, Sendoh grabbed his hand and pulled him to a street to their right. Rukawa protested by jerking his hand away, but Sendoh argued, "My house is nearer."
"And what makes you think I'm going to your house?"
Sendoh sighed at Rukawa's irrational stubbornness. "It's just two blocks from here. Your house is farther and it doesn't look like the rain's gonna stop soon."
Rukawa looked up, eyes narrowing at the grey sky. Sendoh was awed by the sight, like Rukawa had just stepped out of a beautiful painting. Sendoh thought everyone looked good under certain weathers, but Rukawa...he looked good in all weathers.
He felt a slight tug at his heart. He presumed it was of envy.
"So? Why do you care?" Rukawa deadpanned, glaring hard at Sendoh.
"Look," said Sendoh, rather annoyed that Rukawa was being a bit childish. "the longer we stand here, the wetter we get. Can we argue about this when we get to my house?"
"No. I'm going my way, you're going yours."
Sendoh rolled his eyes, grabbed Rukawa's arm and dragged him along. Rukawa felt his fingertips digging into his skin and finally gave in knowing that Sendoh was right.
"This is your fault, you baka!"
"Bakayarou! You were the one who insisted that we play some more!"
"Shit! I'm gonna miss Do As Infinity on Wowow!"
"Okaasan is gonna kill me! Fuck, I forgot the groceries!"
"You're dead, Sakuragi."
"Damn it! You didn't have to rub it in."
"Catch!"
Rukawa deftly caught the white towel Sendoh had thrown him. They were now in Sendoh's house and it was still raining. Sendoh's parents were still at work, so they were alone again.
Rukawa sat in the kitchen, dripping wet, while Sendoh took a shower somewhere upstairs. He looked around; this kitchen didn't look any different from his own, but it and warmer. Maybe because Sendoh had parents to live with him and eat with him everyday. Rukawa had none. His parents lived in America and visited him once every three months and on Christmas and New Year's. Nobody celebrated the New Year's like the Japanese did, they said. And together with the New Year's, they celebrated his birthday.
He realized that he missed his parents so much.
And that he had to go to America soon.
And see a shrink.
Loud footsteps in the living room told him that Sendoh was done showering.
"Still there?"
Sendoh was putting on his shirt as he sauntered into the kitchen, and Rukawa can't help but admire the little amount of skin and muscle that he had glimpsed before the cloth covered it. Unlike him, Sendoh had a slight tanner skin, a slightly broader chest, and...
No, he wasn't checking Sendoh out.
"Your turn."
"What?"
"Come on, you're dripping wet! You're gonna get sick if you don't shower," Sendoh said, trying to pull Rukawa out of his chair.
But I don't have any clothes! Rukawa wanted to say, but that felt inappropriate so he just shut up and protested silently by planting his butt on the wooden chair. There was no freaking way he'd take a shower in Sendoh's house! He'd rather brave the rain than do so, thank you very much!
"Don't be stubborn, I'm not a pervert," Sendoh scolded, earning a raised eyebrow from Rukawa. "I'm just concerned about you and my mother would kill me if she sees this puddle!"
That was Rukawa's weakness. Any thought of family pushed all his logical thoughts aside.
And so, he gave in. Again.
The desire to see a shrink heightens.
Wait a minute...
Sendoh is concerned about me? Rukawa thought, sending his heart rocketing off to outer space. But gravity pulled it back to Earth, as usual. He's just probably worried that he might get blamed if I get sick.
Rukawa was great at excuses. It just doesn't show.
Sendoh closed the bathroom door with a click, leaving Rukawa in the small but neat bathroom. Rukawa's heart was now trying some extreme sports, which was really interesting because what caused it was his own thoughts. He was actually having a shower at Sendoh's. He was actually gonna undress and get naked with Sendoh just a few meters away. He quickly checked if the bathroom door was locked and breathed a relieved sigh when he found that it was.
