Author: I own the characters that are NOT from Slam Dunk…. If they are from Slam Dunk, they are property of Inoue Takehiko. Please don't sue me… Also, a foreword, I tend to be long winded when writing my fics, so at least you get the overall picture, as well as the locations/background, and worth your dollar on Internet charges! LOL Please do email/review me, and I can update the previous chapters. Thanks!
Words in italics or between slashes are thoughts, words within ^^ are actions, unless otherwise stated, words in brackets are locations usually before each section.
(=^_^=) Chapter 16 – Happy Birthday Kimiko! (=^_^=)
(L.I.D.[author]: Please note, before reading on, if you have the song, Inner Smile BY the singer TEXAS on your pc or CD, please listen to it later during the fic. Thank you!)
Now that our beloved Kimiko, was officially Mitsui Hisashi's girlfriend, she was living out a dream, that most girls could only dream of. Kimiko and Hisashi had explained everything that had happened to them, leaving out, of course, the more intimate things that Hisashi had said to Kimiko. (L.I.D.[author]: what did you expect? A report? :p)
Toyama was furious that his plan had partially failed, as he hurled his curses in the air. /No matter, there's still the breaking up to do, Mitsui-kun. I'd like to see how you get out of THAT situation! /
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~Kogure's POV~
(At Akagi's home, study session)
"Here, have a cuppa, to take your mind off things…" said Akagi as he put a cup of steaming hot cocoa in front of Kogure.
"Aa. Arigato." thanked Kogure aimlessly.
"Still thinking about it?" asked Akagi, with a smile.
"Of course not… I'm sure the paper will be a breeze…"
"Kogure… I know you better than that." Said Akagi knowingly.
Kogure shook his head, in response. "I'm not."
"Yes you are…"
"Hai... " Kogure finally admitted with a nod.
"What will you do?"
"I don't know… honestly."
"Will you ever reveal it?"
"………"
"………"
As the two guys sat in silence, studying for the upcoming quiz, they knew only time would tell, whether destiny would reveal it's plan to them.
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After a few weeks…or nearly a month later…
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The 16th of March was Toyowara Kimiko's 15th birthday, and there were quite a number of people who were busy preparing for her special day, unknown to Kimiko. Akagi alone was in charge of making sure that Kimiko didn't go near her house for the whole day. A lot of Kimiko's friends made up excuses that they had to do this, or do that, and that left Kimiko glad, that she had Akagi for company to study with that day. Kimiko was so worried about the coming term quiz that she completely forgot about her own birthday, which was a relief to everyone. Kimiko's parents exceptionally understood, and decided to stay out of the house for their daughter's birthday party with her friends, since they knew Akagi would be chaperoning the whole event. (L.I.D.[author]: Akagi's very reliable isn't he? ^grins^ but don't we all wish we had parents like that? :p)
Mitsui was the most excited one, for he had never organised a birthday party before, and it was for his girlfriend to boot! In Mitsui's subconscious, he was now getting used to the idea of having a girlfriend that was not so perfect, in the looks department, since he was getting looks of admiration from his peers, for being the trendsetter. And he didn't really mind, since Kimiko seemed to be all he wanted in a girl, personality-wise. But there would always be a tinge of guilt that gnawed at his being, for he knew he was under the contract, of a bet. However, being a guy, he would often just shrug it off.
As the day grew near sundown, the Shohoku crew grew anxious as the appointed time when Kimiko would be returning to her home with Akagi approached.
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"Yuki-chan, when are they arriving?" a member impatiently asked.
Yuki was getting anxious. "Akagi will ring once, followed by a pause, then 2 more rings, when they arrive!"
-Ring. Pause. Ring. Ring.
"They're here! Everybody! Battle stations…!" shouted Yuki, waving her fan violently as a threat to everyone to follow her command.
The doorknob could be heard turning, and a click followed. When the slightly tired faces of Kimiko and Takenori entered, loud cheers greeted them, and coloured confetti was thrown everywhere!
"Happy Birthday, Kimiko-chan!" laughed Akagi, as he saw the shocked look on Kimiko's face.
"Happy Birthday Kimiko-chan! You thought I'd be busy with the basketball team in school, didn't you? Didn't you?" teased Yuki, with a brightly wrapped present in her hand.
"Omedetou, Kimiko-chan…" smiled Kogure.
A kiss on the cheek from her boyfriend revived Kimiko from her daze.
"What? H… How in heaven's name?" stammered Kimiko.
"Your loving boyfriend set the whole thing up. You should thank him properly after this, you know, Kimiko-chan!" jested Yuki, which made Kimiko blush a lot.
"Kogure-kun, would you kindly bring out the cake please?" asked Yuki, turning to the shy bespectacled brunette.
A large cake was brought out, and was shaped in the shape of a basketball. After singing the birthday song, the crowd cajoled Kimiko and Hisashi to take a photo together as couple, behind the cake, which they happily obliged, and took an extra candid photo of Mitsui kissing Kimiko on the cheek, when Kimiko thought the photo was finished being taken, much to her surprise. (L.I.D.[author]: I need people to draw out the photo for me, any takers?)
