DISCLAIMER: Must I repeat what I've said all this while? I know they're not mine and shall never be mine. Thank you!
Author's Notes: OOC. Unavoidable. Sorry *bows* No time to talk. Enjoy the fic!

~

            "It was her…"
            Rukawa was horrified to hear the words. "Hanamichi?" he squeezed the name out somewhat carefully. "Are you—"
            Sakuragi's vacant eyes were on him, and he smiled. He wrapped his arms around Rukawa's neck and brought their foreheads together. "She's bound to find out sooner or later—I can't go on being with her when I have you on my mind all the time…"
            Rukawa's face relaxed. He felt comfortable as Sakuragi deepened his face in his hair. "I'm awfully sorry."
            "For what? For making me realize that I've really been a do'aho for not recognizing this true love I have for you?"
            "Hana…you…aren't you, well…"
            "I do feel uncomfortable with what just happened…but it's better this way. She has to accept it…"
            "You're okay with this?" I've never seen this side of him…it's like he just got philosophical all of a sudden…
            "I'm okay as long as you're with me, Kaede."
            And they sat like that until dusk. Dr. Matsuyama had trouble separating them when he wanted to administer some medications to the blind boy.
            "Dr. Matsuyama…is it OK if Kaede stays here for the night?" asked Sakuragi.
            The doctor stared first at Rukawa, then at Sakuragi. "But…the hospital policy…"
            "They won't know if you won't tell."
            Dr. Matsuyama wrinkled his forehead. "Where's he going to sleep?"
            "You need not to worry about that. He's obtained a PhD in sleeping." Sakuragi beamed at Rukawa.
            "Can I?" asked Rukawa.
            Dr. Matsuyama sighed. "All right. As long as you don't get me in trouble."

            Akagi knocked on Haruko's door.
            Haruko, who was burying her face in her pillow, raised her head.
            "Haruko, open the door—NOW."
            She did not. "I want to be alone!"
            By then Akagi knew it was useless to insist.
            Haruko rolled over on her bed and stared at the ceiling. Her dried up tears were obvious on her face.
            She should have known this would happen. The only thing was, she was unsure how the truth would hit her.

[Flashback]

            "I'm going to buy an ice-cream cone, onii-chan," she told him, taking her wallet out. "Wait for me here."
            Akagi gave a grumble that sounded something like "Whatever."
            Haruko unbuttoned her purse and saw the pink handkerchief. She pulled it out and stared at it for a moment.
            I should throw this away…This thing made Hanamichi's life miserable…I should get rid of this…
            She approached a trashcan. She held it over the garbage can, but her fingers could not release the napkin.

[End of Flashback]

            Maybe that's why it hurts so much. Seeing the guy of my dreams with Sakuragi-kun, not as mere friends, but as lovers. With my very own eyes, I saw them engaged in an intoxicating kiss.
            WHY did I suggest to Sakuragi-kun to befriend Rukawa-kun? Was it because I did not want to see Sakuragi-kun criticizing, condemning Rukawa-kun?

