Author's Note: This is my first Slam Dunk yaoi fanfic. I wrote this for my sister who is still very much obsessed with SD yaoi fanfics (and now so am I). There will be a lot of OOC-ness in Kaede and in the other characters as well, I hope you don't mind. Thank you in advance for bearing with my craziness. And I would also like to thank and dedicate this chapter to one of my best friends, Jobel-chan, who has been reading this story and has been waiting patiently for its conclusion.

And to thank a few who have reviewed my work…

· shi-chan (I like your stories! I like them very much! Especially Let Your Heart Show You The Way and Boys and Suds.)

· OrOoo

· Yuuki (I am a big fan of yours.)

· G Lee

· sky75rk (I liked the story you wrote… Merry-Go-Round-Goes. I really really like it!)

· Hikaru-chan

And there are a few pairings that are also in this chapter: SenKosh (I just love this pair nowadays!), a little bit of MitKo (Just can't deny the fact that they do look great together. Sorry Kaede-kun.), and MitHimeko (This is something important in the plot).

Unrequited Love Chapter Four One on One (Part One)

The day was like any other day. Anyone with a pair of eyes or more could see how ordinary this day was. It was a day a week after Kogure Kiminobu's birthday and Sendoh Akira had invited the bespectacled boy along with Mitsui Hisashi and Rukawa Kaede to shoot some hoops with him. After the party, Sendoh and his boyfriend Koshino Hiroaki became close friends with the three, hanging out with them if they didn't have any practice. It was a surprise to everyone, except Kogure, to find Rukawa's company pleasing and warm. And since then, there was this certain bond between them. A bond of friendship.

Rukawa had complied with Sendoh's request to play. He had planned to take a walk in the park with Kogure and maybe Mitsui, as the other senior just seemed to tag along everywhere, but he couldn't say no once the love of his life said yes to the Ryonan captain. Rukawa sighed. Eversince the day that he and Kogure went to the amusement park, there wasn't any ordinary day anymore. Nothing was ordinary when Kogure was around. Just like today. He had two perfectly normal eyes and yet he could see the day wasn't as ordinary as it appeared to be.

"Hey, Rukawa! You don't mind being my teammate, do you?" asked Sendoh, spinning the ball on his index finger.

Rukawa glared at the blue-eyed captain. They were in the basketball court nearest Shohoku. He had planned to team-up with Kogure, but if he said no to Sendoh, he would really regret it.

"Fine," Rukawa replied, snatching the ball from Sendoh's hand.

"Oi! We're supposed to be partners!"

"I'm supposed to be with Kimi," Rukawa muttered under his breath.

Sendoh blinked. "Did you say something, Ru?"

Rukawa glared once again at Sendoh, giving him the chills. "And who gave you the permission to call me that?"

Sendoh was about to say something when Kogure interrupted him, getting the ball from the Ryonan ace.

"I think it's cute, Kaede-kun. What do you think, Hisashi?"

The Shohoku three-pointer laughed. "I do think it suits you… Ru."

Rukawa glared daggers at Mitsui. The three-pointer recoiled a little.

"Maa, maa… it's not good to fight before a game, Kaede-kun," Kogure said, patting his arms.

Rukawa nodded silently as Kogure handed him the ball. He would just have to get back at Sendoh and Mitsui through the game. It was useless to have a fight with them using his fists, he mused as he began dribbling the ball. He would just end up bruised and Kogure would just hate him for hurting them. A mischievous smile escaped Rukawa's lips as he defended the ball from Kogure. He knew that the game was going to be quite interesting as both aces were up against two talented three-pointers.

~*~*~

Thirty minutes and four very tired players later; the score was 16 – 21, in favor of Rukawa and Sendoh. The two aces had a hard time scoring for the first half of the game. They hadn't expected that Kogure and Mitsui would turn out to be quite a good combination. They were doing moves like they could read each other's mind! But eventually, Sendoh and Rukawa really worked as a team and that broke the two three-pointers' lead.

As of now, Kogure was dribbling the ball with Rukawa as offense. Kogure smiled as he saw Mitsui elude Sendoh. The bespectacled boy faked a three point shot. Rukawa reached for the ball, not realizing it was a fake. Seeing Mitsui was free (A/N: Ok… so he's not really free but let's just consider that Sendoh didn't see that coming.), Kogure dribbled the ball and then smoothly passed it to Mitsui. Rukawa, fast as he was, tried to intercept the past and in the process of doing so, his foot entangled with Kogure's foot causing the older boy to lose his balance. Rukawa had successfully intercepted the pass, but…

"ITAII!!"

