Count your blessings
By shinichimaki_gal
Disclaimer: I do not own any Slam Dunk characters so dun bother suing coz I am broke.
Slamdunk-serene: Thank goodness you all did not find it boring. But this chapter is better. Yup, Sakuragi rocks! Ne way, enjoy!
Akane: God, you are so lucky! My parents absolutely refuse to let me have that phone! Argh! So frustrating! And I can't tell you what's going to happen. You have to read to find out, ok?
Lambie: Yeah, well, you have to ask a girl formally right? I mean, that's how it worked with me before, but I don't know. Haha, ne way, glad you didn't think that chapter was bad. I think this one is better so enjoy!
* * *
Chapter 15: A decision to change my life
"Ring!" the last bell finally sounded.
Aya woke up at the loud sound. She did not sleep as heavily as she normally did. She had too many things on her head.
"Well, this is it. Whether she forgives me or not, it is up to her," Ayumi sighed as she looked at her friend get up from her seat.
"Daijoubu. You two were such great friends. Why would she want to throw away all of that?" Kogure consoled, smiling gently at her.
Ayumi smiled back weakly. "You don't know Aya. God, I don't either. But I am going to try to find out," she replied. She was just about to walk over to her when suddenly.
"Ms. Aya? Can I see you for minute?" the sensei called.
Ayumi sighed. "All the signs are against our friendship now. It is as though everything stopping me from seeking her forgiveness."
"It will alright. Why don't we go to basketball training first and then you can wait for her there. She is bound to turn up there," Kogure asked her. Ayumi nodded and as soon as Mitsui came over, the three of them left the classroom, leaving only Aya and the sensei in there.
"I wonder why he wants to see her. Probably to give her one of the "care about your future" lectures he is always giving," Mitsui wondered out loud, making Kogure and Ayumi laughed.
* * *
"Well, Ms. Aya. You are in your third and final year of high school. And when you are in this year, you have to make a difficult choice. Where are you going with your life? Have you thought about it," the sensei asked.
"Not really. I guess up to last year, I always wanted to go on a basketball scholarship. But now, since I gave it up, I am basically concentrating on my academic results, I guess. I am not doing badly or anything, am I?" Aya replied, concerned.
"No, actually, even though you sleep in my class, you are still ranked as the best student," the sensei sweat dropped as he looked through her progress card.
"Ok, then. What seems to be the problem? Because I really have to get going. Akagi will get really mad if any of us come late."
"Well, Aya. The association of women's basketball doesn't recognize you as a non-player yet. In fact, they still believe that you would like to play basketball and the reason you are not is because Shohoku does not have a girls' team. It is a misunderstanding, probably because since you stopped playing at the end of last year," the sensei explained to her.
"Ok, what does the association have to do with anything we were talking about just now?" Aya asked, confused.
"Everything, Aya, everything. You see, the association is incredibly impressed at both your basketball and academic results. MVP in junior high, ranked one of the best five players in whole of Japan last year and captain when you were only in year two. Plus, top student in your level every year. Really impressive," the sensei's eyes widened as he looked over her history.
"Yes, yes. I know my life. Would you please get to the point," Aya said, annoyed.
"Gladly. Aya, they want to offer you a full scholarship. You will study at Shizukawa College, the best college in the country, in both academic and sports. And also, once you graduate, you will immediately be entered into the national team. This is a huge opportunity, Aya. I know you haven't given up basketball, you can't lie to me. I watch you practice almost every morning at the court and you have enormous potential."
"I.. I don't know what to say," Aya stammered as the teacher revealed her secret. "I thought I could give it up, but I couldn't. I love it far too much," she murmured.
"Then, may I ask, why did you try to give it up?" he asked gently.
Aya sighed as she launched into the story. When she was done, the sensei rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"You know, something happened to me too. When I was in high school, I used to be in the hockey team. I was like the best. And I wanted my parents to see me play too. But every time, they would say they were busy and they would never come to see me play. One day, I exploded at them and scolded them for being lousy parents. At my next match, my parents made it a point to try to make it. But they didn't. They were killed in a car accident. I hated hockey after that day. Until my sister confronted me. She told me my parents would be disappointed in me that I gave up my dreams. But it was too late by then. It was all over."
