Why SenRuSen?!

This is the hot stuff in this entire SenRuSen site (well aside from the fics and all...), my Why SenRuSen arguments.

This is the physical proof of my inborn war freakiness...kidding! But what the heck!? I just wanted to seek and make clarifications...that's all!

Notes This is only because I'm a SenRuSen fan. If you're not, then I'm sorry. We all have different perspectives and this happens to be mine. Let's just respect each other, shall we?

For added evidences, it's most welcome in there as well. I may have missed a lot of juicy details. And I admit I don't know everything there is to know about SenRuSen.

Ok, here goes: my teeny-weeny thesis paper on the SenRu pairing...

#1 In the Ryonan-Shohoku practice game (and in all Ryonan-Shohoku games as well) Sendoh and Rukawa kept on looking at each other.

*Yeah...see for yourself. They are the ones who are always looking at each other right from the start of every game. And are like burning hot for a 1-on-1. They are guarding each other as well. They are so concentrated on each other that they don't even listen to their coaches!*

#2 Sendoh said "having 1-on-1 with Rukawa is FUN".

*So, they were having fun, right? Actually, the exact sentence used was, "Having 1-on-1 with him is so much fun!" With matching hentai look and the smile, OMG, it's absolutely horny-ific!*

#3 There was one instance when Rukawa was practicing, he *imagined* that Sendoh was his opponent.

*You see, it could've been anybody he could think of. Fujima, Mitsui, Kiyota, or even an NBA player...then why Sendoh? Ok fine...somebody told me, they have the same abilities so it's Sendoh who is the perfect opponent. Now I say this, Rukawa has pride, of course he would think of competing with somebody better than Sendoh because he thinks he's a better player than him, right? So his pride would tell him not to level himself to Sendoh, but still he did, so the bottom line is he is enjoying with Sendoh.

The Argument: I know, I know, he also imagined Maki...threesome?! Nah! Not a good sight! But nonetheless he remembered Sendoh and he remembered him first! Hmm...save the best for last which happened to be Maki? Nope. It's more of who he remembered first (which is Sendoh) and the gravity of that person in Rukawa's life. And it's not the first time he's been thinking about him! This is more of an...added passion! Not only did he think of him but in addition to that, he imagined him!

Case closed!*

#4 After the Ryonan-Shoyo vs Shohoku game, Rukawa looked at Sendoh and Sendoh smiled.

*And he always does that to Rukawa, and according to AKML (I witnessed it as well), every time Sendoh smiles at Rukawa, Rukawa has this quite puzzled look on his face and still, Sendoh continues to smile at him!

This is on episode 101!*

#5 Sendoh said that Rukawa is "talkative".

*In this I firmly believe. You see, Rukawa (of course) rarely talks...I think the longest thing he had said, excluding *conversations* (yep, CONVERSATIONS) with Sendoh is the time when he introduced himself in the Shohoku Basketball Club.

Most of the time you hear him cursing Sakuragi or the lines such as "9 points to go..." or "5 points to go". But to Sendoh...it's different. This evidence is given life by proof no.8 (please read). And he was challenging him, so he was talking a lot. Ok, ok, people may ask me...he's challenging him so they are rivals. He's just talking to Sendoh because he want to challenge him...here's what I say to that, if Rukawa's only up for a challenge, he could've done the same to other players. Why does he keep on bugging Sendoh? Fujima is a good player, Maki is good as well, Jin is a competitor, or even Sakuragi if he really wanted a challenge, right? But he never said a word, then why to Sendoh?

And in addition to that, in the SD manga, Rukawa even went to Sendoh to seek for advice. Huh?! (One may ask) Yeah, it's true. I read it myself (the manga summaries in Anipike) it's on volume 29 of the SD manga...so go check it out...buy it now...kidding! But really, it's on the 29th manga volume. It's such a sweeeeeeet part...I only read the summaries but as I picture it...it's so cooool!

