Okay, guys, I've mixed the days up. First of all, I don't know how the
school year works in Japan. So I've used the September-June sessions, which
is what the UK, US and the UAE (where I am) follows. This is probably wrong
but for the sake of the fic bear with me. In future fics, I will get them
right. I promise! ^^
TO HOLD ON 4
Mitsui opened his eyes, only to find dark shadows clouding his vision. He felt something soft and silky, something that carried the fragrance of pine tickling his nose. He blinked several times to get a good vision of what was currently blocking his vision and the same time invading his senses. He could feel hot breath tickling his cheek, and could a pair of arms around his chest - wait! Arms? His breath got caught in his throat, when he noticed the shadow being lifted away from his vision. Instead, what greeted him was a pair of dark eyes, which had the beautiful bluish-green tint in them. Mitsui felt as if a magnetic force field around him. He felt numb from just staring at those wonderful eyes. They were too beautiful to be true.
"Are you feeling better?" Mitsui watched as the beautiful person how cradled him in its arms lifted a gentle hand to touch his forehead. "Well, your fever is gone." A small smile graced the person's face. "Happy New Year Mitsui-sempai."
Mitsui blinked. He blinked again, and realized who the person he was ogling at. "Koshino?" He gasped, and a slow blush crawled to his cheeks. He turned his head away, to hide the blush, as he slowly sat up, as much as he hated to leave those arms. "Aa. Happy New Year." His head suddenly swam and his vision blurred. He groaned and collapsed on the pillow.
"It must be the hunger." Koshino said, standing up and heading for the door. "You haven't eaten after all. I'll get you something to eat." Koshino left the room.
Mitsui let out a sigh and turned his back to the door. He hugged himself and shivered. He closed his eyes, trying to block the swimming sensation he was currently suffering from. He was lost in his own world, until he heard a chair scraping his floors. He slowly turned to find Koshino balancing a tray with food in it.
Mitsui gave a grunt as he sat up.
"Here! Hot soup." He handed him the plate, which had a bowl on it with warm corn soup in it. "Eat up." Mitsui nodded and shakily took the spoon, and tried balancing the plate in one hand, but failed miserably. So he held the plate with two hands. Koshino sighed and scooped a spoon full of the soup. "Open up." He said, holding the spoon in front of Mitsui's lips. Mitsui hesitated, but took it in the end. The soup burned his throat. But it was good. He finished the entire bowl and felt a bit better. "There! Now, isn't it much better?"
Mitsui nodded. "Yeah. Much better." He said in his low baritone voice. His throat was still aching after all.
"Why don't you take a bath? It'll make you feel better." Koshino suggested.
"Yeah, I guess." Mitsui automatically replied, not really looking from the invisible spot he found interesting in his hands.
"I'll get the bath ready."
Koshino prepared the bath and left Mitsui in the bathroom to get his head cleared. Mitsui simply stared at the ceramic light blue ceiling, and could not help but think how Koshino was being so nice to him, how his heart was beating fast just because he was beside him. Out of the blow, he made a quiet confession, to whatever magical being that was listening to him at that moment. It felt good to say what he always wanted too.
"I love him." He said to the cloudy blue ceiling. And then, he fell asleep.
*
Koshino had abruptly frozen in mid action in opening the bathroom door with a pair of matching pajamas for Mitsui to change in to. I love him, he had said. Love who? Curiosity had peaked inside Koshino. Mitsui admires someone? He thought of asking Sendoh and Miyagi on who the person might be. He decided that perhaps the senior would want some time alone.
Koshino padded down the stairs and went to the kitchen to boil some water. He placed the kettle on the gas stove and began to mix two cups of hot chocolate. He pulled a white stool and sat, while waiting for the water to boil. He began to think about it all. The year was going to end soon and he needed to go to college. He needed to earn money, since the coming year would be his final one. The thought of resigning from basketball had occurred to him several times, because he simply could not have the time to play anymore in a serious manner. All his time after school would be needed for work. Yes, his night work was very important, since it was the only one that helped him stay on his own two feet.
"With a bad price to pay." Koshino scowled.
The kettle began to whistle. He got up and poured the water in to the two waiting cups - one blue mug and the other black. He glanced at the watch. Mitsui had been inside the bathroom for two hours now. Koshino took the set of clean clothes and climbed up the bathroom again. He knocked twice and got no reply.
