Title: Struggle
Part: 28/?
Author: Issei
Genre: Yaoi
Paring: MitHanaRu...coming to light ...
Rating: PG
Archive: Sdfic ML and Jem's homepage!
Please ignore any typo errors/ gammer mistakes.
Disclaimer: the characters do not belong to me......dun sue!!
Warning: The characters may be OOC.
Writer's Note: Hello, yet another week has past. Yeah! It is the weekend again and I will be off to a hike tomorrow. In the meanwhile, do enjoy the story and have lots of fun this weekend! Do leave me your comments!
Words in * * is action
Words in ^ ^ is character's thoughts
Words in [ ] refer to the setting
Words in ( ) are words by writer...^_______^
Chapter 28
The tournament was drawing to a close and the "new" team was doing exceptionally well. One month had come and gone, like a dream, a very good dream. The tournament had gone well for the team despite the fact that they were not the champions. The huge improvement in Hanamichi despite his injury had given the team much advantage. Their ace, Rukawa Kaede, had lived up to expectation. Obtaining a massive score of 34 points every game, he was easily the top scorer in the whole tournament. Mitsui had done well too, his three pointers had earned himself a name in national basketball and Ryota had been known as one of the best controllers in the tournament.
The Shohoku team were at the stadium standing in line waiting the moment when they were being called upon. There were both looks of disappointments and happiness. Disappointment at their failure of not obtaining the champion yet to be able to come this far was something to be proud of. They were after all the third in the nation.
Anticipating the moment, the team stood restlessly. Finally the moment came. A tall and sleek man walked forth to the makeshift stage holding a microphone. He had a huge grin on his face. In his smart and well-pressed suit, anyone could tell that he was going to carry out the prize presentation. The noisy and rowdy crowd quieten down with his appearance.
Announcer: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. After witnessing the close match between Kainan and Sannoh, it is time for the prize representation ceremony. Now let's put our hands together to welcome the President of the Basketball Council to give the prizes.
The crowd followed the instructions and loud thunderous claps echoed through the stadium. When finally the crowd became silent again, the announcer continued the ceremony.
Announcer: Now, the third prize goes to Shohoku.
There were loud cheers and the screams of girls. There were the shouts of fans and schoolmates. The Shohoku team had earned for themselves many fans through out the tournament the spectacular games that they played and their determination had inspired many. And many were present shouting their voice hoarse. The team players moved towards the platform and were handed each a medal. The team took a bow and returned to their line. Some of them were fingering the medal. Some were staring at it, holding it tightly in their hands while others simply allowed it to hang limply on their necks.
The announcer went on to hand out the second prize and the championship to Kainan and Sannoh respectively. And just like Shohoku, each team received their fair share of claps and screams.
Announcer: Last but not least, we would like to hand out the MVP award to...
The crowd grew silent again. The announcer had paused at the name and was keeping everyone in the stadium in suspense. He remained silent and as the crowd waited, whispers could be heard. Then there was a sudden scream; a group of girls had started screaming a familiar name.
Girls: Rukawa! Rukawa! Rukawa!
They continued to chant. And after them, there came another cheer for Maki and so on and on, the crowd were screaming their lungs out for their idols. Finally, the announcer ended the wait with a blasting shout into the mictophone.
Announcer: Yes, you are right he is RUKAWA KAEDE!
(I know, although I don't really like him, I must say that he is a really good player...^^;;)
There was yet another loud thunderous applause and Rukawa walked to the platform. He was not smiling, he was not frowning either, he just had the blank look on his face. Yet, deep down, he was bursting with pride. He had done what he had always wanted. The Japan youth team training had indeed done him good. He had improved tremendously and now he was plucking the fruits of his labour and he was feeling good deep down.
The prize ceremony was over in a short 30 minutes and the whole Shohoku team trooped into the changing room.
Ayako: That was great Rukawa! You have gotten yourself an MVP award!
An excited Ayako congratulated the raven hair boy.
Ayako: And you too Sakuragi! You made it into top 5!
Hanamichi: Damn, I still lost to that fox!
But that was a good improvement. You were without a skill when you just joined in April and it was only some 10 months later and you have made it into top 5. You are one good player!
Hanamichi: Haha! I am the tensai.
