Chapter XIV. The Big Game Ends
The two girls panicked without their inspirations in sight. The game was about to begin when Sakuragi entered the court.
It's time Haruko-chan and I have a special time together. Haruko-chan is so gentle… She taught me basketball…the credit always belongs to her. Ah! She looks so cute in her pigtails…What happiness…Good thing the wily fox is not here. Nyahahaha. It's my chance.
"Oh Sakuragi-kun is here! Sakuragi-kun!" Haruko waved at Sakuragi who directly raced to her.
"Ha…Haruko-san I'm here. I'll be coaching you." Sakuragi said with a big grin plastered on his face.
"Thanks. Did you see if Rukawa was coming?" I wish Rukawa was here.
"Noo! Haruko is day dreaming again." Sakuragi cried.
"Sendoh, Sendoh. Where are you right now?!" I so hate you Sendoh. Was it about the kiss? Come on. I need you.
"Koshino-san!" Yuki yelled for Koshino was in sight. Lae was distracted and looked how happy Yuki and Koshino were. I desire Yuki's place…I wish me and Sendoh are like that…
"Lae-san, where's Sendoh-san?" asked Koshino who keeps his head tilting and trying to find the mighty Sendoh. "Ahh! So cool of you guys. Maki and Fujima are here?"
"It was Hikoichi's idea."
"Hikoichi's here?"
"He's there," replied Yuki. Koshino went to see Hikoichi who was busy scribbling notes. He planted a kiss on Yuki's cheek for good luck. "I'll be here. Good luck guys."
"Aww…Yuki. I'm happy for you."
"Uhuh." Yuki kept holding her cheek and reminiscing the way Koshino kissed her.
"Hajime-mas," called out Maki.
"Yosh! Let's do this. I don't care if he will hate me by that kiss, but, I'd still do this for him."
"Lae-san who are you talking to?" asked one of her team mates.
"Nothing."
"Jump ball!" whistled Maki.
Both young women jumped with all their might. Lae's team got hold of the ball. She awkwardly felt a pain in her chest, but she didn't mind it. Yuki got it and went for a swift attack. Yuki passed the ball to Lae who was extremely guarded by Haruko.
"I'll not lose to you!" Haruko said. Lae just looked at her in the eye and did a fake shot. She got passed Haruko. Lae passed the ball to one of her team mates and made a shot in.
"It's in!" Lae's team shouted. More and more passer by's were attracted to the game. Sakuragi's gang was even there to watch.
"You're not winning yet, Lae," warned Haruko.
It was Lae's team's ball. Yuki passed the ball to Lae. Lae was checking out who was free. Nobody was. She used force to break in. She was successful for she has the height advantage. Two of Haruko's team mates were blocking her lay-up shot. She copied Sendoh's style. The 'twisted' lay-up shot. It got in. Maki and Fujima were shocked. Scores were not too far apart. Lae's team was leading the game with a score of 20-16.
"Uh."
"Sendoh," said Fujima.
"She does remind me of him. That was exactly Sendoh's shot in our game," said Maki.
"That's our Lae-chan!" cheered Hikoichi.
Meanwhile at Sendoh's house, he was still sleeping soundly. His windows were opened by his mom but, that wasn't enough to wake him up. Sendoh was drooling all over his pillow. A bird entered his room…and pecked his nose real hard. (That ought to wake him up.)
"Itaii! Lae why do you have to do that all the time…" When he opened his eyes he found the little bird flew right out of his window. "Nani?! Lae...the game! I totally forgot!"
He immediately got up, brushed his teeth, changed his pajamas to a purple sweater and white shorts. He styled his hair like the way he used to. He ran to the court to see Lae's team lagging behind…
"Lae…"
"Sendoh-san! Sendoh-san is here!" Hikoichi yelled in excitement. Lae looked at him deeply and looked away.
"Hpmf. Looks like someone is late." She folded her arms just like a child.
"Sendoh…" chorused Maki and Fujima.
"Yo, Fujima, Maki!"
"Sendoh…" complained Sakuragi.
"Sakuragi! Lae's going to beat your girlfriend. Oh. Rukawa…"
"Girlfriend?" Sakuragi smiled to himself.
"Iie, you misunderstand Sendoh-san," explicated Haruko.
"Lae, am I the one who's supposed to be angry?" Sendoh motioned his kissing lips and teased Lae. Lae was embarrassed and grabbed Sendoh's lips to shut it up.
"Shut up. It was a big mistake. Let's carry on with the game."
"She was really trained by the genius himself…" said Rukawa who just entered the court.
"Rukawa-kun…" blushed Haruko.
"What are you doing here Rukawa?" Sakuragi was furious.
"I'm just watching. This is for me you know. Fool."
"Oh noooo!! Why you…reign in that arrogance of yours!"
"Uh. He knows." Haruko was surprised that Rukawa knew about this. "Rukawa-kun…"
"Nandato?! Bakero!" yelled Hanamichi who wasn't fond of Rukawa being in the court.
"Domo. Haruko." Rukawa looked away.
"Rukawa-kun…" I'm so glad…
Sendoh and Koshino watched the game. Both young ladies performed well. They really got into the game. All the practice was worth it...wasn't it Lae? Thought Sendoh.
Lae felt the chest pain once again but, she still didn't bother it. Sendoh. She thought. She tried very hard to guard Haruko, but she imagined that Haruko looked like her gorilla-vicious brother. Lae got scared and Haruko eventually evaded her. Yuki was defending under the basket but Haruko made an amazing lay-up shot. Haruko jumped for joy. She made her first goal for the team. Sakuragi was so glad. Haruko made high fives to Sakuragi and his gang. Lae has been feeling the pain often now, since the game has started.
The game went on and Lae was worried that Sendoh was angry about the kiss thing. She felt the chest pain again and again. After catching up the scores 40-40 she fainted for lack of air. She was panting and panting. She was heavily sweating; she was in Sendoh's arms. The game ended with an accident…
