Version #3: Romaji + English dialog [Switch language/version)]
仙流物語 — Senru Monogatari
(Part 1)
Online Japanese dictionary: http://www.freedict.com/onldict/jap.html
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Note: All lines that are bracketed with < > are thoughts.
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It’s 5pm, Saturday. After a long day of fishing, Sendou
packs up his gear and proceeds to walk home slowly. He’s caught three fish
earlier but he let them all back into the sea. It’s not like he plans to cook
them at home. After all he's not exactly big on seafood; he's more of a lemon
person. It’s weird, he knows. Everyone in Ryonan says so too, but for some
reason he likes the taste of sourness.
He bites on a slice of lemon as he walks home, wondering what kind of excuse he
should give Taoka sensei tomorrow for having skipped out on practice today
(even though he typically ends up just telling the truth anyway). And as he
walks, he bumps into two familiar faces walking in the opposite direction.
Sendou: <Ah, are wa shouhoku no…>
Ah, that’s
Shohoku’s…
Miyagi: Kono baka! Omee ga ogottekureru tte itta kuseni
nande kekkyoku ore ga harawanakya naranenda?
You idiot! Why
did I have to be the one to pay when you’re the one who said you’re buying?
Sakuragi: Honto ni gomen, Ryouchin! Masaka konna ni takai
to omowanakatta!
I’m really
sorry, Ryouchin! I didn’t think it would be that expensive!
Miyagi: Shinjirannee. Daitai okane ga tarinakya nande
konna gouka na resutoran wo erandandayo?
I can’t
believe you. If you don’t have enough money then why did you pick such a extravagant
place?
Sakuragi: Datte! Hana no aru michi no gawa ni aru
resutoran wa kore shika nai mon.
Because! This is the only one that's got flowers to the side of the road.
Miyagi: Hana wa dou date ii darou ga.
Who cares
about the flowers?
Sakuragi: Dame dame! Kono hou ga yoppodo romanchikku
dakara! Sore ni…
I do! It’s
so much more romantic this way! Besides…
Miyagi: …Sore ni…?
Besides…?
Sakuragi:
I am “Hanamichi”
after all…? [Note: Hanamichi literally means “flower road”]
Miyagi: Haa…?? Baka ka omae! *hits Sakuragi in
the head*
Huh…?? Are
you stupid or what! *hits Sakuragi in the head*
Sakuragi: Ah, itee! *notices Sendou walking towards them* …Are? Sendou…?
Ouch…! *notices
Sendou walking towards them* Hey… That’s Sendou.
Miyagi: Ah, hontou da.
Ah, you’re
right.
Sendou: Yo. *smiles and waves*
Sakuragi: Ooo!! Sendou! Omae wa ore ga taosu!!
Oooh!! Sendou!
I’m so gonna beat you!!
Miyagi hits him
again: Baka iu na! *turns to
Sendou* Kiguu da ne, Sendou san.
Don’t be
ridiculous. *turns to Sendou* What a coincidence, Sendou san.
Sendou: Sou dane. Kedo keigo wa yoshitekure. “Sendou”
de ii kara.
A
coincidence indeed. But please, you can just call me “Sendou”.
Miyagi: Haa… *notices the fishing gear* Tsuri… shiteta no ka?
Oh…
*notices the fishing gear* Were you… fishing?
Sendou: *looks at
his gear* Sou dane. Asa kara yattete, ima
wa kaeru tokoro.
*looks at his gear* Ah yes,
since this morning. I’m on my way home now.
Miyagi: Asa kara tte… Ryounan wa kyou renshuu nai no
ka?
Since
morning…? Don’t Ryonan have practice today?
Sendou: Maa…^^; Aru ni wa aru kedo… Tonikaku, sochira wa?
Well… ^^;
There is practice today but uh… Anyway, what about you? --> Totally averting the question. LOL.
Sakuragi: Ooo! Yoku kiitekuretaa! Oretachi a deeto—
Ooh! Good
question! We’re having a da—
Miyagi interrupts: Urusai! *blushes a
little and hits him again* Oretachi wa
tada kono hen de bangohan wo tabeteta.
Shut up. *blushes
a little and hits him again* We were just having dinner around here.
Sendou: Bangohan ni shicha chotto hayainja…?
Isn’t it a
little early for dinner…?
Sakuragi: Sore wa kore kara romachikku eiga wo—
That’s
because we’re going for a romantic movie—
Miyagi: Omee wa damattero! *stares fiercely*
Be quiet! *stares fiercely*
Sakuragi: >_< Nande dayo, Ryouchin… *pouts*
>_<
Why… Ryouchin… *pouts*
Sendou: Hahaha… Tanoshisou dana. <Kono futari,
dekiteru no ka… Demo Sakuragi wa tashika Akagi no imouto ni meromero
janakattakke?> Sore ja, ore wa kore ijou jama shite wa ikenai ne.
Hahaha…
That sounds like fun. <Seems like these two are together… but I thought
Sakuragi was all over Akagi’s sister?> In that case, I shouldn’t hold you
guys back any longer.
Sakuragi looks at his watch: Otto! Mazui, Ryouchin!
Isoganai to eiga ni ma ni awanai kamo!
Yikes! This
is not good, Ryouchin! We gotta hurry now if we were to make it in time for the
movie!
Miyagi: Aa, wakatta. Ja, mata ne, Sendou. Otagai
ganbarou, basuke wo.
Oh, okay.
See ya then, Sendou. Let’s do our best in basketball.
Sendou: Ou. Ja.
Of course.
See ya.
Sendou watches them as the two walk away, smiling to himself when he witnesses
Sakuragi trying to hold Miyagi's hand only to once again get whacked in the
head. <Raburabu dana, karera nari
ni> <They’re so in love, aren’t they.> Then, he is about to turn around and continue his way home when he hears
someone shout.
Passerby: Aaa! Abunai!!
Hey, watch
out!!!
