Chapter 10

Hanamichi couldn't believe what he heard. Where he lived since his father's death was a little apartment, big enough to welcome permanently three persons, his house couldn't be compared to the raven haired youth's little manor.

As he lived alone, he was trying to clean it as often as possible but his efforts were most of the time fruitless because of the parties that the members of his gang like to celebrate in his living room.

Besides, he didn't know why, but the idea opening his house's door to Rukawa was just so strange, give him the possibility to enter in his intimacy, In a place where the tragedy of his father's death had occurred years ago, that was really a big step. That gives to their" what he cannot name relationship" a reality he wonder if he could face without damages.

Rukawa had observed the pensive face of his teammate. He could only imagine what the redhead was thinking. When he was going to ask why this idea seemed to disturb him, Miyagi, the others regulars and the two manageresses entered in the gym.

"Everyone, big news!" declared Miyagi when all the team members were gathered in the center of the room.

"The planning of the departmental matches was published today. Our first match is against Ryonan".

With Ouzomi's departure, Ryonan didn't have an exceptional member to fulfill the vacant position. At this rate, the loss of Ouzomi was equivalent to the loss of Akagi for the Shohoku team. But Ryonan others good elemetns and had at least a player that everyone, even Rukawa didn't underestimate the Influence: Akira Sendoh.

"Sendoh, the next time we meet him, I will crush him because I am the tensai!"

Hanamichi Sakuragi laughed hysterically as usual and everyone sighed.

"This match will be a good occasion to evaluate ourselves. We have absolutely to win this match."

During their training, Miyagi decided to put Rukawa and Hanamichi together with Yasuda, Kaku and Shiozaki against Mitsui, Miyagi and new players.

Before the match started, Mitsui muttered in the captain's ear.

"Why do you put Rukawa and Sakuragi together? They are unable of cooperation spirit.

-I'm not sure of this fact anymore. They seem to learn to get along. Haven't you notice they didn't argue anymore? I think this match is a good occasion to notice if they can play like they did against Sannoh."

The match started and as Miyagi expected it, Rukawa did few decisive passes to the others or Hanamichi.

The team conducted by the Ace of Shohoku won the match.

"That was a good match, congratulations to you, especially to you Rukawa and Hanamichi. If you can develop your cooperation, I don't have any doubt that we will reach the national tournament declared Miyagi."

At the end of the session, everyone exited the gym except Hanamichi and Rukawa.

"Do you want to practice your free throws a bit more?" asked the raven haired youth to the redhead.

Hanamichi nodded before walking to the circle in the center of the court.

'Can I ask you a question, fox?" The hesitant tone was unusual, it's why Rukawa nodded simply without be sarcastic by emphasizing that he was already asking something.

"With my current level, I suppose that it is impossible for me to go the USA but do you think a day I will be good enough to follow your steps?"

Rukawa's eyes widened. That was the first time the redhead recognized frankly his superiors skills in basketball. He would never understand how somebody who seemed to be so pretentious could have in reality so many doubts about himself.

"You did exceptional progresses in four months and you have real athletic skills. You speediness, your agility, your endurance, your jumps are just incredible. It's normal that you cannot beat others that played basketball during numerous years. It's true you did a lot of mistakes but if you weren't here, Shohoku would never go this far."

Rukawa's speech affected the redhead who couldn't fight the tears which filled his eyes. He used his shirt to dry the tears that flowed on his cheeks.

The raven haired youth smiled.

"A dozen of free throws will suffice if you want we eat together tonight. I have a curfew to respect."

Hanamichi nodded and started his practice.

When they reached the locker room to change their clothes after their shower, Rukawa handed to Hanamichi the bag of provisions he purchased yesterday.

"I can't wait to eat your famous risotto do'aho" snorted the raven haired youth.

Hanamichi chuckled. He took the bag and verified that all the ingredients were here. Then, he led the walk to his house. In the way, they talked about the next match against Ryonan. If Rukawa wanted to face Sendoh, Hanamichi was impatient to know if Fukuda had improved as well.

When they reached his apartment, he turned the lights on. Finally, there wasn't a really disorder. There were only few bowls in the sink, and an empty astray on the table in the center of the living room that alerted the raven haired youth.

"You're smoking?" asked Rukawa, a frown on his face. He never had seen the redhead with cigarettes.

Hanamichi shook his head, putting the bag on the work plan.

"This is Yohei's. He had a pair of keys and when his family situation is too difficult for him, he lives here. He tried to stop smoking but he was always unable to resist the temptation more than few months."

The frown on Rukawa's face deepened. He never had interacted with the redhead's friend but he knew their loyalty to their chief. They were always present to their matches and they took the responsibility of Mitsui's basketball team destruction plan so he owed them that. Nevertheless, the relationship between Mito and the redhead seemed to him more special than the relationship which linked the redhead to the others members of this group.

"I suppose he had always this second pair of keys, then?" asked the raven haired youth with a false nonchalance. He didn't like that situation. He knew he was ridiculously jealous but he couldn't fight it not when the redhead was reluctant to let him enter his house.

"Yup" answered the redhead who started to prepare his mushrooms risotto after washing his hands.

The silence filled the room before Rukawa pulled a chair to sit down and observe the redhead.

"If you're thirsty, I bet I have some fruit juice or beer in the fridge.

Rukawa refuses his offer, observing the redhead's gests.