Downstairs at the kitchen, Sendoh hummed a song while preparing two cups of hot chocolate. He was very aware of Rukawa showering upstairs. He wondered how Rukawa looked like when he was naked. Maybe like a Greek sculpture, made of alabaster.
Ahem.
Now how am I gonna get out of here? thought Rukawa, standing under the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist. He can't wear his clothes, duh. He should've told Sendoh earlier. But he didn't, so he had two choices left; either he stay in the bathroom and wait for Sendoh to wonder what he was doing and therefore he'd check on him and find out that he didn't have clothes OR he march down to the kitchen, towel around waist and tell Sendoh face to face (and whatever body parts may show) that he didn't have clothes. Downsides: if he chose the first one, he'd be sneezing to death before Sendoh reached him; if he chose the latter...well, I'll leave it to your imagination.
Let's give him time to think.
Sendoh drummed his fingers against the kitchen table. It was still raining like mad outside, and it was weird, because it was in the middle of summer. Both cups of hot chocolate lay smoking on the table, untouched. It's been...a half hour since he left Rukawa in the bathroom. What's taking him so long?
So he pondered.
And pondered.
I gave him a towel, didn't I? Is he that vain? What's he doing anyway? Erm, playing with himself? Sendoh blushed and shivered. No. Bad Akira. Rukawa Kaede isn't so disrespectful as to...do stuff in my house. THAT I know. Then...
Oh shit.
Rukawa sighed. It hadn't taken him a minute to realize that he shouldn't wait. It was Sendoh's intention that he didn't get a cold, right? If he waited for the older boy to come up and 'rescue' him from his little problem, he'd definitely get sick. Yes, it was a little rude, but...hey, it's for everybody's good.
He reluctantly stepped out of the bathroom, head bowed as to watch his steps. Tiles were slippery when wet, you know.
"Rukawa-kun! Gomen!"
Sendoh came running up the stairs and barged into his bedroom just as Rukawa was getting out of the bathroom. What a lovely scene.
"Ehehehe..." Sendoh was NOT blushing.
Well, at least I didn't have to go downstairs, said Rukawa to himself.
It's not like I haven't seen him half-naked..., debated Sendoh in an attempt to calm his nerves. It worked perfectly. He rummaged through his clothes, not really knowing what he was doing. He heard the bed squeak lightly and concluded that Rukawa sat on it.
Uh-oh, I think I feel a nosebleed coming on. Sendoh needs tissue, guys!
Trying very, very hard not to think of that very nice picture of Rukawa on his bed, Sendoh pulled out a clean blue shirt (he loved blue. Matched his eyes) and loose black jogging pants. He blushed again as he pulled the top section of his drawer out, the one that kept his...
Rukawa saw the contents of the drawer and his eyes widened. Shower's enough. Clothes are enough. But I am NOT going to wear his underwear!
Rukawa took the articles of clothing on the table. "These are enough, thank you," he said, much to Sendoh's relief. Rukawa took great effort to say 'thank you' to Sendoh, but it was common courtesy so he had to.
The older boy realized was to wear HIS pants without anything underneath.
Damn hormones.
It took him great courage and willpower to stop the impending nosebleed. Thank Kami-sama, it worked.
"Er...I'll wait for you downstairs," Sendoh quickly said, putting his best nonchalant expression (smile included). He closed the door of his bedroom and clutched at his chest which had suddenly become tight. What the hell is wrong with me? I've seen a lot of guys butt naked...why am I reacting this way with Rukawa?
Sigmund Freud was kind enough to provide some explanation to his behavior (and Rukawa's previous). For your assignment, please read his theory of constitutional bisexuality and relate it to this stupid fic.
Sorry this chapter took so long. I was kinda stuck in the middle of it and college life is not as I expected it to be. Thanks to my professor for that Freud stuff there. Gave me inspiration. Oh, and it's not true that when you get caught in the rain, you'll get colds. The logic there is...well, you're wet anyway. I just want to give Sendoh reason to make Rukawa do what he wanted. Hehehe. Anyway, I'll really finish this, I swear!
