Title: A Blast From Kogure's Past
Part: 2/3
Author: KangLi
Email: kangli_sama@hotmail.com
Genre: slight yaoi
Pairing: mitko/kogure + takiko(oc)
Warning:1.) sappy.. 2) Rukawa may be a bit ooc in this one (don't trust me when I say 'bit') 3) Akagi knows something the others don't & that would make him.. ooc too.
Author's notes: Gomen if if the first chapter was very short. I was in a hurry to get started on this chapter because I had the plot stuck in my head for quite some time now.. Summer vacation is finally here so I've got plenty of time to finish this. Thanks to the kind people who read the first chapter! Luv yah! Read & enjoy! Once again.. r&r please! ^_^ I'll be working on the last chapter as you read this so you won't have to wait for another century to find out what'll happen next. Hope this chapter is worth the wait! ^_^'
// - what the chara is thinking
"" – what the chara is saying
Disclaimer: usual disclaimers apply. Slam Dunk does not belong to me. I only own the plot & my original chara (you'll be meeting her in this chapter!)
Chapter 2
Reality is Harsh
Three weeks seemed to pass by so quickly. Before Mitsui realized, it was the day of the reunion. He had asked his boss if he could leave work early & the minute the clock stroke 6:00pm Mitsui dashed out of the bar.
At his apartment, he changed into a long sleeved white shirt & black tailored pants. He wanted to look good for his Min-kun as well as for everyone else. After combing back his hair, he checked his reflection in the mirror & smiled at what he saw. Perfect. Just perfect. Mitsui left his apartment, hopped on his trusty motorcycle & headed for Shohoku High.
Upon arriving at the gym, Mitsui saw a lot of his old classmates. They greeted him & some even stoped to chat with him. He excused himself to look for the guys in the team. Mitsui walked around the gym, decorated with red & white banners. Their batch's favorite songs were being played. He smiled to himself, when suddenly he heard a familiar voice calling hi name.
"Mitsui-san! Oy Mitsui-san! Over here!"
Mitsui turned around & saw his former team mate, Ryota Miyagi. Walking beside him was their team manager Ayako, now known as Ayako Miyagi. She was carrying a baby girl who looked about a year old.
Miyagi clapped Mitsui's back. "Nice to see you again." Mitsui laughed. "Hey Ayako! What's up? Taking care of Ryota Jr. I see." Ayako smirked at Mitsui. "It's a blast seeing you again, Mitsui-sempai & it's not Ryota Jr. It's a girl & her name is Ayame."
Mitsui laughed. "It's great seeing you guys after so many years." They chatted for a while & caught up on each other's business. Soon they got tired of standing & Ryota found them a table big enough for ten people. Then they sat down. The three friends talked some more when suddenly they heard an ever-familiar voice screaming "Ryochin! Mitchy!"
Mitsui sighed. "Let me guess." Ayako smiled & said,"Incoming.." They all laughed. Miyagi turned around to see two tall figures towering above him. Ryota chuckled. "Nice to see you Rukawa, Sakuragi."
Rukawa smiled at the ex-point guard & took a seat beside Ayako & the baby. Sakuragi still stood behind Miyagi. His forehead was creased at Ryota, "Have you forgotten who I am, Ryochin?!?" Ryota turned to Mitsui with a questioning look. Mitsui smirked, "You forgot the magic word."
"Not tensai if you must know. He's to be addressed as Sakuragi Hanamichi or do'aho if you want. That's what I call him" Rukawa interjected. The old group of friends noticed that Rukawa was (gasp) smiling as he said this. They simply continued to stare at Rukawa, who was grinning broadly at Sakuragi who was screaming at the moment (a few unprintable curses & something about baka kitsunes).
/These people have changed & yet they are the same people./ Mitsui continued to look at his friends. /Miyagi & Ayako are married and they have a child. They have become parents but still they are the same people. Sakuragi & Rukawa have changed too & they remain the same./ Mitsui fiddled with the edge of the tablecloth. /But what about Min- kun?/
After developing a fascination with the tablecloth, Mitsui felt a large (and quite powerful) hand clap his back. He lurched forward & nearly banged his head on the table, which caused all the people on the table to laugh. Mitsui turned around & saw that it was none other than their ex-captain Akagi.