He laughed sadly. "I ask you now, Aya. Do you want to disappoint your nanny? Your parents or even your brother? They believe in you. I believe in you. And you should believe in you. Think about it. Here are the papers. Read through them carefully and tell me your decision when you are ready. Go on, now. You wouldn't want to keep the basketball team waiting, would you?" he said, shooing her out of the classroom gently.
Aya nodded as she walked out of the classroom. She then stopped and turned back. "Sensei?" she called.
"Yes?"
"Arigatou. Thank you for believing in me," she replied with a small smile.
"You're welcome," he replied back.
* * * Aya walked slowly to the gym, looking at the ground, dragging her feet. As she entered the gym, a loud voice addressed her.
"Aya! You are late! What do have to say for yourself?" Akagi boomed.
Aya did not reply as she walked over to her manager table and flopped down. Everyone sweat dropped. No one had ever ignored Akagi before. Akagi, enraged by her actions, stomped over to her.
"Oi, did you hear what I just say?"
"Yes, did you think I was deaf? Shut up. Just get lost and go play your game," she mumbled.
"What did you just say?"
"I said shut up! Stop ragging at me! Go back and play your game and stop shouting at me! How completely irritating is it when you want to win the championship but all you ever do is scream at people! Spend your time training with them instead of thinking that you are so awesome, being the captain and all, and screaming at everyone!" Aya shouted back, her blue eyes burning with anger.
Akagi stumbled back, surprised, never hearing her lose her temper before. Slowly, anger seeped back into him and he stormed back to the terrified team before putting them through a tormenting training.
Aya sighed as she held her thumping head between her hands. Thousands of thoughts rushed around her mind as she tried to register everything that was going on. Ayumi slowly walked towards her and put her hand on her shoulder.
"Aya? Is everything alright?" she asked timidly.
"No. Just leave me alone, Ayumi," Aya replied in a tired voice.
* * *
"Argh! That stupid gorilla tortured us so much today!" Sakuragi complained as he lied on the floor beside Mitsui.
"Well, if you ask me, it is all Aya's fault for making him so mad," Mitsui commented.
"Yes, but couldn't he just take a hint? From her face, you could easily see that she was not having a great day," Sakuragi replied.
"Since when did you become an expert on reading people's expression," Mitsui asked, amused.
Sakuragi was just about to reply when the sound of a basketball bouncing caught their attention. They were the only ones left except for Rukawa who was looking for something in his bag. They got up from the floor and turned towards the sound.
There stood Aya, changed into shorts and a t-shirt. She was expertly dribbling the ball with one hand as she studied the net. She then moved back to the centre line and closed her eyes. At the speed of light, she dribbled the ball and made a perfect lay-up shot.
"Sugoi. She did that so fast and she wasn't even looking at what she was doing," Mitsui mumbled, awed at the beautiful performance. She repeated the attack except she shot a three-point shot instead. The ball sailed through the air and swished into the net perfectly.
"Beautiful," Mitsui whispered, not just referring to her plays but also to her and her passion.
Sakuragi, on the other hand, went up to Aya and said, "Aya-san. How dare you make the tensai look bad in front of Mitchy and that Kitsune? I challenge you to a match!" he shouted.
Aya plainly ignored him as Rukawa came up to them. "Do'aho. She will kick your butt."
"Teme Rukawa! Okay, then. Mitchy and I will play against you and Aya. Winner takes all," Sakuragi challenged.
Mitsui came up to them and replied, "Fine by me. Rukawa? Aya?"
Rukawa grunted a yes and the three of them turned to Aya, whose back was facing them. She was still staring at the pole. She slowly turned around, her eyes burning with so much passion that none of them had ever seen in anyone.
"Name your game."
* * *
Argh! I finally did chapter 15! Hope you guys like it! This was not really the chapter I was telling you about but actually the next one: the game. Anyway, hope you guys like it and please r&r!!!! Thanks! Oh yeah, wishing all Muslim readers a Selamat Hari Raya!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own any Slam Dunk characters so dun bother suing coz I am broke.
