Hello there!

I'm back!

Most of the stories I've written have been about Slam Dunk mainly because I am crazy in love with that anime. My childhood was pretty extraordinary because Slam Dunk was a huge part of it, and so is basketball. Because of Slam Dunk, I fell in love with the sport and even became a student manager myself back in college. Now, more than 10 years after, I am back!

In this fanfic, I am writing for Ryota and Ayako. So get up all RyoAya fans out there. You're in for a special treat.

To be honest, I have always been fascinated and curious about their love story and I feel like their love story or even their relationship didn't get that much highlight in the anime or in the manga. Though, I understand as they are only supporting characters. However, I always feel their story have so much potential (like their relationship, could there have been) and so here's my series of one shots. An ode to my favorite characters in my favorite anime of all time.

Recently, I've been binge watching Slam Dunk, and all the feelings came back.

Disclaimer: Slam Dunk is owned by Takehiko Inoue.

Don't forget to read and review!


Episode 1: Fake It Till You Make It

"Hands up! Hands up! Defense!"

I shouted from the sidelines. Tomorrow's the day. There's no time to slack off. Sannoh surely will have something up their sleeves and Shohoku, being the underdogs, have to face them head on, giving their one hundred percent. There are no "but"s or "what if"s. We have to win this.

As I was looking around, checking up on each one's court presence, I heard Mitsui shouting: "Miyagi's on the loose! Watch out!'"

I quickly focused my attention to the curly-haired guy wearing the jersey #7 running to the other side of the court "The ball!" He called.

Kogure-san passed the ball to him from a few meters away. Ryota held the ball and dribbled it with precision, while swiftly and expertly avoided everyone who tried to block him. He faked a shot, quickly slipped past Rukawa and Sakuragi and threw the ball to the basket. After the lay up, he hurriedly went across the court to be in the defensive side.

I smiled.

What a show off.

Usually, Ryota would look at me to check if I noticed his performance. I'd normally nod and smile a little, but today's different. Ryota was hyper focused and was trying so hard. He was giving his all in this practice. He didn't get cocky or even glanced at me.

I shook my head and smiled.

Maybe not today.

I looked at him again, observing as he studied everyone's moves and took charge. It made me think how dedicated and persistent this guy is. How strong his desire is to help the team become national champions; and at the same time, be extremely affectionate to me, which is somewhat remarkable.

I smiled again as I noticed him leading the team to victory with his fast and stealthy moves. He had outdone himself yet again. He keeps on improving and getting better.

Yet, talking about his progress with me - it's another story. In a nutshell, it was slow, unmoving yet totally blatant. Ryota has always been very vocal about his feelings, his admiration. Sometimes, I don't understand what he sees in me, and sometimes, I doubt it. Maybe he's just exaggerating so he could have a score with me. But then again, like his performance in basketball, he has always been consistent. I, on the other hand, kept my arm's distance. I know better and I know him all too well. Ryota is all hearts and feelings. Someone's got to be the brain – in this case, it is I who should know my limits. I have to think of the implications of these messed up feelings - to me, to him and more importantly to the team. Like they say, you cannot mix work and love, it'll just complicate things. Nope, it won't work and I can think of a hundred reasons why.

I didn't realize I have been thinking too much of Ryota and my overcomplicated feelings, so I quickly shifted my gaze to the timer.

Oops, 5 seconds left.

5,4,3,2,1

I blew my whistle signaling the end of today's practice.

Akagi called and gathered the team around to do some pep talk. I looked at everyone; they seemed really exhausted but full of determination. My thoughts were drowned by a familiar voice.

"We have to play harder tomorrow. This is the real deal. We have to go full on." Ryota said seriously as he wiped his forehead with his armband.

I smiled, yet again.

Wow, he sounds like a future captain indeed

Probably, I was smiling too much because I noticed him looking at me and smiled back. I pursed my lips, pretended not to notice and looked back at Captain Akagi.

What's happening to me?

Today, I've been focusing mostly on Ryota. When did this happen, I don't know.

Shake it off, Ayako. I mentally slapped my head with my paper fan.

Everyone was headed to the changing room to get ready. I was fixing some paperwork needed for tomorrow, when I heard some dribbling and someone shrieking.

"EEK! Ryo-chin! You got through me again?! How'd you do that?"

"You have to be thinking two steps ahead, Hanamichi. They should read your actions not your mind."

"Oohh, so that's the secret of faking."

I looked up and saw the two unlikely friends practicing some more. It seems like Ryota was teaching Sakuragi some pointers for tomorrow's big game.

Sakuragi was ready to charge, but Ryota calculated his move. His dribbled the ball high and low and swiftly changed directions, passing through the towering wall of Sakuragi.