The analysis is this...Why would Rukawa seek counsel in Sendoh? Because they trust each other (sorry to those who say that Sendoh and Rukawa are rivals so they can't be together). So, it's normal for Rukawa to be talkative with Sendoh coz they are comfortable with each other. Pride aside for both of them most especially for Rukawa.*

#6 In the Ryonan-Shohoku game, Rukawa saved his energy for Sendoh.

*Yeah. He wasn't that active in the first half because he knows that the true game will come in the second half in which he and Sendoh will have the total match-up. In that episode, the whole "save my energy for later" was so emphasized. Actually, the whole episode, as I remember it, was focused on both of them *giggles*.

Here goes my analysis...in the ML, somebody said that Rukawa really respects Sendoh's ability (a very good trait) meaning that he sets aside his wall-sized pride of being no.1 in Japan, right? And also, "saving energy for somebody" means that you really are looking forward playing basketball with this somebody and is excited about it...again, because you are looking forward to having a good game. In the whole SD series, Rukawa has never saved his energy and sacrificed the first half of the game for an opponent except for Sendoh.*

#7 Everybody noticed that Sendoh and Rukawa are "...burning just facing each other".

*Watch the Ryonan-Shohoku practice game, even Coach Taoka noticed this.

For some un-SenRu fans, this "burning just facing each other" may sound like *just a challenge*...why? (they may ask) Sakuragi and Rukawa are electrocuted just looking at each other (you know the electricity stuff in their heads) *kidding*! Well, yeah this sound like a basketball challenge, but here goes the meaning under those lines...

"Burning just facing each other" is simply like this...they are really into the game when they play with each other, they bring out the best of one another's skills which is an indication of a perfect yaoi couple! Bringing out the best of what one has to offer!

For someone, once you've noticed that you are playing with somebody competitive enough with your skills, you seem to be excited (that is if you're a sport) and if you give an all-out ability, that makes you more excited, thus happy. So, the bottom line here is that, beyond these lines, Sendoh and Rukawa are happy with each other *smirks*.*

And this is what attracts me to SenRu. This also justifies evidence no. 2 wherein Sendoh said "having 1-on-1 with Rukawa is fun". So, they are happy with each other. As a Rukawa fan, nothing would be better than knowing Rukawa, the ice-cold-hard-as-rock-high-school-basketball-player enjoying and being happy other than sleeping and listening to music. And as a Sendoh fan, nothing would be nicer than having this bishounen turn quite serious for some moment. But nonetheless, they complement each other and that's what matters!*

#8 In the Ryonan-Shohoku game, Rukawa said to Sendoh "...what are you going to do, another lead?" and Sendoh smiled about that.

*Rukawa being talkative. Because of challenge? Probably. But it sounds more of a joke to me. A statement you throw when you want to be playful. I use to say words of the same nature to my friends when I just want to be naughty, and they smile about it. Because if I say this to somebody who's not my friend, I'd be dead in the gutter for getting someone mad!

The bottom line I want to emphasize here is that this stuff tells us of friendship between them, as well as getting to know more of each other's abilities in basketball. This whole friendship stuff is given solid proof by evidence no. 12*

#9 Coach Taoka said that "Sendoh's happiest when he's facing Rukawa".

*Need I say more? It's quite obvious, either of challenge or of friendship or relationship, this simply says it all...Sendoh's happiest when he's facing Rukawa.

Actually, the sentence could've been happier or happy but using the term happiest is something "super". Being grammar wise, it's called *SUPER*lative, so nothing can ever be higher than that form *winks*.*

Ok fine, some un-SenRu people may say, the dubbing might be wrong so the "grammar wise" stuff is not so accurate...well, it's from AXN so might as well believe in it!!!*

#10 Sendoh said, "I didn't expect to have another 1-on-1 with you soon, Rukawa".

*So...Rukawa and Sendoh's doing "another" 1-on-1?*

#11 In the Ryonan-Shohoku game, Sendoh said things such as "enjoying" and "toying with Rukawa".

*In a Yaoi perspective, using the words "toying" with somebody is being like...really naughty.

