CHAPTER 14: You're under arrest
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Slam Dunk.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chap is the turning point… read and find out!
NOTE: The italicized words are the characters' thoughts / P.O.V
Ayako was looking out the window and gazing at the dark clouds.
Looks like it's going to rain.
"Hey Aya-chan, I've brought you something!" someone called.
Ayako looked around, finding where the voice came from and saw his best friend, Ryota holding something with his two hands clasping each other.
"Huh? What is it?" she asked with a question look on her face.
"Take a peek." He sniggered.
Ayako has the suspicion Ryota is up to something foolish to trick her again and she is better than that.
"Why would I? Just open it up yourself." she arched her eyebrow.
"Okay. Whatever you say Your Majesty." He shrugged.
Ryota stretched his arms in front of Ayako.
"Ready?" he asked.
Ayako nodded.
He then suddenly opened his hands and a beautiful blue butterfly appeared resting in his soft hands.
"Wow." was the only thing she could say.
"You like it?" he asked.
"Yes. It's so beautiful." She smiled while ogling at the magnificence of the insect.
"Do you want to hold it?"
"Can I? Does it bite?" she asked, worried.
"No. Don't worry. Here, open your hands." Ryota laughed.
At first, she hesitated but Ayako did as what Ryota directed her. She slowly opened her hands and he deliberately put the butterfly in her palms.
She beamed at the butterfly still immobilized in her hands and looked up.
"Where did you find this, Ryota?"
"In our garden. I was on my way here and I saw that on a sunflower petal. I know you'll like it." he explained.
"Thanks." she smiled.
"Don't mention it." he grinned.
Ayako blushed and in just a while, their conversation was interrupted by a loud cough.
And it came from, no less than;
"Mi-chan, you're here." Ryota said.
"Yeah, I'm here." then she turned to Ayako. "What are you two talking about?"
"Oh… uhmm." she said, trying to find the words.
"I've just brought her a simple present, Mi-chan." she heard Ryota say.
"Oh, a gift! Is it your birthday, Ayako-san?" Misaki said.
"N-no." she shook her head.
"Where's my gift, honey?" she turned to Ryota, circling her hands on his chest.
"Uhhhmm.. I'll give you something tomorrow." He said distractedly.
Obviously, he did not give Misaki a gift, hah!
Misaki's face went pale. She clenched her fists.
"Okay, then." And she turned away to her seat.
DISMISSAL
Misaki barely talked to Ryota because of what happened earlier.
"Mi-chan, please talk to me!" he said, following her to the corridor.
Misaki didn't respond and she continued walking.
Ryota was pissed off. He was tired of following and bugging her all day long.
"Okay. I'll just see you later." he said and went to a different direction.
Misaki looked back with tears in her eyes.
Why am I begging for her attention?! And what's wrong with me, giving Aya-chan a gift? She's my best friend for Pete's sake! Is she jealous? What for?
Ryota shook his head and continued walking.
Maybe I should just help Aya-chan clean the music room today.
His face lit up at the thought of helping Ayako and being with her. His heart beat in excitement.
He went to the music room and saw that Ayako had started cleaning the walls.
"Hey!" he said.
"Oh hi! I didn't see you come in." Ayako smiled.
"Need help?" he asked, reaching for the broom.
"Uhmm… not really." she said.
"Oh c'mon.." he persisted.
"I don't want anymore trouble, Ryota. You've got yourself in so much already… Look at Misaki. Didn't you see her face earlier? I think we should part once in a while. There's another girl beside you now… please don't take her for granted." she said.
Just as what I did to you.
"But… err.. okay." He said silently.
Meanwhile,
Misaki went to the girl's room to wash her hands. She overheard a conversation as she entered the room.
Three girls are talking to one another as if they were on a meeting. They were talking loud enough that Misaki could hear what they're saying…
"Yeah… she's flirting with our point guard! I saw them yesterday laughing… they look like couples, mind you!" a girl said.
"Oh my! He does have a girl friend, doesn't he?" another one said.
"Yeah. He does. And I rarely see them together. I saw him just now, walking to the music room, where she is supposed to be, cleaning." the third voice said.
"I heard his girlfriend's name is Misaki."
Misaki's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Poor girl."
"I really hate that Ayako bitch… she has always all the attention and loves it!"
"You know what, girls, I think we have someone here."
Misaki continued to wash her hands as if she didn't hear anything. The three girls cornered her and told her…
"You're Misaki, right?" one of the girls asked.
Misaki nodded her head.
"Ryota's girlfriend?" another one said.
She nodded again.
"Want to see where your so-called boyfriend is?" the last one said.
"I don't believe what the three of you is babbling about, so please excuse me." Misaki said turning to the door.
One of them signaled the two to shut the door and they quickly managed it.
