2. Courage

It was quiet in the Shohoko gym as most of the members had gone home after practice. Only two figures could be seen on the floor. They were Sakuragi and Kogare, the latter was helping the former with stretching exercises.

"Your muscles are quite stiff, Sakuragi-kun. You are all tensed up. What's been going on with you?"
"Guess you heard about Haruko going to study in America"
"Yes, Takenori told me and also how you tried to stop her from going"
"Did he tell you the reason why?"
"Yes, I couldn't quite believe it until he showed me Rukawa's email"
"Rukawa's email? Oh yeah."

Sakuragi remembered he gave the printout of the email to Akagi. He didn't expect Akagi to keep and show it to someone else.

"Eh ... Kogare-sempai, the email. You guys didn't show it to anyone else"
Kogare smiled at the respectful tone Sakuragi adopted. The impulsive redhead had matured since he came back from rehab. Although he still had the tendency to boast of being a tensai and laughed maniacally, he was learning how to be polite and respectful.

"Don't worry, I took it from Takenori and destroyed it. Not something I want broadcast to the whole of Kanagawa"
"I always know Megane had the most sense, hahahahahahaha"
Sakurgai reverted back to form once he knew he was out of danger of the email being circulated.

"It was really nice of you to still care so much for Haruko"
"She will always hold a special place in my heart. She was the one to introduce me to basketball after all"
"Yes, of course. Basketball is now your one and only love"
Sakurgai's open, cheerful face suddenly took on a dark gloom and he looked down, muttering dully, "Yes, I only have basketball now."

Kogare patted the younger boy's back, "Don't worry, Sakuragi, you will fall in love again and Haruko will just be a distant memory"
"You are one to talk, Kogare. The tensai know the real reason why you are always coming around here"
"Eh? I come here to lend a hand like helping you do stretching exercises"
"Yes, you do that cos I know you are a helpful guy but you also have another reason for coming here.

Sakuragi smirked at Kogare who looked nonplussed and pushed at his glasses nervously.
"Another reason"
"You came here to see someone"
"To see all of you"
"We are not the main attraction here. You have been hopelessly in love with this person for a very long time but you lack the courage to speak out."

Kogare looked shocked, "What?"
"Well, are you going to deny you are in love with someone in Shohoku"
Kogare stood up and away from Sakuragi. He lifted one end of the towel hanging around his neck and wiped the beads of prespiration from his forehead.
"Well? Answer please!" Sakuragi looked at him challengingly.

"First Haruko, now me," Kogare scratched his cheek with one finger. "Are you trying to be some kind of charity angel helping those in need?"
"Yes, I am the tensai angel. Hahahahahahah"
"I think you are more of a tensai fool. Ever heard of fools rushing in where angels fear to tread"
"Whatever, but you haven't answer my question"
"What question"
"That you are in love with Ayako. The tensai knows all."

Kogare turned bright pink but managed an awkward smile, "You must be out of your mind. By the way, just mind your words when your captain is around"
"Is that why you never let Ayako know? Cos of Ryochan? If Ayako likes him, something will have happened by now. Don't you think it's better to let Ryochan know he has no chance then let him wait for something that will never happen?"

This time Kogare was really taken about. He stared at Sakuragi who had a serious look on his face. Kogare knew that Sakuragi was extremely fond and protective of his captain, Ryota. He sighed inwardly -- Sakuragi, are you a tensai or a fool? You are so instinctive that sometimes the crazy things you do turn out to be so completely right.

Kogare shook his head and smiled at his junior, "Come on, Sakuragi, let's hit the showers. It has been a long day and as to your question, I think you already know the answer."