Part 3
I was again, on the way to school. So many things have happened the last week that it seemed as if I was going to school for months already.
Then, somebody called my attention.
"Hey Niki-chan," It was Mitsui.
"Hey Mitsui-san, what's up?" I asked. Mitsui is older than me by 2 years. He is eighteen.
"Um, nothing much. Hey, listen. Do you wanna go somewhere later after school? Maybe to the snackplace or something." He flashed a huge grin.
"Um, I dunno-"
"C'mon. I know you'll go." He put his hands on his waist.
"Uh, well-"
"Please say yes. You're the first person I asked in two years, you know."
"But-"
"My treat. Yihee, she's smiling! She's gonna say yes!" he joked.
I smiled broadly. "Oh okay, you win."
"We have no practice today. So we're going." He smiled again.
"Why are you asking me, out, Mitsui-san?" I asked.
"Oh, nothing. You kinda helped me out in the biggest crisis of my damn life."
"Whoa. So deep. What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well. if you didn't call Coach Anzai the other day, I still would've been a gangster." He paused. " And please," he looked at me.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Don't call me Mitsui-san. Call me Mitchan." He said.
Then, I looked puzzled. "Mitchan? Then, what is Micchy? I heard some people call you Micchy."
He turned red. "Sakuragi invented that darn name."
"It's cute, you know." I said.
"Oh okay." Micchy sighed. "You can call me Micchy now."
I giggled. "Then you're now called Micchy!!!" I declared as I raised my pointing finger in the air.
Micchy laughed. I blushed. He's soooo cute. Especially when he has bandages on. I stared at his sapphire eyes. Then my daydreaming was stopped when he said something again.
"A senior and a freshman can get together." Micchy said. "That's why I know we'll be good friends. And now, I wanna ask you something."
"What is it?" I asked.
"Can we be best buddies? If it's okay with you."
I smiled. "Of course we can be. But, why me?"
"Because you kinda saved me before. And now, I wanna repay you for what you've done for me. I wanna be able to help you in every way I can." He glanced at me. "Is it ok if you have an ex-gangster bestbud?" he asked.
"Of course!" I exclaimed. "But I have one thing to tell you, though." I paused. I looked at him seriously.
" I'll kill you if you fall in love with me." I joked.
"Yeah right! I promise!" Micchy laughed. "You say too many things."
I slapped him playfully on the arm. "I do?" I asked with a smile.
Then, we arrived at the school. Everybody backed a bit when they saw Micchy come near them.
"Relax, people, it's only me." He told everyone.
"Mitsui is with a freshman!" one exclaimed.
"Isn't the girl scared or something?"
"She doesn't know the dark past of that guy she's with,"
"Could you shut 'em up?" I asked Micchy.
He shook his head. "I'm sorry, I can't. We just hafta ignore 'em."
He took me by the wrist lightly. "Let's just go."
While we were walking, Micchy sang a song.
I pretended to wrinkle my nose. "Micchy, shut up!"
Then he sang louder. I pretended to cover my ears. He looked at me.
"Nobody dares the MVP!" he growled.
I laughed. He laughed too. I love it when he smiles. You get this feeling you're so close, even if you've just met him for a day.
"I'll take you to your classroom," he said. "You're in 1-7, right?"
"Oh yeah. How'd you know?" I asked.
"I just know." He smiled.
"That's impossible." I replied with a smile. "And let me guess, you're in 3- 3, right?" I looked at him with steady eyes.
"Yeah, you're right!" he exclaimed. "How'd you know?"
"Well, I just know, too."
"That's impossible!" Micchy cried. Then he laughed.
He took me to my classroom.
"See 'ya later." He said.
"Oh yeah, sure-"
"Hey Mitsui," it was Kogure.
"What?" Micchy asked.
"We have an emergency practice later," he said.
"Why?" Micchy asked.
"Our upcoming game with Miuradai is getting near. We wouldn't wanna lose, would we? I know everybody wants to win, especially us, the seniors. You wanna win, right?" Kogure explained.
"Oh, but, uh," Micchy looked at me.
"Oh it's ok, Micchy. You can attend the practice." I said.
"But-"
"It's ok. We must win this time." I told him.
"I'll go. 3:30 p.m. then," Micchy said.
"Fantastic. See you!"
"Are you really sure about permitting me to practice?" Micchy asked after Kogure left.
