Disclaimer: I do not own Slam Dunk!! *boo hoo!* And, I certainly do not own Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata! ~_~ Life is just so unfair isn't it?? *pouts*
Thankies to the reviewers! =^.^=
Hikaru Itsuko: *Bows* Thanks for reviewing again ne ^_^ Enjoy this chappy ne :D
Frozenfemale: Oh…you like Alexis, aka Eien huh? Hahaha… But, who can blame you? He is attractive :P hahaha… ;)
Tensaispira: Huh? Where are you then??? O.o Anyways, enjoy reading when you get back from where ever you are now lor. Cheers~ :)
Fiery-chan: WB!!! :D Wow~ another Eien fan! Hahaha… Ano, what are you doing staying up till 4am in the morning arh?? You being naughty again!?!??! Hmmm??? :P hahaha… Anyway…enjoy this chappy ne ^_^
MoonGlow: If you're continuing to read this fic, hope you'll like the ending ne :) I'm missing you already, but I know you need to do what you need to do, so…ganbatte ne and good luck!! ^_~ Btw, you know where to find me when you need to. :) Cheers & take care of yourself ne. =^.^=
NB: … Thoughts
"…" Character's speech
~*~*~*~*~ Merry Christmas Everyone!!! ~*~*~*~*~
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Chapter 9 – Spring, Season of Renewal
Winter. Since the first snow fell, everything was covered in white. After the new year, it was time for the university entrance exams. The time when hundreds and thousands of senior students strived toward their goals or ambitions one last time.
Kogure, Ying, Mitsui, and all other senior students in Shohoku were faced with the same dilemma. Everyone was doing their best to get into the university they aimed for. Consequently, all of them were studying night and day for the exams. However, Hisae was not caught in this turmoil since there was no need for her to sit the exams. She would be going to Vienna in the coming spring, to the Conservatorium of Music in Vienna, where she would study the prestigious arts of music composition. Although she did not have to participate in these exams, she still stayed with her friends as they studied. During these stressful times, she would make small treats for her friends to lighten their moods and tensions.
Today was the last day of the exams and Hisae was playing the piano in Shohoku's music room as she waited for her friends. Just as she finished the last note of the piece, the music room's door opened and in walked Kogure and Ying.
"How did it go?" She asked her friends as she closed the piano's cover.
"Don't ask!" Ying grumbled as she slumped herself onto one of the desk in the room.
Kogure walked over to the piano and planted a soft kiss on Hisae's forehead. "It's not too bad." He said with a smile.
"How can you say it's not too bad!?" Ying boomed as she shot up from her slumping state and glared at the smiling Kogure.
"Eeto…cause it wasn't that bad?" Kogure blinked innocently.
"Oh! I give up!" Ying threw her hands into the air submissively. "How can you stand such a nerd, Hisae? His head only contains formulae and numbers!"
Hisae smiled. "Was it really that hard, Ying?" She asked her a question instead of answering the questions Ying threw at her.
"Well…sort of. The last two questions were just so damn mind boggling! Argh!" Ying groaned.
"Kim-kun?" Hisae looked from Ying to Kogure questioningly.
Kogure nodded. "The last two were quite a teaser."
"Sou." Hisae walked over to Ying and placed a hand on her shoulders. "Don't worry ne. You'll do fine. Don't stress over something that is done, k?"
Ying smiled weakly at her purple-eyed friend. "Guess you're right. What's done is done. Can't do anything about it now."
Hisae nodded and smile. "Ne, where's Mitsui-kun?"
"He's gone to shoot some hoops." Ying rolled her eyes as she talked about her boyfriend's whereabouts. "He said three weeks away from the courts was too much for him to bear, so he's gone to the gym straight after the exam."
"Talking about basketball, I haven't played for a while too. I think I should go and join Mitsui." Kogure said contemplatively.
"Why don't we go to the gym together then? We can all go to dinner together afterwards to celebrate the end of the exams ne." Hisae smiled happily at her friends.