"Mitsui-sempai? Are you all right in there?" Still no reply. Koshino felt his heart speed up as worry began to etch in his features. He turned the door knob and stepped in, only to be greeted by Mitsui asleep - his arms around himself, and his head resting on the walls of the bathroom, knees drawn to himself, with his lips slightly parted as his breathing came out in small and deep breaths. Koshino did not catch himself staring at the sleeping boy. The young man of seventeen looked angelic if nothing more exotic and beautiful. Koshino could not help but admire how those long eyelashes hid the dark blue orbs. He could not help but admire how his tanned back and chest moved as he breathed in and out. He could not help but admire how his dark hair shimmered under the globules of water in between the short soft strands. Koshino felt a small smiled crawl to his lips.
"Kirei." He sighed out and then suddenly blinked. He shook his head and straightened himself. He knelt by Mitsui's side and gently shook him awake. "Mitsui-sempai? Sempai?" Mitsui's eyes opened slowly, looking dazed. "Sempai, you should come out now. The water is getting cold. Here!" Koshino patted the folded towel and pajamas on the lid of the toilet seat. "I brought you a change of clothes."
"Thank you." Mitsui said in a deep and husky voice, as he continued to absent-mindedly eye Koshino through half lidded eyes.
Koshino felt his cheeks burn at this. "I've made us hot chocolate. I'll wait for you downstairs." Koshino left the bathroom and closed it immediately behind him. He brought a hand to his chest and he felt his heart racing at the speed of a running horse. He remembered Mitsui's half lidded eyes, his body, his voice, his handsome face - and Koshino blushed even redder. "What's wrong with me?"
He hurried to the kitchen and brought out the hot chocolates to the living room. He sat on the single couch and took a sip from his drink. His eyes fell on a picture of Mitsui with his team in junior high. He could not help but find him rather adorable at that time, unlike now; he looked more high- spirited and bubblier then. Koshino felt someone sit beside him. He found Mitsui picking up a mug of hot chocolate - the blue one - and took a small sip from it. His hair was still glistening wet from his bath, and his pajamas hung on his slim and well-proportioned body. Koshino felt himself burn from the sight of his senior.
Several silent minutes passed by and soon, Koshino found Mitsui huddled. He had drawn his knees to one side and wrapped both arms around himself, dipping his head a little bit down. Koshino decided to speak up.
"Sempai?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you cold?"
"A little."
"Would you like me to get you a blanket?" Mitsui shook his head in reply. "Then?"
"It's just that it's so lonely sometimes." Mitsui's voice was low and tired. He looked up at Koshino's direction. "I'm thankful for a good -" Mitsui's eyes softened a bit. "-Friend like you." Mitsui continued to look at Koshino in a way Koshino did not understand. Mitsui suddenly blinked and turned his line of vision to the hot chocolate in his blue mug.
Koshino looked at his cup. "You're never alone sempai." With that said he turned to look at Mitsui, who was looking at him with his lips slightly parted. Koshino smiled at his senior and reached out for some cookies from the plate on the coffee table and handed him one.
Mitsui took it, and just stared at it for a few long seconds. A genuine smile suddenly graced his lips and he took a bite off the cookie.
*
School was back two weeks later and the winter games have finally ended. Koshino was doubling his efforts in pushing his grades up to nineties level. If he wanted to cut down his school expenses, he'll need good grades in order to gain proper credits for college. One fine afternoon though, he and Sendoh had decided to go visit the Shohoku boys. They greeted them with a good heart and the favor was returned.
Mitsui however, finally resigned the basketball team. He was greeted by several argumentative comments, but in the end, something possessed him to speak his thoughts within the secluded part of him.
"It's not because I don't want to play anymore. No, you're wrong." Just then, Akagi and Kogure walked in. "I love basketball, more than anything else. I'd do anything to keep on playing, but unlike you people, I'm on my own. I can't solely depend on basketball. Look how may times I've collapsed in games? I've spent the past two years wasting them on the streets and being the all-around-bad-guy and now this is what I get. I'm not regretting it all. I'm not regretting being able to reach this point with you guys. All of you, were a family. You were more than just a team to me. But I need to work hard now. This is my final year, and I need a future. I'm not an ace like Maki or something. I'm just me. And being me, I believe it's time I moved on." He dipped his head, feeling the tears coming. He always was emotional, in a silent way. "You know, before my parents left, my mother always dreamed that I'd be able to start up a family business. I just want to achieve that. But that does not mean I'd never drop by and see you group youngsters blossom to stars. I will always watch your games. Because a family that worked and dreamed together, stays together."