Hanamichi who still enjoyed flattery had already forgotten to fume about the fact that he had lost to Rukawa. Mitsui had come forth to congratulate the two boys who had won themselves an award. He had not been too bad himself. He had been approached by one of the universities to play in their school and it was not a bad university too. He already had a future promise but he had something to do before that, something important. He approached Rukawa and gave him a pat on his shoulders with a smile
Mitsui: Congrats...
Rukawa: Thank You. It is going to be today.
Mitsui nodded and walked toward the red head. Strangely, the relationship between Rukawa and himself had improved after that lunch. He had let his guard down. Rukawa had told him his plans and he had been paranoid about it at first. But he realised that if things were meant to be that way, he could do nothing to change it.
[Flashback]
Two boys walked into a coffeehouse and found themselves a seat in a corner of the room. They settled themselves down and made their orders. When the food and drink finally came, neither touched their food, instead, they just sat where they were, waiting for the other to speak. Finally, it was the taller boy who spoke up.
Rukawa: Thank you for coming.
There was a short pause. As if he was thinking of what to say. The other boy waited patiently.
Rukawa: I have something to ask of you.
The other boy remained silent, awaiting the request.
Rukawa: As you had already guessed, I like Sakuragi. I like him more than a friend does and I will be telling him that after the tournament. I know that you like him too and I want you to keep quiet about it until I tell him. I want to tell him myself and not want to know from someone else's mouth.
Rukawa said everything in one breath and at the end of it, he was breathing harder. Mitsui stared at the boy in front of him. There was a long pause as if he was making a decision and he finally spoke.
Mitsui: I guess I cannot refuse. I am after all an outsider and should not meddle. I will give you my word.
Rukawa: I thank you again.
There was a silence again as the two boys tucked in. Quietly they ate with only one thought in mind. Who will Hanamichi choose? (That is what you are thinking too?)
[End of Flashback]
Mitsui was by the red head's side before he knew it and with a fatigue hand reached out for the other boy's.
Mitsui: That was a great tournament you had.
Hanamichi delighted by the praise reached out and caught Misui's hand firmly in his and after giving a hard shake. They broke contact.
Hanamichi: Thank you. I am the tensai and I knew I would be able to make it to the championships.
Mitsui gave a smile and recalled the paranoid Hanamichi a few months back.
Mitsui: Yeah right.
There was a tint of sarcasm in his words but Hanamichi been innocent and naive believed him. In his hysterical laughter, Hanamichi headed towards the showers.
Ryota had long ago gotten himself ready. He was going to break the news to the team this very day. The truth he had withheld for months but now it was time and his heart was heavy, heavy as a rock. His bag was packed and he sat silently on the bench. Ayako looked at the boy from a corner of the room. She knew it was today that he was going to announce and it was tomorrow that he would be leaving. All the while, she had tried to occupy her head with the championships, trying to force herself to not think about it. Her friend was leaving and there was an unfound sadness.
Finally, Ryota stood up. He took a deep breath and in his monotonous voice called out to the team.
Ryota: Gather a moment please.
The team heard the call and they strolled towards the captain with huge smiles on their faces until they saw the serious look on his face. Ryota looked at everyone in one glance and spoke.
Ryota: ...People. I am sorry to interrupt this moment of joy. But I have to break a bad news to all of you. I will no longer be able to lead the team anymore...
There were looks of shocked and dismay. Hanamichi however looked indifferent. Rukawa was paying close attention unlike his usual "cannot be bothered attitude". Mitsui just looked at the boy before him as if he was a stranger. Ayako tried to look him straight in the eye but she failed. She was sure she would burst into tears something she had never done in school or outside the confine of her bedroom. Ryota continued.
Ryota: I have to leave with my parents to Tokyo, my father got a job transfer there and I had not much of a choice. So I guess that was enough said. I will be leaving tomorrow morning. I am sorry for informing you all in such a short notice. But with the championships going on, there wasn't a suitable time. So ja ne.
Ryota finished his speech. With a turn of his back, he picked up his bad and left the Shohoku team behind.
To be continued...
Hello people! It is on the way to completion! So, stay tune! ^^ And do give me your comments!
