your pov

The atmosphere was filled with silent gasps, murmurs and whispers, as Minami laid on the floor. I stood frozen, flashing a familiar situation. Rukawa was facing my direction, forcing himself to stand up. Minami didn't intentionally do it. If he wants to injured Rukawa more, then he won't move his leg away. Ayako-san is practically shaking me. When I came back to my senses, I immediately make my way to the scene.

When the first half ended, Rukawa decided to go back to the game and play. At first, the team doubted him because he wasn't able to see straightly, because of his swollen eye. But then, after his straight passes, and jump shots, he made it clear for everyone, that no one decides his basketball style.

He's reckless, and he's the type to risk it all for the game. I just know it, because I never doubt in him.

"Are you okay?" I bend down on my knees in front of Rukawa, when Toyotama's Kishimoto went in Minami's direction. Minami was laying on the gym's floor, I averted my gaze towards Minami's direction, and flinched when I saw blood on the floor from his head. I sighed.

"Rukawa are you fine?" I asked once again, Rukawa blew a fuse.

"That hurts." That was all he said, to make me all assured. I smiled. I urged to stay with him, even a part of me wants to help Minami. But then, when I made Rukawa stood up, he glances in Minami's way, before his stare made it to mine again.

"No one's stopping you." He blurted out.

My lips rose from what he said. "I'll help out for a bit, but first let me get you to check first." I sent Rukawa to the bench and check for his condition, Anzai-sensei nodded at me, allowing me to do apart. When I went on my way towards Toyotama's bench everyone was furious, confuse, and frustrated about me helping the enemy.

"What're you doing here?" The Kishimoto pissed-off guy has asked, I ignored him and made my way to Minami, who's laying his ass on the floor, it sucks that he forced himself from wrapping a bandage around his head.

"That wouldn't help," I sighed, bending my knees. "I came here as certified medical-based manager, and maybe as Minami's friend. Please get the first aid kit for me." I added.

Kishimoto was furious. And even got into a fight with their coach, but he eventually got the kit for me. I didn't intentionally bring Shohoku's kit for them, because it would be too much. I know this is a friendly sport, but I will never be seconded what they did on my team. They hurt them. And I'm not a bit happy about it.

"F/N, did they even allowed you here?" Minami has asked.

I nodded. "You see, Shohoku's pretty much considerate when it comes to these things."

"Unlike... ours?"

I chuckled. "It's done," I said. "Instead of hurting your head, use it. Trust me, it will make you more reliable." That was all I said before facing the other players of his team. "I'm done with my job here," I added before leaving their crowd.

"F/N! You're back!" Mitsui exclaimed when I returned to Shohoku's bench from Toyotama.

I shrugged. "Of course, I am." I said emphasizing it. I turn my back to gaze at the score and the remaining time.

"This is your win for sure." I all of a sudden said. Mitsui with the other team members was surprised by what I said. Well of course, except for Rukawa. Since I knew he thinks that this is a sure win, he's determined to be Japan's number one.

"Then, if L/N thinks it's our win. Then it's our win." Akagi-san seconded. "For the remaining time, shoot as much as you can, don't let the enemy go for the rebound. Guard the shooters, and don't let them pass!"

"Hai!"

[ time skip ]

It's a sure win. Because they did it. Toyotama was eliminated from the tournament after losing to our team which is Shohoku, the game ended with Sakuragi-kun and Akagi-san competing for the rebound, but just when the time ended, they won. After the game, Ayako-san went with Anzai-sensei to meet Jiei-sensei. And I was left with the team with Akagi-san who's in charge.

I looked at Rukawa beside me who's covering his swollen eye. It was a bit better than what it looks like a while ago.

All of a sudden, I thought of something. When I stand up, I felt Rukawa's grip on the end of my shirt. Confuse, I turn my gaze at him. "I'm just going to buy you an eyepatch. I think I saw a convenience store near the inn." I explained making things clear for him.

He let out a yawn. "Can I come then?"

"Of course not." I chuckled. "I don't want your eye-getting infection from the air and it won't be good if it dusten your swollen eye. So stay here, and maybe even take a nap." I added.