"Akagi! Great to see ya!" Mitsui stood up to give him a high five. "Nice to see you, too, Yohei, Haruko." Haruko Akagi, in a pink sleeved dress, blushed & greeted Mitsui back. Yohei on the other hand gave him a friendly wave. The engaged couple then sat down with the rest of the group. Then Akagi leaned over to Mitsui & whispered, "Kogure's on his way."
Mitsui felt his cheeks go warm. He felt a sudden rush in his system. With a heart pounding like mad, he slowly sat down. He heard Akagi laugh as he took a seat beside his sister. In no time, the old crowd chattered away. They discussed the usual things they talked about when they were still in high school. Their old basketball friends mainly covered the conversation. Mitsui could have joined their chattering, as Sakuragi was asking what the hell was up with Sendoh. But his eyes were glued to the entrance, keeping a sharp look-out for the ex-vice captain.
"Mistui! Hisashi Mitsui! Earth to Mitsui! Hello?!"
Mitsui tore his eyes away from the door & turned to see the old team giving him this weird look. Mitsui grinned sheepishly.
Ryota rolled his eyes. "Hear ye! Hear ye! Hisashi Mitsui has fallen in love with a door!" Everyone laughed, including Mitsui. But their laughter was cut short when Sakuragi stood up & cried, "Look! It's Megane-kun!"
Everybody turned to face the door & sure enough there was a bespectacled boy, scanning the crowd for his friends. When Kogure caught sight of the group, (thanks to their very own red head) he (literally) ran over to join them. Mitsui had to remind himself to breathe after noticing that he had been holding his breath.
The ex- shooting guard made up his mind that the only adjective to describe Kogure that night was 'drop- dead gorgeous'. He was dressed in a black sports coat over a blue shirt & black tailored pants. (think Dan Radcliffe during the hp premiere) Mitsui couldn't tear his eyes off Kogure even as he reached their table & sat down on the empty chair beside him.
"You're late, Megane-kun!" Sakuragi scolded. Kogure laughed. "Faculty meeting. Those things take up a lot of time. It's great seeing you guys after so many years." He then turned to Mitsui. "Hey."
Mitsui's cheeks began to flare up. "Uh.. yeah. Hi.", he stammered. Kogure chuckled, "What's that for? You sound like you're not too happy to see me."
"It's not that! It's just.. I mean.. I haven't seen you for.. I mean.. I like your shirt." Mitsui mentally kicked himself. /You baka! Get a grip!/ he told himself. He heard Kogure laugh. Mitsui felt like melting on the spot. /Damn you, Min-kun! If you only knew what you do to me../ He could feel his palms start to sweat. He clenched & un-clenched his fists, fearing that a lake of sweat would form in his hand.
When Kogure asked him about what he had been up to since graduation, Mitsui provided the usual answers. He told him about his job at the bar, how he had managed to afford his own apartment & getting by without hearing from any of his friends. After Mitsui had his share of the storytelling, he urged Kogure to tell his own.
Sendoh & Koshino were quite accurate this time. Kogure was certainly a teacher at Shohoku High teaching English to the sophomore classes. He too was living in his own apartment & life has been pretty much good to him. Mitsui felt a twinge of envy. His Min-kun had everything he had ever wanted out of life & listening to him talk about his present condition made him think so low of himself.
"So have you got yourself a girl?" Kogure asked playfully. Mitsui blushed as he shook his head. "Really? You're an attractive man, so why don't the girls drop at your feet?" /Because I want you & I don't want any girl./ Mitsui said to himself. A creeping feeling began to crawl up his spine. Had Min-kun forgotten what happened between them? Mitsui pushed the idea aside. /He wouldn't. Don't question his love, Hisashi!./
Yet another voice answered back. /Love? What love?/
"Min-kun," Mitsui began "do you remember being..?" Kogure's forehead creased. "Remember being what?" The scarred boy swallowed hard. "Being, you know, us."
