BEEEEEP!!!! The timer went off and the match ended. 
The score was 68--62, Ryonan won. It was a tough match all
the way through, but Shohoku was still a new team developing
slowly. Akagi and Kogure officially resigned from the 
basketball team. Hence, losing Akagi's central force and 
Kogure's experience did not help. On the sidelines, the two 
seniors frowned. Akagi was none too pleased with this lost. 
Miyagi was still too inexperienced in the field of leading 
the team. Even though Mitsui's three pointers were efficient,
Fukuda's shots more or less even the result. Hanamichi 
seemed more deadly in his rebounds, both offensively and 
defensively, but unfortunately, he needed more training. 
Skills need to be acquired gradually, and time became a 
factor. Rukawa was able to fend off Sendoh, but Sendoh was 
able to maintain the intensity Rukawa exerted into the game. 
Almost easily, Sendoh emerged the victor in this game.

     "I guess we need to give them some time," Kogure sighed.
     "Well, we have no choice. The rest is up to them." Akagi
crossed his arms and watched the proceedings of the juniors.

	  ------------------------------------

     "Thank you for the match." Everyone bowed to one another.

     Ryonan gathered together, and prepared to leave. Being 
the respectable host, the Shohoku team walked Ryonan outside. 
Ansei-sensei bid the team good-bye and thanked them for 
coming.

     It's almost time to go, just don't look.. Don't look. 
Sendoh kept his face on his coach as he told himself 
repeatedly not to look at Rukawa. He has his girlfriend here 
anyway, the new manager, Sendoh gloomily thought to himself. 
I should be happy for him. He ignored the wound in his heart--
it's no use acknowledging it. He's normal now, I am happy for 
him--the pain increased. For two weeks I've stopped thinking. 
I can do this. Keep smiling, keep smiling, keep smiling....

     "Sendoh."

     Sendoh's smile cracked. His heart was bleeding. He turned
around to openly stare at the owner of the voice. Giving 
himself a mental shake, Sendoh called on his spuriously bright
smile once again.

     "Kae--Rukawa."
     "I want the photo album back."
     "Wha-at?" Sendoh lost his smile again.
     "Drop it off tonight. I'll be around." Expressionless, 
Rukawa delivered what he came to say and left.

     Why? I just want the memory--can't I even keep that? What
do you want from me? Sendoh cried to himself. He knew Rukawa 
expected him to do as he was told. He knew Rukawa wanted to 
tie all loose ends. He knew Rukawa was someone who liked to 
severe all unnecessary relationships. He knew this was the end
--for sure.

			-----------------------

     The night was quiet. It was unnaturally quiet for a 
summer night. No sounds of insects, animals, nor humans. The 
sky was black, or was it blue? Sendoh did not care to look. 
He gripped the photo album in his hand tightly as he walked to
Rukawa's house. Was that a bright flash in the sky? He didn't 
notice. His face tautened as his mind drifted...

********

     "What is this? A gift?" Sendoh asked jovially. He had his
hands wrapped around Rukawa's waist domineeringly . No one 
would mistaken their relationship if only they were in public.
As it was, they were in Rukawa's house, sitting on the couch.

     "Open it." Rukawa said quietly and thrust the gift into 
Sendoh's hands.

     He took the small package wrapped in silver from Rukawa
and laid it on his lap. Instead of unwrapping the gift, he 
pulled Rukawa to him for a hug and a kiss. Rukawa never 
recoiled from his kisses. Unlike a girl, he would respond 
zealously, and at times initiate the kisses. Their 
relationship was equal, in every sense. They were definitely 
both guys, and they acted that way. Hugs, kisses, touches, 
they had their share. Maybe Rukawa seemed detached at times,
but it did not take away from their unique relationship.

     Five minutes passed. Finally, they unlocked their lips to
drink in the oxygen thirstily.

     "Open it." Rukawa said again.

     Sendoh knew this must be something significant. Rarely 
did Rukawa repeat himself. Picking up the gift, he unwrapped 
it slowly. It was a photo album. His eyes widened in surprise
as he flipped through the book.

     "How?!! Why?" Sendoh was in awe. The album contained the
scenes of the video they had made on their one week 
anniversary on the beach. They had decided to bring a view-cam
with them and tape the beach--and themselves.

     "I converted the images on the video into pictures." 
Rukawa calmly told Sendoh.
     "But---"
     "Because I want you to remember--I want you to treasure 
each moment. Every single moment we had individually. Don't 
let it go."
     "Kaede..."

     Rukawa's eyes burned into Sendoh as his words pierced 
Sendoh's heart. An unnamed emotion took form as he returned 
Rukawa's torrid eyes. Their lips blended together feverishly--
--

********

     Sendoh slowly walked up the steps leading to Rukawa's 
porch. A streak of lightning lit up the sky. The sky turned 
white for a few seconds. He stood there like a statue, 
unblinking, unmoving, and barely breathing. He wasn't aware of
the dangerous proximity the lightning posed. He reached out and
knocked on the metal clasp. The door swung open.

     Rukawa looked at Sendoh dispassionately. On cue, lightning
struck as thunder was heard. The storm was close. So that was 
why the night was still, Sendoh wondered to himself. However, 
nothing registered. His eyes refused to leave Rukawa. Let me 
look at you for just a few more moments. Let me remember.....

     The sky opened and rain poured. The wind howled in 
distress as they were released from the darkness. Don't move. 
Let this moment never end, please....

     "Come in."
     "What?"
     "You'll never make it back in one piece. I don't want to 
be held responsible."

     Upon hearing these words, Sendoh stepped into the long 
abandoned, but never forgotten house. He turned around and shut
the door. Following Rukawa, he walked to the sofa and sat down.
Nothing changed in the house. It was still clean and tidy. The
black leather sofas were comfortable as usual. The adjoining 
dining room looked untouched. Sendoh remembered when he cooked
dinner for Ru...

     Rukawa stared expectantly at Sendoh. He knew it was time.
Time to let go. Reluctantly, he handed the album to Rukawa. 
Rukawa held the album, but Sendoh did not release his grip. 
Both pairs of eyes were on the book. Both of them were tightly
holding the book.

     In one quick pull, Rukawa wrenched the album away from 
Sendoh and tossed it onto the glass coffee table in front of 
their sofa. The album was open in the middle. It was on a 
scene where they were entwined closely together and kissing 
passionately.

     Rukawa and Sendoh looked at each other. Silence was 
resonant in the room.


∼To Be Continued∼