A tall boy with spikey hair was walking along the corridor that would lead him to the SD casting room after a turn in the corner when he suddenly bumped into a person with red-hair. Sendoh looked at him in surprise, as he had thought that only Sakuragi was the only person to have hair that colour in this station.
As Sendoh was busy staring at the young man's hair (wondering if it was dyed), the stranger was doing the same to Sendoh.

"Got it by birth right," the redhead said, breaking the silence.

"Eh?" puzzled, Sendoh looked at the redhead's face, when he realised that the other person was answering his unvoiced question. "Oh, I'm sorry. That was rude of me," apologised Sendoh, bowing in embarrassment.

The redhead shrugged. "Nah, no big deal. People ask me that all the time. What happened to your hair? It looked like you just got a shock or something," the redhead smirked.

Sendoh smiled wryly, "The hairdressers kidnapped me on my way here. I'm Sendoh, from Slam Dunk."

The redhead took the extended hand and shook it. "Glad to meet'cha. I'm Tasuki from Fushigi Yuugi. Yeah, those hairdressers are a pain, I tell ya. Before my hair was this long," he gestured, pointing to his hip, "before they cut it off. Damn, I loved my hair."

Sendoh chuckled, "You should've heard Kogure cuss the hairdressers when they wanted to cut of his ponytail."

"Heh, I've heard about that guy," said Tasuki grinning, showing his fangs to Sendoh, "I hear that he's not someone you wanna mess with."

"Well, he's not all that bad," said Sendoh slowly when he remembered those times when he was near Mitsui.

"You don't seem convinced youself," chuckled Tasuki when suddenly a voice called out, "Tasuki!"

Tasuki groaned, "Oh crap."

Sendoh looked behind him and what he saw was a slim youth with long purple hair running up to them.

"Here you are! Where have you been?" demanded the long-haired boy when he reached the redhead.

"Oh, just running around," answered Tasuki non-chalantly.

The boy snorted, "Yeah, right. Probably to the pantry."
Then the youth turned towards Sendoh who was looking at him curiously.

"It's dyed," the boy said before Sendoh regained this wits and began mumbling an apology. "If you see anyone with real purple hair, give me a call," the boy continued, smiling.

"This here is Nuriko," introduced Tasuki, "He's in the same show as I am."

"Ohayo," Sendoh greeted, bowing and after Nuriko bowed back, they shook hands.
"Sendoh Akira."

"Nice to meet you Sendoh-san. Well, I'm sorry to say this but Tasuki and I have got to run - and I mean literally," said Nuriko looking pointedly at the redhead.

"Do you have to use the word run? Just thinking about it makes me weak all over," said Tasuki making a face.

"Hah," scoffed Nuriko, "If an egg tart was held up in front of your nose, you'd run after it like a donkey to a carrot. I swear, if Miaka needs a stand-in during the eating scenes you'd be the first one to volunteer and not mind wearing a skirt."

"Pff," Tasuki said, "So?"

Sendoh chortled while Nuriko threw his hands up in despair.

"Anyway," continued Tasuki, "You know as well as I do that no matter how much I eat, I won't gain a pound."

"Yeah, but it makes you sluggish," said Nuriko, "Yesterday that cat could've run circles around you."

"I was tired," Tasuki said defending himself.

Nuriko slung an arm around the redhead and drawled "You weren't that tired in bed last night."

Sendoh blushed echoing the redhead's horrified expression at how the conversation has turned way to intimate for a third party.

Tasuki hissed, "Shut up."

Nuriko grinned and said to Tasuki, "I'll be waiting for you in the gym to start on our work-out. Hotohori and Tamahome will be there as well."
Then he turned to leave but not before he gave a slap on the redhead's butt, "See ya there, sweet thang!"

Nuriko disappeared quickly with his rich laughter ringing in the corridor leaving Tasuki standing and spluttering angrily.
Tasuki then turned towards Sendoh with the blush still on his face that matched his red hair and said, "I gotta go. See you later, ne, Sendoh."

"Yeah," answered the tall boy, "Ja."

Sendoh watched him walk away, hearing the redhead muttering something about a horny bed-mate and saying something about going for a huge snack later on to spite an insufferable purple-haired bishounen.




~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What Sendoh didn't expect to see upon entering the SD casting room is Hanamichi trying to console a sniffling Rukawa, while Kogure just looked at them in a bored manner.

"Get a grip will ya," said Kogure who was sitting across the room smoking a cigarrette.

"Mind your own business, Kogure," sniffed the fox-eyed boy, "How would you like it if someone kisses Mitsui right in front of your own eyes?"

Kogure blew a puff of grey smoke to the air before he answered, "I'd ram that person's face right through the wall that not even his mother can identify him,"

Rukawa went silent. "Uh, close enough..."
Then he started sniffling again.

"C'mon, Kaede-kun," said Hanamichi holding Rukawa tightly while rubbing at the boy's arm, "It's just a misunderstanding."

Rukawa went still in Hanamichi's embrace, "I don't think I misunderstood at all when that kid Kiyota jumped in your arms and tried to fuse your mouths together."