Kogure was silent. His face grew serious. "Yes Mitsui. I remember well." Mitsui's heart leapt. Was Min-kun coming back to him for good? "I'm sorry, but if you're thinking of keeping it going I'm afraid I have to refuse."
A wave of shock & disbelief washed over him. It couldn't be. He had to be hearing things. Kogure had to be kidding. Mitsui stared into Kogure's eyes, hoping against hope that his Min-kun didn't mean what he had just said. But the seriousness in his brown eyes told him everything. Min-kun didn't feel the same way he did. Mitsui mustered all the courage he had to hold back his tears.
"Why?!" he whispered angrily, keeping his voice down to keep the others from hearing their conversation. But Mitsui found it hard as his emotions were starting to get the better of him. "You said you'd keep it going! Why give up now?!"
Kogure opened his mouth to answer when suddenly a female voice interrupted him. "Min-kun! Over here! Min-kun!"
Mitsui saw Kogure smile when they both turned to see where the voice came from. After following his gaze, Mitsui saw the girl who was calling out to Kogure. She called him Min-kun, so she must be a really close friend of his. The girl was tall, almost as tall as Kogure himself. She was wearing a green halter top that brought out her emerald green eyes & tight black pants that outlined her slender form. Mitsui guessed that she might be a dancer or a gymnast, being tall & thin. She looked kind of familiar, too.
The girl approached Kogure & gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Sorry I'm late Min-kun, but Mom was scolding me over the phone & I couldn't just put the phone down on her!" Kogure laughed & turned to the others who were having their own discussions. "Guys!" Everyone turned around. "You remember Takiko, don't you?"
/Takiko Miragami! Of course!/ Mitsui thought. No wonder she looked so familiar. Takiko used to play basketball for Shohoku when they were freshmen but due to a certain reason Takiko had to move to another part of the prefecture. She then played for Shoyo & earned the title of being the sole female player in the interhigh. Takiko also happened to be Kogure's ex- girlfriend.
/They couldn't be together now, could they?/
Mitsui noticed that Takiko sat down beside Kogure & started to pull her long brown hair up into a bun. "Hey Takiko.", he called out quietly. Takiko faced Mitsui as she fastened a barette to hold her hair in place. She smiled. "Hey Mitsui. Long time no see. How are you?" He could feel Kogure stare at him. Avoiding Kogure's eyes, he said "Fine. Just fine."
Suddenly, she snapped her fingers as though she had remembered something important. Takiko rumaged in her bag for while & finally pulled out a pile of cream-colored envelopes. "I forgot to tell you! I picked up the invitations on my way here so we can hand them out already." Takiko removed the rubber band that held the envelopes & started handing them out to the people in the table.
Mitsui was confused. "What invitations?" he asked. But nobody seemed to have heard him. Takiko was still busy handing out an invitation to Rukawa who for some reason had a dazed look on his face as he stared at her for a few seconds.[1] Kogure met Takiko's eyes & they gave each other a meaningful glance. As each one opened the card that was inside, they shared the same look of surprise & shock.
"Megane-kun!" Sakuragi exclaimed.
"Takiko-san!" Haruko piped.
Mitsui grew more confused by the minute. What was the commotion about? He saw Takiko hand him an envelope & smiled. "Wait til you read it, then give me that look." Mitsui slowly opened the envelope. With trembling hands, he pulled out a piece of paper before the card. His own name leapt out & caught his attention immediately.And written beside it were two words: Best Man.
That would only mean one thing.
"You're getting married?!" Mitsui cried. Everyone turned to look at him. Ryota sighed & said, "Duh. Thought it was a birthday party?" Ayako whacked her husband on the head (with her ever-lovable paper fan of course). She turned to the couple & smiled. "Congratulations! How long have you been engaged?"
