Part 2
Ayako's room
6:23 PM
"How are you doing Aya-chan?" Miyagi slowly stroked away some fallen hair on Ayako's face.
"I guess I'm ok now. Thank you for visiting, Ryota." She glanced up to Miyagi then... "No! I'm
not okay, Ryota!" cried to his chest. "I was the one who found him dead! I found him, Ryota! I
found him dead!!!" She can't stop wailing. Her tears soaked through Miyagi's shirt.
"I now it's not going to be easy, Aya-chan. But I'll be here with you, for you. We'll go through
this together. Together, Aya-chan, together..." Miyagi hushed Ayako. He cannot look at Ayako's
eye because it breaks his heart to see his love suffering so much, /I wish Aya-chan never knew
Kogure-san. I can't stand to see her tears streaked face/
Miyagi stayed with her all night.
Ryonan High school
7:55 AM
Friday
"Hey, have you heard what happened over Shohoku High?"
"Yeah... it's all over the news. Poor guy, I saw him play once during the Ryonan-Shohoku
practice game. I can't believe he's dead!"
"That's scary! I wonder what's going to happen to Shohoku Basketball team right now? Their
vice-captain is murdered!"
Sendoh stopped dead in his tracks /Kogure-san, dead?!/ then rushed to his captain's classroom to
confirm his confusion and fear. /news? Why didn't I watch it last night?!/ damned himself for not
knowing.
"Uozumi-san!" he called out his senior and was surprised to see the whole Ryonan Basketball team
surrounding their captain.
"So I see you've heard, Sendoh." A distressed Uozumi acknowledge his presence.
Sendoh was speechless. He doesn't know what to say.
"Anou... Sendoh-san..." an uneasy Hikoichi approached his sempai. "Do you want know what
happened, that is if -"
"Hai, Hikoichi, please tell me." Interrupted Sendoh.
"Oneechan told me that Kogure was found dead yesterday morning. He laid face down in a crucifix
position, surrounded by his own blood. Every wall in the Shohoku locker room is splattered with
blood... anou..."
"Please continue, Hikoichi" said Sendoh. /who did that to him?/
"And to the floor was written in blood, the number 1 and the letters A-S." continued a pale
faced Hikoichi.
/A-S? what does this mean? And number 1? It doesn't make any sense.../ Sendoh wondered. He may
not know Kogure that much be he does respect him. He knows his an honorable man and he doesn't
deserve this meaningless death. "He doesn't deserve this... I hope they catch the killer soon."
"That's the tricky part there, Sendoh." Koshino made his way up to Sendoh. "I've heard last
night in the news that there were no tracks left by the killer. They made a thorough check in
the locker room and to the rooms beside it but not even a single clue showed up. The only thing
they figured out that Kogure-san's gym bag is missing other than that, they have nothing."
"Sendoh, do you want to join us this afternoon?" Questioned Ikegami.
"Huh? Where to?"
"We are going to Shohoku right after school. I've talked with Akagi and we already have
Taoka-sensei's permission." Replied Uozumi.
"Of course I'm going!"
"That's settled then. We meet outside the school at exactly 3 pm."
A confused look replaced the ever so present smile on Sendoh's face as he walks towards his
classroom.
"Akira..."
"Oh, Hiro-kun it's you" He stopped and turned to face his lover Koshino Hiroaki. "What's on your
mind?'
"It's just that everyday I see news about someone being killed but I don't care" Koshino
explained. "But now that someone killed is our friend. Maybe not really a friend but I know him.
It's a first for me, I just can't helped being affected."
"I know Hiro-kun, I know..."
Shohoku High School
3:20 PM
"Maki..."
"Uozumi..."
"Fujima..."
Ryonan reached the front gates of Shohoku and came face to face with not only the Kainan's but
also Shoyo.
"I see you also came here to see Shohoku, isn't that right Fujima? Maki?" Uozumi inquired the
other two captains.
"Hai, Uozumi. We cannot believe what happened. I've known Kogure a few years back... it's just
not right." Fujima answered in a sorrowful tone.
"Our coaches are already inside the school accompanying Anzai-sensei" informed Maki. "We arrived
here at the same time... I just can't look at Anzai-sensei..." a downfallen Kainan Captain added.
"Uozumi-san, Maki-san and Fujima san..."
