It was after dark, and all the basketball team members
were getting ready to leave. All except one.
He panted softly, then rose again and continued.
Stepping behind the three pointer line, he prepared to shoot
the ball. Swish, the ball made it in perfectly. He tried
again, and again, success.
He smiled to himself.
Outside, a dark shadow gazed at the figure in the well
lit gym. His keen eyes. His pale skin. His tall and thin
figure. The way he pants, as if out of breath. He was
remarkably beautiful for a boy, but with a stunning will
written in his dark eyes.
This wasn't the first time he has come to Shohoku to
silently watch him practice. Usually, after identifying his
next victim, Sendoh approaches her immediately and manages to
enthrall her in a few hours, and get her into bed in a few
days. He couldn't count how many girls he's allured this way,
as part of the game.
Koshino had asserted that it didn't really mean
anything, since most of the girls he chose in the past were
pretty much sluts, and others were closet sluts. It's not much
of a challenge, he protested.
Okay, Sendoh replied, so he chose the senior class
president. The prude. He won in two weeks. He totally amazed
Koshino, and totally shocked the poor girl when he broke the
news. This was the favorite part, watching the expression on
his victims' faces when they know that they mean nothing to
him at all, but just another conquest he can brag about.
And now, he was thirsty. And hungry. Thirsty to see
the pale and beautiful face aroused. Hungry to see the shock
on his face when he tells him that he was just his toy. He
rehearsed his speech already, he couldn't wait for the moment.
On target, all he needs to do now is press the button.
He stepped into the gym. Rukawa must have heard him,
but he didn't bother turning around. Sendoh picked up a
basketball that rolled to his side, and suddenly dashed and
lept toward the backboard to make a fantastic dunk. The ball
made its way to the floor with a loud thud, followed by Sendoh
landing. Rukawa looked at him finally.
"Care for a one on one?" He asked smiling. He didn't
need to wait for the answer to know what it is.
"Of course." Rukawa answered succintly and picked up
the ball.
**************************************************************
Beep. Sendoh's cel-phone rang on his way out of
Shohoku.
"It's me."
"Koshino. What's up?"
"How's it going with him?"
"It's fine."
"You mean you haven't succeeded yet?" Koshino
pretended to be shocked.
"Just wait. I'll get him by the end of the month."
Sendoh replied confidently and hung up.
He sighed softly as he thought about the week's
events. Everyday he plays a one-on-one game with Rukawa at
the gym, then he leaves. There is no progress, no nothing.
Maybe Rukawa improved his skills with his help, but that was
not at all the reason why he's there. He's there to entrap,
not to train!
You bastard, he told himself. What are you afraid of?
Him?! He knew that this time, it wouldn't be quite so easy.
Rukawa was like no one he's ever met, and certainly different
from all his other victims. He was an exquisite victim.
**************************************************************
"Sendoh." It was Rukawa.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Can you meet me at the coffee shop next to Shoyo?"
"Umm...sure. What time?"
"Four."
"See you there."
Beep. Koshino looked at him.
"Who was that?"
"Who do you think?" Sendoh grinned.
"Rukawa??" Koshino said in a loud whisper.
"Of course."
"Why's he calling you? I can't believe it. He is
notorious for his aloofness."
Sendoh did not answer.
The truth was, he didn't know why Rukawa was calling
him either, and he certainly didn't know why Rukawa wanted to
meet him in a coffee bar, instead of in the gym. That wasn't
like Rukawa...
Of course, he's had a pretty good feel of Rukawa's
personality by now. It's been a month since he started meeting
him for one-on-one's, and within the month he's seen plenty.
He saw how Rukawa's face lit up when he arrived, but
then pretended that he didn't care. He saw how his eyes shone
with determination when he was playing offense, and saw how
the flames started burning in those beautiful eyes when he
lost. He saw a tiny smile from Rukawa's otherwise stone face
the other day, and it was downright alluring. He felt a little
dizzy.
It was a good thing Koshino didn't push the one month
limit for the bet, because he's already passed it. For some
reason, he just couldn't look into Rukawa's eyes and tell him
that he likes him. He just couldn't do it. Rukawa was so
genuine and innocent, with not a bit of pretentious air, and
he just couldn't say a thing like that without meaning it. So
he delayed...delayed. All he wanted to do now was keep his
victim by playing one-on-one's, he didn't want to advance yet.
He wasn't ready.
But...Rukawa called him.
**************************************************************
Sendoh tried out one outfit after another. He was glad
Koshino wasn't there, because he would have made fun of him
for sure. Imagine big bad Sendoh getting nervous for a date. A
date. But he was nervous,really nervous. What did Rukawa want?
~~To Be Continued~~
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