"Kimi-kun!"

"Min-kun!

"Ko-chan!"

Rukawa, being the closest to Kogure of all of them, helped the senior sit up. Kogure winced in pain as he let himself lean on Rukawa. The vice captain silently cursed as the pain became harder to endure. Mitsui had already rushed towards the scene and was now taking Kogure's right shoe off. Mitsui sighed, relieved that it wasn't that serious an injury.

"Daioubu, Min-kun. It isn't that swollen. You'll just have to see a doctor and rest. You'll need lots of that," Mitsui told his best friend, smiling.

"Thank you, Hisashi," Kogure said, returning the smile.

"Well, I'm glad," Sendoh said, his grin widening.

"Are you sure he's alright, sempai?" Rukawa asked as he reached for a towel to wipe Kogure's sweat. He was very worried about Kogure especially because he was the one to blame for his injury.

"I told you, Ru, he's alright. Don't worry about Min-kun that much."

THAT enraged Rukawa.

"YOU CALL YOURSELF HIS BEST FRIEND AND YOU'RE NOT EVEN THE LEAST WORRIED ABOUT HIM??!! DON'T WORRY? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? HE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO WALK AGAIN BECAUSE OF MY DAMN FAULT, YOU INSENSITIVE DO 'AHO!" Rukawa shouted at Mitsui, his fist shaking.

This was supposed to be enough to make Mitsui punch Rukawa or shout at the junior, but rather, he was quite amused.

"Min-kun, can you stand? Or do I need to carry you?" he asked Kogure, who was slowly inching away from the fuming Rukawa.

"YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TOUCH HIM! I'M GOING TO CARRY HIM!"

Now that was it. I just had quite enough, Mitsui thought as he looked at Rukawa sternly.

"I am going to assist Min-kun and you're not going to stand in my way, do you get that? Or is that head of yours still thick with jealousy?"

Rukawa glared at Mitsui. The senior raised his eyebrow, daring Rukawa to make another comment. Between them, Kogure was trying to find a way out of the two enraged guys.

"Anou… guys… I'm fine… I can…"

"No. I'm going to carry you, Kimi-kun."

"Dame. I am."

"Hisashi… Kaede-kun…"

"Stop it guys!" Sendoh shouted. "Alright, now that I've got both of you're attentions, I am the one who's going to assist or carry Ko-chan, ok? So you won't fight, ne? Do you agree, Ko?"

Kogure smiled meekly at him, gratitude written all over his face. "Hai. Domo, Akira."

~*~*~

The four of them were at the hospital half an hour later. Sendoh had called Koshino and had asked him to come over to help him in bringing Kogure home. Mitsui had called Himeko and Kogure's imouto said that she was already on her way. Kogure had strictly told the three-pointer and Rukawa to talk and settle things. The senior small forward had asked them to leave him in the care of Sendoh and Koshino. They stepped out of the room and just leaned on the wall on either side of the door. They just stood there, not talking to each other. Mitsui was still mad at Rukawa for accusing him of not caring about Kogure's condition. He of all people! He was Kogure's best friend since time immemorial! Oh yes. He was very mad at the ace of Shohoku. Rukawa was feeling as pissed off as his senior. The least he could do, he thought angrily, was to show that he cared! But no! The three-pointer had told Rukawa not to worry and calm down. And he thought that his senior was Kogure's best friend. Well some best friend he was!

Rukawa and Mitsui's train of angry thoughts were stopped by the sudden appearance of the ever-bubbly Kogure Himeko. Himeko had rushed from the elevator and had rushed even more when she saw Mitsui's figure.

"Hisashi-niichan!" she cried out as she reached to give Mitsui a hug as it was usual for both of them.

But Mitsui shoved her away and slapped her hand away.

"Hisa…"

"I am in no mood, Himeko. Just go in and see your brother, alright?"

Hurt, Himeko just nodded silently, trying to keep her tears from falling. Mitsui had never been this harsh on her. And that hurt her very much.

"I'm sorry," she said before opening the door to her brother's room.

"Hey, Hisashi! Who was that?" Sendoh asked before going inside Kogure's room. He was holding two glasses of water in his hands.

"His sister."

"Oh! Anyway, you two should talk, y'know. You don't want to upset Ko again, do you?"

