This Tiny Miracle.

He was, of course, far from it. And should he have seen things that were to happen, should he have possessed the ability to see into the future, then he would not have learnt at all. Some things were better learnt through the hard way. That was his personal opinion, anyway.

As it was, he had just run from one of the very things that he should have toughened himself up to face. Instead, he had chosen to run. He ran like the coward that he knew, deep down inside, that he was. He had never run faster, not even on the court. Emotional motivations are more powerful than recreational ones, it seemed.

And personal for choosing his chosen sport may be, personal for chasing his dream that was surrounded by this one sport , leaving a blazing trail behind, was, if compared to his personal emotions, basketball was nothing. And yet, they were linked, like two chain-links linking one another, steel hard, impossible to separate and even if separated, not without one or both having to be destroyed. Unless of course, he was a magician, which he was not.

What were these feelings that were welling up inside of him? He had felt them before. If so, why do they not hurt any less, if he were to have felt them before? What do all these emotions mean? What do they stand for? The answers eluded him. He didn't understand them.

He didn't understand them at all.

* * *

They think him emotionless, selfish, quiet that is often misread as sly, and motivated only by his single-minded desire and pursuance of his dream--and nothing else. Not like he would stand to correct them, they *were* right, somewhat, so right to a point that he sometimes would start believing them himself, believing that those were all there was to him. So single-minded was what he became, right up from middle high school to senior high school, that he had kept this one thing consistent.

His desire for friends and company, diminished with his other human-related needs and wants, and his dream took charge. It all became so natural to him. Silent, selfish, Rukawa Kaede. He bothered no one, and no one bothered him. No hobbies, no nothing. If not basketball, then it was to sleep to recharge energy for more basketball playing and since he joined the high school team, training.

He had thought he was successful, albeit not entirely consciously. No one bothered or cared about him, and he treating everyone else likewise. This way, he would not be indebted to anyone, nor anyone to him. There was, however, a loophole in his unconscious strategy. Maybe it had been a complete success, so much so that it had reversed, twisted and bent into an ugly sign of failure, for there were two elements that he had somehow let seep into his carefully barricaded core he called emotions.

There was the redheaded fool who called himself a genius basketman. Huh, a basket case was more like it. And every time the fool loudly declared himself as such, he would, without failure, counter it with his own brand of insult; a one-liner, one-worder that did wonders for one with a skull as thick and a brain as pea-sized as one Sakuragi Hanamichi’s. It never ceased to amaze him how every little snide comment he made, no matter how petty or minor, would bother the moron so much, he would return it ten, twenty fold.  Something he could admire, really. That guy sure had a fighting spirit that he himself could never, in a million years, come to possess.

Not in the personal sense anyway. Sure, he would not hesitate to beat up whomever who would take it upon himself to disturb him in the physical way. But whenever someone jilted of insulted him, his family, his lineage, etc., he never bothered fighting back. Not like he accepted those insults because if anyone ever got physical with him, rest assured he /would/ get physical right back, but if they were mere challenges, his mind would automatically put them on ignore. He would don a thick skin, if need be, no need to give those assholes any precious  time of his day, sleeping it off would have been better.

However, ever since having met this Sakuragi fellow, he felt the need for the thick-skin no more. In fact, he /chose/ to be thin-skinned, letting the snide remarks coming from the redhead’s motor-mouth sink in and then giving in to the urge to fight back, in whatever way possible; physically, verbally, even spiritually if the situation called for it. He would fight him tooth and nail. Most of the time, what he had with Sakuragi would be termed as minor bickering with certain bouts of wrestling and/or pushing each other around and/or bullying one another, but every time, after having a session of it with the moronic fool, he would feel strangely satisfied. Strange how he would never grow tired of it.

He felt something within him was ignited somehow and whether he liked it or not, he had to thank the fellow for it. Within himself, of course. He would sooner let his ass be beaten and used as a rag to wipe the school hallways then to thank the schmuck verbally to his face. And of course it would be a cold day in July before he would let either happen.

There it was again, the new determination that was ignited within him, something that did not directly relate to basketball but more to himself, in the personal sense. He had been looking forward to practices lately not just because he would be playing some serious basketball as a team member, but also because he would get to torment a certain self-proclaimed genius with more of his Rukawa-brand of torment, not that Sakuragi did not have his own brand of insults and petty tricks to hurl right back at him. Ah, the joy of it all.