Sendou immediately turns around to see someone asleep on a bicycle riding
towards him. They were almost going to crash when Sendou tactfully grabs and
pulls the guy off the bike to prevent either of them from crashing into
anything. The bike crashes into a tree upfront while the boys fall to the
ground.
Sendou: Rukawa…?
Rukawa: Itete…
That hurts… *rubs his eyes as he wakes up*
Sendou: <Koitsu, masaka neteinagara…>
<Don’t
tell me he was sleeping…>
Rukawa: …Sendou…?
Sendou: Daijoubu ka?
You
okay?
Rukawa studies
the surroundings and mumbles to himself: …Nechimatta ka…
...Guess I
fell asleep…
Sendou sweatdrops: <Waruguse…ka…>
<Is that
his bad habit…?>
Rukawa shakes his head a bit to clear the dizziness in his head when he sees
his crashed bike and gets up on his feet.
Rukawa: …Arigatou… tometekurete.
Thanks… for
stopping me.
Sendou: Dou tte koto nai. Daga kondo wa nemutta mama
noranai hou ga mi no tame dazo.
Oh it was
nothing. But I think it might be safer for you if you don’t ride your bike when
you’re asleep next time.
Rukawa: ......
Sendou: Jitensha wa mou dame mitai dakedo, ie ni kaeru tochuu data no ka?
I guess
your bike’s kinda done for. Were you on your way home?
Rukawa: …Un. Mada arukeru kara daijoubu.
…Yeah. I’ll
be fine. I can still walk.
Rukawa then picks the bike up, its wheels slightly out of shape. Sendou watches
Rukawa and Rukawa stares back after getting the bike back on its wheels. After
an awkward moment of silent staring (cause both of them doesn't know what else
to say next), Sendou smiles and casually asks.
Sendou: Shouhoku wa kyou mo renshuu ka?
Was there
practice at Shohoku today?
Rukawa: Hiru made wa.
Only till
mid afternoon.
Sendou: Souka. Sate, omae wa sorekara ima made hitori
I see.
Lemme guess, you’ve been practicing on your own outside after that till now?
Rukawa: ……
Sendou: Hahaha. Hontou ni basuke hitosuji dakara na, omae wa—
Hahaha. You’re
really devoted aren’t you?
Rukawa interrupts: Yarou ka, wan-on-wan.
How bout a
one-on-one.
Sendou: Eh?
Rukawa: Oretachi no kecchaku wa mada tsuiteinai.
We haven’t
settled our score yet.
Sendou: Ah, sou…datta na. <Sou datta kke?>
Oh… right.
<Or was it?> I don’t mind, but are you okay with that? I thought you’ve
been playing since—
Rukawa: Kamawanai.
I don’t
care.
Sendou: Tsukareteru aite to shoubu suru nante fukouhei
ja—
Isn’t it a
little unfair to play against someone who’s tired—
Rukawa interrupts: Tsukaretenai.
I’m not
tired.
Sendou sighs
inaudibly and smiles: <Koitsu, yaruki
manman dana. Uchi wa zenkoku e ikenakute kecchaku tsukeru koto ni kodawatteiru
darou.> Wakatta. Ima kara yaru ka?
<He
seems really motivated. Wonder if it’s because we can’t settle the score during
the nationals instead.> Alright. Are we playing now or…?
Rukawa: Ima kara.
We’re
playing now.
Sendou nods: Ja, ijou ka.
Shall we go
then?
And so they go to a nearby public basketball court, the one that Rukawa just practiced at actually. Half the court is already taken by a few middle schoolers, but at least they are able to get the other half to themselves. While Sendou take a few seconds to warm up, he smiles as he watches the middle schoolers play.
Sendou: Omae wa tashika Tomigaoka chuu datta na.
You were
from Tomigawa middle school weren’t you?
Rukawa: …Sou dakedo?
…Yeah.
Sendou smiles at
the kids again: Ano ko tachi wo miru to
nanka omae no chuugakusei no sugata wo souzou shitakunaru naa.
Looking at
those kids makes me wonder how you look like back then.
Rukawa sweat
drops: ……
Sendou: Sore ja, shoubu suru
Well then,
since we’re settling a score, how bout we make a bet?
Rukawa: Kake…?
…A bet?
Sendou: Sou demo shinai to omoshirokunai daro?
It won’t be
fun without one, would it?
Rukawa: ……
Sendou: Iya
You don’t
have to do it if you don’t want to.
Rukawa: <Yarou… nameyagatte> Ii yo. Jouken wa?
<Bastard…
He’s looking down on
Sendou: Saki ni juppon ireta hou ga kachi. Sore de
jouken wa shousha ga kimeru. Dou?
The first
to enter ten shots wins. And then the winner gets to decide. How’s that?
Rukawa: Fun. Ii darou.
Hmph. Fine
with me.
And so they start playing, and from the moment they do the middle schoolers stop their own game to watch the two challenge each other. Though just a one-on-one, the two look like they're in their own world where they can only see each other and the ball. It is a close match, but unfortunately for Rukawa he still loses by two shots. Tired, Rukawa bends over with his hands on his knees as he takes a breather while Sendou casually rests on a bench.
Sendou: Hahaha… Oshikatta na.
Hahaha…
That was close.
Rukawa: <Yarou…>
<Bastard…>
Sendou: Demo tairyoku banzen no aite to shoubu shite
tada tsuu-gooru sa to wa sasuga da na, Rukawa.
You’re
really something though, Rukawa, considering you only lost by two shots despite
the fact that you were already—
Rukawa remains
stubborn and interrupts:
I’m not tired.
Sendou smiles: Haihai.
Whatever you
say.
Rukawa continues
to rest for another minute before he asks: …De, jouken wa?
…So what now?
Sendou: Ah, sou da na. *pauses to think as he
stares at the sky* …Shouhoku wa ashita mo
renshuu ga aru daro? Nanji ni owarunda?
Oh right.
*pauses to think as he stares at the sky* …You guys have practice again tomorrow,
right? What time does it end?
Rukawa: …Ichi ji. <…da to omou>
…One o’clock.
