Disclaimer: I do not own slam dunk, its characters and original storyline. Just wish I did… peace

Note: Somehow this chapter suddenly vanished!! heheh.. for the readers before, this is the same chapter one.. I just made some minor adjustments... Thanks.. New readers. hope you like this one...

Hidden Away

Asteria13

Chapter 1: I'm Not That Bad

Miyuki Kanazumi

It was a bright, sunny morning in Shinjuku. Spring was amidst Japan as the plants grew again after a very chilly winter. Miyuki Kanazumi gazed at the surrounding plants and houses from the window of the family car. Her deep green eyes scanned the scenery, hoping that she can picture out everything in her mind for eternity. She tapped her pencil on the window and carefully sketched out their house. They were moving to Kanagawa that day. It was a real shock to her when her parents told her about the idea. But what can she do about it? Her mom was transferred to a higher-paying job at Tokyo as a computer analyst. Her older brother, Kaname will be working part-time with their mother on the same company, at the same time will be studying at Tokyo University.

Yes, my brother.. Miyuki thought.

Her brother was the greatest computer analyst and programmer in Japan. He is only 18 but the computer industry in Japan owes him a lot. Miyuki and Kaname don't talk that much at home. They were busy doing their work separately. But now that they are moving at Tokyo, Kaname will be renting his own pad, away from her sister and her knowledge. Miyuki felt her brother's hatred for her ever since she was born. Miyuki, never knew love, never knew care and never care if someone gets in trouble. No one really knew who Miyuki Kanazumi is. Not even her mother, or her brother.

She is not my sister, and she is not your daughter!!! Kaname cried out as he stared at her cold, deep green eyes.

Her eyes that always showed a blank, cold expression. Those were the eyes that her brother hated. Her ignorance of real human feelings. Her real feelings, buried beneath the knowledge she stacked up in her brain ever since she learned. She was a genius. Yet her heart was cold. Her brother is really a nice guy, and maybe a great brother. But maybe, he just can't stand Miyuki, the cold genius who never cared about anyone, not even herself.

"Time to go now, honey", her mother said as she tapped the window disturbing Miyuki's flashback.

Her mother entered the driver's seat and strapped her seatbelt. Kaname entered the front passenger seat. He looked at Miyuki in the rear view mirror. Miyuki stared back at him with her usual expressionless eyes. Kaname sighed and looked at the view outside.

"I hope you will like your new home, Miyuki," her mother said as she looked at her daughter's beautiful yet expressionless face.

Miyuki's eyes darted at her mother, "You're going to leave me all alone inKanagawa aren't you?" Her mother was starled, yet she tried to be caring as much as possible.

"Miyuki, you don't understand—"

"Stop pretending that you care, human emotions are nothing but pretentious lies. Fine, leave me… I don't need anyone anyway." Miyuki said in a calm yet stern voice.

Her mother was used to her intelligent phrases. She just kept silent and drove to Kanagawa, which was a 2-hour drive.

Human Emotions, is only a signal from our brain when we feel something different. You can always fake emotions. It is only a burden for me to acquire new knowledge. Knowledge on how to transcend death, on how to gamble with life and death and get more information. People can only be a burden.

Her life as a genius is as miserable as death is. She is just like a ghost and knowledge is her source of life.

Ryota Miyagi

"Ryota!!! Wake up you sleepyhead!!! You'll be late for school!!." Her mother called out while knocking the door loudly.

Ryota groaned as he covered himself under his blanket.

"If you don't get up that bed Ryota—"

"Alright, alright!!!" Ryota called out while sitting on his bed.

He dragged his feet and went to the bathroom and had a quick shower. Then he went down to the kitchen and ate breakfast. He then noticed a truck in front of their old neighbor's house, which belonged to a teacher.

"Hey, when did sensei move out??" Ryota asked her mom

"Well, she moved out a few days ago, you don't know?" Ryota nodded as he ate a spoonful of cereals.

"You know only a high school girl will live there" her mother added.

Ryota nodded. A girl!!! I wonder what she looks like, maybe she's as hot as Ayako!!! He grinned at the thought.

"What are you grinning at young man? Get dressed! Hayaku!." her mother snapped.