But the thing here is he enjoys Rukawa, and enjoys it so much he wants to toy with him! Hahaha...oh my yaoi mind!*

#12 After the Ryonan-Shohoku practice game, Rukawa slapped Sendoh's high-fived hand.

*This is on episode 18!

What a sport! It means that in their first ever encounter, they felt that they had chemistry in basketball. Well, Rukawa won't even touch anybody in the Shohoku Basketball Club, then why would he even think of high-fiving with somebody in a rival team?

And here's the catch, high-fiving with a person means that there's friendship. Yeah, they might have first met in that game, but that could've been the start of their friendship, right?

One more thing, after Rukawa slapped the hand and turned away, Sendoh smiled!!!

So the bottom line is they share something. This scene started in the first part of the series and justifies all other interactions between Rukawa and Sendoh until the end of the series. So, friendship, companionship, sports buddy, or even being lovers (all these except rivalry) exists between Rukawa and Sendoh...

But since we are SenRu fans, we think of them as more of lovers and best of friends rather than just a companion or a 1-on-1 buddy!*

#13 In the Ryonan-Shohoku practice game, when Rukawa got a cramp...Sendoh looked sooooooooo concerned!

*Yes he did look overly concerned...but before that he smiled at Rukawa then he made a shot...after the shot, he was taken aback and looked at Ru with concern...something like 'are you ok?'. Better take a look...it's on the fifteenth episode!

Ok, so anybody may look at Rukawa with utmost concern so why limit to Sendoh? Didn't Yasuda and Kogure did the same? Well he's the one who was given emphasis, that's why! You'd better watch that episode and you'll understand what I'm talking about!*

#14 Rukawa was told about the game with Ryonan, he immediately thought about Sendoh.

*Yup. Remember the time when Rukawa, Miyagi, and Mitsui abandoned watching the Kainan-Ryonan match and the three of them practiced together? The time when Anzai-sensei broke down? Sakuragi announced the news that Kainan won and they'll be having a game with Ryonan. Yep. This is it! Episode 66 people!

What you guys have to catch here is the look in his face and the way he vocalized *read, vocalized* Sendoh's name! It was a mixture of excitement (for having a game with Sendoh, I assume), and he didn't say it angrily, it was more of gentle actually. Judge for yourself, watch episode 66 of the SD series.

Stressing the SenRu-better-than-any-pairing-argument, if Rukawa was really pissed off with Sendoh or rivalry (perhaps), he would have said it angrily, or there's a background of fire and whatever-do-you-call-that-angry-background. His face could've been super deformed and fuming, right? That's the usual style in the SD series, but hell no! What did he do instead? His face was focused and all he said was 'Sendoh'. And as I said, judge for yourself, I think he said it rather gently. Sooo sweet!!! Soooo SenRu!!!*

#15 In the Shohoku-Ryonan match, the 2 lovebirds focused on each other...in the entire 30-minute episode!

*This all happened in episode 67 of the SD series. First, Rukawa looked at Sendoh. Then Sendoh looked back. You can just feel the intensity of those stares! What was unforgettable was when the starting players were introduced, the one where Rukawa was mentioned, actually, there was a quickie little Sendoh flick, he's just staring at Rukawa. He was the last person to be seen before Mitsui, who was to be introduced next, was called. It was indeed emphasized that he was looking at Rukawa because he was focused then. His side was facing that of Rukawa. Indescribable for me actually, I seem to have lost adjectives to describe it but it's really obvious that he was looking at him. All Sendoh could do is to stare at the beauty and elegance Rukawa Kaede naturally have.

When Sendoh was called, Rukawa now had his eyes on him (actually, he already had his eyes from the moment the two teams met). It was emphasized as well that Rukawa was really looking at him because his eyes were completely focused, and it's common sense that the certain scene focuses on Akira as well, so where could've he been looking? The ceiling? The scoreboard? I. Don't. Think. So. It has to be to Sendoh, and that's a fact. To know more of the staring game, please refer to proof no. 18.