Then there was this other person. He had first heard of his name on the train-ride towards Ryonan High, his very first match, though a practice one, as an official member of a high school basketball team. After hearing that name and the string of past glories that came along with the mentioning of it, Rukawa found himself somehow hoping that he would be picked as a member of the starting line-up. He had been quite confident that he would make it as one of the first five but after having come across the coach, he became unsure. The man seemed to exude unpredictability in his very aura…and he had to admire Sakuragi for the guts that he had in his general disrespectful treatment of the revered Coach Anzai. And the old man for tolerating it.

He had been picked, anyway, so much for unpredictability, but he refrained from going any further than that for he could still be very wrong. And somehow, he had the gut feeling that he was. And on the court, there were quite a bit of hassle in regards to the tardiness of the opponent’s ‘ace’ player and he thought he could spy a couple of scouts up in the stands, no doubt coming to see Sendoh Akira’s ability on the court that won him the ‘ace’ title. Everyone had been curious, even he had been curious, although he did not show it outwardly…unlike the moron who now wore his initial number.

When he finally did show, Rukawa took his time in sizing the opponent up. He was tall, taller than him and the moron, but not to the point of Akagi’s height. What was most peculiar about him was his hair, which stood up stiff at attention opposing the gravity of the planet, each and every strand. So, that made him look taller than his roughly 1.9 meters.

And the face, what was it with the guy? He looked like something good had just happened to him, like good things always happened to him, for the smile on his face seemed to be the everlasting type. Or was it just plastered on? Rukawa deduced that either way, the smile was a smug one, a challenging one, though, somehow, not all that unpleasant to look at. It looked natural on his face, like it was meant to be there and if he were not smiling, he would still be looking good as well. Overall this guy can be deduced as…

…very…pleasant to the eye…and…

…and what was he thinking???

And Rukawa had shake himself out of his reverie then, taking note that Sendoh’s jersey number was seven, the same as their point guard, Miyagi’s. He had looked a bit more and then psyched himself up for the game, pretending he did not see or hear the moron’s usual antics, though this time the target seemed to be Sendoh. Then the game had begun, and he had settled into the momentum of it as naturally as he was breathing.

And, boy, can the guy named Sendoh play, truly deserving of the title that was bestowed upon him.

* * *

They, as in him and the rest of the Shohoku team, had come rather far since then. Him now belonging to more than one team, having lesser and lesser time for other things, not like there were any other things in his life besides sleeping. And maybe eating, since that was a form of sustenance as well. And annoying the ‘genius’, as well, a task which he found utter joy in doing.

He would have a one-on-one occasionally with no.7 of Ryonan High’s basketball team and their friendship had progressed rather steadily from there. Soon, they were meeting not only for one-on-one matches, but sometimes, Sendoh would have four or five of his other friends there and they would split into two teams among themselves, chucking Rukawa into one of them, and then they would go on to have a half court three-on-three, which Rukawa found that he thoroughly enjoyed. Sometimes, he would play the team Sendoh was in, and sometimes, he would play the team that were opponents to the one Sendoh was in. Either way, he had enjoyed the challenge. Sendoh’s friends were rather able players themselves, and not all of them played basketball seriously in their lives, either. That said something.

And more than those three-on-threes, there were times Sendoh and he would meet up for reasons beyond basketball as well. Sometimes it would be dinner, sometimes it would be dinner and movies, and sometimes, Sendoh even invited him over to his house to watch some professional basketball matches since he had satellite TV. Rukawa had as well, which he seldom used other than during the basketball season when ESPN would be his best friend. But watching them with Sendoh seemed more…fun…somehow...it was not something that he could explain.

He could not even recall when this had become a routine, a ritual in fact, happening almost every other day. He never questioned it because it all just seemed so…natural. He could not recall a time when he actually asked the guy with the hairstyle that reminded him so much of that famed blue hedgehog that was originally from a game but then spurned a TV cartoon as well, out…or did he? Was he the one who started it all? He doubted it because had he been the one, he would remember it for sure, and he would remember why, too. It would have been too deliberate on his part and he always had a reason for his actions, and remember them. Especially so if he had been the one who took the initiative.

And thinking back further, he now could remember that night when this all started. It was not after a one-on-one, but a three-on-three, because it was after everyone else had left, leaving Sendoh and he the only ones on the court, too tired to continue on further into having a one-on-one against each other, and yet each unwilling to make the first moves to leave while the other was still there. All these for some strange, unknown reason.

