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 17 – Kogure's Gift (=^_^=)
(L.I.D.[author]: Please note, before reading on, if you have the song, 9pm till I come BY the singer ATB on your pc or CD, please listen to it now, while reading the fic. Thank you!)
"Kogure-sempai… I love your present… Arigato!!!" cried Kimiko as she flung her arms around Kogure, to hug him again.
"……………!!!!!!!!!"
"You really shouldn't have…" smiled Kimiko, as she began to take Kogure's present out of it's box.
A beam of light hit Kogure's gift, and it emitted a twinkle of light.
/Masaka! (Oh no!) How did it get in there? HOW? / Thought Kogure, his mind racing. /AKAGI! /
Kogure turned to Akagi, who was grinning at his friend by now. Kogure nearly wanted to die at that moment. Mentally slapping his forehead, Kogure could only muster a wry smile, as he proceeded to help Kimiko wear his gift.
/I'm going to have LONG talk with you Akagi, after this…/ thought Kogure.
It was a shiny silver pendant accompanied with a silver chain, (for ladies) which could hold pictures inside. It had one laminated picture inside on the right side, which was a photo of Akagi, Kogure, and Kimiko that had been taken much earlier, during the early stages of their friendship. And behind the pendant, were these engraved words, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If that is so, then in the eyes of this pendant, the wearer is the most beautiful of all. Happy Birthday, Kimiko. ~ Kogure".
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After the event of opening of the gifts, Yuki announced to everyone that they might stay overnight, provided they help clean up the place, as there was sufficient rooms in Kimiko's home. Everybody shouted spiritedly, and had fun cleaning up, whilst dancing to the addictive music of ATB, the song being "9pm, till I come", playing in the background.
"What did Kogure give you?" asked Mitsui, as he held Kimiko by the arm lovingly.
"Ano, Kogure-sempai? Oh the loveliest thing, next to your ring of course, anata…"smiled Kimiko, as she showed him the pendant.
"Aa." Answered Mitsui, his mind racing, feeling discomfort in the back of his mind. /I've got to get this thing out of my mind…/ "Miko-chan, I'll be right back, save a dance for me, won't you?"
"Hai!" replied Kimiko with neko ears and a smile.
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As soon as Kimiko began to open her other presents, Kogure quickly made his way to where Akagi was seated, near the bar counter.
"I see Kimiko-chan liked her present very much, Kogure." Grinned the giant, at his mousy friend.
"Demo, (but) that… that wasn't what I put in the box today!" sputtered Kogure.
"I know."
"Are?" said Kogure with a look of total confusion.
"That gift wasn't what you put in the box today, but it wasn't what you originally wanted to give Kimiko-chan, was it, Kogure?" asked Akagi knowingly. "You didn't by any chance work yourself nearly to death to afford that, did you Kogure?"
"But I told you many times before, I had already changed my mind about giving it to her! She has Mitsui in her life now! What if Mitsui gets the wrong idea? I'll be in big trouble then!" moaned Kogure.
"Then tell him it was OUR idea, to give something special to a special friend of ours. Nothing more. It DOES have a photo of the THREE of us, Kogure, so quit worrying! Though I know, that when she wears it, Kogure, you'll feel like a million bucks, and won't ever regret giving it to her."
"Demo…"
"No buts… unless you have the heart to ask it back from her?"
"Nope." Said Kogure, completely defeated. "So what do I say to Mitsui if he asks?"
"Baka, just tell him what I told you. He won't make trouble. He knows what we mean to Kimiko-chan."
"I'm counting on that he does know…" sighed Kogure.
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Making his way to the bar counter, where Kogure and Akagi were sitting, Mitsui's brow was in a worried expression.
/Why did Kogure have to get Miko-chan such an expensive gift? Is there some other motive? I have to find out, once and for all! /
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(=^_^=) Meow!
Super rookie-san: Mitsui isn't rich, just to clear your doubts, Super Rookie-san! He's middle class, like the rest of Shohoku High. And yes, Kogure is sweet! ^_^ Please do continue to support my fic! Arigato! ^_^
Fehrocious-san: I'm glad you liked my two chapters… Here's the next one! ^_^ Hey, as a girl, I'm a sucker for romance. :P Mitsui is sweet ne? but so is Kogure! ^_~
Ghostwriter-san: A diabetic you say? Do you need me to provide some anime insulin for you? ^_~ So that you can enjoy more of the saccharine goodness of my fic! ^_^
Nellie-san: Thank you for your support! Hope you liked this chapter!!
Lady Harlequin-san: Hey, I wish I had a gift like that too, though this fic could be a tutorial for guys on what to give us girls ne? ^_~ Erm, for your info, they ARE already together, as steadies… ^_^"" Do keep coming back for updates!!
Blonde-Fighter:Zero-san: Hai! Kogure is romantic ne? And please keep me posted on how your fic is doing! Arigato Gozaimasu!!! Keep checking for updates on my fic! :p
Doujin-san: Jealous??? Don't you think SD fans of the wourld should me, since there aren't any real men who do that anymore? /hints to guys out there/ And there's the deal with Kogure… keep checking for updates! Arigato! ^_^ Enjoy your journey!
Anata-san: LOL Gomen, even if Mitsui is your favourite character, I won't tell the ending! ^_^ But it won't erase the possibility of either being picked by Kimiko! ^_~ Arigato, I try my best to describe what happens (be it on the street or whatever) unless I get writer's block. :p No, when I wrote that they kissed, it was on the lips, gomen, my wrong. Just show your other half my fic.. He should get your drift. ^_^ LOL well, when you read this fic, you'll know what Kogure gave her now, wouldn't you? ^_~
RaTt-san: Hai, Arigato for reading my fic! ^_^ Wah lau, one shot, better come more often lah! ^_^ Hai, just presentation only, will keep note of what u said. :p
SyiveSe-san: *puts anime cushion between her head and the wall* LOL! Arigato, glad you like my fic, and hope you'll be able to come online more often! ^_^ Will keep writing, and I love your fics too! ^_^ *reads*
kimiko?!-san: Ano, I don't know who you are exactly, but… thanks for reviewing, even though the character's supposed to be like erm… me? LOL PS, the date or birth isn't the same as mine, really. :P Ha ha ha!!