Days After the National Tournament

by devil4devil

Two men get caught up in a whirlwind of mayhem, and through all the madness, they discover their true selves and end up falling for each other.

1. One

I. Sendoh: "Today's gonna be epic!"

The moment he stepped onto the campus, it was like a spotlight turned on just for him. He was the ultimate heartthrob, the guy every girl swooned over, the one all the guys envied, the one everyone looked up to.

"Hi Sendoh!"

"You're so rad!"

"You're looking extra cute today!"

Here he is—waving this way and that, blowing kisses to giggly girls to make them weak in the knees, and greeting every single soul who calls out his name! That's how his high school life goes. Yeah, it might feel a little same-old-same-old at times, but who cares? That's just part of the fun!

"He's such a catch!"

"Is he single?"

"He's a basketball prodigy!"

A sly grin crept across his face as he overheard bits of the girls' discussion. Being a star on the basketball court had its advantages, no doubt. Just another day basking in the spotlight.

"I heard he's a rising star!"

"I heard he was just a freshman!"

He stopped in his tracks when he caught wind of their chatter. A thought crossed his mind—were they talking about him?

Sendoh: "Freshman? Who might that be?"

Glancing around, he questioned why the girls were hurrying to the gym that day. Although he had loyal fans who observed him during practice, there was a peculiar air about the girls in the gym, suggesting they had motives beyond simply watching their team train.

Sendoh: "Whoa..."

He let out a sigh as he spotted the gym. The tournament is starting soon. He grinned, feeling pumped about a new challenge, new opponents, and an exhilarating match. Speaking of matches, something suddenly occurred to him.

Sendoh: "OH NO! NOT AGAIIIN!" He shouted to himself while racing to the gym.

As soon as he arrived at the entrance, his coach greeted him with a serious scolding.

Coach Taoka: "You silly little rascal! What in the world were you doing, Sendoh? And why are you tardy again?"

Sendoh: "Sorry, Coach! I dozed off again."

He chuckled as he sheepishly scratched his head, seeing Coach's bulging, angry veins. He rushed to the team's bench and quickly put on his uniform.

Ouzumi: "Sendoh, no time for warm-up. You're playing the whole game."

Sendoh: "No problem, Captain." He reassured, standing proudly on the bench and confidently guiding his team onto the court.

Sendoh: "Okay, let's start the game."

Right from the tip-off, everyone was surprised when Akagi, the captain of the Shohoku team, won the jump ball, sending it flying towards Yasuda. Out of nowhere, Ueksa swooped in, snatched it up, and quickly dished it off to Sendoh. As Sendoh locked in on his defender, he raised an eyebrow, sizing him up from head to toe.

Sendoh: "I bet he's the one attracting all the ladies to come watch." He whispered to himself.

Sendoh, with a sly flick of his eye, tossed the ball across the court like a ninja, and Ouzumi swooped in and effortlessly made a score. When Shohoku got the ball back, Kogure was primed to unleash his shot, but Ouzumi was right there, shutting him down right under the basket. Rukawa seized the chance to steal the ball, but Ouzumi was quick on his feet, blocking that chance too. Shohoku regained the ball once again, but Ouzumi was relentless, blocking Akagi's shot this time.

Rukawa: "Give that to me!"

Rukawa was seething, practically on fire as he glared at Yasuda, desperate for that ball. But just when he thought it was his moment, Sendoh swooped in and snatched the ball right before his eyes!

Sendoh: "Alright, let's do this." He confidently said.

Rukawa: "Conceited."

Rukawa was hot on Sendoh's heels, determined to shut down any chance of another score. He matched Sendoh step for step as they approached the basket, but Sendoh pulled a fast one, slickly dishing the ball to Koshino, who effortlessly added another point for Ryonan!

Sendoh: "Come on! Show me what you've got."

Rukawa's annoyance reached a whole new height when he caught sight of Sendoh sneaking up behind him, that infuriating smirk plastered on his face.

Rukawa: "Just wait. Let's see if you'll still be smiling later."

Sendoh: "He seems to have a short fuse. Perfect. I'll just fan the flames."

Ryonan team dominated the first half, smashing the scoreboard to a crushing 15-0! Kogure was left in the dust, unable to respond as Sendoh snatched the ball right out of his hands. Rukawa tried to make a play, sprinting in to stop Sendoh, but he was blindsided by Sendoh's slick moves. With a quick flick, Sendoh dished it to Ueksa and scored!

Sendoh: "Is that the best you can do, Rukawa? Your fans are here to support you! Don't disappoint them, buddy, unless you wanna see them cry. I suggest you step up your game."

Rukawa: "Shut your trap!"

Kogure launched a shot, but it clanged off the rim! Akagi and Rukawa were on it, ready to snatch the rebound, but out of nowhere, Ouzumi swooped in and snatched it instead. He launched the ball with force, and Sendoh, already on the run, snagged it midflight. Rukawa sprinted to the other end, hell-bent on cutting off Sendoh's pass to his teammate. In a shocking twist, Sendoh didn't pass it out this time—he went full beast mode and slammed it home with a thunderous dunk!

Rukawa's fans: "NOOO!"

Earlier today, Sendoh was in a bit of a funk, bored with the same old high school grind. But then he caught a glimpse of Rukawa's super grumpy face, and it totally made his day!

Sendoh: "Looks like someone's got a fan club."

Rukawa stayed quiet as he readied himself once again in defense position.

Sendoh: "Who's the lucky girl?"

Rukawa pretended to yawn while Sendoh kept throwing jokes his way.

Sendoh: "Got a girlfriend?"

Rukawa: "None of your damn business."

Sendoh: "Whoa! So, you're saying you've got yourself a girlfriend?"

Sendoh quickly eyed the crowd, trying to pinpoint which girl might be the girlfriend.

Sendoh: "Which one of them is yours?"

Rukawa had a feeling that Sendoh wouldn't let up on his teasing during the game. He knew better than to let it mess with his focus. Instead of letting the guy piss him off, he figured it was time to find a way to silence his rival once and for all.

Rukawa: "You."

Sendoh: "Wait, what?"

Sendoh's face turned ghostly white when Rukawa winked at him and playfully tapped his shoulder while strolling by. But the real shocker—the one that made his skin tingle—was that naughty grin Rukawa flashed his way.

Sendoh: "Seriously, what's going on?" He mumbled, feeling the sweat bead up and race down his back.

The game kicked back into gear, with everyone locked in on their rivals, each player itching for their shot to score. Everything looked pretty normal, except for Sendoh, who was now feeling uneasy about going up against Rukawa.

Sendoh: "This guy thinks he's hot stuff. Calling me his girlfriend? What the hell is that?"

Yasuda could feel the sweat dripping down his brow as he spotted Ouzumi and Sendoh already locked in on defense beneath the hoop. He opted to pass the ball to Kogure, but Ueksa swooped in to snatch that pass! Ueksa sent the ball soaring, confident that Sendoh would grab it for an alley-oop. But in a shocking twist of events, Rukawa leaped in, snatching the ball right out of the air, leaving Sendoh in a state of shock!

Rukawa: "It's our turn now."

With lightning speed, Rukawa dodged past the Ryonan defense, heading straight for Sendoh. As Sendoh prepared to block, Rukawa slyly passed the ball to Akagi, who thundered down the court for a powerful gorilla dunk.

Rukawa: "Hey, did we just score? Shouldn't you be my biggest fan right now?"

Sendoh: "And why in the world would I do that?" He shot back, rolling his eyes.

Rukawa: "Well, you know, because you're my girl."

Sendoh: "For the love of all things good, don't you dare call me that again." He huffed, stepping close, irritation written all over his face.

Rukawa: "Girlfriend, girlfriend, girlfriend." He purred with a wicked grin.

Sendoh thought he could keep his cool until the final whistle, but with each passing second, his patience wore thinner. He was the guy every woman wanted, the guy all the guys looked up to, the guy everyone admired, until Rukawa showed up. This was the first time someone had the guts to disrespect him, messing his head just like that. Finally fed up, he grabbed Rukawa by the back of the neck with one hand and slapped a hand over his mouth to shut him up.

Sendoh: "Go ahead, keep pushing me..."

Sendoh was all set to confront Rukawa, but suddenly he found himself lost in a daze—a strange heat coursed through him as Rukawa's warm, sweaty body was pressing against his. He was mesmerized by that face—so damn captivating it was hard to look away. He was on the brink of losing it, blissfully unaware that their faces were practically touching, just a breath away from each other.

Sendoh: "Are you trying to seduce me?"

Rukawa smacked Sendoh's forehead when he realized how ridiculous they appeared a while ago. He remembered that this guy was trying to freak him out, but for some reason, he wondered why this guy had suddenly chickened out. With a casual stride back to his spot, he decided to stay alert, sensing that Sendoh was up to some sneaky antics again.

At that moment, Rukawa made a killer play that flipped the game on its head. The stakes were high as Shohoku players sliced through Ikegami's defense, Akagi was owning the rebounds against Ouzumi, and Yasuda was finally stepping up to challenge the rivals! When Akagi's shot bounced off the rim, Rukawa swooped in, throwing down a monster dunk that shook the court. Akagi contributed 17 points and Rukawa added 14 points, narrowing the Ryonan Team's lead by 8 points.

Sendoh: "What the heck is going on?"

Sendoh was losing it! Rukawa was heating up on the court, and it was driving him nuts. This ain't fun anymore! He wanted to go all out, play like a beast, but something weird was messing with his head, and he just couldn't shake it off! He was hustling hard, trying to play it cool, making all the slick moves while keeping his distance from Rukawa. He was hell-bent on avoiding this guy at all costs.

Sendoh: "Hell yeah!"

He let out a heavy breath, feeling pretty proud of himself for keeping their space while going on the attack. Thought he had it all under control, but man, he was wrong. Every time their skin touched—like a thousand fireworks going off in his brain! He scooted back just a tad, trying to ninja his way to snatch the ball from Rukawa's clutches. But then—BAM! —he nearly leaped out of his shoes when Rukawa spun around, bent down, and WHAM! Rukawa's butt smacked right into his thigh!

Sendoh: "CRAAAP!"

Sendoh didn't dare move anymore. His manhood feeling like it was about to burst out of his pants! He thought he could escape this wild nightmare, but Rukawa was like a bulldozer, charging ahead and guarding that ball at all costs. The moment he attempted to shift, Rukawa's butt accidentally nudged against his "overstuffed" situation, and it was like a bomb went off in his brain!

Sendoh: "No freaking way! No freaking way!" He yelled at himself as he saw Rukawa slip past his guard and nail that flawless shot.

While on break, Sendoh's thoughts went haywire, all twisted up of those strange feelings boiling inside him. Seriously, what was with the sizzling heatwave that hit him whenever Rukawa was near? And just when he thought it couldn't get any crazier, he felt his briefs tightening like a vice grip, his manhood throwing a full-on tantrum! He clenched his teeth, utterly convinced that his brain had taken a vacation to Crazy Town and left him behind!

Sendoh: "I better watch out before things get even weirder."

Rukawa started to feel uneasy when he noticed Sendoh straight-up ignoring him as the second half kicked off. The game was flowing nicely, yet he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that this guy was more into poking fun at Sakuragi than noticing him. At first, he wanted to stop the banter, but now that he had, it just made him a bit irked that Sendoh chose to give his attention to someone else.

In the intense battle under the hoop, Ouzumi threw down a powerful block on Akagi's shot, causing him to hit the floor hard. Coach Anzai had to take Akagi out of the game because of the injury. On the sidelines, Rukawa couldn't help but roll his eyes as he watched Sakuragi walked onto the court like a funky robot.

Sendoh: "Yo, secret weapon, are you ready?" He playfully greets the red-haired guy.

Rukawa was totally pissed as he saw Sendoh all cheerful and welcoming when Sakuragi showed up. He couldn't really figure out why it bugged him so much, but watching those two buddy up made him want to pout.

Rukawa: "So now you're playing nice with him too. Ugh," he muttered.

That was Sakuragi's big debut in the official game, but he had gotten himself into a sticky situation. He was making all sorts of goofy mistakes and looked completely lost in the mayhem. He first got whistled for traveling, and right after that, he ended up flattening Ouzumi. While Sakuragi was lost in his own world—that's when Rukawa had a lightbulb moment. With a sly smirk, he gave Sakuragi a hard kick in the rear to snap him back to the land of the living!