It was already dark, and the moon was already shining high and bright. The only illumination was from the rather weak court lights, which, there were only two, the dim streetlights and the moonlight. It would have seemed romantic if not for the two sweating males, breathing hard at the side of the concrete court. Both were just sitting on the ground, their legs stretched out before them, wiping perspiration from their faces with towels that they brought with them, just lazily catching their breaths.

“Good game, huh?”

Rukawa shrugged. “I guess.”

Sendoh studied his companion’s profile for a bit with twinkling eyes before chuckling amiably, which unnerved Rukawa the Defense Mechanism Incarnate somehow.

“What’s so funny?”

“Who, you mean. ‘Cause I think you are,” Sendoh said before continuing to chuckle further.

Rukawa just sat there, confused and staring at Sendoh. He was not sure whether or not he should be offended at the remark.

“What do you mean by that?”

Sendoh smiled but could not help but shiver a little at the cold animosity in the voice. “Now, now, don’t be getting hostile, Rukawa-kun. It won’t do good for your social life and image to be so hostile.”

Rukawa was now thoroughly perplexed. “*What* social life and image?”

This time Sendoh ceased all chuckling and smiles, staring at Rukawa with genuine shock on his face. He remained that way a moment before bursting into laughter.

“W-what’s so funny? Is there something on my face?”

Sendoh seemed to be having a hard time controlling his mirth.

“Fine, then I’m leaving.” As Rukawa made to stand, Sendoh ceased his laughing a bit to grab onto Rukawa’s wrist.

“No, heh, heh…come on, don’t be like that. Don’t leave just yet.”

And for reasons beyond Rukawa’s interpretation, he just nodded and sat back down. He stayed, just like that. No other questions asked. He had not even questioned himself at the time.

“Then tell me why you were laughing.”

It was not a question, it was a statement. Not a request but a demand. Rukawa rarely ever requested for anything. Nor did he ever demand much but he supposed he would choose the latter over the previous, suppose he was given a choice, that is.

“Wow, you really don’t know yourself, huh?”

“…”

“OK, OK, but I really don’t know how to put this into words…not without telling you a whole grandfather’s story to get my point across…”

“I’m sure you can try.”

Sendoh paused to study the younger stoic teen’s profile for a while more, then sighed deeply.

“You know my mother always told me not to sigh too much, for reason or no reason.”

“What does that have to do with…”

“Let me finish, will ya?” Sendoh cocked his eyebrow playfully at Rukawa and to Rukawa somehow it came out like a gentle reprimand from an older sibling to a younger one. What was this feeling he was having? It felt warm…

“Anyway, she, as in my mother, always said that sighing is a way of expressing ill fortune and for somebody who aren’t struck by ill fortune, it’s considered disrespectful for those who are. And to those who are, they are the hopeful ones. And if I even dare think of things such as having a bad day as ill fortune, I can’t even begin to understand what the real meaning and concept is behind the word 'misfortune'.

“She told me that in life there are many degrees of misfortunes. And there is no end to it, there is no deepest part. It’s infinite, you may say. And it also depends on interpretation. Some may view death as the ultimate misfortune but whose to say it is ? I guess that’s why so many people out there fear death. But then again it’s easy to just say, ‘let us not fear death’ for those who do not really believe that death isn’t the ultimate misfortune to befall on a person.

“Because there are others who are, say, drowning in misfortune, whatever the misfortune may be, and for them, death is the only way out. It’s their ultimate ‘fortune’ to their dim lives and to these people. Not even if their situation is to be reversed suddenly, would they consider good fortune. It may be that they are already too emotionally broken.

“Some consider those who view death being the only way out as cowards. They say that they are only running away. They call themselves survivors but it really isn’t all that simple to even understand a bit of the psyche of those who really want to die, knocking on death’s door, even. Not even if you went through the same thing they did, because every individual is different, and whatever conclusion one ultimately choose for himself or herself, there is bound to be a reason, no matter how incomprehensible, because to the person who decides his or her own fate, no reason is illogical. None is unacceptable, because they already believed it. And to die, no matter how badly you want it, it still takes courage.

“For even if they choose to die or to go on living, there is no small amount of hope on either. For the previous, they choose to die for maybe, in the oblivion of the fiery pits of hell they may end up in after death, it’s still something else, something better than what they are going through, had been through, and even for that, you need to hope, and to not lose faith. And for them to believe that whatever lies await for them in the afterlife could be better than now, shows that it’s a small amount of optimism. They hold faith in Death.

