MY DREAM WILL NOT GO UNNOTICED AND UNACCEPTED; HARUKO LEARNS HOW TO MAKE A LAYUP

Haruko): why are they like that, to me

(Flashback)

Maeda-sensei: Haruko

Haruko: yes coach?

Maeda-sensei: I would like to have a word with you, come with me

Haruko: uh okay

Maeda-sensei: now then, I want to ask you a question

Haruko: what is it coach?

Maeda-sensei: do you know why I appointed you captain of this team?

Haruko: is it because I'm one of the seniors and it's my last year

Maeda-sensei: no, that's not why. I gave you the position because I saw something in you that I didn't in any other person on the team. You're hardworking and you never give up until you achieve what you set out for. Today was a great demonstration. You were scoring a lot of points which took both me and your teammates by surprise. You were amazing out there, and I was very impressed by what you were doing today. Keep up the good work Haruko

Haruko: yes, thank you very much

(Haruko eating at the dining table with her parents)

Haruko: mom , dad I have some really great news

Haruko's Dad: what is it honey?

Haruko: I was praised by my coach earlier today. She said that I was great and that she gave me the captain role because of how hardworking I am , and also I was scoring a whole lot today that never happened before…

Haruko's Dad: listen Haruko…

Haruko: huh?

Haruko's Dad: I think it's time for you to quit basketball

Haruko: what?

Haruko's Dad: a young woman of your class should not be engaging in such physical sport. And it's disgraceful knowing that you're playing and making a fool of yourself by loosing your first match every time. This is the last time I'm telling you, quit basketball and join something that will help you in the long run, like a cooking club or student council

Haruko: but, I love basketball, I've been playing ever since I was a child , I will not give it up for anything in the world or for the likes of you

Haruko's dad: let me be clear if you don't stop playing basketball you'll loose my support, I will not support you when it comes to basketball in any way. It's about time for you to grow up and move on, do you even love basketball?

Haruko: but…

(Haruko looks over at Sachiko)

(Sachiko looks away)

(Haruko starts crying and runs off to her room)

(Door slams)

(Haruko): (sobs) none of them understand, they see my passion as a waste of time rather than supporting me , why? Why can't they understand?

Tetsuo: Haruko Takahashi

Haruko: huh! Oh it's you, you actually came

Tetsuo: yes

Tetsuo: so what do you want?

Haruko: well, for now I just want to talk

Tetsuo: okay

Haruko: say, have you ever loved something , something that's really important to you. But no matter how much you love it everyone around you just wants to take it away along with all of the happiness and joy it brings

Tetsuo: I cannot say that I have, however I get what you mean. When something or someone is precious to you, you want to protect it at all cost and you'll never let anyone take it from you

Haruko: I see , thanks for your response

Haruko: now then, I would like for you to teach me how to make a layup, if you don't mind

(Tetsuo): for some reason this feels like that déjà vu thing my sister always mumbles about. Did this ever happen before or am I just overthinking things

Tetsuo: okay listen carefully

Haruko: I got it

(Haruko dribbles the basketball)

(Haruko): here goes

(Haruko shoots a layup shot)

(swishes)

Haruko: wow I actually made it, it's a whole lot easier than shooting

Haruko: thank you

Haruko: I really needed this, our matches are rapidly approaching and I want to be prepared

Tetsuo: we have a practice match coming up as well

Haruko: really? Against which school?

Tetsuo: Yokonan high school

Haruko: Yokonan? They are pretty strong

Tetsuo: I know, however I believe that we can beat them, no matter how good they are because like us they are human as well.

Haruko: um, would you mind if I tag along with you to watch

Tetsuo: no, but may I ask why?

Haruko: well, I would love to see my coach in action

(Tetsuo): so I'm a coach now

Haruko: so is that a yes

Tetsuo: okay

Haruko: well I think I better get going

Tetsuo: why so suddenly ?

Haruko: well, I kind of, sort of snuck out hehehe

Tetsuo: before you go , I want to show you something

Haruko: show me what

(Tetsuo puts his hands on both her shoulders)

(Haruko blushes astonishingly )

Tetsuo: stand right here

Tetsuo: play defense

Haruko: okay

(Tetsuo dribbles the basketball)

(Tetsuo drives)

(Takes his first step)

(Haruko): I'll cut him off here

(Tetsuo takes another step in the opposite direction)

(Haruko): huh?

(Tetsuo lays the ball on the hoop)

(Swish)

(Ball bounces on the floor)

Haruko: how? How did you break my defense so easily

Tetsuo: it's a simply move called the Euro step, think of it as a variation of layup. Basically you take your steps in two different directions rather than one, this makes you very unpredictable, especially when you read the defender

Haruko: I see

Tetsuo: you can practice on your own to perfect it

Haruko: thanks for your help, it means a lot , also text me the date , time and where we should meet , see you

(Tetsuo): for some reason, I feel at ease when I'm taking with her, its almost as if I met her somewhere before

Tadao: (claps)

(Tetsuo): who's that

Tadao: you're quite the player, having a girl out here at this hour. I'm jealous

Tadao: why are you so silent all of a sudden, I was only praising you, it's quite impressive

Tetsuo: we both know that's not the reason why you confronted me

Tadao: well at least you understand

Tadao: in the daytime, you and your little girlfriend can play here anytime you want, but after hours this my turf. So unless you don't want me to kick your ass ,I suggest that you stay away

(Tadao walks off)

(Tetsuo) : kick my ass ,huh

(Haruko climbs through her window)

(Haruko closes her window)

Haruko: (sigh)

(Sachiko turns on the light)

Sachiko: where have you been at this time of night

Haruko: I missed the part where that's your business

Sachiko: what do you mean, it is my business, you're my younger sister, of course I'd be worried about you

Haruko: well , I'm here now so you don't have to worry

Sachiko: if dad and mom find out about this they would be angry

Haruko: just leave my room please

Sachiko: but….

Haruko: get out!!!

(Haruko shuts the door)

(Sachiko): that's the first time , she has ever been so upset with me, is it because I didn't say anything to father, she wanted me to back her up but I was too afraid to do it. I'm the worst

(Alarm beeping)

(Takahiro turns it off)

(Takahiro): so today is the big day huh

(Takahiro goes down stairs)

Takahiro: mother, why are you up so early

Takahiro's mother: well, I woke up early just to make breakfast for you and also help you with anything you need before it's time for your match. It's the least I can do.

Takahiro: I see , (smiles), thank you

Takahiro's mother: oh and your dad said that he wishes you all the best in your match, you just missed him

Takahiro: the old man really said that

Chihiro: you look like you're getting older every day big brother, sometimes I even mistake you for dad. Why don't you get rid of that beard

Takahiro: Chihiro why are you up so early.

Chihiro: I heard that you have a practice match today so I stayed up all night just to tell you, all the best big brother

Takahiro: thanks little man

Chihiro: hey, stop patting my head I'm not a kid

(Takahiro): I wonder how the first years are holding up

(Noboru fast asleep and snoring in bed)

Shino: I'm heading out , be back soon

Shino's aunt: be careful on the road, it's super early, good grief

(Shino): we are up against Yokonan high school, I can't just relax now , I want to help the team in anyway that I can

(Nakajima stretching by a riverbank)

(Yukio reading a book)

(Tetsuo): it's time