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 32 – A Discussion (=^_^=)
(Shohoku High Basketball indoor Court)
/They left me here by myself… They're all too much! Bastards! And that Oyaji! (Old man) / thought Sakuragi, clenching his fists.
"Have you done your warm-ups already, Sakuragi-kun?" boomed Anzai-sensei's voice, entering the court.
Anzai-sensei was wearing a grey t-shirt with the words "WIN" across the chest, a pair of white shorts, and had a basketball on his right.
"Oyaji? Ano… Don't do anything foolish…" (L.I.D.[author]: ^Sweat drop^)
"Sakuragi-kun, would you like to compete with me?" asked Anzai-sensei.
"Oyaji, is it because no one wants to play basketball with you? The Inter Highs are coming soon, and I have no time to waste you know…" (L.I.D.[author]: Cheeky Sakuragi! LOL)
"What about this, Sakuragi-kun, if you manage to beat me, you can immediately go and join the others in the camp at Josei, how is that?"
"Then let's get started, old man!"
"OHOHOHOHOHO…" laughed Anzai-sensei, warming up, much to the amusement of a silly Sakuragi.
Anzai-sensei took up his position, and began to shoot each shot from the five points. (L.I.D.[author]: Is it called a free throw lines? Anyway… LOL) Much to Sakuragi's despair, Anzai-sensei did it all successfully.
After both had their turns, the score was in favour of Anzai-sensei, 10 – 0.
"Did you get any shots in, Sakuragi-kun?"
"NO!!! Kuso!!!" exclaimed a frustrated Sakuragi, clenching his fists, and crying in chibi form.
"Everyone, you can come out now." Called Anzai-sensei.
"Omae tachi! (You guys!)" cried Sakuragi.
It was Sakuragi's gundan, and they came here to support him, as well as videotape his performance. Kimiko accompanied them as well.
And thus, was the start, of Sakuragi's 3-day training.
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"Uso!!! It can't be!!!! That's ME????" exclaimed a disbelieving Sakuragi, after watching a video of him shooting hoops.
"Yup, Sakuragi-kun, that's you all right." Nodded Kimiko sweat dropping.
"Oyaji, how many shots would I need to improve?" asked Sakuragi, somewhat desperately.
"I would require you to do at least 200,000 shots, Sakuragi-kun." Replied Anzai-sensei, his face nonchalant.
"200,000?????" shouted the Sakuragi gundan in shock.
"Che, would that be enough?" retorted Sakuragi, his arms akimbo.
"All right then, let's get started, ne?" cried Kimiko, smiling.
The Sakuragi gundan only could sweat drop.
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Akagi Haruko came into the picture soon after, and that spurred Sakuragi to do his best even more so. It was Kimiko's idea for Haruko to be present; for she knew of the infatuation the red head has for her kouhai. (L.I.D.[author]: Junior class man) This way, she and Anzai-sensei could monitor Sakuragi's movements on how he shot more accurately, from different perspectives, even though Sakuragi was being videotaped as well.
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Kimiko's thoughts were concentrated on Sakuragi's performance. However, she could not help the fact that her thoughts sometimes wandered to the topic of the two males in her love life.
Oh yes, she was with Mitsui now, but she still felt unsettled, by the fact that Kimi-kun had allowed Mitsui to be with her again so easily. It was so confusing for her, and it caused her great anguish. She wondered if it was right, being with Mitsui again, and hurting Kimi-kun, wondering, as Kogure didn't show signs that he was hurt that badly. But Kimiko knew when to divide thoughts such as those from the work that was ahead of her in the form of a brash red head.
She grinned, looking on at Sakuragi, and made a mental note to praise him as a Tensai before today was over. He had worked hard, and was showing signs of improving, as his shooting accuracy statistics showed.
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"Ne, Sakuragi-kun, after the last set, I would like to speak with you, all right?" Kimiko asked the tall red head. "Meet me at the TV room."
"OK!"
When Sakuragi had finished his last set for the day, showered and clean, he went to the TV room to look for his sempai, his gundan following him.
