Title: At the End of the Road
Author: chescaOtaku
Pairing: HanaRu/RuHana; a touch of MitKo/KoMit
Genre: Shounen-ai
Status: Ongoing; 3/9 (series)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimers:: All Slam Dunk characters mentioned below are properties of Takehiko Inoue, TOEI and his other colleagues. Only the storyline is mine. So…don't sue me. ^_^ I'm too young to go to jail. ::
===============================================================
At the End of the Road
Chapter 2
~*~
The burning sensation of the sun, the sweet chirping of birds, the gentle swaying of green trees and the infinite clear sky signaled of another morning, another day to face. The people of Kanagawa were starting to roam around the streets and busy cars filled the once, empty roads. Students are rushing to their respective schools and voices filled the atmosphere.
Indeed, it was once again a new day in the life of Sakuragi Hanamichi. Only this time, it wasn't just any other /ordinary /day, it was start of a painful, new chapter in the redhead's life. For starting this day, there would be no more Rukawa Kaede by his side, no more kitsune to hug him, to love him. Starting this day, he would prove to them he's straight while trying his best to ignore his former lover's glances. Excruciating as it seemed, but he knew he had to do it. And hopefully, it would work out and leave everything behind.
And maybe, just maybe, it would.
/I would do this, wouldn't I? After all, I'm a tensai, right?/
~*~
"Oi, Sakuragi!!! What took you so long?!? You know we could not afford to be late in classes this time!! We would be suspended!" Youhei shouted as he saw his best friend heading their way.
"I know, Youhei. You don't need to remind the tensai. After all, I'm~~"
"Yare, yare Hanamichi…. Chotto matte, why are your eyes all puffy? Got another sermon from your 'kasaan? A fight with your bro? Or did you have any fight with the kitsune?" Takamiya observed.
/K'so. They noticed. But I guess the needed to know anyway./
"Err…a-ano…Ka…R-Rukawa and I were through. Satisfied? Let's go!" With that, Sakuragi turned and went ahead, with a hope that his gundan would understand why.
"Chotto Hanamichi!!! Na-nani yo? Doshite?!?!" Youhei inquired. The rest of the gundan was flabbergasted; too shock to say the least. They stopped in their tracks and stared at the redhead's wide back.
Besides him and Rukawa (of course), his gundan were the only people who were aware of his relationship with the fox-eyed boy. When he told him he had a crush on Rukawa, his gundan thought he had totally gone crazy but they eventually accepted it. Then when they discovered that their friend and the 'Ice King' were together, they didn't know what to say. They didn't know whether to be angry or to be happy, to congratulate them or not. They were not ready to face the fact that their loud, 'notorious', seemingly /straight/ friend was actually….gay. It took time for them to get used to it, but it was worth it. They finally accepted the 'situation' and learned that love chooses no gender.
"You heard it the first time, Youhei. I don't need to repeat it. Now, let's go. And pull your hanging jaws back to where they belong."
Youhei came after him and demanded what happened. "Hanamichi, if he did something to you, Shit! I swear—"
"It's not him, Youhei. It was /me/. I broke up with him."
"Why? I thought you…loved each other?! I mean, hell! You even defended him against us when we talked shit about him…and now? What the shit happened??"
"Listen, Youhei. This is not the right time to discuss all this…. Stuffs. He did nothing. So, come. We would be late."
"Hanamichi…."
But Sakuragi "closed" his ears to his gundan and went ahead. He tried to clear his mind about what happened just the night before by singing his "Ore Wa Tensai" song while walking.
/This, would be a long, long day for the tensai, I guess./
~*~
The Super Rookie was cycling his way to school, almost asleep as usual. But he didn't miss the familiar voice singing "Ore Wa Tensai" headed to his way. /K'so. Can't he use the other way? I still can't face him….after what happened…How…/
Rukawa was sleepier than /usual/. He got home at around 2:30 in the morning. He practically roamed around the streets with his tear-streaked eyes and aching muscles. When he got home, he headed straight to his room and almost fell asleep instantly. His muscles ached everywhere and his mind was totally shut. Most of all, his recently broken heart just can't stop bleeding. What kept him awake were the cruel words his redhead had said to him. They were full of humiliation and regret. He didn't even know or remember how he got himself to sleep. All he knew was that, when he woke up groggily, his eyes were still red and there were traces of tears visible in his pale cheeks.