"OK. Let's go then!" Ying said as she nodded her head. She then grabbed Hisae by the arm and stormed out of the music room leaving Kogure smiling at her brash behavior.
o o o o o
"He shoots, and he scores! Yes!" Mitsui pumped an arm into the air as the ball arched and went through the basket beautifully.
"Care for a one on one Mitsui?" Kogure asked as he and the girls entered the gym.
Mitsui turned and smiled at the ex-vice-captain. "You're on."
Kogure took off his jacket and white shirt. He walked onto the court wearing his white t-shirt and school pants. He caught the ball Mitsui threw to him and dribbled as he started his offense. The two boys played their game whilst the girls sat and chat at the sidelines.
"Hisae, can I ask you something?" Ying said softly.
"Sure. What is it?" Hisae looked at her friend as her eyes softened.
"Ano, you are really going to leave us in March aren't you?"
"Mm." Hisae nodded heavily as she bit her lower lip.
"Have you thought about what's going to happen between you and Kogure-kun after you leave? I mean, your relationship is…"
"Kim-kun said he'll wait for me." Hisae smiled and cut off Ying's words.
"But can you be absolutely sure that he'll wait for you? I'm not trying to pry or anything, just that…I don't want to see you hurt."
Hisae turned and smiled positively at the shorter girl, and hugged her. "Arigatou Ying. Thank you for caring so deeply for me, I'm really glad to have you as my friend."
Ying hugged her back and grunted. "What do you mean glad? Shouldn't you be thanking the heavens above for sending me to you?"
The girls pulled apart and laughed.
"Yeah. I should thank kami-sama for sending me someone as bold and as rogue as you to be my best friend shouldn't I?" Hisae teased.
"Ooi! Watch your words there." Ying pulled a pretentious angry face.
Hisae blinked and laughed at Ying's scowling face. Ying followed her in laughing soon. The boys turned to look at their girlfriends then exchanged a clueless look. Women… They thought and went back to their game.
When the girls finally stopped laughing. Ying persisted with her earlier question again.
"Honestly Hisae, are you sure about this eventual long distance relationship?"
Hisae nodded affirmatively. "Hai. I believe we can pull through it together."
"Well, since you put it that way, I can only wish you good luck with it then." Ying said smiling encouragingly.
"Thanks Ying."
"I'll keep an eye on him for you when you're away to make sure that he behaves himself ne." Ying winked at Hisae mischievously.
"Are you sure you'll have time to do so?" Hisae raised an eyebrow at her playfully. "Aren't your hands full with Mitsui-kun?"
Ying blushed immediately and Hisae laughed. Teasing Ying could be so much fun sometimes.
"Hey! I offered you my help and you teased me about it! What kind of friend are you?" Ying pouted.
Hisae glanced at her and continued to laugh.
The boys had finished their game and came over.
"What are you two laughing about?" Mitsui asked as he took a swig of Pochari Sweat.
"Nothing. It's a secret between Ying and me." Hisae smiled at up at the indigo head.
Hisae got up, took Kogure's towel from him, and started to wipe his perspiration for him.
The bespectacled boy smiled at his girlfriends gentle gestures. "What were you two talking about?" He whispered.
Hisae shrugged. "Himitsu desu. So, I can't tell you."
"Is that so?" He raised an eyebrow and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Yeaps. And you'd better go take a shower, 'cause you stink." Hisae wrinkled her nose at him.
"You two should go get a room somewhere." Mitsui snickered at the half hugging pair.
"Ooi! Don't be a hentai!" "Mitsui!" "Mitsui-kun!"
Ying, Kogure, and Hisae shouted in unison. Kogure and Hisae were blushing furiously at Mitsui's words. The indigo head just burst out laughing at the bespectacled pair.
"Hahahahaha! You two blush so easily." Mitsui said between laughs then winked naughtily at Kogure. "Don't tell me the little red devil that works alongside your conscience's angel hasn't told you to do more than just hug Miss Dainty here ne?"