All eyes fell on Sakuragi.
"We're waiting for you, everyone's now in the auditorim... If you all would just follow me..."
when that said, Sakuragi started walking towards the auditorium.
"Whoa! This is serious. That read-head monkey didn't even call you by your nicknames!"
A bewildered Kiyota watched Sakuragi as they walked through the school halls.
Shohoku canceled all it's classes for this day. Teachers and students are just too shocked to
even attend school. Yesterday was definitely a traumatic day for all of them.
Shohoku High School Auditorium
3:30 PM
"Yesterday's event left us a memory that will be forever embedded in our soul." The quivering
voice of Anzai-sensei surrounded the whole auditorium. Students, teacher, the whole basketball
team and even Kogure's parents, who took an early flight to get home at once, and relatives are
there. All are in woe as they recalled yesterday's happening.
"Today," Anzai-sensei continued "We came here not as rivals nor enemies, we came here as
friends, we are a family. A family who is now despair. Madness, hatred, malice and vengeance are
slowly filling our hearts." Anzai-sensei paused for a while as he let stubborn tears appear.
"But let us be strong and do not succumb to such feelings. The boy I was knew and taught
basketball never knew any of those feelings. He's always pure. I know that wherever he is right
now, he's listening, telling us to go on. Always supportive... always loving." He ended his
speech, face full of sorrow.
Silent. Nobody spoke for a long time. Silence is deafening. They hated it but can't do
anything about it.
"In behalf of the Kogure family. I would like to thank you all for giving us this small
tribute." Shohoku's Principal saved them from the killing silence. "Anzai-sensei is right.
Moving on with our life will help us heal our hearts." He continued "Kogure Kiminobu, our
student, our friend, teammate, our brother will always forever remain alive in the depths of
our heart, mind and soul." Finished the Principal looking at the audience. Proud was definitely
in his voice but torment is present in his face.
A few minutes later, basketball teams from Shohoku, Ryonan, Kainan and Shoyo are the only ones
left in the school. Of course, they didn't know why but found themselves inside Shohoku's gym.
"Hnn... guess we're a magnet to this place ne, minna?" Akagi said leaning against a wall.
"I guess..." Fujima leaned against the wall beside Akagi. "If you don't mind me asking... how is
Mitsui? They informed me that he's -"
"Micchy's in a state of shock, Fujima-san..." Sakuragi interrupted Fujima. Scorn is evident in
his voice and eyes.
"Akagi," Uozumi approached him. "We may be rivals in court but outside we're just some teenagers
in need of support. And remember, we are always there to give you that."
The rest of Ryonan, Kainan and Shoyo nodded in agreement.
"Arigatou, Uozumi, Fujima, Maki... arigatou..."
As everyone started to go home...
"Oi! Rukawa!" Sendoh called out
Rukawa waited for Sendoh and Koshino to catch up with him.
"Hey, Rukawa, how are you?" asked a concerned Sendoh.
"Recovering" he coldly replied.
Used to such coldness and bitterness, Koshino and Sendoh expected this as an answer meaning his
not totally fine. Sendoh and Koshino have known Rukawa since they could remember how to
dribble a basketball. These two people here are two of the few whom Rukawa can confide to. They
have a strong friendship that only a few people know. Rukawa rather die than admit to the public
that Sendoh's one of his bestfriend.
"Just remember, Rukawa. We're always here just like what Uozumi-san said." A concerned Koshino
patted Rukawa's shoulder.
Kanagawa Memorial Cemetery
10:00 AM
Sunday
No one's absent in this mournful event, even Mitsui refused not to attend. He now knows the
fact that his beloved had passed away but like everything else, it takes time to accept and to
heal.
Not a single face was dry that morning, Women are weeping, men are grieving, even the ever so
passive Rukawa. His face shows nothing but his visible tears tells us a different story.
"Hey, Kitsune." Sakuragi held Rukawa's hand.
Not looking at Sakuragi, "What, do ahou?"
"I don't know Kitsune, I don't know... I just need to hold to someone right now."
Rukawa still not facing his koi "Me too... Hana... me too." Told his love and gripped his hand.
Ayako held onto Miyagi for dear life. Akagi standing strong while holding his trembling sister,
Haruko. Sendoh, Maki, Hanagata and along with the rest, stood proud albeit the remorse visible
in their eyes.