<…I think>
Sendou: <Yoshi, uchi to onaji gurai da na> Ja,
ashita ni ji, koko de machiawase shiyou.
<Great,
right about the same as us.> In that case, let’s meet here tomorrow at two.
Rukawa: …Saisen suru no ka?
…Are we
having a rematch?
Sendou: Iya. *He smiles as he points to his
fishing gear* Tsuri, tsukiattemorau yo.
Nope. *He
smiles as he points to his fishing gear* You’re going fishing with me.
Rukawa: …Tsuri? <Sakki tsurigu motteta kke…>
…Fishing?
<Was he holding any gear just now?> --> totally
didn't notice
Sendou: Sou. Ii darou?
You okay
with that, right?
Rukawa: …Ii kedo.
…It’s fine.
Sendou: Yosshi. Kimari da na. *Smiles, happy
that he's finally 'found' himself
someone to go fishing with* Soiya,
gohoubi ni juusu ogotteyarou ka? Kyou wa yoku ganbatta kara.
Awesome. Then
it’s settled. *Smiles, happy that he's finally
'found' himself
someone to go fishing with* Oh by the way, should I get you something as reward? You worked really
hard today after all.
Rukawa: =_= # Iranee yo. <Doahou>
=_=# No thanks. <Idiot.>
-------------------------------
The next day during practice, Shohoku, 10:00am.
Sakuragi: Ryouchin, pasu pasu!
Ryouchin,
pass pass!
Guarded by center Akagi, Miyagi finds no good chances of
passing the ball to Sakuragi and thus passes it to Rukawa, who's in a much
better position, instead.
Sakuragi: Aaaa Ryouchin! Nande Rukawa nanka ni—?!
Aaaa
Ryouchin! Why did you pass to that Rukawa??
Rukawa rushes for an offense. He’s ready and goes for a shoot when Sakuragi leaps and smacks the ball away with his gori-jikiden-haetataki... which makes everyone narrow their eyes.
Miyagi sweatdrops: Hanamichi…
Akagi: Kono bakatare ga!! *punches Sakuragi in
the head* Onnaji chiimu no hito ni nani
burokku shitorunjaa!!
You idiot!!
*punches Sakuragi in the head* What the hell are you blocking our own teammate
for?!
Some of the people start laughing. On the side, Ayako
chuckles to herself while thinking.
Ayako: <Ano ko ttara… Mou Haruko no koto ki ni
shinai noni nande mada sokomade Rukawa ni kodawaru no kashira.>
<That
boy… I wonder why he’s still so fixated about Rukawa now that he’s no longer
infatuated with Haruko…>
Sakuragi: Ah Gori! >_<! Warii warii! Waza to
janainda!
Ah Gori!
Sorry sorry! I didn’t mean to do it! It just sort of accidentally…
Akagi: *strangles/chokes
him* Nani ga tsui da! Akiraka ni waza to darou ga, kono tawakemono!
What do you
mean accidentally? It’s obvious you
did it on purpose, you moron!
Rukawa sighs: Doahou…
What an idiot…
Ayako: Akagi senpai! Anzai sensei wa happyou suru koto
ga arimasu tte!
Akagi-senpai!
Anzai-sensei says he has an announcement to make!
Akagi: Oo, wakatta. Shuugou!
Oh,
alright. Everyone, fall in!
All: Ou!
Anzai: Mina san, saikin yoku ganbarimashita ne. Ikinari desu ga, kyou wa ichi ji
ni tonari no XX-kou to renshuujiai wo suru koto ni narimashita.
Good job,
everyone. You have practiced very well. I’m sorry for this sudden announcement,
but we will be having a practice match with XX High from next door today at one
in the afternoon.
All: Eeeeh?!
Akagi: Anzai sensei, doushite ikinari…?
Anzai-sensei,
why is it so sudden…?
Anzai: Hoh hoh hoh… Mukou no kantoku ga wazawaza
chokusetsu moushikondekita node okotowari shitakunaindesu. Sore de kyou no
renshuu wa osokunarimasu ga, youji no aru hito wa kaettemo ii desu yo. Hoh hoh
hoh…
Hoh hoh hoh…
Their coach came all the way here and directly requested me, I didn’t have the
heart to refuse. Practice will therefore end later today, but if any of you
have something to attend to, you are free to leave as per usual. Hoh hoh hoh…
Akagi: Sou desuka. Jaa, youji no aru hito wa inai ka?
I see. Well
then, is there anyone who can’t make it?
Rukawa raises his arm... low.
Ayako: O, Rukawa… <Kono ko ni basuke igai no koto ga aru nante omoenai wa>
Oh, Rukawa…
<I can’t imagine him attending to anything else other than basketball.> --> LOL
Rukawa: Renshuujiai ni wa demasu. Demo sono mae ni
denwa wo…
I’ll be
there for the match, but I’d like to make a phonecall before that…
Ayako: Ah, sou ka. Ja ima denwa shitekina.
Oh I see. Well
then, feel free to call now.
Rukawa: Ndemo…
But uh…
Ayako tilts her head at Rukawa's hesitance.
Rukawa: Aite no denwa bangou ga wakaranee desu.
I don’t
have the person’s number.
Ayako almost falls over while the rest sweat drops. Indeed, Rukawa doesn't know
Sendou's number.
Rukawa: Senpai wa Ryounan basukebu no hito no denwa wo shiranai ssuka?
Does senpai
have anyone’s number from Ryonan’s basketball club?
Some people start
whispering: Ryounan…?
Ayako: Eeto, maneejaa no Aida Hikoichi
Umm, I
guess I do have their manager’s number…
Rukawa: Sore de juubun ssu.
That will work.
And so he gets Hikoichi's number from Ayako and walks out of the court to the
nearest phone booth when the some of the boys start gossiping amongst
themselves.
Mitsui: Ryounan? Ittai donna youji nan daro. Masaka
teki to no himitsu tokkun toka janai daro na.
Ryonan? What kind of business could it be? Don’t tell me he’s having some sort of secret training with the enemy?
