Chapter 9
He's holding a bouquet of flowers and slowly put it on top of the grave. It's been a year since Akihito passed away, but still the pain of losing him remained in his heart.
They had a car accident that day. Fei Long, his rival both in business and love was chasing them and drive the car so fast that he didn't notice the truck passing in front of them.
It's miracle that he just get some bruise while Akihito didn't make on the hospital. Few days after the accident, he heard the news that Fei Long commit suicide, blaming himself for Akihito's dead. Although Fei Long knew that Akihito loves Asami, he tried to do everything to take him from his rival, that lead him into a painful death.
After whispering words of love and prayer, he decided to leave. "Let's go Mishiro."
"Are you alright Ryuichi?"
"Yeah...before we go to Uncle... I want to go somewhere first."
Mishiro drives the car, next to him Asami who's in deep thinking. "Where are we going?" He asked.
"Oyama Park."
After few minutes they reach the place. He sit on the bench he spotted and sighed deeply.
"We're waiting for someone?"he curiously asked him when he noticed that they are sitting for a couple of minutes as if waiting for nothing.
"No..."
"Why were here by the way?"
"Maybe...just maybe I will meet him here...again...
"Who?"
"I don't know..."
"Ha?! I mean what the?!..."asked Mishiro thinking what's going on his friend.
"Last year, after Akihito's funeral...I passed by here. That was night. I saw a guy sitting here on this bench, he's crying. I stand in front and asked him if he's okay...instead he asked me back..."he looked down and continued."If the one I love...fell in love with someone else...do I set him free?"
"What did you say?"
"I sit next to him. I said if he wants to be free...why not. He asked me again, what if the one I love fell in love with the person I trust and treat like a brother...what should I do?"
"Hm...complicated, isn't? So what did you answer?..."
"I'll let him go...if he really loved him...and that will make them both happy..."
"Nice answer...but not so easy to do.."
"I just listened to him, while he's crying I'm thinking what if...what if Akihito loved Fei. I was thinking if I let him go...with Fei. Maybe ...until now... Akihito still alive.."
"Ryuichi, you know Akihito loves you...not him."
"I know Mishiro, that's why I fight for him. What if, you and me...and Akihito. What would you do?"he looked straight on his eyes with a serious face.
"If he choose you, I will accept it. Our friendship is so important for me Ryuichi, you're my brother, remember..."he patted him on his head and smiled.
"And you know what happen next? I kissed the guy and embraced him".
"Seriously?! Then?"he raised his eye brow on his friend replied.
"I just don't know. Maybe I just felt sorry for him.
"Then what did he do?" Did he react?"
"He's just stared at me, then I kissed him again."he chuckled then touch his cheek. "The second time I kissed him, he punched me really hard and run away...hahaha."
"What the hell Ryuichi. If you do it on Sakuragi-kun, I'm pretty sure, you'll taste his famous headbutt!...hahahaha!"
"Honestly, I don't remember him. All I knew is he's tall and had this unusual hair color. I think it's like red or orange...something like that..."
"Tall...and unusual hair color...how about his face? Remember it?"
"I think...and his face...It's a pretty face...a face...like a child...that's all I remember."he answered while staring in the sky like dreaming.
"Want to see him again, aren't you?"
"I don't know, I guess ...yes..."
"I see...so what's your plan?"
"After we talk to Uncle, will go back to Tokyo."
"And how about the guy you met here?"
"No idea..."
"Don't tell me you're interested."
"I don't know...maybe I just want to know his answer. Who stayed and who left behind..."
"Well I guess, it's none of your business."
"When we go back to Tokyo, I willl go and see Shinichi-kun...and Sakuragi...I like..."
"Hahaha...I know...I know...you're too obvious. But let me give me you some advice. Not now...just wait..."
"Ha!?"
"Didn't you see how he worked hard to support and finish his studies. So I think you should wait for him. Well, I can't blame you, he's lovable..and sexy...just like you said...,hahaha. It's good you mentioned it, or else maybe we'll become rival for real."he elbowed him and laughed
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"Everyone, after two months the preliminary for prefectural tournament will start. I expect each and everyone of you to do your best and give you all have to reach our goal, the Intercollegiate tournament."announced Coach Sakano while walking and staring in each team member. "It's better for us now to start our training. I asked Ayako-san to manage and assist all of you for your training. I give her all the training menus and schedules. And before I forgot, we will have a practice games with other universities from Tokyo...so be ready! Dismiss!"
After discussion, everyone went to their locker room to take a shower.
"Mitsui wanna come? I will meet that three again."
"For what? We talked to them already. They don't want to say anything. Even Min-kun asked them but still..."said Mitsui as he undress getting ready for his bath.
