"Idiot! Watch the ball!"

"Pass!"

"Quickly!"

"Keep your legs apart and firm! Defence! Defence!"

Kogure wiped the sweat from his brow as he talked with Anzai-sensei while Ayako jotted down a few notes on her clipboard. After chatting with Ayako on the possible new team players, Kogure let his mind drift as the juniors continued practicing with Akagi and Ryota to coach them. His sight lost focus as his thoughts wandered.

Him. His face always appears in my mind...

"Nice Jump!"

Kogure was broken off from his reverie when Ayako shouted her approval to one of the juniors, Sakuragi. The redhead was quick with the rules of the games and he has proven himself also quick with his skill and strength.
However, other than getting Ayako's praise, he also received a suspicious look from their highschool team guard, Ryota.

The spectacled boy watched as Sakuragi ran past them, the redhead's face an intense mask of concentration. Kogure smiled. The redhead was loud, sometimes troublesome and always egotistical but during their practice sessions, the junior shows another side of him. One as a serious and dedicated basketball player. It was an amazing transition and with every astounding skill Sakuragi shows, it made people difficult to believe that he has only started learning about the game in less than two weeks. Ayako should deserve all the credit because it was she who taught Sakuragi the basics dilligently and Akagi was surprisingly lenient in letting the redhead to join the others after proving himself already capable with the basic skills after just a few sessions with the manageress at the side of the court.



****

Ayako bundled up all of the vest uniforms the players used for practice and put them in a plastic before she picked up a broom to give the place a good sweep. Kogure helped air the room by opening the windows and door and gave the place a quick spray of air freshener when suddenly Ayako gasped.

"What's the matter?" asked Kogure, pushing at his glasses which slipped down his nose.

"I forgot that I have to pick up my cousin this afternoon and I was supposed to be there ten minutes ago!" the girl answered in worry.

"Then you better go now," said Kogure taking the broom from Ayako's hand, "I'll finish up here for you."

Ayako thanked him with a grateful bow and ran out of there in a hurry. The boy started sweeping and after he thought he has rid the place of dust he stood up to leave when he heard a "Konnichiwa!" from behind.

Turning around he saw Sakuragi leaning against the door frame, grinning at him cheerfully.

"Konnichiwa," Kogure greeted back as he set the broom aside before picking up his gym bag. His eyes scanned the room looking for anything that he might have forgotten to do before the redhead spoke again, "Why did you want to be a basketball player?"

Kogure looked at the junior in surprise and smiled, "It's the game I guess. Our physical and mental abilities are tested and you can't help but love it when you see and hear the ball go through the hoop whether its with an easy lay-up, a three-pointer or a slam dunk. And to feel the pump of adrenaline in critical moments adds up the fun and excitement."

Sakuragi's grin grew wide before he began to laugh, "Yeah! I see other people playing and I could already feel it. I hope Anzai-sensei would let me play soon coz I want to feel that for real."

Kogure nodded as he slapped the boy on the shoulder, "You will Sakuragi. Just keep on practicing."

Sakuragi titled his head and stayed silent for a moment before asking, "Aren't you afraid of being alone in here this late?"

The senior gave a puzzled look, surprised at the change in topic from the still smiling redhead.
"What do you mean?"

"I mean this," said Sakuragi when he suddenly pushed the older boy towards the wall and placed both hands on the sides of Kogure's face, their faces close enough for Kogure to feel the heat coming from the redhead's breath.

"Someone might come in here and attack you like so. And they may take advantage of you. Girls aren't the only one who attracts unwanted attention, y'know," murmured Sakuragi, his face slowly lowering.

Kogure's eyes widened and he desperately tried to push the redhead away as he warned in a low voice, "No, Sakuragi."
When Sakuragi's face was just a mere inch from his, he twisted his head around and cried out, "I said NO!"

Suddenly the immobile body crowding over him backed away and Kogure slowly opened his eyes when he heard a small snicker coming from the redhead.
"Wha...?"

"See what I mean?" said the redhead grinning.

Kogure's face burned when he realised that he has been made fun of. Of all the sick ways to show him if he can or cannot defend himself!! Angrily, Kogure pushed himself away from the wall and glared at the redhead, "If that will be all I need to lock the room now."

Sakuragi shrugged and turned to walk out when he suddenly stopped and opened his mouth to say, "...I....."

"What?" said Kogure who was trying to keep the annoyance in his voice from showing.

Sakuragi winced at the tone and shook his head, "Nothin'. Ja ne, sempai."

After taking another look at the senior, Sakuragi then left.
His mind awash with confusion, Kogure stared at the space where the redhead has been standing. Then the boy slowly raised his hand and clenched the material of his shirt which covered his heart.

My heart... it beats fast... Iie... -anyone- harassed like that should feel shocked... But this feeling... it's strange...

Kogure took a slow step towards the door when he felt something hard and small beneath his feet. Lifting his leg he saw an old keyholder on the floor before he picked it up. Whose it this?, he wondered. He haven't seen it before and when he swept the floor just now he didn't notice it laying there. Sakuragi... was Kogure's thought, this must be his...

Pocketing it to give it back to the redhead later, he made his way out before shutting the room firmly shut.

****

As he was walking along the corridor that will lead him out of the gym, Sakuragi was lost in thought, his mouth curved into a frown.



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