Rukawa: "Wake the hell up, you numbskull! You're panicking like a fool!" He hollered.

Sakuragi, never one to back down from a challenge, shot up like a rocket and pointed an accusing finger at Rukawa's chest.

Sakuragi: "Rukawa! Say that again! Who's scared? What the heck do you mean by that? Are you calling me a chicken? Is that what you're saying?!"

Rukawa: "Hell yeah," he retorted. And just like that, they started throwing punches, going at it like a couple of wild beasts on the court.

As the rookies kept up their playful tussle, Sendoh couldn't stifle a laugh at their antics. He thought Rukawa was just a bothersome guy trying to seduce him, but now he started to notice all the hilarious quirks the rookie had.

Sendoh: "Man, you look so adorable when you're angry," he thought, snickering to himself.

Lost in his daydreams, those weird feelings started bubbling up again as he kept sneaking glances at Rukawa.

Sendoh: "No way! I must avoid him! I will not let myself look!" He squealed to himself while squishing his cheeks together.

As the clock ticked down, Sendoh was on fire, racking up jaw-dropping 18 points! With just five minutes left, he was feeling invincible, convinced Rukawa couldn't possibly catch up. But deep down, he knew Rukawa was a fighter who wouldn't back down easily. Fueled by the desire to win, Sendoh pushed himself even harder, flying down the court and nailing shot after shot. But as he landed, a nagging thought hit him.

Sendoh: "Rukawa?"

Sendoh's heart sank, finding Rukawa sprawled on the floor, battling some serious cramps. Panic gripped him as he rushed to check on his condition. He felt he was the one to blame for pushing Rukawa too hard.

Rukawa: "No substitutions," he informed the game official.

Sendoh felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders when he saw Rukawa get up from the floor as if nothing had happened. With Rukawa taking a breather on the bench, it's time for Sendoh to seize the moment and unleash his beast mode once more. He could play again without feeling clumsy—no more awkward twists or freak-outs. But deep down, he sensed a gap, like something just wasn't clicking. As the clock ticked away, he caught himself casting dreamy looks at the Shohoku bench, yearning for someone elusive that just out of reach.

Sendoh: "Why is he ignoring me? Will he ever come back?" He fretted to himself.

Sendoh's brain was doing somersaults, jittery and messing with his game. He glanced at the scoreboard, and he noticed the scores were tied. Out of nowhere, a lightbulb went off in his head! He figured if he could rack up a big lead on Shohoku, Coach Anzai would have no choice but to bring Rukawa back into the game!

Sendoh's offensive prowess motivated his team as he effortlessly sank shots left and right, skillfully bypassing Sakuragi's strong defense. Fueled by killer plays from his teammates, he regained his momentum in the game. He deliberately stretched that score gap to bring his seductive guy back—I mean, his rival back into the game!

Sendoh: "I've missed you," he murmured softly.

Rukawa was rooted to the spot, completely hypnotized by Sendoh's gaze sparkled with an innocent charm. To top it off, that deep, raspy voice sounds so lovely to his ears.

Rukawa: "What's this guy playing at now?"

Rukawa smacked his cheeks hard, desperate to clear his head. He brushed off Sendoh's antics, thinking that this guy was just started to piss him off again.

Rukawa: "Jerk."

Sendoh: "Hahaha!" He burst into laughter as he imagined Rukawa as a grumpy old man trapped inside his body and a fluffy kitten letting out a roar when he's mad.

With the game in full swing, Sendoh intercepts his teammate's pass and sprints towards the basket with lightning speed. Just as he's ready to take his shot, his eyes nearly pop out when he found Rukawa and Sakuragi tag-teaming against him. He doesn't see that coming, but he's hyped and ready to take on the double team.

Sendoh: "Ayo, get ready for this!"

Sendoh's lips curl into a wide, joyful smile as he savors the sight of the two rookies clinging to his every move. Even his coach and the audience watching can't help but feel a little worried about the slick tactics of the Shohoku team. But for Sendoh, this is straight-up exhilaration and a challenge.

Sakuragi: "Stay out of my way, Rukawa!" He arrogantly commanded.

Rukawa: "And while you're at it, spare me your gaze, rookie!" He shot back.

Meanwhile, Sakuragi is fuming because he's stuck facing Sendoh alongside Rukawa, but what really grinds his gears is that his basketball rival seems to be completely fixated only on his teammate.

Sakuragi: "Hey, Sendoh! Why the hell are you only payin' attention to him? I'm the one you should be focusin' on, ya know!"

Rukawa shot his teammate a fierce look, clearly fed up with his chatter. Little did they realize, while the two of them were busy bickering, Sendoh had managed to slip away from their tight defense and effortlessly scored.

Sendoh: "Hey Rukawa, you know what's worse than facin' a double team?" he teased softly.

Rukawa: "What? Facin' a triple team?" He shot back, his eyes narrowing slightly, clearly annoyed.

Sendoh: "No, facin' your ego. But don't worry. I'm not interested in anyone else. I'm a one-man kind of guy, and you're the lucky one." He flashed a sweet smile and threw in a cheeky wink.

Rukawa was getting fed up again as Sendoh started acting all strange again. He was expecting a chuckle from this guy, but it never came. His mind was all over the place, and it's making him go crazy. If he didn't put a stop to this nonsense, he feared he'd lose his focus completely. He marched over to Sendoh, ready to put an end to the chatter.

Rukawa: "Stop buggin' me, idiot! You are tryin' to throw me off my game, or what?!"

Sendoh: "Absolutely not! I could never, ever even think about doin' somethin' like that to you, you know? It's totally true," was his sincere reply.

Rukawa's cheeks transformed into freaking tomatoes as he was still digesting Sendoh's words. Was it the way this guy's gaze was glued to him, or was it the softness of his voice? He couldn't be sure, but there was something about the way this guy was looking at him that was enchanting, like they were the only two people in the entire gymnasium, and the rest of the world had just hit the mute button!

Sakuragi: "Wait a minute! Sendoh! Why aren't you guardin' me?! Scared of my awesomeness?"

Sendoh: "Dude, I can't guard for two people at once," he said in a quick response.

Sakuragi squinted and cooked up a clever comeback for this ridiculous situation.

Sakuragi: "You were glued to Rukawa before, and now you're guardin' him again? Why? Do you have a crush on him?!"

The two ace players quickly spun their heads right at Sakuragi, their faces turning red in shock!

Sendoh: "Am I being too obvious?" he thought to himself as Sakuragi hit a bullseye right in his feels.

Rukawa's intense gaze bore into his teammate, attempting to silence Sakuragi with a menacing glare.

Rukawa: "Zip it, you fool!"

Sendoh found himself captivated by Rukawa's fierce visage once more. When did those piercing eyes turn into such a tantalizing force, so electric, enhancing this guy's charm even more? Lost in a trance, his hand reached out toward Rukawa's face, longing to experience his warmth—so rugged, so irresistible.

Rukawa: "What's this idiot up to now?"

Rukawa was completely still, caught in the spell of Sendoh's enchanting stare. His face was burning up as Sendoh's fingers brushed against him. At first, he believed this guy was the one being odd, but then it struck him—he was the one acting all weird! He couldn't move an inch, totally spellbound as Sendoh's face drew closer and closer.

*Phwwwwwhht*

They both jumped in shock when the referee blew the whistle. Sendoh snapped back to reality, suddenly aware of his earlier actions! He hurried after Rukawa, but his heart dropped when he saw Rukawa deliberately turning away—his eyes averted, almost like he was trying to steer clear of him for good.

Sendoh: "Hey, I-I didn't mean to..." he stuttered, lagging behind Rukawa.

Rukawa: "Quit messing with me, you fool!"

Sendoh was surprised to see just how angry Rukawa looked. He made another attempt to close the gap, but Rukawa maintained his distance, not letting him get any closer.

Sendoh: "I'm not messin' with you! Why would I do that?"

Rukawa: "Because you're tryin' to throw me off my game!"

Sendoh: "No, not like that!"

Rukawa: "Then why do you keep touchin' me?"

Sendoh was completely thrown off, his mind racing with confusion. He just stared at Rukawa's back, struggling to pull himself together and find the right words.

Sendoh: "I'm sorry..." he murmured.

A tightness gripped Sendoh's chest, worried that Rukawa might hold a grudge against him forever. He was also puzzled by his own feelings. At first, he thought Rukawa was trying to get his attention, but it turned out he was the one drawn to Rukawa.

The game is hanging by a thread, and everyone was on the edge of their seats with the two teams locked in a fierce battle. Rukawa seized the moment, snatching the ball and quickly dishing it out to Sakuragi. As Sakuragi lined up for the shot, a spark of hope lit up the Shohoku fans. But just as quickly, their excitement faded when Sendoh pulled off a daring double-clutch layup, draining the clock down to its final tick! The crowd held their breath as the ball sailed through the air. Ryonan fans exploded with joy as it swished perfectly through the net! Sendoh had done it. He had secured the game-winning shot, leading the Ryonan team to victory.

---

Sendoh observed the whole team celebrating their hard-earned victory. He felt a weight lift off his shoulders after scoring the final point. It was surprising to think they had come so close to losing against a team that hadn't even cracked the top ranks in the district. As he wrapped up getting ready, his thoughts drifted back to Rukawa.

Sendoh: "Hmm, I wonder if he's alright?"

Sendoh's eyes sparkled with excitement when he spotted Hikoichi strolling by. A light bulb flickered in his head, making him eager to learn more about the rookie.

Sendoh: "Hey Hikoichi, any news on Kaede Rukawa's status?"

Hikoichi: "Sendoh! He's just as dope as you! His overall score was..." He quickly taps away on his gadget, hunting for the data.

Sendoh: "Nah, nah, nah! I mean, is he available or off the market?"

Hikoichi: "I don't have any info on Shohoku players' dating status! But for you, Sendoh, I'll look into it! I'll be right back!"

As the Shohoku team gathered outside the gym for their final farewell, they all stood together, but Sendoh couldn't help but feel fidgety and jittery. He paced back and forth by the exit door, trying to figure out how to approach Rukawa before they parted ways. How he wished he could just muster up the courage! He pondered countless ways to strike up a conversation, but each one seemed impossible. Maybe he could talk to him after the game? Or perhaps he could ask one of their teammates to pass along a message? But no, those ideas didn't feel right. He even considered accidentally bumping into him, but deep down, he knew it wouldn't work.

At the very end of the team line, he spotted Rukawa making an exit from the gym. With a frantic yank, he wrestled with the hem of his white shirt and raked his fingers through his hair, ensuring not a single strand dared to invade his face. He gave his chest a little tap, as if trying to shoo away the wild thumping of his heart while the Shohoku team sauntered closer. Seriously, he had ever felt this bashful around a guy before! After 17 years of existence, here he was, feeling all sorts of butterflies and fireworks for someone.

Koshino: "If you hadn't taken your eyes away from him, I'd say you had a crush on him."

Sendoh's face scrunched up and his lip curled ever so slightly as he began to feel a tad uneasy with his friend's playful banter.

Sendoh: "We're both men, you know. Why are you lookin' at me as if I'm secretly planning somethin' against him?"

Koshino, with a curious sparkle in his eyes, playfully folded his arms and pondered.

Koshino: "Why are you staring at him all the time?"

Sendoh: "He just has this... unique vibe," he stammered, trying to dodge Koshino's suspicious stare.

Koshino: "Oh, c'mon! You're just playin' coy. You want his number, don't you?"

Sendoh: "Hey! I'm not like that! Why would I need to when Hikoichi is right there to do the dirty work for me?" he protested, blushing like a shy kid.

Right after stepping out of the gym, Rukawa's eyes blazed with fury, still reeling from that tough loss. It was only now that the sting of that defeat hit him, like a bitter reminder of being outplayed and feeling small in front of the rival. He's determined not to let it happen again. He's set on proving his worth to himself and is ready to take down the one who made him feel so weak.

Koshino: "Sendoh! Look who's here!"

Sendoh: "Kosh, seriously? Keep it down!"

Koshino: "He's coming! He's coming! Quick! Do you need some face powder or lip balm? How about some breath mints? What's the game plan here?" He joked, acting like a chicken with its head cut off.

Sendoh: "Kosh, you're not helping! I need a plan, not a panic attack!" He shouted, feeling his stress levels rise faster.