Slamdunk-serene: Thank goodness you all did not find it boring. But this chapter is better. Yup, Sakuragi rocks! Ne way, enjoy!
Akane: God, you are so lucky! My parents absolutely refuse to let me have that phone! Argh! So frustrating! And I can't tell you what's going to happen. You have to read to find out, ok?
Lambie: Yeah, well, you have to ask a girl formally right? I mean, that's how it worked with me before, but I don't know. Haha, ne way, glad you didn't think that chapter was bad. I think this one is better so enjoy!
* * *
Chapter 15: A decision to change my life
"Ring!" the last bell finally sounded.
Aya woke up at the loud sound. She did not sleep as heavily as she normally did. She had too many things on her head.
"Well, this is it. Whether she forgives me or not, it is up to her," Ayumi sighed as she looked at her friend get up from her seat.
"Daijoubu. You two were such great friends. Why would she want to throw away all of that?" Kogure consoled, smiling gently at her.
Ayumi smiled back weakly. "You don't know Aya. God, I don't either. But I am going to try to find out," she replied. She was just about to walk over to her when suddenly.
"Ms. Aya? Can I see you for minute?" the sensei called.
Ayumi sighed. "All the signs are against our friendship now. It is as though everything stopping me from seeking her forgiveness."
"It will alright. Why don't we go to basketball training first and then you can wait for her there. She is bound to turn up there," Kogure asked her. Ayumi nodded and as soon as Mitsui came over, the three of them left the classroom, leaving only Aya and the sensei in there.
"I wonder why he wants to see her. Probably to give her one of the "care about your future" lectures he is always giving," Mitsui wondered out loud, making Kogure and Ayumi laughed.
* * *
"Well, Ms. Aya. You are in your third and final year of high school. And when you are in this year, you have to make a difficult choice. Where are you going with your life? Have you thought about it," the sensei asked.
"Not really. I guess up to last year, I always wanted to go on a basketball scholarship. But now, since I gave it up, I am basically concentrating on my academic results, I guess. I am not doing badly or anything, am I?" Aya replied, concerned.
"No, actually, even though you sleep in my class, you are still ranked as the best student," the sensei sweat dropped as he looked through her progress card.
"Ok, then. What seems to be the problem? Because I really have to get going. Akagi will get really mad if any of us come late."
"Well, Aya. The association of women's basketball doesn't recognize you as a non-player yet. In fact, they still believe that you would like to play basketball and the reason you are not is because Shohoku does not have a girls' team. It is a misunderstanding, probably because since you stopped playing at the end of last year," the sensei explained to her.
"Ok, what does the association have to do with anything we were talking about just now?" Aya asked, confused.
"Everything, Aya, everything. You see, the association is incredibly impressed at both your basketball and academic results. MVP in junior high, ranked one of the best five players in whole of Japan last year and captain when you were only in year two. Plus, top student in your level every year. Really impressive," the sensei's eyes widened as he looked over her history.
"Yes, yes. I know my life. Would you please get to the point," Aya said, annoyed.
"Gladly. Aya, they want to offer you a full scholarship. You will study at Shizukawa College, the best college in the country, in both academic and sports. And also, once you graduate, you will immediately be entered into the national team. This is a huge opportunity, Aya. I know you haven't given up basketball, you can't lie to me. I watch you practice almost every morning at the court and you have enormous potential."
"I.. I don't know what to say," Aya stammered as the teacher revealed her secret. "I thought I could give it up, but I couldn't. I love it far too much," she murmured.
"Then, may I ask, why did you try to give it up?" he asked gently.
Aya sighed as she launched into the story. When she was done, the sensei rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"You know, something happened to me too. When I was in high school, I used to be in the hockey team. I was like the best. And I wanted my parents to see me play too. But every time, they would say they were busy and they would never come to see me play. One day, I exploded at them and scolded them for being lousy parents. At my next match, my parents made it a point to try to make it. But they didn't. They were killed in a car accident. I hated hockey after that day. Until my sister confronted me. She told me my parents would be disappointed in me that I gave up my dreams. But it was too late by then. It was all over."