He tried to act normal, but when he heard Sakuragi's /singing/ voice came nearer and nearer, his masked nearly cracked. He had this urge to stop his bicycle and stare at his redhead with pleading, loving eyes that were only reserved for Sakuragi. But he knew that wouldn't work. He knew the redhead was—and would always be true to his words. He meant whatever he had said and would stand by it.
No matter how piercing they were.
"Ore wa tensai basket-o man Sakuragi Hanamichi…"
"Do'aho." Rukawa said softly and silently prayed that the guy hadn't heard what he said.
Sakuragi suddenly stopped at his singing when he heard a familiar voice muttered an utterly familiar phrase. He flinched at the voice and stopped himself from attacking the voice owner and greet him good morning. But he knew that was not right and he reminded himself that today, he would start anew.
/Don't mind him… don't look. You're straight, tensai. Don't fall for him anymore…/
After those thoughts, Sakuragi sung once more, this time with a louder voice. He walked away, pretending that he didn't notice the fox-eyed boy and a certain former lover he had just encountered.
/Do'aho. Suki da. Itsumo./
~*~
It was indeed a very long day for the two rookies. Once their classes started, Rukawa quickly fell asleep in his desk, but occasionally waking up, as if he heard his lover's—former lover's voice. Then, he would stare outside reminiscing some good old memories with his Hana-kun. The only thing that woke him up from his trance was the occasional scolding and shouting of his teachers. He just smirked at them and rolled his eyes that made his teachers more annoyed. He could care less, anyway. Doesn't matter if they got angry. They just wasted their voice and energy. Then, he would go back to sleep. Yet, this time, his sleep was just a light one, with Sakuragi's voice filling his mind.
The loud redhead on the other hand, kept staring at his desk, as if waiting for someone to pop out right there. Then his eyes blurred for a moment and tears threatened to fall at any instant. Noticing this, he wiped them away quickly and gazed instead at his window. He didn't mind the annoyed and fiendish look in his teachers' face. Youhei observed this and put a hand on Sakuragi's right shoulder. Sakuragi looked at him and knew what his best friend meant. He just smiled a little in return and eventually looked away and stared back at his table.
It was finally the time for practice and the basketball club members were starting to enter the gym. Some were already doing their warm ups and shooting baskets and some were discussing some things. When Akagi and Anzai- sensei entered the court, everybody gathered and listened to the captain's instructions. Yet, there was someone missing.
"Chotto Akagi… demo… Sakuragi's still not here…"
"Nani?!? Baka!! When he comes here, he would do fifty dashes and seventy push-ups!! Baka yarou!!"
"A… Akagi…" Kogure stammered.
"Ok, dash!!!"
"Hai!!"
Rukawa was not surprised at the redhead's sudden disappearance. He knew deep within him that Sakuragi was avoiding him and trying to get his mind off him. He just muttered his traditional do'aho so that no one can sense that something was not right. He just hoped that the redhead was okay and that… he would, someday, go back to him and realize that love…what the felt for each other was never and would never be wrong. He was lost in his own thoughts that he was not able to hear his name being called by the vice captain.
"Rukawa? Rukawa? A-ano… Rukawa-kun..?"
"Huh…? Ah… Kogure-sempai."
"Whew! Thought I was never going to get your attention… well… was there something wrong? You seemed… distant. That was something to do with Sakuragi, ne?"
"!!?!"
"I knew it, Rukawa. You don't have to hide anymore. What about a…errr…uhm…a little /talk/ after practice. I know it's—"
"What about it?"
"Eh?? Ru-Rukawa, if you would keep behaving like this, your performance would be affected and you know what that means, ne? Talk with me later. Ok, let's join them. They may get suspicious…"
The raven-haired boy was confused about what Kogure had just said. /Talk/?! Hah! He never knew their vice-captain would engage some… little conversation to /him./ But, whatever it meant, he was sure it was something about Sakuragi Hanamichi.
"Oi, Rukawa Kaede!! What are you doing there in the corner!! Practice the basic passing!! Team up with Mitsui!!" Akagi called.
"Us."
After fifteen minutes, the redhead suddenly opened the gym door and headed to the locker rooms. Akagi fumed and followed him.