Rukawa caught sight of Sendoh, who was all smiles and stretching out his hand for a shake. A wave of rage hit him hard, as he just couldn't handle the thought that someone could outshine him on the basketball court. As he approached, he slapped Sendoh's hand with a forceful thud, making it clear this was more than just a greeting—it was a challenge.

Koshino: "What in the world just happened?! That was a rejection on a silver platter!"

Sendoh: "Hmph! Just wait, I'll show him who's really in charge!" He pouted, his lips forming a perfect sulk.

Koshino: "Oh, is that so? Planning to assert your dominance in your bedroom?"

Sendoh: "I don't have a crush on him! Do I need to shout it from the rooftops again?"

Sendoh walked away, a heavy heart weighing him down, feeling the sting of Rukawa's cold shoulder. The kid was tough, but Sendoh knew deep down that the loss had cut him deep. Just as he was about to slip into the locker room, a flicker of hope sparked in his chest when he spotted Hikoichi making his way over.

Hikoichi: "Sendoh! He's single! Sure, he's got a bunch of girls buzzing around him at school, but ain't no proof he's ever taken one out for a date!"

Koshino: "Who are you rambling about?" He shot back, curiosity lighting up his tone.

Hikoichi: "The hotshot rookie of Shohoku! Sendoh's dying to know if he's dating...!"

Panicking, Sendoh quickly clamped his hand over Hikoichi's mouth, stopping him from spilling the beans to Koshino.

Sendoh: "Hikoichi, man, I owe you big time for this. Can you shoot all that info to my phone? Appreciate it! Oh, I think Coach was on the hunt for you earlier," he squeaked, feeling the sweat trickle down his brow.

Hikoichi: "No problem at all! I'm thrilled to help you out, Sendoh! I'll dash off to find Coach right now!"

Sendoh breathed a sigh of relief as Hikoichi dashed off to find their coach. A warm glow of satisfaction filled him, knowing he had some juicy tidbits about Rukawa tucked away. Just as he was daydreaming about it, his friend's booming laughter yanked him back to reality.

Koshino: "Hehehe! Why are you still pretending you don't see the obvious?"

Sendoh: "Oh, come on! It's no big deal to know a bit about our rivals!"

Koshino: "Oh, really? When was the last time you actually bothered to check out the other teams or the players we might run into?"

Sendoh's forehead was practically dripping with sweat as the teasing ramped up.

Sendoh: "Well, I know all about Maki, Fujima, Hanagata, and Akagi. See? It's not just Rukawa I'm aware of. I've got my eyes on all the talented players in this area."

Koshino: "Oh, really? When's Maki's birthday?"

Sendoh: "Hey! What does their birthday have to do with the game? I already told you! I'm not into Rukawa like that. He's just a good player, and I need to be ready for him."

Koshino: "Is that so? Then what day is Rukawa's birthday?" he asked with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Sendoh: "January 1st." He replied quickly, a giggle escaping him, as if he were showing off a prized possession.

Koshino just gave a little nod, fighting back a chuckle as he caught Sendoh off in La-La Land again.

---

Sendoh was lazily sprawled out on the bed, gazing up at the ceiling. The fatigue from their practice game had finally caught up to him. His body was totally wrecked after going head-to-head with Rukawa and Sakuragi. Out of nowhere, Rukawa popped into his thoughts. The guilt hit him hard when he realized how he had messed things up between them. In a hurry, he grabbed his phone and started searching for Rukawa's social media profiles. His eyes widened when he stumbled upon a ton of accounts with Rukawa's name.

Sendoh: "How am I supposed to figure out which one is actually his?"

Then it hit him—Hikoichi! He quickly checked his messages, and, sure enough, there it was! All the info he needed about Rukawa, including his contact details! He jumped out of bed, excited to reach out and set things straight!

Sendoh: "Hey there!" He beamed as he tapped out his message, but in a flash, he hit delete, worried that Rukawa might just brush it off.

Sendoh: "Evenin', Rukawa! It's Sendoh, the guy you faced off against earlier." He scratched his head, wondering if this would catch Rukawa's attention.

He felt even worse about himself as he remembered the way Rukawa had shot him that looked after the game. He hadn't meant to act like that—he just couldn't help being drawn to him, wanting to stare and even touch him. He looked back at his message and realized that reaching out might just make Rukawa even more upset.

Sendoh: "Rukawa, you still mad at me?" He whispered, struggling to find the right words to say.

He collapsed onto his bed, squishing his cheeks like they were stress balls! He was totally losing it! How could he relax knowing Rukawa hates him? Grabbing his phone, he was dying to rewatch the game they had just played. He flopped back onto the bed, propping himself up against the headboard, and hit the play button. With a quick swipe on his screen, he fast-forwarded past the earlier scenes until he reached the part where the two of them squared off. The moment Rukawa appeared on screen, he found himself completely hypnotized by that charm!

Sendoh: "Wait, what?!"

He was burning up as his boxers were tightening like there's a python wiggling, reacting way too fast just from watching Rukawa! He gave his bulge a cheeky little flick, attempting to control the raging beast beneath. But his manhood had its needs, practically begging for more as it pushed against the material, demanding attention!

Sendoh: "What in the world is happening? Why am I so into this guy?!"

He tossed and turned on the bed, unable to handle his chaotic feelings anymore. He was the ultimate heartthrob, the guy every girl swooned over, the one all the guys envied, the one everyone looked up to! But all that glory vanished the moment Rukawa showed up!

Sendoh: "No way! I'm a man—a ruggedly handsome man! Nobody's taking that title away from me!"

Suddenly, like a lightning bolt of genius, an idea struck him on how to tackle his dilemma! He was gonna show Rukawa exactly what he's made of! There was no way a freshman—a boy—was gonna turn him into something he wasn't!

Sendoh: "Brace yourself, Rukawa! I'm coming for you! I'll prove I'm the manliest man in the court!"

---

Rukawa: "I'm gonna take you down! I'm gonna take you down! I'm gonna take you down!"

Rukawa just couldn't get that speech out of his head all night—replaying over and over like a catchy tune from the moment he got home until the sun came up. That went on and on in his head, like a stuck record. He'd gone toe-to-toe with plenty of hotshots back in middle school, but this was the first time someone made him feel like a rookie, showing him there's always someone out there who's just flat-out better.

Rukawa: "I can't stand you! I really can't!"

Sure, he loathed the guy, but there was more to it than just hate. It wasn't just about feeling weak on the court—this guy had struck a chord within him that made him feel all kinds of powerless inside.

Sendoh: "I'm not interested in anyone else. I'm a one-man kind of guy, and you're the lucky one."

Rukawa's jaw was nearly locked in frustration as he recalled all the tease Sendoh had thrown at him!

Rukawa: "Just zip it, you goofy pineapple!"

He had only poked fun at Sendoh to keep that pesky distraction off his game. But when Sendoh flipped the script and started teasing him back, he just couldn't handle it! His eyes go all big and round as he squishes his face against the bathroom mirror, totally baffled by why he's so bothered and can't get over that silly rival of his.

Rukawa: "Ugh, I'm just so hungry. Stupid me," he mumbled.

As he shuffled his way to the convenience store, his mind wandered back to that practice game—they were almost there, so close to victory, but then Sendoh swooped in and scored at the last second. Sure, he played well, but Sendoh was just on another level! His jaw clenched tighter at the thought of that guy popping back into his head again!

Rukawa: "I hate you! I hate you!" he yelled at himself as Sendoh's face invaded his thoughts yet again.

As he stepped inside, his gaze immediately searched for the coffee maker. He stood there, knowing that a hot cup of black coffee was just what he needed to kickstart his brain and loosen up his joints. Tapping his fingers on the counter, he waited for that liquid black to fill up, stealing glances at the TV in the corner. When the cup was ready, he leaned against the counter, savoring a sip while his eyes were glued to the screen.

"Struggling to fall asleep? Waking up with thoughts of him first thing in the morning? Looks like someone's head over heels in love!"

Rukawa suddenly felt a lump in his throat, and to top it off, he accidentally sprayed coffee everywhere. Annoyed, he wiped his chin and slammed his cup down on the table. He shot a furious look at the TV, still struggling to believe what he had just heard.

Stranger: "What the heck, dude?!"

Rukawa was taken aback to notice a guy sitting in the corner, clearly annoyed. He let out a bored sigh, watching the dude grumble while trying to clean his coffee-stained shirt. He simply shrugged off what he just did and started to walk away.

Stranger: "Hey, you gonna apologize or what? My shirt's wet! Show some respect, man!"

Feeling a bit annoyed, Rukawa glanced back at the guy, who was clearly fed up with his messy situation.

Rukawa: "Whatever," he muttered, heading for the exit.

Rukawa sauntered out of the convenience store, his mind all tangled up with that bizarre commercial messing with his sleep-deprived brain. He kept his gaze glued to the pavement as he headed to the public court, ball gripped tight in his hands. Mumble, mumble, he went, lost in his own world, totally oblivious to what was going on around him.

Rukawa: "I can't forget that guy, 'cause I can't stand him! I really can't stand him!"

He was so caught up in his own thoughts that he didn't even realize he had collided with a guy right in front of him.

Stranger: "Hey, looks like we still got some cleanin' up to do, don't ya think?"

Rukawa let out a lazy huff, his eyes landing on the dude in front of him—the same dude he had clumsily drenched with coffee earlier.

Rukawa: "Great, just what I needed," he muttered.

Rukawa walked past right by the guy, completely unbothered, aware that today wasn't the day for a brawl. His thoughts were all over the place. All he really wanted for today was a delicious breakfast, a good nap, and to take down Sendoh.

Stranger: "Hold up! You still owe me for this! Swap out this shirt of mine that you messed up," he demanded as he tugged at the fabric.

Rukawa didn't want to waste any time negotiating. He fished out a spare black shirt from his bag and tossed it over to the stranger.

Stranger: "Thanks."

Rukawa caught sight of that stranger's cocky smirk, but he didn't strike him as someone who sought trouble. They were roughly the same height, although the stranger sported a slick black buzzcut and had warm brown eyes.

Stranger: "Are you into basketball too?"

Rukawa: "Nah," he replied nonchalantly as he strolled off.

Stranger: "If you're not playing, why are you carrying that ball?"

Rukawa's veins throb with irritation as he realizes the stranger keeps chatting him up more and more.

Rukawa: "I'm gonna eat this ball. Hmph!"

---

The moment had finally arrived as Sendoh strutted into Shohoku, oozing an unshakeable confidence, dripping with manly charm, and flexing his incredible strength! He was on a mission to take Rukawa on in a one-on-one showdown. His eyes scanned the area, fueled by intel from Hikoichi, who tipped him off that Rukawa often hung out at a local court!

Sendoh: "Gotcha!"

A cheeky grin spread across his face when he spotted the court that matched the description in his hands! He dashed over, excitement bubbling inside him! Just as he got close, the rhythmic sound of a bouncing ball reached his ears! Bingo! Rukawa was right there! As he stepped onto the court, he brought along that irresistible confidence, manly charisma, and extraordinary strength!

Sendoh: "What the actual heck?!"

He froze in place, eyes wide, as he took in the sight of Rukawa, shirtless, his pale skin glistening with sweat, displaying those chiseled abs. He gulped like he was trying to swallow a bowling ball, unable to tear his eyes away, practically smelling the sweat and wanting to get closer! He freaked out even more when Rukawa sprinted toward him.

BLAAAGH!

And just like that, Sendoh was jolted back to reality when a ball smacked him right in the forehead.

Rukawa: "What the heck are you still standing over there?!"

Sendoh's eyes darted away, feeling the heat rising in his cheeks, especially with Rukawa looking like a snack in those shorts. His gaze slowly drifted down, down, down, until he was staring right at Rukawa's, uh, "area."

Sendoh: "Holy guacamole! Why are those shorts so snug?!" he shrieked internally, slamming his eyelids shut tight.

Rukawa: "Hey! I've been calling you! Why are you just standing there like a statue?!"

Sendoh: "Uh, I'm just, you know, still waking up!" He blurted out, stretching like a lazy cat and pretending to yawn.

Rukawa: "What are you even doing here?"

Panic set in for Sendoh! He needed a foolproof excuse to keep Rukawa from sniffing out his real intentions.

Sendoh: "Well, I thought it'd be fun to challenge you to a one-on-one match!" he declared, trying to sound all cool and collected.

