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 20 – Walking on Broken Green Glass Road (=^_^=)
(L.I.D.[author]: Please note, before reading on, if you have the song, In Our Lifetime BY the singer TEXAS on your pc or CD, please listen to it later during the fic. Thank you!)
The following days, Mitsui gave his Miko-chan as much love as he thought he ought to give her, before slowly making her frustrated with him. He showered her with kisses, hugs, dates, care, concern and smiles. He even helped Kimiko's parents pack their stuff, since Kimiko's parents had to migrate to another country, and didn't want Kimiko to lose her place in Shohoku High. However, bit-by-bit, Mitsui lessened each action, until finally, the both of them had several arguments. They had one argument about Mitsui quitting school, again.
"I thought we already vowed that we would go into university together!" cried Kimiko.
"But I don't want that now. I want to go and work…"
"Work? Where? Without high school, what prospects would there be?"
"I'll find something…"
Even though they made up after the argument, there wasn't a clear result, and this caused misunderstanding, between Mitsui Hisashi, and Toyowara Kimiko. They even fought about Kimiko's cooking meets! Both of them were hurting, but Kimiko was hurting, as she thought Mitsui was being more of a jerk than he normally was, whilst Mitsui could only bottle up his secret inside. But Kimiko didn't give up hope, on their love. She understood that Mitsui could be insensitive at times, and tolerated it, for she loved him so. But what she didn't know, couldn't hurt her, could it?
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(13th February, Eve of Valentine's Day)
-Ring! Ring! Ring!
"Mitsui Residence, who's that?" growled Mitsui into the earpiece.
"Touchy… So, have we made a decision, Mitsui?" drawled Toyama.
"I'll… I'll do it."
"That's a good Mitsui… So we'll be in the club, and I can't wait for the show to begin…" laughed Toyama evilly.
"You're one hentai jerk, Toyama!" shouted Mitsui into the earpiece, as he slammed down the phone.
Slumping to the floor, Mitsui buried his face in his hands. And a tear trickled down his cheek, onto the carpeted floor.
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(14th February, Valentine's Day)
Kimiko was in an extremely good mood, for even if this was a seemingly normal day, it was very special to her. Sure, she had to go for class, and had to work at the club tonight, but it was the first year anniversary of her being with Mitsui, and she just was so excited the night before, she bugged the hell out of Yamamoto Yuki, Akagi Takenori, and Kogure Kiminobu.
^Flash back^
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-Ring! Ring! Ring!
"Moshi moshi, Akagi Residence." Greeted Akagi.
"Akagi-sempai! Baka gaki desu! Ha ha! How are you? What did you have for dinner?"
/Itai!!! She hasn't changed one bit! / "Hai, nan da? What's up with calling me at this ungodly hour?" complained Akagi.
"You call this hour ungodly? It's only 9pm! Mou!"
"Yare yare. So what's up?"
"Do you know what day it is tomorrow?" snickered Kimiko.
"It's the 14th of February, you don't know? Baka!"
"Mou! I KNOW that! But do you know what special day it is tomorrow for yours truly?"
"No."
At this point, this being the animated world, Kimiko crosses the border between them, and gives Akagi a good bump on the head before returning to her side.
"ITAI! Nan da sore, baka gaki! (What was that for, stupid brat!)"
"Hn! It's my first year anniversary with Mit-chan, baka Nori-kun! Can't believe you forgot!"
"Hah! Why should I remember, he's YOUR boyfriend!"
Kimiko sighs happily. "That, he is. Anyways, hope everything is alright for this year's intake…"
"It's ok, several new people have joined, though I know those quitters will leave, when the going gets tough…"
"I hope none go…"
"Miracles don't happen everyday, Kimiko-chan."
"But they do, on some days. Don't you forget it! Ha ha!"
Akagi: ^Sweat drop^ "Alright, you go have good sleep, can't have Mitsui seeing you with panda eyes can we?"
"Hai, baka Nori-kun! Oyasumi!
"Oyasumi."
-Click
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-Ring! Ring! Ring!
"Moshi moshi, Yamamoto Residence!!" Cried Yuki, as she picked up the phone whilst painting her toenails.
"Yuki-sempai! Kimiko-chan desu!"
"Hai! Its your special day with Mitsui-san tomorrow, isn't it?"
"Hai! I'm so excited! We're going to be celebrating it at Casey's the club tomorrow, along with his friends!"
"Must be some blast you're going to have, ne, Kimiko-chan? But with his friends?"
"Oh, that's for the early part of the evening, later on, Mit-chan said we'll be alone after my performance! Sugoi ne??? By the way, how's the present manageress?"
"Honto ni Sugoi(really great), Kimiko-chan! I knew you had it in you to nab Mitsui Hisashi! The manageress? She's great! I do visit the team occasionally, and she's doing well! Her name's Ayako, and she's a freshman. I've also told her so much about you!"
