Kogure was walking in the campus of his university after one of classes when a poster pinned on a bulletin board caught his eye. Stopping to read it he was unaware of a person standing beside him after a few moments later until a voice asked, "Thinking of joining it?"

"What?" Kogure turned around in surprise to see his best-friend motioning towards the poster welcoming basketball fanatics to join a club.

"The basketball club," clarified Akagi.

"Maybe," Kogure shrugged before asking the other young man, "How about you?"

"I think I will," said Akagi, "They don't have a basketball team here so it might be interesting to see what this club has to offer. Maybe we can ask the administration to start a team."

Kogure smiled, "Can we afford the time? We are pressed with our study work as it is."

Akagi sighed, "You're right. Study comes first."

"Right," Kogure nodded in agreement, "Want to shoot some baskets later?"

"Sure," grinned Akagi, "Usual place, usual time."

That afternoon in the cafe, Kogure watched the people around him chatting and drinking at their tables, paying particular attention to the young couple he recognised at regulars in that establishment. Taking a glance at his watch, the Kogure realised that Sakuragi was half an hour late. As he was wondering where the redhead might be, the boy in question walked in carrying his bag over his shoulder. Kogure quickly stood up and waved to get the redhead's attention. Sakuragi nodded and walked towards him. When he reached the table, the spectacled-boy smiled,
"Hey, what kept you?"

"Practice," the redhead replied listlessly before dropping his bag heavily on the table, nearly tumbling Kogure's drink down with the vibration.

"Oh," said Kogure, handing Sakuragi a glass of lemonade he ordered while he was waiting for the redhead. The younger boy immedietly placed the cooled glass to his forhead, "Damn, I'm beat."

Kogure 'hmm'ed as he fondly watched his boyfriend lay his head on the table to rest. Seeing that the redhead wasn't about to wake up from his light slumber, Kogure sighed and brought his attention back to the young couples around him. Watching them holding hands and smiling at each other Kogure wished that he and Sakuragi could do the same. Unfortunately, they were not what Japanese people would call a normal couple but he'd rather not have it any other way.


~~~~

In the library, Kogure tried to concentrate on the book he was reading but was unsuccessful. Akagi noticed his friend's distraction since for the past half an hour Kogure has not been able to finish reading one page of his book.

Akagi finally took his glasses and asked quietly, "What's the matter, Kogure?"

"Hm?" Kogure blinked in surprise.

"You're not concentrating," pointed Akagi, "You won't be able to finish that chapter before the library closes."

"Nothing," sighed Kogure.

Akagi leaned forward with his elbow on the table, "Sakuragi?"

Seeing his friend blush, Akagi sighed, "Souka... What is it?"

After a moment of hesitation, Kogure whispered, "I'm... I'm worried, I guess..."

Leaning forward towards Akagi, Kogure continued, "I just want to know how Sakuragi feels at the moment. Lately he's been too quiet, saying that he's tired all the time. I'm worried that what has happened at home has affected him."

Akagi nodded for he has heard what went on in the Kogure household the last time Sakuragi came to visit. However, the ex-captain has no idea what to tell his friend except to suggest, "Why don't we visit Shohoku after this? It'll be great to see the team again."

Kogure stared at his friend before he smiled, "Sure! Why not go now! Opps..." The spectacled-boy blushed when he saw annoyed students glaring at him for distracting the peace and quiet of the study hall.
"G-Gomen nasai doijoubu," Kogure apologised in a hushed tone before the students went back to their books.

Akagi shook his head in amusement.


~~~~

"Hey! It's Akagi-sempai and Kogure-sempai!" cried Anta ignoring the ball which passed by his arm.

"Concentrate, Anta!" Miyagi ordered before giving his two ex-team-mates a wave.

"Konnichiwa," Kogure greeted from outside. Not using gym shoes specified by school regulation, he and Akagi stayed outside to watch the team practice under the leadership of Miyagi.

Akagi nodded to them to continue practicing as he watched each of the player's advancement and the new players' skills. Kogure also kept an eye on them especially on the redheaded player who has just about managed to capture every single rebounds with his usual agility.

Kogure clapped, pleased when his brother and Sakuragi scored a particularly tricky shot against Miyagi and his team. When the redhead turned to look at him, Kogure smiled but to his surprise Sakuragi turned away as if he was nothing but a stranger.

