Disclaimer: I don't own any of the slam dunk characters thereof.

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Chapter 2: Reminiscing

The rain started to pour. As time goes by, it poured heavily…. But Ayako then didn't care. What she's feeling right now is more complicated…more serious… more heavy. Ayako just came home. She was stomping madly as she entered their house. This wasn't really the typical Ayako. Usually, no... I mean everyday she goes home smiling and you can feel that her aura was glowing. But now... she was cold... her aura… everything about her shows sadness and hatred. As if she came from heaven and entered hell.

No one is home. Well, it's good for I want to be alone more than ever. I want to think. I want to cry. I don't know…How can I face this? I'm not ready yet. I'm not ready to face the pain... everything, she thought crying.

"I hate you Ryota!!"she shouted. Hello?? What am I saying? I know I'm lying. He hurt me but.. but why can't I just stop my self from loving him? This won't be easy but I have to, she thought.

"He was my life, he was my everything but now he left me," Ayako whispered to herself.

Baka! Ayako! It's all my fault. I shouldn't have allowed myself from entering another dimension…love. I never thought I would reach this point wherein I'll have to face the consequences. If only I had someone to talk to… to pour all my feelings right now... If only I had a best friend. Worst! Ryota is also my best friend.. she thought.

Ayako continued crying and thinking of everything. Her feelings so confused. It was like everything was against her and the world upon her. Ryota was Ayako's first love. She never really planned to love him. In fact, she tried to stop herself for she knows there are plenty of risks she has to take and face but then she failed. It's just that suddenly she found herself falling for him.

"I thought he was different. I thought he was the one. I thought…Well I shouldn't have jumped into conclusions. I shouldn't have judged him. And now truly he is the same as other guys are ," she said.

Ayako closed her eyes. And only one person was clearly on her mind, Ryota. I have to stop thinking of him. I have to forget him. But how could I? All this time he made me feel I am the most special person in his life. He made me feel I'm the most beautiful girl in the world. He made me feel the love I feared for a long time now. Everything looked so real but then now, maybe it was all a joke.

As Ayako closed her eyes, all she could think of were their memories they've shared together. The happy memories they've pledged to keep and treasure forever.

+++

The sun was indeed beautiful. The colors reflecting the emotions of Ayako and Ryota.

The waves were dancing in the sea as if rejoicing with them. The birds humming feeling the romance in the air. The wind blew filling the  place with comfort. Everything was perfect.

"The sun is so beautiful," Ayako whispered as they watched the sunset.

"Yah... but not as beautiful as you are," Ryota said looking directly into her eyes.

Ayako blushed.

"So do you," she whispered.

"Me? Beautiful?" Ryota said jokingly.

They both laughed softly but then there was a moment of silence.

Their emotions suddenly filled the air with love and warmth.

"I love you Ayako," he whispered.

Ayako smiled. "I love you too"

"I just hope this will be forever." He said.

"What made you said that?" she asked.

"Uh… It's just that we'll never know what will happen in the future you know" he replied. "Life is too short"

"Tsk.. Tsk... You're thinking too much. Have you been drinking a lot of coffee?" she said.

Ryota just smiled.

The two kept quiet then as they watched the sun set signaling another day has again finished.

+++

It was Valentines Day. And everyone was excited as usual. Lovebirds were scattered anywhere and everywhere.

"I wonder where Ryota is. It's Valentines Day. Doesn't he even bother to just even greet me," Ayako said sadly while entering Shohoku High.

Umm… He didn't even accompany me to school. I wonder if he's sick or something. I just hope nothing happened.

As Ayako entered the school, she was welcomed by guess what? Sakuragi!

"Sakuragi? Uhhmm..Why so early? And to whom are you giving that lovely rose?" she asked.

"Bwahaha! Guess," he said.

"Haruko?" Ayako guessed.

"Nope" Sakuragi said.

"To whom?" Ayako said.

"To you my dear," he said giving the rose to her and ran away.

"What's with him?" Ayako said.

Ayako looked at the rose and a tiny paper was attached to it.

Ayako read and it said. "I"

"Sakuragi is pulling another prank... but it's still sweet of him unlike Ryota" she whispered.

Ayako continued walking to her class when she bumped into Mitsui.

"Mitsui!" she said.

"Watch where you're going," she said.

"I'm sorry," he apologized with a big smile.

People are kinda weird today. Well, perhaps because it's Valentines day.

"This is for you," he said still smiling.

Mitsui gave Ayako another rose.

Uh Oh.. People are getting lovestruck today.

"Gotta go now," he said as he went to his class.

Ayako stared at the rose and another paper was attached to it.

"Love?" she said as she read it.

Ayako continued walking to her class thinking of what's happening.

"I … Love" she said as she entered her classroom.

"You.." Ryota said giving her a bouquet of flowers.

Ayako was speechless. Her classmates were howling like dogs and Ryota blushing so much.

Ayako hugged Ryota.

"I love you Ayako" he said hugging her.

"I love you too."

+++

Ayako can't help but cry. Those memories were so special to her. Memories she even promised to keep until death. But now, everything has ended between the two of them. Their love story was different. Though, it may not be like other romantic novels living happily ever after, it was something memorable with just a sad ending.

"Ryota… he was the first man in my life," she said.

"I'll never forget him. Though the pain he gave me won't heal as of now, He still taught me a thing I have to thank him for… it is to love truly." She said.

"Even if his love for me was true or not, the most important thing was I did my part which is to love him with all my heart….."

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A/N

I know this wasn't as good as you were expecting. But I hope I can improve as the story goes on. I'm so sorry if there were some wrong grammar or anything. I am not really good in proofreading. I hope you still liked it.

My exams are coming up but then we'll soon have our semestral break so maybe I can do the next chapter. Still it depends if you'd want me to continue this.

Anyway, I hope you can review this. Ja!

*~*Umm... Also If you have some time also read The Return of the Past.*~*