There they watch as the gold colored casket was carefully laid unto rest, six feet under.
Shohoku High School Gym
3:30 PM
Two weeks later - Saturday
"SHOHOKU!!!"
"FIGHT!!!"
/Training started a week ago, Mitsui-san came back yesterday, not fully recovered but who could
blame him.../ The team's point guard reminisced. /Aya-chan's doing better, but Sakuragi's still
not fully back to his old fiery mood, again... who could blame him/
"Miyagi! Concentrate!" Akagi interrupted his train of thoughts.
Ever since they started training a week ago, the mood was never the same. No one really talked
to each other during practice. Not even a punch or two from Akagi took place.
"ho ho ho..." Anzai-senei laughed his infamous laugh as he makes his way through the gym. He
laughed to uplift the tension but his laugh lost its touch since two weeks ago.
"Okay, take 5 minna!" Akagi told his teammates.
Sakuragi and Rukawa both, at the same time, reached for their water containers.
"Kaede, I want you to go straight home tonight, no late practices." Sakuragi firmly said
to Rukawa, facing him. "Who ever is that murderer might still be here... lurking in Kanagawa."
"Hnn..." Was the only answer of the stoic boy.
Downtown Kanagawa
8:30 PM
Anzai-sensei is walking his usual route home from the station to his house. He felt that
someone is watching him, still shaken up from the recent incident he turned around and found..
"Oh it's you!" Anzai-sensei sighed in his relief. "Is there anything you need to ask me?" He
asked
"Anou..." came the reply
"Why don't we go to my place, it's only a few minutes from here and then we'll talk ne?"
Suggested Anzai-sensei to his companion.
"Hai."
As they entered Anzai-sensei's home...
"Why don't you sit here while I'll go get some tea." Anzai-senei patted the cushions. "My wife
isn't home, she has to stay with our daughter whom had just given birth to our grandchild." He
explained as he walks through he kitchen.
Anzai-sensei walks back to the living room carrying a tray. "So what is it you want to talk
abo ---"
Blackness engulfed him as he felt his life draining away from him. With his last breath he
muttered. "w... why..."
Ayako's room
6:23 PM
"How are you doing Aya-chan?" Miyagi slowly stroked away some fallen hair on Ayako's face.
"I guess I'm ok now. Thank you for visiting, Ryota." She glanced up to Miyagi then... "No! I'm
not okay, Ryota!" cried to his chest. "I was the one who found him dead! I found him, Ryota! I
found him dead!!!" She can't stop wailing. Her tears soaked through Miyagi's shirt.
"I now it's not going to be easy, Aya-chan. But I'll be here with you, for you. We'll go through
this together. Together, Aya-chan, together..." Miyagi hushed Ayako. He cannot look at Ayako's
eye because it breaks his heart to see his love suffering so much, /I wish Aya-chan never knew
Kogure-san. I can't stand to see her tears streaked face/
Miyagi stayed with her all night.
Ryonan High school
7:55 AM
Friday
"Hey, have you heard what happened over Shohoku High?"
"Yeah... it's all over the news. Poor guy, I saw him play once during the Ryonan-Shohoku
practice game. I can't believe he's dead!"
"That's scary! I wonder what's going to happen to Shohoku Basketball team right now? Their
vice-captain is murdered!"
Sendoh stopped dead in his tracks /Kogure-san, dead?!/ then rushed to his captain's classroom to
confirm his confusion and fear. /news? Why didn't I watch it last night?!/ damned himself for not
knowing.
"Uozumi-san!" he called out his senior and was surprised to see the whole Ryonan Basketball team
surrounding their captain.
"So I see you've heard, Sendoh." A distressed Uozumi acknowledge his presence.
Sendoh was speechless. He doesn't know what to say.
"Anou... Sendoh-san..." an uneasy Hikoichi approached his sempai. "Do you want know what
happened, that is if -"
"Hai, Hikoichi, please tell me." Interrupted Sendoh.
"Oneechan told me that Kogure was found dead yesterday morning. He laid face down in a crucifix
position, surrounded by his own blood. Every wall in the Shohoku locker room is splattered with
blood... anou..."
"Please continue, Hikoichi" said Sendoh. /who did that to him?/
"And to the floor was written in blood, the number 1 and the letters A-S." continued a pale
faced Hikoichi.