Hanamichi went red in the face, "Well, he said that he likes me..."

"So? That doesn't make it his right to molest you!"

Kogure burst out laughing, coughing out smoke in the process, and Sendoh held his breath, valiantly trying not to do the same.
"Shit, Rukawa," choked Kogure, "Kiyota's as tall as I am. I don't think the word molest is right in this situation."

Rukawa scowled, "Ok, seduce then!"

Kogure snickered while Sendoh let out a choked sound. Hanamichi sighed, "Kaede, look I'm sorry. Next time Kiyota comes near I'll be sure keep him away from me."
Then the redhead gathered the raven-haired boy in his arms again and said softly, "You know you're the only one for me."

The fox-eyed boy looked at the redhead with wide loving eyes, "Honto?"

"Aa," Hanamichi said leaning down to give Rukawa a kiss when suddenly Kogure spoke, "Aw man. This mushiness is making me sick."

Rukawa gave the smoking boy an annoyed look for the interruption and said to him, "This coming from someone who was one of the first among us to go and see Stuart Little."

Kogure protested with embarrassment, "I was accompanying Mitsui!"

Rukawa snorted and turned back to Hanamichi to pull the boy's head down for a make-up kiss earning another disgusted huff from Kogure. Sendoh blushed and averted his eyes away.

A few moments later, Fukuda walked in and they were surprised to see the boy with a new hair-style - the hair on the sides of his head sheared short and the top part mussed up messily.

"Hey, Sakuragi," said the Ryonan boy, "the hair patrol wants to see you."

"Man," said Rukawa looking at Fukuda's hair in amazement, "I don't think those people can do anything more damaging than that."

Fukuda gave the fox-eyed boy a look, "Watch it, Rukawa."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Your beautiful hair," moaned Rukawa fingering at the very, very short crew-cut hairstyle that was given to the redhead, "Now I can never run my hands through your silky red locks again."

Hanamichi sweat dropped, "Ano... it'll grow again, Rukawa."

"Those damn hairdressers," growled the fox-eyed boy.

******

"Ah-choo!"

"Ah-choo!"

"Hey, are you guys catching a cold or something?"

The hairdresser who sneezed, sniffed, "Nah, I don't think so... Those kids must be talking about us again."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You and Koshino going fishing again?"

"Yeah," answered Sendoh as gathered his things and stuffed them in his back-pack, "We found this great spot at the left side of the lake that I don't think anyone has found yet."

"Y'know, if I didn't know any better, you guys must be doing something other than fishing," said Kogure with a smirk.

Sendoh looked at Kogure, managing a look of shock on his face, "Well, you don't. Koshino and I are just friends who like to fish."

"That's right, Min-kun," Mitsui berated his boyfriend. The scarred-face boy was sitting next to Kogure, reading a newpaper and upon defending Sendoh he folded it and continued to speak, "They are very good fishermen. We should know that since they caught this nice bass that I cooked last week for you guys."

Kogure turned back towards Sendoh and persisted, "Besides fishing, you're saying that you're not interested in silent-boy Koshino? He is kinda cute..."
Mitsui arched an eyebrow and Kogure hastily gave him a kiss and said, "...after Mitsui that is."

A pleased smile appeared on Mitsui's face.

"Quick save," muttered Rukawa before he stood up and began pushing Sendoh out the door.
"Lay off, Kogure," said the fox-eyed boy, "He told ya he's going fishing and I believe him."

When Sendoh was out the door the spiky-haired teen turned towards Rukawa and said, "Hey, thanks, Ru."

"No prob," grinned Rukawa. Then he gave an exaggerated whisper, "You must tell me everything about you and Koshino when you get back tomorrow! And do not leave any juicy detail!"

"B-But..."

Then he slammed the door shut before Sendoh could say anymore. The Ryonan boy sighed before shaking his head and walked away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two boys were sitting at the side of the lake, waiting for the fish to take their lures. Koshino was staring at a spot in the water as if he was waiting for a glimpse of a fish while the other boy was staring at him, loving the way the sun shone on Koshino, making a soft halo around the boy's silky looking hair. Sendoh wondered how Kogure would react if the Shohoku boy knew how precise he was in assuming that Sendoh has indeed fallen for his short friend.

Other people might not like Koshino for his taciturn personality but Sendoh thought that it just makes him want to find out what makes the quiet, cute boy tick. What is his passion? His desires? His dreams?
How can I tell Koshino that? I mean, does he even swing that way? But I can't just stay quiet forever...

"Is there something on my face?" Koshino asked suddenly making the other boy start.

Sendoh's face burned for being caught. "I ... uh ... nothing..." he stammered before he turned quickly away.

Then Sendoh felt his line jerk and suddenly he was in action, alternately reeling the line and tugging at his pole with quick and energetic movements before he and Koshino managed to scoop the fish up with victory.

"Wow! She's big!" exclaimed Sendoh happily. Koshino nodded in agreement and said, "I think this'll make a good meal for dinner."