Sendoh snagged the ball that tossed it his way. As they settled in the center, he couldn't help but squirm at the sight before him—the sweat trickling down Rukawa's neck, his chest heaving with each breath, those chiseled abs on full display, and the bulge in his shorts! He straightened up, mentally kicking himself for getting so distracted!

Sendoh: "Rukawa, for the love of all that is holy, put on a shirt before I lose my mind!"

Rukawa: "My shirt is already a soggy mess," he said, gesturing to his drenched clothes draped over the bench like sad little flags.

Sendoh: "Are you seriously telling me you can't wear that?" he asked, a hint of panic creeping into his voice.

Rukawa: "It's soaked!" he shot back, sounding like a bit annoyed.

Sendoh: "Ain't you got any spare shirts?" he pressed, feeling the nerves kick in.

Rukawa: "Nope!" He snapped, clearly losing his patience.

In a flash, Sendoh dashed to his duffel bag and flung his spare shirt at Rukawa. Thank goodness he had an extra! Otherwise, he might have collapsed right there from the sight of Rukawa's glorious, shirtless self!

Sendoh: "Please, for the love of basketball, put on some clothes!" he pleaded, his voice shrinking with each passing second.

The game has started. It's a deadlock. Neither side is pulling ahead. They're just trading points back and forth. Every time one scores, the other responds right away with a point of their own. Sendoh had mad respect for Rukawa, not just 'cause this guy was all about that victory life, but 'cause he got that basketball ain't just about racking up points. He was blown away by how slick Rukawa was in one-on-one matchups, like he was made for that action. As the game progressed, Sendoh's mind wandered, playfully pondering what other types of one-on-one scenarios Rukawa might excel in.

Rukawa: "Are you exhausted or what?!"

Sendoh was surprised to see Rukawa clutching the ball tightly between his palms, fixing a disappointed gaze on him.

Rukawa: "Screw this! Let's just stop this!"

Sendoh: "Uh, no!"

Sendoh started to panic as he saw Rukawa rushing toward the bench. He took off after him, sprinting with all his might. When he finally caught up, he threw his hand over Rukawa's shoulder, desperately trying to keep him from walking away.

Sendoh: "Shit!"

Sendoh went stone cold, like he just touched a live wire, when he realized he was touching Rukawa. He started to freak out when Rukawa turned around. He slammed his eyes shut, shoulders all knotted up, ready to accept the punch.

Sendoh: "Don't go just yet! I'm pumped to hang out and play with you. You didn't even notice my new haircut."

Sendoh rubbed the back of his head, looking all kinds of sheepish, realizing he was in a bit of a pickle. Just a moment ago, he was all pumped up, ready to flex his rugged charm and strength to take down Rukawa. He's finally figured it out—it wasn't Rukawa who was causing the changes within him—it was actually himself who was the real issue all along.

Rukawa: "You look—good."

Sendoh was straight-up frozen, like he got hit with a freeze ray, just standing there all dazed! He never thought that Rukawa, the king of grumps, would actually compliment him! Without even thinking, Sendoh pulled Rukawa into the tightest, warmest hug ever, like he was trying to squeeze all the happiness out of him! The joy bubbling up inside him was off the charts—nothing could beat it, not even hitting the jackpot or snagging that shiny championship trophy. What's with all the ladies swooning and drooling over him when, in Rukawa's eyes, he has already won?

Rukawa: "Hey! Sendoh!"

Sendoh snapped back to reality when a sharp pinch on his side jolted him! Still a bit dazed, he rubbed the sore spot, trying to shake off the moment.

Sendoh: "Ah! That hurts!"

Rukawa: "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Sendoh's jaw hit the floor when he noticed Rukawa's face turning a shade of red that could rival a tomato, his eyes darting away. And the real kicker? He realized his hands were still wrapped around Rukawa.

Sendoh: "Oh crap! Rukawa! I'm so sorry!" He blurted out in a panic as he quickly let Rukawa break free from the hug.

Sendoh was totally freaking out again! He just couldn't control himself when it came to Rukawa. Honestly, what Rukawa said wasn't exactly Shakespeare. Still, that compliment really hit him right in the heart.

Sendoh: "Rukawa, I didn't mean to! Are you mad at me?" he murmured softly.

Rukawa: "You idiot! Is this how you always are? Do you have a thing for getting all touchy with your rivals?"

Sendoh: "What? How can you even say that to me?"

Rukawa: "How can I not? You just yanked me in for a hug!"

Sendoh hung his head low, feeling like a total loser as he watched Rukawa strut back to the bench. He was so frustrated with himself. It was like every move he made around Rukawa was a total flop, leaving him feeling all kinds of embarrassed. With a heavy sigh, he shuffled over to his bag, ready to leave before Rukawa's temper flared up even more.

Rukawa: "Hey, where you think you're off to?"

Sendoh: "I'm heading home," he replied, his voice tinged with sadness.

As he reached for his water tumbler to stow it away, he was startled when an orange ball suddenly blocked his view.

Rukawa: "Our game ain't over yet, got it?"

A spark ignited in Sendoh's eyes as he saw Rukawa standing beside him, urging him to keep playing.

Sendoh: "Yeah, you got that right," he said, a grin spreading across his face as he followed Rukawa back to the court.

In that moment, a sense of lightness filled Sendoh's heart. Rukawa hadn't made a fuss about the earlier incident, and that realization lifted his spirits. As he got into position for the next play, he vowed to himself that he would always give Rukawa a match to remember.

As the clock ticked down in the game, Sendoh felt a heavy tug in his heart, aching at the thought of having to leave soon. As the game continued, his eyes were drawn to his opponent, and he found himself staring longer than he should have. He wished they were in the same school, dreaming of their houses being side by side, so he could sneak peeks at him more often.

As the score hung in the balance, the ball nestled securely in Sendoh's grip. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead as he observed the rookie's defense, searching for the slightest weakness. His eyes flicked left, just a little fake-out, while his body slyly shifted to the right, pulling off a slick move. With lightning speed, he dashed towards the 3-point line. And with a clean swish, it dropped right through the hoop. Sendoh came out on top in the game. His triumph secured by the narrowest of margins—a one-point lead. They both collapsed onto the bench, their chests heaving with exhaustion. A hush fell over them as they waited for someone to break the spell.

Sendoh: "Nice game!"

Rukawa: "Thanks."

Sendoh wasn't ready to say goodbye just yet. He couldn't help but sneak a look at Rukawa, his gaze lingering a little longer than intended. If only he had the courage to invite Rukawa over to his place! As he was getting dressed, a smile crept onto his face as he remembered how ridiculous he looked when he hugged Rukawa. And the highlight of the day? Rukawa actually said he looked good!

Rukawa: "Maybe your girlfriend's waiting for you." He sounded a bit bored, but there was a hint of annoyance in his tone.

Sendoh's eyebrows shot up in surprise as he heard what appeared to be a playful remark from the grumpy guy.

Sendoh: "I'm not dating anyone! And what about you? Is your special someone okay with you being out so late?"

Rukawa: "Nah, I don't just have one. I've got a whole bunch."

Sendoh frowned, finding it hard to believe that someone like Rukawa would be involved with more than one girl.

Sendoh: "Oh, really? How many are we talking about here?!"

Rukawa: "Why don't you try counting them if you're brave enough?" His got his finger on lock, pointing at their backs.

Sendoh's jaw dropped when he spotted a whole squad of girls with pompoms, proudly displaying letters that spelled out Rukawa's name on the other side of the fence.

Sendoh: "Hahaha! But seriously, why aren't you dating anyone?"

Rukawa: "I don't have time for that. It's just a hassle. By the way, why aren't you seeing anyone?" he said while shoving his stuff into his bag.

A delightful grin of triumph spread across Sendoh's face as he realized Rukawa wasn't the least bit interested in dating.

Sendoh: "I've got my eye on someone special, but he thinks dating is a hassle. Next time, I'll let him know I'm not a bother at all. Just in case he changes his mind, you know?" He said it all cool, but his lips were pressed tight to keep from bursting into laughter.

Rukawa: "Don't mess with me, pineapple head!"

Sendoh: "Hahahahaha!" He hurriedly stuffed his things into his bag, too nervous to even zip it properly.

When they stepped out of the court, Sendoh was all fidgety, struggling to find the right words to ask Rukawa out for lunch. His eyes darted back and forth, nerves were creeping in, making him worry about embarrassing himself again or tripping over his words.

Sendoh: "Rukawa, uh, how 'bout we grab some lunch? You in?"

Rukawa: "Sure."

Boom! Sendoh's face lit up like a Christmas tree! He was over the moon that Rukawa said yes, but then—oh boy—what was he gonna say next?

Sendoh: "Uh, got any favorite spots around here for lunch?"

Rukawa: "Every place here serves good food."

Sendoh raised an eyebrow, wondering why Rukawa's answers feel like trying to solve a Rubik's cube blindfolded. He scratched his head, utterly baffled as to why he was so drawn to this guy.

Rukawa: "Let's eat here."

Sendoh let out a sigh of relief that Rukawa actually picked a place! But as they walked in, it felt like they were on a stage with all eyes glued to them. He was ready to throw a tantrum, especially when he spotted some ladies practically drooling over them.

Sendoh: "Let's sit in the corner," he whispered, leading Rukawa to the coziest nook in the restaurant.

With his chin resting on his palm, Sendoh watched Rukawa chat with the waiter. Hanging out with someone other than his teammates was a fresh vibe, and he was all in for more Rukawa time!

Waiter: "Excuse me, gentlemen, but some of the customers left these for you."

Sendoh's annoyance skyrocketed when he saw a pile of notes with phone numbers and QR codes from other customers. Panic mode activated when he noticed Rukawa was about to scan one of those codes!

Sendoh: "Whoa! Don't scan that!"

Rukawa: "Why not?"

Sendoh: "Can't you see? Those are love notes from your fans!"

Rukawa: "I thought it was a free coupon."

Sendoh was spiraling into a full-blown panic attack when he caught a glimpse of Rukawa's adorably clueless face. His heart raced with a cocktail of dread and horror as he imagined the unthinkable: Rukawa, the ice prince, dishing out compliments like candy to strangers! The very thought of Rukawa giving anyone else the time of day made Sendoh's brain do backflips. And don't even get him started on the idea of other people touching Rukawa! No way!

His gaze darted around the room, as if searching for a target. Every person who glanced their way felt like a threat. The panic escalated when he spotted some customers strutting around in short dresses, towering high heels, perfectly manicured nails, and, oh my goodness, gigantic… assets! Sure, he couldn't deny they were eye-catching, but why on earth was he suddenly terrified of them? In a moment of sheer desperation, he snatched up all the notes on the table and tossed it onto the flaming coals in the center like it was some sort of bizarre offering to the panic gods.

Rukawa: "What's goin' on here?"

Sendoh: "You still wonderin'? You wanna hit them up or somethin'?"

Rukawa: "Nah."

Sendoh: "Phew, that's a relief."

While they were quietly savoring their food, Sendoh suddenly realized something about himself—being attracted to a guy doesn't mean he's weak. He is a total heartthrob, the type that makes girls go weak in the knees, guys feel jealous, and everyone else admires him. But he figured out that he shouldn't let other people's expectations hold him back. Instead, he should go after what genuinely brings him joy, living life on his own terms and following his heart.

Sendoh: "Rukawa, can I totally come over and chill with you? We should totally play some one-on-one, maybe every weekend or even all the time! We could go anywhere, just you and me. Like, is that even possible?"

Sendoh looked all cool and collected, but deep down, his hand trembled under the table. The nerves kicked in even more when he noticed Rukawa's expression was as blank as ever, showing no interest in his favor.

Sendoh: "Rukawa..."

Rukawa: "I'm on the court at 6 am every weekend."

Sendoh bit his lip, holding back a shout of joy. It felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest. Today, he was grinning like a fool, not caring if he looked ridiculous or mushy—the only thing that mattered was that he felt genuinely happy.

Sendoh: "Thanks..."

---

The clock struck 5:30, and Rukawa was strutting his stuff, lips curled in a frown, feeling a bit miffed as he made his way to the community basketball court.

Rukawa: "What the heck was I thinking, saying I'd be here at 6am?" His nose was twitching in irritation, and worry crept in about Sendoh.

Rukawa: "How could I not realize he'd come from Ryonan?" He scratched his head, kicking himself for mentioning that he and Sendoh would meet up so early.