Rukawa sighed and for the first time since they got there he spoke. "No."

Sendoh smiled. "That's good. Ok now. Go and talk somewhere else, ne? Don't worry. Hiro and I will take care of Ko."

This time, Mitsui sighed before nodding. "C'mon Rukawa. We have lots to talk about."

~*~*~

As soon as Himeko entered the room, her brother noticed tears threatening to fall down. He was about to say something when Himeko sighed deeply then turned to him, a rather forced smile on her lips.

"Kimi-niichan! What happened to you? I was so worried and all when Hi…"

Himeko stopped short.

"It's about Hisashi, isn't it?"

"What are you talking about, 'niichan?"

Kogure reached out to embrace his sister. "C'mon, Hime-chan. You know what I'm talking about."

Himeko sighed. She couldn't possibly lie to her brother. She told him what happened outside.

"Hisashi and Kaede just had a fight and he's still understandably pissed off. Don't worry. He'll come to his senses so don't cry."

Himeko nodded then hugged brother tightly. Just then, the door opened.

"Ko-chan! Here's your water!"

Hey, wait. I know that voice, Himeko thought.

"Arigato, Akira!"

Akira? Himeko thought. Sendoh Akira?

Himeko turned around and almost fainted. In front of her was the smiling, spiky-haired Ryonan Ace that she admired ever since she watched Ryonan play.

Kogure chuckled, knowing why his sister had her mouth open. "By the way, this is my imouto, Himeko."

Sendoh held out his hand. Himeko, still dazed, just stared at Sendoh's hand. Kogure had to poke his sister's back to bring her once again to life.

"Ah, nice to meet you, Sendoh-niisan," she said sheepishly as she shook Sendoh's hand.

"Maa, maa, Hime-chan! That's too polite! Just call me Akira, ne?"

Himeko blushed and nodded. "H-hai. Akira-kun it is."

Kogure laughed hard. This was a memorable moment. His sister… his I-don't-stammer-like-a-fool-in-front-of-my-crush sister was actually stammering like a fool in front of her long time crush. Oh if only Hiroaki would appear any moment now, the moment would be more that priceless, Kogure thought.

Then, as if by chance, there was a knock on the door. Kogure crossed his fingers. Please be Hiroaki. Please be Hiroaki…

Koshino's head popped up. "Ko? Akira?"

Kogure almost burst into so much bliss. YES!

"Hiro-kun! You came!" Sendoh exclaimed as he opened the door and hugged his boyfriend.

"Of course! You called me, right?" he said indignantly as he placed a kiss on Sendoh's cheek. "And besides, Ko here needs our help."

"Domo, Hiroaki," Kogure said, trying hard to contain his joy.

Sendoh then released his boyfriend from the hug. Koshino walked towards Kogure's bedside, stopping short when he saw Himeko.

"Um, I'm… um… Kogure Himeko. Anou… his imouto."

Koshino smiled and held out his hand to Himeko just as Sendoh did. And Himeko blushed hard once again before shakily shaking Koshino's hand.

"I'm Koshino Hiroaki. Nice to meet you, Himeko-san."

"A… pleasure, I assure …you, Koshino-niisan."

Koshino shook his head before looking at Kogure. "Is your sister always this polite?"

Kogure laughed. "Yup!"

Koshino turned his attention back to Himeko. "Please call me Hiroaki. Your brother does, he's my friend and you're no different."

"If you say so, Hiroaki-kun."

Once again, Kogure burst out in laughter, this one harder and louder than the first. Himeko turned around to face her brother. Her face was already as red as a tomato or maybe even redder. Oh how she wanted to hit her brother with a metal fan! Oh, well. She could … settle for a paper fan. A big one, for that matter.

*WHAM!!*

"Stop laughing, Kimi-niichan! You are becoming so annoying! Argh!"

*WHAM!!*

Kogure laughed even more.

"Kiminobu-niichan!!!"

Sendoh and Koshino sweatdropped big time. The Ryonan Ace nudged Koshino.

"Hime-chan reminds me of you when you get mad at me."

Koshino glared at his boyfriend and a paper fan as big as Himeko's appeared in his hand.

"BAKA AKIRA!"

~*~*~*~

"Gomen."

Mitsui couldn't believe his ears. Rukawa Kaede was apologizing to him? His body systems may be going haywire.