Takiko's face was tickled pink. "Three months & two weeks.", she replied rather shyly. When Yohei asked them whether they already did it or not, Takiko & Kogure turned away & blushed. Yohei got a playful slap from Haruko for that.
Ayako then turned to Mitsui. "You must be really proud. Your best friend's getting married soon. " Mitsui could only reply, "Uh yeah. I'm really excited." The others exchanged confused glances. "You don't sound too happy, Mitsui. Aren't you glad you're the best man?" Akagi asked.
Mitsui glanced at Kogure who was looking at him expectantly. He gathered all the strength he had to smile & said, "Happy? I'm excited! I'm really ecstatic to be the best man!" /I'm really good at this. I should try being an actor or something./ he thought dryly.
Fortunately for Mitsui, Takiko was fooled by his little act. "I'm glad that you'll be our best man. Min-kun chose you especially for it." She put an affectionate hand on Kogure's shoulder. Kogure took it & gave it a light kiss. A silver band was around Takiko's fourth finger & Kogure had one identical to it also on his fourth finger.
Mitsui couldn't believe it. Kogure had chosen him to be the best man. Was it his last attempt to comfort him for losing their relationship? He couldn't accept the fact that Kogure had chosen Takiko over him. She had been Kenji Fujima's girlfriend [2] once after she broke up with Min-kun. Kogure had been heartbroken over her for two years when one day she came storming in while they were practicing. And guess what? She said she wanted Kogure back.
He & Min-kun were an 'underground' couple that time. Mitsui was sure he would refuse Takiko's proposal. But unknown to him, Kogure & Takiko were seeing each other in secret. And look at what happened now.
/Face it./ Mitsui thought /Min-kun's not yours anymore. You've lost him../
[1] In my takiko + kogure fics, Rukawa had a secret crush on Takiko. I'm still thinking of whether I should post those fics or not because they're really cheesy. (something like soap opera cheesy)
[2] Once again, this was in one of my fics. It's called 'Can I Keep You Forever?' & it's where Takiko breaks up with Fujima after she & Kogure decide to reawaken their old relationship. I'll be posting it up soon. Very soon.
Part: 2/3
Author: KangLi
Email: kangli_sama@hotmail.com
Genre: slight yaoi
Pairing: mitko/kogure + takiko(oc)
Warning:1.) sappy.. 2) Rukawa may be a bit ooc in this one (don't trust me when I say 'bit') 3) Akagi knows something the others don't & that would make him.. ooc too.
Author's notes: Gomen if if the first chapter was very short. I was in a hurry to get started on this chapter because I had the plot stuck in my head for quite some time now.. Summer vacation is finally here so I've got plenty of time to finish this. Thanks to the kind people who read the first chapter! Luv yah! Read & enjoy! Once again.. r&r please! ^_^ I'll be working on the last chapter as you read this so you won't have to wait for another century to find out what'll happen next. Hope this chapter is worth the wait! ^_^'
// - what the chara is thinking
"" – what the chara is saying
Disclaimer: usual disclaimers apply. Slam Dunk does not belong to me. I only own the plot & my original chara (you'll be meeting her in this chapter!)
Chapter 2
Reality is Harsh
Three weeks seemed to pass by so quickly. Before Mitsui realized, it was the day of the reunion. He had asked his boss if he could leave work early & the minute the clock stroke 6:00pm Mitsui dashed out of the bar.
At his apartment, he changed into a long sleeved white shirt & black tailored pants. He wanted to look good for his Min-kun as well as for everyone else. After combing back his hair, he checked his reflection in the mirror & smiled at what he saw. Perfect. Just perfect. Mitsui left his apartment, hopped on his trusty motorcycle & headed for Shohoku High.
Upon arriving at the gym, Mitsui saw a lot of his old classmates. They greeted him & some even stoped to chat with him. He excused himself to look for the guys in the team. Mitsui walked around the gym, decorated with red & white banners. Their batch's favorite songs were being played. He smiled to himself, when suddenly he heard a familiar voice calling hi name.
"Mitsui-san! Oy Mitsui-san! Over here!"