"And I don’t think I need to explain about those who choose to go on with their lives, no matter how wretched. Stemmed from many subconscious beliefs, you know, like life is precious and such. And of course, that is highly admirable, as well. It /is/ the more encouraged, preferred and overrated choice, after all."

Sendoh himself had to grin to that.

“But I still sigh a lot though, it’s become a habit…sure doesn’t stop my mom from reprimanding me every time she catches me doing it, usually in her presence.”

Sendoh chuckled then let silence reign for a couple of minutes before chuckling some more.

“And that was my grandfather’s story. Anyway, did I lose you somewhere back there-“

“Why are you telling me all this? Why are you saying all these to me?”

Sendoh raised his brow in surprise. He honestly had not expected Rukawa to say anything at all, either that or he would just have shrugged it off. Sendoh had hoped Rukawa would have gotten what he meant, but chances were pretty slim that he would have. But now…were those emotions laced in those words?

“What is this supposed to mean to me? How is this supposed to relate to me? W-what you’ve said…what you’ve said just now…”

Sendoh was /really/ surprised now. To the point of being shocked, even. Sendoh could only see him from the back, since he was sitting behind Rukawa all this time. Rukawa’s shoulders were shaking, his body high strung with pent up emotions.

Sendoh’s arm started to reach towards the shoulder of his younger, shaking companion, meant to provide some sort of comfort, “Rukawa…”

“Am I a coward?”

Sendoh’s hand never quite reached its intended destination. It froze halfway as the bitter inquiry was made. Whether it was to him or to himself, Sendoh was not so sure. But he was sure about one thing, and that he was right. Rukawa’s icy façade that he had shown the world all this time was nothing but what it was, a façade. And right now, it was cracking and crumbling. The crumbling down of a façade is a precarious situation, either it will turn out into the best possible way, or the worst. He got where he wanted Rukawa, though he had not really intended for it to actually happen, so he had better do something about it.

“Is that what you think you are?”

Rukawa’s shaking had ceased considerably as he turned to look at Sendoh. And realized something.

Sendoh was not smiling.

“I-I don’t know. I guess-I guess, maybe I am.”

“Why?”

Rukawa looked away, seemingly refusing to answer.

Sendoh reached out for the younger boy again and this time, his hand gently rested on Rukawa’s shoulder in a reassuring manner.

“You know, it’s OK if…”

“I think…I think maybe I’ve been running away.”

The hand was still there. “How come?”

Rukawa had expected a “From what?” not a “How come?”. He was not sure if he knew how to answer this.

“It’s safer like this.”

It was Sendoh’s turn to be surprised, but he did not say anything, did not ask for the definition of 'safer', preferring to wait and listen instead.

“I don’t have to expect anything of anyone, and no one has to expect anything of me.”

Somehow, Sendoh knew that this was not about basketball. Far from it.

“I can’t handle it. I can’t handle it if someone’s nice to me and I’d have to return the favour. I don’t like obligations, so I avoid them.”

/Like the plague./ But Sendoh did not want to jinx or worsen the situation by voicing it out. There had to be a reason but he knew that Rukawa will not say everything tonight. Cannot was probably the better word. These things were best taken slowly.

“So…you avoid them by…running away?”

“…the same…”

“Pardon me?”

“They’re the same. Avoiding, running away.”

And Sendoh knew that Rukawa had been consciously doing it all this while. He had tried and tested the method knowingly and seeing that it worked best, he kept it up. Then that would mean, there was really a different Rukawa Kaede underneath the foxy exterior and icy demeanour. And as much as basketball was a big part of Rukawa’s life, he could see that the younger boy truly loved the sport, it was also as much as a distraction as anything.

But, distraction...from what? What was it in Rukawa’s not-so-distant past that made the boy turn out to be the way he was?

“I…”

Sendoh tensed inwardly as he waited for the boy to say something more. If there was another side to Rukawa, a somewhat happier, friendlier, smilier one, he swore that he would find it someday.

“I…I think it’s getting late.”

Someday, but not today.

Sendoh sagged inwardly and outwardly. But he reminded himself that these kind of things were best taken slow. Like his sudden unexplainable urge to know more about his younger friend, and to shield him. He could not deny his growing concern for the boy and he was not going to. And if there was one thing Sendoh Akira would never do, it was to never lie to himself. He liked the boy. As more than a friend. He already sorted out his emotions long ago, because he was always honest to himself and as much as he was a brain-user, he followed his heart when it was needed as well. He had confessed to himself that he liked Rukawa Kaede, wanted him. It was an admittance. No buts.