~Boom~ ~Bang~
"Itai!! You don't have to do that, Gori!!!" ~bang~
"Humph!!! If you would be late one more time, you would have to be on bench during the Inter High!! Got that?! Now, do fifty dashes and seventy push- ups!!"
"Nani yo?! How could—"
"I said do it!! Go!!" ~bang~
~*~
"Min-kun, let's go. I won't stay late tonight for additional practice. Pack up. My treat tonight." Mitsui said, with a gleam in his eyes. Ever since they started to practice for the Inter High, they spent lesser times together and the scar-faced boy wanted to make up the time they had, somehow, lost. But Kogure had something else in mind.
"A-ano… gomen nasai Sashi-kun.. You see, I have to talk to Rukawa tonight. Haven't you observed the way he acted today? Especially when Sakuragi arrived? He was different. He even missed several jump shots. The total opposite of the Rukawa we knew."
"Min-kun, I understand your concern for the team but… why not Akagi handle the job? Or Anzai-sensei? Come on, Kiminobu…. Matte…/talk/? With that walking block of ice?! Min-kun!!" Mitsui nearly laughed, but his lover's eyes told him otherwise.
"Hisashi… do you remember the time when I told you about those two? Rukawa and Sakuragi? They seemed to have a big problem. Akagi went to the hospital for his check-up and sensei needed to rest. Hope you understand…" Kogure bent his head low. He never wanted to reject any offer from Mitsui but some matters are needed to be paid attention at.
Mitsui's eyes softened at the scene. His Min-kun was just so observant, gentle and thoughtful. "Wakatte yo, Kiminobu. You're so thoughtful you know. Anyway, ganbatte ne!! Oyasumi… Dai suki."
~*~
"Ne, Rukawa… here." Kogure waved at his teammate who was executing some jump shots.
Rukawa walked towards where the vice captain was sitting and stopped his own practice. Everyone was gone, even Sakuragi. He went straight out of the court, much to the surprise of his teammates. Rukawa wiped his face with his towel and sat beside Kogure.
"Sempai."
"Rukawa… I am, well… Mitsui and I are aware about the…thing… between you and Sakuragi."
Rukawa was shocked and his eyes widened, revealing dark blue eyes full of fear and confusion. Never did he imagine that this glasses boy beside him was aware of their former relationship. Was Kogure really innocent as he thought their vice captain was? /He's really observant…matte… Mitsui- sempai?! What the hell?!…Are they…?/
"Mitsui-sempai?"
"Aa. You see…"
"D..did Ha…S-Sakuragi tell you something?"
"Iie. We found out. Mi-Mitsui and I are together. Just like the both of you."
Kogure was just full of surprises this day. First, he invited him for a little /talk/ then told him that he knew about their relationship before…and now… he revealed to him that he, the glasses boy has a /boyfriend/!!!
"There's no more us." Now, it was Kogure's turn to be shocked.
"N..nani..?"
"He broke up with me…" Pain reflected the rookie's eyes as he remembered what went through to the both of them. "He told me… our… relationship… was bullshit. He would hate it…if… he…we would be called…fags." His pained eyes misted a little but he stopped himself for crying on front of someone. He clenched his hands into fists and bit his lip. He never opened up to someone before about his personal problems before Sakuragi came. Now, revealing hurt and pain to someone he didn't /truly/ know was just uncomfortable and uneasy.
For a while, Kogure couldn't say anything. He knew Sakuragi was a kind of person, who valued everything around him, even if it didn't seem so. Especially relationships towards the people who surrounded him. So when he heard Rukawa's bitter confession, he was totally stunned and astounded. He never thought Sakuragi would do such a thing.
"How did you know?"
"Eh?" Kogure looked at him, confused.
"The… relationship." Rukawa said curtly.
"It was pretty obvious." Rukawa suddenly glanced at him. "De…demo…not to all, of course. It was obvious to Hisashi and me. Maybe we noticed it because…we were in the same situation." Kogure explained. The vice captain found it harder to elaborate to Rukawa the events than he thought it would be. He knew the guy beside him was not used in some personal conversation, a man to man talk, especially when it comes to love. Such things were out of Rukawa's 'world'.
"How?"