Akagi: Arieru mono ka.
That can’t
be possible.
Miyagi: Iya, Ryounan no koto
If it’s got
to do with Ryonan, it’s probably ‘that guy’, no?
Mitsui: Aitsu tte…
‘That guy’…?
Akagi: Sendou ka.
You mean Sendou.
Sakuragi: Naniii?? Sendou wa ore ga taooossu!
Whaaat?? I’m
the one to beat Sendou!
Akagi: Omae ni dekiru mono ka! *punches him again*
As if you can! *punches him
again*
Mitsui: Hahaha! Sorya yume no mata yume dana!
Hahaha!
Dream on, Sakuragi.
-------------------------------
At the phone booth, Rukawa calls Hikoichi (cell phone) and
luckily, he picks it up. It seems like they're having a short break time as
well. (The power of fanfics... =P) While still on the line, Rukawa asks Hikoichi to get Sendou to pick the phone....
Sendou: Moshi moshi.
Hello?
Rukawa:
It’s me.
Sendou: O_o! Rukawa?
Rukawa: Kyou no renshuu osokunaru kara tsuri ni wa
ikesou ni nai.
Practice
ends late today. I don’t think I can go fishing with you.
Sendou: Ah, sou ka…
Oh, I see…
Rukawa: …Un.
…Yeah. --> He really doesn't talk much, does he? Poor Sendou.
Sendou: Ja, raishuu no doyoubi wa zettai ni kitekureru?
In that
case, can you promise to come next week?
Rukawa: ….Tabun.
…Maybe.
Sendou laughs
softly on the other end: Hahaha… “Tabun”…ka.Wakatta.
Ja, renshuu ganbare yo.
Hahaha… “Maybe”…
eh. Alright. I’ll see you then. Good luck with practice.
Rukawa: …… *and then he just hangs up*
Sendou: o__o.... *sigh* <Hitokoto mo iwanai ka… Aitsu rashii na.>
o__o…
*sigh* <Not even a word… I guess that’s just like him.>
As Sendou hangs up Hikoichi's phone, he remembers something and lightly face-palms himself.
Sendou: <Acchaa… Keitai bangou kiku no wasureta…>
<Aw… I
forgot to ask for his number…>
-------------------------------
Back in the court, some of the boys start teasing Rukawa, especially Mitsui.
Mitsui: Yoo, Rukawa. Ki ni naru no wa touzen dakara sunao ni barashichaina. Ittai
Ryounan to wa nan no you da?
Yo, Rukawa.
Don’t blame me for asking cause it’s only natural, so spill it. What business do
you have with Ryonan eh?
Rukawa finds it annoying. Mitsui's practically being a busybody, even though
it's not hard to understand why they'd be, but still, it's annoying. Right here
right now, he could choose to either tell the whole story or make a poor
excuse. But to him, it’s troublesome either way. He’d rather just cut the
answer so much shorter.
Rukawa: Himitsu desu.
It’s a
secret.
Most everyone else who heard them: Ooo!!
Mitsui: Hoo? Yappari kosokoso to acchi no captain to nanika hito ni ienai koto wo
shiteiru na?
Oh really?
So you are doing something sneaky
with their captain eh?
Miyagi: Sore a Mitsui san ni wa iwaretakunai yo.
Shouyou no dareka san to kosokoso atteru no wa dare dakke?
I don’t
think anyone wants to hear that from you, Mitsui san. Who is it again
sneakily meeting up with a certain someone from Shoyo...?
Mitsui goes red
in the ears and cheeks: Na-nani
itteyagaru?
Wh-what are
you talking about?
Sakuragi: Oo! Micchii mo koi shiteru no kaa?
Ooh! Is our
Micchii in love too?
Mitsui: Baka ie.
Don’t be
stupid. I—
Akagi interrupts: Nani gochagocha itteru?? Renshuuchuu da
zo! Oshaberi suru hima ga attara kooto wo gojuusshuu hashire!
What are
you chit chatting about?? We’re in the middle of practice! If you’ve got all
that time to talk you might as well run fifty laps around the court!
All: Eeeeh?!
And so they are all forced to run fifty rounds, and Mitsui blames Miyagi for it while Miyagi in turn blames Mitsui. LOL
Rukawa sighs
inaudibly: <Yare yare…>
<*Sigh*…>
-------------------------------
A week later on Saturday, close to 2pm, Sendou’s playing basketball with a few middle schoolers at the basketball court as he waits for Rukawa. Neither of them have talked or seen each other since last Saturday, and to be honest Sendou isn’t even sure if Rukawa would come. After all Rukawa hasn’t called again to confirm anything and god knows if he remembers about today, but it doesn’t hurt to give it a chance.
Sendou scores a
ball again, laughing casually: Kore de
juugohon me da na.
That’ll
have been my fifteenth shot.
Kid#1: Zurui yo! Oniichan se ga takasugi!
That’s so
unfair! You’re too tall!
Sendou: Sou ka?
Am I? *naturally puts a hand on the top of his head*
Kid#2: Korya shoubu ni naranai ze. Somosomo, oniichan
wa puro nandaro?
We can’t
play a game like this. Besides, aren’t you a pro in the first place?
Sendou looks
somewhat surprised: Puro ka… homesugi da
ne.
Pro…? Haha,
you
Kid#1: Chigau no? Oretachi ippon mo irerarenai jan?
You’re not?
We can’t even enter a single shot.
Sendou: Hahaha.
Hahaha. I’m
from high school after all, y’know.
Kid#2: Nandayo sore! *pouts*
What do you
mean by that? *pouts*
Sendou continues to laugh and joke with the kids when one of them points a finger at someone behind them.
Kid#1: Dareka ga oniichan wo niranderu yo?
Someone’s
staring at you.
Sendou turns around to see Rukawa resting against a tree with his arms folded.
Sendou: Rukawa! *walks over towards him* Kiteta no ka. Nande koe kaketekurenainda?
Rukawa!
*walks over towards him* You came? Why didn’t you call me?
