Author: miku
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies in this fic.
Warning: This story contains shounen-ai (boy/boy relationship) and if that offends you, better leave. I may add some lime or something like that (m.a.y.b.e) but I'll warn you before you can proceed.
I know it's unfair for Hana… but that's the way the story went… ^^;; actually… I don't know how to continue anymore… ehehehe…. The characters were totally acting against my will… yeah that's true… honestly. The story was completely out of my control and it's not going to the plot I made before… ehehehe… could that be possible? Yes. It's happening. All I did was to flow with the character and just let their attitude carry the story. Now I'm already doubting if I should call this my story.
Anyway, I'm not planning of hurting anyone. However, if the story demands for it, it would only be one person… ^^; it's up to you to guess who.
Sakuragi was really slow, not only in my story but also in the series too. Sendoh was a little OOC, I guess?? And Rukawa… well… I don't know…
Anyway, Sakuragi needed to be hurt like Sendoh too… everybody's experiencing that anyway. And Rukawa's suffering too, you know. But then, it was just the way it should be. However, the ending would not be too painful, I promise… or rather… I'll try.
Now… the problem is how to continue… but all I have to do is write my opening line again and let Rukawa, Sendoh and Sakuragi do the rest.
Part Eighteen
And Whisper A Promise
The practice ended earlier. After all, everybody seemed to have been shocked still. It's not everyday to hear a man shout to the world that he loves another man. Moreover, it was Sendoh Akira who did that and of all people, to him, Rukawa Kaede.
He did not play well again and it was getting a habit already and it's bad.
He was the last person to leave the locker room. Sakuragi did not wait for him too. Although he was quite thankful of that – he did not know how to confront the other anyway, he felt somewhat sorry. He was enjoying the company of Sakuragi already and it was sad to lose such wonderful person just because he, Rukawa, could not show his real side and that he could not make up his mind…
Make up his mind for what?
He sighed and zipped his bag quite rashly, hung it to his shoulder and left the room.
Everything quickly changed within only a few weeks… yes… weeks…
Akira…
He just confessed to him his feelings and in front of the other on top of that. He did not respond to him though, rather, he could not respond to him. He was really taken aback but he was not annoyed. He just could not believe he heard those words from Akira. But… they just kissed before, right?
Damn!
What if Akira just said those words because of what happened? Maybe he was playing with him. After all, that was Akira's game…
But then…
And what was Hanamichi supposed to tell him that afternoon? The redhead just left the practice after the incident even before Akira left.
Akira was there watching him the whole time. If Ayako did not force him to leave…
Sendoh Akira! It's not allowable for the captain of a rival team to be here in our practice! Leave now or else!
Ah… Ayako-san… but I'm not actually watching your team play. I'm just watching Kaede-kun!
…
HOW CAN WE BE SURE BAKA!?!
Here, look at my eyes… can't you see that they're already…
Stop it now, Sendoh! Just leave. If Anzai-sensei come here or even Akagi…
Ah! Okay! Okay! I'm going Ja ne!
Kaede-kun!! Bye-bye! I'll see you tomorrow, can I??
Akira was so childlike. He was confident and honest. He was not afraid to tell the people what he wanted to tell them… except, maybe of course, for a few things that his carefree smiles hid.
Maybe Ayako noticed that he, Rukawa, could not concentrate that was why he sent Akira out… whatever…
"Hey…" Rukawa heard the familiar voice of Hanamichi. He looked beside him and saw a slightly smiling redhead, hands on each pocket, shoulders slumped lightly.
"Hey…" Rukawa retorted.
"Can I walk with you?"
Sakuragi need not to ask that anyway. They're always walking home together. But now, had he heard uncertainty in Sakuragi's tone?
"Do'aho…"
Sakuragi's smile widened and stood straight. He walked towards the raven boy and his smile faltered again, "I just thought that Sendoh… might be… walking you home…"
Oh… After all, Hanamichi was there the time Sendoh shouted that. And perhaps it was the reason why he left??