He wanted Rukawa. He wanted the boy to be happy, too. And he had no idea how to go about doing that.

Rukawa Kaede was everything but approachable. And somehow, he, Sendoh Akira, had managed to get closer to him. Somewhat. He liked to consider that he did. He made sure that he made the extra effort to. And it was paying off, little by little. Best to take things slow. But then again, maybe it's time to venture a little.

“You…don’t have anywhere that you need to be later? Anything to do?”

It took several seconds of contemplation before Rukawa shook his head, not making any eye contact while he was doing it. He was still feeling a little bit awkward after all that has been said.

“Then…would you mind if I take you somewhere?”

That earned a puzzled look from Rukawa. Eye contact at last, but the boy said nothing in his confusion.

“Let me rephrase that, I’m famished now and I think you are, too. Would you mind dining together?”

Somehow that still came out right…to Sendoh but he had also the feeling that it came out not quite right to Rukawa, should the boy manage to process the question and its hidden meaning properly. He somehow had no doubts that the hidden meaning would still be safely unnoticed. Not necessarily a good thing, though.

“I mean, let’s just go grab something to eat. Since we’re here and all.”

If Sendoh’s eyes had not deceived him, was that suspicion in Rukawa’s eyes that he had seen just now? But it was fleeting and replaced with the ‘inexpression’ that usually dominated the younger boy’s facial features.

Rukawa shrugged.

Sendoh took that as an affirmative. People have been telling him that he was an optimistic one. He found no reason to disbelieve them now. He stood up and dusted off the back of his jeans, prompting Rukawa to follow suit.

“Then, let’s go.”

* * *

The rest of the night had been nice, albeit impromptu. Especially the movie session that came with it later. Sendoh made for a peaceful company. Rukawa felt at ease whenever he was with the older player, and though he would usually try to question the whys and wherefores of situations such as this, he strangely felt uncompelled to analyze it tonight. It all seemed quite natural, more than when he was alone. And somehow, the strange talk they had earlier served to make all of these more so. He felt that, though it was not by much, he had opened up a small part of himself and he had not met any painful retaliation like he had expected. Instead, he was offered a strange sense of comfort.

Was it…was it Sendoh’s effect on him? And, he had not felt threatened by it, like the older boy had not expected anything back from him.

They ate, and chatted a little and he had been noticing, if Sendoh’s grin through that night was to be any wider, or brighter, his head would explode. What was the man so joyful about? But Rukawa had to admit though, this whole thing was rather feel-good, and it was rubbing off on him. He could feel himself loosening up without having to consciously do so, not like he could do it even if he was conscious of it.

After dinner, Sendoh had mentioned something about not wanting to return to an empty house since his family was out doing some family-affair type thing that he could not make it back in time for, and suggested that they both go for a movie instead. Rukawa had protested, saying that he wanted to go home to take a bath but Sendoh convinced him out of it, saying their bodies were already cooled down by the air conditioning in the restaurant. Rukawa had asked if he did not feel disgusted, after sweating all afternoon and then to prolong their sticky condition, even though all the sweat have already dried off prior to dinner, but still, a bath was still very much needed, to which Sendoh casually replied that they could do that /after/ the movie.

Rukawa gave up then and simply followed the older player to a nearby Cineplex to decide what they were going to watch. Sendoh had a tough time getting Rukawa to say what he wanted to watch besides replying ‘anything’ to whatever Sendoh had suggested. Finally, the younger boy relented and said vaguely, ‘something contemporary’ and Sendoh had to be satisfied with the answer and do the rest by himself.

They finally settled for a contemporary French movie that in Sendoh’s opinion by the end of it, was ‘contemplative and experimental as hell’ while the younger boy had just been amused. They both were, really, since none of them actually got the movie but at least, they were entertained for a full hour and half, almost two.

“I think it’s time I head off for home.”

“Yeah, now would be as good a time as any to take a shower and head for bed, ne, Rukawa-kun?”

Awkward silence ensued for a few moments.

“So…you’re taking the train home today? Since you didn’t ride your bike today.”

Rukawa nodded silently.

“Ah, so you had better hurry before you miss the last train back to your district which would be arriving in, hmm….,” Sendoh paused to check his watch, “less than twenty minutes.”

/Idiiiioooot! You just had to do something like that, don’t you! You just had to hurry him on home when you can spend another precious few minutes with him!/

/But then again…how was he to get home otherwise…walk?/

“Try what?”

