Chapter One
Author's Notes: Wahahaha, remember this fic
everyone? I think I put this up on the Babble Club sometime last December or
something. Wow, it's been four months. The last time, I think I got up to like
chapter 3 or something. Well, guess I shall pick up the fic again ne? Enjoy.
This fic was somewhat inspired by Dr Q's
"Swap" (I love that fic ^___^ Q WHERE ARE YOU?) I haven't really
figured out whether to put this fic under yaoi or not… but after careful
consideration, I guess I had better ^^;;
"Hana dear, can you come down here for
a while?" a voice floated up from the living room.
Hanamichi groaned as he pulled his
attention away from the manga that he was hiding behind his biology (Toko-chan!
Ganbatte!!! ^__^) textbook and got of bed. "Coming!"
"Yeah okaasan?" Hanamichi asked
as he sat down infront of his parents, nodding to his dad.
""Well, your mom and I have some
good news for you." Hanamichi's father, a middle age man with a stern face
spoke first. His face bore the results of the hardships that he had gone
through though his mouth softened into a smile that crinkled the corners of his
eyes.
"Yes," Hanamichi's mother smiled
excitedly. She was the complete opposite if her husband. One look and you could
tell where Hanamichi got his red hair. But he must have gotten his height from
his father side of the family because his mother cut a petite figure. She had a
smile that could light up the whole room but behind those dancing brown eyes
lay a will of steel that even Hanamichi had to bend to.
"Well, what is it?" his parents'
enthusiasm must be rubbing off. Hanamichi could feel himself wishing that his
parents would just stop the suspense. But what really made him happy were the
obviously happy expressions on their faces. Lately, more often than not,
Hanamichi would see worried expressions on his parents' faces rather than happy
ones. He knew that it was because of his father slightly weak heart and the
retrenchment that was going on due the recession. To compound the problems,
there were also the medical bills to be taken care of from his rehabilitation.
Hanamichi felt that it was about time that something happened to put the smiles
back onto his parents' faces.
"Well, your father's company just gave
him a raise." Hanamichi's mother laughed with glee.
"Cool, congrats Dad." Hanamichi
grinned at his dad, knowing that that might just be the solution to many of
their financial problems.
"And they're sponsoring a paid
vacation for the family to Singapore."
"Actually my dear, I'm going to work
there. I just thought that you and Hanamichi might want to come along."
Hanamichi's father looked at him.
A
trip to Singapore? Hanamichi's eyes widened in
excitement then narrowed again.
"How long would we be gone? I still
have school and basketball practices." Sigh,
I knew that it was too good to be true. Hanamichi knew that even if the
teachers allowed him to take leave from school, the basketball team would not
be really happy about it and he needed to catch up on a lot of things after his
rehabilitation.
"Well, your mother and I are sure that
your teachers would allow you to take leave. Provided of course you are not too
far back in your studies. But I've heard that you have really progressed with
your work. Actually, we're not really certain we should let you stay here by
yourself. This assignment is pretty troublesome and it might take a whole month
before we can come back." Hanamichi's father had always made it a point to
say out what was on his mind to his son, and this time it was no difference.
Hanamichi bristled with annoyance, but
before he could say a word, his mother chipped in. "it's not that we don't
trust you. It's just that with your back recently healed, we thought that you
might need a vacation. We're really proud about how you have not let this get
you down." She hastily added.
"Okaasan, I just got back from a 3
month 'vacation'." Hanamichi sighed. 3 months of painful rehabilitation
was not what one would usually term a vacation.
"We know, but what if you suffer a
relapse? Heaven forbid. You'll be all alone. We can't let that happen to
you." Hanamichi's mother countenance changed to one of worry. Hanamichi
kicked himself for making his mother worry.
Oh
come one Hana, when did you ever get a chance to skip school for a whole month?
And since when did you ever give up a chance of going overseas? A little voice nagged from the recesses of Hanamichi's mind.
But
what about basketball practice? Tensai has to practice or else he would be
defeated by that baka kitsune. AGAIN.
Ah,
Tensai need not be afraid of that stupid fox. Besides, you can still practice
in Singapore. Think about how impresses Haruko would be when you come back from
Singapore and tell her of your experiences AND defeat that stupid fox in the
process. That little voice was becoming very convincing
as Hanamichi indulged himself in a little day dream of basically a very happy
Haruko hugging him and calling him her hero, while Rukawa, that baka kitsune,
bowed his head in defeat.
"So have you made up your mind about
it?"
"Sure dad, when do we leave?"