"Ano, Kimiko-sempai, what is it you'd like to talk to me about?" Sakuragi asked, smiling.
Kimiko looked at the gundan, and gave a strained chagrin. "I'm sorry guys, but I would like to speak to Sakuragi-kun alone, please? No offense?"
"None taken, Kimiko-sempai…" the gundan chorused, and waved to the two before going off, probably to the bedroom to play card games before going to sleep.
Now alone, Sakuragi sat beside his sempai, and looked at her. "What's up?"
"Sakuragi-kun, do you think yourself as a Tensai?"
"NYA HA HA HA HA HA! OF COURSE! I'm the only Tensai there is!!!! Why? Do you need this Tensai's help?" laughed Sakuragi loudly. (L.I.D.[author]: ^Sweat drop^)
Kimiko grinned. "As a matter of fact, I do."
Sakuragi was stunned. This was the first time anyone had said they had truly needed his help. And it was his sempai to boot! "Ano… what do you need this Tensai's help in?" Sakuragi initially squeaked, but it soon turned into his normal voice. (L.I.D.[author]: LOL! Sakuragi squeaked!)
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Kimiko had wanted more privacy with her talk with Sakuragi. The two had grown close, like bosom pals, and she knew she could trust Sakuragi. The gundan was another matter, for she didn't really spend THAT much time with them. She would have confided in them as well, but she preferred to have a one-man audience instead. She sat on a dark red swivel chair next to Sakuragi, and began.
"I have a question for the Tensai, but don't say it so loud, ok? Promise?"
"I promise, Kimiko-sempai." Promised Sakuragi, his face serious, with his mouth upturned to a small yet confident smile.
"What would you do if you were in love with two men?"
"I'd run to the hills, and then kill myself, that's what I'd do!!" (L.I.D.[author]: remember, this is to the story line of non-yaoi, so gomen to those who like yaoi!!! *bows* I like yaoi too!)
"Baka!" sweat dropped Kimiko, resisting the urge to strangle the cheeky chibi freshman.
Sakuragi grinned, and became serious again.
"Is it because of Mitchy and Megane-kun?" he asked, grinning widely.
Kimiko nodded. She had told him about when Mitsui wanted to come back in her life, and how Kogure had taken it all so lightly, well, somewhat lightly.
"I mean… I'm glad that I'm with Mit-chan, and Kimi-kun had approved of it, but I have this nagging feeling…I just can't put my finger to it…" Kimiko said, her hands to her face, exasperated. "Am I making sense?"
Sakuragi took a moment to think, and nodded. "Yes, you are."
"What would you do if you were me?"
"I'd follow my heart."
"Huh?"
"I'd follow my heart, and choose the one who makes me happy. Truly happy and loved."
Kimiko looked wryly at Sakuragi, to which he sweat dropped. "What?"
"Both make me happy. Both Mit-chan and Kimi-kun."
Sakuragi laughed. Now it was Kimiko's turn. "What?"
"You don't mean that."
"Yes I do!"
"No you don't."
"Yes I do!"
"No you don't."
"Ok, Tensai, what makes you say that?" Kimiko cried, arms akimbo.
Sakuragi just grinned. "When your heart answers, you will know. That's the answer I have. Just ask yourself, Kimiko-sempai, who makes you truly happy and loved, and you won't go wrong." Sakuragi put his arm around Kimiko's shoulder. "Trust me."
Kimiko looked at Sakuragi, and her eyes widened. She never knew he could be so serious!!! Sakuragi was not a fool as people thought him to be. She was sure of it.
"Arigato, Sakuragi-kun…"
"Daijobu! I'm the Tensai! NYA HA HA HA HA!!!"
And soon, Sakuragi launched into singing his 'Ore wa Tensai song'.
Kimiko: ^Sweat drop^ "Yare yare, Tensai, now let's watch the tapes of you from 1 to 6, ne? And if you have any questions, we'll ask Anzai-sensei tomorrow, ok?"
"HAI!!"
Kimiko: ^Sweat drop^
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On the third day, Sakuragi finally managed to complete his 200,000 shots, and everyone celebrated. The gym door opened, and Team Shohoku came in.