Mitsui turned around & saw his former team mate, Ryota Miyagi. Walking beside him was their team manager Ayako, now known as Ayako Miyagi. She was carrying a baby girl who looked about a year old.
Miyagi clapped Mitsui's back. "Nice to see you again." Mitsui laughed. "Hey Ayako! What's up? Taking care of Ryota Jr. I see." Ayako smirked at Mitsui. "It's a blast seeing you again, Mitsui-sempai & it's not Ryota Jr. It's a girl & her name is Ayame."
Mitsui laughed. "It's great seeing you guys after so many years." They chatted for a while & caught up on each other's business. Soon they got tired of standing & Ryota found them a table big enough for ten people. Then they sat down. The three friends talked some more when suddenly they heard an ever-familiar voice screaming "Ryochin! Mitchy!"
Mitsui sighed. "Let me guess." Ayako smiled & said,"Incoming.." They all laughed. Miyagi turned around to see two tall figures towering above him. Ryota chuckled. "Nice to see you Rukawa, Sakuragi."
Rukawa smiled at the ex-point guard & took a seat beside Ayako & the baby. Sakuragi still stood behind Miyagi. His forehead was creased at Ryota, "Have you forgotten who I am, Ryochin?!?" Ryota turned to Mitsui with a questioning look. Mitsui smirked, "You forgot the magic word."
"Not tensai if you must know. He's to be addressed as Sakuragi Hanamichi or do'aho if you want. That's what I call him" Rukawa interjected. The old group of friends noticed that Rukawa was (gasp) smiling as he said this. They simply continued to stare at Rukawa, who was grinning broadly at Sakuragi who was screaming at the moment (a few unprintable curses & something about baka kitsunes).
/These people have changed & yet they are the same people./ Mitsui continued to look at his friends. /Miyagi & Ayako are married and they have a child. They have become parents but still they are the same people. Sakuragi & Rukawa have changed too & they remain the same./ Mitsui fiddled with the edge of the tablecloth. /But what about Min- kun?/
After developing a fascination with the tablecloth, Mitsui felt a large (and quite powerful) hand clap his back. He lurched forward & nearly banged his head on the table, which caused all the people on the table to laugh. Mitsui turned around & saw that it was none other than their ex-captain Akagi.
"Akagi! Great to see ya!" Mitsui stood up to give him a high five. "Nice to see you, too, Yohei, Haruko." Haruko Akagi, in a pink sleeved dress, blushed & greeted Mitsui back. Yohei on the other hand gave him a friendly wave. The engaged couple then sat down with the rest of the group. Then Akagi leaned over to Mitsui & whispered, "Kogure's on his way."
Mitsui felt his cheeks go warm. He felt a sudden rush in his system. With a heart pounding like mad, he slowly sat down. He heard Akagi laugh as he took a seat beside his sister. In no time, the old crowd chattered away. They discussed the usual things they talked about when they were still in high school. Their old basketball friends mainly covered the conversation. Mitsui could have joined their chattering, as Sakuragi was asking what the hell was up with Sendoh. But his eyes were glued to the entrance, keeping a sharp look-out for the ex-vice captain.
"Mistui! Hisashi Mitsui! Earth to Mitsui! Hello?!"
Mitsui tore his eyes away from the door & turned to see the old team giving him this weird look. Mitsui grinned sheepishly.
Ryota rolled his eyes. "Hear ye! Hear ye! Hisashi Mitsui has fallen in love with a door!" Everyone laughed, including Mitsui. But their laughter was cut short when Sakuragi stood up & cried, "Look! It's Megane-kun!"
Everybody turned to face the door & sure enough there was a bespectacled boy, scanning the crowd for his friends. When Kogure caught sight of the group, (thanks to their very own red head) he (literally) ran over to join them. Mitsui had to remind himself to breathe after noticing that he had been holding his breath.
The ex- shooting guard made up his mind that the only adjective to describe Kogure that night was 'drop- dead gorgeous'. He was dressed in a black sports coat over a blue shirt & black tailored pants. (think Dan Radcliffe during the hp premiere) Mitsui couldn't tear his eyes off Kogure even as he reached their table & sat down on the empty chair beside him.
