One Night in the Gym

ONE NIGHT IN THE GYM
(Where it all started)

note: I'm sorry for the typos and some grammatical errors... i had no time to edit this fic..
disclaimer: I don non sln slam dunk.... dont sue me
THIS IS LIME...

FAN FIC
Ryota Miyagi and Ayako

The championship game was just two days away. Shohoku and Ryonan will show their strengths and try their best to win. The forth-coming game was rumored to be the best game of the season because two of Japan’s best high school basketball teams would fight for the first place in the seasonal game. Both teams reached the championships with no stir; both did an exceptional job leaving their opponent teams with a hundred plus lead. The preparations for the game was keeping everyone busy. Everybody on Shohoku’s Team practiced from dawn until the tenth in the evening; everyone had only one thing on their minds and that’s to win.
Well, almost everyone… Ryota Miyagi, jersey number five, had another thing playing inside his mind. He cannot concentrate on practicing because he had Ayako in his mind. Ayako was the one responsible for Sakuragi’s development in dribbling. Everyday, Ayako trains Hanamichi Sakuragi how to dribble. She’s the team’s manager and was deeply respected by Akagi. Ryota immediately liked Ayako the very moment he laid his eyes on her. He loves the way her curly hair falls on her face when she puts her cap on, the way she cheered when someone did a great rebound, the way she smiles… actually, he loves her because of the way she is.
“Ryota! Watch out!” Akagi shouted.
Akagi was the team captain and sometimes teased as gori, short for gorilla. Despite of his appearance, he was popular. He had high grades and his height was perfect for slam-dunks.
“Huh?” Ryota turned to see what’s happening and suddenly, with a sharp blow, the ball hit him right in the stomach… “Ahhh….”
“Ba-ka…” Rukawa moaned under his breath.
“Number five! That’s sixth in a row!” Ayako shouted.
Ryota was so embarrassed. Why do I make such failures? He asked himself. Slowly, he turned to Ayako. You can tell she’s pretty but right now, her eyebrows met.
Ryota didn’t know what to do and decided to leave and come back tomorrow for the next practice. Everybody was disappointed on Ryota’s performance. His usual lightning fast moves and sharp shoots were blunt. Sakuragi knew exactly what was happening but he ignored it for he doesn’t want to interfere with other person’s privacy.
As Ryota made his way through the door, Ayako called out. “Why do you have to give up so soon?”
Ryota’s steps were hampered by Ayako’s words. She thinks I’m a loser, she thinks I’m a quitter… He took one deep breath and with his head facing the floor, he stepped out of the gymnasium.
The practice went on. All were in good condition and ready for action. Sakuragi became a “genius” in dunks and so did Rukawa on long shots. Akagi had done better in blocking; Mitsui did perfect three-point shots and Kogure had a better technique on passing the ball. But of course, the day wouldn’t be complete without their daily dose of Sakuragi’s boastfulness, his fight with Rukawa and Akagi’s punches whenever Sakuragi became overly confident. Sensei-Anzai was very pleased to see the team’s effort. He was very sure that they would win the championships beating Ryonan’s star players, Uozumi and Sendoh.
Sendoh was the ace of Ryonan. In fact, of all members in Ryonan, he was the one with an attitude. Whether his team wins or loses, he kept himself cool. Although he doesn’t have any fan clubs like Rukawa’s, he was still popular, not only because of his attitude, but also because of his great basketball skills and his good looks.
Sendoh was the great competitor of Sakuragi, Rukawa and Ryota. But right now, Ryota completely forgot about the championships and his battle with Sendoh.
Ayako was quiet all practice since Ryota walked away. She feels something heavy inside her chest; her heart kept on racing, wondering what had she done to make Ryota act like that.
Sakuragi was the only one who noticed Ayako’s weird actions. He wanted to ask but still he did not. He thought that talking with Ayako would make things worse between Ayako and Ryota. He wanted to help his best friend, but can he do? He himself was much worse than Ryota – fifty girls in a row busted him within the year.
That night at almost eleven o’clock, Ayako walked around the neighborhood. The cold wind made her shiver. She made her way through the streets with only the post light guiding her path. Ryota’s actions made her wonder.
The streets she went through seemed to be an endless path towards hell. She didn’t know why she felt guilt inside her. She never felt that way since she managed Shohoku. Her heart felt heavy and she felt like she was about to cry.
Just when her vision gets blurred and the tears filled her eyes, her attention was caught by the sound of a ball being dribbled. She didn’t notice that her feet brought her to the village basketball gym and for some strange reasons, destiny made her near the gym just in time to see someone practicing basketball. Her lonely feeling was gone. She felt happy.