"Anzai-sensei, we've come back!" boomed Akagi.
"Wow, your skins have all have become dark!" remarked Anzai-sensei.
"Welcome back, Mit-chan, Kimi-kun…" smiled Kimiko, at the two darker males.
Mitsui went over and kissed her on the cheek. Kogure clenched his fist, but neither he nor anyone noticed, surprisingly.
"Anzai-sensei, between our games with Josei High, we have one win, and one loss." Reported Kogure, smiling back at Kimiko.
"All right! Everyone have a good rest tonight! We'll meet up here again tomorrow at two in the afternoon, and practice!" shouted Akagi.
"HAI!!"
"Finally! We can go home!!!" cried the Sakuragi gundan out of joy, and scurried of in chibi form.
Everyone sweat dropped.
"Haruko-chan, would you do me a favour?" asked Kimiko, wrapping her arm around her junior.
"What would that be, Kimiko-sempai?"
"I would love to help out in cleaning the gym, but I have to go home. I'm darn exhausted…"
"No problem!"
"Those stupid bakas! They didn't even have the decency to help out in cleaning the gym!" muttered Sakuragi loudly, dry mopping the gym floor.
"But Sakuragi-kun, Yohei and the others aren't members of the basketball team, so you can't expect them to help at every little thing!" said Haruko, her face suddenly changing into surprise. "Sakuragi-kun, your shoes… There's a big hole in it!"
"Huh?"
Sakuragi looked down, and discovered that his right basketball shoe indeed had a big hole at the tip.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN????? MY SHOE!!!!!!!!!!" wailed Sakuragi, his wail heard being heard for miles. (L.I.D.[author]: ^Sweat drop^)
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That night, Kimiko and Mitsui went out for dinner, and unknown to them, a pair of eyes followed them, following their every move…
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(=^_^=) Meow!
Now this, this is the result of my brain when in over drive… LOL I need more time spent on my PC to type! Kuso! Argh… I'm blabbering… My back hurts too! AGAIN! *Grumbles while typing more on the pc!* I WILL type more! I WILL succeed!!! LOL!
BTW, people, would you guys be game for a sequel to this fic when it's finished? Please let me know if you want this fic to be just ONE story, or have a sequel when it's finished! ^_^ Arigato!
Replies!
Syivese-chan: LOL! Poor Hanagata! Thanks mucho! Hope you like this chapter! *Hugs*
Icko14-chan: LOL you need to talk to Kogure to encourage him… Will he be defeated? Or will he fight? :p
Archmyst-kun: Thank you! *Takes given inspiration and runs off to the pc!* I will use it wisely! :p
Po' PoCHi-chan: My dear, my email is: Kogure_Ikuko@yahoo.com.sg! You got it wrong! LOL! No wonder I didn't get your pic!
Cherry Blossoms Kaorin-chan: LOL! Itai! *Sees plasters on her face as well as Kaorin-chan* And yes, saw your fic, but will review soon… Was in a fic typing frenzy last time. LOL
Fehrocious-chan: Are you exams finished yet? As for the sequel, we'll see, coz I don't know if people still want a sequel after this LOONG fic of mine… They might find it draggy. (For all I know…) BTW… I'M NOT GOOOO!!!!!!! LOL You naughty onna! *tickles imouto-chan!*
Cookies-chan: Thanks! ^_^ *hugz*
Nikka-chan: Daughter in Japanese is: Kanojo (Anyone, please correct me if I'm right!)
Super rookie-chan: Your last review got cut short dearie, just thought I ought to let you know. LOL!
Madiha-chan: Hai! Root for Kogure, and he might do something! LOL
Rurouni-chan: I will be ending it, yes, but not THAT soon. ^_~ LOL A fic that would never end? Wouldn't you get sick of it? LOL Glad to see you wouldn't! And yeah, let's hope Kimiko sees Kogure again!
Joy-chan: Hai! Arigato! Will post soon! Argh… Pray for me that I have more time! Real life is a pain! :p
F5C-chan: Thanks… I thought you guys needed a breather from the drama… LOL!