Kogure and Hisae were now redder than the ripest tomatoes, especially Kogure.
Ying slapped Mitsui on the arm and glared at him. "For your information, Kogure's not a hentai like you!"
Mitsui grinned and winked at his girlfriend. "Oh, just how do you know I'm a hentai? Takes one to know one huh?"
"Mitsui Hisashi you jerk!" Ying blushed and shouted at the scarred boy. She swung a punch at him, but he avoided it easily and pulled her into his arms instead. Next thing she knew, she was being kissed senseless by her ex-gangster boyfriend. The kiss blew her mind away and she limped in his arms.
Hisae and Kogure looked away, pretending not to have seen anything.
"Kim-kun, I'll wait for you by the main door? You go and shower ne?" Hisae said awkwardly while she blushed furiously.
"Eh, yea. I'll be quick." Kogure mumbled red-facedly.
The two then headed off in different direction, while the kissing pair continued to kiss, oblivious to their friends' departure.
o o o o o
There were no classes after the exams; therefore, the senior students were off on a two-week break before the exam results were released. Within this time, the student council prepared and organized the senior prom. The prom was to be held on the night of their convocation, which was only a month away. This also meant that there was only a month left before Hisae would leave her friends…for a long time.
Hisae and Ying had gone prom dress shopping. They were now in a boutique that catered exclusively for evening/ball dresses, Intangibles. Hisae sat on the sofas provided outside the fitting room, waiting for Ying to try the dresses. She already had a dress for the prom, thus she was shopping with Ying for Ying only. Her dress was tailor made. A full length, silver diamonte strapped, dark red suede silk satin dress that had a thigh-length slit on the left and a medium tailing. The bodice of the dress was linked by criss-crossed silver diamonte, adding more elegance to the dress.
Ying had found three dresses to try on. The first one was a full length, dark green velvet halter gown that had a heart shape neckline. Second, a full length, maroon colored silk satin gown that had gatherings at the waist, which gave it a dreamy look. Third, another full length dress in electric blue; a silk chiffon gown that came with a shawl and was quite body-hugging with a shoelace back instead of the conventional zipper.
When Ying put on the first two dresses, she and Hisae both shook their heads. However, when she put on the third dress and stepped out of the change room, both of them nodded. The dark blue color accented Ying's now paled skin tone perfectly. She looked exquisite in the dress. Therefore, they called for the shop assistant to help with the pinning of the dress for the alterations required. After paying and setting a date to collect the dress, the girls walked out of Intangibles to meet their boyfriends for lunch.
The two weeks of holiday passed quickly and the day for announcing the results for the university entrance examination. The main notice board in the main hall of Shohoku was crowded by hundreds of student since early morning. All were waiting anxiously for the posting of the results.
Ying had stayed over the night before and she had dragged Hisae out of bed early that morning to come to school. Ying had been nervous and couldn't keep still. All Hisae could do was patted her friend lightly on the shoulders in reassurance. However, it wasn't of much use since Ying was still pacing around, non-stopped. Hisae finally gave up and leaned onto her boyfriend's side. She dozed off soon to catch some more sleep. Kogure smiled down at her sleeping form as he pulled his jacket over the two of them.
After waiting for a few hours, the results were finally posted. Everyone swamped the notice board to check his or her marks. Within fifteen minutes, the students had experienced emotions ranging from nervous to great joy or great sadness. Many broke down into tears of despair on the spot after seeing his or her result, whilst others heaved a heavy sigh of relief and smiled for the first time after the exams.
Kogure smiled when he saw his name on the ToDai's list of accepted students. His best friend, Akagi also made it into ToDai. Ying felt a heavy weight lifted off her chest when she saw her name on the ToDai list. Mitsui on the other hand didn't see his name on any of the lists. Just when he was going to growl in defeat, Kogure pointed to him that his name was on the scholarship list. Mitsui had been accepted into ToDai based on a basketball scholarship! The scarred boy stood there gawking in disbelief like a statue. Akagi and Kogure congratulated him and teased him about being able to stay with Ying through their university years.