Stranger: "Hey, man!"

Rukawa: "Hm?"

Stranger: "You again."

Rukawa let out a lazy sigh as he spotted a guy making his way toward him. His gaze sharpened, like he'd seen that buzzcut head somewhere before, but he couldn't remember. With a nonchalant air, he stood up from the bench and strolled past the stranger, not bothering to say a word.

Stranger: "Where are you going? I just got here, and you're already leaving?!"

Rukawa's hand clenched tightly when he noticed the guy tailing him. He wasn't really up for a brawl, but with just a slight nudge, he might find it hard to hold back from throwing a punch.

Rukawa: "I'm leaving because you're here."

As Rukawa headed for the exit, he abruptly spun around when he felt the ball slip from his grip. Anger bubbled up inside him as he spotted the stranger swiping it. He was done playing nice, fists balled up tight, and he stormed over, ready to teach this guy a lesson.

Rukawa: "You got some nerve..."

Just when he was ready to face against him, he came to a screeching halt, totally caught off guard as the guy launched the ball into the air! He thought this clown was just messing around, trying to get under his skin. But then, BAM! The ball swooshed through the hoop! What really blew his mind was when he realized where the guy was positioned. There he was, completely still, trying to wrap his head around how this guy nailed a shot from nearly half-court!

Stranger: "You ain't forgotten me, right?"

Rukawa: "I ain't got a clue who you are."

Stranger: "What?! You were the one who spilled coffee all over me at the store!"

Rukawa: "Do I look like I'm asking?"

Rukawa was on the edge! His patience was shot! He figured that dude's earlier move was just a fluke. In a flash, he charged for the ball, but before he could even lay a finger on it, that guy sidestepped him with a cocky grin. That was it! He was boiling! He went for another steal, but the guy pulled a slick trick, bouncing the ball behind him and snatching it with his left hand!

Stranger: "You wanna go one-on-one?"

Rukawa: "Not a chance!"

Rukawa's eyes were glued to that ball as it bounced in the guy's grip. He was fired up, ready to snatch that ball away and stop him from scoring ever again! Quick, quick, slow, quick—he finally got the rhythm down. Just when he thought he had a chance, the guy tossed the ball high into the air. With a swift flick of his wrist, he sank a three-pointer!

Rukawa: "This guy's no joke," he grumbled under his breath.

Stranger: "You're Rukawa, ain't you?"

Rukawa: "What's with the chatter?"

Stranger: "I'm talkin' about you! Rukawa!"

Rukawa felt his irritation spike now that this guy knew who he was. He clamped his lips tight and focused on defeating this punk who dared to challenge him for a one-on-one! Glancing at the big clock perched on the pole, he was taken aback to see it was already past 6:30 am! He almost lost track of time while messing around with this dude. He peeked over the other fence, but Sendoh was still a no-show.

Rukawa: "Where the heck are you?" he muttered, getting annoyed as he paced, waiting for Sendoh to show up.

Stranger: "Wanna know how I figured out your name?"

Rukawa: "Not my concern!"

Rukawa was absolutely losing it, sick to death of the endless blabber from the dude next to him! He was ready to throw down and wipe the floor with this guy! He charged at him, desperate to steal the ball away! But the dude pivoted, leaving Rukawa in the dust. He tried to dart left and right, but there was no way past that solid defense. When the guy took off, Rukawa thought he finally had an opening to block the shot. But nope! The guy just zoomed straight to the basket and sunk it right through the hoop!

Stranger: "That shirt you tossed me the other day? Your name's on it!"

Rukawa's jaw tightened, realizing he messed up big time by handing that dude his shirt. What really got him fired up was the fact that he hadn't put any points on the board yet, and this guy seemed to be toying with him! He shot another glance at the other side of the court, teeth clenched in frustration. Where the heck was Sendoh? He had to admit, the opponent he was up against now was definitely more skilled, and these are the kind of top-notch players he craved to go toe-to-toe with. But when it came to Sendoh, it was a whole different vibe, a unique thrill that made one-on-one games with him something special.

Stranger: "You waitin' for someone?"

Rukawa: "Mind your business!"

Stranger: "Always sneakin' a peek over that fence, huh?"

Rukawa: "Zip it!"

Amidst all the teasing from the guy, Rukawa seized the moment and snatched the ball! Rukawa was in the zone, feeling the adrenaline rush as he dodged and weaved, but that guy just wouldn't let up! Rukawa took off like a rocket toward the basket! His heart raced, and he soared into the air, ready to slam dunk! But just as he was about to unleash his shot, BAM! The guy swooped in and blocked it before it even had a chance to touch the rim!

Rukawa: "DAMN IT!"

Breathless, he crashed to the floor, shooting daggers with his eyes at the dude who just schooled him in their one-on-one showdown. Frozen in disbelief, he replayed the moment in his mind, trying to figure out where it all went wrong. He was the ace of the team, but against this guy, he felt like a total amateur—like this dude could see every single weakness that he couldn't even see himself!

Stranger: "I took the win."

Rukawa: "For now."

Stranger: "You've got skills, but your head's not in the game."

Rukawa simply rolled his eyes, uninterested in engaging further.

Stranger: "Just keep practicing! Dominate every tournament in this area! When you do, we'll definitely cross paths again."

Rukawa felt a chill run down his spine at the man's words—it was a dare, and he wasn't the type to back down.

Rukawa: "What's your name?"

A cocky grin spread across the stranger's face, clearly enjoying the fact that he had caught Rukawa's attention. He picked up the ball from the ground and stepped closer to Rukawa.

Stranger: "Just call me Eiji for now."

---

Staring off into the distance, Sendoh stood there, leaning against the fence of the community court, watching the game before him. He was once again confused about himself—those chaotic feelings bubbling up, threatening to spill over. Rukawa was so close, yet it felt like he was still out of reach. Rukawa was just chatting it up with some guy, but all Sendoh could feel was his heart shattering piece by piece. He knew something was seriously off, and it was only getting worse with each passing day.

Sendoh: "Is he ever gonna wanna play with me again?"

He watched the entire one-on-one match from start to finish. The intensity of the game was like a punch to the gut, leaving him questioning if he even had the guts to face Rukawa anymore. That kid thrived on competition, feeding off the energy of his opponents. And that semi-bald dude? He was good—really good. So, he just hung back by the fence, sulking and kicking himself.

Sendoh: "Probably not."

There's something off about him—a heaviness in his chest that's hard to shake. It's funny how a simple sight of Rukawa chatting with someone else, even just for a brief moment, could hit him so hard. That fleeting moment felt like a dagger. Rukawa's attention was so rare, and the thought of it being shared with someone else was unbearable. A one-on-one game should be just that—nothing more than a contest of skill, no strings attached, just pure sport. Yet, watching Rukawa face off against another player cuts deeper than any physical pain, leaving him with a weight that's hard to carry.

Rukawa: "Sendoh?"

When Sendoh heard that voice he recognized, he kind of zoned out for a moment. Feeling a bit let down, he reluctantly turned around and put on a smile.

Sendoh: "What's up?"

He let out a little snicker when he caught sight of Rukawa's signature look again—eyes squinted, all bored and stuff. He just stood there, tongue-tied, waiting for Rukawa to drop some words. Time ticked by, but Rukawa was still as chatty as a rock. He scratched his head, remembering that this guy wasn't the typical loudmouth. The awkwardness was thicker, and someone had to break the ice!

Sendoh: "Need anything?"

His eyes nearly popped out when he noticed the veins bulging on the side of Rukawa's head.

Sendoh: "Why are you mad?" he squeaked out, a bit nervous.

To his utter shock, Rukawa suddenly turned on his heel and bolted away. He was rooted to the spot, watching Rukawa sprint back to the court.

Sendoh: "Maybe this is for the best. I ain't gonna get my hopes up."

With a heavy sigh, he trudged back to the train station. Avoiding Rukawa was tough, but getting closer would only bring him more pain. He felt like a coward, too scared to take the risk of forming a deeper bond, fearing the hurt that might follow.

Sendoh: "I'm gonna move on! Hmph!" he declared, throwing a punch at the air.

Upon arriving at the train station, his gaze sharpened at the sight of the buzzcut boy who had been hanging out with Rukawa earlier. An urge surged within him, pushing him to confront this guy, fists ready. But as he got closer, he let out a sigh, realizing this guy was innocent in all of this. He told himself he wasn't Rukawa's boyfriend. Bottom line: he had no reason to be jealous. No right to complain. No right to be mad at anyone getting close to Rukawa!

Sendoh: "Right, I ain't got no claim on Rukawa."

The thought echoed painfully in his mind, weighing heavily on his chest. It hurt like hell. Shaking his head, he tried to shake off the feelings that were weighing him down. He promised himself that once he left Shohoku, he would leave behind all the burdens in his heart, including his feelings for Rukawa.

---

Koshino, sporting a cheeky grin and clutching a square package, stealthily crept into the living room. He was pumped that Sendoh had left his apartment door wide open again! This was the perfect opportunity to poke fun at him, who totally ghosted their practice yesterday!

Sendoh: "WAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Koshino nearly lost his mind when that ear-piercing scream blasted from the bedroom! His face contorted into a frown, already regretting his life choices for barging into Sendoh's chaotic lair.

Koshino: "What the heck is going on now?"

Koshino cautiously approached the bedroom door, straining to listen in. Pressing his ear against the door, he tried to figure out if Sendoh was alone in there.

Sendoh: "Why did you hang out with someone else? WHY?!"

Koshino frowned as Sendoh's dramatic sobs echoed through the apartment. He figured it was time to make a stealthy getaway, tiptoeing, trying not to disturb a giant throwing a tantrum.

Sendoh: "We had a date at 6:00 a.m.! I was there! But then I saw you with someone else?!"

Koshino suddenly froze, struck dumb by the most bizarre thing he'd ever heard.

Koshino: "A date? At 6 a.m.? Who in their right mind sets up a date that early?!"

Sendoh: "WAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Koshino nearly face-planted as Sendoh cranked his wailing up to eleven, clearly not caring about his vocal cords anymore. It was shocking to see his friend in such a pitiful state for the first time.

Sendoh: "Are you into that bald guy?! How could you betray me like this?!"

Koshino clamped his mouth shut, terrified that a loud reaction might slip out! He thought the 6 a.m. date was the weirdest thing ever—only to discover there was something even stranger.

Koshino: "Rukawa likes bald guys? WHAAAT?!" he shouted, feeling like his brain just short-circuited.

Koshino felt like a lightning bolt just zapped through his head, and even his brain cells were throwing up their tiny hands in surrender over the shocking revelation.

Koshino: "So, all these ladies are ready to hand over their souls to Rukawa, and he's into bald dudes? What?!"

Sendoh: "Did you pick him because he's moves better than me?!"

Koshino's face met the floor with a loud thud, teetering on the edge of insanity. The world around him was spinning, and Sendoh's wails of heartbreak were blasting in his ears like a bad pop song on repeat.

Koshino: "The bald guy is better? What moves is he talking about?!"

Koshino pushed himself off the ground, feeling his cheeks heat up as a naughty thought popped into his head.

Sendoh: "Sure, he might be better than me, but I'm still the better-looking one!"

Koshino: "Seriously? What's he blabbering about, saying the bald guy's got better moves? What moves was that?!"

Koshino scratched his head, spiraling into a full-blown freakout as he pictured Rukawa cozying up to a bald guy while Sendoh sobbed dramatically in the background like a soap opera star. After a while, he felt like he'd just dodged a cannonball when the noise finally vanished into thin air. Seriously, he thought his eardrums were about to stage a dramatic exit before he could escape the apartment! As he bent down to grab the package he'd dropped, his brain went into a total fog. Why was Sendoh suddenly turned quiet there? In a panic, he bolted back to the room, fearing Sendoh was about to lose it completely!

Koshino: "Sendoh! What the heck is going on with you?!" he shouted, bursting through the door.

Sendoh: "WAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Koshino nearly jumped out of his shoes when he spotted Sendoh, who looked just as shocked! For a split second, he watched Sendoh zoom around the room like a headless chicken, frantically tidying up before he flopped onto the bed.

Sendoh: "Kosh! Why didn't you give me a heads-up about your visit?!" he squeaked, looking like he'd just run a marathon.

Koshino: "Don't move a muscle!" he yelled, tugging at Sendoh with all his might, trying to sneak a peek at whatever was lurking under the blanket.