Miyagi turned his head away and cried silently on Sendoh's shoulder. Ayako covered her face, while Haruko hugged Youhei. Sakuragi walked up to Mitsui and gave him a big hug, crying. Soon the entire gym was filled with little sniffles. By the entrance of the gym, Koshino took a few steps back and felt himself collide with the wall behind him. That was touching. He closed his eyes for a brief moment before moving to leave the gym, ignoring the calls Sendoh was giving him.
"Koshino!" A hand clamped on his shoulder, before the owner of the said hand moved to stand in front of him. "Hey, Koshino! I was just -" Mitsui frowned when he saw the look on Koshino's face. "Is something wrong Koshino?"
Koshino began to think of his life. What was left of it? Should he go on dreaming? Was it a futile attempt? His night job was bad enough - it made him filthy and an odd duck amongst the rest. He was alone. He had no family. Did he still have happiness in his heart? Can he love? Is he still capable of doing that? He clenched a fist. Who would love him? Who would even look at a filthy young man like him? Man? Is he even qualified to be called as one?
Mitsui noted how Koshino's eyes suddenly filled with loneliness. His lips slightly trembled. "Would you like to come home with me and have a cup of coffee?" Koshino nodded dumbly and began to follow Mitsui to his cozy house. Once inside the cozy house, Mitsui made Koshino sit in the living room while he began to prepare the coffee.
Koshino's eyes fell on hands. He narrowed his eyes at them. They were filthy hands that earned money in a filthy way. If people found out, would they still look at him the same way they did before? Would Mitsui still even look at him? The more he thought about it, the more insecure he felt, the more he felt alone and odd.
"Here." A steaming cup of coffee was held in front of him. He gave a rather inaudible thanks and took the cup, while Mitsui sat beside him. "Is something bothering you Koshino?" Koshino said nothing but his lower lip trembled. "You can always tell me." Koshino shook his head, his hair flying in different directions as he did so.
"I'm all right sempai. I - I was just - just thinking - of -" Koshino's voice broke. "Oh god!" He covered his face and began to sob lightly. Mitsui quickly set his cup down and unconsciously took Koshino in his arms. The boy began to sob even harder. "I - hate my - my life - I'm - so - so useless."
"Hush now Koshino." Mitsui began to smooth his hair, and continued to hold him. "Remember when I said that you're not alone?" Koshino nodded in his chest. "Well I meant it. Koshino, I'm here. I'm always here. So don't think that you're alone okay? Because no matter what happens, no matter what you do, no matter what you are, I'll always be here for you."
Koshino sobbed some more, his slender arms tightening around Mitsui's waist as he continued to cry everything out. His frustration, his shattered family dreams, his regrets, his mistakes and his sins.
A little time later, he stopped, and then there was silence. He closed his eyes for a moment and suddenly fell asleep.
*
Koshino woke up to find himself in a very comfortable bed. He immediately sat up and stared at the time. It was eleven thirty. He cursed and got to his feet and threw the door open, rushing down the stairs. He looked around and found light in the dining room. He went inside and found Mitsui bent on the table, a pile of books around him, his head resting on his arms, his specs still on. Koshino never knew that Mitsui wore glasses - he figured they were reading glasses.
Koshino approached the sleeping figure and peeked at the pile of work that were set in an orderly manner all around him. He had fallen asleep on top of his physics textbook. He had been reading the chapter of static electricity. Koshino found his math text book open, along with several answered questions on lined and graph paper. His ruler, pencil, ink pen and eraser were scattered, and there was a pile of crumpled papers just beside him. Koshino rushed back up to the room and came back down with a blanket. He gently took his glasses off and covered his shoulders with the blanket. He smiled when Mitsui mumbled in his sleep. He scribbled a note and left it beside Mitsui's folded glasses.
"Thank you, sempai." He turned and left the house, rushing back to his own. He found a pair of low waist leather pants and pulled them on. He found a dark violet silk button down blouse and pulled it on. He grabbed his coat and left the house, heading to his employer's office - a red bricked building with clear one way view windows. He took the lift to the 1st floor and made his way to his boss's office. The man sat there, in a white suit, with a scowl on his face.
"Where were you? You're two hours late!" He barked.
"I'm sorry, sir. I - I had school work to attend to."
