When they get to Sendoh’s house, Rukawa finds it weird. He marvels: “Isn’t this where she lives?”
Sendoh: “What?”
Mrs. Sendoh: “Akira, welcome back.”
Sendoh: “Hi mom. I am back.”
Rukawa: “Mrs. Sendoh, my name is Rukawa Kaede. Pleasure to meet you.”
Mrs. Sendoh: “Pleasure to meet you, Rukawa-kun. Come in and stay for dinner, okay?”
Rukawa: “Ah, thank you.”
----
Tsuki is Sendoh’s cousin. She has been living with him ever since she was a kid. Sendoh is an only child. So he treats her like his own sister. Tsuki has a lot of respects for Sendoh. She calls him “brother” instead of “cousin”.
When Tsuki hears the voice of Sendoh, she runs down stairs to greet him.
“Oniisan, welcome back. How come you are so late toda…y?”
Before she has a chance to finish the sentence, she is shocked by the presence of Rukawa.
Sendoh: “Right, Rukawa, this is my cousin, Tsuki.”
Rukawa makes an inaudible gesture of greeting.
Tsuki calms a little, then says: “Good evening, Rukawa-kun. Please to meet you.”
----
Tsuki has felt uncomfortable during the whole time on the dinner table. Of course, anybody would feel awkward after what happened this morning. All she can now think about is finishing dinner fast and leaving the table.
Rukawa almost has said nothing during dinner. He nods or shakes his head every time when Sendoh and his mom propose a question. But the fact that Tsuki is sitting across the table makes him somewhat uneasy. He would not even glance at her, not because he is timid, it is that he doesn’t know what kind of gesture or expression he should make when he looks at her.
----
Sendoh: “Are you ready, Rukawa?”
Rukawa nods and turns to Mrs. Sendoh.
“Mrs. Sendoh, thank you for your meal. I shall see you again.”
Mrs. Sendoh: “Rukawa-kun, it has been a pleasure to meet you. Take care now.”
Sendoh: “Tsuki, I’m going to go now.
Tsuki! Tsuki?”
Tsuki is absolutely joyful about having dinner with Rukawa. But she is still a little embarrassed about what she said to Rukawa this morning. She doesn’t know what effect would it have on him. Even though this is only a one-sided crush, she certainly doesn’t want mess up what she shares with him right now. Just a glance at whom she likes could mean the best moment in the whole day to a girl in love.
“Oh no! What if he doesn’t show up to the basketball court
anymore?” Tsuki yells out loud.
Sendoh can hear what Tsuki just exclaimed when he reaches to her door. He comes into her room with a smirk on his face and says:
“Who? Are you dating boys now?”
Tsuki’s face grow red all of the sudden:
“Oniisan!!! How come you don’t knock?”
“It wasn’t closed. So, are you?”
“No! N-O!”
“Anyways, do you want me to get you the CD that you wanted? I am going to the other side of the town.”
“With Rukawa-kun?” She becomes a little tense.
“No, I’m going to meet up with the team. But Rukawa is giving me a ride. Even though I am not sure if it is safe on his bike. Hahaha… But anyways, do you want me to get it for you?”
“Yes, thank you, Oniisan. Have fun.”
“Bye… Wait, did you know Rukawa before today?"
Tsuki blushes when she nods. Then she covers herself up with a blanket.