Sendoh: "It's nothing! I was just... organizing!" he stuttered, desperately clinging to the bed.

Panting like he'd just sprinted a mile, Koshino finally let go of Sendoh. But then his eyes landed on a crumpled piece of paper on the floor. Curiosity kicked in, and he snatched it up. When he unfolded it, a picture of Rukawa was revealed.

Koshino: "Sendoh, you sneaky little rascal! What's the story behind this?"

His gaze shot back to Sendoh, who was still sprawled on the bed, refusing to move an inch. That's when the lightbulb went off! He yanked the blanket with all his might. Half of it came off, but a lot of Rukawa pictures tumbled out from beneath Sendoh.

Koshino: "Why on earth are there Rukawa pictures all over your bed?!"

He was taken aback when Sendoh lazily plopped down on the bed, head hanging low, avoiding eye contact.

Sendoh: "I'm just..."

Koshino was hit with a wave of sadness as he noticed Sendoh suddenly go quiet, clearly weighed down by whatever was bothering him. He shifted closer, determined to lift his friend's spirits.

Koshino: "How about we grab a drink?"

Seeing Sendoh crack a smile brought a rush of relief. They had been through thick and thin together, but this level of gloom was new for Sendoh. Koshino stayed put, hoping his buddy would eventually open up.

Koshino: "Let me take a wild guess. This is about Rukawa, huh?"

Sendoh: "Are you seriously about to roast me right now? Like, really?"

Koshino: "No! I'm just curious!"

A heavy silence fell over them. Koshino tread carefully with his words, especially with his friend being all sensitive and emotional.

Koshino: "So, you ditched practice yesterday because you were with Rukawa?"

Sendoh: "Yep."

Koshino couldn't help but grin at the bright red flush spreading across Sendoh's cheeks.

Sendoh: "Are you here to poke fun at my crush on Rukawa?"

Koshino: "No way! Just asking, I swear!" He squeaked, his voice hitting a pitch.

Sendoh: "What's that you're holding?"

Koshino's eyes widened as he remembered the prank he had. Panic set in—this was definitely not the moment for a prank on Sendoh!

Koshino: "Oh, this? Just a little something from my mom!"

Cold sweat dripped down Koshino's back as Sendoh's skeptical stare pierced through him, clearly not buying his excuse.

Sendoh: "My name's on it. So, is that actually for me?"

In a fit of panic, Koshino sprang off the bed like a startled cat, desperate to escape before Sendoh uncovered his prank.

Koshino: "Sorry, Sendoh! Gotta dash! Home calls!"

But before Koshino could make his grand escape, Sendoh yanked him back onto the bed. He was starting to tremble! Reality hit him hard—he had made a colossal mistake by coming here!

Koshino: "Sendoh! Don't you dare open it!"

Koshino could practically feel the impending doom as Sendoh grabbed the package. He clamped his mouth shut, freaking out as he braced himself for Sendoh's reaction to the pillow featuring Rukawa's face.

Koshino: "If you get mad, I'll totally own it! I only pulled this prank because Coach Taoka chewed me out when you ghosted practice yesterday!"

Sendoh: "Why on earth should I be mad?"

Koshino was scratching his head, totally baffled by his buddy's unexpected demeanor. He thought for sure Sendoh would be fuming, especially since he was dealing with some serious drama. He squinted at Sendoh, who was staring blankly at Rukawa's face plastered on a pillowcase like it was the Mona Lisa or something.

Koshino: "So, uh, what was with the tears earlier?"

Sendoh: "I was not crying!"

Koshino: "I heard you loud and clear! You were all set for a 6am date, but when you showed up, there was Rukawa with some bald dude!"

Koshino took a step back, not even bothering to finish his thought when he caught the annoyed look on Sendoh's face.

Sendoh: "I've totally moved on."

Koshino shot Sendoh a skeptical look, clearly not buying it.

Koshino: "With how you were crying, I thought a cow was having quadruplets," he teased, sneaking a glance at Sendoh. He nearly jumped out of his skin when Sendoh leaned in, arms outstretched like he was ready to choke him right then and there.

Koshino: "Whoa, Sendoh! Chill! I was just messing around!" he freaks out, darting around the room.

Sendoh: "If that's your idea of a joke, it's not cool! It's super annoying!"

Koshino couldn't help but let out a little chuckle when he spotted Sendoh, perched on the edge of the bed, arms crossed and lips curled up in a frown, looking all kinds of annoyed. He tried every trick from his brain to tease his buddy, but Sendoh's lips were sealed tight about whatever was bothering him.

Koshino: "I'm heading home now," he said, slyly swiping the pillow resting on his chest as he turned away.

Sendoh: "Hey! Why are you taking that? You already gave that to me, remember?"

A goofy grin spread across his face as Sendoh snatched the pillow back, giving him a look as if he'd just committed a heist. To stir the pot even more, he playfully tried to grab it again, but Sendoh clutched it like it was a prized possession.

Sendoh: "Go home! You said you were heading out, right?"

Koshino: "Are you sulking over Rukawa? I'm not giving that back! It'd be a waste if you just tossed it aside!"

Sendoh: "Why would I toss this beauty away?"

Koshino's jaw dropped when he noticed Sendoh's cheeks turning a bright shade of red. Even more shocking was the way Sendoh's expression shifted to that of a bashful schoolgirl, hugging the pillow like it was a teddy bear.

Koshino: "Okay, but don't use that pillow for your silly shenanigans!"

Sendoh: "What kinda nonsense are you spouting?"

Koshino: "Your goofy antics! You know exactly what I mean!"

Sendoh: "Hey! Your mind's in the gutter! Hmph!"

Koshino: "I ain't talkin' dirty here!"

Sendoh: "Hmph!"

---

Sendoh: "Oh no! I overslept again!"

He bolted out of bed, thinking he was late again. Frantically, he searched for his phone, tossing aside blankets and pillows that tumbled to the floor. His face lit up when he spotted the phone next to the side table. But as he grabbed it, a frown crept on his face—something felt off.

Sendoh: "Since when did I have a side table by my bed?"

He shook his head, thinking maybe he was just groggy and seeing things. Just as he was about to unlock the phone, frustration bubbled up. The password he typed in wasn't working! Then it hit him—he wasn't even holding his own phone!

Sendoh: "Whose phone is this?"

He tossed the phone onto the bed like it was hot. With his hands on his hips, he thought maybe he was still dreaming, and all this craziness was just a little shake-up in his sleep. He flopped back onto the bed, snatched the blanket off the floor, and wrapped himself up tight, trying to sleep again.

Sendoh: "Goodnight to me."

A few moments later, his eyes shot open when he noticed the window appeared larger than before. Panic set in as he hopped off the bed. He figured a splash of water on his face would shake off the weirdness. But just as he was about to head to the bathroom, he froze, staring at a massive mirror right in front of him.

Sendoh: "When did I get a mirror there?"

He scooted back until he was perched on the edge of the bed, already freaking out. Something was seriously off in this room. The stuff around him? Totally unfamiliar. The phone, the side table, the bed—none of it was his!

Sendoh: "What the hell am I doing here?"

In a panic, he bolted for the door, but luck was not on his side—it was locked tight. Fear clawed at him, cold sweat trickling down his back as he stood frozen, replaying the last thing he remembered from last night.

Sendoh: "I just downed a bottle of beer, then..."

A flush spreads across his cheeks as he recalls watching their practice game on his phone, clutching a pillow with Rukawa's face plastered on it while sipping on that cold brew. And another thing—he took care of some 'slimey business' before drifting off to sleep. That's all that sticks in his mind before he knocks out. The thought of being kidnapped while he was sleeping really makes him go crazy right now!

Sendoh: "No way! I gotta get outta here!"

He started scanning the room for anything he could use to break that door open. The side table? Empty. He yanked on the closet door, but it was locked too! Desperation kicked in as he dashed to another door, only to find it locked as well.

Sendoh: "This can't be happening! I gotta break free!"

With a heavy sigh, he peeked out the window, and his stomach dropped—he was on the third floor! No options left! The thought of the creep who locked him up finding him sent his heart thumping wild. He gripped the window frame, foot poised to jump, praying he wouldn't end up as a splat on the ground.

Sendoh: "Shit!"

His hair stood on end as he heard the doorknob rattle, signaling the kidnapper was on the way. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself to leap out the window...

Sendoh: "WAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Don't kill me! I'm still young! Got a whole bunch of dreams to chase!" he hollered when he felt a grip on his arms.

Rukawa: "Why would I kill you?"

With his eyes bulging out like saucers and his jaw practically on the floor, he slowly turned his head to confront his captor.

Sendoh: "Rukawa?" he whispered softly.

All of a sudden, it felt like Sendoh was carrying a ton of bricks as he melted into the arms of the guy behind him. His mind was a swirling mess while his head nestled on Rukawa's shoulder, feeling like he was floating on a fluffy cloud, melting into the wet and bare body behind him.

Sendoh: "When my parents, my team, and Coach Taoka come looking for me, just tell them I'm living the good life!" he squeaked, reveling in this bizarre moment of bliss.
Rukawa: "What are you rambling about?"

Sendoh: "Please let my mom know I'll be hanging out here for a few months!"

He couldn't help but chuckle, especially since the kidnapper turned out to be the guy he was head over heels for.

Sendoh: "If I'm being abducted by him, who am I to complain?" he thought, squirming in a whirlwind of thoughts.

Rukawa: "You're kinda heavy."

Sendoh shot up straight, suddenly feeling shy as he realized he'd been leaning on Rukawa for ages. He felt his cheeks heat up when their eyes locked.

Sendoh: "What am I doing here?"

Rukawa: "Blah-blah-blah..."

Rukawa's voice faded into a blur as Sendoh lost himself in a daze, drinking in the sight of Rukawa post-shower, his toned abs glistening, until his gaze dropped to the towel precariously draped around his hips. He gulped hard, quickly shifting his eyes back to Rukawa's face, pretending to hang on to his every word.

Rukawa: "Come on."

Sendoh's eyes nearly popped out as he tried to decipher Rukawa's words.

Sendoh: "Did he say 'cum'? or 'come'?"

Rukawa tugged him to sit on the edge of the bed, holding him still. In a panic, he rubbed his crotch repeatedly, feeling his manhood stirring up trouble again inside his briefs.

Sendoh: "Oh, come on! Can you just behave for once?" he exclaimed, his hand still trying to tame his manhood.

Rukawa: "Let me help you."

Sendoh turned as stiff as a statue when Rukawa tugged at his shirt. A gasp nearly escaped him when Rukawa made a move to peel it off! His surroundings began to blur as he already thought about what would happen next.

Sendoh: "You really don't need to help me get undressed!" he chirped with glee.

Feeling a surge of excitement, he quickly tossed aside all his clothes, leaving only his briefs. A playful smirk danced on his lips, anticipating the wildness that was about to happen. He teasingly snatched Rukawa's hip, biting his lip in sheer thrill. With a heavy sigh, he eyed the towel that clung to Rukawa's hips, trying to catch a glimpse of what lay beneath.

Rukawa: "Hold on."

Sendoh's eyes bulged when Rukawa clamped down on his arms, halting him just before he could dive in. He was caught off guard as Rukawa pulled him to his feet. In a burst of eagerness, he lunged to kiss Rukawa, but Rukawa stopped him once again.

Sendoh: "What gives? I thought we were going to—"

Rukawa: "Kneel down. Face the headboard."

Sendoh's jaw hit the floor as he imagined himself on all fours, kneeling on the bed!

Sendoh: "Me? I'm goin'... I'm the one bending over on the bed?!"

Rukawa: "C'mon, don't keep me waitin'," he purred, dripping with temptation.

Sendoh: "WAAAAH!"

He let out a scream that could wake the neighbors when Rukawa shoved him onto the bed, leaving him in a vulnerable position. His instincts were right! This was exactly what Rukawa had in mind!

Sendoh: "Wait! Rukawa!"

He spiraled into a frenzy when Rukawa gripped his waist, feeling Rukawa's arousal teasingly brush against the cleft of his butt.

Sendoh: "NOOOOO!"

Sendoh clutched his chest as he bolted upright from the bed. His eyes darted around the room, and he let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding, relieved to find himself awake and in his own apartment.

Sendoh: "What the actual heck was that?!"