"You've got clients waiting to be attended. You don't get paid this much to be late, my little boy." His blue eyes glinted under the white light.
"I said I was sorry." Koshino said, his temper rising. "Look, I'll make up for it okay? I'll stay till four instead of two. Happy?"
"Always good to do business with you." He dug out a cigarette and lit it. "First client is on the east wing, room 101. Get it over and done with."
Koshino gave a curt bow and turned to leave the office. He headed for the room he designated for.
It was going to be a long night again.
*
Mitsui woke up the next morning to find a blanket lying on his shoulder and his glasses neatly folded on top of his English essay. He sat up and yawned, stretching his limbs. They cracked as he did so. He got to his feet when his eyes suddenly fell on a piece of folded paper next to his reading glasses. He unfolded it and a small smile came to his lips.
Thank you Sempai.
He climbed up to his room, tucking away the little note in to a small silver box in which only the most valuable things to him was kept in there. Inside, there was his certificate of being the MVP during junior high, a picture of himself with his family, his basketball team in junior high, the entire Shohoku team, a picture of both Ryonan and Shohoku during their outing in the fair, the card he got from Koshino, his locket and finally, the two rings Koshino had given him during Christmas. He added the note he got and closed the box.
He went to take his shower and changed to his uniform. He then padded down the stairs and began to fix all his work and books before beginning his quest to search for breakfast. But it was already late. He grabbed an apple and dashed out of the house, making it in time in to the class room, just as the bell began to ring.
*
The days turned in to weeks, the weeks turned in to months. Soon, the entire Shohoku high school was packed with students memorizing their lessons for their final exams. Among all these students was Mitsui Hisashi. He had managed to pull his grade from a continuous - C average to a B+ average in the course of two months. He desperately needed to reach the A grades in order to get accepted in Tokyo university under Business IT. He had doubled his efforts in all eight subjects that he was taking, surprising all teachers. Not that they did not like the change - even Akagi was shocked. Mitsui after all was one of the 'red mark army' just a few months back, and now he was one of the top students if not the only one.
Mitsui entered the classroom, to find the exam paper waiting on his desk. He dug out his necessary things and waited for the teacher to signal them to begin. His glasses lay in front of him. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and began to pray to the heavens that he get an A on his exams.
"Begin!" the teacher said.
Mitsui slipped his glasses on and picked up his favorite blue ink pen. He began to answer the exam.
An entire week went by with exams only in every student's mind. Result came a week later. Mitsui was one of the first few people who arrived in school on the 12th of June to collect his reports. His form teacher handed him a white envelope with a smile.
"Good luck, Mitsui-san." He said.
Mitsui thanked him and made his way to the outside, where Akagi and Kogure were eyeing their reports with smiles of satisfaction on their faces. Mitsui was busy getting the envelope to open with shaking hands. He pulled the card out and stared at it. He gaped, he gasped, he stared before he jumped four feet high in the air with a big smile on his face.
"I did it!" He shouted, causing everyone in the hall, including teachers to look at him.
"What is your average percentage?" Akagi asked, a smirk on his face.
"96.5! I did it! I'm going to Tokyo University!" Mitsui announced, smiling so happily that Kogure wondered if his face would tear.
"Congratulations Mitsui! Your hard work got you this far." Kogure said good- naturedly. "I'm going to Aichi Medical College. Akagi is heading to Fukasawa College. They've got good engineering courses there, along with a good basketball team."
Mitsui nodded and looked at the ground. "For a year we've been together and now at this point, we finally part. Ironic ain't it?"
Akagi nodded. "Yes." He sighed. "It is ironic."
"But we have to do this at some point." Kogure shook Mitsui's hands. "I wish you the best of luck Mitsui. I know for a fact that once you got your mind on something, you'd anything and everything to achieve it. Maybe we'll be together again, only at that time, as professionals. As talented individuals."
"You're right." Akagi said nodding.
"Let's all go out!" Mitsui said. "All of us! As a team!" His eyes fell on the group of noisy Shohoku basketball team shouting and slapping each other, since none of them have failed. "As a family."
The entire Shohoku team spent that entire day having fun.
As friends.
As a team.
As a family.
TBC
Okay, now I admit that Koshino is OOC and Mitsui in glasses? Damn, has the moon turned pink? But I wanted him to look smart, plus future chapters would be of Mitsui struggling in college and Koshino's dark side slowly being revealed. It will also be a quick one - meaning the entire year would come in one chapter.