"Mou, Yuki-sempai! Stop teasing me already! Ha ha!"
"Plus, there's this point guard, who's not only a freshman like Ayako-chan, he's got the curliest hair you've ever seen! He's so adorable!!! And I bet he's got a crush on Ayako-chan! Ha ha! He's mighty quick on his feet, and there's hope for the club! Anyway, I'm really glad for you, and ganbatte! Have a blast tomorrow! Hee hee!"
"Hai!!!! Oyasumi, Yuki-sempai! Arigato!"
"Oyasumi!"
-Click
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-Ring! Ring! Ring!
"Moshi moshi, Kogure Residence." Greeted Kogure, who was flipping through a magazine, and reaching for a potato chip.
"Kogure-sempai! Kimiko-chan desu! Ha ha! How are you?"
"Aa, Kimiko-chan. Genki desu."
"Do you know what day it is tomorrow?!" cried Kimiko. "Are you eating potato chips? Don't be lazy and cook yourself something. Just because your mom and dad went off on vacation for a month, doesn't mean you should starve yourself!"
"Hai hai! Wakatte yo! It's the 14th of February, Valentine's day… Your special day with Mitsui-san, ne?"
"Hai! You remembered, Kogure-sempai! You are so cool! Hee hee! Akagi-sempai always forgets dates, ne?
"Ha ha! That, he does… Are you ready for tomorrow?"
"As ready as I'll ever be! I'm so excited, I could puke!" laughed Kimiko.
Kogure: ^Sweat drop^ "Please don't! Have a good night's rest, and calm down… Ha ha!"
"Ne, Kogure-sempai…"
"Nani? (What)"
"Arigato…"
"Doshite? (Why)"
"Whenever I feel down, or need someone to talk to, Akagi-sempai and you have been there for me. When Akagi-sempai sometimes is busy, I know I can always count on you to hear me out…"
Kogure was thanking the gods that Kimiko could not see the blush that was quickly forming on his cheeks over the phone.
"Aa."
"So, thank you, also for tonight, for listening… And you know what?"
"What?"
"When I need comforting sometimes, whenever I have an argument with Mit-chan, and you're not there Kogure-sempai, I look at the lovely pendant you gave me, and hold it, as if you were there, with me…"
Kogure nearly choked on the potato chip he had been munching on, and blushed to the roots of his hair.
"Ano, Kimiko-chan, you know Akagi and I will be there for you…"
"Hai…I know that. Just wanted you to know I appreciate it!" Kimiko said, in a tone that lightened up the mood.
"Aa."
"I guess I'd better take your advice and get some shut eye, huh? Ne, so I'll be seeing you around, Kogure-sempai!"
"Hai. Ja, oyasumi, Kimiko-chan."
"Oyasumi!"
-Click
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^End of flashback^
However for Mitsui Hisashi, it was the beginning of something difficult. Kimiko gave Mitsui a box of chocolates during lunch hour, for that was the norm, in Japanese high schools. Mitsui graciously accepted it, and fed one piece to his Miko-chan, and vice versa, much to the envy of everyone in the hallway.
/It's the least I could do, before…before tonight…/ thought Mitsui, deep in his heart. /My loving Miko-chan…/ thought Mitsui, as he saw the happy neko face of his beloved, munching on the chocolate that he had fed her, with glee.
After lessons, the couple left to prepare for the night's events. Both went home to change, and Kimiko had to rehearse at home for the song she was going to sing for the night. When both Mitsui and Kimiko entered the club, a whole list of catcalls filled the place. Kimiko was a regular singer at the club, and everyone who frequented Casey's knew her name, for they loved her singing. Mitsui was no stranger as well, for he frequented Casey's as well, and they knew that he was her boyfriend. Kimiko had her long hair down, and was wearing a stunning, modest black number, since black made her look slimmer, and Mitsui wore matching black fitting pants and a black button-less silk shirt, which helped him expose his slightly muscular chest. Both looked hot to trot.
"Hora, Mitsui! Over here!" called Toyama.
"Aa. Miko-chan, miru, there's Toyama, let's go say hi…"
"Hai, Mit-chan!" replied Kimiko, walking over to Toyama's table.
"Welcome, Mitsui! And you look lovely today, Kimiko-chan!" grinned Toyama.
"H…Hai! Arigato, Toyama-san!"
"Let's get these lovebirds some drinks! Kin, get a couple of beers!" called Toyama to his buddy.
Kin nodded.
"So, what time's your performance, Kimiko-chan?" asked Toyama.
"10:30, Toyama-san…"
"Can't wait for the show to start, eh, Mitsui?" nudged Toyama, at Mitsui.
"Aa…" Mitsui shot Toyama a dirty look. "Miko-chan, let's dance shall we?"