Rukawa: …Tanoshisou ni yatteta kara.
…You looked
like you were having fun.
Sendou: Nanda. Kitetara koe kurai kakete yo.
Mattetandakara.
Yeah, but
still you could have called. I’ve been waiting.
Rukawa looks over
at the kids: …Mada yaru no?
…You
continuing?
Sendou: Ah? Ah, iya. Asobinagara matteiyouka tte.
Huh? Oh,
no. I was just playing while waiting for you.
And so Sendou tells the kids that he has to go and waves them goodbye before he proceeds to go to the jetty. He’s brought two fishing poles this time and he’s wearing very casual – a white t-shirt and a pair of blue Bermudas. Rukawa, on the other hand, continues to wear Shohoku’s jersey pants along with his own black t-shirt. Obviously, he’s too lazy to change everything.
Sendou: Shoujiki itte, omae ga kuru to wa omowanakatta.
To be
honest I didn’t think you’d come.
Rukawa: …Nande?
…Why’s
that.
Sendou: Are kara ichido mo denwa shitekurenai mon.
You
Rukawa: …Denwa wa ichido dake de juubun daro. Senshuu
kakunin shitandakara.
…Isn’t once
enough? I confirmed last week.
Sendou: Sou dakke? <Usotsuke. Omae wa “tabun” tte
itta.>
You did?
<No way, you said “maybe.”>
Then suddenly he remembers something.
Sendou: Assouda, kono aida omae no denwa bangou kiku no
wasureta.
Oh yeah, I
forgot to ask for your cell number the other time.
Rukawa: Keitai wa mottenai.
I don’t
have one.
Sendou: Eh? Mottenai no?
Eh? You don’t?
Rukawa: Mottenai.
No.
Sendou: Eeto… nande?
Um… why
not?
Rukawa: =_=; Mottenai kara.
=_=; Cause I
don’t. --> He’s lying. He
actually has a few reasons but is too lazy to explain. LOL
Sendou: Sou ka. Sore ja jitaku no bangou wa
oshietekurenai?
I see. In
that case can you tell me your home number?
Rukawa: Nande?
Why?
Sendou sweatdrops: Nande tte… Nen no tame daro?
Why…? ^^; Just
in case… you know?
Rukawa: …Ato de oshieru.
…I’ll tell you later.
And so they get the jetty and settle down their things. Sendou prepares their fishing poles and baits for them as he explains to Rukawa what and how to do it, even though it's written all over Rukawa's face that he's confused. Sendou can't help but laugh at Rukawa's indifference while Rukawa ignores him.
Sendou: Junbi dekita kara ima wa matsu dake.
We’re all set.
Now all we’ve got to do is wait.
Rukawa: …
…Just… wait?
<Seriously?>
Sendou: Sou. Nintai wo kitaerareru ne, kore wa.
Yup. This
will so train our patience.
Rukawa: =_=; …<Jikan no muda dake da.>
=_=; …
<It’s just a waste of time.>
And so they both sit along the edge of the jetty with their legs sticking out, and they wait... and wait. It's a good day today – sunny but a third cloudy, just enough so that they won't get sunburn. There's also the cool sea breeze to keep them comfortable... except... the silence between them is awkward, hella awkward.
Sendou chuckles: Omae honto mukuchi dana.
You’re
really quiet aren’t you?
Rukawa: -__- ……
Sendou: Jikan tappuri aru koto dashi yukkuri to hanashi
shiyou yo.
We’ve got a
lot of time. Let’s talk.
Rukawa: …Nani wo hanasunda?
…Talk about
what?
Sendou: Nandemo ii kara. Tatoeba shumi to ka.
Anything. Hobbies,
for example.
They stare at each other awkwardly in silence for a few seconds before Sendou continues.
Sendou: Tatoeba sa, ore wa basuke igai no shumi wa tsuri.
Omae wa?
For
example, other than basketball, I really enjoy fishing. What about you?
Rukawa pauses to think for a few seconds before he answers.
Rukawa: Neru koto.
Sleeping.
Sendou laughs a
little: Sou ka. <Sore wa nantonaku
wakatta ki ga suru.> Ja, suki na tabemono wa?
I see.
<For some reason I think I kinda knew that.> Then, what about your
favorite food?
Rukawa: …Shiranee.
…I don’t
know.
Sendou: Suki na iro?
Favorite
color?
Rukawa: …Ao.
…Blue.
Sendou: Tanjoubu wa?
When’s your
birthday?
Rukawa: …Dangan.
…New Year.
Sendou: Hee… Sou nanda?
Oh… really?
Rukawa: Jinmon ka, kore.
Is this an
interrogation?
Sendou laughs
again: Basuke ni kankei nai mono wa
kyoumi nai kka.
I guess you
really aren’t interested in anything outside of basketball.
Rukawa: …… *looks into the horizon, his hand still holding onto his pole*
Sendou: Jaa, kesa no
renshuu wa dou datta?
Well then,
how was practice this morning?
That reminds Rukawa of all the annoying teasing he has to put through ever since last week. This morning was no exception, even though no one knows what plans he has for the day. They just sorta assumed, and went on and on about it, especially Sakuragi. Yeah, especially him.
Rukawa: …Itsumo doori.
Same as
usual.
Sendou: Sou ka.
Akagi wa zekkouchou darou kedo, Sakuragi no yatsu wa dou? Itsumo ore wa aitsu
ga taosu tte gangan itteru kedo kitai dekisou kana?
I see. I
suppose Akagi’s in tip top condition, but how’s Sakuragi doing? He keeps talking
about how he’ll be the one to defeat me, but can I expect anything from him yet
at this point?
Rukawa: …Doahou ni nani kitai shiteru. Omae wa ore ga taosu. Kanarazu.
…What are
you expecting from an idiot? I’ll be the one to defeat you. Definitely.