Only did he realize right now everything that's happened was just a dream—a naughty dream where he almost gives Rukawa his virgin ass!

Sendoh: "No way! No fucking way!"

He fished his phone out from under the pillow, checking the time.

Sendoh: "Damn, thought I was late again," he groaned, seeing the clock.

Just as he was about to leap out of bed, he spotted a square pillow that had tumbled onto the sheets. He picked it up, but when Rukawa's face on the pillowcase popped up, he nearly dropped it, jumping back like he'd seen a ghost!

Sendoh: "CRAAAP! Why am I so jumpy all of a sudden?"

He plopped back down on the bed, stress levels skyrocketing as he tried to wrap his head around the weirdness swirling around his life lately. It all kicked off during that practice game when he first laid eyes on Rukawa.

Sendoh: "I'm gonna move on," he muttered to himself, propping the pillow against the headboard.

He snatched his phone again, itching to call his buddy Koshino, convinced that hanging out with him would help him move on. As he opened the app, his eyes nearly popped out of his head at the recent calls—just from last night!

Sendoh: "WHAAAT?!"

He rolled around on the bed in a full-blown panic attack when he spotted the contact's name "Baby" in his call log—the nickname he'd given to Rukawa!

Sendoh: "How in the world did this happen? I don't remember calling him last night!"

He glanced back at the phone, and to his horror, he realized he had actually called Rukawa! And the best part? Their conversation lasted over 5 minutes!

Sendoh: "This can't be real! How is this even possible?! I'm such a clueless idiot!"

---

Rukawa: "He said he wanted to go one-on-one, but he didn't even step on the court with me?!"

Rukawa grumbled to himself, stomping back to his apartment. He poured all his energy into practicing at the community court, barely noticing the sun dipping below the horizon.

Rukawa: "He shows up here, then asks me what I need? Seriously?!"

His kicks thumped hard on the stairs, feeling disgusted when he remembered chasing after Sendoh. And when he finally caught up, Sendoh acted like they hadn't just had a whole chat yesterday.

Rukawa: "Don't you dare come back! All you do is yap away!"

He flung the door open so hard it nearly smashed into the wall. With a huff, he tossed his duffel bag onto the couch and stormed over to the fridge. He was fuming, ready to throw a punch at Sendoh the next time he saw him.

Sendoh: "Rukawa, can I totally come over and chill with you? We should totally play some one-on-one, maybe every weekend or even all the time! We could go anywhere, just you and me. Like, is that even possible?"

He slammed the glass down on the counter, the memory of Sendoh's words echoing in his mind. It hit him hard, real deep. The sincerity behind those words had struck a chord deep within him, making him believe every single one.

Rukawa: "You're such a damn liar. Tch!"

With a frustrated huff, he stomped off to his bedroom, too lazy to kick off his shoes. He banged the back of his head against the headboard repeatedly, feeling like a total wreck, just not in the mood for anything today.

RING! RING! RING!

His head paused mid-bang as he lazily dug his phone out of his pocket. A serious look crossed his face—he knew this call had to be important. His phone hardly ever rang—only his parents and a few teammates had his number.

Rukawa: "Who the hell is this?"

He scowled at the unknown number flashing on his screen. It was local, so it definitely wasn't his parents. He thought about blocking the caller but then remembered there could be some crucial team update. Reluctantly, he decided to pick up, covering the camera to make sure it was safe.

Sendoh: "Rukawa?"

Rukawa straightened up as Sendoh's face popped up on the screen. His jaw clenched, recalling how Sendoh had ghosted him when they were supposed to have their one-on-one.

Rukawa: "How'd you get my number?!"

He pulled his finger away from the camera, ready to unleash a storm of scolding on this guy.

Sendoh: "Rukawa, why'd you do this to me?!"

Rukawa's face turned bored as he noticed Sendoh was acting a little off.

Rukawa: "You drunk or something?"

Sendoh: "No! How dare you accuse me of being a drunkard? You got no proof!"

Rukawa just let out a heavy sigh as he watched Sendoh's flushed cheeks, half-closed eyes, and the jumbled mess of his words.

Rukawa: "Yeah, I don't see any signs that you're drunk."

Sendoh: "I got to the court at 5:45 AM!"

Rukawa scratched his head, feeling a little confused by Sendoh's words. He could've sworn he showed up early, yet he never spotted Sendoh at all.

Sendoh: "I was there! 5:45 am! I was way too early—too early for you to replace me out with some other dude!"

Rukawa: "Huh?" he blinked.

Rukawa's mind suddenly clicked as he tried to understand why Sendoh was acting like a jealous boyfriend.

Sendoh: "You only care about yourself! You found someone better than me, and now you've forgotten all about me!"

Rukawa wanted to shoot back a response, but he couldn't help but enjoy the sight of Sendoh with his wide, red eyes and quivering lips as he delivered his emotional speech. He had never seen a guy look so cute while sulking.

Sendoh: "We had a plan yesterday, but you ditched me for that semi-bald dude!"

Rukawa: "Yeah, we did have a plan. But you decided not to show up! Why are you blaming me for playing with him?!"

Sendoh: "How could I show up? I saw you having a great time with him! He already caught your eye! What chance do I have?"

Rukawa felt a pang in his heart. Each word from Sendoh struck him deeply, hitting him right in the feels. He usually didn't care about others' lives or emotions, but listening to Sendoh was already breaking him.

Rukawa: "I waited for you," he murmured, trying to comfort Sendoh.

Sendoh: "Don't say that just because you feel sorry for me now. I was there, hiding in the bushes. You two were having fun for over an hour!"

Rukawa: "You should have come out!"

Sendoh: "For what? So, you can play with me with the leftover energy you spent on that semi-bald guy? Hmph!"

In that moment, Rukawa rolled onto his bed, covering his mouth to stifle his laughter.

Sendoh: "Rukawa? Rukawa! Where are you? Are you ghosting me on video chat too?"

Rukawa forced himself to sit up, even though he was still shaking with silent laughter.

Rukawa: "I'm here," he replied quickly, trying to play it cool.

Sendoh: "I'm gonna move on from you. I'm gonna forget you."

Rukawa tossed his phone aside again as he flopped back onto the bed, chuckling at Sendoh's words. It had been ages since he'd laughed like that. Catching his breath, he attempted to sit up straight, putting on a serious face before looking at his phone once more.

Rukawa: "Sendoh?!"

His shoulders drooped in disappointment when he saw Sendoh's camera had gone dark. He figured the phone might be upside down on the bed and that Sendoh had dozed off. So, he ended the call, letting Sendoh get some rest.

Rukawa: "Sleep tight, you knucklehead."

Leaning back against the bed, a grin broke out on his face. He had been furious with Sendoh earlier, but it turned out that Sendoh was the one who could light up his day. He had thought Sendoh had ditched their one-on-one game, but he actually came just like they had planned. What truly sent a rush through his heart was witnessing Sendoh's jealousy when he was with another guy.

A peculiar warmth enveloped his heart as memories of Sendoh's quirky and clumsy nature flooded his mind. He had never encountered anyone quite like him, someone capable of effortlessly shattering the icy walls he had built around his emotions. It felt strange to him—this wasn't the usual him, smiling, laughing, and feeling all soft inside. But no matter what changes Sendoh might bring, he was ready to let him work his magic on him.

Rukawa: "So, you're gonna move on, huh? Let's see if you can."

---

The gym was alive with the thunderous cheers of fans as the seniors clashed with the freshmen in a nail-biting match. Rukawa was on fire, scoring points like it was second nature! Despite a rough night of sleep, he felt an endless reserve of energy, ready to play until the sun went down.

Ayako: "Rukawa, you're killing it out there!"

As he made his way to the bench, Rukawa exchanged a high five with Ayako, sinking back into the seat and taking a deep breath. He glanced at his phone, trying to suppress a grin that threatened to break free.

Ayako: "Hey, Rukawa! Can we chat for a sec?"

Rukawa nodded and got up, following Ayako away from the rest of the team. He noticed her fidgeting, clearly anxious about something.

Ayako: "I think I messed up. I hope you're not mad at me."

Rukawa: "Why would I be?"

Ayako: "After the practice game, Hikoichi came to me, begging for your number."

Rukawa stayed quiet, letting her get it all out.

Ayako: "You're not mad?"

Rukawa: "Nope."

Ayako: "Are you really sure?"

Rukawa: "Absolutely."

Ayako: "Aren't you curious who wanted your number?"

A sly grin crept onto his face as he pieced together how Sendoh had managed to reach him last night.

Rukawa: "Not at all."

As he headed to the shower, his smile widened, recalling the fun video call he had with Sendoh.

Rukawa: "What a goof."

---

Sendoh's head's still spinning as he makes his way out of the station. Last night, all he wanted was to sip on a couple of drinks, but before he knew it, he was chugging down a whole bottle of brew, trying to drown out the hurt. He figured he would avoid Rukawa, but there he was, heading straight for the community basketball court where Rukawa usually hangs out after school. With a sigh, he leaned against the fence as he keeping an eye on Rukawa as he played.

Rukawa: "Hey, what you hangin' around for? Get your butt over here!"

Sendoh: "Sure!" he called out, giving a casual wave.

He took a few tentative steps toward Rukawa, but the intensity of Rukawa's gaze seemed to draw him in like a magnet.

Sendoh: "Don't give me that look like you've been missing me," he muttered under his breath as their eyes locked.

Rukawa: "Let's play," he said, his tone inviting.

Sendoh: "Nah, I ain't here for games."

Sendoh was taken aback when he caught a glimpse of Rukawa's sad face. He was surprised that Rukawa's face seemed to stretch other emotions now.

Sendoh: "What's with that expression? Earlier, he seemed happy to see me, but now he's got that gloomy look on his face. I thought he only knew how to scowl," he mused, keeping a close watch on Rukawa.

He plopped down on a nearby bench, deciding to just observe Rukawa in action. But as he sat there, a nagging feeling crept in—moving on wasn't going to be easy, especially if he kept coming back to see Rukawa. Reality smacked him in the face when a ball rolled right into his foot. He picked it up, but his heart almost dropped when he saw Rukawa lift his shirt to wipe the sweat off his face. Sendoh's breath hitched as he caught a glimpse of those chiseled abs glistening with sweat, making him feel all kinds of thirsty.

Sendoh: "What's with the show? Wiping down right in front of me?" he grumbled, quickly averting his gaze.

After tossing the ball back to Rukawa, he fished out his water bottle and chugged it like a man dying of thirst. A deep breath escaped him, cooling the fire that was building inside.

Rukawa: "Got any water?"

Sendoh: "Here," he replied, handing over the bottle.

There he was again, squirming in his seat as he watched Rukawa gulp down the water, each swallow seeming to stretch out in slow motion.

Sendoh: "Why's he drinking like that?"

He suddenly felt a terrible thirst rise within him as he watched Rukawa's Adam's apple bob up and down. The urge to lick the sweat off Rukawa's neck was becoming harder to ignore.

Sendoh: "Damn, my wild thoughts are driving me crazy!"

He was practically drooling as he watched Rukawa's lips brush against the mouth of his water bottle! He felt the urge to suck that too, just to experience the sensation of Rukawa's lips on it. He felt the heat rise in him as his filthy fantasies swirled around, longing to claim this man for himself.

Rukawa: "Appreciate it."

Sendoh spaced out, all flustered and dreamy, after Rukawa teasingly tugged at his cheeks. He found himself lifting his hand to his face, softly brushing the spot where Rukawa's teasing touch had been.

Sendoh: "Oh my God."

He let out a breath of relief as he watched Rukawa practice, grateful for the distance between them. He wrestled with the thought of whether it was right to keep avoiding Rukawa for good. But deep down, the idea of not seeing Rukawa at all was even worse.

Sendoh: "I'll forget you, bit by bit," he murmured to himself.

Suddenly, the sky opened up, unleashing a torrential downpour. Panic surged through him, and he dashed toward Rukawa, fearing he might catch a cold. In a split second, he removed his shirt and placed it gently on Rukawa's head.

Rukawa: "I'm fine," he shrugged it off as he tried to push the shirt away.

Sendoh: "No way! You'll get sick!" he insisted as he stubbornly kept the shirt in place.

The rain intensified, and Sendoh stayed close to Rukawa, his arms still protectively draped over him. Once they reached the entrance of the apartment building, he rushed to dry off Rukawa.

Rukawa: "No need for that," he said, waved him off.