"Yes, of course I am sure." I held his hand. "I'll just wait for you to end practice. Then let's walk home together. Or we could stop by the snackplace to grab something before we go home. Is that okay? I haven't forgotten about your treat, you know." I smiled.
"Of course it's okay!! But." he paused. "Is it okay for you to wait for me until practice ends?"
"Sure I'm sure! I wanna see Rukawa practice too." I told him.
"Oh. okay." Micchy had that sudden decadence in his voice.
"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing." He murmured. I slapped him playfully on the arm.
"Of course I will be there to support my bestbud MVP! For whom else will I be there for but you?" I said to him with sparkling eyes.
"Really? I am your bestbud?" he asked me with a broad smile.
"Yes you are! You're my guy bestbud. I'm proud to have an MVP bestbud." We did a high five.
"Later, then. Bye-bye, bestbud."
Then as Mitsui turned to leave, he almost bumped into Rukawa.
"Hey Rukawa," he said.
Rukawa didn't answer. He just nodded.
"I-I'm sorry about.the other day. I'm sorry, I really am. Are your bruises okay? Your cuts? Um, I'm really sorry." Micchy said.
"It's okay." Rukawa said. He looked coldly at Micchy. Micchy backed a little. Then Rukawa left.
"That guy is weird." Micchy remarked.
"I think he's really like that. He stabs everyone with his cold blue eyes-"
"Yeah and I bet the people whom he stabs dies!" Micchy sarcastically uttered.
"Don't be like that, Micchy. I think he's nice." I said.
I noticed some sort of a pout form in Micchy's lips.
"Now I sometimes think being hit with a mop in the head is less painful than being stabbed in the eye by Mister Cold Eyes!" Micchy said.
"Hey Micchy!" Hanamichi called Micchy's attention by slapping him on the shoulder.
"Hey Sakuragi! Not too painful next time, ayt?" Micchy patted Sakuragi on the shoulder.
"Oh okay. I just decided to call your attention because I think I heard you two talk about that stupid fox." Sakuragi said.
"Oh yeah, we were talking 'bout him." Micchy said. "I just don't understand the way he stabs me with his cold eyes. It's like he's killing me softly with his scary stares." Micchy scratched his cheek. "I think I'm the only person he looks at that way."
"Maybe he's mad because you had him hit with a mop, haha. That was great, Micchy." Sakuragi laughed.
"I don't really understand the mentality of boys." I snapped.
"Wenk! My classmate is mad!" Sakuragi cried. "She doesn't want Rukawa insulted, you know."
"Well, I have no comment on Rukawa. All I can say is." Micchy looked at me. ".He's trying to kill me."
"Haha, funny! And I'm trying to kill Rukawa!!! Hohoho!" Sakuragi snickered.
"Hey Niki, are you mad at me?" Micchy went to me.
"I'm not," I said. "I love my bestbud."
"Really?" Micchy smiled. "Well, I'll just pick you up before practice. See you there! Bye." He waved goodbye and went to the way to his classroom.
"You sure have a bond, know what I mean?" Hanamichi told me.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yup." Sakuragi nodded. "You and Micchy."
"And maybe." Yohei Mito, another classmate of ours in section 7 came. "You might be the next campus couple."
"What? And why are you saying that?" I asked. I was red.
"C'mon, Niki. People see you're so close with that guy." Yohei retorted. "Who wouldn't notice that? Freshmen and seniors don't always get together."
"No! Mitchan is only my bestbud." I replied. "That's it!"
"C'mon. Everybody knows and sees Micchy wants to be with you all the time. And we see you that you also love to be with him all the time. Everbody knows that! Remember Niki, in this world, everybody has a malicious mind." Yohei said.
"Yup, Yohei's telling the truth. And aside from that," Hanamichi paused while pointing a finger in the air. "Somebody's getting jealous of your closeness with Micchy."
"Who?" I asked.
There was complete silence between us.
Then unexpectedly, Rukawa passed by. I looked at him. Then, he looked at me. For a while I think he was looking into my eyes. It was like he was drowning me in his eyes. I turned red.
Yohei and Hanamichi sighed. They called my attention.
"You have to have only one choice, Niki," Hanamichi said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"If ever you have not fallen in love with Mitsui yet and the only person on your mind is Rukawa, you must now make a choice because we know you're gonna fall for Mitchan." Youhei said.