Sendou sweatdrops: <Ah, koitsu mo sou date koto wasureteta.>
<Ah… I
forgot he’s just the same.>
And then they're back to silence, which makes Sendou feel awkward again. He knows Rukawa doesn't talk much to begin with, but in a situation like this he can't help but feel like they should talk, like it's the best scenario to get to know each other. Just because Rukawa's known to be a cold prince doesn't mean no one should try being his friend. The way Sendou sees it, Rukawa hides a flood of unpredictable thoughts beneath that stoic mask, and he's curious to see it.
Thirty minutes later, Sendou is just about to open another conversation when he feels something on his right shoulder. Rukawa has fallen asleep. Sendou naturally stiffens at the thought that he now can't move, but then he sighs and smiles to himself. <Shumi wa neru koto ka… Igai to muboubi da na, koitsu.> <His hobby’s to sleep eh…? He’s surprisingly defenseless.> Carefully, he takes the fishing pole from Rukawa's hand and holds it himself, just in case he hooks something and there goes the flying pole.
About an hour later, Sendou feels a tug on Rukawa's pole. The tug pulls at Sendou's arm, jerking it and waking up the sleeping one. Rukawa has just opened his eyes when he hears Sendou's voice close to him.
Sendou: Rukawa, hikkakatteru zo.
Rukawa, you
got one.
Sendou hands his pole back to him and that's when Rukawa finally clicks. He now has the pole back but he sure doesn't know what to do next. Seeing Sendou get up his feet, he follows and tries to keep the pole steady in his hands. It feels weird to have something tug at you continuously and Rukawa's actually worried if the pole would snap when suddenly he's surprised to feel Sendou's hands around his, his body behind him. Rukawa has never had anyone invade his personal space before outside of basketball and it's totally awkward, but it's not like there's anything he could do so he tries to ignore it just so he can get it over with. (By the way, he totally doesn't realize he just slept on Sendou's shoulder. =P)
Sendou:
Don’t
worry, I’ll guide you. Just hold tight onto the pole and follow me.
Rukawa: …Wakatta.
…
With Sendou's help, they manage to pull the fish up. It isn't a tough one, and it shows when they see what fish they caught. It's a common fish around these waters, the size of a shoe perhaps. Nevertheless, Sendou is proud that Rukawa's able to catch something on his first try and puts the fish in a bucket of water, temporarily.
Rukawa: Sore de?
And then?
Sendou: Sore de?
And then…?
Rukawa: Sakana wo dou surunda?
What do we
do with the fish?
Sendou: Aa, ore wa ririisu surunda na, futsuu.
Oh, I
usually release it.
Rukawa: …Haa…?? -__-
…Huh…??
-__-
Sendou:
I fish
because I love fishing, not because I want to eat it. Besides, it just isn’t my
thing to kill a living creature with my own hands.
Rukawa: …Sore ja
tsuri ni imi nai janai.
…Then what’s
the point?
Sendou: Aru sa.
Donna sakana ga tsureru ka, hikkakattemo hikiageru koto ga dekiru ka, tanoshimi
janai ka?
The point…? Well, with fishing, no one knows what fish they’ll get, or whether they can successfully pull it up even if they hooked one. Don’t you think that’s something worth looking forward to? (Doesn’t this sound like a metaphor to something else...? =P Refer to the bottom of this chapter if you don’t understand)
Rukawa:…… --> obviously doesn't agree. LOL
Sendou: Omae ga
tabetai to iu
If you
wanna eat it though, we can always hand it over to Uozumi san and get him to
cook something for us? <Since he’s a cook.>
Rukawa: Iya. -_-
*waves his hand* Ii.
No. -_-
*waves his hand* I’ll pass.
Sendou chuckles
softly: Ja, mou ikkai tsuttemiyou ka. Sore tomo sakana wo umi ni modoshite
owari ni suru?
In that
case, should we go for another try? Or would you rather release the fish and
call it a day?
Rukawa doesn't
take a second to respond: Owari ni suru.
Sendou isn’t
surprised to hear that: OK. Ja,
omae ga sakana wo umi ni modoshina.
Rukawa:
Me?
Sendou: Omae no kyacchi daro?
It’s your
catch.
And so Rukawa throws the fish back in as Sendou watches. Sendou has got to admit, it’s enjoyable to have Rukawa fish with him, even if it’s only for a couple hours. He may not talk much, but knowing that someone’s there with him is good enough for Sendou.
Sendou: Ah, ishi ni attata.
Ah, it hit
a rock.
Rukawa: Atattenee yo. -__-;
It didn’t.
-__-;
Sendou: Hahaha. Joudan…
Hahaha. I’m
just kidding…
Then suddenly, it starts raining a little. (Oh thank you lord? =P)
Sendou: Are, ame ka. <Sakki made hareteta noni.>
It’s
raining…? <It was okay right until now.>
He then quickly pulls his line back in and packs up his gear.
Sendou: Yabai. Ame ga tsuyokunattekita. Omae kono mama kaeru ka? Ie ga tookattara orenchi ni konai? Shawaa mo kigae mo aru kara.
Crap. It’s
getting heavier. Are you going home just like this? You can come to my place if
your home’s too far. You can borrow the bathroom and some clothes.
Rukawa pauses to think. He is about to say that he can run home while the rain’s still small when it starts pouring heavily.
Rukawa: -__-; …Shikata nai.
-__-; … Guess I’ve no
choice.
-----------------------------------
Sendou’s place isn’t very far from the jetty. It is about a ten minute run before they got there. Brushing his now-downed hair away from his face, Sendou opens his door to reveal a small studio apartment.
Sendou: Semakute gomen ne. Ima sugu taoru mottekuru kara. Sore to, kaban wa doko ni demo oite iiyo.
Sorry my
place’s a little cramped. I’ll bring you a towel right now. And oh, feel free
to put your bag anywhere.
Rukawa looks around the house before he takes off his shoes at the entrance. The place looks pretty empty except for a TV, a few drawers, a wardrobe and a bed, typical of a lone tenant perhaps, but at least it's not dirty, or messy.
Rukawa: <Hitorigurashi ka…> Ojama shimasu.