Sendoh's heart nearly stopped as he noticed Rukawa lifting the hem of his shirt, ready to strip right then and there. In a total frenzy, Sendoh yanked Rukawa's clothes back down, as if the world would end if he dared to undress.

Rukawa: "What's the big deal about me taking my clothes off here?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Sendoh: "Have mercy on me!" He squeaked, gripping the fabric like it was a lifeline.

Sendoh was tiptoeing along, sneaking quick glances at Rukawa as they headed to his apartment. Once they reached the top, he trailed behind Rukawa, who took a left and stopped at the door, digging for the key in his pocket. He hung back, patiently waiting for him to unlock it.

Rukawa: "Come in."

Sendoh: "Ojama shimasu."

Sendoh took off his shoes, placing them upside down by the entrance. He felt a bit awkward about dropping by unexpectedly—his hair was a mess, his shirt was wrinkled, and his pants were damp from the rain outside. Being invited to Rukawa's place would be a big deal, but every time he thought about how he looked, he let out a shy sigh, feeling a little embarrassed.

Rukawa: "Hit the shower in my room."

Sendoh: "Nah, I can just use the bathroom by the kitchen, no biggie."

Rukawa: "One." His eyes narrowed, irritation creeping in.

Sendoh: "It's kinda awkward to go into your room and..." His voice trailed off.

Rukawa: "Two."

Sendoh: "...it feels like overkill to use your bathroom."

Rukawa: "Three."

Sendoh: "Alright, alright! Hehehe!"

Sendoh couldn't help but crack a shy grin when Rukawa handed him the neatly folded clothes. With a flutter in his chest, he gathered his guts and twisted the doorknob, inhaling deeply to soak in the sweet aroma of the air. His fingers danced along the walls of the house, as if he was trying to carve this special moment into his memory.

Rukawa: "What else you got going on?" he asked, arms crossed.

Sendoh: "Just soaking up every second of my time here," he replied, a bit bashful.

Rukawa: "True that. In the following hours, you have to pay."

Sendoh couldn't help but let out a little chuckle, totally shocked that Rukawa was actually giving him some playful jabs. It made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside, sensing that Rukawa was finally dropping his tough act around him. As he walked into the bedroom, he was captivated by the clean and minimalist atmosphere. He carefully tiptoed around, only to stumble over a large mirror positioned right in front of the closet. Rushing over, he gazed at his reflection, feeling a bit sheepish as he realized how tired he appeared. But then a surge of confidence surged through him—chest out, arms flexed.

Sendoh: "Just wait and see, Rukawa! Once I'm all fresh and clean, I'll make sure you can't resist drooling over me!"

He laid down the clothes Rukawa lent him onto the bed and made his way for the bathroom. Just as he reached the door, a wild thought popped into his head. He turned slowly, his eyes scanning the room. Then it dawned on him—this was the exact room from his dream last night, the one where he and Rukawa were about to get it on!

Sendoh: "No way, is this for real?"

His hands flew to his mouth, nearly letting out a squeal of joy! He couldn't believe it! The room from his dream was actually here, and the owner was too! He plopped down on the edge of the bed, trying to wrap his head around all this craziness. He squirmed a bit as memories flooded back of Rukawa stripping him down right in that very spot!

Sendoh: "Maybe that's why my dream got cut short—because it's about to become real!"

He was so pumped that he ripped off his shirt and spun it around like a madman! He was having a blast, completely forgetting he wasn't alone in the apartment, oblivious to the racket he was making.

Rukawa: "What's all that ruckus?!"

Sendoh's heart raced when he spotted Rukawa standing in the doorway. Just moments ago, he was on cloud nine, but the sight of Rukawa brought back the memory of what Rukawa had commanded him in that dream.

Rukawa: "Kneel on the bed. Face the wall."

Sendoh slapped a hand over his mouth, freaking out at the thought about what might go down. He was riding high on happiness, but now he struggled to meet Rukawa's gaze.

Sendoh: "Uh, I think... I should, um, hit the shower now. Hehehe!" He stammered, awkwardly shuffling toward the bathroom.

As he shut the door behind him, he let out a quiet sigh and leaned against the cool tiles. With a gentle thud, his palm met his face, mortified at how he'd acted in front of his crush.

Sendoh: "Oh man, that was so cringe!"

His legs felt like jelly as he stumbled to the shower, hitting the button. He reminded himself he was in Rukawa's pad and needed to keep it together.

Sendoh: "What if my dreams actually come true! EEEHHH! Huh?! Wait, what?! No, no, Akira! Kaede isn't like that. But if he's into it, why not? EEEHHH!" His palm rubbed his chest as his not-so-innocent thoughts ran wild.

Sendoh: "It's just us here. What if I can't control myself? What if he's into it? Eh? No way. He gave me a proper welcome at his place. I shouldn't be thinking about anything naughty with him."

He raised his head while rinsing his hair, relishing the warm water cascading over his skin. When he opened his eyes, he was taken aback by a pair of black boxers hanging from a stainless-steel holder. His eyes bulged, as if some inner voice urged him to snag them as a keepsake, but another part of him screamed that stealing was a no-go, especially when it came to his crush's boxers.

Sendoh: "HOLY COW! I've got those too! No way I'm taking them home. I gotta leave!"

He nearly turned the bathroom into a slip and slide as he scrambled to escape. But just as he grabbed the doorknob, his head did a slow-motion turn back to the boxers, reconsidering his life choices.

Sendoh: "Noooooo!"

He slammed the door shut, battling the urge to grab those boxers. Tightening his towel, he snatched up his clothes. Just looking at them wasn't enough—he dove his face into that shirt, chuckling as he inhaled the scent, picturing Rukawa's smell stuck through the fabric.

Rukawa: "Oi!"

Sendoh nearly dropped the clothes in surprise! He started to panic, flailing around like a chicken trying to find something—anything! —so Rukawa wouldn't realize he was sniffing those clothes!

Rukawa: "What are you still doing there, you weirdo?"

Sendoh: "Just looking for my phone," he replied, awkwardly scratching his head.

Just as he was about to slip on a shirt, his eyes got snagged by Rukawa rocking a black shirt and those snug pants. His cheeks heated up as he couldn't help but notice Rukawa's impressive backside. He quickly spun around, feeling a bit breathless.

Rukawa: "If the rain doesn't let up, you can sleep here."

Sendoh: "What?!" he squeaked out.

He slapped a hand over his mouth, realizing he was starting to sound like a total goofball, and his brain was definitely taking a detour into the naughty zone.

Sendoh: "Alright, but I'm totally sleeping on the couch."

Rukawa: "Nah, you're taking my bed."

Sendoh: "But, uh, isn't that a bit much? I mean, your bed is like... sacred or something."

Rukawa: "What's wrong with my bed?"

Sendoh: "That's not what I meant!"

Rukawa: "Then why are you whining?"

Sendoh: "I'm not whining! Just being here at your place is already a huge deal for me."

Sendoh chuckled as he watched Rukawa roll his eyes. Seriously, getting an invite from the king of grumps to his home? That's like a big honor for him! He couldn't resist sneaking peeks at Rukawa as he worked in the kitchen. The temptation was too much to bear. For him, the look is not enough! He made his way over to the kitchen, planting himself right behind Rukawa.

Rukawa: "Are you hungry?"

Sendoh: "Not really," he muttered, his eyes drawn to Rukawa's butt once again.

Sendoh was hit by a wave of heat, his body responding in ways that left him bewildered. He let out a frustrated huff, questioning why his hormones were going haywire just whenever Rukawa was around.

Sendoh: "Don't scowl! You've got a face that could launch a thousand ships, but you always look like you just bit into a lemon."

Rukawa: "Yeah, I guess I do. I'm always mad."

Sendoh: "I can see it," he murmured, biting his lips as he spotted Rukawa's situation down there, getting a little too excited.

Every breath Sendoh took felt heavier, and he knew he had to get out of there before he lost control.

Sendoh: "What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I so turned on by a guy's body?"

He shook his head, trying to clear the chaotic thoughts racing through his mind. He recalled how his eyes used to be drawn to the ladies strutting their stuff with those killer curves and stunning faces. But now he was a changed man—he had zero interest in checking them out. Yet, when it came to Rukawa, that was a different story—he could gaze at him all day.

Rukawa: "Are you done daydreaming?"

Sendoh: "Huh?"

He snapped back to reality, realizing how close their faces were, both of them caught in a moment of silence.

Sendoh: "Hehe! Sorry about that. Must be the hunger."

He nearly short-circuited when Rukawa's hand landed on his forehead, checking for fever. His heart raced, especially when Rukawa's fingers brushed his neck.

Sendoh: "I-I feel fine! Hehe!"

He let out a massive sigh of relief as Rukawa plopped down in his seat. Fear gripped him—it wasn't Rukawa that scared him! It was the thought of losing control, especially with the chilly weather making Rukawa look like a snack in that outfit, and the fact that they were the only two people in the room!

Sendoh: "Uh, Rukawa, I'm heading home after I eat. Hope that's cool with you..."

Rukawa: "No way, you're crashing here."

Sendoh: "But..."

Rukawa: "I already made myself clear."

Sendoh felt a twinge of panic as Rukawa's words echoed in his ears. It was like déjà vu, reminding him of that bizarre dream where Rukawa was giving him orders, and now it was happening for real!

Sendoh: "Rukawa, I gotta apologize for turning you down earlier. It's not that I don't want to play, but..."

Rukawa: "You trying to move on from me?"

Sendoh's jaw nearly hit the floor when those words tumbled out of Rukawa's mouth. Cold sweat trickled down his back, and he was completely at a loss for how to respond.

Sendoh: "Move on? What? Hahaha!"

Not knowing what else to do, he forced a laugh, but inside, he was a bundle of nerves, completely baffled by Rukawa's question.

Rukawa: "I'm serious."

In that moment, Sendoh's laughter died instantly, struck by the intensity of Rukawa's deadpan expression.

Sendoh: "Uh, what did you just say? Who told you that?" he stammered, his voice shaking.

Rukawa: "You called me last night."

Sendoh was choking on his own nerves as he gulped down hard. He knew he messed up and made that call for real. He darted his eyes away, trying to cook up the slickest excuse to pull himself out of the embarrassment he got himself into.

Sendoh: "Hahaha! I was just messing around. Forget it."

Rukawa: "I don't want to."

Sendoh: "Please!"

Rukawa: "No."

He could barely look Rukawa in the eye, drowning in embarrassment. He recalled their five-minute chat and cringed at the thought of all the ridiculous things he must have blurted out.

Sendoh: "Whatever I said last night, let's just pretend it never happened," he pleaded, his voice barely a whisper.

Rukawa: "No. You need to explain why you want to move on from me."

Sendoh was scrunching his face, trying to decipher what was going on in Rukawa's head. He racked his brain for memories of the previous night, but nothing came to him.

Sendoh: "Uh, I'm just a little moody. Just a tad. I thought you might have forgotten our chat."

Rukawa: "Is it because I played one-on-one with someone else? Is that what's bothering you?

Sendoh: "Nah."

Rukawa: "Then what's got you sulking?"

He couldn't shake the feeling until he stood up on his chair, unsure of how to proceed. Should he steer the conversation elsewhere or lay his feelings bare? He knew that when he drank, humor often slipped from his lips, yet he was puzzled as to why Rukawa seemed fixated on this particular issue.

Sendoh: "Well, um, I just want to hang out with you—play some one-on-one or go wherever our feet take us—just you and me. Remember that?"

He found himself staring at his feet, feeling like a total loser as he laid his heart out for Rukawa. He had no other options. Coming up with another joke or excuse felt pointless. He stood there, silent, bracing for Rukawa's rejection.

Rukawa: "If that's the case, you shouldn't just move on from me."

Sendoh's head snapped up, taken aback by Rukawa's words. He couldn't believe his ears. He'd always told himself to forget Rukawa, but now Rukawa was giving him a reason to hold on.

Sendoh: "Thanks!" he exclaimed, pulling Rukawa into a tight embrace.

Rukawa: "Hey, you doofus!" He let out a playful shout while trying to wriggle free from Sendoh's strong hold.

Sendoh: "Don't act like you don't want my hug."

Rukawa: "Shut it!"

With a grin plastered on his face, Sendoh squeezed Rukawa even tighter, cherishing every moment they shared.

Sendoh: "Yeah. I would never walk away from you."