"But Micchy is just my bestfriend!" I cried.
"But still, you'll never know," Youhei said.
"That's right." Ryota said. He was with Ayako.
"Hey Aya and Ryota," I greeted.
"You know, Niki," Ryota started to say. "It's hard not to fall for Mitsui, I tell you."
"Especially when he starts shooting in the court. Your vision will be all blocked and you will see no one but Mitsui. And he is such a nice guy." Ayako said.
"So now we're warning you, pick a choice now," Yohei said. "Before you start regretting."
"So we were in the middle of a discussion. About Mister You-Know-Who." Hanamichi went back to their original topic.
"Oh, we know this." Ryota and Ayako grinned at each other.
"He's from the Shohoku Basketball Team and." Hanamichi gave Yohei a look signaling him to continue what he was saying.
"Mister Jersey Number 11, he is." Yohei finished off.
"Oh my god." I said. Then all of a sudden, everything turned black.
+++
I opened my eyes. I was in the infirmary. When I opened my eyes, I saw somebody so familiar whom I didn't expect.
"Rukawa!" I sat up and looked at him.
"I'm sorry. Sakuragi said you were in a state of shock. I had to carry you here. Are you okay?" he asked. He held my hand.
"Oh. yes I am." I tried to avoid myself from blushing. What a dream come true.
"By the way, I'm sorry you had to find out earlier." Rukawa fumbled with the sheets. "You see, I have never ever fallen in love with a girl for years and I. I just. well. I didn't really know what to do. Really." Rukawa stuttered. "I found out from Yohei and the others that you and Mitsui were only best friends. So. I hope you wouldn't mind if. well. You know. If I. well. um." he tried to look for the right words to say. "I wanna be the one for you. I hope. I really hope that. you would consider giving me a chance in proving that I can be good for you." He looked at me. "That is, if you want. If you don't it would be okay, really." He bit his lip.
I bit my lip, too. I was shocked. I was asking myself if it was a dream. If it was, I wouldn't wanna wake up anymore. I smiled at him and took his hand.
"You know, Kaede, the first time I saw you, I also fell in love with you." I looked at him with shining eyes. "Without any hesitation, yes, I will permit you." I held his hand and squeezed it.
"Thank you, Niki-"
"Niki! Sakuragi told me you were here so I dashed here!!!" Mitsui came and pushed Rukawa away.
"Hey!" Rukawa stood up and glared at Mitsui. Mitsui raised an eyebrow.
"What?" Mitsui said.
"You pushed me, you know." Rukawa said in an irritated tone.
"Well I'm sorry." Mitsui said without sincerity.
"I think you didn't mean that." Rukawa said.
I got a bit scared. Will they hit each other. again?
"Please, don't quarrel here. Kaede, Micchy's very sorry for what he has done." I looked at Kaede. Kaede clenched his fists. Mitsui sneered.
"Okay, then I must go now," Rukawa snapped. Before he left, he looked at Micchy for the very last time. Then he left.
"Micchy, why did you do that to Kaede?" I asked him gently.
"Well, I. I don't know." Mitsui said. "I was just very worried about you. We're bestbuds, remember? I just don't want you to get hurt, that's all."
"Thanks," I said. I held his hand. "You do care."
"Who says I don't?" Micchy smiled at me. I smiled back.
+++
"Micchy, are you sure you don't need a companion to go to the gym tomorrow? Something might happen to you." Micchy and I were engaged in a phone call. The Miuradai game was to be held tomorrow in the morning.
"It's ok. I'm fine. You should just go to school. It might be your loss. Don't worry about me. I'm gonna be alright." Mitsui said. "And besides, I'm the guy. I should be the one escorting you to places. It's not you who should escort me. It's unethical."
"Are you really, really, really, really sure?" I asked.
"Sure I'm really, really, really, really sure." Mitsui said in a comforting tone. The line went silent. Then I spoke up.
"I don't trust you."
Mitsui laughed. "C'mon Niki. Trust me. I promise. I'm gonna be ok."
The line went silent again. "You hafta be sure. You promised."
"Yes I will be careful."
"Here's a good luck kiss to my best bud." I said. Then I made a kissing sound on the receiver.
"Here's one to you, too." Micchy said. He also made a kissing sound.
"Bye bye. Sleep well and good luck to you all." I said.
