"What did you want to tell me?" Sendoh looked at the
amazing looking boy sitting in front of him.
He was wearing a purple V neck and jeans, very casual
indeed, but all the more astounding. His skin was paler than
ever, and today, there was something different about Rukawa..
.something Sendoh couldn't quite place.
"..." He looked down for about 10 seconds, then
looked back up, and the doubt previously in his fiery eyes
were replaced determination. "Thanks for playing one-on-one
with me..."
"Is that all?" He was surprised, and disappointed.
Rukawa invited him to meet him in a coffee shop to thank him?
! Should he...should he tell him that he likes him? This
would be in a perfect opportunity. The scenery is certainly
more fitting than the basketball court, and there may not be
a next chance...
"No, that's not all." He was silent for awhile again
and sipped on his coffee.
"You're so different today, you know?" Sendoh smiled.
"Well, what was the other thing?"
"I like you." He said it so softly, it was virtually
a whisper.
Sendoh felt he was hit with thunder. He was stunned.
Did Rukawa just tell him that he liked him? Rukawa took the
first step? How could this be? But...this certainly makes
things easier...he doesn't have to worry about winning Rukawa
over, he already did. Sendoh could already imagine the look
on Koshino's face when he tells him that he's won the bet.
No, he hasn't won it yet...but he soon will, he's sure.
Smile.
"I like you too." The cruel words rang through the
air, along with his electric smile.
He worried all this time about telling Rukawa a lie,
but now that he's done it...it didn't seem like that big of a
deal. It wasn't his fault, Rukawa's the one who said it first
.
The two boys were quiet for a moment. Then Rukawa got
up.
"I'll see you tomorrow at the park."
"No one-on-one today?"
"No." Rukawa started to walk away.
Sendoh grabbed his wrist.
"Wait...you can't just leave like that."
"?" Rukawa looked at him with questioning eyes.
Sendoh grinned at him evilly. He then got up, and
kissed him lightly on the lips. He saw Rukawa blush a little,
which was cute.
"Now you can go."
Rukawa smiled, then turned around and walked out.
This was the second time Sendoh's seen him smile, and for
some reason, it sent warm vibes all through his body. Of
course... it doesn't mean anything. He has no feelings for
this boy. Sure Rukawa was beautiful, and alluring, and
innocent, and genuine, and maybe he would love him if he
could love. But this is all just part of a game, a game
that's going very well his way.
*************************************************************
"He what???" Koshino yelled through the phone.
"He told me he liked me."
"No way...no way... the ice prince confessing his
feelings...I don't believe you Sendoh."
"Very well...but get the money ready, will you?"
Sendoh tried to imagine Koshino's reaction. His mouth was
probably wide open. This is fun.
"You bastard." Koshino finally answered.
"Jealous?"
"That's right I'm so jealous." Koshino said
sarcastically. "So what are you going to do next?"
"I get him on bed, break it off the next day, then
you can grovel to me."
He felt a tiny twinge of pain at what he just said,
but brushed it off.
"You still got a long way to go."
"Maybe. See you." Sendoh put the cordless phone back
on its unit.
He hid it carefully during his conversation with
Koshino, but he was confused. Wht was he supposed to do next
? Their relationship isn't going to go anywhere with an hour
of one-on-one a day. Koshino was right, although he's
already taken a huge step forward, there's still a big
difference between Rukawa saying he likes him and Rukawa
willing to go to bed with him. Rukawa is an innocent boy
whose relatinship records was totally blank, not a playboy
like him. And what the hell was that twinge of pain he felt
when he talked about breaking it off the next day? He knew
this was going to happen from the very beginning.
He lay there on his bed, and for the first time in
his life felt perplexity.
*************************************************************
"What brings you here?" Rukawa got up and smiled at
him. "I thought we were supposed to meet at the park."
"It's cauz I can't wait to see you, of course. I
thought we were officially an item now." Sendoh put his arm
around Rukawa's waist and faked a sad face.
"What are you talking about?" He blushed and jerked
away. "My teammates are still in there...what if they see you
?"
"Haha, so what? Maybe they'll be jealous. Who
wouldn't want you?" Sendoh joked.
"Shh here they come, get out! I'll meet you at the
park." Rukawa planted a light kiss on Sendoh's lips and then
half pushed Sendoh out, just as Sakuragi walked out of the
locker room.
Sendoh laughed softly to himself as he walked out of
the Shohoku gym. Rukawa was so adorable, and he actually
made him laugh. He doesn't remember the last time his laugh
was genuine.
"Sendoh." A figure meeted him at the corner.
"Koshino! What are you doing here?"
"You really like him, don't you?" Koshino's eyes
narrowed.
"I do not like him! You know this as well as me. He
is just my victim, why shouldn't I do everything in my power
to win him over?" Sendoh desperately tried to convince
Koshino...
"Don't think you fooled me. I saw your face when you
walked out." Koshino sighed.
He couldn't believe his friend is falling for
someone. All these years, Sendoh has never loved anyone. He
often said that he is unable to love. He even laughs at the
people in love, saying that they will break up soon and they
will be sorry. He prides in himself for never becoming a fool
in love. But now...
"Koshino, it's just a game. Got that? The day my goal
is accomplished, I will break it off. Watch me." Sendoh's
face darkened.
"Sure, Sendoh. Sure." Koshino obviously didn't
believe him.
Sendoh did not say another word, as they walked
quietly back to Ryonan. Their basketball practice was about
to start too.
Rukawa...I don't love you. I don't believe in love.
But you're the closest thing to love that I've got. But I'm
going to hurt you...I'm sorry.
~~To Be Continued~~
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