Hisae was happy for her friends and she smiled brilliantly at them. But deep down inside, she was beginning to feel the despair of leaving. Only three more weeks before she had to leave her friends for a long time. She looked away from her friends as she squinted back a falling tear. She looked up at the winter skies and caught the budding sakuras at the corner of her eyes. She turned and saw the young leaves that had grown on the bared branches.
Spring is coming… She thought and sighed silently.
"What are you thinking about?" A soft, gentle voice accompanied the gentle hand that was placed on her shoulder.
"Betsuni." She said softly without turning back; keeping her purple orbs on the still bared sakuras.
His warm brown eyes followed hers and saw what she saw. "They're growing back again after the cold months."
She nodded. "Yes they are…"
"Just like you will come back after you've done what you need to do in Vienna." He said softly with a smile.
She turned around and her gaze met his. "Kim-kun…"
"We've talked about this many times haven't we?" He let himself drown in her purple pools that were now tinged by the shadow of sorrow. "My answer will always be the same Hisae; I will wait for you here in Japan. I'll wait for you to come back to me."
"Kim-kun," she whispered and crushed herself against him. She choked as she sobbed, "I don't want to leave you, all of you, but I have to. It hurts. It hurts so much."
Kogure stroked her back gently in shooting motions. "Shh…I know, I know…"
Kogure closed his eyes as he held her. He sighed helplessly as her tears wet his jacket…
o o o o o
Prom night.
The senior students had just had their convocation in the morning that day and received their high school certificates. Kogure was the valedictorian and he gave the farewell speech to the school on behave of all the seniors. After the convocation assembly, everyone mingled to have their yearbook signed and had their photographs taken together in their school uniforms for the last time. This was followed by the individual preparation for the night's event. The prom.
Kogure and Mitsui came to pick up Hisae and Ying at Setsuge-ka En in the evening. Both were stunned by how beautiful their girls looked, although both girls portrayed totally different qualities. Hisae was quiet and elegant, whilst Ying was vibrant and definitely classy. As they walked out of the door, Eien shot a glance at Hisae hinting something only known to the siblings. Hisae nodded at her brother then walked out of the door. Kogure noticed the exchange of looks between the siblings but did not question them. However, the looks they gave each other unnerved him.
The basketball gym was transformed into a stylish location for the occasion. They even arranged for the local band to play for them. Oddly enough, amidst the band stood the baby grand from the music room. Although so, no one asked any questions about this setting since they set out to enjoy themselves this night.
When Kogure, Hisae, Ying and Mitsui arrived, the prom had already started and most of the students were dancing to the band's music. Mitsui pulled Ying onto the dance floor immediately and the two danced the night away. Kogure and Hisae sat by the side and watched their friends dance until a slow song was played.
Kogure stood from his seat and bowed courtly at Hisae. "May I have this dance, my lady?"
Hisae put her hand on his offered hand. "Of course you may, dear sir."
She stood from her seat and smiled at him. Kogure led her onto the dance floor and their feet moved synchronously to the music as the band began to play Utada Hikaru's First Love. Hisae leaned into Kogure's embrace and rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes as she listened to his steady heartbeats.
"I will always remember this song." Hisae whispered as she smiled contently at Kogure.
"Let this be our song?" He smiled at her and asked.
She nodded. "I'll play this song for you one day…when I return."
"All right. It's a promise then. You'll play this song for me when you come back from Vienna."
"Hai. Yakusoku." She said with an affirmative nod of her head.
Time flies when you're the happiest.
For Hisae and Kogure, time had flown pass them without them noticing. Not before long, it was already nine. Hisae noticed the time when she looked up at the large clock hung above them. She pulled herself away from Kogure and walked to the stage. Kogure watched as she went off. He did not stop her for he knew she had something she wanted to do.