"Thanks." Micchy replied. "Good night."
"Good night, best bud."
And we both hung up the phone.
Then suddenly, the phone rang again. That Micchy, I thought.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Niki." It was Kaede.
"Oh Mr. Rukawa, hello." I greeted him. "What's up?"
"Nothing much." He said. "Just wanted to see if you're fine."
"I'm ok. By the way, good luck tomorrow. I know you can do it. You're Shohoku's ace, anyway. Right?" I asked Rukawa with a smile.
"Oh, thanks. I didn't expect you to say such a compliment."
"C'mon mister super rookie. Don't be a humble boy. Tomorrow, don't be afraid to boast all the talent you've got, aight?" I encouraged him.
"I will. Thanks." Kaede said.
We talked for twenty more minutes then I had to hang up because I thought Kaede needed some rest for the big event tomorrow. I had high hopes for Shohoku. I really think they are going to win because they all have talent. I think Sakuragi's not a dumbo. I think he has potential. Everyone in their team have a great potential of being world-class players. Sakuragi, Kogure, Akagi, Miyagi, the others. Micchy.
KAEDE.
I smiled as I thought of Kaede's serious but loving face. Before I slept, I gazed at the stars and thought of Kaede. I couldn't help smiling at the thought of Rukawa's proposal that morning.
Then suddenly, my thoughts of Rukawa suddenly turned into Mitsui. His face appeared in my mind. The manly features, his adorable gaze and smile. His scent.
Suddenly, I just thought about the possibility of Micchy being my boyfriend. But I shunned away that hideous thought.
He's like my big brother. He's my best friend. I can't fall in love with him.
But still, the thought of Micchy couldn't get out of my head.
"No, I'm not in love with Mitsui!" I whispered to myself. I whispered it over and over again to myself.
Don't hurt Mitsui, please! Please! PLEASE!!!!!.
I sat up immediately. Dammit, it was just a dream. I thought for a while. I hope not. I hope not. I HOPE NOT.
+++
At school, I couldn't put my mind off ease. I was nervous. I didn't know what to do. Why is this happening?
Then, I just decided to go to the gym later. That's it, I'll just go.
+++
I was again, on the way to school. So many things have happened the last week that it seemed as if I was going to school for months already.
Then, somebody called my attention.
"Hey Niki-chan," It was Mitsui.
"Hey Mitsui-san, what's up?" I asked. Mitsui is older than me by 2 years. He is eighteen.
"Um, nothing much. Hey, listen. Do you wanna go somewhere later after school? Maybe to the snackplace or something." He flashed a huge grin.
"Um, I dunno-"
"C'mon. I know you'll go." He put his hands on his waist.
"Uh, well-"
"Please say yes. You're the first person I asked in two years, you know."
"But-"
"My treat. Yihee, she's smiling! She's gonna say yes!" he joked.
I smiled broadly. "Oh okay, you win."
"We have no practice today. So we're going." He smiled again.
"Why are you asking me, out, Mitsui-san?" I asked.
"Oh, nothing. You kinda helped me out in the biggest crisis of my damn life."
"Whoa. So deep. What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well. if you didn't call Coach Anzai the other day, I still would've been a gangster." He paused. " And please," he looked at me.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Don't call me Mitsui-san. Call me Mitchan." He said.
Then, I looked puzzled. "Mitchan? Then, what is Micchy? I heard some people call you Micchy."
He turned red. "Sakuragi invented that darn name."
"It's cute, you know." I said.
"Oh okay." Micchy sighed. "You can call me Micchy now."
I giggled. "Then you're now called Micchy!!!" I declared as I raised my pointing finger in the air.
Micchy laughed. I blushed. He's soooo cute. Especially when he has bandages on. I stared at his sapphire eyes. Then my daydreaming was stopped when he said something again.
"A senior and a freshman can get together." Micchy said. "That's why I know we'll be good friends. And now, I wanna ask you something."
"What is it?" I asked.
"Can we be best buddies? If it's okay with you."
I smiled. "Of course we can be. But, why me?"
"Because you kinda saved me before. And now, I wanna repay you for what you've done for me. I wanna be able to help you in every way I can." He glanced at me. "Is it ok if you have an ex-gangster bestbud?" he asked.
"Of course!" I exclaimed. "But I have one thing to tell you, though." I paused. I looked at him seriously.