So what do you guys think? Be nice and give me some eye candy would yah? ^^
TO HOLD ON 4
Mitsui opened his eyes, only to find dark shadows clouding his vision. He felt something soft and silky, something that carried the fragrance of pine tickling his nose. He blinked several times to get a good vision of what was currently blocking his vision and the same time invading his senses. He could feel hot breath tickling his cheek, and could a pair of arms around his chest - wait! Arms? His breath got caught in his throat, when he noticed the shadow being lifted away from his vision. Instead, what greeted him was a pair of dark eyes, which had the beautiful bluish-green tint in them. Mitsui felt as if a magnetic force field around him. He felt numb from just staring at those wonderful eyes. They were too beautiful to be true.
"Are you feeling better?" Mitsui watched as the beautiful person how cradled him in its arms lifted a gentle hand to touch his forehead. "Well, your fever is gone." A small smile graced the person's face. "Happy New Year Mitsui-sempai."
Mitsui blinked. He blinked again, and realized who the person he was ogling at. "Koshino?" He gasped, and a slow blush crawled to his cheeks. He turned his head away, to hide the blush, as he slowly sat up, as much as he hated to leave those arms. "Aa. Happy New Year." His head suddenly swam and his vision blurred. He groaned and collapsed on the pillow.
"It must be the hunger." Koshino said, standing up and heading for the door. "You haven't eaten after all. I'll get you something to eat." Koshino left the room.
Mitsui let out a sigh and turned his back to the door. He hugged himself and shivered. He closed his eyes, trying to block the swimming sensation he was currently suffering from. He was lost in his own world, until he heard a chair scraping his floors. He slowly turned to find Koshino balancing a tray with food in it.
Mitsui gave a grunt as he sat up.
"Here! Hot soup." He handed him the plate, which had a bowl on it with warm corn soup in it. "Eat up." Mitsui nodded and shakily took the spoon, and tried balancing the plate in one hand, but failed miserably. So he held the plate with two hands. Koshino sighed and scooped a spoon full of the soup. "Open up." He said, holding the spoon in front of Mitsui's lips. Mitsui hesitated, but took it in the end. The soup burned his throat. But it was good. He finished the entire bowl and felt a bit better. "There! Now, isn't it much better?"
Mitsui nodded. "Yeah. Much better." He said in his low baritone voice. His throat was still aching after all.
"Why don't you take a bath? It'll make you feel better." Koshino suggested.
"Yeah, I guess." Mitsui automatically replied, not really looking from the invisible spot he found interesting in his hands.
"I'll get the bath ready."
Koshino prepared the bath and left Mitsui in the bathroom to get his head cleared. Mitsui simply stared at the ceramic light blue ceiling, and could not help but think how Koshino was being so nice to him, how his heart was beating fast just because he was beside him. Out of the blow, he made a quiet confession, to whatever magical being that was listening to him at that moment. It felt good to say what he always wanted too.
"I love him." He said to the cloudy blue ceiling. And then, he fell asleep.
*
Koshino had abruptly frozen in mid action in opening the bathroom door with a pair of matching pajamas for Mitsui to change in to. I love him, he had said. Love who? Curiosity had peaked inside Koshino. Mitsui admires someone? He thought of asking Sendoh and Miyagi on who the person might be. He decided that perhaps the senior would want some time alone.
Koshino padded down the stairs and went to the kitchen to boil some water. He placed the kettle on the gas stove and began to mix two cups of hot chocolate. He pulled a white stool and sat, while waiting for the water to boil. He began to think about it all. The year was going to end soon and he needed to go to college. He needed to earn money, since the coming year would be his final one. The thought of resigning from basketball had occurred to him several times, because he simply could not have the time to play anymore in a serious manner. All his time after school would be needed for work. Yes, his night work was very important, since it was the only one that helped him stay on his own two feet.
"With a bad price to pay." Koshino scowled.
The kettle began to whistle. He got up and poured the water in to the two waiting cups - one blue mug and the other black. He glanced at the watch. Mitsui had been inside the bathroom for two hours now. Koshino took the set of clean clothes and climbed up the bathroom again. He knocked twice and got no reply.