/A-S? what does this mean? And number 1? It doesn't make any sense.../ Sendoh wondered. He may
not know Kogure that much be he does respect him. He knows his an honorable man and he doesn't
deserve this meaningless death. "He doesn't deserve this... I hope they catch the killer soon."
"That's the tricky part there, Sendoh." Koshino made his way up to Sendoh. "I've heard last
night in the news that there were no tracks left by the killer. They made a thorough check in
the locker room and to the rooms beside it but not even a single clue showed up. The only thing
they figured out that Kogure-san's gym bag is missing other than that, they have nothing."
"Sendoh, do you want to join us this afternoon?" Questioned Ikegami.
"Huh? Where to?"
"We are going to Shohoku right after school. I've talked with Akagi and we already have
Taoka-sensei's permission." Replied Uozumi.
"Of course I'm going!"
"That's settled then. We meet outside the school at exactly 3 pm."
A confused look replaced the ever so present smile on Sendoh's face as he walks towards his
classroom.
"Akira..."
"Oh, Hiro-kun it's you" He stopped and turned to face his lover Koshino Hiroaki. "What's on your
mind?'
"It's just that everyday I see news about someone being killed but I don't care" Koshino
explained. "But now that someone killed is our friend. Maybe not really a friend but I know him.
It's a first for me, I just can't helped being affected."
"I know Hiro-kun, I know..."
Shohoku High School
3:20 PM
"Maki..."
"Uozumi..."
"Fujima..."
Ryonan reached the front gates of Shohoku and came face to face with not only the Kainan's but
also Shoyo.
"I see you also came here to see Shohoku, isn't that right Fujima? Maki?" Uozumi inquired the
other two captains.
"Hai, Uozumi. We cannot believe what happened. I've known Kogure a few years back... it's just
not right." Fujima answered in a sorrowful tone.
"Our coaches are already inside the school accompanying Anzai-sensei" informed Maki. "We arrived
here at the same time... I just can't look at Anzai-sensei..." a downfallen Kainan Captain added.
"Uozumi-san, Maki-san and Fujima san..."
All eyes fell on Sakuragi.
"We're waiting for you, everyone's now in the auditorim... If you all would just follow me..."
when that said, Sakuragi started walking towards the auditorium.
"Whoa! This is serious. That read-head monkey didn't even call you by your nicknames!"
A bewildered Kiyota watched Sakuragi as they walked through the school halls.
Shohoku canceled all it's classes for this day. Teachers and students are just too shocked to
even attend school. Yesterday was definitely a traumatic day for all of them.
Shohoku High School Auditorium
3:30 PM
"Yesterday's event left us a memory that will be forever embedded in our soul." The quivering
voice of Anzai-sensei surrounded the whole auditorium. Students, teacher, the whole basketball
team and even Kogure's parents, who took an early flight to get home at once, and relatives are
there. All are in woe as they recalled yesterday's happening.
"Today," Anzai-sensei continued "We came here not as rivals nor enemies, we came here as
friends, we are a family. A family who is now despair. Madness, hatred, malice and vengeance are
slowly filling our hearts." Anzai-sensei paused for a while as he let stubborn tears appear.
"But let us be strong and do not succumb to such feelings. The boy I was knew and taught
basketball never knew any of those feelings. He's always pure. I know that wherever he is right
now, he's listening, telling us to go on. Always supportive... always loving." He ended his
speech, face full of sorrow.
Silent. Nobody spoke for a long time. Silence is deafening. They hated it but can't do
anything about it.
"In behalf of the Kogure family. I would like to thank you all for giving us this small
tribute." Shohoku's Principal saved them from the killing silence. "Anzai-sensei is right.
Moving on with our life will help us heal our hearts." He continued "Kogure Kiminobu, our
student, our friend, teammate, our brother will always forever remain alive in the depths of
our heart, mind and soul." Finished the Principal looking at the audience. Proud was definitely
in his voice but torment is present in his face.
A few minutes later, basketball teams from Shohoku, Ryonan, Kainan and Shoyo are the only ones
left in the school. Of course, they didn't know why but found themselves inside Shohoku's gym.
"Hnn... guess we're a magnet to this place ne, minna?" Akagi said leaning against a wall.