I smiled. Ryota has always been a giving one. As troublesome as he is, he is also patient. He always spends time with Hanamichi Sakuragi after practice to teach him some more tricks.

"Ey, Ryota, Hanamichi Sakuragi. It's time to go. We have to leave."

"One more Ayako-san. Ryo-chin's teaching me faking tricks!"

I thought about it, and an idea came to mind.

"What if you watch us doing it? So you could better understand the concept of faking."

Sakuragi, being the superficial, self-proclaimed tensai that he is, was overjoyed.

"Wow! This is nice! Ryo-chin versus Ayako-san! Let's see who's better!"

Ryota, on the other hand, blushed and seemed uncomfortable with the idea.

"Aya-chan...are you sure?"

I shrugged him off, "of course! Why, are you scared of me, Ryota?"

"Oof-ccourse not! It's just..."

I suddenly grabbed the ball from him and dribbled.

"Don't think I am weak coz I am a woman" I smiled, ready to charge at the awkward Ryota.

"No! Of course it's not that."

I ran towards him while dribbling the ball. "Then what is it? You afraid?" I said trying to be cocky. I looked at him intensely. Eye-to-eye.

This made him stare back at me, with the same intensity as what I was giving him.

Good. Don't give it away, Ryota

I dribbled fast high and low. I looked sideways, and saw Sakuragi staring at us with amazement. I did a cross over and pretended to go left. Ryota followed but I shifted to my right and did a jump-shot. I heard the ball dribbling and saw Ryota looking at me with what look like a mixture of awe and pride. "That was a really good fake." He said.

"I know. It's something I'm good at." I laughed, drowning out the truth of my words.

I then turned to Sakuragi, "Ryota's right, Hanamichi. You should pretend in the most natural way possible."

"GOT IT!" Hanamichi said, taking in a mental note.

I zipped my bag as I was ready to head home. I went to check the changing room and the gym and I noticed a familiar shadow looking at the court.

"Ryota?" I called. He looked at me. "Hi Aya-chan. I was just checking if I left something." He said as he scratched his head, embarrassed.

I instantly knew there's something wrong.

I know it wasn't just that.

Instinctively, I went to his side. "What is it?" I asked.

Ryota isn't that hard to read. He almost always gives his feelings away.

It took him a while to answer.

Finally, he broke the silence with a sigh, "I am just nervous and worried about the game tomorrow." I saw him clench his fist. "I don't want to lose. We can't afford to lose."

I looked at Ryota. Despite the darkness, I can see his eyes filled with worry. His admission was unnerving. Ryota, as transparent and vocal as he is, never said anything that made him appear weak. On the contrary, he's quite cocky on the hard court. Not until now.

"We won't." I said, staring at the dark and empty gym, illuminated only by the night sky.

"You're so sure about it." He said, trying to level my expectations.

"Because I know. I always know you guys will do incredible things out there tomorrow" I stared at the basketball ring and turned to the twinkling earring on Ryota's ear. I reminded him of one truth he's missing out on.

"Plus, I am certain that we have the greatest point guard. So why would we lose?" I looked at him and smiled, reminiscing his progress throughout the years.

This is all I can do, give him my full support

He turned to me slowly; his amber eyes earlier filled with worry, now glistened with determination and pride.

I still can't believe this is how my words affect him.

He moved closer, filling in the awkward gap between us. I wasn't even able to think or to move when he motioned towards me, hands in pocket, lips touching my forehead.

I felt his breath warming my face. "Thanks Aya-chan. I won't let you down."

He held my arms gently and his amber eyes stared at mine intensely, begging to see through, making my heart beat ever so loudly.

"Please stop trying to fake it." He finally said.

I was momentarily bewildered by the fact that he kissed me, more so by his bold statement. I tried to say something, to get a grip of myself...to redeem myself. But then, I cannot think of anything remotely witty, funny or if I should even call him out. Nothing came out. It seems like he already read me like a puzzle he finally decoded, or probably I was giving too much away.

"I..I.." I stammered trying to find words.

Why did you do that? Was what I wanted to say…

or was it?

"I love you, Aya-chan." He finished it for me. He was there, awkwardly, but ever so adoringly standing there, waiting for my response.

As I relish these words coming from Ryota, I realized that at that moment, there was just too much to say, but words have drowned everything that I wanted to say. Somehow, it got mixed up with what I should say...or shouldn't.

I closed my eyes and sighed.

It's so simple.

It's been simple all along.

So I suddenly grabbed his shirt, pulled him towards me and swiftly placed my lips on his.

Faking was what I was good at, but he read through it. Somehow, somewhere, all the defenses I've built were gone. He now sees right through me, and the thought scares me...

...but it felt liberating at the same time.