"What if we bring Tetsuo with us? You think they will talk?"
"Hanahaha...no way...even Sakuragi and Mito wasn't with them, they're strong as hell. Just wait, maybe one day he'll remember to call us."then Mitsui left him to went to shower booth then he followed him.
"Kaede, you're going tonight? You want me to come with you?" Asked Sendoh, who's just went out from the shower.
"No need. Mom will pick me up."
"You want me to take you back here."
"I'll sleep in the house."
"I see. Geez...you won't be with me tonight...it's lonely. Ne, Hiro-kun, wanna watch movies with me tonight? I got new DVD."
"No thanks Akira, I'm busy." Refused Koshino. He knows Rukawa will be jealous on him if he accept the invitation.
When Miyagi was done on his bath, he immediately put on his cloth as he remember that he promised Ayako to went with her somewhere. While fixing his stuff, his phone ring. "Hello?... Hello? Who's this?...if you don't want to ta...Hanamichi? Hey is that you?" He asked the person kn the other lined.
Mitsui who's just finished from this shower snatched the phone from Miyagi."Stupid Sakuragi! Is that you?...hahahaha yeah, that's you! I thought you're dead? How are you?..."he put the phone on loudspeaker so Miyagi can also hear their conversation. Even Akagi, Jin and Fukuda, joined the two ex-Shohoku to listen when they heard the redhead's name.
Rukawa was so shock to hear Mitsui talking to Sakuragi in the phone. He pretend that he's fixing his stuff and quietly listened to them while Sendoh drying his hair.
"Where are you?...(Just near you guys)...Did you know that we planned to attacked your gundam just for them to tell us where are you...(hahaha...no, no...I'm fine...i'm with Youhei)...when you plan to come back here in Kanagawa...(not now...sorry if I didn't call you guys)"
"Hey Hanamichi, the money you borrowed from me...when you will pay me.?"shout Miyagi on the phone. Tears of joy start welling up on his eyes. (Oh, yeah...that's why I call)...you mean you'll pay me...for real?...(remember my house?)....yeah...(they pay for rental so I asked Noma to take the money and pay you)..."
"You moron where the hell are you? Haruko was worried about you?"asked Akagi, though he is shouting at him, he can't hide the joy he felt to hear Sakuragi's voice on the phone. "(Nyahahaha...I miss you too Gori!) ...Idiot! You call Haruko and tell her you're okay..(maa, maa captain Akagi, I always talk to her)...ha?! But I how come I didn't know...where are you?...(I'm still here in Japan!)...moron! Of course we know that! It's imposible for you to leave Japan!...(we'll meet soon. Ryochin just talk to Noma, okay)"
"Sakuragi-kun, how are you? It's Jin...(ahhh Jin-san...I'm fine. Thanks)"
"Hey Sakuragi, remember you promised for a rematch...(Fukutski? Hahaha...Fuku-chan, don't worry I'll still win for our rematch)....Moron!"
(Hana-chan, I thought you leave already?) they all heard another guy on the phone asking Sakuragi. (I will... Just talk to Ryochin and the rest...bye guys... See you soon) Then he off the phone.
Miyagi rubbed his chin and asked. "Hana-chan...hmm..I wondered who is that guy talking to Hanamichi. He sounds familiar." Then everyone just shrugged on his question.
It shows on their faces the happiness to know that Sakuragi was in a good condition. All of their worries was gone when they heard his voice. Even Rukawa was glad to at least his voice. Althought he did not hear it clear, he still happy to know that he is okay. Then he decided to leave the locker room.
"Rukawa! You hear that! Hanamichi is fine, he's alive! He won't waste his life for someone like you!" Miyagi yelled on him while his going out from the locker room.
"Miyagi!" Shout Akagi at the small point guard. Everyone just looked at each other and he looked as if saying sorry at Sendoh.
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"Shin-chan, do you think they recognized your voice?"
"I don't think so..."
"Coz I think it's on loudspeaker that's why everyone can hear me."
"It's okay. You should tell them where you are. They are also worried for you,"
"Not now Shin-chan...I'm not ready..."
"I'm also worried about Jin, but I think no one will find out that he know that you are here with me in Tokyo."
"Yeah, I think so. It's only a months...but I miss them all. So much."
"I'm sure they miss you too. And I know, it's because of him, that's why you call...am I right?"
"What do you mean?"
"Today, it's supposed to be your anniversary right? You don't have to hide anything from me Hana-chan. I'm willing to listen and to understand."
He gaped at him doesn't really know what to say so he just bid goodbye and leave "Shin-chan...Ja..need to go now..."
A/N: Sorry everyone... my english grammar wasn't really good. ^_^