Now see how much they loooove to stare at each other? Look into each other's eyes? Normally, Kaede would just turn his back an ignore those looks, but he actually did reciprocate with a stare.*

#16 In the Shohoku-Ryonan match, Rukawa's teammates said, "It was the first time he admitted defeat", that is to Sendoh.

*Then, teammates from Shohoku noticed that Rukawa was spunky! So hot to have a 1-on-1. They even said it was the first time that Rukawa admitted defeat. Here's the argument. Read this: admitted. The term is not ordinary. Synonyms are, acknowledge, disclose, confess, etc. So he *did admit* he lost to Sendoh. Now, the statement means this: he respects Sendoh's ability and Sendoh managed to make Rukawa "calm down" the undying pride. Moreover, the term admitted is more on verbal than any other aspect. You could feel you're defeated but admitting so is quite different. But as was said, he did admit he lost. So meaning, he gave way to Sendoh. The perfect yaoi couple, so to speak, and in fact any other couple whether heterosexual or yuri (eeew...not a fan, sorry!), should give up pride and respect each other, right?

Besides, Rukawa had played with other good players, say Maki, and Sendoh actually (though sadly) lost to him (but they're well-matched as was said in the series). Now why wouldn't Rukawa admit defeat to Maki? Hmmm....and he admitted defeat to Sendoh? Need I say more?*

#17 When team Shohoku assembled and Akagi told Rukawa to form man-to-man defense on Sendoh, Rukawa was taken aback by merely hearing Akira's name.

*Yep he did. There was this shocked look on his face and a shocked background I cannot fully describe. The bottom line is, his attention was caught by Sendoh Akira. Normally, when Rukawa is ordered to defend a certain opponent, he's like stiff and presents no reaction at all. He'll just say 'hai' and then on with the mission. But it was the first time a name rang a bell on his head, and it was Sendoh's.*

#18 Rukawa craved for too much attention from Sendoh.

*He did! Before the game (Ryonan-Shohoku Final Match) started, Sendoh even reminded himself that Rukawa is indeed in the mood for a tough game that he had to be careful himself. *hmm...being uke this time, Sendoh-san?* Hahaha. But what I would like to point out is the surfacing feeling of knowing each other by the looks! And the fact that Sendoh even had the interest to look at Kaede. Meaning he's interested with Kaede, right? Nobody would be looking at something if he or she isn't interested. And you wouldn't give a damn to read in between the lines if you could've done something more lucrative, right?

And the fact that before the game, Rukawa set aside pride to communicate a radiating feeling of a stare when he's a little emotionless (not literally but, you know what I mean, not much of an emotional guy risking pride to show emotions and all that)?! Never seen Rukawa crave for too much attention. Plus, if he just wanted Sendoh to know he's so damn spunky, he could've done it later on...but he was so excited and he can't wait Sendoh to know *Impatient, ne? Kaede-kun?* Can't get enough of Sendoh-san!*

#19 In Episode 70 of the SD series Rukawa was caught staring at Sendoh.

*Yup he was. It was in the part when Akagi went back into the court in high spirits then Shohoku members and their Ryonan counterparts were each given a piece of the screen, Rukawa can be seen staring at Sendoh while Sendoh just concentrated himself on the issue which was (at that time) Akagi.

So, we have this Kaede shy type admirer, ne? Cute scene! Catch it on episode 70*

#20 In the Ryonan-Shohoku game, Sendoh and Rukawa were challenging each other and then Sendoh thought Rukawa was 'very interesting'

*Here's the totality of what happened: first, Sendoh scored and told Rukawa - "7 points to go"...then Rukawa answered back and said - "Still leading"...then there was this focus on Sendoh with the background that conveys that "somebody hit the jackpot" and Sendoh said "very interesting" pertaining to Rukawa!

OMG! I completely forgot the episode number but that scene is priceless! Needs no more explanation for it is absolutely, clearly SenRu...can't put that on the 'challenge thing' coz the essence conveyed is purely yaoi implication.

Just watch the whole Ryonan-Shohoku game and you'll find it there!*

#21 In the Ryonan-Shoyo vs. Shohoku match, by hearing the mere name of 'Sendoh', Rukawa was so *shocked*.