He lay on the sofa, with an arm on his forehead, slowly shutting his eyes "Fine, just... just go back quickly." Rukawa murmured. I went to Akagi-san and the others to tell them that I'll be back shortly.

I guess, they're watching some game of Sannoh, for tomorrow's match. The tournament will happen so quickly. Wrapping myself with Shohoku's jacket, I step outside our inn. The tournament's venue is just near, and it happened that there's a little festival. So, I decided to go there for a quick trip, maybe even buy some treats for the team members.

While I was in my tracks, inside a store when they sell keychains and other souvenir stuff, I came across Sakuragi-kun's group of friends. Of course, I immediately waved my hands at them, although honestly, I only remember two of them. Which are Youhei-kun and Takamiya-kun.

"Youhei-kun! I didn't know that you guys went to watch?" I chuckled.

He shrugs. "We worked hard for the tickets since it's really far." He said letting out a smile. "Anyway, how's Rukawa?"

I showed him what I bought in the convenience store. "I bought something for his eye, when I saw the small festival here, I became interested." I replied.

"Oh! I'm sure you're back soon, we don't want to interrupt you, enjoy, L/N-san!"

"You too!" I waved back smiling.

Takoyaki, and some treats. I bought it for the boys, when I returned to our inn, Rukawa is still sleeping on the couch, and I found Mitsui in the dining. I immediately placed the treats on the table, he stood and went through the stuff I bought.

"Oi! F/N bought us food! Come, or I'll eat alone!"

I rolled my eyes. "Don't, you'll get out of shape," I said teasing him. I heard him blew a fuse. I went on my way to the living room, as I sit on the floor, in front of the couch where Rukawa was sleeping.

"Oh! Takoyaki!?"

"Hey, don't be greedy! Save some for the others!"

"Oh my fucking, you'll get so fat if you don't stop Hanamitchi!"

I sighed, practically removing Rukawa's arm from his forehead, that covers his eye. He opened his eyes, and I saw how his face grew soft when our eyes met.

"I'm back, I got you this." I removed the eye patch from its plastic cover and made Rukawa sit. I hovered over him and put the eye patch on his swollen eye. I stood in front of him for a minute, and I found myself smiling while looking at him.

"What?"

"I didn't mean this as a strange thought," I chuckled, my lips rose. "But you actually looked good with this eye patch on." I let out a small laugh. Both of my hands were on his shoulders, which urges him to hold them. At first, I was shocked, but then I grew comfortable with it. I sit beside him on the couch, with his hand still entwined with mine.

"You like entwining fingers?" I asked all of a sudden, our heads were both facing the tv in front of us, avoiding each other's gazes.

"Your fingertips felt warm." He replied, making me nod.

I was out of words when all of a sudden some of the team members went inside the living room, I was about to pull my hand away, when Rukawa grabbed a pillow, bringing our entwined hands, and covering it with the pillow. Miyagi-san sat beside me, and Mitsui was on Rukawa's side, Sakuragi-kun was on the floor in front of me. I sit still flustered, still feeling the warmth of Rukawa's hand. Yasuda-san wants to sit on the couch, so we have to adjust for it. Making Rukawa sit closer to me.

"M-Mitsui..." I called, flustered! "Did you save some for Rukawa, Anzai-sensei, and Ayako-san?" I asked.

"Hm." He nodded and hummed with his eyes focus on the tv. "Akagi store some in the fridge for them. And Rukawa, just go on the dining to grab some."

I squeezed Rukawa's hand, reminding him not to. Takoyaki can wait because if he did stand up right now─

"Hijo de puta." Mitsui exclaimed as he glances at Rukawa's figure, Rukawa stood up with his hand never letting go of mine! So he happened to pull me with him!

I immediately covered my face. "Rukawa!" I yelled at him, and his face was confused.

"You sneaky bastard!" Miyagi-san seconded Mitsui.

"Wow, I'm surprised that you guys are still surprised." I heard Akagi-san said, he was in front of the door.

"Rukawa..." I whispered, facepalming myself with my one hand since he didn't want to let go of it.