He laughed sadly. "I ask you now, Aya. Do you want to disappoint your nanny? Your parents or even your brother? They believe in you. I believe in you. And you should believe in you. Think about it. Here are the papers. Read through them carefully and tell me your decision when you are ready. Go on, now. You wouldn't want to keep the basketball team waiting, would you?" he said, shooing her out of the classroom gently.
Aya nodded as she walked out of the classroom. She then stopped and turned back. "Sensei?" she called.
"Yes?"
"Arigatou. Thank you for believing in me," she replied with a small smile.
"You're welcome," he replied back.
* * * Aya walked slowly to the gym, looking at the ground, dragging her feet. As she entered the gym, a loud voice addressed her.
"Aya! You are late! What do have to say for yourself?" Akagi boomed.
Aya did not reply as she walked over to her manager table and flopped down. Everyone sweat dropped. No one had ever ignored Akagi before. Akagi, enraged by her actions, stomped over to her.
"Oi, did you hear what I just say?"
"Yes, did you think I was deaf? Shut up. Just get lost and go play your game," she mumbled.
"What did you just say?"
"I said shut up! Stop ragging at me! Go back and play your game and stop shouting at me! How completely irritating is it when you want to win the championship but all you ever do is scream at people! Spend your time training with them instead of thinking that you are so awesome, being the captain and all, and screaming at everyone!" Aya shouted back, her blue eyes burning with anger.
Akagi stumbled back, surprised, never hearing her lose her temper before. Slowly, anger seeped back into him and he stormed back to the terrified team before putting them through a tormenting training.
Aya sighed as she held her thumping head between her hands. Thousands of thoughts rushed around her mind as she tried to register everything that was going on. Ayumi slowly walked towards her and put her hand on her shoulder.
"Aya? Is everything alright?" she asked timidly.
"No. Just leave me alone, Ayumi," Aya replied in a tired voice.
* * *
"Argh! That stupid gorilla tortured us so much today!" Sakuragi complained as he lied on the floor beside Mitsui.
"Well, if you ask me, it is all Aya's fault for making him so mad," Mitsui commented.
"Yes, but couldn't he just take a hint? From her face, you could easily see that she was not having a great day," Sakuragi replied.
"Since when did you become an expert on reading people's expression," Mitsui asked, amused.
Sakuragi was just about to reply when the sound of a basketball bouncing caught their attention. They were the only ones left except for Rukawa who was looking for something in his bag. They got up from the floor and turned towards the sound.
There stood Aya, changed into shorts and a t-shirt. She was expertly dribbling the ball with one hand as she studied the net. She then moved back to the centre line and closed her eyes. At the speed of light, she dribbled the ball and made a perfect lay-up shot.
"Sugoi. She did that so fast and she wasn't even looking at what she was doing," Mitsui mumbled, awed at the beautiful performance. She repeated the attack except she shot a three-point shot instead. The ball sailed through the air and swished into the net perfectly.
"Beautiful," Mitsui whispered, not just referring to her plays but also to her and her passion.
Sakuragi, on the other hand, went up to Aya and said, "Aya-san. How dare you make the tensai look bad in front of Mitchy and that Kitsune? I challenge you to a match!" he shouted.
Aya plainly ignored him as Rukawa came up to them. "Do'aho. She will kick your butt."
"Teme Rukawa! Okay, then. Mitchy and I will play against you and Aya. Winner takes all," Sakuragi challenged.
Mitsui came up to them and replied, "Fine by me. Rukawa? Aya?"
Rukawa grunted a yes and the three of them turned to Aya, whose back was facing them. She was still staring at the pole. She slowly turned around, her eyes burning with so much passion that none of them had ever seen in anyone.
"Name your game."
* * *
Argh! I finally did chapter 15! Hope you guys like it! This was not really the chapter I was telling you about but actually the next one: the game. Anyway, hope you guys like it and please r&r!!!! Thanks! Oh yeah, wishing all Muslim readers a Selamat Hari Raya!!!