Epilogue

Shohoku was very successful in their Inter High Tournaments. But, everything had to come to an end. It was the end of another good school year.

I sat on a bench in the school garden, thinking about what would happen to me in my sophomore year. I will now be alone. No more best buddy. No more boyfriend. Mitsui will already be leaving Shohoku to go to college together with Kogure and Akagi. There will be a new batch of seniors. No more senior best bud to hang around with. No more Mitsui to hug when I feel down.

How will I be next year?

I cried on the bench while thinking of the major possibilities that might happen. A hand patted my shoulder. I looked whose hand was it. It was Mitsui's.

"Why are you crying, best bud?" he asked me.

"Because.you're gonna leave me soon. Today's the last day of classes and I will never see you again here in school! You're graduating tomorrow, right?" Mitsui chuckled as he ran his fingers in my hair. "Do you really think I'm graduating?"

"Of course! You're in the senior level," I sniffled.

He grinned at me. "What if I tell you I'm not leaving? I'm still a high school senior next year!" he broke to me the news.

"Why? You failed?!?" I asked loudly in a high-pitched tone.

"No, of course I did not!" he cleared his throat. "I just missed basketball. I didn't join the team earlier that's why I wanna make up for the time lost," he told me.

"Oh, is that just it?" I asked. I started to leave. Then he took my hand.

"I have not finished what I'm saying yet. Of course I wanna stay here in Shohoku to be with my love." He said. I sat down. "I can even wait until you graduate." I smiled. "Yeah right."

"Yeah it's really right," he countered. We looked into each other's eyes then we kissed each other again (don't worry, this is the last! :รพ). Then, a voice came out from nowhere. It was Rukawa.

"Hey," he said.

"Rukawa?!" Mitsui and I were both startled.

"I just wanna make this short," he said. "I wanna say I'm sorry to the both of you and thank you both for the nice attitude you've shown me in my short stay at the Shohoku," he said.

"Short stay? Why?" I asked.

"I'm joining the National Japan Team by next year. It's one way of making my dream come true.Play basketball in the NBA, that is," he said.

"I wish you luck, Rukawa," I said. My voice trailed off. "But that means leaving us, your friends, here in Kanagawa. Rukawa, are you really sure about your decision?" I asked.

"Yes, I am. I have lost a conflict for the one I love and, I thought it's now high time I should come back to my first love which is basketball," Rukawa said.

"Rukawa. I'm really sorry." I stood up and hugged him while sobbing. "I will terribly miss you. Say you'll come back."

"I might never come back." He said.

"Rukawa. when can I see you again and make up for all the lost time?" I asked.

"I don't know. maybe in a long time to come. But, who knows? Things might take a different turn. Who knows I might come back maybe in our senior year, right?" Rukawa asked.

"I'll miss you. Remember the jack-in-the-box you gave me? I'm keeping it. It's a very special gift to me by the Shohoku Ace Player," I said.

"Thanks. I better go now. Gotta run some important errands for my National Team endeavor. Thanks and see you. Mitsui," he looked at Mitsui. "I'm so sorry for everything. Take good care of Niki or else I'll steal her from you. I'm good in steals," He started to leave. Mitsui grinned. "And I'll be the one to hit you on the head with a mop, you understand?" Rukawa said.

"I'll take care of her, I promise." Mitsui went to Rukawa and did a high- five. "I wanna play bball with you again someday," Mitsui said.

"Sure. Anytime." And Rukawa left.

Mitsui sat down and put his right arm around my shoulder. I snuggled under it.

"Will it still be us next year?" I asked.

"Of course." Mitsui answered.

"You promised. If we break up next year then I might have to take off five more teeth of yours and add another scar to your pretty chin." I said.

"Well, if you add another scar on my chin I might end up being the most good-looking guy on the planet." Mitsui replied smugly.

"Then again, maybe that was not such a good idea after all. Just treat me to some ice cream."

"You'll have to kill me first." Mitsui said in an undertone.

"Oh yeah?! Then I will!!!!" Then I wrestled him again in the grass.

+++

THE END :)

Sleepy or what? Mushed out or in love? Haha! This is what I call MY OWN BRAND OF CHEESINESS!!! Wahehehe!!! x_x

This fanfiction is called "Mitsui, myself and Rukawa" simply because it's a love triangle between me and the two boys involved in the title (although there's one more guy, I just decided to put the main ones). Better explanation is: I couldn't find a good title for it. Thanks for reading!

By the way, if you have comments, suggestions or just about anything regarding this fanfic please email me at nick_carter032@yahoo.com! Thanks again!!!