"Well… the looks you gave to each other were different. Before, I… we saw some hatred and challenge…but it had all changed. The looks in Sakuragi's eyes were pure… admiration and love. Yours were the same too…and maybe deeper. I can't really explain you know. The way both of you acted was enough of a proof. I'm….sorry for what happened."
"Mitsui-sempai…you…uhh…he didn't try to…break up with..you?" Rukawa asked, stammering. The revelation about the relationship of the two seniors was a sheer astonishment for him, which was why he can't help but ask questions, considering that they are still together up to this time.
"Rukawa… Wakatte desu ne. He didn't. Hisashi loved and would love me always…and I love him in return. We really don't care of what others or society would think. All that mattered was that, our love was and would always be true and strong. Gender…is only in the outside. It just distinguishes one from the other. What's important would be on the inside. You must look deeper and discover the inside fully…and most of all, accept it. That's what love should be."
"Kogure-sempai…"
"Daijobou, Rukawa. I'm sure someday he would understand that. Maybe he was confused and afraid of the reality he would have to face. At first, Sashi- kun and I went through the same conflict…but we managed to pull ourselves together again. It's just a strength of mind and courage from the heart." Kogure spoke, his eyes gleaming. "Why not try to…err..talk to him?"
"Wouldn't speak to me."
"Sou ka. Someday, Rukawa. He would find the light and travel the right road. Just wait ok. Love waits no matter how long it is. Don't give up. You're both on the rough roads. You would get through."
"Sempai."
Kogure took a glance at him.
"I…want him back."
"Ru…Rukawa…If you believe that you are…meant for each other, then love would always find a way back. Be patient. For love is." Kogure suppressed a tiny smile.
"Aa. Sempai."
"Hai?"
"Arigatou."
~*tbc*~
~*~
a/n:: whew…that chapter was long… I guess my ideas just ran off and inspiration struck me. No wonder this chapter was hard to edit…oh well… Rukawa seems to be talkative, ne? the insertion of MitKo here would play a big part in the main plot. I guess Kogure talking to Rukawa about relationships was just reasonable enough, ne? I couldn't think of anybody else to play the role. Anywayz, please review!! Chapter 3 coming up soon!! ^_^ ja!!
Author: chescaOtaku
Pairing: HanaRu/RuHana; a touch of MitKo/KoMit
Genre: Shounen-ai
Status: Ongoing; 3/9 (series)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimers:: All Slam Dunk characters mentioned below are properties of Takehiko Inoue, TOEI and his other colleagues. Only the storyline is mine. So…don't sue me. ^_^ I'm too young to go to jail. ::
===============================================================
At the End of the Road
Chapter 2
~*~
The burning sensation of the sun, the sweet chirping of birds, the gentle swaying of green trees and the infinite clear sky signaled of another morning, another day to face. The people of Kanagawa were starting to roam around the streets and busy cars filled the once, empty roads. Students are rushing to their respective schools and voices filled the atmosphere.
Indeed, it was once again a new day in the life of Sakuragi Hanamichi. Only this time, it wasn't just any other /ordinary /day, it was start of a painful, new chapter in the redhead's life. For starting this day, there would be no more Rukawa Kaede by his side, no more kitsune to hug him, to love him. Starting this day, he would prove to them he's straight while trying his best to ignore his former lover's glances. Excruciating as it seemed, but he knew he had to do it. And hopefully, it would work out and leave everything behind.
And maybe, just maybe, it would.
/I would do this, wouldn't I? After all, I'm a tensai, right?/
~*~
"Oi, Sakuragi!!! What took you so long?!? You know we could not afford to be late in classes this time!! We would be suspended!" Youhei shouted as he saw his best friend heading their way.
"I know, Youhei. You don't need to remind the tensai. After all, I'm~~"
"Yare, yare Hanamichi…. Chotto matte, why are your eyes all puffy? Got another sermon from your 'kasaan? A fight with your bro? Or did you have any fight with the kitsune?" Takamiya observed.
/K'so. They noticed. But I guess the needed to know anyway./
"Err…a-ano…Ka…R-Rukawa and I were through. Satisfied? Let's go!" With that, Sakuragi turned and went ahead, with a hope that his gundan would understand why.
"Chotto Hanamichi!!! Na-nani yo? Doshite?!?!" Youhei inquired. The rest of the gundan was flabbergasted; too shock to say the least. They stopped in their tracks and stared at the redhead's wide back.