"Mitsui-sempai? Are you all right in there?" Still no reply. Koshino felt his heart speed up as worry began to etch in his features. He turned the door knob and stepped in, only to be greeted by Mitsui asleep - his arms around himself, and his head resting on the walls of the bathroom, knees drawn to himself, with his lips slightly parted as his breathing came out in small and deep breaths. Koshino did not catch himself staring at the sleeping boy. The young man of seventeen looked angelic if nothing more exotic and beautiful. Koshino could not help but admire how those long eyelashes hid the dark blue orbs. He could not help but admire how his tanned back and chest moved as he breathed in and out. He could not help but admire how his dark hair shimmered under the globules of water in between the short soft strands. Koshino felt a small smiled crawl to his lips.
"Kirei." He sighed out and then suddenly blinked. He shook his head and straightened himself. He knelt by Mitsui's side and gently shook him awake. "Mitsui-sempai? Sempai?" Mitsui's eyes opened slowly, looking dazed. "Sempai, you should come out now. The water is getting cold. Here!" Koshino patted the folded towel and pajamas on the lid of the toilet seat. "I brought you a change of clothes."
"Thank you." Mitsui said in a deep and husky voice, as he continued to absent-mindedly eye Koshino through half lidded eyes.
Koshino felt his cheeks burn at this. "I've made us hot chocolate. I'll wait for you downstairs." Koshino left the bathroom and closed it immediately behind him. He brought a hand to his chest and he felt his heart racing at the speed of a running horse. He remembered Mitsui's half lidded eyes, his body, his voice, his handsome face - and Koshino blushed even redder. "What's wrong with me?"
He hurried to the kitchen and brought out the hot chocolates to the living room. He sat on the single couch and took a sip from his drink. His eyes fell on a picture of Mitsui with his team in junior high. He could not help but find him rather adorable at that time, unlike now; he looked more high- spirited and bubblier then. Koshino felt someone sit beside him. He found Mitsui picking up a mug of hot chocolate - the blue one - and took a small sip from it. His hair was still glistening wet from his bath, and his pajamas hung on his slim and well-proportioned body. Koshino felt himself burn from the sight of his senior.
Several silent minutes passed by and soon, Koshino found Mitsui huddled. He had drawn his knees to one side and wrapped both arms around himself, dipping his head a little bit down. Koshino decided to speak up.
"Sempai?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you cold?"
"A little."
"Would you like me to get you a blanket?" Mitsui shook his head in reply. "Then?"
"It's just that it's so lonely sometimes." Mitsui's voice was low and tired. He looked up at Koshino's direction. "I'm thankful for a good -" Mitsui's eyes softened a bit. "-Friend like you." Mitsui continued to look at Koshino in a way Koshino did not understand. Mitsui suddenly blinked and turned his line of vision to the hot chocolate in his blue mug.
Koshino looked at his cup. "You're never alone sempai." With that said he turned to look at Mitsui, who was looking at him with his lips slightly parted. Koshino smiled at his senior and reached out for some cookies from the plate on the coffee table and handed him one.
Mitsui took it, and just stared at it for a few long seconds. A genuine smile suddenly graced his lips and he took a bite off the cookie.
*
School was back two weeks later and the winter games have finally ended. Koshino was doubling his efforts in pushing his grades up to nineties level. If he wanted to cut down his school expenses, he'll need good grades in order to gain proper credits for college. One fine afternoon though, he and Sendoh had decided to go visit the Shohoku boys. They greeted them with a good heart and the favor was returned.
Mitsui however, finally resigned the basketball team. He was greeted by several argumentative comments, but in the end, something possessed him to speak his thoughts within the secluded part of him.
"It's not because I don't want to play anymore. No, you're wrong." Just then, Akagi and Kogure walked in. "I love basketball, more than anything else. I'd do anything to keep on playing, but unlike you people, I'm on my own. I can't solely depend on basketball. Look how may times I've collapsed in games? I've spent the past two years wasting them on the streets and being the all-around-bad-guy and now this is what I get. I'm not regretting it all. I'm not regretting being able to reach this point with you guys. All of you, were a family. You were more than just a team to me. But I need to work hard now. This is my final year, and I need a future. I'm not an ace like Maki or something. I'm just me. And being me, I believe it's time I moved on." He dipped his head, feeling the tears coming. He always was emotional, in a silent way. "You know, before my parents left, my mother always dreamed that I'd be able to start up a family business. I just want to achieve that. But that does not mean I'd never drop by and see you group youngsters blossom to stars. I will always watch your games. Because a family that worked and dreamed together, stays together."
