The first time I entered the unfamiliar gym of Kainan High School, I saw you…
You were all alone, by yourself, practicing in the empty gym, dribbling, shooting, pretending to pass people’s defense…
I didn’t know why, but for once, I thought I was absolutely bewitched by every one of your movement, so powerful yet so graceful. Though I had been playing basketball for three years, this was the first time I knew that basketball could be such a fascination…
"Good afternoon! You are a bit early." You smiled to me, kinda indifferently.
"Good afternoon, sempai."
"You are a new student, right?" You looked at me for a moment and said, "You like basketball?"
"Yes, I like it, and I wish I could be a good player in Kainan."
"Being a good player in Kainan is not that easy, you know," You closely observed me for a moment, "We always have so many of you at the start of the year, but in the end, not many can remain." You pushed out a smile, I don’t know if it was sadness.

Takato-sensei told me everything, I looked at him, tried very hard to be cool and understanding about this.
Then I sat down in the empty gym, staring at the basket, wondering, did that mean I have no future in basketball? I was depressed, very depressed. Tears silently fell down my cheeks… one drop, two drops, three drops, pathetically fell on the polished floor.
"Hey, why you are still here, you silly little thing?" You entered the gym, saw me, said lovingly with a little pat fell on my hair.
"Hey, you are crying? Why? Boys aren’t meant to cry." You softly took my head up, smiling to me in such a way that I can no long resist my pain, I cried out like a little boy in your arms.
Your slowly stroked my hair, waiting silently and for me to calm down.
"Now, tell me what has happened." You patiently looked at me, waiting for my answer.
So I told you every of my troubles, only wished that you could help me.
"I am sorry, but I can’t help you with it." You said seriously.
I knew it, I knew that you won’t. Why was I clinging on to that stupid wish that you would help me? You were the superstar, you won’t care about a little Grade One like me, lots of us only had the destiny of quitting.
"But you can help yourself…"Your sentence interrupted my thought.
"Eh?"
"Miracles do happen if you work hard, I always believe in this. Superstars were born under hard working, I tell you, Jin. Don’t believe in what they say that I was a genius even when I first entered Kainan, I work harder than anyone else, that’s why."
"Perhaps I do have some privileges, I am strong and powerful, that’s what they all say. But what really made me a good basketball player are skills and experiences coming from practices… If you put your whole effort in basketball, you will be Kainan’s ace, one day."
After you said that, you stood up, shook my shoulder and went off to practice.
Watching your excellent skills, I made my final decision.

I stayed back every time after practice, days after days , weeks after week, I won’t regret anymore, I didn’t care if I could no longer be a center, I didn’t care if I have to start all over again. I just wanted to play basketball, for myself, and for you, too. I wanted to be your partner, play my every game with you, support you, co-operate with you, and most of all…

I just wanna to be with you…

I’ve made up my mind already, no matter how hard it was, I would carry on.

My progress surprised everyone, and amazingly, I was growing much taller, the three-pointer shoots became a shock even to Takato-sensei. I was totally thankful to you, every shoot I did, reminded me of your great help.
It was on that day, I finally decided to challenge you on a one-on-one.
Since the day I decided to practice alone for the shoots, you were nowhere to be seen after team practices. I became the only occupant of the big gym.
It was later that I learnt , your walked three kilometres to an open basketball court in order not to distract me…
It was an obvious tough game for me, but I was glad, cos I was convinced of my skills from you, and I knew all of the hard work I’ve done didn’t end in vain.
I saw excitement in your eyes, too. It was not simply happiness because of winning, it was something more.
"Jin, your skill is amazingly good, brilliant even." When we sat down to rest, you said to me, "Be prepared for next year, you and me are the ones to bring out the whole game, and to always keep Kainan on the summit."
"Me?"
"Yes, you, Jin Soichiro, why shouldn't we be partners?" You looked at me with a sincere smile.
I closed my eyes, feeling happy at last…

The gym was no longer lonely, the gym was no longer cold, when you were here, too. We, together, practicing passing, dribbling, and most of all, shooting, our co-operation was shockingly smooth. It was as if we were made for each other. One little movement, one glimpse to your eye, I knew instantly what your next move is, and you didn’t have to check much before you pass, I was always in the position you were going to pass to.
And I was no longer your little brother, you took me completely as a friend, a very close friend, even. Though our hobbies and views may not be exactly similar, but we fitted each other very well. You trusted me, letting me glimpse your heart under that old, serious appearance.

I didn’t know why, I thought I like you just because I respect and adore you, but it ended up not being the case. The more time I spent with you, the more I would treat you as a equal, not an elder. I trusted you, too, completely, and I knew that you would be there to share everything with me, both my happiness and sadness.
And I knew, that you treat me in the same way, too…
My feeling towards you, was already beyond that of a friend, I would miss your existence when you were not here. I would think about you always.
Though I didn’t know if this feeling was going to be right, but I never regretted for it. Perhaps such a feeling was already rooted in me since the first time I saw you. Perhaps it was not that strong and passionate, but it was always there, would never change.
I didn’t know whether you felt the same way, but it didn’t matter. Your existence was good enough for me.

For all I want, was to be with you…

In the game with Shohoku, seeing you being blocked up by the four of them, I was so anxious, this was, after all, the first game that was meant to be supported by two of us.
I saw you, unable to pass the defense of Shohoku, and suddenly remembered my duty, my position, as your partner.
You slipped the ball away without looking, and it fell straight into my hand. I took a deep breath, bent my knee down slightly, concentrated all my energy into my arms, and jump---
The ball went pass the defender, and smoothly into the basket…
I closed my eyes and grinned happily to myself, while I knew, you would be there, smiling with me…
Simply wish that I could be there with you, forever…