Besides him and Rukawa (of course), his gundan were the only people who were aware of his relationship with the fox-eyed boy. When he told him he had a crush on Rukawa, his gundan thought he had totally gone crazy but they eventually accepted it. Then when they discovered that their friend and the 'Ice King' were together, they didn't know what to say. They didn't know whether to be angry or to be happy, to congratulate them or not. They were not ready to face the fact that their loud, 'notorious', seemingly /straight/ friend was actually….gay. It took time for them to get used to it, but it was worth it. They finally accepted the 'situation' and learned that love chooses no gender.
"You heard it the first time, Youhei. I don't need to repeat it. Now, let's go. And pull your hanging jaws back to where they belong."
Youhei came after him and demanded what happened. "Hanamichi, if he did something to you, Shit! I swear—"
"It's not him, Youhei. It was /me/. I broke up with him."
"Why? I thought you…loved each other?! I mean, hell! You even defended him against us when we talked shit about him…and now? What the shit happened??"
"Listen, Youhei. This is not the right time to discuss all this…. Stuffs. He did nothing. So, come. We would be late."
"Hanamichi…."
But Sakuragi "closed" his ears to his gundan and went ahead. He tried to clear his mind about what happened just the night before by singing his "Ore Wa Tensai" song while walking.
/This, would be a long, long day for the tensai, I guess./
~*~
The Super Rookie was cycling his way to school, almost asleep as usual. But he didn't miss the familiar voice singing "Ore Wa Tensai" headed to his way. /K'so. Can't he use the other way? I still can't face him….after what happened…How…/
Rukawa was sleepier than /usual/. He got home at around 2:30 in the morning. He practically roamed around the streets with his tear-streaked eyes and aching muscles. When he got home, he headed straight to his room and almost fell asleep instantly. His muscles ached everywhere and his mind was totally shut. Most of all, his recently broken heart just can't stop bleeding. What kept him awake were the cruel words his redhead had said to him. They were full of humiliation and regret. He didn't even know or remember how he got himself to sleep. All he knew was that, when he woke up groggily, his eyes were still red and there were traces of tears visible in his pale cheeks.
He tried to act normal, but when he heard Sakuragi's /singing/ voice came nearer and nearer, his masked nearly cracked. He had this urge to stop his bicycle and stare at his redhead with pleading, loving eyes that were only reserved for Sakuragi. But he knew that wouldn't work. He knew the redhead was—and would always be true to his words. He meant whatever he had said and would stand by it.
No matter how piercing they were.
"Ore wa tensai basket-o man Sakuragi Hanamichi…"
"Do'aho." Rukawa said softly and silently prayed that the guy hadn't heard what he said.
Sakuragi suddenly stopped at his singing when he heard a familiar voice muttered an utterly familiar phrase. He flinched at the voice and stopped himself from attacking the voice owner and greet him good morning. But he knew that was not right and he reminded himself that today, he would start anew.
/Don't mind him… don't look. You're straight, tensai. Don't fall for him anymore…/
After those thoughts, Sakuragi sung once more, this time with a louder voice. He walked away, pretending that he didn't notice the fox-eyed boy and a certain former lover he had just encountered.
/Do'aho. Suki da. Itsumo./
~*~
It was indeed a very long day for the two rookies. Once their classes started, Rukawa quickly fell asleep in his desk, but occasionally waking up, as if he heard his lover's—former lover's voice. Then, he would stare outside reminiscing some good old memories with his Hana-kun. The only thing that woke him up from his trance was the occasional scolding and shouting of his teachers. He just smirked at them and rolled his eyes that made his teachers more annoyed. He could care less, anyway. Doesn't matter if they got angry. They just wasted their voice and energy. Then, he would go back to sleep. Yet, this time, his sleep was just a light one, with Sakuragi's voice filling his mind.
The loud redhead on the other hand, kept staring at his desk, as if waiting for someone to pop out right there. Then his eyes blurred for a moment and tears threatened to fall at any instant. Noticing this, he wiped them away quickly and gazed instead at his window. He didn't mind the annoyed and fiendish look in his teachers' face. Youhei observed this and put a hand on Sakuragi's right shoulder. Sakuragi looked at him and knew what his best friend meant. He just smiled a little in return and eventually looked away and stared back at his table.
