Kogure's eyes widened slightly from behind his glasses. "Nani? Are you sure of this, Erin-san?"
Erin groaned. "Please Kogure, no honorifics. And yes, I'm sure of it. Ciel wouldn't think of lying, not to us girls, at least." Jeez Kogure, why is it that you guys have to be so thickheaded?!
Kogure was silent for a long while. "I don't understand it, though. Why would Ciel-san blame herself for everything?"
"You don't know Ciel the way we do," Erin said with a sigh. She tilted her head back, and looked at the sky above her head. "For as long back as I can remember, Ciel has always been like that. She puts the blame on herself, even if it's the fault of other people." She grinned, sliding a glance at her bespectacled companion. "In fact, you act a little like her."
Kogure started, and blushed, turning his face away. "Me? Why do you say so?"
"Oh, you know, you're always putting yourself down and all that. You give the credit to others, while you blame yourself for other people's mistakes." Erin nudged him in the ribs. "You should have a little more confidence in yourself, y'know? Just don't get an inflated ego, like Hanamichi."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Kogure said with a chuckle. "I feel that if I start to believe in myself, I'll become overconfident."
"But if you've got too LITTLE confidence, then you'll never reach your full potential. And believe me, you've got LOTS of potential," Erin argued.
Kogure laughed outright, when she said that, but it was only at the fact that Erin had cleverly managed to get the last word in their argument. "Hai, I suppose you're right."
Erin smiled at him, amused. "That's what I really admire in you, Kogure. You're always so happy. I don't know how you manage to keep it up." She frowned, thinking about her father and sisters. "It's like you've got the best in life."
Kogure's face turned serious then. "Your father and sisters…does it still hurt? Losing them, I mean?"
Erin sighed. I don't really want to talk about it, but what the hell? "It does, and I guess the hurt will never go away. I'll always be hurting inside, but I'll learn to live with it. That's all I can do."
"You'll be alright," Kogure told her, patting her on the shoulder. "You're a strong girl, you'll live through it."
"Yeah, I guess I will." Erin smiled up at him then, looping her arm loosely through his. "I remember your email telling me that the living can only go on living to repay the departed, because by living we fulfill their wishes. I suppose that's the least I can do for Daddy, Megan and Claire." She nudged him lightly again in the ribs. "Thank you, Kogure."
"Thank you? For what?"
"For being there when I needed a friend. For being my shoulder to cry on when Daddy and my sisters died. For being so nice even if I'm a total stranger…and for the other, little things you've done for me. Thanks, Kogure. Thank you for everything."
Kogure smiled, and patted her hand gently. "You're
welcome, Erin."
* * *
Kogure was walking on Cloud Nine as he made his way back to his house. He was returning after a day out with Erin, showing her around Kanagawa and taking her to the sights.
When he and Erin had first "met" so many days ago, he had been slightly overwhelmed by her. Though he had known her only through the letters they exchanged, he hadn't expected that she'd look so beautiful. Not that it'd make any difference if she wasn't pretty, but the fact that she WAS added a whole new spin to their relationship.
She was everything he wanted in a girl: smart, witty, and kind. The fact that she was rich and beautiful was just a bonus.
He wasn't going to deny that he liked her as more than a friend. I wonder what the others would say if they found out? He chuckled at the thought. He could see Akagi's gorilla-like face rearrange itself into one of surprise; Mitsui would miss a shot; Hanamichi would tease him endlessly; Ayako would squeal happily; Miyagi would warn him about getting dumped; and Rukawa…would say nothing.
But it wouldn't really matter to me, Kogure mused. As he walked through the gate of his home, he began to think of ways he could tell Erin he liked her.
* * *
Miyagi waited a little impatiently for the doors to open. He sighed as he scuffed his foot along the pavement. What is taking her so long?
He was waiting for Erin to leave Anzai-sensei's office, where she was chatting up to the coach of Shohoku.
He smiled as his mind drifted back to the day he first met Erin and her other friends. He had been a little shocked, to say the least. He had never dealt with girls like them before, and it was quite an experience playing against them. Though he hadn't gotten a chance yet to play against Erin, he knew that she was good. All her other friends were good, so she had to be, too.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Anzai!"
Miyagi perked up, and ran a hand through is unruly hair in preparation. He waited until Erin had walked out the door, before approaching her, a big smile on his face. "Konnichiwa, Erin-chan!"
Erin turned to him, blinked, and then smiled. "Oh hi Riyota! What are you still doing here? I thought you went home after practice."
Miyagi smiled ruefully. "Well, ah, I noticed that you didn't leave with the others, so I decided to wait for you."
"There's no need to do that," Erin replied. She looked at him analytically, then asked, "Did someone put you up to this? Like Ciel or Jesse, maybe?"
"Nope. No one put me up to this but myself," Miyagi answered. He scuffed the toe of his shoe on the ground again, then asked, "Uh, Erin-chan, would you – I mean, could you…go out on a date with me?" The last words came out as a very hushed whisper.
Erin's eyebrow went up. "A date?"
"Or just a day out," Miyagi amended hastily. "I mean, I think you're a very nice girl and all, and I'd really like to get to know you better." He looked up at her, waiting for her answer while he twiddled his thumbs nervously. Please say yes, please say yes…
Much to his relief and utter joy, Erin smiled at him. "Okay, sure, why not. Where do we meet, and what time?"
Miyagi felt that he could have died of utter happiness right there and then. At last, a girl hasn't turned me down! He felt like screaming and jumping up and down, but he knew he had to set everything up first. Hastily, he replied, "Um, how about nine o' clock at the mall this Saturday? We could go see a movie or something."
