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:: Disclaimers ::

I do not own Slam Dunk – they are properties of their respective owners. Original characters belong to me, though.

::Rambles

Warning: This is just another typical attempt on some mushy *pathetic* ideas that are swimming in my head. As a sequel to my previous fic, Queen Of My Heart, this one is dedicated especially for my imouto, Suisen-chan ... Hahha ... Gomen ne for the long wait! Don't kill me if I'm not doing any good with Hanagata-kun! And like usual, this might take me forever to update. X(

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:: Snow-Covered Dreams – Hanagata's Side Story ::

[ 1. Prologue ]

The door to the locker room flung wide open, and out came the worn-out members of the Shoyo High Basketball Club. Everyone was practically drenched in his own perspirations – one would have thought that they just had their showers in the evening rain. But of course they weren't. For the sun was shining as brightly as ever outside the hall.

Hasegawa promptly dropped to the floor as soon as his steps graced the locker room. He could no longer hold back his fatigue – his body was far too heavy for him to carry around and thus, weighing him down. As a matter of fact, no normal human being could. Not with what he had gone through the whole day. And within minutes, the rest of his teammates followed. Soon, almost everyone was scattered across the room, some lying down, some squatting, and most with towels placed on their heads or covering their faces, soaking their running sweats.

Yet, it was not a peculiar sight for anyone. Not with the students of Shoyo High – especially those who had stayed back in school during the summer holidays. They would, practically see the basketball team running about in the school field for hours. Then back to the gymnasium for shoot-out practices. And out again some time in the evening before they were finally dismissed. And they would then see the club members practically dragging their feet back into the hall.

This was the routine that their school's basketball team had followed everyday ever since the Inter-High Championship had ended. And it would be something that they would continue to be witnessing, at least until the Winter Cups starts.

And somewhere in the midst of their observations, they had silently thanked the one person who stood above those feathery white clouds that their club president was not the floppy brown-haired player whom they had always seen leading the team. Else, they would be suffering the same fate as those weary players.

But of course, in every situation, there was always an exception to everything.

Hanagata Toru stood by the window and took off his shirt, revealing his broad and well-toned torso. He then threw the soaked t-shirt onto the bench and leaned against the door to his locker, observing his teammates in amusement. His lips slowly twitched into a slight grin – not because he found the sight utterly funny, in fact, it was quite the contrary.

For the past one month, they had been going through such intensified practice routines; it was a wonder that none of his teammates had actually quitted the club. They were practically drained out completely that every single muscle in their bodies twinge whenever they tried to move about. They have cried of pain, of exhaustion, and yet, they still remained. And if truth be known, the word intensified was an understatement itself.

All the main players were third year students – which also meant that they could have just renounced themselves from the team and still have their names listed in their graduation scrolls that they were the school players. Usually, one would always leave the Winter Cups Championship to their second year players whereas the seniors would be out preparing for their university entry examinations. It would be almost impossible to divide equal time for both activities at once – and one would most certainly need to drop either one of them to pursue the other.

But not the Shoyo team.

Onlookers might find the Shoyo High Basketball Team to be sore losers. That the players just would not let go of the fact that their year was over when Shohoku High entered the scene. That they were still out trying to prove themselves to be the best when it was a known fact that the eras for new champions have emerged.

But neither one of those was the real reason that bonded the team together up until now.

It was more to a union of trust between the team members. A belief towards their captain whom had always led them to victory. A belief towards their hard work and preservation throughout all those passing years. And a belief towards their dreams, dreams that they have shared ever since their lives in the Shoyo High Basketball Club had started. Dreams that had lingered on until now.

Their snow-covered dreams.

Yes, that was the reason for the grin that had surfaced onto Hanagata's lips. Not everyone was given the chance to encounter such trustable friends in one's entire life span on earth. And he was glad to be one of the few blessed ones. He knew he would certainly miss the times he had shared with them when school was over. That a new chapter of life starts when an end approaches. And he was beginning to feel irritated by his sudden sappy recollection – that he was turning extremely sentimental these days.

Perhaps because winter is drawing near? Yeah. Blame it on the change of season…

He then picked up the shirt that was lying on the bench and stuck it into the inner compartment of his sports bag. He proceeded to his locker and took out his school uniform that was left hanging there. He promptly changed into them and slung his bag over his shoulders.

"Well, I need to go now. Ja!" Hanagata declared and headed towards the door.

As he stepped out from the locker room, he could hear faint, and yet resonant sounds of the ball being dribbled across the court. He knew his best friend was still practicing, and would continue to be until there was not a single drop of energy left within him. Hanagata would have joined along, something he had always done ever since Junior High, if not for the fact that he needed to hand in some documents to the university registrars. And there would always be practices around; at least right up until the Winter Cups, but if he screwed his entry to the local university, he would not hear the end of it from his mother.

But then again, the chances of him screwing it were almost second to none. For Hanagata Toru was the top scholar of Shoyo High. Not only did he manage to keep his grades to a perfect 4.0, he was also a star of the school's basketball team. After all, the megane he wore was not there for no particular reason. And it was not surprising when he even managed to get a full scholarship to Tokyo University – a wonder to everyone why he actually declined that offer. He chose the local university offer instead. One located in Kanagawa, the city he had grown up and lived in for the past 18 years.

^^ Because Fujima was also going there perhaps? ^^

"Kenji!" He called out as soon as he reached the main door.

Fujima Kenji dropped the ball he was holding and turned to face the tall center. "Ah, Toru! Leaving now?"

"Yeah. Don't make it too hard for yourself! After all, Shoyo High can't afford to lose its captain for the up-coming Winter Cups!" He chuckled.

Fujima smiled at his comment. Yes, it was only one month away from the championship. One month away to his final amendment of his dreams, and his promise to a certain girl he met one summer ago. Not that he had actually thought about what he would say if he did meet her again. But still, a lot was out at stake for that championship alone.

"Oy, Kenji!" Hanagata spoke again, waving his hand at his best friend." You're thinking about her again? Well, don't worry, you'll get to see her again and then live happily ever after!"

"Toru~~~"

Hanagata burst out laughing again. "Okay, I'll leave you and your reminiscence alone. Ja!"

And he left the hall, leaving his astounded friend standing at the doorway of the school's gymnasium.

To Hanagata, it was fun to tease his best friend whenever he was drawn into a trance like the way he was just moments ago. For there was this certain kind of look in Fujima's face that had her name written all over it. The girl who had Fujima mesmerized up until now. And his curiosity never died. He was still eager to meet the girl who could cast such spell on his best friend. Something no one ever did or could ever do.

Would Miho-san be like her?

His steps then came to an abrupt end as he reached the hallway to the school compound.

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(to be continued)