Ryota went upstairs in a hurry to get dressed. As he was done, he noticed someone on the window beside his room. It was a girl, with long brownish black hair cascading down her back. He can tell from afar that she is really pretty.

That must be the new girl!! Ryota said excitedly.

He hurriedly fled their house and waited outside. He then saw the girl. She was a very beautiful girl indeed. However, her expressionless face hides away much of her beauty.

Wait a minute, is she wearing the Shohoku High uniform? Ryota asked himself. He approached the girl who was walking ahead of him.

"Hey, excuse me.." Ryota tapped her shoulder.

The girl turned around with her usual facial expression. Ryota can't help but notice how beautiful her deep green eyes were. It left him dumbfounded for a minute.

Excuse me. A voice interrupted him.

"How may I help you?" the girl asked

"Uhm, yeah.. You're the newbie who moved in yesterday, right? I'm Ryota Miyagi from next door. Pleasure to meet you!" he said as he bowed slightly.

"Merry meet.. I'm Miyuki Kanazumi from Shinjuku. How do you do?" she said as she bowed slightly maintaining her expressionless face.

Hey, she's really cute… but not my type of girl. Ryota thought.

"So, I believe you'll be joining me in Shohoku High." Ryota said eyeing her uniform.

"Yeah, I will." Miyuki simply said.

"Would you mind if I walk with you? It is pretty lonely to walk by yourself you know." Ryota said with a grin.

"I'm used to it, but okay I'll walk with you" Miyuki said as he looked him in the eye.

Man, this girl sure don't know how to smile. Ryota thought.

Ryota Miyagi, he's an interesting guy, maybe I'll learn something new from him. Miyuki thought.

They walked together to Shohoku High. Ryota told stories about his school on their way. He told him about how guys can be weird or sarcastic or notorious in their school. He also told her about their basketball team.

As they reached the campus, Ryota suddenly stopped dead on his tracks. Miyuki looked at him blankly.

"I guess I'll be seeing you around. I'll be meeting my pals somewhere. Ja ne!!" Ryota said as he smiled and waved goodbye.

Miyuki stood there as the wind blew her tresses lightly. Her deep green eyes followed him in her gaze. She continued walking to the hallway where her class is posted.

When Ryota was sure that Miyuki is gone, he ran like hell upstairs to the rooftop of the school. He completely forgot he was going to meet someone special.

I can't believe this! It completely slipped my mind!! And to think I told my mother to wake me up early!!!, Ryota thought as he make his way to the rooftop.

Ayako

I have been waiting here for so long I could jump this stupid rooftop!! Ayako thought as she drummed her fingers on the concrete bench. She's been waiting for Ryota for quite sometime now. It was their first day of school. Ryota was the one who suggested for Ayako to be his company before school starts. It was a long vacation. Of course, the funky basketball player really missed their team manager and friend. But it is not really right to be late for something you yourself set. Ayako sighed and stood up when she heard the door opened and called her name.

"Ayako-chan"

She turned around and saw Ryota Miyagi, her long-time friend.

Is it me, or is Ayako getting prettier Ryota thought when Ayako turned to face him.

Ryota was lost in his thoughts when suddenly; Ayako's ever so reliable fan hit him on the head.

"Ow! What did you do that for?" Ryota protested as he stepped back a little

"Well Mr. Let's-meet-at-the-rooftop guy, your 30 minutes LATE!! And it is really unethical to make a girl wait." Ayako said charmingly yet she looked at Ryota sternly.

"Gomen nasai Ayako-chan, I'll just treat you with ice cream after school, that okay with you?" Ryota said bowing lightly.

"Are you sure?" Ayako said excitedly. "Okay!! But I'm not angry at you, you slowpoke!!" Ayako then hit him again with her trademark fan. Ryota just avoided the fan as much as he could. Ayako and Ryota just smiled and settled their little "problem".

"So, it's only ten minutes 'til the bell rings. Shall we go then?" Ayako said.

They went downstairs to the hallways to check which section they were in. As they were walking, they talked about why Ryota was awfully late that morning.

"So, a new girl moved next door to your house." Ayako said as they walked down the hall

"Yeah, she is kind of weird. No matter how much I try joke about something, she never smiles. She just tells me that I'm really funny." Ryota said smiling.