Kogure's smiled disappeared. He wasn't sure what was going on with the redhead but he didn't like it one bit.


~~~~

"I'm going to talk to Miyagi for a while," said Akagi, "You're walking home with Sakuragi, right?"

"Uh, yeah," said Kogure, shaking himself from his preoccupation, "I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Hai. Ja ne."

"Jya," Kogure nodded before walking to the direction of the gates where he knew Sakuragi would know where to find him.

As he walking along the gym, he passed under the window where the store-room was located when he heard Sakuragi's name being uttered, "... Sakuragi-kun... Haruko... he's single... "

Kogure didn't want to evesdrop but knowing that it was the redhead they were walking about, he couldn't help himself to stop to listen clearly to what they were saying. The spectacled-boy recognised the first speaker to be Matsui, Haruko's pony-tailed friend before Haruko's voice came wafting out.

"Iie! Don't say that so loud! Someone might hear!" Haruko told her frantically and Kogure could imagine the blush on her cheeks.

"It's true. What are you afraid of?" demanded her friend.

"I-I heard stuffs..." said Haruko hesitantly, "That-that he already has someone else... an ex-senior like oniisan."

Kogure blinked in surprise but then Matsui scoffed, "That's just a rumour. Have you seen him hanging out with any girl?"

"Well, no," Haruko answered, "Only with his friends, Rukawa and lately a lot with Kogure-sempai."

Kogure then heard Matsui giggle, "True. Maybe Kogure-sempai is the girl's spy!"

"Matsui-chan!" Haruko gasped, "You shouldn't say things like that!"

"If Kogure-sempai is a spy, then the girl sure has some nerve having him tail Sakuragi everywhere. Sakuragi will surely be sick of her soon. Come on! Make a move Haruko-chan! Sakuragi-kun seemed to like you a lot since you two met and I saw him looking at you..."

Kogure couldn't hear anymore for the two girls were already walking out of the store-room and out of hearing distance. After a while, the brown-haired boy forced his legs to walk slowly to wait the redhead outside the gate.


~~~~

Kogure bit his lip as he watched the redhead walk alone in front of him. Normally the redhead would persist that they walk side by side, especially when they were alone, but now Sakuragi didn't seem to want to bother at all.

"Hana-kun..." Kogure tried and began to lift his hand to hold the redhead's arm. When Sakuragi didn't turn around to acknowledge Kogure's call, the spectacled-boy clenched his fist and let it fall back to his side.

Kogure took a deep breath and asked, "What's the matter?"

"Hm? What?" Sakuragi asked back, this time turning around to face him. Kogure saw to his consternation that the normally happy face twisted into something of forced cheer.

"Are you angry at me? For coming to see you today?" asked Kogure in concern.

"What makes you say that?" the redhead asked him

"Your look," the spectacled-boy told him truthfully, "You seemed displeased."

"Iie," the redhead denied turning away to continue walking, "I'm not."

The two continueed walking in silence and still Kogure was not placated. Letting his curious mind lead the conversation, the brown-haired boy asked in pretend non-chalance, "Hey, Haruko did well helping Ayako managed the team, ne?"

"Hmm..." shrugged Sakuragi carelessly.

"Remember that I caught you looking at her last year behind the bushes?" laughed Kogure.

"Really? I don't remember."

"Yes, I did," chuckled Kogure, "You said she was cute and ..."
The laughter died in his throat when Sakuragi stared at him akin to annoyance.

"Omoshirokunai*," grumbled the redhead.

"B-Boring...?" asked Kogure stunned.

"Yeah," the redhead affirmed, "Walking home with you all the time."

Kogure felt a sharp pain in his heart but he quickly covered it up from the redhead by keeping his tone light, "Then we don't have to walk together everyday if you want. Just once a week will be fine..."

"Yeah, sure. That's fine with me," Sakuragi answered.

Kogure knew that it wasn't with him but didn't say so as they continued on their route back home.


(*This is boring)

~~~~

The lecture ended after the third hour and while the other students stood up to get ready for their next unit, Kogure allowed himself reprieve to collect his thoughts. For the whole session, he wasn't able to concentrate on what the lecturer was saying for his mind was troubled with what happened yesterday with Sakuragi. He could still remember Matsui's voice speaking,
"...the girl sure has some nerve having him tail Sakuragi everywhere. Sakuragi will surely be sick of her soon..."

Sakuragi voice and expression was also painfully clear in his mind,
"Omoshirokunai ... Walking home with you all the time"

Do I really confine Hana-kun that much? wondered Kogure stapling his fingers over his down-turned mouth.

"...Come on! Make a move Haruko-chan! Sakuragi-kun seemed to like you a lot since you two met and I saw him looking at you..."

Kogure ran his fingers through his hair and sighed.
What do I do?


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