Chapter III. Revenge for Rukawa
"Red head?" I heard Fukuda mentioning about that red head. Who is he anyway?
"Oi! Ma-te!" yelled Sakuragi.
"What do you want from me?" replied Tagokeshi.
"What's with you and that wily fox Rukawa? By the way, I'm Shohoku's ace: Sakuragi Hanamichi the genius himself. In the flesh!"
"Shohoku's ace? You? (laughs)"
"Hey! Shut up! Who do you think you are and why did you run away from Rukawa?"
"Huh. Me? I'm gonna be Ryonan's new ace. Tagokeshi Kamya. I'm going to beat Sendoh and Rukawa. It's not gonna be long. I've already beaten Fukuda on my first day of practice."
"Nani? Fuku-chan? You're lying. So tell me, why do you want to defeat Rukawa anyways? We could be friends..though you play for Ryonan."
"I don't want to be friends with you red head! Rukawa…rukawa… (flashback)
"What? You're rejecting a genius?!"
Rukawa was my all time best friend. Though, people find him lost in his own little world, I understood him. We were child hood friends. Ever since, the last year of junior high, everything changed. I liked a girl. She was Ysah. Rukawa was captain of our team, and I, made a mistake to be one of his loyal sidekicks. He was treated like a basketball god since, he can lead our team into championships. When I was about to asked Ysah to be my girlfriend…
"Ysah-chan, I really like you. I mean we had been close friends for a while and in case you haven't notice…could you be my girlfriend?"
"Huh? Takogeshi-san…I uhm…the reason why…"lost for words the girl of Tagokeshi's dreams continued, "The reason why I got close to you is because I really like your best friend Rukawa."
"Rukawa…"
"Rukawa knew that I liked him..didn't he tell you? I'm sorry…" said Ysah running away.
"Rukawa! Darn you Rukawa! All this time you knew!" shouted Tagokeshi and his echo can be heard miles away.
Basketball practice came and Ysah's words still never left my mind. I blamed Rukawa for all of this. I was cold to him during practices. Never spoke to him. One time he approached me, and so I expressed my self.
"You two-faced bastard! Why didn't you tell me?" said Tagokeshi compelling himself.
"What? What are you talking about?" Rukawa said confused.
"Don't fool me Rukawa! About Ysah! You always knew about this and you treat me like dirt!"
"Ysah. I told her you like her."
"What?! That doesn't make sense!" Tagokeshi smacked him on the face.
"Why you jerk! Can't you understand? Hurry up and were going to practice." Rukawa said impatiently.
"No. I never want to follow you orders again. You're not the boss of me!"
"Well then. Okay." I know this will all be better tomorrow. Rukawa said in his mind.
I always tried to impress our coach for me to be captain. But Rukawa always showing off never gave me the chance to show my hidden talents. I swore from that day forward, I will someday beat him. Now that I've entered Ryonan, I'll do my best to surpass even the legendary Sendoh. (snaps back to reality)
Sakuragi sniffs his mucus and draws out his tears. "I understand completely. And both of us have the same goal. To defeat…."
"Aren't you supposed to be team mates? Why are you even against him?" asked Tagokeshi.
"Because…just like you! Haruko likes that wily fox…sniff" Sakuragi cried.
"Okay! That Rukawa's going down!"
"Yosha! Partner in crime!"
"I'll practice even harded starting tomorrow!" yelled Tagokeshi.
"Me too! That wily fox is gonna get it next time..If only gori wasn't there..How'd ya beat Fuku-chan? What's your secret?"
"Fool. There's no secret it's all sweat and practice."
"A genius like me only needs me! Nyahahaha" grinned Sakuragi.
"Genius. Genius. That Sendoh is one hell of a genius..like me!"
"Arrogant."
"What did you say?"
"Oh nothing."
Who said you're a genius? Coach Taoka said you're a major trouble maker in Shohoku. Hah. Calls himself a genius. I'm the genius one around here. Tagokeshi thought.
Heeheehee a new recruit in Ryonan ey? Better tell gori about this and the fact that he beat Fukuda. Maybe this guy can really beat Rukawa and if he can beat Rukawa, then I'd beat him after he'd beat Sendoh, I'm the biggest winner! Nyahahahaha. And then Haruko-chan would realize how good I am and leave the willy fox alone. Sakuragi considered scheming.
"See you then Sakuragi. 'Till we meet at the court! I'll beat you too!"
"Beat me?! Jerk! You've got a long way to go bozo!"
"Bye Sakuragi!"
"Hmph!"
"I'll not lose to you Rukawa!" said the two in unison.
