Kiriko/Sakurai: Okay, these two are cute. They are ranked pretty high overall because they’ve made me squee. It’s not often that happens. Good ol’ Sakurai. He really is a good guy. He’s so adorable when he was younger. Just going by the translation, he seemed so earnest to make a good impression on the equally young Kiriko. I just adore Kiriko. I normally don’t enjoy the scheming types, but she is truly amusing. The reason I like her is because I think it’s the fact that she gets more enjoyment out of tormenting the boys. So, out of all the volumes I own (which, admittedly, isn’t a lot), she’s not fawning over people. She tends to blow it off. Their first encounter is really sweet. I love the brush off she gives him. Then comes volume 21. Oh, goodness, that got me. The team’s tired and in use of some morale. Kiriko is tending to Sakurai and she just started ragging on him about his injury. This obviously means a lot to her. And then Sakurai throws a curveball in the midst of her rant and finishes off by saying (and I quote), “Kiriko. Tokyo kaettara …sa. Issho ni umi ikanai ka.” SQUEE!!! (Or at least that better be squee worthy. From what I gather it is, but that “nai” is throwing me off because I always associate it with a negative.) I seriously have to scan that scene. The look on her face is priceless. They’ve certainly come a long way. They’re so different, but I think it’d work because of moments just like this. (And I think I got spoiled at the end.)
Kobayashi/Sawamura: The tiger and the dragon. Really, that should be self-explanatory right there. Imagine my shock when I found out that both of them are almost similar in character. Since Sawamura uses streets smarts, cunning, and is kinda standoff-ish, I thought Kobayashi would be outgoing and open to counter that. Boy, was I wrong. If anything, dear Kobayashi is also reserved, but also awkward socially. Poor boy. At least Sawamura can get by socially -even if he is a little brusque at times. It’s almost painful watching Kobayashi interact. The great thing about this relationship is that they come alive on the court. They thrive off the competition and cooperation the other can provide. In fact, their first major chapter together was really great. They do have an antagonistic relationship, but it’s also amazingly supportive. Again, I’ll refer to volume 21. There’s a nice scene which I can’t quite translate but it seems that Sawamura divulges information about his past and learning to shoot a three point shot. It all ties in with some promise he made to his brother (I think). He just goes on about it to Kobayashi and it seems so intimate for that moment. Then Kobayashi says something (I’ve no idea how to translate what he said), and Sawamura thanks him. Yeah, where did that come from? And then the scene goes on to my pleasure and ends with Kobayashi supporting Sawamura to the bench. This just seems like the couple that wouldn't be vocal about anything, but they could totally understand each other through actions or something. They just seem click for whatever reason. And if anything else, to see Kobayashi laugh and see Sawamura truly smile is lovely.
Kobayashi+Kuwata: I’ve only got one scene to go off of. Actually I’ve got more ammo. However, I like the friendship aspect more than the romantic aspect. Again, gotta feel bad for Kobayashi as he just feels so inadequate when compared to the likes of Kuwata. Now here’s a relationship that, if it were to be romantic, would have the reserved, awkward person with the personable, outgoing person. My favorite scene, which I’ve tried numerous times to translate, deals with the situation. Basically, they go out to eat and Kuwata starts teasing him. Or it comes across like that because Kobayashi is so quiet during that time. Then they start talking about stuff and it seems as if Kobayashi starts to reveal the inadequacies he feels when compared to Kuwata. Then Kuwata starts talking and it seems he talks about what he admires about Sakurai but he also sees the same in Kobayashi. At least, that’s what I’m getting. But it’s a really nice scene where Kuwata cheers up Kobayashi. I mean, afterwards, they’re sharing knowing glances and sharing chuckles. It’s really adorable. I’d like to see how that friendship panned out.
Then there is a whole multitude of pairings I could divulge in because it’s a basketball manga. With a bunch of good looking boys, which I could happily slash with others. And there are some decent gals that I could pair off with some of the boys. But, those couples listed above would be my big three. Or, rather, two and a half.