" I'll kill you if you fall in love with me." I joked.
"Yeah right! I promise!" Micchy laughed. "You say too many things."
I slapped him playfully on the arm. "I do?" I asked with a smile.
Then, we arrived at the school. Everybody backed a bit when they saw Micchy come near them.
"Relax, people, it's only me." He told everyone.
"Mitsui is with a freshman!" one exclaimed.
"Isn't the girl scared or something?"
"She doesn't know the dark past of that guy she's with,"
"Could you shut 'em up?" I asked Micchy.
He shook his head. "I'm sorry, I can't. We just hafta ignore 'em."
He took me by the wrist lightly. "Let's just go."
While we were walking, Micchy sang a song.
I pretended to wrinkle my nose. "Micchy, shut up!"
Then he sang louder. I pretended to cover my ears. He looked at me.
"Nobody dares the MVP!" he growled.
I laughed. He laughed too. I love it when he smiles. You get this feeling you're so close, even if you've just met him for a day.
"I'll take you to your classroom," he said. "You're in 1-7, right?"
"Oh yeah. How'd you know?" I asked.
"I just know." He smiled.
"That's impossible." I replied with a smile. "And let me guess, you're in 3- 3, right?" I looked at him with steady eyes.
"Yeah, you're right!" he exclaimed. "How'd you know?"
"Well, I just know, too."
"That's impossible!" Micchy cried. Then he laughed.
He took me to my classroom.
"See 'ya later." He said.
"Oh yeah, sure-"
"Hey Mitsui," it was Kogure.
"What?" Micchy asked.
"We have an emergency practice later," he said.
"Why?" Micchy asked.
"Our upcoming game with Miuradai is getting near. We wouldn't wanna lose, would we? I know everybody wants to win, especially us, the seniors. You wanna win, right?" Kogure explained.
"Oh, but, uh," Micchy looked at me.
"Oh it's ok, Micchy. You can attend the practice." I said.
"But-"
"It's ok. We must win this time." I told him.
"I'll go. 3:30 p.m. then," Micchy said.
"Fantastic. See you!"
"Are you really sure about permitting me to practice?" Micchy asked after Kogure left.
"Yes, of course I am sure." I held his hand. "I'll just wait for you to end practice. Then let's walk home together. Or we could stop by the snackplace to grab something before we go home. Is that okay? I haven't forgotten about your treat, you know." I smiled.
"Of course it's okay!! But." he paused. "Is it okay for you to wait for me until practice ends?"
"Sure I'm sure! I wanna see Rukawa practice too." I told him.
"Oh. okay." Micchy had that sudden decadence in his voice.
"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing." He murmured. I slapped him playfully on the arm.
"Of course I will be there to support my bestbud MVP! For whom else will I be there for but you?" I said to him with sparkling eyes.
"Really? I am your bestbud?" he asked me with a broad smile.
"Yes you are! You're my guy bestbud. I'm proud to have an MVP bestbud." We did a high five.
"Later, then. Bye-bye, bestbud."
Then as Mitsui turned to leave, he almost bumped into Rukawa.
"Hey Rukawa," he said.
Rukawa didn't answer. He just nodded.
"I-I'm sorry about.the other day. I'm sorry, I really am. Are your bruises okay? Your cuts? Um, I'm really sorry." Micchy said.
"It's okay." Rukawa said. He looked coldly at Micchy. Micchy backed a little. Then Rukawa left.
"That guy is weird." Micchy remarked.
"I think he's really like that. He stabs everyone with his cold blue eyes-"
"Yeah and I bet the people whom he stabs dies!" Micchy sarcastically uttered.
"Don't be like that, Micchy. I think he's nice." I said.
I noticed some sort of a pout form in Micchy's lips.
"Now I sometimes think being hit with a mop in the head is less painful than being stabbed in the eye by Mister Cold Eyes!" Micchy said.
"Hey Micchy!" Hanamichi called Micchy's attention by slapping him on the shoulder.
"Hey Sakuragi! Not too painful next time, ayt?" Micchy patted Sakuragi on the shoulder.
"Oh okay. I just decided to call your attention because I think I heard you two talk about that stupid fox." Sakuragi said.
"Oh yeah, we were talking 'bout him." Micchy said. "I just don't understand the way he stabs me with his cold eyes. It's like he's killing me softly with his scary stares." Micchy scratched his cheek. "I think I'm the only person he looks at that way."
