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 29 – Bland Indifference, Yuck (=^_^=)
(L.I.D.[author]: Please note, before reading on, if you have the songs, "Ain't that Funny" BY the singer Jennifer Lopez on your pc or CD, please listen to it later during the fic. Thank you!)
(14th of May, Sunday)
All went well, and so far, training went on as usual. Yohei and the others were suspended from school for three days, since they protected Sakuragi, and Hotta protected Mitsui. However, when Kimiko went back to practice, hand in hand with Kogure, she nearly got the shock of her life. Kogure had informed her that Mitsui had changed, but she didn't know how much. Now she did.
"Mitsui…" mouthed Kimiko, unable to tear her eyes away from the masculine form of Mitsui, who was her ex-boyfriend.
Mitsui felt as if someone was staring at him, only to meet the eyes of Kimiko. /Miko-chan…/
Kimiko's grip on Kogure's hand tightened, and Kogure understood her shock. /Kimi-chan…/
Kimiko's heart nearly stopped beating, and she loosened her grip. /I do NOT have feelings for Mitsui anymore… I'm with Kimi-kun now… remember that Toyowara Kimiko! He dumped you without warning, and left you heartbroken! /
She turned to Kogure, and flashed her brightest smile, telling him it was ok. Kogure smiled back. Mitsui saw Kogure holding Kimiko's hand, and mentally frowned. /So, she's with Kogure now… Will I fight him for her? Or should I leave well enough alone? /
Soon, Mitsui was having a mini one-on-one with Kogure.
"Kogure, I'm coming at you…" said Mitsui, with the ball in his hand, using a double meaning.
The two tall males stared at each other, and it was difficult to tell whether it was out of competitiveness or spite.
"Sure, be my guest," retorted Kogure. /Even if you were an expert at basketball before, for two years you have not even touched a basketball, and expect to be in top condition? However, I will guard you with all my might. Mitsui… in basketball, as well as matters concerning Kimi-chan! /
"Mitsui, I'm not going to go easy on you, you know that right? "
Mitsui scoffed and swiftly eluded Kogure's guard, jumped in perfect form, and shot the basketball cleanly into the hoop.
"Kogure, you're guarding has worsened…" said Mitsui.
^Enter Japanese classical music^
"Darn it! What two years of not touching a basketball? Taking Mitsui to be a normal player was a mistake! If I had known, I wouldn't had gone easy on him!" muttered Kogure. (L.I.D.[author]: ^Sweat drop^)
The normal bickering between Sakuragi and Rukawa, the saga continues…(L.I.D.[author]: ^Sweat drop^)
After practice…
"Toyowara-san…" said Mitsui, appearing in front of Kimiko.
"Mitsui-san, nani?" said Kimiko, not looking up, cordially.
"Ano…"
Kimiko looked up, and saw a flustered Mitsui. /Kawaii… Wait! What am I thinking! Get a hold of yourself, Toyowara Kimiko!!!! I will not forget what he did to me!!! /
"I'm back…" /I'm back? That's all I can say?? Say something else, baka!! /
"Aa. That you are. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Can we talk?"
"What is there to talk about?" Kimiko said, not looking at Mitsui, focusing on Kogure.
"I know you haven't forgiven me…"
"Stop. I forgave you already..." /Baka… /
Hope filled Mitsui's face, until…
"I just don't want to have anything to do with you…" continued Kimiko.
Mitsui's face had a shocked look, before Kogure approached the two cautiously.
"Ah, Kogure-sempai, you're here. What I have to say to Mitsui-san includes you as well, please come over." Said Kimiko in a sort of commanding tone.
Kogure stood between the two before Kimiko continued.
"Basketball is one thing. Personal matters are another. How I deal with people depends on the situation. To you Mitsui-san, during basketball matters and practice, I am the manageress. I will encourage the team, you included, and help you when you need it. Other than that, in other matters, I am no one, to you. Please remember that."
"Kimiko-chan…" began Mitsui.
"Toyowara-san to you, since it is now AFTER practice. Please clear up your belongings after practice, Mitsui-san. Kimi-kun, let's go." Said Kimiko, entwining her hands with Kogure's, before half dragging her bespectacled boyfriend away. (L.I.D.[author]: Note the change how she addressed Kogure before and after 'practice'.)
Mitsui's face was crestfallen, and did as he was told, surprisingly.
/What have I done… What have I done???? / Thought Mitsui.
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(15th of May, Monday)
"CHUS!!!" greeted Kimiko and Ayako, opening the door to the guy's locker room, causing Ryota to blush and a half dressed Yasuda to scream in embarrassment. "The competition layout had been set!"
"Ryonan High, we will beat you!" shouted Sakuragi.
"But Sakuragi-kun, in order to beat Ryonan High, we must beat our other competitors first." Remarked Kogure. "Our first opponent is Miuradai High…"
"They're very strong…" remarked Ayako.