Rukawa sighed when he didn't hear his senior respond. This was hard, he thought. He made the first move to apologize because he knew that the only way to have his Kimi-kun's forgiveness was to settle his differences with the best friend.

Mitsui stopped walking. "I'm sorry too, Rukawa."

Rukawa stopped and looked at his senior. "I guess, we're both sorry, then."

"Yeah. Anyway, Ru – you don't mind me calling you that do you? – I want to have a one-on-one with you."

Rukawa raised his eyebrow. "As if heaven can stop you from calling me that. A one-on-one?"

Mitsui smiled at Rukawa knowingly. "A heart-to-heart talk."

Rukawa nodded, knowing that it was inevitable. "Sure. When and where?"

"Now. Let's go to my place."

~*~*~

Baka, baka, oniichan! Laughing at me like that in front of Akira-kun and Hiroaki-kun! Argh! I'm going to get back at him, thought Himeko as she prepared tea for herself, Kiminobu, and their two guests.

The doctor had let Kogure out of the hospital after thoroughly checking if he was already alright. Sendoh and Koshino had assisted Kogure in going down the stairs as Himeko carried his things. And now, they were at the Kogure residence, waiting for the tea.

"You need help?"

Himeko twirled around at the sound of the voice. She blushed hard as she saw his hand on her shoulder.

"Daijoubu desu yo, Hiroaki-kun. I can manage."

Koshino smiled at her, laughing inside at the blush on Himeko's cheeks.

"Even if you can manage, I'll still help you, ne?" he said, getting the tray with the cake from the table.

Himeko smiled at him. "Arigato."

~*~*~

"I won't beat around the bush, Ru," Mitsui said as they entered his apartment.

Rukawa nodded as he glanced around. It was a small up-and-down apartment, enough for a boy living on his own like Mitsui. It was neatly furnished and it was clean enough for a boy. He sat down on the couch beside Mitsui.

"Do you like Min-kun?"

Rukawa smirked. He had been expecting this. "Yes, I do, sempai."

Mitsui smiled. "It's no wonder. Min-kun can charm everyone with his warm smile without him knowing. Since when, Ru?"

Mitsui almost laughed as Rukawa's eyes took a dreamy gaze. "Since my first day at Shohoku. I met him before the classes even started. He was inside the basketball court while I was outside. When I gazed into his eyes… all the ice that surrounded my heart melted. I didn't really understand why I was so attracted to him, but I began to understand when I got to know him more. And, forgive me sempai, but I really wanted to get even with you when you hit him. But, I knew how important you were to him. I could see it in his eyes, hear it in his words. For a moment there, I thought you two were a pair."

Rukawa looked hesitantly at the three-pointer. "Were you a pair?"

~*~*~

"Ah! This is sooooo yummy, ne Hiro-kun? Did you bake this, Hime-chan?"

Himeko smiled. "Hai. Do you like it?"

Sendoh beamed at her, causing the girl to blush even more. "YES!"

Kogure laughed. "Oh she can do almost anything inside the house. But she doesn't know how to play basketball!"

"You don't know how to play? Didn't your oniichan ever teach you?" Koshino asked, surprised.

Himeko laughed nervously. "I really haven't got the talent for it. But, I can play badminton and Kimi-niichan is not so good at it."

Kogure's laughter suddenly faded. Himeko smiled triumphantly at her brother.

"At least I don't stutter in front of my crush. Unlike someone here."

A nerve twitched on Himeko's head. She was about to counter-attack when Koshino held her down.

"Does that mean you don't stutter in front of Rukawa?"

~*~*~

Mitsui's eyes widened at the question. He certainly did not expect this. Had they been too obviously close?

He knew that Kogure harbored deep affections towards him and so did he. Kogure was too shy to tell Mitsui, and as for the shooting guard, well, he had his pride. He couldn't understand, though. He wanted… no, loved Kogure. And he knew that Kogure loved him, too. All he had to do was tell the vice-captain. But instead, he shoved Kogure away and left him. It was the biggest mistake he did in his entire life.

"Well?" Rukawa asked.

Mitsui blinked. Were they ever really a pair? Did he really have a chance with Kogure before? What would've happened if never followed his stupid pride? Could he be the one going with Kogure on dates and not Rukawa? Could he be the one Kogure would stay up for? Could…

"Mitsui-sempai?"

Mitsui sighed. Yes. He did lose his chance of winning that shining star.

"Iya, Ru. We were never a pair. It was my fault, I guess."