"Maybe he's mad because you had him hit with a mop, haha. That was great, Micchy." Sakuragi laughed.
"I don't really understand the mentality of boys." I snapped.
"Wenk! My classmate is mad!" Sakuragi cried. "She doesn't want Rukawa insulted, you know."
"Well, I have no comment on Rukawa. All I can say is." Micchy looked at me. ".He's trying to kill me."
"Haha, funny! And I'm trying to kill Rukawa!!! Hohoho!" Sakuragi snickered.
"Hey Niki, are you mad at me?" Micchy went to me.
"I'm not," I said. "I love my bestbud."
"Really?" Micchy smiled. "Well, I'll just pick you up before practice. See you there! Bye." He waved goodbye and went to the way to his classroom.
"You sure have a bond, know what I mean?" Hanamichi told me.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yup." Sakuragi nodded. "You and Micchy."
"And maybe." Yohei Mito, another classmate of ours in section 7 came. "You might be the next campus couple."
"What? And why are you saying that?" I asked. I was red.
"C'mon, Niki. People see you're so close with that guy." Yohei retorted. "Who wouldn't notice that? Freshmen and seniors don't always get together."
"No! Mitchan is only my bestbud." I replied. "That's it!"
"C'mon. Everybody knows and sees Micchy wants to be with you all the time. And we see you that you also love to be with him all the time. Everbody knows that! Remember Niki, in this world, everybody has a malicious mind." Yohei said.
"Yup, Yohei's telling the truth. And aside from that," Hanamichi paused while pointing a finger in the air. "Somebody's getting jealous of your closeness with Micchy."
"Who?" I asked.
There was complete silence between us.
Then unexpectedly, Rukawa passed by. I looked at him. Then, he looked at me. For a while I think he was looking into my eyes. It was like he was drowning me in his eyes. I turned red.
Yohei and Hanamichi sighed. They called my attention.
"You have to have only one choice, Niki," Hanamichi said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"If ever you have not fallen in love with Mitsui yet and the only person on your mind is Rukawa, you must now make a choice because we know you're gonna fall for Mitchan." Youhei said.
"But Micchy is just my bestfriend!" I cried.
"But still, you'll never know," Youhei said.
"That's right." Ryota said. He was with Ayako.
"Hey Aya and Ryota," I greeted.
"You know, Niki," Ryota started to say. "It's hard not to fall for Mitsui, I tell you."
"Especially when he starts shooting in the court. Your vision will be all blocked and you will see no one but Mitsui. And he is such a nice guy." Ayako said.
"So now we're warning you, pick a choice now," Yohei said. "Before you start regretting."
"So we were in the middle of a discussion. About Mister You-Know-Who." Hanamichi went back to their original topic.
"Oh, we know this." Ryota and Ayako grinned at each other.
"He's from the Shohoku Basketball Team and." Hanamichi gave Yohei a look signaling him to continue what he was saying.
"Mister Jersey Number 11, he is." Yohei finished off.
"Oh my god." I said. Then all of a sudden, everything turned black.
+++
I opened my eyes. I was in the infirmary. When I opened my eyes, I saw somebody so familiar whom I didn't expect.
"Rukawa!" I sat up and looked at him.
"I'm sorry. Sakuragi said you were in a state of shock. I had to carry you here. Are you okay?" he asked. He held my hand.
"Oh. yes I am." I tried to avoid myself from blushing. What a dream come true.
"By the way, I'm sorry you had to find out earlier." Rukawa fumbled with the sheets. "You see, I have never ever fallen in love with a girl for years and I. I just. well. I didn't really know what to do. Really." Rukawa stuttered. "I found out from Yohei and the others that you and Mitsui were only best friends. So. I hope you wouldn't mind if. well. You know. If I. well. um." he tried to look for the right words to say. "I wanna be the one for you. I hope. I really hope that. you would consider giving me a chance in proving that I can be good for you." He looked at me. "That is, if you want. If you don't it would be okay, really." He bit his lip.
I bit my lip, too. I was shocked. I was asking myself if it was a dream. If it was, I wouldn't wanna wake up anymore. I smiled at him and took his hand.
"You know, Kaede, the first time I saw you, I also fell in love with you." I looked at him with shining eyes. "Without any hesitation, yes, I will permit you." I held his hand and squeezed it.
