Looking into the dark sky only decorated with the twinkling stars. Warm tears started to flow. All the sudden, sadness came knocking his heart.

If he didn't see it himself, he probably still wouldn't realise how much he needed her. He wouldn't know how much she meant to his life. Regret slowly appears.

Yuriko.

Everybody said that he was cold hearted, frozen or cold statue made of ice. But he wasn't.

"I was not born with such attitude. I was happy, ...cheerful ..."

Rukawa remembered everything, nothing was the same as today. Yuriko came into his life for the first time when they met at the first grade. They became bestfriend. Always together, everywhere, anywhere. He still can see Yuriko's smiles, hear her voices...and laughter ...??

Laughter?

"No... I haven't seen and hear them ... since ..."

He missed it, and wondering why.

"She never laughs anymore, no matter how funny the things is. Only smile, warm smile. And it grows lighter and lighter every moment."

Suddenly, another name came... Ishii.

Ishii was Rukawa's first love. The girl with long heavy dark hair with blue eyes and such an angelic face.

Love at first sight, the moment she entered his class at junior high. He quickly had smitten to her. And nothing could be greater, when she agreed to go out with him.

Yuriko.

The first person who came into his mind was Yuriko. He rushed to her to broke the news. Ignoring the reaction she gave to it.

"I'm such a fool not to realised it..."

He was too excited, laughing and jumping with joy, while Yuriko just stand there without a sound, listening to him. Smiled once or twice. A weird smile .. the eyes were...

"Sullen... Damn!!! Her eyes said it all .. the sadness she bears in it."

Since it, every now and then, he told her about Ishii. Ishii there, Ishii here, Ishii this and that. Ishii, Ishii and Ishii. Yuriko listened and smiled, smiled and listened. No sound, no response, no nothing, just listening and smiling. But he was so in love with Ishii to see it. Yet Yuriko never complaints.

Ishii.

An angel from the outside, yet holding a dagger that can cut ones heart with no mercy. Rukawa praised her but in return, she tears up his heart with her words.

"Is this what you call playing basketball?? I never saw anyone worst than you. You play like... like girl. Even girl plays better. The movement really sucks!! Hey, I think Hidesu from XX is the best."

So, Ishii left him for that Hidesu guy. Ishii just wanted to go out with someone who have the fame. So, beat it. Rukawa made a vow that someday, he will be the best. The best in Japan. He will beat everyone who stand in his way. He will win Ishii back.

No more smile, face that is more cheerful, no friendlier attitude. All in his head was be the best player. The Best!!

Yuriko.

She never complaint about the changes he made. Still being friendly, and putting a happy face. Still giving all the support she can give.

But nothing last forever. Yuriko started to change too. Still have the warm smile, but going lighter overtime he sees her. Still get together with him but quieter. Once a while, she would say something but only in short sentence. And recently, she always has thing to do. As if, she was avoiding him. Still smiling but it's different now .. as if, she was pushing herself to it.

And, today, tonight he finally found the answer why. He wouldn't believe it, if he didn't see it himself.

He was on his way home. Walking. He decided not to rode his bike today, which he don't understand why. Walking pass the park where he used to play ball alone, he heard someone talking. A boy. A girl. The girl sounds familiar. He decided to have a quick look and be gone. But...

What he saw was unexpectable. The boy kissed the girl's forehead. He knew the guy. He seen him somewhere and the girl..

"YURIKO!!!"

His mind scream.

"No.. this is not supposed to happen. I .. I thought you ... you love me??"

His heart cried.

The boy turned, showing his face clearly to Rukawa. Another blow hits him ...

"MINAMI??!"

He gritted his teeth, clenched his fists. He wants to pull the guy and hit him in the face. But suddenly, he turned and walked away.

Come to think of it, this must be his fate. Who the hell is he to stop Yuriko from going out with Minami. In fact, she never really told him that she loves him. But of course, she does or maybe loves him, but... only as a friend. Bestfriend.

"Yuriko .. have you ever love me more that a friend? If you do, I wish you never did."

Back to reality, he shook his head hoping that it will go away. Rukawa wiped the tears with his fingers.

BE THE BEST!! This time, he vowed, is not for the sake of winning Ishii back from that Hidesu baka creature. Yuriko? No suitable answer for it.

"I'll be the best! For myself! .. maybe this is what I have left."