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“What do you think of Sakuragi?”
It was an odd question.
There was a confused grunt coming from the bottom of Rukawa’s throat, and Sendoh smiled. “Sakuragi?” They both relaxed, standing up from their defense and offense stunts. Ball still between Rukawa’s palms.
Sendoh nodded, though he wasn’t really sure what he was expecting since Rukawa wasn’t much of a talker when it came to emotions.
But he considered it. Sendoh watched as Rukawa looked down, at his shoes, thinking for a second.
After everything, Sendoh has noticed the differences between the two rivals of Shohoku High. Maybe he was only overanalyzing things, and nothing really special was going on between Rukawa and Sakuragi, but Sendoh was really curious what their relationship was all about.
For him, they just seem closer. Maybe a bit too close to each other to be viewed as only acquaintances. After the Sannoh match had happened, the first - now second - year duo didn’t show in the matches for a while, after all Sakuragi was away at rehab. Even though he was on hiatus, Sendoh still felt his presence around cause of how much Rukawa talked about him whenever they practice together at the pick.
Sendoh thought that Rukawa didn’t even realize it when he talked so much just to say something about Sakuragi Hanamichi. He had brought up how Sakuragi wasn’t merely a rookie. He had the potential if he actually took basketball seriously and think professionally at court. Rukawa would say he was annoying, getting all loud and noisy, provoking him and making a fuss about Rukawa getting more points than him during training. Sendoh would notice the small chuckle that would escape Rukawa, although it was barely a sound. It was like a huff of breath, and a small smirk together. Rukawa would even sometimes arrive at the pick, all dressed up like he just went somewhere, and he would greet Sendoh with: “Sorry I’m late. I went to visit Sakuragi.”
And Sendoh would smile in silent amusement whenever Rukawa greeted him with that, and they would end up playing with Rukawa in his white button up and dress shoes.
Sendoh would even get the idea that maybe Rukawa missed that red ball of chaos, but he’d think he might be wrong because they were never really friendly like that before. Sendoh could remember their bickers at court, that occurred every other five minutes, very vividly as if it only happened yesterday. They were funny, those kids, and Sendoh would’ve never thought that things such as Rukawa visiting Sakuragi when he was injured would ever come. Sendoh couldn’t have expected the things that happened when Sakuragi got out.
It didn’t happen just once, but five times or even more, when Sendoh saw them together at town. It was mostly at weekends, but they would roam around after school too. One time, he saw them eating together at a western restaurant, sitting across from each other, talking about stuff Sendoh couldn’t hear. Another time was at some shoe shop, Sakuragi paying for two boxes of new pairs. Sendoh also saw them looking at books, Rukawa mainly the one going through the shelves while Sakuragi was just behind him, yawning as he waited for Rukawa to finish. After school yesterday, Sendoh saw them walking home with Sakuragi’s arm resting around Rukawa’s shoulder.
At first, Sendoh thought that maybe they’ve come to be best friends.
But then today, Sendoh got surprised when he saw Rukawa arrive with Sakuragi walking beside him. He made eye contact with the taller guy, before he tore away his gaze to look at Rukawa who seemed to be saying something to him. Sendoh noticed how Sakuragi’s eyes softened - it was a small gesture, but Sendoh was good at looking at the little things - when he looked at Rukawa.
The conversation was inaudible to Sendoh, but he didn’t really care. He saw Sakuragi nod, though, and left. Rukawa walked in, placing his cross bag down the bench beside Sendoh’s own. And Sendoh thought that Rukawa wearing a loose tank top today wasn’t the best idea, but he didn’t say a thing about it. “Sorry I’m late.” Was Rukawa’s greeting. Sendoh only smiled. He knew why.
Sendoh had thought about how Rukawa might have warmed up to him. He could feel that Rukawa was comfortable around him, probably because he could be viewed as a senior, mentor and even a friend he often played basketball with. But being friends with Rukawa didn’t mean Rukawa telling him every single thing that was going on in his life. Sendoh barely knew the guy, even if they would see each other sometimes to play street ball and eat ramen. He wasn’t Rukawa’s best friend, so it was fine to him that he didn’t know even Rukawa’s favorite color. Sendoh wasn’t all that interested in Rukawa’s personal life, anyway.
He wasn’t gonna ask at all, about this whole thing going on with Sakuragi, until he saw Sakuragi find his way back to the entrance way of the pick with a strawberry shake in hand.
Sendoh could obviously read his coy posture as he waited for Rukawa. He was looking at the main road, with his free hand rubbing the back of his neck as it itched with warmth. He only turned around when Rukawa jogged over to him to get his drink. One thing he knew about Rukawa was that he liked strawberry milkshakes. And Sendoh saw the way those pale fingers brushed briefly on Sakuragi’s wrist, a whisper goodbye. A silent thank you.
So, Sendoh was really curious about it all. The way they act around each other nowadays were so soft, and gentle, and warm, and fuzzy; all of that. Even if Sendoh only observed from a distance, he could feel Sakuragi’s shyness towards Rukawa. But, it wasn’t weird. In fact, Sendoh even found himself chuckling to himself, feeling the warmth between them reach him under the ring.
“Well…” Rukawa started. “He’s something,”
And that was enough for Sendoh.
It told him everything, as another smile crept to his face. Somehow, he felt kind of proud, like a father finding out about his son’s first crush.
“Okay.” Sendoh said, raising his basketball shorts as he bent down on defense again, “Let’s get back.”
He heard Rukawa huff, starting to dribble the ball again, “Why’d you ask?”
A blush is too obvious on his pale skin. Sendoh merely chuckled, “Nothing,” he shakes his head, “Now, come.”
Another huff, then Rukawa was running.
Maybe Sendoh shouldn’t have asked at all. And just let that red hickey on Rukawa’s neck answer all of the questions he had.
It was Sakuragi’s brand after all, wasn’t it?
The color red.