9 Eps 7
A professional basketball player. He looked at the paper, now shredded in pieces. He remembered collecting the shreds of paper on the floor trying hard to control his anger.
He runs fast towards the hoop while dribbling the basketball from time to time and jumped to the hoop and made a slam dunk. He panted and looked at the ball that bounces away from him. He grunted and do it again, and had made a perfect slam dunk again.
He remembered his father said nothing when he gave the paper that is now filled."I want to be a professional basketball player," He said.
His father's cold green eye stared straight to his soul.No words came out from his mouth, but if looks could kill, he already dead by now. He took the paper and ripped it to bits, right in front of Charles's face.
"This is bogus," He said in a heavily thick British accent."You will be my successor, and that's that," He said in English.
"But father, I'm good at basketball!" He answered in English."I had won many awards, I've been to worldwide training camps," He continued.
"Enough,"
But he continued."THE B.LEAGUE INTERESTED IN RECRUITING ME," He roared. It was the first time he had done that. Screaming at his father. Then he realized what had he done is fatal. He lowered his voice."The B.League is my getaway to become a national world-renowned basketball player! The B league is very picky in terms of recruiting, and they, interested, in recruiting me, ME" He emphasized it."So please I beg you, I beg with all my heart, please let me pursue my dreams, I promise I will make you proud," He whimpered.
"Have you done talking shit?" He said sternly. His face is red with anger.
He didn't dare to answer his father.
He slapped him hard."You disappoint me, Charles," He glared at him with resentment."You should be grateful enough that I let you play that stupid hobby of yours, "He stated." One more outrage like this from you,I'm going to burn all that foolish awards you have.
...
Misaki looked at him. He looked strangely familiar.No, he feel, familiar. Who is he?
Ryuu stood beside her. He also looked at it.
It is a bug portrait of Charles's family. There is a woman, young and modest with long black hair, wearing a silk dress, sitting on a luxurious sofa while smiling sweetly, she somehow had a crazy rich Asian vibe on her, she was holding a baby on her lap, which looked lost and confused. The baby was looking at somewhere else. He had yellow golden hair, like his father's and. Beside her is a man in his 30's with a charismatic smile and verdant green eyes. He also had a neat yellow golden hair. His eyes are so green it looked like it was alive. Behind them both stood there a teenager with black hair, with green living eyes and his hair is similar to his father, yellow and smooth. It was a decent family photo.
"Isn't the baby cute?" Charles looked at the photo, standing beside them."Of course, that's me, and where does my yellow hair gone?"He said again, even though nobody pays attention or even ask questions at him."I dyed them. Maroon suits me better, "He went on.
After hearing no response from them, he grunted. Then pulled both of their hands." Come let's study "He groaned while pulling them both.
He pulled them both to the living room. In the living room, the living room in connection with the garden, which is separated by a sliding glass door. Ryuu looked at their surrounding as he sat on the wooden chair." Fancy livin'" he said.
Misaki also sat on the chair. There is a medium wooden table for four people in front of them. She pulled out some notebooks and textbooks. They planned to study English and also maths today. But Yua suddenly told them that she can't join them, so they decided to study English only.
They are preparing for the final exams. The big exam, Ryuu always said that. The last and final one, after that, they will graduate from school and led their own new life.
"It's a shame that Yua can't come," Charles said as he opened his notebook. There are fruits and condiments that Inari put on the table for them. He took a candy."Is she okay though?"He said in concern. She rarely hang out with them again. She always give excuses when they invite her to go anywhere. She's like, avoiding them. But why?
"Why do you think like that?" Ryuu asked."He seems o Kay "Ryuu said in English, with his heavy Japanese accent.
" She, "Misaki said, correcting him.
"Ah, Gomen ne," Ryuu answered. While Charles shook his head and give a faint smile.
Such an idiot. He thought.
...
Ryuu walked home with Misaki even though Charles insisted that his driver will send them home. But of course, Misaki rejects his offer because she like walking. Ryuu thought it would be awkward if he's the only one with the driver.
He recalls all the grammar lessons that he had to learn with Charles, trying hard not to twist his tongue while saying the words.
"You'll be fine," Misaki said.
Ryuu looked at him, confused.
"It's going to be a writing test, not a speaking test. Once you know the concept then you're good to go" She explained.
Ryuu nodded. Then he looked at his watch."Agh dammit," He swore.
"Job?" Misaki said as she stared at the sunset. They were walking in a small neighborhood, a shortcut to go to Misaki's apartment. She saw some children running around happily, playing with each other. It's a nice small neighborhood overall."You're having those dreams again?" she asked, without looking at him.
Ryuu chuckled."Aw"
"What?"She groaned. Somehow annoyed at him.
"You do care for me" Ryuu smiled. He looked at Misaki.
Misaki looked back." you're my friend, of course"
Upon hearing that, Ryuu was taken aback. That was a lot coming from her. He stared at her face. Her skin becomes golden because of the sunset light that splashed at his face. She looked like a goodness right now.
"I like you, you know?"He said. Without realizing what he had said. Then he groaned. What a big goof he is. He looked at Misaki. His cheeks are red.
Misaki looked back at her. But her face is expressionless.
They walked but kept silent along the way. How he wished he hadn't said that. He is mad with himself. How could he be? so dumb. And that face, what is she trying to say? What does she think of him? Does she like him too? Or not?How he hoped he could just run, slam his head on the wall and die.
As they finally arrived at Misaki's studio apartment, Misaki unlocked the door. Before she walked into the studio, she turned, looked up at Ryuu, who is avoiding her eyes.
"Look about just now, I like you as a friend, okay?"He bluffed."No hard feelings and all or anything-"
She hugged him. Planting her head on his chest"Sleep well,"
Then she walked into the studio.
Ryuu remains still. Don't know how to react to the sudden embrace. He could still feel the warmth of the hug and her smell. After a few minutes, he laughed. And chuckled. He is beyond joy.
She hugged him.
