AUTHOR'S NOTE: My early Christmas gift. Hope you'll enjoy it.

 

DISCLAIMER: Slamdunk's not mine. How I wish it is though….sigh

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Just this morning, you kissed me as you left for school…

"I'm late! I'm late! Gori's gonna kill me! AIEEEEH!! The coffee's hot!"

"Calm down, Hana-chan. You're not going to be late. Slow down, eat your breakfast. Hana-"

"Sorry 'kasan, I need to run. Practice is at 8. IT'S ALREADY 7:45!"

You kissed me before you leave the house and I couldn't help but smile at your antics. You're already 16 and yet, you never seemed to grow up. You're still a bundle of energy. I thought you couldn't surprise me anymore. But you still did. I'll never forget that look on your face as you asked me that question. You looked so happy. So radiant. I thought you looked magnificent.

"LATE!!!ARRR----..hey mom. What do you want for Christmas?"

I was surprised when I heard that. I was quite amaze at how you easily shift gear. I thought you were just joking…

"Hanamichi, really now! Earlier you were practically panicking because you're late and now you're asking me what do I want for Christmas?"

"Mom! Come on. I'm not joking. What do you want for Christmas?"

You flash your adorable smile at me. How could I refuse you? At that moment, I couldn't help thinking how lucky I was to be your mom.

"Anything will do…" If you only knew the restrain I put on myself so that I wouldn't cry in front of you.  But I think you understood what I felt at that moment because you only smiled at me and nod your head. And then, you just resumed to being your bubbly self. As if nothing magical and intimate happened between us.

"ARRRGHHH! LAAAATE! Bye 'kasan!"

I didn't know what compelled me to call after you. I just felt the need.

"Hana-kun!"

"Yes 'kasan?"

I wanted to say I love you but I couldn't bring myself to do it. So I said the next best thing…

"Take care."

And then you finally left. How could I know that that would be the last time I would see you smile at me again?

"Ohh..Hana-kun left his lunch. That boy. I'll run after him."

How could I know what fate had in store for you? For us?

"Matte!! Hana-kun, your lunch! You forgot your lunch!"

"Lunch? Kuso! Mom, wait there. Don't cross."

If I only know that, I would have said I love you…

"WATCH OUT! NO! HANAMICHI!"

I don't know which was worse: seeing you hit the ground or the look of pure peacefulness on your face as I knelt beside you.

"Okasan…"

"Shhhh..Hana-kun. Please don't talk. Please. Save your energy…Don't…don't…"

"Okasan..I love..you…I-I'm sor..ry…but I don't.. think..I..can..get..you..a gi—gift..for..Christ..mas…"

"Hanamichi…Hana-kun…Don't do this to me. Come on, this isn't a good joke. Open your eyes. Stop it! This isn't funny anymore! Ha-Hanamichi…?"

That was just this morning Hanamichi. In fact, barely an hour had passed since you leave me all alone.  It is still morning but evening has already dawn in my life. I don't think I can still carry on, Hana-kun. But I still have one thing to do.

"Hello? Principal Okita? This is Aiko Sakuragi. There's been an accident, sir. Yes, it involved Hanamichi. No, he's not alright. Principal Okita, Hanamichi is…he's…can you please tell the basketball club? Domo Arigatou."

I can't take it anymore, Hana-kun. I wanted to end this suffering. But I know you wouldn't approve if I take the easy way out. I don't know what else to do. I am left with no other alternative but this…

"Hana..michi…AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"