Disclaimer: ok, I don't own Slam Dunk.

Haruko drooled for the thousands time as she stole another glance at the handsome doctor, Rukawa Kaede. A newly transferred nurse, she was very fortunate to be assigned to him. Better, one should say that she bugged manager Ayako, her best friend, into pairing her up with the cardiac surgeon.

The reason for her transfer was simple. Her older brother worked as the director of Shohoku medical team, which has become the leading group of the nation under Takenori's leadership. Her brother utilized his influence to transfer her in order to set pace for her future career. Of course, Rukawa was also of significant weight in her decision.

"Do you have the patient's file?"

It took Haruko a few seconds to register the doctors words, blushing profusely, she fumbled for it. "He...here."

"Thank you." Rukawa replied nonchalantly.

To her, he had never spoken more than necessary, and certainly about nothing other than work at hand. Haruko had to contend with the fact that he acted no different to other females in proximity.

If one asked the opinion of many, nowadays the female population in Japan goes by a triumvirate form of government. The catch?

Rukawa Kaede: King of Hearts, famous cardiac surgeon and owner of many hearts

Fujima Kenji: King of Diamonds, owner of billions and faint of many girls

Sendoh Akira: King of Clubs, ace player of the Ryonan golf team and the object of many dreams.

Haruko sighed. Why on earth does she have to fall for one of them? It's not like she has the beauty and opportunity of Cinderella herself.

"Miss Akagi?...Miss Akagi!" Rukawa demanded for the second time, frustration evident in his voice.

"hh..huh?"

"I asked if you can take care of the basics for a blood-filter for tomorrow."

"S…sure."

"Please pay more attention next time." The doctor exited with that.

Great job Haruko.

The scene at worked played over and over in her mind on her drive home with her brother, making her red with embarrassment. The girl willed herself to stop thinking about the event, she couldn't help but wonder about the amount of damage done.

"Anything bothering you?" Takenori noticed Haruko's unusual demeanor.

"No, just tired from work."

The rest of the drive was silent…

Haruko retired to her room at once, feeling drained of energy. She felt her eyes heat as they fell on the face of the doctor in a picture of the Shohoku team. She didn't even own a picture of Rukawa by himself, after all these years…

She did not fall for him because of his looks or wealth, but that she knew that the real Rukawa is nothing like his cold façade. She discovered this back in medical school.

She could still remember that unexpected night, every word uttered and every beating of her heart.

Fresh into medical school, Haruko took a number of fundamental classes together with Rukawa. However, she barely knew him despite working with him for their two-person project in Medical Technology for the midterm assignment. As for his name, most of the time she just went with the tall boy that plays basketball

Trouble brewed for Haruko at the end of the term. She still doesn't know whether it was a prank pulled by Rukawa's admirers. Her laptop was mystically infected with JBES, a computer virus that made her computer restart over and over as she tried to turn it on. It completely denied her access to her ten-page paper for the Medical Technology class, a paper due to the professor's mailbox the following morning. For a moment she thought she was going to faint as the paper represented 40 percent of her term grade.

She dialed Rukawa's cell in desperation as the paper was partially based on their project, asking if she can take another look at his part of the notes.

Haruko could feel her cheeks burning as she reminisced…

Rukawa was actually attending the birthday party of a close friend that evening. His friend suggested that he spend the night as the pouring summer rain made the roads dangerous.

However, 'I'll be there,' was all he said.

A short while later, Haruko opened her apartment door to a soaked Rukawa carrying a stack of books and notes and a laptop.

Haruko stared.

'Aren't you going to let me in?'

'Huh? P…please' Haruko stepped to the side to make way for him.

The blushing girl ran into the restroom and grabbed towels for Rukawa to dry his hair, the latter took it without words.

The rest of the night was characterized by scraping sounds of pencils and gentle clatter of the keyboard…

"Haruko! Haruko!" Takenori's voice boomed outside the door.

"Yeeeees!" Haruko snapped back into the present.

"Geez, I have been knocking for the past ten minutes!"

"Uhm…sorry oni-chan" Haruko similed guiltily.

"Anyway, father is looking for you in his studies."

"Oh thanks."

Haruko slowly made her way to her father's studies. She should really pay more attention to what's going on around her instead of daydreaming into space.

Stopping at the door, Haruko knocked.

"Come in."

"Take a seat, I have news for you."

Haruko nodded uncertainly and sat, somehow she doesn't have a good feeling about this.

"I'm not sure where to start… Your mother and I decided to hold the news until your career settles into a steady pace, but I guess now it's the time. Haruko, your twenty-six already, many girls of your age already have families…"

"Dad…I"

The elder Akagi held up his hand to stop her, "I believe you are aware of the close relationship we enjoyed with the Sendohs all these years. Plainly speaking, you have been engaged to the only child of that family, I believe you're familiar of who he is. Also, his family is coming to visit us next month. I hope you'll be on your best."

"What…how?"

Akagi sighed, "I know this is a lot for you take at one time, but I hope you will honor your engagement."

For a moment, Haruko could only sit there with her mouth agape. Tears threatened to fall as she came to.

"But why Dad? My feelings…I can't…" Was all she could chock out.

"I am aware of your feelings for Rukawa Kaede, but I do not believe your relationship will progress any further than what's currently there. I assure you that Sendoh is a twin of Rukawa in terms of looks and wealth. The boy also has an engaging pers…"

"NO!" Tears are flowing down her face now, "no…" Haruko breathed, shaking her head as if to deny the hard truth. "I…no…"

"Haruko, you understand the Akagi family does not go back on their words."

"NO!" Haruko didn't know what prompted the outburst, "It's not the same…My feelings for Rukawa-kun…is for who he is, not even another Rukawa could replace him. I know…that he is merely a far-away dream…an infatuation even. But it's there! Something that I can look forward to in my everyday life! Marrying others would mean shattering it completely and make my life a waiting for nothing but death!"

"Akagi Haruko! I would suggest that you grow up and get a little realistic! Either way your engagement is carved in stone and I would make the best of it if I were you!"

"What if I say no!"

"Then get out of this house this instant and don't return! Don't return to Shohoku either because I'll personally make sure you won't get another chance to see Rukawa!"

"Fine!"

Haruko virtually threw her closet into her suitcase, not even bothering to properly fold the better silks. One day she would show her father his wrongs, even if she has to wait a lifetime for it. Yes, she would wait night and day for Rukawa.

Wiping her stream of tears, Haruko took one last time at her room. Holding the frame with the picture of the Shohoku team, she walked out.

Looking at the pedestrians and passing vehicles, Haruko felt helpless and lonely. This is probably her first time leaving home in her twenty-six years of life. Her savings would allow her to live in comfort for the next month, but what after that? Will she eventually go back to her father's mansion and marry Sendoh?

No, Haruko would not do that.

Finding her courage, Haruko walked on…

The following week was characterized by applications and rejections for jobs. Obviously Haruko's father is fully utilizing his influence. Otherwise it's impossible for a previous employee of Shohoku to be unemployed.

Higher pressure only toughened the girl's resolve. Haruko would not go back even if she had to wash dishes and wipe the floor to earn a living.

Before that though, an employment advertisement caught her eye.

Experienced nurse and caregiver needed, excellent pay package, please apply in person between 9:00-17:00 at Fujima Residence, 404 Tulip Street.

She would give it a shot...