It was finally the time for practice and the basketball club members were starting to enter the gym. Some were already doing their warm ups and shooting baskets and some were discussing some things. When Akagi and Anzai- sensei entered the court, everybody gathered and listened to the captain's instructions. Yet, there was someone missing.
"Chotto Akagi… demo… Sakuragi's still not here…"
"Nani?!? Baka!! When he comes here, he would do fifty dashes and seventy push-ups!! Baka yarou!!"
"A… Akagi…" Kogure stammered.
"Ok, dash!!!"
"Hai!!"
Rukawa was not surprised at the redhead's sudden disappearance. He knew deep within him that Sakuragi was avoiding him and trying to get his mind off him. He just muttered his traditional do'aho so that no one can sense that something was not right. He just hoped that the redhead was okay and that… he would, someday, go back to him and realize that love…what the felt for each other was never and would never be wrong. He was lost in his own thoughts that he was not able to hear his name being called by the vice captain.
"Rukawa? Rukawa? A-ano… Rukawa-kun..?"
"Huh…? Ah… Kogure-sempai."
"Whew! Thought I was never going to get your attention… well… was there something wrong? You seemed… distant. That was something to do with Sakuragi, ne?"
"!!?!"
"I knew it, Rukawa. You don't have to hide anymore. What about a…errr…uhm…a little /talk/ after practice. I know it's—"
"What about it?"
"Eh?? Ru-Rukawa, if you would keep behaving like this, your performance would be affected and you know what that means, ne? Talk with me later. Ok, let's join them. They may get suspicious…"
The raven-haired boy was confused about what Kogure had just said. /Talk/?! Hah! He never knew their vice-captain would engage some… little conversation to /him./ But, whatever it meant, he was sure it was something about Sakuragi Hanamichi.
"Oi, Rukawa Kaede!! What are you doing there in the corner!! Practice the basic passing!! Team up with Mitsui!!" Akagi called.
"Us."
After fifteen minutes, the redhead suddenly opened the gym door and headed to the locker rooms. Akagi fumed and followed him.
~Boom~ ~Bang~
"Itai!! You don't have to do that, Gori!!!" ~bang~
"Humph!!! If you would be late one more time, you would have to be on bench during the Inter High!! Got that?! Now, do fifty dashes and seventy push- ups!!"
"Nani yo?! How could—"
"I said do it!! Go!!" ~bang~
~*~
"Min-kun, let's go. I won't stay late tonight for additional practice. Pack up. My treat tonight." Mitsui said, with a gleam in his eyes. Ever since they started to practice for the Inter High, they spent lesser times together and the scar-faced boy wanted to make up the time they had, somehow, lost. But Kogure had something else in mind.
"A-ano… gomen nasai Sashi-kun.. You see, I have to talk to Rukawa tonight. Haven't you observed the way he acted today? Especially when Sakuragi arrived? He was different. He even missed several jump shots. The total opposite of the Rukawa we knew."
"Min-kun, I understand your concern for the team but… why not Akagi handle the job? Or Anzai-sensei? Come on, Kiminobu…. Matte…/talk/? With that walking block of ice?! Min-kun!!" Mitsui nearly laughed, but his lover's eyes told him otherwise.
"Hisashi… do you remember the time when I told you about those two? Rukawa and Sakuragi? They seemed to have a big problem. Akagi went to the hospital for his check-up and sensei needed to rest. Hope you understand…" Kogure bent his head low. He never wanted to reject any offer from Mitsui but some matters are needed to be paid attention at.
Mitsui's eyes softened at the scene. His Min-kun was just so observant, gentle and thoughtful. "Wakatte yo, Kiminobu. You're so thoughtful you know. Anyway, ganbatte ne!! Oyasumi… Dai suki."
~*~
"Ne, Rukawa… here." Kogure waved at his teammate who was executing some jump shots.
Rukawa walked towards where the vice captain was sitting and stopped his own practice. Everyone was gone, even Sakuragi. He went straight out of the court, much to the surprise of his teammates. Rukawa wiped his face with his towel and sat beside Kogure.
"Sempai."
"Rukawa… I am, well… Mitsui and I are aware about the…thing… between you and Sakuragi."