Then Sendoh had an idea, "Hey, why don't you come over to my house later and I'll cook this fish for us. I mean, you did help me bring it in. I'm not as good as Mitsui in the kitchen but I do know how to fry a fish and cook some sauce for the gravy."

Koshino thought for a moment before he shrugged, "Sure, why not."

The taller boy beamed.

~~~~~~~~~~

Sendoh was happy that dinner went well. The two boys managed to eat every bit of the fish's meat and scoop every last drop of the tomato sauce that the fried fish was swimming in in the plate. Even the slices of the tomato fruit and the boiled potatoes that Sendoh has used for decoration were swiped clean by the hungry boys.

After congratulating Sendoh on the delicious meal in his usual 1-to-5 words-per sentence way, Koshino was led by Sendoh to the door.

The two boys were already outside when Koshino's attention was caught by a glimmer at the corner of his eyes as he was tilting his head to look up at Sendoh. Turning to his right he saw a lone star twinkling brightly showing off mainly the pink, green and white colours.

Sendoh looked up to see at what his friend was watching and smiled, "The evening star."

"Yes. Lovely Venus. It always shines brighter than the other stars. It's beautiful. Don't you ever wonder if anyone's soul can be as beautiful as that?" said Koshino softly.

Sendoh looked back at his friend, amazed at the feeling in those words that came out of the boy, and was surprised to see Koshino's usually stoic face relaxed in a wistful manner, making Sendoh wonder if the boy can get any more beautiful than now. Sendoh wouldn't be surprised if that person that Koshino wonder to exist is the boy himself.
Am I in love?

Then Koshino turned his head back at Sendoh and said, "Thanks for dinner, Sendoh. See you tomorrow."

"Uh...yeah," said Sendoh before the boy began walking away from him. Suddenly the taller boy cried out, "Koshino!"

Koshino turned around, waiting. Sendoh clenched his fist, took a deep breath and strode towards his friend. It's now or never.
In one movement he grabbed Koshino by the jacket and in the next he was giving his friend a kiss on the lips - a short one, but one that is meant to convey how he feels for the boy.

Sendoh then let the boy go with a feeling of horror and embarrassment mixed with anxiousness. He looked at Koshino, waiting for him to speak but to his dismay the boy just turned around and walked away without another word.

It was then that Sendoh's heart dropped with a sickening feeling.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sendoh was still feeling bad the next morning, dreading to come to work at the studio. He and the other Ryonan boys are supposed to make a short appearance with the Kainans for that day and he knows that he can't ask for a day's leave on that day.

Reaching the casting room, he found out that he was the first one to arrive. A few minutes later, the door swung open and he prayed that it would be Rukawa or Hanamichi or even Kogure for God's sake! Just don't let it be....

"Koshino."

The shorter boy nodded and took a seat on the couch where Sendoh was standing next to. The taller boy felt at a loss on what to do. Slowly he took a seat on the same couch on the other end where Koshino was sitting and waited.

Then Koshino spoke suddenly, startling him, "Why did you kiss me last night?"

Sendoh blushed and faltered, "I... I'm sorry..."

"You haven't answered me," said Koshino cutting Sendoh's apology.

"I like you, Koshino," Sendoh said in a rush, "If you don't feel like how I feel then I don't mind. I won't harrass you or anything. I just hope that you and I can still be friends. I mean nothing has to change right? Ok, so you might view me differently..."

Suddenly, Sendoh found himself being pulled down for a long and searing kiss and when Koshino released him he was breathless.

"K-Koshino," gasped the taller boy, staring at his friend who has edged closer to him without him knowing, "Does that mean..."

"That I want to try this," said Koshino, a tinge of red on his cheeks, "That is if you still want to."

Sendoh couldn't quite stop the giggle of joy as he answered, "Do I ever."

Then they began kissing again, passionately this time. Koshino was quite agressive, delighting the spiky-haired boy, and soon Koshino was straddling Sendoh when the others walked in.

A cough brought them out of their occupation, "Ahem."
The two boys went still and turned around to see their colleagues looking at them with various expressions in their faces.

"Why, Koshino, I didn't know you had it in you," grinned Fukuda.

"So I guess you guys were doing something else other than fishing," said Kogure smugly.

"Oh great," sighed Hikoichi, "Another gay couple."

"I think they look cute," giggled one of the girls who holds the part as one of the Rukawa's Brigade.

"Remember what I said, Sendoh! Every juicy detail!" said Rukawa.

By that time Koshino has climbed off of Sendoh and sat back down on the couch, crossing his arms in an annoyed manner while also looking embarrassed by the slight flush of his face ... or is that the result of their heated kiss?

Sendoh fended off all questions and demands and suffered their teases with embarrassed stammering. With these people, he knows that he won't be let off easily and he won't expect them to stop until he grows old and die.

However, after taking a peek at the still frowning boy beside him who looked extra cute with that becoming blush, Sendoh thought that he wouldn't mind that at all.

"Aww... he's looking at Koshino again!"

Sendoh blushed harder wondering if dying now is a possibility.




THE END ^^