<He
lives alone…> Ojama shimasu -->
Something Japanese people say when they enter someone else’s house.
Soon enough Sendou comes back with a towel and some clean clothes for Rukawa. He insists that Rukawa showers first and so he does. When Rukawa steps out of the bathroom wearing his slightly oversized t-shirt, Sendou chuckles internally to himself thinking how adorable he looks. On the other hand, Rukawa pretends he doesn’t hear a thing. Before Sendou steps in to a take a shower, he points to the drawers beside the little TV.
Sendou: Hikidashi
no naka ni kyonen no NBA bideo ga aru kara suki ni mitete iiyo. Sore to,
ichiban shita no hikidashi ni zasshi mo aru kara.
There’re
some NBA video tapes from last year in those drawers. You can watch them if you
want. There’re also some magazines in the last one.
Rukawa: Wakatta.
And so Rukawa starts popping in the videos while Sendou’s in the shower, switching the tape every half minute until he finds one with Michael Jordan. He then lays his back against the side of the bed and continues to watch until Sendou comes out. He smiles to himself when he sees Rukawa quietly watching and walks over to sit right beside him with a towel over his head. They sit there staring at the TV in silence for a few minutes before Sendou finally speaks again.
Sendou: Are ga omae no mokuhyou ka.
So is that
your dream?
Rukawa spaces out for a few seconds before he responds: Are tte?
“That”?
Sendou: Maikeru Joodan.
Rukawa doesn’t reply and continues to stare at the TV. He probably doesn’t know the answer himself. This is Michael Jordan and the NBA they’re talking about and it is Shohoku he’s in. He can’t say no cause he does want to join the NBA someday but he can’t say yes cause he doesn’t want to be too farfetched as to say he wants to be the next MJ.
Sendou: Yappari
sugoi na, ano hito wa. Maikeru Joodan no reberu wo mezasu
He’s really
incredible, isn’t he. I don’t think you’d be aiming to conquer the nation if
you’re going for
Rukawa: ……
Sendou: Da ga,
omae tachi Shouhoku wa zenkoku e ikun dakara, uchi to chigatte sekaiseiha ni
chikazuku chansu wa aru.
But at least,
unlike us you guys still have the chance to enter the nationals and close in
on that dream.
Rukawa: Nani
itteru.
What are
you talking about? I’ve not even beaten you once. <That’s why it’s pissing
me off…>
Sendou laughs: Hahaha! Sore wa touzen sa.
Hahaha! Of
course you haven’t.
Rukawa: =__=##........ <Yarou…>
=__=## ……
<Bastard…>
Sendou:
I’ve been
working hard so as not to lose to you too, you know?
Rukawa: <Nani
ga hisshi da. Itsumo renshuu sabotteru kuseni.>
<What do
you mean ‘working hard’? You’re always skipping out on practice.>
Sendou: Sore wa
nande da to omou?
Why do you
think that is?
Rukawa: Shiru ka.
Why would I
know?
Sendou: Maketara mou otte wa konai darou.
Cause you
won’t come after me anymore if I lost, would you?
Rukawa: ……
Sendou: Zuboshi ka.
Bull’s eye,
eh.
Rukawa stares back at the TV, not answering Sendou again. Sendou know he’s got it right, but while it’s not an encouraging answer, he internally pats himself in the back for knowing Rukawa this well enough. However, the next moment of silence is broken when the door bell rings. Sendou answers the door only to be greeted by a familiar face.
Sendou: Rina…?
Doushite koko ni?
Rina…? [Note: Rina’s a random original girl.] Why are you here?
Rina: Kore.
*throws him a cell phone* Wasureta desho.
Here.
*throws him a cell phone* You forgot this.
Sendou: Ah.
*grabs the phone* Sankyu. Masaka kore wo todoke ni wazawaza?
Ah. *grabs
the phone* Thanks. You came all the way just to return this?
Rina: Anta no mono mitakunai wa.
I don’t
want to see anything of yours.
Rukawa glances for a second at the person at the door before his eyes go back to the TV.
Sendou: ^^; Ah, sou… Mada okotteru no ka?
^^; I see…
Are you still mad?
Rina: Imasara
okottemo nanimo dou ni mo naranai wa.
It helps
nothing even if I am.
Sendou scratches his head innocently, not knowing what else to say. That’s when the girl peers into the apartment to see another guy inside. She can tell he’s watching those basketball videos from the noise of the TV.
Rina: Basuke no
shiriai?
Is he another one of you?
Sendou: Ah, un.
…Yeah.
Rina frowns: Mata
basuke ka.
Basketball
again.
Sendou: Maa…
Well…
He pretty much knows what she’s gonna say next.
Rina: Yappari
anta no ganjuu ni wa basuke shika nai wa ne. Asa okitara basuke. Gakkou ni
ittara basuke. Houkago mo basuke. Ie ni mo basuke. Basuke basuke bakkari de yarisugi dato omowanai??
You’re
really just all about basketball, aren’t you? You wake up in the morning and it’s
basketball. You go to school and it’s basketball. After school, it’s basketball
again and at home, it’s still basketball. Don’t you ever think it’s a little
too much??
Sendou sweat drops:
Sou iwaretemo…
Well… I…
Rina: Mou anta no koto shiranai wa. Keitai mo kaeshita kara atashi kaeru.
Man, I don’t
care about you anymore. You’ve got your phone. I’m leaving.
She is about to turn and leave when Sendou adds on.
Sendou: Rina,
itsumo okorasete bakari de gomen. Omae wa ii hito dakara ore yori zutto
fusawashii aite ga mitsukaru yo, kitto.
Rina, I’m
sorry for always making you mad. You’re nice girl, I’m sure you’ll find someone
much better than me.
Before she leaves, Rina shakes her head and sighs as she mumbles the words “Baka…” With that, Sendou closes the door and sits back beside Rukawa, and the two stare at the TV again in silence. Sendou can tell that Rukawa’s curious but hesitant to ask about the girl, and so he deliberately teases Rukawa by not starting a conversation. (LOL) It was only after five minutes of mind-fidgeting does Rukawa finally ask.