Miyagi turned his head away and cried silently on Sendoh's shoulder. Ayako covered her face, while Haruko hugged Youhei. Sakuragi walked up to Mitsui and gave him a big hug, crying. Soon the entire gym was filled with little sniffles. By the entrance of the gym, Koshino took a few steps back and felt himself collide with the wall behind him. That was touching. He closed his eyes for a brief moment before moving to leave the gym, ignoring the calls Sendoh was giving him.
"Koshino!" A hand clamped on his shoulder, before the owner of the said hand moved to stand in front of him. "Hey, Koshino! I was just -" Mitsui frowned when he saw the look on Koshino's face. "Is something wrong Koshino?"
Koshino began to think of his life. What was left of it? Should he go on dreaming? Was it a futile attempt? His night job was bad enough - it made him filthy and an odd duck amongst the rest. He was alone. He had no family. Did he still have happiness in his heart? Can he love? Is he still capable of doing that? He clenched a fist. Who would love him? Who would even look at a filthy young man like him? Man? Is he even qualified to be called as one?
Mitsui noted how Koshino's eyes suddenly filled with loneliness. His lips slightly trembled. "Would you like to come home with me and have a cup of coffee?" Koshino nodded dumbly and began to follow Mitsui to his cozy house. Once inside the cozy house, Mitsui made Koshino sit in the living room while he began to prepare the coffee.
Koshino's eyes fell on hands. He narrowed his eyes at them. They were filthy hands that earned money in a filthy way. If people found out, would they still look at him the same way they did before? Would Mitsui still even look at him? The more he thought about it, the more insecure he felt, the more he felt alone and odd.
"Here." A steaming cup of coffee was held in front of him. He gave a rather inaudible thanks and took the cup, while Mitsui sat beside him. "Is something bothering you Koshino?" Koshino said nothing but his lower lip trembled. "You can always tell me." Koshino shook his head, his hair flying in different directions as he did so.
"I'm all right sempai. I - I was just - just thinking - of -" Koshino's voice broke. "Oh god!" He covered his face and began to sob lightly. Mitsui quickly set his cup down and unconsciously took Koshino in his arms. The boy began to sob even harder. "I - hate my - my life - I'm - so - so useless."
"Hush now Koshino." Mitsui began to smooth his hair, and continued to hold him. "Remember when I said that you're not alone?" Koshino nodded in his chest. "Well I meant it. Koshino, I'm here. I'm always here. So don't think that you're alone okay? Because no matter what happens, no matter what you do, no matter what you are, I'll always be here for you."
Koshino sobbed some more, his slender arms tightening around Mitsui's waist as he continued to cry everything out. His frustration, his shattered family dreams, his regrets, his mistakes and his sins.
A little time later, he stopped, and then there was silence. He closed his eyes for a moment and suddenly fell asleep.
*
Koshino woke up to find himself in a very comfortable bed. He immediately sat up and stared at the time. It was eleven thirty. He cursed and got to his feet and threw the door open, rushing down the stairs. He looked around and found light in the dining room. He went inside and found Mitsui bent on the table, a pile of books around him, his head resting on his arms, his specs still on. Koshino never knew that Mitsui wore glasses - he figured they were reading glasses.
Koshino approached the sleeping figure and peeked at the pile of work that were set in an orderly manner all around him. He had fallen asleep on top of his physics textbook. He had been reading the chapter of static electricity. Koshino found his math text book open, along with several answered questions on lined and graph paper. His ruler, pencil, ink pen and eraser were scattered, and there was a pile of crumpled papers just beside him. Koshino rushed back up to the room and came back down with a blanket. He gently took his glasses off and covered his shoulders with the blanket. He smiled when Mitsui mumbled in his sleep. He scribbled a note and left it beside Mitsui's folded glasses.
"Thank you, sempai." He turned and left the house, rushing back to his own. He found a pair of low waist leather pants and pulled them on. He found a dark violet silk button down blouse and pulled it on. He grabbed his coat and left the house, heading to his employer's office - a red bricked building with clear one way view windows. He took the lift to the 1st floor and made his way to his boss's office. The man sat there, in a white suit, with a scowl on his face.
"Where were you? You're two hours late!" He barked.
"I'm sorry, sir. I - I had school work to attend to."
"You've got clients waiting to be attended. You don't get paid this much to be late, my little boy." His blue eyes glinted under the white light.
