Disclaimer: I don't own Slam Dunk, it's Takehiko-sensei's. But the plot and original characters are mine!
Room #1: Independent Man
"You've got to be kidding!!"
That furious voice nearly shakes the two stories humble house, or specifically the Rukawa residence.
"Esy, kid," Rukawa Shiramori raised his hand trying to calm his son.
"But otousan that's ridiculous!" Rukawa Kaede stood up from his chair.
"I know, but you know your mom."
"So, are you saying that I have to do what she told?"
"No, I'm informing you. Whatever's going to happen is for you to decide."
"I.m not gonna do it," Kaede crossed his hands.
"Tell that to her," his father grinned.
"I'll tell her, alright!"
Kaede ran to the phone and dialed her mother's number.
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*rrraqng! rrrang!*
"Coming!! Mizuno Kazami-a beautiful middle aged woman with a sophisticated look and well fortuned too-quickly picked up the phone.
"Moshimoshi!"
"Moshimoshi…"
"Kaede!" She quickly greeted the voice cheerfully as soon as she recognized it, "How are you, honey? I was just thinking about you!"
'You were, weren't you?' Kaede muttered inside.
"Okaasan, dad had told me…"
"Oh, he had? That's wonderful! Well what do you say? It's 'yes' isn't it?"
"No."
"What? But, Kaede, it's a very good idea…"
"No it's not. And I'm not gonna do it."
"Kaede…" Kazami started to persuade his son, "The daughter of Serizawa family is very nice , and beautiful also…"
"I don't care!'
"But you got every qualification they wanted, and they've seen your picture too. I think that girl got a crush on you."
"Mom, I won't do it."
"But, Kaede…"
"I won't engage with anyone, period."
Kazami noticed the cold-toned line which means his son has made up his mind. But she has always been a very stubborn woman (which one of the reason her husband agreed to divorce her).
"Well…" she sighed, "I guess you've made your decision. But I got to tell you this Kaede, I'm proposing this engagement to you because I care about your future. Your dad is so careless and only thinking to do what he pleases. I never felt secure letting you stay with him. But since you don't want to leave Kanagawa, I let you stay with that useless piece of meat, because I don't want you to live by yourself in some apartment."
"But mom, I can take care of myself and I can decide what Iwnt to do with my life," Kaede persisted.
"Okay, okay, I know. But still, I'm your mother and it's my duty to make sure you won't take your life for granted. This engagement is my way tom secure your future. And if you can show me that you can secure your future by your own Hands, I'll cancel that engagement thing. I give you three whole months to prove it. Bu tif you failed, you'll come to Tokyo to meet the Serizawa family with me. O yeah, and don't forget to bring that father of yours."
"He's your husband for God sake."
"Ex-husband. Don't let your imagination running away with you, dear Kaede."
"Whatever," Kaede rolled his eyes, "Well, I'll take that challenge of yours, Mom."
"Alright! So isit a de3al.'
"Damn sure it's a deal."
"Watch your mouth, young man."
"Gomen…"
"Okay, Kaede! Show me that you're a real man and able to provide yourself. I'll be waiting for any news from you. Bye dear!"
"Bye, mom."
*click*
"Kaede sighed, "Super woman. No wonder she's divorced."
"Well, Kaede?" suddenly his father appeared behind him.
"I've managed to hold that stupid plan for a while."
Shiramori grinned, "What's the bet?'
"I have to able to provide myself in three months to prove that I'm able to secure-so she said-my future."
"Wow, that's profound!'
"This is not the time to be astonished, dad."
"Well, you'd better start to pack ypur stuffs, kid. An independent self-providable man doesn't live with his dad," Shiramori teased his pouting son.
"Yeah, you're right. But I'll do that tomorrow. I can't find any apartment in this late at night."
Shiramori smiled.
"Kaede," He slung his arm on Kaede's shoulder, "I was very touched when five years ago you said to your mom that you wish to stay here with me. And I'm touched more to find you very patience living ina humble way with this infamous writer dad of yours."
"Dad…"
"Let me finish," Shiramori took a pause, "Kaede, actually I'm not agree to your mother's plan to engage you with some rich girl. But I know she planned that for your future, She's not a gold digger, I can assure you that."
'I know that, otousan.' Kaede replied inside.
"But you see, Kaede. I like the way you choose to determine your future by yourself. Somehow you remind me of myself when I was younger. So, in this little bet you're in with your mother, I decided to help you."
"What?" Kaede widened his eyes.
"Actually, your grandfather inherited me a traditional-styled inn. Every Rukawa always inherits to their son from generation to generation. Actually I've inherited that inn to you too. I've went through the whole process with a help of a law firm two years ago, so you don't have to worry you've broke the deal with your mom. Use this inn to provide yourself."
"Ðad…"
"Don't thank me. Thank your grandfather and other grandfathers before him," Shiramori grinned.
Kaede was very touched. His father has always been looked lay and careless. But he knows very well that his father actually is the opposite of those characters.
"Okay, dad. Tell mewhere that inn lays," Kaede smiled firmly.
"Just a second, I'll get the papers of thet building," Shiramori dashed to his room leaving his son sitting gratefully.
'I'll prove to both of you mom and dad, that I can be a real independent man,'
*tbc*