Rukawa looked at his senior inquisitively as Mitsui continued. "I told you that he could charm everyone, right? Well, I wasn't spared. It was easy to get close to him, considering that he admired me a great deal already. But my stupid damn pride had to get in the way."

"Was that the reason why Kimi-kun was so angry at you?"

Mitsui nodded. "I did try to get him back when I came back to the team, but I knew that it was too late."

"What did he tell you?"

~*~*~

Kogure blushed. "I DO NOT stutter in front of Kaede-kun!"

"Rukawa? Rukawa Kaede? What does Rukawa Kaede have to do with stuttering?"

Sendoh smiled. "Didn't you know that your brother is close with him?"

Himeko shook her head. "But I still don't understand the stuttering part! Do you have a crush on, Rukawa-kun, Kimi-niichan?"

Kogure looked at her incredulously and said indignantly, "I DON'T!"

Koshino laughed. "Oh, I forgot. Rukawa's the one who has a crush on you."

~*~*~

Mitsui sighed. How could he forget the most painful words he received in his entire life!

"He said: I love you, Hisashi, but I can't go on loving you anymore. Many things have changed and I know you'll tell me we can work it out, but we can't. Everything hurts too much. I'm sorry."

"So you decided to become his best friend?"

"Yeah."

"So that explains the 'Min-kun' nickname."

"Yeah."

"Is it alright if I court him, sempai?"

~*~*~

"NANI?! What do you mean by that, Hiroaki-kun?"

Koshino snickered. "It's simple, Himeko-san. RUKAWA. LIKES. YOUR. ONIICHAN."

Himeko stared wide-eyed at her brother, then to Sendoh, Koshino, before finally settling down on Kogure.

"What about Hisashi-niichan?"

Now it was Sendoh and Koshino's turn to be surprised. "MITSUI HISASHI?!"

~*~*~

Sapphire blue eyes intently met midnight blue orbs. Does Rukawa love Kogure that much, Mitsui thought. Was he, Mitsui Hisashi, willing to let the only person he loved be someone else's? How sure was Kogure was safe in Rukawa's arms … that the raven-haired boy wouldn't hurt his Min-kun the way he did?

"Do you really love him, Rukawa?"

Rukawa's intense gaze leveled Mitsui's. He did not want to hurt Kogure, that he was sure of. He did not want the vice-captain for mere pleasure. He needed … no, loved Kogure for the simple reason that … he loved Kogure Kiminobu.

"Very much so, Mitsui-sempai."

~*~*~

"What about Hisashi, Hime-chan?" Kogure asked rather calmly, though his eyes were narrowing. He hated bringing up his past with Mitsui. For him, it was a taboo. And Himeko knew that.

Himeko was at her wit's end. What about him, she thought. Did her brother have to do this to her in front of Sendoh and Koshino?

"What about Hisashi-niichan?! But I thought … he and you…"

Sendoh and Koshino's eyes turned from Kogure to his sister. What the hell were these two talking about, they asked themselves.

"Hisashi's my best friend, Himeko … I think you ought to know that by now. There is nothing between us but friendship. No more, no less. So there it is, Hime-chan. No need to be jealous."

Kogure's last sentence made Himeko blush as red as a tomato. How dare her oniichan say that in front of…

"Ok. I just had enough surprises. What the hell are you two talking about?!" asked a pissed off Sendoh. (A/N: A pissed off Sendoh? Pigs must be flying.)

"And why would Himeko-san be jealous?" Koshino asked.

Making sure that her brother won't answer any of the questions first, especially Koshino's question, she answered first.

"Hisashi-niichan and Kimi-niichan almost became a pair before."

"They did?" her two avid listeners asked.

Himeko nodded. "I actually thought that Kimi-niichan is already Hisashi-niichan's boyfriend, but now that you tell me about Rukawa-kun… was he the one with Hisashi-niichan outside the door when I came?"

Sendoh nodded. Kogure turned to Sendoh, "That means they haven't settled their differences when Hime-chan came?"

Koshino shook his head. Kogure pouted. Himeko was silent as she was contemplating on her new discoveries about her brother. Sendoh sighed.

"But I still can't get why Hime-chan is jealous!" Sendoh exclaimed, updating the question his boyfriend asked earlier.

A sly smile formed on Kogure's lips.

~*~*~

Mitsui smiled. It was strange that he could just smile like that when he could rival Rukawa. It was strange that he just accepted that Rukawa loved Kogure without any protest. It was strange, but he wasn't pretending. Indeed, he was happy that maybe… perhaps Rukawa would be the right one for Kogure.