"What do you want?" Misaki asked.
"The truth. You know what? Ryota Miyagi and Ayako has been fooling you for a long time."
"What the heck are you talking about?!"
"Look at these pictures."
They took out pictures of Ryota and Ayako and showed them to Misaki… They are right, they were so intimate and so sweet.
There was this one picture that made Misaki angrier than ever.
The picture of Ryota hugging Ayako from behind…. In their school grounds (Chap 13)
"So? What do you think?" the wavy haired girl smiled.
Misaki's eyes were now filled with tears and any time now they're ready to drop.
"I don't know." She said silently.
"Come with us. We'll show you how evil Ayako is. How she's flirting with your boyfriend and stealing him from you." the toad-like girl said.
They led Misaki to the music room.
As they were walking, meanwhile,
"Just watch, Ryota and do nothing." said Ayako as she climbed up the ladder to put the picture frames on the wall.
"I'm not doing anything." Ryota protested and played with the acoustic guitar beside the table.
"By the way, the game with Sannoh is this weekend so do your best and don't flunk huh, Ryota and keep your temper on the cool side." she added.
"Yes madam!" Ryota saluted.
The ladder began to sway and it crumbled as Ayako stood up…
ARRGHH!
She fell from the ladder and making her way on the concrete floor.
"Aya-chan!" Ryota was alerted and being fast, he caught her easily.
Because Ayako's weight shifted on Ryota, they both landed on the floor. And even worse, the ladder hit Ryota's back.
"Are you okay?" Ryota said.
"Are you nuts?! You're the one who's hurt!" Ayako cried.
And there, Misaki saw everything…
How Ryota saved Ayako…
How he cared for her…
How he got himself hurt because of saving Ayako…
How he loved her.
All this time.
"Now, you see what we're talking about." The chubby girl said nudging Misaki.
Misaki was deaf…. with anger.
She opened the door and saw both of them: Ryota lying on top of Ayako in immense pain and Ayako, worried.
"What are you two doing?" she said, trying to restrain herself.
The two stood up with Ayako helping Ryota.
"We we're just… just.." she can't say anthing.
"Mi-chan, I was just helping her clean." Ryota said.
"Clean? What? Are you obliged to help her?" Misaki said losing her temper.
"No. But I volunteered to do so. You see, she can't clean this mess all by herself." He retorted.
"Are you the only person in the entire school? Why you?" she shot.
"Because she's… she's… my… bestfriend." he muttered.
"Damn best friendship! For goodness' sake, think of another excuse, Ryota!" she shouted, completely losing her elegance and gentleness.
"Mi-chan! Watch your mouth!" Ryota said.
"Go out this room Ryota! I'll have a little chat with your best friend here." she said looking darkly at Ayako.
Ryota looked at her with the I'm-sorry-we'll-talk-later look and Ayako nodded.
He went out without talking or even looking at Misaki, who looked at Ayako with great disgust.
"Now, what's with these attacks?" she started.
"What attacks?" she asked.
"Don't play dumb or fool with me. Why're you flirting with Ryota?"
Ayako felt like she was being thrown with a stone on her head.
"What are you talking about?"
"It's about you bitching with my boyfriend."
"We're not doing anything wrong." Ayako said firmly.
"Stealing my boyfriend eh?"
"I'm not stealing yours or anyone's boyfriend."
"Don't fool me! I know you liked Ryota even before…. And that you're using your so-called friendship to get him away from me so that he could be with you!" she shouted.
"Are you crazy?!"
"Maybe I am! But not a bitch as you!"
"I will not fight with you. It's useless."
Ayako strode to the door but Misaki held her tight.
"Let go of my hand!"
"No you won't!"
Misaki slapped Ayako really hard that her right hand was marked on her face.
"What do you want?!"
"Stay away from Ryota! You know what? You've been so selfish thinking about yourself and you don't even think about other people's feelings!"
If only this girl knew. She would swallow her everything she just said.
"You don't even know what you're talking about."
"Well, you're wrong about that! I know perfectly well about your past."
"The past won't tell you a thing of what I've been feeling to the present."
"And that feeling will not happen in the future! I won't let it!"
"You're just a scaredy-cat! If you want to get him from me, play fair!! she added.
She stomped to the door and banged it shut, leaving Ayako on her knees… crying.
I should've known this would happen. What am I going to do?
Misaki looked scarier than ever… her usual cheerful smile was now placed with smug lips and her beautiful, gentle eyes were now full of anger and disdain…
Her heart's brimming of hatred.
If that's the way you want it, then let the game begin.
How was it? WHEW! At last! I'm ready to graduate! Woo! College, here I come! Thanks again to StarzNight and Dionie! PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!! LOVE YOU ALL!