"No."
They left the campus walking in companionable silence. Rukawa did not bring with him his bike. Actually, he was not bringing it anymore since Sakuragi started to walk him home and he did not regret it.
He did not regret everything that transpired within those weeks… letting Sakuragi know him better and actually becoming close to him… Rukawa welcomed the changes gratefully… except for the part that Sakuragi somehow fell for him.
Wait…
What had Sakuragi decided anyway? What was he supposed to tell him?
He stared at the redhead beside him and stopped deciding to ask his question. Hanamichi stopped as well but he was not confused by Rukawa's action. It seemed more likely that he planned to stop as well.
Hanamichi looked at the raven boy, smiling slightly.
"Tell me Kaede, do you like Sendoh?" The smile vanished as he waited for Rukawa's response.
Like Sendoh? Who would not like Sendoh? And the older boy was what Rukawa wished he were… but then, he could only admire him and wish… but to like Sendoh in another way – perhaps what Sakuragi meant…?
Rukawa could not know.
"I can't understand you, Hanamichi…" was Rukawa's honest response.
Sakuragi sighed and looked at the setting sun vividly radiating its beauty in the surface of the sea. "He already told you about his feelings, right?" then he returned his stare to Rukawa. "Do you feel the same way for him?"
"Hana…"
Rukawa could not continue. He had not asked himself that question before. He had not thought about liking Sendoh more than he should. Sendoh was nice to him. He was a very likeable guy indeed, but a guy nonetheless, and it was difficult for Rukawa to fall for a girl, what more to man?
But Sendoh was incomparable to anyone and he fascinated Rukawa in many ways…
And Sakuragi too…
Yet, they were his friends and they were all guy for that matter.
"I- Hanamichi… we're both guys…" for the first time Rukawa stammered out loud.
"Oh…"
The Shohoku ace sighed and started to walk again. Sakuragi followed.
"And you won't ever love a guy ever, Kaede?" the redhead asked, his eyes focusing on their way yet they were blank and deep.
"Love… I don't know how to define it so I guess I can't answer you…"
Sakuragi suddenly stopped surprised to what he just heard. He felt a bit of pity to Kaede and to him; Kaede – not knowing what is love, and he – loving someone who never knew what is loving.
The cool breeze from the sea gently blew.
Then Sakuragi smiled sadly remembering Yohei's words.
"Love makes you foolish but you don't have to look the most idiot creature there is.
"It changes you.
"You don't love someone because of what you see and what you think…
"Love doesn't need to be loud…
Rukawa halted from walking but chose not to face his friend.
"And most of all, it is never wrong…" Sakuragi continued, now walking towards Rukawa who turned slowly just in time so that the two of them were facing each other, eye-to-eye, and very close.
"And that was what I decided, Kaede…" Sakuragi lifted one hand to stroke Kaede's pale face. The raven boy was just staring at him with confused, expectant and amused eyes.
Sakuragi leaned and bowed his head more that their foreheads were already touching. He was gazing deeply at Rukawa's blue pools.
"…That I will love you no matter what…" the redhead finally said in a calm and soft whisper, with a firm and certain tone. He slowly and gently wrapped his arms around Rukawa's waist and hugged him affectionately while closing his eyes trying to relish the moment. Then he slowly kissed Rukawa's forehead, smelling the natural scent of the boy.
The setting sun in the dark blue sea served witness of that moment.
To be continued….
Sorry that it took a long time for a new chapter to be uploaded. I'm quite busy with schools and stuffs… well… the next chapter would be… well… I don't know actually.
Anyway, thanks for reading and waiting for this part.
Thanks to those who reviewed my fic!
Well… it's hard to make a competition between Akira and Hana… they're both lovable… yet… ah… I dunno… that's what happened, I guess…
I hope this ends soon, ne???
Thank you again, minna!!!!