"You're late, Megane-kun!" Sakuragi scolded. Kogure laughed. "Faculty meeting. Those things take up a lot of time. It's great seeing you guys after so many years." He then turned to Mitsui. "Hey."
Mitsui's cheeks began to flare up. "Uh.. yeah. Hi.", he stammered. Kogure chuckled, "What's that for? You sound like you're not too happy to see me."
"It's not that! It's just.. I mean.. I haven't seen you for.. I mean.. I like your shirt." Mitsui mentally kicked himself. /You baka! Get a grip!/ he told himself. He heard Kogure laugh. Mitsui felt like melting on the spot. /Damn you, Min-kun! If you only knew what you do to me../ He could feel his palms start to sweat. He clenched & un-clenched his fists, fearing that a lake of sweat would form in his hand.
When Kogure asked him about what he had been up to since graduation, Mitsui provided the usual answers. He told him about his job at the bar, how he had managed to afford his own apartment & getting by without hearing from any of his friends. After Mitsui had his share of the storytelling, he urged Kogure to tell his own.
Sendoh & Koshino were quite accurate this time. Kogure was certainly a teacher at Shohoku High teaching English to the sophomore classes. He too was living in his own apartment & life has been pretty much good to him. Mitsui felt a twinge of envy. His Min-kun had everything he had ever wanted out of life & listening to him talk about his present condition made him think so low of himself.
"So have you got yourself a girl?" Kogure asked playfully. Mitsui blushed as he shook his head. "Really? You're an attractive man, so why don't the girls drop at your feet?" /Because I want you & I don't want any girl./ Mitsui said to himself. A creeping feeling began to crawl up his spine. Had Min-kun forgotten what happened between them? Mitsui pushed the idea aside. /He wouldn't. Don't question his love, Hisashi!./
Yet another voice answered back. /Love? What love?/
"Min-kun," Mitsui began "do you remember being..?" Kogure's forehead creased. "Remember being what?" The scarred boy swallowed hard. "Being, you know, us."
Kogure was silent. His face grew serious. "Yes Mitsui. I remember well." Mitsui's heart leapt. Was Min-kun coming back to him for good? "I'm sorry, but if you're thinking of keeping it going I'm afraid I have to refuse."
A wave of shock & disbelief washed over him. It couldn't be. He had to be hearing things. Kogure had to be kidding. Mitsui stared into Kogure's eyes, hoping against hope that his Min-kun didn't mean what he had just said. But the seriousness in his brown eyes told him everything. Min-kun didn't feel the same way he did. Mitsui mustered all the courage he had to hold back his tears.
"Why?!" he whispered angrily, keeping his voice down to keep the others from hearing their conversation. But Mitsui found it hard as his emotions were starting to get the better of him. "You said you'd keep it going! Why give up now?!"
Kogure opened his mouth to answer when suddenly a female voice interrupted him. "Min-kun! Over here! Min-kun!"
Mitsui saw Kogure smile when they both turned to see where the voice came from. After following his gaze, Mitsui saw the girl who was calling out to Kogure. She called him Min-kun, so she must be a really close friend of his. The girl was tall, almost as tall as Kogure himself. She was wearing a green halter top that brought out her emerald green eyes & tight black pants that outlined her slender form. Mitsui guessed that she might be a dancer or a gymnast, being tall & thin. She looked kind of familiar, too.
The girl approached Kogure & gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Sorry I'm late Min-kun, but Mom was scolding me over the phone & I couldn't just put the phone down on her!" Kogure laughed & turned to the others who were having their own discussions. "Guys!" Everyone turned around. "You remember Takiko, don't you?"
/Takiko Miragami! Of course!/ Mitsui thought. No wonder she looked so familiar. Takiko used to play basketball for Shohoku when they were freshmen but due to a certain reason Takiko had to move to another part of the prefecture. She then played for Shoyo & earned the title of being the sole female player in the interhigh. Takiko also happened to be Kogure's ex- girlfriend.