Rukawa: …Sakki no wa dare?
…Who was
that?
Sendou smiles to himself when he hears Rukawa initiates the question, smug.
Sendou: Ah, Rina
ka.
Oh, Rina?
She’s my ex.
Rukawa: ……
Sendou: Ki ni
suru koto wa nai. Mou zuibun mae no koto da. <Hontou wa sengetsu dakedo.>
Don’t worry
about it. It’s been a while since we broke up. <Actually it was just last
Rukawa: ……
Sendou: Omae wa?
What about
you?
Rukawa: …?
Sendou:
Do you have
a girlfriend?
Rukawa: Sonna hima wa nai.
I don’t
have time for that.
Sendou laughs at
how blunt Rukawa is about it:
As I
expected.
Rukawa: -_-; …
<
-_-; …
<What do you ‘expected’?>
Sendou: Otto
gomen.
Oops,
sorry. What I meant was, I know you look good and better yet, you have a bright
future ahead of you. In most cases, every girl would probably be running after
you. But at the same time, girls also tend to keep away from guys who’re as addicted
to basketball, in this case, as you.
Rukawa looks at him with an expression that’s hard to describe, but Sendou can tell that he doesn’t quite get it and that he could probably mistake it as an offense and so he continues.
Sendou: Rina wa
ne, aa mietemo motomoto basuke no daifan dattanda.
I know it’s
hard to tell but Rina was originally a huge basketball fan.
Rukawa: …
<hee…>
…
<Really…>
Sendou: Gakkou wa
chigau kedo, ore to tsukiatta no mo ore no fan datta kara.
We were
from different schools, but she was a big fan of mine and we ended up dating somehow.
Rukawa: ……
Sendou: Demo
jikan ga tateba mondai wa dandan mietekuru. Otagai basuke ga suki nanoni kanojo
wa jibun wo basuke to kurabete shimau. Soshite otoko no hou mo itsuka wa
“Basuke to watashi, docchi no hou ga daiji” da to kikareru. “Ryouhou tomo suki”
to iu riseiteki na kotae wo shitara okorareru shi, tonikaku onna no hito ni
toccha sore wa torikaeshi no nai kotoba no you da. Mattaku te ni oenai.
But, we
started to see our problem only as time goes by. We both love basketball, but somehow she
just couldn’t help but compare herself with it. Eventually, she asked me which
one’s more important to me. Basketball, or her. I told her both of them are equally important, but then she got mad, like it’s a taboo or
something. I really didn’t know what to do about it.
Rukawa: …<Dakara onna wa mendokusai.>
… <That’s
why women are a hassle.>
Sendou: Maa, ore no baai ja jibun no sei demo aru kedo
na. Honki janakatta mon na.
Well, in my
case I know I’m partly to blame. I wasn’t dating her seriously after all.
Rukawa sweatdrops
internally: ……
Sendou chuckles a little: Kono mama ja oretachi mo you na ningen wa
isshou mo dokushin no unmei nano ka na?
At this
rate I wonder if people like us are doomed to stay single forever.
Rukawa: …Kyoumi nai shi.
… I’m not
interested anyway.
Sendou laughs: Sou dana. Demo omae no baai, hyakunin mo koeru
joshi shineitai ga iru kara mondai nai daro. Shouhoku no maneejaa to Akagi no
imouto mo iru shi, ne?
You’re
right. But I don’t suppose you’d have a problem, would you? After all, you’ve
got a horde of female fans. Not to mention there’s Shohoku’s manager and Akagi’s
sister.
Rukawa sighs. He really can’t be bothered to answer that. Sendou then gets up to toss his towel away when he realizes he still has the cell phone in his hand, which reminds him…
Sendou: Asouda!
Oh right!
Rukawa: ……
Sendou: Omae keitai mottenai daro? Kore yaru yo.
You said
you don’t have a cell, right? Here, take this.
Rukawa: Ha…? *looks at the phone in Sendou's hand*
…Huh? *looks at the phone in Sendou's hand*
Sendou:
I’ve got
two. <Although this one’s only for Rina.> I don’t need this anymore.
Rukawa: Iranee yo.
I don’t
need it.
Sendou: Iyaa, kore a ore no wagamama demo arunda.
Actually,
it’s partly for my own selfish reasons.
Rukawa: ……?
Sendou: Keitai mottereba itsudemo renraku dekiru kara
benri na mono sa.
It’ll be so
much more convenient for me to contact you next time if you have one.
Rukawa: ……
Sendou: Hora, shashin mo torero zo?
Look, it
can even take photos.
Sendou sits back down beside Rukawa on the floor and puts an arm around his shoulder before taking a quick shot of them without permission. Rukawa frowns but doesn’t say a word. As he stares at him wondering why he did that, Sendou goes ahead and sets that photo as the wallpaper before he shows it to Rukawa with a smug look on his face.
Sendou: Hora, omoshiroi daro?
See? Isn’t
it interesting?
Rukawa stares at the screen blankly.
Sendou: Tonikaku omae ni yaru kara damatte uketore yo.
Anyway, I’m
giving it to you so just take it.
Rukawa holds the phone in his hand, still wondering whether to take it or not. Sendou smiles at the fact that Rukawa’s willing to hold onto it at all.
Sendou: Ie wo deru toki wa kanarazu motteike yo. Denai
to imi nakunaru kara.
Don’t forget to always bring it with you outside. It defeats the purpose otherwise.
The corner of Rukawa’s lips curls into a small, practically invisible smile.
Rukawa: Okaasan mitai.
You sound
like my mom.
Author's note:
The metaphor that could apply to something else that I was talking about earlier on is this:
With fishing, no one knows what fish they’ll get.
With love, no one can tell who they'll fall in love with.
Or whether they can successfully pull it up even if they hooked one.
Or whether they can win that person's heart even if they found one.
Don’t you think that’s something worth looking forward to?
Don't you think that's why love is worth looking forward to?