I saw how Akagi-san hesitated. He switched stares on our entwined hands, and our eyes. "Anyway, Rukawa you have a visitor. Go outside,"

"Who?" Rukawa could only ask, Akagi-san didn't answer him. Instead, he went outside with me. He didn't let go out of my hand until we reach the longue outside. My eyes widened upon seeing Minami, on a tee with a flannel draped on his shoulders.

"What're you doing here?" I asked. "And okay, first of all, are you okay now?"

"I'm sorry." That was all he said.

"For what happened earlier." He said, gazing at Rukawa now. "Thank you for treating me there, F/N." I noticed his eyes on our hands, I immediately look away while nodding.

"Anyway, here." He handed something at Rukawa. "My family owns a pharmacy, we have a pharmaceutical business. That's something that can cure your eye, I'm really sorry for the trouble. I sincerely apologize." He bowed his head a few times.

I nudged Rukawa's elbow.

"It's... it's fine. Whatever, I don't really hold grudges that much." Rukawa shrugs his shoulders.

Minami smiled glancing at our way. "Thank you again, Rukawa, F/N."

"Hm." I hummed nodding. "Just good luck after all of this, Minami." I let out a smile.

He nodded. "Rukawa, remember. You must win against Sannoh to be Japan's number one." Minami chuckled.

"You don't have to remind me that."

"Right," he nods smiling, as I notice his gaze at our hands again. "And take care of F/N," he added.

"Again, you don't have to remind me that." This time there was a smug smirk on Rukawa's face. I could only watch at the two of them, not wanting to interfere with their tension in between.

When Minami left us, I was about to pull Rukawa back to our inn, but his hold of me was tight, that he reversed the move. I was the one who was forced to face him again, my face bumped into his chest. I felt his other hand, made its way to my head, burying me more on his chest.

"Rukawa..." I murmured. "What is it, sleepy boy?" I asked softly. My other hand went towards his chest to push myself slightly away, but he held me closer.

"Let's date."

My eyes widened, shock was written all over me as I forced myself to pull away from him. I can't believe at first, that I even have to pull a distance away from him. But I recovered when his face grew serious.

"Do you even know what you're saying?" I asked letting out a sigh. I held both of his hands, as I tried to went near him for a bit. "

"I like you, you know?" Rukawa muttered. "Mitsui-san told me about these romantic feelings that I didn't want to consider at all. Because after all, I have no experience. I didn't know what it is to have someone special, to have a romantic feeling."

"All I know is you felt warm. Your fingertips brushing across my face, the way you take care of me, and give me the treatment I don't deserve. You felt warm, F/N."

"I swear, I don't know anything of it. But you taught me about these feelings, you were the one who showed all of it for me, you were the one to make me realize, and you were the one I fell for."

"I like you not just because you always take care of me, and I want to take it for granted. I like you just because, you're you."

"I want to date, I'm new to all of this. And if you would date me, I will do my best to be Japan's number one boyfriend─, I mean your boyfriend."

I blinked twice as I tried to process and sink in all he said. When I realized, that Rukawa just confessed to me, most unexpectedly. Muttering all of it, and saying how he feels which was never the way he is.

But his last statement...

"Japan's number one boyfriend?" I chuckled. "There's no way I would date someone who dates the whole of Japan!" I laughed.

He sighed. "Was that all you heard?"

"Fine, then..."

In a swift and smooth motion, I was caught inside Rukawa's arms. I yelp because I was surprised at how quick he is. I felt him inching his face closer, which made me shut my eyes in anticipation. I felt one of his hands, pulled my face closer by holding my nape, and pulling it.

Rukawa's lips were pressed into mine. His kiss was soft at first until I hitched because he just won't let it go, my hand reached for his shirt. He didn't let go of me yet, when he noticed how aggressive he grew, his face soften, he pulled away. Wiping the side of my lips. I gaze at him in a daze and awe.

"We're together now." I saw the side of his lips rose.

I nodded my head continuously, I felt my face reddened. "Hm." I hummed. "I like you, Rukawa. Like you like me," I chuckled softly.

His face softened, on what I confessed. He stared at me for a minute, before I felt him pressed his lips on my forehead, and then on the bridge of my nose, and was followed by a kiss on both sides of my cheeks. He showered me on the face with his kisses.

His fingers have made their way, grazing it at my jaw, as he pulled me for another kiss.