Erin grinned. "Deal." She checked her watch then, and said, "Sorry to cut this short Riyota, but I really have to go. It's getting late." She waved her hand at him in farewell as she walked out the gym, and disappeared from his sight.
When he was certain she was out of earshot, Miyagi let out a loud whoop of joy, pumping his fist into the air out of sheer happiness. At last! I manage to get myself a date! He hummed a song to himself as he walked out of the gym, heading for home. And maybe this time, this date will end up becoming something more…
* * *
Kogure looked at the phone in his living room, his thoughts wandering. To call or not to call, that is the question, he thought, rephrasing one of the most famous lines that Shakespeare ever wrote. He had been debating with himself whether he should call Erin up or not, and ask why when he called that morning CJ told him Erin wasn't home.
He didn't have to wait for long. Suddenly, the phone rang with a harsh, shrill tone, and Kogure all but leaped on it in his excitement. He picked it up, and said, "Hello?"
"Good evening, may I speak to Kogure please?"
Kogure smiled. He'd know that voice anywhere. "Erin! This is Kogure speaking."
"Kogure! Oh God, I have got something REALLY exciting to tell you." A dramatic pause for effect, then Erin said, "I think I've found a guy I like."
A chill ran up and down Kogure's spine. What could it mean? Could it be someone else? Or maybe, just maybe… He swallowed, attempting to make his voice sound as casual as possible. "Really? That's great! Who's the lucky guy?"
Erin laughed. "Try to guess!"
"That's not fair, Erin! You haven't given me any clues!"
"Okay, okay! He's a member of Shohoku."
The chill came back again, and this time, Kogure's heart pounded double-time. His mind spun as he thought of all the possibilities. But first, he thought he should tease her. "Oh, I think I know! Akagi?"
A squeal of disgust from the other end of the line. "KOGURE!!! I don't mean to offend or anything, as Takenori's really nice and all, but seriously, he isn't my type! You should know that by now!"
"Okay…um, Rukawa?"
"The walking block of ice? Excuse me, but I could date a glacier and get the same effect."
"Hanamichi?"
"THAT redhead?!?! No thanks, Kogure, I like guys who don't go around head-bashing other males and who don't have an ego problem as big as his."
"Mitsui?"
"Good-looking, but not really my type. And besides, if Aleine found out I was going out with him, she'd kick his ass all the way from here to Manhattan."
Now Kogure's heart was racing at triple time, and the chill came rushing through him faster than before. Only two names left, he told himself. It couldn't be Miyagi; she'd probably say, "Miyagi? Didn't you tell me he was going out with Ayako or something?" But still, it wouldn't hurt to be sure… "Miyagi then?"
Silence on the other end of the line, and then Erin uttered a soft, fluttery-sounding sigh, something that sounded EXACTLY like a lovesick girl. "About time you guessed, Kogure. And, yes, it IS Miyagi Riyota."
Kogure felt his heart crash down from his chest to the pit of his stomach, and then rise again to stick in his throat like a massive lump. "Miyagi Riyota?" he asked, barely able to steady his voice so that it didn't squeak.
"Uh huh. CJ told me you called this morning, and she told you I was out. I was with Riyota that time. We just went for a day out, bonding and stuff. And then, the moment I stepped into the house, it suddenly hit me. I LIKE him, Kogure. I really, really like him," Erin said seriously.
"Why didn't you tell me you were going out with him?" Kogure asked, unable to conceal the hurt in his voice any longer. Is she serious?! Oh gods, why did it HAVE to be Riyota?! The point guard with a slight altitude problem was one of his closest friends on the team, next to Mitsui and Akagi. How am I going to face him now?
Erin sighed then. "Kogure, I'm sorry if I didn't tell you where I was going. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or anything. And besides, even if Riyota MIGHT end up becoming my boyfriend, you'll still me by BEST friend. You see the difference there?"
"Hai," Kogure answered dismally. "Just...take care, okay Erin? I wouldn't want you to get hurt."
She laughed cheerfully, and the sound went straight like an arrow into his heart. "Sure, sure. And anyways, you will be there to protect me, won't you?"
Kogure sighed. "Hai, always."
"Thanks. See you tomorrow. Bye." The phone line went dead with a click.
Kogure put the handset down ,and stared at it for a long, long time. Finally, he managed to drag himself off the couch, plod up the stairs to his room, and remove his glasses before flopping down on his bed. Tears threatened to fall, stinging at the corners of his eyes. He swallowed forcefully against the lump in his throat as he dashed the tears away with a quick swipe of his hand. This can't be happening, this can't be happening, his mind chanted, but another, equally strong voice was saying, it is, it is, it is…
With a soft moan of frustration, irritation, and annoyance, he rolled over onto his stomach, and hid his face in his pillows. Heartbreak has to be the HARDEST thing to deal with…especially if the girl likes one of your friends. He recalled what Erin told him the other day, about Fujima Kenji and Hanagata Toru of Shoyo arguing over Ciel. He now knew what it felt like to be torn between one's friend and the girl one likes.
But he wasn't like Hanagata or Fujima. He wasn't about to engage in a word war or fistfight with Miyagi. No, he had to keep up his "peacemaker" reputation, as it was one of the things Erin really liked about him. But I wish I hadn't earned such a reputation. Then maybe it wouldn't be so hard to confront Miyagi. But it stood, and he knew Erin well enough to know that she would never forgive him if he fought with Miyagi. No, best to lie low and let everything run its course…
However, he remembered Erin's words to him, that he should stand up more for what he wanted, and not let everyone trample on him all the time. He clenched his fist, a new determination sweeping over him, much stronger than the determination that overcame him when he first joined the Basketball Club of Shohoku. He would never fight outright, but he would be a challenge that Miyagi would have to overcome. If he wants Erin, then he's going to have to get past me first.