"Akagi, our last chance is here…" Kogure said in determination.
"Hai."
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(19th of May, Friday)
It was the day of the competition, and everyone was nervous.
"I have to do it… Even after putting on false teeth, I have to do it…" Mitsui resolved, looking into the mirror.
It was a gruelling match, for Anzai-sensei didn't allow Rukawa, Miyagi, Mitsui and Sakuragi to be in the first half. However, Akagi and Kogure made a smashing combination, that resulted in a much needed 2-pointer. Soon, after the four boys promised Anzai-sensei that they wouldn't fight anymore, they entered the court. When Mitsui made his first three-pointer for the game, Kimiko could feel her heart stop. /He's still as good as ever… The baka…/
Suddenly, Sakuragi got two free throws, and both Kimiko and Ayako sweat dropped heavily when they realised no one had taught Sakuragi how to do a free throw. In the end, Shohoku High won against Miuradai High, 114 – 51, even though Sakuragi was ejected from the game. "Daijobu, Sakuragi, *giggle* you'll do better next time…" Kimiko tried to assure a very irritated Sakuragi, for he had slam-dunked the basketball onto Miuradai's bald headed player. (L.I.D.[author]: LOL!)
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Kimiko noticed how Mitsui had changed from the person he was before, a badass person, to a dedicated basketball player. She couldn't believe her eyes, but her heart just wouldn't budge. She still couldn't forgive him, as much as Kogure tried to persuade his girlfriend to be at least friends with Mitsui.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For Sakuragi, however, it was not to be, for the next match was more humorous, as Sakuragi kept beating his opponents down near to a pulp. Shohoku High won against Kakuya High, 160 – 24.
After the match that evening, Mitsui went to the hospital, and checked on his leg.
"I always thought I would never come back to the hospital," sighed Mitsui, gazing into the night sky. "It's getting cold. Might as well check on Casey's and keep warm…" mused Mitsui, heading towards Casey's.
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"And tonight's a special night, for our guest singer for tonight's R&B night, will be none other that Toyowara Kimiko! Give it up for her!!!" Casey shouted over the microphone, before passing it to Kimiko.
"Arigato minna! I know it's been quite some time since I have performed here, and…" Kimiko felt her throat go dry, when she saw a familiar figure walk into the club. /Oh great, of all the nights he had to show up, it HAD to be tonight!! And Kimi-kun's at home to boot! / Groaned Kimiko inwardly, before a slow mental smile crept up. /I'll show him!! /
Apparently, Kogure was at home, getting his much needed rest, for Kimiko had assured him it would be only tonight that she'd be performing at Casey's, out of goodwill, with pay.
"And since tonight is R&B night, I have a special song that I would like to sing for your all! Hope you like it!!!"
(L.I.D.[author]: Please read the lyrics, it's quite accurate. ^_^ )
(J. LO - Ain't That Funny (Remix))
Ain't it funny
It's been awhile since
You came around
Now ya wanna see
What's goin' down
Tryin' to tell me
How ya want my time ^ points to herself ^
Tryin' to tell me
How I'm on your mind ^ points to her head ^
See it never had
To be this way
You should've never played ^ remembers the break up ^
The games you played
Now I'm seein' that
You're kinda lame
Knowin' how
The situation change
Ain't that funny
Baby that you want me
When you had me
Love is crazy
Now I can smile and say,
Ain't that funny
Baby that you want me
When you had me
Love is crazy
I'm glad I can smile and say
Ain't that funny
I remember
How you walked away
Even when I tried
To call your name ^ remembers break up again ^
See at first
I didn't understand
Now you're lookin'
Like a lonely man ^ points to audience ^
I remember how you
Did me wrong
And now you're hurtin'
'Cos my love is gone
Everybody gets
A chance to burn
You can take it
As a lesson learned ^ wiggles index finger ^
Ain't that funny
Baby that you want me
When you had me
Love is crazy
Now I can smile and say
Ain't that funny
Baby that you want me
When you had me
Love is crazy
I'm glad I can smile and say
Ain't that funny
I really wish
You wouldn't send me gifts
Tryin' to make me
Sit and reminisce
Tryin' to blind me
With your blingin' bling
Thought I told you
Love don't cost a thing
Hope you realise
That now I'm through
And I don't ever wanna
Hear from you ^ covers on of her ears ^
I had enough of
Bein' there for you
Now I'm laughin'
Why you play the fool
Ain't that funny
Baby that you want me
When you had me
Love is crazy
Now I can smile and say
Ain't that funny
Baby that you want me
When you had me
Love is crazy
I'm glad I can smile and say
Ain't that funny
Baby, I got my boyfriend
Do you have a girlfriend?
But maybe
Let's not be friends
La, da, da, da, da, da
(End of song)
After Kimiko finished her song, a roar of applause, and cheers met her. She bowed, and got off the stage, as quick as her legs could carry her.
