Chapter 2
I was accepted in the varsity… I mean, why wouldn't I get accepted? Like I predicted… Akagi, that gorilla is now my rival. Does he actually think he can beat me? I don't think so! He may be big and tall… but he's slow! We're having a practice game today and I'm against him. I can beat him! There was no doubt about it! I had possession of the ball and I was going to the three-point line… then it happened… my left knee gave out and I fell… the pain was overpowering my will to stand up and play again. The team crowded around me… I was gripping my knee… the pain had been there long before but I always ignored it… until now. 'Are you okay?' they asked me… I didn't reply instead I tried to stand up but I just fell back down on the cold hard floor.
They brought me to the hospital. I told them that all I needed was rest but to no avail no one believed me. The doctor told me that there was something wrong with my knee… as if I didn't know that yet! I was to stay in this godforsaken hospital for at least a week since they'll be doing some tests on me. My room's walls were plastered with NBA posters… and on the night table on my side was our Junior High Picture. I was in the middle holding my award… The MVP award… I sighed and looked at the window… I can't stand to stay here for a week! I won't even stand an hour in here!
I must have fallen asleep… I looked at the clock, it's five thirty. Just five thirty? I feel like I've been here for at least a century or more! The nurse came in and gave me their so called food… I have to get out of here… SOON!
I heard the dribble of basketballs as I entered the gym. Everybody looked at me. 'How did you get out of the hospital?' I smiled… it's as if they really allowed me… I just snuck away! They asked me if I was all right already. Of course I was! I saw my rival… I got the basketball and made a jump shot… everything was well until I landed back on the floor… it happened again… maybe this time even worst… my knee… that searing pain. As expected, they brought me back to that horrible place, and as expected yet again, the nurses and doctors kept a closer eye on me! I looked at the posters on my wall… my dream was to be as good as them… or maybe even better! But no… look at me now! I'm stuck here in a hospital room!
The inter-high's coming… tomorrow's my last day in the hospital! I can't wait! I'm going to go to Shohoku tonight… at least to practice even the basics.
I entered the gym and they all welcomed me. I just stayed in the corner and did some basic dribbling with the basketball. I'm going to play for the inter-high and nobody will stop me! The big freshman was the new center of the team… as if… I'm still better than he is or he will ever be!
I returned to the hospital tiptoeing to my room. 'Gone out again I see…' my doctor was behind me. I laughed meekly. I thought nobody saw me… oh well! 'You're leaving tomorrow, do you want me to extend your stay?' he was kidding but I didn't want to take the chance to stay here longer! I went back to my room… this is my last night! I can play again tomorrow!
They gave me crutches and prohibited me to join the first game of the inter-high… what the? No way! I undoubtedly went to school that day to ask coach Anzai if I could play in the up-coming game… 'NO' what? He told me to rest my knee and that I could play in the next game. I tried to reason, but to no avail… he did not allow me to… especially when he saw those pathetic crutches of mine!
The game's today. I did not stay with the rest of the team… I was supposed to. I just stood in the entry of the lower courtside with these things aiding my knee. I saw Akagi who was the playmaker… I should be there! I should be playing… not just standing here and merely watching them. I turned around and left… I just couldn't stand it anymore.
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk isn't mine… All the characters are from Slam Dunk except some
A/N My first fic… please read and review! Thanks!