DAYLIGHT - K. Rukawa

40

[ third person's ]

Rukawa's favorite hugs are the ones after his game. It just that, it feels the warmth and relaxing that after a long and tiring game, he'd lock himself in your arms or maybe lock you in his arms. And of course, you returning the embrace. But this time, you knew it felt different. You looked at Rukawa's back, and Rukawa's head was looking down. Sakuragi beside you who's laying on the stretcher could only be mumbled in frustration.

Shohoku lost to Aiwa.

And Shohoku is now eliminated from the national tournament.

You felt a hand tapping your shoulder, you turned around to catch Ayako, softly smiling, and was on the verge of tears out of frustration. They were so close to the dream, but she knew inside of her that they happened to dominate the national tournament. Losing is a part of the game.

Rukawa who's still in the center court walked in your direction, you immediately pull out a towel behind you as you saw him walking towards you. He looks so frustrated and devastated at the same time. You can't help but open your arms wide for the rookie. Everyone on the team was really frustrated. They could've had won. But Sakuragi's landed badly a while ago. And by looking at Rukawa he looks like he's already losing to exhaustion, same with the other members.

He put his weight on you, pressing his forehead on your shoulder and holding into your elbows tightly. Rukawa had never felt this comfort before. He's not the type to show his emotions and affections, but this time around he completely forgot about the crowd that surrounds the two of you. He couldn't hear any of them aside from your breathing and his heavy pants.

You let him stayed like that and feel numb about his weight on you until Anzai-sensei called for the players. You let Rukawa entwined a hand on yours, as the two of you exited the court together with the team.

"For today, let's call it." Anzai-sensei smiled. "All of you did your best there, but this time it's the fate who decided the outcome of the game. Sure, you guys lost today. But you'll win eventually. I've seen your improvements throughout the year not only your physical improvement but also the improvement of your mindset when it comes to playing."

"This is not the end for your basketball." That was all he said before letting the team stay in the inn for a day.

Tomorrow, you guys will be leaving and will return to the Kanagawa district. There's a pang of tiny guilt inside you that you let yourself be occupied about the things with Rukawa, that you didn't notice Sakuragi's injury at all. You let out a sigh, before glancing at Rukawa who's currently on the locker room's floor. His forehead was pressed on the floor, eyes shut. Peacefully sleeping.

"F/N, wake him up sooner." Mitsui who returned to the locker room for his duffle bag reminded you.

"I will," you said letting out a smile. "You did a great job a while ago, Mitsui." You added. You noticed Mitsui's cheeks reddened but you didn't mind it, it's normal to get flustered by receiving a compliment.

"Thank you," that was all he said before he switched stares at you who's sitting at a small bench, and Rukawa who's laying on the floor in front of you.

Upon seeing the two of you, Mitsui suddenly remembers what Miyagi had told him when he was caught eavesdropping that night when the two of you finally confessed.

"You still like her don't you?"

He would only play dumb about it. And will never deny or admit anything about it. Distancing and avoiding those kinds of questions would make things better. And Mitsui's goal is to improve and to keep striving for the things he wanted.