"Well, maybe she's just shy. After all she just moved here, what could you expect?" Ayako replied.

They then consulted the bulletin board in which their classes were posted. However, there were a lot of people crowding the board.

"Oh, what a way to go!" Ryota murmured as he tried to push through the crowd.

"Still pretty short eh, Miyagi", a voice said. He turned around and saw that it was his teammate Hisashi Mitsui. "Been a while pal!" Mitsui tapped him on the shoulder. Ryota smiled and gave him a light punch on the elbows.

"Yeah, what can I say then?" Ryota replied.

"Mitsui, it's been a while!!" Ayako called out.

"Hey, Ayako. How are you doing?" Mitsui smiled and greeted Ayako.

Mitsui and Ayako talked for a while. Ryota then managed to look at the papers posted on the bulletin board. He then found his name, then Ayako's name. They were classmates for two straight years in a row. This is great! Another year with Ayako!! He thought. He then scanned for other names. Wonder what's in store for this year. He thought. The bell then rang. Ayako and Mitsui ended their conversation and Mitsui waved goodbye to Ryota. Ayako and Ryota then walked to their classroom.

"Okay class! Welcome to another new year here in Shohoku High! I'm your homeroon teacher for this year. I'm Mikami-sensei." Mr. Mikami, their homeroom teacher said.

Everyone was very noisy. Some were chatting with old friends, some was making new friends, and some was busy staring at the window, still having the "vacation hangover". Ayako chatted with the girl sitting next to her. Ryota talked with one of the substitute players of the Shohoku team. Then, a girl entered the room and handed the teacher a small paper. The teacher nodded as he turned to face the class. He called for everyone's attention.

"Alright, class! We have a new student here in our class. Please introduce yourself to your new classmates." The teacher said.

Miyuki? Whew, the world sure is small. Ryota said as he looked at Miyuki standing in front.

"Konnichiwa! My name is Miyuki Kanazumi. I'm a transfer student from Shinjuku. How do you do?" Miyuki greeted without even a single trace of smile or even enthusiasm. Mr. Mikami said a few words to the class as Miyuki scanned the room and the students in it. She then saw Ryota next to the window looking at her, smiling. She then nodded. So, that Miyagi character is here in this class too. This is sure interesting. She thought.

"At least I expect a smile from that girl." Ryota said to himself. "Oh well, she is still kind of cute even without smiling."

"You were saying something, Miyagi?" his seatmate said.

"Nothing, don't mind me.." he denied.

"Alright Miyuki, I'll be assigning you to your seat." Mr. Mikami said as he looked around for a vacant seat. "Ah, yes. You can sit next to Ayako, the girl with the curly hair." He added as he pointed the seat next to Ayako. Miyuki then walked to the vacant chair next to Ayako and settled there. She kept silent for a while. Ayako looked at Miyuki who was busy listening to the teacher.

Wow, she's pretty attractive. So this is the girl Ryota was talking about earlier. She really doesn't smile. But she's so pretty, it's almost a waste. Ayako thought.

Miyuki then faced Ayako with her usual expression. Ayako was surprised and pretended to look away.

"Is there something wrong?" Miyuki asked

"Nothing! I'm sorry I was looking at you like that. By the way I'm Ayako" Ayako stammered and smiled.

"It's alright. I'm Miyuki, merry meet." Miyuki replied. She then looked away and listened to the teacher once again.

Her eyes, it's really beautiful. No doubt about it. Ryota was right. Ayako thought.

The hours passed by swiftly. Ayako wanted to know more about Miyuki or at least be friends with her. But it seems during their breaks, Miyuki would just vanish into thin air. She would chat with her sometimes, but it seems she's not that fond of talking. But she was nice, in spite of her expressionless face and silence. No one would notice where she went. Before she knew it, it was dismissal time already. Ayako then fixed her things in her locker. Ryota then approached her.

"So, how's Miyuki as a seatmate?" Ryota asked.

"Well, she is nice. However she is always blank. It's like she has the world on her shoulders or something." Ayako replied.

"Okay, let's talk about that while eating what I promised to you." Ryota said as she dragged Ayako and walked towards the gate..

Miyuki was walking down the hall. She was on her way out and was very eager to go home. She then noticed Ayako and Ryota walking towards the gate. She didn't mind them at first. Ryota noticed her and called out her name, Miyuki then turned and stopped walking.