"I guess..." Fujima leaned against the wall beside Akagi. "If you don't mind me asking... how is
Mitsui? They informed me that he's -"
"Micchy's in a state of shock, Fujima-san..." Sakuragi interrupted Fujima. Scorn is evident in
his voice and eyes.
"Akagi," Uozumi approached him. "We may be rivals in court but outside we're just some teenagers
in need of support. And remember, we are always there to give you that."
The rest of Ryonan, Kainan and Shoyo nodded in agreement.
"Arigatou, Uozumi, Fujima, Maki... arigatou..."
As everyone started to go home...
"Oi! Rukawa!" Sendoh called out
Rukawa waited for Sendoh and Koshino to catch up with him.
"Hey, Rukawa, how are you?" asked a concerned Sendoh.
"Recovering" he coldly replied.
Used to such coldness and bitterness, Koshino and Sendoh expected this as an answer meaning his
not totally fine. Sendoh and Koshino have known Rukawa since they could remember how to
dribble a basketball. These two people here are two of the few whom Rukawa can confide to. They
have a strong friendship that only a few people know. Rukawa rather die than admit to the public
that Sendoh's one of his bestfriend.
"Just remember, Rukawa. We're always here just like what Uozumi-san said." A concerned Koshino
patted Rukawa's shoulder.
Kanagawa Memorial Cemetery
10:00 AM
Sunday
No one's absent in this mournful event, even Mitsui refused not to attend. He now knows the
fact that his beloved had passed away but like everything else, it takes time to accept and to
heal.
Not a single face was dry that morning, Women are weeping, men are grieving, even the ever so
passive Rukawa. His face shows nothing but his visible tears tells us a different story.
"Hey, Kitsune." Sakuragi held Rukawa's hand.
Not looking at Sakuragi, "What, do ahou?"
"I don't know Kitsune, I don't know... I just need to hold to someone right now."
Rukawa still not facing his koi "Me too... Hana... me too." Told his love and gripped his hand.
Ayako held onto Miyagi for dear life. Akagi standing strong while holding his trembling sister,
Haruko. Sendoh, Maki, Hanagata and along with the rest, stood proud albeit the remorse visible
in their eyes.
There they watch as the gold colored casket was carefully laid unto rest, six feet under.
Shohoku High School Gym
3:30 PM
Two weeks later - Saturday
"SHOHOKU!!!"
"FIGHT!!!"
/Training started a week ago, Mitsui-san came back yesterday, not fully recovered but who could
blame him.../ The team's point guard reminisced. /Aya-chan's doing better, but Sakuragi's still
not fully back to his old fiery mood, again... who could blame him/
"Miyagi! Concentrate!" Akagi interrupted his train of thoughts.
Ever since they started training a week ago, the mood was never the same. No one really talked
to each other during practice. Not even a punch or two from Akagi took place.
"ho ho ho..." Anzai-senei laughed his infamous laugh as he makes his way through the gym. He
laughed to uplift the tension but his laugh lost its touch since two weeks ago.
"Okay, take 5 minna!" Akagi told his teammates.
Sakuragi and Rukawa both, at the same time, reached for their water containers.
"Kaede, I want you to go straight home tonight, no late practices." Sakuragi firmly said
to Rukawa, facing him. "Who ever is that murderer might still be here... lurking in Kanagawa."
"Hnn..." Was the only answer of the stoic boy.
Downtown Kanagawa
8:30 PM
Anzai-sensei is walking his usual route home from the station to his house. He felt that
someone is watching him, still shaken up from the recent incident he turned around and found..
"Oh it's you!" Anzai-sensei sighed in his relief. "Is there anything you need to ask me?" He
asked
"Anou..." came the reply
"Why don't we go to my place, it's only a few minutes from here and then we'll talk ne?"
Suggested Anzai-sensei to his companion.
"Hai."
As they entered Anzai-sensei's home...
"Why don't you sit here while I'll go get some tea." Anzai-senei patted the cushions. "My wife
isn't home, she has to stay with our daughter whom had just given birth to our grandchild." He
explained as he walks through he kitchen.
Anzai-sensei walks back to the living room carrying a tray. "So what is it you want to talk
abo ---"
Blackness engulfed him as he felt his life draining away from him. With his last breath he
muttered. "w... why..."