"Thank you, Niki-"
"Niki! Sakuragi told me you were here so I dashed here!!!" Mitsui came and pushed Rukawa away.
"Hey!" Rukawa stood up and glared at Mitsui. Mitsui raised an eyebrow.
"What?" Mitsui said.
"You pushed me, you know." Rukawa said in an irritated tone.
"Well I'm sorry." Mitsui said without sincerity.
"I think you didn't mean that." Rukawa said.
I got a bit scared. Will they hit each other. again?
"Please, don't quarrel here. Kaede, Micchy's very sorry for what he has done." I looked at Kaede. Kaede clenched his fists. Mitsui sneered.
"Okay, then I must go now," Rukawa snapped. Before he left, he looked at Micchy for the very last time. Then he left.
"Micchy, why did you do that to Kaede?" I asked him gently.
"Well, I. I don't know." Mitsui said. "I was just very worried about you. We're bestbuds, remember? I just don't want you to get hurt, that's all."
"Thanks," I said. I held his hand. "You do care."
"Who says I don't?" Micchy smiled at me. I smiled back.
+++
"Micchy, are you sure you don't need a companion to go to the gym tomorrow? Something might happen to you." Micchy and I were engaged in a phone call. The Miuradai game was to be held tomorrow in the morning.
"It's ok. I'm fine. You should just go to school. It might be your loss. Don't worry about me. I'm gonna be alright." Mitsui said. "And besides, I'm the guy. I should be the one escorting you to places. It's not you who should escort me. It's unethical."
"Are you really, really, really, really sure?" I asked.
"Sure I'm really, really, really, really sure." Mitsui said in a comforting tone. The line went silent. Then I spoke up.
"I don't trust you."
Mitsui laughed. "C'mon Niki. Trust me. I promise. I'm gonna be ok."
The line went silent again. "You hafta be sure. You promised."
"Yes I will be careful."
"Here's a good luck kiss to my best bud." I said. Then I made a kissing sound on the receiver.
"Here's one to you, too." Micchy said. He also made a kissing sound.
"Bye bye. Sleep well and good luck to you all." I said.
"Thanks." Micchy replied. "Good night."
"Good night, best bud."
And we both hung up the phone.
Then suddenly, the phone rang again. That Micchy, I thought.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Niki." It was Kaede.
"Oh Mr. Rukawa, hello." I greeted him. "What's up?"
"Nothing much." He said. "Just wanted to see if you're fine."
"I'm ok. By the way, good luck tomorrow. I know you can do it. You're Shohoku's ace, anyway. Right?" I asked Rukawa with a smile.
"Oh, thanks. I didn't expect you to say such a compliment."
"C'mon mister super rookie. Don't be a humble boy. Tomorrow, don't be afraid to boast all the talent you've got, aight?" I encouraged him.
"I will. Thanks." Kaede said.
We talked for twenty more minutes then I had to hang up because I thought Kaede needed some rest for the big event tomorrow. I had high hopes for Shohoku. I really think they are going to win because they all have talent. I think Sakuragi's not a dumbo. I think he has potential. Everyone in their team have a great potential of being world-class players. Sakuragi, Kogure, Akagi, Miyagi, the others. Micchy.
KAEDE.
I smiled as I thought of Kaede's serious but loving face. Before I slept, I gazed at the stars and thought of Kaede. I couldn't help smiling at the thought of Rukawa's proposal that morning.
Then suddenly, my thoughts of Rukawa suddenly turned into Mitsui. His face appeared in my mind. The manly features, his adorable gaze and smile. His scent.
Suddenly, I just thought about the possibility of Micchy being my boyfriend. But I shunned away that hideous thought.
He's like my big brother. He's my best friend. I can't fall in love with him.
But still, the thought of Micchy couldn't get out of my head.
"No, I'm not in love with Mitsui!" I whispered to myself. I whispered it over and over again to myself.
Don't hurt Mitsui, please! Please! PLEASE!!!!!.
I sat up immediately. Dammit, it was just a dream. I thought for a while. I hope not. I hope not. I HOPE NOT.
+++
At school, I couldn't put my mind off ease. I was nervous. I didn't know what to do. Why is this happening?
Then, I just decided to go to the gym later. That's it, I'll just go.
+++