"Hey there Miyuki! What's up?" Ryota greeted.

"Well, nothing much really. I was about to home." Miyuki replied.

"Hey why don't you come with us Miyuki? Ryota will be treating us if you do!" Ayako said.

Okay, I'm treating two lovely gals. Good thing I just got my allowance! Ryota thought.

"Please. We won't be long I promise." Ayako pleaded.

"Well, it's okay, I guess. Sure." Miyuki said still a bit hesitated.

"Okay! Off we go then!" Ryota said as the three walked towards the nearest shop.

Well, she does like company after all. This is great! Ayako thought. She looked at Miyuki who was listening to Ryota. I hope she'll like her stay here in Shohoku High.

Hisashi Mitsui

It was a long first day for Mitsui. He still has the "vacation hangover" and thought of going straight home after school to get some shut-eye. As we walked past the hallway, his mind was completely blank. He then went to his locker and placed his books there. No one else but him was around. Then, a student walked in the hallway and opened one of the lockers beside Mitsui's. Mitsui then realized it was a girl. He didn't paid much attention about her at first, but when the girl looked at him, he was completely startled.

"Oh, Gomen nasai! Did I do something wrong?" Mitsui stammered.

"No, none at all. I just wanted to see who is beside me so I thought of looking at you, that's all." Miyuki replied.

Wow, this girl sure is pretty. Mitsui thought as he looked at her.

"Well, I better go now. I guess I'll see you around." Miyuki replied as she bowed lightly and walked away.

Mitsui stood still in the hallway. "Oh well, maybe its just attraction." Mitsui thought as he closed his locker and walked towards the gates. His mind was completely occupied with something else.

That girl. There's something about her. Mitsui thought. On his way home he passed by a soda fountain shop. Ayako, Miyagi and Miyuki sat near the window as they waited for their orders. Miyagi saw Mitsui walking outside. He ran to the door and called out Mitsui.

"Hey! Mitsui…", Miyagi called.

Mitsui looked back and saw Miyagi at the door. He approached him and gave him a light punch.

"Hey, come join us. We're having a snack." Miyagi invited as he dragged Mitsui inside the shop.

At the table, Ayako and Miyuki talked about anything under the sun. It's a surprise that Miyuki and her share some common interest. Miyuki never smiled, but Ayako saw the enthusiam in Miyuki's eyes. It seems like Miyuki is at ease with Ayako and shared some of her topics.

Mitsui and Miyagi approached the table. "Hey! Look who dropped by! Miyagi called as he pointed his thumb to Mitsui.

"Mitsui! Glad you thought of joining us!!" Ayako cheerfully said.

Miyagi sat next to Ayako as Mitsui seated at the other chair. He looked beside him and saw her, the girl she saw earlier.

"Hey, you're the girl who oens the locker beside me, right?" Miyagi said looking at Miyuki.

Miyuki looked at Mitsui and simply nodded. Ayako smiled.

"So, It seems you bumped into each other already! Mitsui, I'd like you to meet Miyuki Kanazumi, a classmate of ours.", Ayako said pointing at Miyuki.

"It's nice to meet you Mitsui-sempai" Miyuki greeted.

The 4 then spend some time at the shop. Before they knew it, it was sunset already. The 4 then decided to go home. Ayako and Mitsui separated ways as Miyagi and Miyuki went home together. While walking. Miyagi looked at Miyuki who was silent since they left the shop. Miyuki noticed Miyagi and asked, "Is there something wrong, Miyagi?" Miyagi smiled and simply shook his head.

I'm glad Ayako and Miyuki got along fine. She's not so bad after all. Miyagi thought.

When they reached their houses, Miyagi looked at Miyuki.

"Guess, we'll see each other around, Ja ne. Oyazumi!" Miyagi said as he waved. Miyuki nodded and walked into her house. Miyuki fixed her things, had a quick shower and curled herself to sleep. She was alone now. No one cares for her, anyway.

And I'm not even sure if Ayako cares for me. She thought as she buried herself in the covers. She was at ease with Ayako. She found a friend, after all those time.

Okie,, review time!! hope you enjoyed this.. heheh.. sorry again for the minor problem with this chapter..