"Hai, Mit-chan! Gome ne, Toyama-san, excuse us!"
And to the addictive beat of the dance music, Mitsui and Kimiko danced with each other, enjoying each other's company. Mitsui looked at Kimiko, and found beauty, in his eyes.
/She looks so Kirei today…I love her so much…/
Kimiko looked up at Mitsui, and found happiness.
/He's so handsome today! All those times, that I've suffered… It's worth it…/
Time flew by, and it was time for Kimiko to perform. Kimiko had something special up her sleeve, since she knew Mitsui thought she was going through a normal performance before they left for somewhere quieter… Where Kimiko thought Mitsui was going to do something romantic. Going on the stage, she tested for the microphone, and liased with the soundman, and adjusted the microphone stand.
"Hello, testing 1,2 3… All right… Is everybody ready?" asked Kimiko over the microphone.
A roar of approval from the crowd replied.
"All right then… Mina, you all must be wondering why I'm not playing any instruments today, and well, there's a special reason, for that… You guys want to know why?"
Everyone nodded.
"Well, there are two reasons… One, I'm wearing a skirt, so no guitars for me tonight, thank you very much!" giggled Kimiko, which elicited many guffaws from the crowd.
"Secondly, this song, the I'm going to sing from my favourite artist, is dedicated to my wonderful boyfriend, Mitsui Hisashi. Anata, aishiteru… All right, guys, hit it!"
Mitsui could hardly breathe, as he could feel his heart stop for a moment. /No… I'm not as good as you think, Miko-chan… Onegai… Don't…/ Mitsui pleaded mentally, looking at Kimiko, who smiled back.
(Texas - Title: In Our Lifetime)
There are things
I can't tell you ^Kimiko remembered Shohoku High Basketball^
I love you too much to say ^pointing to Mitsui^
I stand undressed ^touching her hips^
But I'm not naked
You look at me and who I am
* Understand that it is hard to tell you
That I've given all I have to give ^touching her heart^
And I can understand your feelings
But then everybody has a life to live ^clutching the mike^
** Once in a lifetime
You have seen what I've seen
You will always swim for shore ^pointing to everyone^
Once in my lifetime
I'll never be in between
Some things you just can't ignore
Now reach out ^holds hand out to Mitsui^
You can touch me
I'll let you have my life to share
Years, the days
And the minutes
Yeh time has such a puzzling grace
[Repeat * , (**x2) ]
I just need to have your love ^points to Mitsui, smiling^
I just can't say no
It's a gift from way above ^points to the sky^
I just can't say no
It's the one big difference
If there's one thing I can have
I just can't say no (x2) ^sways her hips^
[Repeat ** x3]
(L.I.D.[author]: Song then fades away to the end)
When Kimiko finished, a single tear fell, from her eye, for she sang from the bottom of her heart. A roar of delight came from everyone, and they all stood up, and congratulated Kimiko, in their own way. Kimiko smiled, and bowed, and exited graciously from the stage, walking towards Mitsui.
"So I'll see you later at the park then, Mitsui…" drawled Toyama
"Whatever…" replied Mitsui sourly, and quickly smiled, when Kimiko arrived.
"That was wonderful." Said Toyama.
"Arigato, Toyama-san. That song, Mit-chan… only for you…" smiled Kimiko.
/That makes it even more difficult, baka! / Thought Mitsui. "All right, we're off then… Ja mina!"
"Ja" waved Toyama and company.
"Where are we going, Mit-chan?" asked Kimiko, walking hand in hand with Mitsui towards the club's exit.
"Somewhere you'll never forget…"
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(=^_^=) Meow!
Where did they go? Stay tuned! BTW, Chapter 10's Scene of Mitsui and Kimiko's date is up on my page, do check it out! ^_^
Okie, on to the reviews now! ^_^
Ghostwriter-san: Arigato! ^_^ What can I do? Villains are there for a purpose… :p Maybe I will kill him when I feel like it. :p
Rikachan-san: Kimiko is strong… I hope she survives…
Mitsui no Miko-chan-san: Arigato! Do hope you like this chapter!
Icko14-san: It's not me to resist his appeal, it's Kimiko! :p Bwa ha ha!
Nellie-san: Hai they're breaking up… What do you mean by Poor Kogure?
Super rookie-san: Bad bad Toyama ne? :p
Fehrocious-san: *sobs* (j/k) Ha ha ha! Finally you admit you want Mitsui all for yourself, you selfish onna you! LOL (j/k)
SyiveSe-san: Do come back again soon, and hope you liked this chapter! ^_^
Lady Harlequin-san: *looks at Lady Harlequin and sweat drops* Maybe when I actually decide to entail his demise then I can ask for your help? ^_~ Yeap, got your email and working at it like mad!!! :p