She felt happy because at least Sakuragi still practices what she taught him even in the middle on the night. How she wished, it was Ryota, so they can talk. She doesn’t want Ryota to be mad at her – or at least uneasy with her.
She entered the rusty steel door and was so surprised on what she saw. Her prayers were answered and there she saw Ryota Miyagi, practicing; dribbling and three point shots.
The atmosphere was cool and the basketball court was well lit by the post lamps. The gentle breeze seemed to kiss Ayako’s tender cheeks.
“Miyagi-kun…” she called in a low voice. The surroundings were silent. She could only hear Ryota’s rapid breathing. “Miyagi-kun…”
Ryota held the ball with his hands and slowly turned to Ayako. He was blushing because of humiliation. What face can he show Ayako after acting like a big quitter? He could feel his blood going up his face. He almost could hear his heart beating so fast. Suddenly his world disappeared and the only person he could see was Ayako.
“Miyagi-kun…” She took a little step closer to Miyagi.
“Yes?” he was staring right at her in a cold and heartless face.
“I…I… I’m sorry…”
“It’s nothing.” He told her in a very casual voice and quickly turned away from her, returning to his practice.
He left hemplempletely stunned.
Her face was pale.
She watched Miyagi while doing his three point shot. All of the sudden she felt something unusual. Her heart was racing as she stared at his muscular built and sun-tanned skin. She somehow wanted to feel his skin against hers. What the hell? Shaking her head to get rid of the thought. But she can’t help it, Ryota’s sweaty white shirt revealed his chest muscles and abs.
Ryota was going to dunk but he missed it. Suddenly, Ayako had the courage…
“Miyagi-kun! That’s wrong! Your jump was a little low!”
“What do you care?” he snapped.
“Miyagi! I’m your team’s manager. Whether you like it or not! And I have the responsibility to see to it that each member did right! Is that understood?” She said in a high but very authoritative voice.
Ryota was speechless. He had never seen Ayako so furious. She was really determined to teach him the right moves.
“Alright…” finally in a cool voice. “We’ll play.”
“Huh?”
“One on one.”
“But…”
“No buts, you must follow what I say. I’m your manager.”
Ayako grabbed the ball from Ryota’s cold shaky hands and ran half the court, dribbling. She stopped in a quick snap and did a great two point shot.
“What’s the matter, Miyagi-kun? Suddenly afraid a girl can beat you?” She dared Ryota but still Ryota can’t move. His feet were glued on the well-polished floor.
You can do it, Ryota. He told himself and with a heavy sigh, he took one step towards Ayako’s direction.
He stared at the ball that kept on bouncing up and down Ayako’s hands. He ran towards her and stole the ball. Ayako was surprised on what Ryota had showed her. No one, even Rukawa nor Sakuragi, can steal a ball from her that quickly. She was impressed.
“Sugoi!” She cheered. “Well done!”
She was standing in front of Ryota trying to steal the ball but Ryota was too quick and tricky.
They were playing for about two hours. Their uneasiness when each other was around disappeared. It turned to smiles, to laughter.
Ryota was having a good time with Ayako and vise versa. The evening air inside the gym was filled with the sound of the ball bouncing and their laughter. Nothing else. Ryota never felt happy in his entire than he was then.
It was like a dream come true.
It was better than winning the championships.
He was with the girl of his dreams.
Ayako was about to steal the ball when Ryota accidentally bumped her. She fell down.
“Awww…” She exclaimed while rubbing her knee.
Ryota quickly dropped the ball and ran towards Ayako’s side.
“I’m really, sorry… It’s so stupid of me! I’m sorry. Gomen nasai!” He carried her to the bench.
Ayako put her finger on Ryota’s lips as he cradle her in his strong arms. “Shhh… It’s okay. I’m not hurt. No broken bones.” She said in a whispering voice.
Ryota blushed.
“You can now put me down…”
Still Ryota can’t move. He was staring Ayako right at the eyes. Ayako’s heart was about to jump out her chest. A rush of blood went up Ayako’s face as she returned Ryota’s longing stare.
Slowly Ryota drew his face closer to hers. She closed her eyes.
They kissed.
His lips were warm. Its warmth seemed to spread to her entire body.
As they were kissing, he put her gently on the bench. Still not letting go of Ryota, she put her arms around Ryota’s waists as he was taking of his sweaty shirt. Enjoying the pleasure of kissing Ayako, he slipped his hands inside Ayako’s shirt feeling her naked back and the followed by a snap, like a garter being pulled and quickly released making a sound as it hit Ayako’s back.
Nothing existed except the night.
…And the two of them.
...The ball lay motionless on the floor.