Issei_kun_@hotmail.com
Part: 28/?
Author: Issei
Genre: Yaoi
Paring: MitHanaRu...coming to light ...
Rating: PG
Archive: Sdfic ML and Jem's homepage!
Please ignore any typo errors/ gammer mistakes.
Disclaimer: the characters do not belong to me......dun sue!!
Warning: The characters may be OOC.
Writer's Note: Hello, yet another week has past. Yeah! It is the weekend again and I will be off to a hike tomorrow. In the meanwhile, do enjoy the story and have lots of fun this weekend! Do leave me your comments!
Words in * * is action
Words in ^ ^ is character's thoughts
Words in [ ] refer to the setting
Words in ( ) are words by writer...^_______^
Chapter 28
The tournament was drawing to a close and the "new" team was doing exceptionally well. One month had come and gone, like a dream, a very good dream. The tournament had gone well for the team despite the fact that they were not the champions. The huge improvement in Hanamichi despite his injury had given the team much advantage. Their ace, Rukawa Kaede, had lived up to expectation. Obtaining a massive score of 34 points every game, he was easily the top scorer in the whole tournament. Mitsui had done well too, his three pointers had earned himself a name in national basketball and Ryota had been known as one of the best controllers in the tournament.
The Shohoku team were at the stadium standing in line waiting the moment when they were being called upon. There were both looks of disappointments and happiness. Disappointment at their failure of not obtaining the champion yet to be able to come this far was something to be proud of. They were after all the third in the nation.
Anticipating the moment, the team stood restlessly. Finally the moment came. A tall and sleek man walked forth to the makeshift stage holding a microphone. He had a huge grin on his face. In his smart and well-pressed suit, anyone could tell that he was going to carry out the prize presentation. The noisy and rowdy crowd quieten down with his appearance.
Announcer: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. After witnessing the close match between Kainan and Sannoh, it is time for the prize representation ceremony. Now let's put our hands together to welcome the President of the Basketball Council to give the prizes.
The crowd followed the instructions and loud thunderous claps echoed through the stadium. When finally the crowd became silent again, the announcer continued the ceremony.
Announcer: Now, the third prize goes to Shohoku.
There were loud cheers and the screams of girls. There were the shouts of fans and schoolmates. The Shohoku team had earned for themselves many fans through out the tournament the spectacular games that they played and their determination had inspired many. And many were present shouting their voice hoarse. The team players moved towards the platform and were handed each a medal. The team took a bow and returned to their line. Some of them were fingering the medal. Some were staring at it, holding it tightly in their hands while others simply allowed it to hang limply on their necks.
The announcer went on to hand out the second prize and the championship to Kainan and Sannoh respectively. And just like Shohoku, each team received their fair share of claps and screams.
Announcer: Last but not least, we would like to hand out the MVP award to...
The crowd grew silent again. The announcer had paused at the name and was keeping everyone in the stadium in suspense. He remained silent and as the crowd waited, whispers could be heard. Then there was a sudden scream; a group of girls had started screaming a familiar name.
Girls: Rukawa! Rukawa! Rukawa!
They continued to chant. And after them, there came another cheer for Maki and so on and on, the crowd were screaming their lungs out for their idols. Finally, the announcer ended the wait with a blasting shout into the mictophone.
Announcer: Yes, you are right he is RUKAWA KAEDE!
(I know, although I don't really like him, I must say that he is a really good player...^^;;)
There was yet another loud thunderous applause and Rukawa walked to the platform. He was not smiling, he was not frowning either, he just had the blank look on his face. Yet, deep down, he was bursting with pride. He had done what he had always wanted. The Japan youth team training had indeed done him good. He had improved tremendously and now he was plucking the fruits of his labour and he was feeling good deep down.
The prize ceremony was over in a short 30 minutes and the whole Shohoku team trooped into the changing room.
Ayako: That was great Rukawa! You have gotten yourself an MVP award!
An excited Ayako congratulated the raven hair boy.
Ayako: And you too Sakuragi! You made it into top 5!
Hanamichi: Damn, I still lost to that fox!
But that was a good improvement. You were without a skill when you just joined in April and it was only some 10 months later and you have made it into top 5. You are one good player!
Hanamichi: Haha! I am the tensai.