"Kimiko-chan! What about your pay?" Casey shouted after Kimiko.
"I'll collect it some other day!! Ja!" waved Kimiko, and exited the club through the back door. She just couldn't stay there, and confront Mitsui. She didn't have the strength to do so.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(On the sidewalk.)
She ran for what her legs could give, and Mitsui gave chase since he had ran out the front door of the club, and shouted her name and begged her to wait for him. Mitsui soon caught up with her, and tackled her by the legs, knowing VERY WELL that she wouldn't stop running unless he did something. Kimiko ended up splat on her face, and when she sat up, she could see spots of blood on the road. She reached up to feel her face, and discovered that her nose was bleeding, internally.
"Itai…" both of them groaned.
"Miko-chan, daijobu ka? (Are u alright?)" Asked Mitsui, sitting upright.
"What do you want, Mitsui? Let go of me!!" asked Kimiko angrily, not facing Mitsui, her body lying face down on the pavement. "And don't call me Miko-chan!!"
"Miko-chan, please listen to me…I… I didn't mean to hurt you back then…" stammered Mitsui, as he let go of Kimiko's legs.
"And do you mean, you meant to hurt me now? To torment me, repeatedly?" Kimiko asked coldly, her tone filled with ice.
"Itai!!!"
When Mitsui looked at her, and only an expression of shock could appear on his face.
"Shimatta! Did I do THAT? Tissue, where's the tissue!" Mitsui exclaimed as he frantically searched his pockets for tissue, and finding a packet, proceeded to wipe the blood off Kimiko's nose.
"It hurts, you know… Baka!" as Kimiko punched Mitsui on his face, making his nose, bleed as well. "No, you didn't do it, I tripped and fell 7 storeys from a building…"replied Kimiko sarcastically.
Mitsui blinked several times, before a small smile formed on his face, turning into a wide smile.
Now that they were facing each other, the helpless and smiling look on Mitsui's face was priceless after Kimiko's last sentence. Kimiko couldn't stay mad at Mitsui anymore, and so she began to giggle, much to the puzzlement of Mitsui.
"This feels like déjà vu, doesn't it?" Kimiko said.
"You remembered…" whispered Mitsui.
After a few seconds, the both of them, then burst out laughing.
"Your face, it's priceless, with that expression of yours… ha ha! Plus, you don't look bad with blood on your nose too… Strike one for me!"
"Never mind about my face or my nose, YOUR nose is bleeding!" scolded Mitsui, in a soft caring voice, when their laughter subsided. "Or, for now, WAS bleeding, thank goodness. Friends?"
"Friends. By the way, what were you doing at Casey's?"
"It was cold, and I needed to go somewhere to warm up." Said Mitsui simply.
"I see…"
"Don't worry, I wasn't spying on you or anything…"
Kimiko's face pouted, and Mitsui, laughed. "Hey, shall we go back to Casey's? There's something I have to do…"
"What would that be?"
"You'll see."
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(=^_^=) Meow!
This my second instalment of the three chapters I have dedicated to Mitsui-kun on his birthday, so keep watching for it! Happy birthday, Mitsui Hisashi!
Mitsui: Arigato, LID-chan… *kiss!*
LID: *swoon!*
Replies!
Nikka-san: I'm glad you're still together with me on this journey fic of mine! ^_^ *hugz* LOL I hope for the future, you'll always be able to fins a pc that works! *Crosses fingers!* Please enjoy this chapter! ^_^
Archmyst-kun: Thanks man! ^_^ I'm so touched and glad you can be inspired by my fic! ^_^ And nah, you're not silly. Life is a journey, and it depends on us, and the will of God on how it will turn out. ^_^ So don't think too much! Just live! ^_^ (Though a little planning doesn't hurt, in reality, LOL!)
Mitsui no Miko-chan: Yep! And don't you know Kogure is noble? But, heck, even Mitsui is! LOL
Icko14-chan: I KNOW!!! LOL Huh? Don't tell me they sang: "BO's (Body odour's) Back, all right!!!!!" LOL, and cracks up. But hey, did they have great bods? LOL
Rurouni-san: Arigato gozaimasu! *bows* Please do come back for more! ^_^ Could you leave your email too? ^_^
Fehrocious-chan: *LOL as she sees fehr-chan wiggle eyebrows* Well, a lot of things are 'cooking' in my brain right now, and I'm glad my muse is slowly coming back. ^_^ And you can be my narrator anytime! ^_^ *hugz*
Lady Harlequin-chan: Hey no sweat, hope you switch to yahoo or something, coz I worry about our communication, if this keeps up! Hope to hear from you soon!
Super rookie-chan: LOL Hai! With your wonderful support I will continue! *wears red bandana*
F5C-chan: LOL You're closer to being madam Houdini! ^_^
JCM-chan: Hey girl! Good going with the dialogue! ^_^ Wanna hear from you fics! ^_^