            Rukawa's fingers danced playfully on Sakuragi's head. He caressed the boy's head lovingly, his eyes glued on Sakuragi's façade. Sakuragi's lips curved into a smile, even as he was deep enclosed in his dreams.
            He must be dreaming of me…Rukawa told himself when he saw Sakuragi mouthed "Kaede".
            Rukawa could not sleep, not when his dearest Sakuragi was right in front of him.
            His other hand was in Sakuragi's, the latter holding on to it, refusing to let it go. Sakuragi turned aside, his face closer to Rukawa's. Rukawa, smiling dimly, fiddled with Sakuragi's nose.
            Sakuragi's eyes opened, informing Rukawa that he was awake.
            "Did I wake you up?" asked Rukawa.
            Smiling, "No, you didn't." Sakuragi brought Rukawa's hand closer to his lips. "Why aren't you asleep?"
            "I don't want to."
            "What a funny thing to say." He chuckled.
            Rukawa's nose brushed against Sakuragi's. "I only want to sit here and look at you the whole night."
            Sakuragi sighed. "A pity…I can't…"
            "Sleep, Hana, sleep. Dream of me—you'll see me in your dreams."
            "Do you know…I usually get nightmares ever since this sightlessness…but tonight, I got the most wonderful dream in my life."
            "That's great."
            "It is, isn't it?" Sakuragi grinned. "Thanks to you."
            Rukawa kissed Sakuragi's forehead. "So what did you dream about?"
            "A wedding—ours, as a matter of fact." Sakuragi giggled. "Do you know you look amazingly captivating in a white tuxedo? It matches your midnight-black hair superbly."
            "I've never put one on before. But I will for you."
            "Kaede, you're really good in sweet-talks, you know. Makes me wonder where'd you learn those from."
            "I spent most of time conjuring them—especially for you."
            Sakuragi's hand reached for Rukawa's face. "I can almost see you clearly."
            Rukawa nodded. "I love you, Hana."
            "I love you too, Kaede…"

            "So how was yesterday night?" asked Dr. Matsuyama.
            "Fantastic, absolutely fantastic!" said Sakuragi, enthusiastic.
            Dr. Matsuyama nodded. "That explains why there are no black circles under your eyes." He glanced at Rukawa. "You know, you make my work easier."
            Sakuragi gripped Rukawa's hand tenderly. "And my life a whole lot more meaningful."
            "Are you going to stay here the whole day?" The doctor asked Rukawa.
            Rukawa shook his head sadly. "I have school."
            "From what I've seen yesterday, I thought you wouldn't let him out of this ward, Sakuragi," remarked Dr. Matsuyama lightly.
            "Trust me, I don't want him to—but he must. He's been missing school lately, and the last thing I want is for him to get kicked out of school," said Sakuragi. "Then I will feel so lonely in school once I return there after my recovery."
            "They won't—They need me for the games," Rukawa assured him.
            "You'd better get going now if you don't want to be late," Dr. Matsuyama told Rukawa. "I'll take care of him while you're not here."
            Rukawa nodded and said, "Thank you."
            Dr. Matsuyama, smiling, patted his shoulder. "No, thank you."
            Rukawa left after giving Sakuragi a chaste kiss on his forehead.
            "He's a good boy, isn't he?" asked Dr. Matsuyama.
            "Doctor, 'good' is an understatement for him," murmured Sakuragi heartily.

            Rukawa could not focus in class. Not that he ever did, but only this time it was because of a different reason altogether.
            He was actually doubtful at first. From the time when Sakuragi suffered the accident, it was as if he was a new person. Rukawa never expected Sakuragi would be nice to him.
            What is Hana doing right now…? He wondered. He must be thinking about…
            The history teacher drummed Rukawa's table with his cane. "RUKAWA-KUN! It's a good thing you're not asleep in class—now will you PLEASE concentrate! I'm trying to teach here!"

            Sakuragi did not want to do anything. He only wanted to sit and think about Rukawa.
            He was surprised at his own courage. That day he casually kissed Rukawa's hand, then he just confessed…but he had a very good reason behind his actions.
            He learnt never to take things for granted. And the blindness also made him realize that Rukawa was important to him, and how much he actually cared for Rukawa—and vice versa.
            Sakuragi finally knew the reason for his discomfort. Deep inside, he knew Haruko's confession of love was tentative, making it more or less a mere bluff. She said the words because she felt guilty, sympathy towards him. But Rukawa…it was because he was concerned for him. It was as if Sakuragi had acquired a sixth sense that enabled him to journey to Rukawa's emotion just by listening to his words.
            Rukawa, for once, had showed his emotions in his speech and his actions. Being in Rukawa's arms was magnificently enchanting—and that was different, way different from Haruko.
            God is playing tricks on me…why else would He take away my sight whereas I still have a perfect skull? Still, He is merciful, showing me the truth I've been hiding; shielding myself from…He revealed Rukawa's love to me, and the real man behind that cold, emotionless mask.