Sendoh was shocked out of his inner conversation with himself by Rukawa’s quiet inquiry. What? Had he said the last part out loud??

“Errr…n-nothing, I was just psyching myself up for an upcoming exam, that’s all, hahaha…”

“I see…good luck, then.”

“Huh?”

“I said good luck. You know, for your exams.”

“A-ah, yeah, thanks!! I’ll be needing it…”

Another moment of silence passed as Rukawa and Sendoh gazed at each other.

It was Rukawa who first broke the gaze.

“I’ll be heading home, now.”

“Yeah-hey want me to walk you to the station?” /So much for trying.../

This time, there was an unmistakable raise of eyebrows in Rukawa’s part. And Sendoh sagged visibly as his head shook in negative in the next instance.

“I can get there myself. I know the way.”

Sendoh nodded as Rukawa turned to walk at the direction of the Ryonan station. Sendoh realized that he still needed to ask something and called out to Rukawa.

“Same time tomorrow?”

Rukawa looked back quizzically. “Don’t you have exams?”

“A-ah, no-I mean, yes!! Yes, I have exams, it’s just a pop-quiz thingy that lasts all of one day. Nothing to worry about, heh, heh, so…same time tomorrow?”

Sendoh desperately hoped he did not come off as being /too/ hopeful as to garner suspicion from the younger boy.

Rukawa raised his brow in amusement. “If you wish.”

Then he turned and left.

Sendoh had a hard time falling asleep that night. And so did Rukawa. It was the first time in years for the latter.

* * *

And those pseudo-dates had naturally evolved into real ones, a silent acceptance by both parties of their feelings towards each other. It had not needed to be voiced then. But as time went by they can delude themselves no longer and the need for official acknowledgement before the next step in their relationship can be broached became, well, mandatory.

He had meant to be the first to voice it out, those three words, and he had come all the way to Sendoh’s school and had been on his way to see him to somehow ‘arrange’ for a way to do so (he had become more ‘positively manipulative’, another one of Sendoh’s creative jargons, after having spent so much time with him…he had learnt from the best after all, Sendoh had gloated shamelessly right after creating that phrase). He had heard that his partner was in the guy’s changing room. He was right outside the door when he heard it.

“Damn, that girl with Sendoh today was hot!”

“Girl? But I’m almost positive that sempai is going out with-“

“Yeah, and they were all huggy and kissy and stuff, too! Well, she was the one doing all the hugging and smooching, but wow, the way he hugged her back, the intensity of it! And her legs...*whistles*”

“Huh? No way, Sendoh sempai’s already got--”

“Hikoichi, what are you trying to say? Are you jealous ‘cos you’re short and you talk funny? It wouldn’t be a surprise, ne, to have girls falling all over Sendoh’s feet. His got the height, looks, brains, personality /and/ cash!”

“Yea--hey! I /don't/ talk funny! It's just the dialect of where I come from! And I still think you’ve all mistak-“

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, kiddo, /and/ I believe what my eyes saw. They were pretty passionate with each other, their silhouette have ‘lurve’ written all over them!!”

By then Rukawa had heard enough.

* * *

“Now, you’re just exaggerating…”

“Ah, he’s so lucky, and she was hot, too. Those legs...my God...*drools*…”

“ALL OF YOU SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME!!”

“…………………”

“You guy /are/ aware of Sendoh-san’s inclination, right? Though he’d kept it well-hidden all this time.”

“Yeah, yeah, he’s gay, blah, blah, what are you trying to say anyway?”

“I’m saying that he’s already involved with somebody, you dimwits! Why would he be turning to girls all of a sudden and besides--”

“Well every guy has a ‘straight’ cell in him…sigh…I guess I was just trying to tease the guy a little….”

“Teasing who? Me?”

Sendoh was looking at his teammates, smiley face intact, toweling off his sweat. He had just come in to see his teammates jovially gossiping about him.

“Yeah, who /was/ that girl you were with today anyway, Sendoh?”

“You were spying on me, Koshino? Why, I didn’t know you had that big of a crush on me. Well, I understand, my charms are hard for anybody, men or women, to resist…”

Koshino blushed and sputtered at the statement. “H-hey! I already have a girlfriend! You’ve met her yourself…”

“And that substantiates to…?”

“And that substantiates to you and Rukawa as well! Aren’t you two an item as well??”

“Hehe, good point.” Sendoh was blushing bashfully at this point.

“He’s got it bad….”