*Question number 1: Is Rukawa the type to eavesdrop? Nope. He doesn't care at all especially since - as the scene goes, Hikoichi and Sakuragi were gossiping and talking about 'tensai-hood' and stuff! No way Kaede would be attentive on that! But, some things can be heard...like Sendoh's name perhaps - that would make someone sooo attentive like...Rukawa Kaede, as our perfect example.

Question number 2: Would Rukawa Kaede react if he heard something that does not interest him at all and he's not even part of the party who's talking? Not his type at all - the scandalous type, I should say. But he'll probably sigh and say 'do'aho...which is his usual reaction. But what matters in that certain scene was the type of reaction elicited from our dear supah rookie! Shock...something like 'Sendoh?' said in that husky voice, devoid of anger and instead full of excitement! Hmmm...words cannot totally express SenRu love there!

Question number 3: What is Archangel-chan's analysis? Yes, here goes the Rukawa type of reaction given that situation (reiterate, the scene was like this - Sakuragi telling that their last player (opponent team) is taking so long. Sakuragi guessed out loudly something which is near the lines 'You're waiting for Sendoh, right?' - it was based from 'my native language translation' of SD. Kaede was just near the scene, as far as I remember...the thing was: he was focused...the 'Kaede reaction' given emphasis).

Okay, the typical Rukawa reactions are the following:

Uno: Turn to chibi mode, sigh and say 'do'aho' which is so typical given the comic situation right there!

Dos: Walk away and practice...if and only if he didn't give a damn about Sendoh, especially now (that time) when Shohoku actually won against Ryonan. Okay, you may say that Coach Anzai said that Sendoh's better...but before that game, Rukawa was already confident about himself (the time where he imagined Sendoh as his opponent) and why of all people would he think of Sendoh FIRST? Okay, that was a different topic...so he was already confident about himself at that time. Even Anzai thought he was way beyond from what he was before. If he wanted competition, well at least he could've changed his loving tone to a different one, right? Watch that episode - specifically...I do not know *pokes herself* but that was 'airing day 1' of the Ryonan-Shoyo vs. Shohoku match...Oh, SenRu love!

Tres: Again, if he didn't care about Sendoh at all...or anything like that in the entire series. If Sendoh never existed in Rukawa's world at that certain time...if Sendoh Akira didn't have any impact on Rukawa Kaede's life at that specific time and space...well, he would've never been seen on camera with that kind of reaction towards Sendoh's name...am I right? Case closed, SenRu rules!*

Ok, now here are the things where I post stuff without very relevant purposes, just mere opinions but with some punch lines I use to defend my belief...

#1 I like SenRu coz they're my favorite characters.

*Ok, some may say (often non-yaoi fans), question that if they are your favorites, would you let your fave characters turn gay?

Here's the punch...we pro SenRu people and all yaoi people as well, have our own opinion and we are free to post what we like in the World Wide Web so back-off! This is a free world, buddy so if it irritates you, it's your one big problem and one big consequence for entering a yaoi site then go loco reacting on yaoi stuff!

I included this one coz there was one incidence in our GW site - somebody commented on a Heero Yuy *who was that again?* being too cool to be gay! (argh, some people can be irritating, ne?)*

#2 There's the SD opening of a Rukawa dunk followed by a Sendoh dunk.

*Uh-huh, a hint for SenRu fans. Nothing much of a deal but an extra stuff to ponder about. But really I wonder why Sendoh is there...*

#3 There's this Rukawa vs. Sendoh theme song.

*Yeah, this one's cool. Meaning that their match-up is really intense. Additional "not-so-much-of-an-evidence" but I might as well put it in!*

#4 There's episodes that are exclusively Sendoh's and Rukawa's.

*Uh-huh, the episodes where in there are loads of SenRu stuffs for us to look out for!*

So there goes my thesis paper, folks! Hope it's good enough.

For comments, please don't be so harsh on me, it's welcome in my inbox.

Thanks!

More evidences and it's justification can be found at True Blue HQ by Cha-Cha Koneko.