"As long as you won't make him cry… as long as you'll love him, Ru. As long as you do."

A smile crept into Rukawa's lips. A smile that was as if he had just succeeded in asking Kogure himself if he could court him. That smile that both of them did not fade as silence reigned in the room.

Then, Rukawa turned to Mitsui and asked, "Who was that girl that called you 'Hisashi-niichan'?"

Mitsui's smile slowly faded as he remembered what he had done to Himeko. He wanted to bash his head on the wall for ever doing that to her! He knew how devastated she was when she heard about what had happened to him two years ago. And it had been a relief for him to find her still accepting him as her oniichan even after hurting Kogure's feelings. And hers too. And then that's what he did. He was really, really stupid.

"Sempai?"

"Kogure Himeko. Min-kun's imouto."

"Kimi-kun has a younger sister?"

"You didn't know? Oh, I forgot she stopped watching our games because of schoolwork. She's the same age as you, y'know. Has been close with Akagi and me since freshman year. And she has this big – and I mean big – crush on Akira and Hiroaki."

Rukawa noticed the change in Mitsui's tone of voice when he mentioned that Kogure's sister had this crush on Sendoh and Koshino. And he couldn't help but tease the senior about it.

"Jealous, sempai?"

Mitsui slightly blushed but he quickly dismissed it. But not quick enough for Rukawa.

"Why would I be jealous? I treat her as my younger sister. What is there to be jealous about?"

Rukawa shook his head. "Yeah, right. Stick to that lie, sempai. But you have to make amends with that girl as soon as possible."

Mitsui lowered his head, sighing. "Yeah."

"She seems special to you."

"She is. She's a great gal, Ru. You should pay her a visit sometime, and get to know her. It would help you a great deal if you were close to her."

"Yeah. And maybe you shouldn't do the same mistake twice, ne Mitsui-sempai?" Rukawa said, glancing meaningfully at Mitsui.

~*~*~

Horror passed through Himeko's face. She knew her oniichan would just say it now. She closed her eyes.

"She likes Hisashi."

Ok now. My world just crumbled and it's eating me… Himeko thought.

"Just as I thought."

Three pairs of brown eyes turned questioningly at Sendoh.

"What do you mean?" Koshino asked.

"I saw the way she greeted Hisashi when she saw him standing by the door. But that was mean of him, to slap your hand away like that. He should apologize."

Himeko smiled at him. "He was pissed off that time."

Koshino shook his head. "You two are really of the same blood. There's no doubt about that."

"Yeah! Both very understanding!" Sendoh said.

Kogure laughed. "It's a curse, I suppose."

~*~*~

The bell rang signifying the end of the classes for the day in Meiou High. Himeko stretched, releasing the tension in her tired muscles. She was tired, but she knew that she would still have to go to Shohoku to fetch her brother's things. Kogure hadn't come to school today to rest his foot. She smiled as she remembered what had happened yesterday. She had a very weird yet happy day.

She stood up and went to the girl's locker room. Good thing that there wasn't any club meeting today or she would surely have no time to go to Shohoku. She got her things and was surprised to find her much admired senior standing in front of the door of the locker room.

"Konnichiwa, Minamino-sempai! How was you day?"

Minamino Shuuichi smiled at her. "Ah! Konnichiwa, Himeko-san! I had a fine day, excluding the flocking. How about you?"

Himeko laughed softly. "I'm fine. Was there something you needed to discuss about?"

Minamino shook his head. "Iya. I just wanted to have some intelligent company before going home. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

Himeko blushed. "Iie. As long as running from your fans isn't included in the list."

They both laughed as they strolled down the corridor. Many girls were giving Himeko death glares but she was used to it by now. Eversince she had been friends with Minamino, it had always be like that. What could she do? She and him shared the same interest in astronomy.

They were already near the gate when a friend of Himeko rushed towards her, halting their discussion.

"Himeko-chan!"

Himeko turned and saw her friend from junior high. She sighed. What timing she had to choose!

"Reeza-chan. What a pleasant surprise! How have you been doing? I'm sure you've met, Minamino Shuuichi-sempai?"

Hanabi Reeza smiled as she shook Minamino's hand. "Nice meeting you. Anyway, Himeko-chan, someone's waiting for you outside the gate."