Hanamichi who still enjoyed flattery had already forgotten to fume about the fact that he had lost to Rukawa. Mitsui had come forth to congratulate the two boys who had won themselves an award. He had not been too bad himself. He had been approached by one of the universities to play in their school and it was not a bad university too. He already had a future promise but he had something to do before that, something important. He approached Rukawa and gave him a pat on his shoulders with a smile
Mitsui: Congrats...
Rukawa: Thank You. It is going to be today.
Mitsui nodded and walked toward the red head. Strangely, the relationship between Rukawa and himself had improved after that lunch. He had let his guard down. Rukawa had told him his plans and he had been paranoid about it at first. But he realised that if things were meant to be that way, he could do nothing to change it.
[Flashback]
Two boys walked into a coffeehouse and found themselves a seat in a corner of the room. They settled themselves down and made their orders. When the food and drink finally came, neither touched their food, instead, they just sat where they were, waiting for the other to speak. Finally, it was the taller boy who spoke up.
Rukawa: Thank you for coming.
There was a short pause. As if he was thinking of what to say. The other boy waited patiently.
Rukawa: I have something to ask of you.
The other boy remained silent, awaiting the request.
Rukawa: As you had already guessed, I like Sakuragi. I like him more than a friend does and I will be telling him that after the tournament. I know that you like him too and I want you to keep quiet about it until I tell him. I want to tell him myself and not want to know from someone else's mouth.
Rukawa said everything in one breath and at the end of it, he was breathing harder. Mitsui stared at the boy in front of him. There was a long pause as if he was making a decision and he finally spoke.
Mitsui: I guess I cannot refuse. I am after all an outsider and should not meddle. I will give you my word.
Rukawa: I thank you again.
There was a silence again as the two boys tucked in. Quietly they ate with only one thought in mind. Who will Hanamichi choose? (That is what you are thinking too?)
[End of Flashback]
Mitsui was by the red head's side before he knew it and with a fatigue hand reached out for the other boy's.
Mitsui: That was a great tournament you had.
Hanamichi delighted by the praise reached out and caught Misui's hand firmly in his and after giving a hard shake. They broke contact.
Hanamichi: Thank you. I am the tensai and I knew I would be able to make it to the championships.
Mitsui gave a smile and recalled the paranoid Hanamichi a few months back.
Mitsui: Yeah right.
There was a tint of sarcasm in his words but Hanamichi been innocent and naive believed him. In his hysterical laughter, Hanamichi headed towards the showers.
Ryota had long ago gotten himself ready. He was going to break the news to the team this very day. The truth he had withheld for months but now it was time and his heart was heavy, heavy as a rock. His bag was packed and he sat silently on the bench. Ayako looked at the boy from a corner of the room. She knew it was today that he was going to announce and it was tomorrow that he would be leaving. All the while, she had tried to occupy her head with the championships, trying to force herself to not think about it. Her friend was leaving and there was an unfound sadness.
Finally, Ryota stood up. He took a deep breath and in his monotonous voice called out to the team.
Ryota: Gather a moment please.
The team heard the call and they strolled towards the captain with huge smiles on their faces until they saw the serious look on his face. Ryota looked at everyone in one glance and spoke.
Ryota: ...People. I am sorry to interrupt this moment of joy. But I have to break a bad news to all of you. I will no longer be able to lead the team anymore...
There were looks of shocked and dismay. Hanamichi however looked indifferent. Rukawa was paying close attention unlike his usual "cannot be bothered attitude". Mitsui just looked at the boy before him as if he was a stranger. Ayako tried to look him straight in the eye but she failed. She was sure she would burst into tears something she had never done in school or outside the confine of her bedroom. Ryota continued.
Ryota: I have to leave with my parents to Tokyo, my father got a job transfer there and I had not much of a choice. So I guess that was enough said. I will be leaving tomorrow morning. I am sorry for informing you all in such a short notice. But with the championships going on, there wasn't a suitable time. So ja ne.
Ryota finished his speech. With a turn of his back, he picked up his bad and left the Shohoku team behind.
To be continued...
Hello people! It is on the way to completion! So, stay tune! ^^ And do give me your comments!
Issei_kun_@hotmail.com