"Before blowing out the candles, you must make wish, Kimiko-chan!" reminded Yuki.
"Hai."
Clasping her hands together, she closed her eyes, and made her wish, before blowing out the candles.
^Poof^ (L.I.D.[author]: and out, go the candles. :p )
After the cake had been sliced, distributed and the buffet food eaten, the music was turned on, and the party got swinging. Yuki quickly set up her video camcorder onto a tripod, and positioned it, so it captured everything.
"All right, people! This is what we've been waiting for! The opening of Kimiko-chan's presents! ASSEMBLE!" the crowd then settled onto the living floor in Kimiko's home, after gathering their individual present to give Kimiko.
"Ano… Must I open it with all of you watching?" asked Kimiko, feeling embarrassed.
A small pink box was gently deposited onto Kimiko's palms.
"As my girlfriend, you have to open mine first…" Mitsui commanded playfully, winking at his blushing girlfriend.
A shy nod came from Kimiko, causing a lot of catcalls and teasing from everyone in the room. When she opened the box, she saw a silver ring, and when she examined the inner ring, it said, in curved engraved letters, "Hisashi ♥ Kimiko. Always & Forever.". She turned to face Mitsui, and he grinned, revealing a similar ring on fourth finger. Kimiko couldn't control her joy, or her tears, and so she covered her face, with her palms, sobbing.
"He… Hey, that's supposed to make you happy, Miko-chan… Not cry!" chuckled Mitsui, as he took the ring from Kimiko's grasp, and placed it on her fourth finger, in front of everyone.
After Kimiko regained her composure, she hugged Mitsui, and kissed him on the cheek.
"That's more like it!" grinned Mitsui.
(L.I.D.[author]: See? I don't think Mitsui is that bad! ^_~)
"Now, as a special treat to our beloved Kimiko, our very own, Mitsui Hisashi will sing a song for her!" announced Yuki.
A roar of approval came from everyone, except Kimiko, who was blushing madly. Mitsui stood on the sturdy makeshift stage, and picking up a microphone, and said: "Miko-chan, this is one of your favourite artists, ne? This is dedicated to you, Miko-chan." And he began to sing,:
(Texas - Title: Inner Smile)
One, two, three, four
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (oh yeah)
You gave me something like loving and took me in so soon
You took my feelings for nothing came back at noon
And just maybe, I'm ready to show myself to you
* So if I lose my patience
You must try to understand (try to understand)
And if I lose my patience, oh yeah
** 'Cos you make me feel (yeah, yeah, yeah)
'Cos you make me feel wild (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) ^Mitsui emphasised it by swaying his hips to the beat^
You touch my inner smile (yeah, yeah, yeah)
You got me in the mood (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
So come on make your move (and free me) ^Mitsui had a come-hither with his index finger^ /it rhymes! /
You make my wishes as much as your kisses make me blue ^pointing to his lips, approval from the crowd^
If I'm a river, where will you skate away to
But maybe, I'm ready, I'm falling into you ^pointing to Kimiko^
[Repeat * , **]
(Free me, free me)
Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah, woah, woah, yeah, yeah
[Repeat **]
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
And touch my inner smile (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Come and get my inner smile, smile, smile, ye-yeah (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Sometimes I need to be alone (oh ye-yeah) ^Mitsui shook his head^
There's times I need for you to phone (oh) ^Mitsui then puckered his lips at Kimiko.^
Sometimes you make me feel so high (yeah, yeah, yeah) ^Mitsui points to the sky^
There's times I ask myself why
(End of song)
After Mitsui finished singing, everyone roared in approval, and Kimiko was crying her eyes out of happiness, and the two of them kissed. (L.I.D.[author]: Awww…)
When everyone settled down, one by one, her presents came in, she received her very own Shohoku High Gym bag, courtesy of Akagi, whom she hugged, a complete set of her favourite anime video CDs from Yuki, whom she hugged as well, a wristband from Toyama, whom she did NOT hug, (L.I.D.[author]: See how cheap he is? :p I'm highlighting his cheapness, not how Kimiko likes expensive gifts, mind you. Plus, she don't like him that much none.) Until she got to Kogure's gift.
"Hai, this is for you, Kimiko-chan. Happy Birthday…" wished Kogure shyly, as he handed her a small blue box, with modest red ribbon.
"Arigato, Kogure-sempai!" smiled Kimiko as she hugged her beloved friend.
Kimiko's eyes were, once again watery, with tears as she looked inside to box.
/Don't tell me she can get so happy from a wristband? I thought Toyama gave her one too? / Thought Kogure, in puzzlement.
"Kogure-sempai… I love your present… Arigato!!!" cried Kimiko as she flung her arms around Kogure, to hug him again.
"……………!!!!!!!!!"
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(=^_^=) Meow!
L.I.D.[author]: What did Kogure get Kimiko that could emit this reaction from her? R&R please, or I can't get any writer's juice to find a suitable gift! We wouldn't want to spoil Megane-kun's reputation, now do we? And I hope you guys liked this chapter! ^_^ R&R!!!!