Rukawa was shocked and his eyes widened, revealing dark blue eyes full of fear and confusion. Never did he imagine that this glasses boy beside him was aware of their former relationship. Was Kogure really innocent as he thought their vice captain was? /He's really observant…matte… Mitsui- sempai?! What the hell?!…Are they…?/
"Mitsui-sempai?"
"Aa. You see…"
"D..did Ha…S-Sakuragi tell you something?"
"Iie. We found out. Mi-Mitsui and I are together. Just like the both of you."
Kogure was just full of surprises this day. First, he invited him for a little /talk/ then told him that he knew about their relationship before…and now… he revealed to him that he, the glasses boy has a /boyfriend/!!!
"There's no more us." Now, it was Kogure's turn to be shocked.
"N..nani..?"
"He broke up with me…" Pain reflected the rookie's eyes as he remembered what went through to the both of them. "He told me… our… relationship… was bullshit. He would hate it…if… he…we would be called…fags." His pained eyes misted a little but he stopped himself for crying on front of someone. He clenched his hands into fists and bit his lip. He never opened up to someone before about his personal problems before Sakuragi came. Now, revealing hurt and pain to someone he didn't /truly/ know was just uncomfortable and uneasy.
For a while, Kogure couldn't say anything. He knew Sakuragi was a kind of person, who valued everything around him, even if it didn't seem so. Especially relationships towards the people who surrounded him. So when he heard Rukawa's bitter confession, he was totally stunned and astounded. He never thought Sakuragi would do such a thing.
"How did you know?"
"Eh?" Kogure looked at him, confused.
"The… relationship." Rukawa said curtly.
"It was pretty obvious." Rukawa suddenly glanced at him. "De…demo…not to all, of course. It was obvious to Hisashi and me. Maybe we noticed it because…we were in the same situation." Kogure explained. The vice captain found it harder to elaborate to Rukawa the events than he thought it would be. He knew the guy beside him was not used in some personal conversation, a man to man talk, especially when it comes to love. Such things were out of Rukawa's 'world'.
"How?"
"Well… the looks you gave to each other were different. Before, I… we saw some hatred and challenge…but it had all changed. The looks in Sakuragi's eyes were pure… admiration and love. Yours were the same too…and maybe deeper. I can't really explain you know. The way both of you acted was enough of a proof. I'm….sorry for what happened."
"Mitsui-sempai…you…uhh…he didn't try to…break up with..you?" Rukawa asked, stammering. The revelation about the relationship of the two seniors was a sheer astonishment for him, which was why he can't help but ask questions, considering that they are still together up to this time.
"Rukawa… Wakatte desu ne. He didn't. Hisashi loved and would love me always…and I love him in return. We really don't care of what others or society would think. All that mattered was that, our love was and would always be true and strong. Gender…is only in the outside. It just distinguishes one from the other. What's important would be on the inside. You must look deeper and discover the inside fully…and most of all, accept it. That's what love should be."
"Kogure-sempai…"
"Daijobou, Rukawa. I'm sure someday he would understand that. Maybe he was confused and afraid of the reality he would have to face. At first, Sashi- kun and I went through the same conflict…but we managed to pull ourselves together again. It's just a strength of mind and courage from the heart." Kogure spoke, his eyes gleaming. "Why not try to…err..talk to him?"
"Wouldn't speak to me."
"Sou ka. Someday, Rukawa. He would find the light and travel the right road. Just wait ok. Love waits no matter how long it is. Don't give up. You're both on the rough roads. You would get through."
"Sempai."
Kogure took a glance at him.
"I…want him back."
"Ru…Rukawa…If you believe that you are…meant for each other, then love would always find a way back. Be patient. For love is." Kogure suppressed a tiny smile.
"Aa. Sempai."
"Hai?"
"Arigatou."
~*tbc*~
~*~
a/n:: whew…that chapter was long… I guess my ideas just ran off and inspiration struck me. No wonder this chapter was hard to edit…oh well… Rukawa seems to be talkative, ne? the insertion of MitKo here would play a big part in the main plot. I guess Kogure talking to Rukawa about relationships was just reasonable enough, ne? I couldn't think of anybody else to play the role. Anywayz, please review!! Chapter 3 coming up soon!! ^_^ ja!!