            "So, you want to come over to my house after practice?" Mitsui asked Kogure as he waited for Kogure to change.
            "Tonight? Sure, no problem!" Kogure replaced his glasses on the bridge of his nose after he was done. "Dinner again?"
            "Well, that, and a bunch of other things…"
            Kogure looked at him curiously. "A bunch of other things?"
            "Aa. I need a little help with my Chemisty report…"
            Kogure chortled. "Sure thing! For a minute there I thought—"
            Akagi barged into the locker room before Kogure could complete his sentence. Both Kogure and Mitsui literally jumped out of their skin because of Akagi's unannounced arrival.
            "Have you seen Haruko?" questioned Akagi.
            "Err, no…" they replied.
            Akagi mumbled to himself and left. Mitsui turned to Kogure.
            "You were saying?"
            Kogure, blushing, looked away. "I didn't say anything."
            "Aw, Min-kun, you're so lovable!" Mitsui pinched Kogure's cheek mischievously.

Practice was over. Rukawa was the only one left in the gym, and he was packing his things.
"Hey,"
Rukawa turned to look. He frowned in reprove. "You again."
Sendoh Akira neared him. "So you've made your move first, huh?"
Rukawa straightened and glared straight into Sendoh's eyes. "You talk as if Hana's some kind of a prize to be won."
Sendoh laughed nervously. "On the contrary, I don't. I went to see him yesterday and he told me."

[Flashback]

            "You look quite cheerful today, Hanamichi-kun," commented Sendoh. "Anything interesting happened of late?"
            Rukawa, yes… "I believe so—but I'm not telling."
            "Oh, come on, be a sport. Tell me."
            "No, Sendoh, my lips are sealed."
            Out of the blue Sendoh had kissed those lips of Sakuragi's. The latter quickly pulled himself away from Sendoh, gasping in horror, his hand covering his mouth.
            "They're not anymore," said Sendoh.
            As soon as Sakuragi had regained his respiration, he berated. "What was that for?" Oh my God…
            "You mean that kiss just now?"
            "YES!"
            "That's to show you how much I love you, Hanamichi-kun."
            "But—Sendoh…You can't…I already have someone else in mind…"
            Sendoh leaned back as he listened to Sakuragi stutter. "It's Rukawa-kun, isn't it?"
            Sakuragi did not say anything.

[end of Flashback]

            "Now you know, so get lost," said Rukawa.
            Sendoh merely looked at him, that familiar mischievous smile on his face.
            "If I ever see you interfering with us—Ryonan will lose their ace." Rukawa warned.

            Sakuragi gulped his water, careful not to spill any. He stopped when he heard light footsteps.
            That's not Kaede…The steps are flimsy… "Who is it?"
            A deep breath. "It's me."
            "Haruko-san?" It's back to Haruko-san now…
            "Are you happy now?" asked Haruko, somewhat cynical.
            "Happy?"
            "Yeah, with Rukawa-kun."

            "Haruko-san…why are you…"
            "You guys are in love all along, aren't you? And you never told me?"
            "No, we just—"
            "I can't believe you! I thought you're a good friend!"
            Sakuragi could not say anything.
            "And you guys are lovers! What are you thinking? Don't tell me you forgot you're a GUY? Guys can't fall in love with each other, you hear! It's—wrong!"
            The patient bit his lips.
            "I'd wager my last yen your relationship won't last!" Haruko grabbed Rukawa's discman on Sakuragi's lap.
            Sakuragi made an attempt to retrieve it, but it was too far for him to reach. Haruko, in anger, threw it on the floor. She stormed out of the room after that.
            Sakuragi did not do anything. He was on the floor, unconscious, blood trickling slowly from his forehead.

~{to be continued}~