Hisae nodded to the band and they moved away. She walked to the microphone and tapped it a few times to get the attention of her fellow students. She smiled and bowed to the students when they all looked her way.
"Konbawa minna-san. Thank you for your attention everyone. I have called for you to look my way because I have a few words I needed to say to you all. I want to thank you everyone here tonight for accepting me as a fellow student, and more importantly treating me as a friend since I came to Shohoku. Doumo arigatou." Hisae bowed at them courteously. "As you all know, I am a pianist. Therefore, tonight I will take this opportunity to play twp pieces on the piano as a thank you and farewell present. I know not many of you like classical music, but please bear with me since classical music is the only type I know. The first piece I will be playing is called Forever Yours, a piece of music I composed. I dedicate this piece of music to my most heartfelt friends Zhi Ying, Kogure Kiminobu, Mitsui Hisashi, and Akagi Takenori. The second will be a classical piece called Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven. Hope all of you will enjoy this little gift from me to you."
Hisae took a step back from the microphone and bowed again before she stepped over to the baby grand and opened its covers. She sat down and placed her slender fingers on the keyboard. Closing her eyes, she began striking the ivory keys gracefully, playing Forever Yours. This piece was written as one that was sweet and light. However, the weight of her heart's sadness brought this piece down with her. Even though the sweetness remained, the lightness was replaced by the lead of despair. Tears began to fall from her closed eyes as she played, and Kogure knew she was leaving them that night. For he could feel the sadness in her music.
Everyone clapped when the melody ended. Not turning to look at anyone, Hisae began to play Moonlight Sonata. The heart wrenching melody of Moonlight Sonata filled the vast gymnasium immediately. When Moonlight Sonata finally ended, Kogure hurried to her side, pulled her into his arms, and held her dearly.
"Gomen. I'm so sorry for not telling you earlier. Gomen…" She sobbed in his arms.
He shook his head and said croakily as he fought back his tears. "No. Don't be. I know it's your way of not hurting us more by leaving suddenly."
They held on to each other as everyone watched in silence. Ying bit her lip to force back her own tears. Mitsui noticed this and pulled her into his arms.
"Don't force yourself to hold back. Cry if you want." The indigo head whispered into Ying's ears.
Ying immediately turned and sobbed in Mitsui's embrace. Hisae was leaving, and she won't be able to see her best friend again for years. The thought hurt so deeply that she could not stop herself from crying.
The gym doors opened as a purple-eyed, male gaijin walked in. All attention turned to the new comer immediately. The majority of the females gasped dreamily at the sight of Eien. He walked to the stage as he nodded at Mitsui.
"Nicole, it's time." He said flatly.
Hisae and Kogure pulled apart slowly, unwilling to lose each other's warmth. The gentle ex-vice-captain of Shohoku's basketball club wiped her tears away gently and smiled warmly at her.
"Go. Take flight and spread your wings. I will be waiting for you here. For you to come back and rest your wings by my side, in my embrace." He said gently.
"Kim-kun, aishiteru." She said as she planted a chaste kiss on his lips.
"I love you too, kitten." He smiled and kissed her back.
Eien waited for his sister to bid her goodbyes to her boyfriend, then her friends silently. When Hisae nodded to him in gesture that she was ready to go, he nodded back and wrapped his arms around her shoulders as they walked out of the gym together, without looking back.
Ying cried herself until all her tears ran dried in Mitsui's arms, while Kogure stood and watched the siblings take leave stonily.
Come back soon Hisae, come back to me ne, my kitten… Kogure said silently as he watched them got into the waiting car.
The early spring breeze blew across the land and brought new life to all living things. As it blew, the first sakura bloomed fell, and Kogure caught it in his palm. He looked at the pale pink flower and smiled. Spring. A season that meant renewed life forces, a season for new beginnings…
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akane の teahouse…
Getting there, almost there… ^_^
So…what are your thoughts on this chapter? Drop me a review? Onegai!! :D Thanx ^_^
The Lazy Neko signing out~ =^.^=