/They couldn't be together now, could they?/
Mitsui noticed that Takiko sat down beside Kogure & started to pull her long brown hair up into a bun. "Hey Takiko.", he called out quietly. Takiko faced Mitsui as she fastened a barette to hold her hair in place. She smiled. "Hey Mitsui. Long time no see. How are you?" He could feel Kogure stare at him. Avoiding Kogure's eyes, he said "Fine. Just fine."
Suddenly, she snapped her fingers as though she had remembered something important. Takiko rumaged in her bag for while & finally pulled out a pile of cream-colored envelopes. "I forgot to tell you! I picked up the invitations on my way here so we can hand them out already." Takiko removed the rubber band that held the envelopes & started handing them out to the people in the table.
Mitsui was confused. "What invitations?" he asked. But nobody seemed to have heard him. Takiko was still busy handing out an invitation to Rukawa who for some reason had a dazed look on his face as he stared at her for a few seconds.[1] Kogure met Takiko's eyes & they gave each other a meaningful glance. As each one opened the card that was inside, they shared the same look of surprise & shock.
"Megane-kun!" Sakuragi exclaimed.
"Takiko-san!" Haruko piped.
Mitsui grew more confused by the minute. What was the commotion about? He saw Takiko hand him an envelope & smiled. "Wait til you read it, then give me that look." Mitsui slowly opened the envelope. With trembling hands, he pulled out a piece of paper before the card. His own name leapt out & caught his attention immediately.And written beside it were two words: Best Man.
That would only mean one thing.
"You're getting married?!" Mitsui cried. Everyone turned to look at him. Ryota sighed & said, "Duh. Thought it was a birthday party?" Ayako whacked her husband on the head (with her ever-lovable paper fan of course). She turned to the couple & smiled. "Congratulations! How long have you been engaged?"
Takiko's face was tickled pink. "Three months & two weeks.", she replied rather shyly. When Yohei asked them whether they already did it or not, Takiko & Kogure turned away & blushed. Yohei got a playful slap from Haruko for that.
Ayako then turned to Mitsui. "You must be really proud. Your best friend's getting married soon. " Mitsui could only reply, "Uh yeah. I'm really excited." The others exchanged confused glances. "You don't sound too happy, Mitsui. Aren't you glad you're the best man?" Akagi asked.
Mitsui glanced at Kogure who was looking at him expectantly. He gathered all the strength he had to smile & said, "Happy? I'm excited! I'm really ecstatic to be the best man!" /I'm really good at this. I should try being an actor or something./ he thought dryly.
Fortunately for Mitsui, Takiko was fooled by his little act. "I'm glad that you'll be our best man. Min-kun chose you especially for it." She put an affectionate hand on Kogure's shoulder. Kogure took it & gave it a light kiss. A silver band was around Takiko's fourth finger & Kogure had one identical to it also on his fourth finger.
Mitsui couldn't believe it. Kogure had chosen him to be the best man. Was it his last attempt to comfort him for losing their relationship? He couldn't accept the fact that Kogure had chosen Takiko over him. She had been Kenji Fujima's girlfriend [2] once after she broke up with Min-kun. Kogure had been heartbroken over her for two years when one day she came storming in while they were practicing. And guess what? She said she wanted Kogure back.
He & Min-kun were an 'underground' couple that time. Mitsui was sure he would refuse Takiko's proposal. But unknown to him, Kogure & Takiko were seeing each other in secret. And look at what happened now.
/Face it./ Mitsui thought /Min-kun's not yours anymore. You've lost him../
[1] In my takiko + kogure fics, Rukawa had a secret crush on Takiko. I'm still thinking of whether I should post those fics or not because they're really cheesy. (something like soap opera cheesy)
[2] Once again, this was in one of my fics. It's called 'Can I Keep You Forever?' & it's where Takiko breaks up with Fujima after she & Kogure decide to reawaken their old relationship. I'll be posting it up soon. Very soon.