"I said I was sorry." Koshino said, his temper rising. "Look, I'll make up for it okay? I'll stay till four instead of two. Happy?"
"Always good to do business with you." He dug out a cigarette and lit it. "First client is on the east wing, room 101. Get it over and done with."
Koshino gave a curt bow and turned to leave the office. He headed for the room he designated for.
It was going to be a long night again.
*
Mitsui woke up the next morning to find a blanket lying on his shoulder and his glasses neatly folded on top of his English essay. He sat up and yawned, stretching his limbs. They cracked as he did so. He got to his feet when his eyes suddenly fell on a piece of folded paper next to his reading glasses. He unfolded it and a small smile came to his lips.
Thank you Sempai.
He climbed up to his room, tucking away the little note in to a small silver box in which only the most valuable things to him was kept in there. Inside, there was his certificate of being the MVP during junior high, a picture of himself with his family, his basketball team in junior high, the entire Shohoku team, a picture of both Ryonan and Shohoku during their outing in the fair, the card he got from Koshino, his locket and finally, the two rings Koshino had given him during Christmas. He added the note he got and closed the box.
He went to take his shower and changed to his uniform. He then padded down the stairs and began to fix all his work and books before beginning his quest to search for breakfast. But it was already late. He grabbed an apple and dashed out of the house, making it in time in to the class room, just as the bell began to ring.
*
The days turned in to weeks, the weeks turned in to months. Soon, the entire Shohoku high school was packed with students memorizing their lessons for their final exams. Among all these students was Mitsui Hisashi. He had managed to pull his grade from a continuous - C average to a B+ average in the course of two months. He desperately needed to reach the A grades in order to get accepted in Tokyo university under Business IT. He had doubled his efforts in all eight subjects that he was taking, surprising all teachers. Not that they did not like the change - even Akagi was shocked. Mitsui after all was one of the 'red mark army' just a few months back, and now he was one of the top students if not the only one.
Mitsui entered the classroom, to find the exam paper waiting on his desk. He dug out his necessary things and waited for the teacher to signal them to begin. His glasses lay in front of him. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and began to pray to the heavens that he get an A on his exams.
"Begin!" the teacher said.
Mitsui slipped his glasses on and picked up his favorite blue ink pen. He began to answer the exam.
An entire week went by with exams only in every student's mind. Result came a week later. Mitsui was one of the first few people who arrived in school on the 12th of June to collect his reports. His form teacher handed him a white envelope with a smile.
"Good luck, Mitsui-san." He said.
Mitsui thanked him and made his way to the outside, where Akagi and Kogure were eyeing their reports with smiles of satisfaction on their faces. Mitsui was busy getting the envelope to open with shaking hands. He pulled the card out and stared at it. He gaped, he gasped, he stared before he jumped four feet high in the air with a big smile on his face.
"I did it!" He shouted, causing everyone in the hall, including teachers to look at him.
"What is your average percentage?" Akagi asked, a smirk on his face.
"96.5! I did it! I'm going to Tokyo University!" Mitsui announced, smiling so happily that Kogure wondered if his face would tear.
"Congratulations Mitsui! Your hard work got you this far." Kogure said good- naturedly. "I'm going to Aichi Medical College. Akagi is heading to Fukasawa College. They've got good engineering courses there, along with a good basketball team."
Mitsui nodded and looked at the ground. "For a year we've been together and now at this point, we finally part. Ironic ain't it?"
Akagi nodded. "Yes." He sighed. "It is ironic."
"But we have to do this at some point." Kogure shook Mitsui's hands. "I wish you the best of luck Mitsui. I know for a fact that once you got your mind on something, you'd anything and everything to achieve it. Maybe we'll be together again, only at that time, as professionals. As talented individuals."
"You're right." Akagi said nodding.
"Let's all go out!" Mitsui said. "All of us! As a team!" His eyes fell on the group of noisy Shohoku basketball team shouting and slapping each other, since none of them have failed. "As a family."
The entire Shohoku team spent that entire day having fun.
As friends.
As a team.
As a family.
TBC
Okay, now I admit that Koshino is OOC and Mitsui in glasses? Damn, has the moon turned pink? But I wanted him to look smart, plus future chapters would be of Mitsui struggling in college and Koshino's dark side slowly being revealed. It will also be a quick one - meaning the entire year would come in one chapter.
So what do you guys think? Be nice and give me some eye candy would yah? ^^