She looked at her questioningly, then looked pass her. Himeko's eyes widened at recognition.

Beside her, Minamino smiled. "I guess I'm about to lose such a wonderful company. I had a nice walk, Himeko-san. I hope we could do it next time, ne?"

Himeko smiled sheepishly at him. "I'm so sorry about that, sempai. I'll be looking forward for next time. Kiosukete kudasai!"

Himeko sighed and waved goodbye to both Minamino and Reeza before walking towards the Shohoku senior who had his hands on his back. Several admirers surrounded Mitsui, making him very uneasy. He shifted his feet, and dropped his gaze. Himeko, what's taking you so long?

"You're here."

Mitsui looked up at the sound of Himeko's voice. He smiled at her.

"I decided to bring Min-kun's things to you instead of you going all the way to Shohoku."

Himeko wasn't smiling and that bugged Mitsui. Himeko always smiled no matter what.

"Thank you. Please hand me oniichan's things then. I need to go home."

Mitsui's heart plummeted to the ground when he heard the formality in her voice.

"I… wanted to walk you home."

Himeko did not respond. But inside, she was happy. Mitsui Hisashi was just about to walk her home! She had dreamed about this moment for so long!

"And I'm sorry, Hime-chan."

Himeko just stared at the flowers that were suddenly shoved in front of her. Three pink, long-stemmed roses that were neatly arranged and tied with a lilac bow. Himeko smiled to herself as she reached for the flowers. Mitsui was indeed sorry because she knew that he had enough pride to rival the president. And those flowers were her favorite. He didn't have to do that really, she thought. He was already forgiven, as far as Himeko was concerned. But she wasn't going to let him know that right now. Maybe later.

"Let's go home, then. I'm tired and I'm sure oniichan is expecting you. You didn't visit him yesterday."

It was a long and silent train ride to the Kogure residence. Himeko was just reading  a book and Mitsui didn't know what to say. He was happy, though, because Himeko placed the flowers he gave on her lap. But he still didn't know if she forgave him already. And that was essential. Finally, after thirty minutes, they were in front of Kogure's house.

"Thank you for taking me home, Hisashi-niichan. And for the roses too," she said, her back facing Mitsui after putting down the books her oniichan needed.

"Hime-chan…"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

Himeko turned around and almost laughed at the sight that greeted her. Mitsui Hisashi, Shohoku's ace three pointer, was fidgeting in front of her like a junior high school student. Not to mention that there was a slight blush on his cheeks.

"You're already forgiven."

Mitsui's lips spread in a grin when he saw that smile coming from Himeko. He didn't know why, but he felt really happy that this girl before him had already forgiven him. He suddenly felt the urge to hug her tight. And hug her tight he did.

"Thank you, Hime-chan. That was the best thing I heard today!"

Himeko smiled at him even more and laughed lightly. "You looked like a baka. And you still are."

Mitsui laughed, not letting go of her. Now, he was happy. Really happy.

Unbeknownst to both of them, there was someone taking a picture of them from the window. The culprit smiled. Now that was a priceless moment.

*Click* "What a Kodiak moment!" Kogure exclaimed softly, imitating the Genie in Aladdin.

-Tsuzuku-

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Author's Notes: *jumps up and down* I finished it finally! And it was while typing my book report! Hahahahahaha! Anyway, an explanation to why Mitsui and Himeko had to be a couple: I didn't want poor Hisashi to be left without a partner! I love him too much! And this is only part one of the one-on-one. Part two is on the next chapter! And forgive me for including Minamino in this chapter. He's gonna be appearing sometimes. And Himeko's not perfect, okay! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter!

And before I forget…

          Thank you to the following wonderful people who reviewed my other fic, Alone Again: Frack, Lanie, Madiha, Rings of Saturn, chescaOtaku, Rukawa, and Cherryblossom! You are such beautiful people! Thank you for your wonderful reviews! Hope you'll like this too!

A sneak preview on the next chapter:

Rukawa has to pass two more tests and one of them is befriending Himeko. Will he succeed in getting her consent? Can he really win Himeko to his side? And what about Mitsui? Will he ever find out why he was happy with Himeko? Will he ever get to answer his questions? That's what we are going to find out in part two!

Disclaimers: Slam Dunk is Inoue-sensei's and Yu Yu Hakusho belongs to Togashi-sama. They aren't mine so please don't sue me! Only the story line is mine! (and maybe Minamino…. And Kogure…. ^_^v )

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